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History of Fond du Lac County Wiscorisin
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http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924028871478
THE
HISTORY
Fond du Lac County,
WISCONSIN,
CONTAINING
A HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY, ITS EARLY SETTLEMENT, GROWTH, DEVELOPMENT, RESOURCES,
ETC., ETC., AN EXTENSIVE AND MINUTE SKETCH OF ITS CITIES, THEIR IMPROVEMENTS,
INDUSTRIES, MANUFACTORIES, CHURCHES, SCHOOLS, SOCIETIES, ETC., ETC., WAR
RECORD, BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, PORTRAITS OF PROMINENT MEN AND
EARLY SETTLERS, ETC., ETC., ETC.; ALSO HISTORY OF WISCONSIN,
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES AND OF
WISCONSIN, CONDENSED ABSTRACT OF
LAWS OF WISCONSIN, MISCELLA-
NEOUS, ETC., ETC.
IXiIjTJST'B.-A.TE3I).
CHICAGO:
WESTERN HISTORICAL COMPANY.
MDOOOLXXX.
PREFACE
IN presenting this history to the citizens of Fond du Lac Coun.ty, the desire is to place
upon record 'whatever incidents of importance have transpired in this region since its
first settlement, and that, too, in a reliable manner and in permanent form.
As preliminary to the annals of the county, a brief sketch of Wisconsin is given, includ-
ing its Antiquities, Indian tribes, pre-Territorial times, its Territorial history, and an outline
of the different Administrations since the State was admitted into the Union. This, it is
thought, will prove attractive to the reader. It is followed by articles on Topography and
Geology of Wisconsin ; on its Climatology, Trees, Shrubs and Vines ; its Educational Inter-
ests, Agriculture, Mineral Resources and Railroads ; on its Lumber Manufacture, Banking,
Commerce and Manufactures ; the Public Domain, and the Health of the State. All these
articles are by able Wisconsin writers. Following these, are Statistics of the State, and an
Abstract of its Laws and Constitution, and of the Constitution of the United States.
Facts and figures, incidents and reminiscences, anecdotes and sketches are given in the
county history, with a variety and completeness commensurate with their importance. This
has necessitated a persevering effort ; but the labor has been lessened by the cordial assist-
ance of many friends to the enterprise, to all of whom our grateful acknowledgments are
tendered. They have enabled us to give the present generation, it is believed, a valuable
reflex of the times and deeds of pioneer days, and to the pioneer men and women a lasting
monument. Many of those still living have kindly extended their aid. To them, as well
as to the Press and Pulpit, and also to the ofiicers of the State Historical Society, we desire
to express our sincere thanks for numerous favors received at their hands.
April, 1880. THE PUBLISHERS.
\
CHICAGO:
CULVKE, PAGE, HOYNB & CO., PRINTBES.
118 AND 120 MOABOK StBBBT.
CONTENTS.
Page.
Antiquities 19
Indian Tribes 21
Pre-Territorial Annals 29
Wisconsin Territory 41
Wiscon£iin asaState 62
l^Tst Administration 52
Second Administration 67
Third Administration 59
Fourth Administration 62
Fifth Administration 64
Sixth Administration ! 66
Seventh Administration 67
War of Secession Commenced 69
Eighth Administration 76
Ninth Administration 85
Statistics ofVolunteera 90
Tenth Administration 92
Eleventh Administration 93
Twelfth Administration 94
Thirteenth Administration 97
Fourteenth Administration 99
Fifteenth Administration 104
Sixteenth Administration 109
Topography and Geology 110
The Archaean Age 112
Paleozoic Time — Silurian Age 116
Devonian Age 119
Glacial Period , 120
Climatology 121
Trees, Shrubs and Vines 128
Fauna 134
Fish and Fish Culture 134
Large Animals — Time of their Disap-
pearance 138
Peculiarities of the Bird Fauna 139
FducatioDal 140
Original School Code 140
Agitation for Free Schools 141
School System under State Govern-
ment 141
School Fund Income i 142
State University 143
Agricultural College 144
Normal Schools 144
Teachers' Institutes 146
Graded Schools 146
HI^TOBT OF WISCONSIN.
Page, l
Educational :
Township System 146
Free High Sctfools : 147
School Offices 147
State Teachers' Certificates 147
Teachers' Associations 148
Libraries 148
State Superintendents 148
College Sketches 149
Female Colleges 150
Academies and Seminaries , ...151
Commercial Schools 151
Agriculture 151
Mineral Resources 162
Lead and Zinc 162
Iron 165
Cppper 168
(Jold and Silver 168
Brick Clays 168
Cement Bock ^ 170
Limestone — Glass Sand 171
Peat— Building Stones 172
Railroads 173
Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul 173
Chicago & Northwestern 176^
Wisconsin Central 178'
Western Union 179
West Wisconsin 180
Milwaukee, Lake Shore & Westera 180
Green Bay & Minnesota 181
Wisconsin Valley 181
Sheboygan & Fonddu Lac .181
Mineral Point 182
Madison & Portage ..182
North Wisconsin 183
Prairie du Chien & McGregor 183
Chippewa Falls & Western 183
Narrow Gauge * 183
Conclusion 184
Lumber 185
Banking l91
Commerce and Manufactures 198
Furs 199
Lead and Zinc — Iron 200
Lumber 201
Grain 202
Page.
Commerce and Manufactures :
Dairy Products 203
Pork and Beef. 203
Hops 204
Tobacco — Cranberries 205
Liquors 205
Miscellaneous 206
Water Powers 206
Manufactures 208
OonclnsioQ 208
The PublicDomain 210
Health 230
Geographical Position : 230
Physical Features 230
Geology 231
Drainage 232
Climatology 232
Rain Character 233>
. Isotherms « ..234
Barometrical .^234
Winds 235
Climatological Changes from Settling
in the State ^.235
Influence of Nationalities ...237
Occupations— Food — Education, etc 238
History of Disease 238
Ratio of Sickness, Ft. Howard and Win-
nebago 230
Education of the Blind 241
Institute of Deaf and Dumb 241
Industrial School for Boys 242
SUte Prison 242
State Hospital for the Insane 242
Northern Hospital for the Insane 243
City of Milwaukee 243
Health Resorts 244
Change of Diseases 246
Pulmonary Diseases 248
Statistics 249
Population, 1875, of Townships, Alpha-
betically Arranged by Counties 249
Population by Counties 258
Nativity by Counties .....259
Valuation of Property 260
Acreage of Principal Crops 261, 262
ABSTRACT OF WISCOKSIK STATE LiAWS.
Page.
Actions 283
Arrest 283
Attachment 284
Adoption of Children 276
Assignment of Mortgage 274
Assessment and Collection of Taxes 267
Assessmentof Taxes 268
Bills of Exchange or Promissory Notes 272
Borrowed Money 267
Capital Punishment 278
Collection of Taxes 270
Commercial Terms 285
Common Schools 266
" ges for Trespass..... 279
Page.
Elections and General Elections 263
Estrays 279
Exemptions 284
Fences 280
Forms of Conveyances 273
Forms of Mortgages 274
Garnishment 284
Highways and Bridges 270
Hours of Labor « 273
Interest 277
Intoxicating Liquors 271
Judgments 284
Jurisdiction of Courts 277
Jurors 278
Page,
Landlord and Tenant ., 281
Limitation of Actions 285
Marks and Brands 281
Married Women 283
Stay Law , 284
Surveyors and Surveys 282
Support of Poor 282
Suggestions to Persons Purchasing Books
by Subscription 285
Title of Real Pl-opertyby Descent 275
Weights and Measures 278
Wills 276
Wolf Scalps 278
MISCKI.1iA|ir£01JS.
Page. | Page. |
Wisconsin State Constitution 287 Vote of Wisconsin for Governor and Presi- Population of the State..
U.S. OoDstitution 297 | dent 306-307
Page.
308
IV
CONTENTS.
HlfSTORY OF FOHfn DB I/AC COUNTY.
Page.
OHAPTBK I.— Topography, Elevations of
Different Points, Artesian Wells, Water
Powers. Greological Formations, Phys-
ical Features 309
OHAPTEE n.— Ancient Earth Works,
Indian Occupancy, Early French
Traders, United States Land Surreys,
United States Land Districts, Fond du
Lac Company, Origin of the Name
Fond du Lac, An Early Trip to the
Head of Winnebago Lake, First Settle-
ment in Fond du Lac County 324
CHAPTER III.—" The Old Military Road"
and Other Early Highways, Pioneer
Life, Fond du Lac County Boundaries
Established, Early Political History,
Fond du Lac County on Early Maps,
Organization of the County, Pioneer
BeminiBcences 339
OHAPTBK IV.— Territorial District Court
and State Circuit Court, Municipal
Court of the City and Town of Ripon,
County Court, County Officers from
1839 to 1880, County Board of Super-
vidoTS, Territorial, State and National
Representation, Nayigation of Lake
Winnebago, Wisconsin Phalanx 384
CHAPTER v.— Fond du Lac County
Bible Society, County Court House ^
and Jail, County Poor Farm and Build-
ings, Agriculture in Fond du Lac
County, The Dairying Interests of
Fond du Lac County, County Agricult-
Paoe,
ural and Mechanical Society, Ripon
Agricultural Association, Plank Roads,
Railroads, Fond du Lac County a Quar-
ter of a Century Ago, A Terrible
Disaster 409
CHAPTER VI.— The Press of Fond du
Lac County, Some of Fond du Lac
County's Illustrious Dead, "Indian
Scare," First Things, County Statistics,
Prosperity of the County, Political
Parties, Ripon College 439
CHAPTER VII.— A Diyorce Refused, Ori-
gin of the Republican Party,01d Set-
tlers'Olub of Fond du Lac County, Com-
mon Schools, Literature and the Fine
Arts, Fond du Lac County's War
Record, A Retrospect 513
CHAPTER, VIII.— CiTT or Fond no Lao.
— Past and Present, Aborigines, Early
Settlement, Village of Fond du Lac,
City of Fond du Lac Incorporated,
City Officers, 1852-1879, City of Fond
du Lac a Quarter of a Century Ago,
Fond du Lac Post Office, Fire Depart-
ment, City Lock-Up. Artesian Wells,
Gas Works, Schools, Bonded Indebted-
ness, Public Halls, Hotels, Benevolent
Institutions and Societies, Literary
and other Societies, Public Library,
Secret Societies, , Churches, Banks.
Manufacturing Interests, Yacht Clubs,
Conflagrations, Rienzi Cemetery,
- Floods and Freshets, Incidents and
Page.
First Things, Early Times in Fond du
Lac 5155
CHAPTER IX.— City of Eipon.— First
Owners of Ripon, Early Settlement,
Eipon's Early Progress, City Incoi^
poratad. City OfBcers 1858 to 1880,
Post Ofttce, Public Schools, Kipon
Water-Power, Fire Departipent, Gas-
works, Hotels of Kipon, Public Halls,
Churches of Kipon, Banks, Secret
Societies, Benevolent, Literary and
other Societies, Manufacturing Inter-
ests, Ripon Cemeteries, Conflagra-
tions, Ripon's, Fighting Career, " The
Booth War," First Things, Growth of
the City, Ripon of To-Day 663
CHAPTER X,— City of Waupcn.— First
Settlement, Meaning of the word
Waupun, First Events, Growth of
Waupun, Village and City Officers
1857-1879, A Eeminiscence, Churches,
Waupun a Quarter of a Century Ago,
Secret Societies, Waupun -PioneoM,
Manufactories, Banks. Old Settlers'
Club, Waupun Library Association,
Wisconsin State Prison, Waupun a
Dozen Years Ago, Waupun Fire Com-
pany No, 1, Dodge County Mutual
Insurance Company, A Contrast,
Waupun Schools, The Post Office,
Waupun Agricultural and Mechanical
Association, Cemeteries, Public Halls ,
Hotels, Fun in Ye Olden Time 696
CHAPTER XI.— Towns and Villages 733
Page.
Aldiich, Jas. F '. 829
Althouse, M.J 721
Bragg, Edwards 325
Bowers, S. S '. 415
Boardman, N 379
Bishop, L. A 559
Benton, C.H 505
Brand, W. B 211
Beach, E. M 937
Bovay, A. E 523
Brinkerhotf, J. H j. 703
Conklin, H 61
Carter, Jacob 966
Coolidge, J. H 991
Curtis, Gen. D 866
Drury, E. W 99
Dobbs, J 667
Ewen, S 147
POKTKAITS.
Page.
Eldredge, C. A 343
Eidenmiller, L 847
Galloway, E.H 67
Gilson, N. S 649
Giffin, N. 0 397
Huber, J. 0 461
Hamilton, J 243
Hamilton, W.C 775
Hazen, Chester 757
Kinyon, A 596
Lamb, Dana 116
Mayhan, T. F 631
Meyer, Chas. J. L 433
McDonald, John 361
McDonald, Alex 677
Moore; M. D 275
Matteson, B. C : 811
Pier, Edward 36
Page.
Pier, 0. K 641
Perkins, Geo 291
Pool,Wm., Jr 973
Patty, B. S 793
Plocker, Wm 739
Russell, Geo. A 919
Ruggles, A. 6 307
Sutherland, Geo. B i&7
Starr, Wm 685
Sumner, S 901
Shattuck, H. S 469
Sherwin, W. C 1009
Town, Byron 179
Tallmadge. N. P 83
Upham, C. H 883
Van Duyne, D. E 613
BIOC^BAPHICAJj SKETCHES.
Page.
Alto 1067
Auburn 962
Ashford 966
Byron 1019
Calumet 1029
Eldorado 1024
Empire 1012
Pa«e.
Eden 981
Fond du Lac 777
Forest 976
Friendship 936
Lamartine 1033
Metomen'. 1042
Marshfleld 989
Page.
Osceola 971
Oakfleld 1001
Kipon 881
Rosendale '. 913
Springvale 925
Taycheedah ■ 997
Waupun 939
WlSCCl^IfSIlf,
HI8TOEY OF WISCONSIisT.
BY C. W. BUTTERFIELD.
I.— WISCONSIN ANTIQUITIES.
The first explorers of the valleys of the Great Lakes and the Mississippi and its tributaries,
seem not to have noticed, to any considerable extent, the existence within these vast areas of
monuments of an extinct race. Gradually, however, as the tide of emigration broke through the
barriers of the AUeghanies ^nd spread in a widely extended flow over what are now the States of
the Northwest, these prehistoric vestiges attracted more and more the attention of the curious
and the learned, until, at the present time,. almost every person is presumed to have some general
knowledge, not only of their existence, but of some of their striking peculiarities. Unfortunately,
these signs of a long since departed people are fast disappearing by the never ceasing operations
of the elements, and the constant encroachments of civilization. The earliest notices of the
animal and vegetable kingdom of this region are to be found in its rocks ; but Wisconsin's earli-
est records of men can only be traced in here and there a crumbling earth-work, in the fragment
of a skeleton, or in a few stone and copper implements — dim and shadowy relics of their
handicraft.
The ancient dwellers in these valleys, whose history \f lost in the lapse of ages, are desig-
nated, usually, as the Mound-Builders ; not that building mounds was probably their distinctive
employment, but that such artificial elevations of the earth are, to a great extent, the only evi-
dences remaining of their actual occupation of the country. As to the origin of these people,
all knowledge must, possibly, continue to rest upon conjecture alone. Nor were the habitations
of this race confined to the territory orf' which Wisconsin now forms a part. At one time, they
must have been located in many ulterior regions. The earth-works^ tumuli, or "mounds," as they
are generally designated, are usually symmetrically raised and often inclosed in mathematical
figures, such as the square, the octagon, and the circle, with long lines of circumvallation.
Besides these earth-works, there are pits dug in the solid rock ; rubbish heaps formed in the
prosecution of mining operations ; and a variety of implements and utensils, wrought in copper
or stone, or moulded in clay. Whence came the inhabitants who left these evidences to succeed-
ing generations .' In other words, who were the Mound-BuSders .' Did they migrate from the
Old World, or is their origin to be sought for elsewhere ? And as to their manners and customs
and civilization — what of these things ? Was the race finally swept from the New World to give
place to Red men, or was it the one from which the latter descended .' These momentous ques-
tions are left for the ethnologist, the archaeologist, and the antiquarian of the future to answer —
if they can.
20
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
Inclosures and mounds of the prehistoric people,' it is generally believed, constituted but
parts of one system ; the former being, in the main, intended for purposeg'of defense or religion ;
the latter, for sacrifice, for temple sites, for burial places, or for observatories. In selecting sites
for many of these earth-works, the Mound-Builders appear to have been influenced by motives
which prompt civilized men to choose localities for their great marts; hence, Cincinnati, St.'
Louis, Chicago, Milwaukee and other cities of the West, are founded on ruins of pre-existing
structures. River terraces and river bottoms seem to have been the favorite places for these
earth-works. In such localities, the natural advantages of the country could be made available
with much less trouble than in portions of the country lying at a distance from water-courses.
In Wisconsin, therefore, as in other parts, the same general idea of selecting points contiguous
to the principal natural thoroughfares is found to have prevailed with the Mound-Builders ; for ,
their works are seen in the basin of the Fox river of the Illinois, in that of Rock river and its
branches, in the valley of Fox river of Green bay, in that of the Wisconsin, as well as near
the waters of the Mississippi. ,
While a few circumvallations and immense mounds, suc^h as are common to certain other
portions of the United States, are discoverable in Wisconsin, yet by far the largest number of
earthworks have one peculiarity tiot observable, except in a few instances, outside the State.
This characteristic is a very striking one The fact is revealed that they are imitative in form —
resembling beasts, reptiles, birds, fish, man. All these, for convenience, are usually classed
under the general name of "animal mounds," although some are in the similitude of trees, some
of war clubs, others of tobacco pipes. Generally, these figures are in groups, though sometimes
they are seen alone. For what purpose these earth-works were heaped up — they rise above the
surface two, four, and sometimes six feet — or what particular uses they were intended to subserve,
is unknown. It is, however, safe to affirm that they ha4 some significance. A number resemble
the bear ; a few, the buffalo ; others, the raccoon. Lizards, turtles, and even tadpoles, are out-
lined in the forms of some. The war eagle, and the war club has each its representative. All
this, of course, could not have been a mere happening — the work of chance. The sizes of these
mounds are as various as their forms. One near Cassville, in Grant county, very complete in
its representation of an animal, supposed to be of the elephant species, was found, upon measure-
ment, to have a total length of one hundred and thirty-five feet. Another in Sauk county, quite
perfect in its resemblance to the form of a man, was of eqtial length — a veritable colossjis ;
prone, it is true, and, soon to disappear, if it has not already been destroyed, by ravages of a
superior civilization.
In portions of Wisconsin, as well as in a few places outside the State, are found earth-works
of another kind, but quite as rema,rkable as the "animal mounds," which, from their supposed
use, have been styled "garden beds." They are ridges, or beds, about six inches in height and
four feet in width, ranged, with much apparent method, in parallel rows, sometimes rectangular
in shape, sometimes of various but regular and symmetrical curves, and occupying fields of from
ten to a hundred acres.
The Mound-Builders have left many relics, besides their earthworks, to attest their presence
in Wisconsin in ages past. Scattered widely are found stone and copper axes, spear-heads, and
arrow-heads, also various other implements — evidently their handiwork. As these articles are
frequently discovered many feet beneath the surface, it argues a high antiquity for the artificers.
Whether they had the skill to mould their copper implements is doubtful. Such as plainly show
the work of hammeringj indicate an art beyond that possessed by the Red men who peopled
America upon its first discovery by Europeans. In a few instances, fragments of human skulls
have been found so well preserved as to enable a comparison to be drawn between the crania of
THE INDIAN" TEIBES OF WISCONSIN. 21
this ancient race and those of modern ones ; the results, however, of these comparisons throw
little, if any, light upon " the dark backward and abysm " of mound-building times.
The evidences of an extinct people of superior intelligence is very strikingly exhibited in
the ancient copper mines of the Lake Superior region. Here are to be found excavations in the
solid rock ; heaps of rubble and dirt ; copper utensils fashioned into knives, chisels, and spear
and arrow-heads; stone hammers; wooden bowls and shovels; props and levers for raising and
supporting the mass copper; and ladders for ascending and descending the pits. These mines
were probably worked by people not only inhabiting what is now the State of Wisconsin, but
territory farther to the southward. The copper was here obtained, it is believed, which has been
found in many places, even as far away as the northern shore of the Gulf of Mexico, wrought
into various implements and utensils. But there are no traces in Wisconsin of a " copper age "
succeeding a " stone age," discernadle in any prehistoric relics. They all refer alike' to one
age — the indefinite past ; to one people — the Mound-Builders.
II.— THE INDIAN TRIBES OF WISCONSIN.
When, as early, it is believed, as 1634, civilized man first set foot upon the territory now
included within the boundaries of Wisconsin, he discovered, to his surprise, that upon this wide
area met and mingled clans of two distinct and wide-spread families — the Algonquins and
Sioux. The tribes of the former, moving westward, checked the advance of the latter in their
excursions eastward. As yet there had been no representatives of the Huron-Iroquois seen west
of Lake Michigan — the members of this great family, at that date dwelling in safety in the
extensive regions northward and southward of the Erie and Ontario lakes. Already had the
French secured a foot-hold in the extensive valley of the St. Lawrence ; and, naturally enough,
the chain of the Great Lakes led their explorers to the mouth of Green bay, and up that water-
course and its principal tributary. Fox river, to the Wisconsin, an affluent of the Mississippi.
On the right, in ascending this bay, was seen, for the first time, a nation of Indians, lighter in
complexion than neighboring tribes, and remarkably well formed, now well known as the
Menomonees.
This nation is of Algonquin stock, but their dialect differed so much from the surrounding
tribes of the same family, it having strange guttural sounds and accents, as well as peculiar inflec-
tions of verbs and other parts of speech, that, for a long time, they were supposed to have a
distinct language. Their traditions point to an emigration from the East at some remote
period. When first visited by the French missionaries, these Indians subsisted largely upon wild
rice, from which they took their name. The harvest time of this grain was in the month of
September. It grew spontaneously in little streams with slimy bottoms, and in marshy places.
The harvesters weiit in their canoes across these watery fields, shaking the ears right and left as
they advanced, the grain falling easily, if ripe, into the bark receptacle beneath. To clear it
from chaff and strip it of a pellicle inclosing it, they put it to dry on a wooden lattice above a
small fire, which was kept up for several days. When the rice was well dried, it was placed
in a skin of the form of a bag, which was then forced into a hole, made on purpose, in the
ground. They then tread it out so long and so well, that the grain being freed from the ch^ff,
Was easily winnowed. After this, it was pounded to meal, or left unpounded, and boiled in
water seasoned with grease. It thus became a very palatable diet. It must not be inferred that
this was the- only food of the Menomonees; they were adepts in fishing, and hunted with skill
the game which abounded in the forests.
For many years after their discovery, the Menomonees had their homes and hunting
^^ HISTOKY OF WISCONSIN.
grounds upon, or adjacent to, the Menomonee river. Finally, after the lapse of a century and a
quarter, down to 1760, when the French yielded to the English all claims to the country, the
territory of the Menomonees had shifted somewhat to the westward and southward, and their
principal village was found at the head of Green bay, while a smaller one -was still in existence
at the mouth of their favorite stream. So slight, however, had been this change, that the country
of no other of the surrounding tribes had been encroached upon by the movement.
in 1634, the Menomonees pjTobably took part in a treaty with a representative of the French,
who had thus early ventured so far into the wilds of the lake regions. More than a score of
years elapsed before the tribe was again visited by white men, — that is to say, there are no
authentic accounts of earlier visitations. In 1660, Father Ren6 Menard had penetrated the Lake
Superior country as far, at least, as Kewenaw,'in what is now the northern part of Michigan,
whence some of his French companions probably passed down the Menomonee river to the
waters of Green bay the following year ; but no record of the Indians, through whose territory
they passed, was made by these voyagers. Ten years more — 1670 — ^brought to the Menomonees
(who doubtless had already been visited by French fur-traders) Father Claudius Allouez, to win
them to Christianity. He had previously founded a mission upon the bay of Chegoimegon, now
Chaquamegon, or Ashland bay, an arm of Lake Superior, within the present State of Wisconsin,
in charge of which, at that date, was Father James Marquette. Proceeding from the " Sault" on
the third of November, Allouez, early in December, 1669, reached the mouth of Green bay, where,
on the third, in to Indian village o'f Sacs, Pottawatta,mies, Foxes and Winnebagoes, containing about
six hundred souls, he celebrated the holy mass for the first time upon this new field of his labors,
— eight Frenchmen, traders with the Indians, whom the missionary found there upon his arrival,
taking part in the devotions. His first Christian work with the Menomonees was performed in
May of the next year. Allouez found this tribe a feeble one, almost exterminated by war. He
spent but little time with them, embarking, on the twentieth of that month, after a visit to some
Pottawattamies and Winnebagoes, " with a Frenchman and a savage to go to Sainte Mary of the
Sault." His place was filled by Father Louis Andr6, who, not long after, erected a cabin upon
the Menomonee river, which, with one at a village where l)is predecessor had already raised the .
standard of the cross, was soon burned by the savages ; but the missionary, living almost con-
stantly in his canoe, continued for some time to labor with the Menomonees and surrounding
tribes. The efforts of Andr6 were rewarded with some conversions among the former ; for Mar-
quette, who visited them in 1673, found many good Christians among them.
The record of ninety years of French domination in Wisconsin — beginning in June, 1671,
and ending in October, 1761 — brings to light but little of interest so far as the Menomonees are
concerned. Gradually they extended their intercourse with the white ■ fur traders. Gradually
and with few interruptions (one in 1728, and one in 1747 of a serious character) they were
drawn under the banner of France, joining with that government in its wars with the Iroquois;
in its contests, in 171^, 1729, 1730, and 1751, with the Foxes; and, subsequently, in its conflicts
with the English.
The French post, at what is now Green Bay, Brown county, Wisconsin, was, along with the
residue of the western forts, surrendered to the British in 1760, although actual possession of the
former was not taken until the Fall of the next year. The land on which the fort stood was
claimed by the Menomonees. Here, at that date, was their upper and principal village, the
lower one being at the mouth oif the Menomonee river. These Indians soon became reconciled
to the English Occupation of their territory, notwithstanding the machinations of French traders
who endeavored to prejudice them against the new comers. The Menomonees, at this time,
were very much reduced, having, but a short time previous, lost three hundred of their warriors
THE INDIAN TKIBES OF WISCONSIN. 23
by the small pox, and most of their chiefs in the late war in which they had been engaged by the
then French commander there, against the English. They were glad to substitute English for
French traders ; as they could purchase supplies of them at one half the price they had previously
paid. It was not long before the sincerity of the Menomonees was put to the test. Pontiac's
War of 1 763 broke oiit, and the post of Mackinaw was captured. The garrison, however, at Green
bay was not only not attacked by the savages, but, escorted by the Menomonees and other tribes,
crossed Lake Michigan in safety to the village of L'Arbre Croche ; thence making their way to
Montreal. The Menomonees continued their friendship to the English, joining with them
against the Colonies during the Revolution, and fighting on the same side during the war of
1812-15.
When, in July, 1816, an American force arrived at Green bay to take possession of the
country, the Menomonees were found- in their village near by, very peaceably inclined. The
commander of the troops asked permission of their chief to build a fort. " My Brother!" was
the response, " how can we oppose your locating a council-fire among us ?■ You are too strong
for us. Even if we wanted to oppose you we have scarcely got powder and ball to make the
attempt. One favor we ask is, that our French brothers shall not be disturbed. You can choose
any place you please for your fort, and we shall not object." No trouble had been anticipated
from the Menomonees, and the expectations of the government of the United States in that
regard were fully realized. What added much to the friendship now springing up between the
Menomonees and the Americans was the fact that the next year — 181 7 — the annual contribution,
which for many years had been made by the British, consisting of a shirt, leggins, breech-clout,-
and blanket for each member or the tribe, and for each family a copper kettle, knives, axes, guns
and ammunition, was withheld by them.
It was found by the Americans, upon their occupation of the Menomdnee territory, that
some of the women of that tribe were married to traders and boatmen who had settled at the
head of the bay, there being no white women in that region. Many of these were Canadians of
French extraction ; hence the anxiety that they should be well treated, which was expressed by
the Menomonees upon the arrival of the American force. At this period there was a consider-
able trade carried on with these Indians at Prairie du Chien, as many of them frequently win-
tered on the Mississippi. The first regular treaty with this tribe was " made and concluded" on
the thirtieth day of March, 1817, "by and between William Clark, Ninian Edwards, and
Auguste Chouteau, commissioners on the part and behalf of the United States of America, of the
one part," and the chiefs arid warriors, deputed by the Menomonees, of the other part. By the
terms of this compact all injuries were to be forgiven and forgotten ; perpetual peace established;
lands, heretofore ceded to other governments, confirmed to the United States ; all prisoners to be
delivered up ; and the tribe placed under the protection of the United States, " and of no other
nation, power, or sovereign, whatsoever." The Menomonees were now fully and fairly, and for
the first time, entitled to be known as " American Indiags," in contradistinction to the term
which had been so long used as descriptive of their former allegiance — " British Indians."
The territory of the Menomonees, when the tribe was taken fully under the wing of the Gen-
eral Government, had become greatly extended. It was bounded on the north by the dividing
ridge between the waters flowing into Lake Superior and those flowing south into Green bay and
the Mississippi ; on the east, by Lake Michigan ; on the south, by the Milwaukee river, a:nd on
the west by the Mississippi and Black rivers. This was their territory ; though they were prac-
tically restricted to the occupation of the western shore of Lake Michigan, lying between the
mouth of Green bay on the north and the Milwaukee river on the south, and to a somewhat
indefinite area west. Their general claim, as late as 1825, was north to the Chippewa country:
^* HISTOEY OP WISCONSIN-.
east to Green bay and . Lake Michigan ; south to the Milwaukee river, and west to Black river.
And what is most surprising is that the feeble tribe of 1761 had now, in less than three quarters
of a century, become a powerful nation, numbering between three and four thousand.
The Menomonee territory, as late as 1831, still preserved its large proportions. Its eastern
division vvas bounded by the Milwaukee river, the shore of Lake Michigan, Green bay, Fox
river, and Winnebago lake; its western division, by the Wisconsin and Chippewa riverson the
west ; Fox river on the south ; Green bay on the east, and the high lands whence flow the streams
into ^.ake Superior, on the north. This year, however, it was shorn of a valuable and large part
by the tribe ceding to the tJnited States all the eastern division, estimated at two and one half
million acres. The following year, the Menomonees aided the General Government in the Black
Hawk war.
That the Menomonees might, as much as possible, be *(veaned from their wandering habits,
their permanent home was designated to be a large tract lying north. of Fox river and east of
Wolf river. Their territory farther west, was reserved for their hunting grounds until such. time
as the General Government should desire to purchase it. In 1836, another portion, amounting to
four million acres, lying between Green bay on the east and Wolf river on the west, was dis-
posed of to the United States, besides a strip three miles in width from near the portage north,
on each side of the Wisconsin river and forty-eight- miles long — still leaving them in peace-
able possession of a country about one hundred and twenty miles long, and about eighty
broad.
Finally, in 1848, the Menomonees sold all their lands in Wisconsin to the General Govern-
ment, preparatory to their movement to a reservation beyond the Mississippi of six hundred
thousand acres ; but the latter tract was afterward re-ceded to the United States ; for, notwith-
standing there were treaty stipulations for ihe removal of the tribe to that tract, there were
obstacles in the way of their speedy migration, resulting, finally, in their being permitted to remain
in Wisconsin. Lands, to the amount of twelve townships, were granted them for their permanent
homes, on the upper Wolf riVer, in what is now Shawano and Oconto counties — a portion, but
a very small one, of what was once their extensive possessions. To this reservation they removed
in October, 1852. Thus are the Menomonees, the only one of the original tribes of Wisconsin
who, asa whole, have a local habitation within its limits. This tribe refused to join the Sioux in
their outbreak in 1861, and several of their warriors served as volunteers in the United States
army during the late civil war.
It is now over two centuries since the civilized world began to gain knowledge of the exist-
ence, in the far West, of a tribe of Indians known as the Winnebagoes — that is, men of the sea;
pointing, possibly, to their early migration from the shores of the Mexican gulf, or the Pacific.
The territory now included within the limits of Wisconsin, and so much of the State of Michigan
as lies north of Green bay. Lake Michigan, the Straits of Mackinaw and Lake Huron were, in
early times, inhabited by several tribes of the Algonquin race, forming a barrier to the Dakotas,
or Sioux, who had advanced eastward to the Mississippi. But the Winnebagoes, although one of
the tribes belonging to the family of the latter, had passed the great river, at some unknown
period, and settled upon the head waters of Green bay. Here, this " sea-tribe," as early, it is
believed, as 1634, was visited by an agent of France and a treaty concluded with them. The tribe
afterward called themselves Hochungara, or Ochunkoraw, but were styled by the Sioux, Hotanke,
or Sturgeon. Nothing more is heard of the Ouenibigoutz, or Winnebegouk (as the Winnebagoes
were early called by the Jesuit missionaries, and the Algonquin tribes, meaning men from the
fetid or salt water, translated by the French, Puants) for the next thirty-five years, although
there is no doubt that the tribe had been visited meanwhile by adventurous Frenchmen, when on
the Second of December, 1669, some of that nation were noted at a Sac (Sauk or Saukis) village
on Green bay, by Father Allouez.
THE INDIAN TRIBES OF WISCONSIN.
25
As early at least as 1670, the French were actively engaged among the Winnebagoes trading.
" We found affairs," says one of the Jesuit missionaries, who arrived among them in September of
that year, " we found affairs there in a pretty bad posture, and the minds of the savages much
soured against the French, who were there trading ; ill-treating them in deeds and words, pillag-
ing and carrying away their merchandise in spite of them, and conducting themselves toward
them with insupportable insolences and indignities. The cause of this disorder," adds the mis-
sionary, " is that they had received some bad treatment from the French, to whom they had this
year come to trade, and particularly from the soldiers, from whom they pretended to have received
many wrongs and injuries." It is thus made certain that the arms of France were carried into
the territory of the Winnebagoes over two hundred years ago.
The Fox river of Green bay was found at that date a difficult stream to navigate. Two
Jesuits who ascended the river in 1670, had "three or four leagues of rapids to contend with,"
when they had advanced "one day's journey" from the head of the bay, "more difficult than those
which are common in other rivers, in this, that the flints, over which" they had to walk with
naked feet to drag their canoes, were so " sharp and so cutting, that one has all the trouble in the
world to hold one's self steady against the great rushing of the waters." At the falls they found
an idol that the savages honored ; " never failing, in passing, to make him some sacrifice of
tobacco, or arrows, or paintings, or other things, to thank him that, by his assistance, they had, iu
ascending, avoided the dangers of the waterfalls which are in this stream ; or else, if they had to
ascend, to pray him to aid them in this perilous navigation." The devout missionaries caused
the idol " to be lifted up by the strength of arm, and cast into the depths of the river, to appear
no more " to the idolatrous savages.
The mission of St. Francis Xavier, founded in December, 1669, by Allouez, was a roving one
among the tribes inhabiting the shores of Green bay, and the interior country watered by the Fox
river and its tributaries, for about two years, when its first mission-house was erected at what is
now Depere, Brown county. This chapel was soon after destroyed by fire, but was rebuilt
in 1676.
The Winnebagoes, by this time, had not only received considerable spiritual instruction from
the Jesuit fathers, but had obtained quite an insight into the mysteries of trading and trafficking
with white men; for, following the footsteps of the missionaries, and sometimes preceding them,
were the ubiquitous French fur traders. It is impossible to determine precisely what territory
was occupied by the Winnebagoes at this early date, farther than that they lived near the head
of Green bay.
A direct trade with the French upon the St. Lawrence was not carried on by the Winne-
bagoes to any great extent until the beginning of the eighteenth century. As early as 1679,
an advance party of La Salle had collected a large store of furs at the mouth of Green bay,
doubtless in a traffic with this tribe and others contiguous to them ; generally, however, the
surrounding nations sold their peltries to the Ottawas, who disposed of them, in turn, to the
French. The commencement of the eighteenth century found the Winnebagoes firmly in
alliance with France, and in peace with the dreaded Iroquios. In 17 18, the nation numbered
six hundred. They were afterward found to have moved up Fox river, locating upon Winne-
bago lake, which stream and lake were their ancient seat, and from which they had bpen driven
either by fear or the prowess of more powerful tribes of the West or Southwest. Their inter-
course with the French was gradually extended and generally peaceful, though not always so,
joining with them, as did the Menomonees, in their wars with the Iroquois, and subsequently in
their conflicts with the English, which finally ended in 1760.
When the British, in October, 1761, took possession of the French post, at the head of
^^ HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
Green bay, the Winnebagoes were found to number one hundred and fifty warriors only ; their
nearest village being at the lower end of Winnebago lake. They had in all not less than three
towns. Their country, at this period, included not only that lake, but all the streams flowing
into it, especially Fox river; afterward extended to the Wisconsin and Rock rivers. They
readily changed their course of trade — asking now of the commandant at the fort for English
traders to be sent among them. In the Indian outbreak under Pontiac in 1763, they joined
with the Menomonees and other tribes to befriend tjie British garrison at the head of the bay,
assisting in conducting them to a place of safety. They continued their friendship to the English
during the Revolution, by joining with them against the colonies, and were active in the Indian'
war of 1790-4, taking part in the attack on Fort Recovery, upon the Maumee, in the present
State of Ohio, in 1793. They fought also on the side of the British in the war of 1812-15,
aiding, in 1814, to reduce Prairie du Chien. They were then estimated at 4,500. When, in
1816, the government of the United States sent troops to take possession of the Gre;en bay
country, by establishing a garrison there, some trouble was anticipated from these Indians, who,
at that date, had the reputation of being a bold and warlike tribe. A deputation from the nation
came down Fox river and remonstrated with the American commandant at what was thought
to be an intrusion. They were desirous of knowing why a fort was to be established so near
them. The reply was that, although the troops were armed for war if necessary, their purpose
was peace. Their response was an old one : " If your object is peace, you have too many men ;
if war, you have too few." However, the display of a number of cannon which had not yet been
mounted, 'Satisfied the Winnebagoes that the Americans were masters of the situation, and the
deputation gave the garrison no farther trouble. On the 3d of June, 1816, at St. Louis, the tribe
made, a treaty of peace and friendship with the General Government; but they cdntinued to levy
tribute on all white people who passed up Eox river. English annuities also kept up a bad
feeling. At this time, a portion of the tribe .was living upon the Wisconsin river, away from the
rest of the nation, which was still seated iipon the waters flowing into Green bay. In 1820
they had five villages on Winnebago lake and fourteen on Rock river. In 1825, the claim, of
tRe Winnebagoes was an extensive one, so far as territory was concerned. Its southeast
boundary stretched away from the source of Rock river to within forty miles of its mouth, in
Illinois, where they had a village. On the west it extende(J to the heads of the small streams
flowing into the Mississippi. To the northward, it reached Black river and the upper Wis-
consin, in other words, to the Chippewa territory, but did not extend across Fox river, although
they contended for the whole of Winnebago lake. In 1829, a large part of their territory in
southwest Wisconsin, lying between Sugar river and the Mississippi, and extending to the Wis-
consin river, was sold to the General Government; and, three years, later all the residue lying
south and east of the Wisconsin and the Fox river of Green bay ; the Winnebago prophet having
before t'mt date supported the Sacs in their hostility. Finally, in the brief language of the treaty
between this tribe (which had become unsettled and wasteful) and the United States, of the first
of November, 1837, "The Winnebago Nation of Indians " ceded to the General Government
" all their lands east of the Mississippi." Not an acre was reserved. And the Indians agreed
that, within eight months from that date, they would move west of " the great river." This
arrangement, however, was not carried out fully. In 1842, there were only 756 at Turkey river,
Iowa, their new home, with as many in Wisconsin, and smaller bands e'e where. All had become
lawless, and roving. Some removed in 1848; while a party to the number of over eight hun-
dred left the State as late as 1873. The present home of the tribe is in Nebraska, where they
have a reservation north of and adjacent to the Omahas, contaiijing over- one hundred thousand
acres. However, since their first removal beyond the Mississippi, they have several times
THE INDIAN TEIB^S OF "WTSCONSIN. 27
changed their place of abode. Their number, all told, is less than twenty-five hundred.
When the territory, now constituting the northern portion of. Wisconsin, became very
generally known to the civilized inhabitants of the eastern part of the United States, it was
found to be occupied by Indians called the Chippewas. Their hunting-grounds extended south
from Lake Superior to the heads of the Menomonee, the Wisconsin and Chippewa rivers ; also
farther eastward and westward. At an early day they were engaged in a war with the Sioux —
a war indeed, which was long continued. The Chippewas, however, persistently maintained'
their position — still occupying the same region when the General Government extended its
jurisdiction over the whole country south of the Great Lakes and west to the Mississippi.
By treaties with the Chippewas at different periods, down to the year 1827, the General Gov-
ernment had recognized them as the owners of about one quarter of which is now the entire
State. The same policy was pursued toward this tribe as with neighboring ones, in the purchase
of their lands by the United States. Gradually they parted with their extensive possessions, until,
in 1842, the last acre within what is now Wisconsin was disposed of. It was the intention of the
' General Government to remove the several bands of the Chippewas who had thus ceded their
lands to a tract reserved for them beyond the Mississippi ; but this determination was afterwarc}
changed so as to allow them to remain upon certain reservations within the limits of their old-
time hunting grounds. These reservations they continue to occupy. They are located in Bay-
field, Ashland, Chippewa and Lincoln counties. The clans are known, respectively, as the Red
Cliff band, the Bad River band, the Lac Courte Oreille band, and the Lac de Flambeau band.
Of all the tribes inhabiting what is now Wisconsin when its territory was first visited by
white men, the Sacs (Sauks or Saukies) and Foxes (Outagamies) are, in history, the most noted.
They are of the Algonquin family, and are first mentioned in 1665, by Father Allouez, but as
separate tribes. Afterward, however, because of the identity of their language, and their asso-
ciations, they were and still are considered as one nation. In December, 1669, Allouez found
upon the shores of Green bay a village of Sacs, occupied also by members of other tribes; and
early in 1670 he visited a village of the same Indians located upon the Fox river of Green bay,
at a distance of four leagues from its mouth. Here a device of these Indians for catching fish
arrested the attention of the missionary. "From one side of the river to the other," he writes,
"they made a barricade, planting great stakes, two fathoms from the water, in such a manner
that there is, as it were, a bridge above for the fishes, who by the aid of a little bow-net, easily
take sturgeons and all other kinds of fish which this pier stops, although the water does not
cease to flow between the stakes." When the Jesuit father first obtained, five years previous, a
knowledge of this tribe, they were represented as savage above all others, great in numbers, and
without any permanent dwelling place. The Foxes were of two stocks : one calling themselves
Outagamies or Foxes, whence our English name ; the other, Musquakink, or men of red clayj
the name now used by the tribe. They lived in early times with their kindred the Sacs east of
Detroit, and as some say near the St. Lawrence. They were driven west, and settled at Saginaw,
a name derived from the Sacs. Thence they were forced by the Iroquois to Green bay; but
were compelled to leave that place and settle on Fox river.
Allouez, on the twenty-fourth of April, 1670, arrived at a village of the Foxes, situated on
Wolf river, a northern tributary of the Fox. "The nation," he declares, "is renowned for
being numerous ; they have more than four hundred men bearing arms ; the number of women
and children is greater, on account of polygamy which exists among them — each man having
commonly four wives, some of them six, and others as high as ten." The missionary found that
the Foxes had retreated to those parts to escape the persecutions of the Iroquois. Allouez
established among these Indians his mission of St. Mark, rejoicing in the fact that in less than
23
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
two' years he had baptized "sixty children and some adults." The Foxes, at the summons of De
la Barre, in 1684, sent warriors against the Five Nations. They also took part in Denonviire's
more serious campaign ; but soon after became hostile to the French. As early as 169.3, they
had plundered several on their way to trade with the Sioux, alleging that they were carrying arms
and ammunition to their ancient enemies — frequently causing them to make portages to the
southward in crossing from Lake Michigan to the Mississippi. Afterward they became recon-
ciled to the French; but the reconciliation was of short duration. In 1712, Fort Detroit, then
defended by only a handful of men, was attacked by them in conjunction with the Mascou-
tens and Kickapoos. However, in the end, by calling in friendly Indians, the garrison not only-
protected themselves but were enabled to act on the oifensive, destroying the greater part of the
besieging force.
The nation continued their ill will to the French. The consequence was that their territory
in 1716 had been invaded and they were reduced to sue for peace. But their friendship was not
of long continuance. In 17 18, the Foxes numbered five hundred men and "abounded in women
and children." They are spoken of at that date as being very industrious, raising large quantities,
of Indian corn. In 1728, another expedition was sent against them by the French. Meanwhile
the Menomonees had also become hostile; so, too, the Sacs, who were now the allies of the
Foxes. The result of the enterprise was, an attack upon and the defeat of a number of
Menomonees ; the burning of the wigwams of the Winnebagos (after passing the deserted village
of the Sacs upon the Fox river), that tribe,, also, at this date being hostile ; and the destruction
of the fields of the Foxes. They were again attacked in their own country by the French, in
1-30, and defeated. In 1734, both the Sacs and Foxes came in conflict with the same foe; but
this time the French were not as successful as on previous expeditions. In 1736, the Sacs and
Foxes were "connected with the government of Canada; '' but it is certain they were far from
being friendly to the French.
The conflict between France and Great Britain commencing in 1754, found the Sacs and
Foxes allied with the former power, against the English, although not long previous to this time
they were the bitter enemies of the French. At the close of that contest so disastrous to the
interests of France in North America, these tribes readily gave in their adhesion to the con-
querors, asking that English traders might be sent them. The two nations, then about equally
divided, numbered, in 1761, about seven hundred warriors. Neither of the tribes took part in,
Pontiac's war, but they befriended the English. The Sacs had migrated farther to the west-
ward ; but the Foxes — at least a portion of them — still remained upon the waters of the river of
Green bay, which perpetuates their name. A few years later, however, and the former were
occupants of the upper Wisconsin ; also, to a considerable distance below the portage, where
their chief town was located. Further down the same stream was the upper village of the
Foxes, while their lower one was situated near its mouth at the site of the present city of Prairie
du Chien. At this date, 1766, the northern portion of what is now Wisconsin, including all that
part watered by the streams flowing north into Lake Superior, was the home of the Chippewas.
The country around nearly the whole of Green bay was the hunting ground of the Menomonees.
The territory of Winnebago lake and Fox river was the seat of the Winnebagoes. The region
of the Wisconsin river was the dwelling place of the Sacs and Foxes.
During the war of the Revolution, the Sacs and Foxes continued the firm friends of the
English. At the commencement of the nineteenth century, only a small part of their territory
was included in what is now Wisconsin, and that was in the extreme southwest. In 1804, they
ceded this to the United States ; so that they no longer were owners of any lands. within this.
State. From that date, therefore, these allied tribes can not be considered as belonging to the
PKE-TEEEITOEIAL ANNALS OF WISCONSIN. 29
Indian nations of Wisconsin. A striking episode in their subsequent history — the Black Hawk
War — comes in, notwithstanding, as a part, incidentally, of the annals of the State.
Deserving a place in a notice of the Indian tribes of Wisconsin is the nation known as the
PoTTAWATTAMiES. As early as 1639, they were the neighbors of the Winnebagoes upon Green
bay. They were still upon its southern shore, in two villages, in 1670 ; and ten years subsequent
to that date they occupied, at least in one village the same region. At the expiration of the
first quarter of the eighteenth century, a part only of the nation were in that vicinity — upon the
islands at the mouth of the bay. These islands were then known as the Pottawattamie islands,
and considered as the ancient abode of these Indians. Already had a large portion of this tribe
emigrated southward, one band resting on the St. Joseph of Lake Michigan, the other near Detroit,
One peculiarity of this tribe — at least of such as resided in what is now Wisconsin — was their
intimate association with neighboring bands. When, in 1669, a village of the Pottawattamies,
located upon the southeast shore of Green bay, was visited by Allouez, he found with them Sacs
and Foxes and Winnebagoes. So, also, when, many years subsequent to that date, a band of
these Indians were located at Milwaukee, with them were Ottawas and Chippewas. These
" united tribes '' claimed all the lands of their respective tribes and of other nations, giving the
United States, when possession was taken of the western country by the General Government,
no little trouble. Finally, by a treaty, held at Chicago in 1833, their claims, such as they were,
to lands along the western shore of Lake Michigan, within the present State of Wisconsin,
extending westward to Rock river, were purchased by the United States, with permission to
retain possession three years longer of their ceded lands, after which time this " united nation
of Chiprpewas, Ottawas and Pottawattamies " began to disappear, and soon were no longer seen in
southeastern Wisconsin or in other portions of the State.
Besides the five tribes — Menomonees, Winnebagoes, Chippewas, Sacs and Foxes, and
Pottawattamies — many others, whole or in part, have, since the territory now constituting the
State was first visited by white men, been occupants of its territory. Of these, some are only
known as having once lived in what is now Wisconsin ; others — such as the Hurons, Illinois,
Kickapoos, Mascoutens, Miamis, Noquets, Ottawas and Sioux, are recognized as Indians once
dwelHng in this region ; yet so transitory has been their occupation, or so little is known of their
history, that they scarcely can be claimed as belonging to the State.
Commencing in 1822, and continuing at intervals through some of the following years, was
the migration to Wisconsm from the State of New York of the remains or portions of four tribes :
the Oneidas, Stockbridges, Munsees and Brothertowns. The Oneidas finally located west of
Green Bay, where they still reside. Their reservation contains over 60,000 acres, and lies
wholly within the present counties of Brown and Outagamie. The Stockbridges and Munsees,
who first located above Green Bay, on the east side of Fox river, afterward moved to the east
side of Winnebago lake. They now occupy a reservation joining the southwest township of the
Menomenee reservation, in Shawano county, and are fast becoming citizens. The Brothertowns
first located on the east side of Fox river, but subsequently moved to the east side of Winnebago
lake, where, in 1839, they broke up their tribal relations and became citizens of Wisconsin
territory.
III.— PRE-TERRITORIAL ANNALS OF WISCONSIN.
When, in 1634, the first white man set foot upon any portion of the territory now consti-
tuting the State of Wisconsin, the whole country was, of course, a wildc-ness. Its inhabitants,
the aboriginal Red men, were thinly but widely scattered over all the country. Jean Nicolet,
a Frenchman, who had been in Canada since 1618, and had spent several years among the
^^ HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
Indians, was the first of civilized men to unlock the mystery of its situation and people. French
authorities upon the St. Lawrence sent him as an ambassador to the Winnebagoes, of whom he
had heard strange stories. On his outward voyage he visited the Hurons — allies of the French
— a tribe seated upon the eastern side of the lake which bears their name, and Nicolet was '
empowered to negotiate a peace with them. " When he approached the Winnebago town, he sent
some of his Indian attendants to announce his coming, put on a robe of damask, and advanced
to meet the expectant crowd with a pistol in each hand. The squaws and children fled, scream-
ing that it was a manito, or spirit, armed with thunder and lightning ; but the chiefs and warriors
regaled him with so bountiful a hospitality, that a hundred and twenty beavers were devoured at
a single feast." Such was the advent of the daring Frenchman into what is no'w the State of
Wisconsin.
" Upon the borders of Green bay," wrote the Jesuit, Paul le Jeune,in 1640, " are the Meno-
monees; still farther on, the Winnebagoes, a sedentary people, and very numerous. Some
Frenchmen," he continues, " call them the ' Nation of the Stinkards,' because the Algonquin
Word Winipeg signifies ' stinking water.' Now they thus call the water of the sea ; therefore,
these people call themselves ' Winnebagoes,' because they came from the shores of a sea of which
we have no knowledge ; consequently we must not call them the ' Nation of Stinkards,' but the
' Nation of the Sea.' " From these Men of the Sea, Nicolet passed westward, ascended Fox
river of Green Bay, until nigh the portage to the Wisconsin, down which stream he could have
floated easily to the Mississippi, the "great water" of his guides, which he mistook for the
sea. This adventurous Frenchman, when so near re-discovering the river which has given
immortality to De Soto, turned his face to the eastward ; retraced his steps to Green bay, and
flpally returned in safety to Quebec. This was the first exploration of what is now Wisconsin —
bnly fourteen years after the landing of the Pilgrims upon the wild shores of New England.
Wisconsin, for twenty-four years after its discovery, was left to its savage inhabitants. At
length, in 1658, two daring fur traders penetrated to Lake Superior, and wintered there. They
probably set foot upon what is now Wisconsin soil, as they made several trips among the surr
rounding tribes. They saw, among other things, at six days' journey beyond the lake, toward
the southwest, Indians that the Iroquois had driven from their homes upon the eastern shores of
Lake Huron. These Frenchmen heard of the ferocious Sioux, and of a great river — not the sea,
as Nicolet had supposed — on which th'ey dwelt. This was the Mississippi ; and to these traders
is the world indebted for a knowledge of its existence ; as De Soto's discovery was never used,
and soon became "well-nigh, if not entirely, forgotten. From these upper countries, in the Sum-
mer of 1660, the two returned to Quebec, with three hundred Indians in sixty canoes, laden with
peltry. This was, indeed, the dawn — though exceedingly faint — of what is now the commerce of
the great Northwest. Nineteen years after flashed a more brilliant light; for, in 1679, ^^^
" Griffin," laden with furs, left one of the islands at the mouth of Green bay, on its return
spreading her sails for Nikgara, but never more to be heard of.
Following in the footsteps of the fur traders came the Jesuit missionaries to Lake Superior ;
one of them. Father Menard, as early as 1660, reaching its southern shore as far to the westward
probably, as Kewenaw, in the present State of Michigan. There is no positive evidence, however,
that he or his French companions, visited any portion of what is now Wisconsin ; although the next
year, 1661, some of his associates probably passed down the Menomonee river to Green bay.
Following Menard came Father Claude AUouez, arriving on the first day of October, 1665, at
*' Chagowamigong," or " Chegoimegon," now Chequamegon, or Ashland Bay, " at the bottom of
which," wrote the missionary, " is situated the great villages of the savages, who there plant their
fields of Indian corn, and lead a stationary life." Near by he erected a small chapel of bark — the
PRE-TERRITOEIAL ANNALS OF WISCONSIN. 81
first structure erected by civilized man in Wisconsin. At La Poirite, in the present Ashland
county, he established the mission of the Holy Ghost.
The next Catholic mission in what is now Wisconsin was that of St. Francis Xavier, founded
also by AUouez. Upon the second of December, 1669, he first attended to his priestly devotions
upon the waters of Green bay. This mission, for the first two years of its existence, was a
migratory one. The surrounding tribes were all visited, including the Pottawattamies, Menom-
onees, Winnebagoes, and Sacs and Foxes. However, in i67i,one hundred and .five years before
the Declaration of Independence, there was erected, at what is now Depere, Brown county, a
chapel for the mission of St. Francis Xavier. Thus early did the Jesuit Fathers, in their plain
garbs and unarmed, carry the cross to many of the benighted heathen occupying the country
circumscribed by Lakes Michigan, Huron and Superior, and the " great river " — the Mississippi.
French domination in Wisconsin dates from the year 167 1, the very year in which it seems
the indomitable LaSalle, upon his first expedition, passed the mouth of Green bay, but did not
enter it. France then took formal possession of the whole of the country of the upper lakes.
By this time, the commerce with the western tribes had so attached them to her interests that
she determined to extend her power to the utmost limits — vague and indeterminate as they
were — of Canada. An agent — Daumont de St. Lusson — was dispatched to the distant tribes,
proposing a congress of Indian nations at the Falls of Ste. Mary, between Lake Huron and Lake
Superior. The invitation was extended far and near. The principal chiefs of Wisconsin tribes,
gathered by Nicolas Perrot in Green bay, were present at the meeting. Then and there, with
due ceremony, it was announced that the great Northwest was placed under the protection of
the French government. And why not? She had discovered it — had to a certain extent
explored it — had to a limited extent established commerce with it — and her missionaries had
proclaimed the faith to the wondering savages. But none of her agents — none of the fur-
traders — none of the missionaries — had yet reached the Mississippi, the " great river," concerning
which so many marvels had been heard, although it is claimed that, in 1669, it had been seen
by the intrepid La Salle. But the time for its discovery, or properly re-discovery, was at hand, if,
indeed, it can be called, with propriety, a re-discovery, since its existence to the westward was
already known to every white man particularly interested in matters appertaining to the North-
west. Now, however, for the first time, its upper half was to be, to a certain extent, explored.
For the first time, a white man was to behold its vast tribute, above the Illinois river, rolling
onward toward the Mexican gulf. Who was that man ? His name was Louis Joliet ; with him
was Father James Marquette.
Born at Quebec, in 1645, educated by the Jesuits, and first resolving to be a priest, then
turning fur-trader, Joliet had, finally, been sent with an associate to explore the copper mines of
Lake Superior. He was a man of close and intelligent observation, and possessed considerable
mathematical acquirements. At this time, 1673, he was a merchant, courageous, hardy, enter-
prising. He was appointed by French authorities at Quebec to " discover " the Mississippi. He
passed up the lakes to Mackinaw, and found at Point St. Ignace, on the north side of the strait,
Father James Marquette, who readily agreed to accompany him. Their outfit was very simple ;
two birch-bark canoes and a supply of smoked meat and Indian corn. They had a company of
five men with them, beginning their voyage on the seventeenth of May, 1673. Passing the straits,
they coasted the northern shores of Lake Michigan, moved up Green bay and Fox river to the
portage. They crossed to the Wisconsin, down which they paddled their frail canoes, until, on
the seventeenth of June, they entered — " discovered " — the Mississippi. So the northern, the
eastern and the western boundary of what is now Wisconsin had been reached at this date ;
therefore, it maybe said that its territory had been explored sufficiently for the forming of a
^2 HISTORY or WISCONSIN.
pretty correct idea of its general features as well as of its savage inhabitants. After dropping
down the Mississippi many miles, Joliet and Marquette returned to Green bay, where the latter
remained to recruit his exhausted strength, while Joliet descended to Quebec, to report his
"discoveries" to his superiors.
Then followed the expedition of LaSalle to the west, from the St. Lawrence, when, in 1679,
he and Father Louis Hennepin coasted along the western shore of Lake Michigan, frequently
landing ; then, the return of Henri de Tonty, one of LaSalle 's party down the same coast to Green
bay, in 1680, from the Illinois ; the return, also, the same year, of Hennepin, from up the Mis-
sissippi, whither he had made his way from the Illinois, across what is now Wisconsin, by the
Wisconsin and Fox rivets to Green bay, in company with DuLhut, or DuLuth, who, on his way
down the '' great river " from Lake Superior, had met the friar ; and then, the voyage, in 1683, from
Lake Michigan to the Mississippi river, by the same route, of LeSueur, and his subsequent
establishment at La Pointe, in what is now Ashland county, Wisconsin, followed several years
after by a trip up the Mississippi. The act of Daumont de St. Lusson, at the Sault Sainte Mary,
in 167 1, in taking possession of the country beyond Lake Michigan, not being regarded as suffi-
ciently definite, Nicolas Perrbt, in 1689, at Green bay, again took possession of that territory^ as
Well as of the valleys of the Fox and Wisconsin rivers, and extending the dominion of New
France over the country on the Upper Mississippi, and "to other places more remote." The
Voyage of St. Cosme, in 1699, when he' and his companions frequently landed on the west coast
of Lake Michigan, upon what is npw territory of Wisconsin, completed the explorations in the
west for the seventeenth century.
■Following in the footsteps of early -explorations, of self sacrificing attempts of the Jesuits to
carry the cross to the wild tribes of the West, of the first visits of the lawless coureurs de bois,
was the military occupation — if such it can be called — of what is now Wisconsin by the French.
The ninety years of domination by France in this region were years of only nominal possession.
The record of this occupation is made up of facts concerning the Indian policy of the French
rulers ; their contests -with the Sacs and Foxes ; their treaties, at various times, with different
tribes ; their interest in, and protection of, the fur trade , and kindred subjects. The Indian
tribes wdre, at most, only the allies of France. Posts — mere stockades without cannon, more for
protection to fur-traders than for any other purpose — were erected upon the Mississippi at two
points at least, upon what is now territory of Wisconsin. On the west side of Fox river of
Green bay, "half a league from its mouth," was a French' post, as early as 1721, where resided,
besides the commandant and an uncouth squad of soldiers, a Jesuit missionary ; and near by
Were collected Indians of different tribes. Of course, the omnipresent fur-trader helped to
augment the sum-total of its occupants. This post was, not long after, destroyed, but another
was established there. When, however, France yielded her inchoate rights in the West to Great
Britain — wheii, in 1761, the latter took possession of the country — there was not a French post
within what is now Wisconsin. The " fort " near the head of Green bay, had been vacated for
some years; it was found "rotten, the stockade ready to fall, and the houses without cover;"
emblematic of the decay— the fast-crumbling and perishing state — of French supremacy, at that
date, in America. Wisconsin, when England's control began, was little better than a howling
wilderness. There was not within the broad limits of what is now the State, a single bona fide
settler, at the time the French Government yielded up its possession to the English ; that is to
say, there were none according to the present acceptation of the term "settler."
The military occupation Of Wisconsin by the British, after the Seven Years' War, was a brief
one. La Bay — as the post at what is now the city of Fort Howard, Brown county, was called —
Was, on the twelfth of October, 1761, taken possession of by English troops, under Captain
Belfour, of the Eightieth regiment. Two days after, that officer departed, leaving Lieutenant
PKE-TEBEITOBIAL AKISTALS OF WISCOXSIN.
33
Tames Gorrell, in command, withpne sergeant, one corporal and fifteen privates. There also
remained at the post a French interpreter and two English traders. The name of the fortifica-
tion was changed to Fort Edward Augustus. This post was abandoned by the commandant on
the twenty-first of June, 1763, on account of the breaking out of Pontiac's War and the capture
of the fort at Mackinaw by the savages. The cause of this war was this : The Indian tribes
saw the danger which the downfall of the French interests in Canada was sure to bring to them.
They banded together under Pontiac to avert their ruin. The struggle was short but fierce-
full of " scenes of tragic interest, with marvels of suffering and vicissitude, of heroism and endur-
ance • " but the white man conquered. The moving incidents in this bloody drama were enacted
to the eastward of what is now Wisconsin, coming no nearer than Mackinaw, which, as just
mentioned, the savages captured ; but it resulted in the evacuation of its territory by British
troops, who never after took possession of it, though they continued until 1796 a nominal
military rule over it, after Mackinaw was again occupied by them.
An early French Canadian trading station at the head of Green bay assumed finally the '
form of a permanent settlement — the first one in Wisconsin. To claim, however that any
French Canadian is entitled to the Ijionor of being the first permanent white settler is assuming
for him more than the facts seem to warrant. The title of "The Father and Founder of Wis-
consin" belongs to no man.
After Pontiac's War, one of the noted events in this region was the journey of Jonathan
Carver, who, in 1766, pta.ssed up Fox river to the portage, and descended the Wisconsin to the
Mississippi. He noticed the tumbling-down post at what is now Green Bay, Brown county.
He saw a few families living in the fort, and some French settlers, who cultivated the. land
opposite, and appeared to live very comfortably. That was the whole extent of improvements
in what is now Wisconsin. The organization of the Northwest Fur Company; the passage of
an act by the British Parliament by which the whgle Northwest was included in the Province of
Quebec ; the joining of the Indians in this region with the British, against the Americans, in the
War of the Revolution; the exploration of the lead region of the Upper Mississippi by Julian
Dubuque; the passage of the ordinance of 1787 ; the first settlement of the territory northwesj;
of the River Ohio; and the Indian war which followed, are all incidents, during British occu-
pation, of more or less interest for the student of Wisconsin history. He will find that, by the
treaty of 1783 and of 1795, with Great Britain, all the inhabitants residing in this region were to
be protected by the United States in the full and peaceable possession of their property, with the
right to remain in, or to withdraw from it, with their effects, within one year. All who did not
leave were to be deemed American citizens, allowed to enjoy all the privileges of citizenship, and
to be under the protection of the General Government. He will also find that less than two
years was the whole time of actual military occupation of what is- now Wisconsin by British
soldiers, and that English domination, which should have ended at the close of the Revolu-
tion, was arbitrarily continued until the Summer of 1796, when the western posts, none of which
were upon territory circumscribed by Lakes Michigan and Superior and the Mississippi river,
were delivered into the keeping of the United States. Thus the supremacy of Great Britain over
the Northwest was, after an actual continuance of thirty-five years, at an end.
Although the General Government did not get possession of the region northwest of the Ohio,
throughout its full extent, for thirteen years subsequent to its acquirement by the treaty of peace
of 1783 with Great Britain, nevertheless, steps were taken, very soon, to obtain concessions from
such of the colonies as had declared an ownership in any portion of it. None of the claiinants,
seemingly, had better rights than Virginia, who, by virtue of conquests, largely her own, of the
Illinois settlements and posts, extended her jurisdiction over that country, erecting into a county
34
HISTOKY OF WISCONSIN.
so much of the region northwest of the Ohio, as had been settled hy Virginians or might after-
ward be settled by them. But as, previous to her yielding all rights to territory beyond that
river, she had not carried her arms into the region north of the Illinois or made settlements upon,
what is now the soil of Wisconsin, nor included any portion of it within the bounds of an organ-
ized county, it follows that her dominion was not actually extended over any part of the area
included within the present boundaries of this State ; nor did she then claim jurisdiction north
of the Illinois river, but on the other hand expressly disclaimed it.
Virginia and all the other claimants finally ceded to the United States their rights, such as
they were, beyond the Ohio, except two reservations of limited extent ; and the General Govern-
ment became the "undisputed owner of the "Great West," without any internal claims to posses-
sion save those of the Indians. Meanwhile, the United States took measures to extend its juris-
diction over the whole country by the passage of the famous ordinance of 1787, which established
a government over "the territory of the United States, northwest of the River Ohio." Kut this
organic law was, of course, nugatory over that portion of the region occupied by the British,
until their yielding possession in 1796, when, for the first time, Anglo-American rule commenced,,
though nominally, in what is now Wisconsin. By the ordinance just mentioned, "the United
States, in congress assembled," declared that the territory northwest of the Ohio should, for the
purposes of temporary government, be one district , subject, however, to be divided into districts^
as future circumstances might, in the opinion of Congress, make it expedient. It was ordained
that a governor, secretary and three judges should be appointed for the Territory; a general
assembly was also provided for; ^nd it was declared that religion, morality, and knowledge,
being necessary to goo(J government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of
education should forever be encouraged. It was also ordained that there should be neither
slavery nor involuntary servitude in the said Territory, " otherwise than in the punishment of
crimes whereof the party shall have been duly convicted." Thus was established the first Magna
Charta for the five great States since that time formed out of " the territory northwest of the
River Ohio," and the first rules and regulations for their government.
Under this act of Congress, Arthur St. Clair was appointed governor of the Northwestern
Territory, as it was called, and Samuel H. Parsons, James M. Vairnum, and John Armstrong,
ittdges,— the latter not accepting the office, John Cleves Symtnes was appointed in his place.
Winthrop Sargeant was appointed secretary. At different periods, counties were erected to
include various portions Of the Territory. By the governor's proclamation of the 15th of
August, 1796, one was formed to include the whole of the present area of Northern Ohio, west of
Cleveland ; also, all of what is now the State of Indiana, north of a line drawn from Fort Wayne
" west-northerly to the southern part of Lake Michigan ; " the whole Of the present State of
Michigan, except its extreme northwest corner on Lake Superior ; a small corner in the north-
east, part of what is now Illinois, including Chicago ; and so much of the present State of Wis-
consin as is watered by the streams flowing into Lake Michigan, which of course included an
extensive portion, taking in many of its eastern and interior counties as now constituted. This
vast county was named Wayne. So the few settlers then at the head of Green bay had their
local habitations, constructively at least, in " Wayne county. Northwestern Territory." It was.
just at that date that Great Britain vacated the western posts, and the United States took quiet
possession of them. But the western portion of what is now Wisconsin, including all its territory
watered by streams flowing northward into Lake Superior, and westward and southwestward into
the Mississippi, was as yet without any county organization ; as the county of St. Clair, including,
the Illinois country to the southward, reached no farther north than'the mouth of Little Macki-
naw creek, where it empties into the River Illinois, in what is now the State of Illinois. The
yt<J-7\.
c-e->^y
r DE-CEASED)
P©N<^D E>bl bA'G.
PRE-TEEEITOEIAL ANNALS OF WISCONSIN. 35
" law of Paris," which was in force under French domination in Canada, and which by the
British Parliament in 1774, had beeii continued in force under English supremacy, was still " the
law of the land " west of Lake Michigan, practically at least.
From and after the fourth day of July, 1800, all that part of the territory of the United ■
States northwest of the Ohio river, which lay to the westward of a line beginning upon that ,
stream opposite to the mouth of Kentucky river and running thence to what is now Fort
Recovery in Mercer county, Ohio ; thence north until it intersected the territorial line between
the United States and Canada, was, for the purposes of temporary goyernment, constituted a
separate territory called Indiana. It included not only the whole of the present State of Illinois
and nearly all of what is now Indiana, but more than half of the State of Michigan as now
defined, also a considerable part of the present Minnesota, and the whole of what is now Wis-
consin. '
The seat of government was established at "Saint Vincennes on the Wabash,'' now the city
of Vincennes, Indiana. To this extensive area was added "from and after" the admission of
Ohio into the Union, all the territory west of that State, and east of the eastern boundary line of
the Territory of Indiana as originally established ; so that now all " the territory of the United
States, northwest of the River Ohio," was, excepting the State of Ohio, included in Indiana Ter-
ritory. On the thirtieth day of June, 1805, so much of Indiana Territory as lay to the north of
a Hue drawn east from the southerly bend or extreme of Lake Michigan to Lake Erie, and east
of a line drawn from the same bend through the middle of the first mentioned lake to its north-
ern extremity, and thence due north to' the northern boundary of the United States, was, for the
purpose of temporary government, constituted a separate Territory called Michigan. Of course
no part of the present State of Wisconsin was included therein ; but the whole remained in the
Territory of Indiana until the second day of March, 1809, when all that part of the last men-
tioned Territory which lay west of the Wabash river, and a direct line drawn from that stream
and " Post Vincennes," due north to the territorial line between the United States and Canada,
was, by an act approved on the third of February previous, constituted a separate Territory, called
Illinois. Meanwhile jurisdiction had been extended by the authorities of Indiana Territory
over the country lying west of Lake Michigan, to the extent, at least, of appointing a justice of
the peace for each of the settlements of Green Bay and Prairie du Chien. All of what is now
Wisconsin was transferred to the Territory of Illinois, upon the organization of the latter, except
a small portion lying east of the meridian line drawn through Vincennes, which remained a part
of Indiana Territory. This fraction included nearly the whole area between Green bay and
Lake Michigan.
When, in 1816, Indiana became a State, " the territory of the United States northwest of the
River Ohio," contained, besides Ohio and Indiana, the Territories of Illinois and Michigan, only ;
so the narrow strip, formerly a part of Indiana Territory, lying east of a line drawn due north
from Vincennes, and west of the western boundary line of Michigan Territory, belonged to nei-
ther, and was left without any organization. However, upon the admission of Illinois into the
Union, in 1818, all "the territory of the United States, northwest of the River Ohio," lying west
of Michigan Territory and north of the States of Indiana and Illinois, was attached to and made
a part of Michigan Territory ; by which act the whole of the present State of Wisconsin came
under the jurisdiction of the latter. During the existence of the Territory of Illinois, a kind of
jurisdiction was had over the two settlements in what is now Wisconsin — rather more ideal than
real, however.
In 1834, Congress greatly increased the limits of the Territory of Michigan, by adding to it,
for judicial purposes, a large extent of country west of the Mississippi — reaching south as far as
36
HISTOEY OF "WISCOlsrSIN.
the present boundary line between the present States of Iowa and Missouri ; north, to the terri-
torial line between the United States and Canada ; and west, to the Missouri and White Earth'
rivers. It so continued^down to the fourth of July, 1836.
A retrospective glance at the history of this region for forty years previous to the last men-
tioned year, including the time which elapsed after the surrender of the western posts, in 1796,
by the British, discloses many facts of interest and importance.
The Anglo-Americans, not long after the region of country west of Lake Michigan became
a part of Indiana Territory, began now and then to cast an eye, either through the opening of
the Great Lakes or the Mississippi, upon its rolling rivers, its outspread prairies, and its dense
forests, and to covet the goodly land ; but the settlers at Green Bay and Prairie du Chien were
mostly French Canadians at this date, although a few were Americans. The General Govern-
ment, however, began to take measures preparatory to its occupation, by purchasing, in 1804, a
tract in what is now the southwest portion of the State, of the Indians, and by holding the various
tribes to a strict account for any murders committed by them on American citizens passing
through their territories or trading with them. Comparative peace reigned in the incipient settle-
ments at the head of Green bay and at the mouth of the Wisconsin, which was changed by the
breaking out of the war of 1812, with Great Britain. .
The English early succeeded in securing the Wisconsin Indian tribes as their allies in this
war ; and the taking of Mackinaw by the British in July, 1812, virtually put the latter in posses-
sion,of what is now the eastern portion of the State. Early in 1814, the government authorities
of the United States caused to be fitted out at St. Louis a large boat, having on board all the
men that could be mustered and spared from the lower country, and sent up the Mississippi to
protect the upper region and the few settlers therein. The troops landed at Prairie du Chien,,
and immediately proceeded to fortify. Not long after. Colonel McKay, of the British army,
crossing the country by course of the Fox and Wisconsin rivers, with over five hundred British
and Indians, received the surrender of the whole force. The officers and men were paroled and
sent down the river. This was the only battle fought upon Wisconsin soil during the last war
with England. The post at Prairie du Chien was left in command of a captain with two compa-
nies from Mackinaw. He remained there until after the peace of 1815, when the place was.
evacuated by the British.
When it became generally known to the Indian tribes in what is now Wisconsin, that th&
contest between the United States and Great Britain was at an end, they generally expressed
themselves as ready and willing to make treaties with the General Government — eager, in fact,
to establish friendly relations with the power they had so recently been hostile to. This was,
therefore, a favorable moment for taking actual possession of the country between the Missis-
sippi and Lake Michigan ; and United States troops were soon ordered to occupy the two prom-
inent points between Green Bay and Prairie du Chien. At the former place was erected Fort
Howard ; at the latter Fort Crawford, At Green Bay, half a hundred (or less) French Cana-
dians cultivated the soil; at Prairie du Chien, there were not ;nore than thirty houses, mostly
occupied by traders, while on the prairie outside the village, a number of farms were cultivated.
Such was Wisconsin when, at the close of the last war with Great Britain, it began in earnest to
be occupied by Americans. The latter were few in number, but in 1818, they began to feel, now
that the country was attached to Michigan Territory and the laws of the United States were
extended over them, that they were not altogether beyond the protection of a government of their
own, notwithstanding they were surrounded by savage tribes. Their happiness was increased
upon the erection, by proclamation of Lewis Cass, governor of the Territory of Michigan, of
three Territorial counties : Michilimackinac, Brown and Crawford. Their establishment dates
PKE-TEREITORIAL ANNALS OF WISCONSIN. 37
the twenty-sixth of October, 1818. The county of Michilimackinac not only included all of the
present State of Wisconsin lying north of a line drawn due west from near the head of the Little
Noquet bay, but territory east and west of it, so as to reach from Lake Huron to the Missis-
sippi river. Its county seat was established "at the Borough of Michilimackinac.'' The whole
area in Michigan Territory south of the county of Michilimackinac and west of Lake Michigan
formed the two counties of Brown and Crawford: the former to include the area east of a line
drawn due north and south through the middle of the portage between the Fox river of Green
bay and the Wisconsin ; the latter to include the whole region west of that line. Prairie du
Chien was designated as the county seat of Crawford; Green Bay, of Brown county. On the
22d of December, 1826, a county named Chippewa was formed from the northern portions of
Michilimackinac, including the southern shores of Lake Superior throughout its entire length,
and extending from the straits leading from that lake into Lake Huron, west to the western
boundary line of Michigan Territory, with the county seat "' at such point in the vicinity of the
Sault de Ste. Marie, as a majority of the county commissioners to be appointed shall designate."
Embraced within this county, — its southern boundary being the parallel 46° 31' north latitude, —
was all the territory of the present State of Wisconsin now bordering on Lake Superior.
Immediately upon the erection of Brown and Crawford counties, they were organized, and
their ofSces filled by appointment of the governor. ' County courts were established, consisting
of one chief and two associate justices, either of whom formed a quorum. They were required
to' hold one term of court annually in their respective counties. These county courts had origi-
nal and exclusive jurisdiction in all civil cases, both in law and equity, where the matter in dis-
pute exceeded the jurisdiction of a justice of the peace, and did not exceed the value of one
thousand dollars. They had, however, no jurisdiction in ejectment. They had exclusive cog-
nizance of all offenses the punishment whereof was not capital, and the same power to issue
remedial and other process, writs of error and mandamus excepted, that the supreme court had
at Detroit. Appeals from justices df the peace were made to the county courts.
The establishing of Indian agencies by the General Government ; the holding of treaties
with some of the Indian tribes; the adjustment of land claims at Green Bay and Prairie du
Chien ; the appointment of postmasters at these two points, were all indications of a proper
interest being taken by the United States in the affairs of the country. But a drawback to this
region, was the fact that, in all civil cases of over a thousand dollars, and in criminal cases that
were capital, as well as in actions of ejectment, and in the allowance of writs of error, and man-
damus, recourse must be had to the supreme court at Detroit ; the latter place being the seat of
government of Michigan Territory. However, in January, 1823, an act of congress provided
for a district court, and for the appointment of a judge, for the counties of Brown, Crawford,
and Michilimackinac. This court had concurrent jurisdiction, civil and criminal, with the
supreme court of the Territory, in most cases, subject, however, to have its decisions taken to the
latter tribunal by a writ of error. The law provided for holding one term of court in each year,
in each of the counties named in the act ; so, at last, there was to be an administration of justice
at home, arid the people were to be relieved from all military arbitrations, which frequently had
been .imposed upon them. James Duane Doty was appointed judge of this court at its organiza-
tion. A May term of the court was held in Prairie du Chien ; a June term in Green Bay ; a
July term in " the Borough of Michilimackinac,'" in each year. In 1824, Henry S. Baird, of
Brown county, was appointed district attorney. Doty held the office of judge until May, 1832,
when he was succeeded by David Irvin. This court continued until 1836, when it was abrogated
by the organization of the Territory of Wisconsin.
For a long time it had been known that there were lead mines in what is now the south-
^8 HISTORY or WISCONSIN.
western portion of the State; but it was not until the year 1825, and the two following years, that
very general attention was attracted to them, which eventuated in the settlement of different
places in tha't region, by Americans, who came to dig for lead ore. This rapid increase of
settlers awakened the jealousy of the Winnebago Indians, at what they deemed an unauthorized
intrusion upon their lands, which, with other causes operating unfavorably upon their minds,
aroused them in June, 1827, .to open acts of hostility. Murders became frequent. Finally, the
militia of Prairie du Chien were called out. On the twenty-ninth of August, Brigadier-General
Henry Atkinson, of the United States army, with a strong force of regulars, ascended the Wis-
consin rivet to put an end to any further spread of Winnebago disturbances. He was joined on
the first of September, by one hundred and thirty Galena volunteers, mounted, and under com-
mand of General Henry Dodge. The Winnebagoes were awed into submission. Thus ended
the "Winnebago War." It was followed by the erection at the portage of Fort Winnebago, by
the United States. *
After the restoration of tranquillity, the United States proceeded by treaty with the Indians,
to secure the right to occupy the lead regions. This was in 1828. The next year, the General
Government purchased of the Winnebagoes, Southwestern Wisconsin, which put an end to all
trouble on a:ccount of mining operations. On the ninth of October, 1829, a county was formed,
by the legislative council of the Territory of Michigan, comprising all that part of Crawford
county lying south of the Wisconsin river. This new county was called Iowa. The county
seat was temporarily established at Mineral Point. Following this was a treaty in 1831, with the ,
Menomonees, for all their lands east of Green bay, Winnebago lake, and the Fox and Milwaukee
rivers.
There was now a crisis at hand. The most prominent event to be recorded in the pre-Ter-
ritorial annals of Wisconsin is known as the Black Hawk War. This conflict of arms between
the Sacs and Foxes and the United States arose from a controversy in regard to lands. By a
treaty made at Fort Harmar, just across the River Muskingum from Marietta, Ohio, in January^
1789, the Pottawattamie and Sac tribes of Indians, among others, were received into the friend-
ship of the General Governihent, and a league of peace and unity established between the con-
tracting parties On the third of November, 1804, a treaty at St. Louis stipulated that the
united Sac and Fox tribes should be received into the friendship of the United States, and also
be placed under their protection. These tribes also agreed to consider themselves under the pro-
tection of the General Government and of no other power whatsoever. At this treaty lands were
ceded which were circumscribed by a boundary beginning at a point on the Missouri river
opposite the mouth of the Gasconade, and running thence in a direct course so as to strike the
River Jefferson at the distance of thirty miles from its mouth, and down that stream to the Missis-
sippi. It then ran up the latter river to the mouth of the Wisconsin, and up that stream to a
point thirty-six miles in a direct line from its mouth ; thence by a straight course to a point
where the Fox river of the Illinois leaves the, small lake then called Sakaegan, and from that
point down the Fox to the Illinois, and down the latter to the Mississippi. The consideration for
this cession was the payment of goods to the value of two thousand two hundred and thirty-four
dollars and fifty cents, and a yearly annuity of one thousand dollars — six hundred to be paid to
the Sacs and four hundred to the Foxes — to be liquidated in goods valued at first cost. After-
ward, Fort Madison was erected just above the Des Moines rapids in the Mississippi, on the ter-
ritory ceded at the last mentioned treaty. Then followed the war with Great Britain, and the
Sacs and Foxes agreed to take no part therein. However, a portion afterward joined the
English against the Americans along with other Western tribes. At the restoration of peace the
Sacs and Foxes held treaties with the United States. There was a renewal of the treaty of 1804.
PKE-TEERITORIAL ANIfALS OF WISCONSIN. 39
Such in brief is a general outline of affairs, so far as those two tribes were concerned, down to the
close of the last war with England. From this time, to the year 1830, several additional treaties
were made with the Sacs and Foxes by the General Government : one in 1822, by which they relin-
quished their right to have the United States establish a trading house or factory at a convenient
point at which the Indians could trade and save themselves from the imposition of traders, for
which they were paid the sum of one thousand dollars in merchandise. Again, in 1824, they
sold to the General Government all their lands in Missouri, north of Missouri river, for which
they received one thousand dollars the same year, and an annuity of one thousand dollars for ten
years. In 1830, they ceded to the United States a strip of land twenty miles wide from the Mis-
sissippi to the Des Moines, on the north side of their territory. The time had now come for the
two tribes to leave the eastern shore of the Mississippi and retire across the "great water."
Keokuk, the Watchful Fox, erected his wigwam on the west side of the river, and was followed
by a large part of the two tribes. But a band headed by Ma-ka-tai-me-she-kia-kiah, or the
Black Sparrow Hawk, commonly called Black Hawk, refused to leave their village near Rock
Island. They contended that they had not sold their town to the United States ; and, upon
their return early in 1831, from a hunt across the Mississippi, finding their village and fields in
possession of the whites, they determined to repossess their homes at all hazards. This was
looked upon, or called, an encroachment by the settlers ; so the governor of Illinois took the
responsibility of declaring the State invaded, and asked the United States to drive the refractory
Indians beyond the Mississippi. The result was, the Indian village was destroyed by Illinois
volunteers. This and the threatened advance across the river by the United States commander,
brought Black Hawk and his followers to terms. They sued for peace — agreeing to remain
forever on the west side of the Mississippi. But this truce was of short duration. ,
Early in the Spring of 1832, Black Hawk having assembled his forces on the Mississippi, in
the vicinity of the locality where Fort Madison had stood, crossed that stream and ascended
Rock river. This was the signal for war. The governor of Illinois made ^ call for volunteers ;
and, in a brief space of time, eighteen hundred had assembled at Beardstown, Cass county^
They marched for the mouth of Rock river, where a council of war was held by their officers
and Brigadier-General Henry Atkinson, of the regular forcas. The Indians were sent word by
General Atkinson that they must return and recrdss the Mississippi, or they would be driven
back by force. " If you wish to fight us, come on," was the laconic but defiant reply of the Sac
chief. When the attempt was made to compel these Indians to go back across the " great river,"
a collision occurred between the Illinois militia and Black Hawk's braves, resulting in the dis-
comfiture of the former with the loss of eleven men. Soon afterward the volunteers were dis-
charged, and the first campaign of Black Hawk's War was at an end. This was in May, 1832.
In June following, a new force had been raised and put under the command of General
Atkinson, who commenced his march up Rock river. Before this, there had been a general
" forting " in the lead region, including the whole country in Southwest Wisconsin, notwithstand-
ing which, a number of settlers had been killed by the savages, mostly in Illinois. Squads of
volunteers, in two or three instances, had encountered the Indians ; and in one with entire suc-
cess— upon the Pecatonica, in what is now Lafayette county, Wisconsin — every savage (and
there were seventeen of them) being killed. The loss of the volunteers was three killed and
wounded. Atkinson's march up Rock river was attended with some skirmishing ; when, being
informed that Black Hawk and his force were at Lake Koshkonong, in the southwest corner of
what is now Jefferson county, Wisconsin, he immediately moved thither with a portion of his
army, where the whole force was ordered to concentrate. But the Sac chief with his people had
flown. Colonels Henry Dodge and James D. Henry, with the forces under them, discovered the
*^ HISTORY or WISCONSIlir.
trail of the savages, leading in the direction of the Wisconsin river. It was evident that the
retreating force was large, and that it had but recently passed. The pursuing troops hastened
their march. On the twenty-first of July, 1^32, they arrived at the hills which skirt the left bank
of that stream, in what is now Roxbury town (township), Dane county. Here was Black
Hawk's whole force, including women and children, the aged and infirm, hastening by every
effort to escape across the river. But that this might now be effected, it became necessary for
that chief to make a firm stand, to cover the retreat. The Indians were in the bottom lands
when the pursuing whites made their appearance upon the heights in their rear. Colonel Dodge
occupied the front and sustained the first attack of the Indians. He was soon joined by Henry
with his force, when they obtained a complete victory. The action commenced about five
o'clock in the afternoon and ended at sunset. The enemy, numbering not less than five hundred,
sustained a loss of about sixty killed and a large number wounded. The loss of the Americans
was one killed and eight wounded. This 'conflict has since been known as the battle of Wis-
consin Heights.
During the night following the battle. Black Hawk made Els' escape with his remaining force
and people down the Wisconsin river. The women and children made their way down stream
in canoes, while the warriors marched on foot along the shore. The Indians were pursued in
their flight, and were finally brought to a stand on the Mississippi river, near the mouth of the
Bad Axe, on the west boundary of what is now Vernon county, Wisconsin. About two o'clock
on the morning of the second of August, the line of march began to the scene of the last con-
flict in the Black ,Hawk War. Dodge's command formed the advance, supported by regular
troops, under Colonel Zachary Taylor, afterward president of the United States. Meanwhile an
armed steamboat had moved up the Mississippi and lay in front of the savages ; so they were
attacked on all sides by the exasperated Americans. The battle lasted about two hours, and
was a complete victory for the whites. Black Hawk fled, but was soon after captured. This
ended the war.
The survey of public lands by the General Government ; the locating and opening of land
offices at Mineral Point and Green Bay; the erection of Milwaukee county from a part of
Brown, to include all the territory bounded on the east and south by the east and south lines of
the present State, on the north by what is now the north boundary of Washington and Ozaukee
counties and farther westward on the north line of township numbered twelve, and on the west
by the dividing line between ranges eight and nine ; and the changing of the eastern boundary
of Iowa county to correspond with the western one of Milwaukee county; — are some of the
important events following the close of the Black Hawk war. There was an immediate and
rapid increase of immigration, not only in the mining region but in various other parts of Vyhat
is now Wisconsin, more especially in that portion bordering on Lake Michigan. The interior
was yet sparsely settled. By the act of June 28, 1834, congress having attached to the Territpry
of Michigan, for judicial purposes, all the country "west of the Mississippi river, and north of
the State of Missouri," comprising the whole of what is now the State of Iowa, all of the present
State of Minnesota west of the Mississippi river, and more than half of what is now the Terri-
tory of Dakota, the legislative council of Michigan Territory extended her laws over the whole
area, dividing it on the 6th of September, 1834, by a line drawn due west from the lower end of
Rock island to the Missouri river into two counties : the country south of that line constituting
the county of Des Moines ; north of the line, to be known as the county of Dubuque. This
whole region west of the Mississippi was known as the Iowa district. Immediately after the
treaty of 1832 with the Sacs and Foxes, the United States having come into ownership of a large
tract in this district, several families crossed the Mississippi, and settled on the purchase, but as
WISCONSIN TEBEITOEY. 41
the time provided for the Indians to give possession was the first of June, 1833, these settlers
were dispossessed by order of the General Government. So soon, however, as the Indians yielded
possession, settlements began, but, from the date just mentioned until September, 1834, after the
district was attached, for judicial purposes, to Michigan Territory, it was without any municipal
law whatever. The organization of the counties of Dubuque and Des Moines on the sixth of
that month, secured, of course a regular administration of justice. In 1835, in order to facili-
tate intercourse between the two remote military posts of Fort Howard at Green Bay, and Fort
Crawford at Prairie du Chien, a military road was commenced to connect the two points ; so,
one improvement followed another. On the 9th of January, 1836, a session (the first one) of
the seventh legislative council of Michigan Territory — that is, of so much of it as lay to the
westward of Lake Michigan — was held at Green Bay, and a memorial adopted, asking Congress
for the formation of a new Territory west of that lake ; to include all of Michigan Territory not
embraced in the proposed State of Michigan. Congress, as will now be shown, very soon com-
plied with the request of the memorialists.
IV.— WISCONSIN TERRITORY.
The establishing of a separate and distinct Territory west of Lake Michigan, was the result
of the prospective admission of Michigan into the Union (an event which took place not until
the twenty-sixth of January, 1837), as the population, in all the region outside of the boundaries
determined upon by the people for that State, would otherwise be left without a government, or,
at least, it would be necessary to change the capital of the old Michigan Territory farther to the
westward ; so it was thought best to erect a new territory, to be called Wisconsin (an Indian
word signifying wild rushing water, or channel, so called from the principal eastern tributary of
the Mississippi within its borders), which was done by an act of congress, approved April 20,
1836, to take effect from and after the third day of July following. The Territory was made to
include all that is now embraced within the States of Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, and a part of
the Territory of Dakota, more particularly described within boundaries commencing at the north-
east corner of the State of Illinois, running thence through the middle of Lake Michigan to a
point opposite the main channel of Green bay ; thence through that channel and the bay to the
mouth of the Menomonee river ; thence up that stream to its head, which is nearest the lake of the
Desert ; thence to the middle of that lake ; thence down the Montreal river to its mouth ; thence
with a direct line across Lake Superior to where the territorial line of the United States last touches
the lake northwest ; thence on the north, with the territorial line, to the White Earth river ; on the
west by a line drawn down the middle of the main channel of that stream to the Missouri river,
and down the middle of the main channel of the last mentioned stream to the northwest corner of
the State of Missouri ; and thence with the boundaries of the States of Missouri and Illinois, as
already fixed by act of congress, to the place or point of beginning. Its counties were Brown,
Milwaukee, Iowa, Crawford, Dubuque, and Des Moines, with a portion of Chippewa and Michili-
mackinac left unorganized. Although, at this time, the State of Michigan was only engaged, so
to speak, to the Union, to include the two peninsulas (many of its citizens preferring in lieu
thereof the lower one only, with a small slice off the northern boundary of the State of Ohio as
now constituted), yet the marriage ceremony was performed, as has been stated, a few months
afterward.
The act of congress establishing the Territorial government of Wisconsin was very full and
complete. It first determined its boundaries ; then it declared that all authority of the govern-
ment of Michigan over the new Territory should cease on the fourth day of July, 1836, with a
*2 HISTOET OF WISCONSIN.
proper reservation ofYights in favor of the Indians. It provided for subsequently dividing tna
Territory into one or more, should congress deem it wise so to do. It also declared that the
executive power and authority in and over the Territory should be vested in a governor, at the same
time defining his powers. It provided for the appointment of a secretary, stating what his duties
should be. The legislative power was vested in the governor and legislative assembly, the latter
to consist of a council and house of representatives, answering respectively to the senate and
assembly, as states are usually organized. There was a provision for taking the census of the
several counties, and one giving the governor power to name the time, place, and manner of
holding the first election, and to declare the number of members of the council and house of
representatives to which each county should be entitled. He was also to determine where the
first legislative assembly should meet, and a wise provision was that the latter should not be in
session in any one year more than seventy-five days.
One section of the act declared who should be entitled to vote and hold office ; another
defined the extent of the powers of the legislature, and a third provided that all laws should be
submitted to congress for their approval- or rejection. There was a section designating what
offices should be elective and what ones should be filled by the governor. There were others
regulating the judiciary for the Territory and declaring what offices should be appointed by the
United States, providing for their taking the proper oaths of office and regulating their salaries.
One, perhaps the most important of all, declared that the Territory should be entitled to and enjoy
all the rights, privileges, and advantages granted by the celebrated ordinance of 1787. There
was also a provision for the election of a delegate to the house of representatives of the United
States ; and a declaration that all suits and indictments pending in the old courts should be con-
tinued in the new ones. Five thousand dollars were appropriated for a library for the accommo-
dation of the legislative assembly of the Territory and of its supreme court.
For the new Territory, Henry Dodge was, on the 30th of April, 1836, by Andrew Jackson,
then President of the United States, commissioned governor. John S. Horner was commissioned
secretary ; Charles Dunn, chief justice ; David Irvin and William C. Frazer, associate judges ;
W. W. Chapman, attorney, and Francis Gehon, marshal. The machinery of a territorial gov-
ernrnent was thus formed, which was set in motion by these officers taking the prescribed oath of
office. The next important step to be taken was to organize the Territorial legislature. The
provisions of the organic act relative to the enumeration of the population of the Territory were
that previously to the first election, the governor should cause the ceusus of the inhabitants of
the several counties to be taken by the several sheriffs, and that the latter should make returns of
the same to the Executive. These figures gave to Des Moines county, 6,257 ; Iowa county,
5,234; Dubuque county, 4,274; Milwaukee county, 2,893; Brown county, 2,706; Crawford
county, 850. The entire population, therefore, of Wisconsin Territory in the summer of 1836,
as given by the first census was, in precise numbers, twenty-two thousand two hundred and four-
teen, of which the two counties west of the Mississippi furnished nearly one half. The apportion-
ment, after the census had been taken, made by the governor, gave to the different counties thir-
teen councilmen and twenty-six representatives. Brown county got two councilmen and three
representatives ; Crawford, two representatives, but no councilmen ; Milwaukee, two councilmen
and three representatives ; Iowa, Dubuque and Des Moines, each three councilmen ; but of repre-
sentatives, Iowa got six ; Dubuque, five, and Des Moines, seven. The election was held on the
tenth of October, 1836, exciting considerable interest, growing out, chiefly, of local considera-
tions. The permanent location of the capital, the division of counties, and the location of county
seats, were the principal questions influencing the voters. There were elected from the county
of Brown, Henry S. Baird and John P. Arndt, members of the council; Ebenezer Childs, Albert
WISCOHrSIN TEERITORY. 43
G. Ellis and Alexander J. Irwin, members of the house of representatives ; from Milwaukee,
the councilmen were Gilbert Knapp and Alans'on Sweet ; representatives, William B. Sheldon,
Madison W. Cornwall and Charles Durkee : from Iowa, councilmen, EbenezerBrigham, JohnB.
Terry and James R. Vineyard ; representatives, William Boyles, G. F. Smith, D. M. Parkinson,
Thomas McKnight, T. Shanley and J. P. Cox : from Dubuque, councilmen, John Foley, Thomas
McCraney and Thomas McKnight ; representatives, Loring Wheeler, Hardin Nowlin, Hosea T,.
Camp, P. H. Engle and Patrick Quigley : from Des Moines, councilmen, Jeremiah Smith, Jr.,
Joseph B. Teas and Arthur B. Inghram ; representatives, Isaac Leffler, Thomas Blair, Warren L,
Jenkins, John Box, George W. Teas, Eli Reynolds and David R. Chance : from Crawford, repre^
sentatives, James H. Lockwood and James B. Dallam. ■
Belmont, in the present county of LaFayette, then in Iowa county, was, by the governor,
appointed the place for the meeting of the legislature ; he also fixed the time — the twenty-fifth
of October. A quorum was in attendance in both branches at the time decided upon for their
assembling, and the two houses were speedily organized by the election of Peter Hill Fngle, of
Dubuque, speaker of the house, and Henry S. Baird, of Brown, president of the council. Each
of the separate divisions of the government — the executive, the judicial, and the legislative — '
was now in working order, except that it remained for the legislature to divide the Territory into
judicial districts, and make an assignment of the judges ; and for the governor to appoint a Ter,
ritorial treasurer, auditor and attorney general. The act of congress establishing the Terri,
tory required that it should be divided into three judicial districts. The counties of Crawford
and Ioi)(ra were constitued by the legislature the first district, to which was assigned Chief Justice
Dunn. The secqnd district was composed of the counties of Des Moines and Dubuque ; to it
was assigned Associate Judge Irvin. The third district was formed of the counties of Brown
and Milwaukee, to which was assigned Associate Judge Frazer.
Governor Dodge, in his first message to the Territorial legislature, directed attention to the
necessity for defining the jurisdiction and powers of the several courts, and recommended that
congress should be memorialized to extend the right of pre-emption to actual settlers upon the
public lands and to miners on mineral lands; also, to remove the obstructions in the rapids
of the Upper Mississippi, to construct harbors and light-houses on Lake Michigan,to improve
the navigation of Fox river and to survey the same from its "mouth to Fort Winnebago, to
increase the amount of lands granted to the Territory for school purposes, and to organize and
arm the militia for the prgtection of the frontier settlements. The first act passed by the legis-
lature was one privileging members from arrest in certain cases and conferring on themselves
power to punish parties for contempt. The second one established the three judicial districts
and assigned the judges thereto. One was passed to borrow money to defray the expenses
of the session; others protecting avl lands donated to the Territory by the United States in aid
of schools, and creating a common school fund. A memorial to congress was adopted request-
ing authorization to sell the school-section in each township, and appropriate the money arising
therefrom for increasing the fund for schools.
During this session, five counties were " set off" west of the Mississippi river : Lee, Van
Buren, Henry, Louisa, Muscatine, and Cook ; ai)d fifteen east of that stream : Walworth, Racine,
Jefferson, Dane, Portage, Dodge, Washington, Sheboygan, Fond du Lac, Calumet, Manitowoc,
Marquette, Rock, Grant and Green.
The principal question agitating the legislature at its first session was the location of the
capital. Already the people west of the Mississippi were speculating upon the establishment of
a Territory on that side the river, prospects for which would be enhanced evidently, by placing
the seat of government somewhat in a central position east of that stream, for Wisconsin
44
HISTORY or WISCONSIN.
Territory. Now, as Madison was a point answering such requirements she triumphed over all
competitors ; and the latter numbered a dozen or more — including, among others, Fond du Lac,
Milwaukee, Racine, Belmont, Mineral Point, Green Bay, and Cassville. The struggle over this
question was one of the most exciting ever witnessed in the Territorial legislature. Madison
was fixed iipon as the seat of government, but it was provided that sessions of the legislature
should be held at Burlington, in Des Moines county, until the fourth of March, 1839, unless the
public buildings in the new capital should be sooner completed. After an enactment that the
legislature should thereafter, meet on the first Monday of November of each year, both houses,
On the ninth day of December, 1836, adjourned sine die.
In the act of congress establishing the Territory of Wisconsin it was provided that a delegate
to the house of representatives of the United States, to serve for the term, of two years, should
be elected by the voters qualified to elect members of the legislative assembly-, and that the
first election should be held at such time and place or places, and be conducted in such manner
as the governor of the Territory should appoint and direct. In pursuance of' this enactment,
Governor Dodge directed that the election for delegate should be at the time and places
appointed for the election of members of the legislative assembly — the loth of October, 1836.
The successful candidate for that office was George W. Jones, of Sinsinawa Mound, Iowa
county^ in that portion which was afterward "set off " as Grant county. Jones, under the act
of 1819, had been elected a delegate for Michigan Territory, in October, 1835, and took his
seat at the ensuing session, in December of that year. By the act of June 15, 1836, the consti-
tution and State government which the people of Michigan had formed for themselves was
accepted, ratified and confirmed, and she was declared to be one of the United States of
America, so that the term of two years for which Jones had been elected was cut short, as, in
the nature of the case, his term could not survive the existence of the Territory he represented.
But, as he was a candidate for election to represent the new Territory of Wisconsin in congress
as a delegate, and was successful, he took his seat at the commencement of the second session of
the twenty-fourth congress — December 12, 1836, notwithstanding he had been elected only a
little over two months.
The first terra of the supreme court of the Territory was held at Belmont on the 8th day of
December. There were present, Charles Dunn, chief justice, and David Irvin, associate judge.
John Catlin was appointed clerk, and Henry S. Baird having previously been commissioned
attorney general for the Territory by Governor Dodge, appeared before the court and took the
oath of office. Causes in which the United States was party or interested were looked after by
the United States attorney, who received his appointrrient from the president; while all cases
in which the Territory was interested was attended to by the attorney general, whose commission
was signed by the governor. The appointing of a crier and reporter and the admission of
Several attorneys to practice, completed the business for the term. The annual term appointed
for the third Monday of July of the following year, at Madison, was not held; as no business for
the action of the court had matured.
At the time of the complete organization of the Territory of Wisconsin, when the whole
machinery had been put fairly in motion ; when its first legislature at its first session had, after
passing forty-two laws and, three joint resolutions, in forty-six days, adjourned; — at this time,
the entire portion west of the Mississippi had, in round numbers, a population of only eleven
thousand; while the sparsely settled mineral region, the military establishments — Fort Craw-
ford, Fort Winnebago, and Fort Howard — and the settlements at or near them, with the village
of Milwaukee, constituted about all there was of the Territory east of that river, aggregating
about twelve thousand inhabitants. There was no land in market, except a narrow strip along
WISCONSIN TEREITOBY. 45
the shore of Lake Michigan, and in the vicinity of Green bay. The residue of the country
south and east of the Wisconsin and Fox rivers was open only to preemptioh by actual settlers.
The Indian tribes still claimed a large portion of the lands. On the north and as far west as
the Red river of the north were located the Chippewas. The southern limits of their posses-
sions were defined by a line drawn from a point on that stream in about latitude 46° 30' in a
southeasterly direction to the head of Lake St. Croix ; thence in the same general direction to
what is now Stevens Point, in the present Portage county, Wisconsin ; thence nearly east to
Wolf river; and thence in a direction nearly northeast to the Menomonee river. The whole
country bounded by the Red river and Mississippi on the east; the parallel of about 43" of
latitude on the south ; the Missouri and White Earth river on "the west ; and the Territorial line
on the north, was occupied by the Sioux. In the southwest part of the Territory, lying mostly
south of latitude 43° — in the country reaching to the Missouri State boundary line south, and
to the Missouri river west — were the homes of the Pottawattamies, the lowas, and the Sacs and
Foxes. Between the Wisconsin river and the Mississippi, and extending north to the south
line of the Chippewas was the territory of the Winnebagoes. East of the Winnebagoes in the
country north of the Fox river of Green bay were located the Menomonees, their lands
extending to Wolf river. Such was the general outline of Indian occupancy in Wisconsin
Territory at its organization. A portion of the country east of Wolf river and north of Green
bay and the Fox river ; the whole of the area lying south of Green bay. Fox river and the
Wisconsin ; and a strip of territory immediately west of the Mississippi, about fifty miles in
width, and extending from the Missouri State line as far north as the northern boundary of the
present State of Iowa, constituted the whole extent of country over which the Indians had
no claim.
The second session of the first legislative assembly of the Territory began at Burlington,
now the county seat of Des Moines county, Iowa, on the 6th of November, 1837. The governor,
in his message, recommended a codification of the laws, the organization of the militia, and other
measures of interest to the people. An act was passed providing for taking another census, and
one abolishing imprisonment for debt. By a joint resolution, congress was urged to make an
appropriation of twenty thousand dollars in money, and two townships of land for a " University
of the Territory of Wisconsin." The money was not appropriated, but the land was granted —
forty-six thousand and eighty acres. This was the fundamental endowment of the present State
university, at Madison. A bill was also passed to regulate the sale of school lands, and to
prepare for organizing, regulating and perfecting schools. Another act, which passed the
legislature at this session, proved an apple of discord to the people of the Territory. The
measure was intended to provide ways and means whereby to connect, by canals and slack-
water, the waters of Lake Michigan with those of the Mississippi, by way of Rock river, the
Catfish, the four lakes and the Wisconsin, by the incorporation of the Milwaukee and Rock
river canal company. This company was given authority to apply to congress for an appro-
priation in money or lands to aid in the construction of the work, which was to have its eastern
outlet in the Milwaukee river, and to unite at its western terminus with Rock river, near the
present village of Jefferson, in Jefferson county. The result was that a grant of land of odd-
numbered sections in a strip of territory five miles on each side of the line of the proposed canal
was secured, and in July, 1839, over forty thousand acres were sold at the minimum price of
two dollars and fifty cents per acre. However, owing mainly to the fact that purchasers were
compelled to pay double the government price for their lands — owing also to the circumstance
of an antagonism growing up between the officers of the canal company and the Territorial
ofiicers intrusted with the disposition of the lands, and to conflicts between'the beneficiaries of
46
HISTORY OF WISCONSIlSr.
the grant ■ and some of the leading politicians of, the time — the whole scheme proved a curse
and a blight rather than a blessing, and eventuating, of course, in the total failure. of the project.
There had been much Territorial and State legislation conceriiing the matter ; but very little
work, meanwhile, was done on the canal. It is only within the year 1875 that an apparent
quietus has been given to the subject, and legislative enactments forever put at rest.
Fourteen counties were set off during this session of the legislature at Burlington — all
west of the Mississippi. They were Benton, Buchanan, Cedar, Clinton, Delaware, Fayette,
Jackson, Johnson, Jones, Keokuk, Linn, Slaughter, Scott and Clayton. One hundred and five
acts and twenty joint resolutions were passed. On the 20th of January, 1838, both houses
adjourned until the second Moncfay of June following.
The census of the Territory having been taken in May, the special session of the first legis-
lature commenced on th6 eleventh of June, 1838, at Burlington, pursuant to adjournment, mainly
for the purpose of making a new apportionment of members of the house. This was effected by
giving twelve members to the counties east of the Mississippi, and fourteen to those west of that
stream, to be contingent, however, upon the division of the Territory, which measure was not
only then before congress, but had been actually passed, by that body, though unknown to the
Territorial legislature. The law made it incumbent on the governor, in the event of the Terri-
tory being divided before the next general election, to make an apportionn;ient for the part
remaining, — enacting that the one made by the act of the legislature should, in that case, have
no effect^ Having provided that the next session should be held at Madison, the legislative body
adjourned sine die on the twenty-fifth of June, '1838, the public buildings at the new capital
having been put under contract in April, previous. Up to this time, the officers of the Territory
at large, appointed by the president of the United States at its organization, had remained
unchanged, except that the secretary, John S. Horner, had been removed and his place given to
William B. Slaughter, by appointmerit, dated February 16, 1837. Now there were two other
changes made. On the nineteenth of June, Edward James was commissioned marshal, and on
the fifth of July, Moses M. Strong was commissioned attorney of the United States for the Ter-
ritory. By an act of congress, approved June 12, 1838, to divide the Territory of Wisconsin,
and to establish a Territorial government west of the Mississippi, it was provided that from and
after the third day of July following, all that part of Wisconsin Territory lying west of that river
and west of a line drawn due north from its headwaters or sources to the Territorial line, for the
purposes of a Territorial government should be set apart and known by the name of Iowa. It
was further enacted that the Territory of Wisconsin should thereafter extend westward only to-
the Mississippi. It will be seen therefore that all that portion of the present State of Minnesota,,
extending eastward from the Mississippi to the St. Croix and northward to the United States
boundary line, was then a part of Wisconsin Territory, even after the organization of the Terri-
tory of Iowa. The census taken' in May, just previous to the passage of this act, gave a total
population to the several counties of the Territory, east of the Mississippi, of 18,149.
On the third Monday of July, 1838, the annual terms of the supreme court — the first one
after the re-organization of the Territory of Wisconsin — was held at Madison. There were
present Chief Justice Dunn and Assodiate Judge Frazer. After admitting five attorneys to
practice, hearing several motions, and granting several rules, the court adjourned. All the terms
of the Supreme Court thereafter were held at Madison.
At an election held in the Territory on the tenth day of September, 1838, James Duane Doty
received the highest number of votes for the ofSce of delegate to congress, and was declared by
Governor Dodge duly elected, by a certificate of election, issued on the twenty-seventh day of
October following. Upon the commencement of the third session of the twenty-fifth congress-
WISCONSIN TEREITOEY. 47
on Monday, December lo, 1838, Isaac E. Crary, member from Michigan, announced to the chair
of the house of representatives that Doty was in attendance as delegate from Wisconsin Terri-
tory, and moved that he be qualified. Jones, the former delegate, then rose and protested
against Doty's right to the seat, claiming that his (Jones') term had not expired. The basis for
his claim was that under the act of 1817, a delegate must be elected only for one congress, and
not for parts of two congressional terms; that his term as a delegate from Wisconsin did not
commence until the fourth of March, 1837, and consequently would not expire until the fourth
of March, 1839. The subject was finally referred to the committee of, elections. This com-
mittee, on the fourteenth of January, 1839, reported in favor of Doty's right to his seat as dele-
gate, submitting a resolution to that effect which passed the hoiise by a vote of one hundred and
sixty-five to twenty-five. Whereupon Doty was qualified as delegate from Wisconsin Territory,
and took his seat at the date last mentioned.
On the 8th of November, Andrew G. Miller was appointed by Martin Van Buren, then
president of the United States, associate judge of the supreme court, to succeed Judge Frazer,
who died at Milwaukee, on the i8th of October. During this year, Moses M. Strong succeeded
W. W. Chapman as United States attorney for the Territory.
On the 26th day of November, 1838, the legislature of the re-organized Territory of Wis-
consin— being the first session of the second legislative assembly — met at Madison. Governor,
Dodge, in his message, recommended an investigation of the banks then in operation, memorial-
izing congress for a grant of lands for the improvement of the Fox river of Green bay and the
Wisconsin; the revision of the laws; the' division of the Territory into judicial districts; the
justice of granting to all miners who have obtained the ownership of mineral grounds under the
regulations of the superintendent of the United States lead mines, either by discovery or pur-
chase, the right of pre-emption ; and the improveipent of the harbors on Lake Michigan.
The attention of this Legislature was directed to the mode in which the commissioners of
pu"blic buildings had discharged their duties There was an investigation of the three banks
then in operation in the Territory — one at Green Bay, one at Mineral Point, and the other at
Milwaukee. A plan, also, for the revision of the laws of the Territory was considered. A new
assignment was made for the holding of district courts. Chief Justice Dunn was assigned to the '
first district, composed of the counties of Iowa, Grant and Crawford ; Judge Irvin to the second,
composed of the counties of Dane, Jefferson, Rock, Walworth and Green ; while Judge Miller
was assigned to the third district, composed of Milwaukee, Brown and Racine counties — includ-
ing therein the Unorganized counties of Washington and Dodge, which, for judicial purposes,
were, when constituted by name and boundary, attached to Milwaukee county, and had so
remained since that date. The legislature adjourned on the 22d of December, to meet again on
the 2istof the following month. "Although," said the president of the council, upon the occasion
of the adjournment, "but few acts of a general character have been passed, qs the discussions and
action of this body have been chiefly confined to bills of a local nature, and to the passage of
memorials to the parent government in behalf of the great interests of the Territory; yet it is
believed that the concurrent resolutions of the two houses authorizing a revision of 'the laws, is a
measure of infinite importance to the true interests of the people, and to the credit and charac-
ter of the Territory."
Tbe census of the Territory having been taken during the year 1838, showed a population
of 18,130, an increase in two years of 6,447.
The second session of the second legislative assembly commenced on the twenty-first day of
January, 1839, agreeable to adjournment. The most important work was the revision of the laws
which had been perfected during the recess, by the committee to whom the work was intrusted.
48
HISTOET OF WISCONSIN.
consisting of three members from each house: from the council, M. L. Martin, Marshall M. .
Strong, and James Collins ; from the house of representatives, Edward V. Whiton, Augustus
Story, and Barlow Shacklefo'rd. The act legalizing the revision, took effect on the fourth day of
July following. The laws as revised, composed the principal part of those forming the Revised
Statutes of 1839, a valuable volume for all classes in the territory — and especially so for the
courts and lawyers — during the next ten years. The sine die adjournment of this legislature took
place on the nth of March, 1839.
On the 8th of March of this year, Henry Dodge, whose term for three years as governor
was about to expire, was again commissioned by the president of the United States, as governor
of the Territory of Wisconsin. At the July term of the supreme court, all the judges were pre-
sent, and several cases were heard and decided. A seal for the court was also adopted. The
attorney general of the Territory at this time was H. N. Wells, who had been commissioned by
Governor Dodge, on the 30th of March previous, in place of H. S. Baird, resigned. Wells not
being in attendance at this term of the court, Franklin J. Munger was appoin,ted by the judge
attorney general for that session. The clerk, John Collin having resigned, Simeon Mills was
selected by the court to fill his place. From this time, the supreme court met annually, as pro-
vided by law, until Wisconsin became a State.
The next legislature assembled at Madison, on the second of December, 1839. This was
the third session of the second legislative assembly of the Territory. ■ The term for which mem-
bers of the house were elected, would soon expire ; it was therefore desirable that a new appor-
tionment should be made. As the census would be taken the ensuing June, by the United States,
it would be unnecessary for the Territory to make an additional enumeration. A short session
was resolved upon, and th^n an adjournment until after the completion of the census. One of
the subjects occupying largely the attention of the members, was the condition of the capitol,
and the conduct of the commissioners intrusted with the money appropriated by congress to
defray the cost of its construction. The legislature adjourned on the thirteenth of January,
1840, to meet again on the third of the ensuing August. The completion of the census showed
a population for the Territory of thirty thousand seven hundred and forty-four, against eighteen
thousand one hundred and thirty, two years previous. Upon the re-assembling of the legisla-
ture— which is known as the extra session of the second legi"lative assembly — at the time agreed
upon, some changes were made in the apportionment of members to the house of representa-
tives ; the session lasted but a few days, a final adjournnient taking place on the fourteenth of
August, 1840. At the July term of the supreme court, Simeon Mills resigned the office of
clerk, and La Fayette Kellogg was appointed in his place. Kellogg continued to hold the posi-
tion until the state judiciary was organized. At the ensuing election, James Duane Doty was
re-elected Territorial delegate, taking his seat for the first time under his second term, on the
eighth day of December, 1840, at the commencement of the second session of the twenty-sixth
congress.
The first session of the third legislative assembly commence^ on the seventh of December,
1840, with all new merhbers in the house except three. All had recently been elected under' the
new apportionment. Most of the session was devoted to the ordinary routine of legislation.
There was, however, a departure, in the passage of two acts granting divorces, from the usual
current of legislative proceedings in the Territory. There was, also, a very interesting contested
election case between two members from Brown county. Such was the backwardness in regard
to the building of the capitol, at this date, that a large majority of the members stood ready to
remove the seat of government to some other, place. However, as no particular point could be
agreed upon, it remained at Madison. The legislature adjourned on the nineteenth of February,
wiscoNsrisr teeritory. 49
1841, having continued a term of seventy-five days, the maximum time limited by the organic act.
Fraii'cis J. Dunn, appointed by Martin Van Buren, was commissioned in place of William
B. Slaughter, as secretary of the Territory, on the 25th of January, 1841, but was himself super-
ceded by the appointment of A. P'. Field, on the 23d day of April following. On the 15th of
March, Daniel Hugunin was commissioned as marshal in place of Edward James, and on the
27th of April, Thomas W. Sutherland succeeded Moses M. Strong as United States attorney
for the Territory. On the 26th of June, Governor Dodge commissioned as attorney general of
■ the Territory, M. M. Jackson. On the 13th of September following. Dodge was removed from
office by John Tyler, then president of the United States, and James Duane Doty appointed in
his place. The appointment of Doty, then the delegate of the Territory in congress, by the
president of the United States as governor, and the consequent resignation of the latter of his
seat in the house of representatives, caused a vacancy which was filled by the election of Henry
Dodge to that office, on the 27th of September, 1841 ; so that Doty and Dodge changed places.
Dodge took his seat for the first time, at the commencement of the second session of the twenty-
fifth congress — Monday, December 7, 1841.
About this time, the Milwaukee and Rock river canal imbroglio broke out afresh. The
loan agent appointed by the governor to negotiate a loan of one hundred thousand dollars for
the work, reported that he had negotiated fifty-six thousand dollars of bonds, which had been
issued ; but he did not report what kind of money was to be received for them. Now, the canal
commissioners claimed .that it was their right and duty not to recognize any loan which was to
be paid in such currency as they disapproved of. This dispute defeated the loan, and stopped
all work on the canal. During the year 1841, Thomas W. Sutherland succeeded Moses M.
Strong as United States attorney. The second session of the third legislative assembly began
at Madison, on the sixth of December, 1841. Governor Doty, in his message to that body,
boldly avowed the'doctrine that no law of the Territory was effective, until expressly approved
by congress. " The act," said he, " establishing the government of Wisconsin, in the third sec-
tion, requires the secretary of the Territory to transmit annually, on or before the first Monday
in December, ' two copies of the laws to the speaker of the house of representatives, for the
use of congress.' The sixth section provides that 'all laws of ^the governor and legislative
assembly shall be submitted to, and, if disapproved by the congress of the United States, the
same shall be null and of no effect.' " "These provisions," he added, "it seems to me, require
the laws to be actually submitted to congress before they take effect. They change the law by
which this country was governed while it was a part of Michigan. That law provided that
the laws should be reported to congress, and that they should ' be in force in the district until
the organization of the general assembly therein, unless disapproved of by congress.' " The
governor concluded in these words : " The opinion of my predecessor, which was expressed to
the first legislature assembled after the organization of this government, in his message delivered
at Belmont on the twenty-sixth day of October, 1836, fully sustains this view of the subject which
I hav£ presented. He said: 'We have convened under an act of congress of the United States
establishing the Territorial government of Wisconsin, for the purpose of enacting such laws as
may be required for the government of the people of this Territory, after their approval by con-
gress.'" This construction of the organic act resulted in a lengthy warfare between the gov-
ernor and the legislative assembly.
At this session, the Milwaukee and Rock river canal again raised a tumult. " Congress
had made a valuable grant of land to the Territory in trust. The Territory was the trustee ;
the canal company the cestui que trust. The trust had been accepted, and a large portion of
the lands had been sold, one tenth of the purchase money received, and ample securities held
^^ HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
for the balance." The Territory now, by its legislature, repealed all the laws authorizing a
loan, and all which contemplated the expenditure of any money on its part in constructing the
canal. The legislature resolved that all connection ought to be dissolved, and the work on
the canal by the Territory abandoned, and that the latter ought not further to execute the
trust. They resolved also that the congress b^ requested to divert the grant to such other
internal improvements as should be designated by the Territory, subject to the approval of
congress; and that, if the latter should decHne'to make this diversion, it was requested to take
back the grant, and dispose of the unsold lands. On the eleventh of February, 1842, a tragedy
Was enacted in the legislative council, causing great excitement over the whole Territory. On
that day, Charles C. P. Arndt, a member from Brown county, was, while that body was in
session, shot dead by James R. Vineyard, a member from Grant county. The difficulty grew
out of a debate on motion to lay on the table the nomination of Enos S. Baker to the office of
sheriff of Grant county. Immediately before adjournment of the council, the parties who had
come together, after loud and angry words had been spoken, were separated by the by-standers.
When an adjournment had been announced, they met again ; whereupon Arndt struck at Vine-
yard. The latter then drew a pistol and shot Arndt. He died in a few moments. Vineyard
immediately surrendered himself to the sheriff of the county', waived an examination, and was
committed to jail. After a short confinement, he was brought before the chief justice of the
Territory, on a writ of habeas corpus, and admitted to bail. He was afterward indicted for man-
Slaughter, was tried and acquitted. Three days after shooting Arndt, Vineyard sent in his
resignation as member of the council. That body refused to xeceive it, or to have it read even;
but at once expelled him. The second and last session of the third legislative assembly came
to a close on the eighteenth of February, 1842.
The first session of the fourth legislative assembly commenced on the fifth day of Decem-
ber, 1842. The members had b^en elected under a new apportionment based upon a census
taken in the previous June, whic^i showed a total population for the Territory of forty-six thou-
sand six hundred and seventy-eight — an increase of nearly ten thousand in two years. A politi-
cal count showed a decided democratic majority in each house. Governor Doty's political
proclivities were with the whig party. The contest between him and the legislature now
assumed a serious character. He refused to " hold converse " with it, for the reason that, in his
opinion, no appropriation had been made by congress to defray the expenses of the session, and,
as a consequence, none could be held. The legislature rnade a representation to congress, then
in session, of the objections of, the governor, and adjourned on the tenth of December, to meet
again on the thirteenth of January, 1843. It was not until the fourth of February following that
a quorum in both houses had assembled, when the legislature, through a joint committee, waited
on the governor, and informed him that they had again met according to adjournment, and were
then ready to proceed to business. Previous to this time, congress had made an appropriation
to cover the expenses of the legislature now in session, which it was supposed would remove all
conflict about its legality. But the governor had, on the thirtieth day of January previous, issued
a proclamation, convening a special session of the legislature on the sixth of March, and still
refused to recognize the present one as legal. Both houses then adjourned to the day fixed by
the executive. A final adjournment took place on the seventeenth of April following.
Thb term of two years for which Henry Dodge was elected as delegate, having expired at
the close of the third session of the twenty-seventh congress, he was, on the twenty-fifth of Sep-
tember, 1843, re-elected, taking his seat for the first time on his second terrh at the commence-
ment of the first session of the twenty-eighth congress, Monday, December 4, 1843. On-
the thirtieth of October of this year, George Floyd was commissioned by President Tyler as
(Deceased.)
FOND DU LAC.
WISCONSIN TERRITORY. SI
secretary of the Territory, in place of A. P. Field.
The second session of the fourth legislative assembly of the Territory, commencing on the
fourth of December, 1843, and terminating on the thirty-first of January, 1844— a period of fifty-
nine days — accomplished but little worthy of especial mention, except the submission of the
question of the formation of a State government to a vote of the people, to be taken at the gene-
ral election to be held in September following. The proposition did not succeed at the ballot-
box. The third session of the fourth legislative assembly did not commence until the sixth of
January, 1845, as the time had been changed to the first Monday in that month for annual meet-
ings. Governor Doty having persisted in spelling Wisconsin with a " k " and an " a "— Wis-
konsan — and some of the people having adopted his method, it was thought by this legislature
a matter of sufficient importance to be checked. So, by a joint resolution, the orthography —
Wisfonsm — employed in the organic act, was adopted as the true one for the Territory, and has
ever since been used. Before the commencement of this session Doty's term of office had
expired. He was superseded as governor of the Territory by N. P. Tallmadge, the latter having
been appointed on the twenty-first of June, 1844. On the thirl y-first of August, Charles M.
Prevost was appointed marshal of the Territory, in place of Daniel Hugunin. There was the
utmost harmony between Governor Tallmadge and the legislature of the Territory at its session
in 1845.
His message, which was delivered to the two houses in person, on the seventeenth of January,
was well received. Among other items of interest to which he called the attention of the legis- ^
lative assembly, was one concerning the construction of a railroad to connect Lake Michigan with
the Mississippi. " The interests of the Territory," said he, " seem inperiously to demand the con-
struction of a railroad, or other communication, from some suitable point on Lake Michigan to
the Mississippi river. Much difference of opinion seems to exist as to what it shall be, and how
it is to be accomplished. There is a general impression," continued the governor, ",that the con-
struction of the Milwaukee and Rock river canal, which was intended to connect those waters, is
abandoned. It remains to be seen what shall be substituted for it." The session terminated on
the twenty-fourth of February, 1845.
James K. Polk having been inaugurated president of the United States on the fourth of
March, 1845, Henry Dodge was again put into the gubernatorial chair of the Territory, receiving
his appointment on the eighth of April, 1845. Other changes were made by the president during
the same year, John B. Rockwell being, on the fourteenth of March, appointed marshal, and W.
P. Lynde, on the fourteenth of July, United States attorney for the Territory, Governor Tall-
madge, on the twenty-second of January of this year, having commissioned the latter also as
attorney general. On the twenty-second of September, Morgan L. Martin was elected delegate
to the twenty-ninth congress, as the successor of Henry Dodge.
The fourth and last session of the fourth legislative assembly was organized on the fifth of
January, 1846. This session, although a short one, proved very important. Preliminary steps
were taken for the formation of a State government. The first Tuesday in April next succeeding
was the day fixed upon for the people to vote for or against the proposition. When taken it
resulted in a large majority voting in favor of the measure. An act was passed providing for taking
the census of the Territory, and for the apportionment by the governor of delegates to form a
State constitution, based upon the new enumeration. The delegates were to be elected on the first
Monday in September, and the convention was to assemble on the first Monday in October, 1846.
The constitution when formed was to be submitted to the vote of the people for adoption or
rejection, as, at the close of the session, the terms of members of the council who had been elected
for four years, and of the house, who had been elected for two years, all ended. The legislature
52 HISTORY OP WISCONSIN.
re-organized the election districts, and conferred on the governor the power and duty of making
an apportionment, based on the census to be taken, for the next legislative assembly, when, on
the third of February, 1846, both houses adjourned sine die. - On the twenty-second of January,
Governor Dodge appointed A. Hyatt Smith attorney general of the Territory. On the twenty-
fourth of February, John Catlin was appointed Territorial secretary by the president.
The census taken in the following June showed a population for the Territory of one hun-
dred and fifty-five thousand two hundred and seventy-seven. Delegates having been elected to
form a constitution for the proposed new State, met at Madison on the fifth day of October.
After completing their labors, they adjourned. This event took place on the sixteenth of
December, 1846. The constitution thus formed was submitted to a popular vote on the first
Tuesday of April, 1847, and rejected. The first session of the fifth legislative assembly com-
menced on the fourth of January of that year. But little was done. Both houses finally
adjourned on the eleventh of February, 1847. John H. Tweedy was elected as the successor
of Morgan L. Martin, delegate to the thirtieth congress, on the sixth of September following. On
the twenty- seventh of that month. Governor Dodge issued a proclamation for a special session
of the legislature, to commence on the eighteenth of the ensuing month, to take action concern-
ing the admission of Wisconsin into the Union. The two houses assembled on the day named
in the proclamation, and a law was passed for the holding of another convention to frame a
constitution ; when, after nine days' labor, they adjourned. Delegates to the new convention
were elected on the last Monday of November, and that body met at Madison on the fifteenth
of December, 1847. A census of the Territory was taken this year, which showed a population
of two hundred and ten thousand five hundred and forty-six. The result of the labors of the
second constitutional convention was the formation of a constitution, which, being submitted
to the peopie on the second Monday of March, 1848, was duly ratified.
■ The second and last session of the fifth legislative assembly — the last legislative assembly
of Wisconsin Territory — commenced on the seventh of February, 1848, and adjourned sine die
on the thirteenth of March following. On the twentieth of the same month, J. H. Tweedy,
delegate from Wisconsin, introduced a bill in congress for its admission into the Union. The
bill was finally passed; and on the twenty-ninth of May, 1848, Wisconsin became a State.
There had been seventeen sessions of the legislative assembly of the Territory, of an average
duration of forty days each : the longest one lasted seventy-six days ; the shortest, ten days. So
long as the Territory had an existence, the apportionment of thirteen members for the council, and
twenty-six for the house of representatives, was continued, as provided in the organic act.
There had been, besides those previously mentioned, nine additional counties " set off "by the
legislative assembly of the Territory, so that they now numbered in all. twenty-eight : Milwaukee,
Waukesha, Jefferson, Racine, Walworth, Rock, Green, Washington, Sheboygan, Manitowoc, Calu-
met, Brown, Winnebago, Fond du Lac, Marquette, Sauk, Portage, Columbia, Dodge, Dane, Iowa,
La Fayette, Grant, Richland, Crawford, Chippewa, St. Croix, and La Pointe.
v.— WISCONSIN AS A STATE.
First Administration. — Nelson Dewey, Governor — 1848, 1849.
The boundaries prescribed in the act of congress, entitled " An Act to enable the people of
Wisconsin Territory to form a Constitution and State Government, and for the admission of such
State into the Union," approved August 6, 1846, were accepted by the convention which formed
the constitution of Wisconsin, and are described in that instrument as " beginning at the north-
east corner of the State of Illinois — that is to say, at a point in the center of Lake Michigan
WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 53
where the line of forty-two degrees and thirty minutes of north latitude crosses the same ; thence
running with the boundary line of the State of Michigan, through Lake Michigan [and] Green
bay to the mouth of the Menomonee river ; thence up the channel of the said river to the Brule
river ; thence up said last mentioned river to Lake Brule ; thence along the southern shore of
Lake Brule, in a direct line to the center of the channel between Middle and South islands, in
the Lake of the Desert ; thence in a direct line to the head waters of the Montreal river, as
marked upon the survey made by Captain Cram ; thence down the main channel of the Mon-
treal river to the middle of Lake Superior ; thence through the center of Lake Superior to the
mouth of the St. Louis river ; thence up the main channel of said river to the first rapids in the
same, above the Indian village, according to Nicollett's map ; thence due south to the main
branch of the River St. Croix ; thence down the main channel of said river to the Mississippi ;
thence down the center of the main channel of that river to the northwest corner of the State
of Illinois ; thence due east with the northern boundary of the State of Illinois to the place of
beginning." The territory included within these lines constitutes the State of Wisconsin,
familiarly known as the " Badger State." All that portion of Wisconsin Territory, as formerly
constituted, lying west of so much of the above mentioned boundary as extends from the middle
of Lake Superior to the mouth of the St. Croix river, not being included in Wisconsin, the limits
of the State are, of course, not identical with those of the Territory as they previously existed.
The State of Wisconsin, thus bounded, is situated between the parallel of forty-two degrees
thirty minutes and that of forty-seven degrees, nortfh latitude, and between the eighty-seventh
and ninety-third degrees west longitude, nearly. For a portion of its northern border it haa
Lake Superior, the largest body of fresh water in the world ; for a part of its eastern boundary it
has Lake Michigan, almost equal in size to Lake Superior ; while the Mississippi, the largest
river in the world but one, forms a large portion of its western boundary. The State of Michi-
gan lies on the east ; Illinois on the south ; Iowa and Minnesota on the west. Wisconsin has an
average length of about two hundred and sixty miles; an average breadth of two hundred and
fifteen miles.
The constitution of Wisconsin, adopted by the people on the second Monday of March,
1848, provided for the election of a governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, treasurer,
attorney general, members of the State legislature, and members of congress, on the second
Monday of the ensuing May. On that day — the 8th of the month — the election was held,
which resulted in the choice of Nelson Dewey, for governor ; John E. Holmes, for lieutenant
governor ; Thomas McHugh, for secretary of state ; Jairus C. Fairchild, for state treasurer ;
and James S. Brown, for attorney general. The State was divided into nineteen senatorial, and
sixty-six assembly districts, in each of which one member was elected ; it was also divided into
two congressional districts, in each of which one member of congress was elected- -William
Pitt Lynde in the first district, composed of the counties of Milwaukee, Waukesha, Jefferson,
Racine, Walworth, Rock, and Green ; Mason C. Darling, in the second district, composed of the
counties of Washington, Sheboygan, Manitowoc, Calumet, Brown, Winnebago, Fond du Lac,
Marquette, Sauk, Portage, Columbia, Dodge, Dane, Iowa, La Fayette, Grant, Richland, Craw-
ford, Chippewa, St. Croix, and La Pointe — the counties of Richland, Chippewa and La Pointe
being unorganized.
The first session of the legislature of Wisconsin commenced at Madison, the seat of govern-
ment for the State, on Monday, the 5th day of June, 1848. Ninean E. Whiteside was elected
speaker of the assembly, and Henry Billings president of the senate, pro tempore. The democrats
were largely in the majority in both houses. The legislature, in joint convention, on the ylh of
June, canvassed, in accordance with the provisions of the constitution, the votes given on the
8th of May previous, for the State officers and the two representatives in congress. On the same
^* HISTORY OF.WISCOlSrSIN.
day, the governor, lieutenant governor, secretary ot state, treasurer, and attorney general, were
sworn into office in presence of both houses. All these officers, as Well as the representatives in
congress, were democrats. Dewey's majority over John H. Tweedy, whig, was five thousand and
eighty-nine. William P. Lynde's majority in the first district, for congress, over Edward V.
Whiton, whig, was two thousand four hundred and forty-seven. Mason C. Darling's majority in
the second district, over Alexander L. Collins, whig, was two thousand eight hundred and forty-
six. As the thirtieth congress, to which' Lynde and Darling were elected would expire on the 4th
of March, 1849, their terms of office would, of course, end on that day. The former took his
seat on the 5th of June, the latter on the 9th of June, 1848.
The constitution vested the judicial power of the State in a supreme court, circuit courts,
courts of probate, and in justices of the peace, giving the legislature power to vest such juris-
diction as should be deemed necessary in municipal courts ; also, conferring upon it the power
to establish inferior courts in the several counties, with limited civil and criminal jurisdiction.
The State was divided into five judicial circuits; and judges were to be elected at a time to be
provided for by the legislature at its first session. It was provided that there should be no
election for a judge or judges, at any general election for State or county officers, nor within
thirty days either before or after such election.
On the '8th, of June, 1848, Governor Dewey delivered his first message to a joint convention
of the two houses. It was clear, concise, and definite upon such subjects as, in his opinion
demanded immediate attention. His views were generally regarded as sound and statesmanlike
by the people of the State. " You have convened," said he, "under the provisions of the con-
stitution of the State of Wisconsin, to perform as representatives of the people, the important
duties contemplated by that instrument." " The first session of the legislature of a free people,"
continued the governor, " after assuming the political identity of a sovereign -State, is an event of
no ordinary character in its history, and will be fraught with consequences of the highest
importance to its future welfare and prosperity. Wisconsin possesses the natural elements,
fostered by the judicious system of legislation," the governor added, " to become one of the
most populous and prosperous States of the American Union. With a soil unequaled in fertility,
and productive of all the necessary ^omforts of life, rich in mineral wealth, with commercial
.advantages unsurpassed by any inland State, possessing extensive manufacturing facilities, with a
salubrious climate, and peopled with a population enterprising, industrious, and intelligent, the
course of the State of Wisconsin must be onward, until she ranks among the first of the States
of the Great West. It is," concluded the speaker, "under the most favorable auspices that the
State of Wisconsin has taken her position among the families of States. With a population
numbering nearly one quarter of a million, and rapidly increasing, free from the incubus of a
State debt, and rich in the return yielded as the reward of labor in all the branches of industrial
pursuits, our State occupies an enviable position abroad, that is highly gratifying to the pride of
our people." Governor Dewey then recommended a number of measures necessary, in his
judgment, to be made upon changing from a Territorial to a State government.
The first important business of the legislature, was the election of two United States
senators. The successful candidates were Henry Dodge and Isaac P. Walker, both democrats.
Their election took place on the 8th of June, 1848, Dodge taking his seat in the senate on the
23d of June, and Walker on the 26th of June, 1848. The latter drew the short term; so that
his office would expire on the 4th day of March, 1849, at the end of the thirtieth congress :
Dodge drew the long term, his office to expire on the 4th day of March, 1851, at the end of the
thirty-first congress. The residue of the session was taken up in passing such acts as were
deemed necessary to put the machinery of the new State government, in all its branches, in fair
WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 65
running order. One was passed providing for the annual meeting of .the legislature, on the
second Wednesday of January of each, year ; another prescribing the duties of State officers ;
one dividing the State into three congressional districts. The first district was composed of the
counties of Milwaukee, Waukesha, Walworth, and Racine ; the second, of the counties of Rock,
Green, La Fayette, Grant, Dane, Iowa, Sauk, Richland, Crawford, Adams, Portage, Chippewa, La
Pointe, and St. Croix ; the third, of the counties of Washington, Sheboygan, Manitowoc, Brown,
Winnebago, Calumet, Fond du Lac, Marquette, Dodge, Jefferson, and Columbia. Another act
provided for the election of judges of the circuit courts, on the first Monday of August, 1848.
By the same act, it was provided that the first term of the supreme court should be held in
Madison on the second Monday of January, 1849, ^^^ thereafter at the same place on the same
day, yearly ; afterward changed so as to hold a January and June term in each year. An act
was also passed providing for the election, and defining the duties of State superintendent of
public instruction. That officer was to be elected at the general election to be holden in each
year, his term of office to commence on the first Monday of January succeeding his election.
Another act established a State university ; another exempted a homestead from a forced sale ;
another provided for a revision of the statutes. The legislature, after a session of eighty-five
days, adjourned sine die on the twenty-first of August, 1848.
The State, as previously stated, was divided into five judicial circuits : Edward V. Whiton
being chosen judge at the election on the first Monday in August, 1848, of the first circuit, com-
posed of the counties of Racine, Walworth, Rock, and Green, as then constituted ; Levi Hubbell
of the second, composed of Milwaukee, Waukesha, Jefferson, and Dane ; Charles H. Larrabee,
of the third, composed of Washington, Dodge, Columbia, Marquette, Sauk, and Portage, as then
formed; Alexander W. Stow, of the fourth, composed of Brown, Manitowoc, Sheboygan, Fond
du Lac, Winnebago, and Calumet ; and Mortimer M. Jackson, of the fifth circuit, composed of
the counties of Iowa, LaFayette, Grant, Crawford and St. Croix, as then organized ; the county
of Richland being attached to Iowa county ; the county of Chippewa to the county of Craw-
ford ; and the county of LaPointe to the county of St. Croix, for judicial purposes. *
In the ensuing Fall there was a presidential election. There were then three organized
political parties in the State : whig, democratic,»and free-soil — each of which had a ticket in
the field. The democrats were in the majority, and their four electors cast their, votes for Lewis
Cass and William O. Butler. At this election, Eleazer Root was the successful candidate for State
superintendent of public instruction. In his election party politics were not considered. There
were also three members for the thirty-first congress chosen : Charles Durkee, to represent the
first district; Orsamus Cole, the second; and James D. Doty, the third district. Durkee
was a free'-soiler ; Cole, a whig; Doty, a democrat — with somewhat decided Doty proclivities.
The act of the legislature, exempting a homestead from forced sale of any debt or liability
contracted after January i, 1849, approved the twenty-ninth of July previous, and another act
for a like exemption of certain personal property, approved August 10,, 1848, were laws the most
liberal in their nature passed by any State of the Union previous to those dates. It was prophe-
sied that they would work wonderful changes in the business transactions of the new State — for
the worse; but time passed, and their utility w'ere soon evident: it was soon very generally
acknowledged that proper exemption laws were highly beneficial — a real fgood to the greatest
number of the citizens of a State.
So much of Wisconsin Territory as lay west of the St. Croix and the State boundary north
of it, was, upon the admission of Wisconsin into the Union, left, for the time being, without a
government — unless it was still "Wisconsin Territory." Henry Dodge, upon being elected to the
United States senate from Wisconsin, vacated, of course, the office of governor of this fraction.
John H. Tweedy, delegate in congress at the time Wisconsin became a State, made a formal
^^ HISTOEY OF WISCOlSrSIN.
resignation of his office^ thus leaving the fractional Territory unrepresented. Thereupon John
Catlin, secretary of the Territory of Wisconsin as a whole, and now claiming, by virtue of that
office, to be acting governor of the fractional part, issued a proclamation as such officer for an
election on the thirtieth of October, 1848, of a delegate in congress. Nearly four hundred votes
were polled in the district, showing " Wisconsin Territory "' still to have a population of not less
than two thousand. H. H. Sibley was elected to that office. On the fifteenth of January, 1849,
he was admitted to a seat as "delegate from Wisconsin Territory." This hastened the formation
of the Territory of Minnesota — a bill for that purpose having become a law on the third of
March, when " Wisconsin Territory" ceased finally to exist, being included in the new Territory.
The year 1848 — the first year of the existence of Wisconsin as a State — was one of general
prosperity to its rapidly increasing population. The National Government effected a treaty with
the Menomoneee Indians, by which their title was extinguished to the country north of the Fox
liver of Green bay, embracing all their lands in the State. This was an important acquisition,
as it opened a large tract of country to civilization and settlement, which had been for a consid-
erable time greatly desired by the people. The State governinent at the close of the year had
been in existence long enough to demonstrate its successful operation. The electric telegraph
had already reached the capital ; and Wisconsin entered its second year upon a flood tide of
prosperity.
Under the constitution, the circuit judges were also judges of the supreme court. An act
•of the legislature, approved June 29, 1848, providing for the election of judges, and for the
■classification and organization of the judiciary of the State, authorized the election, by the judges,
■of one of their number as chief justice. Judge Alexander W. Stow was chosen to that office,
and, as chief jusfice, held, in conjunction with Associate Judges Whiton, Jackson, Larrabee, and
Hubbell, the first session of the supreme court at Madison, commencing on the eighth day of
January, 1849.
The second session of the State legislature commenced, according to law, on the tenth of
Januafy, 1849, Harrison C. Hobart being elected speaker of the assembly. Governor Dewey, in
his message, sent to both houses on the nth, referred to the rapidly increasing population of the
State, and the indomitable energy displayed in- the development of its productive capacity. He
recommended the sale of the university lands on a long credit, the erection of a State prison,
and the modification of certain laws. On the seventeenth of January, ,the two houses met in
joint convention to elect an United States senator in place of Isaac P Walker, who had drawn
the short term. The democrats had a small majority on joint ballot. Walker was re-elected;
this time, for a full term of six years, from the 4th of March, 1849. The legislature at this
session passed many acts of public utility ; some relating to the boundaries of counties ; others,
to the laying out of roads; eighteen, to the organization of towns. The courts were cared for;
school districts were organized ; special taxc-. were authorized , and an act passed relative to the
sale and superintendence of the school and university lands, prescribing the powers and duties
of the commissioners who were to have charge of the same. These commissioners, consisting
of the secretary of state, treasurer of state, and attorney general, were not only put in charge
of the school and university lands held by the State, but also of funds arising from the sale of
"them. This law has been many times amended and portions of it repealed. The lands at
present subject to sale are classified as school lands, university lands, agricultural college lands,
Marathon county lands, normal school lands, and drainage lands, and are subject to sale at
private entry on terms fixed by law. Regulations concerning the apportionment and investment
of trust funds are made by the commissioners in pursuance of law. All lands now the property
of the State subject to sale, or that have been State lands and sold, were derived from the Gen-
WISCONSIN AS A STATE. .57
eral Government. Lands owned by the State amount, at the present time, to about one and one
half million acres.
A joint resolution passed the legislature on the 31st of March, 1849, instructing Isaac P.
Walker to resign his seat as United States senator, for " presenting and voting for an amend-
ment to the general appropriation bill, providing for a government in California and New Mexico,'
west of the Rio Grande, which did not contain a provision forever prohibiting the introductipn
of slavery or involuntary servitude " in those Territories. The senator refused to regard these
instructions. The legislature adjourned on the second of April, 1849, after a session of eighty-
three days.
In July, 1848, the legislature of Wisconsin elected M. Frank, Charles C. Jordan, and A. W.
Randall, commissioners to collate and revise all the public acts of the State, of a general and
permanent nature in force at the close of the session. Randall declining to act, Charles M.
Baker was appointed by the governor in his place. The commissioners cominenced their labors
in August, 1848, and were engaged in the revision the greater part of the time until the close of
the session of the legislature pf 1849. It was found impossible for the revisers to conclude their
labors within the time contemplated by the act authorizing their appointment; so a joint select
committee of the two houses at their second session was appointed to assist in the work. The
laws revised by this committee and by the commissioners, were submitted to, and approved by,
the legislature. These laws, with a few passed by that body, which were introduced by individual
members, formed the Revised Statutes of Wisconsin of 1849 — a volume of over nine hundrM
pages.
At the general election held in November of this year, Dewey was re-elected governor.
S. W. Beall was elected lieutertant governor ; William A. Barstow, secretary of state ; Jairus C.
Fairchild was re-elected treasurer ; S. Park Coon was elected attorney general ; and Eleazer
Root, re-elected superintendent of public instruction. All these officers were chosen as dem-
ocrats, except Root, who ran as an independent candidate, the term of his office having been
changed so as to continue two years from the first day of January next succeeding his election.
By the revised statutes of 1849, all State officers elected for a full' term went into office on the
first of January next succeeding their election.
The year 1849 developed in an increased ratio the productive capacity of the State in every
department of labor. The agriculturist, the artisan, the miner, reaped the well-earned reward of
his honest labor. The commercial and manufacturing interests were extended in a manner
highly creditable to the enterprise of the people. The educational interest of the State began to
assume a more systematic organization. The tide of immigration suffered no decrease during
the year. Within the limits of Wisconsin, the oppressed of other climes continued to find
welcome and happy homes.
Second Administration. — Nelson Dewey, Governor (Second Term) — 1850, 1851.
On the first day of January, 1850, Nelson Dewey took the oath of office, and quietly entered
upon his duties as governor, for the second term. The third legislature convened on the ninth.
Moses .M. Strong was elected speaker of the assembly. Both houses had democratic majorities.
Most of the business transacted was of a local character. By an act approved the fifth of Feb-
ruary, the " January term " of the supreme court was changed to December. The legislature
adjourned after a session of only thirty-four days. An act was passed organizing a sixth judicial
circuit, from and after the first Monday in July, 1850, consisting of the counties of Crawford,
Chippewa, Bad Axe, St. Croix and La Pointe, an election for judge to be holden on the same
day. Wiram Knowlton was elected judge of that circuit.
^^ ' HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
The first charitable institution in Wisconsin, incorporated by the State, was the "Wisconsin
Institute for the Education of the Blind." A school for that unfortunate class had been opened
in Janesville, in the latter part of 1859, receiving its support from the citizens of that place and
vicinity. By an act of the legislature, approved February 9, 1850, this school was taken under
the care of the Institute, to continue and maintain it, at Janesville, and to qualify, as far as might
be, the blind of the State for the enjoyment of the blessings of a free government ; for obtaining
the means of subsistence ; and for the discharge of those duties, social and political, devolving
upon American citizens. It has since been supported from the treasury of the State. On the
seventh of October, 1850, it was opened for the reception of pupils, under the direction of a
board of trustees, appointed by the governor. The Institute, at the present time, has three
departments: in one is given instruction such as is usually taught in common schools; in
another, musical training is imparted ; in a third, broom-making is taught to the boys, — sewing,
knitting and various kinds of fancy work to the girls, and seating cane-bottomed chairs to both
boys and girls. On the thirteenth of April, 1874, the building of the Institute was destroyed by
fire. A new building has since been erected.
The taking of the census by the United States, this year, showed a population for Wisconsin
of oyer three hundred and five thousand — the astonishing increase in two years of nearly ninety-
five thousand! In 1840, the population of Wisconsin Territory was only thirty thousand. This
addition, in ten years, of two hundred and seventy-five thousand transcended all previous
experience in the settlement of any portion of the New World, of the same extent of territory.
It was the result of a steady and persistent flow of men and their families, seeking permanent
homes in the young and rising State. Many were German, Scandinavian and Irish; but
the larger proportion were, of course, from the Eastern and Middle States of the Union. The
principal attractions of Wisconsin were the excellency and cheapness of its lands, its valuable
mines of lead, its extensive forests of pine, and the unlimited water-power of its numerous
streams-
By the Revised Statutes of 1849, Wisconsin was divided into three congressional districts —
the second congressional apportionment — each of which was entitled to elect one representative
in the congress of the United States. The counties of Milwaukee, Waukesha, Walworth and
Racine constituted the first district; the counties of Rock, Green, La Fayette, Grant, Iowa,
Dane, Sauk, Adams, Portage, Richland, Crawford, Chippewa, St. Croix and La Pointe, the second
district ; the counties of Washington, Sheboygan, Manitowoc, Brown, Winnebago, Calumet, Fond
du Lac, Marquette, Columbia, Dodge and Jefferson, the third district. At the general election
in the Autumn of this year, Charles Durkee, of the first district ; Benjamin C. Eastman, of the
second ; and John B. Macy, of the third district, were elected to represent the State in the
thirty-second congress of the United States. Durkee, it will be remembered, represented the
same district in the previous congress : he ran the second time as an independent candidate.
Eastman and -Macy were elected upon democratic tickets. The General Government this year
donated to the State all the swamp and overflowed lands within its boundaries.
The year 1850 to the agriculturist of Wisconsin was not one of unbounded prosperity,
owing to the partial failure of the wheat crop. In the other branches of agriculture there were
fair returns. The State was visited during the year by cholera ; not, however, to a very alarming
extent.
The fourth session of the legislature of the State commenced on the 8th of January,
1851. Frederick W. Horn was elected speaker of the assembly. The majority in the legisla-
ture was democratic. Governor Dewey, in his message, referred to the death of the president of
the United States, Zachary Taylor; said that the treasury and finances of the State were in a
WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 59
sound condition ; and then adverted to many topics of interest and importance to the people of
Wisconsin. It was an able document. One of the important measures of the session was the
election of an United States senator, in the place of Henry Dodge, whose term of office would
expire on the 4th of March, next ensuing. In joint convention of the legislature held on the
20th of Januaty, Dodge was re-elected for a full term of six years. On the 2 2d, the governor
approved a joint resolution of the legislature, rescinding not only so much of the joint resolu-
tion of the legislative assembly of Wisconsin, passed March 31, 1849, as censured Isaac J.
Walker, but also the instructions in those resolutions relative to his resigning his seat in the
senate of the United States.
Among the important bills passed at this session of the legislature was one providing for
the location and erection of a State prison. Another one — the apportionment bill — was vetoed
by the governor, and having been passed on the last day of the session, failed to become a law.
The legislature adjourned oh the eighteenth of March, 1851, after a session of seventy days.
On the I St day of January, 1851, Timothy O. Howe took his seat as one of the associate
judges of the supreme court, he having been elected judge of the fourth circuit in place of Alex-
ander W.-Stow. The office of chief justice of the supreme court, which had been filled by Judge
Stow, therefore became vacant, and so remained until the commencement of the next term — June
18, 1851 — when Levi Hubbell, judge of the second circuit, was, by the judges present, pursuant
to the statute, elected to that office.
By an act of the legislature approved March 74, 1851, the location and erection of a State
prison for Wisconsin was provided [for — the point afterward determined upon as a suitable
place for its establishment being Waiipun, Dodge county. By a subsequent act, the prison was
declared to be the general penitentiary and prison of the State for the reformation as well as for
the punishment of offenders, in which were to be confined, employed at hard labor, and governed
as provided for by the legislature, all offenders who might be committed and sentenced accord-
ing to law, to the punishment of solitary imprisonment, or imprisonment therein at hard labor.
The organization and management of this the first reformatory and penal State institution in
Wisconsin, commenced and has been continued in accordance with the demands of an advanced
civilization and an enlightened humanity.
On the 29th of September, 185 1, Judge Hubbell was re-elected for the full term of six years
as judge of the second judicial circuit, to commence January i, 1852.
At the general election in November, 1851, Leonard J. Farwell was chosen governor;
Timothy Burns, lieutenant governor ; Charles D. Robinson, secretary of State ; E. H. Janssen,
State treasurer; E. Estabrook, attorney general; and Azel P. Ladd, superintendent of public
instruction. All these officers were elected as democrats except Farwell, who ran as a whig ;
his majority over D. A. J. Upham, democrat, was a little rising of five hundred.
Third Administration. — L. J. Farwell, Governor — 1852-1853.
Governor Farwell's administration commenced on the fifth day of January, 1852. Previous
to this — on the third day of the month — Edward V. Whiton was chosen by the judges of the
supreme court, chief justice, to succeed Judge Hubbell. On the fourteenth of that month, the
legislature assembled at Madison. This was the beginning of the fifth annual session. James
McM. Shafter was elected speaker of the assembly. In the senate, the democrats had a
majority ; in the assembly, the whigs. Th6 governor, in his message, recommended the memorial-
izing of congress to cause the agricultural lands within the State to be surveyed and brought
into market ; to cause, also, the mineral lands to be surveyed and geologically examined, and
offered for sale; and to make liberal appropriations for the improvement of rivers and harbors.
The question of "bank or no bank " having been submitted to the people in November previous,
^^ HISTORY OF WISCONSIN".
and decided in favor of banks, under the constitution, the power was thereby given- to the legis-
lature then in session to grant bank charters, or to pass a general banking law. Farwell recom-
mended that necessary measures be taken to carry into effect this constitutional provision. A
larger number of laws was passed at this session than at any previous one. By a provision of
the constitution, the legislature was given power to provide by law, if they should think it expe-
dient and necessary, for the organization of a separate supreme court, to consist of one chief
justice and two associate justices, to be elected by the qualified electors of the State, at such
time and in such manner as the legislature might provide. Under this authority, an act was
passed at this session providing for the election of a chief justice and two associates, on the last
Monday of the September following, to form a supreme court of the State, to supplant the old
one, provision for the change being inserted in the constitution. There was also an act passed
to apportion and district anew the members of the senate and assembly, by which the number
was increased from eighty-five to one hundred and seven : twenty-five for the senate ; eighty-
two for the assembly. An act authorizing the business of banking passed the legislature and
was approved by the governor, on the 19th of April. By this law, the office of bank-comptroller
was created — the officer to be first appointed by the governor, and to hold his office until the first
Monday in January, 1854. At the general election in the Fall of 1853, and every two years
thereafter, the office was to be filled by vote of the people. Governor Farwell afterward, on the
20th of November, appointed James S. Baker to that office. The legislature adjourned on the
nineteenth of April, 1852.
The second charitable institution incorporated by the State was the " Wisconsin Institute
for the Education of the Deaf and Dumb." It was originally a private school for deaf mutes,
near, and subsequently in, the village of Delavan, Walworth county. By an act of the legislature
approved April ig, 1852, it was made the object and duty of the corporation to establish, con-
tinue and maintain this school for the education of the deaf and dumb, " at or near the village
of Delavan, to qualify, as near as might be, that unfortunate class of persons for the enjoyment
of the blessings of a free government, obtaining the means of subsistence, and the discharge of
those duties, social and political, devolving upon American citizens." It has since been sup-
ported by annual appropriations made by the legislature. A complete organization of the
school was effected in June, 1852, under the direction of a board of trustees appointed by the
governor of the State. The institute has for its design the education of such children of the
State as, on account of deafness, can not be instructed in common schools. Instruction is given
by signs, by the manual alphabet, by written language, and to one class by articulation. Two
trades are taught: cabinet-making and shoe-making.
During this year, considerable interest was manifested iiv the projecting of railroads. At
the September election, E. V. Whiton was elected chief justice of the new supreme court and
Samud Crawford and Abram D. Smith associate justices. Under the law, the chief justice was
to serve a term of four years from the first day of June next ensuing; while the two associates
were to cast lots^-one to serve for six years, the other for two years, from June i, 1853. Craw-
ford drew the short term — Smith the long term. At the subsequent general election for mem-
bers to the thirty-third congress, Daniel Wells, Jr., was chosen from the first district , B. C.
Eastman from the second.- and J. B. Macy from the third district. All were democrats. A
democratic electoral ticket was chosen at the same time. The electors cast their votes for Pierce
and Butler.
During 1852, the citizens of Wisconsin enjoyed unusual prosperity in the ample products
and remuneration of their industry and enterprise. Abundant harvests and high markets ; an
increase in moneyed circulation, and the downward tendency of the rates of interest ; a prevail-
ing confidence among business mei) and in business enterprises; a continual accession to the
WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 61
population of the State by immigration ; the energetic prosecution of internal improvements
under the skillful management of companies ; the extension of permanent agricultural improve-
ments ; and the rapid growth of the various cities and villages ; were among the encouraging
prospects of the year.
The sixth session of the Wisconsin legislature commenced on the twelfth of January, 1853.
On the twenty-sixth of the same month, William K. Wilson, of Milwaukee, preferred charges
in the assembly against Levi Hubbell, judge of the second judicial circuit of the State, of
divers acts of corruption and malfeasance in the discharge of the duties of his office. A resolu-
tion followed appointing a committee to report articles of impeachment, directing the members
thereof to go to the senate and' impeach Hubbell. Upon the trial of the judge before the
senate, he was acquitted. An act was passed to provide for the election of a State prison commis-
sioner by the legislature at that session — to hold his office until the first day of the ensuing
January. The office was then to be filled by popular vote at the general election in November,
1853 — and afterwards biennially — the term of office to be two years from the first day of Jan-
uary next succeeding the election by the people. On the 28th of March, the legislature, in
joint convention, elected John Taylor to that office. The legislature adjourned on the fourth
day of April until the sixth of the following June, when it again met, and adjourned sine die on
the thirteenth of July, both sessions aggregating one hundred and thirty-one days.
By an act of the legislature approved February 9, 1853, the "Wisconsin State Agricultural
Society," which had been organized in March, 185 1, was incorporated, its object being to promote
and improve the condition of agriculture, horticulture, and the mechanical, manufacturing and
household arts. It was soon after taken under the fostering care of the State by an appropria-
tion maide by the legislature,^ to be expended by the society in such manner as it might deem
best calculated to promote the objects of its incorporation; State aid was continued down to the
commencement of the rebellion. No help was extended during the war nor until 1873 ; since
which time there has been realized annually from the State a sum commensurate with its most
pressing needs. The society has printed seventeen volumes of transactions and has held annually
a State fair, except during the civil war. Besides these fairs, its most important work is the
holding annually, at the capital of the State, a convention for the promotion of agriculture gen-
erally. The meetings are largely participated in by men representing the educational and
industrial interests of Wisconsin.
By an act of the legislature approved March 4, 1853, the "State Historical Society of
Wisconsin " was incorporated — having been previously organized — the object being to collect,
embody, arrange and preserve in authentic form, a library of books, pamphlets, maps, charts,
manuscripts, papers, paintings, statuary and other materials illustrative of the history of the
State; to rescue from oblivion the memory of its early pioneers., and to obtain and preserve
narratives of their exploits, perils, and hardy adventures ; to exhibit faithfully the antiquities,
and the past and present condition, and resources of Wisconsin. The society was also author-
ized to take proper steps to promote the study of history by lectures, and to diffuse and publish
information relating to the description and history of the State. The legislature soon after took
the society under its fostering care by voting a respectable sum for its benefit. Liberal State
aid has been continued to the present time. The society, besides collecting a library of historical
books and pamphlets the largest in the West, has published eight volumes of collections and a
catalogue of four volumes. Its rooms are in the capitol at Madison, and none of its property
can be alienated without the consent of the State. It has a valuable collection of painted por-
traits and bound newspaper'files ; and in its cabinet are to be found many prehistoric relics.
On the first day of June, 1853, the justices of the new supreme court went into office: Associate
^2 HISTORY OP WISCOIfSIN.
Justice Crawford, for two years ; Chief Justice WHiton, for four years , Associate Justice Smith
for six years as previously mentioned. The iirst (June) term was held at Madison. La Fayette
Kellogg was appointed and qualified as clerk. On the 21st of September, Timothy Burns, lieu-
tenant governor of Wisconsin, died at La Crosse. As a testimonial of respect for the deceased
the several State departments, in accordance with a proclamation of the governor, were closed
for one day — October 3, 1853. In the Fall of this year, democrats, whigs and free-soilers, each
called a convention to nominate candidates for the various State officdsto be supported by them
at the ensuing election in November. The successful ticket was, for governor, William A. Bars-
tow ; for lieutenant governor, James T. Lewis , for secretary of State, Alexander T. Gray, for
State treasurer, Edward H. Janssen ; for attorney general, George B. Smith ; for superintendent
of public instruction, Hiram A. Wright; for State prison commissioner, A. W. Starks; and
for bank comptroller, William M. Dennis. They were all democrats.
The year 1853 was, to the agriculturists of the State, one of prosperity. Every branch of
industry prospered. The increase of commerce and manufactures more than realized the expec-
tations of the most sanguine.
Fourth Administration. — William A. Barstow, Governor — 1 854-1 855.
On Monday, the second of January, 1854, William A. Barstow took the oath of ofi&ce as
governor of Wisconsin.
The legislature commenced its seventh regular session on the eleventh of January. Fred-
erick W. Horn was elected speaker of the assembly. Both houses were democratic. The
legislature adjourned on the 3d of April following, after a session of eighty-three days.
In the early part of March, a fugitive slave case greatly excited the people of Wisconsin.
A slave named Joshua Glover, belonging to B. S. Garland of Missouri, had escaped from his
master and made his way to the vicinity of Racine. Garland, learning the whereabouts of his
personal chattel, came to the State, obtained, on the 9th of March, 1854,' from the judges of the
district court of the United States for the district of Wisconsin, a warrant for the apprehension
of Glover, which was put into the hands of the deputy marshal of the United States. Glover
was secured and lodged in jail in Milwaukee. A number of persons afterward assembled and
rescued the fugitive. Among those who took an active part in this proceeding was Sherman M.
Booth, who was arrested therefor and committed by a United States commissioner, but was
released from custody by Abram D. Smith, one of the associate justices of the supreme court
of Wisconsin, upon a writ of habeas corpus. The record of the proceedings was thereupon
taken to that court in full bench by a writ of certiorari to correct any error that might have been
committed before the' associate justice. At the June term, 1854, the justices held that Booth
was entitled to be discharged, because the commitment set forth no cause for detention.
Booth was afterward indicted in the United States district court and a warrant issued for
his arrest. He was again imprisoned; and again he applied to the supreme court — then, in
term time — for a writ of habeas corpus. This was in July,- 1854. In his petition to the supreme
court. Booth set forth that he was in confinement upon a warrant issued by the district court of
the United States and that the object of the imprisonment was to compel him to answer an
indictment then pending against him therein. The supreme court of the State held that these
facts showed that the district court of the United States had obtained jurisdiction of the case
and that it was apparent that the indictment was for an offense of which the federal courts had
exclusive jurisdiction. They could not therefore interfere ; and his application for a discharge
was denied.
Upon the indictment, Booth was tried and convicted, fined and imprisoned, for a violation
of thT fugitive slave law. Again the prisoner applied to the supreme court of Wisconsin, — his
WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 63
last application bearing date January 26, 1855. He claimed discharge on the ground of the
unconstitutionality of the law under which he had been indicted. The supreme court held that
the indictment upon which he had been tried and convicted contained three counts, the first of
which was to be considered' as properly charging an offense within the act of congress of Septem-
ber 18, 1850, known as the "fugitive slave law," while the second and third counts did not set
forth or charge an offense punishable by any statute of the United States ; and as, upon these last-
mentioned counts he was found guilty and not upon the first, he must be discharged.
The action of the supreme court of Wisconsin in a second time discharging Booth, was
afterward reversed by the supreme court of the United States ; and, its decision being respected
by the State court. Booth was re-arrested in i860, and the sentence of the district court of the
United States executed in part upon him, when he was pardoned by the president.
By an act of the legislature, approved March 30, 1854, a " State Lunatic Afeylum " was directed
to be built at or in the vicinity of Madison, the capital of the State, upon land to be donated or
' purchased for that purf)ose. By a subsequent act, the name of the asylum was changed to the
" Wisconsin State Hospital for the Insane.'' This was the third charitable institution established
by the State. The hospital was opened for patients in July, i860, under the direction of a
board of trustees appointed by the governor. All insane persons, residents of Wisconsin, who,
under the law providing for admission of patients into the hospital for treatment, become resi-
dents therein, are maintained at the expense of the State, provided the county in which such
patient resided before being brought to the hospital pays the sum of one dollar and fifty cents a
week for his or her support. Any patient can be supported by relatives, friends or guardians, if
the latter desire to relieve the county and State from the burden, and can have special care and
be provided with a special attendant, if the expense of the same be borne by parties interested.
The hospital is beautifully located on the north shore of Lake Mendota, in Dane county, about
four miles from Madison.
At the general election in the Fall of 1854, for members from Wisconsin to the thirty-fourth
congress, Daniel Wells, Jr. was chosen from the first district ; C. C. Washburn, from the second,
and Charles Billinghurst from the third district. Billinghurst and Washburn were elected as
republicans — that party having been organized in the Summer previous. Wells was a democrat.
The year 1854 was one of prosperity forjWiscortsin, to all its industrial occupations. Abund-
ant crops and increased prices were generally realized by the agriculturist. It was a year also of
general health. It was ascertained that the amount of exports during the year, including lumber
and mineral, exceeded thirteen millions of dollars.
The eighth regular session of the State legislature commenced on the 10th of January,
1855. C. C. Sholes was elected speaker of the assembly. The senate was democratic ; the
assembly, republican. On joint ballot, the republicans had but one majority. ■ On the ist of
February, Charles Durkee, a republican, was elected United States senator for a full term of six
years from the 4th of March next ensuing, to fill the place of Isaac P. Walker whose term would
expire on that day. Among the bills passed of a general nature, was one relative to the rights of
married women, providing that any married woman, whose husband, either from drunkenness or
profligacy, should neglect or refuse to provide for her support, should have the right, in her own
name, to transact business, receive and collect her own earnings, and apply the same for her own
support, and education of her children, free from the control and interference of her husband.
The legislature adjourned sine die on the second of April, after a session of eighty-three days.
Orsamus Cole having been elected in this month an associate justice of the supreme court in
place of Judge Samuel Crawford, whose term of office would expire on the thirty-first of May of
that year, went into office on the first day of June following, for a term of six years. His office
would therefore end on the thirty-first of May, 1861.
64
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
On the 27th of May, 1855, Hiram A. Wright, superintendent of public instruction, died at
Prairie du Chien. On the 18th of June following, the governor appointed A. Constantine Barry to
fill his place. On the 5 th of July, Garland, the owner of the rescued fugitive slave Glover,
having brought suit in the United States district court for the loss of his slave, against Booth,
the trial came on at Madison, resulting in the jury bringing in a verdict under instructions from
the judge, of one thousand dollars, the value of a negro slave as fixed by act of congress of 1850.
The constitution of the State requiring the legislature to provide by law for an enumeration
of the inhabitants in the year 1855, an act was passed by that body, approved March 31, of this
year, for that purpose. The result showed a population for Wisconsin of over five hundred and
fifty-two thousand. In November, at the general election, the democratic ticket for State offi-
cers was declared elected: William A. Barstow, for governor; Arthur Mc Arthur, for lieutenant
governor; David W. Jones, for secretary, of State; Charles Kuehn, for State treasurer; Wil-
liam R. Smith, for attorney general ; A. C. Barry, for superintendent of public instruction ;
William M. Dennis, for bank comptroller; and Edward McGarry for State prison commissioner.
The vote for governor was very close; but the State canvassers declared Barstow elected by a
small majority. The opposing candidate for that office was Coles Bashford, who ran as a
republican.
The year 1855 was a prosperous one to the farmers of Wisconsin as well as to all industrial
occupations. There were abundant; crops and unexampled prices were realized.
Fifth Administration.— Coles Bashford, Governor — 1856-1857.
On the seventh day of January, 1856, William A. Barstow took and subscribed an oath of
office as governor of Wisconsin, while Coles Bashford, who had detei*mined to contest the right
of Barstow to the governorship, went, on the same day, to the supreme court room, in Madison,
and had the oath of office administered to him by Chief Justice Whiton. Bashford afterward
called at the executive offic^ and made a formal demand of Barstow that he should vacate the
gubernatorial ch^ir ; but the latter respectfully declined the invitation,. These were the initiatory
steps, of "Bashford vs. Barstow," for the office of governor of Wisconsin.
The fight now commenced in earnest. On the eleventh, the counsel for Bashford called
upon the attorney general and requested him to file an information in the nature of a guo
warranto against Barstow. On the fifteenth that officer complied with the request. Thereupon
a summons was issued to Barstow to appear and answer. On the twenty-second, Bashford, by
his attorney, asked the court that the information filed by the attorney general be discontinued
and that he be allowed to file one, which request was denied by the court. While the motion
was being argued, Barstow, by his attorneys, entered his appearance in the case.
On the second of February, Bairstow moved to quash all proceedings for the reason that the
court had no jurisdiction in the matter. This motion was denied by the court ; that tribunal at
the same time deciding that the filing of the motion was an admission by Barstow that the alle-
gations contained in the information filed by the attorney general were true.
On the twenty-first of Febiuary, the time appointed for pleading to the information, Bar-
stow, by his attorneys, presented to the court a stipulation signed by all the parties in the case, to
the effect that the board of canvassers had determined Barstow elected governor ; that the secre-
tary of State had certified to his election ; and that he had taken the oath of office. They submit-
ted to the court whether it had jurisdiction, beyond the certificates, of those facts and the canvass
so made to inquire as to the number of votes actually given for Barstow, — Bashford offering to
prove that the certificates were inade and issued through mistake and fraud, and that he, instead
of Barstow, received the greatest number of votes. This stipulation the court declined to enter-
tain or to pass upon the questions suggested ; as they were not presented in legal form. Barstow
"WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 65
was thereupon given until the twenty-fifth of February to answer the information that had been
filed against him by the attorney general.
On the day appointed, Barstow filed his plea to the effect that, by the laws of Wisconsin
regulating the conducting of general election for State officers, it was the duty of the board of
canvassers to determine who was elected to the office of governor ; and that the board had found
that he was duly elected to that office. It was a plea to the jurisdiction of the court. A demurrer
was interposed to this plea, setting forth that the matters therein contained were not sufficient in
law to take the case out of court ; asking, also, for a judgment against Barstow, or that he answer
further the information filed against him. The demurrer was sustained ; and Barstow was
required to answer over within four days ; at the expiration of which time the counsel for Barstow
withdrew from the case, on the ground, as they alleged, that they had appeared at the bar of the
court to object to the jurisdiction of that tribunal in the matter, and the court had determined
to proceed with the case, holding and exercising full and final jurisdiction over it ; and that they
could take no further steps without conceding the right of that tribunal so to hold. Thereupon,
on the eighth of March, Barstow entered a protest, by a communication to the supreme court,
against any further interference with the department under his charge by that tribunal, " either
by attempting to transfer its powers to another or direct the course of executive action." The
counsel for Bashford then moved for judgment upon the default of Barstow.
A further hearing of the case was postponed untd March i8, when the attorney general
filed a motion to dismiss the proceedings ; against which BashfOrd, by his counsel, protested as
being prejudicial to his rights. It was the opinion of the court that the attorney general could
not dismiss the case, that every thing which was well pleaded for Bashford in his information was
confessed by the default of Barstow. By strict usage, a final judgment ought then to have fol-
lowed ; but the court came to the conclusion to call upon Bashford to bring forward proof, showing
his right to the office. Testimony was then adduced at length, touching the character of the
returns made to the State canvassers; after hearing of which it was the opinion of the court that
Bashford had received a plurality of votes for governor and that there must be a judgment in
his favor and one of ouster against Barstow ; which were rendered accordingly.
The ninth regular session of the legislature of Wisconsin commenced on the ninth of
January, 1856. William Hull was elected speaker of the assembly. The senate had a repub-
lican majority, but the assembly was democratic. On the eleventh Barstow sent in a message to
a joint convention of the two houses. On the twenty-first of March he tendered to the legisla-
ture his resignation as governor, giving for reasons the action of the supreme court in "Bashford
vs. Barstow," which tribunal was then hbaring testimony m the case. On thp same day Arthur
McArthur, lieutenant governor, took and subscribed an oath of office as governor of the State,
afterwards sending a message to the legislature, announcing that the resignation of Barstow
made it his duty to take the reins of government. On the twenty-fifth, Bashford called on
McArthur, then occupying the executive office, and demanded possession — at the same time
intimating that he preferred peaceable measures to force, but that the latter would be employed
if necessary. The lieutenant governor thereupon vacated the chair, when the former took the
gubernatorial seat, exercising thereafter the functions of the office until his successor was elected
and qualified. His right to the seat was recognized by the senate on the twenty-fifth, and by the
assembly on the twenty-seventh of March, 1856. This ended the famous case of " Bashford vs.
Barstow," the first and only " war of succession " ever indulged in by Wisconsin.
The legislature, on the thirty-first of March, adjourned over to the third of September, to
dispose of a congressional land grant to the State. Upon re-assembling, an important measure
was taken up — that of a new apportionment for the legislature. It was determined to increase the
""^ HiSTOKY or WISCOFSm.
number of members from one hundred and seven to one hundred and twenty-seven. The session
closed on the thirteenth of October. The general election for members to the thirty-fifth congress,
held in November, resulted in the choice of John H. Potter, from the first district ; C. C. Washburn
from the second ; and Charles Billinghurst, from the third district. They were all elected as
Republicans. The presidential canvass of this year was an exciting one in the State, The
republicans were successful. Electors of that party cast their five votes for Fremont and
Dayton.
The year 1856 was not an unprosperous one, agriculturally speaking, although in some
respects decidedly unfavorable. In rtiany districts the earlier part of the season was exceedingly
' dry, which materially diminished the wheat crop. Other industrial interests were every where
in a flourishing condition.
The legislature commenced its tenth regular session at Madison, on the fourteenth day of
January, 1857, with a republican majority in both houses. Wyman Spooner was elected speaker
of the assembly. For the first time since the admission of the State into the Union, a majority of
the members of' both houses, together with the governor, were opposed to the democratic party.
On the twenty-third the senate and assembly met in joint convention, for the purpose of electing
a United States senator in place of Henry Dodge, whose term of office would expire on the
fourth of March next ensuing. James R. Doolittle, republican, was the successful candidate for
that office, for a full term of six years, from the fourth of March, 1857. The legislature
adjourned on the ninth of March, 1857. At the Spring election, Judge Whiton was re-elected
chief justice of the supreme court for a term of six years.
The second reformatory State institution established in Wisconsin, was, by an act of the
legislature, approved March 7, 1857, denominated a House of Refuge for Juvenile Delinquents,
afterward called the State Reform School, now known as the Wisconsin Industrial School for
Boys, and is located at Waukesha, the county seat of Waukesha county. The courts and
several magistrates in any county in Wisconsin may, in their discretion, sentence to this school
any male child between the ages of ten and sixteen years, convicted of vagrancy, petit larceny,
or any misdemeanor ; also of any oifense which would otherwise be punishable by imprisonment
in the State prison ; or, of incorrigible or vicious conduct in certain cases. The term of commits
ment must be to the age of twenty-one years.
At the State election held in November of this year, the republicans elected A. W. Randall
governor ; S. D. Hastings, State treasurer, and Edward M. McGraw, State prison commis-
sioner. The democrats elected E. D. Campbell, lieutenant governor ; D. W. Jones, secretary
of State ; Gabriel Bouck, attorney general ; L. C. Draper, superintendent of public instruc-
tion, and J. C. Squires, bank comptroller.
The year 1857 was a disastrous one to Wisconsin, as well as to the whole country, in a finan-
cial point of view. Early in the Fall a monetary panic swept over the land. A number of
prominent operators in the leading industrial pursuits were obliged to succumb. Agriculturally
the year was a fair one for the State.
Sixth Administration. — Alexander W. Randall, Governor — 1858-1859.
Randall's administration began on the fourth day of January, 1858, when for the first time
he was inaugurated governor of the State. On the eleventh of January the legislature
commenced its eleventh regular session, with a republican majority in both houses. Frederick
S. Lovell was elected speaker pf the assembly. The legislature adjourned sine die on the
seventeenth of March, after an unusually long session of one hundred and twenty-five days. " That
a large majority of the members were men of integrity, and disposed for the public weal, can not
(deceased) /
FOND DU LAC
WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 67
be doubted ; but they were nearly all new members, and without former legislative experience.
They set out to accomplish a great good, by holding up to public scorn and execration the whole-
sale briberies and iniquities of the immediate past ; but they lacked concentration of effort, and.
for want of union and preconcerted action, they failed to achieve the great triumph they sought,
by providing a ' sovereign remedy ' for the evils they exposed."
At the regular session of the legislature of 1856, an act was passed for a general revisiTi of
the laws of the State. Under this, and a subsequent act of the adjourned session of that year,
three commissioners — David Taylor; Samuel J. Todd, and F. S. Lovell — were appointed " to
collect, compile and digest the general laws " of Wisconsin.- Their report was submitted to the
legislature of 1858, and acted upon at a late day of the session. The laws revised, which received
the sanction of the legislature, were published in one volume, and constitute what is know as the
Revised Statutes of 1858.
At the Fall election, John F. Potter from the first district, and C. C. Washburn from the-
second district, both republicans, were elected to the thirty-sixth congress ; while C. H.
Larrabee, democrat, was elected to represent the third district.
The twelfth regular session of the Wisconsin legislature commenced on the twelfth of
January, 1859, with a republican majority in both houses. William P. Lyon was elected speaker
of the assembly. The legislature adjourned sine die on the twenty-first of March, 1859, after a
session of sixty-nine days.' At the regular spring election, Byron Paine was chosen associate
justice of the supreme court, for a full term of six years, as the successor of Associate" Justice
Smith. As it was a question when the term of the latter ended — whether on the 31st day of
May, 1859, or on the first Monday in January, i860 — he went through with the formality of
resigning his office, and the governor of appointing Paine as his successor, on the 20th of June,
1859. On the twelfth of April, 1859, Edward V. Whiton, chief justice of the supreme court,
died at his residence in Janesville. The office was filled by executive appointment on the 19th
of the same month — the successor of Judge Whiton being Luther S. Dixon. Late in the Sum-
mer both political parties put into the field a full state ticket. The republicans were successful
— electing for governor, Alexander W. Randall ', for lieutenant governor, B. G. Noble ; for
secretary of state, L. P. Harvey ; for state treasurer, S. D. Hastings, for attorney general, James
H. Howe ; for bank comptroller, G. Van Steenwyck ; for superintendent of public instruction,
J. L. Pickard ; for state prison commissioner, H. C. Heg.
Seventh Administration. — Alexander W. Randall, Governor (second term), i86o-i86i.
Alexander W. Randall was inaugurated the second time as governor of Wisconsin, on
Monday, January 2, i860. One week subsequent, the thirteenth regular session of the legis-
lature commenced at Madison. For the first time the republicans had control, not only of all
the State offices, but also of both branches of the legislature. William P. Lyon was elected
speaker of the assembly. A new assessment law was among the most important of the acts
passed at this session. The legislature adjourned on the second of April. At the spring elec-
tion, Luther S. Dixon, as an independent candidate, was elected chief justice of the supreme
court for the unexpired term of the late Chief Justice Whiton. In the presidential election which
followed, republican electors were chosen — casting their five votes, in tjie electoral college, for
• Lincoln and Hamlin. At the same election, John F. Potter, from the first district ; Luther
Hanchett, from the second, and A. Scott Sloan, from the third district, were elected members of
the thirty-seventh congress. Hanchett died on the twenty-fourth of November, 1862, when,
on the twentieth of December following, W. D. Mclndoe was elected to fill the vacancy. All
these congressional representatives were republicans. Wisconsin, in i860, was a strong repub-
68 PIISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
lican State. According to the census of this year,- it had a population of over seven hundred
and seventy-seven thousand.
On the ninth of January, 1861, the fourteenth regular session of the State legislature com-
menced at Madison. Both branches were republican. Amasa Cobb was elected speaker of the
assembly. On the tenth, both houses met in joint convention to hear the governor read his
annual message. It was a remarkable document. Besides giving an excellent synopsis of the
operations of the State government for i860, the governor entered largely into a discussion of
the question of secession and disunion, as then proposed by some of the southern states of the
Union. These are his closing words :
" The right of a State to secede from the Union can never be admitted. The National
Goverfement can not treat with a State while it is in the Union, and particularly while it stands
in an attitude hostile to the Union. So long as any State assumes a position foreign, inde-
pendent and hostile to the government, there can be no reconciliation. The government of the
United States can not treat with one of its own States as a foreign power. The constitutional
laws extend over every Stat^ alike. They are to be enforced in every State alike. A State can
not come into the Union as it pleases, and go out when it pleases. Once in, it must stay until
the Union is destroyed. There is no coercion of a State. But where a faction of a people arrays
itself, not against one act, but against all laws, and against all government, there is but one
answer to be made : ' The Government must be sustained ; the laws shall be enforced ! ' "
On the twenty-third of January the legislature met in joint convention to elect a United
States senator to iill the place of Charles Durkee, whose term of office would expire on the
fourth of March next ensuing. The successful candidate was Timothy O. Howe, republican,
who was elected for a full term of six years from the 4th of March, 1861. One of the important
acts passed at this session of the legislature apportioned the State into senate and assembly
districts, by which the whole number of members in both houses was increased from one hun-
dred and twenty-seven to one hundred and thirty-three. Another act apportioned the State into
six coi;igressional districts instead of three. By this — the third coilgressional apportionment —
each district was to elect one representative. The iirst distriqt was composed of the counties
of Milwaukee, Waukesha, Walworth, Racine, and Kenosha ; the second, of the counties of Rock,
Jefferson, Dane, and Columbia; the third, of Green, La Fayette, Iowa, Grant, Crawford,. Rich-
land, and Sauk; the fourth, of Ozaukee, Washington, Dodge, Fond du Lac, and Sheboygan; the
fifth, Manitowoc, Calumet, Winnebago, Green Lake, Marquette, Waushara, Waupaca, Outa-
gamie, Brown, Kewaunee, Door, Oconto, and Shawano ; and the sixth, of the counties of Bad
Axe, La Crosse, Mi^nroe, Juneau, Adams, Portage, Wood, Jackson, Trempealeau, Buffalo, Pepin,
Pierce, St. Croix, Dunn, Eau Claire, Clark, Marathon, Chippewa, Dallas, Polk, Burnett, Douglas,
LaPointe, and Ashland. The legislature adjourned on the seventeenth of April, 1861.
At the spring elections of this year, Orsamus Cole was re-elected as associate justice of the
supreme court. On the ninth of May following. Governor Randall issued a proclamation convening
the legislature in extra session on the fifteenth of the same month. " The extraordinary condition
of the country," said he, " growing out of the rebellion against- the government of the United
States, makes it necessary that the legislature of this State be convened in special session, to
provide more completely for making the power of the State useful to the government and to
other loyal States." The fifteenth or extra session began on the fifteenth of May, as designated
in the governor's proclamation. The message of the governor was devoted entirely to the war.
" At the close of the last annual session of the legislature," said he, " to meet a sudden emer-
gency, an act was passed authorizing me to respond to the call of the president of the United
States, ' for aid in maintaining the Union and the supremacy of the laws, or to suppress rebellion
WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 69
or insurrection, or to repel inva ion within the United States,' and I was authorized, and it was
made my duty, to take such measures as, in my judgment, should provide in the speediest and
most efficient manner for respondingto such call: and to this end I was authorized to accept
the services of volunteers for active service, to be enrolled in companies of not less than
seventy-five men each, rank and file, and in regiments of ten companies each. I was also
authorized to provide for uniforming and equipping such companies as were not provided with
uniforms and equipments." " The first call of the president for immediate active service," con-
tinued the governor, " was for one regiment of men. My proclamation, issued immediately after the
pas-sage of the act of the legislature, was answered within less than ten days, by companies enough,
each containing the requisite number of men, to make up at least five regiments instead of o.-e.
I then issued another proclamation, announcing the offers that had been made, and advising
that thereafter companies might be enrolled to stand as minute men, ready to answer further
calls, as they might be made, but without expense to the State, except as they were mustered
into service. In less than one month from the date of my first proclamation, at least five thou-
sand men, either as individuals or enrolled companies, have offered their services for the war,
and all appear anxious for activ? service in the field." "The time for, deliberation," concludes
the governor, " must give way to the lime for action. The constitution of the United States
must be sustained in all its first intent and wholeness. The right of the people of every State
to go into every other State and engage in any lawful- pursuit, without unlawful interference or
molestation; the freedom of speech and of the press; the right of trial by jury; security from
unjustifiable seizure of persons or papers, and all constitutional privileges and immunities, must
receive new guarantees of safety."
The extra session of the legislature passed, wtih a single exception, no acts except such as
appertained to the military exigencies of the times. Both houses adjourned sine die on the
twenty-seventh of May, r86t. As the administration of Governor Randall would close with the
year, and as he was not a candidate for re-election, there was much interest felt throughout the
State as to who his successor should be. Three State ,tickets were put in nomination:' union,
republican, and democratic. The republican ticket was successful, electing Louis P. Harvey,
governor; Edward Salomon, lieutenant governor; James T. Lewis, secretary of state; S. D,
Hastings, state treasurer; James H. Howe, attorney general; W. H. Ramsey, bank comp-
troller; J. L. Pickard, superintendent of public instruction; and A. P. Hodges, state prisorv
commissioner.
The War of Secession — Last Year of Randall's Administration.
When Wisconsin was first called upon to aid the General Government in its efforts to- ■
sustain itself against the designs of the secession conspirators, the commercial affairs of the
State were embarrassed to a considerable degree by the depreciation of the currency. The
designs of the secessionists were so far developed at the ending of the year i860 as to show that
resistance to the national authority had been fully determined on. It is not a matter of wonder,
then, that Governor Randall in his message to the legislature, early in January, 1861, should
have set forth the dangers which threatened the Union, or should have denied the right of a
State to secede from it. " Secession," said he, " is revolution ; revolution is war ; war against
the government of the United States is treason." "It is time," he Continued, "now, to know
whether we have any government, and if so, whether it has any strength. Is our written
constitution more than a sheet of parchment .' The nation must be lost or preserved by its own
strength. Its strength is in the patriotism of the people. It is time now that politicians became
patriots; that men show their love of country by every sacrifice, but that of principle, and by
"^^ ' HISTORY or WISCONSIN.
unwavering devotion to its interests and integrity." "The hopes," added the governor, most
eloquently, " of civilization and Christianity are suspended now upon the answer to this question
of dissolution. The capacity for, as well as the right of, self-government is to pass its ordeal,
and speculation to become certainty. Other systems have been tried, and have failed ; and all
along, the skeletons of nations have been strewn, as warnings and land-marks, upon the great
highway of historic overnment. Wisconsin is true, and her people steadfast. She will not
destroy the Union, -\or consent that it shall be done. Devised by great, and wise, and good
men, in days of sore trial, it must stand. Like some bold mountain, at whose base the great seas
break their angry floqds, and around whose summit the thunders of a thousand hurricanes have
rattled — strong, unmoved, immovable — so may our Union be, while treason surges at its base,
and passions rage around it, unmoved, immovable — here let it stand forever." These are the
words of an exalted and genuine patriotism. But the governor did not content himself with
eloquence alone. He came down to matters of business as well. He urged the necessity of
legislation that would give more efficient organization to the militia of the State. He warned
the legislators to make preparations also for the coming time that should try the souls of men.
" The signs of ~the limes," said he, " indicate that there may arise a contingency in the condition
of the government, when it will become necessary to respond to a call of the National Government
fpr men and means to maintain the integrity of the Union, and to thwart the designs of meii
engaged in organized treason. While no unnecessary expense should be incurred, yet it is the
part of wisdom, both for individuals and States, in revolutionary times, to be prepared to defend
our institutions to the last extremity." It was thus the patriotic governor gave evidence to the
members of both houses that he " scented the battle afar off."
On the i6th of January, a joint resolution of the legislature was passed, declaring that the
people of Wisconsin are ready to co-operate with the friends of the Union every where for its
preservation, to yield a cheerful obedience to its requirements, and to demand a like obedience
from all others ; that the legislature of Wisconsin, profoundly impressed with the value of the
Union, and determined to preserve it unimpaired, hail with joy the recent firm, dignified and
patriotic special message of the president of the United States; that they tender to him, through
the chief magistrate of their own State, whatever aid, in men and money, may be required to
enable him to enforce the laws and uphold the authority of the Federal Government, and in
defense of the more perfect Union, which has conferred prosperity and liappiness on the
American people. " Renewing," said they, "the pledge given and redeemed by our fathers, we
are ready to devote our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honors in upholding the Union and
the constitution."
The legislature, in order to put the State upon a kind of " war footing," passed an act for
its. defense, and to aid in enforcing the laws and maintaining the authority of the General
Government. It was under this act that Governor Randall was enabled to organize the earlier
regiments of Wisconsin. By it, in case of a call from the presidfent of the United States to aid
in maintaining the Union and the supremacy of the laws to suppress rebellion or insurrection, or
to repel invasion within the United States, the governor was authorized to provide, in the most
efficient manner, for responding to such call — to accept the services of volunteers for service,
in companies of seventy-five men each, rank and file, and in regiments of teo companies each,
and to commission officers for them. The governor was also authorized to contract for
uniforms and equipments necessary for putting such companies into active service. One
hundred thousand dollars were appropriated for war purposes ; and bonds were authorized to
be issued for that amount, to be negotiated by the governor, for raising funds. It will be seen,
therefore, that the exigencies of the times — for Fort SuiTiter had not yet been surrendered —
WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 71
were fully met by the people's representatives, they doing their whole duty, as they then under-
stood it, in aid of the perpetuity of the Union.
Having defended Fort Sumter for thirty-four hours, until the quarters were entirely burned,
the main gates destroyed, the gorge-wall seriously injured, the magazine surrounded by flames,
and its door closed from the effects of the heat, four barrels and three cartridges of powder only
being available, and no provisions but pork remaining, Robert Anderson, major of the first
artillery. United States army, accepted terms of evacuation offered by General Beauregard,
marched out of the fort on Sunday afternoon, the fourteenth of April, 1861, with colors flying
and drums beating, bringing away company and private property, and saluting his flag with fifty guns.
This, in brief, is the story of the fall of Sumter and the opening act of the War of the Rebellion.
" Whereas," said Abraham Lincoln, president, in his proclamation of the next day, " the
laws of the United States have been for some time past, and now are, opposed, and the execution
thereof obstructed, in the States of South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi^
Louisiana, and Texas, by combinations too powerful to be suppressed by the ordinary course of
judicial proceedings, or by the powers vested in the marshals by law." Now, in view of that
fact, he called forth the militia of the several States of the Union, to the aggregate number of
seventy-five thousand, in order to suppress those combinations, and to cause the laws to be duly-
executed. " A call is made on you by to-night's mail for one regiment of militia for immediate
service," telegraphed the secretary of war to Randall, on the same day.
In Wisconsin, as elsewhere, the public pulse quickened under the excitement of the fall of
Sumter. " The dangers which surrounded the nation awakened the liveliest sentiments of
patriotism and devotion. For the time, party fealty was forgotteii in the general desire to save
the nation. The minds of the people soon settled into the conviction that a bloody war was at
hand, and that the glorious fabric of our National Government, and the principles upon which
it is founded, were in jeopardy, and with a determination unparalleled in the history of any
country, they rushed to its defense. On every hand the National flag could be seen displayed,
and the public enthusiasm knew no bounds ; in city, town, and hamlet, the burden on every
tongue was war." "We have never been accustomed," said Governor Randall, " to consider the
military arm as essential to the maintenance of our government, but an exigency has arisen
that demands its employment." "The time has come," he continued, " when parties and plat-
forms must be forgotten, and all good citizens and patriots unite together in putting down rebels
and traitors." "What is money," he asked, "what is life, in the presence of such a crisis .i" "
Such utterances and such enthusiasm could but have their effect upon the legislature, which, it
will be remembered, was still in session ; so, although that body had already voted to adjourn^
sine die, on the fifteenth of April, yet, when the moment arrived, and a message from the governor
was received, announcing that, owing to the extraordinary exigencies which had arisen, an amend-
ment of the law of the thirteenth instant was necessary, the resolution to adjourn was at once
rescinded. The two houses thereupon not only increased the amount of bonds to be issued to
two hundred thousand dollars, but they also passed a law exempting from civil process, during
the time of service, all persons enlisting and mustering into the United States army from Wis-
consin. When, on the seventeenth, the legislature did adjourn, the scene was a remarkable one.
Nine cheers wer6 given for the star spangled banner and three for the Governor's Guard, who
had just then tendered their services — the first in the State — under the call for a regiment of
men for three months' duty.
" For the first time in the history of this federal government," are the words of the gover-
nor, in a proclamation issued on the sixteenth of April, " organized treason has manifested itself
within several States of the Union, and armed rebels are making war against it." " The
treasuries of the country," said he, "must no longer be plundered; the public property must be
72
HISTORY or WISCONSIN,
protected from aggressive violence ; that already seized must be retaken, and the laws must
be executed in every State of the Union alike." "A demand," he added, " made upon Wiscon-
sin by the president of the United States, for aid to sustain the federal arm, must meet with a
prompt response." The patriotism of the State was abundantly exhibited in their filling up
a regiment before some of the remote settlements had any knowledge of the call. On the twenty-
second. Governor Randall reported to the secretary of war that the First regiment was ready
to go into rendezvous. The place designated was "Camp Scott," at Milwaukee; the day, the
twenty-seventh of April. Then and there the several companies assembled — the regiment after-
' ward completing its organization.
With a wise foresight, Governor Randall ordered, as a reserve force and in advance of another
call for troops by the president, the formation of two more regiments — the Second and I'hird,
and, eventually, the Fourth. Camps at Madison, Fond du Lac, and Racine, were formed for
their reception, where suitable buildings were erected for their accommodation. Companies
assigned to the Second regiment were. ordered to commence moving into "Camp Randall," at
Madison, on the first day of May. On the seventh, the secretary of war, under" call of the presi-
dent of the United States for forty-two thousand additional volunteers — -this time for three years,
or during the war — telegraphed Governor Randall that no more three months' volunteers were
wanted; that such companies as were recruited must re-enlist for the new term or be disbanded.
At the extra session of the legislature of Wisconsin, which, as already mentioned, com-
menced on the fifteenth of May, called by Governor Randall immediately upon his being notified
of the second call of the president for troops^ on the third of May, the law hurriedly passed at
the close of the regular session, and unde;- which the governor had organized the First regi-
ment, was found inadequate to meet the second call for troops. " A bill was introduced, and became
a law, authorizing the governor to raise six regiments of infantry, inclusive of those he had organ-
ized or placed at quarters. When the six regiments were mustered into the United States service,
he was authorized to raise two additional regiments, and thus to keep two regiments continually
in reserve to meet any future call of the General Government. He was authorized to quarter
and subsist volunteers at rendezvous— to transport, clothe, subsist and quarter them in cattip at
the expense of the State. Arms and munitions were to be furnished by the United States.
Recruits were to be mustered into State service, and into United States service, for three years.
Two assistant surgeons to each regiment were to be appointed, and paid by the State. The regi-
ments, as they came into camp, were to be instructed in drill and various camp duties, to secure
efficiency in the field. > The troops, so called in, were to be paid monthly by the State, the same
pay and emoluments as the soldiers in the United States army, from the date of enlistment. The
paymaster general was authorized to draw funds from the State treasury for the' payment of
the State troops, and the expense incurred in subsisting, transporting and clothing them. The
governor was authorized to purchase military stores, subsistence, clothing, medicine, field and
camp equipage, and the sum of one million dollars was appropriated to enable the governor to
carry out the law.''
Other laws were passed relating to military matters. One authorized the governor to pur-
chase two thousand stand of arms ; and fifty thousand dollars were appropriated to pay tor the
same. Another authorized counties, towns, cities and incorporated villages to levy taxes for
the purpose of providing for the support of families of volunteers residing in their respective
limits. The one passed at the previous session, exempting volunteers from civil process vhile in
the service, was amended so as to include all who might thereafter enlist. One granted five dollars
per month as extra pay to enlisted volunteers having families dependent upon them for support,
payable to their families. Another authorized the governor to employ such aids, clerks and
WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 73
messengers, as he deemed necessary for the public interests. Still another authorized the pay-
ment of those who had enlisted for three months, but had declined to go in for three years.
The expenses of the extra session were ordered to be paid out of the " war fund." One million
dollars in bonds were authorized to be issued for war purposes to form that fund. The governor,
secretary of state and state treasurer were empowered to negotiate them. By a joint resolu-
tion approved the twenty-first of May, the consent of the legislature was given to the governor
to be absent from the State during the war, for as long a time as in his discretion he might think
proper or advisable, in connection with the military forces of the State. For liberality, zeal and
genuine patriotism, the members of the Wisconsin legislature, for the year 1861, deserve a high
commendation. All that was necessary upon their final adjournment at the close of the extra
session to place tlie State upon a " war footing," was the organization by the governor of the
various military departments. These he effected by appointing Brigadier General William L.
Utley, adjutant general ; Brigadier General W. W. Tredway, quartermaster general ; Colonel
Edwin R. Wadsworth, commissary general ; Brigadier General Simeon Mills, paymaster gen-
eral; Brigadier General E. B. Wolcott, surgeon general ; Major E. L. Buttrick, judge advocate ;
and Colonel William H. Watson, military secretary.
On the seventeenth of May, the First regiment, at "Camp Scott," was mustered into the
United States service, and the war department informed that it awaited marching orders. The
regimental officers were not all in accordance with the law and mode adopted afterwards. On
the seventh of the month Governor Randall had appointed Rufus King a brigadier general, and
assigned the First, Second, Third and Fourth regiments to his command as the Wisconsin
brigade ; although at that date only the First and Second had Taeen called into camp. This
brigade organization was not recognized by the General Government. The secretary of war
telegraphed the governor of Wisconsin that the quota of the State, under the second call of the
president, was two regiments — so that the whole number under both calls was only three — one
(the First) for three months, tWo (the Second and Third) for three years. Notwithstanding this.
Governor Randall proceeded to organize the Fourth.
As a number of the companies ordered into " Camp Randall " on the first day of May to
form the Second regiment had only enlisted for three months, the order of the secretary of war
of the seventh of that month making it imperative that all such companies mtist re-enlist for
three years or during the war, or be disbanded, the question of extending their term of enlist-
ment was submitted to the companies of the regiment, when about five hundred consented to
the change. The quota of the regiment was afterward made up, and the whole mustered into,
the service of the United States for three years or during the war, under the president's second
call for troops. This was on the eleventh of June, 1861. The Third regiment having had its
companies assigned early in May, they were ordered in June into " Camp Hamilton " at Fond
du Lac, where the regiment was organized, and, on the twenty-ninth of June, mustered into the
United States' service as a three years regiment. This filled Wisconsin's quota under the second
call of President Lincoln. By this time war matters in the State began to assume a systematic
course of procedure — thanks to the patriotism of the people, the wisdom of the legislature, and
the untiring energy and exertions of the governor and his subordinates.
The determination of the secretary of war to accept from Wisconsin only two three-years
regiments under the second call for troops was soon changed, and three more were authorized,
making it necessary to organize the Fourth, Fifth and Sixth. The Fourth was called into " Camp
Utley " at Racine on the sixth of June, and was mustered into the service of the United States
on the ninth of the follov/ing month. By the twenty-eighth of June, all the companies of the
Fifth had assembled at " Camp Randall," and on the thirteenth of July were mustered in as
74
HISTORY or WISCONSIN.
United States troops. By the first of July, at the same place, the complement for the Sixth
regiment had been made up, and the companies were mustered for three years into the service
of the General Government, on the sixteenth of the same month. Governor Randall did not
stop the good work when six regiments had been accepted, but assigned the necessary companies
to form two more regiments — the Seventh and Eighth ; however, he wisely concluded not to call
them into camp until after harvest, unless specially required to do so. " If they are needed
sooner," said the governor, in a letter to the president on the first of July, '' a call will be imme-
diately responded to, and we shall have their uniforms and equipments ready for them." "By
the authority of our legislature," added the writer, ' I shall, after the middle of August, keep
two regiments equipped and in camp ready for a call to service, and will have them ready at an
earlier day if needed."
About the latter part of June, W. P. Alexander, of Beloit, a good marksman, was commis-
sioned captain to raise a company of sharpshooters for Berdan's regiment. He at once engaged
in the work; The company was filled to one hundred and three privates and three officers. It
left the State about the middle of September under Captain Alexander, and was, mustered into
the service at Wehawken on the twenty-third day of that month, as Company " G " of Berdan's
regiment of sharpshooters. On the twenty^sixth of July, a commission was issued to G. Van
Deutsch, of Milwaukee, to raise a company of cavalry. He succeeded in filling his company to
eighty-four men. He left the State in September, joining Fremont. The company was after-
ward attached to the fifth cavalry regiment of Missouri.
About the 20th of August, Governor Randall was authorized to organize and equip as rapidly
as possible five regiments of infantry and five batteries of artillery, and procure for them necessary
clothing and equipments according to United States regulations and prices, subject to the inspec-,
tion of officers of the General Government. The five regiments were to be additional to the
eight already raised. One regiment was to be German. During the last week of August the
companies of the Seventh regiment were ordered into " Camp Randall," at Madison. They were
mustered into the service soon after arrival. On the 28th of August orders were issued for the
reorganization of the First regiment for three years, its term of three months having expired.
The secretary of war having signified his acceptance of the regiment for the new term, its mus-
tering into the service was completed on the nineteenth of October. This made six infantry regi-
ments in addition to the eight already accepted, or fourteen in all. On the same day orders were
issued assigning companies to the Eighth regiment, — the whole moving to " Camp Randall," at
Madison, the first week in September, where their mustering in was finished on the thirteenth.
The Ninth, a German reginent, was recruited in squads, and sent into camp, where they were
formed into companies, and the whole mustered in on the 26th of October, i86i,at " Camp Sigel,"
Milwaukee. Companies were assigned the Tenth regiment on the 18th of September, and
ordered into camp at Milwaukee, where it was fully organized about the first of October, being
mustered into the service on the fourteenth of that month. The Tenth infantry was enlisted in
September, 1861, and mustered in on the fourteenth of October, 1861, at "Camp Holton," Mil-
waukee. The Eleventh regiment was called by companies into " Camp Randall " the latter part
of September' and first of October, 1861, and mustered in on the eighteenth. The Twelfth was
called in to the same camp and mustered in by companies between the twenty-eighth of October
and the fifth of November, 1861. The Thirteenth rendezvoused at "Camp Treadway," Janes-
ville, being mustered into the United States service on the seventeenth of October, 1861. These
thirteen regiments were all that had been accepted and mustered into the United States serv'oe
while Randall was governor.
From the commencement of the rebellion a great desire had been manifested for the orfan-
WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 75
ization of artillery companies in Wisconsin, and this desire was finally gratified. Each battery
was to number one hundred and fifty men, and, as has been shown, five had been authorized by
the General Government to be raised in Wisconsin. The First battery was recruited at La
Crosse, under the superintendence of Captain Jacob T. Foster, and was known as the " La Crosse
Artillery.'' It rendezvoused at Racine^early in October, 1861, where on the tenth of that month,.
it was mustered into the United States service. The Second battery, Captain Ernest Herzberg,.
assembled at " Camp Utley," Racine, and was mustered in with the First battery on the tenth.
The Third, known as the " Badger Battery," was organized by Captain L. H. Drury, at Madison
and Berlin, and was mustered into the service on the same day and at the same place as the First
and Second. The Fourth battery, recruited and organized at Beloit, under the supervision of
Captain John F. Vallee, was mustered in on the first of October, 1861, at Racine. The Fifth
battery was recruited at Monroe, Green county, under the superintendence of Captain Oscar F.
Pinney, moving afterward to " Camp Utley," Racine, where, on the first of October,^ it was mus-
tered in, along with the Fourth. So brisk had been the recruiting, it was ascertained by the
governor that seven companies had been raised instead of five, when the secretary of war was
telegraphed to, and the extra companies — the Sixth and Seventh accepted ; the Sixth, known as
the " Buena Vista Artillery," being recruited at Lone Rock, Richland county, in September,
Captain Henry Dillon, and mustered in on the second of October, 1861, at Racine; the Seventh,
known as the "Badger State Flying Artillery," having organized at Milwaukee, Captain Richard
R. Griffiths, and mustered in on the fourth of the same month, going into camp at Racine on the
eighth. This completed the mustering in of the first seven batteries, during Governor Randall's
administration ; the whole mustered force being thirteen regiments of infantry ; one company of
cavalry ; one of sharpshooters ; and these seven artillery companies. " Wisconsin," said the gov-
ernor, in response to a request as to the number of regiments organized, " sent one regiment
for three months, — officers and men eight hundred and ten. The other regiments I n the war up
to the Thirteenth (including the First, re-organized), will average one thousand men each; one
company of sharpshooters for Berdan's regiment, one hundred and three men ; and seven
companies of light artillery." Of cavalry from Wisconsin, only Deutsch's company had been
mustered into the United States, although three regiments had been authorized by the General
Government before the close of Randall's administration. The governor, before the expiration
of his office, was empowered to organize, more artillery companies — ten in all; and five additional
regiments of infantry — making the whole number eighteen. On the tenth of December, he
wrote : " Our Fourteenth infantry is full and in camp. * * * Fifteenth has five companies
in camp, and filling up. Sixteenth has eight companies in camp, and will be full by the 25th of
December. Seventeenth has some four hundred men enlisted. Eighteenth will be in camp, full,
by January i. Seven maximum companies of artillery iri camp. * * * Three regiments of
cavalry — two full above the maximum; the third, about eight hundred men in camp." It
will be seen, therefore, that a considerable number of men in the three branches of the service
was then in camp that had not been mustered into the service ; and this number was considerably
increased by the 6th of January, 1862, the day that Randall's official term expired; but no more
men were mustered in, until his successor came into office, than those previously mentioned.
The First regiment — three months' — left " Camp Scott," Milwaukee, on the ninth of June,
1861, for Harrisburg, Pennsylvania — eight hundred and ten in number; John C. Starkweather,
colonel. The regiment returned to Milwaukee on the seventeenth, of August, 1861, and was
mustered out on the twenty-second.
The First regiment re-organized at "Camp Scott," Milwaukee. Its mustering into the
service, as previously mentioned, was completed on the nineteenth of October. On the twenty-
76
HISTORY or WTSCONSIlSr.
eighth, it started for Louisville, Kentucky — nine hundred and forty-five strong — under command
of its former colonel, John C. Starkweather. The Second regiment, with S. Park Coon as
colonel, left "Camp Randall," Madison, for Washington city, on the eleventh of June, 1861 —
numbering, in all, one thousand and fifty-one. The Third regiment started from " Caipp
Hamilton," Fond du Lac, for Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, under command of Charles S. Hamilton,
as colonel, on the twelfth of July, 1861, with a numerical strength of nine hundred and seventy-
nine. The Fourth regiment — Colonel Halbert E. Payne — with a numerical strength of one
thousand and fifty-three, departed on the fifteenth of July, 1861, from "Camp Utley," Racine,
for Baltimore, Maryland. The Fifth regiment left "Camp Randall," Madison, one thousand
and fifty-eight strong, commanded by Colonel Amasa Cobb, on the twenty-fourth of July, 1861,
for Washington city. On the twenty-eighth of July, 1861, the Sixth regiment, numbering one
thousand and eighty-four, moved from Madison, having been ordered to Washington city. It
was commanded by Colonel Lysander Cutter. The Seventh regiment — Joseph Van Dor, Colonel
— with a numerical strength of one thousand and sixteen men — officers and privates, received
orders, as did the Fifth and Sixth, to move forward to Washington. They started from Madison
on the morning of the twenty-first of September, 1861, for active service. The Eighth infantry,
nine hundred and seventy-three strong, commanded by Colonel Robert C. Murphy, left Madison,
en route for St. Louis, Missouri, on the morning of' the twelfth of October, i86r. The Ninth, or
German regiment, with Frederick Salomon in command as colonel, did not leave "Camp Sigel,"
for active service, while Randall was governor. The Tenth infantry moved from " Camp
Holton," Milwaukee, commanded by Colonel Alfred R. Chapin, on the ninth of November, 1861,
destined for Louisville, Kentucky, with a total number of nine hundred and sixteen officers and
privates. On the twentieth of November, 1861, the Eleventh regiment "broke camp" at
Madison, starting for St. Louis, under command of Charles L. Harris, as colonel. Its whole
number of men was nine hundred and sixteen. The Twelfth regiment, at " Camp Randall,"
Madison — Colonel George E. Bryant, and the Thirteenth, at " Caxnp Tredway," Janesville —
Colonel Maurice Maloney — were still. in camp at the expiration of the administration of Governor
Randall : these, with the Ninth, were all that had not moved out of the State for active service,
of those mustered in previous to January 6, 1861,— making a grand total of infantry sent from
Wisconsin, up to that date, by the governor, to answer calls of the General Government, for
three years' service or during the war, of nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-one men, in ten
regiments, averaging very nearly one thousand to each regiment. Besides these ten regiments
of infantry for three years' service, Wisconsin had also sent into the field the First regiment, for
three months' service, numbering eight hundred and ten men ; Alexander's company of sharp-
shooters, one hundred and six; and Deutsch's company of cavalry, eighty-four: in all, one
thousand. Addihg these to the three years' regiments, and the whole force, in round numbers,
was eleven thousand men, furnished by the State in 1861.
Eighth Administration. — Louis P. Harvey and Edward Salomon, Governors — 1862-1863.
Louis P. Harvey was inaugurated governor of Wisconsin on the sixth of January, 1862.
The fifteenth regular session of the legislature of the State began on the eighth of the same
month. In the senate, the republicans were in the majority; but in the assembly they had
only a plurality of members, there being a number of " Union " men in that branch — enough,
indeed, to elect, by outside aid, J. W. Beardsley, who ran for the assembly, upon the '' Union "
ticket, as speaker. Governor Harvey, on the tenth, read his message to the legislature in joint
convention. " No previous legislature," are his opening words, " has convened under equal
incentives to a disinterested zeal in the public service The occasion," he adds, "pleads
WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 77
■with you in rebuke of all the meaner passions, admonishing to the exercise of a conscientious
patriotism, becoming the representatives of a Christian people, called in God's providence to
pass through the furnace of a great trial of their virtue, and of the strength of the Government."
On the seventh of April following, the legislature adjourned until the third of June next ensuing.
Before it again assembled, an event occurred, casting a gloom over the whole State. The.
occasion was the accidental drowning of Governor Harvey.
Soon after the battle of Pittsburgh Landing, on the seventh of April, 1862, the certainty
that some of the Wisconsin regiments had suffered severely, induced the governor to organize
a relief party, to aid the wounded and suffering soldiers from the State. On the tenth, Harvey
and others started on their tour of benevolence. Arriving at Chicago, they found a large num-
ber of boxes had been forwarded there from different points in the State, containing supplies of
various kinds. At Mound City, Paducah, and Savannah, the governor and his party adminis-
tered to the wants of the sick and wounded \Visconsin soldiers. Having completed their mission
of mercy, they repaired to a boat, in the harbor of Savannah, to await the arrival of the Minne-
haha, which was to convey them to Cairo, on their homeward trip. It was late in the evening of
the nineteenth of April, 1862, and very dark when the boat arrived which was to take the
governor and his friends on board ; and as she rounded to, the bow touching the Dunkith, on
which was congregated the party ready to depart, Governor Harvey, by a misstep, fell overboard
between the two boats, into the Tennessee river. The current was strong, and the water more
than thirty feet deep. Every thing was done that could be, to save his life, but all to no
purpose. His body was subsequently found and brought to Madison for interment. Edward
Salomon, lieutenant governor, by virtue of a provision of the constitution of the State, upon the
death of Harvey, succeeded to the office of governor of Wisconsin. On the third day of June,
the legislature re-assembled in accordance with adjournment on the seventh of April previous,
Governor Salomon, in his message of that day, to the senate and assembly, after announcing
the sad event of the death of the late governor, said : " The last among the governors elected
by the people of this State, he is the first who has been removed by death from our midst. The
circumstances leading to and surrounding the tragic and melancholy end of the honored and
lamented deceased, are well known to the people, and are, with his memory, treasured up in
their hearts." He died," added Salomon, " while in the exercise of the highest duties of philan-
thropy and humanity, that a noble impulse had imposed upon him." The legislature, on the
thirteenth of June, by a joint resolution, declared that in the death of Governor Harvey, the'
State had " lost an honest, faithful, and efficient public officer, a high-toned gentleman, a warm-
hearted philanthropist, and a sincere friend." Both houses adjourned sine die, on the seventeuth
of June, 1862.
Business of great public importance, in the judgment of the governor, rendering a special
session of the legislature necessary, he issued, on the twenty-ninth of August, 1862, his proc-
lamation to that effect, convening both houses on the tenth of September following. On that
day he sent in his message, relating wholly to war matters. He referred to the fact that since
the adjournment of the previous session, six hundred thousand more men had been called for by
the president of the United States, to suppress the rebellion. " It is evident," said he; " that to
meet further calls, it is necessary to rely upon a system of drafting or conscription, in Wisconsin."
The governor theii proceeded to recommend such measures as he deemed necessary to meet
the exigencies of the times. The legislature levied a tax to aid volunteering, and passed a law
giving the right of suffrage to soldiers in the military service. They also authorized the raising
of money for payment of bounties to volunteers. The legislature adjourned on the twenty-
sixth of September, 1862, after a session of sixteen days, and the enacting of seventeen laws.
78 mSTOEY OP WISCONSIN.
On the 7th of October, James H. Howe, attorney general, resigned his office to enter the
army. On the 14th of that mon'th, Winfield Smith was appointed by the governor to fill the
vacancy.
At the general election in the Fall of this year, six congressmen were elected to the thirty-
eighth congress: James S. Brown from the first district; I. C. Sloan, from the second; Amasa
Cobb, from the third ; Charles A. Eldredge, from the fourth ; Ezra Wheeler, from the fifth ; and
W. D. Mclndoe, from the sixth district. Sloan, Cobb, and Mclndoe, were elected as republi-
cans ; Brown, Eldridge, and Wheeler, as democrats.
The sixteenth regular session of the Wisconsin legislature, commenced on the fourteenth of
January, 1863. J. Allen Barber was elected speaker of the assembly. The majority in both
houses was republican. Governor Salomon read his message on the fifteenth, to the joint
convention, referring, at length, to matters connected with the war of the rebellion. A large
number of bills were passed by the legislature for the benefit of soldiers and their families. On
the twenty-second, the legislature re-elected James R. Doolittle, to the United States senate for •
six years, from the fourtli of March next ensuing. The legislature adjourned sine die on the
second of April following. In the Spring of this year, Luther S. Dixon was re-elected chief
justice of the supreme court, running as an independent candidate.
By a provision of the Revised Statutes of 1858, as amended by an act passed in 1862, and
interpreted by another act passed in 1875, the terms of the justices of the supreme court,
elected for a full term, commence on the first Monday in January next succeeding their election.
At the Fall election there were two tickets in the field : democratic and union republican.
The latter was successful, electing James T. Lewis, governor ; Wyman Spooner, lieutenant
governor; Lucius Fairchild, secretary of state; S. D. Hastings, state treasurer; Winfield
Smith, attorney general ; J. L. Pickard, state superintendent ; W. H. Ramsay, bank comp-
troller; and Henry Cordier, state prison commissioner.
War of Secession — Harvey and Salomon's Administration.
When Governor Randall turned over to his successor in the gubernatorial chair, the military-
matters of Wisconsin, he had remaining in the State, either already organized or in process of
formation, the Ninth infantry, also the Twelfth up to the Nineteenth inclusive ; three regiments
of cavalry ; and ten batteries — First to Tenth inclusive. Colonel Edward Daniels, in the Summer
of 1861, was authorized by the war department to recruit and organize one battalion of cavalry
in Wisconsin. He was subsequently authorized to raise two more companies. Governor Ran-
dall, in October, was authorized to complete the regiment — the First cavalry — by the organiza-
tion of six additional companies. The organization of the Second cavalry regiment was author-
ized in the Fall of 1861, as an "independent acceptance," but was finally turned over to the
State authorities. Early in November, 1861, the war department issued an order discontinuing
enlistments for the cavalry service, and circulars were sent to the different State executives to
consolidate all incomplete regiments. Ex-Governor Barstow, by authority of General Fremont,
which authority was confirmed by the General Government, had commenced the organization of
a cavalry regiment — the Third Wisconsin — when Governor Randall received information that
the authority of Barstow had been revoked. The latter, however, soon had his authority
restored. In October, Governor Randall was authorized by the war department to raise three
additional companies of artillery — Eighth to Tenth inclusive. These three batteries were all
filled and went into camp by the close of 1861. Governor Randall, therefore, besides sending
out of the State eleven thousand men, had in process of formation, or fully organized, nine
regiments of infantry, three regiments of cavalry^ and ten companies of artillery, left behind in
wiscosrsm as a state. 79
various camps in the State, to be turned over to his successor.
The military officers of Wisconsin were the governor, Louis P. Harvey, commander-in-
chief; Brigadier General Augustus Gaylord, adjutant general ; Brigadier General W. W. Tred-
way, quartermaster general ; Colonel Edwin R. Wadsworth, commissary general ; Brigadier Gen-
eral Simeon Mills, paymaster general; Brigadier General E. B. Wolcott, surgeon general; Major
M. H. Carpenter, judge advocate ; and Colonel William H. Watson, military secretary. As the
General Government had taken the recruiting service out of the hands of the executives of the
States, and appointed superintendents in their place, the offices of commissary general and
paymaster general were no longer necessary ; and their time, after the commencement of the
administration in Wisconsin of 1862, was employed, so long as they continued their respective
offices, in settling up the business of each. The office of commissary general was closed about
the first of June, 1862 ; that of paymaster general on the tenth of July following. On the last
of August, 1862, Brigadier General Tredway resigned the position of quartermaster general, and
Nathaniel F. Lund was appointed to fill his place.
Upon the convening of the legislature of the State in its regular January session of this
year — 1862, Governor Harvey gave, in his message to that body, a full statement of what had
■ been done by Wisconsin in matters appertaining to the war, under the administration of his
predecessor. He stated that the State furnished to the service of the General Government
under the call for volunteers for three months, one regiment — First Wisconsin ; under the call
for volunteers for three years, or the war, ten regiments, numbering from the First re-organized
to- the Eleventh, excluding the Ninth or German regiment. He gave as the whole number of
officers, musicians and privates, in these ten three-year regiments, ten thousand one hundred and
seventeen. He further stated that there were then organized and awaiting orders, the Ninth, in
" Camp Sigel," Milwaukee, numbering nine hundred and forty men, under Colonel Frederick
Salomon ; the Twelfth, in " Camp Randall," one thousand and thirty-nine men, under Colonel
George E. Bryant; the Thirteenth, in "Camp Tredway," Janesville, having nine hundred and
nineteen men, commanded by Colonel M. Maloney ; and the Fourteenth, at " Camp Wood,"
Fond du Lac, eight hundred and fifty men, under Colonel D. E. Wood.
The Fifteenth or Scandinavian regiment. Colonel H. C. Heg, seven hundred men, and the
Sixteenth, Colonel Benjamin Allen, nine hundred men, were at that time at "Camp Randall," in
near readiness for marching orders. The Seventeenth (Irish) regiment, Colonel J. L. Doran, and
the Eighteenth, Colonel James S. Alban, had their full number of companies in readiness, lacking
one, and had been notified to go into camp — the former at Madison, the latter at Milwaukee.-
Seven companies of artillery, numbering together one thousand and fifty men, had remained for
a considerable time in "Camp Utley," Racine, impatient of the delays of the General Govern-r
ment in calling them to move forward. Three additional companies of artillery were about
going into camp, numbering three hundred and thirty-four men. Besides these, the State had
furnished, as already mentioned, an independent company of cavalry, then in Missouri,^raised
by Captain Von Deutsch, of eighty-one men ; a company of one hundred and four men for Ber-
dan's sharpshooters; and an additional company for the Second regiment, of about eighty men.
Three regiments of cavalry — the First, Colonel E. Daniels; the Second, Colonel C. C. Washburn;
and the Third, Colonel W. A. Barstow ; were being organized. They numbered together, two thou-
sand four hundred and fifty men. The Nineteenth (independent) regiment was rapidly organ-
izing under the direction of the General Government, by Colonel H. T. Sanders, Racine. Not
bringing this last regiment into view, the State had, at the commencement of Governor Harvey's
administration, including the First, three-months' regiment, either in the service of the United
States or organizing for it, a total of twenty-one thousand seven hundred and eighty-three men.
^^ ^ HISTOEY OP WISCONSIN.
The legislature at its regular session of 1862, passed a law making it necessary to present
all claims which were made payable out of the war fund, within twelve months from the time they
accrued ; a law was also passed authorizing the investment of the principal of the school fund in
the bonds of the state issued for war purposes ; another, amendatory of the act of the extra session
of 1861, granting exemption to persons enrolled in the military service, so as to except persons,
acting as fiduciary agents, either as executors or administrators, or guardians or trustees, or
persons defrauding the State, or any school district of moneys belonging to the same; also author-
izing a stay of proceedings in foreclosures of mortgages, by advertisements. " The State Aid
Law" was amended so as to apply to all regiments of infantry, cavalry, artillery and sharpshooters,
defining the rights of families, fixing penalties for the issue of false papers, and imposing duties on
military officers in the field to make certain reports. These amendments only included regi-
ments and companies organized up to and including the Twentieth, which was in process of
organization before the close of the session. A law was also passed suspending the sale of lands
mortgaged to the State, or held by volunteers ; another defining the duties of the allotment com-
missioners appointed by the president of the United States, and fixing their compensation. One
authorized the issuing of bonds for ' two hundred thousand dollars for war purposes ; one author-
ized a temporary loan from the general fund to pay State aid to volunteers ; and one, the appoint-
ment of a joint committee to investigate the sale of war bonds ; while another authorized the
governor to appoint surgeons to batteries, and assistant surgeons to cavalry regiments.
The legislature, it will be remembered, took a recess from the seventh of April to the third
of June, 1862. Upon its re-assembling, ^.. act was passed providing 1 or the discontinuance of the
active services of the paymaster general, quartermaster general and commissary general..
Another act appropriated twenty thousand dollars to enable the governor to care for the sick,
and wounded soldiers of the State. There was also another act passed authorizing the auditing,
by the quartermaster general, of bills for subsistence and transportation of the Wisconsin cavalry
regiments. At the extra session called by Governor Salomon, for the tenth of September, 1862,
an amendment was made to the law granting aid to families of volunteers, by including all regi-
ments of cavalry, infantry, or batteries of, artillery before that time raised in the State, or that
might afterward be raised and mustered into the United States service. It also authorized the
levying of a State tax of two hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars to be placed to the credit
of the war fund and used in the payment of warrants for " State Aid" to families of volunteers..
Another law authorized commissioned officers out of the State to administer oaths and take
acknowledgments of deeds and other papers. One act authorized soldiers in the field, although
out of the State, to exercise the right of suffrage ; and another gave towns, cities, incorporated
villages and counties the authority to raise money to pay bounties to volunteers.
On the fifth of August, 1862, Governor Salomon received from the war department a dispatch
stating that orders had been issued for a draft of three hundred thousand men to be immediately
called into the seryice of the United States, to serve for nine months unless sooner discharged ;.
that if the State quota under a call made July 2, of that year, for three hundred thousand vol-
unteers, was not filled by the fifteenth of August, the deficiency would be made up by draft ; and
that the secretary of war wquld assign the quotas to the States and establish regulations for the
draft. On the eighth'of that month, the governor of the State was ordered to immediately cause
an enrollment of all able-bodied citizens between eighteen and forty-five years of age, by counties.
Governor Salpihon was authorized to appoint proper officers, and the United States promised ta
pay all reasonable expenses. The quota for Wisconsin, under the call for nine months' men, was
eleven thousand, nine hundred and four. The draft was made by the governor in obedience to
the order he had received from Washington ; but such had been the volunteering under the stim-
WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 81
ulus caused by a fear of it, that only four thousand five hundred and thirty-seven men were
drafted. This was the first and only draft made in Wisconsin by the State authorities.
Subsequent ones were made under the direction of the provost marshal general at Wash-
ington.
The enlisting, organization and mustering into the United States service during Randall's
administration of thirteen regiments of infantry— the First to the Thirteenth inclusive, and the
marching of ten of them out of the State before the close of 1861, also, of one company of cavalry
under Captain Von Deutsch and one company of sharpshooters under Captain Alexander, con^
stituted the effective aid abroad of Wisconsin during that year to suppress the rebellion. But for
the year 1862, this aid, as to number of organizations, was more than doubled, as will now be
shown.
The Ninth regiment left " Camp Sigel,'' Milwaukee, under command of Colonel Frederxk
Salomon, on the twenty-second of January, 1862, numbering thirty-nine officers and eight hun
dred and eighty-four men, to report at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
The Twelfth infantry left Wisconsin under command of Colonel George E. Bryant, ten
hundred and forty-five strong, the eleventh of January, 1862, with orders to report at Weston,
Missouri.
The Thirteenth regiment — Colonel Maurice Maloney — left "Camp Tredway," Janesville, on
the eighteenth of January, 1862, nine hundred and seventy strong, under orders to report at
Leavenworth, Kansas, where it arrived on the twenty-third.
The Fourteenth regiment of infantry departed from " Camp Wood," Fond du Lac, under
command of Colonel David E. Wood, for St. Louis, Missouri, on the eighth of March, 1862, it
having been mustered into the United States service on the thirtieth of January previous. Its
total strength was nine hundred and seventy officers and men. It arrived at its destination on
the tenth of March, and went into quarters at " Benton Barracks."
The Fifteenth regiment, mostly recruited from the Scandinavian population of Wisconsin,
was organized at " Camp Randall," Madison — Hans C. Heg as colonel. Its muster into the
United States service was completed on the fourteenth of February, 1862, it leaving the State for
St. Louis, Missouri, on the second of March following, with a total strength of eight hundred and
one officers and men.
The Sixteenth regiment was organized at "Camp Randall," and was mustered into the
service on the last day of January, 1862, leaving the State, with Benjamin Allen as colonel, for
St. Louis on the thirteenth of March ensuing, having a total strength of one thousand a,nd
sixty-six.
The regimental organization of the Seventeenth infantry (Irish), Colonel John L. Doran,
was effected at " Camp Randall," and the mustering" in of the men completed on the fifteenth of
March, 1862, the regiment leaving the State on the twenty-third for St. Louis.
The Eighteenth regiment organized at " Camp Trowbridge," Milwaukee — James S. Alban,
colonel — completed its muster into the United States service on the fifteenth of March, 1862,
and left the State for St. Louis on the thirtieth, reaching their point of destination on the thirty-
first.
The Nineteenth infantry rendezvoused at Racine as an independent regiment, its colonel,
Horace T. Sanders, being commissioned by the war department. The men were mustered into
the service as fast as they were enlisted. Independent organizations being abolished, by an
order from Washington, the Nineteenth was placed on the same footing as other regiments in the
State. On the twentieth of April, 1862, the regiment was ordered to " Camp Randall " to guard
rebel prisoners. Here the mustering in was completed, numbering in all nine hundred and
seventy-three. They left the State for Washington on the second of June.
^2 HISTOBY OF wiscoNsrsr.
The muster into the United States service of the Twentieth regiment — Bertine Pihckney,
■colonel — was completed on the twenty-third of August, 1862, at "Camp Randall," the original
strength bieing nine hundred and ninety. On the thirtieth of August the regiment left the State
for St. Louis.
The Twenty-first infantry was organized at Oshkosh, being mustered in on the fifth of Sep-
tember, 1862, with a force of one thousand and two, all told — Benjamin J. Sweet, colonel —
leaving the State for Cincinnati on the eleventh.
The Twenty-second regiment — ^Colonel William L. Utley — was organized at " Camp Utley,"
Racine, and mustered in on the second of September, 1862. Its original strength was one thou-
sand and nine. It left the State for Cincinnati on the sixteenth.
On the thirtieth of August, 1862, the Twenty-third regiment — Colonel Joshua J. Guppey —
was mustered in at "Camp Randall," leaving Madison for Cincinnati on the fifteenth.
The Twenty-fourth infantry rendezvoused at " Camp Sigel," Milwaukee. Its muster in was
<;ompleted on the twenty-first of August, 1862, the regiment leaving the State under Colonel
Charles H. Larrabee, for Kentucky, on the fifth of September, one thousand, strong.
On the fourteenth of September, 1862, at " Camp Salomon," LaCrosse, the Twenty-fifth
regiment was mustered into the service — Milton Montgomery, colonel. They left the State on
the nineteenth with orders to report to General Pope, at St. Paul, Minnesota, to aid in suppress-
ing the Indian difficulties in that State. Their entire strength was one thousand and eighteen.
The regiment, after contributing to the preservation of tranquillity among the settlers, and
deterring the Indians from hostilities, returned to Wisconsin, arriving at " Camp Randall " on the
■eighteenth of December, 1862.
The Twenty-sixth — almost wholly a German regiment — was mustered into the service at
"Camp Sigel," Milwaukee, on the seventeenth of September, 1862. The regiment, under com-
mand of Colonel William H. Jacobs, left the State- for Washington city on the sixth of October,
one thousand strong.
The Twenty-seventh infantry was ordered to rendezvous at " Camp Sigel," Milwaukee, on
the seventeenth of September, 1862 ; but the discontinuance of recruiting for new regiments in
August left the Twenty-seventh with only seven companies full. An order authorizing the
recruiting of three more companies was received, and under the supervision of Colonel Conrad
Krez the organization was completed, but the regiment at the close of the year had not been
mustered into the service.
On the twenty-fourth of October, 1862, the Twenty-eighth regiment — James M. Lewis, of
Oconomowoc, colonel — was mustered into the United States service at "Camp Washburn," Mil-
waukee. Its strength was nine hundred and sixty-one. In November, the regiment was
employed in arresting and guarding the draft rioters in Ozaukee county. It left the State for
Columbus, Kentucky, on the twentieth of December, where they arrived on the twenty-second;
remaining there until the fifth of January, 1863.
The Twenty-ninth infantry — Colonel Charles R. Gill — was organized at " Camp Randall,"
where its muster into the United States • service was completed on the twenty-seventh of Sep-
tember, 1862, the regiment leaving the State for Cairo, Illinois, on the second of November.
The Thirtieth reginient, organized at "Camp Randall" under the supervision of Colonel
Daniel J. Dill, completed its muster into the United States service on the twenty-first of October,
1862, with a strength of nine hundred and six. On the sixteenth of November, one company of
the Thirtieth was sent to Green Bay to protect the draft commissioner, remaining several weeks.
On the eighteenth, seven companies moved to Milwaukee to assist in enforcing the draft in Mil-
waukee county, while' two companies remained in " Camp Randall " to guard Ozaukee rioters.
^. ^ ^.^^^^^....-^J^,
(deceased )
FOND DU LAC.
WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 83
On the twenty-second, six companies from Milwaukee went to West Bend, Washington county,
one company returning to "Camp Randall." After the completion of the draft in Washington
county, four companies returned to camp, while two companies were engaged in gathering up
the drafted men.
The final and complete organization of the Thirty-first infantry — Colonel Isaac E. Mess-
more — was not concluded during the year 1862.
The Thirty-second regiment, organized at " Camp Bragg," Oshkosh, with James H. Howe
as colonel, was mustered into the service on the twenty-fifth of September, 1862 ; and, on the
thirtieth of October, leaving the State, it proceeded by way of Chicago and Cairo to Memphis,
Tennessee, going into camp on the third of November. The original strength of the Thirty-
second was nine hundred and ninety-three.
The Thirty-third infantry^Colonel Jonathan B. Moore — mustered in on the eighteenth of
October, 1862, at " Camp Utley," Racine, left the State, eight hundred and ninety-two strong,
moving by way of Chicago to Cairo.
The Thirty-fourth regiment, drafted men, original strength nine hundred and sixty-one —
Colonel Fritz Anneke — had its muster into service for nine months completed at " Camp Wash-
turn," Milwaukee, on the last day of the year 1862.
Of the twenty-four infantry regiments, numbered from the Twelfth to the Thirty-fourth
inclusive, and including also the Ninth, three — the Ninth, Twelfth, and Thirteenth — :were mus-
tered into the United States service in 1861. The whole of the residue were mustered in during
the year 1862, except the Twenty-seventh and the Thirty-first. All were sent out of the State
during 1862, except the last two mentioned and the Twenty-fifth, Thirtieth, and Thirty-fourth.
The First regiment of cavalry — Colonel Edward Daniels — perfected its organization at
■" Camp Harvey," Kenosha. Its muster into the United States service was completed on the
eighth of March, 1862, the regiment leaving the State for St. Louis on the seventeenth, with a"
strength of eleven hundred and twenty-four.
The muster of the Second Wisconsin cavalry was completed on the twelfth of March, 1862,
at "Camp Washburn," Milwaukee, the regiment leaving the State for St. Louis on the twenty-
fourth, eleven hundred and twenty-seven strong. It was under the command of Cadwallader C.
Washburn as colonel.
The Third Wisconsin cavalry — Colonel William A. Barstow — was mustered in at " Camp
Barstow," Janesville. The muster was completed on the 31st of January, 1862, the regiment
leaving the State on the 26th of March for St. Louis, with a strength of eleven hundred and
■eighty- six.
The original project of forming a regiment of light artillery in Wisconsin was overruled
by the war department, and the several batteries were sent from the State as independent
organizations.
The First battery — Captain Jacob T. Foster — perfected its organization at "Camp Utley,"
where the company was mustered in, it leaving the State with a strength of one hundred and
fifty-five, on the 23d of January, 1862, for Louisville, where the battery went into "Camp
Irvine," near that city. The Second battery — Captain Ernest F. Herzberg — was mustered into
the service at "Camp Utley," October 10, 1861, the company numbering one hundred and fifty-
three. It left the State for Baltimore, on the 21st of January, 1862. The Third battery — Cap-
tain L. H. Drury — completed its organization of one hundred and seventy at " Camp Utley," and
was mustered in October 10, 1861, leaving the State for Louisville, on the 23d of January,
1862. The Fourth battery — Captain John F. Vallee — rendezvoused at "Camp Utley." Its
muster in was completed on the ist of October, 186 1, its whole force being one hundred and fifty
one. The company left the State for Baltimore on the 21st of January, 1862. The Fifth bat-
84 . HISTORY O'F WISCONSIN.
tery, commanded by Captain Oscar F. Pinney, was mustered in on the ist of October, 1861, at
" Camp Utley," leaving the State for St. Louis, on the 15th of March, 1862, one hundred and
fifty-five strong. The Sixth battery — Captain Henry Dillon — was mustered in on the 2d of
October, 1861, at " Camp Utley," leaving the State for St. Louis, March 15, 1862, with a numer-
ical strength of one hundred and fifty-seven. The Seventh battery — Captain Richard R. Grif-
fiths— was mustered in on the 4th of October, 1861, at " Camp Utley," and proceeded on the 15th
of March, 1862, with the Fifth and Sixth batteries to St. Louis. The Eighth battery, com-
manded by Captain Stephen J. Carpenter, was mustered in on the 8th of January, 1862, at
"Camp Utley,'' and left the State on the i8th of March following, for St. Louis, one hundred and
sixty-one strong. The Ninth battery, under command of Captain Cyrus H. Johnson, was organ-
ized at Burlington, Racine county. It was mustered in on the 7th of January, 1862, leaving
" Camp Utley " for St. Louis, on the i8th of March. At St. Louis, their complement of men —
one hundred and fifty-five — was made up by the transfer of forty-five from another battery. The
Tenth battery — Captain Yates V. Bebee— after being mustered in at Milwaukee, on the loth of
February, 1862, left " Camp Utley," Racine, on the i8th of March for St. Louis, one hundred and
seventeen strong. The Eleventh battery — Captain John O'Rourke — was made up of the " Oconto
Irish Guards " and a detachment of Illinois recruits. The company was organized at " Camp
Douglas," Chicago, in the Spring of 1862. Early in 1862, William A. Pile succeeded in enlisting
ninety-nine men as a company to be known as the Twelfth battery. The men were mustered in
and sent forward in squads to St. Louis. Captain Pile's commission was revoked on the i8th
of July. His place was filled by William Zickrick. These twelve batteries were all that left the
State in 1862. To these are to be added the three regiments of cavalry and the nineteen regi-
ments of infantry, as the effective force sent out during the year by Wisconsin.
The military officers of the State, at the commencement of 1863, were Edward Salomon,
governor and commander-in-chief; Brigadier General Augustus Gaylord, adjutant general;
Cblonel S. Nye Gibbs, assistant adjutant general ; Brigadier General Nathaniel F. Lund,
quartermaster general ; Brigadier General E. B. Wolcott, surgeon general ; and Colonel W. H.
Watson, military secretary. The two incomplete regiments of 1862 — the Twenty-seventh and
"Thirty-first volunteers — were completed and in the field in March, 1863. The former was
mustered in at " Camp Sigel " — Colonel Conrad Krez — on the 7th of March, and left the State,
eight hundred and sixty-five strong, on the i6th for Cojumbus, Kentucky ; the latter, under
command of Colonel Isaac E. Messmore, with a strength of eight hundred and seventy-eight,
left Wisconsin on the ist of March, for Cairo, Illinois. The Thirty-fourth (drafted) regiment
left "Camp Washburn," Milwaukee, on the 31st of January, 1863, for Columbus, Kentucky,
numbering nine hundred and sixty-one, commanded by Colonel Fritz Anneke. On the 17th of
February, 1863, the Twenty-fifth regiment left "Camp Randall" for Cairo, Illinois. The
Thirtieth regiment remained in Wisconsin during the whole of 1863, performing various
duties-^ the only one of the whole thirty-four that, at the end of that year, had not left the State.
On the 14th of January, 1863, the legislature of Wisconsin, as before stated, convened
at Madison. Governor Salomon, in his message to that body, gave a summary of the transac-
tions of the war fund during the calendar year; also of what was done in 1862, in the recruiting
of military forces, and the manner in which the calls of the president were responded to. There
were a number of military laws passed at this session. A multitude of special acts authorizing
towns to raise bounties for volunteers, were also passed.
No additional regiments of infantry besides those already mentioned were organized in
1863, although recruiting for old regiments continued. On the 3d of March, 1863, the congress
of the United States passed the " Conscription Act." Under this act, Wisconsin was divided
WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 85
into six districts. In the first district, I. M. Bean was appointed provost marshal ; C. M. Baker„
commissioner; and J. B. Dousman, examining surgeon. Headquarters of this district was at
Milwaukee. In the second district, S. J. M. Putnam was appointed provost marshal; L. B,
Caswell, commissioner; and Dr. C. R. Head, examining surgeon. Headquarters of this-
district was at Janesville. In the third district, J. G. Clark was appointed provost marshal ; E.
E. Byant, commissioner ; and John H. Vivian, examining surgeon. Headquarters at Prairie
du Chien. In the fourth district, E. L. Phillips was appointed provost marshal ; Charles
Burchard, commissioner; and L. H. Cary, examining surgeon. Headquarters at Fond du
Lac. In the fifth district, C. R. Merrill was appointed provost marshal ; William A. B'ugh,
commissioner; and H. O. Crane, examining surgeon. Headquarters at Green Bay. In the
sixth district, B. F. Cooper was appointed provost marshal-; L. S. Fisher, commissioner ; and
D. D. Cameron, examining surgeon. Headquarters at LaCrosse. The task of enrolling the
State was commenced in the month of May, and was proceeded with to its completion. The
nine months' term of service of the Thirty-fourth regiment, drafted militia, having expired, the
regiment was mustered out of service on the 8th of September.
The enrollment in Wisconsin of all persons liable to the " Conscription " amounted to
121,202. A draft was ordered to take place in November. Nearly fifteen thousand were
drafted, only six hundred and twenty-eight of whom were mustered in ; the residue either
furnished substitutes, were discharged, failed to report, or paid commutation.
In the Summer of i86i, Company " K," Captain Langworthy, of the Second Wisconsin
infantry, was detached and placed on duty as heavy artillery. His company was designated as
"A," First Regiment Heavy Artillery. This was the only one organized until the Summer of
1863; but its organization was effected outside the State. Three companies were necessary to
add to company "A" to complete the battalion. Batteries " B," " C " and " D " were, therefore,
organized in Wisconsin, all leaving the State in October and November, 1863.
Ninth Administration — James T. Lewis, Governor — 1864-1865.
James T. Lewis, of Columbia county, was inaugurated governor of Wisconsin on the fourth
of January, 1864. In an inaugural address, the incoming governor pledged himself to use no
executive patronage for a re-election ; declared he would administer the government without
prejudice or partiality ; and committed himself to an economical administration of affairs con-
nected with the State. On the thirteenth the legislature met in its seventeenth regular session.
W. W. Field was elected speaker of the assembly. The republican and union men were in
the majority in this legislature. A number of acts were passed relative to military matters.
On the I St day of October, J. L. Pickard having resigned as superintendent of public
instruction, J. G. McMynn was, by the governor, appointed to fill the vacancy. On the fif-
teenth of November, Governor Lewis appointed Jason Downer an associate justice of the
supreme court, to fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of Judge Byron Paine, who had
resigned his position to take effect on that day, in order to accept the position of lieutenant
colonel of one of the regiments of Wisconsin, to which he had been commissioned on the tenth
of August previous. The. November elections of this year were entered into with great zeal by
the two parties, owing to the fact that a president and vice president of the United States were
to be chosen. The republicans were victorious. Electors of that party cast their eight votes
for Lincoln and Johnson. The members elected to the thirty - ninth congress from Wisconsin
at this election were : from the first district, H. E. Paine ; from the second, I. C. Sloan ; from
the third, Amasa Cobb; from the fourth, C. A. Eldredge; from the fifth, Philetus Sawyer; and
86 HISTORY or WISCONSIN.
from the sixth district, W. D. Mclndoe. All were republicans except Eldredge, who was
elected as a democrat.
The Eighteenth regular session of the Wisconsin legislature began in Madison on the elev-
enth of January, 1865. W. W. Field was elected speaker of the assembly. The legislature
was, as to its political complexion, "Republican Union." On the tenth of April, the last day of
the session. Governor Lewis informed the legislature that General Lee and his army had sur-
rendered. " Four years ago," said he, " on the day fixed for adjournment, the sad news of the
fall of Fort Sumter was transmitted to the legislature. To-day, thank God ! and next to Him ^
the brave officers and soldiers of our army and navy, I am permitted to transmit to you the
official' intelligence, just received, of the surrender of General Lee and his army, the last prop
of the rebellion. Let us rejbice, and thank the Ruler of the Universe for victory and the pros-
pects of an honorable peace.'' In February preceding, both houses ratified the constitutional
amendment abolishing slavery in the United States. At the Spring election, Jason Downer was
chosen associate justice of the supreme court for a full term of six years. The twentieth of
April was set apart by the governor as a day of thanksgiving for the overthrow of the rebellion
and restoration of peace. At the Fall election both parties, republican and democratic, had
tickets in the field. The republicans were victorious, electing Lucius Fairchild, governor;
Wyman Spooner, lieutenant governor ; Thomas S. Allen, secretary of state ; William E. Smith,
state treasurer; Charles R. Gill, attorney general; John G. McMynn, superintendent of
public instruction; J. M. Rusk, bank comptroller; and Henry Cordier, state prison commis-
sioner.
War of Secession — ^^ Lewis' Administration.
The military officers for 1864 were besides the governor (who was commander-in-chief)
Brigadier General Augustus Gaylord, adjutant general; Colonel S. Nye Gibbs, assistant adju-
tant general ; Brigadier General Nathaniel F. Lund, quartermaster and commissary general,
and chief of ordnance ; Brigadier General E. B. Wolcott, surgeon general ; and Colonel Frank
H. Firmin, military secretary. The legislature met at Madison on the 13th of January, 1864.
"In response to the call of the General Government," said the governor, in his message to that
body, " Wisconsin had sent to the field on the first day of November last, exclusive of three
months' men, thirty - four regiments of infantry, three regiments and one company of cavalry,
twelve batteries of light artillery, three batteries of heavy artillery, and one company of sharp-
shooters, making an aggregate of forty-one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five men."
Quite a number of laws were passed at this session of the legislature relative to military
matters : three were acts to authorize towns, cities and villages to raise money by tax for the
payment of bounties to volunteers; one revised, amended and consolidated all laws relative to
extra pay to Wisconsin soldiers in the servipe of the United States ; one provided for the proper
reception by the State, of Wisconsin volunteers returning from the field of service; another
repealed the law relative to allotment commissioners. One was passed authorizing the gov-
ernor to purchase flags for regiments or batteries whose flags were lost or destroyed in the
service : another was passed amending the law suspending the sale of lands mortgaged to the
State or held by volunteers, so as to apply to drafted men ; another provided for levying a State
tax of $200,000 for the support of families of volunteers. A law was passed authorizing the
governor to take care of the sick and wounded soldiers of Wisconsin, and appropriated ten
thousand dollars for that purpose. Two other acts authorized the borrowing of money for repel-
ling invasion, suppressing insurrection, and defending the State in time of war. One act pro- '
hibited the taking of fees for procuring volunteers' extra bounty ; another one defined the resi-
dence of certain soldiers from this St--.te in the service of the United States, who had received
WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 87
local bounties from towns other than their proper places of residence.
At the commencement of 1864, there were recruiting in the State the Thirty-fifth regiment
of infantry and the Thirteenth battery. The latter was mustered in on the agth of December,
1863, and left the State for New Orleans on the 28th of January, 1864. In February, authority
was given by the war department to organize the Thirty-sixth regiment of infantry. On the
27th of that month, the mustering .n of the Thirty-fifth was completed at " Camp Washburn "
— Colonel Henry Orff — the regiment, one thousand and sixty-six strong, leaving the State on the
i8th of April, 1864, for Alexandria, Louisiana. The other regiments, recruited and mustered
into the service of the United States during the year 1864, were: the. Thirty-sixth — Colonel
Frank A. Haskell ; the Thirty-seventh — Colonel Sam Harriman ; the Thirty-eighth — Colonel
James Bintliff; the Thirty -ninth — Colonel Edwin L. Buttrick; the Fortieth — Colonel W.
Augustus Ray; the Forty-first — Lieutenant Colonel George B. Goodwin; the Forty-second —
Colonel Ezra T. Sprague ; the Forty-third — Colonel Amasa Cobb.
The regiments mustered into the service of the United States during the year 1865 were:
the Forty-fourth — Colonel George C. Symes ; the Forty-fifth^Colonel Henry F. Belitz; Forty-
sixth — Colonel Frederick S. Lovell ; Forty-seventh — Colonel George C. Ginty ; Forty-eighth —
Colonel Uri B. Pearsall ; Forty-ninth — Colonel Samuel Fallows; Fiftieth— Colonel John G.
Clark ; Fifty-first — Colonel Leonard Martin ; Fifty-second — Lieutenant Colonel Hiram J. Lewis ;
and Fifty-third — Lieutenant Colonel Robert T. Pugh.
All of the fifty-three regiments of infantry raised in Wisconsin during the war, sooner or
later moved to the South and were engaged there in one way or other, in aiding to suppress the
rebellion. Twelve of these regiments were assigned to duty in the eastern division, which con-
stituted the territory on both sides of the Potomac and upon the seaboard from Baltimore to
Savannah. These twelve regiments were: the First (three months). Second, Third, Fourth,
Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Nineteenth, Twenty-sixth, Thirty-sixth, Thirty-seventh, and Thirty-eighth.
Ten regiments were assigned to the central division, including Kentucky, Tennessee, Northern
Alabama, and Georgia. These ten were: the Tenth, Twenty-first, Twenty-second, Twenty-
fourth, Thirtieth, Forty-third, Forty-fourth, Forty-fifth, Forty-sixth, and Forty-seventh. Added
to these was the First (re-organized). Thirty-one regiments were ordered to the western division,
embracing the country west and northwest of the central division. These were: the Eighth,
Ninth, Eleventh, Twelfth, Thirteenth, Fourteenth, Fifteenth, Sixteenth, Seventeenth, Eighteenth,
Twentieth, Twenty-third, Twenty-fifth, Twenty-seventh, Twenty-eighth, Twenty-ninth, Thirty-first,
Thirty-second, Thirty-third, Thirty-fourth, Thirty-fifth, Thirty-ninth, Fortieth, Forty-first, Forty-
second, Forty-eighth, Forty-ninth, Fiftieth, Fifty-first, Fifty-second, and Fifty-third. During the
war several transfers were made from one district to another. There were taken from the eastern
division, the Third and Twenty-sixth, and sent to the central division; also the Fourth, which
was sent to the department of the gulf. The Twelfth, Thirteenth, Fifteenth, Sixteenth, Seven-
teenth, Eighteenth, Twenty-fifth, Thirtieth, Thirty-first and Thirty-second were transferred from
the western to the central department.
The four regiments of cavelry were assigned to the western division — the First regiment
being afterward transferred to the central division. Of the thirteen batteries of light artillery, the
Second, Fourth, and Eleventh, were assigned to the eastern division ; the First and Third, to
the central division ; the Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, Ninth, Tenth, Twelfth, and Thirteenth,
to the western division. During the war, the First was transferred to the western division ; while
the Fifth, Sixth, Eighth, Tenth, and Twelfth, were transferred to the central division. Of the
twelve batteries of the First regiment of heavy artillery — "A," "E," "F," "G," "H," "I,"
"K," "L," and "M," were assigned to duty in the eastern division ; "B" and "C," to the central
88
HISTOEY or WISCONSIN.
division; and "D,"' to the western division. Company "G," First regiment Berdan's sharp-
shooters, was assigned to the eastern division.
The military officers of the State for 1865 were the same as the previous year, except that
Brigadier General Lund resigned his position as quartermaster general, James M. Lynch being
appointed in his place. The legislature of this year met in Madison on the nth of January.
" To the calls of the Government for troops," said Governor Lewis, in his message, " no State
has responded with greater alacrity than has Wisconsin. She has sent to the field, since the
commencement of the war, forty-four regiments of infantry, four regiments and one company of
cavalry, one regiment of heavy artillery, thirteen batteries of light artillery, and one company of
•sharpshooters, making an aggregate (exclusive of hundred day men) of seventy-five thousand
one hundred and thirty-three men."
Several military laws were passed at this session : one authorizing cities, towns, and villages
to pay bounties to volunteers; another, incorporating the, Wisconsin Soldiers' Home; two others,
amending the act relative " to the commencement and prosecution of civil actions against persons
in the military service of the country." One was passed authorizing the pa.yment of salaries,
clerk hire, and expenses, of the offices of the adjutant general and quartermaster general from
the war fund ; another, amending the act authorizing commissioned officers to take acknowledg-
ment of deeds, affidavits and depositions; another, amending the act extending the right of
suffrage to soldiers in the field. One act provides for correcting and completing the records of
the adjutant general's office, relative to the military history of the individual niembers of the
several military organizations of this State ; another fixes the salary of the adjutant general and
the quartermaster general, and their clerks and assistants ; another prohibits volunteer or sub-
stitute brokerage. One act was passed supplementary and explanatory of a previous one of the
, same session, authorizing towns, cities, or villages, to raise money to pay bounties to volunteers ;
another, amending a law of 1864, relating to the relief of soldiers' families; and another, pro-
viding for the establishment of State agencies for the relief , and care of sick, wounded, and
disabled Wisconsin soldiers. There was an act also passed, authorizing the borrowing of money
for a period not exceeding seven months, to repel invasion, suppress insurrection, and defend the
State in time of war, — the amount not to exceed $850,000.
On the 13th of April, 1865, orders were received to discontinue recruiting in Wisconsin, and
to discharge all drafted men who had not been mustered in. About the first of May, orders
were issued for the muster out of all organization's whose term of service would expire on or
before the first of the ensuing October. As a consequence, many Wisconsin soldiers were soon
on their way home. State military officers devoted their time to the reception of returning
regiments,, to their payment by the United States, and to settling with those who were entitled to
extra pay from the State. Finally, their employment ceased — the last soldier was mustered out
— the War of the Rebellion was at an end. Wisconsin had furnished to the federal army during
the conflict over ninety thousand men, a considerable number more than the several requisitions
of the General Government called for. Nearly eleven thousand of these were killed or died of
wounds received in battle, or fell victims to diseases contracted in the military service, to say
nothing of those who died after their discharge, and whose deaths do not appear upon the mili-
tary records. Nearly twelve million dollars were expended by the State authorities, and the
people of the several counties and towns throughout the State, in their efforts to sustain the
National Government.
Wisconsin feels, as well she may, proud of her record made in defense of national existence.
Shoulder to shoulder with the other loyal States of the Union, she stood — always ranking among
the foremost. From her workshops, her farms, her extensive pineries, she poured forth stalwart
WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 89
men, to fill up the organizations which she sent to the field. The blood of these brave men
drenched almost every battle-field from Pennsylvania to the Rio Grande, from Missouri to
Georgia. To chronicle the deeds and exploits — the heroic achievements — the noble enthusiasm
— of the various regiments and military organizations sent by her to do battle against the hydra-
headed monster secession — would be a .lengthy but pleasant task ; but these stirring annals
belong to the history of our whole country. Therein will be told the story which, to the latest
time in the existence of this republic, will be read with wonder and astonishment. But an out-
line of the action of the State authorities and their labors, and of the origin of the various
military organizations, in Wisconsin, to aid in the suppression of the rebellion, must needs
contain a reference to other helps employed — mostly incidental, in many cases wholly charitable,
but none the less effective : the sanitary operations of the State during the rebellion.
Foremost among the sanitary operations of Wisconsin during the war of the rebellion was
the organization of the surgeon general's department — to the end that the troops sent' to the
field from the State should have a complete and adequate supply of medicine and instruments as
well as an efficient medical staff. In r86i, Governor Randall introduced the practice of appoint-
ing agents to travel with the regiments to the field, who were to take charge of the sick. The
practice was not continued by Governor Harvey. On the 17th of June, 1862, an act of the
legislature became a law authorizing the governor to take care of the sick and wounded soldiers
of Wisconsin, and appropriated twenty thousand dollars for that purpose. Under this law
several expeditions were sent out of the State to look after the unfortunate sons who were
suffering from disease or wounds. Soldiers' aid societies were formed throughout the State soon
after the opening scenes of the rebellion. When temporary sanitary operations were no longer
a necessity in Wisconsin, there followed two military benevolent institutions intended to be of a
permanent character : the Soldiers' Home at Milwaukee, and the Soldiers' Orphans' Home at
Madison. The latter, however, has been discontinued. The former, started as a State institu-
tion, is now wholly under the direction and support of the General Government.
Whether in the promptitude of her responses to the calls made on her by the General Govern-
ment, in the courage or constancy of her soldiery in the field, or in the wisdom and efficiency with
which her civil administration was conducted during the trying period covered by the war of the
rebellion, Wisconsin proved herself the peer of any loyal State.
TABULAR STATEMENT.
We publish on the following pages the report of the Adjutant General at the close of the war,
but before all the Wisconsin organizations had been mustered out. It shows how many brave men
courageously forsook homes, friends and the comforts of peaceful avocations, offering their lives
in defense of their country's honor. Twenty-two out of every hundred either died, were killed or
wounded. Thirteen out of every hundred found a soldier's grave, while only 60 per cent of them
marched home at the end of the war. Monuments may crumble, cities fall into decay, the tooth
of time leave its impress on all the works of man, but the memory of the gallant deeds of the
army of the Union in the great war of the rebellion, in which the sons of Wisconsin bore so
conspicuous a part, will live in the minds of men so long as time and civilized governments endure.
90
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HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
Tenth Administration. — Lucius Fairchild, Governor — 1866-1867.
The inauguration of the newly elected State officers took place on Monday, January r,
1866. The legislature, in its nineteenth regular session, convened on the tenth. H. D. Barron
was elected speaker of the assembly. The " Union " and " Republican " members were in a
majority in both branches of the legislature. " Our first duty," said Governor Fairchild in his
message, "i% to give thanks to Almighty God for all His mercies during the year that is past.''
" The people of no nation on earth," he continued, " have greater cause to be thankful than
have our people. The enemies of the country have been overthrown in battle. The war has
settled finally great questions at issue between ourselves." Among the joint resolutions passed
at this session was one submitting the question of a constitutional convention to frame a new
constitution for the State, to the people. The legislature adjourned on the twelfth of April,
having been in session ninety-three days. At the general election in November of this year,
there were elected to the Fortieth congress : H. E. Paine, from the first district; B. F. Hopkins,
from the second ; Amasa Cobb, from the third ; C. A. Eldredge, from the fourth ; Philetus
Sawyer, from the fifth, and C. C. Washburn, from the sixth district. All were republicans
except Eldredge, who was elected as a democrat. The proposition for a constitutional conven-
tion was voted upon by the people at this election, but was defeated.
The -twentieth session of the legislature commenced on the ninth of January, 1867.
Angus Cameron was elected speaker of the assembly. The legislature was strongly " Repub-
lican-Union." The message of Governor Fairchild was read by him in person, on the tenth.
On the twenty-third, the two houses, in joint convention, elected Timothy O. Howe United
States senator for the term of six years, commencing on the fourth of March next ensuing.
This legislature passed an act submitting to the people at the next Fall election an amendment
to section twenty-one of article four of the constitution of the State, providing for paying a
salary of three hundred and fifty dollars to each member of the legislature, instead of a per
dietfi allowance, as previously given. A sine die adjournment took place on the eleventh of April,
after a service of ninety-three days.
To provide for the more efficient collection of license fees due the State, an act, approved
on the day of adjournment, authorized the governor to appoint an agent of the treasury, to
superintend and enforce the collection of fees due for licenses fixed by law. This law is still in
force, the agent holding his office at the pleasure of the executive of the State.
On the 27th of March, Chief Justice Dixon resigned his office, but was immediately
appointed by the governor to the same position. At the election in April following, associate
Justice Cole was re-elected, without opposition, for six years from the first Monday in January
following. On the 16th of August, Associate Justice Downer having resigned, Byron Paine was
appointed by the governor in his place.
The republican State ticket, in the Fall, was elected over the democratic — resulting in the
choice of Lucius Fairchild for governor ; Wyman Spooner, for lieutenant governor ; Thomas
S. Allen, Jr., secretary of state; William E. Smith, for state treasurer; Charles R. Gill, for
attorney general ; A. J. Craig, for superintendent of public instruction ; Jeremiah M. Rusk,
for bank comptroller, and Henry Cordier, for state prison commissioner. Except Craig, all
these officers were the former incumbents. The amendment to section 2 1 of article 4 of the
constitution of the State, giving the members a salary instead of a per diem allowance, was
adopted at this election. As it now stands, each member of the legislature receives, for
his services, three hundred and fifty dollars per annum, and ten cents for every mile he
travels in going to and returning from the place of the meetings of the legislature, on the most
"WISCONSIK AS A STATE. 93
usual route. In case of any extra session of the legislature, no additional compensation shall
be allowed to any member thereof, either directly or indirectly.
Eleventh Administration. — Lucius Fairchild, Governor (second term) — 1868-1869.
The Eleventh Administration in Wisconsin commenced at noon on the 6th day of January,
1868. This was the commencement of Governor Fairchild's second term. On the eighth of
January, 1868, began the twenty-first regular session of the legislature of Wisconsin. A. M.
Thomson was elected speaker of the assembly. Of the laws of a general nature passed by this
legislature, was one abolishing the office of bank comptroller, transferring his duties to the
state treasurer, and another providing for the establishing of libraries in the various townships
of the State. A visible effect was produced by the constitutional amendment allowing members
a salary, in abreviating this session, though not materially diminishing the amount of bnginess
transacted. A sine die adjournment took place on the sixth of March.
At the election in April, 1868, Chief Justice Dixon was chosen for the unexpired balance of
his own term, ending on the first Monday of January, 1870. At the same election, Byron Paine
was chosen associate justice for the unexpired balance of Associate Justice Downer's term,
ending the ist day of January, 1872. .
At the Fall election in this year, republican electors were chosen over those upon the
democratic ticket, for president and vice president ; and, as a consequence. Grant and Colfax
received the vote of Wisconsin. Of the members elected at the same time, to the forty-first
congress, all but one were republicans — Eldredge being a democrat. The successful ticket
was : H. E. Paine, from the first district; B. F. Hopkins, from the second; Amasa Cobb, from
the third ; C. A. Eldredge, frpm the fourth ; Philetus Sawyer, from the fifth, and C. C. Washburn,
from the sixth district. These were all members, form their respective districts, in the previous
congress — the only instance since Wisconsin became a State of a re-election of all the incum-
bents.
On the thirteenth of January, 1869, began the twenty-second regular session of the State
legislature. A. M. Thomson was elected speaker of the assembly. A very important duty
imposed upon both houses was the election of a United States senator in the place of James R.
Doolittle. The republicans having a majority in the legislature on joint ballot, the excitement
among the members belonging 'to that party rose to a high pitch. The candidates for nomina-
tion were Matthew H. Carpenter and C. C. Washburn. The contest was, up to that time,
unparalleled in Wisconsin for the amount of personal interest manifested. Both gentlemen had
a large lobby influence assembled at Madison. Carpenter was successful before the republican
nominating convention, on the sixth ballot. On the twenty-seventh of January, the two houses
proceeded to ratify the nomination by electing him United States senator for six years, from the
fourth of March following. One of the most important transactions entered into by the legis-
lature of 1869 was the ratification of the suffrage amendment to the constitution of the United
States. Both houses adjourned sine die on the eleventh of March — a very short session. At the
spring election, on the 6th of April, Luther S. Dixon was re-elected without opposition, chief
justice of the supreme court, for a term of six years, from the first Monday in January next
ensuing. In the Fall, both democrats and republicans put a State ticket in the field for the
ensuing election : the republicans were successful, electing Lucius Fairchild, governor ; Thad-
deus C. Pound, lieutenant governor ; Llywelyn Breese, secretary of state ; Henry Baetz, state
treasurer ; S. S. Barlow, attorney general ; george F. Wheeler, state prison commissioner ;
and A. L. Craig, superintendent of public instruction. The office of bank comptroller expired'
on the 31st day of December, 1869, the duties of the office being transferred to the state
treasurer.
94 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
At this election, an amendment to sections 5 and 9 of article five of the constitution of
the Slate was ratified and adopted by the people. Under this amendment, the governor
receives, during his continuance in office, an annual compensation of five thousand dollars, which
is in full for all traveling or other ejtpenses incident to his duties. The lieutenant governor
receives, during his continuance in office, an annual compensation of one thousand dollars.
Twelfth Administration. — Lucius Fairchjld, Governor (third term) — 1870-187 1.
On the third of January, 1870, commenced the twelfth administration in Wisconsin, Gov-
ernor Fairchild thus entering upon his third term as chief executive of the State ; the only
instance since the admission of Wisconsin into the Union, of the same person being twice
re-elected to that office. It was an emphatic recognition of the value of his services in the
gubernatorial chair. On the twelfth of -January, the twenty-third regular session of the legis-
lature of the State commenced at Madison. James M. Bingham was elected speaker of the
assembly. Before the expiration of the month. Governor Fairchild received official information
that over two hundred thousand dollars of the war claim of Wisconsin upon the General Govern-
ment had been audited, considerable more than one hundred thousand having the previous year
been allowed. In the month of March, an energetic effort was made in the legislature, by
members from Milwaukee, to remove the seat of government from Madison to their city; but
the project was defeated by a considerable majority in the assembly voting to postpone the
matter indefinitely. According to section eight of article one of the constitution, as originally
adopted, no person could be held to answer for a criminal offense unless on the presentment or
indictment of a grand jury, except in certain cases therein specified. The legislature of 1869-
proposed an amendment against the " grand jury system " of the constitution, and referred it to the
legislature of 1870 for their approval or rejection. The latter took up the proposition and
agreed to it by the proper majority, and submitted it to the people at the next election for their
ratification. The sine die adjournment of both houses took place on the seventeenth of March,
1870. On the first day of January, previous, the member of congress from the second district
of the State, B. F. Hopkins, died, and David Atwood, republican, was elected to fill the
vacancy on the fifteenth of February following.
Early in 1870, was organized the " Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters." By
an act of the legislature approved March 16, of that year, it was incorporated, having among its
specific objects, researclies and investigations in the^ various departments of the material, meta-
physical, ethical, ethnological and social sciences ; -a progressive and thorough scientific survey
of the State, with a view of determining its mineral, agricultural and other resources; the
advancement of the useful arts, through the application of science, and by the encouragement
of original invention; the encouragement of the fine arts, by means of honors and prizes
awarded to artists for original works of superior merit; the formation of scientific, economical
and art museums ; the encouragement of philological and historical research ; the collection and
preservation of historic records, and the formation of a general library; and the diffusion of
knowledge by the publication of original contributions to science, literature and the arts. The
academy has already published four volumes of transactions, under authority of the State.
The fourth charitable institution established by Wisconsin was the " Northern Hospital for
the Insane," located at Oshkosh, Winnebago county. It was authorized by an act of the legis-
lature approved March 10, 1870. The law governing the admission of patients to this hospital
is the same as to the Wisconsin State Hospital.
WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 95
On the third day of July, 1870, A. J. Craig, superintendent of public instruction, died of
consumption, and Samuel Fallows was, on the 6th of that month, appointed by the governor
to fill the place made vacant by his death. The census taken this year by the General Govern-
ment, showed the population of Wisconsin to be over one million sixty-four thousand. At the
Fall election for members to the forty-second congress, Alexander Mitchell was chosen to
represent the first district; G. W. Hazelton, the second; J. A. Barber, the third; C. A.
Eldredge, the fourth; Philetus Sawyer, the fifth ; and J. M. Rusk, the sixth district. Mitchell
and Eldredge were democrats ; the residue were republicans. The amendment to section 8, of
article 7 of the constitution of the State, abolishing the grand jury system was ratified by a
large majority. Under it, no person shall be held to answer for a criminal offense without due
process of law, and no person, for the same offense, shall be put twice in jeopardy of punishment,
nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself. All persons shall,
before conviction, be bailable by sufficient sureties, except for capital offenses when the proof is
evident and the presumption great; and the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be
suspended unless, when in cases of rebellion or invasion, the public safety may require it.
Governor Fairchild, in his last annual message to the legislature, delivered to that body at
its twenty-fourth regular session beginning on the eleventh of January, 187 1, said that Wisconsin
State polity was so wisely adapted to the needs of the people, and so favorable to the growth
and prosperity of the commonwealth, as to require but few changes at the hands of the legisla-
ture, and those rather of detail than of system. At the commencement of this session, William
E. Smith was elected speaker of the assembly. A very carefully-perfected measure of this
legislature was one providing for the trial of criminal offenses on information, without' the inter-
vention of a Grand Jury. A state commissioner of immigration, to be elected by the people, was
provided for. Both bodies adjourned sine die on the twenty-fifth of March. On the thirteenth
of January preceding. Associate Justice Byro.i Paine, of the supreme court, died; whereupon
the governor, on tlie 20th of the same month, appointed in his place, until the Spring election
should be held, William Penn Lyon. The latter, at the election in April, was chosen by the
people to serve the unexpired time of Associate Justice Paine, ending the first Monday of Jan-
uary, 1872, and for a full term of six years from the same date. On the 3d of April, Ole C.
Johnson was appointed by the governor state commissioner of immigration, to serve until his
successor at the next general election could be chosen by the people. To the end that the
administration of public charity and correction should thereafter be conducted upon sound
principles of economy, justice and humanity, and that the relations existing between the State
and its dependent and criminal classes might be better understood, there was, by an act of the
legislature, approved March 23, 1871, a "state board of charities and reform" created — to
consist of five members to be appointed by the governor of the State, the duties of the members
being to investigate and supervise the whole system of charitable and correctional institutions
supported by the State or receiving aid from the State treasury, and on or before the first day of
December in each year to report their proceedings to the executive of the State. This board
was thereafter duly organized and its members have since reported annually to the governor
their proceedings and the amount of their expenses, as required by law.
The "Wisconsin State Horticultural Society," although previously organized, first under the
name of the " Wisconsin Fruit Growers' Association," was not incorporated until the 24th of
March, 1871 — the object of the society being to improve the condition of horticulture, rural
adornment and landscape gardening. By a law of 1868, provision was made for the publication
of the society's transactions in connection with the State agricultural society ; but by the act
''O HISTOEY OF WISCONSIN.
of 187 1, this law was repealed and an appropriation made for their yearly publication in separate
form; resulting in the issuing, up to the preseilt time, of nine volumes. The society holds-
annual meetings at Madison.
At the November election both republicans and democrats had a full ticket for the suffrages
of the people. The republicans were successful, electing for governor, C. C. Washburn; M. H.
Pettitt, for lieutenant governor ; Llywelyn Breese, for secretary of state ; Henry Baetz, for state
treasurer; Samuel Fallows, for superintendent of public instruction ; S. S. Barlow, for attorney
general ; G. F. Wheeler, for state prison commissioner ; and O. C. Johnson, for state commis-
sioner of immigration. At this election an amendment to article four of the constitution of the
State was ratified and adopted by the people. As it now stands, the legislature is prohibited
from enacting any special or private laws in the following cases : 1st. For changing the names of
persons or constituting one person the heir-at-law of another. 2d. For laying out, opening, or
altering highways, except in cases of State roads extending into more than one county, and mili-
tary roads to aid in the construction of which lands may be granted by congress. 3d. For
authorizirig persons to keep ferries across streams, at points wholly within this State. 4th. For
authori^ng the sale or mortgage of real or personal property of minors or others under disability. ■
5th. For locating or changing any county seat. 6th. For assessment or collection of taxes or for
extending the time for the collection thereof. 7th. For granting corporate powers or privileges^
except to cities. 8th. For authoriziftg the apportionment of any part of the school fund. 9th.
For incorporating any town or village, or to amend the charter thereof. The legislature shall
provide general laws for the transaction of any business that may be prohibited in the foregoing
cases, and all such laws shall be uniform in their operation throughout the State.
Industrially considered, the year 187 1 had but little to distinguish it from the average of
previous years in the State, except that the late frosts of Spring and the drouth of Summer dimin-
ished somewhat the yield of certain crops. With the exception of slight showers of only an hour
or two's duration, in the month of September, no rain fell in Wisconsin from the eighth of July to
the ninth of October — a period of three months. The consequence was a most calamitous event
which will render the year 1871 memorable in the history of the State.
The great drouth of the Summer and Fall dried up the streams and swamps in Northern
Wisconsin. In the forests, the fallen leaves and underbrush which covered the ground became
very ignitable. The ground itself, especially in cases of alluvial or bottom lands, was so dry and
parched as to burn readily to the depth of a foot or more. For many days preceding the com-
mencement of the second week in October fires swept through the timbered country, and in some
instances over prairies and " openings." Farmers, saw-mill owners, railroad men and all others
interested in exposed property, labored day and night in contending against the advance of
devouring fires, which were destroying, notwithstanding the ceaseless energies of the people, an
occasional mill or house and sweeping off, here and there, fences, haystacks and barns. Over the
counties lying upon Green bay and a portion of those contiguous thereto on the south, southwest
and west, hung a general gloom. No rain came. All energies were exhausted from " fighting
fire." The atmosphere was every where permeated with smoke. The waters of the bay and
even Lake Michigan, in places, were so enveloped as to render navigation difficult and in some
iristances dangerous. It finally became very difficult to travel upon highways and on railroads.
Time drew on — but there came no rain. The ground in very many places was burned over.
Persons sought refuge — some in excavations in the earth, others in wells.
The counties of Oconto, Brown, Kewaunee, Door, Manitowoc, Outagamie and Shawano
were all more or less swept by this besonl of destruction ; but in Oconto county, and for some
distance into Menomonee county, Michigan, across the Menomonee river, on the west shore of
WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 97
the bay and throughout the whole length and breadth of the peninsula, — that is, the territory-
lying between the bay and Lake Michigan, — the fires were the most devastating. The first week
in October passed ; then came an actual whirlwind of fire — ten or more miles in width and of
indefinite length. The manner of its progress was extraordinary. It destroyed a vast amount of
property and many lives. It has been described as a tempestuous sea of flame, accompanied by
a most violent hurricane, which multiplied the force of the destructive element. Forests, farm
improvements and entire villages were consumed. Men, women and children perished — awfully
perished. Even those who fled' and sought refuge from the fire in cleared fields, in swamps,
lakes and rivers, found, many of them, no safety there, but were burned to death or died of suf-
focation.
This dreadful and consuming fire was heralded by a sound likened to that of a railroad
train — to the roar of a waterfall — to the noise of a battle at a distance. Not human beings
only, but horses, oxen, cows, dogs, swine — every thing that had life — ran to escape the impend-
ing destruction. The smoke was suffocating and blinding ; the roar of the tempest deafening ;
the atmosphere scorching. Children were separated from their parents, and trampled upon by
crazed beasts. Husbands and wives rushed in wild dismay, they knew not where. Death rode
triumphantly upon that devastating, fiery flood. More than one thousand men, women and
children perished. More than three thousand were rendered destitute — utterly beggared.
Mothers were left with fatherless children ; fathers with motherless children. Every where were
homeless orphans. All around lay suffering, helpless humanity, biirned and maimed. _ Such was
the sickening spectacle after the impetuous and irresistible wave of fire swept over that portion
of the State. This appalling calamity happened on the 8th and gth of October. ' The loss of
property has been estimated at four million dollars.
At the tidings of this fearful visitation. Governor Fairchild hastened to the burnt district, to
assist, as much as was in his power, the distressed sufferers. He issued, on the 13th of the
month, a stirring appeal to the citizens of Wisconsin, for aid. . It was promptly responded to
from all portions of the State outside the devastated region. Liberal contributions in money,
clothing and provisions were sent — some from other States, and even from foreign countries.
Northwestern Wisconsin also suffered severely, during these months of drouth, from large fires.
A compilation of the public statutes of Wisconsin was prepared during the year 1871, by
David Taylor, and published in two volumes, generally known as the Revised Statutes of 187 1.
It was wholly a private undertaking ; but the legislature authorized the secretary of state to
purchase five hundred copies for the use of the State, at its regular session in 1872.
THIRTEE^fTH ADMINISTRATION. C. C. WaSHBURN, GOVERNOR 1872-1873.
The thirteenth gubernatorial administration in Wisconsin commenced on Monday, January
I, 1872. The only changes made, in the present administration from ^the previous one, were in
the offices of governor and lieutenant governor.
The twenty-fifth regular session of the legislature began on the loth of January, with a
republican majority in both houses. Daniel Hall was elected speaker of the assembly. The
next day the governor delivered to a joint convention of the legislature his first annual message
— a lengthy document, setting forth in detail the general condition, of State affairs. The recent
great conflagrations -vvere referred to, and relief suggested. The work of this session of the Leg-
islature was peculiarly difficult, owing to the many general laws which the last constitutional
amendment made necessary. The apportionment of the State into new congressional districts
was another perplexing and onerous task. Eight districts were formed instead of six, as at the
commencement of the last decade. By this, the fourth congressional apportionment, each district
98
HISTORY OF WISCOKSTN".
elects one member. The first district consists of the counties of Rock, Racine, Kpnosha, Wal-
worth, and Waukesha ; the second, of Jefferson, Dane, Sauk, and Columbia ; the third* of Grant,
Iowa, LaFayette, Green, Richland, and Crawford ; the fourth, of Milwaukee, Ozaukee, and Wash-
ington ; the fifth, of Dodge, Fond du Lac, Sheboygan and Manitowoc ; the sixth, of Green Lake,
Waushara, Waupaca, Outagamie, Winnebago, Calumet, Brown, Kewaunee and Door ; the sev-
enth, of Vernon, La Crosse, Monroe, Jackson, Trenipealeau, Buffalo, Pepin, Pierce, St. Croix, Eau
Claire, and Clark ; the eighth, of Oconto, Shawano, Portage, Wood, Juneau, Adams, Marquette,
Marathon, Dunn, Chippewa, Barron, Polk, Burnett, Bayfield, Douglas, and Ashland. To this
district have since been added the new counties of Lincoln, Taylor, Price, Marinette and New.
\ After a session of seventy-seven days, the legislature finished its work, adjourning on the
twenty-seventh of March. At the ensuing November election, the republican ticket for presi-
dent and vice president of the United States was successful. The ten electors chosen cast their
votes in the electoral college for Grant and Wilson. In the eight congressional districts, six
republicans and two democrats were elected to the forty-third congress ; the last mentioned
from the fourth and fifth districts. C. G. Williams represented the first district ; G. W. Hazel-
ton the second ; J. Allen Barber the third ; Alexander Mitchell the fourth ; C. A. Eldredge the
fifth ; Philetus Sawyer the sixth ; J. M. Rusk the seventh ; and A. G. McDill the eighth district.
Throughout Wisconsin, as in all portions of the Union outside ,the State, a singular pesti-
lence prevailed among horses in the months of November and December, 1872, very few escap-
ing. Horjes kept in warm, well ventilated stables, avoiding currents of air, with little or no
medicine, and fed upon nutritious and laxative food, soon recovered. Although but few died,
yet the loss to the State was considerable, especially in villages and cities, resulting from the difii-
culty to substitute other animals iii the place of the horse during the continuance of the disease.
The twenty-sixth regular session of the State legislature commenced on the eighth day of
January, 1873, with a republican majority in both houses. Henry D. Barron was elected
speaker of the assembly. On the ninths- Governor Washburn's message — his second annual
one — was delivered to the two houses. Itopened with a brief reference to the abundant returns
from agricultural pursuits, to the developments of the industries of the state, to the advance in
manufacturing; to the rapid exten,sioh in railways, and to the general and satisfactory progress in
education; throughout Wisconsin. He followed with several recoinmendations — claiming that
"many vast and overshadowing corporations in the United States are justly a source of alarm,"
and that " the legislature can not scan too closely every measure that should come before it
which proposed, to give additional rights and privileges to the railways of the state." He also
recommended that the " granting of passes to the class of state officials who, through their public
office, have power to confer or withhold benefits to a railroad company, be prohibited." The
message was favorably commented upon by the press of the state, of all parties. " If Governor
Washburn," says one of the ' opposition papers of his administration, " is not a great statesman,
he is certainly not a small politician.'' One of the first measures of this legislature was the elec-
tion of United States senator, to fill the place of Timothy O. Howe, whose term of office w®uld
expire on the fourth of March next ensuing On the twenty-second of January the two houses
met in joint convention, when it was announced that by the previous action of the senate and
assembly, Timothy O. Howe was again elected to that office for the term of six years. On the
twentieth of March, the legislature adjourned sine die, after a session of seventy-two days.
Milton H. Pettitt, the lieutenant governor, died on the 23d day of March following the
adjournment. By this sudden and unexpected death, the State lost an upright and conscientious
public officer.
FOND DU LAC
WISCOKSTK AS A STATE. 99
Among the important acts passed by this legislature was one providing for a geological sur-
vey of the State, to be begun in Ashland and Douglas counties, and completed within four years,
by a chief geologist and four assistants, to be appointed by the governor, appropriating for the
work an annual payment of thirteen thousand d6llars. An act providing for a geological survey,
of the State, passed by the legislature, and approved March 25, 1853, authorized the governor to
appoint a state geologist, who was to select a suitable person as assistant geologist. Their
duties were to make a geological and mineralogical survey of the State. Under this law Edward
Daniels, on the first day of April, 1853, was appointed state geologist, superseded on the 12th
day of August, 1854, by James G. Percival, who died in office on the 2d of May, 1856, at Hazel
Green. By an act approved' March 3, 1857, James Hall, Ezra Carr and Edward Daniels were
appointed by the legislature geological commissioners. By an act approved April 2, r86o. Hall
was made principal of the commission. The survey was interrupted by a repeal, March 21, 1862,
of previous laws promoting it. However, to complete the survey, the matter was reinstated by
the act of this legislature, approved March 29, the governor, under that act, appointing as chief
geologist Increase A. Lapham, April ro, 1873.
Another act changed the management of the state prison — providing for the appointment
by the governor of three directors; one for two years, one for four years, and one for six years,
in place of a state prison commissioner, who had. been elected by the people every two years,
along with other officers of the State.
At the Spring election, Orsamus Cole, who had been eighteen years upon the bench, was
re-elected, without opposition, an associate justice of the supreme court, for a term of six years
from the first Monday in January following. The two tickets in the field at 'the Fall election
were the republican and the people's reform. The latter was successful ; the political scepter
pissing out of the hands of the republicans, after a supremacy in the State continuing unbroken
since the beginning of the seventh administration, when A. W. Randall (governor for a second
term) and the residue of the State officers were elected — all republicans.
The general success among the cultivators of the soil throughout the state during the year,
notwithstanding "the crisis," was marked and satisfactory; but the financial disturbances during
the latter part of the Fall and the first part of the Winter, resulted in a general depreciation of
prices.
Fourteenth Administration. — William R. Taylor, Governor — 1874-75.
The fourteenth administration of Wisconsin commenced at noon on Monday, the fifth day
of January, 1874, by the inauguration of William R. Taylor as governor; Charles D. Parker,
lieutenant governor; Peter Doyle, secretary of state; Ferdinand Kuehn, state treasurer;
A. Scott Sloan, attorney general; Edward Searing, superintendent of public instruction;
and Martin J. Argard, state commissioner of immigration. These officers were not ■
elected by any distinctive political party as such, but as the representatives of a new
political organization, including " all Democrats, Liberal Republicans, and other electors
of Wisconsin, friendly to genuine reform through equal and impartial legislation, honesty
in office, and rigid economy in the administration of affairs." Among the marked characteristics
of the platform agreed upon by the convention nominating the above-mentioned ticket was a
declaration by the members that they would " vote for no candidate for office whose nomination
is the fruit of his own importunity, or of a corrupt combination among partisan leaders ;"
another, " that the sovereignty of the State over corporations of its own creation shall be sacredly
respected, to the full extent of protecting the people against every form of monopoly or extor-
tion,'' not denying, however, an encouragement to wholesome enterprise on the part of aggre-
100 HISTORY OP WISCONSIN.
gated capital — this "plank" having special reference to a long series of alleged grievances
assumed to have been endured by the people on account of discriminations in railroad charges
and a consequent burdensome taxation upon labor — especially upon the agricultural industry of
the State.
The twenty-seventh regular session of the Wisconsin legislature commenced at Madison on
the fourteenth of January. The two houses were politically antagonistic in their majorities ; the
senate was republican, while the assembly had a " reform " majority. In the latter branch,
Gabriel Bouck was elected speaker. Governor Taylor, on the fifteenth, met the legislature in
joint convention and delivered his message. " An era," said he, "of apparent prosperity without
parallel in the previous history of the nation, has been succeeded by financial reverses affecting
all classes of industry, and largely modifying the standard of values." "Accompanying these
financial disturbances," added the governor, " has come an imperative demand from the people
for a purer political morality, a more equitable apportionment of the burdens and blessings of
government, and a more rigid economy in the administration of public affairs."
Among the important acts passed by this legislature was one generally known as the
" Potter Law," from the circumstance of the bill being introduced by Robert L. D. Potter, sen-
ator, representing the twenty-fifth senatorial district of the state. The railroad companies for
a number of years had, as before intimated, been complained of by the people, who charged them
with unjust discriminations and exorbitantly high rates for the transportation of passengers and
merchandize. All the railroad charters were granted by acts at different times of the State leg-
islature, under the constitution which declares that " corporations may be formed under general
laws, but shall not be created by a special act, exeept for municipal purposes and in cases
where, in the judgment of the legislature, the objects of the corporations can not be attained
under general laws. All general laws, or special acts, enacted under the provisions of this
section, may be altered or repealed by the legislature at any time after their passage." The
complaints of the people seem to have remained unheeided, resulting in the passage of the
"Potter Law." This law limited the compensation for the transportation of passengers, classi-
fie.d freight, and regulated prices for its transportation within the State. It also required the
governor on or before the first of May, 1874, by and with the consent of the senate, to appoint
three railroad commissioners; one for one year, one for two years, and one for three years,
whose terms of office should commence on the fourteenth day of May, and that the governor,
thereafter, on the first day of May, of each year, should appoint one commissioner for three
years. Under this law, the governor appointed J. H. Osborn, for three years ; George H. Paul,
for two years ; and J. W. Hoyt, for one year.' Under executive direction, this commission inau-
gurated its labors by compiling, classifying, and putting into convenient form for public use for
the first time, all the railroad legislation of the State.
At the outset the two chief railroad corporations of the State — the Chicago, Milwaukee and ,
St. Paul, and the Chicago and Northwestern — served formal notice upon the governor of Wis-
consin that they would not respect the provisions of the new railroad law. Under his oath of
office, to support the constitution of the State, it was the duty of Governor Taylor to expedite
all silch measures as should be resolved upon by the legislature, and to take care that the laws
be faithfully executed. No alternative, therefore, was le^'t the chief executive but to enforce the
law by all the means placed in his hands for that purpose. He promptly responded to the noti-
fication of the railroad companies by a proclamation, dated May i, 1874, in which he enjoined
compliance with the statute, declaring that all the functions of his office would be exercised in
faithfully executing the laws, and invoking the aid of all good citizens thereto. " The law of the
land," said Governor Taylor, "must be respected and obeyed." "While none," continued he,
WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 101
" are so weak as to be without its protection, none are so strong as to be above its restraints. If
provisions of the law be deemed oppressive, resistance to its mandates will not abate, but rather
multiply the anticipated evils." ''It is the right," he added, "of all to test its validity through
the constituted channels, but with that right is coupled the duty of yielding a general obedience
to its requirements until it has been pronounced invalid by competent authority."
The railroad companies claimed not merely the unconstitutionality of the law, but that its
enforcement would bankrupt the companies, and suspend the operation of their lines. The
governor, in reply, pleaded the inviolability of his oath of ofifice and his pledged faith to the people.
The result was an appeal to the courts, in which the State, under the direction of its governor,
was compelled to confront an array of the most formidable legal talent of the country. Upon
the result in Wisconsin depended the vitality of much similar legislation in neighboring States,
and Governor Taylor and his associate representatives of State authority were thus compelled
to bear the brunt of a controversy of national extent and consequence. The contention extended
both to State and United States courts, the main question involved being the constitutional
power of the State over corporations of its own creation. In all respects, the State was fully
sustained in its position, and, ultimately, judgments were rendered against the corporations in
all the State and federal courts, including the supreme court of the United States, and estab-
lishing finally the complete and^ absolute power of the people, through the legislature, to modify
or altogether repeal the charters of corporations.
Another act of the session of 1874 abolished the office of State commissioner of immigra-
tion, "on and after " the first Monday of January, T876. The legislature adjourned on th.e
twelfth of March, 1874, after a session of fifty-eight days.
The office of state prison commissioner having, by operation of law, become vacant on the
fifth day of January, 1874, the governor, on the twenty-third of that month, appointed for State
prison directors, Jpel Rich, for twj years; William E. Smith, for four years; and Nelson Dewey,
for six years : these to take the place of that officer.
On the sixteenth of June, Chief Justice Dixon, whose term of office would have expired ort
the first Monday in January, 1876, resigned his seat upon the bench of the supreme court.
Governor Taylor appointing Edward G. Ryan in his place until his successor should be elected
and qualified. At the November election of this year, the members chosen to the forty-fourth
congress were — Charles G. Williams, from the first district ; Lucian B. Caswell, from the
second; Henry S. Magoon, from the third ; William Pitt Lynde, from the fourth; Samuel D,
Burchard, from the fifth; A. M. Kimball, from the sixth; Jeremiah M. Rusk, from the seventh,
and George W. Cate, from the eighth district. Lyi^de, Burchard and Cate were " reform ; " the
residue were republican.
At the same election, an amendment to section 3 of article 11 of the constitution of the
State was duly ratified and adopted by the people. Under this section, as it now stands, it is
the duty of the legislature, and they are by it empowered, to provide for the organization of
cities and incorporated villages, and to restrict their power of taxation, assessment, borrowing
money, contracting debts, and loaning their credit, so as to prevent abuses in assessments and
taxation, and in contracting debts, by such municipal corporations. No county, city, town,
village, school district, or other municipal corporation, shall be allowed to become indebted in
any manner, or for any purpose, to any amount, including existing indebtedness in the aggregate,
exceeding five per centum on the value of the taxable property therein, to be ascertained by the
last assessment for State and county taxes previous to the incurring of such indebtedness. Any
county, city, town, village, school district, or other municipal corporation, incurring any indebt-
edness as aforesaid, shall, before, or at the time of doing so, provide for the collection of a direct
102 HISTORY or WISCONSIN.
annual tax sufficient to pay the interest on such debt as it falls due, and also to pay and discharge
the principal thereof within twenty years from the time of contracting the same.
In 1872, the first appropriation for fish culture in Wisconsin was made by the legislature,
subject to the direction of the United States commissioner of fisheries. In 1874, a further sum
was appropriated, and the governor of the State authorized to appoint three commissioners,
whose duties were, upon receiving any spawn or fish, by or through the United States commis-
sioner of fish and fisheries, to immediately place such spawn in the care of responsible pisci-
culturists of the State, to be hatched and distributed in the different waters in and surrounding
Wisconsin. Two more members have since been added by law to the commission; their labors
have been much extended, and liberal appropriations made to further the object they have in
view — with flattering prospects of their finally, being able to stock the streams and lakes of the
State with the best varieties of food fish.
The year 1874, in Wisconsin, was characterized as one of general prosperity among farmers,
excepting the growers of wheat. The crop of that cereal was light, and, in places, entirely
destroyed by the chinch-bug. As a consequence, considerable depression existed in business in
the wheat-growing districts. Trade and commerce continued throughout the year at a low ebb,
the direct result of the monetary crisis of 1873.
The legislature commenced its twenty-eighth regular session on the thirteenth of January,
1875, with a republican majority in both houses. F. W. Horn was elected speaker of the
assembly. The governor delivered his message in person, on the fourteenth, to the two houses.
"Thanking God for all His mercies," are his opening words, " I' congratulate you that order and
peace reign throughout the length and breadth of our State. Our material prosperity has not
fulfilled our anticipations. But let us remember that we bear no burden of financial depression
not common to all the States, and that the penalties of folly are the foundation of wisdom." In
regard to the " Potter Law," the governor said, " It is not my opinion that this, law expressed the
best judgment of the legislature which enacted it. While the general principles upon which it
is founded command our unqualified approbation, and can never be surrendered, it must be
conceded that the law is defective in some of its details. . . . The great object sought to be
accomplished by our people," continued the speaker, "is not the management of railroad property
by themselves, but to prevent its mismanagement by others." Concerning the charge that
Wisconsin was warring upon railways within her limits, the governor added, "She has never
proposed such a war. She proposes none now. She asks only honesty, justice and the peace of
mutual good will. To all men concerned, her people say in sincerity and in truth that every
dollar invested in our State shall be lawfully entitled to its just protection, whencesoever the
danger comes. In demanding justice for all, the State will deny justice to none. In forbidding
mismanagement, the State will impose no restraints upon any management that is honest and
just. In this, the moral and hereditary instincts of our people furnish a stronger bond of good
faith than the judgments of courts or the obligations of paper constitutions. Honest capital
may be timid and easily frightened; yet it is more certain to seek investment among a people
whose laws are at all times a shield for the weak and a reliance for the strong — where the
wholesome restraints of judicious legislation are felt alike by the exalted and the humble, the
rich and the poor.''
The first important business to be transacted by this legislature was the election of a United
States senator, as the term for which M. H. Carpenter had been elected would expire on the
fourth of March ensuing. Much interest was manifested in the matter, not only, in the ,two
houses, but throughout the State. There was an especial reason for this ; for, although the then
WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 103
incumbent was a candidate for re-election, with a republican majority in the legislature, yet it
was well known fhat enough members of that party were pledged, before the commencement of
the session, to vote against him, to secure his defeat, should they stand firm to their pledges.
The republicans met in caucus and nominated Carpenter for re-election; but the recalcitrant
members held themselves aloof. Now, according to usual precedents, a nomination by the domi-
nant party was equivalent to an election ; not so, however, in this case, notwithstanding the friends
of the nominee felt sanguine of his election in the end. The result of the first ballot, on the
twenty-sixth of January, was, in the senate, thirteen for the republican candidate ; in the
assembly, forty-six votes, an aggregate of only fifty-nine. He lacked four votes in the assembly
and an equal number in the senate, of having a majority »-i each house. On the twenty-seventh,
the two houses, in joint convention, h.iving met to compare the record of the voting the day
previous, and it appearing that no one person had received a majority of the votes in each house
for United States senator, they proceeded to their first joint ballot. The result was, no election.
The balloting was continued each day, until the third of February, when, on the eleventh joint
trial, Angus Cameron, of LaCrosse, having received sitxty-eight votes, to Carpenter's fifty-nine,
with five scattering, was declared elected. ,
As in the previous session so in this, — one of the most absorbing subjects before the legisla-
ture was that of railroads; the " Potter Law" receiving a due share of attention in both houses.
The result was an amendment in some important particulars without changing the right of State
control : rates were modified. The law as amended was more favorable to the railroad compa-
nies and was regarded as a compromise. The legislature adjourned sine die on the 6th of March.
This was the shortest session ever held in the State except one of twenty-five years previous.
On the i6th of February, O. W. Wight was appointed by the governor chief geologist of
Wisconsin, in place of I. A. Lapham, whose appointment had not been acted upon by the Senate.
On the 24th of the same month, J. \V. Hoyt was appointed railroad commissioner for three
years from the first day of May following, on which day his one-year term in the same ofiice would
expire. At the regular Spring election on the 6th of April following, Edward G. Ryan was
elected, -yirithout opposition, chief justice of the supreme court for the unexpired terra of Chief
Justice Dixon, ending the first Monday in January, 1876, and for a full term of six years from
the last mentioned date ; so that his present term of office will expire on the ist Monday in Jan-
uary, 1882. An act providing for taking the census of Wisconsin on or before the ist of July,
187s, was passed by the legislature and approved the 4th of March pi evious. It required an
enumeration of all the inhabitants of the State except Indians, who were not entitled to the right
of suffrage. The result of this enumeration gave a total population to Wisconsin of one million
two hundred and thirty-six thousand seven hundred and twenty-nine.
At the November election, republican and " reform ' tickets were in the field for State
officers, resulting in the success of the latter, except as to governor. For this office Harrison
Ludington was chosen by a majority, according to the State board of canvassers, over William
R. Taylor, of eight hundred and forty-one. The rest of the candidates elected were : Charles
D. Parker, lieutenant governor; Petei Doyle, secretary of state; Ferdinand Kuehn, treasurer
of state, A. Scott Sloan, attorney general; and Edward Searing, superintendent of public
instruction. The act abolishing the office of state commissionei of immigration was to take
effect "on and after" the close of this administration ; so, 01 course, no person was voted for to
fill that position at the Fall election of 1875.
During this administration the principle involved in a long-pending controversy between the
State and Minnesota relating to valuable harbor privileges at the head of Lake Superior, was suc-
cessfully and finally settled in favor of Wisconsin. The influence of the executive was largely
104 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN".
instrumental in initiating a movement which resulted in securing congressional appropriations
amounting to $800,000 to the Fox and Wisconsin river improvement. A change was inaugu-
rated in the whole system of timber agencies over State and railroad lands, by which the duties of
agents were localized, and efficiency was so well established that many important trespasses were
brought to light from which over f6o,ooo in penalties was collected and paid into the Treasury,
while as much more was subsequently realized from settlements agreed upon and proceedings
instituted. By decisive action on the part of the governor an unsettled printing claim of nearly
a hundred thousand dollars was met and defeated in the courts. During this period also appro-
priations were cut down, and the rate of taxation diminished. Governor Taylor bestowed unre-
mitting personal attention to details of business with a view of promoting the public interests
with strict economy, while his countenance and support was extended to all legitimate enter-
prises. He required the Wisconsin Central railroad company to give substantial assurance that
it would construct a btanch line from Stevens Point to Portage City as contemplated by congress,
before issuing certificates for its land grants.
The closing year of the century of our national existence — 1875, was one somewhat discour-'
aging to certain branches of the agricultural interests of Wisconsin. The previous Winter had
been an unusually severe one. A greater breadth of corn was planted than in any previous year
in the State, but the unusually late season, followed by frosts in August and September, entirely
ruined thousands of acres of that staple.
Fifteenth Administration. — Harrison Ludington, Governor — 1876-1877.
The fifteenth administration of Wisconsin commenced at noon on Monday, January 3, 1876,
TSy the inauguration of State officers — Harrison Ludington, as previously stated, having been
■elected upon the republican ticket, to fill the chief executive office of the State ; the others, to
■the residue of the offices, upon the democratic reform ticket : the governor, like three of his
predecessors — Farwell, Bashford, and Randall (first term) — having been chosen by a majority
less than one thousand ; and, like two of his predecessors — Farwell and Bashford — when all the
other State officers differed with him in politics.
The twenty-ninth regular session of the legislature of Wisconsin began on the 12th of Janu-
ary, 1876, at Madison. The republicans were in the majority in both houses. Samuel S.
Fifield was elected speaker of the assembly. On the 13th, Governor Ludington delivered in
person, to a joint convention of that body, his message, communicating the condition of affairs of
the State, and recommending such matters for the consideration of the legislators as were thought
expedient : it was brief; its style condensed ; its striking peculiarity, a manly frankness. " It is
not the part of wisdom," said he, in his concluding remarks, " to disguise the fact that the people
of tjiis State, in common with those of all sections of the Union, have suffered some abatement of
the prosperity that they have enjoyed in the past." "We have entered," he continued, "upon
the centennial of our existence as an independent nation. It is fit that we should renew the spirit
in which the Republic had its birth, and our determination that it shall endure to fulfill the great
purposes of its existence, and to justify the noble sacrifices of its founders." The legislature
adjourned sine die on the 14th of March, 1876, after a session of sixty-three days. The chief
measures of the session were ; The amendment of the railroad laws, maintaining salutary restric-
tions while modifying those features which were crippling and crushing an important interest of
the State ; and the apportionment of the State into senate and assembly districts. It is a pro-
vision of the constitution of the State that the number of the members of the assembly shall
never be less than fifty-four, nor more than one hundred ; and that the senate shall consist of a
number not more than one-third nor less than one-fourth of the number of the members of the
■WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 105
assembly. Since the year 1862, the aggregate allotted to both houses had been one hundred and
thirty-three, the maximum allowed by the constitution ; one hundred in the assembly and thirty-
three in the senate. The number of this representation was not diminished by the apportion-
ment of 1876. One of the railroad laws abolished the board of railroad commissioners, confer-
ring its duties upon a railroad commissioner to be appointed by the governor every two years.
Under this law. DanaC. J.amb was appointed to that office, on the loth of March, 1876. On the
2d day of February, previous, George W. Burchard was by the governor appointed state prison
director for six years, in place of Joel Rich, whose term of office had expired. On the same day
T. C. Chamberlin was appointed chief geologist of Wisconsin in place of O. W. Wight.
The application of Miss Lavinia Goodell, for admission to the bar of Wisconsin, was
rejected by the supreme court of the State, at its Januarj' term, 1876. "We can not but think,"
.said Chief Justice Ryan, in the decree of refusal, " we can not but think the common law wise
in excluding women from the profession of the law." "The profession," he added, "enters
largely into the well-being of society, and, to be honorably filled, and safely to society, exacts
the devotion of life. The law of nature destines and qualifies the female sex for the bearing
and nurture of the children of our race, and for the custody of the homes of the world, and
their maintenance in love and honor, i^'id all life-long callings of women inconsistent with
these radical and social duties of their sex, as is the profession of the law, are departures from
the order of Nature, and, when voluntary, are treason against it." By a law since passed, no
person can be denied admission to any court in the State on account of sex ; and Miss Goodell
has been admitted to practice in the Supreme Court.
By an act of the legislature, approved March 13, 1876, a State board of health was estab-
lished, the appointment of a superintendent of vital statistics, was provided for, and certain
duties were assigned to local boards of health. The State board was organized soon after;
the governor having previously appointed seven persons as its members. The object of the
organization, which is supported by the State, is, to educate the people of Wisconsin into a better
knowledge of the nature and causes of disease, and a better knowledge and observance of
hygienic laws.
By a law passed in 1868, as amended in 1870 and 1873, the secretary of state, state
treasurer, and attorney general, were constituted a State board of assessment, to meet in the
city of Madison, on the third Wednesday in May, 1874, and biennally thereafter, to make an
equalized va,luation of the property in the State, as a guide to assessment for taxation. In the
tables of equalized valuations compiled by this board in 1876, the whole amount of taxable
property in Wisconsin, is set down at $423,596,290 ; of which sum $337,073,148, represents real
estate and $86,523,142 personal property.
This being the year for the election of president and vice president of the United States,
the two political parties in Wisconsin — republican and democratic — had tickets in the field.
At the election on Tuesday, November 7, the republican presidential electors received a
majority of the votes cast in the State, securing Wisconsin for Hayes and Wheeler. The eight
congressional districts elected the same day their members to the forty-fifth congress, whose
terms of office would expire on the 4th of March, 1879. Charles G. Williams was elected in the
first district; Lucien B. Caswell, in the second; George C. Hazelton, in the third; William P.
Lynde, in the fourth; Edward S. Bragg, in the fifth; Gabriel Bouck, in the sixth; H. L.
Humphrey, in the seventh; and Thad. C. Pound, in the eighth district. A majority of the
delegation was republican, the representatives from the fourth, fifth and sixth districts only, being
democrats.
^^^ HISTORY OF WISCONSDS".
There was a general and spontaneous exhibition of patriotic impulses throughout the length
and breadth of Wisconsin, on the part of both native and foreign-born citizens, at the com-
mencement of the centennial year, and upon the fourth of July. The interest of the people of
the State generally, in thd Exposition at Philadelphia, was manifested in a somewhat remarkable
manner from its inception to its close. By an act of congress, approved March 3, 187 1, pro-
vision was made for celebrating the one hundredth anniversary of American Independence, by
holding in that city, in 1.876, an exhibition of arts, manufactures, and the products of the soil
and mines of the country. A centennial commission, consisting of one commissioner and one
alternate commissioner, from each State and Territory, was authorized to be appointed, to carry
out the provisions of the act. David Atwood, as commissioner, and E. D. Holton, as alternate,
were commissioned by the president of the United States, from Wisconsin. This commission
gradually made progress in preparing for an international exposition. " The commission has
been organized," said Governor Washburn, in his message to the legislature in January, 1873,
" and has made considerable progress in its work. The occasion will be one to which ilie
American people can not fail to respond in the most enthusiastic manner." The president of
the United States, by proclamation, in July, 1873, announced the exhibition and national celebra-
tion, aAd commended them to the people of the Union, and of all nations. " It seems fitting,"
said Governor Taylor, in his message to the Wisconsin legislature in 1874, " that such a cele-
bration of this important event, should be held, and it is hoped it will be carried out in a manner
worthy of a great and enlightened nation." By the close of 1874, a large number of foreign
governments had signified their intention to participate in the exhibition.
The legislature of Wisconsin, at its session in 1875, deeming it essential that the State,
with its vast resources in agricultural, mineral, lumbering, manufacturing, and other products
and industries, should be fully represented at Philadelphia, passed an act which was approved
March 3, r875, to provide for a "Board of State Centennial Managers." Two thousand dollars
were appropriated to pay its necessary expenses. The board was to consist of five members to
be appointed by the governor ; and there were added thereto, as ex-officio members, the United
States centennial commissioner and his alternate. The duties of the members were to dis-
seminate information regarding the Exhibition ; to secure the co-operation of industrial, scien-
tific, agricultural, and other associations in the State ; to appoint co-operative local committees,
representing the different industries of the State ; to stimulate local action on all measures
intended to render the exhibition successful, and a worthy representation of the industries of
the country ; to encourage the production of articles suitable for the Exhibition ; to distribute
documents issued by the centennial commission among manufacturers and others in the State;
to render assistance in furthering the financial and other interests of the exhibition ; to furnish
information to the commission on subjects that might be referred to the board ; to care for the
interests of the State and of its citizens in matters relating to the exhibition ; to receive and
pronounce upon applications for space ; to apportion the space placed at its disposal among the
exhibitors from the State ; and to supervise such other details relating to the representation of
citizens of Wisconsin in the Exhibition, as might from time to time be delegated by the United
States centennial commission.
The board was required to meet on the first Wednesday of April, r87S, at the capitol, in
Madison, to organize and adopt such by-laws and regulations as might be deemed necessary for
the successful prosecution of the work comniitted to their charge Governor Taylor appointed
Eli Stilson, J. I. Case, J. B. Parkinson, T. C. Pound, and E. A. Calkins, members of the board.
Its organization was perfected, at ,the appointed time, by the election of J. B. Parkinson as pre-
sident, and W. W. Field, secretary. The ex-oflficio members of the board, were David Atwood,
WISCONSIN AS A STATE. lOT
United States commissioner, and E. D. Holton, alternate From this time forward, the board
was untiring in its efforts to secure a full and proper representation of the varied interests of
Wisconsin in the centennial exhibition of 1876. E. A. Calkins having resigned his position as
member of the board, Adolph Meinecke took his place by appointment of the governor July
24, 1875. Governor Ludington, in his message to the legislature in January, 1876, spoke in
commendation of the coming exhibition. " The occasion," said he, " will afford an excellent
opportunity to display the resources and products of the State, and to attract hither capital and
immigration."
Soon after the organization of the United States centennial commission, a national organ-
ization of the women of the country was perfected. A lady of Philadelphia was placed at its
head; and a presiding officer from each State was appointed. Mrs. A. C. Thorp assumed the
duties of chairman for Wisconsin, in March, 1875, appointing assistants in various parts of the
State, when active work was commenced. This organization was efficient in Wisconsin in
arousing an interest in the general purposes and objects of the exhibition.
By an act of the legislature, approved March 3, 1876, the sum of twenty thousand dollars
was appropriated to the use of the board of centennial managers, for the purpose of arranging
for, and making a proper exhibition of, the products, resources, and advantages of the State at
the exposition. The treasurer of Wisconsin was, by this act, made an ex-officio member of the
board. By this and previous action of the legislature — by efforts put forth by the board of
managers — by individual enterprise — by the untiring labors of the " Women's Centennial Execu-
tive Committee," to whom, by an act of the legislature, approved the 4th of March, 1875, one
thousand dollars were appropriated — Wisconsin was enabled to take a proud and honorable
position in the Centennial Exposition — a gratification not only to the thousands of her citizens
who visited Philadelphia during its continuance, but to the people generally, throughout the
State.
In Wisconsin, throughout the centennial year, those engaged in the various branches of
agriculture and other useful avocations, were reasonably prosperous. The crop of wheat and
oats was a light yield, and of poor quality ; but the corn crop was the largest ever before raised
in the State, and of superior quality. The dairy and hog product was large, and commanded
remunerative prices. Fruits were unusually plenty. Trade and business enterprises, however,
generally remained depressed.
By section five of article seven of the constitution of Wisconsin, the counties of the State
were apportioned into five judicial circuits ; the county of Richland being attached to Iowa,
Chippewa to Crawford, and La Pointe to St. Croix. In 1850, the fifth circuit was divided, and a
sixth circuit formed. In 1864, Crawford and Richland were made part of the fifth circuit. By
an act which took effect in 1854, a seventh circuit was formed. On the first day of January,
1855, the sixth circuit was divided, and an eighth and ninth circuit formed, the county of
Columbia being made a part of the last mentioned one. In the same year was also formed a
tenth circuit; and, in 1858, Winnebago county was attached to it; but, in 1870, that county was
attached to the third circuit. In 1858, Kewaunee county was attached to the fourth circuit.
An eleventh circuit was formed in 1864, from which, in 1865, Dallas county was detached, and
made part of the eighth. By an act which took effect on the first day of January', 187 1, the
twelfth circuit was formed. In 1876, a thirteenth circuit was " constituted and re-organized."
At that time, the whole sixty counties of the State stood apportioned in the thirteen judicial
circuits as follows: First circuit, Walworth, Racine, and Kenosha; second circuit, Milwaukee,
and Waukesha , third circuit. Green Lake, Dodge, Washington, Ozaukee, and Winnebago ;
fourth circuit, Sheboygan, Calumet, Kewaunee, Fond du Lac, and Manitowoc ; fifth circuit.
108
HISTOEY OF WISCONSIN.
Grant, Iowa, La; Fayette, Richland, and Crawford ; sixth circuit, Clark, Jackson, Monroe, La
Crosse, and Vernon; seventh circuit, Portage, Marathon, Waupaca, Wood, Waushara, Lincoln,
and Taylor; eighth circuit, Dunn, Pepin, Pierce, and St. Croix; ninth circuit, Adams, Columbia,
Dane, Juneau, Sauk and Marquette ; tenth circuit, Outagamie, Oconto, Shawano, Door, and
Brown eleventh circuit, Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Burnett, Chippewa, .Douglas, and Polk ;
twelfth circuit. Rock, Green, and Jefferson ; and the thirteenth circuit, Buffalo, Eau Claire, and
Trempeleau, Marinette and New are now in the, tenth ; Price is in the seventh circuit.
The thirtieth regular session of the legislature of Wisconsin commenced, pursuant to law,
on the loth of January, 1877. The republicans had working majorities in both houses. J. B.
Cassoday was elected Speaker of the Assembly. Governor Ludiiigton delivered his message to
the joint convention 'of the legislature the following , day. "We should not seek," said he, in
his concluding remarks, " to conceal from ourselves the fact that the prosperity which our people
have enjoyed for a number of years past, has suffered some interruption. Agriculture has ren-
dered less return ; labor in all departments has been less productive, and trade has consequently
been less active, and has realized a reduced percentage of profit." " These adverse circum-
stances," continued the governor, " will not be wholly a misfortune if we heed the lesson that
they convey. This lesson is the necessity of strict economy in public and private affairs. We
have been living upon a false basis ; and the time has now come when we must return to a solid
foundation." The legislature adjourned sine die on the 8th of March, after a session of fifty-
eight days, passing three hundred and one acts — one hundred and thirteen less than at the
session of 1876. The most important of these, as claimed by the dominant party which passed
it, is one for the maintenance of the purity of the ballot box, known as the " Registry Law." On
the 3d day of April, at the regular Spring election, William P. Lyon was re-elected, without
opposition, an associate justice of the supreme court for six years from the first Monday in
January, 1878, histernl of office expiring on the first Monday of January, 1884.
Under a law of 1876, to provide for the revision of the statutes of the State, the justices of
the supreme court were authorized to appoint three revisors. The persons receiving the appoint-
ment were David Taylor, Williarii F. Vilas and J. P. C. Cottrill. By an amendatory law of 1877,
for the purpose of having the revision completed for the session of 1878, the justices of the
supreme court were authorized to appoint two additional revisors, and assign them special duties
on the commissioni H. S. Orton was appointed to revise the criminal law and proceedings, and
J. H. Carpenter to revise the probate laws.
Goveriior Ludington declined being a candidate for renomination. His administration was
characterized as one of practical efficiency. As the chief executive officer of Wisconsin, he kept
in view the best interests of the State. In matters coming under his coritrol, a rigid system of
economy prevailed.
There were three tickets in the field presented to the electors of Wisconsin for their suffrages
at the general election held on the sixth of November, 1877 : republican, democratic, and the
"greenback" ticket. The republicans were successful, electing William E. Smith, governor;
James M. Bingham, lieutenant governor; Hans B.Warner, secretary of state ; Richard Guenther,
treasurer ; Alexander Wilson, attorney general ; and William C. Whitford, state superintendent
of public instruction. At the same election two amendments to the constitution of the State
were voted upon and both adopted. The first one amends section four of article seven ; so that,
hereafter, " the supreme court shall consist of one chief justice and four associate justices, to fee
elected by the qualified electors of the State. The legislature shall, at its first session after the
adoption of this amendment, provide by law for the election of two associae justices of said
court, to hold their offices respectively for terms ending two and four years, respectively after the
WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 109
end of the term of the justice of the said court then last to expire. And thereafter the chief
justices and associate justices of said court shall be elected and hold their offices respectively
for the term of ten years." The second one amends section two of article eight; so that, here-
after, " no money shall be paid out of the treasury except in pursuance of an appropriation by
law. No appropriation shall be made for the payment of any claim against the State, except
claims of the United States, and judgments, unles^ filed within six years after the claim accrued."
The year 1877, in Wisconsin, was ^otable for excellent crops. A depression in monetary
matters continued, it is true, but not without a reasonable prospect of a change for the better
within the near future. •
Sixteenth Administration. — William E. Smith, Governor — 1878 — 1879.
At noon, on Monday, January 7, 1878, began the sixteenth administration of Wisconsin, by
the inauguration of the State officers elect. On the 9th of the same month, commenced the
thirty-first regular session of the Legislature. A. R. Barrows was elected Speaker of the Assembly.
On the day following, Governor Smith delivered his message — a calm, business-like document — to
the Legislature. Both Houses adjourned sine die on the 21st of March following. On the ist day
of April, Harlow S. Orton and David Taylor were elected Associate Justices of the Supreme Court ;
the term of the first named to expire on the first Monday of January, 1888 ; that of the last men-
tioned, on the first Monday of January, 1886. In obedience to a proclamation of the Governor,
the Legislature convened on the 4th day of June, A. D. 1878, in extra session, to revise the statutes,
A. R. Barrows was elected Speaker of the Assembly. The Legislature adjourned sine die on the
7th of the same month. In November following, the members chosen to the Forty-sixth Congress
were C. G. Williams, in the First District ; L. B. Caswell, in the Second ; George C. Hazelton, in
the Third ; P. V. Deuster, in the Fourth ; E. S. Bragg, in the Fifth-; Gabriel Bouck, in the Sixth ;
H. L. Humphrey, in the Seventh; and T. C. Pound, in the Eighth. The thirty-second regular
session of the Legislature commenced on the 8th day of January, 1879. -D- ^- K.elly was elected
Speaker of the Assembly ; the next day, the message of the Governor — a brief, but able State
paper — was delivered to both Houses. On the 2rst, Matthew H. Carpenter was elected United
States Senator for six years, from the 4th of March thereafter, in place of Timothy O. Howe.
The Legislature adjourned sine die on the 5th of March, 1879. On the ist day of April following,
Orsamus Cole was elected Associate Justice of the Supremfe Court, for a term of ten years.
Wisconsin has many attractive features. It is a healthy, fertile, well- watered and well-wooded
State. Every where within its borders the rights of each citizen are held sacred. Intelligence and
educati6n are prominent characteristics of its people. All the necessaries and many of the comforts
and luxuries of life are easily to be obtained. Agriculture, the chief source of wealth to so many
nations, is here conducted with profit and success. Generally speaking, the farmer owns the
land he cultivates. Here, the laboring man, if honest and industrious, is most certain to secure
a competence for himself and family. Few States have made more ample provisions for the
unfortunate — the deaf and dumb, the bHnd, and the insane — than has Wisconsin. Nor has she
been less interested in her reformatory and penal institutions. In her educational facilities, she
already rivals the most advanced of her sister States. Her markets are easily reached by rail-
ways and water-navigation, so that the products of the country find ready sale; Her commerce
is extensive ; her manufactures remunerative ; her natural resources great and manifold. In
morality and religion, her standard is high. Her laws are lenient, but not lax, securing the
greatest good to those who are disposed to live up to their requirements. Wisconsin has, in
fact, all the essential elements of prosperity and good government. Exalted and noble, there-
fore, must be her future career.
TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY.
By T. C. CHAMBERLIN, A. M., State Geologist.
The surface features of Wisconsin are simple and symmetrical in character, and present a con-
figuration intermediate between the mountainous, on the one hand, and a monotonous level, on the
other. The highest summits within the state rise a little more than 1,200 leet above its lowest sur-
faces. A few exceptional peaks rise from 400 to 600 feet above their bases, but abrupt elevations of
more than 200 or 300 feet are not common. Viewed as a whole, the state may be regarded as oc-
cupying a swell of land lying between three notable depressions ; Lake Michigan on the east, about
5 75 feet above the mean tide of the ocean. Lake Superior on the north, about 600 feet above the
sea, and the valley of the Mississippi river, whose elevation at the Illinois state line is slightly below
that of Lake Michigan. From these depressions the surface slopes upward to the summit altitudes
of the state. But the rate of ascent is unequal. From Lake Michigan the surface rises by a long,
gentle acclivity westward and northward. A similar slope ascends from the Mississippi valley to
meet this, and their junction forms a north and south arch extending nearly the entire length of the
state. From Lake Superior the surface ascends rapidly to the watershed, which it reaches within
about thirty miles of the lake.
If we include the contiguous portion of the upper peninsula of Michigan, the whole elevation
may be looked upon as a very low, rude, three-sided pyramid, with rounded angles. The apex is
near the Michigan line, between the headwaters of the Montreal and Brule rivers. The
northern side is short and abrupt. The southeastward and southwestward sides are long, and
decline gently. The base of this pyramid may be considered as, in round numbers, 600 feet
above the sea, and its extrenie apex 1,800 feet.
Under the waters of Lake Michigan the surface of the land passes below the sea level
before the limits of the state are reached. Under Lake Superior the land-surface descends to
even greater depths, but probably not within the boundaries of the state. The regularity of the
southward slopes is interrupted in a very interesting way by a remarkable diagonal valley
occupied by Green bay and the Fox and Wisconsin rivers. This is a great groove, traversing
the state obliquely, and catting down the central elevation half its height. A line passing across
the surface, from Lake Michigan to the Mississippi, at any other point, would arch upward from
about 400 to 1,000 feet, according to the location, while along the trough of this valley it would
reach an elevation barely exceeding 200 feet. On the northwest side of this trough, in genera^
the surface rises somewhat gradually, giving at most points much amplitude to the valley, but
on the opposite side, the slope ascends rapidly to a well marked watershed that stretches across
the state parallel to the valley. At Lake Winnebago, this diagonal valley is connected with a
scarcely less notable one, occupied by the Rock river. Geologically, this Green-bay-Rock'
TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY. ' 111
river valley is even more noticeable, since it lies along the trend of the underlying strata, and
was in large measure plowed out of a soft stratum by glacial action. Where it crosses the water-
shed, near Horicon marsh, it presents the same general features that are seen at other points,
and in an almost equally conspicuous degree. Except in the southern part of the state, this
valley is confined on the east by an abrupt ascent, and, at many points, by a precipitous, rocky
acclivity, known as " The Ledge " — which is the projecting edge of the strata of the Niagara
limestone. On the watershed referred to — between the St. Lawrence and' Mississippi basins —
this ledge is as conspicuous and continuous as at other points, so that we have here again the
phenomenon of a valley formed by excavation, running up over ari elevation of 300 feet, and
connecting two great systems of drainage.
On the east side of this valley, as already indicated, there is a sharp ascent of 200 feet,
on an average, from the crest of which the surface slopes gently down to Lake Michigan. The
uniformity of this slope is broken by an extended line of drift hills, lying obliquely along it and
extending from Kewaunee county southward to the Illinois line and known as the Kettle range.
A less conspicuous range of similar character branches off from this in the northwest corner of
Walworth county and passes across the Rock river valley, where it curves northward, passing
west of Madison, crossing the great bend in the Wisconsin river, and bearing northeastward
into Oconto county, where it swings round to the westward and crosses the northern part of the
state. As a general topographical feature it is not conspicuous and is rather to be conceived as
a peculiar chain of drift hills winding over the surface of the state, merely interrupting in some
degree the regularity of its slopes There will be occasion to return to this feature in our
discussion of the drift. It will be observed that the southeastward slope is interrupted by
valleys running across it, rudely parallel to Lake Michigan, and directing its drainage northward
and southward, instead of directing it down the slope into the lake.
The Mississippi slope presents several conspicuous ridges and valleys, but their trend is
toward the great river, and they are all due, essentially, to the erosion of the streams that
channel the sloj e. One of these ridges constitutes the divide south of the Wisconsin river,
already referred to. Another of these, consi^icuous by reason of its narrowness and sharpness,
lies between the Kickapoo and the Mississippi, and extends through Crawford, Vernon and
Monroe counties. Still another is formed by the quartzite ranges of Sauk county and others
of less prominence give a highly diversified chaiacter to the slope.
Scattered over the surface of the state are prominent hills, some swelling upward into rounded
domes, some rising symrhetrically into conical peaks, some ascending precipitously into castel-
lated towers, and some reaching prominence without regard to beauty of form or convenience of
description. A part of these hills were formed by the removal by erosion of the surrounding
strata, and a part by the heaping up of drift material by the glacial forces. In the former case,
they are composed of rock; in the latter, of clay, sand, gravel and bowlders. The two forms
are often combined. The highest peak in the southwestern part of the state is the West
Blue mound, which is t,i5i feet above Ldke Michigan; in the eastern part, Lapham's peak, 824
feet, and in the central part. Rib hill, 1263 feet. The crest of Penokee range in the northern
part of the state rises r,ooo feet, and upwards, above Lake Michigan.
The drainage systems correspond in general to these topograpical features, though several
minor eccentricities are to be observed. The streams of the Lake Superior system plunge
rapidly down their steep slopes, forming numerous falls, some of them possessing great beauty,
prominent among which are those of the Montreal river. On the southern slope, the rivers, in the
upper portion of their courses, likewise descend rapidly, though less so, producing a succession
of rapids and cascades, and an occasional cataract. In the lower part of their courses, the
112 HISTOEY OP WISCONSIN.
descent becomes much more gentle and many of them are navigable to a greater or less extent.
The rivers west of the Wisconsin pursue an essentially direct course to the Mississippi,
attended of course with minor flexures. The Wisconsin river lies, for the greater part of its
course, upon the north and south arch of the state, but on encountering the diagonal valley
above mentioned it turns southwestward to the "Father of Waters." The streams east of the
Wisconsin flow southerly and southeasterly until they likewise encounter this valley when they
turn in the opposite direction and discharge northeasterly into Lake Michigan, through Green
bay. Between the Green-bay- Rock-river valley and Lake Michigan, the drainage is again in
the normal southeasterly direction. In the southern part of the state, the rivers flow in a gen-
eral southerly direction, but, beyond the state, turn westward toward the Mississippi.
If the courses of the streams be studied in detail, many exceedingly interesting and instruc-
tive features will be observed, due chiefly to peculiarities of geological structure, some of which
will be apparent by inspecting the accompanying geological map. Our space, however,
forbids our entering upon the subject here.
The position of the watershed between the great basins of the Mississippi and the St. Law-
rence is somewhat peculiar. On the Illinois line, it lies only three and one half miles from Lake
Michigan and about i6o feet above its surface. As traced northward from this point, it retires
from the lake and ascends in elevation till it approaches the vicinity of Lake Winnebago, when
it recurves upon itself and -descends to the portage between the Tox and the Wisconsin rivers,
whence it pursues a northerly course to the heights of Michigan, when it turns westward and
passes in an undulating course across the northern part of the state. It will be observed that
much the greater area of the state is drained by the Mississippi system.
The relationship which the drainage channels have been observed to sustain to the topo-
graphical features is partly that of cause and partly that of-' effect. The general arching of the
surface, giving rise to the main slopes, is due to deep-seated geological causes that produce an
upward swelling of the center of the state. This determined 'the general drainage systems. On
the other hand, the streams, acting upon strata of varying hardness, and presenting different atti-
tudes, wore away the surface unequally and cut for themselves anomalous channels, leaving
corresponding divides between; which gave origin to the minor irregularities that diversify the
surface. In addition to this, the glacier — that great ice stream, the father of the drift — planed
and plowed the surface and heaped up its debris upon it, modifying both the surface and drainage
features Looked at from a causal standpoint, we see the results of internal forces elevating, and
external agencies cutting down, or, in a word, the face of the state is the growth of geologic ages
furrowed by the teardrops of the skies. ,
GEOLOGICAL HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
In harmony with the historical character of this atlas, it may be most acceptable to weave
our brief sketch of the geological structure of the state into the form of a narrative of its growth.
THE ARCH^AN AGE.
LAURKNTIAN PERIOD.
The physical history of Wisconsin can be traced back with certainty to a state of complete
submergence beneath the waters of the ancient ocean, by which the material of our oldest and
deepest strata were deposited. Let an extensive but shallow sea, covering the whole of the
present territory of the state, be pictured to the mind; and let it be imagined to be depositing
TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY 113
mud and sand, as at the ptesent day, and we have before us the first authentic stage of the history
under consideration. Back of that, the history is lost in the mists of geologic antiquity. The
thickness of the sediments that accumulated in that early period was immense, being measured
by thousands of feet. These sediments occupied of course an essentially horizontal position, and
were, doubtless, in a large degree hardened into beds of impure sandstone, shale, and other sedi~
mentary rock. But in the progress of time an enormous pressure, attended by heat, was brought
to bear ujion them laterally, or edgewise, by which they were folded and crumpled, and forced
up out of the water, giving rise to an island, the nucleus of Wisconsin. The force which pro-
duced this upheaval is believed to have. arisen from the cooling and consequent contraction of
the globe. The foldings may be imaged as the wrinkles of a shrinking earth. But the contor-
tion of the beds was a scarcely more wonderful result than the change in the character of the
rock which seems to have taken place simultaneously with the folding, indeed, as the result of the
heat and pressure attending it. The sediments, that seem to have previously taken the form of
impure sandstone and shale for the most part, underwent a change, in which Te-arrangement and
crystalization of the ingredients played a conspicuous part. By this metamorphism, granite, gneiss,,
mica schist, syenite, hornblende rocks, chloritic schists and other crystalline rocks were formed.
These constitute the Laurentian formation and belong to the most ancient period yet distinctly
recognized in geology, although there were undoubtedly more ancient rocks. They are therefore
very fittingly termed Archsean — ancient — rocks (formerly Azoic.) No remains of life have been
found in this formation in Wisconsin, but from the nature of rocks elsewhere, believed to be of the
same age, it is probable that the lowest forms of life existed at this time. It is not strange that
the great changes through which the rocks have passed should have so nearly obliterated all
traces of them. The original extent of this Laurentian island can not now be accurately ascer-
tained, but it will be sufficiently near the truth for our present purposes to consider the formation
as it is now exposed, and as it is represented on the maps of the geological survey, as showing
approximately the original extent. This will make it include a large area in the north-central
portion of the state and a portion of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. All the rest of the state
was beneath the ocean, and the same may be said of the greater portion of the United States
The height of this island was doubtless considerable, as it has since been very much cut down by
denuding agencies. The strata, as now exposed, mostly stand in highly inclined attitudes and
■ present their worn edges to view. The tops of the folds, of which they are . the remnants, seem
to have been cut away, and we have the nearly vertical sides remaining.
HURONIAN PERIOD.
As soon as the Laurentian island had been elevated, the waves of the almost shoreless,
ocean began to beat against it, the elements to disintegrate it, and the rains of the then tropical
climate to wash it; and the sand, clay and other debris^ thus formed, were deposited beneath the
waters around its base, giving rise to a new sedimentary formation. There is no evidence that
there was any vegetation on the island : the air and water were, doubtless, heavily charged with
carbonic acid, an efficient agent of disintegration: the climate was warm and doubtless very
moist — circumstances which combined to hasten the erosion of the island and increase the
deposition in the surrounding sea. In addition to these agencies, we judge from the large amount
of carbonaceous matter contained in some of the beds, that there must have been an abundance
of marine vegetation, and, from the limestone beds that accumulated, it is probable that there
was marine animal life also, since in later ages that was the chief source of limestone strata.
The joint accumulations from these several sources gave rise to a series of shales, sandstones
and limestones, whose combined thickness was several thousand feet.
114 HISTORY or "WISCONSIN.
At length the process of upheaval and metamorphism that closed the Laurentian period
Avas repeated, and these sandstones became quartzites; the limestones were crystalized, the
shales were changed to slates or schists, and intermediate grades of sediments became diorites,
quartz- porphyries and other forms of crystalline rocks. The carbonaceous matter was changed
in part to graphite. There were also associated with these deposits extensive beds of iron ore,
which we now find chiefly in the form of m.agnetite, hematite and specular ore. These constitute
the Huronian rocks. From the amount of iron ore they contain, they are also fittingly termed
the iron-bearing series. As in the preceding case, the strata were contorted, flexed and folded,
and the whole island was further elevated, carrying with it these circumjacent strata, by which
its extent was much enlarged. • The area of the island after receiving this increment was con-
siderably greater than the surface represented as Laurentian and Huronian on the accompanying
map, since it was subsequently covered to a considerable extent by latei: formations. Penokee
range, in Ashlan^ county, is the most conspicuous developmejnt of the Huronian rocks in the
state. The upturned edge of the formation forms a bold rampart, extending across the country
for sixty miles, making the nearest approach to a mountain range to be found within the state.
A belt of magnetic schist may be traced nearly its entire length. In the northern part of
Oconto county , there is also an important development of this formation, being an extension
of the Menomonee iron-bearing series. A third area is found in Barron county, which includes
deposits of pipestone. In the south central part of the state there are a considerable number
of small areas and isolated outliers of quartzite and quartz- porphyry, that, without much doubt,
belong to this series. The most conspicuous of these are the Baraboo quartzite ranges, in
Sauk and Columbia counties, and from thence a chain of detached outliers extends northeasterly
through several counties. The most southerly exposure of the formation is near Lake Mills, in
Jefferson county.
THE COPPER-BEARING SERIES.
Previous to the upheaval of the Huronian strata, there occurred in the Lake Superior region
events of peculiar and striking interest.' If we inay not speak with absolute assurance, we may
at least say with reasonable pfobability, that the crust of the earth was. fissured in that region,
and that there issued from beneath an immense mass of molten rock, that spread itself over an
area of more than three hundred miles in length and one hundred miles in width. The action
was not confined to a single overflow, but eruption followed eruption, sometimes apparently in
quick succession, sometimes evidently at long intervals. Each outpouring, when solidified,
formed a stratum of trap rock, and where these followed each other without any intervening
deposit, a series of trappean beds were formed. In some cases, however, an interval occurred,
during which the waves, acting upon the rock previously formed, produced a bed of sand, gravel
and clay, which afterward solidified into sandstone, conglomerate and shale. The history of
these beds is lithographed on their surface in beautiful ripple-mairks and other evidences of wave-
action. After the cessation of the igneous eruptions, there accumulated a- vast thickness of
sandstone, shale and conglomerate, so that the whole series is literally miles in thickness.
The eruptive portions have been spoken of as traps, for convenience; but they do not now
possess the usual characteristics of igneous rocks, and , appear to have undergone a chemical
metamorphism by which the mineral ingredients have been changed, the leading ones now being
an iron chlorite and a feldspar, with which are associated, as accessory minerals, quartz, epidote,
prenite, calcite, laumontite, analcite, datolite, magnetite, native copper and silver, and, more
rarely, other minerals. The rock, as a whole, is now known as a melaphyr. The upper portion
of each bed is usually characterized by almond-sized cells filled with the minerals above men-
tioned, giving to the rock an amygdaloidal nature. The native copper was not injected in a
(deceased)
SPRINGVALE.
TOPOGRAPHY AKD GEOLOGY. 115
molten state, as has very generally been supposed, but was deposited by chemical means after
the beds were formed and after a portion of the chemical change of the minerals above mentioned
had been accomplished. The same is true of the silver. The copper occurs in all the different
forms of rock — the melaphyrs, amygdaloids, sandstones, shales and conglomerates, but most
abundantly in the amygdaloids and certain conglomerates.
This series extends across the northern portion of the state, occupying portions of Ashland,
Bayfield, Douglas, Burnett and Polk counties. When the Huronian rocks were elevated, they
carried these up with them, and they partook of the folding in some measure. The copper-
bearing range of Keweenaw I^oint, Michigan, extends southwestward through Ashland, Burnett
and Polk counties, and throughout this whole extent the beds dip north-northwesterly toward
Lake Superior, at a high angle; but in Douglas and Bayfield counties there is a parallel range
in which the beds incline in the opposite direction, and undoubtedly form the opposite side of a
trough formed by a downward flexure of the strata.
PALEOZOIC TIME — SILURIAN AGE.
Potsdam Sandstone.
After the great Archaean upheaval, there followed a long period, concerning wnich very little
is known — a " lost interval " in geological history. It is only certain that immense erosion of
the Archaean strata took place, and that in time the sea advanced upon the island, eroding its
strata and redepositing the wash and wear beneath' its surface. The more resisting beds with-
stood this advance, and formed reefs and rocky islands off the ancient shore, about whose bases
the s^nds and sediments accumulated, as they did over the bottom of tlje surrounding ocean.
The breakers, dashing against the rocky cliffs, threw down masses of rock, which imbedded them-
selves in the sands, or were rolled and rounded on the beach, and at length were buried, in
■either case, to tell their own history, when they should be again disclosed by the ceaseless gnaw-
ings of the very elements that had buried them. In addition to the accumulations of wash and
wear that have previously been the main agents of rock-formations, abundant life now swarms in
the ocean, and the sands become the great cemetery of its dead. Though the contribution of each
little being was small, the myriad millions that the waters brought forth, yielded by their remains,
a. large contribution to the accumulating sediments. Among plants, there were sea-weeds, and
among animals, protozoans, radiates, moUusks and articulates, all the sub-kingdoms except the
vertebrates. Among these, the most remarkable, both in nature and number, were the trilobites,
who have left their casts in countless multitudes in certain localities. The result of the action
of these several agencies was the formation of extensive beds of sandstone, with interstratified
layers of limestone and shale. These surrounded the Archaean nucleus on all sides, and reposed
on its flanks. On the Lake Superior margin, the sea acted mainly upon the copper and iron-
bearing series, which are highly ferruginous, and the result wa; the red Lake Superior sandstone.
On the opposite side of the island, the wave-action was mainly upon quartzites, porphyries and
granites, and resulted in light-colored sandstones. The former is confined to the immediate
vicinity of Lake Superior ; the latter occupies a broad, irregular belt bordering the Archaean
area on the south, and, being widest in the central part of the state, is often likened to a rude
crescent. The form and position of the area will be best apprehended by referring to the
accompanying map. It will be understood from the foregoing description, that the strata of this
formation lie in a nearly horizontal position, and repose uncojiformably upon the worn surface
of the crystalline rocks. The close of this period was not marked by any great upheaval; there
116
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
was no crumpling or metamorphism of the strata, and .they have remained to the present day
very much as they were originally deposited, save a slight arching upward in the central
portion of the state. The beds have been' somewhat compacted by the pressure of superin-
cumbent strata and solidified by the cementing action of calcareous and ferruginous waters, and
by their own coherence, but the original character of the formation, as a great sand-bed, has not
been obliterated. It still bears the ripple-marks, cro^s-lamination, worm-burrows, and similar
markings that characterize a sandy beach. Its thickness is very irregular, owing to the uneven-
ness of its Archaean bottom, and may be said to range from i,ooo feet downward. The strata
slope gently away from the Archaean core of the state and underlie all the later formations, and
may be reached at any point in southern Wisconsin by penetrating to a sufificient depth, which
can be calculated with an approximate correctness. As it is a water-bearing formation, and the
source of fine Artesian wells, this is a fact of much importance. Thfe interbedded layers of lime-
stone and shale, by supplying impervious strata, very much enhance its value as a source of
fountains.
Lower Magnesian Limestone.
During the previous period, the accumulation of sandstone gave place for a time to the
formation of limestone, and afterward the deposit of sandstone was resumed. At its close, with-
out any very marked disturbance of existing conditions, the formation of limestone was resumed,
and progressed with little interruption till a thickness ranging from 50 to 250 feet was attained.
This variation is due mainly to irregularities of the upper surface of the formation, which is
undulating, and in some localities, may appropriately be termed billowy, the surface rising and
falling 100 feet, in some cases, within a short distance. This, and the. preceding similar deposit,
have been spoken of as limestones simply, but they are really dolomites, or magnesian limestones,
since they contain a large proportion of carbonate of magnesia. This rock also contains a
notable quantity of silica, which occurs disseminated through the mass of the rock; or, variously,
as nodules or masses of chert ; as crystals of quartz, filling or lining drusy cavities, forming
beautiful miniature grottos ; as the nucleus of oolitic concretions, or as sand. Some argillaceous
matter also enters into its composition, and small quantities of the ores of iron, lead and copper,
are sometimes found, but they give little promise of value. The evidences of life are very
scanty. Some sea-weeds, a few moUusks, and an occasional indication of other forms of life
embrace the known list, except at a few favored localities where a somewhat ampler fauna is
found. But it is not, therefore, safe to assume the absence of life in the depositing seas, for it
is certain that most limestone has orignated from the remains of animals and plants that secrete
calcareous material, and it is most consistent to believe that such was the case in the present
instance, and that the distinct traces of life were mostly obliterated. This formation occupies an
irregular belt skirting the Potsdam area, It was, doubtless, originally a somewhat uniform band
swinging around the nucleus of the state already formed, but it has since been eroded by
streams to its present jagged outline.
St. Peter's Sandstone.
At the close of this limestone-making period, there appears to have been an interval of which
we have no record, and the next chapter of the history introduces us to another era of sand
accumulation. The work began by the leveling up of the inequalities of the surface of the Lower
Magnesian limestone, and it ceased before that was entirely accomplished in all parts of the
State, for a few prominences were left projecting through the sand deposits. The material laid
down consisted of a silicious sand, of uniform, well-rounded — doubtless well-rolled — grains. This
was evidently deposited horizontally upon the uneven limestone surface, and so rests in a sense
TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY. 117
unconformably upon it. Where the sandstone abuts against the sides of the limestone promi-
nences, it is mingled with material derived by wave action from them, which tells the story of
its formation. But aside from these and other exceptional impurities, the formation is a very
pure sandstone, and is used for glass manufacture. At most points, the sandstone has never become
firmly cemented and readily crumbles, so that it is used for mortar, the simple handling with pick
and shovel being sufficient to reduce it to a sand. Owing to the unevenness of its bottom, it
varies greatly in thickness, the greatest yet observed being 212 feet, but the average is less than
100 feet. Until recently, no organic remains had ever been found in it, and the traces now col-
lected are very meager indeed, but they are sufficient to show the existence of marine life, and
demonstrate that it is an oceanic deposit. The rarity of fossils is to be attributed to the porous
nature of the rock, which is unfavorable to their preservation. This porosity, however, subserves
a very useful purpose, as it renders this pre-eminently a water-bearing horizon, and supplies some
of the finest Artesian fountains in the state, and is competent to furnish many more. It occupies
but a narrow area at the surface, fringing that of the Lower Magnesian limestone on the south,
Trenton Limestone.
A slight change in the oceanic conditions caused a return to limestone formation, accompa-
nied with the deposit of considerable clayey material, which formed shale. The origin of the
limestone is made evident by a close examination of it, which shows it to be full of fragments of
shells, corals, and other organic remains, or the impressions the^ have left. Countless numbers
of the lower forms of life flourished in the seas, and left their remains to be comminuted and
consolidated into limestone. A part of the time, the accurriulation of clayey matter predominated,
and so layers of shale alternate with the limestone beds, and shaly leaves and partings occur in
the limestone layers. Unlike the calcareous strata above and below, a portion of these are true
limestone, containing but a very small proportion ot magnesia. A sufficient amount of carbon-
aceous matter is present in some layers to cause them to burn readily. This formation is quite
highly metalliferous in certain portions of the lead region, containing zinc especially, and con-
siderable lead, with less quantities of other metals. The formation abounds in fossils, many of
them well preserved, and, from their great antiquity, they possess uncommon interest. All the
animal sub-kingdoms, except vertebrates, are represented. The surface area of this rock borders
the St. Peter's sandstone, but, to avoid too great complexity on the map, it is not distinguished from
the next formation to which it is closely allied. Its thickness rSaches 120 feet.
The Galena Limestone.
With scarcely a change of oceanic conditions, limestone deposit continued, so that we find
reposing upon the surface of the Trenton limestone, 250 feet, or less, of a light gray or buff
colored highly magnesian limestone, occurring in heavy beds, and having a sub-crystalline struc-
ture. In the southern portion of the state, it contains but little shaly matter, but in the north-
eastern part, it is modified by the addition of argillaceous layers and leaves, and presents a bluish
or greenish-gray aspect. It receives its name from the sulphide of lead, — galena, of which it
contains large quantities, in the southwestern part of the state. Zinc ore is also abundant, and
these minerals give to this and the underlying formation great importance in that region. Else-
where, although these ores are present in small quantities, they have not developed economic
importance. This limestone, though changing its nature, as above stated, occupies a large area in
the southwestern part of the state, and a broad north and south belt in east-central Wisconsin,
It will be seen that our island is growing apace by concentric additions, and that, as the several
formations sweep around the central nucleus of Archaean rocks, they swing off into adjoining
states, whose formation was somewhat more tardy than that of Wisconsin.
118
HISTORY or wiscoisrsiN,
Cincinnati Sha;.es.
A change ensued upon the formation of the Galena limestone, by virtue of which there fol-
lowed the deposition of large quantities of clay, accompanied by some calcareous material, the
whole reaching at some points a thickness of more than 20b feet. The sediment has neyer
become more than partially indurated, and a portion of it is now only a bed of compact clay.
Other portions hardened to shale or limestone according to the material. The shales are of
various gray, green, blue, purple and other hues, so that where vertical cliffs are exposed, as along
Green bay, a beautiful appearance is presented. As a whole, this is a very soft formation, and
hence easily eroded. Owing to this fact, along the east side of the Green-bay-Rock-river val-
ley, it has been extensively carried away, leaving the hard overlying Niagara limestone projecting
in the bold cliffs known as " The Ledge." The prominence of the mounds in the southwestern
part of the state are due to a like cause. Certain portions of this formation abound in astonish-
ing numbers of well preserved fossils, among which corals, bryozoans, and brachiopods, pre-
dominate, the first named being especially abundant. A little intelligent attention to these might
have saved a considerable waste of time and means in an idle search for coal, to which a slight
resemblance to some of the shales of the coal measures has led. This formation underlies the
mounds of the lead region, and forms a narrow belt on the eastern margin of the Green-bay-Rock-
river valley. This was the closing period of the Lower Silurian Age.
Clinton Iron Ore.
On the surface of the shales just described, there were accumulated, here and there, beds of pecu-
liar lenticular iron ore. It is probable that it was deposited in detached basins, but the evidence
of this is not conclusive. In our own state, this is chiefly known as Iron Ridge ore, from the
remarkable development it attains at that point. It is made up of little concretions, which from
their size and color are fancied to resemble flax seed, and hence the name " seed ore," or the
roe of fish, and hence oolitic ore. "Shot ore" is also a common term. This is a soft ore occur-
ring in regular horizontal beds^which are quarried with more ease than ordinary limestone. This
deposit attains, at Iron Ridge, the unusual thickness of twenty-five feet, and affords a readily
accessible supi)ly of ore, adequate to all demands for a long time to come. Similar, but much
less extensive beds, occur at Hartford, and near Depere, besides some feeble deposits elsewhere.
Large quantities of ore from Iron Ridge have been shipped to various points in this and neigh-
boring States for reduction, in addition to that smelted in the vicinity of the mines.
Niagara Limestone.
Following the period of iron deposit, there ensued the greatest limestone-forming era in the
history of Wisconsin. During its progress a series of beds, summing up, at their points of great-
est thickness, scarcely less thin eight hundred feet, were laid down. The process of formation
was essentially that already described, the accumulation of the calcareous secretions of marine
life. Toward the close of the period, reefs appeared, that closely resemble the coral reefs of the
present seas, and doubtless have a similar history. Corals fo;m a very prominent element in the
life of this period, and with them were associated great numbers of raollusks, one of which
(Pentamerus odiongus) sometimes occurs in beds not unlike certain bivalves of .to-day, and may
be said to have been the oyster of the Silurian seas. At certain points, those wonderful animals,
the stone lilies {Crinoids), grew in remarkable abundance, mounted on stems like a plant, yet
true animals. Those unique crustaceans, the trilobites, were conspicuous in numbers and variety,
while the gigantic cephalopods held sway over the life of the seas. In the vicinity of thi reefs.
TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY. 119
there seem to have been extensive calcareous sand flats and areas over which fine calcareous mud
settled, the former resulting in a pure granular dolomite, the latter in a compact close-textured
stone. The rock of the reefs is of very irregular structure. Of other portions of the formation,
some are coarse heavy beds, some fine, even-bedded, close-grained layers, and some, again, irregu-
lar, impure and cherty. All are highly magnesian, and some are among the purest dolomites
known. The Niagara limestone occupies a broad belt lying adjacent to Lake Michigan.
Lower Helderberg Limestone.
On Mud creek, near Milwaukee, there is found a thin-bedded slaty limestone, that is
believed to represent this period. It has neglected, however, to leave us an unequivocal record
of its history, as fossils are extremely rare, and its stratigraphical relations and lithographical
character are capable of more than one interpretation. Near the village of Waubeka in
Ozaukee county, there is a similar formation, somewhat more fossiliferous, that seems to repre^
sent the same period. The area which these occupy is very small and they play a most insignifi-
cant part in the geology of the state. They close the record of the Silurian age in Wisconsin,
During its progress the land had been gradually emerging from the ocean and increasing its
amplitude by concentric belts of limestone, sandstone and shale. There had been no general
disturbance, only those slight oscillations which changed the nature of the forming rock and
facilitated deposition. At its close the waters retired from the borders of the state, and an
interval supervened, during which no additions are known to have been made to its substructure.
DEVONIAN AGE.
Hamilton Cement Rock.
After a lapse of time, during which the uppermost Silurian and the lowest Devonian strata,
as found elsewhere, were formed, the waters again advanced slightly upon the eastern margin of
the state and deposited a magnesian limestone mingled with silicious and almuninous material,
forming a combination of which a portion has recently been shown to possess hydraulic
properties of a high degree of excellence. With this deposition there dawned a new era in the
life-history of Wisconsin. While multitudes of protozoans, radiates, moUusks and articulates
swarmed in the previous seas, no trace of a vertebrate has been found. The Hamilton period
witnessed the introduction of the highest type of the animal kingdom into the Wisconsin series.
But even then only the lowest class was represented — the fishes. The lower orders of life, as
before, were present, but the species were of the less ancient Devonian type. Precisely how far
the deposit originally extended is not now known, as it has undoubtedly been much reduced by
the eroding agencies that have acted upon it. That portion which remains, occupies a limited
area on the lake shore immediately north of Milwaukee, extending inland half a dozen miles.
The cement rock proper is found on the Milwaukee river just above the city. At the close of
the Hamilton period the oceanic waters retired, and, if they ever subsequently encroached upon
our territory, they have left us no permanent record of their intrusion.
The history of the formation of the substructure of the state was, it will be observed, in an
unusual degree, simple and progressive. Starting with a firm core of most ancient crystalline
rocks, leaf upon leaf of stony strata were piled around it, adding belt after belt to the margin of
the growing island until it extended itself far beyond the limits of our state, and coalesced with
the forming continent. An ideal map of the state would show the Archaean nucleus surrounded
by concentric bands of the later formations in the order of their deposition. But during all the
120
HISTOEY OF WISCONSIN.
vast lapse of time consumed in their growth, the elements were gnawing, carving and channeling
the surface, and the outcropping edges of the formations were becoming more and more jagged,
and now, after the last stratum had been added, and the whole had been lifted from the waters
that gave it birth, there ensued perhaps a still vaster era, during which the history was simply
that of surface erosion. The face of the state becaine creased with the wrinkles of age. The
edges of her rocky wrappings became ragged with the wear of time. The remaining Devonian
periods, the great Carboniferous age, the Mesozoic era, and the earlier Tertiary periods passed,
leaving no other record than that of denudation.
THE GLACIAL PERIOD.
With the approach of the great Ice Age, a new chapter was opened. An immense sheet of
ice moved slowly, but irresistibly, down from the north, planing down the prominences, filling up
the valleys, polishing and grooving the strata, and heaping up its rubbish of sand, gravel, clay and
bowlders over the face of the country. It engraved the lines of its progress on the rocks, and, by
reading these, we learn that one prodigious tongue of ice plowed along the bed of Lake Michi-
gan, and a smaller one pushed through the valley of Green bay and Rock river, while another
immense ice-stream flowed southwestward through the trough of Lake Superior and onward
into Minnesota. The diversion of the glacier through these great channels seems to have left
the southwestern portion of the state intact, and over it we find no drift accumulations. With
the approach of a warmer climate, the ice-streams were melted backward, leaving their debris
lieaped promiscuously over the surface, giving it a new configuration. In the midst of this
retreat, a series of halts and adva.nces seem to have taken place in close succession, by which the
■drift was pushed up into ridges and hills along the foot of the ice, after which a more rapid
retreat ensued. The effect of this action was to produce that remarkable chain of drift hills and
ridges*, known as the Kettle range, which we have already described as winding over the
■surface of the state in a very peculiar manner. It is a' great historic rampart, recording the
position of the edge of the glacier at a certain stage of its retreat, and doubtless at the same time
noting a great climatic or dynamic change.
The melting of the glacier gave rise to large quantities of water, and hence to numerous
torrents, as well as lakes. There occurred about this time a depression of the land to the north-
ward, which was perhaps the cause, in part or in whole, of the retreat of the ice. This gave
origin to the great lakes. The waters advanced somewhat upon the laud and deposited the red
clay that borders Lakes Michigan and Superior and occupies the Green bay valley as far up as
the vicinity of Fond du Lac. After several oscillations, the lakes settled down into their present
positions. Wherever the glacier plowed over the land, it left an irregular sheet of commingled
clay, sand, gravel and bowlders spread unevenly over the surface. The depressions formed by
its irregularities soon filled with water and gave origin to numerous lakelets. Probably not one
of the thousands of Wisconsin lakes had an existence before the glacial period. Wherever the
great lakes advanced upon the land, they leveled its surface and left their record in lacustine
clays and sandy beach lines.
With the retreat of the glacier, vegetation covered the surface, and by its aid and the action
of the elements our fertile drift soils, among the last and best of Wiscopsin's formations, were
produced. And the work still goes on-, * ,
CLIMATOLOGY OF WISCONSIN.
By Prof. H. H. OLDENHAGE.
The climate of a country, or that peculiar state of the atmosphere in regard to heat and
moisture which prevails in any given place, and which directly affects the growth of plants and
animals, is determined by the following causes : ist. Distance from the equator. 2d. Distance
from the sea. 3d. Height above the sea. 4th. Prevailing winds; and sth. Local influences,
such as soil, vegetation, and proximity to lakes and mountains.
Of these causes, the first; distance from the equator, is by far the most important. The
warmest climates are necessarily those of tropical regions where the sun's rays are vertical. But
in proceeding from the equator toward the poles, less and less heat continues to be received by
the same extent of surface, because the rays fall more and more obliquely, and the same amount
of heat-rays therefore spread over an increasing breadth of surface ; while, however, with the
increase of obliquity, more and more heat is absorbed by the atmosphere, as the amount of air
to be penetrated is greater. If the earth's surface were either wholly land or water, and its
atmosphere motionless, the gradations of climate would run parallel with the latitudes from the
equator to the poles. But owing to the irregular distribution of land and water, and the prevail-
ing winds, such an arrangement is impossible, and the determination of the real climate of a given
region, and its causes, is one of the most difficult problems of science.
On the second of these causes, distance from the sea, depends the difference between oce-
anic and continental climates. Water is more slowly heated and cooled than land ; the climates
of the sea and the adjacent land are therefore much more equable and moist than those of the
interior.
A decrease of temperature is noticeable in ascending high mountains. The' rate at which
the temperature falls with the height above the sea is a very variable quantity, and is influenced
by a variety of causes, such as latitude, situation, moisture, or dryness, hour of the day and season
of the year. As a rough approximation, however, the fall of 1° of the thermometer for every
300 feet is usually adopted.
Air in contact with any part of the earth's surface, tends to acquire the temperature of that
surface. Hence, winds from the north are cold ; those from the south are warm. Winds from
the sea are moist, and winds from the land are usually dry. Prevailing winds are the result of
the relative distribution of atmospheric pressure blowing /wot places where the pressure is high-
est, toward places where it is lowest. As climate practically depends on the temperature and
moisture of the air, and as these again depend on the prevailing winds which come charged with
the temperature and moisture of the regions they have traversed, it is evident that charts show-
ing the mean pressure of the atmosphere give us the key to the climates of the different regions
of the world. The effect of prevailing winds is seen in the moist and equable climate of West-
ern Europe, especially Great Britain, owing to the warm and moist southwest winds; and in the
extremes of the eastern part of North America, due to the warm and moist winds prevailing in
summer and the Arctic blasts of winter.
122 HISTORY OF WISCONSTK.
Among local influences which modify climate, the nature of the soil is one of the most
important. As water absorbs much heat, wet, marshy ground usually lowers the mean tempera^
ture. A sandy waste presents the greatest extremes. The extremes of temperature are also modi-
fied by extensive forests, which prevent the soil from being as much warmed alnd cooled as it
would be if bare. Evaporation goes on more slowly under the trees, since the soil is screened
from the sun. And as the air among the trees is little agitated by the wind, the vapor is left to.
accumulate, and hence the humidity of the air is increased. Climate is modified in a similar man-
ner by lakes and other large surfaces of water. During summer the water cools the air and
reduces the temperature of the locality. In winter, on the other hand, the opposite effect is pro-
duced. The surface water which is cooled sinks to lower levels ; the warmer water rising to the
surface, radiates heat into the air and thus raises the temperature of the neighboring region.
This influence is well illustrated, on a great scale, in our own state by Lake Michigan.
It is, lastly, of iniportance whether a given tract of country is diversified by hills, vallfeys and
mountains. Winds with their warm vapor strike the sides of mountains and are forced up into
higher levels of the atmosphere, where the vapor is condensed into clouds. Air coming in con-
tact, during the night or in winter, with the cooled declivities of hills and rising grounds becomes
cooled and consequently denser and sinks to the low-lying grounds, displacing the warmer and
lighter air. Hence, frosts often occur at these places, when no trace of them can be found at
higher levels. For the same reason the cold of winter is generally more intense in ravines and
valleys than on hill tops and high grounds, the valleys being a receptacle for the cold-air currents
which descend from all sides. These currents give rise to gusts and blasts of cold wind, which
are simply the out-rush of cold air from such basins. This is a subject of great practical impor-
tance to fruit-growers.
In order to understand the principal features of the climate of Wisconsin, and the conditions,
on which these depend, it is necessary to consider the general climatology of the eastern United
States. The chief characteristic of this area as a whole is, that it is subject to great extremes — to
all those variations of temperature which prevail from the tropical to the Arctic regions. This
is principally due to the topographical conditions of our continent. The Rocky mountains con-
densing the moisture of the warm winds from the Pacific and preventing them from reaching far
inland, separate the climate of the Mississippi valley widely from that of the Pacific slope. Between
the Gulf of Mexico and the Arctic sea there is no elevation to exceed 2,000 feet to arrest the
flow of the hot southerly winds of summer, or the cold northerly winds of winter. From this
results a variation of temperature hardly equaled in any part of the world.
In determining the climates of the United States, western Europe is usually taken as the
basis of comparison. The contrast between these regions is indeed very great. New York is in
the same latitude with Madrid, Naples and Constantinople. Quebec is not so far north as Paris.
London and Labrador are equi-distant from the equator ; but while England, with her mild, moist
climate, produces an abundance of vegetation, in Labrador all cultivation ceases. In the latitude
of Stockholm and St. Petersburg, at the 6oth parallel, we find in eastern North America vast ice-
fields which seldom melt. The moist and equable climate of western Europe in high latitudes
is due to the Gulf Stream and the southwest winds of the Atlantic, which spread their warmth
and moisture over the western coast. Comparison, however, shows that the climate of the Pacific
coast of North America is quite as mild as that of western Europe ; and this is due to the same
kind of influences, namely, to the warm, moist winds and the currents of the Pacific. And to con-
tinue the comparisoii still further, in proceeding on both continents from west to east, or from
ocean into the interior, we find a general resemblance of climatic conditions, modified greatly, it
is true, by local influences.
CLIMATOLOGY OF WISCONSIN. 123
The extreme summer climate of the eastern United States is owing to the southerly and
southwesterly wmds, which blow with great regularity during this season, and, after traversing
great areas of tropical seas, bear the warmth and moisture of these seas far inland, and give this
region the peculiar semi-tropical character of its summers. The average temperature of summer
varies between 80^ for the Gulf states, and 60° for the extreme north. While in the Gulf states
the thermometer often rises to 100°, in the latitude of Wisconsin this occurs very seldom. During
winter the prevailing winds are from the northwest. These cold blasts from the Arctic sea are
deflected by the Rocky mountains, sweep down unopposed into lower latitudes, and produce all
the rigors of an arctic winter. The mean temperature for this season varies between 60° for the
Gulf coast and 15° for the extreme northern part of Wisconsin. In the northern part of the
valley the cold is sometimes so intense that the thermometer sinks to the freezing point of
mercury.
The extreme of heat and cold would give a continental climate if this extreme were not accomi
panied by a profusion of rain. The southerly winds, laden with moisture, distribute this moist,
ure with great regularity over the valley. The amount of rainfall, greater in summer than in
winter, varies, from the Gulf of Mexico to Wisconsin, from 63 inches to 30 inches. On the At.,
lantic coast, where the distribution is more eqaal throughout the year on account of its proximity
to the ocean, the amount varies, from Florida to Maine, from 63 to 40 inches. The atmospheric
movements on which, to a great extent, the climatic conditions of the eastern United States,
depend, may be summed up as follows :
" I. That the northeast trades, deflected in their course to south and southeast winds in
their passage through the Carribean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, are the warm and moist winds
which communicate to the Mississippi valley and the Atlantic slope their fertility.
"2. That the prevalence of these winds from May to October communicates to this region
a sub-tropical climate.
" 3. That in the region bordering on the Gulf of Mexico, the atmospheric disturbances are
propagated from south to north ; but in the northern and middle states, owing to a prevailing
upper current, from west to east.
" 4. That while this upper current is cool and dry, and we have the apparent anomaly of
rain storms traveling from west to east, at the same time the moisture supplying them comes froin
the south.
"5. That, in the winter, the south and southeast winds rise into the upper current, while
the west and northwest winds descend and blow as surface winds, accompanied by an extraor-.
dinary depression of temperature, creating, as it were, an almost arctic climate.
" 6. That the propagation of the cold winds from west to east is due to the existence of a
warmer and lighter air to the eastward.
"7. That in summer the westerly currents seldom blow with violence, because, in passing
over the heated plains, they acquire nearly the same temperature as the southerly currents, but in
winter the conditions are reversed."
The line of conflict of these aerial currents, produced by unequal atmospheric pressure,
shift so rapidly that the greatest changes of temperature, moisture, and wind, are experienced
within a few hours, these changes usually affecting areas of great extent. In the old world, on
the other hand, the mountain systems, generally running from east to west, offer an impediment,
especially to the polar currents, and the weather is therefore not so changeable.
Wisconsin, situated in the upper and central part of the Mississippi valley, is subject to the
same general climatic conditions which give this whole area its peculiar climate.
The highest mean summer temperature is 72° Fahrenheit in the southwestern part of the
124 HISTOB.Y OF WISCONSIN.
Stdte, and the lowest 64° at Bayfield, Lake Superior. During the months oif June, July and
August, the thermometer- often rises as hig^ as 90", seldom to 100°. In 1874 the mercury reached
this high point twice at LaCrosse, and three times at Dubuque, Iowa. There are usually two or
three of these "heated terms " during the summer, terminated by abrupt changes of temperature.
The isotherm of 70" (an isotherm being a line connecting places having the same mean tem-
perature) enters this state from the west, in the northern part of Grant county, touches Madison, takes
a southerly direction through Walworth county ..passes through southern Michigan, Cleveland, and
Pittsburg, reaching the Atlantic ocean a little north of New York city. From this it is seen that
southern Wisconsin, southern and central Michigan, northern Ohio, central Pennsylvania, and
southern New York have nearly the same summer temperature. Northwestward this line runs
through southern Minnesota and along the Missouri to the foot of the mountains. Eastern Ore-
gon, at 47" 30' north latitude, has the same average summer temperature ; the line then returns
and touches the Pacific coast at San Diego.
The remarkable manner in which so large a body of water as Lake Michigan modifies the
temperature has been carefully determined, so far as it relates to Wisconsin, by the late Dr. Lap-
ham, of Milwaukee. It is seen by the map that the average summer temperature of Racine is
the same as that of St. Paul. The weather map for July, 1875,. in the signal service report for
1876, shows that the mean temperature for July was the same in Rock county, in the souihern
part of the state, as that of Breckenridge, Minn., north of St. Paul. The moderating effect of
the lake during hot weather is felt in the adjacent region during both day and night.
Countries in the higher latitudes having an extreme summer temperature are usually charac-
terized by a small amount of rain-fall. The Mississippi valley, however, is directly exposed in
spring and summer to the warm and moist winds from the south, and as these winds condense
their moisture by coming in contact with colder upper currents from the north and west, it has a
profusion of rain which deprives the climate largely of its continental features. As already
stated, the average amount of rain-fall in Wisconsin is about 30 inches annually. Of this amount
about one-eighth is precipitated in winter, three-eighths in summer, and the rest is equally dis-
tributed between spring and autumn — in other words, rain is abundant at the time of the year
when it is most needed. In Wisconsin the rainfall is greatest in the southwestern part of the
state; the least on and along the shore of Lake Michigan. This shows that the humidity of the
air of a given area can be greater, and the rainfall less, than that of some other.
In comparison with western Europe, even where the mean temperatiire is higher than in the
Mississippi valley, the most striking fact in the climatic conditions of the United States is the
great range of plants of tropical or sub-tropical origin, such as Indian corn, tobacco, etc. The
•conditions on which the character of the vegetation depends are temperature and moisture, and
the mechanical and chemical composition of the soil.
" The basis of this, great capacity (the great range of plants) is the high curve of heat and
moisture for the summer, and the fact that the measure of heat and of rain are almost or quite
tropical for a period in duration from one to five months, in the range from Quebec to the coast
of the Gulf." Indian corn attains its full perfection between the summer isotherms 72*^ and 77°,
in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, and Kansas ; but it may be grown up to the line of 65^, which includes
the whole of Wisconsin. The successful cultivation of this important staple is due to the mtense
heat of summer and a virgin soil rich in nitrogen.
While Milwaukee and central Wisconsin have a mean annual temperature of 45°, that of
southern Ireland and central England is 56° ; the line of 72°, the average temperature for July,
runs from Walworth county to St. Paul, while during the same month Ireland and England have
a mean temperature of only 60". In Wisconsin the thermometer rises as high as 90*^ and above,
CLIMATOLOGY OF WISCONSIN. 125
while the range above the mean in England is very small. It is the tropical element of our sum-
mers, then, that causes the grape, the corn, etc., to ripen, while England, with a higher mean
temperature, is unable to mature them successfully. Ireland, where southern plants may remain
out-doors, unfrosted, the whole winter, can not mature those fruits and grasses which ripen in
Wisconsin. In England a depression of 2° below the mean of 60". will greatly reduce the quan-
tity, or prevent the ripening of wheat altogether, 60° being essential to a good crop. Wheat, re-
quiring a lower temperature than corn, is better adapted to the climate of Wisconsin. This grain
may be grown as far north as Hudson bay.
Autumn, including September, October and November, is of short duration in Wisconsin.
North of the 42d parallel, or the southern boundary line of the state, November belongs properly
to the winter months, its mean temperature being about 32°. The decrease of heat from August to
September is generally from 8° to 9'; ir" from September *o October, and 14° from October to
November. The average temperature for these three months is about 45°. A beautiful season,
commonly known as Indian summer, frequently occurs in the latter part of October and in No-
vember. This period is characterized by a mild temperature and a hazy, calm atmosphere.
According to Loomis, this appears to be due to "an uncommonly tranquil condition of the atmos-
phere, during which the air becomes filled with dust and smoke arising from numerous fires, by
which its transparency is greatly impaired." This phenomenon extends as far north as Lake
Superior, but it is more conspicuous and protracted in Kansas and Missouri, and is not observed
in the southern states.
Destructive frosts generally occur in September, and sometimes in August. " A temperature
of 36° to 40° at sunrise is usually attended with frosts destructive to vegetation, the position of
the thermometer being usually such as to represent less than the actual refrigeration at the open
surface." In 1875, during October, at Milwaukee, the mercury fell seven times below the freez-
ing point, and twice below zero in November, the lowest being 14".
The winters are generally long and severe, but occasionally mild and almost without snow.
The mean winter temperature varies between 23° in the southeastern part of the state, and 16° at
Ashland, m the northern. For this season the extremes are great. The line of 20° is of' im-
portance, as it marks the average temperature which is fatal to the growth of all the tender trees,
such as the pear and the peach. In the winter of 1875 and 1876, the mean temperature for De-
cember, January and February, in the upper lake region, was about 4° above the average mean
for many years, while during the previous winter the average temperature for January and Feb-
ruary was about 12° below the mean for many years, showing a great difference between cold and
mild winters. In the same winter, i875-'76, at Milwaukee, the thermometer fell only six times
below, zero, the lowest being 12°, while during the preceding winter the mercury sank thirty-six
times below zero, the lowest being 23". In the northern and northwestern part of the state the
temperature sometimes falls to the freezing point of mercury. During the exceptionally cold
Winter of 1872-3, at La Crosse, the thermometer sank nearly fifty times below zero; on Decem-
ber 24, it indicated 37° below, and on January 18, 43° below zero, averaging about 12*' below
the usual mean for those months. The moderating effect of Lake Michigan can be seen
by observing how the lines indicating the mean winter temperature curve northward as they
approach the lake. Milwaukee, Sheboygan, Manitowoc, Two Rivers, and the Grand Traverse
region of Michigan, have the same average wintei temperature. The same is true regarding
Galena, 111., Beloit, and Kewaunee. A similar influence is noticed in all parts of the state. Dr.
Lapham concludes that this is not wholly due to the presence of Lake Michigan, but that the
mountain range which extends from a little west of Lake Superior to the coast of Labrador (from
1,100 to 2,240 feet high) protects the lake region in no inconsiderable degree from the excessive
•cold of winter.
126
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
According to the same authority, the time at which the Milwaukee river was closed wi h ice,
for a period of nine years, varied between November 15 and December 1 ; the time at whtch it
became free from ice, between March 3 and April 13. In the lake district, snow and rain are
interspersed through all the winter months, rain being sometimes a,s profuse as at any other sea-
son. In the northwestern pajrt the winter is more rigid and dry. Northern New York and the
New England states usually have snow lying on the ground the whole winter, but in the southern
lake district it rarely remains so xlong. In 1842-4^, however, sleighing commenced about the
middle of November, and lasted till about the same time in April — five months.
The average temperature for the three months of spring, March, April and May, from Wal-
worth county to St. Paul, is about 45° In central Wisconsin the mean for March is about 27",
which is an increase of nearly 7'^ from February. The lowest temperature of this month in
1876 was 40° above zero. April shows an average increase of about g" over March. In 1876
the line of 45" for this month passed from LaCrosse to Evanston, 111., touching Lake Erie at
Toledo, showing that the interior west of Lake Michigan is warmer than the lake region. The
change from winter to spring is more sudden in the interior than in the vicinity of the lakes.
" In the town of Lisbon, fifteen miles from Lake Michigan," says Dr. Lapham, " early spring
flowers show themselves about ten days earlier than on the lake. In spring vegetation, in places
remote from the lakes, shoots up in a very short time, and flowers show their petals, while on the
lake shore the cool air retards them and brings them more gradually into existence." The in-
crease from April to May is about 15". In May, 1876, Pembina and Milwaukee had nearly the
same mean temperature, about 55".
The extremes of our climate and the sudden changes of temperature no doubt have a
marked influence, both physically and mentally, on the American people. And though a more
equable climate may be more conducive to perfect health, the great range of our climate from
arctic to tropical, and the consequent variety and abundance of vegetable products, combine to
make the Mississippi valley perhaps one of the most favorable areas in the world for the develop-
ment of a strong and wealthy nation.
During the months of summer, in the interior of the eastern United States, at least three-
fourths of the rain-fall is in showers usually accompanied by electrical discharges and limited to
small areas. But in autumn, winter, and spring nearly the whole precipitation takes place in
general storms extending over areas of 300, 500 and sometimes over 1,000 miles in diameter, and
generally lasting two or three days. An area of low atmospheric pressure causes the wind to blow
toward that area from all sides, and when the depression is sudden' and great, it is accompanied
by much rain or snow. On account of the earth's rotation, the wind blowing toward this region
of low pressure is deflected to the right, causing the air to circulate around the center with a
motion spirally inward. In our latitude the storm commences with east winds. When the storm
center, or area of lowest barometer, is to the south of us, the wind gradually veers, as the storm
passes from west to east with the upper current, round to the northwest by the north point.
On the south side of the storm center, the wind veers from southeast to southwest, by the south
point. The phenomena attending such a storm when we are in or near the part of its center are
iisually as follows : After the sky has become overcast with clouds, the wind from the northeast
generally begins to rise and blows in the opposing direction to the march of the storm. The
clouds which are now moving over us, discharge rain or snow according to circumstances. The.
barometer continues to fall, and the rain or snow is brought obliquely down from the northern
quarter by the prevailing wind. After a while the wind changes slightly in direction and then
ceases. The thermometer rises and the barometer has reached its lowest point. This is the center
of the storm. After the calm the wind has changed its direction to northwest or west. The
CLIMATOLOGY OF WISCONSIN. 127
wind blows again, usually more violently than before, accompanied by rain or snow, which is now
generally of short duration. The sky clears, and the storm is suddenly succeeded by a tempera,
ture lo or 20 degrees below the mean. Most of the rain and snow falls with the east winds, or
before the center passes a given point. The path of these storms is from west to east, or nearly
so, and only seldom in other directions. These autumn, winter, and spring rains are generally
first noticed on the western plains, but may originate at any point along their path, and move
eastward with an average velocity of about 20 miles an hour in summer and 30 miles in winter,
but sometimes attaining a velocity of over 50 miles, doing great damage on the lakes. In pre-
dicting these storms, the signal service of the army is of incalculable practical benefit, as well
as in collecting data for scientific conclusions.
A subject of the greatest importance to every inhabitant of Wisconsin is the influence of
forests on climate and the effects of disrobing a county of its trees. The general influence of
forests in modifying the extremes of temperature, retarding evaporation and the increased
humidity of the air, has already been mentioned. That clearing the land of trees increases the
temperature of the ground in summer, is so readily noticed that it is scarcely necessary to men-
tion it ; while in winter the sensible cold is never so extreme in woods as on an open surface
exposed to the full force of the winds. " The lumbermen in Canada and the northern United
States labor in the woods without inconvenience; when the mercury stands many degrees below
zero, while in the open grounds, with only a moderate breeze, the same temperature is almost
insupportable." " In the state of Michigan it has been found that the winters have greatly
increased in severity within the last forty years, and that this increased severity seems to move
along even-paced with the destruction of the forests. Thirty years ago the peach was one of the
most abundant fruits of that State ; at that time frost, injurious to corn at any time from May to
October, was a thing unknown. Now the peach is an uncertain crop, and frost often injures the
corn." The precise influence of forests on temperature may not at present admit of definite solu-
tion, yet the mechanical screen which they furnish to the soil often far to the leeward of them,
is sufficiently established, and this alone is enough to encourage extensive planting wherever this
protection is wanting.
With regard to the quantity of rain-fall, " we can not positively affirm that the total annual
quantity of rain is even locally diminished or increased by the destruction of the woods, though
both theoretical considerations and the balance of testimony strongly favor the opinion that more
rain falls in wooded than in open countries. One important conclusion, at least, upon the
meteorological influence of forests is certain and undisputed : the proposition, namely, that,
within their own limits, and near their own borders, they maintain a more uniform degree of
humidity in the atmosphere than is observed in cleared grounds. Scarcely less can it be
questioned that they tend to promote the frequency of showers, and, if they do not augment the
amount of precipitation, they probably equalize its distribution through the different seasons."
There is abundant and undoubted evidence that the amount of water existing on the surface
in lakes and rivers, in many parts of the world, is constantly diminishing. In Germany, observa-
tions of the Rhine, Oder, Danube, and the Elbe, in the latter case going back for a period of 142
years, demonstrate beyond doubt, that each of these rivers has much decreased in volume, and
there is reason to fear that they will eventually disappear from the list of navigable rivers.
" The ' Blue-Grass ' region of Kentucky, once the pride of the West, has now districts of
such barren and arid nature that their stock farmers are moving toward the Cumberland mount-
ains, because the creeks and old springs dried up, and their wells became too low to furnish
water for their cattle." In our own state " such has been the change in the flow of the Milwau-
128 HISTOKY_0* WISCONSIN.
kee river, even while the area from which it receives its supply is but partially cleared, that the
proprietorf, of most of the mills and factories have found it necessary to resort to the use of
steam, at a largely increased yearly cost, to supply the deficiency of water-power in dry seasons
of the year." " What has happened to the Milwaukee river, has happened to all the other water
courses in the state from whose banks the forest has been removed ; and many farmers who
selected land uqon which there was a living brook of clear, pure water, now find these brooks
dried up during a considerable portion of the year."
Districts stripped of their forest are said to be more exposed than before to loss of harvests,
to droughts and frost. " Hurricanes, before unknown, sweep unopposed over the regions thus
denuded, carrying terror and devastation in their track." Earts of Asia Minor, North Africa,
. and other countries bordering on the Mediterranean, now almost deserts, were once densely
populated and the granaries of the world. And there is good reason to believe " that it is the
destruction of the forests which has produced this devastation." From such facts Wisconsin,
already largely robbed of its forests, should take warning before it is too late.
TREES, SHRUBS AND VINES.
Bv P. R. HOY, M.D.
It is not the purpose of this article to give a botanical description, but merely brief notes on
the economical value of the woods, and the fitness of the various indigenous trees, shrubs and
vines for the purpose of ornament, to be found in Wisconsin.
White Oak — Quercus Alba. — This noble tree is the largest and most important of the
American oaks. The excellent properties of the wood render it eminently valuable for a great
variety of uses. Wherever strength and durability are required, the white oak stands in the first
rank. It is employed in making wagons, coaches and sleds ; staves and hoops of the best quality
for barrels and casks are obtained from this tree ; it is extensively used in architecture, ship-
buildingi etc.; vast quantities are used for fencmg ; the bark is employed in tanning. The domes-
tic consumption of this tree is so great that it is of the first importance to preserve the young
trees wherever it is practicajale, and to make young plantations where the tree is not found. The
white oak is a graceful, ornamental tree, and worthy of particular attention as such ; found abun-
dantly in most of the timbered districts.
Burr Oak — Q. Macrocarpa. — This is perhaps the most ornamental of our oaks. Nothing
can exceed the graceful beauty of these trees, when not crowded or cramped in their growth, but
left free to follow the laws of their development. Who has not admired these trees in our exten-
sive burr oak openings 1 The large leaves are a dark green above and a bright silvery white
beneath, which gives the tree a singularly fine appearance when agitated by the wind. The wood
is tough, close-grained, and more durable than the white oak, especially when exposed to frequent
changes of moisture and drying ; did the tree grow to the same size, it would be preferred for
most uses. Abundant, and richly worthy of cultivation, both for utility and ornament.
Swamp White Oak — Q. Bicolor. — Is a valuable and ornamental tree, not quite so large or
as common as the burr oak. The wood is close-grained, durable, splits freely, and is well worthy
of cultivation in wet, swampy grounds, where it will thrive.
Post Oak — Q. Obtusiloba. — Is a scraggy, small tree, found sparingly in this state. The tim-
ber is durable, and makes good fuel. Not worthy of cultivation.
TREES, SHRUBS AKD VINES. 129)
Swamp Chestnut Oak — Q. Prinus. — This species of chestnut oak is a large, graceful tree^
wood rather open-grained, yet valuable for most purposes to which the oaks are applied ; makes
the best fuel of any of this family. A rare tree, found at Janesville and Brown's lake, near Bur^
lington. Worthy of cultivation.
Red Oak — Q. Rubra. — The red oak is a well-known, common, large tree. The wood is
coarse-grained, and the least durable of the oaks, nearly worthless for fuel, and scarcely worthy
of cultivation, even for ornament.
Pin Oak — Q. Palustris. — This is one of the most common trees in many sections of th6
state. The wood is of little value except for fuel. The tree is quite ornamental, and^^ should be
sparingly cultivated for this purpose.
Shingle Oak — Q_. Imbricaria. — Is a tree of medium size, found sparingly as far north as_
Wisconsin. It is ornamental, and the wood is used for shingles and staves.
Scarlet Oak — Q. Coccinea. — This is an ornamental tree, especially in autumn, when ita
leaves turn scarlet, hence the name. ' Wood of little value ; common.
Sugar Maple — Acer Saccharium. — This well-known and noble tree is found growing abun-
dantly in many sections of the state. The wood is close-grained and susceptible of a beautiful
polish, which renders it valuable for many kinds of furniture, more especially the varieties known
as bird's-eye and curled maples. The wood lacks the durability of the oak ; consequently is not
valuable for purposes where it will be exposed to the weather. For fuel it ranks next to hickory.
The sugar manufactured from this tree affords no inconsiderable resource for the comfort and
even wealth of many sections of the northern states, especially those newly settled, where it
would be difficult and expensive to procure their supply from a distance. As an ornamental tree
it stands almost at the head of the catalogue. The foliage is beautiful, compact, and free from
the attacks of insects. It puts forth its yellow blossoms early, and in the autumn the leaves
change in color and show the most beautiful tints of red and yellow long before they fall. Worthy
of especial attention for fuel and ornament, and well adapted to street-planting.
Red Maple — A. Rubrum. — Is another fine maple of more rapid growth than the foregoing
species. With wood rather lighter, but quite as valuable for cabinet-work — for fuel not quite so
good. The young trees bear transplanting even better than other maples. Though highly orna-
mental, this tree hardly equals the first-named species. It puts forth, in early spring, its scarlet
blossoms before a leaf has yet appeared. Well adapted to street-planting.
Mountain Maple — A. Spicatum. — Is a small branching tree, or rather shrub, found grow-
ing in clumps. Not worthy of much attention.
Silver Maple — A. Dasycarpum. — This is a common tree growing on the banks of streams^
especially in the western part of the state, grown largely for ornament, yet for the purpose it is.
the least valuable of the maples. The branches are long and straggling, and so brittle that they
are liable to be injured by winds.
Box Maple — Negundo Aceroides. — This tree is frequently called box elder. It is of a rapid,
growth and quite ornamental. The wood is not much used in the arts, but is good fuel. Should
be cultivated. It grows on Sugar and Rock rivers.
White Elm — Ulmus Americana. — This large and graceful tree stands confessedly at the
head of the list of ornamental deciduous trees. Its wide-spreading branches and long, pendu-
lous branchlets form a beautiful and conspicuous head. It grows rapidly, is free from disease
and the destructive attacks of insects, will thrive on most soils, and for planting along streets, in
public grounds or lawns, is unsurpassed by any American tree. The wood is but little used in.
the arts ; makes good firewood ; should be planted along all the roads and streets, near every
dwelling, and on all public grounds.
ion _ •
**" HISTORY or WISCONSIN.
Slippery Elm — V. Fulva. — This smaller and less ornamental species is also common. The
Wood, however, is much more valuable than the white elm, being durable and splitting readily.
It makes excellent rails, and is much used for the framework of buildings ; valuable for fuel ;
should be cultivated.
Wild Black Cherry — Cerasus Serotina. — This large and beautiful species of cherry is one
of the most valuable of American trees. The wood is compact, fine-grained, and of a brilliant
reddish color, not liable to warp, or shrink and swell with atmospheric changes ; extensively em-
ployed by cabinet-makers for every species of furnishing. It is exceedingly durable, hence is
valuable for fencing, building, etc. Richly deserves a place in the lawn or timber plantation.
Bird Cherry — C. Pennsylvanica. — Is a small northern species, common in the state and
worthy of cultivation for ornament.
Choke Cherry — C. Virginiana. — This diminutive tree is of little value, not worth the trouble
of cultivation.
Wild Plum — Prunus Americana. — The common wild plum when in full bloom is one of the
mosi ornamental of small flowering trees, and as such should not be neglected. The fruit is
rather agreeable, but not to be compared to fine cultivated varieties, which may be engrafted on
the wild stock to the very best advantage. It is best to select small trees, and work them on the
roots. The gjrafts should be inserted about the middle of April.
Hackberry — Celtis Occidentalis. — This is an ornamental tree of medium size ; wood hard,
close-grained and elastic ; makes the best of hoops, whip-stalks, and thills for carriages. The
Indians formerly made great use of the hackbeiry wood for their bows. A tree worthy of a lim-
ited share of attention.
American Linden or Basswood — Tilia Americana. — Is one of the finest ornamental trees for
public grounds, parks, etc., but will not thrive where the roots are exposed to bruises ; for this
reason it is not adapted to planting along the streets of populous towns. The wood is light and
tough, susceptible of being bent to almost any curve ; durable if kept from the weather ; takes
paint well, and is considerably used in the arts ; for fuel it is of little value. This tree will
flourish in almost any moderately rich, damp soil ; bears transplanting well ; can be propagated
readily from layers.
White Thorn — Crataegus Coccinea, and Dotted Thorn — C. Punctata. — ^These two species
of thorn are found everywhere on the rich bottom lands. When in bloom they are beautiful, and
should be cultivated for ornament. The wood is remarkably compact and hard, and were it not
for the small size of the tree, would be valuable.
Crab Apple — Pyrus Coronaria. — This common small tree is attractive when covered with
Its highly fragrant rose-colored blossoms. Wood hard, fine, compact grain, but the tree is too
small for the wood to be of much practical value. Well worthy of a place in extensive grounds.
Mountain Ash — P Americana. — This popular ornament to our yards is found growing in
the northern part of the state and as far south as 43°. The wood is useless.
White Ash — Fraxinus Acuminata. — Is a large, interesting tree, which combines utility with
beauty in an eminent degree. The wood possesses strength, suppleness and elasticity, which
renders it valuable for a great variety of uses. It is extensively employed in carriage manufact-
uring; for various agricultural implements ; is esteemed superior to any other wood for oars;
excellent for fuel. The white ash grows rapidly, and in open ground forms one of the most
lovely trees that is to be found. The foliage is clean and handsome, and in autumn turns from
its bright green to a violet purple hue, which adds materially to the beauty of our autumnal syl-
van scenery. It is richly deserving our especial care and protection, and wiU amply repay all
labor and expense bestowed on its cultivation.
TREES, SHRUBS AND VINES. 131
Black Ash — F Sambucifolia. — This is another tall, graceful and well-known species of ash.
The wood is used for making baskets, hoops, etc. ; when thoroughly dry, affords a good article of
fuel. Deserves to be cultivated in low, rich, swampy situations, where more useful trees will not
thrive.
Black Walnut — Juglans Nigra. — ^This giant of the rich alluvial bottom lands claims
special attention for its valuable timber. It is among the most durable and beautiful of Ameri-
can woods ; susceptible of a fine polish ; not liable to shrink and swell by heat and moisture.
It is extensively employed by the cabinet-makers for every variety of furniture. Walnut forks,
are frequently found which rival in richness aad beauty the far-famed mahogany. This tree,
in favorable situations, grows rapidly ; is highly ornamental, and produces annually an abundant
crop of nuts.
Butternut — J. Cinerea. — This species of walnut is not as valuable as the above, yet for its
beauty, and the durability of its wood, it should claim a small portion of attention. The wood
is rather soft for most purposes to which it otherwise might be applied. When grown near
streams, or on moist side-hills, it produces regularly an ample crop of excellent nuts. It grows
rapidly.
Shell-Bark Hickory — Carya Alba. — This, the largest and finest of American hickories,
grows abundantly throughout the state. Hickory wood possesses probably the greatest strength
and tenacity of any of our indigenous trees, and is used for a variety of purposes , but,
unfortunately, it is liable to be eaten by worms, and lacks durability. For fuel, the shell-bark
hickory stands unrivaled. The tree is ornamental and produces every alternate year an ample
crop of the best of nuts.
Shag-Bark Hickory — C. Inclaia. — Is a magnificent tree, the wood of which is nearly as
valuable as the above. The nuts are large, thick-shelled and coarse, not to be compared to the
C. alba. A rare tree in Wisconsin ; abundant further south.
Pignut Hickory— C. Glabra. — This species possesses all the bad and but few of the good
qualities of the shell-bark. The nuts are smaller and not so good. The tree should be pre-
served and cultivated in common with the shell-bark. Not abundant.
Bitternut — C. Amara. — Is an abundant tree, valuable for fuel, but lacking the strength and
elasticity of the preceding species. It is, however, quite as ornamental as any of the hickories.
Red Beech — Fagus Ferruginea. — This is a common tree, with brilliant, shining light-green
leaves, and long, flexible branches. It is highly ornamental, and should be cultivated for this
purpose, as well as for its useful wood, which is tough, close-grained and compact. It is much
used for plane-stocks, tool handles, etc., and as an article of fuel is nearly equal to maple.
Water Beech — Carpinus Americana. — Is a small tree, called hornbeam by many. The
wood is exceedingly hard and compact, but the small size of the tree renders it almost
useless.
Iron Wood — Ostrya Virginica. — ^This small tree is found disseminated throughout most of
our woodlands. It is, to a considerable degree, ornamental, but of remarkably slow growth. The
wood possesses valuable properties, being heavy and strong, as the name would indicate ; yet,
from its small size, it is of but little use.
Balsam Poplar — Populus Candicans. — This tree is of medium size, and is known by sev-
eral names : Wild balm of Gilead, cottonwood, etc. It grows in moist, sandy soil, on river bot-
toms. It has broad, heart-shaped leaves, which turn a fine yellow after the autumn frosts. It
grows more rapidly than any other of our trees ; can be transplanted with entire success when
eight or nine inches in diameter, and makes a beatiful shade tree — the most ornamental of pop-
lars. The wood is soft, spongy^ and nearly useless.
132
HISTORY OF WISCONSM-
QuAKiNG Aspen — P. Tremuloides. — Is a well-known, small tree. It is rather ornamental,
but scarcely worth cultivating.
Large Aspen — P Grandidentata.- — Is the largest of our poplars. It frequently grows to
the height of sixty or seventy feet, with a diameter of two and one-half feet. The wood is soft,
easily split, and used for frame buildings. It is the most durable of our poplars.
Cotton Wood — P. Monolifera. — This is the largest of all the poplars ; abundant on the
Mississippi river. Used largely for fuel on the steamboats. The timber is of but little use in
the arts.
Sycamore or Buttonwood — Platanus Occidenfalis. — This, the largest and most majestic
of our trees, is found growing only on the rich alluvial river bottoms. The tree is readily
known, even at a considerable distance, by its whitish smooth branches. The foliage is large
and beautiful, and the tree one of the most ornamental known. The wood speedily decays, and
when sawed into lumber warps badly ; on these accounts it is but little used, although susceptible
of a fine finish. As an article of fuel it is of inferior merit.
Canoe Birch — Betula Papyracea.-^\s a rather elegant and interesting tree. It grows abund-
antly in nearly every part of the state. The wood is of a fine glossy grain, susceptible of a good
finish, but lacks durability and strength, and, therefore, is but little used in the mechanical arts.
For fuel it is justly prized. It bears transplanting without difficulty. The Indians manufacture
their celebrated bark canoes from the bark of this tree.
Cherry Birch — B. Lenta. — This is a rather large, handsome tree, growing along streams.
Leaves and bark fragrant. Wood, fine-grained, rose-colored ; used largely by the cabinet-
makers. ^
Yellow Birch — B. Lutea. — This beautiful tree occasionally attains a large size. It is
highly ornamental, and is of value for fuel ; but is less prized than the preceding species for cab-
inet work.
Kentucky Coffee Tree — Gymnocladus Canadensis. — This singularly beautiful tree is only
found sparingly, and on rich alluvial lands. I met with it growing near the Peccatonica, in
Green county. The wood is fine-grained, and of a rosy hue ; is exsceedingly durable, and well
worth cultivating.
June Berry — Amelanchier Canadensis. — Is a small tree which adds materially to the beauty
of our woods in early spring, at which time it is in full bloom. The wood is of no particular
value, and the tree interesting only when covered with its white blossoms.
White Pine — Pinus Strofus. — This is the largest and most valuable of our indigenous pines.
The wood is soft, free from resin, and works easily. It is extensively employed in the mechan-
ical arts. It is found in great profusion in the northern parts of the state. This species is
readily known by the leaves being in fives. It is highly ornameptal, but in common with all
pines, will hardly bear transplanting. Only small plants should be moved.
Norway or Red Pine — P. Resinosa, and Yellow Pine — P. Mitis. — These are two large
trees, but little inferior in size to the white pine. The wood contains more resin, and is conse-
quently more durable. The leaves of both these species are in twos. Vast quantities of lumber
are yearly manufactured from these two varieties and the white pine. The extensive pineries
of the state are rapidly diminishing.
Shrub Pine — P. Banksiana. — Is a small, low tree ; only worthy of notice here for the orna-
mental shade it produces. It is found in the northern sections of the state.
Balsam Fir — Abies Balsamea. — This beautiful evergreen is multiplied to a great extent on
the shores of Lake Superior, where it grows forty or fifty feet in height. The wood is of but
TREES, SHRUBS AKD VINES. 133
little value The balsam of fir, or Canadian balsam, is obtained from this tree.
Double Spruce — A. Nigra. — This grows in the same localities with the balsam fir, and
assumes the same pyramidal form, but is considerably larger. The wood is light and possesses
considerable strength and elasticity, which renders it one of the best materials for yards and top-
masts for shippmg. It is extensively cultivated for ornament.
Hemlock — A. Cufiadensis. — The hemlock is the largest of the genus. It is gracefully orna-
mental, but the wood is of little value. The baik is extensively employed in tanning.
Tamarack — Larix Americana. — This beautiful tree grows abundantly in swampy situations
throughout the state. It is not quite an evergreen It drops its leaves in winter, but quickly
recovers them in early spring. The wood is remarkably durable and valuable for a variety of
uses. The tree grows rapidly, and can be successfully cultivated in peaty situations, where other
trees would not thrive.
Arbor Vit^e — Thuja Occidentalis. — This tree is called the white or flat cedar. It grows
abundantly in many parts of the state. The wood is durable, furnishing better fence posts than
any other tree, excepting the red cedar. Shingles and staves of a superior quality are obtained
from these trees. A beautiful evergreen hedge is made from the young plants, which bear trans-
planting better than most evergreens. It will grow on most soils if sufficiently damp.
Red C^dk'b. — Juniperus Virginiana. — Is a well known tree that furnishes those celebrated
fence posts that " last forever." The wood is highly fragrant, of a rich red color, and fine
grained ; hence it is valuable for a variety of uses. It should be extensively cultivated.
Dwarf Juniper — J. Sabina. — This is a low trailing shrub. Is considerably prized for
ornament. Especially worthy of cultivation in large grounds.
Sassafras — Sassafras officinale. — Is a small tree of fine appearance, with fragrant leaves
bark. Grows in Kenosha county. Should be cultivated.
Willows. — There are many species of willows growing in every part of the state, several of
which are worthy of cultivation near streams and ponds.
White Willow — Salix alba. — Is a fine tree, often reaching sixty feet in height. The wood
is soft, and makes the best charcoal for the manufacture of gun-powder. Grows rapidly.
Black Willow — S. Nigra. — This is also a fine tree, but not quite so large as the foregoing.
It is used for similar purposes.
There are many shrubs and vines indigenous to the state worthy of note. I shall, however,
call attention to only a few of the best.
Dogwoods. — There are several species found in our forests and thickets. All are ornamen-
tal when covered with a profusion of white blossoms. I would especially recommend : corns
sericea, C. stolonifera, C. paniculata, and C. alternifolia. All these will repay the labor of trans-
planting to ornamental grounds.
Viburnums. — These are very beautiful, ^^'ha.we viburnum leniago, V. pruni/olium, V. nudum,
V. deniatum, V. pubescens, V. acerifolium, V. paucifiorum, and V. opulus. The last is known as
the cranberry tree, and is a most beautiful shrub when in bloom, and also when covered with its
red, acid fruit. The common snow-ball tree is a cultivated variety of the V. opulus.
Witch Hazel — Hamamelis Virginica. — Is an interesting, tall shrub that flowers late in
autumn, when the leaves are falling, and matures the fruit the next summer. It deserves more
attention than it receives.
Burning Bush — Euonymus atropurpureus. — This fine shrub is called the American straw-
berry, and is exceedingly beautiful when covered with its load of crimson fruit, which remains
during winter.
1B4 HISTOEY OF WISCONSIN".
Sumach — Rhus typhina. — Is a tall shrub, 11 known, but seldom cultivated. When well
grown it is ornamental and well adapted for planting in clumps.
Hop Tree — Ptcleatrifoliata. — This is a showy shrub with shining leaves, which should be
cultivated. Common in rich, alluvial ground.
Bladder Nut — Staphylea trifolia. — Is a fine, upright, showy shrub, found spa.ringly all over
the state. Is ornamental, with greenish striped branches and showy leaves.
Vines.
"Virginia Creeper— ^»2/«/i?/«j- quinquefolia. — This is a noble vine, climbing extensively by
disc-bearing tendrils, so well known as to require no eulogy. Especially beautiful in its fall
colors.
Bitter Sweet — Celastrus scandens. — Is a stout twining vine, which would be an ornament to
any grounds. In the fall and early winter it is noticeable for its bright fruit. Common.
Yellow Honeysuckle — Lonicera flava. — Is a fine native vine, which is found climbing over
tall shrubs and trees." Ornamental. There are several other species of honeysuckle ; none, how-
ever, worthy of special mention.
Frost Grape — Vitce cordifolia. — This tall-growing vine has deliciously sweet blossoms,
which perfume the air for a great distance around. For use as a screen, this hardy species will
be found highly satisfactory.
FAUNA OF WISCONSIN.
By p. R. hoy, M.D.
FISH AND FISH CULTURE.
Fish are cold blooded aquatic vertebrates, having fins as organs of progression. They have
a two-chambered heart ; their bodies are mostly covered with scales, yet a few are entirely naked,
like catfish and eels; others again are covered with curious plates, such as the sturgeon. Fish
inhabit both salt and fresh water. It is admitted by all authority that fresh-water fish are more
universally edible than those inhabiting the ocean. Marine fish are said to be more highly
flavored than those inhabiting fresh waters ; an assertion I am by no means prepared to admit.
As a rule, fish are better the colder and purer the water in which they are found, and where can
you find those ccnditions more favorable than in the cold depths of our great lakes "> Wehave
tasted, under the most favorable conditions, about every one of the celebrated salt-water fish, and
can say that whoever eats a whitefish just taken from the pure, cold water of Lake Michigan will
have no reason to be envious of the dwellers by the sea.
Fish are inconceivably prolific ; a single female deposits at one spawn from one thousand to
one million eggs, varying according to species.
Fish afford a valuable article of food for man, being highly nutritious and easy of digestion ;
they abound in phosphates, hence are valuable as affording nutrition to the osseous and nervous sys-
tem, hence they have been termed, not inappropriately, brain food — certainly a very desirable article
of diet for some people. They are more savory, nutritious and easy of digestion when just taken
from the water ; in fact, the sooner they are cooked after being caught the better. No fish should
be more than a few hours from its watery element before being placed upon the table. For con-
venience, I will group our fish into families as a basis for what. I shall offer. Our bony fish,
FAUNA OF WISCONSIN. 135
having spine rays and covered with comb-like scales, belong to the perch family — a valuable
family ; all take the hook, are gamey, and spawn in the summer.
The yellow perch and at least four species of black or striped bass have a wide range, being
found in all the rivers and lakes in the state. There is a large species of fish known as Wall-
eyed pike {Leucoperca americand) belonging to this family, which is found sparingly in most of our
rivers and lakes. The pike is an active and most rapacious animal, devouring fish of consider-
able size. The flesh is firm and of good flavor. It would probably be economical to propagate
it to a moderate extent.
The six-spined bass {Pomoxys hexacanthus, Agas.) is one of the most desirable of the spine-
rayed fish found in the State. The flesh is fine flavored, and as the fish is hardy and takes the
hook with avidity, it should be protected during the spawning season and artificially propagated.
I have examined the stomachs of a large number of these fish and in every instance found small
crawfish, furnishing an additional evidence in its favor. Prof. J. P. Kirtland, the veteran ichthy-
ologist of Ohio, says that this so-callea " grass bass" is the fish for the million.
The white bass {Roccuschrysops) is a species rather rare even in the larger bodies of water,
but ought to be introduced into every small lake in the State, where I am certain they would
flourish. It is an excellent fish, possessing many of the good qualities and as few of the bad as
any that belong to the family. There is another branch of this family, the sunfish, Fomotis^
which numbers at least six species found in Wisconsin. They are beautiful fish, and afford
abundant sport for the boys ; none of them, however, are worth domesticating (unless it be in the
aquarium) as there are so many better.
The carp family {Cyprinida) are soft finned fish without maxillary teeth. They include by
far the greater number of fresh-water fish. Some specimens are not more than one inch, while
others are nearly two feet in length. Our chubs, silversides and suckers are the principal mem-
bers of this family. Dace are good pan-fish, yet their small size is objectionable; they are the
children's game fish. The Cyprinida all spawn in the spring, and might be profitably propa-
gated as food for the larger and more valuable fish.
There are six or seven species of suckers foimd in our lakes and rivers. The red horse,
found every where, and at least one species of the buffalo, inhabiting the Mississippi and its trib-
utaries, are the best of the genus Catastomus. Suckers are bony, and apt to taste suspiciously of
mud ; they are only to be tolerated in the absence of better. The carp (Cyprenius carpo) has been
successfully introduced into the Hudsonriver.
The trout family (^Salmonidce) are soft-finned fish with an extra dorsal adipose fin without
rays. They inhabit northern cpuntries, spawning in the latter part of fall and winter. Their
flesh ^is universally esteemed. The trout family embrace by far the most valuable of our fish,
including, as it does, trout and whitefish. The famous speckled trout {Salmo foniinalis) is a
small and beautiful species which is found in nearly every stream in the northern half of the
State. Wherever there is a spring run or lake, the temperature of which does not rise higher than
sixty-five or seventy in the summer, there trout can be propagated in abundance. The great
salmon trout {&/. amethystus) of the great lakes is a magnificent fish weighing from ten to sixty
pounds. The Shcowit salmo siscowit of Lake Superior is about the same size, but not quite so
good a fish, being too fat and oily. They will, no doubt, flourish in the larger of the inland
lakes.
The genus Coregonus includes the true whitefish, or lake shad. In this genus, as now
restricted, the nose is square and the under jaw short, and when first caught they have the
fragrance of fresh cucumbers. There are at least three species found in Lake Michigan. In my
136 HISTORY OP WISCONSIN.
opinion these fish are more delicately flavored than the celebrated Potomac shad ; but I doubt
whether they will thrive in the small lakes, owing to the absence of the small Crustacea <'^ which
they subsist. The closely allied genus Argyrosomus includes seven known species inhabitmg the
^ larger lakes, and one, the Argyrosomus stsco, which is found in several of the lesser lakes. The
larger species are but little inferior to the true whitefish, with which they are commonly
confounded. The nose is pointed, the under jaw long, and they take the hook at certain seasons
with activity. They eat small fish as well as insects and crustaceans.
Of the pickerel family, we have three or four closely allied species of the genus Esox, armed
with prodigious jaws filled with cruel teeth. They lie motionles eady to dart, swift as an
arrow, upon their prey. They are the sharks of the fresh water. The pickerel are so rapacious
that they spare not their own species. Sometimes .they attempt to swallow a fish nearly as large
as themselves, and perish in consequence. Their flesh is moderately good, and as they are game
to the backbone, it might be desirable to propagate them to a moderate extent under peculiar
circumstances. .
The catfish {^Silurida) have soft fins, protected by sharp spines, and curious fleshy barbels
floating from their lips, without scales, covered only with a slimy coat of mucus. The
genus Pimlodus are scavengers among fish, as vultures among birds. They are filthy in habit
and food. There is one interesting trait of the catfish — the vigilant and watchful motherly
care of the young by the male. He defends them with great spirit, and herds them together
when they straggle. Even the mother is driven far off; for he" knows full well that she would
not scruple to make a full meal off her little black tadpole-like progeny. There are four species
known to inhabit this State — one peculiar to the great lakes, and two found in the numerous
affluents of the Mississippi. One of these, the great yellow catfish, sometimes weighs over one
hundred pounds. When in good condition, stuffed and well baked, they are a fair table fish.
The small buU-heg-d is universally distributed.
The sturgeons are large sluggish fish, covered with plates instead of scales. There
are at least three species of the genus Acipenser found in the waters of Wisconsin. Being so
large and without bones, they afford a sufficiently cheap article of food ; unfortunately, however,
the quality is decidedly bad. Sturgeons deposit an enormous quantity of eggs ; the roe not
unfrequently weighs one fourth as much as the entire body, and numbers, it is said, many
millions. The principal commercial value of sturgeons is found in the roe and swimming
bladder. The much prized caviare is manufactured from the former, and from the latter the best
of isinglass is obtained.
The gar-pikes {Lepidosteus) are represented by at least three species of this singular fish.
They have long serpentine bodies, with jaws prolonged into a regular bill, which is well provided
with teeth. The scales are composed of bone covered on the outside with enamel, like teeth.
The alligator gar, confined to the depths of the Mississippi, is a large fish, and the more common
species, Lepidosteus bison, attains to a considerable size. The Lepidosteous, now only found in
North America, once had representatives all over the globe. Fossils of the same family of which
the gar-pike is the type, have been found all over Europe, in the oldest fossiliferous beds, in the
strata of the age of coal, in the new red sandstone, in oolitic deposits, and in the chalk and
tertiary formations — being one of the many living evidences that North America was the first
country above the water. For all practical purposes, we should not regret to have the gar-pikes
follow in the footsteps of their aged and illustrious predecessors. They could well be spared.
There is a fish {^Loia maculose^ which belongs to the cod-fish family, called by the fishermen
the "lawyers," for what reason I am not able to say ^ at any rate, the fish is worthless. There
are a great number of small fish, interesting only to the naturalist, which I shall omit to men-
tion here.
FAUNA OF WISCOjSTSIN. 137
Fish of the northern countries are the most valuable, for the reason that the water is colder
and purer. Wisconsin, situated between forty-two thirty, and forty-seven degrees of latitude,
bounded on the east and north by the largest lakes in the world, on the west by the "Great river,"
traversed by numerous fine and rapid streams, and sprinkled all over with beautiful and pictu-
resque lakes, has. physical conditions certainly the most favorable, perhaps of any State, for an
abundant and never-failing supply of the best fish. Few persons have any idea of the importance
of the fisheries of Lake Michigan. It is difficult to collect adequate data to form a correct
knowledge of the capital invested and the amount of fish taken ; enough, however, has been
ascertained to enable me to state that at Milwaukee alone $100,000 are invested, and not less
than two hundred and eighty tons of dressed fish taken annually. At Racine, during the entire
season of nine months, there are, on an average, one thousand pounds of whitefish and trout,
each, caught and sold daily, amounting to not less than $16,000. It is well known that, since the
adoption of the gill-net system, the fishermen are enabled to pursue their calling ten months of
the year.
When the fish retire to the deep water, they are followed with miles of nets, and the poor
fish are entangled on every side. There is a marked falling off in the number and size of white-
fish and trout taken, when compared with early years. When fish were only captured with seines,
they had abundant chance to escape and multiply so as to keep an even balance in number.
Only by artificial propagation and well enforced laws protecting them during the spawning
season, can we hope now to restore the balance. In order to give some idea of the valuable
labors of the state fish commissioners, I will state briefly that they have purchased for the
state a piece of property, situated three miles from Madison, known as the Nine Springs,
including forty acres of land, on which they have erected a dwelling-house, barn and hatchery,
also constructed several ponds, in which can be seen many valuable fish in the enjoyment of
perfect health and vigor. As equipped, it is, undoubtedly, one of the best, if not the' best, hatchery
in the states. In this permanent establishment the commission design to hatch and distribute
to the small lakes and rivers of the interior the most valuable of our indigenous fish, such as
bass, pike, trout, etc., etc., as well as many valuable foreign varieties. During the past season,
many fish have been distributed from this state hatchery. At the Milwaukee Water Works, the
commission have equipped a hatchery on a large scale, using the water as pumped directly from
the lake. During the past season there was a prodigious multitude of young trout and whitefish
distributed from this point. The success of Superintendent Welcher in hatching whitefish at
Milwaukee has been the best yet gained, nearly ninety per cent, of the eggs "laid down"
being hatched. Pisciculturists will appreciate this wonderful success, as they well know how
difficult it is to manage the spawn of the whitefish.
■ I append the following statistics of the number of fish hatched and distributed from the
Milwaukee hatchery previous to 1878 :
Total number of fish hatched, 8,000,000 — whitefish, 6,300,000; salmon trout, 1,700,000.
They were distributed as follows, in the month of May, 1877 : Whitefish planted in Lake
Michigan, at Racine, 1,000,000; at Milwaukee, 3,260,000; between Manitowoc and Two Rivers
1,000,000; in Green bay, 1,000,000; in Elkhart lake, 40,000.
Salmon trout were turned out as follows : Lake Michigan, near Milwaukee, 600,000 ;
Brown's lake, Racine county, 40,000 ; Delavan lake, Walworth county, 40,000 ; Troy lake, Wal-
worth county, 40,000 ; Pleasant lake, Walworth county, 40,000 ; Lansdale lake, Walworth
county, 40,000; Ella lake, Milwaukee county, 16,000; Cedar lake, Washington county, 40,000;
Elkhart lake, Sheboygan county,' 4.0,000 ; Clear lake, Rock county, 40,000 ; Ripley lake.
138 HISTOKY OF WISCONSIN.
Jefferson county, 40,000 ; Mendota lake, Dane county, 100,000; Fox lake, Dodge county,
40,000 ; Swan and Silver lakes, Columbia county, 40,000 ; Little Green lake, Green Lake
county, 40,000; Big Green lake. Green Lake county, 100,000; Bass lake, St. Croix county,
40,000; Twin lakes, St. Croix county, 40,000 ; Long lake, (Chippewa county, 40,000; Oconomo-
woc lake, Waukesha county, 100,000; Pine lake, Waukesha county, 40,000; Pewaukee lake,
Waukesha county, 100,000 ; North lake, Waukesha county, 40,000 ; Nagawicka lake^ Waukesha
county, 40,000; Okanche lake, Waukesha county, 40,000.
LARGE ANIMALS.— TIME OF THEIR DISAPPEARANCE.
Fifty years ago, the territory now included in the state of Wisconsin, was nearly in a state
of nature, all the large wild animals were then abundant. Now, all has changed. The ax and
plow, gun and dog, railway and telegraph, have metamorphosed the face of nature. Most of
the large quadrupeds have been either exterminated, or have hid themselves away in the wilder-
ness. In a short time, all of these will have disappeared from the state. The date and order
in which animals become extinct within the boundaries of the state, is a subject of great interest.
There was a time when the antelope, the woodland caribou, the buffalo, and the wild turkey,
Were abundant, but are now no longer to be found. ,
The Antelope, Antilocarpa Americana^ now confined to the Western plains, did, two hun-
dred years ago, inhabit Wisconsin as far east as Michigan. In October, 1679, Father Hennepin,
with La Salle and party, in four canoes, coasted along the Western shore of Lake Michigan. In
Hennepin's narrative, he says; " The oldest of them " (the Indians) " came to us the next morn-
ing with their calumet of peace, and brought some wild goats." This was somewhere north of
Milwaukee. "Being in sore distress, we saw upon the coast a great many ravens and eagles "
(turkey vultures), " from whence we conjectured there was some prey, and having landed upon
that place, we found above the half of a fat wild goat, which the wolves had strangled. This
provision was very acceptable to us, and the rudest of our men could not but praise the Divine
Providence which took so particular care of us." This must have been somewhere near Racine.
"On the 1 6th" (October, 1679), " we met with abundance of game. A savage we had with us,
killed several stags (deer) and wild goats, and our men a great many turkeys, very fat and big."
This must have been south of Racine. These g-oats were undoubtedly antelopes. Schoolcraft
mentions antelopes as occupying the Northwest territory.
When the last buffalo crossed the Mississippi is not precisely known. It is certain they
lingered in Wisconsin in 1825. It is said there was a buffalo shot on the St. Croix river as late
as 1832, so Wisconsin claims the last buffalo. The woodland zsxHoo'^—Rangifer caribou — were
never numerous within the limits of the state. A few were seen not far from La Pointe in 1^45 .
The last wild turkey in the eastern portion of the state, was in 1846. On the Mississippi, one
was killed in 1856. I am told by Dr. Walcott, that turkeys were abundant in Wisconsin previous
to the hard winter of 1842-3, when snow was yet two feet deep in March, with a stout crust, so
that the turkeys could not get to the ground. They became so poor and weak, that they could
not fly, and thus became an easy prey to the wolves, foxes, wild cats, minks, etc., which exter-
minated almost the entire race. The Doctor says he saw but one single individual the next
winter. Elk were on Hay river in 1863, and I have little doubt a few yet remain. Moose are.
not numerous, a few yet remain in the northwestern part of the state. I saw moose tracks on
the Montreal river, near Lake Superior, in the summer of 1845. A few panthers may still
inhabit the wilderness of Wisconsin. Benjamin Bones, of Racine, shot one on the headwaters of
FAUNA OF WISCOKSIN. 139
Black river, December, 1863. Badgers are now nearly gone, and in a few years more, the only
badgers found within the state, will be two legged ones. Beavers are yet numerous in the
small lakes in the northern regions. Wolverines are occasionally met with in the northern
forests. Bears, wolves, and deer, will continue to flourish in the northern and central counties,
where underbrush, timber, and small lakes abound.
All large animals will soon be driven by civilization out of Wisconsin. The railroad and
improved firearms will do the work, and thus we lose the primitive denizens of the forest and
prairies.
PECULIARITIES OF THE BIRD FAUNA.
The facts recorded in this paper, were obtained by personal observations within fifteen
miles of Racine, Wisconsin, latitude 42° 46' north, longitude 87" 48' west. This city is situated
on the western shore of Lake Michigan, at the extreme southern point of the heavy lumbered
district, the base of which rests on Lake Superior. Racine extends six miles further into the
lake than Milwaukee, and two miles further than Kenosha. At this point the great prairie
approaches near the lake from the west. The extreme rise of the mercury in summer, is from
90° to 100° Fahrenheit. The isothermal line comes further north in summer, and retires further
south in winter than it does east of the great lakes, which physical condition will sufficiently
explain the remarkable peculiarities of its animal life, the overlapping, as it were, of two distinct
faunas. More especially is this true of birds, that are enabled to change their locality with the
greatest facility. Within the past thirty years, I have collected and observed over three hundred
species of birds, nearly half of all birds found in North America. Many species, considered
rare in other sections, are found here in the greatest abundance. A striking peculiarity of the
ornithological fauna of this section, is that southern birds go farther north in summer, while
northern species go farther south in winter than they do east of the lakes. Of summer birds
that visit us, I will ennumerate a few of the many that belong to a more southern latitude in the
Atlantic States. Nearly all nest with us, or, at least, did some years ago.
Yellow-breasted chat, Icteri'a virdis ; mocking bird, Mimus pollyglottus ; great Carolina wren,
Thrioihorus ludovicianus ; prothonotary warbler, Protonoiaria citrea; summer red bird, Pyrangia
as'iiva; wood ibis, Tantalus loeulator.
Among Arctic birds that visit us in winter are :
Snowy owl, Nyctea nivea; great gray owl, Syrnium cinerus; hawk owl, Surnia ululaj Arctic
three-toed woodpecker, Picoides arcticus; banded three-toed woodpecker, Picoides hirsutus; mag-
pie. Pica hudsonicaj Canada jay, Perisorius canadensis; evening grosbeak, Hesperiphona vesper-
tina; Hudson titmouse, Parus hudsonicus j king eder, Somateria spectabilisj black-throated diver,
Colymbus arcticus; glaucus gull, Laurus glaucus.
These examples are sufficient to indicate the rich avi fauna of Wisconsin. It is doubtful if
there is another locality where the Canada jay and its associates visit in winter where the mock-
ing bird nests in summer, or where the hawk owl flies silently over the spot occupied during
the warmer days by the summer red bird and the yellow-breasted chat. But the ax has already
leveled much of the great woods, so that there is now a great falling off in numbers of our old
familiar feathered friends. It is now extremely doubtful if such a collection can ever again be
madf within the boundaries of this state, or indeed, of any other.
EDUCATIONAL HISTORY.
By Prof. EDWARD SEARING, State Superintendent of Public Instruction.
From the time of the earliest advent of the families of French traders into the region now
tnown as Wisconsin, to the year 1818, when that region became part of Michigan territory,
jducation was mostly confined to private instruction, or was sought by the children of the
ivealthier in the distant cities of Quebec, Montreal, and Detroit. The early Jesuit missionaries,
md — subsequently to i8r6, when it came under the military control of the United States —
representatives of various other religious denominations, sought to teach the Indian tribes of
this section. In 1823, Rev. Eleazar Williams, well known for his subsequent claim to be the
Dauphin of France, and who was in the employ of the Episcopal Missionary Society, started a
school of white and half-breed children on the west side of Fox river, opposite " Shanty-Town."
A. Catholic mission school for Indians was organized by an Italian priest near Green Bay, in
1830. A clause of the treaty with the Winnebago Indians, in 1832, bound the United States to
maintain a school for their children near Prairie du Chien for a period of twenty-seven years.
The Original School Code.
From 1818 to 1836, Wisconsin formed part of Michigan territory. In the year 1837, Michi-
gan was admitted into the Union as a state, and Wisconsin, embracing what is now Minnesota,
[owa, and a considerable region still further westward, was, by act of congress approved April
20th of the year previous, established as a separate territory. The act provided that the existing
laws of the territory of Michigan should be extended over the new territory so far as compatible
tvith the provisions of the act, subject to alteration or repeal by the new government created.
Thus with the other statutes, the school code of Michigan became the original code of Wiscon-
sin, and it was soon formally adopted, with almost no change, by the first territorial legislature,
(vhich met at Belmont. Although modified in some of its provisions almost every year, this
mperfect code continued in force until the adoption of the state constitution in 1848. The
irst material changes in the code were made by the territorial legislature at its second session,
n 1837, by the passage of a bill " to regulate the sale of school lands, and to provide for organ-
zing, regulating, and perfecting common schools." It was provided in this act that as soon as
twenty electors should reside in a surveyed township, they should elect a board of three com-
missioners, holding office three years, to lay off districts, to apply the proceeds of the leases of
ichool lands to the payment of teachers' wages, and to caH, school meetings. It was also pro-
i^ided that each district should elect a board of three directors, holding office one year, to locate
ichool-houses, hire teachers for at least three months in the year, and levy taxes for the support
jf schools. It was further provided that a third board of five inspectors should be elected
innually in each town to examine and license teachers and inspect the schools. Two years
subsequently (1839) the law was revised and the family, instead of the electors, was made the
Dasis of the town organization. Every town with not less than ten families was made a school
district and required to provide a competent teacher. More populous towns were divided into
:wo or more districts. The office of town commissioner was abolished, its duties with certain
jthers being transferred to the inspectors. The rate-bill system of taxation, previously in
existence, was repealed, and a tax on the whole county for building school-houses and support-
EDUCATIONAL HISTOEY. 141
ing schools was provided for. One or two years later the office of town commissioners was
restored, and the duties of the inspectors were assigned to the same. Other somewhat important
amendments were made at the same time.
In 1840, a memorial to congress from the legislature represented that the people were
anxious to establish a common-school system, with suitable resources for its support. From
lack of sufficient funds many of the schools were poorly organized. The rate-bill tax or private
subscription was often necessary to supplement the scanty results of county taxation. Until a
state government should be organized, the fund accruing from the sale of school lands could not
be available. Congress had made to Wisconsin, as to other'new states, for educational purposes,
a donation of lands. These lands embraced the sixteenth section in every township in the state,
the 500,000 acres to which the state was entitled by the provisions of an act of congress passed
in 1841, and any grant of lands from the United States, the purposes of which were not speci-
fied. To obtain the benefits of this large fund was a leading object in forming the state con-
stitution.
Agitation for Free Schools.
Shortly before the admission of the state the subject of free schools began to be quite
widely discussed. In February, 1845, Col. M. Frank, of Kenosha, a member of the territorial
legislature, introduced a bill, which became a law, authorizing the legal voters of his own town
to vote taxes on all the assessed property tor the full support of its schools. A provision of the
act required its submission to the people of the town before it could take effect. It met with
strenuous opposition, but after many public meetings and lectures held in the interests of public
enlightenment, the act was ratified by a small majority in the fall of 1 845, and thus the first free school
in the state was legally organized. Subsequently, in the legislature, in the two constitutional con-
ventions, and in educational assemblies, the question of a free-school system for the new state
soon to be organized provoked much interest and discussion. In the constitution framed by the
convention of 1846, was provided the basis of a free-school system similar to that in our present
constitution. The question of establishing the office of state superintendent, more than any
other feature of the proposed school system, elicited discussion in that body. The necessity of
this office, and the advantages of free schools supported by taxation, were ably presented to the
convention by Hon. Henry Barnard, of Connecticut, in an evening address. He afterward pre-
pared, by request, a draft of a free-school system, with a state superintendent at its head, which
was accepted and subsequently embodied in the constitution and the school law. In the second
constitutional convention, in 1848, the same questions again received careful attention, and the
article on education previously prepared, was, after a few changes, brought into the shape in
which we now find it. Immediately after the ratification by the people, of the constitution pre-
pared by the second convention, three commissioners were appointed to revise the statutes. To
one of these. Col. Frank, the needed revision of the school laws was assigned. The work was
acceptably performed, and the new school code of 1849, largely the same as the present one,
went into operation May first of that year.
The School System under the State Government.
In the state constitution was laid the broad foundation of our present school system. The
four corner stones were: (i) The guaranteed freedom of the schools; (2) the school fund
created ; (3) the system of supervision ; (4) a state university for higher instruction. The
school fund has five distinct sources for its creation indicated in the constitution: (i) Proceeds
from the sale of lands granted to the state by the United States for educational purposes ; (2)
142
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN".
all moneys accruing from forfeiture or escheat; (3) all fines collected in the several counties for
breach of the penal laws ; (4) all moneys paid for exemption from military duty ; (5) five per cent,
of the sale of government lands within the state. In addition to these constitutional sources of
the school fund, another and sixth source was open from 1856 to 1870. By an act of the state
legislature in the former year, three-fourths of the net proceeds of the 'sales of the swamp and
overflowed lands, granted to the state by congress, Sept. 28, 1850, were added to the common-
school fund, the other fourth going into a fund for drainage, under certain circumstances ; but if
not paid over to any town for that purpose within two years, to become a part of the school
fund. The following year one of these fourths was converted into the normal-school fund,
leaving one-half for the common-school fund. In 1858, another fourth was given to the drainage
fund, thus providing for the latter one-half the income from the sales, and leaving for the school
fund, until the year 1865, only the remaining one-fourth. In the latter year this was transferred
to the normal-school fund, with the provision, however, that one-fourth of the income of this
fund should be transferred to the common-school fund until the annual income of the latter
fund should reach $200,000. In 1870 this provision was repealed, and the whole income of the
normal fund left applicable to the support of normal schools and teachers' institutes.
At the first session of the state legislature in 1848, several acts were passed which carried
out in some degree the educational provisions of the constitution. A law was enacted to pro-,
vide for the election, and to define the duties, of a state superintendent of public instruction. A
district board was created, consisting of a moderator, director, and treasurer; the office of town
superintendent was established, and provision was made for the creation of town libraries, and
for the distribution of the school fund. The present school code of Wisconsin is substantially
that passed by the legislature of 1848, and which went into operation May i, 1849. The most
important change since made was the abolition of the office of town superintendent, and the
Substitution therefor of the county superintendency. This change took effect January i, 1862.
The School-Fund Income.
The first annual report of the state superintendent, for the year, 1849, gives the income of
the school fund for that year as $588, or eight and three-tenth mills per child. Milwaukee
cdunty received the largest amount, $69.63, and St. Croix county the smallest, twenty-four cents.
The average in the state was forty-seven cents per district. The following table will show at a
glance the quinquennial increase in the income of the fund, the corresponding increase in the
number of school children, and the apportionment per child, from 1849 to 1875, inclusive; also,
the last published apportionment, that for 1878. It will be seen that since 1855 the increase of
the fund has not kept pace with the increase of school population :
Year.
NO. CHILDREN
OF SCHOOL-AGE.
INCOME OF
SCHOOL, FUND
RATE PER
CHILD.
Year.
NO. CHILDREN
OF SCHOOL-AGE.
INCOME OF
SCHOOL FUND
RATE PER
CHILD.
1849-.
1850.-
1855--
1860..
70,457
92,105
186,085
288,984
$S88 00
47,716 00
125,906 02
184,949 76
$0.0083
.518
.67
.64
1865..
1870..
1875--
1878..
335.582
412,481
450,304
478,692
151,816 34
159.271 38
184,624 64
185,546 01
•46
.40
.41
.39
The amount of productive school fund reported September 30, 1878, was $2,680,703.27.
The portion of the fund not invested at that date, was ;gs8,823.7o.
EDUCATIONAL HISTOBT. 143
The State University.
In his message to the first territorial legislature, in 1836, Governor Dodge recommended
asking from congress aid for the establishment of a state educational institution, to be governed
by the legislature. This was the first official action looking to the establishment of a state
university. The same legislature passed an act to establish and locate the Wisconsin univer-
sity at Belmont, in the county of Iowa. At its second session, the following year, the legislature
passed an act, which was approved January 19, 1838, establishing " at or near Madison, the seat
of government, a university for the purpose of educating youth, the name whereof shall be ' The
University of the Territory of Wisconsin. " A resolution was passed at the same session, direct-
ing the territorial delegate in congress to ask of that body an appropriation of $20,000 for the
erection of the buildings ot said university, and also to appropriate two townships of vacant land
for its endowment. Congress accordingly appropriated, in 1838, seventy-two sections, or two
townships, for the support of a " seminary of learning in the territory of Wisconsin," and this
was afterward confirmed to the state for the use of the university. No effectual provision, how-
ever, was made for the establishment of the university until ten years later, when the state was
organized. Congress, as has been said, had made a donation of lands to the territory for the
support of such an institution, but these lands could not be made available for that purpose until
the territory should become a state. The state constitution, adopted in 1848, declared that pro-
vision should be made for the establishment ot a state university, and that the proceeds of all
lands donated by the United States to the state for the support of a university should remain a
perpetual fund, the interest of which should be appropriated to its support
The state legislature, at its first session, passed an act, approved July 26, 1848, establishing
the University of Wisconsin, defining its location, its government, and its various departments,
and authorizing the regents to purchase a suitable site for the buildings, and to proceed to the
erection of the same, after having obtained from the legislature the approval of plans. This act
repealed the previous act of 1838. The regents were soon after appointed, and their first annual
report was presented to the legislature, January 30, 1849. This report announced the selection
of a site, subject to the approval of the legislature, announced the organization of a preparatory
department, and the election of a chancellor or president. The university was thus organized,
with John H. Lathrop, president of the University of Missouri, as its first chancellor, and John
W. Sterling as principal of the preparatory department, which was opened February 5, 1849,
Chancellor Lathrop was not formally inaugurated until January 16, 1850.
Owing to the short-sighted policy of the state in locating without due care, and in apprais-
ing and selling so low the lands of the original grant, the fund produced was entirely inadequate
to the support of the institution. Congress, therefore, made, in 1854, an additional grant of
seventy-two sections of land for its use. These, however, were located and sold in the same
inconsiderate and unfortunate manner, for so low a price as to be a means of inducing immigra-
tion, indeed, but not of producing a fund adequate for the support of a successful state univer-
sity. Of the 92,160 acres comprised in the two grants, there had .been sold prior to September
30, 1866, 74,178 acres for the sum of $264,570.13, or at an average price of but little more than
$3-5° P^r acre.* Besides this, the state had allowed the university tg anticipate its income to the
extent of over $100,000 for the erection of buildings. By a law of 1862 the sum of $104,339.43
was taken from its fund (already too small) to. pay for these buildings. The resulting embar-
rassment made necessary the re-organization of 1866, which added to the slender resources of
the institution the agricultural college fund, arising from the sale of lands donated to the state by
the congressional act of 1862.
•Compare the price obtained for the lands of the University of Michigan. The first sale of those lands averaged
$22.85 per acre, and brought in a single year (1837) $150,447.90. Sales were made in succeeding years at $15, $17,
and $19 per acre.
144
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
The first university building erected was the north dormitory, which was completed in 1851.
This is 110 feet in length by 40 in breadth, and four stories in height. The south dormitory, of
the same size, was completed in 1855. The main central edifice, known as University Hall, was
finished in 1859. The Ladies' College was completed in 1872. This latter was built with an
appropriation of $50,000, made by the legislature in 1870 — the first actual donation the univer-
sity had ever received from the state. The legislature of 1875 appropriated $80,000 for the
erection of Science Hall, a building to be devoted to instruction in the physical sciences. Thig
was completed and ready for occupancy at the opening of the fall term of 1877.
The growth of this institution during the past fourteen years, and especially since its re-
organization in 1866, has been rapid and substantial. Its productive fund on the 30th day of
September, 1877, aside from the agricultural college fund, was $223,240 32. The combined uni-
versity and agricultural funds amounted, at the same date, to $464,032 22. An act of the legis-
lature in 1867 appropriated to the university income for that year, and annually for the next ten
years, the sum of $7,303.76, being the interest upon the sum taken from the university fund by
the law of 1862 for the erection of buildings, as before mentioned. Chapter 100 of the general
laws of 1872 also provided for an annual state tax of $10,000 to increase the income of the uni-
versity. Chanter 119 of the laws of 1876 provides for an annual state tax of one-tenth of one
mill on the taxable property of the state for the increase of the university fund income, this tax
to be "in lieu of all other appropriations before provided for the benefit of said fund income,"
and to be " deemed a full compensation for all deficiencies in said income arising from the dis-
position of the lands donated to the state by congress, in trust, for the benefit of said income."
The entire income of the university from all sources, including this tax (which was $42,359.62),
was, for the year ending September^, 1878, ^81,442.63. The university has a faculty of over
thirty professors and instructors, and oTuring the past )ear — 1877-8 — it had in its various depart-
ments 388 students. The law department, organized in 1868, has since been in successful opera-
ation. Ladies are admitted into all the departments and classes of the university.
Agricultural College.
The agricultural college fund, granted to the state by the congressional act of 1862, was
by a subsequent legislative enactment (1866) applied to the support, not of a separate agricultural
college, but of a department of agriculture in the existing university, thus rendering it unneces-
sary for the state to erect separate buildings elsewhere. Under the provisions of chapter 1 14,
laws of 1866, the county of Dane issued to the state, for the purpose of purchasing an experi-
mental farm, bonds to the amount of $40,000. A farm of about 200 acres, adjoining the univer-
sity grounds, was purchased, and a four years' course of study provided, designed to be thorough
and extensive in the branches that relate to agriculture, in connection with its practical application
upon the experimental farm.
The productive agricultural college fund hasfncreased from g8,o6i.86, in 1866, to ^244,263,18,
in 1878.
Normal Schools.
The propriety of making some special provision for the instruction of teachers was
acknowledged in the very organization of the state, a provision for normal schools having been
embodied in the constitution itself, which ordains' that after the support and n a ntenance of the
EDUCATIONAL HISTORY. 145
common schools is insured, the residue of the school fund shall be appropriated to academies and
normal schools. The state legislature, in its first session in 1848, in the act establishing the Uni-
versity of Wisconsin, declared that one of the four departments thereof should be a department
of the theory and practice of elementary instruction. The first institution ever chartered in
the state as a normal school was incorporated by the legislature at its second session — 1849 —
under the title of the " Jefferson County Normal School." This, however, was never organized.
The regents, when organizing the university, at their meeting in 1849, ordained the estab-
lishment of a normal professorship, and declared that in organizing the normal department it
was their fixed intention " to make the University of Wisconsin subsidiary to the great cause of
popular education, by making it, through its normal department, the nursery of the educators of
the popular mind, and the central point of union and harmony to the educational interests of the
commonwealth." They declared that instruction in the normal department should be free to all
suitable candidates. Little was accomplished, however, in this direction during the next ten
years. In 1857 an act was passed by the legislature appropriating twenty- five per cent, of the
income of the swamp-land fund " to normal institutes and academies under the supervision and
direction of a board of regents of normal schools," who were to be appointed in accordance
with the provisions of the act. Distribution of this income was made to such colleges, acade-
mies, and high schools as maintained a normal class, in proportion to the number of pupils pass-
ing a successful examination conducted by an agent of the board. In 1859, Dr. Henry Barnard,
who had become chancellor of the university, was made agent of the normal regents. He
inaugurated a system of teachers' institutes, and gave fresh vigor to the normal work throughout
the state. Resigning, however, on account of ill-health, within two years. Professor Chas. H.
Allen, who had been conducting institutes under his direction, succeeded him as agent of the
normal regents, and was elected principal of the normal department of the uiiiversity, entering
upon his work as the latter in March, 1864. He managed the department with signal ability and
success, but at the end of one or two years resigned. Meantime the educational sentiment of
the state had manifested itself for the establishment of separate normal schools.
In 1865, the legislature passed an act repealing that of two years before, and providing
instead that one-half of the swamp-land fund should be set apart as a normal-school fund, the
income of which should be applied to establishing and supporting normal schools under the
direction and management of the board of normal regents, with a proviso, however, that one- '
fourth of such income should be annually transferred to the common-school fund income, until
the latter should amount annually to $200,000. This proviso was repealed by the legislature oi
1870, and the entire income of one-half the swamp-land fund has since been devoted to normal-
school purposes. During the same year proposals were invited for aid in the establishment of a
normal school, in money, land, or buildings, and propositions from various places were received
and considered. In 1S66, the board of regents was incorporated by the legislature. In the
same year Platteville was conditionally selected as the site of a school, and as there was already
a productive fund of about $600,000, with an income of over $30,000, and a prospect of a steady
increase as the lands were sold, the board decided upon the policy of establishing several schools,
located in different parts of the state. In pursuance of this policy, there have already been
completed, and are now in very successful operation, the Platteville Normal School, opened
October 9, 1866; the Whitewater Normal School, opened April 21, 1868; the Oshkosh Normal
School, opened September 19, 1871, and the River Falls Normal School, opened September
2, 1875. Each assembly district in the state is entitled to eight representatives in the
normal schools. These are nominated by county and city superintendents. Tuition is
free to all normal students. There are in the normal schools two courses of study — an
146
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN".
elementary course of two years, and an advanced course of four years. The student completing
the former, receives a certificate ; the one completing the latter, a diploma. The certificate, when
the holder has successfully taught one year after graduation, may be countersigned by the sup-
erintendent of public instruction, when it becomes equivalent to a five-years' state certificate.
The diploma, when thus countersigned, after a like interval, is equivalent to a permanent state
certificate.
It is believed that the normal-school system of Wisconsin rests upon a broader and more
secure basis than the corresponding system of any other state. That basis is an independent
and permanent fund, which has already reached a million dollars. The precise amount of this
securely invested and productive fund, September 30, 1878, was ;$i,oo4,9o7.67, and the sum of
^$33,290.88 remained uninvested.
Teachers' Institutes.
In addition to the work of the normal schools, the board of regents is authorized to expend
$S,ooo annually to defray the expenses of teachers' institutes. A law of 1871, amended in 1876,
provides for normal institutes, which shall be held for iiot less than two consecutive weeks, and
appropriates frorh the state treasury a sum not exceeding $2^000 per annum for their support.
There were held in the State, in 1878, sixty-six institutes, varying in length from one to two
weeks. The total number of persons enrolled as attendants was 4,944
Graded Schools.
Including those in the cities, the graded schools of the State number about four hundred.
The annual report of the State superintendent for 1878 gives the number with two departments
as 207, and the number with three or more as 225.
A law of March, 1872, provided that "all graduates of any graded school of the state, who
shall have passed an exainination at such graded school satisfactory to the faculty of the univer-
sity for admission into the sub-freShman class and college classes of the university, shall be at
once and at all times, entitled to free tuition in all the colleges of the university." A consider-
able numbej' ,of! graduates of graded schools entered the university under this law during the
\iext four years, but it being deemed an unwise discrimination in favor of this class of students,
in 1876, in the Same act which provided for the tax of one tenth of one mill, the legislature pro-
vided that from, and after the 4th of July of that year no student, except students in law and
those taking extra studies,; should be required to pay any fees for tuition. Few graded schools
of the state are able as yet to fully prepare students- for entrance into the regular classes of the
classical department of the university. The larger number prepared by them still enter the
scientific department or the sub-freshmari class.-
The Township System.
In 1869 the legislature passed a law authorizing towns to adopt by vote the " township sys-
tem of school government." Under this system each town becomes one school district, and the
several school districts already existing become sub-districts. Each sub-district elects a clerk,
and these clerks constitute a body corporate under the name of the " board of school directors," and
are invested with the title and custody of all school houses, school-house sites, ind other prop-
erty belonging to the sub-districts, with power to control them for the best interests of the
schools of the town. The law provides for an executive committee to execute the orders of the
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FOND DU LAC.
EDUCATIOJTAL HISTORY.
14T
board, employ teachers, etc., and for a secretary 'to record proceedings of the board, have imme-
'diate charge and supervision of the schools, and perform other specified duties. But few towns
ha\e as yet made trial of this system, although it is in successful operation in Pensylvania, Mas-
sachusetts, and some other states, and where fully and fairly tried in our own, has proved entirely
satisfactory. It is the general belief of our enlightened educational men that the plan has such
merits as ought to secure its voluntary adoption by the people of the state.
Free High Schools.
In 1875 the legislature enacted that any town, incorporated village, or city, may establish
and maintain not more than two free high schools, and provided for an annual appropriation of
not to exceed $25,000, to refund one-half of the actual cost of instruction in such schools, but
no school to draw in any one year more than $500. At the session of 1877 the benefits of the
act were extended to such high schools already established as shall show by a proper report that
they have conformed to the requirements of the law. If towns decline to establish such a
school, one or more adjoining districts in the same have the privilege of doing so. The law has
met with much favor. For the school year ending August 31, 1876 (the first year in which it was
in operation), twenty such schools reported, and to these the sum of $7,466.50 was paid, being
an average of ^373.32 per school. For the year ending August 31, 1878, eighty-five schools
reported and received a pro rata division of the maximum appropriation. The high school law
was primarily designed to bring to rural neighborhoods the twofold advantages of (i) a higher
instruction than the common district schools afford, and (2) a better class of teachers for these
schools. It was anticipated, however, from the first that the immediate results of the law would
be chiefly the improvement of existing graded schools in the larger villages and in cities.
School Officers.
The school officers of Wisconsin are, a state superintendent of public instruction, sixty-four
county superintendents, twenty-eight city superintendents, and a school board in each district,
consisting of a director, treasurer, and clerk. The state and county superintendents hold office
two years, the district officers three years. In each independent city there is a board of educa-
tion, and the larger cities have each a city superintendent, who in some cases is also principal of
the high school. He is appointed for one year. The county board of supervisors determine,
within certain limits, the amount of money to be raised annually in each town and ward of their
county for school purposes, levy an additional amount for the salary of the county superintend-
ents, may authorize a special school tax, and may under certain circumstances determine that
there shall be two superintendents for their county. The town board of supervisors have authority
to form and alter school districts, to issue notice for first meeting, to form union districts for high
school purposes, and appoint first boards for the same, to locate and establish school-house sites
under certain circumstances, to extinguish districts that have neglected to maintain school for
two years, and to dispose of the property of the same. The district clerks report annually to the
town clerks, the town clerks to the county superintendents, and the county and city superintend-
ents to the state superintendent, who in turn makes an annual report to the governor.
State Teachers'' Certificates.
The state superintendent is authorized by law " to issue state certificates of high grade to
teachers of eminent qualifications.'' Two grades of these are given, one unlimited, and the
other good for five years. The examination is conducted by a board of three examiners,
appointed annually by the state superintendent, and acting under rules and regulations prescribed
by him.
148 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
Teachers' Associations.
Besides the Wisconsin State Teachers' Association, holding its annual session in the summer
and a semi-annual or " executive " session in the winter, there are, in several parts of the state,
county or district associations, holding stated meetings. The number of such associations is
annually increasing.
Libraries.
The utility of public libraries as a part of the means of popular enlightenment, was early
recognized in this state. The constitution, as set forth in 1848, required that a portion of the
income of the school fund should be applied to the " purchase of suitable libraries and appa-
ratus" for the common schools. The same year the legislature of the state, at its first session,
enacted that as soon as this income should amount to $60,000 a year (afterwards changed to
$30,000), each town superintendent might devote one tenth of the portion of this incoipe received
by his town annually, to town library purposes, the libraries thus formed to be distributed among
the districts, in sections, and in rotation, once in three months. Districts were also empowered
to raise money for library books. The operation of this discaretionary and voluntary system was
not successful. In ten years (1858) only about one third of the districts (1,121) had libraries,
embracing in all but 38,755 volumes, and the state superintendent, Hon. Lyman C. Draper, urged
upon the legislature a better system, of " town libraries," and a state tax for their creation and
maintenance. In 1857, the legislature enacted that ten per cent, of the yearly income of the
school fund should be applied to the purchase of town school libraries, and that an annual tax of
one tenth of one mill should be levied for the same purpose. The law was left incomplete, how-
ever, and in 1862, before the system had been perfected, the exigencies of the civil war led to
the repeal of the law, and the library fund which had accumulated from the ten per cent, of the
school fund income, and from the library tax, amounting in all to $88,784.78, was transferred to
the general fund. This may be considered a debt to the educational interests of the slate that
should be repaid. Meanwhile the single district library system languishes and yearly grows
weaker. The re-enacting of a town library system, in which local effort and expenditure shall
be stimulated and supplemented by State aid, has been recommended by the State Teachers'
Association, and will, it is hoped, be secured, at no distant day, as a part of a complete town
system of schools and of public education.
List of State Superintendents.
The act creating the office was passed at the first session of the state legislature, in 1848.
The incumbents up to the present time have been as follows :
NAME OF INCUMBENT. DURATION OF INCUMBENCY.
Hon. E. Root Threeyears — 1849-50-51.
Hon. A. P. Ladd Two years — 1852-53.
Hon. H. A. Wright* .One year and five months — 1854-55.
Hon.A. C. Barry Two years and seven months— 1855-56-57.
Hon. L. C. Draper. Two years — 1858-59.
Hon. J. L. Pickardf Threeyears and nine months — 1860-61-62-63.
Hon. J. G. McMynn Four years and three months — 1863-64-65-66-67.
Hon, A. J. CraigJ .Two years and six months — 1868-69-70.
Hon, Samuel Fallows Three years and six months — 1870-71-72-73.
Hon. Edward Searitig . .Four years— 1874-75-76-77.
Hon. W. C. Whitford Two years— 1878-79.
* Died, May 29, 1845. f Resigned, October i, 1863. i Died, July 3, 1870.
EDUCATTO:NrAL HISTORY. 149
Sketches of Colleges in Wisconsin.*
Beloit College was founded in 1847, at Beloit, under the auspices of the Congregational and
Presbyterian churches of Wisconsin and northern Illinois. In 1848, Rev. Joseph Emerson and
Rev. J. J. Bushnell were appointed professors, and in 1849, Rev. A. L. Chapin was appointed
president, and has continued such until the present time The institution has had a steady
growth, has maintained a high standard of scholarship and done excellent work, both in its pre-
paratory and college departments. Two hundred and thirty-six young men have graduated.
Its lands and buildings are valued at $78,000, and its endowments and funds amount to about
$122,000. '
Lawrence University, at Appleton, under the patronage of the Methodist church, was
organized as a college in 1850, having been an " institute " or academy for three years previous,
under the Rev. W. H. Sampson. The first president was Rev. Edward Cook ; the second, R.
Z. Mason ; the present one is the Rev. George M. Steele, D. D. It is open to both sexes, and
has graduated 130 young men, and 68 young women. It still maintains a preparatory depart-
ment. It has been an institution of great benefit in a new region of country, in the northeastern
part of the state. Receiving a liberal donation at the outset from the Hon. Amos A. Lawrence,
of Boston, it has land and buildings valued at $47,000, at Appleton, and funds and endowments
amounting to $60,000.
Milton College, an institution under the care of the Seventh Day Baptists, was opened as a
college in 1867, having been conducted as an academy since 1844. Rev. W. C. Whitford, the
president, was for many years the principal of the academy The institution has done much
valuable work, particularly in preparing teachers for our public schools. The college has gradu-
ated 38 young men and women, having previously graduated 93 academic students. It has lands,
buildings and endowments to the amount of about $50,000.
Ripon College, which was known till 1864 as Brockway College, was organized in 1853, at
Ripen, and is supported by the Congregational church. Since its re-organization, in 1863, it has
graduated 77 students (of both sexes) in the college courses, and has always maintained a large
and flourishing preparatory department. Under its present efficient head, the Rev. E. H. Mer-
rell, A. M., it is meeting with continued success. Its property amounts to about $125,000.
Racine College was founded by the Episcopal Church, at Racine, in 1852, under the Rev.
Roswell Park, D. D., as its first President. It was for a long time under the efficient administra-
tion of Rev. James De Koven, D. D., now deceased, who was succeeded by Rev. D. Stevens
Parker. It maintains a large boys' school also, and a preparatory department. It was designed,
in part, to train young men for the Nashotah Theological Seminary. It has property, including
five buildings, to the amount of about ;^i8o,ooo, and has graduated ninety-nine young men. Its
principal work, in which it has had great success, is that of a boys' school, modeled somewhat
after the English schools.
The Seminary of St. Francis of Sales, an ecclesiastical school, was established at St. Fran-
cis Station, near Milwaukee, chiefly by the combined efforts of two learned and zealous priests,
the Rev. Michael Heiss, now bishop of La Crosse, and the Rev. Joseph Salzmann. It was
opened in January, 1856, with Rev. M. Heiss as rector, and with 25 students. Rev. Joseph
alzmann was rector from September, 1868, to the time of his death, January 17, 1874, since
which time Rev. C. Wapelhorst has held the rectorship. The latter is now assisted by twelve
professors, and the students number 267, of whom 105 are theologians, 31 students of philosophy,
and the rest classical students.
Pio Nono College is a Roman Catholic institution, at St. Francis Station, in the immediate
neighborhood of the Seminary of St. Francis. It was founded in 1 871, by Rev. Joseph Salzmann,
* The statistics in this division were obtained in 1877. and are for the rjrevious year.
150 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
who was the first rector. He was succeeded in 1874 by the present rector, Rev. Thomas Brue-
ner, who is assisted by a corps of seven professors. Besides the college proper, there is a nor-
mal department, in which, in addition to the education that qualifies for teaching in common and
higher schools, particular attention is given to church music. There is also, under the same
management, but in an adjoining building, an institution for the instruction of the deaf and dumb.
The pupils in the latter, both boys and girls, numbering about 30, are taught to speak by sounds,
and it is said with the best success.
An institution was organized in 1865, at Prairie du Chien, under the name of Prairie du
Chien College, and under the care of J. T. Lovewell, as principal. In the course of two or three
years it passed into the hands of the Roman Catholic church, and is^now known as St. John's
College. It has so far performed principally preparatory work.
Sinsinawa Mound College, a Roman Catholic institution, was founded in 1848, through the
labors of Father Mazzuchelli, but after doing a successful work, was closed in 1863, and in 1867
the St. Clara academy was opened in the same buildings.
The Northwestern University, which is under the Lutheran church, was organized in 1865,
at Watertown, under Rev. August F. Ernst, as president. It has graduated 21 young men, and
has a preparatory department. Its property is valued at $50,000.
Galesville University was organized in 1859, under the patronage of the Methodist church
at Galesville, in the northwest part of the state. The first president was the Rev. Saniuel Fal-
lows, since state superintendent. It has graduated ten young men and eight young women, its
work hitherto having been mostly preparatory. It is now under the patronage of the Presby-
terian denomination, with J. W. McLaury, A. M., as president. It has property valued at
$30,000, and an endowment of about $50,000.
Carroll College was established at Waukesha, by the Presbyterian church, in 1846. Prof. J.
W. Sterling, now of the state university, taught its primary classes that year. Under President
John A. Savage, D.D., with an able corps of professors, it took a high rank and graduated
classes ; but for several years past it has confined its work principally to academic studies.
Under W. L. Rankin, A. M.,the present principal, the school is doing good service.
Wayland University was established as a college, by the Baptists, at Beaver Dam, in 1854,
but never performed much college work. For three years past, it has been working under a new
charter as an academy and preparatory school, and is now known as Wayland Institute.
In 1 84 1, the Protestant Episcopal church established a mission in the wilds of Waukesha
county, and, at an early day, steps were taken to establish in connection therewith an institution
of learning. This was incorporated in 1847, by the name of Nashotah House. In 1852 the
classical school was located at Racine, and Nashotah House became distinctively a theological
seminary. It has an endowment of one professorship, the. faculty and students being otherwise
sustained by voluntary contributions. It has a faculty of five protessors, with Rev. A. D.
Cole, D.D., as president, buildings pleasantly situated, and has graduated 185 theological students.
Female Colleges.
Two institutions have been known under this designation. The Milwaukee Female College
was founded in 1852, and ably conducted for several years, under the principalship of Miss Mary
Mortimer, now deceased. It furnished an advanced grade of secondary instruction. The Wis-
consin Female College, located at Fox Lake, was first incorporated in 1855, and re-organized in
1863. It has never reached a collegiate course, is now known as Fox Lake Seminary, and
admits both sexes. Rev. A. O. Wright, A. M., is the present principal.
AGRIOULTUBE.
Academies and Seminaries.
151
The following institutions of academic grade, are now in operation : Albion Academy ;
Benton Academy; Big Foot Academy; Elroy Seminary; Fox Lake Seminary; two German and
English academies in Milwaukee ; Janesville Academy ; Kemper Hall, Kenosha ; Lake Geneva
Seminary, Geneva; Lakeside Seminary, Oconomowoc; Marshall Academy, Marshall; Merrill
Institute, Fond du Lac ; Milwaukee Academy ; Racine Academy ; River Falls Institute ;
Rochester Seminary; St. Catherine's Academy, Racine; St. Clara Academy; Sinsinawa
Mound ; St. Mary's Institute, Milwaukee ; Sharon Academy ; and Wayland Institute, Beaver
Dam. Similar institutions formerly in operation but suspended or merged in other institu-
tions, were : Allen's Grove Academy ; Appleton Collegiate Institute ; Baraboo Collegiate Insti-
tute; Beloit Female Seminary; Beloit Seminary; Brunson Institute, Mount Hope; Evansville Sem-
inary ; Janesville Academy (merged in the high school) ; Kilbourn Institute ; Lancaster Institute J
Milton Academy; Platteville Academy ; Southport Academy (Kenosha); Waterloo Academy;
Waukesha Seminary ; ' Wesleyan Seminary, Eau Claire ; and Patch Grove Academy. The
most import,ant of these were the Milton and Platteville Academies, the former merged in Mil-
ton College, the latter in the Platteville Normal School. Of the others, several were superseded
by the establishment of public high schools in the same localities.
Commercial Schools.
Schools of this character, aiming to furnish what is called a business education, exist in Mil-
waukee, Janesville, Madison, LaCrosse, Green Bay, Oshkosh and Fond du Lac. The oldest and
largest is in Milwaukee, under the care of Prof. R. C. Spencer, and enrolls from two to three
hundred students annually.
AGRICULTURE.
By W. W. DANIELLS, M.S., Prof, of Chemistry and Agriculture at the University
OF Wisconsin.
The trend of the earliest industries of a country, is the result of the circumstances under
which those industries are developed. The attention of pioneers is confined to supplying the
immediate wants of food, shelter, and clothing. Hence, the firs tsettlers of a country are farm-
ers, miners, trappers, or fishermen, according as they can most readily secure the means of pres-
ent sustenance for themselves and their families. In the early history of Wisconsin this law is
well exemplified. The southern part of the state, consisting of alternations of prairie and tim-
ber, was first settled by farmers. As the country has developed, wealth accumulated, and means
of transportation have been furnished, farming has ceased to be the sole interest. Manufactories
have been built along the rivers, and the mining industry of the southwestern part of the state has
grown to one of considerable importance. The shore of Lake Michigan was first mainly settled
tied by fishermen, but the later growth of agriculture and manufactures has nearly overshadowed
the fishing interest ; as has the production of lumber, in the north half of the state, eclipsed the
trapping and fur interests of the first settlers. That the most important industry of Wisconsin
is farming, may be seen from the following statistics of the occupation of the people as given by
the United States census. Out of each one hundred inhabitants, of all occupations, 68 were
152
HISTOEY OF WISCONSIK.
farmers, in 1840; 52 in 1850; 54 in i860; 55 in 1870. The rapid growth of the agriculture of
the state is illustrated by the increase in the number of acres of improved land in farms, and in
the value of farms and of farm implements and machinery, as shown by the following table, com-
piled from the United States census :
ACRES IMPROVED LAND
IN FARMS.
VALUE OF FARMS,
INCLUDING IMPROV-
ED AND UNIMPROV-
ED LANDS.
VALUE OF FARM
IMPLEMENTS
TOTAL.
TO EACH
INHAB.
AND
MACHINERY.
tSso
i860
1870
1,045,499
3,746.167
' 5.899,343
3-4
4.8
5.6
1 28,528,563
131,117,164
300,414,064
$ 1,641,568
5.758,847-
14,239,364
Farming, at the present time, is almost entirely confined to the south half of the state, the
northern half being still largely covered by forests. A notable exception to this statement is
found in the counties on the western border, which are well settled by farmers much farther north.
The surface of the agricultural portion of the state is for the most part gSntly undulating, afford-
ing ready drainage, without being so abruptly broken as to render cultivation difificult. The soil
is varied in character, and mostly very fertile. The southern portion of the state consists of
undulating prairies of variable size — the largest being Rock prairie — alternating \ifith oak openings.
The prairies have the rich alluvial soil so characteristic of the western prairies, and are easily
worked. The soil of the "openings " land is usually a sandy loam, readily tilled, fertile,^ but not
as " strong '' as soils having more clay. The proportion of timber to prairie increases passing north
from the southern boundary of the state, and forests of maple, basswood and elm, replace, to
some extent, the oak lands. In these localities, the soil is more clayey, is strong and fertile, not
as easily tilled, and not as quickly exhausted as are the morfe sandy soils of the oak lands. In
that portion of the state known geologically as the " driftless " region, the soil is invariably good
where the surface rock is limestone. In some of the valleys, however, where the lime-rock has
been removed by erosion, leaving the underlying sandstone as the surface rock, the soil is sandy
and unproductive, except in those localities where a large amount of alluvial matter has been
deposited by the streams. The soils of the pine lands of the north of the state, are generally
sandy and but slightly fertile. However, where pine is replaced by maple, oak, birch, elm and
basswood, the soil is "heavier " and. very fertile, even to the shores of Lake Superior.
The same natural conditions that make Wisconsin an agricultural state, determined that
during its earlier years the main interest should be grain-growing. The fertile prairies covering
large portions of the southern part of the state had but to be plowed and sowed with grain to
produce an abundant yield. From the raising of cereals the pioneer farmer could get the
quickest returns for his labor. Hence in 1850, two years after its admission to the Union, Wis-
consin was the ninth state in order in the production of wheat, while in i860 this rank was raised ,
to third, Illinois and Indiana only raising more. The true rank of the state is not shown by
these figures. Were the number of inhabitants and the number of acres of land in actual culti-
vation taken into account in the comparison, the state would stand still higher in rank than is
here indicated. There is the same struggle for existence, and the same desire for gain the world
over, and hence the various phases of development of the same industry in different civilized
countries is mainly the result of the widely varying economical conditions imposed upon that
industry. Land is thoroughly cultivated in Europe, not because the Europeans have any
inherent love for good cultivation, but because there land is scarce and costly, while labor is
superabundant and cheap. In America, on the other hand, and especially in the newer states>
AGRICULTURE. 153
land. is abundant and cheap, while labor is scarce and costly. In its productive industries each
country is alike economical in the use of the costly element in production, and more lavish in
the use of that which is cheaper. Each is alike economically wise in following such a course
when it is not carried to too great extremes. With each the end sought is the greatest return for
the expenditure of a given amount of capital. In accordance with this law of economy, the
early agriculture of Wisconsin was mere land-skimming. Good cultivation of the soil was never
thought of. The same land was planted successively to one crop, as long as it yielded enough
to pay for cultivation. The economical principle above stated was carried to an extreme. Farm-
ing as then practiced was a quick method of land exhaustion. It was always taking out of the
purse, and never putting in. No attention was paid to sustaining the soil's fertility. The only
aim was to secure the largest crop for the smallest outlay of capital, without regard to the future.
Manures were never used, and such as unavoidably accumulated was regarded as a great nuis-
ance, often rendering necessary the removal of stables and outbuildings. Straw-stacks were
invariably burned as the most convenient means of disposing of them. Wheat, the principal
product, brought a low price, often not more than fifty cents a bushel, and had to.be marketed
by teams at some point from which it could be carried by water, as this was, at an early day, the
only means of transportation. On account of the sparse settlement of the country, roads were
poor, and the farmer, after raising and threshing his wheat, had to spend, with a team, from two
to five days, marketing the few bushels that a team could draw. So that the farmer had every
obstacle to contend with except cheap and very fertile land, that with the poorest of cultivation
gave a comparatively abundant yield of grain. Better tillage, accompanied with the use of
manures and other fertilizers, would not, upon the virgin soils, have added sufficiently to the
yield to pay the cost of applying them. Hence, to the first farmers of the s\a.te, poor farming was
the only profitable farming, and consequently the only gooii farming, an agriculturo-economical
paradox from which there was no escape. Notwithstanding the fact that farmers could economic
cally follow no other system than that of land-exhaustion, as described, such a course was none
the less injurious to the state, as it was undermining its foundation of future wealth, by destroy-
ing the fertility of the soil, that upon which the permanent wealth and prosperity of every agri-
cultural community is first dependent. Besides this evil, and together with it, came the habit of
loose and slovenly farming acquired by pioneers, which continued after the conditions making
that method a necessity had passed away. With the rapid growth of the northwest came better
home markets and increased facilities for transportation to foreign markets, bringing with them
higher prices for all products of the farm. As a consequence of these better conditions, land in
farms in the state increased rapidly in value, from $9.58 per acre in 1850, to $16.61 in i860, an
increase of 62 per cent., while the total number of acres in farms increased during the
same time from 2,976,658 acres to 7,893,587 acres, or 265 per cent. With this increase in the
value of land, and the higher prices paid for grain, should have come an improved system of hus-
bandry which would prevent the soil from deteriorating in fertility. This could have been
accomplished either by returning to the soil, in manures and fertilizers, those ingredients of which
it was being rapidly drained by continued grain-growing, or by the adoption of a system of mixed
husbandry, which should include the raising of stock and a judicious rotation of crops. Such a
System is sure to come. Indeed, it is now slowly coming. Great progress upon the earlier
methods of farming have already been made. But so radical and thorough a change in the
habits of any class of people as that from the farming of pioneers to a rational method that will
preserve the soil's fertility and pay for the labor it demands, requires many years for its full
accomplishment. It will not even keep pace with changes in those economical conditions which
154
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
favor it. In the rapid settlement of the northwestern states this change has come most rapidly
with the replacement of the pioneer farmers by immigrants accustomed to better methods of
culture. In such cases the pioneers usually '' go west '' again, to begin anew their frontier farming
upon virgin soil, as their peculiar method of cultivation fails to give them a livelihood. In Wis-
consin as rapid progress is being made in the system of agriculture as, all things considered,
could reasonably be expected. This change for the better has been quite rapid for the past ten
years, and is gaining in velocity and momentum each year. It is partly the result of increased
intelligence relating to farming, and partly the result of necessity caused by the unprofitableness
of the old method.
The estimated value of all agricultural products of the state, including that of orchards,
market gardens, and betterments, was, in 1870, as given in the census of that year, $79,072,967,
which places Wisconsin twelfth in rank among the agricultural states of the Union. In 1875,
according to the " Report of the Commissioner of Agriculture," the value of the principal farm
crops in this^state was $58,957,050. According to this estimation the state ranks ninth in agri-
cultu'^1 importance. As has been before stated, Wisconsin is essentially a grain-growing state.
This interest has been the principal one, not because the soil is better adapted to grain-growing
than to general, stock, or dairy farming, but rather because this course, which was at an early
day most immediately profitable, has been since persistently followed from force of habit, even
after it had failed to be remunerative.
The following table shows the bushels of the different grains raised in the state for the years
indicated ;
Year.
WHKAT.
RYE.
CORN.
OATS.
BARLEY.
BUCK-
WHEAT.
1850
l86o_-..
1870
1875*---
4,286,131
15.657,458
25,606,344
25,200,000
81,253
888,544
1,325,294
1,340,000
1,988,979
7,517,300
15,033,988
15,200,000
3,414,672
11,059,260
20,180,016
26,600,000
209,672
707,307
1,645,019
2,200,000
79,878
38,987
408,897
275,000
From these statistics it will be seen that the increase in the production of grain was very
rapid up to 1870, while since that time it has been very slight. This rapid increase in grain
raising is first attributable to the ease with which this branch of farming was carried on upon the
new and very rich soils of the state, while in the older states this branch of husbandry has been
growing more difficult and expensive, and also to the fact that the war in our own country so
increased the demand for grain from 1861 to 1866 as to make this course the most immediately
profitable. But with the close of the war came a diminished demand. Farmers were slow to
recognize this fact, and change the character of their productions to accord with the wants of
the market, but rather continued to produce the cereals in excess of the demand. The chinch
bug and an occasional poor season seriously injured the crops, leaving those who relied princi-
pally upon the production of grain little or nothing for their support. Hard times resulted from
these poor crops. More wheat and corn was the farmer's usual remedy for hard times. So that
more wheat and corn were planted. More crop failures with low prices brought harder times,
until gradually the farmers of the state have opened their eyes to the truth that they can succeed
in other branches of agriculture than grain growing, and to the necessity of catering to the
♦Estimated in report of commissioner of agriculture.
AGKICULTURE. 155
demands of the market. The value in 1869 of all farm products and betterments of the state
was $79,072,967. There were raised of wheat the same year 25,606,344 bushels, which at $1.03
per bushel, the mean price reported by the Milwaukee board of trade, for No. 2 wheat (the lead-
ing grade), for the year ending July 31, 1870, amounts to $26,374,524, or one third the value of
all agricultural products and betterments. The average production per acre, as estimated by the
commissioner of agriculture, was 14 bushels. Hence there were 1,829,024 acres of land devoted to
this one crop, nearly one third of all the improved land in the state. Of the wheat crop of 1869
24,375,435 bushels were spring wheat, arid 1,230,909 bushels were winter fl^heat, which is 19.8
bushels of spring to i bushel of winter wheat. The latter is scarcely sown at all on the prairies,
or upon light opening soils. In some of the timbered regions hardy varieties do well, but it is
not a certain crop, as it is not able to withstand the winters, unless covered by snow or litter. It
is not injured as seriously by the hard freezing, as by the alternate freezing and thawing of Feb-
ruary and March.
The continued cropping of land with grain is a certain means of exhausting the soil of the
phosphates, and of those nitrogenous compounds that are essential to the production of grain, and
yet are present even in the most fertile soils in but small quantities. To the diminished yield,
partly attributable to the overcropping of the land, and partially to poor seasons and chinch bugs,
and to the decline in prices soon after the war, owing to an over production of wheat, may largely
be attributed the hard times experienced by the grain growing farmers of Wisconsin from 1872 to
1877. The continued raising of wheat upon the same land, alternated, if any alternation
occurred, with barley, oats, or corn, has produced its sure results. The lesson has cost the
farmers of the state dearly, but it has not been altogether lost. A better condition of affairs has
already begun. Wheat is gradually losing its prestige as the farmers' sole dependence, while
stock, dairy, and mixed farming are rapidly increasing. The number of bushels of wheat
raised to each inhabitant in the state was in 1850 fourteen, in i860 twenty-three and eight tenths
in 1870 twenty-four, and in 1875 twenty and four tenths. These figures do not indicate a dimin-
ished productiveness of the state, but show, with the greatly increased production in other
branches of husbandry, that farmers are changing their system to one more diversified and
rational. Straw stacks are no longer burned, and manure heaps are not looked upon as altogether
useless. Much more attention is now paid to the use of fertilizers. Clover with plaster is looked
upon with constantly increasing favor, and there is a greater seeking for light upon the more
difficult problems of a profitable agriculture
Corn is raised to a large extent, although Wisconsin has never ranked as high in corn, as in
wheat growing. Sixteen states raised more corn in 1870 than this state, and in 1875, seventeen
states raised more. Corn requires a rich, moist soil, with a long extended season of warm sun-
shine. While this crop can be raised with great ease in the larger portion of the state it will
always succeed better farther south, both on account of the longer summers and the greater
amount of rainfall. According to the statistics of the commissioner of agriculture, the average
yield per acre for a period of ten years, is about 30 bushels. Corn is an important crop in the
economy of the farmer, as from it he obtains much food for his stock, and it is his principal
dependence for fattening pork. On these accounts it will, without doubt, retain its place in the
husbandry of the state, even when stock and dairy farming are followed to a much greater extent
than at present. Barley is cultivated largely throughout the state, but five states produced more
in 1870, than Wisconsin. The great quantity of beer brewed here, furnishes a good home market
for this grain. Barley succeeds best in a rather moist climate, having a long growing season.
The dry, short summers of Wisconsin, are not well adapted to its growth. Hence the average
156 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
yield is but a medium one, and the quality of the grain is only fair. According to the returns
furnished the commissioner of agriculture, the average yield for a period of ten years, is 22
bushels per acre.
Next to wheat, more bushels of oats are raised than of any other grain. Wisconsin was, in
i860, fifth in rank among the oat-growing states; in 1870, sixth. The rich soils of the state
raise an abundant crop of oats with but little labor, and hence their growth in large quantities is
not necessarily an indication of good husbandry. They will bear poor cultivation better than
corn, and are frequently grown upon land too weedy to produce that grain. It is a favorite
grain for feeding, especially to horses. With the best farmers, oats are looked upon with less
favor than corn, because it is apt to leave land well seeded with weeds which are difficult to .
exterminate. In the production of rye, Wisconsin ranked seventh in i860, and fourth in 1870.
It is a much surer crop in this state than winter wheat, as it is less easily winter-killed when not
protected by snow, than is that grain. Besides, it ripens so early as not to be seriously injured
by drouth in summer, and succeeds well even upon the poorer soils. The average yield per acre
is about 16 bushels.
But few hops were grown in Wisconsin, up to i860, when owing to an increased demand by
the breweries of the state, there was a gradual but healthful increase in hop culture. A few
years later the advent of the hop louse, and other causes of failure at the east, so raised the price
of hops as to make them a very profitable crop to grow. Many acres were planted in this state
from 1863 to 1865, when the total product was valued at nearly $350,000. The success of those
engaged in this new branch of farming, encouraged others to adopt it. The profits were large.
Wheat growing had not for several years been remunerative, and in 1867- and 1868, the " hop
fever " became an epidemic, almost a plague. The crop of Sauk county Wlone was estimated at
over 4,000,000 pounds, worth over l2,ooo,ooo. The quality of the crop was excellent, the yield
large, and the price unusually high. The secretary of the State Agricultural society says, in his
report for that year, " Cases are numerous in which the first crop has paid for the land and all
the improvements." To many farmers hop raising appeared to offer a sure and speedy course to
wealth. But a change came quickly. The hop louse ruined the crop, and low prices caused by
over production, aided in bringing ruin to many farmers. In 1867, the price of hops was from
40 to 55 cents per pound, while in 1869 it was from 10 to 15 cents, some of poor quality selling
as low as 3 cents. Many hop yards were plowed up during 1869 and 1870. The area under
cultivation to this crop in 1875, was, according to the " Report of the Secretary of State," 10,932
acres.
The production of tobacco has greatly increased since i860, when there were raised in the
state 87,340 pounds. In 1870, the product was 960,813 pounds. As is well known, the quality
of tobacco grown in the northern states is greatly inferior for chewing and smoking, to that grown
in the south, although varieties having a large, tough leaf, suitable for cigar wrappers, do well
here. The variety principally grown is the Connecticut seed leaf. Tobacco can only be grown
successfully on rich, fertile soils, and it is very exhausting to the land. Of the amount produced
in 1870, there were raised in Rock county 645,408 pounds, and in Dane county, 229,568 pounds;
the entire remaining portion of the state raised but 85,737 pounds. According to the report of
the secretary of state, the whole number of acres planted to tobacco in 1875, was 3,296. Of this
amount Rock county planted 1,676 acres, and Dane county, 1,454 acres, leaving for the remain-
der of the state but 166 acres. While the crop has been fairly productive and profitable, these
statistics show that up to the present time tobacco-raising has been a merely local interest.
The production of flax is another merely local industry, it being confined principally to the
AGEICULTURE. 157
counties of Kenosha, Grant, Iowa and LaFayette. Of flax fibre, Kenosha county raised in 1869,
nearly four fifths of the entire amount grown in the state, the total being 497,398 pounds. With
the high price of labor and the low price of cotton now ruling, it is scarcely possible to make the
raising of flax fibre profitable. Flax seed is raised to a small extent in the other counties men-
tioned. The present price of oil makes this a fairly profitable crop. If farmers fully appreciated
that in addition to the oil, the oil cake is of great value as a food for cattle and sheep, and also
that the manure made by the animals eating it, is of three times the value of that made by ani-
mals fed upon corn, doubtless much more flax seed would be raised than is at present. Ameri-
can oil-cake finds a ready market in England, at prices which pay well for its exportation. If
English farmers can aff'ord to carry food for their stock so far, American farmers may well strive
to ascertain if they can afford to allow the exportation of so valuable food. When greater atten-
tion is paid in our own country to the quality of the manure made by our stock, more oil-cake
will be fed at home, and a much smaller proportion of that made here willbe exported.
The amount of maple sugar produced diminishes as the settlement of the state increases,
and is now scarcely sufficient in amount to be an item in the state's productions. The increase
in the price of sugar from 1861 to r868 caused many farmers to try sorghum raising. But the
present low prices of this staple, has caused an abandonment of the enterprise. Two attempts
have been made in Wisconsin to manufacture beet-root sugar, the first at Fond du Lac in 1867
the second at Black Hawk, Sauk county, in 1870. The Fond du Lac company removed their
works to California in 1869, not having been successful in their efforts. The Black Hawk com-
pany made, in 187 1, more than 134,000 pounds of sugar, but have since abandoned the business.
Both these failures may be attributed to several causes, first of which was the want of sufficient
capital to build and carry on a factory sufficiently large to enable the work to be done economi-
cally ; secondly, the difficulty of sufficiently interesting farmers in the business to induce them
to raise beets on so large a scale as to warrant the building of such a factory; and, thirdly, the high
price of labor and the low price of sugar. The quality of beets raised was good, the polarization
test showing in many instances as high as sixteen per cent, of sugar. The larger proportion of
hay made in the state is from the natural meadows, the low lands or marshes, where wild grasses
grow in abundance, and hay only costs the cutting and curing. Cultivated grasses do well
throughout the state, and " tame hay " can be made as easily here as elsewhere. The limestone
soils, where timber originally grew, are of the uplands, most natural to grass, and, consequently,
furnish the richest meadows, and yield the best pasturage. Ye e only soils where grasses do
not readily grow, are those which are so sandy and dry as to be nearly barrens. Clover grows
throughout the state in the greatest luxuriance. There is occasionally a season so dry as (to make
■" seeding down " a failure, and upon light soils clover, when not covered with snow, is apt to win-
ter-kill. Yet it is gaining in favor with farmers, both on account of the valuable pasturage and
hay it affords, and on account of its value as a soil renovator. In wheat-growing regions, clover
is now recognized to be of the greatest value in a " rotation," on account of its ameliorating
influence upon the soil. Throughout the stock and dairy regions, clover is depended upon to a
large extent for pasturage, and to a less extent for hay.
There has been a growing interest in stock raising for the past ten years, although the
increase has not been a rapid one. Many of the herds of pure-blood cattle in the state rank
high for their great excellence. The improvement of horses has been less rapid than that of cattle,
sheep, and swine ; yet this important branch of stock farming is improving each year. The most
attention is given to the improvement of draught and farm horses, while roadsters and fast horses
are not altogether neglected. There are now owned in the state a large number of horses of the
heavier English and French breeds, which are imparting to their progeny their own characteristics
158
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
of excellence, the effects of which are already visible in many of the older regions of the state.
Of the different breeds of cattle, the Short-horns, the Ayrshires, the Devons, and the Jerseys are
well represented. The Short-horns have met with most favor with the general farmer, the grades
of this breed being large, and possessing in a high degree the quiet habits and readiness to fat-
ten, so characteristic of the full-bloods. Without doubt, the grade Short-horns will continue in
the high favor in which they are now held, as stock-raising becomes a more important branch of
the husbandry of the state. Of pure blood Short-horns there are many herds, some of which
are of the very highest excellence. At the public sales of herds from this state, the prices
have ranked high universally, and in a few cases have reached the highest of " fancy " prices,
showing the estimate placed by professional breeders upon the herds of Wisconsin. The Ayr-
shires are increasing in numbers, and are held in high esteem by many dairymen. They are not
yet, however, as generally disseminated over the state, as their great merit as a milking breed
would warrant. The rapid growth of the dairy interest will doubtless increase their numbers
greatly, at least as grades, in the dairying region. Of pure bred Devons and Jerseys, there are
fewer than of the former breeds. The latter are principally kept in towns and cities to furnish
milk for a single family. The following table shows the relative importance of stock raising in
the state for the years mentioned. The figures are an additional proof to those already given,
that the grain industry has held sway in Wisconsin to the detriment of other branches of farming,
as well as to the state's greatest increase in wealth.
YEAR.
WHOLE NUM-
BER OF NEAT
CATTLE.
NO. TO EACH
100 ACRES OF
IMPROVED
LAND.
WHOLE NUM-
BER OF SHEEP.
NUMBER TO
EACH 100
ACRES OF
IMPROVED
LAND.
POUNDS OF
WOOL PRO-
DUCED.
POUNDS
OF WOOL
PER
HEAD.
1850
i860
1870
1875*
183,433
521,860
693.294
922,900
17
14
12
II
124,896
332.954
1,069,282
1,162,800
12
18
14
253.963
1,011,933
4,090,670
(?)
2.03
304
3.82
(?)
* Estimated in report of commissioner of agriculture.
The growth and present condition of sheep husbandry, compare much more favorably with
the general development of the state than does that of cattle raising. In a large degree this
may be accounted for by the impetus given to wool raising during our civil war by the scarcity
of cotton, and the necessary substitution to a great extent, of woolen for cotton goods. This
great demand for wool for manufacturing purposes produced a rapid rise in the price of this
staple, making its production a very profitable branch of farming. With the close of the war
came a lessened demand, and consequently lower prices. Yet at no time has the price of wool
fallen below that at which it could be profitably produced. This is the more notably true when
the value of sheep in keeping up the fertility and productiveness of land, is taken into account.
The foregoing table shows the improvement in this branch of husbandry since 1850
Although many more sheep might profitably be kept in the state, the above figures show that
the wool interest is fairly developed, and the average weight of fleece is an assurance of more
than ordinarily good stock. The fine-woOled sheep and their grades predominate, although
there are in the state some excellent stock of long-wools — mostly Cotswold — and of South-
downs.
Of all the agricultural interests of the state, no other has made as rapid growth during the
last ten years, as has that of dairying. With the failure of hop-growing, began the growth 'J
the factory system of butter and cheese making, and the downfall of the one was scarcely more-
rapid than has been the upbuilding of the other. The following statistics of the production of
butter and cheese illustrate this rapid progress. It will be remembered that for the years 1850,
AGRICULTUKE.
159
i860, and 1870 the statistics are from the U. S. census, and hence include all the butter and
cheese made in the state, while for the remaining years, only that made by factories and pro-
fessional dairymen as reported to the secretary of the State Dairymen's Association, is included.
It has been found impossible to-obtain the statistics of butter, except for the census years.
YEAR.
BUTTER.
CHE- SE.
lbs.
3.633.750
13,611,328
22,473.036
lbs.
400,283
i860
1,104,300
1,591,798
187J.
13,000,000
1871;
15,000,000
1876
17,000,000
The quality of Wisconsin dairy products is excellent, as may be judged by the fact that, at
the Centennial Exhibition, Wisconsin cheese received twenty awards, a larger number than was
given to any other state except New York, and for butter Wisconsin received five awards. No
state received more, and only New York and Illinois received as many. Wisconsin received one
award for each fourteen cheeses on exhibition. No other state received so large a proportion.
New York received the largest number of awards, viz., twenty-one, but only secured one award
for each thirty cheeses on exhibition. The number of cheese and butter factories is increasing
each year, and there is being made in the bet^ir grazing regions of the state, as rapid a transition
from grain to dairy-farming as is consistent with a healthful growth. This interest, which is now
an important one in the state's industrial economy, has before it a promising future, both in its
own development, and in its indirect influence upon the improvement of the agriculture of the
state.
The history of the earlier attempts in fruil raising in Wisconsin would be little more than a
record of failures. The pioneers planted apple, peach, plum, and cherry trees, but they gathered
little or no fruit. As was natural, they planted those varieties that were known to do well in the
older states of the same latitude. Little was known of the climate, and there was no apparent
reason why those varieties should not do well here. The first orchards died The same varie-
ties were replanted, and again the orchards died. Gradually, through the costly school of
experience, it was learned that the climate was different from that of the eastern states, and that
to succeed here varieties of fruit must be such as were adapted to the peculiar climate of this
state. These peculiarities are hot, and for the most part, dry summers, cold and dry winters.
The dryness of the climate has been the greatest obstacle to success, as this is indirectly the cause
of the great extremes of temperature experienced here. The summers are often so dry that the
growth of the trees is not completed, and the wood sufficiently well ripened to enable it to with-
stand the rigors of winter. And the clear, dry atmosphere of winter allows the sun's rays to
pass through it so unobstructedly as to warm the body of the tree upon the sunny side, above
the freezing point, even though the temperature of the air is much lower. The alternate thawing
and freezing ruptures the tender cells connecting the bark and wood, producing a complete sepa-
ration of these parts, and often besides bursts the bark. The separation of bark and wood
destroys the circulation of the sap upon that side of the tree, thus enfeebling the entire
plant. The tree is not able to form new bark over the ruptured part, and a diseased spot
results. Such a plant makes but a feeble growth of poorly ripened wood, and soon dies
160 HISTOEY OF WISCONSIN.
altogether. Besides the above cause, the extreme cold weather occasionally experienced will kill
healthy trees of all varieties not extremely hardy. Notwithstanding these natural obstacles, a
good degree of success has been attained in the raising of apples and grapes. This success has
been the result of persevering effort upon the part of the horticulturists of the state, who have
sought the causes of failure in order that they might be removed or avoided. It is thus by intel-
ligent observation that the fruit growers have gained the experience which brings with it a
creditable success. The first requisite to success is the planting of varieties sufficiently hardy
to withstand our severe winters. This has been accomplished by selecting the hardiest of the
old varieties, and by raising seedlings, having besides hardiness, qualities sufficiently valuable to
make them worthy of cultivation. The second requisite to success is in the selection of a situa-
tion having suitable soil and exposure, and thirdly, proper care after planting. Among the
hardy varieties of apples regarded with greatest favor are Tetofski, Red Astrachan, and Duchess
of Oldenberg, all Russian varieties, and Fameuse from Canada. Besides these there are a few
American varieties so hardy as to prove reliable in the south half of the state. Among these
are a few seedlings that have originated in Wisconsin. Apple trees are less apt to be injured by
the winter upon a site sloping to the northeast or north, where they are less directly exposed to
the rays of the winter's sun. High ground is much better than low, and a good, strong, not too
rich soil is best. Apples do better upon soils where timber originally grew than on the prairies,
and they are grown more easily along the border of Lake, Michigan than in the interior of the
state. Pears are raised to but a slight extent, as only a few of the hardiest varieties will succeed
at all, and these only in favorable situations. Grapes are grown in great abundance, and in
great perfection, although not of the more tender varieties. The Concord, on account pf its
hardiness aiid excellent bearing qualities, is cultiva^d most generally. Next to this comes the
Delaware, while many other varieties, both excellent and prolific, are raised with great ease. The
season is seldom too short to ripen the fruit well, and the only precaution necessary t?b protect
the vines during the winter is a covering of earth or litter. Cranberries grow spontaneously
upon many marshes in the interior of the state. Within a] few years considerable attention has
been given to improving these marshes, and to the cultivation of this most excellent fruit.
Doubtless within a few years the cranberry crop will be an important one among the fruit pro-
ductions of the state. All of the small fruits adapted to this latitude are cultivated in abundance,
and very successfully, the yield being often times exceedingly large. Altogether, the horticul-
tural interests of the state are improving, and there is a bright prospect that in the near future
fruit growing will not be looked upon with the disfavor with which it has been regarded here-
tofore.
Of the associations for advancing the agricultural interests of the state, the first organized
was the " State Agricultural Society." The earliest efforts to establish such an organization were
made at Madison in December, 1846, during the session of the first constitutional convention of
the territory. A constitution was adopted, but nothing further was done. In February, 1849^
another meeting was held in Madison, at which it was " Resolved, That in view of the great
importance of agriculture in the west, it is expedient to form a state agricultural society in
Wisconsin." Another constitution was adopted, and officers were elected, but no effectual
organization resulted from this second attempt. The " Wisconsin State Agricultiiral Society" —
the present organization — had its inception in a meeting held at Madison, March 8, 1851, at
which a committee was appointed to report a constitution and by-laws, and to nominate persons
to fill the various offices of said society. At its organization, the society was composed of annual
members, who paid one dollar dues each year, and of life members, who, upon the payment of
ten dollars, were exempt from the annual contribution. The annual membership was afterward
AGEICTJLTUEE. 161
abolished, and in 1869 the fee constituting one a life member was raised to twenty dollars. The
first annual fair of the society was held in Janesville, in October, 1851 Fairs have been held
annually since, except during the years 1861, 1862 and 1863. In 1851 premiums were paid to
the amount of only $140, while at the present time they amount to nearly $10,000. In 1851
there were five life members. At the present time there are over seven hundred, representing all
the various industries of the state. The fairs held under the auspices of this society have been
of excellent character, and have been fruitful of good to all the industries of the state, but more
especially to the farmers. The state has been generous in aid of this society, having furnished
commodious rooms for its use in the capitol building, printed the annual report of the secretary,
a volume of about 500 pages, and donated annually, for many years, $2,000 toward its support.
Besides its annual fairs, for the past five years there has been held an annual convention, under
the auspices of this society, for the reading and discussing of papers upon topics of interest to
farmers, and for a general interchange of ideas relating to farming. These conventions are held
in high esteem by the better class of farmers, and have added greatly to the usefulness of the
society. The " Wisconsin "State Horticultural Society" was originally the "Wisconsin State
Fruit Growers' Association," which was organized in December, 1853, at Whitewater. Its
avowed object was "the collecting, arranging, and disseminating facts interesting to those engaged
in the culture of fruits, and to embody for their use the results of the practice and experiments
of fruit growers in all parts of the state." Exhibitions and conventions of the association were
held annually up to i860, after which the society was disorganized, owing to the breaking out of
the war of the rebellion A volume of " Transactions " was published by the association in
1855. In 1859 its transactions were published with those of the state agricultural society. From
i860 to 1865 no state horticultural associa1%)n was in existence. In September of the latter
year the " Wisconsin Fruit Growers' Association " was reorganized as the " Wisconsin State Hor-
ticultural Society.'' The legislature had previously provided for the publication of the proceedings
of such a society, in connection with those of the State Agricultural Society. The new society has
held annual exhibitions, usually in connection with those of the State Agricultural Society, and
annual conventions for the reading of papers upon, and the discussion of, horticultural subjects. In
1 87 1 an act was passed by the legislature incorporating the society, and providing for the separate
printing of 2,000 copies annually of its transactions, of which there are now seven volumes. The
most active, intelligent, and persevering of the horticulturists of the state are members of this
association, and to their careful observation, to their enthusiasm and determined persistence in
seeking means to overcome great natural difficulties, the state is largely indebted for the success
already attained in horticulture. Besides these state associations, there are many local agricul-
tural and horticultural societies, all of which have been useful in aiding the cause for which they
were organized. Farmers' clubs and granges of the " Patrons of Husbandry " have also
done much, both' directly and indirectly, to promote the industrial interests of the state. By thei*
frequent meetings, at which discussions are held, views compared, and experiences related, much
valuable intelligence is gained, thought is stimulated, and the profession of farming advanced.
As agriculture, like all kindred professions, depends upon intelligence to direct its advancement,
all means intended to stimulate thought among farmers will, if wisely directed, aid in advancing
this most complex of all industries. To those above named, and to other like associations,
is in a large degree to be attributed the present favorable condition of the agriculture of
the state.
Wisconsin is yet, comparatively, a new State. It was mainly settled by men who had little
moneyed capital. Markets were distant, and means of transportation poor. The early settlers had
consequently to struggle for a livelihood in the face of the greatest difficulties. When these opposing
162 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
circumstances are taken into account, and the improvement in methods of culture, and changes
from grain to stock and dairy-farming that are now being made, are given their due weight, it
must be acknowledged that the present condition of the agriculture of the state is excellenf, and
that the future of this most important industry is rich in promise of a steady, healthful growth,
toward a completer development of all the agricultural resources of the state.
MINERAL RESOURCES.
By ROLAND D. IRVING, Professor of Geology, etc., at the University of
Wisconsin.
The useful mineral materials that occur within the limits of the state of Wisconsin, come
Under both of the two grand classes of such substances : the metallic ores, from which the
tnetals ordinarily used in the arts are extracted ; and the non-metallic substances, which are used in
the arts for the most part without any preliminary treatment, or at least undergo only a very
partial alteration before being utilized. Of the first class are found in Wisconsin the ores of
lead, zinc, iron and copper, besides minute traces of the precious metals; of the second class, the
principal substances found ^xt brick-clay, kaolin, cement-rock, limestone for burning into quick-lime,
limestone for flux, glass sand, peat and building stone.
LEAD AND ZINC.
These metals are considered together because they are found occurring together in the same
region and under exactly the same circumstances, being even obtained from the same openings.
Lead has for many years been the most important metallic production of Wisconsin, and, together
with zinc, whose ores have been utilized only since i860, still holds this prominent position,
although the production is not so great as formerly. Small quantities of lead and zinc ores have
been found in the crystalline (Archaean) rocks of the northern part of the state and in the copper-
bearing rocks of the Lake Superior country, but there are no indications at present that these
regions will ever produce in quantity. All of the lead and zinc obtained in Wisconsin comes
then from that portion of the southwestern part of the state which lies west of Sugar river and
south of the nearly east and west ridge that forms the southern side of the valley of the Wis-
consin, from the head of Sugar river westward. This district is commonly known in Wisconsin
as the " Lead Region," and forms the 'larger part of the " Lead Region of the Upper Missis-
sippi," which includes also smaller portions of Iowa and Illinois.
What European first became acquainted with the deposits of lead in the upper portion of
valley of the Mississippi is a matter of some doubt. Charlevoix (Histoire de la Nouvelle France,
III, 397, 398.) attributes the discovery to Nicolas Perrot, about 1692 ; and states that in r72i
the deposits still bore Perrot's name. Perrot himself, however, in the only one of his writings
that remains, makes no mention of the matter. The itinerary of Le Sueur's vsyage up the
Mississippi, 1700-1701, given in La Harpe's History of Louisiana, whicti was written early in
the i8th century, shows that the former found lead on the banks of the Mississippi, not far from
MINERAL BESOURCES.
163
the present southern boundary of Wisconsin, August 25, 1700. Captain Johathan Carver,
1766, found lead in abundance at the Blue Mounds, and found the Indians in all the country
around in possession of masses of galena, which they had obtained as " float mineral," and
which they were incapable of putting to any use. There is no evidence of any one mining
before Julien Dubuque, who, 1788 to 1809, mined in the vicinity of the flourishing city which
now bears his name. After his death in 1809 nothing more was done until 1821, when the
attention of American citizens was first drawn to the rich lead deposits of this region. By 1827,
the mining had become quite general and has continued to the 'present time, the maximum
production having been reached, however, between the years 1845 and 1847.
The following table, prepared by the late Moses Strong, shows the mineral production of
southwestern Wisconsin for the years i860 to 1873 in pounds:
YEARS.
GALENA.
SMITHSONITE.
YEAR.
GALENA.
SMITHSONITE.
BLENDE.
i860
320,000
266,000
1,120,000
3.173.333
4,198,200
7.373.333
1867
1868
1869
1870
1871
1872
1873
13,820,784
13,869,619
13,426,721
13.754.159
13,484,210
11,622,668
9.919.734
5.181,445
4,302,383
4.547.971
4.429.585
16,618,160
27,021,383
18,528,906
841,310
I861
3,078,435
1862
1863
1864
1865
1866
17,037,912
I5.IC5.577
13,014,210
14.337.895
14,029,193
6,252,420
7,414,022
9,303,625
16,256,970
15,074,664
Until within the last decade the lead mines of the Mississippi valley, including now both
the "Upper" and the "Lower " regions — the latter one of which lies wholly within the limits of
the state of Missouri — have far eclipsed the rest of the United States in the production, of lead,
the district being in fact one of the most important of the lead districts in the world. Of late
years, however, these mines are far surpassed in production by the " silver-lead " mines of Utah
and other Rocky Mountain regions, which, though worked especially for their silver, produce
incidentally a very large amount of lead. Nevertheless, the mines of the Mississippi valley will
long continue to be a very important source of this metal. The lead ore of the Wisconsin lead
region is of one kind only, the sulphide known as galena, or galenite. This ore, when free from
mechanically mingled ipapurities,- contains 86.6 per cent, of lead, the balance being sulphur.
Small quantities of other lead ores are occasionally found in the uppermost portions of the deposits,
having been produced by the oxidizing influence of the atmosphere. The chief one of these
oxidation j)roducts is the earthy carbonate known as cerussite. Galena almost always contains
some silver, commonly enough to pay for its extraction. The Wisconsin galenas, however, are
unusually free from silver, of which they contain only the merest trace.
The zinc ores are of two kinds, the most abundant being the ferruginous sulphide, or the
"black-jack " of the miners. The pure sulphide, sphalerite, contains 67 per cent, of zinc, but the
iron-bearing variety, known minerallogically as martnatite, generally contains 10 per cent, or
more of iron. A ferruginous variety of the carbonate, smithsonite, also occurs in abundance, and
is known to the miners as "dry-bone," the name being suggested by the peculiar structure of the
ore.
Both lead and zinc ores occur in limited deposits in a series of limestone beds belonging to
the Lower Silurian series. The lead region is underlaid by a nearly horizontal series of strata,
with an aggregate thickness of 2,000 feet, which lie upon an irregular surface of ancient crystal-
line rocks (gneiss, granite, etc.). The names and order of succession of the several strata are
indicated in the following scheme, the last named being the lowest in the series :
164 HISTORY OF WISCONSnf.
FotmatioH, Thitiness^
Kiagara dolomitic limestone . 300 — 300 feet.
Cincinnati shales ^ 60 — 100 "
/ Galena dolomitic limestone 250 — 275 "
Lead Horizon -< Blue limestone 50 — 75 "
( Buff dolomitic limestone .' 15 — 20 "
Lower Magnesian (dolomitic) limestone _ 250 "
Potsdam sandstone series 800 — 1000 "
The first two of these layers, in the Wisconsin part of the lead region, are met with only in a
few isolated peaks and ridges. The prevailing surface rock is the Galena limestone, through
which, however, the numerous streams cut in deep and narrow valleys which not unfrequently
are carved all the way into the Lower Magnesian.
The lead and zinc ores are entirely confined to the Galena, Blue and Buff limestones, an
aggregate vertical thickness of some 350 to 375 feet. The upper and lower strata of the series
are entirely barren. Zinc and lead ores are found in the same kind of deposits, and often
together; by far the larger part of the zinc ores, however, come from the Blue and Buff limestones,
and the lowest layers of the Galena, whilst the lead ores, though obtained throughout the whole
thickness of the mining ground, are especially abundant in the middle and upper layers of the
Galena beds.
The ore deposits are of two general kinds, which may be distinguished as vertical crevicesi
and flat crevices, the former being much the most common. The simplest form of- the vertical
crevice is a narrow crack in the rock, having a width of a few inches, an extension laterally from
a few yards to several hundred feet, and a vertical height of 20 to 40 feet, thinning out to noth-
ing in all directions, and filled from side to side with highly crystalline, brilliant, large-surfaced
galena, which has no accompanying metallic mineral, or gangue matter. Occasionally the vertical
extension exceeds a hundred feet, and sometime? a number of these sheets are close together
and can be mined as one. Much more commonly the vertical crevice shows irregular expan-
sions, which are sometimes large caves, or openings in certain layers, the crevice between, retain-
ing its normal character, while in other cases the expansion affects the whole crevice, occasion-
ally widening it throughout into one large opening. These openings are rarely entirely filled,
and commonly contain a loose, disintegrated rock, in which the galena lies loose in large masses,
though often adhering to the sides of the cavity in large stalactites, or in cubical crystals. The
vertical crevices show a very distinct arrangement parallel -with one another, there being two
systems, which roughly trend east and west, and north and south. The east and west crevices are
far the most abundant and most productive of ore. The vertical crevices are confined nearly
altogether to the upper and middle portions of the Galena, and are not productive of zinc ores.
They are evidently merely the parallel joint cracks which affect every great rock formation, filled
by chemical action with the lead ore. The crevices with openings have evidently been enlarged
by the solvent power of atmospheric water carrying carbonic acid, and from the way in which the
ore occurs loose in the cavities, it is evident that this solving action has often been subsequent
to the first deposition of lead ore in the crevice.
The " flat crevices," " flat sheets,",and "flat openings," are analogous to the deposits just
described, but have, as indicated by the names, a horizontal position, being characteristic of
certain layers, which have evidently been more susceptible to chemical action than others, the
dissolving waters having, moreover, been directed along them by less pervious layers above and
below. The flat openings differ from the vertical crevices also, in having associated with the
MIKERAL EESOUKCES. 165
galena much of either the black-jack or dry-bone zinc ores, or both, the galena not unfrequently
being entirely wanting. Cleavable calcite also accompanies the ores in these openings in large
quantities, and the same is true of the sulphide of iron, which is the variety known as marcasite.
These materials have sometimes a symrnetrical arrangement on the bottom and top of the open-
ing, the central portion being empty. The flat openings characterize the Blue and Buff and
lower Galena beds, and from them nearly all the zinc ore is obtained.
It is not possible, in the limits of this short paper, even to mention the various mining
districts. It may merely be said that the amount of galena raised from single crevices has often
been several hund/ed thousand, or even over a million pounds, and that one of the principal
mining districts is in the vicinity of Mineral Point, where there are two furnaces constantly
engaged in smelting. Between the years 1862 and r873, these two establishments have produced
23,903,260 pounds of metallic lead, or an average of 1,991,938 pounds, the maximum being, in
1869, 2,532,710 pounds, the minimum, in r873, 1,518,888 pounds.
The zinc ores were formerly rejected as useless, and have only been utilized since i86o. An
attempt to smelt them at Mineral Point was not successful, because the amount needed of fuel
and clay, both of which have to come from a distance, exceeding even the amount of ore used,
caused a very heavy expense for transportation.. The ores are therefore now taken altogether to
LaSalle, Illinois, where they meet the fuel and clay, and the industry at that place has ^become
a flourishing one. The amount of zinc ore in the Wisconsin lead region is, beyond doubt, veiy
great, and will be a source of wealth for a long time to come.
Since the ores of zinc and lead in this region are confined to such a small thickness of strata
greatly eroded by the atmospheric waters, the entire thickness having frequently been removed,
it becomes a matter of great importance to know how much of the mining ground remains at
every point throughout the distript. The very excellent topographico-geological maps of the
region, made by Mr. Moses Strong, and since published by the State in the Report of the
Geological Survey, make this knowledge accessible to all.
IRON.
Iron mining in Wisconsin is yet in its infancy, although some important deposits are
producing a considerable quantity of ore. A number of blast furnaces have sprung up in the
eastern part of the state, but these smelt Michigan ores almost entirely. Much remains yet to
be done in the way of exploration, for the most promising iron fields are in the heavily timbered
and unsettled regions of the north part of the state, and are as yet imperfectly known. It
appears probable, however, that iron ores will, m the near future, be the most important mineral
production of Wisconsin. The several ores will be noted in the order of their present im-
portance.
Red Hematites.
The iron in these ores exists as an anhydrous sesquioxide, which is, however, in an earthy
condition, and entirely without the brilliant metallic luster that characterizes the specular hema-
tites. Pure hematite contaiiis seventy per cent, of metallic iron, but the red hematites, as mined,
are always so largely mingled with mechanical impurities that they rarely contain more thah fifty
per cent. The rnost important red hematite mined in Wisconsin is that known as the Clinton iron
ore, the name coming from the formation in which the ore occurs. This formation is a member
of the Upper Silurian series, and is named from a locality in Oneida county. New York, where it
was first recognized. Associated with its rocks, which are limestones and shales, is con-
stantly found a peculiar red hematite, which is so persistent in its characters, both physical and
166 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
and chemical, that one familiar with it from any one locality can hardly fail to recognize it when
coming from others. The iron produced from it is always "cold-short," on account of the large
content of phosphorus ; but, mingled with siliceous ores free from phosphorus, it yields always
a most excellent foundry iron. It is mined at numerous points from New York to Tennessee,
and at some points reaches a very great total thickness. In Wisconsin the Clinton rocks merge
into the great Niagara lim estone series df the eastern part of the state, but at the bottom of the
series, in a few places, the Clinton ore is found immediately overlying the Cincinnati shales. The
most important locality is that known as Iron Ridge, on sections twelve and thirteen in the town
of Hubbard, in Dodge county. Here a north-and-south ledge of Niagara limestone overlooks lower
land to the west. Underneath, at the foot of the ridge, is the ore bed, fifteen to eighteen feet in
thickness, consisting of horizontally bedded ore, in layers three to fourteen inches thick. The
ore has a concretionary structure, being composed of lenticular grains, one twenty-fifth of an inch
in diameter, but the top layer is without this structure, having a dark purplish color, and in places
a slight metallic appearance. Much of the lower ore is somewhat hydrated. Three quarters of
a mile nortlx of Iron Ridge, at Mayville, there is a total thickness of as much as forty feet.
According to Mr. E. T. Sweet, the percentages of the several constituents of the Iron Ridge ore
are as follows: iron peroxide, 66.38; carbonate of lime, 10.42; carbonate of magnesia, 2.79;
silica, 4.72; alumina, 5.54; manganese oxide, 0.44; sulphur,40.23 ; phosphoric acid, 0.73; water,
8.75 = 100: metallic iron, 46.66. >
Two small charcoal furnaces at Mayville and Iron Ridge smelt a considerable quantity df
these ores alone, producing an iron very rich in phosphorus. An analysis of the Mayville pig
iron, also by Mr. Sweet, shows the following composition: iron, 95.784 per cetit; phosphorus,
1.675 • ca-rbon, 0.849; silicon, 0.108 = 100.286. The average furnace yield of the ore is forty-
five per cent. By far the larger part of the ore, however, is sent away to mingle with other ores.
It goes to Chicago, Joliet and Springfield, 111., St. Louis, Mo., Wyandotte and Jackson, Mich.,
and Appleton, Green Bay and Milwaukee, Wis. In 1872, the Iron Ridge mines yielded 82,371
tons. The Clinton ore is found at other places farther north along the outcrop of the base of
the Niagara, formation in Wisconsin , but no one of these appears to promise any great quantity
of good ore. Red hematite is found at numerous places in Wisconsin, highly charging certain
layers of the Potsdam sandstone series, the lowest one of the horizontal Wisconsin formations.
In the eastern part of the town of Westfield, Sauk county, the iron ore excludes the sandstone,
forming an excellent ore. No developments have been made in this district, so that the size of
the deposit is not definitely known.
Brown Hematites.
These ores contain their iron as the hydrated, or brown, sesquioxide, which, when pure,
has about sixty per cent, of the metal.; the ordinary brown hematites, however, seldom
contain over forty per cent. Bog iron ore, a porous brown hematite that forms by deppsi-
tion from the water of bogs, occurs somewhat widely scattered underneath the large marshes of
Portage, Wood and Juneau counties. Very excellent bog ore, containing nearly 50 per cent, of
iron, is found near Necedah, Juneau county, and near Grand Rapids, Wood county, but the
amount obtainable is not definitely known. The Necedah ore contains: silica, 8.52 ; alumina,
377; iron peroxide, 71.40; manganese oxide, 0:27; lime, 0.58; magnesia, trace; phosphoric
acid, 0.21; sulphur, 0.02; organic matter, 1.62; water, 13.46=99.85; metallic iron, 49.98 —
according to Mr. E. T. Sweet's analysis. An ore from section 34, twp. 23, range 6 east, Wood
county, yielded, to Mr. Oliver Matthews, silica, 4.81 ; alumina, i.oo; iron peroxide, 73.23 ; lime,
o.ii, magnesia, 0.25; sulphuric acid, 0.07 ; phosphoric acid, o. 10; organic matter, 5.88; water.
MINERAL EESOURCES. 167
14.24; —99.69: metallic iron, 51.36.
Brown hematite, mingled with more or less red ore, occurs also in some quantity filling cracks
and irregular cavities in certain portions of the Potsdam series in northwestern Sauk county and
the adjoining portion of Richland. A small charcoal furnace has been in operation on this ore
at Ironton, Sauk county, for a number of years, and recently another one has been erected at
Cazenovia in the same district.
Magnetic Ores and Specular Hematites.
These are taken together here, because their geological occurrence is the same, the two ores
occurring not only in the same group of rocks, but even intimately mingled with one another.
These ores are not now produced in Wisconsin ; but it is quite probable that they may before
many years become its principal mineral production. In magnetic irbn ore, the iron is in the
shape of the mineral magnetite, an oxide of iron containing 72 4 per cent of iron when pure, and
this is the highest percentage of iron that any ore can ever have. Specular hematite is the same
as red hematite, but is crystalline, has a bright, metallic luster, and a considerable hardness. As-
mined the richest magnetic and specular ores rarely run over 65 per cent., while in most regions-
where they are mined they commonly do not reach 50 per cent. The amount of rich ores of this
kind in the northern peninsula.of Michigan is so great, however, that an ore with less than 50 per
cent, finds no sale; and the same must be true in the adjoining states. So largely does this mat-
ter of richness affect the value of an ore, that an owner of a mine of 45 per cent. " hard " ore in Wis-
consin would find it cheaper to import and smelt Michigan 65 per cent, ore, than to smelt his own,
even if his furnace and mine were side by side.
The specular and magnetic ores of Wisconsin occur in two districts — the Penokee iron dis-
trict, ten to twenty miles south of Lake Superior, in Bayfield, Ashland and Lincoln counties, and
the Menomonee iron district, near the head waters of the Menomonee river, in township 40,
ranges 17 and 18 east, Oconto county. Specular iron in veins and nests is found in small quan-
tities with the quartz rocks of the Baraboo valley, Sauk county, and Nececiah, Juneau county ;
and very large quantities of a peculiar quartz-schist, charged with more or less of the magnetic
and specular iron oxides, occur in the vicinity of Black River Falls, Jackson county; but in none
of these places -is there any promise of the existence of valuable ore.
In the Penokee and Menomonee regions, the iron ores occur in a series of slaty and
quartzose rocks known to geologists as the Haronian series. The roeks of these districts are
really the extensions westward of a great rock series, which in the northern Michigan peninsula
contains the rich iron ores that have made that region so famous. In position, this' rock series
may be likened to a great elongated parabola, the head of which is in the Mairquette iron district
and the two ends in the Penokee and Menomonee regions of Wisconsin. In all of its extent, this
rock series holds great beds of lean magnetic and specular ores. These contain large quantities
of quartz, which, from its great hardness, renders them very resistant to the action of atmospheric
erosion. As a result, these lean ores are found forming high and bold ridges. Such ridges of
lean ores have deceived many explorers, and not a few geologists. In the same rock series, for
the most part occupying portions of a higher layer, are found, however, ores of extraordinary
richness and purity, which, from their comparative softness, very rarely outcrop. The existence
in quantity of these very rich ores in the Menomonee region has been definitely proven. One
deposit, laid open during the Summer of 1877, shows a width of over 150 feet of first class
specular ore ; and exceeding in size the greatest of the famous deposits of Michigan. In the
Penokee region, however, though the indications are favorable, the existence of the richer
ores is as yet an inference only. The Penokee range itself is a wonderful development of
168 HISTOBYOl? WISCONSIN".
lean ore, which forms a continuous belt several hundred feet in width and over thirty miles in
length. Occasionally portions of this belt are richer than the rest; and become almost merchant-
able ores. The probability is, however, that the rich ores of this region will be found in the
lower country immediately north of the Penokee range, where the rocks are buried beneath
heavy accumulations of drift material.
Copper.
The only copper ote at present raised in Wisconsin is obtained near Mineral Point, in the
lead region of the southwestern part of the state, where small quantities of chalcopyrite, the yellow
sulphide of copper andiron, are obtained from pockets and limited crevices in the Galena lime-
stone. Copper pyrites is known to occur in this way throughout the lead region, but it does not
appear that the quantity at ^ny point is sufScient to warrant exploration.
Copper occurs also in the northernmost portions of Wisconsin, where it is found under alto-
gether different circumstances. The great copper-bearing series of rocks of Keweenaw point and
Isle Royale stretch Southwestward into and entirely across the state of Wisconsin, in two parallel
Taelts. One of these belts enters Wisconsin it the mouth of the Montreal river, and immediately
leaving the shore of Lake Superior, crosses Ashland and Bayfield counties, and then widening
greatly, occupies a large area in Douglas, St. Croix, Barron and Chippewa counties. The other
belt forms the backbone of the Bayfield peninsula, and crosses the northern part of Douglas
county,, forming a bold ridge, to the Minnesota line. The rocks of this great series appear to
be for the most part of igneous origin, but they are distinctly bedded, and even interstratified
with sandstone, shajes, and coarse boulder-conglomerate, the whole series having generally a
tilted position. In veins crossing the rock-beds, and scattered also promiscuously through the
layers of both conglomerates and igneous rocks, pure metallic copper in fine flakes is often
found. Mining on a small scale has been attempted at numbers of points where the rivers
flowing northward into Lake Superior make gorges across the rock series, but at none of them
has sufficient' work been done to prove or disprove the existence of copper in paying quantity.
Gold and Silver.
Small traces of gold have been detected by the writer in quartz from the crystalline rocks
of Clark county, but there is no probability that any quantity of this metal will ever be found in
the state. Traces of silver have also been found in certain layers of the copper series in Ash-
lapd county. Judging from the occurrence of silver in the same series not far to the east in
Michigan, it seems not improbable that this metal may be found also in Wisconsin.
, Brick Clays.
These constitute a very important resource in Wisconsin. Extending inland for many miles
fiom the shores of Lakes Michigan and Superior are stratified beds of clay of lacustrine origin,
having been deposited by the lakes when greatly expanded beyond their present sizes. All of
these clays are characterized by the presence of a large amount of carbonate of lime. Along
Lake Superior they have not yet been utilized, but all through the belt of country bordering
Lake Michigan they are dug and burned, fully 50,000,000 bricks being made annually in this
region. A large proportion of these bricks are white or cream-colored, and these are widely
known under the name of " Milwaukee brick," though by no means altogether made at Mil-
waukee. Others arc ordinary red brick. The difference between the light-colored and red
bricks is ordinarily attributed to the greater amount, of iron in the clay from which the latter are
MINERAL RESOURCEa
169
burned, but it has been shown by Mr. E. T, Sweet that the white bricks are burned from clay
which often contains more iron than that from which the red bricks are made, but which also
contains a very large amont of carbonate of lime. The following analyses show (i) the compo-
sition of the clay from which cream-colored brick are burned at Milwaukee, (2) the composition
of a red-brick clay from near Madison, and (3) the composition of the unutilized clay from
Ashland, Lake Superior. Nos. i and 2 are by Mr. E. T. Sweet, No. 3 by Professor W. W.
Daniells :
(I)
(2)
(3)
(I)
(2)
(3)
Silica
38.22
9-75
2.S4
1.16
16.23
7-54
18.50
75.80
11.07
3.53
0.31;
1.84^
.08)
1.09
58.08
25.38
4.44
8.30
Potash
2.16
0.65
0.95
1.85
1.74
0.40
1.54
2.16
Soda..
Iron peroxide
Iron protoxide...
Water
\ 4.09
Moisture
Totals
Magnesia
Carbonic acid
99.85
99.56
100,19
At Milwaukee 24,000^000 cream-colored brick are made annually ; at Racine, 3,500,000 ; at
Appleton and Menasha, 1,800,000 each ; at Neenah, 1,600,000 ; at Clifton, 1,700,000 ; at Wat-
erloo, 1,600,000 ; and in smaller quantities at Jefferson, Ft. Atkinson, Edgerton, Whitewater,
Geneva, Ozaukee, Sheboygan Falls, Manitowoc, !^ewaunee, and other places. In most cases the
cream-colored bricks are made from a bright-red clay, although occasionally the clay is light-
colored. At Whitewater and other places tile and pottery are also made from this clay.'
Although these lacustrine clays are much the most important in Wisconsin, excellent brick
clays are also found in the interior of the state. In numbers of places along the Yahara valley,
in Dane county, an excellent stratified clay occurs. At Madison this is burned to a red brick ; at
Stpughton and Oregon to a fine cream-colored brick. At Platteville, J^ancaster, and other points
in the southwestern part of the state, red bricks are made from clays found in the vicinity.
Kaolin (Porcelain - Clay — Fire - Clay).
The word "kaolin." is applied by geologists to a clay-like material which is used in making
chinaware in this country and in Europe. The word is of Chinese origin, and is applied by the
Chinese to the substance from which the famous porcelain of China is made. Its application to
the European porcelain-^/aj/ was made under the mistaken idea — one which has prevailed among
Scientists until very recently — that the Chinese material is the same as the European. This we
now know to be an error, the Chinese and Japanese wares being both made altogether from a,
solid rock.
True kaolin, using the word in its European sense, is unlike other ordinary clays, in being
the result of the disintegration of felspathic crystalline rocks "in place," that is without being
removed from the place of its first formation. The base of kaolin is a mineral known as kaolinite, a
compound of silica, alumina and water, which results from a change or decay of the felspar of
felspar-bearing rocks. Felspar contains silica, alumina, and soda or potash, or both. By perco-
lation through the rocks of surface water carrying carbonic acid, the potash and soda are
removed and kaolinite results. Mingled with the kaolinite are, however, always the other ingre-
dients of the rock, quartz, mica, etc., and also always some undecomposed, or only partly decom-
posed felspar. These foreign ingredients can all, however, be more or less perfectly removed by
a system of levigation, when a pure white clay results, composed almost wholly of the scales of
170
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
the mineral kaolinite. Prepared in this way the kaolin has a high value as a refractory material,
and for forming the base of fine porcelain wares.
The crystalline rocks, which, by decomposition, would produce a kaolin, are widely spread
Over the northern part of Wisconsin ; but over the most of the region occupied by them there is no
sign of the existence of kaolin,' the softened rock having apparently been removed by glacial
action. In a belt of country, however, which extends from Grand Rapids on the Wisconsin,
westward to Black river, in Jackson county, the drift is insignificant or entirely absent ; the glacial
forces have not acted, and the crystalline rocks are, or once were, overlaid by sandstone, along
whose line of junction with the underlying formation numerous water-courses have existed, the
result being an unusual amount of disintegration. Here we find, in the beds of the Wisconsin,
Yellow, and Black rivers, large exposures of crystalline rocks, which between the rivers
are overlaid by sandstone. The crystalline rocks are in distinct layers, tilted at high angles,
and in numerous places decomposed into a soft white kaolin. Inasmuch as these layers
Strike across the country m long, straight lines, patches of kaolin are found ranging
themselves into similar ^lines. The kaolin patches are most abundant on the Wisconsin
in the vicinity, of the city of Grand Rapids, in Wood county. They vary greatly in size,
one deposit even varying from a fraction of an inch to a number of feet in thickness.
The kaolin varies, also, greatly in character, some -being quite impure and easily fusible
from a large content of iron oxide or from partial decomposition only,~while much of it is very
pure and refractory. There is no doubt, however, that a large amount of kaolin exists in this
region, and that by selection and levigation an excellent material may be obtained, which, by
mingling with powdered quartz, may be made to yield a fire-brick of unusual refractoriness, and
which may even be employed in making fine porcelain ware.
The following table gives the corpposition of the raw clay, the fine clay obtained from it by
levigation, and the coarse residue from the same operation, the sample having been taken from
the opening on the land of Mr. C. B. Garrison, section 5, town 22, range 6 east, Wood county :'
Silica .
Alumina
Iron peroxide
Lime -
Magnesia
Potash
RAW CLAY.
leVigation
PRODUCTS.
COARSE
FINE CLAY.
RESIDUE.
78.83
49-94
q2.86
13-43
36.80
2.08
0.74
0.72
0.74
0.64
trace
0.96
0.07
-1__
O.IO
0.37
0.51
0.28
Soda
Carbonic Acid
Water.:
Totals...
RAW CLAY.
0.0,7
O.OI
5-45
99.60
LEVIGATION PRODUCTS
FINE CLAY.
0.08
11.62
99.67
COARSE
RESIDUE.
0.05
2.53
yg.6o
Cement - Rock.
Certain layers of the Lower Magnesian limestone, as at Ripon, and other points in the east-
ern part of the state, are known to produce a lime which has in some degree the hydraulic
property, and the same is true of certain layers of the B'lue limestone of the Trenton group, in
the southwestern part of the state ; the most valuable material of this kind, however, that is as yet
known to exist in Wisconsin, is found near Milwaukee, and has become very recently somewhat
widely known as the " Milwaukee " cement-jock. This rock belongs to the Hamilton formation,
and is found near the Washington street bridge, at Brown Deer, on the lake shore at Whitefish .
MINERAL EESOURCES.
171
bay, and at other points in the immediate vicinity of Milwaukee. The quantity attainable is
large, and a very elaborate series of tests by D. J. Whittemore, chief engineer of the Milwau.
kee and St. Paul railroad, shows that the cement made from it exceeds all native and foreign
cements in strength, except the famous English " Portland " cement. The following are
three analyses of the rock from different points, and they show, that it has a very constant
composition :
Carbonate of Lime
Carbonate of Magnesia
Silica
Alumina
Iron Sesquioxide. . . . . .
Totals --.
I.
2.
45-54
48.49
32.46
29.19
17.56
17.36
, J-+I
1.40
3-03
2.24
100.00
98.68
41-34
34.88
16.99
, 5-0O
r.79
Limestone for Making Quick - lime.
Quick-lime is made from all of the great limestone formations of Wisconsin, but more is
burnt from the Lower Magnesian and Niagara formations, than from the others. The Lower
Magnesiaft yields a very strong mortar, but the lime burned from it is not very white. It is burned
largely in the region about Madison, one of the largest quarries being on the south line of section
33 of that town, where some 20,000 bushels are produced annually, in two kilns. The lime from
this place has a considerable local reputation under the name of "Madison liine." The Trenton
limestone is burned at a few points, but yields an inferior lime. The Galena is not very generally
burned, but yields a better lime than the Trenton. In the region about Watertown and White-
water, some 40,000 to 50,000 barrels are made annually from this formation.
■ The Niagara, however, is the great lime furnisher of the northwest. From its purity it is
adapted to the making of a most admirable lime. It is burned on a large scale at numbers of
points in the eastern part of the st^te, among which may be mentioned, Pellon's kilns, Pewau-
kee, where 12,000 barrels are made weekly and shipped to Chicago, Grand Haven, Des Moines,
etc.; and Holick & Son's kilns, Racine, which yield 60,000 to 75,000 barrels annually. A total
ol about 400,000 barrels is annually made from the Niagara formation in eastern Wisconsin.
Limestone for Flux in Iron Smelting.
The limestones of Wisconsin are rarely used as a flux, because of their prevalent magnesian
character. The stone from Schoonmaker's quarry, near Milwaukee, is used ' at the Bay View
iron works, and is one of the few cases. There are certain layers, however, in the Trenton lime-
stone, widely spread over the, southern part of the state, which are non-magnesian, and frequently
sufficiently free from earthy impurities to be used as a flux. These layers deserve the attention
of the iron masters of the state.
Glass Sand.
Much of the St. Peter's sandstone is a purely siliceous, loose, white sand, well adapted to
the making of glass. It is now being put to this use at points in the eastern part of the state.
172 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
Peat.
Peat exists in large quantities and of good quality underneath the numerous marshes of the
eastern and central parts of the state. Whether it can be utilized in the future as a fuel, will
depend altogether upon the cost of its preparation, which will have to be very low in order that
it jnay compete with superior fuels, As a fertilizer, peat has always a great value, and requires
no ireliminary treatment.
Building Stones.
All the rocky formations of Wisconsin are used in building, and even the briefest synopsis
of the subject of the building stones of the state^ would exceed the limits of this paper. A few
of the more prominent kinds only are mentioned.
Granite occurs in protruding mas§fis, and also grading into gneiss, in the northern portions
of the state, at numerous points. In many places on the Wisconsin, Yellow, and Black rivers,
and especially at Big Bull Falls, Yellow river, ired granites of extraordinary beauty and value
occur. These are not yet utilized, but will in the future have a high Value.
The handsomest and most va;luable sandstone found in Wisconsin, is that which extends
along the shore of Lake Superior, from the Michigan to the Minnesota line, and which forms the
baseinent rock of the Apostle islands. On one of these islands a very large quarry is opened,
from which are taken masses of almost any size, of -a very close-grained, uniform, dark brown
stone, which has been shipped largely to Chicago and Milwaukee. At the latter place, the well
known court house is built of this sione. An equally good stone can be obtained from the neigh-
boring islands, and from points on the mainland. A very good white to brown, indurated sand-
stone is obtained from the middle portions of the Potsdam series, at Stevens Point, Portage
county; near,Grand Rapids, Wood county; at Black River Falls, Jackson county; at Packwau-
ke€, Marquette county; near Wautoma, Waushara county; and at several points in the Baraboo
Valley, Sauk county. A good buff-colored, calcareous sandstone is quarried and used largely in
the vicinity of Madison, from the uppermost layers of the Potsdam series.
All of the limestone formations of the state are quarried for building stone. A layer known
locally as the "Mendota" limestone, included in the upper layers of the Potsdam series, yields a
very evenly bedded, yellow, fine-grained rock, which is largely quarried along the valley of the
lower Wisconsin, and also in the country about Madison. In the town of Westport, Dane
county, a handsome, fine-grained, cream-colored limestone is obtained from the Lower Magne-
sian. The Trenton limestone yields an evenly bedded, thin stone, which is frequently used for
laying in wall. The Galena and Niagara arfe also utilized, and the latter is capable, in much of
the eastern part of the state, of furnishing a durable, easily dressed, compact, white stone.
In preparing this paper, I have made use of Professor Whitney's " Metallic Wealth of the
United States," and " Report on the Geology of the Lead Region;" of the advance sheets of
Volume II of the Reports of the State Geological Survey, including Professor T. C. Chamberlin's
Report on the Geology of Eastern Wisconsin, my own Report on the Geology of Central Wisconsin,
and Mr. Strong's Report on the Geology of the Lead Region ; Mr. E. T. Sweet's account of the
mineral exhibit of thg state at the Centennial Exposition ; and of my unpublished reports on the
geology of the counties bordering Lake Superior.
WISCONSIN RAILROADS.
By Hon. H. H. GILES.
The territory of Wisconsin offered great advantages to emigrants. Explorers had published
accounts of the wonderful fertility of its soil, the wealth of its broad prairies and forest openings,
and the beauty of its lakes and rivers. Being reached from the older states by way of the lakes
and easily accessible by a long line of lake coast, the hardships incident to weeks of land travel
were avoided. Previous to 1836 but few settlements had been made in that part of the
then territory of Michigan, that year organized into the territory of Wisconsin, except
as mining camps in the southwestern part, and scattered settlers in the vicinity of the
trading posts and military stations. From that time on, with the hope of improving their condi-
tion, thousands of the enterprising yeomanry of New England, New York and Ohio started for
the land of promise. Germans, Scandinavians and other nationalities, attracted by the glowing
accounts sent abroad, crossed the ocean on their way to the new world; steamers and sail-craft
laden with families and their household goods left Buffalo and other lake ports, all bound for
the new Eldorado. It may be doubted if in the history of the world any country was ever peo-
pled with the rapidity of southern and eastern Wisconsin. Its population in 1840 was 30,749;
in 1850, 304,756; in i860, 773,693; in 1870, 1,051,351; in 1875, 1,236,729. With the develop-
ment of the agricultural resources of the new territory, grain raising became the most prominent
interest, and as the settlements extended back from the lake shore the difficulties of transporta-
tion of the products of the soil were seriously felt. The expense incurred in moving a load of
produce seventy or eighty miles to a market town on the lake shore frequently exceeded the gross
sum obtained for the same. All goods, wares and merchandise, and most of the lumber used
must also be hauled by teams from Lake Michigan. Many of our early settlers still retain
vivid recollections of trying experiences in the Milwaukee woods and other sections bordering
on the lake shore, from the south line of the state to Manitowoc and Sheboygan. To meet the
great want — better facilities for transportation — a valuable land grant was obtained from
congress, in 1838, to aid in building a canal from Milwaukee to Rock river The company which
was organized to construct it, built a dam across Milwaukee river and a short section of the canal ;
then the work stopped and the plan was finally abandoned. It was early seen that to satisfy the
requirements of the people, railroads, as the most feasable means of commuoicatiou within
their reach, were an indispensable necessity.
Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul RailwaV'.
Between the years 1838 and 1841, the territorial legislature of Wisconsin chartered several
railroad companies, but with the exception of the "Milwaukee & Waukesha Railroa;d Company,''
incorporated in 1847, none of the corporations thus created took any particular shape. The
commissioners named in its charter met November 23, 1847, and elected a president, Dr. L. W.
Weeks, and a secretary, A. W. Randall (afterward governor of Wisconsin). On the first Monday
of February, 1848, they opened books of subscription. The charter of the company provided
174 HISTOEY OF WISCOlirSIN.
;hat $100,009 should be subscribed and five per cent., thereof paid in before the company should
liilly organize as a corporation. The country was new. There were plenty of active, energetic
nen, but money to build railroads was scarce, and no^t until April 5, 1849, was the necessary
subscription raised and percentage paid. A board of directors was elected on the loth day of
Vfay, and Byron Kilbourn chosen president. ' The charter had been previously amended, in 1848,
iuthorizing the company to build a road to the Mississippi river, in Grant county, and in 1850,
ts name was changed to the "Milwaukee & Mississippi Railroad Company.'' After the company
vas fully organized, active measures were taken to push the enterprise forward to completion.
Fhe city of Milwaukee loaned its credit, and in 185 1 the pioneer Wisconsin railroad reached
IVaukesha, twenty miles out from Milwaukee. In the spring of 1852, Edward H. Broadhead, a
prominent engineer, from from the state of New York, was put in charge of the work as chief
mgineer and superintendent. Under his able and energetic administration the road was pushed
brward in 1852 to Milton, in 1853 to Stoughton, in 1854 to Madison, and in 1856 to the Mis-
sissippi river, at Prairie du Chien. In 185 1 John Catlin of Madison, was elected president
n place of Kilbourn.
The proposed length of this article will not admit of any detailed statement of the trials,
itruggles and triumphs of the men who projected, and finally carried across the state, from the
ake to the river, this first Wisconsin railroad. Mitchell, Kilbourn, Holton, Tweedy, Catlin,
»Valker, Broadhead, Qrocker and many, others, deserve to be' remembered by our people as bene-
"actors of,;the state. In 1859 and i860, the company defaulted in the payment of the interest on
ts bonds. A foreclosure was made and a new company, called the " Milwaukee & Prairie du
Zhien," took its place, succeeding to all its rights and propertyi
The " Southern Wisconsin Railway Company" was chartered in 1852, and authorized to build
I road from Milton to the Mississippi river. When the Milwaukee and Mississippi road reached
^lilton in 1852, it was not authorized by its charter to go to Janesville, but, under the charter of
he Southern Wisconsin, a company was organized that built the eight miles to Janesville in 1853.
Jnder a subsequent amendment to the charter, the Milwaukee and Mississippi, company was
luthorized to build from Milton to the Mississippi river. The Janesville branch was then
)urchased and extended to Monroe, a distance of about thirty-four miles, or forty^two miles west
if Milton. Surveys were made and a line located west of Monroe to the river. The people of
l,a Fayette and Grant counties have often been encouraged to fexpect a direct railroad communi-
:ation with the city of Milwaukee. Other and more important interests, at least so considered
ly the railroad company, have delayed the execution of the original plan, and the road through
he counties mentioned still remains unbuilt.
The " LaCrosse & Milwaukee Railroad Company" was chartered in 1852, to construct a road
rom LaCrosse to Milwaukee. During the year in which the charter was obtained, the company
fSiS organized, and the first meeting of the conrtmissioners held at LaCrosse. Among its pro-
ectors were Byron Kilbourn and Moses M. Strong. Kilbourn was elected its first president.
io work was done upon this line until after its consolidation with the " Milwaukee, Fond du Lac
c Green Bay Railroad Company" in 1854. The latter company was chartered in 1853, to build a
oad from Milwaukee via West Bend to Fond du Lac and Green Bay. It organized in the spring of
853, and at once commenced active operations under the supervision of James Kneeland, its
rst president. The city of Milwaukee loaned its credit for $200,000, and gave city bonds. The
ompany secured depot grounds in Milwaukee, and did considerable grading for the first twenty-
ve miles out. Becoming embarrassed iri January, 1854, the Milwaukee, Fbnd.du Lac & Green
lay consolidated with the LaCrosse & Milwaukee company. Work was at once resumed on
le partially graded line. In 1855 the road was completed to Horicon, fifty miles.
WISCOKSIK EAILROADS. 175
The Milwaukee & Watertown company was chartered in 185 1, to build from Milwaukee to
Watertown. It soon organized, and began the construction of its line from Brookfield, fourteen
miles west of Milwaukee, and a point on the Milwaukee & Mississippi road leading through
Oconomowoc to Watertown. The charter contained a provision that the company might extend
its road by way of Portage to La Crosse. It reached Watertown in 1856, and was consolidated
with the LaCrosse & Milwaukee road in the autumn of the same year.
In the spring of 1856 congress made a grant of land to the state of Wisconsin, to aid in the
building of a railroad from Madison, or Columbus, via Portage City, to the St. Croix river or
lake, between! townships 25 and 31. and from thence to the west end of Lake Superior, and tO
Bayfield. An adjourned session of the Wisconsin legislature met on September 3 of that year,
to dispose of the grant. The disposal of this grant had been generally discussed by the press,
and the public sentiment of the state seemed to tend toward its bestowal upon a new company.
There is little doubt but that this was also the sentiment of a large majority of the members of
both houses when the session commenced. When a new company was proposed a joint com-
mittee of twenty from the senite and assembly was appointed to prepare a bill, conferring the
grant upon a company to be created by the bill itself The work of the committee proceeded
harmoniously until the question of who should be corporators was to be acted upon, when a
difference of opinion was found to exist, and one that proved difficult to harmonize. In the mean-
time the LaCrosse and Watertown companies had consolidated, and a sufficient number of the
members of both houses were "propitiated" by " pecuniary compliments" to induce them to
pass the bill, conferring the so called St. Croix grant upon the LaCrosse & Milwaukee railroad
company. The vote in the assembly in the passage of the bill was, ayes 62, noes 7. In the senate
it stood, ayes 17, noes 7.
At the session of. the legislature of 1858 a committee was raised to investigate the matter,
and their report demonstrated that bonds were set apart for all who voted for the LaCrosse bill ;
to members of assemWy $5,000 each, and members of senate f 10,000 each. A few months
after the close of the legislative sesssion of 1856 the lanid grant bonds of the LaCrosse road
became worthless. Neither the LaCrosse company nor its successors ever received any portion
of the lands granted to the state. During the year 1857 the La Crosse company completed its
line of road through Portage City to LaCrosse, and its Watertown line to Columbus.
The "Milwaukee & Horicon Railroad Company" was chartered in 1852. Between the
years 1855 and 1857 it built through Waupun and Ripon to Berlin, a distance of forty-two miles.
It was, in effect, controlled by the LaCrosse & Milwaukee company, although built as a separate
branch. This line was subsequently merged in the LaCrosse company, and is now a part of the
northern division of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railway.
The '■ Madison, Fond du Lac & Lake Michigan Railroad Company" was chartered in 1855,
to build a road from Madison via Fond du Lac to Lake Michigan. In 1857 it bought of the
LaCrosse company that portion of its road acquired by consolidation with the Milwaukee &
Watertown company. Its name was then changed to " Milwaukee & Western Railroad Com-
pany." It owned a line of rdad -from Brookfield to Watertown, and branches from the latter
place to Columbus and Sun Prairie, in all about eighty miles in length.
In 1858 and 1859 the La Crosse & Milwaukee and the Milwaukee & Horicon companies
defaulted in the payment of the interest on their bonded debts. In the same years the bond-
holders of the two companies institflted foreclosure proceedings on the different trust deeds given to
secure their bonds. Other suits to enforce the payment of their floating debts were also com-
menced. Protracted litigation in both the state and federal courts resulted in a final settlement
in i868, by a decision of the supreme court of the United States. In the meantime, in 1862 and
176 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
1863, both roads were sold, and purchased by an association of the bondholders, who organized
the "Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Company." The new company succeeded to all the rights
of both the La Crosse and Horicon' companies, and soon afterward, in 1863, purchased the
property of the Milwaukee & Western company, thus getting control of the roads from Mil-
waukee to La Crosse, from Horicon to Berlin, from Brookiield to Watertown, and the branches
to Columbus and Sun Prairie. In 1864 it built from Columbus to Portage, from Brookiield to
Milwaukee, and subsequently extended the Sun Prairie branch to Madison, in 1869. It also
purchased the Ripon & Wolf River road, which had been built fifteen miles in length, from
Ripon to Omro, on the Fox river, and extended it to Winneconne on the Wolf river, five miles
farther, and twenty miles from Ripon. In 1867 the Milwaukee & St. Paul jailway company
obtained control of the Milwaukee Sr Prairie du Chien railroad. The legislature of 1857 had
passed an act, authorizing all stock-holders in all incorporated companies to vote on shares of
stock owned by them. The directors of the Milwaukee & St. Paul company had secured a
majority of the common stock, and, at the election of 1867, elected themselves a board of
directors for the Prairie du Chien company. All the rights, property and interests of the
latter company came under the ownership and control of the former.
In 1865, Alexander Mitchell, of Milwaukee, was elected president, and S. S. Merrill general
manager of the Milwaukee & St. Paul railway company. They were retained in their respective
positions by the new organization, and still continue to hold these offices, a fact largely owing to
the able and efficient manner that has characterized their management of the company's affairs.
The company operates eight hundred and thirty-foUr miles of road in Wisconsin, and in all two
thousand two hundred and seven miles. Its lines extend to St. Paul and Minneapolis in
Minnesota, and to Algona in Iowa, and over the Western Union to Savanna and Rock Island
in the State of Illinois.
The "Oshkosh & Mississippi Railroad Company'' was chartered in 1866 to build a road
from the city of Oshkosh to the Mississippi river. Its construction to Ripon in 1872 was a
move on the part of citizens of Osja'kosh to connect their town with the Milwaukee & St. Paul
road. It is twenty miles in length' and leased to the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul company.
In 1871 and 1872 the "Wisconsin Union Railroad Company," of which John W. Gary was
president, built a road froin Milwaukee to the state line between Wisconsin and Illinois, to
connect with a road built from Chicago to the state line of Illinois. This new line between
Milwaukee and Chicago was built in the interest of, and in fact by, the Milwaukee & St. Paul
company to afford a connection between its Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota system of roads,
and the eastern trunk lines centering in Chicago. It runs parallel with the shore of Lake
Michigan and from three to six miles from it, and is eighty-five miles in length.
The Chicago & NoRTHWESTEKi* Railway.
The territorial legislature of 1848 chartered the " Madison & Beloit Railroad Company"
with authority to build a railroad from Beloit' to Madison only. In 1850, by an act of the
legislature, the company was authorized to extend the road to the Wisconsin river and La Crosse,
and to a point on the Mississippi river near St. Paul, and also from Janesville to Fond du Lac.
Its name was changed, under legislative authority, to the " Rock River Valley Union Railroad
Company." In 1851, the line from Janesville north not being pushed as the people expected,
the legislature of Illinois chartered the " Illinois & Wisconsin Railroad Company " with authority
to consolidate with any road in Wisconsin. In 1855, an act of the Wisconsin legislatui'e consoli-
dated the Illinois and Wisconsin companies with the " Rock, River Valley Union Railroad Com-
pany," and the new organization took the name of the " Chicago, St. Paul & Fond du Lac Rail-
WISCONSIN RAILEOAD& 1T7
road .Company." In 1854, and previous to the consolidation, the company had failed and
passed into the hands of the bondholders, who foreclosed and took stock for their bonds. The
old management of A. Hyatt Smith and John B. Macy was superseded, and Wm. B. Ogden was
made president. Chicago was all along deeply interested in reaching the rich grain fields of the
Rock river valley, as well as the inexhaustible timber and mineral wealth of the northern part
of Wisconsin and that part of Michigan bordering on Lake Superior, called the Peninsula. It
also sought a connection with the upper Mississippi region, then being rapidly peopled, by a line
of railroad to run through Madison to St. Paul, in Minnesota. Its favorite road was started from
Chicago on the wide (six feet) gauge, and so constructed seventy miles to Sharon on the Wis-
consin state line. This was changed to the usual (four feet, eight and one-half inches) width,
and the work was vigorously pushed, reaching Janesville in 1855 and Fond du Lac in 1858. The
Rock River Valley Union railroad compa.ny had, however, built about thirty miles from Fond
du Lac south toward Minnesota Junction before the consolidation took place. The partially
graded line on a direct route between Janesville and Madison was abandoned. In 1852 a new
charter had been obtained, and the " Beloit & Madison Railroad Company " had been organized
to build a road from Beloit via Janesville to Madison. A subsequent amendment to this charter
had left out Janesville as a point, and the Beloit branch was pushed through to Madison, reach-
ing that city in 1864.
The " Galena and Chicago Union Railroad Company" had built a branch of the Galena
line from Belvedere to Beloit previous to 1854. In that year, it leased the Beloit & Madison
road, and from 1856 operated it in connection with the Milwaukee & Mississippi, reaching Janes-
ville by way of Hanover Junction, a station on its Southern Wisconsin branch, eight miles west
of Janesville. The consolidation of the Galena & Chicago Union and the Chicago, St. Paul &
Fond du Lac companies was effected and approved by legislative enactment in 1855, and a new
organization called the "Chicago & Northwestern Railway Company" took their place.
The "Green Bay, Milwaukee & Chicago Railroad Company " was chartered in 1851 to build
a road from Milwaukee to the state line of Illinois to connect with a road from Chicago, called
the Chicago & Milwaukee railroad. Both roads were completed in 1855, and run in connection
until 1863, when they were consolidated under the name of the "Chicago & Milwaukee Railroad
Company." To prevent its falling into the hands of the Milwaukee & St. Paul, the Chicago &
Northwestern secured it by perpetual lease. May 2, 1866, and it is now operated as its Chicago
division. ,
The " Kenosha & Beloit Railroad Company " was incorporated in 1853 to build a road from
Kenosha to Beloit, and was organized soon after its charteriwas obtained. Its name was after-
ward changed to the "Kenosha, Rockford & Rock Island Railroad Company," and its route
changed to run to Rockford instead of Beloit. The line starts at Kenosha, and runs through the
county of Kenosha and crosses the state line near the village of Genoa in the county of Wal-
worth, a distance of thirty miles in the state of Wisconsin, and there connects with a road in
Illinois running to Rockford, and with which it consolidated. Kenosha and its citizens were the
principal subscribers to its capital stock. The company issued its bonds, secured by the usual
mortgage on its franchises and property. Failing to pay its interest, the mortgage was foreclosed,
and the road was sold to the Chicago & Northwestern company in 1863, and is now operated by
it as the Kenosha division. The line >vas constructed from Kenosha to Genoa in 1862.,
The "Northwestern Union Railway Company " was organized in 1872, under the general rail.
road law of the state, to build a line of road from Milwaukee to Fond du Lac, with a branch to
Lodi. The road was constructed during the years 1872 and 1873 from Milwaukee to Fond du
Lac. The Chicago & Northwestern company were principally interested in its being built, to
178 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
shorten its line between Chicago and Green Bay, and now uses it as its main through line between
the two points.
The " Baraboo Air-Line Railroad Company" was incorporated in 1870, to build a road from
Madison, Columbus, or Waterloo via Baraboo, to La Crosse, or any point on the Mississippi
river. It organized in the interest of the Chicago & Northwestern, with which company it con-
solidated, and the work of building a connecting line between Madison and Winona Junction
Was vigorously pushed forward. Lodi was reached in 1870, Baraboo in 187 1, and Winona Junc-
tion in 1874. The ridged between Elroy and Sparta were tunneled at great expense and with
tnuch difficulty. In 1874 the company reported an expenditure for its three, tunnels of
$476,743.32, and for the 129 i-io miles between Madison and Winona Junction of $5,342,169.96,
and a large expenditure yet required to be made on it. In 1867 the Chicago & Northwestern
company bought of D. N. Barney & Co. their interest in the Winona & St. Peters railway, a line
being built westerly from Winona in Minnesota, and of which one hundred and five riiiles had
been built. It also bought of the same parties their interest in the La Crosse, Trempealeau &
Prescott railway, a line being built from Winona Junction, three miles east of La Crosse, to
Winona, Minn. The latter line was put in operation in 1870, and is twenty-nine miles long.
With the completion of its Madison branch to Winona junction, in 1873, it had in operation a
line from Chicago, via Madison and Winona, to Lake Kampeska, Minn., a distance of six hundred
and twenty-three miles.
In the year 1856 a valuable grant of land was made by congress to the state of Wisconsin
to aid in the construction of railroads. The Chicago, St. Paul & Fond du Lac company claimed
that the grant was obtained through its efforts, and that of right it should have the northeastern
grant, so-called. At the adjourned session of the legislature of 1856, a contest over the dispo-
sition of the grant resulted in conferring it upon the " Wisconsin & Superior Railroad Company,"
a corporation chartered,fo'r the express purpose of giving it this grant. It was generally believed
at the time that th^ new company was organized in the interest of the Chicago, St. Paul &
Fond du Lac company, and at the subsequent session, in the following year, it was authorized to
consolidate with the new compalny, which it did in the spring of that year, and thus obtained the
grant of 3,840 acres per mile along its entire line, from Fond du Lac northerly to the state line
between Wisconsin and Michigan. It extended its rijad to Oshkosh in 1859, to Appleton in
l86ij and in 1862 to Fort Howard, forming a line two hundred and forty-two miles long. The
line from Fort Howard to Escanaba^ one hundred and fourteen miles long, was opened in Decem-
ber, 1872, and made a connection with the peninsular railroad of Michigan. It now became a part
of the Chicago & Northwestern, extending from Escanaba to the iron mines, and thence to
Lake Superior at Marquette. Albert Keep, of Chicago, is president, and Marvin Hughitt, a
gentleman of great railroad experience, is general superintendent. The company operates five
hundred and sixty-seven miles of road in Wisconsin, and in all sixteen hundred and sixteen miles.
Its lines extend into five different states. Over these lines its equipment is run in common, or
transferred from place to place, as the changes in business may temporarily require.
Wisconsin Central Railroad.
The " Milwaukee & Northern Railway Company " was incorporated in 1870, to build a road
from Milwaukee to some point on the Fox river below Winnebago lake, and thence to Lake
Superior, with branches. It complefted its road to Menasha, one hundred and two miles from
Milwaukee, with a branch from Hilbert to Green Bay, twenty-seven miles, in 1873, and in that
Vear leased its line to the " Wisconsin Central Railroad Company," which is still operating it. In
■'^-;
FOND DU LAC.
WISCONSIN RAILROADS. 179
1864 congress made a grant of land to the state of Wisconsin to aid in the construction of a, rail-
road from Berlin, Doty's Island, Fond du Lac, or Portage, by way of Stevens Point, to Bayfield
or Superior, granting the odd sections within ten miles on each side of the line, with an indem-
nity limit of twenty miles on each side. The legislature of 1865 failed to dispose of this grant,
but that of 1866 provided for the organization of two companies, one to build from Portage City
by way of Berlin to Stevens Point, and the other from Menasha to the same point, and then
jointly to Bayfield and Lake Superior. The former was called the " Winnebago and Lake Superior
Railroad Company," and the latter the " Portage & Superior Railroad Company." In 1869 an act
was passed consolidating the two companies, which was done under the name of the " Portage,
Winnebago & Superior Railroad Company." In 1871 the name of the company was changed to
the " Wisconsin Central Railroad Company." The Winnebago & Lake Superior company was
organized under Hon. George Reed as president, and at once commenced the construction of its
line of road between Menasha and Stevens Point. In 187 1 the Wisconsin Central consolidated
with the " Manitowoc & Mississippi Railroad Company." The articles of consolidation provided
that Gardner Colby, a director of the latter company, should be president, and that George Reed,
a director of the former, should be vice president of the new organization ; with a further provision
that Gardner Colby, George Reed, and Elijah B. Phillips should be and remain its executive
committee.
In 1-871, an act was passed incorporating the "Phillips and Colby Construction Company,"
which created E. B. Phillips, C. L. Colby, Henry Pratt, and such others as they might associate
with them, a body corporate, with authority to build railroads and do all manner of things relat-
ing to railroad construction and operation. Under this act the construction company contracted
with the Wisconsin Central railroad company, to build its line of road from Menasha to Lake
Superior. In November, 1873, the Wisconsin Central leased of the Milwaukee & Northern com-
pany its line of road extending from Schwartzburg to Menasha, and the branch to Green Bay, for
the term of nine hundred and ninety-nine years, and also acquired the rights of the latter com-
pany to use the track of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul company between Schwartzburg and
Milwaukee, and to depot facilities in Milwaukee. The construction of the land grant portion
of this important line of road was commenced in 1871, and it was completed to Stevens Point in
November of that year. It was built from Stevens Point north one hundred miles to Worcester
in 1872. During 1872 and 1873, it was built from Ashland south to the Penoka iron ridge, a dis-
tance of thirty miles. The straight line between Portage City and Stevens Point, authorized by
an act of. the legislature of 1875, was constructed between October i, 1875, and October, 1876,
sevenly-one miles in length. The gap of forty-two miles between Worcester and Penoka iron
ridge was closed in June, 1877. E. B. Phillips, of Milwaukee, is president and general manager.
This line of road passes through a section of our state hitherto unsettled. It has been pushed
through with energy, and opened up for settlement an immense region of heavily timbered land,
and thus contributed to the growth and prosperity of the state.
The Western Union Railroad.
The " Racine, Janesville & Mississippi Railroad Company " was chartered in 1852,10 build
a road from Racine to Beloit, and was organized the same year. The city of Racine issued its
bonds for $300,000 in payment for that amount of stock. The towns of Racine, Elkhorn, Dele-
van and Beloit gave $190,000, and issued their bonds, and farmers along the line made liberal
subscriptions and secured the same by mortgages on their farms. The road was built to Burling-
ton in r8s5, to Delavan early in 1856, and to Beloit, sixty-eight miles from Racine, during the
same year. Failing to meet the interest on its bonds and its floating indebtedness, it was sur-
180 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
rendered by the company to the bond-holders in 1859, who completed it to Freeport during that
year, and afterward built to the Mississippi river at Savannah, and thence to Rock Island. The
bond-holders purchased and sold the road in 1866, and a new organization was had as the " West-
ern Union Railroad Company," and it has sinee been operated under that name. In 1869, it
built a line from Elkhorn to Eagle, seventeen miles, and thus made a connection with Milwau-
kee over the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul line. The latter company owns a controlling
interest it its line. Alexander Mitchell is the president of the company, and D. A. Olin,,
general superintendent. ,
West Wisconsin Railroad.
The lands granted by congress in 1856 to aid in the construction of a railroad in Wisconsin,
from Tomah to Superior and Bayfield, were disposed of as mentioned under the history of the
Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul company. The La Crosse company, as we have seen, prevailed in
the legislature of 1856, and secured legislation favorable to its interests; but it failed to build the
line of road provided for, and forfeited its right to lands granted. In 1863, the " Toiriah & Lake
St. Croix Railroad Company " was incorporated, with authority to construct a railroad from some
point in the town of Tomah in Monroe county, to such point on Lake St. Croix, between town-
ships 25 and 31 as the directors might determine. To the company, by the act creating it, was
granted all the interest and estate of this state, to so much of the lands granted by the United
States to the state of Wisconsin, known as the St. Croix grant, as lay between Tomah and Lake
St. Croix. A few months after its organization, the company passed substantially into the hands
of D. A. Baldwin and Jacob Humbird, who afterward built a line of road from Tomah, via Black
River Falls, and Eau Claire to Hudson, on Lake St. Croix, one hundred and seventy-eight miles.
Its name was afterward changed to the "West Wisconsin Railroad Company." In 1873, it built
its road from Warren's Mills via Camp Douglass, on the St. Paul road to EIroy, and took up its
track from the first-named place, twelve miles, to Tomah. A law-suit resulted, which went against
the railroad company, and the matter was finally compromised by the payment of a sum of money
by the company to the town of Tomah. The road was built through a new and sparsely settled
country, and its earnings have not been sufficient to enrich its stock-holders. It connects at
Camp Douglass with the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul road, and at Elroy with the Chicago &
Northwestern railway company's line, which gives the latter a through line to St. Paul." It is
operated in connection with the Chicago & Northwestern railway, and managed in its interest.
It is now in the hands of Wm. H. Ferry, of Chicago, as receiver ; H. H. Potter, of Chicago, as
president;; and E. W. Winter, of Hudson, superintendent.
The Milwaukee. Lake Shore & Western Railway.
In 1870, the "Milwaukee, Manitowoc & Green Bay Railroad Company'' was chartered to
build a road from Milwaukee to Green Bay by way of Manitowoc. It built its line from Mil-
waukee to Manitowoc in 1873, when its name was changed to " Milwaukee, Lake Shore & West-
ern Railroad Company." Under a decree of foreclosure, it was sold Dec. 10, 1875, ^^^ its name
was changed to " Milwaukee, Lake Shore & Western Railway Company," by which name it is
still known.
In 1866, the " Appleton & New London Railroad Company " was incorporated to build a
road from Appleton to New London, and thence to Lake Superior. A subsequent amendment
to its charter authorized it to extend its road to Manitowoc. It bjiilt most of the line from
Appleton to that city, and then, under legislative authority, sold this extension to the Milwau-
WISCONSIK EAILEOADS. 181
kee, Lake Shore & Western railroad company. The last-named company extended it to New
London, on the Wolf river, twenty-one miles, in 1876, where it connects with the Green Bay &
Minnesota road. It now operates one hundred and forty-six miles of road, extending from Mil-
waukee to New London, passing through Sheboygan, Manitowoc and Appleton, which includes
a branch line six miles in length from Manitowoc to Two Rivers. F. W. Rhinelander, of New
York, is its president, and H. G. H. Reed, of Milwaukee, superintendent.
The Green Bay & Minnesota Railroad.
The line of road operated by this company extends from Fort Howard to the Mississippi
river, opposite Winona, Minnesota. It is two hundred and sixteen miles in length, and was
built through a sparsely settled and heavily timbered section of the state. It began under most
discouTaging circumstances, yet was pushed through by the energy of a few men at Green Bay
and along -its line. It was originally chartered in 1866 as the "Green Bay & Lake Pepin Rail-
road Company " to build a road from the mouth of the Fox river near Green Bay to the Missis-
sippi river opposite Winona. But little was done except the making of preliminary surveys in
1870. During 1870 and 1871, forty miles were constructed and put in operation. In 1872, one
hundred and fourteen miles were graded, the track laid, and the river reached, sixty-two miles
farther, in 1873. In 1876, it acquired the right to use the " Winona cut-off " between Winona
and Onalaska, and built a line from the latter point to La Crosse, seven miles, thus connecting its
road with the chief city of Wisconsin on the Mississippi river. The city of La Crosse aided this
extension by subscribing $75,000 and giving its corporation bonds for that amount. Henry
Ketchum, of New London, is president of the company, and D. M. Kelly, of' Green Bay, gen-
eral manager.
Wisconsin Valley Road.
The " Wisconsin Valley Railroad Company " was incorporated in 1871 to build a road from
a point on or near the line of the Milwaukee & La Crosse railroad, between Kilbourn City and
the tunnel in said road to the village of Wausau, in the county of Marathon, and the road to pass
not more than one mile west of the village of Grand Rapids, in the county of Wood. , The road
was commenced at Tomah, and graded to Centralia in 1872, and opened to that village in 1873,
and during 1874 it was completed to Wausau, ninety miles in its whole length. Boston capitalists
furnished the money, and it is controlled in the interest of the Dubuque & Minnesota railroad,
through which the equipment was procured. The lumber regions of the Wisconsin river find an
outlet over it, and its junction with the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul road at Tomah enables
a connection with the railroads of Iowa and Minnesota. It gives the people of Marathon county
an outlet long needed for a large lumber traffic, and also enables them to receive their goods and
supplies of various kinds for the lumbering region tributary to Wausau. James F. Joy, of
Detroit, is president, and F. O. Wyatt, superintendent.
Sheboygan & Fond du Lac Railroad.
The "Sheboygan & Mississippi Railroad ^Company " was incorporated in 1852, to build a
road from Sheboygan to the Mississippi river. It was completed from Sheboygan to Plymouth
in 1858, to Glenbeulah in i860, to Fond du Lac in 1868, and to Princeton in 1872. The extension
from Fond du Lac to Princeton was built under authority of an act passed in 187 1.
Under a foreclosure in 1861 the line from Sheboygan to Fonddu Lac was sold, and the name
of the company changed to " Sheboygan Si Fond du Lac Railroad Company." The length of
182 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
the line is seventy-eight miles, and it passes through a fertile agricultural country. The city of
Sheboygan, county, city and town of Fond du Lac, and the towns of Riverdale, Ripon, Brooklyn,
Princeton, and St. Marie, aided in its building to an amount exceeding $250,000. D. L. Wells
is president, and Geo. P. Lee, superiridendent.
The Mineral Point Railroad.
The " Mineral Point Railroad Company " was chartered in 1852, to build a road from Mineral
Point, in the county of Iowa, to the state line, in township number one, in either the county of
Green or La Fayette. It was completed t'o Warren, in the state of Illinois, thirty-two miles, in
1855, making a connection at that point with J:he Illinois Central, running from Chicago to Galena.
Iowa county loaned its credit and issued its bonds to aid in its construction. It was sold under
foreclosure in 1856. Suits were brought against Iowa county to collect the amount of its bonds,
and judgment obtained in the federal courts. Much litigation has been had, and ill feeling
engendered, the supervisors of the county having been arrested for contempt of the decree of
the court. Geo. W. Cobb, of Mineral Point, is the general manager.
The Dubuque, Platteville & Milwaukee railroad was completed in July, 1870, and extends
from Calamine, a point on the Mineral Point railroad, to the village of Platteville, eighteen miles,
and is operated by the Mineral Point railroad company
Madison & Portage Railroad.
The legislature of 1855 chartered the " Sugar River Valley Railroad Company '' to build a road
from a point on the north side of the line of the Southern Wisconsin road, within the limits of
Green county, to Dayton, on the Sugar river. In 1857 it was authorized to build south to the state
line, and make its northern terminus at Madison. In 1861 it was' authorized to build from Madi-
son to Portage City, and from Columbus to Portage City, and so much of the land grant act of
1856, as related to the building of the road from Madison, and from Columbus to Portage City,
was annulled and repealed, and the rights and privileges that were conferred upon the LaCrosse
conlpany were given to the Sugar River Valley railroad company, and the portion of the land
grant, applicable to the lines mentioned, was conferred upon the last named company. Under
this legislation about twenty miles of the line between Madison and Portage were graded, and
the right of way secured for about thirty of the thirty-nine miles. The La Crosse company had
done considerable grading before its right jvas annulled. In 1866 the company was relieved
from constructing the road from Columbus to Portage City. In- 1870 the purchasers of that part
of the Sugar River Valley railroad lying between Madison and Portage City were incorporated
as the " Madison & Portage Railroad Company," and to share all the rights, grants, etc., that
were conferred upon the Sugar River railroad company by its charter, and amendments thereto,
•so far as related to that portion of the line.
Previous to this time, in 1864 and 1865, judgments had been obtained against the Sugar
River Valley company ; and its right of way, grading and depot grounds sold for a small sum.
James Campbell, who had been a contractor with the Sugar River Valley company, with others,
became the purchasers, and organized under the act of 1870, and, during the year 1871, com-
pleted it between Madison and Portage City, and in March, 1871, leased it to the Milwaukee &
St. Paul company, and it is still operated by that corporation. In 187 1 the Madison & Portage
company was authorized to extend its road south to the Illinois state line, and north from
Portage City to Lake Winnebago. The same year it was consolidated with the " Rockford Central
WISCONSIN RAILEOADa 183
Railroad Company," of Illinois, and its name changed to the " Chicago & Superior Railroad
Company," but still retains its own organization. The Madison & Portage railroad company
claims a share in the lands granted by acts of congress in 1856, and have commenced proceed-
ings to assert its claim, which case is still pending in the federal courts.
North Wisconsin Railroad. ■
The "North Wisconsin Railroad Company" was incorporated in 1869, to build a road from
Lake St. Croix, or river, to Bayfield on Lake Superior. The grant of land by congress in 1856, to
aid in building a road from Lake St. Croix to Bayfield on Lake Superior, under the decision of
the federal court, was yet at the disposal of the state. This company, in 1871, built a short
section of its line of road, with the expectation of receiving the grant. In 1873, the grant was
conferred upon the Milwaukee & St. Paul company, but under the terms and restrictions con-
tained in the act, it declined to accept it. The legislature of 1874 gave it to the North Wiscon-
sin company, and it has built forty miles of its road, and received the lands pertaining thereto.
Since 1876, it has not completed any part of its line, but is trying to construct twenty miles
during the present year. The company is authorized to construct a road both to Superior and
to Bayfield, but the act granting the lands confers that portion from Superior to the intersection
of the line to Bayfield upon the Chicago & North Pacific air-line railroad. This last-named
company have projected a line from Chicago to the west end of Lake Superior, and are the
owners of an old grade made through Walworth and Jefferson counties, by a company chartered
in 1853 as the "Wisconsin Central," to build a road from Portage City to Geneva, in the county
of Walworth. The latter company had also graded its line between Geneva and the state line
of Illinois. This grade was afterward appropriated by the Chicago & Northwestern, and over it
they now operate their line from Chicago to Geneva.
Prairie du Chien & McGregor Railroad.
This is a line- two miles in length, connecting Prairie du Chien in Wisconsin, with McGregor
in Iowa, It is owned and operated by John Lawler, of the latter-named place. It extends across
both channels of the Mississippi river, and an intervening island. The railroad bridge consists
of substantial piling, except a pontoon draw across each navigable channel. Each pontoon is four
hundred feet long and thirty feet wide, provided with suitable machinery and operated by steam
power. Mr. Lawler has secured a patent on his invention of the pontoon draw for railroad
bridges. His line was put in operation in April, 1874.
The Chippewa Falls & Western Railroad.
This road was built in 1874, by a company organized under the general law of the state. It
is eleven miles in length, and connects the " Falls " with the West Wisconsin line at Eau Claire.
It was constructed by the energetic business men and capitalists of Chippewa Falls, to afford an
outlet for the great lumber and other interests of that thriving and prosperous city. The road
is substantially built, and the track laid with steel rails.
Narrow Gauge Railroads.
The " Galena & Southern Wisconsin Railroad Company " was incorporated in 1857. Under
its charter, a number of capitalists of the city of Galena, in the state of Illinois, commenced
184 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
the construction of a narrow (three feet) gauge road, running from that city to Platteville, thirty-
one miles in length, twenty miles in Wisconsin. It runs through a part of La Fayette county to
Platteville, in Grant county, ,and was completed to the latter point in 1875. Surveys are being
made for an extension to Wingville, in Grant county.
The " Fond du Lac, Amboy & Peoria Railway Company " was organized under the general
law of the state, in 1874, to build. a narrow gauge road from the city of Fond du Lac to the south
line of the state in the county of Walworth or Rock, and it declared its i-ntention to consolidate
with a company in Illinois that had projected a line of railroad from Peoria, in Illinois, to the south
line of the state of Wisconsin. The road is constructed and in operation from Fond du Lac to
Iron Ridge, a point on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railway, twenty-nine miles from Fond
du Lac.
The "Pine River & Steven's Point Railroad Company" was organized by the enterprising
citizens of Richland Center, and has built a narrow gauge road from Lone Rock, a point on the
Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul road, in Richland county, to Richland Center, sixteen miles in
length. Its track is laid with wooden rails, and it is operated successfully.
The " Chicago & Tomah Railroad Company " organized under the general railroad law of
the state, in 1872, to construct a narrow gauge road from Chicago, in Illinois, to the city of
' Tomah, in Wisconsin. Its president and active manager is D. R. Williams, of Clermont, Iowa,
ahd its secretary is L. M. Culver, of Wauzeka. It has graded about forty-five miles, extending
from Wauzeka up the valley of the Kickapoo river, in Crawford county, Wisconsin. It expects
to have fifty-four miles in operation, to Bloomingdale, in Vernon county, the present year (1877).
The rolling stock is guaranteed, and the president is negotiating for the purchase of the iron.
South of Wauzeka the line is located to Belmont, in Iowa county. At Wauzeka it will connect
with the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul line.
The public-spirited citizens of Necedah, in Juneau county, have organized under the general
law of the state, and graded a road-bed from their village to New Lisbon, on the Chicago, Mil-
waukee & St. Paul company's line. The latter company furnish and lay the iron, and will
operate the road. It is thirteen miles in length.
Conclusion.
The railroads of Wisconsin have grown up under the requirements of the several localities
that have planned and commenced their construction, and without regard to any general
system. Frequently the work of construction was begun before adequate means were provided,
and bankruptcy ove;rtook the roads in their early stages. The consolidation of the various
companies, as in the cases of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul, the Chicago & Northwestern,
and others, has been effected to give through lines and the public greater facilities, as well as to
introduce economy in managetnent. At times the people have become apprehensive, and by legisla-
tive action prohibited railroads from consolidating, and have sought to control and break down
the power of these corporations and to harmonize the interests of the companies and the
public. The act of 1874, called the " Potter law," was the assertion, by the legislative power of
the state, of its right to control corporations created by itself, and limit the rates at which freight
and passengers should be carried. After a long and expensive contest, carried through the state
and federal courts, this right has been established, being finally settled by the decision of the
supreme court of the United States.
Quite all the railroads of Wisconsin have been built with foreign capital. The plan pursued
after an organization was effected, was to obtain stock subscriptions from those immediately
LUMBER MANUFACTURE. 185
interested in the enterprise, procure the aid of counties and municipalities, and then allure the
farmers, with the prospect of joint ownership in railroads, to subscribe for stock and mortgage
their farms to secure the payment of their subscriptions. Then the whole line was bonded and
a mortgage executed. The bonds and mortgages thus obtained, were taken to the money
<;enters of New York, London, Amsterdam and other places, and sold, or hypothecated to
obtain ,the money with which to prosecute the work. The bonds and mortgages were made to
draw a high rate of interest, and the earnings of these new roads, through unsettled localities,
were insufficient to pay more than running and incidental expenses, and frequently fell short of
that. Default occurring in the payment of interest, the mortgages were foreclosed and the
property passed into the hands and under the control of foreign capitalists. Such has been the
history of most of the railroads of our state. The total number of farm mortgages given has
been 3,785, amounting to $4,079,433 ; town, county and municipal bonds, amounting to
$6,910,652. The total cost of all the railroads in the state, as given by the railroad commissioner
in his report for 1876, has been $98,343,453.67. This vast sum is, no doubt, greatly in excess of
what the cost should have been, but the roads have proved of immense benefit in the develop-
ment of the material resources of the state.
Other lines are needed through sections not yet traversed by the iron steed, and present
lines should be extended by branch roads. The questions upon which great issues were raised
between the railway corporations and the people, are now happily settled by securing to the latter
their rights ; and the former, under the wise and conciliatory policy pursued by their managers,
are assured of the saffety of their investments. An era of good feeling has succeeded one of
distrust and antagonism. The people must use the railroads,, and the railroads depend upon the
people for sustenance and protection. This mutuality of interest, when fully recognized on both
sides, will result in giving to capital a fair return and to labor its just reward.
LUMBER MANUFACTURE.
By W. B. JUDSON.
Foremost among the industries of Wisconsin is that of manufacturing lumber. Very much
of the importance to which the state has attained is due to the development of its forest wealth.
In America, agriculture always has been, and always will be, the primary and most important
interest; but no nation can subsist upon agriculture alone. While the broad prairies of Illinois
and Iowa are rich with a fertile and productive soil, the hills and valleys of northern Wisconsin
are clothed with a wealth of timber that has given birth to a great manufacturing interest, which
employs millions of capital and thousands of men, and has peopled the northern wilds with
energetic, prosperous communities, built up enterprising cities, and crosred the state with a net-
work of railways which furnish outlets for its productions and inlets for the new populations
which are ever seeking for homes and employment nearer to the setting sun.
If a line be drawn upon the state map, from Grpen Bay westward through Stevens Point,
to where it would naturally strike the Mississippi river, it will be below the southern boundary of
the pine timber regions, with the single exception of the district drained by the Yellow river, a
tributary of the Wisconsin, drawing its timber chiefly from Wood and Juneau counties. The
territory north of this imaginary line covers an area a little greater than one half of the state.
The pine timbered land is found in belts or ridges, interspersed with prairie openings, patches
of hardwood and hemlock, and drained by numerous water-courses. No less than seven large
186 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
rivers traverse this northern section, and, with their numerous tributaries, penetrate every county
affording facilities for floating the logs to the mills, and, in many instances, the power to cut them
into lumber. This does not include the St. Croix, which forms the greater portion of the
boundary line between Wisconsin and Minnesota, and, by means of its tributaries, draws the most
and best of its pine from the former state. These streams divide the territory, as far as lumbering
is concerned, into six separate and distinct districts : The Green bay shore, which includes the
Wisconsin side of the Menomonee, the Peshtigo and Oconto rivers, with a number of creeks
which flow into the bay between the mouths of the Oconto and Fox rivers ; the Wolf river
district ; the Wisconsin river, including the Yellow, as before mentioned ; the Black river ; the
Chippewa and Red Cedar ; and the Wisconsin side of the St. Croix.
Beginning with the oldest of these, the Green bay shore, a brief description of each will be
attempted. The first saw-mill built in the state, of which there is now any knowledge, was put in
operation in 1809, in Brown county, two or three miles east from Depere, on a little stream which
was known as East river. It was built by Jacob Franks, but probably was a very sjnall affair.
Of its machinery or capacity for sawing, no history has been recorded, and it is not within the
memory of any inhabitant of to-day. In 1829, John P. Arndt, of Green Bay, built a water-
power mill on the Pensaukee river at a point where the town of Big Suamico now stands. In
1834, a mill was built on the Wisconsin side of the Menomonee, and,, two years later, one at
Peshtigo. Lumber was first shipped to market from this district in 1834, which must be termed
the beginning of lumbering operations on the bay shore. The lands drained by the streams
which flow into Green bay are located in Shawano and Oconto counties, the latter being the
largest in the state. In 1847, Willard Lamb, of Green Bay, made the first sawed pine shingles in
that district ; they were sold to the Galena railroad company for use on depot buildings, and
were the first of the kind sold in Chicago. Subsequently Green Bay became one of the greatest
points for the manufacture of such shingles in the world. The shores of the bay are low, and
gradually change from marsh to swamp, then to level dry land, and finally become broken and
mountainous to the northward. The pine is in dense groves that crowd closely upon the swamps
skirting the bay, and reach far back among the hills of the interior. The Peshtigo flows into the
bay about ten miles south of the Menomonee, and takes its rise far back in Oconto county, near
to the latter's southern tributaries. It is counted a good logging stream, its annual product
being from 40,000,000 to 60,000,000 feet. The timber is of a rather coarse quality, running but
a small percentage to what the lumbermen term "uppers." About ten per cent, is what is
known as Norway pine. -Of the whole amount of timber tributary to the Peshtigo, probably
about one third has been cut off to this date. The remainder will not average of as good quality,
and only a limited portion of the land is of any value for agricultural purposes after being cleared
of the pine. There are only two mills on this stream, both being owned by one company. The
Oconto is one of the most important streams in the district. The first saw-mill was built
on its banks about tlfe year 1840, though the first lumbering operations, of any account were
begun in 1845 by David Jones. The business was conducted quite moderately until 1856,
in which year several mills were built, and from that date Oconto has been known as quite
an extensive lumber manufacturing point. The timber tributary to this stream has been of
the best quality found in the state. Lumber cut from it has been known to yield the
extraordinarily high average of fifty and sixty per cent, uppers. The timber now being cut
will not average more than half that. The proportion of Norway is about five per cent. It is
estimated that from three fourths to four fifths of the timber tributary to the Oconto has been
cut away, but it will require a much longer time to convert the balance into lumber than was
necessary to cut its equivalent in amount, owing to its remote location. The annual production
LUMBER MANUFACTURE. 187
of pine lumber at Oconto is from 50,000,000 to 65,000,000 feet. The whole production of the
district, exclusive of the timber which is put into the Menomonee from Wisconsin, is about
140,000,000 feet annually.
The Wolf river and its tributaries constitute the next district, proceeding westward. The-
first saw logs cut on this stream for commercial purposes were floated to the government mill at
Neenah in 1835. In 1842, Samuel Farnsworth erected the first saw-mill on the upper Wolf
near the location of the present village of Shawano, and in the following spring he sent the first
raft of lumber down the Wolf to Oshkosh. This river also rises in Oconto county, but flows in
a southerly direction, and enters Winnebago lake at Oshkosh. Its pineries have been very exten-
sive, but the drain upon them within the past decade has told with greater effect than upon any
other district in the state. The quality of the timber is very fine, and the land is considered good
for agricultural purposes, and is being occupied upon the lines of the different railways which
cross it. The upper waters of the Wolf are rapid, and have a comparatively steady flow, which
renders it a very good stream for driving logs. Upon the upper river, the land is quite rolling,
and about the head-waters is almost mountainous. The pine timber that remains in this dis-
trict is high up on the main river and branches, and will last but a few years longer. A few years
ago the annual product amounted to upward of 250,000,000 feet; in 1876 it was 138,000,000,
The principal manufacturing points are Oshkosh and Fond du Lac ; the former has 21 mills, and
the latter 10.
Next comes the Wisconsin, the longest and most crooked river in the state. It rises in the
extreme northern sections, and its general course is southerly until, at Portage City, it makes a
grand sweep to the westward and unites with the Mississippi at Prairie du Chien. It has numer-
ous tributaries, and, together with these, drains a larger area of country than any other river in
the state. Its waters flow swiftly and over numerous rapids and embryo falls, which renders log-
driving and raft-running very difficult and even hazardous. The timber is generally near the
banks of the main stream and its tributaries, gradually diminishing in extent as it recedes from
them and giving place to the several varieties of hard-woods. The extent to which operations
have been carried on necessitates going further up the stream for available timber, although there
is yet what may be termed an abundant supply. The firgt cutting of lumber on this stream, of
which there is any record, was by government soldiers, in 1828, at the building of Fort Winne-
bago. In 1831, a mill was built at Whitney's rapids, below Point Bass, in what was then Indian
territory. By 1840, mills were in operation as high up as Big Bull falls, and Wausau had a
population of 350 souls. Up to 1876, the product of the upper Wisconsin was all sent in rafts
to markets on the Mississippi. The river above Point Bass is a series of rapids and eddies ; the
current flows at the rate of from 10 to 20 miles an hour, and it can well be imagined that the
task of piloting a raft from Wausau to the dells was no slight one. The cost of that kind of
transportation in the early times was actually equal to the present market price of the lumber.
With a good stage of water, the length of time required to run a raft to St. Louis was 24 days,
though quite frequently, owing to inability to get out of the Wisconsin on one rise of water, sev-
eral weeks were consumed. The amount of lumber manufactured annually on this river is from
140,000,000 to 200,000,000 feet.
Black river is much shorter and smaller than the Wisconsin, but has long been known as a
very important lumbering stream. It is next to the oldest lumber district in the state. The
first saw-mill west of Green Bay was built at Black River Falls in 181 9 by Col. John Shaw.
The Winnebago tribe of Indians, however, in whose territory he was, objected to the innovation
of such a fine art, and unceremoniously offered up the mill upon the altar of their outraged
188 ' HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
solitude. The owner abruptly quitted that portion of the coiintry. In 1839 another attempt
to establish a mill on Black river was more successfully made. One was erected at the same
point by two brothers by the name of Wocxi, the millwright being Jacob Spaulding, whc
eventually became its possessor. His son, Mr. Dudley J. Spaulding, is now a very extensive
operator upon Black river. La Crosse is- the chief manufacturing point, there being ten saw-mills
located there. The annual production of the stream ranges from 150,000,000 to 225,000,000 feel
of logs, less than 100,000,000 feet being manufactured into lumber on its banks. The balance
is sold in the log to mills on the Mississippi. It is a very capricious river to float logs in, which
necessitates the carrying over from year to year of a very large amount, variously estimated at
from 150,000,000 to 200,000,000 feet, about equal to an entire season's product. This makes the
business more hazardous than on many other streams, as the loss from depreciation is very great
after the first year. The quality of the timber is fine, and good prices are realized for it when
sold within a year after beirig cut.
The Chippewa district probably contains the largest and finest body of white pine timbei
how standing, tributary to any one stream, on the continent. It has been claimed, though with
more extravagance than truth, that the Chippewa pineries hold one-half the timber supply oi
the state. The river itself is a large one, and has many tributaries, which penetrate the rich
pine district in all directions. The character of the tributary country is not unlike that through
which the Wisconsin flows. In 1828 the first mill was built in the Chippewa valley, on Wilson's
creek, near its confluence with the Red Cedar. Its site is now occupied by the village of Meno-
monee. In 1837 another was built on what is the present site of the Union Lumbering Company's
mill at Chippewa Falls. It was not until near 1865 that the Chippewa became very prominent as a
lumber-making stream! Since that date it has been coiinted as one of the foremost in the north-
west. Upon the river proper there are twenty-two saw-mills, none having a capacity of less than
3,500,000 feet per season, and a number being capable of sawing from 20,000,000 to 25,000,000
The annual production of sawed lumber is from 250,000,000 to 300,000,000 feet ; the production
of logs from 400,000,000 to 500,000,000 -feet. In 1867 the mill-owners upon the Mississippi,
between Winona and Keokuk, organized a corporation known as the Beef Slough Manufactur-
ing, Log-Driving and Transportation Company. Its object was to facilitate the handling of logs
cut upon the Chippewa and its tributaries, designed for the Mississippi mills. At the confluence
of the two rivei's various improvements were made, constituting the Beef Slough boom, which is
capable of assorting 200,000,000 feet of logs per season. The Chippewa is the most difficult
stream in the northwest upon which to operate. In the spring season it is turbulent and
ungovernable, and in summer, almost destitute of water. About its head are numerous lakes
which easily overflow under the influence of rain, and as their surplus water flows into the
Chippewa, its rises are sudden and sometimes damaging in their extent. The river in many
places flows between high bluff's, and, under the influence of a freshet, becomes a wild and
Unmanageable torrent. Logs have never been floated in rafts, as upon other streams, but are
turned in loose, and are carried down with each successive rise, in a jumbled and confused mass,
which entails much labor and loss in the work of . assorting an! delivering to the respective
owners. Previous to the organization of the Eagle Rapids Flooding Dam and Boom Company,
in 1872, the work of securing the stock after putting it into the river was more difficult than to
cut and haul it. At the cities of Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls, where most of the mills are
located, the current, under the influence of high water, is very rapid, and for years the problem
was, how to stop and retain the logs, as they would go by in great masses and with almost resist-
less velocity. In 1847 is recorded one of the most sudden and disastrous floods in the history
of log-running streams. In the month of June the Chippewa rose twelve feet in a single night,
LUMBER MANUFACTURE. 189
and, in the disastrous torrent that was created, piers, booms, or " pockets " for holding logs at the
mills, together with a fine new mill, were swept away, and the country below where Eau Claire
now stands was covered with drift-wood, saw-logs, and other debris. Such occurrences led to
the invention of the since famous sheer boom, which is a device placed in the river opposite
the mill boom into which it is desired to turn the logs.. The sheer boom is thrown diagonally
across the river, automatically, the action of the current upon a number of ingeniously arranged
"fins'' holding it in position.- By this means the logs are sheered into the receptacle until ^it is
filled, when the sheer boom, by closing up the " fins" with a windlass, falls back and allows the
logs to go on for the next mill to stop and capture its pocket full in like manner. By this
method each mill could" obtain a stock, but a great difficulty was experienced from the fact that
the supply was composed of logs cut and owned by everybody operating on the river, and the
process of balancing accounts- according to the " marks," at the close of the season, has been
one prolific of trouble and legal entanglements. The building of improvements at Eagle
Rapids by the company above mentioned remedied the difficulty to some extent, but the process
of logging will always be a difficult and hazardous enterprise until adequate means for holding
and assorting the entire log product are provided. Upon the Yellow and Eau Claire rivers, two
important branches of the Chippewa, such difficulties are avoided by suitable improvements.
The entire lumber product of the Chippewa, with tlie exception of that consumed locally, is
floated in rafts to markets upon the Mississippi, between its mouth and St. Louis. The quality
of the timber is good, and commands the best market price in the sections where it seeks
market.
West of the Chippewa district the streams and timber are tributary to the St. Croix, and in
all statistical calculations the entire product of that river is credited to 'Minnesota, the same as
that of the Menomonee is given to Michigan, when in fact about one half of each belongs to
Wisconsin. The important branches of the St. Croix belonging in this state are the Apple
Clam, Yellow, Namekogan, Totagatic and Eau Cla,ire. The sections of country through which
they flow contain large bodies of very fine pine timber. The St. Croix has long been noted for
the excellence of its dimension timber. Of this stock a portion is cut into lumber at Stillwater,
and marketed by rail, and the balance is sold in the log to mills on the Mississippi.
Such is a brief and somewhat crude description of the main lumbering districts of the state.
Aside from these, quite extensive operations are conducted upon various railway lines which
penetrate the forests which .are remote from log-running streams. In almost every county in
the state, mills of greater or less capacity may be found cutting up pine or hard- woods into
lumber, shingles, or cooperage stock. Most important, in a lumbering point of view, of all the
railroads, is the Wisconsin Central. It extends from Milwaukee to Ashland, on Lake Superior,
a distance of 351 miles, with a line to Green Bay, 113 miles, and one from Stevens Point to
Portage, 71 miles, making a total length of road, of 449 miles. It has only been completed to
Ashland within the last two years. From Milwaukee to Stevens Point it passes around to the
east and north of Lake Winnebago, through an excellent hard-wood section. There are many
stave mills in operation upon and tributary to its line, together with wooden-ware establishments
and various manufactories requiring either hard or soft timber as raw material. From Stevens
Point northward, this road passes through and has tributary to it one of the finest bodies of tim-
ber in the state. It crosses the upper waters of Black river and the Flambeau, one of the main
tributaries of the Chippewa. From 30,000,000 to 50,000,000 feet of lumber is annually manu-
factured on its line, above Stevens Point. The Wisconsin Valley railroad extends from Tomah
to Wausau, and was built to afford an outlet, by rail, for the lumber produced at the latter point.
The extent of the timber supply in this state has been a matter of much speculation, and
190
HISTOEY OF WISCONSIN.
is a subject upon which but little can be definitely said. Pine trees can not be counted oi
measured until reduced to saw-logs or lumber. It is certain that for twenty years the
forests of Wisconsin have yielded large amounts of valuable timber, and no fears are
entertained by holders of pine lands that the present generation of owners will witness
an exhaustion of their supply. In some sections it is estimated that the destruction to
the standing timber by fires, which periodically sweep over large sections, is greater than
by the axes of the loggers. The necessity for a state system of forestry, for the protection oi
the forests from fires, has been urged by many, and with excellent reason ; for no natural resource
of the state is of more value and importance than its wealth of timber. According to an esti-
mate recently made by a good authority, and which received the sanction of many interested
parties, there was standing in the state in 1876, an amount of pine timber approximating
35,000,000,000 feet.
The annual production of lumber in the districts herein described, and from logs floated out
of the state to mills on the Mississippi, is about 1,200,000,000 feet. The following table gives
the mill capacity per season, and the lumber and shingles manufactured in 1876 :
Green Bay Shore.
Wolf River-..
Wisconsin Central Railroad
Green Bay & Minnesota Railroad
Wisconsin River
Black River ._
Chippewa River —
Mississippi River — using Wisconsin logs
Total - ...
SEASON
CAPACITY.
LUMBER
SHINGLES
MANUFACTURED
IN 1876.
MANUFACTURED
IN 1876.
206,000,000
138,250,000
85,400,000
258,500,000
138.645,077
123,192,000
72,500,000
31,530,000
132,700,000
34,500,000
17,700,000
10,700,000
222,000,000
139,700,000
106,250,000
101,000,000
70.852,747
37,675,000
311,000,000
255,866,999
79,250,000
509,000.000
380,067,000
206,977,000
1,714,^90,000
1,172,611,823
782,144,000
If to the above is added the production of mills outside of the main districts and lines of rail-
way herein described, the amount of pine lumber annually produced from Wisconsin forests would
reach 1,500,000,000 feet. Of the hard-wood production no authentic information is obtainable
To cut the logs and place them upon the banks of the streams, ready for floating to the mills
requires the labor of about 18,000 men. Allowing that, upon an average, each man has a family
of two persons besides himself, dependent upon his labor for support, it would be apparent that
the first step in the work of manufacturing lumber gives employment and support to 54,000
persons. To convert 1,000,000 feet of logs into lumber, requires the consumption of 1,200
bushels of oats, 9 barrels of pork and beef, 10 tons of hay, 40 barrels of flour, and the use of 2
pairs of horses. Thus the fitting out of the logging companies each fall makes a market for
1,800,000 bushels of oats, 13,500 barrels of pork and beef, 15,000 tons of hay, and 60,000 barrels
^of flour. Before the lumber is sent to market, fully $6,000,000 is expended for the labor
employed in producing it. This industry, aside from furnishing the farmer of the west with the
cheapest and best of materials for constructing his buildings, also furnishes a very important
market for the products of his farm.
The question of the exhaustion of the pine timber supply, has met with much discussion
during the past few years, and, so far as the forests of Wisconsin are concerned, deserves a brief
notice. The great source of supply of white pine timber in the country is that portion of the
northwest between the shores of Lake Huron and the banks of the Mississippi, comprising the
LUMBER MANUFACTUEE. 191
northern portions of the states of Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota. For a quarter of a
century these fields have been worked by lumbermen, the amount of the yearly production
having increased annually until it reached the enormous figure of 4,000,000,000 feet. With all
of this tremendous drain upon the forests, there can be pointed out but one or two sections that
are actually exhausted. There are, however, two or three where the end can be seen and the
date almost foretold. The pineries of Wisconsin have been drawn upon for a less period and
less amount than those of Michigan, and, it is generally conceded, will outlast them at the present
proportionate rate of cutting. There are many owners of pine timber lands who laugh at the
prospect of exhausting their timber, within their lifetime. As time brings them nearer to the end,
the labor of procuring the logs, by reason of the distance of the timber from the water-courses,
will increase, and the work will progress more slowly.
In the future of this industry there is much promise. Wisconsin is the natural source of
supply for a very large territory. The populous prairies of Illinois and Iowa are near-by and
unfailing markets. The broad plains of Kansas and the rich valleys of Nebraska, which are still in
the cradle of development, will make great drafts upon her forests for the material to construct cities
in which the first corner-stone is yet unlaid. Minnesota, notwithstanding the fact that large
forests exist within her own confines, is even now no mean customer for Wisconsin lumber, and
the ambitious territory of Dakota will soon clamor for material to build up a great and wealthy
state. In the inevitable progress of development and growth which must characterize the great
west, the demand for pine lumber for building material will be a prominent feature. With the
growth of time, changes will occur in the methods of reducing the forests. With the increasing
demand and enhancing values will come improvements in manipulating the raw material, and a
stricter economy will be preserved in the handling of a commodity which the passage of time
only makes more valuable. Wisconsin will become the home of manufactories, which will
convert her trees into finished articles of daily consumption, giving employment to thousands of
artisans where it now requires hundreds, and bringing back millions of revenue where is now
realized thousands. Like all other commodities, lumber becomes more valuable as skilled labor
is employed in its manipulation, and the greater the extent to which this is carried, the greater is
the growth in prosperity, of the state and its people.
BANKING IN WISCONSIN.
By JOHN P. McGregor.
Wiscottsin was organized as a territory in 1836, and the same year several acts were passed
by the territorial legislature, incorporating banks of issue. Of these, one at Green Bay and
another at Mineral Point went into operation just in time to play their part in the great panic
of 1837. The bank at Green Bay soon failed and left its biljs unredeemed. The bank at
Mineral Point is said to have struggled a little longer, but both these concerns were short lived,
and their issues were but a drop in the great flood of worthless wild-cat bank notes that spread
over the whole western country in that disastrous time. The sufferings of the people of Wis-
consin, from this cause, left a vivid impression on their minds, which manifested its results in the
legislation of the territory and in the constitution of the state adopted in 1848. So jealous were
the legislatures of the territory, of banks and all their works, that, in every act of incorporation
for any purpose, a clause was inserted to the effect that nothing in the act contained should be
192 HISTORY or WISCONSIN.
taken to authorize the corporation to assume oy exercise any banking powers ; and this provisc
was even added to acts incorporating church societies. For some years there can hardly be said
to have been any banking business done in the territory ; merchants and business men were lefl
to' their own devices to make their exchanges, and every man was his own banker.
In the year 1839 an act was passed incorporating the " Wisconsin Marine and Fire Insurance
Company," of Milwaukee. This charter conferred on the corporation, in addition to the usual
powers of a fire and marine insurance company, the privilege of receiving deposits, issuing . certifir
cates of deposit and lending money, — and wound up with the usual prohibition from doing a
banking business. This company commencedbusiness at once under the management of George
' Smith as president and Alexander Mitchell as secretary. The receiving deposits, issuing certifi-
cates of deposit and lending money, soon outgrew and overshadowed the insurance branch of the
institution, which accordingly gradually dried up. In fact, the certificates of deposit had all the
appearance of ordinary bank notes, and served the purposes of an excellent currency, being
always promptly redeemed in coin on demand. Gradually these issues attained a great
circulation all through the west, as the people gained more and more confidence in the honesty
and ability of the managers ; and though " runs " were several times made, yet being successfully
met, the public finally settled down into the belief that these bills were good beyond question, so
that the amount in circulation at one time, is said, on good authority, to have been over
$2,000,000.
As the general government required specie to be paid for all lands bought of it, the Wis-
consin Marine and Fire Insurance company, by redemption of its " certificates of deposit,"
furnished a large part of the coin needed for use at the Milwaukee land office, and more or less
for purchases at land offices in other parts of the state, and its issues were of course much in
request for this purpose. For many years this institution furnished thd main banking facilities
for the business men of the territory and young state, in the way of discounts and exchange^.
Its right to carry on the operations it was engaged in, under its somewhat dubious and incon-
sistent charter, was often questioned, and, in 1852, under the administration of Governor Farwell,
some steps were taken to test the matter ; but as the general banking law had then been passed
by the legislature, and was about to be submitted to the people, and as it was understood that the
company -vould organize as a bank under the law, if approved, the legal proceedings were not
pressed. While this corporation played so important a part in the financial history and commer-
cial development of Wisconsin, the writer is not aware of any available statistics as -to the
amoiint of business transacted by it before it became raei'ged in the " Wisconsin Marine and
Fire Insurance Company's Bank."
In 1847, the foundation of the present well-known firm of Marshall & Ilsley was laid by
Samuel Marshall, who, in that year, opened a private banking office in Milwaukee, and was joined
in 1849 by Charles F. Ilsley. This concern has always held a prominent position among the
banking institutions of our state. About this time, at Mineral Point, Washburn & Woodman
(C. C. Washburn and Cyrus Woodman) engaged in private banking, as a part ,of their business.
After some years they were succeeded by Wm. T. Henry, who still continues the banking office.
Among the early private bankers of the state were Mr. Kellogg, of Oshkosh ; Ulmann and Bell, of
Racine ; and T. C. Shove, of Manitowoc. The latter still continues his, business, while that of
the other firms has L een wound up or merged in organized banks.
In 1848, Wisconsin adopted a state constitution. This constitution prohibited the legislature
from incorporating banks and from conferring banking powers on any corporation; but provided
the question of " banks or no banks " might be submitted to a vote of the electors, and, if the
decision should be in favor of banks, then the legislature might charter banks or might enact a
BANKING IN" WISCONSIN. 193
general banking law, but no such special charter or general banking law should have any force
until submitted to the electors at a general election, and approved by a majority of votes cast on
that subject. In 185 1, the legislature submitted this question to the people, and a majority of
the votes were cast in favor of " banks." Accordingly the legislature, in 1852, made a general
banking law, which was submitted to the electors in November of that year, and was approved
by them. This law was very similar to the free banking law of the state of New York, which
had then been in force a^out fifteen years, and was generally approved in that state. Our law
authorized any number of individuals to form a corporate association for banking purposes, and
its main provisions were intended to provide security for the circulating notes, by deposit of state
and United States stocks or bonds with the state treasurer, so that the bill holders should sustain
no loss in case of the failure of the banks. Provision was made for a bank comptroller, whose
main duty it was to see that countersigned circulating notes were issued to banks only in proper
amounts for the securities deposited, and upgn compliance with the law, and that the banks kept
these securities good.
The first bank comptroller was James S. Baker, who was appointed by Governor Farwell.
The first banks organized under the new law were the " State Bank," established at Madi-
son by Marshall & Ilsley, and the "Wisconsin Marine and Fire Insurance Company's Bank,"
established at Milwaukee under the old management of that company. These banks both went
intooperation early in January, 1853, and, later in that year, the " State Bank of Wisconsin" (now
Milwaukee National Bank of Wisconsin), and the " Farmers' and Millers' Bank " (now First
National Bank of Milwaukee), were established, followed in January, 1854, by the " Bank of Mil-
waukee " (now National Exchange Bank of Milwaukee). From this time forward banks, were
rapidly established at different points through the state, until in July, 1857, they numbered sixty
— with aggregate capital, $4,205,000; deposits, $3,920,238; and circulation, $2,231)829. In
October, the great revulsion and panic of 1857 came on, and in its course and effects tried pretty
severely the new banks in Wisconsin. Some of them succumbed to the pressure, but most of
them stood the trial well.
The great source of loss and weakness at that time was found in the rapid decline of the
market value of the securities deposited to protect circulation, which were mostly state bonds,
and largely those of the southern states ; so that this security, when it came to be tried, did not
prove entirely sufficient. Another fault of the system, or of the practice under it, was developed
at this time. It was found that many of the banks had been set up without actual working capi-
tal, merely for the purpose of issuing circulating notes, and were located at distant and inaccessible
points in what was then the great northern wilderness of the state ; so that it was expensive and
in fact impracticable to present their issues for redemption. While these evils and their rem-
edies were a good deal discussed among bankers, the losses and inconveniences to the people
were not yet great enough to lead to the adoption of thorough and complete measures of reform.
The effect of these difficulties, however, was to bring the bankers of the state into the habit of
consulting and acting together in cases of emergency, the first bankers' convention having been
held in 1857. This was followed by others from time to time, and it would be difficult to over-
value the great good that has resulted, at several important crises from the hara onious and con-
servative action of the bankers of our state. Partly, at least, upon their recommendations the
legislature, in 1858, adopted amendments to the banking law, providing that no bank should be
located in a township containing less than two hundred inhabitants ; and that the comptroller
should not issue circulating notes, except to banks doing a regular discount deposit and exchange
business in some inhabited town, village, city, or where the ordinary business of inhabited towns,
villages and cities was carried on. These amendments were approved by the people at the fall
194 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
election of that year.
Banking matters now ran along pretty smoothly until the election in i860, of the republican
presidential ticket, and the consequent agitation in the southern stdtes threatening civil war, the
effects of which were speedily felt; first, in the great depreciation of the bonds of the southern
states, and then in a less decline in those of the northern states. At this time (taking the state-
ment of July, i860,) the number of banks was 104, with aggregate capital, $6,547,000; circula-
tion, $4,075,918; deposits, $3,230,252.
During the winter following, there was a great deal of uneasiness in regard to our state cur-
' rency, and continuous demand upon our banks for the redemption of their circulating notes in
coin. Many banks of the wild-cat sort failed to redeem their notes, which became depreciated
and uncurrent; and, when the rebellion came to a head by the firing on Fort Sumter, thebanking
interests of the state were threatened with destruction by compulsory winding up and enforced
sale at the panic prices then prevailing, of the securities deposited to secure circulation. Under
these circumstances, on the 17th of April, 1861, the legislature passed " an act to protect the
holders of the circulating notes of the authorized banks of the state of Wisconsin." As the
banking law could not be amended except by approval of the electors, by vote at a general
election, a practical suspension of specie payment had to be effected by indirect methods. So
this act first directed the bank comptroller to suspend all action toward banks for failing to
redeem their circulation. Secondly, it prohibited notaries public from protesting bills of banks
until Dec i, 1861. Thirdly, it gave banks until that date to answer complaints in any proceed-
ing to compel specie payment of circulating notes. This same legislature also amended the
banking law, to cure defects that had been developed in it. These amendments were intended
to facilitate the presentation and protest of circulating notes, and the winding up of banks
failing to redeem them, and provided that the bank comptroller should not issue circulating notes
except to banks having actual cash capital ; on which point he was to take evidence in all cases ;
that after Dec. i, 1861, all banks of the state should redeem their issues either at Madison or
_ Milwaukee, and no bonds or stocks should be received as security for circulation except those of
the United States and of the state of Wisconsin.
Specie payment of bank bills was then practically suspended, in our state, from April 17 to
December i, 1861, and there was no longer any plain practical test for determining which were
good, and which not. In this condition of things, bankers met in convention, and, after discus-
sion and inquiry as to the condition and resources of the different banks, put forth a list of those
whose issues were to be considered current and bankable. But things grew worse, and it was
evident that the list contained banks that would never be able to redeem their circulation, and
the issues of such were from time to time thrown out and discredited without any concert of
action, so that the uneasiness of people in regard to the financial situation was greatly increased.
The bankers finally met, gave the banks another sifting, and put forth a list of seventy banks,
whose circulating notes they pledged themselves to receive, and pay out as current, until Decem-
ber I. There had been so many changes that this pledge was thought necessary to allay the
apprehensions of the public. But matters still grew worse instead of better. Some of the
banks in the " current " list closed their doors to their depositors, and others were evidently
unsound, and their circulation so insufficiently secured as to make it certain that it would never
be redeerned. There was more or less sorting of the currency, both by banks and business men,
all over the state, in the endeavor to keep the best and pay out the poorest. In this state of
things, some of the Milwaukee banks, without concert of action, and acting under the apprehen-
sion of being loaded up with the very worst of the currency, which, it was feared, the country
banks and merchants were sorting out and sending to Milwaukee, revised the list again, and
BANKING IN WISCONSIN. 195
threw out ten of the seventy banks whose issues it had been agreed should be received as
current. Other banks and bankers were compelled to take the same course to protect them-
selves. .The consequence was a great disturbance of the public mind, and violent charges of
bad faith on the part of the banks, which culminated in the bank riots of June 24, 1861. On
that day, a crowd of several hundred disorderly people, starting out most probably only with the
idea of making some sort of demonstration of their dissatisfaction with the action of the banks
and bankers and with the failure to keep faith with the public, marched through the streets with
a band of music, and brought up at the corner of Michigan and East Water streets.
The banks had just sufficient notice of these proceedings to enable them to lock up their
money and valuables in their vaults, before the storm broke upon them. The mob halted at the
place above mentioned, and for a time contented themselves with hooting, and showed no dispo-
sition to proceed to violence ; but, after a little while, a stone was thrown through the windows
of the Wisconsin Marine and Fire Insurance Company's Bank, situated at one corner of the
above streets, and volleys of stones soon followed, not only against that bank, but also against
the State Bank of Wisconsin, situated on the opposite corner. The windows of both these
institutions and of the offices in the basements under them were effectually demolished.
The mob then made a rus.h into these banks and offices, and completely gutted them, offering
more or less violence to the inmates, though no person was seriously hurt. The broken furni-
ture of the offices under the State Bank of Wisconsin was piled up, and the torch was applied
by some of the rioters, while others were busy in endeavoring to break into the safes of the offices
and the vaults of the banks. The debris of the furniture in the office of the Wisconsin Marine
and Fire Insurance ( 'ompany's Bank, was also set on fire, and it was plain that if the mob was
not immediately checked, the city would be given up to conflagration and pillage — the worst
elements, as is always the case with mobs, having assumed the leadership. Just at that juncture,
the Milwaukee zouaves, a small military company, appeared on the scene, and with the help of
the firemen who had been called out, the mob was put to flight, and the incipient fire was extin-
guished.
The damage so far done was not great in amount, and the danger for the moment was over;
but the situation was still grave, as the city was full of threats, disturbance and apprehension.
By the prompt action of the authorities, a number of companies of volunteers were brought from
different places in the state, order was preserved, and, after muttering for three or four days, the
storm died away. The effect of that disturbance and alarm was, however, to bring home to the
bankers and business men the conviction that effectual "measures must be taken to settle our
state currency matters on a sound and permanent basis, and that the issues of all banks that
could not be put in shape to meet specie payment in December, must be retired from circulation
and be got out of the way. A meeting of the bankers was held ; also of the merchants' association
of Milwaukee, and arrangements were made to raise $100,000, by these two bodies, to be used in
assisting weak and crippled banks in securing or retiring their circulation. The bankers
appointed a committee to take the matter in charge.
It happened that just at this time Governor Randall and State Treasurer Hastings returned
from New York City, where they had been making unsuccessful efforts to dispose of $800,000 of
Wisconsin war bonds, which had been issued to raise funds to fit out Wisconsin volunteers.
Our state had never had any bonds on the eastern market. For other reasons, our
credit was not high in New York, and it had been found impossible to dispose of these bonds for
over sixty cents on the dollar. The state officers conferred with the bankers to see what could
be done at home ; dnd it was finally arranged that the bankers' committee should undertake to
get the state banks to dispose of their southern and other deprecia.ted state bonds on deposit to
19^6 HISTOEY OF WISCONSIN.
secure circulation, for what they would bring in coin, in New York, and replace these bbnds with
those of our own state,. which were to be taken by our banks nominally at par — seventy per cent,
being paid in cash, and the different banks purchasing bonds, giving their individual obligation
for the thirty per cent, balance, to be paid in semi-annual installments, with an agreement that the
state should deduct these installments from the interest so long as these bonds should remain on
deposit with the state. By the terms of the law, sixty per cent, of the proceeds of the bonds had to
be paid in coin. The bankers' committee went to work, and with some labor and difficulty
induced most of the banks to sell their southern securities at the existing low prices in New
York, and thus produce the coin required to pay for our state bonds. From the funds provided
by the merchants and bankers, they assisted many of the weaker banks to make good their
securities with the banking department of the state. By the 19th of July, six of the ten rejected
banks that had been the occasion of the riot, were made good, and restored to the list. The
other four were wound up, and their issues redeemed at par, and, before the last of August, the
value of the securities of all the banks on the current list were brought up to their circulation,
as shown by the comptroller's report.
Wisconsin currency at the time of the bank riot was at a discount of about 15 per cent., as
compared with gold or New York exchange. At the middle of July the discount was 10 to 12
per cent., and early in August it fell to 5 per cent. The bankers' committee continued their
work in preparation for the resumption of specie payment on December i. While the securities
for the bank circulation had been made good, it was, nevertheless, evident that many of the
banks on the current list would not be equal to the continued redemption of their bills in specie,
and that they would have to be wound up and got out of the way in season. Authority was got
from such institutions, as fast as possible, for the bankers' committee to retire their circulation
and sell their securities. The Milwaukee banks and bankers took upon themselves the great
burden of this business, having arranged among themselves to sort out and withhold from cir-
culation the bills of these banks, — distributing the load among themselves in certain defined
proportions. Instead of paying out these doubted bills, the different banks brought to the bank-
ers' committee such amounts as they accumulated from time to time, and received from the
committee certificates of deposit bearing seven per cent, interest, and these bills were locked up
by the committee until the securities for these notes could be sold and the proceeds realized.
Over $400,000 of this sort of paper was locked up by the committee at one time ; but it was all
converted into cash, and, when t^e first of December came,, the remaining banks of this state
were ready t6 redeem their issues in gold or its equivalent, and so continued to redeem until the
issue of the legal-tender notes and the general suspension of specie payment in the United
States.
In July, 1861, the number of our banks was 107, with capital, $4,607,000; circulation,
$2,317,907 ; deposits, $3,265,069.
By the contraction incident to the prepiarations for redemption in specie, the amount of cur-
rent Wisconsin bank notes outstanding December i, 1861, was reduced to about $1,500,000.
When that day came, there was quite a disposition manifested to convert Wisconsin currency
into coin, and a sharp financial pinch was felt for a few days ; but as the public became satisfied
that the banks were prepared to meet the demand, the call for redemption rapidly fell off, and
the banks soon began to expand their circulation, which was now current and in good 4emand
all through the northwestern states. The amount saved to all the interests of our state, by this
successful effort to save our banking system from destruction, i^ beyond computation. From
this time our banks ran along quietly until prohibitory taxation by act of congress drove the bills
of state banks out of circulation.
BANKING IN WISCONSIN. 197
The national banking law was passed in 1863, and a few banks were soon organized under
it in different parts of the country. The first in Wisconsin was formed by the re-organization of
the Farmers' and Millers' Bank, in August, 1863, as the First National Bank of Milwaukee,
with Edward D. Holton as president, and H. H. Camp, cashier. The growth of the new system,
however, was not very rapid ; the state banks were slow to avail themselves of the privileges of
the national banking act, and the central authorities concluded to compel them to come in ; so
facilities were offered for their re-organization as national banks, and then a tax of ten per cent,
was laid upon the issues of the state banks. This tax was imposed by act of March, 1865, and
at once caused a commotion in our state. In July, 1864, the number of Wisconsin state banks
was sixty-six, with capital $3,14^,000, circulation $2,461,728, deposits $5,483,205, and these
figures were probably not very different in the spring of 1865. The securities for the circulating
notes were in great part the bonds of our own state, which, while known by our own people to
be good beyond question, had never been on the general markets of the country so as to be cur-
rently known there ; and it was feared that in the hurried retirement of our circulation these
bonds would be sacrificed, the currency depreciated, and great loss brought upon our banks and
people. There was some excitement, and a general call for the redemption of our state circula-
tion, but the banks mostly met the run well, and our people were disposed to stand by our own
state bonds.
In April, 1861, the legislature passed laws, calling in the mortgage loans of the school fund,
and directing its investment in these securities. The state treasurer was required to receive
Wisconsin bank notes, not only for taxes and debts due the state, but also on deposit, and to
issue certificates for such deposits bearing seven per cent, interest. By these and like means
the threatened panic was stopped ; and in the course of a few months Wisconsin state currency
was nearly all withdrawn from circulation. In July, 1865, the number of state banks was
twenty-six, with capital $r,o87,ooo, circulation $192,323, deposits $2,284,2ro. Under the
pressure put on by congress, the organization of national banks, and especially the re-organiza-
tion of state banks, under the national system, was proceeding rapidly, and in a short time nearly
every town in our own state of much size or importance was provided with one or ijiore of these
institutions.
In the great panic of 1873, all the Wisconsin banks, both state and national (in commoA
with those of the whole country), were severely tried; but the failures were few and unimpor-
tant ; and Wisconsin went through that ordeal with less loss and disturbance than almost any
other state.
We have seen that the history of banking in Wisconsin covers a stormy period, in whick
great disturbances and panics have occurred at intervals of a few years. , It is to be hoped tliat
a more peaceful epoch will succeed, but permanent quiet and prosperity can not rationally be
expected in the present unsettled condition of our currency, nor until we have gone through the
temporary stringency incidental to the resumption of specie payment.
According to the last report of the comptroller of the currency, the number of national
banks in Wisconsin in November, 1876, was forty, with capital $3,400,000, deposits $7,145,360,
circulation $2,072,869.
At this time (July, 1877) the number of state banks is twenty-six, with capital $1,288,231,
deposits $6,662,973. Their circulation is, of course, merely nominal, though there is no legal
obstacle to their issuing circulating notes, except the tax imposed by congress.
COMMERCE AND MANUFACTURES.
By Hon. H. H. GILES.
The material philosophy of a people has to do with the practical and useful. It sees in
iron, coal, cotton, wool, grain and the trees of the forest, the elements of personal , comfort and
sources of material greatness, and is applied to their development, production and fabrication for
purposes of exchange, interchange and sale. The early immigrants to Wisconsin territory found
a land teeming with unsurpassed natural advantages ; prairies, timber, water and minerals, invit-
ing the farmer, miner and lumberman, to come and build houses, furnaces, mills and factories.
The first settlers were a food-producing people. The prairies and openings were ready for the
plow. The ease with, which farms were brought under cultivation, readily enabled the pioneer
to supply the food necessary for himself and family, while a surplus was often produced in a few
months. The hardships so often encountered in the settlement of a new country, where forests
must be felled and stumps removed to prepare the soil for tillage, were scarcely known, or greatly
mitigated.
During the decade from 1S55 to 1845, so great were the demands for the products of the
soil, created by the tide of emigration, that the settlers found a home market for all their surplus
products, and so easily were crops grown that, within a very brief time after the first emigration,
but little was required from abroad. The commerce of the couiitry' was carried on by the
exchange of products. The settlers (they could scarcely be called farmers) would exchange
their wheat, corn, oats and pork for the goods, wares and fabrics of the village merchant. It
was an age of barter ; but they looked at the capabilities of the land they had come to possess,
and, with firm faith, saw bright promises of better days in the building up of a great state.
It is not designed to trace with minuteness the history of Wisconsin through the growth of
its commercial and manufacturing interests. To do it justice would require a volume. The
aim of this article, will be to present a concise view of its present status. Allusion will only be
incidentally made to stages of growth and progress by which it has been reached.
Few states in the Union possess within their borders so many, and in such abundance,
elements that contribute to the material prosperity of a people. Its soil of unsurpassed
fertility, ; its inexhaustible mines of lead, copper, zinc and iron ; its almost boundless forests ;
its water-powers, sufficient to drive the machinery of the world ; _its long lines of lake shofe on
two sides, and the " Father of waters " on another, — need but enterprise, energy and capital to
utilize them in building an empire of wealth, where the hum of varied^industries shall be heard
in the music of the sickle, the loom and the anvil.
The growth of manufacturing industries was slow during the first twenty-five years of our
history. The early settlers were poor. Frequently the land they tilled was pledged to obtain
means to pay for it. Capitalists obtained from twenty to thirty per cent, per annum for the use
of thfeir money. Indeed, it was the rule, under the free-trade ideas of the money-lenders for
them to play the Shy lock. While investments in bonds and mortgages were so profitable, few
were ready to improve the natural advantages the country presented for building factories and
work-shops.
COMMEECE AND MASTUFACTUKES. 199
For many years, quite all the implements used in farming were brought from outside the
state. While this is the case at present to some extent with the more cumbersome farm
machinery, quite a proportion of that and most of the simpler and lighter implements are made
at home, while much farm machinery is now manufactured for export to other states.
Furs.
The northwest was visited and explored by French voyageurs and missionaries from Canada
at an early day. The object of the former was trading and gain. The Jesuits, ever zealous in
the propagation of their religion, went forth into the unknown wilderness to convert the natives
to their faith. As early as 1624, they 1 were operating about Lake Huron and Mackinaw. Father
Menard, it is related, was with the Indians on Lake Superior as early as 1661. The early
explorers were of two classes, and were stimulated by two widely different motives — the voyag-
eurs, by the love of gain, and the missionaries, by their zeal in the propagation of their faith.
Previous to 1679, a considerable trade in furs had sprung up with Indian tribes in the vicinity of
Mackinaw and the northern part of " Ouisconsin." In that year more than two hundred canoes,
laden with furs, passed Mackinaw, bound for Montreal. The whole commerce of this vast region
then traversed, was carried on with birch-bark canoes. The French used them in traversing
wilds — otherwise inaccessible by reason of floods of water at one season, and ice and snow at
another — also lakes and morasses which interrupted land journeys, and rapids and cataracts
that cut off communication by water. This little vessel enabled them to overcome all difficulties.
Being buoyant, it rode the waves, although heavily freighted, and, of light draft, it permitted the
traversing of small streams. Its weight was so light that it could be easily carried from one
stream to another, and around rapids and other obstructions. With this little vessel, the fur
trade of the northwest was carried on, as well as the interior of a vast continent explored.
Under the stimulus of commercial enterprise, the French traders penetrated the recesses of the
immense forests whose streams were the home of the beaver, the otter and the mink, and in
whose depths were found the martin, sable, ermine, and other fur-bearing animal's. A vast trade
in furs sprung up, and was carried on by different agents, under authority of the French
government.
When the military possession of the northwestern domain passed from the government of
France to that of Great Britain in 1760, the relationship of the fur trade to the government
changed. The government of France had controlled the traffic, and made it a means of strength-
ening its hold upon the country it possessed. • The policy of Great Britain was, to charter
companies, and grant them exclusive privileges. The Hudson bay company had grown rich and
powerful between 1670 and 1760. Its success had excited the cupidity of capitalists, and rival
organizations were formed. The business of the company had been done at their trading-stations
— the natives bringing in their furs for exchange and barter. Other companies sent their
voyageurs into every nook and corner to traffic with the trappers, and even to catch the fur-bear-
ing animals themselves. In the progress of time, private parties engaged in trapping and dealing
in furs, and, under the competition created, the business became less' profitable. In 1815,
"congress passed an act prohibiting foreigners from dealing in furs in the United States, or any
of its territories. This action was obtained through the influence of John Jacob Astor. Mr.
Astor organized the American fur company in 1809, and afterward, in connection with the North-
west company, bought out the Mackinaw company, and the two were merged in the Southwest
company. The association was suspended by the war of 1812. The American re-entered the
field in 1816. The fur trade is still an important branch of traffic in the northern part of the
state, and, during eight months of the year, employs a large number of men.
200
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
Lead and Zinc.
In 1824, the lead ore in the southwestern part of Wisconsin began to attract attention.
From 1826 to 1830, there was a great rush of miners to this region, somewhat like the Pike's
Peak excitement at a later date. The lead-producing region of Wisconsin covers an area of
about 2,200 square miles, and embraces parts of Grant, Iowa and La Fayette counties. Between
1829 and 1839, the production of lead increased from 5,000 to 10,000 tons. After the latter
year it rose rapidly, and attained its maximum in 1845, when it reached nearly 25,000 tons.
Since that time the production has decreased, although still carried on to a considerable extent.
The sulphate and carbonate of zinc abound in great quantities with the lead of southwest
Wisconsin. Owing to the difEculty of working this class of ores, it was formerly allowed to
accumulate about the mouths of the mines. Within a few years past, metallurgic processes
have been so greatly improyed, that the zinc ores have been largely utilized. At La Salle, in the
state of Illinois, there are three establishments for smelting zinc ores. There is also one at Peru,
111. To smelt zinc ores economically, they are taken where cheap fuel is available. Hence, the
ilocation of thes? works in the vicinity of coal mines. The works mentioned made in 1875,
from ores mostly taken from Wisconsin, 7,510 tons of zinc. These metals are, therefore, impor-
tant elements in the commerce of Wisconsin.
Iron.
The iron ores of Wisconsin occur in immense beds in several localities, and are destined to
prove of great value. From their product in 1863, there were 3,735 tons of pig iron received at
Milwaukee; in 1865, 4,785 tons; in 1868, 10,890 tons. Of the latter amount, 4,648 tons were
from the iron mines at Mayville. There were shipped from Milwaukee, in 1868, 6,361 tons of
pig iron. There were also received 2,500 tons of ore from the Dodge county ore beds. During
1869,' the ore beds at Iron Ridge were developed to a considerable extent, and two large blast
furnaces constructed in Milwaukee, at which place there were 4,695 tons of ore received, and
2,059 tons were shipped to Chicago and Wyandotte. In 1870, 112,060 tons of iron ore were
received at Milwaukee, 95,000 tons of which were from Iron Ridge, and 17,060 tons from Esca-
naba and Marquette, in Michigan. The total product of the mines at Iron Ridge in 1871 was
82,284 tons. The Milwaukee iron company received by lake, in the same year, 28,094 tons of
Marquette iron ore to mix with the former in making railroad iron. In 1872, there were receivea
from Iron Ridge 85,245 tons of ore, and 5,620 tons of pig iron. Much of the metal Aiade by the
Wisconsin iron company in 1872 was shipped to St. Loiiis, to mix with the iron made from
Missouri ore.
The following table shows the production of pig iron in Wisconsin, for 1872, 1873 and 1874,
in tons :
Furnaces.
1872.
1873.
1874.
Milwaukee Iron Company, Milwaukee. - - -
Minerva Furnace Company, Milwaukee
Wisconsin Iron Company, Iron Ridge
Northwestern Iron Company, Mayville
Appleton Iron Company, Applet on
Green Bay Iron Conlpany Green Bay ....
21,818
3.350
5.033
4,888
6,910
3.420
5,600
1,780
29,326
5,822
4,155
4,137
8,044
6,141
7.999
6,832
1,528.
33,000
3,306
, 3-000
6,500
6,000
National Iron Company, Depere
Fox River Iron Company, W. Pepere - -
Ironton Furnace, Sauk county
6.500
7,000
],30o
52,797
73,980
66,600
COMMEECE AKD MANUFACTURES. 201
The Milwaukjee iron company, during the year 1872, entered into the manufacture of mer-
chant iron — it having been demonstrated that the raw rnaterial could be reduced there cheaper
than elsewhere. The Minerva furnace company built also during the same year one of the
most compact and complete iron furnaces to be found any where in the country. During the
year 1873, the iron, with most other material interests, became seriously prostrated, so that the
total receipts of ore in Milwaukee in 1874 amounted to only 31,993 tons, against 69,418 in 1873,
and 85,245 tons in 1872. There were made in Milwaukee in 1874, 29,680 tons of railroad iron.
In 1875, 58,868 tons of ore were received at Milwaukee, showing a revival of the trade in an
increase of 19,786 tons over the previous year. The operation of the works at Bay View having
suspended, the receipts of ore in 1876, at Milwaukee, were less than during any year since 1869,
being only 31,119 tons, of which amount only 5,488 tons were from Iron Ridge, and the total
shipments were only 498 tons.
Lumber.
The business of lumbering holds an important rank in the commerce of the state. For
many years the ceaseless hum of the saw and the stroke of the ax have been heard in all our
great forests. The northern portion of the state is characterized by evergreen trees, principally
pine ; the southern, by hard-woods. There are exceptional localities, but this is a correct state-
ment of the general distribution. I think that, geologically speaking, the evergreens belong to
the primitive and sandstone regions, and the hard wood to the limestone and clay formations.
Northern Wisconsin, so called, embraces that portion of the state north of forty-five degrees,
and possesses nearly all the valuable pine forests. The most thoroughly developed portion of
this region is that lying along the streams entering into Green bay and Lake Michigan, and border-
ing on the Wisconsin river and other streams entering into the Mississippi. Most of the pine in
the immediate vicinity of these streams has been cut off well toward their sources ; still, there
are vast tracts covered with dense forests, not accessible from streams suitable for log-driving
purposes. The building of railroads into these forests will alone give a market value to a large
portion of the pine timber there growing. It is well, perhaps, that this is so, for at the present
rate of consumption, but a few years will elapse before these noble forests will be totally destroyed.
Most of the lumber manufactured on the rivers was formerly taken to a market by being floated
down the streams in rafts. Now, the railroads are transporting large quantities, taking it directly
from the mills and unloading it at interior points in Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin, and some of it
in eastern cities. From five to eight thousand men are employed in the pineries in felling the
trees, sawing them into logs of suitable length, and hauling them to the mills and streams during
every winter in times of fair prices and favorable seasons. The amount of lumber sawed in
i86o, as carefully estimated, was 355,055,155 feet. The amount of shingles made was 2,272,061,
and no account was made of the immense number of logs floated out of the state, for manufac-
ture into lumber elsewhere. The amount of logs cut in the winter of 1873 and 1874 was
987,000,000 feet. In 1876 and 1877 the Black river furnished 188,344,464 feet. The Chippewa,
90,000,000; the Red Cedar, 57,000,000. There passed through Beef Slough 129,384,000 feet of
logs. Hon. A. H. Eaton, for fourteen years receiver of the United States land office at Stevens
Point, estimated the acreage of pine lands in his district at 2,000,000, and, taking his own district
as the basis, he estimated the whole state at 8,000,000 acres. Reckoning this at 5,000 feet to the
acre, the aggregate pine timber of the state would be 40,000,000,000 feet. The log product
annually amounts to an immense sum. In 1876, 1,172,611,823 feet were cut. This is about the
average annual draft that is made on the pine lands. There seems to be no remedy for the
202
HisTOEY .or WISCONSrN.
wholesale -destruction of our pine forests, except the one alluded to, the difficulty of transporta?
'tion, and this will probably save a portion of them for a long time in the future. At the rate of
colisumption for twenty years past, we can estimate that fifty years would see northern Wiscon-
sin denuded of its pine forests ; but our lumber product has reached its maximum, and will
probably decrease in the coming years as the distance to be hauled to navigable streams
increases. In the mean time lumber, shingles and lath will form an important factor in our
commerce, both state and inter-state, and will contribute millions to the wealth of our citizens.
Grain.
Up to 1841, no grain was exported from Wisconsin to be used as food; but, from the time
of its first settlement in 1836 to 1840, the supply of bread stuffs from abroad, upon which the
people depended, was gradually diminished by the substitution of home products. In the winter
of 1840 and 1 84 1, E. D. Hoi ton, of Milwaukee, purchased a small cargo of wheat (about 4,000
bushels), and in the spring of 1841, shipped it to Buffalo. This was the beginning of a traffic
' that has grown to immense proportions, and, since that time, wheat has formed the basis of the
commerce and prosperity of the state, until the city of Milwaukee has become the greatest
primary wheat mart of the world.
The following table gives the exports of flour and grain from Milwaukee for thirty-two years,
commencing in 1845 :
1845
1846
1847
1848
1849
1850
1851
1852
1853
1854
1855
1856
1857
1858
1859
i860
1861
1862
1863.
1864
1865
1866.
1867
l868
1869
1870
1871.
1872
1873
1874
1875
1876
FLOUR,
bbls.
7.550
15,756
34.840
92,732
136,657
100,017
51,889
92.995
' 104,055
145.032
181,568
188,455
228.442
298,668
282,956
457,343
674.474
711.405
-603,525
414.833
567,576
720,365
921,663
1,017,598
1,220,058
1,225,941
1,211,427
1^32,036
1,805,200
2.217.579
2,163,346
2,654,028
WHEAT,
bus.
95,510
213,448
598,411
602,474
1,136,023
297,570
317,285
564,404
956,703
1,809,452
2,641,746
2,761,976
2,581,311
3.994,213
4,732,957
7,568,608
13,300,495
14,915,680
12,837,620
8,992,479
10,479,777
11,634,749
9.598.452
9,867,029
14,272,799
16,127,838
13,409,467
11,570,565
24,994,266
22,255,380
22,-68 1,020
16,804,394
CORN,
bus.
2,500
5,000
13,828
2,220
270
164,908
112,132
218
472
43.958
41.364
37.204
1,485
9,489
88,989
140,786
71,203
480,408
266,249
342,717
93,806
103,173
419.133
1,557.953
197,920
556,563
226,89s
96,908
OATS,
bus.
4,000
2,100
7,892
363.841
131,716
404,999
13.833
5',433
2.775
562,067
299,002
64,682
1,200
79.094
831,600
811,634
326,472
1.636,595
622,469
536,539
351,768
210,187
772,929
1,323,234
990,525
726,035
1,160,450
1,377,560
BARLEY,
bus.
15,000
15.270
103,840
322,261
291,890
339,338
63,379
10,398
800
63,178
53,216
28,056
5,220
44,800
133,449
23,479
29,597
18,988
30,822
95,036
120,662
469.325
576.453
931,725
688.455
464,837
867,970
1,235.481
RYE,
bus.
54,692
80,365
113,443
20,030
5,378
11.577
9.735
29,810
126,301
84,047
18,210
51.444
255.329
106,795
91,443
78,035
62,494
208,896
209,751
255,928
79,879
98,923
220,964
COMMERCE; AND MANUFACTURES.
203
Up to 1856, the shipments were almost wholly of Wisconsin, products ; but with the comple-
tion of lines of railroad from Milwaukee to the Mississippi river, the commerce of Wisconsin
became so interwoven with that of Iowa and Minnesota, that the data furnished by the transpor-
tation companies, give us no definite figures relating to the products of our own state.
* Dairy Products.
Wisconsin is becoming largely interested in the dairy business. Its numerous springs,
streams, and natural adaptability to grass, make it a fine grazing country, and stock thrives
remarkably well. Within a few years, chefese-factories have become numerous, and their owners
are meeting with excellent success. Wisconsin cheese is bringing the highest price in the markets,
and much of it is shipped to England. Butter is also made of a superior quality, and is exten-
sively exported. At the rate of progress made during the last few years, Wisconsin will soon
take rank with the leading cheese and butter producing states. The counties most largely inter-
ested in dairying, are Kenosha, Walworth, Racine, Rock, Green, Waukesha, Winnebago, Sheboy-
gan, Jefferson and Dodge. According to estimates by experienced dairymen, the manufacture
of butter was 22,473,000 pounds in 1870; 50,130,000 in 1.876; of cheese, 1,591,000 pounds in
1870, as against 17,000,000 in 1876, which will convey a fair idea of the increase of dairy produc-
tion. The receipts of cheese in Chicago during 1876, were 23,780,000 pounds, against 12,000,000
in 187s ; and the receipts of butter Were 35,384,r84, against 30,248,247 pounds in 1875. It is esti-
mated that fully one-half of these receipts were, from Wisconsin. The receipts of butter in
Milwaukee were, in 1870, 3,779,114 pounds; in 1875, 6,625,863; in 1876, 8,938,137 pounds ; ot
cheese, 5,721,279 pounds in 1875, and 7,055,573 in 1876. Cheese is not mentioned in the trade
and Commerce reports of Milwaukee until 1873, when it is spoken of as a new and rapidly
increasing commodity in the productions of the state.
Pork and Beef.
Improved breeds, both of swine /and cattle, have been introduced into the state during a
few years past. The grade of stock has been rapidly bettered, and stock raisers generally are
striving with commendable zeal to rival each other in raising the finest of animals for use and
the market.
The following table shows the receipts of live hogs and beef cattle at Milwaukee for thir-
teen years : *
YEARS.
LIVE HOGS.
BEEF CATTLE.
YEARS.
LIVE HOGS.
BEEF CATTLE.
1876, -
1875 --
1874
1873
1872
I87I
1870
254,317
144.961
242,326
241,099
138,106
126,164
66,138
36,802
46,717
22,748
17,262
14,172
9,220
12,972
1869 _
1868
1867
1866
1865
1864
1863-
52,296
48,717
76,758
■ 31,881
7,546
42,250
56,826
12,521
13,200
15,527-
12,955
14.230
18,345
14.655
204 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
The, following table shows the movement of hog products and beef from Milwaukee sinue
1862 ■
Shipments by Rail
PORK, HAMS, MIDDLES AND SHOULCERS.
t
LARD.
BEEF.
and Lake.
Barrels.
Tierces.
Boxes.
Bulk, lbs.
Barrels.
Tierces.
Barrels.
Tierces.
Totals 1876
62,461
56.778
53.702
80,010
90,038
88,940
77.655
69,805
73,526
88,888
74,726
34,013
67,933
90,387
- 56,432
15,439 .
15,292
17,124
24,954
20,115
20,192
15,819
9,546
13,146
11,614
7,805
2,713
5,927
15,811
12,685
42,678
28,374
39,572
62,211
39,209
14,938.
5,875
5.298
3,239
4.522
34,164
5,000
11.634
5,123,818
-2;736,778
1,494,112
1,915,610
4,557,950
5,161,941
4,717.630
2,325,150
1,768,190
454.786
863,746
3.301
601
9,1X0
'4,065
6,276
. 3,932
2,535
1,180
3,637
2,523
3.287
1,929
5,677
10,987
13,538
21,356
.18,950
18,509
24,399
27,765
19,746
10,950
' 8,568
5,055
8,820
6,292
2,487
7,267
10,546
6,761
7,333
4,734
5,015
5,365
4,757
3,892
4,427
7,538
10,150
18,984
11,852
10,427
36866
421987
33,174
3,439
421-
707
462
1,500
" 1871; ---
" 1874
" 187';
" 1872
" 1871
1,606
" 1870
925
" l86q.- - -
2,185
■' i868
2,221
" 1867
6,804
■" 1866. .
'4,584
" 1865
5,528
" 1864
5,871
" 1863
6,377
" 1862. __
3.217
Hops.
The culture of hops, as an article af commerce, received but little attention prior to i860.
In 1865, 2,864 bales only were shipped from Milwaukee. In addition, a large amount was used
by the brewers throughout the state. In 1866, the amount exported was increased, and 5,774
bales were shipped to eastern markets. The price, from forty-five to fifty-five cents per pound,
stimulated production, and the article became one of the staple products of the counties of Sauk,
Columbia, Adams and Juneau, besides being largely cultivated in parts of some other counties.
In 1867, 26,562 bales were received at Milwaukee, a;nd the prices ranged from fifty to seventy cents
per pound. The estimated crop of the state for 1867 was 35,000 bales, and broilght over
$4,200,000. In 1868, not less than 60,000 bales were grown in the state. The crop everywhere
was a large one, and in Wisconsin so very large that an over-supply was anticipated. But few,
however, were prepared for the decline in prices, that far exceeded the worst apprehensions of
those interested.' The first sales were made at twenty-five to thirty-five cents per pound, and the
prices were reluctantly accepted by the growers. ^The price continued to decline until the article
was unsalable and unavailable in the market. Probably the average price did not exceed ten
cents per pound. Notwithstanding the severe check which hop-growing received in 1868, by the
unprofitable result, growers were not discouraged, and the crop of 1869 was a large one. So
much of the crop of 1868 remained in the hands of the growers, that it is impossible to estimate
that of 1869. The new crop sold for from ten to fifteen cents, and the old for from three to five cents
per pound. Hop-cultivation received a check from over-production in 1868, from which it did not
soon recover. A large proportion of the yards were plowed under in 1870. The crop of 1869
was much of it marketed during 1870, at a price of about two and one-half to three and one-
half cents per pound, while that of 1870 brought ten to twelve and a half cents. During
the year 1871, a great advance in the price, caused by the partial failure of the crop
in some of the eastern states, and the decrease in pricecausing a decrease in production,
what was left over of the crop of 1870 more than doubled in value before the new reached the
market. The latter opened at thirty cents, and steadily rose to fifty and fifty-five for prime
COMMERCE AND MANUFACTURES. 205
qualities. The crop of 1872 was of good quality, and the market opened at forty to fifty-five
cents as the selling price, and fell fifteen to twenty cents before the close of the year. A much
larger 'quantity was raised than the year previous. In 1873 and 1874, the crop was fair and
prices ruled from thirty-three to forty-five cents, with increased production. About 18,000 bales
were reported as being shipped from the different railway stations of the state. Prices were
extremely irregular during 1875, and, after the new crop reached market, fell to a point that
would not pay the cost of production. In 1876, prices ruled low at the opening of the year, and
advanced from five to ten cents in January to twenty-eight to thirty in November. Over 17,000
bales were received at Milwaukee, over 10,000 bales being of the crop of the previous year.
Over 13,000 bales were shipped out of the state.
Tobacco.
Tobacco raising is comparatively a new industry in Wisconsin, but is rapidly growing in
importance and magnitude. It sells readily for from four to ten cents per pound, and the plant
is easily raised. It is not regarded as of superior quality. It first appears as a commodity of
transportation in the railway reports for the year 187 1, when the Prairie du Chien division,
of the St. Paul road moved eastward 1,373,650 pounds. During the four years ending with
1876, there were shipped from Milwaukee an average of 5,118,530 pounds annually, the 1: axi-
mum being in 1874, 6,982,175 pounds; the minimum in 1875, 2,743,854 pounds. The crop of
1876 escaped the early frosts, and netted the producer from five to seven cents per pound. The
greater part of it was shipped to Baltimore and Philadelphia. Comparatively little of the leaf
raised in the state is used here or by western manufacturers. The crop of the present year,
1877, is a large one, and has been secured in good order. Itis being contracted for at from four to
six cents per pound.
Cranberries.
The cranberry trade is yet in its infancy. But little, comparatively, has been done in devel-
oping the capabilities of the extensive bodies of marsh and swamp lands interspersed throughout
the northern part of the state. Increased attention is being paid to the culture of the fruit; yet,
the demand will probably keep ahead of the supply for many years to come. In 185 1, less than
1,500 barrels were sent out of the state. In 1872, the year of greatest production, over 57,000
barrels were exported, and, in 1876, about 17,000 barrels. The price has varied in diiferent
years, and taken a range from eight to fifteen dollars a barrel.
Spirituous and Malt Liquors.
The production of liquors, both spirituous and malt, has kept pace with the growth of
population and with the other-industries of the state. There were in Wisconsin, in 1872, two
hundred and ninety-two breweries and ten distilleries. In 1876, there were two hundred and
ninety- three of the former and ten of the latter, and most of them were kept running to their
full capacity. Milwaukee alone produced, in 1876, 321,611 barrels of lager beer and 43,175
barrels of high wines. In 1865, it furnished 65,666 barrels of beer, and in 1870, 108,845 barrels.
In 1865, it furnished 3,046 barrels of high wines; in 1870, 22,867 barrels; and in 1875, 39,005.
A large quantity of the beer made was shipped to eastern and southern cities. The beer made
in 1876 sold at the rate of ten dollars per barrel, the wholesale price of the brewers bringing the
sum of $3,216,110; The fame of Milwaukee lager beer is widely extended. This city has
furnished since 1870, 1,520,308 barrels which, at the wholesale price, brought $15,203,170. The
total production of beer by all the two hundred and ninety- three breweries of the state for 1876,
was 450,508 barrels.
206
HISTORY or WISCONSIN.
In 1876, Milwaukee produced 43,175 barrels of high wines, or distilled spirits, and the
state of Wisconsin 51,959 barrels. In 1870, the former produced 108,845 barrels of beer and
22,867 barrels of distilled spirits, and in the same year the state of Wisconsin produced 189,664
barrels of beer and 36,145 barrels of distilled spirits.
Miscellaneous.
Porcelain clay, or kaolin, is found in numerous places in Wood and Marathon counties. The
mineral is found in but few places in the United States in quantities sufficient to justify the
investment of capital necessary to manufacture it. In the counties mentioned, the deposits are
found in extensive beds, and only capital and enterprise are needed to make their development
profitable. Clay of superior quality for making brick and of fair quality for pottery, is
found in numerous localities. The famous " Milwaukee brick,'' remarkable for their beautiful
cream color, is made from a fine clay which is abundant near Milwaukee, and is found in exten-
sive beds at Watertown, Whitewater, Edgerton, Stoughton, and several places on the lake shore
north of Milwaukee. At Whitewater and some other places the clay is used with success for the
making of pottery ware. Water-lime, or hydraulic cement, occurs in numerous places throughout
the state. An extensive bed covering between one and two hundred acres, and of an indefinite
depth, exists on the banks of the Milwaukee river, and not over one and a half miles from the city
limits of Milwaukee. The cement made from the rock of this deposit is first-class in quality, and
between twenty and thirty thousand barrels were made and sold last year. The capacity of the
works for reducing the rock to cement has been increased to 500 barrels per day. Stones suita-
ble for building purposes are widely distributed throughout the state, and nearly every town has
its available quarry. Many of these quarries furnish stone of fine quality for substantial and
permanent edifices. The quarry at Prairie du Chien furnished the stone for the capital building
at Madison, which eqaials in beauty that of any state in the Union. At Milwaukee, Waukesha,
Madison, La Crosse, and many other places are found quarries of superior building stone.
Granite is found in extensive beds in Marathon and Wood counties, and dressed specimens
exhibited at the " Centennial " last year, attracted attention for their fine polish. Marbles of
various kinds are likewise found in the state. Some of them are beginning to attract attention
^nd are likely to prove valuable. The report of Messrs. Foster & Whitney, United States geol-
ogists, speaks of quarries on the Menomonee and Michigamig rivers as affording beautiful varie-
ties and susceptible of a high polish. Richland county contains marble, but its quality is gen-
erally considered inferior.
Water Powers.
Wisconsin is fast becoming a manufacturing state. Its forests of pine, oak, walnut, maple,
ash, and other valuable woods used for lumber, are well-nigh inexhaustible. Its water-power for
driving the wheels of machinery is not equaled by that of any state in the northwest. The Lower
Fox river between Lake Winnebago* and Green Bay, a distance of thirty-five miles, furnishes
some of the best facilities for manufacturing enterprise in the whole country. Lake Winnebago
as a reservoir gives it a great and special advantage, in freedom from liability to freshets and
droughts. The stream never varies but a few feet from its highest to its lowest stage, yet gives
a steady flow. The Green Bay and Mississippi canal company has, during the last twenty-five
years, constructed numerous dams, canals and locks, constituting very valuable improvements.
All the property of that company has been transferred to the United States government, which
has entered upon a system to render the Fox and Wisconsin rivers navigable to the Mississippi.
The fall between the lake and Depere is one hundred and fifty feet, and the water can be utilized
COMMERCE AND MANUFACTtmES. 207
in propelling machinery at Neenah, Menasha, Appleton, Cedar, Little Chute, Kaukauna, Rapid
Croche, Little Kaukauna and Depere. The water-power at Appleton in its natural advantages
is pronounced by Hon. Hiram Barney, of New York, superior to those at Lowell, Paterson
and Rochester, combined. The water-power of the Fox has been improved to a considerable
extent, but its full capacity has hardly been touched. Attention has been drawn to it, how-
ever, and no doubt is entertained that in a few years the hum of machinery to be propelled
by it, will be heard the entire length of the thirty-five miles. The facilities presented by its
nearness to timber, iron, and a rich and productive agricultural region, give it an advantage over
any of the eastern manufacturing points.
The Wisconsin river rises in the extreme northern part of the state, and has its source in a
great number of small lakes. The upper portion abounds in valuable water privileges, only a
few of which are improved. There are a large number of saw-mills running upon the power of
this river. Other machinery, to a limited extent, is in operation.
The " Big Bull " falls, at Wausau, are improved, and a power of twenty-two feet fall is obtained.
At Little Bull falls, below Wausau, there is a fall of eighteen feet, partially improved. There are
many other water-powers in Marathon county, some of which are used in propelling flouring-
mills and saw-mills. At Grand Rapids, there is a descent of thirty feet to the mile, and the
water can be used many times. Each time, 5,000 horse-power is obtained. At Kilbourn City
a large amount of power can be obtained for manufacturing purposes.
Chippewa river has its origin in small streams in the north part of the state. Explorers
tell us that there are a large number of water powers on all the upper branches, but as the
country is yet unsettled, none of them have been improved, and very few even located on our maps.
Brunette falls and Ameger falls, above Chippewa Falls city, must furnish considerable water-
power, but its extent is not known At Chippewa Falls is an excellent water-power, only partially
improved. The river descends twenty-six feet in three-fourths of a mile. At Duncan creek at the
same place, there is a good fall, improved to run a large flouring mill. At Eagle Rapids, five
miles above Chippewa Falls, $120,000 has been expended in improving the fall of the Chippewa
river. The city of Eau Claire is situated at the confluence of the Chippewa and Eau Claire
rivers, and possesses in its immediate vicinity water-powers almost unrivaled. Some of them
are improved. The citizens of Eau Claire have, for several years, striven to obtain legislative
authority to dam the Chippewa river, so as to improve the water-power of the Dells, and a lively
contest, known as the " Dells fight," has been carried on with the capitalists along the river above
that town. There are immense \vater-powers in Dunn county, on the Red Cedar, Chippewa
and Eau Galle rivers, on which there are many lumbering establishments. In Pepin county also
there are good powers. The Black river and its branches, the La Crosse, Buffalo, Trempealeau,
Beaver, and Tamaso, furnish many valuable powers. The St. Croix river is not excelled in the value
of its water privileges by any stream in the state, except the Lower Fox river. At St. Croix Falls,
the water of the river makes a descent of eighty-five feet in a distance of five miles, and the vol-
ume of water is sufficient to move the machinery for an immense manufacturing business, and the
banks present good facilities for building dams, and the river is not subject to freshets. The
Kinnekinnick has a large number of falls, some of them partially improved. Within twenty-five
mileS of its entrance into Lake St. Croix, it has a fall of two hundred feet, and the volume of
water averages about three thousand cubic feet per minute. Rock river affords valuable water-
privileges at Watertown (with twenty-four feet fall), and largely improved ; at Jefferson, Indian
Ford and Janesville, all of which are improved. Beloit also has an excellent water-power, and
it is largely improved. Scattered throughout the state are many other water-powers, not alluded
208 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
to in the foregoing. There are several in Manitowoc county ; in Marquette county, also. In
Washington county, at West Bend, Berlin, and Cedar Creek, there are good water-powers, partly
utilized. At Whitewater, in Walworth county, is a good power. In Dane county, there is a
water-power at Madison, at the outlet of Lake Mendota; also, a good one at Stoughton, below
the first, or Lake Kegonsa ; also at Paoli, Bellville, Albany and Brodhead, on the Sugar river.
In Grant county there are not less than twenty good powers, most of them well-developed. In
Racine county, three powers of fine capacity at Waterford, Rochester and Burlington, all of
which are improved. The Oconto, Peshtigo and Menomonee rivers furnish a large number of
splendid water- powers of large capacity. The Upper Wolf river has scopes of water-powers on
its main stream and numerous branches ; but most of the country is still a wilderness, though
containing resources which, when developed, will make it rich and prosperous. There are
numeroiis other streams of less consequence than those named, but of great importance to the
localities they severally drain, that have had their powers improved, and their waterfalls are
singing the songs of commerce. On the rivers emptying into Lake Superior, there are numerous
and valuable water- powers. The Montreal river falls one thousand feet in a distance of thirty
miles.
Manufactures.
The mechanical and manufacturing industries of Wisconsin demonstrate that the people do
not rely wholly upon agricultural pursuits, or lumbering, for subsistence, but aim to diversify
their labors as much as possible, and to give encouragement to the skill and ingenuity of their
mechanics and artisans. All our cities, and most of our villages, support establishments that
furnish wares and implements in common use among the people. We gather from the census
report foi* 1870 a few facts that will give us an adequate idea of what was done in a single year,
remembering that the data furnished is six years old, and that great advancement has been made
since the statistics were gathered- In 1870, there were eighty-two establishments engaged in
making agricultural implements, employing 1,387 hands, and turning out products valued at
$2,393,400. There were one hundred and eighty-eight furniture establishments, employing 1,844
men, and making $1,542,300 worth of goods. For making carriages and wagons there were four
hundred and eighty-five establishments, employing 2,184 men, and their product was valued, at
$2,596,534; for clothing, two hundred and sixty-three establishments, and value of product
$2,340,400 ; sash, doors and blinds, eighty-one. shops, and value of product $1,852,370 ; leather,
eighty-five tanneries, employing 577 men, and value of products $2,0x3,000); malt liquors, one
hundred arid seventy-six breweries, 835 men, and'their products valued at $1,790,273.
At many points the business of manufacturing is carried on more or less extensively ;
indeed, there is hardly a village in the state where capital is not invested in some kind
of mechanical industry or manufacturing enterprise, and making satisfactory returns; but for
details in this respect, the reader is referred to the department of local history.
The principal commodities only, which Wisconsin contributes to trade and commerce, have
been considered. There remains quite a number of minor articles from which the citizens of the
state derive some revenue, such as flax and maple sugar, which can not be separately considered
in this paper.
Concluding Remarks.
Statistics' are usually dry reading, but, to one desiring to change his location and seeking
information regarding a new country and .its capabilities, they become intensely interesting and
'of great value. The farmer wishes to know about the lands, their value and the productiveness
of the soil ; the mechanic about the workshops, the price of labor, and the demand for such wares
COMMERCE AND MANUFACTURES. 209
as he is accustomed to make ; the capitalist, concerning all matters that pertain to resources,
advantages, and the opportunities for investing his money. Our own people want all the infor-
mation that can be gained by the collection of all obtainable facts. The sources of such infor-
mation are now various, and the knowledge they impart fragmentary in its character.
Provision should be made by law, for the collection and publication of reliable statistics
relating to our farming, manufacturing, mining, lumbering, commercial and educational interests.
Several of the states of the Union have established a " Bureau of Statistics," and no more valua-
ble reports emanate from any of their state departments than those that exhibit a condensed
view of the material results accomplished each year. Most of the European states foster these
agencies with as much solicitude as any department of their government. Indeed, they have
become a social as well as a material necessity, for social science extends its inquiries to the
physical laws of man as a social being; to the resources of the country; its productions ; the
growth of society, and to all those facts or conditions which may increase or diminish the strength,
growth or happiness of a people. Statistics are the foundation and corner-stone of social science,
which is the highest and noblest of all the sciences.
A writer has said that, " If God had designed Wisconsin to be chiefly a manufacturing state,
instead of agricultural,, which she claims to be, and is, it is difficult to see more than one partic-
ular in which He could have endowed her more richly for that purpose." She has all the mate-
rial for the construction of articles of use and luxury, the means of motive power to propel the
machinery, to turn and fashion, weave, forge, and grind the natural elements that abound in such
rich profusion. She has also the men whose enterprise and skill have accomplished most sur-
prising results, in not only building up a name for themselves, but in placing tiie state in a proud
position of independence.
It is impossible to predict what will be the future growth and development of Wisconsin.
From its commercial and manufacturing advantages, we may reasonably anticipate that she will
in a few years lead in the front rank of the states of the Union in all that constitutes real great-
ness. Her educational system is one of the best. With her richly endowed State University, her
colleges and high schools, and the people's colleges, the common schools, she has laid a broad
and deep foundation for a great and noble commonwealth. It was e^rly seen what were the
capabilities of this their newly explored domain. The northwestern explorer, Jonathan Carver,
in 1 766, one hundred and thirteen years ago, after traversing Wisconsin and viewing its lakes of
crystal purity, its rivers of matchless utility, its forests of exhaustless wealth, its prairies of won-
derful fertility, its mines of buried treasure, recorded this remarkable prediction of which we see
the fulfillment: "To what power or authority this new world will become dependent after it has
arisen from its present uncultivated state, time alone can discover. But as the seat of empire from
time immemorial has been gradually progressive toward the west, there is no doubt but that at
some future period mighty kingdoms will emerge from these wildernesses, and stately palaces
and solemn temples with gilded spires reaching to the skies supplant the Indian huts, whose
only decorations are the barbarous trophies of'their vanquished enemies."
" Westward the course of empire takes its way ;
The four first acts already passed,
A fifth shall close the drama with the day j
Time's noblest offspring is the last."
THE PUBLIC DOMAIN.
By D. S. DURRIE.
In the early part of the seventeenth century, all the territory north of the Ohio river,
including the present state of Wisconsin, was an undiscovered region. As far as now known, it
was never visited by white men until the year 1634, when Jean Nicolet came to the Green bay
country as an ambassador from the French to the Winnebagoes. The Jesuit fathers in 1660
visited the south shore of Lake Superior; and, soon after, missions were established at various
points in the northwest^ ,
The French government appreciating the importance of possessing dominion over this sec-
tion, M. Talon, intendant of Canada, took steps to carry out this purpose, and availed himself
of the good feelings entertained toward the French by a number of the Indian tribes, to establish
the authority of the French crown over this remote quarter. A small party of men led by
Daumont de St. Lusson, with Nicolas Perrot as interpreter, set out from Quebec on this mission,
in 1670, and St. Lusson sent to the tribes occupying a circuit of- a hundred leagues, inviting the
nations, among them the Wisconsin tribes inhabiting the Green bay country, by their chiefs and
ambassadors, to meet him at the Sault Sainte Marie the following spring.
In the'month of May, 1671, fourteen tribes, by their representatives, including the Miamis,
Sacs, Winnebagoes, Menomonees, and Pottawattamies, arrived at the place designated. On the
morning of the fourteenth of June, "St. Lusson led his followers to the top of the hill, all fully
equipped and under arms, Here, too, in the vestments pf their priestly office were four Jesuits :
Claude Dablon, sdperipr of the mission on the lakes, Gabriel Druillettes, Claude Allouez, and
Andr6. All around, the great throng of Indians stood, or crouched, or reclined at length with
eyes and ears intent. A large cross of wood had been made ready. Dablon, in solemn form,
pronounced his blessing on it ; and then it was reared and planted in the ground, while the
Frenchmen, uncovered, sang the Vexilla Regis. Then a post of cedar was planted beside it,
with a metal plate attached, engraven with the royal arms ; while St. Lusson's followers sang the
exaudiai, and one of the priests uttered a prayer for the king. St. Lusson now advanced, and,
holding his sword in one hand, and raising with the other a sod of earth, proclaimed in a loud
voice " that he took possession of all the country occupied by the tribes, and placed them under
the king's protection.
This act, however, was not regarded as sufficiently definite, arid on the eighth of May, 1689,
Perrot, who was then commanding for the king at the post of Nadouesioux, near Lake Pepin on
the west side of the Mississippi, commissioned by the Marquis de Denonville to manage the
interests of commerce west of Green bay took possession, in the name of the king, with
appropriate ceremonies, of the countries west of Lake Michigan as far as the river St. Peter.
The papers were signed by Perrot and others.
By these solemn acts, the present limits of Wisconsin with much contiguous territory, came
under the dominion of the French government, the possession of which continued until October,
1 761 — a period of ninety years from the gathering of the chiefs at the Sault Ste. Marie in 1671.
From the commencement of French occupancy up to the time when the British took posses-
sion, the (district of country embraced within the present limits of this stale had but few white
inhabitants besides the roaming Indian traders ; and of these few, the locations were separated by
a distance of more than two hundred miles in a direct line, and nearly double that distance by
(Deceased;)
FOND DU LAC.
THE PUBLIC DOMAIN. 211
the usual water courses. There was no settlement of agriculturists; there were no missionary
establishments ; no fortified posts at other points, except at Depere and Green bay on Fox -iver,
and perhaps at Prairie du Chien, near the junction of the Wisconsin and the Mississippi.
The French government made no grant of lands; gave no attention to settlers or agricul-
turists, and the occupation of the country was strictly military. There were, indeed, a few grants
of lands made by the French governors and commanders, previous to 1750, to favored indi-
viduals, six of which were afterward confirmed by the king of France. There were also others
which did not require confirmation, being made by Cardillac, commanding at Detroit, under
special authority of the king; of this latter kind, one for a small piece of thirty acres bears with
it, says a writer, > "so many conditions, reservations, prohibitions of sale, and a whole cavalcade
of feudal duties to be performed by the grantee, that in itself, it would be a host in opposition to
the agricultural settlement of any country." '
The grants just referred to, relate to that part of the French possessions outside the limits
of the present state of Wisconsin. Within its limits there was a grant of an extensive territory
including the fort at the head of Green bay, with the exclusive right to trade, and other valuable
privileges, from the Marquis de Vaudreuil, in October, 1759, to M. Rigaud. It was sold by the
latter to William Gould and Madame Vaudreuil, to whom it was confirmed by the king of
France in January, 1760, at a very critical period, when Quebec had been taken by the British,
and Montreal was only wanting to complete the conquest of Canada. - This grant was evidently
intended as a perquisite to entrap some unwary persons to give a valuable consideration for it,
as it would be highly impolitic for the government to make such a grant, if they continued mas-
ters of the country, since it would surely alienate the affections of the Indians. The whole
country had already been virtually conquered by Great Britain, and the grant of course was not
confirmed by the English government.
Of the war between the French and English governments in America, known as the French
and Indian war, it is not necessary to speak, except in general terms. The English made a
determined effort to obtain the possessions claimed by the French. The capture of Quebec in
1759, and the subsequent capitulation of Montreal in 1760, extinguished the domination of
France in the basin of the St. Lawrence ; and by the terms of the treaty of Paris, concluded
February 10, 1763, all the possessions in, and all the claims of the French nation to, the vast
country watered by the Ohio and the Mississippi were ceded to Great Britain.
Among the first acts of the new masters of the country was the protection of the eminent
domain of the government, and the restriction of all attempts on the part of individuals to acquire
Indian titles to lands. By the King of England's proclamation of 1763, no more grants of land
within certain prescribed limits could be issued, and all private persons were interdicted the
liberty of purchasing lands from the Indians, or of making settlements within those prescribed
limits. The indulgence of such a privilege as thdt of making private purchases of the natives,
conduced to the most serious difficulties, and made way for the practice of the most reprehensible
frauds. The policy pursued by the English government has been adopted and acted upon by the
government of the United States in the extinguishment of the Indian title to lands in every part
of the country.
In face of the proclamation of "1763, and within three years after its promulgation, under
a pretended purchase from, or voluntary grant of the natives, a tract of country nearly one hundred
miles square, including large portions of what is now northern Wisconsin and Minnesota, was
claimed by Jonathan Carver, and a ratification of his title solicited from the king and council.
This was not conceded ; and the representatives of Carver, after the change of government had
212 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
brought the lands under the jurisdiction of the United States, for a series of years presented the
same claims before congress, and asked for their confirmation. Such a demand under all the
circumstances, could not justify an expectation of success ; and, of course, has often been refused.
But notwithstanding the abundant means which the public have hadof informing themselves of
the true nature and condition of Carver's claim, bargains and sales of portions of this tract have
been made among visionary speculators for more than half a century past. It is now only a,
short period since the maps of the United States ceased to be defaced by a delineation of
;he " Carver Grant."
The mere transfer of the dominion over the country from the Frencb to the English govern-
ment, and the consequent occupation of the English posts by the new masters, did not in any
great degree affect the social condition of the inhabitants. By the terms of capitulation, the
French subjects were permitted to remain in the country, in the full enjoyment of their civil and
religious privileges.
The English, however, did not hold peaceable possession of the territory acquired. The war
inaugurated by Pontiac and his Indian allies on the military posts occupied by the English soon
followed, and in the month of May, 1763, nine posts were captured with much loss of life. In
the spring of 1764, twenty-two tribes who were more or less identified in the outbreak, concluded
a treaty of peace with General Bradstreet at Niagara.
The expedition of Colonel George Rogers Clark to the Illinois country, and the conquest
of the British posts in 1778 and 1779, had the effect to open the way for the emigration of the
Anglo-American population to the Mississippi valley; and at the close of the revolutionary
war, Great Britain renounced all clain\ to the whole territory lying east of the Mississippi river.
The dominion of the English in the Illinois and Wabash countries, ceased with the loss of the
military posts which commanded the Northwestern territory of the United States. As a result of
the enterprise and success of Clark, Virginia obtained possession of the Illinois country ; his
expedition having been undertaken, and carried forward under the auspices of that s^te.
Several of the eastern states under their colonial charters, l^id claim to portions of the land
comprised in the territory northwest of the Ohio river. The claim of Massachusetts was derived
from a grant from King James of November 3, 1620; and included from lat. 42° 2' to about lat.
450, extending to the south sea; Connecticut claimed from lat. 410 north to 42Q 2'. The claims of
Virginia were from grants from King James, bearing date, respectively, April 10, 1606, May 23,
1609, and March 12, 1611, and an additional claim for the territory conquered by Clark in the
Illinois country ; but they extended no farther north than the southern end of Lake Michigan.
It is a popular impression that the territory of the present state of Wisconsin was compre-
hended in the lands northwest of the river Ohio, over which Virginia exercised jurisdiction, and,
consequently, was included in her deed of cession of lands to the United States. This opinion so
generally entertained by writers on American history, is a statement which does not appear to
have any solid foundation in fact. Virginia never made any conquests or settlements in Wiscon-
sin, and at no time prior to the proffer of her claims to tbe general government had she ever
exercised jurisdiction over it. In fact, there were no settlements in Wisconsin except at Green
Bay and Prairie du Chien before that time, and these were made by French settlers who were in
no wise interfered with while the revolution continued. In Illinois it was otherwise; and the
possession of its territory by Virginia was an undisputed fact. During the revolution the title of
the sovereignty in Wisconsin was actually in Great Britain, and so remained until the definite
treaty of peace in 1783 ; at which date England yielding her right constructively to the United
States, retaining possession, however, until 1796; at which time the western posts were transferred
to the United States.
THE PUBLIC DOMAIN". 218
All the claiming states finally ceded their interests to the general government, giving the
latter a perfect title, subject only to the rights of the Indians. The deed of cession from Virginia
was dated March i, 1784. The other states ceded their claims, some before this date, others
subsequent thereto.
Virginia made a number of stipulations in her deed of cession ; among others, that the
French and Canadian inhabitants and the neighboring villages who" had professed themselves
citizens of Virginia, should have their possessions and title confirmed to them, and be protected in
the enjoyment of their rights and liberties; that 150,000 acres of land near the rapids of the Ohio,
should be reserved for that portion of her state troops which had reduced the country; and about
3,500,000 acres between the rivers Scioto and Little Miami be reserved for bounties to her troops
on the continental establishment.
In consequence of certain objectionable stipulations made by Virginia as to the division of
the territory into states, the deed of cession was referred back to that state with a recommenda-
tion from congress that these stipulations should be altered. On the 30th of December, 1788,
Virginia assented to the wish of congress, and formally ratified and confirmed the fifth article of
compact which related to that subject, and tacitly gave her consent to the whole ordinance of 1787.
The provisions of this ordinance have since been applied to all the territories of the United
States lying north of the 360 40'. ' After the adoption of the constitution of the United States the
the new congress, among its earliest acts, passed one, recognizing the binding force of the ordi-
nance of 1787.
Of this ordinance it has been said ; " It was based on the principles of civil liberty, maintained
in the magna charta of England, re-enacted in the bill of rights, and incorporated in our differ-
ent state constitutions. It was the fundamental law of the constitution, so to speak, of the great
northwest, upon which were based, and with which harmonized all our territorial enactments, as
well as our subsequent state legislation, and, moreover, it is to that wise, statesman-like document
that we are indebted for much of our prosperity and greatness."
After the close of the revolutioaary war, enterprising individuals traversed the whole country
which had been ceded to the government, and companies were formed to explore and settle the
fertile and beautiful lands beyond the Ohio ; but the determination of the British cabinet not to
evacuate the western posts, was well known, and had its effect on the people who were disposed
to make settlements.
The western tribes were also dissatisfied and threatened war, and efforts were made by the
government to settle the difficulties. A grand council was held at Ifhe mouth of Detroit river
in December, 1787, which did not result favorably, and two treaties were subsequently held,
which were not respected by the savages who were parties to them. Soon an Indian war ensued,
/hich resulted at first disastrously to the American troops under Generals Harmar and St. Clair,
but finally with success to the American arms under General Wayne. The treaty of Greenville
followed. It was concluded August 3, 1795. At this treaty there were present eleven hundred
and thirty chiefs and warriors. - It was signed by eighty-four chiefs and General Anthony Wayne,
sole commissioner of the United States. One of the provisions of the treafy was that in consid-
eration of the peace then established, and the cessions and relinquishments of lands made by the
tribes of Indians, and to manifest the liberality of the United States as the great means of render-
ing this peace strong and perpetual, the United States relinquished their claims to all other
Indian lands northward of the river Ohio, eastward of the Mississippi, and westward and south-
ward of the great lakes and the waters united by them, except certain reservations and portions
before purchased of the Indians, none of which were within the present limits of this state. The
Indian title to the whole of what is now Wisconsin, subject only to certain restrictions, became
214 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
absolute in the various tribes inhabiting it. By this treaty it was stipulated that, of the lands relin-
quishe'd by the United States, the Indian tribes who have a right to those lands, were quietly to
enjoy them ; hunting, planting, and dwelling thereon so long as they pleased ; but, when those
tribes or any of them should be disposed to sell them, or any part^of them, they were to be sold
only to the United States, and until such ^ale, the United States would protect all of the tribes
in the quiet enjoyment of their lands against all citizens of the United States, and all other white
persons who might intrude on the same. At the same time all the tribes acknowledged them-
selves to be under the protection of the United States, and no other person or power ^^hat-
soever.
The treaty also prohibited any citizen of the United States, or any other white man, settling
upon the lands relinquished by the general government ; and such person was to be considered
as out of the protection of the United States ; and the Indian tribe on whose land the settlement
might be made, could drive off the settler, or punish him in such manner as it might see fit.
It will be seen tljat the Indians were acknowledged to have an unquestionable title to the
lands they occupied until that right should be extinguished by a voluntary cession to the general
government ; and the constitution of the United States, by declaring treaties already made, as
well as those to be made, to be the supreme law of the land, adopted and sanctioned previous
treaties with the Indian nations, and consequently admitted their rank among those powers who
are capable of making treaties.
The several treaties which had been made between commissioners on the part of the United
States and various nations of Indians, previous to the treaty of Greenville, were generally
restricted to declarations of amity and friendship, the establishment and confirming of bounda-
ries, and the protection of settlements on Indian lands ; those that followed were generally for a
cession of lands and provisions made for their payment. It is proposed to notice the several
treaties that took place after that held at Greenville, showing in what way the territory ^ of the
present state, came into possession of the governments As will be seen hereafter, it required trea-
ties with numerous tribes of Indians to obtain a clear, undisputed title, as well as many years
before it was fully accomplished.
1. A treaty was held at St. Louis, November 3, 1804, between the Sacs and Foxes and the
United States. William Henry Harrison was acting commissioner on the part of the govern-
ment. By the provisions of the treaty, the chiefs and head men of the united tribes ceded to
the United States a large tract on both sides of the Mississippi, extending on the east from the
mouth of the Illinois to the head of that river, and thence to the Wisconsin ; and including on
the west considerable portions of Iowa and Missouri, from the mouth of the Gasconade north-
ward. In what is now the state of Wisconsin, this grant embraced the whole of the present
counties of Grant and La Fayette and a large portion of Iowa and Green counties. The lead
region was included in this purchase. In consideration of this cession, the general government
agreed to protect the tribes in the quiet enjoyment of their land, against its own citizens and
all others who should intrude on them. The tribes permitted a fort to be built on the upper
side of the Wisconsin river, near its mouth, and granted a tract of land two miles square, adjoin-
ing the same. The government agreed to give them an annuity of one thousand dollars per
annum. The validity of this treaty was denied by one band of the Sac Indians, and this cession
of land became, twenty-eight years after, the alleged cause of the Black Hawk war.
2. Another' treaty was held at Portage des Sioux, now a village in St. Charles county, Mis-
souri, on the Mississippi river, September 13, 1815, with certain chiefs of that portion of the
Sac nation then residing in Missouri, who, they said, were compelled since the commencement of
THE PUBIilC DOMAIN. 216
the late war, to separate themselves from the rest of their nation. They gave their assent to the
treaty made at St. Louis in 1804, and promised to remain separate from the Sacs of Rock river,
and to give them no aid or assistance, until peace should be concluded between the United
States and the Foxes of Rock river.
3. On the 14th of September, a treaty was made with the chiefs of the Fox tribe at the
same place. They agreed that all prisoners in their hands should be delivered up to the govern-
ment. They assented to, recognized, re-established and confirmed the treaty of 1804, to the full
extent of their interest in the same.
4. A treaty was held at St. Louis, May 13, 1816, with the Sacs of Rock river, who affirmed
the treaty of 1804, and agreed to deliver up all the property stolen or plundered, and in failure
to do so, to forfeit all title to their annuities. To this treaty. Black Hawk's name appears with
others. That chief afterward affirmed that though he himself had " touched the quill " to
this treaty, he knew not what he was signing, and that he was therein deceived by the agent and
others, who did not correctly explain the nature of the grant; and in reference to the treaty of
St. Louis in 1804, and at Portage des Sioux in 1815, he said that he did not consider the same
valid or binding on him or his tribe, inasmuch as by the terms of those treaties, territory was
described which the Indians never intended to sell, and the treaty of 1804, particularly, was
made by parties who had neither authority in the nation, nor power to dispose of its lands.
Whether this was a true statement of the case, or otherwise, it is quite certain that the grant of
lands referred to was often confirmed by his nation, and was deemed conclusive and binding by
the government. The latter acted in good faith to the tribes, as well as to the settlers, in the
disposition of the lands.
5. A treaty of peace and friendship was made at St. Louis, June 3, i8t6, between the chiefs
and warriors of that part of the Winnebagoes residing on the Wisconsin river. In this treaty the
tribe state that they have separated themselves from the rest of their nation ; that they, for
themselves and those they represent, confirm to the United States all and every cession of land
heretofore made by their nation, and every contract and agreement, as far as their interest
extended.
6. On the 30th of March, 181 7, the Menomonee tribe concluded a treaty of peace ana
friendship at St. Louis with the United States, and confirmed all and every cession of land
before made by them within the limits of the United States.
7. On the 19th of August, 1825, at Prairie du Chien, a treaty was made with the Sioux,
Chippewas, Sac§. and Foxes, Winnebagoes, Ottawas and Pottawattamies, by which the boundary
between the two first nations was agreed upon ; also between the Chippewas, Winnebagoes and
other tribes.
8. Another treaty was held August 5, 1826, at Fond du Lac of Lake Superior, a small
settlement on the St. Louis river, in Itaska county, Minn., with the same tribes, by which the
previous treaty was confirmed in respect to boundaries, and those of the Chippewas were defined,
as a portion of the same was not completed at the former treaty.
9. A treaty was made and concluded August i, 1827, at Butte des Morts, between the United
States and the Chippewa, Menomonee and Winnebago tribes, in which the boundaries of their
tribes were defined ; no cession of lands was made.
10. A treaty was made at Green Bay, August 25, 1828, with the Winnebagoes, Pottawat-
tamies and other tribes. This treaty was made to remove the difficulties which had arisen in
consequence of the occupation by white men of that portion of the mining country in the south-
western part of Wisconsin which had not been ceded to the United States. A provisional
216 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
boundary was provided, and privileges accorded the government to freely occupy their territory
until a treaty should be made for the cession of the same. This treaty was simply to define the
rights of the Indians, and to give the United States the right of occupation.
11. Two treaties were made at Prairie du Chien, on the 29th of July, 1829, and August i,
1829 : at the first date, with the Chippewas, Ottawas and Pottawattamies, by which these nations
ceded all their lands which they claimed in the northwestern part of Illinois ; and at the latter
date with the Winnebagoes, by which that nation ceded and relinquished all their right, title and
claim to all their lands south of the Wisconsin river, thus confirming the purchase of the lead-
mine region. Certain grants were made to individuals, which grants were riot to be leased or
sold by the grantees.
By this important treaty, about eight millions of acres of land were added to the public
domain. The three tracts ceded, and forming one whole, extended from the upper end of Rock
river to the mouth of the Wisconsin, from latitude 41° 30' to latitude 43° 15', on the Mississif)pi.
Following the meanderings of the river, it was about, two hundred and forty miles from west to
east, extending along the Wisconsin and Fox rivers, affording a passage across the country from
the Mississippi to Lake Michigan. The south part of the purchase extended from Rock Island
to Lake Michigan.
12. Another important treaty was made at Green Bay, February 8, 1831, between the Meno-
monee Indians and the United States. That nation possessed an' immense territory. Its eastern
division was bounded by the Milwaukee river, the shore of Lake Michigan, Green bay, Fox river,
and Lake Winnebago ; its western division, by the Wisconsin and Chippewa rivers on the west,
^ox river on the south, Green bay on the east, and the high lands which flow the streams into
Lake Superior on the north. By this treaty all the eastern division, estimated at two and a half
millions of acres, was ceded to the government. By certain other provisions, the tribe was to
occupy a large tract lying north of Fox river and east of Wolf river. Their territory farther west
was reserved for their hunting-grounds until such time as the general government should desire
to purchase it. Another portion, amounting to four millions of acres, lying between Green bay
on the east and Wolf river on the west, was also ceded to the United States, besides a strip of
country, three miles in width, from near the portage of the Wisponsin and Fox rivers north, on
each side of the Wisconsin river, and forty-eight miles long — still leaving the tribe in peaceable
possession of a country about one hundred and twenty miles long, and about eighty broad. By
supplementary articles to the treaty, provision was made for the occupancy of certain lands by
the New York Indians — two townships on the easf side of Lake Winnebago.
13. At the conclusion of the Black Hawk war, in 1832, for the purpose of clearing up the
Indian title of the Winnebago nation in the country, a treaty was made and concluded at Fort
Armstrong, September 15, 1832. All the territory claimed by this nation lying south and east of
the Wisconsin and Fox river of Green bay, was ceded to the United States, and no band or party
of Winnebagoes was allowed to reside, plant, fish or hunt on' these grounds, after June i, 1833,
or on any part of the country therein ceded.
14. On the 27th of October, 1832, articles of agreement were made and concluded at Green
Bay between the United States and the Menomonee Indians, by the terms of which that nation
ceded to the New York Indians certain lands on Fox river.
15. An important treaty was made at Chicago, September 26, 1833, between the United
States and the Chippewas, Ottawas and Pottawattamies. Those nations ceded to the government
all their lands along the western shore of Lake Michigan, and between that lake and the land
ceded to the United States by the Winnebago nation at the treaty at Fort Armstrong, September
THE PUBLIC DOMAIN. 217
15, 1832, bounded on the north by the country lately ceded by the Menomonees, and on the
south by the country ceded at the treaty at Prairie da Chien, July 19, 1829 — containing about
five millions of acres.
16. On the 3d of September, 1836, a tieaty was made at Cedar Point with the Menomonees,
by which lands lying west of Green bay, and a strip on the upper Wisconsin, were ceded to the
United States — the quantity of land ceded being estimated at four millions of acres in the Green
bay portion ; on the Wisconsin river, a strip three miles wide on each side of the river, running
forty-eight miles north in a direct line, equivalent to 184,320 acres.
17. On the 29th of July, 1837, a treaty was made with the Chippewas of the Mississippi, at
Fort Snelling, and the United States, the nation ceding to the government all their lands in
Wisconsin lying south of the divide between the waters of Lake Superior and those of the*
Mississippi.
18. Certain chiefs and braves of the Sioux nation of the Mississippi, while visiting Washing-
ton, September 29, 1837, ceded to the United States all their lands east of the Mississippi, and all
their islands in said river.
19. The Winnebago nation, by the chiefs and delegates, held a treaty with the government
at Washington, November i, 1837. That nation ceded all their lands east of the Mississippi,
and obligated themselves to remove, within eight months after the ratification of the treaty, to
certain lands we^t of the river Mississippi which were conveyed to them by the treaty of Sep-
tember 21, 1832.
20. The Oneida or New York Indians, residing near Green Bay, by their chief and repre-
sentative, on the 3d of February, 1838, at Washington City, ceded to the United States their title
and interest in the land set apart by the treaty made with the Menomonees, May 8, 1831, and the
treaty made with the same tribe, October 7, 1832, reserving about 62,000 acres.
21. Another treaty was made at Stockbridge on the 3d of September, 1839, by which the
Stockbridge and Munsee tribes (New York Indians) ceded and relinquished to the United States
the east half of the tract of 46,080 acres which was laid off for their use on the east side of Lake
Winnebago by treaty of October 7, 1832
22. On the 4th of October, 1842, a treaty was made at La Pointe, on Lake Superior, with the
Chippewas. All their lands in the northern and northwestern parts of Wisconsin were ceded to
the United States.
23. The Menomonee nation, on the i8th of October, 1848, at Pow-aw-hay-kon-nay, ceded
and relinquished to the United States all their lands in the state, wherever situated — the gov-
ernment to furnish the nation as a home, to be held as Indian lands are held, all the country ceded
to the United States by the Chippewa nation August 2, 1847, the consideration being the sum of
$350,000, to be paid according to the stipulations of the treaty. A supplementary treaty was
made on the 24th of November, 1848, with the Stockbridges ^ the tribe to sell and relinquish to
the United States the township of land on the east side of Lake Winnebago, secured to said tribe
by treaty of February 8, 1831.
24. A treaty was made with the Menomonee nation, at the falls of Wolf river. May 12, 1854,
being a supplementary treaty to one made October 18, 1848. All the lands ceded to that nation
under the treaty last named was ceded to the United States — the Menomonees to receive from
the United States a tract of country lying on Wolf river, being townships 28, 29 and»3o, of ranges
13. 14, IS. 16.
25. A treaty was made with the Chippewas of Lake Superior, at La Pointe, on the 30th of
September, 1854. That nation ceded to the United States all lands before owned by them in
common with the Chippewas of the Mississippi — lying in the vicinity of Lake Superior in Wig,
218 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
Consin and Minnesota.
26. On the sth of February, 1856, a treaty was held with the Stockbridge and Munsee tribes,
at Stockbridge. All the remaining right and title to lands in the town of Stockbridge, possessed
by them, was ceded to the United States ; and the said tribes were to receive in exchange a tract
of land near the southern boundary of the Menomonee reservation, and by treaty *made, at
Keshena, February 11, 1856, the Menomonees ceded two townships to locate the said tribes.
With this last treaty, the Indian title to all the lands of the present state of Wisconsin was
ceded to the United States government, except a few small reservations to certain tribes, and a
perfect, indefeasible title obtained to all the territory within its borders..
In the region of country which is now the state of Wisconsin, the settlements in early times
•Were, as before stated, near Green Bay and at Prairie du Chien. Soon after the organization of
the Northwest territory, the subject of claims to private property therein received much attention.
Sy an act of congress approved March 3, 1805, lands lying in the districts of Vincennes, Kas-
kaskia and Detroit, which were claimed by virtue of French or British grants, legally and fully
executed, or by virtue of grants issued under the authority of any former act of congress by
either of the governors of the Northwest or Indiana territory, which had already been surveyed,
Were, if necessary, to, be re-surveyed; and persons claiming lands under these grants were to have
Until November i, 1805, to give notice of the same. Commissioners were to be appointed to
examine, and report at the next session of congress. An act was also passed, approved April 25,
i8o6, to authorize the granting of patents for lands, according to government surveys that had
been made, and to grant donation rights to certain claimants of land in the district of Detroit,
and for other purposes Another act was approved May 11, 1820, reviving the powers of the
eoiiimissioners for ascertaining and deciding on claims in the district of Detroit, and for settling the
claims to land at Green Bay and Prairie du Chien, in the territory of Michigan ; the commis-
sioners to have power to examine and decide on claims filed with the register of the land office,
and not before acted on, in accordance with the laws respecting the same. The commissioners
discharged the duties imposed on them, and in their report to congress in reference to the claims
at Green Bay, they said that the antiquity of this settlement being, in their view, sufficiently
established, and that they, being also satisfied that the Indian title must be considered to have
been extinguished, decide favorably on the claims presented. About seventy -five titles were con-
firmed, and patents for the same were sent to the proper parties by the government. In relation
to the Prairie du Chien titles, they reported " that they had met few difficulties in their investi-
gations ; that, notwithstanding the high antiquity which may be claimed for the settlement of that
place, no one perfect title founded on French or British grant, legally authenticated, had been
successfully made out; and that but few deeds of any sort have been exhibited.'' This they
attribute to the carelessness of the Canadians in respect to whatever concerned their land titles, and
accords with whatever is known in this regard, of the French population throughout the country.
They therefore came to the conclusion that whatever claim the people of, the place possessed,
and might have for a confirmation of their land titles, they must be founded upon proof of con
tinned possession since the year 1796 The commissioners further say, that " since the ancestors
of these settlers were cut off", by the treaty which gave the Canadas to the English, from all inter-
Course with their parent country, the people both of Prairie du Chien and Green Bay have been
'eft, until within a few years, quite isolated, almost without any government but their own ; and,
although the present population of these settlements are natives of the countries which they
inhabit, and, consequently, are by birth citizens of the northwest, yet, until a few years, they have
h&d as little political connection with its government as their ancestors had with the British.
Ignorant of their civil rights, careless of their land titles, docility, habitual hospitality, cheerful
THE PUBLIC DOMAIN. 219
submission to the requisitions of any government which may be set over them, are their universal
characteristics.''
In reference to grants by the French and English governments, the commissioners say, they
" have not had access to any public archives by which to ascertain with positive certainly, whether
either the French or English ever effected a formal extinguishment of the Indian title at the
mouth of the Wisconsin, which also may be said of the land now covered by the city of Detroit ,
that the French government was not accustomed to hold formal treaties for such purposes with
the Indians, and when the lands have been actually procured from them, either by virtue of the
assumed right of conquest, or by purchase, evidence of such acquisition is rather to be sought in
the traditionary history of the country, or in the casual or scanty relations of travelers, than
among collections of state papers. Tradition does recognize the fact of the extinguishment of
the Indian title at Prairie du Chien by the- old French government, before its surrender to the
English; and by the same species of testimony, more positive because more recent, it is estab-
lished also, that, in the year 1781, Patrick Sinclair, lieutenant governor of the province of Upper
Canada, while the English government had jurisdiction over this country, made a formal purchase
from the Indians of the lands comprehending the settlement of Prairie du Chien."
The territories and states formed from the section known as the Northwest territory,
were:
I The Northwest territory proper (1787-1800) having jurisdiction over all the lands referred
to in the ordinance. of 1787. In 1802, Ohio was organized as a state with its present boun-
daries.
1. Indiana terrritory was formed July 4, 1800, with the seat of government at Vincennes
That territory was made to include all of the northwest, except what afterward became the state
of Ohio.
3. Michigan territory was formed June 30, 1805. It was bounded on the south by a line
drawn east from- the south bend of Lake Michigan, on the west by the center of Lake Michigan.
It did not include what is now Wisconsin. The upper peninsula was annexed in r836. The
state of Michigan was formed January 26, 1837, with its present boundaries.
4. Illinois territory was formed March 2, 1810. It included all of the Indiana territory west
of the Wabash river and Vincennes, and a line running due north to the territorial line. All of
Wisconsin was included therein, except what lay east of the line drawn north from Vincennes.
5. Indiana was admitted as a state April 19, 1816, including all the territory of Indiana
territory, except a narrow strip east of the line of Vincennes, and west of Michigan territory, her
western boundary.
6. Illinois was admitted as a state April 11, 1818. It included all of Illinois territory south
of latitude 42° 30'. All of Wisconsin was added to Michigan territory. In the month of Octo-
ber of that year, the counties of Michilimackinac, Brown and Crawford were formed, comprising
besides other territory, the whole of the present state of Wisconsin.
7. Iowa district was attached to Michigan for judicial purposes, June 30, 1834, out of which
Des Moines and Dubuque counties were formed.
8. Wisconsin territory was formed April 20, 1836. The state was formed May 29, 1848.
The territory of Wisconsin being a part of the Northwest territory claimed, and congress by
direct action confirmed to her, all the rights and privileges secured by the ordinance of 1787,
one of which was that congress should have authority to form one or two states in that part of
the territory lying north of an east and west line, drawn through the southerly bend or extreme
of Lake Michigan. Notwithstanding this plain provision of the ordinance, which is declared to
220 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
be articles of compact between the original states and the peqple and states in the said territory,
and forever to remain unalterable unless by consent ; yet congress, in establishing the boundaries
of the state of Illinois, extended that state about sixty miles north of the line established by the
ordinance. This action was claimed to be unjust and contrary to the spirit and letter of the
compact with the original states. The legislative assembly of Wisconsin passed resolutions
which were approved January 13, 1840, that it was inexpedient for the people of the territory to
form a constitution and state government until the southern boundary to which they are so justly
entitled by the ordinance of 1787 shall be fully recognized by the parties of the original com-
pact. Owing to various complications over which the territory had no control, her people never
succeeded in obtaining from cpngrqss what they considered their just rights.
It was also contended by many, that the portion of country set off to Michigan on Lake
Superior given as a compensation in part for the strip of land awarded to Ohio from her south-
ern border, should also have constituted a portion of Wisconsin, especially as Michigan never
made the least claim to it by her delegate in congress, who was decidedly opposed to the exten-
sion of Michigan beyond the limits of the lower peninsula. ■
The first survey of the public lands northwest of the Ohio, river, was made pursuant, to' an
act of congress approved May 20, 1785 The geographer of the confederation was diected to
commence the survey of the government lands on the north side of the river Ohio — the first line
running north and south, to begin on said river at a point that should be found to be due north
from the western termination of a line which had been run as the southern boundary of the state
of Pennsylvania ; the first line running east and west, to begin at the same point, and to extend
through the whole territory. The survey comprised seven ranges, composing ten counties of
the present state of Ohio. Other surveys followed when the Indian title was extinguished^
Thomas Hutchins, who held the office of geographer, is believed to be the inventor of the
mpde of laying out land which was then introduced by him, and is still in general use by the
government.
Soon after the government had acquired title to the Indian lands south of tl^e Wisconsin
river, the public authorities commenced a systematic survey of the lands, for the purpose of
bringing the same into market at the earliest possible period.
The public lands in Wisconsin are, as elsewhere in the west, surveyed in uniform rec-
tangular tracts, each six miles square, by lines running north and south, intersecting others
running east and west. These townships are numbered from two lines called. the principal
meridian and the base line. The principal meridian by which the Wisconsin surveys are gov-
erned is that known as the fourth, and extends from the Illinois boundary line to Lake Superior,
at the mouth of Montreal river, about two hundred and eighty-two miles. It divides Grant
from LaFayette county, and passes through the eastern parts of Vernon,-Monroe, Jackson, Clark,
Chippewa, and Ashland counties. The base line separates Wisconsin from Illinois in north
latitude forty-two degrees, thirty minutes. There are nearly seventeen hundred townships in
the state. Each township is subdivided into thirty-six sections by lines running parallel to the
sides of the township, one mile apart. A section is, therefore, one mile square, and contains six
hundred and forty acres. In fractional townships, each section is numbered the same as the
, corresponding section in whole townships. Each section is subdivided into half-mile squares,
called quarter-sections, each containing one hundred and sixty acres, and the subdivision is
carried still further into half-quarter or quarter-quarter sections. It is found necessary to estab-
•lish at stated intervals standard parallels, commonly called correction lines, to obviate the effect
of the curvature of the earth's surface. The convergence in a single township is small, though
quite perceptible, the actual excess in length of it^ south over its north line being in the state
THE PUBLIC DOMAIN. 221
about three rods. The townships north of the base line, therefore, become narrower toward the
north, and if continued for too great a distance, this narrowing would cause serious inconvenience.
In the state of Wisconsin there are four of these correction lines. The first is sixty miles
north of the base line, and accordingly runs between townships ten and eleven. The second is
between townships twenty and twenty-one, and so on. They are usually sixty miles apart. On
these parallels, which form new base lines, fresh measurements are made from the principal
meridian, and the comers of new townships are fixed six miles apart as on the original base line.
This method of procedure not only takes up the error due to convergency of meridians, but
arrests that caused by want of precision in the surveys already made.
The northern or western sections of townships, which contain more or less than six hun-
dred and forty acres, are called fractional sections, for the reason that the surplusage or
deficiency arising from errors in surveying, and from other causes, is by law added to or
■deducted from the western or northern ranges of sections according as the error may be in run-
ning the lines from east to west, or from north to south.
As soon as the surveys were completed' in southern Wisconsin and the Green Bay section,
and a knowledge of the superior qualities of the land for agricultural purposes were known to
the people, the emigration became large. In fact much land was taken possession of by settlers
in advance of being surveyed and brought into market. As soon as the land offices at Green
Bay, Mineral Point, and Milwaukee were located, public announcement was made by the govern-
ment, of the time of the sale, when the lands were put up to the highest bidder, and such as were
unsold were afterward subject to private entry. The first sales were held at Green Bay and
Mineral Point in the year 1835. The sale at Milwaukee was in 1839. From the reports of the
general land office, it appears that from 1835 t° ^^45 inclusive, there were sold at the three land
•offices from public sale, 2,958,592-^i%- acres, amounting to $3,768,106.51.
Fort Howard military reservation was set apart by order of the president March 2, 1829,
and comprised all the lands lying upon Fox river and Green bay, in township 24 north, range 20
east, 4th principal meridian, being about four thousand acres. The lands were abandoned for
military purposes, by the war department, December 4, 1850. By an act of congress approved
March 3, 1863, the commissioner of the general land office was authorized and directed to cause
the reservation, including the site of the fort, containing three and four-hundredths acres, situated
in the county of Brown, between Fox river and Beaver Dam run, and which is not included in
the confirmations to T. C. Dousman and Daniel Whitney, nor in the grant to the state of Wis-
consin, under resolutions of congress approved April 25, 1862, granting lands to Wisconsin to
aid in the construction of railroads, to be surveyed and subdivided into lots not less than one-
fourth of an acre, and not more than forty acres, deducting such portions of the same as the
public interest and convenience may require ; and when so surveyed and platted, to be sold sep-
arately at auction. On the loth of November, 1864, under directions of the commissioner, the
lands were offered for sale at auction at the fort. About one-half of the lands were sold, and
purchased by actual settlers, and but few for speculation. The fort and the lands contiguous
"were sold for six thousand four hundred dollars. The other lands sold brought about the sum
of nineteen thousand dollars.
That portion of the reservation unsold was to be subject to private entry at the appraised
value, and that portion lying between Duck creek and Beaver Dam creek, was subject to entry
as other public lands were offered.
On the 20th of May, 1868, a joint resolution of congress was approved, by which the com-
missioner of the general land office was authorized and directed to<:ause a patent to be issued
to the Chicago & Northwestern railroad company, in pursuance of a resolution passed by con-
222 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
gress, granting the same to the state of Wisconsin, approved April 25, 1862, and by act of the
legislature approved June 16, 1862, granting the same to that company for eighty acres of land,
as was .surveyed and approved by said commissioner June 11, 1864. The lands thus donated
are now used by the railroad company for their depot grounds
The Fort Crawford military reservation was purchased from J. H. Lockwood and James D.
Doty by the government in the year 1829, and covered the front and main portions of farm lots
numbered thirty -three and thirty-four, of the private land claims at Prairie du Chien, and com-
prised about one hundred and, sixty acres. Fort Crawford was built on this tract in 1829, 1830
and 1 83 1. There was also a reservation of section eighteen, township seven, north of range
four west, known-as the Cattle Yard. This land was at the mouth of the Kickapoo river, and
is now known as the village of Wauzeka. In addition to these lands which were located in Wis-
consin, there was a reservation of lands lying on the west side of the Mississippi river, in >Iowa.
The lands in Wisconsin were relinquished by the secretary of war, January 10, 1851, and were
originally set apart by the president of the United States, February 17, 1843.
In the month of April, 1857, the secretary of war authorized Hon. H. M. Rice, of Minne-
sota, to sell that part of the reservation not improved, in tracts not exceeding forty acres each;
and, in the month of June of that year, he sold at auction five hundred and seven acres of the
reserve opposite Fort Crawford, none of which was claimed by actual settlers ; and in the month
of December, 1857, he sold the remainder to claimants of lands, also on the west side, and the
section in Wisconsin known as the Cattle Yard, amounting to 177-1^ acres. A portion of this
reservation was subdivided into town lots, 80 by 140 feet, with streets 66 feet and alleys 20 feet
wide November 17, 1864, the acting commissioner of the general land office, by order
of the war department, offered for sale at public auction at La Crosse the reservation at Fort
Crawford, which had been surveyed and subdivided into town lots, eighty by one hundi;ed and
forty feet, with streets sixty-five feet and alleys twenty feet wide, conforming to the plat of the
village of Prairie du Chien. The lands unsold were subsequently opened to private entry and
disposed of.
The lands of the Fort Winnebago reservation were set apart by order of the president,
February 9, 1835, and consisted of the following territory: sections two, three, and that part of
four lying east of Fox river, and fractional section nine, all in township twelve, north of range
nine east , also fractional section thirty-three, in township thirteen, north of range nine east,,
lying west of Fox river, and the fraction of section four, township twelve north, of range nine
east, lying west of claim numbered twenty-one of A. Grignon, and adjacent to Fort Winnebago,
reserved by order of the president, July 29, 1851. the whole amounting to about four thousand
acres. September the first, 1853, these lands were by order of the president offered for sale
at public auction at the fort, by F. H. Masten, assistant quartermaster United States army,
having previously been surveyed into forty acre lots, and were purchased by J. B. Martin, G. C.
Tallman, W. H. Wells, Wm. Wier, N. H, Wood, M. R. Keegan, and others.
The first land offices in Wisconsin were established under an act of congress approved
June 26, 1834, creating additional land distncts in the states of Illinois and Missouri, and in the
territory north of the state of Illinois. The first section provides " that all that tract lying north
•f the state of Illinois, west of Lake Michigan, south and southeast of the Wisconsin and Fox
rivers, included in the present territory of Michigan, shall be divided by a north and south line,
draiyn from the northern boundary of Illinois along the range of township line west of Fort
Winnebago to the Wisconsin river, and to be called — the one on the west side, the Wisconsin
land district, and that on the east side the Green Bay land district of the territory of Michigan,
which two districts shall einbrace the country north of said risers when the Indian title shall be
THE PUBLIC DOMAIN. 223
extinguished, and the Green Bay district may be divided so as to form two districts, whem
the president shall deem it proper ;" and by section three of said act, the president was author-
ized to appoint a register and receiver for such office, as soon as a sufficient number of townships
are surveyed.
An act of congress, approved June 15, 1836, divided the Green Bay land district, as estab-
lished in 1834, " by a line commencing on the western boundary of said district, and ruiining
thence east between townships ten and eleven liorth, to the line between ranges seventeen and
eighteen east, thence north between said ranges of townships to the line between townships
twelve and thirteen north, thence east between said townships twelve and thirteen to Lake
Michigan ; and all the country bounded north by the division line here described, south by the
base line, east by Lake Michigan, and west by the division line between ranges eight and nine
east," to be constituted a separate district and known as the " Milwaukee land district." It
included the present counties of Racine, Kenosha, Rock, Jefferson, Waukesha, Walworth and
Milwaukee, and parts of Green, Dane, Washington, Ozaukee, Dodge and Columbia.
An act was approved March 3, i8i^7, creating an additional land district in the territory.
All that portion of the public lands lying north and west of the following boundaries, formed a
district to be known as the Chippewa land district : commencing at the Mississippi river on the
line between townships twenty-two and twenty-three north, running thence east along said line
to the fourth principal meridian, thence north along said meridian line to the line dividing town-
ships twenty-nine and thirty, thence east along such township line to the Wisconsin river, thence up
the main channel of said river to the boundary line between the state of Michigan and the territory
of Wisconsin. The counties now included in this district are Pepin, Clark, Eau Claire, Dunn,
Pierce, St. Croix, Polk, Barron, Burnett, Douglas, Bayfield, Ashland, Taylor, Chippewa, and parts
of Buffalo, Trempeleau and Jackson ; also, the new county of Price.
An act of congress, approved March 2, 1849, changed the location of the land office in the
Chippewa district from the falls of St. Croix to Stillwater, in the county of St. Croix, in the
proposed territory of Minnesota; and, by section two of the act, an additional land office and
district was created, comprising all the lands in Wisconsin not included in the districts of land
subject to sale at Green Bay, Milwaukee, or Mineral Point, which was to be known as the Western
land district, and the president was authorized to designate the site where the office should be
located. Willow River, now Hudson, was selected. The district was usually known as the St.
Croix and Chippewa district, and included St. Croix, La Pointe, and parts of Chippewa and
Marathon counties. By an act of congress, approved July 30, 1852, so much of the public lands
in Wisconsin as lay within a boundary line commencing at the southwest comer of township
fifteen, north of range two east of the fourth principal meridian, thence runnipg due east to the
southeast corner of township fifteen, north of range eleven, east of the fourth principal meridian,
thence north along such range line to the north line of the state of Wisconsin, thence westwardly
along said north line to the line between ranges one and two east of fourth principal meridian,
thence south to the place of beginning, were formed into a new district, and known as the
Stevens Point land district, and a land office located at that place.
The boundaries enclosed the present counties of Juneau, Adams, Marquette, Green Lake,
Waushara, Waupaca, Portage, Wood, Marathon, Lincoln, Shawano, New and Marinette. The
La Crosse land district was formed of the following territory : " Commencing at a point where
the line between townships ten and eleven north touches the Mississippi river, thence due east to
the fourth principal meridian, thence north to the line between townships fourteen and fifteen
north, thence east to the southeast comer of township fifteen north, of range one east of the
224 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN
fourth principal meridian, thence north on the range line to the south line of township number
thirty-one north, thence west on the line between townships number thirty and thirty-one to the
Chippewa rivfer, thence down said river to its junction with the Mississippi river, thence down
said river to the place of beginning." The present counties of Vernon, La Crosse, Monroe, Buf-
falo, Trempealeau, Eau Claire, Clark, and parts of Juneau and Chippewa were included in
its limits.
By act of congress, approved February 24, 1855, an additional district was formed of all that
portion of the Willow river land district lying north of the line dividing townshiJ)s forty and
forty-one, to be called the Fond du Lac district — the office to be located by the president as he
might from time to time direct. The present counties of Douglas, Bayfield, Ashland, and part
of Burnett were included within its boundaries.
By an act of congress, approved March 3, 1857, so much of the districts of land subject to
sale at La Crosse and Hudson, in the state of Wisconsin, contained in the following boundaries^
were constituted a new district, to be known as the Chippewa land district : North of the line
dividing townships twenty-four and twenty-five north; south of the line dividing townships forty
and forty-one north ; west of the line dividing ranges one and two east ; and east of the line
dividing ranges eleven and twelve west. The location of the office was to be designated by the
president as the public interest might require. The present counties of Chippewa, Taylor, Eaa
Claire and Clark were in this district.
There are at thfe present time six land offices in the state. They are located at Menasha^
Falls of St. Croix, Wausau, La Crosse,' Bayfield and Eau. Claire. By the provisions of law, when
the number of acres of land in any one' district is reduced to one hundred thousand acres, sub-
ject to private entry, the secretary of the interior is required to discontinue the office, and the
lands remaining unsold are transferred to the nearest land office, to be there subject to sale. The
power of locating these offices rests with the president (unless otherwise directfed by law), who is
also authorized to change and re-establish the boundaries of land districts whenever, in his
opinion, the public service will be subserved thereby.
The pre-emption law of 1830 was intended for the benefit of actual settlers against compe-
tition in open market with non-resident purchasers. It gave every person who cultivated any
part of a quarter section the previous year, and occupied tl^e tract at the date mentioned, the
privilege of, securing it by payment of the minimum price at any time before the day fixed for
the commencement of the public sale. To avail himself of this provision he .was to file proof
of cultivatien and occupancy. As men frequently located claims in advance of the survey, it
occasionally happened that two or more would find themselves upon the same quarter section^
in which case the pre-emption law permitted two joint occupants to divide the quarter section
equally betweeij them, whereupon each party received a certificate from the land office, author-
izing him to locate an additional eighty acres, elsewhere in the same land district, not interfering
with other settlers having the right of preference. This was called a floating right. This pro-
vision of the law was ingeniously perverted from its plain purpose in various ways.
As fast as these evasions came to the notice of the department, all certificates given to
occupants of the same quarter section in excess of the two first, or to more than one member of
the same family, to employees, to any person who had not paid for eighty acres originally
occupied, as well as those which were not located at the time of such payment, and the additional
tract paid for before the public sale, were held to be worthless or fraudulent ; but a large number
of these certificates had been issued, and passed into the hands of speculators and designing
men and were a source of almost endless vexation and annoyance to settlers. The law of 1830
THE PUBLIC DOMAIK. J!!'"
expired by limitation in one year from its passage, but was, revived by the law of 1834 for two
years. In the interim no settler could obtain his land by pre-emption. The law of 1834 extended
only to those who had made cultivation in 1833, consequently the settlers of later date were
excluded from its benefits. Meanwhile the fraudulent floats were freely used to dispossess actual
settlers as late as 1835.
The pre-emption law of congress, approved September 4, 1841, provided that every person
who should make a settlement in person on public land, and erect a dwelling, should be author-
ized to enter a quarter section (one hundred and sixty acres), at the minimum, price (one dollar
and twenty-five cents per acre), and thus secure the same against competition ; and if any person
should settle upon and improve land subject to private entry, he might within thirty days give
notice to the register of the land office of his intention to claim the land settled upon, and might
within one year upon making proof of his right, enter the land at the minimum price.
At the public land sales at Mineral Point, held in 1835, all those tracts on which leaa was
found, or on which it was supposed to exist, were reserved to the United States, and were leased
under certain regulations by the government for a rent of ten per centum of all the lead raised.
The quantity of land thus reserved was estimated at one million acres. Considerable difficulty
was found in collecting these rents, and subsequently it was abandoned, as the amount
expended in collecting exceeded the value of the lead collected. In the period of four years
the government suffered a loss of over nineteen thousand dollars.
The act of congress, approved July 11, 1846, authorized the sale ,of the reserved mineral
lands in Illinois, Wisconsin and Iowa, and provided that, after six months' public notice, the lands
should not be subject to the rights of pre-emption until after the same had been offered at public
sale, when they should be subject to private entry. The law also provided, that, upon satisfac-
tory proof being made to the register and receiver of the proper land, office, any tract or tracts
of land containing a mine or mines of lead ore actually discovered and being worked, would be
sold in such legal subdivisions as would include lead mines, and no bid should be received
therefor at less than the sum of two dollars and fifty cents per acre, and if such tract or tracts
should not be sold at such public sale, at such price, nor should be entered at private sale within
twelve months thereafter, the same should be subject to sale as other lands. This act was
changed by an act approved March 3, 1847, providing that any one being in possession by
actual occupancy of a mine discovered prior to the passage of this act, who should pay the same
rents as those who held leases from the secretary of war, should be entitled to purchase the lands
prior to the day of sale at five dollars per acre. Mineral lands were to be offered for sale in forty
acre pieces, and no bids were to be received less than five dollars per acre, and if not sold they
were then to be subject to private entry at the same price. In 1847 or 1848 the reserved mineral
lands were sold at public sale at Mineral Point at two dollars and fifty cents per acre, and they
were all disposed of at that price.
Soon after the formation of Wisconsin territory, an act was passed by its legislature,
approved January 5, 1838, incorporating the Milwaukee and Rock river canal company, and by
an act of congress approved June 18 of the same year, a grant of land was made to aid in the
construction of the canal. The grant consisted of the odd-numbered sections on a belt of ten
miles in width from Lake Michigan to Rock river, amounting to 139,190 acres. Of those lands
43,447 acres were sold at public sale in July, 1839, at the minimum price of two dollars and fifty
cents per acre. Work was commenced on the canal at Milwaukee, and the Milwaukee river for
a short distance from its outlet was improved by the construction of a dam across the river,
which was made available for manufacturing and other purposes. A canal was also built about
a mile in length and forty feet wide, leading from it down on the west bank of the river. Mucft
226 HISTOEY OF WISCONSIN.
dissatisfaction subsequently arose; the purchasers at this sale, and others occupying these canal
and reserved lands felt the injustice of being compelled to pay double price for their lands, and
efforts were made to repeal all laws authorizing further sales, and to ask congress to repeal the
act making the grant. The legislation on the subject of this grant is voluminous. In 1862 the
legislature of the state passed an act to ascertain and settle the liabilities, if any, of Wisconsin
and the company, and a board of commissioners was appointed for that purpose. At the session
of the legislature in 1863, the committee made a report with a lengthy opinion of the attorney-gen-
eral of the state. The views of that officer were, that the company had no valid claims for damages
against the state. In this opinion the commissioners concurred. On the 23d of March, 1875,
an act was approved by the governor, giving authority to the attorney-general to discharge and
release of record any mortgage before executed to the late territory of Wisconsin, given to secure
the purchase' money or any part thereof of any lands granted by congress to aid in the construc-
tion 6f this canal. The quantity of lands unsold was subsequently made a part of the- 500,000
acre tract granted by congress for school purposes. It is believed the whole matter is now closed
against further legislative enactments.
The next grant of lands made by congress lor internal improvements in Wisconsin, was one
approved August 8, 1846, entitled " an act to grant a certain quantity of land to aid in the
improvement of the Fox and Wisconsin rivers, and to connect the. same by canal." By this act
there was granted to Wiscon^n on her becoming a state, for improving the navigation qf the
above-named streams, and constructing the canal to unite the same, a quantity of land equal to
one-half of three sections in width on each side of Fox river, and the lakes through which it
passes from its mouth to the point where the portage canal should enter, the same, and each side
of the canal from one stream to the other, reserving the alternate sections to the United States
with certain provisions in relation thereto. On the 3d of August, 1854, an act of congress was
approved, authorizing the governor of Wisconsin to select the balance of lands to which the state
was entitled to under the provisions of the act of 1846, out of any unsold government lands sub-
ject to private entry in the state, the quantity to be ascertained upon the principles which gov-
erned the final adjustment of the grant to the state of Indiana, for the Wabash and Erie canal,
approved May 9, 1848. In the years 1854 and 1855, acts of congress were passed,, defining and
enlarging the grant. Under the grants of 1846, 1854 and 1855, the number of acres donated for
this purpose and certified to the,state, was 674,100.
After the admission of Wisconsin into the Union, by an act of its legislature, approved
August 8, 1848, a board of public works was created, through which the work of improving the
said rivers, by the application thereto of the proceeds of the sale of the lands granted by con-
gress, was uridertaken by the state.
It soon became apparent that the moneys realized from the sale of lands were insufficient to
meet the obligations of the state issued by its board of public works as they became due; and
in 1853 the work was turned over to the Fox and Wisconsin Improvement company, a corpora-
tion created under an act of the legislature of Wisconsin approved July 6, 1853. In 1856, by an
act of the legislature of Wisconsin, approved October 3, 1856, the lands granted by congress
then unsold were granted by the state, tjirough the said company, to trustees, with power to
sell, and to hold the proceeds in trust for the payment of state indebtedness, the completion
of the work, thereafter for the payment of bonds issued by the said company, and the balance, if
any, for the company itself
In February, 1-866, the trustees, in execution of the powers contained in the deed of trust
made to them, and pursuant to a judgment of the circuit court of Fond du Lac county, sold at
public sale at Appleton, Wisconsin, the works of improvement and the balance of lands gra,nted
THE PUBLiC UOMAITSr. 227
by congress then unsold, and applied the proceeds to the purposes expressed in the deed of trust.
The proceeds were sufficient to pay in full the expenses of the trust, the then outstanding
state indebtedness, and to provide a fund sufficient to complete the work according to the plan
specified in the act approved October 3, 1856.
Under an act of the legislature of Wisconsin cpproved April 13, 1861, and the acts amend-
atory thereof, the purchasers at said sale, on the 15 th day of August, 1866, filed their certificate
in the office of the secretary of state, and thereby became incorporated as the Green Bay and
Mississippi canal company, holding, as such company, the said works of improvement.
At a subsequent date, under instructions from the engineer department of the United States,
the surveys of the Fox and Wisconsin rivers were placed in the charge of General G. K. War-
ren, and by act of congress approved July 7, 1870, the secretary of war was authorized to
appoint a board of arbitrators to ascertain how much the government should pay to the suc-
cessors of the Improvement company, the Green Bay and Mississippi canal company, for the
transfer of all its property and rights; and by a subsequent act, approved June 10, t872, an
appropriation was made therefor.
The legisbtion on matters connected with the Fox and Wisconsin river improvement would
make a chapter of itself. The work is now in charge of the government, and will be prosecuted
to completion in a satiiifactory manner.
On the 29th of May, 1848, an act was approved by the president "to enable the people of
Wisconsin territory to form a constitution and state government, and for the admission of such
state into the Union," by which certain propositions were to be submitted to the convention
which were to be acted upon, and subsequently submitted to the people for their approval. The
first constitutional convention was held in October, 1846, and, having framed a constitution, it
was submitted to a vote of the people at the election in 1847, and it was rejected. The second
convention met December 15, 1847, and^ having formed a constitution, it was adopted by the
people at the election in 1848. The following are the propositions proposed by congress :
1. That section sixteen numbered in every township of the public lands of said state, and
where such section has been sold or otherwise disposed of, other lands equivalent thereto, and
as contiguous as may be, shall be granted to the said state for the use of schools.
2. That seventy-two sections, or two entire townships, of land set apart and reserved for
the use and support of a university by act of congress approved June 12, 1838, are hereby granted
and conveyed to the state, to be appropriated solely to the use and support of such university in
such manner as the legislature may prescribe.
3. That ten entire sections of land to be selected and located under the direction of the
legislature, in legal subdivisions of not less than one quarter of a section from any of the unap-
propriated lands belonging to the United States within the state are granted to the state for
completing the public buildings, or for the erection of others at the seat of government, under
the direction of the legislature.
4. That all salt-springs within the state, not exceeding twelve in number, shall be granted to
the state, to be selected by the legislature, and when selected, to be used or disposed of on such
terms, conditions, and regulations as the legislature shall direct.
The title to all lands and other property which accrued to the territory of Wisconsin by
grant, gift, purchase, forfeiture, escheat, or otherwise, were, by the provisions of the constitution
of the state, vested in the state ; and the people of the state, in their right of sovereignty, were
declared to possess the ultimate property in and to all lands within its jurisdiction ; and all
l^nds, the title of which shall fail from a defect of heirs, shall revert or escheat to the people.
The act of congress for the admission of the state into the Union gave formal assent to the
228 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
grant relative to the Fox and Wisconsin river improvement, and the lands reserved to the United
States by said grant, and also the grant to the territory of Wisconsin, for the purpose of aiding
in opening a canal to connect the waters of Lake Michigan with those of Rock river, were to be
offered for sale at the same minimum price, and subject to the same rights of pre-emption as
other public lands of the United States.
By the provisions of the state constitution, the secretary of state, the state treasurer' and
attorney-general, were constituted a board of commissioners for the sale of the school and
university lands, and for the investment of the funds arising therefrom. In the year 1850 the
commissioners put into market, for the first time, the school lands which had been donated to the
state. The total quantity of lands offered was 148,021, 44-100 acres, which sold for the sum of
$444,265.19.
By an act of congress, approved September 4, 1841, there were granted to the state 500,000
acres of land, which were, by act of the territorial legislature of 1849, appropriated to the school
fund, and the unsold lands of the Milwaukee and Rock river canal company, amounting to about
140,000 acres, were to be included as a part of the above grant. These lands, and the sixteenth
section of each township, make up the whole of the school lands of the state. The whole
number of acres sold up to the year 1877 is 1,243,984 acres, and there remain unsold, subject
to entry, 216,016 acres.
The state university land grant was made in 1838, and seventy-two sections set apart and
reserved. The lands were selected in 184.5 ^^^ 1846. On the 15th of December, 1854, an act
of congress was approved, relinquishing to the state the lands reserved for the salt-springs, and
seventy-two sections were granted in lieu thereof, in aid of the university of the state The
number of acres amounts to 92,160, all of which have been sold except 4,407 acres, which are
subject to entry. Under the re-organization and enlargement of the university, under provisions
of chapter 114, of general laws of 1866, section thirteen provides, among other things, that the
income of a fund to be derived from the sales of the two hundred and forty thousand acres,
granted by congress by act approved July 2, 1862, entitled : "An act donating lands to the
several states and territories which may provide colleges for the benefit of agriculture and
mechanic arts," be devoted to the state university, and the funds arising therefrom to be known
as the " agricultural college fund." All of the grant of lands have been sold except 5 1,635 acres.
The quantity of lands donated by act of congress August 6, 1846, for the purpose of completing or
erecting public buildings at the seat of government, known as " Capitol Lands," amounted to
ten entire sections, or six thousand four hundred acres. A grant of lands was made to the state
by act of congress, approved September 28, 1850, of all the swamp and overflowed lands, within
its limits. The total number of acres of this grant, as certified to the state froro the government,
to the year 1877, is 1,869,677.
A grant of land was made by congress, approved March 3, 1863, for the construction of a
military road from Fort Wilkins, Michigan, to Fort Howard, Wisconsin, of every alternate
section of public lands, designated by even numbers for three sections in width on each side of
said road, and subject to the disposal of the legislature. In 1865 sales of land were made to
the number of 85,961.89 acres, which realized the sum of $114,856.54.
An act of congress was approved June 25, 1864, granting lands to the state to build a military
road from Wausau, Wisconsin, to Ontonagon, on Lake Superior, of every alternate section of
land designated as odd sections, for three sections in width on each side of the road. The grant
was accepted by the state by law, approved April 10, 1865.
An act was also passed by congress, approved April 10, 1866, granting to the state of Wis-
consin a donation of public lands to aid in the construction of a breakwatier arid harbor and ship
THK PUBLIC DOMAIlSr. 229
canal at the head of Sturgeon bay, Wis., to connect the waters of Green bgy with Lake Michigan.
The grant was for 200,000 acres of land. The grant was accepted by the legislature of 1868.
In 1 874, the same body by resolution transferred to the Sturgeon bay and Lake Michigan ship canal
and harbor company 32,342 acres, and the remaining portion was authorized to be sold for agri-
cultural purposes by said company.
The first railroad grant in Wisconsin was by act of congress, approved June 3, 1856, by the
first section of which there was granted to the state, for the purpose of aiding in the construction
of a railroad from Madison or Columbus, by the way of Portage City, to the St. Croix river or
lake, between townships twenty-five and thirty-one, and from thence to the west end of Lake
Superior and to Bayfield ; and from Fond du Lac, on Lake Winnebago, northerly to the state line,
every alternate section of land designated by odd numbers, for six sections in width on each side
of said roads, respectively ; the land to be applied exclusively in the construction of said roads,
and to no other purpose whatever, and subject to the disposal of the legislature, and the same
shall remain public highways for the use of the government, free from toll and other charges
upon the transportation of property or troops of the United States, with other conditions a? to
the disposal of said lands.
The grant was accepted by the legislature by an act approved October 8, 1856, and on the
nth of the same month an act was approved granting a portion of the lands to the La Crosse &
Mississippi railroad company, who were to carry out all the requirements of the original grant.
A supplementary act was approved the same session, October 13, incorporating the Wisconsin &
Superior railroad, which company was required to commence the construction of their road on
or before January i, 1857, and to complete the same to Oshkosh before August i, 1858. Of this
land grant John W. Cary says : " That portion of the grant given to aid in the construction of
a railroad northerly to the state line was conferred on the Wisconsin & Superior railroad company.
This company was organized in the interest of the Chicago, St. Paul & Fond du Lac railroad
company, and that part of the grant was transferred to it. The road was, in 1859, extended to
Oshkosh, and thence to Menasha, and finally to Green Bay. In the panic of 1857, the company
failed to meet its obligations, but was afterward enabled to go on, and continued in possession
until June 2, 1859, when its road was sold on the foreclosures of the mortgages given thereon J
and on the sixth of the same month the present Chicago & Northwestern railroad company was
organized under the statute, by purchasers at said sale, and took possession."
A large portion of the original grant was given for the construction of a road from Madison
or Columbus to the St. Croix river, as before stated. The La Crosse company, during the years
1857 and 1858, completed its main line to La Crosse; the Watertown line, from Watertown to
Columbus, and partially graded the line from Madison to Portage City. Neither it nor its suc-
cessors ever received any part of the lands of the land grant.
In 1856 and 1857, the La Crosse & Milwaukee railroad graded most of the line from Madi-
son to Portage. After the failure of the company, this line was abandoned, and so remained
until 1870, when a new company was organized, under the name of the Madison & Portage City
railroad company. In 1873, an act was passed chartering the Tomah & Lake St. Croix railroad
company, and repealing and annulling that portion of the land grant which bestowed the lands
from Tomah to Lake St. Croix upon the La Crosse company, and bestowing the same upon the
company chartered by this act. This road is known as the West Wisconsin railroad.
An act of congress was approved May 5, 1864, granting lands to aid in the construction of
certain roads in the state. This was a re-enactment of the law of 1856, and divided the grant
in three sections, one of which was for a road from a point on the St. Croix river or lake, between
230 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
townships twenty-five and thirty-one, to the west end of Lake Superior, and from some point on
the line of said road, to be selected by the state, to Bayfield — every alternate section designated
by odd numbers, for ten sections in width on each side of said road, with an indemnity extending
twenty miles on each side, was granted, under certain regulations ; another, for aiding in building
a road from Tomah to the St. Croix river, between townships twenty-five and thirty-one — every
alternate section by odd numbers, for ten sections in width on each side of the road ; another
for aiding and constructing a railroad from Portage City, Berlin, Doty's Island, or Fond du Lac,
as the legislature may determine, in a northwestern direction, to Bayfield, on Lake Superior, and
a grant of every alternate section designated by odd numbers, for ten sections in width on each
side of said road, was dohated.
The legislature of 1865 failed to agree upon a disposition of the grant. " The succeeding
legislature conferred the grant partly upon the " Winnebago & Lake Superior Railroad Company,"
and partly upon the " Portage & Superior Railroad Company," the former April 6, 1866, and the
latter April 9, i866. The two companies were consolidated, under the name of the "Portage,
Winnebago & Superior Railroad," by act of the legislature, March 6, 1869, and by act of legis-
lati^re approved February 4, 1871, the name was changed to the "Wisconsin Central Railroad."
HEALTH. OF WISCONSIN.
By JOSEPH HOBBINS, M.D.
An article on state health, necessarily embracing the etiology, or causes of disease, involves
the discussion of the geographical position of the state ; its area, physical features ; its elevations,
depressions; water supply; drainage; its mean level above the sea; its geology; climatology;
the nationality of its people; their occupations, habits, food, education; and, indeed, of all the
physical, moral and mental influences which affect the public health.
Geographical Position.
The geographical position of Wisconsin, considered in relation to health, ' conveys an imme-
diate and favorable impression, which is at once confirmed by a reference to the statistical atlas
of the United States. On its north it is bounded by Lake Superior, Minnesota, and the northern
peninsula of Michigan ; on the south by. Illinois ; on the east by Lake Michigan, and on the
west by the Mississippi. It lies between 42° 30' and 46° 55' N. latitude, and between 87" and
92" 50' W. long.; is 2S5 miles long from north to south, and 255 in breadth from east to west,
giving it an area of some 53,924 square miles, or 34,511,360 acres. Its natural surface divisions,
or proportions, are 16 per cent, of prairie, 50 of timber, 19 of openings, 15 of marsh, mineral
undefined. North of 45° the surface is nearly covered with vast forests of pine. The proportion
of the state cultivated is nearly one-sixth.
Physical Features.
Among these, its lacustrine character is most conspicuous, so much so that it may not inaptly
be called the state of a thousand lakes, its smaller ones being almost universal and innumerable.
HEALTH OF AVISCONSIN. 231
It has an almost artificially perfect arrangement of its larger rivers, both for supply and drainage,
is rolling in its surface, having several dividing ridges or water sheds, and varies from 600 to 1,600
feet above the level of the sea, Blue Mounds being 1,729 feet above sea level. Its pine and
thickly wooded lands are being rapidly denuded, and to some extent converted to agricultural
purposes ; its marshes in the north are being reclaimed for cranberry cultivation, and in the more
thickly settled parts of the state for hay purposes. The surface of the state is beautifully diver-
sified with stream, waterfall and rapids ; richly wooded bluffs several hundred feet in height,
assuming the most romantic and pleasing forms, and composed of sandstone, magnesian
limestone, granite, trap, etc. The health and summer resorts of Wisconsin are illustrative of its
beauty, and its numerous mineral springs have long since formed an important feature of its
character for salubrity.
Geology.
The geology of Wisconsin does not require from us but a very general notice, as it is only
from its relation to disease that we have to consider it. This relation is in a measure apparent
in the fact that everywhere the topographical features are governed by the strata below them.
The relationship will be seen still further in the chemical or sanitary influence of the geological
structures. Through the greater part of the south half of the state limestone is found, the cliff
prevailing in the mineral region, and the blue in the other parts ; while in the north part of the
state the primitive rocks, granite, slate, and sandstone prevail. South of the Wisconsin river
sandstone in layers of limestone, forming the most picturesque bluffs, abounds. While west of
Lake Michigan extends up to these rocks the limestone formation, being rich in timber or prairie
land. Sandstone is found underneath the blue limestone. ' The general dip of the stratified
rocks of the state is toward the south, about 8 feet to the mile.
Medical geology treats of geology so far only as it affects health. Thus, some diluvial soils
and sands are known to be productive of malarial fevers ; others, of a clayey character, retaining
water, are productive of cold damp, and give rise to pulmonary and inflammatory diseases ;
while others still, being very porous, are promotive of a dry and equable atmosphere. In
the Potsdam rocks arise our purest waters and best supply, while our magnesian limestone rocks
(a good quality of this kind of rock being composed of nearly equal parts of carbonate of lime
and carbonate of magnesia) affect the water to the extent of producing simple diarrhoea in those
^ unaccustomed to drinking it, as is observed in southern visitors, and was especially noticeable
in the rebel prisoners at Camp Randall, though singularly enough do not seem to produce
stone and gravel, as is alleged of the same kind of water in the north of England. Why this is
so — if so — is a question of some interest. Goitre aiid cretinism are both attributed to the use
of the same magnesian limestone water. Goitre is by no means an uncommon affection here,
but not common enough, perhaps, to warrant us in thinking its special cause is in the water.
Boiling the water is a preventive of all injurious effects. There is still another objection — partic-
ularly applicable to cities — to this kind of water, the carbonates of lime and magnesia which
it contains, not simply making it hard, but giving it the power to promote the decomposition of
organic matters, and thus where the soil is sandy or porous, endangering the purity of our well-
water. Geology in general affects all our soils and their products ; all our drainage ; even our
architecture, the material with which we build. Our building stone for half of the state is a
magnesian limestone, a rather soft or poor quality of which will absorb one-third of its bulk of
water, or two and a half gallons to the cubic foot, while most kinds of sandstone are nearly as
porous as loose sand, and in some of them the penetrability for air and water is the same. (A
single brick of poor quality will absorb a pint of water). Such materials used in the construction
232 ) HISTOKY OF WISCONSIN.
of our dwellings, without precautionary measures, give rise to rheumatism, other grave diseases,
and loss of strength. Besides, this character of stone absorbs readily all kinds of liquid and
gaseous impurities, and though hardening in dry air, decays soon when exposed to underground
moisture. The material of which our roads are made, as well as the kind of fuel we use in our
homes, have the same unquestionable relationship to geology and disease.
Drainage.
The natural drainage of the state, bearing in mind that the mean elevation of its hydro-
graphical axis is about i,ooo feet above the sea level, is as excellent as it is obvious. (A line
running from Lake Michigan across the state to the Mississippi, shows an elevation of about 500
feet). North its drainage is by a few rapid but insignificant streams into Lake Superior, while
east it increases greatly and enters Lake Michigan by way of Green bay. The principal part of
the supply and drainage, however, isfrom the extreme north to the southwest through the center
of the state, by five large rivers, which empty themselves into the Mississippi at almost equal
distances from each other.
Climatology.
The climatology of Wisconsin will be exhibited in the observations taken at diiferent times,
for longer or shorter periods, and at different points of the state. But it must be borne in mind
that climate- depends quite as much and very frequently more upon the physical surroundings,
upon the presence of large bodies of water, like our lakes, upon large forests, like our pineries,
like our heavy hard-woods, and of land elevations and depressions, upon isothermal lines, etc., as
it does upon latitude. Our historic period is of a character too brief for us to assume to speak
of our climate, or of all the changing causes which influence it — in a positive manner, our
horticultural writers, to make the difficulty still greater, affirming that it has several climates within
itself; still, sufficient data have been gathered from sufficiently reliable sources to enable us to
form a tolerably accurate idea of the subject.
The great modifiers of our climate are our lakes. These, bounding as they do, the one.
Lake Superior (600 feet above the level of the sea, 420 niiles long and 160 broad), on the north
side of the state, and the other. Lake Michigan (578 feet above the sea level, 320 miles long and
84 broad), on the east side of the state, serve to govern the range of the thermometer and the
mean temperature of the seasons, as much as they are governed in New England by the ocean.
Our climate is-consequently very much like that of the New England sea-board. They both
exhibit the same extremes and great extremes, have the same broadly marked continental features
at some seasons, and decided tropical features at others. It is of special interest in this con-
nection to know that the climate between the eastern coast and the lakes increases in rigor as
one advances west until the lakes are reached, and again becomes still more rigorous as one
advances into the interior west of the lakes, thus affording proof, if proof were wanting, of the
modifying and agreeable influences of large bodies of water
During the winter the mean temperature of the east on' the New England coast is 8.38
higher than the west (beyond the lakes) ; during the spring 3.53 lower ; during the summer 6.99
lower; and during the autumn 1.54 higher. In the mean temperature for^the year there is.buta
fractional difference. That the winters are less rigorous and the summers more temperate on
the Great Lakes is demonstrated to be owing not to elevation, but, as on the ocean, to the equal-
izing agency of an expanse of water.
On the lakes the annual ratio of fair days is 117, and on the New England coast 215 ; the
HEALTH OF WISCONSIN. 233
cloudy days are as 127 to 73; the rainy as 63 to 46 , and the snowy as 45 to 29. In the former
the prevailing weather is cloudy, and in the latter it is fair. The immense forests on the upper
lake shores of course exercise a considerable influence in the modification of our temperature, as
well as in the adding to our rain-fall and cloudy days. A climate of this character, with its
attendant rains, gives us that with which we are so abundantly supplied, great variety of food,
both for man and beast, the choicest kinds of fruits and vegetables m the greatest profusion, and
of the best quality, streams alive with fish, woods and prairies with game, the noblest trees, the
most exquisite flowers, and the best breeds of domestic animals the world can boast of.
The semi-tropical character of our summer, and its resemblance to that of New England, is
shown by the mean temperature — 70° — for three months at Salem, Massachusetts, at Albany,
New York, at southern Wisconsin, Fort Snelling and Fort Benton on the Upper Missouri, being
the same ; while at Baltimore^ Cincinnati and St. Louis, it is 75°, and around the gulf of Mexico
it is 80°. Another feature of our climate is worthy the notice of invalids and of those who make
the thennometer their guide for comfort. It is a well-ascertained fact that during the colder
seasons the lake country is not only relatively, but positively, warmer than places far south of it.
The thermometer, during the severe cold of January, 1856, did not fall so low at the coldest, by
10** to 15° at Lake Superior as at Chicago at the same time. This remark holds true of the
changes of all periods of duration, even if continued over a month. The mean temperature at
Fort Howard, Green Bay, Wisconsin, 600 feet above the level of the Atlantic, latitude 44" 40',
longitude 87°, observations for nine years, is 44.93; and at Fort Crawford, Prairie du Chien,
Wisconsin, 580 feet above the level of the Atlantic, latitude 43° 3', longitude 90" 53', observa-
tions for four years, is 45.65, giving a just idea of our mean temperature for the state. Under
the head of distribution of heat in winter, it is found that the maximum winter range at Fort
Winnebago, Wisconsin, for sixteen years, is 9.4.
I
Hyetal or Rain Character.
Wisconsin is situated within what is termed the area of constant precipitation, neither affected
by a rainy season, nor by a partial dry season. The annual quantity of rain on an average for
three years at Fort Crawford, was 29.54 inches, and at Fort Howard the mean annual on an
average of four years, was 38.83 inches. The annual quantity of rain, on an average of three
years was 31.88 inches at Fort Winnebago, situate (opposite the portage between the Fox and
Wisconsin rivers) 80 miles west of Lake Michigan and 112 miles southwest of Green Bay. The
rain-fall is less in the lake district than in the valley of the Mississippi in the same latitudes.
One of the peculiarities of our winters is the almost periodical rain-fall of a few days in the
middle of the winter (usually in the middle of January), which extends to the Atlantic coast,
while north and northwest of us the dry cold continues without a break, winter being uniform and
severe, characterized by aridity and steady low temperature. Another peculiarity of our climate
is, the number of snowy and rainy days is increased disproportionately to the actual quantity —
the large bodies of water on the boundaries of the state, contrary to the popular opinion, reduc-
ing the annual quantity of rain in their immediate vicinity instead of adding to it, the heavier
precipitation being carried further away. One of the most pleasing features of our climate is its
frequent succession of showers in summer, tempering as it does our semi-tropical heat, increasing
the fertility of the soil, and carpeting our prairies with a green as grateful to the eye as that of
England.
The hygrometric condition of Wisconsin may be judged of with proximate accuracy by that
given of Poultney, Iowa:
234
JIISTORY OF WISCONSIN
Day.
Temperature
of Air.
Temperature
of Evaporat'n
Humidity,
per cent. ,
Day.
Temperature
of Air.
Temperature
of Evaporat'n,
Humidity,
per cent.
loth
11
12 .__
13
14
92°
87
92
96
93
7B° ,
75
77
81
78 ■
■ 51
55
48
50
44
19th
20 -- --
21 --
29
30
94°
97
96
81
84
Si-
Si
80
72
71'
55
48
47
63
50
The average depth of snow for three years, at Beloit, Wisconsin, was twenty-five inches,
while at Oxford county, Maine, the average for twelve years was ninety inches. The isoliyetal
lines of the mean precipitation of rain and melted snow, for the y-ear 1872, show that of Wiscon-
sin, to be thirty-two.
Isotherms.
The mean temperature of spring is represented by the isotherm of 45° F. which enters Wis-
consin from the west about forty miles south of Hudson, passing in a nearly southeast direction,
and crosses the south line of the state near the west line of Walworth county. It then passes nearly
around the head of Lake Michigan, then northeast until it reaches the latitude of Milwaukee,
whence it passes in a somewhat irregular course east through Ontario, New York, and Massa-
chusetts, entering the ocean in the vicinity of Boston. The summer mean isotherm of 70" F.
enters Wisconsin from the west but little farther north than the spring isotherm, and passes
through the state nearly parallel with the course of that line, crossing the southern boundary
near the east line of Walworth county ; passing through Chicago it goes in a direction a little
south of east, and enters the Atlantic at New Haven. The mean isotherm of 47° F. for autumn,
enters the state about twenty miles north of Prairie du Chien, passing in a direction a little north
of east through Portage, and enters Lake Michigan near Manitowoc. The isotherm of 20° F.
representing the mean temperature of winter, enters the state near Prairie du Chien, passes east
and north and enters Lake Michigan at Sturgeon bay. The annual mean temperature is repre-
sented by the isotherm of 45" F. which enters the state near Prairie du Chien, passes across the.
State in a direction a little south of east, and enters Lake Michigan a little south of Milwaukee.
What influence these isotherms have upon our belts of disease there are no 'data to show.
But from their influence upon vegetable life, one can not but infer a similar good influence on
the animal economy. This is a question for the future.
Yearly mean of barometer at 32" F.
1,088 feet above the sea :
1869 28.932 inches.
1870. ..28.867
1871 28.986 "
1872 ..28.898
Barometrical.
as observed at the University of Wisconsin, altitude
1873 28.892 inches.
1874 28.867 "
1875 28.750 "
1876 28.9ZO "
Atmospheric pressure, as indicated by the barometer, is an important element in the causation
of disease, far more so than is generally thought. The barometer indicates not only the coming
of the storm, but that state of the atmosphere which gives rise to health at one time, and to
disease at another. When the barometer is high, both the body and mind have a feeling of
elasticity, of vigor and activity, and when the barometer ranges low, the feelings of both are just
the reverse ; and both of these states, commonly attributed to temperature, are mostly the result
of change in the barometric pressure. Many inflammations, as of the lungs, etc., commonly
HEALTH OF WISCONSIN. 235
attributed to change in the temperature, have their origin in barometrical vicissitudes.
Winds.
Generally speaking, the atmospheric movement is from the west. It is of little purpose
what the surface wind may be, as this does not affect the fact of the constancy of the westerly
winds in the middle latitudes. The showers and cumulus clouds of the summer always have this
movement. The belt of westerly winds is the belt of constant and equally distributed rains, the
feature of our winds upon which so much of our health and comfort depends.
Climatological Changes from Settling the State.
There are many theories afloat concerning the effects of reclaiming the soil and the destruc-
tion of its forests. To us, a new people and a new state, the question is one of great moment^
the more so that it is still in our power not only to watch the effects of such changes, but still
more so to control them in a measure for our good. As to the effects upon animal and vegetable
life, it would appear that so far as relates to the clearing away of forests, the whole change of
conditions is limited to the surface, and dependent for the most part on the retention and slow
evaporation in the forest, in contrast with the rapid drainage and evaporation in the open space.
The springs, diminishing in number and volume in our more settled parts of the state, do not
indicate a lessening rain-fall. It is a well ascertained fact that in other places so denuded, which
have been allowed to cover themselves again with forests, the springs reappear, and the streams
are as full as before such denudation. With us, happily, while the destruction of forests is going
on in various pajts of the state, their second growth is also going on, both in the pineries, where
new varieties of hard-wood take the place of the pine, and in the more cultivated parts of the
state, cultivation forbidding, as it does, the practice so much in vogue some years ago, of runnihg
fires through the undergrowth. Thus, though the renewal of forests may not be keeping pace
with their destruction, it would seem clear that as time advances', the springs and streams in the
more cultivated sections of the state will fill and flow again, increasing in proportion as the second
growth increases and expands.
The change, however, from denudation, though strictly limited to the surface, affects the
surface in other ways than simply in the retention and evaporation of rain. When the winter
winds are blowing, the want of the sheltering protection of belts of trees is bitterly felt, both by
man and beast. And so, too, in the almost tropical heats of the summer ; both languish and suffer
from the want of shade. Nor is the effect of denudation less sensibly felt by vegetable life. The
growing of our more delicate fruits, lik^ the peach, the plum, the pear, the better varieties of the
, cherry and gooseberry, with the beautiful half-hardy flowering shrubs, all of which flourished so
well in a number of our older counties some twenty years ago, are as a rule no longer to be found
in those localities^ having died out, as is believed, from exposure to the cold winds, to the south
west winds in particular, and for want of the protecting influence of the woods. In fruits, how,
ever, we have this compensation, that, while the more tender varieties have been disappearing,
the hardier and equally good varieties, especially of apples, have been increasing, while the
grape (than which nothing speaks better for climatology), of which we grow some 150 varieties,
the strawberry, the raspberry, blackberry and currant, etc., hold their ground. Nor are the cattle
suffering as much as formerly, or as much as is perhaps popularly believed, from this want of
forests or tree shelter. With the better breeds which our farmers have been able of late years to
purchase, with better blood and better food, and better care, our stock instead of dwindling in
condition, or in number, from the effect of cold, has progressed in quality and quantity, and
competes with the best in the Chicago and the New York markets.
236 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
There can, however, be no doubt that the planting of groves and belts of trees in exposed
localities, would be serviceable in many ways ; in tempering the air and imparting to it an
agreeable moisture in the summer ; in modifying the severity of the cold in winter ; in moderating
the extreme changes to which our climate is subject; and thus in a measure preventing those
discomforts and diseases which occur from sudden changes of temperature. Besides, these
plantings, when made between our homes or villages and malarial marshes southwest of us, serve
(by the aid of our prevailing southwest winds) to break up, to send over and above and beyond
us the malarial substratum of air to which we are otherwise injuriously exposed.
The effects of reclaiming the soil, or "breaking " as it is called in the west, have, years ago,
when the state iirst began to be settled, been disastrous to health and to life. The moist sod
being turned over in hot weather, and left to undergo through the summer a putrifying fomen-
tative process, gave rise to the worst kind of malarial, typhoid (bilious) and dysenteric disease.
Not, however, that the virulence or mortality altogether depended upon the soil emanations.
These were undoubtedly aggravated by the absolute poverty of the early settlers, who were
wanting in everything, in proper homes, proper food and proper medical attendance, medicines
and nursing. These fevers have swept the state years ago, particularly in the autumns of 1844
and 1845, but are now only observed from time to time in limited localities, following in the
autumn the summer's " breaking." But it is pleasing to be able to add that through the advancing
prosperity of the state, the greater abundance of the necessaries and comforts of life, and the
facilities for obtaining medical care, the diseases incident to "settling" are much less common
and much less fatal than formerly.
Relations of Climatology to Sanitary Status.
One of the principal reasons for gathering climatological observations, is to obtain Sanitary
information, which serves to show us where man may live with the greatest safety to his health. '
Every country, we might perhaps correctly say every state, has, if not its peculiar diseases, at
least its peculiar type of diseases. And by nothing is either this type or variety of disease so
much influenced as by climate. Hence the great importance of the study of climatology to
health and disease, nay, even to the kind of medicine and to the regulating of the dose to be
given. It is, however, best to caution the reader that these meteorological observations are not
always, made at points where they would most accurately show the salubrity of a geographical
district, by reason of the fact that the positions were chosen , not for this special purpose, but
for purely military purposes. We allude to the forts of Wisconsin, from which our statistics for
the most part come. Another caution it is also well to bear in mind in looking over the class of
diseases reported at these stations in connection with their observations. The diseases are those
of the military of the period, a class from- which no very favorable health reports could be
expected, considering their habits, exposure, and the influences incidental to frontier life.
The geography of disease and climate is of special interest to the public, and a knowledge
especially necessary to the state authorities, as it is only by such a knowledge that state legis-
lation can possibly restrain or root out the endemic diseases of the state. In connection with
the gathering of vital statistics must go the collection of meteorological and topographical
statistics, as without these two latter the former is comparatively useless for sanitary purposes.
More particularly does this apply to the malarial diseases of the state.
Acclimation is very rarely discussed or even alluded to by our people in relation to Wisconsin,
for the reason that, come from whatever part of Europe men may, or from the eastern states,
acclimation is acquired for the most part unconsciously, rarely attended by any malarial affection,
unless by exposure in such low, moist localities, where even the natives of the state could not
HEALTH OF WISCONSIN. 237
live with impunity. It seems to be well enough established that where malaria exists, whether
in London, New York, or Wisconsin ; where the causes of malarial disease are permanent, the
effects are permanent, and that there is no positive acclimation to malaria. Hence it should
follow that since life and malaria are irreconcilable, we should root out the enemy, as we readily
can by drainage and cultivation, or, where drainage is impossible, by the planting of those shrubs
or trees which are found to thrive be?t, and thereby prove the best evaporators in such localities.
Our climate, approximating as it does the 4Sth degree (being equi-distant from the equator and
pole), would a priori be a common ground of compromise and safety, and from this geographical
position is not Hable to objections existing either north or south of us.
Influence of Nationalities.
Our population is of such a confessedly heterogeneous character that naturally enough it
suggests the question : Has this intermingling of different nationalities sensibly affected our
health conditions ? Certainly not, so far as intermarriages between the nations of the Caucasian
race are concerned. This opinion is given first upon the fact that our classes of diseases have
neither changed nor increased in their intensity by reason of such admixture, so far as can be
learned by the statistics or the history of disease in the northwest. Imported cases of disease are
of course excepted. Second, because all that we can gather from statistics and history concern-
ing such intermingling of blood goes to prove that it is beneficial in every respect, physically,
mentally and morally.
England, of all nations, is said to be . the best illustration of the good attending an
intermingling of the blood of different nations, for the reason that the English character is
supposed to be, comparatively speaking, good, and that of all countries she has been perhaps
more frequently invaded, and to a greater or less part settled by foreign peoples than any other.
From a residence of nearly a quarter of a century in the center of Wisconsin, and froin an
adequate knowledge of its people, whose nationalities are so various and whose intermarriages
are so common, it is at least presumable that we should have heard of or noted any peculiar or
injurious results, had any such occurred. None such, however, have been observed. Some fears
have been expressed concerning the influence of Celtic blood upon the American temperament,
already too nervous, as is alleg«d. It is scarcely necessary to say that these fears are unsupported
by figures or facts. Reasoning from analogy, it would seem safe to affirm that the general inter-
mingling by intermarriage now going on ii;i our population, confined to the Caucasian nationali-
ties, will tend to preserve the good old Anglo-Saxon character, rather than to create any new char-
acter for our people. If this view needed support or confirmation, it is to be found in some very
interesting truths in relation to it. Mr. Edwin Seguin, in his work on Idiocy, lays special stress
on the influences of races in regard to idiocy and other infirmities, like deafness. He says that
the crossing of races, which contributed to the elimination of some vices of the blood (as may be
the case in the United States, where there are proportionally less deaf and dumb than in Europe),
produces a favorable effect on the health of the population, and cites as an example, Belgium, which
has fewer deaf and dumb than any country in Europe, owing to the influence of the crossing of
races in past ages from the crowds of northern tribes passing, mingling and partly settling there
on the way to England.
We are aware that it has been predicted that our future will give us a new type, distinct from
all other peoples, and that with this type must come not only new diseases but modifications or
aggravations of the present diseases, in particular, consumption and insanity. But so long
as we are in a formative state as a nation, and that this state seems likely to continue so long as
the country has lands to be occupied and there otc people in Europe to occupy them, such spec-
ulations can be but of little value.
238 HISTOKY or WISCOKSIN
Occupations, Food, Education, etc., as affecting Public Health.
The two chief factors of the social and sanitary well-being of a people are a proper educa-
tion of the man and a proper cultivation of the soil. Our two principal occupations in Wisconsin,
are education and agriculture, the learners in the schools being in excess of the laborers on the
soil. A happier combination could scarcely be desired, to form an intelligent and a healthy
people. How this will affect our habits in the future it is easy to conceive, but for the present it
may be said (of so many different nationalities are we composed), that we have no habits which
serve to distinguish us from the people of other northwestern states. A well-fed and a well-taught
people, no matter how mixed its origin, must sooner or later become homogeneous and a maker
of customs. In the mean time we can only speak of our habits as those of a people in general
having an abundance of food, though it is to be wished the workers ate more beef ^d mutton,
and less salt-pork, and that whisky was less plentiful in the land. The clothing is sufficient,
fuel is cheap, and the dwellings comfortable. Upon the whole, the habits of the people are
conducive to health. It is thought unnecessary to refer to the influence upon health in general
of other occupations, for the reason that manufacturers, traders and transporters -are for the most
part localized, and perhaps not sufficiently numerous to exercise any marked influence on the
State health.
History of Disease.
In searching for historical data of disease in Wisconsin, we are able to go back to tne year
1766, commencing with the aborigines. The Indians, says Carver, in his chapter on their diseases,
in general are healthy and subject to few diseases. Consumption from fatigue and exposure he
notices, but adds that the disorder to which they are most subject is pleurisy. They are like-
wise afflicted with dropsy and paralytic complaints. It is to be presumed that while Carver is
speaking generally, he means his remarks to apply, perhaps, more particularly to those Indians
with whom he lived so long, the Sioux of this state. That they were subject to fevers is gathered
from the use of their remedies for fever, the " fever bush " being an ancient Indian remedy, and
equally valued by the inhabitants of the interior parts of the colonies. Besides this, they had
their remedies for complaints of the bowels, and for all inflammatory complaints. These notices
sufficiently indicate the class of diseases which have certainly followed in the wake of the Indi-
ans, and are still occurring to his white brother, making it plain enough that lung diseases, bowel
complaints, and fevers are in fact native to the state. The fact must not be ignored that the
Indian is subject to the same diseases as the human race in general.
After Carver, we may quote Major Long's expedition in 1824. The principal disease of the
Sacs appears to be a mortification of 'the intestinal canal, more common among men than women,,
the disease proving fatal in four days if not relieved. It is unaccompanied with pain, and is neither
hernia, dysentery, nor hembrrhoids. Intermittents were prevalent, and the small-pox visited
them at different periods. As the Chippewas have a common Algonquin origin with the Sacs,,
and as their home and customs were the same, it may be expected that their diseases were simi-
lar. The principal disease to which the Chippewas are liable is consumption of the lungs,
generally affecting them between the ages of 30 and 40 ; they linger along for a year or two, but
always fall victims to it. Many of them die of a bowel complaint which prevails every year.
This disease does not partake^ however, of the nature of dysentery. They are frequently affected
with sore eyes. Blindness is not common. Many of them become deaf at an early age.
Referring to the report of the commissioner of Indian affairs for 1854, we find that the
decrease in the number of the Menomonees is accounted for by the ravages of small-pox, in 1838^
HEALTH 0¥ WISCOKSIN.
239
of the cholera, in 1847 (which latter was superinduced by misery and starvation), and by the
fever, which from time to time, commonly in the winter, has been raging among them, being
clearly the consequence of want of provisions and other necessaries. The report for 1850 says,
there has been considerable sickness among the Winnebagoes for several months past ; dysentery
has been the prevalent disease, confined mostly to children. For 1857 : the Winnebagqes have
suffered considerably from chronic diseases, scrofula and consumption. For 1859 : the chief
malady among the Winnebagoes is phthisis pulmonalis and its analogous diseases, having its
source in hereditary origin. Some of the malignant diseases are occasionally met with among
them, and intermittent and remittent fevers. In 1863 : of the Menomonees, there is a large
mortality list of the tribes under my charge. Measles and some of the more common eruptive
diseases are the causes. But the most common and most fatal disease which affects the Indians
at this agency is pneumonia, generally of an acute character. There is but little tubercular
disease to be found in any of these tribes, Menomonees, Stockbridges, Oneidas, etc. In the
report for 1865, one can not but notice with some regret the absence of all allusion, except to
small-pox, to the diseases of the Indians. Regret, because reliable information of such diseases
serves a variety of valuable purposes, for comparison, confirmation, etc., of those of the white
population. For these reasons, if for none other, it is to be hoped that the attention of the
proper authorities will be called to this feature of such reports. '
The first reliable report on the diseases of the people (as distinguished from the Indians) of
Wisconsin to which we have, had access, is Lawson's Army Report of Registered Diseases, for to
years, commencing 1829, and ending 1838 (ten years before the admission of Wisconsin into the
Union as a state).
FORT HOWARD, GREEN BAY.
Intermittent fever 30
Remittent db 11
Synochal do 4
Typhus do _
Diseases, of respiratory organs loi
Diseases of digestive organs 184
Diseases of brain and nervous system g
Dropsies i
Rheumatic affections 61
This abstract exhibits the second quar-
ters only, the mean strength being
1,702.
All other diseases 1 14, excepting vene-
real diseases, abcesses, wounds, ul-
cers, injuries, and ebriety cases.
Under the class of diseases of the respiratory organs, are comprised 384 catarrh, 6 pneu-
monia, 60 pleuritis, and 28 phthisis pulmonalis ; under the class of digestive organs, 376 diar-
rhcBa and dysentery, 184 colic and cholera, and 10 hepatitis; under the class of diseases of
the brain and nervous system, 15 epilepsy, etc. The deaths from all causes, according to the
post returns, are 25, being ij^ per cent, per annum. The annual rate of intermittent cases is 6,
and that of remittent is 3, per 100 of mean strength.
Table of Ratio of Sickness at Fort Howard.
Seasons.
MEAN STRENGTH.
NUMBER
TREATED.
RATE PER 1,000 OF
MEAN STRENGTH
TREATED QUARTERLY.
1,764
1,702
1,526
1.594
715
726
1.073
636 •
405
425
703
399
10 second " ..
gthird "
10 fourth "
Annual rate^
1,647
3.150
I.9I3
24Q
HISTOEY or WISCONSIN
.Every man has consequently, on an average, been reported sick about once in every six
months, showing this region to be extraordinarily salubrious. The annual ratio of mortality,
according to the medical reports, is -^ per cent. ; and of the adjutant-general's returns, i^
per cent.
FORT WINNEBAGO.
Intermittent fever 21
Remittent fever 10
Synochal fever I
Typhus fever —
Diseases of the respiratory organs 141
Diseases of digestive organs 90
Diseases of brain and nervous system.- 2
Rheumatic affections 26
This abstract exhibits the fourth quarters
only, the mean strength being 1,571.
All other diseases, 80, VTith the exceptions as
above.
Under the class of diseases of the respiratory organs are comprised 448 catarrh, 1 1 pneu-
monia, 29 pleuritis and 10 phthisis pulmonalis; under the head of digestive organs, 193 diarrhoea
and dysentery, 149 colic and cholera, and 17 hepatitis; under the class of brain and nervous
system, i epilepsy. The total number of deaths, according to the post returns, is 20. Of these,
3 are from phthisis pulmonalis, i pleuritis, 2 chronic hepatitis, i gastric enteritis, i splenitis, etc.
TABLE OF RATIO OF SICKNESS AT FORT WINNEBAGO.
Seasons.
MEAN STRENGTH.
NUMBER
TREATED.
RATE PER 1,000 OF
MEAN STRENGTH
TREATED QUARTERLY.
10 .irst quarters
1.535
1.505
1,527
I.57I '
552
517
581
'495
360
343
380
315
10 second '*
10 third *' -,-.,.
10 fourth "
1.534
2,145
1.398
Every man on an average is consequently reported sick once in eight months and a half.
FORT CRAWFORD.
Intermittent fever _ 262
Remittent fever 61
Synochal fever. • —
Typhus fever ; ,■ —
Diseases of respiratory organs 177
Diseases of digestive organs. 722
Diseases of brain and nervous system 16
Rheumatic affections , 58
This abstract exhibits the third quarters
only, the mean Strength being 1,885.
All other diseases, 309, virith the same list of
exceptions as above.
Under the class of diseases of the respiratory organs are included 1,048 of catarrh, 28 pneu-
monia, 75 pleuritis and 13 phthisis pulmonalis; under the head of digestive organs, 933 diarrhoea
and dysentery, and 195 colic and cholera; under the head of brain and nervous diseases, 7
epilepsy, etc. The total of deaths, according to the post returns, is 94, the annual ratio being
2-3^ per cent. The causes of death are : 6 phthisis pulmonalis, 6 epidemic cholera, i common
cholera, 4 remittent fever, 3 dysentery, etc. In the third quarter of 1830 there were 154 cases of
fever, while the sanie quarter of 1836, with a greater strength, affords but one caee, the difference'
seeming to depend upon the temperature.
HEALTH or WISCONSIK.
24:
The relative agency of the seasons in the production of disease in general is shown in the
annexed table :
TABLE EXHIBITING THE RATIO OF SICKNESS.
Seasons.
MEAN STRENGTH.
NUMBER
TREATED.
RATIO PER 1,000 OF
MEAN STRENGTH
TREATED QUARTERLY.
l,66o
1.749
1,885
1,878
987
1,267
1,948
1,270
595
724
1.033
676
lo third *'
lo fourth "
1,793
5.472
3,052
Consequently every man on an average has been reported sick once in nearly every four
months. But high as this ratio of sickness is, at this fort, and, indeed, at the others, it is low
considering the topographical surroundings of the posts. But besides these injurious topograph-
ical and other influences already alluded to, there were still other elements of mischief among
the men at these stations, such as " bad bread and bad whisky," and salt meat, a dietary table
giving rise, if not to " land-scurvy," as was the case at the posts lower down in the Mississippi
valley (more fatal than either small-pox or cholera), at least to its concomitant diseases.
The reason for using these early data of the United States Army medical reports in pref-
erence to later ones is, that even though the later ones may be somewhat more correct in certain
particulars, the former serve to establish, as it were, a connecting link (though a long one) between
the historical sketch of the diseases of the Indian and those of the white settler ; and again —
these posts being no longer occupied — no further data are obtainable.
To continue this historical account of the diseases of Wisconsin, we must now nave recourse
to the state institutions.
The Institution for the Education of the Blind.
The first charitable institution established by the state was formally opened in 1850, at
Janesville. The census of 1875 showed that there were 493 blind persons in the state, those
of school age — that is — under 20 years of age, probably amounting to 125. The number of
pupils in the institution that year, 82 ; the average for the past ten years being 68. If the health
report of the institution is any indication of the salubrity of its location, then, indeed, is Janes-
ville in this respect an enyiable city. Its report for 1876 gives one death from consumption, and
a number of cases of whooping-cough, all recovered. In 1875, ten cases of mild scarlet fever,
recovered. One severe and two mild cases of typhoid fever, recovered. For 1873, no sick list.
For 1872, the mumps went through the school. For 187 1, health of the school reasonably good i
few cases of severe illness have occurred.
The Institute for the Deaf and Dumb.
This was organized in June, 1852, at Delavan. The whole number of deaf and dumb per-
sons in the state, as shown by the census of 1875, was 720. The report for 1866 gives the
number of pupils as 156.
Little sickness, a few cases of sore throat, and slight bowel affections comprise nearly all the
ailments; and the physician's report adds: "The sanitary reports of the institution from its
earliest history to the present date has been a guarantee of the healthiness of the location.
Having gone carefully over the most reliable tabulated statements of deaf-mutism, its parent-
242 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
age, its home, its causes, and its origin, we would most earnestly call the attention of the public
to the fact that the chief cause comes under the head of congenital, 75 of the 150 pupils in this
institution having this origin. Such a fearful proportion as this must of necessity have its origin
in a cause or causes proportionately fearful. Nor, fortunately, is the causation a mystery, since
most careful examination leaves not a shadow of doubt that consanguineous marriages are the
sources of this great evil. Without occupying further space by illustrative tables and arguments,
we would simply direct the attention of our legislators and thoughtful men to the law of this dis-
ease— which is, that the number of deaf and dumb, imbeciles, and idiots is in direct keeping with the
degree of consanguinity. With such a law and exhibit before us, would not a legislative inquiry
into the subject, with the view of ^Ao■^\jva.^,. preventive means, be a wise step.'' The evil" is fear-
ful ; the cause is plain; "so, too, is the remedy."
Industrial School for Boys.
This institution is situated on the banks of the Fox river, at Waukesha, and was organized
in i860. The whole number of the inmates since it was opened in July, i860, to October 10.
1876, was 1,291. The whole number of inmates for 1876 was 415. Of these, since the period
of opening up to date, October, 1876, 25 have died : 8, of typhoid fever ; i, of typhoid erysipelas ;
I, of gastric fever; 3, of brain fever; i, nervous fever; 2, congestion of the lungs; 2, congestive
•chills; 5, of consumption ; i of dropsy; and i of inflammatory rheumatism.
The State Prison.
This was located at Waupun in July, 1857. On September 30, 1876, there were 266 inmates.
But one death from natural causes occurred during the year. The health of the prisoners has
been unusually good, the prevalent affections attendant upon the seasons, of a mild and
manageable cha:racter.
State Hospital for the Insane.
This institution, located near Madison, was opened for patients in July, i860. The total
number of admissions down to the year 1877, was 1,227 males, 1,122 females, total 2,349. Over
one half of these have been imprirved j nearly one third recovered j while less than one quarter
have~been discharged unimproved. Total number of deaths, 288. At the commencement of the
year, October i, 1875, there were in the hospital 376 patients. In the report for the year ending
September 30, 1876, we find the past year has been one of unusual health in the hospital. No
serious epidemic has prevailed, although 20 deaths have been reported, 7 fatally ill before admis-
sion, 4 worn-out cases, etc. Insanity, coming as it does, under this head of an article on State
Health, is of the highest interest from a state point of view, not only because so much may be
done to remedy it, but that still more can and ought to be done by the state to prevent it. Our
insane amount to i in 700 of the whole population, the total number in hospitals, poor-houses and
prisons being in round numbers 1,400. It is a striking fact,vcalling for our earnest consideration,
that the Germans, Irish and Scandinavians import and transmit more insanity — three to one —
than the American-born populatiort produce. The causes assigned for this disparity, are, as
.affecting importation, ihat those in whom there is an hereditary tendency to disease constitute the
migratory class, for the reason that those who are sound and in the full possession of their powers
-are most apt to contend successfully in the struggle to live and maintain their position at home ;
while those who are most unsound and unequal to life's contests are unable to migrate. In other
words, the strongest will not leave, the weakest can not leave. By this, the character of the
migratory is defined. As affects transmission, poverty is a most fruitful parent of insanity, so too is
poor land. Says Dr. Boughton, superintendent of the Wisconsin State Hospital for the Insane:
cW^y^t^t-^- '^ /S^^saffc-^^i^^^^^-Z^: —
(Deceased.;
FOND DU LAC.
HEALTH OF WISCONSIN 243
Wisconsin is characterized by a large poor class, especially in the northern part of the state,
where people without means have settled on new and poorly paying farms, where their life is
made up of hard work, exposure to a severe climate, bad and insufficient diet, cheerless homes,
etc., etc' These causes are prolific in the production of insanity. It is easy, therefore, to trace
the causes that give us so large a per cent, of insane in many of the counties of the state. Nor is
it of less interest to know, as Dr. B. adds : We draw our patients from those families where
phthisis pulmonalis, rheumatism and insanity prevail. Insanity and rheumatism are interchange-
able in hereditary cases, so too are insanity and phithisis. What may be accomplished by intel-
ligent efforts to stem the increase of insanity in our state ? Much. Early treatment is one means,
this is of course curative in its character. And its necessity and advantage are well illustrated
in table No. lo of the annual report of Dr. Boughton, for 1876, where it is seen that 45.33 of
males, and 44.59 of the females who had been sent to the State Hospital having been insane but
three months before admission, were cured, the proportion of cures becoming less in proportion
to the longer duration of insanity before admission. As a preventive means, the dissemination
of the kind of knowledge that shows indisputably that insanity is largely hereditary, and conse-
quently that intermarriage with families so tainted should on the one hand be avoided by the
citizen, and on the other hand, perhaps, prevented by the state, (congress at the same time
restraining or preventing as far as possible persons so tainted from settling in this country.)
By the state, inasmuch as the great burthen of caring for the insane falls upon the state. Still
other preventive means are found in the improved cultivation of our lands and in our improved
education ; in fact, in whatever lessens the trials of the poor and lifts them out of ignorance and
pauperism. It is only by culture, says Hufeland, that man acquires perfection, morally, mentally
and physically. His whole organization is so ordered that he may either become nothing or
anything, hyperculiure and the want of cultivation being alike destructive.
The Northern Hospital for the Insane.
This hospital was opened at Oshkosh, May, 1873. The total number under treatment
September 30, 1876 was — males 246, females 257, total 503. No ailment of an epidemic charac-
ter has affected the health of the household, which has been generally good- The report of Dr.
Kempster is full of suggestive matter for the legislator and sociologist.
City of Milwaukee.
Still adhering to the plan, in writing the sanitary history of the state, of gathering up all
the health statistics which properly belong to us, we now take up those of Milwaukee, the only
city in Wisconsin, so far as we know, that has kept up a system of statistics of its diseases.
The city is built on each side of the mouth of Milwaukee river, on the west shore of Lake Michi-
gan inlat. 43" 3' 45" N., long. 87° 57' W., and is considered remarkable for its healthy climate.
The board of health has furnished us with its report for 1870 and downward. The character of
its mortality from June 19, 1869, to March 31, 1870, is thus summarized: In children under five
years of age, 758 out of 1,249 deaths, consumption, 93; convulsions, 128; cholera infantum,
59; diarrhoea, 128; scarlet fever, 132; typhoid fever, 52; inflammation of the lungs, 41 ; still-
born, 79. This disproportionate number of still-born children is attributed in part to a laxity of
morals. The deaths from consumption in Milwaukee are 7 J^ out of every 100, one third less out
of a like number of deaths than in San Francisco, in which city, in 4,000 deaths, 441 died of con-
sumption, being 11 out of every 100 deaths for the year ending July, 1869. The deaths for 1870
numbered 1,655, the population being at the last census report, 71,636.
244
HiSTOEY or wiscosrsiN.
Table of Principal Causes.
Consumption 143
Inflammation of lungs 56
Convulsions , 259
Diarrhoea 131
Diptheria 74
Scarlet fever 52
Typhoid fever. 49
Old age - 1 ._ 28
Still-bom 123
The Milwaukee population being about
72,000, the death rate per annum for
every 1,000 inhabitants would be 21, -
after proper deductions of deaths from
other causes than from disease, showing
very favorably as compared with other
cities.
Glasgow has 39 to every 1,000; Liverpool, 36; London, 25 ; New Orleans, 54; New York,
32 ; San Francisco, 24; Milwaukee, 21. Among seventeen of the principal cities of the Union,
Milwaukee ranks the ninth in rate of mortality. An impression has prevailed that Milwaukee is
subject to a large and disproportionate amount of lung and allied diseases. Statistics disprove
this, its deaths, from consumption being only 6 percent., while those of Chicago are '7.75 ; of
St. Louis, 9.68; of Cincinnati, 11.95; ^^'^ ^^ Boston, 19.31. But few cases of malatial disease
occur in Milwaukee, and fewer cases of intestinal fever than in the interior of the state. ' The
mortality among children is explained by its occurring chiefly among the pdor foreign-born
population, where all that can incite and aggravate disease is always to be found.
This, (the historical part of the health article), will doubtless call forth from the profession
much additional and desirable matter, but excepting what will further appear under the head of
Madison it is proper to say that we have exhausted the sources of information on the subject
within our reach.
Health Resorts.
Next in order would seem to come some notice of the summer and health resorts of Wiscon-
sin, which, significant of the salubrity of the state, are hot only becoming more numerous, but
also more frequented from year to year.
Madison, the capital of the state, with a population of 11,000, is built on an isthmus between
two considerable lakes, from 70 to 125 feet above their level; 80 miles west of Milwaukee, in
latitude 43" 5' north, and longitude 89" 20' west, in the northern temperate region. The lake
basins, and also the neck of land between them, have a linear arrangement, trending northeast and
southwest. The same linear topography characterises the whole adjacent country and the boun-
dary lines of its various geological formations, this striking feature being due to the former move-
ment of glacier ice. over the face of the coimtry. At two points, one mile apart, the Capitol and
University hills, respectively 348 and 370 feet above the level of Lake Michigan, rise.prominently
above the rest of the isthmus. Both of these hills are heaps of drift material from 100 to 126 feet
thickness, according to the record of the artesian well. The neck of land on which Madison stands
is of the same material. The same boring discloses to us the underlying rock structure, pene-
trating 614 feet of friable quartzose sandstone belonging to the Potsdam series, 10% feet of red
shale belonging to the same series, and 209 J^ feet of crystalline rocks belonging to the Archaean.
In the country immediately around Madison, the altitude is generally considerably greater, and
th^ higljer grounds are occupied by various strata, nearly horizontal, of sandstone and limestone.
The Potsdam sandstone rises about 30 feet above the level of Lake Mendota, on its northern
shore, where at McBride's Point it may be seen overlaid by the next and hitherto unrecognized
layer, one of more or less impure, dark-colored, maghesian limestone, to which the name of Men-
dota is assigned, and which furnishes a good building stone. The descent of these strata, is about
HEALTH OF WISCONSIN. 245
9 feet to the mile in a due southerly direction. Overlying the Mendota beds are again sandstone
layers, the uppermost portions of which are occasionally charged with lo to 20 per cent, of calca-
reous and dolomitic matter, and then furnish a cream-colored building stone of considerable
value. Most of this stratum which has been designated as the Madison sandstone, is, however,
quite non-calcareous, being either a ferruginous brown stone, or a quite pure, white, nearly loose
sand. In the latter phase it is of value for the manufacture of glass. In a number of quarries,
cuttings and exposed places around the city, the Madison beds are seen to be overlaid by a gray-
ish, magnesian limestone, the lower magnesian, varying very considerably in its character, but
largely composed of a flinty-textured, heavy-bedded, quite pure dolomite, which is burnt into a
good quality of lime. Its thickness exceeds 80 feet. Madison, with the conveniences and com-
forts of a capital city, from its easy access by railroads, from not only in itself being beautiful,
but from its beautiful surroundings, from its good society, charming climate, and artesian
mineral water, is naturally a great summer resort.
Though there are no vital statistics, of the city to refer to, a residence of nearly a quarter of
a century has made us sufficiently acquainted with its sanitary history, which is more or less the
sanitary history of this part of the state, and in a measure of the state itself. In 1844 and 1845,
it was visited by an epidemic malarial fever of a bilious type, and not unfrequently fatal, which
passed very generally through the state, and was attributed to the turning up of the soil. It was
most virulent in the autumns. Again in 1854 it was visited by a light choleraic epidemic, which
also swept the state, assuming very generally a particularly mild type. Again in 1857 it suffered
lightly from the epidemic dysentery, which passed through the state. In 1865, it suffered from
a visitation of diptheria, the disease prevailing generally over the state at that time. It has also
had two visitations of the epidemic grip ^grippe), or influenza. The last invasion, some five
yearS since, commencing in a manner perhaps worthy of noting, by first affecting the horses very
generally, and again, by beginning on the east side of the city, while the other epidemics for the
past twenty-five years (unless the choleraic visitation was an exception) came in on the south-
west side of the city, as has been the case, so far as we have been able to observe with the light
epidemics to which children are subject. But little typhoid fever is found here, and the aguish
fevers when they occur are light and easy of control. There is but little diarrhoea or dysen-
tery. Pneumonia and its allied affections are more common, so is rheumatism, and so neuralgia.
Inflammatory croup, however, is very rare, sporadic diptljeria seeming to be taking its place.
All the ordinary eruptive fevers of children are and always have been of a peculiarly mild
type.
Prairie du Chien, situated immediately at the junction of the Wisconsin with the Mississippi,
is built about 70 feet above low water, and 642 feet above the level of the sea. The cliffs on
both sides of the river present on their summits the lower strata of the blue Silurian limestone
of Cincinnati, beneath which are found sandstone and magnesian limestone down to the water's
edge. We give this notice of Prairie du Chien for the purpose of bringing to the knowledge of
the public that it possesses one of the most superb artesian wells in the state, which is attracting
many persons by its remedial mineral properties;
Green Bay sanitarily may be considered as sufficiently indicated under the head of Fort
Howard. It is, however, proper to add that from its geographical position and beautiful situa-
tion at the head of the bay, its easy access both by railroad and steamboat, its pleasant days and
cool summer nights, it has naturally become quite a popular summer resort, particularly for
southern people.
Racine, some 25 miles south by east by ra,il from Milwaukee and 62 by rail from Chicago, is
built upon the banks and some 40 feet above the level of the lake. Its soil is a sandy loam and
246 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
gravel, consequently it has a dry, healthy surface, and is much frequented in the summer for its
coolness and salubrity.
Waukesha, i8 miles west of Milwaukee by railroad, is a healthy, pleasant place of resort at
all times on account of its mineral water, so well known and so highly appreciated throughout
the country.
Oconomowoc, 32 miles by railroad west by north of Milwaukee, is a healthy and. de-
lightfully located resort for -the summer. Its many lakes and drives form its chief attractions,
and though its accommodations were considered ample, during the past summer they were found
totally inadequate to meet the demands of its numerous visitors.
The Dalles, at Kilbourn City, by rail 16 niiles from Portage, is unsurpassed in the northwest
for the novelty, romantic character, and striking beauty of its rock and river scenery. It is
high and dry ; has pure water and fine air, and every-day boat and drive views enough to fill
up a month pleasantly.
Lake Geneva, 70 miles by rail from Chicago, is built on the north side of the lake, is justly
celebrated for its beauty, and its reputation as a summer resort is growing.
Green Lake, six miles west of Ripon, arid 89 northwest from Milwaukee, is some 15 miles
• long and three broad, surrounded by beautiful groves and prairies ; and is claimed to be one of
the healthiest little places on the continent.
Devil's Lake is, 36 miles by rail north of Madison. Of all the romantic little spots in Wis-
consin, and they are innumerable, there is none more romantic or worthy of a summer visitor's
admiration than this. It is, though shut in from the rude world by bluff's 500 feet high, a very
favorite resort, and should be especially so for those who seek quiet, and rest, and health.
- Sparta, 246 miles by rail from Chicago, is pleasantly and healthily situated, and its artesian
mineral water strongly impregnated with carbonate of iron, having, it is said, over 14 grains in
solution to the imperial gallon, an unusually large proportion, attracts its annual suriimer
crowd.
Sheboygan, 62 miles by rail north Of Milwaukee, from its handsome position on a bluif over-
looking the lake, and from the beauty of its surroundings as well as from the character of its
mineral waters, is an attractive summer resort.
Elkhart Lake, 57 miles by rail north of Milwaukee, is rapidly acquiring a good name from
those seeking. health or pleasure.
Change in Diseases.
In order to ascertain whether the classes of diseases in the state at the date of Carver's ,
travels are the same which prevail to-day, we have compared his description of them with those
tabulated in the army medical reports of Forts Howard, Crawford and Winnebago, and again
with those given in the U. S. Census for 1870, and with the medical statistics of the city of
Milwaukee. The three distinct and prominent classes prevailing from Carver's to the present
time, are, in the order of prevalence, diseases of the respiratory organs, consumption, pneumonia,
bronchitis, etc.; diseases of the digestive organs, enteritis, dysentery, diarrhoea, etc.; and the
malarial fevers. At Fort Howard alone do the diseases of the digestive organs seem to have
outnumbered those of the respiratory organs. So far as it is possible to gather from the reports
of the commissioners of Indian affairs, these features of the relative prevalence of the three
classes of disease are not disturbed.
There are, however, some disturbing or qualifying agencies operating and affecting the
amount or distribution of these classes in different areas or belts. For instance, there are two
HEALTH OF WISCONSIN. 247
irregular areas in the state; the one extending from the Mississippi east and north, and the other
starting almost as low down as Madison, and running up as far as Green Bay, which are more
subject to malarial diseases than are the other parts of the state. While it is found that those
parts of the state least subject to diseases of the digestive organs are, a belt along the western
shore of Lake Michigan, and a belt running from near Prairie du Chien north into the pineries.
Again, it is found that the part of the state most subjec' to enteric, cerebro-spinal and typhus
fevers, is quite a narrow belt running north from the southern border line into the center of the
state, or about two-thirds of the distance toward the pineries. All along the western shore of
Lake Michigan, and stretching across the country by way of Fond du Lac to the Mississippi, is
a belt much less subject to these disorders. It is equally beyond question that the western shore
of Lake Michigan, and the southern shore of Lake Superior, as well as the western half of the
southern boundary line of the pineries, are less affected with consumption than the interior parts
of the state.
The tendency of these diseases is certainly to amelioration. The sanitary history of Wiscon-
sin does not differ from that of any other state east of us, in this striking particular ; the farther
you trace back the history of disease, the worse its type is found to be. It follows, then, that
the improvement in public health must progress with the general improvement of the state, as
has been the case with the eastern states, and that the consequent amelioration of our malarial
diseases especially will tend to mitigate infectious diseases. The ameliorating influences, how-
ever, that sanitary science has brought to bear upon disease, of which England is so happy an
illustration, has scarcely as yet begun to be known to us. But the time has come at last when
this science is moving both the hearts and minds of thinking and humane men in the state, and
its voice has been heard in our legislative halls, evoking a law by which we are, as a people, to be
governed, as by any other enactment. The organization of a state board of health is a new era
in our humanity. In this board is invested all legal power over the state health. To it is com-
mitted all the sanitary responsibility of the state, and the greatest good to the people at large
must follow the efforts it is making.-
There are many other points of sanitary interest to which it is desirable to call the attention
of those interested in Wisconsin. It is a popular truth that a dry climate, all other things being
equal, is a healthy climate. Our hygrometrical records show Wisconsin to have one of the driest
climates in the United States. Choleraic diseases rarely prevail unless in a comparatively
stagnant state of the atmosphere, where they are most fatal. Where high winds prevail such
diseases are rare. The winds in Wisconsin, while proverbially high and frequent (carrying away
and dissipating malarial emanations), are not destructive to life or property, as is the case, by
their violence, in some of the adjoining states. A moist, warm atmosphere is always provocative
of disease. Such a state of atmosphere is rare with us, and still more rarely continuous beyond
a day or two. Moist air is the medium of malarial poisoning, holding as it does in solution
gases and poisonous exhalations. Its character is readily illustrated by the peculiar smell of
some marsh lands on autumnal evenings. Such a state of moisture is seen only in our lowest
shut-in marshes (where there is but little or no air-current), and then only for a very limited
period, in very hot weather.
But too much importance is attached by the public to a simply dry atmosphere for respira-
tory diseases. The same mistake is made with regard to the good' effects in such disorders of
simply high elevations. Dry air in itself or a high elevation in itself, or both combined, are
not necessarily favorable to health, or curative of disease. In the light and rare atmosphere of
Pike's Peak, an elevation of 6,000 feet, the pulse is accelerated, the amount of sleep is dimin-
ished, and the human machine is put under a high-pressure rate of living, conducive only to its
248
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
injury. The average rate of the pulse in healthy visitors is from 115 to lao per minute (the
nornial rate, in moderate elevations, being about 75). ' And where there is any organic affection
of the heart, or tendency to bleeding from the lungs, it is just this very dry atmosphere and high
elevation that make these remedies {?) destructive. Hence it is that Wisconsin, for the generality
of lung diseases, especially when accompanied with hemorrhage, or with heart disease, is prefer-
able to Colorado. It may be objected, that the diseases of the respiratory organs are in excess'
of other diseases in Wisconsin. This feature, however, is not confined to the cold belt of our
temperate latitudes — our' proportion of respiratory diseases, be it noted, comparing most favor-
ably with that of other states, as may be seen in the following table :
Climatological Distribution of Pulmonary Diseases.
Deaths
by
Phthisis.
Per cent,
of entire
Mortality.
Deaths by all
diseases of Res-
piratory Organs,
Per cent,
of entire
Mortality.
Massachusetts, 1850, U. S. Census
Ohio, 1849-50, U. S. Census
Michigan, 1850, U. S. Census
Illinois, 1849-50, U. S. Census...
Wisconsin, 1849-50, U. S. Census
3.426
17.65
2,558
8.83
657
14-55
866
7.36
290
9.99
4,418
i988
1,084
i>799
535
22.27
13.77
24.00
15-00
18.43 '
Now, while the mortuary statistics of the United States census for 1850 are acknowledged ■
to be imperfect, they are, nevertheless, undoubtedly correct as to the causes of mortality. But
besides this statistical evidence of the climatological causes of disease, there are certain relative
general, if not special, truths which serve to guide us in our estimate. Respiratory diseases, of
all kinds increase in proportion as the temperature decreases, the humidity of the air being the
same. Another equally certain element in the production of this class of diseases is variableness
of climate. Still, this feature of our climate is only an element in causation, and affects us, as
we shall see in the table below, very little as compared with other states. Indeed, it is still
disputed whether there is not more consumption in tropical climates than in temperate climates.
This much is admitted, however, that consumption is rare in the arctic regions. Dr. Terry says
the annual ratio of pulmonary diseases is lower in the northern than in the southern regions of
the United States, and Dr. Drake^ an equally eminent authority, recommends those suffering
from or threatened with pulmonary affections, to retreat to the colder districts of the country,
citing among others localities near Lake Superior — a recommendation which our experience of
nearly half a century endorses.
Proportion of Pneumonia to Consumption in the Different States.
STATES.
CONS.
PNEUM.
STATES.
CONS.
PNEUM.
Massachusetts
Ohio .
3,424
2,558
866
549
895
647
North Carolina
562
1,288
290
664
-429
194
Illinois
Wisconsin
When we compare the .general death-rate of Wisconsin with that of the other states of the
Union, we find that it compares most favorably with that of Vermont, the healthiest of the New
England states. The United States census of 1850, i860 and 1870, gives Wisconsin 94 deaths
to T 0,000 of the population, while it gives Vermont loi to every 10,000 of her inhabitants. The
STATISTICS OF WISCONSIN.
249
census of 1 870 shows that the death-rate from consumption in Minnesota, Iowa, California and Wis-
consin are alike. These four states show the lowest death-rate among the states from consumption,
the mortality being 13 to 14 per cent, of the whole death-rate.
Climatologically considered, then, there is not a more healthy state in the Union than the
state of Wisconsin. But for health purposes something more is requisite than climate. Climate
and soil must be equally good. Men should shun the soil, no matter how rich it be, if the climate
is inimical to health, and rather choose the climate that is salubrious, even if the soil is not so
rich. In Wisconsin, generally speaking, the soil and climate are equally conducive to health,
and alike good for agricultliral purposes.
STATISTICS OF WISCONSIN.
1875.
ADAMS COUNTY.
' POPULATION.
Towns. Cities akd
White.
Colored
<0
1
i
1
1
200
2II
164
n\
204
240
163
444
74
126
199
J§?
127
198
2I}
163
?88
hll
187
403
62
118
99
182
433
115
■4'
398
Big Flats
Dell Prairie
ASK
Easton
^17
Jackson
461
217
IiBola /
397
Monroe.
^^^
?*?
Preston
Richfield
330
371
934
Rome ■.
Total
3,451
3,045
2
4
6,502
ASHIiAND COUNTY.
Ashland.....
268
141
180
141
448
282
La Polnte
Total
409
321
730
BAYFIELD COUNTY.
Bayfleld.,
538 493 1 ...
BARRON COUNTY.
POPULATION.
Towns, Cities awd
White.
Colored
6
a
d
rt
a
e
1
343
459
364
326
214
122
240
285
397
319
216
182
84
If
Chetac
Stanford
qga
20B
Dallas
426
2.068
1,669
3,787
BROWN COUNTY.
210
143
371
410
943
291
3,966
581
11^
IJi
in
III
434
774
Ul
1,222
Ml
1,721
482
!?§
ni
?i
III
452
941
1,058
"3"'
■5'
'29
"i'
"6
'25
"e"
385
27
71
1,??
491
3,61
107
8,03'
112!
Holland •.•■■■
1,48
126
98
90
1,39
1,14 1
Pi ttsfield
80
1,47
92
"West Depere vi'liage
2^29
8
7
Total
18,376
16,899
53
45
35,378
250
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
BURNETT COUNTY.
POPULATION.
TOWMS, OlTlHS AND
WWte.
Colored
s
ViLLAQBS.
1
1
Ft
1
1
433
231
87
379
191
82
11
li
4
7
14
434
Wood Lake
195
Total
751
653
28
25
1,456
BUFFALO COUNTY.
307
292
III
339
III
t^
717
899
552
465
500
254
293
fl?
336
287
372
212
671
421
494
2
3
550
586
Buffalo City ,.
275
712
Cross.....
690
574
785
648
Manville ■. . . . .
515
I iton
427
785
1 388
1 5'63
1,053
886
Fountain dty village
994
Total
7,517
6,702
«
3
14,319
CALUMET COUNTY.
864
666
1,061
668
1,008
'S
690
'592
li
18
16
i'ei
7
iii'
4
156
1,698
Brilllon
1,173
- 2,093
1,267
1,884
1,965
1,590
Wooavllle
1,329
Total
7,780
6,989
193
183
15,085
CLARK COUNTY.
106
303
11
353
dl
268
84
151
fl?
789
132
186
286
70
171
210
142
310
43
237
71
307
123
736
120
107
121
135
197
104
Hixon
328
Loyal ;
499
155
264
654
Mawille
1,525
73
258
4Jlllty
io7
879
188
York
306
3,988
3,894
7,882
CHIPPEWA COUNTY.
Towns, Cities amd
YlLLAQES.
Anson ■
Auburn
Bloomer
Cnippewa Falls city,
fldson
Eagle Point
La Fayette
Slgel
Wneaton
Total
POPULATIOS.
. 361
488
654
3,286
389
1,360
1,046
346
448
sMa
420
606
1,755
28S
1,074
638
252
368
5,670
COLUMBIA COUNTY.
Arlington
Caledonia
Columbus town
Columbus city
Courtland
Dekorra
Fort Winnebago
Fountain Prairie
Hampden.
Leeds
Lewlston
Lodl
LowviUe
MarceUon
Newport
Otsego..
Pacinc
Pdrtage city
Bandolph
Scott '.
Spring Vale
west Point
Wyocena
West w. Vil. of Kandolpb
Total
513
497
584
....
481
400
912
991
647
662
618
(>>>
376
351
749
712
....
515
497
596
1
541
505
705
743
449
444
409
4
1
862
S
»
759
737
130
19
8,164
2, 61
-7
6
630
409
374
423
486
442
580
540
33
34-
..i.
14,710
14,069
15
9
CKAWFOBD COUNTY.
DOUGLAS COUNTY.
630
908
1,260
5,050
617
8,484
1,688
598
810
13,995
1,009
1,283
881
1,90S
1,309
1,280
787
1,461
1,012
1,103
1.046
1,448
886
85S
1,781
1,496
249
4,337
1,1 8S
783
770
928
1,120
67
28,803
177
851
755
798
III
394
411
489
404
186
765
688
326
352
til
809
468
"4
"2
12
"i'
"i'
363
1,616
1448
1,564
571
Marietta...
902
Prairie du Cliien town
Prairie du Chien city—
720
76S
828
Eourthward.. > • -v
963
Seneca.....'
1.391
1470
1 094
Total
7,769
7,276
18
11
15,035
STATISTICS- OF WISCONSIN.
251
DOOR COUNTY.
POPULATION.
Towns, citibs and
White.
Colored
1
ViLLAOBS.
1
S
jD
1
210
369
itt
420
208
377
186
316
210
382
206
Iff
259
181
396
675
Clay Banks
623
464
Forestville .'.
802
414
702
873
672
418
Sevastopol
479
549
sturgeon Bay vlUage
632
S30
401
Total
4,343
3,677
8,020
DUNN COUNTY.
Colfax
178
if
1,969
il?
156
379
fi28
V,h
128
212
III
490
231
463
a??
-iM
146
,263
117-
188
"i'
"r
"i'
348
Dunn
}:8i?
Eau Galle
954
3 433
254
Pew
246
662
1
T
"2"
687
1,176
663
Weston
400
Total
7,394
6,021
7
5
13.427
DODGE COUNTY.
Ashippun
Beaver Dam town
Beaver Dam city
Burnett
Calamus
Chester
Clyman
Elba
Emmet
Fox Lake town
Fox Lake village
Herman ,
Hubbard
Horlcoa village
Hustisford
Juneau viUage
Lebanon ,
LeRoy ..,
Lomira
XiOwell
MayvilVe ylliage! ! !!!!!!'.!
Oak Grove
Portland
Rubicon
Bandolph village, E. ward
Shields.. '...
Theresa
Trenton
Westford
Williamstown
Watertown city, 5 ft 6 w'da
Wanpun village, 1st ward,.
Total 24,785
748
794
1,656
567
593
451
694
701
724
471
461
986
1,143
691
907
156
833
632
1,014
1,318
532
1,006
668
956
149
559
1,072
956
586
616
1,436
628
700
70T
1,796
524
519
403
636
701
632
381
508
911
1,097
599
841
154
804
759
929
1,245
537
951
653
912
168
506
1,026
806
558
618
1,520
441
23,541
26
33
DAI^E COUNTY.
1,442
1,501
3,456
1091
1,112
854
1,330
1,402
1,356
863
1,012
1,896
2,240
1,190
1,748
310
1,637
1,597
1,943
2,563
1,069
1,958
1,321
1,868
318
1,065^
2,098
1,762
1,146
1,233
2,955
1,070
48,^94
POPULATION.
Towns, Cities and
White.
Colored
1)
3
Si
1
Albion ;.. ..
679
592
451
iii
i?i
1
493
til
fit
4,858
813
726
866
640
655
630
470
669
V 592
563
646
Ml
629
513
ii
446
474
558
546
It^
in
413
675
4!l
iiJ
III
444
448
587
495
664
622
457
ii
T
"i'
"i'
41
3
"i'
1
"i
1
1
"i'
20
1
IMl
1,121
,593
Black Earth..
Blooming Grove
Blue Mounds
Burke
Christiana.
CrossTlains
Dane
Dunkirk
1,253
1,173
1 051
Fltchburg
Madison city
10,01)3
1,635
1,417
Medina
Montrose
1079
1,359
gia
1:8??
Sun Prairie village
589
1,026
1,039
1,118
1,621
1,191
1,003
Verona ^.
Westport
Total
26,894
85,814
60
30
52,79a
FON DU liAC COUNTY.
Ashford
Auburn
Alto
Byron
Calumet ^
Eden fT
Empire
Eldorado
FondduLac
Forest.
Friendship
Fond du Lac city-
First ward
Second ward
Third ward
Fourth ward
Fifth ward
Sixth ward
Seventh ward
Eighth ward
Lamartine
i^etomen
Marshideld
Oalsfleld
Osceola
Aipon
Kosendale.
Ripon city-
First ward
Second ward.
Springvale
Taycheedah
Waupun
Waupun village, N. ward.
Total
1,064
877
.725
686
723
763
527
840
768
793
.582
1,109
1,166
1,086
1,374
594
739
655
726
780
918
1,055
748
684
. 630
611
872
777
"642
783
666
498
25,149
938
799
686
661
649
713
490
747
676
686
524
1,175
1,248
1,204
1,398
563
727
659
753
731
919
891
673
667
581
584
981
862
580
■ 717
644
478
80
252
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
EAU CLAIRE COUNTY.
POPULATION.
Towns, Citibs and
White.
Colored
03
8
S
«"
i
III
419
4,646
221
701
496
327
393
507
383
3,777
179
163
553
463
243
2?e
327
Bridge Creek
'is
"i'
'844
321
Fairchild
1,254
959
503
171
617
' 720
Total
8,724
7,250
13
4
15,991
GREEN COUNTY.
Adams.,
Albany
Brooklyn
Erodhead \illage..
■Cadiz
Clamo
Decatur
Bxeter
JefEerson
Jordon.:....
Monroe.
Monroe village —
Mount Pleasant. . .
New (rlarus > . .
Spring Grove
Sylvester
Washington
Tork...". ;...
476
437
565
585
585
654
669
750
695
654
759
751
848
350
1
450
433
. 867
847
486
441
1,525
1,693
B
550
658
a
S30
445
639
597
1
446
477
39(1
520
496
11,102
10,900
14
11
GRANT COUNTY.
,913
1 150
1,138
1,428
1,349
1,510
701
883
1,714
1,026
908
3,227
1,110
975
1,238
876
870
1,016
22,027
in
974
l§?
709
425
fll
446
1,047
568
686
539
458
1,376
369
671
3B9
109
400
500
2.000
1,873
429
716
486
330
293
805
413
996
599
512
677
384
836
631
397
1,074
491
537
481
423
604
357
97
381
440
2,054
1,268
401
613
469
274
481
354
269
27
"5"
2
si'
20
1
1,717
Blue River.
836
1,978
1,206
Clifton i.
Cassvllle
999
1,386
809
1,770
GlenHaven
l',144
843
2,121
1,049
Jamestown ~..
1,194
1,020
Liberty
1
6
882
2,742
Little Granti
708
1,275
Alarlon
726
Millvllle ...
206
■3"
2
16
1
'3'
1
9
781
Paris
940
4,0B0
J»otosi
2,644
855
1,330
955
Watterstown
604
1,017
784
Woodman
562
20,037
18,944
65
40
39,086
GREEN LAKE COUNTY.
POPULATIOK.
TowNg, Cities and
White.
Colored
ViLLAGBS.
oi
1
«'
1
£
1
Berlin
648
729
452
630
737
iMl
390
282
554
1,755
691
759
442
654
521
1,015
1,102
1'
6
1
8,341'
1399
1500
Kingston
895
1,285
, 1419
1,058
l"
2,091
St Marie
726
458
Total
7,632
7,642
9
6
15,274
IOWA COUNTY.
'■To
~ 1,854
1,565
1,078
818
806
1,458
484
Jii
480
362
924
367
• 1,870
1,459
972
705'
715
1,581
443
712
1,174
434
3S8
2
"'i'
■5
I
11
"3'
J
■ 1,980
757
3,725
3024
2,059
Mifflin
1 526
1,627
927
Pulaski
1.497
, 2,473
914
720
Total
12,384
11,714
26
9
24,133
JACKSON COUNTY.
1,428
699
549
714
669
128
448
666
1,834
620
477
554
588
197
546
82
429
467
5
1
8,768
1,319
Garden Valley
1026
1,268
1,257
Manchester ,
423
1,159
Millston
210
Northiield
877
1,032
Total
6,039
5,294
5
1
11.339
JEFFERSON COUNTY.
Aztalan
\ Concord
Cold Spring
Farmington
Hebron
Ixonla
Jefferson
Koshkonong
Lake Mills
Milford
.Oakland...
Palmyra
Sullivan
Sumner
Waterloo
Waterloo village
wWatertown town
Watertown city, 1st, 2d, 3d,
4th, and 7tn wards
Total
669
770
375
1,215
665
920
2,081
1,744
745
799
571
798
757
248
526
418
1,115
3,286
17,702
635
747
360
1,192
608
857
1,958
1,810
720
752
515
778
726
255
489
397
1,066
3,283
17,137 40
1,312
1,522
734
2,416
1.273
1,777
4,041
3,556
1,499
1,551
1,086
1,576
1,483
508
1,016
815
2,180
6,569r
34,908
STATISTICS OF WISCONSIN.
253
JUNEAU COUNTY.
POPULATIOK.
Towifs. Cities and
White.
Colored
S
VlLLAGKS.
ID
6
1
1
1
IS
117
III
390
309
553
556
874
359
178
648
1,001
ii?
610
774
119
115
ill
ill
510
840
284
160
III
ii
460
719
l"
"i'
i"
1
836
■Clearfield
850
740
718
558
1,072
1,066
6! 4
483
338
1,118
1,865
New Lisbon village
1,133
516
1,488
796
970
1,495
Total
V.993
7,301
3
3
15,300
KENOSHA COUNTY.
Brighton
BnlBtol
Kenosha city —
Pleasant Prairie,
Randall
Somers
^alem
Wheatland
Total
661
605
652
a
8
2,426
8,533
7
7
539
479
734
723
5
5
297
262
793
657
5
5
697
669
434
433
7,066
6,803
19
19
1,066
1,137
4,969
1,018
1,457
649
1,450
1,866
867
13,907
KEWAUNEE COUNTY.
687
532
i,it?
497
623
917
718
632
506
706
657
726
1,233
440
534
780
685
1,319
1,038
1,412
1.399
1,473
2,570
937
1,157
1,697
1,403
Carlton T..:
JKewauneetown& village.
Total
7,506
6,899
14,405
LA CROSSE COUNTY.
Barre ;
Bangor
Burns
"Campbell
Farmiueton
Greenfield
Hamilton
.Holland
La Crosse city-
First ward
Second ward...
Third ward....
Fourth ward...
Fifth ward
-Onalaska town
~Onalaska Tillagre. .
-Shelby "....
Washington
Total 12,263
366
667
516
528
919
486
863
461
1,131
785
1,784
596
1,196
718
393
482
499
348
604
485
875
940
380
839
408
1,205
640
1,916
753
982
666
887
355
483
11,590 55 37
714
1,271
991
906
1,862
806
1,708
863
8,398
1,873
3,711
1,354
2,188
1,878
680
837
922
83,945
LA FAYETTE COUNTY .
POPULATION.
Towns. Cities akd
White.
Colored
gj
Villages.
1
■3
a
i
' 1
ii
1,330
510
602
866
468
922
522
1,263
554
231
555
935
671
591
795
256
1,341
483
595
855
420
231
^l
1,287
ifl
III
l"
"i'
'ill
1,197
1.721
Benton
Darlington
Elk Grove. ,
Gratiot^ . . . .-
Kendall
Monticello
469
'■^§
Seymour
"i"
Wayne
ilosi
"r
'.'.'.'i
1,064
1,801
Wiota.
Total
11,388
10,781
2
4
82,169
LINCOLN COUNTY.
Jenny .
623 372
895
MARQUETTE COUNTY.
362
459
356
219
331
277
274
343
343
370
330
338
271
352
179
338
853
ill
ni
304
1
714
719
ftRd
III
530
669
650
Shield
westfield
643
4,490
4,207
1
■ 8,697
MARATHON COUNTY.
Bergen
Berlin
Brighton
Hull
Knowlton....
Maine
Marathon...,
Mosinee
Stettin
Texas
Wausau
Wausau city
Weln
Weston
Total...
109
SO
585
539
369
823
373
298
135
. 129
414
351
232
235
307
838
479
430
159
119
439
385
1,660
1,260
110
114
263
815
1
5,524
4,586
1
159
1,184
588
671
264
765
,467
545
909
278
824
2,820
224
479
10,111
254
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
MANITOWOC COUNTY.
POPULATION.
Towns, Cities and
White.
dolored
1
6
■s
s
1
Cato
951
935
Jit
728
3,226
606
'779
'ill
1,005
1,019
ii
955
887
l,|j
767
i,e?i
644
1,016
549
953
932
857
313
■1,714-
Centei'viilet
Cooperstown,
Franklin
Liberty
Manitowoc city
1
5,724
1,234
1,652
1,754
Mishicott. .:
Meeme
Rockland.
Scbleswig
1,958
Two Kiivers village
1,951
TvfO Rivers town
Total
19,535
"18,931
1
38,456
MIJLWAUKEE COUNTY.
Milwaukee city—
' First ward
4,427
nit
3.929
4;330
3,584
loll
"•III
1,343
1,232
1,155
5,101
6617
8,483
5,491
Hit
2,328
fMl
1,988
1,694
878
1,399
1,815
1,199
i;755
1
7
■7'
3
'e"
70
10
"2"
9,532
13.491
7190
10.656
Fifth ward
8 310
W4
6 668
Eighth ward
8,658
7,181
lenthward
EleventH ward
"i'
1
'2"
1
Thirteenth ward
Franklin , . , . .
it^
2,646
4.233
Granville '.
2431
OakCreek
Lake ...... .
2,206
5.246
3!S67
Total
61,758
60,979
96
94
122,927
MONROE COUNTY.
Adrian
Angelo
Byron
Cufton.
Glendale...
Greenfield .
Jefferson. .
La Fayette.
La Grange..
Leon.^ —
Little Falls,
Lincoln
New Lyme.
Oak Dale...
Portland,..
Eldgevllle.
Sbeldon....
Sparta
Tomali.
Wellington,
WUton
Wells
373
308
681
274'
256
193
188
331
408
381
789
591
1,297
387
328
715
507
459
§§S
234
206
440
422
396
35
886
404
, 338
742
333
277
613
381
843
81
74
155
370
323
11
m
478
408
886
516
1,146
400
342
742
1,814
3,750
1,164
460
'ogw
512
1,087
629
294
OCONTO COUNTY.
POPULATION.
TOWWP, CITJBP AND
WliUe.
Colbred
s
Villages.
a
i
1
196
551
152
, 1,446
2,1??
1,495
744
268
III
108
'ill
■ 2,086
185
....
375
91?
Mania Vallev
2i(y
"i'
2
i'
3
2,537
1 017
4,457
252»
1281
stiles
453
Total,
7,786
-6,017
13,812
OUTAGAMIE COUNTY.
Appleton city ,
Buchanan
Bovina
Black Greek
Center
Cicero
Dale
Deer Creek ,
Ellington
Freedom
Grand Chute
Greenville
Hortonia
Kaukauna
Liberty ,
Maple Creek ,
Maine
New London, 3d ward. ,
Osborn ,
Seymour ,
Total.. 13.
3,307
3,403
11
9
6,730
489
492
981
538
429
974
546
1,009>
836
' 718
1,559
238
179
417
536
516
1,082'
170
140
310
689
655
1,353
850
731
,581
842
811
,653
719
669
.388
562
,095
980
937
,917
263
S36
499
408
338
746
111
92
203
100
100
200
290
247
537
759
624
1
1,384
13,883
12..n:i
22
20
25,558
OZAUKEE COUNTY.
Cedarburg
Belgium
Fredonia
Grafton
Mequon
Port Washington.
Saukville
Total
1,376
1,?1?
1,497
1,081
1,268
1,009
984
844.
1,522
1,481
979
i"
T
8,516
8,089
1
1
PIERCE COUNTY.
2,644
2,052
1,916
1,756
8,139
2,978
2,060'
16,54&
Clifton
■ 388
307
645
287
380
628
184
566
544
167
403
513
297
326
324
250
554
248
343
542
101
514
480
415
544
934
369
141
, 327
454
252
253
"i'
712'
Diamond BlutE
557
1.300
535
Gilman
723
Hartland
1,170
225
Martell
i;S?S
Maiden Rock
'29
10
■4
24
9
■2
899"
1.1 3»
1916
79 »•
Spring Lake
(VQfV
Awn
54 9^
57*
STATISTICS OF WISCONSIN.
255
POIiK COUNTY.
POPULATION
Towns, CITIBS AHD
■White.
Colored
.
03 '
(a
■s
■ 1
510
376
266
209
425
III
61
160
105
lol
134
447
818
268
174
852
322
141
45
157
85
428
198
110
957
12
'66
■■9
47
694
Balsam l<ake
555
Eureka
383
777
Xitncoln
721
Luck
463
106
Laketown
io
■'9
317
MlUtown
209
Osceola
St Croix Falls
914
406
Sterling.. ...
244
Total
3,648
3,045
,78
65_
6,736
POKTAGE COUNTY.
Amherst
650
i
522
30
244
.54
n
65
719
741
316
675
11
120
497
295
III
514
130
616
III
612
687
289
1,825
721
Buena Tista
726
BauPIelue..,.^
§??
Hull
'•8(1?
Ltnwood...
I'Ml
Plover,.:.
1
1,267
1,494
Sharon
Stevens Point city-
First ward
1.831
1,428
604
Third ward
7,842
7.0-
1
14,856
PEPIN COUNTY.
Albany
Dutand...,,
Frankfort.,
Lima
Pepin
Stockholm
Watervllle,
Wanbeek..,
Total.
194
181,
497
4' 8
271
2; 3
311
274
759
6 4
X
815
698
685
120
117
....
3,060
2,760
2
ROCK COUNTY.
Avon
Belolttown
Belolt city
Bradford
Center
Clinton
Fulton
Harmony
JaaesvlUe town
JaaesTille city
Johnstown...
La Prairie
Lima
Magnolia
MlKon
Newark
Plymouth:
Porter....,
Eock;....
.Sf.y^!f.v.v.:;.::;
/piion .1
445
■ 433
344
2
2,162
2,371
89
33
4' 3
142
4! 8
1
!66
2
2
Ij 52
9 0
1
613
5,040
4 0
5,015
iu
26 ■
11
67
4
' 34
88:
1
>98
63;
>62
61
1
1
45
93
1
1
^ 83
47
>39
60S
09
64
io
49
, 192
53'
2
1,009
1,015
1
375
975
504
685
1,406
606
1,128
287
5,816
878
728
4,605
981
1,041
1,922
2,011
1436
863
10,115
1,191
822
1,131
1,079
1,877
954
1,242
1,155
1,019
1,138
1,131
2025
KACINE COUNTY.
'
POPtTLATlON.
Towns, cities and
White.
Colored
VlLLAOES.
V
a
0
1,403
1,503
i,ii?
506
6,571
, 824
436
789
810
1,424
1,345
457
6,590
710
765
1
i"
"4"
62
i"
I
2, 27
2, 47
Caledonia
Mt. Pleasant
, 2,341
18.274
Waterf ord
lies
Yorkvllle
Total
14,616
13,973
69
63
28,702
BICHLAND COUNTY.
ATcan
361
573
598
490
II
902
749
if
435
881
614
1
448
697
440
834
544
488
477
403
.... .
io
a'
742
I'oi?
Dayton
I'nofi
i;i85
911
1,219
903
Marshall
687
Bichland
To
Bockbrldge
l^f
Willow
Total
8,896
8,436
16
6
17,358
ST. CROIX COUNTY.
160
1!
i
8
145
11
816
685
Ji
r
U"
Cady *
447
1 SAft
*Of»
gllg
1 330
'bao
1.977
R91
645
Bichmond «
H^H
GRO
S^nton
482
673
i"
S30
§16
683
Total
8,009
6,941
6
1
14.966
SAUK COUNTY.
3,026
i
1,931
402
11
8
T
'11
Bear Creek
Seiton.. ":..:;::::;::::::::::;
Dt^ona
Fairfield
....
Freedom
....
256
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
SAUK COUNTY.— Cont'd.
POPULATION.
Towns, Cities and
White.
Colored
a
a5
1
391
. 648
678
604
lit
1,114
II
i
645
374
623
633
549
430
1,045
1,136
516
381
501
526
682
378
575
1
766
Honey Creek
1,370
1,311
Ironton,,*.
LaValle
1,153
886
Prairie du Sac.
1.999
Heedsburg \..
2242
1049
SumjpLer . * . .
773
Troy
"3"
"2
1,052
Washington ^....
1,093
1,320
tVinfield
827
Woodland
1,320
Total
13,816
13,088
17
11
26,932
SHAWANO COUNTY.
53
206
i|
1
238
164
90
78
405
239
218
30
130
345
lit
441
135
196
68
238
136
, 89
60
93
362
■ 216
197
ni
*i2
•3
•16
83
Angelico
Belle Plaine....!
Grant
336
708
470
Green Valley
291
918
282
439
148
Palla
466
300
179
Seneca
133
224
789
455
415
Total
3,548
3,048
26
13
6,635
•Stockljridge Indians.
SHEBOYGAN COUNTY.
Greenbus^
Herman
Holland
Lima
Lyndon
Mitchell ;
Mosel
Plymouth
Bhine '..^
Busseil
Scott ■■
Sheboygan town
Sheboygan city—
Firstward
Second ward
Third ward
Fourth ward
Sheboygan Falls
Sheboygan Falls village
Sherman
Wilson
Total .,
1,004
1,152
1,535
1,167
864
637
552
1,369
793
383
754
796
565
1,150
736
918
993
613
873
616
17,368
969
1,085
1,403
1,149
793
544
541
1,306
776'
267
750
710
631
1,192
683
953
917
563
816
606
16,653
1,973
3,337
3,937
2,316
1,658
1,181
1,093
2,675
1,569
550
1.504
1,506
1,196
2,342
1,419
1,871
1,910
1.175
1,687
1,223
34,031
TREMPEALEAU COUNTY.
population.
Towns, Cities and
White.
Colored
'
Villages.
d
^
1 ■
■05
1
1
1
1,464
301
547
293
285
774
889
557
410
755
316
406
882
1.368
169
fll
291
741
335
706
303
413
795
"3
"l"
'.'.'.'.
2 882
Albion
370
1 040
510-
576
Ettriclc
1,515
1,745
Gale
1,030
-745
1,464
619
878
1,678
Total
7,844
7,144
4
14.993
TAYLOR COUNTY.
..I
542 1
397 1 711 3 1
VERNON COUNTY.
476
734
483
506
361
703
358
451
650
619
584
642
654
354
464
659
i.3li
532
442
403
458
640
456
451
343
638
359
434
669
487
524
652
561
223
435
631
366
970
II?
344
1
55
1
'53
936
1.374
939
957
818
1,341
717
885
1,219
1006
1,108
T
"l
1'
1, 94
1, 15
Liberty
9&
1 380'
623
2,016
996
Wheatland
S83
747
Total
11.166
10.245
58
<ii^
81.534,
WALWORTH COUNTY.
Bloomfield
591
713
836
385
704
510
514
506
' 736
'596
503
2,060
516
729
933
589
844
■468
495
449
427
664
435
476
481
616
a,325
■f
1'
"l"
.1.
"i'
"a
1.107
1.442
'•?tt
1.389
l!6S0
liOlO
La Fayette
'955
8ffi
'986
1,989
Spring Prairie ,
H??
Troy
l.OH
Walworth
1 270
Whitewater
4,895
Total
13,149
1.3.067
18
35
26,259
STATISTICS OF WISCONSIN.
25T
WASHINGTON COUNTY.
POPFLATION.
Towns, Cities and
White.
Colored
VILLAGBS.
d
s
i
"3'
a
EH
1
<
660
613
878
1,030
1,403
1,028
i
280
1,006
lif
601
671
839
965.
1,321
1,014
IS
624
1.808
1
1,350
Erin
1,183
1,717
1,985
Hartford ':.
,3
2,727
2042
1 434
1,756
Richfield . . .
1,740
380
Trenton
1,912
' 1,710
West Bend town.
West Bend village. .. .
893
1,225
Total
12,283
11,576
4
23,862
W^AUKESHA COUNTY.
1,128
792
?ls
1,205
778
562
766
111
759
619
667
1,031
1,318
Jli
736
III
820
118
540
588
700
1,449
'i'
2.228
Delafleld
1,609
Geneaee
"4
4
■4'
21
"4
■6
16
1376
1.421
2,348
1.522
Merton
,135
,460
1 707
1 474
■ 2.121
2 080
Pewftukee i
i:i69
1,247
1 735
Waukesha TjUage ,.
2,807
15,140
14,196
33
26
WAUPACA COUNTY.
393
ill
131
411
456
i
566
448
205
938
413
261
427
lif
112
ill
332
182
426
801
i?i
ni
1,036
369
237
388 ,
1"
777
929
"2"
"i'
"4'
774
B!
1,120
966
liooi
Fremont
Helvetia.....
loia
LltHe Wolf
Matteson
Nov London .'.
Union
.^RQ
1,976
Hi
815
Weyauwega
Total :....
10,146
9,451
5
4
19,646
WAUSHAKA COUNTY.
POPULATION.
Towns, Cities and
Villages.
White.
Colored
.
©
1
a
■3
a
g
1,
III
122
223
443
809
300
331
459
473
193
180
384
245
347
473
666
147
244
114
256
399
279
369
277
ill
185
186
319
226
323
361
4
6
Bloomfield.
i;358
284
500.
Coloraa
Dakota
Deerfleld
842
569'
Leon.-.
Marion
Oasis
910
378
366
Plainneld
Richf ord
Saxville
703
471
647
708
Sprlngwater
Warren..*
Wautoma-,
6,963
5.560
4
6
11.623.
WINNEBAGO COUNTY.
Algoma
Black Wolf..
Clayton
Menasha
Menasha city
Neenah
NekimI
Nepeuskln...
Neenah city..
Oshkosh
Omro
Oshkosh city.
Poygan
Rushford
Utica
Vinland
Wlnche^r...
Winneconne.
Wolf River...
Total....
393
396
459
438
691
609
389
331
1.679
1.961
276
252
3
8
697
678
573
650
i...
2,062
1.961
610
, 610
1
8
1,622
' 1,690
8,672
8.263
31
41
463
405
1.055
1.018
8
8
579
499
688
653
596
635
1.342
1.230
4
1
460
417
23.106
21.825
51
51
WOOD COUNTY.
Aburndale
Centralia city
Dexter
Grand Rapids city
Grand Rapids
Lincoln
Port Edwards
Rudolpii
Remington i.
Saratoga
Sigel
Seneca.
Wood.....
Total
789
897
1,300
720
3,17a
534
1,875
1.J23
4.02a
1.124
3.812
17.U15
86a
2.07ft
1.078
1.141
1.131
2,577
877
46,033^
102
74
176
429
371
1
800
191
118
304
737,
680
1
1,418
376
297
■1
tu
231
194
193
117
810
255
217
472
79
73
158
169
44
303
231
201
1
433
183
65
849
126
04
229
3,291
2,760
6
1
6,04a
258
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
POPULATION BY COUNTIES.
SUMMARY FROM STATE AND FEDERAL CENSUS.
COUWTIES.
1840.
1850.
1855.
1860. ,
1865.
1870.
1875.
187
6,868
6.492
515
13
353
11.795
3,864
7.8^1
1.895
24,I|
li
812
2,704
8,162
34,164
31,189
19,808
12.663
18.967
4.170
30,438
ii:^2S
5.530
12,186
18,134
""'22,416
81233
3,592
9.587
16,682
2,392
4,672
1,400
7.507
21.360
3i:^i§
5,392
18.963
26.875
""ii'Mo
11.007
26.496
23.622
26.831
8.851
III
5.698
256
■'269
15.282
«•!??
8.638
3.278
1,011
26,112
11,011
50,192
46,841
3,998
5,170
4i:eiJ
33,618
20,648
12.596
20657
6.631
r^Mi
12.676
7.039
14.834
20.358
"26; 762
3.678
7.327
i|;i|
61324
1.677
22;884
12.186
26033
7.256
20.154
1.369
27,671
6.601
221
538
344
25.168
11,123
706
12;335
8.311
3450
28.802
inu
47.035
9.488
10.769
46,273
37.979
23,611
13,196
24,544
7,687
34,050
12,396
i&l
20,295
22,667
"""33,369
5,885
8i:§il
16,562
8,322
18,440
15.579
4.659
10,003
3,422
10640
26,742
15,736
231868
3,165
31,773
"io.Vis
18,673
25,992
23,905
ll!879
37.325
3,911
6.602
Ashland
750
3.737
1.032
2,107
6,215
6,699
832
35.373
Bu£Ealo
14.219
1.456
275
1.743
615
3,631
838
232
17.965
3,323
37.714
34,640
739
385
1,796
"""24;78"i
23,170
14,827
■ "i5;2'0'5
1,098
26,869
■i2;3"97
3;904
16,064
15.065
13.995
ciar£ . . . . : ::"■": ■.■.■.■.■.■.■.■.".'.'.■.■.■.■.■.". .::::::::::::::::
7.282
9.565
2.498
16,639
19.138
28 803
1,502
314
67
V ■
15;035
48*394
8.020
741
)■••
16.198
8.566
13,427
15,991
139
926
933
50,241
SJraut 1
39.086
22,027
16,274
3,978
9.522
"""is! 317
"""i 0.734
24,133
11,339
914
34,908
15,300
13,907
14,406
23,945
11.631
22,169
895
235
3.702
31,077
13,048
447
1,427
46,265
2,407
1,501
4,914
12,973
""i",7"2"6
547
5.151
20.673
5,584
31,364
2,040
13,614
254
20,391
493
4,823
22662
18,897
24.012
4.437
5.541
17,439
38.456
lOllll
18
6,605
i2lii?.
2i,oafi
13,812
16;545
5 816
15,101
6.736
i,623
3.476
""i,7"di
809
102
1.250
14,973
963
20,750
624
4,371
"""8'.8"7"d
14.866
28.702
17.353
39.039
14.956
26.932
6.636
i'sa
34.021
849
5,199
13.644
25.773
24,019
27.029
11.208
9.002
29,767
2.965
14.992
"""i7;86"2
19,486
19,258
21,524
2.611
343
26269
23,862
29,425
19,646
11.623
185
10,167
45.033
6.048
30,946
305,391
552,109
775.881
868.326
1,054,670
1.236,729
In a note to the territory of Indiana returns appears the following:
sippi, liad 65, and Green Bay 60 inhabitants.
■ On the 1st of August, 1800. Prairie du Chien, on the Missis-
STATISTICS OF WISCONSIN".
259
NATIVITY BY COUNTIES.
CENSUS OF 1870.
Native.
Foreign
BOEX.
COUNTIES.
a
u
0
n
2,649
148
133
175
11,098
4,433
100
5.658
3,764
1,196
12,233
5,808
22,738
20,934
1.903
.340
.3.177
3,336
20.112
19,390
10,643
4.635
12,562
3,966
15,407
5,359
5,959
4;20B
6,779
11,346
2:333
8f;?^i
6,732
2,677
8,060
8,314
1,612
3,618
931
4.337
11.336
6,547
15,309
9,795
1.133
14.957
\)^
7.233
11.214
13,504
18,304
6,3«5
3
i
n
g
£
1
I
1
a
0
n
1
1
1
t
s
n
5,351
174
246
288
14,728
6.864
144
7,661
4,725
2.751
19.652
9.612
33,456
38,708
2,806
712
6,368
7,394
31,477
28,565
18.532
9,098
21,747
4,642
11.695
15,935
1;fii
4?:J1?
12,512
i;Iif
7,460
2,249
7,218
15,949
13,954
30,712
17,308
1688
19,193
7,451
6,339
13,605
20,822
13,868
18,368
11.011
8,702
25.209
2.538
392
10,440
4.674
-iii
9,150
3,463
19,640
18,327.
2,113
410
3.220
3.375
14.796
9,414
9,178
1,923
12,293
3,011
4,081
5,486
8,602
6.724
16,496
2,746
42:333
4,038
3,730
6,689
6.836
1.308
2.498
1,173
3.431
10,791
1,777
8.318
6,552
1,478
■12,557
3,584
4,393
5,040
5,150
10,051
9,906
4,538
2,577
13,070
1,374
127
12 '
127
33
4
165
1,437
226
511
397
684
565
290
133
437
767
1,754
386
2T3
290
346
291
369
580
186
518
316
884
Jti
308
310
191
401
270
168
755
386
111
323
816
209
184
391
3ii
508
264
142
4
2
3
273
56
4
167
120
8,046
186
1,631
41
147
243
1,391
2,531
934
395
650
570
49
252
1,973
510
111
171
48
91
103
46
217
1,878
222
1,382
765
27
303
150
185
189
921
110
3,065
260
508
1,531
42
225
'?
4
1,442
242
1
600
ni
1,332
906
8,955
8,301
227
487
3,572
1,281
,942
'412
1,239
137
1,067
1,104
813
313
488
2,346
1,133
103
4.igJ
til
793
475
118
422
102
369
1,039
431
3.870
946
24
943
1.202
286
306
1,729
888
1,593
517
307
1,399
171
26
A
125
13
39
629
^ i
51
54
317
189
50
68
86
92
183
100
16
109
111
52
Ji
85
li
34
19
99
289
46
490
103
5
38
56
141
87
1i
IS
42
146
34
133
8
41
3
2,783
1.971
11
426
8|
3:585
892
2,634
1,447
250
8,445
518
8,083
1,611
3,831
739
9.335
3,239
1,661
8§.019
1,601
797
3,362
4,422
300
449
172
1,323
3,859
481
1,142
\^
776
661
1,173
8,813
4,336
1,243
816
5,261
299
5
■68
39
•5i
30
36
160
187
87
4
17
34
185
ii
8
21
29
41
11
89
22
52
19
1
388
ii
61
92
27
16
27
25
78
65
4
119
6
22
30
81
134
37
39
11
53
3
537
3
98
1
451
566
561
3
439
.79
1,515
764-
6,601
383
344
1,336
871
156
643
1,017
27
1.647
944
384
379
29
8,6 6
Jg
3
31
636
573
321
i^
484
1,062
483
795
1,0 8
237
1,428
98
146
234
940
2,633
3,138
579
40
486
1,225
220
768
106
4
102
67
168
34
1
34
'%
7
547
343
18
309
1?
8,011
489
2,366
■ 3
1,624
40
72
7
11
'i
11
703
184
■'38
■41
881
896
'\
■■26
9
■14
"si
941
■■33
35
1
67
46
216
\
i
193
118
1,247
31
4.
30
27
271
21
153
3
1
447
43
A
«?
76
8
5
67
11
6??
'&
66
6
947
4
■■92
29
■■44
17
2
3
11
13
1
19
1
44
5?
■••4
864
?i
786
34
"li
1
4i
4
A
' 38
6
3
15
58
48
1
23
33
371
22
20
3
fV
Crawford
l^i
i*''.
S3
J
51
21
HH
13
13
15
3
15
55
Kenosha
71
44
Lacrosse....
66
3
8K
6
130
3
6(1
56
16
Pcpln
19
106
47
1,294
3
Rock .1
S»
Shawano
23
7
3
Walworth
Washin);ton
278
557
369
723
Wood....:.
51
260
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
VALUATION OF PROPERTY
IN THE STATE OF WISCONSIN.
AssbsseD Valuation of Taxable Property for the
TEAR 1876.
OOUNTIES.
Adams
Ashland
Barron
Bayfield
Brown
Buffalo
Burnett
Calumet
Cbippewa
Clar£
Columbia
Crawford
Dane.
Dodge
Door
Douglas
Dunn.
Eau Claire....
Fond du Lac
Grant
Green
OreenLake...
Iowa
Jackson
Jefferson
Juneau
Kenosha...'...
Kewaunee
Lacrosse
La Fayette
Lincoln
Manitowoc...
Marathon
Marquette....
Milwaukee . . .
Monroe
Oconto.
Outagamie....
Ozaukee
Pepin
Pierce
Polk
Portage
Kaclne
Bichland
Kock
St. Croix
tank..
hewano
Sheboygan....
Taylor
Trempealeau.
Vernon
Walworth
Washington.,
Waukesha
Waupaca ,
Waushara....
Winnebago. . .
( Wood
Total
Value of per-
sonal property.
»
179,771
42,666
146,374
21,705
442,287
438,501
32.419
373,946
965,624
281,813
1,875,049
627,048
4,610,768
2,446.793
136,107
19,434
1,062,300
1,354,142
2,489,759
2,502,795
1,966,599
789,736
1,233,676
472,124
1,753,985
660,186
1.320,967
546,678
1,336,271
1,196,502
13,654
1,141,320
336,078
326,668
15,345,281
658,191
455,741
623,744
381,784
835,283
738,082
237,567
584,079
2,418,248
612.171
4,462,048
816,768
1.364,772
121,267
1,903,861
53,812
840,378
924,835
3.187,722
1,062,347
3,165,504
480,837
343,509
3,081,808
251,669
Value of
real estate.
$ 624,
889,
1,043,
633,
2,196,
890,
442,
2.107,
4,369,
2,356,
7,083,
1.467,
14,882.
11.014,
659,
410,
1,875,
4,204,
11,649,
7,039,
6,290,
3,485,
4,348.
1,040,
7,896,
1,607,
4,488,
2,560,
4,015.
4,775,
1.632,
5,290,
1,744,
1,033,
46.477,
1,994,
3,411,
3.348,
8,803,
596,
2,436,
1,121,
1,692,
8,071,
1,908,
13,931,
3,110,
4,036,
685,
7,096,
816,
1,904,
2,288,
10,659,
4,927,
11,892,
1,826,
1,343,
9,810.
598,
,168
523
,964
,167
053
028
766
211
245
972
892
586
179
318
650
227
148
233
769
201
829
819
462
417
833
245
,186
,641
.568
,417
542
,599
,901
,967
283
911
657
267
688
316
319
699
018
811
386
410
445
813
917
170
421
988
420
619
634
119
908
029
290
920
$ 803,939
932,189
1,190,338
564,872
2,637,340
1,328,629
476,184
3,481,157
5,324,869
8,687,785
8,958,941
1,984,629
19,492,947
13,461,111
,794,767
429,661
8,927,448
5,568,375
14,139,528
9,541,996
8,267,428
4,275,665
5,682,128
1,512,541
9,660,818
2,267,370
5,809,143
3,107,319
5,361,889
5,971,919
1,546,196
6.481.923
8,079,979
1,860.635
61,822,564
2,653,108
3,867,298
3,972,011
3,185,472
880,599
3,173,401
1,359,166
8,156,097
10,490,059
8,620,567
18,398,458
3,927,213
5,401,686
807,184
9,000,081
870,233
8,745,366
3,213,855
13,747,241
6,989,981
15,067,683
8,307,745
1,686.538
18,891,698
850,589
J274,417,873 «351,780,354
Valuation of Untaxed Property, from Assessors'
Returns for 1876 and 1876.
Co., town,
city and
village
property.
1 6,147
2,340
'■■fi^SOO
43,325
15,300
■"iii'do
'"sis 60
29,785
■"7;2b'6
45,800
■■i7;i'63
■72,136
49,320
52,605
25,650
600
12,600
"iglsbo
10,760
31,000
88,210
15,700
5.680
1,318,506
5,368
"'iOAOO^
5,280
25
13,950
■■■■siboo
28,700
585
28,000
11,400
9.000
2,000
10,725
350
1,600
70,200
7,600
700
250
21,350
6,380
■ 1,500
82 ,063,636
School, col-
lege and
academy
property.
9,900
4,925
1,400
102,635
27,787
1,500
■■■■5,160
3,000
115,605
11,000
■ 'saeso
■■■'3ii'24
3,200
16,938
60,500
197,405
66,875
■■■36, 774
'■■66!2d6
46,365
17,780
3,500
55,930
9,640
81,848
87,202
8,735
771,265
13,200
■■"96;296
18,416
8,247
73,676
10,940
85,916
24,626
■■■soiodo
7,211
4,125
8,800
8,000
■"150, add
sdd
34,940
21,080
29,495
2,735,817
Church and
cemetery
property.
f 4,713
1,000
125
8,685
83,369
29,760
3,000
13.220
55,014
1,300
91,142
4,100
359,390
121.075
7,029
8,351
3.200
56,980
859,900
109,405
76,995
23,840
56,026
15.076
172,300
19,280
46,860
18,581
110,643
71,610
'■■54! 874
16,825
18,080
1,812,390
33,168
38,100
73,375
38,920
4,180
85,115
5,272
42,470
236,000
37,915
242,650
41,370
87,670
5,714
123,895
■■■26;3d6
2,385
129,310
120,670
218,760
34,410
22,524
36,860
27,000
Railroad
property.
$1,820,000
94,025
160
73
175,885
64.095
110.000
89.800
34,400
481,604
627,155
95,450
2,000
■■■eiisod
75,000
837,915
180,000
51.800
300
■"idaiedo
146,901
50,653
i,^87i!6d6
17,585
76,720
347,615
136,000
70,400
850,975
"75i',956
68,720
88,500
■■■55; 836
336,400
8,800
■■isabdb
2,300
84,780
8.720
4,774.888 7,487,627
TJ. S., state
and all
other
property.
$ 400
2,780
900
1,340
10,421
100
262,987
14,400
200
60,000
18,780
82,246
50U
3,730
600
■31806
6,275
10.500
2,525
16,300
74.800
400
3.595
682,800
8.340
■■3.000
3,470
9,835
1,000
5,735
900
180,950
'34.656
5,850
1,150
41.600
775
1.300
140.000
60,038
200
2,825
1,200
1.550
7.740
1,662.888
« 21,158
1,228,265
125
10,385
826,638
73,897
4,500
14,393
60,174
184.875
312,028
126,200
699,367
296 305
7 829
22 638
428 004
833153
478,950
384.520
170.020
88.070
183,680
253,699
402.300
77.355
183,885
49,516
264,043
202,340
10,040
254,828
110,380
26,495
6,257,566
71651
114,820
624,680
196.090
44,253
114.740
22,047
147,686
845,260
38,440
1,107,250
217,340
»1»
194,775
380,800
35,785
26,050
670.710
188,213
220,160
74,235
67,954
169,065
38,960
18,624,196
STATISTICS OF WISCOX"SIK.
261
ACREAGE OF PRINCIPAL CROPS
GROWN IN 1876.
Adams
Ashland
Barron ,
Bayfield
Brown
Buffalo
Burnett
Calumet
Chippewa
Clark
Columbia
Crawford
Dane
Dodge
Door
Douglas.
Dunn
Eau Claire
Fond du Lac
Grant
Green
Green Lake...
Iowa
Jackson
Jefferson
Juneau
Kenosha
Kewaunee
La Crosse
La Fayette
Lincoln
Manitowoc
Marachon
Marquette
Milwaukee
Monroe
Oconto
Outagamie
Ozaukee
Pepin
Pierce
Polk
Portage
Racine
Richland
Rock
St. Croix
Sauk
Shawano
Sheboygan.....
Taylor
Trempealeau .
Vernon
Walworth
Washington...
Waukesha
Waupaca
Waushara
Winnebago....
Wood
Total l,445,650>i l,025.8015ir
NUMBER OF ACRES.
637
6,146
6
4,0T0^
11,466
639>i
20
13,933
16,384
48,507K
9,213X
1,179
216>i
3Z,860X
4,583
10,442
2,734
2,457
1,596
64,472
40,274
19,054
19.178
89,253
84,073
''ifA
29,401JK'
353
9,671
37,a08
2'' o85
11,765
b'i,612
18,208M
29,643
98,709
4,409
58,168
87,064
15,608
21,676
46,980
19,953
8,071M
33,669
28,379
ll,598)i
11,848K
J'^^
15,815
17,702
l,0o6
38,8«0
10,581
4,4o3
61,649
262
4,538K
854X
4,648
355
9,517
15,121
11,774
7,104Ji
31.63*
13,608
8,490
734
8 076
4 761
S" -iSH
i!.B84>i
ld,a90>4
6,924
*1'1§Z
8,984
9,293
4,104
i&XS''*
11,076
7,884«
1 .904)^
13,228X
• 460)i
12,384«
t;,041>«
77,810
5,390
27,701
33,816>i
6,485
1,904
46,959
8,244
60V
32
63,666
18,106
42,277
22,499
20,688
45,466
63,691
11,613
314*fi
26,318
13,616
9,524
12.573
18,736>^
49,999
15,404
6,363
84
3,477)f
16
6,732
12,673M
637
9,868
9,038
8,408
34,071
10,584
67,120
25,592^
3,391
50
13,833
7,183
80,763
62,054
34,191
8,013
34,433
12,189K
16,845
14272K
14,174
10,632
]',249
tJ,194
712
21,437)i
6,020
4,873
10,21354
12,864
3.412
2,447K
9,473
4,475
8,338
1,842
9,086X
15,241«
ll,606>i
60.103
17,541
24,469*'
4.408M
16,704
54K
15,034
23,055
28.225
14.104
18,980
7,448
8,847
18,813
1,029
Barley.
759>i
6,013
2.751
68
4.0485C
1.858
208
7.694
3.912
83.499
11,463
696
"i'.seo
1,248
8 564
2,839
666K
1,170
2,609K
1,739
8.773
445
1.649
2,164
.3,045
1,278
20
4,299
670
93
5,063
1,769
357
940M
4,n6«
6135i-
2.851
440
1.284;
2.23?,.
589*-
19,434
2.022
2.197)i
805
7,519
2
2,381X
5,542
8,934K
6.614
8.537
1.060
636^
1.427
29X
854.861MI 183.030Ji'
Rye.
8.488
282X'
5,264
870
264
231)i
185
95
7648
1.588
7.410
2,134iK
788
1,1.56
933
3.296
3.793K
3.455
1,892
613
7.611
3.137
611
3.580
3,177
1,735
5,233
116
10.503
3.074X'
1.27.7
724
514
2,430K
563
268
336
7.665X
2.212
1.770SC
15,038>«
173
6,164)^
4,332
3
550
633
4,875>i
6,008
7,659
4,363
15,416
988
372)i
175,314}i
Hops.
660
"27
17K
9K
10>i
3
B93X
18
317}i
136
11
44
ma
28
818
179),;
71)i
840
1,169
8
2
24954
13
139
65
390
3
11«
15
2bii
3
584 JC
31X
499X
41>«
3,118K
42*^
187
107*'
89
239
295
340
110
14
11,184)4
554
2
154
15
2,46954
8
29
44
1
ioo
7
2^
"1
"7
454
254
2,105M
14
IIX
4,848
2X
46
163X
-IK
, H4
2
25,217
82
10,146
6
3,434
1154
"16
>.285K
1.169
113
62.00854
262
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
ACREAGE OF PRINCIPAL CROPS
GROWN IN 1876.
NUMBEK OF ACRES.
Clover Seed,
Bushels.
Cultivated
Grasses.
Potatoes.
Roots.
Apples.
^iiilivatecl
Cr.« II berries.
Timber.
AdaiQS
3,161
341
771
266
341J^
469«'
130Ji
1,017
425
1,918^
2,493
989
6
75
55^
58
*ii
25,040
1,153,000
24,175
553
Ashland
Barron
38S^
5
Bayfield
Brown
5,769>^
13,361
35K
319
4,000*^
12,739
Burnett
652K
57,463
. i.733
Chippewa
Clarfi '
9,348
32,326
4,925
53:219
29.552
257
100
10,033
""iiMi
37,792
fliii
15,566
5.316
17,407
2i:^gi
5,665
11.390
''•III
3.387
20,557
14,217
6,170
11,681
8,538
r
78
4,830k
16,254
126,000
51,879
Golunibia
104
618
36
1,689
Crawford
Dane
30
111,463
49,369J«
2,969H
2,489K
Dodge
Door ,
Douglas. . ; . . ;
10
219
3
61K
:ii:Sfi
20,313J«
22,393
51.026
53.880
33,774
Eau Claire
2,701J«
3,038
1,159
921
1,650M
510
2,309
1,738
1,060
1,487
781
1,633
106
3,351
667
926
3,030)^
1,520
836
51
61>i
3,936^
, 2.766
5,980)i
1.467
1.98W
'^li
2,170
44
239
994
1,500
3,848
Grant
16-
5
46
41
94
52M
45
566
1,515
Jackson
530
2;757K
Juneau ■
Kenosha ;
19,896
37,573
39,763
24,037
■'■257,34i
1,324
1,174
2
La Fayette
1,007
108
137K
??
13
100
689
46
1,856
1,934^
406
774>4
151
4,412
20
30,525
16,311
33,756
19,433
33,077
■■"l83,67i,
52; 150
28,718}i
65,394
57.587}^
3,606
88,058M
SO. 533
68,057
i2ii49
91,194
50,231
50 080
42,690
82,985
66,510
35,737
93,242
1,073
113
Oconto
1,266V
77
16,oi«
479
3,676
1,054SC
1.7lg^
3
379K
4,056K
50,095
'in
1
1,349
Pepin
Pierce.... '
13,974
2,642
10,1 42 J«
21,515«
18,924>i
' 57,132)^
14,293
35,332JIC
4111
40,133
173
18,738
30,197
45,093
6.513
38,629
13.640
9.770
23,433
235
Vii
3,016St^
1548*-
1,153V
?:??g
3,209X
3,733
878J^
1,341
2,183K
46,821
3,982
1,695
1,342
1,630
169
41
1285f
tea
.lOX
122;^
10
104X
MH
183
34
41K
140
55)i
9,430
383
98
45
36
131
Polk ;
2
580
343
Racine
840
Richland
80
St. Croix
1,248X
Shawano.....
3,101
10,738
Taylor
2
13f
' ' * 270
,21798
16080
Washington ....
185
1,053
194
400
1 529
610
117
Winnebaeo
720
Wood
Total
889,0183<
123,420X
13,624 J«
139,891«
' 17,664Ji
4.090 226)i
76,945X
ABSTRACT OF LAWS
WISCONSIN.
ELECTORS AND GENERAL ELECTIONS.
Sec. 12. Every male person of the age of twenty-one years or upward, belonging to
either of the following classes, who shall have resided in the State for one year next preceding
any election, shall be deemed a qualified elector at such election :
1. Citizens of the United States.
2. Persons of foreign birth who shall have declared their intention to become citizens con-
formably to the laws of the United States on the subject of naturalization.
3. Persons of Indian blood who have once been declared by law of Congress to be citizens
of the United States, any subsequent law of Congress to the contrary notwithstanding.
4. Civilized yersons of Indian descent not members of any tribe. Every person convicted
of bribery shall be excluded from the right of suffrage unless restored to civil rights ;
and no person who shall have made or become directly or indirectly interested in any
bet or wager depending upon the result of any election at which he shall oflFer to vote,
shall be permitted to vote at such election.
Sec. 13. No elector shall vote except in the town, ward, village or election district in which
he actually resides.
Sec. 14. The general election prescribed in the Constitution shall be held in the several
towns, wards, villages and election districts on the Tuesday next succeeding the first Monday in
November in each year, at which time there shall be chosen such Representatives in Congress,
Electors of President and Vice President, State officers, and county officers as are by law to be
elected in such year.
Sec. 15. All elections shall be held in each town at the place where the last town-meeting
was held, or at such other place as shall have been ordered at such last meeting, or as shall have
been ordered by the Supervisors when they establish more than one election poll, except that the
first election after the organization of a new town shall be held at the place directed in the act
or proceeding by which it was organized; and all elections in villages constituting separate elec-
tion districts and. in the wards of cities, shall be held at the place to be ordered by the Trustees
of such village, or the Common Council of such city, at least ten days before such election, un-
less a different provision is made in the act incorporating such village or city.
Sec. 16. Whenever it shall betjome impossible or inconvenient to hold an election at the
place de8igna,ted therefor, the Board of Inspectors, after having assembled at or as near as prac-
ticable to such place, and before receiving any votes may adjourn to the nearest convenient place
for holding the election, and at such adjourned place shall forthwith proceed with the election.
Upon adjourning any election as hereinbefore provided, the Board of Inspectors shall cause proc-
lamation thereof to be made, and shall station a Constable or some other proper person at the
place where the adjournment was made, to notify all electors arriving at such place of adjourn-
ment, and the place to which it was made.
264 HiSTORY OF WISCONSIN
Sec. 20. A registry of electors shall annually be made :
1. In each ward or election district of every city which, at the last previous census, had
a population of three thousand or more.
2. In each ward or election district of every incorporated village in which, by law, sep-
arate elections are held ; which village at the last preceding census, had a popula-
tion of fifteen hundred or more.
3. In every town containing a village which, at said, census, had a population of fifteen
hundred or more, in which village separate general elections are not by law required to
beheld.
4. In all towns any part of which shall have been embraced in any part of any city or
village in which a registration by this chapter is required.
Such registration shall be made in the manner provided by this chapter. The persons
authorized by law to act as Inspectors of Election in each of such towns, wards or election dis-.
tricts shall constitute the Board of Registry therefor.
Sec. 21. The said Inspectors shall have their first meeting on, Tuesday, four weeks pre-
ceding each general election, at the place where said election is to be held ; and in election
districts at which there were polled at the previous general election three hundred votes or
less, they shall sit for one day, and in districts at which there were more than three hundred
votes polled, they shall have power to sit two days if necessary, for the purpose of making such
list. .They shall meet at 9 o'clock in the forenoon and hold their meetings open until 8
o'clock in the evening of each day during which they shall so sit. The Clerks appointed by law
to act as Clerks of Election shall act as Clerks of the Board of Registry on the day of election
only. The proceedings shall be open, and all electors of the district shall be entitled to be
heard in relation to corrections or additions to said registry. They shall have the same powers
to preserve order which Inspectors of Election have on election days, and in towns vacancies in
the Board shall be filled in the same manner that vacancies are filled at elections.
Sec. 22. The said Inspectors at their first meeting, and before doing any, business, shall
severally take and subscribe the oath of Inspectors at a general election, and said Inspectors shall
at their first meeting make a registry of all the electors of their respective districts, placing
thereon the full names, alphabetically arranged according to surnames, in one column, and in
another the residence by number and name of street or other location, if known. If any elector's
residence is at any hotel or public boarding-house the name of the hotel or boarding-house shall
be stated in the registry. They shall put thereon the names of all persons residing in their elec-
tion district appearing on the poll-list kept at the last preceding general election, and are author-
ized to take therefor such poll-list from the oflSce where kept, omitting such as have died or
removed from the district, and adding the names of all other persons known to them to be elect-
ors in such district. In case of the formation of a new election district since the last preceding
general election, the said Board therein may make such registry from the best means at their
command, and may, if necessary, procure therefor certified copies of the last poll-list. They shall
complete said registry as far as practicable at their first meeting, and shall make four copies
thereof, and certify the original and each copy to be a true list of the electors in their district so far
as the same are known to them. One of said copies shall be immediately posted in a conspicuous
place in the room in which their meeting was held, and be accessible to any elector for examina-
tion or making copies thereof, and one copy shall be retained by each Inspector for revision and
correction at the second meeting. They shall within two days after said first meeting file the original
registry made by them, and said poll-list in the oflBce of the proper town, city or village clerk,
and may, in their discretion, cause ten printed copies of said registry to be made and posted in
ten of the most public places of said election district, or, may publish the same in a newspaper at
an expense not exceeding one cent for each name.
Sec. 23. The Inspectors shall hold their second meeting at the same place designated for
holding elections on the Tuesday two weeks preceding the election. They shall meet at 9 o'clock '
in the forenoon. In election districts having less than three hundred voters, as shown by the
ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 265
preliminary registry, the Board shall complete the registry on the same day ; but if there are more
than that number of voters, they shall sit two days. They shall remain in session until 8 o'clock in
the evening. They shall revise and correct the registry first by erasing the name of any person
who shall be proved to their satisfaction by the oattis of two electors of the district to be not
entitled to vote therein at the next ensuing election, unless such person shall appear and if chal-
lenged, shall answer the questions and take the oath hereinafter provided ; secondly, by entering
thereon the names of every elector 'entitled to vote .in the district at the next election who shall
appear before the Board and require it, and state his place of residence, giving street and num-
ber, if numbered, or location, as hereinbefore provided, if challenged answer the questions, and
take the oaths provided in case of challenge at an election ; but if any person shall refuse to
answer all such questions or to take sucK oath, his name shall not be registered. Any person
who is not twenty-one years of age before the date when the registry is required to be corrected, but
will be if he lives until the day of election, shall have his name put on the registry if he be other-
wise qualified to be an elector. Any elector who did not vote at the previous general election
shall be entitled to be registered either at the preliminary or the final registration of electors by
appearing before the Board of Registration of his election district and establishing his right to
be registered, or, instead of a personal appearance, he may make his application to be registered
to the Board in writing. Such application shall state the name and period of continuous resi-
dence in the election district and place of residence therein, giving the number and street of the
applicant, and, in case the person making the application is of foreign birth, he shall state when
he came to the United States and to the State of Wisconsin, and the time and place of declaring
his intention of becoming a citizen of the United States, and that he is entitled to vote at the
election. Upon receiving such application, the Board of Registration shall register the name of
such applicant, if it appears to the Board that the applicant is, by his statement, entitled to
vote. Such statement shall be made under oath, and shall be preserved by the Board and be
filed in the oifice of the village or city clerk, as the case may be. All city and village clerks
shall keep blanks for making the application for registration, as provided by this section. The
form shall be prescribed by the Secretary of State. Every person named in this section shall be
subject to the same punishment for any false statement or other offense in respect thereto as
is provided in case of such false statement or other ofiense by an elector offering to vote at an
election. After such registry shall have been fully completed on the days above mentioned,
no name shall be added thereto by any person or upon any pretext. Within three days after the
second meeting the said Board shall cause four copies of the registry to be made, each of which
shall be certified by them to be a correct registry of the electors of their district, one of which
shall be kept by each Inspector for use on election day, and one shall forthwith be filed in the
ofiice of the proper town, city or village clerk. All registries shall at all times be open to pub-
lic inspection at the office where deposited without charge.
Sec. 24. On election day the Inspectors shall designate two of their number at the opening
of the polls, who shall check the names of every elector voting in such district whose name is on
the registry. No vote shall be received at any general election in any ward or election district
defined in Section 20, if the name of the person offering to vote be not on said registry made at
the second meeting as aforesaid, except as hereinafter provided ; but in case any one shall, after
the last day for completing such registry, and before such election, become a qualified voter of
the district, he shall have the same right to vote therein at such election as if his name had been
duly registered, provided he shall, at the time he offers to-vote, deliver to the Inspectors his affi-
davit, in which he shall state the facts, showing that he has, since the completion of such regis-
try, become a qualified elector of such district, and the facts showing that he was not such
elector on the day such registry was completed, and shall also deliver to such Inspectors the affi-
davits of two freeholders, electors in such election district, corroborating all the material state-
ments in his affidavit. In case any person who was a voter at the last previous general election
shall not be registered, such person shall be entitled to vote on making affidavit that he was enti-
tied to vote at the previous election, and that he has not become disqualified by reason of removal
266 HI.-STORY OF WISCONSIN.
from the election district or otherwise, since that election, which affidavit shall also be corrobo-
rated by the affidavits of two freeholders, as is provided for other non-regiStered voters. No one
freeholder shall be competent to make at any one election corroborating affidavits for more than
three voters. All of said affidavits shall be sworn to before some officer authorized by the laws
of this State to take depositions. The Inspectors shall keep a list of the names and residence
of the electors yoting whose names are not on said completed registry, and attach said list to the
registry and return it, together with all such. affidavits, to the proper town, city or village clerk..
No compensation shall be paid or received for taking or certifying any such affidavits. On the day
following the election, one of said poll-lists and one copy of the registry so kept and checked shall be
attached together and filed in the office of the proper town, city or village clerk, and the other of
said poll-lists and copy of the registry so kept -and checked shall be returned to the County
Clerk with the returns of the election. Such Inspectors shall give notice by advertisement in a
ne:wspaper printed in the city, village or town where such registration was made, of the registry,
and shall include in such notice all additions to and omissions from the preliminary list, and
shall also state where the election is to be held. In case there be no newspaper printed in such
city, village pr town, such notice shall be given by posting copies thereof in three or more public
places in each ward or election district in such city, village or town. For publication of such
notice in any such newspaper the publisher thereof shall be entitled to the same compensation
per folio as is prescribed for publishing other legal notices.
COMMON SCHOOLS.
Sec. 413. The formation of any school district shall be by written order of the Town
Board, dpscribing the territory embraced in the same, to be filed with the Town Clerk within
twenty days after the making thereof. The Supervisors shall deliver to a taxable inhabitant of
the district their notice thereof in writing, describing its boundaries, and appointing a time and
place for the first district meeting, and shall therein direct such, inhabitant to notify every quali-
fied voter of, the district, either personally or by leaving a written notice at his place of resi-
dence, of the time and place of such meeting, at least five' days before the time appointed
therefor, and said inhabitant shall notify the voters of such district accordingly, and indorse
thereon a return containing the names of all persons thus notified, and said notice and return
shall be recorded as a part of the record of the first meeting in such district.
Sec. 414. In case such notice shall not be given, or the inhabitants of a district shall neg-
lect or refuse to assemble and form a district meeting when so notified, or in case any school dis-
trict having been formed or organized shall afterward be disorganized, so that no competent
authority shall exist therein to call a special district meeting, in the manner hereinafter pro-
vided, notice shall be given by the Town Board, and served in the manner prescribed in the pre-
ceding section. Whenever a district meeting shall be called as prescribed in this and the
preceding section, it shall be the duty of the electors of the district to assemble at the time
and place so directed.
Sec. 415. Whenever it shall be necessary to form a district from two or more adjoining
towns, the Town Boards of such towns shall meet together and form such districts by their writ-
ten order, describing the territory embraced in such district, signed by at least two of the Super-
visors of each town ; and shall file one such order with the Town Clerk of each town, and
deliver the notice of formation to a taxable inhabitant of such district, and cause the same to be
served and returned in the time and manner heireinbefore prescribed ; and any such district may
be altered only by the joint action of the Town Boards of such towns in the same manner that
other districts are altered.
Sec. 416. Every school district shall be deemed duly organized when any two of the offi-
cers elected at the first legal meeting thereof shall have consented to serve in the offices to which
they have been respectively elected, by a written acceptance thereof filed with the clerk of the
first meeting, and recorded in the minutes thereof; and every school district shall be considered
ABSTRACT OF LAAVS. 267
as duly organized after it shall have exercised the franchises and privileges of a district f(3r the
term of two years.
Sec. 425. The annual meeting of all school districts in which graded schools of two or
more departments are taught, shall be held on the second Monday of July, and of all other
school districts on the last Monday of September, in each year. The hour of such meeting shall
be seven o'clock in the afternoon, unless otherwise provided by a vote of the district, duly
recorded at the last previous annual meeting ; but at any annual meeting a majority of the
electors present may determine that the annual meeting of such district shall be held on the last
Monday of August instead of the last Monday of September. Said determination to take effect
when a copy of the proceedings of said annual meeting in reference to such change shall have
been filed with the Town Clerk in which the schoolhouse of such district is situated, and to
remain in force until rescinded by a like vote of the electors of such district.
Sec. 426. The Clerk shall- give at least six days' previous notice of every annual district
meeting, by posting notices thereof in four or more public places in the district, one of whi^h
bhall be affixed to the outer door of the schoolhouse, if there be one in the district, and he shall
give like notices for every adjourned district meeting when such meeting shall have been
adjourned for more than one month ; but no annual meeting shall be deemed illegal for want of due
notice, unless it shall appear that the omission to give such notice was willful and fraudulent.
Sec. 427. Special district meetings may be called by the Clerk, or, in his absence, by the
Directors or Treasurer, on written request of five legal voters of the district, in the manner
prescribed for calling an annual meeting ; and the electors, when lawfully assembled at a special
iii;uting, shall have power to transact the same business as at the first and each annual meeting,
except the election of officers. The business to be transacted at any special meeting shall be
particularly specified in the notices caUing the same, and said notices shall be posted six full
days prior to the meeting. No tax or loan or debt shall be voted at a special meeting, unless
three-fourths of the legal voters shall have been notified, either personally or by a written notice
left at their places of residence, stating the time and place and objects of the meeting, and
specifying the amount proposed to be voted, at least six days before the time appointed therefor.
Sec. 428. Every person shall be entitled to vote in any school district meeting who is
qualified to vote at a general election for State and county officers, and who is a resident of such
school district.
ASSESSMENT AND COLLECTION OF DISTRICT TAXES.
Sec. 469. All school district taxes, unless otherwise specially provided by law, shall be
assessed on the same kinds of property as taxes for town and county purposes ; and all personal
property which, on account of its location or the residence of its owner, is taxable in the town,
shall, if such locality or residence be in the school district, be likewise taxable for school district
purposes. <
BORROWING MONEY.
Sec. 474. Whenever, upon any unusual exigency, any school district shall, before the annual
meeting, vote a special tax to be collected with the next levy, the district may, by vote, author-
ize the District Board to borrow for a period not exceeding one year a sum not exceeding the
amount of such tax, and by such vote set apart such tax when collected to repay such loan, and
thereupon the District Board may borrow such money of any person and on such terms and exe-
cute and deliver to the lender such obligation therefor, and such security for the repayment,
including a mortgage or pledge of any real or personal property of the district, subject to the
directions contained in the vote of the district as may be agreed upon and not prohibited by
law.
Sec. 498. Every District Clerk who shall willfully neglect to make the annual report for
his district as required by law shall be liable to pay the whole amount of money lost by such
268 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
district in consequence of his neglect, which shall be recovered in an action in the name of and
for the use of the district.
Sec. 499. Every Town Clerk who shall neglect or refuse to make and deliver to the County
Superintendent his annual report, as required in this chapter within the time limited therefor,
shall be liable on his official bond to pay the town the amount which such town or any school
district therein, shall lose by such neglect or refusal, with interest thereon ; and every County
Superintendent who shall neglect or refuse to make the report required of him by this chapter
to the State Superintendent shall be liable to pay to each town the amount which such town or
any school district therein shall lose by such neglect or refusal, with interest thereon, to be
recovered in either case in an action prosecuted by the Town Treasurer in the name of the
town.
Sec. 503. Every member of a district board in any school district in this State in which
a list of text-books has been adopted according to law, who shall, within three years from the
dsfte of such adoption, or thereafter, without the consent of the State Superintendent, order a
change of text-books in such district, shall forfeit the sum of fifty dollars.
Sec. 513. Every woman of twenty-one years of age and upward may be elected or
appointed as director, treasurer or clerk of a school district, director or secretary of a town board
under the township system ; member of a board of education in cities, or county superintendent.
Sec. 560. In reckoning school months, twenty days shall constitute a month and one hun-
dred days five months.
ASSESSMENT OF TAXES.
Sec. 1035. The terms "real property," "real estate" and "land,''' when used in this
title, shall include not only the land itself, but all buildings, fixtures, improvements, rights and
privileges appertaining thereto.
Sec. 1086. The term " personal property," as used in this title, shall be construed to mean
and include toll-bridges, saw-logs, timber and lumber, either upon land or afloat, steamboats,
ships and other vessels, whether at home or abroad ; buildings upon leased lands, if such build-
ings have not been included in the assessment of the land on which they, are erected;"
ferry-boats, including the franchise for running the same ; all debts due from solvent debtors,
whether on account, note, contract, bond, mortgage or othfer security, or whether such debts are
due or to become due ; and all goods, wares, merchandise, chattels, moneys and effects of any
nature or description having any real or marketable value and not included in the term " real
property," as above defined. '
Sec. 1037. The improvements on all lands situated in this State, which shall have been
entered under the provisions of the act of Congress entitled " An act to secure homesteads to act-
ual settlers on the public domain," approved May twentieth, one thousand eight hundred, and
sixty-two, and which shall be actually occupied-and improved by the person so entering the same,
or his heirs, shall be subject to taxation, and such improvements shall be assessed as personal
property. AH taxes levied Uiereon shall be collected out of the personal property of the occu-
pant of such lands, and in no other manner.
Sec. 1038. The property in this section described is exempt from taxation, to wit:
1. That owned exclusively by the United States or by this State, but no lands contracted to
be sold by the State shall be exempt.
2. That owned exclusively by any county, city, village, town or school district ; but lands
^ purchased by counties at tax sales shall be exempt only in the cases provided in Sec-
tion Eleven Hundred and Ninety-one.
3. Personal property owned by any religious, scientific, literary or benevolent association,
used exclusively for the purposes of such association, arid the real property, if not
leased, or not otherwise used for pecuniary profit, necessary for the location and con-
venience of the buildings of such association, and embracing the same not exceeding
ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 269
ten acres ; 'and the lands reserved for grounds of a chartered college or university,
not exceeding forty acres ; and parsonages, whether of local churches or districts, and
■whether occupied by the pastor permanently or rented for his benefit. The occasional
leasing of such buildings for schools, public lectures or concerts, or the leasing of such
parsonages, shall not render them liable to taxation.
4. Personal property owned and used exclusively by the State or any county agricultural
society, and the lands owned and used by any such society exclusively for fair grounds.
5. Fire engines and other implements used for extinguishing fires, owned or used by any
organized fire company, and the buildings and necessary grounds connected therewith,
owned by such company, and used exclusively for its proper purposes.
6. The property of Indians who are not citizens, except lands held by them by purchase.
7. Lands used exclusively as public burial-grounds, and tombs and monuments to the dead
therein.
8. Pensions receivable from the United States.
9. Stock in any corporation in this State which is required to pay taxes upon its property
in the same manner as individuals.
10. So much of the debts due or to become due to any person as shall equal the amount of
bona-fide and unconditional debts by him owing.
11. Wearing apparel, family portraits and libraries, kitchen furniture and growing crops.
12. Provisions and fuel provided by the head of a family to sustain its members for six
months : but no person paying board shall be deemed a member of a family.
13. All the personal property of all insurance companies that now are or shall be organized
or doing business in this State.
14. The track, right of way, depot grounds, buildings, machine-shops, rolling-stock and
other property necessarily used in operating any railroad in this State belonging to any
railroad company, including pontoon, pile and pontoon railroads, and shall henceforth
remain exempt from taxation for any purpose, except that the same shall be subject to
special assessments for local improvements in cities and villages and all lands owned or
claimed by such railroad company not adjoining the track of such company, shall be
subject to all taxes. The provision of this subdivision shall not apply to any railroad
that now is or shall be operated by horse-power, whether now or hereafter constructed
in any village or city.
15. The property, except real estate, of all companies which are or shall be engaged in the
business of telegraphing in this State.
16. The real estate of the Home of the Friendless in the city of Milwaukee, not exceeding
one lot in amount, is exempted, so long as the same shall continue to be used as such home.
17. All property of any corporation or association formed under the laws of this State for
the encouragement of industry by agricultural and industrial fairs and exhibitions,
which shall be necessary for fair grounds, while used exclusively for such fairs and
exhibitions, provided the quantity of land so exempt shall not exceed forty acres.
18. Such tree-belts as are or may be planted and maintained in compliance with chapter
sixty -six of one of these statutes.
Sec. 1191. Real property, upon which the county holds any certificates of tax sale, shall
continue liable to taxation and to sale for unpaid taxes, and the county shall be the exclusive
purchaser at the sale ; but when a tax deed shall be issued to 'the county, and it shall hold tax
certificates of sale unredeemed on the same property for two successive years subsequent to the
date of the sale on which such deed shall issue, including certificates of sale made prior to the
passage of these statutes, such property shall thereafter be exempt from taxation until the same
is sold by the county. The County Clerk shall annually, before the first day of June, furnish
to the Assessors of each town a list of the lands in such town exempt under this section. Noth-
ing in this section shall be so construed as to apply to lands owned by minors, married women,
■widowed women, idiots or insane persons.
270
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
COLLECTION OF TAXES.
Sec. 1089. , The Town Treasurer of each town, on the receipt of the tax-roll for the cur-
rent year, shall forthwith post notices in three or four public places in such towns, that the tax-
roll for such town is in his hands for collection, and that the taxes charged therein are subject
to payment at his office at any time prior to the first day of January in such year; and after
the said first day of January he shall proceed to collect the taxes charged in such roll and
remaining unpaid, and for that purpose shall call at least once on the person taxed, or at any
place of his usual residence, if within the town, and demand payment of the taxes charged to
him on such roll.
Sec. 1090. On all taxes paid or tendered at the office of such Treasurer prior to said first
day of January, he shall -remit all of the 5-per-cent collection fees, except so much thereof as
he is authorized by law to have for his fees upon taxes so paid.
Sec. 1091. Town orders shall be receivable for taxes in the town where issued, and shall
be allowed the Town Treasurer on settlement of town taxes ; and county orders and jurors' cer-
tificates shall be receivable for taxes in the county where issued, and shall be allowed such Treas-
urer on settlement of county taxes with the County Treasurer, but no Town Treasurer shall
receivve town orders in payment for taxes to a larger amount than the town taxes included in his
assessment-roll exclusive of all taxes for school purposes, nor county orders and jurors' certifi-
cates to a greater amount than the county tax included therein.
Sec. 1097. In case any person shall refuse or neglect to pay the tax imposed upon him,
., the Town Treasurer shall levy the same by distress and sale of any goods and chattels belong-
ing to such person, wherever the same may be found within his town ; and if a sufficient amount
of such property cannot be found in such town, the Town Treasurer may levy the same by dis-
tress and sale of the goods and chattels belonging to such person, wherever the same may be
found in the county or in any adjoining counties.
Sec. 1098. The Town Treasurer shall give public notice of the time and place of such
sale, at least six days previous thereto, by advertisement, containing a description of the prop-
erty to be sold, to be posted up in three public places in the town, where the sale is to be made.
The sale shall be at public auction, in the daytime, and the property sold shall be present ;
such property may be released by the payment of the taxes and charges for which the same is
liable, to be sold ; if the purchase-money on such sale shall not be paid at such time as the
Treasurer may require, he may again, in his discretion, expose such property for sale, or sue, in
his name of office, the purchaser for the purchase-money, and recover the same with costs and
10-per-centum damages.
Sec. 1099. If the property so levied upon shall be sold for more than the amount of tax
and costs, the surplus shall be returned to the owner thereof; and if it cannot be sold for want
of bidders, the Treasurer shall return a statement of the fact, and return the property to the
person from whose possession he took the same ; and the tax, if unsatisfied, shall be collected in.
the same manner as if no levy had been made.
HIGHWAYS AND BRIDGES.
, Sec. 1223. The Supervisors of the several towns shall have the care and supervision of
the highways and bridges therein, and it shall be their duty :
1. To give directions for repairing the highways and bridges within their respective towns,
and cause to be removed all obstructions therefrom.
2. To cause such of the roads used as highways as have been laid out but not sufficiently
described, and such as have been lawfully laid out and used as such up to the then
present time, but not fully and sufficiently recorded^ to be ascertained, described and
entered of record in the Town Clerk's office.
ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 271
3. To cause bridges which are or may be erected over streams intersecting highways to be
kept in repair.
4. To divide their respective towns into so many road districts as they shall judge conven-
ient, and specify every such division in writing under their hands, to be recorded in
the oflBce of the Town Clerk ; but no such division shall be made within ten days next
preceding liie annual town meeting.
6. To assign to each of the said road districts such of the inhabitants liable to pay taxes
on highways as they think proper, having regard to the nearness of residence as much
as practicable.
6. To require the Overseers of Highways from time to time, and as often as they shall
deem necessary, to perform any of the duties required of them by law.
7. To assess the highway taxes in their riespective towns in each year, as provided by law.
8. To lay out and establish upon actual surveys, as hereinafter provided, such new roads in
their respective towns as they may deem necessary and proper ; to discontinue such
roads as shall appear to them to have become unnecessary, and to widen or alter such
roads when they shall deem necessary for public convenience, and perform all other
duties respecting highways and bridges directed by this chapter.
INTOXICATISTG LIQUOEiS.
Sec. 1548. The Town Boards, Village Boards and Common Councils of the respective
towns, villages and cities may grant license tc^ such persons as they may deem proper, to keep
groceries, saloons or other places, within their respective towns, villages or cities, for the sale in
quantities less than one gallon of strong, spirituous, malt, ardent or intoxicating liquors, to be
drank on the premises ; and in like manner may grant licenses for the sale in any quantity of
such liquors not to be drank on the premises. The sum to be paid for such license for the sale
of such liquor to be drank on the premises shall not be less than twenty-five nor more than one
hundred and fifty dollars ; and for the sale of such liquors not to be drank on the premises shall
be not less than ten nor more than forty dollars.
Sec. 1549. Every applicant for such license shall, before delivery thereof, file with such
town, village or city clerk a bond to the State in the sum of i five hundred dollars, with at
least two sureties, to be approved by the authorities granting the license, who shall each justify
in double its amount over and above their debts and liabilities and exemptions, and be freehold-
ers and residents of the county, conditioned that the applicant, during the continuance of his
license will keep and maintain an orderly and well-regulated house ; that he will permit no
gambling with cards, dice or any device or implement for that purpose, within his premises or
any out-house, yard or shed appertaining thereto ; that he will not sell or give away any intoxi-
cating liquor to any minor, having good reason to believe him to be such, unless upon the writ-
ten order of the parents or guardian of such minor, or to persons intoxicated or bordering upon
intoxication, or to habitual drunkards ; and that he will pay all damages that may be recovered
by any person, and that he will observe and obey all orders of such Supervisors, Trustees or
Aldermen, or any of them, made pursuant to law. In case of the breach of the condition of
any such bond, an action may be brought thereon in the name of the State of Wisconsin, and
judgment shall be entered against the principals and sureties therein named for the full penalty
thereof; and execution may issue thereupon by order of the court therefor, to satisfy any
judgment that may have been recovered against the principal named in said bond, by reason of
any breach in the conditions thereof, or for any penalties of forfeitures incurred under this chap-
ter. If more than one judgment shall have been recovered, the court, in its discretion, may
apply the proceeds of said bond toward the satisfaction of said several judgments, in whole or
in part, in such manner as it may see fit.
Sec. 1550. If any person shall vend, sell, deal or traffic in or for the purpose of evading
this chapter, give away, any spirituous, malt, ardent or intoxicating liquors or drinks in any
272 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
quantity whatever without first having obtained license therefor, according to the provisions of
this chapter, he shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and, on conviction thereof shall be
punished by fine of not less than ten nor more than forty dollars, besides the costs of suit, or,
in lieu of such, fine, by imprisonment in the county jail of the proper county not to exceed sixty
days nor less than twenty days ; and, in case of punishment by fine as above provided, such per-
son shall, unless the fine and costs be paid forthwith, be committed to the county jail of the proper
county until such fine and costs are paid, or until discharged by due course of law ; and, in case
of a second or anj subsequent conviction of the same person during any one year, the punish-
ment may be by both fine and imprisonment, in the discretion of the court.
Sec. 1551. Upon complaint made to any Justice of the Peace by any person that he
knows or has good reason to believe that an ofi'ense against this chapter, or any violation thereof,
has been committed, he shall examine the complainant on oath, and he shall reduce such com-
plaint to writing and cause the same to be subscribed by the person complaining. And if it
shall appear to such Justice that there is reaionable cause to believe that such ofi'ense has been
committed, he shall immediately issue his warrant, reciting therein the substance of such com-
plaint and requiring the ofiicer to whom such warrant shall be directed forthwith to arrest the
accused and bring him before such Justice, to be dealt with according to law ; and the same war-
rant may require the ofiBcer to summon such persons as shall be therein named to appear at the
trial to give evidence.
Sec. 1552. The District Attorney of the proper county shall, on notice given to him by
the Justice of the Peace before whom any such complaint shall be made, attend the trial before
such Justice and conduct the same on behalf of the State.
Sec. 1553. Every supervisor, trustee, alderman and justice of the peace, police officer?
marshal, deputy marshal and constable of any town, village or city who shall know or be credi-
bly informed that any offense has been committed against the provisions of this chapter shall
make complaint against the person so offending within their respective towns, villages or cities
to a proper Justice of the Peace therein, and for every neglect or refusal so to do every such
ofiicer shall forfeit twenty-five dollars, and the Treasurer of such town, village or city shall pros-
ecute therefor.
Sec. 1557. Any keepor pf any saloon, shop or place of any name whatsoever for the sale
of strong, spirituous or malt liquors to be drank on the premises in any quantity less than one
gallon, who shall sell, vend or in any way deal or traffic in or for the purpose of evading this
chapter, give away any spirituous, ardent or malt liquors or drinks in any quantity whatsoever
to or with a minor, having good reason to believe him to be such, or to a person intoxicated or
bordering on a state of intoxication, or to any other prohibited person before mentioned, shall be
deemed guilty of a misdemeanor ; nor shall any person sell or in any way deal or traffic in, or,
for the purpose of evading this chapter, give away, any spirituous, ardent, intoxicating or malt
liquors or drinks in any quantity whatsoever within one mile of either of the hospitals for the
insane ; and any person who shall so sell or give away any such liquors or drinks shall be
deemed guilty of a misdemeanor.
BILLS OF EXCHANGE AND PROMISSORY NOTES.
Sec. 1675. All notes in writing made and signed by any person or for any corporation,
and all certificates of the deposit of money issued by any person or corporation, whereby he or
it shall promise to pay to any person or order, or unto the bearer, any sum of money, as therein
mentioned, shall be due and payable as therein expressed, and shall have the same effect and
shall be negotiable in like manner as inland bills of exchange, according to the custom of mer-
chants. But no order drawn upon or accepted by the Treasurer of any county, town, city, village
or school district, whether drawn by q-ny officer thereof or any other person, and no obligation nor
instrument made by such corporation or any officer thereof, unless expressly authorized by law
ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 273
to be made negotiable, shall be, or shall be deemed to be, negotiable according to the customs of
merchants, in whatever form they may be drawn or made.
Sec. 1680. On all bills of exchange payable at sight, or at future day certain, within
this State, and all negotiable promissory notes, orders and drafts payable at a future day cer-
tain, within this State, in which there is not an express stipulation to the contrary, grace should
be allowed in like manner as it is allowed by the custom of merchants on foreign bills of exchange
payable at the expiration of a certain period after date or sight. The provisions of this section
shall not extend to any bill of exchange, note or draft payable on demand.
Sec. 1684. All notes, drafts, bills of exchange or other negotiable paper maturing on
Sunday pr upon any legal holiday shall be due and payable on the next preceding secular day.
HOURS OF LABOR.
Sec. 1728. In all manufactories, work-shops and other places used for mechanical or
manufacturing purposes, the time of labor of children under eighteen years of age and of women
employed therein, shall not exceed eight hours in one day ; and any employer, stockholder,
director, officer, overseer, clerk or foreman who shall compel any woman or any child to labor
• exceeding 'eight hours in any one day, or who shall permit any child under fourteen years of age
to labor more than ten hours in any one day in any such place, if he shall have control over
such child sufficient to prevent it, or who shall employ at manual labor any child under twelve
years of age in any factory or work-shop where more than three persons are employed, or who
shall employ any child of twelve and under fourteen years of age in any such factory or work-
shop for more than seven months in any one year, shall forfeit not less than five nor more than
fifty dollars for each such offense.
Sec. 1729. In all engagements to labor in any manufacturing or mechanical business,
where there is no express contract to the contrary, a day's work shall consist of eight hours, an(j
all engagements or contracts for labor in such cases shall be so construed ; but this shall no/
apply to any contract for labor by the week, month or year.
FORM OF CONVEYANCES.
Sec. 2207. A deed of quitclaim and release of the form in common use or of the form
hereinafter provided, shall be sufficient to pass all the estate which the grantor could lawfully
convey by deed of bargain and sale.
Sec. 2208. Conveyances of land may be in substantially the following form:
WARRANTY DEED. ^
A B, grantor of County, Wisconsin, hereby conveys and warrants to C D, grantee,
of — s County, Wisconsin, for the sum of dollars, the following tract of land in
County.
' [Here describe the premises.')
Witness the hand and seal of said grantor this day of , 18 — .
In the presence of)
QUITCLAIM DEED.
SEAL.
SEAL.
A B, grantor, of County, Wisconsin, hereby quitclaims to CD, grantee, of —
County, Wisconsin, for the sum of dollars, the following tract of land in County,
(Here describe the premises )
Witness the hand and seal of said grantor this day of , 18 — .
In presence of ~)
> [seal.]
L.1
seal.
274 - HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
Sueh deeds, when executed and acknowledged as required by law, shall, when of the first
of the above forms, have the effect of a conveyance in fee simple to the grantee, his heirs and
assigns of the premises therein named, together with all the appurtenances, rights and privileges
thereto belonging, with a covenant from the grantor, his heirs and personal representatives, that
he is lawfully seized of the premises ; has good right to convey the same ; that he guaran-
tees the grantee, his heirs and assigns in the quiet possession thereof; that the same are free from
all incumbrances, and that the grantor, his heirs and personal representatives will forever war-
rant and defend the title and possession thereof in the grantee, his heirs and assigns against all
lawful claims whatsoever. Any exceptions to such covenants may be briefly inserted in such
deed, following the description of the land ; arid when in the second of the above forms, shall
have the eifect of a conveyance in fee simple to the grantee, his heirs and assigns, of all the right,
title, interest and estate of the grantor, either in possession or expectancy, in and to the prem-
ises therein described, and all rights, privileges and appurtenances thereto belonging.
MORTGAGES.
Sec. 2209. A mortgage may be substantially in the following form :
A B, mortgagor, of County, Wisconsin, hereby mortgages to C D, mortgagee, of
County, Wisconsin, for the sum of dollars, the following tract of land in
County.
(Here describe the premises.)
This mortgage is given to secure the following indebtedness :
''Here state amount or amounts and form of indebtedness, whether on note, bond or otheruise, time or times when due, rate
of interest, by and to whom payable, etc.)
The mortgagor agrees to pay all taxes and assessments on said premises, and the sum of
' — — dollars attorney's fees in case of foreclosure thereof.
Witness the hand and seal of said mortgagor this day of — '■ — , 18 — .
In presence of
[seal.]
SEAL,]
'when executed and acknowledged according to law shall have the effect of a conveyance of
the land therein described, together with all the rights, privileges and appurtenances thereunto
belonging in pledge to the mortgagee, his heirs, assigns and legal representatives for the payment
of the indebtedness therein set forth, with covenant from the mortgagor that all taxes and assess-
ments levied and assessed upon the land described during the continuance of the mortgage shall
be paid previous to the day appointed by law for the sale of lands for taxes, as fully as the forms
of mortgage now and heretofore in common use in this State, and may be foreclosed in the same
manner and with the same effect, upon any default being made in any of the conditions thereof
as to payment of either principal, interest or taxes.
ASSIGNMENT OF MORTGAGE.
Sec. 2210. An assignment of a mortgage substantially in the following form :
For value received I, A B, of , Wisconsin, hereby assign to C D, of , Wis-
consin, the within mortgage (or a certain mortgage executed to by E F and wife, of
County, Wisconsin, the — — day of , 18 — , and recorded in the oflBce of the Register of
Deeds of County, Wisconsin, in Vol. of mortgage?, on page ), together with^
the^ and indebtedness therein mentioned.
Witness my hand and seal this day of — — , 18 — .
In presence of )
^ A B. [SEAL.]
)k':^
FOND DU LAC.
ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 275
shall be suflScient to vest in the assignee for all purposes all the rights of the mortgagee
under the mortgage, and the amount of the indebtedness due thereon at the date of assignment.
Such assignment, when indorsed upon the original mortgage, shall not require an acknowledg-
ment in order to entitle the same to be recorded.
TITLE TO REAL PROPERTY BY DESCENT.
Sec. 2270. When any person shall die, seized of any lands, tenements or hereditaments, or
any right thereto, or entitled to any interest therein in fee simple, or for the life of another, not
having lawfully devised the same, they shall descend subject to his debts, except as provided in
the next section, in the manner following :
1. In equal shares to his children, and to the lawful issue of any deceased child, by right
of representation; and if there be no child of the intestate living at his death, his
estate shall descend to all his other lineal descendants ; and if all the said despendants
are in the same degree of kindred to the intestate, they shall share the estate equally,
otherwise they shall take according to the right of representation.
2. If he shall leave no lawful issue, to his widow ; if he shall leave no such issue or widow,
to his parents, if living ; and if either shall not be living, the survivor shall inherit
his said estate. If a woman shall die, leaving no issue, her estate shall descend to
her husband, if she shall have one at the time of her decease, and if she shall leave,
surviving her, neither issue nor husband, to her parents, if Irving ; and if either shall
not be living, the survivor shall inherit her said estate.
3. If he shall leave no lawful issue, nor widow, nor father, nor mother, his estate shall
descend in equal shares to his brothers and sisters, and to the children of any deceased
brother or sister, by right of representation.
4. If the intestate shall leave no lawful issue, widow, father, mother, brother nor sister,
his estate shall descend to his next of kin in equal degree, except that when there are
two or more collateral kindred in equal degree, but claiming through diiFerent ances-
tors, those who claim through the nearest ancestor shall be preferred to those claiming
through an ancestor more remote ; provided, however,
6. If any person die leaving several children, or leaving one child, and the issue of one or
more other children, and any such surviving child shall die under age, and not having
been married, all the estate that came to the deceased child, by inheritance from such
deceased parent, shall descend in equal shares to the other children of the same parent,
and to the issue of any such other children who shall have died, by right of representation.
6. If, at the death of such child, who shall die under age, and not having been married, all
the other children of his said parent shall also be dead, and any of them shall have left
issue, the estate that came to said child by inheritance from his said parent, shall
descend to all the issue of the other children of the same parent ; and if all the said
issue are in the same degree of kindred to said child, they shall share the said estate
equally ; otherwise they shall take according to the right of representation.
7. If the intestate shall have no widow nor kindred, his estate shall escheat to the State,
and be added to -the capital of the school fund.
Sec. 2271. When the owner of any homestead shall die, not having lawfully devised the
same, such homestead shall descend free of all judgments and claims against such deceased
owner or his estate, except mortgages lawfully executed thereon, and laborers' and mechanics'
liens, in the manner following :
1. If he shall have no lawful issue, to his widow.
2. If he shall leave a widow and issue, to his widow during her widowhood, and, upon her
marriage or death, to his heirs, according to the next preceding section.
3. If he shall leave issue and no widow, to such issue, according to the preceding section.
4. If he shall leave nb issue or widow, such homestead shall descend under the next pre-
ceding section, subject to lawful liens thereon.
276 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
OF WILLS.
Sec. 2277. Every person of full -age, and any married woman of the age of eighteen years
and upward, being of sound mind, seized in his or her own right of any lands, or of any right
thereto, or entitled to any interest therein, descendible to his or her heirs, may devise and dis-
posBvOf the same by last will and testament in writing ; and all such estate not disposed of by
will, shall descend as the estate of an intestate, being chargeable, in both cases, with the pay-
ment of all his debts or her debts, except as provided in the next preceding chapter, and in sec-
tion twenty-two hundred and eighty.
Sec. 2278. Every devise of land in any will shall be construed to convey all the estate
of the devisor therein, which he could lawfully devise, unless it shall clearly appear by the will
that the devisor intended to convey a less estate.
Sec. 2279. Any estate, right or interest in lands acquired by the testator, after the making
of his will, shall pass thereby in like manner as if possessed at the time of making the will, if
such shall manifestly appear, by the will, to have been the intention of the testator.
Sec. 2280. When any homestead shall have been disposed of by the last will and testa-
ment of the owner thereof, the devisee shall take the same, free of all judgments and claims
against the testator or his estate, except mortgages lawfully executed thereon, and laborers' and
mechanics' liens.
Sec. 2281. Every person of full age, and every married woman of the age of eighteen
years and upward, being of sound mind, may, by last will and testament in writing, bequeath
and dispose of all his or her personal estate remaining at his or her decease, and all his or her
rights thereto and interest therein, subject to the payment of debts ; and all such estate not dis-
posed of by the will shall be administered as intestate estate.
Sec. 2284. All beneficial devises, legacies and gifts whatsoever, made or given in any will
to a subscribing witness thereto, shall be wholly void, unless there be two other competent sub-
scribing witnesses to the same ; but a mere charge on the lands of the devisor for the payment
of debts, shall not prevent his creditors from being competent witnesses to his will.
. Sec. 2285. But if such witness, to whom any beneficial devise may have been made or
given, would have been entitled to any share of the estate of the testator, in case the will was
not established, then so much of the share that would have descended or been distributed to
such witness as will not exceed the devise or bequest made to him in the will, shall be saved to
him, and he may recover the same of the devisees or legatees named in the will, in proportion
to and out of the parts devised or bequeathed to them.
Sec. 2286. When any child shall be born, after the making of his parent's will, and no
provision shall be made therein for him, such child shall have the same share in the estate of the
testator as if he had died intestate; and the share of such child shall be assigned to him, as pro-
vided by law, in case of intestate estates, unless it shall ,b'e apparent from the will that it was
the intention of the testator that no provision should be made for such child.
Sec. 2290. No will, or any part thereof, shall be revoked, unless by burning, tearing, can-
celing or obliterating the same, with the intention of revoking it, by the testator, or by some
person in his presence, and by his direction, or by some other will or codicil in writing, executed
as prescribed in this chapter, or by some other writing, signed, attested and subscribed in the
manner provided in this chapter, for the execution of a will ; excepting, only, that nothing con-
tained in this section shall prevent the revocation implied by law, from subsequent changes in
the condition or circumstances of the testator. The power to make a will implies the power to
revoke the same.
OP THE ADOPTION OF CHILDREN.
Sec. 4021. Any inhabitant of this State may petition the County Court, in the county of
his residence, for leave to adopt a child not his own by birth ; but no such petition made by a
married person shall be granted, unless the husband or wife of the petitioner shall join therein ;
ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 277
nor shall any such petition be granted, unless the child, if of the age of fourteen years, or more,
shall consent thereto in writing, in the presence of the court.
Sec. 4022. No such adoption shall be made, without the written consent of the living
parents of such child, unless the court shall find that one of the parents has abandoned the child^
or gone to parts unknown, when such consent may be given by the parent, if any, having the
care of the child. In case where neither of the parents is living, or if living, have abandoned
the child, such consent may be given by the guardian of such child, if any ; if such child has no
guardian, such consent may be given by any of the next of kin of such child, residing in this State,
or, in the discretion of the court, by some suitable person to be appointed l3y the court.
2. In case of a child not born in lawful wedlock, such consent may be given by the mother,
if she is living, and has not abandoned such child.
Sec. 4023. If upon such petition and consent, as herein provided, the County Court shall
be satisfied of the identity and the relations of the persons, and that the petitioners are of suffi-
cient ability to bring up, and furnish suitable nurture and education for the child, having refer-
ence to the degree and condition of its parents, and that it is proper that such adoption shall
take effect, such court shall make an order, reciting said facts that, from and after the date
thereof, such child shall be deemed, to all legal intents and purposes, the child of the petitioners ;
and by such order the name of such child may be changed to that of the parents by adoption.
Sec. 4024. A child so adopted, shall be deemed for the purposes of inheritance and succes-
sion by such child, custody of the person and right of obedience by such parents by adoption,
and all other legal consequences and incidents of the natural relation of parents and children,
the same to all intents and purposes as if such child had been born in lawful wedlock of such
parents by adoption, excepting that such child shall not be capable of taking property
expressly limited to the heirs of the body of such parents.
The natural parents of such child shall be deprived, by such order of adoption, of all legal
rights whatsoever, respecting such child, and such child shall be freed from all legal obligations of
maintenance and obedience to such natural parents.
INTEREST.
The legal rate of interest is 7 per cent. A higher rate of interest, not exceeding 10 per
cent, may be contracted for, but the same must be clearly expressed in writing. If a higher
rate than 10 per cent is collected or paid, the party so paying may, by himself or his legal rep-
resentative, recover treble the amount so paid above the 10 per cent, if the action is brought
within one year, and all bills, notes, or other contracts whatsoever, whereby a higher rate than 10
per cent is secured, shall be liable for the principal sum, but no interest shall be recovered.
JURISDICTION OF COURTS.
The Circuit Courts have general jurisdiction over all civil and criminal actions within their
respective circuits, subject to a re-examination by the Supreme Court.
The County Courts shall have jurisdiction over the probate matters in their respective
counties, and shall have exclusive appellate jurisdiction in the counties of Brown, Dodge, Fond
du Lac, Milwaukee and Winnebago in all cases of appeals from Justices of the Peace in civil
actions, and all cases commenced in Justices' Courts therein, there shall be an answer put in,
showing that the title of lands will come in question.
And such Courts shall have concurrent and equal jurisdiction in all civil actions and pro-
ceedings with the Circuit Courts of said counties to the following extent respectively :
The County Court of Brown, when the value of the property in controversy, after deduct-
ing all payments and set-ofis, shall not exceed five thousand dollars.
The County Court of Dodge County, when such value shall not exceed twenty-five thousand
dollars.
278 .HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
The County Court of Fond du Lac, when such value shall not exceed twenty thousand
dollars.
The County Court of Milwaukee, when such value does not exceed five million dollars.
The County of Winnebago, when such value does not exceed twenty thousand dollars.
They shall have jurisdiction of all actions for foreclosure where the value does not exceed
the above amounts, and of all actions for divorce or for affirmation or annuUment of marriage
contract.
Ji^stices of the Peace have jurisdiction in civil matters where two hundred dollars or less
are involved.
The criminal jurisdiction of Justices extends to all cases where the fine is one hundred dol-
lars, or the imprisonment six months.
JURORS.
All persons who are citizens of the United States, and qualified electors of the State shall
be liable to be drawn as jurors, except as provided as follows :
The following persons shall be exempt from serving as jurors :
All officers of the United States, the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State,
Attorney General, State Superintendent and Treasurer; all Judges, Clerks of Courts of Record;
all county officers. Constables, attorneys and counselors at law, ministers of the Gospel of any
religious society, practicing physicians, surgeons, dentists, and the President, professors and
instructors of the University and their assistants, and of the several colleges and incorporated
academies ; all teachers of the State Normal Schools, one teacher in each common school, the
officers and employes of the several State institutions, one miller in each grist-mill, one ferry-
man at each licensed ferry, one dispensing druggist in each prescription drug-store, all telegraph
operators and superintendents, conductors, engineers, firemen, collectors and station-agents of
any railroad or canal, while in actual employment as such ; all officers of fire departments, and
all active members of fire companies organized according to law ; all persons more than sixty
years of age, and all persons of unsound mind or subject to any bodily infirmity amounting to
disability ; all persons who have been convicted of any infamous crime, and all persons who have
served at any regular term of the Circuit Court as a grand or petit juror within one year, except
he shall be summoned on a special venire or ^ a talesman.
CAPITAL PUNISHMENT.
Capital punishment has been abolished in this State.
WOLF SCALPS.
A bounty of five dollars is paid for each wolf scalp.
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.
Whenever either of the articles, as commodities hereafter mentioned, shall be sold by the
bushel, and no special agreement as to measure or weight thereof shall be made by the parties,
the measure shall be ascertained by weight, and shall be computed as follows:
Sixty pounds for a bushel of wheat, clover seed, potatoes or beans.
Fifty pounds for a bushel of green apples ; fifty-six pounds for a bushel of rutabagas, flax-
seed, rye or Indian corn shelled, and seventy pounds of Indian corn unshelled; fifty pounds for
a bushel of rape seed, buckwheat, beets, carrots or onions ; forty-eight pounds for a bushel of
barley ; forty-five pounds for a bushel of timothy seed ; forty-four pounds for a bushel of pars-
nips ; forty -two pounds for a bushel of common flat turnips ; thirty-two pounds for a bushel of
oats ; and twenty-eight pounds for a bushel of dried apples or dried peaches.
ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 279
No person shall sell, buy or receive in store any grain at any weight or measure per bushel
other than the standard weight or measure per bushel fixed by law ; and, for any violation, the
offender shall forfeit not less than five nor more than fifty dollars.
DAMAGES FOR TRESPASS.
Any person who shall willfully, maliciously or wantonly destroy, remove, throw down or
injure any fence, hedge or wall inclosing any orchard, pasture, meadow, garden, or any field
whatever on land belonging to or lawfully occupied by another, or open and leave open, throw
down, injure, remove or destroy any gate or bars in such fence, hedge or wall, or cut down, root
up, sever, injure, destroy or carry away when severed, any fruit, shade, ornamental or other tree,
or any shrub, root, plant, fruit, flower, grain or other vegetable production, or dig up, sever or
carry away any mineral, earth or stone, or tear down, mutilate, deface or injure any building,
signboard, fence or railing, or sever and carry away any part thereof, standing or being upon the
land of another or held in trust, or who shall willfully, maliciously or wantonly cut down, root
up, injure, destroy or remove or carry away any fruit, ornamental or other tree, or any shrub,
fruit, flower, vase or statue, arbor, or any ornamental structure, standing or being in any street
or public ground in any city or village, in any private inclosure or highway, or destroy, remove,
mutilate or injure any milestone or board, or any guide-post or board erected in any highway or
public way, or on any turnpike, plank-road or railroad, or deface or obliterate any device or inscrip-
tion thereon, or cut down, break down, remove, mutilate or injure any monument erected or tree
marked for the purpose of designating the boundaries of any town or tract of land or subdivision
thereof, or deface or obliterate any figures, letters, device or inscription thereon, made for such
purpose, or break, remove, destroy or injure any post, guard, railing or lamp-post or lamp
thereon, erected or being on any bridge, street, sidewalk, alley, court, passage, park, public
ground, highway, turnpike, plank or rail road, or extinguish or break any lamp on any such
lamp-post, or tear, deface, mutilate or injure any book, map, pamphlet, chart, picture or other
property belonging to any public library, or take and carry away the same with intent to con-,
vert to his own use, or shall injure or destroy any personal property of another, shall be pun-
ished by imprisonment in the county jail not more than six months, or by fine not exceeding
one hundred dollars.
Any person who shall willfully, maliciously or wantonly kill, maim, mutilate, disfigure or
injure any horse, mule, cattle, sheep or other domestic animal of another, or administer poison
to such animal, or expose any poison, with intent that the same may be taken or swallowed by
such animal ; and any person who shall overdrive, overwork, overload, maim, wound, torture,
torment, cruelly beat or kill any such animal belonging to hiinself or another, or being the owner
or having the care or charge thereof, shall fail to provide necessary food, water or shelter for any
such animal, or who shall turn out and abandon, without proper care and protection, or cruelly
work any such animal when old, diseased, disabled or unfit for work, or shall carry or confine
any live animal, fowl or bird, in a cruel or inhuman manner, or who shall cause, procure or abet
any cruelty above mentioned, or the fighting or baiting of bulls, dogs or cocks, shall be punished
by imprisonment in the county jail not more than six months or by fine nbt exceeding one hun-
dred dollars.
ESTRAYS.
No stray, except horses and mules, shall be taken up by any person not a resident of the
town in which it is found ; nor unless it is found upon land owned or occupied by him. Every
finder for a stray must notify the owner, if he is known, within seven days, and request him to
pay all reasonable charges and take the stray away. If the owner is not known, he must file a
notice with the Town Clerk within ten days, who shall transmit a copy thereof to the County
Clerk. •
If the stray is not worth five dollars, the finder shall post a copy of such notice in two pub-
lic places in such town ; if it exceed five dollars in value, he shall publish such notice four
280 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
successive weeks either in some newspaper published in the county or in an adjoining county, if one
be published nearer his residence than any published in his county ; but if no newspaper is pub-
lished within twenty miles of his residence, then he must post such notice in three public places
in his county. Such notice shall describe the stray by giving its marks, natural or artificial, as
near as possible, the name and residence of the finder, specifying the section and town, and the
time when such stray was taken up. For neglect to post up or publish as required, the finder
shall be liable to double the amount of damages sustained by the owner. For neglect to post or
publish for one year, the finder shall be liable for its full value, to be recovered in the name of
the town, and the amount recovered to be added to the school fund of such town.
The finder shall, within one month, cause the stray to be appraised by a Justice of the Peace
and a certificate of such appraisal signed by such Justice filed in the Town Clerk's office. The
finder shall pay the Justice fifty cents for such certificate, and ten cents per mile for each mile
necessarily traveled to make the same.
The owner may have the same restored to him any time within one year after such notice
is filed in the towir Clerk's office, by proving that the stray belongs to him, and paying all lawful
charges incurred in relation to the same. If the owner and finder cannot agree as to the charges,
either party, on notice to the other, may apply to a Justice. of such town to settle the same, who,
for that purpose, may examine witnesses upon oath, and the amount found due, with the
costs, shall be a lien upon such stray. If no owner applies for the return of such stray, as pro-
vided, and the same is not worth more than ten dollars, it shall become the absolute property of
such finder ; but if the appraisal shall exceed ten dollars, it shall be sold at public auction by
the Sheriff or any Constable of the county, on the request of the finder, and he shall be entitled
to one-half the proceeds, and the other half shall be paid to the Treasurer of the town within
ten days. If the finder shall neglect or refuse to cause such sale, he shall pay to the town the
value of such stray, to be recovered by the town.
If any person, without the consent of the owner, sha,ll take away such, stray, without first
paying the lawful charges, he shall be liable to the finder for the value of such stray. If the finder
shall neglect to do any act prescribed above, he shall be precluded from acquiring any right in
such stray, and from receiving any charges or expenses relative thereto.
FENCES.
The Overseers of Highways in their respective towns, the Aldermen of cities in their
respective wards, and the Trustees of villages in their respective villages, shall be Fence Viewers,
and in towns having less than three road districts, the Supervisors shall be Fence Viewers.
All fences four and a half feet high, and in good repair, consisting of rails, timber, boards
or stone walls, or any combination thereof, and all brooks, rivers, ponds, creeks, ditches and
hedges or other things which shall be considered equivalent thereto, in the judgment of the
Fence Viewers, within whose jurisdiction the same may be, shall be deemed legal and sufficient
fences. Every partition of a fence, or line upon which a fence is to be built, made by the owners
of the adjoining lands, in writing, sealed and witnessed by two witnesses, or by Fence Viewers
in writing, under their hands, after being recorded in the Town Clerk's office, shall oblige such
owners and their heirs, as long as they remain owners, and after parting with the ownership,
until a new partition is made. A division of a partition fence, or line upon which a partition
fence between adjoining lands shall be built, may be made by Fence Viewers in the following
cases :
1. When any owner of uninclosed lands shall desire .to inclose the same, he may have the
line between his land and the adjoining land of any other person divided, and the portion upon
which the respective owners shall erect their share of the partition fence assigned, whether such
adjoining land be inclosed or not.
2. When any lands belonging to different persons in severalty, shall have been occupied
in common, or without a partition fence between them, and one of the occupants shall be desirous
ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 281
to occupy his part in severalty, and the others shall refuse or neglect, on demand, to divide
with him the line -where the fence ought to be built, or to build a sufficient fence on his part of
the line, when divided, the occupant desiring it may have the same divided, and the share of
each assigned.
3. When any controversy shall arise about the right of the respective occupants in parti-
tion fences, or their obligations to maintain the same, either party may have the line divided, and
the share of each assigned.
In either case, application may be made to two or more Fence Viewers of the town where
the lands lie, who shall give reasonable notice in writing to each party, and they shalt in writing
under their hands, divide the partition fence or line, and assign to each owner or occupant his
share thereof, and in the second and third cases direct within what time each party shall build
or repair his share of the fence, having regard to the season of the year, and shall file such deci-
sion in the Town Clerk's office. If either party shall neglect or refuse to build or repair within
the time so assigned, his part of the fence, the other may, after having completed his own part,
build or repair such part, and recover double the expense thereof.
Where the whole or a grealfer share than belongs to him has been built by one of the occu-
pants, before complaint to the Fence Viewers, the other shall be obliged to pay for his share of
such fence.
Where uninclosed land is afterward inclosed, the owner shall pay for one-half the partition
fence upon the line between him and any other owner or occupant.
If any person shall determine not to keep inclosed any part of his land adjoining any par-
tition fence, and shall give six months' notice of such determination to all adjoining occupants,
he shall not be required to maintain any part of such fence during the time his lands shall lie
open.
LANDLORD AND TENANT.
The common law right to destrain for rent is abolished.
The atonement of a tenant to a stranger shall be absolutely void, and shall not in anywise
effect the possession of his landlord, unless it be made
1. With the consent of the landlord ; or
2. Pursuant to, or in consequence of, a judgment or order of a court of competent juris-
diction; or
3. To a purchaser upon a judicial sale, who shall have acquired title to the lands by a
conveyance thereof, after the period for redemption, if any, has expired. A tenancy, a will or
sufferance may be determined by the landlord, giving one month's notice to quit, or the tenant
giving one month's notice of his intention to quit, or if the terms of payment are for less than a
month, notice equal to the time between payments, or for non-payment of rent, fourteen days'
notice to quit. Such notice shall be served by delivering the same to such tenant, or to some
person of proper age residing on the premises, or if no such person can be found, by affixing the
same in a conspicuous part of the premises, where it may be conveniently read, and, at the expi-
ration of the time required after the service of such notice, the landlord may re-enter, or main-
tain an action for the recovery of the possession thereof, or proceed in the manner prescribed by
law to remove such tenant without further or other notice to quit. If, after giving notice of deter-
mination to quit, the tenant neglects or refuses to deliver up the premises, he shall be liable to
double the rent agreed upon, to be collected the same as single rent.
MARKS AND BRANDS.
Every Town Clerk shall, on application of any person residing in his town, record a
description of the marks or brands with which such person may be desirous of marking his
horses, cattle, sheep or hogs ; but the same description shall not be recorded or used by more
than one resident of the same town. If any person shall mark any of his horses, cattle, sheep
282 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
or hogs, with the same mark or brand previously recorded by any resident of the same town,
and while the same mark or brand shall be used by such resident, he shall forfeit for every such
offense $5 ; if any person shall willfully mark or brand any of the horses, cattle, sheep or hogs,
of any other person with his mark or brand, he shall forfeit for every such offense $10 ; and, if
any person shall willfully destroy or alter any mark or brand upon any of the horses, cattle, sheep
or hogs of another, he shall forfeit $10, and pay to the party injured double damages.
SURVEYORS AND SURVEYS.
A County Surveyor is elected every two years.
The surveyor may appoint and remove deputies at will, on filing a certificate thereof with
the County Clerk. He shall be responsible on his bond for the faithful performance by every
deputy of his duties.
It shall be the duty of the County Surveyor :
(1.) To execute, himself or by his deputy, any survey which may be required of him by
order of court, or upon application of any individual or corporation.
(2.) To make a record of the plat and field notes of each survey made by him or his
deputies, in record books kept therefor, and to so arrange or index the same as to be easy of
reference, and to file and preserve in his ofiice the original field notes and calculations thereof.
(3.) To safely keep all books, records, plats, files, papers and property belonging to his
ofiice ; afford opportunity to examine the same to any person desiring, and deliver the same to
his successor in ofiice.
(4.) To furnish a copy of any record, plat or paper in his ofiice, to any person on demand
and payment of his legal fees therefor.
(5.) To administer to every chainman and marker assisting in any survey, before com-
mencing their duties as such, an oath or afiirmation faithfully and impartially to discharge the
duties of chainman or marker, as the case may be ; and the surveyor and his deputies are
empowered to administer the same.
(6.) To perform such other duties as may be required by law.
The surveyor and his deputies may demand and receive the following fees, except it be other-
wise agreed upon with the parties employing them, to wit :
Eor each day's service, $3.
For each mile traveled in going from his office to the place of rendering service and return-
ing, 10 cents. ^
For plat and certificate, except town plats, 50 cents.
For recording a survey, 50 cents.
For each chainman and marker necessarily employed, $1.60 per day, unless they be fur-
nished by the person for whom the survey is made.
For making a copy, 10 cents a folio, and 25 cents for his certificate.
SUPPORT OF THE POOR.
Every town shall relieve and support all poor and indigent persons lawfully settled therein,
whenever they shall stand in need thereof, excepting as follows :
The father, mother and children, being of suflScient ability, of any poor person, who is blind,
old, lame, impotent or decrepit, so as to be unable to maintain himself, shall, at their own
charge, relieve and maintain such poor person in such manner as shall be approved by the Super-
visors of the town where such person may be, and, upon the failure of any such relative so to do,
the Supervisors shall apply to the County Judge for an order to compel such relief
Legal settlement may be acquired by one year's residence in a town of this State.
ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 283
MARRIED WOMEN.
In Wisconsin, the marriage of a femme sole, executrix or administratrix, extinguishes her
authority ; and of a female ward, terminates the guardianship as to custody of person, but not
as to estate. The husband holds his deceased wife's lands for life, unless she left, by a former
husband, issue to whom the estate might descend. Provisions exist by which powers may be
given to married women, and regulating their execution of them. If husband and wife are
impleaded, and the husband neglects to defend the rights of the wife, she applying before judg-
ment, may defend without him ; and, if he lose her land, by default, she may bring an action
for ejectment after his death. The real estate of females married before, and the real and per-
sonal property of those after February 21, 1850, remain their separate property. And any
married woman may receive, but not from her husband, and hold any property as if unmarried.
She may insure the life of her husband, son, or any other person, for her own exclusive benefit.
The property of the wife remains to her separate use, not liable for her husband's debts, and
not subject to his disposal. She may convey her separate property. If her husband desert
her, or neglect her, she may become a sole trader; and she may insure his life for her benefit.
Her husband is not liable for her debts contracted before marriage ; the individual earnings of
the wife are her separate property, and she may sue, and be sued alone, in regard to the same.
She may make and hold deposits in savings-banks. She may, by a separate conveyance, release
her dower in any lands which her husband has conveyed.
If a woman has authority, she can transact all her husband's business for him ; and while
they live together, the wife can buy all family things necessary for the support of the family,
and for which he is liable.
The husband is responsible for necessaries supplied to his wife, if he does not supply them
himself ; and he continues so liable, if he turns her out of his house, or otherwise separates him-
self from her without good cause. But he is not so liable, if she deserts him (unless on extreme
provocation), or if he turns her away for good cause. If she leaves him, because he treats her
so ill, that she has good right to go from him, this is the same thing as turning her away, and
she carries with her his credit for all necessaries supplied to her ; but what the misconduct must
be, to give this right, is uncertain. In America the law must be, and undoubtedly is, that the
wife is not obliged to stay and endure cruelty and indecency.
If a man lives with a woman as his wife, and represents her to be so, he is responsible, the
same as if she were his wife, even if it is known that she is not his wife.
ACTIONS.
All distinctions have been abolished, and there is now but one form, which must be prose-
cuted in the name of the real party in interest, except in case of executors, administrators and
trustees, and which is begun by the service of a summons on the defendant, to be answered
within twenty days.
ARREST.
Defendant may be arrested : 1. In an action to recover damages not on contract, where
the defendant is a non-resident, or is about to remove from the State, or where the action is for
injury to the person or character, or for injury to, or wrong taking, detaining or converting
property, or in an action to recover damages for property taken under false pretenses.
2. In an action for a fine or penalty or for money received or property embezzled or
fraudulently misapplied by a public officer or attorney, solicitor, or counsel or officer of a corpora-
tion as such, or factor agent or broker, or for misconduct or neglect in official or professional
employment.
3. In an action to recover property unjustly detained where it is so concealed that the
Sheriff cannot find the same.
284 HISTORY OF "WISCONSIN.
4. Where the defendant was guilty of fraud in contracting the debt, or in concealing or
disposing of the property for the taking, detaining or disposing of which the action is brought.
An affidavit must be made on the part of the plaintiff, stating the cause of action and one
of the above causes.
ATTACHMENT
is allowed on an affidavit that the defendant is indebted to plaintiff, and stating the amount and
that it is due on contract ; and,
1. That defendant has absconded, or is about to abscond, or is concealed to the injury of
his creditors.
2. _ That defendant has assigned, disposed or concealed his property or is about to do so
with intent to defraud creditors.
3. That the defendant has removed, or is about to remove, his property from the State
with intent to defraud creditors.
4. That the debt was fraudulently contracted.
5. That he is a non-resident.
6. Or a foreign corporation.
7. That he has fraudulently conveyed or disposed of his property with intent to defraud
creditors.
The amount sued for must exceed $50.
' GARNISHMENT
is allowed on an affidavit on behalf of the creditor, that he believes that any third person (naming
him) has property effects, or credits of defendant, or is indebted to him, also in execution, on a
similar affidavit.
JUDGMENT
is a lien on real estate in the county where rendered froin the date of docketing, and in other
counties from the time of filing a transcript, and the lien continues for ten years. It bears
interest at 7 per cent, or as high as 10 per cent if stipulated for in the contract.
STAY LAWS.
In Justices' Courts, on giving bond with surety within five days after judgment was ren-
dered, stay of execution is allowed, as follows :
On sums not exceeding $10, exclusive of costs, one month ; between $10 and $30, two
months ; between $30 and $50, three months ; over $50, four months.
EXEMPTIONS.
A homestead not exceeding forty acres, used for agriculture and a residence, and not
included in a town plat or a city or village ; or, instead, one-quarter of an acre in a recorded
town plat, city or village. Also, 1, Family Bible ; 2, Family pictures and school-books ; 3,
Private library ; 4, Seat or pew in church ; 5, Right of burial ; 6, Wearing-apparel, beds, bed-
steads and bedding, kept and used in the family, stoves and appurtenances, put up and used,
cooking utensils and household furniture to the value of $200, one gun, rifle or fire-arm to the
value of $50 ; 7, Two cows, ten swine, one yoke of oxen and one horse or mule, or, in lieu
thereof, a span of horses or mules, ten sheep and the wool therefrom, i?fecessary food for exempt
stock for one year, provided or growing or both, one wagon, cart or dray, one sleigh, one plow,
one drag and other farm utensils, including tackle for the teams to the value of $50 ; 8, Provis-
ions and fuel for the family for one year; 9, Tools and implements or stock-in-trade of a
ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 285
mechanic or miner, used and kept, not exceeding $200 in value, library and implements of a
professional man to the value of $200 ; 10, Money arising from insurance of exempt property
destroyed by fire ; 11, Inventions for debts against the inventor ; 12, Sewing-machines ; 13,
Sword, plate, books or articles presented by Congress or Legislature of a State ; 14, Printing-
material and presses to the value of $1,500 ; 15, Earnings of a married person necessary for
family support for sixty days previous to issuing process.
LIMITATIONS OF ACTIONS.
Real actions, twenty years; persons under disabilities, five years after removal of the same.
Judgments of Courts of Record of the State of Wisconsin and sealed instruments when the
cause accrues within the State, twenty years. Judgments of other Courts of Record and sealed
instruments accruing without the State, ten years. Other contracts, statute liabilities
other than penalties and forfeitures, trespass on real property, trover detinue and replevin,
six years. Actions against Sheriffs, Coroners and Constables, for acts done in their oflBcial
capacity, except for escapes, three years. Statutory penalties and forfeitures, libel, slander,
assault, battery and false imprisonment, two years. Actions against Sheriffs, etc., for escapes,
one year. Persons under disabilities, except infants, may bring action after the disability ceases,
provided the period is not extended more than five years, and infants one year after coming of
age. Actions by representatives of deceased persons, one year from death ; against the same,
one year from granting letters testamentary or of administration. New promise must be in
writing.
COMMERCIAL TERMS.
$ — Means dollars, being a contraction of U. S., which was formerly placed before any
denomination of money, and meant, as it means now, United States currency.
£ — M.ea.TXS, pounds, English money.
@ — Stands for at or to ; R) for pounds, and bbl. for barrels ; '^ for per, or by the. Thus :
Butter sells at 20@30c f lb, and Flour at $8@12 '^ bbl. % for per cent., and # for numbers.
May 1. Wheat sells at $1.20@$1.25, " seller June." Seller June means that the person
who sells the wheat has the privilege of delivering it at any time during the month of June.
Selling short is contracting to deliver a certain amount of grain or stock at a fixed price,
within a certain length of time, when the seller has not the stock on hand. It is for the interest
of the person selling short to depress the market as much as possible, in order that he may buy
and fill his contract at a profit. Hence the " shorts " are termed " bears."
Buying long is to contrive to purchase a certain amount of grain or shares of stock at a
fixed price, deliverable within a stipulated time, expecting to make a profit by the rise in prices.
The " longs " are termed " bulls," as it is for their interest to " operate " so as to " toss " the
prices upward as much as possible.
SUGGESTIONS TO THOSE PURCHASING BOOKS BY SUBSCRIPTION.
The business of publishing books by subscription having so often been brought into disre-
pute by agents making representations and declarations not authorized by the publisher, in
order to prevent that as much as possible, and that there may be more general knowledge of
the relation such agents bear to their principal, and the law governing such cases, the following
statement is made :
A subscription is in the nature of a contract of mutual promises, by which the subscriber
agrees to pay a certain sum for the work described ; the consideration is concurrent that the
publisher shall publish the book named, and deliver the same, for which the subscriber is to
pay the price named. The nature and character of the work is described by the prospectus
a;nd sample shown. These should be carefully examined before subscribing, as they are the
286 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
basis and consideration of the promise to pay, and not the too often exaggerated statements of
the agent, who is merely employed to solicit subscriptions, for which he is usually paid a com-
mission for each subscriber, and has no authority to change or alter the conditions upon which
the subscriptions are authorized to be made by the publisher. Should the agent assume to
agree to make the subscription conditional or modify or change the agreement of the publisher,
as set out by the prospectus and sample, in order to bind the principal, the subscriber should
see that such condition or changes are stated over or in connection with his signature, so that
the publisher may have notice of the same.
All persons making contracts in reference to matters of this kind, or any other business,
should remember that the law as written is, that they cannot be altered, varied or rescinded
verbally, but, if done at all, must be done in writing. It is therefore important that all persons
contemplating subscribing should distinctly understand that all talk before or after the sub-
scription is made, is not admissible as evidence, and is no part of the contract.
Persons employed to solicit subscriptions are known to the trade as canvassers. They are
agents appointed to do a particular business in a prescribed mode, and have no authority to do
it in any other way to the prejudice of their principal, nor can they bind their principal in any
other matter. They cannot collect money, or agree that payment may be made in anything
else but money. They cannot extend the time of payment beyond the time of delivery, nor
bind their principal for the payment of expenses incurred in their business.
It would save a great deal of trouble, and often serious loss, if persons, before signing
their names to any subscription book, or any written instrument, would examine carefully what
it is ; if they cannot read themselves call on some one disinterested who can.
CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF WISCONSIN.
CONIDElSrSBD.
PREAMBLE.
We, the People of Wisconsin, grateful to Almighty G-od for our freedom ; in order to secure
its blessings, form a more perfect government, insure domestic tranquillity, and promote the
general welfare, do establish this Constitution.
Article I.
DECLARATION OF RIGHTS.
Section 1. All men are born free and independent, and have, among other rights, those
of life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. Governments are instituted to secure these rights.
Sec. 2. There shall be neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except for the punish-
ment of crimes.
Sec. 3. Liberty of speech and of the press shall not be abridged.
Sec. 4. The right of the people to peaceably assemble to consult for the common good
shall never be abridged.
Sec. 5. The right of trial by jury shall remain inviolate.
Sec. 6. Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel pun-
ishments inflicted.
Sec. 7. In criminal prosecutions, the rights of the accused shall be protected.
Sec. 8. Criminal offenses shall be prosecuted on presentment of a grand jury. No one
shall be twice put in jeopardy for the same offense, nor be compelled to be a witness against
himself Every one shall have the right of giving bail except in capital offenses ; and the writ of
habeas corpus shall not be suspended, except in case of rebellion or invasion.
Sec. 9. Every person is entitled to a certain remedy for all injuries or wrongs.
Sec. 10. Treason consists in levying war against the State, or giving aid and comfort to
Its enemies. Two witnesses are necessary to convict a person of the crime.
Sec. 11. The people are to be secure against unreasonable searches and seizures.
Sec. 12. Bills of attainder, ex post facto laws, or laws impairing obligation of contracts,
shall never be passed.
Sec. 13. No property shall be taken for public use without compensation.
Sec. 14. All laws in the State are allodial. Feudal tenures are prohibited.
Sec. 15. The rights of property are the same in resident aliens and citizens.
Sec. 16. No person shall be imprisoned for debt.
Sec. 17. Wholesome exemption laws shall be passed.
Sec. 18. Liberty of conscience and rights of worship shall never be abridged. The
public money shall never be applied to sectarian uses.
Sec. 19. No religious test shall ever be required as a qualification for any ofiSce.
287
288 HISTOitY OF WISCONSIN.
Sec. 20. The military shall be in strict subordination to the civil power.
Sec. 21. Writs of error shall never be prohibited by law.
Sec. 22. A free government can only be maintained by adhering to justice, moderation,
temperance, frugality and virtue.
Article II.
BOUNDARIES.
Section 1. The boundary of the State, beginning at the northeast corner of the State of
Illinois, runs with the boundary line of Michigan, through Lake Michigan and Green Bay, to
the mouth of the Menominie River ; up that stream and the Brule River to Lake Brule ; along
the southern shore of that lake to the Lake of the Desert ; thence in a direct line to the head
of Montreal River ; down the main channel of that stream to the middle of Lake Superior ;
thence through the center of said lake to the mouth of St. Louis River ; up the channel of that
stream to the first rapids ; thence due south to the main branch of the St. Croix ; down that
river and the Mississippi to the northwest comer of Illinois ; thence due east with the northern
boundary of that State to the place of beginning.
Sec. 2. The propositions in the enabling act of Congress are accepted'and confirmed.
Article III.
suffrage.
Section 1. The qualified electors are all male persons twenty-one years of age or upward,
who are (1.) white citizens of the United States ; (2.) who are white persons of foreign birth that
have declared their intentions, according to law, to become citizens ; (3) who are persons of
Indian blood and citizens of the United States ; and (4.) civilized Indians not members of any
tribe.
Sec. 2. Persons under guardianship, such as are non compus mentis or insane, and those
convicted of treason and felony and not pardoned, are not qualified electors.
Sec. 3. All votes shall be by ballot, except for township ofiicers when otherwise directed
by law.
Sec. 4. No person shall be deemed to have lost his residence by reason of his absence on
business for the State or United States.
Sec. 5. No person in the army or navy shall become a resident of the State in conse-
quence of being stationed therein.
Sec. 6. Persons convicted of bribery, larceny or any infamous crime, or those who bet
on elections, may be excluded by law from the right of sufirage.
Article IV.
legislative.
Section 1. The Legislative power is vested in a Senate and Assembly.
Sec. 2. Members of the Assembly shall never number less than fifty-four, nor more than
one hundred ; of the Senate, not more than one- third, nor less than one-fourth of the mem-
bers of the Assembly.
Sec. 3. Census shall be taken, every ten years, of the inhabitants of the State, beginning
with 1855, when a new apportionment of members of the Senate and Assembly shall be made ;
also, after each United States census.
Sec. 4. Members of the Assembly shall be chosen on the Tuesday succeeding the first
Monday of November of each year.
Sec. 5. Members of the Senate shall be elected for two years, at the same time and in
the same manner as members of the Assembly.
CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF WISCONSIiS. 28y
Sec. 6. No person shall be eligible to the Legislature, unless a resident of the State one
year, and a qualified elector.
Sec. 7. Each House shall be the judge of the qualifications of its members. A majority
shall be necessary to form a quorum.
Sec. 8. Each House shall make its own rules.
Sec. 9. Each House shall choose its own oflBcers.
Sec. 10. Each House shall keep a journal of its proceedings.
Sec. 11. The Legislature shall meet at the seat of government once a year.
Sec. 12. No member shall be eligible to any other civil ofiice in the State, during the
term for which he was elected.
Sec. 13. No member shall be eligible to any oflSce of the United States, during the term
for which he was elected.
Sec. 14. Writs of election, to fill vacancies in either House, shall be issued by the Gov-
ernor.
Sec. 15. Except treason, felony and breach of the peace, members are privileged from
arrest in all cases; nor subject to any civil process during a session.
Sec. 16. Members are not liable for words spoken in debate.
Sec. 17. The style of all laws shall be, " The people of the State of Wisconsin rep-
resented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows : "
Sec. 18. Private or local bills shall not embrace more than one subject.
Sec. 19. Bills may originate in either House, and a bill passed by one House may be
amended by the other.
Sec. 20. Yeas and nays, at the request of one-sixth of the members present, shall be
entered on the journal.
Sec. 21. [Each member shall receive, as an annual compensation, three hundred and
fifty dollars and ten cents for each mile traveled in going to and returning from the seat of gov-
ernment]. As amended in 1867.
Sec. 22. Boards of Supervisors may be vested with powers of a local, legislative and
administrative character, such as shall be conferred by the Legislature.
Sec. 23. One system only, of town and county government, shall be established by the
Legislature.
Sec. 24. The Legislature shall never authorize any lottery, or grant any divorce.
Sec. 25. Stationery, for State use and State printing, shall be let by contract to the low-
est bidder.
Sec. 26. Extra compensation to any public officer shall not be granted after service is
rendered, nor shall his compensation be increased or diminished during his term of ofiice.
Sec. 27. The Legislature shall direct, by law, in what manner and in what Courts suits
against the State may be brought.
Sec. 28. Public ofiicers shall all take an oath of ofiice.
Sec. 29. The Legislature shall determine what persons shall constitute the militia, and
may provide for organizing the same.
Sec. 30. Members of the Legislature shall vote viva voce in all elections made by
them.
Sec. 31. [Special legislation is prohibited (1) for changing the names of persons, or con-
stituting one person the heir-at-law of another ; (2) for laying out, opening or altering high-
ways, except in certain cases ; (3) for authorizing persons to keep ferries ; (4) for authorizing
the sale of the property of minors ; (5) for locating a county seat ; (6) for assessment of taxes ;
(7) for granting corporate powers, except to cities ; (8) for apportioning any part of the school
fund ; and (9) for incorporating any town or village, or to award the charter thereof]. Added,
by amendment, in 1871.
Sec. 32. [General laws shall be passed for the transaction of any business prohibited by
Section 21 of this Article.] Added by amendment, in 1871.
290
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
Article V.
Section 1. The executive power shall be vested in a Governor, who shall hold his oflBce
two years. A Lieutenant Governor shall be elected at the same time and for the same term.
S£C. 2. Governor and Lieutenant Governor must be citizens of the United States, and
qualified electors of the State.
Sec. 3. Governor and Lieutenant Governor are elected at the times and places of choosing
members of the Legislature.
SS!C. 4. The Governor shall be (1) commander-in-chief of the military and naval forces of
the State ; (2) he has power to convene the Legislature in extra session ; (3) he shall communi-
cate to the Legislature all necessary information ; (4) he shall transact all necessary business
with the officers of the State ; and (5) shall expedite all legislative measures, and see that thf
laws are faithfully executed. i
Sec. 5. [The Governor's salary shall be five thousand dollars per annum. 1 As amended
in 1869. F J
Sec. 6. The Governor shall have power to grant reprieves and pardons.
Sec. 7. The executive duties shall devolve upon the Lieutenant Governor when, from any
cause, the executive ofiice is vacated by the Governor.
Sec. 8. The Lieutenant Governor shall be President of the Senate. The Secretary of
State shall act as Governor when both the Governor and Lieutenant Governor are incapacitated
from any causes to fill the executive office.
Sec. 9. [The Lieutenant Governor shall receive a salary of one thousand dollars per
annum.] As amended in 1869.
Sec. 10. All legislative bills shall be presented to the Governor for his signature before
they become laws. Bills returned by the Governor without his signature may become laws by
agreement of two-thirds of the members present in each house.
Article VI.
ADMINISTRATION.,
Section 1. A Secretary of State, Treasurer and Attorney General shall be elected at the
times and places of choosing members of the Legislature, who shall severally hold their offices
for two years.
Sec. 2. The Secretary of State shall keep a record of the official acts of the Legislature
and Executive Department. He shall be ex officio Auditor.
Sec. 3. The powers, duties and compensation of the Treasurer and Attorney General
shall be prescribed by law.
Sec. 4. Sheriffs, Coroners, Registers of Deeds and District Attorneys shall be elected
every two years.
Article VII.
judiciary.
Section 1. The Senate shall form the Court of Impeachment. Judgment shall not
extend further than removal from office ; but the person impeached shall be liable to indictment,
trial and punishment, according to law.
Sec. 2. The judicial power of the State is vested in a Supreme Court, Circuit Courts,
Courts of Probate, and in Justices of the Peace. Municipal courts, also, may be authorized.
Sec. 3. The Supreme Court shall have appellate jurisdiction only. Trial by jury is not
allowed in any case. The Court shall have a general superintending control over inferior courts,
and power to issue writs of habeas corpus, mandamus, injunction, quo warranto, certiorari, and
other original and remedial writs.
^^^7
FOND DU LAC.
CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF WISCONSIN.
293
Sec. 4. [The Supreme Court shall consist of one Chief Justice, and four Associate
Justices, each for the term often years.] As amended in 1877.
Sec. 5. The State shall be divided into five Judicial Circuits.
Sec. 6. The Legislature may alter the limits or increase the number of the circuits.
Sec. 7. There shall be a Judge chosen for each Circuit, who shall reside therein ; his
term of office shall be six years.
Sec. 8. The Circuit Courts shall have original jurisdiction in all matters civil and crim-
inal, not excepted in this Constitution, and not prohibited hereafter by law, and appellate juris-
diction from all inferior courts. They shall have power to issue writs of habeas corpus, man-
damus, injunction, quo warranto, certiorari, and all other writs necessary to carry their orders
and judgments into effect.
Sec. 9. Vacancies in the office of Supreme or Circuit Judge shall be filled by the Gover-
nor. Election for Judges shall not be at any general election, nor within thirty days before or
after said election.
Sec. 10. Judges of the Supreme and Circuit Courts shall receive a salary of not less than
one thousand five hundred dollars, and shall hold no other office, except a judicial one, during
the term for which they are respectively elected. Each Judge shall be a citizen of the United
States, and have attained the age of twenty-five years. He shall also be a qualified elector within
the jurisdiction for which he may be chosen.
Sec. 11. The Supreme Court shall hold at least one term annually. A Circuit Court
shall be held at least twice in each year, in each county of this State organized for judicial pur-
poses.
Sec. 12. There shall be a Clerk of the Circuit Court chosen in each county, whose term
of office shall be two years. The Supreme Court shall appoint its own Clerk.
Sec. 13. Any Judge of the Supreme or Circuit Court may be removed from office by vote
of two-thirds of all the members elected to both Senate and Assembly.
Sec. 14. A Judge of Probate shall be elected in each county, who shall hold his office for
two years.
Sec. 15. Justices of the Peace shall be elected in the several towns, villages and cities of
the State, in such manner as the Legislature may direct, whose term of office shall be two years.
Their civil and criminal jurisdiction shall be prescribed by law.
Sec. 16. Laws shall be passed for the regulation of tribunals of conciliation. These may
be established in and for any township.
Sec. 17. The style of all writs and process shall be " The State of Wisconsin." Criminal
prosecutions shall be carried on in the name and by authority of the State ; and all indictments
shall conclude against the peace and dignity of the same.
Sec; 18. A tax shall be imposed by the Legislature on all civil suits, which shall consti-
tute a fund, to be applied toward the payment of the salary of Judges.
Sec. 19. Testimony in equity causes shall be taken the same as in cases at law. The
office of Master in Chancery is prohibited.
Sec. 20. Any suitor may prosecute or defend his case in his own proper person, or by
attorney or agent.
Sec. 21. Statute laws and such judicial decisions as are deemed expedient, shall be pub-
lished. No general law shall be in force until published.
Sec. 22. The Legislature at its first session shall provide for the appointment of three
Commissioners to revise the rules of practice in the several Courts of Record in the State.
Sec. 23. The Legislature may confer judicial powers on one or more persons in each
organized county of the State. Powers granted to such Commissioners shall not exceed that of
a Judge of a Circuit Court at chambers.
294 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
Article VIII.
FINANCE.
Section 1. Taxation shall be uniform, and taxes shall be levied upon such property as the
Legislature may prescribe.
Sec. 2. [No money shall be paid out of the treasury except in pursuance of an appro-
priation by law. Claims made against the State must be filed within six years after having
accrued.] As amended in 1877.
Sec. 3. The credit of the State shall never be given or loaned in aid of any individual,
association or corporation.
Sec. 4. The State shall never contract any public debt, except in the cases and manner
provided in this Constitution.
Sec. 5. A tax shall be levied each year sufficient to defray estimated expenses.
Sec. 6. Debts not to exceed one hundred thousand dollars may be contracted by the State,
which shall be paid within five years thereafter.
Sec. 7. The Legislature may borrow money to repel invasion, suppress insurrection or
defend the State in time of war.
Sec. 8. All fiscal laws in the Legislature shall be voted on by yeas and nays.
Sec. 9. State scrip shall not be issued except for such debts as are authorized by the sixth
and seventh sections of this article. '
Sec. 10. No debt for internal improvements shall be contracted by the State.
Article IX.
eminent domain and property of the state.
Section 1. The State shall have concurrent jurisdiction on all rivers and lakes border-
ing on Wisconsin.
Sec. 2. The title to all property which has accrued to the Territory of Wisconsin shall
vest in the State of Wisconsin.
Sec. 3. The ultimate property in and to all lands of the State is possessed by the
people.
Article X.
education.
Section 1. The supervision of public instruction shall be vested in a State Superintend-
ent and such other officers as the Legislature shall direct. The annual compensation of the
State Superintendent shall not exceed twelve hundred dollars.
Sec. 2. The school fund to support and maintain common schools, academies ?ind nor-
mal schools, and to purchase apparatus and libraries therefor, shall be created out of (1) the
proceeds of lands from the United States; (2) out of forfeitures and escheats; (3) out of
moneys paid as exemptions from military duty ; (4) out of fines collected for breach of penal
laws ; (5) out of any grant to the State where the purposes of such grant are not specified; (6)
out of the proceeds of the sale of five hundred thousand acres of land granted by Congress Sep-
tember 14, 1841 ; and (7) out of the five per centum of the net proceeds of the public lands to
which the State shall become entitled on her admission into the Union (if Congress shall con-
sent to such appropriation of the two grants last mentioned.)
Sec. 3. District schools shall be established by law which shall be free to all children be-
tween the ages of four and twenty years. No sectarian instruction shall be allowed therein.
Sec. 4. Each town and city shall raise for common schools therein by taxation a sum equal
to one-half the amount received from the school fund of the State.
CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF WISCONSIN. 295
Sec. 5. Provisions shall be made by law for the distribution of the income of the school
fund among the several towns and cities for the support of common schools therein ; but no
appropriation shall be made when there is a failure to raise the proper tax, or when a school
shall not have been maintained at least three months of the year.
Sec. 6. Provision shall be made by law for the establishment of a State University. The
proceeds of all lands granted for the support of a university by the United States shall consti-
tute "the University fund," the interest of which shall be appropriated to the support of the
State University. No sectarian instruction shall be allowed in such university.
Sec. 7. The Secretary of State, Treasurer and Attorney General shall constitute a Board
of Commissioners to sell school and university lands and for the investments of the proceeds
thereof.
Sec. 8. School and university lands shall be appraised and sold according to law. The
Commissioners shall execute deeds to purchasers, and shall invest the proceeds of the sales of
such lands in such manner as the Legislature shall provide.
Article XI.
CORPORATIONS.
Section 1. Corporations without banking powers may be formed under general laws, but
shall not be created by special act, except for municipal purposes, and in cases where, in the
judgment of the Legislature, the objects of the corporation cannot be attained under general laws.
Sec. 2. No municipal corporation shall take private property for public use, against the
consent of the owner, except by jury trial.
Sec. 3. Cities and incorporated villages shall be organized, and their powers restricted by
law so as to prevent abuses. [No county, city, town, village, school district, or other municipal
corporation, shall become indebted to exceed five per centum on the value of the taxable property
therein.] As amended in 1874.
Sec. 4. Banks shall not be created except as provided in this article.
Sec. 5. The question of " bank " or ''no bank " may be submitted to the voters of the
State; and if a majority of all the votes cast shall be in favor of banks-, the Legislature shall
have power to grant bank charters, or pass a general banking law.
Article XII.
Section 1. Amendments to the Constitution may be proposed in either house of the Legis-
lature, and referred to the next Legislature and published for three months previous. If agreed
to by a majority of all the members elected to each house, then the amendment or amendments
shall submit them to the vote of the people ; and if the people shall approve and ratify such
amendment or amendments, they shall become a part of the Constitution.
Sec. 2. If a convention to revise or change the Constitution shall be deemed necessary by
the Legislature, they shall recommend to the electors of the State to vote at the next general
election for or against the same. If the vote shall be for the calling of such convention, then
the Legislature, at its next session, shall provide for the same.
Article XIII.
miscellaneous provisions.
Section 1. The political year for Wisconsin shall commence on the first Monday in Jan-
uary in each year. General elections shall be holden on the Tuesday succeeding the first Monday
in November.
Sec. 2. A duelist shall not be qualified as an elector in this State.
Sec. 3. United States officers (except Postmasters), public defaulters, or persons convicted
of infamous crimes, shall not be eligible to office in this State.
296 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
Sec. 4. A great seal for the State shall be provided, and all official acts of the Governor
(except his approbation of the laws), shall be authenticated thereby.
Sec. 6. Residents on Indian lands may vote, if duly qualified, at the polls nearest their
residence.
Sec. 6. Elective officers of the Legislature, other than the presiding officers, shall be a
Chief Clerk, and a Sergeant-at-Arms, to be elected by each House.
Sec. 7. No county with an area of nine hundred square miles or less, shall be divided,
without submitting the question to the vote of the people of the county.
Sec. 8. [The Legislature is prohibited from enacting any special or private laws, for locating
or changing any county seat.] See amendment adopted in 1871, as Sec. 31 (Subdivision 5) of
Art. IV.
Sec. 9. Officers not provided for by this Constitution shall be elected as the Legislature
shall direct.
Sec. 10. The Legislature may declare the cases in which any office shall be deemed
vacant, and also the manner of filling the vacancy, where no provision is made for that purpose
in this Constitution.
Article XIV.
SCHEDULE.
Section 1. All rights under the Territorial government are continued under the State
government. Territorial processes are valid after the State is admitted into the Union.
Sec. 2. Existing laws of the Territory of Wisconsin not repugnant to this Constitution
shall remain in force until they expire by limitation or are altered or repealed.
Sec. 3. All fines, penalties or forfeitures accruing to the Territory of Wisconsin shall
inure to the use of the State.
Sec. 4. Territorial recognizances, bonds and public property shall pass to and be vested
in the State. Criminal prosecutions, offenses committed against the laws, and all actions at law
and suits in equity in the Territory of Wisconsin shall be contained in and prosecuted by the
State.
Sec. 5. Officers holding under authority of the United States or of the Territory of Wis-
consin shall continue in office until superseded by State authority.
Sec. 6. The first session of the State Legislature shall commence on the first Monday in
June next, and shall be held at the village of Madison, which shall be and remain the seat of
government until otherwise provided by law.
Sec. 7. Existing county and town officers shall hold their offices until the Legislature of
the State shall provide for the holding of elections to fill such offices.
Sec. 8. A copy of this Constitution shall be transmitted to the President of the United
States to be laid before Congress at its present session.
Sec. 9. This Constitution shall be submitted to the vote of the people for ratification or
rejection on the second Monday in March next. If ratified, an election shall be held for
Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Treasurer, Attorney General, members of the State Legisla-.
ture and members of Congress, on the second Monday of May next.
Sec. 10. \_Omitted. See Section 1, Chaptei/3, Acts of Extra Session of 1878.]
Sec. 11. The several elections provided for in this Article shall be conducted according
to the existing laws of the Territory of Wisconsin.
Sec. 12. [^Omitted. See Section 1, Chapter 3, Acts of Extra Session of 1878.]
Sec. 13. The common law in force in the Territory of Wisconsin shall continue in force
in the State until altered or suspended by the Legislature.
Sec. 14. The Senators first elected in the even-numbered Senate districts, the Governor,
Lieutenant Governor and other State officers first elected under this Constitution, shall enter
upon their duties on the first Monday of June next, and hold their offices for one year from the
first Monday of January next. The Senators first elected in the odd-numbered districts and the
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. 297
members of the Assembly first elected shall enter upon their duties on the first Monday of June
next, and continue in office until the first Monday in January next.
Sec. 15. The oath of ofiSce may be administered by any Judge or Justice of the Pea«e,
until the Legislature shall otherwise direct.
We, the undersigned, members of the Convention to form a Constitution for the State of
Wisconsin, to be submitted to the people thereof for their ratification or rejection, do hereby
certify that the foregoing is the Constitution adopted by the Convention.
In testimony whereof, we have hereunto set our hands, at Madison, the 1st day of Feb-
ruary, A. D. 1848.
Morgan L. Martin,
President of the Convention and Delegate from Brown County.
Thomas McHugh,
Secretary.
COI^STITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.
CONDENSE TD.
PREAMBLE.
We, the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice,
insure domestic tranquillity, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare,
and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish
this Constitution for the United States of America.
ARTICLE I.
Section 1. All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress, which shall
consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.
Sec. 2. The House of Representatives shall be composed of members chosen every second
year by the people of the States, and electors shall have qualifications for electors of the most
numerous branch of the State Legislature.
Representatives must be twenty-five years of age, and must have been seven years citizens
of the United States, and inhabitants of the State in which they shall be chosen.
Representatives and direct taxes shall be apportioned among the several States according to
population, which shall be determined by adding to the whole number of free persons, including
apprentices and excluding Indians not taxed, three-fifths of all other persons. The enumeration
shall be made within three years after the first meeting of Congress, and every ten years there-
after" in such manner as Congress shall by law direct. States shall have one Representative only
for each thirty thousand, but each State shall have at least one Representative ; and until such
enumeration shall be made, New Hampshire shall choose three ; Massachusetts, eight ; Rhode
Island, one; Connecticut, five ; New York, six ; New Jersey, four ; Pennsylvania, eight; Del-
aware, one ; Maryland, six ; Virginia, ten ; North Carolina, five ; South Carolina, five, and
Georgia, three.
Vacancies in the representation from any State shall be filled by elections, ordered by the
executive authority of the State.
2^8 HISTORY OF WISCO:!JSl>i.
The House of Representatives shall choose their Speaker and other oflScers, and shall have
the sole power of impeachment.
Sec. 3. The Senate shall be composed of two Senators from each State, chosen by the
Legislature thereof for six years ; and each Senator shall have one vote.
Senators shall be divided as equally as may be into three classes immediately after assem-
bling, in consequence of the first election. The first class shall vacate their seats at the expira-
tion of the second year ; the second class, at the expiration of the fourth year, and the third
class, at the expiration of the sixth year, so that one-third may be chosen every second year ;
aad vacancies happening by resignation or otherwise during the recess of the Legislature of any
State may be filled by temporary appointments of the Executive until the next meeting of the
Legislature.
All Senators shall have attained the age of thirty years, and shall have been nine years
citizens of the United States, and shall be inhabitants of the State for which they shall be
•chosen.
The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have
no vote, unless they be equally divided.
The Senate shall choose their other officers, and also a President pro tempore, in the
absence of the Vice President, or when he shall exercise the office of President,
The Senate shall have the sole power to try impeachments. When sitting for that purpose,
they shall be on oath or affirmation. When the President is tried, the Chief Justice shall pre-
side, and concurrence of two-thirds of the members present shall be necessary to conviction.
Judgment in cases of impeachment shall be limited to removal from office and disqualifica-
tion to hold any office under the United States ; but the party convicted shall be liable to trial
and punishment according to law.
Sec. 4. The Legislature of each State shall prescribe the times, places and manner of
holding elections for Senators and Representatives, but Congress may make or alter such regu-
lations, except as to the place of choosing Senators.
Congress shall assemble annually, on the first Monday in December, unless a difiierent day
T)e appointed.
Sec. 5. Each House shall be the judge of the elections, returns and qualifications of its
own members, and a majority of each shall constitute a quorum to do business ; but a smaller
number may adjourn from day to day, and may compel attendance of absent members, under
penalties.
Each House may determine its own rules of proceeding, punish its members, and, by a two-
thirds vote, expel a member.
Each House shall keep a journal, which shall be published at their discretion, and one-fifth
of those present may require the yeas and nays to be entered on the journal.
Neither House shall adjourn for more than three days without the consent of the other,
nor to any other place than that in which they are sitting.
Sec. 6. The compensation of Senators and Representatives shall be fixed by law, and
paid out of the Treasury of the United States. They shall be privileged from arrest during
attendance at the session of their respective' Houses, except for treason, felony and breach of
the peace, and shall not be questioned in any other place for any speech or debate in either
House.
No Senator or Representative shall, during the time for which he was elected, be appomted
to any civil office under the United States which shall have been created or the emoluments
whereof shall have been increased during such time ; and no person holding office under the
United States shall be a member of either House during his continuance in office.
Sec. 7. All bills for raising revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives, but
may be amended by the Senate.
Every bill passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate shall, before it becoines
a law, be presented to the President ; if he approve, he shall sign it ; but if not, he shall return
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. 299
it, with his ohjections, to that House in which it originated, who shall enter the objections on
their journal and proceed to reconsider it. If, after reconsideration, two-thirds shall agree to
pass the bill, it shall be sent, with the objections, to the other House, and, if approved by two-
thirds of that House, it shall become a law. But in all such cases, the yeas and nays shall be
taken, and entered upon the journal of each House, respectively. Any bill not returned by
the President within ten days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, shall
be a law, as if he had signed it, unless Congress, by adjournment, shall prevent its return, in
which case it shall not be a law.
Every order, resolution or vote requiring the concurrence of the Senate and House of Rep-
resentatives (except a question of adjournment), shall be approved by the President before tak-
ing effect ; or, being disapproved by him, shall be repassed by a two-thirds vote of each House,
as in the case of a bill.
Sec. 8. Congress shall have power :
To lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the
common defense and general welfare of the United States ; but all duties, imposts and excises
shall be uniform throughout the United States ;
To borrow money on the public credit ;
To regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several States and with the
Indian tribes ; ^
To establish a uniform rule of naturalization, and uniform laws on the subject of bank-
ruptcies ;
To coin money, regulate the value thereof and foreign coin, and fix the standard of weights
and measures ;
To provide for the punishment of counterfeiting the securities and current coin of the United
States ;
To establish post offices and post roads ;
To promote the progress of science and useful arts, by securing for limited times to authors
and inventors the exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries ;
To constitute tribunals inferior to the Supreme Court ;
To define and punish piracies and felonies committed on the high seas, and offenses against
the laws of nations ;
To declare war, grant letters of marque and reprisal, and make rules concerning captures on
land and water ;
To raise and support armies, but no appropriation of money to that use shall be for a longer
term than two years ;
To provide and maintain a navy ;
To make rules for the government and regulation of the land, and naval forces ;
To provide for calling forth the militia to execute the laws of the Union, suppress insur-
rection and repel invasions ;
To provide for organizing, arming and disciplining the militia, and for governing such parts
of them as may be employed in the service of the United States — the several States to appoint
the officers and to train the militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress ;
To exercise exclusive legislation, in all cases, over the seat of Government, and over all
forts, magazines, arsenals, dock -yards and other needful buildings ; and
To make all laws necessary and proper for carrying into execution all powers vested by this
Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any depa,rtment or officer thereof.
Sec. 9. Foreign immigration or the importation of slaves into the States shall not be pro-
hibited by Congress prior to the year one thousand eight hundred and eight, but a tax or duty
may be imposed not exceeding ten dollars for each person so imported.
The writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, unless required by the public safety in
cases of rebellion or invasion.
No bill of attainder or ex post facto law shall be passed.
300
HISTORY or WISCONSIN.
No capitation or other direct tax shall be laid, unless in proportion to the census or enu-
meration hereinbefore directed to be made.
No tax or duty shall be laid on articles exported from any State.
In regulating commerce or revenue, no preference shall be given to the ports of one State
over those of another ; nor shall vessels bound to or from one State be obliged to enter, clear or
pay duties in another.
No money shall be drawn from the Treasury unless appropriated by law ; and accounts of
the receipts and expenditures of all public money shall be published from time to time.
No title of nobility shall be granted by the United States ; and no person holding any
oflSce under them shall accept any present, emolument, office or title from any foreign State,
without the consent of Congress.
Sec. 10. No State shall enter into any treaty, alliance or confederation ; grant letters of
marque and reprisal; coin money; emit bills of credit; make anything but gold and silver coin
a tender in payment of debts ; pas?, bills of attainder, ex post facto laws, or law impairing the
obligation of contracts, or grant any title of nobility.
No State shall, without the consent of Congress, lay any imposts or duties on imports or
exports, except for the execution of its inspection laws ; and all such duties shall be for the use
of the United States; and all such laws shall be subject to the revision aiid control of Congress.
No State shall, without the consent of Congress, lay any duty of tonnage, keep troops or
ships of war in time of peace, enter into any agreement or compact with another State or with a
foreign power, or engage in war unless actually invaded or in imminent and immediate danger.
Article II.
Section 1. The executive power shall be vested in a President. He shall hold office for
four years, and, together with the Vice President chosen for the same term, shall be elected as
follows :
Each State shall appoint in the manner directed by the Legislature, a number of electors
equal to the whole number of its Senators and Representatives in Congress ; but no Senator or
Representative or person holding any office under the United States shall be appointed an
elector.
, [ The third clause of this section has been superseded and amended hy the 12th Amendment. "l
Congress may determine the time of choosing the electors, and the day on which they shall
give their votes, which day shall be the same throughout the United States.
A natural born citizen, or a citizen of the United States at the time of the adoption of this
Constitution, only shall be eligible to the office of President ; and he must have attained the age
of thirty-five years, and been fourteen years a resident within the United States.
If the President be removed from office, die, resign, or become unable to discharge the duties
of his office, the same shall devolve upon the Vice President, and Congress may provide by law
for the case of removal, death, resignation or inability of both the President and Vice President,
declaring what officer shall then act as President, and such officer shall act accordingly, until the
disability be removed or a President elected.*
The President shall receive a compensation for his services, which shall be neither increased
nor diminished during the period for which he shall have been " electedf and within that period
he shall not receive any other emolument from the United States or from any of them.
Before entering upon office he shall take the following oath or affirmation: "I do solemnly
swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and
will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United
States."
* By act of March 1, 1792, CongreBS provided for this contingency, designating the President of the Senate pro tempore, or if there be none
the Speaker of the House of RepresentatiTes, to succeed to the chief Executive ofQce in the event of a vacancy in the offices of both President
add Vice Presideut.
t The President's salary was fixed February 18, 1793, at S25,000, and was increased Uarch 3, 1873, to $50,000.
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. 301
Sec. 2. The President shall be the Commander-in-Chief of the army and navy of the
United States, and of the militia of the several States, when in actual service of the United
States; he may require the written opinion of the principal oflScers of the several executive
departments upon subjects relating to the duties of their respective offices, and shall have power to
grant reprieves and pardons for oflfenses against the United States, except in cases of impeachment.
He shall have power, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to make treaties,
provided two-thirds of the Senators present concur, and shall nominate to the Senate ambassa-
dors, other public ministers and consuls, Judges of the Supreme Court, and all other officers of
the United States whose appointment is not otherwise provided for ; but Congress may vest the
appointment of inferior officers in the President alone, in the courts of law, or in the heads of
departments.
The President may fill all vacancies that may happen during the recess of the Senate, by
granting commissions which shall expire at the end of their next session.
He shall, from time to time, give Congress information of the state of the Union, and
recommend measures to their consideration ; he may, on extraordinary occasions, convene both
Houses or either of them, and, in case of disagreement between them as to the time of adjourn-
ment, he may adjourn them to such time as he shall think proper ; he shall receive ambassadors
and other public ministers ; he shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed, and shall com-
mission all the officers of the, United States.
Sec. 4. The President, Vice President and all civil officers of the United States, shall be
removed from office on impeachment for and conviction of treason, bribery, or other high crimes
and misdemeanors.
Article III.
Section 1. The judicial power of the United States shall be vested in one Supreme
Court, and in such inferior courts as Congress may establish. The Judges, both of the Supreme
and inferior Courts, shall hold their offices during good behavior, and shall receive a compensa-
tion which shall not be diminished during their continuance in office.
Sec. 2. The judicial power shall extend to all cases, in law and equity, arising under this
Constitution, the laws of the United States, treaties, cases affecting ambassadors, other public
ministers and consuls, all cases of admiralty and maritime jurisdiction ; to controversies to which
the United States shall be a party ; controversies between two or more States ; between a State
and citizens of another State ; between citizens of different States ; between citizens of the same
State claiming lands under grants of different States, and between a State or the citizens thereof
and foreign States, citizens or subjects.
In all cases affecting Ministers and Consuls, and those in which a State is a party, the
Supreme Court shall have original jurisdiction. In all other cases mentioned, the Supreme
Court shall have appellate jurisdiction, both as to law and fact, subject to exceptions and regu-
lations made by Congress.
All crimes, except in cases of impeachment, shall be tried by jury, and in the State where
the crime was committed ; but Congress shall fix the place of trial for crimes not committed
within any State.
Sec. 3. Treason against the United States shall consist only in levying war against them,
or in adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort. No person shall be convicted of
treason unless on the testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or on confession in open
court.
Congress shall have power to declare the punishment of treason, but no attainder of treason
shall work corruption of blood or forfeiture, except during the life of the person attainted.
Article IV.
Section 1. , Each State shall give full faith and credit to the public acts, records and judi-
cial proceedings of every other State, and Congress may prescribe the manner in which such
acts, records and proceedings shall be proved, and the effect thereof.
802 . HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
Sec. 2. The citizens of each State shall be entitled to all privileges and immunities of
citizens in the several States.
Fugitives from justice in any State found in another State, shall, on demand of the Execu-
tive, be delivered up and removed to the State having jurisdiction of the crime. ■
No person held to service or labor in one State under the laws thereof, escaping into another,
shall, in consequence of any law or regulation therein, be discharged from such service or labor,
but shall be delivered up on claim of the party to whom such service or labor may be due.
Sec. 3. New States may be admitted to the Union, but no new State shall be formed
within the jurisdiction of any other State; nor by the junction of two or more States, or parts
of States, without the consent of the Legislatures of the States concerned, as well as of Congress.
Congress shall have power to dispose of and to regulate and govern the territory or other
property belonging to the United States ; and nothing in this Constitution shall be construed to
prejudice any claims of the United States, or any particular State.
Every. State shall be guaranteed a republican form of government, and shall be protected
against invasion ; and on an application of the Legislature, or of the executive (when the Legis-
lature cannot be convened), against domestic violence.
Article V.
Congress, whenever two-thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose amend-
ments to this Constitution, or, on application of two-thirds of the Legislatures of the several
States, shall call a convention for proposing amendments, which, in either case, shall be valid to all
intents and purposes, as part of this Constitution when ratified by the Legislatures of three-fourths
of the several States, or by conventions jn three-fourths thereof, as the one or the other mode of
ratification may be proposed by the Congress ; provided that no amendment which may be made
prior to the year one thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any manner affect the first and
fourth clauses in the ninth section of the first article ; and that no State, without its consent,
shall be deprived of its equal suffrage in the Senate.
Article VI.
All existing debts and engagements shall be valid against the United States under this
Constitution.
This Constitution and the laws of the United States made in pursuance thereof, and all
treaties made under the authority of the United States, shall be the supreme law of the land,
and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby ; anything in the Constitution or laws of
any State to the contrary notwithstanding.
Senators and Representatives, members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive
and judicial oflScers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by oath
or affirmation, to support this Constitution ; but no religious test shall ever be required as a
qualification to any office or public trust under the United States.
Article VII.
The ratification of the Convention of nine States shall be sufficient for the establishment of
this Constitution between the States so ratifying the same.
Done in convention by the unanimous consent of the States present, the seventeenth day
of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty-seven, and of the
independence of the United States of America the twelfth.
In witness whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names.
GEORGE WASHINGTON,
President and Deputy from Virginia.
[Other signatures omitted.]
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. 303
Amendments to the Constitution of the United States of America.
Proposed by Congress and ratified by the Legislatures of the several States, pursuant to
the Fifth Article of the original Constitution.
Article I.
Congress shall make no law respecting religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;
or abridging the freedom of speech or of the press ; or of the right of the people peaceably to
assemble and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Article II.
A well-regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the
people to keep and bear arms shall not be. infringed.
Article III.
No soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered in any house without the consent of the
-owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
Article IV.
The right of the people to be secure in their persons and property against unreasonable
searches and seizures shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue but upon probable cause,
supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched and the
persons or things to be seized.
Article V.
No person shall be held to answer for any infamous crime unless on an indictment of a
grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual
service in time of war or public danger ; nor shall any person be twice put in jeopardy of life
or limb for the same offense ; nor shall he be compelled, in any criminal case, to be a witness
against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law ; nor
shall private property be taken for nublic use without just compensation.
Article VI.
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to speedy and public trial,
by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, and
to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation ; to be confronted with the witnesses
iigainst him ; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the
assistance of counsel for his defense.
Article VII.
In suits at common law, when the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the
right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury shall be otherwise
re-examined in any court of the United States than according to the rules of the common law.
Articljs VIII.
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual pun-
ishments inflicted.
304 HISTOEY OF WISCONSIN.
Article IX.
The enumeration in the Constitution of certain rights shall not be construed to deny or dis-
parage others retained by the people.
Article X.
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to
the States, are reserved to the States respectively or to the people.
Article XI.
The judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law
or equity commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by citizens of another
State, or by citizens or subjects of any foreign State.
Article XII.
The electors shall meet in their respective States, and vote by ballot for President and Vice
President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same State with themselves ;
distinct ballots shall be made for President and Vice President, and distinct lists made of such
ballots and of the number of votes for each, which lists they shall sign and certify and transmit
sealed to the seat of government, addressed to the President of the Senate ; the President of the
Senate shall, in presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the certificates,,
and the-votes shall then be counted ; the person having the greatest number of votes for Presi-
dent shall be President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of electors appointed ;
if no person have such majority, then from those having the highest numbers, not exceeding
three on the list of those voted for as President, the House of Representatives shall choose imme-
diately by ballot the President. ,But, in choosing the President, the vote shall be taken by
States, each State having one vote ; a quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or mem-
bers from two-thirds of the States, and a majority of all the States shall be necessary to a choice.
If, whenever the right of choice shall devolve upon them, the House of Representatives shall not
choose a President before the fourth day of March next following, then the Vice President shall
act as President, as in the case of death or disability of the President. The person having the
greatest number of votes as Vice President shall be the Vice President, if such number be a
majority of the whole number of electors appointed, and if no person have a majority, then from
the two highest numbers on the list, the Senate shall choose the Vice President ; a quorum for
the purpose shall consist of two-thirds of the whole number of Senators, and a majority of the
whole number shall be necessary to a choice. But no person ineligible to the office of President
shall be eligible to that of Vice President of the United States.
Article XIII.
Section 1. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime
whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any
place subject to their jurisdiction.
Sec. 3. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
Article XIV.
Section 1. All persons born or naturalized in the United States, or subject to the juris-
diction thereof, are citizens of the United States, and of the State wherein they reside. No
State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens.
of the United States ; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty or property without
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.
305
due process of law, nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the
law.
Sec. 2. Representatives shall be apportioned among the States according to population,
counting the whole number of persons in each State, including Indians not taxed. But when
the right to vote is denied to any of the male inhabitants of a State, being twenty-one years of
age and citizens of the United States, or in any way abridged, except for participation in
rebellion or other crime, the basis of representation therein shall be reduced in the proportion
which the number of such male citizens shall bear to the whole number of male citizens twenty-
one years of age in such State.
Sec. 3. No person shall hold any office under the United States or under any State, who
having previously, as an officer of the United States of any State, taken an oath to support the
Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the
same, or given aid and comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may, by a vote of two-
thirds of each House, remove such disability.
Sec. 4. The validity of the public debt of the United States, including pensions and
bounties, shall not be questioned. But neither the United States nor any State shall assume
or pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid of insurrection or rebellion against the United
States, or any claim for the loss or emancipation of any slave ; but all such debts, obligations
and claims shall be held illegal and void.
Sec. 5. Congress shall have power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions
of this article.
Article XV.
Section 1. The right of citizens to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United
States, or by any State, on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.
Sec. 2. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
306
ALPHABETICAL LIST OF COUNTIES AND CITIES
WITH GUBERNATORIAL AND PRESIDENTIAL VOTES.
Note.— The Republican or Democratic majority in each county is given as between Smith and Mallory. Green*
back majority is only given when the vote for AUia exceeds the others, and is taken from the highest vote.
Adams
Ashland...
Barron ....
Bayfield...
Brown
Buffalo ....
Burnett....
Calumet....
Chippewa..
Clark ,
Columbia. .
Crawford..
Dane
Dodge
Door
Douglas....
Dunn
Eau Claire
Fond du Lac.
Grant
Green
Green Lake.
Iowa
Jackson
Jefferson ...
Juneau
Kenosha.....
Kewaunee..,
La Crosse...
La Fayette..
Lincoln
Manitowoc.
Marathon...
Marquette..
Milwaukee..
Monroe ....
Oconto
Outagamie..
Ozaukee
Pepin
Pierce
Polk
Portage......
Racine
COUNTIES.
GOVERNOE.
1877.
Smith. Mallory. AUis.
580
86
459
40
1387
1075
336
450
685
449
2048
806
3613
2333
477
21
1174
1208
3086
2620
1823
879
1461
802
1917
1045
938
247
1968
1409
27
1365
301
447
5843
1102
1059
777
437
521
1523
916
1080
2304
233
163
203
34
1740
. 810
24
1130
693
153
1597
1008
3903
4267
126
28
407
805
3414
1938
849
896
1175
391
2418
883
907
558
1116
1300
15
1951
755
730
6388
1096
764
2005
1579
171
545
363
917
1906
116
53
2
1015
76
"389
589
816
118
146
614
381
283
Maj.
412
597
1249
1037
580
215
1031
521
296
463
51
20
524
269
169
98
746
76
1228
1019
157
992
17
123
408
60
728
112
347
77
256
6
353
265
312
680
18
367
451
202
290
1934
351
7
767
403
328
682
974
17
286
411
201
162
31
311
853
109
142
586
454
283
545
6
295
1228
1142
350
978
653
163
PRESIDENT.
1876.
Hayes, Tilden.
981
109
644
86
2755
1186
286
1012
1596
1256
3532
1365
5435
3236
1095
42
2033
2266
4845
4723
2601
1739
2651
1507
2874
1714
1610
661
2644
2424
71
2700
668
697
9981
2568
1813
1869
683
836
2135
1019
1855
3560
442
189
257
74
3647
1162
28
2145
1774
660
2493
1604
5726
6361
596
67
894
1785
5660
3198
1735
1614
2348
718
4134
1^58
1432
1654
2481
2299
174
3908
1796
1112
12026
2030
1174
3608
5480
394
985
362
'1794
2880
Maj.
639
80
38T
12
892
24
257
1133
178
595
1039
249
291
3125
499
25
1139
481
815
1525
866
225
303
789
1260
256
178
1093
163
125
103
1208
1128
415
2045
528
639
1749
1897
447
1152
650
61
680
307
duBEENATORIAL AND PRESroENTIAL VOTES— 1877-1876— CowiiMMCd.
COVVTIES— Continued.
GOVERNOR.
PRESIDENT.
1877.
1876.
Smith.
Mallory.
Allis.
Maj.
Hayes.
Tilden.
M^.
1201
729
705
R.
472
2038
1591
R.
447
3375
1620
781
R.
1755
6755
2814
R.
2893
1558
1489
93
R.
70
1775
1736
R.
39
1826
922
574
R.
904
3395
2201
R.
1194
269
605
92
D.
336
582
873
D.
291
1598
1737
750
D.
139
3224
8633
D.
409
195
254
53
D.
59
240
246
D.
6
2483
731
176
R.
1452
2360
790
R.
1670
1678
416
846
R.
1262
2764
1117
R.
1647
2904
1374
160
R.
1530
4212
1970
R.
2242
994
2187
187
D.
1993
1321
3047
D.
1726
2484
2388
276
R.
96
3129
3335
D.
206
1473
990
772
R.
483
2642
1592
R.
1050
1282
257
377
R.
1025
2080
548
R.
1532
2068
2238
1887
D.
170
6092
4426
R.
666
247
196
601
G
354
668
745
D.
87
231
522
201
D.
291
649
911
D.
362
320
361
6
D.
41
357
465
D.
108
377
109
240
R.
268
745
627
R.
118
219
197
36
R.
22
456
312
R.
144
25
17
,,,,
R.
8
14
31
D.
17
16
5
97
G.
81
64
93
D.
29
31
128
294
33
143
D.
D.
97
65
229
475
672
D.
97
210
123
3
R.
87
254
212
R.
42
620
459
250
R.
161
1205
1013
R.
189
862
884
520
D.
22
1382
1542
D.
160
150
85
195
G.
45
669
288
R.
81
50
42
110
G.
60
121
' 191
D.
70
432
833
181
R.
99
696
647
R.
49
226
207
3
R.
19
250
224
R.
26
771
605
31
R.
166
1036
848
R.
188
281
314
42
D.
33
514
644
D.
30
712
671
351
R.
41
1085
1549
D.
464
740
1057
13
D.
317
834
1252
D.
418
349
284
17
R.
61
660
512
R.
148
146
311
67
D.
165
291
344
D.
53
4816
5027
1050
D.
211
8218
9625
D.
1407
260
249
21
R.
11
348
324
R.
24
115
146
376
G.
230
611
385
R.
126
84
125
118
D.
41
206
208
D.
2
172
167
24
R.
5
222
238
D.
16
270
311
6
D.
41
399
606
D.
107
724
954
375
D.
230
1496
1910
D.
414
69
127
405
28
7
D.
D.
58
160
245
366
532
D.
166
155
267
3
D.
112
215
377
D.
162
87
61
10
R.
26
143
108
R.
35
1052
921
82
R.
131
1672
1324
R.
348
270
239
33
R.
31
397
333
R.
64
55
73
13
D
18
87
83
R.
4
248
440
68
D.
192
575
873
D.
298
252
270
145
D.
18
423
663
D.
140
232
687
164
D.
445
372
1295
D,
923
210
49
20
R.
161
280
52
R.
228
76
170
300
G.
130
210
595
D.
385
Richland
Rock
St. Croix
Sauk
Shawano
Sheboygan....
Taylor
Trempealeau..
Vernon
Walworth
Washington...
Waukesha
Waupaca
Waushara
Winnebago...
Wood
Appleton
Beaver Dam
Beloit
Berlin
Buffalo
Centralia
Chilton
Chippewa Falls.,
Columbus ,
Eau Claire
Fond du Lac
Fort Howard....,
Grand Rapids....
Green Bay
Hudson
Janesville ,
Kenosha
La Crosse
Madison
Manitowoc ,
Menasha
Milwaukee ,
Mineral Point....
Neenah
New London
Oconomowoc
Oconto
Oshkosh
Plymouth
Portage ,
Prairie du Cbiea
Prescott
Racine
Bipon
Shawano
Sheboygan
Stevens Point....
Watertown
Waupada
Wausau
CITIES.
POPULATION OF THE^^UNITED STATES.
"Mlli?
R. R.
187S.
States and
Territories.
States.
Alabama
Arkansas
CaltTornia
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts. . .
Michigan*
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri. .i
l^ebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire.
New Jersey
New York
North Carolina. .
Ohio
Oregon
47,
50,
39.
95,
* Last Census of
Area in
SQuare
Miles. 1870.
50,
52,
188,
4.
2,
59,:
58,1
55,
33,
55,1
81,
37,
il.
31,
11,
7,
56,
83,
47,
65.
75,
112,
Population.
1,350,644
528,349
857,039
996,992
484,471
560,247
537,454
125,015
187,748
1,184,109
2,539,891
1,680,637
1,191.792
364,399
1,321,011
726,915
626,915
780,894
1,457,351
1,184,059
439,706
827 922
1,721,295
128,993
42,491
318,300
906,096
4,382,759
1,071,361
2,865,260
90,923
Michigan taken in 1874.
1875.
Miles
R. R.
1872.
1,651,912
1,834,031
698,429
246,280
52,540
1,026,502
4,705,208
1,671
25
1,013
820
227
466
2,108
6,904
3.529
3.160
1,760
1,123
639
871
820
1,606
2,236
1,612
990
2,680
828
593
790
1.266
4,470
1,190
3,740
1^9
States and
Territories.
States.
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina...
Tennessee
Texas
Vermont..; ;.
Virginia
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Total States.
Territories.
Arizona
Colorado...
Dakota
Dist. of Columbia.
Idaho. ..^
Montana
New Mexico
Utah
Washington
Wyoming
Total Territories.
Area in
square
Miles.
46,000
1,306
29,385
45,600
237,504
10,212
40,904
23,000
63,924
1,950,171
113,
104,
147,
90,
143,
121,
80,
69,
93,
965,032
Population.
1870.
8,521,791
217,353
705,606
1,268,520
818.579
330,651
1,226,163
442,014
1,054,670
38,113,263
9,658
39,864
14,181
131,700
14,999
20,695
91,874
86,786
23,955
9,118
442,730
268,239
925,145
1,236,729
5,113
136
1,201
1,520
865
676
1,490
485
1,726
69,687
375
498
1,265
Aggregate of U. S.. 2,915,203 38,566,983 60,85.1
• Included in the Railroad Mileage of Marylard.
PRINCIPAL COUNTRIES OF THE WORLD;
I'OPTJLATION AND AeBA.
Date of
Area in
Inhabitants
Population.
Census.
Square
Miles.
to Square
Mile.
446,500.000
1871
3,741,846
119.3
228,817,108
81,925,l'10
1871
4,677,432
48.6
1871
8,003,778
10.2
38,925,800
1870
2,808,884
7:78
36,469,800
1866
204,091
178.7
35,904,400
1869
240,348
149.4
34,785,300
1871
149,399
232.8
31,817,100
1871
121,315
262.3
29,906,092
1871
160,207
187.
27,439,921
1871
118,847
330.9
16,842,000
1867
195 776
85.
10,000,000
3,263,029
3.07
16,463,000
872.621
24.4
9,173,000
1869
761,526
5,921,600
1870
292,871
20.
5,000,000
1870
636,964
7.8
5,021,300
1869
11,373
441.6
4,861,400
1871
29,292
185.9
3,995,200
1888
34,494
115.8
3,688,300
1870
12,680
290.9
3,000,000
1870
357,167
8.4
2,000,000
1889
132,616
15.1
2,669,100
1870
15 992
186.9
2,500,000
1871
471,838
5.3
2,000,000
497,321
4.
1,812,000
1869
871,848
2.1
1,818,500
1871
7,533
241.4
1,784,700
1870
14,753
120.9
1,600,000
368,238
4.2
1,461,400
1871
5,912
247.
1,467,900
1870
19,353
75.3
1,180,000
1871
40,879
28.9
1,300,000
218,928
5.9
1,000,000
1871
63,787
15.6
823,138
2,969
277.
718,000
1871
9,676
74.9
600,000
1871
7,335
81.8
572,000
10,205
56.
350,000
871
58,171
6.
300,000
871
66,722
6.5
350,000
871
47,092
''■i
136,000
17,827
I-S
165.000
1870
21,606
7.7
(i2,960
7,633
80.
Population.
China
British Empire....'
Russia
United States with Alasb:a. .
France
Austria and Hungary
Japan
Great Britain and Ireland. .
German Empire
Italy
Spam
Brazil ,
Turlrey
Mexico ,
Sweden and Norway
Persia .'
Belgium ,
Bavaria
Portugal
Holland
sv ew Grenada ,
Chili
Switzerland ,
Peru
Bolivia
Argentine Republic
Wurtemburg
Denmark
"Venezuela
Baden
Greece
Guatemala
Ecuador
Paraguay
Hesse
Liberia
San Salvador
Hayti
N icaragua ,
Uruguay
Honduras
San Domingo
Costa Rica
Hawaii
Pekin
London
St. Petersburg..
Washington
Paris...
Vienna
Yeddo
London
Berlin
Rome
Madrid
Rio Janeiro
Constantinople .
Mexico
Stockholm
Teheran
Brussels
Munich
Lisbon
Hague
Bogota
Santiago
Berne
Lima
Chuquifaaca
Buenos Ayres...
Stuttgart
Copenhagen
Caraccas ,
Carlsruhe
Athens ,
Guatemala
Quito ,
Asuncion
Darmstadt
Monrovia ,
Sal Salvador....
Port au Prince,
Managua
Monte Video...,
Comayagua ....
San Domingo...
Snn Jose ,
Honolulu
1,648.800
3.251,800
667,000
109,199
1,825.300
833,900
1,554,900
3,251,800
825,400
244,484
332,000
420,000
1,075,000
210.300
136,900
120.000
314.100
169,500
224.063
90,100
45,000
115,400
36,000
160,100
25.000
177,800
91,600
162,042
47,000
36,600
43.400
40.000
70.000
48.000
30.000
3,000
15.000
20,000
10,000
44,500
12,000
20,000
2,000
7.633
FOND DU LAC.
. HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
OHAPTEE I.
Topography — Elevations of Different Points — Artesian Wells^Water Powers — Geo-
logical Formations— Physical Features.
topography.
When Southeastern Wisconsin first emerged from the ocean, it doubtless presented an
essentially plane surface, having a slight inclination to the east and southeast. The inequalities
which it now presents are due to subsequent changes, the results of three classes of agents,
acting at different times and under different conditions.
1. During the long ages between the emergence of the land and the drift period, the
streams were cutting their beds deeper and deeper into the rock, and rendering the former level
surface more and more irregular. The softer rocks were more readily eroded than the harder
ones, and this helped to increase the unevenness. There was a tendency of the streams, so far
as the slope favored, to follow the less resisting belts of soft rock. The little streams gathered
into the larger ones in a manner not unlike that by which the branches of a tree are united
into the trunk. The unevenness of surface produced by erosion of this nature possesses a
certain kind of system and symmetry readily recognizable. As this erosion occupied the time
preceding the glacial period, we may conveniently designate the features produced by it, pre-
glacial. We have the best example of this kind of surface conformation in the lead region,
over which the drift forces did not act, and which has not been resubmerged, so that we have
the results of this class of action pure and simple. As we proceed eastward into the region of
drift action In the central part of the State, these features are modified more and more by the
results of glacial action, until, in Eastern Wisconsin, they become wholly obscured, except
in their grander outlines.
.2. The modifications of the surface constituting this first class of topographical, features
were produced by running water ; those of the second class, which were formed next in order of
time, were caused by ice in the form of glaciers, it is confidently believed, and by the agencies
brought into action through their melting. The work of the ice was twofold : First, in the level-
ing of the surface by planing down the hills and filling up the valleys ; and second, in the cre-
ation of a new uneven surface, by heaping up in an irregular and promiscuous manner the clay,
sand, gravel and bowlders it had formed, thus giving the surface a new aspect. Among the
features produced by the action of the ice are parallel ridges, sometimes miles in length, having
the same direction as the ice movement, hills of rounded, flowing contour, sometimes having a
linear arrangement in the direction of glacial progress, mounds and hummocks of drift promis-
cuously arranged on an otherwise plane surface, oval domes of rock (roches moutonees), sharp
gravel ridges, often having a tortuous, serpentine course, transverse to the drift movement.
310 HISTORY OE FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
peculiar depressions known as " kettles," and half-submerged rock gorges, known as " fiords," all
of which combine to form a peculiar and distinctive surface contour. The melting of the ice
mass gave rise to swollen lakes and flooded rivers, which eroded at some points and filled up at
others, and so still farther modified the face of the country. All these peculiarities, being the
result, directly or indirectly, of the ice action, may be denominated glacial features.
3. Subsequent to the glacial period, the wearing action of the streams was resumed, but
under somewhat new conditions, and carved out a new surface contour, the features of which
may be termed post-glacial.
To the agencies, ice and water, assisted slightly by winds, the topographical peculiarities of
the county are chiefly due. There is no evidence of violent eruptions, upheavals or outbursts.
There was, indeed, the gradual elevation and depression of the surface, and probably some little
flexure of the crust ; but the region has been free from violent agitation, and owes none of its
salient topographical features to such causes.
Having thus briefly considered the general methods by which the present aspect of the
county was produced, we may now more satisfactorily examine some of its special features.
No part of Wisconsin can properly be said to be mountainous, nor does it, over any consid-
erable area, sink to a dead level. It presents the golden mean in a gently undulating,
diversified surface, readily traversible in all directions by the various highways of communica-
tion.
Setting aside minor details, the State presents two general slopes — a short, abrupt declivity
northward to Lake Superior, and a long, gentler incline southward. Through the center of
this southward slope there extends a moderate north and south elevation, or arch — a low anti-
clinal axis — giving a southeasterly and southwesterly inclination to the strata on either side.
Fond du Lac County is situated in the center of the eastern slope.
The rock floor of this county would indicate an east southeast inclination of twenty-three
feet to the mile, and a similar inclination continues beneath Sheboygan County and Lake
Michigan. The bottom of that lake, at the depth of the ocean level (589 feet), is in the same
geological horizon as Fond du Lac City. Take for example, the lower magnesian limestone,
which is the lowest rock of any formation that outcrops in the county. The upper surface is
easily recognized, being well defined. It outcrops in the town of Ripon, in the bluiFs west of
Ripon City, at an elevation of 382 feet above Lake Michigan. At the High School artesian
well in the city of Fond du Lac, it was found at the depth of 425 feet, the surface of the well
being 172 feet above Lake Michigan. The rock is, therefore, 625 feet lower than the top of
the bluff at Ripon. At the village of Elmore, Section 15, town of Ashford, the lower mag-
nesian limestone is found at 802 feet below the surface of the artesian well, which surface is
411 feet above Lake Michigan. The rock is, therefore, 391 feet below the surface of Lake
Michigan, and 773 feet lower than the top of the bluff at Ripon.
ELEVATIONS OF DIEEEEENT POINTS.
Among the most instructive of the minor characteristics of the topography of Fond du^Lac
County are the elevations of a number of different points of its surface above Lake Michigan.
These are given in feet. By adding 589 feet to those of any given point, the result will be the
elevSition above the ocean.
Township IS north, of Range 18 east {Ashford) : Section 2, north line, 441 feet ; Section
2, average 516 feet ; Section 3, railroad cut, 459 feet ; Section 11, northeast quarter, 498 feet ;
Section 13, center, 466 feet ; Section 23, Elmore Village, 421 feet ; Section 23, surface kettle
formation, 444 feet ; Section 24, west side of the river, 322 feet.
Township 13 north, of Range 19 east [Auburn): Section 8, center north half, 490 feet ;
New Cassel bridge, 438 feet; New Cassel depot, 466 feet; Section 30, Five Points, 468 feet;
Section 30, railroad crossing, 409 feet ; Section 32, southeast quarter, Milwaukee River, 376
feet.
HISTOET OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 311
Township 17 north, of Range 19 east [Calumet) : Section 26, middle north line, 381 feet;
Section 28, near west line (stream), 335 feet ; Section 35, northwest quarter, 410 feet.
Township 14- north, of Range 18 east (Eden) : Section 6, northwest corner,' 433 feet ;
Section 22, center, 463 feet ,- Section 22, south line, 489 feet ; Section 24, southwest quarter,
472 feet ; Section 25, north half (creek), 404 feet ; Section 25, northwest quarter, 515 feet ;
Section 27, northeast quarter, river, 434 feet ; Section 27, southeast quarter, 432 feet ; Section
27, north line, northeast quarter, 415 feet.
Township 15 north, of Range 18 east [Umpire) : Section 4, southeast corner, 399 feet ;
Section 12, northwest quarter, lowland, 368 feet.
Township 15 north, of Range 19 east [Forest) : Section 7, east half, Sheboygan River,
356 feet; Section 9, southwest quarter, 410 feet; Section 9, southeast corner, stream, 360 feet;
Section 13, center northeast quarter, 498 feet; Section 13, east line, northeast quarter, 497
feet ; Section 14, near east line, 445 feet ; Section 14, center, 428 feet ; Section 16, northeast
quarter, 389 feet ; Section 24, center north half, 424 feet ; Section 25, southwest quarter,
stream', 451 feet ; Section 36, center, northwest quarter, 515 feet.
Township 16 north, of Range 19 east [Marshfield) : Section 6, northwest corner (estimated),
402 feet ; Section 6, stream, 360 feet ; Section 6, southwest corner, 406 feet ; Section 6, south-
east corner, 483 feet ; Section 14, southeast quarter, Reichart quarry, 357 feet ; Section 16,
south line, Maria Hotel, 365 feet ; Section 17, north line (estimated) railroad, 371 feet ; Section
17, southwest corner, hill, 442 feet ; Section 20, near center, hill, 450 feet ; Section 24, south-
east quarter, 424 feet ; Section 25, north line, 420 feet ; Section 30, southwest quarter, Steffer's
Quarry, 409 feet ; Calvary Station, 363 feet ; St. Cloud Station, 349 feet.
Township 15 north, of Range Up east [^etomen) : Section 1, northeast quarter. River's
quarry, 350 feet ; Reed's Corners Station, 407 feet ; Brandon Station, 421 feet.
Township I4. north, of Range 19 east [Osceola): Section 1, middle west line, 500 feet;
Section 4, northwest quarter, cross roads, 458 feet ; Section 11, southeast quarter, stream, 453
feet ; Section 13, Long Lake, 443 feet ; Section 30, east half, pond, 413 feet ; Section 32,
north line, 518 feet; Section 34, general level, 504 feet ; Section 35, north half, Canton, 566 feet.
Township 16 north, Range I4. east [Ripon) : Ripon Station, 352 feet ; cliff, west of road,
341 feet; City Falls, under tressel bridge, 332 feet; city, top of St. Peters, near lime-kiln, 351
feet ; city, top of hill, west of lime-kiln, 373 feet ; St. Peter's, west of lime-kiln, 358 feet ;
Coomb's quarry, bottom, 370 feet ; Section 2 (estimated), southeast corner, 309 feet ; Section
19, middle west line, 304 feet ; Section 20, northwest quarter of northwest quarter, 327 feet ;
Section 20, northwest of center, quarry, 400 feet ; Section 20, little west of center, 397 feet ;
Section 20, near middle of south line, 350 feet ; Section 20, southwest quarter of southeast
■quarter, 351 feet; Section 20, northeast quarter of northwest quarter, 381 feet; Section 21,
quarry southwest of Mr. Starr's, 364 feet ; Section 26, northwest quarter, 366 feet ; Section
.28, north line northeast quarter, 370 feet ; Section 29, northeast quarter, near center, 350 feet ;
Section 29, northeast quarter, top of limestone, 370 feet ; Section 29, twenty rods south of
limestone, 341 feet ; Section 35, southeast quarter, 364 feet ; Section 36, southeast quarter,
stream, 343 feet.
Township 16 north, of Range 15 east [Rosendale) : Rosendale Station, 313 feet ; West
Rosendale Station, 304 feet ; Rubicon Station, 440 feet ; Section 4, southwest quarter, 288 feet ;
Section 4, southwest quarter, quarry, 278 feet ; Section 28, northwest quarter, river, 271 feet ;
Section 32, southeast corner, 345 feet.
Township 16 north. Range 18 east [Taycheedah) : Lake Winnebago, 162 feet ; Section 5,
middle north line northwest quarter, 305 feet ; Section 5, center, 386 feet ; Section 22, south-
west corner, hill, 450 feet ; Section 22, middle north line, 438 feet ; Section 25, north line, hills,
408 feet; Section 25, north line, valleys, 358 feet ; Sections 29, southwest quarter of southeast
quarter, 341 feet ; Section 32, north-northwest quarter, railroad, 219 feet.
Township llf, north, of Range 15 east [ Waupun) : Waupun Station, 314 feet ; Horicon
marsh, 280 feet.
i£4.> .
312 HISTOEY or POND DU LAC COUNTY.
ARTESIAN WELLS.
The term artesian is frequently applied to deep wells, without regard to whether wat
flows at the surface or not ; but it will here be confined to flowing wells, without regard
depth. Flowing wells depend upon these requisite conditions : There should be an impervioi
stratum to prevent the escape of the water below ; a previous water-bearing stratum upon th
to furnish the flow of water ; a second impervious layer upon this, to prevent the escape of tl
water above, it being under pressure from the fountain-head. These must dip, and there mu
be no adequate outlet for the water at a lower level than the well. There must also be a suf
cient collecting area or reservoir in connection with the porous stratum, and it must have suf
cient elevation to act as a fountain-head. Wells of this description in Eastern Wisconsin ai
divided into six difl^erent classes, according to the formation from which they derive their flow
(1) Those that derive their flow entirely from the drift;. (2) those that derive their flow fro
the junction of the drift with the indurated rocks below; (3) those that originate in tl
Niagara limestones ; (4) those that arise from the Galena and Trenton limestone
(5) those from the St. Peters sandstone ; and, (6) those from the primordial zon
The wells of Fond du Lac County belong to the first, second, fourth and fifth classei
In number and variety of source, these flowing wells of the county stand pre-eminent.
In the city , of Fond du Lac, there are three classes of comparatively shallow wells that derii
their flow from within twenty feet of the surface of the galena limestone rock, either above (
below it, it being from two to nearly one hundred feet beneath the soil. In the first, fiowin
water is found in the blue clay which underlies the superficial red clay. The water is usuall
reached in a stratum of quicksand, from six inches to six feet in thickness. In the second; tl
flow is obtained between what is locally known as "concrete" and the rock. This concreti
which varies from two to twenty feet in thickness, is the lowest member of the drift at th:
point, and seems to consist of partially cemented sand and gravel. The first fiow of water :
usually accompanied by a green or brown sand. The flow of the third class originates in tl
same rock, within from six to twenty feet of its surface and is unaccompanied, in general, b
sand of any kind. The vast majority of the wells of the city belong to one of these thn
classes.
" Hunter's Magnetic Saline Fountain " derives its flow from the deeper limestone strati
as is shown from the following sections,:
Feet.
Bed clay 26
Blue clay, bowlders and concrete 30
First water-course at 56
Brown limestone 14
Second water-course at 70
Brown limestone 40
Third water-course at 110
White limestone 30
Fourth water-course at 140
Crystalline cherty limestone 20
Cherty limestone ■. 27
Fifth water-course at 187
Total depth , 187
The following is an analysis of the rock taken from this well :
Lime 28.80
Magnesia 20.76
Protoxide of iron 2.19
Soda 20
Chlorine trace.
Sulphuric acid 10
Carbonic acid 45.51
Total 97.66
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
313
From this it appears that this rock, in common with nearly all the so-called limestone of
Eastern Wisconsin, is really a dolomite. The following is an approximate analysis of the water
of this well, leaving off decimals in calculating the proportions :
1. Carbonate of lime 5
2. Carbonate of potash 4
3. Carbonate of magnesia ^
4. Carbonate of soda ^
5. Sulphate of lime , 12
6. Sulphate of potash 10
7. Sulphate of magnesia 17
8. Sulphate of soda 13
9. Chloride of sodium 14
10. Chloride of potassium 3
11. Silica 5
12. Traces of iron
13. Traces of bromine
14. Free carbonic acid
Waste 7
Total : 100
The water has heen extensively used for its remedial qualities.
The fountain on First street, belonging to B. Wild & Co., represents a yet more deep-seated
system. This well is 326 feet deep, and passes entirely through the galena and Trenton lime-
stones, reaching the St. Peters sandstone below, whence it derives a flow of forty-eight gallons
per minute. The stream has been carried by pipes fifty-three feet above the surface. It flows
with such force, that, with hose and a quarter-inch nozzle attached, it projects a stream from
thirty to thirty-five feet high, and forty-eight feet horizontally.
The following is an analysis of the water of this fountain :
Lime 0.063
Magnesia 0.040
Soda 0.061
Silica 0.013
Sulphuric acid 0.049
Chlorine 0.045
Carbonic acid 0.090
Combined as follows :
Chloride of sodium 0.074
Sulphate of soda 0.073
Lime 0.010
Bicarbonate of soda
Lime 0.105
Magnesia 0.083
Silica 0.012
Total 0.357
The following is the section of the well on the High School grounds : j.^^^
Drift, red and blue clay 95
Magnesian limestone (Trenton and galena) 195
St. Peters sandstone 185
Total 425
The section of S. B. Amory's well is as follows : • y^^^
{Soil, 3 feet )
Red clay, 37 feet V 93.0
Blue and bowlder, 53 feet J
T.J f Galena, 142 feet 1 ono n
Limestone.. I ,j^^^^^;_ 60 feet | ^02.0
St. Peters sandstone 131.3
Lower magnesian limestone 2.0
Total 428.3
-^s~
HISTOB,Y OF POND DU LAC COUNTY.
a searching for the fountain-head of the wells that belong to the first class — those belong
..tirely to the drift — possible sources are found on almost every side, to the east, south
west and northwest. To the east and south, there lies a large ledge of Niagara limestone, under
laid by impervious shale, from the surface of which issue frequent springs. The clay deposit
of the basin in which the city of Fond du Lac lies, abut against and overlap this shale. Th
junction is, in all probability, permeable to water, which would thus reach the porous strata o
sand and gravel that "are found within the blue clay. That this is the true explanation of th
artesian wells of Taycheedah and Byron is more than probable. To the w.est, the blue clay rise
to the surface, and lies upon, or graduates into, the more gravelly drift hills of that region
and may not improbably derive thence its water supply.
The fountain-heads of the second and third classes — those that rise from the " concrete " am
from the limestone — are doubtless the same, or at least their fountain heads are associated, excep
perhaps those of the deep wells, whose reservoir is more distant ; in all cases, it is probably t
the westward. Lamartine and adjoining towns furnish favorable conditions. The surface o
the rock, as well as its layers, rise in that direction. The slight local exception to this in th
western portion of the city is not sufficient to aifect the general problem. The rock appears a
the surface to the southwest, along Seven Mile Creek, at an elevation of 122 feet above Laki
Winnebago. The general surface of the town of Lamartine is about 150 feet above the lake
and consists of low hills and ridges interspersed with marshes. The surface drainage is ver
imperfect. The hills and ridges are composed of the varying mixed material of the unassorte(
drift, and are more or less permeable to water.
Phenomena connected with the boring of wells in this region, show that certain of the layer
of the underlying magnesian limestone are practically impervious to water, while others are not
These with the clay above furnish the necessary pervious and impervious strata, and complet
the requisite conditions. The fountain head of Mr. Wild's well is to be found along the line o
outcrop of the St. Peters sandstone, within which its reservoir undoubtedly lies. Near Ripon, th
St. Peters sandstone outcrops at an elevation of about 326 feet above Lake Michigan, or abou
150 feet above the surface of the well, thus giving an abundant elevation. The flowing wells o
Taycheedah are from sixty to seventy feet deep, but do not reach the rock; It seems mos
probable that they derive their flow from veins having their origin at the surface of the shal
beneath the ledge, as already explained. The water in some of the wells is highly impregnate!
with sulphuretted hydrogen. In the town of Byron, adjoining Fond du Lac on the south, oi
the farms of Henry Bush, D. D. Jones and Mr. Searles, there are several wells having a rathe
scanty and variable flow. They are not, however, immediately affected by rains. The well
belonging to Mr. Jones are seventy feet deep. Rock was struck at Mr. Searles' at a depth c
170 feet — but did not' yield a flow. The fountain head of these is probably in the blufiB to th
south.
The artesian wells of the town of Oakfield are located in Sections 9, 15, 16 and 17, an
occupy an extensive depression stretching northeastward to Fond du Lac. H. D. Hitt ha
three wells from sixty-eight to seventy-four feet deep. The following is a typical section : 1
surface soil ; 2, marl ; 3, blue clay ; 4, small vein of sand ; 5, alternate blue clay, san
and gravel ; 6, rock at from forty-eight to fifty-four feet from the surface.
Water flowed in a small stream before the rock was struck. Mr. Whittaker secured a fin
flow in a vein of sand beneath blue clay, at from twenty to twenty-two feet from the surface
S. Scovil, residing on Section 17, has two flowing wells, one forty-eight and the other seventy
five feet deep. The first mentioned is thirty-seven feet in blue clay and twelve feet in limestonf
It is situated near the western extremity of the depression before mentioned, where the surfac
gradually rises toward the drift hills that form the " divide " between the Mississippi and S'
Lawrence basins. The latter lies somewhat farther eastward, and penetrates fifty ftfet of pure claj
without seams of sand or gravel, and extends twenty-five feet into the limestone beneath. Th:
well has a brisk, steady flow, about one inch in cross section, and is not noticeably affected by raini
The former one is much affected by rains, the change being noticeable within twenty-four hours
HISTOEY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 315
The wells of Mr. Hatch and Mr. Wells are similarly affected. These do nob penetrate the rock.
There are two systems here^ the more superficial, whose veins lie near the junction of the drift
and limestone, being sometimes above and sometimes below, and whose reservoir is in the vicinity
and is superficial ; and the deeper one, whose fountain-head is more distant. The reservoirs in
both cases are probably to the westward and northwestward. At the mill of W. N. Davis, on
the shore of Lake Winnebago in Calumet, are two fine wells, giving a copious flow of clear,
cold, sparkling water, impregnated with considerable iron and some sulphuretted hydrogen. It
is about ninety feet in depth. All the drift wells in -Fond du Lac County may be considered as
constituting one group, owing their origin to the basin-shaped depression occupied by Lake
Winnebago, the superficial layer of which is impervious and prevents the water from escaping
into the lake until pierced.
The deepest artesian well sunk in the county was put down by J. Dobbins, at the village of
Elmore, Section 15, town of Ashford. The upper coral bed was at the surface.
FEET.
Depth of Niagara limestone 245
Depth of Cincinnati clay 242
Depth of Galena and Trenton limestone 214
Depth of St. Peters sandstone 101
Depth of Lower Magnesian limestone 202
Depth of Potsdam sandstone 244
Total depth 1,248
Surface of the well above the ocean 989
Depth of the bottom of the well below the sea level 259
WATER POWERS.
The great Interior and the West are laboring under an error, which intelligent action may
remove. They produce vast quantities of crude material needing manufacture. This bulky
and heavy matter they transport a thousand miles to be worked up. They likewise produce
immense quantities of food. This they carry the same thousand miles to feed those who manu-
facture the other material. They then bring back the manufactured article, murmuring at its
expense, and praying for cheaper transportation. More simply and truly stated, the situation
is this : At one end of a thousand miles is a man and his tools ; at the other end is the heap
of crude material he is to manufacture, the bulky food he is to eat, and the market for his prod-
ucts ; and the problem is, " Shall the mountain go to Mohammed, or will Mohammed come
to the mountain? " An intelligent, practical answer to this will go some way toward solving
the problem of cheaper transportation. Agriculture, mining and manufacture, form a triangle
of industries that are mutually dependent, and the nearer they can be brought together, the
more successful will each be. The question then — What facilities for manufacturing does our
State present ? — becomes one of the highest importance, especially as to our preponderating agri-
cultural interests. Chief among these is water-power. In Eastern Wisconsin (and Fond du
Lac County is to be considered in that district or portion of the State) there is a vast amount
of water-power situated in the heart of an exceedingly rich farming country, with abundant
facilities for transportation ; and this is not by any means a subordinate consideration, in the
midst of an intelligent, cultured society. What is needed is for capitalists to fully realize that
the natural facilities for manufacturing in the Interior must, in the immediate future, be utilized
to their utmost capacity. A Washburn in another State, and a Meyer at home, are gifted with
sufficient prescience to foresee this, and the legitimate result' is an unbounded success.
But what of the water-powers of Fond du Lac County ? A comparison of the streams and
smaller marshes as laid down on the Government plats, with what we now see, shows important
changes in their size. Large areas that are represented as marsh on the plats of the United
States surveys, are now comparatively dry and arable. Many of the smaller streams have dis-
appeared or become mere periodical runs. These changes have been much more marked in the
forest regions of the country than in the prairies or openings, and are so intimately connected
316 HISTOEY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
with the clearing-away of the timber, that it is a fair inference that this is the main cause. Thi
timber in some portions was very heavy and consequently permitted but a very feeble under
growth. The removal of the trees left the surface almost entirely bare, and a krge portion wa
put at once under cultivation. The eifect of so great a change naturally made itself felt upoi
the drainage of wooded portions of the county. To the extent to which this has gone thus fai
it has, doubtless, on the whole been a benefit, as it has induced a drier, lighter, warmer soil, an(
more healthful atmosphere. But the limits of benefit in this direction may be assumed to havi
been reached, and the danger now to be apprehended is that it will proceed to an injurious extent
This, however, can be avoided by fostering the growth of forest trees.
But the water-power of the county has not been benefited by the change ; on the contrary
it has been injured by it. There are, however, a number of streams in the county which fur
nish good powers, but their efficiency is not remarkable in any particular instance. The surface o
the country nowhere rises to any great altitude ; while four ftv6rs — the Manitowoc, the Sheboygan
the Milwaukee and the Rock — have more or less of their head-branches within the county limits
The streatns flowing into Winnebago Lake are of inconsiderable length, and have no great fall
The most eflScient powers, therefore, must be sought for outside the county — down the rivers jus
mentioned, and particularly upon the Lower Fox. But the lack of superior water-powers ii
compensated by easily and readily attainable steam-powers, which are rendered available as wel'
as profitable, because of the abundance of cheap fuel.
GEOLOGICAL FOEMATIONS.
Archean Roek. — The northern part of the State is occupied by the upper portion of th(
Archean rock, called the Huronian, the lower or Laurentian series' being nowhere visible ii
Wisconsin. These rocks dip to the south and east, and form the ground floor on which lies th(
paleozoic formation, consisting of sandstone and limestone, which constitute the upper formatioi
in this part of the State. Its average depth beneath the surface of Fond du Lac County is abou
1,000 feet. The artesian well sunk by John Dobbins at Elmore penetrates the Archean rock t(
the depth of twelve feet.
Potsdam Sandstone. — On the great floor thus formed lies the Potsdam sandstone to th(
depth of 200 to 250 feet, but nowhere does it come to the surface in this county.
Lower Magnesian Limestone. — Upon the Potsdam sandstone lies the lower magnesiai
limestone. This is very irregular in thickness, varying from 60 to 150 feet. It appears at th(
surface in the town of Ripon, west and north of the city of Ripon in high bluffs, and has beei
bored into in the city of Fond du Lac, in the sinking of the artesian well at the high-schoo
building, at the depth of 420 feet, and at S. B. Ambry's well on Division street, at a depth o
426 feet, 3 inches.
St. Peters Sandstone. — Upon the wavy and irregular surface of the lower magnesiai
limestone, rests the St. Peters sandstone. It is the only sandstone which outcrops in thi
county, and then only in two towns, in Section 31, town of Metomen, and in the town o
Ripon, west and north of the city of Ripon. In Section 17, it is cut through by the Sheboy
gan & Fond du Lac Railroad, and in Section 9 by the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad
It is exposed in several places in the bluffs west of Ripon, and is everywhere a soft, crumbling
sandstone, usually white or yellow ; being permeable to water, it forms the reservoir for th(
principal supply of the deep wells in the city of Fond du Lac and vicinity. At the high-schoo
artesian well, it is 293 feet from the surface, and 130 feet deep ; at S. B. Amory's, 295 fee
from the surface, and 131 feet thick.
Trenton Limestone. — There lies on the St. Peters sandstone the Trenton or blue lime
stone, about seventy-five feet thick, which only outcrops in the west tier of sections in the towni
of Alto and Metomen, where it is much covered with drift and soil, and in the town of Ripon
where the lower beds, which are partly buff colored, are well displayed ; also at the falls withii
the city of Ripon, caused by the waters of Silver Creek running over the limestone and wash
ing away the St. Peters sandstone from beneath ; also a few rods west of the business part of thai
UISTOKY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 317
city, where the lowest layers of this rock are about forty feet higher than at the falls, and along
the bluff in the west part of that city where the lower beds are twenty to thirty feet higher, from
which point they dip south until they disappear beneath Crystal Creek.
North and east of Ripon City, the formation becomes quickly covered with deep drift and
soil and is but little exposed.
G-alena Limestone. — Immediately upon the blue or Trenton limestone rests the gray or
galena limestone, possessing similar characteristics. It derives its name from the fact that it
is the main formation that bears galena or lead in the southwestern part of the State. It
differs from the Trenton in being deeper bedded and having a more irregular texture, weather-
ing into rough, craggy forms, sometimes with a rotten appearance. The galena forms the
surface rock of the west half of the county, embracing some of its most fertile towns. It
underlies the towns of Friendship, Fond du Lac, north half of Byron, the north half and west
half of Oakfield, Lamartine, Eldorado, Springvale, Waupun, Alto, Metomen and the east half
of Ripon.
This rock is easily disintegrated by atmospheric action, while it loses a part of its lime and
magnesia (being a dolomite). It produces a valuable clayey soil for agricultural purposes.
The thickness of the rock is about 125 feet, it being penetrated for artesian wells in different
parts of the county and yielding a considerable number of flowing wells. There are quarries
of this rock in different parts of the western towns. The stone at Waupun is the most valuable
for building purposes, dressing well, but coarse under the hammer and chisel. The most eastern
outcrop in the county is at Moore's quarry in the Third Ward of the city of Fond du Lac.
There are also beds of this stone open in Sections 7 and 16 in the town of Fond du Lac, and
at Seven Mile Creek in the town of Lamartine.
The galena rock underlies the soil of the beautiful prairies, fine groves and oak openings
which, in a state of nature, so highly adorned the county.
Cincinnati Shales and Limestone. — The galena limestone is succeeded by a series of shales
and limestone known as the Cincinnati group, which constitute the upper series of the Lower
Silurian period. This formation is about one hundred and fifty feet thick, and protrudes immedi-
ately from beneath the ledge. Its disintegration forms a most tenacious clay soil, on which flow
the springs and brooks which so abundantly water the plain beneath the ledge. This formation
outcrops through the entire length of the county, from Calumet Mills on the east side of Lake
Winnebago to Section 32 in the town of Oakfield, traversing the county in a northeast and
southwest direction. The soil from this formation forms the most valuable grazing land in the
county; The shales, which form a part of this formation, bear such resemblance to the shales
of the coal fields that there was some boring for coal in and beneath it. There never has been
any native mineral coal found in any formation as old as this. The carboniferous formations
are much more recent than the Silurian series which form the surface rock 'of the county.
Upper Silurian Series. — This formation rests upon the Cincinnati clays, and is the most
prominent and important rock formation in the county. It forms a bold ridge throughout the
length of the county, elevated about two hundred feet above the level of the valley beneath.
This formation is well exposed, the ledge traversing the towns of Calumet, Taycheedah,
Empire, Eden, Byron and Oakfield, and the rock underlying the towns of Marshfield, Forest,
Osceola, Ashford and Auburn. In the latter towns, it is not much exposed, being covered
heavily with glacial drift, some places 300 feet deep. In this State, the Upper Silurian series
consists of the Clinton iron ore and the Niagara group.
The Clinton Iron Ore is absent or nearly so in this county, being nowhere visible as an
outcrop.
The Niagara Group, which forms the rock in the east part of the county, consists of the
Mayville beds, the Byron beds and the lower and upper coral beds.
The Mayville Beds, being the lowest member of the group, resting immediately on the
Cincinnati clay and forming the principal portion of the front of the ledge, are the best exposed
rock in the county. East of the village of Taycheedah, at the old brewery, it is quarried
818 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
extensively, and also at the Berry farm, Section 5, there is a good quarry. The rock is muc
used for heavy foundations in Fond du Lac City and vicinity. This rock is, in general,
rough, coarse, gray magnesian limestone, possessing the same general character throughout i
entire area.
The best stone is almost a pure dolomite, consisting of about 52 per cent of carbonate (
lime and 43 per cent of carbonate of magnesia, and has been much used for the manufacture (
lime in the towns of Taycheedah and Oakfield. The Mayville beds are about sixty feet thiol
The beautiful marble stonewhich forms the front of the Patty Hotel in Fond du Lac City, wi
obtained from the rock in the town of Taycheedah.
Byron Beds. — Reposing upon the coarse-textured Mayville beds last described, lies
somewhat thicker series of beds, bearing a strong contrast to them in color, texture, stratific;
tion and general character. The ledges of the former are rough in aspect, and dull in colo
these of the latter are usually smooth and white. The texture of the former is general!
coarse, and often very uneven, that of the Byron beds is always fine, and sometimes so clo!
and compact as to be lithographic in character. The color, when not white, is a light gray (
cream tint. The texture is either very fine, close and compact, or fine grained. The beddin
is either thin, producing excellent flagging, or attaining more considerable dimensions, aig
furnishes cutting and building stone, the very best in the State. The lower beds of this formi
tion are thin bedded, while in the upper portion, the beds are thicker. The rock is called tl
Byron, because its best development in Wisconsin is in the town of Byron, in this county. Tl
purity of the rock admirably fits it for the manufacture of lime. It makes a strong and whi
article, and is among the best in the United States. In selecting stone for this purpose, tl
granular variety is generally to be preferred, from its superior purity, and because of its poroi
nature it allows the carbonic gas that is discharged in the burning to escape readily, thus facil
tating an easy and complete calcination. In the towns of Oakfield and Byron, kilns have bee
established that manufacture an excellent lime, some of which is shipped to the Chicago markel
being almost a pure dolomite, consisting of 54J per cent of carbonate of lime and 44J per cei
of carbonate of magnesia, it makes a very strong cement. The greatest observed thickness >
the Byron beds is about 110 feet. It outcrops in the towns of Oakfield, Byron, Eden, Empir
Taycheedaih and Marshfield. The thicker beds furnish an excellent building stone, either roug
dressed for ordinary masonry, or cut for the finer classes of work. In some instances a color i
fine as statuary marble may be obtained.
Lower Coral Beds. — Next in order of succession comes the lower coral beds. The roc
of this formation is a rough, heavy-bedded dolomite or magnesian limestone, not unlike tl
Mayville beds. The layers are something very massive, ten to twelve feet intervening betwet
distinct bedding joints. In texture the rock is coarse, crystalline, granular and usually rath
soft, which gives the weathered outlines a very rough, craggy, pitted exterior. The prevailir
color is gray, verging toward white and yellow. Much of the rock is nearly pure dolomite wc
fitted to the manufacture of lime ; but, like the Mayville beds, it requires much diseriminatic
in selecting the best for~ that purpose. The lower coral beds are about fifty feet thick.
Upper Coral Beds. — This rock occupies the highest horizon of any rock in the count;
being the most recent of our rock system. It underlies the soil in the towns of Aubur
Osceola, the east half of Ashford and east half or Forest. It is rather a thin-bedded dolomit
generally of a bufi" color, but in its unweathered condition often gray. It is usually fine graine
compact and hard. It shows a tendency to split into irregular, rudely, lenticular fiakes. Tl
stone is of little value for construction or for lime. Some layers make a tolerable flag. 1
Sections 2 and 11 in the town of Ashford, the North- Western Union Pacific Road cu
through it. There is also a quarry opened in it at the village of Elmore, in the same town, :
Section 15, which exhibits a very heavy-bedded rock. The thickness of this formation ms
be estimated at fifty feet.
The Soil. — The latest geological formation is the soil." This is produced by the disintegr
tion of the drift and of the rock, where it approaches the surface. In Fond du Lac Count
HISTORY OP FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 31 &
■where the sandstone comes to the surface, it forms small patches of sandy soil, remarkable for
its warmth and fertility. The limestone gives the soil a loamy character observed on the higher
prairies, where that rock approaches the surface. There is a deep and exhaustless red clay to
be found in the timber land. As a whole, the soil of the county is not surpassed by any in
Wisconsin for fertility. The soil of the marshes is a deep, black, vegetable mold.
PHYSICAL FEATURES.
Fond du Lac County, lying as it does on the dividing line between the immense forests of
hardwood and pine which extend northward to Lake Superior, and the vast expanse of prairie
that stretches away to the west and southwest until it meets the Rocky Mountains, happily
unites within its own territory the principal characteristics and resources peculiar to both these
districts. While in the north and east it enters those hardwood forests which have added so-
much to the prosperity and success of the manufacturing interests of Wisconsin, in the south and
west it reaches out and embraces a portion of those prairies of inexhaustible agricultural
resources, which are the pride of the Great Central West.
The general surface appearance of Fond du Lac County is attractive, being generally undu-
lating enough to afford good draining, without being hilly, presenting a pleasing variety of
groves of valuable timber and light openings, interspersed with stretches of prairie, marsh and
meadow lands, beautifully undulated with gentle ascents and declivities, which swell away in the
distance, forming many truly charming landscapes. But little, if any, is so uneven or hilly as
to render it undesirable for agricultural purposes, and a large portion of the flat, marshy land
which was originally considered worthless, has, at a trifling expense, been transformed into
valuable meadow ; while there are some 3,000 acres of peat marsh, having an inexhaustible
supply of peat of a good quality, varying from six to twenty feet in depth, which may, in the
not distant future, become a source of wealth to its owners. The most notable of the physical
features of the county are its lakes, rivers, creeks, springs, " the ledge," and marshes.
Winnebago Lake, the largest body of fresh water wholly within a single State of the Union,
is the most striking physical feature of Fond du Lac County. It has an elevation above Lake
Michigan of 162 feet ; above the ocean of 751 feet. It is about thirty miles in length, north
and south ; eight to fifteen miles in width, east and west. " It reclines its head in Fond du
Lac County — the city lying as its crown." The number of sections of land covered by its
waters within the limits of the county are about thirty-four. Were the lake to be drained, the
land reclaimed within the county would lie in Townships 15 and 16 north, of Range 17 east,
and in Townships 16 and 17 north, of Range 18 east. The northern boundary of the county
crosses the lake from east to west as follows : From the southwest corner of Calumet County
extending west on the south line of the county to a point in the lake " in the range line
between Ranges 17 and 18 east ; thence south on said range line to the range of the town-
ship line between Townships 16 and 17 north;" thence west to a point where the north line of
the county of Fond du Lac leaves the lake. So much of the lake as lies south and east of these
lines is within the county of Fond du Lac.
It is a matter of record that one imaginative person named J. E. Tuttle, of Fond du Lac,
doubtless believing in some awful convulsion that would make the dry land appear where now is
only water, and having faith that when the dry land should appear. Uncle Sam would at once
send out surveyors and run the proper lines, did, on July 11, 1861, mortgage to Richard H.
Tallman, of Ogle County, 111., to secure the payment of $5,000, the east half of Section 28 and
the southwest quarter and northeast quarter of Section 27, in Township 17 north, of Range 18
east, all in Fond du Lac County ! When that mortgage is foreclosed, the purchaser will doubt-
less discover that railway stocks are not the only things that are "watered" — that real-estate
mortgages are liable to the same manipulations, in the hands of sharpers.
In earlier years, the quantities of fish, mostly suckers, bull-pouts, catfish and sturgeon,
taken from Winnebago Lake would seem incredible at the present day, although these fish are
still abundant in the spring. Pike, pickerel and bass are almost as abundant now as ever, but
320 HISTOKY OF FOKD DU LAC COUNTY.
•are not taken in such quantities as the other varieties. In 1859, fish sold in the city of Fond
du Lac for 10 cents per bushel, and suckers and bull-pouts were sold for 25 cents per sleigh
load to the farmers who fed their swine upon this eminent brain food. At that time, all the
streams flowing into the lake were crowded with fish in a manner that will never be witnessed again.
Lake Winnebago, being for the most part comparatively shallow, is not very cold in sum-
mer, and freezes early and to a great depth in winter. It is not much more than 120 feet in
'depth in its deepest part, and the south end will not average over fifteen feet in depth.
It has no first-class harbors in Fond du Lac County, the only ones in use being at Pipe
T^illage and the city of Fond du Lac. A moderate expenditure of Government money at either of
i;hese places would render them much more safe, and good enough for all the commerce done on
the lake. They were nearly impassible during the summer of 1879, as. the water in the lake was
lower than at any period since 1848, when the dam at Neenah was erected, raising the water
in the whole lake, and in all the streams emptying into it. A mention of Island Park, or Garlic
Island, as it was called for years on account of the abundance of leeks or wild onions found upon
it, may properly be made in connection with this article, although it is situated beyond the
boundaries of Fond du Lac County. It is a high, dry, splendidly wooded island, nearly twenty-
five miles from the city of Fond du Lac, surrounded by deep water and fine fishing grounds. It
is owned by a company of individuals living in Oshkosh and Fond du Lac, by whom it has been
'beautified by the erection of several large summer-houses and clearing away all weeds and under-
brush. It^is the resort during the summer months of numbers of pleasure seekers, mostly from
Fond du Lac and Oshkosh.
Other Lakes. — There are about twenty small lakes and numerous ponds wholly within the
county of Fond du Lac, with Rush and Winnebago Lakes bordering it on the north. The most
beautiful of all these lakes is De l^eveu, situated in a valley entirely surrounded by forests,
about three miles from the city of Fond du Lac. On the map it will be found in Sections 30
and 31. On all sides are bold shores, and its waters are deep, clear and cold. It is cool in
■summer and does not freeze over until late at winter, owing to the numerous springs on its
shores and in its bed. It has several large summer cottages, numerous fine boats, and, in the
-summer, either shore is well lined with the white tents of campers. It abounds in pickerel,
pike and rock, black, green and strawberry bass, which are caught liberally by the pleasure
seekers. Pickerel weighing thirty pounds have been caught in this lake. As a ducking and
•excellent fishing place. Long Lake, in Sections 13, 24 and 25, of the town of Osceola, is of the
most importance, although Duck Lake, in the town of Ashford, Muliet Lake, in the town of
Forest, and Lake Fifteen, in the town of Auburn, are famous.
Rivers. — Fond du Lac County might well and properly be called the birthplace of rivers, for
it has the honor of being the source of more rivers and creeks than any other in Wisconsin —
perhaps in the Union. And what may be considered still more remarkable, these streams actually
flow in four contrary directions — east, west, north and south. All of these streams have their
sources in springs or small spring lakes, and were, therefore, in an early day, abundantly stocked
with excellent fish. In fact, the stories told by the early settlers of the quantities of suckers,
mullet and red-horse taken from them seem almost incredible, although they are well supported
as true.
Of the seven rivers having their source in Fond du Lac County, only two, the East and
West Branches of the Fond du Lac River, belong wholly to the county. Of these, the West
Branch is the larger. It has three principal sources — one on Section 14, town of Metomen ;
-one on Section 14, town of Ripon, and the other on Section 7, town of Rosendale. It is
nowhere a navigable stream. It is dammed in the town of Eldorado, where it turns during a por-
tion of the year the Scribner flouring-mill, and in the town of Fond du Lac, where it turns the
John C. Bishop mill. It unites with the East Branch in the city of Fond du Lac, a half-mile
from where it empties into Lake Winnebago.
The East Branch of the Fond du Lac River has its principal source in Sections 5 and 13,
in the town of Oakfield, where it is called Seven Mile Creek. Its other sources are on Sections
HISTORY OP FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 321
20, in Byron (the camp-ground spring), and 16, in Lamartine. Near the village of Oakfield,.
this stream turns two flouring-mills during portions of the year, and a flouring-mill on Section-
27, town of Fond du Lac. After its confluence with the West Branch in the city of Fond du
Lac, the stream is navigable for a short distance, but is mostly used for rafting logs. A station-
ary bridge at Scott street prevents boats from passing farther up. There was once talk of com-
pelling the city to make swing bridges over the Fond du Lac River as far as it had been declared
navigable water, but nothing definite was ever done.
Rock River, which is only a small stream in Fond du Lac County, rises in large springs
in Sections 3, 16 and 19, in the town of Alto, and in Section 25, in the town of Metomen. The
stream flows east past Waupun, where there is a small water-power. Although comparatively
an unimportant stream in this county, Rock River is one of the important streams of the States-
of Wisconsin and Illinois.
Grand River has its source in springs in Sections 16 and 19, in the town of Metomen, and
in Section 19, in the town of Alto. It flows westward through Green Lake County into the-
Fox River, turning four mills in the town of Metomen.
Milwaukee River has three branches — East, Middle and West — in Fond du Lac County.
The head-waters of the East Branch are discharged from Long Lake, in Sections 13 and 14,
town of Osceola. The Middle Branch has its source in Section 23, Osceola, and the West
Branch mostly in Round Lake, in Section 27, Osceola, although large feeders come from springs
in Sections 25, in Byron, and 12 and 17, Eden.
There are several mills turned in these towns by the three branches of the Milwaukee
River, which flows south into Lake Michigan at Milwaukee.
Sheboygan River takes its rise mostly in the eastern portion of the town of Empire, and
in Section 6, town of Osceola. It flows eastward into Lake Michigan at the city of Sheboygan,
Manitowoc River rises in the towns of Calumet and Forest.- It is a favorite ducking and
fishing stream, being deep and sluggish for the most part, and abounding in wild rice. It flows
northeast into Lake Michigan at Manitowoc.
De Neveu Creek has its principal sources in Twin Lakes, in Sections 9 and 16, in the
town of Eden, and in De Neveu Lake, in the town of Empire. Being the outlet of De Neveu
Lake, on G. De Neveu's land, it was first called De Neveu's Creek, which soon grew into its
present name. It is a small stream, very swift, and subject to damaging freshets. In the
spring, it is full of fish which run up from Lake Winnebago, into which it flows, in the town of
Fond du Lac. One of the branches turns the Empire Woolen Mills, and the old Conklin
flouring-mill, east of the city of Fond du Lac.
Silver Creek has its source in a spring which is the largest in Fond du Lac County, situ-
ated on the farm of Almon Osborn, in Section 2, in the town of Metomen, and in another
very large spring on M. Hargraves' farm on Section 1, in the town of Metomen. It flows to the
westward through the city of Ripon, where it makes a rapid descent and furnishes a strong,
though limited, water-power, into Green Lake. It turns, during a large portion of the year
Dellinger's and Bateman's flouring-mills, in the city of Ripon, and Strong's and Crawford's-
mills, in the town of Ripon.
The town of Metomen has the honor of being the source of Rock and Grand Rivers and
Silver Creek. Rock River waters flow to the Gulf of Mexico, while the waters of the others,
althcmgh flowing at first in difierent directions, empty in Lake Michigan through Green Bay. A few
miles distant may be found the sources of the Fond du Lac and Milwaukee Rivers, which flow
in exactly opposite directions, but finally reach Lake Michigan. The large number of springs
in Fond du Lac County show precisely where the "water-shed" is located.
Springs. — The county of Fond du Lac, especially in the town of Metomen, and those in
which the "Ledge" is situated, is remarkable for the number and size of its springs, and the cool-
ness, deliciousness and purity of their waters. The most careful estimates place the number of
springs in the county at 2,000, the most of which flow from the Ledge. The largest is on
the farm of Almon Osborn, in Section 2, in the town of Metomen, it being the principal source
522 HISTORY OP POND DU LAC COUNTY.
of Silver Creek. In Section 1, in the town of Metomen, M. Hargraves is the owner of a
Yery large spring. The springs in Sections 16 and 19, in the town of Metomen, make the
Grand River, and in Sections 3, 16 and 19, of Alto, make the Rock River. In Section 20,
in the town of Byron, at the camp-grounds, is a very large spring, and also on Fred M. Phelps'
farm, in Section 28, in the town of Empire, and on the farm of David Giddings, in the same
town. G. De Neveu has a large spring near De Neveu Lake. This lake is fed by four springs
of considerable size, one of great purity and beauty being on John S. McDonald's land on the
east shore of the lake, not more than a dozen feet from the water's edge, nor more than twenty
inches above its surface. In Section 5 of the town of Eden, Section 10 of Metomen, Section 4
of Osceola, and Sections 16 and 13 of Byron, are large springs which never run dry or dimin-
ish their flow. The Ledge road and the Green Bay and Taycheedah plank road are crossed
by water from hundreds of clear, cold springs, which, in some localities, occur every two or
three yards.
The Ledge. — The Ledge, as it is popularly known, is an abrupt outcropping of the lime-
stone crust, which extends from the northeast to the southwest across the county, through the
towns of Calumet, Taycheedah, Empire, Byron and Oakfield. It consists of the elevated edge of
a thick layer of limestone, well broken and thoroughly marked by the erosion of the glacial
period, and varies from a small mound to a bold, perpendicular cliff two hundred feet in height.
It is remarkable for the thousands of clear, cold springs which gush from its cleft face from base
to summit. Large quantities of lime are burned from its loosened fragments, and stone for
buildings, cellars and bridges is obtained in any amount desired. In some localities, this Ledge
is shattered, and in others it is cracked into mighty blocks of stone, whose perpendicular seams
and rents are wide enough for the passage of a person or a horse. At a place called Darlings'
Gap, in the town of Oakfield, these features are particularly noticeable, many acres of land being
strewn with block^ of stone which reach to the tops of the tallest trees, and frequently above
them, and which in some instances stand out boldly and alone like the pyramids, as though
dropped from the clouds. That portion of the Ledge which is not thus broken into fragments,
is divided by innumerable but regular seams and pierced by fissures of large size. These seams
and fissures, and the caves and hollows which abound along its entire length, were, when the
country was first settled, the homes of foxes, lynxes, bears, wild-cats and gray wolves, as well as
squirrels and snakes without number; and such of these animals as are left in the country are
still to be found in the Ledge where they are safe from all assaults. The fat, sluggish snakes
known as the "prairie bulls," which infested the tall grass of the prairies before disturbed by
the settlers in great numbers, still abound in the recesses of the Ledge..
Back of Allen's Mill, in the town of Taycheedah, iron ore was found about the year 1870
in paying quantities, but nothing was done with the discovery, owing to a lack of means. The
iron is of the same quality as that found in large quantities at Iron Ridge, in Dodge County.
The Ledge is covered with butternut, hickory, basswood, three kinds of oak, a few beech
trees, and in Oakfield with red cedar. It is a remarkable and interesting physical feature, both
to the geologist, naturalist and pleasure seeker.
"The ledge, or hilly and elevated land east of the plain," says a writer in 1846, "is
mostly owned by some of the first men in Wisconsin Territory, who have here some society
of their own, although located at quite respectable distances apart. Among them are the Hon.
N. P. Tallmadge, Gov. Doty, Henry Conklin, Mons. La Borde, a French gentleman, and
several others. The hill rises by a gentle slope, about 100 feet, and extends north and south
some twenty miles. All along its face are found, at short intervals, springs of the finest water,
from which the brooks give abundant water to the plains below. On the same ground, too, are
as handsome building sites as can be found anywhere, rivaling the best on the Hudson River,
and commanding views extending over the country for thirty miles around, and the waters of the
beautiful lake (Winnebago) as far as the eye can reach. Here are also plenty of splendid old
oaks thick enough to grace a gentleman's park or lawn in a style that would require a lifetime to
reach in the East. At the foot of the hill are some of the most beautiful ponds that I ever saw.
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 323
the water almost as transparent as the air itself, and literally alive with as fine pickerel, trout and
•other fish, as ever an epicure laid his eyes on. I walked an entire forenoon, and rode most of
the afternoon over these charming grounds, and as I gazed at times, while standing in the shade
of majestic oaks, at the luxuriant grass, more than two feet high everywhere, the fine cultivated
fields, and the tiny lakes on the farms of Mons. La Borde and John Thompson, Esq., of Pough-
keepsie, it seemed as if a fairy land had actually been reached.
" At the east of the lands of the gentlemen named above, on the main road to Sheboygan,
are some half-dozen more Dutchess County farmers, located on farms of choicest quality,
proving what has often been proved before, that where farmers from Dutchess County settle, you
can always depend upon finding a first-rate country. On the premises of Mr. Conklin is a
large and well-cultivated garden, in which I saw onions that in size and quality would bring
tears to the eyes of a Weathersfield Yankee, and his other vegetables came almost up to the
•extravagant Western stories we see in the papers now and then. Among other things, I was
shown a mullein eight and one-half feet high."
Marshes. — In the popular sense of the term, the county contains but very few marshes.
A marsh is really composed of low, wet land which is unfit for cultivation or use. Fond du Lac
County contains no such, for all are used either as pastures or meadows. They consist of fiat
lands which are overflowed in spring and fall, but are generally dry enough in summer to admit
■of being worked upon with mowing machines, hay-tedders and wagons. The annual over-
flow adds greatly to the productiveness of these marshes, and the hay crops taken from some
of them are truly astonishing. Two crops a, year are cut when the fall rains do not begin too
■early. The usual mode of procedure is to stack the hay in dry weather, on the highest por-
tions of the marsh, and haul it oif on the ice in winter. For pasturing horses and cattle, the
hay marshes of Fond du Lac County are unsurpassed. But they are not usually adapted to the
keeping of sheep, being too damp and cold, nor for dairy purposes, as the grass does not pro-
duce as rich or abundant flow of milk as tame grasses. For horses and young stock, they are of
.peculiar value, as the latter grow sleek and thrifty upon it, while horses troubled with heaves or
pulmonary diseases, are generally cured by grazing one or two seasons upon marsh grass.
These marshes are to be found in every town in the county, but they are usually small and
more than one-half of them have been reclaimed by the drain and plow. The largest one
•of them is called the " Eldorado Marsh," and is mostly within the town of Eldorado. It is cut
in twain by the West Branch of the Fond du Lac River, and is all in use as pasture or meadow
land, mostly the latter. The next in size is the Lamartine Peat Marsh, situated in the town of
Lamartine. It takes its name from large quantities of peat which underlie its surface. A
■company was fornied in Fond du Lac for the manufacture— ^that is, digging and drying — of peat,
but the enterprise was long since abandoned.
As the country grows older, these marshes are more and more encroached upon by the
plow and seeder, and those which have been drained,as all will ultimately be, are very productive.
CHAPTER II.
Ancient Eahth Works— Indian Occupancy— Early Fkench Traders— United States Land
Surveys— United States Land Districts— Fond du Lac Company — Origin of the Name
Fond du Lac— An Early Trip to the Head of Winnebago Lake— First Settlement
IN Fond du Lao County.
ANCIENT earthworks.
Within the boundaries of Fond du Lac County are found many notable and interesting evi-
dences of prehistoric occupation and existence. The geographical position of the county is such
as to intimately associate it with some of the important chains or series of earthworks that are
found extending along most of the favorable routes for primitive transportation between the
great lakes and the Mississippi River.
The county in this regard seems to confirm the generally accepted theory that primitive
man or the Mound-Builders, whoever they were, existed in greatest numbers along the borders
of lakes and rivers ; and the more prominent these bodies of water and the position occupied
appear, with relation to the great problems of transportation and subsistence, the more important
and numerous are these ancient artificial works.
The importance of the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers and their navigable tributaries has been
recognized by all nations and tribes that have a written or traditional history, and the numerous
evidences of a prehistoric character, found along their entire course, would seem to warrant a
conclusion that these rivers have furnished a medium for transportation from the days of primitive
man's unrecorded existence down to the present time.
In this great thoroughfare of ancient and modern times. Lake Winnebago occupies a central
and important position, and to this circumstance the county is, no doubt, chiefly indebted for the
numerous and interesting historic and prehistoric evidences within its limits.
The situation of the mounds (many of them) seems to establish a belief that the observation
since the settlement of the county by the whites, with relation to the gradual diminution in
volume of the lakes and rivers, is not exceptional as to the present, but that this decrease has
been continuous from the time the mounds were erected ; and, with relation to the importance
of some of the streams associated with the Mound-Builders, their present condition would not
justify conclusions that are consistent with former proportions.
Not only is it certain that there has been a notable decrease in the volume of all existing
bodies of water, but in ^ome instances appearances would indicate that even quite large lakes
have entirely disappeared, and that some of the works of the Mound-Builders now stranded on
an inland hillside, at the time of their construction marked the water-line of their primitive
proportions.
With these inferences confirmed, we are aided in an explanation as to the peculiar location
of a large number of notable inland formations. As an example, we find a chain of mounds
extending from Lake Winnebago in the town of Taycheedah to the head-waters of the Sheboy-
gan River in the town of Marshfield, and thence along down the entire course of the river to
Lake Michigan.
There would seem to be little doubt that these earthworks marked the most feasible route
between the points mentioned, provided the river was a navigable stream. The records of the
voyagers and explorers seem to confirm this, as they mention a portage from Lake Winnebago
to the Sheboygan River, and thence down the same to Lake Michigan.
Another similar instance is found in the line of mounds extending from Lake Winnebago
along the West Branch of the Fond du Lac River to the town of Lamartine, and thence across a
FOND DU LAC.
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 327
portion of the town of Waupun to the head-waters of the Rock River. This route, also, was
available at the time of the explorers of two hundred years ago, although, at the present time, the
streams mentioned, are quite insignificant in their proportions.
The advantages of these routes are quite apparent when examined with relation to canoe
voyaging or other primitive means of transportation. ■
A detailed reference to the numerous works of the Mound-Builders found in the county
would extend this article far beyond its prescribed limit. In general terms, therefore, we must
group all found in large areas together, only specifically mentioning one or two notable formations.
As usual in these formations, spherical works, numerically considered, occupy the leading
position, while the irregular works rank first in size and importance, and would require special
drawings and explanations to render a description valuable or intelligent.
In addition to the prominent series referred to, extending eastward and southward from
Lake Winnebago, there are portions of other series found in the northwestern part of the county
in the vicinity of Rush Lake that are jquite peculiar and interesting, and include animal and
reptile imitations of large proportions.
In the southeastern portion of the county also, near Long Lake, quite extensive works are
still traceable, and along the shore and vicinity of Lake Winnebago, in the northeastern part of
the county, mounds are found in all directions.
In some of the mounds examined are found, nearJhe surface, relics of Indian origin, such
as flint arrowheads, beads, etc., while farther below, and always near the base line, come the stone
implements and the remnants of human bones that crumble into dust as soon as brought to the
surface.
Stone and flint implements are found in various portions of the county. Relics of a
modern character, evidently associated with the earliest days of civilized communications, such
as coins, medals, weights, bottles, etc., have been found, and would furnish materials for an
interesting chapter in the county records. Much as might be written of the interesting features
of the earthworks, the crowning wealth of Fond du Lac County is the harvest of native-copper
implements that has already been gathered within its borders, as this county may justly claim
pre-eminence in the number and variety of these rare and valuable relics. There have been
gathered in the county over forty pieces, and they include all, or nearly all, the varieties j'et dis-
covered. From one mound alone no less than twenty-six copper tools and ornaments have been
taken, and these, in addition to a number of other pieces, have been collected in a private way by
a citizen of the county who has, with one exception, brought together more of these relics than
have been secured by the most enthusiastic collectors or prominent societies. In richness and
variety, these specimens are unrivaled, as they include lance, spear and arrow heads, gouges,
chisels and axes, fleshers, knives and needles, together with some quite unique personal orna-
ments that are found in no other collection. Concerning the origin of these native-copper tools
much is left to conjecture. They have been found side by side with the stone and flint imple-
ments in the shallow grave of the Indian warrior, among skeletons in a good state of preservatioh,
and forest trees of centuries' growth have reared their branches over the massive earthworks
where the crumbling remains of the mysterious race of builders have been enshrined with native-
copper tools and ornaments through the ages of unrecorded existence.
INDIAN OCCUPANCY.
As early as the year 1615, Samuel Champlain heard of a tribe of Indians living many
leagues beyond Lake Huron, called the Five Nations, better known at a later date as the Mas-
coutins. , Their homes were upon the Fox River at that time, as it is believed, and here they
were visited by civilized men a little over half a century after. It is presumed that their vil-
lages were located within the present limits of Green Lake County, somewhere on Fox River
between Berlin and Lake Puckaway, and that they claimed as their hunting-grounds, among
much other territory, that now included within the boundary lines of the county of Fond du
Lac. The nearest tribe to the Mascoutins down the river was that of the Winnebagoes, whose
B
328 HISTOEY or FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
homes were at the mouth of that stream. To the south, extending perhaps well up Rock
River, was the territory of the Illinois. In the immediate neighborhood of the Mascoutins (but
in what direction is uncertain) were the Kickapoos and the Miamis. The former is supposed to-
have at one time occupied the region around the head of the lake.
The Illinois, who lived in a country "where there was a quantity of buffaloes," were
afterward driven beyond the Mississippi, but subsequently returned to the river which still
bears their name. Meanwhile, there comnienced an emigration of the Mascoutins and their
kindred, the Kickapoos and Miamis, to the southward, as far at least as the south end of Lake
Michigan. Their place was taken by the Foxes and their relatives, the Sacs, and, in time,
these also emigrated, but not to the southward ; the course taken by them was to the west and
southwest. It is certain the Foxes claimed for a time the country now forming Fond du Lac
County, as well as much other circumjacent territory. Then came the Winnebagoes from
below, that is, from the head of Green Bay, moving up the Fox River by degrees, having out-
lying villages within the present limits of Fond du Lac County and in the valley of Rock
River. The Menomonees also occupied the Winnebago Lake country. Their territory was on
the east side of the lake, but did not extend very far south. The southeast portion of 'the
present county of Fond du Lac lay within territory claimed by the Pottawatomies, whose
homes were principally upon Lake Michigan. A small part of the county was ceded to the
United States by the Menomonees ; a much larger portion, however, was comprised in the lands
sold by the Winnebagoes in 1832. The residue was included in the Pottawatomie cession
of 1833.
In 1828, the Winnebago nation occupied the country immediately in the vicinity of the
present city of Fond du Lac, and along the west shore of Lake Winnebago to what is now the
city of Menasha. They then had large villages on each branch of the Fond du Lac River just
above the forks. They also had a village at the mouth of the creek on the east side of the
lake, above Taycheedah. The Menomonee village of Calumet (" Pipe Village "), even as early
as 1817, seemed to be anything but of recent origin. Its location was not identical with the
village of the same name in the present town of Calumet. The exact time when these three
villages were finally vacated by their Indian occupants is not known with certainty, though in
1834 they were found by the Government surveyors unoccupied.
EARLY FRENCH TRADERS.
Frenchmen from Canada, trading with the Indians, were early visitors to what is now Fond
du Lac County. The name Fond du Lac was applied by them as the remotest point in the lake
from Green Bay. There was a trading-post established in 1787, at the forks of the Fond du Lac
River, by Jacob Franks, of Green Bay. It was occupied by Jacques Peltier, Franks' clerk, for a
brief period. Franks, in 1791, sent his nephew, John Lawe, to this point. Augustin Grignon
subsequently had a trading-post on the West Branch, just below the first rapid, and very near
the spot where are now the shops of the Chicago & North- Western Railway, in the city of Fond
du Lac. Peter B. Grignon, now a venerable resident of Green Bay, and a nephew of Augustin
Grignon, passed one winter on the West Branch, just below First street, about 1819. The cel-
lar of his shanty, partially overgrown by willows, could be seen when the village was finally
settled. It was situated not far from the La Belle Wagon Works blacksmith-shop, between For-
est and West Division streets. It seems, also, that at the Winnebago village, near where
Taycheedah now is located, white men were at times located for the purpose of trading with the
Indians. At this point, the Menomonees, Pottawatomies, and other tribes, came to traffic with
the Frenchmen. Laurent Ducharme was one of the earlier traders here. A Spaniard by the
name of Ace traded at this place a little later. Ace and his clerk were enticed a short distance
from his house, by some Indians of the Rock River band, and murdered. The Indians then
endeavored to enter the house, but the wife of Ace, with a gun, kept them at bay until assist-
ance arrived from the friendly Indians of the Taycheedah Village, when she was conveyed to
Green Bay with her family and goods. Soon afterward, a Canadian trader by the name of
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 329
Ohavodreuil, selected the post for his winter quarters, and engaged a Menomonee hunter to
supply him and his men with meat. This Indian, who lived with his wife in a wigwam near by,
becoming jealous of the trader, shot and killed him. Michael Brisbois and Joseph Rolette, of
Prairie du Chien, were occasionally at this point trading during the early part of the present
century. The white traders would sometimes ascend the Fond du Lac River, with canoes laden
with goods, and thence make a "portage " of about two miles to Rock River, descending that
stream to the Mississippi. This was not the route usually taken, but it brought them to Indian
villages they could not otherwise reach.
"John Lawe jj; * * -(^as a native of York, England. His father was a
captain in the English army, and his mother an English Jewess, a sister of Jacob Franks, who
had come to Green Bay as early as 1795, as a clerk in the trading establishment of Oglevie,
Gillaspie & Co., of Mackinaw, who had a store at Green Bay. John Lawe was educated at
Quebec^ and Joseph Rolette, so well known as a trader and early settler at Prairie du Chien,
was one of his schoolmates. When his uncle, Mr. Franks, had been about three years with
Oglevie, Gillaspie & Co., he ceased serving as clerk, and went to Canada and obtained a stock
of goods. He returned to the bay and opened a store, bringing his nephew, John Lawe, with
him, then a young man of sixteen years. This was in the summer of 1797.
" Lawe engaged in his uncle's employ, and the following winter was sent with a supply of
Indian goods, accompanied by Louis Bauprez, to Fond du Lac River, which was then known
among the French and traders by that name, and took posse~ssion of the old trading-post, about
a mile and a half above the mouth of that stream, on its eastern bank. This had been a winter
trading-post for many years. Laurent Ducharme, who one year caught a large number of ducks
there by means of a net, salting and preserving them for winter's use, was about the earliest
trader at that point; then one Ace, a Spaniard, and, subsequently, one Chavodreuil ; and still
later, Michael Brisbois and I wintered there two winters.
"The Indians, whose trade was there sought, were the Winnebagoes, who had a village
where Taycheedah now is, three miles east of Fond du Lac City, and had other villages along
Rock River. Mr. Lawe afterwards spent several winters at different points among the
Indian hunting bands between Green Bay and the Mississippi, and up to the time when his
uncle left the country and went back to Canada, which was about the commencement of the war
of 1812, leaving Mr. Lawe as his successor as a merchant and trader; and he continued more
or less in the Indian trade as long as he lived." — Seventy-two Years Recollections of Wisconsin.
By Aiigustin Grignon.
None of the trading-stations at the villages near the head of the lake can be considered as
having been settlements. The houses of the white men were only built for temporary purposes —
to traffic in with the Indians. Nor was either of the villages continuously occupied by the white
traders. Sometimes, indeed, they carried their packs of merchandise upon their backs from
Green Bay. Solomon Juneau would occasionally leave his home where the city of Milwaukee now
stands, with eighty pounds weight upon his back, going to Sheboygan, and thence to Lake
Winnebago, returning by the way of the villages at the head of the lake. This primitive mode
of transportation has been improved upon between those points since that day.
UNITED STATES LAND SURVEYS.
Immediately after the close of the Black Hawk war, and after the acquisition by the United
States of the Indian title to all the land west of Lake Michigan, a survey was commenced by
the General Government. The northern boundary of Illinois, which was fixed April 11, 1818,
on the line of 42° .30' north latitude, was made the base line of the surveys. A principal north
and south line (known as the Fourth Meridian) was run, extending from the base line to Lake
Superior. This line is west of the territory now included in Fond du Lac County ; running on
the east boundary of what is now the county of Grant, and on the west boundary of La Fayette
and Iowa Counties, and thence onward due north at a distance west of the west boundary of Fond
du Lac County of seventy-two miles ; striking Lake Superior near the mouth of Montreal River,
on the east boundary line of Wisconsin and at the most westerly point of the State of Michigan.
330
HISTORY or FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
Parallel lines to the Fourth Meridian were run every six miles on the east and west sides of
it. The intervening six miles between these lines are called ranges. Range 1 east is the first six
miles east of the Fourth Meridian ; Range 2 east is the second six miles ; and so on to Lake
Michigan — Fond du Lac County lying in Ranges 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19 east. Parallel
lines north of the base line were run every six miles, which, crossing the ranges at right angles,
cut the whole into blocks six miles square called townships. These are numbered by tiers going
north from the base line, as Townships 1 north. Townships 2 north, and so on. As the present
most southern boundary of Fond du Lac County is at a distance of seventy-two miles north of
the base line — or twelve townships — of course the first tier of townships in the county is num-
bered 13 north, and as there are five tiers they are numbered consecutively, 18, 14, 15, 16 and
17 north. But, these tiers are not all full ; for, in the southern tier (Townships 13 north), there
are only two townships — one in Range 18 east, and one in Range 19 east ; and in the northern
tier (Townships 17 north), there are only two fractional townships — one in Range 18 east, and
one in Range 19 east.
After the completion of the survey of a township, it was subdivided into sections and quar-
ter-sections. The following is a history of the survey of the county, including township lines
and the subdivisions of townships :
TOWNSHIPS.
By Whom Surveyed.
Date of Contract.
When Surveyed.
Township 13, Range 18 East ,(Ashford) :
Township Lines
Subdivisions
Township 13, Range 19 East (Auburn) :
Township Lines
Subdivisions
Township 14, Range 14 East (Alto) :
Township Lines
• Subdivisions
Township 14, Range 15 East (Waupun) :
Township Lines
Subdivisions
Township 14, Range 16 East (Oakfield) ;
Township Lines
Subdivisions
Township 14, Range 17 East (Byron) :
Township Lines
Subdivisions
Township 14, Range 18 East (Eden) :
Township Lines
Subdivisions
Township 14, Range 19 East (Osceola) :
Township Lines
Subdivisions
Township 15, Range 14 East (Metomen) :
Township Lines
Subdivisions
Township 15, Range 15 East (Springvale) :
Township Lines
Subdivisions
Township 15, Range 16 East (Lamartine) :
Township Lines
Subdivisions
Township 15, Range 17 East (Fond du Lac)
Township Lines
Subdivisions
Mullett& Brink..
Hiram Buruham..
Mullett& Brink..
Hiram Burnham..
Mullett& Brink.,
John Brink
Mullett & Brink.
A. G. Ellis
Mullett & Brink.
A. G. Ellis
Mullett & Brink.
Hiram Burnham.
Mullett & Brink..
Hiram Burnham..
Mullett & Brink..
Hiram Burnham..
Mullett & Brink..
John Brink
Mullett & Brink.
John Brink
Mullett & Brink.
John Brink
Mullett & Brink.
N. King
/July 9, 1833
t August 17, 1835...
December 22, 1834...
July 9, 1333
December 22, 1834...
July 9, 1833
September 4, 1833...
N.&W.J'ly29,1833
E.&S.Aug.l7,1835
December 26, 1835...
N.&E.J'ly 29,1833
S.&W.Aug.l7,1835
December 26, 1835.
f July 9, 1833.
t August 17,1835...
December 22, 1834...
J July 9, 1833
t August 17, 1885...
December 22, 1834,
1st quarter, 1834.
2d quarter, 1835.
3d quarter, 1835.
1st quarter, 1834.
2d quarter, 1835.
2d quarter, 1834.
4th quarter, 1834.
3d quarter, 1834.
1st quarter, 1836.
4th quarter, 1836.
2d quarter, 1834.
1st quarter, 1836.
4th quarter, 1836.
1st quarter, 1834.
2d' quarter, 1835.
3d quarter, 1835.
1st quarter, 1834.
2d quarter, 1835.
2d quarter, 1835.
July 9, 1833
December 22, 1834...
July 9, 1833
September 4, 1834..
July 9, 1833
September 4, 1834...
July 9, 1833 ,
September 4, 1834.
July 9, 1833
August 22, 1834.
Ist
2d
2d
4th
2d
4th
2d
4th
1st
2d
quarter, 1834.
quarter, 1835.
quarter, 1834.
quarter, 1834.
quarter, 1834.
quarter, 1834.
quarter, 1834.
quarter, 1834.
quarter, 1834.
quarter, 1836.
HISTOBY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
331
TOWNSHIPS.
Township 15, Range 18 East (Empire and south part
of Taycheedahl :
Township Lines
Subdivisions .'.
Township 15, Range 19 East (Forest) :
Township Lines
Subdivisions
Township 16, Range 14 East (Ripon) :
Township Lines
Subdivisions
Township 16, Range 15 East ^Rosendale)':
Township Lines
Subdivisions
Township 16, Range 16 East (Eldorado) :
Township Lines
Subdivisions
Township 16, Range 17 East (Friendship) :
Township Lines
Subdivisions
Township 16, Range 18 East (Taycheedah and part
of Calumet) :
Township Lines
Subdivisions
Township 16, Range 19 East (Marshfield) :
Township Lines
Subdivisions
Township 17, Range 18 East (West part of Calumet) :
Township Lines
Subdivisions
Township 17, Range 19 East (East part of Cajumet) :
Township Lines
Subdivisions
By Whom Surveyed.
Mullett & Brink.
N. King
Mullett & Brink.
N. King
July 9, 1833
August 22, 1834.
July 9, 1833
August 22, 1834.
Mullett & Brink....:.
John Brink
Mullett & Brink.
John Brink
Mullett & Brink.
John Brink
Mullett & Brink.
John Brink
Mullett & Brink.
N. King
Mullett & Brink.
N. King
Date of Contract.
July 9, 1833
September 4, 1834.,
July 9, 1833 ,
September 4, 1834.
July 9, ISSi
September 4, 1834.
.July 9, 1833
September 4, 1834.
July 9, 1833
August 22, 1834.,
July 9, 1833
August 22, 1834.,
Mullett & Brink.,
A. G.Ellis
July 9, 1833
August 22, 1834.,
Mullett & Brink.,
A. G. Ellis
July 9, 1833
August 22, 1834.
When Surveyed.
1st
1st
1st
Ist
2d
4th
2d
4th
2d
1st
2d
1st
quarter, 1834.
quarter, 1835.
quarter, 1834.
quarter, 1835.
quarter, 1834.
quarter, 1834.
quarter, 1834.
quarter, 1834.
quarter, 1834.
quarter, 1835.
quarter, 1834.
quarter, 1835.
1st
2d
1st
2d
2d
4th
2d
4th
quarter, 1834.
quarter, 1835.
quarter, 1834.
quarter, 1835.
quarter, 1834.
quarter, 1834.
quarter, 1834.
quarter, 1834.
The towns of Fond du Lac each contain surveyed territory described by the Government
survey as follows :
Towna. TownBhips North.
Alto 14
Ashford 13
Auburn 13
Byron 14
Ranges East.
14
18
19
17
Calumet .
rie
[l1
■ 16 (including only Sees. 1,2,3 and 4)..18
17 (fractional) 18
17 (fractional) 19
Eden 14 18
Eldorado 16 16
Empire 15 ^except Sees. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6). ..18
Fond du Lac 15 (slightly fractional).. 17
Forest 15 19
Friendship 16 (fractional — lying west of Winne-
bago Lake) 17
Towns. Townships North. Banges East_
Lamartine 15 16
Marshfield 16 19
Metomen 15 14
Oakfield 14 16
Osceola 14 ■. 19
Ripon 16 14
Rosendale 16 15
Springvale 15 15
f 16 (except Sees. 1. 2, 3 and 4. The
I township is fractional) 18
1 15 (including only north tier of sec-
[ tions 18
Waupun 14 Vt
Taycheedah .
NrMBER OP ACRES IN EACH TOWNSHIP ACCORDING TO THE QOTEENMENT SURVEY.
Townships. Acres.
T. 13 N., B. 18 east 23,096.
T. 13 N., B. 19 east ...22,901.
T. 14 N., R. 14 east 23,153.
T. 14 N., R. 15 east 23,212.
T. 14 N., R. 16 east 23,514.
T. 14 N., B. 17 east 23,112.
T. 14 N., R. 18 east 23,144.
T. 14 N., R. 19 east 22,547.
T. 15 N., B. 14 east 23,038.
T. 15 N., R. 15 east 23,155.
T. 15 N., R. 16 east 23,249.
52
Townships. Acres.
T. 15 N., R. 17 east 22,751.54
T. 15 N.. R. 18 east 23,129.92
T. 15 N., R. 19 east 22,730.68
T. 16 N., R. 14 east 22,959.90
T. 16 N., R. 15 east 23,036.07
T. 16 N., B. 16 east 23,134.04
T. 16 N., R. 17 east 12,190.61
T. 16 N., B. 18 east 18,324.15
T. 16 N., R. 19 east 23,054.57
T. 17 N., R. 18 east 4.742.1S
T. 17 N., R. 19 east 12,097.22
33ii
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
NUMBER OF ACRES IN EACH TOWN IN FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
♦ Towns, Acres.
Ato.; 23,153.31
Ashford 23,096.07
Auburn 22.901.99
Byron ......23,112.67
Calumet 19,146.91
Eden 23,144.40
Eldorado 23,134.04
Empire 19,348.12
Fond du Lac (including the city)..... 22,751. .54
Forest ■ 22,730.68
Friendship -. 12,175.13
Lamartine 23,249.52
Towns. Acres.
Marshfield 23,054.57
Metomen 23,038.99
Oaklield 23,514.28
Osceola 22,.547.99
Eipon (including the city) 22,959.90
Ro'sendale 23,036.07
Springvale 23,155.98
Taycheedah 19,813.86
Waupun (including North Ward of city) 23,212.26
Total 462,289.18
This would make an average to each of the twenty-one towns in the county of 22,013.77
acres. A full township contains 36 sections of 640 acres each, or 23,040 acres. Ten towns
overrun that number and eleven fall below it.
The towns of Ashford, Auburn, Alto, Waupun, Oakfield, Byron, Eden, Osceola, Metomen,
Springvale, Lamartine, Fond du Lac, Forest, Ripon, Rosendale, Eldorado and Marshfield are
each co-extensive with a township, as surveyed by the General Government. In this list also
would be included the town of Friendship, were it not that a small fraction of fifteen and forty-
eight hundredths acres, in the southeast corner fon the south side of Lake Winnebago), is
excluded and assessed for taxation in the town of Taycheedah. This fraction must, therefore,
be subtracted from the 12,190.61 acres, and the remainder — 12,175.13 acres — is the exact
number in the town of Friendship.
The town of Fond du Lac (inclu«ling the city of Fond du Lac) is identical with the original
surveyed Township 15 north, of Range 17 east. This township is slightly fractional, caused by
a small portion being covered by the "water of Lake Winnebago, the shores of which are
meandered.
The town of Empire is identical in its territory with Township 15 north, of Range 18 east,
except that the. north tier of sections, containing 3,781x\''ij- acres, is excluded and forms a part
of Taycheedah. This reduces the actual number of acres from 23,129.92 to 19,348.12.
The town of Taycheedah includes the tier of sections which are lost to Empire ; also the
whole of fractional Township 16 north, of Range 18 east, excepting therefrom the north tier of
sections, which go to the town of Calumet. By subtracting 2,307.57 acres, forming this tier,
from 18,324.15 acres — the whole number in fractional Township 16 north, of Range 18 east —
and adding thereto 3,781.80 acres, forming the first-mentioned tier, and we have, as the result,
for the tovm of Taycheedah, 19,798.38 acres. To this must be added the small fraction of
15.48 acres in the southeast corner of Township 16 north, of Range 17 east, making a total of
19,813.86 acres.
The town of Calumet is formed of fractional Townships 17 north, of Ranges 18 and 19
east, and the tier of sections on the north side of fractional Township 16 north, of Range 18
east, lost to Taycheedah. In this tier of sections there are 2,307.56 acres ; in fractional Town-
ship 17 north, of Range 18 east, 4,742.13 acres ; and in fractional Township 17 north, of
Range 19 east, 12,097.22 acres, aggregating in the town of Calumet 19,146.91 acres.
It will be observed that, while there are in Fond du Lac County twenty-two townships
(four of which are fractional), there are but twenty-one towns.
Lake Winnebago, having its shores meandered in Townships 15 north, of Range 17 east
(town o£ Fond du Lac) ; also in 16 north, of Range 17 east (town of Friendship) ; in 16 north,
of Range 18 east (towns of Taycheedah and Calumet) ; and in 17 north, of Range 18 east
(town of Calumet). The land in those townships covered by its waters was not surveyed by the
United States.
The land covered by the waters of " Crooked Lake," now known as "Fifteen Lake," in
Township 13 north, of Range 19 east (town of Auburn) ; that covered by the waters of " Long
Lake," in Township 14 north, of Range 19 east (town of Osceola) ; that covered by the waters
HISTORY or FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 333
■of " Little Sheboygan Lake," now called Mullet Lake, in Township 15 north, of Range 19 east
(town of Forest), and that covered by the waters of "Rush Lake," in Township 16 north, of
Range 14 east (town of Ripon), was, also, not surveyed by the Government Surveyors, the shores
•of these lakes being meandered, as were those of Lake Winnebago.
UNITED STATES LAND DISTRICTS.
By the end of 1833, a large amount of the public land in what is now Southern and East-
ern Wisconsin had been surveyed, and the fact being duly reported by the Surveyor General,
Congress, by an act approved June 26, 1834, created two land districts. They embraced all
that tract north of the State of Illinois, west of Lake Michigan, south and southeast of the Wis-
consin and Fox Rivers, included in the then Territory of Michigan. It was divided by a north
and south line, drawn from the northern boundary of Illinois, between Ranges 8 and 9, to the
Wisconsin River. All east of that line was called the Green IJay Land District; all west, the
Wisconsin Land District. Within the first-mentioned district was included the whole of the
present county of Fond du Lac. A Land Office of this Eastern District was established at
Green Bay, which was duly opened by the Government, and a notice given of a public sale of
all the then surveyed public lands lying therein. In accordance with this announcement a sale
took place at Green Bay in 1835. Lands not disposed of at that sale were thereafter open to
private entry at the Land Office in Green Bay. Most of the land in the county was there
obtained from the General Government at |1.25 an acre by early settlers and speculators.
FOND DU LAC COMPANY.
Prominent citizens of Green Bay were the first to give an impetus to the settlement of what
is now the county of Fond du Lac, by forming, in November, 1835, a joint-stock association or
company, organized for the purpose of buying and selling real estate at or near the head of Lake
Winnebago, in what was then Brown County, Wisconsin Territory. The first action taken was
the drawing-up of Articles of Association and the signing of them by the parties interested. The
names of these parties with the number of shares taken by each — a share being $100, were : J.
D. Doty, 46 shares ; Joshua Hathaway, 12 shares ; John P. Arndt, 40 shares ; George Mc-
Williams, 20 shares ; R. E. Clarey, 10 shares ; R. B. Marcy, 4 shares ; F. F. Hamilton, 35
shares; David Ward, 3 shares; Brush, Rees & Co., 6 shares; C. C. Sibley, 12 shares; William
Brown, 64 shares ; Henry S. Baird, 3 shares ; M. E. Merrill, 10 shares ; R. S. Satterlee, 20
shares ; Silas Stedman, 10 shares ; Samuel Ryan, 7 shares ; Alexander J. Irwin, 4 shares ; D.
Jones, 15 shares ; W. Alexander, 4 shares ; E. Childs, 14 shares, and M. Scott, 3 shares.
By the 1st day of January, 1836, the Company had become the owners of 3,705 acres of
land, in what are now the city and town of Fond du Lac, in the present county of Fond du Lac.
At that date, the officers — and they were the first ones of the association — were James Duane
Doty, President; David Jones, George Mc Williams, F. F. Hamilton and W. H. Bruce, Direct-
ors. They had already laid out a village — it was surveyed in November, 1835, by A. G. Ellis
— which received the name of " The Town of Fond du Lac." The village plat, after having
the east tier of blocks added by Doty in New York City, whither he had gone to have it litho-
graphed, was acknowledged, before a notary, " to be a true plat," August 22, 1836, and recorded,
the next day, in the Register's ofiice of Brown County. It included territory bounded on the
north by the north line of the southeast quarter of Section 3, in Township 15 north, of Range
17 east, and by Winnebago Lake ; on the east by the present Amory street in the city of Fond
du Lac ; on the south by what is now Merrill street, of the city, and on the west by a line drawn
north and south about eight hundred feet west of Fond du Lac River,- and by the north and
south quarter line of the before-mentioned Section 3 ; that is to say, it embraces nearly the
whole of the north three-quarters of Section 10, in the township and range just mentioned, and
nearly all of the east half of the said Section 3. The territory lies immediately north of the
heart of the city, and is wholly included within its limits.
334 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
This plat of what was expected to be, in the near future, a city, after being lithographed,
was extensively circulated ; though, when the ground was surveyed into blocks and lots, there
was not a house in what is now Fond du Lac County. The outside world was notified, in a
brief paragraph on the plat, that " Winnebaygo Lake is thirty miles long and ten miles wide."
" The town," it was declared, " is fifty-eight miles south-southwest from Green Bay ; thirty-three
miles from the bank of Lake Michigan, at the mouth of Sheboygan River ; fifty-four miles from
Fort Winnebaygo, and fourteen miles from Rock River." In the spring of 1836, the Company
began the building of a house on Lot 9, Block 9, in their "town," on the east side of
Brooke street ; it was finished in the summer. This was the first house erected in Fond du
Lac County. It was a double log house, with an open hall through the center and a stairway ;
there were also rooms above. It had a back addition, used as a kitchen. Brothertown Indians
(civilized) came from Brothertown, some fifteen miles distant, to raise the structure. The object
of the Company, in building the house, was to provide a place of entertainment for travelers
and to start a settlement. In all these plans for inducing an emigration toward " the head of
the lake," Doty was the ruling spirit. * He chose the place for several reasons, one of which was
that he thought the Rock and Fond du Lac Rivers might be connected by canal and thus open
a continuous waterway by this route from Green Bay to the Mississippi, the greater share of
trade then going toward that river. He became possessed of this idea by hearing the stories of
Indian traders who had paddled canoes, loaded with goods, up the Fox River, across Lake Win
nebago, up the Fond du Lac River, and then across land about two miles, to the Rock River.
Both streams were much larger then than now, so that idea had fewer ridiculous features than
at present.
After purchasing the site of the "town" and a considerable body of land in the immediate
vicinity, amounting, in all, as we have seen, to over three thousand acres, the Company began to
dispose of the same to settlers and others. An act, incorporating the Company, was approved
February 9, 1842. " Whereas," says the preamble, " in the year 1835, an association of sun-
dry persons was formed at Green Bay, for the purchase of real estate, under the name of the
Fond du Lac Company, which association became, and was, and still is, possessed of a quantity
of land situated in the county of Fond du Lac and vicinity, in the Territory of Wisconsin ; and,
whereas, said association has sold and conveyed, to divers persons, tracts and lots of land in the
manner specified in their Articles of Association :
Be it enacted by the Council and House of Representatives of the Territory of Wisconsin :
Seotioh 1. That Samuel Ryan, Henry S. Baird, David .Tones, John P. Arndl, and all such'persons as now are or
may hereafter be stockholders in the said corporation, shall be and they are hereby declared to be a body corporate
and politic, under the name and style of the Fond du Lao Company ; and, as such corporation, are hereby declared
capable of suing and being sued, answering and being answered unto, pleading and being impleaded, defending and
being defended, in all courts and places, and in all actions, suits, matters and causes whatever ; and said company
shall have a continued succession for the term of five years, and have a common seal and change the same at
pleasure.
The next section of the act limited the amount of capital stock to 342 shares of f 100 each,
and declared that the Company should not purchase any more land, but could improve what
they then owned. Section 3 provided for the adoption of by-laws. Section 4 declared that
conveyances already made in conformity to existing by-laws should be binding on the incorpo-
rated Company. The fifth section provided that nothing in the act should be so construed as
impairing any contract previously made.
By-laws were afterward drawn up and adopted for the government of the Company. On
the 19th day of February, 1844, a chancery suit was instituted by Mason C. Darling, a stock-
holder, against the Company, in the District Court of Brown County, Andrew G. Miller, Judge,
asking, among other things, for the dissolution of the Company, a settlement of its concerns and
distribution of assets among the stockholders. Edward Pier was, on the 9th of March, 1844,
by the Court, appointed a Receiver of the estate of the Company. Afterward, in 1846, A. G.
;^llis, a master in chancery, sold all the lands and town lots of the Company that had not been
disposed of previous to the commencement of the suit by Darling. These were all situated 'in
HISTOEY OF FOND DTI LAC COUNTY. 335
the town of Fond du Lac. The proceeds of the sale were finally distributed, after paying costs
and expenses, to the parties entitled to the same, under order of the Court. Meanwhile, "An
act to repeal an act entitled 'An Act to Incorporate the Fond du Lac Company,' approved Feb-
ruary 9, 1842," was passed:
Be it enacted by the Council and House of Bepresentatives of the Territory of Wisconsin :
Section 1. That the act entitled " An Act to Incorporate the Fond du Lac Company," approved February 9,'
1842, is hereby repealed : Provided, That said company shall be liable for all debts which may have been conti-aoted
by said company, in as full and ample a manner as if this act had not been passed.
Approved February 8, 1845.
So the Fond du Lac Company became a thing of the past.
ORIGIN OF THE NAME FOND DU LAC.
The three words Fond du Lac are from the French language, and signify literally, " the
bottom of the lake." The word "fond " means literally "bottom ;" but its figurative meaning
is also "that which is farthest" or "most remote." The south end of Lake Winnebago, as
well as the western end of Lake Superior, were always alluded to by traders living at Grreen
Bay, Mackinaw, Sault Ste. Marie or Detroit, as points in those lakes most distant ; and, conse-
quently, the appellation among them was "the Fond du Lac Superior," the " Fond du Lac
Winnebago," etc., meaning the farther end or extreme from their headquarters. It has noth-
ing, to do with the " head of the lake " although this is actually the case in both instances. Had
the outlet been at the farther end of these lakes, instead of being near the places just named, the
expression, according to the French idea conveyed by the term "fond," would have been equally
proper. The name was afterward given to the river which has its mouth at " the Fond du Lac
Winnebago" and, very appropriately, to the county having its territory around and adjoining
the same. It is probable that the name was given to the locality at an early day, so soon, in
fact, as the French traders began at the Indian villages in the vicinity to traffic with the natives.
The exact date whe'n this took place is not known with any degree of certainty, though it was
certainly in the last century.
AN EARLY TRIP TO THE HEAD OF WINNEBAGO LAKE.
It was on the 16th of February, 1836, that Colwert Pier and his younger brother, Edward,
started wi:th a horse and sled from Green Bay to go to the head of Winnebago Lake, and take
a look at the country in that vicinity. He had previously a talk with the officers of the Fond
du Lac Company about locating there. There was no road at that time except what the Broth-
ertown and Stockbridge Indians had made, as far as the Grand Kaukalau in Fox River where
these Indians then resided. From the Bay to that place, the travel in winter was mostly upon the
ice. When the Grand Kaukalau was reached, the two ascertained that these Indians, who were
preparing to move up and improve their lands on the east side of the lake, had a road cut as far
where the Stockbridge Mission was afterward established, and that the route mentioned was the
best one to go to Fond du Lac. They also learned that there were four or five families living
there at that. time. The brothers concluded to take the road indicated. They reached the place
the first day, and stopped with a Stockbridge family by the name of Jourdan over night. Jour-
dan had a small cabin and a shed. In the last-mentioned building, the travelers put their
horse. The next morning after they had their breakfast, Mr. Jourdan very kindly piloted them
to the lake, and told them that he had heard folks say that Fond du Lac was up that way.
There were six to eight inches of snow upon the ice and a sharp crust upon the snow.
There was no track to be seen, consequently it was slow traveling. The two brothers had been
told that Fond du Lac River came into the lake on the west side of the prairie in the timber.
They therefore made their way toward the woods, and came to the shore about half a mile east
of the mouth of the stream. They then bore to the west until the river was reached, when they
came up it on the east side as far as what is now Tract 38 in the city of Fond du Lac (the pres-
ent residence of George Mc Williams), where they made a fire and some hasty preparations for
336
HISTOKY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
camping during the night, although it was then but little past mid-day. They fed their horse,
ate some dinner, and about 3 o'clock P. M., started to look for a farm, leaving their horse tied
where they had rested and taken their last meal.
James D. Doty, of the Fond du Lac Company, was, by agreement, to meet them at the
point they had now reached, and show them the lands belonging to his association. The two
brothers looked over the land on the east side of the river, some distance up the stream.
They came down through the timber and got back to where they had left their horse, at
dark. Here they found Doty, Dr. Richard M. Satterlee, Lieut. Merrill and a soldier
named Collins. The party had come up the river, found the horse belonging to the two land-
hunters and encamped for the night. The weather was intensely cold, but they had provided a
large stock of wood for fire, which, before the next morning, was mostly consumed.
The two brothers slept some that night, had an early breakfast, got what information they
could from Doty, and then took their course toward the west. They crossed the river below
the forks and walked up across Sections 9, 8 and 18. There was no snow upon the prairie, but
about this time, which was near 12 o'clock M., the snow began to fall, and the two started to
return to camp. They came down across Section 10 and struck the West Branch, when they
found themselves in an unpleasant situation, and for some time, they could not find the spot
they sought. They had not learned that the river had two branches. They, however, became
satisfied of the fact after wandering about and reaching the forks. They then came up and,
found their camp.
The brothers then gave their horse what oats they had left, ate what provisions they had,
and started east. They crossed two creeks and then turned north toward the lake. It continued
to snow very fast. Oar travelers homeward soon reached a place where the reeds were higher
than a man's head, causing them to fear that they would lose their way ; but they had a small
pocket compass which was of much service. Colwert Pier rode on the sled and carried the com-
pass in his hand, while his brother Edward went as far ahead as he could be seen, being directed
by Cblwert on his course. ' About 4 o'clock, they came in sight of the la"ke, when it ceased
snowing. They went on the lake a little east of where Taycheedah now is, when they soon dis-
covered a team coming out of the timber east of them. This proved to be Doty and his party,
who soon joined the two others, and all went on together to where Stockbridge was afterward
located. The two brothers (Colwert and Edward Pier) stopped with their friend, Timothy
Jourdan again, returning to the bay next day. This ended the journey of the two brothers. It
was their first visit to the head of the lake, was in itself not particularly noteworthy only in this
— -it led to the return, in a few months, to the head of the lake, of Colwert Pier, the first settler
in Fond du Lac County.
FIRST SETTLEMENT IN EOND DU LAC COUNTY.
After the return of Colwert Pier and his brother, Edward Pier, to Green Bay, from their
trip in February, 1836, to " spy out the land" at the head of Winnebago Lake, they met the
Directors of the Fond du Lac Company, and made arrangements for each to have a quarter-
section of their land, they being well satisfied with the country around the head of the lake.
In addition to this, if the parents of the two brothers joined them, they were to have a quarter-
section also, adjoining theirs. It was agreed that the two should move to Fond du Lac, that
Colwert should open the "Fond du Lac House," as a tavern, and that both should improve their
farms. In short, they were to commence the settlement of the lands of the Fond du Lac Com-
pany, which would be the first settlement at the head of the lake.
Now that many of the hardy sons of toil who broke the wilds of Fond du Lac .County and
converted them into fruitful fields, who filled its towns and cities with many habitations, lie
quietly in mother earth, their enterprising spirits having fled from the busy world around, those
who enjoy what were once their possessions are curious to know of the vicissitudes of former days,
and to learn the names of those who laid the foundations of those improvements which have
been so largely instrumental in bringing this region to its present importance. And particularly
HISTORY OF FUND DU LAC COUNTY. 337
are they anxious to hold in remembrance the name of the first white settler in Fond du Lac
County. The firit of the pioneers — let it never be forgotten — was Colwert Piee.
Sometime near the close of the month of May, Mr. Pier started on horseback from Green
Bay, to go to Fond du Lac, to begin a settlement — the first in the county. His wife, in com-
pany with a Mrs. Robean, a lady who had taken up a tract of land on the east side of Winnebago
Lake, and was going there to settle, followed her husband in a Durham boat, commanded by
Capt. Samuel Irwin, and propelled by Indians and half-breeds. The boat was loaded with
merchandise, provisions and household goods, which were to be carried to Grand Kaukalau,
Fond du Lac and other points. The custom then was where the water was deep in the Fox
River, and sluggish, "to propel with oars, and where there were more current and less depth, to use
poles, until the rapids were reached, when the men got into the water, took hold of the boat
and pushed it up against the current. In this way it was got up to the Grand Kaukalau.
At this point, all had to be unloaded and carried three-fourths of a mile, above the Rapids.
This was usually done by Frenchmen and half-breeds, who resided in the vicinity, and had
teams of some kind, while the boatmen forced the boat up the rapids. When this was done, the
goods were re-loaded and the boat pushed up to the Grand Chute, near where Appleton now is.
Here all the load had again to be taken out, the barrels rolled, and the other loading carried by
the men, above the falls. A long cable was then made fast to the bow of the boat, then carried
above the chute and put around a tree, while two men were stationed there to take up the slack
as the others lifted the boat over and up to where the water was smooth again. The next stretch
was to the outlet of Lake Winnebago, where one-half of the load had to be taken out and carried
up to the lake, then the cable was made fast to the boat and the men forced it up the rapids.
While the party in the boat was on the way, there was a rumor of an Indian war circulated
along the i-oute. To this Capt. Irwin paid no attention until he ran into Fond du Lac
River, when he met about seventy Indians upon the bank. Usually they were very talkative,
but now for some cause all were silent ; not a word was exchanged between those on the boat
and those on the land ; this was the more noticeable as, before, thos^ that were met, whenever
within speaking distance, communicated very freely. Capt. Irwin began to feel that really
there might be some ground for the war rumor.
On the 6th day of June, 1836 — a day ever to be held in remembrance by the people of
Fond du Lac County as the one on which was commenced the first settlement — the boat reached
the spot where had been raised the " Fond du Lac House," by the Fond du Lac Company,
where Mrs. Pier had the satisfaction of greeting her husband, who had preceded her. The boat
arrived about noon, just below where the railroad bridge now is, when the goods belonging to
Mr. Pier were speedily put on shore, and Capt. Irwin was soon making his way, in his craft,
down the river.
Said Capt. Irwin, subsequently : " I bade good-bye to Mrs. Pier with feelings not unmixed
with sorrow. ' She endeared herself to all of us by her uniform kindness. She assisted
us in our cooking, and cheered us by her looks and words through all the trying scenes
of the nine days we were on the voyage. When we left her on the bank of the Fond du Lac
River, a lone region, surrounded by hundreds of Indians, with no one but her husband
to protect her, we all felt sad." " I have often thought," says a recent writer, " that if she
had lived, her version of those times and those scenes would be of great interest to some
of the ladies now living in the county. She once told me that when Capt. Irwin's boat was out
of sight, and she and her husband were left alone — feeling that they constituted the only civil-
ized inhabitants of the entire region — she sat down upon the ground and cried a considerable
time, then wiping away her tears, she resolutely got up and walked to the house where her home
was to be, and took a calm view of the surroundings. She found the log building to consist of
three log cabins united ; there was an open hall between the dining-room and sitting-room, and
a kitchen in the rear, the floor of which had been laid by her husband after his arrival, but pre-
vious to her coming. He had also put in two windows and a door. ' My husband tried to
soothe and comfort me, but I felt that he needed,' said she, 'some one to comfort him as well ;
338 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
so I tookihold, and helped him put up the stove, and I went about putting our house in as good
condition as circumstances would permit.' Within half an hour, a squaw came in, and by signs,
made Mrs. Pier understand that she wished to exchange some feathers for flour. These she pur-
chased, and, as she afterward discovered, paid liberally for them, for, in half an hour, her room
was filled with squaws wishing to ' swap ' feathers for pork. Her stock in trade consisted of one
barrel of pork and two of flour. That afternoon she bought of the squaws feathers sufficient to
make two good-sized feather beds, and paid for them in pork and flour." .
From June 6, 1836, to March 11, 1837, Colwert Pier and his wife were the only residents
in Fond du Lac County. On the day last mentioned, his brother, Edward Pier, arrived at " the
Fond du Lac House," bringing a family consisting of his wife and two daughters, the youngest
about four weeks old. These two families composed the entire population until June 1, when
Norman Pier, from Middlebury, Vt., and Albert Kendall, from Rochester, in the same State,
arrived. These young men were unmarried, and were added to the occupants of " the Fond du
Lac House." On the 17th, Miss Harriet Pier (afterward Mrs. Alonzo Raymond) arrived at
Fond du Lac. There were now three women in the county, but soon after, on the 3d of Sep-
tember, the father (Calvin) and the mother (Esther) came on, bringing with them their son,
Oliver W. Pier, a lad of fourteen years. The Piers and young Kendall were all the occupants
of Fond du Lac County thenceforward to the beginning 'of March, 1838. On the first day ot
that month, Mrs. Fanny Pier, wife of Colwert Pier, died, after a short illness. She was attended
by. Dr. David Ward, of Green Bay, he being the nearest resident physician. She, the pioneer
woman in Fond du Lac County, was the first to go hence forever ! The funeral was held on the
3d of March, and was attended by the few pioneers, who were all mourners. The sermon was
preached by the Rev. Cutting Marsh, missionary to the Stockbridge Indians. , It was a sad and
solemn occasion.
CHAPTER III.
"The Old Military Road" and Othbk Early HigtHWAys— Pioneer Like— Fond du Lac
County Boundaries Established — Early Political History— Fond du Lao County'
ON Early' Maps— Organization of the County— Pioneer Eeminiscences.
"the old military koad" and other early highways.
The first highway or road Fond du Lac County had was called the "military road," and
was built at Government expense for the transportation of supplies from Green Bay, or Fort
Howard, as the army "post" was then called, to Fort Winnebago, now Portage, and Fort
Crawford, now Prairie du Chien. In the summer, provisions were transported in batteaux by
water from Fort Howard to Forts Winnebago and Crawford, but in winter this could not be done.
Therefore, early in 1835, Lewis Cass, then Secretary of War, sent out orders to open, lay out
and bridge a road from Fort Howard to Fort Crawford, via Fond du Lac and Fort Winnebago.
The soldiers at Fort Crawford were ordered to build and bridge the road to Fort Winnebago ;
those stationed at Fort Winnebago from their post to the Fond du Lac River and bridge that
stream, and those at the " Bay," or Fort Howard, to open the road from their post to Fond du
Lac. The soldiers at these three posts were under command of Brig. Gen. George Mercer
Brooke, after whom Brooke street, the first in the city of Fond du Lac, was named, and com-
posed the Fifth Regiment of the standing army. The road was laid out by Lieut. Centre and
James Duane Doty. Mr. Doty was appointed because he knew the route better than almost any
other man in the Territory. The road from Forts Crawford and Winnebago reached Fond du Lac
in 1835, and the East Branch was bridged at that time where the Forest Street bridge now
stands. The city had a bridge, therefore, for the use of Indians and wild beasts, before it had a
white settler. The other end of the road was through dense hardwood forests, and to open it
was a much more difficult and arduous undertaking. It did not reach the branch already finished
to Fond du Lac until 1838. Its course through the city was straight from the tollgate at Luco,
in the town of Fond du Lac, to where the Express Office now stands in the city. In the mean
time, the bridge built by the Fore Winnebago soldiers over the East Branch at Fond du Lac had
been swept away, and, in 1837, Mr. Doty received permission to divert the course of the mili-
tary road and build a bridge on Brooke street, where the railroad bridge now crosses the East
Branch on that street, and, during the season, George McWilliams, with a company of men
brought mostly from Stockbridge, built a bridge at the point mentioned, which served until the
Chicago & North- Western Railway bridge was built. The abutments, stringers and covering
were of logs which were cut within the present corporate limits of Fond du Lac, and floated to
the desired location.
The military road was a crude affair. On the prairies stakes were driven as guides ; through
the woods trees were felled, and the various streams were bridged with logs. Through the towns
of Calumet and Taycheedah the old military road, repaired since by public taxation, is still in
use as a public highway. Military street, in the city of Fond du Lac, extends southwest toward
Waupun and, merging into the " Waupun road," is on the site of the old military road as far as
the first tollgate in the town of Fonddu Lac. At that point it left the present " Waupun road,"
passing north of the Four Mile House, in the edge of Lamartine, to the Drury place, where it
again was identical with the road-bed of the " Waupun road " as far as Schoolhouse No. 1 on
Section 34, in Lamartine. It there extended more directly westward through the villages of
Brandon and Fairwater, in Metomen, to Green Lake County. From Section 34, town of Lamar-
tine, no traces of the original military road can be found, as it consisted of little more than oak
340 mSTOEY OF POISED DU LAC COUNTY.
stakes driven into the soil as guides, which, as soon as the country became settled, the farmers
removed, and all traces of what cost the Government a snug sum disappeared forever.
In 1837-38, there was a road opened to Fond du Lac County from Sheboygan. In the full
of the last-mentioned year, one was also opened and bridged to Fox Lake. This road had pre-
viously been surveyed by Jacob P. Brower. In the winter of 1839, there was a road opened by
way of Waupun to Madison, the capital of the State. The first road laid by county authority
was one from the village of Fond du Lac south toward Milwaukee, which was viewed in Novem-
ber, 1840, by Seymour Wilcox, George White and M. Collins. This much it may be said of
roads in Fond du Lac for many years : Through timbered land there were some definite marks to
inform the traveler of the road's locality ; through openings, prairies, and marshes he had a (vide
field for selecting his route, but must have a care to find the bridge over the next stream.
POINEER LIFE.
Records of the olden time are interesting, and they are not without their lessons of instruc-
tion. By the light of the past, we follow in the footprints of the adventurous and enterprising
pioneer. We see him, as it were, amid the labors and struggles necessary to convert the wilder-
ness into a fruitful field. We sit by his cabin fire, partake of his homely and cheerfully granted
fare, and listen to the accounts which he is pleased to give us of frontier life, and of the dangers,
trials, hardships and sufferings of himself and others in their efforts to make for themselves
homes in regions remote from civilization, and unexplored hitherto, save by wandering Indians
and the beasts of the forests and prairies. Through these ancient records, we make our way
along to the present. From small beginnings, we come to the mighty achievements of industry,
the complex results of daring enterprise, subduing and creative energy, and untiring perse-
verance.
Following on in the path of progress and improvement, we see once waste places rejoicing
under the kindly care of the husbandman ; beautiful farms, with all the fixtures and appurte-
nances necessary to make the tillers of the soil and their families contented and happy, are
spread out before us ; villages g,nd cities have arisen as if by magic, and by hundreds, thou-
sands, and tens of thousands, human souls are congregated within their precincts ; the mart of
trade and traffic, and the workshop of the artisan are thronged ; common schools, academies and
colleges have sprung up ; young and ardent minds — children of the rich and poor — may press
forward together in the acquisition of science ; churches are built, and a Christian ministry is
sustained for the inculcation of religious sentiments and the promotion of piety, virtufe and moral
goodness ; the press is established whence floods of light and glory may emanate for the instruc-
tion and benefit of all ; railroads are built to bring the products of every clime and the people
from afar to our doors; and the telegraph, "upon the lightning's wing," carries messages far
and near. Let the records of the olden time be preserved ; in after years our children,
and our children's children, will look over them with pleasure and profit.
The first important business of the poineer settler, upon his arrival in Fond du Lac County,
was to build a house. Until this was done, some had to camp on the ground or live in their
wagons — perhaps the only shelter they had known for weeks. So the prospect for a house,
which was also to be a home, was one that gave courage to the rough toil, and added a zest to
the heavy labors. The style of the home entered very little into their thoughts — it was shelter
they wanted, and protection from stress of weather and wearing exposures. The poor settler
had neither the money nor the mechanical appliances for building himself a house. He was
content, in most instances, to have a mere cabin or hut. Sotae of the most primitive construc-
tions of this kind were half-faced, or, as they were sometimes called, 'cat-faced" sheds or
" wike-ups," the Indian term for tent or house. It is true, a " claim " cabin was a little more in
the shape of a human habitation, made, aS it was, of round logs, light enough for two or three
men to lay up, about fourteen feet square — perhaps a little larger or smaller — roofed with bark
or clapboards, and sometimes with the sods of the prairie, and floored with punchepns (logs split
once in two, and the flat side laid up) or with earth. For a fire-place, a wall of stones and
HISTORY or FONB DU LAC COUNTY. 341
earth — frequently the latter only, when stone was not convenient — was made in the best practi-
cable shape for the purpose, in an opening in one end of the building, extending outward, and
planked on the outside by bolts of wood notched together to stay it. Frequently a fire-place
of this kind was made so capacious as to occupy nearly the whole width of the house. In cold
weather, when a great deal of fuel was needed to^ keep the atmosphere above freezing point — for
this wide-mouth fire-place was a huge ventilator — large logs were piled into this yawning space.
To protect the crumbling back-wall against the effects of the fire, two back-logs were' placed
against it, one upon the other. Sometimes these were so large that they could not be got in in
any other way than to hitch a horse to them. The animal was driven in at the door, when the
log was unfastened before the fire-place. It was afterward put in position. The horse would be
driven out at another door.
For a chimney, any contrivance that would convey the smoke out of the building would
do. Some were made of sods, plastered on the inside with clay ; others — the more common,
perhaps — were of the kind we occasionally see in use now, clay in sticks, or " cat in clay," as
they were sometimes called. Imagine, of a winter's night, when the storm was having its own
wild way over this almost uninhabited land, and when the wind was roaring like a cataract of
cold over the broad wilderness, and the settler had to do his best to keep warm, what a royal fire
this double back-log and well-filled fireplace would hold ! It was a cozy place to smoke, pro-
vided the settler had any tobacco ; or for the wife to sit knitting before, provided she had any
needles and yarn. At any rate, it gave something of cheer to the conversation, which very likely
was upon the home and friends they had left behind when they started out on this bold venture
of seeking fortunes in a new land.
For doors and windows, the most simple contrivances that would serve the purpose were
brought into requisition. The door was not always immediately provided with a shutter, and a
blanket often did duty in guarding the entrance. But, as soon as convenient, some boards were
split and put together, hung upon wooden hinges and held shut by a wooden pin inserted in an
auger-hole. As a substitute for window-glass, greased paper, pasted over sticks crossed in the
shape of sash, was sometimes used. This admitted the light and excluded the air, but, of course,
lacked transparency.
In regard to the furniture of such a cabin, it varied in proportion to the ingenuity of the
occupants, unless it was where settlers brought with them their old household supply, which,
owing to the distance most of them had come, was very seldom.' It was easy enough to impro-
vise tables and chairs ; the former could be made of split logs — and there were instances where
the door would be taken from its hinges and used at meals, after which it would be re-hung ; the
latter were designed after the three-legged stool pattern, or benches served their purposes. A
bedstead was a very important item in the domestic comfort of the family, and this was the
fashion of improvising one : A forked stake was driven into the ground diagonally from the
corner of the room and at a proper distance, upon which poles reaching from each were laid.
The wall ends of the pole either rested in the openings between the logs, or were driven into
auger-holes. Barks or boards were used as a substitute for cords. Upon this the tidy house-
wife spread her straw tick, and, if she had a home-made feather bed, she piled it up into a lux-
urious mound, and covered it with her whitest drapery. Some sheets hung behind it for tapestry
added to the coziness of the resting-place. This was generally called a " prairie bedstead," and
by some the " prairie rascal."
The house thus far along, it was left to the deft devices of the wife to complete its comforts,
and the father of the family was free to superintend out-of-door affairs. If it was in season,
his first important duty was to prepare some ground for planting, and to plant what he could.
The first year's farming consisted mainly of a "truck patch," planted in corn, potatoes,
turnips and other vegetables. Generally, the first year's crop fell far short of supplying even
the most rigid economy of food. Many of the settlers brought with them small stores of such
things as seemed indispensable to frugal living, such as flour, bacon, coffee and tea. But these
supplies were not inexhaustible, and once used were not easily replaced. A long winter must
342 HISTOEY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
come and go before another crop could be raised. If game was plentiful, it helped to eke out
their limited supplies.
But even when corn was plentiful, the preparation of it was the next difficulty in the way.
The mills for grinding it were at such long distances that every other device was resorted to for
reducing it to meal. Some grated it on an implement made by punching small holes through a
piece of tin or sheet-iron, and fastening it upon a board in concave shape, with the rough side
out. Upon this the ear was rubbed to produce the meal. But grating could not be done when
the corn became so dry as to shell off when rubbed. Some used a coffee-mill for grinding it ;
and a very common substitute for bread was hominy — a palatable and wholesome diet — made by
boiling corn in a weak lye till the hull or bran peeled off, after which it was well washed to.
cleanse it of the lye. It was then boiled again to soften it, when it was ready for use, as occa-
sion required, by frying and seasoning it to the taste. Another mode of preparing hominy was
by pestling. A mortar was made by burning a bowl-shaped cavity in the end of an upright
block of wood. After thoroughly cleaning it of the charcoal, the corn could be put in, hot water
turned upon it, when it was subjected to a severe pestling by a club of sufficient length and
thickness, in the large end of which was inserted an iron wedge, banded to keep it there. The
hot water would soften the corn and loosen the hull, while the pestle would crush it.
When breadstuffs were needed, they had to be obtained from long distances. Owing to the
lack of proper means for thrashing and cleaning wheat, it was more or less mixed with foreign
substances, such as smut, dirt and oats. And as the time when the settlers' methods of thrash-
ing and cleaning may be forgotten, it may be well to preserve a brief account of them here.
The plan was to clean off a space of ground of sufficient size, and, if the earth was dry, '^o
dampen it, and beat it to render it somewhat compact. Then the sheaves were unbound and
spread in a circle, so that the heads would be uppermost, leaving room in the center for the per-
son whose business it was to turn and stir the straw in the process of thrashing. Then, as many
horses or oxen were brought as could conveniently swing around the circle, and these were kept
moving until the wheat was well trodden out. After several " floorings " or layers were thrashed,
the straw was carefully raked off and the wheat shoveled into a heap to be cleaned. This clean-
ing was sometimes done by waving a sheet up and down to fan out the chaff as the grain was
■dropped before it ; but this trouble was frequently obviated when the strong winds of autumn
were all that was needed to blow out the chaff from the grain. This mode of preparing the grain
for flouring was so imperfect' that it is not to be wondered at that a considerable amount of black
soil got mixed with it, and unavoidably got into the bread. This, with an addition of smut,
often rendered it so dark as to have less the appearance of bread than mud; yet upon such diet
the people were compelled to subsist for want of a better.
Not the least among the pioneers' tribulations, during the first few years of the settlement,
was the going to mill. The slow mode of travel by ox teams was made still slower by the
almost total absence of roads and bridges, while such a thing as a ferry was hardly ever dreamed
of. The distance to be traversed was as often as far as sixty to ninety miles. In dry weather,
common sloughs and creeks offered but little impediment to teamsters ; but during floods and
the breaking-up of winter, they proved exceedingly troublesome and dangerous. To get stuck
in a slough, and thus be delayed for rnany hours, was no uncommon occurrence, and that too,
when time was an item of grave import to the comfort and sometimes even to the lives of the
settlers' families. Often a swollen stream would blockade the way, seeming to threaten destruc-
tion to whoever would attempt to ford it.
With regard to roads, there was nothing of the kind worthy of the name. Indian trails
were common, but they were unfit to travel on with vehicles. They were mere paths about
two feet wide — all that was required to accommodate the single-file manner of Indian travel-
ing.
When the early settlers were compelled to make these long and difficult trips to mill, if the
country was prairie over which they passed, they found it comparatively easy to do in summer
when grass was plentiful. By traveling until night, and then camping out to feed the teams.
a
<^
FOND DU LAC,
^^^^^^
HISTOBT OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 345
they got along without much difficulty. But in winter such a journey was attended with no
little danger. The utmost economy of time was, of course, necessary. When the goal was
reached, after a week or more of toilsome travel, with many exposures and risks, and the poor
man was impatient to immediately return with the desired staff of life, he was often shocked
and disheartened with the information that his turn would come in a week. Then he must look
about for some means to pay expenses, and he was lucky who could find employment by the day
or job. Then, when his turn came, he had to^ be on hand to bolt his own flour, as, in those
days, the bolting machine was not an attached part of the other mill machinery. This done,
the anxious soul was ready to endure the trials of a return trip, his heart more or less concerned
about the affairs of home.
Those milling trips often occupied from three weeks to more than a month each, and were
attended with an expense, in one way or another, that rendered the cost of breadstufifs extremely
high. If made in the winter, when more or less grain-feed was required for the team, the load
would be found to be so considerably reduced on reaching home that the cost of what was left,
adding other expenses, would make their grain reach the high cash figure of from $3 to $5
per bushel. And these trips could not always be made at the most favorable season for
traveling. In spring and summer, so much time could hardly be spared from other essential
labor; yet, for a large family, it was almost impossible to avoid making three or four trips dur-
ing the year.
Among other things calculated to annoy and distress the pioneer, was the prevalence of
wild beasts of prey, the most numerous and troublesome of which was the wolf. While it was
true, in a figurative sense, that it required the utmost care and exertion to "keep the wolf from
the door," it was almost as true in a literal sense. There were two species of these animals —
the large black timber wolf, and the smaller gray wolf that usually inhabited the prairie. At
first, it was almost impossible for a settler to keep small stock of any kind that would serve as
a prey to these ravenous beasts. Sheep were not deemed safe property until years after, when
their enemies were supposed to be nearly exterminated. Large numbers of wolves were
destroyed during the early years of settlement. When they were hungry, which was not
uncommon, particularly during the winter, they were too indiscreet for their own safety, and
would often approach within easy shot of the settlers' dwellings. At certain seasons, their wild
plaintive yelp or bark could be heard in all directions at all hours of the night, creating intense
excitement among the dogs, whose howling would add to the dismal melody. It has been found
by experiment that but one of the canine species — the hound — has both the fieetness and cour-
age "to cope with his savage cousin, the wolf Attempts were often made to capture him with
the common cur, but this animal, as a rule, proved himself wholly unreliable for such service.
So long as the wolf would run the cur would follow ; but the wolf, being apparently acquainted
with the character of his pursuer, would either turn and place himself in a combative attitude,
or else act upon the principle that "discretion is the better part of valor," and throw himself
upon his back in token of surrender. This strategic performance would make instant peace
between these two scions of the same house ; and not infrequently dogs and wolves have been
seen playing together like puppies. But the hound was never known to recognize a fiag of
truce; his baying seemed to signify "no quarter;" or, at least, so the terrified wolf under-
stood it.
Smaller animals, such as panthers, lynxes, wildcats, catamounts and polecats, were also
sufficiently numerous to be troublesome. And an exceeding source of annoyance were the
swarms of mosquitoes which aggravated the trials of the settler in the most exasperating degree.
Persons have been driven from the labors of the field by their unmerciful assaults.
The trials of the pioneer were innumerable, and the cases of actual suffering might fill a
volume of no ordinary size. Timid women became brave through combats with real dangers,
and patient mothers grew sick at heart with the sight of beloved children failing in health from
lack of commonest necessaries of life. The struggle was not for ease or luxury, but was a
constant one for the means of sustaining life itself.
0
346 HISTOEY or FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
FOND DU LAC COUNTY BOUNDARIES ESTABLISHED.
An act of the Territorial Legislature, entitled " An Act to Divide the Counties of Brown
and Milwaukee," approved December 7, 1836, provided, in part, as follows :
Section 9. That townships [thirteen]* north, of ranges eighteen and nineteen east, and townships fourteen,
fifteen and sixteen, of ranges fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen and eighteen, and townships seventeen and
eighteen, of ranges fourteen, fifteen and sixteen, shall be and hereby are constituted a separate county, and be called
fond du Lac ; and the seat of justice of said county is hereby established at the town of Pond du Lac.
Sec. 10. That towns [townships] seventeen, eighteen, nineteen and twenty, of ranges seventeen, eighteen,
nineteen and twenty, be and they are hereby constituted a separate county and called Calumet ; and the seat of jus-
tice of said county is hereby established at the town of Whitesboro.
*************
Sec. 12. That townships numbered fourteen and fifteen, of ranges nine and ten ; townships fourteen, fifteen
and sixteen, of range eleven; townships fourteen, fifteen, sixteen and seventeen, of range twelve, and townships
fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen and eighteen, of ranges thirteen and fourteen east, * * * shall be
and hereby are constituted a separate county and be called Marquette, and the seat of justice of said county is hereby
established at the town of Marquette.
The territory thus set off as Fond du Lac, included all the present county, except the
towns of Osceola, Forest and Marshfield, and so much of Calumet as lies in Townships 17
north, of Ranges 18 and 19 east ; also, nearly all the south half of what is now the county of
Winnebago.
By an act of the Territorial Legislature, approved January 6, 1840, all that territory
included in Fond du Lac County north of Townships 16, in Ranges 14, 1-5, 16 and 17 east, was
taken from it to form a portion of Winnebago County.
The same act took from Calumet County fractional Townships 17, in Ranges 18 and 19 east,
and added them to Fond du Lac County, constituting nearly the whole of the present town of
Calumet.
By the provisions of an act approved January 22, 1844, " all that portion of Lake Winnebago
lying south of a direct line drawn from the point where the southern boundary of the Brothertown
Reservation enters said lake on the east, to the town[ship] line between towns[hips] sixteen and
seventeen on the west side of said lake," was made a part of the county of Fond du Lac.
By an oversight of the Legislature in the act approved December 7, 1836, constituting,
among others, the counties of Fond du Lac and Marquette, already mentioned, five townships
in Fond du Lac — Townships 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18 north, of Range 14 east — were also included
in the county of Marquette. By the erection of Winnebago County, two of these townships —
Townships 17 and 18 north, of Range 14 east — were assigned to that county, still leaving three
— Townships 14, 15 and 16 north, of Range 14 east — as belonging both to Fond du Lac County
and Marquette. To cure this defect, an act was passed, which was approved March 6, 1848,
and which brought Fond du Lac County to its present limits, as follows :
" An Act to Define the Boundaries of Fond du Lac County, and the Jurisdiction of Counties
to Lake Winnebago; also to legalize the acts of said county as to certain towns therein organ-
ized."
Be it enacted by the Council and House of Representatives of the Territory of Wisconsiii :
Section 1. That township number thirteen north, of range number eighteen east, and townships number thir-
teen, fourteen, fifteen and sixteen north, of range number nineteen east ; and also all that part of Lake Winnebago
lying south of a line extending due west from the south line of the late Brothertown Reservation, to a north and
south line corresponding to the division line between ranges number seventeen and eighteen, and all that part of the
same lake lying south of an east and west line extending from the intersection of the town line between towns six-
teen and seventeen with said Jake, and running east to the range line hereinbefore mentioned, are hereby made and
declared to be a part of the county of Fond du Lac.
Sec. 2. That townships number fourteen, fifteen and sixteen north, of range number fourteen east, embracing
the organized towns of Ceresoo, Alto and Metomen, and included by the act of the seventh day of December, 1836, in
both the counties of Fond du Lac and Marquette, are hereby declared to be a part of th6 county of Fond du Lac, as
recited by the several acts organizing said towns.
♦That !townBliip 13 north, of Baages 18 and 19 east (now the towns of Ashford and Auburn), were the ones intended to be described in
the first clause of Section 9 of this act, is made certain by the act of March 6, 1848, hereafter mentioned.
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 347
Sec. 3. The acts of the county of Fond du Lao exercising jurisdiction over either of the before-mentioned town-
ships, or the acts of the towns organized therein, shall not be deemed invalid or illegal in consequence of either of said
townships having been included in any other county, or for not having been included in the said county of Fond du
Lac.
Sec. 4. That all that part of Lake Winnebago lying north of the north line of the county of Fond du Lac, as
hereinbefore described, and west of the range line separating ranges number seventeen and eighteen, as extending
through said lake, is hereby declared to be a part of the county of Winnebago ; and all that part of said lake lying
east of said range line and north of the north line of Fond du Lac, as hereinbefore described, is hereby declared to
be a part of the county of Calumet. All process issuing to officers of either of the counties bordering upon Lake
Winnebago, may be' served upon the waters of said lake by the officer or person charged with the service thereof;
and the said counties shall, for all the purposes of civil and criminalprocess, have concurrent jurisdiction on the said
waters. Timothy Burns, Speaker of the Bovse of Representatives.
Horatio N. Wells, President of the Council.
Approved March 6, 1848.
Henky Dodge.
The above-mentioned act brought into the county of Fond du Lac the territory constitut-
ing the present towns of Osceola, Forest and Marshfield, and made certain what was left doubt-
ful by the act of December 7, 1836, as to the territory now included in the towns of Ashford
and Auburn, by making it unmistakably a part of Fond du Lac County.
By the revised statutes of Wisconsin of 1849, the boundaries of the county were established,
as at present constituted, as follows :
Section 10. The district of country included v^ithin the following boundaries shall form and constitute the
county of Fond du Lao, to wit : Beginning at the southeast corner of township thirteen north, of range nineteen east
of the meridian line aforesaid ; running thence north, on the range line between ranges nineteen and twenty, to the
south line of the Indian reservation ; thence west on said south line to a point in Lake Winnebago in the range line
between seventeen and eighteen east ; thence south on said range line to the range of the township line between town-
ships sixteen and seventeen north; thence west to the northwest corner of township sixteen north, of range fourteen
east ; thence south on the range line, to the southwest corner of township fourteen north, of range fourteen east ;
thence east on the township line to the northwest corner of township thirteen north, of range eighteen east ; thence
south to the southwest corner of the last-named township ; thence east on the township line to the place of beginning.
These boundaries have since been affirmed by the revised statutes of 1858, and a second
time by the revised statutes of 1878 ; they are, therefore, the legal boundaries of the county at
the present time.
EARLY POLITICAL HISTORY.
Fond du Lac County is bounded on the north by the counties of Calumet and Winnebago ; on
the east by Calumet and Sheboygan ; south by Washington and Dodge, and west by the county
of Green Lake. Its e'kstern boundary is about twenty-four miles west of Lake Michigan ; its
western boundary, about one hundred and twenty miles east of the Mississippi. It has an area,
including what is covered by Winnebago Lake, of about seven hundred and eighty square miles.
This territory, with all the Northwest, was claimed by France from 1671 to 1763, when it was
surrendered to the British. By the "Quebec Act" of 1774, the whole was placed under the
local administration of Canada. It was, however, practically put under a despotic military rule,
and so continued until possession passed to the United States. Before the last-mentioned event,
and during and after the Revolution, the conflicting claims of Virginia, New York, Massachu-
setts and Connecticut to portions of the country were relinquished to the General Government.
All the claims were based upon chartered rights, and Virginia added to hers the right of con-
quest of the "Illinois country" during the Revolution. As early as October, 1778, she declared,
by an act of her General Assembly, that all the citizens of that commonwealth who were then
settled, or should thereafter settle, on the western side of the Ohio, should be included in a dis-
tinct county, which should be called Illinois. No Virginians were then settled so far north as
what is now Wisconsin ; and, as none thereafter located so far north before she relinquished all
her rights to the United States, it follows that no part of our State was included in Illinois
County, and that she never exercised any jurisdiction over any portion of Wisconsin; nor did
she make claim to any portion of it by right of conquest.
Notwithstanding the passage of the ordinance of 1787, establishing a government over the
territory northwest of the Ohio River, which territory was acquired by the treaty of 1783 from
348 HISTOKY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
Great Britain, possession only was obtained by the United States of the southern portion, the
northern part being held by the British Government until 1796. Arthur St. Clair, in February,
1790, exercising the functions of Governor, and having previously organized a government for
the country under the ordinance above mentioned, established in what is now the State of Illi-
nois, a county which was named St. Clair. But, as this county only extended north "to the
mouth of the Little Mackinaw Creek on the Illinois," it did not include, of course, any part of
the present Wisconsin, although being the nearest approach thereto of any organized county up
to that date.
The next county organized was that of Wayne, in 1796, which was made to include,
besides much other territory, all of the present State of Wisconsin, watered by streams flowing
into Lake Michigan. The present limits of Fond du Lac County were thus brought into Wayne
County, except so much as is drained by the head streams of Rock River. From 1800 to 1809,
what is now included within its boundaries was within the Territory of Indiana, and in the last,
mentioned year, passed into the Territory of Illinois. It is probable that Indiana Territory
exercised jurisdiction over what is now Wisconsin to the extent of appointing two Justices of
Peace — one for Green Bay and one for Prairie du Chien. In the year 1809, the Illinois Terri-
torial Government commissioned three Justices of the Peace and two militia officers at Prairie
du Chien, St. Clair County having been extended so as to include that point and, probably,
Green Bay. In the course of time, other Illinois counties subsequently had jurisdiction, until
1818, when what is now Wisconsin became a portion of the Territory of Michigan. Under the
government of the latter, the district of country now forming Fond du Lac County, was first
included within the limits of the county of Brown, and so continued until it became itself a
county.
FOND DU LAC COUNTY ON EARLY MAPS.
In John Farmer's "Map of the Territories of Michigan and Ouisconsin," of 1830, Win-
nebago Lake, with surrounding country, is delineated with considerable accuracy. Indian
villages are plentiful but none of white men. At the " head of the lake "is WhiteBosom's village,
and, not very far to the northwest, is another representation of a,n Indian town, but the name of
the latter is not given. It is on the east side of the lake. Farther to the north, on the west
side, is Smoker's Village, and still farther on, the village of the Black Wolf. Across the lake,
in a northeast direction from Black Wolf's town, is seen the Menomonee village of Calumet.
Upon this map, Fond du Lac River appears very much confused. I^ west branch is called
Martin's Creek, its eastern branch Crockodile River. Then there is another west branch hav-
ing no name. " Doty's Route" is distinctly marked, traversing the country along the east side
of Winnebago Lake, in a southerly direction ; then, after crossing " Crocodile River " it takes
a southwesterly course to an Indian village on " Doty's Creek," beyond what are the present
boundaries of Fond du Lac County. Brown County, including beside much other territory all
of what is now Fond du Lac, has on this map, for its northern boundary, a line running from a
point between the Great and Little Bays de Noquet west to " Lac Vieux Desert ; " for its southern
boundary, the Illinois line.
On a map by the same author, of the date of 1836, the county of Brown is shown, but
deprived of a large part of its southern territory where " Mil walky Co." appears, extending
from the Illinois line north sixty-six miles, and from Lake Michigan west about seventy-five
miles. All of Brown County south and east of Green Bay and Fox River, is represented as
surveyed into townships, including, of course, what is now Fond du Lac County. Between the
" Stockbridge & Brothertown In. Reserve" and the "head of the lake," there is represented
an Indian village called " Pope's Village," a misprint for " Pipe Village," (Calumet). The
" Crockodile River" now empties into the lake between the mouth of Fond du Lac River and
" Pope's Village."
The first map of " Wiskonsin Territory, Compiled from Public Surveys," gives Fond du
Lac as one of the surveyed counties of the Territory, noting thereon the village of Fond du Lac
in its proper position at the " head of the lake," but the river upon which it is located has the
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUKTY. 349
name " Soochera." The " U. S. Military Road," from Green Bay to Fort Winnebago (now
Portage, Columbia Co.), passes through the county, first in a southwesterly direction, then nearly
west. From this road branches off another, running southwest to "Waushara," on the south
side of " Fox Lake," in what is now the northwest part of Dodge County, thence to " Dekorra,"
on the east side of the Wisconsin River, below the " portage," in what was then Portage (now
Columbia) County. On this map. Fond du Lac County is represented as containing, besides its
present limits, the whole of what is now Winnebago County, south of the Fox River. " Osh-
kosh," is a small village in this county, wholly on the south side of Fox River, at the point
where it flows into Winnebago Lake. In the northwest part of the county is "Rush Lake."
A raad or trail crosses the Fox River at the outlet of the " Great Butte Des Morts Lake," run-
ning in a southwest direction to "Ida," on the north side of "Swan Lake," in " Portage County ; "
thence in a northwest course to " Fort Winnebago," traversing first the northwest portion of
what is represented as Fond du Lac County, then the southeast part of what was Marquette
County at that date and the northeast corner of Portage County as then constituted. This was
a very direct route, going northeast from Fort Winnebago to Green Bay.
ORGANIZATION OF THE COaNTT.
When in December, 1836, a certain portion of the territory of Brown County was desig-
nated as a new county, and called Fond du Lac, no provision was made for its organization.
It had not a sufficient population. There was, indeed, but one family residing within its-
designated boundaries. All that could be done was to say where its county-seat should be,
and that the county should be attached to "Some other county for judicial purposes. The
county seat was "established at the town of Fond du Lac," and the county was "attached to
the county of Brown for judicial purposes." Finally, by an act of the Territorial Legislature,
approved March 11, 1839, the county was to be organized, but " for the purposes of county
government only;" it was still to remain apart of Brown County for all judicial purposes.
The act of organization says :
Section 5. The county of Fond du Lao shall be organized for the purposes of county government only from
and after the first Monday in April next, at which time the election for county officers shall be held at the places
and in the manner provided by law, and the candidate for County Commissioner having the highest number of votes
shall serve two years from arfd after the first Monday in August next ; the candidate having the next highest shall
serve for one year from the time aforesaid, and the candidate being third on the list shall serve until the first Monday
of August next, or until their successors are duly elected and qualified. The returns of the first election shall be
made to the Clerk of the County Commissioners of Brown County, who shall canvass the votes and certify the result
of the election in the manner provided in other cases.
Sec. 6. The said county shall remain attached to the county of Brown for judicial purposes, and shall pay
annually into the county treasury of Brown County 5 per cent of all taxes levied and collected in said county of
Fond du Lac, for the purpose of defraying the expenses of courts ; and the qualified voters of said county shall have
power, on the first Monday of April next, to elect a collector to discharge the duties incident to that office in place
of the Sheriff ; and such Collector shall continue in office until the first Monday of August next and until his
successor shall be elected and qualified, and thereafter a collector shall annually, on the first Monday of August, be
elected, and in case of a vacancy in the office of Collector, the County Commissioners shall have power to supply such
vacancy until the next annual election.
Sec. 7. All duties in relation to any election required to be performed by a Sheriff within said county may be
performed byla deputy, to be appointed in such county by the Sheriff of the county of Brown.
An election was held, August 6, 1839, under this law, resulting in the choice of John
Bannister, Edward Pier and Reuben Simmons, as Commissioners ; A. Raymond, Treasurer ;
and J. Bannister, Register. The Commissioners organized their Board on the 9th of October
following, by electing Reuben Simmons, Chairman, and Mason C. Darling, Clerk. Upon the
entering of these officers upon their respective duties, the county of Fond du Lac was organized
for all but judicial purposes, and began its onward career of prosperity.
It was not until "from and after the first Monday of March," 1844, that Fond du Lac
County was/M% organized. An act to organize it for judicial purposes was approved January
22 of that year, the provisions of which were as follows :
Section 1. That from and after the first Monday of March next, the county of Fond du Lac shall be organized
for judicial purposes, and shall enjoy all the privileges of other counties of this Territory.
350 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
Sec. 2. The counties of Sheboygan, Calumet and Marquette are hereby attached to the county of Fond du Lao
for judicial purposes
Sec. 3. The said judicial county, composed of the counties of Fond du Lac, Sheboygan, Calumet and Mar-
quette, shall remain a part of the Third Judicial Uistrict, and the courts therein shall be held by the Judge of the
said district, at such times as shall be established by law.
Sec. 4. The first election of Sheriff for said judicial county shall be held in the several counties before
named, on the first Tuesday of April next, and thereafter at the time prescribed by law ; and the return of said
elebtion shall be made to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors of Fond du Lac County, who shall proceed to canvass
the same as the law requires.
Sec. 5. All writs, processes, appeals, recognizances, or other proceedings, sued or commenced in the District
Court of Brown County, prior to the said first Monday of March next, shall be prosecuted to final judgment and
execution issued thereon in the same manner they might or could have been had this act not passed ; and execu-
tion on any judgment heretofore rendered in said court, shall bave the like force and effect, anl may be executed
and returned by the Sheriff of said county of Brown, anything in any law of the Territory to the c )utrary notwith-
standing.
Sec. 6. The county seat of Fond du Lao County is hereby established upon the north half of the northeast
quarter of Section Fifteen, Town[ship] Fifteen north, of Range Seventeen east, in the town of Fond du Lac; Pro-
vided, a good and sufficient warrantee deed, duly executed, of a public square for the location of county buildings,
embracing at least ninety thousand square feet [be delivered by the owners thereof to the county] ; and a bond
entered into with the Board of Supervisors of the county, conditioned to provide a suitable room for holding courts
for the use of said county for the term of three years, the whole to be free of charge to the county, and to be entered
of record in the Register's oflSoe of said county. But it is herein further provided, that unless such deed and bond,
duly executed, shall be thus recorded on or before the first Monday of March next, the county seat shall be and
remain as now established by law ; and the Supervisors of said county shall be hereby authorized to provide a build-
ing for the temporary holding of such courts until county buildings shall be prepared at the county seat ; and such
building thus provided (a certificate of such fact being recorded in the office of the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors
of said couniy), shall be deemed to be the Court House of said county.
Sec. 7. All appeals to be taken in the manner provided by law, from the decisions of the Probate Court of
the district composed of the counties of Sheboygan and Manitowoc shall be made and returned to the District Court
of Brown County, any law to the contrary notwithstanding.
Sec. 8. From and after the first Monday of March next, the county of Marquette shall be organized for county
purposes, and the first election for county officers of said county shall be held on the first Tuesday of April next, at
the house of S. W. Beall, the place appointed by law for holding the annual town meeting, and the returns of the
election of such county otfioers shall be made to the Town Clerk of the town of Marquette, who is hereby author-
ized to canvass the same and to issue certificates of election.
Sec. 9. Such election shall be conducted in all respects as the law requires for conducting the town meetings,
and it shall be the duty of the Clerk of the. Board of Supervisors of Fond du Lao County to post up notices of such
election, and also of the town meeting of the town of Marquette, at two or more places in such county ten days at
least before the day of such meeting.
Sec. 10. The several towns in the counties of Calumet and Marquette, and the county of Sheboygan, shall
annually pay to the Treasurer of Fond du Lac County, 8 per centum of all taxes, except schoolhouse taxes, levied
therein, to assist in defraying the expenses of courts. And it is hereby made the duty of the Collectors of the sev-
eral towns in the counties aforesaid, and of the Collector of the county of Sheboygan, to collect and pay such per-
centage to the Treasurer of the county of Fond du Lac, on or before the first Monday of January in each year ; and
the receipt of such Treasurer shall be a good and sufficient voucher for such amount in settlement with the Treasurer
of his own proper town or county, and the Collectors of such towns and counties shall be liable to the county of
Fond du Lac, under their oflScial bonds, for the payment, as aforesaid, for the percentage herein mentioned.
Sec. 11. From and after the first Monday of March next, all assessments that shall be made in the county of
Fond du Lac, for the purpose of raising taxes, shall embrace improvements on real estate, in addition to the property
now liable by law to taxation.
Sec 12. The Clerks of the Boards of County Supervisors of the counties of Calumet and Marquette, and the
Clerk of the Board of Commissioners of Sheboygan County, shall be required to forward to the Clerk of the Board
of Supervisors of Fond du Lac County, on or before the first Monday of April next, a certified copy of the poll-lists
of the last annual election ; and the Board of Supervisors of the county of Fond du Lac is hereby required to meet
at the Clerk's office, in said county, on some day prior to the first day of May next, for the purpose of preparing a
list of jurors, and taking any other measures necessary to carry out the provisions of this act.
Sec. 13. The Clerks of the several towns in the counties of Fond du Lac, Calumet and Marquette, and the Clerk
of the Board of Commissioners of Sheboygan County, shall post up notices of the election of Sheriff for such county
at the proper places, at least ten days prior to the said day of election.
Sec. 14. [This section brought the southern part of Lake Winnebago within the bounds of Fond du Lac County,
and is recited in the article entitled " Fond da Lac County Boundaries Established," to be found elsewhere.]
Sec. 15. [This section submitted the question of the annexation of Winnebago County to Fond du Lac County
for judicial purposes, to the legal voters of the first-mentioned county, for adoption or rejection, " on the day of the
annual town meetingin April next." The election was held on the 2d of that month, at which time twenty-five votes
were cast in favor of being attached to Fond du Lac County, and five against.]
HISTORY OF rOKD DU LAC COUNTY. 351
PIONEER EEMINISCENCES.
I.— By Samuel A. Stokbow. 1817.
At mid-day of the 22d of September [1817], I took leave of Maj. [ZacharyJ Taylor and
the officers of the Third Regiment [then stationed at Green Bay], who had most kindly enter-
tained me. I likewise took a reluctant leave of my excellent companion, Mr. Pierce. For the
residue of the day, my course lay on the left bank [west side] of the [Fox] river, through good
lands and a growth of oak. I passed two springs strongly impregnated with sulphur, and at
night stopped at a rapid of the river called Kakalin, being the last house and the last whites I
expected to see for the distance of 250 miles [to Fort Dearborn, now Chicago].
On the 23d, I entered the wilderness, attended by my Indian guide and a soldier of the
Third Regiment, who led a pack-horse loaded with provisions and presents for the natives. We
forded the Fox River, and, losing sight of it, proceeded in a westwardly direction ; at first
through a small Indian path, and, this failing us, through a wilderness entirely trackless.
The journey this day was painful and uninteresting. The thickness of the forest rendered
marching difficult, and almost entirely impeded the horse ; but for exertions in assisting hira
over crags and cutting away branches and saplings with our tomahawks, we should have been
obliged to abandon him. The land was broken with hillocks and masses of rock. The growth
of timber indicated a cold soil, notwithstanding which we occasionally saw the sugar maple. At
night we lay on the ground. On the morning of the 24th, we resumed our march, extremely
chilled. The thickness of the forest prevented the rays of the sun from coming to the earth,
and during the previous night the guide [supposed to be Tomah, a Menomonee chief] had
obliged us to keep small fires, from fear of the Winnebagoes, who were about us, and from whom
there is always cause for apprehension.
After a toilsome march of eight or nine hours, we arrived abruptly at the shores of a circular
lake, which I found to be Lake Winnebago. I never experienced a more grateful transition
than from the damp and tangled wood to the sunny margin of this beautiful water. It is nearly
round, and apparently about sixty miles in circumference. For a short time, we walked upon
the beach, but, finding it too narrow, we were again obliged to resort to our uncomfortable way
through the thicket. While upon the beach, I remarked that the number of primitive rocks
were unusual for this region. Granite, micaceous schistus, quartz pebbles and trap were mixed
with unequal proportions of secondary limestone. On the upland, the formations were exclu-
sively of limestone.
My intention was to reach an Indian village, said to be on the southern shore of the lake.
Having journeyed all day, and slept in the same manner as the previous night, we resumed our
march on the morning of the 25th. Amelioration of the grounds, a few foot-paths and traces
of habitation denoted that we were near the object of our destination, and, shortly afterward, in
passing from a wood, we saw it [the Indian village] at a distance. It was a village of Fals
Avoines [Wild Oats (wild rice), that is, Menomonees], situated on the edge of a prairie which
borders Lake Winnebago. The lake lay before it on one side [that is, on the west side], and
on the other the prairie, rising with a gentle acclivity from the margin of the water. The spot
was well chosen for beauty, warmth and fertility. There was nothing about it that indicated a
recent commencement. The grounds bore marks of long cultivation, and the few trees that
were left standing seemed as if distributed for ornament and shade. The village has received
the name of Calumet [" Pipe Village"] ; it consists of about one hundred and fifty souls, and
has rarely been visited by whites, except a few voyageurs oh their way to the Ouisconsin [Wis-
consin River].
At our approach, the villagers poured from their cabins, and gave a general shout from the
unwonted sight (as I supposed) of a white man. Tomay [believed to be Tomah], the guide, was
received with kindness, and his introduction procured what I supposed to be the same for myself.
But as their unrelaxing features, coldness and taciturnity would indicate anything rather than
352
HISTORY or FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
courtesy, it required the fullest conviction both of his and their intentions to enable me to place
such civility to its proper account. I seated myself on the grass, and was surrounded by the
whole population of Calumet, the men eyeing me with contemptuous indiflFerence, the females
and children with a restless and obtrusive curiosity.
The distribution of tobacco among the former, and vermilion, salt, thread and needles
among the latter, led to a better understanding, and a reciprocity of good offices. Tomay was
to leave me at this place, after furnishing me with another guide ; a business which could not be
performed before the accomplishment of all the ceremonies of introduction. I was therefore
ushered, between the arms of two dingy brethren, to a small lodge, where we formed a circle,
smoked out of the same pipe, which went the rounds from mouth to mouth, and ate from a large
kettle of wild rice placed in the midst of us. Our repast was made without the utterance of a
single word, and I know not how long the silence and uncomfortable posture in which I sat
might have continued, had I not made signs to Tomay that I wished to make a general visit to
the lodges and then depart. In this visit, I found nothing more than I had seen among nations
from whom I had expected less. Sloth, filth and indifference as to the goods or ills of life, form
the same characteristics of the remote Indians as of those nearer to us. The similarity of traits
is radical ; disparity of situation makes but accidental shades. Necessity gives to the foresters
an energy which contact with the whites takes from the lower tribes. They present fewer
instances of helplessness, petty vices and premature decay from intemperance, but substitute in
their stead the grosser and more unrelenting features of barbarism.
In the different cabins, the right of proprietorship seems well understood, but in none were
there more goods than were requisite for immediate use ; and such food as did not serve for the
day was generally trampled under foot. They seemed affectionate to their children, who were,
to a peculiar degree, sprightly and handsome. The younger women possess good features, but
wither at an early age from the smoke of the cabins and hard labor in the fields.
While I had been feasting in the lodge, my man had received food in the field, where he sat
an object of the wonder of all the children of the village.' Tomay had procured me two guides,
no one being willing to undertake the task alone, from fear of the Winnebagoes. I now prepared
to depart, and endured the too affectionate embrace of Tomay and a large portion of his tribe ;
the black and red testimonials of which were left on my cheek. After this operation, from
which the sisterhood were excluded, I departed with my two guides and attendant, amidst the
shouts of the village.
My course was now for Chicago. The soldier who was with me had a trifling knowledge
of some of the Indian languages, but not sufficient to procure an explanation of the sort of
country we were to find, or the difficulties we had to encounter ; we therefore looked to our
Indian companions for nothing, relying solely on our own strength and perseverance to carry us
through the unknown region. The first direction was southwardly for about four miles, over a
fertile prairie, occasionally shaded by a small growth of oak ; passing this we inclined toward the
west, and, after traversing a swamp, entered an extensive prairie, low and without trees, but
bearing a luxuriant growth of grass of an average height of five feet. On the north, it bordered
the Winnebago Lake, and on every other side was fringed with forests appearing on the edge of
the horizon. At a late hour we reached higher ground, where we slept. Since leaving the
village, we had passed several cabins, and many Indians of a singular and grotesque appearance,
armed with bows and arrows.
On the 26th, having left the low prairie, we traversed a more elevated tract, distributed in
gentle undulations, from the summit of which I could see grounds of the same character extend-
ing in every direction. There were no forests nor any undergrowth, more than low shrubbery.
The immense park, for it bore that appearance, was beautified by a growth of oak, occasionally
single, and sometimes in groups, as if planted by art. I could scarcely imagine that a distribu-
tion so consonant to the laws of taste could have been made without the agency of man. [This
"park," as every Wisconsin reader will readily see, was an " oak opening."] , At about mid-
day, the face of the country changed to a lower and wet soil, which continued for the- distance of
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 353
four or five miles, when it gave place again to one higher and better Watered, although inade-
quately, with small rivulets, and covered with white and red oak, and sometimes hickory. The
white oaks were of the largest size. In the afternoon, I arrived at the bank of a shallow, slug-
gish stream [Milwaukee River] about fifty yards in width, running toward the southeast. The
fine tract I had passed in the early part of the day was badly watered. From 4 o'clock of the
preceding day to 1 of the present, I met no signs of water, not even the smallest brook.
On the morning of the 27th, I found a severe frost. There was no water where we lay.
The ground being swampy, we dug a large hole with our tomahawks, and it was soon filled ; but
although this spot was but one hundred yards distant from the fire, neither of the Indians would
go to it alone. They frequently, during the night, put their ears to the ground, as if to listen
for noises. At about 10 o'clock, after having passed grounds inferior to those of yesterday, we
came to a small and handsome body of water about eight miles in circumference [Cedar Lake,
in the present towns of West Bend and Polk in Washington County] ; shortly after to a second
[Silver Lake] of about three miles ; and after that, to a third [Little Cedar Lake] of about five
miles in circumference [the former in West Bend, and the latter in West Bend and Polk]. I
remained for some time to admire the beauty of these sequestered waters. Their stillness was
disturbed only by the wild fowl, that were too little accustomed to the sight of man to heed my
approach. The lands shortly became better, and more abundantly wooded and watered than
those of yesterday, the white oak being the largest I had ever seen. The country may be said
to be without rocks, the few I had seen during the last two days were detached, and of granite.
The march of the present day has been more interesting than that of the day preceding, being
relieved from the sameness of the prairies by occasional forests. In passing from the latter into
the former, I realized the effect of what Denon describes on the plains of Egypt under the name
of mirage. The thickets do not cease gradually, but change abruptly from forest into glade, so
as to present to the traveler the atmosphere above the distant meadow, in the certain shape and
appearance of water. The illusion was many times so perfect as to convince me that, on leaving
the wood that was about me, I should be led to the margin of some great lake of which I had
before received no account. The Indians were equally deceived, and finding the error by seeing
the wood skirted by land instead of water, cried out "Manitou" (devil) — imputing the optical
illusion to the agency of a spirit.
Throughout the day, the course had been southeast. I supposed myself to be not far
distant from the dividing ridge between the Mississippi and Lake Michigan [that is, between
the streams fiowing into Rock River and the Milwaukee] ; knowing that the elevation was not
very remote from the lake itself. Some of the prairies bore the appearance of having become
so by art. At night, I slept in one which was a perfectly formed parallelogram of about 900
yards by 500.
We commenced our march at sunrise of the 28th. The [two Indians] guides, who, during
part of the preceding day, had been sullen and silent, seemed now in entire ignorance of the way,
and were leading toward the northeast. I refused to follow them, and after a fruitless and
vexatious attempt to understand each other, or know if they understood the way, I insisted on
their leaving me ; which they did after a long and unintelligible altercation. I should not have
resorted to this measure, which left me alone in the wilderness, had I not been convinced that a
day's march, properly directed, would bring me to the shores of Lake Michigan, or the River
Millewackie [Milwaukee], where there are large settlements of Pottawatomies ; but following
them I might be led I knew not where. Of their worthlessness I had already been convinced.
My attendant and myself, being now left alone, pursued an eastwardly direction by compass, to
endeavor to reach the shores of the lake. In the afternoon, we saw a track leading toward
the southward; we followed it, and finding to our joy that it widened, continued in it until
toward evening, when I caught from an eminence a distant view of a great water, which I
supposed to be Lake Michigan. On nearer approach, I perceived a river and an Indian village,
the coincidence of which convinced me that I had reached the Millewackie at the confluence
with the lake.
354 HISTORY OF POND DU LAC COUNTY.
ft
II.— By Henry S. Bated. 1859.
The principal trading-posts, at that period [1824], in Northern Wisconsin, were the follow-
ing : Milwaukee, ShebOTgan and Manitowoc, on Lake Michigan ; Menomonee River, Peshtigo
and Oconto, on Green Bay ; Pond du Lac, Calumet and Oshkosh, on Winnebago Lake ; Wolf
River, Lake Shawano and the portage of the Fox and Wisconsin. At all these points,' Indian
villages were located ; and it is a remarkable feature in the settlement of Wisconsin, that all or
nearly all of the principal cities which now meet our view were originally sites of Indian villages.
For many years prior to 1824, the northern portion of Wisconsin was occupied by the Winne-
bagoes, Menomonees, Chippewas and some Pottawatomies. But the two first-named tribes
owned nearly all of the country in the present State lying on Lake Michigan and the Missis-
sippi, Wisconsin, Fox and Wolf Rivers ; the Winnebagoes, on the west side of Winnebago
Lake, on the Upper Fox and on the Wisconsin, the Menomonees on the east side of Winnebago
Lake, on the Lower Fox, on the Wolf River, on Green Bay and on the west shore of Lake
Michigan. Both of these tribes were then powerful and held in great awe by the few white
inhabitants then in this country. The Winnebagoes, in 1824, numbered, perhaps, upward of
six thousand ; the Menomonees between three and four thousand.
III.— By Heney Mebrell.
In March, 1836, 1 wanted to go [from Fort Winnebago, now Portage, Columbia Co., Wis.] by
way of Sheboygan, on a journey to New York ; so the commanding officer [of the fort] gave a
soldier by the name of Moore a furlough for the rest of his time — about a month — and his dis-
charge, for the purpose of accompanying me. 1 got a jumper-sleigh and a harness, calculating
to throw the sleigh away when it was necessary ; put my horse before the jumper, and Moore
and I started. , We went to Fond du Lac, where we found, on the bank of the stream, part of
an old wigwam and decided to encamp in it. I went to building a fire, and Moore went to the
stream for water. I heard him talking and supposed some Indian had come up ; but on his
return he said h6 was swearing ; for he had to cut through three feet of ice before he got water.
We made our tea, ate our supper, and slept finely. Next morning we started east, but, after
getting upon the highlands, the small bushes wete so thick I told my companion we could not
take the sleigh any farther; so we left it and, packed our baggage on the horse, Moore and I
walking. When I got tired I mounted the horse and rode, and after getting rested would jump
ofi" and lead him.
At length we struck a trail and followed it, supposing it must lead to Sheboygan ; but after
going some distance, I concluded it led too far south ; so we altered our course and struck north
of east. As night approached, I selected a camping-ground near a little lake, as we supposed.'
The snow was so frozen to'the ground we could not get it ofi"; so I cut a lot of bushes with the
leaves on and spread them on the frozen snow, upon which we lay after building a good fire and
eating our supper. Moore said he cut through three feet of ice for water and struck into mud,
thus proving it to be a marsh instead of a lake. We had to melt ice for water. The next day
we pushed on, and, hearing the report of a gun, I called aloud and an Indian came up, who
directed us to a trail which took us to a house on the river, where a man by the name of Follet
was living. I had intended stopping here a day to look at some land I had purchased, but Fol-
let told me Jie had no hay or anything for my horse, and there was none to be had, as there were
no other inhabitants in that region. I found he had some cornmeal and I persuaded him to let
me have a peck, for which I paid him f 1. I then decided upon going on in the morning. Moore
struck up a bargain with Follet for a pony to ride to Chicago, so we mounted in the morning
ahd renewed our journey.
IV.— By Ebenezer Childs. 1858.
The next day [early in February, 1838] I started alone from Fort Winnebago, [now
Portage] for Green Bay. There was not then a house between Fort Winnebago and Fond du
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 355
Lac. The snow was deep across the prairies. I overtook two Stockbridge Indians nearly
exhausted from fatigue and cold. I carried them in my jumper to the first timber, where we stopped
and made a large fire and left them. The snow was so deep that my horse could not draw them.
They stayed there until the next day and got home safe. If it had not been for me, they would
undoubtedly liave perished on the prairie. I arrived at Green Bay safe and sound. There was
then but one house between Fond du Lac and Green Bay. The first log house erected in Fond
du Lac was built in 1836 ; and Thomas Green kept the first public house there.
V — By D. p. Mapes. 1870.
In February, 1849, myself and sons, from my home near by, where I had lived the pre-
ceding four years, came upon the beautiful spot — now Ripon — with axes in hand to strike the
first blows which were to change this beauty of nature into a village, that, with the help of the
pioneers, is now a beautiful city — a fine specimen of the work of man. The boys could not.
resist that feeling for the beautiful which made them regret the necessity of spoiling so perfect a
picture, and I was as soft in my feelings as they ; but man must labor and must earn his bread
by the sweat of his brow — the ax must go to the tree — feeling must yield to fertility. Then and
there I struck the blow which began what is now the city of Ripon. I purchased the ground
with certain conditions, some of which were that I should build a grist-mill and public house
within a year, and that I should keep the house myself for twelve months. I was to have the
water-power and every alternate lot. This called for an outlay of at least $10,000, and was a
big undertaking ; for what few dollars I had were in wild lands around what afterward became ,
the city of Ripon, and in the improvements I had been able to make ; but the mill was com-
pleted, the house was built and both were running in time. The hotel was called the Ripon
House, then the American ; now Wood's Hotel occupies the site.
. When the house was finished (that is, the Ripon House) we had to give an opening party,
for this was the custom in those days, and it was a great event. The parties of those times were
social, and brought great good feeling — extending acquaintances and making friendships over a
large section of country. People came from considerable distances to meet each other and find
neighbors.
It was no small job to make Ripon to equal or outdo its neighbors ; all of them had two,
three or more years the start of us. We were on no navigable waters ; we then had no rail-
roads ; and our little stream, although beautiful, was small for a water-power.
One of our first and best efibrts was the commencing of a college. We were then laughed
and je^ed at for calling it a college, but how is it now ? I think it is worthy of the name, and
■of all the eflForts we made to get it. When Ripon had not a dozen dwellings, we put up and
inclosed the first college building. Our object was to draw around us a class of inhabitants
that would have pride to educate their children, and they would be good for every good work.
But it was a great undertaking : the country was new and the settlers very poor ; and we had to
resort to every honorable means to induce them to take hold of the work. I well remember our
getting up a Fourth of July celebration so as to get the people together. We were all too poor
to pay 50 cents for a dinner, so we made it a picnic, and the people came out in crowds.
Speakers addressed the assemblage, dwelling upon the advantages of a college and working up an
intense interest. With an old fife and drum at the head, we formed a procession and worked up
such enthusiasm that every one was for doing all he could.
A newspaper was another item in the early progress, of Ripon which required effort and
labor to establish, and without this the city might still have been little else than a four-corners.
We made many efforts to get a printer among us, but without success, until in 1853 one of our
•own number, A. P. Mapes, was induced to start the Herald, and blow a horn for Ripon. We have
had since that time several papers started, and they have been generally conducted with ability.
Among the early editors were E. L. Runals, C. J. Allen, T. J. Mapes and George W. Parker.
In 1849, we had no churches. Episcopal services, by the Rev. Mr. Ingraham, of Dartford,
were sometimes held in a shanty on the bank of Silver Creek, and, occasionally, the Rev. Mr.
356 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
Murphy, of Waupun, held Baptist services. He preached at Ceresco to the Wisconsin Phalanx ;
but the Phalanx, through their President, Warren Chase, had to report to the Governor of the
Sute yearly, and in one of his reports Mr. Chase said : " We have religious services by the
Baptists, but not of that high order that the people are prepared to appreciate." Elder Murphy
preached no more. That admirable system of the Methodist Church, by which their circuit min-
ister travels between rich and poor settlements, and can get out of the poor into the rich before
he starves, is an excellent arrangement, for which all new settlements should thank them. To
this system we were also indebted for occasional religious services.
In 1849, where the public square now is in Ripon was brush and underwood. The popu-
lation of the place then consisted of myself and family and of my two sons and their families.
Then came the Pedericks — father and sons ; then E. L. Northrup and wife, and with them, as
clerk, E. P. Brockway ; then Asa Hill and family ; then — well, they came so fast after this that
I cannot follow them ; but it was from these first settlers that our help in energy and liberty came.
In 1849, the present town of Ripon, the post oflSce, and what is now the First Ward of the
city, was called Ceresco. Now they are all Ripon. Some may ask, why these names? And
why this change? Ceresco was the name given to the entire town by the Wisconsin Phalanx,
an association that had settled in the valley in 1844, and who had control of all town matters in
its earliest days.
Ripou was at first the name of what is now only a part of the city. It originated in this way :
At the time I purchased of Gov. Horner, he asked the privilege of giving the name to our
village. This I granted with these restrictions : First, that it should not be a personal name ;
second, that it should not be like any other name in the United States ; third, that it should not
be an Indian name ; and, lastly, that the name should be short. Horner's ancestors came from
Ripon, England. That name he selected ; and, as it was not open to any of the objections I had
mentioned, it was adopted.
In 1849, we had no railroads except some of basswood with the rails running the wrong
way, and if any of us made a trip to Milwaukee in a week it was considered fast time. We
now make the journey in a day, and grumble because it is slow.
In 1849, the naked prairies were our only race-course and fair-grounds, and there were no
asSoci&,tions to run them. Now, we have a beautiful driving-park and fair-grounds, with a fine
inclosure, track, stands, buildings and everything complete, but, above all, two hundred stook-
holders^two hundred as live men as ever associated in any enterprise. The organization of
this association — " The Ripon Agricultural Association" — and the getting-up of its grounds and
buildings in thirty days, and the extraordinary success of its undertakings, are something border-
ing on the marvelous ! These two hundred men are just as liberal, go-ahead, energetic men as
you find anywhere. It is to these and to others like them that the city of Ripon owes most of
•its prosperity.
Pioneers always have some doleful tales to tell of privations and hardships gone through with
in settling up a new country, but I have none to relate. When I was a boy, I had some experi-
ence in the hardships of clearing up heavy timber, but here we had none of that. Our meadows
were all ready to put in the scythe and cut all the hay we wanted. The ground was already
cleared, ready to put in the plow. Could there be anything more delightful than our work in
improving our prairie farms ? And they have paid so well ! You farmers must not get the-
blues. Wheat will rise in value. If it does not, raise something else. Your lands are rich,
you have good markets at your door, and you get your lumber here in Ripon as cheap as it can
be purchased anywhere in the country. The climate here is as good as any in the world ; no
long droughts, but alternate rain and sunshine. I hear some wishing they could sell out and go
where the winters are shorter. Why are you so fearful of winter ? You are not obliged to do
more than to make the contrast agreeable. Your fuel is cheap ; so fill your stove, look out of
the window and whistle at the cold. Do not go away from Central Wisconsin to find a better
place — ^ou cannot do it ! You may be proud to say, when away from home, that you hail from
Ripon.
HISTOBY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTS. 357
If your daughter is educated at Ripon College, that will pass her to a good husband ; if
your son is schooled here, his addresses will be cordially received in the best families of the
country. I have seen the little girl grow up here to be the accomplished lady ; to be the bride
gracing the drawing-rooms of Eastern cities. My own daughter was schooled here. She and
her husband went away from Ripon. They brought her back and laid her upon that beautiful
hill ! Beautiful ? Yes, if there can be beauty in a graveyard, it is in that spot of ground lying
in the very center of the city, so retired from the stir and bustle of business ; it is " death in
the midst of life." I have dear friends there; and when the time comes that I must go, you
that may be present, lay me quietly by their side. Were I to tell you how many years I have
lived, you might think that that time cannot be delayed long, and it may not be, but it is not
the number of years that always make men old, but how those years have been lived !
I had almost forgotten some qt our early institutions. When I speak of our first livery
stable it will cause a smile upon the face of him who recollects the proprietor — Jesse Campion.
Do you see him ? an English plowman, with a walk that gave a peculiar swing to his body, as
though one foot was traveling on the land and the other in the furrow. His "''orses" were
three, one spavined, and two ringboned. He used to carry his passengers by weight ; distance
was of no account, for his customers had to pay his bills on the road. His was the first wedding
in the city. He married a Yankee girl.
The first dray horse in Ripon was " Dick." He had the misfortune to break a leg while
on the road from Milwaukee to Ripon, and was turned out to die; but "Dick" did not die.
His leg calloused over so that he could be used, and the public did their draying with him.
He was a sort of public property, for he who got " Dick " up first had the best right. But the
citizens began to quarrel who should use him, and, as he was my property, I sold him into other
service.
Our first Congregational clergyman was a young man by the name of Sherrill. He was
fresh from the schools, and had much to learn of Western men and manners. He officiated at
the second wedding, and weddings of those days were not as Ripon weddings now are. The
groom was a young carpenter of about twenty years, the bride a young girl .of about thirty.
Tliey had walked about six miles to the village and found Mr. Sherrill away from home, but he
was expected back soon. They waited ; the hours went away slowly to them ; the girl got very
impatient, and would go to the window every few minutes, fearing, apparently, that he would not
come so as to marry them that night. But he came at last, and the poor girl was happy.
At an early day, when the community resorted to hot bricks, and, perhaps, a little No. 6
for medicine, we had no drug stores. Perhaps Mr. Northrup or Mr. Starr might have supplied
us with opodeldoc or pain-killer, but that would have been all. Now we have fine and
extensive drug stores, the fixtures of which are alone worth more than the whole of Ripon was
then.
Now we have extensive stocks of boots and shoes ; but, in pioneer days, the best you could do
was to get a pair of stogies of Mr. Starr. I remember one pair that he sold. An immigrant,
who had just moved into the town of Rosendale, walked into Ceresco barefooted to get himself
boots. He said he had a pair at home that were calfskin, but for every-day use they were too
costive ! Mr. Starr sold him a pair less costive.
If we had in those early days a milliner shop, the business must have been poor, for, at that
time, our ladies were glad to trim over their old bonnets, and make the new ones themselves.
Now, it is changed. In war times, this business was prosperous, and the shops made money,
and built up several fine establishments for such as kept up with the fashions and tastes of the
day. I think the gentlemen, who have now to pay millinery bills, ought to be thankful for the
late improvements ; for a lady's hat used to cost $10 and upward, but they must be cheaper
now they are so very small. I do not mean to ridicule the fashions, for I like to see a well-
dressed lady, and see her dress in the fashion. Gentlemen who travel much know how a well-
dressed lady looks to them after making a trip up in the backwoods where the poor woman has
to work hard and go barefooted.
358 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
Now, take Ripon as it was and compare it with the present, and are we not all satisfied with
its progress ? Take Ripon as she is and compare her with other places, and is there not full
reason to be proud of her ?
VI.— By Gustave De Nevetj. 1875.
On the 20th day of April, 1838, 1 came from Detroit to Grreen Bay on a rickety old steam-
boat whose name I have forgotten, but believe it was called the Pennsylvania. We had a terri-
bly rough passage and came pretty near going down to the bottom of Lake Huron. The water
was knee-deep in the cabin ; we had to stand on chairs and tables or to lie in the upper berths
in order to keep ourselves dry. This was during a dark night opposite Saginaw Bay. We were
unable to make the safe harbor of Presque Isle in the dark, as there was not a single lighthouse in
those days on the eastern shores of Michigan between Fort Gratiot and Mackinaw, a stretch*of
about two hundred and fifty miles, and had to put back to *Port Huron.
While in Green Bay, hearing excellent accounts of the country about the head of Lake
Winnebago, its farthest end, as the French name of Fond du Lac implies, I made up my mind
to visit it. Through the kind oflSces of Messrs. Charles and Alex. Grignon, sons of Augustin
Grignon, of Big Butte des Morts Lake, I procured the services of two Menomonee Indians,
who understood French, and started with them in a bark canoe. At night, the canoe was drawn
upon the shore, carefully propped on edge, answering the purpose of a tent ; a fire was kindled
opposite, and as we always had plenty of ducks and fish besides the provisions we had brought
along, we were very comfortable. Thus I visited Neenah, Garlic Island, the present site of the
city of Oshkosh and Lake Buttes des Morts as far as Winneconne. At Oshkosh, Mrs. Stanley,
of that place, wishing to visit the family of Edward Pier, asked me to give her passage in my
boat, which, as there was plenty of room, I readily granted. We passed the old log house,
erected by the Fond du Lac Company, which many of you no doubt remember, and landed on the
prairie, near the place where Mr. George Mc Williams' house stands, this point being apparently
the head of canoe navigation, and walked across the prairie to the house of Mr. Pier, which was
in sight from that point and about one mile and a half distant. Like all the other houses in
the country at that time, it was constructed of logs. It stood not far from the place now occu-
pied by his residence. We were very cordially received. Hearing of a little lake seen by Mr.
Pier in the vicinity, I resolved to visit it, and so the next morning I started with Albert Ken-
dall, a brother of Mrs. Pier. We found the lake and walked clear around it, returning to Mr.
Pier's house by noon. The lake was charming in its quiet beauty; its placid face reflected the
surrounding woods which bent down over it as if endeavoring to kiss the waves. I was quite
charmed by the scene and resolved that Uncle Sam and myself would have a trade about that
lake. This was consummated on the 17th of May by my purchasing the lake and all the land
around it, and also the quarter-section in the town of Fond du Lac now owned by Mr. James
Wright, being something over five hundred acres.
Permit me here to correct, for perhaps the hundredth time, a mistake which, the more it is
contradicted the more it seems to gain currency, viz., that I purchased that lake believing it to
be a marsh. From what I have just said, my hearers will certainly know how utterly impos-
sible it was for me to have made such a mistake. I presume that the report originated from the
fact that when I arrived at Green Bay to buy the tract, I found thait the Government Surveyor
who had surveyed the lake in the winter had failed to perform his duty, and had found it more
convenient to report it as a marsh than to ascertain its nature and meander it as he should have
done. The officers in the land office had no discretionary powers in the premises and I had to
pay for the lake which the partiality of my neighbors had named after me, or to go without it.
But I do not regret, my action. The lake is well worth all I had to pay for it.
, The next day I went back to my bark canoe, taking back Mrs. Stanley to Oshkosh, well
pleased with her visit. At Grand Chute, now Appleton, I enjoyed the splendid excitement, not
free from danger, of shooting down the fall, some seven feet almost perpendicular, and of admir-
ing the skill with which the guides avoided the rocks in the rapids below, the contact of which
would have been instant death.
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 359
A few days la^;er, having completed my purchase and procured some necessary articles, I
took advantage of the company of a body of troops marching from Green Bay to Fort Winne- ■
bago, now Portage. Capt. Marryatt, the humorous novelist, was one of the party. We
were together much of the time, shooting pigeons aad partridges, while the soldiers were
engaged in cutting and repairing the military road. The Captain was on his way to St. Louis,
with the intention of visiting the Western plains to the Rocky Mountains, and invited me to
accompany him at his expense. I thankfully but firmly declined the offer, having traced out a
different line. After all, Capt. Marryatt never visited the Western plains, being recalled home
sooner than he had expected.
And now commenced for me the hardships incident to a new settlement in a wild country
— hardships of such a discouraging nature that when I look back upon those early days, I often
wonder how I could have withstood them, why I did not run away from my purchase and go
back to a civilized country, where I could earn my living in a far easier way. But Horace was
probably not the first who observed that man is so constituted that he is rarely satisfied with the
condition in which he finds himself, and is seduced mpstly by what he does not possess. That
is what ailed Robinson Crusoe and many others, besides myself I had been for a few years
past following the profession of a teacher of the French language, for which I was tolerably
well qualified ; but my perverse nature and desires would lead me to become a tiller of the soil,
for which I was not qualified at all, and, let me add, probably never can be ; for farming is, in
the main, composed of two things : a very moderate amount of theory and a very large amount
of practice. After a while, things began to look very discouraging. There was a large amount
of things to be done, such as clearing, fencing, building, etc., and an equally large amount of
nothing to do thedi with. My pile, never very, large, grew smaller by degrees, and I soon found
the bottom of it.
At the time I erected my log house, in May, 1838, there were four others in the county,
those of Colwert Pier, of Edward Pier, the old Fond du Lac House and that of Luke Laborde,
mine being the fifth and the only one of them still left standing. Dr. Darling, who had origin-
ally settled at Sheboygan, came to Fond du Lac about the time I did, but did not build his log
house, long since removed and whose place is now occupied by Darling's Block, until the fall
following.
That year, a few families settled in the county, among whom I remember particularly Mr.
Calvin Pier, his wife and such members of his family as were not already here; also Joseph
Olmsted, his son-in-law; Mr. Wilcox settled at Waupun. A. D. Clark was erecting a saw-mill
on the school section. Two brothers by the name of Palmer were staying with John Bannister.
Frank McCarty and Reuben Simmons moved to Taycheedah with large families, in the early
spring of 1839. John T. Denniston and family lived with me. Among the early settlers I
remember, besides those named above, Patrick Kelly, William Stewart, Alonzo Raymond,
John Case, Samuel Wilkinson, William Hayes, Harvey Peck (now of La Crosse), William
Lalondre, Raphael St. Mary and Brouillard, Joseph and Frank King, William Parsons, Samuel
Butler, John Treleven and his three brothers — Joseph, Daniel and Thomas, George W. Eliott,
B. F. Smith, Mr. Perry (father of two bankers of Fond du Lac), D. C. Brooks, Charles, Juba
and Erastus Olmsted, Gen. Ruggles, Joseph Clark, who, if I mistake not, were all here by or
before 1842. In the fall of 1841, Mr. Joseph L. Moore started a store at Taycheedah, and
Mr. Frank Moore, his relative, came with him. It was a great convenience for the people to
have a store where they could procure necessaries. Moses Gibson started a store upon the
Main street of Fond du Lac, about the same time, and Messrs. Clock and Weikert also opened
one in the old Fond du Lac log house.
Until 1840, the Indians in this county outnumbered the whites at least ten to one ; they
were generally friendly, bringing venison and other game and wild honey and skins for sale or
exchange ; but sometimes they would kill hogs that they never paid for and had a way of set-
ting the woods on fire while hunting deer, burning up fences and pastures.
In 1840, John Bannister took the United States census, and I think the number of whites
of all ages was 139, all told, in Fond du Lac County.
360 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
In 1843, Col. H. Gonklin moved with his family to the farm now owned by Mr. Lyman
Phillips. Gov. Tallmadge also came along about that time, and the ledge in Empire and Eden
was rapidly settled by Messrs. David Lyons, John and Henry Westervelt, Germond, Shoe-
maker, Mayhew, Sweet, Hatch, Vincent, and many other gentlemen, who came principally
from Dutchess County, N. Y., a valuable accession to the county.
Before 1841, the settlers received all their goods and furniture from Green Bay, by way of
the Fox River and Lake Winnebago. They were brought up in Durham boats, carrying eight
or ten tons and propelled up the rapids by a crew of ten or twelve men, the price charged
being |1 per hundred pounds. The boats belonged to a company with the high-sounding name
of Fox River Transportation Company. Considering the laborious process of propelling the
boats up the rapids and making several portages, the price was certainly reasonable, although
when added to Green Bay prices it made commodities viery dear to people who had hardly any
means of raising money.
The settlers generally brought with them clothing enough to last a year or two ; but in
spite of all the good wife could do in the way of mending and patching, it could not last for-
ever. Everything is perishable in this world and somehow clothes have a wicked way of being
most perishable of all; after awhile the original garments wpuld not bear the patches. What
was to be done ? Good looks will hardly pay for a new suit, especially in a country where there
are no stores. So it came to pass that the settlers bought from the Indians buckskin coats,
without being too particular about their being second-hand articles and smelling smoky.
Almost every one of the early settlers sported his Indian coat in those days, and I must confess
that they were quite light and comfortable, but they looked neither dandy nor very dignified.
Even the grave old doctor who founded the city of Fond du Lac wore one of the things at
times, and I must say that he did not look like a learned doctor at all. But still he looked
somewhat like an Indian doctor. The Indians called him Mushkihi-enini, the medicine
man.
The pants were often made of buckskin also ; more frequently the tattered garment was
faced with buckskin over the front, which operation gave it a longer lease of life and usefulness,
and, like charity, threw a mantle over many failings. Could you now see those courageous and
worthy men, many of whom have reached their last resting-places, leaving honored names and
good deeds behind them, file down Main street on a busy day, it would no doubt provoke a smile,
but with them, it was the result of sheer necessity.
What about their fare ? Milk and butter they had in abundance, and also pork and excellent
potatoes. They had enough of coarse food ; but as you know, variety is the spice of life, and to
eat constantly pork and potatoes arid beans is apt to become monotonous in the end. George W.
Featherstonehaugh, of Calumet, said that he had fed so constantly on pork, that he could not
look a hog in the face without feeling guilty and blushing. Tea and coff'ee were quite scarce
articles, as well as sugar, and were not used freely, although a little was kept for company. The
country was ransacked for substitutes. Even such articles as wheat, barley, peas, beans,
dandelion roots, crust cofiee and many other substitutes, were resorted to and decorated
with the names of tea and coffee, but when you came to taste, especially without sugar, the
fraud was too palpable and would not go down, in spite of all assurances that the drink was
very healthy indeed, far more so than the real articles, which, as everybody knows, are notori-
ously injurious to the system. I drank water mostly in those days.
The mail carrier had to do many errands for the settlers, buying for them in Green Bay
such light articles as tea or tobacco, and he was therefore a very popular character with the
settlers. But, after all, the greatest dependence in emergencies, and the one most practiced,
was borrowing. Every family knew pretty accurately the condition of the neighbors' flour or
pork barrel and supply of groceries. In case of sudden emergencies, some youngster was dis-
patched to the neighbor with compliments and the request of the loan of a cupful of tea or
some sugar, a few pounds of pork, or a panful or two of flour for a few days. Those few days
were often protracted into weeks, but the borrower was seldom called upon to return the loan
?^
BTSI^D Blil I&A^.
HISTOEY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 363
until the lender herself found her own provision exhausted, when frequently both parties had
to wait together for better times and more propitious skies.
After the establishment of stores the practice became less general.
Yet, in spite of these many privations, the settlers had many happy days. The positions
in which they were placed made them more dependent on one another than now, and they were
consequently excellent, neighbors and always ready to assist each other, whether for a raising or
a logging bee ; there was, I think, a greater cordiality. Often they would start in the morning,
with the old sled drawn by the yoke of oxen, and visit a neighbor perhaps three or four miles
away, and make a day of it, returning in time to do the chores and the milking, after enjoying
their visit far more than our fashionable calls are now enjoyed. At those visits, each party told
all its news, and talked over its plans for the future. Party politics were entirely ignored in
those days, and the offices were bestowed upon the best men. There was also an inexpressible
charm about the deep solitudes of the smiling prairies, dotted with beautifully variegated flowers.
Delicious wild strawberries were so plenty in places, that one could hardly take a step without
crushing some. The country was a very paradise for those who were fond of shooting, and
many times I have got, in two or three hours, as many prairie chickens and pigeons as I could
carry ; so that the people of the house declared they would throw them away unless I would do
my share of the picking. The fish and water-fowl were equally abundant.
This county has now attained a large population and considerable wealth. The origipal
189 of 1840 have grown into more than 50,000 in 1875. The poor early settlers are now
living either in affluence, or, at least, in ease and comfort. Their days of hardships, privations and
toil have passed away, and they can now sit under their own vine and fig-tree to enjoy the repose
they have so richly earned. Wealth has increased at a greater ratio than population. Good
dwellings have taken the place of the old log cabin, refinement has succeeded cramped poverty.
Fine turn-outs and good roads have replaced the sled, and the ox team, and the Indian trail.
Schoolhouses, some of them elegant structures, dot the land. This is as it should be, and with
you I rejoice that it is so. But are we not running from one extreme into another? Are we
not living a little too fast? Are our cakes and pies and puddings, our ice creams and sweet-
meats and dainty fare generally as conducive to health and bodily vigor as the coarser food of
former days? Do we take sufficient bodily exercise? Vigorous exercise creates a vigorous
appetite for strong, solid food ; a lack of it leads to dyspepsia and pallid cheeks, to a want of'
desire for food ; the appetite has to be coaxed with dainty delicacies and condiments which are
injurious to the system. Late hours aggravate the evil. Please think a little on these things;
they deserve the consideration of all. Remember that there is neither happiness nor beauty
without health.
I would especially say a word of advice to those who are tempted to run into debt for the
acquisition of perishable articles of luxury. The day of reckoning must come and embitter the
enjoyment. Debt, in itself an evil under any circumstances, is only tolerable when contracted
for purposes of legitimate production, the acquirement of imperishable real estate or articles of
necessity, never for the gratification of luxurious living or ostentation. Better wait a year or
two ^nd get what you wish when you have the money to pay with.
The periodical recurrence of commercial revulsions is always traceable, in a greater or
lesser degree, to the prevalence of extravagant living and display and consequent debt in the
community. Failures are simply impossibilities with those who owe nothing. A man who is
largely in debt is like Damocles with a sword suspended by a thread over his head. He does
not know when the sword is coming down ; he is in constant dread and consequently cannot be
happy. Micawber is right ; let us live within our means and display nothing but what is our
own — what we have paid for.
A little reflection will enable you to understand how slow the improvement of the county
must have been in the early times of its settlement. Nature had done much, it is true ; the
climate was healthful, although the winters were cold, the soil was as fertile as could be wished,
prairies were inviting, and only required to be turned over to produce abundantly; but everything
364 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
had to be done, and there was not even a blacksmith-shop or a mill within twenty miles.
We frequently ground wheat, or parched-corn, in our coffee-mills. If an ax or hoe was lost or
broken, we had to procure others from Green Bay, sixty miles distant, a journey of three to
four days on horseback, the roads being impassable for wagons on account of the deep mud
holes ; nor do I think that there was a single lumber-wagon in the settlement or a good span of
horses. Hauling was mostly done with oxen with a sled or a cart.
Our mails were brought to us on the back of an Indian pony every Friday evening. John
Bannister was the Postmaster at the old Fond du Lac log house. On that day, I usually left
my place about 5 o'clock in the afternoon and walked down six miles to get my mail. But I
never went without my dog and my trusty double-barrel. Sometimes on my return, between
10 and 11 at night, it was so dark that I could not see my way. I had to feel the old Indian
trail, which was worn some six inches below the adjoining level, and if I stepped out of that
trail I knew it instantly. I occasionally saw glaring eyes apparently looking at me as I walked
along, but was never attacked.
The mail carrier was a French boy of seventeen or eighteen, called Narcisse Baudoin.
Upon one occasion, having left the mail-bag with Mr. Bannister, he jumped on his pony to go
and spend the night as usual with Laborde, three miles distant. When about half a mile from
the house, he was suddenly attacked by a pack of wolves, which bit his nag very badly as well
as his own legs, and did not relinquish their purpose until he reached the house and people
came out to his help with lights. If he had had much farther to go, he would have been inev-
itably devoured by the ferocious brutes.
Improvement, I repeat, was slow. How could it be otherwise ? How far could fifty pairs
of arms go toward improving this great county or developing its resources ? You need not be
told that all improvements are the results of human labor and capital. The labor means men
to perform it, and they were not here ; the capital, if we except a few tools, house furniture and
provisions, was totally wanting. There was not a man who could show $200 in cash, and very
few who had even $10. That was the time of wild-cat money. The banks of Michigan had
all failed or suspended. There was one bank at Mineral Point which was good. There was
also one bank at Green Bay, called the Bank of Wisconsin. In January, 1840, the cashier
and teller took the assets of the bank and started in a double sleigh for Detroit. They were
pursued and overtaken by some Green Bay people, and surrendered some of the wild-cat money,
but it did not make much difference, foi" the money was good for nothing. Probably what the
Waupun man took along with him -v^s better money.
Everything has changed since the early days, but who would repine ? Who would regret
the past ? Who would go back to the old hardships and privations ? Who would wish to see
again the long caravans of Indian ponies, squalid squaws and uncombed papooses ? Who
would desire to see again his bed sheets black with swarms of mosquitoes, to hear the whole
night long their hateful music, to feel again their stings, as well as those of other unnamable
insects ? For my part, I say most emphatically that I would not ; such experiences are enough
for one human life.
Mr. and Mrs. Lo have long since vanished from the scene ; the young LoS are not within
sight or hearing, and we do not regret them. Novelists and poets have invested the Indian
character with romance and poetry. Hiawatha is very good as a work of fiction ; but we, who
have seen the Indian in all his squalor and debasement, cannot see the poetic side of him at all.
We know what the Indians are, and we are extremely fond of their absence. We have tried to
educate them in the arts of peace and civilization — in habits of industry and of self-supporting
reliance. Our efforts have proved mainly miserable failures. Like the denizens of their native
forests, they are untamable, and, like them, they will finally disappear. The onward march of
civilization is not to be arrested by one species any more than by the other. Forward is the
motto.
What a sublime spectacle is presented to us by this nineteenth century, the grandest of
all those that preceded it ! What great discoveries have been made by the astronomer, the
inSTORY OF FOND DU LAG COUNTY. 365
chemist, the physicist, the mathematician, the geologist and the other men of science who are
patiently interrogating nature and wresting from her grasp the most hidden secrets !
What grand results have already been achieved ! The steamboat, the railroad, the tele-
graph, the photograph and many other wonderful inventions, are only the earnests of future dis-
coveries and triumphs of scientific and mechanical skill. The steam engine and its workings
are more familiar to us than the hand-loom and the donkey were to the people of Biblical history.
The ten thousand voices of the press scatter news, science and literature broadcast, even to the
dwelling of the humblest. By means of improved machinery, man or woman can earn more
comforts by one day's labor than could formerly be procured by a week's laborious toil. Let us
foster all laudable industries by honoring and rewarding those who have made discoveries bene-
ficial to the human race. They who pass away from earth, without posterity being the gainer
for their having lived, have lived in vain. From scientific research alone can mankind ever
hope to attain advancement. Let us, then, by all means^ encourage the spread and study of
science. Let it be taught independently of any religious or political bias or prejudice, simply
for the sake of the great truths which flow from the study of the history of our earth, as indel-
ibly written in its strata, as well as in the ever active, unalterable laws and properties of matter.
Through the study of nature and her immutable laws only, can men hope to ever arrive at
a comprehension of the true attributes of the Deity.
In this new land, on this fruitful soil, let all well-meant ideas and investigations have a
hearing and a respectful examination, even though they may conflict with doctrines and beliefs
hoary with age. Free discussion is never dreaded by those whose position is impregnable, or by
the sincere friends of truth.
Ever since Adam ate of the fruit of the tree of knowledge, have his descendants, like Oli-
ver Twist, felt an irrepressible desire for more. An impulse so persistent and so universal can-
not be wrong. It is an inalienable part of the human mind, and I, for one, never can believe
that nature has yet spoken her last revelation to man. Her last word is to be obtained only by
patient scientific research and investigation, if at all.
VII.— By Edward Piee, 1877.
On the 17th of June, 1836, my father arrived at Green Bay, in search of his three sons,
whom he had sent West two years before, to seek their fortunes. He had been quite sick on
the boat coming up the Lakes, and was in feeble health. I had purchased one small pony and
engaged others, so that when my father came, I could accompany him to where my brother Col-
wert was. The Frenchmen at the Bay from whom I expected to hire ponies, tried or pretended
to find theirs, but without success ; we, therefore, on the 20th, started with one only. I tried every
man I met to hire a horse to ride to Fond du Lac, but without success. When we got to
Shanty Town, about half-way to Depere, I asked an old Frenchman where I could hire a horse for my
father to ride to Fond du Lac,'to be gone a week. He said that he had a good one, and that if I
would give him a dollar a day for its use, I might have him. I asked him where his horse was.
He told me it was on the commons. I told him several men had been looking three days for their
ponies, and could not find one. He declared he could get his in one hour. We waited two and
a l^alf, when he came with his horse. That night we got as far as Grand Kaukalau, and stopped
with one of the Stockbridge Indians over night. My father was quite sick during the night, so
that I gave up the idea of going any farther. I was up early to look after the horses. The
feed was good but the fence was poor. I found the animals all right. My father was very anx-
ious to see Colwert and his wife, also the country where we intended to make our future homes.
An old squaw gave him some medicine ; made him a strong cup of tea, which he drank, but he
could not eat much breakfast. He said that he would go on as far as he could, for he did not like
to go home until he had seen all his children. We found the way exceeding wet. It was almost one
continuous slough of water and mud for sixteen miles to where the Stockbridge Mission was
then building. Here we found the Rev. Cutting Marsh, a missionary to the Indians. He had
a house up and partly inclosed ; also a stable completed. He let us have all the feed for our
366 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
horses he had — about six quarts of oata. My friend, Mr.- Joseph King, was with us, so that we
had three horses. We got some dinner with the missionary, and about 3 o'clock we left to
find our way as best we could to my brother's. Before our arrival at Fond du Lac, we encount-
ered a severe rainstorm ; swam our horses across a swollen creek ; got lost in the darkness as
night came on ; but, finally, after much difiiculty, reached my brother's house.
We stayed here a few days, but it rained most of the time, and the creeks were overflowed and
more than half of the surface of the country was under water. My brother and I were anxious
to know what our father thought of the country for farming purposes ; but he was unwell, a
long way from home, and quite outside of all civilization ; he said but little on any subject. AH
we got from him in relation to the place was that it looked like a good country for grass. As
my father was a farmer, and had haying and harvesting at home to attend to, he soon felt it was
necessary to start for home. A short distance before we arrived at the Bay, I asked him if he
thought mother would ever see this country. After riding several rods he replied, that if she
ever expected to see her children or be near them, she would have to come here, " for," said he,
" three of her children are here now and the rest of them will come, and they will never leave
such a country as you and Colwert are in and go back to Vermont." Before he started home, he
gave me the money to pay for the 160 acres which we had reserved for him, and said that he was
going to return to tell his family what he thought of our location, and to consult with them ;
and that he should write us what they concluded to do. In a few days, he left Green Bay for
home. And thus ended my second visit to Fond du Lac.
In September, I received a letter from my brother Colwert, in which he said that he had a
quantity of hay cut and ready to stack, but that he had no one to help him stack it, and request-
ing me to come to Fond du Lac and help him. On the 14th, I started to go there. When I
reached Wright's (now called Wrightstown), I stopped^as was the custom with all others at
that time — to feed my horse and get dinner. I there met a stranger from New York State, by
the name of Harkness, who inquired where I was going. I replied that I was going to the
upper country. " Well, sir,". said he, " when you get to Fond du Lac, I would advise you to
stop at least a week. I stopped there nearly two weeks to rest. Look at the country, and get
acquainted. Why, sir, they are the best people I ever met, and that is the best-kept house this
side of Buffalo. After you pass there, you will not find another such place if you travel 500
miles." I said to him that I thought I would avail myself of the benefit of his experience, and
stop when I got there ! The next day I reached my brother's, but now came two days of damp
weather. Mr. Benjamin Funk, from the region of the lead mines, came along the next day with
a drove of cattle, going to the Bay. Of him we purchased two yoke of oxen and a cow and a
calf, to pay for which I gave him an order on Daniel Whitney, at the Bay. The weather now
became fair, and we stacked the hay. I sold my horse to a man from Manitowoc, and walked
back home. This ended my third visit to Fond du Lac.
Some time in December, 1836, I received another letter from my brother at Fond du Lac,
in which he told me that he was getting short of provisions of all kinds, and that it was not
expedient for him to leave his wife there alone for the length of time that it would take him to go
to the Bay and return ; that he wished me to get some man to pack a couple of horses and bring
him some provisions, if no other way could be found. I spoke to Mr. Whitney about the mat-
ter, and he told me that he had agreed to send some goods to my brother to trade with the
Indians, and that he ought to have done it before, " And now," said he, "I will furnish a horse
and train if you will go and take a load up to your brother's." I said to him that there was no
road, and that I could not get there with a team. He ridiculed the idea, and said there was not
the least trouble, that the ice on the lake (Winnebago) was good. I said to him that I was not
accustomed to the lake, and that I was not pleased with the idea of attempting to cross it alone.
But his reply was that I was not accustomed to a frontier life ; that there was not the slightest
danger on the lake ; that I could not make a hole in the ice in half an hour large enough to get
a horse into the water, and that, as yet, there were no cracks in the ice. Said he, " If you will
go, I will risk the horse." So, on the 20th of December, I started from Green Bay, for the
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 367
fourth time, for Fond du Lac. It was a mild, misty morning. Before I got to Wright's, it
rained quite hard. While I was there, the wind came from the north and the rain changed to
snow. I started, and before I reached the Stockbridge Mission, the weather was quite cold.
The harness on the horse was frozen so stiff that it was hard to get it off. The next morning
was extremely cold, so much so that the Rev. Mr. Marsh tried to dissuade me from going on
that day ; " For," said he, " I fear you will perish before you reach your brother's."
However, knowing that my brother was short of provisions, I thought best to try to get to
him. I went on the lake at Pipe Village. I found the snow so badly drifted that I was com-
pelled to tread the snow for some rods before the horse could get through to the lake. This,
I think, detained me near or quite an hour. In the mean time, the wind blew so severe from
the southwest that it was with difiBculty that I could keep my horse from turning around. After
I got on the lake, the snow was so strongly driven by the force of the wind, that I could only
see a few feet before the horse. The snow upon the lake was in drifts, with places of sometimes
half a mile of smooth, uncovered ice. The cold was so intense that I was obliged to go on foot
or perish. It was the worst day but one that I can remember, and that was January 1, 1864.
I traveled as fast as possible until about 3 o'clock, when my horse dropped his hind feet
through the ice into the water. I was behind the train. I sprang to him as soon as possible,
and loosened him, but, in his struggles to get out, I saw that the ice was crumbling and break-
ing off. Soon he was in the water all except his head. There was a drift of snow of several rods
in width where he went in, so that I was able to stand. I put the lines around his neck and
choked him, and, in his struggles, I pulled him on the ice, but it immediately broke, and when
he went in again, he took me with him. I sprang on top of him and went over him, and caught
on the ice on the other side. I was in the water up to my waist. I then got out. I believe it
was pretty quick and spry work I did. My overcoat was frozen stiff. I now discovered that
my hands were frozen. I then whipped them around my body until the blood was pressed into
them, and they felt warm. I then went round the broken ice and placed the horse's head or
neck across the shaft. He was quivering, but otherwise motionless. I saw that he was gone,
and I now started to find the only house in Fond du Lac County.
My boots were filled with water and frozen stiff. My clothes were wet up to my waist.
About this time, I saw the sun for the first time through the day. It appeared to be about an
hour above the horizon. Where the ice was covered with snow I could get along very well ; but
where it was smooth it required all my strength and utmost dare to stand. I succeeded in
reaching land just before the sun disappeared. The prairie had not been burned and the snow
was about seven or eight inches, including the grass. Near the lake it was blown to the depth
of two feet or more. The wind was blowing strong from the southwest, and the weather was
intensely cold. I made the best time possible to reach my brother's house, knowing that was
the only chance for my life. Of course I was in great anxiety for fear I could not find it. I
struck the timber about one hundred rods north of the house. The cattle had been out on the
east side of the timber that day ; and I will here say that I never was so glad in my life to see
the tracks of a cow, as it was just as darkness was closing in upon me, on the 2l8t of December,
1836 ! I soon reached the house, when I found that my hands were badly frozen, and also my
cheeks. 1 1 found in the house my brother's wife and a lad from Brothertown, whom my brother
h*d persuaded to stop with her until his return ; for, not having heard from me, and their pro-
visions being short, he had started that morning in company with a traveler who came along, to
go to the Bay. Some idea of the storm I encountered may be had when I state that we had
passed very near without seeing each other's teams at all.
The next morning, the young lad accompanied me back to the spot where my horse had
been left. I found him in the same position in which I had left him the night before.
368
HISTOKY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
VIII.— By Louisa Pakker Simmons. 1879.
My husband, Reuben Simmons, was born in Litchfield, Conn., being left an orphan when
quite YQung. He served an apprenticeship as carpenter and joiner, and then went to Bain-
bridge at the age of eighteen. Soon after this, we were married. I was born at Old Milton, in
Saratoga County, N. Y. We lived in Whitestown, that State, many years, where our five chil-
dren were born, four sons and one daughter. In the fall of 1836, my husband took his eldest
son, Alonzo, and went to Green Bay, then Wisconsin Territory. He remained there all winter,
taking contracts for building, and accumulated quite a little sum of money. Early the next
spring, leaving Alonzo at Green Bay, Mr. Simmons started for home on the steamer Hendrick
Hudson, arriving in due time at Delta, Oneida County, where we then lived. We soon made
preparations to move to Green Bay, starting on our journey on the 4th of July, 1837. At Rome,
N. Y., my husband chartered a canal-boat, and in about two weeks we reached Buffalo, where
wo remained five days. We then took passage on the steamer Constitution for Detroit, arriving
there in safety, and remaining there eleven days awaiting a boat for Green Bay.
We finally took passage on the old steamer Bunker Hill, a condemned boat. On the
second day out, the steamer took fire, but by great labor and care of both passengers and crew,
it was saved from burning, but it had to be continually watched during the residue of the pass-
age. The next day, when out of sight of land, the main shaft broke, but by hoisting a jib we
ran back over a, hundred miles to Presque Isle, where a wooden shaft was put in in place of
the broken one. By a constant application of oil, this was made to answer the purpose, and we
all landed safely at Green Bay, after a long and stormy passage.
We took up our residence there, keeping a boarding-house, my husband working at his
trade. In the fall, he, with three others, took a large log canoe and paddled up the Fox River
to Lake Winnebago, carrying his own provisions and other necessaries, and camping on shore
wherever night overtook him. After traversing the shore of the lake, he finally reached the
mouth of the Fond du Lac River, up which he and his companions paddled their canoe, camp-
ing near the log house which had been erected by the Fond du Lac Company in the spring of
1836, on Lot 9, Block 9, in "the town of Fond du Lac," better known as "The Old Fond du
Lac House." It was a double log house, and was quite large and roomy. In the morning,
they started out, and for some days traveled over the beautiful wild prairies — all in a state of
nature, covered with wild flowers in every direction. My husband and his companions returned
to Green Bay safely after a very pleasant trip.
James Duane Doty was a resident of Green Bay, though not at that date a Judge ; he had
been out of office for over five years. He was, in addition to being one of the principal share-
holders in the Fond du Lac Company, also the owner of much other real estate in the Territory.
After his becoming acquainted with us, he was anxious to have my husband take his farm,
afterward known as the George D. Ruggles farm (south half of the northeast quarter, and the
north ha,lf of the southeast quarter of Section 6, in Township 15, of Range 18 east), in the pres-
ent town of Taycheedah.
Mr. Simmons entered into a contract with Doty — the latter agreeing to furnish lumber and
materials for building a house on the farm, my husband to erect it at Doty's expense.
In the winter of 1838—39, Mr. Simmons hauled all his lumber and materials for the house
from Green Bay through the woods, he having, the previous fall, drawn a load of lumber up 'to
what was to be our new home and built a board shanty, 12x16 feet, making three tiers of bunks
on one side. He put a cook stove in one corner and provisions in another. In that way he,
with his three men, lived during the winter while building the house, living very warm and c05;y.
My husband finished the house in the spring. It was large, and was the second frame house
erected in Fond du Lac County. In March, 1839, we all came from Green Bay and moved in.
Our family consisted of my husband and myself, our little daughter, eight years old, and our
four sons ; also, two hired men, one of whom was a Brothertown Indian. Our house had loose
boards laid down for a floor and blankets hung up at the windows. Mr. Simmons afterward
HISTORY or FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 369
finished the house and we remained there until the next spring, when we moved on a larger farm
■of Mr. Doty's, afterward known as the Phillips farm. It was the south half of Section 7, in
Township 15 north, of Range 18 east, in the present town of Empire. It had a large stock of
cattle, from sixty to one hundred head, where my husband, with his four boys and two hired
men, carried on farming on a large scale for the then new country. All our butter, cheese,
honey (which was abundant, wild in the woods) and pork he had to take to Green Bay in win-
ter or by boat in summer, there being no nearer market at that time. These articles he traded
for necessaries for the family.
His usual way was to go to Green Bay each spring and fall with a Durham boat, taking
his youngest son, Amasa P., to help guard the goods and talk to the Indians, and four Indians
to propel the boat. On his return heavily loaded, arriving at the rapids, he would funload half
of the goods, leaving his son to guard them, and, with the Indians, who would wade by the
side of the boat, lift it over the entire rapids, then unload and, remaining there himself, send
the Indians back to get the remainder of the -goods, and so on over all the rapids until they
arrived at Winnebago Lake, then, by coasting around the shore, he would get home, after a trip
of about seven days. If the family ran short of any necessaries after that time, they had to go
without until the next trip, as there were no stores nearer than Green Bay, sixty miles away.
I would sometimes run short of pins and the boys would cut thorns from the trees, which
I used, making a very good substitute. On one occasion, the boys' boots gave out and for a long
time they had to wear Indian moccasins. Yet, in all these years, the entire family were happy,
being blessed with good health, plenty to eat and plenty of work to do.
In the fall of 1841 and the following winter, my husband built a house on what we now
(1879) call our old homestead, which he had purchased while we were living at Green Bay. It
adjoins the city limits of Fond du Lac and is the east half of the northeast quarter of Section
23, in Township 15 north, of Range 17 east, in the town of Fond du Lac. We moved on the
place in the spring of 1842, where I have ever since resided — my husband dying ten years ago,
at the age of seventy-three years. I am now (1879) in my eighty-fifth year.
In the fall of 1839, Mr. Simmons and our son, A. P. Simmons, went to Green Bay for
their winter supply, taking four Indians along to propel the boat. They had a quick and pleas-
ant trip going down, loaded the boat with necessaries and started back. That night it com-
menced raining and rained nearly every day for two weeks. They had a hard time during the
entire return trip, and when five days out their provisions were exhausted ; but as good luck
would have it, they found some Indians on the river bank of whom they bought some wild rice,
and, by boiling it, made it quite palatable. On that the entire party lived for eight days.
There were bands of four tribes of Indians here for some years after we came : Menomo-
nees, Pottawatomies, Winnebagoes and Chippewas. The two latter were treacherous and very
troublesome at times. On one occasion, the Menomonee chief gave out that as soon as the grass
grew in the spring, so their ponies could live, they would drive off or kill all the whites. This
alarmed the few settlers, and a meeting was held by them and cautionary measures taken. Dr.
M. C. Darling wrote to the Department at Washington, informing the authorities of our situ-
ation, but^o reply was received.
One warm day, my husband, with all his men and boys, being down on the ridge clearing
and breaking up a large piece of land for corn, saw something shining very bright below Tay-
cKeedah, at the edge of the woods, and could not imagine what it was. He took a pony and rode
down to make inquiries. When he arrived where Taycheedah now is, he met Col. Worth (after-
ward General in the Mexican war) with a regiment of soldiers. They encamped there for the
night, and, after a hearty shake, the Colonel asked Mr. Simmons if he could furnish them with
some eatables. He told him he could, and started for home ; arriving there, he had the cows all
driven up, twenty-two in number, and, milking them, put the milk on an ox wagon, together
with pork, bread, flour, butter, honey, cheese and other articles; he then started with his yoke
of oxen, and when he arrived at the camp a file of soldiers were detailed to guard the wagon
and its contents, and Mr. Simmons handed it out to the soldiers until it was all gone. The next
^"^0 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
day, Col. Worth moved up to Fond du Lac and then camped again, when my husband again
met him with a similar load. The Colonel had come to remove the troublesome Indians west of
the Wisconsin River and wanted interpreters. Mr. Simmons had a half-breed by the name of
Charles Bopery working for him, who could talk good English and the four Indian languages.
He let the Colonel have him, and he remained with him until the troublesome Indians had been
collected and taken to the west side of the river. We were never troubled with them again.
Some months after, a band of twenty or thirty came back to Fox Lake and encamped. A Mr.
Stevens, an old pioneer, the only. settler in that section of the country, a brave, noble man, went
out alone and tore down their wigwams and drove them off never to return again.
When Col. Worth got the Indians on the banks of the Wisconsin River, ready to cross,
they all refused to go, saying their forefathers were buried here and they would die here too.
The Colonel brought up a platoon of soldiers and (the Indians all being in their canoes) fired
over their heads, but that did not frighten them. He next brought up afield piece (cannon) and
fired that off; then he told them the next time he would load with grape and cannister and fire
amongst them. The old chiefs talked it over and finally concluded it was too much for them,
and they paddled over to their new home, adjoining the reservation of the Sioux Indians, who
were their deadly enemies.
Old Father Halsted, a Methodist missionary, located among the Stockbridge and Brother-
town Indians, was the first man who ever preached a sermon in this county. A good old-fash-
ioned Christian gentleman, he would ride up here and preach to us as often as he could, say
once every two or three weeks. He first preached in the house of Edward Pier and from that
time, for a number of years, preached to the early settlers, speaking in different houses at differ-
ent times, the people paying him in flour and other necessaries, and sometimes a very little
money — little indeed, for the people had but very little.
In an early day, the Government cut a military road or track through the woods from Fort
Howard (Green Bay) to Fort Winnebago (Portage). It was a poor apology for a road, but
could, be used in winter and, in very dry weather, in summer. That was all the road we had
out here until 1841 or the next year. Some men in Milwaukee sent word they would meet the
settlers at the Milwaukee River and cut a track or road through. The inhabitants accepted the
offer, and one day a gang started out with a large pair of oxen owned by Mr. Simmons with
ox chains and provisions for the trip. The party consisted of E. M. Simmons, Oscar and Oliver
Pier and Harvey J. Peck. They cut the underbrush, moved the logs and bridged the small
streams with poles, making a passable road. The boys met the Milwaukee party at the river
and camped together over night, having a big jollification. That was the first Milwaukee road,
and in dry weather we could go through with teams, taking a small load of wheat, which would
sell for 45 to 50 cents a bushel. The next winter, a road was cut through to Sheboygan in a
similar manner and by the same parties here. A few years after emigration starting, a plank
road was built in nearly the same track. Then there was an outlet for grain to the lake and
people began to prosper.
The first Fourth of July celebration held in the county was in our front yard. We built a
bower of green boughs, then drove stakes in the ground and laid on boards for a table. This
we covered with tablecloths. The seats around the table were built in the same way. Then we
took a sheet and with pieces of red and blue cloth made a respectable flag, which we attached ,to
a long pole. One of the men climbed to the top of the tallest tree and fastened it there. It
showed plainly for miles around. This was the first American flag raised by citizens in the
county. Most of the people in the county — men, women and children — came, each family
bringing what they could of good things to put on the table ; and when all was on, it wa's a
bountiful table, indeed, enough for all and plenty to spare. When everything was ready, they all
formed in line. Alonzo Simmons, with his violin, played Washington's March, and they
marched and countermarched until they were all finally seated at the table. Dr. Darling
delivered an address and many toasts were drank. Taking it all together, it was a grand old
time, and all went to their homes happy indeed.
HISTORY OF FONB DU LAC COUNTY. 371
The prairie fires were sometimes terrible. In March of the spring that Mr. Simmons built
his house on "the old homestead," we had all the timber to build with, which had been hauled
the fall and winter before. It was piled up closely, the snow was gone and the grass dry. One
day in the forenoon, we saw black smote arising in the south, when my son, A. P. Simmons,
took a pail and, riding his horse as fast as possible, arrived there in time to "back fire" and
save the timber; but the next thing was to save himself; he jumped on to his horse, the fire
after him, leaping sometimes twenty feet, then catching again. At last, becoming cornered, he
had to turn and ride through the fire with all speed, and, in doing so, burnt the hair all ofi^
where it was not covered with his cap and also the hair ofi" the sides of his horse. He got back
home nearly exhausted. It was quite common to have our hay-stacks burned. One fall, our
hay was nearly all burned, and, having a large stock of cattle, my husband had to go to the
woods and out down trees and let the cattle browse ofi" the tops. By care, he brought them
through the winter without losing any.
On a certain day, some fifteen or twenty Indians came to our house. They had been having
whisky from Luke Laborde's, enough to make them ugly. All our men folks were away three-
fourths of a mile, and I was alone with my two youngest children — Amasa, twelve years old,
and Eliza Jane, nine. The Indians came in and demanded whisky. I told them we had none,
but they would not believe me. The pantry door being open, they saw some bottles standing on
the shelf and -were determined to get to them, but I told them they must not. At last, they
made a rush for it, and I, having prepared myself for the emergency, took a small chair in one
hand and a pair of tongs in the other, stopped them and finally drove them out. The last one
I pushed out, and he fell on his back, hurting him somewhat. They were very mad, and said
they were going home for their guns and left. I then sent Amasa on horseback for his father,
and he came home itnmediately. Soon after he arrived, the Indians came back with guns, but,
when they saw him, they stood around a short time and then left. The next day, the chief
brought a fine, fat deer, dressed, and made me a present of it, saying I was a very brave squaw ;
and I never had any trouble with that band after.
The first store in this county was started by James B. Clock and George Weikert. They
bought a small stock of goods and put them in the north half of the old Fond du Lac House,
and, by boring holes in the logs and driving in pins and laying on slabs and pieces of boards,
laid their goods on and made quite a respectable store.
The first singing school was at the little old schoolhouse, built where the city now is. A
paper was circulated and each one subscribed what they could and sent to Sheboygan, and a Mr.
Robinson (now living at Ripon) came and taught the school two nights each week during the
winter for $3 a week, the people boarding him and his horse during his stay.
The first dancing school was taught by A. H. Clark at our house, there being no other
large enough for that purpose. My husband had put up a temporary partition through the
center of the house, and, by taking it down each time there was a dance, it made quite a good
dancing hall, being 18x32 feet. For some years, large dancing parties were held there, until
the old Badger Hotel was built, where the city now is, on the corner of Main street and Western
avenue. That was the first hotel, strictly such, built in this county.
IX.— By Geoege White. 1879,
I emigrated from Green Bay to Fond du Lac County in 1837 — to the town of Calumet.
At that time, there was but one house between mine and Milwaukee — seventy-nine miles — and that
was occupied by Colwert Pier and brother. The Brothertown Indians were our neighbors on the
north, and the Menomonees were the roaming occupants of the prairie. We moved from Green
Bay in a yawl-boat, and after entering Winnebago Lake, we hoisted sail and with a pleasant
wind soon came in sight of the prairie on wbich my house was built. We had never before seen
a prairie, and the impression the sight produced was enchanting. It reminded us of the poet's
description of the "sweet fields arrayed in living green," in the Promised Land. We found
our log house prepared for our use ; and for several years it became the occasional shelter for the
372 HISTOEY OF POND DU LAC COUNTY.
night of the lawyers and judges going from Milwaukee to Green Bay, to attend court. Such
were seasons of social intercourse without the restraints of courcly etiquette.
In the early settlement of the town of Calumet, wild game was abundant, and the deer
were hunted for their skin and meat. One Sunday morning, my hired man came into the house
in a great hurry, saying, " Mr. White, where is your gun? There is a deer in the road close
by." Said I to him : " The poor animals are entitled to one day in seven for a breathing-spell
and respite from death, and my gun shall not be the instrument of his death." The timid
animal escaped. Another anecdote : The mountain wolves were plenty. One day I was
raking wheat on the lot, and hearing the cry of distress from one of my hogs, I dropped my
rake and ran in the direction of the cry, and, within about fifty rods, I came in sight of a large
wolf who had nearly killed a hog that would weigh one hundred pounds. He fled, when he
saw me, into the bush. As the hog could not live I put him out of his misery, and near by I
set a trap between two saplings, built a circular brush fence on one side, put the carcass next to
it and in front of the bait. I buried my trap, fastened by a log chain. Next morning early,
with my two dogs, I went to the place and found the chain in its place and the trap gone. The
dogs traced the wolf through the underbrush for about half a mile, when, emerging into the
open woods, they espied him. The bulldog grappled with him till I prevented further contest.
He was as passive as a lamb, and allowed me to tie his mouth and legs, and, with assistance,
carry him home. ,
I was obliged, by the importunities of the Menomonees, to open a small store for their
accommodation, but refused, under all circumstances, to furnish them with "fire water." As a
proof of their honesty, I must chronicle an event that occurred at their yearly pay ground.
I had trusted them during the year with goods to be paid for either in skins, or at their
yearly payment in money. I attended their payment, and employed a half-breed as an inter-
preter and assistant, who stood with me at the door of the Agent's tent. At length an Indian
came out with his money in silver in one corner of his blanket. A trader, that had sold him
whisky, demanded his pay, and seized hold of the blanket, determined to have it. My half-
breed commenced to interfere in my behalf, but I told him to desist, and just then the Agent
took the Indian into the tent. Several hours after, as I was standing conversing with some
gentlemen, I felt my coat pulled, and, looking round, I saw a hand filled with silver extended
toward me. The squaw of Kiskotopway, my debtor, tendered to me the amount of my claim,
saying her man had sent it to me in preference to paying the man who crazed the Indians with
"fire-water."
I acted as agent for most of the Germans of Calumet, in buying their land for them. They
were an honest, industrious and prosperous community.
Among the early settlers of Fond du Lac county with whom I was intimate, I recall the names
of Dr. Darling, Edward Pier, J. M. Gillet, Gov. and Maj. Tallmadge, Gov. Doty, George
McWilliams and Dr. Delaney. An incident connected with Dr. Delaney I will mention : For
several years, I was Postmaster at Calumet Village, but, in consequence of my support of
Charles Doty for the Legislature, and the consequent defeat of R. P. Eaton, the Democratic
nominee, the Democratic representation in Congress procured my discharge as Postmaster, and
the removal of the oflBce from our village.
As the next Representative was Gov. Doty, I wrote to him, stating that as we had lost the
post oifice from our village, in consequence of our support of Charles, we should look to him for
its restoration, and I recommended Dr. Delaney as Postmaster.
In a short time the Doctor (whom I had not informed of my doings) came to my house,
bringing his appointment as Postmaster, and inquiring if I knew what it meant, as he had made
no application for the ofiice. I told him he might thank Gov. Doty for the appointment
and me for the recommendation.
The oldest of the settlers of Fond du Lac County are mostly gone to a fairer clime, and of
a more enduring and satisfying tenure than this. We have not in this ephemeral existence full
scope for development. There is an irreconcilable discrepancy between our powers and their
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 373
full display if this life is the end of our conscious being. We begin to live here; we shall con-
tinue to live beyond the reach of death as social, progressive and immortal beings.*
X.— By John O. Henning. 1879.
I came to Fond du Lac in the summer of 1846, at the solicitation of Dr. Darling, and
started the Fond du Lac Journal, in connection with Mr. Hooker, who had a business interest
in it. Hooker sold out to Edward Beeson ; and afterward, on account of ill health, I disposed
of my interest to Beeson. In the fall, J. M. Gillet started the Whig, and, some time after.
Hooker obtained an interest in that paper.
Fond du Lac was a city of magnificent distances, and an enumeration of all the inhabitants
within a distance of three miles amounted to one hundred and fifty-three. Dr. Darling and a
Frenchman by the name of Hebert, accommodated the traveling public. The merchants were
M. S. Gibson, Clark & Weikert, Smith & Gillet and A. P. & G. N. Lyman, by their agent Dewey.
Jason Wilkins run a grocery, and D. R. Curran started his drug store that fall. The Badger
House was opened that fall or winter, by Lewis & Morris. Drs. Babcock and Walker were the
practicing physicians. Dr. Darling and John Bannister were local land agents. Peter V.
Sang kept tavern at Seven Mile Creek ; Mr. Nathaniel Perry at Taycheedah, and Harry Giltner at
Forestville, on the Sheboygan road. Among the noted names at that time were ex-Go vs. Doty,
Tallmadge and Beall; the Conklins, Piers, George McWilliams, Frank Moore, E. W. Drurj,
Judge Stow, Myron Eaton, 0. S. Wright ; Warren Chase, of Ceresco ; Selim Newton, the Gillets,
Morley, McCarty, Driggs, Slooum and others. The steamer Manchester, owned by George W.
Featherstonhaugh, was running on Lake Winnebago, commanded by Capt. Houghtaling, with
Jonas Warden as mate, and J. Tyler as engineer. Warden is now Captain of the Lake
Superior, one of the finest steamers running from St. Louis, and Tyler is running a ranche near
Los Angeles, California. Driggs & Morley had a saw-mill on the river west of the Court
House ; Davis & Smith built the first steam saw-mill on the river, at Lower Town, in 1846.
In the fall, Smitb made, as he supposed, an exploration of all the pineries on Wolf River, and
returned satisfied that there Wiis not pine enough on the river to run their mill three years, sold
out at a sacrifice, and left for the East. There has been billions of lumber cut on the river
since then.
In the spring of 1849, Moses S. Gibson and Frank P. Catlin, of Fond du Lac, were
appointed Receiver and Register of the United States Land Office, at Hudson. Mr. Gibson
now has a clerkship in the Treasury Department at Washington, and Mr. Catlin makes his
home at Ripon, although he is at present visiting his sons in this vicinity. S. S. N. Fuller,
who had been Register of Deeds, District Attorney, etc., of Fond du Lac County, came to
Hudson in 1850, and a year or so after was elected Circuit Judge of this District. After his
term expired, he went to Western Iowa,, and died a few years since.
After disposing of my interest in the Journal, I became a granger, and started a farm in
the present town of Eldorado, which I had the pleasure of naming. In the fall of 1849, I
removed to Hudson, where I still remain.
* " Behaekable Skill. — Mr. J. R. Tallmadge, yesterday, brought to the GommonweaUh office the foUowlDg letter:
" ' Washington, D. C, Angust 8, 1879.
'* ^Lear Raymond — I received lately a strip of newspaper, iaclosed ia an envelope, in which is a ilattering reference to myself. I judged it
was a slip from the Fond du Lac Commonwealth, though it was guess-work. As reference was made in that to my letter to you, I inclosfe to the
editor, with my compliments, a card which I wrote yesterday. ■ You will please to say to him that I did the best I could with the means at my
-command. George White.'
" The card referred to by Mr. White is one not so large as an ordinary business card, and a little broader than a lady's calling card. On
the face is written : ' Emancipation Proclamation of Abraham Lincoln. Written by the subscriber in his 83d year, for the editor of the Com-
monweaUh. Washington, D. C, August 8, 1879. George White.' On the other side is Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, so plainly written
that it may be read easily without the aid of a glass. At the first.glance, the back of the card appears to be simply painted gray ; but on a
closer examination the words and sentences plainly appear. We doubt whether there is another octogenarian in the Union who could have
executed the work before ub."
" We saw," says a writer in a Fond du Lac paper of 1879, "a lengthy letter to day written to J. R. Tallmadge, by George White, of Wash-
ington. Mr. White ia one of the very earliest settlers of Wisconsin, having been here when the Tallmadges reached Wisconsin, over thirty-
three years ago. He laid out the village of Calumet, which contained buildings at as early a day nearly as did Fond du Lac. He ia now
eighty-three years old, and a clerk under John A. Bentley, in the Pension Bureau, doing as much work as any of the clerks. And he does it well,
too, the lett4r shown us being written more elegantly than could be done by most business men of thirty. Here is good cheer to you, good
father, who helped to make the wilderness blossom as the rose ; and may you enjoy the rose many years to come. — Fond du Lac Oommonvtealth,
^ugutl SO, 1879.
374 HISTORY OP POND DU LAC COUNTY.
XI.— By H. E. Colman. 1879.
My first visit to Fond du Lac, County was in August, 1841, on my way from the Oneida
Indian Mission, where I was then stationed, to attend the session of the Rock River Conference
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, which was held that year at Platteville, Wis. Where the
village of Calumet now stands, a man by the name of George White lived, and had made some
improvements on a farm. I saw no more settlements or improvements till I came to where
Pond du Lac City now stands, where there was a log house near where Darling's Block now is,
where Dr. Darling lived and kept entertainment for travelers. There was a house then
standing on Brooke street near where the railroad bridge now is, and there was a bridge across
the river at that place, but there was no one occupied the house, and the travel was diverted
another way farther up the river. A number of families had settled south and southeast of
where the city now is, and had opened farms, and A. D. Clark had built a saw-mill on the West
Branch of the Fond du Lac River. There was a log house erected at Seven Mile Creek, where
they entertained travelers, which was all the settlement there was between Fond du Lac and
Waupun. At Waupun there were but two families.
I made my annual journey through the county, with an occasional call at Fond du Lac on
business till 1847, when I was stationed on the charge and came to the town of Fond du Lac to
live. In 1846, there was a great rush of immigration into the county, and the ague and fever
prevailed everywhere. In some places, there were scarcely well ones enough to care for the
sick. But the ague disappeared in 1847, and there were settlements formed in different parts
of the county. A man by the name of Wilkinson settled 'a little south of where the village of
Oakfield now stands, and there was quite a settlement in that neighborhood. They had built
a log house, which served for schools and religious meetings, for they were generally connected
in every settlement.
Fond du Lac was then a small village with great expectations, inasmuch as it was the
county seat. They had built a house which answered for schools and all kinds of meetings,
religious and political, arid also for a Court House, where justice was administered by Judge
Stone as civil Judge. A saw-mill had been built, and the frame for a grist-mill had been put
up by Wheeler & Morley, but Mr. Wheeler was killed in 1846 by the falling of a tree, while
getting out timber for his mill, and the work stopped. The mills were located a little below the
Western avenue bridge.
A steam saw-mill had been built on the river a little north of Arndt street, by Cornelius
Davis, and a number of stores and shops and houses were subsequently built at the foot
of Arndt street on the river ; also a large warehouse was built on the north side of the street,
close to the bridge. But the dams that were built about that time across the outlets of the lake
at Neenah and Menasha raised the water so that they were under the necessity of deserting the
place. On the west side of the river, opposite Cotton street, they formerly drew saw-logs
with two yoke of oxen out of the river, and drew them up to A. D. Clark's saw-mill, some two
miles, more or less. By that, any one may judge how much those dams have raised the water
in the lake. Taycheedah was an enterprising village about this time, and was thought by some
to be the coming city, but the rising of the waters blasted all their prospects. A man by the
name of Geisse had built a stone flouring-mill there, and they had quite a business place there
for some time. B. F. Moore at that time was a prominent business man at that place.
As was before stated, schools and religious meetings go together in Yankee settlements,
and they were provided for in every settlement. In the fall of 1847, there were schools estab-
lished not only in Fond du Lac and Taycheedah; but in the south part of Fond du Lac,
where Dr. Adams had settled, there was a flourishing school. There was also a school
in Byron, and also a post office near where the Methodist Church now stands, Mr. Orin Morris,
Postmaster. There was also a school established in the Genessee settlement in Oakfield. Four
miles west of Fond du Lac, on the Waupun road, there was a flourishing settlement.
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 375
Edward Beeson, Jesse Homiston and his son settled there at an early day, with others
whom we cannot now name. Joseph Stowe kept entertainment for travelers a little beyond
where the Four Mile House now stands, and E. W. Drury, Esq., had opened a farm a little
west of him. Mr. Stowe not only opened his house for travelers, but also for religious meet-
ings, and when he built a shed to accommodate the traveling community, he made a hall over it
for the public worship of God, but did not keep strong drink for any one. At this time, there
was a whisky tavern at Seven Mile Creek, kept by a man who had been a member of
the church. He sent word to the Methodist minister that he wished to have preaching at his
house and also wished to unice with the Church. An appointment for preaching was circulated
in the neighborhood. The time arrived and a large congregation assembled, and. aftet- preach-
ing, an opportunity was given for any who wished to unite with the church to make it known,
when the landlord presented himself for membership. The minister asked him if he was will-
ing to abide by the rules of the church, and informed him we had a rule that not only forbade
drunkenness, but the buying and selling of spirituous liquors, or drinking them unless in cases
of extreme necessity. He argued the case quite earnestly, and quoted Scripture to prove his
position, but the rule was in his way and there was no way to get by it as long as he sold spir-
ituous liquors, and the Church failed to get the influence of the landlord, and the landlord failed
to get the Church to sanction his business.
The Methodist Church sent ministers into this county at an early day. In 1842, a Mr.
Halsted and Mr. Smith were stationed here. Their charge included Brothertown and all this
region of country where there were any inhabitants. Mr. Halsted lived near where Mrs. E.
H. Galloway now lives. From that time, there has been a regular supply of Methodist minis-
ters sent to Fond du Lac County in different parts as the people wished. In 1852, there were
two Methodist Churches built in the city — the one that now stands upon the corner of -Marr
and Third streets, now owned by the Evangelicals, and the other built on Arndt street, now
owned by the Presbyterians and used for a mission chapel, on the west side of the river.
In 1847, there was a Congregational minister living in Fond du Lac by the name of Spof-
ford, and the Congregationalists built the church now occupied by the Free- Will Baptists, about
the time the Methodists built theirs.
XII.— By Isaac Orvis. 1879.
There are many charms in Western prairie life for those who are lovers of nature and of
reflective minds, that can never be effaced, and particularly to the early settlers of this country.
The variety of its scenery ; its vast expanse of undulatory prairie and woodlands and oak open-
ings ; its ledges of limestone, their fissures and grottoes ; its crystal lakes and streams ; its bub-
bling springs and rivulets ; its Eden of flowers and waving grass ; its abundance of wild game ;
the fertility of its soil ; all conspire to make the thoughtful pioneer feel that there had been pre-
pared a new paradise or Eden for his inheritance. In this spontaneous garden of beauty the
first settlers made their locations.
They were mostly youngerly men, brimful of health, energy, and kindness for one another.
Among them, I remember, with the greatest kindness, Colwert Pier, Edward Pier, M. C. Dar-
ling, Selim Newton, John Martin, Col. Conklin, Gustave de Neveu, John Carswell, N. P.
Tallmadge, W. R. Tallmadge, E. H. Galloway, J. M. Gillet, Bertine Pinkney, Capt. D. P.
Mapes, Warren Chase, Hugh Hubbard, the Olmstead brothers, and many others. These were
a few among many of the men that braved the privations and difficulties of pioneer life to lay
the foundations of one of the most populous and wealthy counties in the State. They and their
coadjutors are the men who have packed their provisions on horseback, or human backs, from
Green Bay or Milwaukee, fording rivers, crossing what seemed to be bottomless sloughs, living
for weeks and months in houses without floors, and, in some instances, with bed-sheets sewed
together and drawn across the rafters for a roof
Several families of my acquaintance ground the materials for their bread in a coffee-mill,
and, for their meat, subsisted upon the wild game of the forest, which was plenty. Still the novelty
376 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
of our surroundings, the primeval beauty of the landscape, the unity, equality, and mutual
dependence of the people, made the little society a paradise, and I sometimes almost grieve for
the good old days of pioneer life.
There are some incidents and anecdotes connected with the first settlement of the town of
Oakfield, that will not be forgotten while any of the pioneers remain, one of which I will relate "
here. Rupell Wilkinson was the first settler in this town. He came from Fond du Lac, built
a shanty, .and moved his wife and goods. After remaining some weeks, they became lonesome
and went to Fond du Lac on a Saturday, to remain over Sunday. While absent, the Indians
(it was supposed) burned the shanty and its contents. They returned to Fond du Lac and
remained some time, and then came back with two brothers, John and Robert. In the mean
time, Sherman Botsford and John Bierne had settled in the same vicinity. In consequence of
the burning of the shanty of Wilkinson, it was agreed among the settlers that, in case of an
Indian attack upon the settlement, they were to fire a gun nnd all rendezvous at Fort Botsford
(Botsford's shanty), that being made of logs and covered with troughs that rendered it imper-
vious to water and bullets. Botsford and Bierne kept "bach." Bierne had been to Fond du
Lac and returned to Botsford's shanty late on a wet evening. He had with him a flask of what
always warms and cheers the heart of an Irishman, and lightens the shanty of a bachelor, and
leads to the desire for fun and frolic. They concluded to inaugurate an Indian scare. Botsford
went out and fired his gun, and then they jumped into bed. It so happened that the two Wil-
kinson men were from home. Upon hearing the report of the gun, their wives sprang from
their beds, seized their infants, and, in their night habiliments, made their best speed for Fort
Botsford. They found the men in bed. The latter immediately sprang up and threw each a
blanket round the fugitives, and sat down for explanation. Botsford afterward said he meas-
ured t^e strides of the ladies next morning, and they would have done credit to any practiced
pedestrian.
Among the early settlers were severaV families of English people — Burletons, Shuttle-
worths, Halls, Whitmores and others. They were like most of the settlers, of small means or
none at all, except their energy and muscle. Mrs. Burleton was taken sick soon after arriving.
The neighbors ministered to her wants as well as their limited means would allow, and she was
nursed by her sister, Mrs. Bledsoe. On returning from church (the log cabin), my wife and I
called to see how she was. Mrs. Bledsoe declared she was a'most dead. " She would have been
dead afore now, but the folks, going to meeting, called and put her out in her dying, and she
hadn't got through'f't yet !"
Our town was organized by the Legislature in the winter of 184:6-47. During these years,
it settled rapidly. I think the first tax was the largest ever paid in proportion to population and
property. The expense of a town organization, the laying-out and making highways and bridges,
together with our poor-tax (we had then no county system for the support of the poor), made
the tax high for those who had any improvement or capital. The first public building in the
town was a log schoolhouse, which served all the purposes of church, town hall and rostrum.
Close upon the settlement of our town followed that indefatigable and zealous individual, the
Methodist itinerant preacher. Mr. Ellwell, a Methodist preacher from the East, had settled in
Oakfield. Mr. Requa, I think, was on the circuit. I cannot here record the name of Requa
without a tribute to his memory. He was, I think, a good Christian man, and peculiarly adapted
to his vocation. He was a man of culture ; his imagery of happiness or misery, of the power
of love and charity, expressed through his sympathetic soul, I shall always remember with much
pleasure.
The ministers and brethren consulted together and came to the conclusion that the settle-
ment ought to have a revival of religion. Accordingly, a series of meetings was inaugurated
and kept up for several weeks.
There were some incidents and sayings that may seem trivial, but they belong to that time,
and exhibit the manner, culture and mode of expression of that era, and consequently are noted.
One young exhorter, wishing to quote that Scripture 'which says: "Not one jot nor tittle
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 377
of the law shall pass away," got it " tit and jottle." Mortified at his mistake, he stammered
on " tit — tit — tit," until some brother gave him "jot," and he got through.
Another young man, who had experienced a change of heart, was requested to tell his young
companions of his joys of redemption and forgiveness. He said to them, " My young friends,
you need to give your hearts to Jesus; if you do not, you will surely be lost; you are all on
bruin's rink."
A little innocent girl " thanked the Lord that He had taken her feet out of the mud-hole and
established them on a rock." The titter of the juveniles spoiled the rest of the communication.
But the quaintest and most original of all was by an aged brother. When called upon for
his experience, he said : " Last night, as I went to prayer, it Lord coom down like a mighty
rooshin wind, and like to took it top off it ould shanty."
Another elderly brother who was requested to make the closing prayer, ended his petition
in these words : " Now, 0 Lord, let salvation come to the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, for
Christ's sake."
In the mean time, the county was rapidly populating, and there began to be a surplus of
production. Fond du Lac was our only market. Surrounded by a flat, and at that time, wet
prairie, it was at certain times in the year almost inaccessible. I w^rote an article which was
published in the Fond du Lac Journal, then edited and published by Edward Beeson, which was
favorably received, recommending the building of a few leading plank -roads from the table-
lands surrounding the city on three sides, over the low prairie, and finally called a meeting to be
held at the log schoolhouse in Oakfield. The meeting was attended by Dr. Darling, Robert A.
Baker, John Sewell and Judge Flint, of Fond du Lac, Alvin Foster, of Mayville, and several
persons from our town. The subject was discussed, and an adjourned meeting agreed upon to
be held at Fond du Lac some time in the future. That meeting was held, and, if I remember
right, the Forest, Fond du Lac & Waupun Plank Road Company was organized, with several
branches. The roads were built in due time, and from that moment a new impetus was given
to the business of the city and country about it. A plank-road had been previously built from
Fond du Lac to Sheboygan. After the completion of the Mayville branch of the plank-road, I
have loaded five teams with 100 bushels of wheat each, and drawn it to Sheboygan with ease
and comfort, whereas, I have often seen the time when I would have given the whole toll to
have been extracted from one mud-hole.
Speaking of wheat reminds me of my first grist. The first fall that I came into the coun-
try, I started a saw-mill. Dr. Adams, of Byron, wanted lumber, and I wanted bread, so we
made an exchange. He was to deliver ten bushels of wheat at Conklin's mill in Empire, the
only grist-mill in the county, and receive lumber for his pay. The wheat was delivered, and, at
the appointed time, I sent for my grist. It was not ground. I waited for a month and sent
again, ihstructing the man who went for it that if it was not ground, he should take it to Taychee-
dah, get it on board of Houghtaling's steamboat and send it to Neenah. The grist was sent to
Neenah. But the covetous Neenahites (unlike the honest miller who, having forgotten whether
he had tolled a grist, said he would toll it again, as it was better to be twice right than once
wrong), took the whole grist, bags and all !
It has beea said that no human happiness is unalloyed. Our quiet community was destined
to be the victim of another Indian scare. At an early day, Solomon Juneau, in the goodness of
his heart and his love for the Indian, had purchased of the Government forty acres of land on
the east shore of Winnebago marsh, and deeded it to the Indians (it is known by the euphoni-
ous name of Smut's Point), so that they might not be trespassers upon the settlers when fishing,
hunting and trapping on that miasmatic frog-pond. Word came by riders and runners that the
Indians in their war paint, brandishing their tomahawks and scalping-knives, were swooping
down upon the settlements in the north part of the county, massacreing the feeble and innocent
indiscriminately, and making the welkin ring with the savage war-whoop ; and the people were
all rushing to Fond du Lac and Taycheedah. A runner was sent to Oakfield with the appalling
news and also the news that there was another band at Smut's Point, preparing to meet the
378 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
invaders from the north. The neighbors gathered together, and I was oflFered the command of
a squad to go down and attack them in their forty-acre garrison. Your humble servantj either
from fear or incredulity, declined the honor, but said to my neighbors that if it were true we
had better defend ourselves at home than make an attack. The settlers in the west part of the
town, however, concluded to attack the enemy in his entrenchments. A citizen of Oakfield
organized a corps, armed them with guns, scythes, pitchforks, and I do not know but with plow-
shares, threw out his scouts and skirmishers, and, cEirefuUy feeling his way, marched to Smut's
Point. The gallant leader arrived at Fort' Smut, and to his chagrin found but one old Indian
and squaw, who turned pale and trembled in their moccasins at the military array. They said,
in broken English : "Me good Indian; me no kill; scalp shmoky man — ^megood!" The officer
wheeled his command right about face, gave each soldier an honorable discharge, and in a little
speech told them he should know just where to find the gallant defenders of the county when
next assailed.
The first settled minister in this town was, I think, the Rev. Samuel D. Darling, a man of
strong, positive feeling, tender sympathy, of excellent judgment, a leader in every charitable
and benevolent work, a genial, good man, who will long be remembered in this community.
The Congregational Society erected a small church, the first in the town, and installed Mr. Dar-
ling Pastor. The congregation was small and the members not affluent, consequently his salary
was small and he was obliged to cultivate a small farm to support his family. He occupied the
pulpit for a number of years much to the satisfaction of his congregation and the public. He
finally gave up his preaching for farming. He fell dead from his seat in Opera Hall while
attending a literary meeting, as many in the county will remember. The church was purchased
by the Baptist Society, enlarged, and is now presided over by the Rev. Mr. Lewis.
The need of a place for religious instruction was felt in the east part of the town, and a
joint-stock company was formed for the erection of a Union Church in the village of Oakfield.
The stock was taken by all denominations, and by those of no denomination. The church was
built and paid for, the ladies instituting dime sociables to furnish it and purchase an organ. A
'Pastor was hired for one year — Rev. Mr. McFarland, of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The
congregation was large, and a general feeling of harmony and kindness prevailed. The stock
paid a dividend of ten per cent to the stockholders, the incidental expenses being mostly con-
tributed by the audiences. The social feeling was cordial and the community were happy.
After another year, two churches were organized — a Baptist and a Congregational.
The Episcopalians have a small church and congregation in Oakfield Village, presided over
by the Rev. Mr. Wright, Pastor of the Episcopal Church of Waupun, which is well attended.
Nearly thirty-five years have elapsed since the rapid settlement of the county commenced.
When I survey the change from a primeval wilderness to a wealthy and populous county, with
its cities and villages, its churches and schoolhouses, its mills and manufactories, its beautiful
country residences, its thousands of acres of cultivated soil, all produced by the labor and skill
of its inhabitants, I am almost astounded by the power of human possibility.
Many of the first settlers have passed over the mystic river ; many still remain, but their
days are in the sear and yellow leaf. We shall all soon have to balance the ledger. But I pray
that we may all adopj; the sentiment of the poet Burns, whom I quote :
" The lift aboon will welcome soon
The wayworn and the weary,
And angels fair will greet them there
Sae winsome and sae cheery-
But while we stay make smooth the way
Through life's wintry wither
Until one beald and common shield
Shall haud us all thegither."
-Sf*
.f
FOND DU LAC.
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUKTY. 381
Xlil.— By Gilbekt M. Lee.
I came into the Territory of Wisconsin on the 14th day of September, 1845. I purchased
in the town of Calumet 423 acres of prairie and timber land and moved in the next spring. I
landed at Milwaukee and came to Fond du Lac by way of Watertown and Oak Grove. I took
dinner at a little tavern, about sixteen feet square, kept by a Frenchman. My bill of fare was
a large beefs head, cooked whole. It looked like a sign on a butcher's shop. The house was
where the Opera House now stands. There were then no bridges between Milwaukee and Fond
du Lac. I arrived in Calumet May 26, 1846. Winter wheat on Boyd's Prairie was two feet
high. I immediately commenced work on my farm and fenced the whole of it.
The winter of 1846-47 was a mild one. The lake [Winnebago] opened on New Year's
Day, and the ice piled up on the east shore very high in some places. The next winter, I had
■occasion to go to Oshkosh to purchase some lumber, as there was a saw-mill at that place then,
hut the hill, where the heart of the city now is, was then oak openings and scrub bushes with a
few small houses set on blocks. Lake Winnebago was at that time frozen over, except now and
then spots of a rod or more in diameter. It was twelve miles across, and, as I was a good
skater, I made the distance in something over an hour. In returning late in the day, I broke one
-of my skates and encountered a snowstorm. The consequence was, I did not reach the eastern
shore until 10 o'clock at night, and then in an exhausted condition.
XIV.— By "Lisle Lestek."
On the 6th of June, 1844, we arrived at Milwaukee in the old steamer "Missouri." Mil-
"waukee was then a small, lively place, peopled by thorough, enterprising inhabitants. It seemed
to already wear the appearance of a city. , The streets were for the most part sidewalked and
planked, and many buildings of fine structure graced the grounds. Hotels, churches, etc.,
were scattered here and there. Indeed, Wisconsin Territory was rich with such a place as Mil-
waukee.
Our destination lay farther north, to Fond du Lac, in a wild and almost unpeopled region,
yet possessing very attractive features of scenery and home comforts. No train of cars stood
ready to convey us out of the city — far from it ! but, through a dense, wild forest, almost totally
uninhabited, we were obliged to wend our way, drawn by " slow, sure-footed beasts" — oxen,
and then not until we had tarried a week at Milwaukee, waiting for my father, Lyman Walker,
to go through to Fond du Lac and return with the conveyance. The Monday following, we
were prepared to depart, and then for the first time we commenced the true work of pioneering
in good earnest. Our goods and effects, which were packed in large boxes, were piled into a
wagon, firmly and in order. Upon the top of that generous load my mother and myself took
seats, the elevated position afibrding a fine range of vision.
But few families had emigrated and settled between Fond du Lac and Milwaukee, and
-even those were mostly foreigners. However, we were so fortunate at the close of the first day's
journey as to obtam shelter from the driving rain ; poor as the accommodations were, any place
was acceptable. The road through these dreary forests was almost impassable, for the spring
had been very backward and rainy, and in the woods the mud was — " I dare not say how deep."
Often during the weary days, we were obliged to halt for an hour at a time, in a perfect sea of
mud, to extricate a wheel of our burdened wagon, which, generally, as soon as out, was spinning
on the top of a neighboring stump or log. In such dilemmas, I, being a small child, was often
mysteriously handed from my seat to a position amid the brambles and bushes upon the oppo-
site side of the road — -although gracefully, yet at the peril of broken bones. Here and there,
in those dim old woods, we frequently hailed little opening oases, radiant with thousands of
beautiful flowers — the very air was fragrant — such flowers as are only found in the West.
Indeed, one would be reminded of a painter's sketch, in which he had thrown the rarest speci-
mens of the floral world.
382 HISTORY OP FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
One week from the day we left Milwaukee we arrived in Fond du Lac. Only a few teams
had ever passed over the road before. When one considers the short space of time it now takes
to go to Milwaukee from Fond du Lac, and thinks of it taking one week of hard labor only a
few years ago, he is well impressed with the great and rapid change that has swept over this part
of the State in a very short period. Riding from Milwaukee to Fond du Lac in 1844, after an
ox team through a wild region, over a new road, in the rain, and " a stranger in a strange land,"
is quite a contrast from stepping into the cars at the La Crosse Depot in Milwaukee and arriving
at Fond du Lac in about three hours.
As we emerged from the forest upon the Fond du Lac prairie, it presented more the appear-
ance of a lake than a prairie, it was so completely immersed in water. Lake Winnebago met our
view beyond, and, had the wet season been past, and this lovely spot, in its usual beauty, burst
upon our view as we afterward beheld it, we should have uttered a loud exclamation of surprise.
It was wild and new, yet strange and beautiful.
Only those who have emigrated to the West in early days, can realize the feelings we experi-
enced as we gazed upon our wild home. Indian wigwams met our view in different directions,
and curious savages crept stealthily around, scrutinizing our persons and baggage. At this-
period, there were but four families in the settlement : M. 0. Darling, a French man and family,
the Bromleys and the Greens. This comprised the society of Fond du Lac in 1844. There
was then one store of limited contents. The Indians kept up the trading traffic of venison^
maple sugar, fish, berries, and other articles, which, indeed, furnished the table in rich style.
Strawberries, raspberries and wild plums were abundant ; the prairies were red (so to speak)
with large, wild strawberries. From the Indians, we could purchase these delicacies for a mere-
trifle. Brass buttons and similar trinkets were far better than money. The savages were peace-
able, kind and friendly, worthy of the Menomonees and Pottawatomies.
We were by no means without roads to more early settlements — to Sheboygan and smaller
places, although at times the highways were impassable in the woody regions. During the sum-
mer, a fine log house was erected for our abode ; a beautiful portion of the prairie, together with
a Strip of woodland upon its side, was fenced off, and life in the West commenced in good
earnest. Hay for the cattle was at the door, as it were, in its sweetest luxuriance ; in the river,
within a stone's throw of our. house, fish of various kinds were caught in large numbers. Plums
ripened in our dooryard, raspberries lined our fences, and the butternuts fell rattling among the
leaves. And although the polished furniture, the soft carpets, and like former comforts were not
to be had, yet happiness did not withdraw her charming society from our new home ; however,
there were timeS' when older ones recalled the joys of their New England homes with a sigh and
saddened tone. Such is human nature ; and that heart that would break all its early home-ties
without a regret is hard indeed.
At a small distance from the village, a saw-mill was erected on a small stream, affording
necessary lumber for the use of the settlers — mostly burr-oak and bass wood, ash 'and maple.
Pine could only be obtained from the northern regions, then almost totally uninhabited.
The first summer was one of frequent storms. At times, the prairie would be completely
deluged, looking, for many hours, like a glassy lake, the water having no convenient opportu-
nity to flow off; trees would be uprooted, and split from top to ground by lightning; roofs of
houses were lifted gracefully from their places ; it seemed, indeed, during some of those fearful
storms as though the rolling thunder and sweeping wind would rend the very earth with their
fury. Never, since that season to -the present time, have I witnessed such devastating storms
and experienced such an inclement season in the West.
" The storm, with its raging breath
Made fierce the hours, and all terrific
The lonely, gloomy night."
The summer and fall of 1844 found many new-comers to Fond du Lac and vicinity.
Rev. William H. Sampson commenced his ministerial labors as Presiding Elder in this regions
of scattered inhabitants. A schoolhouse was built; and Fond du Lac being the county seat,.
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 383
the building served well for a Court House. It was also used on Sundays for a meeting-house.
Other buildings soon graced the village plat. Farmhouses were seen at a distance; fences
began to lengthen in every direction ; cattle and horses were observed grazing upon the prairies ;
speculative men from abroad were busy around us ; the red man retreated slowly from the
scene of progression and civilization ; the mail, that comer of welcome and interest, paid us
weekly visits ; indeed, progress was rising through the country in every direction. The mer-
chants found less time for amusements, and money, that shining, bewitching metal, circulated
more liberally from hand to hand. The usual hum of action and life lengthened into louder
strains ; while the barking of the wolf became less common, and the prowling wildcat crept
still farther into the thicket.
In the fall of 1844, occurred the second session of the Territorial District Court ; and
connected with this event was a mirthful incident. Lawyer Fuller found himself in his opinion,
unfit to appear in the court-room on account of the dilapidated condition of his boots. He felt
himself in rather peculiar circumstances. He meditated long upon the affair. Could he go
into the presence of people and fellow lawyers with his toes protruding through his boots ? Or,
worse yet, could he leave them off- altogether ? His independence at length came to his relief ;
he determined to go barefooted, honorably and independently, which he did, much to the fun of
his fellows.
On the east side of Winnebago Lake were a number of little villages. Three miles from
'Fpad^dtrLac was Taycheedah, consisting of a tavern, store, mill, shoeshop, tinshop, and a num-
ber of residences. Fifteen miles farther on, stood Calumet, mostly settled by Germans. A
short distance north was Brothertown, peopled with Brothertown Indians. Here the first
steamer that ever sat upon the waters of Winnebago Lake, was constructed. On the other side
of the lake the country was more wild in its appearance; dense forests extended nearly the
whole distance from Fond du Lac to Fox River. > At the point where this river flows into Win-
neba/io Lake, there were two houses which comprised the village of Oshkosh.
In the year 1845 and the following one. Fond du Lac Village and county had been kissed
warmly by progress, and presented the appearance of a thrifty, prosperous place. Many families
^ad swelled the community. Other places of which we have spoken rapidly progressed.
Although Fond du Lac at that time seemed to be shut off from the world, by long and almost
impassable roads, and lengthened strips of uninhabited country, yet many prominent speculators
and strangers found their way there. Now and then one would stray down from Green Bay, or,
battling with obstacles (chiefly mud and water), would reach the place from Sheboygan. The
buildings which comprised the village were over a mile from the mouth of the Fond du Lac River,
'l^hat part which is now called the Lower City, was a wet marsh, wholly occupied, for a time, by
Indians. The log-house first erected in Fond du Lac, which is not now standing, was about half
way between the village and the lake, now near the railroad depot.
After navigation opened on the Winnebago Lake, families settled around the river's mouth,
and also near the landing, until the village was composed of two important wards, then termed
the Upper and Lower Towns. During the year 1849, a steam-mill smoked from morn till even-
ing upon the river. Hotels reared their ample roofs in both divisions, and pretty houses
filled the streets rapidly. A Court House, three stories high, was added to the place ; and stores
were opened in both the Upper and Lower Towns. From 1848 to 1850, emigration seemed in
its highest fever. Day after day came the strangers. The streets grew more dense. The saws
ran faithfully. Rafts came in crowds to the mills. The new-tilled soil yielded it».products in
double ratio every year. Fond du Lac and the county grew in population and importance with
almost incredible speed, until the one became a city, and the other a large aggregation of cultivated
farms.
OHAPTEE IV.
Tbbritoriai, District Court and State Circuit Court— Municipal Court of the City and
Town of Ripon— County Court— County Officers, from 1839 to ISSp- County Board of
Supervisors— Territorial, State and National Representation— ITavigation of Lake
Winnebago— Wisconsin Phalanx.
TERRITORIAL DISTRICT COURT AND STATE CIRCUIT COURT.
The act of Congress establishing the Territorial Government of Wisconsin provided for the
division of the Territory into three judicial districts, and for the holding of a District Court by one
of the Justices of the Supreme Court in each district, two terms each year in each organized county
in the district. The three Justices were Charles Dunn, David Irvin and William C. Frazer.
By an act of the Territorial Legislature, approved November 15, 1836, the counties of Brown
and Milwaukee (the first named including the Territory afterward designated as Fond du Lac
County) were constituted the Third District, and assigned to Justice Frazer. Although in
December following, a county was set off from Brown and called Fond du Lac, its few inhabi-
tants (only two, in fact,) were amenable to the mother county, to which its offspring was attached
for judicial purposes.- It so remained until 1844; so that the judicial government of Brown
County during that period was also the judicial government of Fond du Lac. For nearly eight
years after the first settlement of the last-mentioned county, it was as completely under the juris-
diction of Brown County in all things appertaining to courts matters, as though it had been "a
part and parcel " thereof.
' By the statutes of Wisconsin Territory of 1839, the counties of Milwaukee,* Brown (to
which was attached Fond du Lac, as just mentioned), and Racine, also other unorganized coun-
ties, composed the Third District, to which Justice Andrew Gr. Miller, the successor of Justice
Frazer (deceased) was assigned. Fond du Lac County continued in this district until the adop-
tion of the State Constitution in 1848, but was divorced from Brown County, as to all judicial
matters, four years before ; that is to say, in 1844, when it was organized judicially, as, in 1839,
it had been for the purposes of county government only. The first court, therefore, held within
its limits was a Territorial District Court, and these were continued until superseded by the
State Circuit Courts, upon the admission of Wisconsin into the Union.
The first term of the Territorial District Court for Fond du Lac County commenced in 1844.
The court set for the first time at the schoolhouse in Fond du Lac, June 5, Justice Andrew G.
Miller, presiding. The other officers of the court were : Isaac Brown, Clerk ; George McWilliams
and R. Aiken, United States Deputy Marshals ; John J. Driggs, Sheriff; Alonzo Raymond,
Crier ; Thomas W. Sutherland, District Attorney ; and M. C. Darling, Foreman of the Grand
Jury.
The first chancery case tried was John J. Driggs vs. Susan Driggs, divorce. Morgan L.
Martin was solicitor for the complainant. The petition was dismissed. Driggs was at that time
Sheriff of the county. The next suit in chancery was also a divorce case, Lory Ann Stevens
vs. Martin Stevens. The complaint was more successful in this case than in the other. The
court, decreed "that the marriage between the petitioner, Lory Ann Stevens, and the defendant,
Martin Stevens, be dissolved, and the same is hereby dissolved accordingly ; and the said parties,
and each of them, are and is freed from the obligations thereof." ■
The first law case was an action in replevin — an appeal from a Justice's Court. The title
of the action was " Augustus Grignon vs. Henry A. Gallup." " And now June 5 [1844], comes
the defendant's attorney and moves the court [Andrew G. Miller] to dismiss this appeal for reasons
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 385
filed ; and the said motion being argued by counsel, if is thereupon considered and adjudged
by the court that this appeal and all proceedings in this case be dismissed."
The next case was "The United States vs. Charles E. Amidon," indictment for adultery,
found at the June term, 1844. Amidon was tried at the October term of the court following,
before a jury composed of George W. Elliott, Robert Wilkerson, Lucius Hawley, Lewis Cro-
foot, James Clark, Peter Crowell, Edward Beeson, James Wauby, John 0. Hammer, Henry
Conklin, John E. Eisher and David Copp — " twelve free, honest and lawful men of the county."
The defendant was adjudged not guilty.
When the State Constitution was adopted, in May, 1848, it provided for five Circuit
Courts and Districts, . of which the counties of Brown, Fond du Lac, Winnebago, Calumet,
Manitowoc and Sheboygan should compose the Fourth Judicial Circuit. The judges for these
circuits were to be elected for two, three, four, five and six years respectively, and thereafter
each judge should hold oflSce for a term of six years. Kewaunee County, which had
always before been attached to Manitowoc for judicial purposes, was added as a separate county
to the Fourth Circuit ; but the counties of Brown and Winnebago had been set ofi" into the
Tenth and Third Circuits respectively. The terms of court for Fond du Lac County are begun
on the third Monday of April and fourth Monday of October of each year ; and every term
shall be a special term for the whole circuit. A special term for the whole circuit is also held at
Fond du Lac, on the second Monday of February in each year. Alexander W. Stow, of Fond
du Lac, was the first Judge of the Eourth Judicial Circuit, holding the oflSce from August 28,
1848, to January, 1851 ; the second was Timothy 0. Howe, of Green Bay, from January,
1851, to April, 1855, when he resigned ; the third wa,s William R. Gorsline, who was elected
in April, 1855, to fill the vacancy made by Judge Howe's resignation. In 1856, Judge Gors-
line was duly elected, but resigned before his term was finished. David Taylor, who was the
fourth Circuit Judge, was appointed to fill the vacancy. Judge Taylor was afterward elected
for a term of six years, beginning in January, 1863. The fifth, who is the present incumbent,
was Campbell McLean, whose first terra began in January, 1869, and whose second began in
■ January, 1875.
MUNICIPAL COURT OF THE CITY AND TOWN OF RIPON.
This is a Court of Record, and has exclusive jurisdiction in all cases of appeal from
Justices' Courts, in civil cases, within the city and town of Ripon. It has also original juris-
diction and powers in all civil actions within the limits just named, equal to and commensurate
with the Circuit Court of Fond du Lac County, to the amount of $50,000. Appeals from this
court to the Supreme Court are in all respects the same as from the Circuit Court. This some-
what anomalous court was created by an act of the Legislature of 1861, and the law is incor-
porated in the Revised Statutes of 1878. The occasion of its creation was because of the city
and town of Ripon being so remote from the county seat. The first Judge of this court was
P. B. Kissam, from May, 1861, to July, 1862. The second was M. W. Seely, from July,
1862, to May, 1865. Judge Seely was succeeded by E. L. Runals, who held office from May,
1865, to May, 1869. His successor, L. E. Reed, now on his third term, commenced his first
term in May, 1869.
COUNTY COURT.
The General Government, in the act organizing the Territory of Wisconsin, provided for
Probate Judges, to adjudicate the estates of deceased persons, as also those of minors, idiots and
the insane. Until the year 1850, the designation of the office continued to be Judge of Probate,
when it was changed to County Judge, and the court to that of County Court. As Fond du
Lac County was not organized for judicial purposes until 1844, of course previous to that time
matters of administration of estates and the probating of wills were brought before the Brown
County Judge of Probate. In that year, the county was organized for all purposes, and a Judge
of Probate elected ; but as several counties were attached to this county for judicial purposes,
the jurisdiction of the court extended beyond the limits of Fond du Lac, until they were all
fully organized.
386 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
The first Judge of the Probate Court of Fond du Lac County was empowered to appoint a
Clerk ajid also a public administrator. John A. Eastman was the first Register or Clerk ;
Rufus P. Eaton, the first public administrator. These offices were subsequently abolished. The
first Judge of Probate was Mason C. Darling; the first County Judge (1850) was Charles M.
Tompkins. In 1877, the Legislature passed a law conferring civil jurisdiction on the County
Court of Fond du Lac County. It was given co-ordinate jurisdiction with the Circuit Court
in cases where the matters involved did not exceed f 20,000. This greatly increased the business
of the office. In view of this increase of labor, an additional salary of $1,000 per year was
allowed by the enactment of 1877.
The terms of the court are begun on the first Tuesday of every month. By general order,
every Tuesday of each month, exsept the first, is a special term of court. For the trial of cases
under his civil jurisdiction, the law requires the County Judge to hold three general and two
special terms at the Court House in each year. The general terms begin on the second Mon-
days of May, September and January. The special terms begin on the second Mondays in
April and October.
The following have been the different Probate and County Judges of Fond du Lac County :
Mason C. Darling, during 1844 ; Thomas J. Townsend, 1845 ; Mason C. Darling, 1846 ; John
Bannister, 1847, 1848, 1849 and 1850 ; Charles M. Tompkins, 1850, 1851, 1852 and 1853 ;
David E. Wood, 1854, 1855, 1856, 1857 ; Robert J. Flint, 1858, 1859, 1860, 1861, 1862,
1863, 1864 and 1865 ; Marcellus K. Stow, 1866 and a portion of 1867 ; W. D. Conklin
(appointed to fill vacancy made by resignation of M. K. Stow), a portion of 1867, 1868 and
1869; J. Mayham, 1870, 1871, 1872 and 1873; N. C. Giffin (appointed to fill vacancy made
by the death of J. Mayham, and afterward elected for the term beginning January 1, 1874),
1873, 1874, 1875, 1876 and 1877; George Perkins, 1878, 1879, and now in office..
COUNTY OFFICERS FROM 1839 TO 1880.
Qounty Olerks. — Mason C. Darling, 1839 and 1840 ; B. F. Smith, a portion of 1841 ; M.
C. Darling, balance of 1841, 1842, 1843 and 1844 ; Theodore Conkey, 1845 ; Francis McCarty,
1846 and 1847 ; J. D. Curtis, 1848 ; Eli Hooker, 1849 ; A. B. Davis, a portion of 1850 ;
Chauncey J. Allen, a portion of 1850, 1851 and 1852 ; Albert W. Paine, 1853 and 1854 ;
Asher Armstrong, 1855 and 1856 : C. F. Kalk, 1857 and 1858 ; James V. McCall, 1859
and 1860 ; A. B. Gary, 1861 and until his death, in 1862 ; L. M. Wyatt, last half of 1862 ;
Charles W. Prescott, 1863, 1864, 1865 and 1866 ; C. H. De Groat, 1867, 1868, 1869 and
1870 ; W, H. F. Smith, 1871 and 1872 ; J. H. Coolidge, 1873 and 1874 ; H. J. Davidson,
1875, and until he died, in 1876 ; Thomas Bryant, the last portion of 1876 ; Edmund Blewett,
1877, 1878, 1879 and 1880.
aerks of the Circuit Court.— Isaac Brown, 1844, 1845, 1846, 1847, 1848, 1849 and 1850 ;
Fayette S. Brown, 1851 and 1852 ; John J. Driggs, 1853, 1854, 1855 and 1856 ; John C.
Bishop, 1857 and 1858; Edward Beaver, 1859 and I860; David Babcock, 1861, 1862, 1863
and 1864; M. W. Simmons, 1865 and 1866; George W. Carter, 1867. 1868, 1869 and 1870 ;
Maurice McKenna, 1871, 1872, 1873. 1874, 1875 and 1876 ; James Russell, 1877 and 1878 ;
S. G. Leland. 1879 and 1880.
/SAenJs.—Colwert Pier, 1842; J. J. Driggs, 1844 ; D.W.Bromlev,1845; Alonzo Raymond,
1846 ; James Ebert, 1847 ; Fred F. Davis, 1849 and 1850; Francis D" McCarty, 1851 and 1852 ;
Robert Jenkinson, 1853 and 1854 ; Edward Beaver, 1855 and 1856 ; George W. Mitchell, 1857 and
1858; Andrews Burnham, Jr., 1859 and 1860; George F. Wheeler, 1861 and 1862; J. D. L.
EyclesTieimer, 1863 and 1864 ; H. A. Francis, died during the first year of his term, 1865 ;
John Peacock, who was H. A. Francis' Under Sheriff, ran without opposition for Sherifi" in
1865, received 2,025 votes, and was declared elected by the courts, holding office during the
balance of 1865 and for the full term of 1866 and 1867 ; Hiram S. Town, 1868 and 1869 ; Mor.
timer B. Pierce, 1870 and 1871; Peter Rupp, 1872 and 1873; Nicholas Klotz, 1874 and
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 387
1875 ; Hazen R. Hill, 1876 and 1877 ; Edward Colman, 1878 and 1879 ; Neil C.Bell, present
incumbent.
County Treasurers. — Alonzo Raymond, during 1839, 1840 and 1841 ; Mason C. Darling,
1842 ; B. F. Smith, 1843 ; B. F. Moore, 1844 ; Isaac Brown, 1845, 1846 and 1847 ; Kirk-
land Gillet, 1848 and 1849 ; Peter V. Sang, 1850, 1851 and 1852 ; Orin S. Wright, 1853 ;
Robert Jenkinson, 1854 and a portion of 1855 ; George W. Sawyer, during the last month of
1855 ; Andrew J. Reed, 1857 and 1858 ; John B. Wilbor, 1859 and 1860 ; John Potter, 1861
and 1862 ; C. 0. L. Webster, 1863 and 1864 ; J. A. Smith, 1865 and 1866 ; Thomas Bryant,
1867, 1868, 1869 and 1870 ; Edward Season, 1871, 1872, 1873 and 1874; John W. 'Hall,
1875 and 1876 ; J. C. Perry, 1877 and 1878 ; Louis Manderscheid, 1879 and 1880.
District Attorneys. — Up to the organization of the State Government, the office of District
Attorney was filled by appointment by the County Board, as occasion required. In 1844, George
L. Hosmer was appointed ; S. S. N. Fuller, in 1845 ; Amazi L. Williams, in 1846 and 1847,
and J. M.Gillet in 1848. Thereafter, the office was filled by election, as follows: S. S. N.
Fuller, 1849 and 1850; William H. Ebbetts, 1851, 1852, 1853 and 1854; Edward S. Bragg,
1855 and 1856 ; Isaac S. Tallmadge, 1857 and 1858 ; Albert W. Paine, 1859 and 1860 ;
James Coleman, 1861, 1862, 1863 and 1864; George Perkins, 1865, 1866, 1867, 1868, 1869
and 1870 ; George P. Knowles, 1871 and 1872 ; S. L. Brasted, 1873, 1874, 1875 and 1876 ;
N. S. Gilson, 1877 and 1878; J. J. Foote, 1879 and 1880.
Register of Deeds.— John Bannister, 1839, 1840 and 1841 ; Oscar Pier, 1842, 1843 and
1844 ; John Bannister, 1845 ; S. S. N. Fuller, 1846 ; Edgar Conklin, 1847 ; Nelson Wood,
1848, 1849, 1850, 1851 and 1852; Rudolph Ebert, 1853 and 1854; William White, 1855and
1856 ; N. H. Jorgensen, 1857 and 1858 ; Solon G. Dodge, 1859, 1860, 1861 and 1862 ; A. P.
Mapes, 1863 and 1864; Dana C. Lamb, 1865, 1866, 1867, 1868, 1869 and 1870; J. D. L.
Eyclesheimer, 1871, 1872, 1873 and 1874; Calvin L. Pierce, 1875, 1876, 1877 and 1878; Frank
B. Hoskins, 1879 and 1880.
County Surveyors. — The little surveying required by the county up to 1848, was done by
" the piece," by John Bannister and Horace W. Newton. Thereafter, the office was filled by
election as follows : H. W. Newton, 1849 and 1850 ; Joseph Fairbanks, 1851 and 1852 ;
Peter O'Laughlin, 1853 and 1854 ; Joseph Fairbanks, 1855 and 1856; H. W. Newton, 1857
and 1858 ; Joseph Fairbanks, 1859 and 1860 ; Lathrop Ellis, 1861, 1862, 1863, 1864, 1865
and 1866 ; J. V. De Vry, 1867 and 1868 ; H. W. Newton, 1869 and 1870 ; Jacob Haessley,
1871, 1872, 1873 and 1874; James Bowe, 1875 and 1876; Jacob Haessley, 1877, 1878, 1879
and 1880.
Coroners. — There was little for a Coroner to do at first, and none were provided for until
1848, the first election being held that year, and the incumbent's time began with the succeed-
ing January. Those who have held the office are as follows : Joel A. Baldwin, 1849 and 1850 ;
Alonzo Raymond, 1851 and 1852; Lewis Crofoot, 1853 and 1854; Jerre Homiston, 1855 and
1856; Josiah Barnett, 1857 and 1858; George Moore, 1859 and 1860; Asher Armstrong,
1861 and 1862 ; J. W. Hall, 1863 and 1864 ; I. Tompkins, 1865 and 1866 ; Z. L. Chapman,
1867, 1868, 1869 and 1870 ; L. B. Taylor, 1871 and 1872; James O'Reiley, 1873, 1874,
1875 and 1876 ; Peter V. Sang, 1877 and 1878 ; William Burns, 1879 and 1880.
COUNTY BOARD OF STIPBRVISORS.
County Commissioners. — Reuben Simmons, John Bannister and Edward Pier, during
1839, 1840 and 1841; George White, Edward Pier and Alonzo Raymond, during 1842, until
April, when the county was governed by a Board of Supervisors, composed of a representative
from each town.
Board of Supervisors. — George White, of Calumet, and Henry Conklin, of Fond du Lac,
for 1842 ; Edward Pier, of Fond du Lac, and John J. Driggs, of Calumet, for 1843 ; Edward
Pier, of Fond du Lac, and George White, of Calumet, for 1844; Edward Pier, of Pond du Lac,
388 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
Rufus P. Eaton, of Calumet, Frederick F. Davis, of Waupun, and Lester Rounds, of Ceresco,
for 1845 ; Edward Pier, of Fond ',du Lac, Lester Rounds, of Ceresco, Almon Osboin, of Meto-
men, Samuel Sanborn, of Rosendale, Edward Syke's, of Lime, William Stewart, of Byron, and
Daniel B. Whiting, of Waupun, for 1846.
1847. — Edward Pier, of Fond du Lac ; George White, of Calumet ; William Stewart, of
Byron; Harvey Buell, of Oakfield; Henry C. Giltner, of Forest; A. C. Everest, of Seven
Mile Creek ; John H. Adams, of Auburn ; Samuel Sanborn, of Rosendale ; Milton Tolcott, of Alto ;
T. C. Snow, of Waupun, and George D. Ruggles, of Taycheedah.
1848. — R. F. Adams, of Auburn ; Edward Pier, of Fond du Lac ; Samuel Sanborn, of
Rosendale ; Charles Willard, of Oakfield ; George White, of Calumet ; Milton Tolcott, of
Alto; T. C. Snow, of Waupun; William Stewart, of Byron; G. D. Ruggles, of Taycheedah,
and A. C. Everest, of Seven Mile Creek.
1849 — George White, of Calumet; Charles Doty, of Taycheedah ; Selim Newton, of Fond
du Lac ; H.^ C. Giltner, of Forest ; James M. Adams, of Auburn ; Peter Vandervoort, of Eden ;
William Stewart, of Byron ; James Patterson, of Oakfield ; Peter V. Sang, of Lamartine ;
Jonathan Dougherty, of Rosendale ; D. P. Mapes, of Ceresco ; Warren Whiting, of Spring-
vale ; H. C. Eggleston, of Metomen ; Samuel A. Carpenter, of Alto ; Moses Campbell, of
Waupun, and M. S. Barnett, of Eldorado. The Board was largely increased and somewhat
changed by the elections in newly organized towns, and at the last meeting of the year was
composed of the following : P. V. Sang, of Lamartine ; Jerome Yates, of Rosendale ; William
Stewart, of Byron ; Thomas S. Wilcox, of Auburn ; D. D. Wilcox, of Chili ; P. Vandervoort,
of Eden ; George W. Elliott, of Taycheedah ; J. C. Lewis, of Fond du Lac ; W. I. Ripley, of
Oakfield ; Warren Whiting, of Springvale ; H. W. Bruce, of Friendship ; William Starr, of
Ceresco ; Moses Campbell, of Waupun ; R. P. Baton, of Calumet ; Joseph Wagner, of Forest ;
Peter Wilsey, of Metomen, and Henry Boardman, of Alto.
1850 — Edwin Flint, of Fond du Lac ; Francis S. Crons, of Taycheedah ; Joseph Wagner,
of Forest ; Thomas S. Wilcox, of Auburn ; Joseph Lawler, of Eden ; D. D. Wilcox, of Ashford ;
William Stewart, of Byron ; George White, of Calumet ; H. W. Bruce, of Friendship ; L. M.
Dunham, of Eldorado ; C. F. Hammond, of Rosendale ; Robert Jenkinson, of Metomen ; War-
ren Whiting, of Springvale ; William Starr, of Ceresco ; Samuel K. Vaughn, of Waupun ; Fay-
ette S. Brown, of Lamartine ; James Patterson, of Oakfield ; Daniel Wilcox, of Alto.
1851 — Seth G. Pickett, of Ashford; Thomas S. Wilcox, of Auburn; Henry Boardman,
of Alto ; N. M. Donaldson, of Waupun ; James Patterson, of Oakfield ; Daniel C. Brooks, of
Byron ; Joseph Lawler, of Eden ; J. W. Whitney, of Osceola ; C. P. Dunning, of Metomen :
Henry I. Ackerman^ of Springvale ; Andrew Smith, of Lamartine ; Isaac Brown, of Fond du
Lac ; John Y. Westervelt, of Empire ; Joseph Wagner, of Forest ; Warren Chase, of Ceresco ;
C. F. Hammond, of Rosendale ; L. M. Dunham, of Eldorado ; Miner Wilson, of Friendship
and John Islett, of Taycheedah.
1852— Edward Pier, of Fond du Lac Town ; E. H. Galloway, of North Ward of city of
Fond du Lac ; W. H. Hiner, of South Ward of city of Fond du Lac ; Brigham Payne, of
Friendship; N. S. Thompson, of Eldorado; C. F. Hammond, of Rosendale; E. A. Newton,
of Ceresco ; George W. Parker, of Metomen ; James McElroy, of Alto ; N. M. Donaldson, of
Waupun; A. C. Whiting, of Springvale; F; S. Brown, of Lamartine; Oscar' Hurlbut, of
Oakfield; D. C. Brooks, of Byron; William Stewart, of Eden; J. Y. Westervelt, of Empire;
Henry Crownhart, of Ashford ; C. D. Gage, of Auburn ; C. W. Prescott, of Osceola ; Joseph
Wagner, of Forest ; Charles Geisse, of Taycheedah, and Augustus Hugssen, of Calumet.
1853 — Peter Johnson, of Ashford; William Pool, of Auburn; William Brisbane, of Alto;
N. M. Donaldson, of Waupun ; 0. Hurlbut, of Oakfield ; Henry Conklin, of Byron ; Aaron
Walters, of Eden ; John Beeson, of Osceola ; G. W. Parker, of Metomen ; A. C. Whiting, of
Springvale ; Edward Pier, town of Fond du Lac ; Jerod Chapel, of North Ward of the city of
Fond du Lac ; John Nichols, of South Ward of city of Fond du Lac ; J. E. Fisher, of Empire ;
Joseph Wagner, of Forest ; T. B. Bobbins, of Ceresco ; G. D. Curtis, of Rosendale ; B. F.
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 389
Hatch, of Eldorado ; A. Henning, of Friendship ; Charles Geisse, of Taycheedah - W. R. Tall-
madge, of Calumet and P. V. Sang, of Lamartine.
1854— Isaac Brown, of First Ward, J. M. Taylor, of Second Ward, G. W. Sexmith, of
Third Ward, of city of Fond du Lac ; S. N. Hawes, of Fond du Lac Town ; Peter Johnson, of
Ashford; William Pool, of Auburn ; R. M. Harwood, of Alto ; Daniel Wilcox, of Waupun ; H.
D. Hitt, of Oakfield ; Henry Conklin, of Byron ; Aaron Walters, of Eden ; S. L. Marston, of
Osceola ; William Plocker, of Metomen ; A. C. Whiting, of Springvale ; R. R. Crowe, of Lam-
artine ; John Berry, of Empire ; Joseph Wagner, of Forest ; A. B. Beardsley, of Ceresco ; Ber-
tine Pinkney, of Rosendale ; B. F. Hatch, of Eldorado ; John Stoddard, of Friendship ; 0. R.
Potter, of Taycheedah and John Boyd, of Calumet. At a special session for the year 1855, the
names of Joel Savage and Alexander Cronk appear, but credited to no town.
1855 — Jacob Haessley, of Ashford ; William Chapman, of Auburn ; Rufus M. Harwood,
of Alto ; N. M. Donaldson, of Waupun ; H. D. Hitt, of Oakfield ; C. B. Brown, of Byron ;
A. Walters, of Eden ; S. L. Marston, of Osceola ; A. F. Bush, of Metomen ; S. A. Chase,
town of Fond du Lac ; John Berry, of Empire ; Joseph Wagner, of Forest ; A. B. Beardsley,
of Ceresco; Clinton Matteson, of Rosendale ; P. Macken, of Eldorado ; John Stoddard, of
Friendship ; 0. R. Potter, of Taycheedah ; John Boyd, of Calumet ; Henry Conklin, of the
First Ward, D. E. Hoskins, Second Ward, J. M. Taylor, Third Ward, George W. Sexmith,
Fourth Ward, and E. Delany, Fifth Ward, of Fond du Lac City ; W. B. Disbrow, of Spring-
vale, and E. B. Lyman, of Lamartine.
1856 — Jacob Haessley, of Ashford ; H. Parsons, of Auburn ; R. M. Harwood, of Alto ;
Joel Savage, of Waupun ; H. D. Hitt, of Oakfield ; Franklin Nye, of Byron ; A. Walters, of
Eden; E. C. Airhart, of Osceola; William Plocker, of Metomen; W. B. Disbrow, of Spring-
vale ; F. S. Brown, of Lamartine ; S. A. Chase, of Fond du Lac Town ; H. Conklin, First
Ward, John B. Wilbor, Second Ward, J. M. Taylor, Third Ward, T.; S. Henry, Fourth Ward,
and E. Delany, Fifth Ward, of Fond du Lac City ; A. T. Germond, of Empire ; S. K. Barnes,
of Forest ; D. P. Mapes, of Ceresco ; Clinton Matteson, of Rosendale ; P. Macken, of Eldo-
rado ; John Stoddard, of B riendship ; T. Magnussen, of Taycheedah ; Joseph Wagner, of
Marshfield ; John Boyd, of Calumet.
1857— K. A. Darling, First Ward, J. B. Wilbor, Second Ward, C. A. Rider, Third
Ward, George Williams, Fourth Ward, and E. Delany, Fifth Ward, of Fond du Lac City ;
C. D. Gage, of Auburn ; Peter Johnson, of Ashford ; A. Walters, of Eden ; William Mitchell,
of Osceola ; Franklin Nye, of Byron ; Charles Carberry, of Friendship ; S. A. Chase, town
of Fond du Lac; F. S. Brown, of Lamartine; P. Macken, of Eldorado; Orin Hatch, of Oak-
field ; H. N. Jewett, of Springvale ; H. W. Wolcutt, of Rosendale ; Joel Savage, of Waupun ;
A. H. Rounsville, of Waupun Village ; 0. L. Olmstead, of Alto ; A. Thomas, of Ripon ;
William Plocker, of Metomen; A. T. Germond, of Empire; S. K. Barnes, of Forest; Charles
Geisse, of Taycheedah ; J. Wagner, of Marshfield ; John Boyd, of Calumet.
1858— E. A. Brown, First Ward, Edward S. Bragg, Second Ward, J. M. Taylor, Third
Ward, John Maginnis, Fourth Ward, L. Canfield, Fifth Ward, of Fond du Lac City ; J.
Goss, of Fond du Lac Town ; John Stoddard, of Friendship ; Delos Wilcox, of Auburn ; John A.
Hendricks, of Ashford ; A. Walters, of Eden ; Asher Armstrong, of Osceola ; F. Nye, of Byron ;
John Boyd, of Calumet ; A. T. Germond, of Empire ; J. W. Hall, of Forest ; Charles Geisse,
of Taycheedah ; H. C. Giltner, of Marshfield ; F. S. Brown, of Lamartine, P. Macken, of
Eldorado; W. B. Disbrow, of Springvale; T. Conklin, of Oakfield; B. H. Bettis, of Waupun;
A. H. Rounsville, of Waupun Village ; R. M. Harwood, of Alto ; William Plocker, of Metomen ;
J. W. Sanders, of Rosendale ; A. Thomas, of Ripon Town ; William Starr, First Ward of
Ripon City ; Lyman Town, Second Ward of Ripon City.
1859— J. H. Hayford, First Ward, E. S. Bragg, Second Ward, T. W. Dee, Third Ward,
George Williams, Fourth Ward, and C. R. Harrison, Fifth Ward, of Fond du Lac City ; G.
K. Stanchfield, town of Fond du Lac ; John Stoddard, of Friendship ; William Pool, of
Auburn; A. Dierenger, of Ashford; J. M. Adams, of Byron; A. Walters, of Eden; C. W.
390 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
Prescotti of Osceola; A. T. Germond, of Empire; John Traoey, of Forest; Joseph Wagner,
of Marshfield ; John Boyd, of Calumet; Charles Geisse, of Taycheedah ; F. S. Brown, of Lam-
artine; P. Macken, of Eldorado; W. B. Disbrow, of Springvale; 0. Hatch, of Oakfield^ B.
H. Bettis, of Waupun Town; A. H. RounsviUe, of-Waupon Village; J. McElroy, of Alto;
William Blocker, of Metomen ; J. W. Sanders, of Rosendale; A. Thomas, of Ripon Town;
H. S. Town, First Ward, city of Ripon ; H. T. Henton, Second Ward, city of Ripon. ' James
Henderson was admitted to the Board on motion, for that year, but credited to no locality.
I860— Edward Beeson, First Ward, E. S. Bragg, Second Ward, G. W. Sawyer, Third
Ward, R. A. Baker, Fourth Ward, C. R. Harrison, Fifth Ward, of the city of Fond du Lac ;
G. K. Stanchfield, of Fond du Lac Town ; John Stoddard, of Friendship ; Charles D. Gage, of
Auburn ; A. Dierenger, of Ashford ; N. C. Lewis, of Byron ; A. Walters, of Eden ; C. Mat-
-teson, of Rosendale ; A. T. Germond, of Empire ; John Tracy, of Forest ; J. Wagner, of
Marshfield ; John Boyd, of Calumet ; Charles Geisse, of Taycheedah ; W. S. Warner, of Lam-
artine ; P. Crane, of Eldorado ; George F. Wheeler, of Springvale ; 0. Hatch, of Oakfield ;
B. H. Bettis, of Waupun Town ; C. B. Whitton, of Waupun Village ; J. McElroy, of Alto ;
' A. Osborn, of Metomen; S. Fordice, of Rosendale; A. Thomas, of Ripon Town; W. Kings-
bury, of First Ward, Ripon City ; H. T. Henton, of Second Ward, Ripon City.
1861— W. D. Sherwood, First Ward, Peter Rupp, Second Ward, B. F. Moore, Third
Ward, R. A. Baker, Fourth Ward, and M. Lockwood, Fifth Ward, of Fond du Lac City ; S.
A. Chase, of Fond du Lac Town; Charles Carberry, of Friendship; C. D. Gage, of Auburn;
Joseph Wagner, of Marshfield; C. P. Phelps, of Byron; A. Walters, of Eden; C. W. Pres-
<!ott, of Osceola; John Meiklejohn, of Empire; J. W. Hall, of Forest; John Boyd, of Calii-
met; B. F. Smith, of Taycheedah; W. S. Warner, of Lamartine; L. M. Dunham, of Eldo-
rado ; Warren Whiting, of Springvale ; B. R. Harrington, of Oakfield ; Joseph Fairbanks, of
Waupun Town; T. W. Markle, of Waupun Village; A. J. Mattoon, of Alto; William
Blocker, of Metomen ; Stanton Fordice, of Rosendale ; T. B. Robbins, of Ripon Town ; J.
McCord, of Second Ward, Ripon City.
At the election in November of 1861, the form and manner of the county government was
■changed, at which time a Supervisor was elected for each of the five Assembly Districts. The
result was as follows :
1862 and 1863— Henry C. Bottum for the First District; R. M. Harwood, Second Dis-
trict; B. F. Moore, Third District; John Berry, Fourth District, and S. L. Marston, Fifth
District.
1864 and 1865— L N. Woodruff, First District; Dr. Elliott Brown, Second District; B.
F. Moore, Third District; Joseph Wagner, Fourth District ; W. H. Metcalf and N. Filby, Fifth
District.
1866^ — Henry Wright, First District ; William Thompson, Second District ; E. H. Gallo-
•way, Third District; John Boyd, Fourth District; Aaron Walters, Fifth District.
Before the election in the fall of 1866, the county was divided into six districts, instead of
five. A Supervisor at large was added, increasing the County Board to seven members, and
one-half the members were elected every year. Under this plan, the County Board was com-
posed of the following members :
1867 — Gustave de Neveu, at large; Henry Wright, First District; William Thompson,
Second District; James Ewen, Third District; E. H. Galloway, Fourth District; A. Walters,
Fifth District ; J. E. Meiklejohn, Sixth District.
1868 — Gustave de Neveu, at large; A. M. Skeels, First District; B. H. Bettis, Second
District; James Ewen, Third District; E. H. Galloway, Fourth District; A. Walters, Fifth
District ; Joseph Wagner, Sixth District.
1869— E. H. Galloway, at large; A. M. Skeels, First District; B. H. Bettis, Second
District; Hannibal Woodworth, Third District ; U. D. Mihills, Fourth District; Aaron Walters,
Fifth District ; J. Wagner, Sixth District.
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 391
1870 — E. H. Galloway, at large ; A. M. Skeels, First District ; A. J. Yorty, Second Dis-
trict ; Hannibal Woodworth, Third District ; S. A. Chase, Fourth District ; A. Walters, Fifth
District, and Joseph Wagner, Sixth District.
The County Board was at this time changed back to the " Town Principle " of representa-
tion, the first election being held in April, 1870, and has since continued in that form. The
different Boards have been as follows :
1870— For Ashford, Jacob Haessley; for Auburn, J. P. Post; Alto, H. C. Williams;
Waupun, Warren Whiting ; Oakfield, E. A. Putnam ; Byron, D. D. Treleven ; Eden, Henry
Hayes ; Osceola, Daniel Cavanagh ; Metomen, John Wormwood ; Springavle, S. Wilkinson ;
Lamartine, E. P. Hall ; Fond du Lac Town, Gr. K. Stanchfield ; Empire, A. T. Germond ;
Forest, J. W. Hall; Ripon Town, A. A. Loper; Rosendale, J. W. Sanders; Eldorado, C. W.
Frederick ; Friendship, J. Kinsman ; Taycheedah, B. F. O'Laughlin ; Marshfield, J. Wagne,r ;
Calumet, Thomas Boyd ; First Ward of Fond du Lac City, H. Shattuck ; Second Ward, C. L.
Ailing; Third Ward, H. P. Brown ; Fourth Ward, William Rueping; Fifth Ward, U. D.
Mihills ; First Ward, Ripon City, William AVorkman ; Second Ward, J. J. Foote ; N'orth Ward,
village of Waupun, T. W. Markle.
1871 — For Alto, James McElroy ; for Ashford, Peter Johnson ; Auburn, J. V. Harter ;
Byron, D. D. Treleven ; Calumet, C. Thuerwachter ; Eldorado, C. W. Frederick ; Eden, N.
Klotz ; Empire, A. T. Germond ; Forest, J. W. Hall ; Friendship, J. Kinsman ; Fond du Lac
'Town, D. C. Lamb ; Lamartine, E. P. Hall ; Metomen, A. J. Yorty ; Marshfield, J. Wagner ;
Osceola, D. Cavanagh ; Oakfield, V. E. Galloway ; Ripon, A. A. Loper ; Rosendale, E. C.
Stewart; Springvale, S. Wilkinson ; Taycheedah, B. F. O'Laughlin; Waupun, Warren Whit-
ing; First Ward of Ripon City, S. Sumner; Second Ward, J. Dobbs, Jr.; First Ward of Fond
du Lac City, William Koehne ; ■ Second Ward, C. L. Ailing ; Third Ward, H. P. Brown ; Fourth
Ward, S. A. Chase; Fifth Ward, 0. C. Bissell; North Ward of Waupun Village, T. W. Markle.
1872 — For Alto, G. H. Downey ; for Ashford, Peter Johnson ; Auburn, Andrew Dier-
enger ; Waupun, Warren Whiting ; Oakfield, N. Filby ; Byron, John Bell ; Eden, N. Klotz ;
Osceola, D. Cavanagh ; Metomen, R. C. Kelley ; Springvale, S. Wilkinson ; Lamartine, E. P.
Hall; Fond du Lac Town, H. Van Allen; Empire, A. T. Germond; Forest, J.W.Hall;
Ripon Town, A. A. Loper; Rosendale, H. C, Bottum ; Eldorado, James Lewis; Friendship,
Hector Munroe ; Taycheedah, B. F. O'Laughlin ; Marshfield, J. Wagner ; Calumet, Lambert
Brest ; First Ward of Ripon City, William Workman ; Second Ward, H. S. Town ; First Ward
of city of Fond du Lac, William Koehne ; Second Ward, C. F. Kalk ; Third Ward, S. W.
Edson ; Fourth Ward, C. L. Encking ; Fifth Ward, Nathan Parker ; North Ward of Waupun
Village, T. W. Markle.
1873 — Michael Serwe, for Ashford ; A. Dierenger, Auburn ; G. H. Downey, Alto ;
Joseph Fairbanks, Waupun ; E. A. Putnam, Oakfield; John Bell, Byron ; Ignatius Klotz, Eden ;
D. Cavanagh, Osceola ; John Wormwood, Metomen ; T. K. Gillett, Springvale ; A. A. John-
son, Lamartine ; D. C. Lamb, Fond du Lac Town ; A. T. Germond, Empire ; J. W. Hall,
Forest'; A. A. Loper, Ripon Town; H. C. Bottum, Rosendale; James Lewis, Eldorado; Hector
Munroe, Friendship ; B. F. O'Laughlin, Taycheedah ; J. Wagner, Marshfield ; Lambert Brest,
Calumet ; George E. Sutherland, First Ward of Ripon City ; J. Dobbs, Second Ward of the
same ; L. R. Lewis, First Ward ; C. F. Kalk, Second Ward ; M. W. Simmons, Third Ward ;
C. A. Galloway, Fourth Ward; N. Parker, Fifth Ward, of Fond du Lac City; J. W. Oliver,
North Ward of Waupun Village.
1874 — John A. Hendricks, for Ashford ; C. Oeder, Auburn ; G. H. Downey, Alto ; War-
ren Whiting, Waupun Town ; E. A. Putnam, Oakfield; John Bell, Byron; I. Klotz, Eden; D.
Cavanagh, Osceola; John Wormwood, Metomen; T. K. Gillett, Springvale; A. A. Johnson,
Lamartine ; D. C. Lamb, Fond du Lac Town ; John Meiklejohn, Empire ; J. W. Hall, Forest;
A. A. Loper, Ripon Town ; H. C. Bottum, Rosendale ; C. W. Frederick, Eldorado ; Charles
Carbery, Friendship ; Michael Wirtz, Taycheedah ; Lambert Brest, Calumet ; William Wolf,
Marshfield ; T. W. Markle, North Ward of Waupun Village ; J. Bowen, First Ward of Ripon
392 HISTOEY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
City ; J. Dobbs, Second Ward of Ripon City ; T. F. Mayham, First Ward ; C. L. Ailing,
Second Ward ; M. W. Simmons, Third Ward ; S. A. Chase, Fourth Ward, and John Gill, Fifth
Ward, Fond du Lac City.
1875— Michael Thelen, for Ashford ; C. Oeder, Auburn ; Gr. H. Downey, Alto ; L. H.
Hills, Waupun Town ; A. A. Swan, Oakfield ; John Bell, Byron ; I. Klotz, Eden ; D. Cava-
nagh, Osceola ; John Wormwood, Metomen ; F. M. Wheeler, Springvale ; P. Greening, Lamar-
tine ; John Meiklejohn, Empire ; Peter Loehr, Forest ; E. P. West, Ripon Town ; H. C. Bot-
tum, Rosendale ; C. W. Frederick, Eldorado ; Joseph Kinsman, Friendship ; Michael Wirtz,
Taycheedah ; Lambert Brost, Calumet ; Richard Schrage, Marshfield ; T. W. Markle, North
Ward of Waupun Village ; E. L. Northrup, First Ward of Ripon City ; J. Dobbs, Second
Ward of Ripon City ; J. F. M. Gaertner, First Ward, C. L. Ailing, Second Ward, John
Spence, Third Ward, C. L. Encking, Fourth Ward, 0. C. Bissell, Fifth Ward, Leroy Graves,
Sixth Ward, A. Habermann, Seventh Ward, and 0. Hatch, Eighth Ward, Fond du Lao City.
1876— Michael Thelen, for Ashford ; C. Oeder, Auburn ; G. H. Downey^ Alto ; W. T.
Brooks, Waupun ; A. A. Swan, Oakfield ; John Bell, Byron ; I. Klotz, Eden ; D. Cavanagh,
Osceola ; P. K. Pickard, Metomen ; T. K. Gillett, Springvale ; Phillip Greening, Lamartine ;
H. Van Allen, Fond du Lac Town ; John Meiklejohn, Empire ; Peter Loehr, Forest ; E. P.
West, Ripon Town; H. C. Bottum, Rosendale; John Reimer, Eldorado; P. McMonagle,
Friendship ; Michael Wirtz, Taycheedah ; Lambert Brost, Calumet ; Frederick Konz, Marsh-
field ; T. W. Markle, North Ward, Waupun Village; J. P. Taggart, First Ward, Ripon City;
J. Dobbs, Second Ward, Ripon City; S. S. Bowers, First Ward, Byron Town, Second Ward,
J. C. Lowell, Third Ward, S. A. Chase, Fourth Ward, 0. C. Bissell, Fifth Ward, Leroy
Graves, Sixth Ward, David Chamberlain, Seventh Ward, and A. T. Little, Eighth Ward, Fond
du Lac City.
1877— Michael Thelen, for Ashford ; C. Oeder, Auburn ; G. H. Downey, Alto ; L. H.
Hills, Waupun Town; A. A. Swan, Oakfield; John Bell, Byron; I. Klotz, Eden; D. Cava-
nagh, Osceola ; John Wormwood, Metomen ; A. C. Whiting, Springvale ; W. S. Warner, Lamar-
tine ; H. Van Allen, Fond du Lac Town ; Edward Colman, Empire ; William Ralston, Ripon
Town ; George D. Curtis, Rosendale ; John Reimer, Eldorado ; J. Kinsman, Friendship ; M.
Wirtz, Taycheedah ; T. Konz, Marshfield ; Lambert Brost, Calumet ; E. L. Northrup, First
Ward, Ripon City ; J. Dobbs, Second Ward, Ripon City; John Musgat, First Ward, C. Serwe,
Second Ward, B. F. Moore, Third Ward, C. H. De Groat, Fourth Ward, J. F. Fontana, Fifth
Ward ; J. W. Crippen, Sixth Ward, John Gallagher, Seventh Ward, and A. T. Little, Eighth
Ward, Fond du Lac City ; T. W. Markle, North Ward, Waupun Village.
1878 — W. D. Ash, for Brandon Village ; F. L. Bacon, Waupun Town ; John Bell, Byron ;
L. Brost, Columet ; E. C. Stewart, Rosendale ; G., H. Downey, Alto ; Phillip Greening, Lamar-
tine ; Theodore Herrling, Friendship ; I. Klotz, Eden ; F. Konz, Marshfield ; C. Oeder,
Auburn; P. K. Pickard, Metomen; A. R. Hargrave, Ripon Town; John Reimer, Eldorado;
Richard Ring, Osceola; A. A. Swan, Oakfield; M. Thelen, Ashford; F. M. Wheeler, Spring-
vale; John Wiley, Empire; M. Wirtz, Taycheedah; John Will, Forest; Henry Van Allen,
Fond du Lac Town; W. B. Kingisbury, First Ward, of Ripon City ; Jerre Dobbs, Second Ward,
of Ripon City ; F. B. Hoskins, First Ward, Joseph Radford, Second Ward, B. F. Moore,
Third Ward, A. H. Bruett, Fourth Ward, 0. C. Bissell, Fifth Ward, Fred Grill, Sixth
Ward, Williaiii Ladewig, Seventh Ward, and Martin Kaeding, Eighth Ward, of Fond du Lac
City ; T. W. Markle, North Ward of Waupun Village.
1879— T. F. Mayham, for First Ward, C. L. Ailing, Second Ward, Azro B. Taylor,
Third Ward, A. H. Bruett, Fourth Ward, 0. C. Bissell, Fifth Ward, B. F. Sweet, Sixth
Ward, Daniel Schaefer, Seventh Ward, and M. Kaeding, Eighth Ward, of Fond du Lac City;
W. D. Ash, village of Brandon, F. L. Bacon, Waupun Town ; John Bell, Byron ; L. Brost,
Calumet; E. Babcock, Ripon Town; L. B. Dunham, Fond du Lac Town; G. H. Downey,
Alto : J. M. Geerey, First Ward, of Ripon City ; E. L. Runals, Second Ward, of Ripon City ;
T. K. Gillett, Springvale ; T. Herrling, Friendship ; I. Klotz, Eden ; James Laiferty, Empire ;
HISTORY OF FOKD DU LAC COUNTY. 393
T. W. Markle, North Ward, of Waupun Village ; W. D. Nash, Lamartine ; C. Oeder, Auhurn ;
P. K. Pickard, Metomen ; Richard Ring, Osceola ; F. R. Shepard, Oakfield ; J. K. Scribner,
Hldorado ; E. C. Stewart, Rosendale ; M. Thelen, .Ashford ; John Will, Forest ; M. Wirtz,
Taycheedah ; Fred. Konz, Marshfield.
Chairmen of the County Board. — Reuben Simmons, 1839 and 1840 ; John Bannister,
1841; George White, 1842; John J. Driggs, 1843; Edward Pier, 1844; Rufus P. Eaton,
1845: Lester Rounds, 1846; George D. Ruggles, 1847 ; David P. Mapes, 1848; Peter V.
Sang, 1849 and 1850 ; William Starr, 1851 ; Isaac Brown, 1852 ; N. M. Donaldson, 1853 ;
Peter V. Sang, 1854 ; Henry Conklin, 1855 ; N. M. Donaldson, 1856 ; John Boyd, 1857 ;
William Plocker, 1858 ; Joseph Wagner, 1859 ; George W. Sawyer, 1860 ; John Boyd, 1861 ;
B. F. Moore, 1862, 1863, 1864 and 1865; E. H. Galloway, 1866, 1867, 1868 and 1869; V.
D. Mihills, 1870; Dana C. Lamb, 1871; Joseph Wagner, 1872; Jerre Dobbs, 1873; F. F.
Parsons, 1874 ; Jerre Dobbs, 1875, 1876, 1877 and 1878 ; Lambert Brost, 1879.
TERRITORIAL STATE AND NATIONAL REPRESENTATION.
I.— Fond du Lac County's Representation in the Terkitorial Legislature.
First Session of the First Legislative Assembly, 1836. — Members of the Council, Henry
S. Baird and John P. Arndt. Representatives — Ebenezer Childs, Albert G. Ellis and Alexander
J. Irwin.;* District composed of Brown county, which included Fond du Lac not yet organized.
Second Session, 1837-38. — Members of Council, John P. Arndt and Joseph Dickinson.!
Representatives — Ebenezer Childs, George McWilliams and Charles C. Sholes.
Special Session, 1838. — Members of Council, Alexander J. Irwin and John P. Arndt.
Representatives — George McWilliams, Charles C. Sholes and Ebenezer Childs.
First Session of. the Second Legislative Assembly, 1838. — Members of Council, Alex-
ander J. Irwin and Morgan L. Martin. Representatives — Ebenezer Childs, Charles C. Sholes,
Barlow Shackleford and Jacob W. Conroe.
Second Session, 1839. — Members of Council, Morgan L. Martin and Alexander J.
Irwin. Representatives — Ebenezer Childs, Charles C. Sholes, B9.rlow Shackleford and Jacob
W. Conroe.
Third Session, 1839-4-0. — Members of Council, Morgan L. Martin and Charles C. P.
Arndt. Representatives — Ebenezer Childs, Jacob W. Conroe, Charles C. Sholes and Barlow
Shackleford.
Fourth {extra) Session, 184.0. — Members of Council, Morgan L. Martin and Charles C.
P. Arndt. Representatives — Ebenezer Childs, Barlow Shackleford, Charles C. Sholes and
Jacob W. Conroe.
First Session of the Third Legislative Assembly, 1840-41- — Members of Council, Charles
C. P. Arndt and Morgan L. Martin. Representatives — William H. Bruce, J Mason C. Darling,
and David Giddings ; District composed of Brown, Fond du Lac, Manitowoc and Sheboygan
Counties.
Second Session, 1841-4^- — Members of Council, Morgan L. Martin and Charles C. P.
Arndt. § Representatives— Mason C. Darling, Albert G. Ellis and David Giddings ; District
-composed of Brown, Fond du Lac, Manitowoc, Portage and Sheboygan Counties.
First Session of the Fourth Legislative Assembly, 184^-43. — Member of Council,
Morgan L. Martin. Representatives — Albert G. Ellis, Mason C. Darling and David Agry ;
District composed of Brown, Calumet, Fond du Lac, Manitowoc, Marquette, Portage, She-
boygan and Winnebago Counties.
Second Session, 1843-44- — Member of Council, Morgan L. Martin. Representatives —
Albert G. Ellis, Mason C. Darling and David Agry ; District composed of Brown, Calumet,
Fond du Lac, Manitowoc, Marquette, Portage, Sheboygan and Winnebago Counties.
* Seat successfully contested by George McWilliams.
t Elected in place ot H. S. Baird, resigned. Mr. Dickmson's seat was contested and vacated ; replaced by Alexaniler J. Irwin.
i Seat successfully contested by Albert G. Ellis.
\ Killed by James K. Vineyard, February 11, 1842.
394 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
Third Session, 181(5. — Member of Council, Randall Wilcox. Representativ^es — Mason
C. Darling, Abraham Brawley and William Fowler ;* District composed of Brown, Calumet,
Fond du Lac, Manitowoc, Marquette, Portage, Sheboygan and Winnebago Counties.
Fourth Session, IS^JS. — Member of Council, Randall Wilcox. Representatives — Abra-
ham Brawley, Mason C. Darling and Elisha Morrow ; District comlposed of Brown, Calumet,
Fond du Lac, Manitowoc, Marquette, Portage, Sheboygan and Winnebago Counties.
First Session of the Fifth Legislative Assembly, 184-7. — Member of Council, Mason C.
Darling. Representatives — filisha Morrow and Hugh McFarland ; District composed of
Brown, Columbia, Fond du Lac, Manitowoc, Marquette, Portage and Winnebago Counties.
Special Session, 184-7. — Member of Council, Mason C. Darling. Representatives —
Moses S. Gibson and G. W. Featherstonhaugh ; District composed of Columbia, Brown, Calumet,
Fond du Lac, Manitowoc, Marquette, Portage and Winnebago Counties.'
Second Session, 18 4-8. -^Memher of Council, Mason C. Darling. Representatives —
G. W. Featherstonhaugh and Moses S. Gibson ; District composed of Brown, Columbia, Calumet,
Fond du Lac, Manitowoc, Marquette, Portage and Winnebago Counties.
II. — Fond du Lac County's Representation in the Constitutional Convention of 1846
AND OF 1847-8.
The first convention to frame a constitution for the State of Wisconsin assembled at
Madison, the capital, on the 5th day of October, 1846, and adjourned on the 16th day of Decem-
ber following, having framed a constitution, which was submitted to a vote of the people on
the first Tuesday in April, 1847, and rejected. In this convention. Fond du Lac County was
represented by Warren Chase, Lorenzo Hazen an'd Moses S. Gibson.
A second convention to frame a constitution for the State assembled at Madison, on the-
15th of December, 1847, and adjourned on the 1st day of February, 1848, having framed a
constitution, which was submitted to a vote of the people on the second Monday in March fol-
lowing, and adopted. In that convention Fond du Lac County was represented by Samuel W.
Beal and Warren Chase.
III.— Fond du Lac County's Representation in the State Senate.
Warren Chase, 1848-49 ; John A. Eastman, 1850-51 ; Bertine Pinkney, 1852; A. M. Blair,
1853; Charles A. Eldredge, 1854-55; Edward Pier, 1856-59 ; E. L. Phillips, 1860-61 ; George
W. Mitchell, 1862-53 ; George F.Wheeler, 1864-67 ; Edward S. Bragg, 1868-69 ; Hiram S. Town,
1870-71 ; W. H. Hiner and Joseph Wagner, 1872-75 ; H. H. Hiner and Daniel Cavanagb,
1876-77 ; A. A, Loper and Lewis Wolfi", 1878-79 ; George Sutherland and P. H. Smith, 1880-81.
In 1872, the Eighteenth Senatorial District was made to include the whole of Fond da
Lac County, except the towns of Calumet, Marshfield, Forest, Osceola, Auburn, Ashford, Tay-
cheedah and Eden, which, with the county of Sheboygan, formed the Twentieth District. Thig
apportionment remains unchanged. The Eighteenth District has thus far been represented by
Hiner,- Loper and Sutherland; the Twentieth by Cavanagh, Wolif and Smith.
IV. — Foiro DU Lac County's Representation in the Assembly.
1848 — Charles Doty and Jonathan Daugherty. 1849 — Morgan L. Noble and Jonathan
Daugherty. 1850 — Morgan L. Noble and Bertine Pinkney. 1851 — Morris S. Barnett and
Charles L. Julius. 1852 — Benjamin F. Moore andN. M. Donaldson. 1853^Querin Loehr, Isaac
S. Tallmadge, Charles D. Gage andN. M. Donaldson. 18^4— Major J. Thomas, N. M. Donald-
son, Isaac S. Tallmadge and Edward Bcener. 1855 — John Boyd, B. R. Harrington, George W.
Parker and William H. Ebbetts. 1856 — Isaac Brown, Peter Johnson, Joseph Wagner and
George W. Parker. 1857— Edmund L. Runals, M. S. Barnett, John B. Wilbor, Major J.
Thomas and Aaron Walters. 1858— Edmund L. Runals, Henry D. Hitt, F. D. McCarty,.
*A Brothertown Indian.
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 395
Joseph Wagner and William. S. Tuttle. 1859 — Alvan E. Bovay, Warren Whiting, John C.
Lewis, 0. H. Fetters, elected in place of E. K. Barnes, who died before taking his seat, and
Silas C. Matteson. 1860 — A. E. Bovay, B. H. Bettis, John C. Lewis, John Boyd and
Walcott T. Brooks. 1861— C. T. Hammond, B. H. Bettis, Selim Newton, John W. Hall and
Horace Stanton. 1862 — C. F. Hammond, W. W. Hatcher, Campbell McLean, John Boyd,
and H. C. Hamilton. 1863 — Willian Starr, Freeman M. Wheeler, E. H. Galloway, Samuel
O'Hara and E. Foster. 1864 — William Starr, James McElroy, E. H. Galloway, Charles
Geisse and Edgar Wilcox. 1865 — D. C. Van Ostrand, J. H. Brinkerhoff, James Sawyer,
Thomas Boyd and Jonathan Large. 1866 — A. M. Skeels, George F. Cl»rk, James Coleman,
Joseph Wagner and Aiidrew Dierenger. 1867 — A. M. Skeels, A. C. Whiting, James Coleman,
L. H. Gary, C. D. Gage and Joseph Wagner. 1868— Henry C. Bottum, R. C. Kelly, D. B.
Conger, S. A. Chase, Nicholas Klotz and Joseph Wagner. 1869 — H. C. Bottum, B. H. Bettis,
I. K. Hamilton, W. S. Warner, Andrew Dierenger and Charles Geisse. 1870 — Jerry Dobbs,
Jr., R. Sleyster, John Boyd, U. D. Mihills, D. Cavanagh and Charles Geisse. 1871 — J.
Bowen, J. A. Baker, G. T. Thorn, U. D. Mihills, M. Lonergan and Joseph Wagner. 1872 —
A. J. Yorty, E. Colman and A. Walters. 1873 — A. A. Loper, R. M. Lewis and T. M. Fay.
1874— David Whitton, T. S. Weeks and Ja:nes Lafferty. 1875 — William Blocker, George
Hunter and M. Serwe. 1876 — J. K. Scribner, E. A. Putnam and Lambert Brost. 1877 —
W. T. Innis, W. T. Brooks, T. W. Spence and Lambert Brost. 1878— James Fitzgerald, A. A.
Swan, Michael Wirtz and Uriah Wood. 1879— Henry C. Bottum, Phillip Greening. T. W.
Spence and M. Thelen. 1880— W. A. Adamson, D. D. Treleven, J. F. Ware and I. Klotz.
v.— Fond du Lac CouNTie's "Representation in Congkess.
The act of Congress, approved April 20, 1886, organizing the Territory of Wisconsin, con-
ferred upon the people the right to be represented in the National Congress by one delegate, to
be chosen by the votes of the qualified electors of the Territory. Under this authority, the
Territory was represented in Congress by the following delegates :
George W. Jones, elected October 10, 1836 ; James D. Doty, September 10, 1838 ; James
D. Doty, August 5, 1840 ; Henry Dodge, September 27, .1841 ; Henry Dodge, September 25,
1843 ; Morgan L. Martin, September 22, 1845 ; John H. Tweedy, September 6, 1847.
By the Constitution, adopted when the Territory becaihe a State in 1848, two Representa-
tives in Congress were provided for, by dividing the State into two Congressional Districts.
The Second District included, along with other counties, that of Fond du Lac. Under this
authority,- an election was held May 8, 1848, and Mason C. Darling was elected to represent
the Second District. He took his seat June 9 of that year. At the first session of the State
Legislature — June 5 to August 21, 1848 — the State was divided into three Congressional Dis-
tricts. Fond du Lac County fell into the Third District. This apportionment continued
unchanged until 1861. The Third District was represented in Congress as follows: Thirty-
first Congress, James Duane Doty ; Thirty-second, John B. Macy ; Thirty-third, John B. Macy ;
Thirty-fourth, Charles Billinghurst ; Thirty-fifth, Charles Billinghurst ; Thirty-sixth, Charles
H. Larrabee ; Thirty-seventh, A. Scott Sloan.
At the fourteenth session of the Legislature of Wisconsin — January 9th to May 27, 1861
— the* State was divided into six Congressional Districts. Under this apportionment. Fond du.
Lac County fell into the Fourth District. For the next ten years, this District was represented
in the National Legislature by — Thirty-eighth Congress, Charles A. Eldredge ; Thirty-ninth,
Charles A. Eldredge ; Fortieth, Charles A. Eldredge ; Forty-first, Charles A. Eldredge ; Forty-
second, Charles A. Eldredge.
The present Congressional apportionment was made ac the forty-fifth session of the Legis-
lature—January 10, to March 27, 1872 — when the State was divided into eight districts. Fond
du Lac County was included, by that apportionment, in the Fifth District. From that time to
the present, the Representatives from this district have been — Forty-third Congress, Charles-
396 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
A. Eldredge ; Forty-fourth, Samuel D. Burchard ; Forty-fifth, Edward S. Bragg ; Forty-sixth,
Edward S. Bragg.
NAVIGATION OF LAKE WINNEBAGO.
The first white man that ever navigated Winnebago Lake was John Nicolet — the first of
civilized men to set foot upon any portion of what is now the State of Wisconsin. This was in
the year 1634. His craft was the bark canoe. Then followed the French trader and the Jesuit
missionary in their canoes of the same material. It was not until Green Bay had become an
American settlement that Durham boats were used upon Lake Winnebago. These were dis-
placed to a great extent by sailing boats and small steamers, not many years subsequent to the
first settlement of Fond du Lac County. But few people of the present day know what " Dur-
ham " boats are like. They were very substantial scows, and would float from fifteen to fifty
tons of freight. The logs from which they were made were elevated on "horses " several feet
above the ground, and a pit excavated under them in which, below the logs, " whip-sawyers"
■stood while sawing or " ripping " them into planks. The boats had walks built near the gun-
wale on both sides on which the crew walked while propelling the clumsy craft with poles.
Sometimes, when the water became too deep for " poling," a square sail was hoisted, which, how-
ever, was a means of but little progress.
The first steamboat that ever ran upon Lake Winnebago was the Manchester, brought by
Capt. Stephen Houghtaling from Bufi"alo, N. Y., in 1843. The woodwork was overhauled
and some of it replaced at Brothertown. The craft was then taken to Taycheedah, where the
machinery was repaired and put in order, and where its first trip was made. It was a small,
slow boat, with well-worn locomotive machinery, and did not finish its first voyage out of Tay-
cheedah, as planned, being obliged to return for further repairs. In the fall of 1843, B. F.
Moore ran her up the Wolf River with supplies. She was the first boat to ascend that
stream, and the crew were obliged to cut away the lumber rafts and driftwood in its numerous
bends before it was possible to proceed. At Shawano, the engine crank was broken, and two
men, Charles Westcott and Aaron Ninham, took a portion of the broken piece to Green Bay to
secure a new casting. This they soon did, and although weighing 151 pounds actually carried
it on their backs through an unbroken forest and over unbridged streams back to the boat, a dis-
tance of more than forty miles. During the first few years she ran upon Lake Winnebago,
the Manchester was mostly engaged in towing rafts of logs or lumber, transporting supplies and
carrying a little freight. On one occasion, she was eleven days making a trip with a raft in
tow, between Fond du Lac and Oshkosh, and frequently, in rough weather, she required two
days for the same journey with onlv a small load. In 1847, she was overhauled and made regu-
lar trips. Full information as to "time, passenger and freight rates, which are of interest now,
may be obtained from the following notice and advertisement, copied from the Fond du Lac
Whig of May 13, 1847 :
'' We take pleasure in inviting the attention of the public to the steamboat advertisement
which appears in to-day's paper. The Manchester is a beautiful and commodious boat, com-
manded by Capt. Houghtaling, and fitted up for convenience or pleasure, and plies between Fond
du Lac and the Rapids, three times a week, and returns on alternate days. From the gentle-
manly bearing and enterprise of the captain, the accommodation offered by the crew, the con-
venience of the boat and the cheapness of the fare and freight, we hesitate not to recommend
this as the best route to the rapids or any landing on the lake shores."
The advertisement referred to in the foregoing is as follows :
" 1847. Lake Winnebago Steamboat Arrangement. The Manchester, Houghtaling,
Master, will run during the season between Fond du Lac and Neenah, as follows : Departures.
Leaves Taycheedah, Mondays, 7 o'clock A. M. Leaves Fond du Lac, Mondays, 8 o'clock A.
M., for Oshkosh, touching at Brothertown. Leaves Oshkosh, Tuesdays, 8 o'clock A. M., for
Taycheedah and Fond du Lac, touching at Brothertown. Leaves Taycheedah, Wednesdays,
7 o'clock A. M. Leaves Fond du Lac, 8 o'clock A. M., for Neenah (foot of the lake,) touching
at Brothertown and Oshkosh. Leaves Neenah, Thursdays, 7 o'clock A. M., for Taycheedah and
FOND DU LAC.
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 399
Fond du Lac, touching at Oshkosh and Brothertown. Leaves Taycheedah, Fridays, 7 o'clock
A. M. Leaves Fond du Lac, Fridays, 8 o'clock A. M. for Oshkosh, touching at Brothertown.
Leaves Oshkosh, Saturdays, at 8 o'clock A. M. for Taycheedah and Fond du Lac, touching at
Brothertown. Fare : From Taycheedah to Brothertown, 25 cents. From Taycheedah to Osh-
kosh, 50 cents. From Taycheedah to Neenah, 75 cents. From Fond du Lac to Brothertown,
25 cents. From Fond du Lac to Oshkosh, 50 cents. From Fond du Lac to Neenah, 75 cents.
From Brothertown to Oshkosh, 50 cents. From Neenah to Oshkosh, 50 cents. From Neenah
to Taycheedah, 75 cents. From Neenah to Fond du Lac, 75 cents. Meals extra. Freight :
Whisky, per barrel, 25 cents ; flour, 12 cents ; pork, 25 cents ; grain, per bushel, 6 cents ;
household furniture, per barrel, bulk, 12|^ cents. The above charges for freight are from any
of the above ports to any other port."
The next steamer after the Manchester was the Peytona, built in 1849 by the Peytona
Company at Neenah, for Capt. Estes. She was one of the best boats ever built on the lake.
The third steamer was the D. B. Whitaker, built by Capt. James and Mark R. Harrison, at
Oshkosh, in 1849, and put to service the following year. In 1851, the Harrison Brothers
(Mark R. is the artist, now living in Fond du Lac, and Capt. James is a Mississippi
steamboat captain), built the John Mitchell, at Menasha. During the same year, the Ryans
built at this same place the Menasha, which was the largest steamboat ever upon Lake Winne-
bago. She had two engines, and was elegantly appointed in every way. Soon after, the Jenny
Lind was launched, and steamboating became almost a mania. There was very little freight-
ing to do, and if all the people on the shores of the lake had patronized the boats regularly, it
would hardly have made a paying business. Everybody who put any money into steamboating
at that time lost it. In 1852, John Bannister, K. A. Darling and B. F. Moore having pur-
chased the Peytona, ran her that season at such a loss that Bannister and Darling declared they
would never touch her again. Mr. Moore therefore overhauled the boat, and ran her himself
the next season, 1853, and made money enough to pay for her and all running expenses. But
the others lost more disastrously than ever. During that fall and the succeeding season of
1864, B. F. Moore, of Fond du Lac, and John Fitzgerald, of Oshkosh, bought all the boats on
the lake. They overhauled and ran seven of them, but laid up the balance. Among those in
service were the Neenah, Barlow, Eureka, Peytona and William A. Knapp. This combination
continued during 1854, 1855 and 1856, with profit to its proprietors. After that, Mr. Moore
sold out to Mr. Fitzgerald, and Fond du Lac lost her shipping interests. At that time, the
bar at the mouth of the Fond du Lac River prevented the entrance of steamers, and Mr. Moore
built a pier out into the lake, which he rented to the Oshkosh Boat Company for several years
afterward. In 1854, the Barlow, one of Moore & Fitzgerald's fleet, blew up at Oshkosh,
killing two firemen.
Henry Orr, a Scotchman, who was clerk of the Peytona, is now a millionaire, and residing
in Scotland. Capt. Hougljtaling. the first steamboat captain on Lake Winnebago, and who
has three sons in Fond du Lac, died at Detroit of a broken blood-vessel, while returning from
Pittsburgh with a boat for Lake Winnebago trafiic.
Since Mr. Moore sold his boats, the shipping interests have all remained at Oshkosh, until
August, 1877, when the " Fond du Lac Steamboat Company," composed of the leading business
men of the city of Fond du Lac, purchased the L. P. Sheldon for $2,000. It was overhauled
and christened the Commodore Benton. It was run during 1877 by Capt. Sam. Houghtaling,
and during 1878 by Capt. George Lindsley. For some unaccountable reason, the enterprise
did not pay, although it resulted in reducing freight on the railways between Green Bay and
Fond du Lac, from 25 to 40 per cent. The Oshkosh boatmen, jealous of the Commodore Ben-
ton's success in securing excursion parties, raised the cry that she was an old boat, liable to
explode her boilers at any moment, and that killed her passenger traffic. She was sold in the
fall of 1878 to John S. McDonald for $800, who sent her to Oconto to engage in towing rafts.
Fond du Lac is now neither the proprietor of any boats save lumber tugs, nor in the enjoyment
400 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
of regular trips from boats owned elsewhere, although very large quantities of wood, logs and
lumber are brought each season by the Oshkosh steamers.
THE WISCONSIN PHALANX.
In the year 1843, the country was agitated to a certain extent by the discussion of Fourier's
principles of association, and by the zeal with which the New York' Tribune, and some other
papers of recognized standing, defended " the science of new social relations, '\and the re-organiza-
tion of society. The glowing accounts received by some of the citizens of Southport (now
Kenosha), Wis., concerning the prospects of several societies already commenced, was the
means of bringing this subject of " the union of labor and capital," before the Franklin Lyceum
of that little village, in the fall and winter of the year just named. In the discussion which fol-
lowed many members took part. "Its vast economies, its equitable distributions, its harmony
of groups and series, its attractive industry, its advantages for schools, meetings, parties and
social festivities," were all brought forth and dilated upon.
On the 13th of November, 1843, the question came up for the first time before the Lyceum
in the following words : " Does the system of Fourier present a practicable plan for such a re-or-
ganization of society, as will guard against our present social evils?" It was discussed, on the
2lst of the month, by Michael Frank, T. Newell, S. Fish and B. W. Hadley, in the affirmative;
by E. M. Kinney, C. Durkee and L. P. Harvey, in the negative. On the same evening this
question was proposed : " Does the system of Fourier present a practicable plan of social
refornj ?" It was discussed by a number of the members on the evening of the 28th. At the
same time, a third question was proposed bearing on the same subject : " Are mankind naturally
so depraved, and is society composed of such discordant material, as to render the adoption of
Fourier's system impracticable?" It was ably discussed on the evening of the 5th of Decem-
ber, 1843. On that evening, the subject came up a fourth time in the shape of this question :
"Would the system of Fourier, if adopted, tend to diminish the evils of society?" This was
thoroughly discussed at the next meeting — December 12, 1843 — and was the last one concerning
"the union of capital and labor," brought before the Lyceum.
The result of these discussions was that an organization was formed in Southport, in- the
spring of 1844, with a President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer, to see if the plan of
Fourier could be carried into practical effect. Articles of Agreement were drawn up and signed —
the association taking the name of The Wisconsin Phalanx. Several hundred dollars were
raised by the sale of stock at f25 a share.
The next step was the selection of a location and the entry and pre-emption of a few
hundred acres of land belonging to the General Government, where the owners of the stock were
to assemble and enter at once upon a new life, socially and financially. Ebenezer Childs, a well-
known citizen of Green Bay, Wis., who was familiar with many parts of the Territory,
was employed by the association to hunt a proper location for trial of the experiment determined
upon by its members. Childs took with him three men, and after about twelve days' search
upon the Government domain in Central Wisconsin, came to a tract of land in Township 16,
north of Range 14 east, in the county of Fond du Lac. The men who went with
Childs were good judges of land, and were empowered to accept or reject such location as he
should point out to them. The spot was in a beautiful valley, on a small stream that tumbled
over cliffs of lime rock, and after a course of three miles, emptied its clear waters into Green
Lake. Childs recommended this site as the most favorable, all things considered, of any they
had yet visited, and as one eminently fitted for the location of the Wisconsin Phalanx. His
companions accepted his views, and it was determined by them that the tract on which they
stood should be the spot where the association would test its theories concerning the union of
capital and labor.
The next step to be taken was the purchase of a few hundred acres of land from the Gen-
eral Government at the place fixed upon ; and for that purpose money was collected — about
HISTORY OF FOND DV LAC COUNTY. 401
eight hundred dollars — and put into the hands of Warren Chase, the leading spirit of the move-
ment. He sent the funds to Green Bay, where the land office for the Green Bay Land District
was located, where several quarter-sections which had been selected were entered in the name
of Michael Frank, " a quiet citizen of the village of Southport, of irreproachable character and
far too honest to defraud any person, atid one in whom everybody had confidence, who knew
him." While these transactions were going forward, the members of the Phalanx had collected
teams, cows, tools, provisions and tents, and started — nineteen men and one boy — with three
horse-teams and several ox-teams to the land of promise, by way of Watertown, in Jefferson
County, Wis. They left home on Monday, and after "marching and camping and camp-
ing and marching," reached their destination on Sunday, May 27, 1844. They camped the
night before on the north bank of Silver Creek, near where the stone mill was afterward
erected, in what is now the city of Ripon ; "and on the morning of May 27 — to them ever
memorable — they repaired to the valley below, on the beautiful plain surrounded by hills, like
an amphitheater, and one of the most beautiful spots nature has formed in Wisconsin, and there,
on their own lands, pitched their tents."
" They were as good material, probably, as was ever got together for a like experiment.
They did not belong, even in part, to the class of ' the unappreciated, the played-out, the idle,
and the good for nothing generally;' on the contrary, they were persons whose industry and
general shrewdness had already been coined into a good equipment of live stock, farm materials,
implements, and other necessaries for fitting out a new enterprise. What was better, they had
all, as pioneers, undergone that training in hard work and privation which fortified them against
discontent and homesickness. They were rather religious than irreligious, and among them
were two who had studied as preachers in evangelical denominations ; but there was nothing like
religious bigotry visible in the Phalanx ; on the contrary, every body was liberal."
The members of this association who had thus struck boldly into an uninhabited region for,
as they believed, a principle, were Alexander Todd, Jerome C. Cobb, Warren Chase, Jacob
Beckwith, Nathan Hunter, John Limbert, T. V. Newell, H. Gordon Martin, William E. Hol-
brook, Uriah Gould, Lester Rounds, Laban Stilwell, James Stuart, William Dunham, Joseph S.
Tracy, Carlton Lane, George H. Stebbins, Seth R. Kellogg, Chester Adkins ; nineteen in all.
A boy also came along, but he soon after left.
On the morning of Monday, May 28, 1844, preparations began for the building of three
frame houses ; the first ground was broken on that day in plowing up the sod where the cellars
were to be dug ; breaking for crops was also commenced on the same day. The working force —
besides the nineteen men and boy — was eight yoke of oxen and thirty-four horses. The
Phalanx had, in all, fifty-four head of cattle. Their first care besides the erection of the neces-
sary buildings to shelter their soon-expected families, was of course to get in their crops as soon
as possible, the season being already far advanced. Twenty acres of potatoes, buckwheat,
turnips, and other vegetables, were put in, but a white frost on the morning of June 10
destroyed most of the corn, beans and vines. The long days were filled with toil by these hardy
pioneers, and the short nights were devoted to sleep on the ground, under the tents, of which
there were three. A Scotch sailor cooked for them in the open air ; and they ate their meals
on rough boards under the shade of a bower, when it did not rain ; and when it did, they ate
standing, to avoid an excess of water on the body, and because they could shed the rain better
in that position. The dwellings were twenty by thirty feet each, one and one-half stories high,
and thirty feet apart. They were completed from oak trees which furnished, without saw-mill,
the frames, the clapboards, the shingles and the floors. Lumber for the stairs and upper floor
was brought from a distance. These buildings stood on what is now Lot 2 in Block 4, and were
the first houses of any kind built within the present limits of the city of Ripon. In coming to
their new homes, the members of the association left their families behind them. Before the
three houses were inclosed some of their wives and children arrived, brought by horse teams,
which were kept constantly going from and to the old and new homes.
402 HISTOBY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
The next arrival at the " domain," after those who reached the valley May 28, was
JEbenezer Childs. He came June 4, but only remained until the 24th of September following.
On the 4th of July, a liberty pole was raised, and the stars and stripes floated proudly in the
breeze.
The most important improvement needed, it was now seen, was the building of a saw-miil and
the erection of a dam across Silver Creek. It was late in winter before the saw-mill was in run-
ning order, and then the creek was too much frozen for use. The consequence was that the
Phalanx had to go without many boards to protect man and beast from the inclemency of the
weather, during all the cold months ; but the hay, which was abundant, supplied largely the
place of boards for shelter for their animals, and was used for beds for the families. There was
" broken up " and sowed to winter wheat one hundred acres of prairie the first year.
When the families (about twenty, who all ate at a common table in the basement of one of
the houses, where all the cooking was done) were all packed for winter quarters, and "the boys"
were hunting fence timber and saw-logs on the Government land, Warren Chase started for
Madison to secure a charter, or act of incorporation, for the society. The act had been care-
fully drawn up by him, and submitted to the members and approved, and he was authorized to
secure its passage with as few amendments as possible. After much labor in lobbying, he was
successful, his bill having passed the Assembly and Council, the two houses of the Territorial
Legislature. It was approved by N. P. Tallmadge, on the 6th day of Februai'y, 1845, the
Governor remarking, interrogatively, to Chase as he signed the act, " It will not compromise
my Democracy to sign it, will it ? " The charter was in these words :
An Act to Incorporate the Wisconsin Phalanx.
J3e it enacted by the Council and House of Representatives of the Territoty of Wisconsin :
Section 1. That Warren Chase, Uriel Farmin, Lester Rounds, Jacob Beokwith, Laban Stilwell and William
Dunham, and all others who shall become associated with them as members, shall be, and they are hereby declared
to bfe, a body corporate, or politic, to be known and designated as the Wisconsin Phalanx, and as such corporation are
hereby declared capable of suing and being sued, answering and being answered. unto, pleading and being impleaded,
defending and being defended, in all courts and places in all suits, actions, matters and causes whatever. And the
said corporation shall have a continued and perpetual succession, and shall have power to make a common seal and
change the same at pleasure.
Sec. 2. The said corporation shall have power to own and hold real estate and personal property in joint
stock, to purchase and transfer property, real or personal, at pleasure, using the common seal and signature of the
corporation. But in no case shall said corporation sell and convey real estate without the consent of all the stock-
holders, or a special law of the Legislature of this Territory for that purpose. The evidence of stock in this cor-
poration shall be kept in a book denominated a gtock-bobk, which book shall at all times be a sufficient evidence
to any person or persons title to stock or interest in said corporation, and shall be a public record of the same.
" Sec. 3. The property real and personal of said corporation shall be held in stock, numbered in shares of $25
each , and transferable at the will of the holder ; but no transfer shall be effectual until recorded on the books of the
corporation by the recording officer of the Phalanx.
Sec. 4. The said corporation shall be located in the town of Ceresco, in the county of Fond du Lac, to which
town the business operations of the Corporation shall at all times be restricted. Provided, however, that nothing
herein contained shall be so construed as to prohibit the corporation from owning and occupying timbered or
meadow lands in any other town, and provided further that the quantity of land held by said corporation shall never
exceed forty acres to each person belonging thereto.
Sec. 6. The corporation, or the officers thereof, shall have no power to contract any debt in their incorporate
name or by virtue of this act, to issue any notes or scrips, or evidences of debt whatever; and if said corporation,
or its Board of Managers, shall contract or assume to contract any debt in the name of said corporation, each indi-
vidual member thereof shall be personally liable to pay such debt.
Sec. 6. Warren Chase, Lester Rounds and Uriel Farmin, are hereby authorized and empowered to open books
and receive subscriptions for stock in said corporation, on the third Monday in February, A. D. 1845, at the house
of Lester Rounds, in the town of Ceresco, in the county of Fond du Lao, W. T., and to continue open said books at
such times and places as tljey shall deem proper, until the Council hereinafter mentioned shall be elected ; immedi-
ately after which they shall deliver said books and subscriptions to said Council. No subscriptions for stock shall
be entered upon the books without the consentof all persons auihorized to open said bopks while the sameare in their
possession. All subscriptions for stock not paid on or before the time designated for the payment of the same shall
be forfeited.
Sec. 7. The books of said corporation shall be open at all times for inspection by any member, or stockholder,
or officer of the township, county or territory, acting in his official capacity ; and the stock in said corporation
owned by any shareholder shall be at all times liable to attachments and execution for the private debts of such
stockholder, in the same manner as is provided in Sections 105, 106 and 107 of an " Act concerning judgments and
executions ; " and Section 107 of said act shall apply in all particulars to the corporation created by this act, and to
its officers.
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 403
Sec. 8. The first meeting of said corporation shall be held at the house of Lester Rounds, in the town of
Ceresco, county of Fond du Lac, on the first Monday in April, A. D. 1845, at 9 o'clock A. M., which meeting
shall proceed to choose Chairman and Secretary for said meeting, after which they shall proceed to elect
by ballot the following oificers (a majority of votes being necessary for a choice) : One President, one
Vice President, one Secretary, one Treasurer and nine Councilmen. The President and Vice President
shall be ex officio members of the Council. Said oificers shall hold their respective oifices until the second Monday
of December following, and until others shall be elected to fill their places, unless sooner removed by the Council, as
hereinafter provided.
Sec. 9. There shall be an annual meeting of the stockholders and members of said corporation holden on the
second Monday of December in each year, in the town of Ceresco, at such place as the Council shall determine, for
the election of officers to fill the places of those whose terms of office expire on the same day. Said meeting shall
continue from day to day until such officers are elected. Every male member and stockholder over twenty-one
years of age, present or absent, shall at all times be entitled to one vote by person or by proxy in the election of
officers, but in no other case shall either a member or a stockholder vote by proxy. The term of office of each officer
shall expire on the second Monday of December in each year, or as soon thereafter as another shall be elected to fill
his place.
Sec. 10. A person may be a stockholder without being a member ; a member without being a stockholder.
Sec. 11. It shall be the duty of the President to preside at all meetings of the members or stockbolders ; to
sign all papers and documents for the Phalanx ; to make out and present at each annual meeting of the corporation
a general statement of the affairs of the Phalanx ; and to have a general supervision of the business of the Phalanx,
subject at all times to the direction of the Council.
Sec. 12. The Vice Preiident shall be President of the Council and, in the absence or disability of the Presi-
dent, shall perform all duties devolving upon him ; in which case the Council shall elect a President joro tern.
Sec. 13. It shall be the duty of the Secretary to keep all record books and papers for the Phalanx and
Council, and transact such other writing as the corporation or Council may direct.
Sec. 14. It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to receive, keep, disburse and pay out all moneys belonging to
the corporation, pursuant to instructions from the Council, and to keep an account of all moneys received and paid
out, and furnish a copy of the same to the Secretary weekly. Before entering upon the duties of his office he shaU
execute a bond to the corporation, with sufficient sureties to be approved of by the Council in such sums as they
shall deem proper, which bond shall be conditioned for the security, faithful keeping and disbursement of all moneys
coming into his hands pursuant to the direction of the Council.
Sec. 15. The President, Vice President and nine Councilmen shall form a Board of Managers, two-thirds of
which shall form a quorum for the transaction of business. The Council shall receive and determine upon all appli-
cations for membership and subscriptions for stock, and no person shall be permitted to become a member or stock-
holder without the consent of all composing the Board of Managers. The Council shall arrange and determine all
business for the corporation, both financial and industrial, and shall have power to make such rules, regulations and
by-laws for the government of members as they may deem proper ; provided always that said rules, regulations and
by-laws shall in no wise conflict with the provisions of this act or with the laws of this Territory. The Council shall
have power to remove the Secretary or Treasurer, or any member of their Board, by a vote of three-fourths of all '
the members composing the Board, for neglect pr mismanagement of his official duties. The Council shall in case of
such removal call a meeting of the members and stockholders to fill the vacancy occasioned by such removal.
Sec. 16. There shall be annual meetings of the members and stockholders on the first Monday of December
in each year, at which time a settlement shall be made with each member. Previous to, and preparatory for which
meetings, the Council shall make or cause to be made, an assessment and appraisal of all property, real and personal,
belonging to the Phalanx ; and if said appraisal shall exceed the cost and last appraisal of said property, the increase
shall be divided as follows : One-fourth shall be credited as a dividend for stock, in proportion to the time said
stock has been paid in since the last appraisal; the remaining three-fourths shall be credited to labor in such man-
ner as the by-laws shall determine. The amount due each member or stockholder upon settlement shall be paid in
money or stock, as tue Council shall determine, but the kind of payment shall be alike to all. It shall be the duty
of the Council to transact all business of the corporation not otherwise provided for.
Sec. 17. The Council shall establish a public school in which shall be taught all the different branches of
science usually taught in the common schools of the Territory, which school shall be open and free to the children of
all the members of the corporation, and shall be continued nine months in each year. All teachers of the arts and
sciences except those hereinafter excepted, shall be paid as follows, viz., three-fourths of the amount shall be
deducted annually from the amount credited to capital, and one-fourth from the amount credited to labor, previous
to the individual settlement with the members and stockholders.
Sec. 18. There shall always be a free toleration of religious opinion, and every member shall be protected in
his or her religious belief; and no member of the corporation shall ever be taxed without his or her consent for the
support of any minister or teacher of religion.
Sec. 19. This act may be altered, amended or repealed at any time by the Legislature of the Territory of Wis-
consin.
Sec. 20. This act shall take efieot and be in force from and after its passage.
Warren Chase returned from Madison armed -with his charter, to the valley where the Wis-
consin Phalanx had its abiding-place. "Now, we are safe," said the members, "for our prop-
erty will be in our own hands."
On the 17th of February, 1845, Warren Chase, Lester Rounds and Uriel Farmin, as
directed by Section 6 of the charter, met at the house of Lester Rounds, in Ceresco, prepared
404 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
and opened a book as a stock-book for the Phalanx, and commenced receiving subscriptions for
stock.
OflScers were soon elected under the charter, and the " tempest-in-a-teapot " excitement
which lasted until it was done, subsided, and the Wisconsin Phalanx was " a thing of life " in
the spring of 1845. " The neighbors, who had begun to locate in the vicinity," afterward wrote
Warren Chase, " were greatly alarmed by it, and most of them were sure it would do mischief;
for it had great power, they said, and would monopolize."
"During the summer of 1845, the saw-mill was making boards; the 'long home' was
going up in sections which continued to lengthen until twenty tenements of twenty feet each
were joined together in two rows, with a hall between, all under one roof with a ridiculous plan
of a double front house and hip-roof, looking more like a rope-walk, or salt works, than a
house."
The members all lived a "unitary life," that is, they ate at a common table and worked a
common farm. " But the families all had separate homes to retire to after meals. A stone
schoolhouse had been erected, and a school commenced, which never stopped except for neces-
sary vacations, until the society ran out its race ; and then it left the children of the members
qualified for teaching the other schools and children of their own ages around them.
" They felt the great advantages and economies of combined labor and living ; but some were
not satisfied with the unitary life, especially of houses, and sighed for the retirement of quiet
meals in family circles, as of old. Others were greatly pleased with the unitary table. Both
males and females were about equally divided on this subject ; but the plans and buildings had
been commenced for the unitary living, and could not easily be changed. The single men, of
whom there were quite a number, were very much opposed to a chapge. This apple of discord
finally grew until it was of sufiicient power to break up the society, with other feebler aids."
The evenings, after the toils of the day were ended, were divided between business and
sociality. Monday night, there was a business meeting of the Council. Tuesday evening, there
was a meeting of the Philolothian Society ; various subjects were discussed and a paper read
called the Grleaner. Its motto was, " Let the gleaner go forth and glean, and gather up the
fragments that nothing be lost." On Wednesday evening, a singing-school was held. A dance
and social meeting enlivened Thursday evening. There was no meeting on Friday evening.
Saturday evening was a general meeting for reports from foremen.
The various branches of labor were carried on under the direction of persons selected by
the members, which persons kept in a public manner exact accounts of all labor expended in
each department — this showing the exact cost of each crop of grain, etc. At the end of each
fiscal year, three-fourths of- the net product was divided fOr the labor to each in proportion to
the amount of labor performed after deducting suitable rewards for extraordinary skill. All
labor was voluntary, the members working when and where they chose, and receiving credit
only for the amount of work done.
From the second annual statement of the Phalanx, published in the Harbinger, December
27, 1845, for the fiscal yqar ending the firsti of the month, signed by its President- — Warren
Chase — it appears that the estimated value of the property on hand was $27,725.22, and was
wholly unencumbered. The association was free from debt, except about f 600 due to members
who had advanced cash for the purchase of provisions and land ; but to balance that, it had over
$1,000 coming from members on stock subscriptions not then due. The whole number of hours
of labor performed during the previous year, reduced to the class of usefulness, was 102,760.
The number expended in cooking, etc., and deducted for the board of members was 21,170
hours. The number remaining after deducting for board was 81,500, to which the amount due
labor was divided. In this statement, the washing was not taken into account, families having
done their own. The whole number of weeks' board charged members (including children
graduated to adults) was 4,234. The cost of board was, provisions, 44 cents and five hours'
labor per week. The whole amount of property on hand was $27,725.22. The cost of prop-
erty and stock issued up to December 1, 1845, was $19,589.18. The increase during the year
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. ' 405
being the product of labor, etc., was $8,136.04. One-fourth of this was credited to capital,
being 12 per cent per annum on stock for the average time invested ; an'd three-fourths to labor,
being 7J cents per hour. It will be seen, then, that the Phalanx was a joint-stock experiment
in which it was attempted to recognize the rights of both capital and labor ; that every hour of
labor was carefully recorded, and received its reward in wages — save five hours per week for each
individual, which was included in the cost of board ; that one-fourth of the increase of property
during the year gave to stock 12 per cent per annum ; and that three-fourths of the increase
gave to labor 7J cents an hour.
In the Harbinger of January 9, 1847, the third annual statement of the President of the
Phalanx was published. It included an exhibit for 1846. It says : " We have now 180 resident
members ; 101 males, 79 females ; 56 males and 37 females over the age of twenty-one years.
About 80 have boarded at a public table during the past year, at a cost of 50 cents and two and
a half hours' labor — whole cost, 63 cents. The others have, most of the time, had their pro-
visions charged to them and done their own cooking in their respective families, although their
apartments are very inconvenient for that purpose. Most of the families choose this mode of
living more from previous habits of domestic arrangement and convenience than from economy.
We have resident on the domain 36 families and 35 single persons ; 15 families and 30 single
persons board at the public table ; 21 families board by themselves, and the remaining five single
persons board with them." In a pecuniary point of view, the year 1846 was less favorable than
1845. The reasons given were ' a new farm to work,' and a light crop of wheat ; still, the
Phalanx paid 5 cents an hour for labor, and 6 per cent on capital.
" They have now," wrote the President, " about 40 families resident and near 2,000 acres
of land, and are in a prosperous condition. During the first and part of the second year, they
boarded mostly at one boarding-house, so far as eating together, but otherwise lived in separate
families. Pinding this mode less economical and more inconvenient than they anticipated, the
families have since lived mostly entirely separate, but change occasionally, following at all times
their choice. Board and provisions are advanced during the year as they are needed, always in
proportion to labor done and stock, and deducted at the annual settlement from each member's
account. In matters of opinion, they are not, as many suppose, a company of fanatics ; there
are some among them of all varieties of opinion, from the doctrines of Swedenborg or the New
Jerusalem Church, down to skepticism and infidelity. In politics, they are Democrats, Whigs,
Abolitionists and Native-Reformers, with a large proportion of the latter. All this variety
of opinion has a tendency to improve the public mind, but never disturbs their business opera-
tions. Most of them are great readers, and they take a great variety of papers, and exchange
with each other.
'' They are all temperance people, using no spirits except for medicine, and seldom for that,
for many of them are believers in the system of hydropathy now in use, and several are also
dietics [dietists], using no meat, tea or coffee ; but these are not general principles with them.
They avoid, as much as possible, profane language, and endeavor to set good examples for their
children, ^hey. keep up a school all the time at the expense of the society, and pay much
attention to education.
" They are often called Fury-ites, Four-year-ites or Fourierites, but they deny all ' ites '
and ' isms,' each individual being responsible for his own individual opinions, and nobody else's.
Their society belongs to the American Union of Associationists, and with them believe in a joint-
stock property, a co-operative labor and equitable distribution of property. Their efforts thus
far prove as successful as they anticipated, and, with two or three exceptions, their members are
contented and happy. They have no arbitrary laws, but they buy and sell stock and go or stay
where and when they please. They have an excellent location, one well adapted to test the sys-
tem they are endeavoring to prove, and, from present appearances, seem almost certain of
success."
" It is a fine sight," says another writer, " at sunrise to turn from the hill west of Ceresco
and look down upon the prairie stretching away to the east, with its border of heavy timber, its
406 • HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUJTTY.
gentle undulation, its ravines, the creek, its serpentine course marked by scattered oaks and
thick bushes, until it winds down into the valley or basin which holds this little Phalanx, and,
after doing its duty in driving various machinery, disappears in the distance. The long build-
ing with its numerous windows which is used as the dwelling of many of the families, the mills,
the detached houses and offices — some built gf stone and very neat in their appearance — the
numerous stacks of hay and grain, the fat and sleek-looking cattle and hogs, and the industrious
inhabitants, busied about their various duties, make indeed an interesting and beautiful scene."
The following is the statement for the year ending December 6, 1847:
The Wisconsin Phalanx was organized as an Industrial Association, in the spring of 1844, and commenced
practical operations May 27 of the same year, in the unoccupied town since called Ceresco, which makes this the
fourth annual settlement.
The moral and social condition of the Phalanx has experienced no sudden and striking changes ; yet it is
believed that those who look not alone upon the external surface of things, will have noticed that decided^and constant
progress, which must ever attend the earnest efforts of truthful men and women to place themselves in just and
harmonious relations to each other. The social intercourse of the members is governed by that correct moral feeling,^
which must be gratifying to all who come within its influence. i
Religious meetings of some kind have been sustained regularly during the year, and occasional opportunities
have occurred of listening to lectures on reform from some of the leading reformers of the age.
In the education department, we have not yet been able to make that improvement which we desire, owing to
the want of sufficient buildings and conveniences for reducing the management of this branch to that regular system,
which, by an adaptation of external circumstances to the internal nature, harmoniously unfolds that "variety in
unity" without which there is no complete educational development.
Music, vocal and instrumental, has been taught to some extent, yet, laboring under the disadvantages mentioned
above, there has not been that attention paid to its cultivation which its importance demands.
For want of materials and from a determination to free ourselves from debt and contract none for any improve-
ments, we have not yet built so as to establish a library and reading-room — but there are taken by the members 136
copies of newspapers and periodical publications of thirty-nine difiFerent kinds, a constant interchange of which
(comprising as they do the best publications of the age) gives us many facilities for information which isolated society
cannot possess.
The number of resident members is 157, viz., 84 males, 73 females — 32 males and 39 females under twenty-one
years; 52 males and 34 females over twenty-one years; 18 persons above the age of twenty-one unmarried. The
whole number of resident families is 32 — we have resident with us, who are not members, one family and four single
persons.
Four families and two single persons have left during the year, the stock of all of whom has been purchased,
except of one family and one single person — the former intends returning, and the latter one owes but $25. We
have lost by death the past year three persons — one married lady, aged thirty-iive, and two infants — all by consump-
tion. Generally, the health of the members has been remarkably good.
The Phalanx has sustained a public boarding-house during the latter and major part of the year on an improved
plan from the former method, at which most of the single persons and part of the families have boarded at a cost of
75 cents per week. The remaining familes board at their own apartments.
The number of hours' labor performed during the year, reduced to the medium class, is 93,446. The whole
amount of property at the appraisal is $32,564.18. The net profits of the year are $9,029.73, which gives a divi-
dend to stock of nearly 7f per cent and 7 8-10 cents per hour to labor.
The Phalanx has purchased and canceled during the year $2,000 of stock ; we have also by the assistance of our
mill (which has been in operation since June), and from our available products, paid off the incumbrance of $1 ,095.33,
with which we commenced the year — -made our mechanical and agricultural improvements, and^adVanced to members
in rent, provisions, clothing, cash, etc., $5,237.07. The annexed schedule specifies the kinds and valuation of the
property on hand.
Seventeen hundred and thirteen acres of land at $3 $ 5,139 00
Agriculturar improvements 3,509 77
Agricultural products 5,244 16,
Mechanical improvements 12,520 00
Livestock 2,983 50
Farm and garden tools 1,219 77
Mechanical tools 380 56
Personal property, miscellaneous 1,567 42
Amount $32 564 18
Benjamin Wright, President.
Note. — At the annual charter election of the Phalanx, held December 13, the following persons were elected:
Stephen Bates, President; William Starr, Vice President; Uriel Farmin, Secretary; A. Devine Wright, Treasurer;
Jacob Beckwith, Jacob Woodruff, Carlton Lane, Chester Adkins, Benjamin Wright, Robert D. Mason, James Hebden,
Seth K. Kellogg and Benjamin Sheldon, Councilors.
The report for 1848 shows the Phalanx as still a paying institution. It gave a dividend
to stockholders of 6J per cent, and 6| cents an hour for labor. The next year, 1848, divided
HISTORY or FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 407
about 8 per cent on the capital. For the year 1849, the Phalanx had 120 residents ; 8^ cents
were paid an hour for work. The cost of board was 75 cents per week. It will thus be seen
that financially the institution was a success ; socially, however, it was a failure and steps were
taken looking to its dissolution. The following act of the Legislature was approved January
An act to amend an act entitled " An act to incorporate the Wisconsin Plialanx."
The People of the State of Wisconsin represented in Senate and Assembly do enact as follows :
Section 1. An act entitled "An act to incorporate the Wisconsin Phalanx," approved Febraary 6, 1845, is
hereby so amended as to allow and authorize the council to sell and convey real estate by their official act ; also to
lay out and have recorded a village plat, with streets and squares and public lots.
Sec 2. The said act is further amended by repealing sections sixteen and seventeen of the same.
Sec. 8. It shall not be lawful for the council or other officers of said Phalanx to purchase real estate in their
corporate capacity after the passage of this act.
Sec. 4. This act shall take effect from and after its passage.
Moses M. Strong,
Speaker of the Assembly.
Samuel W. Bball,
Lieutenant Governor and President of the Senate.
In April, 1850, an appraisal of the lands of the Phalanx was fixed upon in small lots (some
being cut into village and some into farm lots). They then commenced selling at public sale for
stock, making the appraisal the minimum, and leaving any lands open to entry, after they had
been offered publicly. During the summer of 1850, most of the lands were sold, and most of the
capital stock canceled, under an arrangement by which each stockholder should receive his pro-
portional share of any surplus, or make up any deficiency. Most of the members bought either
farming lands or village lots and became permanent inhabitants. They divided about 8 per
cent above par on the stock. Some of the members regretted the dissolution, others seemed to
care very little about it. The social features, which many disliked, and speculation of members
outside the institution, brought on the death-throes of the "Wisconsin Phalanx. The names of
all those who were members of the society during its existence are as follows :
Warren Chase, Mary P. Chase, Milton M. Chase, Charlotte D. Chase, Albert Chase,
Lester Rounds, Aurillia Rounds, Sterling P. Rounds, Rhoda A. Rounds, Horace B. Rounds,
James Stuart, Almira Stuart, Agnes Stuart, Robert L. Stuart, John P. Stuart, Helen P. Stuart,
Thomas Stuart, Frederick 0. Stuart, Jacob Beckwith, Hannah Beckwith, James G. Tracy,
Joseph S. Tracy, Uriah Gould, Nathan Hunter, Chester Adkins, Laban Stilwell, Julia Stil-
well, William B. Stilwell, Rachael Stilwell, Julia A. Stilwell, Charles B. Stilwell, Truman V.
Newell, Bsther Newell, Charlotte B. Newell, Asa Bissell Newell, William B. Holbrook, Will-
iam Dunham, Almira Dunham, Adelia A. Dunham, William H. Dunham, Carlton Lane, Har-
riet Lane, W. Irvin Lane, Eugene F. Lane, Charles W. Lane, Alpheus Lane, H. Gordon
Martin, Julia Martin, Augustus Martin, Mary Btta Martin, Robert Martin, Caroline Martin,
Alexander Todd, Jerome T. Cobb, George H. Stebbins, Mrs. George H. Stebbins, Seth R.
Kellogg, Ebenezer Childs, William Seaman, Arelisle Seaman, Arelisle C. Seaman, William
H. Seaman, Charles F. Seaman, Charles W. Henderson, Harriet Henderson, George H. Hen-
derson, Antoinette Henderson, Daniel Hager, Volney C. Mason, Hiram Barnes, Bliza Barnes,
Mary B. Barnes, Marshall Barnes, Uriel Farmin, Bliza Farmin, Mareellus Farmin, Marcelia
Farmin, Albert Farmin, Luther Jenette Farmin, Isabel E. Town, Hiram S. Town, Bdward D.
Town, Nathan Strong, Sarah Strong, Sylvia H. Strong, Phoebe Ann Strong, Betsey Strong,
William Boutelle, David B. Dumham, James Hebden, George Limbert, Margaret Limbert,
John Limbert, Elizabeth Limbert, Newton 0. Adkins, William D. Strong, Eunice Strong,.
Harriet N. Strong, Henry V. Strong, Ann Eliza Strong, Cynthia A. Strong, Alice A. Strong,
James M. Bacon, Corintha Bacon, Ellen A. Bacon, Emma J. Bacon, Eveline F. Bacon, Emer-
ette L. Bacon, William Workman, L. M. Parsons, Oscar Wilson, Jacob Woodruff, Warren W.
Braley, Morris Farmin, Lucinda M. Farmin, Hiram Farmin, Giles Farmin, Mahlon Farmin,
Almira Farmin, Otis H. Capron, Robert Shelden, Gilbert Lane, Benjamin Sheldon, Isaac
Russell, Mary Anna Russell, Nathan H. Strong, Sarah Strong, Lewis G. Strong, Benjamin F,
408 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
Strong, Sarah A. Strong, James R. Strong, Emily Strong, Asenath Hubbell, William W.
Hubbell, John A. Hubbell, George W. Clark, Mary M. Clark, W. H. Clark, George Clark,
Gersham Danks, Caroline A. Banks, Adeline E. Danks, Henry C. Danks, Richard D. Mason,
William Starr, Linus B. Brainard, James Clarkson, Job Bennett, Stephen Bates, Emily Bur-
gess, Russel Smith, Eliza Smith, Julia M. Smith, Hezekiah G. Smith, Martin L. Smith, Ellen
E. Smith, Phoebe Ann Smith, James M. Edgerton, Byron S. Sanborn, Adaline Sanborn,
Josephine M. Sanborn, Arabella A. Sanborn, Caroline M. Sanborn, Mary A. Sanborn, Betsey
Parsons, Levi Parsons, Pamila Woodruff, Frank Woodruff, Mary R. Wilson, Samuel Babcock,
Rachael Babcock, Aaron C. Babcock, Henry C. Babcock, Walter S. Babcock, Stephen V.
Babcock, Simeon Babcock, Hitty Ann Babcock, Charles F. Timan, Mrs. Sophia Stevens,
William P. Stevens, Eunice E. Stevens, Duane Doty Stevens, Robert Miller, Margaret Miller,
Margaret A. Miller, William Miller, Elizabeth Miller, Minerva J. Miller, Mary Jane Miller,
Lucina Miller, John Irving, Mary Irving, Elsy M. Irving, Isabella Miller, George Miller,
Lucy M. Kellogg, Agnes Kellogg, Helen S. Kellogg, Sarah Limbert, Emma J. Limbert, Al-
bert Shepard, Nancy Shepard, Merrit Shepard, Albert Shepard, Jr., Mary Bennett, David 0.
French, James M. Boutelle, Charles W. Carntz, David D. Martin, Mary E. Martin, Mary J.
Martin, Cassius C. Martin, Esther Martin, Louisa Shelden, Olive Shelden, Shelden,
Mary J. Lane, Elihu R. Rounds, Melissa B. Rounds, Mary J. Rounds, Lucy A. Hunter, James
M. Clark, Mrs. Celestia M. Clark, James Maxwell Clark, Miss Celestia M. Clark, Alice Caro-
line Clark, Benjamin Wright, Sally Wright, A. D. Wright, Julia A. Wright, S. J. Wright,
Melvira M. Wright, David Simpson, Harriet Edgerton, Leroy Edgerton, Orrin Devine Wright,
Melissa J. Adkins, George Adkins, Garrett H. Baker, Elmina Baker, Mary Eliza Baker, Ellen
L. Baker, Hannah D. Baker, Charlotte A. Haven, Harriet H. Haven and Matthew Limbert.
Warren Chase, the leader of the Ceresco Colony, was born in Pittsfield, N. H., January
5, 1813. Was educated at the academies of Pittsfield and Gilmanton, N. H., and in 1835 emi-
grated to Michigan and settled in Monroe, where he married Mary T. White, of Newport, N.
H., who died in November, 1875, leaving three children, the eldest, Milton Chase, M. D., now
living in Otsego, Mich,, and who was Assistant Surgeon of the Sixth Michigan Volunteer In-
fantry during the war, the second, Mrs. C. C. Whelpley, residing in Cobden, 111., and the
third, Albert Chase, residing in St. Mary's, Mo., not married. In the spring of 1838, Mr. Chase
moved from Monroe to Southport, Wis. (now Kenosha), where he resided till the spring of 1844,
when he came with a colony and settled in the northwestern corner township of this county
which at that time had no settler and which the colony named Ceresco (now Ripon.) He re-
sided there until 1853, when he moved to Battle Creek, Mich. During this time, he held the
office of Chairman of the Board of Supervisors one year, was elected a member from this county,
of the two Constitutional Conventions, and to the first State Senate from this and Winnebago
Counties, which then constituted the Senatorial District. In the second session of the Senate,
he was on the Judiciary Committee when the revised statutes were adopted.*
In 1872, Mr. Chase was elected one of the Presidential Electors of Missouri, residing then in
St. Louis. In 1876, he moved to California nnd settled in Santa Barbara, where he now resides
and is editor of the Santa Barbara Independent. In September, 1879, he was elected to the
State Senate of California for three years from the three counties of Santa Barbara, Ventura and
San Luis Obispo, and took his seat in the Senate of that State January 5, 1880, the day he
was sixty-seven years old.
* He was the Free-Soil candidate tor Governor of tlie State in 1850', and on the Electoral Ticket for Hall and Julien in 1852, and delegate to
.the Kational Gonvention.
OHAPTEE V.
Fond du Lac Cotjntt Bible Society— County Court House and Jail— County Poor Paem
AND Buildings— Ageicultuke in Fond dv Lac County- The Daieying Interests ov
Fond du Lac County— County Ageicultueal and Mechanical Society- Eipon Agei-
cuLTUEAL Association— Plank Eoads— Eaileoads— Fond du Lac County a Quaetee of
A Century Ago— A Terrible Disaster.
FOND DU LAC COUNTY BIBLE SOCIETY.
On the 17th day of June, 1847; a meeting of the friends of the Bible cause was held at
the Court House, in the village of Fond du Lae, for the purpose of forming a Bible Society for
the county, which should be auxiliary to the North Wisconsin Bible Society. A constitution
was presented and adopted, after which William H. Sampson was elected President ; M. S. Gib-
son, Vice President ; L. C. SpoflFord, Secretary, and K. Gillett, Treasurer. These oflBcers were
chosen for one year. The object of the Society was declared, by the constitution, to be " to pro-
mote the circulation of the Scriptures without note or comment." For the next twenty years
annual and called meetings were held to promote the circulation of the Bible within the county,
when, on February 24, 1867, at an annual meeting, a new constitution was adopted. The
society was now named " The Bible Society of Fond du Lac County, Auxiliary to the American
Bible Society." The object of the Society was declared to be " to promote the circulation of
the Holy Scriptures, 'without note or comment,' and, in English, those of the commonly re-
ceived version." The officers under the new constitution (elected for one year) were, for Presi-
dent, I. K. Hamilton; Vice President, N. C. GriflSn; Secretary, J. E. Peabody; Treasurer,
J. C. Huber. At the annual meeting held December 15, 1878, John S. McDonald was elected
President; Prof C. A. Hutchins, Vice President ; P. B. Haber, Secretary, and J. C. Huber,
Treasurer.
COUNTY COURT HOUSE AND JAIL.
The Court House is by no means a credit to the county of Fond du Lac, nor in keeping
with its wealth and importance. Another building to take its place is expected soon to be
erected. As a new Court House is now a necessity and likely soon to be a reality, the present
rickety structure, which, during ten years, has been the butt of all manner of jokes by judges,
lawyers, newspapers and travelers, will be dealt with more briefly in this history than it otherwise
would have been.
On the 4th of March, 1844, Dr. Mason C. Darling and Naomi Darling, his wife, executed
a warranty deed to the Board of Supervisors of the county of Fond du Lac, Territory of Wis-
consin, of the land on which the Court House now stands, the consideration being $1 in
hand paid, and a contract to build and locate a County Court House thereon. This parcel of
land is on the corner of Main street and Western avenue, and is described in the deed as follows :
" North half of the northeast quarter of Section 15, Town 15 north, of Range 17 east, of the
Fourth Meridian east, in Green Bay Land District, and containing 90,000 square feet." At
the same time, Dr. Darling entered into the following bond :
Know all Men by these Presbnts, That I, Mason C. Darling, of Fond du Lao, county of Fond du Lac, Ter-
ritory of Wisconsin, am hereby held and firmly bound unto the Board of Supervisors of the county of Fond du
Lao, in the sum of $500, good and lawful money of the United States, to be paid to the said Board of Supervisors
or their successors, to which payment well and truly to be made, I do bind myself, my heirs, executors and adminis-
trators firmly by these presents, sealed with my seal, and dated this 4th day of March, A. D. 1844. The condition
410 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
of this obligation is sucVi that if the above bouuden Mason C. Darling, shall provide, or cause to be provided, a suit-
able room for the use of the county of Fond du Lac, free of expense, then this obligation shall be null and void,.
otherwise to remain in full force and virtue. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and
year first above written.
These instruments were acknowledged before Alonzo Raymond, Justice of the Peace, and
recorded by Oscar Pier, Register of Deeds, on the same day.
On the 14th of October, 1846, the Board of Supervisors accepted plans for a Court House
by Brown & Arnold (Isaac Brown and Leonard Arnold) and directed that the plans be left
with Edward Pier for the inspection of mechanics. The Board paid Arnold $10 for plans and
specifications.
The manner of paying for the Court House and " Gaol " (jail) was determined by the Super-
visors like this : October 14, 1846, $1,400 was appropriated out of the treasury for the jail, which
was a part of the building ; one-half of balance to be paid February 1, 1848, and the residue,
February 1, 1849. With a drollery not appreciated at the time, doubtless, it was solemnly
ordered that if anything remained after the "residue" had been paid, it should draw 10 per
cent interest. At a special session of the Board, the report of the Building Committee was
accepted September 11, 1848, adding $100 for " stoves and fixtures for the Court House."
The building, above the basement, which is of stone and was the first County Jail, is of
wood, and three stories in height. The second floor is used for elections by the town of Fond,
du Lac, and for jury rooms, and the third floor for elections by the First Ward of the city, and
for holding terms of the County and Circuit Courts. It is dirty, shabby, and poorly ventilated ;
nevertheless, the wits of the State have exhausted their stock-in-trade in praising it, as witness
the following :
" The same year that Wisconsin was admitted into the Union as a State, Fond du Lac
County built a Court House. At that time, it was regarded as a model architectural pile, and it
was built to stay. It was founded upon a rock ; for men were pure in those days ; and the
winds and rains of forty years have beat upon that house, and still it stands, a noble wreck in
ruinoiis perfection. T^e elements have failed to sap it, and no amount of prayer or profanity
has been sufficient to consign it to ' where the worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.'
Incendiaries, who are thoroughly depraved and have not one redeeming quality, have persist-
ently and maliciously withheld the torch. Like the Pennsylvania Democrat, who has wended
his way to the polls every election since 1840, and consistently put in a vote for Gen. Jackson,
the Fond du Lac Court House maintains its position and repels all innovations. The story that
the wood of which a part of it is composed was once a part of a celebrated vessel, and that a
boy who was on board the vessel cut his name in one of the planks with a jack-knife, is doubt-
less untrue. It is believed that a young lawyer, in Judge McLean's court, cut the name him-
self, while waiting for the opposing counsel to make his plea, and that the word is 'Joseph,'
instead of ' Japhet.' And still the building is pretty old."
The following imaginative sketch is from a Fond du Lac paper: "The plans for our
elegant new Court House were drawn up a few days before election. The building was to
cost not less than $9,000,000. The contract, which has been awarded, required that the mate^
rial should be purchased at the following rates : Stone, $1,000 per cord ; lumber, $966 per
thousand ; shingles, $100 per thousand, and nails $40 per pound.
"The building is now finished and ready for occupancy. It stands on the old site, at the
head of Fourth street, and is an imposing structure. It is 400x400 feet square, 100 feet from the
ground to the cornice and 400 feet to the splendid bronze statute on the dome. It is built of
the finest Parian marble, trimmed with purple porphyry. The basement is for the use of the
County Board, and has a committee-room in the back end with walls forty feet in thickness. It
has no windows, and but one small iron door. In one corner is a splendid bar-room and back of it
a poker-room. The first floor above the basement is divided into six rooms — three on either side
of the hallway — which are occupied by the Clerk of the Court, County Clerk, Register of
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 411
Deeds and County Superintendent. The second floor is the court room. It takes up the entire
■dimensions of the building, with the exception of the vestibule. At the west end is the bench
for the Judge. It is built of solid granite, trimmed with pearl and Mt. Ophir gold, the seat
being hollow for ice in summer and hot air or coals in winter. Under the desk is a large cup-
board with time-lock, for bottles and demijohns, and a newly invented beautiful spirit lamp
ingeniously arranged for making toddies. These are all out of sight of the audience. On the
right of the bench is a monster pair of highly finished and perfect scales, in which every case is
weighed by the Judge ; and on the left a dungeon in which refractory witnesses are confined
until they will swear as they have been instructed. The garret is used for empty bottles.
" The dome is a beautiful piece of workmanship, something of which the tax-payers should
be proud, for it is not every county that can boast of a steeple 400 feet high and surmounted by
a bronze statue. The whole building is carpeted and richly furnished, and is lighted with
electricity.
"It is indeed a magnificent pile, shimmering in the sunlight like a mountain of jewels, and
giving all better thoughts by its striking resemblance to the walls of the City of Life. It is the
temple of justice, whose glittering dome shines like a beacon far over the prairies, rivers and
lakes, guiding the benighted travelers from Green Bay, Sheboygan, Madison and Milwaukee to
the Second City, with all her splendors and purity of politics."
The County Register's office, which may be called an appendage of the Court House, a
one-story building of brick, stone and iron, was finished in 1854, by John Nichols, and cost
about $1,200. It is fire proof, the floor and walls being stone and roof being covered with
:ashes to the depth of two feet. There were no fire-proof rooms in the Court House, which fact
made necessary the erection of this building, which stands on the northwest corner of the lot
donated in 1844 by Dr. Mason C. Darling to the county for county buildings. It is now as full
of records as is convenient, and if a- new Court House is not built apon, a new Register's office
will be required.
When the Court House was erected, it combined a court-room, offices for all county offi-
cials and a jail in the heavy stone basement. After a few years, this basement not only got out
of repair, but was too small for all intended purposes, namely, a place of confinement for pris-
oners and a residence for the Sheriff and Jailer. Therefore, in 1869, the County Board made an
«.ppropriation for the erection of a county jail building, and the contract was let to Theodore
Eul. The superintending architect was Thomas H. Green, of Fond du Lac, but the specifica-
tions and plans, which required that the structure should be of stone and iron, were by G. P.
Randall, of Chicago. It was finished ready for occupancy in 1869 ; is located on the west side
of Linden street, not far from Western avenue, in the city of Fond du Lac, and cost $42,000.
The main walls are of Fond du Lac gray limestone, with dressings for the doors and windows,
-of Joliet stone. The cells, of which there are twenty-eight single and six double ones, arranged
in two tiers, are inclosed by slabs of Joliet stone. The portion of the jail building used as a
residence and office by the Sheriff, is 34x45 feet, and two and one-half stories high, with base-
ment for kitchen and storerooms. The prison proper is 34x58 feet, two stories high and very
strongly built. The outer walls, through which prisoners have several times made their escape,
were strengthened with iron in 1878. No prisoners ever escaped when locked in their cells.
COUNTY POOE FAKM AND BUILDINGS.
The County Poor Farm consists of 172 acres of as good farming lands as exist in Fond du
Lac County, situated in Sections 21 and 28, town of Fond du Lac. The first purchase of land
for the purpose of supporting and furnishing a home and a place to work for the indigent inhab-
itants of the county, was made in December, 1856, being seventy acres of the present farm.
The cost was $2,640. Other tracts have since been added, flhe last being by M. W. Simmons,
-of twenty-six acres, at a cost of $1,040. Thus the whole farm embraced 176 acres, less the
.right of way for the Chicago & North- Western, and the Fond du Lac, Amboy & Peoria (narrow
412 HISTORY OF FOKD DU LAC COUNTY.
gauge) Rail-ways. The farm is in an excellent state of cultivation, nearly enough potatoes,
wheat, oats, rye, corn and vegetables for the paupers and insane being produced from it. Cows
are also kept, which produce milk and butter, and, in 1879, 10,000 pounds of pork and 2,000
pounds of beef were produced and packed on the farm. To do this, not a dollar was expended
by the county for labor, the paupers under Michael Gaertner, Overseer of the farm, being able
to perform all the work of tilling, seeding, harvesting and storing. This is a better showing
than, for previous years, because never before had there been so many paupers able to perform
manual labor sent to the Poor Farm.
The buildings, except the Insane Asylum, erected in 1878, are not worthy of extended
mention. The building occupied by the Overseer of the Poor Farm is of wood, and those
occupied by the paupers are of gravel and considerably out of repair; that is, they are old
and cracked. They were all erected by the county. Until 1878, the incurably insane and all
the paupers, whether sick or not, were confined together. This was a source of trouble to the
Overseer, of danger to the paupers, and of annoyance and continued irritation to the demented.
Therefore, during 1878, under the statutes which grant authority to each county to provide for
the incurably insane by and within its own borders, a commodious, substantial and beautiful
building of brick, iron and stone was erected. The architect was Thomas H. Green, of Fond
du Lac, and the cost about $7,000. It is a model building for asylum purposes, and its inmates
are as comfortable, safe and well cared for as those of the State hospitals for the insane. The
main building is 28x70, with thirty-two dormitories, arranged in two tiers, sixteen on each
iioor. The building is two stories high, with basement. On the west side is a wing 14x17^^
feet, used as a reception room below and for the attendants above. The entire building is
ceiled with matched and beaded oak, and is provided with an admirable system of ventilation.
It contains two Boyanton furnaces for warmth, in which wood cut on the farm is burned.
Although in use only one year, the asylum is nearly full of incurables. At the beginning of
1880, the county poor buildings had fifty-eight inmates. Of these, thirty-one are insane. The
list shows that twenty-one are chargeable to Fond du Lac City, three to Fond du Lac Town,
two to Ashford, three to Auburn, three to Alto, one to Calumet, two to Friendship, one to For-
est, three to Eldorado, four to Lamartine, one to Metomen, two to Ripon, three to Oakfield,
two to Osceola, two to Waupun, two to Taycheedah, and three are "transients."
Up to the December session of the County Board in 1879, the general system of support-
ing the paupers of the county had been in vogue. That is, all the expenses of maintaining the
Poor Farm and its inmates, as well as furnishing fuel, clothing and food to those indigent per-
sons who did not live at the farm, was charged to the whole county in a general tax. This was
not satisfactory to all cities and towns, as some of them had no paupers and others had a large
number of them. Under this system, the county was divided into three districts, and the
County Board, by statute authority, elected a Superintendent of Poor for each district. This
was supplanted by the town system in December, 1879. The Superintendents offices were
abolished and the Chairman of each town and ward charged with looking after the poor of his
precinct. The County Farm is kept up, but the expense of running it and supporting the
paupers is charged to the towns or wards which have paupers thus maintained, in proportion
to the number each has been credited with at the farm. The average cost of supporting the
paupers and incurably insane, including all salaries, medical attendance and aid furnished to
families not at the county farm, has been about |12,000 per year. It is thought the new
system will reduce these figures somewhat.
Before the county purchased a Poor Farm in 1856, its paupers were cared for at certain,
rates' by C. D. Kendall, who lived near the present Poor Farm.
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTr. 41S
AGRICULTURE IN FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
He who follows agriculture is the pioneer in all new countries, .and prepares the way for
lawyer, editor, miller, minister, blacksmith, and all others who depend upon anything but farm-
ing for a livelihood, and who never fail to come after them when the soil has been made suffi-
ciently productive. The early settlers of Fond du Lac County were no exception to this rule.
On the 21st of April, 1837, Colwert and Edward Pier turned the first furrow in the county
about one mile south of where the Court House now stands in the city of Fond du Lac. Six days
later, they sowed wheat, oats and peas. The year before this, a few potatoes and garden vege-
tables were raised near the corner of Brooke and Rees streets, in the city of Fond du Lac, by
Colwert Pier. In the town of Waupun the work of tilling the soil was begun in the spring of
1839, by Seymour Wilcox, John N. Ackerman and Hiram Walker. They raised no wheat, but
had potatoes, corn and roots enough for their own use.
From these small beginnings agriculture has grown to astonishing proportions in Fond du
Lac County, and, although considerable attention is given to manufacturing, still represents the
bulk of capital and population. Any other condition of things would be unnatural, as, with its
rich soil and good markets, the county has always furnished a field for the most profitable returns
of industry, skill and means applied to the labor of tilling the ground. The whole county is
more than usually well watered. Where there are no springs, lakes and streams, ,good water is
obtained at a moderate depth.
Generally speaking, the soil is most suitable for raising wheat, or was when new, and that
has always been the principal product. Winter wheat was largely sown at first and returned
profitable yields, especially in the " openings." Spring wheat throve better on the prairies,
where the soil was less adapted to winter grain, and the winter winds were more severe. Win-
ter grain was abandoned almost entirely, and for twenty-five years, up to 1879, spring wheat haa
taken the lead. In the fall of that year, owing to the unprofitable returns from an overworked
soil, and the disastrous effects of drought, chinch-bugs and weevil, large quantities of winter
wheat were put in everywhere in the county.
The nine towns constituting the western portion of the county of Fond du Lac — Ripon,
Metomen, Alto, Waupun, Springvale and Rosendale — in soil and surface, differ somewhat from
the towns lying east of them. Nature seems to have indicated this difference by extending Lake
Winnebago southward, in part dividing the east from the west on the borders of the timber and
prairie. In the nine towns just named, there are prairies, openings and marshes, and originally,
there were groves of heavy forest trees. The territory is well watered by springs and brooks,
by Silver Creek, and by branches of Rock, Fond du Lac, and Grand Rivers. The soil is an
argillaceous loam, moderately mixed with sand and lime, and resting on a thin layer of lime-
stone much broken and occasionally interspersed with knobs of gravel ; underlying the whole is
a red sandstone which occasionally crops out in the ravines. On a few of the highest points on
the prairies, mostly in the towns of Ripon and Metomen, the limestone comes to the surface,
but, in some of the higher points in the openings, the gravel appears at the surface. This por-
tion of the county, as elsewhere explained, dates the commencement of its settlement virtually
in the years 1844 and 1845, although there were a few settlers there before those years. Most
qf the first farmers came from New England, and adopted, generally, the mode of farming then
practiced in the East. Since that time, experience as to the capacity of the soil and as to the
climate, has caused, of course, considerable change in the methods of farming in this region as
it has elsewhere.
The towns in the eastern portion of the county have more lime in the soil, more swamps of
tamarack and aSh, more glades of wild hay, more tracts of heavy timber, more hills, more gravel
beds and more heavy outcroppings of limestone. In short, the soil and capacity of farms are
more diversified.
The towns through which the "Ledge" extends are more adapted to the successful raising of
sheep than those which have more glades and meadow lands. Some portions are also well
414
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
adapted to the dairying and stock raising, and the profit of adding these departments of farm-
ing to that of simple plowing and sowing has recently become apparent. Nearly every town
now has one or more cheese factories, and some have creameries also, factories for making first
butter and then "skimmed" cheese from the same milk. The quality of the butter and cheese
made in Fond du Lac County is first-class. Wheat and hay produced here are second in quality
to the products of no other county, and large quantities of pork, wool and beef, of excellent
quality, are annually exported. The city of Fond du Lac is one of the best and most extensi .e
wheat and wool markets in the State, while the city of Ripon is a leading point in the exporti.-
tion of live stock.
The town of Ripon leads all other towns in fruit raising, although producing orchards may b.)
found in all sections of the county. Grapes, cherries and all kinds of berries are grown with
profit wherever the farmers are disposed to devote the necessary labor and skill to their culture.
The business of breeding thorough-bred stock of all kinds has also got a strong foothold. In
the cattle department, B. C. Matteson, of Rosendale, stands at the head, while A. Hargrave, of
Ripon, Dorian Mihills, of Taycheedah, and Sexmith Brothers, of Fond du Lac, are engaged in
the same line. In the sheep department Henry Corliss, of Ripon, Ben. J. Gilbert, of Fond du
Lac, and Bushnal Dodd, of Rosendale, are the leading breeders of blooded stock.
Farmers have recently turned their attention to raising sugar cane, and the contracted crop
for 1880 is a large one. The plan is for farmers to contract with the owners of sugar factories
for any number of acres at $25 per acre, provided the crop averages, for instance, five stalks to
the hill and the rows of hills are only three feet apart. The syrup made from amber sugar cane
is pleasant to the taste, very sweet, of a beautiful amber color and commands a ready sale, being
adapted to nearly all- the departments in which sugar is used.
For 1875, the State census reports show that the county produced 90,302 'acres of wheat,
,21,966 of oats, 16,755 of corn, 4,494 of barley, 234 of rye and 50 acres of hops.
FARM PRODUCTS FOR 1859.
NAMES OF TOWNS.
■gs,
■s
•s
o
m
"si
■s
.2
Is
ml
1
•s
CD
■§
r
>
■s _
P g
am
s
■s'S
■s
ID
P
? .
rt o
Ashford '.„
8553
3940
11556
6968
3544
7558
9317
4689
9429
8145
7390
2554
11481
1436
12598
16235
14860
22148
18529
15010
17199
18447
27225
21186
300
10167
7241
352
90
7540
4085
800
87812
14280
77608
87413
18049
42226
39615
22265
55562
37544
19675
5103
42381
10095
67836
68819
51923
109941
144262
130467
148593
84619
2949
627
6763
2241
556
1456
5048
754
1331
1054
6177
256
3289
190
3159
9704
2628
6874
2424
4166
1989
7943
7802
3089
6705
5256
2686
8042
5789
6881
8950
8405
4867
2812
6723
2693
6920
8654
10382
9678
9508
6716
6734
8388
% 9
5
118
10
16019
18159
84625
31614
12188
19847
28450
15940
18119
29775
26285
12850
37850
11590
37175
40675
42890
45970
39765
42595
46175
43948
$ 38035
14779
47672
80442
12628
80833
42085
19984
86636
38880
31780
8860
44157
11192
49875
59618
57271
76185
64185
58967
61128
70556
? 6731
3230
7947
4883
2714
5208
4855
4161
5837
6010
6105
2329
6534
5090
9037
8674
8313
9219
8904
12250
7556
8166
$ 39766
18009
Auburn
55619
Eden
35275
If '42
Calumet
34J86
46940
Forest
24095
Marshfield
42473
Taycheedah
44890
Fond du Lac (Town)
87835
400
200
15
90
ie'589
5069f
Waupun Village
16282
109
400
272
174
451
126
58912
Oaktield
81
1040
100
68287
65584
Springvale
85854
78089
Metomen
71217
Alto
68684
Kosendale
286
78722
Total
232561
80257
1176088
71477
142082
$1967
646954
$880043
$141798
11021841
U UAC»
HISTORY or FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
417
NUMBER OF ACRES OF BARM PRODUCTS FOR 1879.
APPLBl 011CHA.RD,
NAMES OF TOWNS.
Wheat.
Corn.
Oats.
Barley.
Bye.
FotatoeB
Boot
Crops.
No. Of
Acres
No. of
Bearing
Trees.
Hops.
Cultiva-
ted
Grass.
Gro'g
limber.
4575
2792
3793
5040
5496
1476
3020
4753
3038
4200
2116i
4^00
4316
7710
4573
2490
1593
5490
6916
5780
4556J
428
36
750
574
1537
576J
712
426
489
892
958
400
548
1000
295
2030
1084
500
322
1120
1150
493
13J8J
148
5
1050
828
1038
975}
1051
920
455
1069
1121
620
716J
1000
,975
1290
1098
660
322
1170
1137
745
924
• 99
16
525
573
563
697J
547
220
236
491
749
800
637}
400
486
745
543
240
129
270
697J
344J
431 J
78
25
184
35
"ei)"
"is"
6
20*
11
15
66
15
41
35
10
"32"
125 J
21
...„.
125
132i
lllj
134
122
212
82
137
94
110
59}
189
135
100
'ii
160
26
69
167
184
89|
19
175
89J
112J
206^
98|-
67
155
1694
74
100
44J
120
70
93
281
87
42
217
236
49^
142|
49
3
4736
1727
3ip
5850
2767
1650
2914
3811
1853
2570
1308
1040
1440
4510
9086
2160
1009
8850
9748
1538
4647
4477
200
""si
""ii
i"
1575
1-332
1269
2638
1410
21320
2659
1694
2799
4000
1246
3300
915
3775
2560
1300
407
1221
2620
44
1944
199
2950
6688
Alto
683
2270
7824
Eden
1776
Empire -,
Eldorado
2039
3
4
1353
771
1200
7
1654
900
Marsh field
212
1665
Oakfield
1}
1581
6250
349
7
846
1113
Tavcheedah
2444
3
977
Oitv of RiDOD
32
Total
87538
17368}
19270
9903i
724}
2523J
361
2683}
81106
12
60212
45577
FARM PRODUCTS FOR 1-879 — [Continued).
NAMES OP TOWNS.
Ashford
Auburn
Alto
Byron
Calumet
Bden
Empire
Eldorado ,
Fond du Lao
Forest
Friendship
Lamartine
Marshfieia
Metomen
Oakfield
■Osceola
Ripen
Roseudale
Springvale
Taycheedah
Waupun
Ripon City
Waupun Lity, North Ward..
Totals 1171509
NUMBER OP BUSHELS.
50905
45247
63970
84550
68194
19724
48254
71990
33559
43800
33673
58300
44064
8B130
58230
23800
73631
71128
62119
64394
59386
5922
640
17100
22390
48545
25594
26830
8703
21128
26298
27417
11823
27630
24000
5034
43810
37936
14000
45015
46755
49865
16800
24590
4483
574651
32859
32392
37825
44034
36875
30820
26769
32569
19852
25085
34000
23445
54970
33133
21000
14109
39042
39325
81818
43099
2115
600
718095
Barley.
6500
6130
7885
7984
6889
8532
::i249
7759
8691
3326
9842
11000
5324
7330
7296
700U
6206
3656
6610
5025
6182
705
143020 13514
Eye.
800
2804
210
291
2088
171
130
391
259
340
860
1012
120
160
64
2351
1603
270
Potatoes.
5136
5466
5730
7197
6495
4270
3944
8504
2830
3984
4689
4060
6087
6346
3845
4000
7072
5363
7072
6866
6683
702
Boot
Crops.
Apples.
490
1600
300
2686
1390
1300
3850
1685
235
800
25
1840
843^
1235
1609
2887
174
1855
800
1704
866
966
Clover
Seed.
Timothy
Seed.
530
1960
6141
150
1796
1520
5564
1554
8106
1640
■ 40
116340 14361lF37229^ 6864 2212
800
729
121
61
731
167
259
400
233
627
35J
419'
480
261
266
200
152
274
434J
233
11
630
76
1
50
66
659
51
236
170
205
65
418
HISTORY or POND DU LAC COUNTY.
FARM PKODTJCXS FOR 1879 — {Continued).
Milch Cows.
'No. OP Acres Har-
vested FOE Seed.
Number ojf Poohds.
No.
Value.
CloTer.
Timothy.
Flax.
Hops.
Tobaccn.
Cultivated
Grasses.
Butter.
Cheess.
Ashford...;
500
595
804
773
734
501
483
683
505
577
509
860
463
803
685
650
108
704
583
714
971
291
17
5500
8638
11180
13903
11574
.8740
966
10494
10100
8655
8066
13600
6482
13815
13225
6500
1698
12252
12701
5589
17605
5407
267
570
538
67
44
482J
101
164
300
116
329
13J
176
366
148
219
80
5150000
2912000
2184000
7938000
20040
11115
52555
17397
4868
7430
27155
46010
22680
17000
20160
30000
9890
61050
445B7
10000
31080
51060
36025
9430
32850
2550
200
58279
104590
24280
67000
Auburn
U
232'
6128
Alto
Calumet
16655
Eden
45329
6580000
12000000
9614000
148000
14234
Empire
5
1500
Eldorado
3200
1000
Fond du Lac
4J
38283
Forest
24200
Friendship
■■■■>■■■■
4276000
4600000
1640000
6348000
7790000
2400000
5400000
4674000
5768000
628000
3063
221
300
145000
Marshfield
125
13700
146
13i
25300
Oakfield
137fi8.'>
45000
Ripon.
32
31
35
1680
10575
124
198
.234 J
135
24370
100336
190255
Waupun
11
1 fift.'iOO
.
50
6550
5
llOO
Totals
13503
206957
4410^
511J
1680
9453
50
90098613
609679
1217692
The farmers of Fond du Lac County support one agricultural paper, the Farmer, at Fond du
Lac, and have several brisk and well-attended farmers' clubs, with more in process of organization.
THE DAIRYING INTERESTS OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
The dairying interests of Fond du Lac County have grown to dimensions of importance,
second, perhaps, to those of but one other county in Wisconsin. It is the pioneer county in
dairying, and would be second to none except for the rich returns of other agricultural pursuits.
The soil is not especially adapted to grazing and to nothing else, as is the case with dairying
sections outside of Fond du Lac County, but is simply good, rich soil, suitable for grazing or
grain.
The first factory cheese shipped out of Wisconsin, the first cheese |,factory and the first
Dairyman's Association in the State, all belonged to Fond du Lac County.
The very first cheese made, as the beginning of an experimental business enterprise, was
made in the spring of 1844, by Chester Hazen, in the town of Springvale. In 1850, he kept
twenty cows for their milk, and made the product into cheese, after the improved plan, using
vats. During thirty years from that time, cheese-making as a business for profit has been con-
tinued on that same farm by the same man, and always with satisfactory results.
In 1852, Warren Florida, of the town of Waupun, began making cheese from a small
dairy of cows; and George D. Curtis, of Rosendale, began also in a small way the same season.
About the same time, perhaps a year later,' Henry Bush, of Byron, put a dairy of cows on hi*
farm, and began making cheese. From that period on, home dairying increased more or less
rapidly in Fond du Lac County, until the days of cheese factories. During the war, owing to-
the high price of cheese, new dairies sprang into existence in almost every portion of the county,
and made money for their proprietors.
HISTOEY OF FOND DIJ LAC COUNTY. 419
The first cheese factory erected in Wisconsin was built by Chester Hazen, in the town of
Springvale, Fond du Lac County, and put in operation in the season of 1864, with the milk
from 100 cows. The factory was a great curiosity, and was considered an experiment. The
next season, 1865, he had the lacteal product of 200 cows ; that of 400, in 1868, and of 1,000,
in 1870. Business of an equally large scale was continued by Mr. Hazen's factory four or
five years after 1870, until other factories began to be built around him, when it dropped to 500
cows, the product of which number is now made into cheese at his factory.
The second cheese factory in Fond du Lac County was erected in 1866, in the north por-
tion of Springvale, by Vincent & Waterman. Later in the same season. Strong & Hammond
built a factory in Oakfield, and during the following fall or winter it was ready for milk. Dur-
ing the season of 1867, J. J. Smith built a factory in Ripon. This is now but little used, the
farmers about Ripon having recently very largely dropped the dairying business, owing to the
unprofitable price of cheese. During the next four or five years, a comparatively large number
of factories were built, and most of them did a flourishing business. The report made for 1870
showed the following factories in operation that year : Ladoga factory — 625 cows, 1,923,264 pounds
of milk, made into 194,544 pounds of cured cheese ; Brandon factory — 423,719 pounds of milk,
42,058 pounds of cured cheese; Rosendale factory — 475 cows, and made 44 tons of cured
cheese; Waupun factory — 150 cows, 76,954 pounds of green cheese; Treleven's factory, in
Fond du Lac — 150 cows and 31,108 pounds of cured cheese; Ripon factory — 300 cows, 63,454
pounds of green cheese; Oakfield factory — 800,000 pounds of milk, which made 88,889 pounds
of cheese; Alto factory — 175 cows, 290,561 pounds of milk, and 31,092 pounds of cheese;
J. A. Smith's factory, in Fond du Lac — 56 cows, from which were made 15,000 pounds of cheese in
ninety days; Spafibrd's factory, in Fond du Lac — 100 cows, from which were made 16,908
pounds of cheese; Ellsworth's factory, in Metomen — 150 cows, from which were made 14
tons of cheese.
In 1870, the first factory cheese shipped from Wisconsin in car lots, was sent from the
Hazen factory, at Ladoga, Fond du Lac County. Since then the practice of shipping and box-
ing at the factories has become common.
In 1879, there were thirty cheese factories in operation in Fond du Lac County, in which
were manufactured 2,244,000 pounds of cheese, which, although a falling-ofi^ of nearly 25 per
cent from the product of 1878, is still four times as great as the product of 1870. To make
this amount of cheese in 1879, required the milk of 4,500 cows.
At the International Dairy Fair held in December, 1878, at the American Institute, New
York, the first prize for Wisconsin factory cheese, was awarded to Chester Hazen, of Fond du
Lac County. '
In 1870, the first Dairyman's Association ever organized in the State of Wisconsin was
formed in Fond du Lac County. Chester Hazen was President, and H. C. Strong, Secretary.
At its second meeting, held February 10, 1871, Chester Hazen was re-elected President;
F. S. Jenkins and W. J. Jennings, Vice Presidents ; H. D. Hitt, Treasurer, and H. C. Strong,
Secretary. A Board of Directors, consisting of William Knight, of Alto ; Charles Norris, of
Brandon ; James Cornell, of Byron ; D. D. Treleven, of Fond du Lac ; A. C. Whiting, of
Springvale ; Abel Bristol, of Oakfield ; H. C. Waterman, Rosendale ; William Starr, of
Ripon ; John Howard, of Waupun, and Ed Reynolds, of Metomen, was also elected. A neat
report in pamphlet form was published, and the Association was in a healthy condition. In
1872, the State Dairyman's Association was formed, and Chester Hazen was its President, the
Fond du Lac County Association being merged with the State Association. Chester Hazen,
who is now Vice President of the State Dairyman's Association, was its President during 1872,
1873 and 1874. He has done much to make a reputation abroad for Fond du Lac County
cheese and butter,- which now bring the highest market price in all the Eastern cities.
While Fond du Lac County does not lead all other counties at the present time in the value
of her butter and cheese products, she has the honor of first demonstrating that dairying could
L,
420 HISTOKY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
be successfully followed in Wisconsin, and thus put other localities, where grain raising was more
unprofitable, in possession of knowledge that has since made them richer, and also made Wis-
consin famous for the very finest quality of butter and cheese. Dairying has fallen ofi" since
the beginning of 1879 in Fond du Lac County for the very best of reasons, viz., the ruinously
low prices paid for butter and cheese. During that year, butter could actually be bought for
7 cents and cheese for 4J to 5 cents per pound, and those who could contract their butter for
10 cents or 12 J per pound thought themselves exceedingly fortunate. Many farmers would not
sell at such insignificant prices and dropped at once the business of making butter and cheese.
At the beginning of 1880, however, both these articles rose to much higher prices, cheese
bringing from 14 to 16 cents and butter 20 to 22 cents per pound, and the outlook for dairy
keepers is again bright.
Not all the factories in Fond du Lac County mentioned as cheese factories are used in the
manufacture of cheese alone, some of them being creameries where butter alone, or both butter
and cheese are made. Perhaps the most novel and finest equipped cream'ery in the county is
near the farm of 'A. Atwood, in the town of Waupun. The milk in this creamery is cooled by
draughts of cold air which have passed into a large tunnel made for the purpose and passed many
rods under ground to the building. These currents are sufiiciently cold and always steady and
reliable, the earth at the depth to which the tunnel was dug being always cool. This was the
first creamery of the kind ever erected, and was first run during 1878 by W. T. Brooks.
COUNTY ASRICULTUKAL AND MECHANICAL SOCIETY.
The Fond du Lac County Agricultural and Mechanical Society was organized on the 5th
of July, 1852, at Rosendale, and the first fair was held there on the 26th and 30th days' of
September following. The amount of premiums awarded that year was $261.50, but the spirit
proved to be willing and the flesh weak in the distribution, for the amount actually realized and
divided was only 13 per cent of the awards. The next year, 1858, the fair was held at Fond du Lac,
and, being instructed by the result of the year before, the Society's Committee made the more modest
award of $199, and managed, from the receipts, to pay 87| per cent of the awards. The next
year, 1854, by a judibious compromise, the premium obligations appear to have been fully dis-
charged by the distribution of $78 in cash and twenty-six volumes of the transactions of the
State Agricultural Society. In 1855, the fair was held at Fond du Lac, and showed an encour-
aging degree of improvement — ^the premiums awarded being $160 in cash and several volumes
of Patent Office Reports. In 1856, the figures, for some reason, show a slight falling-off — the
amount of awards being $157.50. The year 1857 was a little better, and shows premiums to
the amount of $192.50 ; and from this date the fairs and affairs of the society show a decided
recuperation. The fair was held at Ripon on the 23d and 24th days of September, 1858, and
was a success, the total receipts amounting to $282.07, of which there was awarded and dis-
bursed as premiums, $245.50. In 1859, was the "big year " — the Society having realized frdm
admission, membership tickets and subscriptions, the snug sum of $452.15, of which $211.75 was
invested in conveniences and fixings, then much needed by the Society, and $252.60 disbursed
as premiums. This fair was held in Fond du Lac. Last year, 1860, the Society was also self-
sustaining, and held an interesting fair at Fond du Lac, paying from its own resources $276 cash
premiums. As to the fair of 1861, " It is not unfair to presume that with ordinary fair-play it
would have proven a successful affair, but unwelcome warfare interfered sadly with its welfare."
All succeeding fairs after the first one have been held in the city of Fond du Lac. The Society
leased grounds on the southern limits of the city which had been purchased and fitted up as a race
track by the " Fond du Lac Stock Growers' Association." The Society erected an exhibition
building, and the necessary appurtenances for holding fairs. There the annual shows were held
with varied success and reverses until 1874, when, on the 20th of June of that year, a re-organ-
ization of the Society was effected, on the stock plan, and the following By-Laws were adopted :
Section 1. The annual meeting of the Society shall be held in the city of Fond du Lac on the first Wednesday
succeeding the first Monday in January, in each year, at 12 o'clock noon.
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 421
Sec. 2. The affairs of the Society shall be under the direction of a Board of thirteen Directors, who shall be
elected by ballot at the annual meeting. A majority of all the votes cast shall be necessary to an elgction, and no
person shall be eligible to election as a Director unless he is a stockholder, and has paid all assessments made upon
the shares of stock held by him.
Sec. 3. Shares of stock on which assessments shall have been paid, shall be entitled to one vote, but no stock
shall be represented by proxy.
Sec. 4. The Board of Directors, on receiving official notice of their election, shall within one week after receiv-
ing such notice, meet and elect from among their number a President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer, and
an Executive Committee of five, including the President and Secretary, who shall be ex officio members of said
committee. '
Sec. 5. The Executive Committee shall have, under the direction of the Board of Directors, general supervision
of the affairs of the Society, and perform such other duties as may be imposed upon them by the Board of Directors.
Sec. 6. The Treasurer shall give bonds for the faithful performance of his duties as the Board of Directors
may direct.
Sec. 7. No moneys shall be paid out of the Treasury unless appropriated by a majority of the Executive Com-
mittee, and on the warrant of the President, attested by the Secretary, except the premiums awarded may be paid
upon the certificate of the Secretary.
Sec. 8. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the Secretary upon the written request of
three Directors
Sec. 9. The Secretary shall cause to be published in at least two newspapers published in the city of Fond du
Lac, notice of all regular meetings of the Society, at least two weeks prior to such meeting.
Sec. 10. Vacancies occurring in the Board of Directors may be filled by a majority of Directors elect.
Sec. 11: A majority of Directors elect shall be necessary to oonsiitute a quorum.
Sec. 12. These by-laws may be amended by a majority of the stockholders present at any regular or adjourned
meeting of the Society.
Sec. 13. In all matters otherwise not provided for, the Board shall be governed by the usual parliamentary
usages.
Sec. 14. Each stockholder shall be entitled to one ticket, admitting himself to the grounds at all times, when
under the control of the Society, which ticket shall be forfeited when in any hands except his own.
Sec. 15. No entry fee shall be charged for articles on exhibition.
Sec. 16. No certificate of slock shall be transferable except on the books of the Society, and in case of transfer,
the President and Secretary shall cancel the old certificate and issue a new certificate to purchaser.
Under the new order of things, George Keys, of Empire, was elected President, H. G.
Halsted, of Rosendale, Treasurer, and Dana C. Lamb, of Fond du Lac, Secretary. The capital
stock was fixed at $15,000, in shares of $25 each, and more than $10,000 was subscribed. The
new company, jn consideration of the improvements made by the old organization, assumed to
pay jts debts, including the premium-list of 1873. The grounds were put in good condition, a
fine amphitheater and numerous cattle and horse sheds built, wells sunk, the track put in order,
and preparations made for a grand exhibition, and the hopes of the new directory were not disap-
pointed, as the fair of 1874 was acknowledged to have been one of the finest exhibitions ever
held in the State. The next year, under the same ofiicers, the fair was again successful. In
1876, the following named gentlemen were elected as officers : President, Chester Hazen, Spring-
vale ; Vice President, John H. Martin, Fond du Lac ; Secretary, Dana C. Lamb, Fonddu Lac ;
Treasurer, Henry G. Halsted, Rosendale. That year, the receipts of the fair, shown by the
report of the Treasurer, reached nearly $3,000. The fair of 1877, by the same oflBcers, nearly
or quite eb[ualed the former ones under the re-organization. The ofiicers for 1878 were : H. D..
Hitt, of Oakfield, President ; F. B. Hoskins, of Fond du Lac, Treasurer, and Gustavo de Neveu,
of Empire, Secretary. Owing to bad weather, the receipts of the fair for 1878 were light, and
no premiums were paid. The fair of 1879 was blessed with fine weather, and the receipts were
sufficient to meet all demands.
BIPON AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION.
The Ripon Agricultural Association was undertaken by Ripon in its mature years, but it
was indebted for its establishment, in great part, to the same men who had carried forward earlier
enterprises of a public nature to success. It originated in the "Farmers' Club" — a voluntary
institution, which had been in successful operation for two years or more — in the summer of
1866. Like all American operations, it elicited a world of talk, and, like most Ripon opera-
tions, that talk resulted in successful action. The usual machinery of public meetings,
committees and subcommittees, was resorted to — nothing' can be done in this country without
422 HISTOBY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
public meetings and committees — and, as ever, the question of first importance was that of ways
and means. Upon a careful comparison of views, it was decided that it would be practicable to
organize and commence business on a paid-up capital of $5,000. But how to obtain the $5,000
was the question. It was a very considerable amount of money to raise when there was no
immediate prospect of a return. It was thought that a subscription of $25 by each citizen
interested would be most available ; and it was, therefore, resolved that the capital of the Asso-
ciation should be divided into shares of $25 each ; and, as a special inducement to subscribers,
it was proposed that each holder of paid-up stock should be eiititled to a free ticket, giving him-
self and family free access to the fair grounds on all occasions whatever. This was, undoubtedly,
the proposition which made the movement a success.
The irrepressible D. P. Mapes went to work to obtain subscriptions ; and, if any one thinks
it is a small piece of work to sell two hundred shares of stock in an agricultural association, for
$26 each, and get his money as he goes along, just let him try it; his efiforts will probably result
in taking a large share of conceit out of him. It was, indeed, a great amount of labor ; but it
was accomplished in the course of five or six weeks.
An organization was effected under the general law ; a board of directors elected •; the
money was paid into the hands of a treasurer; and, in point of fact, the victory was won. Then
came the question of location, the size and shape of the grounds, length of the trotting-course —
or whether there should be a trotting-course at all — fencing the grounds, making sheds, stalls
and what not ; and, after a decision was reached on these innumerable questions, there was still
an immense amount of actual work to be done to carry the decision into effect. It was, in fact,
nothing short of a summer's work for the men engaged in it. But the end was at last reached,
or "straining full in view," and then there arose another very important question — " Can the work
be finished up in time to hold a fair during the fall of 1866 ?" The majority of the Directors
responded ''doubtful! " But two or three said there should be no doubt about it ; it must be
done, and it was done. The fair was held very late — on the 11th, 12th and 13th days of Octo-
ber, of that year. This was the first fair of the Ripon Agricultural Association, and it was a
success.
The officers of the Association since its organization are as follows: 1866 — President, A. M.
Skeels ; Secretary, E. P. Brockway ; Treasurer, H. M. Chapin. 1867 — President, A. M.
Skeels ; Secretary, E. P. Brockway ; Treasurer, C. F. Wheeler. 1868 — President, A. M.
Skeels; Secretary, E. P. Brockway; Treasurer, C. F. Wheeler. 1869 — President, A. M.
Skeels; Secretary, B. P. Brockway; Treasurer, C. F. Wheeler. 1870 — President, A. M.
Skeels; Secretary, T. Marshall; Treasurer, C. F. Wheeler. 1871 — President, A. M. Skeels;
Secretary, T. Marshall ; Treasurer, C. F. Wheeler. 1872 — President, A. M. Skeels ; Secretary,
T. Marshall; Treasurer, C. F. Wheeler. 1873— President, A. M. Skeels; Secretary, T. Mar-
shall; Treasurer, C. F. Wheeler. 1874— President, H. S. Town; Secretary, T. Marshall;
Treasurer, 0. F. Wheeler. 1875 — President, H. S. Town; Secretary, T. Marshall; Treasurer,
C. F. Wheeler. 1876— President, H. S. Town; Secretary, W. B. Kingsbury; Treasurer, C.
F. Wheeler. 1877 — President, C. F. Hanpmond; Secretary, B. Kingsbury; Treasurer, J.>M.
Little. 1878 — President, C. F. Hammond; Secretary, H. W. Wolcott; Treasurer, C. F. Wheeler.
1879 — President, H. W. Wolcott; Secretary, W. B. Kingsbury; Treasurer, C. F. Wheeler.
1880 — President, H. S. Town; Secretary, G. F. Horner; Treasurer, A. Osborn.
On the 9th of November, 1866, the Association purchased for their grounds seventeen
acres, in the northeast part of the city, about a mile from the business portion of Ripon.
Fairs have been held each year since the organization of the Association with uniform suc-
cess. The buildings upon the grounds are in excellent condition and well adapted for the
purposes intended ; there is also a fine half-mile race-track. Other improvements are in good
order; in short, the grounds are complete in all their arrangements.
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 423
PLANK ROADS.
To secure firm and smooth thoroughfares for the transportation of their produce, the atten-
tion of the people of Fond du Lac County was early called to the necessity of constructing
plank roads. Companies were chartered and the work commenced. In 1852, a plank road was
finished and brought into use from the city of Fond du Lac to the city of Sheboygan on Lake
Michigan. In 1853, this road was continued northwesterly from Fond du Lac to Rosendale,
and although contemplated to pass through the villages of Ripon and Ceresco to Fox River, it
was never completed farther than the east line of the town of Rosendale. After being used a
few years, it was suffered to fall to decay and was finally declared by the proper authority a free
public highway and such it has since remained. "This road, ""wrote a citizen of Fond du Lac,
in 1854, " is well graded and covered with solid oak plank, possesses firmness and promises dur-
ability. It affords an easy transit to the traveller, altogether preferable to the hemlock-knot
roads of the east."
That the citizens of Fond du Lac County may now fully appreciate the struggles and anxie-
ties of a quarter of century ago — before the era of railways — to insure cheap transportation
for produce and easy means of communication, the following account is reproduced from a pub-
lication of that time relative to plank road projects :
"There is a company organized with a charter for the construction of a plank road from Mil-
waukee to Green Bay. The work is already commenced, and some fifteen or twenty miles of
the road now in use between Calumet and Green Bay. The line of this road runs through the
entire width of Fond du Lac County, passing through the towns of Calumet, Taycheedah,
Fond du Lac, Empire, Eden, Ashford and Auburn. The plank road from Fond du Lac to
Waupun commenced the present season [1854], will pass through the intermediate towns of
Lamartine and Oakfield. The line of the Sheboygan and Mayville plank road passes through
Fond du Lac, and thence on the line between Byron and Oakfield into the county of Dodge.
Omro and Waupun plank road will run through Rosendale and Springvfde to Waupun.
Port Washington and Fond du Lac plank road will pass through Osceola, Auburn, Eden and
Empire, to Fond du Lac. Fond du Lac and Waukau plank road will run from Fond du Lac
through Eldorado and Rosendale into the county of Winnebago. Oshkosh, Algoma and
Ripon plank road will run through the north part of Rosendale to Ceresco. Plymouth and
Waupun plank road will pass through Osceola, Eden, Byron and Oakfield to Waupun. Fond
du Lac and Oshkosh plank road on the west shore of Lake Winnebago, will run through the
town of Friendship. How soon and how many of the roads will be constructed is for the future
to disclose ; yet one thing is certain, the will and the capacity to accomplish are adequate to
supply all the real necessities of the community in respect to plank roads."
And, notwithstanding all these schemes and all this labor, there is not now a plank road in
the county of Fond du Lac. The era of those roads was brief and spasmodic ; it soon gave
way to more important railway enterprises.
RAILKOADS.
As introductory to the sketch of the railways of Fond du Lac County, it will be profitable
to copy from an article of a quarter of a century ago, an account of the improvements of the
line then existing, bringing at once to the attention of the reader what had, at that early day,
become a reality, and the numerous projects already agitating the public mind. The writer says :
" While the people of Fond du Lac County have been active in securing the advantages
derived from good plank roads through its various sections, they have not been indifferent to the
more important enterprise of connecting the great producing portions of the county with the
' port towns ' and principal markets, by the construction of railroads.
" The Rock River Valley Union Railroad is the only one which has been brought (1854)
into use in Fond du Lac County. This was completed in 1858, from Fond du Lac through
Oakfield to near the village of Waupun, on the line of Dodge County. The length of the road
!./■
424 HISTORY OF POND DU LAC COUNTY.
now in use is about twenty miles. Two trains run daily each way. The Horicon & Berlin
Railroad is now in process of construction, and will accommodate the western part of the county,
passing through Waupun, Alto, Metomen and Ceresco [now Ripon]. There are, also charters
obtained and companies organized for the construction of the Milwaukee, Fond du Lac"& Green
Bay Railroa,d, the line of which runs through the towns of Auburn, Ashford, Eden, Fond du Lac
and Friendship, in this county ; for the Port Washington & Fort Winnebago Railroad, running
through Auburn, Ashford, Byron, Oakfield, Waupun and Alto ; for the Sheboygan & Mississippi
Railroad, passing the entire length of the county from east to west, running through the towns
of Forest, Empire, Fond du Lac, Eldorado, Rosendale and Ceresco [now Ripon].
" These constitute the principal railroads now contemplated to pass through this county.
Great interest is manifested and proportionate exertions made for the completion of some of these
roads, and should the agricultural interests bf the county continue to enjoy the prosperity which
has attended them for the two past seasons, it will not be long before the county will possess
sufficient wealth, without difficulty to construct all the roads that necessity demands. Some of these
roads will probably never have but a chartered existence, while others are as sure of being
brought into actual and profitable use as that common prosperity attends the exertions of the
people."
Having thus presented a general view of the railway enterprise in Fond du Lac County, as
it existed a quarter of a century ago, it is necessary to call the reader's attention to the rise and
progress of each road actually constructed and now in operation within the limits of the county,
and to such other facts as may tend to recall the interest attaching to them from the ^date of
their inception to the present time.
The Chicago ^ North- Western Railway. — Portions of what now constitute this line of rail-
way were built before any work was done in Wisconsin, but the first work done on the Chicago
& North-Western Railway line proper was in the city of Fond du Lac, in 1851. The year
before, a line was built from Chicago to Elgin, 111., but not by any of the builders of what is now
the Chicago & North-Western Railway ; hence, Fond du Lac is really the birth-place of this
mighty fan of railway lines.
The people of Fond du Lao County had thought but little about- railways, most of their time,
attention and spare money being devoted to plank roads. There were, however, a few far-seeing
men who looked forward to a time when travelers, merchants, miners, lumbermen and manufact-
urers would need something better than plank roads for their accommodation, and to them Fond
du Lac was indebted for a line of railway at an early date. They worked with an enthusiasm
and persistence truly remarkable, when it is known that little or no encouragement was received
from the masses, whose heads had been turned by plank roads.
John B. Macy and T. L. Gillet, of Fond du Lac, and A. Hyatt, Smith, of Janesville, were
leading spirits in the formation of the Rock River Valley Union Railroad Company, as the road
and corporation were first named.
They met with numerous obstacles, some almost insurmountable, as they had not suificient
means to build •& railroad over the contemplated route, and the inhabitants, had they been able
to subscribe for stock, seemed to have little interest in the success of the project. Of this feature,
J. A. Watrous wrote in the Fond du Lac Appeal: '
"As early as 1849, there was some talk of iron rails for Fond du Lac, but those who had
any faith in the attempts were very few in number. The local papers held out no inducements,
in which respect they differed radically from modern local papers. Columns of space were
devoted to plank-roads in process of construction, and to giving proceedings of meetings called
for the purpose of devising ways and means for starting new ones, while a short paragraph suf-
ficed for the railroad enterprise. This seems almost unaccountable to people of the present day,
in view of the decayed and almost forgotten plank-roads, their short lives and little service."
Discovering that nothing could be done in Fond du Lac without outside aid, John B. Macy
went East several times, with maps and plans, and finally succeeded in getting Robert J. Walker,
of Washington, interested in the enterprise. Late in 1850, a contract was let to Bradley & Co.,
HISTORY OF rONB DU LAC COUNTY. '12&
of Vermont, practical railroad builders of large experience, to construct a certain portion of the
road. T. F. Strong, Sr., of the contractors, came West in 1850, and looked the route over, rid-
ing the entire distance from Chicago to Fond du Lac on horseback. He then returned to his
home in Burlington, Vt., but removed to Fond du Lac early in 1851. When the people saw
him enter the village with 160 horses, followed soon after by loads of shovels, picks, wheelbarrows
and other tools, they aroused from their lethargy. Then there was faith ; then there was enthu-
siasm ; then there was railroad on the brain.
On the 19th of December, 1850, T. L. Gillet advertised that the stock-books of the new rail-
road were open at his store. Five per cent of the stock was to be paid in advance, and the
balance in 8-per-cent installments, quarterly. July 10, 1851, was fixed upon for breaking
ground, and arrangements were made for celebrating the event in true Western style. People
along the proposed line, from as far south as Sharon, were present. The State officials were to
be present. Members of the bar and officials of the various counties through which the road
was to run were to come. At an early hour the morning of the 10th, teams began to pour into
the village from all directions. Walworth, Rook, JeflFerson and Dodge Counties sent large dele-
gations. Waupun's delegation came in many conveyances, with flags flying and band playing.
Most of the State officers were present. The starting of the immense procession was announced
by the booming of the village cannon. A. Hyatt Smith, President of the Rock River Valley
Union Railway, headed the procession. Then came the Directors and other officers of the
Company, and the contractor, T. F. Strong, Sr., followed by the State, village, and county offi-
cials, the judges, members of the bar from the various parts of the State, and the people
generally, in large numbers. Peter V. Sang was Marshal of the Day, and William H. Ebbetts
Robert Conklin and Isaac S. Tallmadge, Assistants. The oldest inhabitants speak of that memora-
ble railroad celebrating procession as one of the largest and most enthusiastic ever seen in Fond
du Lac County. Preceded by the bands, the procession marched to the spot where work was to
begin — a few rods north of the passenger depot, on West Division street, and formed a hollow ,
square. The President of the Day, M. C. Darling, opened the ceremonies with a brief but
elegant address, and introduced A. Hyatt Smith, the President, to whom was handed the spade
carried in the procession by Tim F. Strong, son of the contractor, and, as he cut the tough
sod and tossed it into the air, a shout went up that made the earth tremble. When quiet was
restored, Edward S. Bragg, toast-master, read the regular toasts, as follows :
Walworth County — Though last on the line of the road in Wisconsin, may she be first in
her contributions for the great enterprise of the State.
Rock County — Like the rock that Moses smote, it contains in its bosom a fountain that
shall refresh a thirsty people.
Jefferson County — Not unlike the illustrious statesman after whom she was christened, she
loves freedom and is bound to pursue it with an iron horse.
Bodge County — Her iron ore, the Valley road the magic wand that turns it into gold.
Fond du Lao County — She cannot wait to go East by water.
The toasts were appropriately responded to by parties from the various counties named.
Brief speeches were made by Attorney General S. Park Coon and others. The procession was
re-formed and marched back to the village, where it was dismissed, and as many as the Lewis
House would hold gathered for a banquet which was an elaborate afl"airand participated in with
much spirit. The speeches of prophecy made on that occasion were considered very extrava-
gant, and only one or two had the faintest idea they would ever be verified.
John B. Macy, who had labored for years in behalf of the enterprise, and had given the
whole subject much thought, assumed the garb of a prophet on that occasion in this toast :
The Rock River Valley Union Railroad — It will be the connecting of the great chain of rail-
roads between the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Ocean. The present generation will see this
prediction fulfilled.
In 1872, when the North-Western's lines reached Ishpeming, Mich., John B. Macy's
prophecy was fulfilled.
426 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
For various reasons work on the new road could not be pushed with any- great degree of
effectiveness. The grading was not difficult, but the almost impassable condition of the roads
rendered it exceedingly difficult to get the iron, which came by the way of Green Bay, and a
portion of it by teams and wagons as far as the north end of Lake Winnebago. This was a very
costly mode of transportation, as the road, being broad gauge — six feet between rails — required
heavy equipages.
The first engine came by water from Buffalo to Sheboygan and was hauled by teams to
Fond da Lac, in 1852, requiring a fair-sized brigade of oxen and horses, and several weeks to
accomplish the work. It was named the " Winnebago," in honor of the lake from which it
drank. It weighed fifteen tons. It was used for a long term of years on the road, and then as
a switch-engine at Fond du Lac, after being changed to standard width. It is now in good con-
dition and doing good service in the yards at Green Bay, under its original name. The second
one came from Taunton, Mass., and landed at the same point — Sheboygan. To trans-
port this engine to Fond du Lac, there were secured fourteen yokes of oxen and seven spans of
horses, and it took six weeks to make the trip of forty-five miles. Some days it was not possible
to haul it more than eighty rods between sun and sun.
It was purchased in 1853, by T. F. Strong, Sr., who had leased the road. It cost
^10,000. It was a muddy piece of machinery when it reached Fond du Lac, having passed
through more sloughs than any other locomotive which ever came to the State. It was named
" The Fountain City," in honor of Fond du Lac, and is now owned by the Erie Railway.
When, in 1853, the track was laid a distance of fifteen miles out of Fond du Lac, and the
grading nearly completed to Chester, in Dodge County, the corporation failed, largely in debt
to the contractors among others. Mr. Strong leased the road, purchased strap-iron at Chicago,
completed the line to Chester, added the engine just mentioned, and commenced operating the
road. The travel became quite an item, ks did, the freight, but it was soon found that it would
not warrant him in running, so he purchased a large quantity of pine and other logs, trans-
ported them by car to Rock River, a few rods north of Chester station, and floated them down
stream. They met with ready sale at the mills along the river, and not a few of them went
as far as Janesville. Before the strap-iron was put down, the wooden sleepers upon which it was
placed answered for a track a considerable length of time. In fact, the first logs ever trans-
ported by rail in the State, or in the West, were hauled on cars which ran a portion of the dis-
tance between Fond du Lac and the Rock River on wooden rails. For successful railroading
purposes these would suffer materially by a comparison with the steel rails of the present time.
The rate of speed made on them was very slow, the number of miles an hour hardly exceeding
the number of times a day some portion of the train was off the track.
In 1855, the city of Fond du Lac voted $350,000 aid ; the company was re-organized and the
road pushed on to La Crosse (now Minnesota) Junction, in Dodge County, under the name of
the Chicago, St. Paul & Fond du Lac Railway. Hard times were not to be overcome by a
change of name, and the road moved slowly. The same contractors and company, under an
Illinois charter, had built a road as far as Janesville from Chicago.
Early in 1859, the Legislatures of Illinois and Wisconsin authorized a re-organization of the
company, which then took the present name of Chicago & North- Western.
The road was rapidly built, that year, between Janesville and Minnesota Junction, thus
opening a line of 177 miles, in a few months more than eight years from the time ground was
broken at Fond du Lac.
iMr. Strong completed the road and ran trains to Oshkosh, in 1860 ; to Appleton, in the
early part of 1861 ; to Green Bay, in 1862, which was the terminus until 1871, when the road
was pushed on to Ishpeming, Mich., its present terminus, before the close of 1872, when it con-
nected with lines running to Lake Superior.
Once upon John B. Macy's return from one of his New York trips in behalf of the Rock
River Valley Union Railway, a number of his warm friends gave him a reception dinner. In
his speech, he predicted that within twenty years the road would extend from the Indiana line to
HISTORT OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 427
Lake Superior. At this same dinner, an ardent Whig offered as a toasts A. Hyatt Smith,
our next Governor ; John B. Macy, our next Congressman. Macy afterward went to Con-
gress, but Smith (A. Hyatt) has not yet reached the executiye chair.
In 1859, before the two divisions met, the track was reduced from " broad " to " standard "
guage, that is, from six feet to four feet eight and one-half inches, and celebrating excursions
were had in honor of the completion of the connecting link, ending, as elsewhere described, in
the terrible " Belleville Disaster."
It may be truthfully said that the Chicago & North- Western Railway originated in Fond du
Lac, and the corporation now owns more niiles of railroad in Fond du Lac County than all the
other railway corporations combined. The old line passes through the towns of Friendship,
Fond du Lac, Oakfield, Byron and Waupun, and its lines in the county are nearly one hundred
miles in length.
The Sheboygan ^ Fond du Lac Railroad. — This road is now a part of the Chicago &
North- Western Railway, it having been purchased by that corporation early in 1879. In Fond
du Lac County it is a modern railway, so far as road-bed and rolling-stock are concerned, but its
originators were Fond du Lac County men. and the enterprise was one of the very earliest of its
kind in the Territory of Wisconsin. Early in 1846, agitation of the matter of a raih-oad between
the villages of Fond du Lac and Sheboygan was begun, resulting in a charter passing the Legis-
lature in the winter of 1846-47. About the 1st of February, 1847, Dr. Maion C. Darling,
N. P. Tallmadge, John A. Eastman and Moses S. Gibson, of Fond du Lac, and Messrs. Harri-
man, Farnsworth, Conklin and Moore, of Sheboygan, were appointed Commissioners to take sub-
scriptions, issue stock and organize the company. The capital stock was to be not over $500,000,
divided into 10,000 shares" of $50 each, work to be commenced when 200 shares had been taken.
Those who subscribed for stock were to pay 10 per cent down, and the balance in installments
when called for. On Thursday, March 11, 1847, a mass convention was held at the building
called the Court House, in the village of Fond du Lac, which was largely attended by citizens
of Sheboygan and Fond du Lac Counties. Nothing was done, except to make speeches, adopt
resolutions and pledge faith. That was too early for the construction of a railroad from local
resources, and no work was actually done at that time. Agitation of the subject never ceased,
however, and March 8, 1852, the Legislature chartered the Sheboygan & Mississippi Railroad
Company, with the privilege of building a road from Sheboygan to the Mississippi River.
In 1853, an act empowered the company to build a branch to the Fox River, and on April
5, of that year, the organization of the company was effected. There was a mutual understand-
ing between the prominent citizens of Fond du Lac and Sheboygan Counties that if the city
and county of Sheboygan, with such local aid as might be obtained along the route, would build
the road to Glenbeulah, on the western line of the county, the city and county of Fond du La 3
would furnish means for its continuation. Therefore, the city and county of Sheboygan and the
villages of Plymouth and Sheboygan Falls voted aid, and a contract to construct the line from
Sheboygan to Glenbeulah was entered into by Edward Appleton and Theodore Atkinson, of
Boston, and Van Epps, Young, now of Grand Rapids, Mich., under the firm name of Edward
Appleton & Co. Ground was broken under this contract at Sheboygan on June 4, 1856.
Work was suspended in the fall of 1857, but resumed the following summer, and, with what
skill was then known in railroad building, was pushed with such vigor as to have the cars run-
ning to Sheboygan Falls January 17, and to Plymouth June 6, 1859 — a total distance of fourteen
miles. Work was then temporarily dropped on account of the refusal of the towns of Sheboy-
gan Falls and Plymouth to grant the aid expected from them. An arrangement was made, soon
after, however, with capitalists at the East, known as "The Loan Company," of Yarmouth,
Mass., by which means enough money was obtained to complete the line to Glenbeulah, which
was accomplished March 29, 1860. Here the road rested from further construction, and Edward
Appleton, its first Superintendent, began to operate it, his line being twenty miles in length.
All further efforts to secure the continuation of the road proved unavailing, as it had fallen
mostly into the hands of Eastern capitalists, thus alienating its local friends. Therefore, on the
28 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
»
d of March, 1861, the company was re-organized and named the Sheboygan k Fond du Lac-
lailroad Company, with Samuel P. Benson, of Winthrop, Me., as President ; John 0. Thayer^
f Sheboygan, as Secretary and Treasurer, and Edward Appleton as Superintendent. But even
his was not satisfactory, and the western terminus of the road remained at Glenbeulah until
868, after the complete withdrawal of the Eastern parties. The city of Fond du Lac, where-
he enterprise originated in 1846, had become anxious for the completion of the road to that
loint at least. A proposition to furnish the necessary aid was submitted to a popular vote, and
[efeated by a small majority. A. Gr. Ruggles, of Fond du Lac, took hold of the matter, and,
n April, 1867, procured the passage of a bill authorizing the county of Fond du Lac to aid the-
Sheboygan & Fond du Lac Company, by the payment of $30,000 in county orders when the line
hould be built to the west line of the town of Marshfield ; $30,000 more when it reached the
rest line of the town of Taycheedah ; $30,000 when it was in running order to the city of Fond
[u Lac ; $30,000 more when it was finished half the distance to the city of Ripon, and $30,000
acre — a total of $150,000 — when the road was built and ironed ready for cars to Ripon. At
he vote taken November 5, 1867, there was a majority of 673 in favor of the proposition, but
he towns of Eldorado, Alto, Waupun, Springvale, Calumet, Lamartine, Forest, Metomen,
Jyron, Auburn, Taycheedah, Ashford and Osceola gave majorities against the proposed aid. On
he strength of this promised aid a contract was let April 14, 1868, with Wild, Peck & Bruett,
or the construction of the road to the city of Fond du Lac. Work was immediately begun, and
lushed with great energy, as it was thought the county orders could be used as cash at once, the
ounty's credit being good and the orders being drawn to bear 7 per cent interest until cashed.
Jut when work had so far progressed as to entitle the Company to the first installment of
130,000, Warren Whiting served an injunction through the Circuit Court, on the County Treas-
irer, to restrain him from payment of the amount promised and then due. The decision of
he Court upon hearing was adverse to the Company, being virtually, " that a tax for a
irivate purpose is unconstitutional ; " and that .the public use of a railroad is not such as to
Qake the levy of a' tax in aid of its construction valid. But the matter did not rest there, as the
ounty had issued bonds which were in the hands of innocent purchasers. An action in the
Jnited States Court was commenced by a holder of these bonds against the county of Fond du Lac.
The case subsequently reached the United States Supreme Court. The most important point
lecided was that a railroad is a public highway, so that a State may levy a tax for its construc-
ion, although built and owned by a private corporation, thus overruling the decision of the
5tate Supreme Court. In the Whiting case, a levy was made under the Olcott judgment, and
he County Treasurer's safe and the poor-farm were each sold, for $1, after which the Court
louse was put up. The sale was only a formal aflFair, but a patriotic son of Erin who was
iresent did not propose to see this famous relic thus sacrificed, and bid it up to $11, at which
t was struck oflF to him. This property was afterward redeemed by the county and the bonds
iroperly met. Trains were regularly running between Fond du Lac and Sheboygan soon after
anuary 1, 1869. The completion of the road to the city of Fond du Lac secured to the Com-
lany $90,000 of aid, but the further extension of the line as the Company's charter permitted,
ras then dropped, although negotiations were continued with the Wisconsin Central Railroad
[lompany. Finally, in September, 1871, T. F. Strong, Sr., of Fond du Lac, then President of
hat road, opened negotiations with Wells, French & Co., of Chicago, for the completion of the
oad to Princeton, on the Fox River, in Green Lake County. This portion of the line was
lore rapidly constructed than any other, and Princeton was reached May 20, 1872. The dis-
ance from Princeton to Sheboygan is seventy-eight and one-half miles, and from the time the
irst charter was granted in the winter of 1846-47, to the completion of the road to the former
lace, was nearly twenty-six years. In 1879, the road was sold to the Chicago & North- Western
lailway Company, by whom it is now owned and managed. The Sheboygan & Fond du Lae
lailroad, as it is yet known, passes through the towns of Marshfield, Taycheedah, Fond du
jac, Lamartine, Eldorado, Rosendale and Ripon, a distance, with all the deviations to avoid
larshes and hills, of nearly thirty-nine miles. The general ofiices, since the road was completed
RISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 429
to Fond du Lac, have been located in that city, and the officers since the organization of the
Company in 1861, with the dates of their election, have been as follows :
Presidents — Samuel P. Benson, of Winthrop, Me., March 2, 1861 ; E. L. Phillips, of
Fond du Lac, January 26, 1862 ; Harrison 0. Barrett, of Glenbeulah, Wis., January 26, 1863 ;
S. M. Bruett, of Cincinnati, Ohio, April 20, 1866 ; A. G. Ruggles, of Fond du Lac, April 13,
1868; S. M. Bruett, of Cincinnati, Ohio, March 16, 1870; T. F. Strong, Sr., of Fond du Lac,
January 3, 1871; A. G. Ruggles, of Fond du Lac, January 17, 1873; John A. Bentley, of
Sheboygan, April 25, 1873 ; James F. Joy, of Detroit, Mich., July 15, 1873 ; John A. Bentley, ■
of Sheboygan, December 11, 1873; Daniel L. Wells, of Milwaukee, Wis., January 19, 1876;
A. G. Ruggles, of Fond du Lac, January, 1877, and up to the sale to the Chicago & North-
Western Railroad, in 1879.
Vice Presidents — E. L. Phillips, of Fond du Lac; J. L. Moore, of Sheboygan; A. G.
Ruggles, of Fond du Lac ; Edwin Slade, of Glenbeulah, and John A. Bentley, of Sheboygan.
Secretaries — John 0. Thayer, of Sheboygan; H. G. H. Reed, of Glenbeulah ; Edwin
Slade, of Glenbeulah.
Treasurers — John 0. Thayer, of Sheboygan ; T. R. Townsend, of Sheboygan, and A. G.
Ruggles, of Fond du Lac.
Superintendents — Edward Appleton, of Sheboygan ; S. M. Barrett, of Cincinnati, Ohio ;
Harrison 0. Barrett, of Glenbeulah; Timothy F. Strong, Jr., of Fond du Lac; Charles C.
Smith; Brandon Mozley, of Detroit; John A. Bentley, of Sheboygan; Edwin C. French, 'of
Fond du Lac ; George P. Lee, of Fond du Lac, and L. R. Emmerson, of Fond du Lac.
Attorneys — John A. Bentley, of Sheboygan; George P. Knowles and Elihu Colman, of
Fond du Lac. ,
The Chicago, Milwaukee ^ St. Paul Railway. — The prosperous and well-managed railroad
which accommodates the western portion of Fond du Lac County was not known as the Chicago,
Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway until 1875, nor did it belong to that corporation. It was
chartered in 1852 as the Milwaukee & Horicon Railroad, to extend from Horicon, Dodge
County, on the Milwaukee & La Crosse road, through Fond du Lac County to Berlin, in Green
Lake County, a distance of forty-two miles. The charter was obtained and the work begun by
John B. Smith, Jasper Vliet, Daniel A. Richards and others, of Milwaukee, who furnished the
capital, so far as their private fortunes went, and secured means from other sources to complete
the road. The most prolific of these sources was the farm-mortgage system, the first one of
which for this road was given by David P. Mapes on his homestead in Ripon. These mortgages
were sold, most of them at a discount, and money enough was finally secured to complete the
line of railway. When it reached Ripon and cars were running to that city, an elaborate rail-
way celebration was indulged in by a large concourse of people. The road was finished to
Waupun February 15 ; Brandon, October 15 ; Ripon, in November, 1856. It was completed to
Berlin early in 1857.
The line of this road extends across the towns of Waupun, Metomen and Ripon. It opened
the trade of these towns to the markets of Milwaukee, as the Milwaukee & La Crosse road had
already been built and connections were made at Horicon. But the road could not be made to
pay. John B. Smith, its first President, and his associates had put all their property into the
enterprise, and as there were large debts unpaid from the construction and equipment, and others
-for ordinary running expenses accumulating, suits were begun against the Company by its
creditors, and a flood of litigation was added to its already overwhelming burdens. One of these
suits, begun in 1858 and .1859, resulted in the "Horicon Railroad war."
The railroad finally passed into the hands of L. Ward, as Receiver, who held it with its
appurtenances until 1863, when it was sold to Russell Sage, Washington Hunt and others, of
New York. -Soon after, in the same year, these parties sold the road to the Milwaukee & St.
Paul Railroad Company, which had just been organized. This was the first of that Company in
JFond du Lac County.
430 HISTORY OF FOND DV LAC COUNTY.
The Milwaukee & Horicon road made its original projectors and builders poor. When it
passed, in 1860, into Lyndsey Ward's hands as Receiver, it was in debt $10,000 for running
expenses, besides all other debts for construction and equipment.
The present corporation was organized under the name of the Milwaukee & St. Paul Rail-
way Company May 5, 1863, as the successor by purchase of the La Crosse & Milwaukee, the
Milwaukee & Western, the Milwaukee & Horicon, and the Ripon & Wolf River Railways, a total
of 233 miles of railroad. The first officers were D. M. Hughes, President; G. W. Rogers, Vice
President ; E. H. Grood'rich, General Manager ; S. S. Merrill, Superintendent ; Russell Sage,
Jr., Secretary ; Alanson Cary, Treasurer. The Company owned 43 locomotives, 29 passenger
coaches, 11 baggage and express cars, 662 box cars, and 132 flat cars, all worth $1,200,800.
D. M. Hughes was President from July, 1863, to July, 1864 ; Russell Sage from July, 1864, ta
July, 1865, and Alexander Mitchell continuously since that time. S. S. Merrill has been Gen-
eral Manager since 1865. The other officers are John W. Cary, Solicitor, A. V. H. Carpenter,
General l^assenger Agent.
The name was changed by an act of the Legislature, in February, 1875, to, the Chicago,
Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway, on account of the construction of the line between the cities of
Chicago and Milwaukee.
The Ripon & Winnebago Railroad Company was organized in 1856, principally at Oshkosh
and Ripon, for the construction of a line of railroad between these two cities. About two-third&
of the necessary grading was done when the financial depression made it impossible for the Com-
pany to finish the work. In 1870, the right of way, grade and other real property of this road
was purchased by a company, and the name of the road and corporation changed to the
Oshkosh & Mississippi, but only the grading was finished when it was leased to the Chicago,
Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Company, which corporation laid the iron, put the road into run-
ning order, and still retains control of it. To complete the Oshkosh & Mississippi line, the city of
Ripon voted and paid $15,000, and the town of Ripon $5,000, each receiving therefor stock of
the road at par, and in amounts equal to the aid voted.
The " Air Line" road to Milwaukee from Fond du Lac, now owned and controlled by the
Chicago & North- Western Railway Company, was originated by C. J. L. Meyer, of Fond du
Lac, who thought that Fond du Lac City and County should have a nearer and more direct
connection with Milwaukee over a competing line of road. He secured a charter for the line in
1871, under the name of the Milwaukee & North- Western Railway, the first officers of the Com-
pany being : President, Charles J. L. Meyer, of Fond du Lac ; Vice President, Harrison Lud-
ington, of Milwaukee ; Secretary, John S. McDopald, of Fond du Lac ; Treasurer, William H.
Hiner, of Fond du Lac. In 1872, the name was changed to the North- Western Union Rail-
way Company. Mr. Meyer secured the right of way ; had $75,000 of aid voted by the city of
Fond du Lac ; $55,000 by Washington County ; $15,000 by the village of Kewaskum,
Washington County ; $25,000 by West Bend, and $15,000 by Barton, in the same county, and
$15,000 by the town of Ashford, in Fond du Lac County. He began the construction of the
line at Milwaukee, in 1872, and for a time pushed the matter with great energy ; but the Com-
pany had not the means to finish sixty-three miles of first-class railroad, and was therefore com-
pelled to sell to the Chicago & North- Western Company, already a heavy holder of Northwestern
Union Bonds, which was done the same year. The road was finished in 1873, and passes through
the towns of Fond du Lac, Eden, Ashford and Auburn. Although the exclusive property of
the Chicago & North- Western Railway Company, the Air Line, or North- Western Union road
maintains a separate organization, holding annual elections. Its officers, however, are all officers
of the Chicago & North- Western Company. The formality of a separate organization for ten
years was required by the Air Line charter.
The Fond du Lao, Amhoy ^ Peoria Railway. — This, a narrow-gauge railway,
extends from Fond du Lac, through the towns of Fond du Lac and Byron, in Fonddu
Lac County, to Iron Ridge, in Dodge County, a, distance of twenty-eight miles. Alonzo-
Kinyon, a prominent citizen of Lee County, 111., who originated the Chicago & Rock.
HISTORY or FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 431
River Railroad, and was its President, conceived the plan of connecting the iron, cop-
per, lumber and manufacturing regions of Wisconsin with the corn and coal regions of
Illinois, by a more direct route than any then in existence. He was one of the earliest advo-
cates of the convenience and economy of the narrow-gauge system of railways, and decided to
connect, if possible, the two sections of country mentioned, by the narrow-gauge railway.
Accordingly, on the 30th of May, 1874, at Amboy, 111., the Articles of Association of
the Fond du Lac, Amboy & Peoria Railway Company were signed by Alonzo Kinyon, of
Amboy, and Egbert Shaw, of Lee Center, 111., W. P. Wolf, of Tipton, Iowa, and T. H. Mink
and B. A. Mink, of Clarence, Iowa. Soon after, these Articles of Associg-tion were recorded
in the office of the Secretary of State of Illinois, and in Lee, Bureau, Peoria, Marshall and Ogle
Counties of that State.
In December of the same year, the same parties organized under the laws of Wisconsin, for
the purpose of building and operating a narrow-gauge railway from Fond du Lac to the line
between Illinois and Wisconsin, and connecting with the lines projected in the former State.
The Wisconsin Division was to extend through the counties of Fond du Lac, Dodge, Jefferson,
Waukesha, Milwaukee and Walworth or Rock ; and on December 26, 1874, Gov. William R.
Taylor issued the necessary patent. Alonzo Kinyon was chosen President of the Illinois, and
W. P. Wolf, President of the Wisconsin Division.
The construction of the road was to begin at Fond du Lac, but at the same time, right of
way and the lease of several thousand acres of coal-fields were obtained in Marshall, Bureau,
and Peoria Counties, 111. After the preliminary survey had been made, it was found the laws
of Wisconsin did not provide for the consolidation of corporations or associations existing in
different States. Mr. Kinyon thereupon proceeded to Madison, with a bill obviating this, which
the Legislature promptly passed. The towns along the proposed line took active steps to
give aid, but the city of Fond du Lac was unable to furnish further railway aid on account of
the law limiting municipal indebtedness. The Legislature, therefore, passed a bill allowing
municipalities to extend aid to railroads by guaranteeing the interest on the bonds of the road
to be aided.
The consolidation of the two companies was effected March 22, 1875, by the choice of
Alonzo Kinyon, President ; the Board of Directors being W. P. Wolf, Egbert Shaw, T. H.
Mink, B. A. Mink, Joseph T. Kinyon and Clark Sprague. The various towns in Dodge
County voted aid in town bonds, and gave, also, the grade of the old Mayville & Iron Ridge
Railroad, while the city of Fond du Lac guaranteed the payment of interest for ten years on
$200,000 of the first-mortgage bonds of the Company, $30,000 of which were to be appropri-
ated for the erection of railroad-shops in that city. In June, 1875, Mr. Kinyon was authorized
to locate the line of the road, and John S. McDonald, of Fond du Lac, I. M. Bean, of Mil-
waukee, and Samuel A. White, of Whitewater, were chosen trustees of the mortgage, the
amount of bonds being limited to $10,000 per mile. Soon after, the Company contracted with
D. E. Davenport & Co. for the construction of the road from Fond du Lac to Milwaukee, by
way of Iron Ridge. The Company afterward canceled their contract. Mr. Kinyon then
resigned the presidency to take the contract of finishing the road, thinking this would best pro-
tect the interests of the Company. It was understood, however, that, when finished, he should be
re-elected President of the road. The contract provided that the Company should pay for the
construction and equipment of the road, $10,000 per mile, in bonds; $3,000 per mile in stock and
whatever aid could be secured. At this time, S. W. Lamoreux, of Dodge County, and George
P. Knowles, of Fond du Lac, were added to the Board of Directors. W. P. Wolf was elected
President, and George P. Knowles, Assistant Secretary, with the custody of the books and rec-
ords at the city of Fond du Lac. A great amount of trouble iand litigation now followed.
Finally, after all matters had been settled, the Railway Company took possession of the road
on the 1st day of May, 1878. Its entire cost was $200,000.
The Company, thinking the contract under which aid had been secured from the city of
Fond du Lac had not been completely fulfilled, proposed to the City Council to cancel it and
432 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
destroy the $2p0,000 of guaranteed bonds. This proposition -was promptly accepted, as these
bonds had been made an issue in the municipal election of 1878, resulting in the election of
Orrin Hatch — who favored " burning the narrow-gauge bonds" — as Mayor. The bonds were
therefore burned in the furnace of Robert A. Baker's bank early in 1879, with much ado, in
presence of the city officers, and quantities of the ashes were preserved in glass vessels.
Thus the road was secured to the city without the expenditure of a dollar of aid or the
burden of a single bond. The Company also relinquished $30,000 in subscriptions for bonds
made by citizens of Fond du Lac, which, with the surrender of all claim to the city -bonds,
gained the confidence and good Tvill of the community.
At the annual meeting of the stockholders, in May, 1879, Alonzo Kinyon, of Fond du Lac,
and W. P. Wolf, of Tipton, Iowa, who had devoted their time, energy and means to the con-
struction of the road, were made, respectively, President and Vice President of the Company.
Mr; Kinyon was also elected Superintendent, and Mr. Wolf, Secretary. George P. Knowles,
■of Fond du Lac, was chosen Solicitor, the balance of the Board of Directors consisting of E.
N. Foster, Alexander McDonald and M. D. Moore, of Fond du Lac; J. A. Barney of Dodge
'County, and S. V. Landt, of Tipton, Iowa.
The Fond du Lac, Amboy & Peoria Railway, notwithstanding its trials and tribulations,
is pn a paying basis, paying its interest in advance. It is the only competing line running into
the city of Fond du Lac, and affords a valuable outlet, by the way of the Chicago, Milwaukee
& St. Paul Railway, for the many manufactories of the city.
FOND DU LAC COUNTY A QUARTER OF A CENTURY AGO.
"In general appearance," says a writer in 1854, "this county presents one vast undulated
field of marsh, prairie, openings, and timber lands, covered with an infinite variety of grass,
herbs, shrubs and plants. It is ornamented with the most luxurious and beautiful flowers, and
watered with innumei-able flowing streams, seeking the level of Michigan and Winnebago Lakes,
or uniting to make the Rock River a common channel through which to pour their waters into
the Mississippi."
The enthusiastic writer continues : " Perhaps the eye of man has never rested on a spot of
earth which, for beauty, fertility, health and convenience, is better calculated to meet his wants
and supply his necessities, since shut out from the primeval garden. Moderate climate, exhil-
arating atmosphere, and Water of unequaled purity, have given to this county the rapid growth
and unrivaled prosperity, which has, without revulsion or even check, marked its progress from
its first settlement. Each successive year contributes to develop the advantages enjoyed in
this county, and at no time have the inducements to the agriculturist, the mechanic and the
capitalist, been greater to establish themselves in this county than the present year. This county
does not present as great a variety of soil as many other sections of country ; about all por-
tions even to the black mold prairie, partaking largely of argillaceous properties ; yet all the
varieties of the grains, grasses, roots and fruits common to Northern latitudes are produced in
abundance when judiciously cultivated."
" No doubt," continues the writer, "there are districts of country which can produce
greater crops of some of the grains and with less labor ; but here pure air and wholesome
water, so necessary to health of body and mind, give vigor, elasticity, and hardihood to the en-
tire constitution, and a zest to industry ; so that without overtasking the natural powers with
excessive toil, the amount of exercise necessary to the development and health of the physical
and moral powers wisely and justly directed are sufficient to abundantly supply all the necessities
of life, many of its luxuries, and make constant improvements in its conveniences."
In speaking of Winnebago Lake, he says : " This beautiful sheet of water, thirty -five miles
in length from north to south, eight to fifteen in width from east to west, reclines its head in the
bosom of this county — the city of Fond du Lac lying at its crown, as the name signifies
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 485
■^ Head or extremity of the Lake.'* Upon the west side, near its center, this lake receives
the water of Fox and Wolf Rivers, at the city of Oshkosh. Wolf River, descending from the
great " pinery," furnishes the common highway for the transportation of boards, logs and tim-
ber, immense rafts of which are annually floated down to the [Winnebago] Lake, towed by
steamboats to Fond du Lac and manufactured by steam mills into such form as the wants of the
city [of Fond du Lac] and country require. An extensive surrounding district is thus supplied
with pine lumber at a small advance above its value in its native forest. There is also an im-
mense amount of logs and sawed lumber carried by railroad from this place [Fond du Lac City]
to Rock River, thence floated to Janesville to supply a large district destitute of pine.
"In return for this lumber, Fond du Lac contributes largely to furnishing the provisions and
clothing for the vast army of laborers who are constantly employed in the various branches of
labor, which brings the treasures of the far distant forest to the city market or farmer's door.
It also furnishes axes, saws, chains, and all kinds of implements necessary to the various
branches of the work, constituting a commercial interest of great importance. To the cheap
and safe communications between the fertile fields of Fond du Lac County and the almost inex-
haustible pineries, this county is largely indebted for the rapid and continued increase of its
population and wealth which has marked its progress, year by year, from its first settlement up
to the present time. And yet its present improvements and wealth are but the developments of
an insignificant portion of its capacity. Its surface of more than seven hundred square miles is
only dotted with comparatively small improvements, while vast unfurrowed fields of prairies,
openings, and woodlands, like a wide-spread garden clad in nature's beauty, are inviting the tiller's
hand. Improvements here can receive no check from exhaustion until the agricultural, mechan-
ical and commercial operations are quadrupled, and quadrupled again, which, according to the
ratio of the past and the prospects of the present, cannot be many years. In contemplating
the growth of this county in population, wealth and improvements, public and private, the mind
is unavoidably driven to the conclusion, that Fond du Lac possesses natural advantages and
facilities for the promotion of the prosperity and happiness of man seldom found in other parts
of the world."
" The Indian's trails," continues the writer, "are obliterated — have long since ceased to guide
the traveler. The whole county, like a vast checkerboard is now cut into squares and triangles
by smooth, graded roads over which heavy-burdened wagons roll with steady pace, and vehicles
of pleasure glide with rapid motion.
> " There is a first-rate plank road from Fond du Lac to Sheboygan and another to Rosen-
dale. There is in contemplation a railroad from the head of Lake Winnebago to Rock River
in the county of Dodge, with others to be built, and plank roads also, in almost every direction,
having Fond du Lac for one terminus. Vast fields of wheat, corn, oats and barley, bowed with
the weight of substantial wealth, wave their rich treasures where so lately wild flowers bloomed
alone. The howling of wolves and savage yells of the Indian no longer rend the air and chill
the blood with sensations of horror. The wigwam and its inmates, with all the associations of
rude and savage life, have disappeared, as the tide of civilization, like a prairie fire, has swept
over the country. Wild plums, apples and cherries, like wild men who plucked them, have
given place to those which are more refined and the highly cultivated. Many thousands of apple
trees of choice varieties have been planted within the past year [1854].
" Encouraged by the luxurious growth and abundant productiveness of those which were
early cultivated, agriculturists are now beautifying and enriching their farms with the best
varieties of apple, pear, plum and cherry trees. While the citizens of this county have mani-
fested so much zeal and energy in the cultivation of their farms, they have not neglected the
moral and intellectual field, but have exhibited their high sense and active appreciation of the
cultivation of the youthful mind in common schools, by the erection of 141 schoolhouses in the
various districts, most of which are both convenient and elegant, while a 'few yet remain of the
* This definition of " Fond du Lac " is not strictly correct. For the literal as well as figurative meaning of the word, the reader is
referred to the article already given, entitled, " Origin of the name Fond du Lac."
H
436 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
rude edifices hastily thrown up to serve a temporary purpose. At an average cost of $200 these'
buildings would amount to $28,200. In them have been taught the past year [1853], 4,866
scholars ; average time in the districts, about eight months."
In speaking of the health of the county at that date, 1854, the writer says : " Some idea
of the salubrity of the atmosphere and purity of the water may be formed from the healthful-
ness of the inhabitants. The pale face, sunken cheek, cadaverous countenance and hectic
cough are seldom met with in this county. Butchers are patronized far more liberally than
physicians. The unusual absence of disease in this county was noticed more particularly by the
early settlers, from the fact that they anticipated the visitation of those bilious diseases so com-
mon in new countries. The Fond du Lac Journal of May 4, 1849, contained the following
remarks on the subject of health : ' We can assert without fear of contradiction that the climate
of Wisconsin is healthier than that of any Eastern State, and Fond du Lac County far more
healthy than any Eastern county. In proof of this, we have the universal affirmation of the old
residents here. For three years (1842, 1843 and 1844), when the population of the county
ranged from 300 in 1842 to 1,500 in 1844, there was not a single death from disease in Fond
du Lac County. We do not believe another like instance can be found in the world. Since
that time, sickness has been almost a stranger here. Up to the present time, this place [the
village of Fond du Lac] has never been visited with any general sickness. Disease and death
have followed the transgression of the natural and Divine laws here as in other places, but the
inhabitants are abundantly warranted in their fixed belief, that this is a very highly favored part
of the world as regards health.' "
The abundantly satisfied writer continues his discourse thus : " It has already been said that
' the present improvements in this county wiere but the development of an insignificant fraction
of its capacity.' Every new facility for communication or transportation between this and the
Atlantic States adds to the value of the products of this county, increases the agricultural inter-
ests, and advances the market value of the soil. The construction of the plank road from Fond
du Lac to Sheboygan, opening an easy land communication to Lake Michigan, advanced the
value of wheat and other grains in this county at least 20 per cent, and reduced the cost of
transporting freight from Sheboygan to Fond du Lac 75 per cent. But a new era is just dawn-
ing in the improvement of the Fox River between Winnebago Lake and Green Bay, which must
result in advantages to the city and county of Fond du Lac far greater than any other improve-
ment either accomplished or contemplated."
" In forming an estimation of the future of Fond du Lac County," continues the writer,
" some guidance may be found in the brief records of the past ; the actual enuff Stations taken
at the different periods show clearly that the increase of its population has been b_, 'no wild panic
rush, but by an ever-increasing stream. In 1840, the number of its inha;bitants was 139 ; in
1842, the number was 295 ; in June, 1846, it was 3,544 ; in December, 1847, it had increased
to 7,459 ; in June, 1850, to 15,448 ; and it is confidently believed that at the present time
[1854] it is more than 30,000.
" It is now [1854] about ten years since the Indians were removed from this county. Up
to that time, there were only a few scattering pioneer settlements of a few individuals. In the
short space of ten years the inhabitants have multiplied to probably more than 30,000. In
1850, the real estate was valued at $1,473,197; personal, at $32,956; total, $1,606,153.
Bince that period, the property has undoubtedly more than doubled ; and the rapid progress of
public improvements and individual enterprise warrants the belief that, if there should be no
providential calamity or revulsion of business, both population and wealth will increase for the
next decade at least as fast as that of the past."
HISTOBY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 437
A TERRIBLE DISASTER.*
On the 12th day of October, 1859, one thousand people froni Chicago, Janesville, Water-
town and other places along the line of the Chicago & North-Western Railway reached the city
of Fond du Lac. They came in twenty-five passenger cars, the occasion being the celebration
of the completion of the road from Chicago to Fond du Lac. A banquet was had at the Lewis
House ; every house and street in the city was illuminated, and a grand ball was given in Amory
Hall, then the most elegant finished place of entertainment in this part of the State.
An eye-witness says : " As the noble span of iron horses drew the twenty-five cars proudly
into Fond du Lac, no town, I think, could look more beautiful. It was thoroughly illuminated.
It seemed that not a window had been neglected. The long streets, up and down, at right
angles, were walled on either side with a sheet of pearly light, sending up a soft shine over the
whole city, blending with the subdued moonlight, through the slight haze and mild atmosphere
of Indian summer, in a fine mellow glare that was enchanting.
" The Zouave Cadets, proceeded by the Chicago Light Guard Band, were escorted through
the streets by the Fond du Lac Fire Department, with torch-lights. The cadets are a company
of much more merit than most youthful military bands possess. Their uniform is partially of
the Turkish costume.
".Main street was thronged with people and vehicles, having more the appearance of Broad-
way than any other street that I have ever seen in the West.
" The tallest kind of a supper was in readiness at the Lewis House and over three hundred
partook of it. Mr. Ewen, the landlord, was quite efiicient in making all comfortable who could
get under the roof of his spacious house, though the regular beds were all given up to the ladies.
About one-third of the excursion party were ladies. All the hotels were filled 'jam full.'
" The committee of arrangements, in behalf of the citizens of Fond du Lac, provided for all
who were the invited guests of the railroad, free of charge, and when the hotels could hold no
more, we were packed away in private houses and churches. It fell to my lot to get room to
indulge in a horizontal position at Plymouth Church, where a hundred or so of us went to sleep
' after the revel was done,' as quick as if a person had been discoursing.
" The ball at Amory Hall was well enjoyed, and rather too well attended for the dance to
go off easily. All who had tickets of invitation to the excursion were admitted to the ball free,
so there was not a sufficient general acquaintance among those attending to relieve it. of its
awkwardness. And then some of the cadets who were quite soldierly in the streec, at the ball
reminded me o supernumeraries in the grand ball of the Capulets. The music by the Light
Guard Band, of Chicago, was as fine as ever I heard in a ballroom. Amory Hall has, without
question, the most elegantly finished interior of any hall in the State, and is one of the largest
and loftiest.
" The main expense of the whole affair, as far as Fond du Lac was concerned, was defrayed
by her own citizens, and their endeavors, for the most part, showed excellent taste."
On Tuesday morning, November 1, 600 people in twelve coaches, left Fond du Lac to
return the visit of the Chicagoans. At Watertown, two more coaches were added and more
passengers were taken aboard. Although the cars were crowded, it was a happy throng. The
train was running slowly, at a rate of speed not exceeding ten miles per hour. When eight
miles below Watertown, a heavy ox which was drinking near the unfenced track, frightened at
the approaching train, sprang directly in front of it and was caught in a culvert. The pilot of
the locomotive struck the firmly fastened obstruction instead of pushing under it and the locomo-
tive and five cars were thrown from the track. A scene of indescribable confusion, horror and
suffering, instantly supplanted mirth and gayety. No one could tell how many lives were lost,
for there were at least 200 persons in the demolished cars, from the wreck of which it did not
appear possible for one of them to escape alive. T. F. Strong. Sr., at once sent his son, Timothy
* Although this disaster occurred in another county, it is a p^rt of the History of Fond du Lac, because* it resulte 1 In the death of seTen
of its citizens.
438
HISTORY OF FO^fD DU LAC COUNTY.
¥., to Watertown for physicians, liquor, bandages, beds and assistance. Young Mr. Strong
appropriated without permission the first horse and vehicle he could find, and ran them to
Watertown, where a gravel train just unloaded was found. He made known his errand, and the
cars were soon laden with everything the village contained that would be of service on such an
occasion. He then telegraphed to the Chicago office. Fourteen were actually killed or died soon
after, of whom seven were from Fond du Lac. These were Major J. Thomas, United States
Marshal, who was plunged into a mud-hole and held there by the wreck until he drowned ;
Timothy L. Gillet, one of the first directors of the road, who was crushed, torn in twain and
disemboweled ; Jerome Mason, express agent and telegraph operator, who was thrown across
the stove at the middle of his body and burned in a most shocking manner, and only recognized
by his boots; John Boardman and Isadore Snow, carpenters, who were both instantly killed ;
Edward H. Sickles, a book-binder, who had the lower portion of his body crushed, and who lived
several hours ; Van Buren Smead, of the Democratic Press, who had his skull fractured, and
did not die until November 29. The balance of those killed were four from Oshkosh, and three
from Watertown and other places. Those from Fond du Lac who were seriously injured were
Robert Flint, Mrs. R. M. Lewis, Mrs. James Kinney, Mrs. John Radford, Edward Beeson, J.
Q. Griffith, James W. Partridge, A. D. Bonesteel ; others were bruised and cut.
Strangely enough. Dr. A. D. Raymond had a presentiment that something would happen,
and took with him a case of surgical instruments and lint, as did also Dr. T. S. Wright. The
Fond du Lac Oommonwealth of November 2, said :
" The smash-up took place in the woods, on low, marshy ground, there being a deep ditch
on each side filled with water. The engine and cars that left the track were plunged into the
water, mud and soft ground, and not less than three cars were utterly demolished — a mass of
splinters above the body of the car, and the strong frames driven deep into the earth. There
were seven cars filled to a jam that did not get thrown from the track or any person injured on
them save those who were standing on the platform. * * * In one minute after the crash,
we never saw a cooler set of men, or a band of more heroic women. They leaped to the work
of saving others with remarkable effectiveness, and it seemed but a few moments before all were
dragged- from the ruins, the dead decently cared for, and the wounded made far more comfort-
able than one would conceive possible in such a location. The cushioned seats of cars laid upon
doors made passable beds, while the ladies' skirts were freely stripped to make bandages for^ the
wounded." Johnson's \Greek, about eighty rods south of the culvert where the accident hap-
pened, was then called Belleville, hence the casualty is known as the " Belleville Disaster."
CHAPTER YI.
The Pkess of Fond du Lac County— Some of Fond du Lac County's Illustrious Dead—
An "Indian Scare "-First Things— County Statistics— Prosperity of the County-
Political Parties— BiPON College.
THE PRESS OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
Fond du Lac County has always been blessed with newspapers of more than ordinary
ability, influence and respectability. The general intelligence and prosperity of a community
may be fairly measured by the character of the newspapers published therein, and the liberality
with which they are supported. An intelligent, thrifty and enterprising community demands
newspapers of the same attributes, and sooner or later that demand is always supplied. Fond
du Lac has not been in advance of her newspapers, from the days of the first Journal and
Whig, down to the present publications, and possibly has not been up to them in liberality and
enterprise. The village had very good local newspapers before it contained a church or a Court
House, and very soon after the first schoolhouse was erected within the present city limits. They
have kept fully up to an excellent standard ever since ; always praising and pointing out to the world,
without money or price, the advantages of soil, health, climate, location, growth, society, edu-
cation, culture and enterprise of the place ; inciting new improvements and enterprises, where
they did not already exist, and wielding, in the case of one or two of them at least, a strong
influence in shaping political and State, as well as local, affairs. They have, therefore, played a
very important part in the development and growth of the locality and the State, and the best
history would rightly be considered far from complete if it contained no accounts of the various
newspaper publications of Fond du Lac- In the sketches which follow, those are the most
liberally treated of whose files were the most perfect and afforded the most material. Many
volumes of the different newspapers have been destroyed, lost or borne away by those interested
in their publication or th'e history they contain. This necessarily abbreviates the histories of
some of them, although the most that is worth recording and preserving in pages like these has
been obtained and verified.
The Fond du Lac Journal. — Followed through all its manifold changes of name and pro-
prietors, the Fond du Lac Journal is the oldest paper in Fond du Lac County. On the 1st day
of October, 1846, the Journal made its appearance. It was six-column folio, printed on mate-
rial brought by John 0. Henning, now of Hudson, Wis., and Eli Hooker, now of Waupun,
from Ithica, N. Y. As the Territory of Wisconsin was under Democratic adrninistration, the
paper was devoted to the advocacy of the principles of that party, although Mr. Hooker was a
Whig. The county then contained about 3,500 inhabitants, and the paper was meagerly pat-
ronized, though all who were able did what they could to sustain it. Henning & Hooker contin-
ued together until March 23, 1847, when Mr. Hooker purchased an interest in the Whig, with
J. M. Gillet, and Edward Beeson, a practical printer, took his place and proprietary interest in
the Journal.
In July,. 1848, Mr. Beeson purchased his partner's interest in the business and became
editor and sole proprietor of the paper. He continued to manage its publication in a moderate
and dignified manner, compelled, however, to use the utmost economy in all financial matters,
until March 23, 1849, when he sold the whole establishment to John A. Eastman, now of Benton
Harbor, Mich., and Alfred A. White. On June 22 of the same year, the Journal was enlarged
by Eastman & White to a seven-column folio, and improved by the addition of some new type.
The new type evidently was purchased in Milwaukee, for in that issue was printed this : " We
440 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
have been Jo Milwaukee on the stage-road, and must say that we never saw such horrible roads
in all our experience. From one end of the road to the other, it was a succession of stumps,
stones, logs, ditches, mud-holes, log-bridges, etc. We broke our wagon twice, tore our horses'
shoes off and pounded our bones until we were blue." The editor appears to have been mollified
after reaching Milwaukee, for he declared in the same article that the city " is improving very
fast — her growth has been unparalleled, * * * The hill is covered with beautiful
residences, many of brick, ap.d all show the progressive spirit of the age. Milwaukee is des-
tined to be one of the largest cities in the West. Her location insures this."
The historian does not need to testify that the editor proved to be a wise prophet.
The Journal at this time contained over thirteen columns of advertisements. In its issue
of June 29, it " tooted its own horn," as the Whig paper remarked, by announcing in big type
that the Journal was " the largest paper, and had the largest circulation of any in Northern
Wisconsin," and $30 would buy a column advertisement in it for a year. It also contained an
article hetcheling Zachary Taylor, the new Whig President, because he had turned out Demo-
cratic office-holders and appointed men of his own party in their places. Sam Ryan, of the
Republican, now editor of the Appleton Crescent, recent Democratic candidate for Secretary of
State, had just been appointed Postmaster of Fond du Lac, and he came in for a good share of
the punishment. The same issue was graced by an elegant obituary notice of James K. Polk,
who had died a few months after retiring from the Presidency. A few issues later on, evidences of
such newspaper fights as occur in modern journalism, appear in the cry of " lie," and
"falsifier," against the Republican. At the same time the Journal calmly published the list of
unclaimed letters, signed by Sam Ryan, editor of the Republican, as Postmaster.
In August, September, and during the fall, the paper was given up to political news and
discussions quite as much as now, and political parties appeared to be as numerous. Calls were
issued in the Journal for Democratic, Union Democratic, Whig, Free-Soil and Independent con-
ventions, and the proceedings of each, with, the nominations, were published. In the Journal
of September 28, 1849, appeared a letter from Mr. D. Lamb, in the town of Rosendale,
describing how a black bear, weighing 400 pounds, was killed by himself and the neighbors in
his grove.
The issue of October 12 contained a brief account of the suicide of Ira Church, and the
dissolution notice of Eastman & White. The paper was thereafter published by Eastman &
Beeson, Edward Beeson having become possessed of the half-interest in the establishment owned
by Mr. White. The issue of October 12 also contained over two columns of the county delin-
quent tax list. On November 9 was published the proceedings had by a large meeting of the citizens
to consider the matter of a plank road from Fond du Lac to Milwaukee, and the next issue was
liberally devoted to the proceedings of a meeting held at Watertown, by the officers of the
Beloit & Taycheedah Railroad, a line of railway which existed only on some maps that were
pronounced to be " beautifully drawn," but which was being energetically pushed by the leading
citizens of Fond du Lac to something more tangible.
The issue of March 8, 1850, had an amusing account of how the charter election of the
village of Fond du Lac, which was to have been held on Monday, the 4th of the month, was
entirely forgotten by the busy people, and no election was held.
On the 26th of April, 1850, the JowrwaZ announced in large type that John B. Macy, who
was then in New York, had negotiated a loan of $1,000,000 with which to build the Rock River
Valley Railroad.
On the 29th of May, 1851, Mr. Beeson again became editor and sole proprietor by pur-
chasing John A. Eastman's interest. He continued alone in the business until June 23, 1853,
when M. J. Thomas (son-in-law to John B. Macy, afterward U. S. Marshal, and killed in the
Bellville disaster, who was not a practical printer), exchanged a half-interest "in the National
Democrat, which establishment he had just purchased, for an equal interest in the Journal.
The firm name then became Beeson & Thomas, with M. J. Thomas, editor, and the two papers
were merged under the name of the Fond du Lac Union. It was one column wider than the
HISTORY or FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 441
Journal, having eight columns to the page. The first number appeared June 24, 1853. The
reason for the change appeared in the following extract from the editorial announcement in the
Initial number :
" It is well known to our readers that for some two or three years a species of family quar-
rel has existed in the ranks of the Democratic party of this city and county. This quarrel has
gradually gained strength until now it threatens to defeat the success of the party. * * The
time has arrived when we have either to restore harmony in our ranks, or suffer defeat."
The article goes on to recite how each paper, the National Democrat and the Journal, was
tlie organ of a different faction in the party, and expressed the belief that the union of the two
papers would unite the two contending factions, saying :
" Believing that such a union and the establishment of such a paper will materially aid in
harmonizing and securing the ascendency of our party, we have united the Journal and the
Democrat, and substituted therefor the Fond du Lac Union."
The paper was liberally adorned with thrifty looking advertisements and would be a credit-
able paper for the Fond du Lac of to day. It was published over Baker Brothers & Hoskin's
store, on Main street, which was the building then located where Robert A. Baker's bank now
stands. ,
When Mr. Beeson entered into partnership with M. J. Thomas, he made it a part of the
contract that if the matter was not satisfactory to him at the end of one year, the partnership
should be dissolved. Therefore, in the last issue of the first year of the Union, June 15, 1854,
a notice of dissolution was published, Mr. Beeson selling out to Mr. Thomas. The change was
owing to differences of opinion on certain important topics. This was noticeable to the public
through the differing editorials signed respectively "B." or " M. J. T.," as the case might be.
Mr. Beeson continued three months in the office to settle up its business, and on July 27, 1854,
Andrew J. Reed, of Buffalo, N. Y., purchased an interest in the establishment, and the paper
was then published by Thomas & Reed. In the fall of this year, the Union published the tax
notice of the county, and was well filled with advertisements. June 21, 1855, a new "head"
was purchased for the paper and the make-up was -changed. February 7, 1856, A. J. Reed
sold'his interest to M. J. Thomas, but remained a short time as associate editor, as Mr. Thomas
was a delegate to the National Democratic Convention which nominated James Buchanan for
President.
On Saturday, March 8, 1866, the Daily Union was begun by M. J. Thomas as proprietor,
Thomas & Reed, editors. Mr. Reed continued with the paper only one week. The publication
was a five-column folio, and contained fourteen columns of advertisements, mostly taken from
the Weekly Union, and were a source, therefore, of very little profit. Mr. Thomas announced
at the beginning that he expected to do the extra work of the first year for nothing in order to
place the daily upon a paying basis. This paying basis could not be reached, although a very
good paper was published, and the matter used in the daily was transferred to the weekly, thus
lessening the expense of that publication ; and on November 13th of that year — the next week
after election — the Daily Union was suspended. February 12, 1857, S. C. Chandler, of the
Beaver Dam Republican, purchased an interest in the tfnion, and the firm then became
" Thomas & Chandler, editors and proprietors."
July 13 of the same year, W. H. Brooks, who entered the rebellion afterward and
became a confederate officer, purchased Mr. Chandler's interest, and became one of the editors
and proprietors. In January, 1858, the Union was transferred to Augustus L. Smith, a
nephew of ex-Gov. Horatio Seymour, and now a prominent citizen of Appleton. He managed
the business until May 22, 1858, when the whole establishment was sold to Samuel M. Smead,
who is still a resident of Fond du Lac. The next week. May 29, the Union was merged with
the Journal into the Democratic Preis. The old type of both papers was discarded and new
material throughout purchased. The firm which published the Democratic Press consisted of
S. M. and Van B. Smead and T. F. Strong, Jr.
442' HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
The Journal here mentioned as heing merged with the Union into the Democratic Press,
was started by Van B. Smead and J. Beeson (the latter a brother to Edward Beeson, who is
now the editor of the Wisconsin Farmer), February 21; 1857. It was a handsomely prepared
and neat appearing sheet, price $1.50 per year in advance. The first number contained the
delinquent tax list of Calumet County. To publish this tax list (Calumet County had no paper
then), was one of the main reasons why this paper, taking the name of the Journal, was
started. It contained, d^iring two and one-half months, a story entitled " Meadowdale," writ-
ten by Van B. Smead, which attracted considerable local attention, and was considered a very
pleasant story. May 16, 1857, Mr. Beeson sold his interest, and, July 25, the names of Van
B. Smead, A. J. Eockwell and T. F. Strong, Jr., appeared at the head as editors and proprie-
tors. In October, Mr. Rockwell sold out to his partners, who continued the Journal until May
22, 1858, and the next week afterward it was merged with the Union into the DemocrMio-
Press.
The Democratic Press, by S. M. and V. B. Smead and T. F. Strong, Jr., was printed on
new type and made a fine appearance. S. M. Smead was editor. As Mr. Strong was Greneral
Passenger Agent of what is now the Wisconsin Division of the Chicago & North-Western Rail-
way, on February 23, 1859, he sold his interest to the Smead brothers. The paper secured the
official printing of the city and county, and the Government printing for the Wisconsin Land
Office.
On the 1st of November, 1859, Van B. Smead was injured at the Belleville disaster, which
happened to the first excursion train ever run out of Fond dii Lac, and on December 21, died,
in the Planter's Hotel, at Watertown, Wis., of those injuries, aged twenty-three years.
His brother, S. M. Smead, then became editor and proprietor, continuing as such until
November 20, 18(51, when he sold the establishment to T. F. Strong, Jr. He continued as-
editor of the paper until January 4, 1862, when Mr. Strong issued a sheet with complete new
dress and new style of make-up and typographical arrangement. The paper remained the same-
in size, but had six wide, instead of the seven ordinary columns, not a black or large letter in it,
and was set, advertisements and all, after the most stylish manner of the New York Herald.
Copies of it have been preserved as specimens of the finest paper in appearance and elegant
make-up ever printed in Wisconsin. Under the head and extending nearly across the page,
were the words: " Conducted by Tim. FoUette Strong." Mr. Strong had, in addition to him-
self, a local, political and managing editor, and every article, advertisement and line was prepared
with the utmost care and elegance. It was an elephant, financially, and up to May 28, 1862,
when Edward Beeson purchased the entire establishment, sunk over f4,000, Mr. Beeson sold a
one-half interest immediately after purchasing the Democratic Press from Mr. Strong, to King-
man Flint, now deceased, and son of the late Robert Flint, who sold again in August to S. D.
Stanchfield, a lawyer. In September, Mr. Beeson sold his interest to A. P. Swineford, now of
the Marquette, (Mich.) Mining Journal, the firm becoming, September 17, Swineford & Stanch-
field. In January, 1864, Mr. Swineford discontinued the Oshkosh Review, to which he had been
giving some attention for a year, and purchased Mr. Stanchfield's interest in the Democratic-
Press, the material in both offices being consolidated at Fond du Lac. This was during the
rebellion, and the Press was considered a pretty "hot" paper, strongly Democratic. February
7, 1865, a Daily Press, a four-column folio, was begun, of which Martin H. Crocker, now a
lawyer of Ishpeming, Mich., was associate editor. In Jtine, 1865, Thomas J. Goodwin bought
a half-interest in the Press, but sold it again to Mr.' Swineford- in November. In 1855, Mr,
Swineford went to Canada, where he remained, operating in oil and mining until August, 1866,
during which time James H. Lambert and A. C. Palmer were left in charge of the Press. In
September, 1866, James Swineford, afterward Chief of Police of Fond du Lac, purchased a
half-interest in the paper, and soon after, while A. P. Swineford was in Canada, took complete
pdssession of the office on account of a debt, and discontinued the paper. When he purchased
the first half-interest a large power press was ordered, which arrived at the depot in Fond du
Lac all right, but not being taken out or paid for, was sent back to the manufactory.
HISTOKY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 44S
The city and county were then without a Democratic paper until Thursday, May 2, 1867,
when Edward Beeson started the paper under the old name, that of the Journal. It was begun
as a seven-column folio, and enlarged September 30, 1869, to nine columns. December 15,
1870, Michael Bohan came from West Bend, where he had been for twelve years Clerk of the
County Board, and purchased a one-half interest in the Journal, taking possession January 5,
1871. In the fall of 1871, Mr. Beeson was elected County Treasurer by the Democrats, and
as the duties of the oflSce demanded his attention, he sold his interest in, the newspaper to Mr.
Bohan, who, on the 26th of August, 1872, began the publication of the Daily Journal, in sup-
port of Horace Greeley for President. S. D. (Pump) Carpenter, now publishing a paper in
Missouri, was political editor at a salary of $100 per month, and T. F. Strong, Jr., local editor.
Mr. Carpenter remained just one month, being too costly for the enterprise, and the daily was
discontinued January 2, 1873. On September 11, 1873, Mr. Bohan sold the Journal to Tim.
F. Strong, Jr., and James Russell, the firm becoming " Strong & Russell, editors and pro-
proprietors." They changed the form of the paper May 7, 1874, to a six-column quarto, and
published it in an entirely new dress. In its new form it was a handsome paper and its selec-
tions were the choicest to be had. The paper was conducted with marked success under this
management for a period of fifteen months. The publishers were also interested in the Star
Book and Job Printing Office, which was opened by Homer G. Leonard, the firm being
Leonard, Russell & Strong. The latter concern became badly involved about this time, and the
Journal owners were forced to consolidate the paper with the job office to save their interest
therein, under a joint-stock organization, which obtained a charter and assumed charge of both
offices, January, 1875, under the name of the Star Printing Company, with a capital stock of
$21,000. Mr. Russell was placed in editorial charge of the Journal under this new arrange-
ment, and Mr. Leonard was given the position of manager of the mechanical department. H.
H. Dodd undertook the financial management, but shortly became dissatisfied with his duties,
resigned, and was succeeded by L. Q. Olcott, Esq. Becoming again involved in consequence
of the business stagnation which settled on all business industries shortly afterward, the office
was sold in July, 1879, to Mr. L. W. SafFord, who immediately leased the property to Messrs.
Russell & Olcott, who continued the publication of the Journal until the succeeding January,
having in the mean time established a flourishing daily, the Morning Journal, in connection
with their weekly. In January, Mr. Olcott retired from the connection, leaving Mr. Russell sole
publisher of the Journal, and proprietor of the job office connected with it, under whose
management both are now conducted.
The Journal has been the official pa,per of the county longer than any of its cotemporaries
and has always been Democratic in politics.
The Fond du Lac Whig.— On Monday, December 14, 1846, the first number of the
Fond du Lac Whig made its appearance, James Monroe Gillet, editor and publisher. Its place
of publication was in the second story of Lyman Bishop's building, situated on the corner of
Main and Third streets. This building now stands near by on the north side of Third street,
and is used for a dwelling. Hiram Morley, now of the Oshkosh Standard, was foreman of the
office.
The Whig was a five-column folio, 20x27 inches in size, printed in brevier type. The
first number contained seventeen and one-half .columns of reading matter and two and one-half
columns of advertisements. The reading matter treated of the Mexican war, then in progress ;
the Constitutional Convention, then in session at Madison ; contained a pyramid of Whig
States, consisting of Ohio, Maine, Florida, Vermont, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Delaware,
New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, North
Carolina and New York; an enunciation of ''true Whig" principles; description of the new
and wonderful Morse telegraphic instruments ; the probable complexion of Congress ; news of
the horrible sufferings in Ireland from famine; a poem—" The Unknown Way "—by William
Cullen Bryant ; an account of a preliminary meeting to consider the Fox River improvement,
held at the Court House; original poetry by "W;" a stab at Gov. Dodge for refusing to
444 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
adjourn the Constitutional Convention over Thanksgiving Day; receipts of the Green Bay
Land Office ; a warning against counterfeit bills on Indiana State banks ; a very full account of
the exchange of prisoners of war with Mexico, and how the soldiers fared ; some miscellaneous
matter and the editorial announcement. From this announcement is taken the following
extract :
"In assuming the control of a public journal, even though it be humble as our own, we
feel it is not without its responsibility. It is at all times not only proper but necessary that
parties should have political papers devoted to their support and advancement ; but no party
has a right to claim of any journal a blind support of all men and all measures. Happily, the
party to which we belong, and which has our whole energies and most hearty wishes, requires of
no man, of no press, an unscrupulous support of any man or any measure. It acknowledges
no watchword but the public good ; no law but that of reason. It calls upon all men to read,
to think for themselves. It asks no support from men who do not in their hearts believe Whig
principles are the sure foundations of our political institutions. It asks all for principle,
nothing for men. It has no political opinions for a particular locality, but it aims at the pro-
motion of those well-defined principles equally applicable to the North, the South, the East and
the West, and which have been the landmarks pf the party from its organization till now.
Devoted' alone to the welfare of the republic, it acknowledges no leaders; yields subjection to
no regencies ; is not the victim of clans or designing men, but presses straightforward in the
old beaten track, forsaken by the aspiring, ambitious, unscrupulous men who would rule or
ruin. Political aspirants and demagogues who would control all, who have personal advance-
ment and the spoils for their motto, find no favor in its ranks, and have learned long since to
seek an asylum in other folds.
"Confident that the best interests of the country are involved in the success of Whig
principles and the Whig party, we shall lend our feeble aid to their advancement, expecting no
reward but the consciousness of having done our duty.
"Our paper will be conducted independently of bias or devotion to men. We shall do what
shall seem to us right, and, if we err, let it be remembered that that is but human. We do not
expect to be without faults, and only ask the same candor in criticism of our course which we
would cheerfully extend to others.
" Our flag is already in the breeze. The name of our paper indicates its politics. Our
course will be independent."
The advertising patronage was meager indeed, the whole number of paid announcements,
•cards and advertisements, numbering seventeen, beside Mr. Grillet's card as a lawyer and an
appeal for wood.
Local matter received very little attention, doubtless because there were very few local mat-
ters of importance to attend to.
The general make-up of the publication, the ability of its articles and its typographical
appearance would compare favorably with the weeklies of to-day.
The paper was liberally taken by the citizens of the village and vicinity, but the other
sources of income, such as job work, legal publishing and advertising, did not reach a prodigious
size.
On the 25th of March, 1847, Mr. Eli Hooker left the Journal because that paper was
Democratic and he was a Whig, and bought a half-interest of Mr. Gillet in the Whig. The
paper was then published by Gillet & Hooker, editors and proprietors. The paper coijtinued
under their management, with better satisfaction to its patrons than its proprietors, until October
13, 1847, when the firm of Gillet & Hooker dissolved by consent, the paper appearing October
2\, with Mr. Gillet as editor and proprietor. He announced that it was his intention to enlarge
and improve the Whig if those indebted to the concern would square up. At the same time,
however, there appeared over Mr. Gillet's signature the announcement that the type and furni-
ture of the Whig would be sold at auction or private sale on the 10th day. of the following
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 445
December. The advertising patronage had begun to increase and consisted of eleven and one-
half columns of " live ads " — more than one half of the entire space of the paper. The paper
•continued on until Monday, November 22, on which day the last number of the Whig
appeared.
The real cause of its suspension was a difference between Mr. Gillet and Mr. Hooker on
financial as well as other matters, in the final adjustment of which Mr. Gillet retained the name,
franchise, good will and subscription of the office, and Mr. Hooker took the material, which he
moved to Waupun, and used in starting a job office. Among the lawyers who advertised them-
selves in the Whig at the time of its demise, were Timothy 0. Howe, then of Oshkosh, now of
Green Bay ; Drury & Eastman (Erastus W. Drury and John A. Eastman), Gillet & Tompkins
(J. M. Gillet and C. M. Tompkins), S. S. N. Fuller and A. L. Williams, of Fond du Lac ; C.
W. Washburn (Howe & Washburn), and C. E. P. Hobart, Oshkosh ; S. W. Beall, Taycheedah,
and J. J. Brown, Waupun.
Benjamin F. Moore, now proprietor of the extensive La Belle Wagon Works, advertised
pine lumber; J. C. Lowell, now proprietor of the bus line, was "fashionable tailor;" Dr. Elliot
Brown and Isaac Orvis (Oakfield) were distressed over strayed cows ; A. G. Ruggles, now Pres-
ident of the First National Bank, and F. F. Davis had dissolved partnership ; D. R. Curran
had pills, patent medicines and plasters, and pure wines and liquors for medicinal purposes ;
Peter V. Sang spoke of his land office at Seven Mile Creek ; J. L. Ault could shoe horses, and
shoes them still on Third street ; L. J. Farwell & Co. had hardware ; Capt. A. J. Langworthy,
now of the Milwaukee State Journal, had a machine-shop at Milwaukee ; Lyman Bishop adver-
tised harnesses, and Gibson & Wright a drug store.
The market report, prices being governed almost wholly by Milwaukee, showed wheat to be
.worth 52 cents; oats, 20 cents; flour, $3.25 per cwt.; pork. $2.50 per cwt.; potatoes, 31 cents
and scarce; eggs,- 20 to 22 cents; "good butter," 13 cents; venison, 6 cents and abundant;
chickens, 25 cents per pair ; partridges, 10 cents each ; b^ef, 3 cents per pound, alive ; lard, 5
cents ; corn, 81 cents ; apples, green, $1 per bushel, and barley, 20 cents.
Among the marriage notices were those of John J. Driggs, merchant, to Elvira Olmsted,
of Middlebury, Vt., at Fond du Lac, January 1, 1847 ; at the same time and place, Tracy P.
Bingham, druggist, to Martha S., eldest daughter of J. J. Driggs; at Waupun, in January,
Rev. W. G. Miller, of Fond du Lac, to Mary E. Brown, of Waupun ; at Pond du Lac, January
9, Robert Wilson to Rachael M. Bevier ; March 10, Lyman Bishop, of Fond du Lac, to Maria
S. Probart, of Le Roy, Wis.; at De Pere, March 11, Charles D. Robinson, of the Green Bay
Advocate, to Sarah A. Wilcox; at Green Bay, June 1, Sam Ryan, Jr., of the Republican, to
Laura F. Knappen, of Plattsburg, N. Y.; on September 24, at Sheboygan, William Farnsworth,
of Sheboygan, to Mrs. Martha Farnsworth, of Racine ; at Fond du Lac, September 20, James
B. Clock to Eliza Simmons; at Ithaca, N. Y., October 5, D. R. Curran, of Fond du Lac, to
Eveline Stoddard;, of Ithaca ; at Janesville, July 7, Edward V. Whiton (afterward Chief Jus-
tice of the Supreme Court of Wisconsin), to Miss Amorett Dimock ; at Madison, July 5, John
Y. Smith, editor of the Wisconsin Argus, to Miss Harriet Wright.
The Whig was James Monroe Gillet's first and only newspaper venture. But, from the
ability, dignity and clear-headedness displayed in this volume, it is fair to suppose, had he con-
tinued in the editorial business, he would have become as eminent in that profession as he after-
ward did in the law.
The Fond du Lac Republican. — On the 6th day of January, 1848, Mr. Sam Ryan, now
editor of the Appleton Oresent, began the publication, in the village of, Fond du Lac of the Fond
du Lac Republican, in the interest of the Whig party. He had been publishing the Green Bay
Republican, but at the suspension of the Whig by Gillet & Hooker, was sent for by Moses Gib-
son, John Bannister, Edgar Conklin, and others, who desired another paper to take its place. Mr.
Ryan promptly responded, as Fond du Lac was considered one of the most promising villages in
the Territory, moving his whole establishment from Green Bay. The sturdy old W ashington hand
press on which the Republican was printed was first used by H. 0. Sholes, now of Lawrpnce,
446 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
Kan., ip the publication- of the Green Bay Republican in 1841. • It was destroyed by fire at Oconto,
Wis., in the year 1856. The paper was given about the same patronage as had been given the
Whig before it, and received more as it grew older. In July, 1850 — two and one-half years
after its establishment — the name of the paper was changed from Republican to Fountain City,
Fond du Lac then being known as the " Fountain City," although it was but a village with
a village charter. Although the paper had every appearance of thi:ift, its publication was not a
paying business, and in order to keep it running several of the prominent property holders — three
of whom are mentioned above — made up purses for Mr. Ryan at different times. But this was
satisfactory to neither Mr. Ryan nor the donors, ahd the Republican, or Fountain City, was discon-
tinued in December, 1850, and Mr. Ryan returned to Green Bay to manage the Spectator. It was
not a paying -publication from its first to its last issue, although a creditable paper to the place
and ,the profession. Mr. Ryan was a Democratic candidate for Secretary of State at the election
held November 4, 1879, but was defeated. He was Postmaster of Fond du Lac from April,
1849 to October, 1850, having been appointed by the Whig President, Zachary Taylor. While
he was Postmaster, William McGee was the ostensible editor of the paper.
The Fond du Lao Patriot. — On the 30th of April, 1851, John D. Hyman began the
publication, in the village of Fond du Lac, of the Fond du Lac Patriot, a seven-column folio,
which advocated the principles of "genuine Democracy." He had moved from Northern
Alabama and settled in Oshkosh, starting a Democratic paper in that city, which received little
patronage. He therefore brought his establishment to Fond du Lac, but the publication of his
paper was not attended with the necessary success. He continued it, however, until January
31, 1852 — nine months — when the whole concern was purchased by Amos Reed (afterward
appointed Secretary of Utah Territory). Mr. Reed changed the name of his paper to the
National Democrat on the 4th of February, 1853. He continued its publication until June, .
1853, when he sold it to M. J. Thomas. Mr. Thomas bought an undivided half-interest in the
Journal of Edward Beeson; Mr. Beeson bought a like interest in the National Democrat of Mr.
Thomas, and the two papers were merged immediately into the Union, Beeson & Thomas pro-
prietors.
The Fountain City Herald. — On Tuesday, November 9, 1852, Mr. Royal Buck, now a
resident of Nebraska, began the publication of the Fountain City Herald by the use of the
well-worn material on which the Wisconsin Palladium had been published at Madison. It was
an eight-column folio, 26x38 inches in size. In his editorial bow Mr. Buck announced his
intention to do good and praise the Whig party rather than m9,ke money. He said :
"It has been truly said that the p^ess is the power which moves the world. This being
true, how necessary that its powers, its energies and its abilities be so concentrated and wisely
managed as to render it truly the tyrant's foe, the people's friend. When its energies and its
powers are brought to bear against tyranny, against vice, licentiousness, crime and the thousand
evils which are everywhere springing up to turn the erring feet of mortal man from the paths of
honor,. virtue and religion, then, indeed, it is a harbinger of good, a true friend of the people,
however many the curses which may be heaped upon the heads of its conductors by the scape-
gallows, whose deformities are laid bare by the scalpel of truth. But let a venal, time-serving
spirit assume control of the press ; let factitious demagogues subvert its power and turn it into
an organ attuned to sing pseans to the moneyed influence of friends or an engine of personal
abuse of enemies whose pecuniary interests or ambitious aspirations happen to come in conflict
with some idol, and its high, its noble calling is prostrated and its putrid breath is ever on the
breeze ready to enter into and poison every vein of the body politic, and with an unsparing
hand scatter broadcast the seeds of faction, strife, vice and immorality over the entire land.
Here then, on the broad platform of right we propose to take our stand, and, with reason for
our pilot and truth for our helmsman, we launch our bark."
The paper started out with seven columns of advertisements, some of them "dead" and
put in "to fill up," and twenty-five columns of reading matter. This was a large paper and a
liberU amount of reading matter for the times and the number of patrons. The reading matter.
HISTORY OFFONDDULAC COUNTY. 447
of the first issue was devoted largely to the death of Daniel Webster, which occurred October
24, 1852; the result of the election of the week before for county officers. Senators, Assembly-
men and Congressmen; an account of the Franklin expedition and a large amount of mis-
•eellaneous ^elections. The advertisements consisted mostly of those for patent medicines, rail-
roads and steamboats, less than a half a dozen being local, A column was devoted to the
different hotels, business houses and mills of the city, which were as follows: Hotels — Lewis
House, James Ewen ; Exchange, Badger Hotel, City Hotel, by Waldron & Scott; U. S. Cot-
tage, by H. P. Olds; American Hotel, by Sam Hale; Commercial Hotel, by A. S. Tripp; Ohio
House, by C. Gromme; Main Street Hotel, by Peter Rupp. -Attorneys— Ed S. Bragg, Robert
Flint, John A. Eastman, D. E. Wood, W. H. Ebbetts, E. E. Ferris, I. S. Tallmadge, Jared
Chapell, Gillet, Truesdell & Tyler, EldreJge & Waite, Stanchfield & Hodges, R. M. Hanks,
Drury & Dodge, C. M. Tompkins, A. B. Davis, A. W. Paine. Physicians and Surgeons —
William Wiley, W. T. Galloway, J. Pantillon, R. P. Root, W. H. Walker, A. J. Towey, J. M.
Adams, T. S. Wright, L. Kellogg. General Stores — Sewell & Brother, D. Everett Hoskins,
John Bonnell, George Keyes. E. R. Ferris, A. P. Lyman, Carswell & Dee, W. A. Dewey, Brownson
& Laughlin, A. S. Gregory, T. Drummond, Hoyt & Rider, Case & Lowell, John Marshall, Baker
& Brother, James Smith, William Hughes, M. K. Stow, William Chandler, S. Kirk, W. A. Foster,
J. W. Carpenter, Henry Blithe and George Crawthe. Clothing Houses — J. B. Wilbor, K. Freeman,
Simon Madowachand T. Crowther. Drugs and Medicines — Wright & Hiner, D. R. Curran, J.
R. & J. W. Partridge. Wines and Liquors — A. Gillies, A. Meisseur, Meyers and Henry
Rahte. Boots and Shoes — P. Servatius, J. Higgs, L. D. Tyler, Mann Brothers and A. Lovett.
Stoves and Tinware — T. Wallace, E. Perkins, K. Gillet & Co. Hats and Caps — H. & D. Sickles,
George Henning. Leather and Harness^A. Batchelder, J. H. Spencer, A. Bishop, G. W. Swift.
Warehouses — C. M. Tompkins, J. H. Clum, E. H. Galloway. Hardware — William Farnsworth.
Watchmakers and Jewelers — D. Smith, Wright & Hiner. Printing Offices — National Democrats
hy Amos Reed & Brother ; Journal, by Edward Reason ; Fountain Oity Herald, by Royal
Buck. Lumber- Yards — J. C. Lewis, Gen. John Potter, T. S. Henry & Co., B. Olcott. Saloons
— Myron Orvis, Charles Johnson, Conklin & Lowry. Cabinet Shops — J. Barrett, Heil &
Nepach, Charles Blankenburg. Livery Stables — Burnham & Demy, Morris & McCarty.
Blacksmith-Shops — C. L. & A. Pierce, J. Ault, T. Williamson, J. Leeman. Bakeries — Henry
Blithe, Smith and Gibson. Paint-Shops — James Gupp, R. Spink, Gibson & Wilkins. Gun-
Shops — J. Fish, S. B. J. Amory. Foundry — H. B. Budlong & Co. Sash and Blind Factory
—Sherman Brothers. Meat Markets — Edwards & Penny, Tompkins & McChain, ■ Cooper.
Exchange Bank — Darling, Wright & Co. Post Office — C. M. Tompkins.
The second week the Herald did not appear, as a heavy rain storm came on and no paper
was to be had in the city. The paper, however, appeared regularly after that, its advertising
and other patronage increasing to very respectable proportions until September, 1856, when the
franchise, good will and subscription-book were sold to J. A. Smith, the material being jobbed
out to various parties, Edward Beeson purchasing about $1,000 worth.
On the 24th day of July, 1854, without much previous advertising, Mr. Buck issued a
daily evening edition of the Herald. It was a four-column folio, 19x26 inches in size, the
:advertisements it contained being mostly made up from the Weekly Herald. It was continued,
with only a short interval once or twice, until September, 1866, when J. A. Smith, now of
Sheboygan Falls, bought it together with the balance of the Herald establishment.
The Western Freeman. — The first number of the Western Freeman appeared in Fond du
Lac October 5, 1854, J. A. Smith, now of Sheboygan Falls, editor and proprietor. The
material on which it was printed formerly constituted the outfit of the Sheboygan Falls Free
Press, and was brought by Mr. Smith from that village. It was a six-column folio, of comely
appearance and careful make-up, advocating " Republicanism, temperance and the Maine liquor
law at $1.50 per annum, invariably in advance." It was clean, respectable and dignified, and
soon began to flourish as newspapers then went. Its advertising patronage increased until the
■Gth of December of the same year, when it was enlarged to a seven-column folio. It then had
448 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
thirteen columns of "live" advertising matter, and was fighting strongly and holdly against-
the Fugitive Slave Act. In its issue of January 31, 1855, is published an article written by
Sherman M. Booth while in prison in Milwaukee for violating the Fugitive Slave Act. On
the 25th of April, Mr. Smith put at the head of his columns, " Ofiicial paper of the cjty," and
he was the first official printer under the law requiring the City Clerk to let the printing to the
lowest bidder, doing all the work — printing blanks as well as publishing legal notices and
Council proceedings — for nothing during one year.
On the 5th of May, the paper contained the first Constitution and By-Laws of the Fond
du Lac Agricultural Society.
On the 11th of July, 1855, the paper published an account of the trial of Sherman M.
Booth, at Madison, for the value of the slave Glover, at which he was convicted, the slave
being valued at $1,000. This verdict the Freeman denounced with unfeigned indignation, say-
ing: "The result, when we consider the manner in which a jury was impaneled, will not
surprise any one. All who had any prejudice for Mr. Booth were not allowed to be jurors,
while those who admitted they were prejudiced against him were allowed to sit. Every man,
as we understand it, confessed himself under obligation to take the law from Judge Miller. A
jury trial under such a course of procedure is nothing but an aggravating and expensive
mockery. It is nothing but the dictum of Judge Miller, who is one of the meanest tools of
tyranny! A court with such a Judge is a disgrace to Wisconsin, and is fast becoming a dan-
gerous and intolerable nuisance."
On the 10th of January, 1856, the Freeman adopted a new style of make-up and had for
its motto, in letters four columns in width, " Freedom for all mankind."
The last number of the Western Freeman was published on Wednesday, September 3,
1856. Mr. Spiith had purchased the Fountain City Herald of Royal Buck, because there was
" not business enough " to make two paying Whig papers, and merged the two the next week
into the Commonwealth.
The Fond du Lae Commonwealth. — The first number of the Fond du Lac Weekly Com-
monwealth appeared on Wednesday, October 15, 1856, the publication office being in Darling's
Block. It was the result of the union of the Western Freeman, by J. A. Smith, now of Sheboygan
Falls, and the Fountain City Herald, by Royal Back, now of Nebraska, and was published
by Smith & Orvis. As the Commonwealth of the present time is a continuation of the same
paper without break or change of name, it is the oldest paper under an unchanged name in the
county, being in its twenty-seventh year from the foundation of the Western Freeman, of
which it is a continuation, and twenty-fourth year from the change of name to Commonwealth.
The paper was a seven-column folio, and had a large advertising patronage, becoming heir by
the consolidation to the patronage of two papers. The Daily Herald, which Mr. Buck had
begun before the consolidation, was continued by Mr. Smith until the fore part of 1857, when
it was dropped for want of paying patronage. Mr. Smith continued the weekly with a peculiar
ability which was satisfactory to its patrons, being his own business manager and editor, until
April 6, 1859. At that time. Smith & Orvis sold to Bryant & Lightbody, Mr. Smith being
retained by them as editor. This arrangement continued until October 31, 1860, when Mr.
Smith bought out Mr. Lightbody, the firm then becoming Smith & Bryant. Mr. Smith was
editor as formerly, and Mr. Thomas Bryant, afterward proprietor of the Grlobe office in Fond du
Lac, and now business manager of the Omaha (Neb.) Bee newspaper, was its mechanical
manager.
In September, 1862, occurred what was popularly called the " Indian scare," and the
Commonwealth furnished its trembling readers with a lengthy, entertaining and amusing
account of it, which was copied far and wide. It was the work of J. A. Smith, and worthy
the ludicrous occasion.
Files of the paper from this date are missing, having been destroyed in the flood of 1869-
Mr. Bryant sold his share in the business to J. A. Smith a short time afterward, and, Novem-
ber 14, 1864, Charles H. Benton, now of the heavy firm of hardware dealers, C. H. Benton &■
HISTOBY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 449
■
Co., purchased an interest in the establishment, and the firm became Smith & Benton, publish
ers of the Commonwealth at Fond du Lac and a Commonwealth at Ripon, the latter being
considered a "branch" of the former, and under the management of A. T. Glaze. Mr.
Benton made an exceeding spirited newspaper man, and svftceeded in provoking a lively
fusilade from the opposition papers, which was pronounced at the time highly entertaining by
the newspaper readers of the city. January 15, 1865, Mr. Benton severed his connection with
the Commonwealth, and J. A. Smith became again editor and sole proprietor.
On the 1st of October, 1866, he engaged Ed. McGlauchlin as " city editor and collector,"
and the publication of a JDailj/ Commonwealth was began. It was a large paper — patronizing
telegraph lines and well fiUeid with good matter. Business was at its best in Fond du Lac and
although costly the daily was a paying investment. Mr. McGlauchlin made the local department
very attractive.
In March, 1868, Mr. Smith made arrangements with the publishers of the Chicago Daily Post
to use one side of their paper ready printed as it was issued in that city, and print the next day's
Commonwealth on the other side. The paper was then a nine-column sheet and full of reading
matter, one side being the Chicago Post — editorial, news, local and miscellaneous — and the
other the Fond du Lac Commonwealth. This plan was dropped in less than a year and with it
the Daily Commonwealth. While thus published it was cruelly dubbed the Corn-Post. In August,
1869, J. A. Watrous purchased the Commonwealth with Thomas B- Reid and S. S. Fitield,
and on the 22 day of August, 1870, began the publication of the Fond du Lae Daily. This
proved to be the first successful daily paper in Fond du Lac, although the city had been blessed
with six other very creditable daily publications. This daily took a somewhat different course,
devoting column after column for weeks and months to the various manufacturing industries of
the city, giving them and the locality more advertising than they had received before during
their entire existence. The managers also engaged a corps of entertaining writers, and the
paper very soon took an advanced position among the daily publications of the Northwest, pub-
lishing regularly the afternoon Associated Press dispatches. In October, 1870, Mr. Reid sold
his interest in the establishment, and the paper was then published by " the Commonwealth
Company," and soon after by J. A. Watrous & Co. J. A. Watrous was editor, but the paper
had such regular contributors as C. K. Pier (a member of the Commonwealth Company), George
M. Steele, President of Lawrence University, and Miss AUie Arnold, now deceased.
On the 26th of September, 1871, Howard M. Kutchin, who had been publishing the Fort
Atkinson Herald, purchased a one-third interest in the establishment and became one of the
editors and publishers. This added largely to the strength of the paper, as Mr. Kutchin was
an able writer and experienced printer ; but the plan of maintaining a corps of correspondents
was not ^abandoned on that account. It was instead, enlarged upon, and Rev. T. T.> Kutchin
and others added to the list. This proved a valuable feature, for, credit being given to these
correspondents for their articles, it widened the circle of the paper's friends and patrons, as well
as added to its literary merits. Watrous & Kutchin continued editors and proprietors, both
the daily and weekly becoming profitable and influential publications, until April, 1876, when
J. A. Watrous, having the duties of Grand Templar of the Temple of Honor on his hands,
leased his interest to Mr. Kutchin for one year. At the end of that time he sold out entirely
to Mr. Kutchin, who published the paper as editor and proprietor until the middle of Novem-
ber, 1879, when Charles G. Elliot, founder of the Schuylkill (Penn.) Republican, purchased an
interest in the establishment, becoming business manager.
Since Mr. Watrous severed his connection with the Commonwealth, V. W. Richardson,
T. F. Strong, Jr., of Fond du Lac, and L. A. Lange, have been local editors, the latter now
holdirg that position.
The Commonwealth has been, during many years, one of the leading Republican papers of the
State, always dealing promptly and pointedly, and from a standpoint of its own, with all questions
of public policy. It has also devoted an unusual amount of space to the manufacturing and other
interests of the city and to the matter of heavy and unnecessary taxation. In this direction,
450 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
•
it waged a warfare so incisive and unrelenting as to turn public attention to the abuses complained
■of, which resulted in the correcting of the most flagrant of them, as well as in making thou-
sands of new friends throughout the county. la the fall of 1878, the Commonwealth began,
single-handed, to advocate the election of Matthew H. Carpenter to the United States Senate ;
and to the persistency and ability with which the canvass was carried on through its columns,
more than to anything and all things else, is attributable Mr. Carpenter's election, which took place
in January, 1879.
Since the financial question became a factor in the political campaigns, the paper has given
a goodly share of attention to a strong and clear discussion of its various phases, thereby earn-
ing the reputation of furnishing the most sound and able financial discussions that appeared in
the Northwest.
As a Republican newspaper, it has always taken a i most active part in all campaigns, mak-
its influence felt in the most unmistakable manner. It did not, however, spare the Republican
party or the party leaders, when they chanced to be in the wrong, believing it far better to
eradicate an evil than to attempt to hide it by silence. This honorable policy sometimes
incurred the displeasure of the Republicans who happened to be criticised, but it secured respect
from all quarters, showing an honesty of purpose that gave the utmost meed of praise wherever
■deserved, and administering the severest censure with equal freedom and vigor. The Common-
wealth is, as it has been for several years, the leading Republican newspaper of Central Wisconsin.
The Fond du Lac Qounty Democrat. — In 1867, a strange genius, named Thompson, with-
out any warning, began the publication of a good-looking Democratic paper, called the Fond du
Lao County Democrat. He had no "means and soon left the place, the paper and office material
falling into the hands of Borghart & Goodwin (Mortimer Borghart and Thomas J. Goodwin),
who continued its publication until the concern was swallowed up by its debts and expenses.
Hundreds of people subscribed for the paper, paying in advance, who never received a copy
of it.
The Saturday Reporter. — On Saturday, August 25, 1860, John J. Beeson, now publish-
ing the Independent, at Vancouver, Washington Territory, issued the first number of the Sat-
urday Reporter from the second story of the building on the corner of Main and Second streets,
now occupied by A. B. Taylor's hardware store. It was a neat, clean and attractive five-column
folio, devoted almost wholly ito local news, and was printed from the material on which Smead
& Strong printed the Journal up to 1858. Mr. Beeson was a printer, having learned the trade
of his father, Edward Beeson. Having always lived in Fond du Lac, he knew everybody,
and was therefore well equipped for the editor of a local newspaper. In announcing his
new publication, Mr. Beeson said his main object was to " build up a business that would pay."
He should not make it an active partisan paper, but would nevertheless be neutral in nothing.
The first number contained scarcely three columns of advertising and about seventeen columns
of reading matter. The price was $1 per annum, or 10 cents per month in advance. Although
modest in size and pretentions, the paper was well received everywhere. It advocated nothing
in particular, took little part in politics, temperance or religion, that little being always mild
and inofi"ensive ; but was energetic in securing a place for every morsel of local news, and had a
brief but pleasant manner of mentioning everything and everybody. This manner of conduct-
ing the little paper made no enemies, and secured many new subscribers and friends. Thus it was
run during the great rebellion, giving warm encouragement to the Union cause and all connected
with it, without change in style, tone or appearance, until April 29, 1865, when it was enlarged
to six columns per page. No other change was visible, except an increase in local matter. In
February, 1866, Mr. Beeson again enlarged the Reporter, this time to a seven-column folio,
and, on the 30th of January, 1869, to a nine-column paper, with a corresponding increase in the
space devoted to home afiairs, and continued on in the same pleasing, unsensational, but withal,
successful style.
On November 22, 1873, James L. Thwing, a graduate of Lawrence University, left the
Milwaukee Sentinel corps and purchased the Saturday Reporter of Mr. Beeson. He was alone
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 453
as editor and publisher until January 10, 1874, when H. R. Farnum, of the Madison Journal
corps, purchased a half-interest in the establishment and added a large job office, something the
Reporter had always before been without. Mr. Farnum devoted himself to the business of the
concern, and Mr. Thwing exclusively to the preparation of matter for the paper. This arrange-
ment was a hapj)y one, the former adding rapidly to the business and the latter adding several
new and pleasant features, as well as polish and completeness, to the paper. Under the ener-
getic management of the new firm, patronage increased so rapidly that, on the 29th of May,
1875, new material throughout was purchased and the paper enlarged to a ten-column folio.
The local department was made a promiaent feature of the paper, as before, an assistant editor
being employed almost exclusively for that work.
On the 17th of July, 1875, Rev. C. D. Pillsbury, now Pastor of the Methodist Episcopal
€hurch at Ripon, purchased Mr. Farnum^s interest in the establishment, and the firm then
became " Thwing & Pillsbury, editors and proprietors." Mr. Pillsbury never gave his whole
attention to the paper, and, October 1, 1878, Mr. Thwing, having leased his partner's interest,
became editor and publisher. On the 9th of February, 1878, the form of the paper was
changed to a quarto, six columns to the page.
During Mr. Thwing's connection with the Meporter, the paper has always maintained sev-
<>ral distinctive newspaper features. These consisted of "Our Saturday Night," "Farm and
Home," " Hits by the Paragraphists," " County Correspondence," " Thin Spaces," '' Person-
als" and " Miscellany," besides "Local" and "Editorial" in liberal allowances.
In these special departments, Mrs. J. L. Thwing has occasionally aided her husband in
the preparation of matter for the paper.
The Saturday Meporter, which has never changed its name or missed an issue since its
foundation, has always been a carefully prepared, clean and moderate toned newspaper. It has
never taken any aggressive part in politics, but never failed to give dignified and cordial support
to the nominees of the Republican party. It has always aimed to be strictly a family rather
than a political newspaper, devoting a liberal amount of space to choice selections and extracts,
miscellany, humor and fiction.
During several years previous to 1877, the Journal, the Courier (German) and the Tribun
(German), were printed on the Reporter press, and, during the first week after the great fire at
Oshkosh, in April, 1876, the Oshkosh Daily Northwestern was not only printed, but the type
was set in the Reporter office. During the past year, the Reporter has been the official paper
of the city, and is in a flourishing condition. Its weekly circulation being considered th§ larg-
est of any paper published in the city, it has, during several years, published, for the Govern-
ment, the list of letters remaining uncalled for at the post office.
The Frei Volks Presse. — On the 1st day of October, 1878, Charles Bruderle began the
publication, in Fond du Lac, of the Frei Volks Presse, a large German weekly, devoted to
Greenbackism and Socialism, with Prof C. F. Kumlau as editor. Prof. Kumlau severed his con-
nection with the paper after a few months, and Mr. Bruderle continued its publication under his
own editorial management until the fall of 1879, when it was suspended for want of patronage.
The Fond du Lao Tribun. — The Tribun, a German weekly Republican newspaper, was
started in the city of Fond du Lac August 14, 1874. In April of the following year, the
establishment was moved to Sheboygan, where the paper has since been published as the She-
boygan Tribun. It is prospering and is regarded as one of the leading German papers of the
Lake shore. The founder, Alfred Marschner, Sr., died on the 17th day of September, 1875,
since which time the business has been conducted in the name of his widow, Auguste Marschner.
The present editor and manager of the paper is Alfred Marschner, Jr.
The Nordwestlicher Courier. — This is a Democratic German weekly newspaper founded by
Dr. Carl de Haas, May 4, 1871, and published in the third story of the Post Office Block, Fond
du Lac. The first publishers were Carl de Haas & Son. It was begun as a five-column quarto
weekly, published on Thursday, at $2 per annum, and a six-column folio, semi-weekly, published
Wednesday and Saturday, at $4 per year. The semi-weekly was never a paying enterprise, and
454 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
was discontinued May 31, 1873. A supplement containing general miscellany was issued with
the weekly after the second year, free. In January, 1874, the Courier was enlarged to a six-
column quarto, which is its present form and size. In April, 1875, Dr. Carl de Haas died, and
the paper was continued by his sons, under the firm name of Fred de Haas & Brothers. They
continued its publication until April, 1878, when the whole establishment was sold to W. F.
Weber, the present editor and proprietor. November 13, 1879. Mr. Weber enlarged the sup-
plement, thus furnishing a large amount of reading matter. The paying subscribers of the
Nordwestlicher Courier number over two thousand, and its publication is a source of profit.
The Appeal. — The first number of the Appeal appeared in Fond du Lac May 10, 1876.
It was a six-column folio, published monthly at 50 cents per annum, by J. A. Watrous,
Grand Templar of the Temple of Honor in Wisconsin. It is devoted mostly to temperance,
but is not the organ of the Temple of Honor or any other society. In May, 1878, the Appeal
was enlarged to seven columns to the page, the price remaining as before. During the first
three years of its existence, Watrous distributed gratis nearly forty thousand copies of the
Appeal, its publication thereby being made a source of loss rather than of profit. It is now on a
paying basis, and has a very large circulation, extending into a number of the surrounding
States and Territories. It is published from the office of the Daily Commonwealth, in the city of
Fond du Lac. Although mainly devoted to temperance matters, the Appeal has always contained
a large amount of historical, personal and biographical sketches, rendering it to those not inter-
ested in its leading feature, a most interesting and valuable publication. It is proper to record,
in connection with' this account of the paper, the manner in which the matter for the Appeal is
prepared. Mr. Watrous, who has by far the greater share of his time taken up by his duties as
, Grand Templar, has prepared much of the editorial, historical sketches, personals and other
matter for his paper, in hotels, while riding on the cars, and at any other time or place where a
few moments could be utilized from travel or business. If he got a day at home, double duty
was done by going to the " case " and composing articles as he set the type for them, using no
copy. This work he called " rest," and for many months was all the rest he had.
The Wisconsin Farmer. — The first number of the Wisconsin Farmer was published from
the Globe Steam Printing Office, No. 6 Forest street. Fond du Lac ,by Beeson; Lockin & Wing,
on the 25th day of September, 1879. It is a sixteen-page publication, with four wide columns
to the page,' printed on fine calendered paper, and devoted exclusively to the interests of the
farmer, dairyman and stock raiser. It is the only publication of the kind in Wisconsin, and is
rapidly increasing in circulation. Edward Buson is editor, H. D. Wing associate editor^ and
John W. Lockin, business manager. The liberal encouragement the paper is receiving indicates-
that it is destined to become a permanent and prosperous publication.
The People's Champion. — On the 31st day of August, 1877, articles of incorporation,
under the title of the " People's Printing and Publishing Company," were adopted for the pur-
pose of "printing and publishing the People's Champion newspaper in the city of Fond du Lao,,
and doing a general printing and publishing business and to accumulate capital for the stockhold-
ers." The capital stock was to be $6,000, in 2,000 shares of $3 each. The incorporators were J. R,
Tallmadge, E. A. Toubell, J. L. Colman, L. F. Stowe, J. 0. Barrett, I. R. Sanford, A. Moody,
F. B. Hoyt, E. Hoyt and Fred Gesswein. These were all residents of the city of Fond du Lac,
except J. 0. Barrett, of Glenbeulah, Wis., who was editor in chief of the paper, and I. B. Sanford,
business manager, who came from M. M. Pomeroy's paper at Chicago. The initial number of
the Champion appeared September 12, and was printed by the Star Printing Company, the
type being owned by the publishers. The paper was a six-column qua,rto with but very little
advertising patronage, and was the organ of the Greenback party. Although by vigorous a&a-
vassing a list of more than two thousand subscribers was secured, the paper continuously lost
money, and several times made suspensions of a few weeks. At the close of 1878, the incor-
porators gave the good will and material of the entire establishment to I. R. Sanford — J. 0.
Barrett having made satisfactory arrangements to withdraw — who published the paper with a
"patent inside" for a time, finally reducing it one-half in size. At the beginning of 1879, B. B.
HISTORY OF FOND DTJ LAC COUNTY. 455
Bolens (now publishing the Ozaukee Star) entered into partnership with Mr. tSanford, bringing
with him a large power press and other material on which the Madison Star had been published.
The Champion office was then removed from the Star Printing Company's office to the Patty House
Block, and did its own press work. There were two mortgages on the material ; the one held
by Dr. C. W. Barnes being foreclosed, the outfit was sold by the Sheriff to John W. Lockin, of
the " Globe Printing Office," except that portion of the type that belonged to Mr. Sanford
which was moved by him to Appleton in October, where the Qhampion was again published.
The Northern Farmer. — In January, 1863, E. H. Jones & Brother began in Fond du Lac
the publication of an agricultural paper called the Northern Farmer, for the purpose of adver-
tising their seed and farming-implement business, which was so well received that only one num-
ber was issued gratis. A subscription lisc was opened and arrangements were made with Edward
Beeson to print a larger paper once each month. The paper was a complete farmers' publica-
tion, treating a large variety of subjects, and at $1 per annum soon had nearly eight hun-
dred subscribers. It was a sixteen-page sheet, with thre'e columns to the page, and had
correspondents of reputation in various localities, East and West. Jones Brothers were editors
and proprietors during five years. They sold to Fred D. Carson, who took possession in Feb-
ruary, 1868. He soon after enlarged the paper to twenty pages, and increased its circulation,
but in 1869 removed to Janesville, where he continued to publish the Northern Farmer during
several years.
The Rifon Herald. — This paper was commenced in the (then) village of Ripon, December
14, 1853, by Addison P. Mapes and Irving Root, editors and proprietors. It had for its motto
"Rip-On!" It was a weekly — published every Wednesday, subscription price, " $1.25 in
advance." Root retired from the firm of Mapes & Root the next spring, and the issue of the
paper of April 1, 1854, had the name of A. P. Mapes as editor and proprietor, who says :
" The proprietorship of the Herald has changed inasmuch that Mr. Root has withdrawn
from the firm, leaving us to ' paddle our own canoe.' We do not make this announcement with-
out reluctance, for we have, in the short space of time with which we have been associated with
him, formed such an attachment and appreciating idea of his worth as an individual, and of his
skill in his profession, that we are loth to part company with him ; but family ties call him far
away, and we have no inclination to gratify our feelings at the expense of the feelings of others.
So mote it be !"
The Herald was finally sold to Alvin E. Bovay, the material of which, after serving for a
time under a change of name, became a part of the Commonwealth office, where what was left
of it now is.
The Ripon Free Press. — Number 1, Volume I, bears date April 7, 1870. It was started
by L. B. Everdell, a graduate of Ripon College, of the Class of 1868. The paper passed into
the hands of George C. Duffie, a classmate of the above named, who had furnished the capital
to begin its publication. He resigned his position in the college, and until April, 1874, gave
his attention to the business of making the paper a success. In 1872, George M. West & Co.
bought the Free Press, and ran it awhile, but failing to meet their obligations, turned over the
property at the end of the year to Mr. Duffie. During a considerable part of the time Prof,
(now President) E. H. Merrell of the college, was associated with Mr. Duffie in the paper, under
the style of George C. Duffie & Co. On April 1, 1874, Messrs. T. D. Stone and D. E. Cramer
purchased the Free Press newspaper and job office of George C. Duffie for $3,300. At this
time, the policy of the paper underwent a through change. The paper commenced the advocacy
of legal prohibition and the necessity of the organization of a separate political party devoted to
that purpose.
To this end steps were taken to call a mass State convention. The call was couched in
terms that none could misunderstand, as follows :
We, the undersigned, citizens of Wisconsin, believing that inteoiperance is the great evil, sin and crime of this
republic ; believing it to be the right and duty of the people to suppress this great evil, by prohibiting the sale of
intoxicating drinks as beverages ; believing that this is the nearest and highest political duty which the American
456 HISTOKY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
people are now called upon to discharge ; believing that the "liquor question" is the le^timate and only worthy
successor of the "slavery question" iil American politics ; believing that the mission of the Republican party ended
with the overthrow of slavery, and the reconstruction of the old slave States on a free basis ; and believing that no
political party now in existence is either able, competent or willing to deal effectively with this gigantic crime, which
mocks at the feeble eiforts and restraint of "license laws," "local option law," and the like, do hereby unite in call-
ing a mass convention of the temperance citizens of the State, to assemble in the city of Ripon on the 13th day of
October next, at 10 o'clock, A. M., to form a separate and independent political party, with prohibition as its central
idea. If any localities prefer to be represented by chosen and accredited delegates, well and good ; but it is to be dis-
tinctly understood that all citizens of the State, coming in good faith, with the purpose above set forth, will be
received as members of the convention. And, further, we hereby invite all temperance men who are in favor of pro-
hibition, whether ready for independent political action, or not, to be present, and participate in the proceedings of
of the convention.
This document was signed by over one thousand eight hundred voters of Wisconsin, repre-
senting people in twenty-seven different counties. In Pond du Lac County alone there were
about two hundred and fifty signers to this call.
At the meeting Lester Rounds, of Eureka, was made Chairman, and C. F. Hammond, Sec-
retary. The following resolution, which was passed unanimously, shows the sense of the meeting :
Resolved, That we, citizens of Wisconsin, temperance men and prohibitionists in State convention assembled, do
declare it to be our firm, matured and unalterable purpose here and now, to inaugurate within the State of Wisconsin
a new political party, separate from and independent of all existing parties, having for its central i'dea the suppres-
sion of the dramshops of the land, and the total prohibition of the sale of all intoxicating drinks to be used as a
beverage. The party so inaugurated or founded, shall be a branch of and auxiliary to the national party, based on
the same fundamental idea in its intents. We propose, before adjournment, to elect a State Committee, and take such
other steps as may be necessary to perfect the organization.
At the conclusion of the two-days session, Maj. A. E. Bovay was elected Chairman of the
State Central, Committee, and the usual party machinery set in motion. President William E.
Merriman, of Ripon College, was the author of the platform of principles, and Prof E. H. Merrell
warmly advocated the measure by a public speech.
The Free Press was the only paper friendly to this movement, and through its earnest
advocacy of the principle was the new party fanned into existence.
On account of failing health, Mr. Don E. Cramer sold his interest in the Free Press to D.
B. Lyon November 1, 1876. Mr. Lyon employed his son, Hiram M. Lyon, to look after his
interest, and the firm name of Stone & Lyon appears in the files until August 15, 1878, when
J. R. Bloom took the place of Lyon in making the style of the firm. Shortly after this, Mr. T.
D. Stone became sole manager, but retained the old firm name until January 1, since which
time the business has been in his hands. In February, 1879, the office was moved to its present
commodious quarters in Bovay's Block.
The Wisconsin Crood Templar .-^Thia newspaper was first published at Madison, Wis.,
February 7, 1873, and its first copy shows that it was edited by T. D. Stone and A. F. Booth,
with Samuel D. Hastings and T. D. Kanouse associate editors. It was the official organ of the
Grand Lodge of Good Templars. It contained eight pages — five columns of reading to the page.
In the early part of April, 1873, the proprietors removed the paper to Ripon. The first issue
in the last-named place was published April 4, 1873. July 8, 1873, T. D. Stone bought the
interest of A. F. Booth, and the editorship of the paper continued under his sole management
as long as it was published. The last number was printed in August, 1874. From its first to
its last copy, it was an uncompromising and persistent advocate of the legal prohibition of the
liquor traffic. Like all temperance periodicals it was a financial failure. It contained the best
thoughts of the leading advocates of the cause in the State, and was by all odds the largest and
best-conducted sheet that had ever been printed in behalf of the movement in Wisconsin. At
One time its circulation reached 900 copies, but a large number of these were three-month's sub-
scribers: Its editor says that more than half of his time was taken in traveling from Lodge to
Lodge, begging for subscribers, and that the little amount thus received was often eaten up in
hotel bilig and stage fare. When the pa,per suspended publication, the proprietor not only found
himself short a year and a half of hard work, but also a considerable sum of money. To his
credit be it said that all unexpired subscriptions were filled with either the Free Press or any
temperance paper that the party designated. ■
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 457
The Ripon Star. — In December, 1858, H. C. and Addison P. Mapes began the publication
of a six-column folio newspaper called the Star, which was devoted to the interests of the Demo-
cratic party, so far as parties were concerned. It gave considerable attention to Ripon College
and to matters pertaining to Ripon City and vicinity. In 1861, Col. Edward Daniels' cavalry
were in camp several weeks on College Hill, within a few rods of where the Star was published.
The editors of the Star took occasion to mention soldiers in general, and Col. Daniels' cavalry
in particular, in such terms as at once enraged them. The cavalry boys, therefore, after an issue
which was particularly distasteful to them, went in a body just at dusk and scattered the type
on which the Star had been published, in the street. The paper never made its appearance after
that.
Our Paper. — The first periodical of Brockway (Ripon) College was entitled Our Paper, the
first number of which was issued in August, 1856. It was edited by a committee. The salutatory
ran thus : " Kind readers : In filling the station assigned to us by the partiality of our asso-
ciates, by whom we were chosen to edit the following humble pagis, we have endeavored to give
all our contributors a fair representation, rather than select entirely from our best writers. And
we would tender this as an apology to those whose articles we have been obliged unwillingly to
reject. To the public we would say, that all we hope is that the few truths presented may be
allowed a hearing, and that, balancing the good we wished to accomplish against the many imper-
fections incident to a first attempt, the latter may be overlooked. Hoping in the future to meet
you in a wider field, we remain your obedient servants — The Committee." The paper contained
twenty-four pages, but was only an octavo in size ; and was made up (with an occasional refer-
ence to the college) of contributions from the students of the institution.
■ College Days. — In the spying of 1868, the senior class of Ripon College began the publi-
cation of a handsome thirty-six page monthly, called College Days. The editors were George C.
DuflSe and Miss M. S. Cook, and Horace Tracy was the publisher. It was devoted to the interests
of Ripon College, and to chronicling the movements and achievements of its graduates and stu-
dents. In 1872, the magazine form was changed to the quarto newspaper form. After the first
year, committees were chosen annually to edit the College Days until 1876, when, on account of
hard times, the publication of a college paper was dropped. It was a newsy, lively and enter-
taining publication — equal to similar papers issued by much older and richer institutions.
Ripon College News-Letter. — At the beginning of the college year of 1879, George D.
Heron began the publication of the Ripon College News-Letter, a quarto of fine appearance at
$1 per year, and printed on tinted book paper. It already has a large circulation, and is
well patronized by the business men of Ripon. It is considered a fixture . of the college, being
backed by parties who are able to support it. The mechanical work of publishing, the News-
Letter is done at the office of the Ripon Free Press.
Ripon Weekly Times. — In October, 1857, George W. Parker began the publication at
Ripon of a seven- column folio, called the Western Times, at $1.50 per year, in advance.
This paper was continued about two years, when it fell into the hands of Chauncey J. Allen,
who learned his trade in the Fond du Lac Journal office, with Edward Beeson. He soon had
George Burnside fol- a partner and changed the name of the paper to the Ripon Weekly Times.
Mr. Allen, the editor, was liberal in his views, and an able, entertaining writer. It was a suc-
cessful paper during his life, but was discontinued after his death, which occurred during the
war of the rebellion.
The Ripon Spur. — During several years previous to the rebellion, E. L. Runals owned,
edited and published a paper called the Spur. It was noted for ability and dignity, and while
in existence was an influential publication. The first number appeared in June, 1855. In
September, 1856, the name was changed to Ripon Home, Runals & Fuller, publishers. In
1857, Mr. Runals sold to Fuller & Fitch, by whom the paper was continued for a time.
The Prairie City Record. — On the 14th of May, 1863, Nelson Bowerman and N. C.
Strong, under the firm name of Bowerman & Strong, began the publication of the Prairie City
Record. Mr. Strong withdrew from the establishment in the following October, and the paper
45& HISTORY OF TOND DU LAC COUNTY.
was continued by Mr. Bowerman. It was not a financial success, and the last issue of the paper
was on December 24, 1863.
The Ripon Oommonwealth. — The first paper issued under this title was on the 22d of
January, 1864. J. A. Smith, of Fond du Lac, was the proprietor, and A. T. Glaze local edi-
tor and manager of local business. One side of the paper was usually printed at Fond du Lac
and sent to Ripon to be completed. The salutatory contained these paragraphs: "The good
people of Ripon and vicinity are herewith greeted with a newspaper — the Ripon Commonwealth
— successor, so far as most of the printing materials, subscription lists and advertising patron-
age are concerned, of the late Prairie City Record. * * To stand by the Govern-
ment and the administration now, saving it from overthrow by the most gigantic rebellion ever
confronted by a nation ; to support that adininistration while it is as worthy of it as now, to the
utter extinction of every armed rebel, if need be; to the advocacy of keeping all promises
made by the President to the slaves now our grateful allies ; and to supporting all the measures
necessary to wipe out rebellion and its heaven-defying cause — is just what we intend to do, so
long as such effort is needed and we are spared to strike the blows." The paper continued
under the same management until December 2, of the same year, when Smith & Benton became
the editors and publishers, Glaze continuing as local editor; but on the 16th of June, 1865, J.
A. Smith was again the only proprietor. On the 13th of April, 1866, he called in, as an asso-
ciate in the proprietorship of the paper, Thomas Bryant. The paper was then published under
the firm name of Smith & Bryant, but this arrangement continued only to August 3, following,
when Mr. Smith again became sole owner. On the 22d of February, 1867, A. T. Glaze, who
had since the beginning of the paper been its local editor and manager, purchased of Mr. Smith '
his entire interest in the Commonwealth. Mr. Glaze, in announcing himself as editor and pro-
prietor, said: "I have bought the Ripon Oommonwealth oflSce and book bindery, believing the
people will at least give me the support which they have the past year, and leaving it to our
generous patrons to say whether we shall sink or swim." Mr. Glaze- continued as proprietor
until April 1, 1874, when he sold to W. H. Bailhache and Mason Brayman, who entered upon
editorial duties under the firm of W. H. Bailhache & Co., saying: "The general course of
the paper will not be materially changed. * * * jj; .^yjH j^g identified with those
principles and policies which lie at the foundation of the Republican party." This manage-
ment continued until May 21, 1875, when Mr. Brayman sold his half-interest to B. L. Scofield.
The paper was published under the firm name of Bailhache & Scofield until October 1, 1875,
when Mr. Bailhache sold to C. N. Hodges, and under the name of Scofield & Hodges the paper
was edited and published until October 1, 1877, at which time E. L. Scofield became sole editor
and proprietor. January 1, 1878, a half-interest was leased to B. J. Price for one year.
When that lease terminated, Mr. Schofield became sole editor and proprietor, and has since
continued as such. The paper has always been Republican in politics and thoroughly devoted
to the advancement of the city of Ripon.
The Ripon Representative. — In 1867, George W. Peck began the publication of an inde-
pendent weekly newspaper in Ripon, under the name and style of the Representative. He
devoted the paper to humor more than is usual with country newspapers, and was also one of
the pioneers in advertising the beauties of Green Lake. In 1868, during the Presidential
campaign, the paper was arrayed on the side of Democracy, where it thereafter continued while
Mr. Peck was at the helm. In 1869, Mr. Peck went to New York with M. M. Pomeroy
("Brick"), and leased the Representative to H. B. Baker, who changed its name to the Prairie
City Local, and continued the paper through the following winter. He then went to California,
and the material was soon afterward used to publish the Free Press.
The Waupun Times. — This is the oldest paper in Waupun. It is now in its twenty-third
year, and is an eight-column folio. The first number was issued September 14, 1857, by J. H.
Brinkerhoff (the present Postmaster of the city) editor and proprietor. It was a seven-column
' folio, and a neat-looking, spicy sheet. The merchants of the place gave him a liberal advertis-
ing patronage, and the Times started with a good list of subscribers, many of whom have stuck
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNT X". 459
by it during the nearly ♦wonty-three years it has been published. In his first editorial, Mr.
BrinkerhoiF says : " We have been induced to commence the publication of the Times, not
because we thought it would pay — make us "rich" — but from the conviction that the interests
of Waupun demand a paper ; that there is suflBoient enterprise among the inhabitants to sustain
one, and that we might be our own master ; only hoping that such encouragement, in the way
of patronage, might be extended us as shall enable the Times and us to live. Coming among
you as we do — relying solely upon our own efforts, and under obligations to no party or man —
we shall follow our own inclination in all matters, claim the right to do pretty much as we
please, and that which we consider most beneficial to the community at large, and shall be inde-
pendent in everything and of everybody.
" We do not claim neutrality in politics or anything else, but we do not intend to enter the
political arena further than to acquaint our readers with the prospects and doings of the respect-
ive parties. We here assert, however, that, with the exception of an absolute hostility to those
principles which would deprive the foreign-born of the right of suff"rage, we are unbiassed in
our political views — have a greater regard for principle and right than party. The interests of
Waupun and ' circumjacent vicinage ' shall receive our especial attention, and it shall be our
endeavor to foster and build up every interest identified with its growth and prosperity. Par-
ticular regard will be paid to home matters, and, after we get the ' hang of the barn,' we intend
that in local news the Times shall excel."
The promises of its founder the Times has fulfilled and is fulfilling. It is no longer inde-
pendent in politics. When the flag of our country was threatened by traitors in 1861, the
independent flag was pulled down and the star-spangled banner placed in its stead at the top of
the columns ; and ever since, the Times has been firm in its allegiance to the principles of the
Republican party.
In the first number of the Times appear the business cards of many who are still in Wau-
pun. E. Hooker advertises that he will attend to all kinds of legal business ; D. W. Moore
prescribed medicines then as now ; H. L. Butterfield not only administered physic, but sold
drugs ; R. W. Wells dealt in drugs, books, paints and oils ; Thomas Stoddart was in the same
line of business and was Postmaster as well ; Rank & Manz and John Howard were merchant
tailors ; John Taylor and S. Rebbles were among those who kept groceries and dry goods ; B.
B. Baldwin had a sash, door, blind and turning establishment ; M. J. Althouse made pumps and
drilled wells ; John McFarland shod the horses ; the Exchange was the hotel of the village ;
William Morgan did all the barbering ; E. Hillyer was Secretary of the Dodge County Mutual
Insurance Company ; L. B. Balcom was in the forwarding and commission business ; T. Car-
penter made and sold harnesses ; Phelps Moore kept the Empire Livery Stable ; there were
advertised two banks — the Waupun Bank and the Corn Exchange Bank.
Among the contributors to the first number of the Times was George E. Jennings, who
still occasionally furnishes articles that are as graceful in thought and diction as then ; W. H.
Taylor indulged then as he now sometimes does in a paper on " Waupun ; Its Past, Present and
Future." For nearly eight years, Mr. Brinkerhoif furnished mental pabulum for the readers
of the Times, when he sold the ofiice and business to Rev. D. A. Wagner. The latter became
involved in a church quarrel and made the Times his personal organ. In 1866, a year after he
bought the oflice, he sold it again to Messrs. Eli & Jesse Hooker ; in about three months, Eli
Hooker bought out his partner, and for a year conducted the Times very successfully ; he made
it pay, but having an extensive law business requiring his attention, he sold out in about a year,
J. R. Decker, his foreman, being the purchaser. He took possession October 1, 1867, and did
not allow the business to sufi"er under his labors.
On October 1, 1868, the present editor and proprietor, Philip M. Pryor, then a young
man not out of his teens, took possession, Mr. Decker going to Columbus, Wis. With no
capital but energy and a determination to succeed, Mr. Pryor has, for more than eleven years,
been continually making improvements in the ofiice, and doing all in his power to increase the
influence and standing of his paper. He makes it a rule never, under any circumstances, to
460 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
allow his paper to become the medium for any one to vent personal wpite, believing it to be
unjournalistic ; nor to permit any ungentlemanly language or personal attacks to appear in its
columns, or to allow anything of a local interest to pass unnoticed. The present flourishing
condition of the Times is the result.
The Prison City Item. — Sometime in 1859, William Euen began the publication of a
paper called the Item. His office was in the South Ward or Dodge County side of the village,
and the paper, which was a five-column folio, appeared monthly. Mr. Euen was a politician, a
manufacturer of Euen's Strengthening Plasters, and a humorous fellow, and his paper was
given somewhat to fun. He continued it about one year as a monthly, and then turned it into
a weekly, which was continued with varying fortunes until the beginning of 1861, when it was
suspended and never revived.
De Ware Burger. — In 1859, Dr. A. C. Van Altena brought De Ware Burger from
Sheboygan County to Waupun, where it was published in the Holland language until the latter
part of, 1860, by S. H. Salverda, Dr. Van Altena's son-in-law. It was discontinued for want of
patronage, there being but few Hollanders in the county to subscribe for it, and only one or two
merchants or business men in the vicinity to furnish advertising patronage.
The Little Badger. — During the latter part of 1860, a small newspaper called the Little
Badger was started in Waupun by S. H. Salverda, which was printed in both the English and
Holland languages. It lived a precarious life of a few months and died for want of patronage,
its editor and proprietor afterward moving to Milwaukee.
The Waupun Leader.- — On Tuesday, August 28, 1866, Joseph W. Oliver and Martin C.
Short, under the firip name of Oliver & Short, began the publication of the Prison City
Leader, an eight-column folio. Republican in politics. The material on which the paper was
printed was moved from Dartford, Green Lake County, where the same firm published the
Green Lake Spectator. The first few issues of the Leader were with "patent inside," after
which the entire paper was printed at home. The first number contained nearly eleven col-
umns of home advertisements and about three columns of " foreign ads." The paper started
out with a good list of subscribers, and grew at once into popular fevor on account of its devo-
tion to local matters and decent tone in treating of all things. An old "Washington " hand
press and a very limited amount of other material constituted the Leader office at the begin-
ning. In 1868, the paper was changed to a five-column quarto, but the experiment proving
unsatisfactory, the folio form was again resumed, and the name changed from the Prison City
Leader io th.e Waupun Lea,der, which title it has since borne. On the 6th of October, 1871,
Martin C. Short, who is now editor and publisher of the Brandon Times, sold his half-interest
to R. H. Oliver, and the paper has since been edited and published by Oliver Brothers. J. W.
Oliver learned his trade in the old Markesan Journal office before the rebellion, in which he
took an active part as a member of the Thirty-second Wisconsin Volunteers, and R. H. Oliver
passed liis apprenticeship in the Leader office with Oliver & Short. The Leader proprietors
were the second in bringing steam presses into Fond du Lac County, and they now have one of
the neatest and best-equipped country offices to be found anywhere, with 'an extensive amount
of material and three large presses. In February, 1879, the paper was changed to a six-
column quarto, and is a handsome, thrifty sheet in make-up and general appearance, and of the
utmost cleanliness and respectability in matter. It was begun on the Dodge County side of
Wa,upun, in Amadon's (now Seely's) Block, being moved to the Fond du Lac County side, into
Rank's Block, in 1869, and in August, 1877, to its present quarters in the old female prison
building on Prison street near Main. Connected with the office is a lathe for repairing, iron-
turning and general work ; a stereotyping machine for jobs, advertisements and other work,
the first successfully used in Wisconsin, and made entirely by J. W. Oliver ; a force-pump with
100 feet of hose for fire purposes, and a telephone, made by J. W. Oliver, which extends from
the office to his house, several blocks away. There is no other printing office in the vicinity, if,
indeed, in the State, with all these appliances, and all in such perfect and eiFective working
order. It is a model country printing and publishing office.
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 461
The first printing material ever brought to Waupun was that on which the Whi^ had been
printed in the village of Fond du Lac, and was bought by Eli Hooker in the winter of 1847-
48. Immediately afterward, George Howe came from Angelica, N. Y., with the old Ramage
press on which the first edition of Morgan's " Exposition of Masonry " was printed, and Mr.
Hooker entered into partnership with him in the job-printing business. This old press, made
of wood, and on which two impressions with a screw were required to print one side of a sheet,
was soon after sold to a man in Calumet County.
The Brandon Times. — Soon after the close of the rebellion, October 1, 1865, George M.
West began the publication, in the village of Brandon, of a Republican newspaper called the
Times. It was a four-column folio, Independent in politics. In November, 1871, Martin C.
Short became editor and proprietor. He is also Postmaster of Brandon, having been appointed
by President Grant, and personally attends to both the post ofiice and the newspaper ofiice in
the same building. Although published in a small village, the Times has been supported with
more ,than the usual liberality, and would be a creditable paper for a much larger place. The
Times is now on its fifteenth volume and prosperous. It is now a seven-column folio, and has
been straight and strong Republican ever since owned by Mr. Short.
The New Cassel Clarion. — On the 15th of January, 1876, Dr. L. Eidemiller began the
publication, in the village of New Cassel, of a four-column local paper called the Clarion. It
was devoted entirely to local news and advertising, and although well p^atronized, the locality
considered, was discontinued before the end of the year.
The Waucousta Representative. — In November, 1869, Freeman Sackett and Spencer began
the publication of the Waucousta Representative, a four-column folio, devoted to local matters
exclusively in the town of Osceola. Mr. Sackett afterward became editor of the Phillips (Wis.)
Times, and Mr. Spencer owns a job printing oflBce in the city of Fond du Lac. The paper
was filled with original poetry, locals, "jokes," in shape of burlesque.advertisements and carica-
tures. These caricatures were executed on wood with a pocket knife by Byron Hall and Free-
man Sackett, and were richly enjoyed by the country-folk. The enterprise was not a paying
one and was comparatively short lived.
some op fond du lac county's illustrious dead.
Edwaed Pier
was a son of Calvin Pier, a tanner and currier, and later in life, a farmer, and was born in New
Haven, Addison Co., Vt., March 31, 1807. The maiden name of his mother was Esther
Evarts, and her father was a soldifer a short time in the Revolutionary war. Edward attended
school during the winter months after his seventh year, until he attained the age of twelve,
when his school days were terminated. He was early and thoroughly trained to work, and
probably no young Vermonter ever applied himself with more diligence to any and every task
assigned him, or was more faithful in the discharge of filial obligations. When he was twelve
years old his family moved to the town of Ripon, in his native county, and there Edward passed
his youth and early manhood, the whole household living in rustic simplicity. The house was
built in the woods overspread by forest trees, and its chimney was made of boards, and up
through it the children could look and see the birds which came to sing their morning songs.
In addition to farming, Edward learned to make and mend shoes, being his own teacher ;
for in those days on the Green Mountains, one of the great studies was how to save the hard-
earned money. Hoping to find land easier to cultivate than the soil of Vermont, but without
intending to slacken his industrious habits, Mr. Pier, on the 25th of August, 1834, started for
that part of Michigan Territory which is now the State of Wisconsin. Five years before, June
2, 1829, he had married Miss Harriet N. Kendall, of Rochester, Vt., who with courage and a
cheerful spirit, went with him to the land of the Menomonees and the Pottawatomies. Two
brothers, Colwert E. and Oscar, also accompanied him. They arrived at Green Bay in just
four weeks — a remarkably quick trip in those days. In the autumn of that year, Colwert, the
462 HISTOEY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
eldest of the three brothers, made a prospecting trip, extending into Illinois, and, in the summer
of' 1835, Edward made a still longer trip extend into Southern Illinois, where he purchased a
herd of cows and young cattle for Charles D. Nash, and drove them to Green Bay — a distance
of four hundred miles, much of the way through a country of bridgeless streams.
In February, 1836, the brothers, Colwert and Edward, visited the laid-out village of Eond
du Lac, then without a house or a settler. After Golwert had brought his family there, he was
visited by Edward, who was accompanied by his father. They left Green Bay on Jhe 20th of
June, 1836, and soon after arrived at Colwert Pier's, where they remained a few days and then
returned to the Bay. This was Edward Pier's second visit to Fond du Lad. In September, he
again visited his brother Colwert. The next December, learning that his brother was nearly out
of provisions, he started with a load but came near losing his life while crossing Lake Winne-
bago, by breaking through the ice with his hor^. He arrived at his brother's on the 21st of
December. It was his fourth visit to Fond du Lac in the year 1836.
In March, 1837, he settled near Fond du Lac Village. Fi'om that time forward • until
incapacitated by age, Mr. Pier was known as a hard-working and eminently successful man, both
in his agricultural pursuits and in his interests in manufactories and as a merchant. During
his life, he held several important public offices, which he filled satisfactorily, capably and honor-
ably. He was a member of the first Board of Supervisors (then known as commissioners) of Fond
du Lac County, and was President of that body for ten consecutive years. At different times,
he was elected County Treasurer, State Senator, and for ten years was chosen Superintendent
of the Poor. At one time, he held the important office of Trustee of the State Insane Asylum
at Madison. Besides these public offices, he filled the position of President of' two banks with'
■conscientious and scrupulous honesty and fidelity.
On the 21st of August, 1864, his wife breathed her last. Mr. Pier always claimed that
whatever he had been to the communify was directly attributable to his excellent companion.
He survived her a number of years, his death occurring on the 2d of November, 1877. He
left four children to mourn the loss of a kind, indulgent, affectionate and painstaking father —
Ann P., wife of J. W. Carpenter ; Kuth R., now Mrs. L. J. Harvey ; Carrie S., wife of H. R.
Skinner, and Colwert K., now (1880) President of the Savings Bank of Fond du Lac.
In Edward Pier's death, the people of Fond du Lac County sustained a loss. He closed
a life of usefulness and the public were touched when one was taken away who occupied so large
a space in their minds. He was a frank, genial man, and a public-spirited citizen. He was
prompt in his benefactions ; and when a life like his closes, it leaves a vacancy, not merely in
thefjimily circle and among closest friends, but among all those reached by the fame and name of
charitable deeds.
Nathaniel Pottee Tallmadgb,
was born in the town of Chatham, Columbia Co., N. Y., February 8, 1795. His father, Joel
Tallmadge, was a man of sterling integrity and incorrizptible patriotism. In the war of the
Revolution, he served his country with fidelity, and was present to witness the surrender of Gen.
Burgoyne in 1777. The family is of Saxon descent, as the name (originally ToUemache)
plainly indicates. According to Burke, " it has flourished with the greatest honors in an unin-
terrupted male succession in the county of Suffolk since the first arrival of the Saxons in
England, a period of more than thirteen centuries. ToUemache, lord of Bentley and Stoke
Tollemache in the county of Oxford, lived in the sixth century, and upon the old manor-house
of Bentley is still the following inscription :
" Before the Norman into England came,
Bentley was my residence and Tollemache my name."
At a very early age, the subject of this sketch displayed an earnest desire for knowledge,
and a perseverance in its pursuit that stops at no trifling obstacle. While yet at the district
school where the family resided, he chanced to get hold of an old Latin grammar and imme-
diately determined to master the language. He subsequently pursued his classical studies under
HISTOKY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 463
"the tuition of William H. Maynard, who at length became distinguished as a lawyer and states-
man. Young Tallmadge commenced his collegiate course at Williams College, in Massachu-
setts, where he remained nearly two years, when he removed to Schenectady, and finally gradu-
ated with honors in July, 1815. He commenced the study of law in Poughkeepsie, in the oiBce
of his kinsman. Gen. James Tallmadge, who then stood in the front rank of his profession. He
was a close student, and when other young men, professedly engaged in similar pursuits, were
returning home late at night from convivial assemblies, he might be seen alone, by the dim
light of his lamp, absorbed in his studies. At the age of twenty-three, he was admitted to the
bar. In 1824, he began to take an interest in political affairs, and, in 1828, was a member of
Assembly from Dutchess .County. In the same body were Elisha Williams, Erastus Root,
Francis Granger, Benjamin F. Butler, Luther Bradish, Ogden Hoffman, Robert Emmett and
others scarcely less distinguished. Mr. Tallmadge soon ranked with the most prominent mem-,
bers and, during the revision of the statutes, he took an active part, discussing with acknowl-
edged ability the most profound questions of political economy and jurisprudence.
In 1829, Mr. Tallmadge, at the earnest solicitation of his Democratic fellow-citizens,
reluctantly consented to be a candidate for the place made vacant by Peter R. Livingston, who
had gone over to the opposite political party. He was accordingly nominated and elected to
the State Senate without formal opposition. He took his seat in January, 1830, and soon
became distinguished as one of the ablest debaters in that body. He had always sustained the
canal policy of De Witt Clinton, and when a Chairman of the Committee on Canals was wanted
the choice fell on Mr. Tallmadge. At the same time, the subject of railroads began to attract
public attention in this country. No man in the State was better informed in respect to the
experiments in Europe than Mr. Tallmadge, and his information was embodied in an elaborate
report to the Senate, in which he discussed the feasibility of a railroad along the banks of the
Hudson, and intimated that travelers, in haste to reach their destination, would soon leave the
stream for the shore, and the spectator be " amazed at velocity which only lags behind the
celerity of thought." Twenty years elapsed and the Hudson River road was completed.
Before the expiration of his term in the State Senate, Mr. Tallmadge was elected United
States Senator for the term of six years, and entered upon the duties of that oflBce in December,
1833. He was the youngest member of that body, but his talents, both as a lawyer and legislator,
made him conspicuous even among the eminent orators and statesmen of the generation that
has just passed away. He exerted a powerful influence during the slavery agitation in Congress.
Mr. Calhoun maintained that the Senate should not receive the petitions for its abolition, either
in the District of Columbia or elsewhere. Mr. Tallmadge took a firm stand against him, insisting
that the people had an undoubted right to offer any petition to Congress, and that so long as
such petitions were couched in respectable terms, the Senate was bound to receive them. The
Senator from South Carolina could not let the matter rest, and at length Mr. Tallmadge, in a
masterly speech, took occasion to present the subject in its essential principles, its historical
relations and its practical' bearings. Mr. Van Buren was in the Chair and the Senate Chamber
was crowded with anxious listeners. Mr. Calhoun was not prepared to reply ; many Southern
Senators admitted the great force of the argument for the right of petition, and the President
of the Senate personally complimented Mr. Tallmadge for the sound discretion and distinguished
ability which characterized his speech. When Mr. Calhoun subsequently returned to the sub-
ject, he was promptly met and silenced by the Senator from New York.
It was near the close of his first term in the Senate that Mr. Tallmadge felt constrained to
oppose certain measures recommended by Mr. Van Buren, which excited the displeasure and
hostility of the latter. Mr. Tallmadge was not the man to be intimidated by denunciation or
diverted from the purpose inspired by his sense of duty. The controversy was pointed and
vehement. The press, in the interest of Mr. Van Buren's administration, charged Mr. Tall-
madge with political apostacy. The last personal interview between those gentlemen was char-
acterized by great freedom and not a little asperity of speech. The President insisted that the
Senator from New York did not comprehend the spirit and wishes of the people. " I will show
464 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
you," said Mr. Tallmadge, " that I do understand the people. I am one of them — born in the
same county with yourself. But I am much more recently from amongst them than you are.
You have been abroad, luxuriating on aristocratic couches, and mingling in lordly associations,
until you have forgotten what constitutes a republican people." " Well," rejoined Mr. Van
Buren, "we shall see." " Be it so," said the Senator from New York, " be it so, ' thou shalt see
me at Philippi.' "
Mr. Tallmadge did not misjudge in presuming that the public sentiment would sustain him.
The sympathies of the people were with him ; and on his return to New York from congres-
sional session, he was honored- with a grand ovation. An immense cavalcade met him at the
steamboat landing and escorted him thf-ough Broadway to the Astor House. The streets were
thronged and his presence excited the greatest enthusiasm. In the evening, he was honored with
a public reception- at National Hall.
, Mr. Tallmadge proceeded to organize the Democracy of New York with a view of prevent-
ing the re-election of Mr. Van Buren. This purpose was fully accomplished and in the suc-
ceeding national canvass the latter was defeated. Gren. Harrison was the Presidential candi-
date of the Whigs, and Mr. Tallmadge would have been the choice of the nominating conven-
tion for Vice President,^ but he declined the nomination. Had his personal ambition been
equal to his ability, he would doubtless have numbered among the Presidents of the United
States. In January, 1840, he was returned to the Senate of the United States from New York^
and his re-election was regarded as a triumph of principle over partisan restraints and the un-
scrupulous exercise of executive power. " We hail," said an influential paper, "the return of
of Mr. Tallmadge — the great conservative chieftain, who refused to quail beneath executive
denunciation and party ostracism — to the Senate of the United States, with the most profound
and heart-felt joy. It bespeaks the vitality of principle and the triumph of a righteous cause
in the land." Mr. Tallmadge was ofiered a seat in Gen. Harrison's cabinet, and subsequently
a foreign mission, both of which he declined. At the close of the session of 1844, Mr.
Tyler nominated him for the ofiice of Governor of Wisconsin Territory. He had just purchased;
lands near the village of Fond du Lac, with a view of making it a permanent home ; and, after
mature deliberation, he resolved to resign his seat in the Senate and accept the place offered him
by President Tyler. His nomination was at once unanimously confirmed by the Senate. Dur-
ing his Senatorial career, he served on the committees charged with management of the public
lands, on the Committee on Naval Aff"airs, and on that of Foreign Relations, on all of which
he displayed the same industry and ability. With the acceptance of the Governorship of Wiscon-
sin Territory and the entering upon the duties of that office, ended his career in the political arena,
outside of Wisconsin. In the United States Senate, he deserved arid was accorded an eminent
position. " His style," says a writer of the day, "is lucid and classical — he reasons with force
and energy. His language is copious, and his powers of illustration always apparent. His
speeches are frequently interspread with poetical allusions, which appear — not like awkward
strangers — but fitting with ease the context * * *• g^jj^ ^]jg subject-matter to which they are
applied. This is a legitimate exercise of the credit system in letters. Scholarship and literary
attainments are evident in everything that escapes him."
When he came to Wisconsin, the country well understood that some of the most important
reforms had received from him an earnest advocacy. It well knew that he was one' of the first
to urge a reduction in the rates of postage ; and that every beneficent measure — whether
designed to check executive usurpation, to enfranchise labor, 'or otherwise to guard the liberties
of the people and the sanctity of the law — received his cordial support. It could not forget his
indignant condemnation of every form of injustice, and his supreme devotion to principle ; nor
could it be unmindful of the intelligent and liberal influence he had exerted in public affairs,
and the large place he occupied in the public confidence and esteem.
" I find in my account-book," writes Gustav de Neveu, " that I commenced giving French
lessons on the 5th day of December, 1844, to a class composed of Miss Laura Tallmadge, John
Tallmadge, Mary and James Doty, and Fanny and James Conklin, at their respective homes.
HISTOET OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 465
alternating each week from house to house, and three times a week, teacher and pupils
meeting at the appointed house for the purpose. The three families lived about one and a half
miles apart, the house of Col. Conklin northernmost, on Section 7, Township 15, Range 18 ;
Gov. Doty, on south half of the same section, and Gov. Tallmadge, farther south, near the
north line of Section 19. The house of Gov. Doty, being in the middle, was about half a mile
from that of Col. Conklin, and not much over a mile from Gov. Tallmadge's.
" It is my impression," continues Mr. de Neveu, " that the family of the latter came here
in the summer of 1844, but that neither he nor his son Isaac, then unmarried and who was sec-
retary to his father during the latter's brief office as Governor of Wisconsin, were there at the
time.' The family occupied a large and, for that period, elegant and convenient log house, built
in anticipation of their coming by Harry Giltner. Grier Tallmadge was at West Point ; Miss
Louisa Tallmadge, afterward Mrs. Boardman, was at a female seminary. East (I think Mrs.
Willard's, at Troy, N. Y). There were then in the family Mrs. Tallmadge, nee Smith ; Miss
Laura, Miss Julia, afterward Mrs. A. G. Ruggles ; William and John. William died in that
house a year or two afterward, and was buried on a mound visible from his bed, and belonging
-to' the estate, in accordance with his request. This was the origin of the beautiful Rienzi Cem-
etery. William was its first occupant. The Governor then generously donated ten acres for the
purpose of a burying-ground, to a company who were to expend all the receipts for the sale of
lots in adorning and beautifying it. Accessions have been made by purchase since, both from
Gov. Tallmadge and from other parties, and the cemetery now contains, I think, about fifty-five
acres. It is beautifully located, commanding an extensive view of lake and prairie, as well as
of the city, to which it is easily accessible and about three miles distant.
" Mr. E. Beeson, who lives in Fond du Lac, tells me that he thinks Gov. Tallmadge's
family came in the spring or summer of 1844. They stopped at his house, then four miles
south of the city, on a Saturday evening, staying over night and the next day. The two boys took
down their guns in the morning, and Mrs. Tallmadge, who was then knitting, said to them : ' Do
you know, boys, that you are going to break the Sabbath ?' to which Mrs. Beeson remarked :
^ Why, Mrs. Tallmadge, what are you doing yourself?' This was a surprise, and Mrs. Tallmadge,
who had mechanically taken up her knitting without thinking of the day, put it by in a hurry.
" I believe that Governor Tallmadge spent much of his time in Washington in the early
years of his settlement here. Some seventy acres of prairie had been broken on the farm, the
fall preceding the arrival of the family, by his brother, William R. Tallmadge, and Cornelius
Davis, who afterward built a mill on the creek that runs through Section 7, near what was J. D.
Doty's residence. Gov. Tallmadge was considered a resident of this county to the time of his
death, in November, 1864. He died at his daughter's house, in Michigan. His remains were
brought to Fond du Lac, and he was buried by the side of his son and wife in the family lot in
Rienzi Cemetery."
Mr. Tallmadge reared a large family, consisting of Isaac S., W. D. (deceased, and the first
buried in Rienzi Cemetery, near Fond du Lac), Grier (who died a Captain in the rebellion), Mary,
Louisa, Laura, John, James, Julia T. (Mrs. A. G. Ruggles, of Fond du Lac) and Emily. His wife, '
Abbey Smith, daughter of Judge Isaac Smith, of New York, was one of the first women of
Wisconsin. She was a lady of culture and breadth, but gave a large share of her time to doing
good. Her charity was like rain — descended alike upon the just and the unjust. She loved
hospitality, too, nearly as well as her husband, and for some years joined Mr. Tallmadge in the
strife to see which should entertain most liberally and cordially — his own ample house or that
of his near friend and neighbor, John B. Macy.
The last few years of Gov. Tallmadge's life were spent in feeble health; and he resided some
of the time among his friends in the East. Just before he died, a visitor to his "forest home,"
■on the Ledge in the town of Empire, remarked that one who possessed such a home, ought to
live forever to enjoy it. " Oh," replied the Governor, " I have no idea of remaining here, I
am only pKeparing this for some one else, who has no better situation. I understand that up
there (looking toward heaven), where I am going, they have much finer places than this." He
466 HISTORY OF POND DU LAC COUNTY.
died at dusk after a beautiful sunset, while the leaves were falling from the' forest trees that
shaded his pleasant home, on the 2d of November, 1864, in the seventieth year of his age.
Before his death, Mr. Tallmadge prepared the manuscript for a biography of himself, suffi-
cient to make a large volume, and entrusted it to S. B. Brittain, of New York. It has not yet
been published.
The ashes of Nathaniel Potter Tallmadge rest on the top of the hill in the "old grounds"
of Rienzi Cemetery, about foUr miles from Fond du Lac, in a spot chosen by himself, when he
gave, free of cost, that portion of his farm for cemetery purposes.
James Duane Doty
was a native of Salem, Washington Co., N. Y., where he was born in 1799. In the year 1818,
he settled at Detroit, Mich.; and, a young lawyer of good repute, he was the next year admitted
to the Supreme Court of that Territory, and was the same year promoted rapidly to places of
public trust, being appointed Secretary of the Legislative Council, and Clerk of the Court.
Gov. Cass, in 1820, made his famous tour of the Great Lakes, and the Mississippi to its
source, traveling a distance of 4,000 miles with his party, in five bark canoes. Doty was
selected by the Governor to command one of the birch flotilla, C. C. Trowbridge and John H.
Kinzie each, having charge of another. The trip from Detroit to Mackinaw and the Sault Ste.
Marie consumed nearly ninety days, and was one of great difficulty and peril. It was on this
occasion that Gov. Cass, supported by his assistants and canoe-men, in the presence of the
assembled dignitaries of the fierce Chippewas, and in defiance of their menaces, pulled down
the British flag, which those Indians had displayed on the American side of the straits on his
arrival, and hoisted the Stars and Stripes in its place. Doty was present, and aided with his
own hands in displaying the American flag. The party left Detroit early in May, traversed the-
laikes, and reached the source of 'the Mississippi, held conferences with various Indian tribes,
and returned the last of November. Doty, besides having charge of one of the canoes, acted
as secretary of the expedition.
In the winter of 1822-23, Congress passed an "Act to provide for the Appointment of an
Additional Judge for the Michigan Territory," and to establish courts in the counties of Michili-
mackinac, Brown and Crawford ; these counties embracing, besides much other territory, all of"
what is now the State of Wisconsin. Prom the numerous applicants for the place. President
Monroe selected Doty for the new Judge.
In May, 1823, he was already on the way to his new circuit, accompanied by his wife,
whomhe had just married.
Doty lost no time in entering upon his duties as a Judge of a country sufficient in extent
for an empire. He repaired forthwith to Prairie du Chi.en, organized the judiciary of Crawford
County, and opened court. It was no easy task to inaugurate justice in these wilds, to create
sheriflfs, clerks and jurors out of half-breed Indian traders, voyageurs and couriers du hois ;■
but the tact, talent and perseverance of the young Judge prevailed. Doty had thought to make-
Prairie du Chien his resting-place, his home, but finally determined on a permanent residence at
Green Bay, where he resided twenty years.
The Judge proceeded to organize courts in Michilimackinac and Brown Counties, where he
found the inhabitants generally disposed to render every assistance in bringing a wild country
subject to law and order. The terms were held with regularity throughout the whole district. He-
continued to discharge his onerous duties for nine years, and until superseded by Judge Irwin,
in 1882. Relieved from the cares and responsibilities of the judgeship and courts, he immedi-
ately commenced, on his own resources, a personal examination, by repeated tours, of the coun-
try that now constitutes Wisconsin and Northern Illinois. It was then inhabitied and possessed.
largely by the aborigines. He visited every village of note, madetimself acquainted with, and.
gained the good will of, the chiefs, and contributed in no small degree to the good under-
standing which followed between the Government and these savage tribes.
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 467
In 1830, Congress made an appropriation for surveying and locating a military road from
Green Bay to Chicago and to Prairie du Chien. Doty and Lieut. Center were appointed Com-
missioners to survey and locate these roads.
Doty's talents for usefulness were now conceded and appreciated by all. The people of
the District of Michigan, west of the lake, elected him to the Legislative Council in 1834, in
which he served with marked ability for two years. It was while he was a member of that Ijody
that the policy of a State government began to be agitated. This he favored and he was the first
to introduce a measure looking to its accomplishment, which finally prevailed. Returning from
the Legislative Council, he became an active operator in the public land sales, which were
opened at Green Bay in 1835-36.
The rapid settlement of the country beyond the Great Lakes called for a new Territorial
government — a separation from Michigan. Congress passed the act creating the Territorial
government of Wisconsin in 1836. Henry Dodge received the appointment of Governor, and
assembled the first Legislature at Belmont. One of the most important matters brought
before that body, and to be settled by it, was the location of the seat of government. Doty,
though remaining in private life, had not been idle, and especially was not uninterested in this
matter of a capital for Wisconsin. There was great excitement over the matter in the Legis-
lature. While others were planning. Doty was acting. He appeared at Belmont as a lobby-
member; and almost before the Solons knew of it, by his superior tact had brought about a
vote fixing the seat of government at Madison. There was a good deal of sparring and fault-
finding with Doty and his management at the time, but all agree now that it was then, as it has
seen to be since, just the right place for the capital.
Wisconsin, as an organized Territory, had now a delegate in Congress. Doty succeeded
George W. Jones in 1838, and served till 1841, when he was appointed Governor of Wiscon-
sin by President Tyler, serving nearly three years, and was succeeded by N. P. Tallmadge.
While Governor and Superintendent of Indian Afiairs, the Indians in Minnesota — Sioux and
Chippewas — began to be uneasy and troublesome. The War Department instituted a com-
mission for conference with them. Doty, on account of his known acquaintance with Indian
character, was selected as Commissioner, and made two highly important treaties with the
Northwestern Indian tribes, which, however, were not accepted by the Senate.
He was a member of the first Constitutional Convention in Wisconsin in 1846 ; was
elected to Congress from the Third District under the State organization of 1848, and re-elected
in 1851, and procured by his industry and influence important legislation for the State and his
•constituency.
In 1853, he retired once more to "private life," to be recalled by President Lincoln in
1861, first as Superintendent of Indian Affairs, and subsequently as Governor of Utah; hold-
ing this last appointment at the time of his death, June 13, 1865. He lived in Fond du Lac
County, town of Empire, for two years — from 1844 to 1846 — when he removed to Menasha^
on Doty's Island, his last residence.
Maecellus Kent Stow
was a prominent and respected citizen of Fond du Lac County. He came from a stock famous
in Northern New York, in the early part of this century, for learning, wit and hospitality.
His father was Judge Silas Stow, of Lowville, Lewis Co., N. Y., one of the most brilliant men
of his day, an able lawyer and judge, and elegant classical scholar, a member of Congress in
1812, and the friend and compeer of Chancellor Kent, De Witt Clinton, Gen. Brady, Judges
Cowen, Carnes and other luminaries of that period.
In an old number of the Albany Evening Journal may be found this, mention of the old
Judge, his social station and surroundings : ■
" One of .the most hospital and generous of men. Numerous were the guests that thronged
the old ' Stow mansion ; ' the quiet village, nestled there in the north, and fringed with the
woods that inclosed Black River, was often graced with wit, learning and beauty that even a
468 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
metropolis might have envied. Fine equipages swept along the old ' State road ; ' song and
wine and wit and eloquence sparkled and flowed ; men of rank from Europe came there ;
scholars' from University halls; statesmen from the national councils ; soldiers who had gal-
lantly fou^t; women who had reigned as belles in brilliant circles far away."
"In such an atmosphere the subject of this sketch was born and reared, and he inherited and
bore through life, the high traits and characteristics of a noble sire.
There were three brothers of them, all distinguished for great native talent, high culture,
eloquence, judicial ability and integrity and eminent social gifts.
Hon. Horatio J. Stow was for many years a distinguished lawyer and Jiidge of the Record-
er's Court of Buffalo. He was a meml)er of the Constitutional Convention, and a State Senator
of New York in 1857.
Alexander W. Stow, many years ago Chief Justice of Wisconsin, and a resident of Fond
du Lac County, was, despite his eccentricities, a man of most wonderful mental powers and
attainments, a scholar and lawyer almost without a peer in our State annals, of the soundest
judgment and unblemished integrity.
Marcellus Kent Stow was, like all the sons of the " old Judge," educated to the legal pro-
fession, and was for several years an able and popular member of the Lewis and Jefferson
County bars, and Judge of the Jefferson County Court. Afterward he became actively
-engaged in shipping, banking and real-estate operations at Sacket's Harbor, then in its palmy days.
Some curious old documents preserved among his papers, while contributing facts to his
biography, illustrate strikingly the dignity of old-time ways as compared with our ''Young
American " idea of things.
One of these is an elaborate and formal military commission issued and signed by De Witt
-Clinton, Governor, sealed with "our seal for military commissions," the device of which is a
wonderful spread eagle perched on a globe, with the legend ''Excelsior " inscribed about the
margin. This document appoints and constitutes " Marcellus K. Stow, Judge Advocate of the
Twenty-sixth Brigade of Infantry of our State," and bears date April 12, 1825.
Another is a parchment diploma " by the Hon. John Savage, Chief Justice of the State
of New York," with the seal of the Supreme Court artistically attached by and on a white satin
" tag," and bearing date the 26th day of October, " in the year of our Lord one thousand eight
hundred and twenty-seven, in the fifty-second year of the Independence of the United States
of America." This document authorizes and licenses the said Marcellus K. Stow to appear and
practice in the Supreme Court as an attorney.
This is followed ten years later by a like parchment, dated April 4, 1837, " by the Hon.
R. Hyde Walworth, Chancellor of the State of New York," admitting and licensing Mar-
cellus K. Stow as a solicitor and counselor in the Court of Chancery of the State of New York.
These diplomas or licenses were only issued upon most rigid examination and proofs of
several years of professional study and prepariation. Now-a-days, the sweeping of a lawyer's
office for a few months, the exhibition of requisite " cheek," and subscription to a dog-eared
roll of attorneys in the Clerk's office develops a full-fledged barrister, authorized to practice in
law, chancery and all courts short of the high court of heaven.
Judge Stow married, at Brownville, Jefferson Co., N. Y., in October, 1837, Mary W.,
the daughter of Gen. Thomas Loomis, then and since a prominent man in the Black River sec-
tion of New York, and, in the year 1852, came with his wife and children to the city of Fond
du Lac. He purchased several tracts of land in Section 11, and erected the Stow homestead
in the oal^ grove on East Division street, where he resided continuously until his death in June,
1871. His widow, loved and respected by all, with two of the children. Miss Anna and James
W., yet occupy this old homestead.
He brought with him here and ever maintained the character of an able, upright, enter-
prising business man. His acquaintance was co-extensive with the population of this city and
county. Every one. knew him then and remembers him now as an exceptionally generous, genial
and hospitable gentleman.
FOND DU LAC.
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTS. 471
He was an honored member of the bar of Fond du Lac County, and, in 1865, was elected
Judge of the County Court, which position he filled with marked ability, dignity, integrity and
promptness, until his failing health compelled his resignation in 1868.
Then for four long weary years, cheered only by the devotion of a noble wife and loving
children, and the general friendship and sympathy of our community, he gradually but surely
failed in body and mind, lingering in the valley of the shadow of death until that evening in
June, his life went down with the sun as peacefully and gently as an infant falling asleep in its
mother's arms. He died June 10, 1871.
His surviving children are William L. Stow, Greneral Agent at Toledo, Ohio, of the Lake
Shore & Michigan Southern Railway Company; Mary E., wife of W. D. Conklin, of Fond du
Lac ; Fred D. Stow, General Central Agent of the Merchants' Dispatch Transportation Com-
pany, at Buffalo, N. Y.; Miss Anna P. Stow, and James W. Stow, Corresponding Clerk of the
First National Bank, at Fond du Lac.
John B. Macy.
The career of John B. Macy in Fond du Lac County was brief, if measured by years, but
it was rich in great events and colossal in work for the public. He was born in Nantucket,
R. I., March 25, 1799, and, after finishing the liberal education which all New Englanders in
easy circumstances receive, embarked at once in a series of heavy business transactions, contracts
and speculations, which ended only with his tragic death.
At the sale of the Fond du Lac Company's lands, Mr. Macy came to Wisconsin and made
heavy purchases of real estate, and, in 1850, moved with his family to the town of Empire,
near de Neveu Lake. He began building at once on a large scale, and although he soon had a
magnificent place, with stone archways, handsome drives and a large yard shaded by all the
trees common to Wisconsin forests and nurseries, continued the erection of buildings until his
death.
He was all activity and enterprise — a leading spirit in all the great undertakings of the
day. Perhaps no man did so much for the city of Fond du Lac, in the way of advertising the
location, wealth, health and future prospects of the place, as John B. Macy. Wherever he went,
he talked enthusiastically of the Fountain City, and always declared that before he reached his
hundredth birthday, it would contain 30,000 inhabitants and a half-dozen railroads. He cer-
-tainly did more than any other man to attract capital to Fond du Lac County, for it was through
his repeated visits to the East, and by virtue of his enthusiastic persistency that Robert J. Walker
and other heavy capitalists were induced to invest liberally in what is now the Chicago & North-
western Railroad, which had its beginning in the city of Fond du Lac. One great scheme no
sooner neared a successful consummation than he rushed into another. He planned and handled
the largest enterprise as easily as ordinary men do their most trivial every-day affairs.
In 1852, he was sent to Congress in order to be in a position to more rapidly help on his
railroad schemes and the Fox River improvement, but was defeated in 1854 for re-election on
account of what was termed his " un-Democratic action" on the Kansas-Nebraska bill.
Notwithstanding his large and perplexing business affairs, Mr. Macy found much time for
social gatherings. He loved whole-souled generosity, and his house was the scene of more
hospitality — dispensed with a peculiar aristocracy that showed a proud family and a good breed-
ing, at the same time with that cordiality and indiscrimination that made everybody, whether
rich or poor, not only welcome, but perfectly equal and at home — than any other in the county,
not excepting that of N. P. Tallmadge's.
Mr. Macy was drowned from the burning steamer Niagara, about one mile from Port Wash-
ington, on Lake Michigan, September 24, 1856. His body was never recovered.
He was a man of extraordinary physical development and of commanding presence, being
considerably over six feet in height, elegant in carriage, perfect in address and entertaining in
•conversation. He had two children — John B., who died in 1850, and Elizabeth B., who married
M. J. Thomas,. only to be left a widow in November, 1859, by reason of the Bellville disaster,
472 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
where Mr. Thomas, then United States Marshal, was killed. She' now resides in Buffalo, N.
Y., but without any relatives belonging to the Macy family.
The quaint but ample homestead erected by Mr. Macy is now owned and occupied by David
Giddings. It is but a few rods from de Neveu Lake and attracts the attention of all visitors
and travelers.
Mason C. Darling
was born in Amherst, Mass., in May, 1801, of old Puritan Yankee stock. His family settled
in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. He graduated at Berkshire Medical College, Pittsfield,
and practiced in Greenwich, Amherst and adjoining towns.
In 1823, he married Naomi Ingram, of Amherst. He was sent for several terms as Rep-
resentative to the Legislature of Massachusetts. In 1837, beitig obliged to quit practice, on
account of ill health, he emigrated to Sheboygan, Wis., where he held some lands and interest
in mill property, in connection with R. B. Marcy (now Brigadier General of United States
Army). In 1838, he exchanged his property at Sheboygan, with J. D. Doty, for property at
Fond du Lac, Wis., and settled there in 1838 ; his family arriving there in June of the same
year.
At Fond du Lac, his property was south of and adjoining the old Fond du Lac Company
plat, and he owned also an interest in the Fond du Lac property. He platted his land, built
upon it, gave away lots for schoolhouses. Court House site and grounds, churches, for merchants,
mechanics, lawyers and doctors, and, in the course of a few years, he found a thrifty village growing
around him. Meantime, he practiced medicine, kept a public house for travelers, entered lands
for settlers, built houses and stores for citizens and business men, gave away much of his pro-
perty to induce settlers and improvements, and lived to see his village grow into the city of
Fond du Lac.
He Was a man not without faults, but with many excellent qualities. He had his friends
and enemies, as all men of positive qualities will have.
From 1840 to 1847, he was chosen a member of the Territorial Legislature. In 1846-47,
he was chosen Speaker of the House. In 1847-48, he was elected to the Council of the Ter-
ritorial Legislature. In 1848, he was elected a member of Congress from the Second District
of Wisconsin. He was the first Mayor of Fond du Lac.
In 1864, he removed io Chicago, where he had business and investments, and, in 1866, he
died' there of diphtheria, and was buried in Bienzi Cemetery, Fond du Lac, in sight of the city
which he had founded. For a number of years before his death, he was a member of the Con-
gregational Church at Fond du Lac, and was A consistent member of it at the time of his death.
Whether wisely or not, the inception, the start and growth of Fond du Lac as it is, was
due largely to the shrewdness, vigor, energy and watchful care of Mason C. Darling. But for
his gifts of lots for various purposes, the city, would possibly have been built at Taycheedah.
Henry Conklin
was born in 1794, near Poughkeepsie, Dutchess Co., N. Y. He received a common-school
education, commenced business as a merchant at Poughkeepsie, and soon after became propri-
etor of the Main Street Docks and engaged extensively in the forwarding and shipping trade
on the Hudson River. He was the cotemporary and friend of Cornelius Vanderbilt in the-
North River steamboating and transportation enterprises of fifty years ago. He was one of the-
founders of the " up-river" whaling trade, and built the first (and we believe only) three whal-
ing-ships, with their apartment docks, oil-houses, etc., at Poughkeepsie. He also developed
the iron-ore beds at Bbekman and Amenia, organized companies, built furnaces and inaugurated
and carried on, at that day, an extensive shipping trade in pig iron, etc., with the old Albany
and Troy stove and iron manufactories.
He held several local ofiices, and represented Dutchess County in the New York Legislature
several terms, as a Henry Clay Whig. The anti-tariff disturbances and financial crashes of
1838-40 shattered the handsome fortune his energy and enterprise had built up, and led him to-
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 473
seek new fields in the Far West. After spending the summer of 1841 in prospecting the wil-
derness of the Northwest, he, in the fall of that year, gathered together the remnant of his fort-
une, his family and household goods, and emigrated to this, the spot he had selected for his
future home. We thought then that "out West" was easily accessible, compared with the
means of transportation within the reach of our grandfathers. Yet, the subject of this sketch,
with ample means to use the fastest lines, by steamboat to Albany, by canal to Buffalo, by " the
stanch and fast upper-lake steamer Columbus," to Green Bay, by Durham boat up the Fox River
and Winnebago Lake, only got his family and " plunder " into their " diggins " after a month's
toil and travel.
Col. Conklin, as he was then, in accordance with the custom of the country, called, and
which title he bore and was always known by, brought with him his indomitable pluck, enter-
prise and business habits, together with perhaps more capital in cash than was then possessed
by the whole county besides. He settled first at the big spring, under the Ledge, where Sherift
Colman now resides, built the old log house, since moved and now standing on the west side of
the highway just beyond Colman's. This house was a palace in those days. The first house
with real shingles, with pine floors, board partitions and " pinted-up " with real lime mortar —
luxurious materials, all carted from Green Bay or Fort Howard, over the old military and
Doty road.
He entered large tracts of land in Empire, Byron, Oakfield and on Calumet prairie ;
started several farms, built the first grist-mill, the " Mountain Mill," three miles east of the
city of Fond du Lac, and afterward built the Oakfield Mills. He drove overland from Ohio
the first large flock of sheep to this county, and distributed them amongst the few farmers then
settled and settling here.
He stocked and fltted up the first extensive dairy farm in this part of the county, each
1,000 acres of land with fifty to one hundred cows ; three barrel churns, worked by machinery
with horse or dog power, after the old style, before cheese and butter factories were dreamed of.
Ever liberal, active, sanguine, he invested his means in, or lent a helping hand to, many
of the pioneer exterprises of our county, connected with farming, milling and stock-raising on
a large scale — eschewing his old ventures in the mercantile and city lines of business. His
ideas were, like those of many pioneers, in advance of his times. With the then limited mar-
kets, machinery and transportation, a successful Dalrymple wheat farm or Colorado stock ranche
was impracticable if not impossible.
His Whig principles found no congenial clime in this red-hot Loco-foco section, and it is
believed he never, after an early day, aspired or interested himself, much in politics.
He was, with his good wife, a faithful, consistent Christian, and member of the Baptist
denomination, and prominent among the founders and supporters of the first Baptist Church of
Fond du Lac.
After about 1856, he lived a quiet, retired life, in the city of Pond du Lac ; suffered long
from ill health, culminating in paralysis and softening of the brain, and died in the year 1868,
aged seventy-four years.
Many an old settler is indebted to the kind heart and open hand of the " old Colonel " for
a quiet lift or a fair start in life here, and the memory of his genial disposition and manly
character is green in the hearts of all our surviving pioneers, as well as many of the later
generation.
Allie Arnold Ceawtokd
was born in the city of Fond du Lac February 10, 1850. She was the only daughter of Leon-
ard and Lucy Arnold. Her life measured but a brief space in years. It is seldom one meets
a person who combined so many noble qualities, and who possessed no bad ones. She was
respected and loved by, and had the confidence of, all classes. The poor man, woman or child
received a greeting as cordial as was extended to the rich and refined. , Nothing could induce
her to utter a word or do an act that would wound the feelings of any one. Nothing gave her
more pain than to think that a word or deed of hers could be construed as conveying a slight
474 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
offense. She was a pure-souled, tender-hearted, sweet-tempered, large-minded, noble woman.
No one could become acquainted and converse with her without feeling that he was in "the pres-
ence of a person far above the average. Modest, unassuming, great — great in intellect, good-
ness of heart, purity of character, and in all that goes to make up a perfect type of a woman.
She graduated from the high school in 1867, with the highest honors. It was about this
time that one of her essays attracted general attention, and was pronounced by many as one of
the best written papers that had come from the pen of a Wisconsin student. She had written
many poems previous to that, some of which were published and well received. F^om the date
of her graduation up to within a month or two before her death, she wrote a great deal, both
prose and poetry. Commencing with the Fond du Lac press, it was but a short time until she
was requested to write for some of the foremost papers and magazines in the country. Her
productions always commanded a good price. During the three last years of her life, she was
a regular contributor to the Christian Union, the Qhristian at Work, Harper s Weekly, the
New York Independent, the Chicago Advance and various other papers. Her "Easter Morn-
ipg," published in Harper's Weekly, was highly praised by some of the best authors in the
country. Had her physical strength equaled her mental, and had her life been spared, Mrs.
Crawford would have become one of the very first among the long list of lady writers in Amer-
ica. Her loss to the home circle, the social and literary world, and to humanity, was very
great. She died at Traverse City. Mich.
The words " Allie Arnold is dead," sank deep into the hearts of every man, woman and
child who knew her. They felt that they had met a great loss. Never was sorrow more genu-
ine. One of earth's purest gems had passed over to that other and better world.
Mrs. Crawford left a devoted, grief-stricken husband, mother and brother to mourn the loss
of one they loved with all their hearts. Mrs. Arnold, her mother, was at her bedside for
months, ministering to her every want as only a mother could. She left one child, a beautiful
little girl six months old.
" She was," says a writer, "at a very tender age deprived by death of her father's guard-
ianship, and early became to her widowed mother and younger brother, not only the loving
daughter and affectionate sister, but their counselor, comforter and sustainer.
" As the truest instincts of the human heart, either in individuals or as public sentiment,
demand ' honor to whom honor is due,' so, at school and in social life, the highest honors were
royally and gratefully accorded to her. Her marriage to Mr. Charles A. Crawford, of Traverse
Citys Mich., took place on September 8, 1872. From this time until her death, two years
later, Traverse City was her home. The transfer of homes brought no loss to the flower, and
friends, new and old, wondered at the marvelous florescence of brain and heart.
" But it was through her graceful and gifted pen that the light from her beautiful soul-life
went gleaming away in every direction beyond the circle of those who could receive the inspira-
tion from personal association. She seemed to have divined — perhaps unconsciously — that our
ideals must be, to a great extent, personally incarnated in order to accomplish the greatest good
upon human heart ; so brain and heart were mutual helpers, and the young life was full of
promise and prophecy, the fulfillment of which was growing daily more beautiful until the steps
began to falter, and even then the life-work went on, for the true 'Allie ' — the clear mind and
pure, loving heart— did not falter.
" The amount of work she accomplished was something marvelous. She was, for years, a
regular contributor to the Fond du Lac papers, also a frequent contributor to Harper's Weekly,
the Advance, the Christian at Work, the Christian Union, and other prominent papers.
" The numerous regretful and appreciative press notices of her death, in these and other
papers, attest the high esteem in which her writings are held.
"Among the many beautiful poems found in her published volume, 'A Few Thoughts for
a Few Friends,' all deserving of high praise, we may name ' Blind Handel,' ' The Gates Ajar,'
' The Forest Easter,' and 'After the Storm,' as having received special commendation and ful-
filled a special mission. Her writings are truly a precious legacy to her little daughter.
HISTOllY or FONB DU LAC COUXTY. 475
" The praise which was most grateful to her was not admiration of her genius ; it- was to
know that her words had quickened lives to higher and purer purposes, and that she had inspired
others to 'make stepping-stones of their dead selves to better things.' "
Edwin H. Galloway.
The subject of this sketch was a native of Harrisburg, Lewis Co., N. Y., where he was
born April 12, 1825. His father, Charles Galloway, was a farmer by occupation, and ranked
high as a citizen and neighbor. Edwin, in his younger days, was sent with the other children
to the district school, but subsequently finished his studies at the Lowville Academy. At the
close of school, he entered the employ of a merchant of Lowville, where he remained two years.
At the age of twenty-three, of slight physical build, with poor health and with money capital
hardly equaling his necessary traveling expenses, he started westward, locating at Fond du Lac
in the spring of 1848. The place then was but a small village, known to but few, but speedily
destined, with such citizens as yoiing Galloway, to develop its resources — to spring forth into
prominence, prosperity and importance. Recognizing at a glance the natural advantages sur-
rounding Fond du Lac, he commenced early to operate in real-estate, and followed it success-
fully for many years. A short time only he tried the mercantile business, dropping it to take
up lumbering in all its various and extensive branches. In this and his real estate business he
continued until 1866, when by reason of poor health, which forbade the active employment nec-
essary in carrying on a business embracing numerous large enterprises, he commenced gradually
to withdraw his investments and reduce his aifairs to within the limit of his physical strength.
For ten years previous to his death, he was a large stockholder and one of the managers of the
Savings Bank of Fond du Lac, of which institution he was Vice President at the time of his
decease.
Although for nearly twenty-five years, Mr. Galloway ranked among the most active and
successful business men of the State, his well-known social qualities — his good nature and uni-
form gentlemanly deportment, seem never once to have left him. In this particular he was quite
remarkable; Always kind, considerate and attentive, rich and poor alike sought his counsel and
aid, and they never sought in vain. His genial temperament could never be destroyed by the
annoyances or cares of business strife. He was peculiarly a domestic man — devotedly attached
to home and family. He was always to be found at his office or at the family fireside, the only
exception to his rule being on occasions when, having accepted some of the numerous public
positions so continually urged upon him, the performance of official duties necessitated his absence
from both — a condition requiring the keenest sacrifice on his part. He served two terms in the
Legislature ; several terms as Chairman of the County Board of Supervisors ; was City Treas-
urer of Fond du Lac and its Mayor ; and served the public in various other capacities. In 1871,
he was strongly supported for the Republican nomination for Governor, but peremptorily declined
being a candidate. A leading, and perhaps the leading characteristic of the man was his almost
unlimited benevolence and seemingly unbounded charity to the poor. During a quarter of a
century at Fond du Lac, whenever any society, enterprise, or project having in view the well-
being of the community, needed aid or encouragement, it always found a ready and bountiful
friend in Mr. Galloway. Toward the poor, toward those in trouble, those sick or in distress,
his action and sympathies were like a father, intent in doing all that lay in his power to relieve
and make happy. He was married, November 5, 1850, to Maria H. Adams, whom he left a
widow (and who still survives him) with four children — a son and three daughters. He died in
the town of Fond du Lac May 7, 1876. His memory is cherished as one of the oldest, most
respected, and best-loved citizens of Fond du Lac County.
Egbert Flint
was born in Wyoming County, N. Y. He studied law with John C. Spencer, in Canandaigua,
and afterward practiced his profession in Buffalo for many years, winning, on merit, a fine
476 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC C0U:NTY.
reputation as counselor and pleader. He came West with J. R. Doolittle in 1850, choosing his
location at Fond du Lac, which was afterward his residence to the time of his death. Doolittle, as
is well known, settled at Racine. Mr. Flint had determined to make the West his home because
he liked the enterprising character of its people, and for the benefit of his health. Asthmatic
difficulties had already interfered greatly with his public speaking, and the disease had obtained
too firm a seat to be removed. He finally practically abandoned the practice of so much of his
profession as demanded argument, but always kept an office and conducted business in the other
departments of his calling.
In 18^^, Mr. Flint entered into the contest for the Circuit Judgeship, but was beaten by a small
majority. In the spring of 1860, he was elected County Judge, and, four years after, re-elected,
serving with great satisfaction. Throughout his whole life he was very studious, and this is true
not only as to matters of legal information, but in regard to scientific, historical, and other sub-
jects. He read extensively and took notes of suggestions and impressions thereby derived dur-
ing his lifelong application. It was a pleasure that never grew dull for him, to delve for riches
of knowledge among books. He had a fine library in the line of his profession ; and so gener-
ously did he appreciate its worth that he kindly invited young attorneys whose legal books were
few, freely to refer to his large collection. Many of the lawyers of Fond du Lac will ever
remember the cordial welcome given them by him when they most needed encouragerpent and
advantages which they did not possess.' A large number were once students in his office.
The health of Judge Flint had been broken for some years — numerous physical afflictions
taking, successively, a hold upon him, and finally conquering his powerful constitution. In the
accident on the North-Western Railway occurring to the first through train from Fond du Lac,
he sustained severe injuries to one of his limbs. Some two years before his death, he was severely
hurt by falling down a flight of stairs, and this was the initial trouble to those which followed. He
belonged to a long-lived family. His father had been dead only two or three years, when,- on Feb-
ruary 17, 1877, he departed this life. He was buried in Rienzi Cemetery, near the city of Fond
du Lac. He was a man honored and respected as a citizen, worthy as a lawyer, and valuable
as a friend.
Mrs. S. W. Beall.
Mrs. Samuel W. Beall, nee Elizabeth Fenimore Cooper, was born at Cooperstown, Otsego
Co., N. Y., in 1814. Her father, Isaac Cooper, was the son of Judge Cooper, the founder
of the place to which his name was given, and brother of James Fenimore Cooper. Her mother
was Mary Morris, grand-daughter of Lewis Morris, one of the signers of the Declaration of
Independence, and niece of Gov. Morris, of Morrisania. ^
Her youth was passed at her native place, which, even at that time, by its natural beauty
and picturesque surroundings, gave promise of the exceptional place it now occupies among the
most beautiful of American cities, fully justifying the good taste and foresight of the clever and
cultivated pioneers in choosing such a spot for a home for themselves and their descendants.
In May, 1827, she was married to Samuel W. Beall, of Frederick, Md., a descendant of the
Randolphs of Virginia.
In June of the same year, she came to Green Bay, Mr. Beall having been appointed Receiver
of Public Moneys at the Land Office., Green Bay was at that time in the Territory of Mushi-
gan and little more than a military post, and had few attractions to ofier to a young, delicate
and tenderly reared lady, like Mrs. Beall. But, during her residence of about four years in
the society which began to gatiier about the fort as a nucleus, she was both its inspiring and
presiding genius, and displayed from the beginning a rare ability in devising and pushing to
success the charitable purposes of her life.
She was chiefly instrumental in founding the first Christian society, the church known to-day
as the First Episcopal Church of Green Bay. She wrote the first New Year's address, and
with her pen helped sustain the first newspaper.
The advantages for rapidly amassing a fortune having enabled Mr. Beall to retire from
business, Mrs. Beall with her husband and children, returned to Woodside, on the shore of
IUSTOB.Y or FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 477
Otsego Lake, near Cooperstown. Here the lavish hospitality of Mr. Beall and the graces of
Mrs. Beall, attracted to her elegant and spacious mansion Fenimore Cooper, Washington
Irving, and whatever was best in Eastern New York.
But, the financial crisis of 1837 having made great inroads upon the ample fortune of
Mr. Beall, he accepted a lucrative Government appointment and returned to Green Bay, and
thenceforward Mrs. Beall identified herself for life with the interests of Wisconsin, easily
resuming in the then thriving Western town the social position she was wont to fill so well in
the small circle about the old fort, and, applying herself anew and with added interest to her
many charities ; and the incidents of her social life and her works have been among the pleasant-
est reminiscences of the older inhabitants of " The Bay."
Mrs. Beall was a few years at Green Lake, where Mr. Beall was engaged in agriculture
upon some of his lands. And when, in 1847, she removed to Taycheedah, at the southern
extremity of Lake Winnebago, her family contained seven children, three sons and four daugh-
ters. Here she organized and superintended a Sunday school, and, mainly by her personal
efibrts, kept up public religious services, and devoted much of her time to works of active Chris-
tian charity.
But, to the demands upon her patriotism during the great civil war, she responded with her
all. Her husband and sons were in the army, and Mrs. Beall herself by the bedside of the sol-
diers in the military hospital.
Upon her removal to Fond du Lac in 1-867, she began her great work of building up the Home
for the Friendless, and was its President until her failing strength made it necessary to resign
that position and accept the Vice Presidency. At the time of her decease, in February, 1879,
she was one of the Trustees of this benign institution, which she had placed upon a secure foun-
dation.
William Plockee
was born at London, England, May 28, 1811. His father was a Hollander, who spelled his
name Plokker, and his mother was an English lady.
He was educated and brought up in Amsterdam, Holland. He left there as recorded
above, landing at Boston July 1, 1827. In 1829, he moved to Orleans County, N. Y., and
engaged in farming, teaching and clerking. In 1839-40, he was Collector of canal tolls at
Brockport, N. Y., and later, cashier in Buffalo and Albany of the Western Transportation
Company. In 1845-47, he was clerk and then Master of the fine steamer Wiskonsan, plying
between Buffalo and Chicago. From this he obtained the title of" Captain, by which he was
always afterward known. In 1847, he settled at Fairwater, Fond du Lac County, where he
thereafter lived and accumulated a competence. Be was Supervisor of Metomen many years.
Chairman of the County Board in 1857, Town Clerk some years, and a member of the Assem-
bly in 1875.
He is well remembered in Fond du Lac. His slow, steady walk, as with hands clasped
behind him he carefully scanned many times over the architecture, signs and features of every
building as he passed, marked him at once with every person. He loved to take dinner at the
American House, and when he visited his niece, Mrs. James Spence, which was often, he
hardly ever failed to spend a day at the residence of Mrs. Keyes Darling, being an old friend
to both Mrs. Darling and her husband. He was a great lover of bezique, and loved to visit
those who played his favorite game.
Singularly enough, he returned to Boston to die, the place where he first set foot upon
American ground. He loved America and praised her people and Government wherever he
went. While returning from a concert in Boston on the evening of December 11, he fell while
on a street car and died without speaking, December 20, 1878.
His will was remarkably clear and concise, and written in that elegant hand which, even
after three-score years had passed, was the pride of the " Captain." The special cash legacies of
the will amounted to about ^6,000, and the remainder of his large property was divided ratably
478 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTX-
*
among his sisters and brother, or their heirs. The special legacies were, however, to all appear-
ances, bestowed upon faithful servants or cherished frienda — no one whom he loved being for-
gotten.
To the Wisconsin State Historical Society he bequeathed his copy of the Nuremberg
Bible, described hereafter.
To H. T. Henton, a favorite spy-glass.
To Charles Forbes, his collection of coins, which comprises many rare and valuable ones.
To R. C. Kelley, of Brandon (whom he paid the high compliment of making his executor
without bond). Harper's Monthly, bound, from the beginning.
To Mrs. George Todd, his niece, twelve volumes of rare books not otherwise bequeathed.
To Mrs. Cornelia Spence, of Fond du Lac, his niece and sister to Mrs. George Todd,,
"the contents of his leather trunk."
To James Spence, of A. Spence & Son, Fond du Lac, husband of his niece Cornelia,^
Harper s Weekly, complete; London News, complete, and numerous rare novels collected,,
arranged and bound by him.
To Francis McK. Plocker, his nephew, manuscript book of "Anecdotes and Comicalities,"
in his own handwriting, and further described below.
To Charles P. Knapp, his Patent Office Reports, which were complete from the time the
first report was issued.
To Cornelia Spence, "above named, the same," in addition to other things, a peculiar and
valuable silk quilt, wrought in ancient times in an Italian nunnery. This quilt was the gift of
a priest whom Mr. Plocker had befriended.
The document ends in rhyme —
"In witness whereof I hereunto
My hand and seal have set,
In presence of those whose names
Below subscribe and witness it."
Then follows the signature of William Plocker.
"This will was published, sealed and signed.
By the testator in his right mind ;
In presence of us who at his request
Have written our names these facts to attest."
Then follow the signatures of C. P. Knapp, Leander Ferguson and William D. Ash..
In one clause of the will is disclosed a bit of the tenderest romance, strongly characteristic of
the fidelity and constancy of the man, which, as the party interested is now living in the county,
will not be mentioned further. Suffice it to say it furnishes one of the reasons why he lived
and died an old bachelor.
His collection of stereoscopic views number over five hundred, and covered the places most
interesting to him in Europe and America. Many of them were very fine.
The Nuremberg Bible, bequeathed in the will to the State Historical Society, is a book
about 18x12 inches, and six inches in thickness. It is heavily bound in what appears to be
thick, whitish hog-skin, and is in perfect condition, although printed in 1710. It is in good
German, printed on thick, yellow paper which looks as if it might have been made of wheat
straw and water — the straw not finely cut — as it undoubtedly was. The title-page is in glaring
red ink, which has not faded, apparently, in the least. All the principal events are finely but
quaintly illustrated by steel engravings. Many of the passages are greatly dissimilar from the
corresponding ones in modern Bibles, the fault, probably, of translating into German.
His scrap-book is of absorbing interest. On the first page is a yellow leaf of paper on
which is written in brown ink and in the " Captain's " clear hand, the following :
" Left Amsterdam on the 5th of April, 1827, at 7 o'clock in the morning. Left the Helder
on the 8th of April, 1827, at 4 o'clock in the morning. Arrived in London on the 12th of April,
1827, at 2 o'clock in the afternoon. Left London on the 13th of May, 1827, at 2 o'clock in
the afternoon. Arrived in Boston on the 1st of July, 1827, at 4 o'clock in the morning."
HISTOET OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 47&
Everything he ever did is thus accurately noted down. His father paid his passage
money for the trip here mentioned, -ijut in order to gratify his desire for information, he worked
before the mast as a common seaman. This " scrap-book " contains all the notes he ever gave
and receipts for all the money expended by or for him. He must have been an honest man, or he
would not have dared thus to preserve for the public the record of every act of his life ! Among
other receipts is one for board, washing, room-rent and fires at the Park Hotel, Madison, for
$129.70 in full, and signed by M. H. Irish. This amount included all his expenditures while in
Madison as Assemblyman from the First District. This was the only time the Captain ever
was in the Legislature. On the middle pages of the book, which is a large one, are bills of
various denominations of all the insolvent State banks, as well as counterfeit bills on those and
other banks — each marked " fraud," " failed," or " counterfeit," as the case might be, with the
date of issue or failure. Among these — and there are very many of them — is a counterfeit on
the Wisconsin Fire and Marine Bank, of Milwaukee, dated July 4, 1847, and signed by Alex-
ander Mitchell. It must have cost some time and money to collect even these bank bills.
Further on may be found page after page of signatures. These comprise almost all the promi-
nent men of the county and State — many of them marked, as is the signature of Gen. Halbert
E. Paine, " a good friend of mine ;" or " an honest man," or " good business man," as he might
know the different men. He has also at least a thousand signatures of such persons as Jeff
Davis, Mrs. L. H. Sigourney, Lincoln, John G. Saxe, Fillmore and the leading authors, states-
men and poets, beginning from the earliest colonial times. When or how he became possessed
of them he left nothing to indicate. The signatures of the prominent county and State men
were evidently clipped from business or other letters received during the last twenty-five years.
Further on in this scrap-book, appear to be all the letters he had ever received, many of them
fifty years old and written in various languages. Also all the receipted bills of expenses in his
European travels. These bills are all modest.
The manuscript book of " Anecdotes and Comicalities," mentioned in the will, is one of
the most interesting in the whole collection. All the incidents, stories, jokes, anecdotes and
peculiarities of all he ever knew, are recorded in his own hand in the quaintest, drollest manner
imaginable. Sometimes an anecdote is written in the form of a snake, or like a triangle, or a
house, parallelogram, crescent, full circle, star or whatever at the time seemed to strike his fancy.
Every letter and mark of punctuation is perfect throughout. Probably no other book was ever
written like it in the worldl It is quaint, interesting and valuable. He had also a large num-
ber of Chinese and Pacific Island curiosities, some of them not to be duplicated in any antiquar-
ian in the country. He saved, arranged systematically and properly marked, everything coming
into his possession. All his newspaper, secret society and other receipt papers were arranged
in groups, and all the papers received from the federal Government, and so on, in other groups.
The Fort Wilkins Agate, one of the greatest newspaper curiosities extent, was found care-
fully preserved. The first copy is dated July 4, 1846. It is a folio, and all printed with a
quill pen. It is as fine as ordinary bourgeois type. The name of the editor and printer could
not be learned, but from the peculiar expressions it may be presumed to be the work of the
Captain. He had also carefully preserved his first commission as Postmaster of Fairwater, which
is signed by Cave Johnson as Postmaster General, and dated July 1, 1848. His collection
of postage and revenue stamps was also large and valuable.
William K. Tallmadge
was born in Schennectady, N. Y., February 12, 1800. He went with his father to Tioga
County, N. Y., then a wilderness, in early boyhood, where he grew to be a man and engaged
in business. He was first a farmer and then a lumberman, and one of the most energetic and
extensive dealers of that day. He remained in business in Tioga until the crash of 1837, when
he failed. Two years before he made the West his home, he came and looked over the ground,
and, in 1844, came directly to Fond du Lac County, which has ever since been his place of
residence. He was married first to Miss Laura, daughter of Russell Gridley, a prominent man
480 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
of Tompkins County. The fruits of this union were three children — Russell Gr. Tallmadge, of
Fond du Lac ; Kelsey D., who died some years ago, and Sarah, now Mrs. Robert Conklin, of
Peebles Corners. The mother of these children died about forty years ago. Several years after,
he married Sarah T. Reeve, of Goshen, N. Y., by whom he^had four children; three are still
living — Helen, now Mrs. W. Northam, Calumet ; and Mary and William, both single and living
at the old homestead. Maj. Tallmadge had some distinguished brothers — N. P., was Governor
of Wisconsin when it was a, Territory, and was fourteen years United States Senator from New
York ; Daniel was one of the best lawyers in New York City, where he was afterward on the
Supreme Bench ; the other members of the family were Joseph, Dr. Joel, Sutherland, Franklin,
Mary and Hannah.
Dr. Joel, Gov. N. P., Franklin and Maj. W. R. settled near Fond du Lac, in Fond du Lac
County, and all raised large families. A quarter of a Century ago, almost every other man met
in the vicinity Fond du Lac was a Tallmadge.
Among the more prominent nephews and nieces, as they can be easily recalled, are : Mrs.
A. G. Ruggles, Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Tallmadge, Mrs. Delany and William Tallmadge, of Fond
du Lac; J. J. Tallmadge, Calumet; Mrs. Laura Galloway and Henry Tallmadge, Eau Claire;
L S. Tallmadge, New York City; Mrs. Mary L. Baldwin and Mrs. Emily Tallmadge, Chicago;
■Solomon A. Horseheads, New York; Eric, Elkhart Lake, Wis.; Franklin, Los Angeles, CaL;
Butler, San Francisco, and Mrs. Francis Campbell, Winona, Mi'nn.
The Major first broke ground near Rienzi Cemetery, the original plat of which was a gift
to Fond du Lac by Gov. N. P. Tallmadge ; both were buried there. Next, he and Conklin
bought and inclosed 1,200 acres wherfe J. C. Lyons now lives, in Empire. From this place, the
Major, moved to Calumet and purchased a large farm. On it he lived and labored, building a
large house and enjoying fruitful, well-tilled acres. About thirty years ago, he sowed 600 acres
of winter wheat — a great undertaking for that time — which proved from cold weather a total
failure. This, with the death of his son Kelsey, a stirring, energetic man, was a blow from
which he never fully recovered. He was the projector, of the Green' Bay and Taycheedah plank
•road, a portion of which he built., He and J. R. Tallmadge also built the Empire Cemetery and
Milwaukee gravel roads under contract, losing some money by the operation.
If Maj .' Tallmadge had been endowed with many unpleasant faults, he lived long enough in
Tond du Lac to have them thoroughly found out. But he was not thus endowed. He was a
.man of the greatest charity, broad, liberal views and unbounded hospitality. He loved a full
house and a bountifully spread table, and generally had both. He was in no sense an "old
fogy," but read the latest literature and embraced the freshest and most progressive ideas. Few
men have taken part in more or greater changes in Wisconsin than Maj. Tallmadge, and few
left a cleaner record. He died January 2, 1879, at his home in the town of Calumet.
James Monroe Gillet
"was born at Le Roy, N. Y., April 21, 1821, in a country beautiful and wild with hills and rich
with orchards and vines. He went to a common district school, and at EUicottville, then as
now the county seat of his native county, until he was thirteen years of age. Thereafter, he
worked summers and taught school winters, often teaching branches he never had studied him-
self, working pights to keep ahead of his classes. He became a successful teacher in this way,
at the same time beginning to read law from borrowed books. At about the year of his major-
ity he visited St. Louis, where he continued the business of teaching, but the climate did not
suit, and he returned to New York and entered the law office of Hon. Maurice Brown, at Ham-
mondsport. Here he was a remarkably thorough student, and became at once noted for won-
derful clear-headedness, honesty and proficiency. In due time, he passed a creditable-examination
and was admitted to the bar. He soon after married, at Penn Yan, Miss Emmiline E. Smith,
who joined her destiny with his on the 9th of September, 1845. She shared his sorrows,
lightened hfs burdens and rejoiced in his pleasures for thirty-three years ; nursed him tenderly
in his long sickness ; was present to close his dying eyes, and survives to mourn the loss of a
»
HISTOBY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 481
loving and noble-hearted husband. A year after his marriage, Mr. Gillet drove to Wisconsin
with his own horse and buggy, leaving his young wife to follow by water and stage, which she
did shortly after. He came as a lawyer to Fond du Lac, when both were young. He found
but little law practice at first, being a stranger. He therefore thought a newspaper would pay
better than a law office ; so on Monday, the 14th day of December, 1846, he published the first
number of the Fond du Lac Whig, a paper which might be called the foundation of the Com-
monwealth. His paper, printed by his own strength thirty-three years ago, was a five-column
folio, of perfect respectability and cleanliness, and showing a mind of no small force and inde-
pendence. The second number was issued with one side printed. The reason for this does not
appear anywhere in the yellow volume of the Whig. His salutatory was characteristic and
manly. He closed by declaring: " We shall do what shall seem right to. us ; and if we err, let
it be remembered that it is but human. We do not expect to be without faults ; and only ask
the same candor in criticism of our course which we will cheerfully extend to others. Our
course will be independent." And it was. At the head of the paper was "J. M. Gillet,
editor and proprietor. Published every Monday, at Fond du Lac by the editor and
proprietor." Thus, during the first year he devoted his time to the Whig rather
than to law. He finally took an important case, and in its trial made a reputation which placed
him at once in the front rank as a lawyer, a place he maintained for a third of a century — until
failing health drove him inch by inch from his business. After he once secured a reputation as
a lawyer, he never lacked for business, money or friends. He lent and gave to whomsoever
asked, as freely as though he could dip gold like water from the ocean. Notwithstanding this
generosity that amounted to a fault, he at one time had accumulated a large property, either in
real estate or encumbrances on land, which the shrinkage of hard times, with one or two dis-
honest clients, almost entirely used up. But this did not matter so long as he had his health, '
for he could earn abundantly. He ran for State Senator once, but was beaten, as he had not
the faculty to command political workers, and did nothing, allowing people to vote for him or
not, as they pleased. He was glad he was beaten, and never dabbled in politics again.
The fatal sickness was brought on by catching cold. In the fall of 1878, he went to
Michigan and afterward to Colorado, from which he received great benefit. His business and
finances suffering from his long sickness made him uneasy, and he returned home to work.
This was his fatal mistake. He died May -31, 1879.
He was one of a family of five children. George M., the eldest, very well known in
Wisconsin, died in 1852. B. S. and W. B. reside in Fond du Lac. Erastus J. lives at Buffalo,
N. Y., and lone A., first wife of Judge W. D. Conklin, died in 1867. His children were
George Finley, who died in 1860 ; Maria Corinne, wife of C. V. Pettibone ; Morrison M., who
has adopted his father's profession ; Miss Mary Inez and Louis H. Gillet.
J. M. Gillet was no politician, no intrigue, no trickster. He was an open-hearted, gener-
ous, talented man, who loved his friends and loved to show, in some material way, his regard for
them. He might have been the ideal for the poet's
" Nature's own nobleman, friendly and frank,
A man with his heart in his hand."
The character and qualities of a man like him cannot be described in a few brief moments.
They are best understood and appreciated by those who have seen them unchanged and undi-
minished in all the intricacies of business for himself or others, and the innumerable changes of
life.
An intimate friend bears this testimony to the excellency of his life : " Take him all in all,
he was a noble specimen of a man. Learned and wise in his profession, his mind well stored
with a knowledge of the world and of man, affable, courteous and a gentleman in all his associa-
tions ; neither improvident nor parsimonious ; a strong friend but a weak enemy ; neither a bigot
nor an iconoclast ; one who rejoiced with the prosperous and sympathized with those in afflic-
tion ; neither brilliant in intellect nor wanting in judgment, wit or imagination ; neither osten-
tatious in dress or deportment, nor without care for appearances ; neither a worshiper of the
I
482 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
learned or great, nor one who despised the poor and ignorant, but a sound, sagacious, well-
informed, able and conscientious man, ever ready for his task, and able to perform it well. Such
in brief, were some of the traits, in our judgment, of our deceased friend. He possessed the
elements of true greatness. Such traits as became more apparent, the nearer you approached
the individual. Not those which dazzle from a distance and captivate the crowd, not those which
bring a man into notice without merit and keep him there without ability. In the true sense of
the word great, he was a great man, and yet many of the great men of earth fall to dust and
are soon forgotten.
'' True glory is duty fitly and faithfully fulfilled. Mr. Gillet remained to the day of his death
a private citizen. He never held, that I am awate of, a public position either by election or
appointment. That he would have graced such a position, and discharged its duties with honor
to himself and usefulness to the public, no one will deny ; but he was too modest to reach it.
In these times the man seeks the position, not the position the man, and he was not one to ask
for place or power. If such came to him at all, it must come to him unasked. He was twice a
candidate for State Senator, but others outstripped him in the race. He could not, or did not,
condescend to buy or ask for votes. I say could not, for all presume he acted his nature, when
he remained quietly at home at work, and let his fellow- citizens act their pleasure. He would
not stoop to ask for place, nor belittle himself by advocating a faith in which he did not
believe. This was clearly shown when he was offered the place of Postmaster here. He could
not bend to the powers then in control, so he had to step aside for others. Thus never asking
for place or position, he remained a private citizen, and it is as a private citizen we know him.
and must honor him. Aside from the influence he had on his immediate associates, he made his
mark in life in his profession as a lawyer, and the records of the court bear the memories of his
"greatness.
" The deceased practiced in all the courts of the land, from that of a Justice of the Peace,
to that of last resort — the Supreme Court of the nation — and the records of his work are to be
found in the reports.
" He never resorted to a trick to gain a point, but waiving many technical questions to ge^ at
the merits of the controversy between the parties, he was anxious that the true issue might be
determined, and litigation cease. Not only was he a peer among the ablest at the bar, but in
social life he was pre-eminent. He was not a great 'conversationalist, but having traveled much,
and being well posted in the literature and knowledge of the day, he was a desirable and enter-
taining companion. He was never morose, crusty or absent minded; always cheerful, ready to
listen or be listened to ; to communicate or receive communications, and to join in any amuse-
ments in which his companions might be engaged at the time.
" His life-work is done, and as we recall to mind his traits, his virtues and his failings, may
we not hope the good he did in life will live hereafter ?"
Concerning the standing of Mr. Gillet as a lawyer, another of his friends puts this testi-
monial upon record :
" It is unnecessary for me to speak of Mr. Gillet's standing as a lawyer. We have often lis-
tened to his eloquence — an eloquence which appealed to the intellect. We have often witnessed his
masterly handling of important cases and his display of legal learning. He was a self-made
man. His success was the result of his own vigorous intellect and of his untiring industry. He
loved his noble profession.
" The edifice of public liberty is erected upon the administration of justice, and to stand,
as he stood, pre-eminent among those who have beautified and adorned the temple of justice, is
among the loftiest positions allotted to man.
" To many who knew him, Mr. Gillet will be remembered only as a great lawyer. By
some, however, his memory will be cherished for his character as a man and as a friend. They
will remember him as one of Nature's noblemen. They will think of him as he appeared on
those occasions when all care was thrown aside and he became the genial companion.
HISTORT OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 483
" He was generous to a fault. He never turned a deaf ear to the cry of poverty. He
never refused to give to any one who asked. He never seemed to realize that money had any
other value than to alleviate suffering or to contribute to the happiness of friends. His large-
heartedness was displayed in other ways. He was always courteous to members of his profes-
sion. He was ever ready to grant a favor. Many a young lawyer at this bar can remember
the assistance and counsel so freely given by our departed friend. Among all the older mem-
bers of the bar, he was the one to whom the younger members went with the most freedom for
advice. They always saw in his grave but pleasant face a welcome. He always gave credit
and encouragement to others. He never pushed a young lawyer into the background when
associated with him in a cause, but rather encouraged him to take a leading part in the trial or
argument.
" Mr. Gillet died before the measure of his years was full. His intellect was in the prime
of its vigor. Old age had not yet abated its force or dimmed its clearness. In the very meri-
dian of his manhood, in the very midst of busy, useful labor, his rugged constitution and physical
frame'of power was compelled to yield to the destroyer."
Says another of his enthusiastic admirers :
" He arose from the ranks, and early taking an advanced place, as well in the practice of
his profession as in the hearts of his fellow-men, he grew more and more in the respect of the
(sommunity and the admiration of his friends, until his labors were brought to a close by his
mortal sickness and untimely death.
"There was nothing in the early life of Mr. Gillet, so far as I have learned, that marked
him for especial prominence. But he had energy. He had industry and perseverance. He
had application to his business and a single purpose to be faithful to his clients, and successful,
in his practice, and, above all', he had that personal character and honor which gained and
■deserved the confidence of his associates and those with whom he transacted business."
Samuel Wotton Beall,
known in Wisconsin, since 1851, as "Governor Beall," was born in Montgomery, Prince George
Co., Md., in the year 1807. He descended from families of note on both sides ; on his father's,
his lineage could be traced through men of great physical power, and, through marriage, with
such families of note as the Randolphs, Stewarts and Johnstons, of Virginia, the Carrolls, of
Carrollton, and the Singletons of South Carolina. His father married a Miss Wotton, niece of
the great Dr. Wolton, who came over with Lord Baltimore, being Lord Baltimore's first cousin,
and a descendant of the old poet Wolfon, famous in Queen Elizabeth's time.
Samuel W. Beall was educated at Union College, under Dr. Nott, where he took the
highest honors in Greek and Latin ; afterward he studied law at Litchfield, whence so many
famous lawyers have been admitted to the bar. He married Miss Elizabeth Fenimore Cooper,
in 1827, and, through the influence of a close friend of his family, old Chief Justice Taney,
received the appointment (at that time of great responsibility) of Receiver for the sale of
public lands of the Northwest, what is now Michigan and Wisconsin. He took his young and
charming wife and started for his home in the far West. He located at Green Bay, then a small
fort, and, from the Land Office established there, sold for the Government most of th,e lands
now in Wisconsin, Illinois and Michigan. Here, on the 4th of July, 1828, his first child was
born (a man now well known in Washington Territory), christened Singleton Wotton Beall.
Mr. Beall returned to Cooperstown in 1834, where he and his lovely wife enjoyed a most lux-
urious life, he having bought one of the most beautiful places in the whole town^ called "Wood-
side." Here, for some years, they gathered about them a circle of cultured, refined society, of
whom Mrs. Beall's uncle, the world-renowned J. Fenimore Cooper, Washington Irving, Watson
Webb, and others formed the center, while Russell, the noted English-ballad singer, added to
the circle the charm of his remarkable voice. Several children were born to them in this beau-
ful home.
484 HISTORY OF FOIST) DU LAC COUNTY.
The results. of the terrible crisis of '37, in the failure of one for whom Mr. Beall had
indorsed generously, forced him to surrender all his means to pay the debts of others, and 1840
found him with his wife and now large family; again domiciled at Green Bay, henceforth to-
be identified with the growth and progress of the then far West. Soon after his return, he
moved on to land on the banks of the beautiful Green Lake, where he improved and cultivated
a farm. He was the first to introduce blooded cattle into the Northwest, the well-known short-
horn bull " Major Star," being one of his importations. While here acting the part of Cin-
cinnatus of old, his beloved mother died in Maryland, leaving him over thirty slaves and a
certain amount of bonds and mortgages. Southerner though he was, and straitened in circum-
stances (as compared to his previous life), the spirit of the free West and a noble heart moved
him to liberate his slaves, and, what was wisely and well done, to devote the entire proceeds of
the sales of the bonds and mortgages to the support of these slaves for two years, and as long
indeed as the means lasted and long enough for the slaves to learn what liberty meant, and how
to earn a living for themselves — an act truly worthy of record in any man's life.
While carrying on his farm, he was chosen among the first delegates to the convention at
Madison, to draw the form of a State Constitution, which Constitution, however, was not accepted
at Washington at this time. Shortly after this, he came to Fond du Lac County, leaving his
oldest son. Singleton, to carry on the farm. Building a home in Taycheedah, then far more thrifty
and promising than Fond du Lac, he devoted himself to his old profession, the law. A year
or two afterward, he was chosen Delegate from Fond du Lac County, to draw up another Con-
stitution of the State of Wisconsin, which was accepted, and Wisconsin became a State.
When Mr. Dewey was elected Governor, Mr. Beall was chosen Lieutenant Governor, and
his Presidency of the Sen^-te, during the term of his office, was noted for unusual dignity, order
and just ruling.
His term expiring, he was appointed Indian Agent, and was among the first, as Agent for
the Government, to take to Washington chiefs of tribes under his care. Of these were the
sachems of the Munsie and Stockbridge tribes. One chief of the latter tribe, John Quinny,
created much interest and wonder by the delivery before Congress of a most erudite and.
eloquent speech, now recorded in history as a sample of remarkable power and pathos. This
speech was written by Mr. Beall, and taught word by word to the chief, even to the gestures;
who proved an apt scholar to so brilliant a teacher. The original manuscript is still in the-
hands of the family. So much for the romance often connected with Indian history, and
as often misleading.
On the settlement of the Stockbridge Indians on their reservation, he gave up the Agency
and devoted his time to his profession. As a criminal pleader, he was noted far and wide, and
he swayed juries as he only can whom Nature has intended as a leader of men.
In 1859, impelled by that spirit of Western enterprise to which it had become the habit of
his life to yield, he led a party to Pike's Peak. While on this expedition, he, with some others,
located the city of Denver. This place immediately started into rapid growth, and, the follow-
ing winter, Col. Beall was sent to Washington to obtain a charter for the city- — a journey in
those days of danger and long duration.
From Denver, he returned not enriched by the work done for others, in time to devote his
strength and brave heart to his country. At the age of fifty-four years, he offered himself as
a private soldier to Col. Delaney, whose regiment was then in the State in camp. But just as
he was leaving to take his place in the ranks, he received the appointment, through the aid of
friends in power, of Lieutenant Colonel of the Eighteenth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, under
Col. Alban. He was with this regiment in its first battle, so noted in the history of bloody
struggles of the war, Pittsburg Landing. His men had not even received their full rounds of
ammunition. In fact, the Eighteenth Wisconsin arrived at night, were pushed directly to the
front, never having even fired a gun by file, and in the early morning was receiving the brunt
of the first charge from the enemy. However, they fought well, and by 2 o'clock P. M., the-
Colonel and Major were dead, Lieut. Col. Beall and Adjutant Edward Colman, now of Fond
HISTORY OF rOlSTD DTJ LAC COUNTY. 48&
du Lac, severely wounded^ and the regiment cut to pieces. The youngest son of Col. Beall,
Lewis Upton, seventeen years of age, was with his father throughout the whole fight, and showed
himself worthy of his brave sire, whose coolness upon the field was remarked by oflScers and
men on both sides. Lieut. Col. Beall was sent home to die, while his young son remained,
proving himself a true soldier throughout the war, falling terribly wounded at the fatal
storming of Petersburg, Va., dying at last after two years of unparalleled suffering with these
wounds. Col. Beall, when he had only partially recovered, returned, against the advice of thfr
surgeons, to his regiment, and was at the storming of Vicksburg, and in most of the battles in
which the Army of the Tennessee took part before that event. After the capture of Vicksburg,.
he returned home, and finding his health enfeebled by his old wounds and the Southern climate,
he entered the Invalid Corps, and was given command of the rebel prison at Elmira, which,,
uiider his charge, was noted for its cleanliness, and the prisoners have all testified to the human-
ity as well as justice shown them. At the close of the war. Col. Beall felt that his active work
as a soldier was done, and too proud, as a "pensioner or in an office now unnecessary to the
country, he resigned a position he might have held for years.
In 1867, he went with Col. Johnson, of Omro, to Montana, locating at Helena, and through
his great frontier experience, soon became a prominent man in the fast-growing town. He at
once took a leading interest in the welfare of the place, as he had nearly ten years before in
Denver, and his well-known ability as connected with the history of Wisconsin, naturally pushed
him into the politics of that Territory. This brought him into contact with George M.
Pinney, then Postmaster at Helena and an editor.
Col. Beall. acting for the Government, charged Pinney with the acts of which the people of
Helena complained, and afterward, as he entered Pinney's office, was shot twice by him. At
Pinney's trial for the murder of Col. Beall, which Col. Meredith, commandant of the post, tes-
tified was a farce, and the jury an illegal one, he was acquitted.
Thus ended the, life of a prominent man of the West, and one of the remarkable men of
his time.
To understand the character of Col. Beall, one should have known him personally, and
should know well the history of the difierent elements which have made the varied American
character.
For even among the diversified individualities produced by our peculiar American civiliza-
tion, CoL Beall stands still unique and certainly unrivaled.
He was a "gentleman of the old school." His virtues were not of the austere type of
New England ; his faults were not the glaring defects of the extreme South ; but if there be in
character as in climate, a happy medium, then of such medium was Col. Beall a shining
example.
His gentle blood, enriched by a long line of illustrious ancestors, gave a certain largeness to
his whole being. So his generosity was always princely. His dignity was not too cold, thus
repelling approach, but still too grand to permit familiarity. This largeness, so rare, made him
above all meanness himself, and slow to suspect meanness in others.
Sometimes with princely wealth, at other times more unfortunate, he seemed above the
degrading influences of good or ill fortune.
William Stare
occupies a prominent place among the illustrious dead, not only of Fond du Lac County, but of
Wisconsin. He was born at Middleton, Conn., March 3, 1821, and was the youngest of eleven
children. His father was a thrifty but poor mechanic, who died just before Mr. Starr was born,
thus leaving him mostly the shaper of his own life and fortunes.
In 1829, when eight years old, Mr. Starr went to Lewis County, N. Y., then a new and
sparsely settled country, and there lived on a farm with his stepfather for the next six years.
He experienced many of the hardships of a pioneer life, occupied in clearing the lands of heavy
timber, and in obtaining a scanty support. Neither could the advantages of a public school be
486 HISTORY OF POND DU LAC COUNTY.
enjoyed, nor could the boy be spared from hard and necessary labor to acquire a fair education.
Still he seems to have improved to the utmost the meager opportunities furnished him for study-
ing the common English branches, and became in them an apt and diligent scholar. He formed
at this time the habit of learning the contents of his school-books in his leisure hours, after din-
ner, in the evenings, and on rainy days. He thus gratified, to some^jextent, his overmastering
passion for reading. He literally devoured everything in the shape of books that came within
hii reach. He always desired to become possessed of a complete education, a feeling in which
his mother had a share. Therefore, at the" age of fourteen, he began school at the academy at
Watertown, N. Y., dividing several of the following closely worked years [between books and
severe labor on the farm. He preserved through his busy life the text-books used at this time,
and at the time of his death, they were found neatly arranged among the choicest books of his
library. They were free from rents, ink blots, dirt and broken covers. As difficult as the cir-
cumstances of Mr. Starr's life made the attainment of an education, he managed to go to the
depths of classical branches, and through his busiest years did not relinquish the study and con-
templation of mathematics, Greek and Latin. His earlier plan was to become thoroughly quali-
fied for teaching, but after teaching two years in the public schools of Leyden and Watertown,
N. Y., he resolved to abandon that vocation altogether, finding that he possessed ability of high
order for managing large business enterprises.
It was then thought that the West afforded opportunities for gratification in this direction,
and Mr. Starr, therefore, determined to emigrate to that section, which he did, landing at Keno-
sha, Wis., June 13, 1843. Not finding anything as anticipated, Mr. Starr opened a select
school in Kenosha, July 5, of that year, in which were taught Latin and Greek, and all the
higher English branches. Here he remained nearly two, years. Ilarly in 1845, he removed to
Ceresco, now Ripon, where he opened a school, which was abandoned soon after for mercantile pur-
suits. In these he was wholly successful, as he was in managing the large farming and lumber-
ing operations, in which he engaged later, and to which he gave some attention up to the time
•of his death.
Mr. Starr was married to Mrs. Annie Clark, at Ripon, Wis., on the 12th of December,
1857. His wife and one son, William James, survive him.
Mr. Starr was the second Postmaster of Ripon, holding his commission until March, 1850.
He was a member of the Legislature in 1863-64, and also held various town and county ofiices,
the duties of which were attended to with care and fidelity. He sought no offices, but always
took a deep interest and an active part in all matters pertaining to local and State govern-
ment and to the choice of public servants. His greatest labor, however, was in the educational
work of Ripon' and Wisconsin, to which were devoted many of the best years of his life. ' A
co-worker with Mr. Starr pays this tribute to his usefulness in that field of labor :
"In his connection with the Board of Rege^its of Normal Schools, he performed the most
useful and lasting, work of his life. He was appointed a member of this board in 1^64, and
three years after was elected its President. To this honorable and responsible office he was
chosen annually thereafter by his associate Regents. His insight into educational problems and
methods ; his rare abilities as a business man ; his careful and courteous regard for the opinions
and preferences of others; his habits of close and independent thinking; his accurate judgment
and his stern integrity of character, all qualified him for his leading position in the management
of our normal-school enterprises, which must be classed among the most distinguished and suc-
■oessful movements ever inaugurated by our State. It would not be appropriate in this article to
describe the chaotic condition of the initial efforts of the State to create a normal-school sys-
tem, when he became a member of the Board. We have not the time even to outline the opera-
tions of this Board for the past fourteen years in maintaining yearly our institute work, in the
organization of the four Normal Schools, in the judicious expenditure of hundreds of thousands
of dollars in the support of them, and in employing their Faculties and supervising their instruc-
tion and the progress of their pupils. A large share of. this varied and difficult work fell to
-^^. &^ /c^-^^^i^^:r^^^
FOND DU LAC.
^
HISTOBY or FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 489
him. His family state that he gave at least one-half of his time during all these years in atten-
tion to the duties of his position. He conducted for the Normal School Board an extensive
■correspondence ; he attended all the meetings of the Regents, as well as those of several of the
important committees, serving generally as their chairman ; he frequently conferred with the
Presidents and other teachers of the schools ; he visited them quite often, and inspected minutely
their operations. His knowledge of every part of this gigantic system was complete and accu-
rate. Quiet in his demeanor, modest in all his opinions, and never forward in presenting his
plans, scarcely was a measure of any importance ever acted upon by the Board or its committees
without consulting with him or without obtaining his approval. Few persons know so well as
the older members of this Board how much the present efficiency of and the past success of our
Normal Schools are due to his labors and judgment. I apprehend that none of us ever fully com-
prehended how great was the inmost satisfaction of his heart in witnessing the beginning and
growth of school after school, and in supplying the means of high culture to so many youth in
the State, who would be subsequently employed as teachers in our public schools. Several
times in the past year, as I have conversed with him in reference to some feature of the schools,
the work of some teachers therein, and the attainments of some classes under their instruction,
I have' seen the large tears start in his deep-set eyes and roll down his undemonstrative face.
" His character is' so well known to the teachers of the State that I need not describe at
length its traits. His interest in the passing events of the day was peculiarly prominent. On
the railroad trains, at the hotels, and in his own home, unless employed by pressing duties, you
would find him reading carefully the daily newspapers- While prostrated in his last illness, his
entreaties to the attending physician to be permitted to examine the latest papers were really
distressing. His love for some of the best works in our literature was permanent. He even
cultivated the poetical spirit, and composed at different periods of his life some exquisite verses,
showing remarkable smoothness of rhythm, deep and earnest feeling, and the most refined senti-
ments. His hatred of pretention and sham, and of duplicity and meanness, was prompt and
■crushing in its expression. His self-forgetfulness and self-sacrifice in the administration of our
Normal Schools were admirable. Associated with him for ten years in this work, I do not
remember a single act or suggestion of his which could be interpreted as selfish. His judgment
of men and their conduct was profound and just. A lady of culture and high social standing
who was thoroughly acquainted with him said, while lamenting his death : ' I would prefer to
have submitted to him above all human beings I have ever known, all the thoughts and acts of
my life, and to abide by his decision.' He was thoughtful and independent in the formation of
opinions, and possessed some of the dignity of an apostle and the firmness of a martyr in main-
taining his ideas of right and duty. He required in all workings under his supervision the
most conscientious fidelity, and he exhibited that exalted integrity in private and public life
which was the natural fruit of a cultivated, pure, noble and upright spirit."
The subject of this sketch died at his home in Ripon April 18, 1879. He was buried on
Sunday, April 20, 1879, under the Episcopal burial ritual, of which Church he had been, since
1862, a faithful and devout member. He was taken ill while absent from home attending to the
duties of his office, thus literally dying in the harness ; and was buried within a few rods of his
beautiful home and the college in which he had taken such a deep interest.
AN INDIAN SCARE.
In September, 1862, when everybody was thrilled with horror over the terrible Minnesota
massacre, and trembling with apprehension lest similar outbreaks should occur in other localities,
the cry was raised, no one can tell where or by whom, that the " Indians were coming." Sev-
eral parties had recently returned from the Minnesota massacre, and their stories of those
bloody scenes had been repeated, thought over and exaggerated by the people, until the very
atmosphere seemed to be filled with apprehensions, and everything was ripe for just such an
ungovernable stampede as followed. During a still night, in the month just mentioned, the
490 HISTORY OF FOND DtJ LAC COUNTY.
sleeping but apprehensive inhabitants of the city of Fond du Lac were startled by the entry of
scores of teams driven at headlong speed and loaded with men and women shouting, " The
Indians are coming!" The stream of rattling vehicles began to enter the city from the direction
of Taycheedah, but before morning they were pouring in from all directions and in all condi-
tions. It was a scene of the utmost fright, confusion, apprehension and downright fear. Repu-
table men, breathless and convulsed with fright, rushed in with blood-curdling stories of what they
had seen. Those coming from one direction said Pipe Village was burned ; others saw Trel-
even's mill in ashes ; others had seen the yelling savages setting fire to grain-stacks in the town
of Byron, and Lamartine was swarming with red men who were burning and butchering indis-
criminately as they swept toward the city. Everybody was frightened, wild, crazy, foolish.' No
story was too unreasonable for credence — in fact the more horrible and unreasonable the in-com-
ing reports were, the more eagerly the crazed populace seized upon them as true. There were
in the city of Fond du Lac, on that wild, dusty September day, at least two thousand persona
who had seen " Indians " in all the surrounding towns, and beheld grain-stacks, barns, houses
and mills in ashes. Business was entirely suspepded and people were buying fire-arms, fortify-
ing houses, and running wildly about with horrible and unfounded stories to help others' fears. At
T. S. Weeks' gun-shop several persons were employed to sell fire-arms as rapidly as called for,
and every iron with a hole in it was sold for whatever price first came into the minds of the
clerks. Every hotel was crowded ; the streets were literally jammed with teams, wagons,
buggies and vehicles of every conceivable sort. Ox teams were goaded by hatless farmers over
the roads at their utmost speed, entering the city with distended eyes and parched tongues loll-
ing out. The men took turns at the whip to urge their frightened but exhausted horses at still
greater speed, while half- dressed women and crying children clung to the bounding vehicles.
The sick were hustled in their beds into the lumber wagons, and jolted in the most reckless
manner to the city at the highest attainable speed. Some thrifty farmers loaded bureaus into
their wagons ; some brought along the best cow, and some hurried away with parcels of worth-
less household furniture, leaving valuables behind. No one stopped to eat, and the bruised and
jolted children were crying about the streets for food. A cloud of dust hung over the city, and
all the roads leading into it, and the smoke from several fallows was indubitable proof to the
trild-eyed throngs that the savages were applying their torches as they advanced. Finally, as
the burden of proof seemed to indicate that the Indians were advancing in the direction of
Calumet, a party was sent out to make a reconnoissance. They reached Pipe Village by the
exercise of rare skill in dodging the scores of teams that were rushing wildly toward the city,
and finding there, an individual who understood the art of drawing beer, went on a spree and
did not return for two or three days.
Out in a field on the "Waupun Road," a half-blood Indian was chopping. He worked
steadily on for an hour, but finally the headlong rush of teams and people toward the city
wrought upon his imagination .until he was as thoroughly frightened as his white brethren, and,,
with ax in hand, ran toward the road to beg for a ride to some place of safety. This was more
than the fleeing palcrfaces could bear. Here was a real Indian — bare-headed, armed with an ax
and on the run ! The foaming steeds were more desperately lashed in the increased frenzy of
fear, and the poor redskin, more thoroughly frightened than ever, got no ride.
Finally the " scare " died out, as it had nothing whatever but imagination to feed upon ;
but the ludicrous incidents which transpired during that memorable day would make a book of
respectable proportions. The hungry, dusty, exhausted crowds returned home, most of them
declaring they had "just started " for the post ofiice, or to buy snuflF, or tea, or groceries, when
they heard the Indians were coming ! Everybody felt sheepish enough after the affair was all
over, but gathered bravely on the corners and related how tJiey never felt the least bit of appre-
hension. In the mean time, the gun-shop proprietors counted their money and went East tO'
replenish their exhausted stock of fire-arms and ammunition.
There was no foundation for the various rumors afloat at that time, and all rational theories
utterly failed to account for the indescribable scene of confusion, fright and excitement that
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 491
ensued, as it was well known to all that a thousand Indian warriors could not have been mus-
tered in the whole State. At the same time, people from every direction reported that thousands
of savages had fallen upon their particular neighborhoods. But Fond du Lac County was not
alone the afflicted. The malaria of fright reached every town and village in the State, and even
invaded the brave precincts of the Capitol at Madison, the Governor ordering the Milwaukee
militia to march to the rescue of surrounding villages, which was done, thereby affording mate-
rial for many a gibe in the newspapers.
There are to this day scores of rusty guns and pistols hidden away in Fond duLac County,
which have not seen light since that memorable September day, and which will remain in their
secure retreats until the men who bought them at ruinous figures have gone the way of all the
earth.
FIRST THINGS.
The first political meeting ever held in Fond du Lac County convened at the Fond du Lac
House, September 10, 1838, for the purpose of deliberating in regard to the organization of the
county.
The first house, already described, was built in March, 1836, of logs, by the Fond du Lac
Companj, at what is now the corner of Brooke and Rees streets in the city of Fond du Lac.
The first death, which has previously been mentioned, was that of Fanny, wife of Colwert
Pier, which occurred March 1, 1838. At her burial, which was the first in the county, Rev.
Cutting Marsh, a missionary to the Brothertown Indians, pronounced the first funeral sermon.
The first frame house was built on what is now known as the Phillips' farm on Section 7 in
the town of Empire, in 1838, by James Duane Doty.
The first birth was that of John A. Bannister, which occurred in the town of Fond du Lac,
June 20, 1839.
The first religious sermon was preached in the log house belonging to Dr. Mason C. Dar-
ling in the settlement where Fond du Lac now stands, by Rev. Jesse Halstead, a Methodist, on
November 17, 1839.
The first nominating convention was held at the raising of B. F. Smith's log house in
Byron woods, in July, 1839. Three county commissioners, a treasurer and a register were
nominated.
The second white child born in Fond du Lac County was Harriet La Borde ; the third
John Denniston's girl ; the fourth Matilda de Neveu, and the fifth and sixth (twins) C. K. Pier
and Mrs. H. R. Skinner.
The first election was held August 6, 1839, when county officers were elected. There was
but one ticket in the field, and ballots were written on pieces of paper of various sizes and colors.
The first marriage was that of Alonzo Raymond to Miss Harriet Pier, September 26, 1838,
the ceremony being performed by John Bannister, a Justice of the Peace.
The first bridge was built by soldiers from Fort Winnebago in the fall of 1836, across the
East Branch of the Fond du Lac River near Forest street. This was a real " stringer " bridge.
A few weeks before, the same soldiers made a " log way " over Seven Mile Creek in Lamartine ;
over Rock River in Springvale and Grand River in Metomen.
The first physician was Dr. Mason C. Darling, who arrived in June, 1838.
The first lawyer was Stephen S. N. Fuller, who came from Great Bend, Penn., in 1843.
The first transaction of business pertaining to county government was at the house of Dr.
M. C. Darling on the 9th of October, 1839.
The first dwelling-house built by an actual settler was of logs on the Pier farm in the town
of Fond du Lac, by Edward Pier, early in 1837. It was the second building of any kind in
the county. The third building and second built by an actual settler was by George White
in 1837, in the town of Calumet.
The first cow was brought from Green Bay by Edward Pier in 1838. The first pigs were
purchased of the Brothertown Indians in the fall of 1837. They were stolen by the Indians.
No pork raised by the settlers was eaten by them until early in 1839.
492 HISTORY OF TOND DU LAC COUNTY.
The first schoolhouse was built early in 1842, in what is now the village of Taycheedah.
In May, 1845, the Baptists organized a church society, and in July of the same year the
Congregationalists organized a society under Rev. Stephen Peet.
The first grist or flouring mill was built by Henry Conklin in 1841-42, on Section 7 in the
town of Empire. The first saw-mill was begun late in 1837 by a Mr. Drake and another, and
finished in 1838 by Dr. M. C. Darling, on Section 16, which is now just within the city limits
of Fond du Lac.
The first newspaper was the Journal, by Henning & Hooker, issued September 14, 1846,
at Fond du Lac. It, was Democratic.
The first bank was that of Darling, Wright & Co., and the first bank of issue that of
McRea, Bell & Butler, which issued notes in 1852.
The first steamboat that touched at Fond du Lac was the Manchester, in 1842, commanded
by Capt. S. Houghtalling.
The first steam saw-mill was built at Fond du Lac by Davis & Ruggles in 1846.
The first daily paper was the Herald, at Fond du Lac, published by Royal Buck in 1854.
The first hotel was the " Fond du Lac House," by Colwert Pier, opened in 1836 at Fond
du Lac. The second was also called the " Fond du Lac House," opened at Fond du I^ac in
1838 by Dr. M. C. Darling. Both were of logs.
The first school was taught by a Miss Harriet Harding, from Hingham, Mass., in 1840, in
Edward Pier's log residence, just south of the present limits of Fond du Lac City.
The first drug store was opened by David R. Curran, late in 1846, at Fond du Lac.
The first fountain was discovered by Theodore Conkey, on the corner of Main street and
Western avenue, in the city of Fond du Lac, in the summer of 1846.
In 1839, Rev. Jesse Halstead formed at Taycheedah, with Francis McCarty as " leader,"
the first religious class.
In 1838, as already noted, a post ofiice was established at Fond du Lac. The first mail
was brought to the place February 5 of that year. The mail was carried for some time, once
in two weeks, from Green Bay, by a half-blood Indian, on foot. Colwert Pier was the first
Postmaster, but was succeeded the following year by Dr. M. C. Darling.
The first cheese in Fond du Lac County, made by a resident, was the work of Mrs. Reuben
Simmons, in the summer of 1840, when, besides doing all the housework, cutting and making
clothes for a family of seven, and assisting in milking, she made a cheese weighing from thirty
to fifty pounds each day, only having the assistance of a girl some six weeks.
The first coroner's inquest, or such an imitation of one as could be had without legal
forms or printed statutes, was held in the latter part of June, 1838, over the body of a Mr, May,
whose wife, now deceased, afterward became the wife of Joseph King, now of Fond du Lac.
Mr. May, ' who was a large, powerful man, had been engaged by Dr. Darling to come to
Fond du Lac and operate the saw-mill, afterward known as the Clark mill in the town
of Fond du Lac, and had started on foot from Green Bay. He ate breakfast at Wright's Hotel,
in what is now Wrightstown, Brown Co., with G. deNeveu, now living in the town of Empire.
He then ate but little and his voice sounded hollow and husky. He walked like one under a
great burden of weariness, getting on slowly, calling for water, of which he drank unusual
quantities, at nearly every house in Stockbridge. He walked still more heavily and wearily at
Stockbridge, as though each succeeding step must be the last, and three days afterward was
found dead against a tree by Narcisse Baudoin, a mail carrier, in Section 3, town of Taycheedah.
As Baudoin was passing along he discovered a scent in the air which he recognized as putrefying
fiesh, and on making a search found the dead man in an advanced state of decomposition, owing
to the scalding heat of the June sun, to which the corpse was fully exposed. He told his story
at Fond du Lac, and Dr. Darling, Luke La Borde, and others mostly Indians, went to the spot,
when, with Mr. White, of the town of Calumet, something like an inquest was held. Mr.
May's watch and papers were found and identified, and the body buried where it was found, as
it could not be removed. His hands were stained with strawberries, showing his last earthly
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 493
refreshment to have heen this delicious wild fruit, which grew in profusion in the vicinity of
where the body was found. This was the second death and second burial of a white person in
what is now Fond du Lac County. Mrs. May, his wife, had reached Fond du Lac Village a
few days previous to his lonely death.
The first deed known to have been executed for land lying within the present limits of
Fond du Lac County, was a deed of quit-claim, dated July 30, 1835, from Peter Paquette and
Therese, his wife, to Barley Follett, all of Brown County, in consideration of $1,000 — convey-
ing " all that section, parcel and tracts of land situate, lying and being on the River Fond du
Lac, near the southern extremity of Lake Winnebago, known and designated by the survey
made by the United States as Section 10, of Township 15 north, and Range 17 east." This
deed was acknowledged on the 17th day of August, 1835, before M. L. Martin, Notary Public.
It conveyed 640 acres of land, the south half of which now lies in the heart of the city of Fond
du Lac. The first deed recorded in Brown County, of land lying in what is now the county of
Fond du Lac, was dated two days subsequent to the one just mentioned. It is as follows:
Know all men by Ihese preaanta : That I, Louise Jarvis. of Green Bay, in the County of Brown and Territory of
Michigan, in consideration of the sum of one hundred dollars to me in hand paid by Maxim Garvies, of the same
place, the receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge, have bargained, sold and quit-claimed, and by these presents
do bargain, sell and quit-claim unto the said Maxim Garvies and to his heirs and assigns forever, all my right, title,
interest, estate, claim and demand, both at law and in equity, and as well in possession as in expectancy of, in and to,
all that certain piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being, in the County of Brown, and Territory aforesaid,
bounded and described as follows, to wit: On the east side of Winnebago Lake, being the undivided one-fourth part
of lots numbered one and two, in the northeast quarter of Section 27 (twenty-seven), in Township 17 (seventeen),
north of Range 18 (eighteen) east, in the Green Bay Land District, and containing seventy-eight and eleven hun-
dredths acres of land more or less, with all and singular the hereditaments and appurtenances thereunto belonging.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal, the first day of August, in the year one thousand eight
hundred and thirty-five. her
I Louise X Jarvis.
mark
In presence of [the words, " the undivided one-fourth part of,"
interlined in the fifteenth line before signing]
Solomon Juneau,
Joseph Dickinson.
Tekihtoey of Michigan, County of Bkown — ss.
Be it remembered, that on the first day of August, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-
five, personally came before me the undersigned, the within-named Louise Jarvis, known to me, and acknowledged
that she executed the within deed for the uses and purposes therein expressed.
JosFPH Dickinson, Juatice of the Peace.
Recorded on Saturday, the 1st of August, A. D. 1835, at 5 o'clock, P. M,
A. I. Ibwin, Regiater.
POST OFFICES AND POSTMASTERS IN 1868.
Ashford, R. Hemmenway ; New Cassel, F. M. Findeisen ; Newfane, H. Parsons ; New
Prospect, Benjamin Romaine ; Byron, J. Noyes ; Calumet Harbor, Thomas Zweifel ; Heinsberg,
Henry Hilt ; Marytown, M. Boergeous ; Eden, Peter Vandervoort ; Foster, Egbert Foster ;
Junius, Z. G. CoppernoU ; Eldorado, Anton George ; Empire, George Meiklejohn ; Fond du
Lac, R. M. Lewis; Banner, C. A. Corbett; Dotyville, J. Hubbard; Van Dyne, William
Lumley ; Lamartine, Albert Hodge ; North Lamartine, William Abbs ; WoodhuU, D. R. Will-
iams; Moria, Peter Shrager; Brandon, B. F. Lockwood ; Fairwater, William C. Gillman ;
Metomen, P. Gallagher ; Oakfield, N. Filbey ; Oak Center, D. Hatch ; Armstrong's Corners,
S. F. Armstrong ; Dundee, Otto Ehrmann ; Osceola, William Mitchell ; Waucousta, J. D.
Iding ; Ripon, D. McKercher ; Rosendale, H. I. Ackerman ; West Rosendale, G. L. Hammond ;
Nanaupa, S. Wilkinson ; Taycheedah, John Preuss ; North Taycheedah, D. Ripley ; Waupun,
J. H. Brinkerhofi"; Ladoga, J. J. Davis.
POST OPFICES IN 1880.
Armstrong's Corners, Ashford, Banner, Brandon, Byron, Calumet Harbor, Calvary, Camp-
bellsport, Dotyville, Dundee, Eden, Eldorado, Eldorado Mills, Elmore, Empire, Fairwater,
Fond du Lac, Foster, Hinesberg, Ladoga, Lamartine, Malone, Marytown, Metomen, Mount
494
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAG COUNTY.
Calvary, New Cassel, Newfane, North Taycheedah, Oak Center, Oakfield, Osceola, Peebles,
Ripon, Rosendale, Saint Cloud, Saint Killian, South Eden, Summit Station, Taycheedah, Van
Dyne, Waucousta, Waupun, West Rosendale, WoodhuU.
ABSTRACTS OF ASSESSMENTS.
Following are the abstracts of assessments of the several towns, cities and villages in the
county of Fond du Lac, as returned to the County Clerk, for the year 1879, under the provis-
ions of Chapter 106, of General Laws of 1869 ; also the average valuation of the items in
detail of personal property, and average price per acre of farming lands, together with the
aggregate valuation of all property for 1879 :
HOBSES.
CATTLE.
MULES AND ASSES.
SHEEP AND LAUBS.
8WINE.
TOWNS.
No.
Value.
At.
Value.
No.
Value.
At.
ValTe.
No.
Value.
At.
Value.
No.
Value.
At.
Value.
No.
Value..
At.
Value.
Ashford
658
425
706
670
591
466
442
535
601
779
472
395
606
619
683
483
443
650
340
694
643
641
620
112
$ 25255
22849
31160
39093
37360
24152
24156
24960
27300
40640
24996
18629
26600
31096
34960
23637
18936
34556
19645
30630
36983
14543
30711
6325
845 26
53 76
44 13
59 69
63 21
51 94
54 65
46 66
64 49
52 17
62 96
47 16
50 69
69 91
61 19
48 94
42 74
63 16
67 49
51 67
57 62
26 88
49 53
47 54
1662
1099
2133
2642
1634
1276
1134
1610
1220
353
1579
1083
1450
1481
1320
1701
1352
1171
296
1761
1899
1420
2096
115
8 17445
16373
22281
25516
18493
14218
17634
18957
16408
6656
14732
13157
20686
18030
16070
21242
11416
16633
<6495
23297
26826
1O170
27821
1645
$10 SO
14 89
10 42
16 65
12 06
11 16
16 65
12 56
13 46
18 57
9 33
12 16
14 26
12 17
12 17
12 49
844
14 20
18 66
13 23
14 13
7 16
13 27
14 30
8
2
5
6
4
8 320
100
170
296
300
840 00
60 00
34 00
49 17
76 00
4278
1787
3070
7001
690
7670
4402
3171
1914
4
1881
1164
3437
829
6729
7212
2017
3966
143
7739
6126
1666
5293
8 6899
2669
6176
14627
1378
11505
8801
4839
2886
9
2317
1830
6864
1620
10996
11635
3376
7829
230
14387
10716
1347
9683
8 1 38
1 41
1 68
2 09
2 00
1 60
2 00
2 00
1 51
2 26
1 23
1 68
2 00
1 96
1 63
1 60
! 67
1 99
1 61
1 86
1 76
1 27
1 81
1098
863
976
723
931
663
485
734
411
67
643
486
220
987
nil
618
460
802
74
810
801
673
766
99
$ 3371 00
1888 00
2236 00
2030 60
1970 00
1296 00
1093 00
1469 00
1306 00
203 00
1015 OO
952 00
1286 00
1976 00
2370 00
1721 00
562 00
2806 60
247 00
2295 00
2322 00
896 00
3255 00
303 00
8 3 07
2 19
Alto
2 29
2 81
2 12
1 60
6
2
8
V
2
4
4
17
4
2
8
2
8
19
9
7
4
225
140
310
390
130
180
160
1000
250
50
255
176
600
660
600
310
260
45 00
70 00
38 76
•56 71
65 00
45 00
40 00
58 82
62 50
26 00
31 88
87 50
76 00
28 96
66 66
44 28
62 60
2 26
Eldorado.
2 00
3 18
Fond du Lac City
3 03
1 58
1 96
5 86
Marnhfield
2 00
2 13
2 78
1 22
3 60
Bipon City
3 34
2 83
2 90
Taj'cheedah
1 33
4 31
3 06
,
Total
12672
S 647969
861 13
32186
8 401098
812 46
137
8 6760
849 34
81573
8 140419
8 1 72
15490
8 38868 50
8 2 51
ABSTRACTS OP ASSESSMENTS — Oontinued.
WAaONS, CABBIAaES AND
SLEIGHS.
WATCHES.
PIANO!
AND MELODEONS.
SHAEES OF BANK
STOCK.
Merchants
& Man'frs
Stock.
TOWNS.
No.
Value.
Average
Value.
No.
Value.
ATerage
Value.
,No.
Value.
ATerage
Value.
No.
Value.
Value.
Ashford ; ^
325
189
299
413
376
317
242
230
239
1066
199
101
■ 220
291
190
282
' 163
416
387
199
368
174
431
163
8 4567
6124
6373
10631
8023
4804
4146
4621
6875
46921
3220
2860
6002
4851
4890
5423
2402
7779
17125
6271
9120
2242
10266
5600
8 14 06
32 40
17 97
25 74
21 34
15 12
17 13
19 66
28 77
44 43
16 18
28 31
27 28
16 67
25 74
19 23
15 70
18.74
44 25
26 49
24 78
12 88
23 82
30 60
20
14
27
61
7
8 405
780
826
2449
450
$ 20 26
65 71
30 66
48 02
64 29
$ 9985
5630
J^ltQ ,
20
38
12
13
22
8
37
407
8 186
609
'' 46
166
125
684
10553
8 9 26
13 39
3 83
12 00
10 00
16 62
18 49
26 93
1700
600
4500
Eden
863
26
22
62
292
7
4
32
6
48
43
8
32
111
29
39
9
48
38
768
930
2250
28475
140
190
1266
279
2165
945
230
1295
10120
996
1256
199
2686
2010
29 64
42 27
43 27
97 62
20 00
47 60
39 63
46 50
44 90
19 66
28 75
40 47
91 17
34 31
32 18
22 11
63 85
62 89
1078
4400
1260
$ 86000
378276
2
14
8
S7
39
116
260
130
980
390
87 60
17 86
16 25
17 19
10 23
520
2100
^
6850
23660
12080
2855
. 32
198
26
39
S32
5360
372
606
16 62
27 07
14 88
12 96
600
500
48000
90000
2300
1376
3520
61
62
684
1117
11 21
18 01
2000
30860
Total
7694
8189035
824 89
1093
822922
820 97
965
860996
$63 21
1760
$134000
SS84641
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
495
ABSTRACTS OF ASSESSMENTS — Qontinued.
TOWNS.
All other
Personal
Property.
Total
Personal
Property.
FABUING LANDS.
City and
Village
Lots.
Total
of
Seal Estate.
Total of Real
and Personal
Property.
Value.
Value.
Number
of
Acres.
Total Value.
Average
Value.
Value.
Value.
Value.
Aehford
$ 26194
17402
50710
32260
63468
15596
20036
10933
47662
190880
10493
8400
40436
20029
204726
105080
5869
36263
162250
89671
40531
3668
72225
66480
$ 93441
73816
119816
128911
125988
72590
78165
66876
110082
788901
67042
46833
104649
84860
301065
182112
•46889
108358
353972
169768
139232
36795
159379
103330
228681^
22330
22700U
23039
19092
23022
19216
2302IJi
18271>|
$549478
272430
678495
844671
621089
419000
440480
623696
903780
J24 03
12 20
26 48
36 68
27 29
18 20
22 92
27 09
■49 46
S 28635
28656
$678113
301085
578495
844671
634904
419000
440480
623695
903780
2697472
527338
502861
722726
499H00
771026
776805
264.356
627685
869635
656725
681630
210766
684576
183160
$671654
374900
Alto
707311
973482
13815
660892
491690
Empire
618635
Eldorado
690670
1013862
2697472
3386373
FotMt
22736
11464%
23090i|
22579
22422U
23210k
22398
20276%
527338
497781
722726
428765
673210
750000
264365
627686
23 19
43 42
31 30
18 99
30 02
32 ,31
11 80
30 95
584380
6070
649684
827.376
Marahfield
70635
97816
25805
684160
1072080
OakflBld
967917
310244
736043
869635
16150
1218607
22746
23046
196351^
22460
264
64i'676
681630
204285
684676
13486
18 21
29 65
10 45
30 48
51 08
826493
6530
Waupun City, North Ward
169675
286490
Total
S1330140
S3666848
449788U
811870378
?26 39
83918792
816798170
$19356018
In 1846, there were no returns made of personal property. In 1849, Auburn returned on
personal property, and in 1857, none was returned from Eden, Friendship, Marshfield and
Osceola.
POPULATION OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY AT DIFFERENT PERIODS.
The population of Fond du Lac County (vas in 1836, but 2 ; in 1840, 139 ; in 1842, 295 ;
in 1846, it was 3,544; in 1847, it was 7,459. The following are the Federal census returns :
Alto
Ashford
Auburn
Bjron
Calumet
Ceresco*
Eden
Eldorado
Empire
Fond du Lac
Fond du Lac City..
Forest
Friendship
Lamartinef
I860.
I860.
1870.
608
1,266
1,448
628
1,721
1,799
248
1,180
l,62ti
83.5
1,366
1,441
1,764
1,451
1,460
356
840
1,271
1,448
504
1,180
1,674
805
1,055
2,6il
1,221
1,266
5,431
12,764
1,256
412
1,231
637
1,417
1,108
588
1,151
1,367
TOWNS.
Marshfield
Metomen
Oakfleld
Osceola
Ripon
Ripon City
Rosendale
Springvale
Taycheedah
Waupun
Waupun North Ward.
Total.
720
769
714
588
786
880
14,510
1,403
1,611
1,146
881
8,080
2,010
1,176
1,296
1,483
2,108
860
1,593
1,898
1,361
1,209
4,119
2,976
1,298
1,246
1,522
2,161
924
34,15446,273
The State census of 1855 showed a total of 24,784 ; a special count in 1856, 25,085 ; State
census of 1865, 42,029; and of 1875, 50,241 inhabitants. It is to be regretted that the Federal
census of 1880 (so soon to be taken) cannot be given in this connection.
* Changed to Ripon before the census of 1860.
t Seven Mile Creek in 1847.
496
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
VALUATION OF THE COUNTY BY TOWNS AT DIFFERENT PERIODS.
TOWNS.
1846.
1849.
1857.
1869.
-
1879.
Real.
Beal
Pera'l.
Total.
Beal.
Personal
Total.
Beal.
Personal
Total.
Personal
Beal.
Total.
Aehford
$61396
42412
83270
82240
62974
55201
52461
53065
146185
498127
37812
26629
67873
39075
130735
71417
37866
217993
$1660
3060
7426
13262
29140
$63046
46472
90695
9.6492
82114
65204
64811
64466
166473
672072
37987
26629
70268
39076
134166
84223
37866
246923
$368940
296504
671801
612379
393293
276348
394051
414090
621682
2484076
280840
261659
472320
298805
696884
569260
208788
609990
■ 743143
511045
N 611067
382466
497107
127672
$70000
69000
125000
135000
66000
46000
76000
80000
130000
820000
42000
32000
100000
45000
200000
180000
30000
130000
460000
136000
126000
60000
125000
73000
$438940
364624
636801
647379
468293
321348
469051
494090
751582
3304076
322840
283659
672320
343805
895884
749260
238788
739990
1193143
646045
636067
432466
622107
200672
$93441
73815
119816
128911
126988
72690
78165
66875
110082
788901
57042
46833
104649
84860
301065
182112
46889
108368
368972
169768
139232
36796
169379
103330
$578113
301085
678496
844671
634904
41900
440480
623695
903780
2697472
627.S38
' 602851
722726
499300
771025
775805
' 264356
627685
859635
666725
681630
210765
684576
183160
$671664
374900
707311
$23311
44271
67460
96186
56186
$23311
44271
80122
126941
57468
Alto
$23136
34124
$12672
30755
2283
6tiOR92
Eden
Bmpire
2360
1400
20288
73945
176
518635
31197
177906
1683
36200
32880
214106
Fond du Lac
118321
1013862
47008
4404
40876
47608
6232
43874
828
2999
549684
2385
Marshfleld
13762
16073
45211
48687
6012
12614
58223
61201
3430
12806
Oakfield
310244r
17243
46897
2810
49707
28930
Bipon City
1218607
iisoi
47455
45618
96879
67606
2918
60373
46618
100895
68956
81963
83436
61906
137988
42033
8320
9806
1600
8846
10900
90273
93241
63406
146833
62933
826493
4016
1350
247560
"Waupun
Waupun, N. Ward...
13172
843954
286490
Total
((246571
$1637910
$239607
$2393646
$12432029
$3321000
$16763029
$3566848
$16798170
S1935501&
Following is the report of the Committee on Equalization for 1852 :
TOWNS.
Fond du Lac
City, (South Ward..
" (North Ward..
Friendship
Byron
Eden
Ashford
Auburn
Osceola.
Forest
Empire
Calumet
19831
8920
22942
21093
11514
17110
16712
29539
18689
34894
Value.
Tax.
$144766
$1237
163193
1395
137238
1173
12976
110
73289
626
38898
330
82802
280
25787
320
23855
202
42093
359
54537
466
143556
1227
Taycheedah..
Oakfield
Waupun
Alto....
Metomen .....
Springvaje...
Lamartine....
Eldorado
Rosendale....
Ceresc*
Totals.
Acres.
10643
22966
21221
22208
22648
22786
22505
20609
21281
21818
400098
Value.
$52290
54870
90205
38260
56255
55570
35643
28842
54558
99230
$1488193
$447
469
771
327
480
473
475
332
466
848
$12724
Total value of Real Estate $1,067,530
" " ■' Personal Property 132,491
Value of city and village real estate 308,172
State, county, and school tax levied 12,724
The total tax levied in Fond du Lac County for all purposes, in 1877, was $283,691, on
an assessed valuation of $13,94L027. In that year, the assessed valuation of Milwaukee,
Dane, Rock and Waukesha Counties exceeded that of Fond du Lac, but the Assessors did not
make their returns on the same basis. The tax, however, in Fond du Lac County was exceeded
only by Milwaukee, Winnebago and Dane Counties.
DISTANCES.
The distances to points within the county, from the city of Fond du Lac, are : To Brandon,
18 miles ; Calumet Harbor, 12 ; Calvary, 11 ; Dundee, 18 ; Eden, 8 ; Eldorado Mills, 10 ; Lam-
artine, 7 ; New Cassel, 15 ; Oakfield, 9 ; Ripon, 20 ; Rosendale Station, 10 ; Saint Cloud, 15 ;
Van Dyne, 8 ; Waupun, 20.
HISTORY OF F03TD DU LAC COUNTY.
497
The distances to points within the State, from the city of Fond du Lac, are : To Apple-
ton, 37 miles ; Beaver Dam, 32 miles ; Beloit, 118 ; Berlin, 34 ; Burnett Junction. 25 ; Clin-
ton Junction, 108 ; Fox Lake (by way of Minnesota Junction), 42 ; Fort Atkinson, 66 ; Green
Bay, 67 ; Harvard Junction, 114 ; Janesville, 85 ; Jefferson, 60 ; Juneau, 31 ; Kenosha, 96 ;
La Crosse (by way of Watertown Junction), 195; Madison (by way of Milton Junction, 109 ;
Milton Junction, 77 ; Milwaukee, 63 ; Minnesota Junction, 28 ; Neenah and Menasha, 30 ;
Omro (by way of Ripon), 40 ; Oshkosh, 17 ; Prairie du Chien (by way of Milton Junction), 207 ;
Princeton, 39; Portage (by way of Minnesota Junction), 69; Racine, 88; Sheboygan, 42;
Watertown, 46 ; West Bend, 29 ; Winneconne, 44 ; Green Lake, 26.
MISCELLANEOUS
STATISTICS FOR
1859
NAMES OF TOWNS.
1
1
Il
i
11
1
d
1
1
1
i
1
s
.a
o
6
£•1
it
1'
S
S
"3 ■.
Is
0
3
a
= 1
1
Ashford
1760
1200
1400
1320
893
1520
800
1200
1400
1600
1210
5582
650
1120
880
1280
1180
1200
1317
1040
2040
1619
1228
1160
309
242
243
235
173
253
134
240
240
254
233
1022
121
224
180
236
225
224
242
187
444
318
195
211
25
12
17
7
4
1,9
10
10
14
8
9
78
2
5
6
9
12
7
17
9
10
12
10
6
1173403
149437
343000
200000
130000
240000
232000
154600
138980
204670
604423
2367600
10200
493517
244109
472050
592933
358135
652160
865000
608000
657039
, 584429
612000
16
16
11
13
8
5
8
5
4
8
4
13
4
9
3
3
7
6
6
5
6
12
12
8
91
16
16
11
13
8
5
8
6
4
9
4
18
4
9
3
4
7
5
6
10
6
23
16
8
623
309
338
493
290
250
200
325
180
280
260
1164
180
347
116
170
315
373
263
300
582
584
444
351
4
880
$1900
9400
$ 37500
500000
$ 6320
5320
2
1
1
2
"i
1
1
500
400
300
800
500
500
800
1275
100
350
4000
'"2700
800
7000
400000
Eden
Osceola
Calumet
5400
3800
5500
3300
5000
14000
12700
22000
17500
25000
12000
25000
71200
70500
500000
4900
Forest
Marshfield
Tayoheedah
150000
300000
15000000
1050
Fond du Lao (Town)..
Fond du Lao (City)....
Friendship
Lamartine
18750
9
3400
33400
150250
1
2
1
2
1
3
150
500
300
875
200
700
600
2800
2500
1350
800
5800
Waupun ^Village)
Waupun (Town)
Oakfield
13000
57000
10000
50000
Eldorado
Springvale
1000
4320
Eipon (Town)
Ripon (City)
4
3
3
2
1100
900
800
600
9600
5400
4800
3000
5000
30800
Metomen
Alto
Rosendale
Totals
34529
S585
318
111181485
217
8527
45
14205
S98125
88100
$432820
16860000
$186590
ELECTION STATISTICS OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
Presidents— IS'iS—Ta.jlor, 446 ; Cass, 483 ; Van Buren, 497. 1852— Scott, 1,065 ;
Pierce, 1,635 ; Hale, 408. ' 1856— Fremont, 2,511 ; Buchanan, 3,292 ; Fillmore, 25. 1860—
Lincoln, 4,106 ; Douglass, 3,001; Breckenridge, 3. 1804— Lincoln, 3,484 ; McClellan, 3,805.
1868— Grant, 4,784 ; Seymour, 4,466. 1872— Grant, 6,292 ; Greeley, 4,429 ; O'Connor, 19.
1876— Hayes, 4,845 ; Tilden, 5,660 ; Cooper, 67.
(?oueraor8— 1847— Tweedy, Dewey. 1849— Collins, 389; Dewey, 640. 1851— Far-
well, 877 ; Upham, 865. 1853— Holton, 1,217; Barstow, 1,489. 1855— Bashford, 1,989;
Barstow, 1,722. 1857— Randall, 2,097; Cross, 1,826. 1859— Randall, 3,214; Hobart,
2,530. 1861— Harvey, 2,440; Ferguson, 2,295. 1863— Lewis, 3,579; Palmer. 2,676.
1865— Fairchild, 2,871; Hobart, 2,759. 1867— Fairchild, 3,789; Tallmadge,' 3,698.
1869— Fairchild, 8,071; Robinson, 3,289. 1871— Washburn, 3,596; Doolittle, 3,875.
1878— Washburn, 2,982 ; Taylor, 8,926. 1875— Ludington, 3,392; Taylor, 3,973. 1877—
Smith, 3,086; Mallory, 3,414; Allis, 1,249. 1879— Smith, 3,584; Jenkins, 3,834;
May, 583.
•498 HISTOEY OF FOND DU LAC COU^STY.
^S^en^s— 1850— McOarty, 1,367 ; Daugherty, 496. 1852— Jenkinson, 1,608 ; Hunt-
ington, 961 ; Davis, 262. 1854— Brown, 1,369 ; Beaver, 1,447. 1856— Brundage, 2,387 ;
Mitchell, 3,335. 1858— McCarty, 2,466; Burnham, 2,774. 1860— Robbins, 8,106;
"Wheeler, 3,987. 1862— Eyclesheimer, 3,481; Henton, 3,142; 1864— Ourran, 3,330:
*Francis, 3,438. 1867— Walters, 3,492 ; Town, 3,944. 1869— Eyclesheimer, 3,145 ; Pierce,
3,155. 1871— Rupp, 3,972 ; Bullis, 3,457. 1873— Klotz, 3,766, Bryant, 3,067. 1875—
Hill, 3,580; Lamb, 3,571. 1877— Ebner, 2,784; Colman, 4,078; Wiley, 943. 1879—
Lusk, 3,379 ; Bell, 4,328 ; Morris, 281.
Congressmen— 1850~Uohsirt, 696; Doty, 1,182. 1852— Macy, 1,825; Shafter, 964.
1854— Macy, 1,175; Billinghurst, 1,560. 1856— Hobart, 2,546; Billinghurst, 3,272.
1858— Larrabee, 2,414 ; Billinghurst, 2,972. 1,860— Sloan, 4,114 ; Larrabee, 2,995. 1862—
llldredge, 3,212 ; Bragg, 3,396. 1864— Eldredge, 3,313 ; Sloan, 3,479. 1866— Eldredge,
3,013; Hatch, 3,887. 1868— Eldredge, 4,486 ; Frisby, 4,712. 1870— Eldredge, 3,794 ;
Watrous, 3,240. 1872^Eldredge, 4,393 ; Baetz, 4,376. 1874— Burchard, 4,327 ; Barber,
3,512. 1876— Bragg, 5,618 ; Carter, 4,829. 1878— Bragg, 3,395; Smith, 3,188 ; Giddings,
1,687.
PROSPBRITY OF THE COUNTY.
The uninterrupted prosperity and success which have attended the various branches of
■enterprise and industry in the county of Fond du Lac, from its earliest settlement to the present
day, the change from an almost unbroken wilderness to a rich and populous county, in the brief
space of time, naturally lead the mind to contemplations of deep interest and inquiry with
regard to the condition which the- progressive energies of its people will work out in the future.
We have only to examine the resources of wealth which the county naturally presents for
improvement — the strength, skill and aptitude of the people to lay hold of natural advantages
And convert them to the most profitable form. In order justly to appreciate the energies which
have been put forth by the early settlers in this county, the results of which are so attractive to
the. traveler, it should be borne in mind that the county of Fond du Lac was not settled by
capitalists bringing large amounts of money to expend in subduing and cultivating new lands,
hut almost exclusively by men who were linable to purchase farms in the old States — whose
physical and mental energies constituted their funded wealth. This was the capital invested in
the settlement and improvement of the county — a currency not subject to fluctuatipns.
The pioneers were men of independent minds and efforts, whose activities were controlled
by the dictates of their own judgments. The bosom of the earth, teeming with fertility, was
spread out before them. It is to the labor of, its people that we must look for nearly all of the
wealth of the county.
It is universally admitted that the surest index of the progressive energies of an agricult-
niral community is discovered in the condition of its roads and schoolhouses. The light of
science to illuminate and invigorate the natural powers, and the facilities of communication
which tend to develop the social nature of man and bring into visibility the various interests by
which he is connected with society — as these are appreciated, cultivated and brought into con-
stant use, the vital energies, the enduring strength, and substantial wealth of a community are
advanced. If we adopt this general rule in the county of Fond du Lac, and take the condition
of its public roads and schoolhouses as a criterion of its advancement in intelligence and wealth,
we shall find that it has few rivals in Wisconsin..
Whatever road the traveler may select in the county, he will not progress far on his journey
without having his attention attracted by a district schoolhouse, erected upon a pleasant spot.
He will observe that it is neatly finished and painted, and that it is— such is the rule, though
there are exceptions — surrounded by shade-trees, and has a nice playground for the children. If
he enters this little seminary, he will find the interior judiciously and tastefully arranged, and
furnished with blackboards, maps, charts and the most approved apparatus for aiding the pupils
* H. A. Francis died daring hi'a first year in office, and his deputy, John PeacocK, ran in' NoTember, 1865, without opposition, receivine
.2,025 votes. The court declared him elected for a term of two years, thus throwing the election of Sheriff into the odd years.
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 499
in their various studies. The laws of Wisconsin make liberal provisions for the support of its
common schools ; and, in this county, they are generally well applied.
The roads on the prairies are always good in dry weather ; but, from the looseness and
■depth of the soil, they become, in wet weather, muddy, and it is difficult to transport heavy
loads over them. In the openings and timber-land, the soil lying more firm and compact, the
roads are less liable to become bad. Considering the nature of the soil, Fond du Lac County
can boast of as excellent roads as are to be found anywhere in the State.
POLITICAL PAKTIES.
The Democratic Party. — Fond du Lac County, the city of Fond du Lac, and fully half the
towns in the county, are Democratic. When the county was first laid out, and even before it was
regularly organized for purposes of government, the Territory of Wisconsin, as well as the
United States, was in the hands of the Democrats. Therefore the prominent men who settled
within its limits at that time, as well as those who came with Federal appointments, were Demo-
crats. This naturally and inevitably made the county Democratic, and the first newspaper, first
Postmaster and first Sherifi" were Democrats. The first member of Congress, after Wisconsin
became a State, Dr. Mason C. Darling, was a Democrat, and the county has always since that
time been represented in Congress by a Democrat, except in 1855, 1856, 1857 and 1858, when
Charles Billinghurst had a seat in that body. Up to 1856, when the Republican party became
active, the Democrats in the local campaigns generally elected their candidates, except in 1847,
when the Whigs elected every county officer. Since the birth of the Republican party the local
and county offices have been divifded between the two parties, though the Democrats have gener-
ally been most successful. On State and National questions, the county has never failed to give
a Democratic majority, except for Zachary Taylor, Whig, and Lincoln and Grant, Republicans.
In 1868, Grant's majority for President was 268 ; but no Republican candidate for President or
Governor has received a majority in the county since. The Board of Supervisors, with one or two
exceptions, before the death of the Whig party, has always been largely Democratic. The towns
are about equally divided, but the cities of Fond du Lac, Ripon and Waupun generally elect a
majority of eight or nine Democratic Supervisors. Before the formation of the Republican
party, the Democrats generally elected their candidates for State Senator and their members of
Assembly, though the Whigs were successful in two or three campaigns. But during the time
when Fond du Lac County was a part of Brown, or when with Sheboygan, Manitowoc and Brown
Counties, or with Brown, Calumet, Manitowoc, Marquette, Portage, Sheboygan and Winnebago
Counties, it constituted one district, the Democratic party was nearly always successful.
In 1872, however, the county was divided in such a manner as to become part of the
Eighteenth Senatorial District on the east, and constitute the Twentieth District on the west,
instead of constituting one complete district, as formerly. Since that time only the towns of
Calumet, Taycheedah, Marshfield, Forest, Auburn, Osceola, Eden and Empire, in the Eigh-
teenth District, have been represented by Democratic State Senators, while the balance of the
county, or the Twentieth District, never fails to elect a Republican Senator.
Of the 133 members of Assembly elected by Fond du Lac County, 62 have been Demo-
crats. These have nearly all been elected by the eastern portion of the county, the western por-
tion only occasionally choosing a Democratic Assemblyman.
Since the election of Hazen R. Hill, of Ripon, for Sheriff" in 1875, the Democratic party
has been losing ground. The beginning of this decline of party strength was owing in part to
the formation of the Greenback party, aided later by the dissensions and dissatisfactions in its own
ranks. In 1878, E. S. Bragg carried the county for member of Congress by 207, only one-
quarter the usual majority at such elections ; but the members of the county ticket were all
elected at that time, except James Russell, candidate for Clerk of the Circuit Court. Notwith-
standing these partial defeats on local issues, the county is still Democratic, and the public pat-
ronage has been secured by the Democratic papers much more than half of the time. Promi-
500 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
nent among the Democrats of Fond du Lac County! who have been honored with ofiBce, are
Mason C. Darling, a member of Congress in 1848 and 1849 ; John B. Macy in 1852, 1853^
1854 and 1855 ; Charles A. Eldredge, a member twelve years, from March, 1863, to March,
1875, and Edward S. Bragg, two terms, from 1876 to 1881. Samuel W. Beall was Lieutenant
Governor from 1850 to 1851, and in earlier and later days many important federal appoint-
ments have been given to Democrats. Among those were Maj. J. Thomas, United States
Marshal ; S. M. Smead, United States Assessor ; Peter Rupp, member of Board of Directors
for Northern Hospital for the Insane ; Augustus D. Bonesteel, United States Indian Agent, and
D. R. Curran, Register of the Land Office at Menasha for three years. Alexander W. Stow
was elected Chief Justice of the Supreme Court ; Maj. J. Thomas was a Delegate to the Bal-
timore Convention ; Edward S. Bragg, to the Charleston Convention ; Warren Chase was a
member of the first and second Constitutional Conventions, and S. W. Beall, a member of the
second.
There went out of the_ county, as Democrats, many good officers and privates to the rebel-
lion of 1861-65, among the former of which were Edward S. Bragg, a Brigadier General, and
the highest in rank of any Fond du Lac soldier of his party ; Gerrit T. Thorn, N. S. Gilson,
Thomas H. Green, A. Kettler, S. O'Kane, John Maginnis, S. W. Beall, Edgar Conklin, M.
Mangan, Roswell M. Sawyer, who was Adjutant General of Sherman's army, and others.
The Democratic party has survived all changes and maintained an actual majority from
the first organization of the county down to the present time, notwithstanding the State and
nation have been under Republican administration during the last two decades (with exception
of W. R. Taylor, Governor of the State in 1874-75). The spasmodic breaks made to form Free-
Democratic, Union-Democratic, Liberty and other parties, which drew heavily from its ranks, the
actual formation of the Greenback party, which cast 1,687 votes in 1878, and the few family dis-
sensions, have not destroyed its hope or organization.
The Whig Party. — The records from which to prepare a history of the Whig party in
Fond du Lac are very meager ; and if they were not, its history might briefly be told so far as length
of days or party achievements in this county are concerned. But whatever there is should be
preserved, for many of the -" old line " Whigs were either Abolitionists or firmly set against any
further extension or protection of slavery, and therefore composed the mass — with their intimate
cotemporaries, the Free Democrats — of the early Republican party. The Fond du Lac County
Whigs made very little stir until 1845 and the early portion of 1846. They were then made
up of the common people — had few leaders or political workers, for the reason that all offices of
trust and emolument were within the gift only of the Democrats, and there was no encourage-
ment for office-seekers and politicians to belong to any but the Democratic party. There was no
success possible for the Whigs at first, because those who espoused similar principles were divided
into several parties, such as the Libertyites, the Free Democracy and scattering political evan-
gelists who, although they opposed the straight Democrats, offered no help to the Whigs. In
1846, the Whig, Free Democratic and other parties of congenial political views, united at the
polls to a greater or less extent, and at the spring election of 1847 elected every county officer,
one or two members of the Assembly — then known as Representatives — and seven out of twelve
Supervisors. The popular majority was about fifty, though in the fall the Whigs gave a larger
majority for John H. Tweedy, who was elected Whig Territorial Delegate to Congress. In
1848, the Whigs divided the local offices with the Democrats, being less successful than in the
previous campaign. But Zachary Taylor, the first Whig President, was elected that year, and,
in the spring of 1849, removed John A. Eastman, Democrat, and appointed Samuel Ryan, Whig,
in his stead as Postmaster of the city of Fond du Lac. Mr. Ryan was the first person to receive
a Federal appointment in Fond du Lac County which did not go to a Democrat. The opposition
press at that time generally referred to the Whigs as " traitors," and an uproar was inaugurated
at once over the appointment of Mr. Ryan, the attacks being directed at both the President and
his appointee.
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 501
In 1849, the Whigs elected four out of eighteen Supervisors, after which they were not
generally successful, though they sometimes succeeded in dividing the town offices with the
Democrats, and, in 1852, 0. S. Wright, Whig, was elected County Treasurer over T>. R. Cur-
ran, Democrat. In 1854, Charles Billinghurst was elected to Congress, and was re-elected a
second time. He had heen a Whig, but was tiot elected wholly by that party. The election of
0. S. Wright, in 1852, was the closing chapter in the history of the Whig party in Fond du Lac
County.
The prominent members of the Whig organization were J. M. Gillet, Sam Ryan, Eli
Hooker, Gilbert M. Lee, C. M. Tompkins, G. de Neveu, Moses M. Gibson, Oscar Pier, Edgar
•Conklin, H. C. Giltner, J. A. Truesdell (who was once the Whig candidate for Secretary of
State), Henry Conklin, B. F. Moore, George McWilliams, Timothy L. Gillet, 0. S. Wright and
others, all of whom were prominent rather as citizens and business men than as politicians. The
Whig newspapers were the Whig, by J. M. Gillet ; the Republican, by Sam Ryan, and the
Fountain City Herald, by Royal Buck.
The Republican Party. — It is not a little remarkable that the Republican party has been
able to achieve such successes as the historian finds upon record, when all the facts are taken
into consideration. Nearly two decades before the birth of what is now the Republican party,
the various offices in Fond du Lac County were held by the Democrats, who had a clear and
decisive majority at the polls. This was natural, as when the county was first organized
and during several years thereafter, the Territory was in the hands of Democratic appointees,
and nearly all new-comers, especially if they had any ambition to attain to public position,
would join with the dominant party, which was Democratic. In this natural manner, the county
became strongly Democratic, and except when the people voted for the Whigs in 1847, and,
later, for Lincoln and Grant, has always remained so on all State and National questions. In
an early day, H. C. Giltner cast the only Republican vote in the town of Marshfield, and when
the town of Calumet cast more votes than the village and large town of Fond du Lac, there
were only from two to five Republican votes returned, and other towns were nearly as destitute
of Republicans. Notwithstanding these facts, the Republican party, on whose pages are inscribed
the names of Lincoln, Garrison, Sumner and Grant, as well as the Fourteenth and Fifteenth
Amendments, was born in the county of Fond du Lac — was christened in this original strong-
hold of Democracy. Its record has therefore been a creditable one. It supports six Republican
newspapers, and of 133 Members of the Assembly chosen since the organization of the State
Government, 71 have been Republicans, or in opposition to the Democrats, if elected before
there was such a thing in name as the Republican party. Edward Pier was the first Republican
State Senator, elected in the fall of 1855, since which time the county has always chosen Repub-
lican Senators, with the exception of E. L. Phillips, in 1859, George W. Mitchell, in 1861, and
Edward S. Bragg, in 1867. Thus, while the Republicans have hardly secured half of the
offices — though during twenty-four years there were more Republican than Democratic Sheriffs
— they have always been well represented in the Legislature.
The Republicans carried the county for Lincoln and Grant, when they were candidates for
President, and carried the city of Fond du Lac and town of Eldorado for W. E. Smith, for
Governor, in 1879. Among the more prominent members of the Republican party who were
officers in the rebellion were Charles S. Hamilton, a Major General, ranking the highest of any
Fond du Lac County soldier ; James T. Conklin, Quartermaster of Sherman's army ; David E.
Wood, 0. H. La Grange, Edward Colman, J. H. Hauser, Bertine Pinkney, Alexander White,
Hiram S. Town, Kelsey M. Adams, M. Ewen, Colwert K. Pier, George W. Carter, George
Perkins and others who held commissions.
Among those who have held other offices and positions of trust are C. S. Hamilton, appointed
United States Marshal, by Grant ; Orin Hatch, United States Assessor ; 0. H. La Grange,
Superintendent of the United States Mint at San Francisco ; Howard M. Kutchin, State's
Prison Commissioner and Collector of Internal Revenue for the Third District ; Walter T.
Coneys, who was Edwin M. Stanton's Private Secretary ; Henry L. Cordier and George W.
502 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
Carter, Wardens of the State's Prison ; David Taylor, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court
of Wisconsin ; and Mason Brayman, Governor of the Territory of Idaho (Mr. Brayman lived
across the line in Green Lake County, but owned, edited and published a newspaper in Ripon).
W. H. Hiner, of Fond du Lac, was a Presidential Elector in 1876.
The campaigns carried on by the Republicans have always been vigorous and strong, and
so effective as to secure some of the offices which, from the popular majority held by the Demo-
crats, would naturally be expected to fall to them rather than the Republicans. Their record is
therefore one of which they feel pi;oud.
National Oreenbaek Party: — The first Greenback doctrine ever listened to in Fond du
Lac County was in a speech made in Opera Hall ' in the fall of 1874, by W. W. Field, then
Secretary of the State Agricultural Society. At the Presidential election of 1876, sixty-seven
votes were cast in Fond du Lac County for Peter Cooper, Greenback candidate for President.
The first party organization waS formed about the middle of September, 1877. A Senato-
rial Convention for the Eighteenth District met in Fond du Lac, with D. Lyons, of Empire,
Chairman, and Mr. McKenna, Secretary. Gustav de Neveu was nominated for State Sen-,
ator. In accepting the nomination, he said : " If elected, I will not place myself on record in
the interest of money or railroad or other rings, and will do nothing in the way of begging votes,
spending money, or buying cigars or whisky, to secure my election." The next Saturday and
Monday, conventions were held for the Third and Second Assembly Districts, nominating James
Fitzgerald and W. P. Amadon, candidates. In the afternoon of that Monday, a County Con-
vention was held in the Court House. Dr. John Wiley, of 'Empire, was nominated for Sheriff,
and J. V. Harter, of New Cassel, for Superintendent of Schools. The latter gentleman declin-
ing, the County Committee placed on the ticket the name of Ed McLoughlin, the choice of
the Democrats. Mr. McLoughlin and Mr. Fitzgerald were elected. There were 520 Greenback
votes cast in the city of Fond du Lac. In 1878, David Giddings received 1,687 votes in Fond
du Lac County for Congressman. The canvass was vigorous, speakers being sent to every school
district in the county. In the spring of 1878, Orin Hatch was elected Mayor of Fond du Lac
by the Greenbackers and Democrats, and John Bell, of Byron, William Wiley, of Empire, and
P. /Greening, of Lamartine, were chosen Supervisors by the Greenback party. In the fall, the
Greenbackers nominated William Wiley for Register of Deeds ; Mr. Zimmerman for Treasurer ;
John Bell for County Clerk; I. R. Sanford for Clerk of the Court; D. W. C. Priest, District
Attorney ; Jacob Haessley for Surveyor and Isaac Orvis for Coroner. Jacob Haessley being
on the Democratic ticket also, was elected. In the fall of 1879, H. W. Morris was the Green-
back candidate for Sheriff, and Miss Anna Burke for County Superintendent of Schools. But
they received only a small share of the votes cast. The Greenback organ, .the People's Gham-
pion, had suspended, and interest in the party seemed to have been at low ebb. Nearly all the
"clubs " had disbanded at the beginning of 1880.
Among the leaders of the party in Fond du Lac County were Hiram Morris and John
Bell, of Byron ; J. J. Kelly and Dr. Eidemiller, of Osceola ; Henry Hayes and Dr. Vander-
voort, of Eden ; John W. Hall, of Forest ; William Wolf and Dr. Paule, of Marshfield ; David
Giddings, Gustav de Neveu, Dr. Wiley, G. W. Hersey, John Meiklejohn, of Empire; J.
Schmitz, of Calumet ; Isaac Orvis and M. Foley, of Oakfield ; William M.' Jones, F. F. Zim-
merman and W. P. Amadon, of Waupun ; Jerry Griffiths, of Eldorado ; F. R. and J. H. Stew-
art, of Rosendale ; C. B. Seward and W. M. Lockwood, of Ripon ; Joel N. McSchooler, of
Ashford ; and of the city, acting as leaders, were John Nichols, A. M. Blair, H. E. Connitt, D.
W. C. Priest, J. R. Tallmadge (the song singer), A. Moody, John Burke, 0. P. Bowe, Spencer
Palmer, J. M. Wells, J. L. Colman, Orin Hatch, L. F. Stowe, Caleb Miller, James Fitzgerald,
Charles Chandler, George Hunter, A. G. Purdy, Henry Scolar, A. Raymond.
Other Political Parties. — In 1848, the Free Sellers appeared with considerable strength as
a political element in Fond du Lac County, giving their support to Martin Van Buren for Pres-
ident. They did not do much in the way of securing local offices, generally coalescing with the
Democrats if any coalition was made. In 1849, John Bannister, of Fond du Lac, was the Free
HISTORY or FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 503
Soil candidate for Lieutenant Governor, but was badly defeated -with the balance of his ticket.
The Free Soil party claimed the right of Congress to regulate slavery, and was anti-slavery in its
principles. It also demanded the freedom of the soil to actual settlers, there being at that time no
pre-emption or homestead laws, except temporary ones. The party was not successful in Fond
du Lac County campaigns, and when the Republican party was formed its members generally be-
came Republicans, though there was a Free Soil party organization maintained in name until
the rebellion.
The Free Democracy was the name of an organization composed of those of the Democratic
party who opposed slavery. It was never successful as a party, although it maintained an organ,
the Western Freeman, by J. A. Smith, and weakened the Democratic party so that "fusion" or
compromise candidates were occasionally elected.
The Prohibitionists have maintained a party organization in Fond du Lac County during
several years, but have never succeeded in electing any of their candidates. Their cardinal
principles are prohibitory liquor laws, such as will put a stop to the manufacture and sale of all
intoxicating liquors. The Ripon Free Press is their organ, and T. D. Stone, I. N. Woodruff,
C. F. Hammond and 0. B. Judd the leaders of the party.
There was also a secret organization — the Know Nothing party — whose motto was, "Put
none but Americans on gu^ard." As Fond du Lac County was the home of very many
foreigners of nearly all nationalities, the Know Nothings were considered odious by a large class
of citizens. Nevertheless, it is said they controlled the offices of the county during two or three
campaigns by maneuvering in such a manner as to secure places for a portion of their candidates
on each of the two principal tickets. The party deliberations were conducted with great secresy.
The Liberty Party was organized in the latter part of 1844 in this county. At a conven-
tion held at Waupun in 1846, the party platform set forth that its members should vote for no
man for public office who was " a slave-holder, apologist for slavery, or who was in political alli-
ance with slave-holders, or who would not make the protection of the inalienable rights of man
his first duty. " The convention was largely attended, the leaders bring Rev. Dana Lamb of
Rosendale, M. S. Barnett, Isaac M. Stowe, Alexander Carpenter, J. B. Judd, Rev. D. C.
Vaughan, John Hall, C. J. Allen and Warren Morley. The party held conventions, passed
resolutions and nominated tickets regularly until 1848, when most of its members joined the
Free Sellers, never having achieved a victory at the polls.
RIPON COLLEGE.
The first enterprise of a public character in what is now the city of Ripon, was the found-
ing of an institution of learning. It was commenced without population, without money and
without a charter, in the fall of 1850, by four or five men — not more. It was determined not
to wait for a session of the Legislature in order to obtain a charter ; time was precious. A tem-
porary organization was effected under a general law, which was never designed for any such
thing, but which, it was thought, might be made "to hold water" — and it did — until a charter
could be obtained in proper form. A subscription paper was pushed around, when there were
not a dozen men, all told, to touch it ; when there was little property and less money in the
country, and when merchants in this region were actually refusing to receive wheat on
accounts, at 25 cents a bushel ! Such was the condition of things when " Brdckway Col-
lege" afterward " Ripon College," which name it still retains, was established.
When there was little to be seen upon the high ground surrounding the valley, in which
clustered the houses of the little village of Ceresco, except the rolling prairie in all its native
breadth and beauty, dotted here and there with groves of oaks and poplars ; when as yet
streets and houses were few, and the inhabitants not more than a few score ; the far-seeing
citizens began the movement to establish here an institution of learning of a high order. The
national census of the year before had set down the total population of the new and rising State,
then only three years old, as 305,391, and it was rather to provide facilities for the higher cult-
ure of the thousands that were, it was seen, soon to people the fertile lands, than to meet the
504 HISTORY 0¥ FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
limited wants of the existing population, that the enterprise was begun. There were then only
two colleges in Wisconsin, and they had an attendance of only seventy-five students. The
people who had selected this beautiful spot for their homes, worldly wise, and, let us hope, actu-
ated by noble motives, resolved to make the place distinguished as a seat of learning and a
center of culture for all time to come.
Contributions of money and land* were made, and during the summer of 1851, the stone walls
of the first college building — now East College — were erected. The funds on hand being already
exhsiusted, a new effort had to be made, and later in the season, the roof was put on. The
money was wholly furnished by the people of Ripon, and considering their very limited resources,
their contributions were liberal. Some who had no money to give, furnished materials or their
own labor. One who assisted in the erection of this building, writes thus of its progress until
it was inclosed:
" The ground for the first building was staked out in a snowstorm by three men, who
together were probably not worth $15,000, and no part of that in ready money. Still, the
contracts were made ; the walls of the building were pushed up, the timbers — hauled by teams
over the worst of roads, from Winneconne — were put in, the roof was lifted on to them, finally
the windows came into position, and the most wonderful thing about it was, it was all paid for."
At this stage of advancement, the enterprise halted for a time.
The act of incorporation of "Brockway College," as it was agreed to call the new institu-
tion, was approved January 29, 1851. The original incorporators were David P. Mapes, Ezra
L. Northrup, Alvin B. Bovay, Warren Chase, John S. Horner, Jehdiah Bowen, Almon
Osborn, Asa Kinney, Edwin Lockwood, Dana F. Shepard, Alexander B. Beardsley, William S.
Brockway, Edward L. E-unals, William Starr, and the president of the college, ex officio. The
design and purpose of the corporation was declared to be " to found, establish and maintain at
Ripon, in the county of Fond du Lac, an institution of learning of the highest order, embrac-
ing also a department for preparatory instruction." The buildings of the institution were to be
located on " Out Lot No. 4, in the village of Ripon," and the annual income from all property
belonging to the college was not to exceed $10,000.
The site of the new institution embraced at this time but a single acre of ground, fronting
east upon Ransom street, and lying principally just south of the present site of the Congrega-
tional Church.
The next summer, the Trustees, having exhausted their scanty means on the unfinished
building, and seeing the need of enlisting some religious denomination in the enterprise, sent a
proposition, by the first minister of the Congregational Church of Ripon, Rev. F. G. Sherrill,
to the " Winnebago District Convention of Presbyterian and Congregational ministers and
Churches," to adopt the institution. They ofi'ered to transfer to the convention all the property
of the college for the nominal sum of $400, on condition that the building should be finished, so
far as necessary for the purpose, and a school opened in it early in the summer of 1853.
The churches of this region being then very weak, the convention did not deem it practi-
cable to raise the money required, and requested Rev. J. W. Walcott, then the-minister of a church
at Menasha, and a member of the convention, to buy the property for the convention, pledging
itself to take it as soon as it should be able to pay him for it. In accordance with the request
of the convention and at the solicitation of the Trustees, Mr. Walcott bought the property on the
20th of November, 1862. He enlarged the grounds of the College by the purchase of some
adjacent land, chiefly from A. B. Bovay and J. Bowen, until, at one time, the College grounds
embraced nearly the whole square upon which the buildings are situated, together with some
adjoining land. From Mr. Bovay, he obtained between two and three acres, constituting the
* The College lot— " Out Lot No. 4, in the Tillage of Bipon "— was coDveyed to the Board of TruBteesof Brockway College, May 13, 1851, by
David P. Mapes and Kuth Mapes. "It required much labor," writes one who was early ideniified with the institution, "to dispose of the
stock of the College, but determined minds said it should be done, and it was done. I recollect going to one of our best farmers, Almon
Osborn, for a subscription to the College, and he put down $25. Proud of so liberal a donation, I went to his next neighbor, Julian KiTers,and
presenting the subscription paper, said : "Your neighbor, Osborn, has put down $25." Scanning the list a pioment, he remarked, " Well, put
me down for $30." He was not to be outdone by his neighbors. He burned lime from his quarry and drew it to the site of the building, in
order that the foundation walls of the first edifice might be laid.
FOND DU LAC.
HISTORY OP FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 507
southeast portion of the present campus, and from Mr. Bovren he bought about seven acres, form-
ing the southwest portion, and extending westward to the cemetery line. From other owners he
purchased that part of the grounds upon which stand Middle College and West College, and the
row of lots not now belonging to the College, which bound the present College territory on the
north, and front upon State street.
During the winter, some of the upper rooms of the building were finished, together with
the halls. The College was opened for academic studies in the ladies' department June 1, 18-53.
The students attending during the first term were: Jane A. Bowen, Sarah E. Brown, Katie ,^
Clinton, Margaret Harris, Maria Harroun, Elida Huntington, Charlotte M. Mapes, Charlotte
Masten, Mary J. Pedrick, Josephine E. Russell, Imogene Shepard, Augusta R. Scott, Jane H.
Scott, Janette Taylor, Augusta Wentworth and Mary M. West. The school, during this term,
was under the superintendence of Miss Martha J. Adams. On the 1st day of September of that
year, M. W. Martin opened the male department. The names of the students during this term
were: A. A. Atwell, E. D. Babbitt, Henry L. Barnes, T. W. Caster, John S. Bowen, E. K.
Brown, G. D. Hance, A. W. Horner, J. M. Judd, F. Masten, Z. A. Pedrick, L. Strong, L. S.
Shepard, Luther Spalding, Moses Swift, R. A. Rew, Cyrus Wakefield, A. C. Wedge, A. G.
Wedge and D. J; Wedge.
In October, 1853, J. W. Walcott arrived and assumed control of both departments as Prin-
cipal of the institution. Alvan E. Bovay afterward gave instruction in mathematics.
The first Trustees were: J. W. Walcott, D. Sabin, A. E. Bovay, A. Osborn, A. B. Beardsley,
E. L. Runals, D. P. Mapes, T. B. Bobbins, J. Bowen, W. Brockway, W. Starr, A. P. Mapes
and E. L. Northrup. Officers : J. W. Walcott, President ; E. L. Northrup, Treasurer ; A. E.
Bovay, Secretary.
A writer in 1854 speaks thus of "Brockway College :" " Toward the close of the year, in
a gentle snowstorm, two men might have been seen staking out the location for the first college
building, amidst the half-suppressed jeers of the faithless.
" The novelty, the boldness and the utility of the enterprise ; the tireless efforts of a few
determined spirits ; the unequaled beauty of the location, all united to attract the sympathy and
munificence of the surrounding country. The enterprise succeeded beyond the most sanguine
expectations of its most earnest friends.
" On the west side of the village of Ripon is an elevation of about ten acres of land. This
eminence is covered with shrubs and underwood, with occasional oaks which thicken westward,
and at the distance of twenty-five or thirty rods mingle with the growth of thick forest trees
which spread over nearly two hundred acres. The middle of this elevation is nearly circular,
about one hundred yards in diameter, smooth and level, and has an altitude of over thirty feet
above the surrounding country. Upon this hill, at the exact spot staked out by the two grim
determined men in a snowstorm, stands Brockway College [the East College of the present day].
It is a beautiful stone edifice, presenting its four equal fronts to the four cardinal points of the
compass.
" Upon all sides, Green Lake Prairie spreads its rich, rolling surface, like a boundless gar-
den ; checkered, striped and dotted with little groves of underwood and oak openings ; while its
streams are fringed with forest-trees. The traveler, as he approaches Ripon from any direction,
will have, as he crosses the high wave of the prairie, a full view of a front of Brockway College
at a distance varying from six to eight miles. If the liveliest imagination could be clothed with
creative power and give form, substance and vitality to its most brilliant paintings, it
could only mar the beauty which the Almighty Builder has crowned this spot for a public edi-
fice— a city of light set on a hill. The College lands include the whole of the ten acres."
In February, 1855, in accordance with a resolution of the Convention, a new charter was
obtained, naming as the new Board of Trustees the following gentlemen, designated by the Con-
vention : Ezra L. Northrup, Jehdiah Bowen, Jeremiah W. Walcott, Silas Hawley, Dana
Lamb, Bertine Pinkney, Charles H. Camp, Harvey Grant, Sherlock Bristol, and the President
608
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
of the College, ex officio. The new charter increased the limit of income of the College to $20,-
000, and conferred some other enlarged powers, particularly with regard to establishing a nor-
mal course of study and other courses, and with regard to holding lands adjacent to " Out Lot
No. 4."
The Board was organized under the new charter in March, 1855. A writer in July, 1856,
says : " Brockway College has a charter, but only the preparatory male and female depart-
ments are in operation. The building now erected is of stone. The school and recitation rooms
are finished with butternut, oiled and varnished. The desks are of the same material. The
moral influences exerted over students are of a high character. There are two distinct depart-
ments in the institution ; young ladies and gentlemen, however, recite together in certain classes.
Instruction is given in all the higher English branches, and in such classical studies as are
necessary to fit young men and women for college."
In 1857 (February 21), the College grounds and the building were conveyed to the Board
by warranty deed, from Mr. Walcott. During this year, a liberal subscription having been
obtained for that purpose, a second building, now Middle College, was erected. Its erection,
however, exhausted the limited means of the Board and left it deeply in debt ; and the financial
disasters of the country in that year afiected its resources very severely. For about five years
the institution struggled with great financial difficulties, in consequence of which, at the open-
ing of the rebellion, the school was for one year suspended. Many of the students enlisted in
EIPON COLLEGE. ,
the army, and the College grounds were leased to the Government for a camp, being occupied
by the First Regiment of Wisconsin Cavalry.*
In 1862, the Convention and steadfast friends of the College rallied, and a subscription to-
pay the debts of the institution was so far successful that the Trustees re-opened the school, and
in September of that year, Prof E. H. Merrell assumed the charge of it. This gentleman was,
in 1862, but recently graduated from Oberlin College, and has been longer connected with the
College than any other of the corps of instructors. He was assisted by efficient lady teachers.
The school grew so rapidly, and its prospects seemed so favorable, that in April, 1863, the-
Trustees began the organization of a permanent faculty for regular college instruction. Rev.
William E. Merriman, of Green Bay, a graduate of Williams College, was elected President,
and E. H. Merrell was elected Professor of Languages. At the annual meeting of the Board
in July following, the President entered upon his duties, and the policy of the College was
defined. At the opening of the term in September of that year, the first college class was
formed. Before that time, the institution had only been a high school. It now began its career
as a regular college, with a preparatory department attached. During that first college year,
the debts of the institution were all paid, the library was begun, and amendments to the charter
were obtained, changing the name to Ripon College, and granting some additional privileges.
* The school was suspended during the first ye»r of the rebellion, and, in 1862, a subscription was made to paj the debts of the insti-
tution ; the school was re-opened in September. Many of the youni? men who had studied here previous to 1861, no doubt went into the Union
army, but of them, as identified with the College, there is no record.
HISTORY or FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 509
In 1866, three years after the permanent organization of the College, the institution had
outgrown its accommodations, and the next year the third College building, now West College,
larger and better than either of the others, was erected and occupied.
The title of the College grounds and buildings is perfect, and the property wholly unin-
cumbered. It has been built up mainly by the Congregationalists and Presbyterians. A
majority of its Trustees have been ministers or members of Congregational Churches, and the
Board has the confidence of that denomination. Although the College is under such influ^
ences and looks to the churches for support, it is not sectarian. Its privileges are open to all
on the same terms.
It is the aim of the institution to provide for the liberal education of young men and
women and to keep its methods of instruction in harmony with the most enlightened views of
education. It aims also to furnish a thorough preparation for the pursuit of college courses,
and to provide a sound practical education for such as may desire to fit themselves for common-
school teaching or for business. Its purpose is also to make the expense of pursuing a course
of liberal study as low as is consistent with a high degree of excellence in its results, and thus
to keep a liberal education within the reach of young men and women of limited means. It is
likewise the earnest purpose to conduct the institution on distinctively Christian principles, and
to have it pervaded with a strong and healthy moral and religious influence. While aiming at
the best results of intellectual training, its instructors will ever ibear in mind that character is
more than these, that the development of character is an essential part of the work of an educa-
tional institution, and that there is no sound basis of character except in Christian principle.
The institution is divided into the following : The College, the Preparatory School, the
English Academy, and the School of Music. In the College two liberal courses of study — the
classical and the scientific — ^have been arranged, each extending through four years. The
course of preparation for the classical course extends through three years ; that for the scien-
tific course through two years. The course of study in the English Academy extends through
three years ; it is intended to provide the essentials of a good English education. The courses
of study in the School of Music extend through two years each. Besides these courses of
study, a musical and literary course has been arranged for such students as may desire to pur-
sue an extended course in music, and at the same time acquire a liberal culture in other direc-
tions. It comprises a preparatory course of three years, and a college course of four years.
These courses of study are open to students of both sexes. Ladies reside with the lady teachers,
in a separate building ; but students of both sexes are instfucted in the same classes, enjoy the
same privileges, and may take the same degrees.
The College grounds include nearly twelve acres, centrally situated, on high ground with a
rolling surface relieved at intervals by native oaks and other shrubbery. The grounds, and
particularly the buildings, are visible at great distances in all directions. There are three College
buildings, all of stone. East College is fifty feet square and three stories high, with a cupola.
It contains four recitation-rooms, the cabinet, the reading-room, an apparatus-room and several
rooms for students. Middle College is one hundred by forty-four feet, three stories high, besides
the basement and the attic, which are finished throughout. This is the ladies' building ; it
contains, in the basement, the college boarding hall; on the main floor, teachers' rooms, parlors
and office ; in the upper stories, apartments for young ladies, hall of their literary society, and
their gymnasium. West College is eighty by fifty feet, and four stories high. It contains the
chapel, the library, the general office, recitation-rooms, the hall of the young men's societies, the
gymnasium and rooms for young men. The buildings aflbrd rooms sufficient for the instruction
of 460 students, of whom about 200, with several teachers, may reside in the buildings. These
structures are plain and unpretentious, having been erected at the least possible cost consistent
with sound construction ; but they are serviceable and comfortable.
In 1868, the College, through its President, made application to the Directors of the
" Society for the Promotion of Collegiate and Theological Education in the West," to adopt
Ripon College as one of its beneficiaries, and to assist it with funds from the East, so far as may
510 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
be necessary for its equipment and endowment. The application was granted, and a large part
of the present endowment fund has been obtained at the East through the personal solicitation
of President Merriman.
The property and resources of the College are estimated as follows :
Number of acres of land owned by the institution 440
Estimated cash value of land owned by the institution $ 4,440 00
Estimated cash value of buildings owned by the institution 65,000 00
Amount of endowments and funds except real estate 160,000 00
Since the organization of the institution as a College, in 1863, it has been operated mainly
upon its own earnings. Up to 1868, the teachers received nothing but the income from tuition.
The College has never had a paid agent, and every dollar contributed to it has been used in
building up the institution without diminution for raising money or for current expenses. It is the
purpose of the College to pursue the same severely economical policy; that is, to spend nothing
given to it in operating it, but to use every donation in augmenting its permanent means of
instruction.
The College library contains more than 4,000 volume?. The cabinet has been increased
in size, and furnished with new cases for specimens ; about 4,000 specimens have been received
during the year 1878, and the present facilities for storage and exhibition are good. Cases have
also been provided for the botanical specimens, so that there is now a good herbarium.
The new building — the Laboratory — recently erected, furnishes better facilities than ever
before for the Chemical and Astronomical Departments. It contains a chemical laboratory, a
chemical lecture-room, an apparatus-room, and a room designed to accommodate the fine
transit telescope and chronograph that have recently come into the possession of the institu-
tion. A fine astronomical clock has recently been added, and a considerable amount of apparatus
from Germany, together with a supply of chemicals.
There are three literary societies : One for gentlemen of the Preparatory School and
English Academy ; another for gentlemen of the College, and a third for ladies. The societies
have well-furnished halls, and afford their members valuable means of voluntary improvement.
Mi's. John W. James, of Boston, gave fl,000 for the encouragement of English composi-
tion in the College, the interest of which is annually distributed in prizes, for the purpose
intended by the donor. Mrs. James has recently added $500 to the previous benefaction. The
late Rufus Dodge, of Beaver Dam, Wis., left the College a legacy of f 5,000, as a permanent
fund to aid young ladies of limited means in getting their education. The interest of this fund
is distributed annually among such students as the testator provided for.
All the departments of instruction are now well organized and filled with competent
instructors. During the year 1878, besides the improvement made to the buildings, valuable
additions have been made to the library and cabinet. The endowment subscription is paid in
and well invested.
The department of music aims to provide thorough instruction in playing the piano-forte,
in solo and chorus singing, and in musical theory, including harmony, counterpoint, and the
elements of form and composition. Its instructors seek to lay such a sure foundation in technics as
shall insure the progress of the pupils, and make it possible to introduce them to the works of
the best composers. The true appreciation and interpretation of real works of art are steadily
kept in view.
Until the organization of a permanent College Faculty, begun in 1863, the following were
the instructors in the various branches taught in the institution : J. W. Walcott, A. E. Bovay,
M. W. Martin, Miss Martha J. Adams, Miss Elizabeth P. Smith, Mr. G. B. Cooley, Mrs. Mary
Chapin, Miss Martha J. Leonard, Miss Orphia J. Leonard, Mr. J. G. Evans, Ira Bushnell, Miss
M. J. Childs, M. H. Stemple, C. 0. Bailey.
The names of those who have been members of the Faculty since the organization of the
College, in 1863, are: Rev. William E. Merriman, A. M., President, and Professor of Mental and
Moral Science; Edward H. Merrell, A. M., Professor of Greek ; Rev. William H. Ward, A. M.,
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 511
Professor of Latin, Natural Sciences and Physical Training ; Mrs. C. T. Tracy, Superintendent
of the Ladies' Department, and Instructor in Mathematics and Botany ; Miss Julia R. Hosford,
Instructor in Latin and French ; Mrs. Frances E. Woodrow, Instructor in Rhetoric, Physiology
and Higher English Studies ; Rev. M. Montague, A. M., Professor of Rhetoric ; Daniel Merriman,
Professor of Natural Sciences: Rev. Oliver Sloan, A. M., Professor of Mathematics; Mrs. L.
M. Beach, Instructor in French and German; Theodore Wilder, A. B., Professor of Mathe-
matics; Justus N. Brown, A. B., Professor of Latin ; Miss Frances E. Durand, Instructor in
Higher English Studies ; Miss Luthera H. Adams, Instructor in Mathematics ; William M.
Bristoll, A. M., Professor of Latin ; Joseph M. Geery, A. B., Professor of Rhetoric and English
Literature ; John C. Fillmore, Professor of Music ; Lyman B. Sperry, M. D., Professor of
Chemistry and Natural Science ; Miss Martha E. French, Instructor in Higher English Studies ;
Mrs. Frances E. Wilder, Instructor in French ; Erastus 0. Beach, A. M., Professor of Mathe-
matics and Astronomy ; Carlos A. Kenaston, A. M., Professor of Mathematics and Astronomy ;
Miss Kate A. Bushnell, Principal of the Ladies' Department ; Rev. John P. Haire, A. M., Profes-
sor of the Latin Language and Literature ; William G. Ballantine, A. M., Professor of Chemistry
and Natural Science ; Mrs. Minerva B. Norton, Principal of the Ladies' Department ; Cyrus
G. Baldwin, A. B., Professor of the Latin Language and Literature ; George C. Duffie, A. M.,
Instructor in English Studies; Henry B. Miter, A. B., Instructor in Latin ; Rev. James A.
Towle, A. B., Professor of the Greek Language and Literature; Herbert G. Denison, A. M.,
Principal of the Preparatory School and Instructor in Greek ; Alvah H. Sabin, S. B., Professor
of Chemistry and Natural Science ; Lyman F. Brown, Professor of Music ; Miss Sarah A.
Barnes, Preceptr.ess ; Dwight F. Stillman, Professor of Music ; Mrs. Lucretia H. Kendall,
Preceptress ; Miss Laura W. Ladd, Instructor in Latin.
The present Board of Trustees and Faculty are as follows :
Trustees — Rev. Edward H. Merrell, ex officio; C. M. Blackman, Esq., Whitewater;
Rev. F. B. Doe, Ripon; Rev. Joseph F. Dudley, Eau Claire; Rev. E. Y. Garrette, La Crosse;
Allen P. Harwood, Esq., Ripon — Term expires with the collegiate year, in June, 1880. Hon.
William C. Allen, Racine; F. S. Eldred, Esq., Janesville; Storrs Hall, M. D., Rosendale;
Rev. Arthur Little, Chicago, 111. — Term expires with the collegiate year, in June, 1881. Jehdeiah
Bowen, Esq., Ripon; Hon. Llewellyn Breese, Portage City; W. C. Hamilton, Esq., Fond du
Lac ; Hon. E. D. Holton, Milwaukee ; Hon. Willard Merrill, Milwaukee — Term expires with the
collegiate year, in June, 1882.
Faculty — Rev. Edward H. Merrell, A. M., President, and Professor of Mental and
Moral Philosophy ; Joseph M. Geery, A. M., Professor of English Literature, Rhetoric and
Political Philosophy; Carlos A. Kenaston, A. M., Professor of Mathematics and Astronomy;
Cyrus G. Baldwin, A. M., Professor of the Latin Language and Literature ; George C. Duffie,
A. M., Principal of the English Academy; Rev. James A. Towle, A. B., Professor of the
Greek Language and Literature; Herbert G. Denison, A. M., Principal of the Preparatory
School and Instructor in Greek; Alvah H. Sabin, M. S., Professor of Chemistry and Natural
Science; Dwight F. Stillman, Professor of Music; Henry B. Miter, A. M., Instructor in
Latin ; Mrs. Clarissa T. Tracy, Instructor in Algebra and Botany ; Irene I. Wilcox, Instructor
in Painting and Drawing ; Mrs. Lucretia H. Kendall, Preceptress ; Prof. Joseph M. Geery,
Librarian; Prof. Carlos A. Kenaston, Secretary of the Faculty and Registrar of the College;
Prin. George C. Dufhe, Assistant Treasurer.
The Alumni of the College are as follows : Class of 1867 — Luthera H. Adams, B. A.,
Harriet H. Brown, B. S., Mary F. Spencer (Thayer), B. S., Susan A. W. Saulsbury*, B. S.
Class of 1868— A. Jerome Chittenden, B. A., Emily S. Cook, B. A., George C. Duffie, B. A.,
Lyman B. Everdell, B. A., Myron W. Pinkerton, B. A., J. Horace Tracy, B. A. Class of
1869— Caroline D. Chittenden (Turner), B. S., Isabella S. Cragin, B. S., George M. Steele,
B. S. Class of 1870— Daniel de Loss Bathrick, B. S., Josiah B. Blakley, B. A., Eunice E.
Durand (Lyman), B. S., William Sylvester Holt, B. A., Ella E. Mapes, B. S., Rosa B. Olds
512
HISTORY OF POND DU LAC COUNTY.
(Bristol), B. S., Annah M. Smith, B. S. Class of 1871— James A. Blanchard, B. A., James
H. Bradish, B. A., Joseph Gr. Davis, B. S., John T. Evans, B. A., Moritz E. Eversz, B. A.,
Sarah E. Powers (Bradish), A. A., Albert F. Rust, B. A., Charles H. Yeomans, B. A. Class
of 1872— John W. Allen, Jr., B. A., James M. Brush, B. A., Frank I. Fisher, B. A., Sarah
E. Seribner, B. S., Martha A. Shepard, B. S., Margaret B. Shoemaker, B. S., Harmon M.
Wilcox, B. S. Class of 1873— Henry S. Akin, B. A., Horatio A. Brooks, B. S.,* Sarah F.
Combs, B. S., Rowland S. Cross, B. A., Ida Elwell (Tilson), B. S., William Foulkes, B. A.,
Oscar E. Hanson, B. S., Marietta Hunter, B. ^., Harriet A. Johnson (Foulkes), B. S., Henry
B. Miter, B. A., Charles M. Pond, B. S., Jesse F. Taintor, B. A., Frederick W. Rogers, B. S.
Class of 1874— Emma W. Blair, B. S., Isabella V. Campbell (Blakely), B. S., Ezra P. Chit-
tenden, B. A., Edward Evans, B. A., William F. Hillman, B. A., Almira I. Hobert, B. S.,
Benjamin P. Thomas, B. S. Class of 1875 — Carroll Atwood, B. S., Rosina E. Batson, B. A.
John W. Hargrave, B. A., Mary E. Harris, B. S., Silas H. Hillman, B. S., Kossouth K.
Kennan, B. A., Mary A. McAssey (Pinch), B. A., Albert J. Miller, B. A.. John W. Pinch,
B. A., Pearse Pinch, B. A., Adelaide A. Sargent, B. S., Jeannie C. Sherwood, B. S., Lyman
H. Warner, B. A. Class of 1876— John G. Ingalls, B. S., Louis K. Strong, B. S., John
W. Savage, B. S. Class of 1877— Joseph H. Bottum, B. S., Ada Clark, B. A., David
Davies, B. A., David B. Evans, B. A., Charles W. Headley, B. A., Susan A. JefFris, B. S.,
Williams M. Lewis, B. A., Perry Niskern, B. A., Alonzo R. Northup, B. A. Class of
1878 — Irenseus J. Atwood, B. A., Frederick A. Dawes, B. A., Sarah J. Sherman, B. S., Ella
M. Slater, B. S., Abbie A. Strong, B. A., Frank N. White, B. A., Emma M. Williams, B. A.
Class of 1879— Thomas Armstrong, Jr., B. S., Wells W. Cook, B. S.. Williard A. Hodge, B.
A., Mary B. Hodge, B. S., Orville W. Mosher, B. A., Robert T. Roberts, B. S.
* Deceased.
Note. — The College has thus far conferred no honorary degrees.
CHAPTER YII.
A Divorce Refused— Origin of the Republican Party— Old Settlers' Club of Fond du
Lao County— Common Schools— Literature and the Fine Arts— Fond du Lac County's
War Record- a Retrospect.
a ditokce refused.
Soon after the erection of Green Lake into a separate but small county, the people of
Ripon began to agitate the matter of dividing Fond du Lac County and joining the western
tier of towns on to Green Lake County, making Ripon the county seat. The matter has been
agitated in various ways several times since, but only once has it been submitted to popular
vote. The test has been made in the County Board whenever the question of a new Court
House or the erection of other county buildings has been raised. The people of Ripon always
favored a division for the reason that it would benefit their city to have the county seat located
within its limits, and the people of Fond du Lac always opposed the division for the reason that
the smaller the territory in any county the higher will be the taxes necessary to maintain a
county government. Finally, in 1859, the Legislature passed the following bill, at the instance
and through the exertions of Alvan E. Bovay, then member of the Assembly from Ripon :
An Act to annex t part of the County of Fond du Lac to the County of Green Lake.
The People of the State of Wtsconsia represented in Sunate and Assembly do enact as follows :
Sbction 1. Township number 16 north, of Kunge number 14 east, embracing the territory of the town and
city of Ripon, is hereby detached and set off from the county of Fond du Lac and attached and annexed to the
county of Green Lake.
Sec. 2. This act is hereby submitted to a vote of the people of Fond du Lac County in the manner following :
That is to say, on the Tuesday next succeeding the first Monday in November next, an election shall be held in the
several towns and wards in said county, at which election any qualified elector of said county may vote " for detach-
ing Ripon," or "against detaching Ripon," on a separate ballot written or printed, to be deposited in a box used
only for such ballots ; such election shall be held in the several towns and wards during the same hours of the day
as the election which is held for other purposes on that day, and the votes of the towns and wards severally, and of
the whole county, shall be canvassed in the same manner as the votes for State Senator are canvassed in Fond du
Lac County, and said canvass, when so made, shall be recorded by the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors of said
county in his office, and a certified copy of the same shall be forthwith forwarded by said Clerk to the Secretary of
State, to be filed in his office.
Sec. 3. The Sheriff of Fond du Lac County is hereby authorized and required to give notice of the election
mentioned in the preceding section, by publishing a notice of the same for at least three weeks previous to said elec-
tion, in at least two weekly newspapers of said county.
Sec. 4. If a majority of all the votes cast at such election in said county on this subject shall be " for detach-
ing Ripon," then this act shall be in full force and effect from and after the 1st day of December, 1859.
Sec. 5. This act is hereby declared to be a public act, and it shall take effect and be in force from and after
its passage.
Approved March 11, 1859.
This bill was no sooner approved than the work of securing its adoption by popular vote
was begun. The vigor of the campaign was astonishing. The Western Times, published at
Ripon, declared the division should take place for the following reasons :
" Our commercial relations have all been severed from Fond du Lac by the erection of the
Milwaukee & Horicon Railroad. We are obliged to travel fifty miles by rail or twenty-four by
wagon, requiring two days, to transact the smallest item of county business.
" Owing to the great dissimilarity of soil in the eastern and western towns, it has been,
and will continue to be, a very difGcult matter to equalize the assessments of the two localities
satisfactorily.
" We are, to all intents and purposes, a foreign people to Fond du Lac.
" We are the commercial center of Green Lake County, most of the shipments of grain by
the farmers of that county being made at Ripon.
514 HISTOEY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
"We regret exceedingly the bitter warfare that must inevitably follow from the refusal of
the citizens of Fond du Lac to consent to a peaceful separation. Having exhausted every
other means to obtain a peaceable separation, we are now fully resolved to fight for it, and, if we
do not conquer in peace, we shall be much mistaken in the result."
The scheme was defeated, although by no decided majority. The people of the western tier
of towns, especially Ripon, exhibiting a most extraordinary capacity for voting. The whole
number cast November 8, 1859, was 5,315, of which 2,604 were " for detaching Ripon," and
2,711 against the proposed separation. The year 1859 was jocularly referred to afterward as
the one in which " Ripon granted universal suffrage."
ORIGIN OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.
The Republican party of the United States originated, both as to organization and name
in the town of Ripon, in this county. " One of the earliest, if not the earliest, of the move-
ments," says Henry Wilson, " that contemplated definite action and the formation of a new party,
was made in Ripon, Fond du Lac Co., Wis., in the early months of 1854. In consequence
of a very thorpugh canvass, conference and general comparison of views, inaugurated by A. E.
Bovay [Alvan E. Bovay], a prominent member of the Whig party, among the Whigs, Free-
Soilers and Democrats of that township, a call was issued * * * fQ,. ^ public meeting to
consider the grave issues which were assuming an aspect of such alarming importance. The
meeting was held on the last [day] of February, in the Congregational Church. It was largely
attended by persons of both sexes from the town and surrounding country. It was a meeting
solely for the discussion of principles and comparison of views. * * * ]ijjg burden and
drift of the speeches were the hopeless subserviency of the national parties to the behests of the
slaveholders, the necessity of abandoning them, and the proposed policy of constructing a party
from the materials thus set at liberty, with such as could be persuaded to leave the Democratic
party for a similar purpose. A resolution was adopted that, if the Nebraska bill, then pending,
should pass, they would ' throw old party organizations to the winds, and organize a new party
on the sole issue of the non-eytension of slavery.' "
" A second meeting was held," continues Mr. Wilson, " on the 20th of March, for the pur-
pose of organization and for the adoption of such preliminary measures as the inauguration of
the new party required. By formal vote, the town committees of the Whig and Free-Soil
parties were dissolved, and a committee of five, consisting of three Whigs, one Free-Soiler and
one Democrat, was chosen. ' The work done on that evening,' says Mr. Bovay, ' was fully
accepted by the Whig and Free-Soil parties of all this section immediately, and very soon — that
is to say, in a few months — by these parties throughout the entire State.' A State Convention
was held in July, by which the organization of the party was perfected for the State, a majority
of the delegation was secured for the next Congress ; and a Free-Soiler, Charles Durkee, was
elected to the Senate of the United States. At the meeting of the 20th of March, Mr. Bovay,
though stating his belief that the party should and probably would take the name of • Republi-
can,' advised against such a christening at that time, and by that small local body of men. He,
however, wrote to the editor of the New York Tribune, suggesting the name, giving his reasons
therefor, and requesting him, if his viesvs corresponded with his own, to call the attention of
his readers to it in the columns of his paper. Thus early did the men of that frontier town
inaugurate a movement which was destined to sweep and control the nation, and which did
sweep the country, and change entirely the policy of the government."*
Careful investigations in the city of Ripon more than confirm the opinion of the late Vice
President of the United States — Mr. Wilson. Facts have been sought from original sources —
from living witnesses — from documentary evidence — all bearing upon this interesting and impor-
tant movement, and all prove beyond question that Alvan E. Bovay first suggtested the form-
ation and name of the political party of the United States known as the Republican party ; that
* Rise and Fall of the Slave Power in America, by Henry Wilson, Vol. II, pp. 409, 410.
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 515
several of his neighbors whose names are hereafter given powerfully aided him in its first organ-
ization in Ripon — cordially co-operating with him iii the inauguration of the new party.
Says Maj. Bovay:
" I had been a Whig, but the Whig party was then dead. Its defunct condition was not
generally realized, but it was dead nevertheless. It had been routed horse, foot and artillery in
the fall of 1852. That battle was its Waterloo. No party could outlive such a terrible slaughter
of its innocents as that was.
" True, up to the spring of 1854, it still held on to its organization. But it was a mere
shell ; a skeleton army, nothing more.
" The leaders could not marshal their troops ; could not anywhere bring their forces into
line ; in short, the party was dead, though not dissolved. Moreover, the country no longer took
any interest in the old Whig issues. The slavery question dominated everything else. Nobody
talked or thought any longer about protection to American industry. It was slavery in the
States, slavery in the Territories, the Fugitive Slave Law, and the refrain was ever slavery,
and nothing else. There was one great, overshadowing, pro-slavery party — the Democratic ;
there must also be one great anti-slavery party to antagonize it. The logic of history demanded
it. Such a party had become inevitable. The Whig party was not this party, and could not
be. It had outstayed its time and its usefulness ; it was an anachronism. It had become an
obstruction, an impediment, a nuisance. But how to get the organization out of the way — that
was a rather formidable question. It stood there a great, useless, lifeless thing, awaiting some
possible political earthquake, which would be violent enough to shake it to pieces. And the
earthquake came. v
" The triumph of slavery had been so complete in the slaughter of 1852, that its cohorts
thought themselves strong enough to do anything, so they laid their hands on the oldest and
most sacred of the compromises. The shock was tremendous. Instantly the whole North was
in a flame of indignation and rage. The hour had struck. This was the tempest that was to
sweep from our sight not only the Whig organization, but also all those little fragments of parties.
Free Soil and the like — that had grown out of the slavery agitation in years that were past.
The time had come for all liberty-loving Whigs to dismantle their house. As for me, I did not
propose to wait for the passage of the Nebraska Bill. It was fore-ordained to pass ; then why
wait? I felt "in my bones," as old Oandace said, that the righteous rage of the time ought to
be turned to some permanent account, and not permitted to effervesce in useless foam. I set to
work in the most systematic way that I could contrive, to dissolve the Whig party, and to organ-
ize the Republican party right here, fully convinced that others would do the like elsewhere,
and, that in a few months we should have a great, irresistible Northern party, organised on the
single issue of the ' non-extension of slavery.'
" This is the point at which the late Vice President takes notice of our movement. His
history is very brief, but substantially correct. Jehdiah Bowen was my chief helper ; a mer-
chant of High standing, a man of intelligence, position and influence, his assistance was of the
utmost importance. One part of the work was specially difficult. All the people, except the
most hardened Democrats, responded to my appeals with the utmost avidity, up to a certain
limit. They said, ' Oh, yes, oh, yes; we are with you in denouncing this thing. It is a great
outrage ; it is a swindle ; we will protest ; we will resolve ; we will sign all the remonstrances
you can think of.'
" But — and just here came the pinch — a good many of the old Whigs begged hard for the
Whig party. ' Spare the party ; spare the party. Let all the outside elements come to us ; our
party is good enough ; we will fight the Democracy on this ground ; we will triumph.' The
good souls; they had to be told squarely that the ' Whig party must go ;' that the very heart
and core of our movement was that to which they could not agree. To let the Whig party stay
was to insure permanent power to the Democratic party. To retreat from the formation of the
new party was to surrender to the slave power. They came to the meetings, and wete respect-
fully heard, but the large majority had made up their minds. The hour was late, the candles
516 HISTOKY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
burned low ; it was a cold, windy night at the vernal equinox. In the end, all but two or three
gave in, and we formed our organization.
" I remember every word and act, as if the time was but yesterday. The election of that
first Republican Committee — A. E. Bovay, Jehdiah Bowen, Amos Loper, Jacob Woodruff and
Abraham Thomas — was a solemn act. Every man present fully believed that he was helping to
make a permanent piece of history. And he was. Yes ; that point ought to be clearly underT
stood. This was no blind, unconscious movement, of which the human family make so many.
We did not build better than we knew, as some have supposed ; we built precisely as we knew ;
and there stands the edifice. Look at it. It will bear examination. It was no fragmentary
movement. It contemplated the combination of all shades of anti-slavery sentiment in the
country in one grand organization to resist the encroachments of slavery, under the name
Republican.
" The name was as well settled in my mind as the organization, and I took what seemed to
me the most effectual course to secure its general adoption. Republican; the commonweal;
an old and cherished name in our own political history, and the name which is owned, as
theirs, by all liberal men and liberal organizations throughout the world. The adoption of this
name was as much inevitable as was the nomination of Abraham Lincoln in 1860. In both of
these cases, a wise choice meant success, and an unwise one meant defeat ; no more, no less.
That I was advocating this name for the great party which I saw looming in the near future
above the horizon, as far back as the autumn of 1852, there is abundant evidence.
"Were Horace Greeley living, I could readily convince any one that I was contemplating
this identical state" of things in the political world, name, organization and all, as early even as
May, 1852 ; but, as Mr. Greeley's testimony is not now attainable, and as I have but one living
witness to this latter fact (which witness I do not choose to call), I must rest upon the autumn
of 1852.
" And, perhaps, the autumn will do as well as the spring. That gives Ripon a precedence
of nearly two years (or, to be exact, nineteen months) in the matter of the name ; for it was not
until June, 1854, that the name, ' Republican,' was adopted formally, and that was by the State
Convention of Michigan."
" I take pleasure in referring to one of our oldest and most prominent citizens. Judge E. L.
Runals, who took no part in the movement, but was cognizant of it all. This is his testimony:
'BipON, December 16, 1879.
'Dear Sir: I remember well a converBation I had with you in the fall of 1852, not more than two or three
weeks, I should think, after the election of Franklin Pierce to the Presidency, in relation to the political affairs of the
country. Tou, in substance, said that the Whig party, to which you belonged, could not survive such an overwhelm-
ing defeat as it had just suffered ; that it could never rally again ; that it would have to abandon its organization and
its name ; that the country had ceased to care for the old Whig issues ; that slavery had become the all-absorbing
■question; that on some phase of this question a new party would probably soon be formed at the North, which
would combine Whigs, Free-Soilers, and all the outside elements against the Democracy, which was the great pillar
and support of slavery ; that the selection of a name would be an object of the first importance to, this new party ;
and that, in your opinion, it sliould be called the ' Republican ' party. You also gave your reasons at considerable
length for so thinking.
' You said that as this was the name by which the party of Jefferson had been called from its foundation up to
Jackson's time, it would possess a charm, by reason of these old associations, for all Americans, and that it would be
attractive to men of foreign birth by reason of its general use amongst the liberals of Europe — and much more to the
same effect. Having known you in politics as a Whig, I was rather surprised at these predictions as coming from you,
and it is probably owing to this fact that they made so firm an impression on my mind.
' Yours very truly,
' To Maj. a. E. Botay, Ripon, Wis. ' E. L. Rukais.'
On the 25th day of January, 1854, Jehdiah Bowen, then (as now) a citizen of Ripon — a
Democrat with Free-Soil proclivities — caused to be published in the Ripon Herald, a Demo-
cratic paper, the following communication :
" Mr. Editor : — Nothing indicates more clearly the truth of these words of Jefferson's —
'Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty' — than the course pursued in Congress by the, com-
mittee to which was referred the call from Nebraska for a Territorial Government.
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 517
" It is well known that the Territory is intended to be bounded on the south, at farthest,
by the old Missouri Compromise line of 36° and 30' north latitude. It is a portion of that
vast territory ceded to the United States by its treaty with France, by which the present State
of Louisiana was secured to us. It is a portion of that territory which, by the Act known as
the Missouri Compromise, was to be forever free from the introduction of slavery or involuntary
servitude, except in punishment of crimes.
" Mark, then, the appropriateness of Jefferson's maxim, when we find that Senator Doug-
las, as head of the above-mentioned Committee, reported a bill for a Territorial Government, in
which is a clause prospectively annulling that clause of the Missouri Compromise act, men-
tioned above, relating to slavery in that Territory. Douglas' bill provides that should any por-
tion of the Territory, upon application to Congress for admission into the Union as a State,
[have permitted involuntary servitude, it] shall not be rejected by reason of the establishment
of slavery therein, by virtue of its constitution.
" One might think from the wailings and threats of the Southern press and politicians, and
the echoes by their servile friends at the North, that peace was all that they demand for their peour
liar institution; but it is not so; not satisfied with the triumph obtained over the North by the
passage of the most odious law that encumbers the statute-books of any Christian nation, they
now demand that they shall not only enjoy in peace their favorite slavery at home, and its fur-
ther security under the Fugitive Slave Law, but that the whole country shall submit to the
extension of slavery into territory, which, by right and solemn compact, has been consecrated to
liberty.
" What do our great men do in view of this demand? Do they not indignantly frown upon
such barefaced impudence ? Surely one might expect to learn, that at least the Representatives
of States free from the incubus of slavery would protest against so glaring a wrong to our honor
and to humanity. But what do we see ? One of the highest in our national councils — the
chief leader of the ' Young Democracy ' — one who aspires to the chief magistracy of this great
nation, bending, cringing, licking the dust at the very feet of this Moloch ! — groveling in the
mire before it, to gather the withered laurels cast away from the nation's brow by reason of this
insatiate monster. Is there no shame left, that a man pretending to represent a free- State
should thus so degrade his constituents and humanity itself ? ' Whom the gods would destroy,
they first make mad.' It cannot be otherwise than that these men, pandering to the worst sins of a
people to obtain an ephemeral fame, are deluded by their own depravity to their own ruin ; God
forbid that it be the nation ! Can it be supposed that the cry of — ' Down with agitation
and agitators ! ' will avail in the face of so gross an offense as is here offered to a people awaken-
ing to the inconsistencies and oppression of slavery ?
• " So long as Senator Douglas, or any other man, shall defend what, by compact and right,
pertains to the Slave States, as such, we would not refuse to him his just meed of honor ; but
when he stoops so low as to bend the knee to slavery and to discard the approbation of free men,
let no lover of his country's honor fail to point the finger of scorn at him, and indignantly blot
his name from the list of our country's friends."
This communication was published over the signature " X," but Mr. Bowen was not at all
disposed to deny its paternity, notwithstanding his affiliation with the Democratic party : he was
not averse to being classed among Anti-Nebraska Democrats. The editor of the Ripon Herald
in his issue of February 1, in commenting upon Bowen's article, said : " We inserted in our last
a communication over the signature of 'X,' upon the subject of Senator Douglas' Nebraska
bill, passing severe strictures upon the Senate [Senator] and his bill. We should then have
said that we were not prepared to indorse the grounds taken by 'X.' For ourselves, we will
siay that we measure much of our political creed by the doctrine of State rights."
What took place after the publication of Mr. Bowen's article is best related in his own
words :
"A few days (perhaps a week) after the appearance of the article containing some
strictures upon the course of Senator Douglas, in the Ripon Herald of January 25, 1854, I
618 HISTOKT OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
was called upon by A. E. Bovay, who requested an interview, if I could spare the time, to talk
over the subject of that article and what ought to be done in furtherance of its purposes.
"As Mr. Bovay had widely differed with me on some of the political questions that had
been under discussion during the three years of our acquaintance, he expressed some surprise
and gratification at -the publication of the sentiment contained in the article by me, and yet, as
I then thought, not without some doubt as to my earnestness. However, he soon became con-
vinced on that point. We talked for some time upon the probabilities of the future, in view of
the excitement caused by the advocacy by Senator Douglas of the Kansas and Nebraska act,
for there seemed to be no adequate power to oppose his measures successfully, the Whig party
being as much divided in Congress as the Democrats. We argued that the only hope of defeat-
ing the extension of slavery, lay in the outspoken sentiment of the people, irrespective of exist-
ing parties. Then came the proposition of Mr. Bovay, to endeavor to crystallize public feeling by
calling a meeting to discuss the question of organizing a new party. I hesitated; my faith was
not strong that we could effect the object. I represented the sparseness of our population ; we
were in a small rural village, remote even from the county seat, and upon no great line of
travel ; could we make ourselves heard by the public at large ? To this, Mr. Bovay replied,
that there would be no question about it. The conclusion was that we should try it. Then followed
the question of method of proceeding and the name by which to call the party — which Mr.
Bovay suggested. Some estimates were attempted to be made as to what would be the relative
proportion of the two parties who would give in their adherence to the new party. We agreed
in the main, as to the classes of men that we had hopes of. We went to the house of Amos Loper,
living some three miles north of the village, laid the matter before him in all its bearings, Mr.
Bovay taking the lead in the conversation. Mr. Loper was not long in making up his mind,
and we agreed to make a call for a meeting, to be held at the Congregational Church, on the
last day of February.
"I cannot recall the exact language used by either of us. The subject occupied all our
thoughts. We looked upon the movement as of considerable importance in a personal point of
view, touching our relations with the citizens ; for, to make a move and fail, would probably
bring obloquy, and I was not prepared financially to court such a state of things ; but, conclud-
ing that we were in the line of duty, it was undertaken in a hopeful and cheerful spirit. We were
afterward astonished at the progress made, and watched with intense interest the spread of the-
movement through all the Northern States."
The " call" spoken of by Mr. Bowen was drawn up and printed in the Ripon Herald on
the 29th of February.
The Moderator of the meeting was William Dunham ; W. N. Martin was Secretary. The-
burden and drift of the speeches were, as Mr. Wilson truthfully says, "the hopeless subserv-
iency of the national parties to the behests of the slaveholders, the necessity of abandoning
them, and the proposed policy of constructing a party from the materials thus set at liberty."
The following preamble and resolutions were freely discussed and unanimously adopted :
Whebeas, The Senate of the United Slatea is entertaining, and from present indications is likely to pass, bills
organizing governments for the Territories of Kansas and Nebraska, in which is embodied a clause repealing the
Missouri Compromise act, and so admit into these Territories the slave system with all its evils; and, -whereas, we
deem that compact irrepealable as the Constitution itself: Therefore
Resolved, That of all outrages hitherto perpetrated or attempted upon the North and freedom by the slave-
holders and their natural allies, not one compares in bold and impudent audacity, treachery and meanness with this,
the Nebraska bill, as to the sum of all its other villanies it adds the repudiation of a solemn compact held as sacred
as the Constitution itself for the period of thirty-four years ;
Resolved, That the Northern man" who can aid and abet in the commission of so stupendous a crime, is none
too good to become an accomplice in renewing the African slave trade, the serfice which, doubtless, will next be
required of him by his Southern masters, should the Nebraska treason succeed ;
Resolved, That the attempt to overthrow the Missouri Compromise, whether successful or not, admonishes the
North to adopt the maxim for all time to come, "No more compromise with slavery; "
Resolved, That the passage of this bill (if pass it should) will be the call to arms of a great Northern party,,
such an one as the country has not hitherto seen, composed of Whigs, Democrats and Free-Soilers ; every man with
a heart in him united under the single banner cry of ' ' Repeal ! Repeal ! ' '
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 519
Resolved, That the small but compact phalanx of true men, who oppose the mad scheme upon the broadest
•principle of humanity, as well as their unflinching efforts to uphold public faith, deserve not only our applause, but
our profound esteem ;
Resolved, That the heroic attitude of Gen. Houston, amidst a host of degenerate men in the United States Sen-
ate, is worthy of honor and applause.
Then and there was born the Republican party of the United States ; the time was the
evening of the last day of February, 1854, the place, the frame Congregational Church, which
is still standing in the city of Ripon.
On the 18th of March the following call was printed in the Ripon Herald :
The Nebraska Bill. — A bill expressly intended to extend and strengthen the institution of slavery has passed
the Senate by a very large majority, many Northern Senators voting for it, and many more sitting in their seats and
not voting at all. It is evidently destined to pass the House and become a law unless its progress is arrested by the
general uprising of the North against it.
Therefore we, the undersigned, believing this community to be nearly or quite unanimous in opposition to the
■nefarious scheme, would call a public meeting of citizens of all parties to be held at the sohoolhouse in Ripon, on
Monday evening, March 20, at 6:iJ0 o'clock, to resolve, to petition, and to organize against it. Signed, J. Bowen,
A. Loper, T. L. Reynolds, A. E. Bovay, and fifty others.
The fifty-four citizens — Whigs, Democrats and Free-Soilers — who signed the call, under-
stood perfectly that, in so doing, they were pledging themselves to join the new party. It will
"be remembered that Mr. Wilson says of the meeting which followed, that "by formal vote, the
town committees of the Whig and Free-Soil parties were dissolved, and a committee of five,
consisting of three Whigs, one Free-Soiler and one Democrat, was chosen." A. E. Bovay, J.
Bowen, Amos Loper, Abram Thomas and Jacob Woodrufi" constituted the committee. Then
and there the Republican party of the United States was christened, and these men were its
godfathers. " The actors in this remote little eddy of politics," afterward wrote Mr. Bovay,
"thought at the time that they were making a bit of history by that solitary tallow candle, in
the little white schoolhouse on the prairie ; and whether ever recognized and published or not,
they think so still."
OLD settlers' club OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
On the evening of the 12th of October, 1874, a meeting was held at the Patty House, in
the city of Fond du Lac, temporary oflScers were appointed, and steps were taken for a perma-
nent organization of the Old Settlers' Club of Fond du Lac County. On the 22d of June, 1875,
at a meeting called for that purpose — there being present about sixty of the earliest settlers, with
many of their ladies — a permanent organization was perfected by the Club, having for its object,
as expressed in the preamble to their constitution, to perpetuate the history of the early settlers
of the county of Fond du Lac, by collecting and preserving personal reminiscences thereof, and
with a view to a renewed acquaintance with their fellow-pioneers. The date of eligibility was
fixed at 1850. All who were present and eligible subscribed to the constitution and became
members. Their wives were declared by the by-laws to be honorary members. At the same
time, steps were taken looking to a social picnic gathering, early in September following. At
that meeting there were present three — Edward Beeson, Charles Olmsted and William
Stewart — who settled in the county prior to 1840. There were nineteen in attendance who
came between 1840 and 1845 : L. F. Stowe, A. C. Whiting, William Galland, Thomas
Worthing, Gilbert M. Lee, C. E. Woolridge, Peter V. Sang, David Lyons, Chauncey Griswold,
C. P. Phelps, Joseph Stowe, D. D. Trelevan, Charles Clark, G. W. Carter, Elihu Colman, C.
N. Kendall, J. Carter, Chas. Olmsted, J. C. Wedge, J. A. Watrous and Dr. Don A. Raymond.
On the 1st day of September, 1875, the first social picnic gathering took place at the fair
grounds, in the city of Fond du Lac. The affair was a grand success, exceeding the expectations
of the most sanguine. There were admirable addresses by Gustave de Neveu, Capt. D. P.
Mapes, Dr. Elliot Brown, and C. K. Pier. In September, 1876, another picnic took place,
but not upon so extensive a scale as the previous one. The result was a variety of styles
and dishes, from corn bread and baked beans on tin plates, to the daintiest viands served with
all the latest silverware accompaniments, representing the simple habits of 1836, by the
side of the aristocratic styles of 1876. The affair, notwithstanding an adjournment on
account of the unfavorable condition of the weather, was in all respects satisfactory and enjoyable.
320 HISTORY OF POND DU LAC COUNTY.
Gustave de Neveu delivered another excellent address, and Edward Pier, while protesting that
he would not make a speech, addressed the attentive audience for an hour or more, during which
he related the interesting story of his own experiences in this uninhabited country.
From year to year since the event last described, officers of the Club have been elected.
There have also been gatherings with the usual festivities and speeches. The members of the
Club, with the years of their arrival in Fond du Lac County, are as follows :
L. F. Stowe, 1843; A. C. Whiting, 1844; William Galland, 1843; T. S. Henry, 1850 ;
B. W. Davis, 1847 ; Thomas Worthing, 1844 ; H. D. Hitt, 1848 ; Egbert Foster, 1846 ; Gil-
bert M. Lee, 1844 ; A. A. Swan, 1846 ; William C. Woolcott, 1846 ; Peter V. Sang, 1842 ;
K. Gillett, 1846 ; M. W. Simmons, 1847 ; Daniel Roberts, 1845 ; N. Coffin, 1848 ; James
Cornell, 1848 ; William Walker, 1845 ; John Meiklejohn, 1846 ; William Adams, 1847 ; David
Lyon, 1844; A. T. Germond, 1846 ; Edward Beeson, 1836 ;* Chauncey Griswold, 1844; Rob-
ert C. Wilson, 1847; C. P. Phelps, 1842; A. A. Loper, 1845; D. D. Trelevan, 1843; L.
Canfield, 1849; Joseph Kinsman, 1848 ; D. C. Vaughn, 1845; Charles Clark, 1842; Hiram
Edgerton, 1846 ; Henry Barnett, 1845 ; W. C. Greene, 1845 ; Warren W. Greene, 1845 ; A.
5. Miller, 1846 ; Levi M. Tompkins, 1846; Elliott Brown, 1846; George W. Carter, 1844;
D. A. Raymond, 1839; Elihu Colman, 1847 ; C. E. Wooldridge, 1844 (died April 21, 1877);
J. W. Valentine, 1846 ; C. N. Kendall, 1843 ; William Stewart, 1828 ;* Jacob Carter, 1844 ; .
George D. Curtis, 1845 (died in 1878);. Charles Olmsted, 1843 ; Daniel Eggleston, 1844 ; •
Charles Chandler, 1848 ; J. 0. Wedge, 1844 ; A. C. Everest, 1846 ; B. H. Jones, 1848 ;
J. A. Watrous, 1844 ; Joseph Stowe, 1844 (died December 28, 1876) ; L. R. Lewis, 1850 ;
Thomas Bryant, ; Aaron Walters, 1847 ; James Ewen, 1850 ; Thomas S. Weeks, 1850 ;
Joseph Jackson, ; Stephen Oberreich, 1850 ; H. K. Laughlin, 1849 ; Joseph King, 1838;
J. M. Gillett, 1846 (died May, 1879) ; George H. Ferris, ; H. I. Davidson (born in Fond
du Lac County in 1849; died June 5, 1876); George C. Hicks, ; James M. Hawkins,
; Daniel Clark, 1846 ; Robert Longstaff, ; E. B. Ingram, 1848 ; John Braley, 1849 ;
A. A. Shepherd, 1844 ; Hosea Mann, ; Jerome B. Johnson, 1849 ; C. F. Kalk, 1849 ;
George K. Campbell, 1850; J. H. Spencer, 1850; F. F. Parsons, 1842; Charles H. Dille,
; Otto RoUman, 1848 ; James Parratt, 1850 ; Henrv Cornell, 1849 ; Justus Warner, ;
Hugh Hubbard. 1844; B, E. Fitch, 1846; B. Spencer, 1846 ; Dana C. Lamb, 1847 ; Levi
Dyer, ; Henry Westervelt, ; William A. Germond, ; Isadora Hebert, 1838 ;
George E. Wright, 1848 ; Charles H. Anderson, 1844 ; Warren Anderson, 1845 ; R. L. Mor-
ris, 1845 ; David Chamberlain, ; B. T. Miller, 1850; Alexander Gillis, 1846; Nathan
I. Lewis, 1847 ; 0- L. Pierce, 1846 ; F. Dalhem, ; W. W. Howe, ; William I. Rip-
ley, 1844 ; Louis Russell, 1848 ; Edward Pier, 1838 (died November 2, 1877) ; S. A. Chase,
; C. K. Pier (born in Fond du Lac County, in 1840); B. T. Browe, ; N. S. Thomp-
son, ; H. W. Wolcott, 1845 ; Gustave de Neveu, 1838 ; Calvin Hazen, 1844 ; John
Hazen, 1844 ; Chester Hazen, 1844 ; L. B. Hazen, 1844 ; Sanford Hazen, 1844 ; Philip F.
Bodamer, ; George F. Davis, ; B. F. Sweet, ; Peter Mensch, ; Justin
Hitchcock, 1848 ; Benijah Taylor, 1847 ; John Berry, 1848 ; George Lyons, 1844 ; J. W.
Barnes, ; 0. L. Helmer, — — ; James T. Greene, 1845; William H. Hiner, 1850
Fayette McKie, ; William M. Phelan, 1850 ; Aaron Worthing, 1843 ; Oscar Berry, 1848
Edgar Wilcox, ; Samuel Martin, ; Constant Soule, ; William Soules,
T. A. Root, ; C. B. Parratt, 1850 ; S. B. Stiles, 1843 ; L. Q. Olcott, 1847 ; L. A. Bishop
1846; Truman M. Fay, ; William A. " Cheeney, — — ; Chauncey M. Balcom, 1845
Henry Wheeler, ; John S. Burrows, 1849 ; George S. Denniston, 1848 ; George A. Moon
1847 ; Alexander Cronk, 1848 ; W. D. Marshall, ; George Moon, 1845 ; Duane Moon,
1845 ; M. J. Alderman, 1847 ; J. L. Thwing, ; Clinton MattiSon, 1846 (died July 21
1876, aged fifty-five years); James S. Thompson, ^; Patrick Kelly, 1836;* Warren A
Meiklejohn, (born in the county in 1849) ; Francis D. McOarty, 1838 ; Edward B. Parsons,
; John F. Steele, 1848 ; John S. Horner, 1836;* Peter Vandervoort, 1846 ; John Nichols,
* Those who settled in the State prior to or during 1850, were eligible to the Old Settlers' Olub, even if they had not resided in Fond du
Lac County until more recently.
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 521
1843; Harvey J. Carter, 1847; B. F. Moore, 1841 ; Joseph Olmsted, 1838 ; Amasa P. Sim-
mons, 1838 ; E. A. Carey, 1845 ; J. C. Lowell, 1847.
' Before his death, which occurred December 28, 1876, Joseph Stowe furnished to the Old
Settlers' Club the following brief statement :
" Of Joseph Stowe and Priscilla, his wife : Joseph Stowe was born at Springfield, Vt.,
October 7, 1795. My father, Joseph Stowe, Sr., was born at Concord, Mass., in 1750, and
was a Revolutionary soldier. I settled in Fond du Lac in 1844. There were four houses here
at that time. Thomas Green kept the post office in his desk drawer. I built the largest house
in the county, five miles west of the village, where we had preaching every Sunday by Baptist,
Congregational and Methodist ministers. At my house, Edward Beeson and others being pres-
ent, we organized the first temperance society. Eli Hooker (now of Waupun), Elliott Brown
and E. W. Drury were the first temperance lecturers. The first school teacher in our neigh-
borhood was Ezra Crofoot. Selim Newton, a man from Taycheedah, and myself, were the first
County Highway Commissioners. We surveyed the highways leading from the west, north
and east county lines to the village. I suppose I am the oldest man of the old settlers now
living, being thirty-nine days short of 80 years of age. I settled in Fond du Lac with a family
of ten children. That family has increased until (August 30, 1875,) they number about seventy-
.five children and grandchildren now living, and they are scattered from Ohio to California."
COMMON SCHOOLS.
Fond du Lac County, although well supplied with high-school, academy and college advan-
tages within her own border, has not neglected her common schools. The State made liberal
provision for the district schools, setting aside one section of land in every town, in addition to
the general income from school lands, and in most instances. Fond du Lac County has taken
judicious advantage of these provisions.
In the summer of 1842, the first schoolhouse ever erected in the county was built by
James Duane Doty, J. L. and B. F. Moore and Henry Conklin, in the village of Taycheedah.
A school had been opened in 1840 by Harriet Harding in Edward Pier's residence, and another
in a private residence at Taycheedah, a few months afterward ; but as they were supported by
private donations, they could not be properly called public schools. In 1879, thirty-seven years
after the first schoolhouse was built, Superintendent McLoughlin's report shows that the county
contains 124 "regular" school districts; 53 parts of districts and 43 "joint" districts. In
these districts, which do not include the city of Fond du Lac, the college at Ripon or any of
the numerous private, select and parish schools, 8,492 children of school age, and 62 not of
school age, were registered. The whole number of teachers employed was 307, who taught
124,524 days, and received as salaries, ^37,840. There were in the county in 1879, outside of
the city of Fond du Lac, 14,485 children of school age, of whom 10,941 can be accommodated in
the various schoolhouses. The whole amount of school money received from all sources was
$58,444, of which $37,840 was expended for teachers, fuel, repairs, libraries and all other expenses.
Good teachers have been employed, considering the small wages paid, as the examinations
by the County Superintendents have been made more rigid each year, and teachers' institutes
have been held once or more each year for practical training in the art of teaching.
Up to 1862, the system of town superintendents of school had been in vogue from the
organization of the State. At the November election of that year a school superintendent for
the whole county was elected for the term of two years. There was a good deal of clamor
against the change, the reason offered being that each town knew and could supply its own wants
best and cheapest. In 1871, the county was divided into two districts, and a superintendent
was elected for each. The Eighteenth Senatorial District, or the western portion of the county
comprised one district, and the six towns in the eastern portion, comprising a portion of the
Twentieth Senatorial District, constituted the other superintendent's district. In 1875, this
plan was done away with, and the whole county made to constitute one district, except the city
522 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
of Fond du Lac, which has a school superintendent of its own. Since the town system was
abolished, the different county superintendents have been as follows :
1862 and 1863, Eleazer Root ; 1864, 1865, 1866 and 1867, Isaac N. Cundall ; 1868, 1869,
1870 and 1871, D. B. Lyon ; 1872 and 1873, W. L. O'Connor for the Eighteenth Senatorial,
and Morris Moriarity for the Twentieth Senatorial District ; 1874 and 1875, W. L. O'Connor
for the Eighteenth Senatorial, and James J. Kelly for the Twentieth Senatorial District ; 1876
and 1877, W. L. O'Connor (for the entire county); 1878, 1879, 1880 and 1881, Edward
McLoughlin.
The salary of the County Superintendent is f 1,200. He is required to visit all schools,
attend all teachers' institutes, examine all applicants for teachers' certificates, and make annually
a report of all matters pertaining to the public schools of the county.
At the beginning of 1880, the public schools of Fond du Lac County are reported to be in
a more flourishing condition than ever before.
Following is a paragraph from a report by Edward McLoughlin, the present County Super-
intendent :
" Connected with our school work, are teachers' institutes and associations. The former is
held once a year, for two weeks ; and the latter once a month, on Saturdays, in four different
parts of the county. Their object is the better preparation of the teacher to manage, instruct,
and discipline his school. One fact we much regret is, that pupils of more than ordinary promise
are taken from the rural district school and sent to some high school or college, when, by providing
■competent teachers, the entire school would be immeasurably benefited by their remaining."
Eleazer Root, of Ripon, was the first County Superintendent. He was also the first State
Superintendent of Wisconsin, serving three years. He was a member of the second Consti-
tutional Convention, and drew up the article on education which was adopted by that Conven-
tion as a portion of the State Constitution.
LITERATURE AND THE FINE ARTS.
In all comparatively new countries, where men are compelled to build homes for their
children and fill the coffers for the future rather than luxuriate in the accumulations of the past,
less attention is given to literature and the fine arts, than in^older localities where the forest has
been felled, the glebe overcome and homes established. There is not less of genius, or poetry,
or music in the sturdy inhabitants of new countries, nor less inclination to cultivate and enjoy the
beautiful; but there are fewer leisure m,oments and less opportunity for improvement. The
pioneer poet must repeat his lines as he treads the furrow, and the artist stiffen his joints with
the ax or spade.
Nathaniel P. Tallmadge.
The first volume to attract attention, and the largest of any published by a resident of
Fond du Lac County, was "The Healing of the Nations," by" Nathaniel P. Tallmadge, which
was finished in November, 1854. It contained 537 pages. The book was published by Mr.
Tallmadge for the purpose of placing before the public what were described as the "inspired
utterances " of Charles Linton, a young and uneducated Pennsylvanian. The book attracted
considerable attention. Mr. Tallmadge was one of the founders of the Episcopal Church of
Fond du Lac, but the " Healing of the Nations " was Spiritualistic in its tendencies and argu-
ment. The following paragraph will indicate the manner in which his doctrines were pre-
sented :
" I have always maintained, and still maintain, the Bible is the word of God ; and I agree
with that accomplished scholar and jurist. Sir William Jones, who declared that the Scriptures
contain, independently of their divine origin, more true sublimity, more exquisite beauty, more
important history, pure morality and finer strains both of poetry and eloquence, than could be
collected within the same compass from all other books that were ever composed in any age or
idiom. And where I hear clergymen denouncing Spiritualism as denying the truths of the Bible,
j^X,A
RIPON
. --. ■■ t,
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNT Y. 525
I can only say, 'they know not what they do.' They might, with greater propriety, denounce
all denominations of Christians, except their own, because they differed from each other as to
what are the truths of the Bible. The Roman Catholic believes in transubstantiation — in the
real presence — that the real body and blood of Christ are contai?5ed in the consecrated wafer.
He goes to the Bible for the truth of this doctrine. Some Protestants go to the same book to
prove this doctrine rank blasphemy. Most of the Christian world finds in the Bible the doctrine
of the Trinity, while the Unitarian sect, one of the most intelligent and intellectual in this
country, finds in it the unity of the Godhead. The same might be said of all the
various doctrines, of the different religious sects and denominations; they are all
according to their respective advocates, to be found in the Bible, however inconsistent
or antagonistic they may be. Whpn then, these reverend gentlemen tell us that Spiritu-
alism denies the truths of the Bible, will they be so good as to agree upon and inform
Tis what these truths are? Christ never taught sectarianism. That has been taught by the
creeds of men. Out of these creeds has sprung the antagonism of the Christian world — an
antagonism which brought Cranmer and Latimer and Ridley and Servetus to the stake — and
which would bring Spiritualists to the stake also, if we were not so far advanced in the light and
progress of the nineteenth century. Every real Christian looks forward to the time when this
antagonists shall be done away, and we shall stand on one broad platform, founded on the doc-
trines taught by Christ, instead of the doctrines taught by the creeds of men."
Maetin Mitchell.
In 1854, Martin Mitchell, a man prominent in the affairs of Fond du Lac City and
County, compiled and published a history of the towns and county — the first and last given to
the public up to date. It contained about 100 pages, and was printed by J. A. Smith, then
publishing the Western Freeman newspaper at the city of Fond du Lac. The work was quite an
undertaking at that period, and contained some information which might not otherwise have been
preserved. It was the first book published in Fond du Lac County.
John W. Whinfield.
Mr. Whinfield has been a prolific writer. Some of his favorite themes were reform in spelling
and punctuation, protection, political economy and manufacturing. He wrote a pamphlet in
1867, upon iron industries and iron manufacturing in the Western States, T\hich contained valu-
able information. It was written, the author advertised, " with a view to the establishment of
iron works in the Western States, and the use of peat as a fuel." From his work this quota-
tion is made:
"It may be asked how one who has written and argued so much upon the injustice of pro-
tection, can now consistently come forward with a proposition to partake in the profits assured
by that inj ustice ?
"To this there are various and sufficiently satisfactory answers. In the first place, with-
out protection, the wealth of these Western States in ores, and the best and cheapest of fuel,
would enable us to compete with European manufactures and leave a large margin of profit, to
which must also be added, the cost of transportaton and other incidental charges upon importa-
tions.
"Again, the pertinacity of Eastern manufacturers, and the excess of wealth they have
already acquired, through protection, to the vast cost of the West, will for a long time defeat
the desultory efforts of the advocates of free trade. It behooves the West, therefore, for self-
protection alone, that it should make an effort in its own behalf, and that it can do so and profit-
ably compete, in this field of enterprise with the East, will be shown in the text.
" But there is another and more generous motive to excite Western minds — a natural de-
sire for, and a pride in, the progress and prosperity of their country.
526 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
" To the -writer, something may be allowed for old associations — as the old hunter pricks
his ears to the music of the hounds — something for a desire to bring his property into profitable
use, but chiefest of all — for the time with him has long passed when any of the selfish pleasures
wealth can purchase could be much appreciated — a pardonable ambition to be numbered among
those who have been of service to their generation."
This last paragraph in the extract refers to the author's efforts to secure the establishment
of iron-works near the deep peat beds on the " Ledge," a short distance east of the city of Fond
du Lac. A further quotation is made :
"Among the results attending the establishment of an iron- work in this neighborhood may
be enumerated:
" The production of a superior quality of pig-iron, peculiarly calculated for stove work, hol-
low-ware and all kinds of fine castings, holding out inducements to the makers of such articles
to settle here.
" The production of heavy castings from the blast, or first smelting, at a much cheaper
rate than from the cupola, which necessitates a second melting.
" The production of a superior quality of merchant iron, equal to Juniata iron, and manu-
factured at a much less cost. The ductility of this iron, the economy with which it may be
worked, the saving in cost and in working, from the abundance of the cheapest and best fuel
for their purposes, would gather round the supply iron-workers in every department of iron-
ware/ and consequently a large working population would be brought into the country.
"The first work of this description, would be the forerunner to many others of alike
character, still adding to the smaller factories and multiplying the population, to the permanent
benefit of the agricultural interest, the vast increase in the value of property, and the rapid and
permanent improvement of both city and country.
"Those great undertakings, which only wealth profitably invested can accomplish, would
be carried out to their full extent — drainage and roadmaking in particular — would be among the
first improvements.
" The contemplated railways — the Sheboygan, and the Air Line to Milwaukee, with others
in addition-^would become a necessity, and for all which our own resources would be sufficient
for providing material and converting it to the difi"ercnt purposes required.
"To have a just idea of what iron-works would do for Wisconsin, it is only necessary to
call to mind Belgium, and, indeed, England, and ask the question — What would either of these
countries have been without her iron-works ?"
David P. Mapes.
In 1873, David P. Mapes, the "founder of Ripon," published a volume of nearly three
hundred pages, entitled, " History of the City of Ripon and of its Founder." The peculiarity of
his style may -be discovered from an extract, taken from the preface :
" Before writing this history of myself and of the towns I have aided in building, I will
say that I have been frequently asked to write it out and get it into book form. If there is
anything in my long life and experience worth keeping on the shelves of the book-case, or
taking down and reading, here it is ; and you who have had my acquaintance will see it is the
'old Captain,' right over. I have not attempted to show the scholar or the statesman, but
simply to give a true history of myself and times, as I have seen them, for I have learned that
those who attempt to pass themselves off for something they are not, are discovered at once by
the discriminating public. * * * So here it is. As thoughts have come to me I
have penned them ; and you, critics, take them and deal gently with the old man, for such now
they call me, if I do feel young. I have written this without gloves, for I meant it should,
come barehanded, if the hand may appear." The book has met with a liberal sale.
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 627
Abbie Beeson Cakrington.
In musical circles, on both sides of the Atlantic, the name of Fond du Lac is familiar as
the birthplace and home of Abbie Beeson Carriugton. She was born June 13, 1866, and up
to August, 1876, was a pupil of C. F. Kumlau's, in Fond du Lac. —She then went to Boston,
and entered the New England Conservatory of Music, graduating from that institution in June,
1877. Being encouraged by the professors of the Conservatory to study in Italy for the opera,
she sailed with her parents (Edward and Susan E. Beeson) September 1, 1877, for Milan, where
she became the pupil of Signer Guiseppi Parini and Madame Marini, in vocal culture ; Madame
Boreome, in language, and Signer Ranconi, in elocution. After studying one year in Milan,
Mrs. Carrington accepted an engagement under the nom de plume of lola Barbo, and sung as
prima donna in several of the cities in Northern Italy during the fall and winter. Returning
to Milan, she continued her studies until July, 1879, when she sailed for New York, where she
now resides.
Mrs. Carrington's first appearance after returning to America was on Wednesday evening,
October 7, 1879, at Boston. This paragraph, from the Musical Record, of that city, is only
one of scores of similar import published on that occasion :
" Abbie Carrington achieved an immediate and triumphant success. She sung the ' Shadow
Song' from Meyerbefer's 'Dinorah,' and for an encore the ' Bolero,' from Verdi's ' Sicilian Ves-
pers.' She also sung ' Hear Ye, Israel.' Her voice is rich, sweet and flexible. She is very
artistic in her method. The former selections were sung with the utmost ease, grace and fluency,
while in the latter she evinced rare dramatic skill. Her debut was a complete triumph."
Soon after, she engaged with Theodore Thomas, in New York, where her success was equally
flattering, and also filled several engagements with the most popular concert companies,
and now with the Mendelssohn Quintette Club. The commendation she received from the
musical and secular press of Italy and America would make a volume ; the Italians, the most
severe musical critics in the world, being even more enthusiastic in her praise than her own
countrymen. While Mrs. Carrington was singing in Italy, the Boston Folio published a lengthy
article upon her success in that cradle of music and artj of which this is an extract :
"An Italian impressario, desiring a soprano prima donna, after a hearing, chose her from
several applicants, offering her a lucrative engagement, including two benefits, and in one year
from the time she entered Milan she made her debut in ' Traviata,' making an almost unpar-
alleled success for a debutante. She was called before the curtain nine times, and in the confu-
sion, ' Brava ! brava ! ' could be heard from all parts of the house. During her stay in
Piacenza, the scene of her first triumph, she was visited by many citizens and musicians, con-
gratulating her upon her grand success. She was at once offered engagements by several
impressarii. During this engagement, she constantly gained in the favor and admiration of the
critical Italians, both for her singing and her acting, and at the close c^f the engagement she was
waited upon by a committee of citizens, who thanked her for the great satisfaction and delight
she had given them.
" At Cervia and Ravenna, Italy, she made her grandest success in the part of Gilda, in
' Rigoletto,' which gave an opportunity to show her great dramatic powers, and her success can
best be imagined from the fact that at the conclusion of her engagement there she was escorted
from the Opera House with a military band, mid cheers and shouts of ' Bravo ! bravo ! Long
live lole Barbo, the American nightingale!'
" At the time of writing this sketch, Mrs. Carrington is singing in Ravenna, in the operas
of 'Faust,' 'Traviata,' 'Lucia,' ' Puritana' ' Rigoletto,' and the ' Bohemian Girl.' Her voice
is a high dramatic soprano, ranging from G below to E flat in alt, sustaining the high E flat with
perfect ease. All the tones are pure and even throughout the entire compass of her voice. She
is twenty-two years of age, tall, with a fine figure, and large physical powers."
528 HISTORY OF POND DU LAC COUNTY.
Mark R. Hakkison.
No man in Fond du Lac County has done so much to make the name of Wisconsin familiar
in all the great wealth-centers of America and Europe, as Mark R. Harrison, of Fond du Lac.
His paintings are hung and admired in all the leading art galleries of the world, and rare
descriptions of their beauties grace the journals of Canada, the United States, England, Ger-
many and France. He has done much to establish the reputation of the West as the home of
genius and art; done much for his profession, but more for posterity. He rescued from oblivion
the forms and hues of a hundred varieties of wild flowers, which are seen no more in Wiscon-
sin— which have been trampled under foot, and crushed out fbrever by the destructive march of
civilization. The prairies no longer blossom as when the Indians — who turned no furrows —
were their only occupants, and no pen could picture the bewildering beauty of a whole county
blossoming like the rarest garden in paradise. Mr. Harrison sought out the hiding-place of
every bud and blossom, transferring their varied hues to canvas, as the magic power of dew and
sunlight gave them birth. In after years, when wheat and corn and cities cover the
land, its inhabitants can find on his canvas, everything but the delicious fragrance of a prairie
in full bloom.
When Mr. Harrison began to paint in Fond du Lac, in 1852, he was too poor to take his
pictures to market or even send them. Permission was asked to hang them in offices and stores,
where they remained until some traveling stranger recognized their merits, and secured them
at his own figures, for Mr. Harrison was at work for money, as he says now, "to keep from
starving." That he was a cultivated artist then, and even before, while a resident of Canada,
is apparent from the Toronto, Canada, Mail, of September 5, 1879, which described his " Cain
and Abel," painted in 1835, and now owned by the Canadian Government.
Perhaps more valuable even than his rescue of the flora of the primitive West for the gen-
erations of the future, are Mr. Harrison's historical paintings, representing the habits, customs
and rites of the uncivilized Indians, in love, marriage and at the grave. From a thorough
search of aboriginal history ; from persons well acquainted with the tribal traits and character-
istics of the Indians, as well as from Longfellow's legendary poems, Mr. Harrison obtained cor-
rect ideas for his pictures, and those who live after the last vestige of the red man has disap-
peared, can turn to these paintings, and observe the features, dress Und ceremonies of the origi-
nal lords of the American soil.
The "Burial of Hiawatha," painted for William Lucas, of St. Louis, Mo., is the represen-
tation of a scene which no beholder can easily forget or describe. In the fringe of a grand old
hemlock forest, through whose gloomy aisles and snow-bent boughs the shadows of evening are
silently advancing, stands a group of Indian men and women. It is the time of famine, so
graphically described by Longfellow, and in the midst of the group of mourners, lies one of its
victims. The stern, strong faces are pinched by hunger and clouded by woe. The dead alone
is without sorrow — without the expression of sufi"ering. A hollow has been scooped in the vir-
gin snow and neatly lined with evergreens; and around the grave, in front of those whose
unfathomable but stoical sadness seems to impregnate the very air and every surrounding object,
are scattered sprigs of the fragrant hemlock, in accordance with the Indian custom. The pall-
bearers, dressed in their most gaudy attire, as they always are at the burial of a distinguished
member of the tribe, have lowered the chieftain's dead wife, "Minnehaha, Laughing Water,
loveliest of Dacotah women," into her snow-made tomb. She is richly dressed in pure white
garments, in accordance with the usages of her people.
"Clothed her in her richest garments,
Wrapped her in robes -of ermine,
Covered her with snow-like ermine,
Thus they buried Minnehaha."
Near by, seated upon a fallen .hemlock, his partially shaded face resting upon his hand, is
Hiawatha, her husband, the mourning chieftain. He is overwhelmed with grief. Across his
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 529
knee is thrown the last garment made by Minnehaha, it being the custom for the husband to
bear to her final resting-place the last garment made by his deceased consort. Still nearer to
the grave of snow, is old Wokomis, wrapped in sorrow — prostrate with her last earthly grief.
She rocks feebly to and fro, and wails :
' "Wahonowin! Wahonowin!
Would that I had perished for you.
Would that I were dead as you are.
Wahonowin! Wahonowin!"
This is one of Mr. Harrison's best pictures, and one of the finest productions of Western
art. It is not superior, however, in historical value or artistic merit, to others of the same
class, three of which are conceived from Longfellow's same poem. Mr. Harrison had beautiful
photographs of large size, taken of these paintings, and sent them to Mr. Longfellow as a Christ-
mas gift and art souvenir, for 1879. Another painting of considerable power in this series, is
the gathering of the warriors before the battle of the Rose Bud, at which Gen. Custer fell. The
scene is a rich and beautiful valley, at the base of a high and barren mountain, around whose
brow a mighty storm is gathering, and the picture was taken just as Crazy Horse addressed —
while standing in his saddle — the assembled chiefs and warriors :
" The pale-face hath driven us from the graves of our fathers — from the rising to the setting
sun. They have driven us to these barren hills [with a' gesture toward the beetling crag], and
here they will not let us have a home."
The faces of Crazy Horse, Sitting Bull, Black Dog and other leading chiefs, were taken
from life, gleaming with that fierce anger and malignity seen only in the countenance of an
Indian.
Mr. Harrison's paintings, which have attracted most local attention and advertised abroad
the unsurpassed beauties of Wisconsin scenery, are such pictures as "Elkhart Lake," a rare
sheet of water in Sheboygan County; " Sandstone Blufi"," a bold, rocky clifi' on Green Lake,
and several other scenes from Green Lake, the gem of all Wisconsin waters, situated in the
county of the same name.
What has been pronounced in England Mr. Harrison's most powerful painting, is his
" Cromwell's Charge at Marston Moor," which has been owned in that country during many
years.
But one of his modern master-pieces on canvas, is a picture finished in 1879 — " Cleopatra's
Triumph." It is of large size, and represents more labor than almost any other painting pro-
duced in America. It contains 300 figures, all richly but differently dressed ; scores of columns
with sculptured bases and ornamented capitals, boats, buildings, the sea, flowers and every detail
pertaining to the Egyptian court at the time it represents. At the left rises the stupendous pile
called Cleopatra's Palace (begun by Alexander the Great, and finished after his death, B. C.,
323, by Ptolemy Soter, the first Greek ruler of Egypt). Its length was more than four thousand
feet, and its elevation a wilderness of columns, statuary, pillars, emblems, deities and ornamental
sculpture piled tier upon tier in solid, shining marble, to a dizzy height, and reaching down to
the sea. At the base of the gigantic columns which guard the entrance to the palace, are slaves
feeding serpents, Egyptian gods, and to the left the Sphynx, while at the right swarm the royal
guards, harpists and banner-bearers, dresse^ in purple and white, ready to welcome their beloved
and beautiful Queen. On the steps of the palace stands a beautiful figure, like that of an angel,
called the Goddess of Peace, holding in one hand the white dove of welcome, and in the other the
scepter — symbol of power — to be delivered to the Queen. Beyond the Goddess lie the terrible
Egyptian deities, with wings and claws, and still farther on the magnificent malachite obelisk, whose
polished surface of blue and green carbonate of copper shimmers in the sunlight, and which is sur-
mounted by the god Apis. ■ In the centre of the picture, and under a gorgeous canopy of feathers
borne by a slave, is the Queen Cleopatra, with a rich crown sparkling and flashing on her brow.
^^0 HISTORY OF POND DU LAC COUNTY. ]
By her aide waMcs that great Roman warrior and statesman, Mark Antony, humble and subdued
in the presence of her genius and beauty. He goes to her palace a willing captive — 'tis " Cleo-
patra's Triumph. ' ' Behind follows Antony's helmet-bearer ; near by is a richly attired Egyptian
priestess, presiding at an altar of burning incense; farther on, a swarthy slave is guarding the
golden vessels landed from the galley, and far out to sea is the Pharos, 500 feet in height, one
of the Seven Wonders, whose light guided ships across the Mediterranean Sea. The golden
galley, impelled by silver oars in the hands of Nubian slaves, and alive with harpists, naiads
and cupids, lies near in all the magnificence which the wealth and skill of Egypt could bestow.
" Castle Canyon," painted by Mr. Harrison in 1862, is now in Paris, and held at $25,000.
EDWAKD G. MA.SCRAFT.
Mr. Mascraft, who has been Mark R. Harrison's student a number of years — and the only
student Mr. Harrison ever had — although a young man, has a reputation abroad as an artist of
rare genius and promise. He is not a copyist, as so many are who claim to be artists, but
sketches from nature. He is an enthusiastic and patient worker, a lover of his profession and
has painted many pictures of great merit. Those which sold for the highest figure and gave
him the best reputation among artists abroad were, " The Morning Mist," " Cattle in a Storm,"
" Lost in the Snow," and "Around the Canip Fire." The last one has received especial praise,
being a strong and vivid picture of camp life as Mr. Mascraft recalled it from his own experi-
ence as a soldier in the rebellion. His pictures have nearly all sold in the East, where they are
in demand, and where he is well known as an artist of genius, truth and skill. He makes fre-
quent trips for the purpose of making new sketches from nature, and always with rare success.
He is modest, and never mentions his profession or work, preferring to let his paintings win
their own way on their merits.
"Lisle Lester."
A prominent Eastern journalist known as " Waldemere," in a series of able papers upon
" Our Coming Men and Women," devoted a lengthy critique to "Lisle Lester's" writings, and
her promise as an author, from which the following is extracted :
" The writings of this lady have been almost exclusively confined to magazine and news-
paper literature. Now that she has paused in this work, and will soon publish in more solid
shape, the result of her researches, it is quite proper to review what she has done, and examine
the quality and power that will guide the future labor.
" As a writer she may be called versatile, yet there are classes of literary work she never
touches, and has a strongly developed taste for certain specialties ; prominent of all, the his-
torical and descriptive. Under this classification, she has given to print extensive papers on
California, Oregon, Nevada and the Pacific Coast Territories, Peru, Mexico and the West
Indian Islands. These papers embrace history, biography, description, adventure and relic
lore.
" Her descriptive faculties are the best ;, her language is rhetorically able and fluent. Some
of the most admirable specimens of her authorship in this class of writing are a series of papers
entitled 'Pencilings of the Pacific,' ' Two Years in Jamaica,' and 'Lisle thread.'
" The second prominent feature of her writings, after the historical, is dramatic journalism.
She has published and editorially conducted two drafnatic papers, dramatized considerably, and
contributed largely to dramatic publications. As a theatrical essayist and correspondent, her
opinions command a high estimate from the profession. The 'Life of Charlotte Cushman,' written
and compiled during the years 1877 and 1878, will soon be sent to press. It is apparent that
some of her most eminent efforts will be found in the dramatic literature of the future.
" The next most sparsely indulged feature of her literary work is satirical humor ; com->
bined with it, a defense of principles and people, that has conspired to bring out from her pen
some very strong, caustic, independent articles from time to time.
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 531
41 I
• The most important of these papers already current, was a series of articles published
in the Washington Chronicle in 1877, entitled, ' Only-a- Woman Series.' "
The pearl of all "Lisle Lester's" writings is the limiced poetical thought that has found
expression in print. These poems remind one of the stifling sobs of a child, struggling in sup-
pressed weeping.
The saddest of these are gems, and every line seems drenched with tears — no doubt they
conceal the key to the heart-side of her life, that the world is not admitted to. Illustrative of
the emotional-friendship verse, written under what may be denominated the " indulgence of
affections," the following is given :
' HEE FACE.
" Sometimes I look into a glorious face —
Into a soul-lit, gentle eye —
That mirrors Nature's loveliest grace
Clear as a summer's morning sky.
" Through wistful eyes traversing worlds afar,
That gem the radiant night,
I cat oh the glory of a single star
Shining supremely bright.
" These eyes, like ocean fast asleep,
Are fathomless in soul ;
Like quiet streams all pure .and deep.
Sweet thoughts within them roll.
" There may be faces twice as fair,
0 sweet-faced lady mine ;
But if there were, 1 should not care
So friendship spare me thine."
"Lisle Lester" never dabbled in political writing, nor lent her pen to any of the
" hobbies " and " isms " with which the world is well supplied at the present time. She never
wrote a novel nor a romance of any kind. At the present time, she is putting into shape for
the press, some important works that will decide her position in literature. She has not hurried
into print, nor sought premature fame, and in this she has exhibited good judgment, and, doubt-
less, laid a solid foundation for the future.
"Nellie Wildwood."
Under this romantic name. Miss Elizabeth Farnsworth, now Mrs. Mears, of Oshkosh,
wrote more voluminously than any other Fond du Lac County lady author. She began early
to write rhymes, ditties and acrostics for the press, some of which were sweet and musical. In
addition to poetry, "Nellie Wildwood " dipped into romance and the drama — one play, entitled
" Black Hawk," drawing good houses at Madison and other places in the State. Her most
elaborate work was a sixty-page book, entitled, " Voyage of Pere Marquette, and Romance of
Charles de Langlade ; or, the Indian Queen. An Historical Poem of the Seventeenth and
Eighteenth Centuries." It was written for Harrison & Stevenson's " Art Union," in 1860.
From this book, as descriptive of the approach on the shores of Lake Winnebago, before the
coming of white men, of such a glorious morning as could only be seen in the unsettled West,
is taken the following :
" 'Tis early morn — ihe heavens are softest blue,
And the broad lake has caught the same fair hue ;
While from the dreamy West the cooling breeze
Waves the green drapery of the lofty trees.
Amid whose cool and leafy shade is heard
The matin-song of many a bright-winged bird.
The robin's note from hedge of wilding rose —
The mourning dove pours forth her loving woes —
The thrush, with joyous gratitude elate —
The speckled partridge, whistling to its mate —
532 HISTOKY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
And all the feathered choristers of song,
Rouse the clear echoes, vales and groves among.
The fragrant zephyrs, 'mid the flowers that sleep
With morning freshness on the senses sweep.
The rising sun gilds tree and headland tall^
The crimson beams soft ling' ring where they fall,
Till earth and arching skies in splendor bright
Mingle in one, thus bathed in golden light."
Mrs. Charlotte E. Fisheb.
Mrs. Fisher has never published anything in book form, although she has written much
■worthy of such preservation. She writes for the Phrenological Journal and various other pub-
lications. From the Fond du Lac Reporter of February, 1877, is taken the following :
"AWAKING, AWAKE, ASLEEP.
" Triumphant choir of blackbirds,
'Mong the willow trees,
Singing, ' Sjoring is come again,
We have felt its breeze.'
Oh ! the sky is softest blue.
And the earth is fair —
The sunlight falls iu golden showers
Softly everywhere.
Wild bees sipping honey
From the lily's cup —
How beautiful the year looks
When it's waking up !
" Across the pleasant meadows
Shade and sunshine run ;
The broad grain-fields are golden —
Harvest has begun.
The air is faint with fragrance
That drops from Summer' s wing —
The birds are lost in wonder —
They quite forget to sing.
Earth has spread her banquet,
And bids us to partake —
How glorious the year looks
When it's wide awake !
" Bright leaves of golden amber
liustling in the breeze ;
Leaves all sere and withered;
Falling from the trees ;
Blue mists on the mountain ;
Shadows in the wood —
Oh! Autumn's sighing softly
In her solitude.
Somethings akin to sorrow
O'er our spirits creep.
For Oh ! how sad the year looks
When sinking to its sleep !
" Beauteous gleam of frost-work
On each window-pane —
Here a wreath of flowrets,
There a mountain chain.
From misty clouds above us
Comes the plumy snow —
Of what is Winter dreaming ?
Why does he shiver so ?
Wildly sings the storm-king
'Round my snug retreat —
Oh ! how cold the year looks ■
When its gone to sleep !"
HISTORY or FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 535-
Maueice McKenna.
In 1868, Maurice McKenna, who had written for the press and various periodicals, pub-
lished a small volume of poems entitled, " Elva Lee." The principal feature of the work was a
romance after the style and meter of Walter Scott's " Lady of the Lake," which was presented,
with this :
TO THE READEK.
Kind reader, if thy leisure yet
These page^ may devour ;
And if the humble board I set
Partake no savor sour ;
Or, if this simple epaulet
Disguise no hostile gaiour,
Then bask them in the minaret
Of Favor's sunny tower.
And while I leave this amulet
Of words thy paltry dower,
Thy heart will kindly not forget
The clouds that sometimes lower.
Nor slight, if thy chaste eyes have met
Some solitary ilower.
But ah ! if this poor task should sweat
Thy soul beyond her power,
Forgive the blast that dared to fret
Her blossom-mantled bower,
With song's mirth-shading silhouette.
Or joy-entailing shower —
And pardon him who holds in debt
Thy recreative hour.
Since publishing " Elva Lee," Mr. McKenna has written much' that is well worth
preserving.
Alice Aknold Ckawford.
Of all the poets — or those who have dropped into verse for the amusement of friends or in
response to that inspiration which no pen can describe but which occasionally bursts into a glow
with all persons of genius, throwing their very souls into a dance of rhythm and transport of
beautiful thoughts — none claimed by Fond du Lac County have become so widely known
as Alice Arnold Crawford. Her beautiful life, attractive personal and mental attributes and
premature death add a peculiar interest to her productions for even those who care nothing for
the intrinsic merits of poetry. She furnished articles in prose and verse for the leading publica-
tions of the day, and, in 1875, after her death, an unrevised collection of her writings, making
a book of nearly two hundred pages, mostly in verse, was published in elegant style by Jansen,
McClurg & Co., of Chicago. The two distinct and unlike moods or styles in which Alice-
Arnold Crawford wrote, are well illustrated by two poems here reproduced :
BLIND HANDEL.
He sat alone — his solemn service o'er ;
No muffled footfalls sounded on the floor ;
The distant clangor of the closing door
From arch to arch leaped down the low octave
Of dying echoes, and within the nave
Dropped into silence.
Calm and sweetly grave,
As one in whom some joy and sorrow blend.
The blind old man, beside his timeworn friend,
Still lingered lovingly. Across the keys
t e felt the warmth of stinshine, and the breeze
534 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
At play upon the silver of his hair.
And, down the aisles, he knew the list'ning air
In conscious emptiness hung dead and still,
But waiting for the soul of melody to thrill
Its silence into life.
As one who loved them much,
He sought the keys. They yielded to his touch,
And by some strange intelligence they caught
The thrilling impulse of their master's thought,
And followed sofily, or in cchnes rang
Their sweet response, while he, trembling, sang
His life-song unto them ;
" We are alone
Oh, voices of my soul! andj jy unknown
To those who know and love you less than I,
Is borne to me upon the melody
That wakens at my will. I fell no need of sight ;
But, reaching forth, I draw my warmth and light
From out the world of sound. That fine and mystic senso
Vouchsafed to me makes more than recompense
For outer darkness ; since the shadowy line
That shuts me from the world wins the divine
To blest communion until life grows swqet
From hidden springs, and makes itself complete
From sources of its own.
" Men pity me ;
And little eyes that mine shall never see
Turn tenderly to watch the groping feet
That, hesitating, tread the aisle and street.
They look on me as one whose night and day
Are wearily the same, and sadly say
My blindness is my prison, and no star
That, key-like, hangs without the dungeon bar.
Shall ever turn or open unto me
The royal dawn, or noontide majesty.
" And yet I sorrow not. No life is dark
Whose inner cliambers hold the vital spark
Of heavenly happiness. I only stand
Within the shadow of my Father's hand.
And list, through all the ling' ring eventide.
For loving tones that, comforting, abide
Forever in the air. Oh, perfect gift !
Oh, blessing marvellous ! By thee I lift
The upper windows of my charmed soul,
And let the Iiarmonies of Heaven roll
Full-voiced into mine ear.
"And still I wait.
My groping fingers clasp the golden gate
That bounds the sweet hereafter, while the hymn
That trembles from the harps of seraphim
Floats out to me ; the soft and mellow pipes
Awaked by me are butth' imperfect types
Of what 1 hear — the ftiint interpreters
Through which I speak to men — ■ sweet messengers
From me unto the world. I ask no more
Since ' my Redeemer liveth ' to restore
In His own time the fullness of my sight.
Then, for the loss of earth s imperfect light,
The crystal day shall evermore be given.
And Handel, ' blind and old,' shall sec in Heaven."
HISTORY or FOITD DU LAC COUNTY. 535
THE F0KE3T EASTER.
[Thia poem was published at Efister-tide in Harper's Weekly, engraved on a beautiful cross whicb covered an entire
page of that publication, and attracted wide attention. The cross was entwined and Irellised with the rich green
Tines and bright star-blossoms of the trailing arbutus, bursting through crusts of snow and creeping about pillars of
ice, with the deep, gloomy solitude of a Northern foreit for a background.]
In the forests of the North
Shines the Easter morning forth I
Shines and glimmers, flits and smiles
Down the winding woodland aisles.
See ! the vapor's rising breath
Floats as life released from death,
Pure above the stainless snow.
Look ! how shadows in the glow.
Melted from their icy keeping, out of hidden cells are creeping ;
Out of twilight niches leaping at the beok'ning of the light.
Has the spring remembered Easter in the Northland still and white ?
Have the symbols of the morning deck'd the dim cathedral wobd ?
Have they written, " He is risen," in the snowy solitude?
Are the lilies incense breathing ? Are the fair camellias wreathing
Carven birch and pillared pine ?
Do the lustrous myrtles twine
With the roses, waxen white?
Creeps the ivy's emerald vine
O'er the sky-built casement height ?
Tell us, sleeping, sluggard Spring!
Show us, living, waking Spring !
Where is laid thine offering for the Easter-tide ?
" In the forests of the North,
O'er the snow-hills peeping forth
Down the sunny side, through the winter' B frosted tear.
Through the mosses, cold and sear,
Pure and fair as lilies are, ope's the sweet arbutus star.
Silken-petaled, rosy-tipped, snowy-hearted, dewy-lipped.
Never lovelier offering could the tropic sunshine bring
Offspring of an angel breath
Warmed to life through chill and death,
Never truer Easter sign
Robed acres or strewed a shrine."
Ay, the Spring has chosen well — better than we understood.
Open star and budded bell best befit the cloister cell
Of the templed wood ;
Best unfold the mystic story from the secret of its own ;
Best proclaim the risen glory from tlie life itself has known.
Blossom of the Wilderness! God-child of the snow's caress 1
Heaven shall love thee not the leas, blooming here alone.
FOND DU LAC COUNTY WAR KECORD.
No county in Wisconsin has a more honorable or noble war record than Fond du Lac.
The news that Fort Sumter had been fired upon and had surrendered reached Fond du
Lac, Ripon and Waupun Saturday evening, April 13, 1861, but was not generally disseminated
until Sunday. Everything was dropped, and people rushed to the centers of population and
information for the latest news. Newspapers were in demand and commanded almost any price,
one man paying a dollar for a copy of the Chicago Tribune. Impromptu meetings to sustain
the Government were held everywhere, the first of which any record was left being held Sun-
day evening, April 14, in the city of Fond du Lac. On Thursday evening, the largest meet-
ing ever held in that city was addressed at Amory Hall, by Edward S. Bragg, J. M. Gillet, S.
E. LeflFerts and Mason C. Darling. The intensity of the excitement, patriotism and enthusi-
asm manifested cannot be despribed. Resolutions upholding the Government, and couched in
536 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
the strongest possible language, Were adopted. About $4,000 was raised to care for the families-
of soldiers, and pledges were offered on every hand to furnish wood, meat, flour and provisions
to soldiers' wives and children. Men offered houses free of rent ; physicians oifered medical
attendance free of charge, and the City Council voted, at a special meeting, although it had no
right to do so, $5,000 to aid soldiers' families. Patriotism and generosity ran riot. War
meetings were appointed in almost every schoolhouse in the county, and speakers were in great
demand. The demand, however, was supplied, as men who had never made a speech before,
■ and have not since, proved to be fountains of patriotic eloquence. The Reporter, of Fond du
Lac, in its issue of April 27, 1861, thus briefly but graphically describes the excitement of the
hour:
" We should, perhaps, make an apology that the Reporter is lacking this week in the
usual amount of matter. The events of the week have occupied our whole attention. Our work-
men are worn down with night work in getting out extras of telegraphic reports, which we print
morning and evening. Nor can we publish all the war news, for want of room and for want of
type-setters to get up the type. Two of our workmen have enlisted^
" The war feeling is so intense and absorbing that much of the business of our city has
been stopped; men are collected in crowds on the streets, and before the recruiting office of
Col. Lefferts. Mechanics have left their shops, clerks their desks, printers their cases, laborers
their usual employments, and all are prepared to take up arms in defense of the flag of their
country." '
Capt. John McGinnis offered the services of the Hibernian Guards of Fond du Lac, five
days aftei* Gov. Randall's proclamation was posted, and they were accepted. This was the first
offer of a company from Fond du Lac County. ,It was not the first company to leave for camp,
as it was composed of only thirty men who were willing to fight, and some recruiting was neces-
sary to secure the necessary seventy-eight.
The first man to enljst in Fond du Lac County was Colwert .K. Pier, and the second was
Christian Klock. This was on Monday forenoon, April 15, and they signed the roll in S. B.
Lefferts' ofiice, at 494 Main street.
Party lines were nearly obliterated, old feuds were forgotten, and a new era in good-fellow-
ship and patriotism inaugurated. Old enemies, both political and social, met at recruiting gath-
erings, and made speeches together.
Patriotism and a desire to do sometKing for their country were not confined to the men-
The ladies were busy preparing little things for the soldiers to take with them ; making flag3>
committing patriotic songs, making rosettes of red, white and blue, and lending their influence
by being present at all war meetings. When the first company left Fond du Lac, each member
was presented by the ladies with an elegant silk rosette and a Testament, and the company with
a large and costly flag. These were presented at Amory Hall on Tuesday evening, April 31,
at which time the company assembled to take the army oath. W. C. Kellogg administered the
oath, and so enthusiastic were the spectators, that one and all arose and took the solemn obliga-
tion also. Rev. George B. Eastman made a prayer, and E. S. Bragg the following speech:
Citizen Soldiers: la obedience to your own patriotic impulses to defend » ilag liallowed by the blood of
patriots, the maintenance of which was bequeathed to you as a legacy of a glorious ancestry, you are about to bid adieu
to friends and kindred, to put oiF the garb of peace and assume the " slow-measured tread of grim-visaged war." In
days of old, the knight didhis devoir under the colors of his " ladye-love." The remembrance of the sweet, sad parting
cheered him when gloom was stealing o'er his spirit, and rendered doubly dear the achievements of his arm. In
later days — in the times which tried men's souls — the women of America cheered the soul of the patriot ; the mother
gave her husband and son as willing offerings, and the maiden wiped the death-damp from the brow of her lover
without a murmur. That race of noble women is not yet extinct. They are as ready now as (hen, at their country's
call, to make the sacrifice.
Capt. McCall, through me the women of Fond du Lac bid you and your soldiers God-speed in your holy purpose-
By my hand they entrust you with these colors as a parting token. Maintain them in the front of the battle. Let
them never be sullied by an ignoble act on the field, or in the camp. Protect them, if need be, with your blood,,
remembering always, that they possess the talismanic power of a woman's blessing.
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 537
Capt. J. V. McCall responded:
Oq behalf of the Badgers, I tender to the ladies of Fond du Lac our heartiest thanks for this beautiful flag,
assuring them that each and all of us, rank and file, will do our utmost to protect it from dishonor. And, whether on
the field, or in camp, on duty or oflF, the remembrance of the fair givers will ever be cherished.
Two days after this, May 2, 1861, the company took its departure amid a strange com-
mingling of cheers, sobs and tears. The train left Thursday morning over the Chicago & North-
Western Railway, from Fond du Lac, and the city was literally jammed with people from all
parts of the county, to whom the idea of war and the sight of soldiers were novel and inspiriting.
Before their departure, a splendid dinner was served by the proprietor of the Lewis House,
Mr. B. S. Patty, while the bands discoursed music, and patriotic speeches were made outside of
-the hotel. This company (I), called the "Badger Boys," was assigned to the First Wisconsin
Regiment ; was the first body of Fond du Lac County men to start for the war, and consisted of
the following officers and privates:
Captain, James V. McCall ; First Lieutenant, Thomas H. Green : Ensign, Henry Decker ;
First Sergeant, Lyman M. Ward ; Second Sergeant, William S. Burrows ; Third Sergeant, Walter
T. Coneys; Fourth Sergeant, Ed F. Ferris; First Corporal, EdT. Midgely; Second Corporal,
Milton Ewen ; Third Corporal, Timothy F. Strong, Jr.; Fourth Corporal, Henry Taylor.
Privates — Kelsey M. Adams, Levi Annis, George Beaver, David. Bidwell, H. E. Barrette,
David Babcock, Joseph Buschar, John N. Curtis, Edward B. Crofoot, Volney Chapman, S.
Coleman, Jr., William E. Chase, C. T. Carpenter, Henry W. Durand, E. P. Downer, Matthew
Emerson, John Farrell, John V. Frost, Kingman Flint, Martin V. Fargo, William A. Fargo,
William M. Gardner, F. Grasslee, John Grignon, R. Gilbraith, George R. Gates, H. W. Hub-
bell, W. S. Horton, Isadore Heibert, Charles S. Henry, Lewis Hart, John F. Hagan, Christian
Klock, C. L. Kimball, William Knothardt, Joseph King, Merion Lake, Andrew Lundry, Harri-
son Matthews, Norton W. Mack, Theodore Magneusan, Charles H. Morgan, John Oliver,
Charles Palmer, Albert W. Paine, James G. Potter, Colwert K. Pier, M. W. Peters, Josiah
Prosser, William A. Place, Richard Peacock, John Reichardt, George P. Robinson, Francis G.
Rice, R. G. Stevens, Samuel Sherwood, Roswell M. Sawyer, Leonard Shaw, George T. Wilkins,
Parley B. Wilson, George E. Wood, John Wiley, M. D. Wilson, Robert Whittleton, H. Walters,
Delos A. Ward, Byron A. Wheeler and Charles Williams.
Innumerable copies of the " Star Spangled Banner," and miniature flags, on which were
printed various patriotic mottoes, and extracts from the speeches of great men, were scattered
about the country, and the work of recruiting went on at an astonishing rate, the time of enlist-
ment at first being for only ninety days. Flags floated everywhere. Bulletins naming the
prominent men who had enlisted, and scraps containing the seditious utterances of Southern men
and officers, were freely circulated to increase, if possible, the enthusiasm for enlisting, and at the
war meetings, men who could not enlist would " bid " for volunteers. That is, A would call out,
"I will give $50 for the next volunteer; " B would say, "I'll give flOO," and so on until
another volunteer was secured, the meetings continuing until late at night. A description of the
wild excitement and intense enthusiasm of one war meeting would apply to all of them, and they
were held everywhere in the county.
The folloving card, printed on imitation bank paper, was suddenly and unaccountably found
in liberal circulation, furnishing the salaries of soldiers in different positions: Colonel, $218 per
■month; Lieutenant Colonel, $194 ; Major, $175 ; Captain, $118; First Lieutenant, $108.50;
Second Lieutenant, $103.50 ; Brevet Second Lieutenant, $103.50 ; First, or Orderly Sergeant,
$29 ; other Sergeants, $27 ; Corporals, $22 ; privates, $20, and musicians, $21 per month.
These figures, though not correct, mixed well with the enthusiasm of the hour, and recruit-
ing went on more rapidly than ever, until it was announced in one of the local papers
of May 25, 1861, that " Fond du Lac County has furnished a greater number of volunteers than
any other county in the State, not even excepting Milwaukee. We have now nine full com-
panies, and three more nearly full, more than enough for one full regiment. Of these, six com-
panies have enlisted for three years, or during the war. Should the exigencies of the war
538 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
require it, we are confident the number could be doubled in this county. Our volunteers com-
pare favorably with any in the State. They are a fine, able-bodied set of men, who entered into
this business because they felt it their duty to do so, leaving their fields and workshops, and
occupations, to be supplied by others. It is an indisputable fact that Capt. McCall's Company
stands at the head of the First Regiment for good order, sobriety and military bearing. They
have earned a reputation in their short period of camp life, of which they may well feel proud.
Should their example be followed by the remaining companies. Fond du Lac will have the proud
distinction of having bietter men in the field, as well as more of them, than any county in the
State."
In a very few days after the first company was organized under Capt. J. V. McCall,
within thirty days from the time Gov. Randall's proclamation appeared in Fond du Lac County,
the following six companies had been organized, officers chosen and their services accepted :
Capt. Emerson's "North Star Rifles," of Taycheedah ; Capt. John Maginnis' "Union
Guards," of Fond du Lac; Capt. Gage's "Hamilton Guards," of the towns of Osceola,
Auburn, Ashford and that vicinity ; Capt. E. S. Bragg's " Rifles," of Fond du Lac ; Capt.
Bertine Pinkney's " Rosen dale Guards," of Rosendale ; Capt. 0. H. La Grange's "Ripen
Rifles," of Ripon; Capt. Clark's " Waupun Light Guards," of Waupun, and the " Oakfield
Rifies."
Before this time. Company I had begun to have " some, experience," and it will be inter-
esting to know what it was and how the members liked it. Many of the boys had been accus-
tomed to fine clothes, luxurious homes and plenty of money, and not a few of them took along
well-filled trunks. C. K. Pier wrote weekly letters to the Fond du Lac Reporter, signing him-
self " Trowloc," in one of which he said :
" We have at last received our clothes, which they call uniforms, although one would think
to see the company on parade, that the tailor had warranted each uniform to fit the largest man
or the smallest boy. The cloth is gray, of various shades ; much of it is of poor quality and
will not stand hard service. The pants have a black cord down the sides, and the coats have
brass buttons and stand-up collars. On Monday (May 13), Col. Starkweather presented the
regiment with a remnant of Washington's flag. Yesterday (May 15), we commenced our second
course on soldier's fare. One more, and we will be on regular army rations. The contract has
been let to feed us at 39 cents per head. Each man has a metal plate, spoon, k^nife and fork,
which he must take care of himself. About 6 o'clock, the Orderly Sergeant calls out, ' Com-
pany I, fall in for breakfast,' and, as the calt is passed from tent to tent, you take your plate in
one hand, knife, fork, cup and spoon in the other, and step into the ranks. But be careful as
you go into the eating-house that you do not slip down in a pool of cofiee. As the boys range
themselves along the rough table, the Orderly commands, ' Inward face — take seats.' At first,
a teacup of mustard, a box of pepper, salt and vinegar, are the only articles in the line of vict-
uals to be seen; but, immediately, a pan filled with slices of bread an inch or more in thickness,
another of boiled potatoes, followed by one filled with meat, come in rapid succession. The
bread is 'baker's,' and good ; the potatoes are good enough, and the meat — well, as to meat
and gravy, we won't take any this morning. The waiter fills your cup with cofiee, which you
sweeten and taste. It is cold, and appears inclined to coagulate. Another waiter appears, and
while steam rises in large volumes from his pitcher, cries out, ' Hot coifee ! ' You want some,
of course, butwhat is to be done? Your cup is full, you" cannot swallow its contents, and
there is no dish into which to empty it/ You look around and find everybody in the same fix.
Finally, a sly one comes to an ' about face ' and pours his coff"ee on the ground. In an instant
you. follow suit, and so do the others. Now it maybe understood whence came the pools of
cofi"ee on the ground. * * * After finishing your meal, should you wish to clear
your plate of fragments, you empty them on the table or where you did the cold cofiee. You
clean your dish with bread, dip it in a large dish of hot water, and wipe it with paper."
The boys got their pay about the 1st of June, and their genius was taxed to smuggle
" liquid dry goods " into camp, as it was against the rules to be caught with a bottle.
HISTOKY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 539
On Monday before the First Regiment left Camp Scott at Milwaukee, the death of one Monroe,
of Company C, took the spirit nearly all out of the boys. On the 9th of June, they started
for the front, and the journey to Maryland was one continuous ovation. Music, cannon, cheers,
ice water, hot coffee, lunches, fruits, papers, pretty girls and shouting men met them at every
depot. At one village in Ohio, the people were, so enthusiastic as to allow their daughters to
board the train and ride with the soldiers until the returning train was met. Some of the
Fond du Lac boys put up at hotels, and were liberal with money received from friends and
relatives at hoipe. Their first fighting Avas at Falling Waters, in Virginia, July 2, 1861. It
was a wild, harum-scarum battle, but the boys thought it was a big thing. The First Regiment
lost one man (not from Fond du Lac County), and C. K. Pier wrate home that he saw two of
the enemy stretched dead in a field, while David Babcock sent back word that "in the free and
rapid distribution of bullets, the reljs had attained to a proficiency that was truly astonishing."
Afterward, the battle of Falling Waters was a standing joke among the veterans, and is to this
day.
The First Regiment was mustered out in August, but was. soon re-organized, as most of
the boys re-enlisted for " three years or the war."
Lyman M. Ward went out from Fond du Lac in the first company of the First Regiment
of Wisconsin Volunteers. He was the author of — " Dodge the big ones."
After serving with the original First, Col. Ward, as he was familiarly known, helped to
organize, and, from the beginning to the end, was identified with the Fourteenth Regiment.
At Pittsburg Landing, notwithstanding the terrors and disasters of the first day's fight, the
Fourteenth absolutely refused to break or run. Their splendid behavior won for them the title,
" Fourteenth Wisconsin Regulars." Three times, during the second day, they charged and cap-
tured a rebel battery, and each time, for want of proper supporc, were compelled to let go their
prize. Most every one has heard in one shape or another the story of the officer who told his
men they might dodge " the big ones," but few are acquainted with the real incident which gave
it origin.
While forming the line for the fourth charge, this regiment drew the concentrated fire of
all the enemy's guns within range. Shell, grape and solid shot swept over and about them with
shriek, hiss and roar, which only one who has been there can appreciate. The Colonel passed
along, cautioning the men to stand steady, assured them they had that day made their names
immortal, to keep their ranks solid, that a man was as apt to dodge in front of a bullet as to avoid
it, and that another hour would surely give them the victory. Just then, a perfect tornado of
iron and lead swept over their heads; every man and officer involuntary dodged, when Lieut.
Ed. Ferris said: " But, Colonel, when they shoot a cooking stove right past a man's ear, can't he
dodge just a little ? "
" Well, yes," said the Colonel, "if it's a big one, dodge just a little, about as much as I did."
Five minutes later, the regiment again went for that battery, and never let go of it. As a
trophy of that day's service, the Government assigned one of the captured guns to the State,
and it is now at Madison.
540
HISTORY OF rOND DU LAC COUNTY.
FOND DU LAC COUNTY'S AID TO SUPPRESS THE REBELLION.
TOWNS.
Quotas.
Veterans.
Drafted.
218eitnfortbe
8ut«. credited
bT order of Wftr
Sepftrtmeat.
War Depart.
meat credita
prior to July
18, 1S61.
Total
credits.
Alto
Asliford
Auburn
Byron
Calumet
Eden
Eldorado
Empire
Fond du Lac, First Ward
Fond du Lac, Second Ward....
Fond du Lac, Tliird Ward
Fond du Lac, Fourth Ward ....
Fond du Lac, Fifth Ward
Fond du Lao Town
Fond du Lac City at large
Fond du Lac County at large.
Forest
Friendship
Lamartine
Marahfield
Metomen
Oakfield
Osceola
Ripon, First Ward
Ripon, Second Ward
Ripon Town
Ripon City at large
Kosendale
Springvale
Taycheedah
Waupun, North Ward
Waupun Town
Waupun at large
90
86
77
79
67
84
69
53
98
87
97
95
45
59
74
33
62
49
93
62
56
90
75
75
81
76
70
65
83
Total.
2135
68
61
16
66
56
02
9
45
17
14
28
22
20
41
5
1
33
23
50
31
73
41
30
30
27
50
7
65
53
45
40
54
1186
18
4
16
1
2
14
20
14
36
15
12
9
36
12
19
18
15
18
5
10
1
15
5
9
23
25
17
8
22
19
17
20
21
13
14
15
60
42
49
53
23
7
34
30
23
7
13
116
483
10
331
90
80
62
82
68
72
48
57
96
92
96
96
48
74
5
2
49
36
62
54
106
66
41
86
78
90
7
87
76
72
62
84
2126
EOSTER.
The names of those who took part in the war, who are credited to Pond du Lac County,
are subjoined :
Ferris, Capt. J. V. Frost, James Hammond, Charles W.
Jackson. Geo. Jesse, Robert Longstaff, E. G. Masoraft,
Henry W. Powers, Francis J. Ribble, Orlando J. Ribble,
Chas. Ribble, Charles Spafford; Obadiah Thompson, John
A. Waller, H. C. West, Col. Lyman M. Ward. Co. 6—
Samuel Jones, Co. H— E. P. Mead, Washington Hathaway.
Go. I— J. W. Bell. Co. K— Sanford M. St. John. Com-
pany unknown — Morich Track.
Seventeenth Infantry — Co. C — Joseph Bulger, John
Boardman, James Condy, Joseph Devlin, Thomas Harinor,
Harry Jennings, Capt. Simop O'Kane, Patrick Moughlin,
Patrick Meaner, William MoDermot, F. Nelson, Anthony
O'Brien, John Racroft, John Euycraft, Felix Rogers,
John Shea, Nathan Sayre.
Nineteenth Infantry— Co. K — John Nowell, Silas C.
Seaman.
Twentieth Infantry— Go. K — George Barrett. Company
unknown — George Hofer.
CITY OF FOND DD LAC — FIEST WARD.
First Infantry— Co. K— Millard Arnold, Col. C. H. De
■Groat, Freeman H. Farr, Charles Kellogg, Patrick Mur-
ray, George J. Russell, Abram Rundell, Peter Rundell,
George Stewart, Capt. Henry Stone, Lieut. F. R. St. John,
Gustavus A. Scott, J. B. Wood.
Third Infantry — Co. A — John Bradley. Co. D — Will-
iam Harrison.
Fourth Infantry — Co. K — Chas. McGee.
Fifth Infantry — Co. E — Piatt J. Raymond.
Sixth Infantry-Co. E— Capt. Edwin A. Brown, J. L.
Bulzer, S. P. Green, Lieut. Albert W. Reader.
Eighth Infantry — Company unknown — George Driggs.
Ninth Infantry — Co. C — Michael Risch.
Twelfth Infantry — Surgeon Angie B. Carey.
Fourteenth Infmtry — Q. M. James T. Conklin, Ass't
•Q. M. Delos Ward. Co. A— Charles Beers, Lieut. Henry
Durand, David A. Drake, Leonard Drake, Col. Eddy F.
w
H
m
z
m
D
J*
2
m
o
o
c
z
H
-<
m
CO
m
J>
H
O
r—
O
CO
m
o
m
3J
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
543
Twenty-first Infantry — Co. A — Thomas Smith, Aaron
Sherwood. Co. F— Hugh Cary, Prank Camisky, William
W.Potter. Co. H — Copt. George Burrows, Charles Bergin,
William Bodine, Benjamin Cole, David Lock, Timothy
Regan, Frederick Smith, Frank Skoomasky, J. Tate, A.
Van Valkenburg.
Tuienti/sizlh Infantry — Co. E — Joseph Arnold, Henry
Diener, Philip Zipp, Nicholas Kiefer, Albin KnoUe,
Charles Steer, Frederick Sail, Michael Thuerwachter,
John Waskuwlsk, Ernst \^ildfang.
Tnirly-second Infmtry — Co. A— Augustus Brasted,
Lieut. S. L. Brasted, J. E. Hodges, Caleb S. Knott,
Piilrock Kelcoyner. Co. H — James Farnsworth, Giles
Heathcote, William F. Jones, William Oliver, Jr., Ter-
rence Smith, Frederick Walters.
Second Cavalry — Co. A— George Beaver, Henry Docker,
Thomas Fox, Charles Sherwood.
Tliird Cmalrii — Co. I — Henry Bannister.
Tmeniy-eighth Illinois Infantry— Go. C— J. P. Pennock,
A. S. Heizlit.
Sixth U. S. Infantry— First Lieut. James G. Potter.
Fifteenth U. S. Infantry — Co. C— James Rush.
Regiment unknown — Lemuel Lawrence.
CITY OF FOND DU LAC SECOND WARD.
First Infantry — Co. K — Capt. Charles H. Benton, Capt.
Thomas Bryant, Ed McGlachlin, Charles E. Marshall, W.
B. Ro s, Frank Ruth, Maj. R. M. Sawyer.
T/i,rd Infantry~Q. U., S. E. Lefferts. Co. A— Thomas
Davids, H. Eberson, Carl Lattimer, Charles Lord, Her-
man Opitz, Anson Welch. Co. G — -J. F. Hubbard, John
Olsen, 0. C. Olsen, Albert Post.
Fifth Infantry — Co. I — R. S. Goldsborough, James
Essan, John Kalk, Charles Pfeiffer, B. H. Psuerger,
George Psuerger, Asa Smith.
Sixth Infantry — Brig. Gen. Edward S. Bragg; Musician,
Abner H. Wadsworth. Co, B— Adolph Kinttel. Co. E —
Bernard Krebs, N. K. Malroy, Andrew Sbusler.
JVinth Infantry — Co. I — William Schulton.
Fourteenth Infantry — Co. A — S. D. Baker, John Brecker,
Sterling Peters, A. J. Scott, James Thomas. Co. F —
James Gorman. Co. H — James Pound.
Seventeenth Infantry — Co. C — John Ballman, Thomas
(Hark, Daniel Doherty, William Davis, Alexander Mc-
Kane, Capt. Michael Mangan, Samuel Reed. Co. H —
Henry Tanner.
E yhteenth Infantry — Co. A — W. T. Lyon.
Nineteenth Infantry — Co. A — Willis Doyle. Co. D — D.
McFaddeu. Co. G — Joseph Whitmore. James Whitmore.
Twenty-first Infantry — Q. M. H. C. Hamilton ; Surgeon,
S J. Carolin. Co. A— King Flint. Co. F— William J.
Smith, R. C. Palmer, J. H. Gibson. Co. H— B M. Cole,
■Capt. William A. Fargo, David Luck, W. H. Weber, John
AVeber.
Twenty-fourth Infantry — Company unknown — Isaac JI.
Story.
Twenty-sixth Infantry — Co. E — Capt. Anton Kettler,
.Vlois Altman, Karl Arndt, Rudolph Breger, Charles C.
Bergen, Carl Berume, Walendi Czamecki, Adolph Eich-
raeier, Morris Fox, Henry Flemming, Reinhard Gaeibatz,
P. Paul Glatzel, Mathias Haertle, Heinrich Herzog,
Jacob Hilgert, Paul Hannang, Christian Hageman, Fred
Kefer, George Krause, Reinhold Krause, August Krueger,
August Ludthe, Herman Lindemerth, Fred Laukow,
Heinrich Meier, Charles' J. Meyer, John Ostertag,
William Rosenthal, Hans Rossmann, Carl Ruebsaman,
■Carl Schmidt, Joseph Schmitz, Magnus Schneider,
John Schur, Fritz Schueler, John Schueler, Joseph
Slauber, August Stengel, William Schmidt, John Sporer,
Fritz Temke, Charles Woetzel, Christ Winklemann, Ferd-
inand WoUe, Joseph A. Zech, August Ziippel.
Thirty-second Infantry — Co. A — William Higgs, James
Hayes, Robert Marsh.all, D. A. Morrison. Co. H — Frank
Comsky, James J. Dilley, James D. Dilly, James Hayes,
Horace E. Mann, Miles Seeley, A. C. Tucker.
Second Cavalry — Co. A — N. C. King.
Fourth Oavalru — Co. B — Fred Stage.
Milwaukee Cavalry — Fritz Keeker, H. Feldlrappe,
Frank Veit, Fred Kresler, Christopher Boerkardh, Henry
Rabe.
Regiment unknown — Rowland Russell, Dennis Conroy.
Eighth Illinois Infantry — Co. I — Henry Pleiifer.
Fifty-eighth Illinois Infantry — S. C. Spore, Evert Rath-
bone, Henry Baker, Washiniton L. Pottis, 0. A. FadJen,
Ezra B. Foster, William Black, Otto Smith, John Mouk.
Seventeenth Missouri Infantry — Co. H — Charles Snell,
Louis Konitz.
CITY OF FOND DD LAO THinD WAKD.
Maj. Gen. U. S. Vols., Charles S. Hamilton.
First Infantrij — Company K — D. Chamberlain, Horton
H. Drury, A. W. Kent, Lieut. Homer G. Leonard, Alpheus
Morse, Charles L. Palmer, M. W. Peter.'^, Lieut. Francis G.
Rice, Rufiis G. Rice, Frank Rutch, George E. Wood.
Tliird Infantry — Surgeon Don A. Raymond. Company
A — Alexander Abrams, J. Cbick, Henry Davids, John
Davids, Fred Eigert, N. C. Howard, John J. Jewell, T. H.
Lepper, A. J. MoCombs, J. E. Pease, E. Shelby. August
Walton, Ernst Will'onny. Company G — Frank Glason, J.
W. Griffin, A. S. Augard, Wesley Norton.
Ffth Infantry — Company D — Samuel McConnell, A. 3.
Patcher.
Sixth Infantry — Company E — A. J. Deacon, B. D.
Swett, W, A. Wa lace, Capt. Reuben Lindley, James Law-
rence, Edw.ard Seeman.
Seventh Infantry — Company I — Harrison Mathews.
Ninth Infantry — Company unknown — John Pomerich.
Tenth Infantrii — Company H — William Lawrence.
Four'eenlh Infantry — Surgeon W. H. W.alkcr, Cliaplain
Rev. J. B. Rogers. Company A — .V. A. Br.adPord, Charles
E.Collins, John Corbin, Erskine Hawley, Abraham Israel,
Capt. Charles L. Kimball, 0. S. Leonard, Edward A.
Martin, Peter Metoxen, Ora Van Owen, H. H. Seymour,
Davis Sherman, James Van Hiticklen, B. F. Witters.
Company H — Abel Hyde. Company K — Levi Annis.
Seventeenth Infantry — Company C-— William Hope, John
Murray, W. Van Brocklin.
Nineteenth. Infantry — Company A — Melanaton Hill, E.
Bassett. Company G — Jas. Crawford, Alexander Magie.
Twenhj-firU Infantry — Company A — Lieut. Nathan
Leavitt, Michael GiUis, George H. McOmber, Duncan
^IcDonald. Reuben S. Raven, Isadore C. Snow, H. C.
Taylor. Company F — Capt. Milton Ewen, Lieut. A. S.
Delaware, E. H. Gould, John M. Wells. Company H —
B. F. Fuller, John Moak.
Twenty-sixth Infant'y — Company E — Casper Buechner,
William Fisher, Robert Hubatzschek, Charles Nicolai,
John I'omerick, John Reickart, Henry Romeg, William
Stange, Anton Vopt.
Tnirty-second Infantry — Company H — Levi L. Beers,
George E. Easton, Robert H: Marshall, Miles Schoolcraft.
Company H — Capt. William S. Burrows, W. B. Chase,
Horace E. Mann, H. H. Terry, Rona Roswell. Company I
— Edson H. Clark.
N
544
aiSTORY or POND DU LAC COUNTY.
Second Cavalry — Company H — John Chitterling, Joseph
Miller, George Wilkins.
Regiment unknown — Charles Tanner, Augustus Hecker.
Fifty-eighth Illinois Infantry — Company G — Asa Foster.
CITY OF FOND DU LAO — FODRTH WAED.
First Infintry — Co. K — Frank N. Baker, Jopall Dash-
man, H. Walters, John Doraty, Robert Morris, John
Wiley.
Second Infantry— Go. E — Sylvester Pitcher.
Third Infantry — Co. A — Myron Curtis, J. F. Dunevan,
A. Miller, Lorone BiteharJs. Co. D — William Kidder.
Co. 6 — August McNary.
Fifth Infantry— Go. I— J. G. Garrity, D. P. Hart,
James Atckinson, S. T. Hall.
Sixth Infantry — Co. E — John Flood, John P. Hart,
Pibard, Francis King, Capt. Michael Mangan, J. L.
Mason, Albert W. Young.
Tenth Infantry — Co. K — Ezekiel Ramsay.
Fourteenth Infantry — Co. A — N. C. Ridout, Lieut. Egbert
Little, David Pitcher, B. T. Simpson, John D. Steens,
Nicholas Young. Charles Williams. Co. C — John R. Burt.
Co. D— D. 0. Palmer, George R. Shephard. Co. E— Nel-
son Cummings. Co. F — John Flanders, teter Locquer,
Robert Muir. Co. H— Abel Hide.
Seventeenth Infantry — Co. C — Michael Gill, Alexander
Mechanah, Barnard Wells, Thomas Clark, Richard Curan,
David McMuUigan, Patrick Murphy, Thomas Mibly,
Peter Forester, Henry Mederman, John Daugherty,
John Bolen, Walter Mobly, Lawrence Welch, Hugh
Davey, Nicholas Bamgar, Michael Gorma, John Kermi-
cel, Capt. Martin Curran, Edmond Harkins, Davis Harkins,
Edward McKorah, D. McLaughlin, John Ryan, John
Davis, Joseph Gangrian, Daniel Lyons, John Shay, Mat.
Fenon. Co. G — Enos Page.
Eighteenth Infantry — Co. A — Paxan Smith, John Van-
berger.
Nineteenth Infantry — CO. A — E. C. Wheelock, Co. G —
Gustavus Kidder, Cyrus Kidder.
Twenty-fint Infantry — Co. A — George Bolds, Solomon
Comings, Hibard S. Chapman, Winwell Dufrane, Octa-
vius Darusha, Eugene Darusha, Eli Derusha, Oliver
Dolan, Antoine Deposs, Flora Deposs, Edward Derusha,
Lewis Derusha, Anthony Mountain, Joseph Greecy,
Mike Gillis, Jeremiah Holahan, Richard Peacock, Allen
J. Nash, Khoderick Labell, Lewis Jarvis, Capt. Alexander
White, Harry Habble, Leonard F. Davis, Charles C. Henry,
David Storey, Maj. Kelsey M. Adams, Thomas Rondo,
Henry S. Lee, Adolphus Page. Co. F — Warren Allbright,
Cyrus C. Currier, Alexander Hurlburt. Co. H — Robert
Atkinson, Edward T. Midgley, William Wingler, George
Hanvell, Giles Heathcote, Frederick Roach.
Twenty-sixth Infantry — Co. E — Xavier Browi;i, John
Brown, John F. Hagan, Nicholas Jenner.
Thirty-second Infantry — Co. H — William H. Place.
First Cavalry — Co. B — A. P. Fish.
Second Cavalry — Co. A — E. Cropett, Philip Rodis.
CITY OF FOND DU LAO FIFTH WAED.
First Infantry— Go. I— Tripley Harnois. Co. K — W.
E. Bessett, Isaac Gotchy.
Second Infantry- — Co. K — James Doherty.
Third Infantry — Co. A — Anson Richmond. Co. K —
George F. Dailey, Joseph Gotchy.
Fifth Infantry — Co. I — Francis Gotchy, Joseph Ladu-
key.
Sixth Infantry — Co. E — Capt. J. B. Johnson, B. Smith.
Seventh Infantry — Co. F — Francis Beaudreau.
Tenth Infantry — Co. K^Albert Allen.
Fourteenth Infantry — Co. A— William Harvey, John.
Beeoher, George Vanheuklin, A. Thorp, Ed Clark, James
E. Austin, Louis P. Laduke, Peter Laduke, Eli Laduke,
Henry Goslin, Egbert Little, John Coon, George Stevens,
Lieut. Edward Delaney, Jr., John E. Miller, W. E. Comer.
Co. F — David P. Dean, George Gurrard, Firancis Sey-
mour. Co. H — Peter Garrow.
Seventeenth Infantry — Co. C — Charles Doherty, Peter
McCannan, J. McNeferty.
Nineteenth Infantry^Co. G — F. W. Drake.
Twenty-Hrst Infantry — Co. A — Lieut. [Samuel Hotalling,
E. V. Childs, Rufus Johnson, Jackson'M. Hill, Jedediah
Hill, Edwin Pelton, John Defoes, John M. Darley, John
Austin, M. J. Craw, F. M. Craw, Sergeant Jewell, Henry
Jewell, Frederick Heroher, T. T. Miner, P. A. Maloney,
W. H. Cook, Grippet Laduke, Michael Gillis, Henry 8.
Austin, John Carney. Co. F — Richard Killips.
Thirty-second Infantry — Co. H — J. Laduke.
Thirly-fifth Infantry — Co. I — F. Craw, Elvin Warner.
Second Cavalry — Co. A— Col. Napoleon Boardman,
Edward Jewbert.
Third Cavalry— Co. B— William Eckel. Co. I— West
Knight, William Hopper.
Fourth Cavalry — Co. K — Charles McCarley.
Illinois Fofentcers— Frederick Eekel.
OITT pP KIPON — FIRST WARD.
Third Infantry — Co. H — Jack Haley.
Seventh Infantry — Co. B — Isaac Cooper, William P.
Woodruff.
Eighteenth Infantry — Co. F — David C. Woodruff.
Twentieth Infantry — Co. H — Perry C. Gunn, Stephen
Field, Col. Bertine Pinkney, Fred Auerst, E. A. Benedict,
A. H. Booth, J. H. Beamla, James Beynon, R. G. Chad-
burn, James Chadburn, Fred Creger, William E. Daviea,
Moritz Everz, 0. P. Fitzpatrick, John F. Hopkins, James
Hickley, August Henshalt, Miles Johnson, 0. R. Kinney,
W. £. Lamb, L. B. Parrueleer, De Witt Boot, Isaac
Remro, Fred Shuler, John Sabalka, John E. Theban,
WilJiam Tyler, David Webber, W. H. Miller.
Twenty-first Infantry — Company unknown — Alden
Petre.
Thirty-second Infantry — Co. B — -Richard Craig, Jack-
son D. Quimby, W. E. Simmons, John A. White, Alson
Wood, Albert Bipley, George W. Quimby, W. H. H. Val-
entine, Capt. R W. Hodges, T. H. Harvey, George W.
Jackson, J. M. Moore.
First Cavalry^Co. B — Col. Edward Daniels, Maj
Hiram S. Town, Lewis E. Reed, Hiram Barles, Edward
Toron, George Hales, George Brown, Silas F. Hewitt,
Albert M. Townsend, Sanford W. Beckwith, John S.
IngersoU , Harrison Knowiton, William P. Stevens, John
Zimmerman, Oscar F. Potts, Milton Marvin. Co. E^
Walter Atwell, Daniel S. Pasco. Co. F— Samuel B.
Hurlburt. Co. H — Richard E. Demming.
Third Cavalry — Co. D — George Sethart.
Fourth Cavalry — Co. B — Josiah Burlingame, Geu. 0. H.
Grange, Henry W. Ross, William L. Griffith, Charles
Fletcher, Thomas Hales, John H. Lynch, William Hales,
Wallace La Grange, Andrew La Grange, John Haffet,
Silas W. Marvin, William K. Wyckoff, Hanford Root,
Fred Schmidt, Herman Stampel, Wilhelm Schmidt, Dan-
iel P. Brundage, Thomas S. Cross, Clark Delano, Edward-
A. Ellsworth, David Green, John Kuehn, Richard Ober^
William Geihar, August Lambe.
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
545
Third Battery— Thomas Lambert, Herman D. Pidmer.
OITY OF aiPON — SBCOND WARD.
Firtt Infantry — Oo. B — Charles G, Lyon.
Third ihfantrg — Company unknown — Adjt. L. H. D,
Crane, Rufus A. Brown.
Fourth infantry — Oo. E — Charles P. Rivenburg.
Fifth Infantry— Co. A— George A. Bentley, August
Keinert.
Ninth Infantry — Co. C — George Reynard, William
Konpot, Co. D— Herman Exner, William Tetzlaff, Fred
Wagner, Christian Lambricht, Carl Lambricht.
Sixteenth Infantry — Musician John Vincent,
NineteeMh Infantn/ — Maj. Alvan E. Bovay. Co. D —
Ferdinand Wartler.
Twentieth Infantry — Co. H — Capt. H E. Strong. Lieut.
George W. Root, August Drummond, William Klike,
James Caniuty, C. W. Collin, Edward Dames, Merritt B.
K«lton, John Foss, Mart Callmerton, Henry Greber,
James Howard, John F. Hopkins, William E. Davis, A.
E. Cheeney, William O'Neil, Capt. George W. Muller,
Patrick Calaiian, Charles A. Wentworth, E. Schoton, J.
L. Hill, Charles W. Catlin, Fred T. Hawley, August
Halsbmrgh, John Hiel, Lorenzo Howard, C. N. Kibbey,
William Lambert, Fred Miller, Manley Mott, August
Nass, John Endasett, George H. Rye, J. H. Ransom, J.
R. Surgeant, John Sinclair, Barney Smith, K. M. Young,
August Sabathel.
Twentg-first Infanpy — Company unknown — W. B. Car-
penter.
Thirty-aeeond Infantry — Co. B — John Growling, Will-
iam B. Carpenter, A. B. Everhard, A. S. Tabores, A. C.
Tober.
Mret Oxvalry— Go- B — Capt. Henry S. Eggleston, Jul-
ius Mustick, W. T. Davis, Christopher Demphetz, Charles
H. Russell, Moses A. Waldo, Charles L. Porter, Walde-
man Nelson, William M. Brown. Co. D — Oscar Barrett,
.John Seitz. Oo. E— Capt. R. H. Chittenden, Thomas W.
Johnson. Co. L — Silas Hoosan, Horace C. Hoosan.
Company unknown — William McCune, Henry Babcock,
Christopher Doreke, John Kronger, Orrin JI. Smith.
Second Cavalry — Company unknown — Daniel L. Reg-
ley.
Fourth Cavalry — Co. D — Jeremiah Root, Edwin D.
McAllister, John Kurhn, Newton Chittenden, William T.
Whiting, Charles Burraldt, Charles SchuKz, Darius L.
Kimball, Alfred Medharst, John JI. Weston, Leonard
Stearns, Thomas B. Cross, Silas W. Butler.
Third Battery Light Artillery — Daniel C. Smith, Paul
Gurgan, Thomas Randall, Ira B. Smith, Peter Troman.
Regiment unknown — Lyman Hall.
WAUPUN — NORTH WARD.
Firat Regiment — Co. H — Amasa W. Althouse. Co. I —
Thomas Sampey.
Second Infantry — Co. A — Nathan D. Pierce.
Third Infantry — Co. D — Fredrick Sheltzberger, John
Shier, Denslow A. McCauley, Thomas O'Rily, George W.
Thompson, J. B. Harrington, Robert L. Oliver, L. B.
Baloom, Edwin Thomson, Gilbert Sohow, Theodore J.
Dann, Rowland Hotchkiss, Joseph Wilks, Barry Smith,
Edward C. Whistler.
Tenth Infantry — Co. K — Nehemiah Cobb, Andrew
Schow, George Young.
Fifteenth Infantry— Co. D — Martin E. Fielastad, Chris-
tian Fleck, Even Schow, Christian Schow, Fin Gassman.
Nineteenth Infantry — Co. H — Stillman Goodenough,
William Goodenow, Amos Cass, Paul Conrad, Cromwell
Laithe.
Twenty-first Infantry — Co. G^Alfred A. Harding.
Company unknown — Daniel S. Hart.
Thirty-second Infantry — Co. A — First Lieut. George G.
Woodruff, Martin B. Bull, Seymour H. Johnson, Joseph
W. OUiver, John H. Grandy, Henry Stephens.
First Cavalry— Co. A— John S. Beardsley, William P.
Ware. Co. B— Charles H. Roberts, J. T. Cleavland,
Truman W. Gee, Rawson P. Franklin. Co. I — James
Grady.
Ninth Battery Light Artillery — James A. Blanchard.
TOWN OF ALTO.
Third Infantry — Co. A — Bufus Brown, Delos G. Butta,.
Wesley Butts, Alphonzo Hall, Charles H. Lindsley.
Thirty-second Infantry — Co. A — Robert J. Eaton,
Charles F. Growler, Frederick Shannock, Gerrit Vander
Bee, G«rrit Ramaker, Gerrit Draagers, D. J. Korochat,
Gerrit W, Roerdink, Silas L. Hillyer, Henry W. Slapl-
rump, Jehn Geibink, Hart Van Beek, .Tames T. Beest,
Ranson A. Gaylord, George Lindsley, William Lancks,
George Whiteman, Chester McDowell, Albert MoTolcott,
Andrew Graham, James E. Hayward, Henry Van Hou-
ton. Co. B — Dean Woodin.
Firat Cavalry— Go. D— L. P. Pond.
Third Cavalry-Go. C— Joseph Jeffreys, R. W. Smith,
Silas B. Tenney, George B. McMuUen, Honor W. Pond,
George F. Pond, James B. Pond, Henry Wentworth,
Elwin Webber.
Fourth Cavalry — Co. B — James Ivors. Company un-
known— Seaman R. Hewett, Joseph A. Hewett, S. B.
Hewett.
TOWN OF ASHFOR-D.
Second Infantry — Co. K — Casper Bicker, John Schmitt,-
John Senn, Jr., George Senn, Adolph Zernia, Edward)
Lichtensteiger.
Fifth Infantry — Co. K — Jacob Rohrer, Henry Rohrer,
William Zimmerman, Milton Hayes-
Sixth Infantry — Co. E — Deoator Nutble, Henry Lenett,
Martin B. Hull.
Ninth Infantry— Co. D — John Ludwig, Gustav Dette<
Co. K — Andreas Tischhauser, Jr.
Twelfth Infantry — Co. D — Andrew Senn.
Fourteenth Infantry — Co. A — Isaac Hendricks. Co. G
— Nelson Turner, L. W. Tuttle, Bostic Wransom, John
Bocos, Andrew Winegarden.
Thirty-second Infantry — Co. A — R. B. Bull. Co. H —
William Barnett, Calvin Mills, Dilen Slator, Joshua Hel-
mer, J. A. Lawrence, Merritt Helmer.
fhirty-fifth Infantry — Co. B — Peter Golbach, Benja-
min Hendricks, John Ki'udwig, William Reinhardt, Fritz
Senft, Ulrich Tattle, Joseph Wagner.
Thirty seventh Infantry — Co. I — Charles Loerkey.
Thirly-tighth Infantry — Co. A — William H. Weber.
First Cavalry — Co. G — Carroll Hayes.
Second Battery ArtiUery — George Rauch, Albier Rauch,
John Jacob Engler.
Artillery — Friedrich Meyer.
TOWN OF AUBURN.
,Seconi Infantry — Co. K — Charles E. Downing.
Third Infantry — Co. A — Anson S. Richmond.
Sixth Infantry — Co. C — John Martifl. Co. E — Asa
Durfy.
Eighth Infantry — Co. A — Samuel Sanderson.
646
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
Twelfth Infantry— Co. D— Edwin Nash, Frank B.
Wheeler, Philander Rand, Caleb Turner, Henry M. Gor-
den, Vinal W. Norton, John T. Cosentine. Co. K — Phil-
ander Rand.
Fourteenth J tifantri/— Co. C — John B. Mann. Co. G —
Benjamin Lake, Michael Kelley, Orin Brown, Lezer Sis-
cho, Marrion Lake, Edward Tuttle, Sibua Rawson, Ben-
jamin Burnett, Henry Brown, Henry Loomis.
Tweniy-first Infantry — Co. A — Edward Flynn.
Thirty-second Infantry — Co. D — William H. Cosentine.
Thirty-rifihth Infant'y — Co. F — Asa A. Durfy.
Second Battery Artillery — Francis Cohn.
Regiment unknown — Charles North, Amos H. Miller,
William B. Lake, John Lake, Ransom Hyde, James A.
Burnett, Demarieus Williams, Belgin Sischo, Abram
jChilds, Dlaus Miller, Bordman ChilJs.
TOWN OP EYKON.
First Infantry — Co. F — Isaac Newton. Co. K — Mikel
Bowrok, John Henze, John Wiley, Gustavus Scott, Will-
iam McCarthur, William McLane, Henry McLane, Simon
Jones, Charles Smith, Charles Palmer, John Oliver,
Andrew Breed.
Third Infantry— Go. D— Samuel Smith, William A.
Smith. Co. E— James 0. Ackerman, James H. Braman.
Co. I — George Hewens, George Fourman, George Vanor-
man.
Fifth Infantry — Co. I — Elick'Shipman
Wmth Infantry — Co. C — Charles Kearsdorff. Co. K — ■
Jacob Coffman.
Terith Infantry — Co. B — -Hannibal Culver, Thomas
Leaman. Co. K — Albert Gibbs, John Calhoune, Joseph
Lidel, Charles Hatch, Horace Preniice.
Fourteenth Infantry-^-Co. A — Charles Oseer, John M.
Dermott, Brevet Brig. Gen. Lyman M. Ward, Harvey
Minick, Adam Shidell, Charles Abbey. Co. K — John
Snower.
Seventeenth Infantry — Co. C— Patrick Miles, John Fer-
guson, Milton Vanbroctisn, Sidney S. Gibbs, Capt. P.
O'Connor.
Eighteenth Infantry — Co. A — Milton HayeB.
Nineteenth Infantry — Co. G — George Vaughan, Hod
Vaughn, Luke Culver, Syms G. Brooking.
Twenty-first Infantry — Co. A — David Dumprope. Co. F.
— Delos Allen, Chancey E. Wicks, Lot Holland, Jacob
Shidal, John Bell, Charles Edgerley, John H. Limons,
Solomon F. Bradford, Luelen Sutleff, Jesse Tutlle, Rob-
ert Abun, Erastus F. Phelps, Charles Sabina, James B.
Palmer, Alford J. Parsons, Robert Potter, Andrew I.
Pelton, Lewis H. Wood, Robert Alburn, Thomas Dillon,
Jasper Clark, John H. Butler, Norman Butler, Charles
T. Lusan, Andrew Barr, Thomas Karn.
Twenty-sixth Infantry — Co. E — William E. A. Krasuer,
S Brown.
Thirty-second Infantry — Co. A — Oscar Clark, Patrick
Griifin, Hirain W. Morris, Thomas Michael, Sterling A.
Ross, Joseph McLane.
Thirty-fifth Infantry — Co. B — Robert Bowls, Jason
Breed, James R. Chapin, George Gallarid, Silas Warner.
Thirty-seventh Infantry — Co. H — Herman Schultz.
Thirty-eighth Infantry— Go. A — De Villiers B. Bar-
rows, Joseph C. Devens, Alberat A. Dye, Horace A. Hud-
son, Lieut. George M. Pier, Charles W. fiobbins, Edgar M.
Taylor, Benajah Taylor.
Second Cavalry — Co. A — James S. Lane.
Third Cavalry — Compan/ unknown — John Brown.
Regiment unknown — John Dyer.
TOWN OF EDEN.
First Infantry— Co. C— Peter Raher. Co. I— Albert E.
Root, Samuel E. Root. Co. K — John Bullinger. John
Morehouse, Henry Bear, Camillus Smith, John E. Bol-
linger, Ammicus Smith.
Third Infantry — Co. E — Henry Clemens.
Fifth Infantry — Co. I — John Daniels.
Sixth Infantry — Co. E — Guilford Smith, Amos Lefler,
Frederick Baldwin.
Ninth Infantry — Drum Maj. John T. Bollinger.
Fourteenth Infantry — Co. A — i'hineas Ward, Mathias
W. Rand, Joseph Thomas, Albert Titus, James B. Titus,
George C. Denneston, Aaron Bear, Lucius Jones, John
Pervout, James Norman. Co. H — John Perzua.
Seventeenth Infantry— Go. G — Philip Vaughn.
Twentiith Infantry — Co. H— John Alexander.
Twenty-first Infantry — Co. F— Chauncey Briggs.
Thirty-second Infantry — Co. A — -Lucius Batterson, John
Bigley, William Henry Frost, Frederick Hawsen, John
Wesley Frost. Co. H — Henry May, John Rhorse.
Thirty-fifth Infantry — Co. I— Reinhard Ballinger, Will-
iam H. Ensign, Reuben Penhallow.
Thirty-sxth Infantry— John Dumas, Peter Endranger,
Corp. Robert C. Morehouse, John Goom, Thomas E.
Goom, Job H. Goom.
Thirty-eighth Infantry — Co. A — John Grey, JosephuB
Titus, Alonzo Van Guilder.
Second Cavalry — Co. A— Dwight G. Beagle.
TOWN OF CALUMET.
First Infantry — Company unknown — Jacob Holz-
knecht.
Fifih Infantry— Go. I — Frank Bizelle, David P. Hart,
William Reed, Ohon Morton, Buller Talmadge, Sanders
Wheelook, William Billings, Ben Fuller, lohabod Wood.
Sixth Infantry — Co. H — Jacob Fay.
Ninth Infantry — Company unknown— :-Bernard Burk-
hardt.
Nineteenth Infantry — Co. G — John S. Harris, Thomas
Clark, Michael Manahan, Frank Billings, Charles Blakes-
ley, Charles Cook.
Twenty-first Infantry — Co. A — Charles Chase, Russel
Talmadge, Frank Everts. Company unknown
Rausch.
Twenty-sixth Infantry — Co. E — John Schiller, Magnus-
ser Schneider, Lausens Berg, George Sililien, Matthias
Snyder, Paul Hammond, Matthias Hartl'y, Henry Flam-
in.ang, Philip Huebsaamen.
Thirty-sixth Infantry — Co. G — Sergt. Hiram Linsley,
Arthur F. Adams, Grisel Bulman, John W. Dick, Benja-
min Dick, Franklin Goutermout, Orville A. Hart.
Second Cavalry. — Co. A — A. H. Hammer.
Fourth Cavalry — Co. K — John Billings.
Regiment unknown — Wil iam Douglas. Christian Portz.
Fifth tfnited States Artillery — Anton Zeng.
TOWN OF ELDORADO.
First Infantry — Company K — Charles Brainard, Frank
Billingtou, William Mills, John Dougherty. Company
unknown — Henry Druerer, Edward Edwards, Thomas
Kelley.
Fifteenth Infantry — Company C — John Stephens, Har-
vey Hall.
Seventh Infantry — Company C — David Dougherty,
Michael Le Hay, Patrick MoLoughlin, James Sundry,
John Coyne, Edward Gary.
HISTORY OF POND DU LAC COUNTY.
547
Eighteenth Infantry — Company F — Willard Felton,
George Gould, Benjamin Peckman, Fredrick Hartony,
Ambrose Felton. Company A — James Gibbs. Company
unknown — Edward Watson, Uriah Felton.
Nineteenth Infantry — Co. K — John Wagoner, Albert
Wesinberg.
Twenty-fiTst Infantry — Co. A— Charles Bodoh, Moses
Orendi, Adonijah Benedict.
Thirty-second Infantry — Co. H — Benjamin Phillips,
.lohn Cowham, Jr., William Smith, Edward Rogers,
Fredrick Henry, John S. Pygall, Lucas Kendall, Robert
Monroe, Thomas Arthur, Alpheus Palmer, John Howham,
William Frederick, Albert Hauke.
Thirty-iixlh Infantry — Co. G — Charles H. Bartow, Vol-
ney Bartow, John Bowe, John Oassow, Samuel L. Dennis-
ton, Robert Fetridge, Frederick Kroenig, William Kruger,
John Moran, Charles Myers.
Thirty-seventh Infantry — Co. H — William Schmilt.
First Cavalry — Co. A — George Madison. Co. B — Wal-
ter Felton. Company unknown — James Barnett.
Second Cavalry — Co. A — Capt. William Woods, Thomas
Woods, Charles Adamson, Isaac C iiggett. Nelson Lewis,
Andrew J. Palmer, Melvin Duel, Elisha Crossett, W. S.
Ball, Sylvester Sherman, R. E. Hope, Fredrio Wier, Peter
Murray, Henry C. Jones, Neil Bell, Anton Fiukham,
Andrew Lowrie, David Lowrie, George Marcy, John
McCumber, Henry C. AVilson.
Fourth Oaoalry — Co. B — Hiram Wheeler.
TOWN OF EMPIRE.
First Infantry — Co. I — Matthew Emerson. Co. K —
Joseph Henry, Andrew Bear.
Fifth Infat.try— Go. I— Thomas Keys, Milo Scofield,
George E. Davis, Barnard Phlear, Alonson Lyons, Clinton
Pierce. G. Phlear, Peter Sybel, Thomas Garrity, Barnard
Campbell.
Fourteenth Infantry — Co. A — William Wilcox. Co. E —
William Titus. Co. H— Patrick McCoy, George Clark,
William Stevens, Matthew Larne. Company unknown —
Andrew Prentiss.
Sevenieenth Infantry — Co. C^Barnard Wells, Thomas
Clark.
Eighteenth Infantry — Co. A — William Lyons, Luman
Daniels, Col. Edward Colman, Anthony Brown.
Twsniy-Jirsl Infantry — Co. A — .Tohn Gaffney, Michael
Lessling, Joseph Strong, Capt. Martin Strong, Abner
Briggs. Co. F — Charles T Wyman, Chauncey Briggs.
Co. H — ^Leonard Briggs, D. T. Alden, Asa Baker. Com-
pany unknown — Joseph Hooks, Anthony Gable.
Tiven'y-sixlh Infantry — Co. E — Philip Schriedr, Fred-
erick Witzel, Francois Knein, Charles Shaffer.
Thirty-second Infantry — Co. A — Joseph Clark. Co. H
— Calvin Fletcher, Vincent Hirsch, Daniel W. Treleven,
George Keys^ William Hampton, George Frederick Booth.
Thirty-eighth Infantry — Co. A — William W. Wilcox.
First Cavalry — Company unknown — Byron Wheeler.
Second Cavalry — Co. A — George S. Phelps.
TOWN OF FOND DU LAC.
First Infirntr//— Co. A — Col. Delos Krake. Co. I — Geo.
R. Gates, Perley Wilson. Co. K— Capt. T. H. Green,
0. H. Chapman, Andrew Breed, Frank Baker. John B.
Bower, Henry Strader, George Henry Clark, Charles W.
Ackley, William Wheelwright, Patrick Martin, Capt. Cris.
Klock, George Klock, 0. F. Brand, John J. Seymore,
W. T. Hyde, G. W. Hyde, Augustus Brush, William
Lowe, Col. C. K. Pier.
Third Infantry — Co. A — George W. Tanner, Frank Tan-
ner, Stephen Nichols.
Fifth Infantry— da. C— Edward Felton. Co. I— Isa-
dore Marco Dwight Haywood, William Dolan, Alfred M.
Green, David Hart.
Sixth Infantry — Co. E — John Weymier.
Tvielfth Infantry— Co. I— Albert E. Higbee.
Fourlemth Infantry — Co. A — D. Elderedge, W. D.
Colms, W. W. Wilcox, Alexander Clendening, Thomas
Hatcher, B. H. Powers, James Powers, William A. Simp-
son, Joseph King, Jr., H. H. Seymore, Frederick Steady.
Co. F— Alexander . Co. H— M. H. Powers, D. C.
Busoh, John Perguay. Co. K — William Titus.
Seventeenth Infantry — Co. C — George Robinson. Co.
C— D. Hamel. Co. K— Henry Cribner.
Eighteenth Infantry — Co. A — A. H. Williams. Company
unknown — Denis Whitford.
Nineteenth Infantry — Company unknown — Andrew
Gibson.
Twenty-first Infantry — Co. A — Moses Rendo, Miles
Schoolcraft, Frank Marco, David Aekerman, J. Jangaw.
Co. F — Theron Dibble, John Brown, Virgil Peck, Wesley
Frost. Co. H — Andrew J. Hyde, Joseph N. Hyde, John
Johnson, H. Aekerman, Edward Dunn, Benjamin Powell,
John Gilman, Eugene Gaeha, Thomas Fronthouse, John
Gilman, Richard S. Horton, Thomas Perkins, Thomas
Lyman, James W. Steffen, Irvin Meeker, Silas P. Hall,
John B. Mitchel, John Melody, William Harding,
Twenty-stxlh Infantry — Co. E — Adolph Miller, Charles
Hermann, Christian Rumpel, Agus Capfer, George Mil-
ler.
Thirty-second Infantry — Co. A — Capt. John Klock, Lieut.
E. B. Crofoot, E. L. Crofoot, Stephen Demar, Robert H.
Murter, George Chiise, John Tripp, James Pedix, Augus-
tus Beasted. Co. H — Joseph Galland, George Martin,
Lieut. George W. King.
Thirty-fifth Infantry— Co. B— First Lieut. F. R. St.
John, Henry Steady, Henry Clark, Charles Raaton, I'erry
Oldekirk, Herbert T. Arnold', Clark Davis, Elisha Ester-
brooks, Lewis Fry, Abel Hyde, Adam Hitsman, Fred-
erick Mitchell, John Mathers, Edward P. Odekirk, Joseph
A. Odekirk, John Oulson, John E. Shay, William Titus,
John Warner. Co. I — Capt. Lyman P. Everdell, Charles
T. Stringland, Jacob Helgerl, Henry L. Longstreet,
William Bennett, John H. Bennett, James W. Curran,
John Flood, Silas Ferguson, Stephen Hotaling, Jarus
Hammer, Richard H. Hart, Thomas Kreeville, Eugene
M. Lawry.
Thirty-sixth Infantry — Co. G — Capt. Reuben Lindley,
Jonas Crites, Matthew Gearhart, John Horton, William
Horton, Peter Kommers, James Malthouse, Elias A.
Rundell, Rona B. tloswell, Wilber Stone, David B.
Willis.
Thirty-seventh Infantry — Co. E — .Joseph Erd, Jacob
Schreiler. Co. G — James E. Andrews, Freeman Thomas,
Co. H — Sergt. Edward H. Ehle, Christian Schusten. Co.
I — Zenas Maxim.
. Thirty-Eighth Infantry— Go. A— Col. C K. Pier, Capt.
Charles T. Carpenter, Hackley Adams. John Ames, John
P. Andrews, Geo. Aures, Maj. Isaac Burch, Martin Besau,
Charles F. Childs, Nelson Cummings, Henry A. Chase,
Lyman Hull, John W. Hutchinson. John V. Jewell, Lieut.
Egbert H. Little, Edward T. Odekirk, Henry R. Prudent,
George W. Ramsey, Delanoy B. Bibbs, Gilbert A. Ran-
dell, William J. Stewart, Charles E. Sears, Henry M.
Soper, Freeman H. Snokett, Henry F. F. Tallmadge, Ela
C. Waters, Jonn M. Wells, Elias J. Whitney. Co. F —
Capt. Erasmus W. Pride, George Hammer.
548
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
First Cavalry— Go. B— Charles F. Edgerton, Walter G.
Felton, Allien P. Kendall. Co. G— Elihu Coleman. Co.
K — John A. Turner.
Second Cavalry — Co. A — .James Kerns, William Woods,
Thomas Woods, Jr., Gohn G. Simpson, Benjamin H.
Taber.
Town OP rOBEST.
First Infantry — Co. A — R. A. Hart.
Third Infantry^Co. E — Charles R. Barrager.
Fifth Infantry — Co. I — William Norton, Austia F.
Barnes, W. H. Mead.
Eighth Infantry— Co. B — Seymour EUlckson, William
Carey.
Tenth Infantry — Co. A — Mortimer Adams.
■ Fourteenth Infantry — Co. H — George Williams, Hiram
S. Eddy, Belbert Bennett, William R. Gibson, William
S'evbe, E. P. Mead, Holland Hamblin, Miles Hamblin,
II. C. Hamblin, D. M. Casson, Jr., John F. Procer, Albert
H. McKeen, Adin Gibson, Martin Elliott, John Shaw,
George Clifton, Milton R. Barnes, Andrew W. Prentice,
E. M. Moore, Thomas Goss, Francis Owens, David Rogers,
Charles Hogers, Harvey Wright, R. B. Vanvalkenburgh,
Charles W. Gibson.
Eighteenth Infantry — Co. A — Anson Williams, Peter
Elam, William E. Chase. Charles Berchtel.
Nineteenth Infantry — Co. K — William W. Gardiner.
Twenty -first Infantry — Co. A — William Mars. Co. B —
Martin Strong, Co. H — Harrison Campbell.
Twenty-sixth Infantry — Co. E — Charles Schafers.
Tweniy-snenth Infantry — Co. B — James Rogers, William
Monk, 6. H. Silver, Era B. Sabins.
Thirty-second Infantry — Co. H — Vincent Hersch, Mattis
Hoif, August Vogt, J. D. Foster, Patrick Redman, James
Shaw, Peter Bartell, Mertis Snyder, James Hampton,
William J. Hampton.
Thirty-eighth Infantry — Co. F — -Thomas Carty.
Twelfth U. S. Infantry — James Hall.
TOWN OF FKIENDSHIP.
First Infantry — Charles Smith.
Fourteenth Infantry — Co. A — Joseph Tondre, Nathaniel
Parks. Co. B — Joseph Barrow.
Seventeenth Infantry — Co. C — Barney Harkins, Charlei
Oarberry, James Gallagher, John Carmiole, George Robin-
son, Daniel MoMonigal, Charles Dougherty, James Rog-
siter, Francis .\lurry, John Murry, Daniel MeTanylin,
John Davis, John Stoddart.
Eighteenth Infantry — Co. A — Barnett Kelly.
Tweriiy-firsi Infantry — Co. A — -Celestine Henry, Oota-
Tus Derusia, Frank Derusia, Edward Derusia, Joseph
Betegore, Moses Gunoch, Newell Dufrain.
Tmenly-aixth Infantry — Co. E — Reinhold Krauser, Will-
iam Rosendale.
Tiiirty-second Infantry — Co. H — John E. Smith, Wesley
Bessey, Jacob Cliny, Miles Seely.
Thirly-\ixth Infantry — Co. G — Joseph Tatro.
First Cavalry — Co. A — David McLeod. Company un-
known— Lyman Walker.
Second Cavalry — Co. A — -Germain MuUer, Isadore
Dufrain, Henry DoUen, Napoleon Inbret, Antay Inbret.
■Illinois Cavalry — Inlian Inbret.
TOWN OP LAMARTINB.
First Infantry— Go. K — Strabo Duell, Charles Delang,
Walcott Hide, Thomas Watters, George Stowe, Cyrenus
Matteson, Joseph Hide. Company unknown — ^J. Proa-
ser.
Third Infantry — Co. A — Alford Walton, Warren Otter-
son, Ormau Otterman, Philemen Welch. Co. B — Job
Clark. Co. D — Jackson Buskerk, William Young, Jacob
Snyder. Company unknown — Dr. Temple.
Fifth Infantry — Co. I — Henry Osburn. Company un-
known— Andrew Ross.
Fourteenth Infantry — Co. H — Charles Collins, Francis
Laundry, Emerson Spafford, B. L. Edson, Harrison
Clark, Rogers Pierce, Washington Ellis, Chauncey Wide-
man, William Wideman, Lorance Miller, Jacob Wideman,
Co. E — Ira Smith. Co. H — Chauncey Recel. Co. K —
John Earling, Leonard Shaw, Jeremiah Harrington,
George W. Ellis.
Seventeenth Infantry — Co. C — Richard Carn.
Eighteenth Infantry — Co. A — Capus A. Whitmore, Will-
iam Boden, John Jameson, Henry Cutler, George Cutler,
Daniel Baily, Asa Ottson, Leander Hibbard, John Ferril,
Charles Lee, John Jameson.
Tmenty-firsl Infantry — Co. A — David Golchin. Co. F —
J. Bigford. Co. H— William R. Brown, William Mar-
shall, Jacob Miller, John Malady, Richard Horton.
Twenty-sixth Infantry — Co. E^Frank Ueheling, John
Snow, Rudolph Wohlgemuth, Andrew Cronk, William
Smith.
Thirty-second Infantry — Co. A — John Hubbard, William
Zelkey, Jeremiah Weser, Elwin Racy. Co. B — E. D. Sco-
field, A. M. Scofield, Selim Pasco, Jason Smith. Co. H
— Jay H. Fancher, George Baxton, Willard Baxton, Wor-
den Brown, Solomon Merril, C. N. Pease, C. N. Pasco,
Lucas Kendall, Michael Merril, John GiiFey.
Thirty-sixth Infantry — Co. G — William B. Bartlett.
First Cavalry — Co. D — Henry Edson, Ratio Elliot,
Lorin Pasco. Co. E — Norman Hodge. Company un-
known— Peter Everting, Lawrence Kelch, Moses Canady.
Second Cavalry — Co. A — James Carn, IT. H. Stranigan,
William H. Stranigan, James McFetridge, Daniel MoFet-
ridge, John McFetridge. Company unknown — -William
Lee.
Fourth Cavalry — Co. B — George F. Clark.
Regiment Unknown— TSelaon Camena, Lewis Everling,
James Share.
TOWN OF METOMEN.
First Infantry — Co. C — James Parker.
Third Infantry — Co. A — Charles Redburg, Frank Red-
burg, Dennis Washburn. Co. D— H. M. Collins, Al-
phonzo Hall. ,
Eleventh Infantry — Co. I — L. D. Laughlin, Nicholas
Myer, Jr.
Fmfrteenth Infantry — Company unknown — Michael Ha-
ley.
Seventeenth Infantry — Co. K — William Bugbee^
Eighteenth Infantry — Company unknown — Marshal
Tenuey.
Twentieth Infantry — Co. H — John Henrickson.
Thirty-secnnd Infantry— Co. A — Harrison Carter, Asa
Holmes, John H. Brown, William Grapfe, George Wight-
man, Charles Mondwell, Luke Williams, Christopher
Gibbs, Christoph Fendry, Christian Priem, John Bruce,
Rezin Nelson, Jr. Co. B— William Sanders, Girden
Webster, Elcott B. Loomis, J. W. Osborn, George Bugbee,
Lyman Marsh, Canfield Marsh, Darius Bugbee, J. D.
Woodin, William Marsh, Thomas M. Colcord, Frank
Munn, Thomas Osborn, Eddy Parka, Barney Smith,
Joseph Sumner, William Poach, Dwight P. Hitchcock,
George Patton, Henry Rand, Martin Frank, Louis Behn-
ker, S. P. Shoefelt, Cornelius Comstock, B. F. Sheldon,
A. M. Bly, Edward Pearse, David Brown, James Hiokey,
Wesley Ingles, Stephen, D. Johnson.
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
549
First Cavalry — Co. I — Erasmus Pride, Byron Pride,
Elisha Walras, Lewis ,Tames. Co. K — \lbert Dreker.
•Company unknown — Otis Parks, Daniel Parks, Joseph
Parks, Parley Sanders, William Bngbee.
Th'Td Cavalry — Co. C — Zenas Mann, John McPhail,
Gurden Bisbee, George Hayward, Henry Martin, Thomas
Leiicli, Charles Nelson, Eugene Ely, George Shufelt. Co.
H — James Bremer,
Fnurih Cavalry — Co. B — .James Wapon, Thomas Run-
nals, Charles Fletcher, Eugene Pride, G. W. Carter, D. S.
Crop.
Third Battery Artillery — Thomas Tempenden, Henry
A. Weymouth, Patrick Fitzpatriok, Dana Strong, James
Carter, Harvey Burdick, Stafford Edgerlon.
Regiment Unknown — William Smith, Frederick Smith.
TOWN OF OAKFIELD.
\,
First Infantry — Co. D — Solomon Howard. Co. K—
Frederick Owen, Edward Durbey, Robert Navens, John
Foster, William Thompson, William Cooper, John Ladair,
Company unknown — Peter Rapier.
Third Infantry — Co. D — Zena Banker, William Hagan,
Levi Close, Jeremiah Close, A. J. Buskirk, Norman Hig-
gins, Charles E. Alderman, William H. Parson, Sheldon
Atkins, Alvin Neal. Co. E — Alexander Bazett, William
Hagerman, S. 0. Bishop. Co. K — Roswell Fladson.
Ffth Infantry — Co. I — William P. Brown.
Si^th Infmtry — Musician Abner H. Woodsworth, Mu-
sician Charles Bouton. Co. D — Jackson Swift. Co. E— ^
John H. Burne, Jonathan Stoddard, Charles McCannon,
Smith Spencer.
Tenth Infantry — Co. B — William Lane, John Lane,
Charles Blackburn. Co. D— Gilbert Grosbeck, Mortimer
Bouton. Co. K — Charles Hadson, L. A. Bishop, Delos
Hatch, Christopher Jacobs, Silas Stuart, Ephraim
Atckins, George W. Norton, Byron V. Swan, George
Madison, Albert Madison.
Fourteenth Infantry — Co. A — John R. Burt, Miller S.
Russell. Co. F— William Parkhill. Co. H— Dewit
Burch. Company unknown — Levy Annis.
Nineteenth Infantry — Company unknown — James Miles.
Tmnty-first Infantry — Co. F — Lafayette Bade, John
Cater, Oscar Willard, Charles Susan, William Obryan,
James Erwin, Orlando T. Comstock, Walter McKnight,
Charles Prescott, Luther Clark, Eli Monteith, John
Underwood, Capt. Edgar Conklin, Gerry Lewis, Cornelius
Tunison, Francis E. Sikes, Joseph Patinson, Augustus
John, Henry Resedorph, Joseph Buskirk, William
Thwing, Jeremiah Smith, John Smith, Thomas Gafney,
Peter Thomas, Elias Hale, David Hale, Leroy Bennett,
Henry Porter, Marvin Hatch, James Yarnold, Charles F.
Brown, Charles E. Ripley, James Wagner. Co. H —
George W. Whitaker.
Thirty-sixth Infantry — Co. G — Capt. William H. Lane,
First Lieut. Winfield S. Leach.
First Cavalry — Co. B — Samuel Banker. Co. D — Caleb
Frisbey.
Third Cavalry — Co. I — James Whilker, William Whit-
aker.
First Battery Light Artillery — Alvin W. Clark, Elisha
(Carrier.
Thirty-second Infantry — Co. A — Howard Preston, Henry
Preston.
TOWN OF OSCEOLA.
First Infantry — Co. E — William Palmer, Joseph Palmer,
Albert Gray. Co. K — Byron K. Longstreet, Paul Crites,
Isaac Crites.
Sixth Infantry — Co. E— N. Gaffney, John Shey, Maz
Garfield, Drias Garfield.
Eighth Infantry — Co. B — John Eaduting.
Fourteenth Infantry — Co. A — S. Ferguson, Justus
Jones, E. Bassett. Co. G — Samuel Bump, H. Brown,
Richard Hodges, James Davis, William A. Southard. Co.
H — Oliver Cook, Marvin Bratt, Jerome Sekins, E. Guli-
gan, Henry Guligan. Co. I — Stephen Gray.
Seventeenth Infantry — Co. C— Richard Leeher, A.
0' Brain. Co. E — Joseph Gaffney, John Hughes.
Twentieth Infantry — Co. G — Philip Howard.
Twenty-first Infantry — Co. A — Thomas Gaffney, John
Gaffney.
T'lirty-fifh Infantry— Co. B— John W. Hall.
Thirty-sixth Infantry — Co. 6 — George Johnson.
TOWN OF MABSHFIELD.
Twentieth Infantry — Co. I — August Diegelmann, Peter
Maier.
Thirty-sixth Infantry — Co. G — Charles Bergin.
TOWN OF RIPON.
Ninth Infantry — Co. H — John Eingshort.
Eleventh Infantry — Co. E— Philo B. Sage.
Eighteenth Infantry — Company unknown — Joseph R.
Wadson.
Twentieth Infantry — Co. G — David Walford. Co. H —
— John Sargent, Lorenzo Forbes, I. S. Hendrickson,
Charles Markham, Lewis St. George, Dexter Shute,
William Oliver, William Pierce, Charles Pierce, John
Caveneaugh. Charles Volitz, E. Bradway, Joseph L.
Brown, Philo Sage, Herman Eversy, Frederick Miller,
Napoleon B. H. Beaulieu, Isaac Reneau, Base Day,
August Bolan, John Brassiett, Oscar Bigsbee, John
Basso, Anthony Fountain, Peter Nimms, Frederick Shel-
don, James Hesler.
Thirty-second Infantry — ^Co. A — Thomas Delano. Co.
B — Rufus S. Carter, David Brown, Edward Kennedy,
Aaron Haste.
Forty-first Infantry — Co. B — Capt. William T. Whitney,
First Lieut. William H. H. Valentine, Second Lieut.
George Perkins, First Sergt. Nelson Bowerman, Second
Sergt. Warham P. Rix, Fourth Sergt. Harris P. Welcome,
Fifth Sergt. Charles Hyde, First Corp. Charles Cowan,
Fourth Corp. Edward D. Olmsted, Fifth Corp. Amasa
H. Van Kirk, Sixth Corp. Isaac C. Booth, Seventh
Corp. Edwin F. Baley, Eighth Corp. Charles S. Brock-
way, Wagoner William F. Butler, Charles M. R. Atwell,
John J. Brown, John Bibinger, John Barnett, Hiram C.
Barker, Merwin A. Baldwin, Seth M. Coles, Elisha B.
Camp, Eugene M. Dunning, Ervine E. Delano, Francis
H. Donovan, Lewis C. Elliott, Cook Ely, Edwin Eaton,
Hiram G. Freeman, Oscar D. French, Charles G. Har-
shaw, William Hamer, Wye Haskins, Philip Hales, Ed-
ward M. Hoffman, James Jameson, Leonard C. Jones,
Alanson W. Latham, Martin V. Morse, Thomas L.
McDonald, Charles Medhurst, Charles H. Osborn, James
K. Parks, Albert Rolfe, William L. Sherman, Henry A.
Smith, Frederick Shute. Frank Trembly, George Trem-
bly, Reginald E. Toll, William H. Turner, William M.
Walker, John Welch, William H. Wright, Charles Wells,
Walace C. Whitney, David Williams.
Forty-seventh Infantry — Co. I — George Adkins, Horace
L. Chadbourn, Waller S. Curtis, George Cooper, David
Drummond, George F. Deming, Frank English, Lewis C.
Elliott, Jared Freeman, James D. Gibson, Patrick Hurley,
Andrew Harty, Charles G. Harshaw, Christian Krupiosky,
550
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
Peter Kernel, Henry Martin, William Mahoney, Howard
L. Miller, Albertis E. South, Charles F. Shute, Edward
Tempest, George Tyriver, Charles Tyriver, James Thorn-
dike.
First Cavalry — Co. B — Smith Duley, Theodore Widgen,
William West, Evander M. Lawrence, Charles N. Sanders,
Harry Adams, Daniel West, Ira Adams, John Brown.
Co. C— Charles Sweet, John West, Ira 0. Tattle. Co.
D — John Deacon, David Ackley. Co. E — Oscar Prenk,
Eugene Prenk, Robert Stewart. Co. F — Leonard Mowers.
Co. Q — David Ruves. Co. K — Charles Fero. Company
unknown — Parlin Sanders, Henry Pert, Michael O'Neil,
Walter 0. Hargrave.
Fourth Cavalry — Co, B — Joseph W. Henderson, George
W. Miller, Henry Bowerman, Melvin E. Sage, Frederick
Scange, William Evans, Cornelius Forbes, Charles Piper.
Co. D — Henry Gleason.
Eighth Battery Light Artillery — William Johnson.
TOWN or BOSENDALE.
First Infantry — Co. I — Byron Wheeler.
Third Infantry — Co. B — Major Bertine Pinkney, John
Stigman. Company unknown — Henry Woodruff.
Fifth Infantry— Go. D— Eli .Vlacu. ,,
Sevenih Infantry^Comiianj unknown — Francis Curtis.
Ninth Infantry — Company unknown — William Tetzliff.
Fourteenth Infanlry — Co. K — William Sears, E. R.
Abbott.
Eghieenth Infantry — Co. H — Septimus Lathrop.
Ninetienth Infantry — Co. G — Charles Oder.
Twentieth Infantry — Co. H — James A. Eddy, Alfred
Burt, Richard M. Yourg, James C. Lawson, Gilbert Wil-
son, Daniel Petre, Edmund Perkins. Lorenzo Forbes,
Triffly Lewis Harness, Prosper Martell, -William Lam-
drick, Christ. Hartzburn, August Naest, Calvin Hyde,
John Bassett, Morgan Richards, J. H. Ferguson, Church
N. Kibby, Jepeo Hinkley, Joseph Covill, Charles Hyde,
Anthony Fountain, Stephen S. Smith.
Twenly-first Infantry-j-Co . A — Jackson Hyde. Co.
C — John Moses, Richard Moses, Evan Davis.
Thirty-second Infantry — Co. B — Leonard Blair, James
Smith, Sidney Johnson. Co. H — George C. Duifie, Timo-
thy O'Connor, Benjamin O'Connor, Clark Kenyon, Nel-
son Dutton. Company unknown — Abeduego Davis.
Forty-first Infantry — Co. B — Corp. Byron Stevens.
First Cavalry — Co. A — Edward Topliff, Orrin Hink-
ley, John Conant. Co. B — Abial L. Kibby, Edward
Cohean, 2d. Co. 0 — Harvey S. Johnson. Co. D — William
Ottar, John Leets. Co. E — Henry Yates, Alomder S.
Moore. Co. K — Hiram F. Turner. Co. L — Norman
Blakely, John H. Stewart, Lewis Camply, Robert Covill,
Company unknown — George Burgess.
Second Cavalry — Co. A — George M^rcy, John Hawley.
Fourth Cavalry — Co. B — Nathaniel C. Kibby, Richard
Ober, Hiram W. Wheeler, Cornelius Forbes, Afa (^. Kinney,
Charles Fletcher. Co. E — Charles F. Fordice, Orlando
Duffie, Everhard Duffie, John Wadley, Philip W. Kibby,
Charles Mason.
Illinois Regiment — Joseph Baker.
TOWN OF SPBINGVALE.
Third Infantry — Co. A — Warren Atterson, Myron Cur-
tis. Co. D — Jacob Bidleman, Charles Lee.
Tenth Infantry — Co. K — Benjamin F. Harwood, Norman
Hart.
Thirteenth Infant y — Co. B — Daniel JIcLain.
Fouiteenth Infantry — Co. A — Alonzo Lockwood. Co.
H — Josiah Prosper.
Eighteenth Infantry — Co. A — Henry Cutler, Charleii=
Waldo, Geo. Cutler, Leander Hibbard, Henry J. Goodall.
Co. E — Thomas Hammer, Asa Atterson.
Nineteenth Infant'y — Co. G — Fredric Oder.
'twentieth Infantry — Co. H — Merritt Feltou, Chandler
Christian, Fredrick Kruger.
Tmenty-Fint Infantty — Co. F — -John Gilchrist, John
Christian, Stewart Brown, John Baker, James E. 0' Riley,
Thirty-Second Infant'y — Co. B — William Moore, Garnet
Donk, John Donk, Cyrus Welch, Jason Walker, John
Campbell, Leander Ferguson, James Connor, Orlando T.
Comstock, Christian Winkleman, James Haywood, August
C. Gregory, David Hickey, Alvah Curtis, John C. Alex-
ander, Lewis Welch, James O'Niel, George Curtis, James
Reregue, George Moore, Duwane Moore, George Gee,
Thad. Gee, John A. Benton, Aden Fields, Charles Elliott,
Delos Peas, Aaron Hemmingway, William Minehart,
Enos Wantz, Edward P. Lamb, Ranslow Tuttle, Henry
M. Scofield, Edward Murry, T. E. BuSh, John Gehring,
Francis Gee, Henry Bennett. Co. H — -Thomas Pygall,
Dewit G. Cole.
Forty-first Infantry — Co. B — Clarence Caldwell.
First Cavalry — Co. B — James Steeles. Co. D — George-
Huzzy. Co. H — Erastus Darrow, Jasper Talbot. Cq.
I — Hammon Shurltz, Nelson Heckerson, Peter Cole,
Charles Horton, William Horton. Co. L — James Parker.
Company unknown — James M. Waterman.
Third Cavalry — Co. C — Joseph Bonhert.
Fourth Cavalry — Co. B — George W. Pierce, George-
Pygall.
Second Battery Light Artillery — George Richardson.
TOWN OF TAYOHEEDAH.
First Infantry — Co. I — Thomas Wheelock, Theodore
Magneuson. Co. K — Lyman Everdell, Moses Coffin,
Norton W, Meach, Michael J. Hayford.
Fifth Infmtry — Co. I — Capt. Richard H. Emerson,.
First Lieut. William Berry, Eben Rifenbach, Lewis Kinep,
Chirles H. Shaver, James P. Simmons. Peter Sanble,
Adelbert P. Norton, John Daniels, Eliphalet Breed,
Alfred M. Green, Jared Belt, Benjamin F. Fuller, David
L. Allen, John W. Tiffany, Jr., Phileton R. Tiffany,
William T. White, Elijah B: Shoemaker, Edward K. Shoe-
maker, James Waite, James M. Davis, Charles Campbell,
Barney Campbell, Charles Osborn, Dewit C. Pierce,
Henry Thompson, Alexander Brown, William H. Dis-
brow, Joseph W. Schooley, Walton K. Pelton, William
■ Lalonde, C'aarles H. Gibson, Levi T. Bishop.
Sixth Infantry — Co. E — Edward Leeman.
Fourteenth Infantry — Company unknown — Aaron Sim-
mons.
Eighteenth Infantry — Co. A— George Johnson, Edward
Flynn, Albert Danforth, David Shaver, Jno.W. Tiffany, Sr.,
Marcus Gurnee, Cornelius Coffman, James P. Millard,
George Benedict, Charles Blitzke, Thomas Leeman, Ira
Town, Robert F. Muller, Silas W. Clark, Lewis Coffin,
John H. Shoemaker, Levi Tiffany, Henry C. Middleton,
Simeon P. Middleton, Chester C. Whitney, Herbert D.
Whitney, John M. Kisner, John Kisner, James Alexan-
der, Charles F. Scott, Isaac Losey, Samuel W. Beal,
Upton L. Beal, Joseph Parks, John Johnson, Theron K.
Meach, Lewman Daniels, Benedict Adleman, Hale H.
Coffin.
Nineteenth Infantry — Co. B — Isaac Barager.
Twenty-first Infantry— 0,0. A — John. Carey, Alpheus
A. Beck, Henry Carter, Peter A. Hoskins.
Twenty-sixth Infantry — Co. E — Joseph Sohmeds, Nicho-
las Snyder.
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNT T.
ool
Thirty-second Infantry — Co. A — George L. Hubbard.
Thirteenlh Illmois Cavalry — Adolph Eeehand.
TOWN OF WAUPUN.
Firtt Infantry — Co. I — -Lewis Hart.
Third Infantry — Co.D — Henry Boyd, Andrew Mahoney,
Charles Gee, John Gowan, Lorenzo D. Wood, 0. F. Gee,
William E. Bardon, J. W. Gee, W. H. H. Williams.
Tenth Infantry — Co. K — J. G. Babit, Jerome Harring-
ton, Nelf Hagenson, John Juleson, John Snyder, Lewis
Batterson, Lyman Soper, Ole Gilbritson, C. J. Batterson,
Philo H. Miller.
Fourteenth Infantry — Co. A — Platte Durand.
Seventeenth Infantry — Co. D — Patrick Drum.
Eighteinth Infantry — Co. A — Leander Hibbard.
Nineteenth Infantry — Co. H — R. H. Ferris.
Twenty-jirsl Infantry — Co. A — Jeremiah Hill. Co.
F-i-Joseph Patterson, Alonzo Smith.
Twenty-sixth Infantry — Co. E — Augustus F. Kru-
ger.
Thirty-second Infantry — Co. A — John Wooden, John
Colters, Jonathan Mott,. Washington Foote, Elliott Crane,
Horace Plumley, Henry Plumley, John Foote, Leroy B.
Beardsley, James S. Town, Silas Brooks, Benjamin B.
Hart, McKinsie Mapes, James J. Hillibert. Co. B —
Homer Gee, Philander Comstock.
Forty-first Infantry— Oo. B— Ellis Butts, John C.
Burns, Prentice Carrington, Romain K. Damonde, Charles
Hazen, Bartholomew McFarland, James E. Whitman,
Charles F. Waldo, Xester Welch.
First Cavalry — Co. B — Henry Chapin, Nathan Wood-
worth, Hiram Gee, William H. Tyler, Thomas F. Allen,
Luther Landon, 3. E. Blanchard. Co. D — Henry Miller.
Co. H — Jasper Talbot. Co. I — George Holmes.
Ninth Battalion Light Artillery — 0. Guy Perkins.
Regiment nnknown — Asher Tyler.
THE DRAFT.
There was some excitement in Fond du Lac County when the order for the first draft was
promulgated. This was not because of the large number of men to be drawn, for the quotas of
most of the towns and wards were pretty nearly full ; but because a local paper had said the
Government had no right to " tear men from their homes to be butchered for the tyrants at
Washington," which caused a misapprehension to grow up in some quarters as to what a draft
really was. Many expected a squad of armed soldiers would appear at their doors with handcuffs
and chains, to take all the male inmates at all hazards. When this misapprehension was corrected,
there was less excitement and fewer threats of resistance.
The draft was begun by the Sheriff in Fond du Lac County about the 1st of September,
1862. Dr. W. H. Walker was Examining Surgeon, with his office at Fond du Lac. The Ripon
Times gave a graphic account of the appalling number of men who were attacked with fatal
maladies during August, ivhile the draft papers were preparing, and the Saturday Reporter, of
Fond du Lac, in its issue of September 20, said :
"For one whole week, the Draft Commissioner's and Surgeon's office in this city has been
crowded with applicants for exemption. The side- walk in front of the stairway in Darling's
Block has been crowded, and the passage crammed full. A large number of certificates have
been issued, attesting to the great degree of mortality prevailing. No doubt, in many cases the
applicants were unfit for military duty, and should not be abused for applying there, but so
many robust and healthy men have come up, that some wag put a sign over the door labeled
" Cowards' Headquarters," and, no doubt, it was with justice to b-undreds Tve have seen under it."
M. W. Seely was County Commissioner, and had an office at Fond du Lac for the purpose
of examining the evidence of those who claimed exemption from military service, under Order
No. 99 of the War Department. These exemptions were granted where men had been convicted
of felony, or were members of families with a certain number in the service, or were the neces-
sary support of children or aged and infirm.
Capt. E. L. Phillips, of Fond du Lac, was appointed the 1st of May, 1863, as Provost
Marshal of the Fourth District of Wisconsin, in which was the county of Fond du Lac. It was
his duty, among others, to superintend the draft. The Provost Marshal's office for the District
was at Fond du Lac. The second draft took place in November, 1863, under Capt. Phillips.
The number enrolled in Fond du Lac County as subject to draft, was as follows: Alto — Class 1,
166 ; Class 2, 71. Auburn— Class 1, 73 ; Class 2, 97. Ashford— Class 1, 122 ; Class 2, 85.
Byron— Class 1, 111 ; Class 2, 88. Calumet— Class 1, 6-4 ; Class 2, 65. Eden— Class 1, 102;
Class 2, 137. Empire— Class 1, 84 ; Class 2, 85. Eldorado— Class 1, 94 ; Class 2, 82. Forest
—Class 1, 85; Class 2, 86. Fond du Lac Town— Class 1, 109; Class 2, 71. Friendship-
Class 1, 38 ; Class 2,50. Lamartine— Class 1, 88; Class 2,67. Marshfield— Class 1,89;
Class 2, 62. Metomen— Class 1, 150; Class 2, 85. Oakfield— Class 1, 132 ; Class 2, 59.
552 HISTORY Or TOND DU LAC COUNTY.
Osceola — Class 1, 74 ; Class 2, 53. Ripon Town — ^^Class 1, 116 ; Class 2, 55. Ripon City-
Class 1, 251 ; Class 2, 129. Rosendale— Class 1, 117 ; Class 2, 84. Springvale— Class 1, 126;
Class 2, 68. Taycheedah— Class 1, 101 ; Class 2, 81. Waupun— Class 1, 128 ; Class 2, 71.
Waupun North Ward— Class 1, 89 ; Class 2, 63. First Ward of Fond du Lac— Class 1, 162 ;
Class 2, 111. Second Ward— Class 1, 135 ; Class 2, 97. Third Ward— Class 1, 102 ; Class 2,
41. Fourth Ward— Class 1, 265 ; Class 2, 107. Fifth Ward— Class 1, 58 ; Class 2, 56. These
numbers were put into the wheel, and the following quota drawn from them : City of Fond du
Lac, 191; Town of Fond du Lac, 32; Friendship, 11; Osceola, 21; Eden, 30; Byron, 32;
Oakfield, 39 ; Ashford, 36 ; Auburn, 22 ; Calumet, 19 ; Marshfield, 27 ; Taycheedah, 29 ;
Empire, 25; Forest, 25; Lamartine, 26; Springvale, 38; Alto, 50; town and North Ward of
Waupun, 65 ; city of Ripon, 125 ; Rosendale, 35 ; Eldorado, 29 ; Metomen, 45 ; total, 942.
This was a large draft. About 20 per cent of those who " drew prizes " when the wheel
turned in Amory Hall, at Fond du Lac, presented themselvqs for duty. After this draft had
been ordered and the enrollment begun, the melancholy feelings of men of sound body and mid-
dle age who suddenly received word that their friends in Canada were " very sick — not expected
to live," was sorrowful to behold. Twenty who thus suddenly learned of illness among their
Canada friends, left Fond du Lac in a single night. Thirteen left Waupun on a certain Sun-
day evening, and about the same number tore themselves away from Ripon. Canada did not
appear to have at that time well ones enough to properly care for the sick, and the good men of
Fond du Lac could not see them suffer.
In November, 1863, a Draft Association was formed, with headquarters at Fond du Lac.
S. D. Stanchfield was President ; Edward Beeson, Vice President ; Keyes A. Darling, Treas-
urer, and T. D. Pooles, Secretary. Each member paid a certain initiatory fee, and if the fund
thus obtained was not sufficient to pay the $300 for each member drafted, a pro-rata assessment
sufficient for that purpose was made.
After the November draft had taken place, Provost Marshal Phillips' office was thronged
liight and day. The substitute business was also good, but more than one-half of those hired
or purchased as "subs " decamped for Canada as soon as they secured the $300 bounty, with
some additional local bonuses. These " bounty -jumpers " were mostly natives of Canada, who
made a business of getting money in the manner mentioned,
The next draft was in October, 1864 — the vigor with which recruiting was pushed making
Fond du Lac able to escape a draft in January, 1864, even if it had not been postponed. There
was another call March 14, 1864, for 200,000 men for the navy, which, with the two previous
oalls for 300,000 and 200,000 men, respectively, swelled the number to 700,000. This made
the number to come from Wisconsin large ; but Fond du Lac County, as a whole, not only
escaped. this draft, but in some towns had credits ahead of her quota.
The Fond du Lac Reporter of April 26, 1864, said : " The Fourth District— Capt. E. L.
Phillips, Provost Marshal — is now ahead, as it has been for a year past, of all other districts in
the State in filling the calls made. It has furnished, also, a greater per cent of drafted men
for duty and of commutation money than any other district in the State. This, we think, is
■due almost entirely to the able management of affairs at the headquarters of the district. The
State does not have three more efficient officers than Capt. Phillips, Commissioner Burchard and
Surgeon Carey."
The draft of October, 1864, was made in Spencer Hall, Fond du Lac, on Wednesday,
October 5, for Fond du Lac County, or rather the towns of Eldorado and Auburn. Eden,
Osceola and Ashford were behind, but before the draft for the balance of the district was com-
pletefi had filled their quotas and no draft was had for their benefit. For Auburn, 132 names
were enrolled as liable to draft, of which 74 were drawn. For. Eldorado, 131 were enrolled and
■84 drawn..
On the Saturday succeeding this draft, one of the Fond du Lac papers had the following,
giving the names of the drafted : " More than one-half of the men drafted in Eldorado on Wed-
nesday have run away."
HISTOEY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 553
On Friday, January 27, 1865, a supplemental draft was made for the more delinquent
towns of the Fourth District, and the town of Eldorado was the only one in Fond du Lac
County for which the draft wheel was turned. The deficiency was 17 at this draft, but only one
man was secured.
The last draft in Fond du Lac County was conducted by Gen. Charles S. Hamilton, who
was appointed Provost Marshal of the Fourth District, in place of Capt. E. L. Phillips, about
the middle of March, 1865. This draft was for only a portion of the county, many towns and
wards having their quotas more than full. The draft was for Eldorado, with a deficiency of 60 ;
Forest with 21 ; Auburn, with 14 ; Osceola, with 16 ; Eden, with 11, and Ashford, with 7.
The Marshal thought it necessary to post the law against draft riots in some of these towns.
The men drafted this time never saw active service, the war closing soon after.
SCRAPS OP WAR HISTORY.
The first man to shed Wisconsin blood on a Southern battlefield in the rebellion, was Lieut.
William A. Matthews, of Company G, First Wisconsin Volunteers, who was severely wounded
at the battle of Falling Waters, in July, 1861, in Virginia. He enlisted at Fond du Lac, his
home. The last Wisconsin blood shed was at the capture of Jefi" Davis, in Irwin County, Ga.,
May 10, 1865, when several men were wounded by volleys fired by a detachment of the Fourth
Michigan Cavalry upon a detachment of the First Wisconsin Cavalry.
The Third Regiment was quartered during several weeks at Camp Hamilton, in Fond
du Lac City. Edward Pier and John W. Carpenter had the contract to supply the men with
food, which they did for 38 cents apiece, per day. The regiment was commanded by Col.
Charles B. Hamilton, and consisted of ten full companies, or about eight hundred men. This
regiment broke camp at Fond du Lac and left for the front on Friday, July 12, 1861. The
ladies gave to nearly every soldier some article of comfort before the regiment left Fond du Lac.
Capt. Emerson's '"North Star Rifles," of Taycheedah, left for camp Monday, June 24,
1861, and Capt. E. S. Bragg's " Rifles " left July 1, 1861. His company consisted of 120
men. This company was raised by Capt. Bragg.
Col. Edward Daniels' regiment of cavalry was encamped at Ripon, on College Hill, and
left for the front late in 1861.
Company A, of the Thirty-second Regiment, was in camp for a while in 1861, at the
fair grounds in Fond du Lac, but soon afterward joined the regiment in Camp Bragg, at
Oshkosh.
August 21, 1862, the town of Fond du Lac voted to pay $100 for, volunteer recruits.
Col. Edward Colman (Sheriff in 1878 and 1879) had a recruiting oflSce over the office of
the Bank of the Northwest. Other recruiting offices were opened by Sergt. M. W. Potters and
Sergt. Higgins, during 1862.
The town of Empire held a war meeting August 22, 1862, and voted $3,000 for bounties
to those who would enlist before the draft, which was expected to take place on September 1, fol-
lowing.
The " Fond du Lac Mill Boys " composed a company of 104 men, enlisted by Capt. Alex-
ander White, in Fond du Lac, in August, 1862, nearly every one of whom was a mechanic,
machinist or millwright. As Capt. White, Deputy Warden of the Wisconsin State Prison since
1878, was a splendid machinist and mechanic, being one of the owners of the Hiner & White
Iron Works, it was said of his company, that they could build and equip a railway with cars
and locomotives ; build a mill, make a rifled cannon, erect a truss bridge, or do anything in the
mechanical line, even to making clocks and watches. In this company, five Derusha brothers
and six of their brothers-in-law enlisted. No company in Fond du Lac ever got such a large
number from one family. This company went into camp at Oshkosh September 1, 1862.
In October, 1862, nearly one hundred negroes — men, women and children — arrived in
Fond du Lac, from Northern Alabama, in charge of the Chaplain of the Fourteenth Regiment.
They were mostly taken as servants in the city of Fond du Lac.
554 HISTOKY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
In November, 1862, Roswill M. Sawyer and William A. Dewey were placed upon Brig..
Gen. C. S. Hamilton's staiF.
Gen. Lyman M. Ward, now of Benton Harbor, Mich., enlisted at Fond du Lac as a private,
and won all his promotions by "gallant conduct on the field of battle."
Prairie Grove was one of the hottest battles of the war. Capt. Strong's company, from
Ripon, was highly complimented for the part it took in that engagement.
In December, 1862, Timothy F. Strong, Jr., was promoted to First Lieutenant of Com-
pany H, First Regiment Wisconsin Volunteers.
In the Ripon papers of December, 1862, was a long letter giving a description of govern-
ing cities in the South by military law, and particularly how Norfolk and Portsmouth, Va., were
being governed by Maj. Alvan E. Bovay, who was Provost Marshal of those cities until the
latter part of 1863.
In February, 1863, Kingman Flint, son of the late Judge Flint, was promoted to Second
Lieutenant in the regular army. A few months later, he died at Pensacola, of black vomit.
He was a wonderful man, physically.
In December, 1862, the County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution to furnish aid
after that date to the families of volunteer soldiers. Each person so aided was required to fur-
nish evidence to the nearest Supervisor, that he or she was a relative of a volunteer soldier, and
dependent upon him for support.
In April, 1863, Col. Bragg sent home the regimental colors, riddled from staff to tassel.
A new set of colors had been provided.
Gen. 0. H. La Grange, afterward for several years Superintendent of the United States
Mint at San Francisco, enlisted at Ripon, and traveled to his final high position from the bot-
tom round of both the military and civil ladders.
The Turners, of Fond du Lac, raised a company for Gen. Sigel's regiment, and turned
over every dollar in their treasury to pay bounties for new recruits.
Jerome B. Johnson, now Superintendent of Mails at Milwaukee, was shot through the
groin at Bull Run, and lay six days upon the field, without food or attendance. He lived, and,
in October, 1862, was g,ble to return to Fond du Lac. But he never was able to return to his
regiment.
A Mr. Temple, of Lamartine, anxious to get into the service of his country as soon as pos-
sible, went to the front and enlisted, being assigned to Company D, of the Third Regiment.
Next day he was shot dead in battle.
In October, 1862, occurred one of the largest funerals in Fond du Lac. It was at the-
burial of Grier Tallmadge, a son of the late Gov. Nathaniel P. Tallmadge, who died at Fortress
Monroe in September.
In March, 1863, Edward S. Bragg was promoted to the colonelcy of the Sixth Regiment.
In April, 1863, the ladies of Wedge's Prairie collected fifty barrels of provisions and some
cash for the soldiers. They then formed themselves into an Aid Society and continued the
work of doing for the soldiers.
In April, 1863, the members of Company A, Thirty-second Regiment, sent home to their
families, as the surplus saved from three months' pay, the sum of $4,263.
The first work of the Soldiers' Aid Society of the town of Byron, in 1863, was to collect,
for the boys in blue, two loads of food and clothing and $116 in cash. The society afterward
did much more in the same direction.
William Frost, of Eden, went to Memphis, where he had one soldier son dead and another
fatally ill, in May, 1863, and, a few days later, his family received word that he, too, was dead,
having been lost overboard Avhile crossing the Mississippi.
War speakers were occasionally hustled, and some of them injured, in some portions of
the county^ At Taycheedahj R. B. Charles was set upon while speaking in favor of the war and
the Administration, and quite severely injured. While this was going on, his harness was
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 555
destroyed and his ■wagon torn in pieces. At Ripon, there were two or three who made demon-
strations of disloyalty ; but after one of the parties had been led to the mill-pond, and had the
depth of the water taken before him, with the understanding that water was considered excellent
for treasonable utterances and demonstrations, the balance subsided.
A military company was formed in the southeast towns of the county in June, 1863, with
the following officers : Captain, Fred Baldwin ; First Lieutenant, Nicholas Gaffney ; Second
Lieutenant, E. C. Coon ; First Sergeant, E. A. Whitney ; Second Seargeant, 0. P. Howe ;
Third Sergeant, E. C. Airhart; Fourth Sergeant, A. A. Bratt; Fifth Sergeant, G. N. Hatch.
The "Badger State Guards" were raised by C. K. Pier, at Fond du Lac, in the summer
of 1863, with the following officers: Captain, C. K. Pier; First Lieutenant, C. T. Carpenter;
Second Lieutenant, F. R. St. John ; First Sergeant, D. M. Wilson ; Second Sergeant, John
Miller ; Third Sergeant, W. R. Allen ; Fourth Sergeant, John Markle ; Fifth Sergeant, Solon
W. Edson. This company went out, after being drilled by Capt. Pier, as Company A, ThiVty-
eight Regiment, three years. Pier was made Colonel of Regiment, and Carpenter Captain of
Company.
The " Union Guards " were raised at Ripon, with Herman Stempel, Captain ; W. T. Whit-
ing, First Lieutenant; Lyman B. Everdell, Second Lieutenant, and N. Bowerroan, of the
Prairie City Record, First Sergeant. The company was organized in September, 1863.
One of the largest funerals ever held in Eden was that of Sergt. Walter S. Rouse, who was
buried August 2, 1863.
E. W. Pride recruited fifty men at Ripon for the gunboat service. He also secured a large
number in other portions of the county.
In August, 1863, Dr. Walker took from the tongue of F. H. Farr, of Company K, First
Regiment, two double teeth, which had been there imbedded about a year previously by a
minie ball.
Sergt. Maj. George W. Driggs, son of the late J. J. Driggs, of Fond du Lac, was war cor-
respondent for the Madison Patriot.
Col. C. K. Pier and Joseph Arnold were war correspondents for the Fond du Lac Reporter.
In October, 1863, four small children, whose mother was dead, gathered in Eden as mourn-
ers at the funeral of their last relative, Peter B. Miller, their father, of the Nineteenth Regi-
ment. It was a sad sight.
In January, 1864, all there was left of the Fourteenth Regiment returned home, time of
•enlistment having expired. Tlie regiment, which contained only 302 privates and 19 ofBcers,
was given big receptions at Chicago, Milwaukee and Fond du Lac. At Milwaukee, eloquent
-mention was made of Michael JMangan, of Fond du Lac, for his conduct at the terrible charge
at Gettysburg. Every man in the regiment re-enlisted. Speeches were made at Fond du Lac
•by Gen. C. S. Hamilton and Col. Lyman N. Ward.
Capt. Woodruflt' recruited forty-five men for the Thirty-second Regiment, at Waupun, in
■the latter part of 1863.
In January, 1864, Oakfield held a festival and raised $200 in cash for the soldier boys.
In January, 1864, the Common Council of Fond du Lac voted to pay a bounty of $100
for recruits for the city, and, a week or two later, increased the amount to $200 for each recruit.
Charles H. Benton was promoted, in April, 1864, to be Second Lieutenant of Company G,
First Regiment, and Thomas Bryant, First Lieutenant of Company H, Thirty-second Regiment.
Soon after, Lieut. Benton was made Quartermaster of the First Regiment.
Up to June, 1864, there had enlisted from the High School at Fond du Lac seventy stu-
dents.
S. D. Pitcher and others, of the Second Regiment, arrived home June 25, 1864, after
serving three full years.
One of the Fond du Lac papers of June 25, 1864, had the following :
" Col. Edward Stuyvesant Bragg, of this city, has been promoted to Brigadier General of
Tolunteers. Nearly three years ago, he entered the service as Captain of Company E, Sixth
556 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
Wisconsin Regiment. He rose, by grades, to be Colonel of the regiment, was in all the fights
with the "Iron Brigade," and especially distinguished himself at Antietam and Gettysburg.
During the recent battles in Virginia, at Spottsylvania and the Wilderness, he had command
of a brigade, and handled his troops like a veteran, winning great favor from his commanders.
For his gallant conduct on these occasions he has been commissioned. Gen. Bragg will be
heard from whenever there is a fight, as he believes in striking to hurt."
I. W. Bowen raised a company of thirty-four men at Fond du Lac, and left for camp with
them March 1, 1864.
Reuben Lindley took sixty-six men, whom he had recruited, to Madison on the 1st of
March, 1864.
Charles T. Carpenter recruited fifty-eight men by April 1, 1864, for the Thirty-eighth
Regiment, and was commissioned Captain.
Capt. W. W. La Grange, of the First Regiment of Cavalry, wounded through the body
at Chattanooga, in December, 1863, died at Ripon, after a painful surgical operation to extract
the shot, July 1, 1864.
By a general order from headquarters. Col. C. K. Pier was placed in command of the One
Hundred and First New York Regiment in April, 1865.
Letters to soldiers who were prisoners within the rebel lines were required to have 10 cents
upon them in Confederate stamps. Those who had friends among such prisoners were furnished
with Confederate stamps free by John J. Beeson, at Fond du Lac, to whom they were sent by
Lieut. Bannister. Lieut. Bannister had confiscated them, of course.
In August, 1864, the city of Fond du Lac had paid fifty-three bounties of $100, and one
hundred and three bounties of f 200 each.
On July 29, 1864, Capt. Eddy Ferris brought home a new rebel fiag, captured at the bat-
tle of Tupelo.
In July, 1864, Maj. George W. Driggs published a neat book, entitled " Opening of the
Mississippi; or, Two Years' Campaigning in the Southwest."
Charles F. Sayre, who died at Port Hudson of sickness and wounds, was only sixteen
years of age. He was the only support of a father who had been prostrated in the service.
Col. 0. H. La Grange, of the First Wisconsin Cavalry, who was considered by the rebels
such a valuable and successful ofiicer that he was put " under fire " at Charleston by them, was
exchanged in August, 1864. To put an ofiicer " under fire " is where, when he is held as a pris-
oner, he is placed so as to be exposed to the fire directed by his own side upon those who
hold him.
From August to September, 1864, over three hundred men were enlisted in the city of
Fond du Lac.
In August, 1864, Capt. Delos Ward was promoted to Post Quartermaster, to take charge
of Fort Morganza, in Louisiana.
In October, 1864, substitutes in Fond du Lac County commanded from $700 to $1,000
each.
The seventh one of the family of Derusha boys entered the army in November, 1864.
A soldiers' festival at Rosendale, in December, 1864, netted $125.
G. H. Clark, Company K, First Wisconsin, and Ed. McGlachlin, who escaped from the
rebel prisons, said that the greater share of the appalling number of Union prisoners who died
in confinement was caused by starvation and brutal treatment.
In February, 1865, Edward Colman was commissioned Lieutenant Colonel of the Forty-
ninth Regiment. At this time, Lieut. Crane, of Oakfield, was the only ofBcer left in Company
G, Thirty-sixth Regiment.
February 14, 1865, the city of Fond du Lac voted $30,000, to be used in paying bounties
to soldiers enlisted to fill the quota of the city. It did so, and with some to spare.
After warm weather began in 1864, the arrival of dead soldiers in Fond du Lac County
was of daily occurrence during several months. Some were brought home shot dead ; some
after having died of wounds, and many after dying of malarious diseases.
HISTOEY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 55T
Capt. Milton Bwen, Miles Schoolcraft, Lieut. Col. Charles H. Morgan and others were
many months in the prison-pens of the South. They finally escaped. Schoolcraft arrived
home in December, 1864, but the others were kept ia prison till the following spring. His
story appeared in print at the time, as follows :
" Miles Schoolcraft, of Company H, Thirty-second Regiment, arrived home Wednesday
night, direct from Annapolis. He was taken prisoner while out with a foraging party, near
Atlanta, last summer. He was first placed in prison at Eastport, Ga. During the march of
nine days on the road, the rebels only issued three crackers to each man. From there he went
to Andersonville, and remained there three months and thirteen days. During that time, the
daily ration consisted of a piece of corn bread three inches long by two wide and two thick,
with a piece of bacon about the same size. The men were treated brutally, in every possible
way. On the least provocation, and sometimes none at all, the prisoners were knocked down
with clubs or shot by the rebel privates and officers who guarded them. From one hundred to
one hundred and twenty Union ^prisoners were buried every day, most of them dying from
scurvy. Very often, no rations would be issued for two or three days. His hat, shirt and
boots were taken, and he went into the prison-pen barefoot. From Andersonville he was taken
to Charleston. Here good rations were issued, and the scurvy disappeared. From Charleston
he was taken to Florence, S. C, and remained two months. During this time, the rations con-
sisted of one pint of corn-meal per day, with a half-teaspoonful of salt every other day. While
at Florence, 690 of the Union prisoners died. Only 3,000 were in the encampment. At
Florence he saw Charley Banker, of Oakfield, hale and hearty. No other Fond du Lac man
was seen by him. From Florence he went to Charleston, and was paroled with the first lot of
1,000, and arrived safely at Annapolis, where he received two months' pay and commutations
for rations during the time he was a prisoner. He was given thirty days' furlough."
Capt. C. T. Wyman's story is also given. He arrived home in July, 1864. These two
accounts, from men well known in Fond du Lac County, will show to coming generations what
was endured by thousands of the boys in blue for their country, when, indeed, they did not
succumb to disease, starvation or brutality, and start on their last long journey from the fester-
ing pens of Libby, Florence and Andersonville. Capt. Wyman's story appeared in the Fond
du Lac Meporter of July 2, 1864, as follows :
"C. T. Wyman, of Company F, Twenty-first Wisconsin Regiment, whose escape is already well
known, has given us an account of the manner in which he left rebeldom. He was on the way
from Danville, Va., to Andersonville, Ga., in company with a large number of prisoners, being
transferred beyond the reach of Yankee cavalry. On the 18th of June, when two days' travel
from Milledgeville, Ga., Lieut. Custar, of the Twenty-fifth Indiana Regiment, proposed to
Wyman to jump from the cars, which was agreed to.
" After working over two hours, they succeeded in getting the caps off the guns of the two
guards, and then bolted through the open door of the car, the train running about twenty-two
miles per hour. On reaching the ground, they rolled up close to the ends of the ties, and thus
escaped the observation of the guard on top of the train. After the train was out of sight, their
exultation can scarcely be told.
"Then commenced a long, fatiguing journey, almost entirely by night, through woods,
swamps, by-ways, over hills, fields, and everywhere except through villages and regular roads.
They depended entirely upon the negroes for assistance, who proved true to them in every par-
ticular instance. The greatest delight of the negroes seemed to be to aid them in every pos-
sible way.
" On the tenth night, while traveling a by-road, they suddenly came upon three rebel soldiers
who were hunting for a runaway slave. There was no chance to run, so they quietly surren-
dered and were taken to a house close by. While supper was preparing, both managed to escape
to the brush, in which pursuit was useless. Two or three nights after, they were cod fronted by
a couple of home guards (rebels) who attempted to capture them, but who were so ignorant of
the use of fire-arms on such an occasion that they were left stunned and senseless on the ground
558 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
from a vigorous use of the stout canes carried by the escaped prisoners. They ran many nar-
row escapes, but were never recaptured.
" All along the route every plantation had several dogs, and on the slightest alarm from
them the men would rush out to see if their horses were not being conscripted by the gentle
Jeff, or the rough riders of the Yanks. After twenty-three nights, they reached the Chattahoo-
chee River, having swam three other rivers, and the next day reached the Union lines, where
there was some tall cheering. Without arms, or any food except berries, herbs and such as
they could pick up on the way, they had traveled nearly three hundred miles through the heart
of Georgia."
The stories of escapades like these, or of disease, starvation and death, might be lengthened
out indefinitely, in writing the history of those who were taken prisoners, but these will suffice
as illustrations.
On Sunday, April 22, 1865, $1,200 were raised at Amory Hall, in Fond du Lac, for the
soldiers' Christian Commission.
The Ladies' Aid Society of the city of Fond du Lac, formed early in the war, did an
immense amount of work for the soldiers of Fond du Lac County. Many of the ladies who
belonged to this Society devoted their entire time and attention to its labors ; and the number
of garments made, purchased or collected ; the amount of dried fruits and food of all kinds, as
well as books, newspapers and periodicafs, sent to the soldiers was truly astonishing. Regular
meetings did not cease to be held until about the close of the war, and the energy of its mem-
bers never relaxed. The soldiers, both sick and well, sent home many a blessing to the women
who were thus laboring, without hope of reward, in their behalf, and those labors will never be
forgotten as long as there is a Fond du Lac County soldier left to recount his experiences.
In the public prints, the capture of Jefferson Davis, ex-President of the Southern Confed-
eracy, has always been credited to the Fourth Michigan Cavalry. This is unjust to the soldiers
of another State, and a falsehood on the most important leaf of American history.
The First Wisconsin Cavalry, raised in Fond du Lac County, mostly at Ripon, by Col.
Edward Daniels, now of Washington, deserves most of the credit for his capture. This regiment
had been lying at Mafcon, Ga., after participating in its capture, under the command of Lieut.
Col. Henry Hearndon, now of Madison. 0. H. La Grange was the Colonel, but was then in
command of the brigade. A detachment consisting of four companies, the First Battalion, or
about one hundred men, was ordered to capture Jeff Davis, then supposed to be passing through
Georgia with a large party. The detachment, which was commanded by Lieut. Col. Hearndon,
struck Davis' trail at 5 o'clock of Sunday, May 7, 1865, near the village of Dublin, Laurens
County. All the darkies verified the supposition that Jeff was fleeing through these parts, but
the whites declared it was only a few prisoners. Finally, a little girl standing outside of a house
where tlie supposed Davis party had stopped, when asked if " Mr. Davis had gone away yet,"
innocently replied, " Yes, he's gonB that way." The trail was plain, and the detachment hur-
ried on. At Abbeyville, or " Poor Robin Ferry," a detachment of the Fourth Michigan Cavalry
came up, under the command of Col. Pritchard. The two Colonels had a friendly talk, each
showing the other his orders. Pritchard was to take the ferry and patrol the river. But Col.
Hearndon, Avhose honesty gained him the name of the " Puritan Colonel," went further, and
disclosed to Pritchard not only his orders, but that his men had struck Jeff's trail ; had followed
it several days ; pointed out to him the direction the ex-President of the Conferderacy was taking,
and showed scraps of paper found on the trail by W. 0. Hargrave, of Ripon, to prove that there
was no doubt Davis was near by. Pritchard knew that the Government had offered $100,000
for the capture of Jefferson Davis, but Col. Hearndon did not. The former thereupon took
advantage of the latter's confiding communications, and pushed ahead of the First Wisconsin
detachment, striking Davis' trail ahead of them, and coming up with the Davis party late at
night of the same day.
Being weary, their course lying through the " barrens," where the clay-eaters, or " white
trash," barely eke out a miserable existence, the First Wisconsin boys followed on less rapidly.
.y(«ff";1*=' - *^,
ta/^^M^h^,
FOND DU LAC
HISTORY OF FOND DXJ LAC COUNTY. 561
At dusk, various plans were talked over, Sergt. Maj. Hargrave being desirous of pushing on
and making the capture that night, as the Davis party were tired too, having been longer on the
inarch than themselves. But Col. Hearndon's horse was weakening for want of food, as were
the other horses, and he called a halt at 9 o'clock, giving orders to start at 3 o'clock next morn-
ing, and make the capture before daylight. On the morning of the 10th of May, therefore,
•camp was broken at 3 o'clock, and forty-five minutes later, a small party, led by a scout named
Hussey, advanced toward Davis' camp. In a few minutes they were fired upon, and retreated.
The balance of Col. Hearndon's command then pushed forward, thinking the rebels had fired,
determined to make a desperate fight. They drove the party that fired the first volley some
distance, and, finally taking a prisoner or two, discovered that they belonged to the Fourth
Michigan. Firing then stopped, but two of the Fourth Michigan boys had been shot dead, and
several wounded on both sides. Pritchard had put a large detachment of his best men across
the trail between Davis and Col. Hearndon, knowing that Hearndon was advancing from that
direction upon it to make the capture, giving them strict orders to " let no one come up on that
trail." He then, with another detachment, made the capture while the fight — which had been
" murderously precipitated," as the Wisconsin boys have always since declared — was going on
between the two squads of Union ssoldiers, composed of his own men and those of the First Wis-
■consin. When the First Wisconsin soldiers learned that Pritchard had given such an order,
knowing they were advancing on the very road he had blockaded. Col. Hearndon was astounded,
and his boys were, some of them, " raving mad, and swore they would then and there take by force
the Fourth Michigan and Jefi' Davis too ;" but they were persuaded to do nothing rash.
The capture was made just in the gray of morning. May 10, 1865, at Irwinville, Irwin
•County, in the " white trash" country, on the Alapaha River, a branch of the Suwanee River.
Jeff thought his time had come, expecting to be shot or hung ; but his wife, Mrs. Davis, was defiant
and saucy, telling the boys they must not call her husband such opprobrious names as " Old
,Jeff," or they would get hurt. When taken, Jeff had on a hood and a waterproof, with a water
^bucket in hand, attempting to palm himself off as an old woman. With him were Postmaster
General Reagan, now a member of Congress from Texas, President Davis' private Secretary,
Cols. Johnson, Lubbick, Mbrris, and several others. Jeff at first drew a bowie-knife, but soon
sheathed it, seeing resistance would prove useless.
When a report was made to the War Department of the fight and the capture, Col. La Grange
indorsed on it the real facts, severely censuring the Colonel of the Fourth Michigan. No atten-
tion was paid to this, as Secretary Stanton disliked La Grange for recommendations made by
him in regard to the exchange of prisoners. But, although the Committee on Claims in Con-
gress was about to give the $100,000 to the Fourth Michigan, Col. Hearndon sent in such evi-
dence as knocked that plan in the head, and the First Wisconsin boys shared equally with the
■others. Walter 0. Hargrave, of Ripon, who was a Sergeant Major, received about |400 as his
share.
Col. Hearndon is in the United States Revenue Service at Madison ; Col. La Grange is in
Europe, and Pritchard, whom the boys always declared should have been court-martialed, is
"knocking over the country," spending his money.
Elihu Colman, of Fond du Lac, of the First Wisconsin Cavalry, never has blasphemed
since he left the army. Once, at dusk, he was riding past some bushes, when he heard a call
for help. " My leg is shot off," said a voice, "and I wish to see a surgeon." "All right,
•climb on behind," returned Elihu. Mr. Colman drove several miles, through a heavy fire, to a
surgeon's door. On the road, a solid shot carried away, unbeknown to Elihu, his wounded com-
panion's head. Arriving at the tent, he called out, " Surgeon Lily, this man has had his leg
shot off and wants help.'-' "Leg off!" exclaimed Dr. Lily, "his head is shot off!" "The
■durned liar," exclaimed Elihu, driving the rowels into his horse's flank, "the durned liar said
he only had his leg shot off! " And Colman wheeled away in disgust at being lied to so out-
rageously.
562 HISTORY OP FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
The following letter very properly may have a place in " Scraps of War History : "
If the unwritten history of the civil war in America were to be spread upon the printed page, it would fill'
more volumes than were destroyed with the Alexandrian Library, and would amaze posterity as much as it would
astound the present generation. That vast human mechanism of a million units that, under the influence of organi-
zation and discipline, seemed to move as one man, would appear in its true light, as a seething caldron of
human emotions and human passions, boiling and bubbling with a fearful energy, not easily suppressed nor
readily controlled. A thousand motives lie beneath the gloss of patriotism, and the best is not always upper-
most. To turn all these into the channel of success for a great cause and victory for the right was the hard task of
a noble few, and among those, none in their sphere of duty had more to contend with and more to overcome than
Maj. Bovay, of Wiscbnsin, as Provost Marshal of Norfolk. Theestiinate I formed of his character that led me, while
Military Governor of Norfolk, to appoint him to the position of Provost Marshal, was confirmed by all my subsequent
intercourse with him. Surrounded on all sides by greedy harpies, who would trade upon their country's woes, and
on the other by open foes, he was oiled upon to deal with knaves and traitors as with brave and honest men, meting
out exact justice with kindness, and counteracting the evils of dishonesty with keen judgment and a wise discretion.
Hated by the bad, whom he thwarted in their schemes, and unthanked by the needy, whom he relieved in their dis-
tress, he bore himself in the midst of the most trying circumstances in a way that could only have been maintained
by a strict integrity, an unwavering conscientiousness and a clear and courageous sense of right and duty.
[Signed.] EGBERT L. VIELE.
In the fall of 1862, Col. Edward S. Bragg was run as a war candidate for Congress,
against Charles A. Eldredge. He was nominated while in the field. On being notified of his
nomination, he wrote to J. H. Brinkerhoff, Secretary of the Convention : " I can take no part
in the coming campaign. My duties are elsewhere, and I shall endeavor to discharge them to
my own credit and to the honor of the State whose commission I bear. * * * jj;
has been a matter of solicitude among my friends, as I am advised by letters to-day, to know
what my views are upon the great issues of the day. I recognize but one issue — For and
Against the Government. This swallows up all others, and the motto that ' He who is not for-
me is against me ' never had more truthful significance than it has to-day. I am for the Gov-
ernment— the iron gauntlet and not the silk glove for the enemy."
Col. Bragg was defeated by about 4,000 majority.
In January, 1863, President Lincoln nominated Brig. Gen. Charles S. Hamilton, of Fond;
du Lac, for promotion to Major General. His name had become familiar to the whole country,
a few months before, through his gallant conduct at Corinth and Inka. The New York Trib-
une's description of the latter battle contained this paragraph :
'' Amid the incessant roar of musketry and the thunder of artillery and the clash of arms, Gen.
Hamilton moved, with his staff, wherever the battle raged the hottest, and gave his orders with the
same quiet firmness, promptness and clearness which are his greatest characteristics in all things.
His presence everywhere just when needed excited the admiration of the soldiers. His horse was
killed under him, and the hilt of his sword shattered as he was moving amid the showers of balls,
which fell on all sides. Yet there was no excitement or fear exhibited by him. He was
soon re-mounted, on a fresh horse, and, as calmly as ever, directed the movements of the battle to
the close as he had from the beginning. * * * Gen. Hamilton is a thorough sol-
dier. He fought through the Mexican war, and, at the breaking-out of this rebellion, brought
the Third Wisconsin Regiment into the field. He is a man of few words, but always to the
point. He is undemonstrative, and seems to possess but little of the art of courting favor.
His only care is to do his duty well. The incessant cheers by which he was greeted on the day .
after the battle by each regiment, as he rode past on the march in pursuit of Price, show that
his modest bravery, unflinching courage and sure skill as a soldier are fully appreciated by them,
and that they are ready to follow wherever he chooses to lead. He fully appreciates the intel-
ligence, invincible courage and high character of the men under his command, and is ready to
stand or fall with them in the noble contest in which we are all engaged. With such leaders
and such men to fight our battles, success is certain. ,- For the able, skillful and decisive manner
in which Gen. Hamilton fought and won this battle (for he directed all the movements in the-
field), all, from the highest to the lowest, think and believe that he has jyon deserved promo-
tion."
HISTOKY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 663
Fond du Lac County soldiers participated in the following battles : Falling Waters, July
2, 1861 ; Cliickam3.uga, September 19, 1863 ; Dug Gap, September 12, 1863 ; Chaplin
Hills, October 8, 1862; Dallas,' May 28, 1864; Kenesaw Mountain, June 22, 1864; Jones-
boro, September 21, 1864; Gainesville, August 28, 1862, which was considered the most stub-
bornly contested battle of the war ; South Mountain, September 14, 1862 ; Laurel Hill, May
10, 1864 ; Wilderness, May 5 and 6, 1864 ; Gettysburg, July 1, 1863 ; Bull Run, July 21,
1861 ; Antietam, September 17, 1862 ; Fredericksburg, December 13, 1862 ; Hatcher's Run,
October 27, 1864, at which Col. J. A. Watrous was captured ; Blackburn's Ford, July 18,
1861 ; Spottsylvania Court House, May 10, 1864, at which Grant lost 65,000 men, but still,
continued the fight, and at night, when the fighting ceased, breastworks were thrown up by both
sides, and when morning dawned the two lines were so close that they fought each other with
the butts of their muskets ; Chancellorsville, May 1, 1863, at which several Wisconsin regi-
ments, with other Western troops, massed themselves, irrespective of commanders, and held the
enemy after everything appeared to be lost before the rebel charge ; Fairfax Station, December
24, 1863 ; Winchester, May 25, 1862 ; Bolivar Heights, October 16, 1861 ; PeachTree Creek,
July 20, 1864 ; Burnby Ford, June 9, 1863 ; Averysboro, March 16, 1865 ; Bentonville,
March 16, 1865 ; Buckton Station, May 22, 1862 ; Argyle Island, December 16, 1864 ; Lost
Mountain, June 11, 1864 ; Rappahannock, November 7, 1863 ; Petersburg, June 14, 181)4,,
to April 2, 1865, at which Gen. Bragg commanded the Iron Brigade ; Moore's Heights, May
3, 1863; Sailor's Creek, April 6, 1865; Cold Harbor, June 1, 1864; Yellow House, August
19, 1864 ; Second Bull Run, August 30, 1862 ; Gravelly Run, March 31, 1865 ; Weldon Rail-
road, August 19, 1864, at which Bragg commanded the Iron Brigade ; Jericho Ford, May 23;,
1864 ; Five Forks, April 1, 1865 ; Nashville, December 16, 1864 ; Vicksburg, May 22, 1863 ^
Corinth, October 3, 1862 ; Spanish Fort, March 27, 1865 ; Farmington, May 9, 1862 ; Hurri-
cane Creek, August 13, 1»64 ; Tupelo, July 13, 1864; Shiloh, April 7, 1862; Clifton, July
6, 1863; Lovejoy, September 3, 1864 ; battles of Atlanta, 1864 and 1865; Big Shanty, Ga.,,
June 11, 1864; Brownsville, September 23, 1862; Jackson, Miss., May 14, 1863; Championi
Hills, May 16, 1863 ; Allatoona, October 5, 1864 ; Prairie Grove, December 7, 1862, at whichi
many boys were taken prisoners ; Bentonville, March 19, 1865 ; Resaca, May 14, 1864 ; Chat-
tahoochee, July 4, 1864 ; Stone River, December 30, 1862 ; Salkhatchie, February 3, 1865 ;
Court Lane, July 27, 1864; South Edisto, February 9, 1865; Hillsboro, February 24, 1864;
Ream's Station, August 25, 1864; Deep Bottom, August 14, 1864; Tolopotomoy, June 1,
1864 ; North Anna, May 27, 1864 ; Fort Mahone, April 2, 1865, at which Lee's lines were
broken ; Mine Explosion, July 30, 1864, at which Grant dug under the rebel fortress and blew
it up, or rather, he gave permission to a regiment of miners to tunnel under the Union lines to
a point beneath the rebel fortress, at which two tons of powder were exploded, carrying deatb
and consternation into the whole rebel line.
Soldiers from Fond du Lac County participated in other battles, doubtless, but in no con-r
siderable bodies.
The only ofiScer from Fond du Lac County on the retired list, is Michael Mangan, of Fond
du Lac. He enlisted as a private in Cpmpany E, Sixth Wisconsin Volunteers, and left for the
front in June, 1861. He served three years in that Company, and was mustered out as First
Lieutenant in April, 1864. He then entered the Veteran Reserve Corps, serving in New York
City until the close of the war, when he went to Florida in connection with the Freedmen's
Bureau. In September, 1866, he was mustered out and returned to Fond du Lac, where, in
December of that year, he joined the regular army as Second Lieutenant of company A,
Forty-fifth Regiment. In this company he served until April, 1871, when he was retired as a
Second Lieutenant on three-fourths pay. During the session of Congress of 1866 and 1877,
Lieut. Mangan was door-keeper of the United States Senate. There are no other officers of his
rank retired in Wisconsin ; but there are four of other grades in the State on the retired list.
.5()4 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
A RBTKOSPBCT.
Fond du Lac County, to-day rejoicing in the pride of its strength, teeming with wealth and
glittering in the sunlight of a prosperity that startles the visitor into a smile of gladness, was,
in 1835, a wilderness almost as unbroken as when John Nicolet, in 1634, visited Green Bay.
The historian takes up the threads of life since then, as tangled by events, slowly. What
prompted the pioneers to their advent into this land ? Was it that spirit of adventure which
impelled the cavaliers of the olden time to pursue with eagerness the phantom of a hope into
the Bast ? Was it a sense of duty which first found expression in the New World, in 1620, on
Plymouth Rock ? Perhaps, after all, it was only that they might better their condition — might
here find cheap lands and soon obtain comfortable homes.
But many of them are dead, and the inquirer, who has seen so many of his idols turned to
clay, and his ideals perish, comes naturally, by-and-by, to the time when he analyzes — such
and such things have happened — why ? Such and such men have passed away — how ? Such
and such events have lighted up the sky of advancing civilization as a meteor might the phys-
ical. Whence do they proceed ? The men who came to the front and laid the foundations for
this continuous and lovely landscape of nature, glimmering like a gem in its emerald setting,
belonged to a regime that is fast giving place to an enterprise, which though greater, is less earnest,
because Providence and nature more materially aid man's ambitions. They were the grizzled
grenadiers in the army of pioneers, who never, in any sudden storm or rally, desperate melee,
or sorrowful encounter, forgot to dofi" their plumed hats to an adversary and cry out through
their gray mustaches, as they shortened their sword arm, "^n garde." It may be anything or
nothing, but the one thing certain about it all is, they were the enterprising spirits who laid the
foundation for this teeming wealth and sunny prosperity. Though dead, they live again. Not
alone in the promised land beyond the swift Borysthems, but in the land they prepared for after
generations.
Many of the prominent actors in the prelude are dead, but the drama goes on, and will last
until the human race has run its course and the wide firmament is rolled up like a scroll.
Many of the singers are dead, but their song has gone on ; out of the darkness has come
a light, out of the sorrow an exceeding joy.
The present should profit by the past, and take examples from the views of these, which
shall make heart and home happy, better men, citizens and Americans. The present should be
admonished bv the past, to labor with equal diligence for the personal blessings of health of body,
vigor of mind", and success in life, as also for the blessings promised in the life to come.
But the hard hands which prepared the way f9r the fruitful fields which grew from the
wilds of the county ; for filling its cities and towns with the habitations of men, seminaries of
learning, public edifices, and other evidences of a pronounced prosperity, are quietly folded in
their mother earth, and it must be of interest to those who enjoy their possessions, to know when,
where and by whom civilization was commenced, and to learn some of the incidents connected
with the first settlement, as also with the steps by which Fond du Lac County has attained the
importance claimed by its inhabitants and conceded by its neighbors.
OHAPTEE Vm.
CITY OF FOND DU LAO.
Past aot) Present— Aborigines— Eablt Settlement— Village of Fond du Lac— City of
. Fond du Lac Incorporated- City Officers, 1852-1879— City of Fond du Lac A Quarter
OF A Century Ago— Pond du Lac Post Office— Fire Department- City Lock-Up—
Artesian Wells— Gas Works— Schools— Bonded Indebtedness— Public Halls— Hotels
—Benevolent Institutions and Societies— Literary and other Societies— Public
Library— Secret Societies— Churches— Banks— Manufacturing Interests- Yacht
Clubs— Conflagrations- KiENzi Cemetery— Floods and Preshets— Incidents and
First Things— Early Times in Fond du Lac.
past and present.
No city in Wisconsin without water-power, mines, or adjacent lumber tracts, ever arrived
at a greater degree of importance, in the same time, than Fond du Lac. This is owing to the
richness of the surrounding country, cheap transportation, and the indefatiguable industry and
perseverence of its citizens.
The city, which existed only on paper in January, 1836, contained 15,308 inhabitants in
1875 ; an elegant high school building, a free public library, Merrill Institute, a school for
young ladies, Mann's Commercial College, a German and English academy, nineteen public
schools and several parochial and private schools ; eighteen church edifices, six banks, one
monthly, five weekly and two daily newspapers, a dozen hotels, four distinct railroads leading in
six directions, a blast furnace, four foundries and machine shops, four sash, door and blind fac-
tories, one of them the largest in the world ; two flouring mills, an extensive thrashing-machine
factory, the second largest wagon factory in the State, a seeder factory, ten saw-mills and vari-
ous other institutions and manufacturing interests.
Who can grasp in a single thought the magnitude of this wondrous change ? Gray hairs ought
not now to appear on the heads of those who were born when Fond du Lac was born ; yet, in the
few years which have sped rapidly since that time, there have been wrought great changes.
Large saw-mills, with their noisy, insatiable machinery and hurrying attendants, have been
erected on the homes of the beaver and muskrat. Paved streets, heavy blocks of stores and
bursting warehouses have crushed out the myriads of wild flowers that made the face of the
prairie a vast and variegated bouquet, and the black smoke from scores of factory chimneys has
taken the place of their delicious fragrance ; hedges and lawns, fountains and miniature lakes,
arbors and conservatories, have supplanted the long prairie grass, in which quail, grouse and
wild birds nested and reared their young undisturbed ; the river, whose clear waters flowed
unruffled into Winnebago Lake, is now turbid, and crowded with rafts of logs and lumber ; the
solitude of the wilderness has been violated by the rush and scream of the locomotive ; the delic-
ious and soothing hum of birds and insects at eventide has been drowned by the tumultuous din
of ringing bells, rattling mills, screeching whistles, and the noisy tread of eager, hurrying
throngs, who have never a thought of what incomparable changes have taken place under their
feet, over their heads, and on every hand, or of the possible changes, no less complete and
astonishing, in store for the future, in process of development through their every move and act.
The panorama of history is an interesting one, but its pictures can be fully appreciated by only
those who have seen them all. In fact, no one else can even comprehend them. No description
of tongue or pen can fully impress upon the minds of the gay, richly dressed throngs at a party
to-day, that under the very floors where the figures of the " German " or the " Newport " are being
666 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUI^TY.
followed, packs of hungry wolves fought with hideous snarl and howl over the carcass of one of
their own number ; or that it was the place where the scarred and stoical savages gathered around
the embers of the camp-fire in solemn discussion of the fate of a captive — debating how many
moons should elapse before the prisoner in their midst, frotn some hostile tribe, should be burned
at the stake ; or that it was the burial place for unnumbered generations of tribes now unnamed
and extinct, or that instead of the lively strains from a well-trained band, years before the brave
captive, with unrufiled brow and steady, cheerful voice, stoically chanted a battle-song amidst the yell
of the warriors, and the hiss of the flames about him, appearing as though the boiling pitch poured
upon his head, and the burning splinters thrust into his searing flesh, gave him the utmost pleas-
ure. Yet all this may be true, for up to within less than a half-century the spot on which Fond
du Lac now stands had been for many centuries, perhaps, the favorite meeting-place of both
friendly and hostile tribes. Along where Forest, West Division, Doty, Cherry and Sophia
streets are now located, once stood a fine grove of thrifty sugar-maples, some of which were
" tapped " (incisions made for the sap) by the early settlers. This grove contained, in season,
thousands of pigeons, grouse and squirrels, many of which found their way to the tables of the
settlers in. the form of delicious stews. Some of these maples are standing tp-day, being most
numerous in W. C. Hamilton's yard, on the corner of Sophia and Forest streets. Wild plants
and flowers were also abundant beyond description, and every sprang red and white " baths,"
" adder-tongue," leeks, " Indian peppers " and other wild plants are plucked by the youngsters
in A. B. Taylor's ample yard, on the corner of Forest and Hickory streets, and some may be
seen in J. V. Jewell's yard on Doty street. There is probably no other city of equal size, in
the Northwest, where wild flowers grow in its most thickly settled parts.
Where Meyer's factory and dry-house now stand, was one of the most beautiful crab-apple
groves, which was not removed until the village began to have young people to enjoy its rich
fragrance in spring, its cool shade in summer, and hurl away bushels of its hard, bitter fruit
in the fall, while engaged in lively but good-natured battles.
The city of Fond du Lac is situated on a level prairie, at the south end of Lake Winne-
bago, and is particularly free from epidemic and malarial diseases, because of its pure atmos-
phere and abundance of fresh spring water, from its scores of artesian wells, called fountains,
whence the place derives the popular name of "Fountain City." What Fond du Lac now is
may be seen of all ; history requires that what she has been be more particularly dealt with.
THE SITE.
The location of Fond du Lac was, as previously explained, made by the Fond du Lac Com-
pany, who purchased a large number of acres of land in this vicinity in 1835. The village
plat was made in that year, and covered what is now " lower " and " middle " town. The site
was chosen by James Duane Doty, who built a house in Empire, in 1838.
One reason which induced Doty to select this as a site for a city, was the well-established
fact that nearly all the largest cities of the West are built upon the ruins of important Indian
villages, and such were known to have existed here at no very distant day.
Some have pronounced the choice of location a wise one, and others have expressed them-
selves to the contrary. The only drawbacks of any importance are the low marshy shores of the
lake, rendering them undesirable for building-sites, and the shallowness of the river and harbor,
rendering such commerce as was at one time anticipated, partially impracticable, although a
large amount of trafficking has been carried on by water since the earliest settlement of the
place.
These drawbacks are entirely lost sight of, however, when the city's many advantages
are brought into comparison. On one side is Lake Winnebago, which furnishes fish, pure cool
breezes and unlimited rafting and lumbering facilities ; on every block are perpetual fountains
of pure cold water, sufficient for private use and fire purposes ; on the one side are lime-kilns
and extensive stone quarries ; on another, forests of hard wood ; on another, pits of sand ; on
another, clay for the manufacture of bricks, and, stretching for miles back to the east, west,
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 567
«outh, northwest and northeast, is a larger section of rich, thickly settled farming country than
is tributary to any other city in the State. On the whole, therefore, it would seem that the
•choice of location was the best that could have been made, for no other city possesses so many
Taluable advantages.
ABOEISINES.
The place where Fond du Lac stands was a favorite camping-ground for the Indians, owing
"to its beautiful location. It attracted all comers at once, and was the site of several Indian
villages of greater or less pretensions.
When the whites first came to Fond du Lac, ancient corn fields could be traced on either
side of the river, and a short distance below where the La Belle Wagon Works now stand, on
Forest street, was an Indian burial ground, from which bones have been taken in making exca-
-vations for building.
An Indian skull has been for some years in use as an emblem in the Knights of Honor
Lodge, which was taken from another burial place on the high sandy point about equidistant
from the foot of Harney street and Lake Winnebago. As the Indians never bury their dead
except in the land of their fathers, and as the latest tribes occupying Fond du Lac came mostly
for purposes of trading, rather than permanent occupation, these burial places must have been
in use a great many years ago. A more beautiful place for the eternal rest of the dead could
not have been chosen — the blue lake upon one side, the thickly wooded " Ledge " on the other ;
the rich, green prairie, decked with nearly a hundred varieties of bright and fragrant wild flow-
ers, stretching far away to the west and south on the other, with a river flowing between — made
■a, picture excelled nowhere in nature.
The latest Indian occupants of the land on which Fond du Lac stands were the Menom-
onees. They occupied the locality and the prairies in the vicinity as soon as the Winnebagoes
left. The most harm these Indians ever did to the settlers was to steal a few pigs, a horse and
a cow, and set fire to the prairies for the purpose of driving up game. They did not claim to
have any right to the country, but took possession simply because the Winnebagoes were gone,
and the locality was a pleasing one. In 1839, the settlers had a meeting at Fond du Lac, at
which the matter of setting fires by the Menomonees was discussed, and their leaders were told
"that the practice, which had become a costly annoyance by destroying fences, crops and timber,
must be stopped, or the Government would be called upon to remove them. They set no more
fires, and were soon after removed.
EARLY SETTLEMENT.
The first settlement of what is now the city of Fond du Lac was, as has already been
shown, the first settlement of the county.
We have seen how, in June, 1836, Colwert Pier and family became the first settlers ; how they
were followed in March, 1837, by Edward Pier and his family; how, soon after, other members
of the Pier family arrived in the infant settlement ; and how, on the 1st day of March, 1838,
the relatives were called to mourn the death of Fanny, wife of Colwert Pier, the pioneer woman of
Fond du Lac County, and of what is now the city of Fond du Lac. On the 3d day of that
month, while the few mourners were at the grave of the departed, John Bannister, a surveyor,
•came from Green Bay to Fond du Lac with his family. He lived a short time (about a year) in
the Company's log house, and then moved to a place south and outside of the present city limits.
About the 12th of April, 1838, Dr. Mason C. Darling arrived from Sheboygan, having
been in the settlement a few weeks before. As Dr. Darling was very prominent in the early
history of Fond du Lac, it will be interesting to know how and why he came here. He was,
previous to 1838, a poor man, with a small practice as a physician at Sheboygan. The Fond
•du Lac Company was anxious to have people settle where the village had been platted, as rapidly
as possible, in order to get the tide of immigration turned in this direction. Gov. Doty, as
Trustee for the Company, therefore, thinking a physician and surgeon necessary, on May 21,
1838, consummated a contract with Dr. Darling, which agreed to exchange Lots 22, 37, 42, 43,
568 HISTORY OP FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
44 and 45, situated near the river, in what is now " Lower Town; " eighty acres of land in what
is now the heart of the city, and a large tract in the town of Fond du Lac, for his office in She^
hoygan ; ^provided, that he. should build a house on the large tract, now within the confines of the
city, cultivate it as a farm, and build and put in motion the Clark saw-mill in the town of Fond
du Lac, then commenced. The tract, which the contract required should be made a place of
residence and cultivated as a farm, embraced all the land lying within a line drawn from the
corner of Forest and Union street* south to Western Avenue, thence east on Western Avenue
and between Fourth and Fifth streets to Ellis street ; thence north on EUis to Gillet and west
through R. A. Baker's bank and on Forest to. the corner of Forest and Union streets, and con-
taining eighty acres. The proviso contained in the contract that Dr. Darling should live on this
eighty and " cultivate it as a farm" was to prevent its being cut up into village lots and sold in
competition with the Fond du Lac Company's land adjoining. This contract seems to have been
satisfactorily fulfilled at the beginning, for, soon after, the mill spoken of was in operation and
Dr. Darling had a warranty deed of all the land promised him by the company.
In a short time, however. Dr. Darling, having a few shares in the stock of the Fond du Lac
Company, sued in chancery for a division of property. This suit, which tied up all the land the
title of which lay in the Company, was brought before Judge A. G. Miller at Green Bay, Feb-
ruary 19, 1844. The suit was not decided until the first Monday in October, 1845, during
which time Dr. Darling was buying land in what is now the south part of the city, dividing it
into smaller parcels and selling or giving it away to those who would agree to build thereon,
thus advancing the value of the eighty given him by the Company, while the value of the
Company's village plat in what is now " lower " and " middle " Fond du Lac, remained station-
ary. The Master in Chancery decided February 28, 1844, that, pending the suit, no more land
belonging to the Fond du Lac Company should be sold or deeded, which was no sooner done
than Dr. Darling gave to the county the tract of land on which the Court House now stands,
with the proviso that a county building should be erected thereon at once. This, together
with the suit in chancery and the gifts to attract settlers, of several village lots, turned immigra-
tion to the vicinity of Dr. Darling's property, and secured the location of the county seat and
village where the city now is.
But to return to the matter of Dr. Darling's first settlement in Fond du Lac : On the 14th
of June his wife arrived with her three children — Keyes A., Helen M. and Louie Darling.
They were brought from Calumet, where they had just arrived from Sheboygan, by Gustavo
de Neveu and A. D. Clark, on the lake in a large yawl made by Mr. Clark — the first one ever
built in Fond du Lac, which Mr. de Neveu had purchased for $40. The boat also con-
tained A. T. Denniston and his family of a wife and two children (whom Mr. de Neveu had
hired at Oshkosh to manage his farm), and Mrs. May (whose husband was found dead in the
town of Calumet a few days later), and her son, a child two years of age. A heavy storm
drove the boat to Taycheedah, from which place all had to walk to Fond du Lac, a distance of
three miles. Mr. de Neveu lost his hat in the storm, and it was a matter of wonder afterward
that the boat, which contained twelve persons, was not swamped and its precious burden lost.
Dr. Darling lived in the Company's log house but a short time before he had erected another
house where Darling's Block now stands, corner of First and Main streets, and opened it as a
temperance hotel. The next year, learning the date at which John Bannister's lease of the
Fond du Lac House — as the Company's house was then called — would expire, he went on horse-
back to Green Bay and rented it. He thereupon became John Bannister's successor as Post-
mast*, and as soon as Mr. Bannister's time was out, moved the post office to his own building
and msed up and locked the Company's house. He also gave at that time, to his own hotel and
residence, the name of the " Fond du'Lac House." This has caused confusion as to where the
Fond du Lac House was located — some maintaining it was at the corner of Brooke and Rees
streets and others that it was on the corner of Main and First streets. Both are right, as there
were two public houses by that name. The old Fond du Lac House was not kept closed very long ;
but Dr. Darling gained his point and got the post office moved to his portion of the settlement.
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 569'
From this time on, settlers began to arrive, in too large numbers to make it practicable to
follow out particularly the hardships and success of each. Properly, their history would not
belong to the village or city of Fond du Lac ; for, although most of them came directly to the set-
tlement and remained at the hotels or with some private family for a few weeks or months, many
of them pushed out upon the prairies beyond the present city limits, to establish homes as
soon as they could.
VILLASB OF FOND DU LAC.
On Monday, March 1, 1847, agreeably to previous notice, the inhabitants of the settle-
ment of Fond du Lac held a meeting for the purpose of adopting or rejecting the charter for a
village corporation previously prepared and passed by the Legislature. At 11 o'clock A. M.,
the meeting was called to order by the election of Mason C. Darling, Moderator, and J. J.
Driggs, Clerk. The vote was taken by ballot, and resulted in 49 votes for the adoption of the
charter, and 11 for rejection. The charter was declared adopted, and an election immediately
ordered for the choice of village officers. This resulted in the election of Mason C. Darling,
President ; John A. Eastman, Moses S. Gibson, T. L. Gillett, Isaac Brown, S. S. N. Fuller
and J. J. Driggs, Trustees ; E. W. Drury, Treasurer ; W. A. Dewey, Clerk, and 0. S. Wright,
Constable. On the 7th of April, these officers had a meeting, took the oath of office,
and appointed M. C. Darling, Isaac Brown and S. S. N. Fuller a committee to prepare " a code
of by-laws for the village," and T. L. Gillet, S. S. N. Fuller, J. A. Eastman, J. J. Driggs and
M. S. Gibson were made a committee to draft and report ordinances for the village of Fond
du Lac.
The second election of village officers was held at the Cottage Inn, where the American
House now stands, corner Main and Court streets, March 6, 1848, and had to be adjourned to
the next day on account of a tie vote between M. S. Gibson, A. D. Bonesteel and Cornelius
Davis, for Trustees. The number of votes cast the second day was 97, and A. D. Bonesteel
and Edgar Conklin were elected. After that, for a few months, the Board of Trustees had
regular and special meetings in rapid succession to wrestle with the question of whether Western
avenue should be opened and sidewalks built. Finally, in March, 1848, it was resolved to have
" cross walks." This resolution was hailed with delight by the muddy-booted burghers, but the
walks were slow in being built. Some idea of the progress made may be had from a paragraph
in one of the local papers of May, 1848, which said : " Only think of it ! Scarce three
months have passed since the ordinance was passed to construct sidewalks, and full one-tenth of
the work is now completed. At this rate, this grand, extensive improvement will be finished in
the unparalleled short space of two and one-half years from the date of its commencement ! "
The third election for village officers was held at the Court House, March 5, 1849. The
manner of conducting these elections, of which a record was made by Samuel Ryan, would be
entirely novel, if not beneficial, at the present day. E. W. Davis was chosen Moderator, and
Samuel Ryan, Clerk, both of whom were solemnly sworn to do their duty, fear God, and sup-
port the Constitution of the State and the United States. In March, 1851, the village fathers
had grown so thrifty that an ordinance was passed compelling every lecturer to pay a license of
$1 to the City Clerk, no matter on what subject the lecture might be. This was considered an
outrage by itinerant orators, and was frequently evaded by declaring that the matter to be
delivered was a sermon and not a lecture. Concerts, shows and exhibitions were granted
licenses upon payment of from $3 to $20.
A writer, in the spring of 1847, thus speaks o^ the village : " Within three years has sprung
up, as if by magic, our thriving village of 400 inhabitants, where three years ago stood sfSoli-
tary log house. We have two taverns, four stores, two groceries, three blacksmith-shops, three
tailor-shops, one cooper-shop, one wagon-shop, one harness-shop, one fanning-mill shop, two tin-
shops, two cabinet-shops, three shoe-shops, one jeweler's-shop, etc., etc. As yet we have no pub-
lic buildings, but the Court House and Jail are in process of erection. A grist-mill is now in
course of building. Heretofore, a'great inconvenience has been felt on account of a lack of lum-
bei* and building materials, but there will be less difficulty this season, as we have one steam
■f^70 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
and one water saw-mill in operation^ — but the demand is very great. There are now in course
of building, or to be commenced in the course of a few weeks, some thirty dwelling-houses, and to
these there are to be added several stores and offices.
" The legal profession is well supplied. We have seven practicing lawyers. We have but
*wo practicing physicians. We have also three resideat clergymen. As yet there are no
churches ; it is contemplated, however, to build two or three during the season.
" The village is built on land heretofore owned by Dr. Darling, and has been confined to his
j)urchase, owing to the unwillingness or inability of the Fond du Lac Company to make sales.
During the last season, however, the lands adjoining the town [village] were thrown into the
market, and were purchased by different individuals. Lots can be purchased to suit. settlers, at
reasonable prices, either for places of business or private dwellings. The country round about
is of the most fertile soil, and the land generally taken.
" Our population is chiefly from New England and Western New York, and of such a char-
acter as to invite the stranger to come and dwell among us.'" . -
, Says another writer the same year: " We were not aware, until the last week, of the num-
ber of buildings which are now in a state of forwardness, or under contract to be erected in this
place this season. Upon inquiring, we find that arrangements have already been made for erect-
ing nearly one hundred buildings, among which will be two, if not three, churches ; a large and
commodious court house, one or more public schoolhouses, besides stores, mechanics' shops and
dwellings. Measures are being taken to form a company for the purpose of supplying the vill-
age with pure and wholesome water, from the beautiful spring on the farm of Col. Conklin, by
means of a water-line pipe and reservoir. The distance is about three miles. The annals of
Wisconsin cannot show a village which has sprung up with greater rapidity, or that exhibits a
greater degree of prosperity and enterprise than Fond du Lac."
A writer, on the 22d of September of the following year, says : " The prosperity of Fond
du Lac is steadily advancing, and it promises soon to become one of the most thriving inland
towns [villages] of the Territory. Several commodious buildings are being erected. Mr. Hebert's
new hotel [the building now called the City Hotel] will be a splendid structure when finished —
it is 50 feet long by 40 wide, three stories high, and will be surmounted by a commodious
observatory. * * * The frame of the new Court House was raised last week. It is a mag-
nificent structure, and will be finished in a becoming style by Mr. Isaac Brown, the enterprising
contractor. It is three stories high — the basement of stone to be used as a jail. This is the
-only building in the place which should remain tenantless. May the owls and bats, cats and
rats, forever revel in the halls of its basement."
A Vermonter, who afterward became a prominent citizen of the city of Fond du Lac, sent
the following doggerel to the Burlington, Vt., Free, Press, in August, 1847, which was freely
.used by the Green Mountain newspaper publishers to prevent emigration to Wisconsin :
" Great western waste of bottom land,
Flat as pancake, rich as grease !
Where gnats are full as big as toads,
And skeeters are as big as geese !
"Oh, lonesome, windy, grassy place,
. Where buffaloes »nd snakes prevail ;
The first with ^readful-looking face.
The last with dreadful-sounding tail.
" I'd rather live on camel's rump,
And be a Yankee-doodle beggar,
Than where they never see a stump
And shake to death with fever 'n ager." ,
In August, 1849, the inhabitants were startled with the passage and posting of an ordi-
nance declaring that after that time chimneys of brick or stone must be built in all houses. This
was regarded by many of the villagers as an unwarranted usurpation of power, and they put forth
the opinion that they could build fires under their beds if they wished, or burn down their
HISTORY or FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 571
«hanties without the consent of an upstart village council. But the war on the resolution of the
" upstart council," as the village board of trustees was sarcastically named, soon came to an end,
*nd all new houses were built with chimneys.
No election was held for village officers in the spring of 1850. The necessity for one had
been entirely overlooked. This omission was the butt of numberless gibes by the press of the
Northwest.
The village officers elected for 1848, and at subsequent meetings until the city was incor-
porated, were as follows :
Presidents. — George Mc Williams, 1848 ; J. Bannister, 1849 ; Isaac Brown, 1851 ; D. R.
Curran, 1852.
Trustees. — John C. Lewis, John Bannister, Isaac Brown and J. J. Driggs, 1848 ; A. D.
Bonesteel, M. L. Noble, Isaac Brown and George Williams, 1849 ; Quartus M. Olcott, C. J.
Ooss, M. L. Noble, E. Perkins, M. C. Darling and David R. Curran, 1851 ; W. A. Dewey, F. D.
McCarty, E. H. Galloway, G. F. Brownson, J. B. Wilbor and J. Q. Griffith, 1852.
Treasurers. — Isaac Brown, 1848, resigned March 11, and Selim Newton, appointed his
successor ; William Farnsworth, 1849 ; John Bonnell, 1851 ; Horace W. Newton, 1852.
Clerks.— K. L. Williams, 1848 ; 0. S. Wright, 1849-51, resigned July 29 of that year,
and A. W. Paine was appointed in his stead ; A. H. Boardman, 1852.
Constables.— Z. L. Chapman, 1848-49 ; Charles McCarty, 1851 ; N. C. King, 1852.
CITY OF FOND DTJ LAC INCORPORATED.
The village of Fond du Lac was incorporated as a city in April, 1852. The charter, pre-
viously passed by the Legislature, established the boundaries and divided the territory into two
wards, as it had been before. In 1869, a strip of land forty rods wide was added on the west
and south sides of the city, and eighty rods on the east side, except on the northeast corner,
which left Luco outside of the city.
The description of the city now is as follows: All that district of country included in the
west half of Section 2 and the west half of the east half of Section 2 ; all of Section 3 ; the
■east half of the east half and the east half of the west half of the east half of Section 4 ; the
east half of the east half and the east half of the west half of the east half of Section 9 ; all
of Section 10 ; the west half of Section 11 ; the west half of the east half of Section 11 ; the
fioutheast quarter of the southeast quarter of Section 11 ; all of Sections 14 and 15 ; the east
half of the east half and the east half of the west half of the east half of Section 16 ; the
north half of the north half of the northeast quarter and the northeast quarter of the north-
west quarter of the northeast quarter of Section 21 ; the north half of the north half of the
north half of Section 22 ; and the north half of the north half of the north half of Section
23, in Town 15 north, of Range 17 east, in the Menasha land district.
When first incorporated as a city, there were two wards, called the North and South Wards,
as the village had been divided when incorporated, which form continued for a year, when the
two wards were made three. In 1854, the city was re-districted, and five wards were erected.
These five wards remained intact until the spring of 1875, when they were erected into eight
wards, the present number. The city is governed by a Common Council, consisting of the
Mayor and three Aldermen from each ward, only two of whom can vote in Council meetings.
Aldermen are elected one at a time in each ward, and hold office three years, but they
are entitled to no vote the first year after election. The other officers are a Comptroller, whose
salary is $300 per year ; a City Attorney, whose salary is $550 per year, both elected by the
Council ; a City Treasurer, whose salary is $800, who is elected by popular ballot every spring ;
a City Clerk, elected annually by the Council, whose salary is now $600 per annum, though it
has been higher; a Superintendent of Schools, elected by the Board of Education, whose
salary is $500 per annum ; a Chief of Police, elected by the Council, whose salary is $600 per
annum ; a Chief Fire Marshal, elected by the Council, whose salary is $250 per annum ; a
572 HISTOKY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
City Surveyor, elected by the Council, whose salary is $2 per day for actual service ; a Side-
walk Superintendent, who is appointed by the Council, whose salary is $450 per year, and a
Board of Education, consisting of one Commissioner from each ward, elected annually by the
Council. By an amendment of February 9, 1880, the Board of Health was abolished, and one
Health Officer is now appointed by the Council for one year, in its place. The same amend-
ment gave the City Council power to appoint a Poor Commissioner, a Purchasing Agent and a
Sealer of Weights and Measures.
The city has Constables and Justices of the Peace the sameas any town, but no municipal
or Police Judge. There have been, since 1877, three Justices of the Peace elected at large.
They have jurisdiction over all the minor criminal cases brought before them by the police, and
hold office two years.
All policemen are appointed by the Council. Their pay is $35 per month, with no fees
for serving papers of any kind. The city now has only five policemen besides the Chief, but
there is an agitation in favor of increasing this number.
The Board of Public Works was abolished by an amendment to the charter, and, by
another amendment, which took eflfect in 1879, three Assessors are now elected at large, instead
of one from each ward.
In 1879, the entire city charter was revised by a committee appointed by the Council, but,,
when it had been passed by the Legislature, it was discovered that the city had no Second
Ward^— at least none in the charter. This was rectified by the Legislature of 1880.
At the beginning of 1880, each Alderman was made a Poor Commissioner, but the exper-
iment proved so disastrously burdensome in a financial sense, that a special act was passed, as
before noted, to provide for the election of a Poor Commissioner and a Purchasing Agent.
CITY OBFICERS, 1852 — 1879.
Mayors. — M. C. Darling, 1852 ; George McWilliams, 1853 ; Isaac Brown, 1854 ; M. C.
Darling, 1855; D. E. Hoskins, 1856; Isaac S. Sherwood, 1857; John Bannister, 1858; John
Potter, 1859; E. H. Galloway, 1860; J. M. Taylor, 1861; A. D. Bonesteel, 1862-63; J.
M. Taylor, 1864-65; James Sawyer, 1866; W. H. Hiner, 1867; C. J. L. Meyer, 1868;
John Nichols, 1869 ; T. J. Patchin, 1870; E. N. Foster, 1871-72; Alexander McDonald,
1873; H. H. Dodd, 1874; G. W. Lusk, 1875-76; C. A. Galloway, 1877; Grin Hatch, 1878;
S. S. Bowers, 1879.
Treasurers.— 3. M. Tavlor, 1852; E. H. Galloway, 1853-54; William A. Dewey, 1855;
John Petit, 1856-57; C. L." Pierce, 1858; T. S. Henry, 1859; R. Ebert, 1860-61-62; Louis
Rupp, 1863; R. Ebert, 1864; J. H. Clum, 1865-66-67: R. Ebert, 1868-69; Edward Col-
man, 1870-71; John S. Burrows, 1872-73; J. C. Perry, 1874-75; John Spence, 1876-77;
Byron Town, 1878 ; J. C. Pierron, 1879.
Supervisors. — E. H. Galloway and W. H. Hiner, 1852 ; John Nichols and Jared Chapel,
1853; Isaac Brown, J. M. Taylor and John Peacock, 1854; Henry Conklin, D. E. Hoskins
J. M. Taylor, G. W. Sexmith and E. Delany, 1855; Henry Conklin, A. Carswell, J. M.
Taylor, T. S. Henry and Edmund Delany, 1856 ; Keyes A. Darlmg, W. D. Conklin, C. A.
Rider, George Williams and E. Delany, 1857 ; E. A. Brown, E. S. Bragg, J. M. Taylor,
•John Maginnis, and C. N. Parker, 1858; J. H. Hayford, E. S. Bragg, T. W. Dee, George
Williams and C. R. Harrison, 1859 ; B. Beeson, E. S. Bragg, G. W. Sawyer, R. A. Baker
and C. R. Harrison, 1860; W. D. Sherwood, E. S. Bragg, B. F. Moore, R. A. Baker and M.
Lockwood, 1861 ; John Potter, J. Mathews, John Bonnell, R. A. Baker and James Sawyer,
1862; K. A. Darling, J. Mathews, H. A. Francis, W. M. Phelan and I. Sawyer, 1863; C.
McLean, L. Rupp, P. L. Morse, James Conneughty and C. R. Harrison, 1864 ; A. B. Taylor,
L. Rupp, A. C. Everest, C. B. Crane and James Sawyer, 1865; J. W. Valentine, E. W. Davis,
W. C. Hamilton, S. A. Chase and Charles Lucia, 1866; E. R. Ferris, John Mathews, A. B.
Taylor, S. A. Chase and John Killups, 1867; W. Koehne, B. W. Davis, A. P. Merriman, L.
HISTOEY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 573
'Canfield and E. M. McGraw, 1868; N. 0. Giffiri, C. C. L. Webster, D. W. C. Prest, J. Fitz-
gerald and L. Graves, 1869 ; H. Shattuck, C. L. Ailing, H. P. Brown, W. Reuping and U. D.
Mihills, 1870; William Koehne, John Boyd, H. P. Brown, S. A. Chase and 0. C. Bissell,
1871 (November 13, C. L. Ailing elected to fill vacancy occasioned by the absence of John
Boyd); William Koehne, 0. F. Kalk, S. W. Edson, C. L. Encking and Nathan Parker, 1872 ;
L. R. Lewis, C. F. Kalk, M. W. Simmons, C. A. Galloway and Nathan Parker, 1873 ; T. F.
Mayham, C, L. Ailing, M. W. Simmons, S. A. Chase and John W. Gill, 1874; J. F. M.
Gaertner, C. L. Ailing, John Spence, C. L. Encking, 0. C. Bissell, Leroy Graves, A. Haber-
man and Orin Hatch, 1875; S. S. Bowers, Byron- Town, J. C. Lowell, S. A. Chase, 0. C.
Bissell, Leroy Graves, David Chamberlain and A. G. Little, 1876 ; John Musgat, C. Serwe,
B. F. Moore, C. H. De Groat, J. T. Fontana, J. M. Crippen, John Gallagher and A. T. Little,
1877 ; F. B. Hoskins, of the First, Joseph Radford, of the Second, B. F. Moore, of the Third,
A. H. Bruett, of the Fourth, 0. C. Bissell of the Fifth, George Hunter, of the Sixth, William
Ladewig, of the Seventh, and Martin Kaeding, of the Eighth Ward, 1878 ; T. F. Mayham, of
the First, C. L. Ailing, of the Second, A. B. Taylor, of the Third, A. H. Bruett, of the
Fourth, 0. C. Bissell, of the Fifth, B. F. Sweet, of the Sixth, D. Shaefer, of the Seventh, and
Martin Kaeding, of the Eighth Ward, 1879.
Assessors. — C. J. Goos and John H. Worden, 1852 ; J. M. Taylor and John Case, 1853 ;
Leonard Arnold, J. M. Taylor and J. L. Henry, 1854; Charles Chandler, A. S. Gregory, John
Bonnell, C. J. Goss and W. C. Little, 1855 ; Charles Chandler, W. T. Gibson and William
Little, 1856 ; Isaac Brown, Q. M. Olcott, G. W. Sawyer, George Williams and W. C. Little,
1857 ; Charles Chandler, John B. Wilbor, Isaac Tompkins, Jolm L. Henry and E. Delaney,
1858 ; E. R. Ferris, J. B. Wilbor, C. C. P. Gould, John L. Henry and W. C. Little, 1859 ;
Isaac Brown, John Mathews, C. M. Tompkins, C. D. Gromme and E. Delany, 1860 ; Isaac
Brown, John Mathews. William T. Gibson, William M. Phelan and W. A. Foster, 1861 ; Isaac
Brown, J. B. Wilbor, W. T. Gibson, W. M. Phelan and W. A. Foster, 1862 ; Isaac Brown, E.
W. Davis, C. C. P. Gould, C. Serwe and James Sawyer, 1863 ; E. Delany, C. D. Gromme,
C. A. Rider, E. W. Davis, and E. Beeson, 1864 ; Edward Beeson, E. W. Davis, Stephen Haw-
kins, George Williams and Edward Beaver, 1865 ; David Babcock, E. W. Davis, A. C. Everest,
George Williams and T. T. Miner, 1866 ; D. W. Smith, John Mathews, 0. A. Rider, George
Williams and E. Beaver, 1867 ; W. M. Phalen, 1868-69 ; Harvey Durand, John Mathews, D.
Chamberlain, W. M. Phelan and E. L. Maloney, 1870 ; Harvey Durand, E. W. Davis, D.
Chamberlain, E. Delany and E. L. Maloney, 1871 ; H. Durand, C. L. Ailing, D. Chamber-
-^lain, W. M. Phelan and E. L. Maloney, 1872 ; Harvey Durand, E. W. Davis, D. Chamber-
lain, W. M. Phelan and E. L. Maloney, 1873; Harvey Durand, J. B. Wilbor, David Chamberlain,
W. M. Phelan and E. L. Maloney. 1874 ; Charles Chandler, 0. F. Kalk, N. L. Bullis, W. M.
Phelan, E. L. Maloney, John D. Coon, A. Hammond and Charles Olmsted, 1875 ; Charles
-Chandler, C. F. Kalk, N. L. Bullis, W. M. Phelan, E. L. Maloney, N. N. Bissonnette, Arthur
Hammond and H. Stoldt, 1876 ; Charles Chandler, C. F. Kalk, N. L. Bullis, W. M. Phelan,
P. McMonagle, J. D. Coon, C. R. Young and H. Stoldt, 1877 ; Charles Chandler, James T.
Greene, N. L. Bullis, W. M. Phelan, Pat. McMonagle, J. D. Coon, C. R. Young and H.
.Stoldt, 1878 ; W. M. Phelan, N. L. Bullis, and E. L. Maloney, 1879.
Aldermen. — 1852 — E. H. Galloway, W. H. Hiner, G. F. Brownson, Isaac Tompkins and
•John C. Lewis. 1853 — John Nichols, Kasson Freeman, Josiah Tryon, Jared Chapel, Morgan
L. Noble and R. A. Baker. 1854 — Isaac Brown, John Nichols, Isaac Tompkins, J. M. Tay-
lor, William B. Brand and A. G. Butler. 1855 — Henry Conklin, Z. Rice and A. Raymond,
of the First Ward ; D. E. Hoskins, James Ewen and Peter Rupp, of the Second ; J. M. Tay-
lor, Jason Wilkins and Josiah Tryon, of the Third ; G. W. Sexmith, John Case and A. White,
ot the Fourth, and E. Delany, L. Canfield and William M. Phelan, of the Fifth. 1856— Henry
Conklin, J. W. Valentine and D. W. Smith, of the First Ward ; John B. Wilbor, Allen Cars-
well and Peter Rupp, of the Second ; J. M. Taylor, Carlos A. Rider and Isaac Tompkins, of
the Third ; Thomas S. Henry, B. H. Jones and Hiram Pitcher, of the Fourth, and Edmund
574 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
Delany, C. N. Parker and William M. Phelan, of the Fifth. 1857 — Keyes A. Darling, Francis
D. McCarty and Thomas H. Green, of the. First; William D. Conklin, Lewis Rupp and
Joseph Lawler, of the Second ; C. A. Rider, Thomas W. Dee and R. N. Purdy, of the Third ;
G. Williams, C. N. Snell and D. Pitcher, of the Fourth, and Edmund Delany, C. N. Parker
and T. T. Miner, of the Fifth. 1858— E. A. Brown, F. D. McCarty and A. W. Rider, of
the First ; E. S. Bragg, John Petit and A. J. Reed, of the Second ; J. M. Taylor, E. W,
Drury and G. W. Sawyer, of the Third ; John Maginnis, Riley Shepard, of the Fourth, and C.
N. Parker, C. R. Harrison and James Sawyer, of the Fifth. -1859 — J. H. Hayford, J. W.
Valentine and Lathrop Ellis, of the First; E. S. Bragg, S. E. Lefferts and John Mathews, of
the Second ; Thomas W. Dee, A. C. Everest and R. L. Morris, of the Third ; George Will-
iams, John Case and C. D. Gromme, of the Fourth, and C. R. Harrison, W. C. Little and S. G.
Ogden, of the Fifth. 1860 — Edward Beeson, Joseph Olmsted and T. Roach, of the First Ward ;
E. S. Bragg, A. Carswell and C. L. Ailing, of the Second ; G. W. Sawyer, N. Carroll and D.
A. Raymond, of the Third ; R. A. Baker, James Whitton and Martin Curran, of the Fourth,
and C. R. Harrison, J. B. Johnson and L. Canfield, of the Fifth. 1861 — W. D. Sherwood,
H. P. Olds and A. D. Ward, of the First Ward ; E. S. Bragg, A. Carswell and Peter Rupp,
of the Second ; B. F. Moore, John McKibben and D. C. Lepper, of the Third ; R. A. Baker,
James Conneughty and Christopher Serwe, of the Fourth, and Monson Lockwood, James Saw-
yer, and H. S. Gilbert, of the Fifth. 1862 — John Potter, A. B. Taylor arid James W. Valentine^
of the First Ward ; John Mathews, W. D. Conklin and John Peacock, of the Second ; John
Bonnell, Caspar Buechner and Ira McChain, of the Third ; R. A. Baker, James Conneughty
and William Dougherty, of the Fourth, and James Sawyer, Daniel Roberts and George Hun-
ter, of the Fifth. 1863— K. A. Darling, L. F. Stowe and Thomas Gibson, of the First Ward;
John Mathews, S. A. Dudley and A. L. Crocker, of the Second ; H. A. Francis, P. L. Morse
and J. R. Cole, of the Third ; William M. Phelan, I. S. Tallmadge and W. Dougherty, of the
Fourth, and James Sawyer, George Hunter and M. Lockwood, of the Fifth. 1864 — Campbell
McLean, E. B. Ingram and H. Courtney, of the First Ward ; Louis Rupp, Robert Flint and
S. B. Amory, of the Second; P. L. Morse, A. C. Ev-erest and G. W. Sawyer, of the Third ; J.
Conneughty, Anthony Grisi and John Sewell, of the Fourth, and C. R. Harrison, John Saw-
yer and Daniel Roberts, of the Fifth. 1865 — A. B. Taylor, James W. Valentine and Charles
F. Kalk, of the First Ward ; Louis Rupp, Samuel B. Amory and I. S. Sherwood, of the Sec-
ond ; A. C. Everest, W. C. Hamilton and J. R. Deland, of the Third ; C. E. Crane, G. F.
Brownson and Peter Servatius, of the Fourth, and John Sawyer, W. H. Hiner and L. Beau-
dreau, of the Fifth. 1866 — James W. Valentine, Henry Shattuck and A. D- Ward, of the
First Ward ; E. W. Davis, C. Serwe and J. W. Cunny, of the Second ; W. C. Hamilton, A.
B. Taylor and Nathan Carroll, of the Third ; S. A. Chase, W. D. Davis and Charles Lucia, of
the Fourth, and Daniel Roberts, John B. Killips and W. H. Hiner, of the Fifth. 1867— E.
R. Ferris, L. Holmes and Charles Chandler, of the First Ward ; John Boyd, John Mathews
and C. Serwe, of the Second ; A. B. Taylor, C. J. L. Meyer and J. R. Smith, of.the Third ;
S. A. Chase, D. Trotier and A. H. Bruett, of the Fourth, and John B. Killips, 0. C. Bissell and
T. T. Miner, of the Fifth. 1868— W. Koehne, L. Holmes and W. Shattuck, of the First-
Ward ; E. W. Davis, J. Mathews and C. Serwe, of the Second ; A. P. Merriman, D. W. C.
Priest and C. Branshaw, of the Third ; L. Canfield, P. Servatius and C. Lucia, of the Fourth,
and E. M. McGraw, C. Pierron and GeOrge Hunter, of the Fifth. May 11, 1868, L. Canfield,.
of the Fourth Ward, resigned, and A. J. McDonald was elected to fill the vacancy. 1869 — N.
C. Gifiin, W. Koehne and J. S. Youmans, of the First Ward ; 0. C. L. Webster, M. Curran
and F. Sander, of the Second ; D. W. C. Priest, C. Buechner and W. Bensil, of the Third ; J.
W. Fitzgerald, W. Graves and J. Hebert, of the Fourth, and L. Graves, L. Beaudreau and J.
Gill, of the Fifth. 1870— H. Shattuck, Byron Town and James G. Miller, of the First
Ward; C. L. Ailing, Paul Hauser and B. N' Foster, of the Second; H. P. Brown, J. C.
Wedge and George Kingsbury, of the Third ; W. Rueping, A. Stevely and Louis Pelletier, of
the Fourth, and U. D. Mihills, A. J. Spear and Nathan Parker, of the Fifth. 1871— William
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 575-
Koehne, L. R. Lewis and E. B. Ingram, of the First Ward ; E. W. Davis, George C. Wright
and John Waters, of the Second ; H. P. Brown, S. W. Edson and Thomas Bryant, of the-
Third ; Seth A. Chase, Anthony Servatius and Demas Trotier, of the Fourth, and 0. C. Bis-
sell, L. Coney and Judson Phelps, of the Fifth. E. B. Ingram failing to qualify. Dr. T. F.
Mayham was elected his successor ; February 12, 1872, John Bullis elected from Third Ward
vice Thomas Bryant, resigned. 1872 — William Koehne, L. R. Lewis and C B. Bartlett, of
the First Ward ; C. F. Kalk, J. Waters and C. Serwe, of the Second ; S. W. Edson, C. W.
Kaler and John Spence, of the Third ; C. L. Encking, J. E. Richardson and James Dillon, of
the Fourth, and J. C. Pierron, L. Coney and J. Phelps, of the Fifth. 1873 — L. R. Lewis, J.
C. Perry and E. H. Burnton, of the First Ward ; C. F. Kalk, Joseph Radford and Joseph
Kaiser, of the Second ; S. W. Edson, Henry Hastings and C. W. Kaler, of the Third ; C. A.
Galloway, James Dillon and Charles Wilson, of the Fourth, and Nathan Parker, W. H. Hiner
and L. Coney, of the Fifth. January 12, 1874, W. H. Gilligan elected an Alderman from the
Fifth Ward, vice W. H. Hiner, resigned. 1874— T. F. Mayham, T. S. Nowell and Phillip
Ehrhart, of the First Ward ; C. L. Ailing, James Harlan and Joseph Radford, of the Second;
M. W. Simmons, Henry Hastings and J. B. Kennard", of the Third ; S. A. Chase, James
McTayy and E. Panger, of the Fourth, and John W. Gill, J. C. Pierron and John Dana, of
the Fifth. 1875— Michael O'Connell and John Olmsted, of the First Ward ; C. L. Ailing,
James Gaynor and S. Eudemiller, of the Second ; J. S. Burrows, Jacob Kunze and W. A.
Griffith, of the Third ; C. L. Encking, M. Mangan and Lockwood Canfield, of the Fourth ;
0. C. Bissell, James Whitton and Connor Haley, of the Fifth ; Leroy Graves, Charles Wilson-
and David Carrier, of the Sixth ; A. Haberman, C. Cahill and B. Mulloy, of the Seventh, and
Orin Hatch, Joseph Wurzburger and Martin McDonough, of the Eighth. C. H. Benton
elected from the Second Ward, vice C. L. Ailing, resigned. May 31, 1876. 1876— S. S. Bow-
ers, Jacob Hirsch and Martin Franey, of the First Ward ; Byron Town, John Heath and Will-
iam Connell, of the Second ; J. C. Lowell, Jacob Kunze and D. Y. Sabin, of the Third ;
Michael Mangan, John Crow and Henry Wallichs, of the Fourth ; 0. C. Bissell, Samuel
[Totaling and Anthony Briester, of the Fifth ; Leroy Graves, J. C. Beaudreau and N. Davis, of
the Sixth ; David Chamberlain, W. Ladewig and William Luling, of the Seventh, and A. T.
Little, M. Kaeding and L. Bond, of the Eighth. May 1, 1876, C. E. Scales elected from th&
Third Ward, vice C. Y. Sabin, resigned. 1877 — John Musgat, H. Courtney and John Hirsch,
of the First Ward ; C. Serwe, Joseph Radford and T. S. Weeks, of the Second ; R. M. Lewis,
S. P. Morse and E. F. Dodge, of the Third ; A. Servatius, James Dillon and Thomas J.
Vaughn, of the Fourth ; William Evans, John Conway and P. Briester, of the Fifth ; N.
Davis, F. Grill and M. Prefontaine, of the Sixth ; John Gallagher, William Ladewig and D.
Schaffer, of the Seventh, and A. T. Little, M. Kaeding and L. Bond, of the Eighth. May 7,
R. M. Lewis, of the Third Ward, resigned ; E. N. Korrer elected to the vacancy. 1878^ — F.
B. Hoskins, of the First Ward ; John Heath, of the Second ; E. D. Harris, of the Third ; A»
H. Bruett, of the Fourth ; 0. C. Bissell, of the Fifth ; F. H. Rondo, of the Sixth ; Nathan
Carroll, of the Seventh, and H. W. Newton, of the Eighth. 1879— T. F. Mayham, of the
First Ward ; C. S. Henry, of the Second ; A. B. Taylor, of the Third ; William Schwin-
nen, of the Fourth ; I. Alexander, of the Fifth ; B. F. Sweet, of the Sixth ; John Gallagher,
of the Seventh, and H. G. Desombre, of the Eighth.
Clerks.— W. A.Dewey, 1852; G. W. Sawyer, 1853-54; Edwin A. Brown, 1855; S. D.
Stanchfield 1856-57 ; A. H. Boardman, 1857-59; A. Handt, 1860-61; A. H. Boardraan,
1862-63; Edward Bissell, 1864; G. P. Knowles, 1865; L. Q. Olcott, 1866— resigned Janu-
ary 30, 1868, until when he was repeatedly elected, and J. T. Conklin appointed Clerk, pro
tem, and served until elected for the ensuing term. G. F. Brownson, 1869 ; E. Delany, Jr.,
1870-79.
Police Justices. — Robert F. Winslow, 1857; Josiah Barnett, 1858 ; Edward Bissell, 1867 ;
J. J. Driggs, 1869.
576 HISTORY OP FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
Oity Oomptrollers.— George P. Knowles, 1867-68; C. L. Encking, 1869-70; William C.
■Ogden, 1871; S. M. Smead, 1872; George H. Francis, 1873 ; George Perkins, 1874; W. F.
Bolaiid, 1875-76; H. G. Leonard, 1877-78; James T. Greene, 1879.
Oity Attornei/s. —Jsired Chapel, 1853 ; D. E. Wood, 1855 ; Edward S. Bragg, 1856 ; I.
S. Tallmadge, 1856, also, Gen. Bragg having resigned May 12, of that year; E. S. Bragg
specially retained during the year 1858; Isaac S. Tallmadge, 1860-63; Campbell McLean,
1864; -N. C. Giffin, 1865-67; H. F. Rose, 1868-69; N. C. Giffin, 1.870-71; Robert Flint,
1872; J. W. Bass, 1873; F. 0. Thorp, 1874; N. S. Gilson, 1875; D. W. C. Priest, 1876;
W. H. Hurley, 1877 ; F. F. Duffy, 1878-79.
Oity Surveyors.— E. P. Mackelean, 1853; L. Ellis, 1853-55; W. T. Coneys, 1857-59;
L. Ellis, 1862; W. T. Coneys, 1861; Lathrop Ellis, 1862; John V. De Vry, 1863-65; N.
Boardman, 1866; J. V. De Vry, 1867; N. Boardman, 1868; H. W. Newton, 1870-71; J. V.
De Vry, elected June 26, 1871-72 ; H. W. Newton, 1873; N. Boardman, 1874; H. W. New-
ton, 1875-76; N. Boardman, 1877-78 ; H. W. Newton, 1879.
Earhor ilSfasters.— John L. Henry, 1859; C. E. Crane, 1862; Thomas Moore, 1864; T.
A. Johnston, 1867-68; E. Beaver, 1869-70; no record for 1871 or subsequently, until 1875,
•when the appointment of L. C. Bissell is quoted; C. Johnston, 1876; Moses Robedeau, 1877;
Thomas Moore, 1878-79.
School Oommissioners. — George W. Weikert, J. W. Valentine, E. L. Griffin, James Sawyer,
M. D. Moore, E. S. Bragg, D. A. Raymond, G. F. Brownson, U. D. Mihills and C. A. Gib-
son, 1867. The following Board of Education was appointed in 1868 : W. W. Clark and A.
Raymond, of the First Ward ; Robert Flint and C. F, Kalk, of the Second ; T. S. Wright
and John Maginnis„of the Third ; William W. Phelan and G. F. Brownson, of the Fourth, and A.
J. Spear and 0. Graves, of the Fifth, 1868. A. Raymond, of the First Ward ; S. Eudemiller, of
the Second ; Dr. Lilly, of the Third ; W. Rueping, of the Fourth, and M. Rapp, of the Fifth,
1869. J. H. Sisson, of the First ; W. J. Hart, of the Second ; David Chamberlain, of the
Third ; Alexander White, for term, and A. H. Bruett, to fill vacancy, in the Fourth, and John
Killips, of the Fifth, 1870. V. W. Seeley, of the Fif-st; E. L. Griffin of the Second ; W. C.
Hamilton, of the Third; 0. C. Steinberg, of the Fourth, and J. A. Rappe, of the Fifth, 1871.
T. F. Mayham, of the First ; P. H. Gallagher, of the Second ; D. R. Curran, of the Third ;
Alexander White, of the Fourth, and John W. Gill, of the Fifth, 1872. December 30, Thomas
Riley elected from Second Ward, vice P. H. Gallagher, resigned. F. Dahlem, of the First ;
Paul Hauser, of the Second; W. C. Hamilton, of the Third; 0. C. Steinberg, of the Fourth,
and J. A. Rappe, of the Fifth, 1873. F. B. Hoskins, of the First ; G. W. Lusk, of the Sec-
ond ; D. R. Curran, of the Third ; Rudolph Ebert, of the Fourth, and E. L. Maloney, of the
Fifth, 1874. R. L. Morris, of the First; N. C. Giffin, of the Second; W. C. Hamilton, of
the Third ; W. H. Hurley, of the Fourth ; G. N. Mihills, of the Fifth ; J. D. Coon, of the
Sixth ; J. D. Pitcher, of the Sixth, one year ; Henry Bloedel, of the Seventh ; M. W. Simmons,
of the Seventh, one year ; Henry Stoldt, of the Eighth, and E. B. Ingram, one year, also of
the Eighth, 1875. W. McDermott, elected from the Second, vice Geo. W. Lusk, Mayor elect,
who resigned May 3, 1875 ; C. B. Bartlett, elected from the Eighth, vice Ingram, who failed to
qualify, May 24, 1875. F. B. Hoskins, of the First ; M. D. Moore, of the Second ; H. P.
Brown, of the Third ; M. McKenna, of the Fourth ; E. L. Maloney, of the Fifth ; J. M.
Crippen, of the Sixth ; M. W. Simmons, of the Seventh, and C. B. Bartlett, of the Eighth,
1876. May 7, 1877, M. McKenna, of the Fourth, resigned. John H. Gores appointed to the
vacancy. April 19, 1878, on motion of Aid. Dodge, it was ordered that the members of the
Board holding office from the odd-numbered wards continue to hold their positions for the
ensuing year. T. F. Mayham, George P. Knowles, J. W. Hiner and James Nary, 1879.
Board of Publio Works.— W. C. Hamilton, E. W. Davis and L. Holmes, 1867 ; W. W.
Clark, John Bonnell and W. Rueping, 1868 ; L. Graves, W. Koehne and C. C. L. Webster,
1869; C. J. Ailing, A. J. Spear and H. Shattuck, 1870; James Ewen, William Koehne and
A. Servatius, 1871; William Koehne, William Bensil and Judson Phelps, 1872; W. Parker,
^ym^'A^e^t
^CUje^tjEcC^
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 579
Alexander Hastings and L. R. Lewis, 1873 ; J. L. D. Eyclesheimer, Jacob Frey and F. D.
Scott, 1874. May 4, Peter Rupp was elected a member of the Board of Public Works, viae
Jacob Frey, resigned. None were appoipted in 1875, and the Board was abolished in 1876.
Board of Health.— k. Raymond, W. W. Clark and D. Babcock, of the First, W. Wiley,
John Mathews and E. W. Davis, of the Second, H. M. Lilly, E. Perkins and S. W. Edson,
of the Third, E. Delaney, W. M. Phelan and 0. Morley, of the Fourth, and C. A. Gibson, E.
M. McGraw and G. Q. Campbell, of the Fifth Ward, in 1867 ; L. F. Stowe, of the First, J. Pea-
cock, of the Second, G. W. Sawyer, of the Third, J. Scrwe, of the Fourth, and Dr. Gibson of the
J'ifth Ward, 1868 ; D. W. Smith, of the First, E. L. Griffin, of the Second, H. Meibucher, of the
Third, P. J. Wagner, of the Fourth, and H. Reeves, of the Fifth Ward, 1869 ; George W.
Swift, of the First, Dr. W. Wiley, of the Second, Dr. H. M. Lilly, of the Third, Dr. E. De-
lany, of the Fourth, and Henry Reeves, of the Fifth Ward, 1870 ; Dr. L. West, of the First,
Dr. W. Wiley, of the Second, Dr. E. F. Dodge, of the Third, Dr. E. Delany, of the Fourth,
and E. Beaver, of the Fifth Ward, 1871. November 13, Dr. E. C. Gray elected vice Dr. L.
West, resigned. Dr. T. F. Mayham, of the First, Dr. W. Wiley, of the Second, Dr. E. F.
Dodge, of the Third, Dr. E. Delany, of the Fourth, and Dr. L. C. Fartier, of the Fifth Ward,
1872 ; Dr. E. C. Gray, of the First, Dr. W. Wiley, of the Second, Dr. E. F. Dodge, of the
Third, Dr. E. Delany, of the Fourth, and H. D. Danks, of the Fifth Ward, 1873; Dr. T. F.
Mayham, of the First, Dr. W. Wiley, of the Second, Dr. D. A. Raymond, of the Third, Dr. E.
Delany, of the Fourth, and Dr. Anton Krembs, of the Fifth Ward, 1874; L. F. Stowe of the
First, W. Wiley, of the Second, D. B. Wyatt, of the Third, E. Delany, of the Fourth, W. H.
Gilligan, of the Fifth, C. Johnson, of the Sixth, 0. S. Leonard, of the Seventh, and John
Kehl, of the Eighth Ward, 1875; Dr. T. F. Mayham, of the First, Dr. E. L. Griffin, of the
Second, Dr. D. B. Wyatt, of the Third, Dr. E. Delany, of the Fourth, W. H. Hiner, of the
Fifth, C. Lucia, of the Sixth, 0. S. Leonard, of the Seventh, and John Kehl, of the Eighth
Ward, 1876. July 20, James Whitton, elected from the Fifth vice W. H. Hiner, resigned. Dr.
T. F. Mayham, of the First, Dr. W. Wiley, of the Second, James Ewen of the Third, Dr. E.
Delany, of the Fourth, James Whitton of the Fifth, Camille Ltieia, of the Sixth, 0. S. Leon-
.ard, of the Seventh, and F. Bussewitz, of the Eighth Ward, 1877 ; Dr. T. F. Mayham, of the
First, Dr. J. H. McNeel, of the Second, Dr. D. B. Wyatt, of the Third, Dr. E. Delany of
the Fourth, James Whitton, of the Fifth, Peter Wilbert, of the Sixth, H. Gundelach, of the
Seventh, and F. Bussewitz, of the Eighth Ward, 1878 ; M. Mangan, of the First, Dr. E. L.
•Griffin, of the Second, Dr. D. B. Wyatt, of the Third, Dr. E. Delany, of the Fourth, P. J.
Breister, of the Fifth, A. Babedeau, of the Sixth, William Deheurt, of the Seventh, and F.
Bussewitz, of the Eighth Ward, 1879.
Justices of the Peace. — George Williams, Morgan L. Noble, Isaac Brown and C. A.
Rider, 1852 ; J. J. Driggs and G. W. Sexmith, 1853 ; J. J. Driggs, L. Hazen, W. J. Wal-
lace and George Williams, 1854 ; J. J. Driggs, Joseph Stowe, Parley Giltner, C. A. Rider, A.
F. Peabody, C. 0. Hurd and E. Delany, 1855 ; Josiah Barnett, J. Y. Westervelt, Royal Buck,
George Williams and T. T. Miner, 1856 ; John J. Driggs, Louis Goldstucker, C. A. Rider, C.
■0. Hurd and Edmund Delany, 1857 ; George Williams, 1858 ; J. J. Driggs, W. C. Kellogg,
E. Bissell, B. T. Midgley and E. Delany, 1859 ; J. J. Driggs, W. 0. Kellogg, Edward Bissell,
B. T. Midgley and E. Delany, 1863 ; J. J. Driggs, L. Goldstucker, E. Bissell, George Will-
iams and E. Beaver, 1867 ; J. J. Driggs, L. Goldstucker, E. Bissell, George Williams and E.
Beaver, 1869 ; S. L. Brasted,~1870 ; V. W. Seeley, L. Goldstucker, John Bullis and Frank
Rice, 1872; E. Delany and F. G. Rice, 1873: J. J. Driggs, W. D. Conklin, W. E. Angell,
Richard Dix and B. S. Phelps, 1874 ; A. W. Reader, W. D. Conklin ; Edward Bissell, L. Gold-
stucker, H. D. Danks, Robert Potter, Martin Gill and J. V. De Vry, 1875 ; George Pier, H. E.
Connitt and L. R. Lewis, 1876 ; L. Goldstucker, H. B. Eastman and S. L. Brasted, 1877-79.
Comtahles.—W. H. Yaw and N. C. King, 1852 ; Frank Gerland and C. 0. McCarty,
1853; George Croft, Z. L. Chapman and Robert Atkinson, 1854; Robert B. Holmes, D.
Sickles, E. De Land, Samuel Fowler and John N. Curtis, 1855 ; Joseph Olmsted, David Sickles,
580 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
J. H. Fancher, Samuel Fowler and W. Allen, 1856 ; Hiram Lindsley, David Sickles, John
Shannon, W. Alseaver and W. H. Bruce, 1857 ; Hiram Lindsley, David Sickles, H. M. Snow,
John Dobyns and T. A. Johnson, 1858 ; H. Lindsley, D. Sickles, L. Shannon, John Dobyns
and R. Rawlings, 1859 ; George Barnett, M. O'Halloran, Reuben Lindly, John Dobyns and
P. A. Maloney, I860; William Sealey, M. O'Halloran, Reuben Lindly, John Dobyns and.
Patrick A. Maloney, 1861; Wm. Sealey, M. O'Halloran, E. H. Harrington, E. T. Midgley and
W. R. Allen, 1862 ; W. Sealey, M. O'Halloran, Eli De Land, Herman Walther and D. W.
Wilson, 1863 ; William Sealey, David Sickles, Eli De Land, P. Hanchy and John Tate, 1864 ;
L. S. Allen, Charles McKinney, Eli De Land, Thomas Dobyns and John Denny, 1865;
Charles McKinney, Peter CofFee, Eli De Land, Thomas Dobyns and P. A. Maloney, 1866 ; C
McKinney, W. W. Howe, Eli De Land, Thomas Dobyns and R. Jewson, 1867 ; C. McKinney,
W. Howe, E. De Land, T. Dobyns and George Stevens, 1868 ; William Sealey, W. W. Howe,
E. De Land, Thomas Dobyns and George Stevens, 1869 ; B. T. Miller, W. W. Howe, Eli De
Land, Thomas Dobyns and George Stevens, 1870 ; Michael Roach, W. W. Howe, E. De Land,
Thomas Dobyns and Fred Ellsworth, 1872 ; George A. Temple, 1873 ; B. T. Miller, W. W.
Howe, Eli De Land, John Flood and Joseph Joubert, 1874 ; John G. Baizier, W. W. Howe,
Warren Green, Anton Bach, A. G. Purdy, Edward Larow, Eli De Land and A. Raymond, 1876 ;
John C. Kenealy, N. La Mouche and James Cofrin, 1877 ; none elected in 1878 ; J. C. Ken-
eally, N. La Mouche and J. Hartnett, 1879.
Sealers of Weights and Measures. — A. B. Taylor, 1865 ; S. Oberich, 1867-71 ; John,
Reinig, 1872. No record for 1873-74. Robert Mentzel, 1875. No incumbent of record 1876.
Adolph Mentzel, 1877-78 ; Luther Holmes, 1879.
Jlay and Wodd Inspector. — John Bonnell, 1869-70 ; William Kaler, 1871 ; H. Bruyere,
1872 ; L. L. Lowry, 1873. Office abolished January 6, 1873.
Street Superintendents.— A. C. Everest, 1867 ; J. Bonnell, 1868-69 ; C. L. Ailing, 1870.
No record for 1871 or subsequently. The revised charter, adopted in the spring of 1879, provides
for a Sidewalk Superintendent, and S. A. Smith was the officer.
Municipal Judges. — E. Bissell, long term ; W. D. Conklin, short term, 1871. William
D. Conklin, 1873. Office abolished at the expiration of William D. Conklin's term of office.
Marshals.— G. N. Snell, 1852 ; F. P. Humiston, 1853 ; John Case, 1854 ; J. W. Bowen,
1855; Daniel Banks, 1856 ; Charles Arlen, 1857-58 ; E. S. Hammond, 1859 ; B. T. Midgeley,
1860; C. Van Norder, 1861 ; John Dobyns, 1862-64 ; Philip Zipp, 1865; Louis Ladoux, 1866.
Office abolished.
Chiefs of Police.— James T. Conklin, 1867-68 ; James O'Connell, 1869 ; I. N. Welch,^
1870-71 ; James Swineford, 1872-73 ; Timothy Hardgrove, 1874 ; G. A. Kretlow, 1875-80.
School Superintendents. — E. Hodges, 1852-55 ; Robert A. Baker, 1856 ; George B. East-
man, 1857-59 ; David E. Wood, 1860 ; G. B. Eastman, 1861-64 ; N. C. Griffin, 1865 ; ().
C. Steinberg, 1866-67, and a portion of 1868; G.F. Brownson, balance of 1868; T. S.
Wright, 1869-71 ; V. W. Seeley and, A. C Barry, 1872; V. W. Seeley, 1873; C. N. Hutch-
ins, 1874-80.
t CITY 01' POND DC LAC A QUARTBK OF A CENTURY AGO.
A writer in 1854 gives this description of the cityof Fond du Lac : " At the charter elec-
tion, held at the Court House April 6, 1852, Mason C. Darling was elected to the office of
Mayor ; J. M. Taylor, Treasurer ; W. A. Dewey, Clerk ; C. N. Snell, Marshal, and E. Hodges,
Superintendent of Schools. In 1853, G. Mc Williams .was elected Mayor; E. H. Galloway,
Treasurer ; G. W. Sawyer, Clerk ; F. P. Humiston, Marshal, and E. Hodges, Superintendent
of Schools. In 1854, Isaac Brown was elected Mayor; E. H. Galloway, Treasurer; G. W.
Sawyer, Clerk ; John Case, Marshal ; B. Hodges, Superintendent of Schools.
" The city is situated on the Fond du Lac River, the mouth of which furnishes a conven-.
lent harbor for steamboats and other craft traversing the waters of Lake Winnebago. The prin-
cipal business part of the city is upon the east side of the river, and more than a mile from the
Lake. Upon the west side of the streaim, is a beautiful grove of sugar maple and other forest-
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 681
trees, in which pleasant retreat are numerous private residences, splendid and tasteful gardens,
and one elegant church edifice, erected by the Baptist denomination in 1853. The Rock River
Valley Union Railroad, with its depots and machine-shops, is on the west side of the river.
" Surrounding the most populous part of the city are thousands of acres of unbroken
prairie, over which freely roam vast herds of cattle and horses, luxuriating and fattening upon the
rich prairie grass, and rank clover, which are sufficiently abundant to supply hundreds more of
cattle and hqrses without inducing a scarcity of food. This wide expanse is occasionally dotted
with the elegant mansion of the man at ease, but more frequently with the habitations of the
humble toilers. Mechanics of small means, who labor in the city, prompted by the desire for a
'home of their own,' select locations where lots can be purchased at comparatively low prices,
erect dwelling-houses, and thus add inducements to others, and to the value of the surrounding
lands. Almost every week witnesses not only numerous buildings erecting upon the principal
streets, but new settlements within the bounds of the city.
" This city, being surrounded by one of the most fertile and interesting farming countries in
the State, with the peculiar advantages of its location, has required no forced efibrt to secure ita
rapid growth. Its natural and easy connection with the ' pineries ' is, of itself; a mine of wealth..
Lumber and all kinds of timber for building can be obtained in the city almost with as little dif-
ficulty as in the forest where it grows. The limestone ledge stretches along the whole length of'
the city, within three miles from which the best of stone may be easily quarried for building,
flagging, and for burning lime, and in quantity sufficient to build a second Chinese wall. The
great fountain of most delicious water which underlies the whole city, struggles for vent, and
pours a grateful stream of health and comfort for as many as will approach it.
" The natural channel for communication through Lake Winnebago and Fox River to the
Great Lakes, and through the latter to the Atlantic cities, connected with the inherent wealth of
the city, forms a combination of advantages seldom found in one place, and have led far-seeing
and sagacious business men to make investments in Fond du Lac, not for purposes of specula-
tion, but for permanent residences and thorough business transactions. And, although the city
has not grown with the rapidity which has marked the progress of many Western places, it has,
been continually increasing with steady pace, in population and enterprise, measuring its busi-
ness by the legitimate wants .of the population ; hence, it has never suflFered the paralytic influ-
ence of re-action from feverish excitements. The prosperity of each year has given its successor
momentum, until, with its increased ratio of progress, it is becoming a city of no small impor-
tance. Eastern capitalists already manifest their shrewd forecast by purchasing real estate in
Fond du Lac. Mechanics of all kinds here find ready employment and high prices for labor.
Many of the buildings erected in the early growth of the city were constructed on the principle
of securing the greatest amount of room with the least possible expense. The present season
[1854] witnesses the erection of noble structures of stone, brick and cement.
" There are at present four school districts in the city. District No. 4 embraces more than
half the population of the place. It has a spacious and well-constructed schoolhouse, a library
filled with well-selected volumes, a small cabinet of geological specimens, outline maps and
other useful apparatus for giving instruction. The yard is enriched and ornamented with shade
trees, and has a fountain of water. The schqoil is graded, consisting of a primary, an interme-
diate, and a higher departipent. A well-qualified teacher is employed in each about ten months
during the year, and in the winter the Principal has an assistant in the higher department.
There is no school in this section of the State better adapted to give a thorough English educa.
tion to the youth of both sexes than this. It gives to all the children of the district the advan-
tages of a school of a high order, and furnishes the surrounding country with some of its most
approved and successful teachers. It is truly one of the noblest institutions of this thriving
city. The other three districts have hitherto maintained separate schools upon the unclassified
plan, but have recently agreed to unite, and establish a school of the first order. When that is
accomplished, Fond du Lac may justly be proud of the educational advantages which are afibrded
to all the children of the city, without regard to wealth or caste. There are in the city about
582 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC QOUNTY.
nine hundred children, between the ages of four and twenty years, most of whom attend the pub-
lic schools a portion of the year. The amount expended for school purposes in 1853 was
$2,072.31.
" The Wisconsin Female Seminary was established in the year 1853, by Rev. 0. W. Cooley
and wife, at the city of Fond du Lac. The object of its founders was to secure to the young
ladies who should avail themselves of its advantages, a liberal, finished and Christian education.
The institution passed the ordeal of its first term with encouraging success, and has commenced
its second term with cheering prospects for the future.
" The church edifices in the city are one Roman Catholic, one Episcopal, two Methodist
Episcopal, one Congregational and one Baptist. The Catholic and Congregational have both
been enlarged since their erection, but the increase of population has increased their congrega-
tions beyond their capacity for accommodation, and larger structures are demanded. The others
were more recently erected, and are yet equal to the wants of the worshipers. There is a Free-
will Baptist Church, but they have not a house of worship ; they occupy the Union Schoolhouse.
There are now eight resident clergymen, whose talents and usefulness will compare favorably with
their brethren of other cities.
" The Catholic church was organized in 1848, with about thirty members, under the
administration of Father Rerhl, who resided at that time in Calumet. But, as their numbers
increased, they built a Church edifice, and the congregation was watched over by Father
Anthony Godfert, who, after staying three years, was succeeded by Father Louis Dael, who is
now [1854] in charge. The church now numbers about two thousand members, thoagh not all
residents of the city.
" St. Patrick's Temperance Society was organized on the 17th of March, 1854, with about
fifteen members. It now numbers 250, not one of whom has broken the pledge. They hold
their meetings the first of each month, when an address is delivered by some one of the mem-
bers. The Catholics are about erecting a spacious church edifice 130 feet long and 60 feet
wide, to be built of stone. They intend to have it completed the present year.
"The first regular missionary of the Methodist Episcopal Church, who prea,ched in Fond
du Lac County, was Jesse Halsted, who formed a class in Taycheedah, in 1842. In 1848,
Rev. Harvey Bronson organized the M. E. Church in the village of Fond du Lac, with six
members. The Presiding Elders to the present time [1854] have been W. H. Sampson, W. Wilcox
and W. G. Miller. The Pastors have been H. Bropson, Joseph Lewis, M. L. Noble, H. R. Col-
man, H. Requa, J. S. Prescott, E. Tucker and E. S. Grumley. There was a second church
formed in the North Ward in 1852. The South, Ward church now numbers [1854] 138.
" The first Baptist Church of Fond du Lac was instituted May 21, 1845, with eight mem-
bers. H. Hovey, W._ H. Card and S. Cornelius, Jr., have successively been Pastors of the
church. Since the settlement of the present Pastor, a commodious and convenient house of
worship has been erected through his persevering efibrts, at a cost of $3,000. The present
number of members [1854] is about seventy.
" The Congregational Church, the largest Protestant church in the city, was organized by
Rev. Stephen Peet, July 20, 1845. It consisted at its organization of nine members. In
September, 1846, Rev. L. C. Spafford assumed the pastoral charge of the church, and continued in
that relation until the autumn of 1852. In 1849, a house of worship was erected, at a cost of
$900. When Mr. Spafford left the church, it numbered some seventy-five members. In June,
1853, Rev. Silas Hawley, Jr., of the presbytery of Geneva, N. Y., became Pastor of the church.
In the autumn ensuing, such was the increase of the congregation, that a large addition was
made to the house of worship. But such has been, and is still [1854], the crowded state of
their house, that the members are about to erect one of the largest and finest church edifices
in the State. It will accommodate at least 1,000. They have an architect now East to pro-
cure the best model. During the brief pastorate of Mr. Hawley, there has been an increaee of
the members of the church of seventy-five pprsons.
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 583
" St. Paul's Church of Fond du Lac was organized September, 4, 1849. The number of
communicants at that time was four ; at the present time [1854], forty -four. The edifice was
completed and consecrated July 18, 1852. Rev. Joshua Sweet became Rector of the parish
September 4, 1849, and resigned June 24, 1854.
"There are now [1854] in the city of Pond du Lac nine physicians, two dentists, sixteen
lawyers, two landscape and portrait painters, three daguerrean artists, two joiner-shops, five car-
riage factories, five tin-shops, three saddle and harness shops, one tallow chandlery, eight boot
and shoe stores, one brewery, four cooper-shops, one billiard-room, three saloons, thirteen gro-
ceries where liquors are sold, thirteen grocery and provision stores, one jewelry and music store,
one gun and ammunition store, five blacksmith-shops, three livery stables, two cabinet and chair
factories, one book-bindery, three bakeries, thirteen dry-goods stores, one leather store, two hat
and cap stores, two drug stores, four clothing stores, two tailor-shops, one candy factory, three
meat markets, one plow factory, one fanning-mill shop, three bookstores, one music store, two
oil and glass stores, one tobacco and cigar factory, one cap factory, two barber-shops, one paint-
shop, one water-power saw-mill, one sash, door and blind factory, two steam saw-mills, one
steam-power planing machine, six millinery stores, eight hotels, one bank, one bank of exchange
and brokerage, twelve lumber merchants, two hardware stores, one jewelry store, and one county
jail without an occupant.
"Between the opening of the spring and July 10, 1854, there were erected in the city of
Fond du Lac, ninety-seven new buildings. There were between 250 and 300 mechanics em-
ployed in the place, besides the common day laborers. The annual sales of several of the lead-
ing dry-goods houses average about $30,000 each; the grocery and provision stores, $10,000;
clothing stores, $10,000, and hardware, $35,000. The annual sales of each of the tin and
stove stores average about $10,000, and of meat markets, $10,000. The amount of lumber
sold annually is estimated at over 12,000,000 feet. About 6,000,000 shingles are manufactured
and sold each year. The population of the city is estimated at a fraction less than 5,000.
Since 1850 [to 1854], the capital and business of the place have increased in a higher ratio
than the population, which has £^t least doubled. In the mean time, the resident lawyers have
decreased about forty per cent, and places for the sale of intoxicating drinks, about fifty per cent.
These, together with the fact that in the county jail there is not a prisoner, are encouraging tokens
that the civilization and morality of the city are improving. There are four daily mails to Fond
du Lac, and eight weekly and tri-weekly mails. Since the post office was established in 1838,
it has been in charge of John Bannister, M. C. Darling, Thomas Green, J. A. Eastman, Sam-
uel Ryan, Jr., G. W. Tompkins and G. W. Weikert. Its present revenues [1854] are $1,824.
There are received at the office weekly, seventy-five mails, and the same number made up,
besides the distribution of twenty-five bags of newspapers."
FOND DU LAC POST OFFICE.
The first post office was opened and kept by Colwert Pier, in the Fond du Lac Company's
log house, before he had a commission and before there was any regular mail or mail carrier.
He was the first Postmaster, and received the first mail on the 5th of February, 1888, which
was brought by Baptiste Lavigne, a half-blood Frenchman. Thereafter, mail was received and
sent once in two weeks, and consisted mostly of papers from the East, and letters which had no
envelopes, but were dexterously folded aad either sewed with thread or sealed with wax. The
revenue of the office did not exceed, during the first year, $1.50. Mr. Pier kept for his neigh-
bors parcels of mail sent from Green Bay, before this time.
The second Postmaster was John Bannister, who kept the office in the same log building.
He was made richer by the trust at the rate of $3 per year. He became Postmaster soon after
the death of Colwert Pier's wife in the spring of 1838, and continued to hold the office about a
year. In the meantime, a new mail-carrier had succeeded Baptiste Lavigne, whose name was
Narcisse Baudoin. He was a swarthy and tireless half- Frenchman, who brought the mail once
a week. He never failed, no matter what the condition of the roads or weather.
584 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
Mr. Bannister was succeeded by Dr. M. C. Darling, who removed the office from the Com-
pany's house to his own house, on the corner of First and Main streets, where Darling's Block
now stands. He continued to hold it until a mail contract was secured, when he resigned, and
Thomas Green, who was keeping hotel for Dr. Darling, on the corner of Main and: First streets,
was appointed in 1842.
John A. Eastman, now of Benton Harbor, Mich., succeeded Mr. Green in 1845, and held
the office until April, 1849. The post office proper was a small blue desk, furnished by the
Government, which could be carried under the arm. Mr. Eastman removed the office to his
law office, which stood about half-way between First and Second streets, on the west side of
Main;
In April, 1840, Samuel Ryan was appointed by President Taylor to the office to succeed
John A. Eastman, being the first Whig Postmaster of Fond du Lac. He moved to a building
just north of what is now Baker's Bank, on the east side of Main, near the head of Forest street.
In September, 1850, C. M. Tompkins was appointed Postmaster, and he removed the office
to Davis & Tompkins' little law office, between First and Second streets, on the west side of
Main. This was by far tod small for the business, which was soon after, in 1851, moved to the
Lewis House, on the corner of Main and Sheboygan streets, where the Patty House now
stands.
In 1852, Franklin Pierce was elected President, and, as Mr. Tompkins did not expect a
re-appointment, being a Whig, he resigned in favor of his partner, Alexander Davis, who was
a Democrat. This scheme was defeated by Congressman John B. Macy, in the winter of
1852-53, before the inauguration of Pierce, and George W. Weikert was appointed. After a
time, the office was removed by him to what is now Fuerstnow's building, on the west side of
Main street, two doors below Division.
- In May, 1861, J. C. Lewis was appointed Postmaster by President Lincoln, and the office
moved to the rear of the wooden building then used by the First National Bank, on the corner
of Forest and Main streets,the entrance being on Forest. Mr. Lewis was re-appointed in 1865,
but resigned in May, 1866, and James M. Gillet, now deceased, was appointed to succeed him
by Andrew Johnson, but was removed in the fall of the same year. Edward S. Bragg, a Dem-
ocrat, was appointed to succeed Mr. Gillet.
Early in 1867, R. M. Lewis' name was sent to the Senate by the President of the United
States ; but it was afterward withdrawn, only to be sent in again April 19, 1867. At the second
nomination, Mr. Lewis was immediately confirmed. Just before Mr. Lewis' appointment, the
office was moved by Mr. Bragg to the Amory Block, corner of Macy and Division streets.
In May, 1869, James Colemain was appointed by President Grant to succeed Mr. Lewis.
He moved the office into the present quarters, on the corner of Forest and Macy streets, Novem-
ber 1, 1873. He was succeeded by J. H. Hauser, in March, 1877. About the middle of October,
1879, Mr. Hauser was removed, and, on the 22d of the month, Thomas W. Spence, who now
holds the office, took possession.
The present post-office building was erected by W. C. Hamilton in 1873, especially for the
purpose for which it is now used. It is a three-story structure of brick, complete in every
respect, and of ample proportions.
In July, 1865, a money-order department was. established, but its transactions at that
time amounted to but very little. Nowit is one of the most important branches of the service.
In 1838, the Fond du Lac Post Office ha4 a revenue of less than $3 per year, and received and
sent mail once in two weeks. Now the revenues are $15,000 per year, and 130 mails are sent
and received each week. The number of pieces of mail dropped into the office in 1877 was
1,576 per day ; in 1879, the number was 2,617 pieces per day. This is not included in mail
matter brought from surrounding offices.
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 585
Fluff DEPAETMBNT.
The first step taken to protect the village from fires was in March, 1848, when John Ban-
nister and A. L. Ellsworth were appointed Fire Wardens. In May, of the following year, the
■citizens sent a petition before the Council, or Board of Village Trustees, asking that a suitable fire
engine be purchased. The petition was laid on the table with dispatch, and a resolution passed
that three Fire Wardens be appointed for the ensuing year. E. W. Davis, W. A. Dewey and
C. A. Goss. were appointed such ofiicers, and their duties prescribed. They were to "take
charge of all fires," and give orders to citizens and bucket companies engaged in fighting flames.
But they could not demolish any fence or building at any fire without an order from two of the
Village Trustees. This, although not intended as a joke, was bandied about as such. The
ridiculous features of the matter were made prominent by the waggish citizens, who declared that
if a fire should occur in the night, when the village ofiicers were asleep, or at a time when they were
absent from their platce of business, everything adjoining the fire must of necessity be allowed to
burn, as no consent could be had to demolish such property as might prevent further spreading
ofthefiames.
It was also ordered by the Trustees that any person refusing to obey the Fire Wardens,
should be fined $5 and costs, and that a similar fine should be imposed on all persons who
neglected to keep open a scuttle-hole in their houses, or provide ladders which would reach the
roof.
On the 3d of September, 1849, a meeting of the citizens of the village was held for the
purpose of organizing a bucket company, to consist of not less than thirty members. E. W.
Davis was chosen Chairman, and J. Hall, Secretary. E. Perkins and J. Hall were appointed a
committee to secure pledges of those who were willing " to dip, stand in line and pass it, or
throw water." The company was finally organized, and buckets, hooks and ladders were pro-
cured by the city. These buckets were of leather, with peculiar bails. The bottoms and seams
were stitched with " waxed ends," making a very strong receptacle, which would suffer no injury
from harsh or careless handling.
There was an order promulgated, that, in case of fire, any pails or buckets oflered for sale
could be seized by the bucket company, and, in several instances, G. N. Lyman's store, as well
as others, were emptied of their pails in short order. If any were damaged or lost, prompt pay-
ment was made to the owner.
The company, which was composed of some of the foremost citizens of the place, had many
opportunities to " dip, stand in line and pass it, or throw water." On one occasion, a line was
formed from the block on the east side of Main street, between First and Second, to the river.
The thermometer was 22° below zero, and, when the buckets contained any water at all at the
end of the line next to the fire, it was frozen to either the outside or inside of them. Very little
could therefore be done to stay the flames, although a score or more worked until their hands,
noses or ears were frozen. This opened the eyes of the inhabitants to the necessity of obtaining
a good fire engine as a more effective means of extinguishing fires, and the matter was freely
discussed. Discussion seems to have been a favorite pastime of those days, for, during the next
two years, nothing else was done in the way of furnishing further protection against destructive
fires. Finally, in 1854, the City Council authorized K. A. Darling to go East and purchase a
fire engine. At Troy, N. Y., he found and purchased for $2,800 a hand-engine, which for that
sum was delivered at Fond du Lac in October, 1854. The next month, the organization of a
fire company was begun.
Washington Volunteer Company, No. 1. — The first meeting to organize a fire com-
pany was held in the rear of Darling, Wright & Co.'s bank, on the corner of Main and First
streets, and was attended by K. A. Darling, George W. Sawyer, C. N. Snell, Thomas H. Green,
D. W. C. Wright, L. F. Stowe, Edward Farnsworth, C. L. Pierce and C. M. Bowen. They
elected K. A. Darling as Foreman ; C. N. Snell, First Assistant, and Thomas H. Green, Second
586 HISTOKY Or FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
Assistant Foreman ; L. F. Stowe, Captain of the Hose Company, and George W. Sawyer, Sec-
retary. They assumed the name of " Washington Volunteer Company, No. 1," and were formally
accepted by the Council as such, on the 18th day of December, 1854. John B. Wilbor was
immediately ordered to make uniforms, and everything was pushed with energy.
This was the pioneer fire company of Fond du Lac, and composed the entire Fire Depart-
ment of the city at that time. The "machine," as the first hand-engine was popularly desig-
nated, was an object of curiosity for some time, and nearly everybody in the city would have
joined the company if they could have done so. The maximum number of fifty was easily
obtained, and was composed of such as the following : D. Everett Hoskins, C. F. Kalk, E. A.
Carey, Allan Carswell. E. A. Brown, C. Childs, Thomas S. Weeks, James W. Partridge, N. L,
Bullis, A. B. Taylor, George Burrows, George Burrows, Jr., Thomas Heathcote, Jerome Gib-
son, John S. Burrows, T. W. Dee, John J. Metzgar, Louis Rupp, Charles Chandler, Dana C. Lamb,
W. A. Tanner, Louis Darling, A. T. Little, 0. D. Cory, S. A. Dudley, John B. Wilbor, C. N.
Kendall, Henry Shattuck, Asa Pierce, T. G. Adams, I. K. Hamilton, William Burrows, D. R.
Curran, S. E. Lefi"erts, C. H. Tuttle, J. H.' Gibson, D. C. Hutchinson, C. L. Ailing, Oscar
Bonnell, David Sickles, Delos A. Ward, J. C. Lowell, Mr. Windecker, Volney Chapman, John
J. Beeson, L. W. Parmelee, John C. Kennealy, J. M. Taylor, J. G. Miller, A. G. Butler, A. P.
Swineford, E. H. Little, F. N. Violet, L. F. Stowe^ David Palmer, John Bonnell, William Sealey^
Isaac S. Sherwood, C. M. Bowen, J. V. Frost, Fred Spink, C. L. Pierce,' J. W. Benson, B. J,
Hodges, John Warner, H. J. Hopkins.
The company has served under the following foremen: Keves A. Darling, D. E. Hoskins,.
I). W. C. Wright, C. L. Pierce, Thomas W. Dee, Charles Chandler, A. T. Little, J. W. Benson,
W. G. Curtis, Thomas Heathcote, D. R. Curran, J. G. Miller, E. J. Hodges, L. W. Parmelee,
John C. Kennealy and John Davis.
It was a lively company, as many of its members were large property-owners and tax-pay-
ers, and took great interest in arriving at as great efficiency as possible. The engine in use was
a " hand engine " in every respect, the pumps being worked by " brakes," which were churned
up and down, and drag-ropes were attached, by which man-power was applied to haul it to and .
from fires. The city had few reservoirs when the company was first formed, and water was
Slicked out of the nearest pond or hole in case of fire. Frequently mud or rubbish would clog
the pumps, although the nozzle was of unusual size. At the burning of Alexander White's
house, late one fall, the machine was planted near a neighboring marsh-hole, which contained
great numbers of frogs, newts and water animals. These were sucked up, and sent reeling and
sprawling through the air and into the fire, greatly to the amusement of the assembled crowd.
At first the company had no engine-house, but one was soon built on First street, where the
old Hook and Ladder house is located. In 1861, the building was moved to the west side of
Main street to the lot next to the present American House. Two years later it was moved to-
the south side of West Second street, where it remained until destroyed by fire on the 22d day
of December, 1865. The company had nicely furnished rooms, the portraits of all the members
— those of the soldier members who never returned from the battle-fields being especially prized
— and a fine set of band instruments. These, with records, clothing and miscellaneous articles,
fine banners presented for valorous services on various occasions, were all destroyed. The engine
was saved, and a temporary building was soon after erected on Second street, where the brick
engine-house belonging to the self-propeller now stands. The citizens gave promptly and liber-
ally ; Winnebago Company, No. 3, donated $50, and a grand ball was given by the business men
which placed the company in possession of such means as sufficed to furnish the room anew and
secure another set of band instruments. During its entire existence, balls were held annually on
Washington's Birthday, which not only replenished the company's treasury, but were occasions
of social enjoyment, the best people of the city being either members of the company or friends
or relatives of members.
The City Council from the beginning voted $2 annually to each mepiber, and in
1867 the Legislature passed a bill to exempt all active firemen from taxation. This never took
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAO COUNTY. 58T
efifefit, being unconstitutional, and the Council then increased the firemen's alimony to $1
each per month. This was continued until the Fire Department was re-organized and its mem-
bers hired and paid regular wages by the city.
The company participated in several tournaments, always with credit, and was called twice
to Oshkosh, where it did excellent service and won much praise.
Washington Volunteer Company, No. 1, composed in part of men who were gray-headed
and the prime movers in securing its organization, finally disbanded in 1878, after twenty-four
years of continuous and faithful service.
The old " No. 1 Band," which furnished music for balls and other entertainments, consisted
of I. N. Welch, G. W. Sawyer, A. W. Chapman, Thomas Heathcote, J. G. Miller, W. G.
Hooker, Jerome Gibson, J. W. Byam and David Sickles.
Fountain City Company No. 2. — In May, 1857, a second fire company, under the name of
" Fountain City, No. 2," was organized, with James W. Partridge, Foreman, Edward S. Bragg,
First Assistant; J. V. McCall, Second Assistant, W. T. Coneys, Third Assistant, and Milton
Ewen, Captain of the Hose Company. This company had a Button hand-engine. It was a
lively and energetic organization, and did noble service at home and at Oshkosh.
Winnebago Fire Company, No. S. — This company was organized May 16, 1857, with
Charles R. Harrison, Foreman ; Alexander White, First Assistant ; W. B. Morgan, Second
Assistant; John S. McDonald, Secretary and Treasurer. This was more of a "Lower Town "
company. It was officered by some of the leading men of the city. In 1866, this company got
the "A. B. Taylor" steamer and turned its old Button hand-engine over to a new company
then in process of organization.
In 1857, the County Board voted $100 to the members of the Fire Department for saving
the Court House from burning.
Fire Engine Company, No. 4-. — When Winnebago, No. 3, purchased a steamer, this company
was organized, December 10, 1866, to take and use the old hand-engine the Winnebagoes dis-
carded. The first officers were Frank Seympre, Foreman ; C. H. Tuttle, First Assistant ; Ed.
Seymore, Second Assistant, and Solon W. Edson, Secretary.
-^tna Fire Company, No. 5. — In 1874, the City Council purchased the self-propeller "Alex-
ander White " for Washington Company, No. 1. A company called -Sltna, No. 5, was then
organized to take No. I's discarded steamer, October 25, 1874, with these officers : M. Richert,
Foreman ; A. M. Green, First Assistant ; F. Werner, Second Assistant ; F. J. Martin, Captain
of the Hose ; W. H. Hurley, Secretary, and Geo. P. Dana, Treasurer.
Fountain City Hook and Ladder Company, No. 1. — This company, which was a very
strong one, was organized February 20, 1862, with S. Eudemiller, Foreman ; William Kars-
tens. First Assistant; M. Krembs, Second Assistant; Joseph Wolf, Treasurer, and C. A.
Handt, Secretary. At one time this company had forty members, and did efficient service at all
fires in preventing the spread of the flames, saving property and guarding goods taken from
burning buildings.
This' volunteer system was continued up to August 7, 1878, when the City Council disbanded
all the old companies and re-organized the entire Fire Department, paying all members of it by
the month. Who should become members was also determined by the Council, after recommend-
ation by the Chief Fire Marshal. Geo. P. Dana is Chief Fire Marshal and Joseph Auchue,
Assistant. The department now consists of the following companies.
No. 1, Engine Company. — M. Nightingale, engineer ; Thomas Evans, stearsman ; C.
T. Green, night watchman ; James Nary, cart driver; H. Rosenow, J. Buechner, L. A. Lange,
J. Niland, Will Becker and D. Fontanna, pipemen. This company runs the self-propeller
"Alexander White," and is stationed on East Second street.
No. 8, Engine Company. — John Coates, engineer ; F. Lohmiller, driver ; John Conway,
stoker; J. Kennedy, cart driver; 0. Evans, J. Boomer, Joseph Auchue, J. Fontanna and W.
G. Casey, pipemen. This company is stationed on Arndt street, corner of Packer.
588 HISTOEY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
j^tna Company, No. 5.— H. Rupp, engineer; E. R. Hammond, driver; M. Chamberlain,
stoker ; John Haughey, cart driver ; H. Bauman, F. Werner, Charles "Werner, L. J. Homes,
H. Sawyer and Theo. Krause, pipemen. This company is stationed on Main street.
JIooJc and Ladder Company, No. l.—M.. Furlong, driver ; H. J. Dircks, J. Q. Haas, A.
Buechner, John Sharp, John Jergens and H. Rider. The driver has $25 and the others $8 per
month.
The Chief Fire Marshal receives $250 per year ; Assistant $100 ; Engineers, $54.25 per
month ; drivers, $32.50 per month ; stokers, $27.50 ; cart drivers $25 and pipemen $8 per
month. The average cost of the Fire Department for salaries, fuel, repairs and incidentals is
-about $10,000 per year.
The engine-houses are all of brick, well furnished with beds and accommodations for those
who always remain with the engines. No. 5's engine-house, erected on Main street in 1874,
•cost $20,000, and is one of the finest in the Northwest.
The different Chief Fire Marshals have been Allan Carswell, Keyes A. Darling, S. E.
Lefiferts, D. W. C. Wright, Azro B. Taylor, B. F. Sweet, Casper Buechner and George P.
Dana. When nearly all the horses of the country were prostrated with the " epizootic," a
'fire broke out and no horses were to be had to haul the engine to it. As a last resort a yoke of
oxen which had been purchased for the American Express Company was secured, and attached
to the machine. It was novel business, not only for the frightened oxen but for the firemen, who
iknew nothing about driving cattle in the yoke. Ropes were attached to the horns of both oxen,
and being grasped by a half-dozen firemen on either side to steer the animals, the strange team
was started and the engine hauled to its destination at a rapid but very uncertain gait, to the
consternation of pedestrians and teamsters.
CITY LOCK-UP.
In early days a small wooden building, hardly large enough for a smoke house, located on
Portland street, served as a city lock-up. It had no cells, or its single apartment might have
been called one cell, and was made secure by weak wooden shutters. It was used only for the
incarceration of unfortunates who had become so drunk they could not break out of a paper house.
In 1866, a more substantial structure of brick, with cells and apparatus for warmth, was erected
near the corner of Macy, on First street. In 1878, this having become too small to accommo-
date the constantly increasing numbers of tramps, or wandering vagrants, and too dilapidated to
secure criminals, the present brick and stone structure was built at a cost of $2,300, on the same
site. It is two stories high, with six single and four double cells, and a commodious office for
the Chief of Police and police headquarters. The building is well provided with heating and
ventilating apparati, and is strong enough to confine any ' criminal. It is usedmerely as a
place of confinement for persons charged with crime, until their trial — not as a place of punish-
ishment to those who have been sentenced to imprisonment.
ARTESIAN WELLS.
One of the most noticeable features of Fond du Lac is its large number of fountains or artes-
ian wells. From them the place took the popular name of " Fountain City." Theodore Conkey,
now of Appleton, was building the Badger House, on the corner of Main street and Western
avenue, during the summer of 1846, and, desiring to know how deep a well must be to reach the
gravel bed, that he migbt calculate how many cords of stone to secure for walling it up, set Mr.
Curtis to drilling for the required information. Mr. Curtis drilled to what he considered an
unusual depth without reaching water, and one night about the 1st of August, thinking Mr.
Conkey might not desire any more money expended, asked if the drilling should be continued.
"Yes," said Mr. Conkey, "go on if you reach purgatory." The drill had then been sunk between
eighty-five and ninety feet, and when Mr. Curtis returned to pull out the tools for the night,
water in liberal quantities, cold and of good quality, began to flow with considerable force. The
discharge was at the rate of 1,000 gallons per hour.
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 589
Since that time, fountains have been sunk in every portion of the city. The water is used
for domestic purposes, to supply the Fire Department, and to furnish the boilers of steam machin-
■ery. For this latter purpose, the water of some fountains is not well adapted, the lime and
mineral substances with which it is impregnated being injurious to the iron. These substances,
which more strongly impregnate the water of some fountains than of others, possess medicinal
properties. These are contained in the oxide of iron, chloride of sodium, sulphate of lime, sul-
phate of magnesia, sulphate of soda, carbonate of soda, and carbonic acid, which have, by
analysis, been discovered in liberal quantities. Hunter's Magnetic Fountain, which discharges
-a strong stream several feet above the surface of the ground through a two-inch pipe, became
particularly famous for the cures wrought by its use in cases of kidney disease and rheumatism.
The fountain was sunk to get water for a paper-mill, which proved to be unfit for the .desired
purpose. The analysis ordered by Mr. Hunter, to discover what the water contained to render
it unfit for use in the manufacture of paper, resulted in developing the fact that it possessed val-
uable curative properties. A large bath-house and hotel were then erected on the spot and the
fountain advertised. This resulted in bringing invalids from all parts of the Union, many of
whom came on crutches and returned home cured.
For fire purposes these fountains furnished an ample supply of water at a trifling cost —
•without cost, in fact, except to maintain pipes and reservoirs. The water from the large fount-
ains on the high-school grounds, at B. Wild & Co.'s bakery, on the premises of S. B. Amory,
and from others, is discharged into the fire reservoirs which are located at all the necessary quar-
ters of the city. These are all connected by large underground mains with each other, so that
when water is being pumped from any one of them it receives a supply from all the others and
also from the several fountains whose flow never ceases. No city has a cheaper or more efiect-
ive water supply than Fond du Lac.
For ornamental purposes, the fountains can also be utilized in all possible ways, as the
supply is inexhaustible and not effected by frost or drought. Those who have put up ornamental
fountains with the best effect are S. B. Amory and T. F. Strong, Sr., the jets being about twenty
feet in height, and of undiminished volume at all seasons. Mr. Strong's fountain throws over
100 distinct jets of water, and Mr. Amory's has three large jets in as many different localities,
all supplied from one bore.
No fresher, purer, sweeter water can be found anywhere than flows from these fountains,
and no city in the West is so fortunate in this respect as Fond du Lac.
GAS WOEKS.
On Saturday evening, September 21, 1861, Mayor J. M. Taylor called a special meeting
of the Council for the purpose of taking action on propositions to light the city with gas. There
were two propositions submitted — one by J. Lockwood, of Milwaukee, and one by John P.
Crothers. The latter was accompanied by an ordinance, which was unanimously adopted. It
gave to said J. P. Crothers, his successors and assigns, the right to all streets, lanes and alleys,
for the purpose of laying and maintaining gas mains and pipes, upon giving proper notice to the
Street Commissioner ; provided, that he or they repair as soon as possible, and be liable for, all
damage done in laying the pipes and mains. The work of erecting and maintaining the gas
works was subject to the conditions of Section 2 of the ordinance, as follows :
" Section 2. The privileges hereby granted are upon the express conditions that said
John P. Crothers, his associates successors, and assigns, shall, during the month of September,
1861, commence the work and arrange the apparatus for the manufacture of gas from coal or
any other material from which gas is now or may hereafter be made, which shall be equal to and
as good as any ordinary coal gas, and will prosecute said work with vigor and all diligence to com-
pletion ; and that the gas furnished the city for public use shall be furnished at a price not
■exceeding $3 per 1,000 cubic feet ; and that the gas furnished to the citizens of said city shall
•be furnished at a price not exceeding $4 per 1,000 cubic feet; and that the service pipe, from
59<> HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
the main pipe to the curbstone or side of any street or alley or public grounds, shall be fur-
nished, provided, placed and fixed by the said Crothers, his associates, successors and assigns, at
their own cost and expense; and that the service pipe'from the curbstone or side of streets,
alleys or public grounds to the building, shall be furnished, placed and fixed by said parties at ^
cost to the city or person using the same not exceeding 25 cents per lineal foot ; the lamp-posts,
containing pipes, lamps and other necessary apparatus, being furnished by and at the expense
of the city. The right hereby granted shall not be forfeited by reason of accidents not the
results of the acts of the said parties, provided, such accident be remedied and said work
resumed and completed within a reasonable time."
The Council also passed an ordinance guaranteeing these rights and privileges to Crothers,
his successors and assigns, during a term of fifteen years, without being in any manner inter-
fered with during that time by any person or corporation claiming to have any rights in oppo-
sition to him, his successors and- assigns.
On the 12th of November, 1867, the Council passed an ordinance extending the gas
monopoly during a period of twenty -five years, subject to the conditions of the ordinance of
September 21, 1861, and upon the new and further condition that the gas works should at all
times be kept in suitable condition to supply their consumers with a good quality of gas and in
sufficient quantities.
The land upon which the works were built was purchased of Isaac S. Sherwood, in Block
"K," on Macy street, between Second and? Court streets, and the gas works built in 1861.
Their capacity was not equal to that of the present works^ — in fact, they were very small
compared to those in existence at the present time. On the 16th of October, 1862, J. P.
Crothers, the founder of the enterprise, sold his entire interest to H. J. Hayes for $9,700, and,
the following June, according to the records, Mr. Hayes sold to James G. Miller for $12,100.
In September, 1863, the firm became Miller & Bonesteel, and, September 4, 1867, James G.
Miller and Augustus D. Bonesteel sold the entire works, buildings, pipes, site and good will to
Jesse Beckley for $33,000. He immediately enlarged the works to their present capacity, and
laid several miles of new pipes and mains. Mr. Beckley continued sole proprietor until August
13, 1879, when he sold for $85,000 to Joseph Andrews, of Cincinnati, Ohio, who, on August
16, three days later, organized and had chartered the Fond du Lac Gaslight Company, the
present proprietors. The city contains 183 street lamps, which are lighted by gas at an annual
cost of a little less than $5,000.
SCHOOLS.
Notwithstanding a few childless croakers who have, during many years, never failed to do
what they, could to cripple the efficiency of the schools of the village and city. Fond du Lac has,
with one or two unimportant exceptions, always maintained a liberality toward her educational
institutions which is a credit to the good sense of her citizens and a precious benefit to the yOung
"who have grown up in her midst. Excellent teachers have generally been procured, and ample
accommodations provided for the children in every quarter of the city.
In former times, parents were compelled, by circumstances, to consult their resources rather
than their desires, and during several years the cause of education Was in any but a flourishing
condition. When, however, once the limits prescribed by inexorable necessity were overcome,
and the inhabitants began to accumulate faster than they expended, a lively interest was taken
in all educational matters, and school affairs received the earnest attention and support of the
foremost citizens of Fond du Lac. This was not spasmodic, but was continued during more
than a quarter of a century, to which the city is indebted for her fine school buildings, thorough
organization of teachers, and admirable system of grading.
The first schoolhouse erected in what is now the city of Fond du Lac was built on land
owned by Dr. M. C. Darling, on the east side of Main street, between Second and Third streets,
in 1843, and, in 1848, was moved to the north side of Fifth street, between Marr and Main
streets, where it burned in December of that year. Dr. Darling did not give a deed of the land
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 691
•on which the building stood for school purposes, and as building lots soon became more valuable,
the modest structure, which stood on wooden blocks, was removed.
The first teacher was Theodore Conkey, now of Appleton. The following fall and winter,
1844, John A. Eastman opened a " select school " in the same building, having at one time
twenty- scholars, though not all of them in Fond du Lac.
The Franklin School. — The first free public school established in Fond du Lac was projected
and organized under an act of the Territorial Legislature, passed and approved February 1,
1846. The more important sections are these :
Sectios 1. That School District No. 1, in the town of Fond du Lac, as now established by the School Com-
missioners of said town, is hereby organized into a separate school district for educational purposes ; and shall enjoy
all the powers of a corporation, so far as is necessary to carry out the objects of this act, to be known as the Board of
Trustees of the Franklin School and by that name may suft and be sued, plead and be impleaded, defend and be
defended in stll courts of law and equity, in all actions, suits, causes and complaints whatever, and may have a
common seal, and alter the same at pleasure.
Sec. 2. The inhabitants of said school district who are qualified by law to vote at any district school meeting,
shall be authorized to levy a tax not exceeding $2,000 in any one year, for the purpose of building or repairing a
schoolhouse, and the necessary fixtures and appendages thereto, and for the payment of the wages of teachers, and
for the providing of fuel, for the purchase of all needful apparatus for the use of said school, and for defraying the
necessary incidental expenses for keeping the school in operation.
*#* * ****»
Sec. 4. The Board of Trustees of said district shall from time to time appoint a Board of Superintendents
for such district, not less than three nor more than five in number ; said Superintendents to hold their offices for the
term of two years, unless sooner removed \>y the Board of Trustees, whose duties shall be as follows, to wit: To
determine the qualification of teachers to be employed in said school ; to direct and prescribe the course of instruc-
tion in said school, and from time to time examine into its condition and make report thereof annually to the School
Commissioners of the town, as required by law ; to direct, in consultation with the Principal of said school, the
arrangement and classification of the scholars in the several departments of study ; to establish, with the advice and
consent of a majority of the Board of Trustees, different departments of the school for the classification of scholars
of different ages and advancement in studies, as the future wants and necessities of the district may require ; to
-advance scholars, upon evidence of merit, from one department to another; to prescribe the proper text-books; to
have power to remove any of the teachers of said school for incompetency or other sufficient cause, and to have a gen-
eral supervision over the government and discipline of the school.
** * *.* * »• * *
Sec. 6. All schools kept in said district, in pursuance of this act, shall be free to all scholars between the
ages of four and twonty-one years inclusive, who shall permanently reside therein. Nothing therein contained shall
be construed to prohibit the IJoard of Trustees from admiiting scholars not residents of said district,, into said school,
upon such terms and conditions as they may deem proper.
*•* *i ******
Sec. 9. All taxes raised for the purposes contemplated by this act shall be assessed upon the taxable property
of such district as exhibited by the assessment roll of the town, and shall be levied and collected in the same manner
as now provided oy law for collecting taxes for the building of schoolhouses in school districts in the counties under
the township system of government.
***** »***
Sec. 1-5. Whenever school shall be kept in said district, in accordance with the provisions of this act, the
length of time now required by law, the said district shall be entitled to receive its portion of the public school
moneys in the same manner as other districts.
*********
Sec. 17. No relieious creed or sectarian principle shall ever be made a requisite either for the admission of
scholars into the school or for the employment of the teachers therein, and no particular religious creed or sectarian
principles shall ever be taught in said school.
In January, 1848, the matter of affording better accommodations for the school children of
the village was vigorously agitated. Edward Beeson wrote that the district contained 100
scholars and but one schoolroom, which was hardly large enough to accommodate 40 children.
He advised that, if a suitable building could not be secured any other way, certificates of stock
be issued, at 12 per cent interest, for the required amount, the debt to be paid by taxation when
the district should have grown richer. The plan was not adopted.
On the 2d of February, 1848, the Board of Trustees and Superintendents of the Franklin
School, consisting of Edward Pier, J..M. Gillet, J. A. Eastman, Isaac Brown, M. C. Darling
and M. S. Gibson, reported a set of by-laws for the government of the school, and recom-
mended the erection of an addition to the schoolhouse for the small children, and " the purchase
•of a suitable apparatus for illustrating the higher branches of education, such as a set of
592 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
globes, geographical maps and charts and a planetarium." They also ordered that Thursday-
afternoon of each week be set apart for the reception of visitors and school officers.
The plan of maintaining the Franklin School free to all residents of the district does not
seem to have been satisfactory, for, in March, 1848, the bill chartering the school was amended
so that the expenses should be paid by the scholars, at a rate not exceeding $1.50 each for a
term of three months, and the debt against any parent or guardian for "schooling" could be
collected in the same manner as any tax.
Matters must have got on indifferently, for, in October, 1848, a correspondent noted that
" The Franklin School District can boast of a ball-alley, a billiard-room and a number of dog-
geries, all well patronized, while 100 scholars are amusing themselves in the streets, for want of
a school."
From bad the Franklin School affairs went to worse, and, December 4, 1848, the citizens
met in the schoolhouse, and defeated, by an overwhelming majority, not only a resolution to
raise a tax to pay arrearages, but a resolution to raise a tax for the ensuing year, as the foUow-
lowing proceedings, copied from the Fond dn Lac Repuhliean of December 8, 1848, amply
testify :
"Pursuant to notice given ten days previously, the citizens of the Franklin School Dis-
trict met at the schoolhouse (on Fifth street) in said district, on Monday evemng, December 4,
1848, and organized by calling George McWilliams to the chair, and appointing E. W. Davis
Secretary, when, on motion of Sam Ryan, Jr., voted, That no tax whatever be raised in the
Franklin District for past arrearages, or for the support of schools the coming winter.
" On motion by Sam Ryan, Jr., voted, That our Representative be requested to use his
influence to procure the repeal of the law organizing the Franklin School District.
" When, after considerable discussion and an expose of the financial condition of the Frank-
lin District, it was, on motion of E. W. Davis, voted to reconsider the vote previously passed,
to. raise no tax whatever.
" A motion was made by M. L. Noble that we raise no tax this year ; to which an amend-
ment was offered by John Bannister, That we raise tax enough to pay up all arrearages, which
was lost by h to 1. The original motion (to raise no tax whatever) was then put, and carried
by an overwhelming majority.
' "On motion by G. Henning, voted. That the proceedings of this meeting be signed by
the Chairman and Secretary, and published in the newspapers of the village."
To pay for this summary manner of depriving the village of the proper and necessary educa-
tional facilities, the schoolhouse was burned by some unknown person eight days later, Decem-
ber 12, 1848. The crime of arson was by no means justifiable on account of the acts of the
School Board — or such a meeting of citizens as was called a School Board — but the very free
expressions of opinion by those who had children whom they wished to educate without leaving
the place where they had cast their lot in an endeavor to found homes and build up a credita-
ble village, seem to have been fully justified by these acts.
This much has been devoted to the Franklin School to show the trials and tribulations
through which all educational enterprises must pass before they become as strong and beneficial
as those of Fond du Lac at the present time.
During the succeeding winter, that of 1848-49, the village had no school. In July, 1849,_
a meeting was held at the court house to elect school officers and levy a tax for school purposes.
Permission of the Town Superintendent had been obtained to raise $2,000 for the erection of a
schoolhouse, but when the resolution to levy that amount came to a vote, the matter was laid on
the table and the meeting adjourned. There was something of a contest over this matter, a
large number of the inhabitants regarding the sum of $2,000 for a school building as altogether
too extravagant.
On the 19th of November, 1849, F. R. Kinsman was engaged " as a proper person to
teach youth," to conduct a school "on the normal plan," in a building rented for the purpose of
Carmin Wright. The next year, 1850, the building now known as the Marr Street Schoolhouse
HISTOBY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 693^
was erected, and the only schoolhouse in the village. School was continued regularly thereafter,
and, although there had been some growling because the Marr street building had been made so
large, in a short time it was found to be too small, and the city, as it was after 1852, was divided
into four common-school districts.
North and South Union Schools. — On the 5th of August, 1854, by the order of E. Hodges,
who had been elected Superintendent of Schools for the city of Fond du Lac ; E. H. Galloway
and George W. Sexmith, of District No. 1 of the city ; J. Q. Griffith, Hiram and Robert A.
Baker, of District No. 2, and H. R. Colman and Edmund Delany, of District No. 3 of the
city of Fond du Lac, these three districts were consolidated into one, called the Union District
No. 1, or North Union, and- bids called for to build a schoolhouse. Edmund Delany was
elected Director ; John L. Henry, Treasurer, and Robert A. Baker, Clerk of Union District
No. 1, August 12, 1854.
At the same time, District No. 4 was, by the order of the Superintendent and Isaac Brown
and W. H. Walker, officers of the district, changed to District No. 2, or South Union, now
known as Marr Street School. The building which is in use at the present time, had been
built previously to that time, and used by District No. 4.
A site was purchased of E. H. Galloway, for $500, on Lots 52 and 53, Block 11 (the Cotton
Street Schoolhouse site), and a building costing $2,000 ordered to be built for the use of District
No. 1. The structure thus ordered is now known as the Cotton Street Schoolhouse.
In September, before the consolidation took place, the Clerk of District No. 1 made a
report showing that 83 children had attended school during the year at a cost for 8 teachers,
fuel and other expenses, of $250. For 10 months of school only $184 was paid for teachers'
wages. The report for District No. 2 showed 32 scholars and an expenditure for teachers'
wages, fuel and incidentals of $202. The report for District No. 3 showed 88 scholars and an
expenditure of $296 for teachers' wages and fuel. Carlos A. Ryder finished the school ' build-
ing for District No. 1 in 1855, at a cost of $2,088, less $190 damages awarded to the Distrwt
by referees for neglecting to follow the plans and specifications ordered by the district. This
did not include painting, sidewalks and miscellaneous items. In 1858, a fountain was dug in
the school-grounds and a reservoir sunk at a cost of $260, and $100 was expended for a library.
A deep interest was taken in school matters, and both the North and South Union Schools
were well patronized and efficiently taught. When the High School was formed, it in nowise
interfered with the other public schools, which have increased in numbers and attendance.
In 1862-63, 0. C. Steinberg, Principal of the High School, was impowered to grade all
the schools of the city, making a course of instruction extending over a period of thirteen years
.and embracing every possible degree of advancement in scholarship. In the published report
of the School Board in 1867, Mr. Steenberg, then Superintendent of Schools, recommended
compulsory attendance of all healthy children of school age, using the following language :
" Those who attend school irregularly, and those who do not attend school, number 3,046.
From the best data that can be secured, I find that at least 600 of that number are habitual tru-
ants or idlers, or have parents who are, to a greater or less extent, indifferent to their best interests.
* * * Can a community ignore the moral welfare of 500 of its children ? If they
were diseased, either physically or mentally, hospitals and asylums would be provided for them ;
were they criminals, prisons would be built for them. * * * Argument seems
unnecessary. In the minds of those who have the "future good of our city at heart, there can be
but one conclusion. It is the duty of the city not only to provide means by which our youth may
become good citizens, but by its authority, to constrain those who are too young or too ignorant
to appreciate and employ those advantages."
, This was the first recommendation in a published educational document, of a compulsory-
school law. In 1878-79, the Legislature passed such a law for the benefit of cities, which took
effect September 1, 1879. It is certainly beneficial in a city like Fond du Lac, where a large
number of children are engaged in mills and factories.
594
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
In 1852, nine teachers were employed, at a cost of $1,087.41, to teach 498 scholars. In
1858, the Superintendent reported 1,020 scholars, taught by ten teachers, at a cost of $3,525.08.
In 1863, there were 1,177 seats, and an average of 1,253 scholars, while during the winter
term, 1,378 students were accommodated in those 1,177 seats.
The city now contains, in addition to the High School building, eighteen public schools,
which, with the sites, are owned by the corporation. These are located on First street. Cotton street,
Ruggles street, 2 ; Grant street. Walnut street, Marr street, Cherry street, Amory street. Fifth
street. Hickory street, Rees street. Doty street, Sibley street, 2 ; Prospect street, Clinton street and
Second street. These contaii^ forty main rooms, will accommodate 2,800 students, and have a
cash Valuation of $98,700. The sites are valued at $22,000, making the city's school property
worth, in cash, $120,700. Nearly every schoolhouse is provided with a fountain.
The appended is a table showing the number of pupils and teachers, with cost of schools
for a number of years :
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1852
639
498
9
1087 41
212 94
1300 36
2 61
2 18
120 82
185.3
844
670
10
1242 60
331 34
1573 94
2 76
2 17
124 26
1854.......
994
635
6 ■
1298 69
301 22
1599 91
2 62
2 04
216 44
1855
1338
827
9
1954 86
255 00
2209 86
2 67
2 86
217 20
1866
1567
972
8
2294 60
613 31
3007 91
3 09
2 86
286 82
1857
2040
1014
10
3443 12
917 64
• 4160 66
4 00
8 35
344 31
1858
■ 1839
1020
10
3625 08
828 88
4353 96
4 25
3 45
352 50
1859...:..
1916
1351
12
4501 07
1279 08
6780 15
4 24
3 33
375 01
1860
2119
1607
17
5408 76
lOSl 77
6410 62
4 26
8 52
318 16
1861
2562
1611
20
5109 44
1216 35
6325 79
3 73
3 17
265 47
1862
2358
1684
22
5795 66
4866 88
10662 64
6 27
3 44 •
263 44
1863
2695
2048
23
6090 00
.3264 00
10254 00
6 00
2 97
264 78
1864
3043
2414
28
7350 00
7786 72
16136 72
6 23
3 22
262 60
1865
4101
3038
29
8325 op
22710 78
81035 78
10 21
2 41
273 26
1866
5109
2815
33
9713 60
li-896 47
28608 97
10 16
3 45
294 35
1867
3239
32
10961 13
12942 31
23903 44
7 30
3 38
842 59
1873
6469
3475*
47
18898 50
40S79 27
69877 77
17 23
5 72
402 12
1879
5900
2484
47
18136 25
12079 39
30215 64
la 16
7 30
885 87
The High School. — About the 1st of October, 1858, the citizens of the two districts into
which the city was divided, sent to the School Boards of the respective districts a petition praying
that a Union High School be established. The petitions were heeded at once, and George B.
Eastman, the Schopl Superintendent, authorized to take the necessary steps to accomplish the
desired result. In accordance therewith, Mr. Eastman, on the 8th of October, 1858, made the
following report :
"I have this day formed a Union High School District in accordance with the expressed
desire of the districts comprising the same, which determination has been properly certified to
by me as required by Section 2 of Chapter 138, of tho General Laws of 1858, to be called the
Union High School District of the city of Fond du Lac, of which the following is a description :
The entire corporate limits of said city of Fond du Lac as designated in ' An Act to amend an
act entitled an act to incorporate the city of Fond du Lac,' approved March 19, 1852, and
as exhibited in the map of said city, published by George R. Harrison, in the year 1857. Such
formation to take eflfect immediately."
* Estimated.
<^
FOND DU LAC.
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 597
In the city districts was included a portion of the town of Fond du Lac, and when Mr.
Eastman formed the High School he cui, this portion olF, much to the disgust of i^s citizens, who
wanted the benefit of the school without paying any of the city taxes by which the school was sup-
ported. The act above quoted gave the Superintendent authority to appoint the necessary officers,'
and he therefore appointed Robert A. Baker, Clerk; W. H. Hiner and B. F. Moore, Directors.
A meeting of these officers was held October 21, 1858, in Amory Hall, and $1,961.40 author-
ized to be raised by tax for room-rent, teachers', wages and fuel. The tuition was fixed at $7
per term of thirteen weeks, for non-residents. It was, of course, free to all residents of the city,
whether of school age or not.
The first High School in the city of Fond du Lac was organized and opened in January,
1859, by Edwin C. Johnson and Miss M. S. Merrille, in what was known as the Sewell store on
Main street, between Johnson and Merrill streets. The students perpetrated many a gibe over
the fact that the nearest streets and the teachers had the same names. The school opened with
with nearly one hundred students, being free to all residents of the city who could pass a prescribed
examination in geography, arithmetic and grammar. In 1860, Prof. Johnson resigned, and Selim
H. Peabody was engaged as Principal, who opened the school in the Marshall Block, on Second
■^street. The next year the location was changed to the Warner Block, on the corner of Main
and Second streets. There was no other change of location until a High School building had been
erected. In July, 1859, the first steps were taken to secure the erection of such a building, as the
High School had grown into popular favor, and was considered an important and indispensable
department in the rapidly advancing system of education. This resulted in opening negotiations
for a site, which was an important matter.
In July, 1859, the Board adopted a resolution authorizing the establishment of a Normal
Institute in connection with the High School, and the provisions of the resolution were carried
into efiiect and during several years thereafter, Normal students were taught in the school and
received annually the proper apportionment of the State Normal School fund.
In January, 1860, the School Board appointed a committee to secure the west half of
the McGinty tract, situated on the north side of Merrill street and east of Amory street, at a
cost of $1,400, which they did in April of that year. In October, 1863, the Finance Commit-
tee of the School Board, presented for the approval of the Board a form of bond to be executed
for the purpose of raising money to build a High School building, also a mortgage executed to
S. B. Amory, of all the school property in the city as collateral security. Both were adopted,
and authority given to the President of the Board and the Clerk to execute the bond and mort-
gage. There appeared at this time no inconsiderable amount of dissatisfaction over this location of
the High School in what was called an "out-of-the-way place," and J. M. Taylor offered to
donate, free of cost forever, twelve and one-half acres of land on Forest street, for a High
School building, but the offer was declined on account of the advanced state of matters in
another direction. In February, 1864, a plan for the proposed building by Isaac Brown was
accepted, and the contract was let to W. M. Phelan and William Heathcote in March, Mr.
Brown, now of Harrington, Delaware, being the Superintendent. The structure was pushed
rapidly to completion, but Mr. Brown was unable to supervise everything, owing to the severe
illness of his nephew, George L. Arnold. A public dedication was had, and the building taken
possession of by the High School, with 0. C. Steenberg as Principal, in 1865.
At the dedication, William D. Conklin of Fond du^Lac, delivered an address :
" Some twenty-odd years ago," said the speaker, "a school was organized by and with the
children of three families, and two half-breed boys, belonging to no family in particular. It was
held in a little log cabin over yonder, on Elihu Phillips' farm that now is, and was taught,
ostensibly, by James Duane Ruggles. When, however, ' Duane,' as we called our teacher, lured
by the more fascinating pursuits of hunting or the gentle craft, failed to make his appear-
ance at the conventional hour of 9 A. M., we did not, like the degenerate school-boys of to-day,
take advantage of the opportunity and scamper off home ; but some two or three of us larger
toys, taking turn and turn about as it happened, would carry the institution along for the day
Q
598 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
in the accustomed routine. Now, some of my young friends among the school-boys here may
deem this statement a little strong, and the school-boy comparison slightly invidious. Well, I
■will relieve them with a little further explanation. The site and surroundings of that old school-
house were to us the most captivating imaginable. It was on the brink of that deep dell you
all know so well. In that dell were the greatest woods for chipmunks that ever grew, and
through their deep shade murmured the nicest streamlet for wading and catching crawfish, with
here and there an eddy or deep hole full of -chubs, possessed of a most remarkable natural
affinity for pin-hooks. We were the only youngsters in the country, and absolutely had no
other place to go, unless to our respective homes and the never-failing boys' work there-
unto appertaining. Furthermore, our course of study bore close resemblance to that of the
ancient Persian schools, where the youth were carefully instructed from their fifth to their
twentieth year in three things alone — to ride, to draw the bow and to speak the truth. You
may judge of the amount of magnanimity and self-denial involved in keeping that school with-
out the master.
"In the meantime," continued the speaker, "the Legislature of the Territory of Wiscon-
sin, acting, I presume, on the hint contained in Article 3 of the celebrated Ordinance of 1787,
which provides that, ' Religion, morality and knowledge being necessary to good government
and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever be encour-
aged ' — acting on this hint, and in the plenitude of its wisdom, had enacted that ' every town
in this Territory, containing not less than ten families, shall be a school district, and shall be
provided with a competent school master or mistress to instruct children.' In due time, the
country hereabout achieved a population of not less than ten families, with that ancient burgh,
Taycheedah, as the center and nucleus. (Be it here known that Taycheedah was immensely
larger than Fond du Lac.) The town of Fond du Lac was, territorially speaking, almost indefi-
nite in extent. My ancient geography is a little rusty, but I think it was bounded on the north
by the then State of Green Bay, on the south by the commonwealth of Milwaukee, on the east
by the Sheboygan woods, while in the matter of the west line, the taste of the most fastidious
could be gratified by locating it where he might choose, without fear of contradiction or interfer-
ence.
" I presume this town was duly organized under the statute as a school district, and provided
with a competent school master or mistress, to instruct children. I know that the Messrs. Moore
and Doty, the proprietors of Taycheedah, furnished the funds and built the framed schoolhouse with
the little cupola, still standing in that classic town. There was hung in that cupola a pretty,
cle^^toned steamboat bell, brought by Henry Conklin all the way from the dismantled wreck of
the steamer Advocate, on the Hudson River, which in that day was the never-ceasing won-
der of the wandering aborigines, as well as admiration of the white pioneer. And, by the way,
that same old bell (appropriated without title, leave or license), even now, from the belfry of the
public school, awakes the echoes and disturbs the solitudes (and, I hope, the consciences) of that
quiet, peaceful haunt of somnolent humanity. The first schoolmaster here was, I think, one of
the Conklin family, on whose pedagogic career the, constitutional modesty of the family will for-
bid extended comment ; but the genius and glory of that pioneer school, unquestionably, is associ-
ated with a worthy pedagogue, by name Mr. Maxon. He was a good, worthy man, a veritable,
old-fashioned Yankee schoolmaster, such as the land of steady habits has ever sent forth with
her legions of frontier woodmen, supplying the Union with pioneers for the mind, as well as for the
wilderness. He was withal an enterprising, active little man, and, as Irving says of Ichabod
Crane, ' Truth to say, he was a conscientious man, and ever bore in mind the golden maxim,
" Spare the rod and spoil the child !' "
" The pupils of that school were of rather a miscellaneous make-up. There were the Rug-
gles, the Elliots and the Conklins from 'up under the Ledge;' the Moores, Carltons and
Perrys at Taycheedah. Keyes A. Darling, his brother Lewis, and sister Helen (now Mrs.
John A. Eastman), — the whole juvenile population of Fond du Lac — made their daily advent
in a primitive vehicle drawn by a small pony, and followed by a large dog, while through this
group was interlarded an occasional young Frenchman pr half-breed.
HISTORY- OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 599
" This school was also a kind of paradise for wild youngsters. The adjacent creek and lake
shore, abounding in water-fowl and Indian canoes, tended further to stimulate and advance the
aquatic and venary tastes and habits of the' old log schoolhouse by the dell ; and, if the course of
instruction at the old place on the ' Ledge ' was upon the ancient Persian system, that of Taychee-
dah resembled, perhaps, the ancient Athenian plan, where every citizen, under a severe penalty, .
was required to teach his son to read and to swim.
" The first schoolhouse was built in the village of Fond du Lac in 1843, and was situated
on Main street, where now stands Valentine & Olmsted's store, and it was removed, in 1848, to
Fifth street, where Mr. Benson now lives, and, during the winter following (December 12, 1848),
was burned down. This school was first taught, I think, by Theodore Conkey, and probably on
much the same principles as hereinbefore adverted to.
'• But the course of empire westward brought with it that remorseless wave of immigration,
surging along, and overwhelming in its course every vestige of the romance and charm of the
wilderness ; and before the pioneers could well realize the change, a strange, eager and motley
crowd of Celt, Gaul, Teuton and Saxon, of Yankee, York State man, Pennite and Buckeye —
aye ! even you whom I now address — had gained a foothold, forced back the wild man and
beast, and built up the village and city of Fond du Lac.
"As if to compensate and console us for our little Utopia you had so riithlessly invaded'
and blotted out, you brought to us the fruition of the ideas of Martin Luther, Pestalozzi and Fellen-
berg ; of John Knox and Joseph Lancaster ; of Henry Barnard, Barnes Sears and Horace
Mann — that glorious system of public schools, evolved and perfected by the wisdom and.;,
experience of your native States.
" Those germs and cions from that 'tree of centuries ' you have carefully planted in this,
new soil ! You have jealously guarded and cultivated them with a most noble spirit of public
liberality. In times of •early struggle and hardship, of high taxation and large expenditui'e ■
consequent on the erection of a new and vast social and political edifice, you have faithfully
kept and applied the proceeds of munificent national land grants; heroically deyoted a large'
share of local taxation ; and generously contributed by private subscription to the encouragement
and support of the common school: An illustration of the perfect adaptability of this admir-
able system to the end sought on the one hand, and on the other hand the magical growth of
our young city, is furnished in the remarkable number and capacity of the school edifices erected
here already.
" Through the kindness of Mr. Isaac Brown, than whom no gentleman in our city has been
more closely and honorably identified with our public-school interests, I am enabled to layjjefore
you a summary of the school-building operations, up to the period of the consolidation of all
the districts embraced by our city limits. In the year 1860 (which is really the beginning of
our school system proper), we had the old Marr street house, ycleped the " Union School," com-
prehending within its walls three departments, and filled to overflowing with young ideas, learn-
ing to shoot at all grades of intellectual targets — in truth, it ever was, and is now, a busy hive.
The Cotton street house was next erected in 1855 and 1856. These two schoolhouses furnished
accommodation for about four hundred and seventy-five scholars, and have been amply filled from
first to last.
" Under the present dispensation have appeared, in 1860, the Harney street, house, and
one on Ruggles street, with seats for 256 scholars. In 18^,1, another on Ruggles street, one on
Rees street, and an addition to the Cotton street house, containing in gross 208 seats.
" In 1863, a new schoolhouse was built on Scott street ; another on Walnut street ; another
on Cherry street, and another on Fifth street. These last-named houses furnish in the aggre-
gate accommodation for 384 pupils. And now, during the past year, this splendid edifice has
been erected, with ample space for 430 scholars, and at a cost of $17,000."
The building, at the dedication of which the foregoing remarks were made, was three stories
high, with brick outside, and accommodated nearly as many scholars as the present high^
school building. After it had been in use about two years, the heavy ceiling of the chapel fell
600 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUXTY.
with a resounding crash. Very fortunately the room was not occupied at the time, or an appal-
ling destruction of life must have followed. The work had been improperly done, and to repair
the damage cost $3,000. The building burned in 1868, on the night of December 4, and, next
morning, many of the scholars, not knowing ofthe conflagration, appeared at the usual place and
time with their books. The cause of the fire was set down as something "very mysterious,"
and the public was never fully satisfied on this point, although the impression generally pre-
vailed that it was of incendiary origin. The High School was continued in rented rooms until
September, 1873, when the present building, a splendid four-story structure of brick and stone,
was completed on the site where the first one was burned. It was built by Theodore Eul, and
cost $45,000, exclusive of the foundation. It is admitted to be the best high-school building in
the State and to possess much the-finest yard and location. It contains ten large schoolrooms,
an oflSce and library, apparatus-room, chapel, halls, and wardrobes. In front of the building is
such a fountain as can be found nowhere in the Northwest outside of Fond du Lac. The water-
jet is from a two-inch pipe and is discharged with great force. It is beautiful as well as useful.
The school is managed with thoroughness, and affords almost collegiate advantages to those who
desire them.
The following are the graduates of the High School: 1860 — Isa F. Mather, Emma Jane
Ward, Kate Frame, Kelsey M. Adams. 1861 — Garland Gillet, Horton Drury. 1862 — Kate
Hamilton, Anna LongstafF, Ellen Delany, Carver N. Griffith. 1863 — Isabella Perkins, Cor-
nelia Soule, Mary Eastman. 1864 — Mary Todd, Elizabeth D. Hoyt, Ella Lewis, Henry C.
Moore. 1865 — Angelina Munro, Alice E. Delany, Lizzie Soule, Clinton Ewen, George Todd,
Ada V. Sharpe, Jenny Mason, Maggie Spears, Lucius D. Hurd. - 1866 — Julia Todd, Alice
Arnold, Maggie Eastman, Helen Tallmadge, Viletta Fowler, Albert Dye, Edward B. Beeson,
Daniel McKenna, Emma Jane Ellis, Alice Goss, Francis Crane, Lilly Camp, Evelyn Selden,
Edward S. Curran, Charles Hamilton. 1867 — Martha Curtis, Florence Patchen, Adelaide
Lewis, Frank B. Hoskins, Annie Stow, Louisa DeGroat, Willie Johnson, George E. Weikert.
1868 — Francis Mihills, Fannie Craig, Adelle Ellis, Abby W. Grjffin, Mary L. Chamberlain,
Anna Mason, Anna E. Hurd, Alfred L. Moore, Edwin Radford. 1869 and 1870— No gradu-
ates. 1871 — Ella Raymond, AUie Boyd, Ida Gordon, Priscilla Morton. 1872 — Estella Clark,
Edward Doheney." 1873 — Fannie Morse, Carrie Conklin, Sarah Cahill, Eliza Bancroft, Isa
Reid, Ferrin Beals, R. Waters. 1874 — J. Milton Adams, Calvin C. Todd, Mary Mangan,
Emma J. Burrows, Mary E. Adams. 1875 — Georgiana French, Martha E. Lovett, Jennie
Whitton, Bffie M. Newton, Emma F. Dahlem, James H. Waters, Walter I., Nichols, Harvey
B. Nichols, Joseph D. Radford, John C. Hayward, William J. Burns. 1876— Lillie M. John-
son, Jenny S. Hawes, Annie Bodine, Frankie A. Airhart, Lizzie C. Tallmadge, Lucy A. Green,
Inez M. Gillet, Nellie C. Wright, Georgiana M. Rose, Maud M. Murdoch, Charles Little, Luola
C. Robertson, Ellie I. Cavatiaugh, Edward B. Priest, Edward H. Parker. 1877 — Clarence
Tallmadge, Alice Cooper, Katie Jones, Maria Pinney, Alonzo H. Palmer, Evanore 0. Beebe,
Anna Giltner, Laura T. Burn ton, James H. Lyons, Jean Dodd, Fannie A. Underwood, Mattie
A. Raymond, Henry A. Bush. 1878— Marcia E. Pinney, Mariam L. Rose, Kate Clark, Tessa
McLean, Ella A. Roberts, Blanche Griffith, Mary V. Johnson, Sarah E. Benner, Kate E.
McCourt, Stephen S. Stack, Ella M. Roche, Lizzie Carberry, Carrie E. Sizer, Mary Harlin,
Anna M. Lange, Minnie E. Breitzman, Ella J. Burns, Carrie E. Riem, Thomas Lyons, Kate
A. Everest,'. Ida M. Calkins, Lizzie M. Main, Emma L. Lilly. 1879 — Charles N. Boardman,
Archibald Church, Frank N. Phelan, Charles W. Hamilton, Charles N. Kalk, Alvie H. Adams,
Lula C. Breitenstein, Jennie E. Mangan, Ella A. Riley, Frank H. Sweet, George H. Wiley,
Jennie E. Dahlem, Edward E. Dalton, Agnes E. Deland, John B. Darling, Delia E. Halpin,
Cora E. Lewis, Jeannie M. Lowell, Erick W. Lucke, Hannah Malloy, Mary J. McLean, Kate
A. Morley, Mary J. Nugent, Susie B. Spears, Carrie Wright.
Marr Street Academy. — In 1859, Mrs. R. S. Palmer opened, in the town of Lamartine,
a boarding-school for pupils over fourteen years of age. The text-books were the same
as those in use in the High School, and the venture was a success. In 1867, the school was
HISTORY OF POND DU LAC COUNTY. 601
moved to Forest street, Fond du Lac, where it continued with greater patronage and success
until 1870, when it was moved to its present location on Marr street. It is now known as
Marr Street Academy, and is under the direction of its founder, Mrs. R. S. Palmer. The cur-
riculum is the same as that of the High School. Special branches are taught when desired.
Forest Street Association. — In 1857, a select school was organized under the name of the
Forest Street Association, which built an addition to the First Baptist Church, corner of For-
est and Union streets, and opened a school therein, under the direction of Miss M. S. Merrille,
now of Merrille Institute. It was a successful and satisfactory school. Miss Merrille remained
less than two years, and, on going to Madison, was succeeded by Miss Sarah Henry, since
appointed Matron of the Wisconsin State Prison. The building is now used for church pur-
poses, the school having been discontinued for some time.
Merrille Institute. — This school, which is exclusively for the education of young ladies>
was opened on Division street, in a building now the residence of W. C. Ogden, in September?
1866, by Miss M. S. Merrille. It was not opened as a boarding-school, aijd has never been
conducted as such. The curriculum of the High School was adopted as nearly as possible,, and
Miss Merrille had, the first term, as many students as her building would accommodate.
In 1868, she built a three-story brick building 56x58 feet, on the corner of Union and
Cherry streets. This has accommodations for ninety scholars, and some terms has been as full
as possible. To the High-School curriculum were added French and music.
Merrille Institute was chartered by the State in 1868-69, and has been an unusually suc-
cessful young ladies' seminary, not depending for its pecuniary support upon furnishing food,
lodging and courting rooms for young ladies. It occupies a large plat of ground in a pleasant
portion of the city, near enough to depots and post office, and is pronounced one of the most
wholesome schools for young ladies to be found anywhere.
G-erman and ^English Academy. — This is one of the most important institutions of learn-
ing in Fond du Lac. It was organized in 1854, for the purpose of teaching English and Ger-
man to German and English children in the most .natural and thorough manner. French and
Latin are also taught when desired. On the 4th of Octgher, 1858, the school was incorporated,
and now owns its school buildings and grounds on Portland street. The scholars, of which
there are usually about one hundred, are graded into three classes, with a teacher for each.
No aid is received from public taxes, and no religious belief is taught or tolerated. Twice each
week, all kinds of needle and fancy work are taught, at 25 cents per month additional. To become
a member of the German and English Academy Association, a fee of $5 is required. Fees
thus paid in go to make a reduction of 10, 15 and 25 cents per month, according to grade, in
tuition fees for the children of members. Those not members must pay $1.50, $1.75 or $2
per month, according to grade, for each student. Neatness of dress, cleanliness of person,
punctuality and systematic habits are taught in addition to other studies. New classes are
formed twice each year — in April and October. The ladies of the Association give annually
an exhibition and fair, the proceeds of which go to better support this school. For the Same
purpose, a masked ball is held annually by the patrons of the school, always adding comforta-
ble sums to the treasury.
The officers, consisting of a President, Secretary, Treasurer and Board of Directors, are
elected semi-annually. The teachers are Julius F. Harthun, Dora L. Pinney and Theodore A.
Lucke. The officers are: President, Franz Lauenstein ; Secretary, C. L. Encking ; Treasurer,
L. Muenter. Directors — F. Rueping, Joseph Lenz, F. Krumme and E. N. Korrer.
The German and English Academy has turned out some of the most accomplished scholars
in Fond du Lac, and is considered a most excellent school in which to thoroughly teach
the German language to those whose mother tongue is English, or the English to those who
speak German.
602 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
BONDED INDEBTEDNESS.
The first bonds issued by the city of Fond du Lac were by resolution of the Common Coun-
cil of March 4, 1854, under Chapter 58, Laws of 1854, when |19,800, at 10 per cent interest,
was issued in bonds to the Waupun, Fond du Lac & Forest Plank Road Company. 'At the same
time, $1,900, at the same rate of interest, were issued to the Fond du Lac & Oshkosh Plank Road
Company. In July of the same year, $200 were issued to the Mayville branch of the Waupun,
Fond du Lac k Forest Road. August 12 of the same year, $3,000 were issued to the Green
Bay & Taycheedah Plank Road Company. This makes a total of $24,900. In 1864, $3,075
were issued in bonds for unpaid interest on the above- enumerated plank-road bonds; total,
$27,9t5 in plank-road bonds. In return for tliese bonds, the city received the capital stock, at
par, of the various plank roads.
The City Council, on May 21, 1855, voted $200,000 of aid to the Chicago, St. Paul &
Fond du Lac Railroad Company (Chicago & North- Western), at 7 per cent interest, payable
semi-annually at the Exchange Bank of New York. May 1, 1856, the city voted to subscribe
$150,000 to the capital stock of the same company, and issue bonds therefor at 8 per cent
interest, payable semi-annually. This second issue was on condition that $100,000 of the first
issue be surrendered by the railway company. This was done, and the bonds burned by a com-
mittee appointed by the Council. i
On March 4, 1864, these two issues, with the due and unpaid interest upon them, were paid
by issuing $103,500 of new bonds at 6 per cent interest, due in 188-1:, and called " com-
promise bonds."
On the 1st of March, 1863, there were issued $12,000 of bonds, at 8 per cent interest,
for the construction of the High-School building, due March 1, 1873. In 1871, the city issued
$75,000 of 8 per cent bonds, interest payable semi-annually, to aid in the construction of the
North-Western Union, or Air Line Railway. These are due in ten annual installments, begin-
ning with 1881. In 1876, the city guaranteed the interest at 8 per cent for ten years, on
$200,000 of the Fond du Lac, Amboy & Peoria Railway bonds ; but these were destroyed by
mutual agreement in 1879. Thus the city has issued to railroads, plank road, schoolhouses and
to compromise old bonds, $568,475 in bonds. Of this amount there are outstanding $90,000 of
, the compromise bonds, due in 1884 with 6 per cent interest, and $75,000 of the Air Line bonds
due in ten equal installments, beginning with 1881.
PUBLIC HALLS.
The First Hall. — The first public hall of any consequence was in Darling's Block, erected
where it now stands, corner of Maine and First streets, in 1847. The third floor is still used
by various secret societies, but it has not been a public hall for a good many years. Before Dar-
ling's Hall was built, the schoolhouse on Main street, between Second and Third, was, in addi-
tion- to being a court house and church, used as a public hall.
Amory Hall. — By far the largest and finest hall in Fond du Lac, is in Amory's brick and
stone Block on Main, at the head of Sheboygan street, erected in 1857. It is 66x80 feet on
the* inside, 25 feet high and capable of seating 1,500 persons. The architect was Thomas H.
Green. When this hall was finished it was the largest and finest in Wisconsin, and the decor-
ative work still makes a costly appearance. In addition to double doors opening outward, for
more complete safety in case of fire during an entertainment, a " fire-escape " was added on the
south side in 1877. The hall was built and is now owned by S. B. Amory. It is estimated
that from 1858 to 1880 1,500,000 people have been accommodated in Amory Hall, at a cost to
them of $250,000. During 1879 and 1880 the hall has been rented by Swift & Arnold.
Opera Hall. — In 1865, a brick block was erected at the head of Forest, on Main street, by
Charles Johnson, and the second and third stories fitted expressly for a public hall. It is cen-
trally located, and only one story from the ground, but is not capable of seating so large a
HISTORY or FOKD DU LAG COUNTY. 603
gathering as Amory Hall. During several years after 1873, the name was changed to Neocos-
mian Hall, being rented and controlled by the Neocosmian Society. The old name of Opera
Hall was resumed after that society died. The building is now owned by A. G. Ruggles, Mrs.
M. H. Galloway and J. P. Bonesteel. It will seat 800 persons.
Other Public Malls. — Music Hall, built and owned by the Amorys, situated on the corner
of Main and Division streets, is now used mostly for balls, masquerades and other entertain-
ments of that nature.
In the brick block on the corner of Fourth and Main streets, B. F. Moore owns a hall
which has been used as a military headquarters, by the South-side Turners, and as a place for
dancing.
J. R. Colman has a hall over his store on Western avenue ; Smith & Ailing have a splen-
did hall in the third story of their block on Main street; there is a large hall in John Reinig's
Block on Main street, near the Patty House, and Miller's Hall, in " Lower Town," on Scott street.
HOTELS.
Fond du Lac House {No. T). — The first hotel ever opened in the city or county of Fond
du Lac was built by the Fond du Lac Company in 1836, at a cost of $500 for furniture and all,
and opened in June of that year by Colwert Pier. It was of logs, and is elsewhere described.
Fond du Lac House {No. S). — In 1838, Dr. M. C. Darling erected a log house on the
corner of Main and First streets, and opened it as a hotel under the name, also, of the " Fond
du Lac House." It was a temperance house. About 1840, having erected a dwelling-house,
and moved into it, Mr. Darling had Thomas Green come from Green Bay, and " keep tavern "
in his Main street building.
Exchange Hotel. — Soon after Dr. Darling arrived in the settlement, in 1838, he sent for
Theodore Hebert, a French blacksmith, agreeing to give him throe-quarters of an acre of land,
if he would come and permanently locate. Mr. Herbert came and built a log blacksmith-shop
and residence where the Opera Hall now stands, at the head of Forest street. He, or rather
his wife, who is yet a resident of the city, began to entertain such travelers as would not stop at
a temperance house. Mr. Hebert had always on tap a barrel of the best whisky, and Mrs.
Hebert sold the first liquor by the glass ever sold in the county of Fond du Lac, although at
that time all the settlers kept whisky for the purpose of trading with the Indians. In a few
months, Mrs. Hebert's custom grew to such proportions that her husband left his blacksmith-
ing, and built a frame addition to the house. In 1847. Mr. and Mrs. Hebert had accumulated
suificient means to build a new hotel, which they called the Exchange Hotel. It Avas three
stories high, and by far the largest structure in the city, and earned for its builders such epithets
as " fools " and " bullheads." But it was a success.' It was afterward moved down Main street
to where it now stands. It is owned by W. H. Wells, and leased for hotel purposes by George
Q. Campbell, as the " City Hotel." although the old lettering of " Exchange Hotel " is not yet
■defaced. Mrs. Hebert, who had nearly as much todo with the building and management of the
" Exchange " as her husband, is a resident of Fond du Lac, in good health, and still keeping a
boarding-house.
Temperance Cottage. — In the spring of 1846, John J. Driggs, now deceased, built and
opened as a hotel a small building on the corner of Main and Court streets, where the American
House now stands. Its name was Temperance Cottage, but the bloods of the village dubbed it
" Dish-water Castle," because no liquor was sold on the premises. After the " Badger
House " was opened in the fall of 1846, across the Court House Square, there sprung up a lively
•competition between the two hotels. In 1848, the Cottage was enlarged by an addition 21x54
feet, and otherwise improved. Some time afterward, it fell into the hands of H. P. Olds, who
-changed the name to the Globe Hotel. When Henry Shattuck built the first American House
in 1861, he used a portion of what was the old Temperance Cottage.
Badger House. — This was a popular and fashionable hotel in an early day. It was built
l)y Theodore Conkey in 1846, on the corner of Western avenue and Main street, and was opened
604 HISTORY OF POND DU LAC COUNTY.
November 18, 1846, by J. C. Lewis and R. L. Morris. In 1848, it was leased to Quartus
Olcott, and, in 1849, was sold to E. M. and M. M. Simmons. Finally, the business portion of
the city becoming established farther north, the " Badger " was moved away. A portion of it now
stands on Linden street.
Lewis Souse. — The original Lewis House was built by Robert Wyatt in 1848, on the
corner of Fourth and Ellis streets. Fourth street was then called the " Sheboygan road." This
hotel Mr. Wyatt called "The Eagle," and for a sign was hoisted a very large wooden eagle,
made by Henry Jens, which now serves as a sign at Lamartlne. The building was 30x40, and
two stories high. In 1849, Mr. Wyatt moved " The Eagle " to the corner of Main and Sheboy-
gan streets, enlarged it to three and one-half stories, and rented it to J. C. Lewis. On, October
1, 1850, James Ewen purchased the building and named it the Lewis House, after " Curt "
Lewis. In October, 1860, Mr. Ewen rented the property to B. S. Patty, and sold it to him
three years later. Mr. Patty was its manager and proprietor when it burned, in 1866.
In 1871, J. C. Lewis erected the present Lewis House on the east side of Main, below
Division street, and opened it as a hotel. He left it after the great fire at Chicago, in 1873.
It is now owned and managed by Stephen Oberreich, and is doing a thriving business.
American House. — The original American House — a portion of which is now located on
Seventh street, and used as a dwelling, the balance doing duty in the rear of the present American
House — was a three-story wooden building, built by Henry Shattuck in the fall of 1861, on the
corner of Main and Court streets, at a cost of $4,000. It contained forty-five bedrooms, dining-
room, office and kitchen. Mr. Shattuck left; the Exchange Hotel, which he had managed two years,
in January, and opened business in his own building. The American House was a success at
once, and remained so until 1875, when the building now occupying the same site was built.
The new building is of the best cream-colored brick, four stories high, including basement, and
is elegantly appointed for a public house. It fronts ninety feet on Main street, and, when the
west wing is completed, will front ninety feet on Court street. The large office and reading-
room and the dining-room are on the ground floor, and as pleasant as those of any other public-
house in the State. The grand opening ball, by which the new American House was dedicated,
occurred September 27,. 1875, and was a liberally attended and brilliant afiuir. The building,
which was designed by H. P. Thompson, of Fond du Lac, is one of the noticeable features of
the city. Henry Shattuck is its owner and manager.
Patty House. — The largest and costliest hotel in Fond du Lac is the Patty House. It was-
biiilt on the old Lewis House site, corner of Main and Sheboygan streets, in 1867, by B. S.
Patty. , It was constructed of brick and "Taycheedah marble," which is a creamy-white lime-
stone, and fronts eighty feet on Main, and 140 feet on Sheboygan street ; is four stories high,,
and cost about $66,000. It is the most noticeable building in Fond du Lac, and the largest
hotel in the State outside of Milwaukee, containing 105 rooms, all of them large and high. The
Patty House was opened to the public May 9, 1868, and dedicated by a grand ball June 9 of
the same year. This opening ball was an elaborate afiair, for which 1,400 tickets at |5 each
were sold. In January, 1871, B. S. Patty died. His sons, J. W. and Gr. R. Patty, managed
its afiairs until May 8, 1871, when Byron Town leased it for a term of five years. He remained
three years and a half, doing a large and profitable business, after which the Patty brothers again
took possession. A recent writer gives this description of the Patty House:
" The Patty House is the architectural pride of Fond du Lac. It stands on a prominent
corner of the commercial center of the city. Its 220 feet of solid marble frontage on two streets^
point it out as an evidence of the prosperity of the city which it adorns. Designed by a lead-
ing New York architect, who had made hotels a study, and erected under his supervision at an
outlay of $65,000, it will ever remain a monument to the memory of its enterprising projector."
National Hotel. — The National Hotel is a handsome, two-story brick structure, built by
Edmund N. Korrer in 1866 and 1872, on the corner of West Division and Brooke streets. It
has a frontage of ninety feet on Division, and sixty feet on Brooke street. It was opened in
1872, by Mrs. Bessie Riley, who is the present lessee. It is a pleasant and neatly kept hotels
and, being near the depot, has a good trade.
HISTOKY or FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 605-
Mr^ National Hotel. — In 1872, M. Van Dresav purchased the large wooden building then
located on the corner of Forest and Main streets, and used by the First National Bank, whence
it took its name, and moved the structure bodily to the corner of Fourth and Marr streets. The
inside was remodeled, and the building opened as the " First National Hotel." Prices were put
down one-half; large sheds for horses and stock were erected — the first ever built for such a
purpose in the city — and the business was pushed in the direction of the farmers and laboring
people. It was the greatest success of the time as a hotel, where good lodgings and plenty of
wholesome food could be had at cheap rates, and cleared $6,000 the first thirteen months after
it was opened. It is now leased by Mr. Van Dresar to the Dockstader brothers, who manage it
on the plan first adopted by him, and with good success.
Other Hotels. — The "Washington House," corner of Main and Fifth streets, by Martin
Franey, is a large hotel, patronized largely by farmers.
The " Serwe House," by C. Serwe, on Main street, is a three-story, wooden building,
which has served as a hotel during a long term of years. It is a popular hostelry with the
German travelers and farmers, and has a large patronage.
Joseph Kaiser's "Fountain City Hotel," on Main street, just north of Division, is one of
the popular German hotels of Fond du Lac. It is three stories high, of wood, and has its full
share of patronagfe. Besides these, there are the following: The "European Hotel," on West
Division street, kept by John C. Kennealy ; the " Wisconsin House," on Main street; the
" Central Hotel," by W. Korrer, at the foot of Main street ; the " Milwaukee House," on Fourth
street, by Julius Nast; "Brown's Hotel," corner of Scott and Juneau streets, W. Comstock,.
proprietor ; " Gilbert House," at 373 Main street, by Adam Weikert ; and " Temperance Hotel,"
corner of Waupun and Johnson streets, P. Scheff, proprietor.
BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS AND SOCIETIES.
Home for the Friendless. — The Home for the Friendless, with its ample grounds and large,
comfortable building, is an outgrowth and the exclusive property of the Fond du Lac Relief
Society, which was organized by the ladies of Fond du Lac, during the great fires in Northern
Michigan and Wisconsin. Mrs. Julia Tallmadge Ruggles was the leading spirit in organizing
the Relief Society. She was also mainly instrumental in securing a charter for the society,
enabling it to hold property, and in raising money to purchase the building now owned and
occupied as the "Home." Her original idea was to have an industrial school connected with the
Home, so that needy people might be provided with employment at fair wages.
Mrs. Elizabeth Fenimore Beall, until her death in 1879, was also an earnest worker in the
Relief Society. The first annual report of thfe Society was in April, 1875. It contained the
original articles of association, as required by chapter 146, laws of 1872, showing that the fol-
lowing ladies were the founders of the Society : Mrs. Elizabeth F. Beall, Mary W. Stow, B.
B. Tallmadge, Mary T. Hamilton, Susan A. Perry, Mary Branshaw, E. A. Walker, Julia T.
Ruggles, C. L. Spears, C. F. Townsend, E. A. Hurd, Mary L. Hiner and E. P. Lusk. A
large number of other ladies afterward became members, the life membership fee being $25.
In 1876, the State made an appropriation of $800, and until 1879, the county set aside
$300 annually for the Home. At its session in that year the County Board refused to make an
appropriation. Mrs. William B. Brand, at her death in 1878, bequeathed some real estate and
$200 in cash to the Home, and the citizens of Fond du Lac have given liberally to its support.
George W. Peck delivered a lecture for the benefit of the Home, and various fairs, concerts,
dramas and other entertainments have been given to replenish its treasury. These have always
been liberally patronized.
The building occupied as the Home for the Friendless is situated on the corner of Amory
and Arndt streets, and was purchased by the Fond du Lac Relief Society August 80, 1878, of R.
M. Lewis, for $2,500. It is commodious and well arranged for the use to which it has been put,
and is surrounded by a finely shaded yard and large garden. The Home is the only non-secta-.
rian benevolent institution in the city, and has accomplished great good, extending aid to
606 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
persons of all ages and shades of religious opinion. The different Presidents have been, Mrs.
E. F. Beall, Mrs. B. F. Patty, Mrs. W. H. Hiner, Mrs. J. F. Aldrich and Mrs. J. R. Smith.
Secretaries — Mrs. C. W. Seaver, Mrs. J. F. Aldrich, Mrs. J. R. Smith, Mrs. M. E. Deveraux.
Treasurers — Mrs. W. H. Iliner, Mrs. C. K. Pier, Mrs. Br. Walker, Mrs. J. R. Smith.
St. Joseph's Convent of Mercy and Orphan Asylum. — In January, 1876, the Sisters of
Mercy purchased the S. E. Lefferts place, on East Second street, for $4,500, and converted it
into a convent and asylum. In each of the years, 1876, 1877 and 1878, the county voted
$300 aid to the Sisters. With this, and the personal means belonging to each, the building .
was raised another story, fences were built and other improvements made. At the same time
the debt for purchase money was reduced to $1,127. Sister Mary Agnes is the Mother Super-
ior, in whom rests the title to all property. She has sixteen associates. There are twenty-four
orphan children now being clothed, fed an 1 educated at the asylum. They are taught whatever
trade they seem best adapted to follow. Thirty have found good homes through these Sisters,
and others been put in a way to earn their own livelihood. In addition to caring for orphans,
the Sisters visit and aid the poor everywhere, and take in and care for distressed women of good
character. They have a commodious three-story building, well furnished; a good schoolroom
and a neatly arranged dormitory for the children. The amount of good they quietly "and
secretly do is incalculable. By donations of the charitable and their own industry, the Sisters
are constantly enlarging their field of usefulness. They are, of course, Catholic.
Sti Agnes' Convent. — One of the largest and finest buildings in Fond du Lac is St. Agnes'
Convent on East Division street. In August, 1871, a band of St. Agnes' Sisters came to Fond
du Lac and purchased a house and several lots on East Division street. Three years later, they
built another house of brick, and in 1877, erected the present structure. It is of brick and
stone, with stone roof 120x43 feet, and four stories in, height, with basement. Its cost was
$20,000. Preparations are constantly making for the construction of other buildings, to which
the present large structure will be only one wing. This Convent is the head of all others in Wis-
consin, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Texas, Kansas, Michigan, Illinois and Indiana. Sister Mary
Agnes, the Mother Superior, is Superior General over all those States. There are 120 Sisters
belonging to this Convent, who are teaching in various localities, whence the means necessary to
carry forward such an extensive work are derived. In this Convent are twenty-two orphans
^ who are clothed, fed and taught in all branches of learning and industry. The needle and
fancy decorative work turned out is remarkable in design, beauty and quantity. Everything
in the Convent betokens system, culture, genius and comfort. Pictures and plants are in all
the rooms, in which also dwell courteousness, cleanliness and cheerfulness. AH the Sisters are
Catholics, and their work is a branch of the Catholic Church work.
Workingmen s Association.^-T\i\B society, which is composed of Germans and was organ-
ized for benevolent purposes, meets every Friday night in the Bischoif Block, on Main street.
In has been in existence since 1876. Its By-Laws provide that, in case of the sickness of any
member, he shall receive $3 per week benefit during such sickness, and, in case of death, each
member shall pay $1 to his family. If the wife of a member dies, this assessment is 50 cents
each ; and if a child dies, 25 cents each. The officers are Peter Pehl, President ; Herman
Walter, Secretary, and John Luhn, Treasurer.
La Belle Wagon Works Mutual Benefit Association. — This benevolent society is com-
posed of the men connected with the La Belle Wagon Works, and was organized June 4, 1878,
with B. F. Moore, President; C. H. Moore, Vice President; S. P. Morse, Secretary; A. L.
Moore, Treasurer. The Association has two classes of mutual insurance. The one requires
each member to pay 50 cents per month into the treasury, and, in case of injury, he will
receive $7 per week benefit during his disability. The other requires each member to pay one-
half as much per month, and the benefits are one-half smaller. The Association numbers
fifty, with the original oflicers in charge.
St. Michael's Society. — This is a German Catholic benevolent association, organized for
the mutual benefit of its members. It was formed in April, 1870,, and is a branch of the
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 607
■German Catholic Central Society of the United States. In case of the sickness or disability
of any member, he is paid $3 per week from the benefit fund, and, in case of his death, $35 is
set aside for funeral expenses. In case of the death of a member's wife, $20 is set aside for
the same purpose. The Society, which has seventy-five members, meets in Reinig's Hall every
Tuesday evening. The oflScers are Fred Wagner, President; Anton Born, Secretary, and
Michael Kaufman, Treasurer. It is a strong and prosperous organization.
Concordia Benevolent Society. — This Society, which exists for the purpose of affording aid
to its members and their families, was organized February 10, 1866. The Society pays $4 per
week to any member in case of and during sickness, and, at his death, the funeral expenses. It
is composed entirely of Germans, has about fifty members, and holds its meetings, on the first
Wednesday of each month, in J. & C. Frey's block, on Main street. The officers are Peter
Pehl, President; Casper Schleiden, Secretary, and John Hirsch, Treasurer. The Society has
a large surplus in the treasury. , •
St. Patrick's Benevolent Society. — This Society, formed for purely benevolent purposes,
was organized April 20, 1869, by the election of John W. Gill, President. It has been contin-
uously engaged in acts of benevolence since that time, holding monthly meetings in Welch's
Hall, on Main street. John W. Gill has been President five times— in 1869, 1871, 1873, 1877
and 1879 ; Maurice McKenna in 1872 and 1874 ; Thomas McCrory, 1876 ; Maurice Fitzsim-
mons, 1875 ; A. A. Kelley, 1878.
St. Joseph's Benevolent Association. — This society, formed purely for benevolent purposes,
was organized March 4, 1866. The charter members were Joseph Serwe, Joseph Erman,
Joseph Hetwere, Andrew Hetwere, J. H. Gores, John Dana, John Merz, Nicholas Jenner,
Anton Servatius, Peter Servatius, William Buchel, Jack Thellan, Peter Breister, G. Scherzin-
ger, Martin Lohmiller and Joseph Stollenwork. The first officers were : Joseph Serwe, Presi-
dent ; A. Servatius, Vice President ; John H. Gores, Secretary ; Joseph Hetwere, Vice Secre-
tary ; Joseph Erman, Treasurer. The society pays $8 per week benefit to any member during
sickness, $150 to his heirs in case of death, $25 in case of the death of the wife of any
member, and furnishes nightly attendance during sickness. A person cannot join the Associa-
tion unless'he is of good character, between the ages of sixteen and fifty years, in good health,
and a member of the Catholic Church. The initiation fee is $3 for persons from sixteen to
twenty-five years of age, $4 from twenty-five to thirty-five, $5 from thirty-five to forty-five, and
$6 from forty-five to fifty ; monthly dues, 25 cents. The society now has a membership of
sixty-five, with $1,500 in the treasury. The officers are : John Peter Stephani, President ;
B. Serwe, Vice President ; C. Serwe, Treasurer ; C. Schmidt, Secretary ; John Ditter, Vice
Secretary. The society meets on the first Sunday of every month, over the German- American
Savings Bank.
Firemen's Benevolent Association. — This Association, organized for purely benevolent
purposes, for members of the Fire Department only, was formed October 18, 1876, and incor-
porated by act of Legislature March 7, 1877. Its officers were : A. B. Taylor, President ;
George W. Casey, Vice President; Charles W. Green, Secretary; L. F. Stowe, Treasurer.
Directors — Fire Company No. 1, C. M. Bowen, J. C. Kennealy ; Fire Company No. 3, George
W. Crosby, Henry Rosenow ; Fire Company No. 5, William H. Hurley, Ferd. J. Martin ; Hook
and Ladder Company No. 1, Henry Dirkes, John Strause. The Association received from the
insurance agents of the city a tax of 2 per cent on all premiums received upon fire policies, and
also, regularly, a stated sum from all members. In case of sickness or injury, any member
received $3 per week, and $50 for funeral expenses in case of death. Aid was also given to
the families of firemen at the option of the officers of the Association. This organization, which
was always strong, financially, went out of existence after the city organized the paid Fire
Department, in 1878. A new association was organized immediately thereafter, but the 2 per
■cent tax on the insurance agents was diverted to the city treasury. ' The new Association has
the following officers ; President, George P. Dana; Vice President, Henry Rosenow ; Secretary,
Louis A. Lange; Treasurer, Herman Rupp.
608 HISTORY or FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
LITERARY AND OTHER , SOCIETIES.
Young Men's Association.. — A meeting of some of the leading citizens of Fond du
Lac was held in Gillet & Conk'lin's law office Novemher 21, 1863, "for the purpose
of forming a literary and library association." B. F. Moore was President, and H. P.
Brown, Secretary, of the meeting. Gen. C. S. Hamilton, now of Milwaukee, paid the required
fee and became the first member. It was decided to adopt for government the Constitution and
By-Laws, with slight modification, of the Young Men's Association of Milwaukee, which was
done. After the Constitution was adopted, the first election of officers under it resulted as fol-
lows: President, William H. Hiner; Vice President, C. S. Hamilton; Secretary, H. P.
Brown ; Treasurer, James B. Perry ; Directbrs — J. M. Gillet, Rev. H. M. Robertson, B. F.
Moore, E. L. Griffin, James Coleman. Any person could become a life member upon the pay-
ment of f 2S. With the proceeds of the sale of life memberships the first books were pur-
chased.
As soon as in working order, the Association set about securing a course of lect-
ures. This was the first. regular lecture course ever inaugurated in the city, and consisted of
lectures by Charles D. Robinson, of the Green Bay Advocate; Judge Arthur McArthur, of
Milwaukee, now of Washington ; Dr. 0. H. Tiff'any, now of New York ; Edward G. Ryan,
now Chief Justice of Wisconsin; Prof. J. D. Butler; Rev. E. Nisbet, of Fond du Lac, and
Rev. C. D. Helmer. Dr. Tifiany received the highest fee, $50, and Edward G. Ryan, whose
lecture was highly praised, received the smallest, $10.
In May, 1864, a library room was secured in H. P. Brown's wooden building, since
burned, on the corner of Main and Forest streets. George P. Knowles was elected Librarian,
and $225 voted to be used in the purchase of books, which was expended by A. M. Blair. The
Association continued to increase in membership, enlarge its library and strengthen its financial
condition, furnishing a course of lectures, at moderate figures, each season, until 1869, when,
the expenditures began to exceed the receipts, and the members found their organization in
debt $220. In December, a meeting was held to make arrangements to consolidate with the
Young Men's Christian Association. This fell through, and Dana C. Lamb moved that the
Trustees secure $220 upon a mortgage on the property of the Association, or secure the cred-
itors by such mortgage. E. H. Galloway advanced the money, and secured himself by taking
a mortgage on the library.
In August, 1870, George W. Carter introduced a resolution to the effect that all officers
who could not or would not attend to their duties had better resign. This renewed the energy
of the slow ones for a time. Mr. Galloway's mortgage was paid, with interest, on the 1st of
December, 1870.
May 9, 1871, the Association again found itself in debt, after settling for the lecture of
M. Du Chaillu, to the extent of $42.68. The lecture course of the following seasons did not
wipe it out, and, February 11, 1873, a committee was appointed to see how the increasing
indebtedness could be paid, and, February 22, the Secretary was instructed to clo^ the library
and box up the books. The debt was then $125. In 1874, Ann Eliza Young was secured for
a lecture, but the receipts did not pay the debts of the Association, and George H. Francis, the
Librarian, was compelled to collect bills for arrearages of dues for his pay, and to accept for his
payment in full whatever he could collect. In May, 1876, a resolution was adopted instructing
the officers to turn the books and property over to the city, provided the city would establish
and maintain a free reading-room and public library.
The last meeting of the Directors was held February 27, 1877, when all the books, num-
bering 1,500 volumes, and other property, were formally delivered to the city, the vote on main-
taining a public library having been favorable. Thus the foundation of the present public
library was laid by the Young Men's Association, which existed fourteen years ; furnished
the first course of lectures, opened the first library in the city, and went out of existence
in debt.
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 609
The last President was N. S. Gilson, and the last Secretary, J. F. Ware. The records
are not all extant, but the following, is a list of the life members of the Association : C. S.
Hamilton, S. B. Amory, A. M. Blair, William H. Hiner, I. K. Hamilton, Woodman C. Ham-
ilton, Edwin H. Galloway, James Ewen, Robert Flint, Charles A. Eldredge, Hiram K. Laugh-
lin, Robert A. Baker, John Sewell, B. S. Patty, B. F. Moore, John S. McDonald, C. J. Petti-
bone, Allan Carswell, James M. Gillet, Edward Pier, William B. Brand.
American Red Ribhon Association. — In February, 1879, Dr. McCollister came to Fond
du Lac and began a series of temperance meetings, first in Amory Hall and later in Opera
Hall, the Free Baptist Church, on the corner of Marr and Second streets, and the Unitarian
Church, on Division street. These continued, with varying success, until May, when he left,
and the meetings were continued by local managers. May 29, a permanent organization was
perfected by the election of John S. McDonald, President; E. Delany, Jr., Vice President;
T. S- Nowell, S. P. Morse, Dr. D. B. Wyatt and Robert Wyatt, Directors ; Samuel H. Ham-
mond, Secretary ; Robert Wyatt, Treasurer, and Rev. F. A. Marsh, Chaplain.
The purpose of the organization, as set forth in its Constitution, is to promote the cause of
temperance and sobriety by abstaining from the use of all intoxicating liquors. The members
are interested and active enough to meet three times each week — on Sunday evenings, for tem-
perance work and addresses ; on Tuesday evenings, for the transaction of business, and on Fri-
day evenings, for charades, music, recitations, socials and general entertainment. To these an
admission fee of 10 cents is charged, which all, whether members or not, must pay. All mem-
bers are also required to pay 5 cents per week for dues. At its organization the Association
contained 2,360 members, which number is steadily increasing, the present membership being
2,500. The meetings are held in the Unitarian Church, on Division street, which was remod-
eled for the use of the Association. The building has movable seats, an elegant, though small, stage,
and a win^in the rear for cooking and to be used preparing for sociables and other entertainments.
Some of the foremost and wealthiest citizens of Fond du Lac are active members, and the Asso-
ciation is in a flourishing condition. Besides paying a rental of $350 per annum for the church
and all other expenses, the organization has a surplus in the treasury. When this surplus is
sufficiently enlarged, it is the purpose of the Association to purchase the building it now rents.
S. H. Hammond was succeeded in January, 1880, by Mrs. C. H. De Groat.
Neocosmian Society. — This literary association was organized in the Congregational
Church parlors Wednesday, January 17, 1872, by the election of Dr. D. B. Wyatt as Presi-
dent ; Miss F. C. Mihills, Vice President, and S. G. Leland, Secretary. A Constitution and
By-Laws proposed by D. B. Wyatt and N. S. Gilson, were adopted, and the business of fur-
nishing entertainments began at once. The membership began from the start to increase rap-
idly, and in three years had reached 450. The Society rented Opera Hall at $500 per year,
changing its name to Neocosmian Hall. Its fixtures and stage property were overhauled and
embellished ; a paper called the Neocosmian was issued, and the Society became a power,
furnishing a lecture course every winter, and scores of fine entertainments during other portions
of the year. On the 23d of March, 1874, the Society opened a free reading-room in the
Sewell Block, next to the First National Bank. The library was accessible to all who paid 25
cents per quarter for the use of books. In 1875, the Society, owing to the very large rent paid
for the hall, other large expenses and the loss of $100, which was collected for, but never
realized by, the Society, found itself in debt to the extent of $600. This was mostly for hall
rent, and the proprietors, Oberreich & Bonesteel, becoming anxious lest it should not be paid,
sued the officers and Directors of the Society. This added to the already burdensome debt,
l)ut it was all paid promptly by subscription. This subscription paper is worthy of preserva-
tion, as it demonstrated the great liberality of several of the citizens of Fond du Lac. In
1876, the Society began to weaken very materially, and its officers were instructed by resolution
to join with the Young Men's Association, which was likewise in debt and near its end, in
making a proposition to the city to take the books of both societies and establish a free public
library, as provided for by law. The proposition was accepted, and, in the spring of 1877,
610 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
the books, nearly nine hundred volumes, were turned over to the Public Library, and the-
furniture sold for $57 to the city for the use of the library. The Neocosmian Society was the
most active and enterprising of any ever organized in Fond du Lac, and furnished a greater
variety of entertainments. The first President and Secretary were D. B. Wyatt and S. G.
Leland ; second, J. W. Bass and George W. Todd ; third, George W. Todd and John D.
Wyatt; fourth, George W. Todd and Dr. E. Mitchell; fifth, C. E. Shepard and Mrs. E. H.
Jones ; sixth, J. W. Bas? and C. B. Dailey ; seventh, J. F. Ware and W. F. Boland ; eighth,
C. H. De Groat and W. F. Boland ; ninth, H. R. Farnum and AV. F. Boland ; tenth, eleventh
and twelfth, George E. Sutherland and John D. Wyatt ; thirteenth, E. S. Curran and John E.
Kent ; fourteenth, George W. Todd and J. E. Kent ; fifteenth, C. D. Otis and J. E. Kent ;.
sixteenth, 0. T. Williams and John E. Kent, who surrendered to the Public Library.
Erina Dramatic Society. — This Society, which devoted itself entirely to the preparation
and presentation of dramas and comedies, was organized August 1, 1875, and consisted then of
L. F. Haas, P. H. Hannigan, A. A. Kelley, W. F. Boland, D. W. McKenna, Harry Shafer,
T. C. Doheny, L. Pellitier, William Cahill, William Bischoff, Mrs. M. Haas, Miss Ella Roach
and Mary Burke. L. F. Haas was Manager ; P. H. Hannigan, Secretary; Mrs. Maggie-
Haas, Treasurer, and Henry Shafer, an actor of the early times with Langrishe & Atwater,
stage manager. August 30, 1875, the company put " Ireland as It Is " upon the stage, and
cleared $200 for the benefit of St. Joseph's Church. For the benefit of the same church, they
played " Robert Emmet " to a crowded house, November 17, 1875. After playing in Fond du
Lac, the company put this piece and others on the stage in adjoining cities and villages.
Various and very diflBcult plays have been presented to the public by them in creditable style.
The leading characters are taken by P. Hannigan, William Bischoff, Mrs. Maggie Haas, Miss-
Julia Mullen and A. A. Kelley. The proceeds of all entertainments always go for charitable-
purposes. The manner in which " Con the Shaughraun " was rendered by this contpany could
be equaled by few professional troupes. In May, 1876, the members presented to the late Mr.
G. I. Burrows, the veteran janitor of Amory Hall, a handsome silver cup, for kindnesses
rendered.
Turnverein Fond du Lac. — This is one of the oldest Turner societies in Wisconsin.
Under the name of the Socialer Turnverein, it was organized April 18, 1855, with twenty
members, all Germans. The first officers were : President, Louis Goldstucker ; Secretary,
Charles A. Handt ; Treasurer, Casper Buechner ; Teachers, Thomas Boebel and A. Vogt..
The first meetings were held in J. & C. Frey's brewery building, corner of Macy and Division
streets. The first ball and exhibition ever given was in September, 1855. In July, 1856, a
lot on Portland street was purchased of Mason C. Darling. The original building, now occu-
pied by the Turners, was purchased by them of the Plymouth branch of the Congregational
church, and moved from the corner of Macy and First streets in 1866. The land on which it
first stood belonged to the German and English Academy, from which the Turners had a lease.
The building is well equipped for balls, theatricals, masquerades and socials, having an orches-
tra, _dressing-rooms and ample stage. The stage was added by erecting an addition to the
building in 1871, at which time a lot adjoining the Academy was purchased of Mrs. Caroline
Martin for $1,000, and the hall moved thereon. In 1874, the State Turnfest was held in Fond
du Lac, the visiting Turners being guests of the Fond du Lac society. A picnic was held in
Taylor's Grove, concert by Bach's Band in Amory Hall, and a ball at Turner Hall. The fes-
tivities lasted four days. In 1874, the society was incorporated as the Turnverein Fond du:
Lac. At a meeting of the Turner delegates at Sheboygan in 1878, Fond du Lac was chosen
as the headquarters for the State, and the following officers were chosen : Grand President, R-
Katz ; Vice President, G. Burghardt ; Secretary, J. Thomsen ; Treasurer, L. Goldstucker.
Their terms were from September 1, 1878, to September 1, 1879.
Those of this society who went to Milwaukee to join the Turner volunteer company dur-
ing the rebellion were G. Binghardt, C. Schnell, L. Camtz, H. Rube, Aug. Hecker, F. Grassel,.
A. Vogt and H. Feldrapp.
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 611
The society has eighty members. As 1880 is the twenty-fifth anniversary of the organi-
zation, L. Goldstucker, the first President, was chosen to the same office. The society is pre-
paring for a grand anniversary celebration.
Young Men's Club. — This is an organization for mutual pleasure and improvement. It
was formed in October, 1874, with these charter members : Robert C. Baker, F. M. Dana,. E.
A. Burnton, W. L. Bishop, A. Tallmadg^, F. L. Clark, E. E. Boyer, John Sewell, Jr., W. P,
Findeisen. The first meeting was held October 4, 1874, when R. C. Baker was elected Presi-
dent ; F. M. Dana, Vice President ; E. A. Burnton, Secretary, and W. L. Bishop, Treasurer,
Meetings are held monthly in Smith & Alling's Block, where the Club has a room tastefully
furnished with books, papers and musical instruments. The officers for 1880 are : Frank B,
Hoskins, President ; Frank M. Dana, Secretary ; Ed S. Curran, Treasurer, and E. A. Burn-
ton, Director.
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
On the 9th of October, 1876, the City Council received a. joint proposition from the Young
Men's Association and the Neocosmian Society to donate to the city the libraries of these two
literary societies, provided the municipality would establish and maintain, as allowed by the law
of 1872, a Free Reading Room and Public Library. This law provides that villages and cities,
of not over fifty thousand inhabitants, may each year levy a tax of one mill on each dollar of the
taxable property of such village or city, for the establishment and maintenance of a free read-
ing room and public library, provided that the matter be submitted to a vote of the people
and be approved by a majority of them. The Council acted favorably upon the proposition, and
resolved to submit it to the vote of the city at the next general election, with the provision that
the amount of tax to be raised and set aside as a library fund should not exceed ^ of a mill on
the dollar of all taxable property. The election was held Tuesday, November 7, 1876, and
resulted in 1,258 votes being cast for establishing a Public Library and 151 against it. The
Council, at its meeting on December 4, after the election, directed the tax of ^ of a mill to be
levied, and appointed a Board of Directors for the Library, consisting of the following : S. S.
Bowers, N. C. Giffin, George Perkins, 0. T. Williams, Charles E. Shepard, George P.
Knowles, A. M. Blair, Elihu Colman and C. A. Hutchins. This board held its first meeting
in the Council-rooms December 8, 1876, and elected "C. .A. Hutchins, President; N. C. Giffin,
Vice President, and Elihu Colman, Secretary. Directors for one, two and three years were chosen
by lot, C. A. Hutchins, N. C. Giffin and Elihu Colman being chosen for one year from July 1,
1877 ; George Perkins, 0. T. Williams and George P. Knowles for two years, and S. S. Bow-
ers, A. M. Blair and C. E. Shepard for three years from the same time.
January 5, 1877, Miss Augusta Ball was chosen Librarian, at a salary of $250 per annum,
with a bond, guaranteeing faithful performance of duty, of $500. February 3, 1877, John
Amory's proposition to rent the two rooms now occupied by the Library, in the second story of
454 Main street, at $125 per annum during five years, was accepted. The furniture used by
the Neocosmian Society was purchased at $57, other necessary fixtures were obtained at once, and
the Reading Room opened March 1, 1877. The Library was opened to the public April 5, and
consisted of 1,200 volumes of books, donated by the Neocosmian Society and the Young Men's
Association. These two societies donated to the city 1,559 volumes, but only 1,200 were found
available, the balance consisting* of duplicates or unreturned books, which could not be deliv-
ered. The tax levied — 3-10 of a mill instead of ^ of a mill — became available January 1,
1877, and $500 of the amount raised was used to purchase new books. The balance, nearly
$800, was used for furniture and running expenses.
At the first annual meeting held July 27, 1877, C. A. Hutchins was re-elected President ;
N. C. Giffin, Vice President; Elihu Colman, Secretary, and Miss Augusta Ball, Librarian.
Her salary was fixed at $250, as before. At the second annual meeting of the Board of Direct-
ors, held August 9, 1878, C. A. Hutchins was re-elected President, George P. Knowles, Vice
President, and 0. T. Williams, Secretary. At the third annual meeting of the Board, held
'612 HISTOEY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
August 8, 1879, C. A. Hutchins was re-elected President, George P. Knowles, Vice President,
and Joseph W. Hiner, Secretarj.
The Library now contains 3,500 volumes of standard works, and the Reading Room is
well supplied with magazines, weekly and daily newspapers, and the various other periodicals of
the day. The Library is free to all residents of the city, and its advantages may be enjoyed
by non-residents upon the payment of $2 per annum. The library and reading rooms are con-
nected by a high arch, thus throwing the two into a single apartment, 98x16 feet, facing Main
street on the east and Macy street on the west. Printed catalogues are sold to those desiring
them, and the institution is patronized liberally by all classes. New standard works are added
as fast as published, but the Library contains nothing frivolous or immoral. The sum raised by
-taxation for 1877 was |1,128.98 ; for 1878,. $1,638.52; for 1879, |1,621.62. The Library
has a small income also from the sale of catalogues.
SECRET SOCIETIES.
Fountain Lodge, No. 86, F. and A. M. — Foiintain Lodge, No 26, Free and Accepted Ma-
sons, was organized under a "dispensation" dated September 13, 1849, which was granted to
Mason C. Darling, George H. Beech, Arnold Friedman', N. Perry, George D. Ruggles, S. J.
Lusk, James Meyers and John C. Reeve. The organization was perfected September 28, 1849,
and the charter granted by the Grand Lodge, December l5 of the same year. The first
petitioners were E. W. Davis, still resident of Fond du Lac, and John Bannister. The first
members admitted (that is, those who had become Masons elsewhere) were 0. J. Soper, John
Petit and Rev. Joshua Sweet.
The ofiicers consist of a Worshipful Master, Senior and Junior Wardens, Treasurer and
Secretary, elected by ballot ; and a Senior and Junior Deacon, two Stewards, Tiler, and an
Organist, appointed by the Worshipful Master. The meetings or "communications" are held
■ the first and third Thursday evenings of each month, in the fine Masonic Hall, in the third story
of the First National Bank block. This is the oldest Masonic Lodge in the city and county of
Fond du Lac. It is now composed of 131 members. Its elective ofiicers from the date of its
organization to date are as follows :
For 1849— M. C. Darling, W. M.; George H. Beech, S. W.; Arnold Friedman, J. W.;
N. Perry, Treas.; George D. Ruggles, Sec. 1850— M. C. Darling, W- M.; George H. Beech,
S. W.; John Bannister, J. W.; E. W. Drury, Treas.; 0. B. Tyler, Sec. 1851— M. C. Dar-
ling, W. M.; 0. B. Tyler, S. W.; H. B. Budlong, J. W.; W. H. Hiner, Sec. 1852— M. C.
Darling, W. M.; W. H. Hiner, S. W.; A. G. Ruggles, J. W.; J. L. Henry, Treas.; B. B.
Livingstone, Sec. 1853— W.H. Hiner, W. M.; 0. J. Soper, S. W.; E..W. Drury, J. W.;
J. L. Henry, Treas.; A. W. Paine\ Sec. 1854— W. H. Hiner,' W. M.; I. S. Sherwood, S.
W.; F. D. McCarty, J. W.; M. C. Darling, Treas.; D. E. Wood, See. 1855—1. S. Sherwood,
W. M.; John Bannister, S. W.; 0. J. Soper, J. W.; J.L. Henry, Treas.; A. W. Paine, Sec.
1856— John Bannister, W. M.; A. W. Paine, S. W.; A. S. Gregory, J. W.; George McWill-
iams, Treas.; C. F. Kalk, Sec. 1857— A. W. Paine, W. M.; D. E. Wood, S. W.; D. A.
Ward, J. W.; George McWilliams, Treas.; C. F. Kalk, Sec. 1858— W. H. Hiner, W. M.; D. A.
Ward, S. W.; T. S. Weeks, J. W.; George McWilliams, Treas.; J. B. Perry, Sec. 1859—0.
J. Soper, W. M.; T. S. Weeks, S. W.; D. C. Wright, J. W.; J. B. Perry, Treas.; A. H.
Boardman, Sec. 1860— W. H. Hiner, W. M.; D. C. Wright, S. W.; A. H. Boardman, J.
W.; J. B. Perry, Treas.; J. V. McCall, Sec. 1861—1. S. Sherwood, W. M.; D. C. Wright,
S. W.; J. V. McCall, J. W.; J. C. Lowell, Treas.; George W. Sawyer, Sec. 1862— W. H.
Hiner, W. M.; D. C. Wright, S. W.; J. V. McCall, J. W.; J. C. Lowell, Treas.; J. H. Hay-
ford, Sec. 1863— D. C. Wright, W. M.; J. V. McCall, S. W.; K. A. Darling, J. W.; J. 0.
Lowell, Treas.; J. S. Burrows, Sec. 1864— D. C. Wright, W. M.; J. V. McCall, S. W.; K.
A. Darling, J. W.; J. C. Lowell, Treas.; J. C. Waterbury, Sec. 1865— J. V. McCall, W. M.;
D. C. Leper, S. W.; I. K. Hamilton, J. W.; J. C. Lowell, Treas.; J. C. Waterbury, Sec. 1866
—I. K. Hamilton, W. M.; J. S. Burrows, S. W.; P. L. Morse, J. W.; J. C. Lowell, Treas.;
HISTORY OF FOKD DU LAC COUNTY. 615
J. C. Waterbury, Sec. 1867—1. K. Hamilton, W. M.; N. C. Giffin, S. W.; 0. C. Steenberg,
J. W.; J. C. Lowell, Treas.; J. C. Waterbury, Sec. 1868— N. C. Giffin, W. M.; J. S. Bur-
rows, S. W.; Jobn Spence, J. W.; J. C. Lowell, Treas.; J. C. Waterbury, Sec. 1869— J. S.
Burrows, W. M.; John Spence, S. W.; Samuel Smith, J. W.; J. C. Lowell, Treas.; J. C.
Waterbury, Sec. 1870— N. C. Giffin, W. M.; John Spence, S. W.; W. C. Hamilton, J. W.;
-J. C. Lowell, Treas.; J. C. Waterbury, Sec. 1871— J. S. Burrows, W. M. ; Samuel Smith,
S. W.; D. Chamberlain, J. W.; J. C. Lowell, Treas.; S. W. Townsend, Sec. 1872— J. S.
Burrows, W. M.; Samuel Smith, S. W.; C. W. Smith, J. W.; J. C. Lowell, Treas.; S. W.
Townsend, Sec. 1873— J. S. Burrows, W. M.; Charles Marks, S. W.; W. M. Hawkins. J.
W.; J. C. Lowell, Treas.; S. W. Townsend, Sec. 1874— J. S. Burrows, W. M.; C. W. Smith,
S. W.; Samuel Smith, J. W.; J. C. Lowell, Treas.; S. W. Townsend, Sec. 1875— John
Spence, W. M.; C. W. Smith, S. W.; S. H. Cheney, J. W.; J. C. Lowell, Treas.; S. W. Town-
send, Sec. 1876— John Spence, W. M.; S. H. Cheney, S. W.; Samuel Smith, J. W.; J. C.
Lowell, Treas.; Thomas Bryant, Sec. 1877— S. H. Cheney, W. M.; C. W. Smith, S. W.;
R. Katz, J. W.; J. C. iowell, Treas.; S. W. Townsend, Sec. 1878-79— J. S. Burrows, W. M.;
C. W. Smith, S. W.; A. C. Burnham, J. W.; J. C. Lowell, Treas.; S. W. Townsend, Sec.
The charter members are all dead.
Fond du Lac Lodge, No. IJfi., F. and A. M. — For the organization of this Lodge, a
"dispensation" was granted August 21, 1862, to I. S. Sherwood, A. B. Taylor, H. A. Francis,
George McWilliams, C. F. Kalk, S. A. Dudley, D. Ladd, A. H. Boardman, Ed Farnsworth, J. B.
Perry, George W. Sawyer, Thomas S. Weeks, J. 0. Roorbach, A. G. Ruggles, D. R. Curran,
John Petit and George W. Jones. The Lodge was organized in due form, September 3, 1862,
and a charter granted June 10, 1863, by the Grand Lodge. The first petitioner was L. M.
Wyatt, and the first member admitted was A. M. Blair. The regular meetings or "communi-
cations" of this Lodge are on the second and fourth Thursday evenings of each month, in the
Masonic Hall, third floor of the First National Bank building. The number of members is
now eighty-six, and the officers, from its organization to date, have been :
For 1862— A. H. Boardman, W. M.; Thomas S. Weeks, S. W.; J. B. Perry, J. W.;
George McWilliams, Treas.; G. W. Sawyer, Sec. 1868 — A. H. Boardman, W. M.; Thomas
S. Weeks, S. W.; J. B. Perry, J. W.; I. S. Sherwood, Treas.; L. M. Wyatt, Sec. 1864—
A. M. Blair, W. M.; B. F. Moore, S. W.; Edward Beeson, J. W.; I. S. Sherwood, Treas.; J.
B. Perry, Sec. 1865— D. C. Lamb, W. M.; B. F. Moore, S. W.; S. Oberreich, J. W.;
Edward Beeson, Treas.; C. L. Enking, Sec. 1866— D. C. Lamb, W. M.; A. P. Mapes, S.
W.; George P. Knowles. J. W.; William Rueping, Treas.; M. W. Simmons, Sec. 1867 — D.
C. Lamb, W. M.; George P. Knowles, S. AY.; C. L. Eucking, J. W.; William Rueping, Treas.; F.
A. Hoffman, Sec. 1868— George P. Knowles, W. M.; A. L. Hall, S. W.; W. F. Lewis, J. W.;
William Rueping, Treas.; F. D. Carson, Sec. 1869— D. C. Lamb, W. M.; George P. Knowles,
S. W.; C. L. Encking, J. W.; William Rueping, Treas.; F. A. Hoffman, Sec. 1870— George
P. Knowles, W. M.; A. A. Shepherd, S. W.; J. E. Hilts, J. W.; William Rueping, Treas.;
L. D. Hurd, Sec. 1871— A. A. Shepherd, W. M.; E. G. Main, S. W.; H. Sherer, J. W.;
William Rueping, Treas.; C. S. Patton, Sec. 1872— A. A. Shepherd, W. M.; H. Sherer,
S. W.; William Stearns, J. W.; William Rueping, Treas.; I. N. Welch, Sec. 1873— A. M.
Blair, W. M.; E. G. Main, S. W.; M. Wagner, J. W.; William Rueping, Treas.; L. R. Lewis,
Sec. 1874— E. G. Main. W. M.: L. A. Bishop, S. W.; C. Zickerick, J. W.; William Ruep-
ing, Treas.; K. E. Clark, Sec. 1875— E. G. Main, W. M.; L. A. Bishop, S. W.; S. E.
Wade, J. W.; William Rueping, Treas.; K. E. Clark, Sec. 1876— L. A. Bishop, W. M.; M.
Wagner, S. W.; E. B. Beeson, J. W.; William Rueping, Treas.; L. Muenter, Sec. 1877 — L.
A. Bishop, W. M.; M. Wagner, S. W.; E. B. Beeson, J. W.; William Rueping, Treas.; L.
Muenter, Sec. 1878— J. H. McNeel, W. M.; E. B. Beeson, S. W.; J. W. Lockin, J. W.; G.
W. Lusk, Treas.; L. Muenter, Sec. 1879— J. H. McNeel, W. M.; E. B. Beeson, S. W.; G.
A. Knapp, J. W.; G. W. Lusk, Treas.; J. W. Lockin, Sec.
616 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAG COUNTY.
Barling Chapter, No. W, Royal Arch Masons. — This Chapter, one of the higher degrees-
of Masonry, was organized under a "dispensation" bearing date February 24, 1859, granted,
to Isaac S. Sherwood, Mason C. Darling, E. W. Davis, "William H. Hiner, Elijah Hawkins,
Stephen Hawkins, I. J. Seligman, George G. Gould and Benjamin Granger, empowering them
" to form and open a Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, and to confer the several degrees belong-
ing to the Chapter." Isaac S. Sherwood was appointed the first High Priest ; Mason C. Dar-
ling the first King, and E. W. Davis the first Scribe. The charter was received February 3,
1860, and, on the 9th of March of the same year, the Chapter was instituted in due form. The-
first candidates to take the degrees of Royal Arch Masonry were Thomas S. Weeks L. 0. Bar-
nard and J. V. McCall. The lodge now consists of eighty members and is closely attended.
The officers of this Chapter are a High Priest, King, Scribe, Treasurer and Secretary, who are
chosen by ballot, and Captain of the Host, Principal Sojourner, Royal Arch Captain, three-
Grand Masters of Vails, an Organist and a Guard, appointed by the Grand Council. The meet-
ings, or regular "convocations" of the Chapter are held on the first and third Wednesday-
evenings of each month, in the Masonic Hall in the First National BanTi building. The elect-
ive officers of Chapter No. 20, from its first organization, have been as follows :
1859 — Isaac S. Sherwood, High Priest ; Mason C. Darling, King ; E. W. Davis, Scribe.
1860— Isaac S. Sherwood, H. P.; Mason C. Darling, K.; B. W. Davis, S. 1861— A. H.
Boardman, H. P.; lE. W.Davis, K.; George Mc Williams, S. 1862— Isaac S. Sherwood, H.P.;
E. W. Davis, K.; B. T. Miller, S. 1863— Isaac S. Sherwood, H. P.; E. W. Davis, K.; W.
H. Hiner, S. 1864— Isaac S. Sherwood, H. P.; E. W. Davis, K.; A. P. Mapes, S. 1865—
Isaac S. Sherwood, H. P.; A. P. Mapes, K.; DeWitt C. Wright, S. 1866— William H. Hiner,
H. P.; William Wiley, K.; A. M. Blair, S. 1867— William Wiley, H. P.; A. M. Blair, K.;
George McWilliams, S. 1868— William Wiley, H. P.; A. M. Blair, K.; D. C. Lamb, S.
1869— A. M. Blair, H. P.; D. C. Lamb, K.; A. L. Hall, S. 1870— D. C. Lamb, H. P.;
JohnSpence, K.; J. H. Hauser, S. 1871 — A. M. Blair, H. P.; John Spence, K.; Charles
Marks, S. 1872— William Wiley, H. P.; J. H. Hauser, K.; John S. Burrows, S. 1873 —
William Wiley, H. P.; John S. Burrows, K.; George H. Ferris, S. 1874— J. H. Hauser, H. P.;
John S. Burrows, K.; George H. Ferris, S. 1875 — J. H. Hauser, H. P.; John S. Burrows, K.;^^
A. H. Filbey, S. 1876— J. H. Hauser, H. P.; N. C. Giffin, K.; A. H. Filbey, S. 1877—
J. II. Hauser, H. P.; L. A. Bishop, K.; J. H. McNeel, S. 1878— L. A. Bishop, H. P.; J.
H.McNeel,K.; M. Wagner, S. 1879— L. A. Bishop, H. P.; J. H. McNeel, K.; J. W. Lockin, S.
Fond du Lac Commandery, K. T., No. 5. — A dispensation was granted, and Fond du
Lac Commandery, Knights Templar, was organized March 2, 1863, with the following charter
members : Mason C. Darling, Isaac S. Sherwood, W. H. Hiner, George G. Gould, Benjamin
Granger, Joseph Boles, S. Bailey Page, Arch Bishop and H. S. Baird. The first officers-
were : William H. Hiner, Eminent Commander ; Mason C. Darling, Generalissimo ; Arch
Bishop, Captain General. The lodge now numbers sixty members, and meets on the first and
third Mondays of each month, in the third story of the First National Bank building. The-
officers for 1879 were : John Spence, Eminent Commander ; A. H. Dorris, Generalissimo ; L.
A. Bishop, Captain General.
ZeruaJi Lodge, No. 7, I. 0- 0. F. — This is the Rebecca Degree of Odd Fellowship, ta
which th^ wives of Odd Fellows are admitted, and was instituted August 9, 1869, by Samuel
Ryan, Jr., of Appleton. The charter members were, Henry Burwell, William Mason, H. P.
Graves, A. Bachelder, J. V. Jewell, J. L. Ward, L. Reinhardt, David Roberts,.
Amelia Burwell, Frances Mason, Nellie Graves, E. A. Bachelder, H. Jewell, E. A. McComber,.
Jennet Ward and A. E. Reinhardt. The officers are: A. J. Decker, N. G.; Mrs. I. L. Hunt^
V. G-; E. McNair, R. S.; H. Newton, F. S.; M. Tompkins, Treasurer. Meetings are held in.
Odd Fellow's Hall, on the first and third Fridays of each month.
Fond du Lae Lodge, No. 30, I. 0. 0. F. — This lodge is the oldest secret society in Fond,
du Lac County, having been organized September 4, 1848, by the M. W. G. M. Wilson, assisted,
by W. W. Holden as Grand Marshal; Isaac Valentine, as Senior Warden; L. B. Hills, as
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 617
tTunior Warden; J. C. Bishop, as Conductor; M. D. Henry and J. C. Lowell, as S. S. The
charter members were, D. R. Curran, John C. Bishop, E. S. Disbrow, Charles Chandler, S.
Ryan, Jr., John Bannister, J. C. Lowell, Keyes A. Darling and M. D. Henry. These are now all
members in good standing, except John Bannister (deceased), J. C. Lowell and Keyes A. Darling.
At the organization, Moses S. Gibson, S. S. Stebbins, J. S. Buck and William Ditson were
admitted by card, and Orrin S. Wright, W. B. Ellsworth, F. D. McCarty, Edgar Conklin and
Amazi L. Williams were the candidates initiated. The following oflScers have been elected :
1848— Milton D. Henry, N. G.; John Bannister, V. G.; D. R. Curran, R. S.; K. A. Darling,
P. S.; E. S. Disbrow, Treasurer. 1849— J. Bannister, N. G.; D. R. Curran, V. G.; G. W.
Weikert, R. S.; K. A. Darling, P. S.; 0. S. Wright, Treasurer; D. R. Curran, N. G.; William
Ditson, V. G.; J. C. Bishop, R. S.; E.G. Disbrow, Treasurer. 1850— William Ditson, N. G.;
F. D. McCarty, V. G.; C. A. Eldredge, R. S.; 0. S. Wright, P. S.; Q. M. Olcott, Treasurer;
F. D. McCarty, N. G.; Charles A. Eldredge, V. G.; P. V. Sang, R. S.; E. D. Mattison, Treas-
urer. 1851— C. A. Eldredge, N. G.; E. D. Mattison, V. G.; A. B. Bowen, R. S.; K. A. Dar-
ling, P. S.; E. D. Finney, Treasurer; Amos Reed, R. S.; C. Graham, P. S.; A. H. Boardman,
P. S.; E. D. Mattison, N. G.; C. J. Goss, V. G.; Nat Waterbury, R. S.; J. B. Wilbor, Treasurer.
1852— C. J. Goss, N. G.; G. W. Weikert, V. G.; A. H. Boardman, R. S.; J. B. Wilbor, Treas-
urer; G. W. Weikert, N. G.; John Nichols, V. G.; George W. Sawyer, R. S.; Peter Rupp,
Treasurer. 1853— John Nichols, N. G.; K. A. Darling, V. G.; George W. Sawyer, R. S.;
Charles Chandler, P. S.; A. Bachelder, Treasurer; K. A. Darling, N. G.; S. D. Stanchfield, V.
G.; C. Chandler, Treasurer. 1854— S. D. Stanchfield, N. G.; George W. Sawyer, V. G.; S.
Mann, R. S.; C. Chandler, Treasurer; G. W. Sawyer, N. G.; S. Mann, V. G.; Louis Scheffer,
R. S. 1855— S. Mann, N. G.; Charles Chandler, V. G.; D. R. Curran, R. S.; D. E. Hoskins,
Treasurer; C. Chandler, N. G.; C. F. Bowen, V. G.; J. H. Clum, R. S.; G. W. Sawyer, Treas-
urer. 1856— C. F. Bowen, N. G.; J. H. Clum, V. G.; T. S. Weeks, R. S.; D. E. Hoskins,
Treasurer; J. H. Clum, N. G.; T. S. Weeks, V. G.; G. W. Sawyer, R. S.; C. F. Bowen, Treas-
urer. 1857— T. S. Wickes, N. G.; S. Mann, V. G.; D. R. Curran, R. S.; C. F. Bowen,
Treasurer; John Nichols, N. G.; G. W. Sawyer, V. G.; Charles Chandler, R. S.; D. R. Curran,
Treasurer.
Lodge surrendered charter to District Deputy Charles Chandler. Charter restord in
December, 1859.
I860— John Nichols, N. G.; K. A. Darling, V. G.; Charles Chandler, R. S.; C. F. Bowen,
Treasurer; K. A. Darling, N. G.; A. H. Boardman, V. G.; Charles Chandler, R. S.; John Nichols,
Treasurer. 1861— K. A. Darling, N. G.; A. H. Boardman, V. G.; P. L. Morse, R. S.; John Nichols,
Treasurer ; S. M. Smead, N. G.; P. L. Morse, V. G.; John S. Burrows, R. S. 1862— P. L. Morse,
N. G.; J. S. Burrows, V. G.; L. Q, Olcott, R. S.; John Nichols, Treasurer; S. W. Edson, R. S.;
J. S. Burrows, N. G.; S. W. Edson, V. G.; A. P. Simmons, R. S. 1863— S. W. Edson, N.
G.; B. F. Sweet, V'. G.; Paul Reichman, R. S.; John Nichols, Treasurer; B. F. Sweet, N. G.;
A. P. Jones, V. G.; J. S. Burrows, Treasurer. 1864 — A. P. Jones, N. G.; P. Reichman, Y.
G.; C. C. L. Webster, R. S.; J. S. Burrows, Treasurer; J. Nichols, N. G.; C. C. L. Webster,
V. G.; S. E. Hatch, R. S.; Daniel Roberts, Treasurer. 1865— C. C. L.Webster, N. G.; Daniel
Roberts, Treasurer; P. Reichman, N. G.; S. E. Hatch, V. G.; A. P. Jones, R. S. 1866— S.
E. Hatch and B. Garvin, N. G.; W. Karsten andBen Garvin, V.G.; C. Marks and J. Uhderhill,
R. S.; E. H. Gould, P. S.; D. Roberts, Treasurer. 1867— J. Underbill and J. R. Morton, N.
G.; J. Underbill and J. R. Morton, V. G.; A. A. Wilson and H. Burnell, R. S.; 0. A. Bon-
nell, P. S.; F. Seymour, Treasurer. 1868— H. Burwell and A. A. Wilson, N. G.; H. Burwell
and A. A. Wilson, V. G.; A. A. Wilson and A. Bachelder, R. S.; W. Mason and D. Roberts,
Treasurers ; H. S. Kimball, P. S. 1869— A. Bachelder and W. Mason, N. G.; A. Bachelder
and W. Mason, V. G.; T. J. Vaughn and J. R. Morton, R. S.: H. Burwell, P. S.; W. Mason
and H. P. Graves, Treasurers. 1870— E. D. Harris and H. P. Graves, N. G.; E. D. Harris
and H. P. Graves, V. G.; H. P. Graves and D. Roberts, R. S.; A. Bachelder, P. S.; B. F.
Sweet and H. Burwell, Treasurers. 1871 — J. D. Babcock and L. Rhinehart, N. G.; L. Rhine-
hart and E. G. Main, V. G ; E. G. Main and A. W. Roberts, R. S.: J. S. Lawrence ami .John
618 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
Sawyer, P. S.; Jacob Marks and Daniel Roberts, Treasurers. 1872 — E. G. Main, C.W. Smith
and J. A. Watrous, K G.; C. W. Smith, J. A. Watrous and A. Lindow, V. G.; J. D. Babcock,
A. Lindow and E. G. Main, Secretaries ; T. M. Bowen and H. S. Russell, P. S.; D. Roberts,
Treasurer. 1873— August Lindow and C. W. Berkley, N. G.; C. W. Berkley and E. H. Little,
V. G.; E. H. Little and J. C. Bishop, Secretaries ; E. S. Disbrow and T. D. Roberts, P. S.
1874— E. H. Little and J. C. Bishop, N. G.; J. C. Bishop and S. L. Brasted, V. G.; S. L.
Brasted and B. D. Harris, Secretaries ; R. F. Allen, P. S.; J. D. Babcock and H. G. Leonard,
Treasurers. 1^75- S. L. Brasted and S. P. Morse, N. G.; S. P. Morse and A. D. Somervaile,
V. G.; 0. A. Bonnell and R. F. Allen, Secretaries ; R. F. Allen and Jerome Gibson, .P. S.;
H. G. Leonard and A. W. Martin, Treasurers. 1876 — A. D. Somervaile and R. F. Allen, N.
G.; R. F. Allen and E. C. Tompkins, V. G.; B. C. Tompkins and J. Beckley, Secretaries; E.
T. Brown, P. S.; D. R. Curran and S. L. Brasted, Treasurej-s. 1877— E. C. Tompkins, R.
F. Allen and George Stevens, N. G.; George Stevens and G. M. Johnson, V. G.; George M.
Johnson and F. Dequine, Secretaries ; J. C. Bishop, P. S.; S. L. Brasted and E. C. Tomp-
kins, Treasurers. 1878 — G. M. Johnson and F. Dequine, N. G.; F. Dequine and H. W.
Newton, V. G.; H. W. Newton and B. F. Ford, Secretaries; J. C. Bishop, P. S.; S. P. Morse
and B. C. Tompkins, Treasurers. 1879— H. W. Newton and E. F. Ford, N. G.; E. F. Ford
and A. A. Bishop, V. G.; A. A. Bishop and W. H. Masson, Secretaries; J. C. Bishop and D.
R. Curran, P. S.; B. C. Tompkins and R. F. Allen, Treasurers.
The present number of member is 142, holding 209 policies of insurance in the Wisconsin
Odd Fellows' Mutual Life Insurance Company.
Pillar Encampment, No. 15, I. 0. 0. F. — This lodge was instituted September 21, 1866,
with these charter members : Charles Marks, Paul Reichman, Joshua Underbill, John Nichols,
Keyes A. Darling, Daniel Roberts and A. A. Wilson. The officers are : C. P., F. Dequine;
S. W., R. F. Allen ; H. P., I. L. Hunt ; Scribe, E. D. Harris ; Treasurer, E. F. Ford ; J. W.,
T. W. Fish; Trustees — S. L. Brasted, A. D. Somervaile, D. R. Curran. The lodge now con-
tains forty-six members, and is in a prosperous condition. Meetings are held in Odd Fellows'
Hall, over the post office.
Goethe Lodge, No. 112, I. 0. 0. F. — This is called the " German Lodge," being composed
entirely of Germans. It was organized March 12, 1866, but the charter was not received until
January 17, 1867. The charter members were, William Karstens, Charles Marks, Ph.
Stamm, Henry Bloedel, S. Eidemiller and Paul Reichman. The first officers were : N. G., Will-
iam Karstens ; V. G., Charles Marks ; Recording Secretary, Henry Bloedel ; I. G., Ph. Stamm ;
P. S., Paul Reichman ; Treasurer, S. Eidemiller. The present officers are as follows : N. G.,
Henry Bloedel ; V. G., Paul Petersen ; R. S., Peter Ehlers ; P. S., Jacob Thomson ; Treas-
urer, William Karstens. The Lodge "numbered 104 members at the beginning of 1880. The
Past Grands make a list as follows : William Karstens, Henry Bloedel, Charles Marks, Paul
Reichman, S. Eidemiller, Ph. Stamm, John Fick, Casper Buechner, W. Ladewig, William
Eichmeier, H. Wallichs, Raphael Katz, Peter Pehl, Jacob Gerhard, Hanz Rosenow, G. A.
Kretlow, Franz Padeond, Martin Sichter. Meetings are held every Monday evening, in Odd
Fellows' Hall, over the post office. '
Knights of Sonor. — Fond du Lac Lodge, No. 381, Knights of Honor, was organized
October 9, 1876, by Deputy Supreme Dictator Tuples. The charter members were, Henry But-
terfield, Elihu Colman, W. N. Coleman, William D~. Conklin, C. Chadbourne, E. D. Curtis, Dr.
G. M. Dixon, Dr. A. H. Dorris, W. S. Finley, Dr. E. C. Gray, J. H. Hauser, Frank B.
Hoskins, John Heath, H. M. Kutchin, George W. Lusk, M. D. Moore, J. C. Perry, Alexander
Stewart, Thomas J. Vaughn, J. A. Watrous, D. B. Wyatt, Rev. 0. J. Cowles, Edward Colman,
John K. Ross, C. K. Pier, Henry Shattuck and G. A. Knapp.
The first election, held at the time above mentioned, resulted in choosing the following
officers : Past Dictator, J. H. Hauser ; Dictator, M. D. Moore ; Vice Dictator, George W.
Lusk ; Assistant Dictator, Alexander Stewart ; Guide, Thomas J. Vaughn ; Reporter, John
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 619
Heath ; Financial Reporter, W. S. Finley ; Treasurer, J. C. Perry ; Guardian, Henry Butter-
field ; Sentinel, W. N. Coleman ; Trustees, W. D. Conklin, George W. Lusk and A. H.
Dorris.
The Order of Knights of Honor is a secret benevolent society, composed of a Supreme,
Grand and Subordinate Lodges. It was established in June, 1873, by persons who felt that
the various systems of relief to the families of deceased members, as adopted by other orders,
were deficient in. important respects, and who believed that an order established with the pur-
pose of paying a death benefit as one of its main objects, would meet with approval and
success.
The objects of the Order are stated briefly by the Supreme Lodge, as follows : 1st. To
unite fraternally all acceptable white men of every profession, business or occupation. 2d. To
give all moral and material aid in its power to members of the Order, by holding moral,
instructive and scientific lectures, by encouraging each other in business, and by assisting one
another to obtain employment. 3d. To establish a benefit fund, from which a sum not exceed-
ing $2,000 shall be paid at the death of a member, to his family, or to be disposed of as he may
direct. 4th. To establish a fund for the relief of sick or distressed members. Subordinate
lodges are composed of members of good social and moral standing, who are admitted upon
petition, by ballot, after passing a favorable medical examination. The petitioner must be a
white, male person, between the ages of twenty-one and fifty-five.
The first meetings were held in the Knights of Pythias Hall, in Darling's Block, and were
continued there until June, 1878, when the Lodge rented a hall in the third floor of G. Kuenne's
Block, which was dedicated publicly. The meetings are now held therein on the first and third
Monday evenings of each month. This hall is handsomely furnished, and the Lodge, which
numbers fifty-five members, has a large surplus in its treasury.
Its Dictators have been M. D. Moore, Elihu Colman, two terms ; Alexander Stewart, two
terms ; C. Chadbourne and George W. Carter. Elections occur once in three months.
Economical Lodge, No. 8,0^1, K. of H. — This Lodge, the second in the city, was organized
January 13, 1880, by Grand Dictator John H. Hauser, of Fond du Lac, with the following
charter members: A. G. Breitenstein, S. S. Bowers, Noel Bengley, N. B. Barker, B. Buch-
holz, Ferd. Blankenburg, J. W. Marsh, C. E. Huber, W. B. McLean, W. D. Fuhrman, J. C.
Fuhrman, A. J. Alley, D. C. Lang, J. H. Lang, Charles Hartman, W. B. Rae, S. W. Scher-
merhorn, J. H. McNeel, Jacob Frank, Robert Powerie, F. A. Jones, Charles Youmans, C. N.
Galland, Frank Wallace, George B. Koerner and Charles Schuler. The first election of officers
was held on the same evening, and resulted as follows : Dictator, S. S. Bowers ; Past Dictator,
J. H. McNeel; Vice Dictator, J. W. Marsh.; Assistant Dictator, A. G. Breitenstein ; Reporter,
W. B. Rae ; Financial Reporter, Noel Bengley ; Treasurer, B. Buchholz ; Guide, S. W.
Schermerhorn ; Guardian, Ferd. Blankenburg ; Sentinel, W. D. Fuhrman ; Chaplain, N. B.
Barker. This Lodge meets every two weeks in Knights of Honor Hall, in Kuenne's Block, on
Tuesday evenings.
Fond du Lac Lodge, No. 56, A. 0. U. W. — Fond du Lac Lodge, No. 65, Ancient
Order of United Workmen, was instituted by Dr. W. A. Gordon, of Oshkosh, Deputy Grand
Master Workman, February 4, 1879, with the following charter members : Elihu Colman,
George W. Carter, D. P. Frame, E. B. Beeson, George M. Pier, A. Lindow, B. F. De Voe,
Dorlon Mihills, W. J. Austin, George 0. Aldrich, E. F. Ford, F. M. Givens, J. H. Hauser,
Robert A. Wilson, James A. Spence, G. L. Benjamin, A. H. Richardson, J. A. Markle, H. G.
Hanson, C. K. Carter, George W. Yancy, I. L. Hunt, G. D. Danks, S. L. Brasted, George
H. Patty, Charles Wilson. G. S. Cryne, Theodore Treleven, F. J. Rose, R. F. Sexmith, F. A.
Brasted, A. G. CoflTman, H. M. Kutchin and D. G. Allen. The first ofiicers were : Past
Master Workman, Elihu Colman ; Master Workman, George W. Carter, General Foreman, D.
P. Frame; Recorder, F. M. Givens; Financier, E. F. Ford; Receiver, E. B. Beeson ; Guide,
G. M. Pier ; Inside Watchman^ W. J. Austin ; Outside Watchman, Dorlon Mihills ; Medical
Examiner, E. B. Beeson.
620 HISTORY or POND DUXAC COUNTY.
The purpose of the organization is to secure benefits to its members during sickness, and
$2,000 to the heirs of any member in case of death. The fees for membership, which are $5
for the first degree, and $2 each for the two following degrees, remain in the treasury of the
Lodge to be expended for charitable purposes. The beneficiary fund of $2,000 is paid to the
heirs of the deceased immediately after death, the Lodge furnishing its own proof The organ-
ization now contains forty-two members, who meet in Knights of Protection Hall, in Keunne's
Block, on the first and third Mondays of each month.
Royal Arcanum. — The "Royal Arcanum" is an offshoot of the "Knights of Honor."
The objects and aims are substantially the same. It was organized in Massachusetts, in 1877,
by men prominent in the Knights of Honor, and has since spread over all the Northern. States.
It does not take in the Southern States, or any regions liable to epidemics. It is a secret
order, its objects being social and beneficent. The Order gives to the widow or -heirs of every
deceased member the sum of $3,000.
A Council was organized in Fond du Lac, December 7, 1878, with George P. Lee as
Regent, and forty-three charter members. The Council holds its sessions, twice each month,
in Knights of Honor Hall, in Kuenne's Block, and is in a very prosperous condition, having
fifty -five members.
The following is a list of the charter members : Elihu Colman, J. H. Hauser, A. H.
Dorris, J. L. Thwing, A. L. Moore, D. B. Curtis, Benjamin Wild, L. A. Bishop, George P.
Lee, W. W. Wild, G. N. Mihills, John Heath, C. W. Seaver, A. De Land, H. Altpass, C. P.
Congden, M. L. Norman, D. C. Lang, J. II. Lang, H. R. Allen, W. F. Kent, W. D. Conklin,
J. C. Waterbury, M. Hobbs, Newell Nightingale, Dorlon Mihills, George M. Pier, S. G. Leland,
S. R. Emerson, C. Chadbourne, P. B. Haber, Alexander Stewart, C. W. Flower, George W.
Carter, James T. Greene, U. D. Mihills, H. B. Lange, B. B. Spencer, Ed. Lange, E. H. Jones,
J. B. Wade, George Patty, J. G. Smith.
The present ofiicers are : Elihu Colman, R.; J. T. Greene, V. R.; George P. Lee, P. R.;
H. R. Allen, C; C. Chadbourne, Sec; S. G. Leland, C; W. F. Kent, T.; A. D. Parker, G.;
M. L. Norman, Chap.; George M. Pier, W.; C. W. Mihills, S.; George P. Lee, Benjamin
Wild and C. K. Pier, Trustees.
Fidelity Lodge, No. 19, Knights of Pythias. — This Lodge was instituted September 17,
1875, with the following charter members : Jesse Beckley, Charles Marks, C. L. Ailing, John
C. Bishop, C. W. Barnes, Richard Murphy, Charles H. Hawes, H. Clay Wills, John W. Dillon,
Edward F. Riem. It meets every Friday night at Castle Hall, in Darling's Block, corner of
First and Main streets. The object of this Lodge is friendship, charity and benevolence. There
is connected with it a "section of the K. P. Endowment Rank, No. 41," the object of which is
to afford members of the Order a safe and reliable life insurance at a very small cost. The
insurance is divided into two classes of $1,000 and $2,000 respectively, and any member passing
the required examination may enter one or both classes and be assessed in each class as deaths
occur. The section now numbers thirty-eight members, with a total insurance of $96,000. The
officers of this section are : Byron Town, President ; E. F. Riem, Vice President ; C. H. Ilawes,
Secretary and Treasurer. The total membership of this Lodge is ninety-three ; the Order is in
a prosperous condition, and. is growing rapidly. The Grand Chancellor of the State, Howard
M. Kutchin, resides at Fond du Lac, and is a member of this lodge. The ofiicers, since the
organization of this Lodge, are as follows : For the term commencing September 17, 1875. Jesse
Beckley, P. C. ; Charles Marks, C. C. ; C. L. Ailing, V. C. ; J. C. Bishop, P. ; Edward F.
Riem, M. A. ; John Dillon, M. F. ; C. W. Barnes, M. E. ; C. H. Hawes, K. of R. and S. ; H.
C. Wills, I. G. ; R. Murphy, 0. G. For the term beginning January 1, 1876 : Charles Marks,
P. C. ; C. L. Ailing, C. C. ; H. M. Kutchin, V. C. ; N. S. Gilson,' P. ; F. B. Hoskins, K. of
R. and S. ; J. A. Merryman, M. F. ; D. Y. Sabin, M. E. ; W. H. Tousley, M. A. These
officers were re-elected July 1, 1876.
January 1, 1877— C. L. Ailing, P. C. ; John C. Bishop, C. C. ; N. S. Gilson, V. C ; C.
A. Galloway, P. ; George L. Arnold, K. of R. and S. ; C. W. Henry, M. F. ; J. C. Wedge,
HISTOKY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 621
TVI. E. ; Edward F. Rietn, M. A. July 1, 1877, these officers were re-elected. January 1, 1878
— N. S. Gilson, P. C. ; C. A. Galloway, C. C. ; J. A. Merryman, V. C. ; Thomas Bryant, P. ;
C. J. Hunter, K. of R. and S. ; C. W. Henry, M. F. ; Byron Town, M. E. ; C. H. Hawes,
M. A. ; George W. Church, I. G. ; William Reynolds, 0. G. July 1, 1878— C. A. Galloway,
P. C. ; J. A. Merryman, C. C. ; Thomas Bryant, V. C. ; Edward F. Riem, P. ; George H.
Lusk, K. of R. and S. ; C. W. Henry, M. F. ; Byron Town, M. E. ; C. H. Hawes, M. A. ;
C. W. Church, Jr., I. G. ; William Reynolds, 0. G. January 1, 1879— J. A. Merryman, P.
C. : Edward F. Riem, C. C. ; H. C. Wills, V. C. ; C. H. Hawes, P. ; Joseph D. Radford, K.
of R. and S. ; C. W. Henry, M. F. ; Byron Town, M. E. ; Edward Kent, M. A. ; R. Wilkins,
I. G. ; W. Reynolds, 0. G. July 1, 1879— E. F. Riem, P. G. ; H. C. Wills, C. C. ; C. D.
Otis, V. C. ; E. C. Gray, P. ; J. D. Radford, K. of R. and S. ; C. W. Henry, M. F. ; Byron
Town, M. E. ; Edwiird Kent, M. A. ; R. Wilkins, I. G. ; P. G. Dick, 0. G.
Excelsior Temple of Honor, No. 8. — Wisconsin is fanlous for the great number and influ-
ence of h6r temples and Templars, and Excelsior Temple, No. 8, of Fond du Lac, being the
father of this branch of temperance work, has a good claim to an elaborate history. This brief
sketch was furnished for this work by one of the charter members, and but mildly describes the
immense work done by the Temple, and the beneficial results of its endeavors to spread the Order
into other localities and States. Excelsior Temple of Honor, No. 8, was organized on the 14th
of January, 1873, with about twenty charter members. Duiing its first year it lost more mem-
bers than it gained, but, late in February, 1874, it commenced to grow. This was after the
members had decided to ignore the counsel and instruction of an old-fogy element. During that
year nearly two hurvdred were initiated. The number of the Temple, "No. 8," would indicate
that there were seven other temples in the State, but there were not. At the time Excelsior
commenced work (in 1874) there was but one other temple in Wisconsin, and it was doing little •
or nothing ; so it may be said that Excelsior was the only live Temple in the State at that time.
The good work of the Temple in reforming men — not initiating boys and girls — during the year
1874, attracted the attention of the press, pulpit and people. The first call for the Order, after
its establishment in Fond du Lac, came from Oshkosh, when forty of the members went over
and organized No. 9. A few weeks later, an equal number, with many from Oshkosh, took the
Order to Appleton. The first regular session of the re-organized Grand Temple, met in Fond
du Lac in June, 1875, when Dr. W. A. Gordon, of Oshkosh, was chosen Grand Worthy Templar,
J. A. Watrous, of Fond du Lac, Grand Worthy Vice Templar, and August Lindow, of Fond
du Lac, Grand Worthy Recorder. In September, 1875, Dr. Gordon resigned, and J. A. Watrous
succeeded him, and has held the office ever since, having been unanimously re-elected on four
occasions. When he came into office there were twelve temples, nine of which he had assisted
in organizing. Now there are 225 temples in Wisconsin, and new ones are being added every
month. Among the members are thousands of as good and prominent men as the State affords.
The Order was introduced to Nebraska and Minnesota, through the Wisconsin Chief Templar,
and there are now in Nebraska about fifty temples. There are hundreds of men in Fond du
Lac, who have been educated to lives of sobriety through Excelsior Temple of Honor. It may
be said that the Order, as it exists in Wisconsin, Nebraska and Minnesota, sprang from Excel-
sior Temple. The following-named persons have been Worthy Chief Templars of this lodge :
August Lindow, H. Clay Wills, J. A. Watrous, two terms ; W. H. Bowe, George M. Benedict,
Alexander White, two terms ; D. B. Bailey, Charles M. Green, three terms ; Reuben Wilkins
and Joseph Crippen. The meetings of the Temple are held every Tuesday evening in Sewell's
Block, next to the First National Bank, and are well attended.
The Druids. — The Fond du Lac Division of the Order of Druids was organized April 18,
1875, with the following charter members: Henry Stoldt, F. Kromme, Fred Weyer, Nick
Jacoby, H. Abel, P. Breister, F. Abel, George Zacherl, John Steltzer, William Bischoff, Henry
Hartman and J. W. Gerhardt. The object of the Order is benevolence. At the death of any
member the heirs receive $800, and during sickness $5 per week. Meetings are held every
Thursday evening in Bischoff's building. The officers are: N. A., Henry Stoldt; V. A.,
t>22 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
George Zacherl; Secretary, Zettler; Treasurer, F. Kromme; Conductor, F. Weyer; I. G., Fl
Abel ; 0. G., P. Briester. This organization- consists of twenty-six members.
Fond du Lac Lodge, No 4^0, L. 0. Gr. T. — This lodge of the Independent Order of GoodS
Templars was instituted January 21, 1878, with the following charter members : W. H.
Brown, Grace Chesbro, C. A. Morrison, Miss M. T. Reed, Ifrankie Shannon, Jesse Beckley,
Emma F. Dalhem, Mrs. S. R. Mathews, Nellie Roblee, May Stewart, Sarah Bryant, Linda
Hibbard, Mrs. T. W. Martin, W. J. Stewart, Ida E. Van Norder, Laura Bryant, Edwin Lange,
Mary Martin, Sarah Stewart, J. A. Watrous, Alice M. Blodgett, M. C. Martin, Mary Palmer,
Emma Stewart, Miss J. Ward, Ida M. Blodgett, Nathan Main, J. W. Reynolds, S. 0. Sayles,
Emma Ward, Lillie Bryant, Mrs. J. L. Main, Ella Raymond, John Shannon, G. W. Yancv,
H. J. Stewart. The fitst officers were: W. 0. T., W.'H. Brown; W. V. T., Miss J. Ward;
W. C, N. Main; W. R. S., G. W. Yancy ; W. T., LauraBryant; W. M., J. W. Reynolds; P.
W. C. T., W. J. Stewart. The present membership numbers seventy-seven, with the following
officers: W. C. T., N. Main; W. V. T., Jennie Gould; W. C, J. W. Aldrich; W. R. S., J.
S. Lake; W. T., Mrs. S. Morrison; W. M., Charles Gould. Meetings are held once each week.
CHURCHES.
There are eighteen church edifices in the city of Fond du Lac, and three buildings either
owned or rented for missions. They are all singularly prosperous, with perhaps two excep-
tionSj, and pushing their work with vigor.
Division StreH M. E. Church. — The strongest of the many Methodist Episcopal organi-
zations in Fond du Lac County is the Division Street Church, in the city of Fond du Lac. It
claims for itself, and has good evidence in proof, to be the very foundation, the pioneer of all
religious organizations in Fond du Lac. The first sermon ever preached in the city was at the-
house of Dr. Mason C. Darling, a log structure, located where Darling's Block now stands, on
the 17th of November, 1839, by Rev. Jesse Halsted, now of Rockford, 111. The whole county
then did not contain 300 people. After 183&, there were no regular services until 1843,
when Rev. H. S. Brunson was appointed to take charge of the " Fond du Lac Circuit," then
including a vast amount of sparsely settled territory; but exhorters and itinerant ministers had
preached and held services at different private houses, so the few Methodists who composed the
first church felt that they had maintained a very profitable though inexpensive organization.
Rev. Brunson immediately formed a class, as it was termed, composed of Charles Olmsted and
Sarah B., his wife ; D. C. Brooks and Eliza Ann, his wife; Norman Pier and Sarah, his wife;
Mrs. Parsons (mother of Frank and Henry Parsons), and Francis McCarty. All of these,
except Norman Pier and Mr. McCartey, are still living. The meeting which resulted in forming-
this class was held in the house owned and occupied by Edward Pier, situated where H. R.
Skinner now owns a house, twO miles south of the city. Services were held regularly after the-
class was formed, in private houses, until the erection of a schoolhouse in 1843, on Main
street, about where May's Block now stands. This schoolhouse was used for religious worship,
although soon after moved to Fifth street, until it burned, December 12, 1848, when the Court
House, being com'^leted, was used for church services.
In 1844, Rev. Joseph Lewis was appointed to the Fond du Lac Circuit, and was succeeded
the next year by Rev. Morgan L. Noble, who was in great demand at all weddings. In 1847,
Rev. H. R. Colman, now a resident of Fond du Lac, was appointed Pastor, continuing two
years. An unusual amount of work, to which was added great exposure, fastened a throat dis-
ease upon Mr. Colman which compelled him to retire from the ministry, and from which he
never has recovered. He made the first move toward building a church edifice, which resulted
in the erection of a wooden building on the corner of Marr and Third streets. Mr. Colman's
salary for these two years was $400, of which he gave one-fourth to build the new church of
which they were so much in need.
In 1849, while the church edifice was building. Rev. Henry Requa was appointed to the-
" circuit," remaining one year. His successor was Rev. J. S. Prescott, who was a great worker.
HISTORY- OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. t)23^
He remained two years, and succeeded in finishing the building on the corner of Marr and Third
streets, and erecting another on Arndt street.. The Marr Street Church was dedicated in 1852,
by Bishop Ames, and the one on Arndt street by Rev. W. G. Miller. [The balance of the his-
tory of Arndt Street Church will be found under the title of " Cotton Street Church."] What
was called the " circuit " was then abandoned, and Rev. Ezra Tucker " stationed " at Marr
street, where he preached one year, being followed by Rev. E. S. Grumley. He remained,
doing a good work during two years, and,, in 1855, was succeeded by Rev. T. T. Kutchin.
Being a man of great mental and oratorical powers, Mr. Kutchin stirred the people and filled
the church to overflowing. In 1856, Mr. Kutchin withdrew to form a Free Methodist church —
Rev. Cyrus Scammon taking his place — and quite a number followed him. ' They soon after
returned. In 1857, Rev. A. P. Allen was appointed Pastor, and remained one year. He was
followed by Rev. H. B. Crandall, under whom the organization sufiiered seriously from an
important church trial, which at one time threatened to divide the organization. In 1859,
came the Rev. J. T. Hollister as Pastor, who remained two years.
In 1861, the Wisconsin Conference of the M. E. Church was held in this church. Bishop
Baker presiding, at which Rev. W. Lattin was appointed to succeed Mr. Hollister as Pastor.
In 1863, Rev. John T. Woodhead was made Pastor, and the church was in a thriving condition.
The building was getting too small for the swelling congregations, and, on July 25, 1865,
Spencer Hall, on Division street, was purchased, together with the site, for $5,000, and soon
after dedicated and occupied. The other building was sold to the German Evangelical Breth-
ren, and is now owned and occupied by them on the old site. The Arndt street organization
came back to the parent church in 1860, helped purchase Spencer Hall, and, in 1866, under
Mr. Woodhead and his successor. Rev. 0. J. Cowles, began to rebuild it; but later that year,
they returned again to Arndt street, about fifty strong, weakening -the .i^Jd church society. In
the spring of 1866, Spencer Hall was raised; a tower erected, and a 'commodious and airy
basement built under it. The new building, which is 110x55 feet, with the auditorium of the larg-
est capacity in the city, was dedicated by T. M.-Eddy, D. D., of Chicago, May 5, 1867. Its
total cost at that time, including site, was $20,000. Although of wood, and a modest white
structure in outward appearance, the inside is light, high, comfortable and beautiful — by many
pronounced one of the pleasantest churches in the State. It will comfortably seat 900 persons.
The basement contains a lecture-room 50x50 feet ; three large and pleasant classrooms, and a
kitchen. It is completely equipped for festivals, suppers and preparing refreshments for any
church entertainments.
In 1868, while Rev. H. C. Tilton was Pastor, the Free- Will Baptists formed a society,
taking most of their members from the Division Street Church, as it was now called. These
decimations, with hard times, checked progress, but only temporarily, as in February, 1869, a
splendid bell, the finest toned and largest in the city, was hung in the tower, and money was
expended for other improvements. In 1874, the orchestra was built, the auditorium was fres-
coed, and stained windows put in, and in 1875, a splended pipe organ built by Johnson &
Sons, and costing $3,000, was put in. Mr. Tilton remained three years, and was succeeded by
Rev. G. C. Haddock, in 1871; Rev. W. W. Case, in 1873; Rev. 0. J, Cowles, in 1875; Rev.
S. N. GriflSth, in 1877, and Rev. S. Halsey, the present Pastor, in October, 1879. During
Mr. Griffith's pastorate there was some dissatisfaction in the church, because he engaged in mer-
cantile pursuits — buying land and horses and putting them to use — but it was no thing serious,
although diminishing the church revenues.
The organization is now strong and entirely harmonious, with about 300 members and a
debt of $2,000. A Sabbath school was organized almost as early as the church itself (its first
meetings being jointly with the Congregational ists), which has been successfully maintained
ever since. Rev. Tracy Bingham was the first Superintendent, in 1846. James L. Thwing is
the present Superintendent. The first Board of Trustees was composed of D. C. Brooks and
two others, but their names are not left on record, nor recollected by the surviving members.
The truth is, one member was about as much a trustee as another — all acted together for the
'624 HISTOKY OF FOND DU LAG COUJSTTY.
common good. The present Board of Trustees is thus constituted : M. D. Moore, Chairman;
Judge N. C. GifBn, Charles Heth, Capt. J. H. Hauser, Dr. A.. H. Dorris, Thomas W. Spence.
G. W. Sexmith, Elihu Colman and A. H. Hall. "
In 1867, the Young Men's Christian Association of the Division Street M. E. Church
opened a mission Sunday school, at the Grant Street Schoolhouse. It was continued by them
about four years, when it was turned over to the Sunday-School Board of the church, by whom
it has since been managed. The school is held every Sunday in Ingram's Hall, corner of Main
and Ninth streets, and is largely attended, there being no other Sunday school in that vicinity.
Cotton Street Methodist Episcopal Church. — In 1850, having some means left after finish-
ing the edifice on the corner of Marr and Third streets, and as there were a number of Meth-
odist people in what was then, as now, called Lower Town, a small mission house or chapel was
erected on' Arndt street, on the site now occupied by the residence of Mr. W. Wilkie. This
building now stand_s across the river in the Sixth Ward, and is owned and 03cupied by the Pres-
byterians with a mission or Sunday school. The original intention of the Marr street Meth-
odists, as appears from unwritten history, was to furnish the Lower Town Methodists a place
for holding class meetings and Sunday schools, rather than for regular services of a permanent
organization, as Lower Town was growing very rapidly, the principal mills and factories being
located in that quarter. The first action taken toward building a church edifice on Arndt
street, was at a meeting of the Marr Street Church ofiicers, held at the residence of J. J. Driggs,
on the 15th day of July, 1850, and which was presided over by Rev. J. S. Prescott. It was
then resolved to build a church on Arndt street, and Mr. Prescott was constituted a committee
to let the contract as soon as possible, "and collect the come-atable funds and materials." The
money on hand and the lumber donated enabled the building to be rapidly pushed to such a
state of completion as would make it fit for occupancy. In 1852, the Trustees of the Marr
Street Church had a meeting and authorized the building to be entirely finished, and at its dedi-
cation, which occurred in October, 1852, under Rev. W. G. Miller, to take collections and sub-
scriptions to pay for it, ^'■provided, that it should not cost above $125 more than is now on
hand." The Wisconsin Conference, in session at Marr street about the time of dedication,
appointed Rev. M. Himebaugh, an earnest, hardworking Pennsylvanian, to the Arndt Street
Station. He was its first Pastor, and remained one year. In 1853, Rev. W. Spell was
appointed to succeed him, remaining two years. In 1855, Rev. J. C. Robbins, a great
worker, took charge of the church and immediately began a revival, which resulted in
liberal accessions to the society. He was succeeded in 1857 by Rev. T. C. Golden, who took
charge just as Lower Town began to decline bv reason of the business portion of the city mov-
ing farther southward and the great decrease of lake commerce, consequent upon the hew rail-
road to Oshkosh and other points. These changes caused many church members to remove,
and made others unable to give as liberally as before, and before the end of his first year the
society was not self supporting, and he resigned. What there was left of his church thereafter
attended services at Marr street until 1859, when the Conference sent Rev. H. R. Colman, now
of Bay View, and brother of Hon. Elihu Colman, of Colman, Carter & Kent, to revive the society.
He preached one year, at the end of which, in 1860, the society joined with the Marr street
organization, and remained with it until the fall of 1866, when, a desire being expressed for a
separation and re-organization. Rev. M. D. Warner was appointed Pastor. Under his energetic
administration the church membership increased to such an extent that the edifice was incapable
of accommodating those who attended his services.^ In the spring of 1867, therefore, the old
building was sold to J. S. McDonald and others, of the Presbyterian Church, being moved by
them over the river, as before mentioned, and the present snug, durable and comely structure
commenced. The mill men and manufacturers took unusual interest in the erection of the
building, which is located on the corner of Cotton and Juneau streets, and to them the society is
largely indebted for their fine edifice. It was completed in 1868, and dedicated and occupied
in the same year. It is an exceedingly well-built brick structure, with tower, pleasant audi-
torium above and basement below, containing lecture-room, two classrooms and a prayer-room.
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 625
The total cost was about $15,000, of which $5,000 was unpaid at the dedication, and existed
in the form of claims for labor and material by various parties. Some of these parties sued the
church, and, in June, 1869, the building was mortgaged to the Northwestern Insurance Company
and these claims were paid. The mortgage was for $4,000, at 8 per cent interest. It was paid
July 1, 1874, by popular subscription, and the organization is clear of all debt. As soon as
the debt was paid, the building was frescoed and beautified, and the lot well fenced, money to pay
for all being left from the subscription.
In 1868, Rev. John Hill was appointed Pastor, remaining one year. He was succeeded by
Rev. W. H. Windom, in 1869, two years ; Rev. George Feilows, in 1871, one year ; Rev. C.
R. Pattee, in 1872, one year ; Rev. J. T. Wopdhead, in 1873, two years ; Rev. W. R Jones,
in 1875, one year ; Rev. John Faville, in 1876, one year ; Rev. J. S. Davis, in 1877, one year ;
Rev. C. D. Pillsbury, in 1878, one year, and Rev. W. D. Ames, in October, 1879, present
Pastor.
The records of the church do not show who were the first Trustees. The present Board of
Trustees consists of John C. Bishop, W. C. Ogden, 0. E. Pritchard, Austin H. Richardson,
Thomas Peep, William May, B. S. GiUet, F. F. Parsons and George S. Bryant. There has
always been a Sunday school connected with the church, which now, under John C. Bishop as
Superintendent, is a prosperous and profitable auxiliary in the work of the society.
Grerman Methodist Episcopal Church. — On the 28th of October, 1854, the Quarterly
Conference of the German Fond du Lac Mission passed a resolution authorizing the erection of
a house of worship in Fond du Lac, and appointing Rev. H. Wiethorn and two others as a com-
mittee to secure a proper site. The matter was allowed to drop here, and nothing further was
done until 1857, when Rev. F. Kluckhohn purchased two lots on the corner of Wingate and
Merrill streets for the sum of $350. A wooden building was immediately thereafter erected at
a cost of $543. A debt of $75 which remained unpaid at that time grew afterward into a larger
sum, and the society became embarrassed. This financial difficulty was threatening the church
organization with disaster, when, in 1862, Robert A. Baker and Henry Hamilton came to the
rescue, and its affairs are now on a safe foundation. The society numbers fifty-eight members,
and their church property is valued at $5,800. During the pastorate of the Rev. B. Becker,
the old church building was raised, bricked up, and a pleasant basement placed under it. The
parsonage, which is in the yard with the church edifice, and a pleasant house, was built while Rev.
H. Wegner was Pastor. The church has had the following Pastors, and in the order here writ-
ten : H. Wiethorn, F. Kluckhohn, F. W. Conrad, C. Wenz. H. Wegner, F. Gottschalk, C.
Eberhardt, C. Thalheim, Charles G. Becker, John Schnell, 1869-70 ; R. Schafer, 1870-71 ;
B. Becker, 1871-74; E. Fitzner, 1874-77; Charles Iwert, 1877-79; P. Rich, 1879-80. An
interesting Sunday school has always been maintained in connection with the church society.
African Methodist Episcopal Church. — The brick edifice belonging to the colorerl Meth-
odist Episcopal Church, situated on the corner of River and Eleventh streets, was erected in
1867. The first Pastor was the Rev. S. Hutchinson ; second. Rev. W. A. Douglas ; third, Rev.
Moses Gale ; fourth, Rev. James T. Nease ; fifth. Rev. J, W. White ; sixth and present Pastor,
Rev. Gardner Benson. The oflicers are, Van Spence, Samuel Anderson, Daniel Brown and
Robert Biggers. During any pastoral interregnum Daniel Brown fills the pulpit. The church
maintains a Sunday school, has regular services, sends delegates to the colored conventions, and
■occasionally has religious revivals which are remarkable for the peculiar religious manifestations,
the earnestness of the members and the excellent singing. Several times during each year the
members give festivals for public patronage, the proceeds being devoted to the expenses of the
church.
Congregational Church. — The Congregational Church of Fond du Lac is one of the larg-
est and most flourishing Protestant religious organizations in the city. Its foundation was made
by Jerry Homiston, a farmer living three miles west of Fond du Lac, who gathered for relig-
ious worship whomsoever were inclined in that direction. The first meeting to found a church
was held July 19, 1846, in a schoolhouse located where May's Block now stands, on Main
626 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
street, and nine persons joined the new organization. These were: Jerry Homiston and Mary,,
his wife ; James Wright and Martha, his wife ; William Carey and Polly Ann, his wife ; Mrs. S.
S. N. Fuller, Mrs. Margaret Perry and Amanda Bannister. The E,ev. Stephen Peet was pres-
ent to perfect the organization. William and Polly Ann Carey were the parents of Mr. E. A.
Carey, of Laughlin & Carey, and Mrs. Margaret Perry was mother to James B. and J. C,
Perry, of the First National Bank. Mr. and Mrs. Wright, who live about three miles south of
the city, are the only survivors of the original members of the church.
Mr. Homiston was chosen Deacon, and Mr. Wright, Clerk. They had no building and no
Pastor. Meetings and such services as they could themselves provide were held in the school-
house mentioned until autumn, when the Home Missionary Society sent Rev. L. C. Spafford to
take charge of the infant church. He continued services in the schoolhouse, although it was
moved to Fifth street, his little band having been, in December, 1846, increased by Deacon K. Gillet
and Hon. James M. Gillet and families — nine new members. In February, 1847, a move was
made for the erection of a church edifice. Dr. Mason C. Darling deeded to the church, with-
out cost, a lot on the corner of Marr and Second streets, on which a small, cheap building was
erected. This was soon after enlarged, but great scarcity of means made it impossible to ren-
der the building fit for occupancy until March, 1850, and, during several months thereafter,
benches, blocks and chairs took the place of permanent seats. The work of building this mod-
est edifice was done mostly by Rev. Spafford and the members, and the material, in the roughs
was donated by those who were able. After the Court House was finished, and the old school-
house burned, services and meetings were held therein until the completion of the church edi-
fice, in 1850.
In July, 1853, Rev. Silas Hawley was called to take charge of the church, and continued
its Pastor four years, many new members joining during that time. In the early. part of his
pastorate, Hon. J. M. ■ Gillet, E. W. Drury and others withdrew to form the Presbyterian
Church, and later, in 1856, thirty-seven members withdrew and formed a separate organization,
called Plymouth Church. At this separation. Rev. Hawley resigned, and Rev. E. Brown filled
his place for six months, until Rev. W. A. Baldwin was secured. Mr. Baldwin preached two
years. In the meantime, a building committee, composed of Dr. T. S. Wright, Dr. M. C.
Darling and others, began the stone building now occupied as a grist-mill, on Forest street, for
a church edifice. The walls reached a height of fifteen feet when the division occurred, and the
building committee sold the half-finished church as best they could, to re-imburse themselves for
means advanced.
The Plymouth organization built a chapel on the corner of First and Macy streets, and,
under the pastorate of Rev. W. L. Mather, occupied it during four years, after which the two
organizations re-united, occupying the Plymouth Chapel. The old edifice was sold to the Free
Baptists, and is now occupied by them, on its first site, corner of Marr and Second streets.
when the two organizations re-united. Rev. R. H. Williamson was chosen Pastor, and con-
tinued in the pulpit four years. He was followed by Rev. C. W. Camp in July, 1863. The
chapel was becoming too small for the constantly increasing congregation, and, in 1865, a move-
ment was made to secure more commodious quarters. The result was the erection of the pres-
ent edifice, a handsome brick structure, located on the corner of Wingate and Sheboygan
streets. It was finished and dedicated in October, 1869. Its cost was $43,000, and its seating
capacity in the auditorium is about seven hundred.
In November, 1868, Rev. Arthur Little took charge of the organization, which finished the
church edifice and greatly thrived under his ministration. On occupying the new building,
Plymouth Chapel was sold to the Turners, and is now used by them, on Portland street. On
the 19th of July, 1870, the church celebrated the twenty-fifth anniversary of its organization
with extended services, thanksgiving and historical papers and addresses. March 25, 1877,
100 persons, mostly young people, joined the church, as the result of a protracted meeting
managed by the Methodist and Congregational Churches.
HISTORY OF rOND DU LAC COUNTY. 627
Early in 1878, Mr. Little was called to the New England Church, Chicago, and his resig-
-nation was accepted, his place being soon after filled by E. M. Betts, the present Pastor. The
church now consists of about four hundred members. Since Mr. Betts became its Pastor, the
church has- liquidated the last of its mortgaged debt, and the splendid edifice is now
unencumbered. It is richly decorated, has fine stained-glass windows and is an ofnament to
the city.
Rev. SpaflFord, the first Pastor, never received over $400 per year salary, and generally not
so much, which was paid in everything, now and then a little cash included. A portion of even
-this meager stipend was cheerfully expended for the feeble little church over whose affairs he
presided. Now the church pays a salary of $1,500 per year, and the Pastor is granted annu-
ally a vacation of six weeks. The first Deacon was Jerry Homiston. The present Deacons are
Dr. E. L. Griffin, James Bass, Henry Hastings and James Sylvester. The Prudential Com-
mittee consists of these four Deacons, and E. Delany, W. Wilkie, Mrs. Susan H. Lockwood
and Mrs. James Bass, including, also, the Sunday-school Superintendent. 0. C. Steinberg is
Superintendent of the Sunday school, a feature of the church services for old and young,
which has been maintained with great success from the earliest organization of the society,
though the first Sunday school was held jointly with the Methodists, in the old schoolhouse
in which the first religious services were held. The school now has about two hundred pupils,
and is prosperous, harmonious and pleasant. The first Pastor was Rev. L. C. Spafibrd. After
him came Silas Hawley, four years ; E. Brown, six months ; W. A. Baldwin, two years ;
W. L. Mather (of the Plymouth organization), fjur years ; R. H. Williamson, four years ;
C. W. Camp, four years ; Arthur Little, nine and one-half years ; E. M. Betts, present
Pastor.
First Presbyterian Church. — Among the early settlers who located in the vicinity of what
is now the city of Fond du Lac, were some Congregationalists, and a few Presbyterians, the
former being the greater in number. These two parties united, and a Congregational church
was organized. They remained together until about the year 1854, when the Presbyterian
section of the united congregation decided to enter into an organization of their own more in
accordance with their ideas of a scriptural form of church government — which organization was
perfected at the house of D. R. Van Duyne, on February 26, A. D. 1855. Those who entered
into this organization were James Monroe Gillet and his wife, Emeline E. Gillet ; E. W. Drury
and his wife, Deborah Drury; D. R. Van Duyne and-Phcebe Van Duyne, his wife; William
Jones and wife, Joseph S. Trigg and wife. Miss Brodie and Mrs. Smith. After the organiza-
tion was effected, a house of Worship was to be provided, and a minister secured and supported.
Prayer-meetings were at once commenced, and held at the residences of the members, and
preaching on Sabbath when a minister could be secured, these services being held at Darling's
Hall, and in the schoolhouse. These enterprising people were not contented to continue their
worship in this manner, and soon commenced the arduous task of providing a house of worship.
But, in this case, when the subscription paper was circulated, there were only four men who were
in a position to subscribe. Mr. William Jones subscribed $100, regretting that this amount was
all he could give. The balance was assumed by the other three, viz., Messrs. Drury, Gillet and
Van Duyne. The latter of these gentlemen was engaged in the manufacture of lumber in the
Wolf River pineries, and at once set about getting out the lumber. A building site was pur-
chased from John B. Macy, on Main street.
The lumber was brought from the north to the ground ; but, on its arrival, it was found to
be too light for the purpose. Another bill of lumber was then furnished, and, upon investiga-
tion, it was found that one of the timbers for the tower was defective. Mr. Van Duyne, there-
fore, took an ox team, went to the woods, and, with the permission of the owner, cut and pre-
pared a large tree, and hauled it to its place. Mr. McGinnis, the carpenter, and Messrs. Gillet
;and Van Duyne were the principal ones in raising the building. The entire cost of ground and
•building was $7,000, which amount was all paid by Messrs. Drury, Gillet and Van Duyne,
628 HISTOEY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
excepting the $100 paid by Mr. Jones. Previous to the erection of the building, the organiza-
tion of the church was effected, as taken from the church records as follows, viz.:
Be It remembered, that on the twenty-sixth day of February, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight
hundred and fifty-six, pursuant to previous requests made, and notices given, in accordance with the rules, regula-
tions and usages of the Presbyterian Church, the following persons, having received letters of dismission in the usual
form unanimously granted to them by the First Congregational Church of the city of Fond du Lac, were duly organ-
ized into a Church of Christ by the Rev. Henry M. Robertson, Chairman of the Committee of the Winnebago Pres-
bytery, duly appointed for that purpose. Said church, by vote, adopted the name of the First Presbyterian Church,
of the city of Fond du Lac, and also adopted the Westminster Confession of Faith as the articles of faith of said
church.
After the organization of the church, three ruling Elders were elected by ballot, D. R.
Van Duyne, Joseph S. Trigg and Erastus W. Drury.
Rev. Reuben Frame, who had preached in the city for two Sabbaths, was invited to become
the first Pastor, at a salary of $700 per annum.
Rev. Reuben Frame commenced his labors on the 1st day of April, 1855, and preached
his first sermon in Darling's Hall. On the 8th of April, 1855, Daniel R. Van Duyne, Joseph
S. Trigg and Erastus W. Drury were ordained by Rev. Reuben Frame as Ruling Elders of the
church. Mr. Frame continued his services from the 1st day of April, 1855, until February,
1858, when his connection was severed, and the church was closed from that time until the 1st
day of April, 1860, when the services of H. M. Robertson were secured. The membership of
the church at the time of Rev. Mr. Frame's leaving had reached forty-six communicants. On
September 12, 1861, the members of the church convened for the purpose of electing
additional Ruling Elders. William Dobie and Dr. A. L. Hoyt were unanimously elected. On
September 27, 1861, these were duly ordained.
The church building remained on the corner of Main and Rees streets until 1865. The
city having grown toward the south instead of to the north, as had been anticipated when the
church was built, the society found they were laboring under a great disadvantage, and there-
fore decided to move the building to the corner of Sheboygan and Wingate streets. Before
moving, it was found that the title of the building was not held by, the congregation, it having
been built by individuals, as before stated. In view of business complications which had arisen,
the interest held by one of the parties having passed out of his hands, the Trustees bought that
one-third interest. They also bought the one-third interest of E. W. Drury, by exchanging
the land on which the building then stood for it. The other one-third interest was owned by
James M. Gillet, who, when asked by the Trustees what he would do, said, " the church was
built with a view of donating it to the congregation, and he stood ready to do as he had
originally intended," and then and there did it. Although what he deeded to the society had
cost about $2,300, Mr. Gillet paid his fullshare of the expense of moving and re-fitting the
church edifice upon its new location. Upon the first Sabbath of December, 1865, the congre-
gation worshiped in the building situated on the location where it now stands. To aid in mov-
ing the building, Mr. Robertson subscribed $100, which was afterward remitted to him.
September 26, 1866, owing to ill health, Mr. Robertson resigned. He commenced his
labors at a salary of $700 per annum, $400 of which was paid by the Board of Home
Missions. During the year 1864, it was decided by the Trustees, on motion of J. S. McDon-
ald and C. J. Pettibone, that the congregation become self-sustaining. After this, the congre-
gation prospered and increased in numbers to such an extent that the minister's salary was
raised to the sum of $1,200, thereby raising the amount paid by the congregation to $900.
At a meeting of the members of the church at Empire, held at the house of A.
S. Wilson July 1, 1867, it was resolved that the remaining members of that church take their
original letters and unite with the Presbyterian Church in Fond du Lac. These members were
received into this church October 5, 1867.
During the ministry of Mr. Robertson with this congregation, ninety-six persons were-
added to its roll of communicants, and the Sabbath school numbered 150 members.
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUKTT. 629'
During November, 1866, a legacy of $1,000 was left the church by William B. Brand,
one of its honored and efficient members, whose death occurred a short time previously. At a
meeting of the Trustees, November 13, 18^6, held at the office of James M. Gillet, it was
" Resolved, That the Board tenders hereby its grateful remembrances to Mrs. Brand, with our
hearty acknowledgments for the generous gift of her late husband, William Bradley Brand,
Esq., in whose death our society has lost one of its most ardent friends and liberal supporters,
and we have lost a kind neighbor, a good citizen and a generous friend."
At a meeting of the congregation, on the 20th day of November, 1866, the Rev. T. G.
Smith was unanimously elected, and was soon after installed as Pastor.
At a meeting held at the office of J. M. Gillet, May 21, 1867, it was decided to purchase,
for a parsonage, the residence owned and occupied by Dr. T. J. Patchen, situated on First
street, for the sum of $4,000 ; which purchase was effected. This property was kept and used
as a parsonage until April, 1872, \yhen it was sold, inasmuch as the Pastor, Rev. T. G. Smith,.
had built and was occupying a house of his own.
An election of Elders occurred on March 25,' 1869, at which C. W. Pinkham, Hugh
McDonald and P. C. Macomber were elected additional Elders. At the same time there were-
also elected Deacons, Alexander Stewart and Alexander Mason, all of whom were ordained
April 11, 1869.
During the spring of 1869, it was decided to enlarge the church building in accordance
witli plans presented by J. M. Gillet. During August, 1869, the contract for such enlargement
was let to Mr. Phoenix, for the sum of $2,200, to include all expenses of labor and mate-
rial. When the work was completed, and the contractor had been paid, the congregation
learned that the mechanics had not been paid, and that a large portion of the material had not
been paid for by the contractor. Therefore it was decided to pay all bills presented for material
and labor, although the church was not legally bound to such payment.
The plan pursued for raising funds for defraying the necessary expenses of the church had
been by the system of pew rents.
On December 10, 1872, it was resolved that for one year after January 1, 1873, the
collecting of pew rents be suspended.
At a meeting of the congregation on December 15, 1872, a statement was made of the
financial condition of the church, and all delinquencies were paid, thereby leaving the church
free from debt. This system of raising money has been in successful operation to the present
time. Rev. T. G. Smith continued his services as Pastor until April, 1874. A few weeks pre-
vious to this time, however, Mr. Smith handed in his resignation, having received a call from
Kingston, Canada. The congregation reluctantly received the same and referred it to the Pres-
bytery, who declined to grant his release. A few weeks later, this call from Kingston was
renewed, and the Presbytery granted the request. The church had received into its member-
ship, during Mr. Smith's ministry, 161 members.
The church being without a Pastor, a meeting of the church and congregation was held
April 13, 1874, when it was voted to elect Rev. T. C. Kirkwood as Pastor, at a salary of $1,600
per year.
At a meeting of the congregation held in the church June 18, 1874, G. W. Pinkham, P.
C. Macomber and Hugh McDonald were re-elected Elders. Alexander Mason and Alexander
Stewart were re-elected Deacons, and Robert Powrie and Robert Hoffman were elected as addi-
tional Deacons.
At a congregational meeting held June 7, 1876, John S. McDonald and C. Vallette Pet-
tibone were elected additional Elders for a term of five years.
Mr. Kirkwood commenced his labors in June, and remained as Pastor until the fall-of 1878,
when his resignation was given to the congregation, and, at his own request, accepted.
During the fall and winter of 1876-77, it was decided to hold revival meetings in the
Mission Chapel, which were continued ten weeks, then transferred to the church building, and
continued four weeks. As a result, there were received into the church 100 persons. The
■^630 HISTORY OP FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
whole number received into its membership during Mr. Kirkwood's ministry was 161. After
the resignation of Mr. Kirkwood, the pulpit remained vacant one year. Regular services were
■held during this interval by temporary supplies. October 20, 1879, Rev. Donald Ross, by invi-
tation of the Session, came to supply the pulpit, and is now residing with this people.
The music of the church was placed in the hands of Dr. A. L. Hoyt in September,
1860. From that time until January 21, 1870, it remained under his management, and at a
meeting held by the Session July 0, 1869, the following resolution was passed:
Resolved, That we gladly embrace this opportunity to express our deep sense of obligation to Dr. Hoyt and
all the members of the choir for their untiring devotion to the interests of the church, and for the able and faithful
manner in which ihey have discharged these duties for a long period of years.
Many of those who have been so actively and intimately associated with the history of this
church have been called to the Elysian Fields. In this connection could be mentioned scores
of names ; but prominent among those who have served in an official capacity is John E. Pea-
body. It was during his superintendency that the Hope Mission Sabbath School was organized,
which enterprise has proved such a blessmg to the community as well as church, to which it
has long been attached. He removed to San Francisco, Cal., whence both himself and wife
were called to the better land. Of those who were active and efficient in this connection was
B. S. Patty. He was one of the Trustees for years, and none was more ready to render
assistance, nor more hospitable toward its members. He was called away by death January 28,
1871. From the organization of this church to the time of his death, J. M. Gillet was one of
the few men to give liberally of time, means and counsel. During the infancy of the church,
he was ever ready to aid, and never swerved from his original purpose to do all in his power to
complete the great work of establishing the church upon a firm basis. In consequence of his
energy, his health was undermined, and he was prematurely called away. " Though dead, he
yet speaketh" in the works which follow him.
The Trustees have been as follows : E. W. Drury, J. B. Peabody, 0. J. Pettibone, J. S.
McDonald, 0. W. Benney, J. M. Gillet, L. A. Griswold, B. S. Patty, C. S. Hamilton, Alex-
ander McDonald, E. N. Foster, Alexander Wisnom, Alexander Stewart, Allan Carswell, Frank
Taylor, John Mills.
The church has always maintained a Sabbath school. Its average attendance is 200.
The Superintendents have been E. W. Drury (who was the first), A. L. Hoyt, C. J. Pettibone,
John S. McDonald.
Hope Mission was established by the Presbyterian church in 1864. John S. McDonald
owned the old Arndt M. E. Church building, and gave it to the Presbyterians for mission pur-
poses, and B. F. Moore gave the two lots, on which the building now stands, for a site, on con-
dition that the school be continued during ten years. It has been a successful school for sixteen
years, and Mr. Moore gave a deed of the lots, as promised. It is in a remote part of the city,
on the west side of the river, where churches are not easily accessible. It now has a regular
attendance of 120. The Superintendents have been, J. B. Peabody, C. E. Hill, C. V. Petti-
bone (who served ten years), W. H. Williams and John Benton.
St. Paul's Cathedral. — St. Paul's Episcopal Church was organized at the Court House, in
the village of Fond du Lac, by the Rev. Joshua Sweet, September 3, 1848. The first members
were : N. P. Tallmadge, ex-United States Senator from New York, and ex-Governor of Wiscon-
sin; A. W. Stow, Chief Justice of Wisconsin; Lieut. Gbv. Samuel W. Beall, Gen. George D.
Ruggles, George McWilliams, Charles Doty (Gov. Doty's son), Charles Stevens, A. L. Williams,
Nathaniel Waterbury, and A. G. Ruggles, now President of the First National Bank. The first
Rector was Rev. Joshua Sweet, and services were held in the Court House. The first officers were
chosen September 4, 1848, and consisted of John Hamilton and Newell Case, Wardens ; and N. P.
Tallmadge, George, McWilliams, A. D. Bonesteel, S. W. Beall, George D. Ruggles, Carson Graham,
Nathaniel Waterbury and A. G. Ruggles, Vestrymen. On the 8th of December, 1849, a meeting
was held to take steps toward erecting a church edifice, and, February 12, 1850, it was resolved to
ibuild after plans furnished by Mr. Wyatt, of Milwaukee, on lots donated by John B. Macy, on the
FOND DU LAC
HISTORY OF rOND DU LAO COUNTY. 633
corner of Follet and Bannister streets. Rer. Joshua Sweet and Carson Graham were appointed a
committee to solicit and take subscriptions to defray the expenses of building. Rev. Homer
Wheaton, of Lithgow, N. Y., and N. P. Tallmadge, of Fond du Lac, brothers-in-law, gave the
largest sums, Rev. Wheaton's donation being $500. April 15, 1850, a building committee, con-
sisting of A. D. Bonesteel, Carson Graham and Nathaniel Waterbury, was appointed, and the
•church edifice was begun on the corner of Follet and Bannister streets, on lots donated by John
B. Macy. July 12, 1850, the church rented a hall in Darling's Block, for the use of the con-
gregation. March 14, 1852, the first services were held in the new edifice, the tower of which
had been donated and erected by M. J. Thomas and Thomas McDonough. There was a portion
of the building expenses unpaid, and, May 24, 1852, a mortgage of $300, at 12 per cent interest,
was executed to Thomas McDonough, to " pay in full the contract with Mr. Barber," the
builder. The building, which is standing yet, and in occasional use, is 80x50 feet, and will seat
200 persons. The mortgage was soon paid, as the building could not otherwise be consecrated,
and, July 18, 1852, the consecratory ceremony was performed. On August 24, of the same
year. Rev. Joshua Sweet tendered his resignation on account of ill health, which was accepted
October 26, 1863.
On the 26th of June, 1854, a call was extended to Rev. George B. Eastman, of Brownville,
Jefferson Co., N. Y., to become Rector, which he accepted, coming to Fond du Lac immediately,
where he still resides, though not engaged in active work.
During the rectorship of the Rev. George B. Eastman, arrangements were made for the
erection of a new church building of stone, on the corner of Division and Sophia streets. The
lots were given by Robert A. Baker, and three additional lots were subsequently bought by the
corporation. A Gothic church, after plans of Lloyd, of Detroit, was begun and partially finished,
the woodwork in the interior being of solid oak, and the workmanship thorough in every par-
ticular. The tower was carried up to the base of the spire, and temporarily capped. The total
cost of the building was about $20,000.
In 1866, Mr. Eastman resigned, and his place was temporarily filled br the Rev. Mr.
Davenport and Rev. Hugh Miller Thompson. In January, 1868, the Rev. Hiram W. Beers, of
Chicago, accepted the rectorship, and remained three years, ' being succeeded, in 1871, by
the Rev. William Dafter, now of Oconto, Wis., and in May, 1875, by the Rev. John Townsend,
of Albany, N. Y. The Diocese of Wisconsin, which formerly embraced the whole State of
Wisconsin, had become so unwieldy, that in 1874 a new diocese was erected, consisting of the
twenty northeastern counties of the State, under the title of the Diocese of Fond du Lac. The
Rt. Rev. J. H. Hobart Brown, S. T. D., was consecrated the first Bishop December 15, 1876.
Promptly on coming to this diocese, the Rector and Vestry of St. Paul's Church at Fond
du Lac offered the realty belonging to the corporation to the Bishop for cathedral purposes, and
all the owners of pews deeded their rights to the Bishop, that the cathedral might be forever
free. After a year's consideration, the Bishop accepted the proposition, and, on the feast of the
Conversion of Saint Paul, January 25, 1876, took formal possession of the property, and insti-
tuted St. Paul's Cathedral. A temporary organization was effected, to remain in force until
the Cathedral shall be^ completed and consecrated. The plan contemplates a chapter composed
•of the Bishop, eight canons and eight laymen, to whom all the interest of the Cathedral shall
be committed. The Rev. John Townsend became the Dean of the Cathedral in 1876, and
resigned in May, 1877. The Canons in ofiice at present are the Rev. F. S. Jewell, Ph. D., and
the Rev. N. D. Stanley.
During the rectorship of the Rev. H. W. Beers, a schoolhouse capable of accommodating
300 pupils was erected on the Cathedral grounds, at a cost of about $10,000. Soon after the
institution of the Cathedral, a corporation was formed and a charter obtained to enlarge the
scope of educational work, and to give the school a diocesan character. The following were the
first Trustees: The Rt. Rev. J. H. Hobart Brown, S. T. D., President ex officio ; Rev. F. S.
Jewell, Ph. D., Vice President ; Charles A. Galloway, Fond du Lac, Secretary ; Hannibal Wood-
worth, Fond du Lac, Treasurer; Rev. F. R. Haff, Oshkosh ; Rev. Fayette Durlin, Ripon ; William
634 HISTORY OP POND DU LAC COUNTY.
Dafter, Oconto ; Rev. R. W. Blow, Sheboygan ; Rev. W. E. Wright, Waupun ; Rev. M. Y^
Averill, Manitowoc ; Rev. George Vernor, Appleton ; Rev. James A. Upjohn, Plymouth ;.-
Rev. George A. Whitney, De Pere ; Rev. G. W. Harrod, Green Bay ; Messrs. Charles J. L.
Meyer, Fond du Lac ; August G. Ruggles, Fond du Lac ; Timothy F. Strong, Fond du Lac ;;
James B. Perry, Fond du Lac ; James Jenkins, Oshkosh ; George Gary, Oshkosh ; E. L.
Browne, Waupaca ; George L. Field, Ripon ; H. D. McCulIoch, Stevens Point ; R. W. Welles,-
Waupun.
The school has been opened with about sixty pupils in attendance, in charge of three-
teachers.
St. Joseph's Ohurch. — The present St. Joseph's Church stands on the site of the first
Catholic chapel erected in Fond du Lac, corner of Marr and Second streets. From it, in the
course of time, have gone forth, by successive divisions, all the other Catholic congregations of the
city, arising from the rapid increase of the Catholic population. Rev. F. X. Bonduel, one of
the first missionaries of Wisconsin, attended to the wants of the Catholics here prior to the year
1847, in which year he erected a small chapel which was named St. Louis Church. At this
time, that small house of worship was amply large to accommodate the Catholics of all nation-
alities. Rev. C. Rehrl, at'present at Barton, Wis., succeeded Father Bonduel, and was the first
resident Pastor stationed here. He attended numerous missions, not only in Fond du Lac, but-
in all the surrounding counties. In 1850, Rev. E. A. Godfert assumed charge of the St. Louis
Church, and remained its permanent Pastor till July, 1853. He was succeeded by Rev. L. Dael,
who enlarged the church and built a pastoral residence.
About this time the congregation became too numerous to be accommodated in one church
edifice. A part, therefore, separated, and selected the present site of St. Patrick's Church for a
new house of worship. The foundation of this new edifice was laid in 1855.
In June, 1860, Rev. L. Dael was succeeded by Rev. Perrodin, in the charge of the St. Louis
Church, the Germans, French and a portion of the English-speaking Catholics still worshiping-
there. During the pastorate of Rev. Perrodin St. Patrick's congregation was given over to the
charge of Rev. James Colton, the present Pastor, who completed the building, a very large one-
of stone, and erected a pastoral residence, at No. 7 East Follet street.
Notwithstanding two additions which had been made to the old St. Louis Church, and the
withdrawal of St. Patrick's congregation, the building was soon found too small to accommodate
the remaining Catholics, so, in 1866, the German portion of the community separated, and laid
the foundation of St. Mary's Church, a large wooden structure, at No. 15 Merrill street.
The last division took place in 1871, when the French resolved to erect a church in which
their own language would be spoken. Rev. Father Perrodin was, therefore, appointed to the-
task of erecting this new edifice and placed in charge of the French congregation, the title St.
Louis being transferred to that parish. Rev. G. Willard, in 1871, assumed charge of the
mother parish, which was from this time called St. Joseph's. He laid the corner-stone of the
present structure in 1874, and oificiated as Pastor till February of 1879, when he was succeeded
by Rev. Joseph J. Keenan, the present Pastor. St. Joseph's Church will be, when completed,
the largest and most imposing church edifice in the city ; its length is 135 feet, width 75 feet,
the tower is to be 216 feet high. Work upon this building will be resumed as soon as the pres-
ent indebtedness has been paid off.
St. Louis Qatholie Qhurch. — Early in 1871, the French Catholics separated from the Irish
congregation, and began, under Rev. John C. Perrodin, the large stone structure for a church,,
which stands on the corner of Follet and Bannister streets, opposite the old St. Paul's Episcopal
Church. The cost of the building thus far has been |25,000, and the tower and spires are yet
unfinished. It is 65x120 feet, the main room being 30 feet in height. Father Perrodin died
June 9, 1878, and was succeeded, June 22, by Rev. E. Maseau. Father Maseau resigned Octo-
ber 1, 1874, and was succeeded by Father Louis Dael, who built the priest's house, a fine two-
story brick structure, located near the church, at a cost of $4,000, and dedicated the church iii:
HISTOBY or FOND DU LAC COUlSrTY. 635
November, 1874. Father Dael died March 6, 1879, and was succeeded by Rev. Oliver Comp-
tois, the present Pastor, June 22, 1879. Although in debt, the church is now prospering.
In the fall of 1879, Father Comptois organized a parish school at which French and English are,
taught, and which is alsb prospering. This church has the oldest church bell in the city. It
was bought in 1864 by Father Perrodin, at Troy, N. Y., and cost |637.48. Its weight is"l,02a
pounds. It is held in high esteem by the members on account of Father Perrodin's connection
with it.
The first Trustees of St. Louis Church were Michael Baltazare, Leander Landermann and
Michael Pariseau.
Mrst Baptist Ohureh. — The first Baptist organization in this jurisdiction was the one at
Fond du Lac. The second was at Waupun. May 21, 1845, eight persons residing at Fond du
Lac and vicinity, who believed in the doctrines of the Baptist Church, organized themselves
into a church society. Their first Pastor was Rev. H. Hovey. The. church edifice now used
by this society, on the corner of Forest and Union streets, was erected in 1853, for $3,000 ; is
the most pleasantly situated of any in the city, and has been continuously used by the same
denomination and society longer than any other church edifice in Fond du Lac. In 1877, the
building, which is of wood, was enlarged and repaired, and is now a comfortable and cheerful
place of worship. Rev. F. A. Marsh is Pastor, with a membership of. about one hundred.
Free Baptist Church. — The Free Baptist Church society was organized May 31, 1869,
the first Pastor being Rev. Rufus Clark. The first officers were : Daniel Roberts, C. A. Rider,
G. B. Carpenter, E. A. Randall and S. L. Brasted, Trustees ; S. L. Brasted, Secretary and
Treasurer. The society purchased the wooden building corner of Marr and Second streets,
which was built by the Congregationalists, of the German Lutheran society, for $1,100, and
immediately thereafter expended $600 for enlarging and improving it. The building now is in
comfortable condition, is 30x60 feet in size, and has a debt of $900. The second Pastor was
Rev. 0.' H. True ; third, Rev. A. B. Taylor ; fourth. Rev. T. S. Roberts, and fifth. Rev. W.
C. Hulce. The church is now without a regular pastor, although services continue to be held.
The present officers are: C. A. Rider, Nathan Main, T. A. Root, D. W. Smith and Will-
iam Crawford, Trustees ; D. W. Smith, Secretary. A Sunday school is maintained in connec-
tion with the church organization.
G-erman Evangelical Church. — Salem's Church, a branch of the JEvangelical Church of
North America, was organized in 1865, by H. Altpass^ E. Weise, H. Friederich, A. Zahn, G.
Guell, F. Rhoening, W. Dehnert, J. Felter, J. Smith and W. Treder. Their church building
is the one built by the Methodists on the corner of Marr and Third streets, in 1851-52, of
whom it was purchased in 1865, for $2,700. Rev. J. T. Viel was their Pastor, and the society
embraced sixty members. In 1867, Rev. Viel was removed and Rev. William Horn appointed
to fill his place. He remained two years, and was succeeded by Rev. A. Huelster in 1869, and
Rev. A. Tarnutzer in 1871. In 1874, $800 was expended in improving and repairing the
church building, the society then numbering eighty members. In 1875, Rev. A. Tarnutzer was
succeeded by Rev. J. L. Runkel, who remained until 1878, when he was removed, ^nd Rev. J.
Schneller, the present Pastor, appointed to the charge. The congregation now numbers fifty-
four families and one hundred and fifteen members, these numbers being constantly on the
increase, although old members very frequently move to other cities. The church property,
which was improved during the summer of 1879, is valued at $3,000, and consists of the
church, a wing for a parsonage, and a small but comfortable building for the parish school,
taught by the Pastor. This school is attended by forty-five scholars. One of the very promi-
nent features of this church is its large Sunday school, in which old and young take a
deep interest. It has a regular attendance of 110, and every Christmas indulges in an
elaborate festival. The officers of the church are : Herman Friederich, President ; W. Rhoen-
ing, Vice President ; William Dehnert, Secretary ; E. Weise, Treasurer, and F. Mund,
Librarian.
636 HISTOEY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
Salem's Evangelical Qhurch. — In order to be distinguished from the other church of the
same name in Fond du Lac, this may be called Salem's Evangelical Church No. 2. It was
organized October 11, 1869, the first members being Phillip Brockec, William Luling, C. A.
Fuerstnow, Martin Sasse, B. De Sombre, C. G. Reichman, Charles Blankenburg, A. Soil and
Franz Werner. The first Pastor was Rev. C. F. Off, and the first ofiicers Martin Sasse, C.
Blankenburg and William Luling. The building, which stands on the corner of Military and
Ruggles streets, was finished in 1870 ; is 38x80 feet, with basement below and auditorium
above, and cost $13,000, site included. It was built mostly by Phillip Brocker, who gave most
of the brick of which it was constructed, C. Blankenburg and Martin Sasse. The present
Pastor is Rev. H. Buehrig, and his congregation numbers forty-six members. The building is
one of the most substantial in the city of its class, and is owned entirely by the church society.
The First Universalist Church. — The first meeting to form the Universalist society was
held in Music Hall, corner of Division and Main streets, ]\farch 20, 1871. This meeting made
Andrew Steveley, Dr. Terah J. Patchen, Elijah Hawkins, D. W. C. Priest and Orin Hatch, a
Board of Directors to act tiuthoritatively in perfecting the organization according to law. On
the 8th of June, 1871, the Board made a contract with Rev. A. C. Barry to preach one year
for $1,000 and a vacation of eight weeks. The services were held in Music Hall, which was
rented for the purpose. The first officers were : T. J. Patchen, Moderator ; D. W. C. Priest,
Clerk ; Q. M. Olcott, Treasurer ; Jesse Beckley, Andrew Steveley, Orin Hatch, E. M. May
and David Howland, Standing Committee for the year. May 20, 1872, this Committee
adopted plans for a church made by T. H. Green, of Fond du Lac, -and, on July 11 of the
same year, let the contract for the, building which now stands on East Division street, and
which is occupied by the Red Ribbon Association, to C. A. Ryder, for $2,647, on condition
that the structure should be finished and ready for occupancy by September 1. The
building was called Universalist Chapel, and was dedicated November 4, 1872. Dr. Barry,
the Pastor, loaned a large sum to clear the church of debt, and took the notes of his. parish-
ioners for security. He was the first and last regular Pastor, the church having been without
regular services since his resignation. During 1879, E. N. Foster, who now owns the building,
remodeled it for the use of the Red Ribbon Association, which has exclusive control of it, with
the privilege of purchasing. The first members of the Universalist Church were T. J.
Patchen, Q. M. Olcott, Andrew Steveley, J. Beckley, L. R. Lewis, Q. M. Olcott, 0. E. Wil-
kins, Mrs. Dr. Patchen, J. A. Chitterling, John V. Frost, J. Eudemiller, E. M. May, A. H.
Raymond, Joseph Olmsted, David Howland, Elijah Hawkins, U. D. Mihills, Orin Hatch, G.
W. Carpenter, L. F. Stowe and their families.
Q-erman Evangelical Lutheran Church. — This flourishing church organization has a fine
brick church edifice and parsonage on the corner of First and Marr streets. The church was
erected in 1869, and is one of the substantial edifices of the city. The membership, which is
constantly increasing, now embraces 175 families. In 1878, a fine pipe organ, built at Mil-
waukee, was added to the church furniture, at a cost of something over $1,000. The real
estate belonging to this church extends from First to Second street, and on the Second street
front is a two-story wooden schoolhouse, at which 200 children attend. It is supported by thjs
church organization, and is a thorough and comprehensive institution of learning. The
teachers are Rudolph Fritzke and Charles Brenner. The Pastor is Rev. Phillip Hoelzel, who
took charge in 1877.
BANKS.
The Exchange Bank. — In the early part of 1849, Dr. Mason C. Darling and Keyes A.
Darling, his son, opened a private bank in the second story of Darling's Block, as it now stands.
Before this Dr. Darling had kept an office in his residence — first in the log house built where
Darling's Block now stands on Main street ; afterward in his residence on Macy street, near to
anil just south of the location of the present post office ; in 1847, in a building which he pur-
chased of S. S. N. Fuller, located where D. R. Curran's old store, No. 529 Main street, now
stands, and soon afterward in the building now called Darling's Block. This office was mostly
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. " 637
for the entry of land and payment of taxes, although he occasionally bought exchange. This
new firm did but little real banking business at first, but carried on a large business in land war-
rants, real estate and collecting. In the latter part of May, 1861, Dr. T. S. Wright, now a
practicing physician of Fond du Lac, purchased M. 0. Darling's interest in the concern, and
the bank was organized as the Exchange Bank, by Darling, Wright & Co. The "company"
was John Warner, Dr. Wright's father-in-law, who furnished some of the means on which the
business, depended. The business of the new firm was transacted at the old stand until a tem-
porary building of wood could be erected where Wells' Bank now stands, corner of Main and First
streets, on land owned by K. A. Darling. Mr. Darling, immediately after finishing this tempo-
rary structure, built the stone block which now stands next to Wells' Bank, occupied by Coff-
man's meat market. This he rented to the firm until he could build more especially for the
business, the stone building next to it on the corner, now occupied by Wells' bank. The wooden
building first used by the bank had no good safe, and on the occasion of a fire near by, January
19, 1852, which threatened to destroy it, Dr. Wright entered the limestone vault and filled
his pockets with bills, after which he went out to fight the flames. His coat pockets alone
contained $20,000. He lost none of the money, however, and the bank building did not burn.
During five years after 1862, the Exchange Bank had the contract to carry the government
money from the land office at Green Bay, afterward moved to Menasha, to Chicago. The trip
had to be made once each month, or oftener if $20,000 was accumulated. The money was
usually gold and was locked in an oaken box large enough to hold $20,000. This box was
put by Dr- Wright, (who generally made the trip), in a meal bag, and placed under the seat of
the stage coach, no one but himself being aware of its contents.
In 1862, Darling & Wright engaged A. C Buggies, who had been a bank clerk in Pough-
keepsie, N. Y., to copy some accounts and straighten out others, at $1 per day for a month.
The bank was then in the wooden building just mentioned, on posts, and did not have a first-class
vault or safe, being only a temporary aifair. To guard the building, Darling & Wright kept a large,
reddish dog, half Indian and half Newfoundland, and generally covered with fleas. He was always
kept in the building, as he was considered too valuable to lose and was sure to run away if let loose.
Fleas were active in those days, as were banking and real estate, and the dog put in a large share
of his time in scratching them. Every time he did this it would set the whole building into a
flutter, and everybody had ,to suspend operations until the dog had mastered that particular
flea. This was a source of much amusement to incomers as well as of great annoyance to
those connected wirh the bank, as many a blot and illegible, scattering scrawl on the old books
bear evidence to this day.
Darling, Wright & Co. took advantage of the State law of 1852, which provided for the
emission of bills, soon after its adoption. The capital stock was $75,000, and the amount of bills
issued nearly as great. In May, 1860, Dr. Wright withdrew from the firm, and the business
was then carried on by Keyes A. Darling. The circulation was called in after the passage of
the National Banking Act in 1862, but the bank continued to do a banking business until May
11, 1868, when it failed with disaster alike to itself and its patrons. Mr. Darling had made
many injudicious loans when the Exchange was a bank of issue, and, in re-organizing to continue
business after his circulation was called in, burdened his affairs with the old debts. On Friday,
May 8, 1868, Mr. Darling left Fond du Lac, his clerk said, to get some money at Chicago. On
Saturday, the following day, more drafts were presented than could be paid, and the bank was
quietly closed. That it was bankrupt, however, did not become generally known until the fol-
lowing Monday. Mr. Darling never returned to Fond du Lac. The bank owed $30,000, and
it was thought at first that its assets would aggregate $20,000. The creditors petitioned the
Bankruptcy Court to have Selim Newton appointed assignee of the bank, and it was done,
Harvey Durand, Deputy United States Marshal, being placed in charge of the office, books and
papers. The bank fixtures and other property were sold by order of the court, but the creditors
realized only a small amount of what was due them. Mr. Darling is now in Colorado, and a
poor man.
638 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
The Bank of Fond du Lac. — The early records of this institution have been lost. Its pro-
prietors were the founders of the first real banking institution in Fond du Lac — that is, were
first to organize under the State banking law. In August, 1852, McRae & Bell, of Milwaukee
(Augustus L. McRae and William J. Bell), purchased of E. Doolan the land situated on the
northwest corner of Main and Division streets, and began, immediately thereafter, the erection
of the low, round-cornered building, of stone, which now stands thereon. Hearing that other
parties were arranging to begin the business of issuing bills in Fond du Lac, and being desirous
of having the prestige of starting first, Mr. A. G. Butler was sent to the city to open an office
before the bank building was finished, which he did in the wooden building located on the oppo-
site corner (of Main and Division streets), built by John B. Macy for an office. This was
known as McRae, Bell & Butler's Bank, and was continued as such until the institution was
organized under and according to the State law, in 1853, as the Bank of Fond du Lac. Its
capital stock was to be $25,000, although business was at first begun with a much smaller
amount. The stockholders of the re-organized bank were George McWilliams, James Ewen
and Lyman Phillips, Fond du Lac, and 0. P. Chandler, of Vermont. A. G. Butler was Pres-
ident, and Charles W. Whinfield, Cashier. Mr. Whinfield is now connected with the bank at
Beaver Dam.
The Bank of Fond du Lac failed in 1857, and T. W. Dee was appointed Assignee. The
stockholders lost heavily by its failure. Depositors lost but li-ttle by the failure. The firm of
McRae, Bell & Butler had banks at Racine, Janesville anil other places in the State.
Robert A. Baker's Bank. — In 1854, Robert A. Baker and John Sewell, Sr., began the
business of banking in a wooden building which stood on the site of the present bank building,
and which now stands on the corner of Johnson and Marquette streets, as a dwelling-house. In
a short time Mr. Sewell withdrew from the firm, and Mr. Baker continued the business alone
until June 26, 1858, when the Farmers and Mechanics' Bank was organized under the State
law of 1852, as a bank of issue, with $25,000 capital stock. Of this Robert A. Baker owned
212 shares ; Rev. George B. Eastman, 37 shares, and W. J. Hamilton, 1 share. The first
officers were, S. B. Amory, President, and R. A. Baker, Cashier, who continued in the same
offices until the bank went out of existence, in January, 1867. Since that date Robert A.
Baker has been sole proprietor of the business, under the title of Baker's Bank. John S. Bur-
rows, who has been connected with this bank during twenty-two years, is cashier, and Robert
C., son of Robert A. Baker, is teller.
The bank carries on a general banking business, except to receive savings on interest and
deal in foreign exchange. It is located in a solid brick building erected at the head of Forest
street, in 1860, especially for banking purposes, and occupied September 1 of that year. The.
building was erected for Mr. Baker by John Waller and Robert Wyatt.
The First National Bank. — :The foundation of the present First National Bank of Fond du
Lac was the old Bank of the Northwest, which was organized in December, 1854, and opened
for business January 1, 1855. It was organized under the State law of 1852, and was a bank
of issue with a capital stock of $25,000, which was soon after, owing to the success of the insti-
tution, increased to fifty thousand. The first officers of the Bank of the Northwest were B. F.
Moore, President, and A. G. Ruggles, Cashier. The principal stockholders who lived at Fond
du Lac were B. F. Moore, A. G. Ruggles and Edward Pier, the other stockholders residing in
the East. The bank was opened in a concrete building, located on West First street, in the
rear of where A. H. Hall's millinery store now stands. A more central location was desirable,
and the bank was soon after moved into John B. Wilbor's building on Main street, now occupied
by John Haberkorn's clothing store. The next move was into a wooden building erected by
John Sewell, which stood on the site of the present bank building, corner of Forest and Main
streets, and which is now the First National Hotel, owned by M. Van Dresar, and located on
the corner of Fourth and Marr streets. The fine three-story structure, with basement, now
occupied by the First National Bank, was built by the bank, and completed and occupied in
October, 1873. Its cost was $27,000, exclusive of the site, which the corporation also owns.
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 639
It is of the best brick and stone, and one of the handsomest, as it is one of the most substantial,
buildings in the city. The basement is occupied by W. E. Cole's bank ; the first story by the
First National Bank, with private ofifices, handsomely furnished, for the President and cashier ;
the second story by the offices of the Sheboygan & Fond du Lac Railway Company, the law
offices of Hauser & Thomas and Colman, Carter & Kent, and by Drs. Wiley & McNeel, and
the third story is the splendid Masonic Hall, in use by Darling Chapter and all the other
Masonic Lodges of Fond du Lac.
The second President of the Bank of the Northwest was Edward Pier, and the third Presi-
dent, A. G. Ruggles, at which time J. B. Perry was cashier.
December 12, 1864, the bank was re-organized under the National Banking Act. The
capital stock was $75,000; Edward Pier was President; A. Q. Ruggles, Cashier, and J. B.
Perry, Assistant Cashier. In July, 1865, the capital stock of the institution was increased to
$100,000, which is the present amount, and which cannot be purchased at any ordinary figure.
In January, 1866, Edward Pier was re-elected President ; A. G. Ruggles, Vice President, and
James B. Perry, Cashier. The next President was A. G. Ruggles. The present Directors are
A. G. Ruggles, John H. Martin, Orin Hatch, H. D. Hitt (of Oakfield) and J. B. Perry. The
officers are: President, Augustus G. Ruggles; Cashier, James B. Perry; Teller, Henry C.
Moore ; Book-keeper, George L. Arnold ; Correspondent, J. C. Perry ; Messenger, Joseph D.
Radford.
The First National Bank is the leading bank of Fond du Lac County in the amount of
capital and business transacted, except in one or two special departments. It does all the busi-
ness transacted by any bank, except to loan money on bond and mortgage, pay interest on
deposits, and buy and sell foreign exchange. It receives deposits, but pays no interest on them.
Its rate of discount on loans is 8 per cent, although the law allows, and almost all other national
banks charge, 10 per cent. The Government requires of this bank, as it does of all national
banks, that a sworn statement of its aflfairs be published quarterly, which is done, the report
appearing in the Fond du Lac Oommonwealih. The special agents of the Treasury Department
have access to all books and papers of all national banks at all times, without notice, and all
their aifairs are completely under Government espionaj:;e, being examined at least once in each
quarter. Last year, 1878, the taxes paid by the First National Bank amounted to $3,000, as
the capital stock was assessed at its full face value by the local assessors, in addition to the tax
imposed by the Government. Its record in all respects is second to no bank in the State.
Grerman American Savings Bank. — In the fall of 1866, Rudolph Ebert and J. C. Perry
established a private bank, which was managed by them as such until September, 1873, when
it was re-organized under the State law as a savings bank, under the name and style of the Ger-
man American Savings Bank, with a paid-up capital of $25,000.
The first officers were R. Ebert, President, and J. C. Perry, Cashier, the former holding
the same position still. The stockholders are Rudolph Ebert, Louis Muenter, Frederick Ruep-
ing, Louis Rueping, Alexander McDonald, J. C. Perry and Franz Lauenstein. Of these, R.
Ebert, President ; Alexander McDonald, Vice President ; Louis Muenter, Cashier ; Frederick
Rueping and Franz Lauenstein constitute the Board of Directors.
The institution carries on a general banking business, buys and sells foreign exchange,
receives money on deposit and pays interest thereon ; and has the agency for three ocean steam-
ship lines. The bank has a large business. The bank building, which is a substantial brick
structure built expressly for the business, is located in Main street, near the Serwe House.
The Savings Bank of Fond du Lac. — This was first organized by State charter March
28. 1867, with Elihu L. Phillips, Edward Pier, Edwin H. Galloway, Augustus G. Ruggles,
George W. Weikert, Joseph Wagner, George F. Wheeler, James B. Perry, Edward Colman,
-James Coleman and Orin Hatch, as holders of the capital stock subscribed, and which was placed
within the limits of $50,000 minimuni and $500,000 maximum. The original corporate name
was "Fond du Lac County Savings Institution," which was changed in 1874 to " The Savings
Bank of Fond du Lac," which name it still retains.
640 HISTOKY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
E. L. Phillips was the first President of the Board of Directors, then composed, in addition
to himself, of Edward Pier, A. G. Ruggles, Edwin H. Galloway, George W. Weikert, Joseph
Wagner and George F. Wheeler.
June 20, 1867, the Fond du Lac County Savings Institution opened its doors and books
for business. Col. Edward Colman was Treasurer, Teller and Book-keeper. On that day,
Willie M. Weikert wrote his name on the first line of the first column of the_first page of the
" Signature Book," and started the first savings account ever opened as such in Fond du Lac
County.
During that month, two other accounts were opened, making three ; but in July, the num-
ber ran up to forty-six, and before the following October, when the first report required by law
was made, the books showed 168' depositors, aggregating a total of $13,700, an average of over
$80 to each savings depositor. A year later, there were 544 accounts, and $53,486 of savings
deposits, being an average of over $90 each. During the year following, this was increased to
881 accounts and $71,000 of deposits. During succeeding years the growth of the institution
was undiminished, until nearly $500,000 of deposit lay to the credit of its patrons. The panic of
1873, followed by the unparalleled depression of business and the consequent enforced idleness
of many workmen, caused a withdrawal of savings deposits everywhere, which ceased only with
the recent return of employment and commercial prosperity throughout the country. Up to
the present time, over six thousand accounts, from first to last, have been opened, which have
been distributed more than $78,000 interest money.
Among its patrons are a large number of women and children, the special act of the
Legislature, secured by the charter, according to these classes protection of their savings placed
in the bank, against any act of husband, parent or guardian.
In 1870, President Phillips resigned his position, and was succeeded by Edward Pier, with,
whom was associated, in the Board of Trustees, Edwin H. Galloway, Vice President, and C. K.
Pier, Director, the required number having been previously reduced by law to three.
In May, 1876, Mr. Galloway died, leaving a large and valuable estate. His widow, Maria
H. Galloway, was elected to his formei; position in the management of the bank, and, on the death
of the President, Edward Pier, in November, 1877, she was elected to fill the vacant office of
President. The Board now consists of Mrs. M. H. Galloway, President ; C. K. Pier, Vice
President, and G. A. Knapp, Treasurer.
Up to lyiay, 1874, the institution had occupied a rented building on Forest street. During that
year was completed a fine two-story brick structure, specially adapted to the business, into which
they moved and where they still remain. This building is fully supplied with all the modern
improvements necessary to the I)usiness, such as fire-proof vaults, burglar-proof safes and time
locks, and is a most substantial, safe and convenient bank building.
The German Savings Bank. — September 1, 1872, Charles L. Encking opened a bank
under the First National Bank, corner of Main and Forest streets, under the name and style of
the German Savings Bank, Robert H. Wharton, Cashier, with a capital of $10,000. In addi-
tion to receiving deposits on interest, loaning money and carrying on a general banking business,
Mr. Encking engaged largely in real estate, brokerage, insurance, making abstracts and collect-
ing, besides being an active agent for the leading trans-Atlantic steamship lines. The bank
prospered until the monstrous shrinkage in real estate, in which Mr. Encking was heavily
involved, began to cripple its resources. It continued regularly in business, however, until
September 23, 1878, when Robert H. Wharton, the Cashier, left the city in the night, it was
reported, with all the available cash of the institution. Mr. Encking continued in the bank
only a few days to settle up, as far as possible, with his creditors. The German Savings Bank
ceased to exist October 1, 1878. Mr. Encking rented another office, and continued all his former-
business, except that of banking, and has now straightened out nearly all the afi'airs of his-
defunct bank, so that, so far as can be ascertained, the losses by its suspension will be small.
Wells' Bank. — About the first of May, 1870, W. H. Wells came from New York and.
opened a private bank in the building, corner of Main and First streets, formerly owned and.
HISTOBY OP FOFD DU LAC COUNTY. 641
occupied by Keyes A. Darling for the same purpose, purchasing the property from R. Ebert.
Mr. Wells does a general banking business, buys and sells bonds, receives money on deposit,
paying interest therefor ; loans money and transacts all other business pertaining to a first-class
bank. The aflPairs of the institution are carried on by Mr. Wells, its owner, and M. T.
Simmons, Cashier.
W. E. Cole's Bank. — On the 1st of January, 1879, William E. Cole opened an oflSce for
the transaction of a general banking business, as a private banker, under the First National
Bank Building, corner, of Main and Forest streets. Mr. Cole has a large fire and burglar proof
safe depository for the safe-keeping of valuable papers, and carries on, in addition to loaning
and collecting money and selling foreign exchange, the business of general ticket agent for all
the leading steamship and railway lines. ^The business of making collections is a specialty. ■
J(AN0FACTURING INTERESTS.
First Saw-Mill in Fond du Lac. — In 1844, Mason C. Darling gave a contract for a deed
to John J. Driggs, deceased, and Warren Morley — a man now eighty-four years of age, and living
on the lake shore at Morley's Point — of a parcel of land lying west of Court street and south of
Western avenue, " contained in the bend of the East Branch River, and known as the
'Hydraulic Reservation,' " provided they should build a saw-mill and have it in running order
at a certain time. The mill was not running as soon as specified, but, on the 11th of July,
1846, " for $165 in hand paid," he gave a warranty deed of the property. Mr. Driggs remained
only a short time in the proprietorship of the mill, and was succeeded by Truman Wheeler,
father of the Rev. L. N. Wheeler, now the Presiding Elder of Fond du Lac. Mr. Wheeler
was killed, in 1847, by the fall of a tree, while engaged in getting out timber for a grist-mill.
The framework of this mill was erected near the saw-mill, back of where the Court House now
stands, but was never inclosed or used, owing to Mr. Wheeler's death. After Mr. Wheeler was
killed, the saw-mill lay idle, or was in charge of a Green Bay man for the Wheeler heirs, until
August, 1849, when it was got into running order by Horace Seymour, who now reside's in
Fond du Lac, and is blind, although in early times he was credited with having the best eyes,
capable of making the quickest and most accurate measurement, of any one in the vicinity. In
September, 1849, Mr. Herman Bissell, who had arrived from Connecticut the year before, and
who was killed in the terrible Angola railway disaster, December 18, 1869, bought the mill of
Mr. Morley and the Wheeler heirs ; but, as there was some flaw in the title, he never gained a
deed of the half belonging to these heirs, though no rent or interest was ever required of him.
His son, L. C. Bissell, now Superintendent of the Fond du Lac Boom Company, was put in
charge of the mill, which, with early rising and late retiring, would turn out 2,500 feet of
lumber per day. The young man had no help about the mill to assort, carry away or pile the
lumber, or tend the mill ; and, small as these figures look, they are actually large, for the
best mill in Fond du Lac does not now manufacture 2,500 feet of lumber per day to each man
engaged in tending it. The logs, of course, were larger then than now, as 720 of which Mr.
Bissell kept account averaged 557 feet of lumber each. Now it is a good lot of logs that
average 250 feet each. The first logs sawed by Mr. Bissell were owned by Pier & Newton
(Edward Pier and Selim Newton, both deceased), and were hauled from Bannister's Landing on
trucks drawn by oxen, and driven by Charles Colman, now a millionaire lumberman of La
Crosse, and brother to Elihu Colman, lawyer, of Fond du Lac. Sometimes, when these logs
were so large that Mr. Bissell could not roll them on to the " carriage," his wife would come
from the house, near by, and render such assistance as was sufficient to accomplish the task.
Before the first lot of logs was sawed, they were purchased by Curtis Lewis, now of Esca-
naba, Mich. The contract was to the effect that the saw-bill should be paid every month, but
he couldn't always fulfill it, and at such times gave his notes at 5 per cent a month — 60 per
cent a year ! The notes were all paid.
About this time, home-made lumber became scarce and was higher, the mills at Fond du
Lac (two in the village and one in the town) not being able to supply the demand, and rafted
^42 HISTORY OF TOND T>U LAC COUNTY.
lumber was brought from the Shioc mill, two miles below Shiocton, and from the Shawano mill.
Thesewere both water-mills, the one at Shawano being owned and run by Curt Lewis, who also
was managing the Lewis House, on the site of the present Patty House. He had life and vim
enough in those days for a score of men, and it was nothing uncommon for him to start for his
mill at Shawano on an " Indian trot," and not stop to sleep or eat, ekcept to partake of such food
as he put in his pocket and could be eatea on the run, until he reached his destination. The
return journeys were made in the same manner, and in an almost incredibly short time.
This old Wheeler & Morley mill was quite a curiosity in its day, and was visited by
almost everybody. The dam extended across the East Branch, a few feet below where the
sidewalk now crosses, on the north side of Western avenue, near Meyer's factory. It only
furnished about seven feet head of water. The wheel was a curiosity, being of wood, and built like
the modern iron or brass turbine water-wheels. Sometimes the water couldn't start it without
a lift from the sawyer ; but, once started, it furnished a large amount of power. The saw was
the ancient " sash," the jerking of whose heavy framework,kept everything in a shake. The
mill building was 24x36 feet, and the wooden carriage on which the logs were sawed ran out
over the pond. On this carriage, flocks of shouting children, now the prominent men and women
of the city and State, were in the habit of riding, in a slciw, hitching manner, out over the pond,
to be " gigged back " with a rush.
' In September, 1855, a great freshet swept the dam away, and, as other and more modern
mills had sprung up near the lake, where logs were more easily reached, the Wheeler & Morley
mill was never again put in operation. The site is now owned by C. J. L. Meyer.
First Steam Saw-Mill. — The first steam saw-mill built in Fond du Lac or Northern Wis-
consin was e^-ected in 1846 by Davis & Ruggles, on the east bank of the river, just above where
Cotton street now is. Cornelius Davis, using the name of his brother, F. F. Davis, furnished
the "experience," and A. G. Ruggles, now President of the First National Bank, furnished
the money. The logs and timber for the mill were cut on the Wolf River, in the summer of
1846, and rafted to Fond du Lac, after which Mr. Ruggles went East and bought the
engine, boiler and machinery. These were put on to the Hudson at Cleveland, and among
the passengers with Mr. Ruggles was David R. Curran, ever since a resident of Fond du
Lac, then making his first trip to the West. A terrific storm overtook the boat, and the
frightened passengers for a time were determined to heave the h^avy mill machinery over-
board, to insure the safety of the vessel, being very free in making threats' of this character.
Mr. Ruggles was far more thoroughly frightened at their threats than at the storm, bad as it
■was, for all he had in the world was represented in the machinery, which seemed in a fair
way to be dumped into the lake. The storm subsided, however, and the machinery was
landed in safety. It was then brought to Fond du Lac and put in place during the winter of
1846-47, and, in the ea.rly spring of 1847, sawed the first lumber ever cut by steam in North-
ern Wisconsin, for B. F. Moore, now owner of the La Belle Wagon Works. In June of that
year, the mill sawed its own logs.
The first saw used in the mill was an old-fashioned "sash saw," the whole frame in which
it was fastened resembling a window sash, and churning up and down with terrific jerks. Soon
after, a muley saw was put in, which was regarded as a great innovation in milling. After the
new saw was put in, the mill was run night and day, in season, cutting about eight thousand
feet of lumber in twenty-four hours, and proving a profitable investment. In 1847 or the
beginning of 1848, Davis & Ruggles dissolved partnership. The mill was finally burned, but
the machinery in it was taken out by George W. Sexmith, and used in his first milling opera-
tions in Fond du Lac.
First Planing-Mill. — In 1851, A. G. Ruggles, now President of the First National Bank,
purchased several lots on the east bank of the river, where Johnson street now is, and staked
out a site for a planing-mill, which seemed to be in good demand. In the fall, Mr. Ruggles
went East and purchased the best planing-mill machinery then to be had, and when he returned, in
February, 1852, he found his mill-site overflowed by the river as far as what was later called
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 643
East Water street, the water being several feet deep. For some days the cause of the over-
flow was a mystery, until it became known that the first dam had been erected at Menasha.
The set-back of the water caused by the erection of this dam had overflowed Mr. Ruggles' mill-
site, and much other property as well. He crossed the street, however, and built his planing-
mill that year. But no one could sharpen a planer or "hang" the knives, and everything
moved under difficulties. There was business enough, but no one could be had who was
■expert enough to do it properly. Mr. Ruggles was compelled to run the engine himself. In
1852, he did his last work with the planing-mill on a job of basswood boards which Jason
Wilkins wanted dressed for the manufacture of baby carriages. The building and engine
were afterward used for a saw-mill.
McDonald ^- Stewart's Factory. — tu 186T, a large wooden building was erected on the corner
of Arndt and Brooke streets, for a sash, door and blind, factory. It was run a short time by
a Mr. Jones, now deceased, and, in 1869, fell into the hands of Alexander McDonald and
Alexander Stewart, by whom it has since been owned and managed. The factory gives
employment to about fifty persons, and turns out $120,000 worth of manufactured stock per
year.
City Stone Mills. — This substantial stone structure was begun by a branch of the Congre-
gational Church for a church edifice. Before it was finished, the two factions re-united. The
walls remained as they were left by the church, until April, 1858, when Dr. M. C. Darling bid
them off, with the site, for $1,000. They were soon thereafter completed for a flouring-mill,
and the mill put into operation. In 1869, the property was purchased by Moore & Aldrich,
and in 1874, by Allen & Aldrich, the present proprietors. The mill has four runs of stone,
which receive motion from an ample steam engine.
J. 0. Ruber's Drug-Mill. — Mr. Huber began in a small way in 1868, on Main street, to
grind spices, herbs and roots. In 1872, business having outgrown his capacity, he erected a
large steam drug-mill on the corner of Sibley and Marquette streets. He employs ten men,
and grinds spices, mustard, herbs, roots and all medicinal plants and barks. About 300 of
"these are found in Wisconsin, to gather which he has agents in all parts of the State, the Indians
being especially valuable and skillful in this work. Mr. Huber imports all spices and medicines
not obtainable in America. At the session of the Wisconsin Academy of Arts and Sciences,
held in January, 1880, samples of drugs and spices from nearly every mill in the country were
tested and none found pure, except from J. C. Huber's mill, at Fond du Lac. This report was
ofiicially published.
G. W. Sexmith ^ Sons' Saw-Mill. — Mr. Sexmith is one of the pioneer lumber men of
Fond du Lac. He has operated a mill continuously since 1854. Sexmith & Sons' Mill,
corner of Cotton and Satterlee streets, gives employment to fifty men in season. Last year it
turned out 4,000,000 feet of lumber. The mill building was erected by A. G. Ruggles, and
contained the first planing, dressing and matching machinery in Fond du Lac.
Alexander McDonald' s Saw-Mill. — -This mill building was erected in 1853 by E. A. Galloway
for a warehouse. In 1855, T. S. Henry & Co. transformed it into the first rotary saw-mill
ever run in Fond du Lac. Iij 1865, two rotary saws were put in, after which Henry &
Co. sold out. Mr. McDonald has been alone in the business since 1870. The mill has a
capacity of 50,000 feet of lumber per day. The boilers now used in it were built in 1856,
and are now considered better than first-class modern boilers. Mr. McDonald saws hard lumber
for the thrashing machine works, and special grades for McDonald & Stewart's sash, door and
blind factory.
Fond du Lac Spring Wagon Company. — In 1875, A. T. Perkins and C. L. Clement pur-
chased from the J. A. Archibald estate the small shops near the corner of Macy and Court
streets, and began the manufacture of carriages and cutters, under the firm name of Perkins &
Clement. Their business continued to increase, until now they have five buildings, employ
twenty-two men, and turn out 1,000 jobs per annum. Their machinery is driven by a thirty-
fiVe-horse power steam-engine, built by the Novelty Iron Works. In 1879, the firm added a
644 ' HISTORY OF FOND D]J LAC COUNTY.
complete saw-mill to their factory, and now saw all the boards and stock used. No other car-
riage factory in the Northwest has facilities for sawing its own lumber. The especial lines of
work turned out at this factory, are cutters, all styles of carriages, and the celebrated platform-
spring wagons, which are called "mountain wagons."
Fond du Lao Building Association. — This corporation, whose factory is on Scott street,
near Main, was organized January 4, 1876, and incorporated January 4, 1879. Its capital
stock is |] 0,000, paid up. C. K. Pier is President, and Gr. W. Mihills, Manager. The concern "
has out 280 agents, who make 70,000 sales per year of screens, window blinds and articles of
that class. No firm in Fond du Lac sends out and sells as great a number of articles as this
institution, though several others receive much larger amounts of cash in return for manufact-
ured articles sold.
G-alloway Mills.^-Thx^ large flouring-mill, situated on the corner of Arndt and Packer
streets, was begun by John Maginnis and Charles R. Harrison. In 1866, the property was
purchased, rebuilt and finished by T. S. Henry & Co., the present owners. The mill is well
equipped with all the most modern milling machinery, and is constantly busy.- Its capacity is
120 barrels of flour per day.
Fond du Lao Steam Bakery. — The large business of the steam baker, located at 35 East
First street, in a handsome brick building built especially for it, was begun by Benjamin Wild,
in a small way in 1860. Trade constantly increased, and in 1869 the business was transferred
to Second street, where it now gives employment to nineteen men, who make into crackers, all
kinds of bread, cakes and pies, about fifteen barrels of flour per day. The manufacture of can-
dies is also extensively and successfully carried on. The firm has three traveling salesmen; a
retail store on the corner of Main and First streets, under the charge of H. L. Noble, and does
a business of $80,000 per year. The sales extend into adjoining States.
J. Q. Griffith ^ Sons' Saw-Mill. — J. Q. Griffith began the lumbering business as early as .
1856, and in 1859 operated the old Wilbor & Henry mill. In 1860, he purchased the mill,
which th^n stood on Forest street. It was built in 1856, by Deacon Fuller, Nathan Leavittand
George Hunter, and was known as the Fuller & Leavitt Mill. It had a muley saw and siding
machine. The company failed after operating it several years, and the property was purchased
by Mr. Griffith, who operated it until he built the present mill, in 1871, on West DiWsion street.
In 1866, his son, Carver N. Grriffith, became a partner in the business, and in 1870, Wilber A.
Griffith, another son, took an interest, and the firm name then was J. Q. Griffith & Sons. In
1872, a planing-mill was added to the facilities of the mill, and in 1879, machinery for grind-
ing ^everything but flour. The yards and mill give employment to thirty-five men, and a corps-
of loggers and raftsmen is kept in the woods, securing logs for eaph season's wOrk.
Steenberg's Sash, Boor and Blind Faotory. — In 1867, H. H. Lewis, now a resident of
Kansas, erected a sash, door and blind factory on the corner of Mc Williams and Juneau streets.
In 1871, Prof 0. C. Steenberg was taken in as a partner, and, in 1877, became sole proprietor.
When running to its full capacity, the factory gives employment to sixty men. Its products^
are sold mostly in the West and S9uth, for which there was demand enough during the panic to
keep the factory in operation.
George W. Lusk's Saw-Mill. — In 1856, Asa Pierce, now of Racine County, Daniel W.
Smith, Charles Chandler, W. D. Sherwood, now of Chicago, and L. C. Bissell, built the mill
now owned and run by George W. Luak, on Moore street, the capacity of which is about forty
thousand feet per day. It was called the Pierce, Smith & Co. Mill. The boilers were made of
the best locomotive boiler iron, and have never had a cent expended on them for repairs. The mill
had a forty-eight-inch saw, a double-cutting sider, shingle and lath machines. Pierce, Smith &•
Co. failed, and, in 1867, George W. Lusk became a member of the firm of Merryman & C".;,
which consisted of A. C. & R. W. Merryman, George W. Lusk, Lewis Rood, of Monroe, Wis.,.
and E. A. Newton, of the same place. In 1869, A. C. Merryman withdrew from the firm. In
June, 1877, Mr. Lusk purchased Mr. Newton's interest in the business ; in April, 1878,
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 645
purchased that of the Merrymans, and, in March, 1879, secured the interest belonging to the
Rood heirs. He is now sole proprietor of the mill and lumber-yard.
Fond du Lac Manufacturing Company. — In 1873, a company consisting of Alexander and
-John S. McDonald, and Benjamin Nightingale, was incorporated for the manufacture of straw
boards, building and wrapping paper. The capital stock was $54,000, all paid up. The factory
ran two years, giving employment to a large number of men, and producing first-class articles,
after which it was closed on account of the costliness of fuel. The building and machinery there-
fore lay idle until the spring of 1878, when they were destroyed by fire.
Alfred K. Hamilton's Saw-Mill.— In 1856, I. K. and W. C. Hamilton built a mill at
Luco, between Fond du Lac and Taycheedah, on the lake shore, and, in 1857, began the manu-
facture of all kinds of lumber. In 1868, A. K. Hamilton and W. S. Finley became partners
in the business, under the firm name of A. K. & W. C. Hamilton & Co. In 1871, A. K. Ham-
ilton and W. S. Finley became the proprietors, and continued in business together until May,
1879, when Mr. Finley sold to A. K. Hamilton, who is now sole proprietor of the business. In
addition to the lumber-yard at the mill in Luco, a yard and an office are located on Main street,
in Fond du Lac. This mill, which employs fifty men, and has a capacity of 6,000,000 feet of
lumber per year, has not been idle a season since it was first started, in 1857. About forty men
are kept at work in the woods securing logs, on which to keep the mill in operation.
Fond du Lac Harrow Company. — In the spring of 1876, the manufacture of " H. B.
Fargo's V-shaped, steel-toothed harrow" was begun by H. B. Fargo, W. A. Knapp, M. D.
Moore, C. A. Galloway and W. B. Galloway, under the name of the Fond du Lac Harrow Com-
pany. The Company was organized in 1878, and incorporated October 1, of that year, by W.
A. Knapp, C. K. Pier, G. A. Knapp and Frank A. Knapp, with a capital of $10,000. The
officers of the corporation are C. K. Pier, President, and W. A. Knapp, Secretary and Treas-
urer. The act of incorparation gives the Company the right to make all kinds of agricultural
implements, though only Fargo's patent harrow is made at present. The factory is on East
Division street, and turns out 3,000 harrows per year, making a business worth $35,000. These
harrows are mostly sold in Minnesota, Iowa, Dakota, Kansas, Nebraska and Wisconsiij. The
business is increasing.
The Fond du Lac Trunk Factory. — The business of making trunks was first started by
Andrew Payne, who catered to the retail trade only. He sold to D. C. Lang in 1874, who
enlarged and carried on the business until March, 1875, when John H. Lang, his brother,
became a member of the firm. The firm name then became, and now continues, D. C. & J. H.
Lang. The factory is a large brick building on East First street, in which is the office. The
business is now wholly carried on for the wholesale trade, and gives employment to eighteen
men. The sales in Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois and Indiana, amount to over $25,000 per
annum.
McDonald Manufacturing Company. — This was first known as the Fond du Lac Threshing
Machine Company, which was organized in 1874, and built threshing machines until 1876, when
the Company failed. The following year, March 14, the present Company was organized, with
John S. McDonald, President ; Alexander McDonald, Vice President, and John Spence, Treas-
urer and Secretary. These, with C. H. Benton, constitute the Board of Directors. The pres-
ent officers are the same as just recorded. The capital stock of the concern is $100,000, all
paid up, and its principal business the manufacture of the " Pride of the West " threshing
machines, which were invented in Fond du Lac, and which are becoming celebrated for several
superiorities in construction and manner of doing work. There are also made by this firm the
"Common Sense " sleigh, for lumbering purposes, and Berry's Stump Puller. Since the forma-
tion of this Company, its business has increased from 100 to 300 per cent per year, and new
facilities are constantly added. The large shop is located on Scott street and gives employment
to forty men.
Mihills Manufacturing Company. — The foundation of the immense business, now carried
on by the Mihills Manufacturing Company in sash, doors and blinds, on the corner of Brooke,
646 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
Sibley and Juneau streets, was laid when Uriah D. Mihills began the manufacture of lumber, in
1864, in the old dismantled mill now standing near the Scott street bridge. In 1868, he added
to his business the manufacture of sash, doors and blinds, and continued both the mill and the
factory until 1874, when he became involved, and the establishment was taken in charge by the
present Mihills Manufacturing Company December 24, 1874, with a capital of $200,000. Of
this corporation, Parian Semple, of Shawano, was President ; R. A. Baker, Vice President ; '
C. K. Pier, President ; Gr. N. Mihills, Secretary and Superintendent. These, with Welcome-
Hyde, of Appleton, constitute the Board of Directors. The present officers are R. A. Baker,
President ; C. K. Pier, Treasurer ; G. N. Mihills, Vice President, Secretary and Superintendent.
The factory, which is a fine brick building, contains 160 employes, and the articles manufact-
ured are sold in all the States of the Union, except New York and New England. The busi-
ness now amounts to $300,000 per year. The Mihills Manufacturing Company also owns a
large saw-mill at the foot of Hone and Spring streets, which is leased by Henry Sherry, of
Neenah, and managed by A. D. Parker. During the last two seasons, it has been run to its
full capacity, night and day a portion of the time ; running in winter also, logs being received
by raij.
Fond du Lac Wheel ^ Seeder Company. — In 1872, Daniel Y. Sabin, J. B. Bushnell and
Henl-y Hastings began, under the name and style of Sabin, Bushnell & Hastings, the manu-
facture of the Fountain City Seeder and patent buggy wheels. In 1874, this firm sold out to
the Wheel & Seeder Company,- which was chartered August 31, 1874, and which was composed
of D. Y. Sabin, J. B. Bushnell, Henry Hastings, J. C. Wedge, Alexander McDonald, Frank
Dillingham (of Milwaukee), M. W. Simmons, E. C. Gray, Byron Town, Kalk & Kent, J. F.
Aldrich, P. Conrad, A. T. Perkins and Ela C. Waters. The first officers were: Alexander
McDonald, President; J. C. Wedge, Vice President; Byron Town, Secretary and Treasurer;
J. B. Bushnell, Superintendent. The capital stock was $50,000. The company ceased man-
ufacturing wheels in 1876, because they were too costly for the market. The manufactures,
which now consist of grain-drills and force-feed, broad-cast seeders, with clover and timothy seed
attachments, are sold mostly in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Michigan, Illinois and Wisconsin.
Their number is 1,500 seeders and drills per year, and their value about $75,000. The shops
give employment to seventy-five men, and the business is annually increasing. The present
officers are: Alexander McDonald, President; J. C. Wpdge, Vice President; Byron Town,
Secretary and Treasurer. The shops are located on Forest street, next to the river, and with
the additions of the season of 1879, complete throughout.
Moore ^ G-alloway s Saw-Mill. — The btisiness of this firm was begun in 1864 by M. D.
Moore, who then engaged in the manufacture of lumber, lath and pickets, with Charles Crane.
The partnership, if such it could be called, was a novel one. Mr. Crane had built the saw-mill in
1863, but was financially embarrassed. Mr. Moore therefore purchased an undivided half-
interest in it, and paid for it, and for two years thereafter Mr. Crane operated the mill one week
and Mr. Moore the next week. The same crew worked for both, but the lumber cut by each
was kept separate, as well as all the business afiairs. In 1866, Mr. Moore bought out Mr.
Crane, and soon after, in the same year, C. A. Galloway became a partner with Mr. Moore in
the business, and several years later, in 1870, W. B. Baker purchased an interest in the busi-
ness, which embraced extensive operations in the lumber districts, in addition to operating the
mill and yards at Fond du Lac. In 1878, W. B. Baker withdrew from the firm, which is now
composed of M. D. Moore and C. A. Galloway. The firm gives employment to eighty, and at
some seasons to 150, men, and cuts from five to eight and one-half millions of lumber. The
mill and office are located on Packer, near McWilliams street.
Peerless Joh Office. — November 13, 1878, P. B. Haber and Charles H. Swift opened a
job printing office in the rear of Wells' Bank building, corner of Main and First streets, under
the title of the Peerless Printing Office, by Haber & Swift. The material was all new and the
office has had a liberal share of business since it was opened. Mr. Swift has in connection
with the office, the business of city bill-posting.
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 647
G-lobe Job Office. — On the 1st of August, 1872, Thomas Bryant, now of the Omaha
(Neb.) Bee newspaper, opened a job printing office over J. C. Whittelsey's store on Main street.
In the fall of 1874, George C. Hicks, now of Minneapolis, purchased an interest in the office,
continuing as one of the proprietors until 1876, when Mr. Bryant became sole proprietor. In
1878 — April 25 — John W. Lockin purchased the entire establishment and moved it to the
ground floor of No. 6 Forest street, September 20, 1879. He added a large cylinder press and
engine in 1879, and the office now contains 150 font^ of type, four presses and good steam
machinery. The Wisconsin Farmer is published at the Globe Office.
La Belle Wagon Works. — In 1869, what is now the second largest wagon factory in the
State was begun by Farnsworth, Knapp.& Co., on the site now occupied by the works. The
firm changed soon after to Farnsworth, Woodward, Knapp & Co., and then to Farnsworth Bro-
thers & Knapp, who continued in the business until February, 1874, when B. F. Moore and A.
G. Buggies purchased the entire property and business interests. This firm began immediately
to increase the business, although the works had a capacity of 2,000 wagons per year under
Farnsworth Brothers & Knapp. Mr. Buggies continued in the establishment only eight months,
when B. F. Moore became sole proprietor. He went on with making improvements and increas-
ing the facilities, until in January, 1879, when a stock company was formed and incorporated,,
with a paid-up capital of $200,000, consisting of B. F. Moore, President; A. L. Moore, Vice
President and Superintendent; James H. Farnsworth, Secretary, and C. H. Moore, Treasurer.
The business, that of manufacturing wagons, gives employment to 200 men, who turn out twenty
complete wagons per day. The shops, which are located between the West Branch Kiver and
the Chicago & North-Western Railway, on Forest street, are run to their utmost capacity, and
turn out $300,000 worth of wagons per year. During the past year an immense fireproof,
stone, iron and brick storehouse has been built by the La Belle Wagons Works Company, which
is capable of holding 3,000 finished wagons ; also an oil-house of stone. Every foot of room is
utilized, and preparations are going on to increase, next season, the capacity of the shops. The
wagons turned out are sold mostly in California, Oregon, Texas and British America.
Novelty Iron Works. — The Novelty Iron Works building, a large, substantial structure of
brick with cast-iron door and window frames, was built by Horace and George 0. Trowbridge,
on the corner of Doty and Bees streets, in 1866. Horace Trowbridge now resides at Sheboygan
Falls, and George 0. at San Francisco. C. H. De Groat purchased G. 0. Trowbridge's inter-
est in 1875, and soon after A. E. Bosworth became a member of the firm. In 1876, George
Giddings bought an interest in the business, since which time the firm has been De Groat &
Giddings. Their business is that of manufacturing agricultural implements, saw-mill machinery
and general repairing. They also manufacture the famous Gowan head-blocks and set works
for saw-mills, which are in use by nearly all the mills in the vicinity.
C. J. L. Meyer's Factories, Mills and Furnaces. — One of the most extensive and success-
ful manufacturers in Wisconsin, or in the Northwest, is Charles J. L. Meyer. No history of
Fond du Lac, or of Wisconsin, would be complete, therefore, without a more or less elaborate
account of his business. Mr. Meyer arrived in New York from his native place in Prussia, in
1849, at the age of eighteen. He had been educated under the thorough Prussian school sys-
tem, and had also learned the sash and door trade, which he now carries on, by working in his ■
father's shop, which had turned out a fine quality of sash, doors and furniture since the beginning
of the present century. Not finding employment at his trade at once in New York, Mr. Meyer
engaged at farming for a short time, but soon found employment with one of the best millwrights
of the East, thereby acquiring practical knowledge which has since been of great value in car-
rying on his business. In 1855, being desirous of engaging in business on a larger scale, and in
a timbered country, Mr. Meyer made a tour of the West and settled upon Fond du Lac as offer-
ing the best advantages on account of healthful climate, fine soil, great timber resources and con-
tiguity to navigable waters. He did not settle at Fond du Lac through accident, but after a
thorough examination of various other places in the West.
€48 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
In 1856, he started in business at Fond du Lac, in a very small way, doing such miscel-
laneous jobs as his limited means would allow. In 1859, Mr. Meyer went East, spending five
months in careful examination of manufacturing establishments in that section. He resolved, as
a consequence, to enter upon the manufacture of sash, doors and blinds, and returned in the fall
of that year to lay the foundation of his present immense business. In 1860, himself, a brother
and an apprentice were working with rented power. In 1861, mostly with his own hands, he
erected a small wooden shop on Western avenue, purchasing a small portable engine for power.
In this shop he planed lumber, made sash, doors and blinds, and did various jobs; not on a large
senile, as that business was not then heavily patronized. In 1864, however, having got a firmer
foothold, and trade having received a strong impetus from the war, Mr. Meyer put his goods on
the Chicago market. The excellent finish and thorough workmanship displayed marked them at
once as superior to any then before the public, and, as if by magic, the demand for them out-
stripped that of all competitors. ' From that time, the demand for his goods rapidly and con-
stantly increased. A large factory was erected on the north side of Western avenue — since
demolished — and a branch was permanently opened in Chicago. In 1866, he erected the pres-
ent wood-working building, which is 200x100 feet on (?he ground, and three stories high, of
brick. There were large additions built for boiler and engine rooms. In 1867, a large brick
warehouse, 44x128 feet and two stories high with basement, was erected on the corner of West-
ern avenue and the Chicago & North- Western Railway. In 1868, being desirous of obtaining
lumber for his factory, at more advantageous terms, Mr. Meyer erected a saw-mill in " Lower
Town," in Fond du Lac, which had a capacity of 80,000 feet of lumber per day. In 1874,
finding it necessary to protect his interests in that city, he erected a model sash, door and blind
factory in Chicago, which has a capacity equal to that of any other in the Garden City. Owing
to its perfectness and completeness, this factory has several times been examined by officials sent
from foreign countries to learn the details of American manufacturing. As logs began to grow
more scarce on the Wolf River, Mr. Meyer found it necessary to purchase large tracts of pine
lands, whi'ch he did in Michigan, fifty miles north of Menominee. Here he built a large saw-mill,
which runs all the year round, a planing-mill, stores, offices and boarding-house, making a vil-
lage all his own, called Herniansville, after his son Herman. The product of these mills is
mostly used in the manufacture of sash, doors and blinds in his own factories. In 1870, fear-
ing a scarcity of logs on the Wolf River would render Fond du Lac less advantageous as a wood-
manufacturing point, and expecting, therefore, to change his business to that of manufacturing
iron, he erected a large blast furnace at " Lower Town," with ample charcoal kilns, which was
hardly completed when the panic laid its iron hand upon all manufacturing interests. Since
then railways have been pushed into the most productive timber countries, tnus indefinitely post-
poning the time when there will be a scarcity of lumber in Fond du Lac for manufacturing pur-
poses. Mr. Meyer, therefore, has continued to increase his wood-manufacturing business, erect-
ing in 1879 an additional factory, 100x100 feet, just east of the main building.
On the corner of Western avenue and Macy street, Mr. Meyer has one of the best-equipped
machine shops and foundries in the Northwest, at which all his own engines and iron machinery
are made, and a general business in manufacturing heavy mill furnishings carried on. During
1880, the blast furnace will be put into operation under a company organized for that purpose,
and his sash, door and blind factory will consume over twelve million feet of lumber — an increase
over any previous year.
To keep in motion the large amount of machinery in all of Mr. Meyer'f shops — not includ-
ing his blast "furnace — are required ten steam engines and twenty-one boile s. The former are
made at his Western avenue iron works, and the latter by J. 0. Pierron, of Fond du Lac, of
whose work Mr. Meyer speaks in the highest terms.
The Chicago shops furnish employment to 300 persons ; those at Hermanville, to over 200
and those at Fond du Lac to 400 — making a pay-roll with over 900 names.
The products of C. J. L. Meyer's factories are sold in Delaware, District of Columbia, Vir-
ginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina,
FON D DU LAC .
HISTOEY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 651
"Florida, South Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska,
Iowa, Dakota and Minnesota — twenty-four States, besides Wisconsin.
Breweries. — The oldest brewery in Fond du Lac is that of J. & C. Frey, near the corner
of Macy and Division streets. The buildings now used in the business have all been built by
the Frey Brothers at different times, the first dating back to 1848. They have an extensive
trade at home and abroad, and do also a large business in bottling and exporting beer.
On Portland street, south of Division, is situated the large brick building erected by Paul
Hauser, for a brewery. It is a well-built and convenient structure for the business of brewing,
and is now leased by Antony Voght.
Bechaud Brothers' Brewery, on Eleventh street, west of Hickory, is doing a large and
increasing business, additional buildings being required and erected during 1878 and 1879.
The Bechaud Brothers are practical brewers. They have a large trade outside of Fond du Lac,
their beer being bottled by H. W. Eaton.
Joseph Schussler, a practical brewer, has a brewery on Hickory street, south of Grove.
His method of brewing is different from others, and known only to himself. His operations are
less extensive than those of the other city brewers.
Rueping ^ Son's Tannery. — In 1854, William Rueping erected a small wooden building
on Doty street, and began the business of tanning leather. Two of his elder sons had learned
the tanner's trade in Germany, and they carried on the business after the manner learned in
that country. In 1870, the present building, a brick structure, 170x42, feet and three stories
high, was erected to accommodate the increasing business. Thirty men are constantly employed,
who turn out 8,000 hides and 7,000 kip and calf skins per year. No vitriol or acid is con-
sumed in this tannery, hemlock bark alone being used for tanning, of which 1,000 cords, cost-
ing $6,500, are required annually. This tannery turns out mostly harness leather, which is of
the most durable quality, and sells largely to Boston, New York and St. Paul jobbers. The firm
consists of Frederick, Louis, Charles and Henry, the four sons of the late William Rueping.
Other Manufactories. — A very important branch of business in Fond du Lac is C. L.
Pierce's Plow Works, corner of Macy and Court streets. It is also an old established branch,
the Pierce Brothers having a shop open on Division street before any other houses had been
erected in that vicinity. The shop is equipped with steam machinery, and turns out a large
number of plows adapted to Western soil.
Goddard & Burrows, on Macy street, have as large a business as their buildings will accom-
modate, in the manufacture of patent carriage tops.
Sherrer's File Works, on Johnson street, employ five or six men at making new and cut-
ting over old files. There are but few file works in the country, hence Mr. Sherrer has a large
business.
Albert Buechner, at his shops on Forest street, is a manufacturer of heavy wagons.
Edson & Son, on Western avenue, near the railroad, have a large factory, run by steam,
for the manufacture of bed frames, springs, hay-cutters, and to do a general business in wood
turning.
Wolf & Potter have a large shop on Macy street, for the manufacture of cutters, sleighs,
phaetons and buggies.
E. G. Main, corner of Macy & Second streets, has a steam factory, where harrow frames
and the wood for other agricultural implements are made.
B. F. & H. L. Sweet, on Arndt street, are manufacturers of Sweet's " Common Sense
Sleighs." They are very large and strong, for work in lumbering, and are pronounced superior
to any other lumbering sleigh. Smaller sizes, with the same patent improvements, are made
for farmers and general purposes.
The old Hiner & White Iron Works, on Arndt street, employ fifteen men. Up to 1877,
while owned and run by Hiner & White, the works gave employment to 125 men, and turned
out great quantities of milling machinery, some mowing machines and all kinds of iron machin-
ery. A stock company composed of Hiner & White's creditors now run the shops.
652 HISTOEY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
The only boiler works in Fond du Lac are situated on Arndt street, and owned by J. C
Pierron. He has all the local trade, and constructs large boilers for mills and steamboats in
various portions of the country.
Jacob Kuiize has a wagon-shop on Division and Sophia streets, at which mostly heavy work
is turned out.
' YACHT CLUBS.
Of all the Wisconsin lakes, there is not one to compare with Winnebago for yachting.
The shores are low, and, as a usual thing, cultivated, with very little timber, save the beautiful
wooded points, with here and there just a fringe, to screen the growing crops from the strong winds.
Thus storms approaching the lake can be seen, prepared for, or a safe harbor reached. Even
if it were necessary to beach a boat, it could be done anywhere, on either shore, Without the
slightest damage to the craft, and with nothing more than a partial wetting of the persons in it.
This lake is also one of the finest for the concomitant of yachtingj that is, camping out,
either beside the^ cool springs of the east shore, or in the shady groves which are still left on
most all the high, projecting points on the west shore.
But the greatest blessings are sometimes the least prized — at least, it appears so in the case-
of Fond du Lac people, who are just beginning to appreciate what they have for so long^
neglected. But they are rapidly making up for lost time.
Indulgence in these aquatic sports, however, has become a habit only, so to speak, to the
few. The many are yet to taste the joys and reap the benefits to mind and body that they are-
sure to give. Their growth has been slow, but, at this writing, it is a good, healthy growth,
and possibly, by the end of another decade, the lake, large as it is, will be insufficient for the-
demands put upon it in this regard.
The pioneers in yachting were good men, all possessed of an ardent desire to be good
yachtmen ; good swimmers, plucky fellows, but without a particle of experience as to building,
rigging, manning or sailing a yacht.
In 1865, an organization was perfected, as follows : S. A. Dudley, Captain (qualifications
— related to a ship carpenter) ; R. A. Baker, Capitalist (qualifications — served a term of years
as purser on board the United States steamer Michigan) ; John Mathews, First Officer (qualifi-
cations— crossed the Atlantic in a sail vessel) ; T. S. Weeks, Second Officer (qualifications —
went across the Hudson in a skifi" when a small boy) ; James Coleman, wader (qualifications —
height, and ability to walk ashore in case of accident).
During the winter of 1865, thev bought an old fishing boat, and with the aid of Col. Ewen
and Capt. Johnson, rigged it out, in April of that year, with a lug sail and steering oa,t. Dur-
ing high water in the spring, they launched it in what is known as " Meyer Sluice," which, at
that time, extended up from the lake to Scott street, opposite W. H. Hiner's residence. Here
the first naval school was established for Fond du Lac. They cruised up and down this sluice
during the entire season. When the wind was abeam, the sailing was fair both ways ; but with
a north wind, they had to tow their craft down and sail back, and with a south wind, vice versa.
Their skill and efficiency being approved (by themselves), the yacht Water Lily was ordered
built in Milwaukee, to be delivered here in time for the season of 1866. ,
This little boat, just sixteen feet over all, rigged with portable mast, sprit-sail and oars,
took the city by storm, and yachting commenced in earnest.
The Water Lily's complement of men being six, another man was shipped, and George P^
Knowles was taken in the capacity of cOok.
Long excursions were taken in this boat, frequently making the entire circuit of the lake.
She proved an excellent sea boat, and soon established a reputation for safety. This snug little
craft is still afloat, at her moorings, off R. A. Baker's cottage, at Green Lake.
The next accession to the yachting interest was the yacht Rosendale, built at Rosendale,
in this county, and put into the waters of Lake Winnebago in 1868, her owners being the Rev.
H. W. Beers and H. H. Tenbrock, then a candidate for orders, and subsequently ordained a
priest. He made, during the summer months, this boat his home, using it as a means of transit-
HISTORY OF rOND DU LAC COUNTY. 653
to the various points on the lake to which he was assigned for missionary labor. Being no
sailor, he depended upon any one he could pick up who professed to have the slightest knowl-
edge or experience in this line. The consequence was that the Rosendale was continually over-
due, either being ashore, wind-bound, or in some creek, or high and dry on the beach ; so that,
when Mr. Beers had occasion to want the boat for his favorite fishing excursions, recourse was
had to the Water Lily's crew to hunt her up and bring her into port.
A choice amusement of Tenbrock's was to take six to eight of the parish schoolboys on
board this vessel and put out for a day's sport, the outcome being that when night set in, and
the boys had not returned", so many anxious mothers had started out as many anxious fathers,
to go in search of the supposed lost vessel and crew. As a usual thing, about 9 o'clock in the
evening, Capt. Johnson, of the tug Minnie, would be got up and dispatched to the relief of the
Rosendale. As a matter of course, he returned no wiser than he went. In the mean time, the
boys would have found their way home, some on foot, some in farmers' wagons, and foot-sore,
tired and half-faoiished, to gladden the hearts of their distressed parents. Tenbrock, in the
end, became a good sailor, keeps the boat still, which now makes one of the fleet on Green Bay.
The advent of the Daisy, in 1870, was an event of marked importance to yachting, which
was not confined to any one locality on the lake. This vessel was a Boston-built yacht, 19 feet
6 inches over all, by 8 feet 6 inches beam, and the best weather vessel ever sailed on the lake.
She had fair speed and great beauty. She was hailed with delight all along shore, and stimu-
lated a generous rivalry, that has led to the present state of yachting on the lake.
Her Captain, the lamented Dudley, had made himself master of the art of managing
water craft of this description, and to his zeal and enterprise, more than anything else, were the
yachtmen indebted for the Daisy being placed upon these waters.
He was assisted by R. A. Baker, H. H. Dodd, L. L. Lowry, John S. McDonald, and I.
K. Hamilton, in the purchase and transportation of this little craft to Fond du Lac Harbor.
Messrs. Baker and Dodd, who have fallen heir to this little old lady of a yacht, keep her now
at Green Lake.
Next the Gipsy was built here by Z. &*I. W. Maxim, in 1871, the same gentlemen who
hare since built the Belle, and the steam yacht Guy. The first formal organization was made
in 1871, with but these four boats represented, viz., Rosendale, Liberty, Daisy and Gipsy.
The organization was styled the Fond du Lac Yacht Club. The first officers were : H. H. Dodd,
Commodore ; R. A. Baker, Vice Commodore ; S. A. Dudley, Fleet Captain ; George P. Knowles,
Secretary and Treasurer. This club continued to be the nucleus around which the yachting
interest gathered, until 1878, when the great number of yachts and diversity of interests
demanded a new organization, which was perfected by the election of the following officers : H.
H. Dodd, Commodore ; C. H. Benton, Vice Commodore ; H. C. Dittmar, Fleet Captain ;
Thomas Terrell, Measurer; Robert H. Wharton, Secretary; R. C. Baker, Treasurer.
The number of yachts now is fifteen of all sail, of which the Mystic, Pinafore, Lolita,
Lulu, Hawk, Aquila, and the steam yacht Guy, may be noted as equal to any in the State as
to beauty, speed and safety.
CONFLAGRATIONS.
Fond du Lac, when compared with other cities of equal size, has, fortunately, suffered from
few conflagrations resulting in great loss of life or property. As it is largely a wooden city,
this freedom from destructive fires is considered remarkable by those who are not acquainted
with the promptness and efficiency of its Fire Department and its admirable water-supply for
fire purposes. The earliest fires, of which no record was kept because there was no organized
fire department, entailed the greatest comparative loss, because the inhabitants were poor, insur-
ance companies were little patronized, and building material was scarce.
On the 13th of May, 1847, Charles Kenkall's house, with all its furniture and all the
money he possessed, was consumed by fire. This was an almost irretrievable loss, as the prop-
erty was not insured
654 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
Under the head of "Terrible Conflagration," some person, name not known, wrote, in
December, 1848, an extravagant account of the destruction by fire of the first schoolhouse
erected in Fond du Lac. The building was located on Fifth, between Marr and Main streets :
" On the evening of the 12th inst., our quiet village was visited by the most destructive
fire ever known in this place, within the memory of the oldest inhabitant! The Congrega-
tional, Baptist, Presbyterian and Methodist Churches, the former Court House, the Academy,
the Town Hall, the Franklin Schoolhouse and lecture-room, besides the spacious room occupied
as the public room of the Lyceum, together with their valuable contents and all the outbuild-
ings, were, in the short space of a few hours, entirely consumed ! !
" Although it was not discovered until near the dread hour of midnight, and the weather
was intensely cold, still our efficient and well-trained Fire Department was soon on the ground,
endeavoring, by its magnanimous and almost superhuman efforts, to stay the devouring element ;
but, in defiance of their utmost efforts, the flames continued to spread with great rapidity from
one to another of the above-mentioned buildings, until the whole were completely wrapped in
one enveloping sheet of flame ! ! It was truly a grand and appalling sight.
" It is uncertain, as yet, how or by what means this terrible catastrophe was brought
about ; but it is generally believed to have been caused by the contact of fire with the wooden
portion of the schoolhouse.
" The calamity is much more severely felt at this particular season of the year, as the
building cannot, probably, be replaced before next summer. The ruins present a sad appear-
ance, indeed, comprising the entire number of buildings in the block. Our village wears a
really forsaken aspect. Not a public building of any consequence is left, except the jail, ball-
alley and billiard-room, besides a few other holes of a worse sort ! "
The substance of the above inflated account of the destruction of the small wooden school-,
house was telegraphed to some of the leading newspapers, from which news went to the people
of the entire Union that Fond du Lac had been wiped out of existence by fire. Newspapers,
published in other cities and States, could not know that a single pine building of one room
was used as a church for several denominations, a court house, lyceum, " academy " and all the
other purposes enumerated in the account sent abroad ; and these localities, doubtless, which to
this day have not been disabused of the impression, believe that Fond du Lac was at that time
laid in ashes. The joke was a very good one, but it caused much needless anxiety in the hearts
of those who lived in other* States and had friends in Fond du Lac, and, the next week, the
labors of the Postmaster were increased by the numerous letters inquiring about the " terrible
fire."
On Saturday night, January 17, 1852, the wooden block belonging to B. W. Davis, situ-
ated on the east side of Main street and occupied by Drs. John Pantillon, W. T. Galloway, N.
W, Howard and L. Kellogg ; Johnson's saloon and Mr. Norwood's store were burned. Adjoin-
ing buildings were saved by tearing down a small building belonging to Mrs. Rapelje.
This was considered a large fire, and the enthusiastic ones who turned out with buckets
and pails to carry water, had not finished reciting their exploits when, on Monday morning
(two days later), the row of wooden blocks between First and Second streets, on the east side of
Main street, was discovered to be on fire. The weather was intensely cold, the thermometer
indicating 22° below zero, and the few gallons of water the citizens attempted to carry frequently
congealed before they reached the fire. That entire block was burned, except Darling, Wright
& Co.'s Exchange Bank, which stood on the corner of First and Main streets, where Wells'
Bank now stands. This was a wooden building, built for temporary occupation, and Dr. Wright
rushed in, as soon as he reached the scene of destruction, and filled his ample pockets with
$20,000 in bills, and then went out to fight fire. D. R. Curran and A. P. & G. N. Lyman
were the heaviest losers, Mr. Curran's store and stock of goods being burned, and his dwelling-
house, near by, damaged to the extent of $300. The Lyman Block was valued at $2,500.
Case & Ailing lost $3,000 in stock ; Carswell & Dee, $1,000 in dry goods ; Mr. Nash, on
building, occupied by Carswell & Dee, $1,200 ; John H. Martin, on building occupied by Case
HISTORY OF POND DU LAC COUNTY. 655
& Ailing, $500, and other losses, the amounts not given, by H. C. Keys, A. D. Bonesteel, Z. L.
Chapman, W. A. Dewey, D. Lyon and others. There was a finger, an ear, a toe or a nose
frozen for every thousand dollars of damage wrought. The liveliest scene was at the reservoir,
on the corner of Main and Second streets, where those who attempted to save goods were show-
ering each other to' extinguish burning clothing.
One of the greatest losses by fire at one time was in 1866, when the east side of Main
street burned from Robert A. Baker's bank north to, and including, the Lewis House, which
stood on the present Patty House site ; and east on Sheboygan street far enough to destroy the
dwelling-house and outbuildings belonging to Richard Dix.
March 4, 1868, the High School building burned to the ground. Loss, $16,000.
In the spring of 1878, a small dwelling in " Lower Town " caught fire from an unknown
cause, and was totally destroyed. George Hewins, a maimed soldier, who had lodgings in the
building, was burned to death.
On September 8, 1879, five wooden buildings on the east side of Main street, between
Second and Third, were burned. The fire began, from an unknown cause, in Thomas Gibson's
store, in which himself and an eight-year old daughter were burned to death. The buildings
were old, and the greatest loss was that of life.
The burning of the McDonald & Nightingale paper-mill, in 1878, entailed a loss of
$25,000.-
In the winter of 1874-75, the row of wooden buildings from Opera Hall to the Rottman
Block, on the east side of Main street, were burned.
The fire that probably entailed the greatest loss of property was set, July 15, 1871, by
sparks from the steamer Gabe Bouck in the Bannister warehouse, on Scott street. Twenty-two
buildings, including the Mihills Mills and Factory and a large quantity of lumber and wood,
were destroyed. Loss, $100,000, with less than $10,000 insurance.
KIENZI CEMETERY.
In an early day, as is the case with all new settlements. Fond du Lac had no burial place.
Matters ran along thus past the usual period when action is taken in this • direction, and when
Eastman & White took possession of the Journal, they trained their guns on what was termed
the barbarity of the people of the village for neglecting to provide a suitable burying-place for
the dead, and in their issue of May. 4, 1849, published the following article :
" Fond du Lac Village, containing 1,200 inhabitants, has no public or private burial
ground, but buries her dead in the public highway. We never before saw a village without a
graveyard of some kind. In the wildest times of the wildest State of the West, her people
always respected the dead, and gave them some decent habitation. The Indian tribes honor
the dust of the departed, and protect their graves from destruction. But Fond du Lac, whose
people claim relationship with the oldest, the most Christian-like, moral and enlightened of the
old States, dig their graves by the roadside, and bury their friends where the cattle's hoofs and
passing vehicles will soon obliterate all marks of their resting-place ! Whose duty is it to see
to this matter ? If the duty of nobody, who will volunteer to rescue Fond du Lac from its
reputation ? The act incorporating our village says : ' Section 14. The Trustees shall have
the following powers : To purchase, hold, own and lay out graveyards or cemeteries, to regulate
the burial of the dead, and to make and enforce any regulation or ordinance relating to the
same.' "
But no public burial place was secured, and the high land oh the east side of Main street, a mile
south of the city, was used as a cemetery, as it had been from the earliest settlement of Fond
du Lac, the first interment being that of Fanny Pier, wife of Colwert Pier, who died March 1,
1838. Later, the beautiful knoll, now occupied by the "old grounds" of Rienzi Cemetery,
was used by a few who would not bury their friends by the roadside ; but it was only used as
such by sufferance, being pwned and occupied by N. P. Tallmadge. The spot contained a
grave, however, before it was seized upon by any portion of the public as a burial place. Mr.
656 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
Tallmadge had been contemplating making a gift of land for cemetery purposes, and walked
out, one day, with his son, William D., then a young man, to look over the place now called
Rienzi. The " Governor," as he was popularly called, thought what is now known as the "new
grounds" would be suitable for burial purposes; but the son chose the lower hill, or what is
known as the " old grounds," saying, " When I die, I wish to be buried right* here." It was a
beautiful spot, and, four weeks later, he was buried on the very ground he stood upon when the
wish was uttered. That settled the choice of location, and. Mr. Tallmadge laid out around his
son's grave eight and one-half acres for a cemetery. This was the beginning of what finally
became the beautiful Rienzi Cemetery — William D. Tallmadge being the first to choose the location
and the first to sleep in its bosom.
The following is the record of the incorporation of Rienzi Cemetery, as found in the
Register's Office:
Whebeas, On the 10th day of August, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty-three,
pursuant to agreement and pursuant to the statute in such cages made and provided, the following persons, residing
in the county of Fond du Lac in the State of Wisconsin, desirous to form an association for the purpose of procuring
and holding lands to be used exclusively for a cemetery, or barial place for the dead — -namely, N. P. Tallmadge, M.
J. Thomas, A. D. Bonesteel, Robert A. Baker, Napoleon Boardman, Isaac S. Tallmadge and A. G. Butler, met at the
banking-house of A. G. Butler, in the city of Fond du Lac, and proceeded to appoint the undersigned, N. P. Tall-
madge, Chairman, and A. D. Bonesteel, Secretary, by a vote of a majority of the persons present ;
Now, therefore, the undersigned Chairman and Secretary, as aforesaid, do certify, pursuant to the statute in
such case made and provided, that, at such meeting, N. P. Tallmadge, ■ M. J. Thomas, A. D. Bonesteel, Robert A.
Baker, N. Boardman and A. G. Butler, attended, as associates ; that the corporate name of the association determined
upon by the majority of the persons who met was " The Rienzi Cemetery ; " that the number of Trustees fixed upon
to manage the concerns of the association wag seven ; that the names of the Trustees chosen at said meeting are N.
P. Tallmadge, M. .T. Thomas, A. D. Bonesteel, Robert A. Baker, N. Boardman, I. S. Tallmadge and A. G Butler, for
the purpose of managing the affairs of said association, to be known by its corporate name as " The Rienzi Ceme-
tery," that the undersigned, as Chairman and Secretary, aforesaid, proceeded to divide the said Trustees into three
classes, by lot, as follows : Those of the first class to hold their offices one year, those in the second class two years,
and those in the third class three years, as follows': Krst class, N. Boardman and A. G. Butler ; second class, Robert
A. Baker and M. J. Thomas ; third class, N. P. Tallmadge, A. D. Bonesteel and I. S. Tallmadge.
And the undersigned Chairman and Secretary, aforesaid, do further certify that the future annual election of
Trustees of said association, known as "The Rienzi Cemetery," was fixed to he held on the second Monday of
August, in each year, at such place as said Trustees shall from time to time appoint. All of which, the undersigned
Chairman and Secretary) as aforesaid, do hereby certify, pursuant to the statute in such case made and provided, ■
and, in witnegs whereof, have hereunto set their hands this 16th day of August, 1853.
(Signed) N. P. Tallmadge, Ohairman.
A. D. Bonesteel, Secretary.
This act of incorporation, duly sworn to, was recorded, on the same day and year, in' Vol. I
of " Cemeteries and Power of Attorneys," page 61. On August 17, 1853, a meeting of the
officers was held, and N. P. Tallmadge chosen President ; A. D. Bonesteel, Secretary, and
Robert A. Baker, Treasurer. It was then decided to purchase, for $400, thirty-nine and six-
tenths acres of land of N. P. Tallmadge for cemetery purposes (a portion of which had already
been laid out and used as a cemetery by Mr. Tallmadge), and to grant to him, free of charge,
forever, such a plat or tract as he might choose as a burial place for his family. At a subse-
quent meeting, held in December of the same year, IT. P. Tallmadge offered to convey to the
association, free of charge, a tract of eight and one-half acres which he had already inclosed
and laid out as a cemetery, which offer was accepted. That tract is now known as the " old
grounds," and is composed of the first knoll of land at the entrance to the cemetery, in Sec-
tions 18 and 19, town of Empire, situated two and one-half miles southeast of the city. The
tract of thirty-nine and six-tenths acres was, therefore, not purchased.
N. Boardman was authorized to survey and lay out lots, walks and avenues in the ceme-
tery, the expense of which should be paid out of the sale of lots, and proceeded immediately to
do so.
In October, 1863, the Trustees authorized the purchase, at $20 per acre, of N. P. Tall-
madge, a tract of twenty-four acres of land, lying east of the " old grounds," which was done,
and the land was immediately laid out and offered for sale. Rienzi now contains thirty-two and
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 657
■one-half acres, composed of beautiful hills and valleys, covered with oaks, and carpeted in sum-
mer with a profusion of wild flowers. It is one of the most charming spots in nature, lying
nearly a half-mile from the street, and reached by a smooth carriage-way, shaded on either side
"by thrifty trees, and refreshed by a clear spring brook. In the valley between the old and new
grounds is a miniature artificial lake, fed by a never-failing spring, as though from the very
resting-place and ashes of the dead gushed forth the water of life. An extract from the report
of the Trustees in 1877 is here made :
" It is the natural feeling of the human heart that it would lie dolvn by the side of its
kindred after it has ceased to beat ; that one inclosure should garner its ashes. Our dust is
sacred. In this cemetery we expect to bury our friends, and we expect they will bury us there.
In those sacred shades now rest the remains of its founder. N. P. Tallmadge died in the month
of November, 1864, and was interred upon the spot selected and beautified during his life.
There he sleeps by the side of his wife and sons who had gone before ; distinguished in life as
astatesman. Senator, Governor and literary man, he is at last gathered to his fathers.
" Since our organization, in addition to our clearing the grounds (which was a dense wood)
and fencing it, including the lane leading to it, we have purchased and paid for twenty-four
acres, built an observatory and a handsome stone vault, a house for the sexton, and expended
nearly $200 for a fountain near the sexton's house, besides keeping the grounds in good order."
At a meeting of the Trustees of Rienzi Cemetery, held August 12, 1875, the prices of lots
were fixed as follows : In the old grounds, $30 each ; in the new grounds, $50 (to be paid in
cash to the Treasurer, before an order will be given to open the ground for interment) ; single
graves for adults, $5 ; single graves for children under twelve years of age, $3. Sexton's fees,
digging graves, $3. Eor use of vault for one month, or less, $5 ; over one month, $1 per week
additional.
The "old grounds" contain a "potter's field," a lot belonging to the Freemasons and one
owned by the Odd Fellaws.
FLOODS AND FEESHETS.
No one who drives over the smooth, solid pavements and splendidly macadamized roads
in and about Fond du Lac, can form any adequate conception of the condition of the
streets, roadways, streams, prairies and dooryards in early times, nor can any pen record a
description that will do justice to the subject. The site on which the city stands was level, and
but a few feet in its highest place above the lake or rivers. The soil was deep, rich and mellow,
finely adapted in every way to the production of mud. This mud, which was black in some
places, and a dirty yellow in others, was endowed with such consistency and stickiness as could
be boasted of by no other article in the same line. In wet times, the whole prairie in and sur-
rounding Fond du Lac would be covered by water, on, which myriads of ducks appeared in sea-
son. The roads were almost wholly impassable, teams being frequently from three to five days
on the road to Sheboygan, and the stage three or four days on the road from Milwaukee. On
these occasions, the rich verdure and beautiful wild flowers of the prairies did not always sup-
press profanity, and the most dejected, forlorn and bedraggled horses and men ever beheld, were
those arriving in the village with the stage.
The main street in the spring and fall had the appearance of a long vat of blacking, and
the other streets were successions of bottomless sloughs and prodigious ruts. Nor could any of
them be avoided, for one portion of the fenceless prairie was as soft and sticky as any other.
The stickiness of this mud can be likened to nothing but the irresistible grip of the octopus.
Whenever a wheel or a foot sunk into an unusually deep hole, it seemed to be grasped at once
by some immeasurable power below, which would not diminish or let go.
The Fond du Lac Journal of June 16, 1847, mentioned the public roads in the following
comprehensive paragraph :
" We would earnestly call the attention of the proper authorities to the condition of the
public roads and bridges in this vicinity, and especially between Fond du Lac and Taycheedah,
"where, within a few days, several accidents have happened. It is mortifying in the extreme to
658 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
hear the comments of strangers on the public spirit of the people of this town, and we hope to-
see the evil remedied without delay."
In 1850, when James Ewen was keeping the Lewis House on the corner where the Patty
House now stands, the mud was as universal and deep as it had ever been. In fact, everything
was blockaded by muddy roads, and business was almost at a standstill. He waded out into the
street before the inmates of the hotel were up in the morning, and placed a pair of boots and a
hat in the mud, in such shape as to resemble a man just disappearing in thp earthy mucilage.
Knowing the possibilities of the surrounding country in wet times, many of the burghers at first
thought a man had been indeed drowned on land, and the frightened children refused to pass on
their way to school until " the man " was helped out of the mud.
On another occasion, a prominent lumberman rented for his family the house situated on
Macy street, in the rear of Amory Hall, in which the family of the late Robert Flint resides, to
the end that during his absence in the woods there should be no trouble in reaching the main
street for provisions and groceries. He was absent a little over three weeks, and on his return,
was informed the children hadn't been out of the house, which was surrounded by water, during
that time. When anything was wanted from the stores or neighbors, Milt. Ewen, now a resident
of Fond du Lac, then a boy ten years of age, rolled his pantaloons up as near to his waist as
possible,, and went barefoot on the errands.
As late as [September, 1855, a man rowed a canoe from Oshkosh to the Rock River Valley,
the water being deep enough on the marsh in Oakfield Township for his passage to the Rock River.
In 1855, the mill-dam back of the Court House, and the bridge on Western avenue, were-
carried away by a flood, and more than a dozen times have thousands of feet of lumber, and hun-
dreds of cords of wood been afloat in Lower Town. In 1869, occurred a remarkable freshet, in
which nearly every portion of the city was flooded ; cellars without number were full, and water
stood in the rooms on the ground floor of scores of residences. A swift stream of muddy water,
as broad as the street, rushed down Fourth and Main streets, leaving a large shed or outbuild-
ing— which had been brought from another quarter of the city — on Main street, near the Ameri-
can House ; carrying lumber, wood, boxes, barrels and furniture out into the lake, and destroy-
ing the newspaper files and a stock of paper for the Commonwealth newspaper. These floods
were owing mostly to the fact that the de Neveu Creek, which is a narrow, tortuous stream,
flowing through the east portion of the city, is several feet higher than Main street, or any street
between it and Fond du Lac River. Whenever, therefore, its banks were overflowed, the city
was flooded. In 1870, the " Dutch Gap," a deep, wide canal extending across the south border
of the city to the river, was dug at public expense, and, in 1879, de Neveu Creek bed was
deepened, widened and straightened, so that the disastrous floods of the past will never occur
When any one has a desire to verify the stories told of the early mud embargoes, they have-
only to repair to some spot on Main street where gas or water pipes are being laid, where first
stone, then plank, then gravel, then plank, and, finally, sticks and brush will be found extend-
ing several feet below the surface, and showing the different efibrts made to rise above the canals
of black mucilage, which were the most serious drawbacks to the early growth and development;
of Fond du Lac.
INCIDENTS AND FIRST THINGS.
On Thursday evening, January 14, 1847, Eli Hooker, now of Waupun, then of the Fond'
du Lac Journal, delivered a temperance lecture at the schoolhouse.
/ In the winter of 1847-48, the people of the village convened twice for donation purposes.
The first time Rev. H. R. Colman, now a resident of this city, received about $150, and the
second time Rev. L. C. Spofibrd received $123.21 — amounts fully equal to those resulting from
donations of the present time.
In May, 1848, the first circus and menagerie — Raymond & Co.'s — visited Fond du Lac;
Village. Everybody went, and it was the talk of the villagers during several weeks afterward.
HISTOKT OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 659
The ground where S. B. & J. Amory first built their gunshop, and where Amory Hall now
stands, cost $10 per foot. The site is now worth $14,000.
Main street, beginning at Forest street, bears to the east several degrees, which makes-
"jogs " in the streets, extending either way, perpendicularly from it. The main street of the
Fond du Lac Company's plat was thus diverted by Dr. 'Mason C. Darling, who turned it east-
ward from the East Branch River in order to preserve the " water-lots." He had an idea the
stream would be made navigable at some future day, and lots next to it (for wharves and ware-
houses) would be valuable. His idea was never realized, and Macy street afterward cut through
the land intended for "water-lots."
In 1845, the citizens of the village of Fond du Lac congregated to discuss the action of
the County Commissioners, who had purchased, for the Sheriff, a pair of brass and steel shackles,
at a cost of $2.50. The heavy taxpayers characterized the transaction as an "outrageous-
extravagance," while those slip-shod-and-go-easy citizens who occasionally fell into the custody
of the SherifiF vehemently protested that it was the height of indignity to put shackles on a
man in a free country.
The famous Taycheedah Democratic Convention was held the day on which Edward Beeson
published his paper, the Fond du Lac Journal. He was anxious to lay the proceedings before his
patrons, but could not do so and " catch the mail." He therefore wrote out an elaborate account
of the proceedings of the convention and inserted it, the papers being all delivered before the
convention had fairly met. In order to have everything jibe, he started for Taycheedah with
the bogus proceedings in his pocket and actually had the same persons appointed for chairman,
secretary and committee as were named in his article, and so manipulated the convention as to
make the nominations tally exactly with those announced several hours before in the Journal.
For nearly thirty years it was not settled whether Mr. Beeson was a wizard or had a vision.
On Monday, August 23, 1847, Dr. Cator's house was entered by robbers and $142 in
cash taken. This was a heavy robbery for those days, and was a serious loss to Dr. Cator.
The first real steamboat excursion was in July, 1847, which went around Lake Winnebago
on the steamer Manchester.
Upon one occasion, in the early fifties, J. C. ("Curt") Lewis and Nathaniel Waterbury
desired to enter some pine lands above Shawano, 100 miles from Fond du Lac. Mr. Waterbury
started on horseback, taking a good animal from the livery stable, and Mr. Lewis started on
foot. The friends of each laid wagers on which would reach the destination first. Those who
bet on Mr. Lewis won, for he reached the place, located his lands and met Mr. Waterbury on a
jaded horse several miles south of Shawano. On these wonderful journeys, Mr. Lewis rested
himself by running when he got tired of walking, and by walking when he was tired of run-
ning.
The first celery ever' brought to Fond du Lac to be sold was grown by James Smith, an
English gardener — who is now a resident of Empire — and driven about the streets and to the dif-
ferent groceries. For some time no ojie was found who knew what it was, and, after smelling
of the neatly tied bunches, the people would turn up their noses, wag their heads and pass by
on the other side. Finally, Dr. T. S. Wright, seeing Mr. Smith's wagon, seized a bunch of the
celery and began to devour it, much to the astonishment of those who had been entirely satis-
fied with the smell of " the truck." Finally, James Ewen, who kept the Lewis House, purchased
the entire lot, and thereafter Mr. Smith found a market for his "decayed pie-plant," as some
of the citizens called the celery.
J. W. Partridge was badly injured in' the famous Belleville railway disaster of November 1,
1859. He boarded at the Lewis House, which stood on the corner of Main and Sheboygan
streets, where the Patty House now stands, and had a room in the third story. The polls for
that ward were held in the same building, on the ground fioor, and directly under Mr. Part-
ridge's bedroom window. He had a strong desire to vote, but could not leave his bed. He
asked the inspectors to allow a friend to deposit a ballot for him, but they refused, as they did
of course; to carry the ballot-box to his room. But T. F. Strong, Jr., mastered the situation..
660 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
He moved Mr. Partridge's bed to the window, got a string of sufficient length to reach the
ground. Mr. Partridge attached a ballot to the string and leaned out of the window, so that
the chairman of the ward could know and identify him, and the ballot was lowered and received.
The first Fourth of July celebration ever held in Fond du Lac was in 1848, when speeches
were made by S. Judd, of Fox Lake, and B. W. Beall, G. D. Ruggles, Alexander W. Stow and
Fi. W. Drury. The Sunday-school scholars had a picnic, and the day was generally observed.
While searching for his oxen, Charles Bigford was drowned in Fond du Lac River, on' the
18th of October, 1848.
In October, 1847, Finley & Morrow established a stage line between Fond du Lac and
■Oshkosh, and, in the following November, a weekly stage and mail line was established between
Fond du Lac and Watertown.
On the 22d of October, 1847, considerable excitement was caused by the lecture of a fugi-
tive slave, named Lewis Washington, on the condition of negroes in the South. He was the
first negro to appear in public in Fond du Lac.
In 1844, George McWilliams sold 300 bushels of potatoes, which he had raised the year
before on the west side of the river and kept through the winter in "heaps," covered with prairie
grass and earth, for three shillings per bushel. Settlers came from twenty miles in either direc-
tion to secure them. He also fattened a ton of pork, which was the first exported from the
settlement or fattened, except for family use.
After cars began to run to Fond du Lac in 1859, on what is now the Chicago & North-
Western Railway, the "devil" on one of the city papers, who had been left in charge of the
office during the editor's absence, lost his position and pay by writing and publishing with all
due gravity the following descriptive paragraph : " The cars are quite long, and capable of hold-
ing sixty passengers with doors at each end!"
John A. Eastman built the first law office in Fond du Lac. It stood on Main street, about
half-way between First and Second streets.
On the 27th of January, 1849, a public meeting was held at the court house to organize
for protection against horse-thieves and burglars, their depredations having become unbearable.
A fellow came from Racine to Fond du Lac in the latter part of 1848 to take one of the
Fountain City belles to wife, and, the next week, the following paragraph in the paper set the
society gossipers into a flurry :
"A Fine Wedding Gift. — Giving the bride the prairie itch while vowing at the altar to
love, cherish and protect. The idea is not original with us. We deal only in facts."
In the days before artesian wells were known in Fond du Lac, and even as late as 1846^7,
the settlers were compelled to go for fresh water to a spring situated three-quarters of a mile
west of Main street, where B. F. Moore's stone quarry now is.
There were few gardens belonging to the first settlers of Fond du Lac which were inclosed
by fences, and the potatoes and " sass " raised therein by the thrifty, but needy, inhabitants
were very frequently stolen by the Indians, who were numerous. They were bold about their
depredations of this sort, solemnly entering the gardens in broad daylight, and often, despite
all protests and threats, appropriating whatever they desired.
Edward Beeson, now editor of the Wisconsin Farmer, gave to Fond du Lac the name of
"Fountain City," by referring to it in his paper as "the city of fountains," finally reducing
the expression to "Fountain City."
In August, 1848, a tri-weekly mail was established between Fond du Lac and Milwaukee.
In September, 1849, two persons, a woman and her child, died in Fond du Lac with the
cholera. For a few days there was great consternation lest the disease should spread, but it did
not. ,
The city of Fond du Lac was lighted by gas the first time on the evening of Thursday,
September 18, 1862.
The Common Council ordered at its second meeting, in September, 1862, that a committee,
composed of its members, go to Chicago as a guard of honor for the body of Edward S. Bragg,
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 661
-who had heen reported killed in battle. The committee went, as directed, but found instead of
<jren. Bragg'a body, that of E. A. Brown. Mr. Brown was buried in the grave dug for the
body of Mr. Bragg.
In May, 1867, Charles Susan sold in Fond du Lac 150 bushels of wheat for $500 to John
Marshall. On the same day, 0. B. Bartlet paid $105 to John H. Martin for a fat cow. Those
were war prices.
EARLY TIMES IN FOND DU LAC.
BY JOHN A. EASTMAN.
" When I was Postmaster of Fond du Lac (1845 to 1849), remuneration came from a per-
centage on receipts. In 1845, I kept the office in a small United States blue desk. Mail came
twice a week from Green Bay, Milwaukee and Fort Winnebago. The mail carrier, whose
name was Conklin, rode on horseback. All the letters were kept in one small pigeon-hole, and
when any one asked for mail I took all there were in the office in one hand and looked them
over with the other.
" Before I left the office I had to have a full set of alphabetical cases and a clerk. Three
times a week there would be ten to twenty bushels of mail matter to look over and distribute to
different routes — mostly single transient newspapers — and, as the heavy mails came in during
the night, it was not a luxury to distribute them, especially when the mercury was 20° below
zero.
" The first term of Territorial District Court was held in June, 1844, with A.. G. Miller,
Judge ; ' Tom ' Sutherland, United States District Attorney ; Isaac Brown, Clerk ; John J.
Driggs, Sheriff; Theodore Conkey and Alonzo Raymond, Deputies. Court was held in a small
frame schoolhouse standing on the east side of Main, between Second and Third streets. The
present Court House was built some years after, and was very well in its day, but it now seems
to be a standing disgrace to a large, wealthy and populous county. The grounds for the Court
House and public square were donated by M. C. Darling, and I doubt if the condition of the
^ift is well performed by maintaining such a burlesque.
" Of course, the first lawyers to attend courts were from other older counties. It was the
practice then for lawyers to ' travel the circuit; ' so there came to Fond du Lac, Marshall M.
Strong, E. G. Ryan, A. W. Stow, 'Squire Palmer, W. P. Lynde, J. E. Arnold, M. L. Martin,
H. S. Baird and S. R. Cotton.
" The first resident lawyer was Stephen S. N. Fuller, from Great Bend, Penn. He set-
tled in Fond du Lac in 1843, and lived and had his office in a small frame house opposite the
Court House east, where Bannister & Eldredge's office afterwai-d was. He built the house with
his own hands. He moved to Hudson, and is now dead.
" The second resident lawyer was myself I came from Franklin County, Me., and
settled at Pond du Lac in September, 1844.
" The third lawyer was W. H. Harmon, who only remained about one year and emigrated
to Iowa. The fourth was James Monroe Gillet, who came from Ellicottville, N. Y., in 1846.
He drove a flabby, yellow, long-legged mare the entire distance from Ellicottville to Fond du
Lac, and traded her to M. C. Darling for the lot where Cornwell's hardware store is on Main
street, next to D. R. Curran's drug store. Myron C. Eaton, who was drowned at St.
Anthony's Falls, Minn., Aamzi L. Williams and E. W. Drury followed later in 1846.
" The first school taught in the county was taught by Miss Harriet Harding, from Hing-
ham, Mass., in 1840-41, in the log house built by Edward Pier, which stood opposite the fair
grounds, then occupied by Russell McCarty.
" A school was taught at Taycheedah by Edgar Conklin in 1842, to which scholars from
Fond du Lac went. In 1843 and 1844, Theodore Conkey taught school in the then new
schoolhouse in Fond du Lac. In the winter of 1844 and 1845, I taught a ' select school ' in
"the same building ; had about twenty scholars, though they were not all from the village of
Fond du Lac.
662 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
" The first physician was Dr. M. C. Darling, and the next was Dr. William H. Walker.
" Daniel W. Bromley was the first merchant in Fond du Lac. His store was opened in-
1842. Dr. Darling gave him one and one-half acres of land as an inducement to open a store-
there.
" Moses S. Gibson brought a stock of goods by the way of Sheboygan in 1844. He was
from Genesee County, N. Y. 0. S. Wright came with him as clerk.
" Clock & Weikert came to Fond du Lac with a stock of goods in October, 1844. They
went to Indian ' payment ' at Shawano, and after ' payment ' returned to Fond du Lac andL
opened a store in the Fond du Lac Company's house, which was then occupied by George
Me Williams, who kept 'bachelor's hall.' The next spring, 1845, they came ' up town ' and
occupied Bromley's store, as he had gone to Milwaukee.
" Walter Smith and George W. Gillet opened a stove and hardware store in 1845. T. L.
Gillet opened a general store in 1846. George N. Lyman, of Sheboygan, opened a branch-
store (W. A. Dewey, manager) in 1846, and David R. Curran opened the first drug store in
the fall of the same year.
" In 1844, Rev. William H. Sampson was residing at Fond du Lac, and was Presiding
Elder of that (Methodist) district. Mr. Joseph Lewjs was circuit minister. After that came Mor-
gan L. Noble.^ He and T. P. Bingham, a Methodist minister, built a house on ' West Prairie.'
They occupied the house together, but disagreed, and, to divide interests, sawed the building
in two parts, and thus divorced themselves."
" INFORMATION WANTED."
Under the heading " Information Wanted," the Badger State newspaper at Portage City,
published October 1, 1853, the following :
" Will some of our Fox River boatmen inform us if the persons who attempted to make »
settlement at Fond du Lac have all moved away and abandoned the project ? A. Hyatt Smith
told us there was sucAt. a place as Fond du Lac, and that he proposed running a branch of his
railroad to it, but we suppose the erection of the dam at Menasha has drowned it out. At all
events, we have sent copies of our paper regularly to the Union and Merald. directed to ' Fond
du Lac,' and have received no answering tidings ; from which fact it is to be inferred there is-
nobody there, and, consequently, no such place as Fond du Lac ! "
OHAPTEE IX.
CITY OF EIPON.
FiEST Owners or Ripont— Early Settlement— Ripon's Early Progress— Citt Incorporated
—City OFnoBRS, 1858 to 1880- Post Office— Public Schools— Ripon "Water-Power— Fire
Department— GrAs-WoRKS— Hotels of Ripon— Public Halls— Churches of Ripon—
Banks— Secret Societies— Benevolent, Literary and Other Societies— Manufactur-
ing Interests— Ripon Cemeteries— Conflagrations— Ripon's Fighting Career- "The
Booth War"— First Things— Growth of the City— Ripon of To-Day.
first owners of ripon.
The land on which is located the principal portion of the city of Ripon (not including
Ceresco) was bid off at the public-land sales in Green Bay, by John S. Hornery November 5,
1838. The "Patent," which was issued to Mary Eleanor Watson, of Washington, assignee of
John S. Horner, is dated October 2, 1840. The next transfer was by Mr. Horner, as attorney
in fact for Mary Eleanor Watson, to David P. Mapes. This deed was as follows :
Warbanty Deed. — This indenture, made this 28th day of April, in the year of our Lord 1849, between John
S. Horner, as attorney in fact of Mary Eleanor Watson, of the city of Washington, pursuant to a power of attorney
hereto annexed, of the first part, and David P. Mapes, of Fond du Lao County, Wis., of the second part, witnesseth ;
That the said party of the first part, for and in consideration of the sum of $.300, to him in hand paid, receipt
whereof is hereby confessed and acknowledged, does grant, bargain, sell, remise, release and convey unto the party
of the second part, and to his heirs and assigns forever, all the following lots in the town of Ripon, in the county of
Fond du Lac, Wis., according to the plat of said town to be of record, to wit: Nos. 2 and 4, of Block 1 ; Lots No.
2, 3 and 5, of Block 2 ; all of Block 3 ; Lot No. 5, of Block 4 ; Lots No. 2 and 3, of Block 5; Lots No. 2, 4, 5, 6 and 8,
of Block 6; Lots No. 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 11, of Block 8; Lots No. 2, 4 and 5, of Block 9; Lot No. 2, of Block 10;
also Outlets No. 1, 3 and 4; and he, the said Horner, as aforesaid, his heirs, executors and administrators, do cove-
nant with the said David P. Mapes as follows : First, that she, the said Mary Eleanor Watson, is lawfully seized of
the said premises ; second, that she, the said Watson, has good right to convey the same, so that the same is free from
encumbrances; that the said Watson and the said Horner will forever warrant and defend the title of the same
( against all lawful claims.
Witness my hand and seal, the day and year first above written.
John S Hoener, Attorney in fact for Mary Eleanor Watson.
Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of Mary Frisbee and J. Wilber.
State of Wisconsin, Fond du Lac County, ss. — On April 28, 1849, came before me John S. Horner and acknowl-
edged the foregoing instrument to be his free act and deed. A. P. Mapbs, Notary Public.
EARLY SETTLEMENT OF RIPON.
Under the deed just recited, Mr. Mapes and his two sons struck the first blows for the
beginning of Ripon early in the spring of 1849. The transfer of land was burdened with cer-
tain conditions, one of which was that Mr. Mapes should build and have in running order a
public house and a grist-mill within one year, and that the hotel should be kept open by him
personally during the following year.
The buildings called for by Mr. Mapes' contract with Mr. Horner, required an outlay of
about $10,000, but was accomplished according to agreement, the mill being located a few rods
from the present Ripon Mills, and the hotel, called the Ripon House, where Wood's Hotel now
stands.
In order to induce settlers to locate at Ripon, Mr. Mapes gave away lots, upon condition
that the recipients should make certain improvements or erect thereon specified buildings before
a given time. The first was given to E. L. Northrup, on the east side of Public Square. The
terms imposed were that he should keep thereon a stock of goods open for sale one year. This was
664 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
the first store in Ripon. The second was to Mr. Pedrick, on condition that he would erect and
paint a two-story building. The third was to Alexander Beardsley, who stipulated that he-
would erect a blacksmith-shop, which he did, and which is the stone>shop how standing just east
of Wood's Hotel on Jackson street.
The first building erected in Ripon was a board shanty, by Samuel Pedrick, near where
the Sheboygan & Fond du Lac Railway depot now stands. It was 12x24 feet, in one room,
and finished April 9, 1849. The lumber was sawed at Strong's Mill, Ceresco. Its occupants,
the Pedrick family, consisted of Samuel, his wife and five children — Marcellus, Charles R.,
Cyrus, Zebulon and Mary J. They occupied this house until Mr. Pedrick built another,
on the corner of Scott street and Public Square, in 1850, when their first hoUse became a
schoolhouse. Samuel Pedrick died that year (September, 1850), that being the second death in
Ripon.
Ezra Lathrop Northrup, who opened the first store in Ripon, arrived in November, 1849,
and had a stock of goods ready for customers in about six weeks. He is still a resident of the
city.
In May, 1850, Samuel Sumner and Dana F. Shepard began the mercantile business in
Ripon as one firm. Mr. Shepard sold out a year later and built Shepard's Hotel. Mr. Sum-
ner has retired from business, still making Ripon his home. Mr. Shepard is in the West.
John P. Taggart arrived in Ripon in September, 1850, and opened a stock of hardware
and general merchandise. In 1852, William M. Taggart arrived and became a partner in the
business, under the firm name of Taggart Brothers. John P. has retired from business, still
living in Ripon. William M. is in Missouri.
Alvan E. Bovay came to Ripon in August, 1850, and was the first lawyer in the place. He
is yet a resident of Ripon.
Jehdeiah Bowen came to Ripon in June, 1850, and erected a store for merchandise, on the
northwest corner of Public Square, which he occupied in December of that year. Since that
time he has erected more buildings than any other man in Ripon, having averaged one a year for
the thirty years he has resided in this city. Mr. Bowen has not yet retired from business.
David Greenway came to Ripon in August, 1850, with his wife and three children. He
soon engaged in the grocery and drug business, which he followed nearly twenty years. He
still resides in Ripon.
After 1850, Ripon, having a mill, hotel, post oflSce, blacksmith-shop and several stores,,
attracted many settlers, and grew rapidly and constantly.
ripon's early progress.
The Ripon country is one of beauty. The Creator fashioned it in His smiling moments.
As it came from His hands, before man had furrowed it with the plow and scratched it with the
harrow and divided iu ofi" with fences and dotted it with barns and houses, it was one of nature's
most perfect landscapes. There is just as much scenery in it as is consistent with the highest
degree of agricultural wealth ; if there were more, some of the land must be waste, if there
were less, tameness would begin lo mar the perfectness of the scene. There is prairie and
timber, water and stone, hill and vale, bluff and ravine ; and none of them in excess. It i&
beautiful.
But what makes the city of Ripon? There is nothing, or at least not much, in
the spot, or in the surrounding country to determine the fact that here shall grow
up one of the finest, handsomest and most vigorous cities in the Northwest; but
here the place is. And what brought it here ? Well, it is what might be called an
accident, or a series of accidents. It was that of those early settlers who first looked
upon this beautiful spot, and said to themselves, " This is good ; I will plant myself
and my family here, and help to make a town and grow up with the country," a large
number were men of strongly marked characteristics. They were clear-headed, liberal, brave
and persistent men ; and this was the secret of the early success of Ripon. Such men were
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 665-
not going to stick themselves down here, or any where, and grow up like so many transplanted
Eastern basswoods ;. it was not in their nature to do anything of the kind. They said, " We are
going to make the utmost of the capabilities of this spot," and they did. First, they said : " In
process of time, all over this beautiful country will be scattered educational institutions of a high
order ; the needs of an intelligent people will demand it. What is to hinder us from building a
college on this hill, which overlooks one of the most lovely landscapes in the world ? Nothing
is to hinder; let us do it." And it was done. At that time there were fourteen houses and
shanties in this little hamlet of Ripon, all told ; and the commencement of anything so pre-
tentious as a college, in so small a community, without a penny of foreign aid, would have
seemed preposterous to the average mind, but it was done nevertheless, and there stands the
college to-day, the chief supporting pillar of Ripon. Considering all the circumstances ; the
times, the poverty of the county, the sparseness of the population, the infinitesimal size of the
village — the erection of the first college building — stone, fifty feet square, three stories high, with
observatory, and so on — was a great achievement. It is safe to say that four persons, or four
families, subscribed four-fifths of all the money it cost, and it is also safe to say that three of
the four contributed one-tenth of all they were worth in the world to this single enterprise.
True, they reckoned that this money (or some of it) would come back to them in after times ;
and it did. There the college stands, three noble buildings in a campus, which, when time has
produced its results upon the shrubbery and trees, will scarcely be surpassed by any college
campus in the country. This is the result of the eiforts of those far-sighted, persistent, self-
sacrificing men.
After the college cam^ the railroad. Now Ripon was not on any great line. It was a
little community away ofl"by itself. The Chicago and North-Western Railway was projected —
and begun — to strike a line of cities, north and south, through the center of the State ; the
Milwaukee & La Crosse was projected to run east and west through the State, but neither was to
come here, nor was any line projected to come here or in this direction. What then ? The
men of Ripon did not propose to be cut ofi" from the rest of the world merely because they did
not happen to be located on one of the world's highways. They forthwith determined to have
a railroad, and they got it. They held little informal gatherings among themselves to talk over
the matter ; they sent committees to Berlin and Waupun to arouse an interest in those places in
the matter — a thing quite easy to do, for the railroad fever Was beginning to take on the epi-
demic form throughout the county — Brandon was not then in existence. When the home
energies were sufficiently concentrated, they sent a committee to consult the railroad magnates
in Milwaukee, as the thing which seemed most feasible to do next. These magnates scarcely knew
of such a place as Ripon, and knew nothing of the splendid capabilities of the county. But after
the due amount of solicitation, a committee of them came up here to look the ground over. It
was good; on that there was no discount. But railroads cost money, in fact, a great deal
of money, and would Ripon, Berlin, Waupun and the farming population between, do the
handsome thing by a company that would undertake to build a railroad to them ? Ripon
thought it would do about $130,000 worth, Berlin thought it would do about as much more, and
Waupun half as much ; which the same Ripon and Berlin did, but Waupun did not. The prom-
ises, however, were cheering and the road was undertaken. This was in the autumn of 1853 ;
and, in the autumn of 1856, Ripon had direct communication, by rail, with Milwaukee, a year
or more before Fond du Lac had reached the same achievement. $130,000, at that time, for
the little community in and about Ripon, was an immense subscription ; $80,000 of it was in
cash and mortgage subscriptions, and $50,000 in an issue of town bonds. All the individual
subscriptions, of course, were paid years and years ago, and this present year the last of the
bonds has been redeemed and canceled, which brought Ripon out of debt.
CITY INCORPORATED.
By an act approved April 2, 1853, the villages of Ceresco and Ripon were consolidated
and named Morena. The inhabitants, however, paid little attention to this change, retaining,.
666 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
as they have since done, the original name ; and when incorporated it was as the city of Ripon.
The first charter was for' a city government, and was secured by E. L. Runals, a member
of the Assembly, in 1858. The measure met with strong opposition from some of the Fond du
Lac County members of the Legislature, who were backed by quite a number of the citizens of
Ripon, who did not want the city incorporated on account of adding the expense of building side-
walks and making other imprt)vements. The members of the Legislature opposed the charter
because it provided for three wards, each with a Supervisor, which would give Ripon, they
thought, too large a representation in the County Board. Although, the charter had been
adopted in a large mass meeting at Ripon, section by section, and was entirely satisfactory, it
had to be amended so that it should provide for but two wards before its passage could be
secured.
The city contains, ponds and waterways included, 2,560 acres, described as follows: The
west half of the southwest quarter of Section 15 ; the south half of Section 16 ; the south half
of Section 17; the whole of Sections 20 and 21 ; the west quarter of Section 22; the west half
of the northwest quarter of Section 27 and the north half of Section 28.
Ripon is governed by the Mayor and two Aldermen from each ward, called the Common
Council, who are aided by a City Clerk, Treasurer, Marshal, and one Constable and one Jus-
tice of the Peace in each ward. These are all, elected annually except the Justices of the Peace
and the Clerk, whose terms extend over two years. The latter was elected annually until 1863,
when the charter was amended as just mentioned.
The Council has power to open streets, appoint special policemen, elect a Street Commis-
sioner and a City Attorney.
The City Clerk receives $1 per day, and fees ; the Marshal, $1 per day, and fees for serv-
ing papers ; the Treasurer, a percentage on the taxes collected ; Assessor, a per diem during
actual service, and the Street Commissioner $1.50 per day for actual service. The Mayor and
Aldermen receive no pay for their official labors.
By a special act of the Legislature, in 1863, the City Clerk was made ex ofiRcio Clerk of
the Municipal Court. His compensation consists of the usual court fees, and $3 per day while
the court is in session.
In January, 1880, the city of Ripon paid the last of its bonded debt, thereby freeing itself
from all debt burdens whatsoever.
During the ten years ending with 1879, there have been levied and collected in the city of
Ripon, $257,122.54 of taxes. The lightest tax was $20,306.88, in 1870, and the next lightest
$23,284.38, in 1879. Why the village was named Ripon has already been explained. Natur-
ally the city, which was but the development of the village, received the same name. It is
popularly known as the "Prairie City."
CITY OFFICERS — 1858 TO 1880.
iJfat/'oj-.— Harvey Grant, 1858 ; J. Bowen, 1859 ; H. S. Town, 1860 ; Philo England,
1861 ; Ceylon North, 1862 ; C. F. Hammond, 1863 ; Bertine Pinkney, 1864 ; H. T. Henton,
1865 ; A. M. Skeels, 1866 ; Samuel Sumner, 1867 ; J. Bowen, 1868 ; William Workman, 1869;
George L. Field, 1870 ; Aaron Everhard, 1871 ; 0. U. Akin, 1872 ; 0. J. Wolcott, 1873 ; A.
Everhard. 1874-77 (at the election of 1877, A. Everhard and S. Sumner each received 368
votes. They agreed to cast lots forthe office, the lot falling upon Mr. Everhard) ; A. Everhard,
1878 ; Samuel Sumner, 1879.
Treasurer.— So\on G. Dodge, 1858 ; D. F. Shepard, 1859-60 ; Jacob Woodruff, 1861 ; N.
H. Wyckoff, 1862-65 ; C. E. Bennett, 1866 ; George W. Peck, 1867 ; C. E. Bennett, 1868 ;
Edward Wood, 1869 ; Charles E. Bennett, 1870 ; J. H. WyckofiF, 1871-73 ; P. H. Jussen, 1874 ;
John Irving, 1875 ; P. H. Jussen, 1876 ; N. H. Wyckoff, 1877 ; D. W. Akin, 1878 ; G. E.
Bushnell, 1879.
City Clerk.— Alfred W. Hewitt, 1858 ; W. K. Wyckoff, 1859 ; J. J. Foote, 1860-61 ;
George Perkins, 1862; J. J. Foote, 1863-66; H. B. Baker, 1867-69; A.. T. Glaze, 1870-72;
G. F. Horner, 1873-78 ; L. M. Dakin, 1879^80. ,
jf.A^rM^
RIPON
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 669
City iJfaraAaZ.— Gilbert Lane, 1858; E. B. Pride, 1859; L. Grant, 1860; E. B. Pride,
1861 ; N. C. Strong, 1862 ; C. V. JST. Brundage, 1863 ; 0. R. Ellis, 1864-67 ; H. J. Good-
all, 1868 ; 0. R. Ellis, 1869 ; 0. C. Stickle, 1870 ; 0. R. Ellis, 1871 ; E. T. Efner, 1872-75 ;
George L. Riggs, 1876; I. F. Stickle, 1877; George H. Jassen, 1878-79.
Superintendent of Schools. — G. B. Cooley, 1858 ; George Perkins, 1859 ; L. H. D. Crane,
1860 ; G. J. Allen, 1861. After 1861, the system was changed and the city was placed under
the jurisdiction of the County Superintendent.
Aldermen, First TFari.— William Starr and William M. Taggart, 1858 ; H. S. Town, G.
'W. Bellinger and W. B. Kingsbury, 1859 ; W. B. Kingsbury, L. Turner and G. W. Bellinger,
1860 ; H. S. Town, R. B. Mason and Benjamin Pratt, 1861 ; 0. J. Clark, C. N. McLane ind
S. R. Patton, 1862; W. B. Kmgsbury, J. Hitchcock and W. H. Beming, 1863; A. B.
Pratt, N. Mason and B. G. Webster, 1864; B. Pratt, W. Workman and 0. P. Reed, 1865; T.
G. Luther, W. Workman and Asa Kinney, 1866 ; B. Pratt, C. Pedrick and S. B. Clark, 1867 ;
0. P. Reed, 0. TJ. Akin and Norman Mason, 1868 ; C. B. Seward, H. B. Bateman and 0. ■ U.
Akin, 1869; J. J. Foote, P. M. Potter and Samuel Sumner, 1870; S. Sumner, N. Htlnter and
S. A. Coe, 1871 ; H. S. Town, S. Sumner and R. B. Mason, 1872 ; George E. Sutherland, W.
B. Kingsbury and B. P. Mason, 1873; J. Bowen, C. T. Shepard and R. B. Mason, 1874; E.
L. Northi-up, J. Hitchcock and Matt Limbert, 1875 ; John P. Taggart, N. Mason and W. M.
Treanore, 1876 ; E. L. Northrup, A. Osborn and R. B. Mason, 1877 ; W. B. Kingsbury, E.
Manville and B. P. Parkhurst, 1878 ; J. M. Geery, 0. U. Akin and C. B. Hart, 1879.
Aldermen, Second Ward. — Lynian Turner and E. L. Runals, 1858; G. W. Mitchell, H.
T. Henton and J. S. Barnes, 1859 ; H. T. Henton, J. L. McCord and B. L. Harkness, 1860 ;
J. L. McCord, H. Pierce and E. L. Northrup, 1861 ; M. W. Seeley, A. M. Skeels and' I. S.
White, 1862 ; E. L. Runals, T. J. Olmsted and J. S. Barnes, 1863 ; H. T. Henton, W. W.
Robinson and G. W. Bellinger, 1864; T. J. Olmsted, C. F. Bodge and G. W. Bellinger, 1866;
H. S. Town, C. F. Bodge and A. C. Nye, 1866 ; A. Cook, N. G. Hurlbut and C. M. Cooley,
1867 ; George L. Field, A. B. M. Lindsley and A. Cook, 1868 ; C. P. Banning, A. Zinth and
A. W. Pettibone, 1869; William Workman, J. N. Foster and J. S. Barnes, 1870; J. Bobbs,
C. E. Bennett, and H. B. Phelps, 1871 ; William Workman, C. F. Bodge and John Bush,
1872 ; J. Bobbs, J. M. Be Frees and William Ralston, 1873 ; J. Bobbs, H. 1). Phelps and C.
A. Shepard, 1874 ; J. Bobbs, Charles Cowan and G. W. Bellinger, 1875 ; J. Bobbs, S. W.
Bodge and August Zinth, 1876 ; J. Bobbs, C. M. Cooley and A. Wood, 1877 ; J. Bobbs, W.
M. Treanore and F. S. Wilson, 1878 ; E. L. Runals, N. Mason and T. R. Freeman, 1879.
"^(Mr. Freeman moved into the First Ward after his election, thereby losing his ofiSce, to which
C. E. Bennett was elected by the Council.)
Justices of the Peace, First Ward.—O. J. Clark, 1858 and 1859 ; L. Hazen, 1860, 1861,
1862 and 1863.
Justices of the Peace, Second Ward. — L. Hazen, 1858 and 1859; P. B. Kissam, 1860
and 1861 ; E. B. Pride, 1862 and 1863.
Justices of the Peace elected at large. — H. Williams and Thomas Harris, 1866 and 1867 ;
Thomas Harris and W. Workman, 1868 and 1869 ; Thomas Harris and N. H. Wyckoff, 1870
and 1871 ; W. W. Robinson and Thomas Harris, 1872 and 1873 ; Thomas Harris and A.
Cooley,' 1874 and 1875 ; A. Cooley and J. W. Hall, 1876 and 1877 ; A. Cooley and J. W.
Hall, 1878 and 1879.
Sealer of Weight* and Measures. — S. Valentine, 1867 ; only one .ever elected.
Assessor, First Ward. — Norman Mason, 1859 ; G. W. P. Pew, 1860 ; W. B. Kingsbury,
1861 ; B. Pratt, 1862, 1863 and 1864 ; Jacob Woodruff, 1865, 1866, 1867 and 1868 ; S. R.
Patton, 1869, 1870 and 1871 ; N. H. Wyckoff, 1872, 1873 and 1874; B. W. Akin, 1875 and
1876 ; W. B. Kingsbury, 1877 : L. M. Carlisle, 1878 and 1879.
Assessor, Second Ward. — S. Hazen, 1859 and 1860 ; Barius Phelps, 1861 ; L. P. Riven-
burg, 1862 ; W. W. Robinson, 1863 ; C. P. Bunning, 1864; J. S. Barnes, 1865; W. W.
Hobinson, 1866 and 1867 ; Thomas Harris, 1868 and 1869; W. T. Whiting, 1870; B. Y.
u
670 HISTORY OF POND DU LAC COUNTY.
Sabin, 1871 ; W. T. Whiting, 1872 and 1873 ;■ L. M. Carlisle, 1874, 1875 and 1876 ; E. Wil-
son, 1877 and 1878 ; J. P. Stone, 1879. ^
Note. — For the year 1858, Daniel Y. Sabin served as Assessor for the whole city.
Constable, First Ward.—G. Linkfield, 1858 ; K 0. Strong, 1859 ; H. Rivenburg, 1860 -
K. C. Strong, 1861 ; J. Landon, 1862, 1863, 1864 and 1865 ; N. C. Strong, 1866 ; Frank
Woodward, 1867; T. P. Smith, 1868; S. Valentine, 1869, 1870 and 1871 ; W. R. Pearson,
1872; L. Martin, 1873; B. Cheeny, 1874 ; S. Valentine, 1875 ; T. Lambert, 1876 ; T. R..
Freeman, 1877 ; W. H. Lambert, 1878 : C. J. Derby, 1879.
Constable, Second Ward.— I. A. Norton, 1858; E. B. Pride, 1859, 1860 and 1861; J.
P. Smith, 1862; T. Parmalee, 1863; 0. R. Ellis, 1864; Spencer Whiting, 1865, 1866 and
1867 ; A. Wood, 1868 ; Spencer Whiting, 1869 ; 0. R. Ellis, 1870 ; S. Whiting, 1871 ; J.
B. Cook, 1872 ; A. P. Matteson, 1873 ; E. C. Mayham, 1874 and 1875 ; George Jussen, 1876;
J. E. Cook, 1877 ; W. S. Howe, 1878 and 1879.
POST ■ OFFICE.
The name of the first place for the reception and delivery of mail in Ripon was Ceresco.
The office was located in Ceresco — for there was not even one house on " the hill" wherfr
Ripon now is — and Lester Rounds was Postmaster, receiving his commission in 1844. The
mail was carried during the winter of 1844-45, from Ceresco to Fond du Lac by John Limbert
once a week. He went on foot, and had one of Nathan Hunter's pillow-cases for a mail pouch.
Sometimes he was well laden. The second Postmaster was William Starr (now deceased), and.
the office still remained in Ceresco. In 1849, D. P. Mapes made an exertion to remove the
post office from Ceresco to " the hill," which had been named Ripon. The Whigs were then in
power, and, as the members of the Wisconsin Phalanx were mostly Democrats, the task was
accomplished, and E. L. Northrup was given the appointment. Mr. Northrup did not secure
possession of the office until March 30, 1850, although appointed the latter part of 1849. In
1853, Mr. Starr made an effort to secure the appointment of Postmaster again, and to move the
office back to Ceresco. His competitor was David P. Mapes, who, of course, desired to retain
the office at Ripon. The contest was a spirited one, both candidates making the journey to^
Washington to plead their cause. Mr. Mapes was successful, however, and that ended all
efforts to get the post office at Ceresco. When the members of the Wisconsin Phalanx first lost
the post office, they for.med themselves into a funeral procession and turned their loss, which,
was really a serious one, into a joke. In January, 1854, in order to induce A. M. Skeels (now
deceased) to settle his business at Ripon, Mr. Mapes resigned the office of Postmaster to him.
The name of the office was changed from Ceresco to Ripon in 1855. Mr. Skeels was succeeded
in May, 1861, by Jehdeiah Bowen, who erected a stone building on the east side of Public
Square especially for the post office. During the month of February, 1864, Mr. Bowen
received the mail but once on tirne, owing to the snow blockade. He therefore employed a man
and team to fetch the mail from the cars wherever they might be blockaded. This he deemed
necessary, as the war of the rebellion was at its height and people were anxious to receive intel-
ligence from their soldier friends. Many times during that winter the post office was kept open
all night, the lobby being crowded until 3 o'clock in the morning by men and women who had
friends in the army. Mr. Bowen resigned and was succeeded in September, 1866, by David
McKercher, who had just become a resident of Ripon at the time of his appointment. Mr.
McKercher was succeeded in 1870 by Hiram S. Town, the present incumbent. In the spring
of 1879, the post office building burned, together with a quantity of mail matter and valuable
records. A room on the ground floor of Greenway's Block was then arranged for the post
office, which is the most commodious and convenient Ripon ever had. The post office at Ripon
is seCond-class, with a salary of $2,000 per year to the Postmaster, and an allowance of $450
for clerk hire. When the office was first removed from Ceresco, the revenues were $1.60 for the
first quarter. Now the receipts are $1,000 per quarter, aside from the money-order fees, which,
amount to $150 per year.
HISTOEY OF FOND DV LAC COUNTY. 671
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
The first school taught in Ripon was in the fall of 1844. Lester Rounds was teacher, and
the schoolroom was in the Wisconsin Phalanx building in Ceresco. The next year, the Pha^
lanx people erected a stone schoolhouse on Lot 1, Block 5, corner of' Church and Liberty!
streets, in which Mr. Rounds was also a teacher. This was not at first a public school, for it
was maintained by the citizens of Ceresco for the benefit of their own children, there being no
others in the vicinity. As the surrounding country became settled soon after, they took advan-
tage of the law which allowed ten families to erect themselves into a school district, and
it became a public school.
District No. 5. — The following contract shows that the schools of this district were organ-
ized in 1849 :
It is agreed between School District No. 5, in the town of Ceresco, and Edward Daniels, a qualified teacher of
Green Lake, that the said Edward Daniels is to teach the common school of said district for the term of five months,
for the sum of $26 per month ; and for such services, properly rendered, the said district is to pay to the said
Edward Daniels the amount that may be due according to this contract by the 1st day of May, 1850.
Dated November, 1849. . [Signed] M. E. Morse, District Clerk.
[Signed] Edwaed Daniels.
Mr. Daniels taught this " term of five months " in the stone schoolhouse erected by the
Wisconsin Phalanx, which was afterward, February 27, 185*2, deeded by them to School Dis-
trict No. 5, for the sum of $225.
The deed is a quaint document. The Phalanx seal, a piece of yellow linen cloth about
one-half an inch wide and three times as long as wide, appears next to the names of the grant-
ors, which are signed in a small hand. The grantors are Warren Chase, R. D. Mason, Russell
Smith, Jacob Woodruff, Jacob Beckwith, James Clarkson, J. M. Boutelle, Carlton Lane and
John Irving. The old school building here deeded has disappeared.
In March, 1857, Hiram S. Town and his wife, for the sum of $200, deeded Lot 5 in Block
1, Ceresco, to District No. 5 for a schoolhouse site, and that same spring, Gilbert Lane and
Seth G. Strong gave bond to build for $2,000, and furnish all material, the octagon-shaped
building of mortar and gravel, now called the Ceresco Schoolhouse. When first finished, it con-
tained but two rooms, one above and one below. These have since been partitioned so as to
furnish rooms above and below for study and for recitations. Up to 1879, the building had
been sadly neglected, having gone without repairs, paint, sidewalk and proper outbuildings.
It was surrounded by gullies or mud, and was a dreary place. During the year mentioned,
several hundred dollars were expended in repairs. The scholars have laid out tasty flower-beds
and gardens ; purchased through their own efforts an encyclopedia, and now contemplate erect-
ing a fountain, for which abundant water is near. ^
The school is prosperous. A high-school department was established in this district in
1877, as the following minutes, taken from the school record-book, show :
July 23, 1877, 8 P. M.
Adgurn meetin Cald To order By the Director L E Nole H D Alen was elected Chairman The Comity Report
the Clerks Books is Correkt With one or to Mistake.
The Reporte of the Comity it is exsepted moved and cared that the Report qf the Clerk is a doptcd.
Motion made to Re Consider the motion to adopt the Clerks Report motion lost
Motion made to exsept the Report of the Comity is exsepted Motion mad to adopt the Treasurers Report
adopted. ,
Motion to adopt the free high school law amenament to adopt the high school law if it dont in Criese our
cispences Motion Loste Vote on motion to adopt free high schoole was adopted
Motion mad to pay the Clerk Twenty Dollars Per yeare
Motion Card
moved to adjoirn for four weekes.
Motion cared Adjoirned
The district employs four teachers, who have charge of four departments — Primary, Inter-
mediate, Grammar and High School — all in one building. The total number of children of
school age in District No. 5 is 324.
672 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
District No. 2. — Notice for a meeting to be held at Mapes' Hotel (the Ripen House), Octo-
ber 21, 1850, for the formation of Disttict No. 2, was posted about the 1st of October, of that
year, by Levi Parker, Superintendent of Schools of the town of Ceresco. The meeting was held
at the house of H. D. Scott, in Ceresco, instead of at the hotel. D. F. Shepard was chosen
Krector ; E. L. Northrup, Treasurer, and C. R. Pedrick, Clerk. Those present voted to erect
a eohool, and raise for that purpose a tax of $300. Arrangements were made for the use of the
honsBi then occupied by D. F. SheparJ for a schoolhouse until one could be erected. This
building was the one erected in 1849, near where the Sheboygan & Fond du Lac Railway depot
stands, by Samuel Pedrick. The following contract shows who was the first teacher in the dis-
trict :
It is agreed between School District No. 2, in the town of Ceresco and Emily E. Turner, a qualified teacher of said
town, that the said Emily E. Turner is to teach the common school in said District for the term of three months, for
the sum of $1.75 pfer week; and for such services, properly rendered, the said District is to pay the said Emily E.
Turner the amount that may be due according to this contract, on or before the 1st day of April, 1851.
Dated, Ripon, December 5, 1850. [Signed] C. R. Fkdbick, Clerk.
[feigned] Emily E. Turner.
I hereby consent to the within contract. E. L. Northrup, Treasurer.
In April, 1851, the first school tax, amounting to $69.05, was collected in District No. 2,
to pay teacher's wages and other expenses, which had been advanced by E. L. Northrup.
Finally, in October, 1852, it was voted to add another $100 to the sum ($300) already voted to
be raised to build a schoolhouse, and to erect a building 22x86 feet. The Building Committee
were : H. Sabin, Mr. Bearss, A. E. Bovay and A. P. Mapes, who furnished the plans and
specifications. The building, now occupied as a dwelling, was erected on what is now called the
" Park," opposite the present brick schoolhouse on Fond du Lac street.
The main portion of the brick schoolhouse was erected in 1860, by G. W. Sawyer, for
$2,900, who furnished all materials. The site, which is Lot 40 on Fond du Lac street, was
purchased of E. P. Brockway for $600. In 1871, Samuel Allen built an addition to the brick
schoolhouse, 25x35 feet, for $2,615, and furnished everything. The building is now in good
condition.
The district being large and the number of scholars constantly increasing, two wooden
schoolhduses were erected in 1860 for the accommodation of small scholars. The one on the
corner of Shepard and Doty streets cost $485, and the site $150. The one on Ho'ward street
cost $500, and the site $150. The number of scholars still continuing to increase, the Mapes
dwelling, next to the brick schoolhouse, was purchased in 1877 and made into a schoolhouse, at
a cost of $1,038.89 for the site and building.
The total expenditures in District No.J2 during the last ten years have been $41,847.60, as
follows: 1870, $2,700.62; 1871, $5,948.02; 1872, $3,732.26; 1873, $3,124.4.5; 1874,
$3,378.24; 1875, $3,816.64; 1876, $4,168.18; 1877, $4,442.33 ; 1878, $5,536.59; 1879,
$5,000.27.
The total number of scholars in 1879 in District No. 2 was 724. The district employs
ten teachers, who have charge of four Primary Schools, two Intermediate, one Grrammar and one
High School.
RIPON WATKR-rOWEK.
The privilege of using for manufacturing purposes the heavy fall of water in Silver Creek,
where it flows through the city of Ripon, was purchased by David P. Mapes, of Mary Eleanor
Watson, through her attorney, John'S. Horner, in 1849. It was first improved by Mr. Mapes,
in 1849 and 1850. The first dam was built by him where Eureka street now is, the road-bed
being originally the dam. The next dam was built by Mr. Mapes at Scott street, in 1853, for
the Gothic Mill. The Eureka street dam was tapped when. Mr. Dellinger built the new Ripon
Mills power, in 1866. The very first utilization of the water in Silver Creek was in 1844, at
Ceresco, by the Phalanx. The fall is about 100 feet from Scott street to Ceresco Mills, and
before the large marshes east and south of Ripon were drained and cultivated by the farmers,
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 673
■water was abundant for all purposes. Before such drainage, these marshes acted as reservoirs
from which the water came down slowly. Now the water runs off much more rapidly, thus
making the supply somewhat inadequate after the marshes are once drained.
As a compensation for the privilege of laying the trunk which conveys water to G. W.
Bellinger's mill, he was obliged to stipulate that the city might always take water from his bulk-
head for fire purposes and for sprinkling streets. It has a "head" (fall) of fifty feet, thus
furnishing a tremendous power.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The city of Ripon was without a fire engine or fire department until 1875, when a chemi-
cal engine was purchased for $2,500, and a volunteer company organized with Hazen R. Hill
as Chief Fire Marshal. He was succeeded in a few months by H. J. Goodall, who has since
held that position. The company numbers fifty members, who are divided into "Engine Com-
pany, No. 1," and "Prairie City Hook and Ladder Company, No. 1." The members receive
no pay from the city, but after serving seven years they are exempt from poll tax, jury duty and
military service, except in case of an invasion of the State. They have good uniforms and a
sum of money in the treasury which was obtained from firemen's balls and the 2 per cent tax
on premiums from the insurance agents of the city.
For gallant service at the great fire in Oshkosh, in 1876, the company received two silver
trumpets. The city erected, on the north side of .Jackson street, a two-story wooden building in
which the engine and hook and ladder truck are kept, and in which fire meetings are held. The
city has a standing reward to the teamster who has the first load of water to the fire, and also
pays a private individual for hauling the engine to and from fires.
The oflBcers are: H. J. Goodall, Chief; W. B. Allen, First Assistant; A. Lanning, Jr.,
Second Assistant ; B. F. Keenan, Secretary; W. H. Vermilye, Treasurer.
GAS WORKS.
In 1872, C. L. Lightburn began the erection of the Ripon Gas Works, on Pond street, on
the south shore of the upper mill-pond. Although comparatively small, the works cost upward
of $25,000, being thoroughly built and well equipped. The city advanced $1,000 in cash to Mr.
Lightburn, to aid in their construction, which was returned to the municipality in gas at $30 per
lamp-post per annum. In 1876, A. L. Dobbs came into possession of the works, which had
been idle for some months. Mr. Dobbs entered upon the manufacture of gas, which, however,
he discontinued after eighteen months, the business being unprofitable. The works now lie idle.
They are now owned, except a claim of the county for two or three years' taxes, by a Milwaukee
firm.
HOTELS OF RIPON.
Ceresco had no hotel at first, but travelers and strangers were lodged and fed at the large
boarding-house belonging to the Phalanx people, or by D. P. Mapes, who lived on a farm east of
the present city, or by the Dakins, who lived a few miles west. The Central House, which now
stands opposite Bateman's flouring mill, was erected in one or two years after the Wisconsin
Phalanx began business, but Ceresco has had no hotels for many years.
Ripon House. — In 1850, David P. Mapes erected on the site of Wood's Hotel, at the north
end of Public Square, a two-story, square, wooden building, which he called the Ripon House.
A grand opening was had when the house was completed, at which were present people from
Oshkosh, Fond du Lac, Berlin, Milwaukee, Green Lake and other places. It was a memorable
affair. This hotel was afterward called the American House, and, in 1859, Larrabee & Fargo
ran it as a temperance house. From 1861 to 1866, it was owned and managed by Town &
Fargo, who, at the end of that time, sold it to Wood & Fisk. When Wood's Hotel was built, the
American House was moved down into the valley back of its original site, where it now stands
unoccupied. It was the first business building erected in Ripon — that is, in the portion of
674 HISTORY OF FON'D DU LAC COUNTY.
Ripon not known as Ceresco. Among its early proprietors were E. P. Ketcham, Henry D.
Scott, Larrabee and D, P. Mapes.
Wood's Hotel. — This is a brick building, the largest and finest in the western portion of
Fond du Lac County. It was erected in 1872 by Alanson Wood, the present proprietor. At
the opening ball, which occurred on the very spot where D. P. Mapes had the first hotel open-
ing in Ripon, in 1850, over $1,200 was realized from the sale of tickets. The building is of
brick and stone, and five stories high. It is commodiously arranged, with parlors, reading-room,
ofiice and dining-room level with Public Square. It is well furnished, well kept, and has
seventy-five rooms. The building faces Public Square on the south, with streets on its east and
west fronts. It is one of the most noticeable buildings in Ripon.
Mapes House. — The Mapes House, a large, four-story stone structure, located on the west
side of Broadway, at the corner of Blossom street, was erected in 1853, and opened by T. J.
Mapes. It was the largest hotel in the western portion of the county until the erection of
Wood's Hotel, in 1872, and secured a large share of patronage. It has been kept at various periods
by T. J. Mapes, Wheeler & Peck, J. J. Smith, Gilbert Lane and John Weisgerber, the present
proprietor, who is doing a profitable business.
Shepard's Hotel. — In 1851, a building was erected on the corner of Public Square and
West Fond du Lac streets, for a hotel. It was called Shepard's Hotel, and managed by Dana
F. Shepard. The first "Independence ball" held in Ripon was in this unfinished building, July
4, 1851. During the dance it was several times set on fire by fireworks. In 1853, the name
of the hotel was changed to the National, and so continued until the building was destroyed by
fire about the year 1856.
Lum's Hotel. — This was built by L. Portugal in 1870, for a public house, and called the
Commercial Hotel. He was its proprietor and manager until 1877, when he moved to Milwau-
kee. In 1879, H. Lum remodeled the inner portion of the building and opened it for the accom-
modation of the traveling public. It is comparatively a small hotel, but is kept in a neat and
homelike manner, and draws its full share of patronage.
Princeton House. — This is a German hotel, situated on Jackson street west of Public
Square, and caters mostly for the custom of farmers. It is owned and managed by H. Kohl, who
enjoys a large share of the hotel business of Ripon.
PUBLIC HALLS.
City Hall. — The first public hall in Ripon was built by David P. Mapes, over two stone
stores on the west side of Broadway or Main street, in 1851. It was first called Henton Hall,
and afterward City Hall. It is now used as a storeroom in connection with Gehbe's furniture
store. At the opening ball, by which it was dedicated, enough tickets were sold to net $250 in
cash.
Greenway Hall. — This hall was built by David Greenway in his V-shaped, three-story
brick building in 1861. tJntil the opening of Opera Hall, it was the best place for public meet-
ings in Ripon. It mow is mostly used for balls, socials and masquerades, for which its large size
sind absence of galleries make it desirable.
Opera Hall. — This is the principal hall of Ripon. It was buiU by Marcellus Pedrick in 1869,
of stone and brick, on the corner of Blossom street and Broadway. It has a gallery on three
sides, a neatly arranged stage and two good entrances — one on Broadway by a stairway, and one
on Blossom slyeet, direct from the sidewalk. It has admirable acoustic properties, and will
seat 600 persons comfortably. It is now owned by M. Pedrick, its original builder and proprie-
tor. It is an exceedingly safe and substantial place for public gatherings.
CHUKCHES OF RIPON.
Congregational Church. — There was held, at the Ripon Hotel, November 21, 1850, a
meeting for the purpose of organizing a church. Rev. D. Clary, of the American Home Mis-
sionary Society, was Moderator, and Rev. J. H. Kasson, Clerk. The organization was effected
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 675
by admitting the following persons, who had been members of churches before coming to Ripon,
on presentation of the proper papers : Winthrop C. Lord, Elizabeth Lord, Mary Parker, Wil-
son Holt, Abigail Holt, Francis A. Strong, Merriam B. L. Strong, Andrew Sherwood, Clarissa
Sherwood, William Dunham, and GriflSth Beynon. Rev. F. G. Sherrill was there invited to
become acting Pasfor, which he did. In the fall of 1853, a small wooden church edifice, which
had been erected just north of the old college building, was dedicated as a place of worship. In
1857, the increased number of members made it necessary to enlarge the building, which was
•done in June of that year. In 1867, the present splendid stone structure was begun on College
Hill, which was finished and dedicated in February, 1868. The old church building, which
stands only a few rods north of the new one, was then sold to the Temperance Germans, who
now use it for a church. The present structure is the largest, finest and costliest in Ripon. It
was built entirely of Ripon stone, except the trimmings, and cost $22,000.
The following persons have acted as Pastors of this church: Rev. F. G. Sherrill, three
years; J. W. Walcott, one year; H. M. Chapin, one and one-half years; B. B. Parsons, three
years ; H. W. Brown, one and one-half years ; J. A. Hawley, three years ; W. E. Merriman, E.
W. Cook, R. W. Sawyer, L. Curtis, L. J. White, Carter and S. M. Newman. The first real
Pastor — one duly installed as permanent Pastor — was Rev. H. M. Chapin. Mr. Newman has
also been installed as permanent Pastor.
The following persons were elected Deacons : Andrew Sherwood and Wilson Holt, in 1850;
Griffith Beynon, in 1851 ; William Dunham, in 1852 ; Sylvester Richmond, in 1855 ; Darius
Phelps, in 1856 ; Ceylon North, in 1861 ; G. R. Shaw, in 1865; A. C. Chittenden and A. M.
Phelps, in 1870 ; William M. Bristol, in 1873; Ira C. Lyon and Charles F. Hammond, in
1874 ; A. P. Harwood and C. A. Kenaston, in 1875. The following have been elected Dea-
oonesses : Mrs. E. N. Harris, in 1870 ; Mrs. C. B. Woodward and Mrs. Mariam B. L. Strong,
in 1873.
The bell which now hangs in the old college building, and which was the first one in Ripon,
was procured through the energy of Rev. H. M. Chapin, who solicited subscriptions both in
Ripon and among his friends abroad. It was first hung in a wooden frame near the old wooden
church. This frame was paid for with funds raised by the Ladies' Aid Society. When the
little church had been enlarged and this bell hung, the members of the church felt proud of
their achievement. People not acquainted with those times can hardly appreciate the magni-
tude of this work.
St. Peter's Episcopal Church. — In September, 1859, having been previously heralded by
kind letters of introduction. Bishop Jackson Kemper sent Rev. Fayette Durlin to Ripon,
expressing the wish that he might become the "settled minister" of the Protestant Episcopal
Church in the place. Mr. Durlin was heartily received, and a determination to erect a house
of worship and establish a regular parish at once obtained. The first inscription on the church
records is as follows :
Ripon, Wis., March 1, 1860.
On opening the records of this parish, hereinafter to be inscribed, some few preliminary words may be of
interest to those who shall peruse them hereafter. I believe that I am the iirst renident Episcopal Clergyman ever
engaged in the work of organizing and building up a parish in this place. Several different clergymen — among them
the Rev. .1. P, T. Ingraham, the Rev. L. D. Brainard, the Rev. Thomas Greene and the Rev. Peter B. Morrison —
have held services here at rare intervals ; but no organization of a parish was ever effected, nor anything undertaken
at the request of the Bishop, and, through the invitation of some interested in the services of this church, particularly
that of Dr. B. B. Spalding, I arrived here to take up my abode and begin my labors, on Monday, February 13,
1860. The following Sunday, February 19, I held my first service here, in the Baptist meeting-house, having but
■ the morning service, there being no place for us in the afternoon. During the week, a hall was procured and rented
for our exclusive use, over H. F. Olmsted's store, and being neatly and properly fitted up for the purpose, we now
have regular services there every Sunday morning and afternoon, and expect to until we are able to build a church.
Thus much I thought it well to put down here, as what might be of interest, as matter of reference, in future
years. It is a humble beginning; but, relying on God's blessing and the all-sufficient presence, guidance and help
of the Great Head of the Church, we cannot doubt that somewhat will grow out of it to the glory and honor of the
ever-adorable Trinity and to the everlasting good of souls.
[Signed] Fayette Duklin,
Priest of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Wisconsin.
676 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
It was resolved, April 10, 1869, to erect a church, and B. B. Spalding, A. B. Bovay, Will-
iam M. Taggart, George W. Mitchell and E. P. Brockway were appointed to secure plans and
specifications. Afterward, Mr. Bovay resigned and Mr. Durlin took his place.
Rev. Fayette Durlin was formally elected Rector of Grace Church, as it was then called.
May 16, 1860. Three days later, he accepted.
The contract for erecting the church edifice was let to A. Lanning for $2,800, the site
being at the head of Blossom street, and secured from John S. Horner. The building commit-
tee consisted of H. S. Eggleston, G. W. Mitchell, William Starr and Rev. F. Durlin. The
subscriptions taken for the erection of the church amounted to nearly $.3,350. Taggart Bros,
and E. P. Brockway each gave $200 ; A. E. Bovay, B. B. Spalding, D. F. Shepard, G. W.
Mitchell, W. H. Dakin and H. S. Eggleston each gave $150 ; M. W. Seeley, William Starr, T.
B. Bobbins and A. M. Skeels gave each $100 ; H. Willard and B. Pinkney gave each $75 ; L.
H. D. Crane, H. S. Towen, J. Bowen, D. Green way, C. Pinkney, Prairie City Bank, E. Root,.
H. Pierce, George Marshall, A. D. Foote, Mrs. E. F. Peck and A. B. Beardsleyv, gave each
$50. The balance was made up by numerous smaller subscriptions.
The building was completed, consecrated and occupied for worship early in 1861. The
consecration was by Bishop Kemper, January 23, 1861. The parish schoolhouse was erected
in 1864, at a cost of $1,897.12, including the site, which was purchased of George W. Lyman
for $300.
The rectory or parsonage, erected west of the schoolhouse in 1866, on a lot purchased of
G. N. Lyman, cost about $2,300, and was constructed by Samuel Allen. All three of the
buildings are of the Gothic style of architecture and of wood.
By an act of the Legislature, approved February 20, 1866, the name of Grace Church was
changed to St. Peter's, the style of the corporation being " The Rector, Church- Wardens and
Vestrymen of St. Peter's Church, in the city of Ripon, Wis."
The different Rectors have been: Fayette Durlin, from February 13, 1860, to June 11,
1865 ; George Armstrong Whitney, August 1, 1865, to May 20, 1866 ; E. F. Baker, June 1,
1866, to September 1, 1868; Jubal Hodges, May 30, 1869, to July 5, 1869; M. V. Averill,
May 15, 1870, to December 31, 1872 ; Fayette Durlin, November 30, 1873, to date. The brief
term of Jubal Hodges' rectorship was owing to a renewed attack of an old brain difficulty, which
finally resulted in death.
The Clerks have been Henry S. Eggleston, George W. Root and George L. Field, the
present official, who has held the position since April, 1863.
Those who have held the office of Warden are as follows : A. E. Bovay, E. Root, Edward
P. Brockway, H. S. Eggleston, Howard Pierce, Bertine Pinkney, William Starr, J. M. De
Frees, John Corbett, W. L. Gillett and Robert Allen. Mr; Brockway was Senior Warden
from 1861 to 1867, with the exception of one year, when he was absent.
At the beginning of 1873, the parish being somewhat in debt, George L. Field pre-
sented a resolution, which was adopted by the Vestry, providing that, from that day forth,
no expense whatever should be incurred unless sufficient cash or pledges were available to pay
it. This novel resolution in church government made it impossible to secure a Rector, and,
from that time, lay services only were held until the debt was wiped out, which was done at the-
close of that year. The parish is now out of debt. The present number of communicants is
96. The baptisms have been, altogether, 275 ; the confirmations, 170 ; the marriages, 50 ; the
burials, 52.
One notable feature in the management of the afiairs of this parish is that it never owed
any of its rectors a dollar, even over night.
The first Wardens were A. E. Bovay and E. Root. The first Vestrymen were B. B.
Spalding, M. W. Seely, H. S. Eggleston, William M. Taggart, George W. Mitchell, E. P.
Brockway and William Starr.
The* present Wardens are W. L. Gillett and Robert Allen. The present Vestrymen are-
George L. Field, Charles Cowan, J. M. De Frees, D. W. Akin, J. P. Taggart, W. W. Davy
and 0. U. Akin.
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 677
Methodist Episcopal Ohurch. — As nearly as can be ascertained, the Methodist Church was
first organized in 1852, the class consisting of only three members, of whom George Limbert
was appointed leader. He also held the office of local preacher, having first united with the
Wesleyan Church in England. He remained a worthy and useful member till his death, which
occurred December 29, 1879.
The first church was a small structure, located in that part of the city then called Ceresco.
In this building the church worshiped till the summer of 1860, when the present edifice, on Jack-
son street, was built. This building is 40x82 feet. It is a fine wooden structure, very well,
finished, with an audience-room the full size of the building ; a commodious lecture-room and.
two classrooms in the basement. A good and convenient parsonage was purchased in 1863,
located on Liberty street, in Ceresco. Mr. Corliss contributed $800 toward the purchase of the
building, the final securing of which was due largely to the efibrts of Rev. J. T. Woodhead, who
was then Pastor.
The difierent Pastors have been: 1857-58, R. Moffat; 1858-59, J. M. S. Maxon (died.,
June 19, 1858 ; W. Morse filled out the year) ; 1859-60, W. Morse ; 1860-61, W. Morse ;
1861-62, J. T. Woodhead; 1862-63, J. T. Woodhead; 1863-64, J. Anderson; 1864-65, H.
Requa (died at Little Rock, Ark., May 19, 1865, while in the service of the Christian Commis-
sion, in the army) ; 1865-66, Wesley Lattin ; 1866-67, Wesley Lattin ; 1867^68, George C.
Haddock ; 1868-69, George C.Haddock ; 1869-70, W. G. Miller ; 1870-71, Rev. W. G. Mil-
ler ; 1871-72, A. C. Manwell ; 1872-73, A. C. Manwell ; 1873-74, J. Lavelle and W. F. Ran-
dolph ; 1874-75, J. M. Craig and A, A. Reed ; 1875-76, J. H. Jenne ; 1876-77, I. Wiltse ;
1877-78, 1. Wiltse (died March 28, 1878 ; year filled out by E. B. L. Elder) ; 1878-79, George
Fellows ; 1879-80, C. D. Pillsbury, who is the Pastor at the present time.
The church has experienced severe trials, but its present state is one of very general har-
mony of feeling and of unity of action, with a good degree of spiritual interest.
Baptist Church. — In 1852, Elder D. Sabin, still a resident of Ripon, and in his eighty-
fifth year, began Baptist preaching in the schoolhouse on Fond du Lac street, alternating with
the preacher of some other denomination, who also held services at the same place. In April,
1853, a meeting was held at this schoolhouse for the formation of a church. Elder Sabin was
Moderator, and Henry Lansing, Clerk. The organization was perfected, the following persons
becoming members : D. Sabin, Carrie Sabin, Rev. Roswell Osborn, W. W. Robinson, Mrs. S.
Robinson, Mrs. George N. Lyman, Mrs. H. H. Mead, John Russell, Elizabeth Russell, Mrs.
Mary M. Russell, Henry Lansing, David I. Parka, Philander Parks and Avery Brown. In
May, 1853, a Baptist council was held at the Congregational Church in Ripon, and re-organ-
ized the new organization. Elder Sabin acted as Pastor until 1854, and was succeeded by Rev.
M. Hutchinson, who died soon after. In 1855, the church received a charter from the State,
and Avery Brown, J. A. Barnes, H. H. Mead and W. W. Robinson were chosen Trustees.
In 1856, the erection of a church on Fond du Lac street, the present structure, was begun.
It was finished, dedicated and occupied in December, 1857. In 1867, blinds were added, the
building was painted and other repairs made, s" that it is now an exceedingly tasty and comfort-
able place of worship. During this same year, 1867, twenty-five new members were received
into the church, which is the greatest number received at any one time. The church is entirely
put of debt, and has been for some years. The Pastors (those before this having been merely
"supplies" or acting Pastors) have been: H. I. Parker, 1856 to 1860, who preached in the
City Hall until the church was completed ; C. T. Tucker, who was the first to devote his whole
time and attention to the church ; E. L. Walker, 1860 to 1863 ; A. Latham, September, 1863,
to March, 1864 ; P. Work, July, 1864 to August, 1869 ; J. C. Burkholder, a portion of 1869
and 1870 ; L. L. Gage, 1870 to 1872 ; R. W. Arnold, 1873 to 1877 ; D. Crosby, June, 1877,
to date, being the present Pastor.
This church first belonged to the Marquette, but now to the Winnebago Association. It
has a resident membership of eighty-three.
First Presbyterian Ohurch. — This church was formerly called " Grace " Methodist Epis-
copal Church, and was an "independent" organization formed by Alfred E. Bishop, Elizabeth
'S78 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
Bishop, Albert P. Corliss, Hattie Corliss, Mathew Miller, Rosa Miller, Edward Smith, Judith
Smith, Cornilius Brundige, Katharine Brundige, Alphonso S. Crooker, Miss Eraeline M.
Crooker. It was incorporated under the laws of the State May 8, 1877, by E. J. Smith, E.
Babcock, A. P. Corliss, D. Furniss, R. T. Graves, Alfred E. Bishop, D. G. Woodward, Edward
Smith, John Martin and B. Kingsbury.
Rev. J. M. Craig was the Pastor of Grace Methodist Episcopal Church, as he now is of the
new Presbyterian organization, which was effected January 19, 1880, on petition of the congre-
gation. After entering the Presbyterian denomination, an organization was completed by the
election and ordination of R. T. Graves, A. S. Crooker, John Martin and Dan Eurniss, as Elders,
and Edward Smith and D. G. Woodward as Deacons. Services have always been held in the
Unitarian Church,* which is rented for that purpose.
The members of this church were those who left the old Methodist Church on account of
some difficulty or dissatisfaction. It is in a prosperous condition.
ImanueVs Kirche. — This is a branch of the German Evangelical Church of North America.
It was organized May 8, 1870, at the house of W. Luck, with the following members : Rev. A.
Huelster, August Buchholz, W. Luck, A. Scheewe, W. Aker, A. Zank, G. Burger, G. Rad-
drenzel, M. Drahim and F. Hoft. A. Scheewe, W. Aker and W. Liick were elected Trustees.
At this first meeting, arrangements were made to erect a place of Worship, and Rev. A. Huelster,
August Buchholz and A. Zank were elected Building Committee. A lot was secured in Cer-
esco plat, on Jackson street, on which, in September, 1870, a building, 30x44 feet, was erected
at a cost of |2,273. The dedication was by Bishop J. J. Escher, in October, 1870, at which
time the entire indebtedness of the church was liquidated. In 1875, the congregation had grown
so rapidly that more land, costing $175, was purchased, on which additional accommodations for
teams were built, and on which an enlargement of the church building will also be erected soon.
The congregation numbers 200 members, and money enough is on hand to make all contemplated
improvements. The different Pastors have been : Revs. A. Huelster, six months ; C. F. Fin-
ger, two years; John Koch, two years; Fr. Stroebel, three years ; 0. Kuederling, the present
Pastor, two years.
Evangelical German Lutheran Ohurch. — In 1866,, Rev. G. Thiele, who built the stone
church on Scott street, and had been its Pastor about two years, took a few of its members,
among them F. Leistikow, C Bremer and C. Daluege, and started a Temperance Lutheran
Church. Services were first held in the college building until a small dwelling near the end of
the Sheboygan & Fond du Lac Railroad bridge was purchased, which is now the parsonage and
schoolhouse. In this services were held-, the Pastor resided, and school was held until the Con-
gregationalists erected their new church, when the Lutherans purchased of them the old wooden
building on College. Hill.
The church now is composed of seventy families. The school,. in which only children who
are thirteen years old are taught, contains thirty-six scholars. The Pastors have been, G.
Thiele, E. Meyerhoff, G. Hoelzel, A. Liefelt and Joseph Westenberger, the present Pastor, who
came in 1878. The Tr;ustees are W. Wallschlaeger, Gustave Ruestau and W. Ponto. The-
Elders are C. Daluege, E. Neuenfeld and William Schmidt. The church has no debt and is in
prosperous circumstances.
Evangelical Lutheran Qhurch. — During the month of February, 1864, a German Protes-
tant minister, named G. Thiele, arrived in Ripon and attempted to organize a church. He suc-
ceeded in securing pledges from thirty men to sustain him as their Pastor and erect a church.
Accordingly, in 1865, a church edifice, 36x52 feet, was begun on Scott street. It was con-
striicted entirely of stone from the Ripon quarries ; had a basement for school purposes and
ornamented with a graceful spire. In 1866, Mr. Thiele was dismissed, and the name of the
church changed to the Evangelical Lutheran, with by-laws and ritual in conformity with this
* This church was erected mostly by Elder Sanborn at the beginning of West Fond du Lac street, as a Universalist house of worahip
The number embracing this form of religious worship being small, the church was changed to the Unitarian denomination. But this main-,
taiued a formal organization for only p. short period, and the house had been without worshipers^for several years, until it was rented by ths
aboTe-mentioned,
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAO COUNTY. 679
Teligious subdivison. The new minister was Rev. W. Schmidt, who resigned on account of ill
iealth at the end of the year. In 1868, Rev. David Tunkele was chosen Pastor, who remained
with the congregation five years. He was succeeded by Rev. Conrad, who filled the pulpit
About eighteen months, and was succeeded by Rev. 0. Dalies, the present Pastor. Under the
ministration of Mr. Dalies many improvements have been made on the church property. A
handsome and commodious parsonage was erected in 1879, and the surrounding grounds fenced
and beautified. The school, taught in the basement of the church, has 125 students, who have
books, maps, charts and a fine organ. The inside of the church edifice is neatly finished and
furnished, having an organ which cost $700. At present the church has 185 members, and is
in a prosperous condition.
aS^. Patrick's Catholic Church. — This church was organized by Rev. E. Gray in January,
1859. Those present at the first mass were N. Roche, Thomas Leo, Michael Lyman, M.
Spellman, James Flattery and M. Bannon. The church, a well-built wooden structure, is
located on the south side of Oshkosh street. Formerly a portion of the church yard was used
as a cemetery, but is no longer. The parochial residence is a fine brick structure, two stories' in
height, located near the church on Oshkosh street. For some years the church was heavily in
debt, but, through the efforts of Father Graves, the present Pastor, and his congregation, this
has been nearly wiped out, and the finances are now in a sound condition. The church is con-
stantly increasing in membership, its members constituting a strong and active temperance
society.
BANKS OF EIPON.
The very first exchange, or banking business, done in Ripon was in 1863, by B. P. Brock-
-way, who opened an office for that purpose, and which was really the beginning of the present
First National Bank. In 1855, Catlin & Brockway — Richard Catlin and E. P. Brockway —
opened a banking and exchange ofEce. This continued until the organization of the Bank of
Ripon.
Bank of Ripon. — In December, 1856, the exchange office of Catlin & Brockway was
■organized as a bank of issue ; capital, $25,000, with E. P. Brockway, Richard Catlin, H. H.
Mead, E. L. Northrup, Thomas B. Robbins, George W. Mitchell, B. B. Parsons and A. M.
Skeels as stockholders. After October, 1860, until the organization of the First National
Bank, E. P. Brockway and H. H. Mead owned all the stock of the bank.
First National Bank. — This bank was organized with a capital of $50,000, March 19,
1864. The stockholders and directors were E. P. Brockway, H. H. Mead, George L. Field,
William M. Taggart and Bertine Pinkney, the three first named being the principal holders of
stock. The first election of officers was held April 1, 1864, and resulted in the choice of E. P.
Brockway, President ; H. H. Mead, Vice President, and George L. Field, Cashier. These
men still retain the same offices. In 1869, S. T. McKnight and S. Richmond succeeded
William M. Taggart and Bertine Pinkney as Directors, who still continue in office. This
bank, from its commencement, has been a prosperous and successful institution ; the growth of
its business has been such that it now ranks among the safest and best in Wisconsin. It has
always maintained in circulation the full amount of bills allowed by law. The bank building,
a solid structure of Ripon stone, was erected in 1855, especially for banking purposes, on the
west side of Public Square.
Prairie City Bank. — -This was a bank of issue, organized in 1861 or 1862 by Julius Bur-
dick, as President, and C. H. Smith as Cashier. Its circulation — amount of bills issued under
the State law — was $20,000. The charter was sold at the end of the first year to Oshkosh
parties, the bank thereupon going out of business at Ripon.
Oneida Bank. — L. H. Kellogg opened, for a few months, in Ripon, a branch of the
Oneida Bank at Berlin. The concern proved disastrous to its patrons, and soon closed its
doors.
Bowen ^ Wheeler's Bank. — This is a private banking institution, the business of which is
carried on by Jehdeiah Bowen and Charles F. Wheeler. They formed a copartnership in
680
HISTORY OF POND DU LAC COUNTY.
May, 1864, for the purpose of carrying on the business of banking, except to issue bills, and'
first opened in Mr. Bowen's stone building, in which was located the post oflBce, on the east side-
of Public Square at that date. The affairs of the bank are managed by Mr. Wheeler, Mr^
Bowen having other business to occupy his attention.
SECRET SOCIETIES.
Eipon Lodge, No. 95, F. ^ A. M. — In September, 1857, a dispensation was granted bj
the Grand Lodge to the following persons: Robert 0. Selfridge, David N. Hosmer, A. B,
Pratt, Philo England. David P. Mapes, Charles Hopkins, Thomas Ford, G. P. Bragdon, J. E.
Brown and J. K. Hunt. The Lodge was duly chartered and numbered June 9, 1858. The-
first oflScers were : R. 0. Selfridge, W. M. ; A. B. Pratt, S. W. ; D. M. Hosmer, J. W. ^
J. M. S. Maxon, . S. D. ; Thomas Ford, J. D. ; J. E. Brown, Secretary ; B. Dailey, Tiler.
The Past Masters are R. 0. Selfridge, A. B. Pratt, W. M. Taggart, H. S. Town, Jay May-
ham, A. B. Russell, H. L. Barnes, L. E. Reed, E. Babcock, G. F. Horner, W. T. Whiting;
and J. C. Miller. The present officers are L. E. Reed, W. M. ; A. Zinth, S. W. ; A. S. Crooker,
J. W. ; J. Hitchcock, Treasurer ; G. F. Horner, Secretary.
The Lodge has 107 members, and meets on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each
month, in Masonic Hall.
Bipon Lodge, No. lU, I- 0. 0. F.—On the 11th of March, 1868, Samuel Ryan, D. G. M. ?
E. M. Loomis, D. D. G. M., and Charles Marks, G. W., instituted this Lodge of OddFellowSr
at Ripon. The charter members were L. S. Shepard, A. E. Olin, Daniel Stafford, 0. R,
Ellis, and H. McArthur. The first officers were L. S. Shepard, N. G ; Daniel Stafford, V.
G. ; S. G. Dodge, R. S. ; George W. Peck, P. S.; A. B. Olin, Treasurer. Thereafter the
following officers were duly elected :
1868— D. Stafford, N. G. ; C. Combs, V. G. ; P. N. Dellin^er, S. ; D. W. C. Root, P.
S.; A. E. Olin, Treasurer. 1869— C. Coombs, P. N. Dellinger, N. G. ; P. N. Dellinger, H.
T. Henton, Y- G.; H. T. Henton, C. B. Valentine, S.; D. W. C. Root, H. Bowerman, P. S.;
G. E. Bushnell, H. R. Hill, Treasurers. 1870— H. T. Henton. T. Harris, N. G.: T. Harris, H. R.
Hill,V. G.; I. W. Gaylord, S.; R. Stuart, P. S.; H. R. Hill, A. P. Matteson, Treasurers. 1871-H. R.
Hill,LW. Gaylord, N. G.;LW. Gavlord, G.E. Bushnell, V.G.; G. E. Bushnell. R. Stuart, S.; R.
Stuart, C. R. Stickle, P. S.; Ed Smith, Treasurer. 1872— G.W. Bushnell, A. E. Olin, N. G.; A. E>
Olin, R. Stuart, V. G.; R. Stuart, E. A. Bradish, S.; C. R. Stickle, L. M. Allen, P. S.; Ed
Smith, D. Stafford, Treasurers. 1873 — R. Stuart, A. P. Matteson, N. G.; A. P. Matteson, L.
M. Allen, V. G.; E. A. Braldish, W. W. Davy, S.; L. M. Allen, J. E. Chappell, P. S.; D..
Stafford, Treasurer. 1874— L. M. Allen, J. Rogers, N. G.; J. Rogers, J. M. Bonnell, V. G.;
J. M. Bonnell, J. E. Chappell, S.; J. E. Chappell, R. Stuart, P. S.; D. Stafford, Treasurer.
1875— J. M. Bonnell, J. E. Chappell, N. G.; J. E. Chappell, W. W. Davy, V. G.; 0. N.
Hodges, W. T. Runals, S.; R. Stuart. E. W. Sylvester, P. S.;, 0. E. H. Zobel, Treasurer.
1876— W. W. Davy, 0. E. H. Zobel, N. G.; 0. E. H. Zobel, John Mulvey, V. G.; W. T.
Runals, S.; E. W. Sylvester, C. H. Milliman, P. S.; D. Stafford, Treasurer. 1877— John
Mulvey, N. G.; W. T. Runals, C. J. Derby, V. G.; E. H. Upham, S.; C. H. Milliman, D. Stafford,
P. S.; C. N. Hodges, C. H. Milliman, Treasurers. 1878— C. J. Derby, C. H. Milliman, N.
G.; C. H. Milliman, E. H. Upham, V. G.; E. H. Upham, R. Stuart, S.; L. M. Allen, P. S.;
R. Stuart, D. Stafford, Treasurers. 1879— E. H. Upham, C. S. Latimer, N. G.; C. S. Latimer,
Ed Smith, V. G.; G. E. Bushnell, A. E. Olin, S.; L. M. Allen, P. S.; D. Stafford, Treasurer.
1880— Ed Smith, N. G.; H. J. Goodall, V. G.; U. Stuart, S.; L. M. Allen, P. S.; D.
Stafford, Treasurer.
The Lodge is prospering, owning all its furniture and having a sum of money out at
interest. The present membership is eighty-five, though 200 persons have belonged to the
Order since 1868.
Bipon Encampment, No. 37, I. 0. 0. F. — A dispensation was granted to this lodge Feb-
ruary 10, 1870, and a charter January 18, 1871, with the following charter members : H. R-
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 681
Hill, H. Bowerman, D. Stafford, J. B. Crossan, P. N. Bellinger, A. E. Olin, S. B. Taylor
and D. P. Imson. The elective officers have been :
1870— H. R. Hill, G. W. Bellinger, C. P.; S. B. Taylor, A. E. Olin, H. P.; G. W. Bellin-
ger, G. E. Bushnell, S. W.; H. Bowerman, H. J. Goodall, J. W.; J. B. Crossan, S. B. Salis
bury, Scribes; A. E. Olin, B. Stafford, Treasurers. 1871— G. E. Bushnell, B. Stafford, 0. P.:
H. J. Goodall, T. Harris, H. P.; B. Stafford, S. B. Salisbury, S. W.; S. B. Salisbury. J
Mulvey, J. W.; T. Harris, H. N. Williams, Scribes ; E. Smith, Treasurer. 1872— A. E. Olin, E
Smith, C. P.; E. Smith, A. E.Olin, H.P.; J. Mulvey, H. JST. Williams, S.W.; H,N. Williams, R
Stuart, J. W.; G. E. Bushnell, L. M. Allen, Scribes ; T. Harris, B. Stafford, Treasurers. 1873— G.
W. Bellinger, R. Stuart, 0. P.; G. E. Bushnell, L. M. Allen, H. P.; R. Stuart, C. J. Berby,
S. W.; J. E. Cook, A. P. Matteson, J. W.; L. M. Allen, J. E. Chappell, Scribes ; T). Stafford,
Treasurer. 1874— C. J. Berby, H. J. Goodall, C. P. ; J. E. Chappell, B. Stafford, H. P.: A. P.
Matteson, T. J. Lynch, S.W.; T. J. Lynch, C. S. Latimer, J. W.; R. Stuart, W.W. Bavy, Scribes; B.
Stafford, A. E. Bishop, Treasurers. 1875— J.Mulvey, C. S. Latimer,C. P.; J. M. Craig, H. P.; C. S.
Latimer, J. B. Owen, S. W.; R. Stuart, J. E. Chappell, J. W.; W. W. Bavy, 0. E. H. Zobel,
Scribes ; D. Stafford, E. Smith, Treasurers. 1876— J. M. Craig, C. P.; W. R. Pearson, A. E.
Bishop, H. P.; A. E. Bishop, 0. E. H. Zobel, S. W.; W. T. Runals, C. H. Milliman, J. W.; 0. E.
H. Zobel, W. T. Runals, Scribes ; B. Stafford, Treasurer. 1877—0. E. H. Zobel, C. P.; J. M.
Craig, C. H. Milliman, H. P.; C. H. Milliman, E. H. Upham, S. W.; J. B. Owen, A. P.
Matteson, J. W.; W. T. Runals, C. S. Latimer, Scribes ; B. Stafford, Treasurer. 1878 — C. H.
Milliman, C. P.; E. H. Upham, H. P.; E. Smith, S. W.; A. P. Matteson, J. W.; 0. S. Lati-
mer, Scribe ; B. Stafford, Treasurer. 1879— E. H. Upham, C. P.; A. E. Bishop, H. P.;
Thomas Harris, S. W.; L. M. Allen, J.W.; C. S. Latimer, Scribe; B. Stafford, Treasurer.
By an order from the Grand Encampment, the ofiBcers of this and other encampments
hold office for one year. Meetings are held twice each month' in Odd Fellows' Hall.
Ripon Lodge, K. of H., No. 1,328. — This Lodge was instituted January 15, 1878, by W.
H. Ballou, B. P. B., of Oshkosh, with the following charter members : C. B. Hart, I. M. Lin-
derman, John Haas, Henry Lum, C. F. Bodge, J. J. Luck, M. Vankirk, G. P. Wilson, Geo.»
H. Jussen, C. G. Thompson, S. R. Patten, Alanson Wood, H. L. Barnes, I. M. Bakin, H. S.
Town. The first officers were: P. S.,H. S. Town; Bictator, L M. Linderman ; V. B., S. R.
Patten; A. B., J. Haas; R., C. G. Thompson; F. R., H. Bauben ; Treas., A. Wood; G.,
G. H. Jussen ; C, H. L. Barnes ; Guardian, J. J. Luck ; Sentinel, G. F. Wilson ; Rep. to
Grand Lodge, H. S. Town; Alternate, I. M. Linderman ; Trustees — J. J. Luck, one year; C.
B. Hart, two years ; M. Vankirk, three years.
At the second election, held June 27, 1878, I. M. Bakin, who has since held this office, was
elected Reporter in place of C. G. Thompson. The same Treasurer and Financial Reporter
were chosen, and have held the office ever since. The Bictators have been I. M. Linderman two
terms and S. R. Patten. The Lodge now has nineteen members. Meetings are held on the
first and third Fridays of each month, in the Sons of Herman Hall,' over Graf & ' Jussen's
store.
Living Water Lodge, No. 328, I. 0. Cr. T. — This Lodge of the Independent Order of Good
Templars was instituted by Rev. James Lavelle, November 5, 1866, with the following charter
members : Fred. S. Veeder, Will F. Bundy, Geo. C. Buffie, J. C. Oaks, C. F. Hammond, 0.
Vanorman, H. L. Strong, T. P. Smith, George W. Peck, N. S. Bristol, Clarence Skinner, L.
M. Allen, Z. A. Pedrick, C. V. N. Brundige, Mrs. C. F. Hammond, Hattie Hammond, Mrs.
H. L. Strong, Mrs. 0. Vanorman, Mrs. E. N. Harris, Mrs. C. Allen, Mrs. J. C. Oaks, Miss C.
M. Oaks, Miss Minnie Cook, Miss M. Anniss.
The first officers were as follows : W. C. T., Fred S. Veeder ; W. V. T., Mrs. E. N. Harris ;
W. R. S., Z. A. Pedrick; W. F. S., J. C. Oaks; W. Treasurer, Hattie Hammond; W. M.,
George C. Buffie; W. I. G., Mrs. C. M. Oaks; W. 0. G., N.S. Bristol. George Washington
Peck, now proprietor of Peck's Sun newspaper, at Milwaukee, was chosen Lodge Beputy. The
Trustees were Z. A. Pedrick, J. C. Oaks and H. L. Strong.
682. HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
Living Water Lodge has continued to meet regularly every week since its first organization,,
and has initiated 1,000 members. The highest number of members in good standing at one time
was 150. The present active membership is 50. The lodge-room in old Masonic Block, on the
west side of Public Square, was nicely furnished at a cost of $300. Of the original charter
members only one remains, L. M. Allen, who is hardly ever absent from the regular meetings.
Ripon G-range, Wo. 57. — Ripon Grange, No. 57, was organized February 4, 1873, by C.
W. Foster, Local Deputy of National Grange. The charter members were Jabin Lawson, Mrs.
Jabin Lawson, L. K. Hyde, A. Chjsholm, Miss Lizzie Chisholm, Robert Kuderling, Mrs.
Robert Kuderling, A. G. Kellogg, Mrs. A. G. Kellogg, W.O. Hargrave, H. W. Kellogg, H. S.
Hunt, FredNohl, Jr., FredNohl, Br., L. Nohl, James Henderson, Sr., Miss Aggie Henderson, E. C.
Stewart, Mrs. B. C. Stewart, C. W. Kurz, M. W. Meyer, A. W. Sage, Mrs. A. W. Sage, F.
Everez, E. Babcock, A. R. Hargrave, Mrs. A. R. Hargrave and R. Sheldon.
The first officers were: W. M., E. Babcock; W. 0., Robert Sheldon; W. L., E. C. Stew-
art; W. S., James Henderson, Sr.; W. A. S., H. S. Hunt; W. C, F. Nohl; W. Treas., A.
R. Hargrave,; W. Secy., W. 0. Hargrave; W. G. K., Jabin Lawson; Ceres, Miss Liiizie Chis-
holm ; Flora, Mrs. A. R. Hargrave ; Pomona, Mrs. R. Kuderling ; L. A. S., Mrs. J. B. Ager.
The organization was efi"ected, and, for some time thereafter, meetings were held in the hall
over 0. J. Clark & Co.'s hardware store. Subsequently the lodge moved into Good Templars'
Hall, and finally into the Grange Hall in Salisbury Block, which they now occupy. Business
meetings are held in the afternoon of the first Saturday in each month. Special meetings were
held weekly for two years after its organization. The Grange has always had a large member-
ship of enterprising and intelligent farmers. It has lost some members by withdrawal demits
and suspension, but the loss has been well made up by the addition of new members. E. Bab-
cock, J. B. Ager, 0. H. Chamberlain, J. M. Little, Henry Willard and A. R. Hargrave, the
present Master, have held the ofiice of Master in succession. W. 0. Hargrave, J. M. Bonnell,
Mrs. H. E. Chamberlain, J. B. Ager and J. M. Bonnell have been the Secretaries. It is now
in good working condition, out of debt, and looks forward to a long time of usefulness and
prosperity. Its membership is made up of successful farmers, representing a large portion of
the wealth of the farming community in the vicinity of the city. The annual meeting is held
on the first Saturday in December of every year.
Ripon Temple of Honor and Temperance, No. 13. — This lodge, which is a secret fraternal
as well as temperance organization, was instituted March 19, 1875, by Jerome A. Watrous, with
forty-five charter members and the following oflScers : W. C. T., H. L. Barnes ; W. V. T., J.
D. Owen ; W. R., W. R. Lyle; W. F. R., Robert Stuart; W. T., N. H. Wyckoff; W. W., P.
Hales ; P. W. C. T., Byron Kingsbury ; Chaplain, J. M. Craig. The .Temple increased rapidly
in numbers until it contained 250 members, and then decreased no less rapidly, until only enough,
members in good standing were left to hold the charter and keep up the form of organization.
The lodge is financially prosperous, owning its furniture and paraphernalia, and having a sum of
money out at interest.
Ripon Lodge, No. 37, Sons of Herman. — The formation of this Lodge was secured by
Hyp. Dauben, May 18, 1878, with the following charter members : Hyp. Dauben, Gust. Muller,
George H. Jussen, J. J. L"ck,'Hugo Shultz, Emil Schafi', A. Singer, F. W. Butzke, John Haas,
Frank Jupp, August Zinth, William Quast, F. Schoei^er, S. Schmudlach and H. Mathwig.
The first officers were : President, Hyp. Dauben ; Vice President, J. J. Luck ; Reporter, Wm.
Butzke ; Financial Reporter, Robert Giese ; Treasurer, Hugo Schultz ; Guide, G. Muller ;
Inside Guard, George H. Jussen ; Outside Guard, S. Schmudlach. This Lodge now has twenty
members and a surplus capital of over $400. The Order is one for purely benevolent purposes.
It has forty lodges in the State, and a membership of 2,319. During the last year, it has paid
out in benefits to sick brothers, $5,262.72, and to the families of nineteen brothers who died,
$19,000. Its real estate was valued, January 1, 1880, at $56,178.98. Ripon Lodge holds its
meetings regularly in Sons of Herman Hall, over Graf & Jussen's store on Main street.
HISTOET OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 68S
BENEVOLENT, LITERARY ■ AND OTHER ASSOCIATIONS.
Young Ladies' Guild. — The first meeting to organize this benevolent society was held at
the house of W. "L. Gillett, in the fall of 1876. This portion of the constitution adopted at
that time, shows the objects of the society :
" We, the undersigned, do hereby organize ourselves into a society, to be called the Young
Ladies' Guild. Our object — to visit and sew for the poor, and give them such other assistance
as we may see fit. We agree to meet weekly ; to pay an initiation fee of 25 cents, and a fine of
5 cents for absence from any meeting."
The first officers were : President, Miss Nellie Skeels ; Vice President, Miss Alice Taggart ;
Secretary and Treasurer, Miss Carrie Wolcott; Directors, Misses Anna Gillett and Lizzie
McCracken. The first funds were $30, as the proceeds of selling the furniture of the old
" Library Association," and $10 donated by the members of the society. The " Guild " has
done much to relieve the sufierings of the poor, giving entertainments and resorting to various
commendable means to secure funds to make their labors more comprehensive. It started out
with a membership of forty, which has increased since the date of organization.
American Red Ribbon Oluh. — In the spring of 1879, W. L. McCollister began a series of
revivals in Ripon, which resulted in securing the signatures of several hundred persons to a
pledge of total abstinence, among them many of the prominent citizens of the city. Having
secured the names of 1,400 persons, a permanent organization of the signers was effected the 1st
of May, by electing Hiram S. Town, President ; A. L. Dobbs, Recording Secretary ; Edwin
Wilson, Financial Secretary ; C. F. Wheeler, Treasurer. At the annual election of officers, in
January, 1880, C. H. Upham was chosen President; Mrs. S. F. Crosby, Recording Secretary;
Edwin Wilson, Treasurer; G. R. Shaw and 0. J. Wolcott, Managers. The Club supports a-
reading-room opposite Opera Hall, at which papers and periodicals are free, and where members
congregate to indulge in social games and amusements. The Club has 200 active members.
St. Patrick's Total Abstinence Society. — A total abstinence society was organized in St.
Patrick's Church, of Ripon, October 17, 1875. A constitution and by-laws were adopted, and
the work of securing converts at once begun. The Society has been very successful, constantly
increasing its numbers and influence. It now consists of 250 members, including women and
children. Its meetings are held regularly on the fourth Sunday of every month, in the base-
ment of St. Patrick's Church. The officers of the Society are as follows : President, Rev. E.
A. Graves ; Vice President, E. Raymond ; Secretary, B. F. Keenan ; Treasurer, William Bres-
nahan ; Marshal, James Brenan.
Ripon Improvement Association. — The idea of forming an association of this kind originated
through an article in the August number of Scribner's Monthly for 1878, written by Dr. B.
W. Dwight, of Clinton, N. Y. George L. Field, of the First National iBank, wrote to Dr.
Dwight in relation to the article, who sent the constitution of the " Rural Art Association," of
Clinton, which had been in existence many years. With this information for a foundation, Mr.
Field began the labor of forming a similar association in Ripon. An informal meeting of invited
persons was held January 26, 1880, at the residence of J. Bowen, but no organization was
perfected, though George L. Field, Prof C. A. Kenaston, E. L. Runals, A. Everhard and J..
Bowen were appointed to draft a constitution. They reported at the residence of A. Everhard,
February 2, 1880, at which meeting the constitution was adopted. Article II gives the objects-
as follows : " The objects of this Association shall be in general the improvement and advancement
.of public and private grounds, the cultivation of rural art and taste among its members, and the
development of such enterprises as may furnish a field for co-operation in rendering the place
more desirable as a place of residence."
At a meeting held at the residence of George L. Field February 16, 1880, the following
officers were chosen for one year: President, J. Bowen ; Vice President, A. Everhard ; Secre-
tary, 0. U. Akin ; Treasurer, L. E. Nohl ; Executive Committee, C. A. Kenaston, C. B. Seward
■684 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
and G. L. Field. In no city has an association of this kind a more promising field for its labors.
The natural beauties of Ripon are acknowledged ; its inhabitants are wealthy, and for the most
part cultured, and the soil is rich, deep and productive. One of the objects of this Association
is to lay out a fine drive-way to Green Lake from Ripon.
Ripon Educational Club. — The idea of forming a club of this sort was brought to Ripon
by Mrs. S. F. Crosby, from Lansing, Mich., and took material shape in 1878, with the follow-
ing charter members : Mrs. S. F. Crosby, Mrs. A. M. Cowan, Mrs. L. F. Chamberlain, Mrs.
:M. F. Hanchett, Mrs. A. V. Everhard, Mrs. P. Thompson, Mrs. J. M. De Frees, Mrs. W. B.
Kingsbury, Mrs. J. Grant, Mrs. H. H. Mead and Miss Lizzie Clark. The first officers were as
follows: President, Mrs. S. F. Crosby; Vice President, Mrs. C. T. Tracy; Corresponding
Secretary, Mrs. P. Thompson ; Recording Secretary, Mrs. A. M. Cowan ; Assistant Secretary,
Miss Lizzie Clark ; Treasurer, Mrs. A. V. Everhard ; Membership Committee, Mrs. W. W.
Robinson. The object of the club is mutual mental improvement only, and it has been an
unexpected success. It is on a firm foundation, and considered an established feature of Ripon.
Ripon Rifles. — This is a military company organized, drilled and equipped under the
Wisconsin militia law. It was organized March 28, 1877, with Hugo Schultz, Captain; Ferd-
inand Thiel, First Lieutenant; Ed Kaath, Second Lieutenant, and the following privates: F.
Steinbring, William Mathwig, A. Steinbring, P. Degner, M. Kruger, H. Willwock, S. Schmud-
lach, F. Dannalls, John Mathefes, Charles Giese, William Kohl, William Reck, Martin Wiz-
orick, George Bishholz', G. Derizen, William Dregor, F. Butzin, William Drews, C. Bggart, M.
Gartzke, G. Gehlhaar, H. Grutzmacher, F. Grutzmacher, John Haas, G. Hildebrandt, A.
Hildebrandt, John Hasse, 0. Johnson, William Kaath, G. Kohl, G. Litz, R. Lubitz, Tom Lam-
bert, John Milahn, H. Martwig, F. Manthei, H. Martin, Fred Milke, G. Otto, J. Pischke, L.
Prutz, John, Prill, W. Rapp, Ed Steinbring, T. Steinbring, M. Streich, F. Schrandt, H.
Schrader, A. Sauger, E. Tobolt, F. Timm, Charles Timm, C' Tobolt, G. Teske, William Weg-
ner, A. Weishaar, John Weinke, M. Wizinske, William Zimmerman, C. Zimmerman, F. Zweiger,
William Zweiger, Aug. Zick, F. Ziebart, William Quast, Henry Kohl. Meetings are held in
Grange Hall, but the company has an armory in Kleifoth's block. It has a good martial band.
The state donates $300 annually.
MANUFACTURING INTERESTS.
Wisconsin Phalanx Mills. — The first mill in Ripon, or Ceresco, was the saw-mill built by
the "Phalanx or Fourierites in 1844, and run by a "flutter- wheel." The first grist-mill was
also built by them a little more than two years later on the site of the Ceresco Mills. It had
but one stone, with a capacity of about three bushels per hour. But this was ample for the
time. Mr. Dellinger, who took charge in 1848, was the first practical miller, and he made some
improvements in the wheel, which increased the capacity of the mill to six bushels per hour.
The water-Avheel for driving the flouring-mill consisted of a hollow wooden " log," attached in
the center to the shaft, from which the machinery received its motion. Both ends of this "log"
were closed and a large hole cut in opposite sides of it near each end. The water being let into
this "log" from below rushed out at these holes, and the re-action gave motion to the "log," or
Avhecl. ' This quaint little mill was rebuilt by Brockway & Dellinger in 1851, who had purchased
it from the Phalanx the year before. It is still standing across the street from the Ceresco
Mills.
Stephen Bates was the first man to do grinding in the Phalanx Mill. In 1845, buhrs for
grinding coarse flour were fixed in the saw-mill and served the purpose of something better until
the grist-mill was completed.
Gothic Mill. — The "old stone mill," as it is now called, was erected on Silver Creole, where
that stream crosses Scott street, in 1853, and was opened for business, in December of that year.
It was a sione building, three stories high, and run by water. D. P. Mapes, the proprietor, was
its builder. It was in use about twenty years, coming into the hands of G. W. Dellinger in
1862, who is the present owner of the building and the water-power. The Gothic was always a
custom mill.
^^:
^^^-z^-z^
(DECEASED.)
RIPOH
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 687
Treanore ^ Blodgett's Wagon Factory. — In 1853, Harvey Bodge & Son erected a two-
story shop on the corner of Jackson and Blackburn streets and began the manufacture of wagons,
carriages and sleighs. In 1860, the firm became Dodge & Manville, consisting of C. F. Dodge
and E. Manville. They erected, as their rapidly increasing business demanded, four additional
shops, three of brick and stone and one of wood. They gave employment, finally, to forty
men, and turned out a large amount of work, making lumber-sleighs in lots of 100 during
several yeirs. In 1874, the firm became Dodge & Mitchell; in 1877, C. F. Dodge, and, in
February, 1878, Treanore & Blodgett, the present proprietors. This firm carries on the most
extensive business in the manufacture of wagons, carriages, cutters, phaetons and sleighs of any
in the western portion of Fond du Lac' County. This firm owns the business," but not the
buildings.
Ripon Mills. — The milling operations of G. W. Dellinger, owner of Ripon Mills, extend
far beyond his present mill property. He at one time owned the entire water-power of Ripon,
extending from Scott street one mile west to Ceresco, and owned and had in operation at once
the three flouring-mills then within its limits, gi.ving personal attention to all of them. He
erected into their present shape the Ceresco and Ripon Mills, and the water-power which now
drives them. In 1862, Mr. Dellinger bought the Gothic Mill and water-power of H. T. Hen-
ton, and also three-eighths of the old Ripon Mills, built in 1850 by D. P. Mapes, at the foot of
Mill street. He at the same time owned and run the Ceresco Mills. In 1864, he purchased
of J. B. Maxfield the balance of the Ripon Mills. In 1865, he sold half of the Ceresco Mills
and purchased the woolen-mill water-power of Dodge & Manville for $1,600. In 1866 and
1867, Mr. Dellinger converted the Gothic, Ripon and woolen mills water-powers into one power,
with a head of fifty feet, which is greater than that of any similar one in the State. During
these two years, he also erected the present Ripon Mills at the foot of Mill street. This build-
is five stories high, has six run of stones and a capacity of 1,100 barrels of flour per week. The
usual product, when all the stones are running, is 1,000 barrels per week. The total cost of
the mill and water-power was $36,300. The mill is one of the best in the Northwest, every
stick of timber being dressed and of the best quality. The "trunk" which carries the water
from the Scott street dam to the mill is ninety-four rods long and cost $3,600. It contains
40,000 feet of lumber and 19,000 pounds of iron. In 1869, Mr. Dellinger sold the Ripon Mills
to A. K. Shepard, of Albany, N. Y., but was compelled to take the property back in 1879.
Immediately upon coming into possession of them again, Mr. Dellinger rebuilt the Scott street
dam, putting in a fine stone structure, laid in cement, at a cost of $1,000. The mills now have
water enough, except during a short period in the summer, but are supplied with ample steam-
power for such occasions. The products of Mr. Dellinger's mills are not sold in this country
alone, large orders being shipped direct to England and Scotland.
Ceresco Mills. — In 1860, G. W. Dellinger moved across the street the old Phalanx Mill
and erected on its site a four and one-half story mill, with an overshot water-wheel, twenty-five
and a half feet in diameter, for power. The water was carried under the street in a trunk to
the wheel-house, where an elbow raised it to the top of the wheel, which was one of great power.
In 1865, H. B. Bateman purchased a one-half interest in the property and immediately added
another stone and purifiers. In 1870, the overshot water-wheel was taken out and four turbine
wheels put in its place, which were made by W. H. Elmer, of Berlin. One is a ten-inch and
three are thirteen-inch wheels. In 1875, Mr. Bateman became sole proprietor. Since he
entered the mill, an addition 40x44 feet has been added, and a large steam engine and boilers
for use during low water. The water-power has a head of twenty-eight feet, which affords a
strong moving force. In 1879, machinery for producing " patent flour " was put in by Mr.
Bateman. The capacity of this mill is 100 barrels of iiour per day.
Ripon Packing Company. — The Ripon Packing Company was organized and incorporated
in 1873, with a capital of $8,000. The stockholders were J. J. Smith, C. F. Hammond, B.
W. Smith and W. J. Corner, of whom J. J. Smith was President, and C. F. Hammond was Secre-
tary and Treasurer. The buildings, located at the intersection of Scott street and the Chicago,
688 HISTORY OF rOND DU LAC COUNTY.
Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway, were erected in 1873-74, and are 100x160 feet on the ground.
They are equipped with all the appliances for canning cucumbers, tomatoes, horse-radish, making^
catsup, chow-chow, and putting up mixed pickles and sauces. The Company contracts with the
farmers for any desired number of acres of cucumbers, or other stock, at a certain price per
bushel or hundred weight, the cucumbers to be from two to three and a half inches in
length and all delivered at.the factory. The Company is prosperous, transacting a little less than
$20,000 worth of business per season. The present stockholders are C. F. Hammond, W. J.
Corner, A. P. Harwood and D. "V. N. Harwood, of whom C. F. Hammond is President, and D.
V. N. Harwood, Secretary and Treasurer.
Laning ^ Son's Planing-Mill. — This building was erected in 1874 by A. Laning, on
the site of a burned structure used for a similar purpose, on Fond du Lac street. In 1879, A.
Laning, Jr., became a partner in the business, under the firm name of Laning & Son. Th&
machinery, which is for dressing, matching, sawing and ornamenting lumber, is driven by steam,
and is of the most modern patterns. The mill has a good patronage, as there is no other similar
institution in the vicinity.
Zinth's Foundry. — In 1859, Lucius Thatcher erected a two-story wooden building on Jack-
son street, at the crossing of the Sheboygan & Fond du Lac Railroad, for a foundry and
machine-shop. Afterward, D. W. Furniss became a partner in the business with August Zinth,
the present proprietor. In addition to custom founding and repairing, the "Prairie City
Seeder " and horse-power threshing machines were manufactured during several years / at this
shop. Harrows, plows and smaller agricultural implements are now manufactured. In 1872,
Mr. Zinth became sole proprietor. All Mr. Thatcher had to begin business with was one pair
of oxen. He got trusted for most of the building and the steam machinery, but, being an
excellent mechanic, he soon built up a large business.
GroodaU's Carriage Factory. — In 1874, H. J. Goodall erected, on Jackson street, a
brick and stone carriage factory, sixty-six front and two stories high, and began the manufacture
of " light work," or carria,ges, cutters, phaetons and buggies. In 1875, W. T. Runals purchased
an interest in the business, and the firm was Goodall & Runals until 1878, when the proprietary
interest returned to H. J. Goodall, in whom it still remains. Fine work is a specialty, Mr.
Goodall having been granted the first premium on carriages and phaetons at every competitive
exhibition where his work has been entered. When running at full capacity, the factory has
employed twenty .men. ,
Sazen ^ Son's Windmill Factory. — In 1871, L. Hazen invented and had patented a wind-
mill, the manufacture of which was immediately entered upon by Hazen Brothers, on Fond du
Lac street. In 1878, S. Hazen secured a patent for a geared and pumping mill, which is wholly
unlike any other ever' put upon the market. The patent was upon a rotary vane, hinge and
shifting works. In 1880, S. Hazen made a further improvement in the mill, which consists in
a stationary vane, a hollow iron standard, and an eccentric wheel for changing the rotary to
horizontal motion, which is a great saving in power and friction. These mills, together with a
patent harrow, are now made by S. Hazen & Son, at their factory on Scott street, at the cross-
ing of Sheboygan & Fond du'Lac Railway, who maintain agencies in nearly all parts of the
United States and Canada, patents having been secured in both countries.
Haas' Brewery. — The only Brewery in Ripon belongs to John Haas. The building was
formerly the old " woolen-mill," built in 1850, just below the Ripon Mills, by S. Ford, and run
later by S. R. Patton, now of Oshkosh. It is well calculated for the brewing business. In
addition to his local trade, Mr. Haas has ^large orders from the surrounding cities, to supply
which he erected a substantial stone bottling-house near his brewery. Bottling and shipping
beer is now one of the prominent features of his business.
Powers'' Cooper-Shop. — J. J. Powers carries on a large business. His first factory or shop
was in a portion of the old Ripon Mills building, which was burned in 1879^ He erected a
new shop on the old site immediately after the fire, three stories high. It is conveniently
located, being connected with Ripon Mills, for which Mr. Powers does a large amount of work,.
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 689
by an apparatus for sending barrels from one building to the other. Mr. Powers now employs
six men.
RIPON CEMETERIES.
Oeresco Cemetery Association. — The first cemetery in what is now Ripon was laid out by
the Wisconsin Phalanx in 1845, in the northwest corner of the village of Ceresco. The lot was
deeded from the Phalanx to the Association by R. D. Mason, Jacob Beckwith, Jacob Woodruff,
Carlton Lane, John Irving and Russell Smith, and contained five acres and twenty-six rods.
Warren Chase, now a newspaper publisher at Santa Barbara, Cal., laid out the grounds — made
a plat of them — by a rude pocket compass. The first burial in this cemetery was that of- Caro-
line Danks, one of the Fourierites, and the next was that of Uriel Farmin, a child. The
cemetery has been little used for many years. At the first death and burial, the Phalanx people
marked the sad event by appropriate demonstrations of sorrow.
Ripon Cemetery Association. — The first burial in Ripon was that of Timothy J. Mapes'
wife on College Hill. The next was that of Samuel Pedrick, who died in September, 1850. A
few others were buried on College Hill befcre a cemetery was set apart. These, or the most of
them, were removed to the present cemetery a few years later. The original deed, which trans-
fers from J. Bowen to D. Sabin, D. P. Mapes, E. L. Northrup, Dana F. Shepard and E. P.
West, two acres and four rods of land in the northwest quarter of Section 21, is dated March
8, 1853. Although there are no records, it appears a cemetery association had been formed
before this, in 1852, as J. Bowen, Avery Brown, T. J. Mapes, D. F. Shepard, J. Wil-
bur, S. G. West, E. P. West, A. P. Mapes, G. F. Lynch, A. B. Beardsley, M. King,
J. McConnell, H. S. Eggleston, A. McStevens, William Light and A. G. Kellogg, sub-
scribed $100 to " save the deed " of Ripon Cemetery in February, 1853. In the course of a
few years, ofiScers were chosen who kept no record of the affairs of the Cemetery Association,
which soon fell into a deplorable condition. From the latter part of 1859 to 1863, no oflicers
were chosen at all on this account, and lots were occupied without approved record or title.
After various troubles, the remaining members of the old Cemetery Association met, March
17, 1863, to re-organize under the State laws. They therefore elected Dana F. Shepard Trustee
for one year ; George N. Lyman and A. M. Skeels, for two years, and B. G. Webster and Solon
G. Dodge, for three years. Ripon Cemetery, located just west of the college campus on the
southwest quarter of Section 21, which had been used up to this time, without its affairs being
properly attended to, was found to be in a mixed-up and unsatisfactory condition, and many
conflicting claims were alive. In 1863, after these matters were adjusted as well as possible, four
acres additional were purchased of J. Bowen for $500. In 1866, a lot was purchased of Mrs.
Mayo for $100, and in 1869, still another of M. Lehan. Now, although the lots are mostly
taken and the cemetery limits begin to show signs of being too small for a city the size of Ripon,
there can be no enlargement of the grounds, on account of a statute which forbids the erection of
new or the enlargement of old cemeteries within the limits of cities.
The Presidents of Ripon Cemetery Association have been Dana F. Shepard, who served six
years ; E. Manville, H. T. Henton, and W. W. Robinson, the present oflScer, who has had the
ofi5ce since 1871. The Secretaries have been S. G. Dodge, M. W. Seeley, B. G. Webster,
Byron Kingsbury, and George L. Field, the present official, who was chosen in 1878. Samuel
Sumner has been Treasurer since the beginning of 1865.
The cemetery now contains 633 lots, nearly every one of which has been disposed of. A
movement to secure another cemetery lot, outside of the city, is now in contemplation.
CONFLAGRATIONS.
The fire that destroyed the greatest amount of property in Ripon was in April, 1869, when
all the offices and stores were burned from Zobel Bros.' present building, on the east side of
Public Square to Jackson street, and then east on that street to Dodge & Manville's shop. The
loss in dollars was not great compared with the number of buildings burned, as they were old
690 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
wooden rookeries which were immediately replaced by substantial ones of brick and stone, thus
beautifying the city. One of them, however, was of stone, and a fine structure, which Mr.
Bowen, to whom it belonged, built for the post office. There were nine blocks destroyed on
Public Square, entailing a loss of $45,000.
The greatest number of buildings were burned September, 1868, when all those on the
east side of Broadway, or Main street, were burned from the corner of Public Square through
to Blossom street. These .were also wooden buildings, and worth but little, the conflagration,
therefore, resulting in beautifying the city. The loss was about $00,000.
In the winter of 1876, Samuel Sumner's large stone and brick block on the corner of Scott
street and Public Square was burned, together with S. Salisbury's grocery store next to it.
The upper floor of Sumner's block was occupied by W. M. Lockwood's large photograph gallery.
The loss was about $10,000.
On the 10th of January, 1877, the Centennial, Block, corner of Public Square and
Main street, burned from a cause generally unknown. The block was a very large one, fronting
on Main street and Public Square, of brick, and two stories high.. It was built in 1876 by
E. C. Kellogg. The loss was |i34,625, and the insurance about $20,000.
A very disastrous fire, in some respects, occurred February 6, 1879, when the post ofiice on
West Fond du Lac street, near the Unitarian Ohurch, was burned. The entire edition of the
Ripon Free Press, unnumbered letters and papers and all the stamps, money and paraphernalia
of the post office were destroyed. Two brick and stone blocks, one belonging to E. L. Bunals,
and the other to Rev. J. Allen, Avere burned. The Postmaster, H. S. Town, received an appro-
priation from the Government in 1880, to re-imburse him for the loss of money and stamps, for
which he was personally, liable. At this fire the total loss was about $12,000.
eipon's fighting career.
The position of Ripon from the first, as regards county-seat facilities, was of a desperate
character. Nor did the completion of a railroad to the city relieve her in that respect, coming
as it did from Waupun. It so happened that the seat of justice of Green Lake County was on
wheels, moving from Marquette- to Berlin, and to Princeton, and to Dartford, all of which was
' an aggravation to Ripon, because she felt certain that if .the city were within the limits of Green
Lake County, she could capture and hold the prize with but half an effijrt. But Ripon was in
Fond du Lac County, where she could no more get the county seat than she could get the State
Capital. Then Ripon would bend her ener.gies to getting out of Fond du Lac County. But
there, again, the State Constitution lay like a rampant lion right across her path.
An act of the Legislature could not set her out of Fond du Lac County ; it must be supple-
mented by a vote of the people of the county. The case looked desperate, but Ripon was bound
to try. She sent a trusted friend to the Assembly, in the full belief that he could obtain the
necessary legislation, and he did. At that time Fond du Lac County had one Senator and five
members of the Assembly, and the whole six — except the member from the west district — were
opposed even to submitting the act to the people. They fought it in every way and shape ; in
the two Houses, in the newspapers, in the streets and in the saloons. The odds were fearful — five
against one, but the one' carried it by a vote of sixty-eight to eighteen in the Assembly, which
was so large a majority that the Senator took counsel of his prudence and did not undertake to
defeat it in the Senate. It went through, so the people were to vote on the question of " detach-
ing Ripon" at the next general election. And now commenced an agitation, the like of which
probably no other county in the State ever saw. It was, in fact, Ripon against the rest of the
county of Fond du Lac, for it was soon very plainly seen that there was not — outside of the
city and town of Ripon — one single person that was willing to let Ripon go. The county held
on to Ripon with a more desperate grip than the. Egyptians did on to the Israelites, and in the
end the county was more successful than the Egyptians. Ripon selected fifteen workers, mak-
ing them a campaign committee with powers to do anything, undertake anything, or promise'any-
thing in the name of the community. Following are the names of this committee : George N.
HISTORY OF TOND DU LAC COUNTY. 691
Lyman, George W. Mitchell, William M. Taggart, E. L. Northrup, H. H. Mead, J. Bowen,
William Starr, B. B. Spalding, A. E. Bovay, D. P. Mapes, A. M. Skeels, George W. Parker,
T. B. Robins, J. Dobbs, H. S. Eggleston. These men raked the county over from end to end
and from side to side, the whole summer through, appealing to individual voters by every con-
sideration that could be thought of, to let Ripon go. Never was a community roused to such a
degree of unanimity before. Every man made'it his own individual fight, and thus the strug-
gle went on from the day the bill was passed until the votes were counted. It was the plan of
the committee to post two men at each and every polling-place throughout the county — outside
. of Ripon — on election day, and for this purpose assignments were made long beforehand, that
the men might get in their work and become acquainted with their precincts during the summer.
The result was that Ripon was finally defeated by an adverse decision of the Supreme Court ;
not on the constitutionality of the act — for that was affirmed — but on the counting of certain
crooked votes which turned the scale. It was a fierce struggle and a bitter defeat; and no man
who was in it has the least desire to go through any such fight again. In fact, this campaign
may be said to have ended Ripon's fighting career. Since that time, she has been gradually
losing her belligerent material and settling down into the quiet ways of peace. The men who
were in that struggle have gone this way and that ; some to the other world, some to the cities
and some to the farther West, leaving Ripon to the possession of the shades of Academus, a
quiet old age and the repose of a peaceful conscience.
"the booth war."
Ripon was never so thoroughly and intensely excited as when Sherman M. Booth sojourned
within her limits. Booth, as elsewhere related in this work, had personally aided an alleged
escaped slave, named Joshua Glover, to deliver himself from prison, into which he had been
thrown under the fugitive slave act. For this he was imprisoned in Milwaukee. After remain-
ing in prison about a year, through the aid of friends he escaped and came to Ripon, where he
arrived Saturday, August 4, 1860, under an armed, escort from Waupun. Notice that he
would speak at the City Hall in the evening was sent out, and, at the appointed time, a large
audience filled the hall to its utmost capacity, while some hundreds in the streets were unable to
gain admittance.
The meeting was called to order by C. J. Allen, when William Starr was chosen Chairman,
and Mr. Allen Secretary. Booth was introduced to the audience, and was greeted with hearty
applause, and bouquets were thrown on the platform by several ladies.
Booth had proceeded for some time with his speech, when Deputy Marshal F. D. McCarty,
of Fond du Lac, suddenly came on the platform and said, " I have a warrant to arrest you, Mr.
Booth." He barely succeeded in putting one hand on Booth, when he was instantly pulled
away by the bystanders. A scene of intense excitement and indescribable confusion followed.
"Kill him!" "Shoot him!" "Hang him!" went up in shouts from all parts of the hall.
McCarty was thrust out of the hall by the enraged people, being kicked and beaten by his pur-
suers, and was thrown down the lower flight of stairs, falling upon his face. Instantly regaining
his feet, he fled to the Mapes House, followed by the crowd in pursuit. The Mapes House was
the headquarters of the Marshal and his friends, and they appeared" at the door armed, and for-
bade entrance to the pursuers.
At the hall, as soon as order could be restored, a resolution was oifered by A. E. Bovay :
^^ Resolved, That Mr. Booth shall not be re-arrested in Ripon," which was adopted amid deafen-
ing shouts and hurrahs. Edward Daniels took the stand and made an impassioned speech for a
few minutes, and moved that a League of Fireedom be organized, the members of which should
be pledged to resist any attempt to execute the fugitive slave act. One hundred and twenty
persons were enrolled as fast as the names could be written. A. E. Bovay was elected Presi-
dent, and C. J. Allen Secretary. A vigilance committee of twelve members was appointed,
consisting of Edward Daniels, 0. H. La Grange, A. B. Pratt,. Dana Lamb, A. E. Bovay, C. D.
Loper, J. S. Landon, F. R. Stewart, I. A. Norton,-F. W. Cooke, Lucius Thatcher, A. M. May,
692 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
Benjamin Pratt, L. P. Rivenburgh. The mass of the people then formed a procession, pre-
ceded by the Ripon Wide Awakes, and escorted Booth to the residence of Prof. Daniels.
Some twelve or fifteen persons were put on duty as a volunteer guard to defend the residence of
Prof. Daniels, and the remainder dispersed.
The vigilance committee held a meeting in the morning, and took measures to effect a
military organization, to subserve the purposes of the League.
The next day, the people came pouring in from the country, and at 3 o'clock a mass meet-
ing was held in a grove. Asa Kinney was called to the chair, and C. J. Allen appointed
Secretary. A committee, consisting of Edward Daniels, A. Pickett, C. J. Allen, J. W. Sanders,
I. A. Norton, P. F. Drury and J. A. Burt, was appointed to prepare resolutions. Booth then
addressed the meeting, after which Mr. La Grange was called out and Spoke for a short time.
Mr. Daniels reported from the committee a series of resolutions, which were adopted unani-
mously. A procession then formed and marched to the City Hall — Booth going to the hall, as
he had gone to the grove, escorted by a body of armed men. The hall was taken possession of,
and guards stationed for its defense.
At the hall, a committee of ten was appointed to wait upon the Deputy Marshals and
request them to leave town. Messrs. William Starr, A. E. Bovay, E. Reynolds, C. J. Allen,
I. A. Norton, F. A. Strong, F. R. Stewart, L. P. Rivenburgh, A. B. Pratt and A. Leonard
were appointed such committee, who repaired to the Mapes House and had an interview with
Deputy Marshals McCarty, Henry, Stryker and Garlick. Mr. Starr conveyed to them the
request of the meeting, and received from them an answer that they were L^nited States officers,
that they had in their possession a warrant for the arrest of S. M. Booth, and they should
depart quietly when such departure was consistent with the performance of their duties.
While the committee and Marshals were in conference, Rev. Hiram McKee addressed a
large concourse of people in the streets, which were crowded with excited people, while Booth
was strongly guarded at the hall, to which only known friends were admitted.
When the crowd re-assembled Monday morning, they found the hall vacant. Booth had
escaped during the night, as it had been announced that a regiment of soldiers (militia) from
Milwaukee was on the way to Ripon to arrest him and all engaged in preventing his capture by
the Deputy Marshals. He left to avoid this anticipated addition of strength, which, however,
did not appear. He went to the residence of a friend, in the edge of Green Lake County,
where he remained a few days. Thence he secretly fled to the town of Rosendale, and thence to
Utica, Winnebago County. Here he was discovered by agents of the Marshals,' who undertook
his arrest, but were unsuccessful. Booth fled to Berlin, in Green Lake County. In these
escapes, he had been powerfully aided by Prof Daniels,^ who was soon after arrested and taken
before Judge Miller, of Milwaukee, who asked him to plead. Prof Daniels declared he com-
mitted the alleged crime for which he had been deprived of his liberty, and did it understand-
ingly, after mature deliberation! He then proceeded to justify the act, making an eloquent but
scathing speech, attacking Judge Miller and all who in any way upheld or sympathized with the
"infamous fugitive slave act." The prisoner was fined $25, which was cheerfully paid.
This ended, so far as Ripon was particularly concerned, " the Booth war."
The idea of rescuing Booth originated with Edward Daniels, now a resident of Washing-
ton. Before going on with the work, however, he conferred with Charles Sumner, who gave
unexpected encouragement. He then told his plans to 0. H. La Grange, afterward Superin-
tendent of the United States Mint at San Francisco, and these two Ripon men rescued Sher-
man M. Booth from the jail at Milwaukee in broad daylight.
FIRST THINGS.
The first birth was that of Charles Fourier Seaman, at Ceresco, in June, 1845.
The first death was that of Caroline Danks.
The first school was kept by Lester Rounds, in 1844, in the Phalanx House, at Ceresco.
The first schoolhouse was erected in 1845, in Lot 1, Block 5, Ceresco, at the corner of Church
KISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 693
and Liberty streets. It was of stone, but has not occupied the original site for some years.
Mr. Rounds was the first teacher.
The first election was at the house of Lester Rounds, about the 1st of April, 1845.
The first building erected in Ripon was a small shanty by the Pedricks, April 9, 1849.
The first hotel in Ripon was the Ripon House, built by t>. P. Mapes, in 1849.
The first Postmaster, was Lester Rounds, at Ceresco. The first one in Ripon was E. L.
Northrup.
The first newspaper was the Herald, begun by Mapes & Root, December 14, 1853.
Rev. G. H. Stebbins, a Baptist, preached the first sermon in May, 1844, at Ceresco.
The first flouring-mill was at Ceresco, in 1847. The first saw-mill was built by the Phalanx
early in 1844.
The first bank was organized in 1856, called the Bank of Ripon, by H. H. Mead, E. P.
Brockway, A. M. Skeels, B. B. Parsons, Richard Catlin, T. B. Robbins, George W. Mitchell
and E. L. Northrup.
Tile first lawyer was Alvan E. Bovay, who came in 1850 to Ripon.
The Milwaukee & Horicon, now Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway, first reached
Ripon in November, 1857.
Ripon was connected by telegraph lines with Milwaukee in 1860. George England was
active in securing the line by raising subscriptions, which were paid back in telegraphing after
the line was in operation.
The first school on " the hill," in Ripon, before Ceresco and Ripon became one, was taught
by Emily E. Turner, in a slab shanty, erected in April, 1849, by Samuel Pedrick, near the
present site of the Sheboygan and Fond du Lac Railway depot, as soon as there was any
organized school district.
The first marriage in Ripon (not Ceresco) was Jessie Campion's.
GROWTH OF THE CITY.
Ripon grew with astonishing rapidity during the first ten years of its existence — more
than it has since. That is to say, the portion founded by D. P. Mapes grew in new business
enterprises and population more from 1850 to 1860 than from 1860 to 1880. At the beginning
of the rebellion, almost as much ground was covered by hotels, shops and stores, as in 1880.
More men of property, education and business experience were drawn to Ripon than to almost
any other place of equal size that could be mentioned. To these it owed its rapid but sub-
stantial growth, as much as to its rich prairies and beautiful location. Productive prairies could
contribute a large but limited amount ; a community of men with experience, unbounded energy
and pretty liberal means, could contribute to an unlimited extent to the growth of a newborn
city.
True, more money was expended in building after 1869 than for ten years before, but it
was rebuilding. The two great fires were in 1868 and 1869, sweeping away almost one entire
side of Main street and Public Square. The destroyed property was of wood, and too old and
small to be of value. It was replaced with handsome and costly structures of stone and brick.
In 1870, twenty business blocks were thus rebuilt in Ripon. This could not be chronicled as
growth — enlargement ; but it showed a wonderful ability and willingness to mend the broken
city, and mend it well.
RIPON OP TO-DAT.
Ripon, containing at the census of 1875 a population of 3,501, has justly earned the
reputation of being one of the most beautiful, wealthy and pleasantly situated cities in the
Northwest. It is diversified by hill, valley and stream, and thickly shaded by choice trees of
more than the usual variety and beauty. It is not, in any sense of the term, a manufacturing
center, owing to the limited supply of water in Silver Creek, during more than half the year. It has,
however, acquired an enviable reputation as being the center of a rich agricultural district, the
694
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
seat of a prosperous college, and the nearest city to Green Lake, an already famous summer
resort. Its inhabitants are largely composed of men retired from their various occupations,
and the place has therefore a clean, quiet, comfortable air, quite in contrast with the usual hurry
and bustle of Western cities. Ripon contains good limestone for building purposes, which lies
well to the surface. The three college buildings, two churches and nearly half the business
blocks are of Ripon limestone, though some of them are fronted with brick. In Ceresco is a
deposit of good brick clay, from which the material for several large blocks has been secured.
Fuel is reasonably cheap, large forests of oak, a few miles distant, furnishing the supply.
Ripon has convenient railway facilities. The Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway
puts the city into communication with at least five States over its own lines, and persons desir-
ing to do business in Milwaukee or Chicago, the Western centers, find the most desirable
arrangements always in force. What is quite remarkable, every one of the surrounding cities and
villages is directly connected by rail with Ripon ; on the south and north by the Chicago, Mil-
waukee & St. Paul road, and on the east and west by the Sheboygan & Fond du Lac. Since
the latter road came into possession of the Chicago & North- Western Railway Company, Ripon
wheat-shippers have occasionally enjoyed unparalleled transportation privileges. During
several weeks in the fall of 1879, competition became so lively between the two roads that each
carried wheat for nothing.
OHAPTEE X.
CITY OF WAUPUN.
First Settlement— Meaning of the wokd ■Waupun— First Events— Growth of Waupun —
Village and City Officers, 1857-1879^A Reminiscence— CinjiiCHES- Waupun a Quar-
ter OF A Century Ago— Secret Societies— Waupun Pioneers — Manufactories —
Banks— Old Settlers' Club — Waupun Library Association- Wisconsin State Prison
— Waupun a Dozen Years Ago— Waupun Fire Company, No. 1- Dodge County Mutual
Insurance Company— A Contrast— Waupun Schools— The Post Office — Waupun
Agricultural and Mechanical Association— Cemeteries— Public Halls — Hotels —
Fun in Ye Olden Time.
FIRST SETTLEMENT.
In the early fall of 1838, Seymour Wilcox, then engaged on the Government works near
Green Bay, came to what is now the city of Waupun to locate land for a home. He did so at
the suggestion of John Bannister, who had surveyed in the vicinity, and who described the
Rock River Valley as the most beautiful and fertile he had ever seen. He determined to make
himself a home where he afterward settled and resided, about twenty rods east of what is now
Markle & Harris' flouring-mill, on Rock River. Therefore, in Febriiary, 1839, with John N.
Ackerman, Hiram Walker (and another man who remained but a few days), he arrived at the
spot previously visited, driving from Green Bay a yoke of oxen laden with a few boards and
some provisions. Four burr-oaks were found, to which the boards were nailed for shelter. In
this small shanty they lived, or stayed, until a log house was nearly finished, when Mr. Wilcox
returned to Green Bay for his family. Ackerman and Walker finished the house, which was
occupied by Mr. Wilcox and his family for the first time on the 20th of March, 1889. Acker-
man and Walker were single men, and boarded with Mr. Wilcox, helping him to break land and
raise a few oats, some eorn and potatoes and a little "garden truck," but no wheat. Pork and
flour came from Green Bay, and, occasionally, $20 was paid for a barrel of the latter, which
was so hard and sour that it would stand alone after the hoops and staves had been removed.
From this time up to 1841, no other persons were added to the settlement. Living in that
rude hut, the days came and went without registering any very strange event. They heard no
startling news to disturb their serenity ; no rise or fall of stocks broke in upon their equanimity ;
there was no crash in business, no downfall of dynasties, no new fashions to attract their atten-
tion. The gray of each morning was heralded by an old, pompous-looking rooster that had
been imported, who blew his clarion trumpet at 4 in the morning, one blast following another
with great rapidity. Around Mr. Wilcox's home were beautiful openings ; beyond these were
blooming prairies, extending he hardly knew where. These natural meadows were interlaced
with silver rivulets that danced to their own music. Amid these openings — nature's mighty
parks — roamed the noble deer ; and over those prairies, which were like so many gorgeous
pearls in richest settings, the soft wind played.
The first day of that pioneer family can well be pictured. It was in the season of the
year when frosty nights were succeeded by sunny days ; when the crows crept into the woods,
as if they felt approaching May. The kittens ran round the cabin, and chased each other up
the trees; and the dog wandered along the river-side, for reasons best known to himself. The
woodpecker tapped his drowsy music on the decayed trunks; the turkey peered from behind the
roots of the upturned trees, where she had been waiting so long to hail the blessed warmth, and
inquired, "What business have you here?" The squirrel pushed his nose out of the door of
his castle, and, after looking cautiously upon the intruders, threw his tail over his back, and.
•696 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
with an angry chirrup, trotted to the nearest stump ; and then, as th? sunbeams pierced through
the tangled woods, the bluebird broke forth, into a note of song, tuned the strings of her harp
for the coming summer, and inquired when gentle May was coming, with her music and her
flowers.
In after years, |;he daughters ot Mr. Wilcox would tell how they learned to get breakfast
an^d wash dishes ; how, one night, they heard a wolf howl in the woods ; and how a dirty old
Indian poked his head in at the door, and asked for fire-water. They would tell how they used
to thrust their little bare feet into the faces of the violets, with a dainty sauciness; how they
went down to the river, of a morning, to wash, and arranged their locks with a wooden comb ;
how, when they milked the cows for the first time, the white current went fizz into their eyes,
and shot over into a cluster of wild roses that were blushing at the performance.
There are threads of beauty that pervade every household, wherever it may be, and what-
ever may be its lot. There are always pleasant thoughts, kind words and happy remembrances
flying to and fro. How must the hearts of this family have rejoiced when, as the long shadows
of evening were stretching over the landscape, some traveler, in his Kentucky-jeans coat and
stoga boots, alighted from his shaggy old horse, and, asked entertainment for the night. They
looked upon it as a sort of angel- visit ; each one strived to outstrip other-s in acts of hospitality;
and though they could not offer him the luxuries of life, he soon felt that he was welcome to
anything they had. The old fireplace, if it was winter, was soon piled with logs up to the very
throat, and shook its shadows around the room in defiance of the winds that roared without. If
the traveler happened to have a paper a month old, their joy was at its height, and the younger
members of the family ransacked, its columns with the greatest delight.
This little band had, as it were, severed all connection between themselves and the past.
True to their purpose, they went to work in their new home as if they were going to tear down
the whole forest and pile it into boards. Amid wind and storm and suffering and privation,
they helped to lay the foundation of Wisconsin's greatness. Morn's early dawn, and evening's
gentle hush, bore witness to their industry; and the happiness now enjoyed by the citizens of
the city of Waupun is, in a degree, the product of their labor. They were firm to their pur-
pose as flints, and the sparks struck from them are transfigured into images of beauty and
romance. Their memory will ever be necessary to the loveliness of the city.
The family of Mr. Wilcox was relieved from the monotony of such complete isolation, in
1841. In that year, the settlement received an accession in the persons of C. Carrington, Mr.
Town and others, who heroically enteired upon the hardships of a pioneer life, in a section of
country where everything was new. But to work they went, girdling the trees, fencing,the
land, raising log houses, and making the old "openings" echo with the din of their industry.
From morn till night, they toiled in their new homes, and sent the breaking-plow, drawn by
yokes of sturdy oxen, through the native sod. Then came the green grass, the corn and the
wheat, some bearing sixty-fold and some an hundred-fold. There were no arbitrary lines drawn
amongst them ; no memorable fictions in the way of their progress ; society, habit and custom
hung no dead-weight on their ambitious minds. It was thus the first settlement began, in
what is now the city of Waupun.
MEANING OF THE WORD WAUPUN.
The Indian word Waubun {meaning ''the early day," or, perhaps, strictly speaking, "the
early light or dawn"), which was intended to have been given to the town organized in 1842, in
the western portion of Fond du Lac County, was, upon its first use by the early settlers, written
incorrectly; and its orthography was not fully settled until some years after, when " Waupun"
came into general use. The town in Fond du Lac County being called " Waupun," the name
was also given to the village, although the latter was located both in Fond du Lac and Dodge
Counties ; and, of course, when the place grew into a city, and was incorporated, it was still
called "Waupun," which name has the merit, at least, of being unlike any other in the United
States. Although the place was first called Madrid, after the native place of Seymour Wilcox,
HISTORY or FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 697
jet, when the commission of the first Postmaster arrived, it was found that the name had been
changed to Waupun ; this was done by James Duane Doty, who was then a delegate in Con-
gress ; so that to Doty belongs the honor of the name.
FIRST EVENTS.
The first store in Waupun was opened by Thomas C. Snow, in John N. Ackerman's house,
in Upper Town, in 1845. He kept a limited stock of dry goods, groceries, crockery and a few
medicines.
The first Postmaster was Seymour Wilcox, commissioned in the winter of 1840 and 1841.
The first sermon was by Rev. S. Smith, a Methodist, who then lived at Calumet, in the little
schoolhouse erected near where the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway crosses Main
street, in 1844. He had presided at informal prayer or class meetings, at the house of Seymour
Wilcox, as early as 1840.
At the first election held at the house of Seymour Wilcox, in the spring of 1842, eleven
votes were cast.
The first hotel was the log residence of Seymour Wilcox, who entertained travelers as soon
as he moved into it, in 1839. The next hotel was J. N. Ackerman's, opened in 1845.
The first grist-mill was built by Forest & Smith in 1846, where Markle & Harris' stone
mill now stands. The same firm built a saw-mill a few rods distant a year earlier.
The first newspaper was the Times, in 1857, by J. H. Brink erhoff.
The first school was opened in 1844, by Charles Cleveland, in a small frame building situ-
;ated near where the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway crosses Washington or Main
streets.
The first marriage in Waupun was that of William G. McElroy to Miss Lucinda Collins, in
1841, at Seymour Wilcox's house, by Mason C. Darling, of Fond du Lac. An enthusiastic-
pioneer, writing in 1857, thus describes the wedding :
" The wedding day came ; the woods were a frozen poem written by invisible fingers. The
•■earth was wrapt in its winding-sheet of snow, but in our little cabin the light flickered gro-
tesquely from the fireplace on the unhewn rafters. There was no useless array among the bridal
party, no satin dresses dotted with stars, no jewels spangled in the bosom of the bride, no
bracelets encircled her arm, nor did any veil fall from the back of her head to hide the simple
evergreen that shone in her hair. There were no dandified, white-gloved, scented, feline-look-
ing, empty-headed scions of codfish aristocracy present ; no fashionable birds with beautiful
plumage and sickly looks ; no pale pets of the parlor who had vegetated in unhealthy shades
until their complexions had assumed a greenish color like a potato in a dark cellar. The cere-
mony throughout was characterized by Quaker-like simplicity. The building was humble. The
ceremony over, I can see the white cloth placed on the table, and on it a plate or two of
biscuits almost as white. Then I see a big gobbler, fattened for the occasion, and almost smell
the sage with which the stufiSng was sprinkled. Then came a bowl of pickled cabbage, a dish of
baked beans, a plate of boiled beets fantastically decorated with cloves, and after that the crown-
ing dish of all — a glorious jelly-cake, well seasoned with ginger and molasses plentifully spread
between the layers for jelly. * * * rpjjg ^^j following the wedding the bridal
party proposed a journey to Lake Emily, where the bride's parents resided, and which lay
twelve miles distant through roadless woods and prairies. And what was their chariot ? a mag-
nificent sled. By what was it drawn ? a magnificent yoke of oxen. With what was it
enshrined ? a magnificent bundle of clean straw, and on this the beautiful bride and her attend-
ant sat as dignified as did Cleopatra when surrounded with all that wealth could purchase."
The second marriage ceremony, performed October 11, 1842, although not performed in
Waupun, snatched from single blessedness one of its earliest settlers, John N. Ackerman. Mr.
Ackerman, with two small Indian ponies, went to Fond du Lac and secured the services of
Alonzo Raymond, a Justice of the Peace, and the two proceeded by Indian trail to Oshkosh,
where the bride, Miss Hannah A. Ford, was stopping. After the ceremony, the young couple
698 HISTOKY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
mounted the ponies and made the journey to Waupun. The trail was exceedingly rough in many
places, making it impossible for the riders to stick to their ponies unless they sat astride, -which
they occasionally did. Just imagine a modern belle making her bridal tour astride of a shaggy
little Indian pony !
The first birth was that of a son, Ira, to Mr. and Mrs. Seymour Wilcox, April 17, 1841,
The second was that of J. N. Ackerman's daughter, Marian A., in October, 1843.
The first death was that of a boy named Town, which occurred at his father's house. At
Mr. Town's "barn-raising" a pail of whisky was set out for the men, and the boy, unnoticed,
drank so freely of it that he soon after died.
The'first frame building was a barn built by John N. Ackerman in 1843. The next twc
were Mr. Ackerman's residence and a building erected by Seymour Wilcox, where the Exchange
Hotel stands.
The first railroad train reached Waupun February 15, 1856.
The first church building was erected by the Baptists in 1849.
GROWTH OF WAUPUN.
The first settlement in what is now the city of Waupun was made, as we have seen, in
1839, at which time Seymour Wilcox, perceiving that here was a water-power on the west branch
of Rock River — then a stream of considerable size — combined with other natural advantages,
determined to locate at this point, and, in that year, removed with his family from Green Bay
and became the first settler and founder of what has since become a beautiful and flourishing
young city. At the same time, Hiram Walker and John N. Ackerman, attracted by the reports
brought to Green Bay by Mr. Wilcox, were induced to accompany him and settle at this place, -
where Mr. Ackerman still resides on the farm originally entered by him, having lived to see the
silence of the prairie where he had chosen to build his home give place to a community of happy
settlers, again changing to a thriving village, and, again touched by the wand of progress, trans-
formed into a busy and ambitious little city, of which h'e had the honor of becoming the first Mayor.
In these early days, the location of but a few families in one locality was necessary to form
a nucleus for others, and, in this case, but few years had passed before a small store was opened,
a mill erected, and it became evident that a village must eventually grow up. To facilitate that
result, Mr. Ackerman, in 1846, laid out into village lots, platted and recorded as the village of
Waupun, about ten acres of land on the southeast corner of Section 31, in the town of Wau-
pun, Fond du Lac County, since known as the "upper town." The year following, Mr. Wil-
cox, whose farm lay about three-quarters of a mile to the eastward, unwilling to see the pros-
pective village grow up without sharing in its benefits, proceeded, with others, to lay out and
plat into village lots about fifty acres of land, lying across the county line, partly in Dodge
and partly in Fond du Lac County, and called their village East Waupun. Then commenced a
lively but friendly contest between the rival villages, to determine which should be the future
city. This rivalry continued until the location of the Wisconsin State Prison, adjoining East
Waupun, in 1851, and the completion, to this point, of the Milwaukee & Horicon, now the
Northern Division of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, in the year 1856. These
events practically settled the question, and the " upper town " reluctantly submitted to the inev-
itable, and, in 1857, the rival villages were united, under the name of the village of Waupun,.
by a special charter, granted by the Legislature, and approved March 6, 1857. By this act^
the northwest quarter of the northwest quarter of Section 4, the north half of Section 5, and
the east half of the northeast quarter of Section 6, taken from the town of Chester, in Dodge
County, and the east half of the southeast, quarter of Section 31, the south half of Section 32,
and the southwest quarter of the southwest quarter of Section 33, taken from the town of
Waupun, in Fond du Lac County, was incorporated. The village -lying thus in two counties,
special provisions were required and, granted in the charter, among which, jurisdiction in both
Dodge and Fond du Lac Counties was conferred upon Justices of the Peace; and the Village
Marshal was given authority to serve process in both counties.
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 699
The growth of the place had been so rapid, that at the first charter election in April, 1857,
-three hundred and twenty-three votes were cast, indicating a population of over sixteen
hundred.
In 1858, and again in 1865, the charter was amended to provide more fully for laying out
and opening new streets. In 1871, the original charter, with its amendments, was revised and
consolidated by an act of the Legislature, approved March 21, 1871.
The steady growth of the place was such, that in 1878 it waa considered advisable to incor-
porate as a city, with a ch9,rter entirely re-written, adapted to the peculiar geographical situation
of the place. A city charter was accordingly granted March 5, 1878, including within the city
limits additional territory, the residents of which, having observed the economy and good judg-
ment displayed in the management of theaffairs of the village, desired the advantages to be derived
ed from a city r*ther than a town government. This additional territory was taken partly from
each county. The southwest quarter of the northwest quarter of Section 4, and the north half
.of the south half of Section 5, a total of 200 acres taken from the town of Chester, and the
northwest quarter of the southwest quarter of Section 23, from the town of Waupun.
The growth of Waupun has been steady and constant from the beginning. Very few com-
mercial failures have intervened, to retard its general prosperity. Its business men have, as a
rule, been honorable and enterprising tradesmen. Its professional men and other citizens have
generally been public spirited and liberal in everything tending to build up the place. The
tone of its society and government was originally imparted, and has since been maintained, by
-the sound judgment and strict integrity of its earlier citizens, many of whom still remain promi-
nent and influential in social and business affairs, among whom W. H. Taylor, who came in
1846, Dr. H. L. Butterfield, Eli Hooker, Edwin Hillyer and B. B. Baldwif, in 1847, John
Bryce, M. K. Dahl and R. L. Grahajn, in 1849, and M. J. Althouse,, about 1853, have done
much in giving direction to the management of affairs, and making the city what it now is,
while many other useful and valuable citizens, who were among the first to come, having per-
formed their full share of the builders' work, have crossed the river to their homes upon the other
shore.'
The prudent and conservative policy pursued by its earlier citizens has produced its natural
result. No municipal debt has ever been created, and while Waupun possesses superior railroad
facilities — both the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul and the Chicago & North- Western Railways
competing for its trade — and has a thoroughly equipped fire department, and all necessary build-
ings for a city of its size, it is entirely free from debt, and by the terms of its charter must ever
remain so. Its numerous churches, schools, fine business establishments, elegant private resi-
dences, and valuable public library of about 3,000 volumes, together with its general healthful-
ness and the natural beauty of its situation, are constantly attracting new residents to aid in its
• ifurther development. The name is in itself suggestive. The Indian word " Waubun" signi-
fying "early light," changed to Waupun is emblematically represented by a device on the seal
of the city, showing the sun just rising over a low range of hills, which may well be taken to
represent the well-known "ledge" which lies a few miles to the eastward.
I VILLAGE AND CITY OFFICERS, 1857-1879.
1857 — J. Look, President; Ira Hill, Treasurer; Cromwell Laithe, Marshal; W. H. Tay-
lor, Clerk; A. P. Phelps, Street Commissioner.
1858— L. P.Preston, President; T. B. Moore, Treasurer; Phelps Moore, Marshal; Eli
Hooker, Clerk; William Ware, Street Commissioner.
1859— T. Carpenter, President ; R. W. Wells, Treasurer; F. Hamilton, Marshal; Eli
Hooker, Clerk; D. E. Dingman, Street Commissioner.
1860 — J. N. Ackerman, President; R. W. Wells, Treasurer; A. A. Greenman, Marshal;
W. H. Taylor, Clerk ; D. E. Dingman, Street Commissioner.
1861— A. H. Rounseville, President; R. W. Wells, Treasurer; A. A. Greenman, Mar-
.^hal; Eli Hooker, Clerk; George V. Ackerman, Street Commissioner.
700 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
• 1862— George Wirt, President; R. W. Wells, Treasurer; J. T. Bennett, Marshal; W. H.
Taylor, Clerk; D. E. Dingman, Street Commissioner.
1863— T. W. Markle, President; R. W. Wells. Treasurer; A. J. Spear, Marshal; W.
H. Taylor, Clerk ; A. A. Greenman, Street Commissioner.
1864— D. P. Norton, President; R. W.Wells, Treasurer; A. J. Spear, Marshal; W.
H. Taylor, Clerk; A. A. Greenman, Street Commissioner.
1865— John Ware, President; R. W. Wells, Treasurer; A. B. Kimball, Marshal; L. B.
Hills, Clerk ; A. A. Greenman, Street Commissioner.
1866— George W. Bly, President; R. W. Wells, Treasurer; A. B. Kimball, Marshal;
John Ware, Clerk ; F. W. Stewart, Street Commissioner.,^
1867 — G, W. Stanton, President ; R. W. Wells, Treasurer ; Simon Heath, Marshal ; J. B.
C. Drew, Clerk ; T. W. Markle, Street Commissioner.
1868 — A. Robinson, President ; R. W. Wells, Treasurer ; Simon Heath, Marshal ; W. H.
Taylor, Clerk ; J. L. Sargent, Street Commissioner.
1869 — Charles Jones, President ; R. W. Wells, Treasurer ; Simon Heath, Marshal ; W. H.
Taylor, Clerk ; D. C. Brooks, Street Commissioner.
1870— George W. Bly, President ; R. W. Wells, Treasurer ; Simon Heath, Marshal ; W.
H. Taylor, Clerk ; D. C. Brooks, Street Commissioner.
1871— D. P. Norton, President; R. W. Wells, Treasurer; S. Heath, Marshal; W. H.
Taylor, Clerk ; J. L. Sargent, Street Commissioner.
1872— J. N. Ackerman, President ; R. W. Wells, Treasurer ; S. Heath, Marshal ; C. W.
Henning, Clerk ; D. C. Brooks, Street Commissioner.
1873— M. jfAlthouse, President; R. W. Wells, Treasurer; S. Heath, Marshal; C. W.
Henning, Clerk ; D. P. Norton, Street Commissioner.
1874— M. K. Dahl, President; R. W. Wells, Treasurer; Simon Heath, Marshal; C. W.
Henning, Clerk ; A. G. Pierce, Street Commissioner.
1875 — George W. Stanton, President ; R. W. Wells, Treasurer ; Simon Heath, Marshal ;
C. W. Henning, Clerk; D. C. Brooks, Street Commissioner.
1876— M. K. Dahl, President ; R. W. Wells, Treasurer; S. Heath, Marshal; C. W.
Henning, Clerk ; D. C. Brooks, Street Commissioner.
1877 — George W. Stanton, President ; R. W. Wells, Treasurer ; Simon Heath, Marshal ;
W. H. Taylor, Clerk ; Charles Graves, Street Commissioner.
1878 — Under the city government — John N. Ackerman, Mayor ; R. W. Wells, Treasurer ;
Simon Heath, Marshal ; S. J. Sumner, Clerk ; A. Colburn, Street Commissioner.
1879 — George Jess, Mayor ; R. W. Wells, Treasurer ; Simon Heath, Marshal ; S. J.
Sumner, Clerk ; Charles Graves, Street Commissioner.
A REMINISCENCE.
[by a pioneek, 1878.]
"It was in the summer of 1844 that I, for the first time, set my eyes on the broad prairies
and pleasant openings of Waupun. Beautiful indeed was the panorama which greeted my sight.
The landscape was then covered with a luxuriant growth of vegetation, the greater part of
which was new and strange to me. Wild flowers of every shade and color that fancy could
paint or imagination conceive were blooming on every hand, richly contrasted by the tall prairie
grass, which in wild luxuriance was waving in the gentle breezes of that balmy summer after-
noon. You may imagine, but can scarcely realize, with what rapture and delight I gazed on
the lovely scene. Coming as I did from the bleak and rugged hills of the Empire State, it
seemed to me more like a vision of fairy-land than it did a reality before me.
" The road on which I came from Watertown led past Oak Grove to Waupun. The scene
as I came upon Rolling Prairie was beautiful indeed. Far away before me stretched the prairie,
rolling in gentle undulations until the outlines were lost against the dark green forest. The
prairie grass was broken into billows by the breeze and it looked like a sea of emerald.
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 701
" No habitation was in sight ; but once or twice I caught a glimpse of a settler's cabin
nestled far away on the borders of the prairie, or the blue smoke ascending heavenward marked
the home of the pioneer. As I entered the openings on the Waupun road, no sound disturbed
the scene, save now and then the whir of the prairie-hen as she arose into the air, or the shrill
whistle of the plover, or the more harsh notes of the sand-hill crane might be heard in the distance.
The first house I passed was on the farm now owned by Mr. Cole, then owned by a man by the
name of Mickle. I called at the door for a drink of water and to inquire the distance to Wau-
pun. He sat playing on his flute, reminding one of the Arkansas traveler. I was told it was
five miles to Waupun.
" The next cabin I passed was occupied by a man known as Bach Davis, standing near
where Mr. Bancroft's residence now is. As I came near where the prison now stands there was
a cultivated field on either hand which extended down to where Main street now is. As I came
down Prison street, I caught sight of a log house on the south bank of the river, which I found
to be a hotel kept by Mr. Wilcox, where the hungry were fed, where the weary found rest and
where strangers were taken in.
"Most of what is now the village of Waupun was not as yet broken by the plow of the
husbandman. Mr. William McBlroy was living in a small house, on the site where Mr. C. J.
Bush now resides. Mr. Collins still lived a little farther west, and Col. Lyman Town lived
near by. Esq. Ackerman and Esq. Hinkley were then both residing on the Walker place oppo-
site and a little farther west from where Mr. Stanton's elevator now stands. These, together
with old Elder Smith and a son-in-law by the name of Hooker, constituted the entire popula-
tion of what is now the village of Waupun. There were but five families in the town of Wau-
pun. A man by the name of White was living on the farm now owned by Mr. Atwood, near
Willow Creek. Mr. L. P. Preston then resided where Mr. Gee's house now stands, opposite-
the old slaughter-house, while Mr. Hawley then owned the farm now owned by Mr. Merriam.
Jedediah Amadon had built his cabin on the land now owned by Mr. Ichabod Franklin. A
Mr. Gould had built a house on the Corrigan place. The next house on the Fond du Lac road
was about three miles beyond the east branch of Rock River, or about eight miles from this
place.
" In the town of Chester, Mr. N. J. Newton then owned the farm that now belongs to his
heirs, and Mr. Lyman Barrows then lived on the Sumner farm, and there were a few more set-
tlers in that town. With these few exceptions, Waupun and the most of Chester presented to
the eye an unbroken scene of timber, prairie, openings and meadow lands, which could be bought
for $1.25 per acre. ,
"The nearest physician was at Fox Lake on the west and Fond du Lac on the east.
There was no lawyer to stir up strife and litigation between neighbors. We had but one min-
ister, and he was good, for he taught the people to do as they should. The United States mail
was then carried on horseback from Fond du Lac to Portage and back once a week, by Mr.
Wilcox. His boy would go to Fond du Lac and get it on Tuesday and back home ; then take it
to Portage Wednesday and back Thursday, then take it to Fond du Lac Friday ; and if we got
a letter from friends in the East, it would take from ten to fifteen days, and would cost 25 cents,
which was no small sum at that time. Esq. Hinkley was then Postmaster.
" Having given you a sketch of the early white settlement, let us turn for a few moments
to the aborigines. It was no uncommon sight to see a band of Indians with their squaws,
papooses and ponies traveling through the country, or to see their wigwams at their favorite camp-
ing grounds, or to hear the tinkle of the bells on their ponies on a still night. On a beautiful
elevation on the west side of the east branch of Rock River, about sixty rods north from where
Mr. Zoelloner's mill now stands, was the remains of an old French trading-post, known as Scalp
Village. A fine spring of pure water issued from the bank and flowed into the river, but is now
submerged by the mill-pond. A deep, worn path led from the village to the spring. The
ground for some distance around the village was literally covered with bones of deer and other
game that had been slain to provide food for the red man. Still further back from the river,.
"^02 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
scattered here and there among the rolling burr-oak openings, were a number of Indian graves,
each being protected by a miniature log house, or what more resembled the second floor of a
pioneer cabin, covered with shakes as the pioneer covers his, the top being about three feet high.
But the plow and the ax of the white man have swept them all away, and naught is left to mark
-the spot where the red man sleeps his last sleep. About half a mile west from this village, was
the Indian planting-ground, or cornfields, on lands owned by Mr. Dean and Mr. Hillebert. And
about three-quarters of a mile southwest, on the lands now owned by Mr. Oleson, was the Indian
sugar-bush, or sugar-camp, and from the scars the trees bore, it had evidently been used as such
for many a year. From this village an Indian trail ran up the river, crossing at the place where
the Fond du Lac road crosses, thence to Fond du Lac. The trails were the Indian roads lead-
ing from one trading-post to another, or from one favorite camping-ground to another, and were
often worn four or six inches deep. The second trail ran in a northwesterly direction, crossing
the river on the rapids above the place known as the Sheldon, deep hole, and thence through the
grove and near the large oak (that one of our village lawyers in his early practice addressed with
great force of eloquence as an imaginary Judge), thence through this village to Fox Lake.
The fourth led in a northwesterly direction', near Mr. George Wells' residence, to Green Lake.
Near this trail, on lands owned by Mr. Carpenter, on the south bank of what was then a small
stream or brook, lay scattered here_and there among the tall grass a number of human skele-
tons ; who they were, or by what means they came to their death, is not known. Probably thev
fell in battle."
CHURCHES.
St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church. — The Catholics of Waupun were first attended, as
a mission, by Rev. James Roch, from Fox Lake, 1850 to 1853. Then by Rev. R. Dumphy, from
Fox Lake, to 1855. Next by Rev. J. Haly, from Fox Lake, to 1856. Afterward by Rev.
Louis Daily, from Fond du Lac, to 1858 ; followed by Rev. J. Morris, who built the present
church in 1862, and attended it as a mission from Fox Lake, to 1863. Next attended as a
mission by Rev. J. Smith, from Fox Lake, to 1865. Then attended as a mission by Rev. W.
Doherty, from Fox Lake, to 1867. Next came Rev. G. T. Willard, first resident Pastor.
Father Willard remained until 1869 ; added twenty feet to the old church. Then came, as resident
Pastor, Rev. M. Hanna, who left November, 1870. The present Pastor, Rev. J. Smith, has
resided here for the last nine years, and built the tower and steeple, making the church 80x30.
Father Smith has presented the church with a bell weighing 1,350 pounds. It is now
a very nice, convenient church, with a fine pastoral residence, has two lots nicely ornamented
with trees and shrubbery, and all paid for. Rev. Joseph Smith, Pastor, is also Catholic
Chaplain to the State Penitentiary for the last nine years. The Church numbers fifty-three
families.
Ti'irst Congregational Church. — In July, 1845, a Church of ten members was organized
in Waupun, by Rev. Stephen Peet. Of this Church Joel Norton was chosen Deacon, and
Barnabas Hinkley, Clerk.
In September following its organization, the services of Rev. E. S. Peck were secured on
alternate Sabbaths for one year. Services were held in the schoolhouse.
It would naturally be expected that those who differ only in their answer ,to the question
whether one is more effectually rendered " clean every whit," by' the symbolical application of
water to the whole surface of the body than to a part, while agreeing in their views of church
government, and on all doctrinal points, as perfectly as do the Baptists and Congregationalists,
would co-operate in efforts to advance a aommon cause ; and we accordingly find these two
branches so drawn together that the bonds uniting Baptist and Congregationalist almost equal
in strength those binding Baptist to Baptist. At times, Congregationalists have joined with
Baptists in sustaining a Baptist preacher, and sometimes the reverse.
After the termination of Mr. Peck's labors, the services of Rev. Mr. Murphy, a Baptist
clergyman, were secured.
HISTOEY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. • 705
In 1850, the Congregational society took measures to secure the erection of a house of
-worship. A house costing about $1,000 was accordingly built, to which an addition has since
been made, not increasing the perfection of its architectural proportions, but increasing its
capacity and affording a place of meeting which to those who meet seems homelike.
The pulpit has been occupied for periods of five years or more each by Revs. Mr. Ashman,
Mr. Williams 'and Mr. Darling. The services also of Revs. Mr. Bradford (two years), Mr. Blake
(one year), Mr. Benson (two years), and specially of Mr. Marble (two years), will not soon be
forgotten.
Believing that " prevention is better than cure ;" that it is better to keep out of the ditch
than to wash off its filth ; to start the young in a virtuous course of life, than to reclaim them
from a vicious course when fallen, the Congregational Church has given prominence to its
Sabbath school. And although other organizations may, perhaps justly, boast of surpassing it
in efforts to relieve distress, it is not admitted that it has been surpassed in efforts to prevent dis-
tress. The successive Superintendents of the school have been C. C. Bayley, Josiah Drum-
mond, L. B. Hills, Abijah Hubbard, Edwin Judd, Martin Short, Edwin Hillyer and John Bryce.
The number connected with the school at present is about one hundred and twenty-five,
not differing very much from the number of members of the Church.
Methodist Episcopal Qhureh. — As Methodism has always been progressive in its nature,
and always among the first to plant the standard of Gospel liberty in new countries, there has
been no exception to this rule in Waupun, but, to give its history, we must go back to the first settle-
ment of the country, and trace its working, along down to the present time.
As early as the year 1844, a class was formed in what was then called the Upper Town,
consisting of the family of the Rev. Silas Miller, Eunice Miller, Henry L. Hillyar, Malvina
Hillyar, Ezekiel T. Miller and Weston G. Miller (now Dr. Miller), six persons in all. The Doctor
■says this band consisted of three officers and three privates ; his father was the local preacher,
his brother the class-leader, and he the exhorter ; his mother, sister and sister's husband were the
members.
During the same year, the Rev. Samuel Smith, an aged local preacher, and father of the
Rev. Charles Smith, settled with his family in Waupun, and held religious services in private
dwellings, whenever convenient. Father Smith and family soon identified themselves with the
little class, and became efficient laborers in the Lord's vineyard. At the same time, the class
was made stronger by' the addition of Dr. Brooks Bowman and wife. Others were added during
the year, including S. J. Mattoon and Mr. and Mrs. S. A. L. Davis, Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Sex-
mith, and Mrs. t'. F. Davis, the class now numbering twenty-two members. A building had
been erected by the contributions of the people in the village and the country adjacent, for the
purpose of a chapel and a schoolhouse, in which regular services were held, both morning and
evening, and the Lord poured out His Spirit upon the people abundantly. The eldest daugh-
ter of Dr. Bowman, as the first trophy of grace, was converted. Other conversions followed,
and in a short time the number increased to twenty ; among them were W. G. McElroy and
wife, and several others who became leading and influential members of the Church in Waupun,
many of whom have gone home to reap their reward in heaven ; but the Master has not left
himself without others to take their places.
Thus the work went on for some years, growing in interest, as might have been expected
under the able administration of such ministers as the Rev. J. S. Prescott, Rev. S. B. Tharp,
Rev. William H. Thompson and Rev. William Shraff, until it became evident that schoolhouses
and private dwellings would no longer accommodate the people.
During the winter of 1854, it was decided to build a church. A site was secured, the
material was provided, and during the next summer, under the administration of the Rev.
James Lawson, a building was erected and dedicated to the service of God. A revival soon fol-
lowed, and the interest increased so that, in a short time, it was found necessary to add a num-
ber of feet to the length of the building ; in addition to the audience-room, it is furnished with
two large classrooms.
706 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
In the year 1858, a parsonage was erected on the lot, within a few feet of the church, and
is now furnished with a number of articles that are needed to make a minister and his family com-
fortable.
In 1877, the Annual Conference was held in this church, presided over by Bishop Peck.
Its pulpit has always been supplied by some of the ablest talent in the Conference, such as the
Rev. James Lawson, Rev. S. L. Brown, Rev. J. C. Robbins, Rev. Nelson Greeil, Rev. S. W.
Ford, Rev. J. M. Walker, Rev. Wesley Lattin, Rev. D. W. Couch, Rev. E. S. Grumley, Rev.
J. T. Woodhead, Rev. J. H. Jenne, Rev. E. D. Farnham and Rev, A. P. Mead, the present
able and efficient Pastor, who is laboring earnestly for the glory of the Master and the salvation
of souls.^ The Church is out of debt, and peace and harmony reigns within.
Episcopal Ohurch. — Previous to the year 1867, there were no regular services of the
Episcopal Church in Waupun, although the Rev. W. C. Armstrong, the Rector of Grace
Church at Oakfield. paid several visits, and encouraged the few faithful members to keep
together in faith and hope. In the year 1867, the Church was organized, under the name of
Trinity Mission, and the Rev. 0. Thorp, Deacon, commenced regular services on September 1.
The first lay officers appointed by the Bishop, were Sam. Chamberlin, Warden; J. W.
Seeley, Treasurer; G. E. Jennings, Clerk. The year 1871 saw the resignation of the Rev.
C. Thorp, and the appointment of the Rev. Robert B. Wolseley, on the 23d of June. Up to
this time, the services were held in the Disciples' Church, and in halls rented for that purpose;
but the faithful ones rallied under the active administration of their new missionary, and, on
September 11, 1871, the Bishop laid the corner-stone of Trinity Church. One year from
that date, the Rev. R. B. Wolseley accepted a call to a parish in Tennessee, when the congre-
gation nominated and the Bishop of the Diocese appointed the Rev. William E. Wright, Rector
of Trinity, Berlin, Missionary in charge. At the date of writing, the Rev. Mr. Wright is still
at the post, ably assisted by the following lay officers: Sam. Chamberlin, Senior Warden;
A. F. Morse, Junior Warden; R. W. Wells, Treasurer; D. A. Lowber, Clerk. The Church
numbered about eleven communicants in 1867, and, while losing by death and removal very
many, has now,, in 1880, upward of eighty. One hundred and seventy-six souls have been
baptized; ninety-seven received the Apostolic rite of Confirmation; twenty-five couples have
been united in the holy bonds of matrimony, and forty persons have been committed to the
earth by the Ministers of the Church since its inception.
The First Baptist Ghurch of Waupun. — This Church was organized*September 16, 1845,
with a membership of eleven persons. The first business meeting was held February 14, 1846,
when Rev. J. Murphy was engaged as Pastor. In 1879, active measures were taken for obtain-
ing the means to build a house of worship. A lot was secured on Main street, and $700 were
subscribed. A. K. Starkweather and N. B. Cleveland were elected Deacons of the Church.
On the 1st of May, 1879, Rev. W. Look was called to the pastorate, with a salary of $250.
In the winter of 1851, as the result of revival eiforts, thirty-five persons were added to the
Church. In the spring of 1853, Rev. G. W. Freeman accepted a call to the pastorate. In
May, of this year, the house was dedicated, it being the first church edifice erected in Waupun.
Mr. Freeman's successor was Rev: John Williams, a man of sterling worth, who served the
Church, as Pastor, for three years. In 1 862, Rev. W. W. Ames, the Chaplain at the State
Prison, accepted, the pastorate of the Church, in connection with his chaplaincy — remaining for
two years. His successor was Rev. H. S. Fish, who remained two years. Rev. J. 0. M.
Hewitt served the Church in a pastorate of four years. During this time long-needed improve-
rnents were made in the Church property, in which generous assistance was received from the
citizens of the place. Rev. A. Whitman was the next Pastor, who also remained four years.
Mrs. Whitman was an efficient helper to her husband in his pastoral labors, and a worker in
every good cause. During Mr. Whitman's pastorate, the Church, suffered an irreparable loss
in the death of Deacon Starkweather, a man who possessed the esteem and confidence of the
community in an unusual degree, adorning his Christian profession by a godly life and a well-
ordered conversation. Rev. G. W. Lincoln remained with the Church less than two years, and
HISTOEY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 707
was immediately followed by Rev. Victor Kutchin, tlie present Pastor. Mr. Kutchin has the
esteem and confidence of the Church a,nd community. His pastorate has been marked in an
unusual degree by peace and harmony. He has lately received the appointment of Chaplain of
the State Prison ; but he will still continue to serve the Church, as their Pastor. The present
membership of the Church is one hundred. Value of church property, $5,000.
Disciple Church. — One of the first religious societies to obtain an organization in the
growing village was the Christian or Disciple society, which was established in 1848. Its first
Elder was Noah Wirt, whose untiring zeal and religious fervor was at first its chief support. It
was not until 1863 that the society was sufficiently numerous or wealthy to attempt the build-
ing of a house of worship. In that year, a commodious and substantial church building was
erected, the society, at that time, numbering about ninety members, which has since been
reduced, by various causes, to a membership of about forty. The society is entirely free from
debt. '
Free- Will Baptist Church. — The Free-Will Baptists had a church organization in Waupun
as eiarly as 1852, and erected their present building alout the year 1855, in " Upper Town," on
the Fond du Lac County side. Its cost was about $5,000. In 1868, the structure was moved
to its present site, corner of Prison and Madison streets, and a comfortable parsonage, near by,
purchased. The first Pastor was Rev. Charles Smith, and the last, Rev. A. G. Brand. At
present, the society is without a permanent Pastor.
WAUPUN A QUARTER OF A CENTURY AGO.
"Our village," says a writer of 1857, "like other Western settlements, is made up of all
kinds of materials, and its society is exceedingly miscellaneous. We have the inquisitive
Yankee, pushing forward his new inventions ; the industrious Pennsylvanian, amassing wealth
by the aid of his iron sinews ; the shrewd Irishman, digging out trenches and looking as cheer-
ful as the blue smoke that curls up from his woodland cabin ; the deliberate Englishman, boast-
ing the superiority of his country and its laws ; the canny Scotchman, making his few acres
blossom like the rose ; and the ruddy-looking German, singing his songs of ' Faderland ' and
hoarding up every little ' shiner ' that gets between his fingers. Each has brought along with
him his early habits and associations ; his own views of business, laws and religion ; and, as a
natural consequence, , when brought together on public questions, they are apt to boil up like a
mixture of salt and soda.
" There are, in Waupun, no church steeples with bells in, that tolled our great-grandfathers
to the tomb ; no long lines of graves, in which are buried the virtues of those ancestors only
known from tradition ; there is no gray-headed Pastor, rising up like a sacred statue in the
memory; no aged deacon, with his head resting on the side of the pew and enjoying a brief
sleep as he listens to the sermori ; no old sexton, limping away to the burying-ground with
his spade upon his shoulder for the purpose of making an unceremonious rattle among the dry
bones. No ; Waupun has scarcely any past upon which the historian can dwell. Nature's
mighty cathedral still stands, with its lofty dome of sun, moon and stars ; but its oaken pillars
are overgrown with the moss of centuries. The great High Priests that worshiped at the altars
and burnt incense to the Great Spirit — where are they ? The temple still stands, but the wor-
shipers are gone. Here and there, we meet with melancholy fragments of some tribe that has
wandered back from its place of exile ; but the mass are buried in yonder mounds, with their
weapons of war, crumbling to dust, and their history has died with them.
" Waupun is the center of new associations. It borrows no propelling power from vener-
ated antiquarianism, since the spot where it stands was but yesterday wrapt in solitary grandeur.
Some Western settlements are filled up with bankrupts who have fled from Eastern creditors,
anxious only to obtain peace of mind and bread enough to eat ; they are decayed and tempest-
tossed vessels, stripped of spars and rigging. Waiipuh, however, may claim a large exemption
from these. Its first settlers were iron-souled and true-hearted men. They came to the banks
of the west branch of Rock River determined to cut their way through the wilderness and make
708 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
unto themselves pleasant homes — and they succeeded. They had a mission, and they nobly per-
formed it. They did their work roughly, yet they did it for all time. There is a sort of romance
in their history that fascinates ; there is a kind of rustic simplicity connected with them that is
truly poetic. Behind them were the homes they had left, the waterfalls that danced to their
childish music, and the hills that echoed back their playful shouts. Before them was the wilder-
ness, dark and gloomy, standing in all its solemnity.
" Look at the little village now," continues the writer, " and see what a contrast it presents.
It is set oif with beautiful dwellings, cultivated gardens and shaded streets. True to the pro-
gressive spirit of the age, its people have devoted themselves to the decoration of their homes.
There are five dry-grods stores, fifteen grocery stores, three clothing stores, four hotels, three
drug stores, five physicians, two lawyers, two hardware and tinning establishments, two grist-
mills, one planing-mill, one pump-factory, two printing houses, three wagOn-shops, several lum-
ber merchants, cabinet-makers, stonemasons and painters. There are two banks — the Waupun
. and Exchange — two schoolhouses and four churches. A few years ago, produce had to be drawn
to Milwaukee, a distance of seventy-five miles, and disposed of for a trifle as compared with
present prices. Now the Milwaukee & Horicon Railroad runs through the village. It is already
completed to Berlin, a distance of forty-two miles, where it connects with the navigation of the
Fox and Wolf Rivers. It is soon to extend to Stevens Point, on the Wisconsin. It was opened
to Waupun on the 15th of February, 1856, to Brandon on the 15th of October, and to Ripon
November 15 of the same year.
" Up to the 1st of January, 1857, the passengers going east were over 13,000 ; going west,
over 14,000. The freight east was over 11,000 tons ; west, over 14,000 tons. There is in
Waupun a depot building, a water- station and a turn-table. The wheat shipped from Waupun
from February 18, 1856, to January 1, 1857, was 27,5,692 bushels."
SECEBT SOCIETIES.
I. 0. of Cr. T. — The first Lodge of this Order in Waupun, was instituted September 25,
1858, and was named Waupun Lodge. The first meeting was held at the residence of William
Euen, and was called to order by G. W. C. T. Dri T. J. Patchen, of Fond du Lac. Mr. P. B.
Moore, of Brandon Lodge, No. 81, was chosen Recording Secretary pro tern. The following
charter members were then instructed in the work of the Order : William Euen, Mrs. C. M.
Euen, Miss M. A. Baldwin, Mr. J. H. Barker, Mr. C. H. Whitney, Mr. G. G. B. McGraw,
Mr. E. Y. Ridout, Mr. S. Griffith, Rev. R. W'. Bryant, William Ware and Eli Hooker.
The Lodge then proceeded to the election of the following officers for the quarter ending
October 31, 1858: W. C. T., William Euen; W. V. T., Caroline M. Euen; W. R. S., Charles
H. Whitney ; Assistant W. R. S., Susan Moore ; W. F. S., John H. Barker; W. Treas., Melissa
A. Baldwin; W. Marshal, Byron McGraw ; Dept. Marshal, Edith Bunce ; W. L G., Ezra T.
Ridout ; W. 0. G., Seth Griffith; W. Chap., Rev. R. W. Bryant; R. H. S., Mary A. Jarvis;
L. H. S. Ellen M. Grandy ; P. W. C. T., B. B. Baldwin.
After the election of officers, the Lodge adjourned to meet Monday evening, September 27, at
the Odd Fellows' Hall, Main street, just west from the railroad. November 1, the name of the
Lodge was changed to Prison City, No. 96. February 1, 1859, some difficulty having occurred,
a portion of the membership withdrew, and with the consent of the Lodge, formed a new one.
Welcome Lodge, No. 112. During the following summer, both Lodges were very prosperous,
working harmoniously together. The membership of the two societies was about three hundred.
Prison City having a majority.
April 23, 1860, Prison City moved into a hall, owned by Phelps Moore, on Fond du Lac
street, just north from Main. It continued to'flourish until the breaking-out of the rebellion,
April, 1861, when quite a number of the members enlisted in defense of their country. At
first, all other interests seemed absorbed in the peril that threatened the nation, and the Lodge
suffered in consequence. During the war, thirty, at least, of its members entered the army, and
several enlisted from Welcome Lodge. Some of these soldiers returned to take their places in
HISTORY or FOND DU LAC COUNTY. T09
the Lodge — some came home sick and maimed, while others were killed in battle or died in
Southern prisons — ^but whatever their fate, their memories are cherished as brave defenders of
the," old flag."
April 23, 1862, Prison City again occupied Odd Fellows' Hall. Somewhere between
April and November of this year, Welcome Lodge surrendered its charter. May 13, 1863,
Prison City moved into a hall on Main street, in the Amadon Block, now owned by J. W. Seely.
On the following Fourth of July, the members were assigned a place in the procession which
celebrated the day, and marched to " Sumner's Grove," making quite a creditable display. At
the conclusion of the exercises in the grove, the Good Templars held a picnic, in which many of
their outside friends participated.
October 5, 1864, the Lodges in the State having been re-numbered, the number of Prison
City was changed to 21, which it still retains.
Sometime between September 1 and November 1, 1865, the Lodge moved into what was
then known as Dodge's Hall, over the insurance oiSce of Edwin Hillyer ; the lower part of the
building W£|.s then occupied as a dry-goods store by L. B. Dodge — now occupied by Silber
Brothers. The name of the hall was changed to Temperance Hall. It was occupied until
March 12, 1878, when the Lodge rented a hall in Rank's Block, Main street. November 11, 1879,
the Lodge negotiated with John S. Gee for the purchase of the old hall on Fond du Lac street,
occupied by it from April 23, 1860, till April 23, 1862, and where it remains at this date,
January 9, 1880. The hall has been considerably renovated, and tastily fitted up, and it is
expected that still further improvements will be made during the year. The Lodge now
numbers about ninety, and is in good working order. Its oiEcers, at present, are : Lodge Deputy,
Rufus H. Oliver; W. C. T., William T. King ; W. V. T., Nellie A. Blodgett ; W. R. S. and Treas.,
M. Em. Rounseville ; Assistant Sec, Merton R. Wilber; W. F. S., Lawson J. Tompkins; W.
Chap., Mary H. Heath ; W. Marshal, Herbert F. Gillman ; Dept. Marshal, Alvira Cornell ; W.
I. G., Stena Otten ; W. 0. G., Luman J. Pryor; R. H. S., Ada M. Thompson ; L. H. S.,
Florence Sheldon ; P. W. 0. T., Lewis J. Althouse.
Prison City Lodge, like all kindred societies, has had its successes and its reverses. • It
would be nearly impossible to estimate the number who have been connected with it during its
existence — suffice it to say, that comparatively few of the inhabitants of Waupun have not, at
one time or another, been numbered among its membership. Its record will compare favorably
with that of its sister societies ; the Grand Secretary considers it one of the best in Wisconsin.
It is proud of its career, proud of its military history, and proud of the numbers it has educated
and sent out to labor in the '-'harvest fields of temperance," and it proposes to exist and to work,
as long as there is a call for its existence and a demand for its services.
Advance Temple of Honor, No. 21. — This secret temperance society was organized Octo-
ber 9, 1875, with the following charter members: James McBlroy, R. H. Oliver, S. W. Keyes,
P. M. Pryor, G. B. Durand, 0. D. Hudson, N. Raymond, J. S. Gee, S. J. Morse, E. H. Drew and
P."H. Kelley. The first officers were : E. H. Drew, W. C. T.; G. B. Durand, W. V. T.; R. H.
Oliver, W. R.; 0. D. Hudson, W. F. R.; James McElroy, Treasurer ; S. J. Morse, W. M.; P. H.
Kelley, W.D.U.; J. S. Gee, Guardian ; N. Raymond, Sentinel; S. W. Keyes, P. W. C. T.
In June, 1876, occurred one of the greatest temperance revivals ever known in Waupun or
vicinity, during which 100 members were admitted to the Temple in the week beginning June
16. In the following July, the Lodge reached the height of its strength in point of numbers,
containing at that time 275 members in good standing. The present officers are : J. S. Gee,
W. C. T.; L. C. Owen, W. V. T.; R. H. Oliver, W. R.; W. T. King, W. F. R.; 0. F. Stoppen-
bach, P. W. C. T.
A. 0. U. W. — The Order of the Ancient Order of United Workmen is purely benevolent.
It was brought into existence to promote mutual benefit to its members in sickness or trouble,
as an insurance to their heirs after death. Each member is assessed $1 at the death of any
member within the jurisdiction. The Lodge at Waupun was 'instituted February 3, 1879, and
consisted of the following charter members, who were also the first officers : W. W. Houghton,
710 HISTORY or "FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
P. M. W.; H. W. Frost, M. W.; F. F. Zimmerman, G. F.; Christian Johnson, 0.; J. C. Wilms,
Gr.; Chas. H. Lindsley, Recorder; William B. Warren, Receiver; H. 'Johnson, I. W.; F. S.
Keech, 0. W.; Frank C. Hill, Medical Examiner
The present officers are: H. W. Frost and W. W. Houghton, P. M. W.; J. C. Wilms, M.
W.; R.L.Oliver, Recorder; C. Johnson, G. F.; John Fieldstad, Overseer ; Herman Hanisch,
Guide ; Richard Goff, Financier; J. R. Viall, Receiver; August Pohuns, I. W.; W. C. Peterson,
0. W. The Lodge meets every Monday evening, at Odd Fellows' Hall. W. W. Houghton was
Representative to the Grand Lodge for 1879, and H. W. Frost for 1880. The present Medical
Examiner is Dr. J. N. O'Brien. The Lodge now has twenty-three members.
Telulah Lodgp, No. 33, I. 0. 0. F. — This Lodge was instituted at Waupun by Deputy
Grand Master Lowther, December 25, 1848, with the following named persons as charter mem-
bers : Isaac Valentine, L. B. Hills, George Howe, W. S. Post and J. Dickenson. It occupied
rented rooms until 1852, when a joint-stock company was formed among the members, and an
Odd Fellows' Hall was built, at a cost of about $600, which the Lodge continued to occupy for
Lodge purposes until 1871, when the old hall was disposed of and a new one was greeted as a
permanent home for the Order in the city of Waupun. The property is valued at |5,000. The
Lodge is and has been in a prosperous condition.
Waupun Lodge, No. JjB, A. F. ^ A. M. — Ki some time during the last end of the year
1852, D. L. D. Huntington, L. B. Dodge, Milo Sikes, Andrews Burnham, Sr., Jeremiah Look,
George T. Wood, C. B. Carrington, Joseph Bardwell and Charles Spoor conceived the idea of
instituting a Masonic Lodge at Waupun, and for that purpose petitioned the Grand Master
of the State for dispensation. On the 20th day of April, 1853, Hon. H. L. Palmer, then Grand
Master, granted the petition, appointing D. L. D. Huntington to be the first Master, L. B.
Dodge the first Senior Warden and Milo Sikes the first Junior Warden. August 12, 1853, the
Lodge was organized under dispensation with the above named brethren as Master and Wardens.
June 20, 1854, the Grand Lodge granted a charter for a Masonic Lodge, to be located at Waupun,
to be known as Waupun Lodge, No. 48, appointing C. B. Carrington Master, Joseph Bardwell
Senior 'Warden, and L. B. Dodge Junior Warden. The charter so granted was signed by
Henry W. Billings, Deputy Grand Master, attested by William R. Smith, Grand Secretary,
under the seal of the Grand Lodge. The first election for all of the elective officers of the
Lodge was held June 1, 1855, when C. B. Carrington was elected Master. Since which time
the following named brethren have been elected and served as Masters : Cromwell Laithe,
William E. Howard, Ira Hill, Robert Cosgrove, W. H. Taylor, C. W. Henning, M. C. Short,
S. J. Sumner, G. W. Stanton, C. S. Gillman, John J. Roberts and F. S. Keech. The Lodge
now has an active membership of ninety-two. She has been and now is free from debt.
WAUPUN PIONEERS.
[from JAMES Mcelroy's address before the old settlers of waupun and vicinity, june 11, 1879.]
" Many of the old pioneers and our former associates are gone from our cifcle, some to
other fields of toil, and others, whose prospects were as bright for a long and happy life as any
of us now living, have received their discharge; their work is done ; they have been called from
labor to rest ; and if, while mingling with the busy crowd, we sometimes remember them, let it
be with kindness. We see many of the old veterans still with us, whose whitened locks and
wrinkled brows tell us that their little bark has been tossed on the billows of life's ocean for
many long yeats ; and that they were ever at their posts, fearless of the cold of winter or the
heat of summer, needs no other proof. These are some of the men who left their Eastern homes
to assume a life of toil and danger incident to settling in a new country, so that they might pro-
vide for themselves and their children homes of independence and freedom, and, though some-
times meeting with trials and disappointments, yet most nobly have they done their work, and
why ? Because they were men of strong minds and determined wills to accomplish, as far as
possible, whatever they undertook to do.
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 711
" They were not of that stripe of men who hang around the corners all day whittling dry-
goods boxes and never have courage enough to get away from the end of their mother's apron
strings ; but men and women who pitched their nightly tents on the broad prairie or under the
spreading oaks, night after night, until they found a resting-place in Waupun and the country
around it, where they have labored to build up and improve the place of their choice and make
it what it is to-day, the pride of its people ; men who have stood by it in clouds and sunshine
watching with interest its slow but sure growth, ever firm in the belief that there was before it a
bright prospect of future usefulness and prosperity."
MANUFACTORIES.
The Waupun Pump and Windmill Works. — Like many another institution, the Waupun
Pump and Windmill Works had their origin in the day of small things. In 1852, when Dodge
and Fond du Lac Counties were only thinly settled with new-comers, Milo J. Althouse, then a
young man just starting to make his way in the world, with no resources but his own hands and
his energetic will, made his first essay in the pump manufacture — a single pump planed,
bored, fitted with handle, spout and bucket, and finished by his own hands, and by his own
hands then set in a well. Returning from this completed job, he commenced another, to be
finished and carried to the customer before a third was entered upon. By these slow steps was
first put in motion a business which has since reached across the continent, finding its principal
market in a dozen States. Endeavoring always to make his work excel, Mr. Althouse soon
found his business and his reputation so growing as to warrant the opening of a shop and the
purchase of improved tools. In 1859, he left the little shop, on a farm where he had worked
alone, and opened a shop in the village of Waupun. From working by hand he advanced to
horse-power for running the augers, and gradually augmented the force as the demand for his
work increased. In 1861, Mr. Althouse introduced steam-power, and again enlarged his shop
to meet the growing business. He still carefully maintained the quality of his work, and his
stamp was a synonym for the best on all work in his line. Every stick of timber used was care-
fully inspected, and every piece of leather for packing was selected from the best part of first
quality sides, all else being rejected and sold for scraps. The same careful selection of material
has been continued throughout.
In those days, the wind sweeping overhead was undreamed of as a motive power, or at
least not dreamed of in any practical way as a power applicable to the ordinary work of a farmer ;
but, about 1860, the first windmills, with partially self-regulating devices, were introduced in the
Northwest. Their progress was slow for years ; the devices themselves were imperfect. Those
who now find such a machine a necessity were not then educated to the knowledge of the benefits
to be derived from its use ; and the large stock and dairy interests of Wisconsin, which now
more than ever before make this machine necessary, were then comparatively in infancy. But,
ten years ago, Mr. Althouse foresaw the growing future of this power, and its intimate connec-
tion with the pump business, and made arrangements for manufacturing one of the best wind-
mills then invented. In 1873, Messrs. George and Albert Raymond having their attention
called to the matter, commenced experimenting with wind-engines, and, in February, 1874, in
connection with Mr. Althouse, patented the Althouse & Raymond Windmill, which, with some
later modifications, is now known through Wisconsin and the Northwest as the " Althouse Vaneless
Windmill," and enjoys the reputation of being the most perfect self-regulating wind-engine yet
invented. In the following spring, Hon. George F. Wheeler and L. D. Hinkley became asso-
ciated with Mr. Althouse, under the firm name of Althouse, Wheeler & Co. Since that time,
the business has been carried on by the firm, and their trade has extended from Massachusetts
to California, and from Canada to Florida and Texas, within the Union, and still further on the
west, has reached the Australian fields, and, in the Far East, the winds which ripple the old
Euphrates propel the sails of their engines.
Nearly sixty thousand pumps, made in this establishment, are in use in the Northwest ; and
nearly three thousand wind-engines bearing their stamp are pumping, churning and grinding.
712 HISTOKY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
The pumps made are mostly wooden pumps, of all sizes, from a cistern pump of two inches bore-
to a mammoth of six inches. The special feature of these pumps, introduced by Mr. Althouse,
and distinguishing them from the old wooden pumps, is the making of a detachable hard-maple
cylinder in which the bucket works. This simple improvement adds immensely to the dura-
bility and ease of working of the pump. Of course, the greater part of the windmills made are of the
smaller sizes, the most common size for farm use being the ten-foot wheel. They manufacture
pumping windmills of eight feet, ten feet, twelve feet, fourteen feet, sixteen feet and twenty-five
feet in diameter, and also make geared mills for driving matihinery. These are mostly
made in sizes of sixteen feet and twenty-five feet. In prosperous times, the business of the
establishment has been $10,000 per month, with a pay-roll of $3,000 per month, distributed
among about fifty men. Like all other business, this has felt the depression of the last three
years, in reduced production and sales, and continues its work on a somewhat ^narrowed scale,
awaiting the "good time coming " which shall justify more active efibrts.
This is one of the institutions which has contributed, in no small degree, to give
Waupun a steady and solid prosperity when other places have stagnated after premature expan-
sion.
M. K. Dahl's Plow-Factory. — One of the oldest manufacturing establishments in Wau-
pun is Dahl's Plow-Factory, on the Dodge County side of Washington street. Upper Town..
The first building, now occupied by Mr. Dahl, was erected in 1846 or 1847, by Bly & Ely, and
had been occupied as a plow-factory since about 1850. Mr. Dahl manufactures plows, land
rollers, sulky plows, harrows, cultivators and other farming utensils, in which he has built up a
large business.
F. F. Zimmerman's Wagon Factory. — In 1865, Mr. Zimmerman began the business of
wagon making and repairing, on the Fond du Lac County side of Washington Street, in Upper
Town, in a building formerly occupied in the country as a schoolhouse. He manufactures
wagons, carriages and cutters, giving employment to from ten to sixteen men. He now has
three large buildings, and carries on an extensive and constantly increasing business.
Morse ^ Morris' Carriage Factory. — In 1876, 0. A. Morse, Jr., erected, on the corner of
Franklin and Drummond streets, three commodious buildings for a carriage factory. In 1877,
Mr. Morris purchased an interest in the factory, which gives employment to nine- men in the
manufacture, exclusively, of carriages, phaetons, buggies and cutters.
Thomas Stoddart's Organ Manufactory. — Thomas Stoddart brought his knowledge of
organ-building from Scotland, and about 1860, after retiring from the post office and other active
business, began the manufacture, in a shop near his residence on Prison street, of pipe and reed
organs. He has patent " coupbos " and resonance boxes, as well as a patent bellows or air
pump, and makes all with his own hands the softest-toned instruments extant. He does not
manufacture " for the trade," but for musical people only. He has built over fifty instruments,
one of which is a "barrel organ," eight feet high. This is an organ which plays by machinery.
Mr. Stoddart is one of the only three men in America, who can make a "music barrel," which
will play the simplest or most difficult music. The one mentioned plays from Handel, John
Sebastian Bach and other distinguished composers.
The Waupun Stone Mills. — The first flouring-mill built in the vicinity of Waupun, was
erected in 1846, by Forest & Smith, at the foot of Mill street, on the Rock River, in the
North Ward of Waupun. The lumber for it was sawed the year previous, by the same parties
who had a saw-mill nearby. In 1848, the mill burned, having caught fire from lumber spread
over the engine to dry. " In the fall of the same year, the present stone mill was begun and
finished for business in the early spring of 1849. It is four-stories in height, and equipped
with both water and steam power, and is the oldest mill in the vicinity. It has three runs of stones,
with a capacity of one hundred barrels of flour per day. The mill is now owned by T. W.
Markle and W. W. Harris, Mr. Markle having owned an interest in it since 1857.
Clishy's Steam Mill— In 1876, Lorenzo Clisby erected a large steam flouring-mill, near
the track of the C, M. k St. Paul Railway, on the Fond du Lac County side of Waupun. It
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUSTTT. "13
is equipped in modern style, with all the latest improved machinery. It has five runs of stones,
with a capacity of 125 barrels per day. It does both custom and job work.
BANKS.
The Waupun Bank. — The first bank of issue, or real banking institution of any sort in
Waupun, was the Waupun Bank, which opened for business in 1856, with L. B. Hills as Cash-
ier. Owing to hard times, it suspended in September, 1857, and its business passed into the
hands of its creditors. John N. Ackerman was chosen President, and L. B. Hills, Cashier, and
the bank resumed operations again in November of the same year. It continued in business
until about January, 1859, when it suspended, never to be revived. On searching the safe after
the second suspension a pack of cards and two dollars in counterfeit money were found. There
were no losses to speak of occasioned by the failure of this bank.
The Oorn Exchange Bank. — In 1857, William Hobkirk was the means of securing a char-
ter, and starting the Corn Exchange Bank, in a stone building on the south side of Main street,
erected by him for that purpose. It was organized under the State- law as a bank of issue.
Andrew Proudfit was President, and William Hobkirk, Cashier. When State Banks were
compelled to withdraw their circulation, by high taxes purposely imposed, the Corn Exchange
continued on in the general banking business. On the 6th of August, 1875, the bank having
been some time without any officer but a cashier, Mr. Hobkirk closed its doors and made a trip to
South America. The heaviest loser was Mrs. Margaret Drummond, who had about $60,000
intrusted to the bank. Several years after the failure Mr. Hobkirk returned and settled a portion
of the bank's indebtedness, but never opened it for business.
The Citizens' Bank. — After the failure of the Corn Exchange Bank, in 1875, the village
of Waupun had no bank until early in 1876 when Almon Atwood, of the town of Waupun,
started the Citizens' Bank in the old Corn Exchange building. Almon Atwood was President,
and A. Robinson, Cashier. The enterprise not proving satisfactory to its projector, business
was discontinued, and the bank closed in February, 1877.
G-eorge Jess ^ Company's Bank. — In the summer of 1876, George Jess and David Met-
calf began the erection of the handsome two-story brick and stone block on the corner of Main
and Prison streets for a bank, and, in the fall, opened for business, under the name of George
Jess & Company, with a paid-up capital of $50,000. The firm has a commodious and well-
appointed office, and does a general banking business, such as buying and selling inland and for-
eign exchange, receiving demand deposits without interest, selling letters of credit and sellilig
ocean steamship passages. It is a private bank, having no charter.
WAUPUN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION.
In 1858, the following petition circulated in the village of Waupun : " We, the under-
signed, agree to pay the sum of $3 yearly, until we withdraw from the society, for the purpose
of establishing a Library Association in the village of Waupun, the same to be governed by
laws adopted by its members. Books shall be received for the first year's subscription, if said
books shall be approved by a committee to be chosen. Said subscriptions shall be paid as soon as
the society is organized."
This was signed by eighty persons, and on petition the following order was issued :
Statu or Wisconsin, I
Village of Waupun, J ^^ ' Whereas, an application has been made to me by five proprietors of the Waupun
Library Association, requesting one of their number to be authorized to call a meeting of the proprietors thereof, for
the purpose of making a permanent organization of said Association, as provided in Chapter 49 of the Kevised
Statutes of said State. It is therefore ordered that Edwin Hillyer be and is hereby authorized to call said meeting,
to be convened at Dodge's Hall, on the 16th of February, 1858, at 7 o'clock in the evening, and that he give due
notice of said meeting.
Given under my hand this 8th day of February, 1858. John Wake, Justice of the Peace.
At this called meeting, Edwin Hillyer was elected Chairman, and W. H. Taylor, Clerk.
L. B. Hills, John Ware, William Euen and J. H. Brinkerhoff" were appointed a committee to
714 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
draft a Constitution. They performed the task, and the Constitution was adopted the same night.
The election for permanent oflficers resulted as follows :
President, H. L. Butterfield ; Treasurer, George W. Bly ; Collector, William Buen ;
Clerk and Librarian, Edwin Hillyer. Directors — C. S. Kneeland, David Ferguson, A. H. Rouns-
ville, George Wirt, Geo. Babcock, M. Leary and Charles Smith. Book Committee — L. B. Hills,
Jesse Hooker, R. W. Wells, John Ware, George E. Jennings. The latter committee began at once
to receive books from members and purchase others with the funds obtained for fees and dues. The
library was opened in Edwin Hillyer's office ; and when hje moved to Thomas Stoddart's stone block,
corner of Prison and Washington streets, the library was ajso moved there, where it has since
remained. During several years, Mr. Hillyer served as Librarian and gave the use of a large
room in his office free of charge. Latterly, a nominal rent has been paid, and the Librarian is
now paid $30 per annum for his services. The library contains nearly three thousand volumes
of choice books, which may be used by any person not a member of ithe Association by com-
plying with the rules and by-laws, and paying ten cents per volume. On every Saturday even-
ing the library-room is open, and has always been well patronized. Its financial condition is
sound, and new books are constantly added. Since the first year the officers have been as
follows :
1859 — President, A. H. Rounsville ; Clerk and Librarian, Edwin Hillyer ; Treasurer,
George W. Bly ; Collector, William Euen.
1860 and 1861 — President, A. H. Rounsville; Clerk and Librarian, E. Hillyer; Treas-
urer, (t. W. Bly ; Collector, George E. Jennings.
1862, 1863 and 1864— President, A. H. Rounsville ; Clerk, W. W. Houghton ; Librarian,
B. Hillyer ; Treasurer, G. W. JBly ; Collector, George B. Jennings.
1865 — President, A. H. Rounsville ; Clerk and Librarian, B. Hillyer ; Treasurer, G. W.
Bly ; Collector, G. B. Jennings.
1866 — President, D. Ferguson ; Clerk and Librarian, E. Hillyer ; Treasurer, A. H.
Rounsville ; Collector, G. E. Jennings.
1867 and 1868— President, Charles Jones ; Vice President, W. H. Taylor ; Clerk and
Librarian, E. Hillyer; Treasurer, A. H. Rounsville; Collector, G. B. Jennings.
1869— President, W. H. Taylor ; Librarian and Clerk, E. Hillyer ; Treasurer, A. H.
Rounsville ; Collector, G. E. Jennings.
1870 — President, Thomas Stoddart ; Clerk and Librarian, E. Hillyer; Treasurer, A. H.
Rounsville ; Collector, G. B. Jennings.
1871 and 1872 — President, D. Ferguson ; Clerk and Librarian, B. Hillyer ; Treasurer,
A. H. Rounsville ; Collector, G. E. Jennings.
1878— President, W. H. Taylor; Clerk and Librarian, B. Hillyer; Treasurer, E. W.
Jones ; Collector, G. E. Jennings.
1874, 1875, 1876, 1877 and 1878— President, W. H. Taylor ; Clerk and Librarian, E.
Pillyer ; Treasurer, B. W. Jones ; Collector, G. E. Jennings.
1,879 and 1880— President, L. D. Hinkley ; Clerk and Librarian, E. Hillyer ; Treasurer,
E. W.' Jones.
To the late William Euen belongs the credit of taking the first steps to organize the Wau-
pun Library Association.
OLD settlers' club.
On the 8th day of February, 1875, many citizens of Waupun and vicinity, who had long
been residents of the State, met together for the purpose of organizing an' Old Settlers' Club.
A Club was formed and a committee appointed to draft rules for its government. A resolution
was also adopted, that all citizens of Waupun and vicinity, who had been twenty-five years resi-
dent of the State, should be entitled to membership. The meeting adjourned to February 15,
1875, for the purpose of perfecting a permanent organization.
On the last mentioned day, rules for the government of the Club were presented and
adopted. The Club permanently organized by the election of James McElroy, President; John
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
715
Bryce, Treasurer, and W. H. Taylor, Secretary. A resolution was adopted that the Old Set-
tlers' Club hold their first meeting March 2, 1875 ; that a picnic dinner be furnished, and that
members of the Club only participate.
Before the meeting, appointed for March 2, 1875, convened, the following named residents
of Wisconsin became members, giving the date of their entrance into the State :
Jedediah Amadon 1844
Samuel Amadon 1845
Henry Amadon, 1846
Almon Atwood 1847
Dudley Andrews 1845
M. J. Althouse 1849
John Bryce 1849
H. L. Butterfield 1847
B. B. Baldwin 1844
W. T. Brooks 1846
John A. Baker , 1842
Luther Butts 1846
D. L. Bancroft 1848
C. C. Bailey 1847
David Bruce 1842
D. C. Brooks 1848
John Burns 1842
L. B. Balcom 1841
David Boyntou 1845
Ira Clement 1847
H. E. Collins 1836
Philander Cole 1837
■Sylvester Dodge 1845
M. K. Dahl 1849
James Davison 1846
E. M. Dodgson 1842
J. H. Elkins 1843
-Joseph Fairbank 1844
August Fisher 1844
R. Franklin 1846
Eev. E. D. Farnham 1844
John S. Gee 1846
Martin Grider 1843
■Charles Grant 1845
R. L Graham 1849
T. W. Gee 1846
S. H. Harris 1845
•C. W. Henning 1849
These only comprise those who settled in the State previous to the year 1850, yet all who
<3ame in that year, were admitted to participation, together with their families.
On the 2d of March, 1875, pursuant to notice and invitsftions, the old settlers met in Wau-
pun. A large company was present. An old-fashioned dinner of pork, beans and brown bread
was served in abundance. Men and women partook of it with a relish. Old times and old
scenes were talked over. The evening was spent in social enjoyment. All were pleased with
the first Old Settlers' Club meeting.
On the 25th of November, 1875, the Executive Committee of the Club appointed December
4, 1875, as the time for the election of officers. On the day last named, James McElroy was
re-elected President ; John Bryce, Treasurer, and W. H. Taylor, Secretary. A resolution was
then adopted, that the Club hold their annual meeting on December 21, 1875. Accordingly, on
that day, the second annual meeting of the Club was held in Waupun. It was a success. The
banquet was enjoyed by about 650 old settlers and their guests. The evening was spent in
social intercourse, music and literary entertainments. This meeting, though held in 1875, was
really the meeting for 1876.
Owing to the inclement season of 1877, and oth-er reasons, no annual meeting was held.
The Executive Co&mittee having previously called a meeting, for the election of officers, on the
Simon Heath 1838
Eli Hooker 1846
E. Hillyer 1847
J. C. Hillibert 1849
Daniel Hiler 1845
S. C. Hill ...1842
Ira Hill 1843
Frank Johnston 1844
A. S. Johnson 1843
Benjamin Lyons 1847
B. Lemeness 1847
John Landaal 1846
John Kastine 1847
Philip Kramer 1847
Isaac Keech 1837
Elias Kennedy 1845
James McElroy 1848
John McCune 1848
Robert Mosher 1845
S. J. Mattoon 1844
.John W. McElroy 1848
Ira Merriam 1844
John Manz 1847
Silas Marsh 1840
John Mosher 1845
D. S. Morse 1843
A. F. Morse 1843
Parley Merriam 1844
Nelson Merriam T. 1844
Alexander McElroy 1848
E. T. Miller 1844
0. A. Morse 1843
S. VV. McDonald 1844
N. J. Newton 1839
D. V. Nickerson 1845
John Nickerson 1845
W. G. Oliver 1846
R. L. Oliver 1846
J. C. Owen 1846
C. T. Owen 1846
Joseph N. Olin 1839
Daniel Pierce 1844
A. P. Phelps 1846
E. A. Padgham 1849
C. W. Page 1840
John Boss 1848
C. F. C. Rank 1848
A. .J. Sheldon 1848
B. C. Sawyer 1842
W. H. Smithers 1845
J. L. Sargent 1845
August Spannagel 1846
T. C. Sanborn 1849
L. C. Stewart 1849
Edward Sikes 1844
H. N. Smith 1847
W. E. Scott 1845
W. H. Taylor 1846
Lyman Town 1844
•Cyrus Taylor 1838
William Thompson 1847
Caroline S. Town 1844
John Taylor 1842
William N.Walker 1846
C. B. Whitton 1846
Rev. E. N. Wright 1844
Thurston Wilcox 1836
C. H. Walker 1846
Jane A. Walker 1846
H. B. Wilcox 1836
Horatio Weadge 1844
Newel Whiting 1844
H. T. Wood 1844
Whitman Young 1848
716 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
6th day of February, 1878, all of the past officers were re-elected. A resolution was adopted
that the Club hold their annual meeting for 1878 on February 15, and that all who had been
residents of Waupun or vicinity for twenty years, be entitled to membership. On the day last
named, the Club held their third annual meeting. The gathering was large. Old men and
women, with their families, met and exchanged congratulations. A banquet was served, and
many partook of the repast. The afternoon and evening was spent, by those present, in pleas-
ant intercourse. All were pleased and all voted the meeting a success.
At this time, it was determined that the Club should not hold its annual meetings in the
winter ; that the next one should be held in the open air. Consequently, on the 15th of June^
1879, the fourth annual meeting of the Club was held in a grove one mile from the city, invi-
tations to all old settlers having been extended. The novelty of an out-door meeting, the season
of the year, and the pleasure of meeting old friends and faces, brought out a large assembly.
A long table had been prepared and was spread, loaded with the good things of life, generously
furnished by the old settlers. It was estimated that at least 1,200 partook of the ample bounty.
This meeting was a success, and will be remembered by all present with pleasure. The day
w;as beautiful, and was enlivened by music and addresses.
WISCONSIN STATE PRISON.
This institution was located in the village of Waupun during the year 1851, and opened
for the reception of convicts in the spring of 1852. By a law enacted in 1851, Messrs. John
Bullen, John Taylor and A. W. Worth were appointed Commissioners to determine the best
point in the State for the location of a State Prison. They examined different points, and, on
July 4, 1851, a majority of the Commissioners (Bullen and Taylor) decided to locate at Wau-
pun, Mr. Worth dissenting in favor of Madison.
On July 21, 1851, a contract was made with J. K. Smith for the construction of a main,
upright part of a temporary prison for $4,600, the dimensions of which were 26x80 feet, three
stories high, of wood, above a stone basement. The Commissioners estimated the sum necessary
to continue the erection of the prison and pay indebtedness at $25,000, and also recommended
the purchase of an additional twenty acres of land, for the sum of $800, which recommendation,
however, does not appear to have been acted upon.
John Taylor, of Waupun, was, March 28, 1852, appointed Commissioner by the Legisla-
ture, but was removed by Gov. Farwell before taking possession of the office, and Henry Brown,,
of Fond du Lac, appointed in his place, who took charge of the prison April 2, 1852.
On July 12, 1853, the Legislature directed the Commissioner to let the contract for the
mason work of the south wing of the prison, and, in December following, Andrew Proudfit
contracted to complete the work by December, 1854, for the sum of $12,624; it was ready for
the accommodation of prisoners in January following.
In his report for the year 1853, the Commissioner put the value of personal property
belonging to the State at $4,181.71.
By an act of the Legislature, the management of the State Prison was placed in the hands
of a Commissioner, who was elected by the people at the general election in November, 1853,
to hold his office for two years, from January 1 next succeeding the election. He appointed
one person to perform the duties of Deputy and Clerk, and also appointed all other officers.
The prison building, at this time, only contained sixty-seven cells ; number in confinement,
sixty-one.
The Commissioner, from January 1, 1854, to December 31, 1855, was A. W. Starks, of
Baraboo. In accordance with a law passed by the Legislature the Commissioner, during the
year 1855, let the convict labor as follows :
To Whitney & Danforth, for the labor of the convicts in the carpenter-shop, for two years,,
at 55 cents per day.
To Starkweather & Elmore, for the labor of convicts in tin-shop, for thirteen months, at an
average rate of 48 cents per day.
HISTOBY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTT. 717
To Mensink & Boland, for the labor of convicts in shoe-shop, for one year, at 60 cents per
day, and 25 cents for apprentices for the first six months.
Total amount received from the State to December, 1855, $30,156.94. Prisoners confined,
sixty-eight males.
E. McGarry, of Milwaukee, was the Commissioner from January 1, 1856, to December,
1857 ; John Lowth, Deputy^ An appropriation of $10,000 had been made by the Legislature
for the construction of the main or center building, but there being no money in the treasury, the
ury, the Commissioner had to negotiate for the purchase of material on credit and keep the
■convicts employed. He also recommended the building of a stronger wall around the prison
yard, as the board fence had become much decayed and alForded poor protection against escapes.
Gov. Bashford, in his message, recommended the leasing of the labor of convicts, provid-
ing, that they should be fed, clothed and furnished with the usual necessaries of life by the con-
tractors, who also should pay all expenses of guarding the prison, and allow the State a reason-
able compensation for the services of the convicts.
Prisoners confined January 1, 1857, 108 ; received in all up to that time, 241.
E. M. McGraw, of Sheboygan, held the office of Commissioner from January, 1858, to
December, 1859 ; James Giddings, Deputy.
Hans C. Heg, of Racine, held the office to December, 1861 ; L. W. Evans, Deputy.
On account of the convening of the Legislature each year early in January, it was impos-
sible to complete the annual report for the preceding year before the meeting of that body.
The time for making the annual report was therefore changed to October 1.
The Legislature also passed a law giving the Commissioner the authority to diminish the term
•of any convict, sentenced for a specific term, against whom no infraction of the rules had been
reported, not more than five days in each month.
The foundation for nearly all the front wall was laid during the year 1861, also iron-work
for front wall received, each panel weighing about 800 pounds. The prison report states that
the prison continued to turn out shoes for the soldiers.
In August, 1861, the office of Deputy and Clerk was divided, one of these could not be
held by the officer holding the other.
Hans C. Heg was re-nominated by the Republican State Convention, for the office of
Commissioner, but afterward declined, and Alex. P. Hodges, of Oshkosh, nominated in his
place, and elected ; he held the office for the next two years, with Martin Mitchell as Deptity
and Henry Cordier, Clerk. Seven hundred and eighty prisoners were received to September
30, 1862, of whom 116 remained in prison at that time.
The next Commissioner was Henry Cordier, of Waupun (formerly of Oshkosh), who held
the office for three terms, from January, 1864 to December, 1869. John Wingender, Clerk ;
N. H. Palmer, Deputy.
The joint committee of the Legislature on State aflfairs, having recommended the construc-
tion of a sewer from the prison yard to Rock River, a distance of 2,800 feet, the Legislature
appropriated the sura of $2,500 for that purpose, and work was commenced during the spring
of 1864, and finished next year.
A number of convicts were let to the Green Bay Stave Company, for making barrels for
a term of one year. The contract did hot prove proBtable, and was not renewed.
Number of prisoners confined September 30, 1865, was 90, being a decrease of 23 since
the year previous ; total received up to that time, 1,011.
Four thousand dollars were appropriated by the Legislature in 1866, for steam-power, and
a contract was made with Hiner & Co., of Fond du Lac, for an engine of sufficient capacity to be
used in the cabinet shop.
The prison buildings at this time consisted of main building (used as Commissioner's resi-
dence, office, officers' rooms, chapel and hospital), cell-room, female prison, workshops, wash-
house, barn and stable and woodshed. The prison proper, or cellroom, is 200 feet long, 50
feet wide and 50 feet high ; built of dressed limestone ; ten windows on each side, each being
718 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
16x5 feet. In the middle part of this room is a stone block containing the cells, four tiers,.
280 cells in all, which are 7 feet long, 4J feet wide and 8 feet high ; the north cellroom to be a
fac-simile of the south cellroom.
The manufacture of chairs was, during the year 1868, inaugurated at the prison ; a consider-
able number of the prisoners were employed in quarrying and cutting stone. The prisoners'
dress was changed from the striped dress heretofore worn, to one uniform color — light gray — the-
former being used only as a means of punishment, but has since been entirely abandoned.
On January 1, 1870, George F. Wheeler, of Fond du Lac, assumed the management of
the prison, having been elected Commissioner; he appointed C. S. Kelsey. of Montello,
Deputy; D. B. Parkhurst, of Berlin, Clerk; Dr. H. L. Butterfield, Prison Physician.
The workshops were, on the 2d day of May, 1870, destroyed by fire; also about 300,000-
feet of lumber, considerable cord-wood and other property. The shops were immediately rebuilt,
and ready about January 1, 1871. They are now 375 feet long, 54 feet wide, two stories high,
with engine-house attached, two dry-houses and brick smoke-stack, 110 feet high.-
During the next year, Mr. Kelsey resigned his position as Deputy Warden, and was suc-
ceeded by B. H. Bettis ; L. D. Hinkley was appointed Clerk, in place of D. B. Parkhurst,
resigned. Mr. George F. Wheeler was re-elected Commissioner, and held the office until
December, 1873.
The Legislature, during the session of 1873, passed a law, changing the management of"
the prison, which law went into effect in January, 1874. Three Directors were appointed by
the Governor, with the advice and ^consent of the Senate, to hold their office for two, four and
six years, and thereafter all appointments to be for six years. In place of the Commissioner,
heretofore elected by the people at the general election, tlje Directors appointed a Warden, who-
has charge and custody of the prison, also appointed the Clerk, both to hold their office for a
term of three years. The Warden appointed all other officers, subject to the approval of the
Directors.
The Governor of the State appointed as the first Board of Directors, ex-Gov. !N"elson
Dewey, of Grant County, for six years ; W. E. Smith, of Milwaukee, for four years; Joel Rich,
of Dodge County, for two years. They met at the prison February 12, 1874, and appointed-
George F. Wheeler, the former Commissioner, as Acting Warden, and L. D. Hinkley, Acting
Clerk.
On April 1, 1874, H. N. Smith, of Sheboygan County, was appointed Warden, and Jacob
Fuss, of Brown County, Clerk, for a term of three years from January 1, 1874. The Warden
appointed S. D. Hubbard, Deputy; Dr. H. L. Butterfield, Prison Physician; Rev. E. Tasker,
Chaplain; G. J. Heiderman, Superintendent of Shops.
During the first year of the new administration, arrangements were made with the C, M.
& St. P. R. R. to run a side track into the prison yard, for which purpose four and one-half
acres of land lying between the railroad track and the prison grounds had to be bought. The
manufacture of wagons was also introduced, employing from twenty-five to thirty convicts.
S. D. Hubbard resigned his position as Deputy Warden September 30, 1874, and was suc-
ceeded by V. B. Knowles, who remained until April 30, 1875, when he resigned, and Joel Rich,
one of the Directors, acted as Deputy until January 1, 1876, when his term of office as Director
expired, and he was appointed Deputy.
George W. Burchard, of Fort Atkinson, was, January 1, 1876, appointed one of the
Directors, in place of Joel Rich, whose term had expired.
The Legislature having authorzed the leasing of the labor of convicts, the Warden adver-
tised for proposals for the labor of from fifty to seventy-five men, but no bids were received.
The Warden, ,H. N. Smith, and Clerk, Jacob Fuss, were re-appointed January 1, 1877,
for another term of three years.
On the morning of February 1, the engine-house was burned, also about 20,000 feet of
lumber, and the engine. The house was immediately rebuilt, making it a one-story building,
with fire-proof roof The engine was also repaired, and two new tubular boilers put in in place
of the old flue boilers worn out.
HISTOBT OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 71&
An experiment was made by employing a number of convicts in the manufacture of brooms,
■which, however, did not prove satis:factory, and was therefore abandoned.
The convict labor was leased to M. D. Wells & Co., of Chicago, for the manufacture of
boots and shoes, for five years from January 1, 1878, at the rate of 40 cents per day, nine and
three- fourths hours to be a day's work. All other manufacture on the part of the State was
therefore discontinued after January 1, except that a few men were kept in the wagon-shop,
where it was intended to work up the old material on hand.
H. M. Kutchin, of Fond du Lac, was, in January, 1878, appointed one of the Directors in
place of Wm. E. Smith, whose term had expired, and who had been elected Governor of the State.
Alexander White, of Fond du Lac, was, April 10, of the same year, appointed Deputy
Warden in place of Joel Rich, resigned. The continued increase of the number of prisoners
seemed to make it necessary to complete the north cellroom, which was done during the sum-
mer following at an expense of about $8,000.
From the Directors' and Warden's report for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1879,
the following statistics are gathered : Total number of prisoners received to that time, 2,730 ;
total number confined, 309, of which 225 were employed under contract. Age of those confined,
21 under twenty years ; 47 from twenty to thirty ; 65 from thirty to forty ; 56 from forty to
sixty ; 20 over sixty. The total number of life prisoners received were : Murder, 54 ; murder,
first degree, 29 ; murder, second degree, 11 ; rape, 2 ; desertion, 1 — total, 97. Discharged on
Governor's pardon, 31 ; on order of courts, 8 ; on order of Secretary of War, 1 ; removal to Insane
Asylum, 3; died, 6 — total, 49 ; leaving in prison, September 30, 1879, 48. Longest time
served, 17 years ; shortest, 2 years and 9 months.
The prisoners confined September 30, 1879, were received during the several years as fol-
lows : 1867, 1 ; 1860, 1 ; 1862, 1 ; 1863, 2 ; 1865, 3 ; 1866, 1 ; 1867, 2 ; 1868, 5 ; 1869, 2 ;
1870, 2 ; 1871, 5; 1872, 6 ; 1874, 8 ; 1875, 14 ; 1876, 22 ; 1877, 48 ; 1878, 108 ; 1879, 78.
On June 17, 1878, the number of prisoners was 366, the highest number ever reached.
The total amount of appropriations received from the State since the organization of the
prison is $1,993,481.23, or an average of $41,240 a year to September 30, 1877. Owing to
the large amount of manufactured goods, material and bills receivable on hand when the convict
labor was contracted to Wells & Co., no appropriation was asked for and received, for the two
years from October 1, 1877, to September 30, 1879, and none asked for the year ending Septem-
ber 30, 1880, the last annual report showing all bills paid, with cash on hand $11,090.
George W. Carter, of Fond du Lac, was, January 1, 1880, appointed Warden in place of
H. N. Smith, whose term of ofiice expired on that day. Jacob Fuss |Was re-appointed Clerk,
Alexander White continued as Deputy Warden ; Rev. Victor Kutchin, Chaplain ; Drs. H. L.
Butterfield and D. W. Moore, Prison Physicians ; Henry Brooks, Turnkey.
WAUPUN A DOZEN TEARS AGO.
"Waupun, a village containing something over 3,000 inhabitants," says a writer in 1868,
"is situated on the Horicon Branch of the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad. The village lies
in the counties of Fond du Lac and Dodge, Main street being the county line. The distance
ro m Milwaukee is about sixty miles ; from Green Bay, eighty-five miles ; from La Crosse, one
hundred and fifty miles, and from Madison fifty miles. There are direct railroad communications
with all of these places. "Chester, a small station on the C. & N-W. Railway, is situated about
two and one-half miles east of the village. The ready commuuication thus aflForded with Mil-
waukee, Chicago and Green Bay, renders this a better place of market than most inland towns.
One great essential to the rapid growth of a place — a good' water-power — is wanting here ; and
Waupun has been obliged to depend mainly upon the agricultural wealth of the surrounding coun-
try, and the enterprise and energy of the early settlers, for its advancement.
" The first white settlers in this locality came here between the years of 1839 and 1841.
One of the first buildings, if not the first erected here, was a tavern put up by Mr. Seymour Wil-
cox. Soon after him, Nathan Newton, John N. Ackerman, Nathaniel Dodge and William
720 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
McElroy made settlements here. Since that timie, Waupun has grown slowly but steadily, and
the wilderness has been converted into rich and well-cultivated farms. In the ' early days' of
the settlement, Seymour Wilcox owned nearly all of the land where Waupun now stands. Gen.
Winfield Scott, the hero of many a well-fought battle with our country's foes, once stopped over
night at Mr. Wilcox's tavern. Before the railroad was laid through this place, most of the farm-
ers carried their produce to Milwaukee with ox teams and heavy lumber wagons, the trip there
and back taking about five days at shortest.
" I know of no more accurate criterions by which to judge a place than its churches,
schools, press and saloons. At the last village election the temperance ticket was chosen, and
there is not now a whisky saloon in the place. Of the churches, schools and press, I propose
to speak.
" There are six churches in the village. The Congregational Church, Rev. J. M. Williams,
Pastor, has a large membership, and exerts an extensive religious influence upon the community.
The Methodist Church has been longest organized at this place, and probably has the largest
membership. The Pastor, Rev. J. C. Robbins, has labored earnestly among his people, and
with good success. The First Baptist Church, Rev. J. 0. M. Hewitt, Pastor, though hardly
equal to the others in membership, is not inferior in other respects. The Free-Will Baptist
Church, Rev. E. IST. Wright, Pastor, prospers well financially and spiritually. There are also
the Trinity Protestant Episcopal Mission, Rev. Charles Thorp, Deacon in charge, and the Cath-
olic Church, Rev. G. L. Willard.
" There are three ward schools, all well supported, and all under the direction of well
qualified teachers. There has been considerable talk about establishing a central high school
here, but no very energetic action has ever been' taken about the matter.
" Two weekly newspapers are published here, both strongly Republican. The Waupun
Times, John R. Decker, editor, is published every Tuesday, and has now nearly closed its
eleventh year. The Prison Qity Leader has just entered its third year, and is a live local
sheet, edited and published by Short & Oliver.
" Western States generally have shown much liberality in the construction of their public
buildings, but perhaps none more than Wisconsin. Surely its penitentiary is one that may com-
pare favorably with the best institutions of the kind in the Union, and has often been termed the
'model prison of the country.' The convicts are under excellent discipline, the result of the
earnest labors of the present Commissioner, Mr. Henry Cordier, who has been three times elected
to this office. The institution is now nearly self-supporting, and it is expected soon to be
entirely so. A prison school, established a little more than a year ago, is now in successful
operation.
" The manufacturing interests of Waupun are considerable. The Waupun pump, patented
and manufactured by Mr. M. J. Althouse, is the premium pump of the Northwest. Mr. A.
came here in the ' early days' of the village, worth but little, as far as pecuniary wealth is con-
cerned, but containing within him the indomitable energy and perseverance which have since
characterized him as an extensive business manager. He made his first pump with his own
hands, and for his own well. Afterward, he made a few for his neighbors, and soon obtained a
patent and started a small factory. Enlarging and erecting new buildings, he rapidly won the
favor and patronage of the public, and acquired considerable property. But every one must
expect reverses in fortune. Mr. Althouse was not an exception. His large manufactory was
entirely destroyed by fire last winter, and Mr. A. suff"ered a loss of $12,000 in stock not easily
replaced. Fortunately, he owned a planing-mill separate from this factory, and, building a large
addition to this, he immediately converted it into a manufactory. He is now doing an immense
business. He employs -thirty-five hands, besides twenty-three who are engaged in the sale of
the pumps throughout the States of Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa. Two teams are kept run-
ning continually from each of the points, Madison, Mineral Point, Fond du Lac, Appleton and
Waukesha, in this State. Mr. A. usually makes about 6,000 pumps annually, but will turn out
7,800 this year. The timber used in the manufacture of these pumps is white-wood, and is
'/^-i>L^2j^
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 723
obtained from Michigan. The machinery is all new, and is run by steam. Besides his manu-
factory, Mr. A. has a large building which he uses for a repository and office.
" The mammoth wagon and carriage factory of Messrs. Wells & Co. is an institution in which
Waupun justly feels a pride. This firm succeeded that of A. D. AUis & Co. Mr. Wells
employs thirty hands, and makes 300 wagons, 100 carriages and 50 cutters annually, selling
them chiefly in the States of Wisconsin and Minnesota. He obtains his stock from the East,
and gives special attention to light work.
" Messrs. Zimmerman & Geidel are doing a good business in the wagon and carriage line.
This firm employs thirteen hands, and manufactures 125 wagons, 30 carriages and about 40
sleighs and cutters annually, and finds a sale for them in this State.
" The Prison City Marble Works of J. S. Gee & Son are worthy of mention. These have
been established many years at this place, and work of a first-class character is done.
" Mr. Robert B. McElroy has a large door and blind factory here.
" There are four hotels, the best of which are the Garrington and New York Houses, kept
respectively by A. Shipman and Charles Simpson.
" There is only one bank — the Corn Exchange — in Waupun. Its capital is $50,000.
President, D. Ferguson ; Cashier, W. Hobkirk.
" The flouring-mills of this place were quite useless in the summer season until Harris &
Son put an engine into their mill in order to run it by steam when water was low. The other
mill runs the greater part of the year, and Mr. William Warren is doing quite a good business
with it. Both mills have two run of stones, one each for flour and feed."
WAUPUN FIKE COMPANY NO. 1.
Early in 1874, the village of Waupun having suffered several losses from fire which might
have been avoided had there been an organized fire department, purchased a Champion Chem-
ical fire engine at a cost of $2,000, and built a neat two-story engine-house on Main street near
the railway crossing for its reception. This building cost about $750. On the 6th of October,
of the same year, a meeting was held for the purpose of organizing a fire department, when the
following persons signed the by-laws and became members, to serve without pay: 0. A. Morse,
Jr., S. J. Morse, Frank Heath, J. E. Stanton, P. M. Pryor, Albert Raymond, George Ray-
mond, Ole Oleson, J. W. Oliver, J. A. Baker; W. E. Warren, C. H. Ackerman, P. Weidner,
Isaac Thompson, S. Peterson, W. H. Purcell, E. L. Schofield, D. S. Pryor, H. D. Schulte, P.
Thompson, Thomas Purcell, J. E. Jones, W. G. Oliver, C. Christophersen, H. 0. Shipman, W.
Blosfeldt, Thomas McDonald. D. A. Lowber, W. Germain, F. H. Robinson, E. A. Conrad, James
McFarlane, J. M. Robbins, B. W. Mentink, F. R. Pierce, W. T. King, H. McRoberts, H.
Hanisch, C. A. Pierce, J. Staub, John Fieldstad, Charles Larson, Charles Hanisch, Charles
Dahl and T. W. Gee. At the same time, the following officers were elected : Foreman, J. A.
Baker; First Assistant, W. E. Warren; Second Assistant, P. Weidner; Secretary, J. W.
Oliver ; Treasurer, W. G. Oliver.
In 1878, the city purchased a water engine for $500, and caused to be made at a local shop
a hose-cart, which is far more light, durable and convenient than those made for that purpose at
the regular factories, and its cost was one-third less. The hook and ladder wagon and appurten-
ances were also made in Waupun, and are models for neatness, durability and effectiveness. The
present officers of the Company are: Foreman, Drysdale Ferguson; First Assistant, T. W.
Gee; Second Assistant, Frank Heath; Secretary, J. W. Oliver; Treasurer, 0. A. Morse, Jr.
DODGE COUNTY MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY.
An act was passed by the Legislature and approved April 17, 1852, incorporating the Dodce
County Mutual Insurance Company, with Edwin Hillyer, L. B. Hills, Josiah Drummond, B.
Hinkley, J. N. Ackerman, George W. Bly, L. P. Preston, N. J. Newton, J. D. Tanner, Joseph
T. Hillyer, J. W. Brown, J. Look and Logan Graves, as Directors.
724 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
The act declared that "the corporation shall have power and authority to make contracts
of insurance with any person or persons or any body, corporate or politic, against loss by fire
of any houses, stores or other buildings whatsoever, or of any goods, chattels, or personal estate
whatsoever, for such term or terms of time, and for such premium or consideration as may be
agreed upon by them, the said corporation, and the person or persons agreeing with them (it), for
insurance. * * * Every person who shall at any time become interested in said
Company, by insuring therein, and also his heirs, administrators and assigns, continuing to be
insured therein, as hereinafter mentioned, shall be deemed and taken to be members thereof, for
and during the terms specified in their respective policies, and no longer, and shall at all times
be concluded and bound by the provisions of this act."
The act of incorporation further declared that, when any loss should occur, every stock-
holder would be compelled to pay his proportion of it, according to the amount of insurance on
his property ; and the corporation would have a lien upon that property for the amount, what-
ever it might be. This was an unconstitutional provision, but it served the desired purpose.
At the first meeting of the Board of Directors, the salary of each was fixed at $2 per day
for services actually rendered. The Company began at once to secure business, which con-
stantly increased during nearly twenty years. Risks were taken in all portions of the State ;
losses were paid promptly, the assessments were light, and misfortune alone was the cause of the
Company's failure. As high as $2,500 per year salary was paid to the Secretary and $1,500 to
the President, W^th good compensation to the Directors and other officers. In the latter part of
1870, George W. Bly, the Secretary, conceived the idea of going abroad, and, as he never
returned, the Company was finally compelled to go out of business, which it did in 1875, by
going into bankruptcy. E. D. Foote was appointed Assignee and E. M. Beach Attorney for
the Assignee. About nine hundred premium notes were sued, and a dividend of 10 per cent
declared in favor of the stockholders. The notes outstanding amounted to $40,000, but many of
them were worthless. The officers, from the organization down to its death, of the Dodge
County Mutual Insurance Company have been as follows :
1852 and 1853 — President, Edwin Hillyer ; Vice President, J. D. Tanner ; Secretary, L.
B. Hills ; Treasurer, George W. Bly.
1854, 1855, 1858 and 1857— President, Edwin Hillyer ; Vice President, C. C. Cheney ;
Secretary, L. B. Hills; Treasurer, George W. Bly. In October, 1857, the President and Sec-
retary having resigned, John Ware was chosen President and Edwin Hillyer Secretary for the
balance of the year.
1858 — President, John Ware ; Vice President, E. Barker ; Secretary, Edwin Hillyer ;
Treasurer, G. W. Bly.
1859 — President, George W. Bly; Vice President, E. Barker; Secretary, Edwin Hillyer;
Treasurer, John Ware.
I860 — President, George W. Bly; Vice President, E. Barker; Secretary, Edwin Hillyer;
Treasurer, W. G. McElroy.
1861 — President, George W. Bly ; Vice President, E. Barker; Secretary, Edwin Hillyer;
Treasurer, Logan Graves.
1862 — President, George W. Bly; Vice President, E. Barker; Secretary, Edwin Hillyer ;
Treasurer, M. L. Coe.
1863— President, George W. Bly ; Vice President, L. B. Hills ; Secretary, Edwin Hillyer;.
Treasurer, J. T. Hillyer.
1864 — President, George W. Bly ; Vice President, Logan Graves ; Secretary, Edwin Hill-
yer ; Treasurer, L. B. Hills.
1865 — President, George W. Bly; Vice President, Logan Graves ; Secretary, Edwin Hill-
yer ; Treasurer, George Babcock. In July, the President and Secretary resigned, and J. T.
Hillyer was chosen President and George W. Bly Secretary for the balance of the year.
1866— President, Joseph T. Hillyer ; Vice President, Logan Graves ; Secretary, George
W. Bly ; Treasurer, Hanson Ely.
HISTOEY OF FOJSTD DU LAC COUNTY. 725
1867 — President, J. T. Hillyer ; Vice President, Logan Graves ; Secretary, George W. Ely ;
Treasurer, D. C. Brooks.
1868 — President, J. T. Hillyer ; Vice President, Logan Graves ; Secretary, George W.
Ely ; Treasurer, 0. L. Olmstead.
1869 — President, J. T. Hillyer; Vice President, Logan Graves; Secretary, George W.
Ely; Treasurer, W. G. McElroy.
1870 — President, J. T. Hillyer; Vice President, 0. L. Omstead; Secretary, George W.
Ely ; Treasurer, Townsend Carpenter. Before this term expired, Mr. Bly went on a tour from
which he has never returned, and George Babcock took his place as Secretary.
1871 — President, J. T. Hillyer ; Vice President, George G. Marvin; Secretary, J. A.
Baker; Treasurer, George Babcock. Before the year ended, the President and Treasurer
resigned, and William Hobkirk was chosen President, and George F. Wheeler, Treasurer.
1872, 1873 and 1874— President, William Hobkirk; Vice President, G. G. Marvin; Sec-
retary, J. A. Baker ; Treasurer, George F. Wheeler, t
1875 — President, William Hobkirk; Vice President, G. G. Marvin; Secretary, J. A.
Baker; Treasurer, Townsend Carpenter. In August, Mr. Hobkirk disappeared, and Chester
Hazen was chosen President. Mr. Baker resigned in June, and E. D. Foote was chosen Secre-
tary in his place.
Five or six days after Mr. Hobkirk left, the Company was declared bankrupt, and it has
transacted no business since.
A CONTRAST.*
There is a marked contrast between the times of thirty-five years ago and now, in and
around Waupun. Those who now live upon the same farms upon which they settled at that
time cannot realize the change. Like the years of man, it has been creeping steadily on. Then the
entire country was mostly one unbroken wilderness, streams and prairies. About thirty-five years
ago, the great majority of land around Waupun was entered or pre-empted. Though the soil was
rich and productive, yet what an amount of determination and courage was required to develop the
country to make it a suitable abode for man, those who possessed that determination and courage
very well know. With an unflinching hand the commencement was made ; there was no putting
the hands to the plow and looking back. The cabin was erected, the home, however homely,
was started, the grounds were broken ; then, in case there were funds left sufficient to buy the
few necessaries for immediate use, that was a happy home.
At that time, there were no roads laid out or opened. The settler was compelled to travel
with his ox team, in some instances, thirty or forty miles to mill, and fortunate was he who had
a grist to grind. There were no schools or churches. There were none of the conveniences so
requisite to make life in a new country desirablfe ; there were none of the conveniences and
privileges of to-day.
The country was rich in all the natural advantages, yet no country, however fruitful, how-
ever rich the soil, can be brought to a satisfactory state of production except by the untiring
energies of man.
The commencement was made, the cabins were built, the lands were cleared and broken,
and each succeeding year brought in additional numbers, so that in five years there was hardly
a piece of Government land to be found.
Many coming in without money sufficient could enter no land. Did they lie down under
the misfortune of having no money ? No ; a home they would have, and where there is a will
there is a way. They pre-empted a quarter-section, and soon found an opportunity to sell for
money enough to pay for an eighth.
Necessity with many of the older settlers was often great, and often became the mother of
invention. Who, of this day, would think of building a wooden house without the use of boards.
Our latter-day mechanics would tell you that it would be almost impossible, yet it was
♦Adapted from an address delivered June 15, 1879, before the old settlers of Waupun and vicinity, by W. H. Taylor.
■^26 HISTOEY OF POND DU LAC COUNTY.
sometimes done, with not a board either in floor, door or casing from foundation to ridge, and it
was a good, warm and cleanly kept house, and in it hospitality was extended in a regal manner.
Between the old settlers, as they came in and became acquainted (and they did not wait for
an introduction), there existed a bond of sympathy, a bond of love. There was a bond of
friendship formed which continued for years, and which still exists.
What with all their poverty, their inconvenience, and, in many cases, their entire igno-
rance of life in a new country, by their determined perseverance and energy they accomplished
more than many in more affluent circumstances would.
In those days manual labor, real backbone, was the great desideratum.
Agricultural and domestic implements were very crude. Contrast the difference between
the appliances now used in husbandry and housekeeping with those used thirty-five years ago —
those were the days of the bull-plow and crotch-drag, with wooden teeth ; then bone and sinew
was the motive power. From earliest morning until late at night the watchword and reply was
work, work.
As soon as the land was taken and occupied, so as to have a population sufficient to form a
town government, towns were laid out and organized ; roads were laid out and opened ; school-
houses, however rude, were built, and schools, the great precursor of all good society, were
opened.
Those rude schoolhouses served a double purpose : a place where the old settlers held
religious service, as well as for schools. Contrast the difference between those attending service
and the style and manner of that service, at that time and now.
Thirty-five years ago, those who desired to attend religious service in the style of the day,
their conveyance would have been a lumber wagon, drawn by a yoke of oxen, and happy was
he who could indulge in that luxury.
Think of a man at this day loading his good wife and family into a lumber wagon, and
driving to either of our churches ! No matter how devout ; no matter what the circumstances ;
no matter if he had no mortgage upon his farm, and determined to have none, the universal
expression would be, that man is a boor, his wife a slave, and both unfit for society.
As the years rolled on, the settler, by his industry and frugality, was enabled to exchange
his cabin for a home more commodious. The farms were improved and soon began to return to
the husbandman a surplus.
Milwaukee was then the only market. Men, T;o-day, complain of the prices paid for their
produce. Thirty years ago, many a load of wheat was drawn by ox teams to Milwaukee, often
requiring ten or twelve days to make the trip, and sold for four shillings per bushel.
Those were times that tried men's perseverance. Some fell by the wayside ; others, with
that determination characteristic of the brave man, met with tha^t signal success born of valor
and zeal. Mechancis began to come in, and, in almost every department of mechanism, the arti-
san had something to do. Mills were built, thereby relieving many of the terrible inconven-
iences the old settlers had to contend with.
As soon as the farms began to produce more than required for the family, thereby having
something to exchange for merchandise, stocks of merchandise were brought in and opened.
From the earliest settlement up to twenty-five years ago, the settlers had kept on in the
even tenor of their ways ; contentment and thrift, peace and good will, among and with all were
kindred associates. Our own beautiful village (now city — mark the change !) was being built
up. Men of the different professions found a place where to lay the foundation for reputation
and wealth. Most signally have many of them failed to reach the mark aimed at, while others,
more successful, are enjoying the fruit of their labors, and wear their honors well.
About that time that memorable enterprise so well remembered by most of you, to wit, the
building of a railroad from Milwaukee northwest, to run through our section, was started.
Many still living have a recollection of the ease with which they could mortgage their
homes to aid in that enterprise. Many, who had so mortgaged their farms, will remember the
hardships and difficulties encountered in redeeming their homes.
HISTORY OF rOXD DU LAC COUNTY. 727
Up to this time there had been no marked distinctions in society, no graded classes. The
honest poor man was a peer with the more affluent. Then poverty was no crime, there was that
fraternal feeling existing between all the people, which characterized them, and which left an
indelible impression upon the mind that can only be eradicated by death.
From twenty-five down to twenty years ago, there had been no very marked change; the
industry and frugality that had characterized the lives of very many of the first settlers were then
prominent, and I can truthfully say is a marked feature with them to-day. As industry and fru-
gality were with them the cynosure to success, so it will be with any and all people.
Railroads opened into the county, new branches of enterprise started, an influx of men
who had nothing to lose, but everything to gain, bent upon getting a living and wealth by
their wits, and too often at the expense of every moral prihciple. Teachers of almost every
creed known, either social, political or moral, setting forth their peculiar dogmas, teaching a
new order of things, the influence of which was then deeply felt, and in some instances to-day
lamentably deplored ; all these with many other influences brought to bear, it is not strange that
a radical change should have been produced upon society.
From the earliest settlement to twenty-five and even down to twenty years ago, the wants
of the settler were few and easily supplied. That which they could not buy and pay for they
went without, but now a change was approaching, and, indeed, we may say a change had come.
The county being settled up, the farms better improved, society of a grade said to be more
refined introduced ; the children, growing to manhood and womanhood, anxious to adopt the advanc-
ing style of the day ; schools of a higher grade established ; fine churches built, whose pulpits
were occupied by salaried ministers ; the means of communication being supplied ; agricultural
and domestic implements of a higher and more costly grade being introduced in place of those
now worn out. The consequent attendants of an additional and heavy expense in supporting
all these, it is not strange that a change should come. Under the rigid economy of the old set-
tler, with his determination to be free and untrammeled from debt, too many of them were seem-
ingly compelled to succumb to the influences, the demand and seeming necessities of the times,
and, as Adam yielded to the importuning of Eve, to eat the apple, and thereby fell from his
high estate, so, in some instances, we find the old settler who had a home free and unincumbered, a
fireside around which he could rally his family and say, this is my possession, listened to the siren
song sung by all these influences, and, listening, fell, a slave to style, a slave to things external
and perishable, a slave to his own folly.
The people felt the effects of that change then, and it is felt to-day.
The query arises, Are the people to-day more happy, more prosperous ? Is society better ? Is
the standard of morals higher under the enhanced cost of living and supporting caste and style
than were the old settlers in their honest industry and frugality ? In short, are the people
more happy? Are they more contented ? Do they enjoy themselves better with a " plaster " on
their farms and homes, though they dress in style and ride in a coach, than did the old settlers
with homes free and unincumbered, though they dressed in homespun and rode jn lumber
wagons ?
One thing is certain, and that is that manual labor and the demand for it is the measure of
a people's prosperity. In the earlier days, the farmers' sons were educated for farm work, the noblest
of all professions ; to-day they are educated for all other professions, and, in every other kind of
business, there is an over-supply of labor. The farms are deserted by the farmers' sons, and
machinery takes their place, the result is the country is filled with idlers and tramps.
When, by the introduction of any of the appliances, the demand for labor is cut short ;
when we see honest labor go begging for work and none to be had, then we may readily conclude
that our country, in its financial condition, is not prosperous.
No country can be prosperous in all its enterprises where the masses have only employment
and wages sufficient to enable a man to support his family and educate his children.
No country can be prosperous where labor does not receive its just reward, or where the
expense of living is greater than the income.
728 HISTOKY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
That there are errors in our system of living is a foregone conclusion. The question for
old settlers to consider is, What is the remedy ? It is suggested that a strict adherence to those
habits of a rigid economy, industry and punctuality that so characterized the fathers ; a strict
adherence to honesty and sobriety ; a fraternal regard for all ; a strict observance of these rules
will place us on a higher plane, and mark our distinction among our fellow-men.
WAUPUN SCHOOLS.
District Number 1. — The first school opened in Waupun was tauglit in 1844, by Charles
Cleveland, in a small wooden building, situated on the line between Fond du Lac and Dodge
Counties, near where the railway crosses Washington street. The schoolhouse was large enough
to seat thirty scholars, but there were by no means thirty school children in Waupun at that
time. The district was No. 1, and composed the territory of the present city of Waupun, a
portion of the town of Waupun in Fond du Lac, and a portion of the town of Chester, in Dodge
County.
In 1847, the original school building having become inadequate to satisfy the demands
made upon it by the rapidly increasing numbers of school children, a new frame building was
erected on the corner of Madison and Jefferson streets, where the Episcopal Church edifice now
stands, in the South Ward. This served for District No. 1 until 1853, when the building now
used by Utter as a warehouse, on Washington street, was built. On the 23d of September,
1853, $1,000 was pledged for the erection of a schoolhouse, and A. K. Starkweather, B. Hun-
ger, John Ware, Charles Smith and B. B. Baldwin, were appointed a building committee, with
instructions to purchase not less than one acre of land for a site. They purchased the land on
which the present South Ward building now stands, and erected the building now owned by Mr.
Utter.
On the 22d of October, 1860, by a resolution offered by Eli Hooker, District No. 1 was
divided into two districts, the line between Dodge and Fond du Lac Counties separating them.
The Clerks of District No. 1 were W. H. Taylor, Eli Hooker, S. K. Vaughn, B. Hink-
iey, B. B. Baldwin, A. K. Starkweather, Jesse Hooker, Charles Smith, Cromwell Laithe and
William Euen.
The South Ward School. — After the division, in 1860, of District No. 1, that portion
lying in Dodge County was called the South Ward School and continued to use the school build-
ing that had served the undivided district. The number of school children continued to
increase, and, in 1872, $10,000 was voted for a new building of brick and stone. Thomas H.
Green, of Fond du Lac, furnished the plans, and the contract for constructing the edifice was
let to A. Wisnom, of the same city. The building is a handsome two-story structure of brick,
with basement and cupola, and contains four commodious schoolrooms, capable to accommodate
400 scholars. It was finished in 1872, and the old school building was sold to Graves & Nor-
ton. In 1877, a high school department was organized, and money for its support is obtained
.annually from the State. The average in the South Ward is 220, divided in four departments —
the high school, grammar, intermediate and primary, requiring five teachers. In the high
school department, all the higher branches and languages are taught. The average wages paid
to male teachers is f80 per month, and to female teachers |31.25 per month.
The Secretaries of the South Ward District have been William Euen, John Ware, Ira Hill
and L. D. Hinkley.
The North Ward School. — The North Ward, after being set off as a separate district in
October, 1860, had no schoolhouse. A lot on Franklin street containing three-fourths of an
acre of land was therefore purchased of Seymour Wilcox for |450, and early in 1861, the
erection of the present plain but substantial brick and stone structure began. The plan
was furnished by Mr. Whiting, who also had the contract for the wood-work. Eli Hooker
was overseer of the work of construction. The building cost something over $6,000, and was
finished for occupancy in the fall of 1861. It contains four large rooms, which accommodate
250 pupils. The school is divided into four graded departments, the same as the South Ward
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 729
School, and gives employment to five teachers. The high school department has quite a num-
ber of foreign scholars, and the room is crowded.
In 1868, all the records and papers of the North Ward School were burned. The clerks
have been Eli Hooker, M. J. Althouse, A. Nudd, W. J. Oliver and Emil Haueisen.
THE POST OFFICE.
The first Postmaster to serve the inhabitants of Waupun and vicinity was Seymour Wilcox,
■who was appointed in the winter of 1840 and 1841, and kept the office in his log house near
where the old family residence now is. He received no stated salary, and .the revenue of the
office at first was very little, indeed, only a few letters coming into his hands during the first
year. There were neither envelopes nor postage-stamps in use then, and the Postmaster col-
lected 25 cents for an ordinary letter from the person to whom it was directed. Even at that
exorbitant rate the settlers were thankful enough to get a letter, and whenever one arrived the
whole neighborhood knew it, and sooner or later learned the contents of the precious missive.
Mr. Wilcox was succeeded as Postmaster by B. Hinkley.
In 1848, John N. Ackerman secured the appointment of Postmaster, and moved its office
to his residence in " Upper Town," or the western portion of the village. As there had been a
spirited rivalry between Upper and Lower Towns for some time, the inhabitants of the latter
naturally rebelled at having the office moved a half-mile to the west. They could do but little,
however, but complain, until the ingenuity of William Euen brought both revenge and a return
of the post office. He drafted a general order demanding that the Postmaster deliver to him
whatever mail might be in the office for persons whose names were signed to the document. As
all the people of " Lower Town " signed this order, Mr. Ackerman was obliged to deliver the mail
to Mr. Euen, who thereafter was compelled to take a horse to transport the large quantities of
letters and papers directed to people living in "Lower Town." Finally, early in 1849, L. B.
Hills received a commission as Postmaster, and the post office was moved back to "Lower Town."
Mr. Hills served nearly four years.
In 1853, Artimadorus Ingersoll was appointed Postmaster by Franklin Pierce to succeed
Mr. Hills, but was removed before the end of the year for refusing to obey the orders of the
politicians in appointing a deputy, and Cromwell Laithe was appointed to take his place. Mr.
Laithe served the balance of the term, and soon after Buchanan took his seat as President in'
1857, Thomas Stoddart was appointed Postmaster. He served four years, until June, 1861,
when J. H. BrinkerhofF, the present incumbent, was appointed by Abraham Lincoln. The
Waupun post office became a money-order office in August, 1866.
During several years after the office was first established, mail was sent and received only
once each week, and when the mail carrier arrived twice a week, the inhabitants thought there
could be nothing like modern mail facilities. Now, mail is received and sent out six times each
twenty-four hours, and the revenue of the office amounts to nearly $1,000 per quarter. When
the Dodge County Mutual Insurance Company was doing business, the Waupun post office paid
out through its money-order department as much as any office in the State, with two or three
exceptions.
When Mr. Hinkley was Postmaster, he carried the letters remaining in the office to all
great occasions in the crown of his hat. When, therefore, any one asked whether there was
any mail in the office, he took the office from his head and looked over the little package of
begrimmed missives in short order, handing out whatever he found for parties present. The
inhabitants regarded this as a great convenience, and were not backward in praising Mr. Hink-
ley for establishing the post office on the top of his head.
WAUPUN AGKICULTUEAL AND MECHANICAL ASSOCIATION.
This society was organized in 1868, holding its first fair in the fall of that year, at Wau-
pun. There were seven annual exhibitions by the society. The organization wound up its affairs
730 HISTORY or FOJ^D DU LAC COUNTY.
in 1875. Except financially, its fairs were always a success ; they had a material influence for
good upon the agricultural interests of the vicinity.
CEMETERIES. •
The First Burial Place. — A knoll of dry land near the railroad store where the C, M.
& St. P. Railroad crosses Washington street, was first used as a burial place by the inhabitants
of Waupun. When the railroad was built, the graves were all defaced and dug over, and no
one knows iiow precisely where the first graves were located.
Waupun Cemetery. — In 1853, a tract of one and one-half acres of land was purchased of
Tohn N. Ackerman', on the west side of the Beaver Dam road in Dodge County, in Section 5,
4.nd named Waupun Cemetery. This was used mostly by the people of Upper Town and vicin-
ity during several years, but in 1862, when Forest Mound Cemetery was opened, it nearly fell
into desuetude.
Forest Mound Cemetery. — In 1860, Thomas Stoddart made a visit to the cemetery at
Alton, 111., and was then impressed with the idea that Waupun had no such burial place as
the inhabitants and the beautiful surroundings entitled her to. " Go back to Waupun," said
Mrs. Brown to Mr. Stoddart, " and open a beautiful cemetery, and do make it large enough,
for there is plenty of room in this country for the dead to have eternal sleep undisturbed."
Mrs. Brown, was a Scotch lady, and made such a remark because in Scotland the want of room
is so great in cemeteries that corpses are buried one upon another, and seven years is about as
long as the dead can be allowed to rest without being dug up to make room for others. The
subject was thereafter agitated in Waupun, and resulted in a meeting at the oflBce of W. H. Tay-
lor, when the statutes concerning cemeteriec ~'ei<, wnsulted. On the 16th of November, 1862,
W. H. Taylor, George W. Bly, Thomas Oliver, Thomas Stoddart, Charles Jones, T. W. Markle,
H. L. Butterfield, A. W. McNaughton and William Hobkirk were chosen Directors or Trustees
of Forest Mound Cemetery, and these nine, with Edwin Hillyer, subscribed $75 each for twelve
acres bf shaded, hilly, dry land, on Section 82, in Fond du Lac County. Thomas Stoddart
platted the grounds into lots and laid out the carriage ways. The lots are all of uniform size,
each lot and walk being one rod in width. The grounds had many oak shade trees, just as
nature planted them, and evergreens and maples have been added since, until Forest Mound
Cemetery is an attractive spot.
W. H. Taylor was Secretary until 1867, and Thomas Stoddart has occupied that position
ever since. There has been no change in the Board of Trustees, although some of them are
dead and others permanently absent.
PUBLIC HALLS.
Bodges Hall. — The first public hall in Waupun was called Dodge's Hall. It is now
owned by Thomas Stoddart, and known as Grange Hall. It was finished in 1856, and was the
pride of the village in those days.
Opera Hall. — The principal hall of Waupun is Opera Hall, built by Thomas Oliver, in
1868. It is light and high, capable of accommodating 500 persons, and well appointed as to
stage property and scenery. It is owned by Luther Butts, and situated in the second story of
the large brick block on the corner of Mill and Washington streets.
Other Halls. — Utter's Hall, in the second story of the old South Ward School-house, is a
large room frequently used for balls and other public entertainments and meetings. It is on
Washington street, opposite the Simpson House. O'Donovan's Hall, in the fine brick block belong-
ing to Patrick O'Donovan, is used mostly for dances, balls and festivals. The Good Templars'
and Odd Fellows' Societies have halls, but they are little used except for lodge meetings.
HOTELS.
Simpson House. — This hotel, of which Mrs. M. A. Simpson is proprietor, is a well-kept
house, and consists of two buildings situated on the north side of Washington street, east of the
railroad. Mrs. Simpson makes a success of hotel keeping.
HISTOEY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 731
Fisher House. — This hotel, by the Fisher Brothers, is on the site of the old Exchange,
built by Seymour Wilcox, now the corner of Fond du Lac and Washington streets. It is well
patronized.
Other Sotels. — The Western Hotel and Hanisch's Gast-Haus are the other hotels of Waupun.
FUN IN YE OLDEN TIME.
Along in the forties, Waupun was notorious for practical jokes, lively social gatheringsy
wide-awake old folks and tricky young ones. A few illustrations will be given to convey an
idea of what was constantly kept up by the fun-lovers for nearly twenty years.
By invitations, and other modes of advertising, David Bruce once gathered a large crowd at
his place for a dance, but the fiddlers failed to appear. Dennis Morse and a companion were
present, and being a good whistler, Dennis was requested to whistle for the dance while Mr.
Bruce drove five miles for a fiddler. Dennis complied, and his friend thumped a sonorous
dishpan, to enable the dancers to keep time. Bruce foujid no musician, and, on returning,
requested Dennis to keep on with the whistle and dishpan while he went for yet another
fiddler. Both journeys were unsuccessful, but the dance went off merry enough, and Mr.
Bruce collected the usual fee to "pay the fiddlers." When the crowd had gone, Mr. Morse
inquired of Mr. Bruce if he was still agent for the Moline plows — if so, he would take one,
provided credit could be extended until spring. Credit was offered, and Mr. Morse took the
plow. When spring came, Mr. Bruce dunned Mr. Morse for pay for the plow. "Pay!"
exclaimed Dennis; "I paid you well enough when I whistled for your dance." Mr. Bruce
was indignant, and sued for the value of the plow. Mr. Morse, as a good joke, put in a
counterclaim for whistling and pounding on the dishpan, and won the suit! From that day,
David Bruce never engaged a whistler until he had agreed upon terms.
When Dr. H. L. Butterfield first came to Waupun,' he had neither money nor clothes,.
and as people were very backward about getting sick enough to require a physician's serv-
ices, his condition grew worse instead of better. Finally, the wife of Mr. N., one of their
prominent citizens, fell ill, and the husband sent for Dr. Butterfield. The Doctor did not
appear as ordered, and a few hours later, Mr. N. called at his office and personally requested
Dr. Butterfield to go and attend to his wife. Mr. N. returned home, but no Doctor appeared
that day. Next morning, he called at the Doctor's ofiBce, and again demanded "why in
Christendom his wife was not attended to?" " I'll tell you," meekly replied Dr. Butterfield,
who now smokes rich Havanas in a luxurious home ; " I am too ragged to go- anywhere — I
can't even leave my chair when anybody is around." " I can fix you out," said Mr. N.; " you
just put on my pantaloons and visit the woman. I can stay here till you return." The Doctor-
pulled off' his dilapidated trousers, consisting of nothing but short legs and a weak waistband,
donned his customer's suit and left. He paid a visit to the patient, and spent a half-day in
making other visits and calls, and attending to business that he had neglected a fortnight for
want of pantaloons. When he returned to his office, he found Mr. N. nearly insane. People
had called on him in numbers, and as he couldn't possibly get into the ragged, short-legged
unmentionables left by the Doctor, he had to receive in his bare legs or shin down the streets in
the same ludicrous condition. No little merriment has been had over this laughable circum-
stance.
Joseph Hobkirk was at one time Justice of the Peace. As such, a certain young man was
brought before him to be tried for stealing a turkey. The prosecution had a shrewd lawyer ; the
case was well presented and the evidence of guilt was overwhelming. However, to the great
astonishment of all — even the prisoner — and the disgust of the plaintiff" and his attorney. Justice
Hobkirk decided "Not guilty." Shortly afterward, he was taken to task by the angry plaintiff"
for rendering such an unjust verdict. " You see," replied the sly Justice, " I couldn't find the
boy guilty, for he didn't steal the turkey, and knew nothing about it. You just come along^
with me to dinner, for my wife is an expert at roasting turkeys, and then tell me if you don't
think the old bird was worth catching." Thus the joke leaked out. /
732 ir [STORY OF POND DU LAC COUNTY.
Thirty years ago, or more, heavy merchandise was very costly in Waupun, owing to heavy
freight rates. Salt, in particular, was regarded by the farmers as a most burdensome necessity
on this account. When, therefore, on one bright winter's morning it was announced that a salt
well of great strength had been struck on Dr. Butterfield's lot, a perfect furor of excitement
ensued. The glorious news spread far and wide, and the usually quiet little village was soon
crowded with an excited populace, who had come in from miles around. Salt water from the
rich bonanza well was handed freely around ; was sipped by every one and pronounced by many
who professed themselves judges, to be equal to water from the famous Syracuse wells. It was
found in every store ; was carried home in bottles ; boiled down by many to test its strength ;
and analyzed by a village expert, and found to contain soda, magnesia and other ingredients,
and a very large percentage of pure salt. Property rose at a bound two or three hundred per cent,
and, as the location of the State Prison was still an unsettled matter, a meeting of the citizens
was called and a committee appointed to draw up and forward to Madison a full statement of the
rich discovery, which was thought would be a powerful lever to use with the prison locating
Committee in favor of Waupun. But, on account of a private dispatch, this letter was not sent,
and, when the citizens found out that fact, a howl of indignation went up against the Postmaster,
who was denounced as a traitor. Immediately, steps were taken to oust him from his office, and
the excitement grew more intense than ever. Matters finally began to look serious, as property
was advancing, leases were being made and various improvements planned, and the secret was
let out that a young Scotch clerk, who is now an old Scotch hardware merchant, had poured
half a barrel of rock-salt into the famous well. Next day, not a man could be found who would
acknowledge that he had been sold, but a peep into several woodsheds would have disclosed
dozens of tin pans spoiled in boiling down water from the salt well.
Richard Graham, the clothier, was very bashful in his earlier days. He, therefore, was
made the butt of numerous practical jokes. On one occasion he invited a friend to a New Year's
dinner. The wags of the village issued between one hundred and two hundred invitations
to the best people in the vicinity to appear at his house to dine on New Year's Day, sign-
ing Mr. Graham's name. Enough of them came to fill the house, much to the chagrin and
consternation of all, as there was not food enough in the house to feed one-quarter of those pres-
ent. However, necks had not begun to grow stiff in those days, and the joke was taken good-
naturedly.
John Carhart came to Waupun unmarried, and soon after began to pay marked attention to one
of the village belles. Occasionally, he prolonged his visits well into the night. Two fun-loving
Scotchmen, who afterward became prominent business men, stretched a rope across the street on
which John would return, and attached to it a man of straw. This straw man was placed in
the path, and the boys posted themselves on house-tops on either side of the street, each grasping
one end of the rope. Just as Mr. Uarhart reached the spot, the rope was jerked and the straw
man shot into the air past his head. The sight of a man springing from the ground into the air
like a rocket was so unusual that the frightened lover took to his heels and was never seen to
pass that spot alone after dark.
Other tricks without number were perpetrated by a certain mischievous clique, whose mem-
bers are now the principal citizens of Waupun, such as temporarily stealing horses, cows, fowls,
carriages and anything come-at-able ; sending out bogus wedding cards, frightening excitable
individuals by arresting and trying them on bogus processes for various crimes ; sending the doc-
tors post haste where they were not wanted ; causing prominent men to be sued for bogus bills
of indebtedness ; using young ladies' names to invite Tom, Dick and Harry to call ; charging
losses by theft upon innocent but nervous parties, and keeping the vicinity in an uproar generally,
and everybody on nettles lest they should be made the butts of practical jokes. There was only
now and then one who would not take these pranks in good part, and all such were reserved for
further tantalization.
CHAPTER XI.
TOWNS AND VILLAGES.
Fond du Lac County, when town organization was first consummated, was all one town,
■that of Fond du Lac, as the following imperfect act, passed January 2, 1838, will show :
Section 34. That the country included within the limits of Fond du Lao County be and the same is hereby set
off into a separate town, by the name of Fond du Lao ; and the polls of election shall be open at the house of
— Pyer [Edward Pier].
Then, March 8, 1839, another act was passed, making three towns of the county, as
follows :
Section 41. Fractional townships sixteen and seventeea, in range eighteen, and townships sixteen and seven-
teen, in range nineteen, shall be a separate town by the name of Calumet; and the elections in said town shall be
holden at George White's store.
Sec. 42. All that district of country within the limits of Fond du Lac County, not included within the towns
of Calumet and Butte des Morts,* shall be a separate town by the name of Fond du Lac ; and the elections in said
town shall be holden at the dwelling of M. C. Darling.
Then, again, by an act approved February 18, 1842, thecounty was divided as explained
by this act :
Section 1. That townships fourteen, iifteen and sixteen, of range sixteen; townships fourteen and fifteen, and
fractional township sixteen, of range seventeen, and townships thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, and the south half of town-
ship sixteen, of range eighteen, and townships thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, and the south half of township sixteen, of
range nineteen, be and the same are hereby organized into a separate town, by the name of Fond du Lac ; and the
first election in said town shall be held at the house of M. C. Darling.
Sec. 2. That fractional township seventeen and the north half of township sixteen, of range eighteen, and
fractional township seventeen and the north half of town[ship] sixteen, of range nineteen, be and the same are
hereby organized into a separate town by the name of Calumet ; and the first election in said town shall be held at
■the house of George White.
Sec, 3. That townships fourteen, fifteen and sixteen, of range fourteen, and townships fourteen, fifteen and
sixteen, of range fifteen, be and the same are hereby organized into a separate town by the name of Waupun ; and
the first election in said town shall be held at the house of Seymour Wilcox.
ASHFOED.
This town was first a constituent part of the town of Auburn in its organization, but was
fiet off from it and separately organized in 1849, the first election being held in April of that
year, at the house of William Boener, at which Robert F. Adams was elected Chairman, and
George Thorn, Town Clerk.
The territory included in Ashford is Township 13 north, in Range 18 east, of the Govern-
ment survey, containing, theoretically, thirty-six sections, or 23,040 acres of land. In reality,
it has 23,0963%- acres, being 56yVir acres more than thirty-six full sections. Its boundary lines
were surveyed by Mullett & Brink, in the first quarter of 1834 and during the second quarter
of 1835 ; while its sections and quarter-sections were run out in the third quarter of the last-
mentioned year, by Hiram Burnham.
The first settlement in Ashford was made in the summer of 1846, by Henry Barnett,
Josiah L. Perry, Charles Crownhart, and several others, who settled in the easterly part of the
town, near the West Branch of the Milwaukee River, not far from where Crouchville was after-
ward located. On their arrival, they found not a human habitation within many miles, except
the little beginning commenced by Mr. Crouch. They soon threw up log shanties, and com-
menced clearing land for crops for the ensuing year. They had many hardships to meet and
^Townships eighteen and nineteen, in ranges fifteen and sixteen, and fractional townships eighteen and nineteen,in range seventeen,
in Batte des Morts. fiist election at the house of Webster Stanley.
734 inSTOEY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
overcome. The town had neither prairies nor openings ready for the plow, but was everywhere
covered with timber. Hard-maple trees were found in abundance, affording rare opportunities-
for the manufacture of maple sugar. Basswood, ash, elm, oak, hickory, butternut with other
kinds of hardwood constituted the forest growth.
The surface of Ashford is undulating, or, perhaps, it may with propriety be called hilly.
The soil is uniformly strong and fertile, and much of it of a warm nature. The hills are under-
laid with limestone, and the soil is clay and loam, with sand, producing good wheat, oats, peas,
and other grains, and excellent pasturage. The valleys are alluvial and very fertile ; grain of
all kinds has a luxurious growth. These lowlands, when stocked-down, make excellent meadows.
The* town is well watered — the West Branch of the Milwaukee River running through it from
northwest to southeast, receiving several tributaries upon both its sides. Springs and small
brooks also abound.
Among the annoyances which the early settlers had to contend with, was the ferocity of
bears ; these were numerous, and they became bold and frequently dangerous.
The first death which occurred in Ashford was that of Mrs. Electa Pryor. Her daughter,
Mrs. Watson, died so soon after, that they were both buried in the same grave. The first birth
was that of C. D. Helmer, in the family of J. E. Helmer. The first marriage was Eleazer
Cisco, to Miss Fanny Pryor.
The first school was taught by Miss Calista Colvin, in the house of J. L. Perry, in the
summer of 1847. The first religious meeting was held at the house of Henry Barnett ; the ser-
mon was preached by Mr. Sears, in 1846.
Ashford is bounded on the north by the town of Eden, on the east by Auburn, on the south
by Wayne, in Washington County, and on the west by Lomira, in Dodge County.
The Northwestern Union, or Air Line Railroad crosses the northeastern part of this town,
entering it at the southeast corner of Section 13, and, after a northwesterly course of over three
miles, leaves it on the north line of Section 2, crossing into the town of Eden, on its way to the
city of Fond du Lac, ten miles distant.
Ashford was originally organized as the town of Chili ; but for some reason this name was
not satisfactory, and by act of the Legislature, approved January 26, 1854, it was changed to
Ashford, which, it is said, was suggested on account of the great quantity of ash timber growing
in the town. This name was given by Dr. S. G. Pickett.
On the 14th of February, 1874, the Ashford Fire Insurance Company was organized with
thirty-two members. The towns of Ashford, Auburn and Eden, in Fond du Lac County, and
Lomira, Dodge County, compose this company. The meetings are held annually on the first
Monday in January, at the Carter Schoolhouse, in Ashford. The capital stock subscribed at
the organization was $37,600 ; the amount insured (1880) is $985,338 ; total losses paid, $4,600 ;
percentage of loss, .0112; number of members, fifty-seven. The Presidents have been: A.
Dieringer, H. J. Carter and Thomas Coleman, who has held the ofiice since 1876. J. A.
Hendricks, of Ashford, has been Secretary since the organization of the company.
The Chairmen and Town Clerks of Chili and Ashford have been as follows : 1860 —
Daniel B. Wilcox and Seth G. Pickett; 1851— D. B. Wilcox and ElyB. Hull; 1852 and 1863
— Henry B. Crownhart and Ed. Boener ; 1854 — Peter Johnson and Jacob Haessly ; 1855 —
Peter Johnson and E. B. Hull ; 1856 and 1867— Jacob Haessly and John Mauel ; 1858— P.
Johnson and J. Mauel; 1859 — Andrew Hendricks and J. Haessly; 1860 — Andrew Dieringer
and John Mauel; 1861 and 1862— Joseph Wagner and John Mauel; 1863— J. Wagner and
John Berg ; 1864— A. Dieringer and J. Berg ; 1865, 1866 and 1867— A. Dieringer and Peter
Mauel ; 1868— P. Johnson and P. Mauel ; 1869— P. Johnson and J. Berg ; 1870— George
Anderson and P. Mauel. Since 1870, except for 1877, when George C. Denniston filled the
office, Peter Mauel has been Town Clerk. The Chairmen since then have been ; 1871 — Jacob
Haessly ; 1872 and 1873— Peter Johnson ; 1874— Michael Serwe ; 1875, J. A. Hendricks,
since which time Michael Thelen has held the office of Chairman.
The first land was entered in the fall of 1846, by Henry. Barnett, in the southeast quarter
of Section 11.
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 735
The first settler in the northwestern portion of the town was E. Welton. He was also
■one of the first Postmasters in Ashford.
The first frame house was built by R. F. Adams.
AsHFOED. — This village (Ellmore Post OflBce) was formerly called Leglerville, after its
founder, Ulrich Legler, who platted it and built a saw-mill in 1857. He also tuilt a grist-mill
here in 1861, on the West Branch of the Milwaukee River. In 1867, the Evangelical Reformed
Church erected a building here for worship, having one, also, at New Cassel. The first Post-
master was C. F. Brokmeyer; the present Postmaster is William Reinhartt. The village
contains a store, saloon, wagon-shop, meat market, shoe store, tailor-shop and blacksmith-shop.
Campbellsport.^ — This village and post office had a very recent and novel birth. The Air
Line Railway folks desired to establish a station on H. B. Martin's farm of 120 acres, Section 13.
He would sell no fractional part, but offered the whole of his farm for $10,000. ■ Stuart Campbell
purchased the farm, gave the railroad company three acres, the company afterward buying three
more, and platted a village. Jacob Haessly named the place Campbellsport, in August, 1873,
on the day the deed for Martin's farm was signed, in honor of its public-spirited founder. It
is now a thrifty village. The first lot was sold to J. M. Saeraan, and the second to James
McCulloch, who built thereon the first store. Mr. Saeman built the third store and second
-warehouse. All of the original plat, except sixty-three acres, has been sold in village lots.
The first organization of Methodists was in December, 1862, and meetings were held in
the Carter Schoolhouse.. The organizers were, some of them, J. N. McSchooler and wife, L.
Norton and wife, William L. Andrews and wife, George Mosher and wife and Leonard Goodax.
Regular services were not held until the present edifice was erected in 1875, at a cost of $3,200.
The members number over forty. The building committee was composed of J. N. McSchooler,
W. Saeman and William S. Hendricks. The first organization was by Rev. McFarland, and
the first Trustees, in 1862, were: J. N. McSchooler, President; W. L. Andrews, William
Dusenbury, Stuart Campbell, W. S. Hendricks and M. Saeman. Mr. McSchooler is still
President, the other Trustees being John Huges, F. A. Rosco, J. H. Denniston, W. L. Andrews,
S. Cainpbell and W. S. Hendricks. A Union Sabbath School, begun in 1862, at the Carter
Schoolhouse, is still in existence.
Wicker Lodge, No. 138, I. 0. 0. F., was organized January 8, 1868, by G. M. Cheeney,
•of Janesville. The charter members were S. L. Marston, I. S. Sheldon, E. P. Odekirk, D. Wilcox,
R. Romaine, G. Romaine, T. F. Gage, M. H. Flint and Mr. Hancock. The Lodge, which now
numbers fifty working members and owns $1,200 in property, including the hall and lot, was
named after Grand Warden Wicker. The first officers were : S. L. Marston, N. G.; M. H.
Flint, V. G.; E. P. Odekirk, R. S.; Mr. Hancock, P. S.; G. Romaine, Treasurer. Present
officers : G. C. Denniston, N. G.; T. F. Wicker, V. G.; E. P. Coburn, R. S.; C. F. Ladwig,
P. S.; E. F. Martin, Treasurer.
New Cassel Lodge, I. 0. Gr. T., was first organized as the old Ashford and Auburn
Lodge, by S. G. Pickett and wife, J. E. Helmer, E. P. Odekirk, William and S. Tuttle, H.
Burnett, Martin Dyer and others, who belonged to the Kewaskum Lodge, organized in 1859.
S. G. Pickett was the first W. G. T.; Mrs. E. P. Odekirk, W. V. T., and George Pickett,
W. S. The twenty-eight members soon grew to two hundred, and met weekly in what is now
Odd Fellows' Hall. The war took so many members away that the charter was finally sur-
rendered. In 1872, however, J. S. Thompson began open temperance meetings, which, Decem-
ber 11, 1874, resulted in the organization, by Deputy G. W. C. T. Ross, of the present strong
Lodge, with thirty-one charter members. J. S. Thompson was the first W. C. T. Meetings
were held in Odd Fellows' and Yancy's Halls until 1877, when a hall, costing $1,000, was
greeted by the Lodge, under supervision of J. S. Thompson, H. Darrow and A. H. Miller.
The first $50 was raised by the ladies, who held sociables and made fancy work for that pur-
pose. The hall is 28x55x14 feet, and will seat two hundred. It is an ornament to the village.
'The Lodge now numbers one hundred, mostly young people.
736 HISTORY OF POND DU LAC COUNTY.
New Oassel and Oampbellsport Turnverein was organized November 18, 1878, by Dr. L,
Eidemiller, Adam Holzhauer and others. The first officers were : D. Gudex, President; A.
Holzhauer, Treasurer ; P. Tillack, Secretary ; L. Eidemiller, Turnwart. The society now has
forty members. Meetings are held on Friday evenings, in (5rood Templars' Hall. Present
officers : L. Eidemiller, President ; John Schrooten, Vice President ; M. Herbert, Secretary ;
J. Dagenhardt, Treasurer ; J. Terlinden, First Turnwart, and A. Fuchs, Second Turnwart.
I'he JSfew Cassel and Campbellsport Literary Society, with a membership of twenty, is in
a flourishing condition. Its entertainments consist of lectures, debates, readings and affairs in
that line. It was first organized in 1879. '
Campbellsport has a large local trade. In the place are one drug store, four general stores,
one elevator, two warehouses, two lumber-yards, two wagon and blacksmith shops, pump-
factory, boot and shoe store, harness-shop, barber-shop, furniture store, two tailor-shops, meat-
market, picture-gallery, cheese-factory, cigar-factory, two saloons and three hotels — Railroad
House, New Cassel House and Central Hotel. S. L. Marston is the only physician and S. C.
Matteson the only lawyer in the place. Piatt Durand is Postmaster.
AUBUBN.
In the southeast corner of Fond du Lac County lies the town of Auburn. It is bounded
on the north by the town of Osceola, east by Scott, in Sheboygan County; south by Kewaskum,
in Washington County, and west by Ashford, in the county of Fond du Lac. It contains
thirty-six sections of land, but these are not all full sections. The actual number of acres in
the town is 22,901.99, being 138.01 acres less than the full 36 sections — 23,040 »cres. The
territory of Auburn includes that platted by the United States as Township 13 north, in Range
19 east. The township lines were run during the first quarter of the year 1834, by MuUett &
Brink. It was subdivided into sections and quarter-sections during the second quarter of 1835,
by Deputy Surveyor Hiram Burnham. By him the lake on Sections 10 and 15 was called
" Crooked Lake ; " the one on Sections 11, 12, 13 and 14 was named " Off-Set Lake." But these
names were not retained.
The face of Auburn is smooth in appearance, though not level in surface ; it is gently undulat-
ing, with ascents and declivities of various heights and depths. The streams of water — of which
the principal are the three branches of Milwaukee River — flow with a strong current. Lying
as it does within the broad belt of heavy-timbered land skirting the northerly part of the western
shore of Lake Michigan, the territory now included in the town of Auburn presented to the
eye, in its natural state, neither prairie, openings, nor hay marsh — nothing but continuous woods.
• The forest trees proclaimed the excellence and fertility of the soil which sustained their growth ;
the principal of which were sugar-maple, basswood, elm, black ash, white ash, red oak, white
oak, hickory and butternut. The large groves of sugar-maple offered excellent opportunities for
manufacturing maple sugar.
The soil of this town is a deep, black, sandy loam, with a mixture of marl, and a. subsoil
of reddish clay. In early spring, when the county was first settled, the ground in the woods
became covered with grass and herbage, giving good support to cattle before vegetation was
developed in cultivated fields. Many of the farms of Auburn have living springs upon them,
which send their running waters to swell the outlet of Long Lake and the three branches of the
Milwaukee River. The soil is rich in those properties which make it warm, productive and
durable. The different varieties of grain are cultivated with success, while the growth of grass
is generally excellent. The Northwestern Union Railroad crosses the southwestern corner of
Auburn in its northwesterly course toward Fond du Lac, entering it near the center of the south
line of Section 32, and leaving it at the northwest corner of Section 19, crossing into the town
of Ashford. t i. rr
The first settlement in this town was made in 1846 by Ludin Crouch and John Howell, on
the spot afterward occupied by Crouchville, now New Cassel. Here Mr. Crouch built a log
shanty and then commenced building a saw-mill. The same year, there was a small settlement
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 737
made in the neighborhood by J. 0. Baldwin, J. L. Perry, C. Crownhart, Rev. H. A. Sears and
others, but some of them settled across the line in what is now Ashford. In February, 1847,
Roswell Hill purchased a lot on the west side of the Milwaukee River, near what was subse-
quently Crouchville, built a house, and, in July following, removed his family into it. Alamon
Wheeler, Seward Wilcox and Harvey Woodworth soon located in the same neighborhood.
Several other settlements were made in difiFerent parts, and, that year, the town of Auburn was
organized, its territory including, also, the present town of Ashford.* At the first election, held
at Mr. Crouch's mill, there were twenty votes polled. Ludin Crouch was elected Chairman,
and Hiram Hatch, Town Clerk.
The first marriage was C. Hemenway to Harriet Hall in December, 1847.
The first school taught in Auburn was in the summer of 1848, in the house of Mr. Crouch,
by Miss Maria Bristol. Mrs. Crouch taught the school the next year.
The first death was that of Mrs. J. 0. Baldwin in 1846 or 1847. Rev. Harvey A. Sears
preached the funeral sermon.
The first stock of goods — general merchandise — was opened in the fall of 1849, probably,
at Crouchville.
Auburn was named by R.' F. Adams and brother, after Auburn, N. Y., their native place.
Michael McCulloch was the first Irish settler; Philip Oelig and Gerhardt Volkerts, the
first German settlers in Auburn.
The most notable event in the history of this town was the tornado of July 4, 1873, which
killed one person and laid waste forests, crops, buildings, fences and other property in large
amounts.
The first election after Auburn and Ashford were separated, was in April, 1849, at which
twenty-seven votes were cast. T. S. Wilcox was elected Chairman ; M. Buckland, Clerk ; A.
W. Wheeler, Assessor; C. D. Gage, Collector, and M. Miller, Superintendent of Schools.'
New Peospect. — This is called "Jersey" because its first settlers came from New Jersey.
The first Postmaster was B. Romaine, who held the office twenty years, being appointed proba-
bly in 1859. He was with Gen. Scott in the Mexican war. In 1877, a tw^o-story building for
a schoolhouse and church was built on'Mr. Van Blarcom's farm. The church is non-sectarian.
Eblesville. — This village was founded by Andrew Eble, who came from Milwaukee, in
1855, purchased the water-power and built a saw-mill. He was accidentally shot on Christmas,
1859. The New Fane Post Office, established on the line between Sections 29 and 30 in 1851,
by T. S. Wilcox, was moved to Eblesville in 1875. The village consists of a saw and feed mill,
two stores, Lutheran Church, built in 1871, and the usual number of shops.
New Cassel. — This is an old village; has the honor of being the first settlement in the
towns of Auburn and Ashford. Ludin Crouch, a school teacher from " York State," came to the
spot from Waukesha, in February, 1846, camping over night with an Indian named Weh-aug-
wok-na. He was in search of a water-power, and had followed up the Milwaukee River. Here
he found the desired power and returned to Waukesha. As soon as spring came, Mr. Crouch
and his brother-in-law, John Howell, returned to the spot and erected a log wigwam, with shaker
roof and puncheon floor — the first white man's domicile in the present towns of Ashford and
Auburn. Mr. C. entered 160 acres of land on the west side of the stream (Middle Branch
of Milwaukee River), and Mr. H., eighty acres on the opposite side. These two were joined
in June, by H. Barnett and J. L. Perry, with their wives. The dam was then begun. C.
Crownhart and wife came next, and during the year, J. 0. Baldwin and wife, E. B. Hall and
wife, Joseph Johnson and wife, C. and R. Hemenway, L. Pryor, William Brown, C. North,
H. Hatch, J. E. Helmer and wife, William Pool and wife, Adin Nelson and wife, T. S. Wilcox
and others. The village plat was surveyed by John Bannister, and after a celebration gotten
up by the three ladies then in the settlement, July 4, 1846, the place was formally named
Crouchville. In 1856, Emil Brayman changed the name to New Cassel, in honor of Hesse-
Cassel, his birthplace. Some of these early settlers claimed by Crouchville actually located
* The first settlement of Ashford and Aubnm being so near to the line now dividing the two, it is no wonder there is a dispute as to who
were first settlers in each.
■738 HISTOEY OP FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
just over the line in what is now Ashford. Crouch's saw-mill, the first in the vicinity, was put
in motion in the fall of 1846, and did good service for the settlers. Lumber was scarce, and
what was not wanted for home use brought a good price at Taycheedah. The Hemenway
brothers, millwrights, first used it without roof or sides. It changed hands many times before
going into disuse. In 1856, Bmil Brayman purchased 160 acres including the mill, and raised
the frame of the present flou'ring-mill. He failed, and the mill stood incomplete and unused
until about 1863, when the Hirsch brothers finished and put it into operation. It has since
changed hands several times, A. Colburn & Sons, the present proprietor^, finally making it one
of the best mills in the county.
New Cassel Post Office was called Auburn for many years. It was changed to New Cassel
in 1856. Squire Crownhart was the first Postmaster, keeping the office in his tavern at Crown-
hart's Corners. The Postmasters have been, Marion Buckland, S. C. Matteson, Seth G.
Pickett, Adin Nelson, Emil Brayman, Mrs. Bmil Brayman, S. Hirsch, who kept it in his mill,
P. Berkhauser, David Gudex, F. M. Findeisen, and William Pool, Jr., appointed August 3,
1870.
The Baptist Church society is comparatively an old one. The first services were held in
the fall of 1846, in H. Barnett's house, by Rev. H. A. Sears. In 1852 au organization was formed
in the schoolhouse at the five corners, town of Auburn. R. F. Adams was elected Deacon and
Clerk. In 1866, the present edifice, costing $2,200, was built under the supervision of J. E.
Helmer, Henry Barnett and C. Yancy, Building Committee. The first preacher in the town,
E.ev. H. A. Sears, is the present Pastor. The Trustees are F. W. Tanner, President and Treas-
urer; F. Borchert, Clerk, and William Scheid.
The Evangelical Reformed Church was organized and built a log place of worship, in 1855,
in the south part of Ashford. The leaders in the work were Ulrich Legler, John Senn, U.
Gundel, and others. In 1867, they built the present edifice in New Cassel. The first Pastor
■was Rev. Reine, the .present is Rev. Charles Huicker.
The Roman Catholic Church is now the richest in New Cassel. The first services were
held by Father Dael, of Fond du Lac, in Owen Bannon's house. James Kramer, J. Guippe,
C. Becker, 0. Bannon, T. Hoy, M. McCuUoch and others composed the first organization.
The first attempt to build a house failed. In 1866, however, the congregation having been
re-organized in 1865, the church edifice was erected; soon after, a pastoral residence was built
by Father Michels. Since 1872, when Father A. Michels took charge, additions costing $1,800
have been made, the debt of |1,100 cancelled, and in 1874, St. Joseph's Convent built, at a
cost of $10,000. This was erected for the Sisters of St. Francis, who numbered eighty-five.
They teach a boarding-school in the Convent building, and a parochial school in a building near
the church. They also teach music, needlework and all useful branches. The church numbers
ninety families. A new parochial school building, 30x54 feet, two stories high, -will be built
during 1880.
In 1846, 0. R. Potter sold the first goods in New Cassel, then Crouchville.
The Adams House was built in 1869, by Adam Holzhauer, who opened the first hotel in
New Cassel, in 1856.
BYEON.
The first settlement in the town of Byron was in the year 1839 ; John Case and Oscar
Pier, Patrick Kelley and William Stewart, selected a position and commenced the improvement
of a neighborhood a little east of the middle of, the north line of the town. Their location
embraced a desirable variety of rich prairie, warm and fertile oak openings, and a beautiful
grove of forest timber, with a small brook flowing through it. John Parsons, arriving direct
from England, -located upon a lot about a mile farther west. James Balson and Samuel Butler
settled in this neighborhood in the fall of 1842. In the ^summer of 1844, John Potts, with his
wife and four children, removed from the State of New York to Mound Prairie, in Byron. He
set up crotches, upon which he laid long poles. He used prairie grass for a covering to this rude
structure, and hung up blankets for its'sides. Here he and his family were domiciled until he
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 741
<!Ould build a house, obtaining hands from about ten miles distant to assist in rolling up the logs.
Another settlement was soon after commenced by Hiram Merriam, Jabez C. Clemens and Jonas
C. Reynolds, the last mentioned arriving in November.
These pioneers on Mound Prairie, were, many of them, nearly destitute of capital when
they arrived at their new homes. They were able, however, to purchase some cows, which were
then very cheap in Illinois. They put their cows together for a team ; broke up the prairie land,
and planted corn on the sod in the spring. They realized a good harvest, and, although they
met with some inconveniences, felt they were getting rich. In 1845, Messrs. Bullock, Churchill
and Roan settled in the southeasterly part of the town, and in the month following, Sumner
Sweet and Joseph Nightingale came into the same neighborhood. They were joined the same
season by several others. Rev. Mr. Vaughn and some friends from the county of Genesee, N.
Y., settled near Oakfield, and formed what was called the " Genesee neighborhood."
The early settlers in Byron shared in all the privations and difficulties so common in new
countries. They raised grain in abundance, but found it very diflficult to get it ground ; the
few mills in this region were small and could not supply the demand. For several years the
settlers went to Watertown, a distance of forty miles, to get their grinding done. The roads
were bad, and they had to wait several days to get their grists. Mr. Vaughn once sent his son
to mill, and toFd him to wait for his "grinding; " he was gone ten days. Mr. Reynolds once
paid $14.50 for the milling of twenty bushels, and did not think it more than an average cost.
Byron was organized in 1846. William Stewart was elected Chairman, and Orrin Morris,
at whose house the first election was held, Town Clerk. Its boundary lines were rjin by Mullett
& Brink during the first quarter of 1834 and the second quarter of 1835. Hiram Burnham
ran out the sections and quarter-sections in the third quarter of the last-mentioned year. The
town has for its territory the whole of Township 14 north, in Range 17 east, of the Govern-
ment survey. It contains 23,1221-%" acres of land. The town is bounded on the north by
Fond du Lac ; on the east by Eden ; on the south by Lomira, in Dodge County, and on the wtfst
by Oakfield. The face of the country, before improvements began, presented a pleasing variety
of prairie, oak openings, marsh and timber land, undulated with gentle ascents and declivities.
There is, however, one bold elevation where " the ridge " passes through the town, which, in sev-
eral placee, breaks out with a rugged front. Springs and brooks are frequent, but not as abundant
in this as in some of the other towns of the county. The springs furnish some of the head-
waters of the east branch of Fond du Lac River. The southern part of Fond du Lac Prairie
stretches into Byron. Mound Prairie, near the center of the town, is more elevated, lying above
the ridge. The soil is generally fertile and easy of tillage, the more elevated part of the town
being dry and warm.
The first birth which occurred in Byron was that of Eliza, daughter of William Stewart,
about the last of the year 1840. The first school taught was in the summer of 1843, in Mr.
Butler's corn-barn, by Miss Mary Butler, afterward Mrs. F. Tallmadge. The first death was
that of a German woman, in the summer of 1845. She came into the house of Joseph Nightin-
gale— was greatly distressed ; said she had just drunk heartily at the cold spring near by ; lay
down on a bench and immediately expired. Her name or place of residence was never learned.
The first religious societies formed in Byron were Baptists, Methodists and Wesleyans. At the
first town election, held April 7, 1846, it was voted that the oiEcers chosen serve gratis. There
were 34 votes polled — 18 in favor of a State government and 16 against it. At the second
election, held April 6, 1847, a motion to allow Orrin Morris $16.50 for stationery as Town
Clerk was lost, as was also a motion to allow C. P. Phelps $10 for serving a& Assessor.
At this election, 43 votes were cast against and 26 in favor of license; 43 in favor of, and 71
against the Constitution, and 43 in favor of and 33 against equal suffrage. Patrick Kelley and
his family, who settled in Byron in September, 1839, were the first Irish to make Fond du Lac
County a permanent home. The first German in Byron was Phillip Bodemar. The first
echoolhouse was erected at the expense of five men, in 1841, on land donated by Patrick Kel-
ley. The first preaching in the town was in this schoolhouse. The "Ledge" passes through
742 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
Byron, on "which, in Sections 20 and 29, is located the M. B. camp-ground, not far from the
Narrow-Gauge Railway. In the vicinity of this camp-ground are many interesting natural curi-
osities in the line of mighty . masses of rent limestone and winding passage-ways into the
" Ledge." Very large and cold springs are also found near this spot. The Chairmen and
Town Clerks haA'e been : 1846, William Stewart and Orrin Morris ; 1847, William Stewart
and D. W. Cruthers ; 1848-49-50, the same ; 1851, D. C Brooks and Franklin Nye ; 1852,
D. C. Brooks and Emerson Fay ; 1853, Henry Conklin and E. Fay ; 1854, H. Conklin and
Joseph Noyes,; 1855, C. B. Brown and J. Noyes ; 1856, B. R. Harrington and J. Noyes ;
1857, F. Nye and D. W. Cruthers ; 1858, F. Nye and Alfred Bliss ; 1859, J. M. Adams and
A. Bliss ; 1860, N. C. Lewis and A. Bliss,; 1861, C. P. Phelps and A. Bliss ; 1862, N. C.
Lewis and A. Bliss ; 1863, D. D. Jones and A. Bliss ; 1864, Henry Bush and A. Bliss ;
1865, E. A. Cook and A. Bliss ; 1866-67-68-69, Delos Allen and A. Bliss ; 1870, D. D.
Treleven and F. Nye ; 1871, D. D. Treleven and A. Bliss ; 1872, John Bell and Delos Allen ;
1873, John Bell and A. Bliss ; 1874-75, John Bell and Delos Allen ; 1876, John Bell and
George Radliff ; 1877, John Bell and D. Allen ; 1878, John Bell and F. Nye'; 1879, John
Bell and John Lonergan.
At Byron Post Office, on Section 22, is a good town hall.
CALUMET.
The town of Calumet, so called from the Menomonee Indian village (" Pipe ") of the
same name, formerly located on the northeast quarter of Section 27, is the northeast town of
Fond du Lac County, and contains 19,146.91 acres of land, as follows : In Township
16 north, of Range 18 east, 2,307.56 acres ; in Township 17 north, of Range 18 east,
4,742.13 acres ; in Township 17 north, of Range 19 east, 12,097.22 acres ; total 19,146.91
acres. It is bounded on the north by Calumet County; on the east by the same county and
the town of Marshfield in Fond du Lac County ; on the south by the towns of Marshfield and
Taycheedah, and on the west by Winnebago Lake.
The three sections numbered 1, 2 and 3, and the fractional section numbered 4 in Town-
ship 16 north, in Range 18 east, in the town of Calumet, were surveyed (as was the remainder
of that township) by Nehemiah King and C. T. V. King, during the second quarter of the
year 1835 : but the sections and quarter-sections in the fractional Township 17 north, in Range
18 east, also those in the fractional Township 17 north, in Range 19 east, were surveyed by A.
(jr. Ellis, in the last quarter of 1834. The township lines were run by Mullett & Brink during
the first half of the last-mentioned year.
Deputy Surveyor A. G. Ellis, in speaking of the northwestern portion of what is now
the town of Calumet (fractional Township 17 north, in Range 18 east), says : " This frac-
tional township must be considered as first-rate and valuable land. It consists almost wholly of
extensive oak openings and dry and wet prairies. The soil is first rate — a mixture of red
loam and black sand. Its position (east side and above the center of Winnebago Lake) gives it
an additional value. The stream entering [the lake] at [a little distance southwest of] ' Pipe
Village,' though small and barred at the mouth, is nevertheless large enough for a harbor for
boats ; and a small pier at the mouth would deepen the water so that it might be entered. The
banks are high and beautiful, and ' Pipe Village ' is a beautiful site." This was written upon
the spot over a year before there was a white settler in Fond du Lac County.
The same writer, in November, 1834, in speaking of what is now the eastern portion of
the town of Calumet (south half of Township 17 north. Range 19 east), says: " That part of
this fractional township lying east of the stream (Manitowoc River) is rather low, though on the
whole it may be considered first rate land. The soil is very deep and rich, with fewer stones
than are found farther east. The stream is sluggish and muddy. No wild animals ford it. The
marsh has on it deep water, and the grass is very thin, West of the stream the land is
high and mostly openings, with a suitable quantity of good timber, and water in small prairies.
Numerous trees were observed to have been cut here, by Indians, for honey-bees." Seeing
this region before any portion of it was cultivated, such were his impressions.
HISTOEY OF FOND DU LAO COUNTY. 743
The first settlement in Calumet was made in 1837, near what was afterward known as
Pipe Village, by Rev. George White, William Urmstpn and a Mr. Norton, Mr. White, ho w-
ever, locating there first. About the same time or a little later, a company of Germans settled
in the north part of the town, which then formed a part of Calumet County. In 1840, this
part was, on application being made to the Legislature of the .Territory, by George VVhite, set
off from Calumet and joined to Fond du Lac County. The town was organized March 8,
1839, including a lai-ge territory. It was re-organized in 1842, the first election being held in
April of that year, at Mr. White's house. George White was elected Chairman, and Charles
Amidon, Clerk. The town is watered by springs and brooks, some of which help to form the
Manitowoc River, while the waters of others flow into Winnebago Lake. At the present
time, as well as when in its native wildness, no country in the State has a more pleasing
aspect than that high, dry, rich portion of Calumet which lies just back from the shore of Lake
Winnebago. It is the most picturesque town in Fond du Lac County. In 1851, Herman
Heeson erected a large stone flouring-mill close to the lake shore a little below Pipe Village,
and, in 1854, Mr. Allen erected, on the road from Taycheedah to Pipe Village, another flouring-
mill, to run by water carried high in the air to a very large "overshot" wheel.* In 1838 and
1839, Pipe Village was much' more of a business center than Fond du Lac, as it contained a
store of goods for Indian trading, and the Germans were coming in very rapidly, many of them
bringing considerable capital ; and at one time the town of Calumet cast more votes than the
village and very large town of Fond du Lac. The "Ledge" extends through this town nearly
parallel with the lake shore; and, besides being in early days the refuge of numberless snakes
and wild animals, was the source of numerous beautiful springs, a famous resort for nut and
grape gatherers and the seat of fine stone-quarries and lime-kilns. In Calumet the roads are
unusually good; fruit trees are easily cultivated and bear in comparative abundance, and graz-
ing for sheep is especially good. While the yield of wheat per acre may not equal that of some
other towns, the quality is always unsurpassed.
Rev. George White, the first permanent settler in Calumet, now well advanced beyond
fourscore years, is a clerk in the Pension OflSce at Washington.
Calumet Village, with its large local trade, is partly in Calumet County. It is in the midst
of a rich farming country, and is pleasantly located near Lake Winnebago.
Mary town is a hamlet and post ofiice in the eastern portion of the town. It has a good
grist-mill, blacksmith-shop, and other village concomitants. St. Mary's Church is south of the
village, on Section 27, and St. John's Church east, on Section 30. Both are Catholic and
prosperous.
Pipe Village, on Section 26, called Calumet Harbor Post Ofiice, is a place of resort in
summer. It has a very large hotel, is near the lake and in the midst of the most beautiful
farming country in the whole West.
EMPIEE.
Empire, Township 15 north, Range 18 east, originally was a portion of Taycheedah, and
it is difiicult, therefore, to separate the eaVly history of the former from that of the latter.
Gov. Doty entered the first land in Empire and caused to be built the first frame house in
Fond du Lac County, on what is now the Wells farm, on Section 7 — possibly on Section 8, in
1838. This house was mostly built by the Piers and Joseph Olmsted. The first school-
house in the county was also built in Empire, but never was used for school purposes, owing to
a greater number of scholars living at Taycheedah. The building was of logs, and erected by
G. de Neveu and others. The first permanent settlers were probably Mr. de Neveu and his
hired help — the family of A. T. Denniston, who worked the large de Neveu farm, unless one
of the La Bordes had taken up a residence within what is now Empire a few months earlier.
But all this time Empire belonged to Taycheedah. In March, 1851, the Legislature passed an
act erecting all of Township 15, Range 18, except Sections 1 to 6, both inclusive, into the
* Now in the town of Taycheedah,
74'i HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
town of Empire, the first election to be held at the Meiklejohn schoolhouse. The town, there-
fore, contains only thirty sections ; but the west tier of sections overruns to the extent of about
one hundred and eight acres, making the town contain 19,308 acres. The southeast portion
was originally heavily timbered. Fond du Lac prairie laps on to its northwest corner. The
" Ledge" extends the whole distance across its west side. The east and some of the south por-
tions abound in hay marshes, and the balance is composed of oak openings. The soil is warm
and quick. Springs, some of them very large, abound in great numbers, especially along the
Ledge. A very large one exists on F. M. Phelps' farm ; another on the farm of G. de Neveu ;
one or more on David Gidding's farm ; a very large and peculiar one on the old Henry Conklin
place, and another on the old J^ohn Westervelt farm. Streams in the east flow through She-
boygan River to Lake Michigan, while those from the west flow into Lake Winnebago. Stone
quarries and limekilns abound, and the surface is broken in many sections where the ridge of
limestone crops out, being too rough and barren for cultivation. These localities are, however,
profitably used as sheep pastures, or as sources of wood, building-stone and lime. On
Section 17 is a woolen-mill, whose machinery is turned by water. It is near G. W. Carpenter's
residence ; is known as the Empire Woolen Mills, and turns out an excellent quality of goods.
It is now the only factory of the kind in Fond du Lac County.
A beautiful sheet of water, known as de Neveu Lake, named after G. de Neveu, who first
purchased it of the Government, lies in Sections 30 and 31 of this town. It abounds in bass,
perch and pickerel; has had other .fish put in by artificial means, and is a resort where thousands
"camp out," or have good summer-houses during the heated term.
In 1847, Miss E. Maxwell taught a school near the Lyons place. In 1854, the town con-
tained three schoolhouses, and in 1880 it contained seven ; all modest structures, but in good
repair. Peter Vandervoort, an authorized Methodist cxhorter, who settled in the adjoining
town of Eden, held the first religious services in Henry Conklin's very large log house. The
first births were not far apart, in 1839, in the families of G. de Neveu, A. T. Denniston and
Luke La Borde. They were the very first, e.xcept Jolm A. Bannister, in the county.
In addition to jdenty of hardwood fuel, good building stone, and good brick-clay. Empire
has rich peat beds, though none of them were ever worked. No town, unless it is Calumet,
in the eastern portion of the county, is more favorable for apples, grapes and other fruits. The
difi'erent Chairmen since 1851 have been : F. S. Crans, Jolm Y. Westervelt, J. E. Fisher, John
Berry, A. T. Germond, John Meiklejohn, James H. Ilaight, G. S. Wilson, Edward Ray, Edward
Colman, James Laferty and John Wiley. The Town Clerks have been : A. S. Wilson, James
A. Fisher, G. S. Wilson, George Keys, James Laferty, John Campbell, A. H. Carpenter and
Alexander Campbell.
Empire has no railroads, and but one post oflice and one church edifice.
Rienzi Cemetery, the finest in the county, is in this town, on Sections 18 and 19.
The first grist-mill in the county was erected in Empire, on Section 22, by Henry Conklin.
Umpire M. JE. Ohurch.— On the 6th of March, 1850, the Methodists of the town met to
devise means for building a church. Logs were hauled, but the enterprise ended at this point, the
timber rotting on the ground, on the site of tlic present edifice. Section 33. In 1866, the project
was revived. Theron Berry donated the ground, and a donation of $200, by Hannah Thorne, of
Lockport, N. Y., was followed by liberal subscriptions from others in Byron and Empire, and
the edifice, costing $3,000, was built. Dedication took place July 28, 1867. The first Pastor,
who .also aided greatly in securing the erection of the building, was Rev. J. W. La Fever. The
first Trustees were John Berry, A. T. Germond, II. Westervelt, B. White, R. Willis, Thomas
Mayhew, L. H. Jennings, W. M. Diisenbury, John Vinton. The first Stewards were J.
Berry, W. M. Dusenbury and William Edwards. The church never was in debt.
Empire Cemetery. — This Cemetery Association was organized July 10, 1852: John Berry,
Sr., President ; T. J. Dougherty, Secretary, and E. Vincent, Treasurer. One acre of land was
bought near the M. E. Church, of J. V. Jewell. A few years later another acre was purchased,
and in 1879 two acres more were added. It is tastefully platted and decorated. T. Berry is
President, A. T. Germond, Secretary, and H. Westervelt, Treasurer.
niSTOKY OF FOND DV LAC COUNTY. 745
EDEN.
In a southeasterly direction from Fond du Lac, bounded on the north by Empire, east by
Osceola, south by Ashford and west by Byron, lies the town of Eden — named after the habita-
tion of our first parents. Two ridges of limestone, suitable for building material, extend north
and south through the town. Otherwise the surface is gently undulating, and was originally
composed of prairies, wide hay marshes, rather small oak openings and limited belts of heavy
timber. In early days, wild plums, cranberries, grapes and crab-apples grew in abundance
and were unusually large and edible. The highest point of land in Fond du Lac- County is
said to be on Section 16 in this town, being 352 feet above Lake Winnebago and about five
hundred feet above Lake Michigan. There are several large springs in Eden, and several lakes,
in which fish and waterfowl, in season, are abundant. The soil is not alike in all sections, but
is generally of a deep, rich loam, with a subsoil of limestone gravel. Farmers can follow
almost any branch of agriculture with equal and satisfactory success. The town is well watered
by springs, lakes, the West Branch of Milwaukee River, and other small streams, some of
which flow north and some south. The lake in which the branch of Milwaukee River takes its
rise, flowing nearly south, has another outlet on the north, which flows into Lake Winnebago ;
and streams in the south part find their way into the Gulf of Mexico, through Rock and Mis-
sissippi Rivers.
The mounds, pottery, earthenware and various peculiar articles found in this town, make
it a peculiarly rich and interesting field for the archaeologist. These relics of an ancient and
extinct race have been found in no other town in this vicinity in such profusion and variety.
Joseph Carr is generally conceded to be the first permanent settler in what is now Eden,
though he did not enter the first land, in November, 1845, he began building a log house,
which was the foundation for the first settlement in the town. In February following, Samuel
Rand and Peter Vandervoort came with their families, and immediately put up log houses.
The first crops were raised in 1847, and they were of such abundance as to exceed the most
sanguine expectations of the hopeful settlers. That fall, settlers . began to arrive rapidly, or
select locations on which to locate in the spring. Therefore, in April, 1848, by authority of
an act passed March 11, 1848, a meeting was held at the house of Peter Vandervoort and town
officers chosen. Peter Vandervoort was chosen Chairman, and Samuel Rand Town Clerk.
The year before, or some time before, a meeting was held to name the town. The proceedings
are thus recorded: "Adam Holiday, an eccentric character, arose to propose a name. After
commenting on the many beauties of the place, the richness of the soil, the abundance of fruits
and flowers, and the beautiful woods and fields, he remarked that Adam dwelt in the garden of
Eden, and that there were holy days there." Therefore, amid some merriment, the town was
named Eden.
The first child born in the town was a daughter of Adam Holiday, in 1847. The first boy
born in the town, who also voted in it, was John L. Martin, now of Fond du Lac. The first
religious service was at Peter Vandervoort's house, in August, 1846, by Rev. Dickinson. Mr.
Vandervoort began preaching the same year. The first marriage ceremony was that uniting
Margaret Bell to a Mr. Baldwin, in 1848, and was performed by Rev. M. L. Noble. The town
of Eden is settled largely by a fine class of Irish in the south, though Dutchess County New
Yorkers, Germans and some New Englanders form important elements in the population. In
1850, there were two pretty thoroughly ventilated log schoolhouses in Eden — now there are
seven good school buildings in good repair. The Air Line Railroad crosses the town, and main-
tains a station called Eden, on the southwest quarter of Section 8. There are some good stone
quarries and limekilns in Eden, and on Section 17 is a large spring, in which one branch of the
Milwaukee River takes its rise, while from Twin Lakes, on the line between Sections 9 and 16,
flows a stream into Lake Winnebago.
The town of Eden, Township 14 north, of Range 18 east, contains 23,058.79 acres, or
18.79 acres more than thirty-six full sections of land.
746 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
Eden Village. — Prior to 1873, there was no village at Eden. The Air Line Railroad
gave it birth. The land, owned by L. Batterson, was platted when that road was built, and the
first lot sold to A. Edelman, who built the first store. The second purchase was made by M.
Altenhofen, who built a store. The large steam elevator was erected by Mr. Batterson. The first
wheat shipped from the station was by Isaac Advance. The hotel was built by John Botzem,
its proprietor. The post ofiice was established by Peter Vandervoort in 1850. He kept it in
his house, near by, until 1872, when he resigned. T. Hardgrove is the present Postmaster.
In addition to three stores and the various shops, Eden has a thriving cheese factory.
Fostev Post Office was established by Egbert Foster. It is now out of use.
The German Reformed Church erected a place of worship on Section 10, which is now
used by the German Methodists.
St. James' Catholic Church first held services in a log house built in 1849, on the line of
Section 29, by Joseph Lawler, C. Mangan, E. Mclnroe, P. Ryan, T. Ward, T. McGinty and
others. This was used until 1865,. when Rev. J. McGowan built the present structure. The
first mass said to this congregation, which now numbers 120 families, was by Rev. Ehrle.
Father M. O'Brien, the Pastor, has charge also of St. .John's Mission, in Byron.
ELDORADO. ^
Eldorado — Township 16 north, of Range 16 east, bounded on the north by Nekimi (Winne'
bago County), east by Friendship, south by Lamartihe and west by Rosendale — ^was named, in
all probability, by John 0. Henning, now of Hudson, editor of the first paper in Fond du Lac
County. It surface is considerably but gently undulating, and contains less prairie than most
of the other towns in the vicinity. It has considerable heavy timber, some oak openings and
several marshes; one, called Eldorado Marsh, being of considerable size. From them an
immense quantity of wild hay is cut, while some portions have been seeded to tame hay and
make productive meadows.
The first settlers were Moses S. Barnett, Theodore R. Sheldon, William Hall and others,
who located within its borders early in 1846. It was a large town at first ; an act approved
March 11, 1848, making what is now Eldorado and Friendship a separate town called Eldorado.
The first town meeting was held in April, 1848, at the house of Cyrus Parks, at which M. S.
Barnett was chosen Chairman, and James Cowhan, Town Clerk. Another act, passed Feb-
ruary 1, 1849, divided the original town into the present towns of Eldorado and Friendship,
the first election being held in April, 1849, at the house of William C. Walcott.
Eldorado is well wooded, the sale of cord-wood, stave-bolts and materials for hard-wood
work being an important item with its inhabitants. It is also well watered, has a good soil of
loam (except the marshes) and in some parts is well adapted to sheep raising, which is profitably
followed. No license for the sale of intoxicating drinks was ever granted in Eldorado, and
■never but once did the town give a Republican majority on a State or national question. The
first school was taught by John F. Steele in the north portion of the town. Now there are six
- schoolhouses within its limits, in which there is a good attendance. There are also three church
buildings, on Sections 18, 15 and 26, the first being built about 1860. The Sheboygan & Fond
du Lac Railway, which maintains a -depot near Eldorado Mills, passes through the extreme
southwest corner of the town. The West Branch of the Fond du Lac River flows through the
southern portion of the town, affording water-power at Eldorado Mills, where Scribner's large
flouring mill is in operation. This stream, in an early day, also turned M. S.-^Barnett's mill,
built in 1846, and the first of any kind in the town.
The inhabitants of Eldorado are largely Irish-Americans, though a good sprinkling of
Germans and Americans is found. The records being burned, only the following Chairmen and
Town Clerks can be presented :
1861, L. M. Dunham, Thomas Woods; 1862, C. W. Frederick, William Kirkwood; 1863,
C. W. Frederick, William Kirkwood-; 1864, C. W. Frederick, William Kirkwood ; 1865, C.
W. Frederick, William Kirkwood; 1866, C. W. Frederick, William Kirkwood; 1867, C. W.
HiiSTUKX UJT rOND DU LAO COUNTY. 747
Frederick, David Ackerson ; 1868, C. W. Frederick, David Ackerson ; 1869, C. W. Frederick,
L. M. Dunham ; 1870, C. W. Frederick, L. M. Dunham ; 1871, C. W. Frederick, L. M. Dun-
ham ; 1872, James Lewis, L. M. Dunham ; 1873, James Lewis, George Gibson ; 1874, C. W.
Frederick, George Gibson ; 1875, C. W. Frederick, W. S. Hall ; 1876, John Remer, George
Gibson ; 1877, John Remer, George Gibson ; 1878, John Remer, Mark Grain ; 1879, James
K. Scribner, Mark Grain.
The first to make a location in Eldorado was Harvey Anderson, in the fall of 1845. In
May, 1846, Moses S. Barnett, now of Neenah, Wis., made a permanent settlement.
The first land was entered by Samuel Sanborn, on the northeast quarter of the northeast
quarter of Section 31, in 1846.
The first grist-mill was built in 1857 by Hiram Wheeler and James K. Scribner on Sec-
tion 31.
The first store was opened in 1849, on Section 7, by N. Jorgensen.
The first schoolhouse was built in November, 1848.
The first sermon was preached by Elder E. N. Wright, a Free- Will Baptist, in the fall of
1848, at Gyrus Pasco's house.
The first child born was Charles A. Wolcott, July 30, 1847.
The first death, George Barnett, in 1847.
The first marriage, Stephen Glaggett to Margaret O'Neil, in 1847.
The first post oflice was established in the spring of 1848, by Necoli Jorgensen, called
Bothelle. Not far from this time, John 0. Henning was postmaster on the east side of the
marsh, and some think bis commission was received before Jorgensen's.
Stephen Glaggett, Alex. Gronk, and Thomas and James Merchant settled in the town
in 1846, after the first settlement. In 1847, Gyrus and Joseph Pasco, John and Robert Gow-
han, John Glaggett, John F. Steele, William Dilts, M. Duel, Isaac Glaggett, John Adams,
David Austin, E. and William Williams, A. R. Wilber, Nelson Phillips, A. M. Donelly, H. Dilts
and perhaps others.
FOND DU LAC.
As the first settlement, first birth, first village, first death and many other first things in
the county were in the town of Fond du Lac, its history will be found elaborately recorded else-
where. It has, however, some interesting town history. It once, by act approved January 2,
1838, comprised the entire county of Fond du Lac. A year later, it contained all the territory
in the county, except the towns of Galumet and Butte des Morts, the first election being held at
the house of Edward Pier, and the second, in 1839, at the house of Mason C. Darling. In
1842, it was made one of three towns — Fond du Lac, Waupun and Calumet — in the county,
but it now contains only the territory in Township 15 north, of Range 17 east. The City of
Fond du Lac, however, does not belong to the town in any matter of local government, and
Lake Winnebago cuts off a small portion of its territory on the north. The town territory,
therefore, is a mere shell. In June, 1835, Nehemiah King, Deputy Surveyer, made the follow-
ing report as to what now constitutes the town of Fond du Lac :
"This is a fine township. The prairie and woodland are good and deserving the attention of
the farmer. The merchant and mechanic will soon find it for their interest to invest capital
here. Its location is such it cannot fail of becoming a place of considerable business. It com-
mands a handsome view of the lake, and abounds in streams of water sufficiently large and rapid
to drive mills. Along the shore there are evidences of Indian habitations. From the fertility
of the soil and abundant supply of fish in the lake and streams, it is presumed this has been a
favorite residence of theirs. In short, from the location of the Green Bay and Portage road,
and the probable location of other important ones leading to and through it, its future prosperity
is rendered almost certain. Along and near the margin of the lake, however, there is some marsh,
but it is not without dry and solid ground for buildings."
On the 21st day of April, 1837, Colwert Pier and his brother, Edward Pier, turned the first
furrow in the county and town of Fond du Lac, breaking some sixteen acres, about one mile
748 HISTORy OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
south of the spot where the court house now stands, probably in the northeast quarter of Section
22. Six days, later, they sowed wheat, oats and peas. A log house was erected on Section 22,
east of the river, and occupied by Edward Pier' and his family July 4, 1837. This was the
second house built in the county, and the first in the town outside the present city limits. When
first occupied, the structure had neither doors nor windows. During the fall, the first winter
wheat was sown in the county and town, by Colwert Pier. He brought five bushels on his horse
from Green Bay. From this wheat he raised enough to furnish his neighbors seed for the next
year. The yield was abundant. The first school in the county was taught by Harriet Harding,
in Edward Pier's residence. The first mill of any kind in the county was erected in the town
of Fond du Lac.
On the 29th day of August, 1836, James Duane Doty, as trustee for the Fond du Lac
Company, sold for $240 to John Drake, of Warren County, N. J., and Charles C. Pinckney Arndt,
of Green Bay (afterward shot dead in the Legislature at Madison), the land and water privilege
situated in the to.wn of Fond du Lac, known afterward as the " Clark Mill," and described as the
east half of the northeast quarter of Section 20 in that town. The contract had a proviso which
required Drake & Arndt to finish the mill within a specified time, which they failed to do. On
account of this failure and the strength of the proviso, after giving proper notice to Drake & Arndt,
the Fond du Lac Company sold the mill site and water privilege, together with whatever
improvements had been made thereon, to Mason C. Darling, on the 21st of May, 1838. He
completed the mill and sold a one-half interest in it to Bannister & Clark (John Bannister and
A. D. Clark), August 15, 1838, for $300. This mill, which has nearly or quite disappeared,
cut the first lumber in Fond du Lac County, with a "sash saw."
The first house built by an actual settler in the county, was erected in the town of Fond
du Lac ; the first burial was also in. this town.
At a meeting of the West Fond du Lac Temperance Society, held at the house of Joseph
Stowe, on the third Tuesday of January, 1848, it was
Resolved, That the prairie situated between the north and south (east and west branches) of Fond du Lao
River, and between Deacon Humiston's on the east and Quincy Hall's on the west, be named Temperance Prairie.
That we will use all honorable means to prevent the sale of intoxicating liquors, and the vomit of the inebriate from
polluting its virgin soil.
A. C. Everest was President of the meeting which adopted this resolution, and E. Humis-
ton, Secretary. Thereafter for many years, the locality was known as Temperance Prairie.
At the election held in May of that year, the town gave a majority of thirteen against
granting licenses to sell intoxicating liquors.
The records of the town oflScers from 1838 to 1848, are not extant. The following are
the Chairmen and Clerks from 1849 to 1879, inclusive: 1849, John C. Lewis and Frank
McCarty; 1850, Edwin Flint and Hiram Walker; 1851, Isaac Brown and William C. Brown;
1852, Edward Pier and Eric Tallmadge; 1853, Edward Pier and Henry R. Co.lman; 1854,
Sewell N. Hawes and George H. Clark ; 1855, Seth A. Chase and George H. Clark ; 1856,
Seth A. Chase and Lewis M. Darling ; 1857, Seth A. Chase and H. Spafford ; 1858, Charles
Brown and David Crofoot; 1859 and 1860, G. K. Stanchfield and D. Crofoot; 1861 and 1862,
S. A. Chase and D. Crofoot; 1863 to 1870, both inclusive,-G. K. Stanchfield and D. Crofoot;
1871, Dana C. Lamb and David Crofoot; 1872, Henry Van Allen and D. Crofoot; 1873,
Dana C Lamb and D. Crofoot; 1874 and 1875, Dana C. Lamb and S. B. Stanchfield; 1876,
1877 and 1878, Henry Van Allen and S. B. Stanchfield; 1879, L. B. Dunham and Henry
Landreman.
Four lines of railway cross the town of Fond du Lac — the C. & N. W., Air Line, She-
boygan & Fond du Lac and Narrow Gauge ; but they maintain no stations within its limits out-
side of Fond du Lac City. Both branches of Fond du Lac River flow through its territory,
furnishing limited water-powers on Sections 27, 22 and 16. Four toll roads are in this town :
Empire Gravel Road, extending southeast from the city to Empire ; one extending on Main
street south ; one extending east through Taycheedah, and one southwest toward Waupun from
the city. During 1879, a lively agitation was made against them ; indignation meetings were
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTS. T4»
held, and the question of surrendering their charter was submitted to vote in Fond du Lac City,
that corporation holding a majority of their stock, but the move failed of accomplishing its
purpose. The Poor House and Farm are on Section 21 in this town. There are several fine
sand-pits, two good brick-clay beds, two hay marshes, two good stone-quarries and one small
peat-bed in Fond du Lac Town, but no timber of any account.
Fond du Lac Fire Insurance Company. — This insurance company, composed of fiirmers
in the towns of Fond du Lac, Empire and Friendship, was organized April 24, 1875, and
issued its first policy May 20, 1875, with the following officers : G. K. Stanchfield, President ;
J. L. Colman, Secretary ; A. T. Germond, Treasurer. The Directors were, for town of Fond
du Lac — G. K. Stanchfield, H. Van Allen and J. L. Colman ; Empire — A. T. Germond, John
Meiklejohn and Benjamin White ; Friendship — Joseph Kinsman, Charles Carberry and F.
Rondeau. The present officers are as follows : President, John Meiklejohn ; Secretary, John
J. Brayton; Treasurer, William Adams. Directors, for Empire — John Meiklejohn, Richard
Kaye and William Adams ; Fond du Lac — R. C. Wilson, J. J. Brayton and H. Van Allen ;
Friendship — Robert Shiels, Horace Hodgkin and Joseph Kinsman. The last formal report of
the Company was made in September, 1879, when the total amount of the policies in force was
$466,110. The losses from incendiary fires and by lightning have been heavier in this than
in other similar companies in this county, but they have all been paid so promptly as to render
the Company a favorite one. The three assessments made for losses aggregate $5,991.50 — not
including expenses.
FOREST.
The town of Forest was named after the splendid forests of hard timber that originally
covered much the larger portion of its surface. No town in the county was blessed with finer
hardwood timber, with occasional jungles of tamarack and some patches of cedar. It contains
no genuine prairie, and but few oak openings. In early days, it was excellent for winter wheat,
and is yet, as compared with other towns, owing to the peculiar soil of the timbered tracts. A
great amount of labor has been expended in this town to fit the land for crops ; but the cash
return for hard timber and cordwood, the abundance of it for home use, the protection forests
afibrd in winter and the excellent soil when once ready for crops, abundantly repay the inhab-
itants for their extra exertions. The town is well watered, is rather more uneven than prairie
towns, has some splendid sugar-maple groves and several water-powers. On Sections 28 and
33, in the south, is Mullet Lake, whence rises a stream of the same name, flowing northeast
into the Sheboygan River, which flows across the entire western portion of the town, turning a
lathe, two mills and other machinery even as early as 1853. At Doty ville is a flouring-mill
run by water — by the Sheboygan River. In February, 1847, the following act was passed :
Sec. 32. That township number fifteen north, and the south half of township number sixteen north, of range
number nineteen east, in the county of Fond du Lao, be, and the same is hereby, set ofi" into a separate town by the
name of Forest, and that the first town meeting be held at the house of George Chase, in said town.
In March, 1848, another act, as' follows, was passed by the Legislature :
Sec. 16. Township number fifteen and the south half of township number sixteen north, in range number
nineteen east, organized into the town of Forest, is hereby declared to be a town by that name, and the acts and
proceedings of ^aid town in its aifairs for the year 1847 shall not be deemed illegal or invalid by reason of said town-
ship having been included in Taycheedah.
The town is now the six full sections in Township 15 north, of Range 19 east. It was set-
tled in 1845, Henry C. Giltner, now of Minnesota, probably making the first location, though
Josiah A. King settled there permanently in May of that year, and James Davis and P. T.
King settled the same year near the center of the town, and were, probably, permanently
located a month or two earlier than Mr. Giltner. Early in 1846, William Chase, at whose
house the first election was held ; 0. C. White, Solomon Benedict and others settled not far
from Mr. Giltner's, in the western portion of the town.
The town is now largely owned by Germans, who are unusually well-to-do, a considerable
amount of their ready money being derived from the sale of wood, which they haul to Fond
du Lac.
750 , HISTOEY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
At the first election, held April 1, 1848, H. C. Giltner was chosen Chairman. The first
birth was that of Sarah Chase ; first death, James Davis ; first marriage, a Mr. Slocum to Miss
Riley. The first schoolhouse was built on Section 14, and, in the summer of 1849, S. Corbett
taught school in it. The town now has eight schoolhouses.
Chukches. — Some time in 1847, the first sermon was preached, at the house of William
Chase, by Rev. Mr. Scott. In 1858, the Catholics built a church on Section 19, and now the
town has five church edifices. The Union Church, on Section 36, was organized, April 7, 1879,
by Henry Stannard, E. C. Coon, William Stewart and P. H. Montgomery; Henry Stannard,
President and Secretary ; E. C. Coon, Treasurer ; H. Stannard, E. Conger and E. C. Coon,
Trustees. It was dedicated by Rev. F. A. Marsh, February 19, 1880, who preached the first
sermon in it. On Section 13 is the Methodist Episcopal Church. The society was organized
November 17, 1873, at James Corbett's house. The edifice was built in 1874. The first ser-
mon was by Rev. J. T. Woodhead. The first Trustees were James Corbett, S. Elecson, David
Rogers, Ezra C,oon, William Bennett and J. 0. Bowling. The first Pastor was J. S. Bolton.
Present Pastor, Rev. H. Knight. The first marriages in the church were Joseph Colton to S.
Hall and S. Gribson to Sarah Bolton.
The first post office was established early in 1847, called Oasis, of which H. C. Giltner
was Postmaster. The second was Dotyville, established by Thomas Davidson in 184^. In
1852, Mr. Davidson opened the first store in Forest, at Dotyville. In 1866, C. A. Corbett
established Banner Post Office.
The first cheese-factory was built on Section 16, in 1877, by C. C. Lyon and J. Smith.
It is the only one in the town.
FRIENDSHIP.
This, one of the most level and unbroken towns in the county, was, previous to being erected
into its present proportions, a portion of Eldorado. An act by the Legislature, approved Feb-
ruary 1, 1849, set ofi" so much of the territory of Eldorado as was in Township 16 north, Range
17 east, into a separate town called Friendship, the first election to be held at Lyman Walker's
house. Friendship lies along the west shore of Lake Winnebago, and contains but seventeen
full sections of land, the balance being shore-marsh and lake. In this town the State owns some
overflowed lands in Sections 3 and 10. The town contains but few springs and streams. Its soil
is very deep and rich ; its timber tracts of excellent quality ; its crops varied and profitable,
and its inhabitants, being near a good market, generally well to do.
The first election was held at Lyman Walker's house April 12, 1849. The first settler was
Champion Wilson, who came in 1845. In 1846, L. Forbes, Russell McCarty, Edwin Roberts,
C. B. Matteson and, perhaps, others settled in the town. ,
The first births were Julius Roberts and Dora Cook.
The first deaths were two, recorded near tpgether — Burns and Coleman.
In 1847, a school was taught on Section 28, by Elias Worden.
In 1848, a schoolhouse was erected on Section 21, in which Miss Robinson taught the first
school.
In 1849, John Prescott preached the first sermon in the town in Lyman Walker's house.
In 1848, Friendship Post Office was established — Jackson Pritchard, Postmaster. Van
Dyne is the present post office, and D. N. Morgan, Postmaster.
In 1851, Adolph Henning opened, on Section 16, the first store in Friendship.
In 1860, the German Methodists built a church edifice on Section 17. The town now con-
tains two churches — the German Methodist, P. Limber, Pastor, and German Lutheran, John
Rosenthal, Pastor.
In 1879, a cheese factory was built in the town. The Chicago & North- Western Railway
extends across Friendship from south to north, maintaining a station at Van Dyne. In 1851,
the inhabitants along the lake shore began to be uneasy when,- without any apparent reasonable
cause. Lake Winnebago began to steadily advance upon their shore lands. As the waters con-
tinued to advance, they continued to be more uneasy. Nearly one thousand acres were over-
flowed at this time, caused by the erection of dams at Neenah and Menasha.
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 751
In 1854, the cholera made its appearance in Friendship, causing greater consternation than
the sudden rise in Lake Winnebago. The disease appeared in August, and resulted fatally in
six instances.
Champion and Minor Wilson, soon after the first settlement of the town, began the manu-
facture of chairs, which they continued until the larger factories made the business unprofitable.
Whether Minor Wilson settled within the town limits in 1844, the year before the accepted time
•of permanent settlement, is a matter of question. There seems to be more than a probability
that he did.
The population of Friendship is composed mostly of French and Germans.
The Chairmen and Town Clerks, since the town was separated from Eldorado, have been :
In 1849, Henry Bruce and Edwin R. Roberts ; 1860, Henry Bruce and Edwin R. Roberts ;
1851, Charles Wheton and Edwin R. Roberts ; 1852, Minor Wilson and Hector Munro ; 1853,
Adolph Henning and Hector Munro ; 1854, Adolph Henning and Hector Munro ; 1855, Eben-
ezer Austin and Hector Munro ; 1856, John Stoddart and Hector Munro ; 1857, Charles Car-
berry and Hector Munro ; 1858, John Stoddart and Hector Munro ; 1859, -John Stoddart and
Hector Munro ; 1860, John Stoddart and Mitchel Perrizo ; 1861, Charles Carberry and John
Stoddart ; 1862, Joseph Kinsman and Mitchel Perrizo ; 1863, Joseph Kinsman and Mitchel
Perrizo; 1864, Joseph Kinsman and Mitchel Perrizo; 1865, Charles Carberry and Mitchel
Perrizo; 1866, Charles Carberry and Mitchel Perrizo; 1867, Charles Carberry and Hector
Munro ; 1868, Charles Carberry and Hector Munro ; 1869, Charles Carberry and W. J. Ray-
craft ; 1870, Joseph Kinsman and William Lumly ; 1871, Joseph Kinsman and William Lumly ;
1872, Hector Munro and Fitch Kinsman; 1873, Hector Munro and Fitch Kinsman; 1874,
Charles Carberry and Fitch Kinsman ; 1875, Joseph Kinsman and Hall McCourt ; 1876,
Patrick McMonagle and Hall McCourt; 1877, Joseph Kinsman and Hall McCourt; 1878
.and 1879, Theodore Herrling and Hall McCourt.
LAMARTINE.
This town, lying directly west of the town and city of Fond du Lac, Township 15 north,
of Range 16 east, was named after Alphonse de Lamartine, the French poet and historian, who
sprang into such wonderful popularity during the French revolution of 1848. Before that
time the town had been called Seven Mile Creek, an awkward name, derived from the settle-
ment on the creek about seven miles from Fond du Lac, and an act of February 11, 1847,
erected it into a legal town, the first election being held at Peter V. Sang's house. The name
was changed to Lamartine (Lam-ar-teen) by an act approved August 8, 1848. The first settler
was John Parker, Jr., though the first location and claim of land were made by Edward Bee-
son in 1837, and perfected by Peter V. Sang in 1840. The former began residing upon the
latter's farm early in 1842, and, in August, 1842, Mr. Sang became a boarder in the Parker
family. The next settlers were John Parker, Sr., J. M. Loomis, Samuel Bacon and, soon
after, others. The first child born in the town was Martha Parker, in February, 1843.
The first death, John Parker, Sr., in September, 1844. In January, 1847, S. Westfall,
aged forty-five, was frozen to death while crossing Lamartine to his home in Oakfield (then
<;alled Lime) with a yoke of oxen.
The first marriage was Cyrus E. Stowe to Hannah M. Hooper, a step-daughter of P. V.
Sang's.
The first school was taught in the fall of 1847, by Russell Northrup, in a schoolhouse
erected that year on Section 34. The town now contains eight schoolhouses and twelve dis-
tricts, the schoolhouse at the little village of Seven Mile Creek being the largest in the town.
The first sermon was preached by the Rev. Morgan L. Noble in 1844, in Peter V. Sang's
house. The town now contains four church edifices — one Baptist, two Methodist and one
Catholic, the Methodists erecting the first on Section 34, about 1859 or 1860.
The first post office was established in 1845, called Seven Mile Creek, and Peter V. Sang
was the first Postmaster, which position he retained twenty years. George H. Ferris is the
present Postmaster, his ofiice being now called Lamartine.
752 HISTORY OF POND DU LAC COUNTY.
The first store was opened. in Peter V. Sang's building at Seven Mile Creek, in 1846, by-
William Hughes.
The first town ofiicers were : A. C. Everest, Chairman ; Thomas Magee and C. H. Warren,
Supervisors ; P. V. Sang, Clerk ; J. H. Fancher, Treasurer ; William Magee, Assessor, and
C. E. Stowe, Justice of the Peace. A. D. Nash is now Chairman ; George H. Ferris, Clerk ;
H. Gilbert, Assessor ; James Galland, Treasurer, and George H. Ferris, Justice of the Peace.
The first hotel was opened by Peter V. Sang, as soon as he had made a settlement. He
did a large business, but now there is little hotel business done in the town. The Lamartine
House, built in 1860, is kept by Charles De Voe, at Lamartine.
The soil of Lamartine is somewhat different from that of other towns. It is of a whitish
clay mixed with black loam ; the lowlands are deep, rich and dark, while several large marshes
are unfit for cultivation. Section 17 is largely a marsh, and the Lamartine Peat Fuel Com-
pany's tract of peat is in this town. The northern portion is the most heavily timbered.
Sheep-raising, dairying and raising grass form almost as important branches as grain-raising in
Lamartine.
There is neither mill nor water-power in the town, though the West Branch of Fond du Lac
River flows across the northeast corner, and a branch of the East Branch takes its rise in the
center of the town.
The Sheboygan & Fond du Lac Railway crosses the northeast corner, but only a flag-
station, called Woodhull, which is also a post office, is maintained. This office was named after
John Woodhull, for nearly twenty years Deputy Postmaster of Fond du Lac.
Lamartine Post Office, or Seven Mile Creek, is the business center of the town. Orchard
Brothers have a wagon factory ; G. H. Ferris and the Wisnoms stores ; besides blacksmith-
shops, cheese-factory, schoolhouse, two churches, a Good Templar's Lodge and shoe-shop. In
May,. 1848, Peter V. Sang wrote as follows to one of the Fond du Lac papers :
" Just look at it ; it is but five years since Sang moved into this town, and was then the
only landholder in it ; in fact, the only resident between Fond du Lac and Waupun, remaining
such for nearly two years ; and now there are not over eight sections of vacant land in the town
not owned by actual settlers. We have, in the vicinity of Sang's place, a tavern, blacksmith-
shop, weaver, wagon-maker, tailors and mechan,ics, post office, land agency, schoolhouse, and a
number of other buildings. Arrangements have been made to open a dry-goods and grocery
store during the coming summer. Nearly one-third of the inhabitants of the town and its-
immediate vicinity have experienced religion, of different denominations, and the revival is still
progressing. The credit for this is due to the Revs. Card, Elwell, Burgess, Elsberry and other
preachers of the Gospel."
The M. E. Church, first formed by Rev. Henry Requa, in 1856, has a good edifice for
worship and a good parsonage. The first meetings were held in the schoolhouse, but in 1859,
the first building, costing $700, was erected. In 1867, it was rebuilt at a cost of $1,600. The
first Trustees were P. V. Sang, D. E. Hutchins, Asher Williams, C. H. Warren, Ezra Stearns
and E. Humiston. The present Trustees are J. Jackson, B. R. Harrington, G. W. Jackson,
William Warner, J. Fisher, F. Orchard, George Lang, E. Gibson and D. Walters ; Pastor,
Rev. J. B. Coe.
The Baptist Church was organized April 15, 1848, at Cyrus E. Stowe's house. The first
services were held in 1847, by Elder Burgess. Services were held in the schoolhouse on Sec-
tion 34 until 1861, when the church was built on land donated by William Townsend, at a cost
of $1,500, and dedicated in 1863. The first Trustees were A. L. Bobbins, J. Fairbanks and
E. E. Crowe. Present Trustees — Samuel Wells, William Quick and James Walters.
On New Year's Day, 1847, four deer were caught in P. V. Sang's barn, where they had
taken refuge from the cold.
MARSHFIELD.
Township 16 north, of Range 19 east, is now Marshfield. It belonged to more towns,
before being separately erected into its present shape, than any other town in the county. In/
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 753
1852, by an act approved April 17 of that year, it was detached from Calumet and Forest and
named Kossuth, the first town election to be held at George Harkness' house. This name,
three years later, was changed to Marshfield, which was suggested on account of the unusually
large marsh tracts covering the town. May 10, 1835, Deputy United States Surveyor C. T.
V. King gave the town a hard name in his report to the Government, saying : " This is a poor
■township, and needs no general remai'ks; too great a portion of it is marsh and swamp." This,
in the light of more recent advancement in population and wealth, ts seen to have been an
unjust judgment. Notwithstanding the marshes, it is not wholly a " poor town," containing, as
it now does, a population of forehanded and thrifty Germans.
The first settler was Stephen Goeser ; the next earliest, Anton Kramer, John Loehr and
John Fuchs, all of whom made locations in 1841.
The first child born was Joseph Fuchs in 1842.
The first marriage was Anton Kramer to Mary Ann Brest, December 13, 1843.
The first death was that of Joseph Stump in 1843.
In 1847, Rev. Caspar Rehrl taught the first school at Mount Calvary, on Section 29. The
same year, the Catholics built a church on the same section. The town now contains three
Catholic Churches. The Pastors are Revs. P. Dominicus, P. Andrew and P. Mathew. It also
contains six good schoolhouses.
In 1851, John Blonigen established a post ofiice called Moria. J. H. Coolidge is now
Postmaster of St. Cloud, on Section 25, and P. Rothgary, of Mount Calvary.
In 1859, John Preuss built the first mill in the town, on the Sheboygan River.
In 1850, the first store was opened at Mount Calvary by M. Bourgeons.
The first Chairman of Marshfield was Joseph Wagner, who held the ofiice several years.
F. Konz is the present Chairman.
The first cheese, factory was built in 1878 at Mount ^Calvary. There is another at St.
Cloud, belonging to J. H. Coolidge.
Marshfield Mutual Insurance Company was organized February 2, 1874. Over one
hundred persons were present at the first meeting, at which Calumet, Marshfield, Forest and
Taycheedah were represented. In 1875, Osceola and Empire were added to the organization,
and, in 1880, Russell and Greenbush, of Sheboygan County ; Brothertown, of Calumet County,
and Auburn, Ashford, Byron, Eden, Friendship and Fond du Lac, of Fond du Lac County,
were added. The first oflScers were: John Holchnecht and A. Millenbach, of Calumet; Nicholas
Steffes and Michael Wirtz, of Taycheedah ; Joseph Feldner and Jacob H. Walderschmid, of Forest ;
Fred Konz, N. Kramer and M. J. Miesen, of Marshfield. The first President was N. Kramer.
In 1876, Fred Konz was chosen President and still holds that oflSce. M. J. Miesen was the first
Secretary and still holds the position. The present Directors are: F. Konz and M. J. Miesen,
Marshfield ; M. Wirtz and N. Steffes, Taycheedah ; August Pitzen, Calumet ; P. Beuese, For-
est; H. Seibel, Empire; N. Stack, Osceola. There are now out 1,036 policies, aggregating
$1,004,992 of insurance. In 1879, $10 losses were paid ; losses to January, 1880, $906.56.
The Company has a fund of $5,508.65 now on hand, and is one of the most prosperous in the
county.
St. Francis Monastery. — This is the head of the Capuchin Church in America. It is a
strong and prosperous institution, equal to any similar ones of other denominations in Wiscon-
sin. It is thus described: " It is located at Mount Calvary, twelve miles east from Fond du
Lac, and two miles south of the Sheboygan & Fond du Lac Railroad, and comprises the
church, convent and college of the Capuchin Order of St. Francis. On the 15th of October,
1856, the place was selected by two secular priests, P. Francis Haas and P. Bonaventura, with
the advice of Rt. Rev. John Martin Henry, Bishop of Milwaukee, for the foundation of the
Order. In March, 1858, possession was taken of the first eastern wing of the building, the
dimensions of which were 27x111 feet. Three years subsequent to this time, the two priests,
assisted by three lay brothers and others, under the direction of P. Francis, as Guardian, com-
menced to enlarge the building on the south side, and to lay the foundation of the church with
754 HISTOEY OE POND DU LAC COUNTY.
the choir, on the north side, which was completed the following year; 1862. Meanwhile, others
having joined the Order, it became desirable to build a college, which was done in the summer
of 1864 ; this formed the southern wing ; it was opened, under the patronage of St. Lawrence,
of Bordeaux, in November of the same year. The ^f^estern wing, together with the Chapel of
St. Francis on the north, was commenced in 1857, and completed in the fall of 1868. It was
hardly occupied -when t^e whole edifice was destroyed by fire on the 26th of December, the
same year, except the aisle of the church and St. Francis Chapel. The church and convent
were again rebuilt, and completed in 1870. The following year, it was enlarged by St. Joseph's
Family Hall and Monument, which was opened on the 4th of July, 1872. It was again
enlarged in 1873, by the addition of a new study hall and dormitory for the accommodation of"
students. Other additions were made in 1874 and since, and money continues to be expended
in enlarging, beautifying and furnishing the institution."
The different Chairmen of Marshfield have been Joseph Wagner, H. C. Giltner, William
Wolf, Richard Schrage and Fred Konz. The Clerks have been Otto RoUmann, F. J. Isaak,.
M. J. Miesen, John Konz and John Hennen.
METOMEN.
This fine agricultural town lies on the west line of Fond du Lac County, immediately south
of Ripon and northwest of Waupun. This is called the richest town in Fond du Lac county,
cities not included. This reputation is sustained by the taxes paid in 1879 by Metomen, which
were about $300 in excess of those of any other town. It is Township 15 north, of Range 14
east, containing 36 full sections of arable land. The town as a whole is a rich, undulating prairie,
scarcely one-twentieth of its area being timber. The most uneven portions have a soil of sandy
loam, with a subsoil of gravel, and with an occasional outcrop of limestone, which can be profit-
ably worked. In the lowlands are found the vegetable mold — the choice alluvium of the
marshy meadows. These, when thoroughly drained, constitute a mine of agricultural wealth.
" Round Prairie," comprising several thousand acres northwest of Brandon is justly celebrated
for its beauty and fertility. Much of Metomen is similar to Ripon, which has been called
the " Eden of the West." Its elevation, its gradually rolling surface and deep, warm soil
combine to render it attractive and productive. Other portions of the township claim equal
fertility. Much of the land is higher than any of the surrounding country — is, in fact, a water-
shed from which the streams flow southeasterly, northerly and westerly. The East Branch of
the Rock River rises in Metomen. The Grand River, in the southwest corner, affords mill
privileges at Fairwater. Wells upon the high prairie are not deep, but furnish exhaustless
water supply. Creeks and brooklets are found, except upon the uplands. For a prairie country,
Metomen contains some remarkable springs and streams. The spring on Almon Osborn'si, farm.
Section 2, is the largest in the county, being the principal source of Silver Creek, which flows
into Green Lake. Caraboo Spring, on the old Col. Mansfield farm, is twenty-five feet across and
discharges an astonishing volume of water. This is the head of Grand River. The land has
been well adapted to wheat-raising, but, lately, attention has been profitably turned to stock-
raising, particularly of sheep; and wool is becoming a leading export. For general farming
purposes, Metomen is excelled by few in the State.
HISTORIC INITIALS.
"Metomen," in the Menominee language, signifies "a grain of corn;" and this town
was thus christened by F. D. Bowman. The first " white man's cabin " within the present limits
of this town was built by Col. Mansfield, in 1844, north of Fairwater, in western portion.
He kept bachelor's hall that summer and the next, but did not bring his family here till several
other homes were established. On the 29th of May, 1844, the first entry of land in Metomen
was made, by C. D. Higley, who was then an active young bachelor. It was the farm upon
which he now resides with his family. The honor of founding the first home in Metomen
is clearly due to Daniel Eggleston, who brought his family to a log cabin, not far from their
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 755
present home, in the third week of June,, 1845. Jacob Carter and family located near him just
one week later. Among the settlers of that season were Alraon Osborn, S. H. French, E. F.
Mansfield, Robert Jenkinson, John and Thomas Coats, William C. Worden, M. D. Wilson,
Mathew Wilson, A. Dart. The settlement was prosperous and rapidly increased, and, within
two years, all Government land was claimed by actual settlers. Franklin French has the honor
of being the youngest pioneer who arrived in the township during the first year of the settle-
ment, he having been born on the 26th of October, 1845, in the unfinished cabin of Jacob
Carter. Esq. French's hay-thatched cabin had been, the previous month, accidentally burned,
and that can date first ''fire" in Metomen. In the spring of 1846, the first sermon was
preached by a Baptist minister named Jeremiah Murphy, in the cabin of Daniel Eggleston.
During the summer of 1846, Rev. W. G. Miller, now well known in this State, began preach-
ing in the schoolhouse on Section 2, in the Walworth District, and Rev. Miller was the first
preacher whose charge included the town of Metomen. Elder Marcellus Barnum was the first
settled Pastor in the town, having organized a Wesleyan society at Reed's Corners in 1847.
This was afterward changed or merged into the present Congregational church, located at Reed's
Corners. No death occurred the first year of settlement, but in March, 1846, Frederick Nay was
consigned to earth. In April, of the same year, a Mr. Farnam and a Miss Collins were united for
"better or worse." The first public school was established the same season on Section 2, and Lois
Walker was the presiding officer ; this was in a private house ; but, next summer, a schoolhouse
was built on the same section, and J. W. Wilsie was the first pedagogue. In the spring of 1846,
within a year from date of the first family's arrival, a post office was established, named " Grand
River," with Jacob Carter as first Postmaster. At about the same time, the Post-Office Depart-
ment had established another office called "Mansfield," with Daniel Eggleston as Postmaster.
These were so near together that, as an old pioneer expressed it, " one cabbage leaf would cover
both." "Grand River" was soon discontinued, but "Mansfield" remained for years the only
post office in the town. William Stanton built a saw-mill in 1846, and Messrs. Dakin &
Lathrop erected a flouring-mill in 1847 on the branches of Grand River, within the town limits
and near Fairwater. The flouring-mill, remodeled, is now owned by Mr. Hurlbut, and has been
"on duty" since its erection. The proprietors of the first flouring-mill, Dakin & Lathrop, were
also the first merchants, having started a store at Fairwater in 1847. For several years all
religious services were held in the settlers' cabins or in the schoolhouses, but, in the summer of
1856, the Free- Will Baptists of Fairwater erected the first church edifice in Metomen.
ORGANIZATION.
Metomen Town was organized at a meeting of citizens duly convened on the 7th of April,
1846, at the house of F. D. Bowman. Samuel A. Carpenter was chosen Moderator, and A. C
Bobbins, Clerk. The town of Waupun and part of the town of Alto were then embraced in the
town of Metomen. The first resolution which was passed established the pay of all town officers
at 75 cents per day, unless otherwise fixed by law. The town officers elected at this first town
meeting were: Chairman, Almon Osborn; Side Supervisors, Daniel Eggleston and S. A. Car-
penter; Assessors, James English, D. L. McCorpin and Jacob Carter; Treasurer, Harvey
Sexton; Town Clerk, A. C. Robbins; Collector, S. H. French; School Commissioners, Henry
Boardman, A. C. Robbins and Robert Jenkinson ; Justices of the Peace, S. H. French. S. A.
Carpenter and Ira Lee. The total amount of taxes levied in Metomen, in 1846, was 5?161.32,
of which $100.87 were collected. The present officers of the town are: Chairman, P. K.
Pickard ; Side Supervisors, J. Warner and W. Watson ; Treasurer, J McClelland ; Clerk, E.
Ensign ; Justices, E. Reynolds and T. Watson ; Assessor, A. M. Bly.
BRANDON.
This prosperous village lies in the southeastern part of Metomen. The first building within
present corporation limits was built by R. W. Pride, in 1849, and stood on the site of F. M.
Hillman's residence. The place was not improved nor continuously occupied for several years.
756 HISTORY or FOND DU LAC COUjSTTY.
It did not become a center of business until the completion of the railroad in 1856, when it
;began rapid strides toward the dignity of a city. In its early history, it was a lively place
and known as " Bungtown." The station and village was named "Brandon" by William Lockin,
in honor of many Vermont settlers. It was not organized as a village until January 8, 1878.
The first Trustees were, J. Abercrombie, W. D. Ash, J. Lockin, L. Marsh, G. H. Paine and
J. Raube. First President, William Plocker, and Clerk, Charles Heuman. The present oflScers
are, President, G. A. Russell, and Clerk, E. Ensign.
CHURCHES.
A Methodist class was formed as early as 1848, by Rev. H. Allen, a lay preacher and far-
mer, in the north part of Metomen. Meetings were held at Union Prairie Schoolhouse, which
was one of a circuit containing three charges. This society in 1861 removed to Brandon,
which by its rapid growth had become of central importance. The first oflScial record of the
Brandon Methodist Episcopal Church, is that of a quarterly conference held on Round Prairie,
November 24, 1855, Rev. J. M. Walker, Presiding Elder, and Rev. John B. Armatage, preacher
in charge. Services were held in private houses or schoolhouses, or sometimes in the hall of
the building now kept as a hotel by Warren Hall. The present church was built in 1863, dur-
ing the pastorate of Rev. Henry Requa. The present Board of Trustees are F. M. Hillman,
F. P. Furguson, T. R. Darrow, William Bronson, G. A. Russell, C. P. Knapp and A. G.
Yorty ; Clerk is W. R. Brown ; Superintendent of Sunday school is Leander Ferguson ; Rev.
-Jesse Cole is present Pastor. The total membership is 153. They have a commodious church
and a comfortable parsonage. The society is an active force, and numerically exceeds any other
religious association in the town. The Methodist Episcopal Church at Reed's Corners is
also connected with this charge.
The Congregational Church of Brandon was organized on the 19th of April, 1857, by
Rev. S. Bristol, in the schoolhouse near the center of Metomen Town. John Wilson was
the first Deacon, and Robert Jenkinson the first Clerk. In July, 1862, the society removed
to Brandon, and during the following summer their present house of worship was erected, under
the pastorate of Rev. Norman McLeod. The present Board of Trustees are R. M. Wilsie, R.
Graham and R. C. Kelly. Mr. Kelly has been a member of the Board continuously from its
organization. The Deacons are George Bly, A. Turner and R. Graham. Martin C. Short is
both Clerk of the Church and Superintendent of the Sunday school. Rev. Homer W. Carter
is Pastor. Membership numbers seventy-five. The" society is harmonious and prosperous.
The German Methodist Episcopal Church of Brandon erected its church edifice in 1876,
under the pastorate of Rev. F. Strobel. A class was formed about ten years before that, by
Rev. August Turnitzer, who supplied them with preaching. Their meetings were held in the
Congregational Church. Trustees are Fred Ganger, F. Praatz and F. Nordwig. Superintend-
ent of Sunday school is F. Sheffelbein. Present Pastor is Rev. John Deitrick. Membership,
eighty-eight.
The German Lutheran Church was built in 1874. The Pastor was Rev. Holtzner. At
the present time they are supplied with preaching once in two weeks, by the Pastor in charge at
Ripon. The society is small, and a majority of the members live in the country.
BRANDON PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
From the small school taught by a single teacher in 1856, the Brandon school has grad-
ually developed to its present acceptable proportions. In 1864 the present schoolhouse was
erected. It is a wooden, two-story structure, containing four schoolrooms. The Principal,
Prof Kirk Spoor, has been in charge since 1872. He has three assistant teachers, all ladies.
The present Board of Education are, James Turner, M. D., President; M. C. Short, Clerk,
and F. R. Foster, Treasurer. The Board, under the high-school law of 1877, adopted the
three-years course recommended by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction. A class
^f four graduated in June, 1879. The course is designed to fit graduates for practical business
r^uue/i
t^.
LADOGA
HISTOEY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 759
life, and includes more than is required for a first-grade certificate for teaching. For the last
five years, the school has drawn a gratuity under the law to promote high schools. In January,
1880, the average attendance was 170, with a total enrollment of 211. There is an average
attendance of twelve non-resident tuition pupils. The teachers are faithful, the administration
quietly eflBcient, and the school enjoys public confidence.
SOCIETIES.
The Brandon Lodge, J.., F. ^ A. M., was organized under dispensation dated June 13,
1863. The first meeting occurred July 10, 1863. The charter members were : Elisha Gallop,
who was the first Master ; R. C. Kelly, who was the first Secretary; Hanson Ely, James McClel-
land, E. H. Yorty, James McGill, Henry Henrickson and Zenas Scott. The charter is dated
June 14, 1864.
The present officers are : William Irwin, W. M.; Thomas Ivers, S. W.; H. H. Green, J. W".;
J. P. Lyon, Treas.; E. Ensign, Sec'y; James McClelland, S. D.; John O'Hara, J. D.; Henry
R. O'Hara, S. S.; C. A. Danforth, J. S.; A. Butts, Tiler. , '
The present membership is fifty-two. They have an attractive hall and are in working
condition.
Lodge No. 107, J, 0. 0. F., was organized under a charter from the Grand Lodge dated
January 21, 1864. The charter members were Lewis Whistler, Frank Perkins, G. B. Pierce,
L. S. Shepherd and Isaac W. Tower.
They have a substantial two-story brick hall, 70x38 feet, built in 1871 at a cost of nearly
^5,000 ; it is not yet free from incumbrance.
' The present officers are : H. H. Green, N. G. ; N. A. Stevens, V. G. ; J. E. Gee, P. S. ;
Samuel Weinstock, Treas.; T. Watson, R. S. The Trustees are G. W. Sargeant, A. Butts and
T. Watson. The society has been large and of social prominence.
Brandon Encampment, No. S5, was organized January 19, 1869. Its officers are : G.
H. Paine, C. P.; G. W. Cole, H. P.; H. J. Parker, S. W.; H. H. Green, J. W; T. Watson,
Scribe ; S. Weinstock, Treasurer.
Martha Lodge, No. 6, Daughters of Rebecca, was organized January 21, 1870. The
officers are: L. J. Hall, N. G.; E. Butts, V. G.; M. Austin, R. S.; J. Watson, Treasurer.
Hope Lodge, No. 84-, I. 0. Cr. T, organized April 7, 1869, with ten charter members.
The first W. C. was William R. Brown, and the first Recording Secretary was A. Pallister.
The membership of the Lodge is fifty-six, and the officers are : Horace L. Brown, W. C. T.; Mary
Whitton,W.V.T; Eva C. Knapp, P.W.C.T.; Charles Allen, W. R. S.; Fayette Butts, W. F. S.;
Lizzie Yorty, W. T. ; F. E. Jones, W. M. ; Rev. H. W. Carter, W. C. ; Jennie Randall, W. G. ;
Charles Blake, W. S. The Lodge is thoroughly efficient.
Honest Temple, No. 85, Juvenile Templars, was organized in March, 1878. Its officers
are: Lincoln McClelland, C. T.; Edith Yorty, V. T.; Charles Whitton, P. C. T.; Neil Knapp,
R. S.; George Porter, F. S.; Minnie Danforth, Treas.; Aimer Hall, M.; Frank Knapp, C.;
Grace Whitton, I. G.; Andrew Yorty, 0. G.
The membership is forty-nine, and is composed of those who are in the habit-forming period
of life, namely, from six to sixteen years of age. Most of the members are pledged to abstain
not only from intoxicants, but from tobacco and profanity. Fully six thousand of these Juve-
nile Templars are numbered in Wisconsin, and ought to be a potent factor in shaping the future
history of the State.
Brandon Grange, No. 53, was organized January 24, 1873, by Edwin Reynolds, Deputy
of the State Grange. The first Master was John Wormwood, and the first Secretary was R. C.
Kelly. The present membership is forty-four.
In the autumn of 1877, the Brandon Grange, in connection with several surrounding
Granges, organized a stock company for the management of a co-operative store in Brandon.
They commenced with a capital of |4,050. Chester Hazen is President of the Cooperative
Association ; F. Collins, Secretary ; J. Wormwood, Treasurer. R. C. Kelly was engaged to
760 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
take charge of the store, which has thus far heen a success. It is conducted mainly on a cash
hasis. The profits are divided among the stockholders, not in proportion to their stock invested,
but according to the amount of purchases they have made at the store during the year. Mr.
Kelly is assisted by Frank G. Fowler, salesman, and also most of the time by an additional clerk.
The capital, on the 1st of October, 1879, was $5,950, showing a net increase of $1,904. The
Graingers express satisfaction at the result of the experiment. The present Master of the Lodge
is William Irwin, and the Secretary is 0. B. Knapp.
RAILRQAD.
The effprts of this township and others in this locality were successful in securing railroad
connections, and the Milwaukee & Horicon Railroad was built through this township in ,1856.
It passes northwesterly, from Section 36 to Section 3, in its course through Metomen. The
road is now owned by the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Company. It was built by
a construction company, who did not meet all their obligations, which caused some difficulties.
Near Reed's Corners, the tracklayers were forcibly prevented from putting down the rails, by the
unpaid workmen who had graded the road-bed. Civil and military aid was invoked and the rails
were laid amid much excitement.' The scene of the encounter is still known as the "b^tle
ground." During the building of the railroad much freight had accumulated at Waupun, and
some waS'Sent over the line before the regular running of trains.
Way-bill No. 1 and first freight receipt were dated Tuesday, October 14, 1856. The goods
were consigned to G. Perkins & Co., who were merchants, thea located in the Walker House.
The senior member of that firm is now County Judge of Fond du Lac County. Regular freight
trains did not run until the 19th of October, '1856. The first regular passenger train which left
Milwaukee for Brandon, and returned on schedule time, came into Brandon with flying colors
about noon on Saturday, October 18, 1856. The event was an occasion of special rejoicing ;
Charles Larrabee, of Horicon, was the leading orator of the day ; a public dinner and free
drinks madeit a ftiemorable day- H. W. Gregory was the first station agent at Brandon. The
express and railroad agent at the present time is W. S. Randall.
MANUFACTORIES.
The village is fairly supplied with manufacturing establishments, and among the leading^
ones are the plaping-mill and sash, door and blind factory of C. P. Knapp ; the wagon factory
. of Alexander Turner, and the flouring-mill of H. G. Mathews.
There are two hotels — the Ensign House, kept by the owner. Esquire Ensign ; it has
twenty-two rooms for guests, has a good reputation, and is a pleasant home for pilgrims and
strangers. The Walker House, about the same size, is kept by the owner, Warren Hall. This
was the first hotel in Brandon, and still retains a share of the traveling patronage.
The business interests of Brandon are represented by enterprising men in the various depart-
ments of industry and commerce. An extended sketch of most of them will be found in the
Biographical Departihent of this History. A rich agricultural country is tributary to Brandon,
which is a thrifty village of 800 population. It contains four general stores, three hardware
stores, two drug stores, two groceries, three milliners' stores, one notion store, one jewelry
store, one flouring-mill, one planing-mill, two wagon-shops, three harness-shops, two shoe-shops,
two meat markets, two hotels, one merchant tailor, two paint-shops, one cooper-shop, one cabinet-
shop, three blacksmith-shops, one barber-shop, four grain warehouses, two lumber-yards, five grain
and produce buyers, two jobbers and contractors, two stonemasons, four agricultural-implement
dealers, one drayman, two justices of the peace, one lawyer, three doctors, four ministers and
four churches, three saloons, two insurance agents, one police magistrate, one broker, one news-
paper and printing office, one money-order post office, one depot, one graded high school and
' seven secret societies.
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 761
FAIK WATER.
la the southwestern part of Metomen, on the Grand River, in 1847, a flouring-mill was
built by Messrs. Dakin and Lathrop ; it was a favora,ble site for a village and was the starting-
point of Fairwater, which rapidly grew and was for ten years the commercial center Of a large
tract of rapidly developing country. The railroad, in 1856, left Fairwater "out in the cold,"
and a decline was inevitable.
The first church in Metomen was built at Fairwater. The society was organized February
2, 1850, with the name of the First Free- Will Baptist Church of Fairwater, under the minis-
trations of Rev. William Mitchell ; the first Clerk was Deacon R. M. Harwood. Their church
edifice was dedicated on the 10th of July, 1856, by Rev. Ransom Dunn. The cost was $1,600,
and, in 1863, the society built a $1,000 parsonage. The original membership was eight; the
present is thirty. The Trustees are F. Newland, C. Tinkham and P. P. Tucker, who also is
Clerk. John Hogben is Deacon, and Rev. J. P. Hewes, Pastor. This first church of the
town, at the present writing, is the scene of unusual religious interest. The First Regular
Baptist Church of Metomen, at Fairwater, was organized March 30, 1851 ; the Council was
held April 30, 1851. Original membership, thirteen. Elder Peck was the organizing Pastor.
Their church was dedicated in July, 1860. The society was at one time quite flourishing, but
by deaths and removals has become very small. It is now nominally a branch of the Ripon
Baptist Church, but most of the former members attend and help support the Free- Will Baptist
Church of Fairwater. No regular services are now held in the church; it is the temporary
lodge-room of the Good Templars.
The temperance people of Fairwater and vicinity organized Lodge No. Ill, of I. 0. of
Good Templars, on the 9th day of February, 1876. The ofiScials are: W. C. T., Frank Hunt;
R. S., Warren Batson ; Lodge Deputy, Frank Collins. They have a membership of forty,
and are in good working condition.
The first Evangelical Lutheran Church of East Fairwater was organized at a meeting
held on the 21st of June, 1872. The presiding and recording officers of said meeting were
William North and Louis Dreis. The first Pastor was Rev. G. Heolzel, who began his pastor-
ate in the autumn of 1872, and a church was erected the same season. The membership
includes forty-seven families. The President of the Board of Trustees is Gottlieb Klawon^
and the Clerk is H. Kath.
The leading industry of Fairwater is the flouring-mill of N. C. Hurlburt. The Post-
master is J. H. Brown. The village has two general stores, one flouring-mill, one blacksmith-
shop, one shoe-shop, two carpenter-shops, one stonemason, a post office, one secret society, two
ministers, three churches and one saloon.
reed's corners and metomen.
The northern portion of Metomen was settled as early as the western, and several of the
first settlers located in the vicinity of what is known as Reed's Corners. A post office was
established at that point in 1852, with Giles Eggleston as Postmaster. In 1847, a Wesleyan
Church society was organized by Rev. Marcellus Barnum, but no church was built until 1857.
This organization was consolidated with or merged into a Congregational society on the 2l8t
of May, 1865, and Rev. S. Bristol was their first Pastor. The church property was deeded by
the Trustees of the former Wesleyan society to the new organization, which is named the " Sec-
ond Congregational Church of Metomen," and is located at Reed's Corners. The Deacons are
M. Barnum, L. Stillwell and G. C. Goodfellow. The Clerk is H. E. Stillwell. Pastor, Rev.
Heman Safibrd. Membership, thirty-two.
Rev. W. G. Miller, Methodist, held meetings on Section 2, near Reed's Corners, in 1846.
Services were afterward discontinued, but, in 1860, were revived by Rev. S. S- Lang, who
organized a class and appointed S. T. Wilsie Class Leader. Their present church edifice was
built in 1866, during the pastorate of Rev. A. A. Reed. The Trustees are S. T. Wilsie, N.
762 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
Van Camp, J. B. Russell, N. A. Miller and T. Hutchinson. The charge is connected with
Brandon, and is served by Rev. Jesse Cole, as Pastor. Present membership about thirty.
The place was once of local importance, and had stores, shops, depot, post office, etc., but
in 1873. the post office and depot were removed half a mile south and the station named Meto-
men. The location of the two churches at Reed's Corners gives it prominence. It receives its
name from Warren Reed, deceased, who Was actively identified with the locality.
Metomen is the other railroad station in the township, besides Brandon. It has no busi-
ness Ifouses, stores, shops or manufactories. The post office is in official charge of Mrs. E.
Reynolds.
There are two cheese factories in the town, one established by H. C. Kibbie, on Sec-
tion 18, in 1871. I The other by Hazen & Norris, on Section 26, in 1872. The town is
noted for its pleasant farmhouses and spacious, substantial barns. Probably no portion of
Wisconsin can show so large a percentage of first-class barns as Metomen and the few surround-
ing towns. The contents of these barns are supposed to be more secure because of the
existence of a thoroughly organized Protective Association, w-ith fully seventy members. The
name suggests its purpose. E. Reynolds is President, and R. M. Wilse, Secretary. In 1875,
the town had a population of 1,838, and will doubtless show its proportionate growth
according to the census of 1880. More than the usual percentage of old pioneers still retain
their original purchases from the United States Government. There are eleven schoolhouses
and iiine churches in the town ; the people, being largely from New England, are of the
class which builds churches and schoolhouses very soon after securing their first cabin homes.
Metomen is a choice town, both in the fertility of its soil and in the character of its
inhabitants.
OAKFIELD.
This is a rich, prosperous and pleasant town. It was erected into the town of Lime by an
act approved February 2, 1846, and the name changed to Oakfield February 10, 1847. The
extensive and rich quarries of limestone afforded by the "Ledge," in Township 14 north, of
Range 16 east, suggested the name of Lime, and the beautiful oak openings suggested the pres-
ent name of Oakfield. It is about equally divided between the high oak openings and prairie.
That portion of Horicon Marsh which extends into Oakfield has been drained, and is now
mostly tillable land. The Ledge is very prominent in this town. It, furnishes lirne, building
material, delicious springs and picturesque scenery — " Darling's Gap," a wild spot near the vil-
lage of Oakfield, being the most notable and attractive. Its winding crevices, deep caverns,
overhanging precipices and vast domes of disintegrated rocks attract thousands of tourists and
picnickers.
The first settlement was begun in 1840, south of the present village of Oakfield, by Rus-
sell Wilkinson, who came with his family from Rensselaer County, N. Y., early that year, and
built a log house. The Winnebago Indians were very numerous about the Ledge then, owing to
the abundance of game in its retreats, and were highly displeased by the invasion of the pale-
face. They stole nearly everything he possefeed that was movable, and finally burned his home
with all its contents. Mr. Wilkinson then procured a yoke of oxen and removed his wife, who
was in delicate health, to the house of Edward Pier, at Fond du Lac. The Indians then held
undisputed sway in that section until October, 1843, when Mr. Wilkinson and his brother Rob-
ert returned to the farm and made a permanent settlement. They were for some time the only
white denizens of the town, but were joined not much later by John Wilkinson, John Beirne,
S. Botsford and Messrs. Silvernail, Hubbard and Hazen, When once the richness and warmth
of the soil, the beauty of the location and the healthfulness of the climate -^became generally
known, the town settled with wonderful rapidity, and has always maintained itself in the front
rank of prosperous and populous towns.
The first town election was held in April, 1846, at Russell Wilkinson's house, at which C.
T. Rich was chosen Silpervisor, and Lorenzo Hazen, Clerk.
In 1844, Lorenzo Hazen was one of the leaders in forming the Washingtonian Society, the
first reffularlv organized temnerance society in the countT;
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 763
The first birth was Martha, daughter of Robert Wilkinson, in May, 1844.
The first death was that of John Wilkinson, killed by the fall of a tree in 1 846. The
neighbors, meager in numbers and poor as they were, massed their means, and paid for the
"forty " which Mr. Wilkinson had entered, but not paid for, and gave it to his stricken family.
Russell Wilkinson died suddenly May 4, 1847.
The first marriage was Thomas Burns to Elizabeth Stene in 1844.
The first school was taught in 1845, by Mariah Moore, afterward Mrs. A. Hubbard, in a
schoolhouse built that year on Section 14. The town now contains eight schoolhouses.
The first sermon was preached in February, 1845, by Rev. Harvey Bronson, at Russell
Wilkinson's house. The first church was not erected until 1852, by thq Congregationalists, on
Section 22.
The first post office was established at Avoca, one mile east of what is now the village of
Oakfield, on Section 13. Isaac Orvis was the first Postmaster. Henry Cornell is the present
Postmaster of Oakfield, as it has many years been called.
The first mill was a saw-mill, built in 1844 by J. Allen. In 1851, Col. Henry Conklin
built the first flouring mill, at a cost of $12,000, on the East Branch of Fond du Lac River, near
the village of Avoca.
The first store was opened in 1845, on Section 22, by William I. Ripley.
In 1869, Strong & Hammond built the first cheese factory in the town.
In 1852, the Chicago & North- Western Railway was built through Oakfield. It maintains
two stations in the town — Oakfield and Oak Center.
The town of Oakfield never granted license to sell liquors of any kind as a beverage.
Oak Center is the geographical center of the town. It has a post office, store and elevator.
The Journal'oi September 15, 1848, said : " A fragment of a bowl or vase was presented
to us last week, which was found in the town of Oakfield, ten inches under ground. It is
about a quarter of an inch thick, marked with parallel lines and dots. The curve indicates the
vessel to have been fourteen inches in diameter. The substance appears to be a brown clay
burned." Many other similar relics have been found in the town.
OAKFIELD VILLAGE.
The first village in the town of Oakfield was called Avoca, and was situated on Section 13,
on the "old plank road." Here were opened the first mill and established the first post office.
When the Rock River Valley Union Railway was put through the town the center of trade was
transferred to the present site of Oakfield, one mile west of Avoca. It is one of the most pleas-
ant inland hamlets in the county. From the residences on the hill, Fond du Lac, Lamartine,
Mount Calvary Monastery, the whole sweep of Lake Winnebago and a stretch of thirty miles
of hill and prairie can be seen, and the Ledge, only a few rods back of the village, is a resort
of all pleasure parties in the vicinity.
The most prominent industry, Putnam & Blair's sash, door and blind factory, was torn
down and removed in 1879, after years of prosperity.
The cheese factory, built by Strong & Hammond, in 1860, now owned by Bristol & Orvis,
is prosperous.
The Vermont House, so named because its builder came from Vermont, is owned and man-
aged by William H. Brown. It is the only hotel in Oakfield. Since coming into possession of
the house in 1876, Mr. Brown has enlarged and improved it.
The physicians are William Moore, J. W. Burns and G. B. Durand. Burns Bros., of
which firm Dr. J. W. Burns is a member, have the only drug store.
The general stores are by W. S. Russell, Bristol & Worthing and H. Cornell.
Bogie & McDonald have the only meat market.
Oakfield Lodge, No. 158, A. F. & A. M., waS granted a dispensation February 22, 1866,
and a charter June 13 of the same year, with the following charter members : William Moore,
N. Filby, H. Cornell, 0. Hatch, S. Q. Pickett, D. H. Spencer and Theodore Conklin. The
764 HISTORY OF FOND DXJ LAC COUNTY.
first oiEcers were : S. Gr. Pickett, Master ; H. Cornell, Senior Warden ; N. Filby, Junior War-
den ; T. Conklin, Secretary ; and D. H. Spencer, Treasurer. The Lodge now has fifty mem-
bers; rents a hall in H. Cornell's building. The present officers are: J. W. Burns, W. M.;
William Moore, S. W.; H. A.' Burns, J. W.; H. A. Ripley, Secretary ; William Worthing,
Treasurer. The first officers elected after the charter had been granted were: H. Cornell, W.
M.; William Moore, S. W., and N. Filby, J. W.
Oakfield Lodge, No. 174, I. 0. 0. F., was organized December 24, 1869, with the follow-
ing charter members : John Hubbard, E. A. Hubbard, Thomas Burns, A. H. Odell, Michael
Foley, J. E. Collins. The first officers were : N. Filby, P. G.; J. H. Hubbard, N. G.; E. A.
Hubbard, V. G.; M.. B. Dille, P. S.; Treasurer, A. H. .Odell. The present officers are: A. A.
Swan, P. G.; E. T. Hift, N. G.; W. S. Orvis, V. G.; L. R. Wells, R. S.; J. W. Burns, P. S.;
Thomas Burns, Treasurer. The Lodge is in good working order, and has forty-two members.
Meetings are held in Masonic Hall.
The Sons of Temperance organized along in the fifties, but disbanded when the war broke
out. H. D. Hitt was the first Worthy Patriarch.
Wide-Awake Lodge, No. 504, I. 0. G. T., was organized in September, 1879, P. E. Gil-
son being the first Worthy Chief. The Lodge is wide-awake in more than name. It now has
thirty-five members, with frequent additions. P. E. Gilson still holds the office of Worthy
Chief.
Oakfield Grange, No. 55, was organized in 1872 with H. D. Hitt as Master. The lodge
has a fine hall over the cheese factory, and holds regular meetings at which all farm, fruit and
dairy topics are discussed in their season. The lodge now numbers forty thrifty farmers, with
Levi Lftrge as Master. The Patron's Aid Society is a branch of the Grange, which secures for
the family of any member at his death an assessment of f 1 from each member in the State. H.
D. Hitt, who is one of the Directors of this branch, was also one of its originators.
The Union Church Was built in 1867, by a stock company, at a cost of f4,000 for build-
ing, site and furniture. The organization consists of about one hundred members who are stock-
holders; The building is free to be used by any denomination, and was erected with that plan
in view. The first officers were: H. D. Hitt, President; J. T, White, Treasurer, and E. A.
Putnam, Secretary. The present officers are: H. D. Hitt, President; William Worthing, Secre-
tary, and Henry Cornell, Treasurer.
Grace Episcopal Church had its origin in an Episcopal Sunday school started in 1857 in
District No. 10, by Mrs. L. Russell and T. J. Wood. A school teacher named Palmer then
began lay-reading, and a sermon or two by Rev. George B. Eastman, of Fond du Lac, increased
the interest, and Mrs. Russell and Mrs. N. Filby began the collection of funds for the erection
of a church edifice. They were aided by Mrs. Robert Kinninment, in Brooklyn, N. Y. Finally,
a meeting for organizing the church was held, and the gathering lacking one of the number
required by law to complete the legal formation, Mrs. L. Russell crossed the field and asked in
William Butler, who then donated the site for the edifice. The consecration of the building,
erected on Section 13 but moved to its present location in Oakfield Village in 1868 or 1869,
took place in 1861, by Bishop JKemper. The first Pastor was Rpv. Turner ; present Pastor,
Rev. W. B. Wright, residing at Waupun. The first officers were N. Filbj, Senior Warden, and
Robert Palmer, Junior Warden.
Avoca Cemetery, platted in 1856, on Section 13, by H. D. Hitt and N. Filby, covers two
and one-quarter acres of ground, and is an unusually neat and well-kept burial place. It is beau-
tifully shaded by deciduous and evergreen trees. The first officers were H. D. Hitt, N. Filby
and Jacob Avery. The present officers are W. W. Wheeler, H. D. Hitt and A. H. Steen.
The first elevator in Oakfield was built in 1868 by George W. King. It burned, and he
erected in its place. the present fine steam elevator, which some seasons is compelled to run night
and day. The proprietors are George W. King & Son.
M. R. Hubbard & George W. King erected a large steam hay-press which began a thriving
business early in 1880. It is the only steam press in the county.
HISTOKY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 765
Willard & Morgan built a steam saw-mill in the winter of 1879-80.' It is also fitted with
machinery for turning out materials for various kinds of hardwood work.
The Henry Conklin mills, built in 1851, run now by H. Hanson and owned by C. K. Pier ;
the Avoca mills, built by Mr. Large and run by Charles Frensel, and the Stroup mills, built by
Isaac Orvis, are flouring-mills near Oakfield Village, all situated on the East Branch of the Fond
du Lac River.
0. W. Willard has a large stone wagon factory, the only one in Oakfield.
The school is graded and very thorough, although managed on the district plan.
OSCEOLA.
The name of the famous chief of the Florida Indians is perpetuated in the name of this
town — Township 14 north, of Range 19 east. It is rich in timber, small lakes, fish and wild
waterfowl. The town was named by W. R. Longstreet. It was first settled, probably, in 1845,
by Washington Noble, James Farr, and Peter Radliff, at what is now Waucousta. About eight
months later, W. R.- Longstreet, John Beeson, William. Mitchell and Silas Allen settled at the'
same place, and John Graham, William Oliver, John Airhart, Joseph Cavanagh and others soon
after settled in other parts of the town.
The first birth was in William Oliver's family in 1847 ; Byron, son of John and Louisa
Graham, was born March 14, 1849.
The first marriage was that of Washington Noble to Helen Airhart..
In February, 1849, the infant daughter of Michael and Ellen Scannell died, and later the
same year, Mrs. Noble died — the first death in Osceola.
The first election was held in April, 1851, when the town was set oiF from Eden. Rev. J.
W. Whitney was elected Chairman ; W. R. Longstreet, Superintendent of Schools ; William
Mitchell, Clerk ; Leander Mayhew, Treasurer.
In 1850, Sarah J. Walters taught the first school, at the house of N. Carey. In the win-
ter of that year a schoolhouse was erected on Section 8. The town now contains seven good
schoolhouses. The first sermon was preached in William Mitchell's house, by Rev. John W.
Whitney, in 1847 ; probably the first church edifice was built in 1855 or 1856, on Section 2, by
the Catholics.
The first post office was called Osceola, as it is still. C. W. Prescott was the first Post-
master. *
Post offices, are now open at Dundee, Waucousta and Armstrong's Corners — the latter named
after Asher Armstrong.
The first saw-mill and first grist-mill were built at Waucousta, by John Beeson — the former
probably in 1848 ; the latter ttvo or three years later. Both were on Middle Branch of the
Milwaukee River.
C. W. Prescott entered the first land — northeast quarter of Section 9 — in 1846.
William Crosby built the first cheese factory in 1877, at Waucousta.
The first Irish settler was Michael Scannell, 1848 ; first German, John Airhart ; first
Scotchman, Willi.-im Mitchell ; first Americans, William Oliver and John Graham.
The highest point of land in the town is on Section 34.
T. W. Purcell opened the first store in Osceola, at Waucousta, not earlier than the fall of
1859. J. H. Trentledge now has a large store at this place, and there are also blacksmith,
shoe and wagon shops, cheese factories, and the store kept by Mr. Tompkins, in which is the
post office.
At Dundee, which was platted, recorded and named by E. M. Mcintosh, in February, 1864, is
a good water-power. The first dam and saw-mill were built 'bj Stephen Palmer and Mr. Mcin-
tosh, in 1855. Soon after, the property fell into the hands of William and Leroy Palmer, who
built the flouring-mill in 1858. It is now owned by F. HoUensteiner. The first Postmaster
at Dundee was I. S. Sheldon. The office is now kept by Jacoib Arimond, though F. HoUen-
steiner is Postmaster. Dundee Hotel is kept by Mr. Brokmeyer, who started , the cattle fair
766 HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
for Dundee in 1870. There are three churches at this village — a Catholic mission, supplied by-
Father Michels, of New Cassel; a Reformed church, built in 1876, of which F. Hollensteiner is
Treasurer and Rev. F. Maurer, Pastor, and a Lutheran church, built in 1878.
RIPON.
Although a rich and important town, Ripon has little history of interest not to be found in
the history of the Wisconsin Phalanx and the city of Ripon. The first settlement and all
important events took place within the limits of the city of Ripon. As to who made the first
settlement of that portion of the town outside of the city is not undisputed, though D. P.
Mapes, Dr. Spalding and A. Loper were among the first. This is a magnificent town as to
locati9n and soil, Green Lake Prairie, on which it largely lies, being unsurpassed in Wisconsin.
The original marsh land, what there was, is now productive meadow or pasture, and the oak
openings have been turned into wheat fields. Rush Lake touches the north side of the town,
but destroys the value of but little land.
By an act approved January 23, -1845, the present towns of Ripon and Rosendale were
erected into the town of Ceresco, the first election being held in April of that year, at the house of
Lester Rounds. The next year, the town was reduced, by the organization of Rosendale, to its
present dimensions — Township ,16 north, Range 14 east.
The Sheboygan & Fond du Lac Railway crosses the town from east to west ; the Chicago,
Milwaukee & St. Paul from north to south, and the Oshkosh & Mississippi crosses Sections 1,
11, 12, 14 and 15, extending northeast from Ripon City.
At Arcade, a mile weat of Ripon City, is a fine water-power, which drives the Arcade
Flouring-Mills, owned by J. N. Foster and W. F. and S. Crawford. The mill is equipped, also,
with steam machinery, for use duripg low water, and is one of the most modern and prosperous
custom mills in the county.
Ripon Farmers' Fire Insurance Company. — This comprises the towns of Ripon and
Metomen, in Fond du Lac County, and Green Lake and Brooklyn, in Green Lake County. It
was organized, under the State law, in 1874, and began issuing policies June 6, of that year,
with a capital of $200,000. The charter members, or original incorporators, were Edwin
Reynolds, C. W. Foster, P. Cole, E. Babcock, H. Willard, H. S. Hollenbeck, W. 0. Hargrave,
James Henderson, William Palmiter, Mrs. Jane Frazier, N. Van Camp, S. T. Wilsie, Robert
Sheldon, J. M. Bonnell, E. P. West, A. G. Kellogg, F. Bessett, M. Barnum, John Niver, A.
Osborn, H. B. Reed, J. H. Hurlbut, A. R. Hargrave, William Ralston, Josiah Batson, J. W.
Allen and J. E. Mason. The first Directors were J. Niver, R. Sheldon, J. H. Hurlbut, H. B.
Reed, A. Osborn, J. Batson, J. W. Allen, J. E. Mason and B. P. West. Fii:st officers : J. H.
Hurlbut, President ; R. Sheldon, Vice President ; John Niver, Treasurer ; E. P. West, Secre-
tary. Present officers are : R. Sheldon, President ; H. B. Reed, Vice President ; J. M. Cuy-
kendall. Treasurer, and E. P. West, Secretary. The number of policies now in force is about
five hundred, insuring $725,000 of property. For five years, the total cost for losses and all
expenses was 6J mills in the dollar.
The offices of Chairman and Town Clerk have been filled in Ripon by the following :
1845 (Ceresco), Morris Farmin and Uriel Farmin ; 1846, Lester Rounds and William Starr;
1847, J. M. Clark and William Starr : 1848, D. P. Mapes and William Starr ; 1849, William
Starr and James Stewart ; 1850, William Starr and Stephen Bates ; 1851, Warren Chase and
Stephen Bates ; 1852, E. A. Newton and Samuel Sumner ; 1853, T. B. Bobbins and Samuel
Sumner ; 1854, A. B. Beardsley and Samuel Sumner ; 1855, A. B. Beardsley and C. J. Allen ; ,
1856, D. P. Mapes and J. V. Fitch. l857 (Ripon), H. H. Mead and H. S. Town, and also
Abram Thomas and H. S. Town; 1858, Abram Thomas and S. M. Brown;- 1859, Abram
Thomas and Ferdinand Richter ; 'I860, Abram Thomas and Ferdinand Richter; 1861, T. B.
Bobbins and H. B. S til well ; 1^862, T. B. Bobbins and H. B. Stilwell ; 1863, T. B. Bobbins
and H. B. Stilwell ; 1864, T. B. Bobbins and H. E. Stilwell ; 1865, William Light and H. E.
Stilwell ; 1866, William Light and H. E. Stilwell ; 1867, H. H. Dixon and H. E. Stilwell ;
HISTORY or FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
767
1868, A. A. Loper and H. E. Stilwell ; 1869, A. A. Loper and H. B. Stilwell ; 1870, A. A.
Loper and H. E. Stilwell ; 1871, A. A. Loper and H. B. Stilwell ; 1872, A. A. Loper and
H. B. Stilwell ; 1873, A. A. Loper and H. E. Stilwell ; 1874, A. A. Loper and I. F. Stickle ;
1875, E. P. West and I. F. Stickle, W. M. Ralston ; 1876, B. P. West and W. M. Ralston ;
1877, W. M. Ralston and J. M. Bonnell ; 1878, W. M. Ralston, A. R. Hargrave and J. M.
Bonnell ; 1879, B. Babcock and J. M. Bonnell.
EOSENDALE.
In an early day the name Rosendale was the most appropriate that could have been given
to the tract of land constituting the town of that name. It was suggested by Mrs. George D.
Curtis, " because it was such a perfect dale of roses."' The town, as erected by the act of Feb-
ruary 2, 1846, was much larger than at present, consisting of Township 16, Range 15 ; the north
half of Township 15, Range 15, and Sections 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 16, 17 and 18 of Township 15,
Range 16. It was finally reduced to its present dimensions when Springvale, Eldorado and
Lamartine were organized.
The first settler was Samuel Sanborn, who located on the southeast quarter of Section 35,
in June, 1844. He plowed during the summer, keeping " old bach," and sowed wheat in the fall.
He returned to W'aukesha County for the winter, returning with his family in the spring of 1845.
Dana Lamb, however, had located in the town with his family before Mr. Sanborn's returned
in the spring ; so Mrs. Lamb was the first woman in the settlement. That year also came over
twenty other families, and in 1846, nearly as many more, and Rosendale at once became one of
the leading towns in the county, which position it still maintains.
The first election' was April 7,' 1846, at the house of Samuel Sanborn, electing Samuel
Sanborn, W. H. H. Dodd and H. C. Ward, Supervisors ; F. Scofield, Clerk ; S. Sanborn stod
H. A. Bixby, Assessors ; J. D. Price, Collector ; H. W. Wolcott, W. H. H. Dodd and Dana
Lamb, Justices ; Jerome Yates, B. Dodd and S. B. Smith, Constables ; Jerome Yates, H. W.
Wolcott and 0. Grant, School Commissioners; G. D. Curtis, Dana Lamb and A. Kenyon, Fence
Viewers ; C. M. Balcom, A. Kenyon and L. A. Bemis, Road Commissioners ; Stephen R. San-
born, Sealer of Weights and Measures.
The first birth was that of James, son of Alban Harroun, October, 1845. [This was in
what is now Springvale.]
The first marriage [also in what is now Springvale], Eliphalet Smith to Sallie Warren,
November, 1846.
The first death, Mrs. Jerod Patrick, daughter of Jonathan Dodd, May 22, 1846.
The first schoolhouse was built in 1845 and 1846, on Section 35, of logs, and Dwight
Hall taught the first school in the winter of 1846.
Rev. Jeremiah Murphy, Baptist, preached the first sermon in Samuel Sanborn's house, in
January, 1846. The first church edifice was raised November 4, 1858, on Section 35, by the
Congregationalists. The town now contains six churches — Methodist, German, Episcopal, Free-
Will Baptists, Congregationalist, and Welsh Congregationalist.
The first post ofiice was called Rosendale, and was near the present one of the same name ;
established in May, 1846, Dana Lamb, Postmaster. J. R. Blackburn is now Postmaster.
In the fall of 1846, Jonathan Daugherty opened the first store jn Rosendale, for Fay &
Collins, where the present village is situated.
Cars passed through Rosendale on February, 1872, on the Sheboygan & Fond du Lac Rail-
road. Two stations are maintained in the town — Rosendale and West Rosendale.
At its organization the town voted "no license," and has never changed that decision.
At the first election, Captains William and N. P. Stevens oiFered to vote but were debarred.
They entered into an argument and finally convinced the Judge that " seafaring men could
vote at any seaport in the United States," and were allowed to vote. So Rosendale has been
a "seaport" since that time.
A. H. Bow« was the first physician in the town. Rosendale contains several large mounds,
from some of which have been taken bones and various interesting evidences of a prehistoric
T68 HISTOEY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.
race. Rosendale is comparatively level and has a warm, rich, quick soil. It is one of the lead-
ing farming towns of the county ia nearly all branches, and fruits of various kinds are raised with
fair success. Originally the town was moderately wooded, but the extent of heavy forests was
very limited. The West Branch of Fond du Lac River has a portion of its source in a marsh in
the center of the town, but the streamlets forming its head-waters are mostly from Springvale.
The town contains no mills, water-power or manufactories, and not much stone of any kind. It
has always been a forehanded section of the county, and its society is good, the people being
nearly all natives of New York or New England. Some of its prominent men were Philetus
Sawyer, C. F. Hammond, Henry C. Bottum, Dr. A. H. Bowe, Dr. Storrs Hall, James Saund-
ers, Joseph Scribner and N. C. Hill, who were early settlers.' A list of its first settlers com-
prises the following : 1844 and 1845 — Samuel Sanborn, Dana Lamb, Frederick Scofield, Job
Humphries, Henry Wheeler, Almon Kenyon, George D. Curtis, Henry W. Wolcott, William
H. H. Dodd, C. M. Balcom, Alban Harroun, James Port, Noah H. Jewett, Henry 0. Ward,
H. A. Bixby, Jerome Yates, Bushnel Dodd, Othello Grant, J. D. Pierce, S. R,. Sanborn, L. A.
Bemis, Samuel E. Smith, Allen Perry, David Brinkerhoff, John H. Chapman, Frederick Jewett.
1846 — James T. Elliott, Moses Ranger, S. D. Ranger, Samuel B. Parsons, Clinton Matte-
son, 0. R. Pease, James Scofield, D. C. Thompson, Eliphalet Smith, Myron Howe, C. Stow,
John Ackerson, Thomas Fletcher.
ROSENDALE EAEMEKS' INSURANCE COMPANY.
In March, 1873, Joseph Scribner and H. C. Bottum, a committee appointed by the Farm-
er's Club, circulated the articles necessary to form an insurance company under the State
law. The required number of signatures were obtained, and the company organized March 7,
1874, thirty-four persons subscribing $34,300 of capital. The first officers were: W.J. Jen-
nings, President ; C. H. Seymour, Secretary and Treasurer. Directors — W. J. Jennings, C.
H. Seymour, Melvin Duel, A. C. Perry, Canfield Marsh, H. C. Bottum and Joseph Scribner.
The present officers are : Joseph Scribner, President ; C. H. Seymour, Secretary and Treas-
urer ; Frank Bowe, Assistant Secretary. Directors — Joseph Scribner, C. H. Seymour, Frank
Bowe, W. T. Innis, C. W. Frederick, C. H. Anderson and A, C. Perry. The amount insured,
by towns, January, 1880, was as follows : Rosendale, 1190,150 ; Springvale, $241,305 ; Eldo-
rado, 1240,792 ; Lamartine, $26,091. Total, $698,163. The Company is for the four towns
just enumerated.
ROSENDALE FARMERS' CLUB.
The formation of this Club was suggested by W. J. Jennings, on Thanksgiving Day, 1865,
and was organized a week later. The first annual meeting was held in January, 1866, at which
W. J. Jennings was chosen President, and W. B. Disbrow, Secretary. Rev. J. N. Powell then
delivered the first annual address, and the custom has been kept up every year since. Mr. Jen-
nings was President nine years. The present officers are : William J. Barnes, President; E. S.
Jenkins, Secretary.
The most successful and influential farmers, stock and fruit growers are members of the
Club, and its discussions are widely published. The first meeting in each month is a "social"
one, at which essays, music, readings and a good repast are served, the ladies being always in
attendance.
Two conventions have been held under the auspices of the Club ; one, a general convention
for Northern Wisconsin, in 1872, which was largely attended, and the other a county conven-
tion, held in honor of Washington's Birthday, February 22, 1876.
ROSENDALE VILLAGE.
This little hamlet is not wholly in the town of Rosendale, the South Side being in Spring-
vale. The first hotel was built by Daugherty & Woodruff, on the Springvale side, in 1847. In
1850, Wheeler & Humphrey erected a larger hotel where Blackburn's hotel now stands, in Ros-
endale. The builders were the first landlords. In 1878, J. B. Blackburn rebuilt and enlarged
this hotel, making -^ large, comfortable and well-.appointed hostelry of it.
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 769
C. Stowe opened the first blacksmith-shop in 1846.
The village has two stores, a drug store, blacksmith-shops, cheese factory and hotels.
The school has two departments, and was formerly called Rosendale Academy, the orig-
inator being A. S. Crooker.
W. H. H. Dodd was, for twenty-five years, the leading merchant of Rosendale. He resides
now in Dakota.
The first Episcopal services were held in 1847, by Bishop Kemper. In April, 1861, Rev.
F. Durlin organized St. Mark's Church, with B. Pinkney, Senior Warden ; A. H. Bowe,
Junior Warden. Vestrymen — George Walton, W. Danielson and Adam Seely. The corner-
stone of the church edifice was laid in 1863, and the consecration was by Bishop Kemper April
12, 1864. The building cost $1,800. The church has been supplied mostly by the Rector of
the church at Ripon.
The Congregational Church was given its first sermon by Rev. Dana Lamb, and was organ-
ized in the schoolhouse May 21, 1848, by him, with twenty members. The first Deacons were
David Brinkerhoff, Homer Barnes and W. Gr. Winnegar. The church edifice was built at a
cost of $2,000, while Rev. Dana Lamb was Pastor, in 1854. The dedication took place in
January, 1855. In 1870, the building was enlarged and repaired, and again dedicated Septem-
ber 5, of that year. The church property consists of the building, site and a parsonage, which
cost $1,100, purchased in 1875. The first Pastor was Rev. L. Bridgeman ; the present Pastor
is Rev. E. J. Montague; the present Deacons, Storrs Hall, I. N. Woodrufi", George C. Hill and
C. L. Hoyt.
The first Methodist services and the organization of the first class took place in December,
1848, or January, 1849, in the schoolhouse, under Rev. Lathrop. The first class consisted of
Mr. and Mrs. H. G. Halsted, Mr. and Mrs. A. L. Kibby, J. W. Innis, Miss E. Covell, Mr. and
Mrs. E. Warring, Mr. W. Hyde and his mother, Mr. and ikrs. Nelson Ballard and two daughters,
and four others. The first Trustees were H. G. Halsted, John M. Cowhan, A. H. Bowe, H. W.
Wolcott, George D. Curtis, J. Berto, Almon Burt, A. L. Kibby and William Stevens.
Services were held in a schoolhouse until 1854, when the church edifice was built, at a cost
of $1,219. It was dedicq,ted by Rev. N. E. Cobleigh, of Appleton, in January, 1855. The
property is valued at $3,000— $2,500 for the church and site, and $500 for the parsonage. The
first Pastor was Rev. Lathrop ; the present Pastor is J. B. Trenery ; present Trustees, A. Sisson,
John O'Neil, E. S. Jenkins, A. H. Bowe, W. J. Barnes, Frank Bowe, T. Murray, C. Marsh and
James Thomas.
The Chairmen and Clerks of Rosendale have been as follows : 1846 and 1847, Samuel
Sanborn, Chairman, and F. Scofield, Clerk; 1848, Jonathan Daugherty and George D. Curtis;
1849, Jerome Yates and George D. Curtis ; 1850, Charles F. Hammond and Joseph Scribner;
1851 and 1852, Charles F. Hammond and William H. Strong : 1858, George D. Curtis and
Charles F. Hammond ; 1854, Bertine Pinkney and S. M. Smead ; 1855, Clinton Matteson,
S. M. Smead; 1856, Clinton Matteson and Charles Pinkney; 1857, H. W. Wolcott and H.
C. Bottum ; 1858 and 1859, J. W. Sanders and H. C. Bottum ; 1860 and 1861, Stanton For-
dice and H. C. Bottum ; 1862, Jerome Yates and H. C. Bottum ; 1863 and 1864, Wm. T. Innis
and H. C. Bottum ; 1865 and 1866, George D. Curtis and H. C. Bottum ; 1867, Stanton For-
dice and H. C. Bottum ; 1868, Wm. Scribner and H. C. Bottum ; 1869, M. D. Kenyon and
J. W. Powell, William L. Vincent ; 1870, J. W. Sanders and H.C. Bottum; 1871, E. C. Stew-
art and H. C. Bottum; 1872-73-74-75, H. C. Bottum and John Wilson; 1876 and
1877, H. C. Bottum an,d Charles Pinkney; 1878, George D. Curtis and E. C. Stewart, and
Charles Pinkney ; 1879, E. C. Stewart and Charles Pinkney.
SPKINGVALE.
This town — Township 15 north, of Range 15 east — is purely an agricultural district, being
without railroads, villages, water-powers or manufacturing interests. By an act of the Legisla-
ture approved March 11, 1848, it was made a separate, town, and the first election was held at
Abel Willard's house. The name was suggested either by Squire Dana Lamb or Warren
llO HISTOKY or FOND DU LAC COtJNTY.
Whiting — probably by the former — on account of the numerous vales and springs within its-
limits. The first land was entered in 1844, on Section 35, by John A. Allen, but the first
settler was William Cheeney, who located on Wedge's Prairie, Section 33, in April, 1845 ; very
soon after, Chester Hazen located in the town, and was the second settler. Alban Harrpuh,
James Post, W. H. H. Dodd, B. B. Parsons, Rev. Dana Lamb, Squire Dana Lamb and several
others are claimed as first settlers by both Rosendale and ^pringvale, because, doubtless, the^
latter for twq years formed a part of the former.
The first religious services werfe held at William Cheeney's house, in November, 1845.
The first post office was Rosendale, Squire Dana Lamb, Postmaster, established in May^
1846, in, Rosendale. The first office in Springvale proper was Pulaski, established February .
26, 1847, William Cheeney, Postmaster.
The first marriage was Mr. E. Smith to Miss Sallie Warren; second, F. Scofield to Calista
C. Bemis ; both in November, 1846.
The first birth was H. Sydney, son of John and Melissa Hazen, in September, 1847.
The first religious (M. E.)' class was formed June 3, 1846, by Rev. W. G. Miller, at
William Cheeney's house, consisting of William Cheeney, leader, Abigail Cheeney, D. S. Cowles,
Ann Cowles and Mr. and Mrs. Henry Moore.
The first death was Phoebe, wife of John Yates aind daughter of Amos Prouty, died Marcb
14, 1848.
The first school was taught by Mrs. H. N. Jewett in a shanty on Section 18. ,
The first cheese factory (see another part of this work) was built by Chester Hazen at Ladoga,.-.
Rev. Dana Lamb was the first minister in Springvale. He desired to name the town
Aynee, the Indian name for Rock River, a branch of which rises in this town, but failed to have
his views indorsed.
The Methodists erected a church edifice in Section 2, in the town of Waupun, in 1868,
which is used largely by members living in Springvale. It cost $1,800. The Trustees were J.
M. Hawkins, William Cheeney, W. S. Randall, G. G. Randall, W. M. Stearns ; present Trustees,
J. M. Hawkins, William Cheeney, W..S. Randall, G. G. Randall, William Stearns, William
Galland, George Rogers and Thomas Walters.
The Baptist society never built a .church in Springvale.
The Universalist society was organized in 1849, but has never erected a church edifice.
It was organized by Revi Joseph Ward, and has twenty members.
The Catholics held their first services in 1847 at J. 0. Riley's house, Father Haley, of
Watertown, officiating, and for three years thereafter services were continued by different priests
at Mr. Riley's residence. In 1858, the church building, costing |1,500, was erected on Section
17, and has been supplied by priests from Fond du Lac, Ripon or Waupun, since that time.
The church embraces fifty families.
The Chairmen and Clerks of Springvale have been as follows : 1848, Warren Whiting and
Charles D. Beers; 1849, Warren Whiting and A. C. Whiting; 1850, Warren Whiting and A.
C. Whiting; 1851, H. I. Ackerman and Charles D. Beers; 1852, A. C. Whiting and James
T. Elliott,; 1853, A. C. Whiting and Joseph Scribner; 1854, A. C. Whiting and Edward
Ensign; 1855, W. B. Disbrow and Edward Ensign; 1856, W. B. Disbrow and Edward Ensign ;
1857, Edward Ensign and F. M. Wheeler; 1858, W. B. Disbrow, J. B. Spencer; 1859, W.
B. Disbrow and J. B. Spencer; 1860, G. F. Wheeler and Edwaird Ensign; 1861, Warren
Whiting and Edward Ensign; 1862, A. C. Whiting and Edward Ensign; 1863, J. B. Spencer
and Edward Ensign; 1864, J. B. Spencer and Edward Ensign; 1865, F. M. Wheeler and
Edward Ensign; 1866, P. M. Wheeler , and Edward Ensign; 1867, James H. Scofield and C.
H. Seymour; 1868, James H. Scofield and. C. H. Seymour; 1869, S. Wilkinson and C. H.
Seymour; 1870, S. Wilkinson and C. H. Seymour; 1871, ,S. Wilkinson and G. W. Sizer;
1872, S. Wilkinson and C. H. Seymour; 1873, T. K. Gillett and Frank Bowe; 1874, T. K.
Gillett and Frank Bowe; 1875, F. M. Wheelpr and Frank Bowe; 1876, T. K. Gillett and
Frank Bowe; 1877, A. C. Whiting an^ Frank Bowe; 1878, F. M. Wheeler and Frank Bowe;
1879, T.' K. Gillett and D. E. Whiting.
HISTOKY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 771
ALTO.
Alto is the southwestern township in Fond du Lac County. It is bounded north by Meto-
imen, east by Waupun, south by Trenton, in Dodge' County, and west by Mackford, in Green Lake
County. It is Township 14 north, in Eange 14 east. It contains 23,153.31 acres, which is
93.31 acres more than thirty-six full sectipns. It was subdivided by John Brink in November,
1834, and in his field notes he wrote; "This township is second rate, and rolling, save its
marshes. It is thinly timbered with burr oak, white oak, yellow and black oak, except its
prairies and marshes, where trees are wholly wanting. The soil is of a yellow, ashy color, of clay
loam and sand. The streams are sluggish and have a muddy channel." Fully one-fourth of
its area is marsh, most of which yields valuable hay product. Nearly one-half was openings and
iimber land, which is highly prized by wheat-raisers. The remainder is prairie, rolling,
warm and rich. The South Fork of the Rock River passes through the entire width of the
-town in its southern part, having two principal branches coming in from the north. These, with
brooks and springs, give abundant supply of water. Notwithstanding the United States
Sui-veyor marked the soil of the town "second rate," it is, in fact, rich and highly productive.
Wheat and wood are the chief exports. Waupun and Brandon afford convenient markets.
Frances D. Bowman, formerly of Rochester, N. Y., was the first settler in A.lto, having
located on Section 36 late in 1841, and for more than two years, was the "monarch of all
he surveyed" in the town. His daughter, born in 1842, was the first birth, and his son,
born in 1844j was the second child in the town. After spending a season there, he went to
Ohio and bought a flock of sheep and drove them to Alto, while he was still the " Robinson
Crusoe" of the town. William Talcott was probably the second settler, and came early in
1844. Silas Miller, a lay preacher of the Methodist Episcopal Church, came the same year ;
he named "Alto." Marcus Thwing, Dr. Green, Mr. Hillyer and perhaps a few others came
with their families in 1844. Martin Grider is undoubtedly the earliest settler who still lives
in the town ; he moved his family into Alto in May, 1845, but he had entered land and sowed
wheat in the fall of 1844. Mr. Bowman sold his claim in 1845 to F. F. Davis. Mr. Davis
was afterward Sheriff of the county. His daughter, Cornelia C, died of consumption on the
7th of December, 1845. In the summer of 1846, Miss Angeline Booth taught the first school
in Alto in the house of Mr. Davis, and the first religious meeting in the town was also at
his house — preaching by Silas Miller, the father of Rev. W. G. Miller, who is now so favorably
known in Wisconsin. Silas Miller built a saw-mill on a branch of Rock River, in the southeast
part of the town, in 1845. The first advent of a Hollander (said to have been a Mr. Meenk)
into Alto was in 1845, and now three-fourths of the population are of that nationality. Polit-
ically, Alto is the banner Republican town of the county. In 1875 the inhabitants num-
laered 1,430. The Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway passes through the northeast corner
of this town, but the nearest station is, on the north, Brandon, and on the south, Waupun.
Alto was organized on the 6th of April, 1847, at a meeting held in the schoolhouse near
Miller's mill, in the southeast part of the town. Townsend Green was Moderator, and
Benjamin Davis and Frederick Talcott were Clerks. The north half of Alto had previously
been connected with Metomen, and the south half with Waupun, for town purposes. The first
tpwn officers elected were: Chairman, M. Talcott; Side Supervisors, J. R. Mathews and William
Talcott ; Town Clerk, G. W. Sexmith ; Justices of the Peace, F. F. Davis, G. W. Sexmith and
Henry Boardman; Assessors, Daniel W. Briggs; Treasurer, Zephaniah Miller; School Com-
mission's, David Adams, T. Green and F. Talcott. At this first town meeting the proposition
■to confer "equal suffrage to colored people" was voted down by five majority . The "anti-
license" ticket was carried at the same election by twelve majority. The town officers of Alto
lin the spring of 1880 are : Chairman, G. H. Downey ; Side Supervisors, John Bruins and
William J. Boom ; Treasurer, John Gysbers ; Assessor, John W. Kastein ; Clerk, William H.
.Smithers,
772 HISTORY OF FOND BU LAC COUNTY.
The, first school district was organized March 18, 1850, at a meeting, of which George-
W. Sexmith was Chairinan and Z. Miller Secretary, held for that pui;pose. The first ofiicers
were: George W. Sexmith, Director; A. McMasters, Clerk, and John L. Sargent, Treasurer.
The first schoolhouse, a frame building, 24x18 feet, was erected, that season, pn Section 23,
and Clara F. Pierce taught the first school in it, during three months, at $5 per month. The
tax first raised amounted to $85 for all purposes.' In 1877, a building costing fl,400 was
erected. Alto now has nine schools, of which three are in union districts.
In^ 1856, February 13, land was bought, in Section 23, for a church building, on which
"Ebenezer Church" now stands. It was organized as the Reformed Church, with forty-seven
members, which number has swollen to about two hundred, embracing 100 families. The con-
gregation is divided into three classes, which meet on different week-days to receive instruction.
The first Trustees of this church were M. Mensink, F. Beeuwkos, M. Duven, G. Duitman, G.
Stilsel, C. Landaal, J. Straks, J. Landaal, L. Sligster and J. W. Kastein. The first settlement
of the people composing this church, who are Hollanders, in Alto, was in 1846, near the centei-
of the tpwn. They immediately began to hold religious services in private houses, building a
church of logs in' 1848, which building, 16x26 feet, was also used for a schoolhouse. Theses
people now form, in this part of the town, a very large, thrifty and respectable portion of the
inhabitants, the 101 school children in District No. 1 being all Hollanders.
There are now seven churches in Alto, and all, save one, are well sustained. The First
Reformed or " Ebenezer" Church was first organized. The others are the Second Reformed
or "Ebenezer" Church, which was recently built, mainly at the expense of Henry Bruins;
the Dutch Presbyterian and the Dutch Congregational, the German Methodist and the Meth-
odist Episcopal Churches, and one Congregational Church, in which no regular meetings are
held, the society being much reduced by deaths and removals.
Alto has two stores, but neither a village, nor a saloon, nor a post office ; though; in early
days, a post ofiice, called Black Hawk, was located in the Center of a large prairie of the same
name, on a spot which the celebrated Indian chieftain and warrior of that name is said to have
once used as a camp.
The following have served as Chairmen and Clerks of the town of Alto : 1847, Milton
Talcott and George W. Sexmith ; 1848, S. A. Carpenter and G. W. Sexmith ; 1849, Henry
Boardman and G. A. Russell ; 1850, Daniel Wilcox and R. M. Harwood ; 1851, H. Boardman
and A. McMaster ; 1852, James McElroy and R. M. Harwood ; 1853, William Brisbane and R.
M. Harwood ; 1854, R. M. Harwood and D. Adams ; 1855-56, R. M. Harwood filled both
offices; 1857, 0 L. Olmstead and R. M. Harwood; 1858, R. M. Harwood filled both offices;
1859-60, J. McElroy and A. J. Mattoon ; 1861, A. J. Mattoon and R. M. Harwood ; 1862, J.
McElroy and R. M. Harwood ; 1863, J. McElroy and A. J. Mattoon^; 1864, Jehiel Wight and A.
J. Mattoon ; 1865, J. McElroy and A. J. Mattoon served two terms ; 1868, J. McElroy and A.
J. Mattoon (Mattoon died and W. H. "Smithers appointed to fill the vacancy, and has since con-
tinuously held the office). The Chairmen sincethen have been : 1869, J. McElroy ; 1870, H.
C.Williams; 1871, J. McElroy; 1872, J. McElroy. Mr. McElroy served a portion of the
term, and was succeeded by G. H. Downley,^who has since held the office.
TAYCHEEDAH.
This town took its name from the village of that name, which was at one time larger than
Fond du Lac, and promised not only to be the commercial metropolis of this portion of Wiscon-
sin, but the county seat of Fond du Lac County.
Taycheedah formerly belonged to the town of Fond du Lac ; then was made up of the towns
of Forest, Empire, a portion of Friendship (across the lake) and its present territory ; then of
the present town of Eihpire and half of Taycheedah as it is ; and now is composed of the north
tier of sections which should belong to Empire and twenty-three full and several fractional sec-
tions in Township 16 north, of Range 18 east. It has been in this shape since Empire was
organized, in 1851. Lake Winnebago cuts into the town on the west, leaving but twenty-nine
HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY. 77B
full sections of land within its limits. Of this land, Nehemiah King, Deputy United States
Surveyor, said in 1835 :
" Under the Ledge, there is very fine timber and a soil as rich as any other in this country.
On the upper level, the timber is somewhat deficient in quantity and growth. Some of the
prairie is rather wet, but will make fine meadows. From the commanding prospect from the
upper level, the lake [Winnebago], stretching as far to the north as the eye can reach, and to
the west from six to ten miles — there are but few places that can compete with this for beauty
of situation. It will probably be a healthy location."
Francis D. McCarty and Reuben Simmons lived in a shanty in the south part of Tay-
cheedah, from December, 1838, tothe spring of 1839. This was the first settlement in that
part of the town. Mr. Simmons then built a house, near by, for James Duane Doty, and Mr.
McCarty erected one for himself where the village of Taycheedah now stands. During the sum-
mer of 1838, 0. P. Knapp entered land in the timber, further north, which was the first settle-
ment in that part of the town, and might be called the first in what is now Taycheedah. The
many beautiful springs bursting from the Ledge, the delightful location and bright prospects for
the future, called settlers rapidly to Taycheedah. They were at first mostly from New York,
Ohio and New England, and Taycheedah once could claim more than half of the aristocracy,
culture and honorable men of the entire county. No town has undergone greater changes in
this respect. The governors, judges, generals, lawyers and other high ofiicials have all emi-
grated or paid the last debt of nature, and a community of German and Irish farmers has taken-
their place.
The Sheboygan & Fond du Lac Railway crosses ten sections of Taycheedah. It was built
in 1868, and maintains three stations in the town.
The first 'election was held in April, 1847, at which George D. Ruggles was elected Chair-
man, and Charles Doty, Town Clerk.
The first births, deaths and marriages are not recorded, except such as occurred in territory
once belonging to, but not now a part of, Taycheedah.
Peebles Corners, on Section 32, which has a post office, toUgate, store and cheese-factory,
was named after E. Peebles. It is a station on the Sheboygan & Fond du Lac Railway, which
is really the father of the place.
North Taycheedah is a post office, on Section 17. Near by is a grist-mill; run by water
and steam.
Taycheedah Village. — This is comparatively an ancient hamlet. It was the rival of Fond
du Lac and Oshkosh, and, for some years,, outstripped them both, having, in the early forties, a
larger store, better lumber-yard and greater lake commerce than both of them combined. It
was, also, the first Wisconsin village to send steamboats up the Wolf River and carry on, in those
afterward famous timber regions, the business of lumbering. Here, also, were the first school-
house, first bell and, possibly, though not probably, the first religious class in the county.
The first mill was a large stone flouring-mill, on the lake shore, which began a large busi-
ness in 1848, but was burned in 1854. In 1850, a steam saw-mill was built by 0. R. Potter,,
but that, too, was burned in 1858.
,The first store was opened by J. L. Moore and his brother-in-law, B. F. Moore, now pro-
prietor of the La Belle Wagbn Works at Fond du Lac, in September, 1841. This was the first
store in the county. Trade in it was brisk, the Brothertown Indians sometimes paying in $300'
per day, cash, while large amounts were exchanged for furs. The warehouse connected with
this store was burned in 1844, destroying goods and wheat to the value of $6,000 — the first fire
of any note in the county.
The first schoolhouse in the county was built by James Duane Doty, Henry Conklin and
the two Moores, at Taycheedah, in 1842. Henry Conklin gave a bell for this building, the first
one in this county, which still does service in the more modern schoolhouse.
The first hotel was built by B. F. Smith in 1840. It was first kept by Francis D.
McCarty, next by John Case, and then by Nathaniel Perry, who built a new and larger
774 HISTORY OF FOjSTD DU LAC COUNTY.
tuilding in its place a third of a century ago. This building, B. P. Moore moved to Scott
street, Fond du Lac, where it was burned.
In 1842, John W, Philbrick and family arrived in the village, and opened the first tinshop
in the county.
George Carlton opened a dry-goods store in Taycheedah, in 1842.
J. L. Ault and a man named Lawrence started the first blacksmith-shops, Mr. Ault being
first, probably.
Among the first settlers were George W. Elliott, Nathaniel Perry, B. F. Smith, John Case,
Walter Cunningham and those already mentioned.
The glory of Taycheedah has flown. It is now a place of no importance, commercially,
whatever. A blacksmith-shop, little store, post office and a saloon or two constitute its business
places. Its trade and prospects were killed by Mason C. Darling, when he gave a site for a
court house at Fond du Lac. Its first Postmaster was JSTathaniel Perry.
Taycheedah was named by James Duane Doty. It is not, in its present form, a proper
Indian term, being a corruption, no doubt, of the term tee-charrah, which, in pronouncing,
should be run together with a quick guttural sound, barely sounding "tee." It means camping-
place. Mr. Doty's translation was "our home," which was very nearly correct, though the
present English pronunciation of the word is far from it.
The diiferent Chairmen of the town bf Taycheedah have been : George D. Ruggles,
George W. Elliott, F. S. Crons, John Ilett, Charles Geisse, 0. R. Potter, B. F. Smith, B. F.
.O'Laughlin and Michael Wirtz. The Clerks have been : Charles Doty, William White, J. D.
Van Plack, C. W. Tallmadge, John Elwell, Cromwell Laithe, William Craig, B. F. Smith, J. M.
Mitchell, O. H. Potters, James O'Neill, William Bassett, S. D. Schooley, Prank Harzheim,
Paul Buchholz, B. Adleman and Joseph Ditter. •
WAUPUIST.
This town, by the act of 1842, was made one of the three towns which, for some time
thereafter, constituted Fond du Lac County — Fond du Lac, Waupun and Calumet — the first
election being held at Seymour Wilcox's house, located within what is now the North Ward of
Waupun City. , But the organization of Alto, Metomen, Ripon and other towns cut it down to
its present limits — the land embraced in Township 14 north, of Range 15 east.
The good judgment of the pioneers who first settled in Waupun cannot be doubted, for it
is now one of the wealthy, and desirable towns of the county — healthful, productive and beauti-
ful. Originally, the town contained" some marsh with its rich, warm prairies, fine oak openings
and splendid belts of timber. The three all-desirable attributes for a successful farming com-
munity, of wood, water and soil, were admirably distributed in Waupun. The two branches .of
Rock River unite in this town, after one of them has crossed its entire eastern portion, forming
very good water-powers — excellent, in fact, before the destruction of timber reduced the streams.
Grain-raising, fruit-growing, dairying and stock-raising are all profitably carried on in Waupun.
The first settlement of the town was begun in what is now the city of Waupun, in which,
also, were the first mills, hotel, post office, church, school and store, and the early history of
the city will furnish the early history of the town.
The first settlement on Wedge's Prairie was April 23, 1845, by Benjamin Cheeney. That
same season, J. C. Wedge and Warren Florida entered lands on the same beautiful prairie,
which has since borne the former's name. Deacon James Judd settled with his' family in the
western portion of the town October 6, of the same year. , '
Early in 1845, Solomon White entered land and began farming operations on another
prairie, which has ever since been called White!s Prairie.
The Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway crosses this town on the west, and was built
as the Milwaukee & Horicon Railway in 1856. Its only station in the town is at Waupun City.
There is but one post office in Waupun, except Ladoga, which is on the line between
Waupun and Springvale.
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FOND DU LAC
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
-A-BBRE:~VIJ^TIO]NrS.
-Oo _ CompaDy or county
dlr dealer
"W. V. A Wisconsin Volunteer Artillery
W. V. 0 Wificonsin Volunteer Cavalry
W.V.I WlscoDSin Volunteer Infantry
P.O PoBtOfflca
S. or iSec „ Section
at street
FOND DU LAC.
GI^OBGrE C. AliDRICH, of the firm of Allen & Aldrich, proprietors City Stone Mills ;
was born in Chicago Aug. 26, 1853 ; when 3 or 4 years old, his parents removed to Providence,
R. I. ; about thirteen years ago, removed to Kenosha Co., Wis., and then to Fond du Lac ; he has been
connected with the milling business since 1872. He was married at Fond du Lao, June 15, 1876, to
Florence ftordon, born in Lewis Co., N. Y.
JAMES F. ALDRICH was born in Saratoga Co., N. Y., May 24, 1822; was educated, in
the common schools and the Academy at Union Village, Washington Co., N. Y. ; in October, 1841, he
removed to Jackson, Mich., and, in 1845, with his brother William (now Congressman from the First
Illinois District) and George F. Eice, began the mercantile business, which he continued until 1854, some-
times having branch houses in East Jackson, Concord and Battle Creek ; during that year, he and his
brother William formed a partnership with B. & J. W. Medbury, of Milwaukee, and H. H. Smith, of
Two Rivers, Wis., and ensaged extensively in the manufacture of lumber, furniture, tubs and pails —
William attending to the factory at Two Rivers, and J. F. attending to the sales at Chicago, where he then
lived; this firm continued in business until 1859, passing safjly through the pinie of 1857. In 1861,
William and J. F. Aldrich sold to Mann Bros., of Milwaukee, and, in July, the former removed to Chi-
cago, and the latter to Providence, R. I., where he resided two years, making frequent trips to Ohe West
to purchase wool, flour, etc. ; in 1867, Mr. A. came to Fond du Lac, with his family, where he now
resides in one of the finest houses in Forest street, and, with his father-in-law. Dr. Capron, of Providence,
R. I., invested largely in real estate. Mr. A. has also dealt in wool, woolen goods, and wood, as well as
run a woolen mill ; he has three children living — Greorge, one of the proprietors of the Stone Mills ; J. W.,
a music teacher, and Mattle, attending the Cathedral School.
JDAVID D. ALiEXANWER, carriage manufacturer; is a son of Isaac Alexander, Sr., a ship-
carpenter, and Mary Johnson, natives of England, but immigrants to America more than thirty years ago.
David was born in Durham, N. J., in 1848 ; at the age of 10, he left his home in New Jersey, and went
to Port Byron, N. Y., thence to Medina Co., Ohio, where he attended school most of the time for three years;
in 1861, he came to Sheboygan, thenoe to Fond du Lac, Wis., where, in 1862, he began the blacksmith trade,
working in a foundry for about nine months, and then went south in the employ of the Government as black-
smith for three months. In 1863, he returned to Fond du Lac, and began the carriage manufacture, which he
has since continued on Scott street. He married Miss Augusta Sears, daughter of Roland and Mary
Sears, of Fond du Lao, in 1867 ; they have three children, as follows — Cora, George and Ida. Mr. A. is
a Seventh-Day Baptist, and a Republican politically.
ISAAC AliEXANDER, proprietor of livery stable; was born in the State of New Jersey
in 1840; from there he moved to Ohio in 1859, and followed blacksmithing till 1861, when he enlisted in Co.
A, of the 1st Ohio V. I for three months ; at the expiration of his term of service, he re-enlisted in the 8th
Ohio; was in the battle of Shenandoah Valley; was wounded in the battle of Harrison's Landing, near
Richmond; after his recovery, he came to Fond du Lac in 1863 and' re-enlisted, but was rejected at
778 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
Madison on account of his wound; he then returned to Fond du Lac, and became manager of a saw-mill
for George Wade for about six years ; in 1874, he began the livery business, which he now follows ; was
elected a member of the City Council, from Fifth Ward in the spring of 1879 ; member of I. 0. 0. P. In-
1863, he married Miss Louisa C. Danks, of Fond du Lac, who died ia 1864, leaving one daughter, Lillian.
Married Miss Sarah J. Danks, sister of his first wife, Oct. 11, 1866; they, have, three children, as follows ;
Louisa C, Walter (deceased) and Walter, Jr.
PETER ALiLAR, Sr. (deceased), was a son of Joseph and Josette AUar, natives of France,
but emigrants to Canada East, where Peter was born in 1812 ; four years after, his parents removed to
Colchester, Chittenden Co., Yt.; at the age of 14, entered upon an apprenticeship at the miller's trade, in
Burlington, Vt., where he continued the trade with one man for forty-two years, during which he made the
flour that took the medal at the first fair held at Crystal Palace, N. Y., also that which took the medal at a
London fair ; in 1870, he came with his family to Fond du Lac to live with his son Peter, who had come
ont in 1868, and bought a farm of 120 acres in Sec. 4, of the town of Fond du Lao ; having spent nearly
fifty years of his life at his trade, he now turned his attention to agricultural pursuits for a few years only,
when he was called to that bourne whence no traveler returns; he died Nov. 16, 1844, leaving a wife,
whom he married in Lower Canada in 1837 — Sophia, daughter of Basil and Margaret Lapierre; they had
nine children, as follows : Sophia, Mrs. Thetro, of Fond du Lac; Phelomenie, Peter, Bxhilda, Louisa,
Joseph, William, Edmund, Virginia, all of whom are members of St. Louis Catholic Church.
ROIiVIN F. AliliEDf, miller, was born in Brooklyn, Hancock Co., Me., Aug. 14, 1849 ;
removed with his parents to Providence, R. I., when 12 years of age ; came to Kenosha, Wis. in 1867,
and to Fond du Lac in 1868, where he engaged in handling woolen goods, flour and feed, in company
with Charles French, the firm continuing together one year; Mr. A. continued the business another year
and then became a member of the firm of Langlois, Allen & Co., which continued until 1874, when the
firm of Allen & Aldrich was framed, proprietors of the City Stone Flouring Mills, on Forest street. He
was msfrried at Fond du Lac, Oct. 19, 1879, to Miss Ida E. Van Norder. He is an Odd Fellow, and a
Mason.
JOHN AMES, farmer, son of Fredrick and Sarah Ames ; born in Milwaukee in 1827 ; hi&
parents were emigrants, from England, and on their way to Juneau, Dodge Co., Wis., and had reached
Milwaukee, before his birth ; they, however, settled in Walworth Co., where they lived on a farm until
1835; thence they removed to Ripon,. Wis., where they resided till 1839 ; thence to town of Fond du Lac,
where he has since made his home, and has followed farming most of his time. Enlisted in Co. A, of the
38th W. V. I., under Col. Pier, with whom he served till he was wounded by the exploding of a shell, in the
battle of Petersburg, Penn.; was discharged at Madison, Wis., on account of wound ; returned to Fond
du Lac, and, after partially regaining his health, he began farming again. At Ripon, in 1849, Tie married
Miss Sarah Colton, of that city ; they have four children — Augustus, Frank, Henry and Jennie. The
family are members of the Baptist Church.
RET. WILLiIAlI D. AMES, Pastor of the Cotton St. M. E. Church; was born in Monroe
Co., N. Y., Oct. 25, 1832 ; his father, Henry Ames, was the son of Peter Ames, and a lineal descend-
ant of Thomas Ames, who came from ,]Bngland and settled in Dedham, Mass., as early as 1641 ; his grand-
parents died in Petersham, Mass., leaving a family of eight children, the oldest 20 years, the youngest 20
months, of whom Henry, the father of our present subject was the sixth, and was born Feb. 7, 1807 ;
the estate was swallowed up in the administration, and the children left penniless ; seven of them
afterward settled in Hillsdale and Lenawee Cos., Mich., and all became well off; his mother, Ann B.,
daughter of John and Jerusha Wheeler, was born in Litchfield, Conn., and was married to Mr. Ames Oct-
16,1831, in Rochester, N. Y. When William D. was quite young (1834), he removed with his parents
to Lenawee Co., Mich., and made that his home till 21 years old ; was educated in the common and high
schools of Hudson, Mich:; joined the church in February, 1853 ; was licensed, and began preaching in
July following; studied theology at the Garrett Biblical Institute, of Evanston, III., during the years pf
1855 and 1856 ; entered the regular work' of the ministry as a supply at Port Clinton, III, in 1856 ; in
September of the same year, he was sent as a supply to the church of Sun Parish, Dane Co., Wis.; here,
Aug. 16, 1857, he married Martha J., daughter of Asahel and Mary Bailey, nee Sawyer ; he joined the
Wisconsin Annual Conference at Milwaukee in August, 1857, and was appointed to the charge of Hebron,
Jefferson Co., Wis.; in May, 1858, he was appointed to Jefferson, Wis.; was ordained at the Sheboygan
Falls Conference in the spring of 1859, by Rev. 0. C. Baker, D. D., then Presiding Bishop,, and was
returned to Jefferson ; in the fall of 1859, he was assigned to the charge at Hartford, Washington Co.,'
Wis.; in 1861, he was sent to Menasha, Wis., and, in 1862, to Vineland, Winnebago Co., Wis., where his
wife died June 13, 1863, leaving three children — Henry A. (now deceased), Mary E. (now a student of
FOND DU LAC. 779
Lawrence University) and Robert H. (now deceased). In the spring of 1864, he entered the army as
Chaplain of the 41st W. V. I. at Milwaukee ; went immediately to Memphis, Tenn., where they remained
on post duty till September following, then returned to Milwaukee and was mustered out ; he then resumed
his place in the Conference, and was appointed to the church at Grand Rapids, Wis.; here, in December.
1864, he was married to Miss Abbie, daughter of Joseph and Mary Fellows, a native of DePuyster, St-
Lawrence Co., N. Y., and a sister of the Rev. George Fellows, of the Wisconsin Conference, also a descend-
ant of Sir Charles Fellows, of England; in 1865, he was appointed to Stevens Point, Wis., and, in 1867,
to Plover, Portage Co., Wis.; in 1869, to Princeton, Green Lake Co.; in 1871, was sent to the charge of
Centenary Church, town of Utioa, Winnebago Co., Wis.; in 1873, to Stoijghton, Dane Co., Wis., and in
1876, to Edgerton, Rook Co., Wis.; in 1878, was appointed to Allen's Grove, Walworth Co., Wis., and,
in 1879, to Cotton street, Fond du Lac ; their children are Joseph W. F., Edith A., Edward B., Elbert
H., Eva V. and Ernest.
CHARIiES H. ANDERSON, salesman in Whittelsey's dry-goods store, is a native of New-
ark, N. J. ; born July 25, 1851, residing there till 1867, when he went to New York City, and there
engaged in mercantile pursuits till' May, 1871 ; immigrating to Wisconsin, he began the cheese manufac-
ture in the town of Rosendale, Fond du Lac Co., where he continued business till 1875 ; in spring of
1878, came to Fond du Lac, and has since been in the employ of Mr. Whittelsey.
SQUIRE ARTHUR, farmer, Sec. 31 ; 320 acres ; P. 0. Fond du Lac ; a native of Lewis
Co., N. Y. ; born in 1810, spent his early life there on his father's farm, and in 1855, he came to Wis-
consin, and settled on his present farm, and has since followed farming and stock-raising.
JOHN AMORY, retired ; son of James and Martha Bur^s Amory ; was born in New York
City Oct. 18, 1826, where he resided until coming to Fond du Lac in August, 1850. His father was
among the first manufacturers, of whips on New York Island, and one of the first importers of saddlery,
whips, whalebone, etc, beginning in 1793, on Pearl street; he retired from business, dying in February,
1836, his wife following him in December, 1853. When Rufus King was United States Minister to
England, he often went personally, during Washington's Administration, to look after James Amory's
business among the English manufacturers. Before coming to Fond du Lac, John Amory was engaged
as a clerk in an exchange broker's office ; in Fond du Lac, he went into the business of making guns with
his brother, S. B., which they carried on until selling out to T. S. Weeks in 1860. Mr. A. was absent
ten years from Fond du Lac, from 1856 to 1866, living at Middletown, Orange Co., N. Y. ; in company
with his brother S. B., he built Amory Hall Block in 1856 ; old Post Office Block in 1866-67, and on his
own account, in 1872-73, a block of stores south of Amory Hall Block ; Mr. A. is one of the largest
individual tax-payers in Fond du Lac. He was married at Goshen, N. Y., May 28, 1850, to Jane Smith,
a native of that place ; they have six children living — Martha Burtus, John James and Jane Remsen
AUston, born in Fond du Lac; Anna Dolsen, Mary Frances and Samuel Burtus, born at Middletown,
N. Y. ; their first child, a daughter, died at Middletown of scarlet fever, aged 2 years and 3 months.
SAMUEJL BURTUS AMORY, retired ; Was born in New York City in November, 1822,
where he learned the trade of a gunmaker ; previous to coming to Fond du Lac, in 1849, which has since
been Mr. Amory's home and place of business, he resided five years at Goshen, Orange Co., N. Y.; the
trade of gunsmith was learned by Mr. Amory because he thought every man should have a trade or pro-
fession, and not for profit ; it was not necessary for him to have either to earn a living, as the Amory
family were large owners of Central Park, on Manhattan or New York Island, and are still owners of a
portion of it. In Fond du Lac, Mr. Amory has been largely engaged in erecting substantial business
blocks and residences, of which Amory Hall Block is the largest, and the largest in the city ; he was Presi-
dent of the Farmers and Mechanics' Bank ; is President of Rienzi Cemetery ; has been Alderman, and is
connected with the Gravel Road Company. He was married at Goshen, N. Y., March 16, 1846, to
Frances E. Smith, a native of that place; they have had four children— Mrs. Charles H. Benton, born at
Goshen, N.. Y.; Mrs. Robert J. Moore, of Lincoln, Neb., born at Goshen ; Mrs. J. A. Merryman, born at
Goshed, died June 18, 1879, and a daughter born in Fond du Lac, who lives at home.
CHARLES BAIIiEY was bom at Windsor, Berkshire Co., England, Aug. 11, 1838; son
of George Bailey, a native of Old Windsor, England, Parish Teacher and Poor Commissioner, and, fif-
teen years prior to his death, which occurred March, 1856, was Register of Births, Marriages and Deaths ;
George Bailey left seven children — Ann, now Mrs. R. W. Baldmn, of Hotwells, Bristol, England ; Will-
iam Henry, a resident of London ; Louisa Martha, wife of George de Hochepied Larpent, who died in
1856 ; George, a resident of Croydon, England ; Emily E., now Mrs. Alfred Jenkins, Brighton, England ;
Elizabeth (deceased) ; Frederick (deceased), and Charles. Charles Bailey came to Fond du Lac in May,
] 858 ; was employed one year in the C. & N. W. car-shops, and, losing his fingers, was compelled to change
780 BIOGBAPHICAL SKETCHES:
his business, and began the manufacture of spruce beer ; he served five years' apprenticeship in London
as brass finisher and gas-fitter. He was married, at Old Windsor Church, Berkshire, England, July 17,
1857, to Catherine Beech Audley, born in Staffordshire, England a daughter of Dr. John Beech Audley ;
they have one child — George Alfred, born July 17, 1861, and have lost two infants; George Alfred is
station agent, telegraph operator and express agent at Elkhart Lake ; Mrs. Bailey's .brothers and sisters
are James, William, Ann and Ellen, all deceased ; Catherine, Emma, Hannah, Elizabeth, John, Mary,
Thomas and George, now living ; Ellen was the wife of John Long, Eaton, Buckinghamshire, England.
DAVID BA.BCOCK, attorney, was born at Utica, N. Y., Jan. 4, 1835 ; moved to Chicago
in June, 1855, and thence to Waupun, Wis., in the fall of the same year ; the next year, 1856, he went
to Milwaukee, where he resided until 1858, when he came to Fond du Lac, where he has since resided.
He enlisted, at the first call for three-months men, in Co. I, 1st W. V. I. In 1860, Mr. Babcock was
elected Clerk of the Circuit Court ; was re-elected, serving until Jan. 1, 1865, after which he began the
practice of the law, which he has since followed.
ROBERT A. BAKEiB, banker, came to Fond du Lac in 1844; purchased property here at
that time, but did not locate here until the spring of 1851 ; commenced banking in this city in the spring
of 1854, and has continued in the same business ever since; he is at the present time President of the
Mihills Manufacturing Company.
DR. C. W. BARNES, dentist, was born at Colosse, Oswego Co., N. Y., Oct. 18, 1840 ; wont
with his father, Lorenzo D. Baroes, to Green Co., Wis., in 1845, where he remained until 1853, when he
moved to Mount Pleasant, working upon a farm ; in August 31, 1861, he enlisted in the 5th W. V. Bat.,
in which he served three years, participating in all the battles in which his battery was engaged ; he was
mustered out as Gun Sergeant Oi;t. 1, 1864 ; after leaving the army he was a pupil in the office of M. B.
Johnson, at Janesville, two and a half years, after which he took a complete course in the Ohio Col-
lege of Dental Surgery, from which he graduated March 4, 1869, coming to Fond du Lac in August,
1869. Doctor Barnes was married April 13, 1870, at Fond du Lac, to Mrs. B. L. Davis, a native of New
York State; they have one child — Jlary. During 1873 and 1874, he was President of the State Dental
Society ; he is a Mason, member of the Knights of Pythias, and of the Division Street M. E. Church.
He is now a member of the dental firm of Barnes & Sackett.
JAMES A. BARXES, foreman in McDonald & Stewart's sash, door and blind factory; was
born in England, in 1849 ; moved to Canada West with his mother in 1852, where he lived till 1865 ; he
then moved to Janesville and began his trade with Wm. Hume, then in the manufacture of sash and
blinds in that city, remaining with him till 1 868 ; he went to Oshkosh ; where he was foreman in sash, door
and blind factory for Gould & Hume, for six years ; in January, 1878, he came to Pond du Lac, where
he has since been foreman in factory for McDonald & Stewart. Married Miss Mary A. Sutton, of Osh-
kosh, in 1873; they have had four children — Arthur J. (deceased), infant (not named, deceased), Edith
B. (deceased), Eva M. He and his wife are members of the Congregational Church ; Mr. B. is a mem-
ber of the Temple of Honor, also of the A. 0. U. W. Owns a rfesidence in Oshkosh valued at $2,000.
CHARLES B. BARTLETT, senior partner of the firm of Bartlett & Carstens, proprietors
of meat market, was born in Ellicottsville, N. Y., in 1836, whence he came to Fond du Lac, in 1855,
and engaged in firming for two years ; disposing of his farm in 1857, he became the partner of Mr. Van
Dresor, in the butcher trade, where he continued till 1863, when, by mutual consent, the firm was dis-
solved. Mr. Bartlett soon began the business again, of which he was sole proprietor till 1869, when a
copartnership was formed with Mr. T. J. Wood ; in 1871, Mr. Carstens took the place of Mr. Wood,and
the firm has since been known as Bartlett & Carstens. Mr. Bartlett has been variously connected with
the city and county oflices, being a member of the City Council from the First Ward in 1874, member of
School Board in 1877, and Superintendent of the County Poor in 1878 and 1879.
WILL1A3I B. BEACH, farmer, P. 0. Fond du Lac; is a son of Silas and Olive Beach;
born Sept. 11, 1817, in Westford, Chittenden Co., Vt.; he received his early education in the public
schools of his native county, after which he attended select school for a short time ; he was principally
engaged in farming till his 22d year, when he was employed to drive a peddling wagon for a paper manu-
facturing companj, continuing this for nearly four years ; he was next a farmer for about the same length
of time ; from 1838 to 1840, he was in the employ of Bradley, Page & Co., who were interested in the
building of the Rutland & Burlington Railroad, of Yermont ; for the next two years he was in the employ
of Bradley & Canfield, on a line of boats from New York City to Lik6 Champlain ; in 1853, he removed
to Illinois, where, for two and a half years, he was employed in the construction of the North-Western
Railway, from Chicaw to Woodstock, 111.; in 1855, he removed to Fond du Lao; Wis., and began work
for Butler & Co., lurriber dealers, with whom he continued till Mr. Mitchell purchased Mr. Butler's interest
POND DU LAC. "^81
and took in Mr. K. M. Lewis as partner, with whom Mr. Beach remained for some time ; he was next in
the employ of I. K. & W. C. Hamilton, lumber dealers, for two and a half years ; in 1860, he began
farming, which he has since followed in this county ; in 1873, he bought his present farm of 30 acres in
Sec. 20, town of Fond du Lac. In August, 1857, he married Miss Celinda, daughter of Elijah and Anna
Shepard, of Fond du Lac. His wife is a member of the M. B. Church.
F. H. BECHAUD, brewer; was born in Bavaria Jan. 19, 1848, and came, with his parents,
J. B. and Mary Josephina Bechand, to Buffalo, N. Y., in 1852, where they lived for a time until coming
to Fond dii Lac; he engaged in farming until starting in the brewing business in 1871, under the firm
name of A. G. Bechaud & Bros. He was married, at Fond du Lac, Oct. 1, 1876, to Anna Abel ; they
have two children — Cora A., and Laura. Mr. B. is a member of the Sons of Hermann.
JOHN B. BECHAUD, of the firm of A. G. Bechaud & Bros., proprietors of brewery on
La Salle street ; was born in Bavaria in 1846, and is the son of John P. and Mary J. Bechaud, with whom
he came to America in 1852, and settled in the city of Fond du Lac, Wis., where his father died
in September, 1877 ; in 1873, he, with his brothers, established the brewery on La Salle street, of which
they have since been proprietors, and now do an extensive business in their line. In 1874, he was mar-
ried to Miss Mary, daughter of Mathias and Elizabeth Kreamer, of the town of TaycUeedah ;' their
children are Josephine, Ida, Walter, Kudolph. They are members of the Catholic Church.
IVIlililAM BEERS, pattern-maker for C. J. L. Meyer; was born in Bristol, England, in
1829, and came with his father, William Beers, to America when 10 years old ; they settled at Syracuse,
N. Y., where he afterward learned the carpenter and joiner's trade ; in 1855 he removed to Janesville,
Wis., and in 1860 came to the city of Fond du Lac, where he worked in the railroad car-shop for 12
years ; in the spring of 1879 he began in the pattern-room for Mr. Meyer, where he has since been
employed. In 1850 he was married to Mary, a daughter of Abram Beers, of N. Y,; their children are
Julia, now the wife of A. T. Stewart, and lives in Minnesota ; Ada, now Mrs. William Gove, and lives in
Minnesota ; Robert C., who died in March, 1878 ; Ella, unmarried and lives in Minnesota ; Edwin, at home.
Mr. and Mrs. Beers are members of the M. E. Church.
EDWARD BEESON, editor and publisher ; the oldest editor in Fond du Lac Co. or the State
of Wisconsin ; was born in Columbiana Co., Ohio, in July, 1815, and came to Fond du Lac Co., locating
on Sec. 32, town of Fond du Lac, in May, 1842 ; he engaged in farming for over four years, after which,
in 1846, he came to Fond du Lac Village and purchased an interest in the Journal, which had just been
established by Henning & Hooker, and has continued in the newspaper business, with one or two short
intervals ever since — thirty-four years; his last venture was establishing, in 1879, the Wisconsin Farmer,
at Fond du Lac, which immediately attained success. Mr. Beeson went to Europe with his wife and
daughter, Abbie Beeson Carrington, in August, 1877, returning in August, 1879 ; most of his time
abroad was spent in Italy, where he was correspondent for the Chicago Times, and for the papers at Fond
du Lac. He has held several offices, being County Treasurer two terms, Alderman several times and a
member of the County Board. Mr. Beeson first published a paper called the Democratic Watchman
during Andrew Jackson's second Administration, at Beaver, Penn., where he learned his trade in 1832 ; he
remained at Beaver until 1835, when he made a journey to Wisconsin, passing over Fond du Lac before
there was a person living in it, but returned within a year. Although 65 years of age, Mr. Beeson puts
in a full day's work every day in the mechanical and editorial management of his paper, the Farmer.
NEIL C BEIdi, Sheriff of Fond du Lac Co., was born in the town of Brock, Victoria Co.,
Canada West, March 22, 1838, whence he came, with his father, John Bell, a native of Scotland, to
Eldorado, June 1, 1849, where he was engaged in farming until the rebellion. He enlisted in Co. A,
2d W. V. C, Oct. 17, 1861, in which he served three years, re-enlisting in the same company, and serving
until the fall of 1865 ; some of the time he Was on detached duty in the Provost Marshal'a office at Vicks-
burg, and with Capt. Gray, at Raleigh, N. C. Mr. Bell was Under Sheriff during 1878 and 1879 ; Town
Treasurer of Eldorado three years in succession ; and elected Sheriff on the Republican ticket by a large
majority in November, 1879. He was married, at Eldorado, to Marcia C. Wilbur, a native of Wisconsin ;
they have three children — Earl J., Neil J. and Ethel. Mr. Bell's father resides in Marinette, Wis.
CHARL.es H. BENTON, fifth son of Daniel S. Benton, was born at New York Dec. 31,
1840 ; he came with his father to Geneva, Wis., in 1843, where he lived until 14 years of age, going to
school most of the time ; in 1854, he came to Fond du Lae, where he lived with an elder brolhor, going
to school but spending all his spare time in the office of the Fountain City Herald, learning the print-
er's trade. At the breaking-out of the rebellion he at once enlisted as a private soldier in Co. K, 1st W. V. I.,
forthree years ; he was in the battles of Chaplin Hill, Stone River, Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Missionary
Ridge, Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek and tlfe capture of Atlanta ; when mustered out,
1^82 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
Oct. 13, 18^4, Mr. Benton was Brigade Quartermaster; he purchased an interest in the Fond du Lac
Commonwealth, and became its local editor, which position he left at the end of six months, to enter into
the storage and commission business at Chattanooga, Ga., where he remained three years. He was mar-
ried to Miss Pranci? E. Amory, of Fond du Lac, and returned to that city in 1869, and soon after entered
the hardware business, in which he still continues, as a member of the firm of C. H. Benton & Co., who
are among the heaviest hardware dealers in this portion of the State. In all matters of public interest
or improvement Mr. Benton always takes a leading and active part. He is a self-made man.
CORWELIUS A. BEVIER is a native of Ulster Co., N. Y.; born in 1820 ; is a son of.
Johannisand Elizabeth Bevier ; in 1843 or 1844, he, with two other brothers, removed to Aurora, Kane
Co., 111., where he engaged in farming for about two and one-half years, whence, in 1846, he came to
Fond du Lac Co., and purchased a farm of 120 acres in the town of Byron, on which he made his home
for fifteen years ; in 1861, he sold that farm and bought another, his present one, of forty acres in Sec. 8,
town of Fond du Lac; probable value, $100 per acre. He married Miss Laura A., daughter of Willis
and Laura Wilder, nee Huston, of Middlebury, Vt., in 1865. They are members of the Presbyterian
Church.
ASfDJtEW jr. BIRDSAljIi, farmer ; is the son of Amos Birdsall, a coaster, and Martha
Headley, natives of New Jersey ; his father having a vessel burned in the last war with England ;
Andrew spent much of his early life with his older brothers, who were coasters from New York City to
Carolina; in 1844 he came to Wisconsin and made his home in Milwaukee, where he was dealing in
real estate and engaged in sailing from that city to Michigan for about ten years ; in 1845, he walked from
Milwaukee to Fond du Lac and bought 160 acres of land — the northwest quarter of Sec. 9, town of Fond
du Lac — to which he moved in 1855, built a house and made other improvements ; he has an artesian
well which afibrds ten gallons of medical water per minute ; the well is 220 feet deep.
Jj. A. BISHOP, M. D., was born in the town of Eden, Food du Lac Co., Wis., Aug. 24,
1846 ; he attended the district schools until 13 years of age, and then attended the Grammar and High
Schools of Fond du Lac ; while attending school he studied medicine with Dr. T. J. Patchen, one of the
oldest established physicians of the city ; Feb. 25, 1870, Dr. Bishop graduated with high honors, deliv-
ering the valedictory address of his class, at Hahnemann College, Chicago ; about the same time he
received a diploma from the Chicago Bye and Ear Infirmary. Dr. Bishop returned to Fond du Lac and
immediately began the practice of his profession with Dr. Patchen, whose daughter, Cynthia, he mar-
ried ; Dr. Bishop now has the entire practice of the old firm of Patchen & Bishop, which is large ; in
1879, he erected, on Marr street, the finest physician's oifice in Fond du Lac, equipped for all operations
upon the eye and ear as well as for ordinary practice.
EDWARD BISSEIili, attorney at law ; is a native of Litchfield, Conn., where he was born
in 1828, and spent most of his early life ; he completed his collegiate course at Yale in 1851, after which
he entered the Law Department of the same institution, and graduated in 1853 ; he began the practice of
law in his native town with his cousin, who was an established lawyer of that place ; a young man of
pride and energy, he was not content to plod slowly along by trying to compete with the old established
attorneys of his town, but sought a more lucrative practice and honor at the bar in thfe then Far West ; in
1854, he came to Fond du Lac, opened an office and began the practice of law in the courts of this and
adjoining counties; bis merits and judsment of law were appreciated by the citizens of Fond du Lac, and
in 1858, they elected him Justice, which office he filled with credit and honor to himself for nine years,
when, in 1867, they elected him Police Justice for two years ; still reflecting such credit upon the official
positions to which he had been elected, he was again called in 1870 to another and higher position for
four years, that of Municipal Judge ; not yet willing to relinquish their claims upon his judgment on
points of law at the expiration of his term as Municipal Judge, they again elected him Justice for two
years, his last term expiring in the' spring of 1877 ; having thus spent seventeen years of his life in the
judicial service of his fellow-citizens, he resumed the practice of law in 1878 ; in 1854, he married Miss-
Elizabeth Hazen, of New Haven, Conn. ; they have had two children — Edward H., jeweler at Redwood
Falls, and Mary E., deceased. He and his wife are members of the Congregational Church.
ALiBEBT C. BliAIUKENBURG, furniture dealer, was born at Fond du Lac, Wis., Dec.
28, 1852, where he has been engaged in the furniture business twelve years, beginning for himself, being
successor to his father's large trade, in April, 1878. Mr. Blankenburg was married, Aug. 5, 1875, at
Lake Mills, Wis., to Emily Wegeman, who was born at that place. He is a member of the Knights of
Honor.
C. BIiAXKE]|lifBljR<jr, furniture dealer; born near Berlin, Prussia, June 11, 1824; came
to America, landing in New York May 6, 1^44, where he remained until December, when he came to Fond
FOND DU LAC. 783
•du Lac; in January, 1859, he began the furniture business, which he has continued ever since, being the
oldest dealer in furniture in this city ; he was married at Fond du Lac, Sept. 21, 1851, to Augusta Zicke-
rich, a native of Prussia, who came to Fond du Lao in 1848 ; they have six children — Albert C, Ferdi-
nand, Otbelia, Minnie, Ellen and Charles. Mr. B., who was one of its organizers, and his wife, are mem-
bers of the German Evangelical Church.
FERDIBTAIVD BLAHITKEWBURG, proprietor of drug and grocery store on "Fourth
strefet ; is a son of C. Blankenburg, furniture dealer of Fond du Lac, born in November, 1855 ; was edu-
cated in the public schools and business college of this city ; he was engaged in the furniture store with
his father from the time he finished school till 1874, when he began the drug business with Mr. J. C.
Huber, where he remained as clerk till January, 1879, at which time he began the drug and grocery
business for himself. In August, 1879, he married Miss Emma DeHaas, daughter of Carl DeHaas, editor
■of the Northwesflicher Courier.
EpmilVD BLEWETT, County Clerk; was born at Roxbury, Conn., Feb. 25, 1849, and
came with his father, Thos. Blewett, to Eldorado in 1855, and engaged in farming, which vocation he
followed until elected County Clerk on the Democratic ticket in November, 1876 ; since that time, he has
resided in the city of Fond du Lac, being re-elected to the same office in November, 1878. He was
married to Margaret, daughter of James Casey, of Fond du Lac, Oct. 12, 1872 ; they have two children
— Edmund R., and Robert Lawrence.
HENRIT BLiOEDBli, proprietor of general merchandising store and wagon-shop, on the
corner of Military and Hickory streets, also manufacturer of the Diamond Cultivator, which he makes a
epecialty , was born in Hesse-Darmstadt in 1832; came to America in 1850, and in 1854 settled in the
town of Herman, Sheboygan Co., Wis., where he followed the blacksmith's trade from 1854 to 1859;
from 1850 to 1854, he spent in the States of New York and New Jersey ; in 1859, he came to the city
of Fond du Lac, where, in 1874, he established his present business on the corner of Military and Hickory
streets. In 1856, he was married to Miss l^ena Maurer, a native of Germany, who died in 1865, leaving
five children — flichard, William, Lena, Katie and Julius. In 1867, he was married to Mary Bloedel, a
native of Germany ; they have two children — Emma and Mary. Their children attend the Congrega-
tional Church.
IfAPOIiEOBf BOARD9IA1V, civil engineer; was born on Grand Isle, an island in Lake
Champlain, Jan. 31, 1825; moved to Burlington, Vt., in 1836; he began engineering on the Vermont
Central Railway in 1844 ; in 1846, he made an exploration of the mineral regions of Lake Superior, camped
on the present site of Duluth, then occupied by a solitary Indian wigwam ; he coasted along the south shore
to Brule River, then struck through the wilderness to Chippewa Falls, where he secured a bark canoe,
with which he descended the Chippewa and Mississippi Rivers to Galena, a distance of about 800 miles ;
thence continued the journey in a " prairie schooner " to Chicago ; he crossed Lake Michigan to St.
•Joseph, then took the stage to Kalamazoo, from where he rode to Detroit, the headquarters of the Amer-
ican Exploring and Mining Co., on the Michigan Central Railroad, and reported the results of the explo-
ration ; late that fall he returned to Vermont and to Norwich University, in which he finished a collegiate
course. Mr. Boardman was engaged in the engineering department of the Rutland & Burlington Railway
from 1847 to 1851 ; in 1852, he came to Fond du Lac, and was civil engineer on the Chicago & North-
western Railway, with which he was connected until enlisting as First Lieutenant in the 2d W. V. C. in
September, 1861 ; Mr. B. was detailed as Chief of Ordinance on the stafi' of Gen. Brown ; was in the same
capacity with Gens. Herron and Totten, and Assistant Chief of Ordinance with Gens. Schofield and
Rosecranz ; he was then promoted to Captain of Battery M, 2d Mo. L. A.; after participating in the
raid upon Gen. Price, he went to Cape Girardeau, after which he rendezvoused at Pacific Junction and
Omaha in June, 1865, preparatory to entering the Indian country, with one of the UnitedStates expedi-
tions for the Powder River country, which he did in 1865 ; his route lay up the Platte and Loup Rivers,
across the Sand Hills and Bad Lands through the north end of the Black Hills; an Indian fight was
participated in at the mouth of the Powder River, after which the command was ordered to Fort Reno,
thence to Laramie, Fort Kearney, Fort Leavenworth, and, finally, to St. Louis, where it was mustered out
Dec. 22, 1865 ; after this, he returned to Fond du Lac, where he has since resided, following his profes-
sion of civil engineer ; has been chief engineer of Michigan Grand Trunk Railway, Milwaukee & La
Crosse ; built part of the Air Line of the Michigan Central Railway ; was five years City Engineer of
Fond du Lac, and is now chief engineer of the St. Paul Eastern Grand Trunk Railway.
LA FAYETTE BOIVD, Principal of First Street School ; was born in the town of Farmers-
-ville, Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., Feb. 5, 1844. Engaged in teaching when 16 years of age, and has been
■^84 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
engaged in the same occupation most of the time since except several terms devoted to study at (he Rush-
ford Academy in his native State, having commenced teaching before completing his course at that institu-
tion. Came to Fond du Lac in the spring of 1870. In September of the same year, he was appointed
Principal of the Ruggles Street School in this city ; after teaching for about three years there, he became
Principal of the Cotton Street Grammar School ; continued there until his appointment, in 1879, to his
present position. He has served for four years as Alderman of the. Eighth Ward. He was married in
the town of Avon, Lake Co., Ill, Dec. 25, 1876, to Sara L. Slusser ; she was born at Hainesville, Lake
Co., Ill, Dec. 15, 1848. They have one child— Lyle E., born Oct. 10, 1878. Mr. Bond is a member
of the A., F. & A. M. Lodge.
WIIililAlI BOSTD, mason ; was born near Plymouth, County Devon, England, April 13,.
1830 ; came to Fond du Lac from Europe May 9, 1867, where he has since resided. Mr. B. has worked
at the brick and stone mason's trade ever since he was 10 years of age, and has erected some of the best
business blocks and residences in Fond du Lac, among them the French Church and the Amory's blocks
of stores. His first wife, whom he married in England, and her first child, died in that country. He was
married a second time, at Fond du Lac, Nov. 11, 1868, to Ann Levy, born in Bohemia.
O. P. BOWEi, real-estate agent; came to Wisconsin in 1855, and located at Plymouth, Sheboy-
gan Co., where he engaged in farming until 1864. On Feb. 18, 1864, he enlisted in Co. E, 36th W. V. I.;,
was wounded at the battle of Coal Harbor; was mustered out May 23, 1865, after which he came to
Fond du Lac and began dealing in stock, and keeping a market, which was continued only a year, when
he began the real-estate business. In 1867, his brother, W. H., became a member of the firm of Bowe
Brothers, and has so continued ever since. The firm has been connected with the emigrant and land
department of the A., T. & S. Fe Ey., since 1865. He was born at Lyme, N. Y., April 17, 1834, and
was married, March 15, 1860, in the town of Forest, this county, to Frances, daughter of George Chase;,
she was born in Salem, Kenosha Co., Wis, Sept. 17, 1840; they have three children — Mabel S. (born,
Jan. 17, 1864), Willis G. (born June 9, 1866), and Arthur C. (born April 2,-1872).
WILIilAM H. BOWJB, real-estate agent, was born in Jefierson Co., N. Y., July 16, 1843,.
a son of Prosper and Lois Batchelder Bowe; came to Plymouth, Sheboygan Co., Wis., in September,
1855. In March, 1864, Mr. Bowe enlisted as a private in Co. E, 36th W. V. I., and served in the Army
of the Potomac through the campaign of 1864, participating in the battles of Cold Harbor, Deep Bottom^
Welden Railroad and the movement to Richmond, in Hancock's Corps, and all the battles in which his
regiment was afterward engaged, being mustered out in 1865 ; after leaving the army, Mr. Bowe settled at
Fond du Lac, and engaged in the stock and market business with his brother, which continued six months ;
was in the confectionery business six months ; engaged in the insurance business at Elmira, N. Y., for six
months, after which he returned to Fond du Lac and engaged in the real-estate business with his brother,
which they now continue. Mr. Bowe was married at Waupun, July 23, 1866, to Angle F., daughter of
William and Elizabeth Durand, now of Fond du Lac ; she was born March 7, 1843, in Erie Co., Penn.;
they have two children— Guy C, born Sept. 16, 1869, and Addie P., born March 28, 1873.
S. S. BOWEiRS, M. B.; was born at Berlin, Waterloo Co., Canada; came to Fond du Lac^
in May, 1865, where, for two years, ho was Secretary, Treasurer and General Manager of the Lamartine
Peat Co.; after that began the practice of his profession, having been a physician in Canada. He received
a scientific education at Rockwood Academy, and at Coburg Victoria University ; after which, he pursued
the study of medicine in the Toronto School of Medicine, Victoria University, at Toronto, Royal College
of Physicians and Surgeons, at Kingston, and University Medical College of New York City. He began
the practice of his profession in 1856. In 1879, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons conferred
upon Dr. B." the degree of Licentiate. The degree of M. D. was conferred by Queen's University, of
Kingston. He has been connected with several heavy mining corporations. Is Mayor of Fond du Lac ;
has been Chairman of the First Ward ; member of the Board of Education ; Director of the Public
Library; is a member of the State Medical Association ; Rock River Medical Association; President of
the Fond du Lac Co. Medical Society, and Dictator of Economical Lodge, Knights of Honor.
WILIilAM BRADLEY BRAND (deceased) ; was born in Hopkinton, R. I., June 2,
1808 ; he was deprived of his father when quite young, but his mother, a woman of rare Christian virtues,
was long spared him ; when 11 years of age, he sought a home in Madison Co., N. Y., where, in 1839, he
married Miss Julia A. Crumb, daughter of Joseph and Susanah Crumb ; he held the oflSce of Deputy
Sherifi' and SheriflF of that county for six years : in 1850, he immigrated to Wisconsin and settled at Fond
du Lac, where he was actively engaged in business and regarded as one of the solid business men of the city,,
till, attacked with fatal disease, his failing health led him to abandon his active business life, and seek
recuperation through rest and travel; he tried the climate of Washington during the winter of 1864-65,
FOND DU LAC.
( Too late for insertion in proper place.)
GEN. EDWARD STUYVESANT BRAGG, M. C, was bom at Unadilk, Otsego
Co., N. Y., Feb. 20, 1827 ; his education was finished by a three-years course in Hobart College, of
Geneva, N. Y., after which, in 1848, he was admitted to the bar at Norwich, Chenango Co., N. Y.; in
1850, (jen. Bragg came to Fond du Lac, where he, since resided and practiced his profession; he has been
a member of the City Council ; was elected District Attorney in 1854 ; represented his district in the State
Senate in 1868 and 1869, and has been a member of Congress from the Fifth District since March 4,
1877, two terms ; in Congress, he has been a prominent member, making a national' reputation by his
position on Southern war claims, by his revision of the rules for determining claims against the Govern-
ment, and by his arduous labors in all committees of which he has been a member. Gen. Bragg was
Postmaster of Fond du Lao in 1867, delegate to the Democratic National Conventions of 1860 and 1872,
and candidate of the Democratic Liberal Reform Caucus for U. S. Senator in 1875. He entered the
army in 1862, having recruited a company called " Bragg's Rifles," with which he went out as Captain,
serving in that grade and as Major, Lieutenant Colonel and Colonel in the 6th W. V. I.; was commissioned
Brigadier General June 10, 1864, upon recommendation of Gen. Hooker, for gallant conduct at the battle
of Fitz-Hugh's Crossing. He participated in the following battles in 1862 : Rappahannock Station,
Gainesville, Second Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam and Fredericksburg. In 1863, the following:
Fitz-Hugh's Crossing (at which he crossed the Rappahannock in open boats, under heavy fire, carrying
the enemies' rifle-pits on the opposite bank, for which he was commended in general division orders and
recommended, by Maj. Gen. Hooker, commanding the army of the Potomac, for promotion to Brigadier
General), Chancellorsville, Mine Run, all the battles of the Wilderness, and, May 6, was detached as
Colonel of the 6th W. V. I., and spccisllly assigned to the command of a Pennsylvania brigade, which he
commanded in the battles of Spottsylvania, North Anna River, Hanover Crossing, and the battles on the
Tolopotomy Creek. At the Chickahominy, in June, 1864, he was specially assigned, though a junior
Colonel, to the command of the Iron Brigade, which he commanded at the assault upon Petersburg, the
battle of the Weldon Railroad and Hatcher's Run. In 1865, he was placed in command of a Pennsyl-
vania brigade attached to the Iron Brigade, making the command, for the time, thirteen regiments. He
participated in the raid from Petersburg south to the North Carolina line, in aid of Gen. Sherman's move-
ments from the snuth, and commanded the rear-guard on the retreat. He commanded the advance line
in the battle at Dabney's Mill, in February, 1865. At the battles of Gainesville, Second Bull Bun,
South Mountain, Antietam, the Wilderness, Petersburg, Hatcher's Run and Dabney's Mill, he was com-
plimented in the ofii,eial report of his superiors. He was once severely wounded by a musket-ball, and
once knocked from his horse by a cannon-ball, sustaining only temporary injuries from concussion. Gen.
Bragg was very active, at the beginning of the war, in securing recruits and making ringing war speeches,
which aided largely in obtaining for Fond du Lac County the excellent war record of which she is now so
proud. He was married at Fond du Lac, January 2, 1855, to Miss Cornelia Colman, sister to Col.
Edward Colman, of Fond du Lac. They have had three children, two of them daughters, now living.
William Kohl Bragg, their only son, who had received a good military education, and who was the pride
of his parents, died in the spring of 1878.
JAMEIS WISEMAN CARNEY was bom near Banbridge, County Down, Ireland, Oct.
24, 1836 ; came to Staten Island, N. Y., in 1848; resided there several years, attending school, studying
also at Orange, Mass., and Orange, N. J.; in 1856, came to Fox Lake, Dodge Co., Wis., having, in an
early visit to the State with his father, selected that spot ; in his first journey West, he slept with the
soldiers and Indians during one week at Fort Winnebago ; at Fox Lake, he was engaged in the grocery
business ; came to Fond du Lac in 1864, where he has since resided and carried on business. Mr. Carney
was married in St. Louis Church, Fond du Lac, by Rev. J. Perodin, April 27, 1863, to Mary A. Egan,
born June 4, 1844, at Boston, Mass.; they have six children — Nellie E., born Sept. 29, 1866; Robert
Emmet, Dec. 5, 1868; Susan C, Oct. 26, 1870 ; James E., April 14, 1872 ; John P., Jan. 30, 1874,
and Mary Genevieve, March 3, 1 877 ; Nellie E. is a musical prodigy ; she has six years of training in
classical music ; began playing in concerts at the age of 9, and is now master of all the most intricate
compositions extant.
■. )
FOND per LAC. 785^
and with favorable results : in the winter of 1865-66, he visited the Island of Cuba and New Orleans,,
staying till convinced that his disease — consumption — was incurable, when he returned home in the latter part
of May, 1866, and died on the 11th of August following, in his 59th year. In connection with this bio-
graphical sketch, it is well to give the words of Rev. Mr. Hawley, an intimate friend, who in his ftineral
discourse says : "I knew him. I knew his many excellencies, knew, too — and he knew — his faults. I
knew his trneness, his trueness as a man, trueness as a husband, trueness as a friend, trueness as a patriot.
There was nothing false in him ; he was ever what he seemed. Neither was there anything uncharitable
in him, rarely did he speak evil of a person, and always chided those who did so in his presence. He
was in his domestic relations all that could have been desired. He loved his home, and the objects that
were the light of his home. Here his affections had their natural play, and his best qualities their bright-
est manifestations. A strong and clear mind was his ; his mental processes seemed almost intuitions. He
was an accurate reader of man ; he, beyond most I ever met, knew "men. And this, of course, gave rise to
distrust, distrust of others, and distrust of himself. His severe analysis of men was applied to himself
He was no cynic, he saw the bright side as well as the dark side of human nature. He saw trueness
among men, not perfectness, but trueness, and when he saw this, he almost worshiped it. He was a man
of great force of character. Few have such energy ; few have such force of will. What he attempted,
if within the limits of possibility, he was sure to accomplish. And his decision was equal to his force.
When he made up his mind, and his clear and rapid reasoning enabled him to do this readily, he was fixed
He had positive convictions, and he was true to them. You always knew where to find him. He had none
of that accommodating quality that puts a man on all sides of a question. He was on one side or the
other, and on that side firmly and strongly. He was no twaddler, no policy man, i. e., he had principles,
and he adhered to them. He was patriotic, he was true to his country, and truest when his country was
neediest. He was a friend of men."
CORNElilUS BRANSHA W, proprietor of blacksmith-shop on Division street ; is a. native
of Canada, where he was born Feb. 26, 1824; when only 6 months old, he moved with his parents to
Vergennes, Vt., where he lived till he was 21 years of age, when he moved to Troy, N. Y., where he fol-
lowed the blacksmith's trade, having learned it under Mr. E. Seaver, while at Vergennes; in the year
1855, he came from Troy to Fond du Lac, where he has since resided and continued at his trade. Oct.
22, 1844, he married Miss Mary Desotell, at Burlington, Vt., she being a native of Canada also ; they
have had four children — Albert (deceased), Albert (the second son being named in honor of hia elder
brother, who died when he was only 17 months old, and only a short time before the birth of Albert, Jr.),
Mary L. (who, in 1872, became the wife of Mr. N. Branchaud, of Fond du Lac, where she lived till her
death, in 1874), and Edwin C. All the family are members of the Catholic Church ; Mr. Branshaw was
elected Alderman from the Third Ward, for the year 1869. He has been a resident of Fond du Lac for
twenty-three years.
JOH?i^ J. BKAYTOIV, farmer. Sec. 32 ; is a son of a farrOer, Carr Brayton, of Washington
Co., N. Y., born in 1823 ; he obtained a limited education in his native county ; in 1846, came to Fond
du Lac Co., via Milwaukee, and settled on his present farm, and has since made it his home ; he, like
many of the first settlers, experienced disadvantages of the old open-cylinder thrashing machine, and traveling
twenty-five or thirty miles to get his wheat ground after separating it from the chaff. In 1850, he was
married to Miss Marietta, daughter of William and Lydia Vincent, of Oshkosh ; they had one son — •
Carr (deceased), and a daughter, Etna (now Mrs. Emmet Barden,of Le Roy, Wis.); Mrs. Brayton died in
1860; Mr. Brayton married Miss Eunice, daughter of William and Malinda Boyce, of Ogdensburg, N.
Y.; they have three children — Charles J., Grant and Nellie. Mr. Brayton has a farm of 240 acres in
Sec. 32, and forty acres in Sec. 29, all in Township 15, Range 17 ; probable value, $75 per acre.
KARIi F. Cr. BREBflVER, assistant teacher in Lutheran school ; is a native of Baden, Ger-
many, where he was born in 1845 ; came to America in 1865 ; in 1868, he began his college course in
the Lutheran Seminary at Addison, 111., where he graduated in 1870, and began teaching at Hustisford,
Dodge Co., Wis., which he continued at that place for eight years, when, on account of his health, he was
forced to quit the profession for a while ; after regaining his health, he came to Fond du Lac in 1879, and
became assistant teacher in the Lutheran school. He married Miss Barbara Werner, of Franklin, Wis.,
in 1870 ; they have three children — Karl G. F., Johannes W. 0. and Lydia L. B. M.
HERMAN BROCKER, of the firm of P. Brocker & Sons, grocers on Western Avenue \
was born in Fond du Lac in 1854; was educated in the public schools of this city, and in 1875 he began
the grocery business with his father.
CHARIiES BROCRER, of the same firm ; was born at Fond du Lac in 1856 ; received
his early education in the public schools of Fond du Lac, after which he attended Commercial College in this-
city, in 1876 became interested in the grocery business with his father and brother.
786
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
PHIIililP BROCKER (deceased); was a native of Lippe Detmoldt Holstein ; born Jan. 12,
1816 ; was a brickmaker by trade, which he followed, both in his native country and in the United States.
In 1849, emigrated to America and settled at Pond du Lac, Wis., where he followed his trade most of
the time till 1875, when he began the grocery business, shortly after which he died, Nov. 21, 1876. He
was married to Miss Helen Traeger, daughter of Perdnan Traeger, ropemaker, of Saxon, Germany; they
have five children, as follows : Henry, Herman, Charles, Augusta and Minnie.
G. F. BROWJVSOX, retired ; is a native of Eichmond, Chittenden Co., Vt.; was born Aug.
16, 1817, and is the son of Asa and Betsey Brownson, who were also natives of Vermont; when quite
young, he with parents removed to St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., where he spent much of his earlier life, and
was educated in the common schools and the Potsdam Academy ; he was employed as clerk in mercantile
business for eight years in Potsdam, and afterward removed to Parishville, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., where
he continued the business as a member of the firm for nine years ; in 1849 he came to Fond du Lac,
formed a copartnership with Mr. Laughlin, under the firm name of Brownson & Laughlin, dry-goods mer-
chants, where he continued the trade till 1861 ; after the dissolution of the firm he continued in the
business for two years, and since that time has been dealing in general merchandising stock ; he has been
Freight Solicitor for the Sheboygan & Fond du Lac E.. R. for the past ten years ; he was City Clerk for
-one term, Superintendent of City Schools for three years, and a member of Common Council for several
years. In 1845 he was married to Emily C, daughter of Esther Sheppard, of Home, Oneida Co., N. Y.
Their children are Hiram L., now acting Ass't Sup't of the Smoky Hill Div. of the Kansas Pacific R. R.;
<jr. F., now an engineer on that road ; William J., a passenger conductor on the K. P. R. R.; Emma C,
now Mrs. Strong, and lives at home ; Virginia B., now Mrs. Wm. Beem, and lives in Kansas; Adelia E.,
now the wife of Charles H. Gardner, a passenger conductor on the Kansas Pacific R. R. Mr. Brownson's
family are members of the Episcopal Church.
IlIiLIOT BROWW, M. D., is a native of Whittingham, Windham Co., Vt.; born Aug. 15,
1804 ; he spent his boyhood till 8 years old on a farm, when, on account of physical inability for that
kind of life, his father put him to study with the medical profession in view ; he received his earlv educa-
tion at the academies of New Ipswich, N. H., and Ashfield, Mass., spending one year at each ; in 1826, he
graduated at Middlebury College, Vermont, completing his collegiate and medical course at the same time ;
he at once entered upon the practice of medicine at Whittingham, Vt., which he successfully continued
there for eight years ; thence he moved to Shaftsbury, Bennington Co., Vt., and there for another eight
years devoted his time to his professional duties ; in 1842, he removed to Fort Ann, Washington Co., N.
y., where he continued his profession till 1846 ; having thus devoted twenty years of his life to the prac-
tice of medicine, he came to Fond du Lac, then nothing but a very few log houses, a trading-post and a
hotel, with the intention of devoting the rest of his life to agricultural pursuits and stock-raising; it was
impossible, however, to wholly withdraw from professional duties, as his friends were constantly making
■demands on him for his services in their families ; he devoted much of his time to dealing in real estate,
and at one time owned 600 acres of land in Fond du Lac and adjoining counties, and has disposed of most
' of it and now lives a quiet life in a commodious home one mile south of the city of Fond du Lac, which,
by his own industry, he has prepared for himself and family, and looks back upon a long and well-spent
life, with satisfaction of enjoying its fruits in his old days. In 1826, he was married to Miss Mary,
daughter of Jeremiah and Mary Kingsbury, of Whittingham, Vt ; they have had seven children, as fol-
lows: Mary M., now Mrs. Erastus Temple, of Harden Co., Iowa; Sarah S., now Mrs. S. B. Kezerta, of
Baraboo, Sauk Co., Wis.; Love L, now Mrs. Rev. Warren Corcoran, of Oshkosh ; Elliot K., of Eldorado,
Hardin Co., Iowa; Hannah H., widow of the late Roswell Bacon, who was killed by the last shot fired in
the battle of Mobile, Ala.; Harriet H., Henry B., deceased at four weeks old. The Doctor has long been
a member of the County Medical Society, of Fond du Lac, was also a member of the County Board for
two years. His family are connected with the Congregational Church.
RT. REV. JOHN HENRY HOB ART BROWN, S. T. D., first Bishop of Fond
du Lac, was born in the city of New York Dec. 1, 1831 ; was educated at Trinity School ; graduated at
the General Theological Seminary, New York June, 1854 ; ordained deacon at Trinity Church, New
York, July, 1854; was assistant to the Rev. Francis Vinton, D. D., Rector of Grace Church, Brooklyn
Heights ; organized the Church of the Good Angels at Brooklyn Oct. 1, 1854; was ordained priest at the
Church of the Holy Communion, New York, Dee. 1, 1855, and became Rector of the Church of the Good-
Angels in Brooklyn, N. Y.; was Rector of the Church of the Evangelists, Old St. George's Chapel, Beekman
street, New York, from June, 1856, to June, 1860 ; accepted rectorship of St. John's Church, Cohoes, Albany
Co., N. Y., in January, 1862 ; was Secretary of the Diocese of Albany, member of the Standing Comr
mittee, Deputy to the General Convention, and Archdeacon of Albany ; received the degree of Doctor of
rOND DU LAC. 787
Sacred Theology from Racine College in 1873; elected Bishop of the Diocese of Pond du Lac Sept. 15,
1875; was consecrated in St. John's Church, Cohoes, N. Y., Dec. 15, 1875, by the Rt. Rev. H. Potter,
D. D., L. L. D. (Oxon.), Bishop of New York, assisted by the Bishops of Vermont, Albany, Wisconsin,
Massachusetts, New Hampshire and New Jersey. July 29, 1856, he married Anna Coombs Upjohn, the
joungest daughter of Richard Upjohn, Esq., architect, born at Boston, Oct. 1., 1836; have adopted two
daughters — Jane Campbell and Clementine Boem.
JOHN BROWN, retired farmer, was born in Hillsboro Co., N. H., April 27, 1801. He
married, in Rutland Co., Vt., in 1826, Mercy Mason, a native of that county. In 1831, they removed to
Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., where they resided until 1851, in which year they came to Wisconsin and settled
on a farm in the town of Fond du Lac, Fond du Lac Co., where they lived until 1879, when they removed
to the city of Fond du Lac. Mr. Brown is a Republican in politics. He owns a well-improved farm in
the town of Fond du Lao, and improved property in the city. Their children are Julia A., wife of Theo-
dore Haighfc, Perrysburg, N. Y.; Cynthia, wife of Martin Bugles, of Pond du Lac ; Jennie, wife of Har-
vey Durand, also of Pond du Lac, and Mary, wife of William Blaine, of Kansas. Mr. Brown is an
enterprising and well-known citizen, and has lived a useful and successful life.
HENRY P. BROWN, retired ; is a native of Cumberland Co., Me.; born in 1830 ; grew up
■ on a farm, and received his preparatory education at North Bridgeton Academy, after which, he entered
Bowdoin College, Maine, in 1850, and graduated with the class of 1854 ; whence he went to Cherryfield,
Me., as Principal of the Cherryfield Academy for two years. In 1856, he immigrated to Wisconsin, and
for sixteen years followed teaching in the cities of Ripon, Waupun and Pond du Lac, in the latter of which
he had charge of the public schools. In 1863, he gave up the profession, and, for nine years, dealt quite
extensively in 'agricultural and farming implements; disposing of that business in 1872, he has since been
interested in various speculations in Fond du Lac Co. ' Mr. Brown was elected a member of the City
Council from the Third Ward, in 1870 and 1871 ; was President of the Council in 1871 ; was a member
of the County Board during the same time ; was a member of the Board of Education from 1856 to
February, 1879. In 1860, he married Miss Maria K. Hall, daughter of Simeon Hall, farmer, of Wil-
loughby, Ohio ; they have three children — Annie R., Lizzie M. and Thomas H. Wife and daughter are
members of the Congregational Church.
AliEXANDEB BRUI«»H, Sr., farmer. Sec. 13 ; P. 0. Fond du Lac ; is a son of Alex-
ander Brush and Nancy Griffith ; was born in Delaware Co., N. Y., in 1800 ; came to Wisconsin in 1849;
bought a farm of 160 acres in Sec. 13, of Pond du Lac, and twenty acres in the town of Eden. He did
not settle on his farm, however, for some time, but devoted his attention to the lumber trade, principally
on the Wolf River, built a saw-mill in what is now known as the Indian Agency in 1850, and there f j1-
lowed the saw-milling business for about six years ; thence, in 1856, he removed to his farm, and has since
made it his home. In 1830, he married Miss Jane, daughter of James and Mary Story, of Delaware Co.,
N. Y., by whom he had five children, three of whom, with wife, are dead — William (deceased), Priscella
(deceased), Alexander, Jr., of Fond du Lac, William, Jr., of Taycheedah, Augusta (deceased). He mar-
Tied Miss Jennette, daughter of John and Jennette Murry, of Delaware Co., N. Y., in 1849 ; they have
one son — Henry.
AliEXANDER BRUSH, Jr., farmer, on Sec. 27, 15, 17 ; is the son of a farmer, Alex-
ander Brush, Sr., and a native of Delaware Co., N. Y.; born in 1833 ; immigrated to Wisconsin in 1846,
and settled in Pond du Lac, where he afterward was engaged in the lumber business for several years, part
of the time with his brother, and part of the time with Mr. Merryman & Co. In 1876, he disposed of
his interest in the lumber trade, and bought a farm of 110 acres in the section above named, and has since
followed farming. In 1874, he was married to Miss Mary B., daughter of R. S. and Ruth E. Cole, of
Otsego Co., N. Y.; they have two daughters — Mable and Maud. Mr. and Mrs. Brush are members of
the Presbyterian Church.
REV. L. H. BUEHRIG, Pastor of the German Evangelical Freedmen's or Peace Church ;
was born at Luttrum, in the kingdom of Hanover, Germany, in 1832 ; he received his early education in
the schools of Braunschweig, Germany ; after his confirmation, at the age of 1 4, he came, with his parents,
to America and located at New Orleans; in 1853, he entered the Missouri Theological Seminary, at
Marthasville, where he received his degree in July, 1857 ; in the same month, he was examined for ordi-
nation at the yearly conference, at Evansville, Ind., when, upon being ordained, he received a call to the
church at Okawville, Washington Co., Ill, where he was installed as Pastor by th« Rev. L. Nollau ; the
malaria of that climate proving too much for his constitution, he resigned that charge, after four years'
service, for that of St. John's, near Burlington, Iowa, where he remained for three and one-half years,
when, for two ye,ars, he became successor to the Rev. R. John, Ph. D., at Central City, III; from 1867 to
T«8 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
1871, he served the church at Hollowayville, ' Bureau Co., 111., when he was called to the United
Keformed Lutheran Church at Ft. Madison, Iowa, whence, in 1873, he went to Minneapolis, Minn.,
where he organized thq church and remained for nearly five years, being then called to the church at
Fond du Lac. In 1858, he married Miss 3Iartha Kroehuke, daughter of Kev. D. Kroehuke, of Rock.
Run, Stephenson Co., 111., who died in 1863, leaving three children — Lydia, Martha and Mary; in 1864,.
he married Miss Caroline Austmann, daughter of Rev. L. Austmann, of Nashrille, 111., by whom he has
four children — Annie, Adolph, Henry and Amanda.
5f. Xi. BIJIjIjIS, of the firm of BuUis & Bobbins, livery-stable proprietors'; was born at Rouse's-
Point, N. Y., whence he came to Fond du Lac in March, 1855, and engaged ia clerking, which he fol-
lowed three years ; after that, he was eight years in the grocery business, and has been fourteen years in
the livery business with Alfred Robbins. He was married, at Fond du Lac, in 1859, to Adice C, daugh-
ter of Stephen Joubert, who came from Troy, where she was born, in 1849 ; they have six children — Xel-
son L., Jr., Minnie (now Mrs. Theo. D. Trelevere), John Edward, Alfred Stephen, Emma and Pauline.
Mr. B. has been Assessor five years, and has held various other city offices.
GUSTAV BURGHARDT; was bom in Saxony May 27, 1836; came to America Aug. 10,
1851, locating in Milwaukee; came to Fond du Lac in 1855. Enlisted, in September, 1861, in the first
cavalry company sent from Wisconsin, which was assigned to Gen. Sigel's command ; was with his regi-
ment in all its general engagements, and was mustered out in the summer of 1863 ; returned to Pond du
Lao and engaged in the grain business until 1871 ; was Deputy Sherifi" under Peter Rupp ; was afterward
Democratic candidate for County Clerk ; was elected County Poor Commissioner in 1875 and served three
years in that position; since April 1, 1878, Mr. B. has kept the Pond du Lac House. He was married,
first, to Kacherinji PfeiflFer, who died Dec. 22, 1865, leaving one child — Frederick; married a second time,
June 29, 1866, to Anna Schoene, born in Saxony ; they have two children — Lena and Emma.
JOHX S. BURROWS, bank ca-ihier; was born in London, England, in March, 1836, whence
he came to Atnerica in September, 1857, spending a few weeks in Buffalo, N. Y., before locating at Pond
du Lac in November, 1857. Mr. Burrows has been in Baker's bank, of which he is now cashier, since
September, 1858; has been City Treasurer and Deputy Treasurer, Alderman, and 'President of the City
Council. He was married, at Taycheedah, to Elizabeth, daughter of John Leeman, a resident of Tay-
cheedah ; she was born in Yorkshire, England ; they have three children — Frank E., John W. and Eva
T.; they lost three children from scarlet fever, within a few days of each other.
J. W. BY AM, photographer ; born in Guilford, Medina Co., N. Y., Dec. 12, 1840 ; lived
there until he was 14 years of age, then came with his parents to Michigan ; they located in the
town of Burns, Shiawassee Co., where he remained two years ; he then went to Chicago ; remained there a
short time, then came to Madison, Wis., where he learned the business that he is now engaged in ; resided
in Madison two years and a half and returned to Michigan and lived two years; then he came to Chicago
again and after a residence of a year and ten months there he came to Fond du Lac, in 1865. He was
married in Fond du Lac, Dec. 12, 1869, to Emma Lewis; she was born in Le Roy, Dodge Co., Wis.
They have one ehild living — Josephine P.; lost one son, Herbert, who died at the age of 10 months.
EiDWIN A. CAREY, dry-soods merchant, of the firm of Laughlin & Carey; W£is born in
the State of New York, in the year 1830, where he lived till 1845, when he came to Fond du Lac,
which was then a small village, having only four houses ; his father died the first year after their arrival,
leaving his mother, an older brother and himself to care for the family ; he spent most of his time, for a
number-of years, at work on a small farm, near the city of Fond du Lac, during the summer months, and
at clerking in a store during the winter ; in 1854, he started the first omnibus line in the city of Fond du
Lac, which he continued for three years; he became a member of the firm of Laughlin & Carey, dry-
goods merchants, in 1862, where he has since continued business, and is now one of the leading business
firms of the city of Pond du Lac. He married Miss Mary Taylor, daughter of ex-Mayor Taylor (deceased).
Mr. Carey and wife are prominent members of the Episcopal Church, and he also was, for five years, a
Vestryman of that church.
AUGUST li. CARSTENS, junior partner of ' the firm of Bartlett & Carstens, meat market;
is a native of Germany, where he was born in 1844 ; he learned his trade, and followed it in his native
country till 1865, when he removed to Pond du Lac, and has since continued the butcher trade. In 1870,
he married Miss Julia A. Treleven, daughter of D. D. Treleven, of Pond du Lac, by whom he has had
two children — Lola G. and Aliaster (deceased).
COIi. GEORGE W. CARTER, Warden of the Wisconsin State Prison ; was born at
Wayne, Brie Co., Penn., April 20, 1839 ; came to Metomen, Fond du Lac Co., in 1845, where his father,
Jacob Carter, still resides. He lived on the farm until the war of the rebellion, when he enlisted — being;
FOND DU LAC. 789
one of the very first to do so — April 19, 1861, serving to the close, and returning home with a crushed
thigh ; he was educated at Ripon College and Wisconsin State University, and has practiced law since the
war. Col. Carter has been two terms Clerk of the Circuit Court, a member of the Governor's staff ;
many years Chairman of the Republican County Committee ; several years a member of the Republican
State Central Committee ; Republican candidate for Congress, and, since January, 1880, Warden of the
Wisconsin State Prison. He was married July 4, 1861, to Etneline N. Harkness, a native of Tioga Co.,
Penn. ; they have five children — Albert C, George H., Elmira, Elizabeth and Jay E.
CYRUS CHADBOURWE, photographer ; was born in Harrison, Cumberland Co., Me.,
and learned the photographer's business in 1864, which he has since followed. He came to Fond du Lac
in August, ] 874, where he began business for himself. He makes a specialty of fine photographs, for
which he has earned a wide reputation.
THOMAS CHAPEIiAU, residence Fourth street; was born near Montreal, Can., Nov. 1,1843;
he learned the carpenter trade in Montreal, and worked at it several years, served in the Canadian militia
five years ; came to Wisconsin in 1866, and has lived in the city of Fond du Lac since. The maiden name
of Mr. Chapelau's wife was Jennie La Pointe; she was born near Montreal, Can., in 1842 ; they have
three children — Virginia M., T.. W. and Amelia. In politics, Mr. Chapelau is a Republican. His father,
Peter Chapelau, was a native of Canada, born near Montreal ; he married Miss A. Darwin ; he died in
1849 ; she married again, and resides in Canada; their children now living are Thomas (whose name
heads this sketch), Wolford (who lives in Escanaba, Mich.), Ovida (who lives near Montreal, Can.),
and Lizzie (wife of Daniel Deshambena, Canada). Mrs. Chapelau's parents, George and Julia La Pointe,
were natives of Canada; they moved from there to Waukegan, HI., in or about 1849, thence to Fond du
Lac in 1860 ; they now reside in Egg Harbor, Door Co., Wis., and are esteemed people ; their children
are Jenny (wife of Thomas Chapelau, the subject of this sketch), Ellen (wife of 0. Anderson, Egg Harbor,
Wis.), Stephen and John (who live in New London, Wis.), Addie (wife of Joseph Mocha, of Fond du
Lae), Mary (wife of Michael Furnier, of Buffalo, N. Y.), Emma (wife of P. Hennigan, of Fond du Lac),
George and Cordelia.
AliMOSTD W. CHAPMAX was bom in the town of Hebron, Washington Co., N. Y., June
15, 183;-{ ; at the age of 21, he moved to Oswego Co., remained there one year, and, in the fall of 1855,
came to Fond du Lao, arriving here Nov. 1 6 ; Mr. C. was reared as a farmer, and was an engineer tor
stationary and locomotive engines for a time ; in 1858, he established the ice business at Fond du Lao,
which he continued nine years ; for several years, he has carried on the manufacture of spruce beer and
soda water, and for twenty-seven years furnished music for parties and dances. He wa's married at Fond
du Lac, Nov. 16, 1856, to Lucy A., daughter of Jo.seph King, born in the town of Fond du Lac, Feb. 3,
1840 ; they have two children living — Josephine D., born Dec. 20, 1857, and Walter A., July 22, 1861 ;
Jamie died in March, 1859, aged 6 months. Mr. C. is a member of the Lodge of A., F. & A. M.
CHARiiES CHURCH, of the firm of Church Bros., house, sign, carriage and ornamental
.painters, was born in Ellicottville, Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., July 23, 1855 ; came with his parents to Fond
•da Lac in 1855; he has worked at the painter's trade since his youth, and fur himself (with his brother
William) for the last four years. He was married in Fond du Lac, July 25, 1876, to Miss Katie French,
a native of Ontario ; they have one child — Susie ; Mr. Church is a meoibcr of the L 0. O. F.
WIIilirAM CHURCH, of the firm of Church Bros., house, sign, carriage and ornamental
.painters, was born in Fond du Lac June 16, 1856; commenced work at painter's trade when a boy;
engaged in business with his brother for the last four years. He was married in this city, Feb. 20, 1878,
to Miss Josie Crawford, who was born at Watertown, Jefferson Co., Wis. Mr. Church is a member of the
Fond du Lac Band, having been connected with it since its organization in 1874.
S. B. CliARK, of the firm of Clark & Myers, proprietors of First Street Livery Stable, was
born in Canton, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., Djc. 24, 1824 ; went to California in 1852, and remained there
until 1857 ; in 1858, he returned to Canton, and carried on the milling business there for several years ;
in 1868, he went to Montana to recruit his health ; spent two years there, and then came to Ripon, Wis.,
where he remained until 1872, when he came to Fond du Lac.
C. Xi. CLBMEWT of the firm of Perkins & Clement, carriage manufacturers; was born in
Jefferson Co., N. Y., in 1839 ; at the age of 17 he went to Newark, N. J. with S. B. Sanders; remain-
ing there till 1868, whence he came to Fond du Lao and continued his trade alone till 1874, when Mr.
Perkins became a partner in the carriage manufactory.
JOHN E. COATES, engineer of Fire Engine No. 3 ; was born in Gloucestershire, England,
Nov. 30, 1847 ; came to America in 1867 ; spent three years in Buena Vista, Portage Co., Wis., came
J^henoe to Fond du Lac ; he began the trade of a locomotive machinist at Swindon, England, on the Great
790 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
Western Kailway ; has followed engineering eleven years. He was married at Fond du Lac in April,
1872, to Mary Lucas, born in Wisconsin; they have two children — Chas. F., born March, 1874, and
Myrtle, born in October, 1878.
A. €r. COFFIIAN, butcher ; was born in Bavaria Oct. 22, 1839, and came with his parents
to Marshfield, Wis., in 1850 ; in 1858, he went to Dlinois and enlisted in July, 1861, at Greneva, in the
Kane Co., cavalry, serving on detached duty with Gens. Curtis, Halleck, and as Gen. Steele's escort,
being mustered out in September, 1864 ; he returned to Bloomingdale, 111., where he lived until Decem-
ber, 1866, when he came to Fond du Lac and engaged in the butchering business, which he has since
followed. He was married at Bloomingdale, 111., March 29, 1867, to Hannah E. Trewing, a native of
England; they have six children — George W., Ida May, Charles G., Clara P.. Edith E., and William H.
Mr. C. is a member of the A. 0. U. W.
DR. J. R. COIili, dentist; was born in Morris, Otsego Co., N. Y., June 30, 1826 ; moved to
Illinois in 1845 ; to Mineral Point in 1849; thence to Milwaukee, and to Fond du Lao in 1851, having
a capital of 25 cents when he first reached Wisconsin ; began the practice of dentistry thirty-one years ago ;.
Dr. C. carried on his farm five years, located in Lamartine, platted Cole's addition to Fond du Lac at the
close of the war, and engaged in building and other real-estate operations. He was married, at Fond dii
Lac, June 21, 1854, to Emma T., daughter of Jared M. Taylor ; she was born at Vergennes, Vt., Jan.
9, 1836 ; they have seven children — Dudley N., Milton H., John M., Mary A., Alfred D., Burton and
George R. ; Emily died at the age of 2 years and 6 months ; Dr. C. has been a member of the Common
Council and of the Board of Education.
MIIiTOM' H. COIiE, dentist; was born at Fond du Lac Feb. 7, 1856 ; during five years, he
has been engaged in the practice of his profession with his father, the firm name being J. R. Cole & Son ;
he was married, at Mitchell, Sheboygan Co., Wis., to Anna L. Reed, Oct. 14, 1877.
HON. JAMES COIiEMABr, attorney,.son of the Rev. Seymour Coleman, of the Troy, (N.
Y.) M. E. Conference ; was born in Schoharie Co., N. Y., June 29, 1836 ; he received an academic edu-
cation ; read law three years in Troy and Albany ; graduated from the Albany Law School in 1856, was
admitted to the bar the same year, and in 1857 began practice at Fond du Lac, which has since been his
home. Mr. Coleman was elected District Attorney in 1860, and re-elected in 1862 ; served two terms in
the Legislature ; was Register in Bankruptcy in 1868, and Postmaster of Fond du Lac from 1869 to
1877. He is now, and has been since 1876, a law partner of United States Senator Matt H. Carpenter,
with an office in Washington ; they have a larger practice, with perhaps one exception, in the United.
States Su-preme Court, than any other firm. Although spending much of his time in Washington, Mr.
C. still maintains a residence at Fond du Lac, where he passes the summers.
COIi. EDWARD COIjMAN; was born at Rochester, N. Y., where he was a resident.^
engineer on the Erie Canal ; he came to Fond du Lac in 1852, and engaged in farming, though he fol-
lowed his profession of civil engineering more or less, until the fall of 1861, when he enlisted in Co. A,
18th W. V. I., going out as First Lieutenant. He was wounded at Shiloh and Champion Hills, on account
of which he was absent a year, from his company. He still carries the bullet in his head. Afterward, he
was in the recruiting service acting as Adjutant, and stationed at Madison, Wis. In the Veteran Reserve
Corps, he was stationed at St. Louis, but afterward at Washington on the Examining Board. He was
commissioned Lieutenant Colonel of the 49th W. V. I., and just before being mustered out, in the fall of
1865, was commissioned as Colonel, though the commission failed to reach him before he was mustered
out. From 1866, he was Superintendent of public property at Madison one and one-half years ; after
which, he engaged nine and one-half years in banking, being the first Treasurer of the Fond du Lac Sav-
ing's Bank. Mr. Colman engaged in farming from January, 1877, to January, 1878, when he took the
office of Sherifi", to which he was elected on the Republican ticket by a very large majority. After leaving
the SheriflF a office in January, 1880, he became cashier of the Mihills Manufacturing Co. While
residing in Fond du Lac, he was elected City Treasurer two terms.
ELilHU COIiMAN, attorney ; was born in Oneida, Brown Co., Wis.; came to Fond du Lac
in August, 1847. In the fall of 18-61, he enlisted in Co. G, 1st W. V. C; served as Quartermaster's Ser-
geant, Issuing and Entry Clerk iuvCommissary Department. In January, 1863, he was discharged on
account of disability. He is a graduate of Lawrence University, at Appleton^ Wis. Admitted to the bar
in May, 1865, and has been engaged in the practice of law ever since. He represented this district in the
Wisconsin General Assembly in 1872 ; served as Register in Bankruptcy for this district, from 1868 to
1872.
REV. HENRY R. COLMAN, retired; was bom at Northampton, Montgomery (now Ful-
ton) Co., N. Y., Oct. 9, 1800 ; at 6 years of age, went with his parents to Connecticut; seven years later.
FOND DU LAC. 791
returned to Northampton, where he resided until 31, engaged in farming until joining the Troy (N. Y.)
M. E. Conference in 1831. He was on the circuit composed of Warren and Essex Cos. one year; at
Luzerne Village fifteen months, in which he had fourteen appointments ; at Bridgeport, Addison Co., Vt.,
one year ; Ticonderoga, N. Y., two years ; village of Essex, having several appointments, one year ; Mid-
dlebury, N. Y., two years; Northampton, N. Y., one year; Green Bay, Wis., where he arrived in Septem-
ber, 1840, five years as missionary to Oneida Indians ; missionary to Stoekbridge Indians, Calumet Co.,
two years ; then at Fond du L^Cj his present home, two years, after which, on account of ill health, he ha?
taken no appointment. Rev. Colman was married at Northampton, N. Y., Oct. 22, 1823, to Livia Spier,
born at Lake Pleasant, Hamilton Co., N. Y., April 25, 1802 ; she has been a member of the M. E. Church
fifty-eight years, and her husband fifty-seven years ; they have five children — Charles J., a lumberman at
La Crosse, Wis.; Julia, residing at Brooklyn, N. Y.; Rev. Henry, preaching at Milwaukee : Joseph Spier,
of La Crosse, and Elihu, a lawyer at Fond du Lac.
REV. FATHER JAMES COLTOBT, priest of St. Patrick's Church, follett street^
is a native of County Tyrone, Ireland, where he was born June 24, 1824; he received his preparatory
education in his parish at County Tyrone; entered college at Mynouth, Ireland, in 1840, and received his
diploma from the same in 1844 ; he came to America in September of the same year, and continued his
theological studies in St. Thomas' College at Beardstown, Ky., for three years; in 1847, he was ordained
to the priesthood by Archbishop Henni, of Milwaukee, Wis., immediately following which he entered the
ministry at Menomonee, Waukesha Co., Wis., where he remained until 1850, when he moved to Cedar-
burg, Ozaukee Co., Wis., where he had a charge for three years ; in 1854, he was changed to Oshkosh,
Winnebago Co., remaining there for about three years ; he was then changed by the Bishop to Kenosha
for a little more than three years, whence he was again changed to ShuUsburg, Wis. ; remaining at
ShuUsburg for nearly four years, when he was sent to Fitehburg for a few months only, when he was
changed to St. Patrick's, Fond du Lac, in 1862, where he has since remained in charge of a congregation
of about two hundred and five families and about fifteen hundred members.
REV. FATHER OI.IVER COMTOIS, priest of St. Louis' French Catholic Church •
is a native of Canada ; was born in Montreal May 8, 1842 ; he pursued his preparatory collegiate studies
at Theresa College, near Montreal, entering in 1855 and graduating in 1863, after which he pursued his
theological studies in the same institution, receiving his degree in 1870 ; for two years after his gradua-
tion in 1870, he was Professor of French in the University of the Holy Cross at Worcester, Mass. ; he
was ordained to the priesthood at Marquette, Mich., in 1872, after which he held services at several
missions in the Diocese of Marquette till June, 1879, when he was transferred by the Bishop to St.
Louis' French Church, Fond du Lac, to succeed Father Dale, whose death occurred in March previous.
HOX. WILIilAm D. CONKLIN, attorney; born in Poughkeepsie, N. Y., in 1831;
came to Fond du Lac Co. in 1841, with his father, Henry Conklin ; he was educated at Madison and
Hamilton Colleges ; graduated from the latter institution in 1852 ; degree of A. M. conferred in 1863 ; •
commenced the practice of law in Fond du Lac in 1854 ; served one term as County Judge, two terms as
Alderman, and six years as Municipal Judge. He took an active part in the organization of the 14th W.
V. I during the late rebellion, and was appointed Quartermaster of the regiment, but soon relinquished
the position to his brother.
COL. HORACE E. CONXIT, attorney ; was born at Elyria, Ohio, May 20, 1822 ; resided
there five years, when his father died and he moved to Medina, N. Y., fqr nine years ; spent two years at
Yates Academy ; read law three years at Lockport, N. Y., teaching a portion of the time, after which,
Oct. 13, 1847, he came to Horicon, Wis. ; he was admitted to the bar the same fall, and practiced his
profession at Horicon until enlisting in September, 1862, as Captain of Co. C, 29th W. V. I., in which
he was promoted to Major in 1864, and Lieutenant Colonel in June, 1865 ; Col. C. was with his regi-
ment in all its engagements except the Red River expedition, during which, on account of a wound
received at Port Gibson May 1, 1863, he was detailed to the Quartermaster's Department in New
Orleans. After leaving the army, he returned to Horicon for two years ; engaged in farming two years at
Oakfield ; moved to Waupun in 1870 for four years ; spent one year on a farm, and came to Pond du Lac
in 1876, where he has since practiced his profession. He was married in the town of Herman, Wis.,
Sept. 13, 1848, to Susan F. Chase, a native of Barry, Orleans Co., N. Y.
D. €}. CRIPPEX, veterinary surgeon and proprietor of breaking and boarding stable ; born in
North Granville, Washington Co., N. Y., April 22, 1832 ; came to Fond du Lac in April, 1856. He
was married in West Granville, N. Y., April 29, 1852, to Mary E. Parnsworth ; she is a native of West
Granville ; they have had six children ; the living are Mary Ida, George Norman, Willard, Charles E.
and Ada Belle; they have lost one son — Nathan R., who was born April 8, 1857, and died Dec. 16,
792 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHIIS:
1878. Mr. Crippen commenced handling horses at the age of 8 years, while at home with his father ; for
the last twenty-five years he has carried on the business of a veterinary surgeon ; he is among the well-
known horse-trainers, and his reputation for successfully breaking horses is fully established.
AliVA CROFOOT, superintendent of Meyer's saw mill, is a native of Lewis Co., N. Y.,
where he was born in 1833; came to the State of Wisconsin and settled at Green Bay in 18J:0,
■whence, in 1841, he removed with his parents to Kaukauna, where they lived for two ygars ; in 1843, he
came to Pond du Lac, and began farming, which he has continued in connection with the lumber business
since ; in 1853, he began the lumber business with Brand, Olcott & Co., with whom he remaioed until
1865, when for a while he was out of the lumber trade ; he soon began the lumber business again for Mr.
Sawyer, remaining with him until he sold out to Mr. C. J. L. Meyer, when Mr. Crofoot began for Mr.
Meyer. In 1853, he married Miss Cornelia House, of Lewis Co., N. Y.; they have nine children, as fol-
lowd : Effie, now Mrs. Kobbs. of Fond du Lao ; Jay P., Edward E., May, Miranda, Clinton A., Carlos B.,
Minnie and Ella. Mr. Crofoot was a member of the County Board in 1866 ; he owns a farm of 145
acres four miles southwest of Fond du Lac, valued at $7,250.
JAMBS li. CROWIjEY, grocer, was born in County Kerry, Ireland, in 1831, where he
•lived till he was 16 years of age, when he came to America and located in the State of Maryland, where
he stayed for one year ; he then moved to West Virginia and resided there for two years ; from there he
went to Ohio where he lived three years ; thence to Pennsylvania for nine months ; thence to Ohio again
for a few months, and from there he came to the State of Wisconsin and settled at Pond du Lac in 1855. '
He was married to Miss Julia Fitzgerald, of the town of Empire, Wis., in 1856 ; after his marriage he
settled on a farm near Empire, where he lived until 1873, when he moved to Fond du Lac and began the
grocery business, which he hds since followed. His wife died in May, 1872, leaving nine children, as fol-
lows : John aad Bridget (twins), bbrn in 1857 ; Margaret, born in 1859 ; Mary, born in 1861 ; James,
born in 1863 ; Catharine, born in 1865; Julia, born in 1867 ; Edmond, born in 1870, and Honora, born
in 1872. Mr. Crowley and family are members of the Outholic Church, and he has at different times been
■a Trustee of the same. He is now a member of the Catholic Benevolent Society of Fond du Lac.
DAVID R. CURRAN, 'a native of Ithaca, N. Y., came to Fond du Lac in the fall of 1846,
and has been in business and resided here ever since ; he began to clerk for his brother in a drug store
in 1837, and when he came to Pond du Lao brought a stock of druggist's goods and put them upon the
market as soon as a suitable building couU be procured ; in 1853, R. P. Root became Mr. Curran's part-
ner for one year, and, in 1858, C. F. Kalk became a member of the firm of Curran & Kalk, as Mr. Curran
had been appointed Register of the Wisconsin Land Office at Menasha, which position he held three years ;
in 1866, the firm of Curran & Kalk dissolved, the former continuing alone until 1873, when his son, E.
S. Curran, was admitted to partnership under the firm name of D. R. Curran & Son; in 1879, D.
R. Curran retired from the firm. He has been Under Sheriff two years ; Deputy County Treasurer four
years ; member of the School Board thirteen years, and held other local offices. He was married at Ithaca,
N. Y., Oct. 5, 1847, to Eveline Stoddard, of that city. '
ED S. CURRAN, druggist; was born at Fond du Lac, July 15, 1849 ; he is a graduate of
the Pond du Lao High School ; during thirteen years, up to March, 1879, he was in the drug business
with his father, since which time he has carried on the business alone.
GrEORGE P. DANA was born in the town of Empire, Fond du Lac Co., Nov. 25, 1849;
came to city of Pond du Lac when 6 years old, and attended school, with the exception of working six
months at the jeweler's trade, until 14 years of age; after that, he clerked one year for N. L. Bullis, in a
grocery store, and then! began, in 1865, the business of a gunsmi h with T. S. Weeks, wliich he has fol-
lowed ever since ; in 1877, he was appointed First Assistant Fire IMarshal ; was appointed Chief in 1878,
and re-appointed in 1879, and has been a fireman fifteen years. Mr. D. was married at Fond du Lac,
May 19, 1874, to Phoebe Lanners; they have four children — Alexander G., Paul J., Lanna J., and
George A.; he is a member of St. Michaels Society, and is President of the Firemen's Mutuil Aid
Society.
JOHN li. DANA, hatter, furrier and dealer in gents' furnishing goods; born in the town of
Fond du Lac Sept. 12, 1851 ; he is a son of John Dana, who came to this county in 1844, and is now
a resident of this city. The subject of this sketch was employed as a clerk in a grocery store for two
years, and, for five years, he was in the employ of Hoyt & Cole, hatters, of this city; in 1872, he engaged
in business for himself.
SAMUEIi R. DANIEIiS was born in Clinton Co., N. Y., in 1831, and is the son of David
and Hannah Daniels, nee Roblee, also natives of New York.; he spent his early life on a farm in New
York, and, with parents, came to Fond du Lac Co., Wis., and settled in the town of Eden, where his
FOND DU LAC.
^0 EC EASED.)
CITY OF FOND DU LAC. 795
father died in the following year; his mother now lives in Michigan; he followed farming in Eden for
thirteen years, and then removed to the city of Pond du Lao, where he has since followed teaming ; he
now owns a house and lot on Green street, a lot on Grant, and one on corner of Grant and Eleventh
streets. In 1861, he was married to Miss Prussia, daughter of Howard and Electa Mitchell, natives of New
York, but immigrants to Wisconsin in 1859 ; they have one daughter — Cora E. Mrs. Daniels is a mem-
ber of the Free-Will Baptist Church.
(jrEORCJE D. DABfKS, house, sign and ornamental painter ; was born in New London, Wis.,
in 1856 ; came to Pond du Lac in 1862 ; learned the painter's trade under his father while young ; during
the year 1877, he was steamboating on the lake ; in 1878, began grocery business in city of Pond du Lac,
on Scott street, which he continued till spring of 1879 ; owns brick building on Scott street. He married
Miss Ma];y E. Parrish, of Pond du Lac, in 1877; they have one son — Edward L.; has been a member
of the Order of United Workmen since March, 1878.
KEYES ARMSTRONG- DARLING, oldest son of the pioneer Dr. M. C. Darling, of
Fond du Lac, was born in Greenwich, Mass., in 1824 ; received his early education in the schools of
Amherst, whither his parents removed when he was quite young ; thence, in 1836, to Fond du Lao, where
Keyes spent must of his time for many years ; at the age of 18, his father sent him and his sister, now
Mrs. Helen Eastman, back to Albion, N. Y., to continue their studies; his sister completed her course and
he, after remaining two years, changed to Janesville, Wis. ; thence to Beloit, where he attended a select
school in the basement of the old brick church ; in 1846, he, with his father, opened a broker's office at
Fond du Lac, which they continued for about ten years, when, in company with Dr. T. S. Wright, opened
a banking-house under the name of Darling, Wright & Co. In 1850, he married Miss Ann M., daughter
of John and Lovice Bowman, of Monroe Co , Wis. ; they have two sons — William M., of Minnesota ;
John B., medical student at Madison. The family are members of the Episcopal Church.
E. W. DA VIS, retired ; was born in the town of Sebago, Cumberland Co., Me., Aug, 26, 1808 ;
when 16 years old, went to Boston and vicinity, where he lived seven years ; attended Beverly Academy,
in Massachusetts, two years and six months ; removed then to Schenectady, N. Y., for six months ; went to
Syracuse in 1837 ; where, in the fall of 1838, he enlisted in the " Patriot War ;" was Captain of
a company of patriots composed principally of salt-boilers ; after a campaign of a few weeks, returned
to Syracuse for a short time and then went to Massachusetts ; in 1839, he removed to Kochester,
N. Y., where he carried on the boot and shoe business for Massachusetts factories until 1841, when
he went to Des Moines Co., Iowa. Mr. D. remained in Iowa, where he was a farmer and a
member of the Legislature, until coming to Fond du Lac, in August, 1847 ; at Fond du Lac he has been
engaged in building ; he resided one year at Appleton, where, with Dr. M. C. Darling and Amos A.
Lawrence, he built a mill, which he sold, and returned to Fond du Lac. Mr. D. has been Alderman ten
years. School Commissioner, Fire Warden, and held other offices. He was married, in Massachusetts, to
Lavini Brown, who died in 1833. , He was married a second time, at Milwaukee, in February, 1853, to
Emma B., daughter of Dr. John B. Audley, who came to Milwaukee in 1842 ; she was born at New-
castle-under-Lyme, England ; Mrs. D. has two brothers and a sister at Nashotah, and one brother
keeps the Nagowicka Cottage, near Pewaukee Lake ; her father and mother — who was Eleanor Bubathan
— were born in Staffordshire, near Newcastle, England ; Mrs. Davis inherited some poetical genius, and
has written several articles of merit, the latest being " Well-remembered scenes of early girlhood in old
England."
FREDERICK F. DAVIS was born in Marbletown, Ulster Co.,N. Y.,in 1803 ; came lo Pond
du Lac in 1844, and followed farming for a short time ; in 1845, he built the first flouring-mill in Fond
du Lac, there being only one log and two frame dwellings in the town at that time ; Mr. McWilliams
occupied the log house. Dr. Darling one of the frame dwellings and the other was occupied by a French-
man ; Mr. Davis soon sold his mill to Col. Conklin and began farming the land on which the town of
Waupun is situated, his being the only shanty there at that time ; in 1847, he returned to Fond du Lac,
and in company with A. G. Buggies, built the first steam saw-mill erected here ; brought the first raft of
logs from the Wolf River to the town of Fond du Lac, after which, in the winter of 1847-48, they placed
3,000 logs on the banks of that river, which they rafted down to the mill in the spring of 1848, and
sawed in the following summer ; they continued this business together for about two years, when Mr. Davis
bought out Mr. Buggies and managed the mill for a year longer, when, upon his election as Sheriff of the
county of Fond du Lac, he disposed of his saw-mill ; after his term of office had expired, he purchased a
lumber establishment on the Sauk River, of which he was proprietor for two years, when he exchanged it
for property at Calumet ; being a man of enterprise and not content when out of business, he soon pur-
chased a flnuring-mill at Calumet, of which he was proprietor for three years, when inducements were such
BB
?96 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
as to cause him to dispose of this, move to New York State and purchase a larg;e flouring and saw mill and
farm, with which he operated for twelve years ; in 1874, he again returned to Fond du Lac and has since
led a more quiet life, having been one of the most active and enterprising men in the early settlement or
that city and county. He married Mariah Johnson, of EUenville, Ulster Co., N. Y., in 1826, who died
at Fond du Lac in 1859, leaving three children — Cornelia (deceased). Sarah J., now Mrs. Lee, of Fond
du Lac, and Betsy, now Mrs. West, of Fond du Lac. In 1862, he married Miss Sarah Smith, of Ulster
Co., N. Y., by whom he had three children, as follows : Frank, Leonard and Annie.
C H. DE GROAT, of the firm of DeGroat & Giddings, manufacturers of engines, mill
machinery, brace saw-mill machinery, foundry, farm machinery and agricultural implements ; is a native
of the State of New York ; born in 1839 ; came to Fond du Lac in 1852. In 1861, he enlisted in Co.
K, of the 1st W. V. I.; served with his company one year; came home to recruit; raised Co.* A, of the
32d W. V. I.; was elected Captain, and, before the close of the war, was made Colonel of his regiment;
was with Gen. Sherman on his march to the sea ; was mustered out of service, at Milwaukee, in June,
1865 ; returned to Fond du Lao and followed farming for one year ; was elected County Clerk in 1866 and
served for four years; in 1870, moved to Salt Lake; in 1874, returned to Fond du Lac and became part^
ner of Mr. Giddings, in the firm of De Groat & Giddings. In 1862, he married Miss Josephine Allen, of
Fond du Lac ; they have four children — Charles, Grant, George and Paul. Mr. D. and wife are members
of the Congregational Church. Mr. D. has also been a K. of P. since 1877.
FJRED WIIjLIAII DEI^XERT, brick manufacturer ; was born in Prussia May 4, 1840 ;
came direct to Fond du Lac in December, 1868, where he has been engaged in the man^ufacture of brick
for. six years. He was married, in Lomira, Dodge Co., Wis., Nov. 6, 1871, to his first wife, and to his
present wife, Caroline Spielberg, at the same place, Feb. 21, 1876; she was born in Prussia; they have
two children — William and Bertha ; Mrs. Dehnert has four children by a former marriage — Albert, Emil,.
Emma and Minnie.
ADEIiBERT DE LiAND, druggist, was bom at Detroit, Mich., July 28, 1849; came,
with his father, John R. De Land (who still resides here), to Fond du Lac, in 1851 ; Mr. De L. began
clerking in Dr. T. S. Wright's drug store, in 1864; in 1865, he went to Chicago, and was with J. H.
Reed & Co., and their successors, H. A. Hurlbut & Co., until he returned to Fond du Lac and established,
his present business Jan. 1, 1877. He was married, at Janesville, Wis., Dec. 25, 1876, to Emma A.
Terwilliger, a native of Saratoga Co., N. Y.
EDMIIIVD DEI. ANY, Jr., Cjty Clerk ; was born at Factory ville, Tioga Co., N. Y., Nov.
11, 1841 ; a son of Edmund Delany, who is now a resident of Fond du Lac; came to Calumet, in this-
county, in 1849, and to Fond du Lac, where he has since resided, in 1853. Mr. D. enlisted in Co. A,
14th W. V. I., in October, 1861, as a private, but was elected Sergeant at the organization of the com-
pany, and promoted, Aug. 9, 1862, to Second Lieutenant of Co. I, 21st W; V. I.; he was in all the bat-
tles in which his regiment participated ; was mustered out March 29, 1863, after which, he was clerk in-
the Provost Jlarshal s office until it was abolished in October, 1865 ; he studied engineering and aided in
preparing a map of the city of i Fond du Lao ; in 1870, Mr. D. was chosen City Clerk, which position he
has since continuously occupied.
CHARLES DE9IARAIS, blacksmith ; was born in Massachusetts in 1852 ; came to Fond
du Lac with his parents, and settled at Fond du Lac in 1855 ; was educated in the Institute for the Deaf
and Dumb, at Delavan, Wis., from. 1863 to 1870 ; learned the cabinet-maker's trade, but did not work at
it very long; began blacksmithing in the La Belle Wagon Works in 1877, and has continued there since
that time.
JULiIEJf DEMERS, proprietor of saloon ; is a native of Canada, where he was born in
1837 ; he removed to Fond du Lac in 1854 and began running a saw-mill, which he now continues in con-
nection with his saloon business. In 1859, he married Miss Lucy Latournau, a native of Canada, by
whom he has had thirteen children, only two of whom — Julien and Adis — are living, and, with parents,
are members of the Catholic Church. Mr. Demers has taken quite an active part in the political interests
of the Greenback party in his ward ; was one of the men who organized the Greenback club in the
Sixth Ward, and has since held the office of Vice President of the same.
H. G. DE SOUBRE, dealer in fine watches and jewelry, silver and plated ware, musical
instruments, etc.; is a native of Prussia; he came to America with his father, B. C. De Sombre, in 1856-
(his father is stiJl a resident of this city), located here at that time; commenced learning his trade of
watchmaker and jeweler in October, 1861 ; began business for himself in the spring of 1866. He is.
Alderman of the Eighth Ward at the present time.
CITY OF FOND DU LAC. 797
FRED W. DE QUINE was bom in Calumet Village, this county, Oct. 30, 1853; in Sep-
tember, 1854, his father, Louis De Quine, died, and he came with his mother to Fond du Lac in 1855;
she resides at No. 27 Doty street ; Mr. D. attended school until April 4, 1870, when he served three
years' apprenticeship as a machinist, and has worked ever since at that trade in Eond du Lac; he is fore-
man of the Union Iron Works; is a Turner, and a member of the I. 0. 0. F. Lodge.
DR. C. E. DICKIXSOX, dentist ; was born at Guilford, Chenango Co., N. Y., Nov. 23,
1849, where he lived until removing to Delaware in 1868, whence he came to Fond du Lac in 1871 ; he
began the study of dentistry with Dr. C. W. Barnes in 1873, and began practice in April, 1878, in the
city of Fond du Lac, where he now has a good business.
JOHIV W. DILiIiON, photographer; was born in London, England, Oct. 27, 1847, and
came to Ainerica when 12 years of age, living in New York City until July 27, 1864, when he enlisted
in Battery B, 5th U. S. A., for three years, as a musician or bugler : at the expiration of his term of serv-
ice in 1867, he went to Chicago, thence to Bloomington and Lincoln, finally, coming to Fond du Lac the
same year, and engaging in his present business, that of a photographer. He was married in Fond du
Lac Feb. 25, 1873, to Ella M., a native of Manitowoc Co., daughter of Evander Soper, one of the
earliest settlers of Wiseousiii ; they have two children — Frank Earle and Harry Walton. Mr. D. belongs
to the Masonic, Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias Lodges of Fond du Lac, and has been Alderman from
the Eighth Ward since the spring of 1879.
JOHN A. DITTJER, druggist, was bom at Baden, Germany, June 2, 1852, whose father,
Amos Ditter, now resides in this county; he came to Taycheedah in 1857, where he resided until coming
to Fond du Lac in 1868; in 1871, he removed to Waterloo, but after three years returned to Pond du
Lac, where, in December, 1875, he began the drug business. In 1877, Mr. Mitchell became his partner,
under the firm name of Ditter & Mitchell. Mr. Ditter was married, at Fond du Lac, Nov. 15, 1877, to
Katie Trimbor, a native of Marshfield, Wis. Mr. and Mrs. Ditter are members of St. Mary's Church, and
Mr. Ditter of St. Joseph's Benevolent Society.
PHILjIP ditter, was bora in Baden, Germany, June 27, 1844; came to Taycheedah from
Europe in 1857. He enlisted Feb. 15, 1864, in Co. K, 35th W. V. I., and was mustered out in May,
1866 — serving in the Department of the Gulf at the siege of Mobile, White River and ten months in
Texas. Mr. Ditter began his trade in March, 1861, and has been in business for himself about nine years.
He was married at Fond du Lac July 6, 1871, to' Mary Trimbor, who was bora near Marytown, Wis.;
they have five children — Joseph A., John P., Mary <J., Mathias J. and Edward J. Mr. Ditter is a mem-
ber of the Capuchin Church, and St. Joseph's Benevolent Society.
HESTRY C. DITTMAR, proprietor of a steam dyeing and scouring establishment ; born in
New York City July 4, 1846. He entered the United States Navy Feb. 22, 1864 ; served on the steam
sloop Pawnee, United States sloop New Hampshire, the flag-ship Malvern and the surveying steamer
Bibb; left the naval service Feb. 20, 1867, and was located in Philadelphia until he came to Fond du Lac
in 1873. He commenced work at the business he now carries on twenty-two years ago. He was married
in Philadelphia, Dec. 31, 1867, to Catharine Johnson, a native of that city; they have two children —
Annie H. and West A. Mr. Dittma,r is a member of the I. 0. 0. F., and of the K. of P. He is a son
of Henry Dittmar, who came to this county in 1865, and is now engaged in farming in Calumet Town-
ship.
HENRY DIRCKS, Foreman of the Hook and Ladder Co.; was born in New Holstein, Ger-
many, Dec. 25, 1852 ; came with his parents, Henning N. and Theodocia Dircks, to America in 1857 ;
after one year's residence in the State of New York they came to Fond du Lac, where they still reside ; at
the age of 11 years Henry commenced to work in Griffith's saw-mill, in this city, where he remained three
years ; afterward, for six years he was employed in the sash, door and blind manufactory of C. J. L. Meyer;
since that time he has been engaged in some work at the Mihills factory. He was married in the town of
Lomira, Dodge Co., Wis., Nov. 13, 1879, to Amelia WoUenburg, who was born near Berlin in Prussia.
Mr. Dircks was Secretary of the Volunteer Fire Department for about five years ; since the organization of the
present system he has been Foreman of the Hook and Ladder Co. He is a member of the Fireman's Mutual
Aid Society. He belongs to the Lutheran Church, and St. Peter's Society connected with the church.
RICHARD DIX, was bom in Saxony, April 27, 1827, from where, after attending Jena Uni-
versity, Dresden College, and studying for a veterinary surgeon and practicing that profession about one
year, he came to America in 1849, locating in Milwaukee ; he followed the profession of veterinary sur-
geon in Milwaukee and vicinity until 1855, when he came to Fond du Lac and engaged in the business of
brewing, which he continued until 1862. Mr. Dix lived in Green Bay three years, where, with his
parents, he built the gas-works ; during the last two years he has not been in active business. He was
798 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
married: at Fond du Lac July 11, 1859, to Josephina Krembs, a native of Wurtemburg ; they have one
son — Richard. Mr. Dix also has a son by a former wife — Edwin J., who is in C. J.L. Meyer's office at
Chicago. The two fine brick stores south of the Patty House belong to Eichard Dix, who is a member
of the Masonic Lodge and Chapter at Fond du Lac.
JUJLICJS DOZOTEilili, engineer; residence corner of Brook and Euggles street; he was born
in Lewis Co., N. Y., July 20, L839; in 1849 he went to Galena, 111., and came to Pond du Lac in 1850.
He married in Jefferson, Wis., in 1861, Jennie Mclnnis; their children are May, Josephine, Jennie L.,
Caddie V. and Francis A ; Mr. Dozotell has been engaged as an engineer for over eighteen years. In pol-
itics, he is a Republican.
ERA-STUS W. DBUBIT, son of Needham and Clarissa Drury, nee Ladd ; was born in Bangor,
N.Y., in 1814; when he was about 2 years of age, his father changed his residence to Pittsford, Vt., from
there, to Highgate, Vt., where he died in 1822. His son Brastus, being then only 8 years of age, was left to
struggle upwanl alone as best he could ; he acquired a taste for study from his father, who was a teacher
and had excited his ambition ; he afterward improved every opportunity, until he acquired a good academic
education ; he was decidedly a self-made man ; he was early apprenticed to the printing business, and at the age
of 18 years, became editor and publisher of the Vermont Argus, a Democratic paper which he conducted
with remarkable ability and energy, working until midnight and rising at 3 A. M., thus allowing, himself
but three hours of sleep, and from three to five minutes for his meals ; he continued the paper about two
years, and ihen passing it over to his brother Hamilton Drury, he devoted himself to the study of law,
was admitted to the bar, and commenced practice at Middlebury; Vt. In 1837, Mr. Drury was married
to Eveline T. Horton, daughter of Daniel G. and Mary Horton, nee Drury, of Sudbury, Vt., went to
Washington, D. C, on his wedding tour, and received the appointment of Postmastet at Middlebury, Vr..,
through the influence of Hon. Silas Wright, U. S. Senator, from New York, and a personal friend of Mr,
Drury ; in 1843,- he came to Wisconsin Territory, and after entering a tract of land near Racine, he came
to Fond du Lac County and entered 400 acres in Lamanine ; he then formed a pleasant acquaintance with
Dr. Mason C. Darling, became much interested in his plan for "laying out" the village of Fond du Lac,
and concluded to make it his future home ; he went back to Middlebury, Vt., intending to return soon, but
on account of the protracted illness and subsequent death of his wife, he was delayed until 1846, when
he returned to Pond du Lac and found the village being formed, with here and there a house on Main
street, and a few buildings seemingly scattered over the prairie, but each stood on a street regularly laid
out ; Mr.. Drury then formed a partnership with Mr, John A. Eastman, a son-in-law of Dr. M. C. Darling,
for the practice of law. In 1847, Mr. Drury went back to Schenectady, N. Y., and was married to
Deborah Van Patten, daughter of Simon P. and Hannah Van Patten, nee Toll, and returned soon after
to Fond du Lao with his wife, and two children of his first wife, a daughter and son, named Mary Eveline,
who died after a few years, and Hamilton Horton ; of Mr. Drury's children after his second marriage, but
one is living, a daughter named Harriet, Deborah ; after having a house built on Marr street for his resi-
dence, Mr. Drury had a block erected on Main street, opposite from where the Patty House now stands,
for stores and offices, in which he had his law office for a number of years until the building was destroyed
by fire ; Mr. Drury made investments in Fond du Lac and the vidinity from time to time, and in difierent
parts of the State ; he continued in the practioe of law until his failing health compelled him to retire
from business. Vv^iile Mr. Drury aimed to occupy a respectable position among his fellow-citizens, he was
most anxious that his moral and religious influence in the church and community might be such as would
meet th(5 approval of his dear Savior to whose blessed service he consecrated himself at the early age of
11 years, when he became a member of the Congregational Church ; when he came to Fond du Lac, he
united with the Congregational Church, which was then in its infancy, and assisted in sustaining it for ,
several years, when he felt it his duty to join with eleven others of the members in organizing a Presby-
terian Church, in which he labored to the best of his ability until his strength failed and he was laid
aside, but he has been sweetly sustained through many trying years of illness by the presence of the dear
Master whnm he sousiht to, serve.
PETER DUFRAKfE, Jr., grocer, on West Division street; was born in Canada in 1853;
when quite young, his parents moved to Pond du Lac, where he has since made his home ; in 1870, he
be"-aii clerking in a grocery store for C. E. Errard, with whom he remained until 1877, when he began
the grocery business for himself. Mr. Dufrane is a member of St. Louis Catholic Church.
FRANK F. DUFFY, attorney ; was born in Richmond, Va., Feb. 2, 1851, and was educated
at St. Charles College, in Maryland, where he graduated in 1870 ; he came to Pond du Lac in 1872 ;
studied law w'th Coleman & Spence ; was admitted to the bar, and is now serving his second term as_ City
Attorney of Fond du Lac ; he is a member of the law firm of Conklin & Duffy, and has a good business.
CITY OF FOND BU LAC. 799
HARVEY DIJRA-IVD was born at Westficld, Chautauqua Co., N. Y., Nov. 2, 182Y, where
he resided until coming to Fond du Lac, in 1853 ; he read medicine five years out of curiosity ; after com-
ing to Fond du Lac, was engaged with the engineer corps three years, on the Chicago & North- Western
and Milwaukee and La Crosse railroads, after which he engaged in farming and speculating in the town of
Fond du Lac about four years, after which he removed to the city where he has since resided, amusing/
himself by speculating and dealing in real estate ; he has been Assessor five years; was in the Provost
Marshal's office of the Fourth District during the war, and has been Deputy U. S. Marshal since 1861.
Mr. Durand also spent one year with James Coleman securing the right of way between Fond du Lac and
Milwaukee, for the North-Western Union Railway; in 1876, he made a tour of Europe, landing at Glas-
gow, Scotland, in which country he visited Melrose Abbey, Abbotsford, Dumfries and the birthplace of
Burns ; traveled over England and France, spending some time in London and Paris ; visited the amphi-
theater at Niems ; explored Lyons, Versailles, Nancy and other French cities ; passed down the shore of
the Mediterranean to Rome, Naples and the Italian seaports ; ascended Mt. Vesuvius, exploring its crater ;
spent some time in Venice, at the Italian lakes, in Switzerland, Baden-Baden, and several German and
Alsatian cities ; he returned in 1877, bringing, among other valuables, one of the finest guns to be found
in England, with which he has since slaughtered great numbers of " yellow-bills," being fond of hunting
and fishing, to which he devotes considerable attention. He was married at Rosendale, Wis., Sept. 33,
1860, to Jennie B., daughter of John Brown, who was born at Towanda, Cattaraugus Co., N. Y.
HENRY W. DURAND was bom at North East, Erie Co., Penn., Feb. 2, 1843; came to
Racine, Wis., in 1855, to town of Fond du Lac the same year, and to Fond du Lac City in 1859 ; he attended
school until the rebellion, and then enlisted in Co. I, 1st W. V. I., in April, 1861 ; after serving three
months, he re-enlisted, in Co. A, 14th W. V. I., in which he served till the close of the war, being mustered
out as First Lieutenant ; he was in all the battles in which his regiment engaged, except the Red River
expedition, being at home recruiting, in which he secured fifty-two men ; the principal engagements in
which he served were Shiloh, Pittsburg Landing, Corinth, Vicksburg, Spanish Fort, Mobile, Tupelo and
Nashville ; after leaving the army, he engaged for four years in the fruit and confectionery business, since
which he has dealt in hay and grain. He was married, March 20, 1866, at Fond du Lac, to Mary M.
Heth, who was born at Silver Creek, Chautauqua Co., N. Y., July 12, 1844 ; they have one child — Ella
M.,born March 10, 1867.
R. K. DYE, Jr., dealer in musical instruments and musical merchandise ; born in Lomira,
Dodge Co., Wis., Dec. 13, 1854; came to Byron, Fond du Lac Co., with his parents, in 1865 ; resided
there until 1877, when he came to this city; engaged in present business ever since ; he has taught instru-
mental music for the last four years. Oct. 28, 1877, he was married in Washington, Conn., to Sarah
Mayhew.
REV. GEORC^E B. EASTMAN was bom at Randolph, Orange Co., Vt., Dec. 2 t, 1811 ;
pursued his preparatory studies at Orange County Grammar School, entering when about 15 years of age,
and continuing the same till in his 21st year, when he changed to and entered the freshman class at the
University of Vermont in 1832, from whence he was transferred to the sophomore class of Dartmouth
College, where he graduated with the class of 1836 ; for three months immediately following his gradua-
tion, he was teacher and theological student under Bishop Hopkins, of Episcopal Institute of Vermont, at
Burlington ; in the fall of 1836, he went from there as tutor in Bristol College, at Bristol, Penn., where
he remained till the spring of 1837, when he was chosen Principal of the Classical School, at Detroit,
Mich., which he held till the spring of 1838 ; in the spring of 1838, he was chosen Principal of the Kala-
mazoo branch of the University of Michigan, but resigned this in the fall of 1839 for the professorship of
language in the Episcopal Institute, of Troy, New York ; resigning the professorship in the spring of
1840, he became- Rector of Grace Church, at Waterford, N. Y., having preyiously pursued his studies for
holy orders, which he received Aug. 25, 1839, under Bishop McCoskry, of Michigan. He held the pas-
torate of Grace Church till the summer of 1845, when he was chosen Rector of Christ's Church, Quaker
Farms, and St. Peter's Church, at Oxford, having the two charges at that time>; from the summer of 1846
to the spring of 1847, he was general missionary of Rensselaer Co., N. Y., when he became Rector of Zion,
Avon, N. Y. ; in 1850, he was chosen Rector of St. Paul's, Brownville, N. Y., and after three and a half
years' pastorate at Brownville, he was chosen Rector of St. Paul's Church at Fond du Lac, beiug its second
Pastor, and which charge he had for more than twelve years ; in autumn of 1866, he went from St. Paul's,
Fond du Lac, to the pastorate of St. Paul's, Bast Saginaw, Mich., where he remained till the spring of
1870, when he became Rector of Trinity Church, at Monrop, Mich., which, on account of his health, he
resigned in May, 1878, and again took up his residence at Fond du Lac, Wis. Dec. 31, 1838, he married
Miss Margaret Brother, a native of Geneva, N. Y., where she was born May 1, 1819 ; the children are
800 BIOGBAPHICAL SKETCHES:
Wilber, Francia, Henry B.; Mary, now Mrs. G-riffith, of Fond du Lac; Margaret, now Mrs. Col. Ferris, of
Idaho; George K-, Catharine M , William T., Elizabeth T., Charles W., and Eleanor H.
HIBAM W. EATON, born in Canada Nov. 28, 1833, son of Hiram Eaton; came to Wis-
consin in 1845, locating near Whitewater, where he lived fifteen years; spent the next twelve years in
Missouri and Illinois ; returned to Monroe, Wis., and came to Pond du Lac in February, 1874, where he
has since carried on the business of manufacturing soda water and spruce beer, which he has followed for
twenty years, recently adding jfacilities for bottling laser beer. He was married at Whitewater, May 10
1857, to Jane, daughter of Wm. Page, who came to Wisconsin in May, 1845 ; she was born in the town of
Marshall, Oneida Co., N. Y. ; they have seven children — Roderick D., Maud A., Blanche, Harry, Charles
F., Alma J. and Bessie, and two infants have died.
RUDOIiPH JEBliBT, President of the German American Savings Bank ; was born at
Dermbaeh, Grand Duchy of Saxe Weimar, Eisenach, June 29, 1829, and came to America, to Fond du
Lac County in the fall of 1848, first locating in the town of Calumet ; he there engaged in farming, which
he continued until the spring of 1850, when he moved to Fond du Lac ; he at once secured a position as
Clerk in the Register of Deeds' oflSce, which he held until he was elected Register in November, 1852 ;
he served 1853 and 1854 — one term^after which he opened an office for the transaction of real-estate,
loan and abstract business ; in the spring of 1865, Mr. E. visited Europe, returning in the fall to renew
his business, which was continued until 1866, when the private banking-house of Ebert & Perry was
established ; in 1873, the bank was organized under the State law as a savings bank, R. Ebert, President,
and J. C. Perry, Cashier. Mr. P!bert has been six terms City Treasurer of Pond du Lac, and a member
of the Board of Education. In November, 1856, he was married to Louisa Encking, a native of Hol-
stein, Germany ; they have had six children, but only one is living — Augustus, born July 22, 1861, and
now in the order and sale department of C. J. L. Meyer's factory.
HIRAM EDGERTOIV, retired farmer ; is a native of Rome, Oneida Co., N. Y. ; born in
September, 1802 ; he spent his boyhood with his father on a farm, and received a limited education in
thi; district schools of that county; came to Wisconsin in the fall of 1846 ; settled on a farm of 160
acres in the town of Fond du Lac, which his brother Thomas had entered two years prior to their
immigration ; having built a small frame house 16x24 feet, though at that time, perhaps, the b^st in the
neighborhood, in the spring of 1847, he returned to New York for his family, with which he reached
Fond du Lac June 16 following; he did not get his house plastered, however, till December, and then it
was by constantly thawing the mortar by the stoves, around which the family sat while the men plastered
the walls. Thus beginning pioneer life in Fond du Lac Co., Mr. Edgerton has always been one of its
reliable and successful farmers ; though the toil and struggle were severe, his resolution to succeed was
equal to the task, so step by step he has gradually acquired a comfortable home to enjoy in his old age.
In 1825, he married Miss Lucinda Pelton, daughter of Robin and Sylva Felton, of Rome, Oneida Co.,
N. Y., who died at her home in Pond du Lao, Wis., in 1864, leaving five children — Francis (now Mrs.
John J. Tripp, of the town of Fond du Lac), Sarah (who married Oliver. Pier, but her husband dying
in three years after their marriage, she married Mr. De Witt Williams, of Oneida Co., N. Y.), Sylvia A.,
(now Mrs. David H. Vinton, of Empire), Ophelia (now Mrs. Samuel B. Stanchfield), Charles B. (who
married Miss Matilda Hamilton, daughter of Henry Hamilton, of Fond du Lac, Jan. 1, 1866 ; they have
two children — Katie and De Witt). Mr. Edgerton married Miss Jule Olmstead, of Pond du Lac, in the
spring of 1866 ; she had three children — W. J. Olmstead, C. 0. Olmstead, Dr. Austin P. Olmstead, of
Green Bay.
JAMES EDMUND, foreman of engine-room and round-house of N.-W. R. R. -Co., is a
native of Yorkshire, England, born in 1829 ; spent most of his time till 20 years of age on a farm; came
to America in 1849, and settled at Fond du Lac, where he engaged in farming for about two years ; from
1851 to 1854, he was employed in the construction of the Rock River Valley & Union Railroad ; in 1854,
he was employed in the Union Iron Works, where he continued three years ; was next employed as
engineer in Butler & Hiner's saw-mill for three seasons ; from 1861 to 1866, was employed as machinist
in the shops of the N.-W. R. R., when he was appointed foreman in the car and locomotive shops of rail-
road at Fond du Lac, which position he now holds. He married Miss Alice Gainford, a native of Dur-
ham, England, in 1856 ; they had two children — William J. and an infant deceased. Members of
the Presbyterian Church,
WILL.ARD EDSON was bom at Swanton, Franklin Co., Vt., Feb. 5, 1813. Was married
at Braintree, Vt., to Ann Pratt, in May, 1837 ; she died Dec. 24, 1852, leaving one son — Solon W.
SOIiOX W. EDSON, was born at West Randolph, Orange Co., Vt., March 31, 1838; came
to Wisconsin in October, 1854, where he has since resided; he was eight years clerk in a shoe store; since
FOKD DU LAC. 801
-then has been engaged in manufacturing pumps, horse-rakes, and various articles in wood. Mr. E. has
."been a member of the Odd Fellows' Lodge since 1859. He was married at Greenbush, Wis., March 31,
1864, to Frances Josephine, daughter of Perry O. Weaver ; she was born in Chittenango, N. Y., in 1833 ;
they have two children living — Eugene WiUard, born May 17, 1868, and Mabel Elizabeth, born Dec. 8,
1878, and have lost two — Mary Knowles, died at the age of 6 months, and Anna Pratt died at the age of
about 5 years. Edson & Son are manufacturers of plain and ornamental building-work, brackets, moldings,
newel-posts, stair-railing, balusters, etc.; ornamental carving, furniture, office-work, turning and seroU-saw-
ing to order. Much of their work will be found in the private residences, public buildings, lodge-rooms,
churches, etc. Solon W. Edson was a member of the Fond du Lac Fire Department from the time of its
organization until the abandonment of the hand machines, a period of about twenty years, the last five
years being an honorary member. He helped draw the first engine from the depot.
VITAL EDWIX, foreman of yard at McDonald's saw-mill, was born in France in 1838 ;
came to Fond du Lac in 1863, and began work for Sexmith & Davis, in a saw-mill, where he continued
for six years, after which, in 1869, he worked one year for the Fond du Lac Lumbering Co.j in 1870, he
worked in a planing-mill for Mr. McDonald, whence he was transferred to the position of foreman of
the lumber-yard by Mr. McDonald. Married Miss Malvina DeneauU, of Russelltown, Canada,
;in 1859 ; they have seven children — Alfred, Lafayette, Thelisford, Alexander, Adaline, Merceline and
Emma. Owns house and lot and five acres of land two miles from the city.
OSC Alt C EGER, order and shipping clerk for C. J. L. Meyer's sash, door and blind factory,
was born in Saxony in 1854 ; came to America with his parents in 1858, and settled at Watertown, Wis.,
where he lived and attended school most of the time till 1874; in 1874, he came to Fond du Lac, and
-was employed as clerk in Sarp & Whittelsey's dry-goods store for one year ; in 1875, he was employed by
Mr. Meyer as salesman in the sash, door and blind factory ; in 1878, he was made order and shipping-
clerk of the manufactory. Mr. E. has been a member of the I. 0. 0. F., since 1875- — Knights of Pythias
since 1878.
CHABIiES A. ELDREDGtE was bom at Bridgeport, Vt.; when a child he moved with his
parents to the State of New York and settled in St. Lawrence Co., near the village of Canton ; at this
time, St. Lawrence Co. was little better than a wilderness, and Mr. Eldredge endured the hardships
incident to the settlement of a new country, enjoying only the meager educational advantages afforded by
the district schools of the neighborhood; from about the time he was 18 years of age, he attended the
. academy at Canton, being able to secure this aid to his education only by the severest labor, supporting
himself, and, at the same time, paying the wages of a man to take his place upon his father's farm ; when
21, he had prepared himself for college, but, finding that he must still rely upon his own exertions alone,
he unwillingly gave up the hope of attending college, entered the law office of John L. Russell, of Canton,
and began his legal studies ; here he remained for nearly six years, supporting himself by teaching school ;
some of the time, also, acting as Superintendent of Schools ; in 1847, he was admitted to the bar ; in
1848, having practiced for some time in the lower courts of New York, he came West, settled at Fond du
Lac, and at once began the practice of his profession. In 1849, he married Maria A. Bishop, only
daughter of Arch Bishop, then of Washington Co., N. Y., but afterward of the town of Eden, Fond
du Lac Co.; his family consists of five children — William A., Arch B., May R., Charles and Adda.
In 1854, Mr, Eldredge was elected State Senator, served two terms and refused a renomination ; in 1862,
he was elected a Representative in Congress over Edward S. Bragg, a Democrat, who accepted the Repub-
lican nomination; in 1864, 1866, 1868, 1870 and 1872, Mr. Eldredge was unanimously renominated, and
re-elected by large, though varying, majorities; his opponents, during this time, were A. Scott Sloan, J. A.
Watrous, Orrin Hatch, Judge Frisby, of West, Bend, and Louis Baetz, formerly State Treasurer; in 1874,
Mr. Eldredge was defeated for a renomination, the result being largely, if not wholly, due to his action on
the " back-pay bill," generally called the " Salary Grab," which measure he supported and defended in
Congress, and as to his error or wrong in the matter is still unconvinced. Mr. Eldridge's service in Con-
gress was during the most heated and bitter time of the war, and, while he supported and' favored, with
all his energy, every measure having for its object only the suppression of the rebellion and the forcing
back of the seceding States to their allegiance, he opposed with equal vigor every measure which he
believed had for its object the subjugation of those States as conquered provinces; every measure tending
to keep alive and prolong the hostile and bitter feelings resulting naturally from the war ; he claimed
then, and the same doctrine has been held by every court which has yet passed upon the question, that
only by successful rebellion could those States get out of the Union, and that legislation by Congress which
produced or admitted such a result was only less criminal than actual rebellion in that it saved the country
802 BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES:
from the horrors of war; by his speech on the subject, he' forced from Thaddeus Stevens the announce-
ment that the rebel States were out of the Union ; were conquered provinces and rightly to be treated as
such. Mr. Eldredge served for many years upon the Judiciary Comnjittee of the House, and, with Mr.
Marshall, of Illinois, made the minority report against the impeachment of Andrew Johnson; he opposed
the passage of the law known as the " Federal Election Laws," and, in his speech upon the bill, foretold,
with a clearness almost prophetic, tiie result ; his predictions have been more than fulfilled, and the time is
rapidly coming when they will be blotted from our statute-books ; when the question of the distribution
of the Greneva award was before Qongress, Mr. Eldredge differed with both the majority and minority of
the Judiciary Committee, and, in opposing the bill proposed by the majority, held in a forcible and eloquent
speech, that as the money awarded came from Great Britain, whose wrong was against the United States,
' and the losses from which the whole people of the United States suffered, and as it was an indemnity
paid by a neutral nation for wrongs done to this nation or its citizens and for losses sustained by the nation
or its citizens during the war, nothing would more completely and justly satisfy the demands of equity,
than to cover the money into the people's Treasury for the people's use, and not to pay it over to insurance
companies and corporations who were making money and dividing among themselves two dollars for one of
their investments, while the mass of the people suffered all the horrors and calamities of the war. In
1870, Mr. Eldredge opposed the right of the Federal Government to determine the qualification of electors,
and in an able speech spoke against the action of party and party spirit in regard to such a measure. In
opposing a bill very materially changing our present naturalization laws, making it much more difiBcult for
foreign immigrants to become citizens, Mr. Eldredge advocated '• that the immigrant, coming here in good
faith to make this country his country and to cast his lot in with us, should be granted all these privileges
at once. Actual residence, with intention of remaining, renunciation of all former allegiances, and his
oath of allegiance to the United States being all that should be required.
W. A. ELDREDGE, of the firm of Butterfield & Eldredge, merchant tailors; born in Fond
du Lac June 25, 1850 ; son of Hon. C. A. Eldredge, who came here in 1849 ; Mr. Eldredge graduated
from the Law Department of the Georgetown University at Washington, D. C, in June, 1875 ; he was
admitted to the bar by the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia ; he was engaged in practice at
Milwaukee for a short time prior to engaging in his present business, in November, 1878. He married
Miss Lillie Cook, daughter of Charles Cook, of Washington, D. C, in Washington, Nov. 11, 1873; she
died in that city in March, 1875 ; his present wife was Anna, daughter of WiUiam Mason, of Fond du
Lac ; they were married Dec. 25, 1878 ; she was born near Windsor Castle, England.
C. li. ESrCKINtt, real-estate agent, was born at Holstein, Germany, Jan. 17, 1837 ; came to
Taycheedah in 1852, where he lived two years ; he then came to Pond du Lac and engaged as a dry-goods
clerk with Sewell & Co.,, which firm he bought out eighteen months later, the firm becoming Bower &
Encking ; this firm continued two years, after which Mr. Enoking followed agricultural pursuits until 1862,
when he returned to the city and, in January of that year, began clerking in the Register's Office, which he
followed until December, 18^4, when he bought out R. Ebert's real estate, loan and notary business, and has-
continued in it ever since ; he is also ocean steamship ticket agent, abstracter of lands, perfecter of titles,-
etc. He has been City Comptroller two terms. Alderman and in other local offices. He was married, at
Fond du Lac, Jan. 6, 1868, to Ida Bechaud, a native of Germany ; they have two children — Emelie and
Louise. Mr. Encking is a member of the Commandery, Chapter, Masonic Lodge, Concordia Benevolent
Society and German English Academy.
CAIilCE E. ERRARD, proprietor of grocery store ; was born in Canada in 1824 ; he grew
up and lived on a farm there until 1862, when he went to Vermont, from there to New Hampshire and
thence to Michigan, spending six years in the three States, after which he returned to Canada and spent
the winter of 1868-69 ; in the spring of 1869 he moved to Fond du Lac and began the grocery business,
in which he has continued since that time. He married Miss Delphine Ladduke, of Fond du Lac, in 1874,
and has two children — Malina and Joseph. Mr. Errard and his family are members of St. Louis Catholic
Church.
SEDASTIAN EUDEMILLiBR, proprietor of marble works, was born in Germany in 1829;
came to New York City with his parents in 1845 ; in 1846, he began his trade with the firm of Fisher &
Bird, of New York City, and with whom he remained until 1861, when he came to Fond du Lac, and was
in the employ of Sterns & Sherwood, marble men, for one year ; in 1863 he began the business for himself,
and has since been proprietor of the same. He is one of the charter members of the German Odd Fellows'
Lodge, prior to which he was a member of the American Lodge ; was a member of the City Council from
the Second Ward in 1875; was assistant engineer of the Fire Department for two years; organized the
Hook and Ladder Company, of which he was Foreman until 1873 ; he was also a member of the Fire:
FOIXD DU LAC. 803
Department while in New York City. In 1852, he married Miss Barbara Schneider, of New York ; they
have seven children — Rebecca, Barbara, Katie, Paulina, Matilda, Louisa and Charles.
OWEN EVANS, Foreman of Fire Engine No. 3 ; was born in Trenton, Oneida Co., N. Y., Nov.-
22, 1855 ; came with his parents, William and Catherine Evans, now residents of the city, to Fond du-
Lac in 1868 ; Mr. E. has been connected with the fire department three years, prior to which time he was
connected with various mills and factories ; he is a member of the I. 0. 0. F. Lodge.
ASAPH C. EVEItEST, grain-dealer; was born in the town of Addison, Addison Co., Vt.,
in 1816 , his parents, Zadock Everest and Olive Taylor, both died in Vermont ; in 1836, he immigrated
to Knox Co., 111., and for one and a half years was engaged in merchandising, and then removed to Rock
Island, 111, whence, in 1840, he returned to Vermont ; in 1841, he came again to Knox Co., 111., and was
in business one year in Knoxville and then returned a second time to Vermont ; in 1846, he came to
Fond du Lao Co., Wis., and settled on a farm in the town of Lamartine, where he followed farming till 1854;
he was one of the organizers of the town of Lamartine and was the first Chairman of the Town Board ;
in 1854, he entered some land in Minnesota, but never settled on it ; in the fall of 1854, he removed to
Galesburg, 111.; remained the winter, and, in the spring of 1855, came to the city of Fond du Lao, where
he has since been dealing in grain and produce. In June, 1846, he married Miss Clara Drury, who
died in the spring of 1857, leaving two children — Anna, now the wife of Daniel Abercrombie and lives
in the Province of Quebec, Canada, and Mary D., now the wife of William Coolbaugh and lives in
Algona, Iowa. In 1857, he married Thankful M., daughter of Ralph and Sarah Abercrombie. of Lower
Canada; their children are Kate A. (now a student at the State University), Byron (deceased), Albert C,
now at home. Mr. and Mrs. E. are members of the M. E. Church. Mr. E. has been a member of the
City Council several terms. i
JAMES E WEN, retired ; is a native of New York City, where he was born in 1806 and
resided until 1831, spending much of his time with his brothers, who were civil engineers of that city,
and, at the same time, devoting his attention to steaml^oat building ; in May, 1831, he went from New
York to Canada to build steamboats for the navigation of the St. Lawrence River, which he continued tiU
1835, when he returned to the city of New York and made that his home till 1840 ; after an absence of
five years from Canada, he was again sought by the company, in whose employ he had been, to again
engage in building steamboats for them, which he consented to do, and remained with the company for
nine years; in 1849, he came to Pond du Lac and began the lumber trade, which he continued one year,
when he exchanged that business for a hotel, then known as the '• Lewis House," of which he was pro-
prietor for a little more than ten years ; his wife growing weary of such a life, he rented the hotel and
retired to private life ; in two or three years after that, he disposed of the hotel building, and has since
been mostly engaged in buying and selling real estate, cashing notes, loaning money, etc. He married
Miss Isabella Milton, of Niagara, in September, 1835, by whom he has had seven children, three of whom
are now deceased; those living are Mariah (now Mrs. Dudly, of Fond du Laej, Milton, John J., Isabella
and Frank E.
J. Ij. D. EYCLESHimEB is a native of Pittstown, Rensselaer Co., N. Y., born June 1,
1824, and is the son of John P. and Mary (Cushman) Eycleshimer, also natives of New York, but of
Holland descent; he spent his earlier life on a farm in his native county, and, in October, 1850, immi-
grated to Wisconsin ; he firsi settled in the city of Janesville, Rock Co., where for seven years he was
engaged in the livery business and at the same time carried on a farm ; during the year 1858 and part of
1859, he was dealing in fast horses, and spent much of the time in the Southern States ; returning to
Janesville in October, 1859, he formed a copartnership with Louis P. Harvey, afterward Governor of Wis-
consin, H. 0. Clark and John S. Harvey, and began milling at Shopiere, Rock Co., Wis., which they, as a.
firm, continued till 1865 ; Nov. 21, 1859, he removed to the city of Fond du Lac for the purpose of sup-
plying their mill with wheat from that market; after the dissolution of their milling firm in 1865, he con-
tinued dealing in grain and produce, more or less, till the fall of 1870 ; in November, 1862, he was elected
Sherifi"of Fond du Lac Co; in the spring of 1864, he was appointed Chairman of the Board of Public
Works in the city. In the fall of 1870, he was elected Register of Deeds of this county and filled the
office with such credit to himself and satisfaction to his friends that he was re-elected to that office in
1872; his term of office expiring January 1, 1875, he again resumed the grain trade, which he has fol-
lowed most of the time since; spent one year (1879) in the business in Dakota; he is now operating in
grain at Rosendale, Pond du Lac Co. Sept. 1, 1847, he married Miss Harriet A., the youngest daughter
of Elisha and Lydia Sherman, of Pittstown, Rensselaer Co., N. Y.; they have two sons — Charles S., now
Deputy Register of Deeds of Fond du Lac County, and Fred L. D., who is now a student at stenography
in this city. Mrs. Eycleshimer is a member of the Baptist Church.
804 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
JAMES H. FARNS WORTH, Secretary of the La Belle Wagon Works ; is a native of St.
■Charles, 111., where he was born in 1839 ; his parents soon afterward moved to Racine, Wis., where they
lived till James was about 8 years old, when in 1848 they came to Fond du Lac; in 1868 he became
SL partner in the firm of Farnsworth, Knapp & Co., wholesale and retail hardware merchants ; then the
largest wholesale house in the State outside of Milwaukee ; in 1873 he disposed of his interest in the hard-
ware trade, and in 1874 became business manager of the La Belle Wagon Works, in which capacity he
served till 1879 when it became a stock company and he was chosen Secretary for the company. In Feb-
ruary, 1868, he married Miss Aurelia S. Ingram, niece of Dr. Darling, of Fond du Lac; they have three
children— Dana A., born Nov. 29, 1871 ; Claire, born April 1, 1875 ; Annie, born Dec. 29, 1877. Mr. F.
and wife are members of the Congregational Church. Mr. F. has been a Mason for a number of years.
Mr. Farnsworth has been connected with the La Belle Wagon Works since its origin ; he was one of the
originators of the works which are now so well known throughout this country.
WILIilAM FARIVSWORTH, (deceased); was born in Groton, Mass., Oct. 23, 1819 ;
received his education at the Seminary of Groton by the time he reached his 15th year; in 1834, he
with his parents moved to St. Charles, 111.; he desired to learn the cooper's trade, and his father agreed to
give him his time and all he could earn from that time On; before he reached his 21 year he had
saved $300 from his earnings, but the company failed and caused him so much trouble in getting his hard-
earned savings that he firmly resolved that in after life he would make his living with his brains rather
than his hands, which resolution he faithfully kept ; in 1840 he with his parents moved to Racine, Wis.;
-whence in 1848 he came to Fond du Lac, landing here with only $5 in his pocket to meet his expenses
till he could find a way by which he could replenish his much-reduced purse ; his first business after
settling here was with his father in the manufacture of grain cradles, which he continued till 1854, when
he established the wholesale and retail hardware store ; in the same year he took Mr. Isaac Sherwood in as
a partner when the firm was known and existed till 1868 as Farnsworth & Sherwood, hardware merchants ;
in 1868 James H. Farnsworth and William H. Knapp purchased Mr. Sherwood's interest, and the firm
was then known as Farnsworth, Knapp & Co.; in 1868, under the name of Farnsworth, Knapp & Co.,
the La Belle Wagon Works were established, Mr. Farnsworth being the prime mover in the establishment,
and the most active and energetic man connected with the works till 1873, when- the business changed
hands, though he continued an interest in the business till 1876 ; in June, 1877, he went to Colorado and
was there interested in the sale of wagons and lumber till his health suddenly failed him and he was com-
pelled to return to his home at Fond du Lac, shortly after which he died, Sept. 3, 1878. In 1852, he mar-
ried Miss Mary Bdgerton, sixth daughter of Dr. J. Edgerton, of Fond du Lac, whom he left a widow with
three children — Cara, M. Antoinette and Emma. Mr. Farnsworth was one of those enterprising and
public-spirited men to whom much credit is due for the establishment of some of the most beneficial indus-
tries of which Fond duLac to-day is so justly proud.
HOW. JAMES FITZGERAIiD, was born in County Cork, Ireland, April 13, 1817 ;
came to Boston April 20, 1848 ; resided in the town of Randolph, Mass., six years ; arrived at Fond du
Lac.July 12, 1854, and began the business of shoemaker, which he has followed for over fifty years. Mr.
F. has taken an active part in- politics; served as Alderman of the Fourth Ward, and was a member of the
Assembly for the city of Fond du Lao in 1878. He was married in Boston, Aug. 5, 1849, to Johanna
Berry, born in county Cork, Ireland. They have five children — William, James, John, Thomas,
Edmund and Johanna.
FRAXK A. FLOWER, journalist ; was born at Cottage, Cattaraugus Co., N. Y._, May 11,
1854'; began attending school at the age of 6, and, from that time until his education was finished, was
never absent a whole day from his classes ; at 13, he was sent to Madame Staats' private school for Latin,
French and literary students ; at 14, to the Gowanda Academy, and at 15 to the State Normal School at
Fredonia, N. Y., where he took a classical course. His first contributions to the press appeared, under a
fictitious name, simultaneously in the New York Tribune and EUicottsville Union, in 1867. From that
time he has written continuously for the leading newspapers and periodicals. At 18, he was engaged for
one year as reporter and traveling correspondent for the Fredonia (N. Y.) Advertiser and Union. At 19,
he was engaged as Principal of the school at Perrysburg, which position was retained until he came to
Fond du Lao in November, 1874. At school, he was chosen editor of the Zetesian and the Sans
Souci. He wrote several dramas, which were successfiTlly put upon the stage, and numerous stories,
while carrying three extra studies in school. At the graduating exercises at the State Normal School,
after delivering his oration on " Hogs Amongst Kings, or Kings Amongst Hogs," he was requested to
elaborate and deliver it as a lecture for the benefit of the Public Library of Sinclairville, which he did to
a full house. This earned for him the title of " boy lecturer," and this oration, or " lecture," was delivered
FOND DU LAC. 805:
twenty times during that winter in Erie, Cattaraugus, and Chautauqua Cos. After arriving in Wis-
consin, Mr. P. eng;aged to deliver the same lecture in Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota, but, being taken
severely ill, only filled two engagements — at Eureka and Winneoonne, Wis. During the winter of 187i-75,
he did his first newspaper work in Wisconsin upon the Ripon Gommonwealih, which he left in the early
spring of 1875, to read law with Coleman & Spence. May 1 of that year, he engaged as local editor
of the Fond du Lac Saturday Reporter, continuing in that capacity until the paper changed hands, after
which he was employed upon the Milwaukee News. Connection with that paper was severed in the fall,
and Mr. F. took the " stump " with Congressman Charles Gr. Williams, Hons. E. C. McPetridge, Satterlee
Clark and Quartus H. Barron against the re-election of William R.. Taylor for Grovernor, his first speech
being at Waupun. Immediately after the State election of 1876, he went to Iowa, where he taught
.school one term at Mitchell, returning to Fond du Lac March 1 , 1877, to become associate editor of the Daily
Commonwealth, which position he held, performing most of the necessary editorial labors, until Nov.
8, 1879, when he resigned on account of ill health, and to accept literary labors of a less exacting nature.
Mr. Flower was married at Ripon, Dec. 22, 1875, to Miss Nettie E. Appleby, born in Green Lake Co.,
Wis., April 20, 1854. He never has used tobacco in any form, played a game for money, or used liquor as
a beverage. In 1874, he was awarded the cash prize by the National Butter and Egg Association, which
was paid by Daniel W. Dake of Beloit, Wis., for an illustrated pamphlet on the manufacture of butter
and cheese.
CHARLES W. FJLOWER, dealer in books and stationery ; was born in Middlebury, Vt.,
Dec. 22, 1842 ; lived several years in Montreal, Canada ; came to Fond du Lac in 1864, and engaged in
the lumbering business; in 1871. he began his present business. Married at Chicago, Jan. 18, 1870, to
Frances E. Arnett, of Chicago ; they have one child — William Arnett Flower, born in April, 1874. Mr.
Flower's only brother, Aaron Parker Flower, is a hardware merchant at Spring Valley, Minn.
EDWARD FLYNN was born in County Waterford, Ireland, in 1832; his parents, William
and Honora (Corcoran) Plynri, were also natives of that county; he came to America in 1853, and
stopped in Massachusetts for three years ; in 1856, he came to this city, where he has since lived ; he now
owns a house and lot on corner of Rees street. He was married to Catherine, daughter of Joseph and
Julia Lynch, nee Foly, also natives of County Waterford, Ireland ; their children are John, Hanora, Will-
iam, Ellen, Patrick, Mary, Julia, Edward, Joanna, Margaret. The family are members of St. Patrick's
Catholic Church.
E. F. FORD, paper dealer ; was born at Bast Livermore, Me., March 14, 1840, where he resided
until 1852, when he moved to Massachusetts, after which, Aug. 15, 1854, he came with hia father to
Fond du Lac ; after 1858 he was the traveling representative of a confectionery establishment at Mil-
waukee for nine years ; three years thereafter, represented a wholesale grocery house, and, in 1877, began
dealing in paper, bags, twine, etc., at Fond du Lac. Mr. F. was married, Sept. 23, 1863, to Maggie Dew-
rose, who was born near Pittsburgh, Penn.; they have one child — Nellie E. Mr. Ford's father, Luther
L. Ford, died at Fond du Lac in 1872.
FRANK N. FOX, dealer in hats, caps, ladies' fine furs, gents' furnishing goods, sachels,
valises, etc.; born in Prussia Nov. 4, 1842; came to Milwaukee with his parents in June, 1854. In
August, 1865, he enlisted in Co. C, 24th W. V. I.; served until June 28, 1865, when he was mustered
out at Milwaukee ; during his service, he was detailed to do provost-marshal duty at Gen. Sheridan's
ieadquarters for about nine months. Came to Fond du Lac in August, 1865; commenced business here
Aug. 25, 1865 ; learned the trade of hatter and furrier in Milwaukee ; commenced work at his trade in
1858 ; Mr. Fox is a member of the Turner Society, I. 0. 0. P., and A., F. & A. M. Married, in Fond
du Lac, to Miss Mary Altpass, Aug. 20, 1867 ; they have two children — Prank E. and Edwin P.
JOHN FRANCIS was bom in Cornwall, England, July 17, 1834; came to Canada in 1854;
to Portage City in 1857, where he resided one year, and to Pond du Lac, June 28, 1858, engaging for
two and a half years in the livery business, since which time he has been in the hardware trade ; he first
began this businsss with S. E. Lefierts, and has been with him and his successor twenty years. Mr. F.
was married in the town of Ashford, Fond du Lac Co., April 25, 1861, to Mrs. Sophronia Harris, born
near Cornwall, Canada, Dec. 19, 1833 ; she is a daughter of Elizabeth Hitsman, who came to Pond du
Lao Co. in 1845.
EDWIN C. FRENCH (deceased), was a native of Cornwall, county of Stormont, Can.; born
JVIay 5, 1817 ; he received a common-school education in his native county, and early in life began to earn
his own living by clerking in a dry-goods store ; later, he became interested in public works, as follows :
Beauharnois, Lachine and St. Ann's Locks ; the Northern Railroad, of New York ; the Bytown & Pres-
oott, now called the Ottawa and St. Lawrence, of Ontario ; the Union Canal, of Pennsylvania, and several
806 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
railroads of Ohio, Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota. The last few years of his life were devoted to
the manufacture of gas and building of railroad bridges ; having thus spent most of his life in public enter-
prises, which shall be of lasting benefit to those who may come after him, he died at his home in Pond du
Lao June 30, 1876; he was a man of an active and acquisitive disposition, and by his public sjiirit, enter-
prise and industry, he acquired a reasonable portion of this world's gocUds as the fruits of his honest toil,
Nov. 21, 1848, he was married to Miss Mar;?aret, daughter of Daniel and Esther McArthur, of Montreal,.
Can., by whom he had five daughters — Esther A. (the late Mrs. G. P. Knowles), Catherine (now Mrs.
G. P. Knowles, of Fond du Lac), Josephine, Jennie and Jessie M. The family are members of the Epis-
copal Church.
CHARLES Li. FREDERICK, attorney, was born in Eldorado, Fond du Lac Co., in 1853 ;
son of Charles W. and Louise D. Frederick, who were early settlers of the town ; attended the Fond du
Lac High School and Commercial College ; was in the Kegister's office two years ; studied law with Cole-
man & Spence, after which he entered the Michigan University, graduating in the law and literary depart-
nlents in 1876, being then admitted to the bar of the Circuit and Supreme Courts of Michigan ; he was
admitted to the bar in Wisconsin the same year, since which time he has been in the practice of his pro-
fession.
• JACOB ERE Y, of the firm of J. & C. Frey, grain-dealers and brewers ; was born in Germany
in 1824 ; came to Milwaukee in August, 1848, and in May, 1849, he, with his brother Charles, began
the brewery business here in the summer of 1849, and have since continued the business ; in 1866,
they purchased an elevator, having capacity of 30,000 bushels, and have since been engaged in buying
grain in connection with their brewery establishment. Mr. Jacob Frey married Miss Dora Newkirk, of
Milwaukee, in 1850, she being a native of Germany also ; they have three children-^Amelia, Frank and
Anna. Mr. Frey was a charter member of the first Odd Fellows' lodge organized at Fond du Lac.
CHARLES FREY, partner and brother of Jacob Frey; was born in Germany in 1826;
came with his brother Jacob to Milwaukee in 1848, and to Fond du Lac in 1849; has always been
been a partner in business, so that the history of one's business is a history of the other's also ; in 1859, he
married Miss Mary Schafer, of Fond du Lac, by whom he has three children — Charles, Julia and Johanna.
Messrs. J. & C. Frey are now the oldest German residents in the city of Fond du Lac, the few who cam&
prior to them havinsr died or moved away.
RUDOLPH FRITZ KE, Principal of German Lutheran School ; was born in Prussia Oct;
7, 1849 ; came to America in 1867 and settled at Milwaukee, Wis. ; he was educated at Du Page Semi-
nary, Addison, 111., where he entered in 1871 and graduated in 1873, soon after which he began teaching
in the Lutheran school at Fond du Lac, and after his first year's work, he was made Principal of the
school, which position he has since held. In 1874, hd married Miss Emma Luseberg, of Addison, whose
acquaintance he formed while there at school ; they have three children — Julia, Emma and Rosa.
JACOB C. FIIHR3IAN, superintendent of J. C. Huber & Co.'s drug-mill ; was born in the
town of Calumet, Fond du Lac Co., April 11, 1851 ; son of Jacob and Kate Fuhrman, now residents of
that town ; Mr. F. was raised on a farm ; served an apprenticeship at wagon-making in Caluniet Village ;
worked at that trade three years ; went to California in 1870 ; returned after six months to Missouri,
where he worked one year at his trade ; removed then to Woodville, Calumet Co., where he worked one
year at his trade, and two years at farming ; in 1874, he sold out and came to Fond du Lac, where he has
since been engaged in the medicine-manufacturing business, associated with J. C. Huber ; Mr. F. is one
of the proprietors and Superintendent of the drug-mill. He was married at Fond du Lac April 15,
18.79, to Clara L. Bischoff ; she was born in the city of Fond du Lac Aug. 22, 1856. He is a Turner
and a member of Economical Lodge, K. of H.
JOHjV F. M. tirAERTlVER, overseer of the County Poor and Insane Asylum ; was born in
the province of Rhine in 1831; emigrated to America with his parents, John and Barbara Gaertner,
reaching the town of Byron, Fond du Lac Co., Wis., Aug. 12, 1847, where he followed farming for about
fourteen years, whence, in 1861, he removed to the city of Fond du Lao, where he was in the eimploy of
J. & C. Frey, brewers, from 1862 till 1868, after which, for one year, he was interested in the grain
trade with Mr. Louis Rupp, of that city ; he next was in the saloon business till September, 1877 ; Jan.
1, 1879, he was installed overseer of the County Poor and Insane Asylum, by the County Board, which
office he has efficiently filled. In January, 1855, he was married to Miss Helena, daughter of Mathias
and Mary Schmidt, of the town of Lamartine ; they have five children — Maggie, Ma'ry, Bertha, Dina
and Annie. Mr. Gaertner and family are members of the Catholic Church.
CHARLES STELSON €r ALL AND, carpenter and traveling salesman ; was born in the
town of Lamartine, Fond du Lac Co., Wis., Dec. 25, 1857 ; a son of William and Mary Galland, who
FOND DU LAC. 807
•came to Wisconsin in the fall of 1841, and wto are still living on Sec. 2, town of Fond du Lac ; at the
-age of 14, Charle3 N. began leamiog the carpenter's trade, which he has ever since followed, working
• winters in the McDonald Manufacturing Co.'s shops, and traveling summers selling and setting up their
machines.
CHARIiFiS ALFRED GAIiliOWAY, lumber manufacturer ; was born near Lowville,
Xewis Co., N. Y., in April, 1835; came to Fond du Lao in 1863, where he very soon after enlisted in the
39th W. V. I. ; on his return from the army, he was employed in the lumber business with his brother,
Edwin H. Galloway, now deceased, with whom he continued a few years before entering the same business
for himself, which he still follows on an extensive scale, being a member of the firm of Moore & Gallo-
way. Mr. Galloway has served as Alderman, Mayor, member of the Board of Supervisors, and, March
4, 1880, was appointed by President Hayes United States Collector of Revenue for the Third Wisconsin
District. He was married at Sergeant's Blufis, Iowa, in November, 1870, to Emma A. Kennedy ; they
have one child, born in September, 1871.
JAMES OAYBfOR, lumbermDu ; was born in Canada in 1839, and lived there till 1855,
when he went to Janesviile and lived one year; in 1856, he came t) Fond du Lac ; began the lumber
business, rafting from Oshkosh to Fond du Lac, which he continued till 1874, since which time, he has
been operating in lumber over on the Chippewa and its tributaries, where he has 7,000 acres of pine
land, shipping from three to five million feel annually down the Mississippi River. Mr. Gaynor has a
one-acre lot on Sheboygan street which is covered by a growth of the natural forest trees, making one of
the nicest lots for a dwelling in the city of Fond du Lac. He was a member of the City Council from
-the Second Ward in 1875. Married Miss Mary Doherity, of Fond du Lao, in 1872 ; they have three
• children — Terresa, Stella and Edward J., all of whom, with their parents, are members of St. Patrick's
Catholic Church.
AUGUST GEISIiFR, proprietor of meat market; was born in Germany in the year 1830 ;
he followed farming there until 1855, then came to America and began the butcher trade in Milwaukee,
whence he came to Fond du Lac in 1871. In 1855, he married Miss Ernestina Bericle, of Germany, by
whom he has three children — Edward, Paulina (deceased), Amelia. He and family are members of the
•Lutheran Church.
HE\R¥ J. GERPHEIDB,attorney at law ; he was born at Manitowoc, Wis., May 5, 1853;
from 1871 to 1873, he was a student at th'3 State Normal School at Oshkosh ; he then entered upon the
study of law with the firm of H. G. & W. J. Turner, of Manitowoc, and continued in their office until
early in the year 1875 ; after spending a short time in Appleton, he came to Fond du Lac,' locating here
in March, 1875; May 7, of the same year, he was admitted to the bar, and has continued the practice of
his profession in the city ever since. In October, 1878, he married Eleanor P. Perkin^!; daughter of Hon. George
Perkins, present County Judge of Fond du Lac Co.; she was born at Brandon, in this county; tneyhave
one son — George H.
JOFLi B. tJERlIOND, watchmaker; he was born at Pleasant Valley, near Poughkeepsie,
N. Y., Dec. 15, 1818 ; in 1839, he removed to Savannah, Ga., where he lived two years ; lived one year
in Philadelphia; twenty-three years in New York City ; removed to Chicago in 1865, and to Fond du
Lao in 1872. Mr. G. began the business of watchmaking in 18315, and has worked at it ever since. He
was married in New York City, April 12, 1849, to Perraelia Hunt, born in that city March 23, 1828 ;
they have four children — Irving Hunt, Joel Arnoux, Harry Johnson and Myra Jane.
OEORGF GIDDIIVGS, of the firm of Do Groat & Giddings; is a native of Wisconsin, and
was born in 1852; lived at Sheboygan till 14 years of age, when, with his parents, he came to Fond du
Lac ; was educated in the public schools of Sheboygan and Fond du Lac; followed farming till 1872;
from 1872 to 1875, he worked in aflouring-mil! with his father; in 1876, became a partner of Mr. De Groat,
in the firm of De Groat & Giddings, manufacturers of engines, mill machinery, etc. In 1878, he married
Miss Hattie Belle Hunter, daughter of George Hunter, of Fond du Lac ; she is a member of the Episco-
pal Church. Mr. Giddings has been a K. of P. since 1878.
NATHAN C. GIFFIN ; was born Oct. 18, 1833, at Hamilton, a small village seven
miles south of the city of Ogdensburg, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y.; he is the oldest son of Nathan Ford
Giifin, and a lineal descendant of Simon Giffin, who, about the year 1761, was a prominent citizen of
Halifax, Nova Scotia; his grandfather, David Giffin, was a native of Bennington, Vt., who, in 1800, at
the age of 34 years, settled in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., on a farm in the town of Oswegatchie, six miles
above Ogdensburg, where he resided for forty years ; he was a captain during the war of 1812. Nathan
Jord, his fourth son, in 1830, at the age of 25 years, located in Hamilton, where he still resides, having,
SOS BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
by his untiring energy and strict business habits, secured a competency for his old age ; he has one daugh-
ter, his firstborn, who resides in Nebraska, and his six living sons (one died at the age of 16 years) are all
married and well settled in life ; two are lawyers, one a physician, one a merchant, one a teacher and one-
is a farmer. Dr. L. W. Griffin, the youngest of the family, is a resident of this State and at present
located at Menasha. Nathan C. Giffin, the subject of this sketch, was educated at the Gouverneur Wes-
leyan Seminary, N. Y., and Union College, of Schenectady, N. Y., at which latter institution he graduated
in 1859, and at once went to New York City to finish his law studies ; be was admitted to the bar in
1860 ; during the Thirty-Seventh Congress, he was Clerk of one of the United States Senate Committees.
In 1862, he was married to Miss Jane C. Eddy, daughter of Zephaniah Eddy, a prominent farmer of the
town of Philadelphia, N. Y.; in 1863, he came to Pond du Lac with his wife and infant daughter, (where
he has since resided), and opened a law office; he has held several prominent positions here; has been
a member of the Board of Education, Chairman of the First Ward, President of the Common Council,
for five years. City Attorney, and for four and one-half years County Judge, and is at present
one of the Directors of the Public Library, which is maintained by the" city of Fond du Lae. He
has four children, three daughters and one son. He, his wife and three daughters, are members of the
M. E. Church, of which he is one of the Trustees. Judge Giffin is at present practicing law in the city
of Fond du Lac, and 0. T. Williams, a graduate of Lawrence University and a promising young lawyer,
is his partner. Mrs. Giffin is well known throughout the county, and is noted for her benevolence and
zeal in every good cause.
JOHN W. (irllili, roadmaster of the Sheboygan & Fond du Lac Railroad ; was born jn County
Mayo, Ireland, June 24, 1838; came to America in 1849 ; resided in Syracuse, N. Y., until he came to
Fond du Lac, in November, 1856; Mr. Gill has been in the employ of the Chicago & North- Western
Railway Co. about twenty years, spending four years in their employ in Michigan. He was married at
Neenah, Wis., to Catherine Mongan, June 6, 1864, a native of County Roscommon, Ireland ; they have
five children — Mary A., Ellen M., William J., Catherine and John C. Mr. Gill has served several terms
as Alderman ; been member of the County Board, and for many years President of the St. Patrick's
Benevolent Society.
COIi. N. S. GrIIiSOJf, attorney at law; was born at Middlefield, Geauga Co., Ohio; he came
to Wisconsin in 1860 ; in September, 1861, he enlisted at West Bend, in Co. D, 12th W. V. I.; he entered
the service as 'a private, and was promoted to be Sergeant of his company, then as Sergeant Major of his
regiment ; during a portion of the year 1862, his regiment was doing duty in Missouri and Kansas; in
June of that year, they joined the Army of the Tennessee at Columbus, Kentucky; a portion of the time
he was with the Army of the Cumberland on detached duty ; in August, 1863, he was promoted to the
first lieutenancy of Company H, 58th Regiment U. S. Colored Infantry ; he participated in the siege of
VicksbUrg, siege of Jackson, battle of Perryville, and other engagements; he served as Judge Advocate
of the District of Natchez, on the staff of Maj. Gen. Davidson, and in 1865-66 was Judge Advocate of
the Department of Mississippi, on the stafi' of Maj. Gen. Osterhaus, and also on the stafi" of Maj. Gen.
Thomas J. Wood; he was mustered out of the service as Lieutenant Colonel June 12, 1866, and was
brev^tted Colonel of V. 8. Volunteers by the President. After leaving the army, Mr. Gilson spent a year
at the Albany (N. Y.). Law School, graduating in 1867; in 1868, he began the practice of his profession
in the city of Fond du Lac ; since that time Col. Gilson has served one term as City Attorney of Fond du
Lac, and one term as District Attorney of Fond du Lac County ; he is now practicing law as a member of
the firm of Gilson & Ware, at Fond du Lac.
L.01JIS GOIiDSTUCKER, Justice of the Peace ; born in the kingdom of Hanover, in
January, 1819; came to America in October, 1849 ; came to Fond du Lac in April, 1853; elected Justice
of the Peace first in 1857.
THOMAS GOUGrH, groceryman; was born in Ireland in 1833, where he lived on a farm till
1852, when with parents he moved to Quebec, where he remained for three and one-half years ; he came
to Fond du Lao in the year 1856 and began clerking in a hardware store for R. Deacon, with whom he
remained for one year ; he then clerked in different stores in the city of Fond du Lac till 1863, when he
entered the store of E. H. Jones & Bro., for whom he clerked eight and one-half years; leaving them in
1871 he started a grocery store of his own, which business he has since continued. He married Miss
Katie Kelly, of Elba Township, Dodge Co., Wis., in 1870, who died in June, 1872, leaving three chil-
dren, whose names are as follows : Mary, John T. and Katie; Mary and John T. are now living, but Katie,
the youngest, lived only about two weeks after the death of her mother. Mr. Gough married Miss Sarah
Ford, of Rosendale, Fond du Lao Co., Wis., in 1876, by whom he has one child — Annie. Mr. Gough and
all his family are members of the Catholic Church.
FOND DU LAC. 809
JOHN JE. GOUIiD, farmer; was born in Monmouthshire, Wales, in 1821. In April, 1846,
he with his parents — John and Margaret Grould — set sail for America, and landed in New York June 8,
following ; they stopped for one year at Minersville, Penn., where he engaged in coal mining ; thence to
Clinton, Ohio ; thence, in 1849, to Fond du Lac Co., and followed farming in the town of Eldorado till
1865. He then disposed of that farm and bought his present home of ninety-eight and one-half acres in
Section 4, town of Fond du Lac, of which he sold nineteen and one-half acres, leaving him seventy-eight
acres, valued at about $80 per acre. He married Miss Isabella Kendall of Eldorado, in 1861 ; they have
had three children — George, Charles (deceased), Martha. His wife is a member of the Presbyterian
Church.
WEiNDlili OBAUS, proprietor of saloon; was born in Prussia in 1821; immigrated to
America in 1845 ; landing at New York, he went to Pennsylvania ; thence to Ohio, and there was
employed as a molder in a foundry for about six years ; leaving Ohio in 1856, he spent most of that year
in traveling through Illinois, Iowa, down the Mississippi to St. Louis and hack to Cincinnati, Ohio ;
thence he emigrated to California, where he remained till 1861. He then returned to New York, and
there set sail for Europe, where he visited Hamburg, Heidelberg, Baden, Ludwick, Paris and Southampton,
and various other places of interest. He set sail from Southampton, and reached America again in 1 863,
and settled in Fond du Lac, where he soon began his present business. Married Miss Eva Halk, daugh-
ter of Michael Halk of Germany ; they have four children as follows : Louisa, August (deceased), George
(deceased), Joseph, now of New York. Mr. G. and family are members of St. Mary's Catholic Church.
Mr. Graus was a member of Common Council from Fourth Ward, for one term — 1869.
liEROY GRAVES is a native of Truxton, Cortland Co., N. Y., where he was horn in 1830,
and lived till 15 years of age. He moved to Waukesha, Wis., and was engaged in the manufacture of
saleratus and pearl-ash for about two years ; moved to Rochester, Wis., and was with his father in same
business for about three jears ; after which, he founded Gravesville, Calumet Co., and from which county
he was a member of the State Legislature in 1861. From Calumet Co., he moved to Kansas, and was
engaged in the horse and mule trade till 1866, when he began the dry-goods and grocery business at Fond
du Lac. In 1867, he was appointed Chairman of the Committee of Councilmen of Fifth Ward; in 1868,
was elected Chairman of the Board of Public Works, and has twice since been elected Chairman of the
Council from the Sixth Ward. In 1878, he built a store at Coleman Station on Wisconsin Central Rail-
road, which burned Jan. 6, 1879, since which time he has been engaged in looking after lands along the
Weston & Lake Shore R. R. Married Miss Kate Baldwin of Lowell, Dodge Co., Wis., in 1848, who died
in 1866. In 1868, he married Miss Marietta Cumming of Fond du Lac, by whom he has had three
children — John L. and Edwin (now decease^), and Pearl H. Mr. Graves has been an active worker in
the Greenback party, and was one of the Delegates to the State Convention at Madison in 1876.
EDWIN C. GrRAY, physician and surgeon; was born at Norwich, Chenango Co., N. Y., in
April, 1838 ; studied medicine with his brother at Eaton, Madison Co., in the same State, where he began
practicing in 1862; it the fall of 1867, Dr. Gray came to Fond du Lac, where he has since resided,
engaged in the practice of his profession and in manufacturing. He is a member of the Masonic, Knights
of Pythias and Knights of Honor Lodges, and is the State Medical Examiner of the last-named order.
JAMES T. (jrRBENE, abstracter and insurance agent; was born at Rochester, N. Y.; came
to Fond du Lao in 1847, which has since been his home; he was engaged in farming until 1863 ; in 1866,
he entered the Register's office as Deputy, where he remained until January, 1871, where he was
appointed Enrolling Clerk of the State Senate; Mr. G. then spent one year in Oregon; returned to Fond
du Lac, and in May, 1862, became a member of the firm of Lamb & Greene, which lasted until January,
1875; he was then Deputy Register one year, after which he engaged in his present business; recently
the firm became Greene & Newton ; Mr. Greene was City Assessor in 1878 ; City Comptroller sinCe April,
1879; Superintendent of the Poor and City Purchasing Agent since February, 1880.
COIi. THOIflAS H. GREEN, architect; was born in East Greenwich, Kent Co., R. I.,
April 2, 1828; reared in the town of North New Berlin, Chenango Co., N. Y.; on his 17th birthday,
started for Fond du Lac, which has since been his home, arriving here May 1, 1845 ; after serving three
years with Isaac Brown as carpenter, began contracting and building, his first contract being to build Fry's
first brewery ; in 1855, opened an office as architect, having done much of that kind of work previous to
that time. Col. G. enlisted April 17, 1861 for ninety days, in Co. I, 1st W. V. I.; commissioned First
Lieutenant April 23, 1861 ; at end of the ninety days, he re-organized the company for three years, and was
commissioned Captain of Co. K., Aug. 28, 1861 ; was with his regiment in all its principal engagements ;
was shot through the neck at Perryville, July 8, 1862 ; wounded in left foot and forehead at Chicka-
mauga, September, 1863; promoted to Major July 1, 1864, having acted as Major and had virtual
810 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
command of his regiment after first year's service as Captain; discharged Oct. 13, 1864; soon after
entered Gen. George H. Thomas' army, as Field Hospital Sutler, of the Army of the Cumberland, in
which he served to the close of the war ; he then speculated in oil during two years in Canada, returning
afterward to Fond du Lac and his profession. Col. G. was married at Fond du Lao, April 17, J851, to
Sarah I., daughter of Selim Newton, who located in Fond du Lac Co. in 1844; they have three children
—Charles T., born Feb. 2, 1853; Lucy A., now Mrs. C. W. Morris, born Jan. 26, 1855; Dwight E.,
•born Dec. 24, 1860. The finest blocks, residences and public buildings in Fond du Lac, Waupun, Clinton'
Escanaba and other cities, were from designs by Col. Green ; in Fond du Lao, pome of them are the
High School, residences of M. D. Moore and W. B. Brand, No. 5 engine house, Bartlett's market, Mur-
phy Block, La Belle wagon works, storehouse and many others. He served as Alderman of the First
Ward in 1856.
DR. E. li. GRIFFIjV, physician and surgeon ; was born at Hillsboro, N. H., Sept. 21, 1821 ;
he was educated at Kimball Union Academy, of Meriden, N. H., and Dartmouth College; graduated at
Pittsfield, Mass., from the Berkshire Medical College, in 1849; he practiced medicine in New Hampshire
until 1855, when he came to Fond du Lac, where he has since resided and practiced his profession. Dr.
G. was one to take initiatory steps in forming the State Board of Health, of which he is President ; he is
also a member of the Rock River Medical Society, and a prominent member of the Congregational Church.
He married Abby M. Mason, of Newburyport, Mass.; they have two daughters living and two dead; the
living ones are Abbie W., now Mrs. J. W. Bass, of Red Wing, Minn., and Susan M., residing with her
parents; the deceased were an infant and Helen T., who died Sept. 12, 1868, aged 15 years.
JOHIV Q. G-RIFFITH, lumberman ; was born at Pike, N. Y., March 1, 1818 ; came to Fond
du Lac in 1850 and followed the transportation business between Fond du Lac and Sheboygan until
engaging in the manufacture of lumber in 1856 ; he operated the old Wilbor & Henry mill in 1859, and,
in 1860, purchased the Forest Street Mill, which he run until 1871, when he erected his present large
mill on West Division street; in 1866, his son. Carver N., was admitted to partnership, and, in 1870,
Wilbur A., another son, was also admitted, the firm being since that time, J. Q. Griffith and sons. Car-
ver N. Griffith was born at Centreville, Allegany Co., N. Y., and Wilbur A., at Hume, in the same
county. The maiden name of the first Mrs. J. Q. Griffith, who was born in Vermont, and died in Jan-
uary, 1853, leaving four children, was Lucy Goss; the present Mrs. G. was Jennie M. Riddell, of Massa-
chusetts; the children are Carver N., Wilbur A., Albert G., Hattie S., now Mrs. J. C. Heitbahn, of
Fond du Lao, and Jennie (a daughter by the second Mrs. Griffith), now Mrs. Dr. Haucker of Oshkosh.
JOHlSr GrRISSiJIAJiflV, farmer, Sec. 21 ; was born in Germany in 1803 ; he learned the stone
and brick mason's trade, which he continued there till 1847, when he immigrated to America and settled
in Sheboygan Co., Wis., where he followed farming till 1876 ; he then bought his present farm of eighty-
six acres in Sec. 21. In 1847, he married Maggie Sittler, of Germany; they have six; children — Her-
man, Annie, John, Jr., Charles, Augustus, Jennie.
S. S. ijrUIIiE, veterinary surgeon ; residence on Twelfth street ; office and stable on Third
street; he was born in Batavia, N. Y., May 11, 1832 ; in his native city he learned the profession of
veterinary surgeon, and practiced there until 1853, in which year he came to Wisconsin, and practiced in
Brandon, Fond du Lac Co., until about 1865, when he commenced delivering a series of lectures on the
various diseases that the horse was heir to, and traveled over several of the Northwestern States and
Canada; in 1872, he located permanently in this city (Fond du Lac) and successfully followed the prac-
tice of his profession here since ; he has several fine blooded stock horses that are unequaled in the State.
Mr. Guile has been twice married ; his first wife was Martha Jones ; she died in Rochester, Wis.; his
present wife was Meta Paine ; has one child — Nellie, born in Fond du Lac Co., Wis. luNpolitics, Mr.
Guile is a Democrat. In his profession he has an extensive practice, and has attained a good reputation
as a thoroughly qualified surgeon.
REV. FATHER HAAS, ex-Custos of St. Joseph's of the Capuchin Order; is a native of
Switzerland; bora Nov. 25, 1826 ; he received his preparatory education at Salura and Lucerne and pur-
sued the higher studies of philosophy and physics, in the Lyceum at Lucerne, but completing that
part of his education in the Seminary of Resoul, France ; his theological studies were pursued in the
Universities of Freiburg, Tubingen and Munchen ; he was ordained to the Holy Order by Bishop Solz-
mann, of Basel, of Salura, Dec. 28, 1851 ; from the time of his ordination till 1856, he was assistant
priest of Sts. Peter and Paul's Church, Liesberg ; in 1856, he, in company with Rev. Father Bonaventura
Frey, came to America to establish the Capuchin Order ; they located at Kenosha for six months, and,
in the spring of 1857, returned to Europe to get the ecclesiastical approval of the establishment
of the Order in America, and also to bring over seven brethren, with Antowine M. Gachet, the appointed
'■if'T^a^
ROSCNOALE.
FOND DU LAC. 813
Superior for the establishment of the Order in this country ; Dee. 2 was the day set for the investment of
himself, Father Bonaventura Prey and one layman with the habits of the Order, at Calvary, Fond du Lac
■Co. After the departure of Father Antowine M. G-achet, May 19, 1859, Father Haas was appointed
Superior of the institution of the Order ; with its growth, he became Guardian Commissary and Gustos
of the Province till October, 1879, having thus safely guided the Province through the first twenty years
of its life ; it now numbers three convents and five houses with Superiors.
IjOUIS F. HAAS, of the firm of McLean & Haas ; was born at Worms, on the Rhine
River, Nov. 3, 1843 ; oamd", with his parents, in 1848, to Poughkeepsie, N. Y., ; three years later, came
to Milwaukee ; two years later, removed to Humboldt ; in 1857, removed to Kershena, Wis., where his
father, Frederick Haas, was Government farmer among the Indians until March, 1861 ; he came then to
Fond du Lao, and began learning the blacksmith's trade in April of that year, which he has since
followed, having been in business for himself since 1867. Mr. Haas was married at Fond du Lao, Nov.
5, 1870, to Maggie Vaughan, born in New York State. He is a Turner, and has been Foreman and First
Assistant Chief Fire Marshal in the Fire Department.
JOHX HABERKORIV, merchant tailor; was born in Prussia Nov. 24, 1830, and came
from there direct to Fond du Lac in 1855, where he began work at his trade for others ; in 1866, he
began business for himself, which he has since continued. He was married at Fond du Lac April 19,
1856, to Johanna Hundt, a native of Prussia; they have ten children, seven sons and three daughters —
Charles, William, Hermina, Louis, Othelia, Gustav, Dora, Edward, Frank and Albert, all living at home
-with their parents. His father and mother, John and Maria Haberkorn, live on Sec. 18, town of Ashford,
where they settled in 1854. Mrs. H.'s father and mother, Martin and Sophia Hundt, reside with Mr.
Haberkorn.
ERNEST HAEBfTZE, gardener and florist, on Linden street; is a native of Germany ; born
in 1839 ; began his wade when 12 years of age, and followed it there for four years ; in 1856, he set sail
for America, and landed in New York Dec. 24, and January following came to his mother at Fond du
Lac, who had preceded him three years ; in May, he went to Milwaukee, where he was in the employ of
Mr. Jacob Mahler, florist, till 1861 ; he then returned to Fond du Lac, and for one year was interested
in the sale of nursery stock ; in spring of 1862, he went to New York City, and worked as gardener on
Staten Island during that year ; returning to Fond du Lao in 1863, he purchased three and two-fifths
acres of land, and began the business of gardener and florist, with a capital of $4,000. In New York
City, in 1863, he married Miss Caroline Beck, daughter of John Beck, a shoemaker of Germany ; they
have had seven children — Charles, Edward, Robert, Lena, Ernest, Richard, and Otto (deceased).
REV. SARIN HAL.se Y, Pastor of the Division Street M. B. Church, is a native of Elmira,
Steuben Co., N. Y., born in December, 1843 ; at the age of 12, he with his parents immigrated to Illinois,
where he attended public school for a while ; then entered the seminary at Evansville, but completed his
theological studies at Evanston, 111. in 1870 ; in the following year, he was ordained Deacon at Milwaukee,
and two years after, at Whitewater, he was ordained Elder in the Methodist Episcopal Church ; his first
was that of Pleasant Prairie, in 1869 ; in 1870, he was assigned to the charge at Pensaukee, and in 1871,
to-Waterford, and for the two years following at Union Grove; he was next at Waukesha, 1875-76 ;
thence to Kenosha for two years, whence, by the Conference, in 1879, he was assigned to his present charge.
He "was married to Miss Ella Ward, daughter of 0. M. Ward, a farmer of Walker's Prairie, Kenosha Co.,
in 1871. They have one daughter, Ethel. Mr. H. has been a member of the I. 0. 0. F. for two years.
AliFRED K. HAIIILTON, lumberman-,, was born at Lyme, Grafton Co., N. H. ; spent
two years at the West Point Military Academy ; came to Fond du Lac in 1863 ; followed the drug business
two years, and then began the manufacture of lumber, which he has since continued ; in 1868, he became a
member of the firm of I. K. & W. C. Hamilton & Co., which continued until 1871, when the firm became
Hamilton & Finley — A. K. Hamilton and W. S. Finley ; in May, 1879, Mr. F. retired from the firm, and
the mill and lumber business established in 1856 by I. K. & W. C. Hamilton, are now carried on by A. K.
Hamilton ; Mr. H.'s mill, which is located at Luco, just outside of the city limits, has been in operation
for twenty-four consecutive seasons.
JOHN HAlIIIiTOlV was born in the year 1812, near Newton Stewart, county of Tyrone,
Ireland, his father being a weaver by occupation, to which trade his son was early apprenticed ; his father
was John Hamilton, his mother Jane Meekin ; when 21 years of age, the subject of this sketch, with
his next younger brother, believing that free and generous America offered greater inducements to young
men having their fortunes to carve and create by personal effort, than could be found within the crowded
limits of his native isle, bade good-by to the loved ones at home, and set sail on the 6th of May, 1833, in
the ordinary emigrant vessels of that day, for Quebec, where, after a stormy trip of forty-two days, they
CO
814 , BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
landed with but very little money ; of course, there was no opportunity to work at his trade, but
with ready and willing handsie sought any employment which by the most diligent effort and closest economy
promised a livelihood ; his first permanent engagement was probably as a farm hand to one Deacon Swift,
to whom he engaged for six months at $5 per month ; more faithful service was never rendered, and the
most complete satisfaction given, but the " Deacon " cheated his employe out of every cent, and during
the remainder of John Hamilton's life, so strong was he — by his early experience — prejudiced against this
common church title, that it is probable the most unfavorable impressions always followed any name having
this prefix. The great object was to earn money to send back to his home to 3efray the expense of bring-
ing other members of the family to America ; at the close of his six months' engagement, he had just one
shilling in money more than when he commenced, and earned in the following manner: After dark, at the
close of a long, hard day's work, a person stopping at his employer's house said to young Hamilton, who
was milking the cows, " Can you find me a boy who will carry a letter to Perriburg (nine miles distant),
and bring me a reply before morning? I will give him a shilling." Hamilton replied that as soon as the
chores were done he would find some one to carry it. On foot and alone he made the trip that night, and
earned the offered price. This, as before indicated, was the only pay he received for his first half-year's
labor in free America. But here was demonstrated the secret of John Hainilton's coming success. When
he left the Deacon's employ, he had every cent of his shilling in his pocket. The earnings of the first few
years were all sent back to his home, to aid in the support of his invalid father, and in bringing over his
brothers and his sisters with their families. In this enterprise he was always joined by his brother Henry,
who, like John, got his start by severe manual labor, rendered for a remarkably low price. The brothers
commenced and remained through life in business partnership. After three years, when they had saved
for themselves a few dollars cash in hand, they united their capital and embarked in business — the sale of
nice dress goods, silks, laces, fine linens, shawls, etc., goods in demand by the wealthier class of commnity,.
and for which high prices and corresponding profits were readily received. They were both excellent
judges of the merchandise they handled, sold nothing but the best quality, bought and sold for cash,
gained and held the confidence of their patrons, and, in comparison with their earlier efforts, accumulated
rapidly. When 31 years of age, John married Miss Mary A. Meekin, at Charlotte, Vt., while his
brother Henry, on the same day, hour and place, married her sister Kate. The wedding, in fact, was
appointed for Henry and his bride, the additional nuptials having the very briefest origin, love, courtship
and marriage all within twenty-four hours, and which, nevertheless, proved from thenceforth through life
a most pleasant and harmonious union. Though still in partnership, the brothers ceased merchandising,
and in an unostentatious way retired from active business of any kind, further than the purchase of securities^
and loaning of their money. In 1851, they both, with their families, started westward, and finally located
at Fond du Lac, continuing the same business, and rapidly won and held the hishest respect and esteem
of all with whom their business or social relations brought acquaintance. Financial prosperity rewarded
their efforts, not fast, but steadily and surely. Mr. Hamilton raised a family of three children — Henry M.,
the oldest, now a banker at Mankato, Minn.; Kate, the only daughter, now the wife of C. K. Pier;
George T., the youngest, in the U. S. Army, now stationed at Fort Totten, Dakota Territory. The pres-
ent labor and land troubles in Ireland recall an incident characteristic of the man, and at the same time
explain the troubles referred to. While riding with his daughter along a country road, past a farm he
had recently purchased, having reached a point commanding a rich scene of fields, groves and streams, it
reminded him of some familiar spot of his younger days in the old country, and he remarked upon the fact,
but added, it was much nicer in Ireland with its groves all trimmed, its level roads and beautiful hedges.
" Then, father, if it was so much nicer, why did you leave there? " ' " Ah ! Katie, your father stood no
chance of owning them there." As a husband, parent and neighbor, he ranked among the purest and best.
Although not a member, he was for years a regular attendant at the Presbyterian Church. In national
politics, he _^ was always a Repubhcan ; in local elections, his vote and voice were for the man he deemed best
fitted for the office named. His social nature was most remarkable, his cup of happiness being apparently full
to overflow when at home surrounded by his family, or neighbors, and his discomfiture simply indescribable
when left alone. The infiuence of his kindness of speech and sterling integrity was felt and seen in a
thousand different ways. Borrowers preferred to borrow from him, at even a higher rate of interest than
their securities would readily command with banks or brokers. Lenders, those having a surplus of money,
urged that he take and keep it for them. The confidence of the people in John Hamilton's word was
simply unbounded and without limit. His death occurred April 16, 1871, the result of a long and pain-
ful sickness, apparently having its origin in a simple indisposition, occasioned by an ordinary cold. His-
widow resides with her daughter, surrounded by ample and merited comforts, not the least of which are six
grandchildren, while two others are in Minnesota.
rOND DU LAC. 815
HENRY HAMIIiTON, capitalist ; was bom in Ireland, thence he came to America in 1834,
settling first in Vermont ; in 1849, he went to California and afterward to South America, returning and
locating in Pond du Lac in 1853. Mr. Hamilton has, since he came to Fond du Lac, been extensively
engaged in real-estate transactions and loaning money. He been a member of the County Board, but gives
no attention to politics.
IBENUS K. HAMILiTOHr, lumberman ; was born Dec. 1, 1830, at Lyme, Grafton Co., N.
H.; came to Fond du Lac in the spring of 1855, where he was one of the leading citizens and lumber
manufacturers until May, 187Y, when he removed to Chicago to attend to the large lumber interests of the
Hamilton & Merryman (Jo., of which he is President, in that city. Mr. Hamilton has held various
local offices in Fond du Lac, and was a member of the Legislature in 1869. He was married at
Brooklyn, N. Y., to Mary Louise Waierbury, a native of New York City ; they have four children —
Amy (now the wife of R. J. Orby Hunter, a prominent attorney of Kansas City), Louise, Nathaniel W.
and Irenus K.
WOODIWASJ C. HAMlLiXOX, lumberman and capitalist ; was born at Lyme, Grrafton Co.,
N. H., Feb. 22, 1834; came to Fond du Lac in May, 1855, and at once engaged inthe manufacture of
lumber ; in 1866, he began lumbering operations in Menomonee, Mich., which he has since continued on
an extensive scale ; in 1870, Mr. Hamilton transferred his lumbering interests to Chicago and Northern
Michigan. In 1873, he erected the Post Office Block, and the Grand Central Block in 1874. Mr. Hamil-
ton has held various offices — among them. President of the Board of Public Works ; President of the
Board of Education ; Alderman, and is now a member of the Prudential Committee of Ripon College. He
was married, Feb. 16, 1858, at Brooklyn, N. Y., to Mary Taylor Weed, who was born at Darien, Conn.,
but who was reared in New York and Brooklyn; they have had six children— William Irenus, Charles
Woodman, Stephen Dolson (died January, 1868, aged 4i years), Herbert Weed, Edgar Lookwood
and Arthur Little, all born in Fond du Lac. Mr. Hamilton gives his personal attention to every depart-
ment of his immense mining, real-estate and lumbering operations.
E. K. HAHIIEOIVD, was born in Massachusetts May 14, 1853; his father, Edward S. Ham-
mond, came to Fond du Lac twenty-three years ago. Mr. Hammond has been connected with the Fire
Department for some time, being now stationed at JElna Engine House No. 5. He is a member of the
Firemen's Mutual Aid Society.
CHARIiES A. HAIVDT, insurance agent; was born in Saxony, Dec. 7, 1824; came to Mil-
waukee June 28, 1849, located ia Milwaukee, and, one year later, came to Fond du Lac, where he has
since resided. Mr. Handt was educated for an architect ; in Fond du Lao he was four years in the cigar
manufacturing business ; then a house and sign painter ; next a hotel proprietor ; three years in the
Register's office, and, for eighteen years, has followed the insurance business. He was mamed at. Fond
du Lac in March, 1853, to Wilhelmina Encking, born in Schleswig Holstein, Germany ; they have had
four children — Charles R. (died May 28, 1879^ aged 22 years and 6 months) ; the living are Lena, Min-
nie C. and Louis C. Mr. Handt was three years City Clerk ; is a member of the Concordia Society and
1 .0. 0. F. Lodge.
P. H. HAXlVIGrAlV, senior member of the firm of Kuicks & Hannigan, grocers, on the cor-
ner of Forest and Brook Streets; was born in Cleveland, Ohio, March 15,1852; came to Dodge Co.,
Wis., with his parents, when only 1 year and 6 months old ; settled at Horicon, whence they moved to
Burnett Junction in 1858 ; thence to Fond du Lac in 1865 ; he first began in the shingle manufactory for
J. Q. Griffith & Sons, where he was foreman of the shingle department till 1870 ; he was next in the gro-
cery house of Branchaud & Branchaud, where he remained till a short time before his establishment of
the firm of Kuicks & Hannigan in May, 1878. July 30, 1874, he married Miss Emifia Odett, daughter
of George Odett, grocer, of Fond du Lac ; they have one daughter — -Alice. They are members of St.
Patrick's Church.
H. S. HAK^SON, confectioner, was born in Lincolnshire, England, Sept. 25, 1829; came with
his parents at the age of 4 years to Hudson, Ohio ; removed to Beaver Dam, Wis., in 1856, and came
irom there to Fond du Lac in 1870 ; Mr. Hanson has been in the mercantile business since he became
17 years of age, and has followed his present business seven years. He was married at Beaver Dam on
March 16, 1864, to Henrietta A. Price, born in Manchester, England, July 8, 1845 ; they have two chil-
dren— Edward H., born Feb. 13, 1865, and Albert R., born April 10, 1872 — and have lost one, a son,
who died in infancy. Mr. Hanson is a member of the orders of A. 0. U. W. and I. 0. 0. F. Their infant
son who died was named Guy Stringer ; he was born March 2, 1876, and died Sept. 3, 1876.
816 BIOGEAPHICAL tSKETCHES :
MARK R. HARRISOX, artist, was bora at Hovingham, Yorkshire, England, Sept. 7, 1819,
whence he was brought by his parents, Robert and Ann Balmore Harrison, to the village of Hampton,
Oneida Co., N. Y., when 3 years of age ; at the age of 14 he went with the family to Hamilton, Canada ;
he studied for an artist under Bowerman, in Toronto, Kimble, in Rochester, and Inman, in New York
City, about five years, and then went to Europe, spending eighteen months in the Royal Academy under
the tuition of Charles Hilton ; after traveling for some time, Mr. Harrison returned to Toronto, lived
there two years, at Rochester one year, and then went to Hamilton, where he painted dioramas, which
were burned; Sept. 18, 1849, he located at Oshkosh, and engaged in shipbuilding, which was abandonec(
when he came to Fond du Lac in 1852, where he has since resided; in 1843, Mr. Harrison painted the
" Death of Abel," which attracted much attention in this co,untry and Europe ; " The Deluge," " Jephthah's
Rash Vow," " The Angel Delivering Peter from Prison,*' "Indian Summer," and " Peter Listening to the
Cock Crowing," are some of Mr. Harrison's paintings which have gone to England at high figures ; other
paintings have gone to Paris, Boston, New York, the British Museum, Chicago, Indianapolis and other
cities ; Mr. Harrison painted four pictures from Longfellow's " Hiawatha," and photographs of them by
Chadbourne having been sent to the poet, he replied as follows, referrmg also to " Gathering for the War-
path," a strong picture of an actual scene before the Custer massacre :
Cambridge, February 2, 1880.
My Dear Sir — I have had the pleasure of receiving your letter, and the photographs you have had the kind-
' ness to send me have arrived safely. I hasten to thank you for them, and say how much I like them.
I cannot enter into' any detail of criticism, but, in my judgment, your strong point is the landscape, and the
Indian faces, which are very characteristic.
I should like to know if Sitting Bull, Raln-in-the-Face, and Crazy Horse are portraits or only fancy heads. It
is a striking picture in which tliey appear.
Please accept my thanks for this mark of your consideration, and the compliment you pay me in illustrating
" Hiawatha," and believe me, with best wishes for your success,
Yours, very truly, Henry W. Longfellow.
Among Mr. Harrison's other noted works are " Cleopatra's Triumph," " Castle Canon," " Sunset on
the Coast of Labrador," " The Haunted Lake," " Morning in the Elk Mountains," " Cromwell's Charge
at Marston Moor," and various paintings of Western scenery. Although past 60, Mr. Harrison still makes
daily use of his brush.
Tj. J. HARVEY, retired; is anative of SuiFolk, England ; botn in 1809, and is the son of Joseph
and Lydia Harvey ; he early learned the nursery trade, and in the spring of 1830, he, with a friend, set sail lor
America, landing in New York in June of that year ; after traveling over much of the country, from New
York to Albany and Buffalo, and not being; pleased with it, they concluded to return to New York and
apply for passage to ^England ; they did so, and after reaching New York, and delivering some messages
to friends there, they applied for passage, but were told that they would have to wait about a fortnight,
as the ships on the line to London sailed only on alternate Wednesdays ; during the time they were wait-
ing for passage, Mr. Harvey found employment in a nursery at Brooklyn for three days, July 1, 2 and 3 ;
the 4th being Sunday, his friend came to see him at his hotel, and was murdered without any pro vocation by an
Irishman ; Mr. Harvey was bound by the authorities to appear at the trial of the murderer, and was thus
detained ; on account of the feeling in New York at that time, and the desire to keep all rumors of murder
from European countries, for fear of retarding immigration, Mr. Hardy was detained till the fall of 1831
before being able to return ; Feb. 29, 1832, he landed again in New York, and, on March 2, he began
work with Mr. Hogg, at what is now known as the Botanic Gardens, where he continued for two years;
in 1834, he went to Newark, N. J., where, in one house for twenty-seven years, he conducted a nursery
business, and, at the end of that time, left it to his oldest son, who continued in the same for nine years
more; in 1853, he came to Pond du Lac (Jo., and bought several hundred acres of land in the towns of
Eden and Fond du Lac ; he left a man, whom he had brought with him, to take charge of and superin-
tend his land; Mr. Harvey returned to Newark, where he spent most of his time until 1861, occasionally
coming out to look after his land in this county ; during the first year of the war, Mr. Harvey moved his
family to his land in the town of Eden, Fond du Lac Co., where they resided until 1864, when they
returned to Newark ; in 1870, he moved to Richmond, Va., and started a nursery for his son, which he
himself managed or looked after until 1876, when he again came to Fond du Lac, and lived in the city
until October, 1878 ; he then purchased eight acres of land in Sees. 24, 15 and 17, known as the John
McDonald Place. Jan. 1. 1832, he married Miss Sarah A., daughter of John and Elizabeth Jones, of
Suffolk, England, who died at Fond du Lac in 1871, leaving three children — Jacob J. (now of Richmond,
Va.), Anna V. (now Mrs. Adams, of Fond du Lac), and Henry (of Lincoln, Neb.). Nov. 22, 1876, he
married Mrs. Ruth R. Brown, widow of Capt. Brown, and second daughter of Edward Pier, the second
FOND DU LAC. 817
white settler of Fond du Lac, she being the first baby in Fond du Lac, having been born at Green Bay
and brought here when only four weeks old ; she had two children, a son and a daughter — Edward Pier
Brown and Hattie A. Brown, the latter of whom is a member of the Episcopal Church.
CHARIiliS W. HASKELIi, dealer in boots and shoes, 458 Main street; was born in
Cornwall, Addison Co., Vt., where he received a commercial education and the advantage of a position in
his father's store ; when a youth, he went to Greenwich, Washington Co., N. Y., and became connected
with the extensive boot and shoe manufactory of Haskell & Lamb, afterward the Greenwich Boot and
Shoe Co., with which concern he remained eight years ; then, after spending a year with Weed, Haskell
& Co., of Troy, N. Y., he was in the employ of the North Bennington (Vt.) Boot and Shoe Co. for two
years ;. his connection with the best factories enabled Mr. H. to become familiar with all the different
grades of goods placed upon the market ; after severing his connection with these factories, Mr. Haskell
engaged in business for himself, representing seven of the leading factories of the East, whose goods he
sold extensively to the merchants of the Northwest-, in 1874, he came to Fond du Lac and engaged in
the boot and shoe business, at 520 Main street, and, in 1876, removed to his present quarters, where he
has increased facilities for his extensive business ; having travel ed for and represented the leading manu-
factories for a long period of years, Mr. H. has the advantage of purchasing goods direct from the fac-
tories, thus enabling him to sell all classes of goods at the lowest prices.
CHARIjES HASS was born in Schoenrade, city of Friedberg, New Mark, Germany, March
27, 1855 ; came to Fond du Lac from Europe in 1874 ; worked for C. J. L. Meyer for some time ; April
3, 1877, he opened a saloon, which he has since continued ; Mr. Hass is a member of the Sons of Her-
man, Turner Society and Sharp Shooters. He was married at Pond du Lac, Jan. 6, 1878, to Miss Min-
nie Beatzer, born in Germany ; they have had one child, which died in infancy.
HENRY HASTINGS, son of Thomas and Eunice Clark Hastings ; was born in the town of
Amherst, Mass., May 1, 1818; removed to Oshkosh, Wis., in 1855 ; came to Fond du Lac in April, 1861 ;
ran the Empire Mills until December, 1861 ; carried on butchering business until 1866 ; sold agricult-
ural implements and ran a nursery two years ; in 1868, carried on butchering business in Negaunee,
Mich., and from fall of 1869, engaged in mining operations in Utah; worked one year in the car-shops at
Fond du Lac : in 1872, helped form the firm of Sabin, Bushnell & Hastings, owning the wheel and seeder
shops ; spent four years in these shops and on the road ; then manufactured tinware one year; in Decem-
ber, 1877, began the coal business and shipping produce and meats to the Lake Superior country ; he still
is a Director of the Wheel and Seeder Co. Mr. H. was married first at Amherst, Mass., June 2, 1840,
to Sarah C. Pomeroy; she was born at Hadley, Mass., July 9, 1819, and died at Amherst, Sept. 21,
1849, leaving three, children, two of whom are living — Harriet E., now Mrs. Geo. A. Badger, of Minne-
apolis, and Thomas H., residing at Amherst; Emily P., died Dec. 5, 1845. He was married a second
time, at Springfield, Mass., June 10, 1851, to Mrs. Esther A. Dickinson, born in Amherst, Jan. 17, 1817;
they have three children — Cora B. (now Mrs. C. E. Plumb, of Oshkosh), George P. and Charles L. Mr.
Hastings has been an Alderman two terms.
coil. ORIN HATCH, retired farmer ; is a native of Duanesburg, Schenectady Co., N. Y. ;
born May 15, 1807 ; enlisted in Light Infantry, 188th Kegiment, 14th Brigade, 14th Division of the
New York State Militia ; was soon elected Sergeant in his company, and thence gradually promoted till he
became Colonel of his regiment in 1828 ; in 1834, was elected Assessor of the town of Florida, N. Y.,
which office he held for two years; in 1843, was appointed Superintendent of the Poor in Montgomery
Co., by the County Board ; was appointed Superintendent of Sec. 3 of the Erie Canal, by the Canal
Board, in 1846, serving in that capacity till 1848, when he resigned to take charge of a farm he had pur-
chased in Schoharie Co.; leaving the farm in 1849, he moved to Sharon Springs, N. Y.; bought forty acres
of land and laid it out in town lots ; in 1851, he moved to Cherry Valley, Otsego Co., N. Y,, and engaged
in the hotel business for about two years, after which, in 1853, he returned to the homestead in Sche-
nectady Co.; thence in 1854, to Wisconsin, and settled in Fond du Lac Co. on a farm, where he followed
agricultural pursuits till 1871 ; was elected member of the County Board of Fond du Lac Co. for three
terms; was appointed United States Assessor for the Fourth District of Wisconsin in 1861, by President
Lincoln ; removed by President Johnson and re-appointed by President Grant in 1872 ; was a member of
City Council, from Eighth Ward, in 1876; was elected Mayor of city in 1878. In 1830, he married
Miss Mariah Howe, daughter of Judge Reuben Howe, of Montgomery Co., N. Y., who died in 1840,
leaving one son, Reuben, who died at the age of 18. In 1841, he married Miss Emily A. Braman,
daughter of Dr. Joseph Braman, of Duanesburg, Schenectady Co., N. Y., by whom he has had five chil-
dren— Delos, farmer ; Marvin, of 1st W. V. I., died 1863 ; Eugene, farmer, near Jefferson, Wis. ; Louis
(deceased at 14 years), Julia A. Col. H. owns 700 acres, mostly in Fond du Lac Co., aside from town
818 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
JONATHAN A. HAZARD was born at Binghamton, N. Y., and came to Pond du Lac
in 1868, where he began the real-estate business; four years later he added the fire and life insurance
business, which he continued until 1878; dealing in real estate he has continued up to the present time ;
Mr. Hazard lived in Broome Co., N. Y., except one year in Steuben Co., until he moved to Wisconsin in
1868. He married at Windsor, N. Y., Dec. 1, 1857, Miss Achsa A. Blatchley; they have two children
■^— Vesta J. and Willie J. Mr. H. is a member of the Division Street M. E. Church; has been Alder-
man of the Fourth Ward, and a member of the City or Ward Committee ever since he arrived in Fond
du Lao.
MOTITER MARY AGNES HAZATTE, the first elected Sister Superior of St. Agnes'
Convent, of Fond du Lac; is a daughter of Christopher and Mary Hazatte, natives of Loraine, France,
but emigrants to Buffalo, N. Y.,in 1846, where Mother Mary Agnes was born, May 7, 1847; not long
after her birth, her parents removed to Detroit, Michigan, where they both died; her mother in 1853
and her father in six years after; at 5 years of age, she entered the school of the Sisters of Notre Dame,
and continued there until about 12 years old, after which for two years she attended the school of the
Sisters of " Sacred Heart " at Detroit ; in 1863, she went to Barton, Washington Co., Wis., where her
church had established a small community, and there continued her studies till 1865, when she was elected
Superior of the Convent; was re-elected in 1868, and in 1870, removed the community to Fond du Lac,
and has since been twice re-elected. Such is a brief sketch of the life-history of one, who, though
deprived of her parents early in life, has ever kept in view the reward of a life of charity and Christian
virtues; though motherless, she (possessing those maternal qualities) has been a kind mother to all
connected with the convent.
JOHIV HEATH, of the firm of B. Wild & Co.; was born at Over Cheshire, England, June
13, 1847 ; came to America to Mineral Point, Wis., where he remained one month, and then to Fond du
Lac, his present home, in 1867 ; during his entire residence here, he has been connected with B. Wild's
steam bakery, and, since 1872, has been one of its proprietors. Mr. H. has served as Alderman two terms
and is in the samepfiice now; is also a member of the Royal Arcanum, Knights of Honor and Royal
Templars of Temperance. He was married at Fond du Lao, June 8, 1869, to Sarah J., daughter of B.
Wild; she was born in Crewe, England; they have one child living, William Henry, born in December,
1871, and have lost an infant son.
WIIililAM A. HE ATHCOTE, architect and practical builder for C. J. L. Meyer ; is a
native of Rotherham, Yorkshire, England ; born in May 17, 1829; he began his studies in his native
country, but came to America in 1848, and coinpleted them with Fields & Correager, of New York City,
in 1850; in 1853, ha immigrated to Pond du Lac, where he has since continued his trade; his first work
in Fond du Lac was the driig store for 0. S. Wright, after which he was interested in and architect for sev-
eral large buildings in the city and surrounding country and neighboring towns ; among them, St. Patrick's
Catholic Church, of Fond du Lac, the Oshkosh Court House, High School building at Waupun ; the
First Grammar School, of Fond du Lac; High School building at Plymouth, Wis.; Gas Works build-
ing, of Fond du Lac ; the machine-shops and foundry for Mr. Meyer's factory ; among the residences,
Mrs. E. H. Galloway's, McDonald's, Mr. Meyer's and others; in 1864, he raised a recruit force of eighty
men, ahd was appointed to take charge and superintend the construction of transfer barracks at Nashville,
Tenn., under Capt. Irvin. He was married to Miss Jane M. Wherrey, daughter of William Wherrey,
farmer, of West Farmers, Westchester Co., N. Y., May 14, 1850; the children are Margaret J., now Mrs.
Alson Cole, of Vesper, Wood Co., Wis.; Mary A., now Mrs. R. G. Turner, machinist of Fond du Lao;
Addie v., Susie, Henry, Sarah, Guy, Gracie (deceased). The family are -members of the Episcopal
Church. f
THOMAS HEN IVIBfCr, carpenter, contractor and builder ; was born in Devonshire, Eng.,
Jan. 6, 1832; came to Hamilton, Canada, in '1838, where he resided three years; removed to Ancaster
one year ; then on a farm at Port Dover until 1852 ; in May of that year, removed to Aurora, Kane
Co., 111., where he lived four years; returned to Canada for three years ; in October, 1859, removed to
Dixon, 111., whence, in October, 1866, he came to Fond du Lac. He was married at Aurora, 111., April
9, 1855, to Sarah Melissa Smith, a native of West Stockbridge, Mass. ; they have two children living, —
Charles W. and John N. — and lost an infant son at Dixon, 01.
ROBERT FITZ HENRY, confectioner and fruit-dealer; born in New York April 20;
1853 ; when he was only 2 years of age he was brought to Fond du Lao by his parents at the age of 9.
years he was employed in the shops of the Chicago & North- Western R. R. Co., where he remained until
the fall of 1876 ; Jan. 20, 1878, Mr. Pitz Henry engagtd in his present business. Dec. 26, 1876, he was
married to Katie Corcoran ; she was born in the city of Pond du Lac ; they have had two children — one
son died Aug. 29, 1878, aged 9 months ; they have a son named Georgie, he was born July 6, 1879.
FOND DU LAC. 819
THOJIAS S. HENRY was born at Cherry Valley, Otsego Co., N. Y., in 1812, and moved
to Erie Co., in that State, in 1832, where he resided until he moved to Fond da Lac, in 1849 ; he, with
others, built the first circular-saw mill in Pond du Lao ; has been engaged in lumbering and milling under
the firm name of T. S. Henry & Co. ever since he came to Wisconsin ; in 1866, he began the manufact-
ure of flour in the Galloway Mills, which he has continued ever since ; he has also been engaged in the grocery
and foundry business, the former being an adjunct of his lumbering operations. Mr. H. was married in
Erie Co.,N. Y., to Miss Lucinda Howard, a native of Paris, in that State ; they have three children — C.
S.. Greortre A. and Frank W. Mr. H. has been Alderman one term and City Treasurer one year.
CHARIiES HETH, retired ; was born at Ticonderoga, Essex Co., N. Y., removed when a
youth to Silver Creek, Chautauqua Co., in that State, where he lived, engaging in the hotel business the
last few years before coming to Pond du Lac Township, in 1857. and to Fond du Lac City, which has
since been his home, in 1859. Mr. Heth's business in Pond du Lac was that of dealing in hay and grain,
which he carried on extensively until 1879, when he retired. He was married, at Silver Creek, N. Y., in
August, 1843, to Vilutia Buxton, a native of Brockville, Genesee Co., N. Y., who died Oct. 11, 1879, '
leaving two children — Mary M., now Mrs. Henry W. Durand, and Emma A. ; they lost two children —
Louie and AUie, aged 8 and 9 years respectively.
fi'. W. HINES, dealer in agricultural implements ; born at Aurelius, Cayuga Co., N. Y., Sept.
9, 1838; when he was only about 9 years of age, his father, James Hines, came with his family to Wau-
kesha Co., Wis. In August, 1862, the subject of this sketch enlisted in Co. E, 2'lth W. V. I. ; served
until June 22, 1865, having been in the service two years and ten months ; he was in the battles of Perry-
ville, Chickamauga, Murfreesboro, etc. In February, 1873, he came to Fond du Lao, and has been
extensively engaged in selling farm machinery ever since.
JOSEPH W. HTIVER, attorney at law ; was born at Fond du Lac Sept. 12, 1854, where he
has since resided ; he was educated at the State University, at Madison, from which he graduated in 1 876 ;
the next year he began reading law with Coleman & Spence, and was admitted to the bar in the spring of
1879. Mr. H. is now a member of the law firm of Spence & Hiner ; a member of the Board of Edu-
cation, and Secretary of the Public Library Association.
WIlrlilAM H. HIJVER, retired; was born in Bedford Co., Penn., Deo. 16, 1821, and is
the son of William and Elizabeth Hiner; when about 7 years old, with his parents, he removed to Wayne
Co., Ohio, where he received his earlier education in the common and select schools; in 1840, he began
teaching in the common schools of Wayne Co., and, a year later, secured a position in the select schools
of that county, where he continued the profession for one and one-half years; in 1845, he removed to
Madison, Ohio, where, for the next five years, he was engaged in the drug business, and, at the same time,
pursued the study of medicine ; he came to Pond du Lac in 1850, and continued the drag trade for four
years, after which he turned his attention to lumbering for five years ; in 1863, he established the iron
foundry in this city, and continued that business till 1878. He was elected County Treasurer by the
County Board in 1854 to fill a. vacancy; was twice Mayor of the city ; was elected a member of the Wis-
consin Senate in 1871, and re-eleeted in 1873 and 1875 ; was President pro tem. of the Senate during the
session of 1877. In 1850, he was married to Sarah Fisher, who died in 1868, leaving one son — Joseph
W., who is a graduate of the State University, and is now an attorney of this city. He was married to
Mrs. Mary L. Jenney (nee Pish) in 1870 ; she having two daughters prior to her second marriage ; they are
Mary C. and Prances L. Mrs. Hiner is a member of the Episcopal Church.
REV. PHIIiIPP HOELZEL, Pastor of the German Lutheran Church ; was born in Ger-
many in 1854 ; he received his preparatory education at the High School of Hanover, Germany, entering
in 1869, and remaining till his graduation in 1871 ; he then entered the Theological College of Steeden,
Germany, where he graduated with the class of 1872 ; after his graduation in 1872 he left his native
country to continue his studies in American colleges, beginning with the Lutheran Concordia College of
St. Louis, Mo., at which he graduated with the class of 1875 ; he then attended Concordia Theological
Seminary at Springfield, 111., from 1875 to his graduation there in 1876 ; in September, 1876, he was
ordained to the holy ministry at Great Bend, Kan., and immediately began his ministerial work at that
place in connection with six other charges in the State of Kansas. In 1877, he received a call from the
church at Fond du Lao, to assist his brother, who was the regular Pastor, but whose health failing, was
unable to attend to all the duties of his church. After the death of his brother, which occurred in the
winter, he was chosen regular Pastor of the church in February, 1878. Nov. 17, 1878, he married Miss
Eloise Wambsganss, daughter of the Rev. Mr. Wambsganss, of Sheboygan Co., Wis.
ETHIEL H091IIST0N, farmer. Sees. 30, 15 and 17 ; is a son of Jere and Mary Homiston,
of Berkshire Co., Mass., born Aug. 26, 1812; his father being a blacksmith as well as a farmer, Ethiel
820 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
learned the trade, and worked with his father till 21 years of age, when he formed a copartnership with
another man, and continued for five years. In 1838, he bought in that county and followed farming there
till 1843, when he disposed of his land, and immigrated to Wisconsin, settling in Milwaukee Co. for one
year. H(^ was making arrangements to visit this part of the country, when his father and brother unex-
pectedly came out from New York. He, with his father, started to look at the country round Oshkosh,
with a view to locating, but stopping at a tavern for the night, they met Dr. Darlingj by whom they were
induced to locate near Fond du Lac. After selecting an eighty-acre tract for each, they returned for their
families — he to Milwaukee Co., and his father to New York. Ethiel reached his new home as soon as
arrangements were made for a habitation, but his father and family did not get in till early the following
year, 1845, coming via Sheboygan, where he met them with ox teams, requiring five days and nights to
make the trip there and return, during which time they slept without shelter each night. He built a log-
sha,nty, which served them for a house for the next five years ; the prairie hens and gophers being so
troublesome that he was compelled to build a barn to protect his grain from them ; often were they com-
t pelled to grind their wheat in a eofiee-mill, and crack their corn in a burr-oak mortar in order to have bread
of any kind for their families. He married Miss Almira, daughter of Uriah and Ellen Woodruff, of
Spencer, Tioga Co., N. Y., Jan. 12, 1837 ; they have one son — Aurelius, who married Miss Amanda,
daughter of Col. Isaac Tompkins, of Fond du Lac, who died Oct. 18, 1863, leaving two daughters —
Emma and Lydia. May 16, 1866, he married Miss Clara B. Tompkins, sister of his first wife; they have
two children — Gracie and J. Mansfield. They are members of the M. E. Church.
FRAIVK B. HOISKIXi^, bom in Chenango Co., N. Y.; came to Fond du Lac in December,
1850, with his father, D. Everett Haskins, now deceased ; after leaving school, he entered the First
National Bank, of Fond du Lac, after which, during 1869 and 1870, he was Secretary of the La Belle
Wagon Works ; during five years thereafter, he was in the hardware business with the late Chapin Hall,
as a member of the firm of Hall & Hoskins. Mr. Hoskins was elected Register of Deeds of Fond du
Lac Co., on the Democratic ticket, in November, 1878, taking the office in January, 1879 ; he has also
been three years a member of the Board of Education of the city of Pond du Lac, and two years Alder-
man and Supervisor for the First Ward.
CHARLES HOT AlilNG:, engineer for the Mihills Manufacturing Co.; was born in Buffalo,
N. Y., in 1838, and is the son of Peter and Harriet (Buokbee) HotaUng, natives of New York also ; his
father came to Fond du Lac in 1842, and that year, by the aid of the Brothertown Indians, built the
first steamboat (Manchester) that ever navigated Lake Winnebago, of which he was proprietor and Cap-
tain for fifteen years ; he died in 1857 ; in 1845, his wife and two sons (one having come out with his
father; joined him in his Western home ; Charles began as a cabin-boy on the boat when quite young, and
continued navigation till 1865 ; he was Captain of the " Fountain City" for the last year, and had been
her pilot for five years before ; he then began engineering, which he has since followed ; he now lives
with his mother, on Scott street, and she is 70 years old.
ALEXANDER HOUSTON, farmer ; is a native of Ayrshire, Scotland ; born in 1822;
his birthplace being within two miles of that of Robert Burns; his parents, Alexander and Jane Hous-
ton, gave him an education in the parish schools of that country, after which he devoted his attention to
farming there till 1848, whence he set sail for America and landed in New York, in June of that year ;
he stopped on Long Island, then removed to Buffalo, N. Y., where he worked at masonry for about four
years ; thence, in 1852, he came to Fond du Lac, and there continued his trade for ten years ; in 1862,
he purchased a farm of 115 acres in Sec. 19, town of Fond du Lac, where he has since devoted his time
and attention to farming. He was married to Miss Annie, daughter of Thomas Miller, a wheelwright,
and Bettie Martin, of Dundee, Scotland, in 1848; they have seven children ^ Thomas, Alexander,.
Robert, Mary (now .Mrs. J. Asher, of Michigan), John, David and James. Mr. H. and wife are mem-
bers of the Congregational Church.
J. C HUBER, druggist, is a native of Switzerland ; came to New York in 1847, with his father
(Jos. Huber), being then about 7 years of age ; resided in New York until 1849, when he moved to Taychee-
dah and to Fond du Lac in 1855, remaining two years ; in 1861, returned to Fond du Lac, where he has since
resided ; he was employed as a clerk until June, 1864, when he began business for himself; in 1868, Mr.
H. began running a drug, medicine and herb mill, which has several times been enlarged, and is now doing
a thriving biisiness. Mr. Huber is prominently connected with the Congregational Church, the County
Bible Society, and other orders and associations.
SAIIUEL HOTALING, engineer, was born in Buffalo, N. Y., Nov. 20, 1842 ; when 1 year
old, was brought by his parents, Peter and Harriet Hotaling, to Mineral Point, Wis., in 1843 ; came to
Fond du Lac, which has since been his home, in 1846, enlisted, Aug. 14, 1862, in Co. A, 21st W. V. I ;
FOND Dr LAC. 821
was in all the battles engaged in by his regiment ; mustered out in June, 1865; was employed before
entering the army and ever since as engineer for various mills; during the last seven years he has been
engineer in the Galloway Mills. He was married, in Fond du Lac, Oct. 28, 1866, to Amelia Gardner,
born near Ogdensburg, N. Y.; they have one child — Charles, born Jan. 4 1868 ; and have lost two —
Belle, aged 2 J years, and Samuel, aged 4 years and 3 months.
PROF. C. A. HIJTCHKVS, Principal of the High School and Superintendent of Schools
in the city of Fond du Lao, was born at Shelby, Orleans Co., N. Y., January 1, 1828 ; was taken by his
parents to Adrian, Mich., in 1831, where he grew to manhood ; Prof. H. was educated at the Norwalk
(Ohio) Academy, and pursued his studies, before and after, under his brother at the academy at home ;
in 1852, he emigrated to Sharon, Walworth Co., Wis., where he engaged in farming until 1858, after
which, for three years, he taught Latin and Greek at Wayland University ; for two years, he was in
charge of the public schools at Janesville ; had charge of the schools Jat Ionia, Mich., four yeats, those at
Baraboo, Wis., one year, and thereafter was two years County Superintendent of Schools, coming to Fond
du Lac in 1873, where he has since been Principal of the High School and Superintendent of the City •
Schools ; Prof. H. has been President of the Public Library since its organization, and has done a great
deal of work for it ; he is also Church Clerk of the First Baptist Church, of which he is a member. He
was married at Fairfield, Ohio, Nov. 1, 1853, to Mary E., daughter of Eev. Samuel Wadsworth ; they
have three daughters — Julia A., Sarah and Hattie.
PROF. C. M. HUTCHINS, musician, was born at Lisbon, N. H., July 29, 1838 ; came to
Fox. Lake, Wis., in November, 1845, where he resided on a farm twenty years; removed to Waupun, ■
where he lived until 1873, and thence came to Fond du Lao; Prof.' H. has followed teaching instru-
mental music twelve years, in which time he has organized a great many bands, and taken part in a great
number of concerts and musical conventions in various parts of the country. He was married at Fond du
Lac, January 10, 1877, to Annette Morse, a native of Waupun, Wis.; they have one child; Prof. H. has
three children by a former marriage. His father is dead, and his mother resides with him at Fond
du Lac.
S. MARTIIV INGALLS, farmer. Sec. 26; a native of Essex Co., N. Y.; born in 1834, and
is the son of a farmer; was educated in the district schools of his native county ; in 1855, he came West,
and for a few months traveled through La Salle Co., 111., in tne interest of a publishing house, after which
he came to Tremont, Dodge Co., Wis., where he was employed by Mr. U. D. Mihills in his saw-mill at
that place ; in 1856, he removed to Bipon, Fond du Lac Co., and for about seven years followed the car-
penter and joiner's trade, whence, in 1863, he removed to his father in-law, Mr. John Brown's farm, a
short distance west of the city of Fond du Lac, where he followed farming for about three years ; he
bought his present place of eighty acres in Sec. 26, town of Fond du Lac, in 1866, then an unimproved
farm. He was married to Miss Cynthia, daughter of John and Mercy Brown, of Fond du Lac, in Feb-
ruary, 1861 ; they have four children — Elmer B., Edith M., Fred M. and Willard.
E. B. INCrRAlI, farmer; is a native of Hampshire Co., Mass., where he was born in 1823;
he was there engaged in the manufacture of woolen goods till 1848, at which time he emigrated to Wis-
consin, and settled on a farm at Fond du Lac, where he followed agricultural pursuits for about five years ;
in 1853, he returned to Worcester Co., Mass., and engaged in the manufacture of woolen goods for nearly
six years ; disposing of his interest in that business in 1869, he came again to Fond du Lac, where he has
since engaged in farming. In 1856, he married Miss Nancy Shepard, daughter of Samuel Shepard, black-
smith, of Barre, Mass.; they have five children — Fred A., Emily B., Frank, Edith and Eugene. Mr.
Ingram and family are liberal in their religious vie\>s.
ALiEXAHTDER A. JARVIS, carpenter ; was born in Canada, of French parents, Nov. 30,
1834; came to Jefierson Co., Wis., in 1843; went to Menasha in 1865, and came to Fond du Lac in the
spring of 1867; Mr. Jarvis learned the carpenter's trade, which he has since followed, when 18 years of
age. He was married at Watertown, Wis., Jan. 20, 1861, to Elizabeth Blair, born in Bochester, N. Y.;
they have five children livings — Walter, George, Angeline, Mary Elizabeth and an infant son, and have
lost two infant children.
FDWARD JONES, ticket clerk of the North-Western Bailway at Fond du Lac; is a native
of that city ; born in July, 1857 ; was educated in the public schools of Fond du Lac ; in 1873, he became
freight receiver and biller for the road, and July 25, 1877, was promoted to the position of ticket clerk ;
has been a Mas6n since 1878 ; is also a Knight of Pythias.
HIRAM E. JOHNSON, retired farmer ; was born in Addison Co., Vt., Aug. 7, 1818; is
the son of Jonathan Johnson and Susan Burwell, natives of New Jersey ; his grandfather was an early emi-
grant to America, and took part in the struggle for American Independence ; Hiram is the son nf a
822 BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES:
farmer, hence was brought up at honest toil, and has since tried to follow out the Divine injunction, " Go
till the soil." When about 14 years of age, he removed to Niagara Co., N. Y., where he lived till 1847 ;
leaving then, the old Empire State, he sought a home in the wilds of Wisconsin ; sailing from Buffalo, he
came via Sheboygan to Milwaukee, thence on foot via Watertown to Fond du Lac, where he stopped over
Sunday with Edward Pier; he soon entered '320 acres of land in Sec. 10, town of Empire, and 160 acres
in Sec. 8, town of Forest; returning to Milwaukee, he eschanged his money for land office orders and
came again to Fond du Lie, bringing with him from near Waupun, some ox teams with which to break
his farm; having made some improvements and built a board shanty 12x12 feet. Oct. 14, 1848,
he married Miss ' Lucinda, daughter of G-ilderoy and Rhoda McA.rthur, natives of Birdport, Addison
Co. Vt., she with her parents having come West on the same boat with Johnson, and, till .the time of
marriage, had followed teaching in Vermont and Chicago ; they at once removed to the board shanty, which
served them as a home till their new house, ' then under construction, was completed ; when their oldest
daughter, Hattie, was about a year old, Mrs. Johnson made a visit to Chicago, and on her return, her
husband met her at Sheboygan, and on their way home, they met two huge bears, which, though harm-
less, gave Mrs. Johnson one of the worst frights she ever had ; they lived there on the farm till about
1878, when he sold that and moved to the city ofv Pond du Lac, where he has since lived a more retired
life; they have had eight children — Hattie A., now the wife of Rev. William Fox, a Presbyterian minister
of Quincy, Mich.; Rhoda C. (deceased), Sadie A., now Mrs. Dr. G-eorgeiDixou, of Sacramento, Cal; Fred
A., farmer, of Sacramento Co., Cal.; Eva L., Lillie E., Willie E., Louisa D. Members of , the Presbyte-
rian Church.
JOHSf JUCKER, salesman in Meyer's lumber-yard on Western Avenue; was born in Grer-
many in 1850; came to America with parents in 1855, and settled at Burlington, Wis., where he received
his early education ; in 1860, he began clerking in a dry-goods store at Burlington, where he remained till
1864. In May, 1864, he enlisted in Co. D, 39th W. V. I., and served till his term of service expired
Sept. 25, 1864, at Milwaukee; returning to Burlington, Wis., he re-enlisted in Co. C, 48th W. V. I.;
served till March, 1866, when he was mustered out at Port Leavenworth, Kan.; he then came to Fond
du Lac, and was engaged in the lumber business with P. Sawyer & Son till 1876, when he became sales-
man for Mr. Meyer's in lumber-yard, where he has since been employed.
MARTI'M' F. KAEDIlVGr was born in Prussia Sept. 11, 1844 ; came from there to Fond
du Lie in July, 1862, where he engaged in wagon-making — his present business; from 1875 to 1878,
was in the furniture business ; sold lime and stone at Pond du Lao and Eden two summers ; entered the
La Belle Wagon Works in the fall of 1879, where he now is, and in which he had worked five years from
1870. Mr. Kaedinghas been Alderman three years, and a member of the County Board two years. He
was married at Fond du Lac March 2, 1869, to Amelia Nast, born in Prussia; they have five children —
Herman A., Louise W.; Emma L., Amelia E. and Martin W. Mr. K. is a member of the Lutheran
Church and of the Concordia Benevolent Association.
C V. KAIiK, of the firm of Kalk & Kent, druggists; born in Berlin, Germany; came to
America in the spring of 1848 ; located at Sheboygan, Wis., where he remained until he came to Fond
du Lac in September, 1849; commenced clerking in drug store the month of his arrival here; in 1857,
he entered into partnership with his former employer, D. R. Curran ; continued with him until 1866,
when he sold out to Mr. Ojirran, and formed a copartnership with William F. Kent, under the present
firm name, which has continued to the present time. This firm has done a wholesale and retail busness
since its existence, and is one of the leading drug houses of the State. Mr. Kalk has held various
important positions — Supervisor and Alderman several terms. Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, member
of the Board of Education, etc. He is esteemed as one of the most enterprising and public-spirited
citizens of the county.
WIIiJLIAMS KARSTEWS, foreman second floor in C. J. L. Meyer's sash, door and blind
factory ; was born in Holstein, Germany in 1833 ; learned the carpenter and cabinet-maker's trade in his
native country ; came to America in 1854, and settled in Michigan, where he worked in a saw-mill for
carpenter's trade ; in 1867, he moved to Davenport, Iowa., continued the carpenter's trade for three years,
eight months, whence he went to Sheboygan, Wis., where, for two and a half years, he followed the
from there he moved to Fond du Lac in 1860, and still continued the carpenter's trade till 1872, and
since that time has been employed by Mr. Meyer in sash, door a,nd blind factory. In 1861, he married
Miss Annie Wilkins, daughter of Fred Wilkins, of Holstein, Germany ; they have three children, as
follows — Charles, Annie, and Willie. Mr. K. and wife are members of the Lutheran Church.
FATHER JOSEPH J. KEENAN, Priest of St. Joseph's Catholic Church; is a
native of County Tyrone, Ireland, where he was born in 1845 ; his parents came to America, and located at
rOND DU LAC. 823
Philadelphia, when he was only 18 months old. In 1860, he entered the Milwaukee Seminary, where
lae spent five years, preparatory to entering upon his theological studies, after which he attended the Chi-
cago University for one and a half years, and began his theological studies, whence he went to Mt.
St. Mary's, at Emmittsburg, Md., where he received his degrees with the Class of '69. After his gradu-
ation, he returned to Milwaukee, Wis., and continued his theological studies under Archbishop Henni, by
whom he was ordained to the priesthood in 1870. His first charge was that of Portage City, Wis., with^
five other missions, which he served for one year, when he was recalled to the Teacher's Seminary of
Milwaukee, as Professor of English Language and Mathematics for three years, when, at the request of
Bishop Heiss, of La Crosse, Wis., he went to Eau Claire, Wis., for a few months only, being recalled by
his own Bishop to the diocese of Milwaukee, and placed in charge of Oconomowoc for one year ; at the
expiration of the year, he was sent back as Procurator of the Seminary and Professor of Natural
Science, where he spent nearly two years ; in February, 1879, he received the appointment to St. Joseph's,
at Fond du Lac, to succeed Rev. Father Gr. L. Willard, who took his place at the Seminary.
A. A. KEIiL/Y, attorney; born at Syracuse, N. Y., Nov. 4, 1848; he is a son of Anthony
Kelly, who came with his family to Osceola, Fond du Lac Co., in 1852 ; the subject of our sketch was
brought up on a farm, and attended the public schools of Osceola until 1872, when he came to Fond du
Lac and entered a commercial college ; he commenced the study of law in April, 1873 ; after reading with
H. P. Rose, Hauser & Colman, and Judge Flint, he was admitted to the bar in November, 1875, and has
engaged in the practice of his profession ever since. His father is still a resident of Osceola.
CHARLES DAVIS KENDALL., farmer; is a son of Nathan N. Kendall and Betsey L.
Stearns; Charles was born in Rockingham, Vt., Jan. 28, 181.3; his mother dying while ho was quite
young, he went to live with a married sister in Roxbury, Washington Co., Vt., remaining with her for two
years ; he then returned to Rockingham and made his home with his grandfather for about two years, after
which he went to Warren, Vt., and worked one summer at farm labor ; he then returned to his sister, where
he made his home until 19 years of iige ; from that time until he reached his 22d year, he followed farm
labor for the farmers in that vicinity. He then married Miss Malissa, daughter of William and Eunice
Blanehard, and in November, 1835, removed to Westfield, Orleans Co., Vt., where he farmed for one
year ; thence to Northfield, Washington Co., for one year ; at the end of this time, he returned to Rox-
bury, and purchased a farm of 100 acres of timber, and in clearing up about twenty acres, he received a
severe injury from a log rolling over him while attempting to load it on a sled ; he remained on this farm
for about two years, and then took charge of his wife's grandfather's farm for two years, after which he
moved to Brookfield, Orange Co., and rented a farm for two years. After these various changes, he
returned to Roxbury, from whence, in September, 1847, he came to Fond du Lac Co., Wis., where he soon
preempted 120 acres of land and built a log house, which, with nearly everything they had, was
burned the following May ; Edward Pier, then living at Fond du Lao, allowed them to move to his farm,
where they lived for two years; in the fall of 1848, he built what was long known as the " Two-Mile
House," of which he was proprietor for eight years, during which time he kept the county poor for one
year; in 1856, he sold this hotel, and built a house on the military road, where he owned a farm of forty
acres; remaining here only a short time, he removed to Brandon, Wis., where he kept hotel for one year;
the purchaser of the Two-Mile House failing to make his payments, Mr. Kendall was compelled to take it
back ; he kept this as proprietor for some time, then bought his present place, built a house and removed
thither in 1868, and has since made it his home; in 1873, while finishing a house for his daughter in
Cresco, Howard Co., Iowa, the scaffold fell with him, and injured his ankle so as to cause his foot to be
amputated, since which time he has led a more quiet and retired life. His wife bore him seven children at
six births, as follows : Eunice A., born Aug. 23, 1836, now Mrs. Alexander Stimpson,of Cresco, Iowa — she
has now five children, the last two being twins ; Jehial, born June 27, 1837, deceased ; Alden P., who enlisted
in Daniel's cavalry in October, 1862, and was wounded the morning after reaching Arkansas, three bullets
having struck him — his mother nursed him through his sickness at Memphis. Tenn., after which he
was discharged, and, returning home, regained his health, enlisted in the 20th W. V. I., was placed in
charge of the hospital at New Orleans, and died there with small-pox ; Albert, born Nov. 10, 1846 ; infant,
not named, deceased ; Arabella and Isabella, twins — Arabella, now Mrs. Miles, of Waupun, has fiive
children, two of whom are twins ; this family had three pair of twins — the mother and two daughters.
CHARLES II. KENDALL, commercial traveler; was born at Martinsburg, N. Y., Nov.
19, 1842; came with his parents, Curtis N. and Maria M. Briggs Kendall, in 1843, to where Twelfth
street crosses the river in Fond du Lac, and engaged in farming during the day and shoemaking nights ;
C. M. Kendall attended District No. 2 School and Fond du Lac Academy ; clerked in a bakery ; worked
in a hotel at Brandon ; spent three months on a farm in Rock Co.; learned the printer's trade at Beaver
824
BTOGBAPHICAL SKETCHES:
Dam m 1861, and in August, 1862, enlisted in Co. K., 29111 W. V. I. ; he participated in the battles of
Grand Gulf, Port Gibson, where he received three flesh-wounds, and Champion Hills, where he had his leg
broken and received four other bullet wounds, disabling him from field duty; after a furlough of thirty
days in ISeS; he went on duty as Ward Master of the hospital at Memphis for two months, and then, till
mustered out in May, 1865, was acting Steward and Commissary of the hospital. He returned to Fond
du Lac and carried on the painting business until 1 877, when he became a commercial traveler. He was
married at Pond du Lac to Jennie A. Oliver, Nov. 13, 1867 ; she was born in Byron, Fond du Lac Co.
EDWARD KEIVT, son of Alban and Walburge Kent, was born at Erie, Penn., Feb. 26,
1843 ; came to Sheboygan, Wis., in 1844; to Pond du Lac at the age of 18, where he engaged one year
with Drummond Brothers, dry-goods merchants; one year with C. J. Pettibone; eight years with H.
Woodworth ; in the boot and shoe trade one year, as a member of the firm of Barber & Kent ; three years
with C. W. Seaver ; two years with Haskill, and with Laughlin & Carey, dry-goods merchant, since Janu-
ary, 1878. He was married at Pond du Lac July, 24, 1866, to Martha Jane Clark, who was born in Pond.
du Lac, the daughter of Alexander H. and Hannah Simmons Clark ; they have two children — Nellie
Eloise, born Jan. 24, 1869, and Mallory Alban, born Sept. 22, 1872.
JOHN E._KENT, attorney; was born at Beloit, Wis., July 8, 1850, where he resided five or
six years, since which time he has resided in Janesville, Chicago and Roekford, until coming to Pond du
Lac in 1875. He was educated at Beloit College and Chicago University ; read law with J. B. Cassoday,
at Janesville, and also studied with lawyers in Chicago. In August, 1879, Mr. Kent became a member of
the law firm of Colman, Carter & Kent. He was admitted to the Supreme Court of Illinois at Mount
Vernon, in June, 1875.
WIIjLIAM F. KEIVT, of the firm of Kalk & Kent, druggists; was born at Erie, Penn.;.
came to Sheboygan in 1843, and to Pond du Lac in 1854, where he clerked two years in the grocery busi-
ness; two years in a confectionery store, and, in 1859, began clerking for the drug firm of Curran & Kalk.
In 1866, the firm of Kalk & Kent was formed, which has been continuously in the drug business ever since,
doing a wholesale and retail trade.
JOHX B. KllililPP, engineer; is a native of Burlington, Vt.; born in 1808; followed-
engineering on Lake Champlain till 1 855, when he came to Pond du Lac and began engineering for But-
ler & Mitchell in a saw-mill, which he continued with them till 1857 ; then with Wilber, Herman & Lewis
till 1859 ; from 1859 to 1862 for Bissell & Co.; then with Crane & Moore for one year ; in 1863, he
began running the engine in U. D. Mihills' sash, door and blind manufactory, and remained there till 1870 ;
kept flour and feed store from 1870 to 1871, when he went to Winneconne, Winnebago Co., for eight
years ; in 1879, returned to Pond du Lac, and has since been running the engine in Mr. Meyer's saw-mill.
He married Miss Lucy J. Gaud, of Middlebury, Vt., in 1830, who died Jan. 26, 1860, leaving seven
children, as follows — George (now deceased), Lucretia (now Mrs. Robinson, of Pond du Lac), William,
Lutia (now Mrs. Bonnell, of Fond du Lac), Richmond (deceased), Henry and Elmira. Mr. Killipp is a
member of the I. 0. 0. P. Fraternity.
«fOSEPH KING, ice-dealer, was born in Lower Canada, Sept. 8, 1815, whence he removed to
Green Bay, Wis., in 1834 ; in 1837, he engaged in the mercantile business at the Belmont lead mines,
which he lefl in July, 1838, and came to Sec. 22, town of Pond du Lac, having visited the spot and pur-
chased the land in 1836 ; Mr. King made two trips to Pond du Lac in 1836, " took up " his land in June
of that year, on which he lived ten years, and then moved into the city which has since been his home,
though he carries on his farm and generally spends the summers upon it ; he has carried on the ice busi-
ness in Fond du Lac for twenty-three years, and has also been engaged in passenger staging and teaming.
He was married at Fond du Lac, in June, 1839, to Mrs. Dianthe May, who died May 28, 1861, leaving
three children — Harry May, who died in the army; Lucy Ann, now Mrs. A. W. Chapman, of Fond du
Lac, and Prank, who was a member of Bragg's Rifles, and shot at the battle of Gettysburg ; Mr. King
was married a second time, Oct. 5, 1863, to Mrs. Alice Tuff, daughter of Benjamin T. Midgeley, who had
three children by her former husband — Frank G., Geprgiana and Mary — who are now living.
JUDGE A. KIBTYON, President of the Fond du Lac, Amboy & Peoria Railway Co., is a native
of Cayuga Co., N. Y., where he was born in 1818 ; in 1837, he removed to La Salle Co., 111., where he
was engaged in contracting and building for about thirteen years ; in 1850, he removed to California, where
he continued the builder's profession for two years in the cities of Sacramento and San Francisco ; he was
next employed for one year in filling a contract for work on what wag then known as the South Pork
Canal; in 1853, he returned to Amboy, Lee Co., 111., where he was engaged in contracting for the Illinois-
Central Railroad Co., during 1864 and 1865 ; for the next three years he practiced law in that county,
and, in 1868, he was elected a member of the State Legislature from the county, and filled the office with-
FOND DCJ LAC. 825
such credit to himself and satisfaction to his friends that he was returned a third time to that body ; fail-
ing health while in the Legislature compelled him to quit the practice of law, and seek some outdoor
employment; in 1872, he built the Chicago & Eock River Railroad from Shabbona, De Kalb Co., to
Sterling, Whiteside Co., 111.; in 1874, he organized the Fond du Lac, Amboy & Peoria Railway Co., of
which Jhe has since been President. Such is a brief sketch of the career of one who has through life
been actively engaged in public enterprises of various kinds.
ISAAC KliOCK (deceased), was the son of John and Nancy Klock, of Montgomery Co., N. Y.;
born in 1812 ; he was educated in the district schools of his native county, and after he grew to manhood
chose his father's avocation — that of an honest farmer ; in 1839, he removed to St. Lawrence Co., N. Y.,
whence, in 1855, he immigrated to Pond du Lac Co., Wis., a,nd settled on a farm of 100 acres, three miles
southeast of the city of Fond du Lac, where he followed farming till about 1873, when he traded his farm
for the old Soper grist-mill and 8 acres of land, this being the first mill built in the neighborhood and the
second one in the county ; he continued as proprietor of this mill till his death, June 9, 1876. He mar-
ried Miss Laranay N., daughter of John and Nancy Nellis, of Montgomery Co., N. Y.; they have nine-
teen children, as follows : John I., Ira (deceased), Delos, Nancy (now Mrs. C. Raymond, of Appleton,
Iowa), Robert (deceased), Christian, August (deceased), George, Joseph, Elizabeth (deceased), Lucinda
(Mrs. John E. Parks), Zilpha (late Mrs. George T. Hamilton, deceased), Amy (Mrs. C. E. Baldwin),
Arvilla (Mrs. William E. Hughes, of Chicago, 111.) and Parley P., of Fond du Lac, who is now proprie-
tor of the mill in his father's stead, and who was married to Miss AUie S., daughter of William E. and
Elizabeth Davis, of Fond du Lac, May 13, 1879 ; there were four other children, who died in infancy. Mr.
Kloek was a member of the Masonic Fraternity for a number of years before his death, and he and his wife
were members of the Lutheran Church.
Cjr. A. KNAPP, Treasurer of the Fond du Lac Savings Bank, came to Pond du Lao in 1868,
and engaged 'in the hardware business with Farnsworth & Knapp, first as book-keeper ; he continued in
the hardware business until 1874, and has been Treasurer of the Savings Bank since Jan. 1, 1878.
W. A. KNAPP, Secretary and Treasurer of the Fond du Lac Harrow Company; he was born
in Westmoreland, Oneida Co., N. Y., April 30, 1821 ; removed to Green Bay, Wis., in 1837 ; resided
there eleven years, then went to Oshkosh, where he remained until he came to Pond du Lac in 1866 ;
while at Green Bay he was in the hardware business with his brother; after 1841, he was a partner with
him ; at Oshkosh he was engaged in genei-al merchandising for about three years ; for a number of years
he carried on steamboat business, and for a period of eight years prior to coming to Fond du Lac, he was
engaged in farming ; after coming here he was extensively engaged in the hardware trade until 1874 ; after-
ward, for two years, in insurance and real-estate business ; since then he has given his entire attention to
his manufacturing interests. March 26, 1845, he married Lucinda A. Gilbert, at Green Bay ; she was
born in Cortland Co., N. Y. ; they have had six children ; the living are Clarence A., Gaines A., Prank
A. and Minnie A. ; they have lost two daughters, Anah A., born Oct. 20, 1850, died in Pond du Lac,
Nov. 8, 1871 — at the time of her death she was the wife of C. W. Powers; Katie A., was born Jan. 16,
1857, and died Jan. 8, 1858. Mr. and Mrs. Knapp are members of the Congregational Church.
Gr. A. KBETliOW, Chief of Police, was born in Prussia Aug. 23, 1843, and came to Mil-
waukee in 1856, where be resided until coming to Pond du Lac in 1866 ; from 1866 to 1873, Mr. K.
was engaged in the manufacture of tobacco ; in 1874, was chosen Chief of Police, and has occupied that
position continuously since. He was married to Pauline Quandt May 22, 1866 ; they have five children —
Martha, Carl E., Albert Q., Paul G. and Alma. He is a member of the A., F. & A. M., I. 0. 0. F.,
Turner Society, and German-English Academy.
P. KRUIIME, druggist and apothecary; was born at Calbe, on the river Saale, Prussia, Oct. 7,
1831 ; came to Preeport, III., Dec. 25, 1854, where he resided until coming to Pond du Lac in 1866 ; in
1861, recruited Co. C., and was commissioned Captain of it in December, 1861 ; promoted to Brevet Major
July 18, 1866 ; he resigned, on account of disability caused by typhoid fever, in April, 1862, after partic-
ipating in the battles of Port Donelson and Pittsburg Landing ; Mr. K. has followed the drug business
since 1846. He married at Preeport, 111., in 1858, Sophie Huellhorst, who died Dec. 4, 1863, leaving one
child, Sophie, born Nov. 26, 1863. June 9, 1864, he was married to Theresa Wolff, who was born at
Schoeneburg, Alsace, Aug. 14, 1844; they have two children — Simon A., born April 10, 1865, at Free-
port, and Frederick Otto, born Sept. 7, 1876, at Fond du Lac. Mr. K. is an Odd Fellow and Mason,
Druid, and member of the German-English Academy.
GrUSTA V KUENNE, watchmaker, jeweler, engraver and practical optician ; born in Prussia
in 1825 ; came to America in 1849 ; first located in Milwaukee, where he resided two years ; he then
spent about nine months tr?iveling in different States in this country, afterward was a resident of Chicago
826 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
for six years ; came to Fond du Lac May 6, 1856 ; engaged in present business ever since he came here.
He was married at Grand Kapids, Mich., Aug. 17, 1858, to Louisa Preusser; she was- born in Prussia;
they have one child, Lena ; Mr. Kuenne learned the manufacturing jeweler's trade in Europe, and the
trade of watchmaker in Milwaukee and Chicago.
H. P. K.XIICKS, of the firm of Kuicks & Hannigan, grocers, was born in the city of Fond du La&
in 1851 ; was educated in the public schools ; began telegraphing with the N.-W. R. Ka in 1867 ; from 1869
to 1872, he worked as machinist for Heiner, when he changed to the machine-shops of the N.-W. R. R.;
in May, 1878, he became a partner in the present firm. He married Miss Bettie Launstein, daughter of P.
Launstein, of Fond du Lac, Oct. 4, 1878. They are members of the Lutheran Church.
•FACOB KUNZE, manufacturer, corner of Division and Sophia streets; is a native of Prussia;
was born Aug. 14, 1828; in his native country he acquired a liberal education, and, in about 1847, emi-
grated to America and engaged to learn the carriage and wagon making trade at West Menden, Monroe
Co., N. Y. In 1856, he married, in Rochester, N. Y., Catharine Fee; immediately after they were mar-
ried, they came to Fond du Lac ; they have had four children, only one of whom is living — John J. Mr.
Kunze established his present business about twelve years ago, and manufactures carriages, buggies, spring
and lumber wagons ; he is a skilled mechanic, and employs the best workmen, therefore turns out a. supe-
rior class of work, which is widely known for durability and neatness ; he possesses every facility for
attending to general repairing, and for supplying all who require anything in his line.
HOWARD MALCOM KUTCHIJV, journalist; was born in Philadelphia, Penn., Nov.
4, 1842, where his father, the late Rev. T. T. Kutchin, was a clergyman ; the family came to Wisconsin
in 1853, and soon after arriving in the State, settled at Fond du Lac ; Mr. Kutchin never was given a
college instruction, but acquired a good education in the common schools which he attended ; at the age of
19, he entered a printing ofiBce at Ripon, with a view to becoming a journalist, and from that time until
1866, was connected in an editorial capacity with newspapers in Peoria, 111., St. Louis, Mo., Cairo, Ills.,
Memphis, Tenn., and St. Joseph, Mo.; from the latter city he removed to Port Atkinson, Wis., where he
purchased the Herald, which he conducted until 1871 ; in that year, Mr. Kutchin went to California and
aided in founding a daily paper at San Diego, intending to make that State his home ; but concluding not
to do so, returned to Wisconsin in September, 1871, and purchased an interest in the Fond du Lac Com-
monwealth (daily and weekly), with which he has since been connected as part or sole editor and proprietor.
Mr. Kutchin has taken an active part in politics, as a Republican, both local and general ; served as Chair-
man of the Republican County Committee in 1878 and 1879; was appointed State's Prison Director in
1878, for a term of six years; was a prominent candidate for Postmaster of Fond du Lac, in 1877, but
was defeated in spite of exceptionally strong petitions and recommendations, and was appointed by Presi-
dent Hayes, in 1879, Collector of Internal Revenue for the Third Wisconsin District, which ofiice he
brought from Oshkosh to Fond du Lao. Mr. Kutchin is identified with the principal secret societies, and
for two years was Grand Chancellor of the Knights of Pythias of Wisconsin. To Mr. Kutchin and his
paper is given the credit, and justly, of securing the election of Matthew H. Carpenter as U. S. Senator
from Wisconsin, for the term beginning March 4, 1879. He was married to Elsie, daughter of John Irv-
ing, one of the earliest settlers of Ripon; they have two children — a daughter and a son.
P. J. liADD, baggage-master and collector for North- Western Railway at Pond du Lac ; was
born in Ontario, Canada West, Dec. 11, 1846 ; emigrated to Wisconsin in 1855, and settled at Neenah,,
Winnebago Co., where he received a common-school education ; in the spring of 1865, he began braking
on the Illinois Central Railroad, whence, in the fall of the same year, he changed to the North- Western
road, where he continued as brakeman for two years, when he was appointed baggage-master on the road,
in which position he remained till the fall of 1868, when he was assigned to the position of baggage-master
and collector for the road at Fond du Lac. Dec. 11, 1867, he married Miss Jane A. Stewart, daughter
of William J. Stewart, of Fond du Lac ; they have three children— Willie, Eddie and Carrie. Mr. and
Mrs. Ladd are members of the Congregational Church- Mr. Ladd has been a Mason since 1868.
PROF. JAMES S. liAKE, teacher of music and piano-tuner ; was born at Reading, Penn.,
Jan. 9, 1853, where he resided until 7 years old, when his parents moved to Chicago; Prof. L.
studied music under Theo. Gramman, a German Professor of Music, in New York, about five years, and
studied also with his sister, Julia C. Lake ; since he was 18 years of age. Prof Lake has been engaged in
teaching music and tuning pianos in New York, Chicago, St. Louis, and since November, 1877, in Fond
du Lac.
liEOX liAIiLIER, florist and market gardener, on Fourth street ; is one of two surviving sons
of a family of five ; he was born in France in 1834, and learned the gardener's trade there with his faiher,-
who had learned it from his father before him: in 1852, the family came to America, and settled here in.
FOND DU LAC. 827
Fond du Lac, where they continued.the business of florist and gardener; three years after, the family was
afflicted with the typhoid fever, and Leon lost his only sister and two brothers within twenty days after
the first was taken sick; in 1858, his only surviving brother removed to Kansas, leaving him and his
father as the only members of the family here. In 1860, he married Miss Julia C. Pierron, daughter of
J. C. Pierron, of Pond du Lac, she being a native of Syracuse, N. Y. ; they have seven children — Frank
E., Louis, Lovina, Leon, Charlotte, Charles and Hester.
D. C. liANO was born at Albany, N. Y., July 8, 1852, and came to Sheboygan Falls, Wis., in
1855 ; Springvale in 1857, and Fond du Lac in 1874 ; he purchased the Fond du Lao Trunk Factory of
A. Payne that year, and managed the business alone until 1875, when his brother became a partner under
the firm name of D. C. & J. H. Lang ; the factory gives employment to eighteen men, and the sales,
which are in several of the surrounding States, amount to $25,000 per annumn." Mr. Lang was married
to Miss Kittle Pogue, at Fond du Lac, Aug. 23, 1877.
JOHIV H. LiANG was bom at Albany, N. Y., June 16, 1850, and came with his father, Wm.
Lang, to Sheboygan Falls, Wis., in 1855, and to Fond du Lac Co., town of Springvale, in 1857 ; there he
remained until 1873 ; he became a partner with bis brother in the firm of D. C. & J. H. Lang as trunk
manufacturers at Fond du Lac, in March, 1875. He was married to Miss Ida B Lee, of Fond du Lac,.
Dec. 17, 1876.
liJEAWDEJR liANDERMAlV, farmer; 'is a son of Augustin and Mary Landerman, born in
Montreal Co., Canada, in 1825 ; at the age of 20 he entered upon an apprenticeship at the blacksmith's
trade with his father, continuing with him four years ; he then went, in 1846, to a place near Troy, N.
Y., and for two years was engaged in an ax factory; in 1848, ho came to Fond du Lac, and began work
at the carpenter and joiner's trade, which he followed for a number of years ; he was employed by the
North-Western Railway Company to assist in building depots, etc., etc., and while finishing the woodshed
at Fond du Lac, he was knocked ofi' the scaffolding while an engine was passing, and it ran over his arm,
crushing it so badly that it had to be amputated; he was then appointed night-watch at the depot, which
position he held for seven years ; in 1848, he began dealing in real estate, and has been at it more or less
since that time; he now owns 180 acres in Sec. 8, town of Fond du Lac; probable value, $75 per acre.
He married Miss Orellie, daughter of Lewis and Felicity MuUer, of Fond du Lac, in 1848, by whom he
has six children, as follows : Helaire, Martha, Henry, Pacific, Orellie (now Mrs. Jos. Balargeon, of Fond du
Lac) and Rose. Mr. L. and family are members of St. Louis' Catholic Church.
FRAIVZ liAUEXSTEIST, wholesale liquor dealer ; was born at Brunswick, Germany, May
25, 1830 ; came direct to Fond du Lac in May, 1850 ; for two years conducted Henry Rahte, Sr.'s, dis-
tillery ; worked two years at cabinet-maker's trade, and, in 1855, began the wholesale liquor business,
which he has followed ever since. He was married at Fond du Lao, in 1852, to Lissetta Bergen, a
native of Hanover ; they have five children living — Frank H., Betty, Rosa, Frances and Johanna ; three
children are deceased. Mr. L. was one of the organizers of the German-English Academy, and is now
its President ; is a Turner, and a member of the Odd Fellows' Lodge, and a Director of the Gemnan
American Savings Bank.
HIRAli K. Li AUGHIilN, of the firm of Laughlin & Carey, dry-goods merchants ; is a
native of Hopkinton, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., where he was born in 1818, and lived till 1845, when he
became connected with the Treasury Department at Washington, and remained till 1849, going in under
James K. Polk and coming out under Taylor's Administration. In 1848, he married Mrs . Carey, of
Fond du Lac, and, in 1849, he moved from Washington to Fond du Lac, and became engaged in the dry-
goods trade, which he has since followed ; they have only one son — -William T., who is now the book-
keeper for the firm. Mr. Laughlin and family are members of the Episcopal Church.
JOHIV LiEIKAlIF, proprietor of meat market on Main street; was born in New York City
in 1846 ; at the age of 15, he began to learn the butcher trade, which he followed in his native city till
1867, when he came to Fond du Lac and continued the same business, working for other parties till the
spring of 1879 ; he then became proprietor of his present market. In 1871, he married Miss Lacorda
S. Wright, daughter of Joseph Wright, of Calumet, Fond du Lac Co., Wis.; they have one daughter —
Maggie. Mr. L. and -wife are members of St. Mary's Catholic Church.
S. <3r. JLEIiAND, Clerk of the Court; born in Holliston, Mass., in 1843 ; moved to Brooklyn,
N. Y., in 1853 ; resided there until July, 1869, when he came to Wisconsin, and located at Beaver Dam,
where he remained until October, 1870 ; at that time he came to Pond du Lac, and engaged in business
as a merchant, dealing in boots and shoes, having carried on same business in Brooklyn and Beaver Dam
prior to coming here ; continued in trade about one year after locating in this city ; then, for seven yearji,
was employed in the .County Register's office, five years of the time being Deputy Register ; in the fall.
=828 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
of 1878, he was elected to the position which he now occupies. Mr. Xjeland was married, at East Bridge-
water, Mass., Nov. 20, 186Y, to Jennette C. Harlow, a native of Massachusetts; they have four children
— Gilbert H., Harry H., Arthur Little and Alice Maud.
JOSEPH F. 1/ENZ, of the firm of Lenz & Ehlers ; was born in Austria Jan. 10, 1841 ;
came directly to Fond du Lac in 1856, where he has since resided, working at the wagon-maker's trade,
which he began learning in Europe. Mr. Lenz has been engaged in business for himself since 1873. He
•was married at Fond du Lac, Jan. 24, 1861, to Fredericka A. Eiohmeyer, born in Holstein, Germany;
■they have three children — Joseph H., Rudolph and Louis. He has been one of the managers of the
German -English Academy during thirteen years.
SAlIUEIi LEVEL, dealer'in wood; was born in Ohio, but lived at Buffalo, N. Y., and
vicinity, until coming to Fond du Lac May 8, 1858, where he has since resided ; he engaged in lumber-
ing several years ; five years engineer for Stevely & Bartlett, but during the last eight years has
been dealing in wood, stock and ice. Mr. L. is a bachelor, and a member of the Knights of Pythias.
A. H. LEWIS, of the firm of 0. F. Lewis & Bro.; from Essex Co., N. Y., where he was born,
came to .Fond du Lac Co. in 1847, and settled with his father in the town of Springvale; he enlisted Feb.
22, 1864, in the 4th W. V. C, and was mustered out as Sergeant of Co. B, at Brownsville, Tex., May,
28, 1866, after which he went to Minnesota and engaged in farming for two years; in April, 1874, com-
. meaced business with his brother at Fond du Lac, as dealers in agricultural implements, pumps, etc. He
was married at Fond du Lac, Dec. 15, 1874, to Martha F. Barber, a native of Vermont.
R. M. LEWIS, station agent; is a native of Madison Co., N. Y.; born in 1820; came to Chicago,
111., in 1851, and engaged in the manufacture of saleratus till spring of 1854, when he came to Fond du
Lac, and engaged in the lumber business till 1869 ; ho was next interested in the grain trade; in 1867,
he was appointed Postmaster at Fond du Lac, by President Johnson, which position he held for two
years; was elected a member of the Legislative Assembly in fall of 1872; in February, 1876, he was
appointed station agent of the N.-W. R. R. He married !Miss Helen Williams, daughter of Imri Will-
iams, of Madison Co., N. Y., in 1844; they have four children — Mary, now Mrs. E. L. Patrick, of Kansas
City, Mo.; Ella, now Mrs. K. M. Adams, of Fond du Lac ; Addie, now Mrs. H. B. Dodd, of Water-
town, Wis.; Carrie, now Mrs. Lebrick, of Racine, Wis. Wife and family are members of the Congrega-
tional Church.
ORIX F. LEWIS, dealer in agricultural implements ; was born in Hague, Warren Co., N.
Y., Aug. 17, 1832 ; came to Rosendale in September, 1847, and engaged in farming, which he has since
carried on in addition to other business ; during five years, in addition to dealing in pumps and all kinds
of farm machinery, as a member of the firm of 0. F.. Lewis & Brother, he has been a traveling salesman
of the Fountain City Wheel & Seeder Co. He was married, Dec. 31, 1856, to Mary A. Murray, a
native of Prince Edward's Island; they have five children — George A., Carrie A., Charles E., Arthur
M. and Bertie 0. While living in Rosendale — he now lives just east of the city of Fond du Lac — Mr.
Lewie was Supervisor, and held other town offices. Mr. L.'s mother, Betsy Lewis, died in Rosendale
Feb. 23, 1857 ; his father, Matthew I., is now a resident of Springvale.
L. R. LEWIS, marble dealer ; was born in Wethersfield, Windsor Co., Vt., June 6, 1831, and
moved with his parents to Maryland in 1833, where they resided until 1840, and then moved to Clinton
Co., N. Y.; from there, in 1850, they came to Eden, Fond du Lac Co., and settled upon Sec. 16 ; Mr.
Lewis engaged in farming, speculating, dealing in wood, and story-telling in Eden, until 1866, when he
moved to Fond du Lac, and engaged in the marble business. He was married in October, 1853, at Tay-
cheedah, to Miss Delilah, daughter of Stafford Potter ; they have two children living — George W. and
Cora B. In Eden, Mr. L. was Town Clerk and Supervisor, and has been Alderman, Supervisor and
member of the Board of Education in Fond du Lac; his father, Stephen Lewis, died in Eden in 1871 ;
his mother. Thankful Lewis, is living in Nebraska. He is a member of the A., F. & A. M.
R. LIEBERMAN Jf, wool merchant, and dealer in grain, seeds, hides, furs, pelts, etc.; born in
Austria Aug. 28, 1852 ; came to America with his parents when he was a child of about 5 years of age ;
they were located in Milwaukee for two years, then removed to Sheboygan ; from there the subject of
' this sketch returned to Milwaukee, and graduated from the German and English Academy, and also from
Bryant & Stratton's Commercial College, and for two years was in a tannery in Milwaukee, then he went
to Manitowoc, where he was employed for about two years as a dry-goods salesman; in 1870, he came to
Fond du Lac, and was associated with L. Rosenberg in the clothing business for several years, a portion
of the time dealing in wool, grain, hides, etc.; he was with Mr. Rosenberg until the fall of 1878, since then
alone ; Mr. Liebermann is one of the live young business men of this city, enterprising and public spirited.
He is a son of M. Liebermann, who was engaged in dry-goods business about 1868. ,
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FOND DU LAC. 831
EDWARD C LITTJLE (deceased), was a native of Goshen, Orange Co., N. Y., where he
was born April 10, 1811; being the son of a farmer, he spent his boyhood and youth, except while
attending district school, by which he received rather a limited education, in agricultural pursuits ; in
1848, he began the business of a hardware merchant in New York City, which he continued with his
brother till 1863 ; disposing of his interest there at that time, he came to Pond du Lac Co., Wis., bought
a farm of 160 acres in Sees. 33 and 34, town of Fond du Lac, where he followed farming till his death,
which occurred Oct. 30, 1870. He was married to Miss Mary, daughter of Joshua and Sarah Smith, of
Goshen, Orange Co., N. Y., in 1846 ; they have four sons and one daughter — Edward S., Charles S., John
A., Joseph B. and Isabella P., now Mrs. Theodore Van Cleef, of Jersey City, N. J. The family are
connected with the Presbyterian Church of Pond du Lao ; formerly members of the Collegiate Church of
New York City, one of the oldest churches of that city ; its 250th anniversary was celebrated in 1878.
JOH]V W. liOCKIN, printer and publisher, was born in Sauk Co., Wis., June 6, 1852 ;
came to Fond du Lac Co. in October, 1864 ; began the printer's trade at Brandon April 13, 1869; had
•charge of the Ripon Free Press for some time ; worked a few months in the old Star office at Milwau-
kee and came to Pond du Lao, where he has since resided, in August, 1872 ; in April, 1878, he purchased
the Globe office, and, in August, 1879, purchased the Champion steam outfit and merged the two offices
into one ; in company with Edward Beeson, he began the publication of the Wisconsin Farmer in Sep-
tember, 1879. Mr. L. was married at Fond du Lac, June 12, 1878, to Jennie S., daughter of the late
John Keyes ; they have one child — Florence Edna.
ROBERT liOlVGSTAFF, retired ; was born in County Durham, England, Nov. 11, 1804 ;
came to New York City, where he worked at the carpenter's trade a few months ; in September, 1844, he
moved to Rochester, where he worked at wagon-making less than a year ; returned to New York City for a
few months and then came to Fond du Lac Co., which has since been his home ; Mr. L. worked at the
carpenter's trade one winter in Pond du Lac, and then bought a farm, on which he lived five years, and
which he afterward rented. He was married in England, in December, 1831, to Dianah Atkinson, a
native of County Durham ; they have had eight children, of whom three are living — Jane, Robert B. and
Anna ; the five deceased were Thomas, who died in England ; William, who died in Kansas, aged 26 years ;
Alice, who died in Eden, aged 19 years ; Mary, who died in Pond du Lac, aged 23 years; and Tarah, who
died also in Fond du Lac, aged 7 years. Although in his 76th year, Mr. Longstaff is in good health and
works every day about his place.
mUTHER MARY AGXES LiUBY, Sister Superior of St. Joseph's Convent and Orphan
Asylum, is a daughter of Patrick and Mary Luby ; born in Cashel. County Tipperary, Ireland, Aug. 28,
1846; at the age of 4 years, she entered the Convent of the "Presentation Nuns," of her native city,
and remained there till she reached her 16th year, spending the first part of her time at study, the latter
part at teaching ; in October, 1870, she, with two other Sisters, came to America and entered the Con-
vent of Mercy, at Sterling, 111., in November following ; remaining there about two weeks, they, with the
Community, removed to Janesville, Wis., where, March 11, 1873, she was appointed Sister Superior of
the Community by the Rev. Father Doyle ; in January, 1876, the convent was removed to and estab-
lished at Pond du Lac, under her care, who, as Superior, has carefully managed and guarded its interests
as one whose life-work and life are consecrated to a work of charity toward the poor, the sick and the
orphan children of the church ; and many will be the thankful hearts, which, in future years, will beat
with almost reverential pulsations when fond recollection brings to memory the many blessings they have
received from her benevolent hands.
(irEORdrE W, IjUSK., lumberman ; a native of New Hartford, Oneida Co., N. Y.; came to
Fond du Lac in May, 1866, and began the lumbering business in the firm of Merryman & Co.; this firm
lasted until 1878,, when Mr. Lusk became proprietor of the entire business, which he continues; he has
a saw-mill with a capacity of about 40,000 feet of lumber per day, and in which are employed thirty-five
men; he manufactures from 5,000.000 to 7,000,000 feet each year; before coming to Pond du Lac, Mr.
Lush was engaged as a lumberman at Edgerton, Wis., about nine years. He has been Mayor of Fond
du Lac, and held various local offices.
GILBERT M. L.EE. See last pages of this book.
FRAIVCIS D. Mccarty was bom in Martlnsburg, Lewis Co. N. Y., Jan. 12, 1816; edu-
cated at his native place; immigrated to Green Bay in 1836; came to Pond du Lac July 8, 1838, and
located a farm at Taycheedah, where he built a house the same year, and in March, 1839, brought his family
to reside in it ; Mr. McCarty's residence has since been in Fond du Lac Co., though he has been traveling
three years in the iron and steel trade ; his first office was that of Constable and Collector; was elected
Sheriff in 1850, and was Under Sheriff under George W. Mitchell and J. L. D. Eoclesheimer ; Deputy
832 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
rJnited States Marshal in 1860 ; member of the Legislature ia 1858; one of the first Trusteess of Fond
du Lac Village ; Alderman several terms ; Justice of the Peace in Empire. Mr. McO. was married at
Green Bay, March 18, 1838, to Eliza A. Vandresar ; their children are Lovica L., Catherine K., Prances
E., Darwin D. and Grace; all married. Mrs. McC. died Sept. 14, 1867.'
OfiORGIii McCIiUSKB Y, Superintendent of the Luco lumber-mills ; was born in Strath-
ford County, Perth, Canada, May 23, 1845 ; came to Fond du Lac in about 1867. Married in Fond du
Lac, in 1872, Miss B. MeCabe ; they have two children — Maggie and John ; Mr. McCluskey has been
Superintendent of the Luco Mill over four years ; prior to that time he was foreman in the sawing depart-
ment several years. He is a Republican in politics.
GEORGE H. McClJMBER, millwright for C. J. L. Meyer; is a son of Gordon De Wolf
McCumber and Hannah Mosher; born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Jan. 11, 1828 ; when 16 years of age, he
entered upon his apprenticeship with his uncle, John Mosher, of Toronto, Canada West, with whom he worked
seven years ; from 1851 to 1855, he was engaged in building several mills on the Little and Big Otto Rivers,
of Canada West. An interesting event in Mr. McCumber's life at this place was when he with Mr. Free-
love was traveling along the old military road, near the Little Otter ; they saw by the roadside a bear's
cub ; Mr. McCumber proposed to pick it up, but Mr. Freelove protested ; Mr. McCumber told Mr. F. to
get across the log bridge with the horses and he would pick up the young bear ; the plan was finally
agreed to, and Mr. F. crossed the bridge, and stationed himself oa the opposite side of the river to see
the result of the project; McG. at onee seized his innocent victim and started for his companion ; but the
young cub immediately gave the alarm and the mother instantly rushed to the rescue ; in McCumber's
haste to cross the bridge, he came upon it with such force that it went down with him, and he dropped
the cub thinking the old bear would cease her chase; but she, not content with the rescue of her babe,
hotly pursued the would-be kidnaper till he reached his horse and made good his escape. In 1857, Mr.
McCumber, with his family, removed to Fond du Lac Co., coming through from Milwaukee to Ocono-
mowoc on the first emigrant train that passed over that road, stopping at Ooonomowoc for the night, where
there were only three hotels of three rooms each to give lodging to the multitude of immigrants ; forty of
them were finally made comfortable in one of the hotels, by scattering them rather promiscuously upon the
floors for the night ; the next morning there was a rush for the stage which was to convey them to Beaver
Dam ; Mr. McCumber's family were fortunate enough to secure a passage, while his friend, Mr. Fisher, and
■ family took the ox cart for Birds' Corners ; arrived at Beaver Dam June 7, soon after which, Mr. Mc-
Cumber joined them, and they removed to Mound Prairie, town of Byron, Fond du Lac Co., for a short
time ; here an interesting event took place, which is given in another part of this work ; they next removed
to Fond du Lac in October, where he has since made his home, and devoted his time to his trade ; in
spring of 1856, he built a saw-mill for Mr. Alex. McDonald, and has since been interested in the build-
ing of several large mills, among them a grist-mill for the Indians on their reservation ; a saw-mill for
Merryman, at Marinette; one in city of Fond du Lac, for Mr. Meyers, also the Railroad Mill, the Hol-
lister Mill, at Rochester, N. Y.; one for Mr. Coleman, at La Crosse, and has been constantly in Mr. Meyer's
employ for the past two years (1879). Dec. 3, 1849, he was married to Miss Eliza, daughter of Henry
and Sarah Branum, of Toronto ; they have had six children — Sarah L., now Mrs. William Tostivin, of
St. Paul, Minn.; H. Adel, now Mrs. Robert N. Woollett, of Minneapolis ; William G., George (deceased),
death caused by a fall ; William H., Nettie A. Mr. McCumber and wife are members of the Presbyte-
rian Church ; Mr. McC. is a member of the I. 0. 0. F., also of the Temple of Honor.
WILililAM. McDERMOTT, insurance agent, was born in Ireland, in 1846, and came to
Washington Co., Wis. the same year, with his father ; to Fond du Lao, town of Byron, in 1855, where he
lived with' James McDermott — his father — until 1867, when he moved to Fond du Lac and began work
for L. M. Wyatt, in the insurance business ; began business for himself as insurance, loan and real-estate
agent, April 1, 1872, and now has fourteen companies — all first-class. He was married, July 7, 1868, to
Annie C. DufiBe ; they have two children — James P. and George L. All are members of St. Joseph's
Church ; Mr. McDermott has been a member of the Board of Education one year, but gives no attention
to politics.
AliEXAWDER McDON AliD, manufacturer and lumberman, was born at Lancaster,
Glengarry Co., Canada, Sept. 16, 1827, of Scotch parents; his education was acquired at the schools of
his native place, after which he spent three years in a large grocery store in Montreal ; he then returned to
Lancaster and engaged with Archibald McBean, merchant and lumberman, for one and a half years,
when he became a partner in the 'business, taking charge of a branch store ; in 1848, the partnership,
which had existed two and a half years, was terminated, and Mr. McD. became clerk in William Flower's
railroad-contracting oflBce, in which he remained one year, and was given charge of a gang of men, and at
the end of another year was made Division Superintendent;, owing to his wonderful energy and uniform
rOND DU LAC. 833
good judgment; in 1856, after finishing with the railroad contractor, Mr. McD. came to Fond du Lac,
and, in company with his hrother and others, hegan the manufacture of lumber, which he has since con-
tinued without interruption ; he now is the sole owner of a saw-mill and a large tract of pine lands ; Presi-
dent of the Wheel and Seeder Co.; Vice President of the McDonald Manufacturing Co.; part owner of
the McDonald & Stewart Sash, Door and Blind Factory ; Director of the German- American Savings
BaDk ; a member of the Log Harbor Co., and Director of the Gravel Eoad Co., giving attention to every
branch of his business ; Mr. McDonald is an astonishing, tremendous and tireless worker ; he has rushed-
himself through the heaviest labors with only four hours per day of rest and sleep, not simply for a week,
but during long periods ; and at his mill, or in handling lumber, takes the place and the labors of two
men ; the same prodigious vigor characterizes all his mental operations ; the most prolonged exposure and
hardest tug at labor even yet appears to leave him as fresh and strong as when he began ; his working
trim is 6 feet 2 inches in height and 215 pounds in weight — all bone and sinew ; the first seven years of
Mr. McD.'s life after he left school were devoted to paying the debts contracted by his father, who died
when he was only 5 years of age,. thus saving the old homestead to his mother. Although giving no
attention whatever to politics, he has been elected Alderman, member of the County Board and Mayor.
He was married first, in 1859, to Annie Cameron, who died Dec. 12, 1863, leaving one daughter — Sarah ;
in February, 1868, he married Christiana McLennan, who died ■■<, year later ; in 1872, Mr. McDonald
married his present wife, Sarah E. Vaughan, who is the mother of his only son — -Alexander Vaughan
McDonald. Mr. McDonald uses no liquor or tobacco, gives his influence to temperance matters, and is a
member of the Presbyterian Church.
JOHN S. McDONAIiD, manufacturer and lumberman ; was born in Lancaster, Glengarry
Co., near the Province line, between Upper and Lower Canada, Dec. 7, 1831 — a locality noted for the
large size of its men and women. When Col. Frasier's regiment was reviewed at Montreal, during the
Revolution of 1837, the English General declared he had never seen so fine a regiment — not a man
in it being less than six feet, and some of them were over seven feet in height ; and the Colonel said he
could furnish ten more regiments of such men, and as many as might be wanted of men six feet in height.
Donald McDonald, lumberman and farmer, father of John S., was born at Glengarry a year after the
grandparents settled on the old homestead. His mother, Marion Stewart, born on the Isle of Skye,
Scotland, was, on her mother's side, a McLeod ; her father's family consisted of six brothers and four sisters
— none of the brothers being less than six feet — of whom three sisters and one brother are now living, the
youngest being 70 years of age, and his mother, who resides in Fond du Lac, being in her 84th year. Mr.
McD.'s father died Feb. 28, 1848, after a brief illness. His family consisted of twelve children — six
boys and six girls, all now living but two.
The subject of this sketch attended the common schools from the farm on which he was born, beginning
at the age of 4 years, and walking regularly every day, rain or shine, with his brothers and sisters, from one to
three miles. At the time of his father's death, he had been clerking, for a period of two years, in a gen-
eral store at $4 per month, which gave him a practical knowledge of general business. Liquors were
retailed over the counters of this store, and, for five years, young McDonald sold intoxicating drinks as a
beverage, without ever tasting them himself. His mother lived a mile distant from the store, and every
Sunday, after he was ready to return fr,om his visit to her, she would admonish him to " be a good boy for
another week, and not touch the liquor;" and to his beloved mother Mr. McD. ascribes his strength to
handle liquor five years without tasting a drop of it. All this time, he and his brother, Alexander, were
earning money to pay for the old farm and educate the younger children. At the age of 16, he left
Glengarry and engaged with William Flower, a prominent railroad contractor; as book-keeper and pay-
master, with whom his brother Alexander had previously been engaged, and the two labored together
for years with but one aim, that of paying their father's debts. After finishing the Grand Trunk Rail-
road, Mr. McD. left the employ of Mr. Flower, in January, 1856, and, after arranging his mother's
affairs, went to Chicago ; thence to Dixon, 111.; out through Iowa and finally brought up at Fond du Lac
the last of February, 1856, riding in a box-car behind the little Winnebago engine, over the strap-railed Rock
River Valley Union Ry., then in operation from Fond du Lao to Minnesota Junction. On his arrival at
Fond du Lac, he had only $190, but was introduced to R. and A. Merryman and H. Hunter, with whom he
entered into business under the firm name of McDonald, Merryman & Co. His old employer, Mr. Flower,
had promised that if McDonald could get into business, to draw on him for capital. This was done, and
Mr. Flower responded by remitting $4,500, and the new firm erected a saw-mill on the corner of Johnson
and Follett streets, which burned years after. The same spring his brother Alexander came to Fond du
Lac, and purchased a quarter-interest in the mill, which was continued until the panic of 1857, when lumber
could hardly be sold at any price. About this time, Mr. Flower, his former employer, had taken the contract
834: BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
for building the Stanstead, Sheiferd & Chambly Ry., in Lower Canada, and wanted Mr. McD. to organize
and begin the work for him, which, with the consent of his partners, he did, and continued in the railroad
business until the first division, from St. John's to Granby, was completed. By letter, he then arranged
yfith his partners to carry on his lumber business at Fond du Lac for three years, and, in 1858, set sail
from New York to California, with such letters in his possession as would enable him to get along in case
his hands should fail him.
While on shipboard, Mr. McD. became acquainted with two Frenchmen, who were on their way to Cali-
fornia to embark in the wine business, and who, as they did not understand the manner of doing business in
this country, offered him a one-third interest without a dollar of cash. But McD. declined the offer solely on
account of the nature of the business — his early experience leading him to make such a decision. He also
met men going to the Frasier River gold mines, and made arrangements to accompany them, taking steer-
age passage from San Francisco to Victoria, Vancouver's Island, experiencing hardships never to be for-
gotten. After preparing boat and equipages for mining, he was enabled, through the kindness of Gov.
Douglass, to whom BIcD. bad letters of introduction, to get passage across the Gulf of Georgia, [an
altogether dangerous undertaking in small boats], on the steamer Otter, the first steam vessel to navi-
gate the Pacific Ocean. He landed at the mouth of the Frasier, near Ft. Langley, at 3 o'clock in
the afternoon of a rainy October day. After rowing up stream two miles, they camped with other
miners for the night. The next day was Sunday, and most of the miners made ready to proceed on the
journey. But McD. said he never worked a Sabbath in his life, and should not begin in British Colum-
bia, suggesting that their luggage be divided, and he would remain behind with another, who was against
Sabbath-breaking. The next Thursday the McD. party passed all the boats that started on Sunday, and when
they reached the mines, was several weeks in advance of the Sabbath-breakers. The Frasier Kiver was a
dangerous stream to navigate, and McD. and his friends had many hair-breadth escapes while ascend-
ing it. It was winter in the mountains, and, on reaching Ft. Hope, he took a job of the government,
with others, to build a jail of logs eight inches thick. When this was finished, he tried mining. Which
was good in some places. On the arrival of spring, the company parted. McD. and a man named Cor-
nell, remained together and made shingles or shakes, and sawed lumber with a whip-saw for a living. After
some unpleasant experiences with hostile Indians, exposure of the utmost severity, and tiresome mountain-
climbing until the next summer, he determined to return down the river, and landed at New Westminster
soon after the government established its headquarters at that point, making it the port of entry for
British Columbia, although the place contained nothing but a restaurant, grocery and post office. In the post
office, Mr. McD. found three letters, upon which 75 cents postage was due, but not having any
money, he told the Postmaster he would call later, and not knowing what else to do, went out and started
up an Indian trail. He had proceeded but a few rods, when he discovered a gold dollar shining near a small
rivulet that crossed the trail. Believing it the work of Providence, McD. snatched the coin and hastened
back for his letters. After paying the postage, he had 25 cents left,' which, not having tasted food since
the day before, he hastened to expend in the restaurant for buns. While eating them, and reading his
letters, he saw an advertisement calling for choppers for the government. This directed him to Col.
Moody, who said the government wanted fifty cords of eighteen-inch wood, for which 13 per cord would
be paid. Although without money, ax or provisions, he pluckily took the job, afterward getting trusted
by Armstrong, who kept the grocery, for both, and began his work toward night the same day. After
working about an hour or so, a tall man came up and wanted work. McD. hired him at $3 per day,
which proved a good bargain, as the man was a good chopper. The next day the two put up four cords,
thus making $9 per day for McDonald. He next went into a grocery, but left it very soon after to engage
in the fish business — catching and packing salmon ; but, after working night and day, making 1,000 fish
barrels, getting boats, sheds, nets and other things ready, found the salmon did not run that year. _ This
was a heavy blow, as McDonald had borrowed the money for his costly but disastrous fishing experiment.
Hay then commanding a fabulous price, he determined to go into the hay business, and after searching
out a marsh at the peril of his life, among hostile and ugly Indians, and, finding that the old chief
would protect him, as he wanted the hay cut, he hired five men and put up eighty tons, work-
ing like a slave to do it. This was twenty miles from any settlement, and, as 2,000 Indians, enraged
by whisky furnished by the coast-traders, constantly sought opportunity to take their lives, the
task was a disagreeable as well as perilous one, in the extreme. But the hay was never moved, as opposi-
tion companies had put the price down far below even the cost of transportation. The experience with
the Indians was a terrible one. Not a day has passed, from that day to this, which failed to recall the
dangers then passed through, or the feeling of thankfulness at escaping with his life, as McD. was left
alone with them by his less plucky companions. As soon as the disastrous hay business was droppeii, he
rO]SD DU LAC. 835
took a job from the government of cutting a trail fourteen miles through heavily timbered country, fre-
quently encountering trees so large as to extend, while standing, across the entire trail, which was twenty
feet wide. On finishing this job, he took for pay land scrip, and entered lands back of New Westminster,
which he still owns. Rev. E. White, a Methodist minister, arrived at New Westminster, and McDonald
helped to erect the first church in that country, a few bearing all the burdens. But as yet, he had
made no money — had many a day gone without food, shelter, or proper clothing ; had taken a salmon
in either hand and gone about trying to sell them for bread. At last, he learned of a man who
owned a saw-mill but could not run it. He, therefore, went to two men named Homer and Jackson, who
put their money against his experience and labor, and the mill was put in motion. In this new enterprise,
McDonald worked with the same tremendous energy, and made a success of it. So, after making enough
to pay all his debts, and show the people he could make a success of something, he determined to leave the
Pacific Coast. Before leaving, however, in July, 1859,'he got up public meetings and circulated petitions,
praying the English Grovernment to grant a Colonial Legislature to British Columbia, which prayer was
soou granted ; and, on his departure, Mr. MoD. was tendered a public dinner for the energy and enterprise
with which he had helped to develop the colony. On arriving in Canada, he found great excitement over
copper mining, and, after paying a hasty visit to Pond du Lao, buying out, with his brother Alexander,
Hunter and the Merrymans, and forming the firm of A. & J. S. McDonald, which continued for many
years, he enterred into mining operations with his old employer, William Flower. The rebellion in the
States caused a promiscuous fleeing of capitalists and cessation of mining operations, so McD. determined
to return to- Pond du Lac, and give his energy and attention to the lumber business. But he had no
notion of returning alone, so proposed to, and was accepted by, Jane Elizabeth, his- former employer's
second daughter, whom he had known from childhood, and they were married at Montreal, Nov. 12, 1861,
making the journey to Fond du Lac, their future home, their wedding tour. The issue of this marriage
has been four girls and three boys — Williamina Elizabeth, born Aug. 8, 1862 ; Annie Stewart, May 3,
1864; Marion Maria, Aug. 26, 1867; John Flower, June' 19, 1870 ; Edwin Corydon French, July 28,
1872 ; Alexander Dee, Dec. 5, 1874, and Jennie Louise Alberta, Sept. 2, 1878. Marion Maria died Oct.
31, 1871, at the age of 4 years. Since taking up his permanent residence in Fonddu Lac, Mr. McDonald
has most of his attention to lumbering, as a member of the firms of A. & J. S. McDonald ; A. & J. S.
McDonald & Co.; McDonald Flower & Co. and McDonald, Lynch & Co., carrying on the business at Fond
du Lac, on the Wolf River and other Wisconsin waters. More recently, he began at Ford River, Mich.,
taking as partners Blanchard & Borland, of Chicago, under the name of McDonald, Borland & Co., which
gave place to Ford River Lumber Co.; of which he has been President and Manager from the start. In
1877, he formed, at Oconto, the lumber-manufacturing firm of McDonald & Billings' Lumber Co., of
which he is President. The same year he purchased the thrashing machine works at Fond du Lac, after
their failure, in which, as a stockholder he lost heavily, and, in company with John Spenoe, his brother
Alexander, and C. H. Benton, formed the McDonald Manufacturing Co., J. S. McDonald, President — •
which is doing a large and increasing business. Mr. McD. also was heavily interested in the manufacture
of peat fuel and paper. He is an earnest member of the Presbyterian Church, in which he is a Ruling
Elder, and, while liberal in his views of other denominations, has no sympathy whatever with the so-called
Liberal Christians. Mr. McD. was for several years President of the Fond du Lac Co. Bible Society ; is
Trustee of the First Presbyterian Church ; Superintendent of the Home and Mission Schools of the
Church ; Trustee of Carroll College, and Lake Forest University ; member of the Executive Committee
of the State Sabbath School Association ; one of the Vice Presidents of the American Sabbath School
Union and is connected with other societies, manufactories and business interests in and around Pond du
Lac, and other sections of the Northwest.
lIOBf. CAMPBELL lIcLEAlV, Judge of the Fourth Judicial Circuit; was born in Wash-
ington Co., N. Y., May 16, 1825, but raised in Clinton Co., where he received an academic education at
Keyesville, and where he studied law with Hon. Geo. A. Simmons. Judge McLean was admitted to the
bar in 1850, and practiced in Keyesville until 1856, when he removed to Fond du Lac, where he has
since resided ; he was a member of the Assembly in 1862 ; elected to the Fourth Judicial Circuit judge-
ship in 1868, and re-elected without opposition in 1874. He was married at Fond du Lac, in January,
1860, to Emogene S. Gillett, daughter of Rev. Dr. Erastus Gillett; she was born at Jamestown, Chau-
tauqua Co., N. Y. ; they have one child — Kate M.
CHA-RLES.ll. McLEAX, of McLean & Haas; was born in Ireland in 1822; came to
America in 1848 ; spent six years in Steuben Co., N. Y., after remaining a short time in Pennsylvania;
came to Pond du Lac in May, 1855, from Steuben Co., N. Y. ; learned the wagon-maker's trade in New
York State, which he has followed since coming to Wisconsin ; has been in business for himself since
836
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
1863. Mr. McLean was married in Pond du Lac, May 9, 1859, to Ann Kayburn, born in County Gal-
way, Ireland. They have four children— Mary Jane, Teresa, Thomas Jtfhn and Ann. He is a member
of the Total Abstinence Society.
MADISOX McIiE AX, farmer ; was born at Ithaca, N. Y., Oct. 29, 1829 ; removed when a
child to Chenango Co.; then five years in Onondaga Co. ; came to Metomen, Fond du Lac Co., Wis., in
1854, where he engaged in farming until 1868, when he removed to Oshkosh ; removed to Kipon in
1870 ; to Fond du Lac City and Town in 1873, where he now resides. Mr. McLean was married near
Syracuse, N. Y., Nov. 23, 1853, to Sarah 0. Bull, born in Onondaga Hollow, June 29, 1832; they have
three children— Alice E., now Mrs. Ed Ingram, of Northampton, Mass.; Elsie Beecher and Mary Eliza-
beth._ During several years in Fond du Lac, Mr. McLean carried on the business of dairying ; he is now
farming two miles east of the city.
OEORdrE McWIIiLIAlIS; the subject of this sketch is a native of Mercer Co., Penn. ;
was born on the 11th of December, 1800, and is the son of George McWilliams (a farmer), and Naomi, nee
Mitdhell ; he passed his early life in his native place, attending school during the winters and spending the
summers at farm work,- and at the age of 16 years, entered upon an apprenticeship of four and a half'
years to learn the carpenter's trade ; at the expiration of this time, he began work as journeyman, and soon
removed to Painesville, Ohio, and there spent eight years working at his trade; iu 1830, goina to Wis-
consin, he settled at Green Bay ; then in Michigan Territory, during the next thirteen years, he was
actively engaged at his trade ; during that time, he had the contract for many important buildings in his
section of the country ; he built the first Protestant Mission buildings of Green Bay for the education of
the half-breed Indians ; he was also superintendent or architect for rebuilding Ft. Howard, and was there
engaged four years ; having become largely ioterested in the Pond du Lac Company, • he removed
thither in 1843, and took charge of the business of the Company ; he has been a large dealer in real estate,
and, at one time owned a large part of the land where the city of Pond du Lac now stands, and by judi-
cious investments and careful management has accumulated a large fortune ; he has not, however, confined
himself to his private afiairs, but in all matters pertaining to the growth and welfare of his city and State,
has taken an active part; he was a member of the first Territorial Legislature in 1836, and during a
period of several years, served as Justice of the Peace, at Green Bay, under an appointment by Gov.
Dodge; after removing to his present home, he was elected Mayor of his city two years after its incorpo-
ration ; Mr. McWilliams has traveled extensively over the United States, and being a man of close obser-
vation, he has gained in this manner a most valuable experience and a practical knowledge of men and
things. Politically, he has been identified with the Republican party since its organization. Mr. Mc-
Williams has never been identified with any church organization, and has never married ; he is, however,
a worthy member of the Masonic Order. Such is a brief outline of the life-history of one, who beginning
life without means, has worked his way up step by step, and stands now a worthy example of that success
which may be attained by constant, persevering and honorable effort.
E. G. MAlX was born at Columbus, Chenango Co., N. Y., April 18, 1834; reared in Che-
nango and Madison Cos.; removed to Chilton, Calumet Co., Wis., in 1855, and to Fond du Lac in 1864,
where he has since resided ; Mr. Main began the manufacture of sash, doors and blinds when first com-
ing to Fond du Lao, continuing it until 1876, when he began the manufacture of furniture and agricult-
ural implements. He was married in Chicago, April 2, 1856, to Margaret Foley, born in Ireland ; they
have three children — Mary Lizzie, Margaret and Ella. Mr. M. is a member of the A., P. & A. M., and
I. 0. 0. F. Lodges.
CAPT. MICHAEL MAXGAW was bom in Ireland Sept. 30, 1830;, came to America
,in 1854, and to Fond du Lac in December, 1855, where he engaged in the lumber business until 1861.
He enlisted as a private in Co. E, 6th W. V. I., leaving for the front in June, 1861, in which he served
until mustered out as First Lieutenant, in April, 1864 ; he then entered the Veteran Reserve Corps,
Army of the Potomac, remaining in New York Citjr until the close of the war, when he went to Florida
in connection with the Preedmen's Bureau ; in September, 1866, he was mustered out, and returned to
Pond du Lac, remaining until December, when he joined the Regular Army as Second Lieutenant of
Co. A, 45th Regiment; in this he served until April, 1871, when he was retired as Second Lieutenant,
on three-quarter pay ; Capt. M. lost a leg at the battle of Gettysburg. He was Doorkeeper of the United
States Senate, one sessiou, after the close of the war, and has been Alderman and Chairman of the Fourth
Ward.
JONATHAN W. MANIjE Y, farmer, corner of Forest and Seymour streets ; he is a son of
Rev. Ira Manley, a Congregational minister, of Essex Co., N. Y.; though a native of Rutland Co., Vt.,
Jonathan was born in Essex Co., N. Y., in September, 1818 ; at the age of 22, he began teaching school
FOND DU LAC. 837
in his native county, and continued it during the winter seasons for four years ; he next began the car-
penter and joiner's trade, which he continued chere till 1845, when, in the fall of that year, he immigrated
to Wisconsin ; landing at Racine about the 25th of October, he started to Delavan ; from Delavan went to
Hustisford, Dodge Co., thence on foot to Milwaukee ; stopping over night at an unfinished hotel, he was
put up in the second story of the yet unfinished part to sleep ; the landlord, taking him around the house
and up an outside stairway, and pointing to an open window in the second part of the house, told him he
could find a place in there somewhere, and bid him good-night ; Mr. Manley crawled in, thougb not very
manly, however, for he was never more frightened in his life ; 'tis well to state, however, that he awoke
the next morning muoh refreshed and less frightened ; on his way to Milwaukee, he made application for a
school and was accepted by the Directors, but, upon reaching his destination, he found business so good
that he could make more at work on the water-power, so gave up the school ; in the spring of 1846, he
went to Sheboygan and continued his trade for four years, whence, in 1850, he removed his family to
Pond du Lac, and, for two years, was employed by J. B. Maoy, then by the North- Western Railway
Co. for twenty-one years ; leaving the road in 1875, he has since followed farming, and now owns ten acres
in the city, eighty-seven acres on Sees. 16 and 17, also forty-five acres in Sec. 18, all in the town of Fond
du Lac. He married Miss Frances A., daughter of Elijah and Harriet Rouse, of Litchfield, Conn., in
January, 1855 ; they have had five children — Charles W. (deceased), Alice C. and Wallace J. (twins),
Ira J. and Henry H. Mrs. Manley is a member of the Congregational Church.
FRANCIS MARCOE, Jr., dealer in wines, liquors, etc., corner of Third and Main streets ;
was born in Cohoes Falls, N. Y., April 29, 1841 ; in 1849, came to Wisconsin with his parents; they
settled in Fond du Lac Co., where the subject of this biographical notice remained until the summer of
1862, when he enlisted in Co. A, 31st W. V. I., in which he served about one and a half years ; at the
end of that time, was transferred to the 1st U. S. Vet. Vol. Engineer Corps, in which he served until
June 30, 1865, when he was honorably discharged; during the time he was in the service, Mr. Mar-
coe participated in a number of battles, the principal ones being Murfreesboro, Perryville, Lookout
Mountain ; during the battle of Murfreesboro, he acted as Orderly Sergeant, and was made Corporal for
some time previous to his being discharged. Feb. 22, 1870, he married in Fond du Lac, Josephine Roy,
a native of Cyprien, Canada, born Feb. 2, 1849 ; they have had five children — Melvina (born July 3,
1871), Amelia (born Jan. 4, 1873)* Francis E. (born July 19, 1874), J. Henry (born Nov. 22, 1877),
one child deceased, Josephine (who was born March 18, 1876, and died Jan. 28, 1879); Mr. Marcoe's
parents, Ffanois Marcoe and Amelia Seur, were both natives of Canada, where they were married ; they
moved to Cohoes Falls, N. Y., thence to Wisconsin in about 1849 ; settled in the town of Fond du Lac,
where they resided several years; then moved to Friendship, where she died Dec. 16, 1879, aged 52
years ; he is ^ill living and resides in the town of Friendship ; their children are Theodore, who was a
soldier in the 5th W. V. I., during the war, and was promoted to First Lieutenant, he married Mary
Malthouse, they live in Taylor Co., Wis.; Francis, Jr., whose name heads this sketch ; Mary, wife of John
Baltzour, this county ; Armina, wife of J. Baltzour, also of this county ; Melinda,wife of Chas. Busan, Blewitt,
Minn.; Jeremiah, of Taylor Co., Wis.; Julius, also of Taylor Co.; Alexander, who resides in the town of
Friendship, married Lenora Young ; Lavina, wife of Oliver Greeney, Warsaw, Wis. Mrs. Marcoe's
parents, Isaac and Julia Roy, nee Ebero, were natives of Canada; they came to Wisconsin in 1867, and
settled in Fond du Lac, where they still reside ; their children are Legnorie, of this city, he married 3Iary
Fonchcr; Amelia, wife of Louis Lebeau, this city; Nelson, of Cyprien, Canada, married Marclien Per-
rinn ; Eliza, now Mrs. M. Smith ; Josephine, wife of Francis Marcoe, Jr.; Melvina, wife of S. Marion, of
Marinette, Wis.; Aleda, wife of H. Labossier, a merchant of Dorchester, Wis.; Mrs. Marcoe's maternal
grandparents were Jacob and Araenge Ebert ; they are nearly a century old, and live in Cyprien, Canada ;
he was a soldier in active service during the French and English war in Canada ; was taken prisoner by
the British, and exiled to Australia for 11 years.
M. W. MARSHAIili, manufacturer of patent medicines, No. 14 Oak street; he was born
in Havana, N. Y., in 1842 ; in 1849, his parents, S. and Mary J. Marshall, came to Wisconsin and set-
tled near Green Bay ; moved thence to Fond du Lac, where they resided until their deaths ; Mr. Mar-
shall engaged in the manufacture of patent medicines in about 1855, and since that time .has been con-
stantly increasing his facilities for the making of his medicines, to keep pace with an increasing trade.
He married, in 1861, Mary Nicholson, of Maysville, N. Y.; they have three children — Alice M., Flora
B. and Clara H.; Mr. Marshall owns several finely improved farms in Fond du Lac Co., and a farm in
Marquette Co., Wis. In politics, he is a Republican.
FERDINAND J. MARTIX was born in Prague, Germany, June 21, 1842; came to
America in 1848, with his parents, Henry A. and Caroline C. Martin ; after residing in Milwaukee one
838 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
year and a half, they came to Fond du Lac ; the first employment which Ferdinand had was with J, C-
Lowell, a druftgist of this city; he remained with him eight years, then he was for six months with C. J.
Pettibone & Co., six months in the store of G. W. Weikert, afterward worked at the trade of carpenter
and joiner two years and a half ; six months employed in Mihill's factory, three years in the employ of
Gaertner & Fry, one year in partnership with R. Haentze, as booksellers and news-dealers ; since June,
1872, he has been employed in the post office in this city. He was married here, July 27, 1865, to Anna
W. Abel ; she was born in Meeklenburg-Sohwerin, Germany ; they have two children — Emma C. A.,
born June 6, 1865 ; Nettie E. M., born April 4, 1874. Mr. Martin's father died here in 1859 ; mother is-
now residing in Chicago. Mr. M. is a member of the I. 0. 0. P. Lodge, Turner Society and Sods of
Hermann ; he served fourteen years in the Fire Department ; was one of the charter members of No. 5.
JOH^f H. MARTIW, farmer and stock-trader. Sees. 23, 15, 17; is a native of Williamsport,
Lycoming Co., Penn.; born Dec. 31, 1806 ; spent the first twelve years of his life there on a farm with
his parents ; they removed to Susquehanna, Susquehanna Co., Penn., 'for a few years, whence he removed
to Livingston Co., N. Y., where fov six years he was engaged in superintending a large farm and dealing
in stock for Gen. Wadsworth ; here he acquired a taste and knowledge of stock-trading, which he after-
ward successfully made use of; in 1836, he went to Chicago, 111., where he dealt in stock till 1841 ;
thence to Racine, Wis., for about five years; thence, in 1846, to Fond du Lac; in spring of 1852, he
purchased a farm of 100 acres in Sec. 23, Town 15, Range 17 of Fond du Lac, where he built a house
and made other improvements for a comfortable home. In 1852, he was married to Miss Caroline P.,
daughter of Gordon and Ann Clark, of West Bloomfield, Ontario Co., N. Y.; they have three sons — Edward
C, banker of Beloit; Mitchell C, Kan.; Charles H., who makes his home with parents.
JOHIT li. MARTIBf, insurance agent; was born in the town of Eden, Fond du Lac Co.,
March 13, 1849, where he lived until coming to the city of Fond du Lac; in 1871, he went to Kansas
City ; in 1872, to St. Louis, thence to Toledo ; one year in the Government Works at White River,-
Arkansas; in insurance business in St. Louis from spring of 1875 to 1877, when he returned to Fond du
Lac, and opened a fire and life insurance office, representing the Phoenix, Trader's, Star and other compa-
nies. Mr. M. was married to Maggie L. Fitzgerald Aug. 27, 1873.
EDWARD CJ. MASCRAFT, artist; was born at Esperance, Schoharie Co., N. Y., Oct.
10, 1840 ; moved to New York City at the age of 10 ; resided there about five years, and came to Fond
du Lao in 1855; be enlisted as a private, in the spring of 1862, in Co. A, 14th W. V. I., Col. David E.
Wood's regiment ; was wounded by a shell at Shiloh ; disabled about a month ; became chief bugler in
Gen. Ransom's brigade; participated in nearly all the battles in which his regiment was engaged, and was
mustered out-at Mobile Ala., in the fall of 1865 ; he then began the study of art and painting with
Mark R. Harrison, in whose studio he has ever since been engaged.
W. H. JHASSON, machinist; was born at East Hill, Onondaga Co., N. Y., May 13, 1854 ;,,
came to Fond du Lac in the spring of ] 863, where he has since resided, working as a skilled machinist.
Mr. M.'s father is dead, but his mother and grandmother are still living. He is a member of the I. 0.
0. F. and of the Royal Temple of Temperance.
T. F. MAYHAM, physician and sur^on ; was born at Schoharie Co., N. Y., whence he came
to Fond du Lac Nov. 22, 1854. Dr. M. graduated from Michigan University, and attended a full course
at the Albany, N. Y., Medical College; after which he taught school three terms in Empire, and was
engaged in introducing school-books until he began the practice of his profession in 1859 ; he was hospital
surgeon at Cairo, 111., three years from the fall of 1863. Dr. M. is a member of the State Medical
Society, Chairman of the Democratic County Committee, member of the Board of Supervisors ; has been
in the City Council four terms, in the Board of Education several years, and held other local offices. He
was married, at Fond du Lac, Dec. 26, 1860, to Mary E., daughter of Col. Abner Baker, who settled in
Empire in 1847 ; she was born in Washington Co., N. Y.; they have one child — Bessie.
CHARLES J. Li. MEYER, manufacturer, was born at Minden, in West Prussia, May,
1831, where he attended the thorough schools for which that country is noted, until 14 years of age,
beino- an apt scholar and an intense worker ; during the last year of his attendani-e at school, the Governor
of the province made a visit of inspection, calling up young Meyer as the first scholar of the school, and
putting him under a most rigid examination ; the ready and intelligent replies from the youthful student
interested the Governor, who proposed to qualify him for the service of the State, with the assurance of
his royal protection and favor ; the youth had previously determined to follow his father's calling, that of a
manufacturer of sash, doors and blinds, and therefore declined an ofi'er which would have been gladly
embraced by those whose worldly prospects were more hopeful than his ; therefore, upon leaving school he
spent three years in his father's shop, acquu-ing the practical knowledge which has been so beneficial since-
rOND DTJ LAC. 839
in successfully carrying on his immense business ; at the expiration of this time Mr. Meyer determined to
find a wider field for his labors and came to America ; the city of New York, where he landed, not being
suited to his tastes, he resolved to go West, and took passage on the Erie Canal ; near Syracuse a break
was encountered, and, not having means to defray the expense of a detention, Mr. Meyer sought employ-
ment in that city; failing to find any, he went into the country, and, although unskilled in the ways of
farming, hired out to David ColHns, near Fayetteville, for $5 per month ; his honesty aptitude and indus-
try so pleased Mr. Collins, that at the end of the first month he voluntarily increased the wages agreed
upon ; during the succeeding winter he cut cordwood, split rails and performed general farm work ; in the
spring Mr. Collins, Sr., built a mill, in the erection of which Mr. Meyer aided the millwright, who was so
well pleased with his skill in using tools that he was urged to learn the millwright's trade ; he therefore
spent a profitable year in that business, finally abandoning it on account of the severity of the weather ;
he then spent a year in Syracuse acquiring the wagon-maker's trade, after which, in 1855, he removed to
Chicago, where he spent six months, working at the wheelwright business, then coming to Fond du Lac,
which has since been his home and the seat of his wonderful success as a lumberman and manufacturer,
a full account of which will be found elsewhere in this work. Although giving an astonishing amount of
time and attention to his diversified business, Mr. Meyer has creditably filled the offices of Alderman,
Supervisor and Mayor, was Delegate at large to the Republican National Convention at Philadelphia, and
organized and was the means of building the Northwestern Union Railroad, of which he was President
three years, and is still a Director. Mr. -Meyer was married, in August, 1852, to Miss Elizabeth Hax ;
they have five children — Julius P., who is manager of the Chicago branch of his father's business ; Her-
man P., who is engaged for his father at Hermansville, Mich., after whom the place was named and of which
he is Postmaster; Minnie H., Emma and Louise.
tJHARIiES W. MIHIIjIiS, manager of Pond du Lac Building Association ; was born in
Essex Co., N. Y. in 1849 ; in 1856, he with his parents moved to Medina Co., Ohio ; two years after, his
father died, leaving him without any means of support, save that of his own hands ; when a boy, he
worked on a farm during the summer, and attended school some in the winter ; from Ohio in 1864, he
came to Michigan, and worked on a farm most of the time till 1869, when he came to Fond du Lac and
began work for Mr. U. D. Mihills, in a lumber-yard ; he soon became foreman in the yard and retained
that position for about five years, after which he ran a lumber-yard for P. Simple, for one year ; in 1876,
he became a stock-holder in and manager of the Fond du Lac Building Association ; he is also a breeder
of Mambrino horses and Jersey cattle. In 1875, he married Miss Ella E. Collins, of Plymouth, Sheboy-
gan Co., Wis., she is a member of the Episcopal Church.
GrUINDON IV. 11 IHIIililS, manufacturer ; was born at Wilmington, Essex Co., N. Y., Jan.
13, 1847 ; came to Fond du Lac in 1865, and engaged in the manufacture and sale of lumber, which he
has since followed; he is now Vice President, Secretary and Superintendent of the Mihills Manufacturing
Co., which employs about one hundred and sixty men in the manufacture of sash, doors, blinds and mold-
ings. Mr. M. was married in December, 1870, to Mary L. Peck, who died June 29, 1874, leaving one
child, Grace L., born Aug. 9, 187.3; he married a second time, April 27, 1876, to Mrs. Harriet Antoin-
ette Denzer, daug^iter of John W. Carpenter, of Pine River, Wis., and grand-daughter of Edward Pier,
deceased ; she has one child by a former husband.
URIAH D. MIHIIiliS is a native of the town of Tukeley, Shefferd Co., Lower Canada, born
May 7, 1818; received a common-school education; came to the State of Wisconsin in 1854, settled in
Dodge Co., where he farmed one year, after which he moved to Hartford, Washington Co., Wis., and
then was engaged in farming and lumbering till the spring of 1865 ; removing thence to Fond du Lac,
where he engaged more extensively in the lumbering and manufacturing business ; Mr. Mihills was a
member of the County Board of Supervisors of Essex Co., N. Y., during the years 1851-52-53; was
appointed County Supervisor by Gov. Fairohild in 1869 ; was elected Alderman and Supervisor from the
Fifth Ward in the city of Pond du Lac in 1870 ; was chosen Chairman of the County Board of Super-
visors in the same year; was elected a member of the State Legislative Assembly in 1869, and was
appointed by the Governor a member of the Committee to visit the charitable and benevolent institutions
of the State; in October, 1870, was appointed by Gov. Fairohild as a delegate to the Commercial Conven-
tion at Cincinnati ; in 1870, was again elected a member of the State Legislature on the Republican
ticket by 122 majority ; in 1871, was elected for the third time w:ith a majority of 169 ; was Chairman of
the Committee on Lumber and Manufactures while in the Legislature ; in November, 1873, was appointed
Director of the State Prison, but declined to accept, and Wm. E. Smith was appointed in his stead.
Sept. 12, 1839, he married Miss Caroline Partridge, daughter of Reuben Partridge, of Essex Co., N. Y.;
they have had nine children — Per.sis A., now Mrs. Johnson, of Columbia Co., Wis. ; Myra J., now Mrs.
840
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
Temby, of Dallas, Tex. ; G. N., of Pond du Lac ; Francis C, now Mrs. Bishop, of Kansas City, Mo •
Uriah D., Jr., Emma M., Norris D., H. William and H. Lillian. , '
WILLIAM B. HILLER was bom in Delaware Co., N. Y., Nov. 24, 1832; resided there
until 10 years old, then came to Waupun, Wis., with his parents ; in 1850, he removed to Waupaca, and
in 1866, came to Fond du Lac, engaged in wagon-making until 1868, and then engaged in the manufact-
ure of sash, doors and blinds until 1877, when he began the manufacture of agricultural implements. He
was married at Waupaca, April, 1859, to Mary Ann Dickinson, born in Scotland, March, 1842 ; they
■have one child — Oletta L.
JOSEPH MITCHELL, druggist, of the firm of Ditter & Mitchell; was born at Green
Bay, Wis., May 20, 1851 ; lived twelve years in Oshkosh; came to Fond du Lac Sept. 12, 1871, where
he has since resided ; Mr. M. followed the business of a grocer the first three years after coming to Fond
du Lac, and began the drug business in September, 1877.
BESi' JAMIEir F. MOORE, manufacturer : was born at Clinton, Kennebeck Co., Me., where
he learned the printer's trade ; he removed to Philadelphia in 1833, remaining there six years, after which
he lived a short tinie in New York City, coming to Taycheedah in September, 1841, and to Fond du.Laq
in 1846 ; Mr. M. at first engaged in Indian trading; built the first mill on the Wolf River in 1843 ; sent
the steamer Manchester up that stream the first time any orafo ever ascended it, and brought down the
first raft in the fall of 1843; in 1852, he began steamboating on Lake Winnebago, controlling seven
steamboats and all the barges' and other boats, until 1857; Mr. Moore was engaged in lumbering until
1856, and in real estate most of the time since 1846 ; he was interested in the old Bank of the Northwest,
and also in the First National Bank until 1874 ; during that year, he purchased with A. G. Ruggles, the
La Belle Wagon Works, and eight months later, became sole proprietor ; in 1879, a stock company was
formed, of which B. P. Moore is President; A. L. Moore, Vice President and Superintendent; James H.
Farnsworth, Secretary, and C. H. Moore, Treasurer ; the factory employs about two hundred men and
turns out twenty wagons per day ; Mr. Moore also owns a large hotel at London, Canada ; he has held
various county and city offices.
MARQUIS I>. MOORE, lumber manufacturer; was born at Montgomery, Hampden Co.,
Mass., July 15, 1825 ; his mother died when he was 5 years of age, after which he was without a perma-
nent home, although residing eight years with an aunt at Lowville, N. Y. ; at the age of 16, he returned
to Massachusetts and engaged in business for himself as farmer and dealer in lumber, which was abandoned
at 21 for the carpenter's trade ; this he followed several years, working two years at pipe-organ building
in Westfield, Mass., after which, in 1853, he began the business in that city of a fancy dry-goods mer-
chant, following it uninterruptedly for ten years ; in 1864, Mr. M. came to Pond du Lac, and arranged
for the purchase of a half-interest in the Crane saw-mill, which is still owned and run by him' in company
with C. A. GalloWay ; he then returned for his family, and has since resided in this city, carrying on the
business of a lumberman in all. its branches. Mr. Moore was first married at Southampton, Mass., Jan.
4, 1849, to Cordelia T., daughter of Theodore Bascom; she disd Sept. 1, 1850, leaving one child who
died April 7, 1858, aged 8 years ; he married a second time at Keene, N. H., Nov. 26, 1853, to Elida
Thatcher ; they have four children — Minnie Elida, born Aug. 21, 1861 ; Henry Warren, born Sept. 21,
1863; Eddie M., born Sept. 26, 1868, and Freddie M., born Dec. 16, 1870. Mr. Moore never had the
important advantages of a collegiate education, and has hewed his own way to his present high social and
business position, unaided ; he is in every sense of the term, a self-made man.
SAMUEL P. MORSE, foreman in the blacksmith department of the La Belle Wagon Works,
is a native of New York State; was born in 1842; in 1843, came to Wisconsin, and settled at Waukesha
for four years ; then, with his parents, moved to Chester, Dodge Co., where he lived on a farm till about
1852; he then moved to Waupun, Fond du Lac Co., where he began and worked at his trade till 1864;
he next went to Ripon, and followed his trade there until 1867, when he came to Pond du Lac, and
worked in the blacksmith shops of the La Belle Wagon Works, till the spring of 1873; in the spring of
1878, he took a contract to build spring wagons for Fish Brothers & Co., of Racine, which gave him
employ for about eighteen months ; in October, 1874, he returned to Pond du Lac and was again employed
in the blacksmith shop of the La Belle Wagon Works, and in 1875, he was appointed foreman of the shop
In 1865, he married Miss Cynthia J. Stockton, of Brandon, Wis. ; they have four children — Jessie M.,
Ella C, Bessie and Mable. Mr. Morse has been a member of the T. O. 0. P. since 1862 ; was a member
of the City Council from the Third Ward in the city of Fond du Lac during the years 18'77-78.
LOUIS MUEIVTER, cashier of the German- American Savings Bank ; was born at Rostock,
Mecklenburg, Germany, Feb. 7, 184Q, whence he came to Beaver Dam, Wis., in August, 1864, where he
resided four years, three years of which he was a clerk, and one year a member of the mercantile firm of
FOND DU LAC, 841
Krueger & Co.; in February, 1868, he came to Fond du Lac and engaged for nine months in the, real-
estate and loan business ; after that, for two years he was in the dry-goods business with John Sewell &
•Co., until he entered the firm of Walliehs & Muenter, in the grocery business, which continued until
March 31, 1876, when he entered the Grerman-American Savings Bank as assistant cashier, but is now
cashier. He was married at Fond du Lac, in April, 1867, to Alwine Rueping, a native of Essen, Prus-
sia ; they have six children — Bertha, Louis, Meta, Otto, Johanna and Alma. Mr. M. is a member of
Darling Chapter, Fond du Lac Commandery, and of the Masonic Lodge.
PATRICK IV AKIT, contractor ; was born in County Mayo, parish of Armagh, Ireland, April
7, 1838, and came to America, locating at Georgetown, Mass., Dec. 2, 1854 ; he lived there one year, at
Lyon two years, and in Cambridgeport until coming to Fond du Lac Aug. 2, 1861, Vhere he at once
■engaged as a contractor and builder of all descriptions of brick, stone and masonry work, which business
he has since continuously followed ; Mr. N. has spent some time in traveling in various parts of the world,
living twelve years in London, Eng., before coming to America. He was married at Lynn, Mass., Nov.
29, 1856, to Elizabeth Maloy, who was born in County Donegal, Ireland ; they have sis children living —
Catherine N., James H., Daniel, John T., Mary and Francis P.; they have lost three — Thomas, George
and Matthew. Mr. N. is Alderman of the Second Ward, Vice President of St. Patrick's Benevolent
Society, and a member of St. Joseph's Temperance Society.
NEWEIiL iriC^^HTllVGrAIiE, accountant and cashier in the office of C. J. L. Meyer's
sash, door and blind manufactory ; is a native of Fond du Lac Co., Wis., born in 1853 ; received his early
education in the public schools of Fond du Lac, after which he attended Douglas University, at Chicago,
■for nearly two years ; returning to Fond du Lac, he graduated at De Land's Commercial College in 1870 ;
his first employment was in 1871 in D. C. Lamb's real-estate, abstract and insurance office ; from 1872 to
1875, he was employed in Fond du Lac Paper Mill ; in 1875, he became accountant and cashier for
Mihilis Manufacturing Company, which position he held till December, 1878; in January, 1879, he was
•employed by Mr. Meyer as accountant and cashier. Mr. Nightingale has been a Mason since 1876,
Knight of Pythias since 1876, and is also a charter member of Royal Ai'canum.
MATHIAS li. XORJIAN, book-keeper in Hamilton's lumber office ; was born in Norway
in 1843; in 1863, he entered the Military School of Norway, graduating with th^ class of 1868, after
which he served as sergeant iu the army of that oouatry for one year; in 1869, he came to La Crosse,
Wis.; thence to Madison, where he studied civil engineering in the University of Wisconsin for four years ;
In 1876, he came to Fond du Lao and was engaged in surveying the F., A. & B. R. R. for one year ;
since October, 1877, he has been employed as book-keeper in the lumber office by Mr. A. K. Hamilton.
Mr. N. is a cjharter member of the Royal Arcanum, of Fond du Lac ; also a member of the Presbyterian
Church.
STEPHEBT OBEBRETCH, proprietor of Lewis House; was born in Germany in 1828;
came to America in 1851, and settled at Sbeboygan; from there he soon moved to Milwaukee, and fol-
lowed the tinsmith's trade, which he had learned in Germany; in 1854, he returned to Sheboygan, and,
in August of the same year, came to Fond du Lac, where he followed his trade till 1875, when he began
keeping the Lewis House. In 1854, he married Miss Catharine Helmer, of Pond du Lac, she being a
native of Germany also ; the children are Herman, Oscar, Lewis, Ernest and Julius. Mr. Oberreich was
a member of the School Board in 1870 and 1871 ; has been a Mason since 1865.
WIIiLIAM H. A. OEH^TEBBEICH, miller; was born in Prussia July 5, 1844; came
to America in 1866, to Watertown, Wis., and from there to Fond du Lac; he learned milling when 14
years of age ; has been seven years in the Galloway Mills. He was married, Feb. 27, 1875, to Lizzie
Krumer, born in Germantown, Milwaukee Co., Wis. they have two children — Carrie May, born May 4,
1876, and Edward, born Sept. 2, 1878.
CHABIiES Olill, machinist; is a son of Charles and Caroline 01m; born in Berlin, Prussia,
in 1839 ; in 1856, in his native city, he entered Upon a three-years apprenticeship at his trade ; after this,
for the next three years, he carried on a machinist business for himself in Harrisburg, Prussia ; then, faith-
ful to his country, he joined the Prussian Army and served as a soldier for four and one-half years ; in
1867, he came to Chicago, where for one year he was employed as machinist in McCormick's Reaper
Manufactory ; thence, in 1868, he removed to Fond du Lac, where he has since been in the employ of C.
J. L. Meyer, as machinist, in his door, sash and blind factory ; by his careful management, industry and econ-
omy, he has saved from his earnings money enough to purchase a house and lot on Main street, opposite
the fair ground. In 1865, he was married to Miss Mary, daughter of Edward and Caroline Menge, of
Posen, Prussia; they have four children — Lena, Max, Oscar and Charles. Mr. and Mrs. 01m are mem-
■bers of the Lutheran Church.
842 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
WARREX P. OTTARSOIV, joiner and carpenter ; is a native of Bradford Co., Penn.; bora
in 1838; came to Wisconsin and settled at Fond du Lac in 1856, where he followed farming till 1861,
when he enlisted in Co. A, 3d W. V. I.; was in the battles of Winchester and Chancellorsville, losing ia
the latter a finger from his right hand ; he was then sent to Carver Hospital, at Washington, D. C.,
whence he was transferred to the 2d Battalion, Invalid Corps, where he served the remainder of his ternt
of enlistment, which expired in June, 1864, after which he returned to Fond du Lac, and, in November
of the same year, re-enlisted in Co. B, 1st W. V. C, where he served till the close of the war; the last
military act of his regiment being in a detachment to assist in the capture of Jeff Davis, which occurred
at Irwinville, Ga., May 9, 1865 ; his regiment was mustered out of service at Edgeville, Tenn., in 1865,
when he returned to Fond du Lac and began the carpenter and joiner's trade, which he has followed most
of the time since. In September, 1865, he married Miss Catherine Abbs, daughter of William B. Abbs,
of Fond du Lac ; they have one daughter — Lizzie B., born in July, 1866. Mrs. Ottarson has an interest
in a greenhouse, with her father, at No. 150 West Division street.
JOHX PAAS, farmer, Sees. 30, 15 and 17 ; P. 0. Fond du Lac; a son of John and Mary
Paas, of Prussia ; his father being a native of France, and his mother of Prussia ; John spent much of his
boyhood at work in a small vineyard owned by his father ; in 1844, he went to France, where he spent a
short time at farming, then returned to his home and spent about eight months more in his father's vine-
yard ; in 1847, he returned a second time to France, and continued his stay for about a year before he
returned to Prussia; in 1850, he set sail for America, and landed in New York in August of that year ;
' thence, in September, to Oshkosh, where he spent the winter ; in the spring of 1857, he removed to the
city of Fond du Lac, where he soon began keeping hotel, which he continued for about four years ; in
1854, he purchased a farm of fifty acres in the town of Lamartine, which he controlled in connection with
his work at the Fond du Lac House in the city ; in July, 1870, he boughtthe " Four Mile " House, of
which he was proprietor for eight years ; then changed it into a private residence, where he still makes his
home. He was married to Miss Catharine, daughter of John and Anna C. Orleges, of Fond du Lac, in
November, 1853, she being a native of Germany ; they have three children — John H. (now a teacher of
Fond du Lac Co.), Julia (deceased), Regina. They are members of St. Mary's Catholic Church.
CHRISTIAN F. PADE, foreman on the first floor in C. J. L. Meyer's sash, door and blind
factory ; is a native of Prussia, where he was born in 1832 ; he learned the cabinet-maker's trade, which he
followed there till 1852, when he emigrated to America and settled at Fond du Lac in the same year; here
he followed the carpenter and joiner's trade till 1862, when he was employed by Mr. Meyer, as foreman of
the sawing and planing department of the sash, door and blind factory. In 1854 he married Miss
Paulena Arns, of Fond du Lac, she being a native of Holstein, Germany, born in 1833 ; they have four
children — Bertha, Herman, Henry and Minnie. The family arc all members of the Lutheran Church.
SPENCER PAIiMER, printer; was born at Lodi, Wis., July 7, 1849; in 1850, went with
his parents to Ourtown, Sheboygan Co.; lived there five years, at Cascade three years, at Dundee, in this
county, two years, and then settled at Waucousta; in 1870, Mr. P. began the printer's trade, and has fol-
lowed it most of the time since, spending one year in Appleton before coming to Fond du Lao ; he is now
proprietor of a job printing office on First street. He was married at Huntington, Ind., Feb. 12, 1875,
to Lillie E. Varney, born in Vermont; they have one child — Gracie E.
ARTHIIR D. PARKER, superintendent of Sherry's saw-mill, also general agent for the-
counties of Fond du Lac, Winnebago and Sheboygan, for the sale of white bronze monuments, manufact-
ured at Bridgeport, Conn., by Schuyler, Parsons, London & Co.; is a native of the East Province of
Quebec, Canada, where he was born in 1836; came to Wisconsin in 1857, and settled in Washington
Co., where he followed saw-milling for two years ; thence he went to California in 1859; in 1-867 he
returned to Wisconsin and settled at Fond du Lao, where he has since been mostly engaged in lumbering
and saw-milling. In 1867 he married Miss Caroline Kneeland, of Hartford, Wis.; they have three
children — Charles A., Edna E. and Andrew A. Mr. Parker has been a member of the Royal Arcanum,
since Jan. 1, 1879.
FRANCIS F. PARSONS, market gardener and small-fruit grower, a son of John and Eliza-
beth Parsons; born in Bridgewater, England, March 25, 1830; in August, 18i3, he, with parents, landed
in New York, as immigrants to America — thence to Mackinaw, where they intended to take the boat for
Racine, Wis.; the boat having left before they could reach it, they took passage on another for Green Bay,
where his father purchased an Indian pony and took the trail for Fond du Lac ; here he made the acquaint-
ance of Dr. Darling, by whom he was induced to make this his home ; he entered 120 acres in the town>
of Byron, where he with his two sons immediately began building a log house ; having got the work fairly
started, he left his boys to complete it while he returned to Green Bay for the rest of his family ; returning
FOND DU LAC. 843
•vfith them before the house was finished, they improvised things as best they could ; here Francis made
his home for some time; his first business was that of a local agent at Fond du Lac, for the Wisconsin
Stage Company; he next was in the employ of the American Express Company; in 1858, he bought a
farm of 100 acres in the town of Byron, on which he made his home till 1863, when he removed to the
city of Fond du Lac, and there kept a flour and feed store for three years; in 1865, he purchased a farm
of fifteen acres in Sec. 10, town of Fond du Lao, joining the city limits, where he is now engaged in mar-
ket gardening and small-fruit growing. Jan. 6, 1857, he mai:ried Miss Sarah, daughter of Riley and
Mary Shepard, who died in January, 1863. He was married to Miss Hattie, daughter of Johannie and
Elizabeth Bevier, of Fond du Lac, in March, 1864, she being a native of Elmira, but immigrated to this
State with parents in 1844; they have two sons, Harry and Frank. Mr. Parsons and wife are members
of the Methodist Church. Mr. P. is a member of the I. 0. 0. F.
BEIVJAllflllV STOCKTOxV PATTY, son of John Patty and Sarah Stockton, was born at
Auburn, N. Y., Nov. 6, 1815; after completing his education at the best schools in that part of the State, he
entered the employment of Lis father, who was the most extensive tanner in that section of the country.
In that early day transportation was done by teams, and ia this way he traveled through New York, Penn-
sylvania and Canada, selling goods and attending to colleot;ions ; later, devoting a portion of his time to
farming, but still attending to his father's collections. Oct. 23, 1839, he married Susannah Y. Blythp,
daughter of George Blythe and Margaret Patty, of Ithaca, N. Y. After his marriage, Mr. Patty devoted
his entire time, for a number of years, to farming at Little Sodus Bay, N. Y.; in 1850, he moved into the
town, and, besides the charge of two large farms, took the contract for grading the Auburn & Sodus Bay
R. R., at the same time entering into the hotel business at that place — this was his first experiencfe as a
" host." In 1855, he moved to Woodstock, McHenry Co., 111., which was at that time the terminus of
the Chicago & North- Western Ry.; there he took the Woodstock House and established its reputation as
the leading hotel in Northern Illinois. In 1860, he moved still further north to Fond du Lac, Wis., at
that time a place of about five thousand inhabitants, Oshkosh being then the northern terminus of the
railroad ; still pursuing the hotel business, to which he found himself particularly adapted, he leased the
Lewis House, which then stood on the ground now occupied by the Patty House ; in 1863, he purchased
the property. Four years later, the Lewis House was destroyed by fire, but before it was fairly consumed
Mr. Patty had planned the erection of the finest hotel in this part of the country, and, without waiting for
the embers to cool, he commenced clearing away the debris and perfecting the plans of the present Patty
House, which he opened to the public June 9, 1868. He lived to enjoy this result of his labors for three
years, dispensing the hospitalities of the house with that open hand and genial manner which won the
friendship of whoever came within his doors. Mr. .Patty felt a justifiable pride in the completion of this
undertaking, the result of his own efforts and enterprise, placing him as it did in the front rank of the hotel
men of the Northwest. But, beyond this, he felt he had done something for the credit and benefit of
Fond du Lac. Strangers coming into a place are, to a very great extent, impressed favorably or otherwise
by the appearance and treatment of the hotels. This was Mr. Patty's thought, and he felt that in build-
ing the Patty House he had added to the architectural attractions of the place, and had provided accom-
modations that would make the town attractive to every stranger who came hither ; thus, in constructing the
Patty House, he aided materially in bringing Fond du Lac into good repute, and, probably, no one enterprise
was ever started and completed in this city that gave a greater impetus to the city's reputation than the erec-
tion of this mammoth and imposing hostelry. He was not long permitted to enjoy the fruits of his anxious
care and indomitable labors, for, on the 25th of January, 1871, he was suddenly stricken down with dropsy
of the heart, and expired on the 28th, after an illness of but three days. So, after an honorable, active
and useful career, he departed this life at the early age of 55, leaving behind him a host of mourning
friends, a wife and three children. The family now consists of Mrs. Susannah Y. Patty, Margaret H. (now
Mrs. 0. D. Sickler, of Redwood Falls, Minn.), George H. and John R. Patty — the former residing with
her sons, who are still keeping the Patty House at Fond du Lao. As a man, Mr. Patty possessed, in a
marked degree, thos^ qualities which endear men to their fellows ; no man in the community was more
loved and respected by all than he ; he was the friend of any one who stood in need ; his doors were always
wide open to the distressed, and he gave with a genereus hand to any cause that appealed to his sym-
pathies ; liberal in his sub.soriptions and support of the various denominations of the church, he confined
his generosity to no seot or creed. As a citizen, neighbor, friend, husband and father he richly won this
proudest epitaph : " Take him for all in all, he was a man."
GEORGrE H. PATTY, of the firm of Patty Bros., proprietors of the Patty House ; was
born at Sodus Bay, Cayuga Co., N. Y., Oct. 9, 1844; son of Benjamin S. Patty, who built the present
Patty House ; he came to Fond du Lac in 1860 ;' was in the hotel business with his father for some years ;
844 BIOGBAPHICAL SKETCHES:
proprietor of a livery stable three years prior to 1871 ; and in August, 1873, became one of the proprietors
of the Patty House. He was married at Fond du Lac, March, 1872, to Kate Seaver, a native of Janes-
ville. Wis.; they have one daughter, Alice.
ANDREW PAYNE, livery stable proprietor ; was born in Warminster, England, Feb. 11,
1815 ; came to America, to Prescott, Canada, in 1828 ; he was engaged in sailing upon the lakes fourteen
years ; was master of a vessel two years ; came to Sheboygan, Wis., in 1846, where he engaged in the grocery
business; lived next at Sheboygan Falls two years, and then came to Fond du Lac in 1861j and engaged
in the livery business; Mr. P. is the oldest man in that business in the city; he started a trunk factory
in 1867, which he sold to D. C. Lang in 1874. He wj.s married in Gibbsville, Sheboygan Co., Feb. 25,
1847, to Maria Johnson, a native of New York.
A. T. PERKINIS, of the firm of Perkins & Clement, proprietors of the Fond du Lac Spring-
Wagon Co.; was born at Belts' Mills, Jefierson Co., N. Y., in 1839 ; came to Fond du Lac in 1856, and
clerked in a grocery store for two years ; he then went into the bakery and confectionery business under
the name of Perkins & Morrison, which continued for three years, when he bought out Mr. Morrison and
continued the business alone till 1865 ; disposing of his bakery business, he next ran a transfer line in the
city till 1874;, he then became a member of the present firm. In 1862, he married Miss Lizzie Dew-
rose, daughter of Charles Dewrose, a farmer of Omro, Winnebago Co., Wis.; she died in 1864, leaving
one son, Charles. Oct. 15, 1"68, he married Miss Jemima Lewis, daughter of William Lewis, molder,
of Oshkosh ; they have one child, Hattie. Mr. P. has been a Mason since 1864. He and his wife are
members of the M. E. Church.
HON. GEORCirE PERKINS, County Judge; was born at Montrose, Susquehanna Co.,
Penn., May 8, 1820, whence he removed to Luzerne.Co. in that State, and to Ripon, Wis., in 1855 : the
next year he entered the mercantile business at Brandon, Wis., but returned to Ripon in 1858, where he
practiced law until he enlisted in Co. B, 41st W. V. I., in the spring of 1864, as Second Lieutenant;
he was mustered out as such ; he returned to Ripon, and in 1864 was elected District Attorney ; he then
removed to Pond du Lac, where he has since resided, holding the office of District Attorney six years ;
City Comptroller one year, and County Judge since 1877. He was married in Connecticut to Abby Per-
kins, a native of that State, by, whom he had three children — Eleanor P., now Mrs. H. J. Gerpheide, and two
who are deceased. He was married^a second time, June, 1870, at Windham, Conn., to Emeline Larrabee,
a native of that place ; they have three children^George B., Fannie G. and Jed B. While at Ripon,
Judge P. was City Clerk one term, and is now Trustee of the Fond du Lac Public Library.
JAMES JB. PERRY, bank cashier ; was born at Green Bay, Wis., Aug. 25, 1835, and came,
with, his parents, Nathaniel and Margaret Perry, to Taycheedah in 1842 ; at the age of 14, Mr. P. entered
the Register's office, in which he remained six years, being deputy several years ; in May, 1855, he
became connected with the Bank of the Northwest, in which he was book-keeper, teller, assistant cashier
and cashier, continuing with the concern when it was re-organized into the present First National Bank, and in
which he has beeii cashier since 1866 and Director since 1875. Mr. Perry is one of the most active
members of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, in which he has been Senior Warden ten years, and is now the
Treasurer of the Diocese of Fond du Lac. He was married, at Fond du Lac, Sept. 26, 1864, to Clara
N., daughter of Wm. and P. N. Carey ; they have two boys, aged, respectively, 13 and 7 years.
JOHN ClilTZ PERRY was born at Green Bay, Wis., -\pril 10, 1831 ; lived there with
his father, Nathaniel Perry, until 1837, when the family moved to Winnebago Rapids, now Neenah ; in
1842, Mr. Perry moved to Taycheedah, Fond du Lac Co., where he kept hotel and resided until his death
in 1850. Mrs. Perry, J. C.'s mother, died two weeks after the burial of her husband. J. C. Perry
began clerking in a. store at Neenah in 1848, where he remained until 1860. In November, 1861, he
enlisted in Co. K., 11th W. V. I., and served three and one-half years in that regiment, most of the time
in detached service; from July, 1862, he was in the Brigade Quartermaster's department; after being
mustered out in 1865, Mr. Perry returned to Neenah, but, soon after, returned to Louisville, Ky., and
remained four months in the Quartermaster's department; in the fall of 1866, engaged in the banking^
business with Rudolph Ebert, at Pond du Lac, establishing the German American Savings Bank; in Jan-
uary, 1880, Mr. Perry severed his connection with this bank and entered the First National Bank of Fond
du Lac, as correspondent. He was married, June 22, 1856, at Neenah, to Miss Susan A. Jones; they
have three children— C. L., now Mrs. W. I. Way, of Topeka, Kan.; C. Frederick and Susie A., who live
at home.
MARTIN PETRIE, proprietor freight line; was born in Prussia July 19, 1830; came to
Calumet, tliis county, with his parents, in 1847 ; came from there to Pond du Lac in 1852, and, for
four years, was engaged in freighting between this place and Milwaukee; now he is engaged in the local
FOND DU LAC. 845
freight business. Mr. P. was married, at Fond du Lac, May 6, 1854, to Martha Trauthfett^r, born in
Saxony;' they have four children — Emma F., William J., Edwin J. and Nettie. He is a member of the
Odd Fellows Lodge, and, for several years, was cooneoted with the Grerman-Boglish Aeademv.
C. J. PETTIBONB, dry-goods merchant.
WM. MICHAEL PHELAJT, son of Michael Phelan and Martha Colclough, farmer; born.
April 27, 1819, at Gore's Grove, County Kilkenny, Ireland ; received a liberal education at a select school ,
under Prof. Campion; at 16 years of age was apprenticed in a general mercantile house, in the city Kil-
kenny, for a term of five years ; after three years returned to the farm ; was enrolled for military conscrip-
tion during the Papineau or Patriot War, in Canada, in the year 1838 ; was then apprenticed to a civil
engineer and surveyor named Lehy, in Thurless, County Tipperary, where he studied the higher mathe-
matics, Euclid, etc.; both parents dying, returned to the farm and made agriculture — -both practical , and
theoretical — -and agricultural chemistry, his study and occupation for eight years, with much success ; in the
years 1843^5, took an active part in the repeal agitation and O'Connell monster meetings ; in August,.
1846, joined Smith O'Brien, Meigher and the Young Ireland party; became. a revolutionist and assisted
in the formation of clubs ; after the fiasco in 1848, left the country and came to the United States, via
Dublin and Liverpool, arriving at Fond du Lac Village Aug. 8, 1850, where he permanently settled,
buying some lots in the village and a farm in the town of Eldorado ; -the first house he built was in what
is now the Fifth Ward, in 1851. Was married in the city of Bufialo, June 22, 1853, to Margaret,
daughter of Michael and Honoria M. Norton, born in Forkhill, near Gores Grove, parish of Crane, County-
Kilkenny, Ireland, by whom he had seveu children — five boys and two girls, all born in Fond du Lac.
The subject of this sketch worked as a carpenter and joiner and general contractor until opening a
grocery store in one of his buildings, No. 377 Main street ; also built and opened a flour and feed store,
No. 300 Main street, in the year 1877 ; also served the city in various capacities; was elected Street Com-
missioner in 1853; Alderman in 1854-56 and 1862; as City or Ward Assessor about eighteen years ;
served as member of the County Board, School Commissioner, etc.; was elected some twenty-five times to
various ofiices in the city, and last year, 1879, as City Assessor and School Commissioner.
C. P. PHELiPS, insurance agent ; was born at Ira, Cayuga Co., N. Y., Nov. 23, 1812 ; moved
in 1842, to Mt. Pleasant, Racine Co., Wis., and, in 1845, to Section 34, Byron, where he followed farm-
ing until the fall of 1868, when he- moved to Fond du Lac and engaged in the insurance business, which
he has since followed: At the organization of the town of Byron in 1846, Mr. P. was elected Assessor,
and served without pay ; he held other town offices during nearly his entire residence in Byron. He was
married at Ira, N. Y., Aug. 31, 1836, to Polly Beach, a native of that place, born Aug. 25, 1820 ; the
children are Amelia (now Mrs. John Hecker, of Iowa), born May 23, 1839 ; Fernando, July 29, 1841 ;
Mary J. (now Mrs. A. D. Clark), Oct. 10, 1844 ; Martha (now Mrs. A. A. Shepard), July 25, 1846, in
Byron ; Sarah L., Aug. 4, 1848, died May 3, 1873, and Edward W., born in Byron Dec. 9, 1864.
COL. E. L. PHILLIPS, retired; was born at Manlius, Onondaga Co., N. Y., Feb. 16,
1800 ; entered Gen. Amos P. Granger's store at Syracuse at the age of 16 ; returned to Manlius, and was
three or four years (until 1831) in his brother's store, and then began the mercantile business for himself.
In 1837, was elected Sherifl' of Onondaga Co.; and chosen Assemblyman in 1847. After leaving the
Sheriff's office, he engaged in jobbing, and then took a contract with his brother and two others to build
sixty miles of the Great Western Railway, from Niagara Falls to the head of Lake Ontario ; in 1848,
Col. P. was appointed Canal Appraiser, serving two years ; then returned one year to the railroad con-
tract, which he finally sold to his partners, Oswald & Zimmerman, and contracted to build twenty-five
miles of the Ohio & Mississippi Railway in Ohio. Col. P. was married at Manlius, N. Y., in 1825, to
Harriet, daughter of Judge Tousley, who died six months later ; he was married again, in 1828, to Mrs.
Eleanor Jones, grand-daughter of John Plemming, of Maryland ; she died in 1838, leaving one
daughter, who died in 1857. Col. P. came to Fond du Lac in August, 1852, locating in Empire on the
farm now owned by Mr. Wells ; and his brother, Lyman Phillips, came at the same time ; he engaged in
farming about fifteen years. He was elected State Senator in 1860 ; held a Colonel's position in the
New York State Militia ; was Provost Marshal of this district in 1863-64, and, in 1869 or 1870, having
been interested in a savings bank in Syracuse, he went to Madison and secured a charter for the Fond du
Lac Savings Bank, and was for two years its President. Col. Phillips, though past 80 years of age, still
looks after his farms, which are tilled by tenants.
COL. COLWERT K. PIER. On the 7th day of June, 1841, nearly thirty-nine years
ago, there was a sensation in sparsely inhabited Fond du Lac. On that day, there came to Fond du Laa
Co. — then known as Brown Co. — the first white twins born within its borders, a boy and a girl. ' They
were gladly welcomed in the family of Edward Pier, the first white man to locate in wh^t is now the-
S46 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
second city of a great State. At that time (1841), there were not to exceed twenty white families in what
at present constitutes a county of at least fifty-five thousand inhabitants. These new-comers, these pioneer
twins, were named, respectively, Colwert K. and Carrie 8. The baby boy of thirty- eight years ago is the
subject of this sketch. He has always made Fond du Lac his home and now lives on the same farm
his father commenced in 1836, or forty-four years ago, and the record shows only one transaction in
that time, namely, from Edward Pier to Colwert K. Pier. It is perhaps the only piece of property in the
entire county whose record is similarly made up.
There are at this time four members of the late Hon. Edward Pier's family, as follows : Mrs. Anna
P. Carpenter, wife of J. W. Carpenter, who resides at Pine River, Waushara Co., Wis.; Mrs. Ruth R-
Harvey, wife of L. J. Harvey, who resides in Poud du Lac, and Mrs. Carrie S. Skinner, wife of H. R.
Skinner, also a resident of Fond du Lac. Mrs. Carpenter taught the subject of this sketch his letters.
He worked on a farm during the spring, summer and autumn, and attended district school winters, until
he arrived at the age of 16 years. An apt scholar in all branches, he, however, excelled in mathematics,
composition and elocution. He was generally accorded the leadership by his associates, who usually were
his seniors in age. The speaking-schools and debating-clubs were places of great attraction to young Pier,
and he seldom attended ons in which he did not paracipate. As a financier, Mr. Pier's first experience
dates back to his early boyhood, when, on election day, terms of court, circus occasions, and the Fourth of
July, he industriously peddled apples and pop-corn. This branch of trade, during the occasions indicated,
he successfully followed from the time he was 12 until he had reached the age of 16 years, at which time
he was sent to Lombard University, Gralesburg,' 111. Having a taste for the law, he soon commenced
preparations to enter upon that honored profession. He studied first in the office of the late Judge Robert
Flint, in this city. It was while in Judge Flint's offica, industriously storing his mind with legal lore,
that the nation was startled by the fall of Fort Sumter, and the surrender of Maj. Anderson. The news
was made known in Fond du Lac through extras and from the various pulpits. On that memorable Sun-
day evening, young Pier and Christie Klook, a neighbor's son, spent an hour or more in discussing the
all-absorbing topic. At the end of that time, both had come to the conclusion that it was their duty to
enlist. Early Monday morning, when young Kiock (since Capt. Klock, and now a successful sheep-raiser
in Texas), came along, they went to the office of Col. S. E. Lefferts and signed the muster-roll. Pier's
name appearing first, and Klook's second. There is no record to show that he was not the first man
in Fond du Lac Co. to enroll his name as a volunteer in the war of the rebellion. Indeed, it may be
recorded that this young law-student, not yet 20 years of age, was the first in the county to offer his serv-
ices. The company was not long in filling up, and was known as Co. I, 1st W. V^ I., three-months
men. It became a part of Maj. Gen. Patterson's army, and it was at Falling Waters that young Pier, a
private soldier, listened to the songs of bullets and shell. At the end of the term for which the regiment
was sworn in, Mr. Pier accompanied a. sick comrade to New York, and very soon afterward entered Albany
Law School ; from there he returned to Fond du Lac, and entered the law office of the late James M.
Gillet and Judge W. D. Conklin. While he made excellent progress in his studies, he nevertheless gave
but lilitile time to them, being full of the war spirit, participating in all of the demonstrations and taking a
deep interest in the formation of every new company. While in this office, he organized a military
company under the State law ; the company elected him Captain. At that time the political cauldron
was boiling boisterously. Violent political opponents of the Captain joined in a written protest to Gov.
Harvey, to withhold his commission. The contest became decidedly bitter, but the Governor sent him
the commission. Capt. Pier afterward organized nine other companies into a regiment whose commissioned
officers elected him Colonel, the Governor losing no time in forwarding him a commission as such. By a
vote of the men in this regiment, it was tendered by the Colonel to the General Government, but, suppos-
ing the war nearly over and no additional troops would be required. Gen. Frey declined the offer. This
was a sad disappointment to the boy-Colonel, for such he was, being only a little past21 years of age, and
in his disappointment he was joined by his officers and men, who had become great admirers of their
young commander.
When General Grant assumed command of all the armies, Wisconsin was called upon for three new
regiments, and Governor Lewis issued an order for the formation of the 36th, 37th and 38th. By this
time Col. Pier had pretty much abandoned the idea of re-entering the service. Toward evening, one
day, soon after the new regiments were ordered, and while he was busily engaged in his duties, a messen-
ger handed him a telegram from Madison. It read : " Will you accept a commission as Lieutenant Colonel
of the 38th Regiment ? Answer immediately." It was a great surprise ; ten minutes later he had found
his father and shown him the dispatch. After reading it and reflecting a moment, the veteran ex-Senator
said: " You had better hear what mother says about it; if she is willing, I will not object to your
^^ J^J^^^e^-^J^^^ J^^
FOND DU LAC* . 849
■accepting it.'' The pioneer mother was sick in bed ; the son approached her and read the dispatch ; her eyes
filled with tears ; with a trembling voice she said : " Do as you think best, my boy ; I will be satisfied
with your decision." In less than half an hour from the receipt of the dispatch, these words were sen^to
the Governor : " I will accept." This incident was related to the writer by Col. Pier many years ago,
and when he reads this sketch he will learn for the first time that it was not forgotten by his friend. In a
few days the Lieutenant Colonel was busily engaged in organizing his new command; many of his old
regiment rejoined him, and in a remarkably short space of time five full ooinpanies were ready to start for
the scene of action, to join the Army of the Potomac, leaving the Colonel, Adjutant and Quartermaster
to fill up the other companies and join them later, which they did in the fall. They joined Grant in
the memorable Wilderness campaign at White House Landing; there three (consolidared) companies of
the gallant Minnesota 1st were joined to his command, making it larger than almost any of the regiments
in that array which had been so roughly handled in the bloody contests of that year; he was first engaged
at Cold Harbor, where not a few of his men gave up»their lives. From that time until the surrender of
Gen. Lee, Col. Pier was a participant in all of Grant's battles. He fought his regiment most gallantly,
soon winning a reputation for coolness and undaunted bravery in action. In the never-to-be-forgotten
charges and countercharges at Petersburg, on the 18th of June, 1864, Col. Pier was grazed by a bullet
on the forehead, was shot in the fleshy portion of the leg, and an ugly fragment of a shell hit him on the
instep, the latter giving him much pain, but the three failed to drive him from the field, though the loss of
blood greatly weakened him. In the early Petersburg engagements his regiment met with fearful losses. A
sharpsliooter made the Colonel his especial target one day, in front of Petersburg, but did him no more harm
than to shoot away one of the silver leaves on his coat. During the Weldon Railroad fight, late in August,
1864, his regiment did splendid service^ being at one time nearly surrounded and receiving a most galling
fire. It was during this battle that he received a letter from home announcing his mother's death. In ^n
engagement on the left of Petersburg, late in September, the regiment was flanked ; it was a part of the
force supporting a battery ; the rebels came pouring down upon the infantry at a double-quick. The
horses of the battery had fled to the rear with the caissons, leaving the guns at the mercy of the enemy.
Seeing the danger. Col. Pier, without orders, commanded a, small part of the 38th to save the guns, which
it did by hauling them away by means of the drag-ropes, while the balance of the regiment faced the on-
coming rebels and peppered them unmercifully. Beside saving the guns, the 38th captured several of the
enemy, so close was the contest. , Lieut. Col. Pier was division ofiioer of the day, and answered the signal
the 2yth of January, on that part of the line in front of Petersburg, when Vice President Alexander
Stephens and Mr. Campbell, the Confederate Commissioners, made their appearance with a flag of truce,
seeking entrance to our lines on the way to meet President Lincoln, Secretary Seward and other members^
of the Cabinet at City Point. Col. BintliiF arrived with the other five companies and assumed command
of the regiment ; Lieut. Col. Pier was assigned to the 109th N. Y. V. I., they having lost all field officers.
This was a trying position ; there never was the most cordial feeling between Wisconsin and New York
troops, at best. The New Yorkers were indignant, and not at all backward in making the fact known.
But for the fact that the new commander was soon called upon to>lead his New Yorkers m a fight, where
iis coolness and bravery were conspicuous and won lor him the respect and confidence of most of the
officers ahd men, it is likely that he would have had serious trouble. As it was, he became very popular
with the regiment, and, at the end of the war, the ofiioers and men presented him with a handsome horse
and saddle, and their pride in their Wisconsin commander was so great that they insisted on his returning
to Elmira with them when mustered out. Col. Pier led this regiment in the charge on Fort Mahone,
at Petersburg, April 2, 18G5, and was in command during the active operations of that eventful day.
When not in active campaigns, while the army was in front of Petersburg, Col. Pier was usually on
duty at division or corps headquarters, as President of a general court martial. After the regiment moved
to Washington, he performed similar duties at Gen. Augur's headquarters up to August, 1865. When
Col. James Bintliff was mustered out of service. Pier was commissioned Colonel, but, owing to the lack of
a sufficient number of man, and. the fact that the struggle was over, he was not mustered as such. His
army record is a proud one; entering the army a private in 1861, he returned to his home with honorable
scars, a splendid fighting record, and with a Colonel's commission in his pocket. He and the balance of
the regiment were mustered out on the 15th of August, 1865. That same year, he commenced the prac-
tice of his profession, the firm being Gillet, Conklin & Pier ; afterward Gillet & Pier ; then Gillet, Pier &
Bass, and then alone until 1874, when he entered the Savings Bank; he soon took high rank as a lawyer,
being very successful, and winning an enviable reputation. Col. Pier was married to Miss Kate Hamilton, of
Pond du Lac, on the 25th of June, 1866 ; they have four children — Kate H., Carrie H., Harriet H. and
Mary H. In July, 1873, in consequence of a serious injury to his father, who was President of the Savings
850 . BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
Bank, and the failing health of Hon. B. H. Galloway, the Vice President, Col. Pier entered the bank. The
call from his chosen profession to these new duties was sudden, and at a most trying time, for it will be
remembered that that was the year in which the distressing .financial panic came ; the panic, and the death
of both Mr. Galloway and his father, threw an immense responsibility upon his shoulders ; the handling
of a half-million deposits and equal discounts, at such a time, was by- no means a trifling affair; but the
Savings Bank went through the great panic without a quiver. The great depression in business wa&
particularly severe on Fond du Lac; while many sought to draw their capital out of business channels,
then so precarious. Col. Pier, on the contrary, tried to keep the wheels in motion ^nd the laboring people
employed, and, through the Business Men's Association, which he was a leader in establishing, to unite
and solidify what business was left. The Mihills Manufacturing Company, the Fond du Lao Harrow
Company and thfe Fond du Lao Building Association gave employment to over three hundred people. But
for his business tact, confid6nce, courage and capital, it is quite safe to say that these several enterprises
. would not have been established nor maintained, and most of these people been obliged to seek employment
out of the city; he and those who co-operated with him in continuing the business at so much risk, will
never receive the meed of praise to which they are justly entitled ; he and uhe^ could have used their
capital at much less risk and care, and, doubtless, with more profit. Col. Pier has never been a politician,
in the common acceptation of the term, but on several occasions has taken an active part, on the stump
and in organizing for victory ; he is an easy, pleasant and forcible speaker. He has never sought office,
and it is not likely that he will ; in politics he is a Republican. He has always taken a deep interest in
•everything that pertains to the welfare of the men who fought in the late war. He has been a Trustee of
the Soldiers' Orphans' Home a longer term than any other one, having been appointed the second year it
was founded and held the position ever since ; he has been Secretary for many years, and is now Vice
President. He is at present President of the Wisconsin Soldiers'- Re-union Association, and to him, more
than to any other man, should be given the credit of bringing about the great Re-union and the interest
growing out of the subject. His pen has been tireless the past year in agitating the question that is of so
m>ich interest to the old soldiers. His " Soldier Chapters," printed in the Milwaukee Sunday Telegraph
and elsewhere, are by far the best that have ever been produced in Wisconsin. In this connection, it ,is
proper to state that the Colonel is a good writer, as well as a thorough business man and eloquent speaker..
While in the three-months service, he wrote highly interesting letters to the Saturday Reporter, of Fond
du Lac. In 1870, he bought a two-thirds interest in the Fond du Lac Commonwealth, and, for a year or
more, frequently contributed to its editorial columns. He retained an interest in the paper, as a matter of
accommodation, until 1874. Col. Pier is public spirited, contributes liberally to the poor, and is a warm
friend of all benevolent enterprises. " Act right " is his religion, and " Charity " his precept ; the balance he
confidently leaves to Him who doeth all things well.
JOiSBr C. PIERROX, proprietor of the Fond du Lac Boiler Works ; is a native of France ;
born in 1829 ; came to America in 18'48, and lived at Syracuse, N. Y., till 1851, when he returned to
France ; remaining there about six months, he came again to Syracuse, N. Y., where he lived for nearly
two years ; in 1854, came to Milwaukee and made that his home till the spring of 1856, when he moved
to Fond du Lac and began boiler manufacturing, which he continued till 1858 ; he then returned to Mil-
waukee and worked in the shops of the Milwaukee & La Crosse Railroad for eight months, when he came
again to Fond du Lao and for a short time was employed in the shops of the C. & N.-W. Ry., but was
soon transferred to the C. & N.-W. Ry. shops at Chicago, remaining there from 1859 to 1862, when, for
the third time, he returned to Fond du Lac and again established the boiler works of which he has since
been propiietor. In 1854, he married Miss Adaline Prudhon, of Milwaukee ; they have two children —
Florence A. R., and John C. Mr. Pierron has been a member of the City Council from Fifth Ward ; at
various times member of the County Board, and was elected City Treasurer in the spring of 1879.
E. R. POWERS, farmer ; is the son of Jonathan and R. Powers, natives of New York. E,.
R. was born in Erie Co., N. Y., in 1836, and, at the age of 10 years, came to Fond du' Lac Co., traveling
the whole distance, except crossing the Lake, with a team and wagon. His intentio'mvas to settle in Win-
nebago Co., but after reaching it, and not being pleased with the prospects, they returned to Fond du Lae
July 5, 1847, and pre-empted eighty acres of land in Section 17, town of Fond du Lac, to which they
afterward added 120 acres. His father dying in 1868, the land has been divided among his heirs, of which
E. R. has seventy acres, valued at $75 per acre. In 1862, he married Miss Sarah, daughter of John and
Harriet Silver, of Michigan, but a native of Canada ; they have one daughter, Rose. Mrs. Powers is a
member of the Baptist Church.
DE WITT CLIIVTON PRIEST, attorney; was born in Brownville, Jefferson Co., N.
Y., where he lived until coming to Fond du Lac Dec. 5, 1857; Mr. P. located on the site where his fine
FOND DU LAC. * 851
house now is, in 1858, and has since resided upon it, engaged continuously in the practice of law. He was
married, in New York, to Susan T. Joy, a native of Orleans, Jefferson Co., in that State. They have two
children — Charles H. and Edward B.
JAMES K. PlIMPEJLLY, artist ; was born at Owego, Tioga Co., N. Y., April 25, 1834,
where he resided Until coming to Fond du Lac, first on a visit in 1857, and then to establish a home in
1859. In 1862, Mr. P. helped raise Co. H, 32d W. V. I., of which he served as First Lieutenant two
years and a half, being mustered out in the fall of 1 864. After leaving the army, he engaged in farming
five years ; then turned his attention to art, and is now engaged in painting, making portraits in India ink
or colored crayon. Mr. P. was married in September, 1862, to Eliza W., daughter of the late Gov. Samuel
W. Beall ; she was born at Cooperstown, N. Y., and her mother, the late Elizabeth Fenimore Cooper
Beall, was a near relative of James Fenimore Cooper; they have had one child, now deceased.
ALBERT G. PURDY, lumberman ; is a native of Bennington Co., Vt.; born in 1837 ;
when 3 years old, with parents, Graham and Hannah Purdy, he removed to Erie Co., Penn., where he
spent the balance of his time till 18 years of age. In 1855, he came to Door Co., Wis., spent the summer,
and then returned to Vermont. In 1856, he came a second time to Wisconsin, and settled in the city of
Fond du Lao, where, for one year, he was engaged in the grocery business. He then began saw-milling
and lumbering, which he continued most of the time till 1871. In 1862, he joined the U. S. Navy of ttie
Mississippi, under Commodore Porter, and served one year. He returned, then, to Fond du Lac, and
resumed his business. In 1871, he formed a copartnership with Edward Squires, and, for the next year,
was engaged in the manufacture of car^'iages. He then resumed the lumber trade, and is now operating
in Pierce Co., Wis. In 1858, he was married to Miss Euphemia, daughter of George H. and Mary Curtis,
nee Thomas, then of Outagamie Co., Wis., but a native of New York ; their children are John R. (now
at Oshkosh), Albert H., Ella and Georgia.
HENRY RAHTE, Sr., wholesale liquor dealer; born in the Kingdom of Hanover in Decem-
ber, 1819, where his father owned a large estate ; after attending college at Winsen,be became entry clerk
in a wholesale dry-goods house in the city of Hanover, where he remained four years, being afterward a
salesman in Brunswick, Breslau and Leipzig ; at the age of 23, he started a woolen and silk factory for
ladies' dresses, in the Kingdom of Saxony, in which he was successful, employing as high as 500 men ;
when the Revolution of 1847 broke out, he was compelled to abandon his factory, and, in 1849, came to
America, intending to engage in farming ; after spending some time In New York and Milwaukee, he pur-
chased the Edward Pier farm, a portion of which is now in the fair grounds south of Fond du Lac, and,
after making some improvement?, started a distillery the same year, 1849 ; he made whisky from wheat,
which he purchased of the neighboring farmers at from 30 to 40 cents per bushel ; two years later, finding
the distillery did not pay, Mr. Rahte abandoned it and bought out Hugo Peters, next to R. A. Baker's
bank, and began the wholesale liquor business ; in 1856, he sold out to Bupp & Bro., and went to France
and England for the purpose of forming business connections to open a wholesale liquor house in Chicago.
The outlook being unsatisfactory on his return, he came to Fond du Lac and began the same business with
his brother-in-law, Franz Lauenstein, having a branch house at Oshkosh for one year ; at the end of two
years, he sold out to Mr. Lauenstein, and made a trip to Italy and Sicily, after which the two again started
a distillery on Ingram's place ; since that time, he has carried on the wholesale liquor business in his own
name. He was married in Germany, in 1844, to Maria Lauenstein; they have nine children, of whom
the oldest is 33, and the youngest 14 years of age.
HENRY RAHTE, Jr., was bom in Fond du Lac Feb. 15, 1851, which has always been his
home. He enlisted in Battery K, 1st Light Artillery, regular army, in which he served from 1867 to
1870 ; in the fall of 1870, he opened a beer hall, which business he has since followed. He was married
at Fond du Lac, July 29, 1873, to Henrietta Pulse, born also in this city ; they have two children — Nor-
bert A. and Walter. Mr. Rahte is a member of the Concordia Society, Turner Society and Druids.
DON A. RAYMOND, M. D., son of Ebenezer and Rebecca Raymond ; was bom at War-
ren, Washington Co., Vt., Sept. 10, 1818 ; educated in his native town at the academy at Montpelier, Vt.,
and at the Randolph Academy; in 1845, he graduated from the Castleton Medical College ; after two
years' practice in his native town, while settling his father's estate, he removed to Canton, St. Lawrence
Co., N. Y., where he remained three years, when he was appointed Surgeon of the State Prison in Clinton
Co., N. Y., and remained there three and a half years ; in November, 1853, he removed to Wisconsin, and
came to Pond du Lac in January, 1854, where he has since remained ; in 1861 , soon after the outbreak of the
war, he entered the service of the United States as Surgeon of the 3d W. V. I., acting most of the time as
Brigade Surgeon, however ; after one and a half year's service, his health failed, and he was compelled to
resign; he returned home, and, after recruiting his health, resumed practice. In his professional capacity
852
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
he is one of the oldest and best exponents of the science of medicine in this part of the State, and is justly
entitled to a prominent place among the best physicians ; he has performed a prodigious amount of profes-
sional labor ; his health has been considerably impaired by overwork, and he has heen obliged to decline
much business proffered to him. May 15, 1850, he was married to Miss Maria R. Poote, by whom he has
two daughters — Ella J. (now Mrs. George Frank, of Madison, Wis.) and Emma (now Mrs. Frank Knapp,
of Pond du Lao). His wife was born at Canton, N. Y., in June, 1823, and died Sept< 28, 1874.
W. A. REiADEiR, undertaker; was born at Columbus, Ohio, March 11, 1838, and came with
his father, A. W. Reader, to Fond du Lac Sept. 24, 1855. He enlisted May 5, 1861, in Co, E, 6th W.
V. I. as Orderly Sergeant, but was promoted to First Lieutenant and transferred to Co. 6 same regiment,
soon after ; he was discharged on account of sickness in November, 1862. In January, 1863, he became
associated with his father under the firm name of A. W. Reader & Son, continuing with him until June,
1864, since which time he has carried on the business alone. Mr. R. was married at Pond du Lac July
5, 1859, to Catherine R., who was born in Green Bay, Wis., daughter of P. D. McCarty, one of
the earliest settlers of Fond du Lac, now a resident of Milwaukee; they have two children — Prank D.,
born Aug. 13, 1860, and George B., Oct. 20, 1865.
JOHX W. REinVOLiD)^, son of John Reynolds^ a resident of the city, was born at Bow-
mansville, Erie Co., N. Y., Dec. 14, 1852 ; came with his parents to Fond du Lac when 3 years of age;
the family spent one winter in the city and then removed to a farm, spending twelve years in Oakfield,
Alto and Byron, returning then to the city. John W. spent most of his time in school until beginning
the grocery business, which he followed seven years as a clerk and the last four years as a member of the
firms of Reynolds & Lee and Reynolds & Olmsted. Ho was married in Fond du Lao, May 1, 1878, to
Emma J., daughter of Jacob Ward, born in this city ; they have one son — Wallace E., born May
3, 1879.
DANIEL G. RICHARDSOIV, farmer ; is a son of Abijah and Elisie C. Richardson, of
Pelham, Rockingham Co., N. H. ; born May 18, 1822 ; Daniel spent the first seventeen years of hisMife
on his father's farm, where he followed market gardening in the city of Lowell, Mass., which was only
four miles distant ; in 1840, he began engineering on the railroad from Lowell to Rouse's Point, which he
followed for more than thirteen years ; he also ran the fir-it train over the White Mountains. He is the
gentleman who first suggested the idea of putting the bell-cord through the cars instead of having it pass
over the top as it formerly did. In February, 1854, he came to Fond du Lac, Wis., and began engineer-
ing on the North- Western Railroad, which he continued till 1855, at which time he began farming, and,
has since devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits ; he now owns 122'acres, 88 acres of which are in
Sec. 7, town of Fond du Lac, the rest being in See. 12 in the town of Lamartine, worth about
|70~ per acre. April 24, 1845, he married Miss Mary J., daughter of Moses and Deborah Holt, of
Pembroke, N. H. ; they have three children — -Daniel H., of Fond du Lac ; Harriet M., now Mrs. James
Curran, of Pond du Lac ; George A., who married Miss Elizabeth, daughter of John and Ann Searly, of
Pond du Lac, April 25, 1878.
ALiERED ROBBIIVS, of the firm of Bullis & Bobbins, livery-stable proprietors ; was bori
in Predonia, N. Y., whence, in 1850, he went to California, remaining there until 1859, when he came to .
Fond du Lac ; in 1860, he began to deal in grain, which was continued until 1866, when he entered the
livery business with N. L. Bullis, which he has since continued.
CHARLES W. ROBERTSON was born in the town of Edinburg, Saratoga Co., N. Y.,
May 11, 18-i9 ; resided there until he was 14 years of age, then went with his parents to Canada, where
he resided until he came to Sheboygan, Wis., in 1858 ; lived there two years, then moved to Ontonagon,
Mich., in the copper mining region, where he was engaged in dealing in groceries, provisions, etc., beside
carrying on a butchering business there .eight years ; he then came to Fond du Lac, arriving here in Octo-
ber, 1868 ; for seven years since coming here, he was shipping stock and produce to the mining countl-y
in Northern Michigan ; since then he has been pressing hay and shipping it to the same region. Mr. R. was
married at Woodstock, Ont., in September, 1854, to Jane Beath, a native of Scotland ; they have three
children living — Ella M; 0., Lulu G. and Jennie M.; they lost one son, who died at Ontohagon, aged 20
months.
J. P. RO.BLEE, retired farmer, is a son of Thomas and Laura Roblee, of Washington Co., N.
Y., born in December, 1819, his parents being descendants of the early immigrants to that county from
Prance; Jay received his early education in the district schools of his native county, after which he
attended the academy of North Granville, N. Y.; he followed farming in Washington Co. from the time
he quit school until 1842, when he came to Wisconsin, and settled on a farm in Milwaukee Co. for about
FOND DU LAC. 863
two years, whence, in 1845, he removed to F.md du Lac Co., and entered a farm of 160 acres in the town-
ship of Byron ; here, with an ox team, he broke out a small part of this farm at first, and built a board
shanty, which served as a home for three years ; in 1848, he sold this farm, and bought anpther in the town of
Lamartine, making the latter his home until 1854 ; he traded it for a farm of 435 acres in Sees. 19, 20 and 30
in Fond du Lao Township ; here he continued his agricultural pursuits ^ntil 1874, when he retired from
active life and moved to the city of Fond du Lac. He was married, April 11 , 1846, in the town of Lamartine,
to Miss Eliza, daughter of Wanton and Fannie Hall, of Hartford, Washington Co., N. Y.; they have had
four children — E. Jane (now Mrs. David Downing, of Fond du Lac), Joseph F. (who married Miss Effie
Crofoot, daughter of Alva Crofoot), Laura A. (deceased), and Ellen N. Mr. Roblee and family are
members of the Methodist Church,
FEIilX RODGE^RS, boot and shoe maker, was born in Ireland June 4, 1824; learned his
trade in his native country, »nd came to America in 1850 ; settled at Dover, N. J., where he resided until
1852, when he moved to Fond du Lac; in 1861, he enlisted in Co. C, 17th W. V. I.; was discharged at
Corinth, Miss., on account of disability, after which he returned to Fond du Lac, and for two years and six
months did nothing, on account of ruined health caused by exposure while in the army. He married Miss
Catharine Durkin, of Fond du Lac, Jan. 2, 1855, who died Feb. 27, 1867, leaving two children — Ann
and Felix. Nov. 15, 1875, he married Mrs. Jane Galvin, by whom he has one daughter — Mary Ann.
Mr. Rodgers is a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, also a member of the Total Abstinence Society
connected with his church ; he owns some property, and his wife owned some in the city before their
marriage.
WIIililAM. ROIiOFF', proprietor ■ of the Central market; was born in Prussia April 11,
1847 ; came to Mayville, Wis., in 1865 ; removed to Beaver Dam soon after, and came to Fond du Lac in
1869, where he has been engaged in his present business ever since. He was married at Fond du Lao
Sept. 4, 1873, to Mary Albrecht, a natiye of Dantzi'o, Germany ; they have one child — Nora. Mr. Roloif
is a member of the Sons of Hermann.
FRANK HARVEY ROJVDO, was bom at Rouse's Point, N. Y., April 10, 1844; came
from there to Fond du Lac in 1862 ; worked for three years in a saw-mill ; has followed blaoksmithing ever
since, and for six years has worked for the La Belle Wagon Works. Mr. Rondo was married at Fond du
Lao Dec. 25, 1864, to Mary Louise De Mar, a native of Massachusetts; they have three children —
Charles,. William and Josephene. He has been Alderman three years; is an Odd Fellow and a member
of the Red Ribbon Club.
ANDREW ROOK, farmer and dairyman, Sec. 24; P. 0. Fond du Lac; is a son of Adam
and Catharine Rook, and was born in Messen, Germany, in 1831 ; he was educated according to the school
.system of Germany, after which he devoted his time to his father's farming and fruit growing^; in 1847,
he with his parents emigrated to America and settled in Oneida Co., N. Y., where they followed market
gardening for five years ; thence, in 1868, removed to Fond du Lac, where he followed working farms on
shares till 1878, when he purchased the John Sewell farm of 160 acres in Sec. 24 — worth abofit $75 per
acre. In 1853, he was married to Miss Rebecca R., daughter of L. P. Maxon, of Madison Co., N. Y.;
* they have four children, as follows — Arthur D., Rosetta V., Edgar B. and Friinklin B. Hfe and wife
are members of the Congregational Church. Mr. Rook keeps quite an extensive dairy ; has twenty-five
cows, and sells about 150 quarts of milk per day.
REV. DON All D ROSS, Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, is a native of Nova Scotia ;
born in April, 1833, and is the son of Kenneth and Catharine Ross; he spent the first sixteen years of
his life with his parents on a farm in his native place, and there received the earlier part of his educsftion
in the common schools; at the age of 16 he began teaching, and devoted his attention to that profession
for three successive years; in the fall of 1853, he entered Queens College, at Kingston, Canada, where he
completed the collegiate course in 1856; he then entered the Theological Department of that institution,
and graduated with his class in 1859 ; he was at once licensed, ordained and settled as Pastor of the church
at Vaughn, Ontario, a charge requiring services in the English and Gaelic languages; here he had a suc-
cessful pastorate for seven years, and was then called to the charge of Dundee, Province of Quebec, where
he was even more successful in his labors for ten years; he next had a pre-eminently successful pastorate
for three years, at Lancaster, Province of Ontario, ^hen failing health forced him to give up the charge;
the General Assembly*then appointed him to Prince Albert, an important missionary station in the North-
west Territory of Canada, requiring teaching, preaching, and the supervision of a large district ; on his
way thither, failing health again forced him to turn aside from his purpose, and by the advice of physi-
cians he gave up the appointment, and in the fall of 1879 was called to the charge of the First Presby-
terian Church of Fond du Lac. In 1860, he was marriedto Catherine, eldest daughter of James George,
854 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
D. D., then Principal of Queens College, but now deceased ; their children are Kenneth J. L., now a
promising student at Queens College, Margaret, Elizabeth and James G., who are now at home.
LESTER RO[J]VDS$, was boi-n in Dunham, Canada East, May 1, 1805-, removed when an
infant with his parents to Eranklin Co., Vt., where he was educated; came to Southport (now Kenosha),
Wis., in August, 1839; removed to Ceresco (now Ripon), in May, 1844, where he was the first school
teacher, first Postmaster, and first Chairman of the town, also Secretary of the Wisconsin Phalanx; in
1850, removed to Eureka, Winnebago Co., Wis., where he has held various offices ; was the first Postmas-
ter, and is now in the mercantile business. Mr. R. married in Vermont, Septeijiber 2, 1827, Aurilla Parker,
born in that State ; they have three children — Sterling Parker, dealer in printers' supplies, Chicago ; Rhoda
!A.nn, now Mrs. A. S. Bolster, Kane Co., Ill, and Horace Baton, of Chicago.
FREDRICK RUEPIIVG, of the firm of William Rueping <&;,Sons, tanners, was born in
(iermany, in 1836; he learned the tanner's trade in his native country, and came with his parents to
America in 1854, and settled at Pond du Lac ; here he, with his father and brother, established a tannery,
of which they have since been proprietors. In 1866, he married Miss Margaret Thuerwaechter, of Fond
du Lac ; they have four children, as follows : Fredrick, Ida, Clara and William. Louis Reuping, brother
and partner of Fredrick, is also a native of Germany, born in 1839 ; came with his father to America in
1854; learned the tanner's trade with his brother after reaching Fond du Lac, and since 1867, has been
a partner with his father and brother in the business. In 1870, he married Miss Ida Haevernick, of Fond
du Lac, she being a native of Hamburg, Germany ; they have four children — Emma, Laura, Alwine and
Lena.
ArGIJSTUS GRAHAM RUGGIiES, banker ; was born in Orange Co,, N. Y., Aug. 25,
1822. As clerk in the Bank of Poughkeepsie, N. Y., he learned the business of banking, which he has
followed successfully during the last quarter of a cen'^ury. July 26, 1846, Mr. R. came to Fond du Lac,
making arrangements during the summer to enter into the manufacture of lumber, after which he returned
Eiist, stopping on the way at Cleveland and purchasing steam machinery for a saw-mill. He returned to
Fund du Lac late in the fall, and early in the spring of 1847, had, in company with one Davis, erected
and put into operation the first steam saw-mill built in Northern Wisconsin. After running this mill, which
represented the first cash outlay for improvements or manufacturing in Pond du Lao, north of Forest street,
for a year or so, Mr. Ruggles abandoned the lumbering business, and began operating in real estate. In
1850, he purchased the patent of the famous Woodworth planer, and erected and set in motion, in con-
nection with a saw-mill, the first planer ever run in Fond du Lac. This enterprise he sold after a/year or
so, and, in 1852, went East and became cashier of the Huguenot Bank, in Ulster Co., N. Y. In the
spring of 1854, he resigned his position in the bank and returned to Fond du Lac in August of that year,
and organized and opened for business, in February, 1855, the old Bank of the Northwest. In this bank
Mr. R. remained as cashier until the organization of the First National Bank in December, 1867, of which
he has always been manager, and its President since Jan. 1, 1875. In 1862 Mr. Ruggles saw the need of
greater facilities and competition in the business of carrying freight by railways from Fond du Lac, and,
therefore, became a Director of the then partially completed Sheboygari & Fond du Lac Railway, with the
intention of using his efforts to secure' its completion from Glenbeulah, in Sheboygan Co., to Fond du Lac.
Finally, in 1865, he began to take a pecuniary interest in the enterprise ; was instrumental in securing the
vote of the county in favor of granting $ 1 50,000 aid for the construction of the road, and induced capi-
talists to aid in its completion to Fond du Lac, which was achieved in January, 1869. From adverse cir-
cumstances, the road then lay dormant until 1870, when James F. Joy and friends were induced by Mr.
Ruggles to purchase a majority of the stock, and complete the road to Ripon and Princeton, which was done
in 1871 and 1872. Thus it was mainly due to Mr. Ruggles' efforts that the road was pushed on to Fond
du Lac and finally to the Wolf River. Mr. Ruggles was married at Fond du Lac, in November, 1865, to
Julia P., daughter of Gov. Nathaniel P. Tallmadge; they have two children — Gertrude Golden and
Augustus Graham Ruggles, Jr., the only survivors of seven children born to them.
HERSIAX RUPP, engineer of the city Fire Engine No. 5 ; was born in Fond du Lac Oct. 1,
1856 ; after leaving school in 1872, he served an apprenticeship at the trade of machinist ; worked for five
years at his trade, then for nine months he served as stoker of Engine No. 5, and for the last four years
he has been engineer of the same; for two years he was connected with the Volunteer Fire Department,
and with the present department since its organization. He is a member of the Fireman's Mutual Aid
Society. March, 1879, Mr. Rupp was married at Watertown, Wis., to Miss Sophia Schroeder; she was
born at Watertown. Mr. Rupp's mother, Katharine Rupp, died in the fall of 1869 ; his father, Louis
Rupp, died in May, 1873.
J'OND DU LAC. 855
PETER RUPP was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, Aug. 31, 1824; came to Calumet,
Fond du Lac Co., in 1842 ; went into the Southern States in 1846, and came to Pond du Lae, where he
lias since resided, in 1849 ; he began business for himself by building the " City of Mentz " Hotel, which
he managed four years ; then in the grocery business, and for twenty years in the wholesale liquor busi-
ness. Mr. Rupp was Once a candidate for State Treasurer on the Democratic ticket ; served one term as
Sheriff; three years as a member of the City Council, and is now one of the Trustees of th« Northern
Hospital for the Insane. He was married at Cincinnati, Ohio, October, 1848, to Kate Laux, who was
born at Landau, Bavaria ; they have six children — Eliza, Otto, Amelia, Rosa, Julius and Peter. Mr.
Kupp is a member of the I. 0. 0. P., and A., P. & A. M. Lodges.
JAMES RUSSELIj, present publisher of the Fond du Lac Jouvnal, enjoys the distinction of
being the editor and proprietor of the oldest newspaper in Wisconsin, Teri'itory or StE^te, with but two
exceptions ; the Kenosha Telegraph outranks it a year or two, and the Green Bay Advocate a few weeks ;
but the pioneer publishers of the Journal have long since ceased connection with it, and it is now in
younger and more progressively vigorous hands. James Kussell is Wisconsin-born ; he is a native of
Hartford, Washington Co., and his father was a farmer in that town ; such an education as the village
school afforded the subject 6f this sketch, he obtained, until he was 14 years of age ; at that period of his
life, his parents removed to the then immature town of Mankato, Minn., and it was there that the boy's
journalistic twig was inclined as the tree has become bent; as will be seen, he tried to evade the spell, but
unsuccessfully. There was a Democratic paper published in Mankato, called the Record, and it must have
been a progressive office, for Russell learned his trade there in leSs than a year ; Mr. J. C. Wise was the
editor, and possibly the same had something to do with the influe^nces surrounding the establishment. Mr.
Russell, now passing^ from boyhood into manhood, was becoming to be recognized in newspaper circles; he
was offered and accepted a position as foreman and local reporter upon the Herald^ published at Garden
City, in the same State. Mr. Russell counts several months of not particularly happy experience in that
connection ; although his inclinations had all been in that direction, his pecuniary successes had been few,
and Mr. Russell made up his mind to become a lawyer ; with that object in view, he returned to his native
State, and entered the University of Wisconsin for a course of study in the line of his ambition ; this was"
in 1868 ; iri the latter part of the second year of his college studies, his health beeame poor, and he was
ordered by medical advice to retire from his class, temporar\ly; he did so, and sought rest at home again.
In February, 1870, he was offered a position on the Fond du Lac Journal, a weekly newspaper, then con-
ducted by Messrs. Beeson & Bohan; Mr. Bohan being an uncle of Mr. Russell. From this time on, the
gentleman's career is well known in Wisconsin newspaper circles, and the details can be condensed. Con-
nected indirectly with the Journal office at the date last mentioned, was the Star Job Printing Office, one
of the largest and most completely equipped steam printing houses in the State ; into this concern Mr.
Russell purchased, and the business was conducted under the firm name of Leonard, Bohan & Russell.
In September, 1873, he purchased a one-half interest in the Journal from Mr. Bohan, the other half
being sold to Mr. T. P. Strang, Jr., and the firm of Strong & Russell became the proprietors of the publica-
tion. The job department was at the same time re-organized by transfer, and passed into the property of
Leonard, Russell & Strong. In 1874, the stock organization known as the Star Printing Company was
chartered, and on the following 1st of January the job and newspaper interests were consolidated, and the
Company commenced business with Mr. Russell as a principal stockholder, and in the position of editor.
Since then, the management has never passed from his hands, although the corporation has ceased to eiist,
and he is now sole editor and proprietor of the Morning Journal (daily), the Pond du Lac Journal
(weekly), and proprietor of the Star Steam Book and Job Printing Office. Politically, Mr. Russell has
always been a Democrat. In 1875, he accepted the nomination of his party for State Senator, as a leader
of a forlorn hope, and polled a vote in excess of his party strength in the district ; in the year following,
he was elected Clerk of the Court for the county, after a desperate political fight ; he is now practically
out of politics, further than his journalistic duties lead him. Mr. Russell was married, on Christmas Day,
1878, to Miss Katie Riley, a society lady of Fond du Lac. Mr. and Mrs. Russell are already proud in
the possession of one boy. It may not be out of place to say that Mr. Russell's rapid rise in journalistic
prominence is due, undoubtedly, to his keen perception of human nature, as established in his selection of
the men with whom he surrounds himself in the editorial and mechanical departments of his business ; he
does not allow anybody about his premises an hour longer than he thinks his presence is worth the terri-
tory he occupies.
HENRY H. RUSSEIili was bom at Windsor, Broome Co., N. Y., and came to Fond du
Lac in 1857 ; in 1868, he purchased the Jones & Sage hollow-tooth harrow, the first one ever patented,
and began its introduction and manufacture ; he was the first to discover its merits and put the harrow,
856 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
which has seventy-two teeth, upon the market ; he established agencies and factories in nearly every State
in the Union, and has transacted an immense amount of business.
MICHAEL RYAIV, farmer. Sees. 35, 15 and 17 ; P. 0.,Pond du Lac ; is a native of County
Tipperary, Ireland ; born in 1828, and was the son of a farmer io that county ; immigrated to America in
1849 ; settled in Canada West for one year, thence to the State of New York, where he resided about four
years; in 1854, he removed to Fond du Lac Co., Wis., where he has since resided; in 1864, he removed
to .his present home, having bought the farm (120 acres') three years previously. At Rochester, N. Y., in
1854, he was married to Miss Ellen McGuiness, daughter of Sylvester McGuioess, of County Meath, Ire-
land ; they have had eleven children — Edmund, Sylvester, John, Peter (of Kansas), Francis (now pursu-
ing his theological studies for the priesthood, under Archbishop Henni, of Milwaukee), Patrick, Mary
A., Ellen and James (deceased), Margaret and George (deceased). The family are members of St. Joseph's
Catholic Church.
FREDRICK SANDER, manufacturer of furniture and dealer in cabinet ware ; was born-
in Germahy in 1825 ; he came to America in 1853, and located in Boston, remaining two years ; from
there he came to Fond du Lac ; he learned his trade in his native country, beginning at the age of 15,
and has closely followed it since ; he was in he employ of Mr. John Bishop, a furniture dealer, for the
first two years after arriving at Fond du Lie, when, in 1857, he became the partner of A. A. Lange,.
where he continued till 1859, when, by mutual consent, the firm was dissolved; Mr. Sander has since
continued the business alone, and to-day is one ot the most extensive furniture dealers in the city. In
1853, he married Miss Babelle Felburger, of Boston, she being a native of Germany also ; they have had
six children, the first three of whom are deceased ; those living are Emma, Bertha and Fredrick. Mr.
Sander was one of the first Trustees of the Lutheran Church, and has always remained a member of that
body.
J. R. SAIVFORD, proprietor of Patty House livery stable ; was born in Albion, Kennebeck Co.
Me., Dec. 25, 1847, where he resided until he came to Fond du Lac in 1866 ; he was employed in the
lumber business until he opened his livery stable, fie was married at Fond du Lac, Nov. 24, 1868, to
Jennie Marlow.
PETER T. SANU, retired, was born in the Grand Duchy of Baden, Germany, Nov. 10,.
1809, and came to this country in 1832 ; he resided in Pennsylvania until May, 1834, when he enlisted
in the United States Army in Albany, N. Y.; on the 15th pf August, 1834, he came to Green Bay, and
was assigned to Fort Winnebago, where he served eight years, seven years as Orderly Sergeant ; in the
month of June, 1840, Mr. Sang received a permanent injury in the line of his duties, for which he now
receives a pension of $24 per month. After the expiration of his term of service, he moved to Seven
Mile Creek, now Lamartine, in the month of August, 1842, where he owned 120 acres of land ; Mr. Sang
resided in Lamartine from August, 1842, until March 26, 1876 ; during which time he held many
responsible offices, as follows: Notary since the, fall of 1845 ; Postmaster over»twenty years, from 1845-;
Town Clerkj seventeen years ; Chairman of Town Supervisors, three ye9,rs, two years of which service he
was Chairman of the County Board; School District Clerk of District No. 1, eleven years; County
Tr^surer, three years ; Deputy United States Marshal, three years (under President Pierce's administra-
tion); in May, 1854, he was commissioned by the City Council of Fond du Lao as traveling emigrant
agent between this city and New York City, and acted as Government Land Agent for emigrants,
during which time he paid into the United States Receiver's office over $231,000 ; he is now serving his
fourth year as Coroner of this county, and has been one of the election clerks of the First Ward since he
moved into the city, which was in 1876 ; Mr. Sang, in 1870, took the census of Lamartine ; he was also
Justice of the Peace nine years in the same town. He was married, in June, 184.H, to Mrs. Hooper, who
died April 19, 1875, and married, a second time, in 1879, to Mrs. Warren, a daughter of Col. Titus V.
Wood worth, of New Hampshire.
MARTIN SASSE, manufacturer of and dealer in boots and shoes; was born in Prussia Nov-
29, 1826, where he resided until coming to Bufialo, N. Y., in January, 1851, where he remained, nine
months ; he then resided two years in Washington Co., Wis., aftfer which he came to Fond du Lac, which
has since been his place of residence; Mr. S. learned the shoemaker's trade when 14 years of age, and has
carried on the business continuously since he came to Fond du Lac. He was married in Prussia, in
November, 1850, to Frederika Blumenburg, a native of that country; they have twelve children living,
all born in America — Ada, Emma, Amelia, Emil, Matilda, Bertha, Otto, Martin, Robert, Hermann,
Frederick and Ella; an infant daughter was lost while on shipboard coming to America. He belongs to
the Concordia Society and to the Evangelical Lutheran Church.
FOND DU LAC. 85T
AUGUST F. SCHAAR, merchant tailor; was born in Schoenlanke, Prussia, Feb. 26, 1855;-
came to America with his parents in 1868 ; their first location was at Oshkosh in the fall of that year ;
Mr. S. has worked at the tailoring business thirteen years ; came to Fond du Lac in the spring of 1871.
He was married in this city, Oct. 9, 1878, to Amelia DeSombre, who was born on the Atlantic Ocean
whilp her parents were on their way to America; they have an infant daughter, born Nov. 8, 1879. Mr.
S. is a member of the German Evangelical Church, also of the Benevol'ent Society and Knights o'f Honor.
HBKRY SCHEREK, of Fond du Lac File Works, is a native of Germany, where he was born
in 1836 ; came to America in 1855, and began work at his trade as a journeyman, at Albany, N. Y., in
the fall of the same year ; in the spring of 1866 he came to Milwaukee, and was partner of Mr. Victor
Buxor for one year in the file works, after which he sold out and came to Fond du Lac and established a
small shop, which, in 1870 he enlarged, employed five men, and cut from six to eight dozen per day ;
capital stock, $3,000. He married Miss Eliza M. Wills, of Troy, N. Y., in 1860 ; they have eight chil-
dren, as follows : Nicholas, Mary, now Mrs. Giegengack, of Oakfield Township, Catherine, Henry, Charles,
Millie, Lena and Louis. Mr. S. has been a Mason since 1869 ; member of I. 0. 0. F. since 1870. Mr.
Scherer has residence in city valued at 81,200.
S. W. SCHERIIIERHORN, carriage painter for Perkins & Clement ; was born in 1854 in"
Napanee, Ontario, Canada; he began the painter's trade with Grand Hamilton, of that place, in 1869, and
continued there for about three years, whence he went to Dresden, Canada, where he continued his trade
for about eighteen months ; he next went to Jackson, Mich., for one year, thence to Grand Rapids, Mich.,,
for two years; in 1873 he came to Fond du Lao ; in 1878 he established a shop for himself, but disposed
of that in about a year's time and became painter in the carriage-shops for Perkins & Clement. In 1876
he was married to Miss Hattie Kelley, daughter of John Kelley, a farmer* of the Province of Ontario ;
they have one child, Zellah. Mr. S. and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
(jr. SCHERZIXGBR, watchmaker and jeweler, was born in Baden, Germany, Oct. 27, 1832,
and came to New Orleans in 1851 ; he remained there but a few weeks, going thence for short periods to-
Louisville, Cincinnati and New York, whence he came to Fond du Lao in May, 1855, and engaged in his
present business, which he has followed ever since. He was married at Fond du Lac, Nov. 18, 1857, to
Katie Hess, a native of Prussia, who died Jan. 29, 1872; she was the mother of five children — Louis,
Carl, Frances, Katie and Henry. Mr. S. was married a second time, July 17, 1877, to Gertrude Schumer,
a native of Prussia, by whom he has had one child, Hermann. Mr. and Mrs. S. are members of the Ger-
man Catholic Church.
JOHN J. SCHEUBER, M. D., is a native of Underwalden,. Switzerland, where he was
born in 1842; received his early education undef the monks of Engleberg, Switzerland, being placed in
their care at the age of 9, and remaining there six years, after which he spent two years in the study of
natural philosophy and physics, at Feldkiroh, Austria; in 1859, he began his medical studies at Zurich,
where he pursued them for one year ; in 1868 he moved to Berne, Switzerland, where he continued his
studies for three years, graduating in 1863 ; in 1864, he began the practice of medicine with Dr. Weissen,
of Wallis, Switzerland ; he returned to Berne, and was assistant physician in the Walden Insane Asylum
for one year, whence in 1866, he came to America and settled at Chicago, 111., where he practiced medicine
for about three years ; In 1869 he removed to Joliet, 111., and continued his practice till 1876, whence he
moved to Evanston, 111., and thence in 1878, to Fond du Lac ; has been appointed attending physicijin of
St. Agnes' Convent, by Father Haas, of the Capuchin Order. In 1871, he married Miss Mary Phylomena
Blaitner, daughter of Michael Blatlner, of Joliet, 111.; they have three children — Mary, Joseph and Theresa.
They are members of St. Mai7's Catholic Church.
SCHIFF BROTHERS & CO., clothiers. Henry Schiif was bo-rn in Milwaukee Feb. 10,
1857; Arthur Schifi' was born at the same place Sept. 6, 1858; Mrs. Dorris Schiff, their mother, was
born in Naumburg, Saxony, Feb. 28, 1838; came to Milwaukee in 1855, and to Fond du Lao in 1859.
She was married at Milwaukee May 15, 1856, to Louis Schifi", who came to that place in 1848, and died
in Fond du Lac Aug. 20, 1874, The family has been in the clothing business twenty years.
REV. JACOB SCHNEIiliER, Pastor of the Evangelical Association ; is a native of Can-
ton Graubinden, Switzerland, where he was born in 1844 ; he came to America with his parents when quite
young; received his early education in the public school at Troy, Wis., after which, in 1864, he entered
the Freshman Class of the Northwestern College at PlainSeld, 111., where he pursued both his collegiate
and theological studies till 1868 ; when leaving college in 1868, he was licensed to preach and immediately
entered the ministry, traveling through Sheboygan Co. as minister for two years, after which he was
ordained Deacon of the Evangelical Association at Milwaukee ; he was sent to M^quette Co. for two years.
*58 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
when, in May, 1874, at Menomonee Falls, Waukesha Co., he was ordaiaed and became Elder in the Asso-
ciation, after which he again returned to Marquette Co. for one year, when he was called to the charge at
Morrison, Brown Co., Wis., where he was Pastor for three years ; from there, in May, 1878, he was called
to the charge of the Evangelical Association at Fond du Lac, where he has since remained. April 17,
1870, he married Miss Anna C. Haas, of Honey Creek, Sauk Co., Wis., by whom he has four children —
Anna L., Lydia M., John B. and Frank J.
JACOB SCHOL/Ii, boot and shoe manufacturer and farmter, Seesi 16, 15 and 17 ; is a native
of Prussia, where he was born Aug. 20, 1811 ; he is a son of John and Margaret SchoU, and was soon
apprenticed to the shoemaker'.s trade with his father, which he has ever since followed ; when about 22
, years old he went to Belgium, where he followed his trade for four years ; when his mother died he returned
to Prussia, and stayed at home till 28 years of age, when he was married to. Miss Gertrude, daughter of
Anthon and Mary Handshumaker, June 3, 1839. They, set sail for America early in the spring of 1848,
landed at New York April 18, and reached Fond du Lao the 18th of the following nionth, living in Pond
du Lac for three years ; he removed to Waupun for two years, thence to Sun Prairie for five years, after
which he returned' to Fond du Lac ; bought a farm of thirty-one acres in Sec. 16, valued at about $75 per
acre. They have eleven children — Mary (deceased), As;nes (now Mrs. Pucker, of Fond du Lac), Eliza-
beth (now Mrs'. Simon Ferdnand), Peter, Anton (deceased), Margaret (now Mrs. F. Steady), Jacob, Jr.,
of Fond du Lac, Isabella "(now Mrs. Toddele, deceased), Mathias,* Simon and Michael. They are mem-
bers of St. Mary's Catholic Church. '
JOSEPH SCHUSSLER, proprietor of West Hill Brewery; was born in Baden June 24,
1819 ; when 15 years old, he began the cooper's and brewer's trades in his native country, and followed
the same there till 1846, when he came to America; he settled first in Milwaukee, Wis., where he worked
at the brewer's trade most of the time till 1850 ; he then removgd to Oshkosh, Wis., where he devoted
his attention to the cooper's trade till 1861 ; removing thence to Fond du Lac, he was employed in Frey's
brewery till 1865, when he began again the cooper business, and continued the same till 1872 ; he then
■established the West Hill Brewery, of which he has since been proprietor. At MilwaukeCj in 1849, he
was married to Fannie Newkirch, a native of Hesse-Darmstadt ; their children are Emma (now the wife
of Herinan Zinke, and lives in this city), Charles (now married, and lives in this city, also,), Arthur,
Mary, Ida, William, Josephine, Albert and Oito.
JOH]V C H. SCHWARTZ, proprietor of meat-market ; was born August 16, 1842, in Ger-
many; is a son of Peter C. Schwartz; stone and brick mason, who came to America in 1849, and settled in
Fond du Lac; at 12 years of age, John began clerking in a grocery store for Carpenter & Pfer, continu-
ing there for two years ; thence to the dry-goods store of Carswell & Dee, till 1860 ; thence to Loughlin &
■Carey's dry-goods store for two years ; in 1862, ho became proprietor of a meat-rbarket ; he soon disposed
of his market and began traveling for a dry-goods house ; he was next with the dry-goods house of C' J-
Pettibone, where he had charge of the retail silk stock arid the wholesale trade up-stairs for about three
years ; he Was traveling agent for the Singer Sewing Machine Company for one year ; then, for one year,
with Carswell & Mason, dry-goods merchants ; then, for three or four years, was proprietor of a meat-
market again ; sold out that and kept hotel at Horieon for a short time ; then went into the livery busi-
ness at Fond du Lac ; after spending three years at this, he went into the real-estate business for two and a
half years ; in June, 1879, he began keeping a meat-market again. He married Miss Ada Carpenter,
daughter of Nunn Carpenter, carpenter and joiner, of Sheboygan, Wis., Dec. 16, 1863 ; they have two sons
—Edwin H. an dFrank D. E.
AIVTOIVY SERVATIUS, butcher; was bom in- Prussia Oct. 4, 1838, and came to Michi-
gan in 1840, where he lived until coming to Fond du Lac in the fall of 1849 ; he was engaged as a dry-
goods clerk from 1855 to 1862, then two years in the boot and shoe business, then two years as a grocer,
after which he contracted for laying stone and Nicolson pavement, paving Main street from Division to
Fifth, in 1870 ; in 1872, he began the business of butchering and keeping a meat market, which he now
follows. ' Mr. S. was married, in Racine, Oct. 29, 1861, to Mary Haas, by whom he has had six children
— Celia, Leo, Helen, Johanna, Antoinette and Amelia. He is a member of St. Joseph's Benevolent
Society ; has been Alderman, President of the City Council, and Chairman of the Fourth Ward, in which
he resides.
CHRISTIAN SERWE, proprietor of the Serwe House ; is a native of Prussia, and was
born in 1826 ; emigrated to America and settled at Fond da Lac in 1846, being now one of the oldest
German settlers here ; he followed laboring for about four years after his first settlement ; in 1850, he
secured a position as clerk in Sewoll Bros.' dry-goods store, where he remained nearly two years, ohanging
then to Mr. Laughlin's dry-goods store, with which he was connected till 1861, when he returned to
TOND DU LAC. 859
Sewell Bros.; in JDecember, 1863, he purchased the Serwe House, and has since been its proprietor. In
1853, he married Miss Mary F. Baurgeois, daughter of John Baurgeois, of Prussia ; they have had eleven
ohildren, as follows : Mary (deceased), Mathias, Joseph, Kosa, Elizabeth, Albert, John, Isabella, Frank
(deceased), Phillip L. and Julia P. Mr. S. and family are members of St. Mary's Catholic Church. Mr.
.S. has been, at various times, a member of the City Council ; has also been Assessor and County Purchas-
ing Agent.
• JOSEPH SERWE, salesman in Mr. Whittelsey's dry-goods store ; was born in Prussia in
1832 ; lived there on a farm till 1846, when, with parents, he came to America and settle! in Fond du
Lao Co., at Calumet, where he lived about five years; he then returned to Fond du Lao and was employed
as clerk by Hall & Hoskins, dry-goods merchants, till 1855, at which time he became a partner of Mr.
Hoskins, in the firm of Hoskins & Serwe; in 1860, they took in a brother of Mr, Serwe, and the firm
continued as Hoskins, Serwe & Bro. till 1862, at which time he sold out his interest in the dry-goods
business and became clerk for Messrs. Carswell & Dee, dry-goods merchants; in 1866, he went into the
post office as clerk for Gen. Bragg; he next kept a grocery store on Main street for a short time, but soon
sold that and became salesman ibr Messrs. Sharp & Whittelsey, dry-goods merchants. In 1859, he mar-
ried Miss Crescentia Klotz, daughter of Igatius Klotz, of the town of Eden, Fond du L-ac, Wis; they have
eight children — Hannah, Katie, Elizabeth M., Josephine, Francis A., Theresa, I. J. and Rudolph. All
the family are members of St. Mary's Catholic Church.
O. F. SEXMITH, of the firm of Sexmith & Sons, proprietors of saw-mill and lumber-yard ;
also partner with his brother, L. Sexmith, in a stock farm of 186i acres, three miles southeast of the city,
where they make a specialty of raising short-horn cattle and Norman horses. Mr. Sexmith was born in
the city of Fond du Lac in 1849 ; received his early education at the public schools of this city ; after
which, he graduated at the Commercial College at Milwaukee in 1868 ; became a partner with his father
and brother in the saw-mill in August 1879 ; in 1875, he bought a farm of 187 acres in Dodge Co; soon
after which, he sold a one-half interest in it to his brother Lamar ; in June, 1878, they traded the farm in
Dodge Co. for the one above described ; they are now erecting a large stock barn, 80x56 feet, with an
11-foot basement, affording stable room for 125 head of stock. In 1872, he married Miss Georgia
Hunter, daughter of George Hunter, of Fond du Lac; they have one daughter — Hattie C. Mr. Sexmith
is a member of the Methodist Church ; his wife is a member of the Episcopal Church. Mr. S. has been
a member of the Temple of Honor since 1876.
LiAMAR SEXMITH, brother and partner of G. F. Sexmith, whose biography is above ; was
born in the city of Fond du Lac ; was educated in the public schools of the city ; became a partner in the
saw-mill with his father and brother in August, 1879 ; became a partner in the farm with his brother in
1875, as stated in his brother's biography. Married Miss Eleanor Stowell, of Charles City, Iowa, Oct.
29, 1877 ; they have one daughter — Eleanor Stella. They are members of the Blethodisti Church.
ix. W. SEXMITH, lumberman ; was born in Montgomery Co., N. Y., Aug. 11, 1813, and was
married in Delaware Co., of that State, Dec. 31, 1835, to Elizabeth Davis; they have had six children, of
whom three, George Frederick, Lamar and Stella Maria (now Jlrs. W. H. Crosby, of Oconto, Wis.), are
living. Mr. Sexmith came to Alto, Fond du Lac Co., in 1845, and engaged in farming; in December,
1851, he moved to Fond du Lac and engaged in the lumber business, which he has followed ever since ;'
while in Alto, he was elected the first Justice of the Peace, and the first town clerk ; was Justice of the
Peace in Fond du Lac in 1852 and 1853, and an Alderman two terms ; in addition to the lumbering busi-
ness, Mr. Sexmith has been in the grocery trade nearly half the time since coming to Fond du Lac ; he
has operated his present mill twenty-five years, giving employment now to fifty men ; he has been one of
the Harbor Directors since the existence of that organization. Mr. Sexmith has been connected with the
M. E. Church fifty years, and is now a member of the Division Street M. E. Church ; he traveled several
years on the circuit as a preacher. The firm name in the lumbering business now is G. W. Sexmith & Son.
liEMUEIi SHANNON, carpenter and joiner ; is a native of Hamilton, Canada, born in 1817 ;
learned the cabinet-maker's trade, which he followed there till 1849 ; thence he came to Wisconsin, and
settled in Fond du Lac ; here he turned his attention to the carpenter and joiner's trade, which he has
since followed. In 1843, he married Miss Euphema Price, daughter of William Price, of Hamilton,
Canada ; they have had four children — Mary (now Mrs. M. S. Fay, of St. Paul, Minn , now deceased),
Anna (now Mrs. H. J. Thompson, of Greenwood, Wis.), John, of Fond du Lac, and Frankie. The family
attend the Congregational Church.
AUtrlJST E. SHAPE, manager of the North- Western Telegraph Office, at Fond du Lac ;
was born in Prussia Nov. 5, 1844 ; came to New York City in 1856, where he resided four years; moved
860 BiOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES:
to Milwaukee then, which was his home in 1874, when he removed to Fond du Lac; Mr. Shape has fol-
lowed the telegraph business thirteen years. He was married, in Milwaukee, Dec. 26, 1870, to Elizabeth
Spoerl, a native of that city ; they have one child living — Louis A., born Feb. 6, 1873, and have lost two
sons in infancy. He enlisted in the fall of 1862,, in Co. B, 26th W. V. I.; served two years and ten
months, in all the battles in which his regiment participated.
HENRY SHATTUCK, proprietor of the American House; was born Feb. 9, 1829, at
' Bakersfield, Vt.; his parents, Josiah and Susan Boutell Shattuck, were natives of Townsend, in that StSte ;
the former died in 1858, at the age of 78, and the latter in 1877, aged 86; Mr. Shattuck remained at
home on the farm until reaching his majority ; went then to Saxton's River, and worked three years in a
woolen factory ; then to the Island House at Bellows Falls, for one year ; six months at Massasoit House,
Springfield, Mass.; Boston for three and one-half years, in the hotel business, being the proprietor of the
Lowell House the last six months ; came to Fond du Lac in May, 1857, and opened the Exchange Hotel,
which he ran until Jan. 1, 1861, 'when he rented the old Globe Hotel, changing the name and rebuilding
the house, and purchasing the property three years later. [See Hotels, city of Fond du Lac] Mr. Shat-
tuck was married at Boston, May 4, 1857, to Anna^S. Britt, born at Boston June 21, 1835 ; they have
five children — William Henry, born March 22, 1858; Ida A., born July 30, 1860; Henrietta, born Feb.
28, 1863; Nellie M., born Sept. 1, 1866, and Jennie L. B., born April 4, 1868. The family are mem-
bers of the Congregational Church ; Mr. Shattuck is a member of the Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias
and Knights of Honor lodges ; was Alderman, Supervisor, and for one term President of the Plank Road
Company.
ISAAC S. SHERWOOD was born in the town of Milo, Yates Co., N. Y., Sept. 7, 181.6 ;■
educated at Genesee, Wesleyan Seminary, of Lima, N. Y.; removed to Illinois in 1840 ; to Racire, Wis.;
in 1842 ; to Jefierson in 1848, and, in 1852, to Fond du Lac, where he resided eighteen years engaged in
the hardware and iron trade. In Fond du Lac Mr. S. was Mayor, Alderman, member of the School Board ,
and of the first fire company ever organized in the city ; he is now a resident of Benton Harbor, Mich.,
engaged in fruit-raising. He was married at Fond du Lac, June 24, 1861, by Rev. George B. Eastman,
to Cecelia Isabella Adamson ; they have five children — Alfred C, born March 30, 1862 ; Lettie Belle,,
born Jan. 27, 1864; Mary Louise, born Nov. 15, 1865; Je.-sie, born Nov. 13, 1869, and Grace, born
Dec. 11, 1871. Mr. S. first came to Fond du Lac through the " mud-blockade," and his account qf it was
highly entertaining. His first move was to buy the lot where Baker's bank stands for $400, selling next
day for $600 ; " Soliloquize," he writes, " Eiireka I " His letter to the Western Historical Co. is closed
thus eloquently : " Let my residence be in any part of the Uijited States, the Fountain City is my home ;:
and when my pilgritaage on earth is done, I hope to rest side by side with those who have gone before, on
the beautiful brow of Rienzi."
ALONZO li. SIMMOXS, farmer. Sec. 7 ; P. 0. Fond du Lac ; is a son of Reuben and
Louisa Simmons, early pioneers of Fond dn Lac Co.; he was born in Oneida Co., N. Y., Oct. 8, 1819, and
early learned the carpenter and joiner's trade with his father. In 1 838, he (with his father) came to Green
Bay, Wis., where they continued the trade for about eighteen months; his father then returned to New
York for the family, and with them reached Green Bay late in the year 1839 ; in the following year (1840),
they came to Fond du Lac Co., where they built the first and second frame dwellings^erected in the county ;
they continued the trade a short tipae, and then devoted their time to farming. The subject of our sketch
with his brother, Marcellus, soon owned what is now known as the James Wright farm, on the Ledge, south-
east, of the city, but soon disposed of it, and bought another in the town of Byron, where they lived for a
number of years ; Alonzo then sold his interest in the town of Byron, and purchased a farm of 135 acres
in the town of Friendship. In 1865, he disposed of his farm and engaged in the grocery trade in the city
of Fond du Lao for a short time ; he then bought a farm of eighty-two acres in Section 7, town of Fond du
Lac, where he has since followed farming. May 22, 1854, he married Miss Mary, daughter of George-
and Mary Swinton, of the town of Byron, she being a native of Scotland ; they have had four children,
namely, Marcellus, Minnie (deceased), William (deceased), and George.
AMASA P. SIJOIOXS was bom at Whitestown, Oneida Co., N. Y., Dec. 9, 1826, in
which county he resided until July, 1837, when he came to Green Bay, Wis., with his parents, and, in
1838, to Fond du Lao Co., which has since been his home; Mr. S. was engaged in farming exclusively
until 25 years of age, when he began traveling for a wholesale crockery house, continuing in that business
until 1877, except from 1860 to 1863, when he was in the mercantile business with his brother E. M.,
and from 1872 to 1875, when he was in the same line with W. W. Clark. He has been Town Assessor
two terms, a member of the School Board fourteen years in succession, and, Aug. 16, 1879, began his-
FOND DU LAC. 861
<iuties as Deputy Collector of laternal Revenue; when a youth, Mr. S. went with his father on trips for pro-
visions, and other excursions, and thus learned to speak the Indian language fluently, which was a great
help to his father. He was married in the town of Fond du Lao, Oct. 18, 1848, to Elizabeth L. Sander-
son, born in Oneida Co., N. Y.; they have had three children^Clara (who died when 9 years old), WiUet
James (who died when 5 years of age); their surviving daughter is Madgie May, was born Aug. 14, 1868.
Louisa, mother of A. P. Simmons, who will be 85 Oct. 18, 1880, resides at his house, and is in remark-
-ably good health. A. P.'s brother, Enos Marcellus, born in Oneida Co., N. Y., resided in Fond du Lac ■
until 1879, when he removed to Marcellon, Columbia Co., Wis ; he has three sons. Alonzo Lee, another
brother, born at the same place, resides on Sec. Y, town of Fond du Lac ; he has three sons and has lost
three. William Leroy, another brother, died in Fond du Lac about 1850, aged about 24 years. Eliza
Ann, now Mrs. James B. Clock, of Mankato, Minn., his only sister, born also in Oneida Co., resided in
Fond du Lac Co. until three years ago; she has one son and two daughters, and has lost one daughter.
M. W. SIMMONS, capitalist; was born in Oneida Co., N. Y., Aug. 24, 1825 ; came from there
to Fond du Lac Co. in 1846, locating in the town of Springvale, on Sec. 23, where he lived five years ;
■moved then to the town of Waupun, where he lived three years; came to Fond du Lao Jan. 1, 1865,
where he has since resided; Mr. M. was Clerk of the Circuit Court one term, from January, 1865;
County Poor Commissioner from 1869 to 1873 inclusive ; member of the Board of Supervisors ; Treas-
urer of Springvale ; Clerk of Waupun ; Alderman of Third Ward, and Deputy United States Marshal
since 1878. He wSs married at Hillsdale, Mich., to Lucy B. Sizer, a native of Oneida Co., N. Y., Sept.
30, 1851 ; they have four children— Milton T. (cashier of Wells' Bank), Wilton B. (chief clerk at J. C.
Whittelsey's), Stella M. and Lucy B. His business is that of capitalist and settling bankrupt estates ; he
is a Mason — a member of the lodge at Fond du Lac. His mother-in-law, Lucy B. Sizer, aged 90, resides
with Mr. Simmons.
JOHN^ li. SITTIiER, of the firm of Sittler & Wilke, cigar manufacturers ; was born in New
York City- in 1852; moved to Sheboygan Falls with his parents when 4 years old ; clerked in drug store
,from his 13th to 18th year of age, when he began the cigar trade, which he has followed since that time ;
in January, 1873, he came to Fond du Lao and began to work for Bush Bros.; from 1874 to 1876, he
was at Branden and Waupun; in 1876, returned to Fond du Lac and began the cigar manufacture alone,
which he continued till October, 1878, when Mr. Wilke became his partner. Oct. 15, 1878, he married'
Miss Emma M. Hoppe, of Fond du Lac ; she is a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church.
CHARLES D. SMITH, attorney; was born in the town of Macomb, St. Lawrence Co., N.
Y., Nov. 16, 1849 ; in 1851, came with his parents to Tuychecdah, and, in 1866, came to Fond du Lac ;
Mr. S. was educated in the public schools and at a private school; began studying law in November, 1869,
with J. M. Gillet and C. K. Pier; was admitted to the bar Feb. 11, 1876, and has since been engaged in
the practice of his profession ; Mr. Smith left lumbering and acquired his legal and other knowledge with-
out aid or encouragement, supporting himself as best he could while at his studies.
G^EORGE H. SOUTHARD, painter; was born at CuddebackviUe, Orange Co., N. Y.,
June 3, 1849 ; came to Wisconsin Jan. 8, 1866 ; learned the painter's trade, which he has since followed';
the same year, and during the past eight years, has been eng;iged with the Wheel and Seeder Co., and
McDonald Manufacturing Co. Mr. Southard is a member" of the A., F. & A. M., and L 0. 0. F.
lodges.
JOHIV SPENCE, manufacturer; was born at Tyrone, Ireland ; came to Ohio in 1858, where
he enlisted May, 1861, in Co. B, 26th Ohio V. I., called " Fullerton Rifles" — the first three-years men
ofiered in that State ; he served three years as private, Sergeant, Sergeant Major, Lieutenant and Adjutant,
.resigning on account of ill health in April, 1864. He then went to Europe two years to recuperate,
returning and locating at Fond du Lac in 1866, where he engaged in the crockery business until 1874 ;
after that he engaged in loaning money, but is now Secretary and Treasurer of the McDonald Manufact-"
uring Co., builders of the " Pride of the West " thrashers. Mr. Spence has been City Treasurer, Alder-
man and Supervisor. ^
THOMAS WILSON SPENCE, attorney; was born at Dungannon, County Tyrone, Ire-
land, Sept. 2, 1846 ; came to Chillicothe, Ohio, in infancy, and to Fond du Lac in 1865. Mr. S. gradu-
ated from the classical course of Cornell University, at Ithaca, N. Y., in 1870 ; studied law and was soon
after a member of 'the law firm of Coleman & Spence, which firm was recently changed to Spence &
Hiner; he was a member of the Assembly in 1877 and 1879, and is now Postmaster of Fond du Lac,
receiving his appointment in 1879. He was married at Fond du Lac, to Miss Tallmadge ; they have one
ohild.
862 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
JOSEPH D. W. SPEIVCER, glove manufacturer; was born in Barre, Worcester Co.,
Mass., Mai-ch 13, 1847, and is the son of John H. and Ellen M. Spencer, nee Whitcomb. His grand-
father, John Spencer, was the son, of Simeon Spencer, who was born in Connecticut, but was the eleventh '
family to settle in' Springfield, Vt.; his grandfather was born in 1782 ; was an extensive farmer of Spring-
field, Vt., for many years ; came to Wisconsin in 1849, -and settled in Eock Go., where he died Feb. 7,
1865. His father, John H., was born at Springfield, Vt., Nov. 12, 1808 ; spent his early life as a farmer
in Vermont; removed to Amherst, Mass., and there followed the busiuess of a foundryman and stove-
manufacturer for three years ; removed to Barre, Mass., in 1835, and continued the same business fifteen
years ; in 1850, he came to Wisconsin, stopped one year in Rock Co.; went thence to Green Bay, and was
there interested in the tanning business for a year ; came to Fond du Lac in 1852, where he was one of
the inost extensive leather-dealers for many years. He retired from business in 1870. In 1832, he waa
married to Sarah,^ daughter of Shubel and Ruth, Whitcomb, of Springfield, Vt., and a descendant of the
Whitcomb family who came from Dorchester, England, in 1633 ; she died about two years after marriage.
He afterward married her sister, Ellen M.; they had a family of six children — four of whom are living —
Sarah M. (died in 1855), Ellen S. (Mrs. Norman Brass, and lives in Spring Valley, Minn.), Joseph D. W.
and John 1). W., twins — the latter is dead — Ida M. (now the wife of E. W. Sivyer, and lives in Milwaukee),
Waldo H. (now in Buffalo, N. Y.); Joseph D. W. spent most of his time with his father till 1870, when
he established the glove manufactory of which he has since been proprietor. He was married to Elizabeth;
laughter of Michael and Margaret Roche, now of Dakota, but formerly of the town of Byron, Fond du
Lac Co., Wis., where she was born. Mrs. Spencer is a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church.
HENRY J. STEADY, foreman on the second floor in Steenberg's sash, door and blind
factory ; was born in Germany in 1843 ; came to America with his parents in 1848, and settled at Buffalo,
N. Y., where he resided till 1853, when they moved to Chicagp, 111., whence, in 1856, they came to
Fond du Lac ; Henry worked on a farm for his brother from 1856 to 1862, attending school three winters
during that time, that being all the schooling he ever had. In 1862, he enlisted in Co. K, of the 1st W.
V. I. ; was discharged in 1863, on account of disability for service ; after remaining at home for about si?
months and regaining his health, he rp-enlisted October, 1863, in Co. B, 35th W. V. I., with which he
served till the close of the war. After being mustered out at Madison, Wis., he retu/ned to Fond du Lac
and began work in the door, sash arid blind factory for Q. J. L. Meyer, where he continued till 1873, when
he began work for Mr. Steenberg. Oct. 16, 1863, he married Miss Annie Pox, of Fond du Lac; they
haVe had four children — Henry B. (deceased), Nettie L., Jessie M. and Millard B.
O. C STEEXBEKCjt, proprietor of sash, door and blind manufactory, is a native of Tompkins
Co., N. Y., where he was born in 1836; in 1854, he moved with his parents to Saratoga Co., which he
made his home until 1862; he graduated at Union College, Schenectady, N. Y., with the class of 1861,
after which, in 1862, he came to Fond du Lao as Principal of the High School, serving in that capacity
until 1864, when he was elected Superintendent of the city schools in addition to his position as Principal
of the High School, where he remained until 1869 ; in 1871, he purchased an interest in the sash, door
and blind factory, with Mr. H. H. Lewis; the copartnership existed until 1877, when Mr. Steenberg
bought out Mr. Lewis, and became sole proprietor of the establishment. In 1862, he married Miss Harriet
Greene, daughter of O. S. Greene, of Salisbury, Conn.; they have had three children — Sarah (deceased),
Fredrick and Hubert.
PETER STEEXBERUH, retired farmer, was born in Saratoga Co., N. Y., in 1797 ; at the
age of 10, he went to Albany Co., N. Y., and followed farming for some time, whence he went to Washington
Co., N. Y., and remained there seven years, after which he, with his brother, purchased a boat, and for
two years followed boating on the Albany and Champlain Canal; he next came to Syracuse, thence to
•Onondaga Co., N. Y., where he was engaged ia farming most of the time, until his immigration to Wis-
consin in 1849 ; his first settlement was on a farm in the town of Byron ; subsequently, he bought a farm
of 160 acres in the town of Auburn, Fond du Lac Co., which he disposed of about 1857, and bought
another in the town of Byron, on which he made his home until 1871, when he sold that and moved to
the city of Pond du Lac. April 15, 1835, he married Miss Cynthia E. Mead, daughter of Elisha Mead,
of Onondaga Co., N. Y., who died at Fond du Lac, March 2, 1879, in her 59th year, leaving three
children — Caroline A., Harriet A. (now Mrs. Griffin Petton, of Byron), and Alson W., of Fond du Lac.
His wife and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he owns a house and four lots
in the city.
PETER STEPHANY, foreman in Mihills' Manufacturing Co., is a. native of 6ermany,born
in 1847 ; came to Wisconsin with his parents in 1850, and settled on a farm near Fond du Lac, where he
spent his boyhopd ; at the age of 15, he came to the city of Fond du Lac, and began work for C. J. L.
rOND DU LAC. 863
Meyer, in the blind departmfent of his sash, door and blind factory ; in 1865, he worked for Lewis &
Boyd in their manufactory for about five months, af^er which he followed the carpenter and joiner's trade
for one year ; then he worked for Falkland in his factory one year ; he next engaged in the furniture
business, which he continued for about fourteen months ; in 1876, he began work in Mihills' factory,
where he has since remained. He married Miss Amelia Loher, of Calumet, in October, 1873 ; they have
two children — Dora and Mary. They are members of St. Mary's Catholic Church.
AliEXANDER STEWART, of the firm of McDonalld & Stewart, proprietors of a sash,
door and blind factory, is a native of Glengarry Co., Canada, where he was born in 1835 ; spent his boy-
hood at work on a farm with his father, and attending the district school ; when 15 years old, he moved
to Montreal, whence, in 1854, he went to Petersboro, Canada, where he engaged in the grocery busi-
ness until 1866 ; disposing of his interest in the grocery trade at that time, he came to Fond du Lac, and
became interested in saw-milling in the firm of Hunter, Stewart & Co. until 1869, when he formed a
copartnership with Mr. Alexander McDonald in the sash, door and blind factory, which they established
at that time. In 1867, he married Miss Sarah C. Crawford, secdnd daughter of the Rev. Elias Crawford,
of Saratoga Springs; they have had two children — Annie (deceased), and Charles C. Mr. S. and family
are members of the Presbyterian Church. t
SIIiAS B. STIIiES, druggist, of the firm of Stiles & Givens, was born in Jay, Essex Co., N.
Y., Sept. 24, 1828 ; lived seven years in Canada West ; came to Byron, Pond du Lac Co., in July, 1843,
and there engaged in farming during six years, after which he went into the Northern pineries, where he
worked at lumbering until 1852 ; he then went overland to California, and engaged in mining until 1857,
when he returned to Pond du Lac and purchased a farm in Byron in 1858; Mr. S. followed agricultural
pursuits until 1871, when he purchased a drug store at Jefferson, Wis., but returned to Pond du Lac in
1873, and opened a drug store opposite the American House. He was married in Byron, Feb. 16, 1859,
to Caroline, daughter of George W. Lewis; they have three children — Clara A., Vesta L. and Guy L. |
LYMAN P. STOWE, son of Joseph and Priscilla Stowe, very early settlers of Fond du
Lac ; was born at Haverhill, Grafton Co., N. H., Sept. 29, 1825 ; at the age of 18 years, after hard work
upon the hills of his native State, he came with his parents to Milwaukee ; remained there until 1848,
working one and one-half years in a pail factory, manufacturing washtubs on his own account one year,
and then engaged in barrel-making ; Mr. S. then lived one year on his farm near Waupun ; worked his
father's farm one year; begai? carpenter work in 1851, and in 1861, began building elevators on
the different railroads in this State and Michigan, which business he still follows. He was one of the
organizers of the volunteer fire department in Fond du Lac, of which he was a member until its disor-
ganization in 1878, and was Treasurer one term of the State Firemen's Benevolent Association. Mr. 8.
was married at Milwaukee, in October, 1847, to Martha Lee, born in the town of Shipley, Yorkshire,
England ; thev have one child — Ella Josephine.
TIMOTHY F. STRONG. The subject of this sketch is a native of Brownington, Vt. ;
was born April 6, 1805, and is the son of Asahel Strong and Susan Follett ; his father, a prominent mer-
chant, although unfortunate, was much respected by all who knew him ; Timothy resided in Bennington,
whither his parents removed in 1806, till 12 years old, attending common school, and at that time
accepted a clerkship in a general store at Glen Falls, N. Y., and at odd times while there gained a knowl-
edge of the tinner's trade ; at. the expiration of five years, he went to Burlington, Vt., and there spent
two years as a journeyman in a tinshop ; he next formed a copartnership with a friend, and
going to Keesville, N. Y., established himself in the tin and stove business, and conducted a successful
business for nearly two years ; after closing out his interest here, he went to Danville, Vt., and
there resumed the same line of business, continuing it during a period of six years ; at the expiration of
that time, he associated himself with his brother, William L. Strong, at Burlington, in a general hard-
ware, iron and grocery trade, where he remained till 1 848 ; during the year previous to this, he
had contracted with others to build the Burlington & Rutland Railroad, and a portion of the road on to
Bellows' Palls ; he was at the same time largely interested in building the railroad from Ogdensburg to
Rouse's Point, N. Y. ; in July, 1851, he removed to the West and settled at Fond du Lap, Wis., and at
once began building what is now known as the Chicago & North-Western Railway, whose owners form
one of the largest railroad corporations in the world. In this enterprise Mr. Strong worked under most
adverse circumstances, many of his associates giving up all hope of success; with that determination, how-
ever, which has ever characterized him, he held on persistently to the end, and, in once instance, built
some miles of the road at his own expense and risk. Previous to his coming West, he had gained the
reputation of being a successful railroad man, having carried to a successful completion large railroad enter-
prises in the East ; and it was largely due to his untiring energy and influence that the Wisconsin division.
^64 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
being the northern portion of the Northwestern railroads, was constructed. Mr. Strong retired from
active business in 1868, and, since that time, except as stated below, has been living in the enjoyment of
the rewards of his active life. He was Assistant Superintendent of the North- Wes'tern Rjiilway for several
years; in 1870, was elected President and Superintendent of the Pond du Lac & Sheboygan Railroad
resigning in 1872. In his political sentiments, he is independent, supporting for office the man whom he
considers best fitted for the place, regardless of party prejudices or distinctions; in his religious belief,
he ia identified with the Episcopal Church. He was married on the 3d of May, 1827, to Miss Olivia
Clark, daughter of Dr. Nathan S. Clark, of Chesterfield, N. Y., and by her has now living one'son and
two daughters. He married his present wife, Susanna Jones, on the 27th of March, 1873. Mr. Strong
has traveled extensively over the United States and Europe, and is well informed on all questions of the
day. Beginning life for himself at the age of 12, with his worldly possessions tied up in a handkerchief,
he has risen, step by step, until he has accummulated an ample fortune, and, in all his business career, has
never contracted a debt that he did not pay.
JOHJV E. SULiLilVAW, of the firmof John E. Sullivan & Co., merchant tailors; is a native
of Ohio, where he was born in 1853 ; came to Meenae, Manitowoc Co., Wis., with parents in 1855, where
he lived till 1873, when he went to Brown Co. for the winter; and came to Fond du Lac in the spring of
1874, and attended commercial coUege.for four months, when he graduated; after which, from September,
1874, to November, 1878, be was clerk for J. N. Coleman & Co.; he was in the employ of Butterfield
& Bldrise till May, 1878, when he became a partner in the firm of John E. Sullivan & Co.
M.ICIIAfiIi SULIilVABf, harness manufacturer ; is a native of Ireland, where he was born
in 1851 ; he came to Fond du Lac in 1868 ; in 1871 he bexiame proprietor of the harness-shop, where'he
now manilfaotures about two hundred sets of harness per year. July 6, 1871, he married Miss Mary
Ann_ Canada, of Eldorado, Fond du Lac Co., Wis., by whom he has three children — John, Nellie and,
I Annie, who, with parents, are members of St. Patrick's Catholic Church.
, GEORGE EATON SUTHERLAND, whose history is now closely allied to that of
Fond.du Lac Co., is a native of New York Slate, having first seen light/ in a farmhouse at Burlington,
Otsego Co., N. Y. His mother thanked God he was a boy, for a boy could better fight the battle of life.
George istlie youngest of six children, only three of whom, all' boys, were alive at his birth. On his father's
side he is of Scotch descent, his great-grandfather having come to America on account of political persecu-
tions. This ancestor was noted for truthfulness and inteiirity, and these qualities and also certain physical
traits have been transmitted. It was the proud boast of the father of the subject of this sketch, that, so far
as he knew, there had never been an untruthful or dishonest Sutherland. His mother was a woman wise and
good, and his earliest recollections are mainly of her love and guidance. When he was 6 years old, a great
cajamity befell him,, in the death of his most excellent mother, and the breakingrup of the home, leaving
George a little wandel-er, without a settled home, or home influences. For four years he lived first with one
relative, and then with another, some of the time attending district school, but left for the most part to his own
devices, t'rom his mother, he inherited energy, steadfairtness of purpose, and a thoughtful habit, and from his
father integrity of mind, an honest way of looking at things, and a love of books. He was very fond of
oratory, and whi/le a mcrechild would pore for hours over Congressional speeches and pleas in court, seeming
to catch the spirit of their eloquence. He also early developed ability in planning, faithfulness in execut-'
ing, a spirit of emulation, which prompted him to bo first and best in whatever he undertook, and a per-
sunal magnetism, which made him a leader among the boys. He was not a very playful boy, and especially
disliked hunting, fishing, or any sport which inflicted pain. He was, however, fond of wit or humor, a trait
which he has not outgrown. In the winter after his tenth birthday, his mind and heart received a
profound re.igious impression, through the preaching of the Rev. A. B. Earle, and at the close of
a series of meetings held in Burlingtoii, George, with some one hundred others. Was received into
the church. While from his natural fondness for reading the boy had acquired a desultory knowledge
of many things of which children ordinarily know nothing, he possessed scarcely the rudiments of a
systematic education. During these years, George's second brother, Andrew, had married, and become
Principal of a school in Norwich-Town, Conn., in which he was ably assisted by his wife, a woman of fine
mind and large, warm heart. It was a happy day for George when this worthy couple invited him to make
home with them. In June, 1854, having secured company as far as New York City, he started with
glowing anticipations for a new home, and an education, which even then was his dearest wish. The
journey to New York was brimful of interest, and his friend found -his time fully occupied in answering
questions, until he left George on the Norwich boat, upon which he was to complete the journey alone.
It was a night trip, and the boy, to whom both steamer and ocean were new, sat long on deck. He watched
the men untie from the pier, and 'reel in the heavy rope ; watched the city until only dots of light were
■^ * <?tj*-
DECD. *
ROSENTiALE.
■ rOND DU LAC. 867
visible ; saw the moon rise out of the water, and the long track of light which the boat left behind, until
fatigue proved too much even for his wonder, and he went to bed on what seemed to him a funny little pantry
.shelf, and slept the sleep of tired childhood. When he awoke, the boat lay quietly at anchor at Norwich ; the
passengers had all gone, and so had his brother, who came to meet him. Evidently he had overslept, but do
not think he was dismayed. Valise in hand, he steps ashore and inquires the way to Norwich Town. Let
us glance at him as he enters upon this new era of life. Ten years old, rather slight, bright brown eyes that
look straight at you, ample forehead and a sensitive mouth. The taste of his sister-in-law had dressed him in
garments whose cut would better have become his father — black satin vest, long coat, prominent shirt front,
standing collar and " dickey." When he had come into Norwich Town, and was close by the town clock, a
•wag, thinking to get some sport out of the old-fashioned country boy, stopped him, and asked with mock
deference, hat in hand, " Would you kindly tell me the time of day by your watch ? " The unconscious sim-
plicity of the child turned the joke back, when he answered, " I do not know, sir ; can you tell me where
Norwich Town is ? " With his brother, discipline began in earnest. He was kept at hard study all day and
until nine at night, with scarce an hour allowed for play. His system stood the strain, and his progress in books
was quite astonishing, so that from being the poorest scholar, by the end of the year George stood at the
head of the school. In 1855, his brother decided to go West, and chose the young but rapidly growing
State of Wisconsin, as a future home. The party went by rail to Chicago, by boat to Sheboygan, thence
by stage to Fond du Lac, which they reached Saturday night, and put up at a hotel near the landing at
" Lower Town." From Fond du Lao, the party went by lake and Fox River to Delhi, in Winnebago Co.,
and thence to Waukau, where Mr. Sutherland taught for several years, and eventually settled on a farm.
George remained with him, working on the farm and attending school until he was nearly 16. These
years, though no more than ordinarily eventful, were important as years of growth. In them he attained
manhood's size, and for his years, maturity of character.; had escaped vices, and had acquired a very good
common-school education. With such preparation," George left his brother in August, 1859, to make his
own way in the world. Going once more to Norwich, Conn., he obtained a district school, which he taught
acceptably. Spending the summer of 1860 with old Burlington friends, he closed his experience as peda-
gogue, by teaching a school at that place the following autumn and winter.
The very next day after his school closed, he started for West Winfield Academy, to carry out his
,long-cherished purpose of fitting for college. Here he boarded himself and earned his tuition by taking
care of the recitati jn-rooms. His life now seemed the realization of the boy's dreams, in the gratification
•of his intense desire for knowledge and improvement. The classes were pleasant and the school excellent,
under the care of Prof. E. 0. Hovey, an enthusiast in his profession, an earnest Christian and a man of
great person'al weight. This was the year of the breaking-out of the civil war. When President Lincoln's
first call came for volunteers, George greatly desired to enlist, but his father thought he was neither old nor
strong enough for the hardships of camp and field, and so restrained the ardor of the boy. But it hap-
pens to many a man that at some time in life a circumstance, seemingly a mere accident, changes the whole
of his life. Such accident, or Providence, came to George. One noon, it was Sept. 30, 1862, he went
to town for the mail as Usual, and found in the Exeter stage an old friend on his way to Utica to enlist,
who urged George to go with him, and quickly gained his consent. There was no time for leave-taking.
■George got into the stage and before night had enlisted in Co. A, 1st N. Y. L. A., known as Bates' Bat-
tery. He was immediately sent into Barracks at Albany, where ttie time was spent in drildng and learn-
iug the art of war, against the call to the front. It happened that George had a chance of displaying
readiness and tact before reaching \V^ashington. When the battery was ordered to the front, Capt. Bates
put George and a comrade in charge of his horses, which were to go in a freight car attached to the train
bearing the rest of the battery. As the train was to leave Albany toward morning, the men went into the
car at night and went to sleep. Imagine the surprise of George when morning dawned and found him
still in Albany and the rest of the battery gone. By what accident their car was left no one could explain,
but here the boys were, with the horses, no commander, no rations, no transportation ; what little money
they had they spent in vainly telegraphing for orders. With much persuasion the railroad company took
them to New York, where a patriotic citizen fed horses and men. The eloquence and resources of the
boys were fully taxed before the railroad company agreed to take them to Baltimore without the proper
transportation papers, and even then they were assured the horses would be held in Baltimore until the
company was satisfied. When they reached Philadelphia the train was laid up for the Sabbath, and here
were the boys again without the wherewith to break their fast, but the door of a United States Hospital
opened to them, and they were well cared for until Monday afternoon. The train reached Baltimore just
before daybreak Tuesday morning. Should they wait here, with risk of starving, until the railroad com-
pany should be satis.fied that it had already been paid for taking this car, or should they report to
868 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
headquarters and leave their Captain to settle the matter? They decided on the latter course, and when there
was a good chance they jumped their horses out of the car, mounted them and rode toward Washington.
At evening they came upon a Union camp where they were kindly provided for, for one soldier never
saw another in need, but his canteen and haversack flew open. Before another night they were reoeivino-
the compliments of Capt. Bates for their exploit. It was now February, and very inclement weather!
The men had no barracks, and not even a good place to pitch their tents, and George often awoke and
found himself lying in a pool of water. The drill and discipline was also long continued and severe.
From the defenses of Washington the battery was sent to Philadelphia to quell riotous feeling, and keep
order^at the time of drafts, then to Pottsville, Penn., on a similar errand. Capt. Bates, it appears, had
one aim in his military history — to keep out of action. So true was this that the boys were wont to call
his battery the " Life Insurance Company." George soon tired of this inaction, and determined on a
change. He chanced at this time to be detailed as orderly at post headquarters, and soon acquired the respect
and good will of Capt. Eamsey, Adjutant General. At George's earnest request, Capt. Ramsey obtained
a furlough and permission for him to attend the military school at Philadelphia, where officers for colored
troops were then being instructed. Here he labored day and night for three months to acquire a knowl-
edge of the book part of military art, and, it is said, with marked success. Great decision of character,
and ready command of himself seem to have characterized him here. On one occasion, when acting as
drill-master of the school battalion, he displayed such great readiness and firmness, that Col. Taggart, the
Commandant of the school, publicly commended him and said he " he was fit to command any regiment."
George, still a boy of 20, appeared before Gen. Casey's Examining Board in Washington, and passed an
excellent examination, and all that prevented his recommendation for a field position seems to have been
his youth, from Gen. Casey's saying to him, " But you are too young for a field officer, Mr. Sutherland."
Afterihis examination he went back to Bates' Battery to wait for his commission, and while with it had
one skirmish with the rebels near Chambersburg. George soon received his commission as Captain from
President Lincoln, dated July 23, 1864, two months before his 21st birthday, and the boys gave him the-
sobriquet of "the Young Captain." He was then sent to Kentucky to raise colored troops, and was soon
placed in command of the 13th U. S. C. H. A. With his detachment he went to Eddyville, Ky., to take
command of that post, and arrived about midnight of October 12. Inquiring of the officer he was to
relieve if all was safe for the night, he was told that pickets were out and everything was secure. But he
had hardly fallen asleep when he was startled by bullets shot into every window of the court house which
was the headquarters. Of course thei;e could be but one result. After a sharp contest the garrison sur-
rendered, but not until Capt. Sutherland was wounded and taken prisoner. Capt. Sutherland was carried
to a hotel and so-called surgeons sent to dress his wound. Either from malice or ignorance they put him
through several hours of severest torture, cutting and slashing in a terrible way, and boasting, when they
thought he was under the influence of chloroform that " there'd be one less Yankee Captain," as no doubt
there would have been if they had not been suddenly interrupted.
From a Yankee gunboat, lying down the river; the firing at Eddyville had been heard, and with what
speed they could, they came to the rescue; too late to save a surrender, but with force to recapture the
town, and it was the shells from this boat that interrupted the surgeons in their bloody and apparently
delightful work, and put them to ignominious flight, leaving Capt. Sutherland half dead and wholly unable
to help himself; and here he might have died, indeed, but for the friendly offices of an unknown woman.
While the shells from the gunboat were pouring into the town, and were even crashing through the hotel,
and all were fleeing for safety, this woman risked her life and the displeasure of her friends, who, she
said, were Southern sympathizers, to help this unknown Captain to life. She bound up his wound and
helped, almost carried, him down-stairs and through the street to the water's edge, and with a wave of her
handkerchief, as a flag of truce, to the boat, she left him, with strength only for feebly expressed grati-
tude, too weak, even, to ask her name. A boat was immediately sent for him, but there was no surgeon
on board the gunboat, and three days passed before the bullet was taken from his arm, or his wound prop-
erly dressed, and when he reached the hospital at Claiksville, Tenn.,he was delirious and already sufiiering,
not only from his wound, but from an attack of typhoid fever, induced by exposure and lack of care. For
three months he languished in the hospital, much of the time in extrenie danger, and suffering so greatly
that death would have been a welcome relief.
" He laid him down to sleep without a thought or care
Whether the waking find him here or there."
After weary weeks of convalescence, he was again strong enough for active service, and was sent to
command the recruiting posts at Caseyville, and afterward at Owensboro, Ky. In going from one place-
to the other, he narrowly escaped being shot by a guerrilla band. Afterward, he was sent to Smithland
rOND DU LAO. 869
as Commissary of subsistence, which position he filled with care and precision for several months, when he
was appointed a member of the military commission and court-martial, which sat at Camp Nelson, and
subsequently at Lexington, Ky.. and in this position he remained until honorably discharged in Novem-
ber, 1865. As a member of the court-martial, although by several years the youngest, he won special
distinction. The deliberations of this body, before which mililfary and civil offenses were tried, were secret,
only their conclusions being made public, but it is said on good authority that more than one poor fellow
owes his life to Capt. Sutherland's eloquent appeal for mercy, and an abatement of the strict letter of mili-
tary law, and once he won when all were at first against him. The name of Capt. Sutherland had
already been forwarded for promotion, which, it is said, he merited, and would no doubt have received,
but the war ended, and, on Nov. 18, 1865, he was honorably discharged from the United States Service.
With the war, also, ended the splendid opportunities for displaying many noble and brilliant qualities,
but it is doubtful if Capt. Sutherland ever did a more heroic thing than he did when leaving his high
position as Judge and commander, he entered the preparatory school at Ripon College, and dug out Greek
and Latin with the young boys and girls. One of his teachers has said that he displayed much greatness
of character by his careful attention to rules which seemed to him trivial, by his modest, respectful atten-
tion in class, and his solicitude that the younger members should do well. Mr. Sutherland studied at
Ripon until July, 1868, completing the sophomore year in college, and winning a good standing. For
two years of the time he superintended the Baptist Sabbath School, and most of the time since he has
been in some way engaged in Sabbath-school work.
In September, 1868, he entered Amherst College as a junior, without conditions. There he passed
two very pleasant and profitable years, and graduated as " honor man," with an excellent reputation, both
as to character and ability. During the summer of 1870, Mr. Sutherland studied law with Judge Willard,
of Utica, N. Y., and, in the fall of that year, entered Columbia Law School, in New York City, which
was then presided over by Theo. W. Dwight, LL. D. Mr. Sutherland often speaks of the debt which
he owes to him and to President Seelye, of Amherst, probably the two men of all in the world whose
influence upon him has been most powerful. In New York, Mr. Sutherland worked very hard, taking
two years' studies in one, and reciting six hours a day. The year in New York was the fullest and busiest
Mr. Sutherland ever passed, and perhaps, on the whole, the most profitable. Shortly after completing his
law course, Mr. Sutherland was married to Miss Adela Merrell, of Kirkland, N. Y., and in September of
this year (1871), he formed a law partnership with Mr. A. B. Hamilton, of Ripon, Wis., a gentleman of
legal knowledge and ability above the average, and with a good practice. Mr. Hamilton was past the
prime of life and in poor health, so that, as soon as Mr. Sutherland was able to manage it, the burden of
the business fell upon him. This was very fortunate for him, as he was compelled to acquire a knowledge
of correctly transacting legal business much sooner than young attorneys ordinarily have opportunity for
doing. In his first law-suit, in which he appeared for the defendant, his maiden plea certainly produced
effect. He won the ease.
Mr. Sutherland made his first appearance in the Supreme Court in Mundt vs. The Sheboygan & Fond
du Lac R. R. Co., appearing for the plaintiff. Judge L. S. Dixon, then Chief Justice of Wisconsin, in
his written and published opinion of the case, pays the young lawyer this high compliment : " In con-
clusion we may remark that it would be doing injustice to our own feelings not to acknowledge our obliga-
tion for the assistance rendered by the very clear and able argument made at the bar by the counsel for
the plaintiff." For two years of his residence in Ripon Mr. Sutherland was City Attorney, and was, in
1873, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors in his ward, and was in this capacity very faithful to the
interests of the county. In May, 1874, he came to Fond du Lac and formed a law partnership with Judge
David Taylor, which continued with mutual satisfaction until Judge Taylor was elected to the Supreme
Bench, since which time, Mr. Sutherland has conducted the business alone. In November, 1879, he was
elected to the State Senate by an unusually large majority, having been nominated for that oflSce, and
enthusiastically supported by the very best citizens in the district, an honor of which any man might justly
be proud. We have seen Mr. Sutherland deprived of a mother's care, left a homeless wanderer ; receiv-
ing his first real discipline ; starting in life for himself with no capital except his own talent and energy ;
a diligent student working his way along ; a good soldier and a merciful Judge ; an upright lawyer and an
efficient officer, and we believe he will be a wise legislator.
We find him now ranking among the first in his profession in the State, having gained this position
by no outside influence, but by honesty, hard work and careful attention to the details of his business.
That the community has confidence both in his talent and integrity is shown by the class of cases put into
his hands, which are among the most important tried in the county, and the fact that he is successful in a
large majority of his cases, shows that he is a skillful manager, and also that he will not accept a case
870 BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES: ' ^
which he believes to be poor, merely for the fees. In working up his cases, Mr. Sutherland is industrious
accurate and careful. As a speaker he has good command of language, but is not an " oflF-hand speaker,"
and he never allows himself to speak on any occasion without preparation. With time to arrange his
thought, he is logical and clear, and, when the subject inspires it, rises to eloquence. He is a capital hand
to tell a story where it will be effective. By honesty, industry, and faith in God, Mr. Sutherland has
reached his present place of honor, trust and influence in the community, and his life well exemplifies
what may be wrought by the motto which he chose when a boy :
Do well that which before thee lies to-day.
PAULi SWEIVSOX, machinist and foreman in McDonald's Thrashing-Machine Works ; is a
native of Denmark, born in 1849; learned his trade in his native country;' came to America in 1869,
and stopped a short time in Detroit ; thence to Chicago for a few days, when he returned to Michigan ;
from there he came to Milwaukee, and finally settled at Racine in the same year, where he worked at his
trade for four and a half years ; after which he returned to Europe for eight months ; he came again to
Raqine for a short time, from there he came to Pond du Lac and began work in McDonald's Thrashing-
Machine Works, and, in the spring of 1879, was appointed Superintendent of the works.
. M. W. TALLiM ADGE, son of Henry F. and Maria C. Tallmadge, of New York City, and
brother of the well-known broker of that city, Benjamin H. Tallmadge. M. W. was born in the year
1818, and, after receiving his education, was engaged in the wholesale hardware trade in New York City
till about 1840; in 1843, he immigrated to Wisconsin, entered a farm in the southern part, of the town
of Fond du Lac, Fond du Lac Co., Wis., and, in August, 1844, was married to Miss Nancy A., daughter
of Justin and Thirza Eastman, a native of Oswego County, N. Y., who immigrated with her parents to
Kenosha Co., Wis., in 1835, and to Granville, Milwaukee Co., in 1837, where she was married. Soon
after their marriage, they removed to the farm in Fond du Lae and made that their home till the spring
of 1862 ; disposing of it at that time, he purchased another in the same town, on Sec. — , where he lived
till September, 1876, when they removed to the city of Fond du Lac, though still retaining the farm.
They have had nine children — Mary E. (the late wife of A. K. Hamilton, of Fond du Lac, deceased),
Henry F. (of Fairmount, Neb.), Che.ster L. (deceased),- Benjamin H., William E. (of Sheboygan), Maria
C. (now Mrs. Thomas W. Spence, of Pond du Lac), Clarence D. (of Milwau'cee), Edwin T. and Jennie, of
Fond du Lac. The family is connected with the Presbyterian Church.
AZISO B. TAYIjOR, a native of Vergennes, Addison Co., Vt.; came with his father, J. M.
Taylor, who died in 1865, to Pond du Lao in 1849, and has been engaged ever since in the hardware busi-
ness, except two years during which he had charge of the water supply on the C. & N.-W. Railway, between
Fort Howard and Janesville, putting in all the pumps. Mr. T. has been an Alderman from the First and
Third Wards several years, and was at the head of the Fond du Lac Fire Department sixteen years — as
long as the volunteer department continued, of which he was one of the originators. He was married at
Fond du Lac Aug. 3, 1849, to Angelia Hawes, a native of Shoreham, Vt.; she died Jan. 4, 1854, leaving
two children^Lillie and Charley ; the former is now Mrs. L. A. Emerson, and the latter died in April,
1878, aged 26 years. Mr. T. was married a second time to Jane E. Woodruff, a native of New York ;
they have eight children — Jared W., William W., Frank C, Jessie, Emma, Carrie, Mary and Janie.
Jared W. and William W. are both engaged in the railroad business away from home. Mr. T. is a mem-
ber of the Masonic Lodge and Chapter at Fond du Lac. Henry C. Taylor, brother to Azro B., enlisted
in Co. A, 1st W. V. I., for three months, and at the end of that time re-enlisted in the 21st Regiment.
He died in hospital prison at Charleston, where he had lain one year, Oct. 4, 1864.
JA1IE$$ liUTHER THWIlVGr, editor and publisher; was born at Alto, Fond du Lac
Co., Wis., July 4, 1847; worked upon a farm until 19 years of age, except when attending the district
school ; to complete his education, he entered Lawrence University, Appleton, Wis., graduating with honors
from the classical course in 1871. While in school Mr. T. took the first prize for excellency in composition.
He was editor of the Lawrence Collegian, and contributor to various other publications while in the Uni-
versity, thus developing his natural taste for journalism, a profession he then decided to follow, taking a
position upon the Milwaukee Sentinel staff the next day after graduating. In November, 1873, Mr. T.
resigned his position on the Sentinel, having contracted to purchase the Fond du Lac Saturday Reporter
of John J. Beeson, issuing the first number, under his management, Nov. 22, 1873. Since that time, he
has been either wholly or in part, editor, proprietor and publisher of the same paper, which has grown to
three times its original size in his hands. He was married at Fond du Lac, Jan. 20, 1874, to Laura B.,
daughter of Rev. C. D. Pillsbury ; she was a gl'aduate in the same class with Mr. T., receiving the salu-
tatory appointment of the class on graduating day. They have one child — Alfred L., born April 1, 1876,
FOND DU LAC. 8ll
CYRUS THOMPSOX, retired ; is a native of Hartford, Me., where he was born Dec. 24,
1805, and spent most of his time till 1855; when 18 years of age he began teaching school, and con-
tinued till he was 26 ; from 1831 to 1855 he was proprietor of marble works in his native town ; dispos-
ing of his marble works, he removed to Dunkirk, N. Y., and purchased a two-thirds interest in a large flour-
ing-mill; in 1864, he traded his interest in the mill for farm in the town of Byron, Fond du Lac Co.,
Wis., which he cultivated for two years; then disposed of it for $11,000, and moved to the city of Fond
du Lac, where he has since led a quiet and retired life. When young he took quite an active part in politics,
beiqg a strong supporter of the Whig party. He held the office of Town Clerk in Hartford for ten-suc-
cessive years, and while at Dunkirk was a member and Secretary of the School Board for a number of
years. He married Miss Marinda Pitts, of Livermore Me., May 10, 1831, by whom he has two sons —
Hiram P. and J. R.
HIRAM P. THOMPSON, architect ; is a native of Oxford Co., Me., born in 1833, and
made that his home till about 1852 ; he learned the carpenter and joiner's trade, and, in 1852, he went to
Boston, Mass., where he continued his trade for nearly two years, whence he went to Dunkirk, N. Y.; in
1856, he went to Buffalo, N. Y., and began architectural drawing with Sage, Wilcox & Bush ; in 1857,
he immigrated to St. Paul, Minn,, where he remained for more than two years, when he went to St. Louis,
Mo., where he, in 1860, enlisted in Co. B, of the 112th N. Y. V. I.; was elected Sergeant; in 1863, he
was appointed First Lieutenant of Co. I of the 1st U.S. colored troops, and wassoon promoted to the position of
Captain — with which he served till the close of the war ; was mustered out of service at Roanoke Island,
October, 1865 ; returned to Fond du Lao, thence to St. Louis, and came back again to Fond du Lac in
1868, where he has since resided. Was employed as architect in the building of the American House,
First Street School Building, First National Bank, Burnton's store. May's store, Bartlet's meat-market, et
al. April 9, 1867, he married Miss Julia E. Blossom, daughter of Samuel Blos.som, of Buffalo, N. Y.,
who died Dec. 30, 1867.
CHARLES M. TOMPKINS. The subject of this sketch was born Aug. 1 3, 1822, in the
county of Westchester, N, Y.; after pursuing the usual academic course in his native town (Somers), he
entered the university in the city of New York in 1840, and graduated in 1844; among his classmates
who have since attained distinction, may be mentioned Dr. Howard Crosby and A. Oakey Hall, of New
York City ; Hon. Theodore Frelinghuysen was at this time Chancellor of the University, and ran for
Vice President on the ticket with Henry Clay; educated in the same political faith. Judge Tompkins
reverts with pride to the fact that his first vote was cast for " Clay and Frelinghuysen." Having prepared
himself for the profession of law, he moved to Wisconsin in the summer of 1847, and settled in Fond du
Lac (then a growing village), and formed a partnership with J. M. Gillett, Esq., at that time and always
a leading lawyer of the place ; the business of the firm grew with the growth of the country. In 1848,
Mr. Tompkins was nominated for the office of District Attorney for the county on the Whig ticket, run-
ning much ahead of his ticket ; in 1850, the firm of Gillett & Tompkins was dissolved by the election of
Mr. Tompkins as Judge for the counties of Pond du Lac and Calumet, (then attached for judicial purposes),
which office he held for the term of four years ; shortly after his election, he was appointed Postmaster of
the city, serving nearly the whole of President Fillmore's Administration. In 1849, Judge Tompkins was
married to Miss Amelia Davis, of Fond du Lac, oldest daughter of Col. C. Davis, one of the pioneers who,
with Major Tallmadge, Col. Conklin and others, had, at an early day, settled in the town of Taycheedah
and its vicinity ; three children were the fruits of this union, but none survive ; the loss of wife and chil-
dren, along with health greatly impaired, induced Judge 'Tompkins to seek a new home in a Southern
climate; in 1862, he accepted a position under President Lincoln's (first) Adminiiitration, in one of the
departments at Washington (Pension Office), and he has been retained in the same position by successive
administrations. Judge Tompkins was fortunate in his ancestral relations, being a lineal descendant of
Gov. Daniel D. Tompkins, of New York, while his grandfather (Dr. Elias Cornelius), was an eminent
surgeon in the Revolutionary army under Gen. Washington, whose friendship and confidence he enjoyed
during life. While a resident of Fond du Lac, Judge Tompkins was justly esteemed for his integrity and
uprightness ; he was an active, energetic citizen, and largely identified with the grain, lumber and ware-
house business. In politice, he was decidedly Whig. His many friends will be glad to know that he is
yet living, with health improved, and home made happy by the smiles of a wife and two promising chil-
dren, more precious to him than all the treasure in the Treasury.
E. C. TOMPKINS, grocer ; was born at Somerstown, Westchester Co., N. Y., March 13,
1821. He lived six years in New York City ; came to Fond du Lac in 1853 ; went to Watertown in 1854 ;
to Pike's Peak in 1859, and returned to Fond du Lac in 1862, where, since 1864, he has been engaged in
the grocery business. He was married, in New Y'^ork, to Ann Eliza Green, who was born in his native
nlflop anri Tina nnft child — Anna. M. Mr. T. is nn OHH Fp.llnw.
872 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
CHRISTIAN TOSTESfSOlV, foreman in the woodwork department in McDonald's thrash-
ing-machine works ; was born in Norway in 1828 ; began his apprenticeship as carpenter and joiner in
1844 ; came to New York in 1853, and worked there at his trade for five years ; thence he came to Eacine,
Wis. In 1873, he moved to Fond du Lac, and became foreman of the woodwbrk department in thrash-
ing-machine works. In 1853, he married Miss Johanna Utgard, of Norway, who died at Eacine, Wis., in
1871, leaving five children, as follows : Charles, Victoria, Sarah J., Frederick and Martha C. Married
Miss Eliza Lawson, of Norway, in 1872 ; they have two children — Eddie C. and Oliver.
■ BITROIV TOWN", manufacturer; was born at Georgia, Franklin Co., Vt., June 4, 1825 ; came
to Wisconsin in 1860, locating at Omro, and engaged in the flouring-mill business for one year. After
that, he kept the American House at Eipon five years ; the American House at Pond du Lae four years,
and the Patty House in the same place, a little over three years, since which time (1874) he has been
counected with the Wheel & Seeder Co.. manufacturers of grain drills and broad-cast seeders, having a
very large and constantly increasing business. In Fond du Lao, Mr. T. has been City Treasurer, and a
member of the City Council He is now Secretary, Treasurer and General Manager of the Wheel & Seeder
works. Mr. Town was married, Jan. 1, 1849, by Eev. Alvah Sabin, to Sarah Fargo, of Georgia, Vt.;
they have three children — Carrie A., born Aug. 10, 1853; Edmund Carroll, born Oct. 2, 1855, and Minnie
D., born June 13, 1858. The Town family is one of the oldest, in an unbroken line, in England or
America, the Town coat-of-arms consisting of "argent, on a chevron, sable, three-cross crosslets, ermine,"
dating back to 1274 in England. The first ancestor, according to the " New England Historical and Gen-
ealogical Eegister," now positively known to belong to the family, was William dela-Towne, of Alyely, a
village of Shropshire, near Shrewsbury, England. Thereafter the family contained in England many per-
sonages of note and high degree. The name " Edmund," given to Byron Town's second son, has been
perpetuaited over two hundred and fifty years in the family.
JOHX B. TRIP-P, carpenter and joiner; is a native of Oneida Co., N. Y., where he was
born in 1843 ; came to Wisconsin in 1854, and settled in Walworth Co., where he followed farming for
eight years. In 1862, he enlisted in Co. A, of the 32d W. V. I.; was taken sick arid transferred to the
invalid corps at St. Louis, Mo., where he served the rest of his term of service, and was mustered out in
July, 1865. He then returned to Fond du Lac, and has since followed the carpenter and joiner's trade.
In 1878, he, with his partner, Mr. Scales, built the County Insane Asylum. He was married to Miss
Mary Cooper, daughter of Charles Cooper, a farmer of Osceola, Fond du Lac Co., in 1867, she being a
native of Scotland ; they have three children — Charles H., Florence M. and Maud E. Mr. Tripp and
wife are members of the Congregational Church.
JOHSir J. TRIPP, farmer. Sec. 36 ; the son of John and Hannah Tripp, nee Eobins, of
Oneida Co., N. Y., born in 1826 ; he being a farmer's son, spent most of his boj'hood at farm work, and
attending school during the winter till he acquired a limited common-school education ; in 1847, he immi-
grated to Wisconsin and settled in Pond du Lac Co., where, for the first three years, he tended what is
known as the Milton farm on shares; having no seed wheat of his own at the first seeding time, he would
flail out some for those who had preceded him long enough to raise a crop, taking for his labor every seventh
bushel of wheat so thrashed till he had earned enough to sow on twenty acres ; at the end of three years,
he was able to buy his present farm of 142 acres, which he has since improved, and made a comfortable
home for himself and family. He was married to Miss Francis A., daughter of Hiram and Lucinda
Edgerton, of Pond du Lac Township, in 1848; they have three children — Emma J., Ch'arles C. and Eva.
Politically, Mr. Tripp is a Eepubliean, and has been a member of the Town Board for one year.
C. A. TROWBRIDGrE, watchmaker and jeweler, dealer in silver and plated ware, etc.; born
in Ithaca, N. Y.; came to Sheboygan in 1847 ; resided there until he came here in April, 1869. Mr.
Trowbridge has been engaged in his present business for the last twenty-four years, and is one of the most
reliable dealers in the State.
JOHJV D. TURNER, farmer. Sec. 20 ; P. 0. Fond du Lie ; is the son of John and Judeth
Turner, born in Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, Jan. 19, 1820 ; he spent his early life on a farm and in a grist-mill in
Lorain Co., Ohio, whither his parents removed when he was about 10 years of age ; his father being pro-
prietor of the mill in Lorain Co., though he had practiced medicine in Cuyahoga Co. for twenty-five years.
At the age of 25, John D., the subject of this sketch, returned to his native county, Ohio, and for four
years at Eock Eiver Falls was engaged in the manufacture of pearlash ; in May, 1847, he removed to
Fond du Lae Co., Wis., and settled on a farm in Sec. 21, then owned by W. B. Eansom; six months
later, he removed to Mr. Homiston's farm, in Sec. 30, and, in 1848, bought a farm of twenty acres in
Sec. 20, where he now has sixty acres, and has since made his home. Jan. 15, 1841, he married Miss
Matilda, daughter of James and Catharine Harpham, of Center Co., Penn.; their children are as follows:
rOND DU LAC. 873
John (deceased), Benona (now of Colorado), Arthur (deceased — killed at Atlanta), Lelia (Mrs. Truman
Hawkins, of Winterset, Madison Co., Iowa), Kollin J. (of Fond du Lac), Celia A., Einaldo D. (of Col-
orado), Catharine M. (deceased), and Eddy, A.
ISAAC UNDERWOOD, carpenter;, was born near Rochester, Monroe Co., N. T.. Dec. 30,
1842 ; son of Joseph Underwood, who was an early settler of Waukesha, Wis., where he still resides.
After residing eighteen years in Waukesha, Isaac lived one and a half years at Waterville ; removed then
to Lottiira, Dodge Co., where he enlisted in August, 1862, in Co. A, 32d W. V. I.; was in detached serv-
ice six months with the Pioneer Corps ; was in nearly all the battles engaged in by his regiment : mustered
out in June, 1865. He came to Fond du Lac the same year, where he has since resided, except two
years spent in Wyoming Territory; Mr. U. began the carpenter's trade in 1865, and has followed it ever
since. He was first married at Fond du Lac, Jan. 1, 1867, to Jane Woodward, born in New York State;
she died June 4, 1873, leaving one child — -Myrtle Jane, and lost one. He was married a second time, in
November, 1878, to Minnie Straw, born in Brooklyn, N. Y.
RICHARD UNDERWOOD was bom at Lundy's Lane, Canada, Feb. 10, 1824; his
parents removed to Springfield, Penn., when he was 3 years old ; resided in Pennsylvania, Ohio,
Toronto, BulFalo (N. Y.), and removed to Toronto again in 1837, where he remained until coming to Mil-
waukee Oct. 2, 1846 ; removed to Beaver Dam, Dodge Co., in 1849, and, in June, 1868, to Fond du Lac.
Mr. Underwood is a plasterer. He was married at Bufialo, N. Y., Sept. 21, 1846, to Hannah Downing,
who died in 1847, leaving one son — Henry, a resident of Fond du Lac. He was married, Feb. 10, 1850,
to his present wife, Mary J. Hodgman, born at Mason, N. H., May 21, 1830 ; they have two children
living — Frances A., born Jan. 20, 1859, and "Willie E., born Nov. 30, 1873 ; have lost three — ^Francis
Edwin, born June 19, 1851, died Sept. 6, 1854; Richard Lester, born Oct. 17, 1853, died Oct. 13,
1857, and J. Elmer, born Nov. 23. 1866, died Nov. 25, 1867.
PETER VANDERVOORT was born at Amsterdam, Montgomery Co., N. Y., May 10, 1796,
of Holland-Dutch parents ; came, Nov. 5, 1844, to Milwaukee, and the next year to the town of Eden,
settling on Sec. 17 ; he was a Wesleyan Methodist preacher, and held the first services in the house in
which he lived ; his house, which was 25x32 feet, was called the " Big Shanty," and in it for several
years all elections for that section were held. Mr. V., who went from Amsterdam to Plattsburg, N. Y.,
when 11 years of age, served all through the war of 1812, in Seth Sherry's company. Col. Miller's regi-
ment. He was married at Plattsburg, Dec. 24, 1829, to Miss Maria Bartlett, who was born at Chazy,
Clinton Co., N. Y., Oct. 16, 1808; they have bad seven children — Elizabeth B., born Oct. 1, 1832, died
as the wife of C. C. Lewis July 14, 1868 ; Julia Ann, born July 3, 1843, died in 1845 at Milwaukee ;
Peter V., Paul, Cornelius, Michael and Ann Maria, now Mrs. William Fisher, of Eau Claire, Wis.
D. R. VAN DUYNE was bom in the township of Pequawnock, Morris Co., N. J., May 1,
1807 ; son of Richard Van Duyne, who was the son of Martin Van Duyne, whose father, James, came
from Amsterdam, Holland, with his father and mother, when a boy, and lived with his parents on Long
Island, now Brooklyn, N. Y., and afterward settled in New Jersey, and built the house in which Daniel
R., Richard, his father, and Martin, his grandfather, were born. The subject of this sketch lived with
his father and mother till he was 16 years of age, when he left his father's house and engaged in the trade
of edge-tool making, and continued at that some six years ; he then purchased a farm at Vine Brook, in
his native township, and became a successful farmer, owning and occupying the farm for twenty years ;
having sold out, in September, 1849, he moved to Wisconsin, and purchased a section of land where the
station called Van Duyne, on the North-Westem Railway, in the town of Friendship, Fond du Lac Co.,
is situated, adjoining the line of Winnebago Co.; since then, he rernoved to the city of Fond du Lac, and,
at this date, resides on East Division street. Mr. Van Duyne was married to Miss Phebe Crane, of Cald-
well, Essex Co., N. J., March 10, 1827 ; to them were born three children — Marcus Eugene, Aug. 1,
1828, died in infancy; Richard Voorhies, born June 17, 1830, died Feb. 23, 1870, and Anna H., born
April 7, 1839, now living in Union Township, Union Co., N. J., the wife of Henry J. Woodward; Mr.
Van Duyne's wife died May 30, 1866. In August, 1869, he went to San Francisco, Cal.; spent, three
years traveling with horse and buggy between Los Angeles, Cal., and the line of British Columbia, near
the Frasier River, visiting many of the islands in Puget Sound, opposite Vancouver's Island, using the
same horse and buggy the whole time ; in November, 1872, he returned to Fond du Lac, and having
purchased a small drove of horses, drove them to New York, single handed, by way of Milwaukee, Chi-
cago, Fort Wayne, Canton (Ohio), Sharon, Franklin, Phillipsburg, Mauch Chunk, Easton (Penn.), Morris-
town and Elizabeth City, N. J., thence via Newark to New York, sold them and returned to Fond du Lac.
On the 6th day of June, 1874, he married Mrs. Jane Hadlock. Mr. Van Duyne built the house in
which he now lives ; did all the carpenter work withoiit plan or bill of lumber from carpenter or architect;
874 BIOGEAPHICAL SIQETCHES:
also all the cellar walls ; also his barn and about forty rods of picket fence ; was about two years in com-
pleting it, and now lives retired on the fruits of his labor, at the ripe old age of 73.
DAlVIEIi VARNEY, speculator ; is a native of Addison Co., Me. ; born in January, 1802 ;
spent most of his time there on a farm till 1852, when he was called upon to settle up the estate of sl.
deceased brother, whose death occurred that year ; in 1853, he came West for his health, and in the fol-
lowing year settled at Fond du Lae, Wis. ; here, for the two years following, he was engaged in buying
grain, and, in 1856, he became interested in real-estate speculations, which has been his principal business
since that time ; in 1859, he began loaning money on Kansas land, by which some of it fell into his-
hands, which caused him an annual visit to that State for the next ten years. In 1829, he married Miss
Sarah C. Dow, daughter of Winthop and Susan Dow, of Lincoln, Vt. ; they had one child — deceased ;
Mrs. Varney died in 1832 ; he was married a second time, in 1836, to Mrs. Kezia Lawrence, widow of
John Lawrence, of Monkton, Vt., she having two sons — George and John Lawrence, the latter deceased.
AJVTOX VOGT was born in Switzerland Oct. 26, 1828; came to New York Feb. 11, 1848 ;
came soon after to Milwaukee ; went to Oshkosh for seven months, two and one-half years later, and
then came to Fond du Lac; be engaged in tailoring until the war, when he enlisted Aug. 15, 1862, in
Co. E, 26th W. V. I. ; served one and one-half years, participating in the battles of Chanoellorsville and
Gettysburg. Keturned to Fond du Lac and worked seven years for Paul Hauser, then began business for
himself; Mr. V. is proprietor of a beer hall. He was first married at Fond du Lac, Jan. 6, 1853, to
Gertrude Trautvetter, born in Saxony, who died in\October, 1853; he married, May 5, 1856, Mary
Glocke, born in Germany ; they have had two children, but none are now living. Mr. V. is a member of
the I. 0. 0. F. Lodge.
(wElV. LYMAX M. WARD was bom Oct. 15, 1836, in Cattaraugus Co., N. Y. ; came to-
Fond du Lac in 1850; engaged for some time in the public schools of the city. Enlisted in April, 1861,
in the three-months service ; was appointed Orderly Sergeant of Co. I, 1st W. V. I. ; > re-enlisted for
three. years at the end of first term, and was commissioned Captain ; was successively promoted to Major,
Lieutenant Colonel and Colonel of the 14th W. V. I. ; was io command of a brigade two years, receiving
the brevet rank of Brigadier General. Gen. Ward is now engaged in fruit-growing at Benton Harbor,
Mich. He was a member of the Michigan Legislature for 1879-80.
JAMES FRAlVKIilX WARE, attorney; was born in Litchfield, Me., Feb. 11, 1849;
came to Hortonville, Wis., in 1855 ; graduated from Lawrence University in 1871 ; from the Law
Department, of Michigan University in 1873, and then came to Fond du Lac and began the practice of
law, being a member of the firm of Gilson & Ware. Mr. Ware was the Republican nominee for
the Assembly in 1876, and was elected Assemblyman on that ticket in November, 1879. H« is a mem-
ber of the Knights of Pythias.
JOHK WAIiLiER, mason ; was born in Norfolk County, England, July 18, 1819 ; came to
New York City^, where he worked at his trade eight months, in 1848; removed to Milwaukee in 1849,
and in January, 1850, came to Fond du Lac. Mr. Waller was married, in England, May 22, 1840, to
Sarah Odham, a native of Lincolnshire, England ; she died in Fond du Lac in 1853, leaving two children
— John Eobert, born in England, and Mary, born in Wisconsin. Mr. Waller was the builder of some of
the best business blocks in Fond du Lac.
HEIVRY WALEICHS, grocer and druggist ; was born in Germany Jan. 10, 1842; lived
in New York City one year before coming to Fond du Lac, which he did in 1863, engaging as a filerk ;
in 1870, he began business for himself, which he has since continued. He was married, at Fond du Lac,
in April, 1873, to Bertha Rueping, who was born at Essen, Germany, Oct. 11, 1851 ; they have two
children — Henry and William. Mr. W. is an Odd Fellow.
COL. JEROME A. WATROUS. The subject of this sketch was born in the town of
Conklin, Broome Co., N. Y., Sept. 6, 1840, and came with his parents to the Territory of Wisconsin in the
fall of 1844, and located at Sheboygan Falls. In the spring of 1849, his parents moved to what is now
Hayton, Calumet Co., where they remained until October, 1850, at which time his mother and her six
children, in consequence of the death of husband and father, which occurred on the 10th of September of
the same year, returned to New York. At the age of 10 years, young Watrous was obliged to earn his
own living, which he did by working nine months of the year on a farm, the other three months being
spent in district school. This was continued until he arrived at the age of 15 years, when he " worked
and earned wages " for two summers, and attended school one winter, and taught school the winter follow-
ing his 16th birthday in the village of Brookdale, Susquehanna Co., Penn. The following July, with
one suit of clothes, $3 in money and a ticket to^Sheboygan, in company with an older brother, he started
for his old home in Wisconsin, and the second day after his arrival at Hayton, commenced work on. a farm
I-OND DU,LAC. 875
for $13 a month. For two winters he taught district school in Calumet Co., and, in the spring of 1859,
walked to Appleton, carrying his worldly possessions in an oil-cloth, grip-sack, and entered Lawrence Uni-
versity, intending to work his' way through college and adopt the law as his profession. When his funds-
had nearly run out, he learned that an apprentice was wanted in the Appleton Crescent printing office.
He withdrew from the school, with the consent of Prof R. Z. Mason, who was Acting President, and
entered upon the duties of printer's devil. That same year he commenced writing local items for the
Orescent, which were each morning submitted to the editor. Judge Samuel Ryan, who at first would cut a
foolscap page of carefully prepared manuscript down to six or eight lines, and indorse it, " Young man,
you must learn to coijdense, if you expect to be an editor." At the end of six months, Mr. Ryan ceased
the cutting-down process. For a couple of months during the winter of 1860, young Watrous was local
editor of the Menasha Conservator, a paper founded by ex-Grovernor Harrison Reed, of Florida. He then
returned to the Crescent office, and, in February, 1861, became one of the editors and publishers of the
paper. In June of the same year, he enlisted as a private in the first company that left Appleton, and
became a member of Co. E, 6th W. V. I., and remained a member of that regiment four years, lacking a
few days. In March, 1862, he was made Ordnance Sergeant of King's Brigade, which afterward became
the Iron Brigade of the West, and, after the battle of Antietam, was promoted to Ordnance Sergeant of
the division. Returning to his regiment at his own request, he was at once made Sergeant Major, and very
soon after that was commissioned First Lieutenant and Adjutant of the 6th. In a few months, he wa^
made Adjutant General of the Iron Brigade, then commanded by Gen. John A. Kellogg. At the battle
of Gravelly Run and White Oak Road, his horse was shot, three bullet-holes were made in his clothing,
and he was taken prisoner. This occurred on the 31st of March. Reaching Libby Prison, Richmond, on
Sunday, the 2d of April, 1865, he was soon gladdened by hearing that all the prisoners wore to be paroled
and sent to City Point, then in the Union lines. The prisoners were sent to Annapolis, Md., and the
officer.s were granted a thirty-days leave of absence. He was brevetted Captain for " gallant and meritorious
conduct in battle," the commission dating from March 31. Under a general order, issued May 15, all
paroled prisoners were directed to be mustered out of the service. Adjt. Watrous was reported killed in
the battle of March 31, and had the pleasure of reading handsome obituary notices of himself in the State
Journal, Appleton Orescent, Green Bay Advocate and several other Wisconsin papers. While in the
army, he corresponded for the Appleton Crescent, State Journal, Washington Chronicle, Indianapolis
Journal, Chippewa Falls f^ibra, the Montrose (Penn.) Republican and the Binghamton (N. Y.) Democrat.
Returning to Wisconsin in June, 1865, after taking four days to visit, he bought a half-interest in the
Jackson County Banner, at Black River Falls, and resumed his profession. For a year he edited the
paper, did the press work, set type, did job work, canvassed, collected and fought the wolf fronn the door.
In 1866, he was made Superintendent of Schools for Jackson Co., and that fall received the Republican
nomination for the Assembly from the district coaoposed of Clark and Jackson Cos., and was elected by a
large majority, and was the youngestmember of the House, being 26 years of age. He served on two regular
committees, and was a member of a special committee of three to investigate the affairs of the Insane
Asylum at Madison. It was while a member of the Legislature that he became a temperance man. In
1868, Gov. Pairchild sent Capt. Watrous a commission as Colonel, and a member of his military family.
A similar commission was sent him by the same Governor in 1872, and Gov. Smith has twice commissioned
him Colonel. In August, 1869, Col. Watrous, in conaipany with Hon. S. S. Fifield, who has since been-
Speaker of the Assembly, and a State Senator, and T. B. Reid, Consul to Funchal, bought the Fond du
Lac Commonwealth. In 1870, he was the Republican candidate for Congress in his district. He remained
one of the editors and proprietors of that paper until March, 1876, when he rented his interest to his part-
ner, H. M. Kutchin, and a year later sold to the same gentleman. In 1873, Col. Watrous joined the
Temple of Honor, a temperance and fraternal society. In 1875, he was chosen Grand Worthy Vice Tem-
plar, and September of that year he was made Grand Worthy Templar by the resignation of Dr. W. A.
Gordon, of Oshkosh. He has been unanimously re-elected, by acclamation, every year since, having held
the office nearly five years, during which time the Order has grown from ten Temples to 230. In May,
1876, Col. Watrous, seeing the need of a paper to assist him in introducing the Order, of which he was the
head, started the Appeal, a six-column monthly. It was enlarged to seven columns the following year, and
set in new type. Daring an experience of three years, the paper cost its proprietor § 1,000 more' than it
returned, but is now on a paying basis. In February, 1870, the Appeal was moved to Milwaukee, given
a new dress of smaller type, thus enla.rging it to a considerable extent. It is the leading temperance news-
paper in the West. In July, 1879, he bought an interest, in the Milwaukee Sunday Telegraph, and, in
October following, bought another interest, which gave him an undivided half of the paper, his partner
being Col. B. A. Calkins. The two Colonels have the reputation of ranking among the best editors in the
876 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
State. In 1872, Col. Watrous took an active part in organizing the Northern Wisconsin Press Associa-
tion, and served two years as its President, being succeeded by A. T. Glaze, of the Kipon Commonwealth.
Though engaged in business in Milwaukee, he still resides at Fond du Lac.
JOHN WEBER, merchant tailor; was born in Hessen in 1834 ; learned his trade in his native
country, and came to America in 1854 ; remained in New York a short time, then moved to Baltimore,
Md., whence, in 1858, he came to Fond du Lac, where he has since followed his trade. In 1860, he
married Miss Agnes Carstenes, of Fond du Lae ; she was a native of G-ermany ; they have seven children,
as follows — George W. H., Andrew H., Edward (deceased), Lydia T., Fredrick W., John E. (deceased),
and Jacob S. Mr. Weber is a member of the Temple of Honor. His family are members of the Meth-
odist Church.
W. F. WEBER, editor, publisher and bookbinder, was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, Oct. 3,
1851, where he learned his trade of bookbinder, after attending the public schools the usual period ; he
came to Chicago in September, 1871, where he resided three years; located at Marquette, Mich., six
months, and came to Fond du Lao in July, 1874, where he has since carried on the business of a bookbinder. In
March, 1878, Mr. W^ber became the editor and proprietor of the NordwestUcher Courier, a German news-
paper, which he has since published. He was married at Eipon, Wis., May 15, 1877, to Matilda Weber, a
native of Theresa, Wis.; they have one child — Amelia, living, and have lost one, Josephine. They are
members of the German Catholic Church.
JESSE C. WEDGE, Vice President of the Wheel and Seeder Co.; is a native of Lewis Co., N. Y.,
horn in 1821 ; lived there on a farm with his father till about 23 years of age; in 1844, he immigrated
to Pond du Lac Co., Wis., and settled on a farm in what is now known as Wedge Prairie in Waupun
Township, where he spent about twenty years at farming; from there he came to Fond du Lao, and was
interested in various enterprises till 1874, when he with others formed the incorporation known as the
Wheel and Seeder Co., with which he has since been connected. In 1854, he married Miss Lovina Bent,
•daughter of Albert Bent, a farmer of Lewis Co., N. Y. Mr. Wedge has been a Mason since 1859.
THOMAS S. WEEKS, gunsmith, was born near Highland Mills, Orange Co., N. Y., and
removed to Goshen, when 16 years of age, where he lived until coming to Fond du Lac in 1849, with
Samuel B. Amory. He learned the trade of a gunsmith before coming to Pond du Lao, and has followed
it continuously ever since, going into business for himself in June, 1860. Mr. Weeks, who is a bachelor,
was a member of the Assembly in 1874, and was elected Alderman of the Second Ward in 1877 for three
years, but resigned in 1 879.
W. H. WEIjIjS, banker; was born in Orange Co., N. Y. ; resided at Cold Spring and New-
burg ; was connected with the banking business twenty years before coming to Fond du Lac, where he
opened a private bank for the transaction of a general banking and exchange business, in May, 1870.
FREDRICK WEYER, dealer in wines and liquors, etc.. No. 17 Division street; was
born in the province of Brandenburg, Prussia, March 19, 1835 ; in 1852, he emigrated to- America, and
lived at Cambria, N. Y., about seven years, at the end of which time he came to Fond du Lac ; October,
1861, he enlisted in Co. A, 2d W. V. C, returned in 1863, and served until the spring of 1866, when he
was honorably discharged at Austin, Tex.; he participated in a number of severe engagements, the principal
ones being at Helena, Ark., Vicksburg, and a series of battles around that place and Memphis. Mr. Weyer
has been married twice, first wife was Annie Kramer, she died March 28, 1870 ; present wife was Eliza
Dienger; one child — Freddie ; Mr. W. has been in business in' Fond du Lie since 1867. In polities, he
is a Republican.
JACOB WHEEIiER, foreman on third floor in Meyer's sash, door and blind factory, is a
native of yermont; born in 1830; learned his trade in his native county, and in 1854, emigrated
to Berlin, Wis., where he followed the sash, door and blind manufactory till 1863, whence he went
to Eureka, Wis., and continued it for one year ; in October, 1864, came to Fond du Lac, and began
work for Mr. Meyer in his factory ; in 1865, he became foreman of sash, door and blind work and has
remained in that position since that time. He married Miss Mary Smith, daughter of John F. Smith,
boot and shoe manufacturer of Hubbardton, Rutland Co., Vt., April 26, 1851 ; they have had two sons —
Frank B., deceased, and Freddie.
REV. E. X. WHEELER, Presiding Elder of the Fond du Lac District; was born at
Waukesha, Wis., Feb. 28, 1839 ; came to Fond du Vc in 1845 ; three years kter, his father, Truman
Wheeler, was killed while securing timber for the grist-mill frame erected back of the Court House ; his
mother died here in 1857. Mr. Wheeler was educated at the Union School in this city; received the
degree of A. M. from Lawrence University in 1878 ; learned the printer's trade with Royal Buck ; was
foreman of a printing office for some time ; published the Omro Republican one year ; was then licensed
OND DV LAC. 877
to preach in the M. E. Church, and appointed to the Two Rivers Circuit, which included most Manitowoc
Co., and a part of Kewaunee, where he remained one year ; at Byron two years ; Empire two years ; Sheboy-
gan nearly a year, and in 1865, was appointed missionary to China ; did there general mission work, and super-
intended the mission press of Foo-Chow ; for some time, while at Foo-Chow, China, he edited an Anglo-
Chinese magazine ; his health failing, he removed to Peking, where, as the first M. E. missionary, he remained
for four years ; his health still failing, he returned home via Japan and California, thus completing the circuit
of the world ; after his return, Mr. W. was stationed two years at Manitowoc ; two years at Lake Mills, Wis. ;
two years at Court Street Church, Janesville ; appointed, in the fall of 1878, Presiding Elder of the Fond
du Lao District ; while at Manitowoc, Mr. W. was active durinc; the war in raising recruits, making
speeches, and was commissioned by the Governor, Captain of a militia company. He was married at
Oshkosh, Nov. 20, 1857, to Mary E. Davis, born at Gouverneur, N. Y., Sept. 24, 1828 ; they have five
children — Frances Irene, Carrie Ada, Aggie May, Lucy E. and Laura Maud ; they lost four children in
infancy.
HENRY T. WHINFIELD, salesman in Whittelsey's dry-goods store, was born in Wisbech,
England in 1839,shortly after which his parents removed toLondon,(henoe to America in 1846, and settled at
Taycheedah, Fond du Lac Co., Wis. ; thence to Pond du Lao in 1848, where he lived on a farm for a few
years ; in 1853, he entered Lawrence University, at Appleton, Wis., where he remained as a student till
1856 ; returning to Fond du Lac, he was clerk in T. B. Mason's tea store for the next three years ; in
1859, he returned to Taycheedah and taught school for two winters ; thence to Fond du Lac again for
eight years, being clerk in a dry-goods store for Sewell Bros.; in 1869, by invitation he formed a copartner-
.ship with Carswell & Mason, dealers in dry goods, carpets, etc., which lasted one year; after its dissolution
he clerked one year for C. J. Pettibone ; then with John Sewell, afterward Carswell & Sewell, till the
summer of 1878 ; when the firm was dissolved he became salesman in Whittelsey's dry-goods store. He
was married to Miss Jemima Howe, daughter of J. E. Howe, farmer, of Geneva Lake, in 1868. They
had two children — Fredrick and an infant, both of whom are deceased ; Mrs. Whinfield died Nov. 21,'
1876.
SAlIUFili WHITMORE, farmer, Sec. 5 ; P. 0. Fond du Lac ; is a son of Thomas and Amy
Whitmore, of Leicestershire, England, and was born in 1818. At the age of 13, he was put to work on
a farm by his father, who was a carpenter and joiner in that country, but preferred to have his son to be a
farmer ; Samuel continued his agricultural vocation in his native country till 1847, when in January he with
his wife and child set sail for America, and landed in New Orleans the 15th of March following, reaching
Fond du Lac Co. one month later, with only sixpence in his pocket to support his little family ; his reso-
lution, stimulated by the necessities of his loved ones, soon found him something to do ; removing his fam-
ily to a small shanty on his brother's farm, he worked by the day till he was able- to buy that pioneer
necessity — the cow — from which his wife, by churning the milk with a spoon, made and sold one hundred
pounds of butter within the year ; by the year 1850 he had saved enough money to pay his brother $200
for 80 acres of land in Sec. 5, town of Fond du Lac, where he has since lived and continued as an honest
farmer, who now enjoys the reward of his many years of toil. Oct. 12, 1845, he was married to Miss
Elizabeth, daughter of James and Sarah Gamble, of Leicestershire, England, who has shared his toils and
pleasures through life thus far ; they had six children — Sarah A. (Mrs. V. Pitcher, of Fond du Lac, deceased),
Jay (deceased), Mary (now Mrs. Nelson Vandervoort, of Fond du Lac), George, William and Samuel.
Mr. and Mrs. Whitmore are members of the Methodist Church.
P. J. WICKERT, proprietor meat market; was born in Prussia Jan. 17, 1843 ; came directly
to Fond du Lac in October, 1865, and engaged in C. J. L. Meyer's factory; in the spring of 1879, he
began his present business. He was married in Fond du Lac, Feb. 8, 1868, to Margaretta Terners, a
native of Prussia; they have one child, Amelia, born Nov. 20, 1879. Mr. and Mrs. W. ai% members of
the German Evangelical Church.
W. W. WlliCOX, master mechanic in Mr. C. J. L. Meyer's machine-shop ; is a native of
Batavia, Genesee Co., N. Y.; born in 1833 ; he spent his early life, till he reached his 16th year, with his
father on the farm ; in 1849, he immigrated to Wisconsin and settled at Neenah ; in 1863, he began
steamboating on the Mississippi River, which was continued for four years, during which time he assisted
in putting up the machinery on three steamboats for that river; in 1867, he moved to Fond du Lac, and
for three years following was employed as machinist in the Union Iron Works, where he superintended
the construction of fourteen steam engines, and one for a boat on lake Winnebago ; in 1870, he was
employed as engineer in Mr. Meyer's sash, door and blind factory for a short time, when he was assigned
foreman of Mr. Meyer's machine-shop ; holding this position till 1873, he was appointed master mechanic
and superintendent of all his engines ; he has built nine steam engines for Mr. Meyer, among them one
878 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
of 200-horse power for the Chicago factory, and one the same size for the Fond du Lac factory. In
1856, he married Miss Ellen S. Mack, daughter of Jonathan T. Mack, a farmer, of the town of Fond dui
Lac, but she a native of Connecticut; they have one daughter, Florence, now Mrs. E. C. Baker, of Fond
du Lac. Mr. and Mrs. W. are members of the Presbyterian Church.
BENJAIIIN WILiD began the business of baking in Fond du Lac in 1860, which he has
continued to the present time ; in 1869, he built and established the large steam bakery on Second street,,
in which he employs nineteen men and works up fifteen barrels of flour per day ; he also manufactures
confectionery, the entire business amounting to $80,000 per annum ; he employs three traveling salesmen,
who sell principally in Michigan and Wisconsin. He has a family of six children: Mr. Wild was born
at StaiFordshire, England, in 1828, he was married in that country, in 1848, to Miss Eliza Bonell, and
came to America, landing at Milwaukee in 1850.
WALTER WILD, book-keeper; was born at Milwaukee, Wis., Nov. 19, 185S(. He has
been connected with his father in business since he was 18 years of age, and is now book-keeper for his
father's steam bakery, on Second street. Fond du Lac. He was married at Fond du Lac, Oct. 17, 1878,
to Miss Aggie I. Jones, who was born in this city. He is a member of the Fond du Lac Lodge, Royal
Arcanum.
DR. WILLIAM WILEY, physician and surgeon; was born at Randolph, Orange Co.,.
Vt. ; came to Taycheedah in August, 1849, and to Fond du Lac in 1850, where he has since resided
and practiced his profession. Dr. Wiley served as a volunteer surgeon in the rebellion ; that is, served
without pay..
CHARLES A. WILKE, of the firm of Sittler & Wilke, cigar manufacturers; is a native
of Germany, where he was born in 1849 ; June, 1863, he, with parents, came to America, and located at
Sheboygan ; went to Michigan in 1870, and followed his trade there for one year, when he returned to
Sheboygan Falls for a short time, whence, in 1872, he came to Fond du Lac, and was employed by Bush
Bros, till 1874; from 1874 to 1876, by Jos. Wolfe, cigar manufacturer, after which he was in Milwau-
kee for about eight months ; January, 1878, he returned to Fond du Lao ; worked for Mr. Wilke till
October, 1878, when he became a partner. Married Miss Lydia Griifa, of Fond du Lac, in 1874; they
have two children — Charlie and Olga.
WASHINtJTOlV WILKE, trustee for Hiner & White; is a native of Ohio, where
he was born Dec. 18, 1830 ; at 9 years of age, he came, with , parents, to Michigan, where
he lived till 1848, when he came to Mayville, Dodge Co., Wis., and became engaged in a
furniture manufactory. In 1862, he disposed of his interest in the furniture business at Mayville, and
moved thence to Fond du Lac for three years ; thence to Green Bay in 1865, where he engaged in saw-
milling for about four years. In 1869, he returned to Fond du Lac, and became Superintendent of
Union Iron Works, in which position he remained till the failure of the firm in February, 1878, when he
was elected Trustee by the creditors of the firm. Mr. Wilke has been a member of the I. O. 0. F. fra-
ternity since 1857. In 1850, he married Miss Eliza White, daughter 6f James and Isabella White, of
Dodge Co., Wis., she being a native of Scotland; born Feb. 2, 1832 ; they have two children — James
A., druggist, and Mattie A. The family are connected with the Congregational Church.
JOHN WILLIAMS was born in Somerton, Somersetshire, England, Jan. 13, 1848 ; came to
New York in September, 1 867, whence, after a few weeks, he came to Fond du Lac for eighteen months ;.
spent 18 months then at Wayland, Allegan Co., Mich ; returned to Fond du Lac; where he has since
resided ; engaged in painting and glazing, which he learned at the age of 15; he is now foreman of C.
J. L. Meyer's painting and glazing department. Mr. W. was married at Fond du Lac June 19, 1868,
to Elizabeth A. Moore, born in Draycott, Somersetshire, England ; they have three children — John F.,
Albert George and Lulu Pearl.
O. T. WILLIAMS, attorney, of the firm of Giffin & Williams; was born at Homer, Cort-
land Co., N. Y., Oct. 19, 1845 ; removed, at 10 years of age, to Whitewater, Wis., where his father died ;
resided with Rev. Sheldon, a half-brother ; spent about nine years on a farm in Rock Co., and attended
school winters ; afterward spent seven terms in Milton College ; took a classical course in Lawrence Univer-
sity, graduating in 1872 ; was one year Principal of the schools of Ft. Howard, Wis.; graduated in June,
1874, from the Law Department of Madison (Wis.) University, and, in August of that year, began prac-
ticing law with Coleman & Spence, Pond du Lac ; in February, 1875, became a member of the present
firm. Mr. W. was married at Pewaukee, Wis, June 30, 1876, to Anna E., daughter of Prof Alexander
North, of Carroll College; they have two children — Lynn A. and an infant son. Mr. Williams is a mem-
ber of the Odd Fellows' Lodge and Congregational Church.
FOND DU LAC. 879
HENRY J. WOIjF, wagon-maker ; was born in Prussia Sept. 24, 1847 ; came to America
with his father, Louis Wolf, in 1848, who located at Marshfield, in this county, and died in Pond du Lac
Town April 2, 1870 ; at the age of 17, Henry left the farm and came to Pond du Lac, learned the black-
smith's trade, and has been engaged in business for himself during the past three years. Mr. W. was
married in Pond du Lac, Peb. 14, 1870, to Amalia Gentz, a native of Wisconsin ; they have two children
living — Theodore, aged 10 years, and Willie, aged 8 ; they have lost three, all dying in infancy.
JOSEPH WOLiFF, cigar-maker; was born in Luxemburg, Germany, March 19, 1831, and
came to America, landing at Boston May 2, 1852 ; he worked at Williamsburg, N. T., until the fall of
185:^, when he removed to Chicago, residing there until March, 1854, at which time he came to Pond
du Lac; after arriving in Pond du Lac, he worked for Mr. Martin, at cigar-making, until May, 1855,
when the firm of Fromm & Wolff was formed; in June, 1865, Mr. Fromm retired from the firm and
Mr. Wolff has carried on the business alone ever since. He was married at Fond du Lac, Aug. 6, 1856,
to Barbara Hochrein, a native of Bavaria, whose father, John Hochrein, located in Marshfield in 1846;
they have had thirteen children, of whom ten are living — Katie, Emma, John P., Ida, Julia, Anna, Sarah,
Frank J., Carl Gustav and Josephina Barbara. Mr. Wolff is a member of the Odd Fellows, Concordia
and German-English Academy.
JOHN WOODHULL was bom in the town of Madison, Madison Co., N. Y., Dec. 14, 1818,
where he was Lieutenant of an Independent Artillery Company, Captain of a Militia Kifle Company ;
■engaged in farming, distilling and rectifying, and in the forwarding business ; two years before coming to
Fond du Lac, which he did in May, 1861, Mr. W. sold out his business in New York; at Pond du Lac,
he at first engaged in the settlement of lumber interests, but, in the summer of 1861, went into the post
office, in which he has been ever since, most of the time as Deputy Postmaster.
■ JAMES WRIGHT, farmer. Sec. 25 ; was born in Washington Co., N. Y., in 1819 ; he
is the son of a farmer, hence he was brought up at farm work in his native county ; in 1844, he
immigrated to Wisconsin, and stopped at Milwaukee for the summer^ and in the fall of 1844 came to
Fond du Lac, where he settled on a farm of sixty acres, to which he soon added 140 acres of timber, and
has gradually added to it till he now owns 320 acres, and by his own toil and honest industry has earned
a comfortable home for himself and family, though when they first came to Pond du Lac there was a time
when provisions were so scarce that for a few meals they had nothing to eat but potatoes, as was the
case with many of the pioneers. Mr. Wright was married to Miss Martha Edgerton, daughter of Joshua
and Lovice Edgerton, of Fair Haven, Vt., in 1842 ; they have four children — -two sons and two daugh-
ters— Josephene E. (now Mrs. B. T. Hosttetter, of Cedar Kapids, Iowa), Irving H., James E., of Pond
du Lao, Martha L. (now Mrs. S. A. Smith, of Oakfield). Mr. and Mrs. Wright are the only two remain-
ing of the original members of the Congregational Church. Mr. Wright has given many interesting inci-
dents which will be included under the head of pioneer reminiscences.
JAMES WRICirHT, dairyman and farmer, Sec. 13 ; P. 0. Pond du Lac ; was born in York-
shire, England, in 1818, and is the son of a weaver, Peter Wright and Marietta Smith; when 16
years of age he was apprenticed to the stone-cutter's trade, at which he worked for twenty-six years ; early
in the spring of 1842, he set sail for America, landing in New York May 2 following; he came direct to
Wisconsin and settled in Kenosha Co., where he followed farm-laboring till by his industry and economy
he saved money enough to buy a farm of eighty acres in that county; in 1846, he sold that f^rm and
'bought another of 340 acres in the town of Empire, Pond du Lao Co.; removing thither he made that his
home till 1864, when he sold that and bought his present one of 168 acres in Sec. 13, town of Fond du
Lac, where he now follows farming in connection with a large dairy business, keeping from thirty to forty
cows, from which he furnishes to the citizens of Pond du Lao from 140 to 160 quarts of milk daily. Oct.
1, 1873, he married Mrs. Emma C, widow of Joseph Smithe, daughter of John and Bettie Clapham, of
■Jacksonville, 111., she being a native of Yorkshire, England; she had one son and one daughter at the time
' of her marriage to Mr. Wright — Henry Smith, now of England, and Laura, now of England.
WILiLIAM G. "WRIGHT, general ticket agent for the Pond du Lac, Amboy & Peoria R. R.;
is a native of Sullivan, Ashland Co., Ohio, where he was born Nov. 26, 1854 ; when he was about 2 years
of age his parents moved to Cedar Co., Iowa, and settled on a farm near Tipton; here William spent most
of his time till 17 years old; in 1869, he attended school at Tipton, Iowa, after which, during 1870-71, he
was a student in the High School at Clarence, Iowa, after which, in the fall of 1872, he attended a com-
imercial school at Chicago; returning to Iowa in the spring of 1873, he entered Cornell College, where he
continued his studies for nearly two years, when, his eyes failing him, he was compelled to leave off his
■Studies and receive medical treatment for them ; he was next in the employ of the Des Moines & Port
■Dodge Railway Co. for a little more than a year, when his eyes again failed him and he was forced to quit
880 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
the road ; in the spring of 1876, he went to Hampton, Iowa, where he remained in the U. S. Express
office till 1877, when he was employed by the contractor of the Fond du J,ac, Amboy & Peoria K. K. till
Jan. 1, 1878 ; May 1, 1879, he was again employed by the Fond du Lac, Amboy & Peoria K. R. Co., and
appointed General Ticket Agent of the road.
. DANIELi BAKER WYATT, physician and surgeon, was born in Johnson, Lamoille Co.,
Vt., Feb. 21, 1842 ; his parents removed to Fort Covington, Franklin Co., N. Y., when he was a youth;
he read medicine there, and, after graduating from the New York Medical University in 1863, he
returned to Fort Covington, and was engaged in practice in that place until he came to Fond du Lac in
1868; since coming here, he has given his whole attention to his profession. He was married at Fort
Covington, Aug. 31, 1863, to Mary E. Lincoln, daughter of A. M. Lincoln; she was born in the town
where they were married ; they have one daughter — Gertrude Stella.
S. I). WYATT, insurance agent, came to Fond du Lac in 1866, from Bangor, Franklin Co., where
he was born, and began the insurance business ; he represents several of the leading fire and life insurance
companies, and has one of the largest agencies in the State, the entire territory of the county belonging to
his agency for most of the companies which he represents ; he has fourteen companies, such as the Home,
.^tna and North American, representing the largest capital of any agency in the vicinity.
GEORGrE W. YABiTCY, dealer in musical merchandise, was born at New Cassel, Fond du
Lac Co., in February, 1854, where he lived until 1872, after which he taught school in various places;,
visited St. Louis and Indiana, and, July 14, 1876, came to Fond du Lac and engaged in his present busi-
ness ; in April, 1878, Henry E. Parratt was taken as a partner, under the firm name of Yancy & Parratt,
who now carry on the business ; they make a specialty of Chickering, Mathushek, Bradbury and Kimball
pianos, and of the Western Cottage, Schominger and Kimball organs.
CHARLiES ZICKERICK, florist and market gardener, on Grove avenue, is a native of
Berlin, Prussia, born Feb. 24, 1819 ; with his parents, he set sail for America, and landed in New York
in June, 1848, whence he came tp Dodge Co., and lived on a farm with his father until 1851, at which
time he came to Fond du Lac and began gardening, Which trade he had learned in his native country ; in
1856, he established a greenhouse on Grove street, where he continued until the spring of 1874, when he
built a large brick greenhouse, 24x75 feet, in the center of the school section on Grove street ; here he
has thirty acres of land, and houses valued at |5,500. In 1849, he married Miss Augusta Deisman,
daughter of Christian Deisman, tailor, near Berlin, Prussia. They are members of the Evangelical .,
Church. Mr. Z. has been a Mason for a number of years, belonging to the Royal Arch since 1873.
LiOUIS ZINKE, Sr., retired grocer ; was born in Germany in 1817; learned the cooper's
trade at the age of 14 ; immigrated to America, in 1848 ; settled in Fond du Lac in 1849, and worked at
his trade till 1854, when he began keeping a grocery store; in 1872, he added a flour and feed depart-
ment ; he turned over the business to his sons not a short time since, and has retired from act-
ive business life ; his business house is regarded as one of the oldest in the city. In 1840, he
married Miss Fredreka Andrew, of Germany ; they have had five children — Amelia (now Mrs.
Kennie), of Fond du Lac, Herman, Charles, Louis J. and Robert. Herman was born in Germany in
1842 ; came to America with his parents in 1848, and worked at the tanner's trade with L. Rueping, from
1859 to 1866, when he became connected with the grocery firm of L. Zinke & Sons, where he has since
been in business. He married Miss Emma Schusler, daughter of Joseph Schusler, brewer, of Fond du
Lac, in 1870 ; they have three children — Laura, Adala and Richard, Louis J. was born in Fond du Lao
in 1851 ; was educated in public schools of this city ; was clerk in dry-goods store for Sharp & Whittelsey
from 1865 to 1872, whence to Loughlin & Carey, dry-goods store, from 1872 to 1878, when he became a
partner with his brothers in the grocery business. Married Miss Laura Haas, of Pond du Lac, in 1877 ;.
they have one child.
KIPON. 881
RIPON TOWNSHIP.
CHESTER ADKISTS, farmer, Sec. 17 ; P. 0. Ripon ; was born in Trumbull Co., Ohio, Jan.
24, 1822 ; his father died when he was 5 years of age ; at the ago of 20, his stepfather, William, and
Elmira Dunham, came to the State of Wisconsin, and settled in Southport (near Kenosha Co.), for four
years, and, in 1844, came to this county and settled in Ceresco, being members of the " Wisconsin Pha-
lanx." His stepfather died there in March, 1863 ; his mother is still living with a niece near Eureka,
Wis. The subject of this sketch, in 1850, purchased his present farm, upon which he has since resided,
of 105 acres. On Dec. 7, 1845, he married Miss Elizabeth Limbert, daughter of George and Margaret
Limbert, of Yorkshire, England, who came to the United States in 1840, and settled in what is now Wal-
worth Co., and, in 1844, came to Ceresco, members of " Wisconsin Phalanx," where her mother died in
1864, and her father Dec. 24, 1879. Mrs. Adkins was born in Yorkshire, England, Oct. 6, 1826 ; they
had four children, three living — George (who married MissRosannaBowen,of Auroraville, Wis., in April,
1875 ; they have two children — Ernest and an infant, and are living in Dakota Territory ; he is working
as a stonemason and farmer) ; Ida A. (now Mrs. George Brine, of Ripon Township, married Nov. 26,
1874 ; they have two children — Ina E. and Daisy N. and Vernon M., living at home, and one deceased) ;
Melissa J., who died in 1850.
D. W. AKIST, druggist, was born at Richmond, Ontario Co., N. Y., Oct. 18, 1820; moved to
Niagara with his mother at the age of 15 ; came to Fond du Lac in September, 1848 ; platted the village
of Marquette in 1849, where he remained until 1864, engaged in the drug business ; from 1866 to 1872
was engaged in the boot and shoe business ; also engaged in buying wool for twenty years. Mr. Akin has
been Assessor and City Treasurer of Ripon, and is a Vestryman in the Episcopal Church. He was mar-
ried, August, 1848, at Bainbridge, Chenango Co., N. Y., to Mary J. Seeley, a native of that place ; they
have two children — Levina H., a graduate of the School of Music in Ripon College, and Henry S., a law-
yer in New York City, who graduated from Ripon College in 1873, and afterward from Columbia Law
School.
ORRA U. AKIN, druggist, bookseller and agent of the American Express Co.; was born in
Richmond, Ontario Co., N. Y., March 26, 1831 ; lived in Lockport, N. Y., from 1836 until the spring of
1850, when he came to Marquette, Wis., where he remained until 1858 ; he then removed to Madison,
where he was employed for three years in the School Land Department of the State ; came to Ripon in
the spring of 1862, and was one year in partnership with his brother-in-law, M. W. Seeley, in the drug
business ; from the spring of 1863 until December, 1864, he and his brother, D. W. Akin, carried on the
same business as partners ; from January, 1865, to September, 1866, he resided at Kingston, Green Lake
Co., then returned to Ripon and was in the furniture business about a year ; from 1869 to 1875, he was
engaged in the drug trade with J. M. De Frees; in 1874 and 1875, he was Sergeant-at-Arms of the
Wisconsin State Senate ; during the war he served nearly a year with the Department of the Missouri, as
Paymaster's Clerk ; he was agent for the Merchants' Union Express during the time of its existence, and after-
ward agent of the American Express Co. until 1873 ; was nearly a year in Iowa in 1875 and 1876 ; returned
to Ripon and has been in his present business ever since, his brother, Dennis W., having been associated
with him since January, 1878. He has been Mayor of this city, and is serving now as Alderman. April
10, 1861, he was married, at Marquette, to Mary A. Curtis, a native of Syracuse, N. Y.; they have four
children — Charles C, Alice M., Anna W. and Mary B.
LOUIS 11. AIiIiESf, painter, son of Jonathan Allen, one of the first settlers in Oakfield, and
who died in Ripon, was born at Oakfield, Fond du Lac Co., Wis., Oct. 19, 1845 ; when 9 years of age he
moved to Iowa, and three years later came to Ripon, where he has since resided ; lie learned the painter's
trade in 1867. Mr. Allen is the only charter member of Living Water Lodge, I. 0. G. T., now in good
standing. He was married. Oct. 9, 1877, to Antoinette Ro6tj a native of New York State ; they have
olie child — Leo Allen.
ROBERT AIjIjEN, retired; was born in Durham, England ; came to the town of Brooklyn,
Green Lake Co., Wis., in 1847, and located on a farm, which he still owns ; in 1870, he retired from active
life and came to Ripon, where his residence now is. Mr. Allen was married at Berlin, Wis., Nov. 27,
1860, to Josephine Walton, born at St. Andrews, Pi-ovince of New Brunswick ; her parents, George and
Jane Walton, died in Lamartine, Fond du Lac Co.; Mr. and Mrs. Allen have three children — George R.,
Maud M. and Frederick W.
^82 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
C^EORGE W. ANNIX was born at Le Koy, N. Y., Aug. 27, 1816 ; came to Wisconsin in
1853, where he has since resided. He was married, March 27, 1843, to Mrs. Harriet Pierson; they have
^ix children — Harriet, George W., Grace, Bryant W., Flora B. and Jerome ; Mrs. Annin has two chil-
dren by her former marriage — Irving J. and Harlow W. Pierson.
, WILIilAM H. APPL.EBY was born in Allegany Co., N. Y., Jan. 29, 1824 ; moved with his
parents to Onondaga Co. ; then to Crystal Lake Prairie, McHenry Co., 111., July 21, 1838, and the winter
following moved to Cook Co., where his parents now live; in the spring of 1846, Mr. Appleby came to
Wisconsin, and May 12 of that year, jnade a claim of 265 acres of land in Green Lake C9., on Sees. 11
and 14, Town 15, Range 12. Mr. A. was married Nov. 5, 1848, to Mary L. Loomer, born at Dayton,
Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., Oct. 21, 1832 ; they have had ten children — Emma A., now Mrs. Asa E. Holmes,
now of Ripon, born March 11, 1850; Gilbert A., born Feb. 15, 1852, died Sept. 17, 1852; Nettie E.,
now Mrs. Frank A. Flower, of Fond du Lac, born April 20, 1854 ; Flora E., born July 5, 1855 ; Edward
F., born Nov. 3, 1857 : Lewis H., born March 24, 1860, died Oct. 26, 1862; Kattie H., born June 3,
1862; Willie T., born Dec. 1, 1864; Clarence, born April 24, 1867, died Oct. 23, 1867 ; Jennie M.,
born Nov. 29, 1869. In the spring of 1863, Mr.. Appleby with his family moved to Ripon, Fond du Lac
Co., where he now resides.
DAVID C ATKINSOX, farmer. Sec. 18 ; P. O. Ripon ; was born in Lincolnshire, England,
Oct. 6, 1824 ; in 1846, came with his parents, David and Rebecca Atkinson, who settled in Waterford,
Saratoga Co., N. Y., for two years, and in 1848, came to Wisconsin and settled in Ripon Township, where
they still reside ; the subject of this sketch, from that time up to 1856, teamed from Ripon to Fond du
Lac, Milwaukee and Sheboygan, and assisted his parents upon the farm ; in 1856, he came to his present
farm of 180 acres. He has held the office of Supervisor of the town for five years. He married, Sept.
24, 1857, Miss Harriet Newell Hubbard, daughter of William and Salome Hubbard, of Leverett,
Franklin Co., Mass. ; both of her parents died there when she was quite young ; Mrs. Atkinson was born
in Leverett, Mass., Sept. 30, 1828 ; tbey have one child — William A., born May 2, 1859. They are
members of the Presbyterian Church ; Mr. Atkinson is a Republican.
D. D» ATI4.1WSOX, farmer, Sec. 18 ; P. 0. Ripon ; was born in Lincolnshire, England, in
August, 1800 ; came to the United States in 1847, and settled in Saratoga Co., N. Y. ; in 1849, came to
Wisconsin and settled in the town of Ripon, about half a mile from the city of Ripon ; the next year,
moved into the city and built himself a residence on what is now called West street ; remained'there three
years, and then moved to the farm on Sec. 18, upon which his son, D. C. Atkinson, now lives ; in 1878,
he moved to his present farm ; he has always been enojaged in farming pursuits. He married Miss
Rebecca Cook Sept. 25, 1822, daughter of John and Mary Cook, of Lincolnshire, England; she was
born in Lincolnshire, England, Oct. 10, 1798 ; they had five children, four living, viz.: D. C. Atkinson,
whose record is given in this work ; Mary A., born March 21, 1824, now Mrs. David Walford, of Ken-
yon, Minn. ; Ruth, born August 6, 1826, married twice, now widow of Uriah Daft ; she had four chil-
dren by her first husband and one by the second ; Susan W., born Dec. 21, 1828, now Mrs. W. A. West,
of Waupaca, Wis., and one deceased; Rebecca, born March 28, 1830, married James Lathrop, of New
York, and died in July, 1863.
E. BABCOCK. farmer, Sec. 10 ; P. 0. Ripon ; was born in Albany Co., N. Y., Aug. 22,
1828; his parents' names were Joseph and Phoebe Babcoek ; his father died in 1872, and his mother in
1878; the subject of this sketch was engaged in assisting his parents upon the farm up to the time of his
coming West in the fall of 1851 ; he first took up his residence at Berlin, Green Lake Co., Wis., and
remained there until the next fall (1852), when he moved to Fond du Lac Co. and purchased the farm in
this town where he has ever since resided, containing 100 acres. He is at present a member of the
Board of Supervisors of the county and Chairman of the Town Board. He married Miss Elvira Smith,
daughter of David and Emeline Smith, of Schoharie Co., N. Y., on the 26th of October, 1853 ; they
had three children — Blanche B., now deceased, Frank Larue and Fred Leroy, living.
HENRY D WIGHT BALDWIN, marble dealer; was born at Victory, Cayuga Co., N.
Y., Oct. 6, 1837 ; moved to Michigan with -his parents in 1838, where he lived until 1859, when he came
to Wisconsin ; he has worked at the marble business since 1861 ; began for himself with Cyrus Pedrick
in 1864, and became a member of the firm of Stuart & Baldwin, which is still in business. In 1866,
Mr. B. was married at Grand Rapids, Mich., Feb. 11, 1874, to Mary J.. Pedrick, who was born on Lake
Erie on the steamer " James Madison ;" they have one child — Helen.
PROF. C. G. B ALiDWIN was bom at Napoli, Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., Oct. 10, 1852 ;
moved to Ohio when 6 years of age; graduated from Oberlin College in 1873, teaching Latin in that
institution the last two years ; graduated from Andover in 1875, and in that fall came to Ripon College,
RIPON
RIPON. 885
taking a position as a member of the Faculty, which he has since held. Prof. B. was married in Ripon,
Aug. 5, 1876, to Ella V. Biilinsis, born near Jamestown, Chautauqua Co., N. Y.
ASA IVEWELLi BARNEY, architect and builder ; wa3 born at Watertown, Jefferson Co.,
N. Y., Feb. 17, 1829 ; came directly to Ripon, April 3, 1855, where he has since resided. He was mar-
ried at Ripon, April 17, 18G1, to Abigail H. McCord, born in the town of North East, Erie Co., Penn. ;
they have two children — John Lynn and Lizzie Gertrude.
HENRY L,. BARNES, M. D., was bom inMexico, 0.swego Co., N. Y., April 16, 1835;
with parents, Jehiel S. and Sarah Ann (Cole) Barnes, he immigrated to \Yiscon3in in 1846, and settled
on a farm near Markesan, Green Lake Co., where he spent the next five years of his life at flirniing ; he
was educated in the High School of Ripon, and in September, 1854, began the study of medicine with
Dr. A. W. Hewitt, then a practicing physician of that city ; he attended lectures one term at Rush Bled-
ical College, of Chicago, and spent a year with Profs. Thayer and Webber, of Cleveland, Ohio, giving
special attention to surgery; he graduated from the Cleveland Medical College in March, 1858, and there-
upon settled in Dartford, Green Lake Co., Wis., in which place and in Ripon, his present home, he has
since continued to practice with constantly growing success; in January, 1865, Dr. Barnes went into the
United States Service as Assistant Surgeon of the 21st W. V. I. which had just joined in the march from
Atlanta to the sea with Gen. Sherman's army through the Carolinas ; he remained with his reiiiment
until it was mustered out in the summer of that year ; his studies while with Profs. Thayer and Webber
were especially adapted to fitting him for an army surgeon, so that he filled the position with marked
credit; at the close of the war, he resumed the practice at Ripon, and here he is now a successful physi-
cian ; he is a member of the County and State Medical Societies ; Dr. Barnes is a Knight Templar in the
Masonic Order, and was Master of the lodge for several years. Jan. 3, 1861, he was married to Miss
Nellie Cody, of Dartford, Wis. ; they have four children.
H. B. BATEMAIV, proprietor of " Coresco Mills ;" was born at Newport, R. T., Dec. 10, 1 841 ;
enlisted May, 1862, in the f)th R. I. V. I. for three months ; re-enlisted as second Sergeant of the 5th R. I.
Heavy Artillery, and was promoted to captaincy of Co. C. ; was color-bearer one year. Captain nine
months; Adjutant of the post for a time; participated in all the battles enga^od in by his regiment ; was
mustered out Aug. 2, 1865 ; came to Ripon the same year, and eni^aged in operating the Cerosco Mills,
of which he is still proprietor and operator. Mr. B. was married at Ripon, May 2, 1866, to Jennie M.
Mason, born at Hamburg, Erie Co., N. Y., Feb. 20, 1845; they have two children — Luther M., bora
April 14, 1867, and Henry W., born Aug. 15, 1869. Mr. B. is a member of the A., F. & A. M., Ripon
■Cliapter and Berlin Conimandery.
A. E. BISHOP, proprietor of grocery store ; is a native of County Kent, England ; son of
George Bishop and Elizabeth Wells; born in 1833; he spent the first years of his life with his father on
a farm and in th^ hotel of which ho was proprietor; he began the grocery bnsinossjn his native county at
an early ago, which he continued there till his immigration to America in 1863 ; he settled at Ripon, Wis.,
and for seven years clerked for BIr. Kingberry ; in the spring of 1877, he went into the grocery business
with Mr. David Clough, and continued as a partner in the firm of Clough & Bishop till the spring of
1879. In England, in 1865, he married Miss Elizabeth, daughter of George and Margaret Wells, of
■County Kent, Eng., and, in one week after, sailed for America; they have one daughter — Nellie M.
They are members of the Grace M. K. Church.
ERASTUS J. BLODWETT, son of Louis Frank Blodgctt; was born at Beaver Dam,
Wis., Oct. 22, 1846; was taken to Vermont when 18 months old, whence, four years afterward, he was
brought to Hartford, \Vis., which was his home till 1865. In March, 1865, he enlisted in Co. B, 52d
W. V. I., and was mustered out in August, 181)5. The next year he removed to Ripon and learned the
painter's trade; during tlie past two years, he has been a member of the firm of Treanorc & Blodgett,
wagon and carriage manufaciurers. Mr. B. was married at Ripon, Nov. 26, 1867, to Jliss Emma Lyon,
born at St. Albans, Vt.; they have two children — Faunie Lyon and Harvey Charlie. Mr. Blodgett is a
member of the Masonic Lndse.
li. F. BLODdiETT, farmer, Sec. 9; P. 0. Ripon; was born in Orleans Co., Vt., April 1,
1820; in the year 1813, ho came to Wisconsin, first locating in 31ilwaukoe, where fir eighteen months
he clerked for Drs. Weeks & Miller, in the old Hide Block ; from there he went to Beaver Dam, Dodge
Co., Wis., and clerked for Waldron & Stimpson; having bought them out, the busine.-s was carried on
tinder the firm name of Van Eps & Blodgett; in 1847, he wont to Hartford, Washington Co., and
engaged in mercantile business up to the year 1808, when he came to Fond du Lac Co., and settled in
the city of Ripon ; in 1870, he purchased his present farm of 160 acres. He has been married twice,
his first wife being Miss Lucinda Boutwell, of Washington Co., N. Y., to whom he was marriel Sept. 21,
GO
886 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
1845 ; she died July 27, 1848, leaving two children, one living — E. J., and one deceased — Esther, who
died Aug. 3, 1848 ; his second wife is Miss Elizabeth A; Higby, daughter of Oliver and Clarissa Higby, of
Connecticut; they were married Sept 27, 1849 ; they had four sons, two deceased — Lewis F., who died
Nov. 3. 1864, and Edson L., died May 8, 1878 ; two living— William F. and Arthur.
W. H. BOXJ^ELIi (deceased); was born in Erie Co., Penn., Jan. 1, 1818 ; he came West in
1856, and settled six miles north of Rosendale, Eosendale Township, in this county, having purchased
there a farm the year before ; he lived there nine years and then moved to Nekimi Township, Winnebago
Co., Wis., Nov. 15, 1865, and remained there until the spring of 1867, when he came to this township
and resided upon his farm until 1872, when he went back to Winnebago Co. and died there July 22,
1873; he always followed farming pursuits. He married Miss Margaret E. Goble in Erie Co., Penn.,
March 6, 1845; her parents were Timothy and Mary B. Goble, of Rochester, N. Y.; they had eight
children, seven now living — James M., Austin W., Duane W., George C; Henry W., Wiltsie I. and Wil-
son T. (twins), and one deceased — Eliza J. Mrs. Bonnell is still living.
AliVAN EARL BOVAY, A. 11., of Ripon, was born July 12, 1818, in the town of
Adams, Jefferson Co., N. Y. ; graduated at Norwich University, Vt., in July, 1841, and was afterward
Principal of the Glens Falls and Oswego Academies, in New York State ; Professor of Languages in the
Bristol (Penn.) Military College, and Professor of Mathematics in the New York City Commercial
Institute. Mr. Bovay also had studied law and was admitted to the bar of the State of New York at
Utica in July, 1846. He was married to Caroline Elizabeth, daughter of Ransom Smith, in St. Luke's
Church, Hudson street, New York City, by the Rev. Dr. Forbes, Nov. 25, 1846, and settled with his
family at Ripon Oct. 5, 1850, where, in the November following, he laid out '' Bovay's Addition to the
City of Ripon." Mr. Bovay was the framer of the earliest Republican organization ever formed, on the
20th of March, 1854, at Ripon, during the pendency of the '' Nebraska Bill " in the House of Represent-
atives. He was a member of the Assembly for the First District of Fond du Lac Co., in 1859 and
1860, where he was the author of the famous, much-abused and finally much-rescinded " resolutions of
'59." Mr. Bovay took an active part in all abolition movements ; served in the army, in which he was
Major of the 19th W. V. I., and also Provost Marshal of the cities of Norfolk and Portsmouth, in
Virginia. He is now living in retirement at Ripon.
•FEHDIAH BOWEIV, banker and merchant ; was born in Breckeashire, parish of Llanellyr
South Wales, July 19, 1817 ; came to America and located in Luzerne Co., Penn., in 1830, where his
father, John Bowen, died in 1867. Mr. B. came to Ripon — then a huddle of four buildings — June 17,
1850 ; July 29, returned to Pennsylvania, and, Oct. 26, returned with his daughter to make a permanent
residence. He erected a store where the Kingsbury Block now is, and began business in it Dec 15 of
that same year, as a dealer in general merchandise, continuing eight, years in that building, and in another
sfore, until 1864. In 1863, he began the hardware business with 0. J. Clark, which connection continued ,
until March, 1877. In 1867, Mr. B. had an interest with J. D. Hamilton in the boot and shoe business,
the entire control of which came into his hands in 1872. In 1855, he opened a branch store at Brandon,
which continued about three years; in 1861, opened another at Waupun, which ran three years; in
1866, he conducted a store at Red Wing, Minn., for a time; in 1857, owned two farms, but disposed of
them as soon as possible; in May, 1864, began the business of banking with Charles F. Wheeler, which
has been continued ever since ; in 1855, with others, built a mill at Brandon, which he ran one and a half
years, in connection with partners, and, in Ripon, he has been engaged almost continually for thirty years
in building residences and business blocks. Mr. Bowen has been connected with the Ripon College from
its foundation ; is connected with the Congregational Church ; was Mayor in 1859 and 1868 ; a member
of the Assembly in 1871; a member of the City Council; was appointed Postmaster in 1861, which
ofBce he resigned in May, 1866, and has always interested himself in all public moves and matters, being
one of the organizers of the Milwaukee & Horicon Ry., with which he was sevei-al years connected, and a
Director of the Ripon & Wolf River Ry. Mr. B. was first married to Harriet N., daughter of Judge
William Root, of Lewis Co., N. Y. ; she died in Pennsylvania April 19, 1843, leaving a daughter, Jane
A., now Mrs. Alex. K. Shaw, of Chicago. He married a second time, in Pennsylvania, in August, 1853,
to Emma C. Perkins, a native of Pennsylvania ; they have two children — Carrie and Maggie L.
ISAAC BROWN, merchant tailor ; was born in Dorsetshire, England, Jan. 10,1834; came
to Chicago, with his mother, in 1846 ; enlisted in Co. A, 2d.I. V. C, August, 9, 1861, and served three
years, mostly on detached duty; was mustered out in the spring of 1865 ; came to Ripon in the spring of
1874, and engaged in merchant tailoring the next year. Mr. B. was married in Ripon, Sept. 13, 1877,
to Miss Frances Miller. Mr. B., who was two years on detached service with Gens. Ord and Logan,
helped to raise the first company of volunteers in Ogle Co., 111.
EIPON. 887
J. E. BROWX, merchant tailor; was born at Batavia, Genesee Co., N. Y., July 16, 1839;
came from there to Ripon in the spring of 1865, and engaged in the merchant tailoring business, which he
has since followed, having at all times a large store in Ripon, and, during the last five years, a branch at
Waupun. He was married at Ripon, July 16, 1867, to Grraee Annin, a native of Dartford, Green Lake
Co., Wis.; they have two children — Bertie Howard, born May 2, 1870, and May Belle, born June 22,
1874.
LYSANDER MARTIN CARLISLE, grain-dealer, was born at Goshen, Addison Co.,
Vt., Oct. 15, 1818 ; removed to Buffalo, N. Y., in the fall of 1843 ; in 1844, came to Milwaukee ; returned
three months later to Buflfalo ; surveyed the Cattaraugus Indian Reservation, just south of that city, in
1843; resided in Western New York until coming to Ceresco, May 31, 1849, where he worked for the
Phalanx until 1850 ; Sept. 1, 1850, Mr. C. bought a house of the Phalanx and opened a hotel called the
Ceresco House, which he conducted until 1854, then selling out and erecting a brick house near the rail-
road crossing; in 1864, he went into the Mapes House with Gilbert Lane, now of Oshkosh, remaining
two years ; since then, Mr. C. has been dealing in grain. He was Justice of the Peace before the city
was incorporated, Assessor of the Second Ward three years and of the First Ward two years ; he once
owned five shares of Phalanx stock for which, at Potter's Corners, N. Y., he traded to the value of $125.
Mr. C. was married at Madison, Aug. 31. 1850, to Harriet Gorham, born in Wyoming Co., N. Y.
I>R. WILLIAM E. CARNAHASf, homoeopathic physician and surgeon ; was born in
Genesee Co., N. Y., Jan. 14, 1838 ; removed to Columbia Co., Penn., with his parents in 1840 ; removed
from there to Michigan when 16 years old, where he attended school until 1860 ; taught school two years;
returned then to Pennsylvania and began the study of medicine; graduated from the Western Homoeo-
pathic College of Cleveland, Ohio ; attended lectures at Bellevue Hospital Medical College ; began practice
at Cambridge City, Ind., in the spring of 1867 ; removed in 1873, on account of ill health, to Hamilton,
Ohio, and from there came to Ripon in June, 1877. He was married at Lebanon, Ohio, in February, 1866.
to Lucy Wood, who died in 1873, leaving one child — Ada W., born in June, 1870; he was married a
second time, at Ripon, Oct. 11, 1877, to Sadie G. Barker, a native of Columbus, Ohio. Dr. C. is a mem-
ber of the A., F. & A. M. and I. 0. O. F.
HORACE L. CHADBOURXE, of the firm of Fish & Chadbourne, sign, house and car-
riage painters; was born in Oxford Co., Me., in 1844; came to Wisconsin with his parents in 1856 and
located in the city of Ripon. In January, 1865, he enlisted in Co. I of the 47th W. V. I., under Col.
Ginty, and partook in all the movements of his regiment till it was mustered out at Madison in the fol-
lowing autumn (1865). He then returned to Ripon, and soon after began the painter's trade, which he
has since followed; in 1876, he formed a copartnership with Fish under the present firm name. He was
married to Miss Eveline Williams, of this city in 1868 ; they have two children — Charles and Amy.
O. H. CHAMBERLAIN, farmer, Sec. 12 ; P. 0. Ripon ; was born in the town of Sparta,
Livingston Co., N. Y., July 5, 1822. His parents, Harlem G. and Anna, died in Union Corners, Liv-
ingston Co., N. Y., his father in 1869, his mother in 1874 ; they were pioneers of that part of the State,
having come from Vermont at a very early day ; they had six sons and five daughters, all of whom lived _
to be men and women. The subject of this sketch came to the State of Wisconsin in the fall of 184II,
iind first settled in Fond du Lac Co., one mile southeast of the city of Ripon, living in that neighborhood
for seven years; in the fall of 1856, he moved to his present farm on Sec. 12, where he has ever since
resided, containing 1 55 acres ; for six winters he taught school in this county and one winter in Winnebago
Co.; he also held the office of Town Superintendent of Schools several years ; Magistrate several terms,
and is at present Justice of the Peace, and has been two terms previously. He married Miss Harriet E.
Weber (daughter of Daniel B. and Emily Weber) in Ceresco, Feb. 1, 1852 ; she was born in Liberty,
McKean Co., Penn., Aug. 22, 1829 ; they have four children — Oscar H. (living in Champion, Mich.),
Fremont C., Francis A. and Albert 0. Mrs. Chamberlain's mother afterward married Caleb Kendall, of
this county, who died in Winnebago Co., Minn., in 1865 ; she came West in 1841 and settled in Wal-
worth Co., Wis., and, in 1847, came to this county, where she has ever since resided; she was born in
Luzerne Co., Penn., in 1805. Mrs. Chamberlain's father was born in the year 1800 in Worcester Co.,
Mass. Her grandfather, William Weber, enlisted in the Revolutionary army in November, 1775, in
Brimfield, then Hampshire Co., now Hampden Co., Mass., in the company of Capt. Joseph Thompson,
and Massachusetts regiment of Col. John Nixon, and served one year ; the official records show his death
to have occurred on Feb. 26, 1831, in Columbia, Bradford Co., Penn., where he lived sixteen years, and
previous thereto in Holden, Worcester Co., Mass.
DAVID CLOIJ€rH, of the firm of Clough & Wellcome, is the son of Abram Clough and DoUy
Norris, of Wyoming Co., N. Y., born in 1823 ; his father being a farmer, David spent most of his time
S88
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
with him at that business until 28 years of age; he then entered upon an apprenticeship at the miller's
trade, and, after serving one year as an apprentice, he was placed in charge of the mill at Folsomdale,
"Wyoming Co., N. Y., wherq he continued three years; in 1844, he came to Wisconsin, made some invest
ments in real estate, spent nearly a year there, and then returned to his native State; in 1858, he came
the second time to Wisconsin, and began the milling business at Brandon, Fond du Lac Coi; two years
later, he removed to Ripon, Wis., where for ten years he was connected with the Ripon Mills ; in 1870, he
became iHterested in the meat market (then the firm of Clough & Fenlon), where he continued the busi-
ness for seven years ; in 1877, he, with Mr. A. E Bishop, began the grocery business ; the firm was known
as Clough & Bishop until the spring of 1879, when Mr. H. C. Wellcome became partner in Bishop's stead,
and the firm has since been knowp as Clough & Wellcome. In 1844, he married Maria S., daughter of Oliver
Harnden, of FolSomdale, Wyoming Co., N. Y., though a native of Genesee Co., wlio died at Folsomdale, N.
Y., in February, 1866 ; they had five children, as follows: Clara (the late Blrs. George Norris, of Braq-
don. Wis.,- now deceased), George H. (deceased — died at the age of 4 months), Ella J. (Mrs. E. Cush-
. man, of Cowlesville, Wyoming Co., N. Y.), Nilcs F. (of Kansas City, Mo.), and Frank F. (of Ripon,
Wis.). Dec. 25, 1877,'ho married Mrs. Louisa L., widow of the late L. Barnes — a daughter of Walter and
Clementina Atwell, residents of Ripon since 1854; Mis. Clough had, at the time of her second marriage,
one daughter — Laura J., now Mrs. Toohey, of Kansas C'ty, Mo. Mr. and Mrs. Clough are members of
the M. E. Church; Mr. C. is also a member of the I. 0. 0. F. , , V j
JAi)I]BS E. COOK was born at Greenfield, Huron Co., Ohio, May 24, 1837 ; came to Rosen-
/ dale in 1853, with his parents, Alfred and Amanda Cook, now residents of Ripon ; engaged in farming
until coming to Ripon ; Nov. 29, 1867, he purchased the livery barn and stock on the site which he now
\ owns, and began the livery business; about eight years ago, his barn was burned, acd ho erected the
1 present substantial stone structure. Mr. C. has been four years Deputy SherifiF, which position he still
'.holds, and has held several city officer. He was married at Pino Grove, Waushara Co.. Wis., Juno 24,
"ISBS, to Alma L. Lee, born in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y.; they have four children — Gata L., Edmund A.,
Kj-ank L. and Frederick-William.
JOSEPH COMBS, farmer; P. 0. Ripon, was born in the town of Trenton, Oneida Co., N.
Y., June 4, 1811 ; h;s parents, Oliver and Sarah Combs, Hved upon a farm, and afterward moved into
the village of Holland Patent, Oneida Co., N. Y., where, they both died'; the subject of this sketch
remained upon his father's farm until tlie year 1850, when he came West and purchased his present farm
of 100 acres, and, in the spring of 1851, returned to New York State and brought out his family, where
they have since resided; his farm is now within the limits of the city of Ripon. ' He held the ofiice of
Assessor one year. He married twice ; his first wife was Miss Lucy A. \Vells, daughter of Daniel and
Frances Wells, of Oneida Co., N. Y.; they are both dead ; they were married in September, 1838, and
Mrs. Combs died in September, 1855; they had six children (two living), viz.: Sarah F., born Dec. 1,
1847; Katie E., Aug. 8, 1851 ; four died — Stephen R., in 1847; Daniel W., December, 1855; James
H., Oct. 4, 1864, and one died in infancy. He married his second wife. Miss Arietta Wetmoro, Sept. 30,
1856; her parents were James and Elizabeth Wetmorc, of Holland Patent, Oneida Co., N. Y., who died
there; Mrs. Combs was born March 4, 1818; they had three children, one living — Charles J., born
Nov. 18, 1861; the two deceased ar-; Henry W., born Aug. 31, 1S.J7, died April 11, 1872, and Laura
E., born May 12, 1839, died May 29, 1872. Mrs. Combs is a member of the Kpiscopal Church.
JOHX COKBETT, merchant tailor; is a son of William and AnnaCorbelt; his father was
a native of Eniiland, and was Paymaster of the 47 th Regiment of the British Arny in Canada ; his mother
was a native of Scotland; John was born in Canada July 8, 1810; w;;s o luoatcd in private schools kept
in his father's family; in 1856. he enf^ered upon an appr^iriticiship at the tiilor's trade in his native town,
but soon went to Cleveland, Ohio, where he continued it for one year; thc^nce t) Columbus, Ohio, and
Chicago, III., continuirjg at each f.r abouc .•-ix ni mths, and lastly, in 1857, to Ripon, Wi<., where, in 1859,
he established himself as a merchant tailor. In 18114, ho married Mi.« Marietta, danshtor of Stiilman and
Catharine Bonnell. nee Dubois, of Ithaca, N. Y.; they have one son— William B. Mr. Corbett is a mem-
ber of the Masonic Fratprnity. lie and wife arc members of the Kpiscnpil Church.
' E. tr. COKLI.SS (deceased), was born in Vermont, Nov. 22, 1822; he was the only son of
Isaac and Abigail Corliss, who moved first to L:i Porte, Ind.; the subject of this sketch, in 1845, came to
Wisconsin and settlcd.on See. G of this township; he purchasei on3 and on>half miles squire of United
States land, and improved the same. Ho died May 22, 1856. Five years after Mr. Corliss settled here, his
parents moved to Winnebago Co., where they lived up to the time of the death of his mother, which occurred
Jan. 28, 1863; after her death his father moved to Nepeuskun Township,Winncbago Co., where he died about
1873. Mr. Corliss married, Dec. 5, 1848, Miss Emily Dorchester, daughter of Francis and Abigail
RIPON. 889
Dorchester ; her father was born in Fartnin'^ton, Conn., in 178j, and died in 1858 ; her mother was born in
Grenoa, N. Y., in 1796, and died in 1857 ; they moved We^t in 1845, and settled in Green Lake Co.
(then Marquette Co.), Wis. Mr. and Mrs. Corliss had two children — Frank, born October, 1851, and
Henry, born May, 1854. Mrs. Corliss stUl lives on the homestead. Sec. 6; P. 0. Ripon. She is a mem-
ber of the Episcopal Church.
S. E. CRAWFORD, of the firm of J. N. Foster & Co., millers; Sec. 18; P. 0. Ripon ; was
born in AVindham Co., Conn., March 30, 1841 ; he came to the State of Wisconsin in 1847 with his
father, Samuel D. (his mother having died in Connecticut), and first settled in Mayville, Dodge Co., whore
his father still resides. In 1867, the subject of this sketch came to Fond du Lac Co., and became a mem-
ber of the firm of J. N. Foster & Co. in the milling business, known as the " Arcade Mills." He has held
the office of Supervisor two terms. Ho married, June 27, 1878, Miss Zoe A. Hodge, daughter of N. W.
and Mary Hodge, who settled in Janesville, Wis., and after residing there some twenty years came to this
county in 1874; they have one child — Eva A. Mrs. Crawford was born June 9, 1849.
W. F. CRAWFORD, of the firm of J. N. Foster & Co., millers; Sec. 18; P. 0. Ripon;
was born in the town of Union, Tolland Co., Conn., Oct. 4, 1842. His mother having died when he was
only three or fnur days old, he was taken to the home of his grandfather and grandmother, with whom he
Resided until their death, and afterward with an uncle and aunt in the same home. On Sept. 18, 1862,
he enlisted in Co. 0, 22d Conn. V. I., for nine months, and was discharged July 8, 1863, returning home
to Connecticut; he came in the fall of the same year (1863) to the State of Wisconsin, and settled in May-
ville, Do(^ge Co.; while there he went to Milwaukee, and commenced a course of study in the Mercantile
College of Bryapt, Stratton & Spencer ; before the completion of the course he again entered the army,
enlisting in Co. I, 44th W. V. I., and served until the close of the war; having returned home, he finished
his course of study in the Mercantile College ; in 1867, he came to Fond du Lac Co., and became a mem-
ber of the firm of J. N. Foster & Co., millers, and is so at the present time. He has been married twice ;
his first wife was Miss Alice A. Mason, daughter of William C. and Ellen Mason ; her father is living, but
her mother is dead ; they were married in 1874 ; she died Feb. 4, 1876, leaving one child — Alice E. His
second wife was Miss Ella J. Newell, daught^ of T. V. and Esther B. Newell ; her mother was a native
of Greenfield, Franklin Co., Mass.; her father of Charlton, Mass. They were married March 25, 1877.
Mrs. Crawford was born Dec. 4, 1849; they have one child — Byron A.
ISAAC M. DAKIIV, City Clerk ; was born in New York City April 25, 1842 ; came with
his parents to Brooklyn, Green Lake Co., in 1849 ; moved to Neshkoro in 1852, and remained until
1862; removed thence to Brooklyn, thence to New York, and in 1864, came to Ripon; Mr. D. clerked
for G. Beynon two years, Coe Bros, four years, and has since been Deputy Postmaster; in April, 1879,
he was elected City Clerk on tho Republican ticket. He was married at Hastings, Mich., May 4, 1875,
to Ella Lathrop ; they have one child, George W., born Nov. 6, 1877. Mr. Dakin's father, Ebenezer,
died at Fort Scott in 1869 ; his mother resides in Ripon.
REV. C. DAEIES, Pastor Evangelical Lutheran Church; was born in Brandenburg,
Prussia, March, 27, 1841 ; come to Brookfield, Waukesha Co., Wis., in February, 1868, where he
remained but a short time, going next to Russell, Sheboygan Co., for one and a half years ; Menomonee
Falls, Waukesha Co., eight years; Racine one year, and then to Ripon May 20, 1879; he was educated
at Barmen, Prussia, Missionary Seminary, and was married at Russell, Wis., Nov. 8, 1868 ; to Meta Viel-
stioh, born in Bremen, Germany; they have five children — Elsa A. C. K., Paul B. J. and Karl A. G.,
all born at Menomonee Falls; Johanna L. M., born at Racine, and Clara A. G., born at Ripon. Since
Rev. D.'s connection with the church, a fine, new parsonage has been built; the church debt reduced ; its
membership increased, and many improvements been made.
RICHARD DART, apiarist; is a son of Anson and Eliza Dart, nee Catlin ; born in New
York City May 12, 1828 ; his father was a druggist in that city for a number of years, but when Rich-
ard was quite young, his father purchased a farm .in Oneida Co., N. Y., and till 1838, was engaged in
agricultural pursuits there ; he was then appointed Commissioner of the main wing of the New York
Insane Asylum, which position he held for two years; in 1840, he resigned that position and immigrated
as a pioneer to Dartford, Green Lake Co., Wis.; having been out in 1835 with a company of men from
Home, N. Y., and made some investments in the vicinity of Green Bay and other places ; landing at Green
Bay in May, 1840, he formed the acquaintance of Govs. Hornei and Beall, then land agents at that
place ; the Green Lake country was ju-t then coming into notice, and he with Gov. Beall started on horse-
back for a visit to the lake ; passing through the Brothertown woods, across the county where the city of
Fond du Lac now stands, they reached the shores of Green Lake the 1st day of June ; here .he selected
eighty acres of land one-half mile south of the Lake shore, which should be his pioneer home ; returning
890 BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES:
to Green Bay, he purchased a boat, and putting in their little all, which consisted of a barrel of flour, one-
half barrel of pork, etc., with a few cooking utensils with which to begin pioneer life, he with two sons
passed up the Fox River, portaging^ their boat around the rapids of Neenah, Menasha and Appleton, into
Lake Winnebago, and after one and a half days' rowing up the lake, reached, as they supposed, the outlet
of Green Lake ; but upon following it for three days, they found themselves at Mud Lake, near Ripon ;
they returned to Lake Winnebago, and, after a two-days sail, reached the outlet of Green Lake, which
they at once recognized by the color of the water ; two days more brought them to their new home in
Wisconsin; they were the first settlers in what is now known as Dartford, in honor of whom the village
was named ; the family soon followed, and this was Richard's home for many years. His father was the
first Justice of the Peace in Marquette Co.; the first Postmaster; was also a member of the Constitutional
Convention of Wisconsin ; he took quite an interest in President Taylor's election, and in 1851, was
appointed Superintendent of Indian affairs in Oregon ; in 1856, he paid a visit to his home in Wisconsin,
but it had lost its charms ; he spent two years traveling in Europe, and the rest of his life in Washing-
ton, D. C, where he died Aug. 12, 1879, at the age of 82 years ; two sons survive him — Putnam, now in
California, and Richard, now living at Ripon, Wis., and who in April, 1859, was married to Imogene, a
daughter of Luther and Emma Hinkley, of Madison Co., N. Y.; they have one daughter, Arlie, now 7
years of age.
HECTOR DAWES, farmer. Sec. 30 ; P. 0. Ripon ; born in Morgan Co., Ohio, July 17,
1830 ; he came to Wisconsin in the fall of 1851, and settled in Ripon Township, Fond du Lac Co., on
Sec. 29, where he remained for four years. His parents, George and Elizabeth Dawes, in the mean time,
in 1854, came to the State of Wisconsin and settled on Sec. 30, in Ripon Township, where his father died
Oct. 10, 1869, and his mother August 27, 1877. The subject of this sketch, in 1855, the next year
after his parents came to this county, went to live with them, and continued to up to his marriage with
Miss Jane A. Ruggles, which occurred March 12, 1857 ; her father, Gary Ruggles (her mother having
died in New York State), came to Wisconsin and settled in Ripon Township in the year 1855, went to
Iowa and settled near Charles City, and died there in 1874; Mr. Dawes, after his marriage, went to
reside on his farm on Sec. 29, and then moved to the city of Ripon and resided there up to 1863, when he
moved to his present farm on Sec. 30, where he still resides, containing 240 acres ; Mrs. Dawes was born in
Broome Co., N. Y.. Oct. 21. 1832 ; they have a family of six children, viz : Fred A., born Dec. 17, 1858 ;
William R., Oct. 5,' 1862 ; Maggie, April 28, 1864 ; Effie, May 26, 1866 ; Edward G., July 19, 1868,
and Raymond, March 20, 1870. Edmund Dawes, the brother of Hector Dawes, enlisted as a private in
Co. H, 20th W. V. I., Aug. 8, 1862, and was afterward promoted to Orderly ■Sergeant, and, while serving
as such, was killed, Dec. 7, 1862, at the battle of Prairie Grove, Ark.; previous to his death, his com-
mission as Second Lieutenant of Co. H had been made out, but did not reach him before his death. Mrs.
Dawes is a member of the Congregational Church.
GrEORGrE W. WEJLLIXGER, proprietor Ripon Mills, was born at Windsor, York Co.,
Penn., July 21, 1820 ; removed to Western Pennsylvania; resided one year at Lundy's Lane, Erie Co.;
spent one year at Kingsville, Ohio ; removed to Waterford, Racine Co., Wis., in May, 1845, where he
remained eighteen months ; removed to Oshkosh in the fall of 1847, and, in October, 1 848, came to Ripon ;
with the exception of a few years after 1869, spent in California, Montana and other portions of the West,
for his health, Mr. Dellinger has been actively engaged in milling since his arrival in Ripon ; he has built
several mills and water-powers (see full account elsewhere), and now owns and runs Ripon Mills, of which
he was the builder. He was married at Lundy's Lane, Erie Co.,Penn., July 21,1842,to Margaret, daugh-
ter of Capt. John Spiers, an old lake Captain, who died in 1875, aged 89 years; Mrs. D. was born at
JErie, Penn., May 22, 1825 ; they have had seven children — Perry N., born at Lundy's Lane, Penn.,
July 22, 1843, now a resident of Greene, Butler Co., Iowa; George Chester, born at Waterford, Wis.,
Dec. 9, 1845, now of Pearl Rock, Chickasaw Co., Iowa; Josephine (now Mrs. W. W. Davy, of Ripon),
born near Oshkosh, March 23, 1848 ; Daniel Newton, now of Butte City, Montana, the first child born
in Ripon City plat, born May 25, 1850 ; Margaret Jennie, born Jan. 5, 1859 ; Earl Bertine, Aug. 1,
1863 ; they lost one child — Elizabeth Ella, an infant, in 1853. Mr. D. was for seven years a member of
the City Council. He began milling on his own account in 1840.
HON. JEREMIAH DOBBS, son of Jeremiah and Mary Dobbs ; was born at Saugerties,
Ulster Co., N. Y., in March, 1832 ; after receiving his education, he was employed as a clerk in a general
store at Rochester, N. Y.; remained there two years; later, began the study of law, and, in 1851, was
admitted to the bar at Jefferson, Wis., having removed to this State in 1849, and located at Lake Mills;
engaged in the practice of his profession there until 1854, when he came to Ripon; in 1850, he was
appointed District Attorney of Jefferson Co., Wis.; since he came to Ripon, he has filled several offices of
RIPON. 891
lionor and trust; in 1869, he was elected a member of the State Legislature, and for many years he was
Chairman of the County Board ; he was once a Director of the Oshkosh & Mississippi Railroad Co.; as a
successful and skillful attorney, he is extensively known ; everything he undertakes bears the unmistakable
impress of his energy ; he is of a most aifable disposition, and no person, either man or child, ever
approached him with a fear of a want of a cordial welcome ; no local enterprise of any consideration fails
to receive his assistance ; be is' emphatically a man- of the people, friendly, sympathetic and generous.
Feb. 21, 1S54, he was married to Miss Mary A. Lampson, and by her has one son and two daughters.
CYREXUS F. DODGE was bom at Pembroke, Genesee Co., N. Y., Nov. 24, 1833 J
resided there until coming to Ripon, in September, 1853 ; on arriving at Ripon, he began the manufacture
of wagons and carriages, which he continued until February, 1878; the firm was H. Dodge & Son five
years. Dodge & Manville seventeen and one-half years. Dodge & Mitchell two years, C. F. Dodge from
September, 1877, to February, 1878, when he sold out to Treanore & Blodgett ; Harvey Dodge, senior
member of the first firm, was C. F.'s father; after retiring from the '■carriage-making business, Mr. Dodge
erected Como Bay House, a summer resort at Green Lake, in the spring of 1878, of which he has since
been the successful proprietor and manager. He was married at Ripon, March 28, 1856, to Phcebe A.
Thatcher, a native of Pembroke, N. Y.; they have six children — Erastus Eugene, Addie May, Edward S.,
Nettie B., Wm. C. and Harvey. Mr. D. was Alderman several years.
GEORtwE C. DUFFIE, Principal of 'the English Academy in Ripon College; was born at
Orwell, Rutland Co., Vt., Jan. 1, 1845; son of James H. Duffie, who came to Rosendale in 1853, and
died there three years later ; he came to Ripon in 1 860 ; served in the army ; graduated from Ripon Col-
lege in 1868 ; was appointed instructor in Latin one year ; conducted the Free Press, at Ripon, from 1869
to 1872, and was then appointed to his present position. He married Emma, daughter of A. P. Har-
wood, of Ripon.
H. C BVERSZ, of the firm of Eversz & Weller, dry-goods merchants; is a son of L6uis and
liouisa Eversz; born in Prussia in 1846, and, with his parents, immigrated to Wisconsin in 1848; his
parents settled on a farm near Ripon, where H. C. spent most of his time, attending district school and at
farm work, till about 1860 ; he then entered Ripon College and was a student th6re for two years. In
1862, he enlisted in Co. H. of the 20th W. V. I., under Col. Pinkney, of Ripon ; was with the Army of
the West for about one year ; was mustered out at Galveston, Tex.; he then returned to Ripon ; was clerk
in the dry-goods store for A. W. Pettibone till 1871 ; he then formed a copartnership with J. C. Weller,
and has since been dealing quite extensively in dry goods, etc. In 1872, he married Miss Bertha,
daughter of the Rev. N. and Esther M. McLeod, then of Ripon ; they have one daughter — -Gertrude ; his
wife is a member of the Congregational Church.
GEORGE Li. FIEIiD, bank cashier, was born at New Berlin, Chenango Co., N. Y., whence
lie moved to Albany in 1852 ; after remaining there five years he came to Watertown, Wis., and became
book-keeper and teller of the Bank of Watertown, where he remained over five years ; in the spring of
1863, he moved to Ripon, which has since been his home, and became cashier of the Bank of Ripon,
which position he held until the organization of the First National Bank, of which he has since been
cashier. Mr. Field has been Mayor of Ripon, and always takes an active interest in all improve-
ments and matters of a public nature. He is now, and has been during seventeen years an ofiicer and
member of St. Peter's Episcopal Church.
CHESTER B. FISH, of the firm of Fish & Chadbourne, sign, house and carriage painters ;
was born in Rockland, Knox Co., Me., in 1854 ; he is the son of S. M. and Adell Fish, with whom he
«ame to Ripon, Wis., when he was about 2 years old ; in 1858, they removed to Milwaukee, where he
was educated in the public schools and lived till 1868 ; returning then to Ripon, in 1872 he began the
painter's trade with Mr. Craw, of this city, and, in 1876, formed copartnership with Mr. Chadbourne,
of the present firm. His father died at Minneapolis, Minn., in April, 1879 ; his mother now resides in Ripon.
J. J. FOOTE, District Attorney; was born at Coventry, Chenango Co., N. Y., Jan. 23, 1830 ;
came to Watertown, Wis., in the fall of 1852, and to Ripon, which has since been his residence, in 1856 ;
he studied law with Charles O'Connor, Benedict and Boardman, in New York City, where he was
admitted to the bar Feb. 5, 1853 ; his father, Alanson L. Foote, is now a resident of Ripon. Mr. Foote
lias been Alderman, City Clerk eight years, District Attorney since January, 1879, and was tendered the
nomination unanimously for Attorney General on the Democratic ticket of 1875. He was married at
Watertown, Jan. 9, 1854, to Kate T. Bement, a native of Belleville, Ontario ; they have eight children —
Lillie T., now Mrs. J. Mallaney, of Ishpemlng, Mich.; Anna Louise, Blanche B., Mary E., Edward P.,
Laura, Kate I. and Genevieve G.
«92 BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES:
J. N. FOSTER, of the firm of J. N. Foster & Co., millers, Arcade Mills, Sec. 18 ; P. 0. Ripon ;
•was born ih Tolland Co., Conn., July 26, 1816; he came to the State of Wisconsin in May, 1846, and
settled in M ay villa,' Dod.2;e Co.; in 1856, he became engaged in the milling business, having bought
out Francis Hammond, and carried on the same until 1865, when he sold out his business and came to
Fond du Lac Co., and settled in the city of Ripon and carried on a feed store until 1867, when he formed
the firm of J. N. Foster & Co., millers, and purchased what are known as the " Arcade Mills," on Sec. 18,.
Ripon Township, from David IBabcook ; this mill was built in 1856, by Tomb, Paddock & Co.; it is run
mostly as a custom mill. Mr. Foster was a member of the City Council of Ripon for one year. He
married Miss Ellen Duncan July 15, 1858 ; her parents were John and Elizabeth Duncan, of Hamilton,
Scotland ; her father came to the United Slates and settled in Marquette Co., Wis., where he died ; her
mother died in Scotland. Mr. Foster's family consisted of four children, three of whom are living — Mary
E., William B. and John D. Mr. Foster is a Republican in poUtics. He resides in the city of Ripon.
WILililAM GAYLiORD, retired; was born in Litchfield Co., Conn., in 1805; he removed
to Trumbull Co., Ohio., in 1886, where he was a boot and shoe dealer for twenty-five years ; in 1864, he
came to Wisconsin and located in the town of Metomen, Fond du Lac Co.; two years later, he removed
to Oshkosh, and for one year was a dry-goods merchant; he next came to Ripon in 1868, where he con-
tinued the dry-goods trade till September of 1878. He was married to Martha M., daughter of Isaac
and Betsey Beebee of New York ; they have two sons — Isaac W. and Lewis B., both of whom are mer-
chants at Beloit, Kan. Mr. and Mrs. Giylord are members of the Congregational Church.
JOSEPH M. GEERY, Professor of English Literature, Rhetoric and Political Philosophy
in Ripon College, was born in New York City June 2, 1840 ; took a preparatory and college course at
Oberlin College ; began teaching at Paris, Kenosha Co., Wis.; taught there three winters, 1858, 1859
and I860;' was two years in the Medina (Ohio) High School; one year Principal of the High School at
Brooklyn, near Cleveland; taught in all seventeen terms before coming to Ripon in 1868. Prof Geery
has been College Librarian seven years; was elected Alderman and Supervisor in 1879, and takes active
part in the matters pertaining to public Weal in Ripon.
HEIVRY J. CitOODAIjE, carriage manufacturer; son of Henry and Caroline Goodall, was
born at Adams, Jefferson Co., N. Y., July 24, 1836; came to Laoaartine, Pond du Lac Co., in 1847,
where his father, who died in Springvale in 1869, kept a blacksmith-sbop, and in which he began learn-
ing the trade at the age of 11 years; in 1874, Mr. G. came to Ripon, and has since carried on the bus-
iness of manufacturihg carriages, phaetons and cutters. He has been City Marshal and Chief Fire
Marshal, which position he has held five years, and is an Odd Fellow. He was married in Springvale,
Feb. 26, 1859, to Harriet M., daughter of Aaron Horton, an early settler of that town ; she was born in
Michigan ; they have three children— Charles C, Harry C. and Edna H.
4w. C. GOODFELiEOW, farmer. Sec. 34 ; P. 0. Ripon ; was born in Maiilius, Onondaga
Co., N. Y., April 13, 1819; his parents Tobias and Polly, both died there; in September, 1845, he
came to Wisconsin, and for one year resided inr Racine Co., and the fall of 1846, came to Fond du Lac
Co. and settled at Reed's Corners, Metomon Township, for three years, and, in 1849, came to his present
farm of 143 acres in Ripon Township ; while residing in New York State, he was employed on the canal
as steersman of a canal-boat; since he has lived in Wisconsin he has been engaged in farming pursuits.
He has held the offices of Supervisor of the town and Justice of the Peace. He married Miss Abigail
M. Seeley, daughter of James and Sarah Seeley, of New York State, April 29, 1841 ; she was born in
town of Pompey, near Manlius, Onondaga Co., N. Y., April 14, 1823; they have twelve children, all living
and all but two grown to manhood and womanhood, viz.: Polly E., born March 9, 1842, now Mrs. L.
Dick, living in Spencer, Marathon Co., Wis.; Sarah E-, born May 10, 1844, now Mrs. Chester Cook, of
Westline, Minn.; Marion, born July 14, 1846, now Mrs. Wm. Louer, of Vernon Center, Blue Earth Co.,
Minn.; Jane A., born May 13, 1848, now Mrs. George H. Luke, of Spencer, Minn.; Arthur D., born
Dec. 27, 1849, married Miss Sarah L. Jones, of Waupaca Co., Wis.; Eveline H., born Aug. 25, 1852,
now Mrs. G. W. Pond, of Metomen Township, Fond du Lac Co., Wis.; Almon 0., born July 4, 1854;
Frank, born July 20, 1856, married Miss Capitola E. Brine, of Fond du Lac Co., Wis.; Fred, born Aug.
11, 1858; Maude A., June 5, 1860; George H., May 27, 1862, and Erwin T., April 30, 1865. Mr.
and Mrs. Gnodfellow are members of the Second Congregational Church of Metomen Township.
LiOUIS (jrRAF, butcher, of the firm of Graf & Jussen ; was born in Prussia May 5, 1832 ;
came to Baltimore May 3, 1849, where he lived two and one-half years ; removed to Milwaukee for one
year ; removed then to Watertown, Wis., where he remained until 1865, when he came to Ripon and
engaged as a meat-market proprietor with his present partner. He was married, at Watertown, Wis.,
May 12, 1860, to Caroline Bohnert, a native of Baden, Germany; they have three children — P. L.
George, T. C. Ida and Helen. Mr. Graf is a member of the I. 0. 0. F.
RipoN. ■ 89a
JOHIV GRANT, grain-dealer ; was born in Norfolk, Litchfield Co., Conn., March 23, 1832 ;
moved with his parents, at the age of 2 years, to Lorain Co., Ohio ; moved to Green Lake Co., Wis., in
the spring of 1848, and to 'Ripon in 1855 ; his father, Harvey Grant, died in Ripon in 1863, and his
mother, Experience Grant, resides with his family, aged 83. Mr. G. was married, in Ripon, July 10,
1861, to Ellen Morris, a native of Wales, but for twenty-four years a resident of Ripon ; they have one
child — Florence N. Mr. and Mrs. G. are members of the Congregational Church. He has been Street
Commissioner three or four years.
I DAVID GREEXWAY was bom in AVarwickshire, England, March 14, 1824 ; came with
his parents to Syracuse, N. Y., in 1834; resided there and at Palmyra, N. Y., until coming to Ripon
Aug. 1, 1850, with his wife and three children; Mr. G. engaged in farming about three years and then-
opened a grocery store on the site of the present Greonway Block ; soon after added drugs and medicines,
which business he carried on until about 1862 ; he built Greenway Block in 1861 ; began the express
business in Ripon ; was the first express agent, and continued as agent until he sold out his business ; in
1867, Mr. G. built the " Oakwood House," a large and popular summer resort on Green Lake, which he
has since owned and managed ; in 1878, he opened a grocery and crockery store, but closed out the stock
the next spring. He was married, at Syracuse, N. Y,, Feb. 19, 1849, to Caroline Chadbourne, bnrn in
Lancashire, England, and died at Ripon in January, 1880 ; she had three children by a former husband,
two deceased and one living — Nellie, now Mrs. David Pollard, of Ripon. William D. and George M.
Greenway, his sons, are associated with him in the Oakwood House. Mr. G. has resided upon the same
spot or nearly so, ever since coming to Ripon.
SILAS A. GROESBECIi, carpenter, contractor and builder; was born at Russia, Oneida
Co., N. Y., May 13, 1832 ; at the age of 10 years, moved to the town of Pinckney, Lewis Co., N. Y.,
and in 1855, came to Wisconsin to Ripon, working at his trade ever since. His father, Silas Groesbeck,.
first settled in Springvale in 1854 ; in the fall of 1855, he went to Calumet Village and kept hotel two
and one-half years ; removed for three years back to Springvale, and then to Brothertown, where he
engaged in farming and hotel-keeping. S. A. Groesbeck was married, at Neenah, Wis., June 15. 1858,
to Emma L. Shepard ; they have three children — Alice M., Fred M. and Albert H., and lost one daugh-
ter— Jessie, who died at the age of 6 months.
•IOHjV HAAS, proprietor of Ripon Brewery; was born in Hessen, Germany in 1841, and is
the son of Henry and Catharine Haas ; when he was 13 years old, he with his parents came to America,
and settled on a farm in Dodge Co., Wis., where he lived for four years ; in 1855, he began work in the
brewery at Theresa, Dod^ie Co., Wis., for Benedict Weber ; two years later he came to the city of Fond
du Lac, Wis., where he was employed by J. & C. Frey, brewers, for two years; he afterward spent a few
months in the pineries, and then began work in a brewery for Paul Hauser, in Taycheedah, Pond da Lao
Co., Wis., where he continued for abjjut two years ; in 1865, he established the Ripon Brewery, of which
he has since been proprietor. In 1868, he was married to Miss ^Theresa, daughter of William and Annie
M. Quest, of Ripon ; they have had three children, as follows : Matilda, deceased ; Albert, deceased ; C.
John. Politically, Mr. Haas is a Democrat.
THOMAS HARRIS was born in Ireland April 27, 1820, of English parents; his father was
twenty-three years in the English Army, and passed through the French Revolution ; IMr. H. first settled
in Canada after coming to America ; came to Ceresoo and settled on Sec. 12, in June, 1847 ; in 1855,
went to Minnesota; enlisted September, 1862, as Second Lieutenant in Co. D, 8th Minn. V. I. ; served
with his regiment in all its engagements until the spring of 1865 ; returned then to Ripon, and, in the
spring of 1866, was elected Justice of the Peace, which office he hold for ton years ; Mr. H. has practiced
law during the last seven years; has been Assessor two years; is Secretary of the A., F. & A. M., and a
member of the I. O. 0. F. Lodge. Ho was married at Inverness, Canada, by Rev. Norman McLeod in
the spring of 1848, to Elizabeth N. Hargrave, a native of Canada ; they have five children living — Mary
E., Eva E., Caroline A., Bertha E. and Benjamin J., and hive lost one — Thomas Fremont, who died at
the age of 14 months.
A. P. HARWOOD, capitalist; was born at Ticonderoga, Essex Co, N. Y., Oct. 25, 1818;
entered into the iron manufacturing business at Crown Point, N. Y., where he remained until comin'^ to
Ripon, in March, 1874. Mr. H. is one of the Trustees of Ripon College, and a member of the Congre-
gational Church. He was married at Crown Point, Oct. 11, 1843, to Anna Penfield, born at Pittsford,
Vt. ; they have four children — Daniel V. N., Charles L., Mary Emma and Frank J.
D. V. X. HARWOOD, Secretary and Treasurer of the Ripon Pickle Company ; was born in
Crown Point, N. Y., in June, 1844. In 1865, he married in his native town, Katie JIurphy, a native of
Clintonville, N. Y. ; in 1874, they came to Ripon, and he became a shareholder in the Ripon pickle
894
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
factory ; was made Secretary and Treasurer, a position he has filled since that time ; they have two chil-
dren— Mary A. and Elizabeth K. In politics, Mr. Harwood is a Republican. He is an energetic and
active business man, and has been more than ordinarily successful in life.
SAXFORD HA.ZEN, was bom at Copenhagen, Lewis Co., N. Y., April 6, 1821 ; came to
Oakfield in 1844 ; lived in Copenhagen again, from 1845 until the spring of 1858 ; removed then to
Green Lake Prairie, near Ripon, where he carried on farming until 1874, although he built a plow factory
at Ripon in 1859, which he ran two years; in 1874, Mr. H. began the manufacture of the Hazen wind-
mill, and now manufactures also the patent reversible-tooth harrow ; he made the first steel plow made in
New York, and also carried on the manufacture of stoves in that State. He was married at Copenhagen,
N. Y., in February, 1844, to Susan B. Wright, a native of that place; they have two children — Wayne
S. and Ella J. In the winter of 1844, Mr. Hazen helped to organize the Washingtonian Temperance
Society, at Oakfield, Wis.
WAYNE S. HAZEN, of S. Hazen & Son, manufacturers of windmills, and reversible-tooth
harrows, was born at Copenhagen, N. Y., June 30, 1845. Was married, Sept. 18, 1872, to Ursula Gray,
born in England ; they have one son — Sanford Lee.
H. S. HOIiliENBECK, farmer. Sec. 3 ; P. 0. Ripon ; was born in Franklin Co., Vt., Jan.
5, 1826, and is the eldest of five brothers ; he came West with his parents, Benjamin F. and Minerva
HoUenbeck, in the year 1848, and first located in Green Lake, Green Lake Co., Wis.; after remaining
there about sixteen years they moved to the city of Ripon, (1865), where his parents still reside. The
• subject of this sketch engaged in the agricultural business from 1865 to 1875, in Ripon ; he then pur-
chased his present farm of 140 acres, where he now resides ; he has held the office of Street Commissioner
of Ripon. He married Miss Betsey Wood, daughter of Alanson and Mary Wood, of Orleans Co., N. Y.,
Dec. 5, 1849 ; her father is now deceased, her mother still living in Ripon; Mr. HoUenbeck has been
blessed with five children, four of whom are still living — Albert, Mary, Bertha and Homer ; one died —
Maggie.
HON. JOHN S. HORNER was bom at Warrenton, Fauquier Co., Va., Dec. 5, 1802 ;
he was the third son of Dr. Gustavus Brown Horner, Assistant Surgeon, and nephew of Dr. Gustavus
Brown, Surgeon General of the Revolutionary army ; his ancestors were English and resided in York-
shire, near Ripon ; his paternal grandfather emigrated to the State of Maryland at an early day, and went
into business as a wholesale importing merchant ; he was a near relative of Sir Francis Horner ; the sub-
ject of this sketch graduated from Washington College, Pennsylvania, in 1819, and practiced law in Vir-
ginia until September, 1835 ; on the 9th day of that month he was appointed, by President Jackson,
Secretary and acting Governor of the Territory of Michigan ; as Chief Executive of the Territory, Gov.
Horner did much to allay the hostile feeling then existing between the people of the Territory and of
the State df Ohio, in reference to the boundary question ; the following extract from the Wheeling Gazette
of Feb. 27, 1836, is worthy of reproduction in this relation: "On arriving within the Territory, in the
prosecution of his duties, Gov. Horner's address, as we learn from eye-witnesses, was consummate ;
it w^s a combination of personal fearlessness, tact, wisdom and prudence;" in the same article — after allud-
ing to the troubles which existed in the Territory at the time Gov. Horner assumed his duties as Exec-
utive, mention being made of the gallant bearing of the pacificator, throwing himself among the turbulent
, and lawless spirits along the frontier of the disputed Territory, at the hazard of his life, and by his fearless
bravery restoring perfect order — -'the editor, who was opposed to the Jackson Administration, says : " We
question whether, when his appointment shall have expired by the recognition of Michigan as a State,
the National Executive can, by any office he may confer upon him, more than compensate him." When
the Territory of Wisconsin was created, he was appointed its Secretary, and received orders from President
Jackson to take up his quarters near the Mississippi River, in order to meet the apprehended difficulty
between the Winnebago Indians and the settlers in the mineral regions of Wisconsin ; on arriving, he
learned that that tribe were besieging Fort Winnebago ; taking with him a single guide, he made a perilous
journey of eighty miles to Fort Crawford, called upon Gen. Taylor for a force of 120 men, and with
them proceeded to the relief of Fort Winnebago ; arriving there, he demanded a council with the Indians,
and received a reply that they were "falling to pieces" from starvation, owing to the nonpayment of
the annuities due from the United States ; upon learning this. Gov. Horner promptly took the respon-
sibility of issuing an order to deliver to the starving Indians one-half the pork and flour in the military
stores at the fort ; this action prevented an Indian war, and was highly approved by Gen. Jackson,
and Congress passed an act granting $1,000 to Gov. Horner, as a recognition of his services; as Secretary
of the Territory of Wisconsin, his career was distinguished by ability and integrity ; after his retirement
from this office, he was appointed by Gen. Jackson Register of the Green Bay Land Offici, and by
RIPON. 895
successive' appointments by Presidents Van Buren and Tyler, held the position for thirteen years ; although
he never sought office, he was continued in Grovernment positions of importance during the administra-
tions of five successive Presidents ; he afterward served for four years as IProbate Judge of Green Lake
and Marquette Counties. Oct. 30, 1834, he was married, in Washington, D. C., by the Rev. Mr. Smith,
the then Chaplain to Congress, to Miss Harriet Love Watson, the accomplished daughter of James Watson,
at that time in the Treasury Department of the United States ; Mrs. Horner was born in Buckland,
Prince William Co., Va. ; Mrs. Horner wrote the first executive act, and it was entered upon the journal
of the Territory, at Belmont, in her own handwriting, which is now in the State archives at Madison ;
had six children — the eldest, James Watson, died in 1842, at the age of 7 years ; Andrew Watson, at
present a resident of Albert Lea, Minn. ; Grustavus Francis, a resident of Bipon, Wis. ; William Henry,
an attorney of St. Louis, Mo.; Elizabeth Love, and Mary Watson, the wife of William Lucas, formerly
■of St. Louis, now residing at Green Lake.
NATHAX HUNTER, farmer ; was born at Plattsburg, Clinton Co., N. Y., Feb. 26, 1820 ;
came to Southport (now Kenosha), in the spring of 1844 ; joined the " Wisconsin Phalanx " and arrived
st Ripon (then Ceresoo), at 10 o'clock in the morning of May 27, 1844 ; Mr. Hunter was in California
from February, 1856 to the fall of 1859, when he returned home ; in 1861, he went to Idaho, and engaged
in mining, which he had followed in California, returning to Bipon in 1864. He was married July 15,
1845, at Ceresco, to Mrs. Isabella B. Town, born Dec. 25, 1814, at Charlottenburg, Glengarry Co.,
■Canada, the daughter of a British soldier; she had two children — Hiram S., Postmaster of Bipon, and
Edward D.; by the last marriage they have had three children — Arabella L. (now Mrs. J. H. Maxwell,
of Utica, Wis.); Mary H., a teacher in the Delavan Institute for the Deaf and Dumb, and George, who
■died Feb. 23, 1875, aged 20 years. Mr. H. has been Alderman of the First Ward several years.
DAVID mSON, farmer, was born in Cayuga Co., N. Y., May 26, 1829 ; came to Ripon in
the fall of 1854, and engaged in the livery business, which he followed uninterruptedly for twelve years,
afterward .^leaving it twice for a year or two on account of ill health. Since 1855, Mr. Imson has
carried on his farm in Bipon Town, except two years, when it was rented ; in 1873, he erected the stone
building, which he sold to J. P. Stone in 1876 ; he also sold flour and feed one year in Ripon ; learned
the blacksmith trade in New York, which he followed for a year ; removed to Napierville, 111., in 1844,
for one year; to Rochester, Wis., three years; to Oak Grove, Dodge Co., six years; to Portage with a
livery one year, and then to Ripon. Mr. Imson was married in Waushara Co., in February, 1854, to
■Cornelia Robinson, a native of Ohio, who died in July, 1868 ; they had four children — Albert P. and
Alice Mabel, living, and two died in infancy. He was married a second time to Cornelia Hake, Jan. 26,
1870 ; they have one child — Maud.
J. M. JENKIBfSOiV, hardware merchant, also dealer in tinware. Main street, Bipon ; his
father, Robert Jenkinson, was a. native of County Wicklow, Ireland, born in 1809; at an earty age he
emigrated to Montreal, Canada, where he married Miss G. PommviUe, a native of that place ; after their
marriage they removed to Kalamazoo, Mich., thence to Metomen, Fond du Lac Co., Wis., in about 1845 ;
during his residence in Metomen he was elected to various offices of honor and trust, and was elected
Sheriff of Fond du Lao Co. and County Treasurer, the duties of which he discharged with credit to him-
self and general satisfaction to all ; he died in the city of Fond du Lac in about 1855 ; his wife died iu
Metomen in 1867. J. M. Jenkinson, whose name appears at the head of this sketch, was born in Kala-
mazoo, Mich., in 1844, and therefore was only 1 year old when his parents came to this county (Fond du
Lac) ; d'lring the war of the rebellion he enlisted in Co. C, 3d W. V. C , in the town of Metomen, and was
mustered in at Camp Barstow, Janesville, Wis., in December, 1861 ; returned in 1863; re-enlisted and
served until October, 1865, when he was honorably discharged ; he was in active service, and participated
in every engagement his command was in. Sept. 30, 1869, he married, in Omro, Winnebago Co., Wis.,
Susan R. Taylor, a native of Concord, Jefferson Co., Wis., and daughter of Bobert Taylor and Lydia A.,
nee Olin, who settled in Jefferson Co., in 1845, and moved thence to Omro, Winnebago Co., in 1847. Mr.
Jenkinson and wife attend the Congregational Church ; their children are Bobert and Ella L. Mr. Jen-
kinson is a Bepublican. He was engaged in business in the town of Brandon several years, and has been
in business in Bipon since 1875 ; has a large and constantly increasing trade.
EDWARD JUSSEBf, butcher ; was born in Prussia Aug. 22, 1839 ; came to Philadelphia
in July, 1854 ; to Watertown, Wis., in 1855, and to Bipon in December, 1865 ; he has followed his pres-
ent business, that of market proprietor, ever since he came to Bipon. He was married in Theresa, Dodge
Co., Wis., Jan. 17, 1871, to Theresa Weber, born in Prussia; they have five children — Josie, George,
Albert, Willie and Eddie.
896 BIOGBAPHICAL SKETCHES:
JOSEPH KISfGSBlJRY, an early settler of the city of Ripon, Fond da Lac Co., Wis.,,
was bom in County Kent, England, May 22, 1818. Aug. 31, 1839, he married in his native county,
Mary A. Graves, a native of the same county, born July 23, 1820; in 1850, they emigrated to America,
and settled in Ripon the same year, and it has been their home since that time ; their children are James,
now of Yankton, Dakota; he married in Ripon, Wis., Frances E. Bacon ; Frank, now at Appleton, Wis.;
Charles (at home with his parents), Sarah A. (wife of Richard Porter, of New Lisbon, Wis.), Harriet
(wife of Edward Stallard, of Ripon), Jennie (wife of John Evarts, of Omro, Wis.). Mr. Kingsbury and
wife are members of the Presbyterian Church ; in politics, he has always acted with the Republican party.
Owns several thousand dollars' worth of city property in Ripon, and has done much toward building up
and improving that city since his coming.
W. B. KI]\"GSBURY, farmer; was born at Fairfax, Franklin Co., Vt., Oct. 12, 1826;
came from there to Ripon in 1854, where he has since resided, engaged in farming, dealing in land and
stock-raising. Mr. Kingsbury has been a member of the County Board, City Council, Chairman of his
ward, and an oflBcer of the Ripon Agricultural Association for several years. Feb. 27, 1850, he was mar-
ried at Fairfax, Vt., to Charlotte S. England, who was born in Georgia in that State; they have two chil-
dren living^George 0. and Frank W. Kingsbury.
JACOB KUFFESTKAM, manufacturer of cigars, and dealer in cigars, tobacco and smokers'
materials ; was born in Prussia March 13, 1845 ; came to America in September, 1856, locating in Mil-
waukee ; lived there eleven years, and then removed to Fort Atkinson for seven years ; returned to Mil-
waukee, whence, in November, 1878, he came to Ripon. Mr. Kuifenkam has been a cigar-maker since
he became 15 years of age, and has carried on business for himself thirteen years.
THOIIAS IjAJIBERT, boot and shoe manufacturer; was born in England in 1837, and is
the son of Henry and Hannah Lambert; his mother dying when he was 18 months old, he was brought
up by his grandparents on a farm in his native country; in 1855, he came to his father at Ripon, Wis.,
where he had settled a short time before ; here he began the shoemaker's trade with him, he having worked
at it in America since 1838. After serving a three-years apprenticeship, in 1861, he enlisted in the 3d
Wisconsin Battery, under Capt. Drury, of Berlin ; was in the battles of Stone River, Chiokamauga and
others ; was mustered out of service at Madison July 3, 1865. He then returned to Ripon and has since ,
continued his trade. In November, 1866, he was married to Miss Caroline Miller, a natipe of Germany;,
they have five children — Richard tl., Hannah H., Walter J., Emily, Theressa and Edwin. Mrs. L. is a
member of the Lutheran Church.
A. liAlVNIJIiCjr was born in Smithfield, Jefferson Co., Ohio, March 13, 1819; removed to Bur-
nett, Dodge Co., Wis., in 1847, where for ten years he was on a farm and in the machine business; in
1857, he came to Ripon and engaged in the lumber and planing-mill business, as well as contracting, build-
ing and architectural work. Mr. L. has held various city offices. He was first married, in Belmont Cc^
Ohio, to. Margaret McCune, who died in Dodge Co.; he was married a second time, in Dodge Co., to Jane
MoConnell; they had four children — Hannah Maria (now Mrs. Charles Bennett, of Ripon), Le Roy W.,
Alpheus M. and Elizabeth J. Mr. and Mrs. Lanning are members of the Congregational Church.
ALPHEUS M. LAIVXING, of the firm of A. Lanning & Son.; was born in the town of
Burnett, Dodge Co., March 21, 1852 ; he has been for several years engaged in the planing-mill and
lumber business with his father. He was married at Ripon. in September, 1876, to Maria Horton, who
was born in Springvale, Fond du Lac Co.; they have two children — George Le Roy and Charles.
HERBERT LEACH. This gentleman, one of the first to engage in the manufacturing busi-
ness in the city of Ripon, was born July 6, 1805, in Chenango, Broome Co., N. Y.; in 1829, he
removed to Susquehanna Co. Penn., and there was engaged in milling several years; in about 1846, he
returned to his native town, Chenango, N. Y. (now Corbettsville), where he remained until 1851, which
year he came to the city of Ripon, which has been his home since ; imnlediately after his coming to
Ripon, he engaged in the manufacture of carriages, wagons, etc., and did an extensive business for a num-
ber of years. Mr. Leach has been twice married; first in 1829, in Susquehanna Co., Penn., to Chaj:-
lotte D. Wilson, a native of Washington Co., N. Y.; she died iu February, 1861 ; their children are
Agnes M., wife of Stephen Fuller, South America; John A., now of Indianola, Iowa; Frank, also of
Indianola, Iowa ; Mary L., wife of E. L. Town, Washington, D. C; Julia, wife of A. S. Hall, South
America ; Daniel H. Name of Mr. Leach's present wife was Betsy Featherby ; she was born in Franklin
Co., Penn., came to Wisconsin in 1860, married Mr. Leach in 1863. Politically, Blr. L.- acts with the
Republican party ; he has recently retired from active life, and is now passing his time in ease and com-
petence, in a pleasant home, located on the Berlin road, in the suburbs of the city, where he owns about
fifty acres of land ; he is an enterprising citizen, and has always taken an active part in religious, educa-
cational and other interests of the city of Ripon.
EIPON. 897
MATTHEW lilM BERT, mason; was born in Yorkshire, England, Nov. 21, 1824; came
to Kellogg's Corners, Ilaeine Co., Wis., in 1842, where he remained one summer and one winter ; removed
to Bacine, where he resided, except three months in Chicago, until he came to Ripon, Aug. 8, 1846,
where he began the stonemason's trade; in January, 1852, he started for California, via New York and
the Isthmus of Panama, being three months on the journey ; about six months later he sailed for Aus-
tralia, landing at Sydney July 12, 1852, sponding nearly five years in Victoria Colony; in April, 1857, he
started for home, via London, arriving at Ripon July 3, 1857, where he has since resided. He was mar-
ried, Oct. 13, 1858, to Nancy Rrown, whose brothers, James and William, are in Minnesota, and George
in the San Francisco mint; she was born in Dalhousie, Lower Canada; they have two children living —
George B. and Maggie; and have lost two. Mr. L. has been Alderman of the First Ward, and six years
Director of District No. 5.
GEORGE L.IMBERT (deceased) ; was born Jan. 13, 1795, in Yorkshire, England ; his
wife, Margaret, and two daughters, came with him to America in 1842, and to Ceresco in 18 14 ; Mrs. L.
died in April, 1863 ; the children are Elizabeth, now Mrs. Chester Adkins ; E.len, now Mrs. Samuel
Hayes, of Dakota, Waushara Co., Wis., and Margaret, now Mrs. Thomas Clay, of Wautoma, Wis.
K. IvIBf DSEY, an early settler of Ripon ; was born in Wells, Rutland Co., Vt., June 10,
1809; in 18J9, he went to Harmony, Chautauqua Co.,N. Y., where he married, in 1840, Alvira Button;
sho was also a na'ive of Rutland Co., Vt., born June 16, 1811 ; in 1841, they came West and settled
near Janesville, Rock Co., Wis., where they remained until their coming to the town of Ripon in 1845 ;
at that time, he entered 320 acres of land, of which lie afterward sold 200 acres to a mill company, buy-
ing an interest in the mill, which he retained several years ; they moved into the city of Ripon in about
1862, where they have since lived. Their children are Joseph B. and Darius P., leading farmers and
stock-niiscrs of Dade Co., Mo. ; Mary, the eldest of those children ; Joseph married, in Ripon, Miss
Mary Miller. Until recently, Mr. Lindsoy has been engaged in active life, but now has retired on a com-
petence wliich he has secured by industry and untiring business energy.
JOSEPH M. EITTJLE, retired; was born at Benson, Rutland Co., Vt., Dec. 4,1819;
removed with his parents to the town of Randolph (since Richmond), Crawford Co., Penn., when 7 years
of ago ; at the ago of 15, removed to Rochester, N. Y. ; three years later, returned to Randolph ; came
to Utica, Winnebago Co., Wis., in i\Iay, 1846 ; to Rosendale three years ; then back to Utica, and to
Ripon in the fall of 1875. Mr. L. was the first Town Clerk of Utica ; afterward was Town School
Superintendent and Supervisor of Utica and Supervisor of Rosendale. He was the principal man
in securing soldiers' bounties during the war in Utica, and, as a test case, sued to compel the payment of
all bounties. He was, married, at Randolph, Penn., Sept. 8, 1845, to Cornelia A. Thrall, born at Gouv-
erncur, N. Y., ]\lay 2ii, 1825 ; they have four children living — Fred Eugene, residing at Ripon ; Cyrene
America, now Mrs. C. H. Hamilton ; Beach Wilbur, residing at Ripon, and Albert Grant, residing at
Ripon — all born in the town of Utica ; they have lost one — Caroline, who died Sept. 15, 1848, aged 7
•months.
__WILLIAM M. I^OCKWOOD, photographer; was born in Jorden, N. Y., April 13,
1835; removed with his parents in 1839, to Plainfield, AVill Co., III.; came with his mother to the town
of Chester, Dodge Co., in the sprin; of 1848, where tliey resided four years ; resided in Waupun until
1856 ; spent one year in 0-hkosli, and came to Ripon in 1857; Mr. L. has been engaged in the photog-
rapher's business i^ince 1853 ; he traveled one year as collector for a Jamestown (N. Y.) manufacturing
firm; tauj^ht music nine years ; was Secretary of the State Musical Society thirteen years; Vice Presi-
dent of the National Photographers' Association; member of the National Society of Art, and interested
in various local art and musical societies. Mr. L. invented a screen to harmonize the chemical vibrations
of different colors ; di'scovero 1 the photometry of colors ; took the gold medal, the hi^jhest award offered
by the National Photngraphers' Asociation at Philadelphia, for the best "retouched " photographic pro-
duction ; also owns and runs the pleasure steamer Camera on Green Lake. He is now preparing a lecture
on "Eieetricity and Physical Science." Mr. L. was married, in the town of Elo, Winnebago Co., Wis.,
Sept. 29, 1857, to Eunice N., daughter of David Snyder, of that town ; she was born near Dunkirk, N.
Y. lie has been burned nut three times — once at Oslikosh and twice at Ripon.
HOK. AEO^'ZO A. IjOPER, farmer; was born at Blenheim, Schoharie Co., N. Y., March
23, 1829 ; came with his parents, A. and Caroline Ryder Loper, to Sec. 3. town of Ripon, in 1847 ; his
father, who was for some time Justice of the Peace, followed farming and the practice of law until his
death, April 3, 1802 ;,hi3 mother died in August, 1863. Mr. Loper has followed farming and lumbering
on the Wisconsin River, residing on Sec. 3, town of Ripon ; he was Town Treasurer two years, Supervisor
seven or eight years, Chairman of the Town Board five or six years, member of the Assembly one term,
898 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
member of the Senate one term, and was appointed Superintendent of the Census, by President Hayes,
in February, 1880. He was married, first, at Ripon, in October, 1858, to Adelia Dunham, a native of
Ripon, who died in December, 1859; he was married to his present wife, Phoebe Elizabeth Palmer, a
native of Blenheim, N. Y., at Ripon, in March, 1861 ; they have five children — Herbert W., Adelia,
Alonzo, Edo;ar and Mabel.
HENRY LiUM, proprietor Lum's Hotel ; was born at Oxford, Conn., May 4, 1831 ; was in the
Mexican war in 1846, 1847 and 1848; came to Ripon in 1870; removed to Negaunee, Mich., a year
later and engaged in the hotel business two years; returned to Ripon, where he has since resided, opening
Lum's Hotel March 1, 1879. Mr. L. was married at Wolcott, Conn., Deo. 25, 1850, to Caroline Bying-
ton, a native of that place ; they have two children — Fannie E. and Lois E. Mr. L. was a charter mem-
ber of the Knights of Honor Lodge in Ripon.
FRED W. liXJTKE, of the firm of Lutke & Herzke, dry-goods merchants ; is a son of i\
W. Lutke, Sr., and Rosa Eckhorst ; born in Prussia in 1858 ; his father immigrated to America in 1858,
leaving Fred with his mother in Prussia ; he yas educated in the schools of Germany, and, in 1872 (his
mother having died), he came to his father in Fond du Lac Co., Wis., where he had a special course of
Study in the English branches, under a private teacher; in the spring of 1875, he began clerking in the
dry-goods store of Evessz & Weller, of Ripon, where he remained till August, 1879 ; in September, 1879,
he formed a copartnership with Mr. Herzke, and has since been a member of the dry-goods firm of Lutke
& Herzke ; he is a member of the Lutheran Church.
DAVID P. MAPES was bom in Coxsackie, N. Y., Jan. 10, 1798 ; he was the pioneer settler
and founder of Ripon ; before coming to Wisconsin, he was a prominent merchant, steamboat owner and
influential citizen of his native State, holding various ofiices of public trust, representing his district in
the State Legislature with credit; he was one of the founders of Ripon College, and to his indomitable
energy and perseverance are largely due the growth and institutions of the city ; in the history of Ripon,
it will be seen that he has been prominently identified with its material interests and improvements ; to
his exertions are owing, to a great extent, the public improvements of the place.
E. MAPES, merchant. Dexter, Minn.; residence, Ripon; was born in Sullivan Co., Penn.; has
been a resident of Ripon for a number of years ; he is extensively engaged in business in jMinnesota,
which requires his attention the greater part of the time. Sept. 13, 1858, he married in Ripon Susie C,
daughter of Tyler and Susan Sheperd, who settled in the city of Ripon in 1856 ; she was born in Colum-
bus, Chenango Co., N. Y., and came to this county with her parents ; her first husband, Henry Wright,
was born in Whitehall, Penn.; came to Wisconsin in 1848 ; settled in the town of Rosendale, where he
held various important oihees of honor and trust until his death, Jan. 12, 1869 ; children by this marriage
are George E. Wright, born in Rosendale Nov. 24, 1862; Minnie A., July 14, 1864; Hattie, Oct. 14,
1868. Mr. Mapes and wife are members of the Congregational Church. They own a large amount of
property in Minnesota and city property in Ripon ; they own an improved farm in Rosendale of 320 acres
of land and 800 acres in Stephen and Grant Cos., Minn.
ROBERT D. MASOIV, farmer ; was born in Goshen, Addison Co., Vt., March 29, 1821 ;
moved to Perrysburg, Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., in 1835; three years later, moved to Chautauqua Co., N,
Y., and, in May, 1845, joined the Wisconsin Phalanx at Ceresco, now Ripon ; Mr. M. has been Justice
of the Peace, Town Collector, Town Treasurer, -Alderman of First Ward two terms and a member of the
School Board several terms. He was married at Great Bend, Penn., May 15, 1850, to Eugenie Wilson,
born at that place Feb. 2, 1826 ; they have three children — Ida (now Mrs. Dr. Charles E. Phelps, of Ripon),.
Waldo R. (now of Minnesota) and Spencer E. (living at home).
NORHAIV A. MILEER, farmer. Sec. 34; P. 0. Ripon; was born in Columbia Co., N. Y.,
June 19, 1820 ; his parents, Benjamin T. and Mariah Miller, when he was 22 years of age, moved to
Luzerne Co., Penn., where his father died in the fall of 1842 and his mother in the spring of 1853. The
subject of this sketch, while living there, worked on the Pennsylvania Railroad as an overseer in getting
supplies and as an engineer of stationary engine at Incline No. 9, also worked at Inclines No. 3 and 4, on
the Delaware and Hudson Railroad; in the fall of 1853, came to the State of Wisconsin and settled where
he now resides, on a farm of ninety acres ; he has been Supervisor of the town of Ripon for two years.
He married Miss Olive Van Camp March 12, 1853 ; she was born in Wayne Co., Penn., Aug. 1, 1830;
her parents, John and Mary, natives of Sussex Co., N. J., settled in Wayne Co., Penn., in 1823, and, in
the fall of 1854, came West and made their home with Mr. Miller; her father returned to Pennsylvania
on a visit and died there in 1860; her mother remained and died at the home of Mrs. Bliller in Marchr
1874.
BIPON. 899'
IIATHE W lIILIiER, farmer, Sec. 7 ; P. 0. Kipon ; was born in Allegany Co., N. Y., Sept.
15, 1829 ; he came to the State of Wisconsin in the fall of 1849, and first settled in what is now Wau-
shara Co.; his parents, John and Sarah, afterward joined him and remained there six years. In 1855, Mr.
Miller came to this county and settled upon his present farm of fifty-five acres. His parents afterward
came from Waushara Co. to this township, where his father died in 1862, his mother now living with him.
Mr. Miller married, Oct. 18, 1857, Miss Roscville Wightman, daughter of Ezra and Ruby Wightman, of
Rutland Co., Vt.; her father came to the State of Wisconsin in 1855 and settled in Ripon Township, and,
after the death of her mother, which occurred in February, 1868, came to live with Mr. Miller; he is now
81 years of age. Mrs. Miller was born in Chautauqua Co., N. Y., May 8, 1837 ; they had four children,
three living — George, born May 17, 1864; Ezra, Aug. 31, 1871, and Ruby, Oct. 29, 1876, and one
deceased — Ella, born Nov. 14, 1858, died Oct. 29, 1865. They are members of the Presbyterian Church;
Mr. Miller is a Republican in politics.
G. W. JIITCHELIj, born in St. Albans, Vt.; came to McHenry Co., III., in September,
1841, and to Portage Co., Wisconsin Territory, in March, 1843. Held the ofiice of Sheriff of said
county during 1847 and 1848, and immediately thereafter the office of Clerk of Circuit Court, Register
of Deeds, and Clerk of the Board of Supervisors of same county. W^as engaged in merchandising until
1854, in connection with the lumber business ; moved to Ripon in the summer of 1855. Was Sheriff of
Fond du Lac Co. during 1857 and 1858, and was Senator from the 20th Senatorial District (then com-
posed of Fond du Lac Co.) during 1862 and 1863. Retained more or less of his lumber interest in the
pinery during his residence in Ripon, and moved to Diibuque, Iowa, in 1865 ; engaged in lumber busi-
ness in connection with his pinery interest ; moved to Milwaukee in the fall of 1875, where he now resides
and is still engaged in lumbering, under firm name of Gr. W. Mitchell & Son, at Stevens Point, Wis.
Was married to Lucy Pearson, at Beloit, Oct. 24, 1848 ; Mrs. M. was a native of Shelburne, Vt.; have
two children, a son £yid daughter — George S., now of Stevens Point, and Alice M., now the wife of C.
E. Lyman, for a long time a resident of Ripon, and at present time of this city.
J. B. MOREY, Metomen street, is a native of Rensselaer Co., N. Y.; was born in the town of
Nassau Feb. 28, 1827. He married in his native county, Nov. 16, 1848, Mary C. Coon, also a native of
Rensselaer Co. In 1854, they came to Wisconsin ; located on a farm in the town of Metomen, Fond du
Lac Co., where they remained about two years, at the expiration of which time they moved to the town
of Ripon, residing on a farm until 1865, when they moved to the sity of Ripon, where they have resided
since. They have one daughter — Miss Lena A.; Mr. Morey and family attend the M. E. Church ; he is
a Republican in politics. Owns 188 acres of land adjoining the city of Ripon, 160 acres in Green Lake Co.,
Wis., and forty acres in Wood Co.; he was for a number of years dealer in agricultural implements iu'
Ripon, and did an extensive business in that line ; has lately retired from active life and now is engaged
in no business except in overseeing the management of his farms, which requires most of his time.
EZRA IjATHROP NORTHRUP, capitalist, was born at Sherburne, Chenango Co., N.
Y., March 30, 1818; when a child was removed to Geneseo, N. Y.; at his majority began the clothing
business for himself and running a woolen-mill in Orleans Co., N. Y., which he continued five years ;
removed to a farm near Logansport, Ind., in 1844; came from there to Ripon in November, 1849, pur-
chasing a stock of goods at Milwaukee, with which he opened the first store in Ripon Jan. 1, 1850 ; was the
first Postmaster of Ripon, receiving his commission March 30, 1850 ; with Bfockway & Bellinger, ran
Ceresoo Mills one year from the fall of 1850 ; in the spring of 1851, began trading produce for logs near
Wausau, mostly on Trap River ;• purchased a saw-mill the next year and ran it until about ] 855 ; pur-
chased 320 acres of land within the city limits in 1854, one eighty at government price, one at $2.50 per
acre, one at $5, and one at 120 per acre, and, in 1864, sold it for $50 per acre ; Mr. N. was one of the
incorporators of Ripon College, with which he was connected until 1858; was a member of the county
Board in 1876 and 1878. He was married first at Ripon to Emily B. Brockway, who died, leaving one
child — Leland Lewis, and to his present wife, Catherine L. Brockway, in June, 1868 ; she was born in
Monroe Co., N. Y.
WILiLiIAM PAJ^IIITER, eclectic and clairvoyant physician. Sec. 24 ; P. 0. Ripon ; was
born in the town of Verona, Oneida Co., N. Y., Jan. 29, 1823 ; he came to Wisconsin in 1843, and first
settled at Pipersville, near Watertown, Jefferson Co.; engaged in his trade of carpenter for six years, then
moved into the village of Watertown, where he built and was proprietor ol the Boston Hotel for two
years; in 1851, he went to California, engaged in mining for nineteen months, then returned to Water-
town, and, having exchanged his hotel for a farm in the town of Omro, Winnebago Co., Wis., moved his
family on it and resided there for two years ; in 1855, he came to Fond du Lao Co., and settled in Ripon.
Township, on his present farm of 240 acres ; since his coming here he studied medicine, and for twenty
^00 BIOGKAPHICAL SKETCHES:
years has practiced in this county. He married Miss Harriet M. Piper, Dec. 31, 1848 ; she was born in
Erie Co., N. Y., Dec. 13, 1831 ; her parents, Benjamin and Sarah Piper, came from Erie Co., N. Y., to
Milwaukee in the year 1836, there being at that time only six white families in that place ; in 1837, they
went to Jefferson Co., Wis., Piporsvillc in that county beinji; named after her father; in 1853, they moved
to Dane Co., Wis., and purchised a section of land within twa and one-half miles of Bladison ; there her
father died April 4, 1876, at the age of 90 years 4 days ; Mr. and Mrs. Palmiter were blessed with
four children ; only one survives, viz., Ida M., born April 29, 1859, and married to Lewis Kellogg, of
Ripon Township, Jan. 28, 1880 ; of the three children deceased, only one wag named, viz., Leo. W.
DAIVIEL B. PARKHURST was born at Stockbridge, Windsor Co., Vt., in 1823 ; came
from llutland Co., Vt., to Berlin, Wis., in 1854; Mr. P. was a bookkeeper eight years in Berlin; agent
of the Star Union Line four years at St. Paul ; clerk of the Wisconsin State's Prison at Waupun eighteen
months, and has been agent for (ho C, M. & St. P. R. E,. .Co. for four and one-half years ; while a resi-
dent of Berlin, he was City Treasurer four years; served three years as one of the first School Commis-
sioners under the existing school system of that city, and was Alderman one term ; in 1878, he was elected
Alderman of the Second Ward of the city of Ripon. Blr. Parkhurst was married at Leicester, Vt., in
1851, to Cynthia Capron, a native of that place; they have three children — Alice, now Mrs. A. J. Parr,
of Columbus, Wis., George A. and Harry E.; they have lost two children — Lottie C, died at the age of
5il years, and Charles R. was three years old at the time of his death.
S. R. PATTEN, dentist ; was born at Rochester, N. Y., Sept. 8, 1847 ; lived three and one-
half years in Massaeliusetts ; came to Shields, Marquette Co., Wis., in 1859, where he resided until 21
years of ago, and came to Ripon in 1875 ; Dr. Patten has practiced dentistry eight years. He was mar-
ried at Marquette, Green Lake Co., Wis., Nov. 11, 1868, to Estelle B. Halleck,"bo-rn in Marquette ; they
have three children — Elmer Eugenei Alvin Edward and Folra A. Mr. and Mrs. P. are members of the
Congregational Church, and Mr. Patten is also a member of the Knisrlits of Honor.
JOHIV PEARSOX^ farmer ; P. 0. Ripon ; was born in Yorkshire, Engfand Dec. 19, 1839;
when lie was 4 years of age, his parents, Lealious and Harriet Pearson, moved to the State of Wisconsin,
and settled in Fountain Prairie Townsliip, Columbia Co., where his father died September, 1876 ; after
his death, his mother moved to Kansas City, where she now resides. The subject of this sketch, in 1860,
went to Colorado, and engagjd in mining for three years, then to Montana Territory, where he was
cng.igod in the business of freighting, mirohandising and stock for six years; from 1869, he was associa-
ted with his brother, Mitchell Pearson, in driving stock from Texas and Nevada, and disposing of the
same up to the year 1877, when he returned to Kansas City ; in 1878, he came to his present farm in the
limits <jf the city of Ripon. He married Miss Miza Field, Aug. 11, 1872 ; she was born in Columbia
Co., Wis., Jan. 17 1851 ; her parpnts, William E. and Josephine M., moved to Fountain Prairie, Colum-
bia Co., Wis., where they still reside; her father was a native of New York State ; her mother of Michi-
gan. Mr. Pearson is blessed with three children— 'John M., born May 18, 1874; Mary J., born June
29, 1876, and George C. born May 19, 1879.
CYRUS PEDRICK, m.rblo cutter; was born at North Silcm, Westchester Co., N. Y.,Dee.
31, 1831; came to Wisconsin in the fdl of 1848, and to Ripon in the early spring of 1849 ; he began
the marble business in the fall of 1860, and sold out Oct. 8, 1866 ; during fifteen years before and after
this, Mr. P. was engaged in building, and during ten years, from the fall of 1867 to Nov., 1878, was in
Milwaukee and Jliehigan. He was Alderman in Ripon one term ; he now represents Flint Bros., marble
manufacturers of Rutland, Vt.
MARCBLLUS PEDRICK was born in North Salem, Westchester Co., N. Y., Deo. 23,
1829 ; came to Taychecdah, Wis., in 1848; to Ripon early in 1849 ; built a houe and dated it, moving
in April 9, 1849 ; this hou-e was for the Pedrick family, was 12x24 feet, and the first one built in Ripon;
Blr. P.'s father, Samuel Podriuk, died in September, 1850, the second death in Ripon; Marcellus Pedrick
began mason work as soon as he arrived in Ripon, putting the foundation under Capt. Mapes' mill, Tag-
garts Bros.', store and the Ripon House; he continued mason work fifteen years, putting up most of the
buildings in Ripon during that time; then engaged in the lumber, wheat, wool and produce business;
built an elevator, which he still owns; biilt Opera Hall in 1869 ; began lumbering on a larger scale in
1870, buildinj; a mill at Faircliild, Miu Claire Co., Wis. Mr. P.'s mouther lives in Ripon with her daugh-
ter, Mrs. Baldwin. He was married at Fall River, Columbia Co., Wis., Feb, 10, 1357, to Mary A.
Smith, born in Yates Co., N. Y.. whose parents were early settlers in Columbia Co., Wis.; they have two
children — Edward S. and Samuel JI.
JOHN PERRIIVE, residence corner of Fond du Lac and Huston streets; was born in Mont-
gomery Co., N. Y., in 1804 ; has been twice married, first wife was Sarah Degoff, second wife, Deborah
^-^. .--^.^^^^^^'^t^iA/
RIPON
RIPON. 903
Puntup, both are deceased ; his children now living are Enoch, now of Ottawa Co., Mich. ; Sarah J., wife
of John Martin, this city ; Mary A., wife of David Beebe, Neb., he served in a New York regiment
during the war of the rebellion ; Harriet, wife of W. R Beebe, he was also a soldier in a New York reg-
iment during the war of the rebellion ; Margaret and Henrietta ; one son, Joseph^ in the 111th N. Y. V.
I., was captured in battle by the rebels and died in Libby prison ; Mr. Perrine came to Ripon in 1866,
and has made it his home ; he owns eighty acres of land and city property. Is a Republican in politics.
JOHN F. PETERSON, cutter to J. E. Brown, merchant tailor ; was born at Plahult,
Breured, Sweden, Aug. 1, 1838 ; came to Moline, 111., in 1863 ; six months later moved to Galesburg ;
one year later to Altona ; two years later to Chicago ; one year afterward to Galva, 111. ; six months after-
ward to New Boston, 111. ; one year later, to Keithsburg, 111.; another year later to Ripon, where he
worked one year for J. E. Brown ; then moved to Appleton, whence in February, 1879, he removed to
Ripon. Mr. P. was married at Galesburg, 111., Aug. 14, 1870, to Charlotte TJ. Tarsandcr, born in Elg-
hult, Sweden, in 1849; they have three children — John Albert, born March 18, 1872; Helena, born
March 28, 1874, and Lottie, born March 27, 1878.
A. W. PETTIBONE was bom at Fremont, Erie Co., Ohio, March 14, 1835; removed to
Portage, Wis., in 1850; spent two years in California and British America ; ret'irned to Lodi, Wis. ;
oame from there to Ripon in 1865, and built the Pettibone Block, in which he carried on the dry-goods
business ; in 1872, he erected a block of two stores ; in 1880 he removed his business to Leadville, Colo.
Mr. P. was first married to Lucy B. Peabody, at Cambria, Wis., who died May 22, 1873, leaving four
•children — Fred. C, Wm. B., Alice F. and Louis A.; he married again, July 1, 1876, to Flora J., daugh-
ter of H. W. Wolcott, who was born in Rosendale, this county ; they have one child — Jessie ; Mr. P. is
a member of the A., F. & A. M., and I. 0. 0. F.
DR. CHARLES E. PHELPS was bom at Bergen, Genesee Co., N. Y., April 28, 1827 ; at the
age of 19, came with his parents to Oak Grove, Dodge Co., Wis.; two years later, went to Berlin, Wis.;
in 1851, went to California ; two years later, removed to Genesee Co., N. Y., whence, the next year, he
returned to Wisconsin, which has since been his home, except during three years spent in Minnesota.
Since 1875, Dr. Phelps has resided at Ripon. He was married at Ripon in May, 1878, to Ida, daughter
of R. D. Mason, born at Ceresco. Dr. Phelps' father, Abner Phelps, a Major of artiHery and a veteran of
the war of 1812, now resides at Waupun, and is in his 90th year.
M. M. PINKERTON, farmer, Sec. 26 ; P. 0. Ripon ; was born in Landaff, N. H., Dec. 9,
1815; when he was 2 years of ago, his parents, David and Susanna Pinkerton, moved to Boscawen, N.
H., where they both died. The subject of this sketch came to the West when he was 21 years of age,
and settled at La Porte, Ind., for three years; then returned to New Hampshire, and, in 1856, came to
Wisconsin and settled in Waupun Township, Fond du Lac Co., on a farm of 280 acres ; in 1876, he caiie
to Ripon Township, where he now resides on a farm of 160 acres. He has been married twice ; his first
wife was Miss Jane Clarke (daushter of Samuel W. and L. Clarke, of Portland, Me.) ; they were married
Feb. 15, 1842; she died Sept. fS, 1846, leaving two sons — ^Myron W., born July 1 8, 1843, and Samuel
C, born Jan. 2, 1846. His second wife was Miss Sarah Noyes (daughter of Jeremiah and Martha Noyes,
of Boscawen, N. H., both of whom are dead); they were married Nov. 20, 1847 ; she was born in Bos-
cawen Sept. 1, 1815 ; they had four children, three living — Charles W., born Sept. 12, 1848, and married
Miss Emma Riley, now living in Gilman, Iowa; Ella M., born May 27, 1852, and George E., born Sept.
13, 1856, and one deceased ; Enoch, born Dec. 10, 1850, and died June 17, 1851. Mr. and Mrs. Pink-
erton arc members of the Congregational Church.
B. P. POTTER, farmer. Sec. 3; P. 0. Ripon ; was born in Schoharie Co., N. Y., March 7,
1824 ; his mother died when he was an infant, and his father in 1834 ; he learned the trade of shoemak-
ing with his uncle in Schoharie Co., but worked very little at his trade, having turned his attention to
farming pursuits ; he came to the State of Wisconsin in 1854, and first located in the town of Summit,
then Milwaukee Co., engaged in farming; in 1856, he moved to tliis county, and settled upon his pres-
ent farm of 100 acres. He married Miss Deborah Batoheller (daughter of David and Deborah Batcheller,
of Schoharie Co., N. Y.), Oct. 4, 1857 ; they have two children — Mary L., bom Sept. 5, 1860, and Frank
J., born Jan. 2, 1866. Mr. Potter is a Republican.
A. B. PRATT was born at Skowhegan, Somerset Co., Me., March 27, 1817 ; came to Ripon
June 8, 1856, where he has since resided and carried on business ; the first year after coming to Ripon
Mr. Pratt engaged in farming, but has ever since been engaged in the lumber business, dealing in produce,
and more lately in coal and Iowa and Minnesota lands also ; he has been Alderman and Supervisor of the
First Ward two years ; Clerk of District No. 2, fifteen years, a nd was Deputy U. S. Marshal four years
■during the war. He was married Aug. 19, 1852, in the town of Gray, Me. — his wife's native place — to
904 BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES:
Lydia Ann King ; they have lost three children, and have four living — Gardner C, Lyman A., Charles-
L. and Meda F. Mr. Potter, who was never ill a day in his life, is a Mason, a member of all the temper-
ance organizations, and helped to enforce the Maine liquor law.
(mARDXEB C. PRATT, lumber dealer; was born at Skowhegan, Me., Aug. 28,1853;
came to Ripon with his parents in 1856; he spent 1875-76 in the lumber business in California, and.
then became his father's successor in the lumber business at Ripon, which he now carries on.
liYMAlV A. PRATT, proprietor of lumber-yard ; is a native of Maine, born 1855 ; when 9
months old, with parents, he removed to Ripon, Wis.; they settled first on a farm near the city, but, two
years later, his father disposed of that, moved to the city and became engaged in the lumber trade. L. A.
was educated in the public schools and college of Ripon ; in 1870, he began with his father in the lumber
trade, , and, in 1876, he went into partnership with his brother, and with him continued the business till
June, 1879; he then bought out the firm of Hillman & Yorty, lumber dealers, and has since continued
the business alone. In 1875, he was married to Miss Fannie, daughter of J. A. and Mary Thomas, of
Ripon ; their children are Mattie and Laura. Mrs. Pratt is a member of the Congregational Church.
HOX. liEWIS E. REED, attorney; was born at Stockbridge, Madison Co., N. Y.; came
with his parents to Green Lake Prairie, near Ripon, in 1858 ; came to Ripon, his home since then, in
1866. Judge Reed taught school before studying law, the practice of which he began in Ripon. He
served in Co. B, 1st W. V. C, from August, 1861, to August, 1863. He has been Municipal Judge since
1869. His wife was Angeline J. Wolcott, daughter of Henry W. Wolcott ; they have two children, a
son and daughter.
FERDKAXD REICHIIIIETII, baker, confectioner and proprietor of ice-cream parlors on
Main St.; was born in Saxony in 1832 ; came to America with his parents in 1846, and located near
Watertown, Jefferson Co., Wis., where his father followed farming ; at the age of 14 ho entered upon an
apprenticeship at the baker's trade in Watertown, Wis., and continued. the trade there two years ; he spent
the next five years in travel, and, in 1853, established himself in the bakery and confectionery
business in Belvidere, 111., continuing the business there eleven years ; he came to Ripon in 1865, and has
since successfully carried on the business of a baker, confectioner and is proprietor of a splendid suit of
ice-cream parlors on the east side of Main st, In 1853, at Watertown, Wis., he was married to Clotilde
Graf; they have three sons — Edward, Herman and Charles ; their first child was Caroline, who died itt
infancy. Mr. R. and family attend the Lutheran Church.
EDMUXD li. RIJNAJLS, attorney ; was born at Arcade, N. Y.; studied law but did not
practice in that State; came to Sec. 36, Ripon, in September, 1846 ; afterward lived on Sec. 2, Metomen,
until 1852 ; May 1, 1852, came to Ripon and was elected Justice of the Peace ; in winter of 1853 and
spring of 1854, was engaged in surveying and taking subscriptions for the Milwaukee & Horicon Railway ;
was admitted to the bar in 1854, and began practicing law, which he has continued since, residing in Ripon ;
Mr. Runals has carried on farming, tax certificates and other business in connection with his law practice.
He has been Superintendent of Public Schools in Ripon and Sletomen ; Assessor of Ripon Township
three years ; Member of the Assembly io 1857 and 1858 — two terms; Municipal Judge, four years;
City Attorney, five years ; Alderman and Supervisor two terms — -the last time in 1879. Before coming
West BIr. Runals spent four years at Bethany and Strykersville in school. He wa& married at Livonia,
Mich., July, 1847, to Dorliska Avery, born near Java Lake, N, Y.; they have one child— Willie T.
JASEN C RCSSELIj, Metomen street, Ripon ; is a native of Manlius, Onondaga Co., N.
Y. ; was born Jan. 4, 1816. He married, in his native county, Julia Balsley, also a native of Manhus,
Onondaga Co. ; in 1855, they came to Wisconsin, located in the town of Ripon, Fond du Lac Co., on a
farm where they resided until 1864, in which year they moved to the city of Ripon, where they have
resided since; their children are Marian S., wife of Dr. J. H. Callender, Harper Co., Kan.; Dora C,
wife of C. A. Peck, Berlin, Wis. ; Louise H., wife of Rev. W. F. Randolph, Munster, Monmouth Co.,
N. J. ; Miss Carrie P. Mr. Russell and wife are leading members of the M. E. Church, in which he
has been Trustee and Steward a number of years. In politics, Mr. R. is a Republican. He takes a deep
interest in public affairs, and was always active in the advancement of the reUgious, educational and other
public interests in the city of Ripon.
PETER SCHMIDT, teacher ; was born at Kappeln, Prussia, June 28, 1855 ; came to
America in June, 1873, and, after remaining a short time in Chicago, entered the Amherst Seminary in
1874, from which he graduated April 4, 1877. He then began teaching in Columbia, Monroe Co., lU-r
where he remained until coming to Ripon in October, 1879. He is the first teacher employed in the
Germail Evangelical Lutheran School.
RIJ>ON. 905
LOUIS SCHNEI1>ER (deceased) was bora in Prussia, Germany, Sept. 22, 1827 ; he
learned the trade of a mason, and carried it on in Germany ; in 1853, he came to the United
States, and came direct to Wisconsin and settled in the city of Ripon, where he was engaged
in his trade of mason up to 1861, when he moved upon his farm, on Sec. 25, of Ripon
Township, containing 106 acres, where he resided up to the day of his death, which occurred
Aug. 14, 1879 ; up to a week before his death, he worked in the masonry of his present
residence. He married Miss Wilhemina Shaver April 20, 1850 ; her parents, Martin and Elizabeth
Shaver, came to'the United States, and settled in the city of Ripon in 1858 ; her father after-
ward went to Iowa, and died there. Mr. and Mrs. Schneider had ten children, nine living — Amelia A.,
born May 8, 1852, now Mrs. Hugo Snyder, of Fond du Lac Township; Lewis, May 8, 1858 ; William,
born March 12, 1860; Edward, May 8, 1862; Helen E., March 12, 1864; Bertha J., May 20, 1866;
Julius, April 20, 1868 ; Emma, Sept. 18, 1870 ; and Hattie, Oct. 14, 1872, and one deceased — August,
born August 18, 1857, died July 3, 1858.
HIJOO SCHUIjTZ, of the firm of Schultz & Broi, dealers in groceries and harness manufact-
urers, is a native of Prussia, born in 1847 ; he, with his brother, came to America in 1865, and landed in
Baltimore, Md., in September ; thence he came direct to Ripon, Wis., where for two years he followed
clerking in a grocery store; in 1867, he went to Chicago, 111., where for four years he clerked in a meat
market; in 1871, he returned to Ripon, and with his brother, P. C, established a grocery and liquor
store, of which they have since been proprietors. He is a member of the I. 0. O. P., and Sons of
Hermann.
F. CARIi SCHUIiTZ, brother and partner of Hugo Schultz, above named, was born in
Prussia in 1840, immigrated to America and settled in Ripon in 1865, where he has since worked at the
harness trade most of the time. In 1871, with his brother, he formed a copartnership in grocery, liquor
and harness business.
E. li. SCOFIELiD, editor and proprietor of the Ripon Commonwealth, was born in the town
of Bosendale, Pond du Lac Co., Nov. 13, 1851 ; he lived with his parents until he was 20 years old,
helping to " run the farm " in the summer and attending school during the winter, when he determined
to learn the printer's trade, and to that end engaged himself to Oliver Bros., of the Waupun Leader,
where he remained for three and one-half years, during which time he gave good satisfaction, and mastered
the profaesion ; in the spring of 1875, he came to Ripon and purchased a half-interest in the Ripon Com-
monwealth, and shortly after became sole proprietor. He has gieatly improved the paper since becoming
the owner.
OEOROE SEATH, farmer, Sec. 18, P. 0. Ripon; was born in Fifeshire, Scotland, Dec. 25,
1807 ; he came to the United States in 1835, and first settled in the city of New York, where he lived
for five years, when he moved to Delaware Co., N. Y.; in 1855, he came from there to Wisconsin, and
settled in Ripon Township, Fond du Lac Co., on the farm upon which he now resides ; he has always
been a farmer; his parents, George and Margaret A. Seath, both died in Scotland. He married, Deo. 20,
1833, Miss Jennie Owen (daughter of William and Allison Owen, of Scotland, both of whom died there) ;
she was born in Fifeshire, Scotland, Feb. 20, 1812. They had six children, five living, viz. : George,
born Oct. 14, 1834 — he was twice married, his first wife being Miss Phoebe Larrabee, who died, leaving
five children, Ira, William, George, Ella A. and Oscar — his second wife was Miss Anna Harrison, and
they have two children, Jennie and Pardon T., and are living in Minnesota; Allison L., born Feb. 22, 1840,
married to Miss Mary Sever, and living in Minnesota — they have one child, Clinton, born July 12, 1875 ;
Margaret, born May 24, 1843, married to Pardon Tucker, of Fairwater, Wis. — they have two children,
Clayton W., born July 1, 1872, and Ardie, Sept. 2, 1875; Elizabeth, born May 8, 1845; James, Sept.
6, 1849, and married to Miss Abbie Welcome, of the city of Ripon ; and one deceased, John T., born
April 25, 1837, died March 16, 1841.
ROBERT SHEL.DOX, farmer, Sec. 10, P. 0. Ripon ; born in Franklin Co., N. Y., Dec. 17,
1825 ; at the age of 11, he came with his father, Rodney Sheldon, to the State of Michigan, his mother
having died when he was 9 years of age ; after remaining in Michigan three years, they came to Wiscon-
sin, and first settled in the town of Pleasant Prairie (then in Racine Co., but now known as Kenosha
Co,), where the subject of this sketch was engaged in teaming and thrashing; in 1851, he crossed the
Plains to California, mining and prospecting while there ; at the end of four months, he shipped for Aus-
tralia, landing in Sydney after a voyage of seventy-seven days, where he still engaged in mining ; he then
packed " seven hundred miles to Victoria colony, and from there, four monchs afterward, " packed " to
Melbourne, and from there shipped to Liverpool and thence to New York ; in January, 1853, came to Wis-
consin, and first located at Ripon, in this county, and shortly afterward purchased the farm of 150 acres upon
906 BIOUEAPHICAL SKETCHES:
which he now resides, and engaged in farming pursuits ; since ^his residence here, he has made another
trip to California, and returned upon the first through train on the Union Pacific Railroad in 1869. He
married Miss Abbie P. Finkham (daughter of Orrin and Joanna Finkham, of Woodstock, Vt.), on the
30th of June, 1853; they were married in Green Lake Co., Wis., her parents having moved West and
settled there, being among the pioneers of that county; both are no\i dead ; Mr. Sheldon's father died in
1863.
DR. GEORGE JS. SHAW, homceopathic physician and surgeon, was born at West Troups-
burg, Steuben Co., N. Y., Aug. 24, 1827, where he resided until 17 years of age; then entered Alfred
Academy; then engaged in teaching, and studying medicine for a time; graduated from the New York
College of Physicians and Surgeons ; attended the Western Reserve College, at Cleveland, Ohio, and began
practicing in New York State; in the fall of 1855, Dr. S. came to Darlford, Green Lake Co., Wis.;
two years later, he moved to Appleton, and, in 1862, to Ripon, confining himself to the practice of medi-
cine ever since coming to Wisconsin. He was married in Steuben Co., N. Y., in 1852, to May G.
Goodell, a native of Oneida Co.; they have two children — William B. and Eva J. Dr. S. is a member of
the Wisconsin Homoeopathic Society and of the American Institute of Homoeopathy.
S0.1IERS SHERWOOD, dairyman; P. 0. Ripon; was born in Onondaga Co., N. Y., Jan.
11, 1825 ; his parents were Daniel and Diantha Sherwood ; he came to Wisconsin in 1845, and settled in
the town of Metomen, Fond du Lac Co., engaged in farming; in 1864, became to the city of Ripon, and,
after living there three years, moved to his present farm ; he is engaged entirely and largely in the dairy
business, supplying the city of Ripon, now milking fifty cows and steadily increasing the number ; his
farm adjoins the city limits. He married Miss Theodosia Kellogg March 31,1863; she was born in
Norwalk, Conn., Aug. 3, 1838 ; her parents were Charles and Taney, Kellogg, her father a native of Nor-
walk, her mother of Somerstown, N. Y.; Mr. and Mrs. Sherwood are blessed with two children — Ellen,
born Dec. 30, 1863, and Ralph M., Jan. 16, 1866. Members of Congregational Church.
C. F. SHUTE, blacksmith ; P. 0. Ripon ; was born in Champlain, Clinton Co., N. Y., July
26, 1816 ; at the age of 16, he went to Keeseville, Essex Co., N. Y., where he learned the trade of black-
smithing, remaining there until 1856, when he came to Wisconsin and first settled in Oahkosh,
remaining there one year, and from there to Ripon Township until 1859, when he went to Oregon
for one year and from there to the Chippewa Reservation, Minn., engaged in his trade of black-
smithing; in 1863, he returned to Ripon Towaship to his shop on Sec. 18, which he at present
carries qn, having connected with him his son, P. C. Shute, as a wheelwright ; he has held
the oflSce of Justice of the Peace one term. He married twice; his first wife was Miss Mar-
garet Adgate, daughter of Luther Adgate ; they were married Deo. 31, 1839 ; she died in 1852, leaving
three children, one living — ^Frederick C. ; two deceased, viz., George Henry, and Dexter B., who enlisted
in Co. H, 20th W. V. I., and was killed at the battle of Prairie Grove, Ark., Djc. 7, 1862. His second
wife was Miss Mary T. Butler, daughter of Norris and Mary A. Butler of this township ; they were mar-
ried Oct. 14, 1853 ; they have four children — Phineas C, Margaret L., George D. and Herbert M.
Mr. and Mrs., Shute are members of the Methodist Church. His politics are Republican.
HENRY C. SMITH, farmer. Sec. 19 ; P. 0. Ripon; was born in Orleans Co., N. Y., Sept. 24,
1838 ; when he was 10 years of age, his parents, Elisha and Mary Smith, came West and settled in Iowa
Co., Wis., remaining there three years; in 1851, came to Green Lake Co., and in 1862 came to Fond du ,
Lac Co., and settled in the city of Ripon ; his mother died there in the fall of 1867 ; the next spring his
father moved to the farm on Sec. 19, where he died in June, 1872 ; the farm contains eighty acres; he
subject of this sketch remained with them, and now resides upon the homestead. Mr. Smith married,
July 4, 1859, Miss Helen Clarke ; she was born in Madison Co., N. Y., June 16, 1843 ; her parents,
Stephen and Susan Clarke, came West in 1856, and settled in the town of Brooklyn, Green Lake Co.,
where they now reside; Mrs. Smith had three children, two living — Jennie E., born July 7, 1863, and
Fred, April 5, 1866 ; one dead— Frank, born Feb. 4, 1861, died March 10, 1868.
J. S. SOULE, farmer. Sec. 17, P. 0. Ripon ; was born in Franklin Co., Vt., Aug. 6, 1817 ; up to the
age of 23 years, assisted his parents in farming; his father died in Fairfax, Vt., in the year of 1847; the
subject of this sketch came to the State of Wisconsin in 1839 ; after remaining until the next year, returned
to Vermont for three years; he then engaged in the business of a tanner, in the town of Fairfax, Frank-
lin Co., Vt., for six years, up to 1850; he then went to Fairfax I'alls, and carried on the lumbering busi-
ness for two years, after which he engaged in farming, up to 1863, when he came again to the State of
Wisconsin, and settled in Ripon Township, in this county, on Sec. 17, where he has ever since resided.
He married Miss Mariah P. Kingsbury, dau-hter of John and Sarah Kingsbury, of Fairfax, Vt., on the
14th day of March, 1847 ; she was born in Fairfax, Vt., May 15, 1829 ; they had ten children, viz.: Sarah
RIPON. 907
M., wife of Leonard Mowers, ot Da-kota Territory, born Dec. 6, 1847; Hiram A., engaged in the survey-
ing business in Dakota Territory, born March 30, 1853; John K., born Sept. 11, 1857; Elmer E., Nov.
30, 1861 ; Venetia H., March 6, 1804; Oscar B., Feb. 1, 1866; Mabel C, Jan. 24, 1868; and Lucretia
H., born Feb. 16, 1870; and two died — Ida L., born Aug. 9, 1855, died April 17, 1858, and Hortense
L., born Nov. 1, 1850, died Sept. 17, 1862. Mr. Soule is a Republican.
D WIGHT F. STIJLI^MAIV, Professor of Music in Ripon College; was born at Sheffield,
Mass., June 29, 1847 ; was educated in that State ; removed to Salisbury, Conn., in 1868, where he began
teaching, being also organist in Dr. Adam Reed's church for ten years ; Prof S. received his musical
education principally in New York City ; was an orchestral musician during his teens ; taught music in
North Egremont, Mass., before going to Salisbury ; came to Ripon in 1878, where he has since taught
mu.sic in Ripon College ; he is also a composer of music, mostly for the church and concert-room, some of
his compositions being " The Lord My Shepherd Is," " The India Mail," " Gallop Biilliante," etc.
JACOB C. STOIiLER, livery stable proprietor; was born in Johnstown, now Mohawk,
Montgomery Co., N. Y., Sept. 14, 1815 ; removed to Bradford, Rock Co., Wis., in 1855, where he engaged
in agricultural pursuits twenty-two years, and then came to Ripon in 1878. He was married at Pala-
tine, Montgomery Co., N. Y., Jan. 12, 1842, and has six children living — Mary M., now Mrs. Cephas
Perry, of Nashua, Iowa ; Christian A., Anna, now Mrs. J. P. Gardner, of Bradford, Iowa ; Gertrude, now
Mrs. Fred Ilayden. of Neenah, Wis.; Luetta and Frank E.; they have lost three — George H., Eddie and
Edward E. Mr. and Mr.^. S. are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
CHRISTIAN A. ISTOLLER, livery stable proprietor ; was born in Montgomery Co., N.
Y., March 5, 1849 ; came to Bradford, Rock Co., Wis., about 1855, and engaged in farming; in 1875, he
removed to Oshkosh, and engaged in the manufacture of gloves and mittens, and in 1878 came to Ripon
and began the livery business in company with his father. He was married at Oshkosh, Dec. 12, 1877,
to Mary P. Scott, who was born in the State of New York.
THOllAS DE VIL/IiO STOXE was bom at Marble Dale, Litchfield Co., Conn., Nov. 22,
1848; shortly after his birth, his parents removed to Stamford, Conn., where they resided until the lad
was 6 years old ; allured by the stories of the great fortunes awaiting those who went " West," his parents
moved, in 1854, to Tioga, Penn., which was then regarded, by New Englanders, as " out West ;" the fol-
lowing few years were spent in this locality, where the subject of this sketch became familiar with all the
phases of pioneer life in the lumber region ; at an early age, he showed an intense love for books and also
developed a fondness for the ordinary studies of the common school ; by dint of hard work summers, he
managed to earn enough to keep himself in school winters. Between the ages of 13 and 15, his father, who
was then in charge of the Public Document Department of the House at Washington, D. C, called the
" Folding Rooms," secured for him the position of messenger. These years of 1863 and 1864 were filled
with many important events at the capital, and no observing young man 14 years old could be an eye-wit-
ness of them without being greatly benefited thereby. After the close of the war, he returned to his
home, and at once entered an excellent private school, where he devoted his whole time to the acquisition
of knowledge, with a view of making teaching his life work. When 18 years old, he was the happy
possessor of a legal license to teach school in Tioga Co., and the following wintei: found him busy in his
new vocation among the " Charleston Hills." The few years following, he devoted his energies to teach-
ing and the study of Blackstone, not failing to be made familiar with all the vicissitudes incident to such
labor in those localities, including the beauties of " boarding around." The spring of 1868 found our
Kentucky teacher, with all his earthly possessions in a, grip-sack, en route for Kansas. During this year,
lie visited most of the attractive localities oi Nebraska, Kansas and Northern Missouri, with a view of not
only finding'a place to locate himself, but for his father's family also. Finding no locality that seemed to
answer the requirements, he returned to the East and again went to teaching in the same school that he
taught before his trip West. But,- when the Western fever gets seated in a young man's system, there is
no way of eradicating it; hence, in the fall of 1869, Mr. Stone settled at Trempealeau, Wis., where he
took up his former calling. Teaching was his forte ; he never had charge of a school without being urged,
by the authorities, to renew his contract. In the fall of 1871, he purchased an interest in the Trempea-
leau County Record, and divided his time between the duties of the office, the schoolroom and the study
of law. In January, 1873, the proprietors of the Record sold that newspaper to Bunn & Luce, of Gales-
ville, and Mr. Stone and his late partner, A. P. Booth, started the Wisconsin Good Templar, the official
organ of the I. 0. G. T., at Madison, Wis. Soon after its establishment, the office was moved to Ripon,
Wis. Here the entire editorial work of this paper and of the Free Press, which was soon after purchased
by Stone & Cramer, was performed by the first named. On Dec. 31, 1876, Mr. Stone was married to
Miss Carrie Allen, daughter of Chauncy Allen, one of the pioneer editors of Ripon ; they now have two
908 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
children, a three-year old and one-year old, girls. Since its purchase in 1874, the Ripon Free Press has
been edited solely by Mr. Stone, and thougth a radical, uncompromising Prohibitionist of the third party
stripe, and one who never fails to express his opinion in unmistakable terms on all current topics, still his
patronage has steadily increased, and the influence of his paper, as an exponent of true temperance doc-
trine, has extended far beyond the limits of the town in which it is published.
B. V. STRONG, farmer, Sec. 2 ; P. 0. Ripon ; was the second of three sons of Nathan H.
and Sarah Strong, of Coldwater, Mich., and was born in that place Sept. 4, 1839 ; when he was 6 months
old his parents moved to near Southport, now Kenosha, WiS;, and settled there; in 1840, his father moved
to Ceresco, and was one of the founders of what was known as the " Fourierite settlement ;" becoming dis-
satisfied with that organization, he determined to locate elsewhere ; with that intention he first reached Fox
River, near what is now Princeton, and, the river being frozen over, skated down it to O.shkosh, stoppina;
at various poitits ; he then returned and " stuck hLs stakes" at the point afterward called " Strong's Land-
ing," considering that the best place to locate ; here he built himself a cabin, being the only settler there
for one year, and afterward laid out what is now known as the city of Berlin. He died at Berlin in 1852.
The subject of this sketch, in 1859, went to Pike's Peak prospecting and mining, remaining there nearly
two years ; he then came to Pond du Lac Co., and purchased the farm of 240 acres upon which he now
resides. He holds now the oiEce of Town Treasurer, and has for four years. He married Miss Phoebe J.
Sage, Jan. 15, 1862; htr parents were Benjamin R. and Mariah Sage, of Schoharie Co., N. Y., who
moved West in 1847, and were among the first settlers of the county ; they both died on the homestead
on Sec. 10 of this township. Mr. Potter has six children — Emma A., Abbie P., Jessie M., Benjamin F.,
Jr., Louis G. and Luella G-., twins. Of the two brothers of Mr. Potter, the eldest, Lewis G., was killed at
Fredericksburg (in our lato civil war) in 1863, and the youngest, James R., at the same place in 1864.
SAMUEL SUJIxVER, Mayor ; was born at Appleton, Waldo (now Knox) Co., Me., Oct. 21,
1819 ; came from Maine to Ripon, where he landed May 11, 1850 ; began the mercantile business Sept.
1 of the same year, in company with Dana F. Shepard, who remained in the firm less than a year ; in
1853, A M. Skeels became Mr. Sumner's partner, remainingtwo years, and afterward a Mr. Fish was his
partner one year. Mr. Sumner's store was the second one in Ripon. He was a member of the City
Council in 1871-73; served as Mayor in 1867, and now fills that office; was Town Clerk three years
from 1851 ; has been for ten years Treasurer of the Second Ward School Board ; is a member of the Con-
gregational Church ; has been Treasurer of Ripon Cemetery Association about fifteen years ; has been a
member of all the temperance organizations ; is a member of the Lodge of A., F. & A. M ; he was Alder-
man in 1870, Alderman and Supervisor in 1871, and Alderman in 1872. Mr. Sumner was married at
Ripon Sept. 17, 1861, to Martha J. Leonard, a native of the town of Sharon, Vt.; th^y have one child
living— Lizzie, born Dec. 12, 1867; lost one daughter, Martha Ella, she was born Nov. 25, 1862, and
died July 28, 1875.
JOHN P. TAGGART was born at Wyoming, Wyoming Co., N. Y., Feb. 8, 1823 ; removed
to Pleasant Grove, Ind., with his brother in 1845; removed to Neenah, Wis., in July, 1848, where he
followed the mercantile business, and came to Ripon in September, 1830. Although not present, his
brother, William M., who removed to Greenfield, 'Mo., in 1869, was associated with him in business; they
finished the large block, already begun just north of the First National Bank, and opened business the
same month (September), keeping a general store. Taggart Brothers closed out their business in Ripon
in 1867, and BIr. Taggart is now retired. He is a member of the Episcopal Church, and was a member
of the County Board io 1877. He was married at Ripon, Feb. 14, 1854, to Susan Davis, born at Utica,
N. Y.; they have one child— Alice Louise, now Mrs. B. J. Martin.
MA J. HIRAM S. TOWN, Postmaster, was born at Cornwall, Canada, Jan. 16, 1833; son
of Sylvanus and Isabella Town, who settled at Joliet, 111., in 1838 ; Mrs. Town, with Hiram S. and
Edward D., came to Ripon, or Ceresco, July 5, 1844, and began farming, which was carried on several
years. In 1849, Maj. Town began clerking in Ceresco; succeeded Wm. Starr in the mercantile business
in 1857, in which he continued until entering the army, enlisting in October, 1862, in the 1st W. V. C;
Maj. Town was with his regiment in all its engagements ; was promoted to Captain ; was recommended for
promotion to Major, but not having men enough was mustered out by order of the War Department in
March, 1865. After returning home he settled up the business he left on entering the army. He has been
Sheriff two years ; State Senator two years ; Mayor of Ripon one year ; President of the Council four
years; Clerk of the Ceresco School Board several years; appointed Postmaster in 1870 ; re-appointed in
1874, and again in 1878. He was married at Ripon, in June, 1855, to Emily E. Stevens, a native of
Illinois, whose father, Orin Stevens, was ^t Fort Dearborn, now Chicago, and was an early settler of
Kenosha Co.; they have three children — Donaldson C, Maggie Belle and Bessie Campbell.
BIPON. 909
^ 1IR$^. CLORISSA T. TRACY, Instructor in Algebra and Botany, Kipon College ; is a
native of Susquehanna Co., Penn.; her parents, Stephen and Lucy Tucker, were natives of Vermont;
she received her early education in the academies of Susquehanna and Wayne Cos., Penn., but completed
her studies at the Troy Female Seminary, at Troy, N. Y.; she began teaching when only 14 years of
age, continuing her studies, however, until she left Troy in 1843 and went to Honesdale, wliere she
accepted the position of Principal and teacher in the Young Ladies' Seminary at that place, where she
had previously taught. In 1844, she was married, and only devoted a portion of the time to teaching
until the time of Mr. Tracy's death, which occurred in 1848 ; then she resumed her position as Principal
in the Seminary and remained there until 1856 ; she then came to Neenah, Wis., and conducted a private
school for three years ; in 1859, she came to Ripon and has held successively the positions of General
Superintendent of the Ladies' Department, Principal of same department and Matron of Ripon College,
and has always, since coming here, taught algebra and botany in the College. At the time of her hus-
band's death, she was left with two children, a daughter and son ; the daughter died three years later ;
her son, James H. Tracy, graduated from Ripon College in 1868 ; he then entered upon the study of
medicine in Chicago, and, a year later, entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons, in New York
City, from which institution he graduated ; during the Franco-Prussian war he was Assistant Hospital Sur-
geon, at Berlin, Prussia ; he is now settled in the practice of his profession at Escanaba, Mich.
WILLilAlI M. TREAXORB, wagon and carriage maker; was born in Scotland Jan. 3,
1830 ; came to New York City, where he resided two years, in 1852 ; removed from there to Springfield,
Mass., where he remained five years; then came to Wisconsin ; came to Ripon in 1863. M*-. T. began
carriage-trimming in 1845 ; he is now a member of the firm of Treanore & Blodgett, wagon and carriage
makers. He was married at Pittsfield, Mass., in August, 1854, to Martha Bennett, a native of the town
of Bolton, N. Y.; they have three children — Helen E., Vincent O. and Water P.; William E. died when
18 months old. Mr. T. has been Alderman of the First Ward two terms.
WILlilAM W. D. TURNER, attorney; was born at Quincy, 111., June 1, 1836, whence
he moved with his parents to Edina, Knox Co., Mo., in 1837 ; this was his residence until 1859, when he
moved to Lebanon, Mo., being admitted to the bar the same year. Mr. T. was elected to the convention
called to determine whether Mis.souri should remain in the Union ; was the youngest member of that
body and an "unconditional Union man." He entered the army in June, 1861, and was three months in
the Home Guard ; raised the 20th Mo. V. I., which was mustered out in the fall of 1864. After leaving
the army, he went to New Orleans, where he was Judge Advocate of the Provost Court until ]May 11,
1865, when he went to Mobile, Ala.; in 1873-74, he was City Attorney of Mobile ; in September, 1877,
Col. T. came to Ripon, where he has since practiced his profession, being a member of the law firm of
Dobbs & Turner; in 1876, he was the Republican candidate for Congress in Alabama, and, in 1878, the
Republican candidate for District Attorney of Fond du Lac Co.
COL. C. H. UPIIAII, retired ; was born at Westminster, Worcester Co., Mass., Feb. 18, 1828 ;
came to Niles, Mich., in 1848; came to Racine, Wis., where he engaged in the forwarding and commis-
sion business, in 1853 ; at Racine he was City Clerk and Comptroller, and in the army was Captain of
the Commissary and Subsistence, Department of the Gulf. In 1866, Col. U. went to Shawano, Wis.,
and engaged in mercantile pursuits until 1877, when he came to Ripon. He was married at Westminster,
Mas3., in Novetnber, 1851, to Amanda E. Gibbs, a native of that State ; they have two children — Fred
W. and Kittie J.
JACOB VERMIIiYE, retired ; is a native of Fishkill, Dutchess Co., N. Y. ; born in 1804,
and is the son of William and Cynthia Vermilye ; he devoted much of his earlier life to lumbering ; in
1831, he located in Troy, N. Y., and was employed in the construction of the railroad from Albany to
Schenectady, N. Y., and afterward followed various kinds of business in New York till 1853 ; in April of
that year, he came to Wisconsin and settled on a farm of 160 acres in the town of Metomen, Fond du
Lae Co., and made farming his vocation till October, 1875, when he removed to the city of Ripon, and he
has lived a more retired life. Oct. 6, 1835, he was married to Miss Lydia, daughter of AViiliam
and Mary Miles, of Dutchess Co., N. Y. ; their children arc Nellie, now the wife of Truman Blossom,
and lives in Winona, Minn. ; Caroline, now Mrs. David Meorley, and lives at Minneapolis, Minn. ; Mary,
now the wife of George Lour, of Blue Earth Co., Minn.; Libbie, now Mrs. Wallace Bolsley, and lives at
Nashua, Iowa ; Amanda, now the wife of Dyer Bell, of Minnesota ; Cynthia, now Jlrs. Jamos Walker, of
Kasson, Minn. ; Eliza, the late Mrs. Wm. Whitman, of Minnesota, deceased; Harrison, now a merchant
in this city, and who married Miss Anna, daughter of Patrick and Katie (Phelps) Hefron, of Omro,
Wis., in 1865 ; they have one son — Frank. Members of the Congregational Church.
910
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
REV. J. W. WA1.COTT was born at Pawtucket, E. I., Nov. 29, 1812: son of James D;
and Hannah Jenks Woloott ; moved with his father, a cotton manufacturer, to Newport, N. H., the, same
year ; he received a preparatory education at Kimball Union Academy at Meriden, and entered Dart-
mouth College in 1835, graduating from it in 1839, in the fall of which year he entered Auburn Theolog-
ical Seminary, graduating from that institution in 1843 ; Mr. W. first preached two years at Virgil,
Cortland Co., N. Y.; next was Principal of Monroe Academy in Cayuga Co., N. Y., two years, and then
was Principal of Auburn Female Seminary until it was burned, when he came to Wisconsin and began
preaching at Menasha; in the fall of 1853, he came to Ripon, living in the city twenty years, removing
in March, 18Y3, out on Green Lake Prairie, occasionally preaching since that time. He was married, at
Bristol, E. I., in May, 18-14, to Hannah B. Church, a native of Ehode Island, who died in July, 1849,
leaving two children, who have since died ; he was married a second time, at Auburn, N. Y., m
May; 1853, to Caroline, daughter of Isaac Cooper ; she was born at Croydon, N. H. ; they have two
children — Dexter Cooper and Frank B.
HEITRY C. WEIiLCOMB, of the firoa of Clough & Wellcome, grocers ; is a son of the
Eev. Mark D. Wellcome; born in Franklin Co., .'Me., Sept. 1, 1833; he spent much of his early
life attending common and high schools of his native county, and in 1873, came West, hoping to improve
his then failing health ; he settled first in Washington Co., Wis., where he tried farming lor a short time,
but not finding that business very recuperative, he again resorted to travel, which he continued through,
much of Wisconsin, Iowa and Missouri ; in 1860, he began the hotel business in Savannah, Mo., which
he continued a short time, and then came to Green Lake Co., Wis. In 1861, he enlisted as a private iu
Co. I., of the 11th W. V. I., but was soon elected First Lieutenant of his company; he was with the
Army of the Tennessee, and took part in the battles of Port Gibson, siege of Vicksburg, Grand Gulf,,
Champion Hills, Black Eiver and others ; in 1863, Gen. Banks appointed him on the Provost Marshal's
staff at New Orleans, where he served till the close of the war ; was mustered out of service at Madison,
Wis., and at once returned to Fond du Lac, thence to Milwaukee, where for eight years he was engaged
in the hotel business ; disposing of this in 1874, he removed to Eipon, and in 1879, became interested in
the grocery trade. In 1872, he was married to Miss Jennie, daughter of Christopher and Abigail New-
bert, of Waldoboro, Me., who died at Eipon in 1873 ; he afterward married Miss Esther M., daugh-
ter of Isaac and P]sther Herrick, of Eipon, Wis., in 1874 ; they have one son — Harry C.
JOHN WELLiER, farmer, Sec. 7 ; P. 0. Ripon; was born in Prince Edward Co., Upper
Canada, in the fall of 1825 ; his father, William, died before he was born ; his mother, Dillie Weller,
died in 1846 ; Mr. Weller came to Wisconsin Oct. 20, 1852, and first settled in- Green Lake Co.
for seventeen years ; in 1869, he came to his present farm of 140 acres. He married, Aug. 30, 1848,
Miss Mary, Ann Bedal, daughter of Isaac and Nancy Bedal, of Prince Edward Co., Upper Canada, who
came to Wisconsin in 1852, and settled in Green Lake Co.; her father died there Jan. 11, 1864; her
mother then came to live with her, and died Sept. 11, 1878 ; Mrs. Weller was born in Bloomfield, Prince
Edward Co., Upper Canada, Oct. 20, 1825 ; they have three sons — Sydney, born Nov. 18, 1849 ; James
E., Nov. 19, 1851, both born in Brighton, Canada, and Benjamin F., born in Fond du Lac Co., Aug. 30,
1854. Mrs. Weller is a member of the Presbyterian Church ; Mr. Weller is a Eepublican in politics.
JOHN WEIi^GERBER, proprietor of the Mapes House ; was born in Hesse-Darmstadt,
Germany, in 1817, and is the son of John and Mary Weisgerber; was educated in the schools of his
native country, and followed farming there till about 26 years old ; July 5, 1843, he landed in New York,
as an emigrant to America ; he continued farm work in New York for two years, then was employed in
the salt works of Syracuse, N. Y., for ten years ; in 1855, he came to Wisconsin and, for the next two
years, was proprietor of a saloon in Sheboygan ; thence he removed to Sheboygan Falls and continued the
same business for two years longer; in 1859, he went to Berlin, Wis., where he opened a bUliardroom,
but was burned out in January, 1860, and lost all he had ; he then kept the Arcade House for two years ;
in 1862, he purchased the Dartford House, at Dartford, Green Lake Co., Wis., of which he was proprietor
till 1873 ; disposing, of his property at Dartford at that time, he purchased the Mapes House, in Eipon,
Wis., of which he has since been proprietor. March 15, 1845, he was married to Miss Ann M. Eesell, a,
native of Bavaria ; they had three children — Caroline, now the wife of C. F. Sohultz, of Fall Creek, Eau
Claire Co., Wis.; Herman, who, with his mother, died with the cholera, in 1849 ; Katie (deceased). In
1849, he was married to Miss Barbara, daughter of Fredrick and Barbara Seybold, a native of Germany;
the children are as follows: Mary, Katie (now the wife of P. H. Jewson, and lives in Nebraska), Lizzie,
Mena. Blrs. Weisgerber died at Dartford, June 3, 1866;
REV. JOSEPH WESTENBERGER was bom in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, Nov.
10, 1845, where he received a classical education ; came to New York City in 1866, where he remained
EIPON. 911
nine months; spent one summer at Bath, Jlason Co., 111.; then entered Wartburg Seminary, iu Iowa,
where he received a theological education ; began preaching in February, 1869, at Madison, Wis.; ia Feb-
ruary, 1870, was ordained to the holy ministry at Maxfield, Bremer Co., Iowa ; preached two years at
Pocahontas, Mo.; Waterloo, Iowa, two years ; Prairie du Chien over two years ; Milwaukee, three years
and one month; then, in November, 1878, came to Ripon, where he is Pastor of the Evangelical Lu-
theran Church, and teacher of the parish school, preaching also at Rosendale and Brandon. Mr. W. was
married in Iowa, Aug. 2, 1870, to Eliza Wegman, born in Germany, and who came to Iowa, with her
parents, when 2 years old ; they have four children — Joseph, Lorenz, John and Gustav, and have lost
one — Tillie, who died in Milwaukee, aged 3 years and 8 months.
CHARLES F. WHEELER, banker; was born at Stockbridge, Berkshire Co., Mass.,
Aug. 25, 1837; resided ten years at Penn Yan, N. Y., spending one year in the banking business;
removed to Chicago in 1856; to llipon in February, 1857; employed as book-keeper and teller in the
Bank of Ripon until May, 1864, when the firm of Bowen & Wheeler, bankers, was formed, which still
continues in business. He was married at Wethersfield, Henry Co., 111., Nov. 8, 1860, to Maria S., eldest
dauj^hter of Rev. B. B. Parsons, now of Philadelphia ; she was born in Connecticut ; they have had one
child, now deceased. Mr. Wheeler has been Treasurer of the Ripon Agricultural and Mechanical Associ-
ation many years, and the family are members of the Congregational Church.
SPENCER WHITiiVG!- was bom in Schoharie Co., N. Y., Nov. 18, 1835; his parents,
Charles and Catherine Whiting, were natives of New York, but now live in Ripon. Mr. Whiting came
to Ripon, Wis., in 1854, and has since followed farming and various other kinds of business. In October,
1858, he was married to Miss Louisa, daughter of George W. and Lorinda Parker, a native of Wyoming
Co., N. y., but immigrants to Ripon in 1845; they have two sons — Emmett A. and Frank A., and one
adopted daughter — Edna C. They are members of the First Baptist Church.
DANIEL WILCOX. This gentleman has resided in Wisconsin for oyer thirty-three years ;
is a native of Lewis Co., N. Y. ; was born in the town of Lowville Oct. 3, 1803. Jan. 13, 1831, he
married, in his native town, Huldah Williams ; she was also a native of Lewis Co., N. Y. ; bora March
1, 1804; soon after their marriage, they moved to Jefferson Co.; thence to Fowler, St. Lawrence Co,
where they remained until their coming to Wisconsin, in 1847 ; lived in Walworth Co. until the spring
of the following year (1848), when they purchased a tract of 320 acres of land from the Government, in
the town of Alto, Fond du Lao Co. ; removed on it, and immediately commenced improving it ; they
resided in the town of Alto ("with the exception of the year 1854, during which they lived in the town
of Waupun) until 1864, when they removed to the city of Ripon, which has been their home since ; they
have had seven children, four of whom are living — Mary E., who married, in 1857, H. Harwood (he was
a soldier in Co. G, 29th W. V. I.; participated in numerous battles; was wounded at Jackson, Miss.,
and died in the service at New Orleans Sept. 27, 1864; Mrs. Harwood and child, Esther Irene, reside in
Ripon); Miss I. Irene, teacher in the Art Department, Ripon College; Cornelia, wife of H. G. Clough,
Rochester, Minn. ; Herman M., a leading attorney, St. Louis, Mo. ; names of the deceased children were
Eldbridge, Harriet and Daniel Monroe. Mr. Wilcox and family are members of the Congregational
Church ; he believes that Christianity is an essentia! means of inward moral growth and progress in
society and government, and that all political action should be prompted and controlled by the same broad,
generous and unselfish purpose. During the time he resided in the town of Alto, ho was Chairman and
a member of £he Side Board of Supervisors twelve years, and Justice of the Peace about an equal length
of time, and, in 1854, was Chairman of Board of Supervisors in Waupun ; he has always taken a deep
and active interest in the religious and educational matters of the county.
EDWIIV WILSON, insurance agent ; was born at Philadelphia, Penn., Jan. 1, 1833 ; resided
there nine years; then removed to Luzerne Co. ; whence he came to Ripon May 1, 1855, and engaged
as clerk for Jehdeiah Bowen, with whom he remained three years ; engaged four or five year^ in the mer-
cantile business ; in 1865, began the fire and life insurance business, being also connected with Bowen &
Wheeler's bank prior to 1878. Mr. W. was City Assessor in 1877 and 1878. He was married at Fac-
toryville, Wyoming Co., Penn., April 28, 1857, to Elizabeth S. Mills, born in Long Island ; they have
one son — Edward H. They are members of the Congregational Church.
FRANK S. WILSON, druggist ; was born at Ypsilanti, Mich., in March, 1849 ; came to
Markesan, Green Lake Co., Wis., in 1866, and to Ripon in 1876, where he engaged in the drug business.
Mr. W. attended the State Normal School at Ypsilanti, and learned the drug business in Michigan, which
he has followed exclusively since coming to Ripon.
^ GILRERT F. WILSON, grain-dealer; was born in Orange Co., N. Y., in June, 1843 ;
he came to Wisconsin, with parents, John and Mary J. Wilson, and located in the town of Rosendale,
'i^I2 BIOaRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
Fond du Lao Co., Iq 1851, where he afterward lived on a farm most of the time till 1868. In August,
1862, he enlisted in Co. H, of 20th W. V. I., and partook in all its battles and movements till it was
mustered out of service at G-alveston, Tex., in August, 1865. In April, 1868, he was married to Miss
Hattie, daughter of Samuel L. and Sarah Whitney, of the town of Rosendale, Fond du Lac Co., and in
-that year removed to the town of Ripon, where he continued for two years ; in 1871, they came to this
city, where he has since been dealing in grain most of the time ; their children are Herbert E., Frank A.
and Harry M.
HENRY W. WOIiCOTT, retired ; was bom at Trenton, Oneida Co., N. ¥., June 18,
1819 ; came to Rosendale, settling on Sec. 27, Aug. 17, 1815, his wife joining him October 13, of -the
same year ; Mr. W. made the second entry of land in Rosendale. Was the first School Superintendent
and Inspector, and held the offices of Justice of the Peace, Chairman, Assessor, etc., several years. After
leaving his farm and settling in Ripon, he ran, as a member of the firm of Wolcott & Bateman, the
Ceresco Mill about five years ; bought wool two or three seasons, and now is engaged in loaning money and
the settlement of estates. He is Vice President of the Northern State Fair Association ; was President
one year of .the Ripon Agricultural and Mechanical Society, and Secretary two years. He was married
at Trenton, N. Y., to Emeline Lyman, a native of that place ; they have five children — Angelina, J.,
now Mrs. L. E. Reed; Flora J., now Mrs. A. W. Pettibone; Julia E., now Mrs. Fayette L. Taft, of
Burlington, Vt.; Carrie B., at home, and Henry A., studying law with L. E. Reed.
AliAlNSON WOOD, proprietor Wood's Hotel ; son of Alanson and Mary Wood ; settled in
Green Lake Co. in 1849, where his father died in 1852 ; his mother is now Mrs. Alson Norton, of
Ripon ; Mr. Wood came to Ripon in 1856. Enlisted as a private in Co. B, 32d W. V. I., Aug. 6, 1862 ;
-served until June, 1865, participating with his regiment in all battles, skirmishes and marches, without
receiving a scratch. In the spring of 1866, he went into the old American House wiih his brother
William; two years later, bought him out; April, 18, 1872, began the mason work for Wood's Hotel;
had the grand opening Oct. 12 of the same year. Mr. Wood has served as Alderman of the Second
Ward. He was married at Ripon April 3, 1867, to Hannah A., daughter of Daniel W. and Avis Fisk;
they have two children living — Gracie Louise and Lucy Jenks ; lost one — -Avis Marble, died Dec. 13,
1871, aged 3 years and 3 months. Mr. Wood was born at Yates, Orleans Co., N. Y., June 29, 1842,
and his wife in Adams, Mass.; prior to entering the army, Mr. Wood attended Ripon College three
years.
JACOB WOODRUFF, nurseryman; was born at Litchfield, Conn., Oct. 17, 1813; after
three and one-half years spent in whaling, went in 1838, to Great Bend, Penn.; in 1844, left that place
and moved to Green Lake, Wis., where he remained from September until January or February of 1845,
when he came to Ceresco and joined the Wisconsin Phalanx; before coming to Wisconsin, BIr. W. was
engaged in blacksmithing, and also for about six years in Ripon, after the Phalanx broke up ; since 1856,
he has been engaged in the nursery business ; during two or three years, he was largely interested with
two or three others in raising willow for baskets. He has been City Treasurer one year. Assessor of First
Watd one year, Treasurer and member of School Board six years. Mr. W. was married at Great Bend,
Penn., Aug. 4, 1840, to Penila Wilson, born at that place Nov. 23, 1813; they have one child — Ensign,
and have lost three — Frank, Charlotte and Walter, all at the age of about 2 years.
(jrEORGE WRE]^, architect and builder ; wag born in the county of Sussex, England, in
1833; his parents, Thomas and Ann Wren both died in England; when 17 years old, he entered upon
an apprenticeship at, the carpenter and joiner's trade, which he continued there for five years ; in July,
1856, he sailed from Liverpool, and landed in New York in August; thence to Ripon, Wis., where he
'arrived Sept. 1 of that year; since Mr. Wren's settlement in this city, he has followed the business of an
architect and builder, and has been connected with the erection of some of the most prominent buildings
of the city. In 1859, he was married to Miss Harriet, daughter of James and Lydia Kingsbury, a native
of England but immigrated to Wisconsin in 1856; their children are Lizzie R., Anna E. and Fred B.
Mrs. Wren is a member of the First Presbyterian Church.
ROSEUDALE TOWNSHIP. 913
ROSENDALE TOWNSHIP.
CHA.UNCEY M. BAIiCOM, farmer, Sec 34; P. 0. Kosendale ; was born in Warren Co.,
N. Y., June 14, 1818, and is the son of Isaac and Sally Balcom, nee Greene, natives of Massachusetts ;
he was a farmer in New York till 1845, when, in August of that year, he immigrated to Wisconsin and
settled on a farm of 160 acres in Sec. 34, town of Rosendale, where he has since continued farming. In
Warren Co., N. Y., July 13, 1845, he was married to Mary A., daughter of William and Sophia Cook,
nee Morse; their children are as follows: Daphne, now the wife of Lyman S. Curtis, and lives in Lewis
Co., N. Y.; Elmira, now the wife of George Wheeler, of the town of Springvale, Fond du Lac Co., Wis.;
Walden, who now lives in Dakota, and Chauncey, who resides at home with his parents. Mr. and Mrs.
Balcom were the sixth family to settle in the town of Rosendale.
JOHIV R. BLACK nURW, proprietor of the Blackburn House, is a native of Yorkshire,
England ; his father, Samuel Blackburn, a wool-stapler, was born also in Yorkshire, Oct. 28, 1798 ; his
vmother, Elizabeth Durant, was born in the county of Sussex, Sept. 22, 1795; they were married
May 22, 1823, and had a family of seven children, four of whom are now living, as follows : Amelia, now
the wife of Thomas Parkin, and lives in Toronto, Canada; John R., the subject of this sketch; William
K, who now lives in Clear Water, Minn., and Maria K., now Mrs. Leonard Brown, of Fopd du Lao.
John R., the oldest son, was born May 7, 1830, and with his father's family immigrated to America in
1842, and settled at Toronto, Canada, where for the following four years his father was engaged in the
mercantile business. In August, 1846, the family, consisting of parents and four children, landed in Mil-
-waukee as immigrants to Wisconsin, and came thence to the town of Lamartine, Fond du Lac Co.,
where they settled on a farm on Sec. 34, which was their home till the fall of 1875, when they removed
to the city of Fond du Lac, where they now live ; John R. made his home with, his parents on the farm
till 1854, when, May 29, of that year, he was married to Miss Abigail P., daughter of Daniel W. and Sarah
(Bradford) Potter (natives, her father of Connecticut, born Deo. 19, 1787, her mother of Vermont, born
Sept. 9, 1798, who were afterward married and settled in the town of North Chili, Monroe Co., N. Y.,
where Abigail was born Oct. 27, 1834; and was afterward married to Mr. Blackburn) ; they came at once
to the town of Lamartine, Fond du Lac Co., Wis., where he continued farming for- five years ; in 1860,
he began merchandising at Lamartine, and continued there till 1873 ; he then removed his business to
the city of Fond du Lac, where he devoted his attention more especially to the grocery trade for four
years ; in the spring of 1877, he removed to the village of Rosendale, and continued merchandising till
June, 1879; in the fall of 1877, he purchased the old Rosendale Hotel property, a year later rebuilt it,
named it the Blackburn House and has since been its proprietor. Their children are Frank W., who
married Miss Matilda, daughter of Robert and Mary J. Blair, of Fond du Lac, May 29, 1878, and is now
the merchant of this village (Rosendale) ; H. Elmer, now a printer in Chicago ; Charles R., Daniel Bert,
S. Elizabeth, H. Louise and Minnie M., now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Blackburn are members of the
Methodist Episcopal Church.
HENRY C. BOTTrM, farmer, Sec. 30; P. 0. West Rosendale; was born in Addison Co.,
Vt., in January, 1826; he is one of a family of seven children, whose parents were Roswell and Blue
Bottum, and were also natives of Addison Co., Vt.; at the age of 18, he began clerking in a store, which
hfe continued until 22 years old ; for the next six years, he was engaged in the mercantile business pn his
own resources, at Benson, Rutland Co., Vt. At Lowell, Mass., July 21, 1852, he was married to Miss
Helen 31., daughter of Dr. Z. P. and Fannie Burnham, of that city; in November, 1854, with his wife
and one son, he emigrated to Fond du Lac Co , Wis., and settled on a farm in Sec. 30, town of Rosendale,
which has since been their home. Mr. Bottum was Town Clerk of Rosendale fifteen successive terms,
beginning with the year 1856 ; he was Chairman of the town for three terms ; in 1868, he was elected a
member of the Wisconsin Assembly from the first Assembly District; was re-elected in 1869 and 1878.
They have six children — Joe H., Roswell, Perkins B., George R., Sheldon 6. and Helen N.
ANSOX H. BO WE, M. B., the first physician of Rosendale; is a native of Hampden Co.,
Mass., born April 5, 1813 ; his grandfather, Isaac Bowe, was a descendant of Alexander and Sarah Bowe,
■who came from England and settled at Middletown, Conn., as early as 1678 ; he was the son of Peleg and
Mary (Woodward) Bowe, born Feb. 6, 1755. Was married to Elizabeth Lee May 18, 1775; they had
six children, of whom Isaac, the father of Anson H., was the oldest, and was married to Eunice Cooley,
and raised a family of six ; when Anson H., their youngest, was about 5 years old, they removed to
91-1 BIOGKAPHICAL SKETCHES:
Bradford Co., Penn., where he received the earlier part of his education in the common schools, and after-
ward attended an academy for a short time ; in 1837, he began the study of medicine with a prominent
physician of Springfield, Bradford Co., Penn., but attended lectures at the medical college of Baltimore^
Md.; he returned to Springfield, and practiced his profession there till 1846 ; he came thence to the town
of Kosendale, Fond du Lac Co., Wis., made some investments in real estate, selected the village for his-
future home, and returned to Pennsylvania for his family, with whonj he arrived in June, 1847. He was
the first physician to locate here, and has since successfully practiced his profession in this vicinity. March
12, 1835, he was married to Julia A., daughter of Reuben and Lydia Smead, nee Rowley, of 'Springfield ^
Penn; their children are Isaac, who now lives in Connecticut; Frank, of this village (Rosendale) ;
Ethie, now the wife of Dr. J. C. La Favre, of Rosendale. Mr. and Mrs. Bowe are members of the M. B.
Church.
HEIVRY CHURCHYARD, farmer, Sec. 30, P. 0. Ripon ; is a native of Suffolk County,
England, born in May, 1830, and is the son of Isaac and Lucy Churchyard, who were also natives of
Suffolk County, England ; when 14 years old, he entered upon a five years' apprenticeship to the auction-
eer's and land surveyor's trade in his native county, which business he followed for two years after his
apprenticeship; April 1, 1850, he sailed from London for America and landed in Quebec in May follow-
ing ; he came thence to the city of Fond du Lac, where he arrived in June of that year ; he first settled
on the '' Indian land," at Paysippi, Waushara Co., Wis., and two years later (1852), came to the town of
Rosendale, where he followed working for the farmers by the month for one and a half years ; he then
bought a farm of eighty acres in Sec. 30, this town (Rosendale), which has since been his home, where he
now has 140 acres. In September, 1856, he was married to Adaline, daughter of Benona and Margaret
Monett, then residents of this town, but emigrants from New York in 1854 ; their children are Ellen,
Lina E., Henry, Lucy, Laura M., George, Fred, Mabel and Bennie.
GEOROE D. CURTIS (deceased) was born inthe town of Martinsburg, Lewis Co., N. Y.,,
Aug. 1, 1821, and was the third son of Henry and Hannah Curtis, natives of Massachusetts hut early
immigrants to New York ; he spent much of his early life on a farm ; was educated in the common
schools and academies of that county, and afterward followed teaching for five or six years. March 18,
1845, he was married to Rozella, daughter of Samuel and Lydia (Tallmadge) Lyman; then a resident of
Oneida County, N. Y; in April following, they immigrated to Fond du Lac Co., Wis., and settled with
the first half-dozen families on " Sanborn's Prairie ; " the farm he then selected on Sec. 34, was ever after
his home; here he afterward erected a fine mansion, which has become a landmark to this region, and
which is, perhaps, the finest rural residence in Fond du Lac Co. Upon the organization of the town^
it was, at his suggestion, named Rosendale, and he continue 1 to be one of the most active in the manage-
ment of its affairs throughout its subsequent history, down to the day of his death, being many times
elected Chairman of the Town Board, besides filling other offices, for which his superior intellectual and
business qualifications eminently fitted him ; he was the first to oppose the granting of license to sell
liquors in the town, and through such opposition and unfiuence the right to traffic in such has never
been granted within the limits of Rosendale ; he was most prominent in securing the location of the She-
boygan railroad through the town, and, in connection with his brother, Lyman Curtis, built the elevator
at the depot, which has been a vast public benefit and greatly enhanced the business interests of the com-
munity ; he was also quite active in most of the movements for promoting the interests of agriculture, for
which the town has for several years been characterized. Mr. Curtis was a man of much sympathy, gen-
erosity and of strong domestic tastes ; from his early boyhood up, he found his greatest pleasure athome-
with some interesting book, or in joining in the conversation of the family circle ; as a husband and father,,
he was strongly attached to his family and by them highly esteemed and greatly beloved ; he died Oct 21..
1878, leaving a wife and four children, as follows : Martha C. (pow the wife of George Curtis), Rosendale ;.
Elon C, now of this town (Rosendale) ; Cora M., now a student at the Oshkosh Normal School ; George
H., of Rosendale.
BUSHNAL DODD, farmer. Sec. 12; P. 0. Rosendale; is a native of the town of Corn-
wall, Addison Co., Vt, born Sept. 23, 1822, and is the son of Jonathan and Betsey (Kenney) Dodd,
natives of Massachusetts ; he spent his early life at farming in his native county, and, in 1844j came k>
Wisconsin and landed at Milwaukee April 12 of that year, and settled a short time in the town of
Pewaukee, Waukesha Co., where his parents afterward joined him; in September, 1845, he, with his
brother, W. H. Dodd, and C. Balcom, came to Fond du Lac, stopped one night with Dr. Darling, and, on
the following day, selected their farms in the town of Rosendale ; he, with his brother, entered a farm of
160 acres in Sec. 26, built a rude home and kept bach there for a while; eighteen months later, his father
arrived with the family and made that their home for ten years; then removed to Sec. 12, where they
EOSENDALE TOWNSHIP. 915
iifterward lived ; they afterward died in the village, his father at the age of 92, and mother at the age of
74. June 14, 1849. he was married to Miss Jane Rogers, who died Aug. 1, 1858, leaving four children
— Charles P. (now deceased), Henrietta (now the wife of Charles A. Hendry, of Lamartine), John B.
(now a farmer in the town of Utica, Winnebago Co., Wis.), and Blon H. In February, 1860, he was
married to Margaret, daughter of George P. and Margaret Murray, natives of Prince Edward's Island,
who came to Illinois in 1854; their children are Oscar, Alice, Maggie and Carrie. Mr. D. owns 227 acres
ia Sees. 12 and 13 and 105, in the town of Utica, Winnebago Co., Wis.
WILLIAM DORIVBRACK, farmer; P. 0. Rosendale ; was born in Germany in 1838;
came to America in 1865 and settled iij the town of Springvale, Pond du Lac Co., Wis; then to this
town — Rosendale— in the fall of 1879. Was married to Miss Hoht, of Mecklenburg, before emigrating
to America; her parents, Charles and Reka Hoht, came with them to America in 1865.
HUtrll EDWARDS, deceased; was a native of Denbighshire, North Wales ; was the son of
John and Ann Edwards ; born April 6, 1796 ; he spent much of his life on a farm in his native country;
received the earlier part of his education in the schools of Denbighshire, but completed his English studies
.at Chester, England, in 1813 ; returning then to Wales, he continued the vocation of a farmer there till
1859. April 28, 1826, he was married to Mary Faulks, with whom and his family (in 1859) he immi-
grated to Wisconsin and settled on a farm of 260 acres in Sees. 22 and 27, town of Rosendale, Pond du
Lac Co., which his son John had bought of Mr. Grossman in 1851 and occupied till the arrival of his
parents ; this has since been the home of the family ; here Mr. Edwards died in October, 1879, leaving a
family of five children — Margaret S. (now a teacher in Virginia), John (now at home), Anna C. (also at
home), P. Wynn (who enlisted in Co. F., of the 21st W. V.'L, Feb. 29, 1864; was with his regiment in
all its principal movements till mustered out at Madison, Wis., in June, 1865 ; was married to Mary
Lloyd, of Winnebago Co.; they have one daughter — Emily A.), Anna M. (now the wife of Peter Roberts,
and lives in the town of Nekama, Winnebago Co., Wis.).
WILLIAM FREDRICK, farmer. Sec. 36; P. O. Rosendale; was born in Prussia Jan. 8,
1831 ; is the son of Daniel and Charlotte Fredrick; at the age of 17, he began the wagon-maker's trade
in his native country, which he continued there until 1855. In the fall of that year (1855), he was mar-
ried to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Christian and Anna Bocks, of Prussia, and with "her, in 1856, he
immigrated to America; they settled on a farm in the town of Eldorado, Fond du Lac Co., Wis., where
they lived until 1876 ; in the spring of that year he bought a farm of 160 acres on Sec. 36, town of
Rosendale, where he has since lived and followed farming; in 1879, he purchased eighty acres in Sec. 20,
makins him now a farm of 240 acres ; they have one daughter, Emma. They are members of the
Lutheran Church.
WICKLIFP GOODRICH, farmer, Sec. 8 ; P. 0. Ripon ; was born in Somerset Co.,
Me., in July, 1820, and is the son of Joshua and Betsey (Robins) Goodrich, natives, also of Maine, and
who afterward died there; he spent his earlv life on a farm in his native county; June 4, 1844, started
for the West ; he stopped a short time in Walworth Co., Wis., and then went to Illinois, where he spent
the winter; in the spring of 1845, he returned to Wisconsin, and in June, 1846, pre-empted a farm in
Sec. 8, town of Rosendale, which has since been his home ; he now has a farm of 280 acres in Sees. 8
and 17, of this town (Rosendale). In June, 1856, he married Miss Julia, daughter of Luther and
Lucinda Pierce, then of the town of Rosendale, but natives of Somerset Co., Me.; their children are
Rudolph 0. and Ora W.
STORRS HALL, M. D., physician and surgeon ; is a native of Washington Co., N. Y.; his
father. Dr. Ira Hall, was the son of Nathaniel Hall and Mehitabel Storrs, born in LeDanon, N. H., Dec.
20, 1772 ; graduated at Dartmouth College, in 1793 ; he studied medicine in Granville, N. Y., where he
settled in his profession, in which he was very successful and highly esteemed. Dec. 17, 1795, he mar-
ried Rebecca, the oldest daughter of Peter and Esther (Clark) Parker, of Granville, N. Y.; they had ten
sons, three of whom died in infancy, two in early manhood, and three others at the average age of 73
years ; he died Sept. 16, 1816 ; the two older sons were farmers in New York ; the third, Edwin Hall, D.
D., was a Presbjterian minister, graduated at Middlebury CpUege, Vt., in 1826; taught for five years,,
and was then settled as Pastor of the First Congregational Church, of Norwalk, Conn., for twenty-three
years; was Professor of Christian Theology in the Auburn Theological Seminary, of Auburn, N. Y., for
21 years, and Professor Emeritus of the same for one year he died Sept. 8, 1877 ; Sidney, the oldest now
living, is a farmer in the town of Granville, Washington Co., N. Y., and is unmarried ; Dr. Storrs, the
tenth son, was born in Granville, N. Y., May 11, 1814; graduated at Middlebury College in 1838;
taught in various schools and academies in Connecticut for twelve years ; during his teaching, it was
•through his influence that the first Fairfield County Teachers' Assoeiation was established, of which he
916 BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES:
was President, and through his influence in connection with others, at first unknown, but who afterward'
became acquainted, that the first Slate Teachers' Association was established, and through their united
influence the State Normal of Connecticut was established, of which he was the first Vice President ; in
consequence of failing health, he gave up teaching, studied medicine, attended lectures at Yale University,
came to the town of Rosendale, Fond du Lac Co., Wis., in 1851, and has since been a successful physi-
cian of this village ; since his immigration to Wisconsin, he has been connected with the Pond du Lac
County Medical Society, which is now merged into the Rock River Medical Society ; he has been a
member of the Board of Trustees of Ripon College for about twenty years ; has been Secretary of the
Board and member of the Executive Committee for fifteen years ; has been Deacon in the Congregational
Church since 1856. September 30, 1840, he was married to Elizabeth, the oldest daughter of Joseph
and Sarah (Kellogg) Scribner, of Norwalk, Conn ; they have had five children, as follows : Sidney S., who
is now a physician at Morrison, Whiteside Co., 111.; William S., now a farmer in Johnson Co., Tex. ;.
Charles E., now connected with the Reliance Flouring-Mills, of Neenah, Wis.; Elizabeth, who died in
infancy; Ira, now in the office of the Reliance Flouring-Mills, of Neenah also. Mr. and Mrs. Hall are
members of the Congregational Church.
GIDEOX HINKIiE Y, farmer, Sec. 10 ; P. 0. Pickett's Station ; is the son of Jesse and Eliza
Hinkley, with whom he spent his early life on a farm in Androscoggin Co., Maine, where he was born
Nov. 2, 1827 ; when 21 years old, he went to the village of Lisbon, where he lived till 1855 ; in August,
1851, he was married to Miss Adeline B., daughter of Reuben and Neomi Loring, of Piscataquis Co.,
Me., with whom and one child he immigrated to Wisconsin in the fall of 1855, and settled on a farm
on Sec. ] 0, town of Rosendale, where he has since lived and followed farming ; he now owns a farm of
100 acres ; his wife died here in February, 1859, leaving one daughter, Delia E., now the wife of Milton
Montgomery, and lives in Dakota. In 1861, he was married to Miss Margaret, daughter of John and
Mary Wilson, of Rosendale, who died May 4, 1878, leaving the following children: Mary A., Jesse F.,
Wilson, Mildred A., Lina B., Chauncey B., Gabriel B.; Feb. 14, 1879, he was married to Ella E.,
daughter of Asa and Julia West, of Utica, Winnebago Co., Wis.; they have one child, an infant son.
Mr. Hinkley's second wife was a member of the Free-Will Baptist' Church. His brother, Jesse Hinkley,
was in the 20th W. V. I., was killed at Prairie Grove, Ark., Dec. 6, 1862.
THOMAS HUGHES, farmer. Sec. 12; P. 0. Nekama; was born in Cardiganshire, South
Wales, in Noyember, 1820, and is the son of Hugh and Jane (Owens) Hughes ; when 12 years old, he
began the tailor's trade, which he continued in his native country till 1848. Iri 1840, he was married to
Miss Hannah, daughter of David and Mary Williams, natives also of Cardiganshire, and in May, 1848,
they sailed from Aberystwyth, South Wales, for America, and landing in Quebec in August following,,
they came thence to Milwaukee, Wis., where he continued his trade one year ; in 1849, they removed to
the town of Rosendale, Fond du Lac Co., Wis., and settled on a farm of forty acres on Sec. 12 ; built his
pioneer shanty, and has since made it his home; his shanty has since been exchanged for a more commo-
dious building, with the improvements of a modern farm residence ; his farm of 40 acres has increased to
one of 200 acres ; here his wife died, April 4, 1872, leaving seven children, having had nine as follows ;
David (deceased), Hugh (deceased), Mary, now the wife of Richard Robert, and lives in the town of
Nekama, Winnebago Co., Wis.; Jane, now at home with father ; Annie, now the wife of Rees Davis, and
lives in Dodge Co.; Catharine, now the wife of George Moultimore, who lives in Calumet Co.; Hugh
(deceased), Maggie, novr at home; Owen, married and lives on the farm. Mr. Hughes and family are
connected with the M. E. Church.
WILdilAM T. INNIS, farmer, Sees. 21 and 22 ; P. 0. West Rosendale ; was born in Orange
Co., N. Y., in January, 1826. He is the son of William and Elizabeth Innis, natives also of Orange Co.,
N. Y., with whom he spent his early life on a farm in his native county; in May, 1849, with an older
brother, he came to Fond du Lac Co., \^ts., and settled on a farm of eighty acres in Sec. 22, which his
brother entered the previous year; he at once began to improve his farm, and made it his home for two
and a half years ; he then returned to Orange Co., N. Y., and in March, 1852, was married to Miss Cath-
arine, daughter of Silas and Mary A. Jessup, nee Traphagen, then residents of that county; in the fall of
1852, they came to their home in the town of Rosendale, where he has since followed farming, and where he
now owns 410 acres in Sees. 21 and 22 ; was elected Chairman of the Town Board in 1864, re-elected jn
1866 ; was elected a member of the Wisconsin Assembly from the First Assembly District in 1867 ; their
children are Albert C, now a resident of this town, Rosendale ; Florine, now the wife of Fredrick Scofield,
Jr., and lives in the town of Springvale ; Ida, who is now at home. Mr. and Mrs. Innis are members of
the Congregational Church.
ROSENDALE TOWXSHIP. 917
RICHARD M. JOXES, farmer, Sec. 2 ; P. 0. King ; was born in North Wales in April,
1812 ; came to America in 1847, stopped for a short time in Utica, N. Y. ; in 1849, came to Wisconsin
and entered a farm of 160 acres in Sec. 2, town of Rosendale, which has since been his home. In July,
1853, he was married to Jemima, daughter of John and Mary Williams, a native of Wales, but then a
resident of the town of Utica, Winnebago Co. ; their children are Eichard M. Jr., and Mary B.
WIIiLil AM J. JONES, farmer, Sec. 1 ; P. 0. Ring ; was born in Angleshire, North Wales,
June 21, 1815, and spent his early life on a farm in his native county with his parents, Owen and Cath-
arine Jones ; when 16 years old, he began the blacksmith's trade, which he continued there till 1849. In
December, 1842, he was married to Elizabeth, daughter of Roland and Mary Hughes, and Aug. 16, 1849,
they sailed for America, landing at New York ; they came thence to the town of Rosendale, Fond du Lac
Co., Wis., which has since been their home ; he now owns a farm of 160 acres in Sec. 11, and forty in
Sec. 2, and sixty acres in Sec. 1 of this town ; their children are 0(ven, who now lives on the farm on
Sec. 11 ; Henry and Roland, both at home. They are members of the Congregational Church.
CHARLES E. KIMBALL, farmer. Sees. 16 and 17; P. 0. Ripon ; was born in New-
buryport, Mass., May 19, 1814. His father, Ezra Kimball, was a seaman, and at the time of the birth of
his son, was in the marine service in the war of 1812, and afterward was taken prisoner by the British
sloop Snake ; upon the exchange of prisoners, he was employed in a merchant service sent to Norfolk,
Va., where he died with yellow fever ; his mother, Isabel (Southerland) Kimball, removed with him to
York Co., Me., in about six months after his birth'; here they lived on a farm till he was about 12 years
old, and then moved to Lincoln Co., Me., where he made his home till 1850. In Dec. 31, 1835, he was
married to Miss Mercy, daughter of Samuel L. and Lydia (Curate) Whitney, and a native of Lincoln Co.;
in October, 1850, they, with a family of two little girls, Christiana, now deceased, and an adopted daugh-
ter, Mary J. Durgen, now also deceased, settled at the village of Rosendale, Fond du Lac Co., Wis., as
immigrants from Maine ; two years later, he bought a farm of 120 acres in Sees. 16 and 17 (of this town),
which has since been his home, and where he now enjoys the fruits of his years of toil.
CHARLES LAWSON, farmer. See. 29; P. 0. West Rosendale; is the oldest son of Stephen
and Keziah Lawson ; was born in Schenectady Co., N. Y., in 1819 ; in 1836, he went to New York City,
and was there engaged in various kinds of business till the fall of 1843 ; in the following spring he came
to Walworth Co., Wis., where he followed farming for nearly four years; in 1846, he bought a farm of
160 acres in the southwest quarter of Sec. 29, town of Rosendale, Fond du Lac Co., Wis., and in the
spring of 1848, settled thereon ; he now owns that and thirty acres on the southwest quarter of Sec. 22.
Since his residence in Rosendale he has held the office of Town Clerk and Assessor for several terms. Nov.
26, 1848, he was married to Miss Laura, daughter of William Morton, of Walworth Co., Wis., but a
native of New York ; she died May 18, 1872, leaving one son — Frank, now a resident of this town
(Rosendale). Nov. 25, 1873, he was married to Miss Melissa, daughter of John and Calista Adams, then
of Ripon, Wis., but emigrants from New York about 1856; they have one daughter — L. Labelle. Mr.
and Mrs. Lawson are members of the M. E. Church.
JOHN C. LE FEVRE, M. D., is the son of Rev. J. W. and S. A. Le Fevre, nee Bald-
win; was born in New York City in August, 1840 ; in the fall of 1854, with his parents, he immigrated
(o Wisconsin, and settled on a farm in the town of Springvale, Pond du Lac Co. His father was a Meth-
odist minister, but after his removal to Wisconsin he devoted some of his time to farming, in connection
with his ministerial work. The Doctor received his earlier education in the common schools. of the State
of New York, but pursued the higher branches of his literary studies at Lockwood Seminary, in West-
chester Co., N. Y.; he followed farming for ten years after their settlement in Springvale, Fond du Lao
Co. In the fall of 1867, he began the study of medicine with Dr. Bowe, of the village 'of Rosendale,
with whom he continued his studies for four years ; he attended one course of lectures at Rush Medical
College of Chicago, but graduated at Hughes Medical College of Keokuk, Iowa, in 1876; he then returned
to Rosendale and resumed his practice, and is now a successful physician of this vicinity. In June, 1864,
he was married to Miss Ethie J., daughter of Dr. Bowe, of Rosendale ; they have one son — P. Edward.
Mrs. Le Fevre is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Le Fevre is a member of the
Masonic Fraternity.
THOMAS B. LOVELL, farmer. Sec. 13; P. 0. Rosendale; was born in Isles of Ely,
Cambridgeshire, England, Aug. 28, 1822. His father, John Lovell, died when he was quite young, and
without a will, consequently, according to the laws of that country, the oldest son inherited the estate, and
he was forced to earn his own living from early boyhood. In 1847, he was married to Miss Sarah A.,
daughter of John and Alice Edgeley, of Cambridgeshire, and, in 1868, they came to America, and settled
on a farm in the town of Fond du Lac, Fond du Lao Co., Wis., where they lived till 1874, when he
91S BIOaRAPHICAt, SKETCHES:
bought a farm of eighty-nine acres in Sec. 13, town of Eosendale, which has since been his home. Their
children are John T., now living in the town of Waupun, Fond du Lac Co., Wis.; Caroline, now the
wife of William Wells, and lives in England ; William, Hannah. Fred and Alice, at home with their
parents.
JOSEPH LIJCIA, farmer. Sec. 17; P. 0. Eipon ; was born in Lower Canada Jan. 12, 1811,
and is the son of Paul and Josette Lucia, nee Vereno, natives of Canada, but of French parentage ; when
16 years of age, he went to Bridport, Vt., where he followed farm work in that vicinity for twelve years.
There, in 1839, he was married to Miss Amelia, daughter of Amab and Angette Brayman ; they came
to Fond du Lac Co., Wis., and settled on a farm in Sec. 17, town of Rosendale, where he now owns 100
acres. Their children are Lucina, now the wife of Zeb Rambond, of Ripon ; Jane, now Mrs. Moses
Trembley, of the town of Friendship, Fond du Lac Co., Wis.; Clarissa, now the wife of William Lambert,
and lives in Ripon; Olive, now Mrs. J. Clinch, of the town of Springvale, Fond du Lac Co., Wis.; Caro-
line, now the wife of Joseph Branchand, of Marinette, Wis.; Oveda, now Mrs. George Trembley, of
Minnesota; Joseph A., who lives in Minnesota, and Delia, now in Chicago. Mr. and Mrs. Lucia are
members of the Catholic Church.
CHARIjES lilTMAN, retired farmer, Rosendale; is a native of Lewis Co., N. Y., born in
February, 18:30 ; when 2 years old, with parents. Samuel and Lucy (Talmadge) Lyman, he removed to
Oneida Co., N. Y., where they afterward died; he spent moat of his early life on a farm in Oneida Co.,
and, in the spring of 1846, immif^rated to Wisconsin and settled on a farm in Sec. 31:, town of Rosendale,
Fond du Lac Co., where he followed farming till the fall of 1 877 ; he then retired to the village of Rosen-
dale, and has since lived a more retired life arid enjoys the fruits of his years of toil. Sept. 23, 1850, he
was married to Miss A. W., daughter of W. and B. A. White, then residents of Rosendale, but immi-
grants from Oneida Co., N. Y., in 1818 ; their children are Emma (deceased), Clarence J., now a resident
.of this town (Rosendale); Minnie (deceased), Bertha M. Mr. and Mrs. Lyman are members of the M.
B. Church.
ClillVTOW MATTESOX was born in Shaftsbury, Bennington Co., Vt., Sept. 18, 1320, and
died in Rosendale, Fond du Lac Co., Wis., July 20, 1876 ; his father, Isaiah Matteson, was a native of
Vermont ; his mother, Charlotte Harpending, was born in New Jersey, being an immediate descendant of
one of the families who came with Stuyvesant and settled New York City ; the Harpending coat-of-arms
.could be seen in the old Dutch Reformed church of St. John's a few years ago, and, even now, if the
fchurch still stands ; they owned the site, and. a large portion of land surrounding it ; Clinton JIatteson was
the youngest of eight children ; his education was obtained at the public school, with a few winters' terms
.at an academy in the vicinity; Ms father following his profession (that of a Baptist minister), left the
work of a farm, and the responsibility of its management,^ entirely to him; upon the death of his mother,
he sold the farm, and gathering those things together useful to a farmer, as early as 1845, turned his face
westward ; he came to Milw'aukee; Wis., by boat; there, purchasing a horse, he started on horseback for a
place called Sanborn's Prairie, in Fond du Lac Co., Wi*., hearing of it through a friend who had preceded
him; it proved to, be a mo.=it desirable place to locate ; finding wood, water, and tillable land, he preempted
and purchased until he had a farm of fine dimensions, as well as a beautiful location, because lying evenly
and solidly together, with splendid variety of soil ; this farm, with very little change as to boundary lines,
comprises the estate of 600 acres left to his children ; he built the first frame house in the town
of Rosendale; then returned East, and, at Marcy, Oneida Co., N. Y., married, in 1847, Caroline
B. Potter. Being permanently settled in ' a place destined to rank first in agricultural industries,
Mr. Matteson became identified with all matters of public interest, and gave himself heartily to
the work of organizing and developing its interests; thus, in the year 1847, he took an important
part in organizing the town and laying out the State road ; he was also an active member of the
Cemetery Association, locating the grounds and marking out the plats ; the laying-out of the State
-road, owing to the probability of its being an important thoroughfare and laid out under the laws of a new
State, developed two parties, who fought hard and bitterly as to what points it should pass ; through some
illegality, one party lost ground, and the matter ended in laying a very direct route from Waupun to Osh-
kosh, running the entire front of Mr. Matteson's farm ; he was very instrumental in inducing people to
settle in that part of the county; indeed, persons would be directed to Clinton Matteson if they were in
search of land or location ; for the first ten years, he gave his attention quite exclusively to wheat raising,
from 1850 to 1856 raising from 3,500 to 4,000 bushels a year ; he introduced the best varieties of seed ;
his first market for this product was Sheboygan, fifty-five miles distant, where he was obliged to carry it in
loads, taking two or more days for a trip ; when the soil began to yield le.isbountifully of wheat, he turned
his attention to sheep-raising ; in 1856, Mr. Matteson sent to Vermont for fine and valuable animals,
BRAND ON
JOSENDALE TOWNSHIP. 921
constantly importing finer and better ones to improve his flock. About 1858-59, he became Chairman of
the Board of Supervisors; in 1858, he joined the order of Free Mafons ; from tlie years 1861 to
1865, he was President of the Agricultural and Mechanical Society of Fond du Lac Co. In 1861,
he married the second time, his wife being Eliza Frisbie, a native of Trenton Falls, Oneida Co., N. Y.,
but at this time a resident of Rosendale. In the spring of 1871, an extension of the Sheboygan &
'Fond du Lac Railroad was contemplated ; Mr. M. worked hard and heroically to secure the cooperation of
.a majority of the voters of Rosendale, riding weeks over almost impassable roads ; he met with what at
times seemed insurmountable obstacles, and would have proved so to a less determined man ; the object
was at last gained through his personal exertions, and the road was built in the fall of 1871 ; the winter
was severe, and the subject of this sketch furnished food and shelter to many a man who worked upoft a
snow-bound train ; Mr. Matteson, with his usual foresight, saw the necessity of having a better class of
stock, and early set to work purchasing the best breeds, selecting a kind which in his judgment would be
received universally as combining the largest number of desirable qualities; he introduced " short-horns,"
purchasing his first animal in 1865, then adding every year, until, in 1873, he published his first cata-
logue, and fully established the " Rosendale Herd of Short-Horns ; " the study of this branch of industry
was followed closely and systematically from the outset to the close of his life — indeed, he gave it the study
necessary to a profession ; he purchased the American Herd-Books, containing pedigrees, as fast as they were
published, also a condensed work of reference to English Herd-Books, thus possessing the encyclopedia of
"short-horn literature ; " Mr. Matteson was in constant communication with every organization tending to pro-
mote the interests of stock-growers, and took several journals devoted to such subjects ; his experience as a
breeder was acquired by conscientious and careful attention to details, together with extensive knowledge of the
business, which rightfully made him one of the most prominent and successful stock-growers in the State ; he
thus became widely known throughout the Northwest, as a leader in some of the great agricultural and stock-
growing interests ; he was writing, at the time of his death, a history of some of the most important and fash-
ionable lines of pedigree ; he was, undisputably, the first to bring " short-horns " into this part of the State,
as there was not a herd in Central or Northern Wisconsin until some years later ; he found ready sale for
all he had to sell, many of his patrons being strangers from distant localities — from the plains of Kansas and
the hills of Colorado; this became the crowning industry and work of his life; he often remarked, " If I
could live ten years, what infinitely more satisfactory results might be accomplished," showing that he felt
it to be one of the established industries of the world. He was a min of singular decision and energy of
character, which made his virtues and foibles appear the more prominent ; he was open and honest, both
in his enmities and his friendships ; after a declaration of hostilities, he would deal his opponents, as long
as they could stand or crawl, the heaviest blows without the smallest ceremony — indeed, when he was upon
the war-path, his valor was almost romantic, for he regarded not the number of his foes, but was ready to
attack, with equal courage and resolution, a whole church or a whole town ; but his resentment was not
lasting or rancorous, and, for very small concessions, he was always willing to bury the hatchet of war and
smoke the calumet of peace; to his friends, he was steadfastly attached, and was ready, with chivalrous
promptness, to defend their honor or promote their interest ; to his neighbors who understood him, he was
uncommonly kind and obliging; one having been his neighbor f )r twenty-five years, can bear willing testi-
mony to his uniform courteousness during that long period, which makes him feel that in the death of
Clinton Matteson, he has lost both a neighbor and a friend. For his family, he provided a pleasant and
tasteful home, adding whatever he could to increase their comfijrt and promote their happiness ; he gave to
his children a libenal education in the best schools ; they were four in number — Madora G. Matteson (now the
■wife of John R. Patty, of Fond du Lao, Wis.), and Bela C. (his only son, now carrying on the butiness),
children of his first wife; Minnie and Mabel Matteson, children of his second wife; but three are living
now, Minnie, a lovely girl of 15, having died In less than two years after her father. Mr. Matteson pos-
sesssed a mind of unusual vigor and activity, the predominant traits being a clear eomprcliension and
superior judgment, united to wonderful energy and excellent management; the course of his mental oper-
ations were sometimes extraordinary, being almost an actual si.;ht of future dovelopraants that seemed to
present themselves first to his internal vision long before they cams to external viaw ; he was a close
reader and observer of character, also possessing a faithful anl logical msmory, with ability for fine com-
parison, thus making him an interesting and highly entertaining coaversationalist ; he had fiie taste in
discriminating the appropriateness of act or speech, and was keenly alive to what is termed the ", fitness of
■things;" he enjoyed a sentiment exceedingly, if it abounded in force and effect; it was eminently char-
acteristic of him in whatever he undertook, whether in largj enterprises' or trifling homj decorations, to do
the best, to get the best — no madium ground satisfied him. Mr. Mattjson was no politician ; no one ever
visited his home but felt gratified with his open-heartedness and genial hospitality, and though a man of
II
922 BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES:
ability and refinement, his delight was in his fields and among his herds, rather than in public life ; he was
wholly free from hypocrisy and deceit, and would often own to his friends his failures and shortcomingSr
both as a man and a Christian ; he was a man with the weaknesses derived from humanity, with the strength
that we inherit from the soul. Never in the annals of this portion of our State has a private citizen
received so marked a token of respect, for a thousand people were present to show their esteem for the
dead ; it was a most befitting tribute, that nearly three hundred carriages followed the remains to the
grave, where the world closed forever upon the mortal part of one whom his friends loved and his bitterest
enemies respected — a man who never let pass unimproved an opportunity to do a generous and charitable
act, and whose faults even " l^ned to virtue's side."
NATHASr \Y. MOOW, farmer, Sec. 25; P. 0. Rosen dale ; was born in Essex Co., N. Y.,.
in August, 1827 ; his father, Jesse Moon, was a native of New England ; followed milling, blaoksmithing
and millwright's trade, and also practiced medicine in Essex, Co., N. Y.; his mother, Rebecca Castle, was
also bora in New England. Nathan W. spent most of his time on a farm in his native county, and, in
1850, came to Wisconsin, and settled ^on a farm on Sec. 25, town of Rosendale, Fond du Lac Co., in
the spring of 1857 ; he now owns 200 acres. March 5, 1855, he was married to Miss Ann, daughter of
Michael and Ann Leonard, then living in the town of Eldorado, Fond du Lac Co., but a native of Ire-
land ; their children are Emma Tnow the wife of William T. Reed, and lives in the town of Lamartine),
Jesse N., William H., John L. and Carrie M. Mr. Moon was Town Treasurer for two terms and mem-
ber of the Town Board for two or three terms.
GEORGE MURRAY (deceased) was bora on Prince Edward's Island in June, 1791. and
was the son of William and Margaret Murray ; he spent most of his early life at farming and lumbering,
and when quite a young man learned the ship-builder's trade, at which he worked during the winters. In
1830, he was married to Mrs. Margaret Montgomery, nee Ramsey, a daughter of Malcolm Ramsey, of
Prince Edward's Island ; in 1844, they removed to McHenry Co., 111., where he devoted his time to farm-
ing for the next ten. years ; in November, 1854, he came to Fond du Lac Co., Wis., and, in the following
spring, settled on a farm on Sec. 23, town of Rosendale, where he died in December, 1855, leaving a widow,
who died in March, 1875, and eight children — John, now in New Brunswick ; Catharine, now the wife of
N. McFarland, and lives on Prince Edward's Island ; Elizabeth, now Mrs. Joseph Spraig, and hves in
Minnesota ; Mary A., now the wife of 0. T. Lewis, of Fond du Lac ; Jane, now the wife of H. Scofield,
and lives in Minnesota ; Margaret, now Mrs. Bushnell Dodd, of this town [Rosendale) ; Ann, who died in
the spring of 1857 ; Theophalus, who married Miss Surrelda, daughter of Benjamin and Caroline Bonnett,
and lives on the homestead farm of 150 acres. • They are members of the M. E. Church ; his post office is
Rosendale.
JOSHUA PHIIililPS (deceased) was born in Cardiganshire, South Wales, in 1799,
and was the son of John and Ann Phillips ; he followed farming in his native county, and was married to
Margaret Evans about 1820 ; he left his family in Wales, and came to seek a home in America about 1843,
stopped first in the State of New York, and, about 1850, came to Wisconsin and settled on a farm of 156
acres, on Sec. 12, town of Rosendale, Fond du Lac Co., Wis.; here his family joined him in 1856 ; his
wife died on the farm in the summer of 1866, and he in the town of Nekama, Winnebae;o Co., Wis., in
September, 1878 ; their children are Ellen, now the wife of David Price, and lives in the town of Utica,
Winnebago Co., Wis.; Ann, now Mrs. Oriel, and lives in Wales; Sarah, deceased; Eliza, now Mrs. John
Thomas, of Utica, Winnebago Co.; John, who was married to Sarah, daughter of William and Martha
Thomas, July 1, 1861 ; they have six children ; Julia G., now the wife of Samuel R. James ; Etta,
deceased ; Hattie, deceased ; Josephine Elmer, deceased ; Sidney. Mr. Phillips owns a farm of 200 acres
in Sees. 11 and 15, and 156 acres in Sec. 12 ; his brother David now lives in the town of Utica, Winne-
bago Co.; his sister Martha, now Mrs. William Price, lives in Utica also. They are connected with the
Baptist Church.
HIRAH QUIMBY, farmer, Sees. 8 and 9; P. 0. Pickett's Station; is a native of Hillsboro
Co., N. H.; son of David and Elizabeth (Kitdredge) Quimby, born May 29, 1806; his mother was a
descendant of the Kitdredge family of New Hampshire, among whom were many eminent surgeons ; his
father was a miller, and with him he worked at the trade much of the time in his native State ; he was,
however, connected with a lumbering company there for a time ; in 1850, he left his home in New Hamp-
shire, and^came to Wisconsin and settled on a farm on Sees. 8 and 9, town of Rosendale, Fond du Lac Co.,^
where he now has 130 acres. In 1836, he was married to Miss Louisa, daughter of Benjamin Winslow,
of Gofistown, Hillsboro Co , N. H.; their children are Louisa, now the wife of Patrick Rock, and lives
in this town (Rosendale) ; Hiram M. and Byron B.
ROBENDALE TOWXSHIP. 923
WILLIAM B. RASE Y, retired farmer, Rosendale ; was born in the town of Peru, Clinton
Co., N. Y., Dee. 15, 1801 ; he is the son of John and Kaohel Kasey ; his father was a native of Rhode
Island, but his mother of New York ; he was brought up as a farmer in his native State, and Feb. 26,
1826, was married to Nancy, a daughter of Samuel and Olive "Hale, of Washington Co., N. Y. ; in the
fall of 1847, they, with a family of four children, immigrated to Wisconsin and settled on a farm in the
town of Lamartine, where he followed farming till July, 1875 ; disposing of his farm at that time, he
removed to the village of Rosendale, where he has since lived a more retired life. Their children are
Samuel, who now lives in the town of Rosendale ; Sarah J., now the wife of Leander Knapp, and lives at
Island Lake, Lyon Co., Minn. ; Olive H., now the wife of I. W. Bowen, and lives in St. James,
Watonwan Co., Minn. ; Ed Z., lives also in Watonwan Co., Minn. Mr. and iMrs. Rasey are members of
the M. E. Church.
THOMAS ROBERTS (deceased) was born in South Wales Dec. 15, 1815, and was- the
son of James and Mary Roberts ; he was employed in the iron mines till 1S42, and then came to Amer-
ica, and was employed in the coal mines at Tallmadge, Ohio, for eight years ; in 1850, he came to the
town of Rosendale, Fond du Lao Co., Wis. ; settled on a farm in Sec. 2, where he followed farming and
owned a farm of 200 acres at the time of his death, Feb. 29, 1876. In November, 1839, he was married
to Elizabeth, daughter of James and Elizabeth Stone, also of South Wales ; their children are Rachel,
now the wife of Joel Morgan, and lives in Nekama ; Elizabeth, now Mrs. Wm. Jones, of Dakota ;
Daniel, now in Utica, Winnebago Co. ; James, of this town (Rosendale) ; Mary and Mao:gie, at home,
and an adopted son, William. Mr. Roberts and family belong to the Congregational Church.
JAMES W. SAIVDERS, farmer. Sec. 6 ; P. 0. Ripon : is the oldest son of James Sanders,
a native of Connecticut, and Anna(Wildey) Sanders, a native of New York ; he was born in Cattaraugus
Co., N. Y., Sept. 8, 1824, and spent his early life there on a farm ; at the age of 17, he entered upon an
apprenticeship at the blacksmith's trade in his native county, and afterward followed the trade there till
1845, immigrating thence to McHenry Co., 111., where he continued the trade for one year ; in April,
1846, he came to Fond du Lac Co., Wis., and pre-empted a farm of 160 acres on Sec. 6, town of Rosen-
dale, built his pioneer shanty thereon, and has since devoted most of his time to agriculture ; his shanty
has since been exchanged for a commodious home with the improvements of a modern farm residence, and
he now has 120 acres of land in that section. His parents removed to Wisconsin in 1850, and settled in
Waushara Co., where his mother died June 21, 1862, at the age of 61 years ; his father afterward died
in Winnebago Co., Wis., Nov. 10, 1876, at the age of 78 years. Mr. Sanders has been Chairman of the
Town Board of Rosendale for throe terms. In October, 1847, he was married to Miss Nancy, daughter
of Christopher and Joannah (Lambert) Grant, and a native of Virginia, but then a resident of this town
(Rosendale) ; their children are James C, now living at Brown's Grove, Pawnee Co., Kan. ; Edwin A.,
who also lives at Brown's Grove, Kan. ; Amelia H., now at home ; Charles H., of Oshkosh, Wis. ; Den-
nison F., now at home. Mrs. Sanders is a member of the Seventh Day Advent Church.
JOSEPH SCRIBNER, Sr., (deceased), was born in Norwalk, Fairfield Co., Conn., Oct.
30, 1796 ; his father, Enoch Soribner, was also a native of Norwalk; born Aug. 29, 1750, and belonged
to the long line of Scribners, beginning with Mathew, who settled there as early as 1740 ; his mother,
Betsey Benedict, was also born in that county. Joseph, the subject of this sketch, spent much of his
early life on a farm in his native county, as many of his ancestors had done. In 1815, he was married to
Sarah, daughter of Jarvis and Mercy Kellogg, nee Sellack, also farmers of Fairfield Co. ; four sons and
three daughters composed their family, as follows: William, born in Connecticut, in December, 1815;
married Mary E., daughter of Nathaniel L. and Maria Hill, nee Wakeman, of Fairfield Co., Sept. 25,
1839; immigrated to Fond du Lac Co., Wis., in the fall of 1849, and settled in the town of Rosendale,
where his wife died Jan. 28, 1876, leaving the following children — Mary E., now the wife of T. Cooper
Hill, of this village (Rosendale); Julia, now Mrs. Joseph Mabee, and lives in Tarrytown, N. Y. ; William
H., who now lives at Russell, Russell Co., Kan. ; John W., of the town of Rosendale, Fond du Lac Co.,
Wis. ; Ellen M. ; Charles H. and Eliza R., who are now at home. Feb. 20, 1877, he was married to Miss
Maria E., daughter of Adam and Eliza Vandenbergh, a native of New York City, but immigrated to
this county, with her mother, in June, 1857. The other members of Mr. Joseph Scribner's family are
Martha, now the wife of Dr. Storrs Hall, of this village (Rosendale) ; Enoch, of Eldorado Mills, Fond du
Lac Co. ; Joseph, of the town of Springvale ; James K., also of Eldorado Mills; Harriet, now the wife
of John Cooley, and lives in the village of Rosendale. Mr. Scribner removed to Fond du Lac Co., Wis.,
in 1858, and settled on a farm on Sec. 34, town of Rosendale, where he died in October, 1868. His
wife now lives with her daughter, Mrs. Cooley.
924 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
ElilSHA C. STEWART, farmer, Sec. 17 ; P. 0. Eipon ; was born in Oswego Co., N. Y.,
in November, 1827 ; when quite young, he with parents, John and Martha Stewart^ removed to Madison,
Co., N. Y; and, at the age of 14, to McHenry Co., III. ; four years later (1846), with them, immigrated
to Fond du Lac Co., WLs., and settled on Sec. 17, town of Kosendale, where they afterward died, and
where he has since resided. In November, 1851, he was married to Lucy J., daughter of Loren A., and
Phebe Rice, early settlers of this town (Rosendale), she died April 29, 1859, leaving three children, as
follows — Charles L.. now of Ida Co., Iowa ; Edward C, also of Ida Co., Iowa ; Alice I., who is now at
home. In 1861, he was married to Miss M. C, daughter of Fredrick and Charlotte Klampee ; they
have two children — Mary J. and Willington. Mr. Stewart has been Chairman of the Town Board for
three terms. Himself and wife are members of the Baptist Church.
JAMES H. SWAWEY, farmer, Sec. 9; P. 0. West Rosendale; was born in Belknap Co.,
N. H., Feb. 4, 1829 ; his parents, John and Nancy Swaney, were also natives of New Hampshire ; he
spent the first seventeen years of his life on a farm in his native county, and then became employed in
the spinning' department of the cotton works at Lowell, Mass., where he remained twelve years. Nov.
17, 1853, he was married to (leorgiana, daughter of Mark and Eliza L. Bailey, of Lowell, but a native
of Greenfield, N. H. ; in the fall of 1857, they came to the town of Rosendale, Fond du Lac Co., Wis.,
wherti he at once began the carpenter's trade, and has continued the same much of the time since ; in the
fall of 1863, he bought a farm of eighty acres, on Sec. 9, and removed to it in 1864, where he has also
carried on farming; they have four children — Georgia E., Mornetta, Katie E. and Willie. Mr. Swaney
has been Justice of the Peace for five or six terms.
JAltlES THOJlPSOIir, farmer. Sec. 13; P. 0. Rosendale; was born in County Armagh,
Ireland, in June, 1818, and is the son of Joseph and Margaret Thompson. At the age of 16, he was
apprenticed to the weaver's trade in his native town (Kilcalm) which he continued there three years ; in
the spring of 1838, he sailed for America, and landed at Quebec ; in June, he settled in Dexter, Jefier-
son Co., N. Y., where his parents afterward joine(^him and made that their home till their deaths ; he
soon became employed in the woolen mills of Dexter, and for nine years was overseer of the coloring-room ;
in 1848, he bought a small farm near Dexter, and afterward followed farming there till 1856 ; disposing
of his interests there at that time, he immigrated to Fond du Lac Co., Wis., and settled on a farm on
Sec. 13, town of Rosendale, where he now owns 120 acres. In October, 1845, ho was married to Miss
Jane, daughter of James and Bettie E. (Taylor) McMullin, natives of County Longford, Ireland, but an
immigrant to America in 1839, and settled in Watertown, N. Y. ; their children are Jennie, now deceased ;
Joseph, deceased; Edmund J., deceased; Elva L. and George A., now at home with his parents. They
are members of the Episcopal Church.
HEIVRY C. WARD, retired, Rosendale; was born in Rutland Co., Vt., May 3, 1820. His
parents, Lorenzo and Abigail Ward, where also natives of Vermont. He passed his early life on a farm
in his native State, and in the spring of 1845, came to Fond du Lac Co., Wis., and early in May of that
year, he entered the first land in the town of Rosendale, on Sec. 36, it being the day after Mr. Sanborn,
■the first settler of Rosendale, had made his claim; living on Sec. 36 one and a half years, he then moved
to West Rosendale, where he continued farming until 1874; at that time he moved to the city of Ripon,
where he has since lived a more retired life. Jan. 1 7, 1858, he was married to Minerva, daughter of Lyman
and Sally Bradway, a native of Oswego Co., N. Y. ; their children are Lottie, Lucy, Myra and Carrie.
They attend the Congresrational Church.
SAMUEL C WHITMEY, farmer. Sec. 16 ; P. 0. West Rosendale, is a native of Andro-
scoggin Co., Me.; born Nov. 29, 1820, and is the son of Simuel and Lydia (Curate) Whitney. His
grandfather, Benjamin Whitney, was a native of England, and with six brothers immigrated to America,
and located at Cape Cod before the French and Indian war, the others afterward were scattered over
Massachusetts, New York and other States, but he settled as a pioneer at Lisbon Falls, Me. ; two, of his
brothers, Abram and Isaac, were soldiers in the Revolution. At New Meadows, Me., before the close of
the French and Indian war, he was married to Mercy Hinkley, and they had a family of twelvei children,
■the eldest two of whom were also soldiers in the Revolution ; the youngest, Samuel, and the father of
Samuel L., was born at Lisbon in 1774 ; followed lumbering and farming fur a livelihood, and was mar-
ried to Lydia Curate in 1801, the second daughter of Stephen Curate, who came from France to Boston,
Mass., as early as 1771, and married Martha Hern in 1774; they had three children — of whom Lydia,
the second, was born in 1776 ; Samuel, with his wife, settled at Lisbon, Me., where they raised a family
of seven children, and afterward died there; Samuel L., the youngest of the family and subjectof this
sketch, was brought up at farming and lumbering. Was married to Sarah, daughter of Daniel and
Eunice (Tarr) Clark, of Lewiston, Me., Jan. 6, 1846 ; they came to Fond du Lac Co., Wis., in 1849, and
['RING VALE TOWNSHIP. 925
in 1851 settled on a farm on Sec. 16, town of Rosendale, which has since been his home ; from 1849 to
1856 he was interested with M. S. Sanborn in lumbering in Outagamie Co. ; since that time, he has been
farming, and he now has a farm of 300 acres in Sec. 16, and forty acres in Sec. 9. Mr. Whitney has
been a member of the Town Board two terms, and was Assessor of the town one term ; their children are
Harriet, wife of Gilbert F. Wilson, of Kipon ; Samuel, who owns a farm of 120 acres in this town (Rosen-
dale) on Sec. 16<; Ellen J., now home with her parents ; Mercy, now Mrs. Frank Burgess, of Sedgwick
Co., Kan. ; John, at home ; Florence, who died at the age of 3 years and 6 months.
FRED ZIWZOW, farmer. Sec. 18 ; P. 0. Ripon ; was born in Mecklenburg, Germany, Nov.
2, 1834, and is the son of Charles Zinzow ; he came to America in July, 1866 ; he lived for the first five
years in the town of Metomen, Fond du Lac Co., Wis., and then removed to the town of Trenton, Dodge
Co., Wis., for three years ; he then returned to Fond du Lac Co., and settled in the town of Alto ; in the
fall of 18Y5, he bought his present farm of 80 acres, in Sec. 18, town of Rosendale. In the fall of 1866,
he was married to Miss Fredreka, daughter of Adolph and Ernestina Dornbrack, then residents of the
town of Metomen, Fond du Lac Co., Wis.; their children are Fred, Augusta, Frank and Ida. Mr. and
Mrs. Zinzow are members of the Lutheran Church.
SPRINCVALE TOWNSHIP.
ADAM ACKER, farmer, Sec. 27 ; P. 0. Ladoga; is a native of Athens Co., Ohio, where he
was born January 12, 1821 ; he is the son of John and Elizabeth Acker ; in 184Y, he immigrated to
Michigan, where he followed farm laboring for fourteen years ; thence to Clark Co., 111., for five years ; in
1866, he came to the town of Springvale, Fond du ftac Co., Wis., where he has since lived. July 7,
1867, he married Miss Sarah, daughter of Elder William and Mary West, nee Smith, immigrants from
Broome Co., N. Y., in the fall of 1847 to this town (Springvale), where her father was the first Close-
Communion Baptist minister ; her father died here in 1872; her mother, in 1869. They have three
children — Charles, Rosa and Rubie M. They are members of the Congregational Church.
WIIililAM J. BARNES, farmer. Sec. 1 ; P. 0. Ro.sendale ; was born in Steuben Co.,
N. Y., in March, 1837 ; his parents, Samuel K. Barnes and Salome Torrence, were natives of Yates Co.,
N. Y., but later settled in Steuben Co., where they lived on a farm till 1853 ; then with their family they
immigrated to Fond du Lac Co., Wis., and settled on a farm in the town of. Forest, where Mr. Barnes
died in 1858. William J., the subject of this sketch, enlisted in Co. H, 14th W. V. I., inl865 ; was
with his regiment in all its battles and movements till mustered out at Mobile, Oct. 8, 1865; his brother,
Milton K., enlisted in the same company in 1861, was with the regiment till the battle of Chico, there was
taken sick, brought home and died in July, 1862 ; Austin T., another brother, was in Co. I, 5th W. V. I.,
and was killed at Fredericksburg, in April, 1863. After being mustered out of service, William returned
to Forest, Fond du Lac Co., Wis., and continued farming there till 1868, when he bought a farm of 85
acres, 65 of which are in Sec. 1, town of Springvale, and 20 in Sec. 36, town of Rosendale, which has
since been his home. In June, 1864, he was married to Miss Fidelia M., daughter of George and
Sarah Chase, then of Forest, but a native of the State of New York ; they have three children — Anna
M., Minnie B. and Percy L. Mr. and Mrs. Barnes are members of the M. E. Church. Mr. Barnes was
Town Superintendent of Schools in Forest two years ; Clerk three years, and Chairman of the Town
Board one year.
HERMAN C. BRINKERHOFF, farmer, Sec. 29 ; P. 0. Brandon ; was born in Seneca
Co., N. Y., May 16, 1815, and is the eighth son of Isaac and Elizabeth (Stout) Brinkerhoff'; in June.
1847, he came to Wisconsin ; entered a farm of 160 acres in Sec. 29, town of Springvale, Fond du Lac
Co., which has since been his home ; he was School Superintendent of the town one term, and was member of
the Town Board for two or three terms. In June, 1848, he was married to Miss Clarissa, a daughter of
Samuel and Chloe Cheeney, a native of Vermont. They have one son — Francis, who, in the spring of
1874, married Miss Jane, daughter of Hinkley and Mary Grennell, then living in the town of Waupun ;
they have two children — Francis H. and Edith E.
WILLIAM A. CHENEY, retired farmer, Sec. 33 ; P. 0. Brandon ; was born in Rut-
land Co., Vt., Dec. 31, 1806; son of Samuel Cheney and Chloe Manley, natives of Connecticut; his
grandfather, Benjamin Cheney, was also a native of Connecticut. William A. spent much of his early
Ufe on a farm, and, at the age of 18, began teaching music, which he continued in his native county for
926 BIOGKAPHICAL SKETCHES:
ten years. Feb. 14, 1834, he was married to Miss Sophrona, daughter of Abram and Louisa Eessequie,
nee Robinson, and a native of Hubbardton, Rutland Co., Vt. May 26, 1836, Mr. and Mrs. Cheney
started for Wisconsin and reached Chicago in June following ; they settled in the town of Waterford,
Racine Co., Wis.; in March, 1845, Mr. Cheney, with his brother, came to Fond.du Lac Co. and selected
their homes ; he entered 1 60 acres in Sec. 33, town of Springvale, and built hia pioneer house, which is yet
standing; Nov. 3, 1845, his family arrived, and was the first to settle in the town, and have since made
their home on the first selected farm. Their children are Jerome B., married and lives at Berlin, Wis;,
Mary E., now the wife of Austin Taylor, and lives in this town (Springvale); S. Elizabeth, now Mrs.
Cyrenus Hall, and lives in Walworth Co., Wis.; John R., married and lives on the homestead ; Sarah J.,
now the wife of A. P. Fowler, and lives in Iowa ; Charles B., married and lives in Berlin, and Chloe L.,
who lives at home with her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Cheney are members of the M. E. Church.
EDWARD CUKTIS (deceased) was born in the State of New York March 18, 1808, and
spent the first twenty-five years of his life with his parents on a farm. In 1837, he was married to Miss
Eveline, daufhter of John Eaton, who was born in New York in 1811. In 1848, they, with a family
of five children, immigrated to Wisconsin, and settled on a farm of 160 acres in See. 13, town of Spring-
vale, where he followed farming till his death Feb. 5, 1877 ; his widow now lives in the village of Rosen-
dale. Their children are Cynthia M., now the wife of John Gilehrist, of Madison, Lake Co., Dak.; John K.,
who now lives in Steele Co., Minn.; George, deceased; David, of Steele Co., Minn.; Vincent, who, Dec.
17, 1872, married Miss Hattie A., daua;htcr of Stephen and Harriet Grossman, of this town, Springvale
(they have two children — Prank and Mary H., and now live on the homestead ; he now owns a farm of
160 acres in Sec. 24, town of Springvale); Mary E., who is now the wife of N. Nickerson, of Seward Co.,
Kan.; Phebe A., now Mrs. Horatio Elliott, of the town of Rosendale.
JOHX DUFFY, farmer. See. 17; P. 0. Brandon; born in Canada East July 29, 1844; son
of Martin and Ann (McDonough) DuiFy, natives of Ireland, but who immigrated to Canada in 1838, and
came to Watertown, Wis., in 1846, where they nowTeside ; John made his home there until 1862 ; he
thL'ii came to the town of Springvale, Fond du Lac Co.; in 1866, he purchased his present farm of 120
.acres; he has since bought eighty acres in Sec. 20. Feb. 18, 1868, he married Ellen, daughter of Patrick
and Margaret Moran, then residing in the town of Clyman, Dodge Co., Wis.; they have six children
living — James P., Margaret J., Ellen, Thomas H., Ann M., John F. and Martin J.; they lost one son.
Mr. Dufty and wife are members of St. Mary's Catholic Church.
DANIEL FENELiON (deceased), was born in the County Carlow, Ireland, March 5, 1841,
and was the fourth son of John and Margaret (Byrne) Fenelon, with whom he came to America in 1850,
and settled in the town of Springvale, Wis., where he resided with liis parents until 1863. Married, Jan.
4, 1863, to, Mary, daughter of John and Ann (Burns) Gough, of the city of Fond du Lac; she was born
in County Wicklow, Ireland ; he settled on a farm in Sec. 16, after his marriage, and resided there until
his death, Sept. 8, 1871 ; his widow and three sons now reside on the farm; the sons are John H.,
William J. and Daniel. They are members of the Catholic Church.
CrEOR<)rE €rEE, farmer. Sees. 32 and 33 ; P. 0. Brandon ; son of Jonathan Gee and Lorany
Blue; born in the town of Virgil, Cortland Co., N. Y., July 10, 1816; his grandparents, Daniel and
Mary Blue, were natives of Mercer Co., N. J., but removed to the town of Dryden, Tompkins Co., N. Y.,
in 1802; his grandfather wis apprenticed to the cabinet-maker's trade in Princeton, N. J., at the age of
14, at which he served seven years' apprenticeship; he followed his trade much of the time in New York,
though for the first few years after his settlement there, he worked at the millwright trade, and built the
second mill in Tompkins Co., at Fall Creek; later, he removed to Ohio, where he continued the cabinet-
maker's trade for nearly twenty yea,rs, and, in 1853, he returned to Tompkins Co., where he died the
following year. Jonithan, the fath3r of our present subject, was the son of John Gee, who, at th3 age of
14, was apprenticed to the weaver's trade in the Mohawk Valley, N. Y., during the Revolutionary war ;
the Tories of that vicinity often met at the weaver's shop, and laid plans for the capture of Washington
and his army ; this lad's patriotism prompted him to carry the news to the General's camp ; he did so, and
was kept as an aid-boy by Washington until one day, when the officers were mustering some recruits in
service, he formed in the ranks, stood on tiptoe, and was mustered in with them ; he served seven years
as a soldier, his last siege being at the surrender of Cornwallis ; after the close of the war, he was married
to Mary Hutchings, and settled in the Wyoming Valley, N. Y., where Jonathan was born, Feb. 15, 1792 ;
in 1797, they removed to Tompkins Co., N. Y., and settled in the town of Virgil; here they raised a
family of fifteen children, whose descendants are now scattered over many States; Jonathan was married
to Miss Loraney Blue in 1812 or 1813, and was the father of thirteen children, nine of whom grew to
manhood and womanhood. George was the second son, and early learned the stonecutter's trade in his
IPBESGVALE TOWNSHIP. 927
native county ; in May, 1847, he came to Wisconsin, and settled in the town of Springvale, where he now
has a farm of eighty-seven acres in Sees. 32 and 33; he also owns 120 acres in the town of Belmont,
Portage Co., Wis., and has a house and marble-shop at Stevens Point ; he, with his cousin, started the
•first marble-works at Waupun, Fond du Lao Co. March 1, 1836, he was married to Miss Lydia, a
daughter of Rev. Caleb and Phebe Whiting, of Cortland Co., N. Y., who died at her home in Springvale,
Nov. 5, 1866. Their children were Thaddeus Adelbert, who was killed in South Carolina, Feb. 3, 1865 ;
Hiram E., who died when 6 months old ; Emma E., now the wife of J. H. Ward, and lives in Fillmore Co.,
Neb.: Geo. E., who died in Springvale when 6 months old ; Ella R., deceased ; Billington W., married Ella,
daughter of Wm. and Mary Huff, dying April 6, 1877 — he was again married, to Minnie, daughter of Elijah
and Albina P. Hersey, of Dayton, Waupaca Co., Wis., July 20, 1879, and they now live in Springvale;
Florence R., now the wife of Oliver N. Lewis, of Dayton, Waupaca Co., Wis.
T. K. GILliETT, farmer, Sec. 14; P.O.Rosendale; isason of E. J.Gillett,D.D.,andAmanda
Smith ; his father was a native of New York, his mother of Massachusetts ; his father was a Presbyterian min-
ister in New York, but is now a Professor in Parsons College, in Iowa. T. K. was born in Chautauqua Co., N.
y., in October, 1835 ; is the youngest of five children, all of whom came to Wisconsin ; he, with one sister,
Mrs. Judge McLean, of the city of Fond du Lac, resides in this county ; he was educated in the common
schools of New York, and, in 1849, he made his first visit to Fond du Lac Co., Wis., but returned to his
home in York State after a six months' stay; in February, 1854, he came a second time to Fond du Lac
Co., and settled on his father's farm in Sec. 35, town of Fond du Lao, where he followed farming for
thirteen years; in 1867, he purchased a farm in Sec. 14, town of Springvale, which has since been his
home; he was elected Chairman of the Town Board in 1873, was re-elected in 1874, 1877 and 187D ;
was nominated for the State Senate in the fall of 1879. Dec. 25, 1859, he was married to Miss Lydia,
daughter of Jeremiah and Sylva Cowden, of Chautauqua Co., N. Y.; her mother dying when she wns
2 days old, she was raised by her grandmother, till she died, and then by distant relatives ; they have had
two sons — Alfred E. (deceased), and Willis J.
DANIEIi €}REENE, farmer. Sec. 9; P. 0. Brandon ; was born in Ireland in 1817 ; son of
John and Bridget Greene. About the year 1840, he was married to Eliza, daughter of Thomas and Mary
Carey ; she was born in Ireland ; came to America in 1850, and settled on a farm in Sec. 8 ; afterward
removed to his present location, owning his original farm of 80 acres and also 80 acres in Sec 9, where
he now resides ; they have had eight children ; the living are — Maria (now Mrs. Wjn. Culbertson, of Wine-
conne. Wis.) ; Thomas, Elizabeth, Susan and Daniel ; the last four reside at home with their parents ; lost
one son and a daughter — Bridget and John. Mr. Greene and his family are members of St. Mary's
Catholic Church, in th'.s town.
WILIilAM HARIIER, farmer. Sec. 24 ; P. 0. Rosendale ; was born in the county of
Sussex, England, in June, 1811, and is the son of Samuel Harmer and Phebe Carey, both of whom died
in England ; he learned and followed the business of a thatcher, in his native county. June, 1836, he
married Miss Hannah, daughter of Richard and Sarah Mitchell, nee Upton, of Sussex, England ; with a
a family of eight children, in 1848, he immigrated to America, and settled in Springvale, Pond du Lao Co., Wis.,
which has since been his home, where he now has 40 acres in Sec. 24, having sold off much of his land ;
the children are as follows: William, of Springvale: Charles, of Jackson Co., Wis.; Joseph (deceased) ;
Mary (now Mrs. James Dooley, of Dole's Corners) ; Harriet (now, Mrs. Dewell, of Jackson Co., Wis.) ;
Sarah (now Mrs. Charles Perry, of Minnesota) ; Peter, of Jackson Co., Wis.; Mrs. Harmer died at her
home in 1858. In 1861, he married Mrs. Prances Davis, of FondduLaCj a native of England, who died
just ten years after her marriage.
JAHES T. HART, farmer. Sec. 1 ; P. 0. Eldorado. Mills; is a native of Westchester Co.,
N. Y.; born Nov. 15, 1811 ; is the son of Elijah and Blariah Hart, who were also natives of Westchester
Co.; he devoted his time to farming in his native county until 1858. In 1833, he was married to Eliza-
beth P., daughter of Henry and Rachel Storms, also native of Westchester Co., but of Holland descent;
in the spring of 1858, with his family — a wife and six children, he emigrated to Wisconsin, and settled
on a farm on See. 1, town of Springvale, Fond du Lac Co.; he now owns a farm of 200 acres, 120 of
which is on Sec. 1, Springvale; 40, in Sec. 8, town of Lamartine, and also a timber lot of 40 acres in
West Town; their children are Emma, now wife of Isaac B. Lovett, of Westchester Co., N. Y.; Elijah,
on farm with his father ; Almyra, now wife of William S. Ball, of Springvale ; Norman T., of this town ;
Fannie, wife of Richard Grove, of Springvale ; Anna, at home. His oldest daughter is a member of the
Dutch Reform Church; the other members of the family are Tom Paineites.
THE HAZEX FAMILY. Among the first settlers of Springvale, were the nine Hazen
brothers; son< of John and Polly (Blodgett) Hazen, who wore natives of Massachusetts, but early immi-
grants to Lewis Co., N. Y., where these sons were born ; their father dying in 1838, eight of the brothers
928 BIOGBAPHICAL SKETCHES:
witb their mother came to Wisconsin in July, 1844, and settled in the town of Oakfield, Fond du La&
Co., and later in the town of Springvale ; they were SewelL V., now living at Winona, Minn., to which place
he removed in 1861; Calvin, now a citizen of this town — Springvale; Alonzo, now a resident of Eau
Claire Co.. Wis-; James, who was perhaps the first physician in the town of Springvale, and who soon
after settled in Milwaukee, but was forced on account of ill health to give up his professional work (he
died in the city of Fond du Lac, Aug. 13, 1853, leaving a daughter, Nettie, who afterward, with her
mother and stepfather, removed to Wyoming, and there was drawn as one of the first twelve lady jurists
in the United States) ; Lorenzo, who preceded the rest ,of the family in the town of Oakfield a year (he was-
a member of the Wisconsin Constitutional Convention ; he afterward removed to the city of Fond du Lac,
thence to the city of Ripon and, finally, to Owatonna, Steele Co. Minn., where he is now County Judge) ;
John, now a citizen of Springvale;, Sanford, now a resident of Ripon, Wis.; Chester, who was the second
settler of this town — Springvale ; Loren E., who returned to New York, and is now a resident of the town of
Copenhagen, Lewis Co. Their mother died at her son Calvin's home in Springvale in June, 1856.
CHESTER HAZEX, resides on the southeast quarter of Sec. 34; P. 0. Ladoga, Fond du
Lac Co., Wis.; proprietor of Ladoga, Brandon & Grrand Prairie cheese factories, and breeder of pure-
blooded Ayrshires ; he was born on the 31st of January, 1824, in Copenhagen, Lewis Co., N. Y.; his
ancestry are of English -origin, and came from England about the middle of the seventeenth century, and
settled in Massachusetts, where his great-great-grandfather, Edward Hazen, was born Sept. 10,1660;.
his son Benjamin was born in Rowley, Mass., on the 19th day of February, 1694: and his son Edward was
born at Groton, Mass., May 2, 1737; and his son, John Hazen, was the father of the subject of this sketch,
and was born atSwanzey, N. H., on the 17th of March, 1786, and died Nov. 22, 1838; his wife's maiden,
name — the mother of Chester — was Polly Blodgett. Eight brothers, including Chester, came West, and
landed at Milwaukee on the 2d of July, 1844, and immediately thereafter settled in Fond du Lac Co.,'
another brother, Lorenzo, had preceded the family, and settled in Oakfield in the fall of 1843 ; Chester
settled first in the township of Oakfield, but sold his claim in the spring of 1845, and bought the farm
where he now resides ; has a home farm of 240 acres, 80 of which is meadow ; he has also a farm of 200
acres in the township of Green Lake, county of Green Lake, where his Grand Prairie Cheese Factory. is
located ; he a'so owns an improved farm of 320 acres in Cerro Gordo Co., Iowa. He was married, June
8, 1854, to Miss Jennie Atwood, formerly of Vermont ; he has had two children — Delia M., who was born
Oct. 12, 1855, and Bertie, born Oct. 24, 1859, died Aug. 25, 1862. Delia was married on the 2d of
September, 1879, to William Grifl&th, of Metomen. Fond du Lac Co., Wis. Of the nine Hazen brothers-
who began Western life in this county, four still live in Fond du Lac Co., namely : Chester, Sewell, John
and Sanford ; one, a physician, James, died in August, 1858 ; Calvin lives in Winona, Minn., and Lorenzo
is County Judge of Stee|e Co., Minn., and Alonzo is in Eau Claire Co., Wis., and Loren E. is a physician
in his native place, Copenhagen, N. Y. The nine brothers have an aggregate of twenty-six children, and
forty-five grandchildren. In early life, Chester learned the trade of molder, and worked at the same for
ten years, but his life-work has been farming; he commenced dairying on his Springvale farm in 1850, and
that, together with stock-raising, continues to be his business or profession. In 1864, he built and ran
the first cheese factory in Wisconsin, and it for eight years was the largest factory in the State. In 1870,
he shipped the first car load of cheese that was ever sent to the New York market, by the manufacturer, from
Wisconsin. The " Fond du Lac County Dairymen's Association " was organized in 1869, and was the first
association of the kind in the State. Mr. Hazen was its first President. The " Wisconsin State Dairy-
men's Association " was organized in 1871, with Chester Hazen as President, and he was twice re-elected
to the same position. He has been actively interested in agricultural enterprises, having been an official ten
years in the Fond du Lie County Agricultural Society, and also for six years in the "Northern Wisconsin
Agricultural and Mechanical Association, and also four years in the Wisconsin State Agricultural Society.
He is President of an a.ssociation which is running a "co-operative store " at Brandon, Fond du Lao Co.
Mr. Hazen is emphatically the pioneer dairyman of Wisconsin; he milks eighty cows this season — 1880.
He has been practically interested for fully thirty years in securing the best dairy stock, and finally decided to
try the Ayrshire, and, in March, 1873, he bought ten pure-blood Ayrshires, and, since that date, he has
made a specialty of breeding that stock. He has now sixty head of Ayrshires, and, everything considered,
he believes them to combine more good qualities for general purposes than any other breed on the conti-
nent. He has been a reliable Republican ever since the organization of the party. He is liberal in his
religious views, and is a member of the First Universalist Society of Fond du Lac Co. The social quali-
ties and personal characteristics of this enthusiastic dairyman are too well known to need description in
Wisconsin history.
CAIiVIN HAZEW, farmer, Sees. 35 and 36 ; P. 0. Ladoga ; is the son of John and Polly
Hazen, nee Blodgett, born in Lewis Co., N. Y., in October, 1811 ; he spent much of his early life on a
PKINGVALE TOWNSHIP. 929'
farm in his native county. In June, 1838, he was married to Miss Pauline, daughter of Isaac and Persus
Brewer, natives of Lewis Co., also ; they with a daughter, Irene, and his mother's family, immigrated to
Wisconsin in 1844, and arrived in Milwaukee July 2 of that jlear. Their first settlement was in the town
of Oakfield, Fond du Lao Co., near the place where the village is now located ; two years later he pre-
empted 160 acres in Sec. 36, town of Springvale, but through a mistake could only hold eighty acres of
it; he removed to Springvale at that time and has since made it his home ; ho now has a farm of 191
acres, forty acres of which is in Sec. 12, town of Waupun, the rest in Sees. 35 and 36, Springvale. Here
his wife died in December, 1851, leaving three children^-Irene (now the wife of H. Finch, of Steele Co.,
Minn.), Jane (now Mrs. George Ballard, of Dodge Co., Minn), and Edgar, of Cottonwood Co., Minn. In
Decemher, 1855, he was married to Miss Meribah, daughter of Russell and Nancy Brown, a native of New
York, but an immigrant to Fond du Lac Co., Wis., in 1848 ; their children are Jason (deceased), Fred C,
Hattie L. and Spener R. ,
JOH.9? HAZESr, farmer. Sec. 34 ; P. 0. Ladoga ; is the sixth of the nine sons of Jol?n and
Polly Hazen ; he was born in the town of Denmark, Lewis Co., N. Y., Feb. 19, 1819 ; he spent his early-
life with his parents on a farm in his native county, and early acquired the habits of industry and economy
which have characterized his life ; in the summer of 1844, he, with his wife, mother and seven brothers,
immigrants to Wisconsin, and settled in the town of Oakfield ; in March, 1846, he removed to a farm in
Sec. 34, town of Springvale, where he has since lived, and now has 191 acres. In Jefierson Co., N. Y.,
Oct. 4, 1843, he was married to Miss Melissa, daughter of John W. and Anna Moore, nee Townsend, who
came to Wisconsin in 1846, and settled in the town of Spridgvale, where her mother died June 22, 1860,
and her father Aug. 2, 1878, leaving eight children, four of whom now live in Fond du Lac Co.; Mr. and
Mrs. Hazen have two children — Anna A. (now Mrs. B. C. Sherwin, of Springvale), and H. Sidney, who
was the first child born in this town, Sept. 7, 1847.
CHARLES C. LINDSLEY, farmer. Sec. 12; P. 0. Rosendale; was born in Madison Co.
N. y., in March, 1823, and son of Eben and Thankful (Parker) Lindsley, natives of Connecticut, .bijt
immigrants to New York in 1810, where our present ,subject was born ; he spent his early life on a
farm in his native county ; in 1846, he came to Fond du Lac Co., Wis.; spent a few weeks in the town of
Byron; then returned to Madison Co., New York, where, Jan. 19, 1847, he was married to Miss Olive
M., daughter of Solomon and Olive (Thair) Taylor, and in May following came again to Fond dn'Lao Co.,
Wis., and settled on Sec. 27 ; built, perhaps, the fourth frame house in that town ; five years later, he
removed to Sec. 10 of that town; in 1870, they removed to the city of Fond du Lac, where he was deal-
ing in real estate for four years ; in 1874, he bought a farm of 120 acres in Sec. 12, town of Springvale,
and ten acres in the town of Lamartine, and has since followed farming; their children are Addison S., of
Fond'du Lao ; Newton E., Louis M., Vina O. (npw the wife of J. H. Seribner, of this town). Flora A.,
Charles W. and Lillie B. Mr. and Mrs. Lindsley are members of the Baptist Church.
ALFRED MARCHANT, farmer. Sec. 4; P. 0. Rosendale; was born in the county of
Kent, England, March 2, 1830 ; his father, James Marchant, and his mother, Mary A. Skinner, were also
natives of that county ; in 1834, with his parents he immigrated to America and settled in the town of
Rome, Oneida Co., N. Y.; four years later, they removed to the town of Annsville, Oneida Co.; in 1847,
with his father and sister, he came to Wisconsin and settled in the town of Springvale, Fond du Lac Co.,
where his mother and other members of the family afterward joined them ; in 1861, he bought a farm
of eighty acres on Sec. 4, town of Springvale, which has since been his home. In August, 1858, he
was married to Miss Fannie, daughter of Michael and Mary A. Mouran, natives of Ireland, but immi-
grants to Rosendale, Fond dii Lac Co., Wis., in 1854 ; they had two children — George and Otis G., both
of whom are deceased. <
SAHUEE W. MARSH, retired. Sec. 2 ; P. 0. Rosendale ; was born in the town of Rochester)
Windsor Co., Vt., Sept. 7, 1801 ; when 3 years old, with his parents, Joseph C. and Susanna Marsh, he
removed to Clinton Co., N. Y., where he spent his life on a farm till 1838. In 1825, he was married to
Temperance, a daughter of Byron and Temperance Havans, of Clinton Co., N. Y., with whom, in 1838,
he removed to La Salle Co., 111.; three years later, they removed to Racine Co., Wis., and, in 1846, to the
town of Metomen, where they settled on a farm and made that their home till 1868 ; he then bought a
farm of 120 acres in Sec. 2, in the town of Springvale, where he has since lived ; they have four children
— Isaac H. (now a practicing physician of Neillsville, Clark Co., Wis.), Gurden (now a carpenter and
joiner of the city of Fond du Lac), Canfield (who now owns the farm on which he and his father lives),
Caroline (now the wife of M. D. Buell, and lives in Humburd, Clark Co., Wis.) He was Assessor of the
town of Metomen one year. Mr. and Mrs. Marsh are members of the M. E. Church.
930 BIOGBAPHICAL SKETCHES:
JOHN W. HOORE (deceased) was born in New Hampshire, March 24, 1797, and was the
son of Theodosius and Hannah Wilson Moore, with whom he removed to Lewis Co., N. Y., when about
16 years old. In 1818, he was married to Miss Anna, daughter of Jonathan and Orange (Fox) Town-
send, pf Watertown, Jefferson Co., N. Y., with whom he immigrated to Fond du Lac Co. in 1845; their
children are Malissa (now the wife of John Hazen, of this town), Mai'y (now Mrs. Lorenzo Hazen, and
lives in Ripon), Martha (now the wife of David Lawrence, and lives in the town of Utica, Winnebago
Co., Wis.), Maria (the late Mrs. Abijah Hubbard, now deceased), Marion H. (now Mrs. Bush, and lives
on a farm of eighty acres in Sec. 30, in this town ; she has two sons — William B. and John C), John
M. (now of Beloit, Kan.), Theodocia (now Mrs. Oscar Willard, of the town of Oakfield, Fond du Lao
Co.), Augusta (now Mrs. Alonzo Lookwood, and lives in the town of Metomen), George (now in Fond
du Lac City).
Ci}EORG-E MONTGOMERY, farmer. Sees. 23 and 24; P. 0. Rosendale;. is the only son
of George Montgomery, Sr., and Margaret Ramsey; was born on Prince Edward's Island Feb. 24, 1826 ;
his father died before he was born, but his mother afterward married again, and with her and his step-
father in 1845, he immigrated to De Kalb County, and later, to McHenry Co., Ill; in November, 1847,
he came to Fond du Lac Co., Wis., and settled on Sec. 14, town of Springvale, where he lived till 1871 ;
he then traded for 200 acres in Sees. 23 and 24, in the town of Springvale, which has since been his
home. In July, 1852, he was married to Miss Mary A., daughter of George and Ann Gould, natives of
Staffordshire, England, but immigrants to Wisconsin in 1850; their children are as follows: Eliza A.;
Susannah, now Mrs. Elijah Griffith, of Rosendale, Wis.; James D., George D., William D., Fred D., Ida
M., Sophia A., Abbie, Mabel D. and Martha M. Mrs. Montgomery is a member of the Congregational
Church.
JOHN NEST, farmer. Sec. 28; P. 0. Brandon; was born in Mecklenburg, Germany, in Jan-
uary, 1845; his father died when he was only 3 years old, but his mother was long spared him; in 1857,
they immigrated to America and settled on a farm of eighty acres, in Sec. 28, town of Springvale, Fond
du Lao Co., Wis., where his mother afterward died. In 1860, he was married to Fredreka Springbaurn,
of Rosendale, Fond du Lao Co., Wis.; their children are Ellen, Charles, Martha, Emma, Bertha, Eddie
and Alvina. Mr. and Mrs. Nest are members of the Lutheran Church.
THEODORE O'CONNOR, deceased; was a native of Herkimer Co., N. Y.; born in 1810,
and was the son of Timothy and Lucy O'Connor; when quite young, with his parents, he removed to
Jefferson Co., N. Y., where his father and mother died.' In 1832, he was married in Jefferson Co., to
Eunice, daughter of Joseph and Milly Dickey; she was born in that county; in June, 1854, with a family
of six children, they came to Wisconsin and located on a farm in the town of Metomen, Fond du Lac Co.;
seven years later he removed to the town of Rosendale, where he continued farming until 1868 ; he then
purchased a farm on Sec. 10, in Springvale, where he resided until the time of his death, which occurred
in November, 1874; the surviving children are as follows: William L., who came to Wisconsin in 1857
(he was elected County Superintendent of schools in 1871, re-elected in 1873 and 1875; has taught in the
schools of the county since 1864; he married Alice Bishop, of Rock Co., Wis., April 26, 1879); Lucy,
now Mrs. Robert Jenkinson, of Brandon, Wis.; Timothy, a farmer residing in Dodge Co., Minn.; Benjamin F.;
a farmer of Springvale, Wis.; George B., residing with his mother in this town; Ettie, now Mrs. Wallace
Porter, also residing with her mother; the second son, Joseph, died in September, 1874.
EDWARD B. PARSONS, farmer. Sec. 2 ; P. 0. Rosendale ; is the son of Samuel B. and
Mary Parsons, natives of Connecticut, but immigrants to Jefferson Co., N. Y., where Edward B. was
born July 6, 1831 ; in 1834, his parents removed to Buffalo, N. Y., where his father was engaged in the
grocery business for four years ; in July, 1838, they removed to Chicago, 111, where his father was pro-
prietor of a hotel for three years ; in 1841, they removed to Milwaukee and continued the hotel business
for about nine months; thence to Belleville, Wis., for one year; from there they went to Summit, Wau-
kesha Co., and continued the same business for a while, and then devoted his time to farming in
that county till the spring of 1845, whence, with ox teams, they came as immigrants, to the town
of Springvale, Fond du Lac Co., and settled on Sec. 2, where (hey afterward died — father, July
21, 1864, mother, in June, 1871, leaving one daughter and four sons — Maty E., the widow of the late
T. G. Burgess, deceased ; Samuel H., who now lives in Phillips Co., Kan. ; Henry F., now in Sacramento,
Cal. ; Edward B., who now lives on the homestead, and owns 330 acres of land in Sees. 1 and 2 of
Springvale, and Sec. 14, Rosendale, and in Sec. 10, Lamartine, also has 80 acres in St. Croix Co., Wis.
He has been a member of the Town Board, and has also been Town Treasurer. June 8, 1862, he was
married to Caroline, daughter of Benjamin and Arabella Paddock, early settlers of Neenah, Wis. ; their
children are Guy S., Elva M., Georgie. His wife is a member of the Congregational Church.
IINGVALE TOWNSHIP. 931
CHARLES R. PENNEY, farmer. Sec. 15 ; P. 0. Kosendale ; was bora March 10, 1820,
in Jefferson Co., N. Y. ; son of Eli and Polly Minor Penney ; came to Wisconsin in the spring of 1861,
and settled on his present farm of 120 acres. Has been Town Assessor for five years. Oct. 15, 1855,
he was married to Elizabeth, daughter of Phillip and Catharine (Drummond) Blanchard ; she was born
in Jefferson Co., N. Y. ; they had two children — Clement M. and George E., both deceased.
WILLIAM PINCH, farmer. Sec. 4 ; P. 0. West Rosendale ; is a native of the county
of Cornwall, England; born in December, 1815 ; he is the son of John and Mary Pinch, who were also
natives of County Cornwall ; when 12 years old, he began the malting business, which he followed in
England till 24 years of age. In 1840, he was married to Miss Jane, daughter of William and Elizabeth
Hamley, and afterward superintended a farm for a minister of the Church of England for one and one-
half years ; after the death of the minister, in 18^2, he took charge of a farm for Capt. Collins, Pi. N. ,
for four years, after which he followed the butcher's trade in England till 1852; they came thence to
America, and arrived at the village of Rosendale, Pond du Lac Co., Wis., June 28, 1852 ; he lived in
the town of Rosendale till the spring of 1854, when he bought a farm of eighty acres in Sec. 4, town of
Springvale, which has since been his home ; he now also owns eighty acres in Sec. 8 of this town. Their
children are Alfred, who lives in this town ; George W., of Springvale ; Neomi E., now at home ; John
W., now a Congregational minister at Escanaba, Mich. ; Pearce, now in Massachusetts ; Mary J., at
home. Mr. and Mrs. Pinch are members of the Congregational Church. He has been a member of the
Town Board for one term.
POSDIC C. PROCTY, farmer. Sees. 10 and 15 ; P. 0. Rosendale ; was born in Windham
Co., Vt., April 8, 1828 ; son of Amos and Bathsheba (Wallace) Prouty ; came to the town of Springvale,
Wis., in April, 1847, with his parents; they settled on the farm where he now resides. Married, Jan. 7,
1857, Catharine M., daughter of Philip and Catharine Blanchard ; she is a native of Jefferson Co., N. Y.,
residing in Springvale at the time of her marriage ; they ha-?e had ten children ; the living are Louis K.,
Arthur D., Dee A., Levi B., Marian A. and an infant not named; they have lost four children — Clark F.,
Clarence, Willie E. and Nellie S. Mr. Prouty owns a farm of 120 acres on Sec. 10, and eighty acres on
Sec. 15 ; was Town Treasurer one term.
JOHN S. PYUALL, farmer. Sec. 4; P. 0. Rosendale; was born in the county of Norfolk,
Eng., Dec. 12, 1834; came with his parents, Thomas and Sarah Pygall, to America in 1838, and settled
in Oneida Co., N. Y., where his father worked at the tailor's trade, till 1844; they then removed to
Detroit, Mich., where, in November, 1848, his father enlisted in the 1st Mich. V. I., as a soldier in the
war with Mexico, and died at Vera Cruz in June, 1849. John S. went as a Captain's waiter in his
father's regiment, but when they reached Mexico he enlisted as a soldier and served with his regiment till
the close of the war. He then returned to Michigan and made that his home till 1853, and then came
to the town of Springvale, which has .«inoe been his home. In 1862, he enlisted in Co. H, 32d W. V. I,
under Col. J. Howe ; was with his regiment from Atlanta to Washington ; was then appointed Hospital
Steward; was mustered out of service at Milwaukee in June, 1865; returned to his home and, in the
same year, bought a farm in Sec. 4, where he now has 120 acres. In 1854, he was married to Harriet,
•daughter of James and Mary Marchant, of Springvale, but a native of England ; she died in the fall of
1868, leaving one son — William H. In 1875, he was married to Anna, daughter of Conrad and Begula
Butcher, of this town, Sprinjjvale ; they have two daughters — Carrie and Hattie.
GEORGE W. ROGERS, farmer, Sec. 35 ; P. 0. Ladoga; is a native of Essex Co., N. Y.,
born in December, 1837, and is the son of Daniel Rogers and Olive Nichols, early immigrants to Essex Co. N.
Y., where his father died in 1845 ; in 1847, with his mother and family, he removed to Wisconsin and
settled on Sec. 38, town of Lamartine, Pond du Lac Co., where his mother died in the winter of 1858.
At Sioux City, Iowa, in 1861, he enlisted in Co. I, 7th Iowa V. C, and was engaged mostly in frontier
service during his term of enlistment; he was mustered out of service at Sioux City, Iowa, in 1863. He
soon returned to his home in Fond du Lac Co., Wis., and, in the fall of 1865, bought a farm of ninety
acres, in Sec. 35, town of Springvale, where he has since followed farming. In February, 1868, he was
married to Miss Mary E., daughter of James J. and Charlotte Davis, then a resident of the town of Wau-
pun, Fond du Lac Co., Wis., but a native of Pennsylvania ; their children are Alice 0., Mary C. and George
E. Mr. and Mrs. Rogers are members of the Methodist Church.
FREDRICK SCOFIELD, farmer. Sec. 3; P. 0. Rosendale; was born in the town of
Hiidiey, Saratoga Co., N. Y., Nov. 21, 1821 ; he is the son of Miner and Lydia (^Sherman) Scofield,
natives of Connecticut, but both immigrants to New York when young ; they were married in March,
1821, and raised a family of ten children, one of whom died in New York in 1844 ; the others afterward
came to Wisconsin ; two now live in the town of Springvale, Fond du Lac Co. Fredrick, the oldest son.
932 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
came to Wisconsin and settled in the town of Johnstown, Kock Co., in May, 1845 ; Nov. 24 following,
he came to the town of Springvale, Fond du Lac Co., and settled on Sec. 3, where he now owns a farm of
eighty acres. Dec. 20, 1846, he was married to Miss Calista, a daughter of Abel and Laura (Cushman)
Bemis ; her mother dying when she was only 8 years old, she was adopted by Reuben and Lucy Tarr, and
made her home with them till April, 1846, when she came to Wisconsin ; they have had eight children,
as follows : Katie, the late wife of Rufus Oliver, of Waupun (deceased) ; 'Fredrick, Jr., now of this town
— Springvale; Edward L., now in Ripon; EUie M., now at home with her parents; William F., deceased;
Miner, deceased ; Ida E., deceased ; Benjamin P., deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Scofield are members of the
Congregational Church.
JOSEPH SCRIBXEB, farmer. Sec. 3; P. 0. Rosendale; was born in Fairfield Co., Conn.;.
Dec. 13, 1824, and is the son of Joseph Scribner and Sarah Kellogg, a descendant of the well-known
Kellogg family of that State ; his parents were both natives of Fairfield Co., Conn.; Joseph is the fourth
of seven children, six of whom live in Fond du Lac Co., Wis.; one, with his father, is deceased; he spent
his life on a farm in his native county until 23 years of age ; Dec. 16, 1847, he, in company with B,
Pinkney, started for Wisconsin, and reached the town of Rosendale, Fond du Lac Co., in February, 1848;
he entered 160 acres of land in Sees. 31 and 32 of that town, but devoted his attention to merchandising
in the village of Rosendale, and afterward disposed of his real estate in that town; in January, 1852, he
devoted xchanged his stock of goods for a farm of 85 acres, in Sec. 3. town of Springvale, where he has since
his time to farming, though he has been closely connected with everything pertaining to interests of the vil-
lage of Rosendale. In February, 1851, he was married to Miss Olive, daughter of Worthy and Bulah
A. White, then residents of the town of Eldorsldo, Fond du Lac Co., Wis., but emigrants from Oneida
Co., N. Y., in 1849 ; their children are Josephine (now the wife of William W. Stuart, of Montana;
lately of Ripon, Wis.) ; Fred H., Angelletta (now the wife of John W. Scribner, of Rosendale), and Adel-
bert E. Mr. and Mrs. Scribner are members of the Congregational Church of Rosendale.
CHARLES H. SEYMLOUB, farmer. Sec. 10; P. 0. Rosendale; was born Nov. 13, 1829;
in the town of Weston, Fairfield Co., Conn.; son of Charles and Ann Foote Seymour-; when 8 years of
age, he removed to Westport, Conn., where he was educated, and remained most of the time until 1852,
when he removed to Norwalk, Conn., where he had previously been employed as a clerk for about three
years, and also taught school for about eighteen months ; resided in Norwalk until 1854, when he came to-
Wisconsin and located in the village of Rosendale, where he lived until August, 185'5, when he purchased
the farm where he now resides ; his parents joined him here in Si^ptember of the same year. In Septem-
ber, 1857, he married Cornelia S., daughter of Anson M. and Cornelia Miller ; she was born in Bedford,.
Westchester Co., N. Y.; they have had one daughter — Cornelia A., who died at the age of 7 years. Mr.
S. has served as Town Clerk years; has been Secretary of the Rosendale Insurance Co., since its
organization. Mr. and Mrs. S. are members of the Congregational Church.
HEMAN C. SHEBWIIV, farmer. Sec. 22 ; P. 0. Ladoga ; the subject of our present
sketch is a native of Genesee Co., N. Y., and is the third son of Bildad and Philinda Sherwin, natives-
of Vermont, but early immigrants to Genesee Co., N. Y., where H. C. was born Sept.' 4, 1820 ; in 1836,
he, with parents, removed to Steuben Co., Ind., where his father and mother afterward died ; in 1840, he
returned to his native county, and followed the carpenter and joiner's trade for ten years. Here, Jan. 1,
1845, he was married to Sarah D., daughter of James and Maria B. Coddington, natives of New York,
but of Holland descent; in 1850, they, with a family of three children, immigrated to Wisconsin, and
settled in Appleton, where he continued his, trade for five years ; he then removed to Stevens Point, Port-
age Co., Wis., where he began the life of a farmer, which he has followed most of the time since. In
1863, lie was elected Treasurer of Portage Co., in which capacity he served for two years; in 1865, he
disposed of his interests in that county, and removed to the town of Springvale, Fond du Lac Co., Wis.,,
where he now has a farm of 170 acres, in Sees. 22, 26 and 27 ; in 1877, he was elected Master of the
State Grange, to fill a vacancy of a year, and, at the expiration of this term, he was again elected to the
position which he had so worthily filled ; his second term expired Jan. 25, 1880. During his official
term, he visited all the counties in the State, giving lectures both before the Grangers and in public. Their
children are as follows — Edwin C, Prank, Addie E. — now Mrs. M. H. Pinkertonof this town ; they attend
the M. E. Church.
GEORGE W. SIZER, P. 0. Rosendale ; is a native of Oneida Co., N. Y., where he was
born Oct. 14, 1820 ; his parents, Jabez and Lucy B. Sizer, were natives of Connecticut, but immigrated
to Oneida Co., N. Y., in 1805, where his father enlisted as a soldier in the war of 1812. George spent
most of his time on his father's farm till the panic of 1837 swept it from them ; he then rented a farnt
for three years, after which he tried hotel-keeping for a. year, then blacksmithing for one year ; in May ,
PBINGVALE TOWNSHIP. 933
1846. he came to the Territory of Wisconsin, with the determination to make fanning his vocation, unless it
forced him to buy his bread. Habits of industry acquired in early life, "stimulated by a determination to
regain in the West what adverse circumstances had swept from him in the East, urged him at once to
secure a ho;n3 ; he entered eighty acrjs of land in Sec. 23, town of Springvale, but having little or no
means, he could mike no improvements till he could earn some money with which to improve; carefully
guarding his little nucleus of eighty acres, it has now grown to a farm of 280 acres, in Sec. 23 and 26,
and he also has fifty-seven acres in Sec. 1, town of Lamartine. In April, 1848, he married Miss Fannie
A., daughter of John A. and Fannie Newman, of Oneida Co., N. Y., but natives of Massachusetts ; her
mother now resides wilh them; their children are Georgiana, Jabez W.; Helen, now Mrs. George A.
Rogers, of Hudson, St. Croix Co., Wis. ; George W., Jr., Charles H., Ada D., Mary I., Frank B., Elmer
M. A., Lucy B. and Louis J.
AIARTIX SK.EELS, farmer, Sec. 4 ; P. 0. West Rosendale; is the son of William and
Ann Skeels ; born in the town of Whitehall, Washington Co., N. Y., Aug. 21, 1814 ; his father was a
native of Connecticut, and his mother of Londonderry, N. H., but of Scotch descent. Mr. Skeels has
devoted his life to farming. In 1838, he was married to Mrs. Sophia, widow of Grove Wright, and a
daughter of Thomas Richardson, then of Washington Co., N. Y. ; in June, 1849, they came to Fond du
Lac Co., Wis., and settled on a farm on Sec. 4, town of Springvale, which he had purchased the previous
year. lie now owns a farm of 240 acres in that section ; they had two children — James W., who enlisted
in Co. B, 1st W. V. C. (was taken prisoner ; was in Andersonville Prison; was paroled and sent North,
and is supposed to have died on board the steamer during the trip); Lucia S., the late Mrs. Henry Porter,
who died April, 1865. Mrs. Skeels died at her residence Feb. 28, 1877, aged 74 years. Mr. S. is a
member of the Congregational Church
liUVI F. SKINIVER, farmer, Sec. 33; P.O. Brandon; is the only son of Aaron W. Skinner
and Sally S. Farjisworth, natives of Massachusetts, but immigrants to Erie Co., N. Y., in 1818, where he
was born in December, 1830 ; he was brought up as a farmer boy in his native county, and, in December,
1855, was married to Miss Phelinda. daughter of Amos and Alcy (Chaco) Whiting, of Erie Co., N. Y.,
she being the youngest child and only daughter of a family of seven children ; they soon immigrated to
Wisconsin and settled first on Sec. 3, in the town of Waupun, Fond du Lac Co., which was their home till
186L ; he then bought a farm of 100 acres in Sec. 33, town of Springvale, which has since been their home;
he also has eighty acres in Sec. 28, and forty-eight acres in Sec. 32 of this town — Springvale. Their chil-
dren arc an infant son (deceased), Minnie L. (now a student at Oshkosh), Mary A., Frank (deceased).
Mr. and Mrs. S. are members of the Free-Will Baptist Church. Mr. S. has been a member of the Town
Board for two terms.
NATHAN A. TINKHAM, farmer. Sec. 22; P. 0. Ladoga; is a sou of Orin and Joanna
Tinkliain, natives of Vermont, but immigrants to Genesee Co., N. Y., in 1812, wh^re his father enlisted
as a soldier in the second war with England. Nathan A., our present subject, was born in Genesee Co.,
N. Y., in 1821, and spent his life there on a farm till 1846 ; he then with parents came to Kenosha, Wis.,
■thence to Green Laku Co., where he lived till 1866, and where his father died in 1861, and mother in 1868.
In 18C3, he married Miss Maria, daughter of John and Slary Hogbin, emigrants from England to Fond
du Lac Co. in 1855; in 1866, he purchased a farm of 160 acres in Sec. 22, town of Springvale, where
he has since followed farming ; they have had four children, namely, Effie J., Alfred C. (deceased),
Frank E. .ind Edith M. They are members of the Congregational Church.
JOHN WATSON, farmer. See 27 ; 85 acres ; P. 0. Brandon ; is a native of Roxburghshire,
(Scotland, and is the son of James Watson and Isabel Douglas, born in September, 1820. In August,
1850, he was married to Agnes, daughter of John McDonald and Slargaret TurnbuU, of Roxburghshire,
Scotland, who unfortunately lost her mother when quits young ; in May, 1862, he left his family in Scot-
land and sailed for America ; landing in Quebec, he came direct to village of Brandon, Fond du Lac
Co., ^\'i3., where his brother then lived ; he worked for the farmers in that vicinity till 1865, when his
wife and son, James W., who is now a teacher in this town, joined him in his Western home ; they rented
a place for one year, and, in 1866, he bought a ferm of 85 acres in Sec. 27, town of Springvale, which has
since been his home. Mr. and Jlrs. Watson are members of the Congregational Church.
HENRY WHEELiER, farmer, Sec. 2 ; P. 0. Rosendale ; is a native of Gloucestershire,
England, born Nov. 9, 1 820 ; he is the son of Richard and Mary Wheeler, with whom he emigrated to
America in 1832, and settled in Oneida Co., N. Y.; in 1844, he left his father's home in New York and
came to Waukesha Co., Wis., and in the following year his parents settled there also ; in the spring of
1846, they removed to the town of Springvale, then Rosendale, Fond du Lac Co., Wis., where he and his
iaihcr entered 160 acres of land, 80 acres each, in Sec. 2, which has since been his home, and where his
934 BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES:
parents afterward died. In May, 1843, he married Miss Matilda, daughter of James and Mary Merchant^
emigrants from England to the town of Springvale, Fond du Lac Co., Wis., where they have since died ;
they have five children — Harriet, now the wife of Charles Clark, of the city of Fond du Lac; George T.,
who now lives in this town— Springvale ; Sallie, now Mrs. Willie Dood, of Dakota; Charles H., William
S. They attend the Episcopal Church.
F. M. WHEEIiER, farmer, and senior member of firm of F. M. Wheeler & Co., lumber
dealers ; P. 0. Brandon ; is a native of Vermont ; came West in 1855, and settled in township of
Springvale, on the farm he now occupies, which comprises 216 acres of first-class land, all under good state
of cultivation ;, common report styles his the premium farm ; he has a fine flock of Merino sheep; raised
from the Hammond stock, which he brought from Vermont; has also raised several fine Morgan horses;
he still superintends his farm, but since 1873, has carried on an extensive business in the sale of lumber,
sash, doors, etc. He has been a member of General Assembly once, and Supervisor four times. In 1849,^
he was married to Miss Susan Fray, of Saulsbury, Vt.; they have two children now living — Edward M.
and George F.; their only daughter, Louisa E., died at the age of 21. He is a stalwart Republican, and
is a public-spirited citizen. Although not a church member, he is a liberal promoter of the best elements
of society.
A. CHAPIX WHITING-, farmer, Sec. 22 ; P. 0. Ladoga. This pioneer of Fond du Lac
Co. was born in the town of Boston, Erie Co., N. Y., May 20, 1825 ; his parents, Amos Whiting and
Alsey Chace, were natives of Massachusetts, but early settlers of Erie Co , N. Y.; he received his early
education in the district schools of his native county, after which he attended an academy for a short time ;
in 1844 he came to the then new Territory of Wisconsin, to try his fortune as a farmer within its bound-
aries; his first location was at Johnstown, Rook Co., whither his father had immigrated two years before ;.
passing through Fond du Lac Co., on his way to Canada in 1846, he made some investments in the town
■ of Springvale, to which, after spending the winter at teaching in Canada West, he returned and settled on
his farm of 80 acres in Sec. 22, which has since been his home and where he now has 320 acres. Oct. 9,
185U, he married Miss Valucia V., daughter of Joseph and Lucinda B. Williams, nee Blockmar, and a
lineal descendant of Roger Williams, her father being his great-grandson ; she was born in Erie Co., N. Y.,.
May 20, 1826, where they were married in 1850, as above stated ; they at once came to their Western
home in Fond du Lac Co., and afterivard her father joined them and made his home till his death in 1870,
at the age of 82 years, leaving her as the only one of the family living — her mother and others having
died in' the" East. Mr. and Mrs. Whiting have had eight children, ail of whom except the youngest have
been teachers; their names are as follows: D'Everado, of Springvale; Lucinda B,, Mrs. George A.
O'Neil, of Mason City, Cerro Gordo Co., Iowa ; Martin, deceased ; Morgiana, Mrs. E. C. Curtis, of
Rosendale ; Philinda, now a teacher of Rutherford Park, N. J.; Elmina R., a teacher of Ripon ; Robert
A., now a teacher of this town, and Joseph W. Mr. Whiting was the second Clerk of the town of
Springvale — held the office from 1848 to 1850 ; in 1852 he was elected Chairman of the Town Board;
was re-elected in 1853 ; in 1864 he was appointed United States Deputy Revenue Collector for Fond du
Lac Co., which office he held till the fall of 1865 ; in the fall of 1866 he was elected a member of the
Wisconsin Assembly from the Second Assembly District ; he is now President of the Fond du Lac
County Agricultural and Mechanical Association. Such is a brief life-history of one of Springvale's old-
est and most respected citizens.
GEORGE D. WOODS, farmer. Sec. 36 ; P. 0. Ladoga ; was born in Edwards Co., 111., in
February, 1846, and in 1864, with parents, George and Ann Woods, removed to Fond du Lac Co., Wis.,
and settled on Sec. 2, in the town of Waupun ; eighteen months later, his father purchased a farm of 100
acres in Sec. 36, town of Springvale, which was their home till November, 1878; his parents then
removed to a small place on Sec. 2, town of Waupun, and left the farm in their son's care. In October,
1871, he was married to Miss Emily, daughter of J. M. and Abaline Hawkins, of the town of Waupun^
Fond du Lac Co., Wis.; their children are Bernice A., Ralph L. and Solomon D., an adopted son.
lENDSHIP TOWNSHIP. 935-
FRIENDSHIP TOWNSHIP.
THEODORE HERRIilXG, fanner, Sec. 4; P. 0. Fond du Lac; born in Germany, near
Leipsic, Jan. 3, 1840 ; came to this county with his parents in June, 1854 ; worked at farming and his
trade (that of engineering"), until the breaking-out of the rebellion. Enlisted in Fond du Lac Sept. 14,
1861, as a private in Co. K., 1st W. V. I., under Capt. Thomas H. Green; was at the battle of Perry-
ville, Ky., Oct. 8, 1862 ; at Jefiferson's Crossing, Dec. 29, 1862, and at the six days' fight at Stone River,
lasting from Deo. 30, 1862, to January 6, 1863 ; went to the hospital at New Albany, Ind., and remained
there until mustered out, Oct. 15, 1863 ; was a member of the Union League at Greenbush, Sheboygan
Co., Wis. Married, Nov. 9, 1868, to Antoinette Kinsman [see Kinsman] ; they have no children living.
He attends the German Lutheran Church, and is a Republican in politics ; is now, and has been for two
years, Chairman of the Town ; is Treasurer of School District No. 1, and Secretary of Friendship
and Fond du Lac Protection Association ; he is now a pensioner, by reason of injuries received at Stone
River.
JOSEPH KIBfSMAX, farmer. Sec. 4 ; P. 0. Fond du Lac; born in Genesee Co., N. Y.,
Dec. 23, 1818; his parents, Aaron and Diana (Croft) Kinsman, were formerly residents of Framingham,
Mass.; when the subject of this sketch was 15 years of age, they emigrated to Huron Co., Ohio ; settled
near Bast NorwaJk, where Joseph remained on the farm with his father about six years ; he then learned,
the painter's trade, which be followed six years ; he then kept the hotel known as the Stewart House
about three years. Married, Feb. 17, 1843, Julia Ann Beckwith, daughter of Richard and Anna (Cham-
pion) Beckwith, she being then 18 years of age; they were married by Elder Phillips, Baptist minister at
Bast Norwalk ; the parents of Mrs. Kinsman were from Hartford, Conn.; Mr. K. came to this State in
April, 1848 ; was on the road twenty-seven days with a horse team, and settled on Sec. 5 ; removed to
present location on Sec. 4, three years later; has 770 acres of land in Sees. 3, 4, 5^ 9 and 21, of which,
about 250 are under cultivation, and the balance in pasture and timber ; has four dwellings and eleven
barns, with sheds and other buildings to accommodate his stock, which consists in part of 6 horses, 52
head of cattle, 250 sheep, etc., the stock being watered by means of reservoirs, pipes, and a windmill
pump ; has also a fine herd of deer in a park of 15 acres ; has a daughter, Antoinette, born Oct. 28, 1846,
who married Theodore Herrling [See T. Herrling, Sec. 4], and one son, Fitch R., born June 28, 1849,
who is unmarried and works the land with his parents. The subject of this sketch is a Republican in
politics, liberal in his religious views a hearty, jovial, well-preserved gentleman, surrounded by all that
tends to make life pleasant ; and that he enjoys, to the fullest extent, the respect and esteem of his towns-
men, is evident from the fact that, in a town giving one-third Democratic majority, he has been a Super-
visor several years, being Chairman of the Town during the war six or eight years, also an Assessor fifteen-
years (one year acting in both capacities), and for twenty years a Justice of the Peace.
ROBERT MctJOWAlV, farmer, Sees. 16 and 21 ; P. 0. Fond du Lac ; was born near
Calais, Me., Dec. 25, 1823; his parents, John McGowan and Bridget, nee Murray, came to this country
fifty-eight years ago from the northern part of Ireland, and settled in New Brunswick, where they both
died at the respective ages of 84 and 50 years. He came to this county twenty-nine years ago, and lived
in the city of Fond du Lac about eight years, engaged in lumbering, "jobbing " in shingles, etc. About
twenty-three years ago, he married Margaret Coughlin, whose parents (Patrick and Mary, nee Connel) were
from County Cork, Ireland ; her mother, Mrs. Mary Coughlin, is still living in the city of Fond du Lac,
aged 73 years, her father having died in New York shortly after his arrival. His wife is now 43 years of
age (June, 1879) : they have ten children living, one having died very young — Mary Ann, born Aug.
30, 1858 ; John, born June 1, 1860 ; Bridget, born March 2, 1862 ; Margaret, born March 29, 1864 y
Robert, born April 11, 1866 ; William, born Nov. 29, 1869 ; Edward and Erwin (twins), born Dec. 17,
1872; Ellen, born Nov. 29, 1874, and Catharine, born Feb. 1, 1878. All attend St. Patrick's Church, in
this city. He has 85 acres of cultivated land and 5 acres of timber land ; keeps four working horses,
twenty head of cattle, ten of sheep, and ten hogs ; makes a specialty of feathers, and has a large number
of geese, ducks, turkeys and hens. Mr. MoGowan began life with no capital, and has by honest industry
acquired a competency and the reputation of a man whose word is as good as his bond. He stands six
feet two inches in his stockings, and weighs 200 pounds.
DAWIEIi 5f. MORCrAX, Postmaster and station agent, Van Dyne; born in the town of
Trenton, Oneida Co., N. Y., April 30, 1824. His father, Nathaniel Morgan, and his mother (maiden,
name Deming), Lydia, are dead. He was thirteen years a teacher in the public schools of New York,
■936
BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES:
and is now Justice of the Peace. Married Susan M. Greenman, who was born in Brookfield, Madigon
•Co., N. Y., May 15, 1880 ; daughter of Samuel Greenman, of Stephentown, Rensselaer Co., N. Y.;
-mother's name Abigail Bliss (daughter of Capt. Jeremiah Bliss, of Newport, R. I.); have one son —
Herbert Greenman Morgan, born in Russia, Herkimer Co., N. Y., May 7, 1854; married, Nov. 16, 1877,
■to Lucy Colman, of Waukesha, Wis., and is now station agent, express agent, Postmaster and telegraph
operator at Pensaukee, Wis. Jeremiah Greenman, Jr., a brother of Mrs. Morgan, left Janesville, Wis.,
about twenty-six years ago, visited California and Western Territories, then went to Lima, Peru, went into
the country with a Mr. Brown, of New York, on a prospecting tour, carrying a considerable sum of money,
and has not been heard from since that time.
JACOB THEWAIiT, farmer. Sec. 17; P. 0. Fond du Lac; born Oct. 15, 1819, at Nau-
Art (or New Earth), Prussia. Married in 1846 to Catharine Dhilel, at Gen-Ters-Blom ; one son died at
11 months of age in Chicago, twenty-eight or twenty-nine years ago ; soon after his arrival in this country,
Tiis wife was drowned in a well, into which she accidentally fell. Lived in Chicago about three years. Mar-
.ried to Sophia Steady in December, twenty-six years ago ; had by second wife five children, of whom two
died; Sophia, aged 22 Dec. 27, 1879 ; William B., aged 19 April 8, 1880 ; Annie M., aged 12 May 2,
1880, are living with parents. Settled two miles south of the city eight or ten years, then three miles
south ; owned a brewery at Mayville, Wis.; rents eighty acres on Sec. 17 at $300 per year, cash in advance,
in company with C. W. Finn, of the city of Fond du Lac, he has been engaged in pressing hay, fhresh-
ing and lumbering for several years, and also Assistant Deputy Revenue Collector for this district under W.
C. Ogden.
(^^
WAUPUN.
SVAUPUN TOWNSHIP. 989
WAUPUN.
JOHN W. ACKEBH^Di', retired farmer, Waupun ; born in New York State April 22,
1812; son of Jonathan A. Ackerman, who was born and brought up in Saratoga Co., N. Y.; John N.
flame to Green Bay, Wis., in 1836, and came to Waupun in 1841 ; entered eighty acres in what is now
the city of Waupun ; there were none but Indians here when he came ; he was a carpenter by trade, and
put up the first frame building in Fond du Lac ; there were only four families there then, and about the
same number in Oshkosh ; Mr. Ackerman is the oldest of the old settlers ia this part of the country, and
his stories of ye old times are amusing, and should be preserved. Mr. Ackerman married, October, 1843,
Hannah A. Ford, daughter of Chester Ford, one of the earliest and most respected citizens of Wisconsin ;
children are George V. (living in Appleton), Marion (married S. J. Sumner, living in Waupun), Chas.
H. (living at home), Alice (living in Green Lake Co.), Fred (living at home), Edna (living in Dodge Co.),
Frank (living in Dodge Co.). Mr. Ackerman has a fine farA of 170 acres, 130 acres iu the city of Wau-
pun ; he was for twenty years Justice of the Peace, and twice President of the village, and was the first
Mayor of the city of Waupun.
M. J. AliTHOlJSE, of Althouse, Wheeler & Co., Waupun ; born in Pennsylvania Aug. 10,
1828 ; was most of his early days in Tompkins Co., N. Y., where he used to work out part of the day,
and run a saw-mill all night ; in this way he earned enough money to start for the Great West, and came
to Waupun in the fall of 1849 ; had 50 cents in his pocket when he reached here ; he worked at 50 cents
per day at any work he could get hold of; took land on shares; sat up nights making baskets, and turned
the baskets over for labor on his farm ; the first winter he lived here, he walked miles every morning to
chop wood for three shillings a cord ; used to work into the night sometimes, and pile the wood by moon-
light ; he was " pegging away " while other men slept. Mr. Althouse owes his success in a large degree
to his own hard exertions ; he always was busy, no time was wasted ; in 1852, he went to drilling wells
and running thrashing machines, and, in 1855, made his first pump ; went out into the woods and cut his
own timber, and worked away and improved it, till now he has the finest wood pump manufactured in the
United States ; in 1873, he commenced making windmills; this branch of the business has grown to an
enormous extent; these windmills are superior to any manufactured, and are shipped to all parts of the
United States, and to foreign countries ; 300 were annually sent to India, and were transported to different
places on mules' backs ; they have also made large shipments to New Zealand. As business increased,
Mr. Althouse had to look around for suitable men for partners, to assume a share of the cares and respon-
sibilities, and the business is now eminently successfully carried on under the firm name of Althouse,
Wheeler & Co. Mr. Althause's success is a brilliant example of the fruits of persistent effort", strict atten-
tion to one line of business, and sturdy integrity. There was no loafing in his younger days, and there is
nothing in the nature of the gentleman to indicate that he will ever depart from his first and well-fixed
principles. Thus true merit gains its own reward.
DANIEL P. BABCOCK (deceased), was born Feb. 1, 1818, in Riga, Monroe Co., N. Y.;
liis father died when he was 3 years old, and he was bound out to Elihu Burr, of Castile, in what was
then Genesee Co., now Wyoming Co.,N. Y. When 19 years of age, he went to Illinois, and lived three years
in De Kalb Co.; then returned to Castile and was married, by Elder Joseph Weeks, April 23, 1843, to
Adelia Sturtevant, who was born, Oct. 30, 1822, in Castile, N. Y., daughter of Noah and Cynthia Stur-
tevant, natives of Vermont, who came to Castile before they were married, and lived there till 1867 ; then
went to Livingstone Co., where Mrs. Sturtevent died Aug. 3, 1875, in the 76th year of her age ; Mr.
Sturtevant came to Wisconsin in October, 1877, and is now living with bis daughter, Mrs. Babcock, in
the 70th year of his age. Mr. and Mrs. Sturtevant were among the first settlers of Genesee Co., N. Y.,
•and'had their share of the privations and Indian scares incident to the early settlement of that county ;
Mrs. Babcock well remembers sitting, when a little girl, in the lap of Mary Jemison, the famous " white
woman " of Western New York. Mr. Babcock was a miller by trade, but being in poor health when he
returned to Castile from Illinois, he went into the boot and shoe business which he followed till October,
1855 ; then came West, and settled in Fond du Lac Co., Wis., living in the town of Alto one and a half
years ; then, in Springvale, seven years, and, in March, 1863, bought the farm now occupied by his widow
on Sec. 12, in the town of Waupun, where he resided until his death, which occurred Dec. 12, 1877, in
the 59th year of his age, having been nearly blind for the last eighteen years of his life. Left two sons —
Harlow N., born Oct. 11, 1850 ; married Lydia Fisher, of Waushara Co., Wis., Feb. 22, 1873, and now
lives in Stoughton, Dane C, Wis., where he is foreman in a large flouring-mill ; Charles F., born April 29,
Jj
940 BIOGHRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
1857, in Springvale ; is living with his mother on the hom^tead, which consists of 85 acres of land^
valued at about $40 per acre ; P. 0. Ladoga.
FRANK li. BACOAT, farmer, Sec. 26; P. 0. Waupun; born Sept. 16, 1841, in Cattaraugus
Co., N. Y.; son of Leander and Sarah Ann Bacon, natives of Eastern New York ; he went to Pennsylvania
in February, 1863, and lived about two years in Rothsville, Pithole City, Oil City and Titusville, prospect-
ing for oil, and working a part of the time in a refinery. April 4, 1865, he was married in Titusville to-
Anna C- Hamlin, who was born July 2, 1844, daughter of Henry C. and Abby Hamlin. Mr. Hamlin was
from Augusta, Me., and Mrs. Hamlin from Hingham, Mass. Mr. Bacon came to Wisconsin in January,
1866, and settled in the town of Waupun ; he bought a flouring-mill on Section 26, and ran it five years,,
then sold out and engaged in buying and shipping live stock, which business he continued till 1873, when he
purchased the farm he now owns, which consists of 160 acres, valued at about $50 per acre. Has been
Assessor and Justice of the Peace, and is the present Chairman of the town ; has also taken an active part
in the Granger movement, having been Master of the Grange at Waupun, and delegate to the State
Grange. Is Republican in politics, and himself and wife both members of the Congregational Church.
Has two children — Bertha H., born Oct. 24, 1867, and Henry L., born June 18, 1869.
EDGAR M. BEACH, Waupun ; born Aug. 3, 1839, in Medina Co., Ohio ; parents of the
old Puritan stock from New England ; at the age of 5 years, lost his father, who was instantly killed by
the fall of a tree; in 1854, came to Wisconsin ;' attended school at Lawrence University at the city of
Appleton four years, when, his health almost entirely giving away, he spent several years traveling in most
of the Western and some of the Southern States ; in the fall of 1860, cast his first vote for Abraham
Lincoln. The war of the rebellion found him teaching in Missouri in a district composed entirely of slave-
holder's ; making his way North, he enlisted in the Federal army, but on account of ill health was rejected ;
still desiring to take some part in the national struggle, spent the spring and summer of 1863 at Nashville,
Tenn., where he belonged to the Ordnance Department, under Gen. E. D. Townsend of the regular army.
On the 10th day of November, 1864, was married to Miss Cecelia E. Tichenor, daughter of Charles 0.
Tichenor, Esq., of Appleton. Studied law with Judge N. C. Giffin, of Fond du Lac, at which place he
was admitted to the bar in July, 1866 ; came to Waupun in December, 1866, where he has spent an active
business life in the practice of his profession, which has been crowned with more than ordinary success ;
coming to Waupun without means or friends, he has found many friends and abundant means. His
fellow-citizens elected him Justice of the Peace for eight years in succession ; at one time a Postmaster
under Abraham Lincoln, " a high private in the Kekoskee war," Village Clerk; Supervisor; in politics
a Republican ; an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which he has belonged since 1864 ;
many years a Sunday-school Superintendent; thirteen years a Class Leader, Trustee and Steward. Always
a liberal contributor to all good objects.
LiEROlT E. BEARDSIiEY, farmer, Sec. 15; P. 0. Waupun; born April 30, 1844, in
Chemung Co., N. Y., now Schuyler Co.; came West with his parents in the fall of' 1854, and settled in
the town of Waupun. Was married, Jan. 1, 1867, to Wealthy M. Holden, who was born Oct. 31, 1848,
in Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., daughter of Chauncey and Almina Holden, who came to Wisconsin in the
spring of 1 851, and settled in the town of Waupun, on Section 15, where Mrs. Holden died Oct. 27, 1858,
and Mr. Holden, July 20, 1877, aged 56. Mr. Beardsley enlisted Aug. 13, 1862, in the 32d W. V. I.,
Co. A, for three years, and was mustered out of the service at Washington June 12, 1865 ; was in all the
battles and skirmishes in which his regiment participated during that time. Mrs. Beardsley has lived on
the farm, now occupied by herself and husband, ever since her parents came to Wisconsin — when she was
a little over 2 years old ; have one child— Gertrude Welcome May, born Oct. 30, 1878 ; has 120 acres of
land, valued at about $50 per acre. Republican.
B. H. BETTIS, farmer, Sec. 3 ; P. 0. Ladoga ; born March 29, 1821, in the town of Westmore-
land. Oneida Co., N. Y.; son of IBenjamin and Huldah Bettis. At the a^e of 17, he went to work in a
woolen factory in Oswego Co., where his parents had removed when he was 13 years old, and continued at
that business nine years. Feb. 25, 1845, he was married to Charity Savage, who was born Jan. 24, 1825,
iu the town of Mexico, Oswego Co., N. Y. Mr. Bettis came to Wisconsin in the spring of 1847, and
settled in the town of Waupun, Pond du Lac Co., where he has since resided. He held the office of
County Supervisor two years ; Chairman of the Town five years ; Town Clerk one year, and member of
the Legislature three terms, in 1860, 1861 and 1869 ; was also Deputy Warden of the prison at Waupun,
from October, 1871, till April, 1874, during the time that George P. Wheeler was Warden ; also took the
census of 1870, in the towns of Alto, Waupun, Springvale, Oakfield, and the North Ward of the village-
of Waupun. Has two children living — Adaline (born Aug. 27, 1848, now Mrs. Solon Halsey, «f the-
town of Waupun), and Benjamin F. (born Oct. 15, 1851, now living at home). Hattie was born Sept.-
■ I^AUPUN TOWNSHIP. 941
23, 1853, and died April 30, 1868. Has 120 acres of land, valued at about $7,000. In politics is Kepub-
lican, dyed in the wool. Mrs. Bettis is a member of the Congregational Church.
J. H. BRIBTKERHOFF, Postmaster, Waupun ; born in Seneca Co., Ohio, April 14,1835;
1835 ; son of Hezekiah BrinkerhofF, who was a son of Henry Brinkerhoff, of Adams Co., Venn.; the
family came to America when Peter Stuyvesant was Governor of New York ; were of that good old
Dutch stock that settled along the Hudson and Mohawk; Hezekiah moved from Pennsylvania to>
Ohio and settled in Seneca Co., and died in 1846 at the age of 54; John, in 1853, went to work in a
printing Qffioe in Milan, Ohio; then went to Watertown, Wis., and afterward to Jefferson and Beaver
Dam, and came to Waupun in 1857 and established the Waupun Times; carried that on nine years and
was appointed Postmaster in 1861 ; was elected to the Legislature in the fall of 1864 by 700 majority ;.
Mr. Brinkerhoff is the present Postmaster and has been since 1861. He married Lucy T. Stoddard,
daughter of Thomas Stoddard, who was from Laona, N. Y.; had two children — James Edwin is with
Althouse, Wheeler & Co., of Waupun; Van S. is employed in the post office; wife died in the fall of
1863. Married, in 1867, Jennie H. Gillette, daughter of M. S. Gillette, of Fond du Lac ; have two
children by second marriage — Mary L. and Lola J.
HENRY D. BOOHER, farmer. Sec. 35 ; P. 0. Waupun ; born Sept. 24, 1824, in Guern-
sey Co., Ohio ; came to Wisconsin, in 1848 ; lived on Rolling Prairie, Dodge Co. most of the time till
1858 ; then returned to Ohio and stayed till the fall of 1864, when he again came to Wisconsin and lived
in Chester, Dodge Co., till January, 1879. His first wife, to whom he was married Sept. 30, 1852, in Wau-
pun, was Mrs. Lydia Brower, whose maiden name was Simpson ; she died May 7, 1856, leaving three
sons — Charles, Theodore and George ; , Jan. 14, 1879, was married to Mrs. Lenora C. Clark, who was
born April 18, 1838, in Franklin Co., M^ss., daughter of Dexter and Saloma Parter, who came to Wis-
consin about 1856 ; she was first married in February, 1862, to L. W. Clark, who was born March 6, 1834,
and died Oct. 25, 1876, leaving two children — Carrie Adell and Nellie Jane. Farm consists of seventy
acres of land, worth $40 per acre.
SVEIV BROlVSOItr, farmer, Sec. 36 ; P. 0. W'aupun ; was born April 2, 1828, in Norway,
where his name was known as Gul Bronson. Was married in April, 1851, to Olena Oleson, who was
born March 14, 1830, and died in the town of Waupun Feb. 9, 1857. Mr. Bronson came to America,
in the summer of 1854, and settled in the village of Waupun, living there three years ; then removed tO'
the farm he now owns ; has 231 acres worth about $40 per acre. Has held the office of Treasurer in
the school district, and is now the District Clerk, and also Supervisor of the town of Waupun. Has chil-
dren living, as follows — Gustavo, Ole, Bennie, Julius, Matilda, Charles and Theodore ; has lost three — Carl!
and Emma, and one died in infancy, June 10, 1858. He married for his second wife, Ann Larson, who
was born June 25, 1824. Republican in politics, and belongs to the, Lutheran Church. Mr. Bronson is
a man of sterling worth, who has amassed a fair fortune by honest industry.
WOL.COTT T. BROOKS, farmer; Sec. 13; P. 0. Waupun; was born at New Haven,
Vt., Oct. 6, 1826 ; his father, Daniel Brooks, moved to Middlebury, where the family resided until
1846, when he came to Wisconsin and settled on Sec. 1, in Byron, where he carried oa the business of
farming and worked at his trade — that of a carpenter. He married in Byron, May 31, 1853, Miss Ger-
trude, daughter of Ebenezer Sanderson, one of the earliest settlers of Waukesha Co.; she was born in
Delta, Oneida Co., N. Y. Mr. Brooks has been a member of the Legislature, representing the Fifth
Assembly District in 1860, and the Second District in 1877 ; he removed to Waupun in 1864, where
he has resided on Sec. 13, and has been a member of the County Board and held various local offices.
He has two children — Myron N. and Mary. G.
ClilNTOX M. BROOKS, merchant, Waupun; born in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., May 1,
1837 ; son of Sheldon Brooks, who was from Highgate, Vt.; his father was Calvin Brooks, who was also a
Vermont man; Sheldon Brooks and family moved to New York State, and to Waupun about 1855; he
is now living at the age of 75 and is blind ; Mr. Clinton M. Brooks has been many years engaged in
manufacturing organs ; he was eleven years in Milwaukee learning and working at this trade and is a
thorough and competent workman ; he was with the Marshall Bros. Church Organ Co. many years, and
put up some of the finest organs in the Western States ; in 1875, he went into the organ business on his
own account, and, in March, 1877, came to Waupun and became associated with Amos Nudd in the fur-
niture and organ business, which they have been carrying on successfully since. Married, Oct. 12, 1863,
Imogene Keyes, wha was from New York State and originally from Vermont ; have one child — William
E., born Sept 25, 1866. The firm of Brooks & Nudd are justly kaown for the good management of
their businpss and fair dealins.
942 BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES:
JOHSf BRYCE, hardware merchant, W,aupan; born in Edinburgh, Scotland; son of David
Bryce, who died in 1856 at the age of 70; John traveled through different parts of England and was
engaged in teaching school at different times ; he was a graduate of Bathgate Academy ; he came to New
York City in May, 1849, and came to Waupun in the fall of the same year ; was employed as a clerk by
Drummond & Smith for a time; in the fall of 1852, went to Australia and Melbourne; went into the
mines for a while and afterward engaged in business there, and made and saved money; in 1858, he
returned to Waupun and became interested in the hardware trade and has been thus employed ever
since, having, through his honorable dealing and good business talent, built a successful and remunera-
tive traffic. Mr. Bryce has never aspired to office, but has held several important town and city offices ;
espoused the just cause of national sovereignty during the war, and gave liberally to its aid and support;
a brother, Hugh Bryce. was a soldier in the 100th N. Y. V. I.; was wounded twice, at Cold Harbor and
Petersburg, and afterward died from the effeuts of his wounds. Mr. Bryce' and family are respected
members of the Congregational Church, and he is Superintendent of the Sabbath school, and one of
Waupun's most esteemed citizens.
LUTHER BUTTS, capitalist, Waupun ; born in Delaware Co., N. Y., June 24, 1825 ; son
of Jacob S. Butts ; his father was William Butts, who was a native of Connecticqt, and was a soldier in
the war of 1812; Mr. Butts' grandfather on his mother's side was Col. William Johnson, of Revolution-
' afy fame ; Jacob died in 1859, at the age of 57. Mr. Luther Butts, in October, 1846, settled on a farm
of 200 acres, which was bought at Government price, in Fond du Lac County; he carried on farming
successfully twenty-seven years; during this time, he speculated in land, buying and selling farms,
and came to Waupun in fall of 1873 ; Mr. Butts is the owner of the opera house, the finest building in
the city of Waupun. He married, July 19, 1845, Hannah Mann, daughter of Reuben Mann, a well-to-do
farmer in Connecticut; she died Nov. 26, 1876 ; he married his second wife July 19, 1877 ; her maiden
name was McDaniel ; they have one boy — Luther J. Butts, born March 26, 1878. In 1878, Mr. Butts
built a fine residence in the central part of the city of Waupun, where he now lives, enjoying the solid
comforts of life.' In the town of Alto, he was a member of the School Board for many years, and was
largely and liberally connected with the interests of that town ;" he has obtained a well-deserved com-
petence through' his shrewd business tact and good management, and is a man of liberal and hospitable
spirit.
SAMUEIj CHAM BERLIN, hardware merchant, Waupun; was born in Armsburg, Canada,
Sfept. 15, 1820; son of Dr. Olmstead Chamberlin; he was born in Chittenden Co., Vt., near Burlington, in
1787 ; his father was Joshua Chamberlin, and was a native of Massachusetts ; Dr. Chamberlin studied
medicine in bis native State, and, in 1820, moved West with his family ; in 1821, he settled in Pontiac,
Mich., where he practiced medicine until 1840 : he was one of the earliest settlers in that county ; he had
a large and successful practice, and was a much respected and honored citizen. He married Mary Beech,
of Massachusetts; the children were Stewart, Mary, Samuel, Sarah Elsie, Charles, Almira and Augustus
B. Samuel Chamberlain, in 1840, went to Boston and bought a stock of goods, and started in general
merchandise business in Pontiac ; was successfully engaged till 1855, when he was appointed, by Presi-
dent Pierce, first mail-agent on the Detroit & Milwaukee R. R.; he resigned and went into the custom-
house at Detroit ; received this appointment from President Buchanan ; held that position till the election
of Lincoln; in 1861, he came to Pox Lake, Wis., and engaged in buying wheat and cattle ; in Febru-
ary, 1863, he came to Waupun, where he became interested in the hardware business, and has been suc-
cessfully engaged in that line ever since. He married Sarah Elliott, daushter of Charles Elliott, who was
from Connecticut ; his ancestors were among the oldest and most esteemed settlers in that State ; Charles
Elliott, the famous portrait painter, was one of this family. Mr. Chamberlin and wife are members of
the Episcopal Church.
A. S. CLARK, merchant, Waupun ; born in Madison Co., N. Y., June 4, 1847; son of Ste-
phen Clark, who was a native of New York State, and a well-to-do farmer; his father was Samuel Clark,
and was from good old New England stock ; he lived to be 88 years old ; the family came to Green Lake
Co., Wis., in 1854, and engaged in farming. Stephen married a Miss Popple, who was a native of Rhode
Island ; there were five children — Mary (married George Thompson, and is now living in Green Lake Co.),
Helen (married Henry Smith, and now living in Fond du Lac Co.); Mr. A. S. Clark is the next in order,
then George Clark (who is living at home), Wallace (living at home). Mr. A. S .Clark enlisted in Feb-
ruary, 1864, in the 1st W. V. C; served his time faithfully till the close of the war, when he was hon-
orably discharged ; he was second , musician in the regimental band at the clqse of the war, when he
returned home, and remained till 1867, when he went on the road for a Boston house, selling boots and
shoes ; was afterward connected with a Chicago concern in the same business ; in September, 1876, he
AUPUN TOWNSHIP. 943
became associated with Mr. H. H. Hoard under the firm name of Clark & Hoard ; they have been carry-
ing on a very successful business ever since ; they carry a large and well-assorted stock of groceries, boots
and shoes and crockery, and, through their good business habits and gentlemanly demeanor, have made a
host of friends and built up a large and growing trade. Mr. Clark married, in November, 1872, Lizzie
Stanton, daughter of George W. Stanton ; have had two children — Edith, born September 25, 1876 ;
George, born July 27, 1878. Mr. Clark held diflFerent offices of trust in the town of Brooklyn, and is a
Mason of prominence.
M. K. D AHli, manufacturer of plows and agricultural implements, Waupun ; was born in Nor-
way, Europe, Feb. 3, 1824 ; his father died when he was 7 years old ; he left his home when 8 years old,
and served as a shepherd boy on a farm until he was 16 years old ; he then went to the city of Christiana
to learn the blacksmith trade, mainly lock-making ; he left his birthplace without a cent and without any
more clothing than what he had on his body ; he walked 140 miles, sleeping out of doors until he reached
the city, on the 23d of June, 1840, and, after serving as apprentice five years, without any compensation
except his board — to earn his clothes, he had to work nights and Sundays — he left the city of Christiana
in 1847, and went to Eidfos Iron Works, forty-nine miles from the city ; worked on forcings and finish-
ings for heavy machinery and navy work ; he left the iron works on the 5th of June, 1849, for the city
of Drammen, for the purpose of emigrating to America, that being a seaport; he started in a sailing
vessel from Drammen on the 9th of June, 1849, and arrived at New York on the 28th of September,
being eighty days on his journey from Norway to New York ; during that time, he occupied a good share
of it in studying and practicing writing, as he never went to school a day in his life ; being unable to
find employment in the city of New York, and, being without money, he lodged with a family which
came across in the same vessel, and who was going West to Milwaukee, Wis. The family stayed in New
York three days, and then started for Milwaukee, and he, getting help from them, with the promise of
paying them with the first money he earned. They arrived at Milwaukee on the 26th of October, being
twenty-six days on their journey ; they went from New York to Troy by steamer, then taking canal-boat
to BuJBFalo, then by steamers across the lakes to Milwaukee ; when he arrived in that city, he sold his bed-
clothes for $1 ; he stopped in Milwaukee four days, trying to find work, without succeeding ; he then took
a bundle of clothing on his back and walked all the way to Rochester, Racine Co., where he met a Mr.
Seymour Johnson, a friend from Norway, and who had been in this country three years, and working there
for a Mr. Belden, who carried on a small foundry, wagon-shop and general blacksmithing ; by the assistance
of his friend Johnson, he got a chance to work for Belden nine weeks for his board ; then he hired out to
Bly & Ely, who were starting a blacksmith-shop in Waupun ; he had not had a chance as yet to earn any
money, so he borrowed $2 of his friend Johnson, and started for Waupun, walking eighty miles, arriving
in that village on the 1st of December, 1849 ; commenced work for a term of six months at $13 a month ;
the first money earned he paid the family that bore his expenses from New York to Milwaukee, and the
next went to a friend Johnson ; the leading work here at Bly & Ely's was making plows and fanning-raills,
and, after their plow season was over in the spring, they took the blacksmith-shop in which to paint fan-
ning-mills ; he then went to work for S. H. Hill, in the village, at $20 per month, shoeing horses and doing
general blacksmith work; at the end of two months, he received a letter from Mr. Jones at Watertown,
who carried on a machine-shop, offering $1 per day for turning and fitting out work fur two flouring-mills;
he accepted the ofier, and worked for him two months ; he then returned to Waupun ; hired out to Bly &
Bly for one year to take charge of their blacksmith-shop at $1 per day ; at the end of that year, he made
a bargain with Bly & Ely to do all the iron work to a plow by the piece, and this he continued to do
until 1855, having an increase in their work so that he employed five and six hands; in 1854, he also
took the job of making all the locks to be used in the Wisconsin State Prison ; the 18th of June, 1856,
he bought the shops of Geo. W. Bly, Bly having dissolved partnership with Ely previous to this, taking
in I). P. Norton as partner in September, 1856, and continuing the business of making plows and fanning-
mills until 1864, when the partnership was dissolved, and M. K. Dahl continued the business ; outside of
this business, he had a farm, and in which he succeeded in making money on ; also investing in land in
Minnesota and Dakota. On Nov. 24, 1854, he was married to Hannah 0. Hansen, of his own nationality,
who was born in Norway Oct. 25, 1835 ; the first child was born,- and died in infancy ; the second
was born Jan. 30, 1857, it being a girl, Henrietta C. Dahl ; the third, being a boy, Albert M. Dahl, born
Jan. 7, 1859 ; the fourth a girl, Emma P. Dahl, born Feb. 14, 1861 ; the fifth a boy, Henry 0. Dahl,
born July 27, 1865, and died Sept. 25, 1865. His wife died Aug. 22, 1865. He then married a Miss
Hannah Haldorsen Nov. 11, 1866; she was born in Norway Sept. 22, 1829. His oldest danghter,
Henrietta, was married to Mr. Oscar N. Olberg, of Taopi, Minn, July 14, 1875. Albert M. Dahl is
following his father's trade, and has now one-half interest in the business. Emma P. Dahl, his youngest
944 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
daughter, was married to C. A. Olberg, of La Crosse, Wis., Aug. 26, 1879. M. K. Dahl is a member of
the Lutheran Church. He was honored with being President of the Village Board two years, and being
an Alderman four or five years, and Treasurer of School District eleven years, and Clerk of same four
years. Mr. Dahl is building one of the finest residences in the county. He deserves especial credit for
tlie remarkable manner in which he has worked his way to prosperity and success.
DAXIEIi S. DEAN, farmer, Sec. 27; P. 0. Waupun; born in Warren Co., N. Y.,'Sept. 25,
1821, son of Aaron and Elizabeth Dean, natives of New York State ; his mother died when he was
4^ years of age, and his father when he was 9 ; he then went to live with an uncle of his
father, Caleb Dean, in Kingsbury, Washington Co., N. Y.; at 17 he was apprenticed to a cabinet-
maker, and worked for three and one-half years to learn the trade ; then carried on the business himself for
five years ; he then worked at joiner work about five years, after which he worked at pattern-making
about the same length of time in Poultney, Vt., Fort Edward and Troy, N. Y. Sept. 17, 1848, he was
married in Fort Edward to Martha Griffin, who died Oct. 22, 1850, at Ballston, Saratoga Co., N. Y., in
tlie 21st year of her age, leaving an infant daughter ; he was again married, Nov. 5, 1851, to
Adelia M. Goodrich, of Benson, Vt., who was born Aug. 9, 1824. In the summer of 1855, Mr. Dean
came to Wisconsin and settled on the farm he now owns ; has eighty acres, which is assessed at $50 per
acre; from April 1, 1867, till the fall of 1874, he was engaged in selling mSchinery and collecting for M.
J. Althouse, of Waupun; has had two children born in Wisconsin — Carrie M., born Jan. 28, 1860, is
now the wife of Beecher H. Amadou, of Mackford Township, Green Lake Co., Wis.; Kate Winnefred was
born Sept. 27, 1861, and died Aug. 20, 1874. Mr. Dean is a Kepublican, and himself and wife both
members of the Wesleyan Methodist Church.
JOHN DUER (deceased) was born in Bucks Co., Penn., in May, 1802, son of William and
Charlotte Duer; he went to Ohio about 1828 and settled in Miami Co., and married Mary Moore, who
was born in 1805, also in Bucks Co., Penn ; he followed farming in Ohio till 1847 ; then came to Wiscon-
sin and settled on See. 23, in the town of Waupun, where he owned 220 acres, which is now worth about
$40 per acre; Mrs. Duer died Sept. 16, 1865, and Mr. Duer Jan. 24, 1879, leaving nine children— Will-
iam and Eliza (living on the homestead), James (living in Trempealeau Co., Wis.), Isaac (on the home-
stead), Ephraim (on Sec. 24, Waupun), Enoch and Johu L. (in the hardware business in Pawnee Co.,
Neb.), Mary Jane (who died March 5, 1879), and Sarah Martha (now Mrs. W. P. Day, also living on
the homestead). P. 0. Waupun.
THOMAS L.. DUNHAM, farmer. Sec. 10; P. 0. Waupun; born Aug. 27, 1817, in Mans-
field, Conn., son pi' Abel and Sarah Dunham; when about 17 years of age he went to learn the carpen-
ter's trade with Freeman Crocker, of Hartford, Conn., remained with him two years ; then worked for
Edwin Eatoti, of Windham Co., Conn.,'' two and one-half years, and, after that, as journeyman two or
three months, and then commenced business for himself, which he followed about two years in his native
State ; he then came to Wisconsin, and lived in Racine Co. two years, and in Walworth Co. two years ;
then back to Racine Co. one year; then went to Waukesha Co., where he resided about twenty years ;
then to Walworth Co. again, and stayed two years ; in the fall of 1868 he came to Fond du Lac Co., and
bought the farm he now owns — took possession in March, 1869 ; has 162i acres, valued at $50 per acre.
Sept. 8, 1844, he was married in Burlington, Wis., to Clarissa Atkins, who was born Dec. 26, 1828, in the
town of Campton, Canada ; has six children — Sarah M., now Mrs. John Foster, of Chester, Dodge Co,,^
Wis.; Albert C; Mary Enialine, now Mrs. Hiram Beehe, of Dodge Co., Minn.; Lucinda Susan, now Mrs.
John Van Ness, living on the homestead ; Arthur Thomas and Edwin Abel, both living at home with
their parents.
WILliIAM DURAJVD, farmer. Sec. 34; P. 0. Waupun; born Oct. 31, 1832, in Westfield',
Chautauqua Co., N. Y., son of Nehemiah and PhilenaDurand,who removed to Wisconsin about twenty-five,
years ago, and settled in the town of Waupun. William came a few months afterward and remained here
two years; then returned to New York, and lived in Addison, Steuben Co., about six years, working at-
carpenter work ; he then went to East Saginaw, Mich., in 1865, and, July 24, 1866, was married to Jen-
nie L. Wheeler, who was born March 18, 1844, in Jefferson Co., N. Y., iu the town of Lyme ; she was the
daughter of Chesleyand Eliza Wheeler, natives of Jefferson Co., who came to East Saginaw in January, 1866.;
Mr. Durand remained there till the spring of 1873, and settled on the farm he now owns ; has eighty
acres, worth about $4,000. In 1861, he enlisted in the 34th N. Y. V. I., Co. E, for two years, and was
mustered in at Albany ; he, remained with his regiment till the expiration of his term of enlistment, most of
the time at the front ; he was in the battles of Fair Oaks, Savage Station, Malvern Hill, Fredericksburg,
Antietam and several others, and was with MoClellan in his seven days' retreat from in front of Richmond ,
TAUPUN TOWNSHIP. 946
Mr. and Mrs. Durand are members of the Wesleyan Church. Have three children — Hervey M., born
April 18, 1868; Lena A., Nov. 3, 1870, and May E., born Nov. 24, 1879. Mr. Durand is a Repub-
lican in politics.
(;}EOR<^E' FIELDSTAD, farmer, Sec. 21, in town of Chester, county of Dodge; P. 0
Waupun ; born Oct. 3, 1846, in Norway, near Christiana, the capital ; came to America with his
parents in 1854, and settled on the farm he now owns, and which his father, Englebret Fieldstad, owned
And occupied till his death, which occurred May 8, 1879, in the 69th year of his age. George
was married Jan. 1, 1875, to Jonetta Petterson, who was born Oct. 6, 1846, in Norway, near Thron-
hjem, daughter of Arntpeter Larson. Has two children — Elida Josephine, born March 4, 1876, and Anna
Matilda, born Sept. 15, 1878 ; lost one, Anna Matilda, who was born Aug. 1, 1877, and died when
she was one month old. Lutherans and Republican.
W. H. FERRIS, State Prison official, Waupun. Mr. Ferris was brought up in Connecticut
till he was 8 years old ; his father, James H. Ferris, was a Connecticut man and was born in 1800, and
was a drummer boy in the war of 1812, also enlisted in 131st N. Y. V.; was promoted to Major, and while
bravely leading his regiment at the battle of Fredericksburg, was killed ; thus died an old soldier, at the age
of 63, in defense of his country ; his father was Capt. John Ferris, who was a Captain in the same war ; he
was of English descent, and was a member of the Queen's Guard, in the old country. Mr. W. H. Ferris,
when 8 years old, moved to Saratoga Springs, N. Y. ; was there fourteen year.^ ; was in the mercantile
business and attended school, and came West, to Fox Lake, in 1857 ; was clerk for H. Germain about a
year ; was then with G. W. Leonard and afterward engaged in the business under the firm name of
Leonard & Ferris ; sold out and went to work for A. Rich. At the time of the war, enlisted in Co. H,
29lh W. V. I.; served his time faithfully and was honorably discharged in April, 1863. While in Tren-
ton, Mr. Ferris was elected Justice of the Peace ; also served as Constable several times. Mr. Ferris was
appointed to fill a position in Waupun Prison in 1876, and has been an officer in that institution ever
since. He married, in March, 1858, Caroline E. Hemingway, daughter of Ezra Hemingway, who was a
well-to-do farmer in Washington Co., N. Y. ; children are Julia C, born Dec. 12, 1859 ; Cora E.,
Dec. 21, 1864 ; Will Chester, Dec. 16, 1874. Mr. Ferris' brother, George D. Ferris, was in the 77th
N. Y. V. I. ; served five years, and was in thirty-two hard-fought battles ; was in Castle Thunder six
months. James K. Ferris was in the 77th N. Y. V. I., and was wounded at the battle of the Wilder-
ness and crippled for life. Walter M. Ferris was in the same regiment, and lost his leg in the battle of
the Wilderness. A brother-in-law, Leroy Babcock, was starved to death at Andersonville. An uncle,
Capt. Peck, was killed at the battle of Fredericksburg. There are not many families who have such a war
record. Mr. W. H. Ferris has a fine little farm in the town of Trenton, and is in comfortable circum-
stances through bis industry and frugality.
H. W. FROST, counselor at law and City Attorney, Waupun ; born in Windsor ,N. Y., March
27, 1842 ; son of Sheldon Frost, who was from Watertown, Litchfield Co., Conn. ; his father was Solo-
mon Frost, and had a good record as a Revolutionary soldier; Sheldon Frost died in February, 1872, at
about the age of 77 ; Hubert's early days were spent on a farm ; in 1867, went into the office of Mr. Barrett,
Binghamton, N. Y., a prominent lawyer in that part of the country; in April, 1870, he went to Greene,
Chenango Co., N. Y., and studied law with his uncle, Lester Chase, who had practiced law successfiiUy for
forty years in that county; came to Waupun, Wis., Oct. 12, 1874, and engaged in law practice with J.
W. Seely ; in 1878, they dissolved partnership, and he is doing a good and constantly increasing business.
Married, Sept. 22, 1874, Cornelia E. Peck, daughter of Philo Peck, who was a well-to-do farmer in Che-
nango Co., N. Y. ; have two children — Nellie, born Sept. 19, 1875; Fannie, born May 12, 1877. Mr.
Frost is attorney for the city of Waupun ; is a prominent member of the Society of Odd Fellows, and
was charter member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen ; he is also a member of the Temple of
Honor.
J. S. GEE, monumental works, Waupun ; born in Cortland Co., N. Y., town of Virgil, Jan. 17,
1816 ; son of Samuel Gee, who was a farmer and a carpenter by trade; his father, John Gee, served seven
years in the Revolutionary war and in most of the hard-fought battles ; he received from the Government,
for his services, 640 acres of land in Cortland Co., N. Y. ; the family are of French descent ; Samuel Gee
died in 1875, at the age of 80. John S. Gee shifted for himself after he was 12 years old ; learned the
mason and stonecutter's trade in Ithaca, N. Y. ; he started in business in Elmira, N. Y., and, in 1837,
went to Frenchtown ; in 1838, moved to Troy, Penn., and in 1840, to Danville, N. Y., in 1841, to Fre-
donia ; then to Penn Line, Penn.; and, 1846, came to Waupun, Wis.; in 1853, went to California, and
went into the mines ; in the fall of 1855, returned to Waupun, and has been here ever since, and is to-day
the oldest mason and stonecutter in the State. Mr. Gee married, in 1835, Lucy A. Whiting, daughter of
946 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
Caleb Whiting, a Presiding Elder in the Methodist Church, and a man of prominence. Children —
Oscar F., enlisted in Co. D, 3d W. V. I.; was in Banks' retreat, and died from exposure; T. W. Gee
enlisted in Daniell's Cav. ; was in the West and Southwest ; served his time faithfully four years ; John
W. enlisted in the 3d W. V. I., and received his death-wound at battle of Antietam ; was shot through
the left arm, thigh and lungs, and died in about six weeks ; James B. enlisted in Co. D, 3d W. V. I., and
served his time faithfully till the close of the war ; he is now a physician living at . Brandon ; has an
extensive practice ; he married a daughter of Gen. W. H. Taylor ; Vestalina married a Robins, who died ;
she is now the wife of P. E. Sykes ; Ella married Rufus H. Oliver. Mr. Gee has held offices of trust many
times. Mr. Gee had only $2.50 when he arrived in Waupun, and owes his success to his industry and
good management.
ANDREW G-LE]VDEX]VISir«, farmer. Sec. 4; P. 0., Waupun; born July 18, 1815, in
Roxburgh Co., Scotland ; came to America in 1845, and settled in Pond du Lac Co., town of Alto ; came to
the town of Waupun in 1869. Was married, in 1844, to Ann Davison, who was born in 1806, in
Newcastle upon Tyne, in England. Has two children living — Amelia, now Mrs. James Brisbane, of Alto,
and Jane, now the wife of James Clark, living on the home.stead, which consists of twenty acres of land
with good buildings. Has lost two children — Jane, died in 1850, aged 2 years and 9 months, and William,
who died the same year, aged 13 months. Republican.
R. ij. ^jtRAHASI, merchant tailor, Waupun ; born in Liverpool, Eng., Peb. 3, 1829 ; came to
New York City in the fall of 1848 ; came over on the vessel Blackbird, Capt. Peabody, commander; went
to Milwaukee, and worked for his iDoard, from November till April, 1848 ; May 3, 1848, came to Wau-
pun ; while on the way out West, Mr. Graham tried to enlist in the U. S. Army, but he wouldn't pass ;
he wasn't big enough. When he came to Waupun, went to work for Howard & Tanner, tailors ; was with
them till 1853, when he engaged in business on his own account, and has been very successful ever since.
Mr. Graham and wife returned to England May 3, 1870, on a trip of recreation and pleasure, and returned
in August of the same year. Jan. 27, 1853, Mr. Graham married Selina W. Vial, who was born in
Somersetshire, England ; the children were Mary Jane, died in infancy ; Amelia, died when 2 years old ;
Henrietta, died when 14 months old ; Martha, died in infancy ; Harriet, died in infancy ; Frankie Lee,
lived to be 6 months old; Delia M., lived to be 18 months old. Mr. Graham is eminently a self-made
man, and is to be commended for his pluck and energy in pushing to the front ; he gives eminent satisfac-
tion in his business, his trade extending throughout the surrounding country. He and his wife attend the
Episcopal Church ; Mr. Graham is liberal and public spirited in all charitable objects ; he has been the
help and mainstay of his mother in the old country. Mr. Graham has one of the prettiest residences,
inside and out. in the city of Waupun.
W. W^ HARRIS, flouring-mill, Waupun ; born in Camden Co., N. Y., April 30, 1843; son
of Stephen H. Harris, who was born and brought up in Camden Co. ; he is now an old and respected
citizen of Waupun. W. W. Harris learned the miller's trade in Waupun in 1861 ; in 1871, became asso-
ciated with T. W. Markle ; before this, it was Harris & Son for ten years. Mr. Harris has been in the mill-
ing business for many years, and is a master of the profession ; the firm is now doing a large and prosper-
ous business. Mr. Harris married, Nov. 26, 1868, Amorette Newton, daughter of N. J. Newton, a
respected citizen, and one of the earliest settlers in this part of the country ; the children by this marriage
are Fred L., born Oct. 6, 1869 ; William M., born Oct. 21, 1870 ; Herbert J., Feb. 29, 1872 ; Eda M.,
July 25, 1874; Clyde, Jan. 1, 1877. Mr. Harris is Director of School District No. 1 ; is Fire Marshal
and Alderman of North Ward.
EmiL HAUEISEIV, furniture business, Waupun ; born in Germany April 20, 1836 ; he
landed in New York May 10, 1855 ; went to Milwaukee, -and, Aug. 15, 1860, came to Waupun; was a
porcelain painter in the old country, and, when he came to this country, engaged in carriage painting ;
Jan. 1, 1862, became associated with M. Meyer, in furniture business, and, Dec. 16, 1872, Mr. Haueisen
took the entire business, and has been engaged very successfully in the same line ever since ; through his
industry and prudence, has accumulated a competency. He married, Dec. 16, 1862, Barbett Korder;
children are Emely, born Feb. 18, 1884 ; Nora, Oct. 8, 1866 ; Hattie, Aug. 30, 1869 ; Edwin C, in
January, 1871. Mr. Haueisen is Clerk of School District No. 1. He has taken all the degrees in Odd
Fellowship ; he is also agent for the Hamburg American Packet Co. Himself and family attend the Episco-
pal Church. Mr. Haueisen is to be much commended for the way in which he has come to the front ; it
was through his own exertions only.
JAMES ML. HAWKINS, farmer. Sec. 1; P. 0. Ladoga; born July 14, 1814, in Grafton
Co., N. H., came to Wisconsin in July, 1844, and lived in the town of Burlington, Racine Co., till
December, 1845, then came to Fond da Lac Co., and settled on the farm he now occupies in the town of
WAUPUN TOWNSHIP. 94T
Waupun, where he has since resided ; he was the first settler in this part of the town, and it took all the
lumber and shingles in Fond du Lao at the time (which was only one small load, however) to build his
first house. He was married, Jan. 18, 1836, to Lucy Barrett, who was a native of Windsor Co., Vt. ,
and died April 23, 1850, ia the 40th year of her age, leaving five children — James D., lives in Blue Earth
Co., Mian. ; Truman K., in Madison Co., Iowa ; Lucy Y., now the wife of Charles R. Dudley, of the
town of Lamartine ; Prances Evaline, now Mrs. Alexander Cook, of Wadena, Wadena Co., Minn., and
Emma, now Mrs. Alfred A. Shaw, of the town of Fond du Lac. Was married the second time. May 1,
1852, to Abilene Tourtellotte, who was born July 29, 1831, in Cattaraugus Co., N. Y. ; by this wife he
has six children — Ida E., now Mrs. Wilber Chase, of Cottonwood Co., Minn. ; Emily C., now Mrs. G-eorge
Woods, of the town of Springvale ; Nellie J., now Mrs. Chester Fairbanks, of the town of Waupun ; Myron
H., Alma May, and Milan E. Mr. and Mrs. Hawkins are both member of the M. E. Church, and he is
Republican in politics; was appointed by Gov. Dewey, in 1851, to survey a State road from Oshkosh to
Mayville, also to survey and appraise the school lands in Fond du Lac Co. ; has 121 acres of land, valued
at $60 per acre.
EJLEAZAR J. HILLI}BERT, farmer. Sec. 16; P. O. Waupun; born Sept. 17, 1807. in
Genesee Co., N. Y. ; parents removed to Onondaga Co., when he was a child, and from there to Cattarau-
gus Co., N. Y. Mr. flillebert was married, Sept. 12, 1831, to Laura Comstock, who was born Aug. 6, 1815,
in Canada ; her parents were natives of Washington Co., N. Y., and came from Canada to Cattaraugus
Co., N. Y., when she was an infant. In the fall of 1848, he came to Wisconsin, and worked at black-
smithing in the village of Waupun one winter, then bought a farm on Sec. 17, in the town of Waupun ;
had 160 acres and lived there till the fall of 1867, then sold out and bought the farm he now owns ; has
eighty acres, worth $4,000 ; held the office of Constable in Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., five years, Justice of
the Peace four years, and Collector two terms. Has five children — Nelson, lives in the town of Empire ;
Jane, Mrs. Luther E. Sweet, of Pennsylvania ; Allen L., living in Kansas ; Frances, now Mrs. Emerson
Fairbanks, of Fond du Lac, and Frank, living on the homestead, with his parents ; has lost three children
— John, went into the army from Jackson Co., Wis. ; served about ftur months, and was shot at the
battle of Petersburg ; Harriet J., died in New York, at the age of 4 years and 5 months, and Harriet A.,
wife of Lewis Johnson, of Jackson Co., Wis., died in July, 1862, leaving three children. Allen L. was in
the 32d W. V. I., first in Co. B, as drummer, afterward in Co. C ; was with Sherman in his famous
" march to the sea ;" served three years, and was mustered out of service at the close of the war. In
politics, Mr. Hillebert votes for the best man, regardless of party. Mr. Hillebert learned the blacksmith's
trade of his fither, and worked at it most of the time till he came West.
liUCIElV H. HILLS,' farmer. Sec. 2; P. 0. Ladoga; born Nov. 13, 1818, in Mexico,
Oswego Co., N.' Y. ; came to Wisconsin in the summer of 1846, and settled in the town of Clinton, Rock
Co., where his first house was built, of one load of lumber, hauled sixty-five miles on a wagon ; was con-
sidered quite forehanded by his neighbors, as he had $15 in cash in his pocket when he came into the
State ; he remained in Rock Co., till November, 1848, then came to Fond du Lac Co., and settled in the
town of Waupun, where he now resides ; has 388 acres of land, worth about $17,000 ; pays a good deal
of attention to stock-raising ; has now 550 head of sheep of a choice grade ; has been a member of the
County Board several years, and Chairman of the town three years. The first vote he ever cast in the
State of Wisconsin was against the first Constitution, and himself and neighbors went to the election with
a team of seventeen yoke of oxen. May 1, 1844, was married to Anna A. Savage, of Mexico, Oswego
Co., N. Y. ; has four children — M^ry Ida, now Mrs. F. L. Groutermont, of Blue Earth Co., Minn. ; Marcia
Adell, now Mrs. Alfred P. Morehouse, living in the town of Waupun; Henry L. and Callie L., both
living at home. In politics. Republican.
EDWIIV HILL YER, insurance, Waupun ; born in Portage Co., Ohio; son of Col. David
Hillyer, one of the pioneers of that county, and a man of prominence ; he surveyed the counties of Port-
age and Stark, Ohio; the family came to Ohio from Granby, Mass.; Edwin commenced his business career
selling goods in Ohio; in July, 1847, he came to Waupun, Wis., and engaged in business, and, in 1849,
went to California ; ran the first express ever run on the Sacramento River ; there was not a frame house
.in Sacramento at that time; he finally sold out his steamboat and went into the mines, and dug gold at
Syracuse Bar, in which claim he had an interest ; returned to Waupun in 1852, and engaged in business
with his brother in a general merchandise store ; sold out his interest and built the railroad from Horicon
to Waupun, and was afterward General Agent of the road; then engaged in the insurance business; estab-
lished the Dodge County Insurance Company; was elected to the Legislature in 1852; wag Chairman of
Committee on Privileges of Election, and was also connected with several committees. In 1861, he raised
part of a company for the 3d W. V. I., and, the same year, raised a company for the 10th W. V. I., and
948 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
was appointed Captain ; served his time faithfully, and was honorably discharged on account of sickness,
and returned to Waupun and engaged in the insurance business, which he has been very successful in ever
since. Mr. Hillyer was Deputy Warden at the Waupun Prison at one time, and it was he that laid out
the beautiful grounds in front of that structure; he founded the library of the city of Waupun Eeb. 18,
1858, and has been librarian ever since ; Mr. Hillyer has a fine farm of 1,100 acres in Grundy Co., Iowa,
mostly under good cultivation, and he owns one of the finest residences in the city of Waupun. Mr.
Hillyer married in 1848 ; the children were Edna C. (married C. H. Ford, General Agent of the North
Oerman Insurance Company, and is living in New York City), Martha J., H. L. Palmer Hillyer, Homer
W. and Prank ; Martha and Frank are deceased. Mrs. Hillyer is President of the State Temperance
Allianccj and a prominent and efficient worker in the good cause.
J. T. HIIiLYCiR, retired farmer, Waupun; born in Portage Co., Ohio, March 19, 1819; son
of Daniel Hillyer, who was from Connecticut; he was a prosperous farmer, and also for many years a
popular hotel keeper; he was among the first settlers in Portage Co., Ohio, and kept tavern nearly thirty
years in that county, and held numerous offices of trust; he died in 1875 at the age of 80. Joseph, at
the age of 31, went to Cincinnati and to New Orleans, taught school at different times, also became a
skillful trader, and made large sums of money at times ; after something of a roaming life, came to Wau-
pun, Wis., in 1845 ; helped build the first frame house built in East Village; used to work for $10 per
month in those days ; his next move was to engage in the mercantile business with his brother, Edward
Hillyer, which they carried on successfully about ten years ; he then purchased a farm in Columbia Co.,
Wis., and engaged in agricultural pursuits; was there nine years, and returned to Waupun and purchased
ten acres, and now has one of the finest residences and homes in the city, and has retired from active serv-
ice. He married Hepsie S. Bly ; she was a sister of George W. Ely; the family was from Huron Co.,
Ohio; the children by this union were Mary B., born Feb. 18, 1851, and married and living. at Rock
Falls, Iowa; one child, died in infancy, Oct. 23, 1857; Josephine, born M.irch 19, 1862, and living at
home. Mr. Hillyer was on the Town Board most of the time while in Columbia Co.
li. D. HINKLiEY, of the firm of Althouse, Wheeler & Co., Waupun; born in Rockville, Conn.,
Nov. 8, 1835 : son of Lucius Hinkley, a woolen manufacturer ; his father was Scottaway Hinkley, and
was also a cloth manufacturer ; he made the first blue cloth for the United States Army ; he was a
descendant of the Hinkleyswho came from Trenterden Kent, England, in 1635, and settled in the vicinity
of Boston, at Cape Cod and Barnstable ; the original purchase was in the possession of the family for 200
years ; one of the family was Thomas Hinkley, Governor of Plymouth Colony, a man of sterling integ-
rity,of the good old Puritan stock of that day ; Lucius Hinkley married Laura Waterman, whose ancestors
were among the first settlers in Norwich, Conn.; she was a descendant, on the mother's side, of the cele-
brated Hyde family, whose descendants now lay claim to many millions of dollars that have been stored
away in the Bank of England for years ; Laura Waterman was, frpm her father's side, a descendant of the
Breusters, who came over in the Mayflower ; Mr. Hinkley takes a laudable pleasure in tracing back the
genealogy of the family, and few can be as successful a.«i he has been, for he follows the line back to Egbert,
the earliest Saxon King of England, and has the papers to show for it. Lucius Hinkley and his family
came to Waupun, Wis., in the fall of 1848, and followed agricultural pursuits^ Lucius D. Hinkley, at the
age of 17, went into a carriage-shop and served an apprenticeship. In the fall of 1861, enlisted in the
10th W. V. I., Co. K ; was Orderly Sergeant; was in all the hard-fought battles that the regiment engaged
in; was taken prisoner and sent to Libby Prison, then to Macon and afterward to Charleston, he made his
escape and got to within a few miles of the Federal lines, but was recaptured, and, while trying to escape ■
the second time, in the fall of 1864, at Columbia, was shot while near the dead line, and lost his arm; the
same year, was exchanged, and came back to Waupun, and shortly after went into the office of Secretary
of State at Madison, and afterward engaged in the insurance business in Waupun ; in 1870, went to
Chicago, and was with the Republic Insurance Co. of that city; in 1871, accepted the position of Clerk
of the State Prison; in 1874, became partner in the large manufacturing concern of Althouse, Wheeler
& Co. Mr. Hinkley married, Dec. 28, 1870, Lola T. Gillett, daughter of M. S. Gillett; had one child,
which died in infancy ; his wife died Jan. 22, 1878.
HORATIO H. HOARD, merchant, Waupun ; born in Wyoming Co., N. Y., Jan. 26, 1855 ; .
sou of Harry Hoard ; he was the son of Henry Hoard ; the family were among the first settlers on the
Holland Purchase and were of English descent ; they took up a claim at the foot of Buffalo Hill ; Henry
Hoard lived and died on the old homestead ; he delivered a Fourth of July oration when 86 years old ;
Mr, Harry Hoard was a Captain in the militia when he was but 18 years old; he was Postmaster sixteen
years and Justice of the Peace till the time of his death, which occurred in 1862 ; he was engaged in the
mercantile business at Sheldon Center, Wyoming Co., N. Y., which he carried on successfully many years.
7AUPUIS TOWNSHIP. 949
Mr. Horatio Hoard gradaateJ at the Oshkosh High School, and came to Waupun in August, 1872 ; was
-with John Roberts four years, and in September, 1876, formed a copartnership with A. S. Clark, under
the firm name of Clark & Hoard; they have been very successfully engaged ever since; they carry one
■of the best assorted general stocks in this part of the country. Mr. Hoard married, Oct. 9, 1877, Elvie
Wilcox, grand-daughter of the itrst settler of Waupun.
NELSOm HOLIiENDYKE, lumber merchant, Waupun ; born in Holland Jan. 16, 1821 ;
son of William HoUendyke, who was a farmer in the old country ; he died in 1852, at the age of 72 ; Nel-
son worked at the carpenter's trade at home three years for his board, and came to New York Aug. 1, 1844 ;
went to Westfield, Chautauqua Co., Aug. 12, 1844, and did his first day's work in this country ; in the
;spring of 1845, he went to Milwaukee, and, in the spring of 1846, went to Fond du Lac Co. and settled
on 160 acres and engaged in farming; moved, in 1848, to Waupun and worked at his trade; in 1851,
went to Portage City, and, in 1862, returned to Fond du Lac Co. and kept a lumber-yard in the town of
Brandon ; June 9, 1868, came to Waupun and has been successfully engaged in the lumber business here
ever since. Married, April 12, 1845, Eliza B. Loomaus, daughter of John William Loomaus, a well-to-do
farmer, who is now living in the town of Alto, at the age of 86. Mr. HoUendyke was a Trustee of the
■city of Waupun in 1869-70, and again in 1876-77. Mr. HoUendyke came to this country a poor boy,
and now has a competence through his untiring industry and good management. Himself and family are
members of the Dutch Church in the town of Alto.
ELI HOOKER, attorney at law, Waupun ; born in Tompkins Co., N. Y., Sept. 17, 1820 ; sop
of Hezekiah Hooker. The family were amons the earliest settlers in New England ; Eli's great-grand-
father was born in Medbury, Conn., about 1720 ; he married Louisa Roe, who belonged to a numerous
New England family. Eli's younger years were largely devoted to educational pursuits ; he attended Ith-
aca Academy in all about four years, teaching school winters ; he prepared for college at Ithaca, but, having
an offer to remove to the West and start a newspaper, went directly to Fond du Lac Co. in September,
1846, and, with J. 0. Henning, started the Journal, which was the first paper, in Fond du Lac Co.; six
months later, he sold out and bought a half-interest in the Whigi ; he wrote for that paper until January,
1848, when he removed to Waupun and read law with J. J. Brown ; April 17, 1854, was admitted to the
bar of the Circuit Court pf Fond du Lac, and was afterward admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of
the State, and in all the aourts of Wisconsin ; for twenty years or more, he has had a large and remuner-
ative business ; he is a first-class court and jury lawyer, excelling in both departments of the profession,
and has all the avidity for study of his younger years. Law, the chosen pursuit of his later years, baa
-completely absorbed his time, with the exception of fourteen months, from August, 1866, to October,
1867, when he purchased the Waupun Times, a Republican newspaper, for which he is still acting as cor-
responding editor, as a means of recreation ; he is a vigorous and strong writer, as well as an able advocate.
With the exception of a membership in a local School Board, which he held many years, has kept clear
of politics ; he owes his success to having stuck to one thing. Mr. Hooker is a member of the Temple of
Honor, a strong advocate of temperance, and has lectured more or less on the subject, being an expert
speaker. He has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for twenty-five years, and Steward
and Trustee of the same ; all his influence is on the side of good morals, and a pure type of Christianity ;
in early days, was a strong antislavery man, his sympathies always being on the side of the oppressed.
All of his wealth is the honest proceeds of his energies and talents well expended. He never advised
persons to go to law who had not, in his opinion, a good case, invariably declining to be an advocate of a
bad cause ; never made a proposition of law to a jury that he did not believe to be correct. The course
which he has followed has given the people the greatest confidence in him, and to it he attributes his suc-
cess in legal practice and in life. The wife of Mr. Hooker was a Miss Catharine R. Sharp, daughter of
Rev. John Sharp, who was for sixty years a Baptist preacher, now living in Waupun at the age of 86.
Mrs. Sharp was a descendent of the Townly family, whose property was largely confiscated at the time of
the Restoration — when Charles II. came to the throne of England. Mr. and Mrs. Hooker were married
Feb. 19, 1851 ; they have had four children, three of whom are living — Viola A. Hooker (the eldest
child, was educated at Lawrence University, Appleton), Culver E. Hooker (the only son, graduated at the
3tate University, in June, 1878), and LUlie Kate (the youngest, is being educated at the graded school of
Waupun). Mrs. Hooker is one of the leaders in the humane and benevolent enterprises conducted by
the women of Waupun, and is President of the Ladies' Temperance League of the place, and Treasurer
of the State Alliance.
O. R. HOPKINS, mechanic, Waupun ; was born in the town of Potsdam, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y.,
March 1, 1818; son of Truman and Laura Hopkins, natives of Vermont; when he was about 16 years of
age, his father died, leaving a family of six children, who, with their mother, removed to' Ohio in the faU
950 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
of 1835, and settled in what was then Williams Co. ; O. K. Hopkins was one of the four men who built
the first log house in the town of Farmer, in that county. On the 23d of July, 1840, Mr. Hopkins mar-
ried Artemissa Sawyer, who was born March 8, 1823, in Kushville, Yates Co., N. Y., daughter of PresoDtt
and Zeruia Sawyer. In July, 1845, he came to Wisconsin and settled in Grreen Co., where he remained
till the fall of 1847, then to Mnkwonago, Waukesha Co. ; in April, 1851, he went to Madison, Dane Co.,
Wis., and, in November, 1853, went to Milwaukee and took charge of the woodwork department of the
Milwaukee Thrashing Machine Company, where he remained about fourteen years in the same business y
in the spring of 1865, he removed to Chicago, 111., and went into the manufacture of zinc washboards, in
company with his sons, A. K. and S. R. Hopkins (firm name, 0. R. Hopkins & Sons) ; in the spring of
1866, he bought a farm in the town of Vernon, Waukesha Co., Wis., and followed farming four years, then
rented his farm and returned to Chicago, where he again went into manufacturing, and continued in that
till the great " Chicago Fire," in Octolaer, 1871, when he lost his house and shop by fire, losing about
$8,000 ; after the fire, he rebuilt his shop and continued the same business, with the addition of sash,
doors and blinds ; in August, 1872, he went to Rossville, Shawnee Co., Kan., but only remained till fall,
when he returned to Chicago and stayed until the next spring, then built a residence in Jefierson, one of the
suburbs of Chicago, and occupied it one year, then broke up housekeeping and spent some time in Ohio and
Indiana ; in May, 1875, he removed with his family to Denver, Colo., but remained only three months, then
returned to Chicago for the third time ; stayed about three months, then went to Ohio, locating in Edgertoii,
Williams Co., and engaged in selling agricultural implements, which he followed till May, 1876, then
removed to Waupun, Wis., where he still lives ; owns a brick residence on Mill street, north of Main. Mr.
Hopkins has lost five boys — Oney R., Ettlebert R., Mason H., Ozro B. and Charles F., and has three-
living — Arba R., Seldon R. and Truman P.
GrEORCrE JESS, banker and capitalist, and Mayor of the city of Waupun ; born Oct. 15, 1819,
in Kings Co., Nova Scotia ; son of John L. P. Jess, who was a respected citizen of that county, and lived
to be 90 years old; Mr. Jess came to Walworth Co., Wis., in the spring of 1842, and, in 1845, came to
Dodge Co. ; he soon purchased a tract of land in Corumbia Co., and, in the fall of 1845, went to Fox Lake,
Dodge Co. ; he purchased the American House, which was but partially completed, finished it and kept
tavern till the spring of 1846 ; he had been, all this time, improving his property in Columbia Co.; he
became engaged in loaning money and trading, and, in 1850, went across the Plains to California and car-
ried on. an extensive drover's business ; handled cattle from Southern California to San Francisco; also
shipped from Mexico in large droves ; through his energy, made a success, and returned to Fox' Lake in
the fall of 1853, and engaged in loaning money and speculating in land and live stock ; in 1876, went
to Waupun and erected one of the finest buildings in the city, and engaged in the banking and exchange
business, under the firm name of Geo. Jess & Co. ; the concern is on a sound basis and enjoys a prosperous
traffic. Mr. Jess married Maria T. Judd, daughter of Stoddard Judd, who was one of the earliest and
most prominent settlers in this part of the State ; he was one of the framers of the State Constitution,
and was in the Assembly and Senate at difierent times ; was largely interested in railroads, and was
esteemed one of the leading men of those times. Mr. Jess is the father of one child — Stoddard Jess,
born Dec. 3, 1856. He married a daughter of B. Cbenoweth, one of the first settlers of Monroe, Wis.,
who is now a prominent merchant of that place. Stoddard Jess is cashier of the bank of Geo. Jess
& Co., and has almost the entire charge of the business. Mr. Geo. Jess has been a member of the County
Board and held other minor offices. He is now Mayor of the city of Waupun, and is a prominent
Mason.
CHARLES JONES, merchant, Waupun; born on Long Island, N. Y., April 30, 1831 ; son
of Gen. David W. Jones, who was a soldier in the war of 1812 ; Mr. Jones, together with his brother,
E. W. Jones, under the firm name of C. & E. W. Jones, are extensively engaged in business in Waupun ;
they carry the largest stock of dry goods, fancy goods and notions in that part of the country ; also deal
largely in groceries, hats and caps, in fact, carry a very full and complete line of all goods that are to be
found in a first-class establishment of that kind ; the firm is favorably known for its fair dealing and earnest
endeavors to please its customers, and the fact that they have met with such abundant success is strictly
owing to their untiring industry, good management and discretion in purchasing such salable goods as
always find a ready market and quick sale.
B. F. JOXES, farmer. Sec. 18; P. 0. Waupun; born Jan. 1, 1817, in Berkshire Co., Mass.
His father was a farmer and collier; when of age, B. F. worked at farming one year, then peddled dry
goods, silverware, jewelry and Yankee notions for a year and a half, doing a wholesale business in farming
tools at the same time ; afterward went into coal burning for a while, then went into the iron business,
helping to build three furnaces, and having a general superintendence of the mining, furnishing wood, etc.,
WAUPUN TOWNSHIP. 951
for two of tbem. Came to Wisconsin in the fall of 1850, lived a few months on Wedge's Prairie in the
town of Waupun, and Jan. 6, 1851, removed to Sec. 18, where he has since resided. Has followed farm-
ing ever since he came to Wisconsin ; was married April 26, 1847, to Elizabeth S. Andrews, who was
born Nov. 27, 1831, in Saratoga Co., N. Y., town of Athol ; she was daughter of Geo. Seymour Andrews ;
her mother's maiden name was Margaret McEwen ; have six children — Margaret, now Mrs. Robert Bogie,
Waupun ; Helen Josephine, now Mrs. David Stoddart, of Alto ; Benj. F., lives in Brandon ; Isodene, Geo.
W. and Bertha, still liv'ing with their parents ; has 2C0 acres of land in Pond du Lac Co., worth $40 per
acre. In politics, Greeribacker.
W'l'l'IA.M M. JONES, foundryman, Waupun ; born in Cortland, Westchester Co., N. Y.,
June 12, 1822 ; son of Samuel Jones, who was a brave soldier in the war of 1812 ; his father was Smith
Jones a New York State man, and his father was from Wales ; Samuel Jones was a farmer and mechanic ;
he died in 1843, at the age of 64 ; AVilliam, when 15 years old, commenced to learn the iron-molder's
trade in Peekskill ; worked at that trade three and a half years •,, then went to Lawrenceville, Penn.
Married, in 1842, Angelina Herrick, daughter of Job Herrick, who was a native of Vermont; children
are Mary E., now Mrs. Walker, early developed a fine voice for music, and isjiow considered one of the
fine singers in the country ; she is now in Chicago ; William A., died in 1878 ; Frances, married A. Free-
man, and is living in Minnesota ; Emma A., married J. H. Bobbins, and is living in Michigan; William
M., died in infancy; Evia D., is living at home ; Edgar H., married Emma Baldwin ; he is a molder by
trade ; Delia, living at home ; Jeif, married a Gamble. Mr. William Jones, after marriage, went to Peek-
skill and to Port Chester, and then to Troy, N. Y., and to Painted Post, where he engaged in the stove
and tinware business ; then went to Knoxville, Penn., and to Waukesha, Wis., in 1854, and, in 1856, to
Horicon, and, in August, 1873, came to Waupun and has been engaged in ©he foundry business ever since.
Mr. Jones was elected Constable when in Knoxville, and, in Horicon, was Supervisor and on the Village
Board. Mr. Jones is a Royal Arch Mason ; has been connected with Masonry thirty-five years. Mr.
Jones is a man of earnest convictions ; if he believes he is right, he "sticks to it;" he has a competence
through his hard work and attention to business.
ELI JOHIVSON (deceased), was born May 5, 1827, in Erie Co., N. Y.; first came to Wis-
consin in the fall of 1848 ; bought a farm ; then returned to New York, and was married, April 24, 1850,
to Angeline E, Nichols, who was born Aug. 6, 1828, in Cattaraugus Co., N. Y.; daughter of Alanson and
Jerusha Nichols, who are still living in Erie Co., N. Y. In the fall of 1850, he again came to Wisconsin,
and settled on the farm he already owned in the town of VVaupun, Sec. 17, where he resided at the time
of his death, which occurred April 24, 1879 (on his wedding anniversary), of dropsy, after an illness of
about six months. His father, Elisha Johnson, is still living in Erie Co., N. Y., aged about 80. His
mother's maiden name was Anna Chaffee ; she died in June, 1861 ; his grandfather was a Captain in the
war of 1812, and, when a child 2 years old, was carried by his mother, on her back, from Wyoming to
Buffalo, through the wilderness, to escape from the Indians at the Wyoming massacre. Mr. Johnson was
a thorough-going Republican, from the time the party was organized, and took an active part in raising
men and means to carry on the war during the rebellion ; also took a great deal of interest in educational
matters. Left a family of six children, three of whom, viz., George, Helen (now Mrs. Le Grand Tillotson)
and Horace Greeley, are living in Lake Co., D. T., and Mortimer Bodwell, Fred W. and Jlmery R., living
on the homestead with their mother. The estate consists of a 200-acre farm, with good buildings, which,
with the stock, is valued at almost $12,000. Both members of the Free- Will Baptist Chureh.
JOHX M. liOOP, farmer. Sec. 4 ; P. 0. Ladoga; born Feb. 25, 1827, in the town of
Solon, Cortland Co., N. Y. ; came to Wisconsin in the summer of 1843, and settled in the town of
Wheatland, in what was then Racine Co. (now Kenosha Co.) ; engaged in farming there for three years ;
then came to Iron Ridge, Dodge Co., and lived there till December, 1865 ; then went to Le Roy, six miles
north of Mayville, and in October, 1875, came to the town of Waupun and bought the farm he now
owns ; 120 acres in Waupun and 40 acres opposite in Springvale; paid $10,000 for the 160 acres. Was
married first, in January 1842, to Catharine Niver, of Iron Ridge, Wis., who died July 21, 1862, leaving
three children — Addie, now Mrs. John Hungerford, of LeRoy; Seymour A., and Sarah, now Mrs. Matt
Slade, of Metomen, Fond du Lac Co. May 11, 1864, married, for his second wife, Emma Niver
(a sister af his first wife), by whom he has six children — Delia, John, Artie, Frank Everett, Allen and
Mirta L. Was Assessor of Waupun in 1877.
WILLIS LANGr, farmer. Sec. 19 ; P. 0. Waupun ; born Jan. 30, 1832, in Cattaraugus Co.,
N. Y.; came to Wisconsin in June, 1848, and worked at blacksmithing in the village of Waupun two
years ; then went to Waushara Co., Wis., and followed farming in the town of Leon till September, 1855,
and worked at blacksmithing again until June, 1868 ; then bought the farm he now owns in the town of
i>52 BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES:
WaupuD, and has resided there since. Has 240 acres, worth $40 per acre ; in the spring of 1876, he
built a cheese factory 24x44, two stories, and has run it four seasons, using the milk of over five hundred
cows in the summer of 1878 ; the last summer about two hundred and fifty. Was married Jan. 1,- 1856,
to Mary Splain, who died Dec. 13, 1867, aged 33, leaving six children ; Milan died Aug. 1, 1868, aged
18 months, leaving five living at the present time, viz., Henry, Alice, Mary, Maggie and Lottie; was mar-
ried a second time, June 13, 1868, to Mrs. Mary E. Place, whose maiden name was Hughes ; her first
husband, E. F. Place, was a native of St. Lawrence Co., N. Y.; enlisted, in February, 1863, in Go. D,
3d W. V. I., and died in Harney Hospital, Madison, Wis., March 4, 1865, leaving four children — Emma
(now Mrs. T. B. Dailey, of Great Bend, Kan.), Theresa, Mary and Nellie. Mr. Lang, by his second mar-
riage, has three children — Willis, David and Guy.
- THOMAS Mccarty, farmer. Sec. 2 ; P. 0. Ladoga ; born July 12, 1829, in County Kos-
common, Ireland, parish of Crogham ; son of Michael McCarty ; he came to Ajnerica in 1855, and lived
in Wayne Co., N. Y., one year ; then came to Wisconsin, and settled in the town of Black Wolf,
Winnebago Co.; in 1862, he removed to Oakfield, Fond du Lac Co.; lived there one year, and then went
to Lamartine (same county), and resided there until 1878 ; then sold out, and bought seventy acres for
$3,150, in the town of Waupun, where he now resides. He .was married, Feb. 4, 1856, to Mrs. Mary
Power, whose maiden name was Mary McGraw ; she was born in the County Waterford, parish of Cest-
ran, Ireland, March 17, 1820; they have two children, John and Martin ; Mrs.'McCarty had seven chil-
dren by her first husband — Richard, Thomas, James, Mary, Neddie, Patrick and Margaret. In politics,
Mr. McCarty is a Democrat, and both himself and wife are members of the Catholic Church.
JAMES McEiliBOlT, retired farmer, Waupun; born in County Armagh, North of Ireland,
Oct. 17, 1809; son of William McElroy ; his father was John McElroy, and the family originally came
from Scotland ; William McElroy and family came to Canada in the fall of 1821, and engaged in farming ;
William died Oct. 8, 1871, at the good old age of 93 ; James was brought up to work, and, at an early
age, earned his own living ; he used to chop wood, and cleared land for from $2.50 to $6 per acre ; by
dint of industry, he accumulated enough of money to buy fifty acres of wild land in Canada, which he
cleared and sold ; he then bought 100 acres of Church reserve land, worked that until 1836, when he sold out
and went to Michigan to settle on ninety-three acres — paid $10 per acre, and afterward sold for $30 per
acre, and came to Wisconsin in 1848 (he had been here in 1845, prospecting), and settled on 160 acres in
the towns of Alto, Waupun and Trenton, then added eighty acres more, and afterward forty more ; he
now owns one of the finest farms in this part of the country ; in May, 1872, he moved into the city of
Waupun ; through his industry and untiring energy, he now has a competence ; Mr. McElroy, in the
town of Alto, was Supervisor two years, and County Commissioner two years, and was ten years Chairman
of Board of Supervisors ; in 1863, was elected to the Assembly, and served on several committees. Mar-
ried, Jan. 16, 1834, Harriet E. Taylor, daughter of Capt. John Taylor, who was a soldier in the war of
1812 ; their children are Eliza (married. A. Roney), John W. (is farming in the town of Trenton), R. B.
McElroy (is in Milwaukee in the commission business — he married a Miss Burnham), Allen T. (married
a Miss Ackerman) ; two children died in infancy ; Mr. McElroy and wife are members of the Methodist
Episcopal Churchi and have been for about forty years ; he has been Class-Leader, Trustee and Steward,
most of this time ; he has been President of the Old Settlers' Club ever since its organization, and has
been President of the Waupun Mutual Insurance Compapy ever since it started; he has been an Odd
Fellow many years, and has taken all the degrees, and attended the Grand Lodge, and Mrs. McElroy is
a member of the Rebecca Lodge, and she has held all the offices; Mr. McElroy has also been a Mason
many years, and belongs to the Temple of Honor and Good Templars also. He owes his success in life to
his urioeasing hard work, indomitable perseverance and untiring industry.
PARLEY MERRIAM, retired farmer, Sec. 33; P. 0. Waupun ; born Feb. 14, 1795, in
Oxford, Worcester Co., Mass. He was married, Jan. 14, 1822, to Lucy Brown, who was born Feb. 16,
1795, in the town of Thompson, Windham Co., Conn.; after marriage, he lived in Massachusetts and
Connecticut until 1831 ; then removed with his family to Otsego Co., N. Y., and followed farming in
the town of Butternuts until 1844, when he came to Wisconsin, and lived two years in the town of Gene-
see (then Milwaukee Co., now Waukesha) ; in the spring of 1846, he came to Fond du Lac Co.,
and located on Sec. 33, in the town of Waupun, where he still resides ; he was Supervisor of the town of
Waupun several years, and Captain of a militia company in Massachusetts, where he is still known among
his old acquaintances as Capt. Merriam ; Mrs. Merriam died in Waupun, Sept. 24, 1878, of old age,
being in her 84th year ; there are three children living, as follows : Sarah (now Mrs. D. L. Bancroft, of
Waupun), Ira and Nelson, both living in the town of Waupun; Mr. Merriam was among the first settlers
of the town of Waupun, and with them stood his share of the hardships and privations incident to settling
iVAUPUN TOWNSHIP. 953
up a new country. He cast his first vote in a Presidential election for James Monroe, and has never
missed an election since, except two Presidential elections when Wisconsin was a Territory ; he was an Old
Time Whig, and has voted the Republican ticket ever since the party was organized ; now, at the age of
85, he takes a lively interest in politics, and feels anxious to live long enough to cast one more B.epublican
vote for President. Nelson Merriam was born May 4, 1832, in Otsego Co., N. Y., and came West with his
parents; was married, Nov. 20, 1872, to Ellen Boardman, who was born April 23, 1849 ; they have two
children — Hugh N. and Ray C; he has 240 acres of land, valued at almost $10,000 ; Mrs. Merriam is a
member of the M. E. Church ; Mr. Merriam pays a good deal of attention to stock-raising, especially
sheep ; he sold over 6,000 pounds of wool in the fall of 1879.
li. W. MILES, farmer, Sec. 10, P. 0. Waupun ; born Feb. 6, 1841, in Coos Co., N. H.,
came to Wisconsin in the spring of 1864, and was employed at carpenter work in the city of Pond du Lao
for about four years. May 6, 1867, he was married to Arabella Kendall; who was born Nov. 26, 1850,
in the town of Fond du Lac, two miles south of the city, in what, is known as the " Two Mile House,"
kept at that time by her father, Kendall; April 1, 1868, Mr. Miles left the city of Fond du Lac,
living two miles south about a year and a half; then at Seven Mile Creek (Lamardne), about four months,
when, on Jan. 24, 1870, he removed to the farm he now owns and occupies, where he has followed farm-
ing since, except three years that he worked for the railroad company, from Nov. 1, 1872, to Nov. 1, 1875 ;
he has an eighty-acre farm, valued at .about $55 per acre ; has five children — Lillie May, born May 1,
1865 ; Clarence A., Aug. 1, 1869 ; Carrie Bell and Charles L. (twins), Sept. 3, 1875, and Greorge Frank-
lin, Jan. 3, -1879. ^
PHELPS MOORE, livery stable; born in Genesee Co., N. Y., Dec. 11, 1827; ^on
of S. F. Moore, who was from Vermont, and was a soldier in the war of 1812 ; he enlisted when at the
age" of 18, and was engaged in several battles; he emigrated to Erie Co., N. Y., and died when about 56
/years old. Phelps Moore came to Waupun in the fall of 1849 ; he went to La Crosse and entered 180
acres of land; he lived in Minnesota three years; in 1851, engaged in the grocery business in Waupun
and afterward went into the livery business, which he has been successfully engaged in since ; he has the
best livery stock in this part of the country. Mr. Moore married Anna M. Hewitt, daughter of George-
A. Hewitt; the children were Edith M., died when 2 years old; Ellis T., is attending college ; Bay, is
attending school in Waupun. Mr. Moore is a man of liberal spirit, and a prominent member of the society
of Odd Fellows.
AMOS NUDD, merchant ; born in Rockingham Co., N. H., Sept. 6, 1820 ; son of John
Nndd, who was born and brought up in the same county, and his father, Weare Nudd, was also " raised "
in New Hampshire, and was enrolled as a minute-man in the Revolution ; these ancestors came from
England ; it is not positively known if they " came over in the Mayflower," " or that three brothers
came to this country," etc., etc., but the family has a good record, and belonged to that good old Puritan
stock whose blood has coursed the veins of the noblest men and women America has produced. Mr.
John Nudd was a well-to-do farmer ; when the war of 1812 came he joined the ranks and helped whip
the British again ; he lived, and died on the old homestead Jan. 8, 1867, at the age of 78. He wa* a
member of the Legislature at one time, and was every way a citizen honored and respected. His wife
was Mary Worthington, who died years ago. Amos lived at home till 1851, then went to Exeter, N. H.,
and engaged in business there five years ; then emigrated to Richland, Wis., taught school at times, and
in August, 1862, came to Waupun and became engaged with M. J. Althouse in the manufacture of
pumps ; Mr. Nudd was the inventor of a lateral waste valve, which was applied to these pumps ; he ac-
cepted a position in the counting-room of the concern, and was there till 1874, and was also with Alt-
house, Wheeler & Co.; May, 1877, formed copartnership with C. M. Brooks, and engaged in the furni-
ture business, under the firm name of Brooks & Nudd ; they have been carrying on a very successful
business. Mr. Nudd married, Dec. 22, 1840, Lucy A. James, daughter of E. M. James, who was a good
old Yankee from Deerfield, Rockingham Co., N. H. The old homestead is in possession of Fred P.
James, who is one of the Directors of the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad ; the children were George,
who died when 5 years old ; Georgina L., married C. D. Nichols, and living in Columbus, Cherokee Co.
Kan. ; Mary L., married George Poster, and is living in Oshkosh, Wis. ; Nellie F., married Albert Ray-
mond, and is living in Chester ; one child died in 1858, and another in 1854. Mr. Nudd's brother,
William Nudd, was a brave soldier in the 15th N. H. V. I., was in many battles, and died from exposure,
in August, 1864. Mr. Nudd has held offices of trust, and is a member of the society of Odd Fellows; he
is also a strong advocate of temperance and a member of the Temple of Honor. It doesn't require the aid of
stimulants or narcotics to make Mr. Ni a jovial companion, a wit, or a poet — these acquirements are
inherent.
■954 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
J. N. O'BRIfiX, 31. D., physician and surgeon; born in West Chester, Pean., Sept.
15, 1838 ; Dr. O'Brien entered Notre Dame College in 185-6 and graduated in 1859 ; commenced the
«tudy of medicine at the Rush Medical College in 1861 ; eminent among the profession there at that time
Prof. Brainard, James Adams Allen, Prof J. W. Freer, Prof. Ray ; Dr. O'Brien, after a thorough course
of study, commenced the practice of medicine in Plymouth, Sheboygan Co., Wis., and, in 1878, came to
Waupun ; he is a member of the State Medical Society and a prominent member of the American Medical
Association ; also a member of the County Medical Society ; he has a large and constantly increasing
■practice. Dr. O'Brien married, in May, 1866, Anna J. Smith, daughter of Col. H. N. Smith, late
Warden of the Wisconsin State Prison and who for many years was a prominent Democratic politician of
.the State; the children are Daisy, born July 4, 1869; Sarah, born Oct. 24, 1872; Harold N., born in
April, 1877. The Doctor is a man of genial temperament, and, although his valuable time is mostly occu-
pied with his studies and practice, he occasionally finds an opportunity to follow the sports of the field,
and game from mud-hens to deer have to suffer.
R. li. OLilVRR, attorney; born in Scotland, May 4, 1834; son of Thos. Oliver, a hardware
merchant; he came to the town of Alto, Wis., in 1848 ; came to Waupun and engaged in the manufact-
ure of plows ; was successfully engaged till 1858, when he went into the hardware business and carried it
on till the time of his death, Dec. 29. 1868. Robert enlisted in Co. D, 3d W. V. I.; was in all the
battles that that regiment engaged in ; was appointed Sergeant Major after the battle of Antietam on
account of bravery ; returned to Waupun in 1864; commenced the study of law in 1865 and now has a
successful practice. Married Grace Sampey, daughter of Thos. Sampey ; have had three children — Ada
Belle, Gertie and Grace.
ANDREW OJLSON, farmer; Sec. 34; P. 0. Waupun; born January 27, 1831, in Nor-
way, near the city of Christiana; came to America in 1855, and settled in the village of Waupun, lived
there three years, then bought a sixty-acre farm on Sec. 29, in the town of Waupun, where he resided
until the fall of 1870, when he bought the farm he now occupies and has lived there since. Has 251
acres, valued at about $12,000. Was married August 25, 1859, to Charity Higginson, who was born January
1^1, 1835, also in Norway, and came to America in 1854; has five children — Olive H., Clara G., Nellie
Harriet, Jennie Augusta and Alfred Clarence. He is Republican, and both Lutherans.
E. A. PADGHAM, merchant; born in Madison Co., N. Y., Sept. 6, 1840; son of John
Padgham, who was born in Sussex, Eng., Feb. 21, 1799; he was a miller by trade, and was also a local
.Methodist preacher of celebrity; he married, Oct. 11, 1824, Miss Charlotte Hobbs, of St. Peter's Isle,
T'hanite, Eng.; she was born May 6, 1798; the family came to America in 1830, and Mr. John Padg-
ham engagpd in farming, which he carried on successfully till the time of his death ; his wife is now
living in Randolph, Wis., at the good old age of 81 ; she has in her possession some of a celebrated brand
■of flour that her husband made, the week they were married, in the old Northwood Windmill at St.
Lawrence, Eng. Edward A. Padgham came to Waupun in 1861 to take charge of Euen's Prison City
Item office; he shortly aftei; entered Co. K, 10th W. V. I.; was in all the engagements with his
legiment; served his time faithfully, and was mustered out Nov. 3, 1864, after having served three years
and three months; returned to Waupun, and married, Jan. 3, 1865, Miss Addie Moore, daughter of Mills
Moore; have had one child — Jessie A., born Dec. 29, 1872. In 1865, Mr. Padgham was engaged with
Phelps Moore, and then with Sikes & Nichols; then accepted a position with Mr. Van Valkenburg,
and, shortly after, went to work for I. V. Preston, druggist; in 1867, Mr. Padgham loaded all his worldly
possessions on a wagon, and, with ox-teams, took his march with his family for the great West; they
traveled many hundred miles, and suffered some hardships ; after getting into Iowa, and not finding the
prospect pleasing, they retraced their way to Waupun ; Mr. Padgham is now successfully engaged in
business in Waupun ; has one of the neatest and handsomest stores in the city, and carries a very com-
plete and well-assorted stock of groceries, crockery, etc. Himself and wife are members of the Congre-
gational Church.
CHARLES RAIVK, retired merchant; born June 14, 1824, in Ruegem, Germany, an island
in the Baltic Sea and a place of summer resort ; he was the son of Carl Louis Rank. Charles was a
soldier in the old country in the 28th Regiment Prussian Infantry ; was honorably discharged at Aix La
Chapelle June 22, 1848 ; this was one of the regiments sent to Rastad-Baden to quell a rebellion in which
Carl Schurz, Gen. Sigel and others, since citizens of fame in this country, were prominent leaders. Carl
Louis Rank and family came to Milwaukee, Wis., Oct. 6, 1848 ; Carl shortly after to Washington Co.,
and died there in 1854 ; he was born Jan. 9, 1793. Charles was a journeyman tailor in Milwaukee several
years ; was employed with H. Friend & Bro. five years ; in the fall of 1854, engaged in business for him-
'self near the Kirby House; in May, 1855, came to Waupun and started a general store in company with
'^^
METOMEN.
S^AUPUN TOWNSHIP. 957
John Manz, under the firm name of Rank & Manz ; in 1863, he bought Manz out and carried on the
business very successfully till 1876 ; he has now a competence through his good business management and
square dealing, owning one of the finest business blocks of the city, which he erected in 1868. Married,
Dec. 25, 1854, Christiana Luick, born in Nittingen, Wurtemberg; have had five children — Louisa, born
Sept. 15, 1855, died May 7, 1858; BUa G., born Sept. 25, 1858; Lucy E., born Feb. 9, 1862, living at
home ; Charles A., born Sept. 5, 1864, living at home ; William Edward, born Aug. 26, 1866, at home.
Ella is teaching school at Oak Center, Fond du Lac Co. Mr. Rack was liberal during the war, giving
his aid and support freely to the great cause of national sovereignty.
JOHlKr J. ROBERTili, merchant; born Feb. 5, 1843, in Wales; son of 0. R. Roberts.
The family came to Columbia Co., Wis., in the spring of 1847. Mr. 0. R. Roberts was a prominent and
respected citizen in the old country and held positions of trust ; he was a man of more than ordinary
culture ; he died about 1867 at the age of 75. John, when 17 years old, went to work for Gov. Smith,
and, in August, 1862, enlisted in Co. E, 29lth W. V. I.; served about ten months, and returned and raised
a company for the 48th W. V. I., and entered the service again as First Lieutenant of Co. B, and was
afterward promoted to captaincy ; served his time faithfully and was honorably discharged. On his
return, worked for William E. Smith for awhile, then went in partnership with R. P. Smith in general
merchandise store; came to Waupun in the fall of 1870, and engaged in trade with Lewis Smith, and,
about ten months after, took the entire business himself, which he has been carrying on very successfully
ever since; he is agent for the American Express Co. ; he keeps one of the largest and best-assorted
stocks of groceries, boots and shoes, crockery, etc., in the city, and deserves a big " credit mark" for his
industry and good business management ; Mr. Roberts does not let a chance for shrewd speculation pass
without getting his hand in. He married, in September, 1868, Miss Jennie Smith, daughter of Alexander
Smith and sister of Gov. Smith ; the children by this marriage are Malevlin J., born in August, 1869,
.and died when 6 months old ; Jessie May, born in November, 1871 ; Almira Chamberlain, in March,
1874 ; Ira Smith, born Aug. 23, 1878. Mr. Roberts is a Mason and member of the Commandery.
ROBERT K.SATTERFIEIiD, farmer, Sec. 11; P. 0. Ladoga;born July 4, 1834, in Berk-
ley Co., W. Va.; his parents removed to Champion, Ohio, when he was about 15 years of age; he
came to Wisconsin in 1855, and settled in the town and county of Fond du Lac, and lived there till May,
1873, then bought his present farm in the town of Waupun. Has eighty acres, worth $4,000. Novem-
ber 14, 1860, he was married to Mrs. Jane Roblee, whose maiden name was Jane Bigford; has two
children — -Lillian M. and Keyes L. Republican.
J. W. SEEIj Y, capitalist and attorney at law, Waupun ; born in Bainbridge, Chenango Co.,
N. Y., Dec. 10, 1819 ; son of Henry Seely, who was from Bedford, Westchester Co., N. Y.; the family
came from England as early as 1690 and settled near Stamford, Conn.; a grandfather, Eli Seely, was a
soldier in the Revolutionary war, and his brother Thaddeus was taken prisoner and wounded and was
never after heard of; Henry Seely died in Bainbridge, in 1848, at the age of 61 ; Josiah W. Seely
taught school in New York State when 16 years old, and in 1835 commenced reading law and finished
his course at Ithaca, N. Y.; was admitted to practice at the Supreme Court in Albany, N. Y., and has
practiced law successfully to the present time ; in 1858, he came to Marquette Co., Wis.; was there five
years, and then came to Waupun, Dodge Co. Married Miss M. S. Humphrey, daughter of Col. Austin
N. Humphrey, of Connecticut, who was a descendant of Lea Humphrey, of Revolutionary fame ; the
■children are Henry A., who has attended school at Ripon College and Madison University ; Clara M.,
who has attended Ripon College, and Minnie H. Mr. Seely owns 140 acres of land, mostly within tlie
city limits ; also owns a fine brick block on Main street, and one of the finest residences in the city ; also
owns a farm of 240 acres in the town of A.lto ; he is a man of wealth, which he has accumulated through
his shrewd management and good business tact; he is quite extensively engaged in handling cattle, sheep
and hogs, and is an active, sterling business man. Himself and family are members of the Episcopal
•Church.
F. E. SIKES, merchant, Waupun ; born in Granby, Mass., May 1, 1842; son of Edward Sikes,
who was born in Lowell, Mass. The family came to Oakfield, Fond du Lac Co., Wis., in spring of 1844,
and Edward engaged in agricultural pursuits ; was a successful farmer for twenty-one years, and moved to
Waupun in 1865, and Jan. 19, 1866, Mr. F. E. Sikes engaged in general merchandise business, which he
has carried on in a business-like and. successful way ever since; his father, Mr. Edward Sikes, is living in
Waupun at the age of 72. While living in Oakfield, he held many of&ces of trust, Francis E. married
in March, 1877, the Widow Robins, daughter of J. S. Gee; there is one child by this union — Frank
Trewman. Mr. Sikes enlisted Aug. 15, 1862, in the 21st W. V. I.; was in many engagements, among
which were Perrjville, Champion Hills and Stone River ; at Perryville, had four balls shot through his
KK
958 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
clothing ; he was honorably discharged after serving his time faithfully. Mr. Sikes carries a large and
well-assorted stock of groceries, boots and shoes and notions, and, through his strict attention to businesa
and good management, is building up a prosperous trade.
PETER SEIEERT, brewer, Waupun; bom in Germany, 1834; came to Milwaukee June 1,
1850, and engaged in the brewery business, was there a year ; he then went to Iowa, and was there three
years, when he returned to Milwaukee and engaged in the same business, and came to Waupun in July,.
18Y0, and bought a brewery, made many important improvements, and now carries on a large and con-
stantly growing business ; he supplies nearly all the trade in the surrounding country, his beer is generally
noted for its good qualities. Mr. Seifert married, Nov. 21, 1857, Catherine Brutzie ; children — Mary
(died in infancy), Peter (lived to be 21 years 6 months and 9 days old, and died in September, 1879, he
was a youth of much promise). Otto (died when 6 years old), Barteen (died when young), Anna E. is
living-at home, as is also Eddie Seifert. Mr. Seifert is a respected member of the Ancient Order of
United Workmen, and himself and family members of the Catholic Church. '
GEORGE W. STANTOW, elevator and grain business, Waupun; born in StraflFord Co.,
N. H.,-Jan. 2, 1821 ; son of John Stanton, who was in the war of 1812, and was a well-to-do farmer in
that county ; his father was John Stanton, who was in the war of the Revolution ; John Stanton, Jr., •
died in 1864, at the age of 74. Mr. George Stanton worked in the lumber business, in the neighborhood
of Moosehead Lake, Me., and at the head- waters of the St. John's and Kennebeck Rivers fifteen w nters ;
the family came West in 1856, to the town of Trenton, Dodge Co., and settled on 320 acres; alsoiowned
800 acres of fine laud in the northern part of the State : rented his farm in 1865, and moved to W aupun,
and engaged in buyinig grain ; has been thus employed ever since. Mr. Stanton married, in 1842, Hannah
C. Lord, daughter of Joseph L. Lord, who was extensively engaged in the lumber business in the State of
Maine ; the children by this union were Charles M., who died when 22 years old ; Joseph, died when 5
years old ; another, died in infancy ; Joseph E., married a Shipman, and is living in Waupun ; Elizabeth
E., married A. L. Clark ; George W., Jr., is in the grain business with his father. Mr. Stanton has held
different offices of trust, and, through his industry and good judgment, has built up the largest grain
business in this part of the country.
DR. MARCUS SWAIBf, physician, Waupun; born in Windsor Co., Vt., town of Reading,.
June 10, 1808 ; son of Nathaniel Swain ; his father was also Nathaniel Swain, of Scotch descent. Dr..
Marcus Swain was graduated at Dartmouth College in 1833, and located in Westford, Vt.; practiced
medicine there ten years; then went to Essex, and, in 1857, went to Oshkosh, Wis.; was burned out,
and, in 1861, came to Waupun; removed to Knglewood, near Chicago, and returned to Waupun in the
fall of 1878. Dr. Swain has a large and successful practice ; held the position of physician in the State's
Prison from 1861 to 1865. He married, in May, 1835, Charlotte M. Woodbury, daughter of Hubbard
Woodbury, of Barry, Mass.; had seven children — Edgar D., who raised a company and enlisted as Cap-
tain in the 42d 111. V. I., at Batavia, 111. (he fought bravely in the many battles that his regiment engaged
in, and was promoted to be Colonel of the regiment for his valor; returning from the war, he resumed
his profession as dentist, and located in Chicago, where he now has an extensive and lucrative practice ; he
is Colonel Of the 1st 111. V. I.) ; Alice M. Swain, is living with her father; Marcus W., was killed on the
railroad at Preeport, 111.; George A., died in Tennessee during the war; Ida,' died in infancy; Charlotte
L., married A. Klepser, now of Milwaukee ; Oliver D., engaged in dentistry with his brother in Chicago.
Col. Edgar married Clara Smith, daughter of Benjamin Smith; Oliver D. married Annie Cromwell, who
traces her ancestry back to the great Oliver Cromwell. Mr. Swain and wife are members of the Congre-
gational Church.
W. H. TAYIiOR, insurance agent and and conveyancer, Waupun ; was born in Warsaw,
Wyoming Co., N. Y., March 3, 1821 ; his opportunities for an early education were very limited; the
common or district school at that time was very ordinary, when compared with the high standard to which
it has now attained; losing his mother at an early age, and with no one upon whom he could depend for
help, he was compelled to rely upon himself, and was, therefore, deprived of those advantages so necessary
for the proper training of the young ; in 1843, he left his native State, and resided three and one-half
years at Willoughby, Ohio ; not being contented there, he left Ohio in 1846, to find a home at the West;
landing at Chicago, and traveling over some part of Northern Illinois, he was not pleased with the
country, especially that between Chicago and Lockport ; he resolved to make a trip from Lockport north,
through the eastern part of Wisconsin, toward Sheboygan, so that, in case he did not find any country
that pleased him, he could take passage back to Ohio ; at that time, the land in the counties of Dodge
and Fond du Lac Was open to, entry, and was rapidly being settled; the fame of the natural resources
of t^ese counties was widespread and had its influence in attracting him toward Waupun, which place he
WAUPUN TOWNSHIP. 959
reached on the 6th of October, 1846 ; at that time, Waupun was but a mere hamlet ; there were but
four buildings there, any part of which is now standing ; being of an active temperament, he could not
remain idle ; he possessed the happy faculty of being able to turn his attention to such business as pre-
sented itself; he found employment at fair wages, and resolved to make Waupun his future home. In
1849, he married Miss Mary E. Fairbank, daughter of F. G. Fairbank, who migrated from Western
New York, about 1844 ; in his marital, relations, Mr. Taylor was very fortunate, the wife of his choice
■ proving to be a good Christian lady, loved by all with whom she associated, for her goodness of heart and
gentle disposition, and, as Mr. Taylor himself says, she had a strong influence over him, and had much to
do in shaping his character for life. He has been engaged in many pursuits — merchandising, real estate,
insurance ; in all of which he has been successful ; he has held various offices of trust, and has ever been
characterized as prompt and faithful. The result of his married life was two children, one died in infancy,
the other, a daughter, now the wife of Dr. J. E. Gee, of Brandon, Wis. Mr. Taylor has always taken
much interest in the welfare of Waupun and the surrounding country ; he has always been active in
building up and sustaining the interests of Waupun ; his hands have always been open to those in need ;
in the spring of 1870, he lost his wife, since which time he has seemingly lived for the benefit of his
daughter and friends.
AAKOX G. THOMAS, farmer. Sec. 11 ; P. 0. Ladoga; born Jan. 27, 1835, in Warren.
Co., N. Y. ; parents came to Wisconsin when he was 15 years old, and settled in Lamartine, Pond du
Lac Co.; he remained with them till Nov. 6, 1862, when he married Miss Sally Fancher, who was born
Sept. 12, 1843, in Genesee Co., N. Y.; her parents came to Wisconsin when she was only 3 years of age,,
and settled in Lamartine, where they now reside. In the fall of 1865, Mr. Thomas bought a* farm in
Eden, Fond du Lac Co., and lived there till the spring of 1879, then exchanged for the farm he now
owns in Waupun, where he has since resided ; has 166 acres, valued at $6,000. Has four children —
Anna, Joseph, Mary and Henry, all at home. Mrs. Thomas, is a member of the United Brethren Church.
In politics, Mr. Thomas is Republican.
ISAAC THOMPSOIV, machinist, Waupun; born in Sedber, England, Nov. 14, 1846; lived:
ill several different places in England, among them, Rugby, Cherry Burton, Preston and Kendall; came
to America in 1861 and settled in Fond du Lac, Wis., Sept. 14, of that year ; worked on a farm for about,
a year, then worked for 0. Hornby, of Chester Station, Dodge Co., two years at the same business (farming);,
Dee. 21, 1864, he enlisted in the 51st W. V. I., Co. K, to serve one year or during the war, and was dis-.
charged May 4, 1865, at Madison, Wis.; in 1865, went to work in the wagon-shop of Wells & Grannis,
ia Waupun, to learn blacksmithing ; worked there about two and one-half years, and from there went to
Brandon, then to Chester, and from there to Fond du Lac, where he worked at horseshoeing about a
year and a half, in the shop of T. S. Nowell, then worked at blacksmithing in Oakfield, Wis., two years.
Dec. 28, 1870, was married to Eleanor A. Wood, of Waupun, daughter of Oliver H. and Almira Wood,
who came to Wisconsin from Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., in 1847, and settled in Waupun ; moved to Oak-
field, and lived about nine months afler his marriage, then back to Waupun, and commenced work for
M. J. Althouse, Nov. 1, 1871, the first year at blacksmithing and since that as machinist, still in the
same shop ; owns an eighty-acre farm in Greene Co., Iowa ; has belonged to the Masonic Fraternity since
1875; has two children— Oliver Henry, born Sept. 30, 1871, and Mary Elizabeth, born Jan. 20, 1877 ;
Lucy Adell was born May 12, 1874, and died the next day after she was born.
GEORG^E B. TRADE WEIiL, farmer; Sec. 21; P. 0. Waupun; born May 1, 1826,
in Delaware Co. N. Y. Was married, Jan. 1, 1850, to Maria Paine, who was born Sept. 18, 1826, also in
Delaware Co., town of Meredith, daughter of Thompson Paine ; soon after his marriage, Mr. Tradewell
went to Sullivan Co., Penn., and lived there almost tWo years, working a part of the time in a match fac-
tory, and part of the time peddling tobacco, cigars and matches ; he then went to Smithboro, Tioga Co.,
N. Y., where he worked at blacksmithing and wagon-making till the fall of 1854, then came to Wiscon-
sin, and has lived in the town of Waupun ever since, except about six months in the town of Lomira,
Dodge Co.; for the first few years after he came to Wisconsin he worked at paintirjg and carpenter work,
and for the last fourteen years has been selling agricultural implements for M. K. Dahl, of Waupun ; has
eighty acres of land, worth about $4,000. Held the office of Constable six years, and was elected Justice
of the Peace, but never qualified. Has six children — Annette, Thompson J., Cassius De Ville, Charles,
Aaron and Lydia; has lost two — Etnma, died April 23, 1877, aged 13 years, and Byron, died May 5,
1877, aged 10 years 7 months and 16 days. In politics. Republican.
JOHN S. VAN EPS, farmer. Sec. 3; P. O.Ladoga; born Jan. 14, 1820, in the town of
Homer, Cortland Co., N. Y., ; son of Jeremiah and Isabell Van Eps ; he came to Wisconsin in October,
960 BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES:
1845, and settled, in the town of North Bend (now Barton), Washington Co., where he followed farm-
ing and teaching for about thirty-two years ; held the office of Town Clerk and Assessor of the town.
June 3, 1847, was married to Helen Praser, who was born Jan.. 21, 1821, in Livingston Co., N. Y., and
died July 31, 1868, in Washington Co., Wis.; had five children — Nettie, born March 9, 1848 (is now
the wife of Dwight Isbell, of the ■ town of Waupun) ; Libbie, born Aug. 14, 1853 ; Emma, April 17,
1857 ; John J., Feb. 23, 1859, and Helen, born Sept. 2, 1861. In the spring of 1874 he removed to
the town of Waupun, Fond du Lac Co., where he has resided since; own 100 acres of land for which
he paid $5,500. Republican in politics. >
WAIjKEiB BROS., merchants, Waupun. Charles H. Walker, born in Newburg, Ohio, Aug.
8, 1846 ; son of Levi Walker, who died Jan. 16, 1852, at the age of 44. His brother, Hiram Walker,
came to Waupun in 1841, at the same time Wilcox and Ackerman did; wag one of the first white men
here ; he settled on 107 acres in what is now the city of Waupun ; he died in Charles City, Minn., in
1872, at the age of 60. The family came to Waupun in 1848. Levi Walker married Jane A. Powers,
of Ferrisburg, Vt., they had six children — Hattie A. married Johnson Soper, and they are living in Can-
ada ; George Walker is in Washington Territory ; Gid. T. Walker married M. P. Allen ; Nathan S. is in
New Mexico ; Levi J. married Sarah Woodard, and is living in California ; Chas. H. is the next one in
order. Mr. G. T. Walker is thefather of Jessie M. (born Feb. 29, 1872), Levi Cbom Feb. 16, 1879).
Mr. Charles H. Walker, together with his brother, Mr. G. T. Walker, engaged in the mercantile business
Nov. 6, 1878, under the firm name of Walker Bros.; they have a complete and well-assorted stock of gro-
ceries, boots and shoes, crockery, etc., and, by close attention to business and general good management,
have built up a flourishing and increasing business. Mr. G. T. Walker was elected Alderman of the city
of Waupun in 1878 ; their mother, who was born Aug. 31, 1810, is living in Waupun.
R. W. WELLS, druggist, Waupun ; born in Waterbury, Vt., Nov. 17, 1833 ; son of William W.
Wells, who was a mill owner and largely engaged in the tannery business ; he was a prominent and
respected citizen ; was at one time a member of the Legislature ; his father was Roswell Wells, and came
from Massachusetts ; his wife was Parmelia White, of one of the oldest Puritan families. Wm. W. Wells
married Eliza Carpenter ; they had eight children — R. W. Wells ; Edward, who is engaged in the whole-
sale drug business in Burlington, Vt.; Gen. William Wells, who is, Collector of Customs at Burlington,
Vt., and was with the 1st Vt. V. C., was with Sherman and Kilpatrick, and attained the position of Gen-
eral through his bravery and soldierly talent ; Curtis Wells, is cashier in Waterbury National Bank, Water-
bury, Vt.; Charles and Sarah Wells (twins) — Charles is connected with the Custom House, Burlington,
Sarah married J. W. Brock, of Montpelier, Vt.; Henry and Fred are in the drug business in Burlington,
Yt. Mr.* R. W. Wells came to Beloit, Wis., Nov. 17, 1855 ; then went to Fond du Lac and to Racine,
and finally, April 24, 1856, engaged in the drug business in Waupun ; he has built up a first-class and
prosperous traffic through close attention to business, keeping the finest assortment of drugs and druggist's
sundries in the city. Married, Oct. 27, 1856, Tryphosa A. Wright, of Shoreham, Vt., daughter of M.
W. Wright, who has been County Judge and member of the Legislature ; the children are Ella M.,
William, Fred, and Kate, who died in infancy. Mr. Weljp has been Treasurer of the village and city of
Waupun for many years. Himself and wife are members of the Episcopal Church.
GEORC^E WELLS, farmer. Sec. 22 ; P. 0. Waupun ;-born Feb. 11, 1819, in Wayne Co., N.
Y. He was married, iu November, 1842, to Veleria Ann Farrand, who died eleven months after mar-
riage, leaving one child, which survived its mother only one month; May 11, 1845, he married Nancy
Edmunds, of Wayne Co., N. Y., who died Sept. 3, 1870, at the age of 50. .Mr, Wells first came to Wis-
consin in May, 1846 ; lived in the town of Waupun, on Sec. 24, two and one-half years ; then returned to
New York and followed farming in Wayne Co. seven years ; in March, 1854, he again came to Wisconsin
and located on the farm he now owns, in Waupun; has 129i acres, worth $40 per acre. Sept. 7, 1871,
he married, for his third wife, Betsy Jenkins, whose maiden name was Palmer; has one child — Hattie,
born Oct. 15, 1872. Republican, and both members of the Wesleyan Methodist Church.
FRAIVK WHALE Y, farmer. Sec. 10; P. 0. Waupun; born April 10, 1845, in Wyoming
Co., N. Y.; son of W«n. and Sally A. Whaley, who came to Wisconsin when he was only 11 years of age,
and settled in the town of Waupun. His father died April 5, 1878, aged 62 years, and his mother is now
living in Wyoming Co., N. Y. Frank was married, Oct. 11, 1865, to Emily Holden, who was born Sept.
30, 1845, in Cattaraugus Co., N, Y.; daughter of Chauncey and Almina Holden, who came to Wisconsin
in the spring of 1851, and settled in the town of Waupun, on Sec. 15, where they both died — Mrs. Hol-
den Oct. 27, 1858, and Mr. Holden July 20, 1877, aged 56— leaving three children— Mrs. Frank Wha-
ley, Mrs. L. B. Beardsley, and Florence E. Holden, who died Jan. 22, 1860. Mr. and Mrs. Whaley have
three children— Florence M., born Aug. 7, 1866 ; Leila P., Feb. 18, 1872, and George H., Nov. 9, 1875.
WAUPUN TOWNSHIP. 961
Immediately after his marriage, Mr. Whaley went to Wyoming Co., N. Y. (where Florence M. was born),
and lived there three years; then feturned to Wisconsin, and has resided in the town of Waupun ever
since; bought his present farm in October, 1872; has 160 acres, worth $8,000. Republican.
WARREX WHITI]!lir€r, farmer, Sec. 9 ; P. 0. Waupun; born Oct. 12, 1816, in Worcester
Co., Mass., son of Amos and Aley Whiting, who removed to Erie Co., N. Y., when he was 3 years old,
and remained there till the death of Mr. Whiting, which occurred in December, 1842. Warren Whiting
was married, Sept. 5, 1839, to Lorinda Keith, who was born Dec. 19, 1816, in Madison Co., N. Y.,
daughter of Lincoln and Submit Keith ; Mr. Keith is a native of Massachusetts, and Mrs. Keith of New
York ; he came to Wisconsin in February, 1846, and settled in the town of Springvale, Fond du Lac Co.,
on Sec. 22 ; resided there nineteen years ; in January, 1865, he came to the town of Waupun, and has
resided on Sec. 9 since that time ; has now 280 acres of land, valued at $15,000, having divided up among
his children 356 acres, worth about $18,000. He has been a member of the Free-Will Baptist Church for
forty years, and in the ministry about thirty-eight years ; was Chairman of the Board of Super-
visors for three years in Springvale, and a number of years in Waupun ; was a member of the Assembly
in the Legislature of 1859 ; Elder Whiting was elected by the citizens of Waupun, Springvale, Alto and
Metomen, who were opposed to granting aid to the Sheboygan & Fond du Lac R. R. Co., to represent them
in the various law suits which grew out of their opposition, and which lasted altogether about three years.
Has three children living-^Lydia Sophia, now the widow of Arthur H. Sikes, who died May 6, 1878 ;
Ethan E., living on Sec. 10, Waupun, and Alice Emroy, now the wife of Hiram Chandler, living on the
homestead. In politics, a Republican.
GEORGE F. WHEELER, member of the firm of Althouse, Wheeler & Co., manufacturers
of windmills, pumps, etc., was born in New Haven, Vt., Dec. 23, 1824 ; son of Moses F. and Mary Ann
Wheeler; came to Wisconsin in the fall of 1853, and in the spring of 1854, located on a farm in the
town of Springvale, Fond du Lac Co., where he followed farming till Jan. 1, 1861, when he' removed to
the city of Fond du Lao and assumed the duties of Sheriff of Fond du Lac Co., to which office he had
been elected the previous November ; in the winter of 1853, after his term of office expired, he returned
to his farm in Springvale and remained there till Jan. 1, 1870, when he removed to the then village of
Waupun, where he has since resided. In the fall of 1863, he was elected to the State Senate and re-elected
in 1865, being four years in the Senate, and was President pro tem. the last two years of the time ; in the
fall of 1869, he was elected State Prison Commissioner, holding that office till Jan. 1, 1874, when the
office was abolished an,d a Board of Directors appointed instead ; in the spring of 1874, he engaged in
business with M. J. Althouse and Capt. L. D. Hinckley, at Waupun, these three composing the firm of
Althouse, Wheeler & Co., which business connection continues to the present time. Was married, Deo.
26, 1849, at Leicester, Vt., to Sarah C, daughter of Parley and Sally Enos ; has one daughter — Josephine
L. Mrs. Wheeler is a member of the Congregational Church.
IRA af. WIIjCOX, retired, Waupun ; born in Waupun, Wis., April 17, 1843 ; son of Seymour
Wilcox, who was from Vermont; he came to Green Bay about 1840, and to Waupun about 1841, and
was one with two others to make the first settlement here ; he kept a tavern in the early days, and built
the Exchange Hotel, and was the landlord there for about three years; he was a man of liberal spirit ; he
gave to the State the fine tract of land that the State Prison is erected upon ; he died in January, 1879,
at the age of 74. Ira J. Wilcox was the first white boy born in AVaupun. Ira married, Oct. 9, 1864,
Angelina C. Middaugh, daughter of Dr. Middaugh, who was a prominent physician in Ithaca, N. Y., prac-
ticed medicine in that vicinity for twenty-five years ; he is now living in Minnesota at the age of 74.
OLIVER H. WOOD, retired farmer, Waupun; born March 25, 1806, in Essex Co., N. Y.,
town of Tioonderoga ; removed to Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., in 1831, and lived there till the fall of 1849,
then came to Wisconsin and settled on Section 6, in the town of Waupun ; lived there six years, then sold
out and bought sixty acres in Section 27, where he lived another six years, then sold out again and bought
three acres in the village of Waupun, where he has since resided. Was married, Nov. 18, 1826, to Almina
Day, who was born Oct. 4, 1805, also in Ticonderoga, N. Y.; she died in Waupun April 9, 1879, leaving
eight children — ^Henry F. (in the mercantile business in Waupun), Orpha Malinda (now Mrs. David
Wing, of Waupun), Mary Jane (now Mrs. M. J. Althouse, of the firm of Althouse, Wheeler & Co, Wau-
pun), Roena Elizabeth (wife of M. P. Althouse, of Freeborn Co., Minn.), George Wellington, lives in
Waupun, married Louisa Simpson, of the town of Le Roy, Dodge Co.; enlisted, in August, 1864, in the 2d
W. V. C, and served one year), Lorenzo D. ('lives in Nebraska ; he euHsted in Go. D, 3d W. V. I.; was
wounded at the battle of Antietam, and discharged for disability ; afterward enlisted in the 32d W. V. I., Co.
— , and served till the close of the war ; was married to Eleanor Chandler, of Waupun, who died about a
year after marriage), Rufus A. lives in Waupun, and also Eleanor, now Mrs. Isaac Thompson ; lost one
962 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
daughter, Victoria, who was born Oct. 8, 1839, and died in the 19th year of h6r age. Mr. Wood was mar-
ried the second time, Sept. 9, 1879, to Mrs. Melissa L. Shattuok, whose maiden name was Farnsworth, and
who was born Jan. 12, 1820, in Hardwiek, Vt. In politics. Republican.
H. F. WOOD, merchant; born in Essex Co., N. Y.^ July 2, 1829 ; son of 0. H. Wood, who is
a retired farmer and capitalist, living in the town of Waupun, and is 76 years of age ; his wife, who was
Almina Day, died in April, 1879, at the age of 76. Henry was engaged with M. J. Althouse seventeen
years ; was in partnership with Althouse at one time ; in 1877, he retired from business on account of ill
health ; he had been engaged to this time very successfully running and having entire charge of the gen-
eral store of M. J. Althouse, situated near the railroad track ; the sales one year were over $30,000; in
1879, he entered into. copartnership with C. H. Meddins, and carried on an extensive business at the same
old stand nearly a year, when this partnership was dissolved. Mr. Wood married, in 1856, Eliza A. Wood,
of New York State ; they have had three children — Ella, Delia and Harry. He has been two terms Trustee
of Waupun, and also Constable and Town Treasurer. He is a prominent member of the M. E. Church.
Janesville is troubled with coWs in her streets ; if Mr. Wood had lived in Janesville, the cows would have
taken a back seat.
F. FERI>I]VAND ZOIHIEBHANX, carriage manufacturer, Waupun ; born in Saxony,
Germany, Oct. 13, 1838 ; son of Ludwig Zimmermann, who was a soldier seven years in the old country ;
he was born June 19, 1800, and died May 24, 1878; the family came to New York City in September,
1841, and came to Milwaukee the same year ; then went to Mequon, Ozaukee Co., Wis., and engaged in
farming; Mr. Frederick P. Zimmermann learned his trade in Milwaukee when 17 years old, then went to
Mequon, then to Chicago, and afterward to Burlington, Wis., and, in the spring of 1859, came to Waupun,
worked seven years at his trade, and in 1866, commenced business on his own account, and has carried on
a successful and constantly increasing business ; his work is well known, and justly celebrated throughout
the surrounding country ; his wagons are noted for their durability and workmanlike finish ; his sales are
not confined to the immediate neighborhood, but he ships largely to other States ; he also manufactures
buggies, sleighs and cutters, of all kinds. Mr. Zimmermann married, in 1862, Ernestine Seigel ; they are
thi! parents of seven children— Ida V., born March 29, 1863; Emma M., born July 13, 1865; Flora A.,
born May 16, 1868; Louis E., born April 3, 1871; Alfred A. born March 12, 1874; Clara A., born
April 27, 1876 ; Oscar E., born Sept. 16, 1878. Mr. Zimmermann has been on the School Board, and
also School Clerk many times, and also a member of the Village Board ; is a member of the Society of
Odd Fellows, has taken all the degrees; is also a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen; his
mothre is living with him, at the good old age of 74. Mr. Zimmermann is eminently a self-made man.
AUBURN TOWNSHIP.
OWEW BAIVNOIV, farmer. Sec. 7 ; P. 0. New Cassel ; born in County Louth, Ireland, in
1806 ; came to America in 1834, and worked sixteen years as a laborer in Dutchess Co., N. Y. Married,
in 1849, Miss Rose Hoy, of his native county, who came to America in 1847. In May, 1850, Mr. B.
came to, Auburn and bought 160 acres of his present farm ; of this only ten acres were poorly cleared, on
which was a floorless and doorless log house ; holes were cut for doors and windows, and blankets hung
therein, which seemed a slight protection against the bears that used to be neighborly, so much so as to
occasioBally "borrow" a pig of him; Mr. B. has seen much of pioneer life, and, as a re.sult of 'his chop-
ping, breaking and planning, he has 440 acres, mostly improved, and a cozy brick farmhouse in place of
the early settlers' log house. Michael, his elder son, was born Jan. 28, 1850 ; he grew to manhood on
the farm ; was a student at Milton College, and a graduate of Notre Dame College , a young man of more
than ordinary abilities ; his death on the 10th of January, 1880, was a severe blow to a large circle of
admiring friends. James- the younger son, was born May 28, 1852, and was educated in the High School
in Fond du Lac, and the Northwestern College, Evanston, 111.; he married, Sept. 10, 1878, Miss Bertha
Husting, of New Cassel, by whom he has one son — Arnold J. The young couple are on the homestead,
and the entire family members of the Roman Catholic Church ; politics. Democratic. ^
ANDREW DIERIXGrER, farmer. Sec. 7 ; P.O. Campbellsport ; born in Germany Nov.
30, 1823 ; spent his early life, was educated and learned blacksmithing, in the Fatherland ; came to Amer-
ica July 4, 1844, and spent about ten years at blacksmithing and on the canals in Ohio ; in 1854, he set-
tled on a heavily timbered farm in Ashford, on Sec. 30 ; after seven years, he bought the GriflGith saw-mill
AUBURN TOWNSHIP. ' 963
■and eighty acres of land with it; in 1868, he settled on his present farm of 240 acres, which is well
improved, he having built a 40x84-foot basement barn ; the public and private life of Mr. D. is beyond
reproach ; he first served twQ years as a Supervisor of Ashford, and was then its Chairman for ten years,
never flinching from duty through the dark and bloody war times, though his devotion to public interests
cost him a personal loss of at least $2,000 ; in 1865, and again 1869, he was chosen a member of the Wis-
consin Legislature, and has been twice Chairman of Auburn; was the first President of the Ashford
Insurance Company, and in 1875, besides superintending his large farm, he had charge of the material
usid in building an addition to the St. Francis Seminary, Milwaukee. Married, in Ohio, Miss Crecentia
Strubel, by whom he has eight children — Valentine, Frank X., Joseph, Mary, Andrew, Catherine, Philipp
and Thomas. Mr. D. is a Democrat, and, with his family, a Roman Catholic.
liODIS EIDEmiliLER, M. »., New Cassel; born March 3, 1851, in the city of New
York ; is of Prussian descent ; son of Nicholas and Elizabeth E., who left New York for Wisconsin in
1856, locating at Lamartine, Fond du Lac Co.; the subject of this sketch attained an excellent common-
school education, left the farm at fourteen, entered the Gominonwealih office, Fond du Lac, learned the
trade of printer and remained six years ; a partial failure of his health induced him to leave this and
enter the office of Drs. Gray & Wyatt, then, as now, considered among the leading Wisconsin physicians ;
after a course of study under them, he entered the Medical College of Ohio, one of the oldest and best in
America, graduating as physician and surgeon ; in 1874 began, and has since continued, an active prac-
tice in New Cassel. Married Miss Emma Maibuecher, April, 1874 ; they have one son — Edwin L.,
iDorn Nov. 10, 1876. The Doctor is a Democrat; is a member of Fond du Lao Lodge No. 112, L 0. 0.
F. of the Rock River Medical Society ; was the organizer, and is now President of the New Cassel and
Campbellsport Literary Society, and is the founder and President of the New Cassel Turnverein. . Dr.
Eidemiller makes a specialty of surgery, and stands deservedly high in his profession, his practice extend-
ing through Fond du Lac and into Dodge, Washington and Sheboygan Cos.; he is now building a
large residence on the modern plan to replace the one lost by fire a year ago, entailing upon him a loss of
ajl his books, pictures, instruments, furniture, etc.
F. M. FINDEISEN, merchant, New Cassel; born in Prussia Oct. 12, 1837 ; was educated in
the Fatherland and began mercantile life as clerk in the sugar refinery of J. Henize, one of the largest in
Germany ; came to America in 1862 ; clerked six months in Fond du Lac, then began business in New
Cassel. Married, in 1862, Mrs. Ernestina Brayman, who is a daughter of ErBest Schulten, who came
from Prussia to America in 1855, with his family; in 1858, Ernestina married Emil Brayman,, who died
in 1860, leaving two children — Ernest and Emelie; and a daughter, Helen, by a former marriage — Mr.
and Mrs. Fuedeisen have one daughter — Ernestina. Mr. F. began business in the old store of Mr. Bray-
man, which still stands beside the large and handsome store built by Mr. F. in 1874, at which time he
built the only elevator in Campbellsport ; making a small beginning in New Cassel, Mr. F. has constantly
increased his business ; carries a general stock of all goods required to meet his trade, besides buying
largely of farm produce ; has bought on the average, during the past six years, 80,000 bushels of grain,
;and 100,000 pounds of pork, besides 10,000 pounds of poultry; he also owns eight village lots. Mrs. M.
Krembs, widow of Louis Krembs, with Miss Charlotte Sohjilten, both sisters of Mrs. Findeisen, have for
ten years past kept the only stock of millinery in the village, in a large room adjoining the store. Mr.
Findeisen and family are members of the Lutheran Church.
W. R. FOtiTS, veterinary surgeon. New Cassel ; born June 11, 1833, in Onondaga Co., N.
Y., where he spent his early life, and learned blaoksmithing of his father. Married, in 1852, Miss Mar-
garet Tafiiiey, of that county. Came to Wisconsin and to New Cassel in 1855 ; it was Crouchville then,
and there were only two horse teams in the vicinity, but he opened a shop and grew up with the country,
increasing his business, and sold out in six years ; has since devoted himself to his profession, which he
began studying when 18 years of age ; as an evidence of his success, we may state that he has built
a large and tasteful residence, a barn 38x46, with an L addition 100 feet in length ; here, he for three
years kept a livery stable ; about fifteen years ago. Dr. Folts opened a drug-store, where he has also a
pleasant office ; he is the manufacturer of Dr. Folts' Domestic Liniment, Blood and Condition Powders,
■which have won testimonials from the entire Northwest, and are considered standard remedies. Dr. F.
enlisted, Sept. 1, 1864, in the 14th W. V. C, and after three months was commissioned Regimental Far-
rier ; was with his regiment in various States, and at the capture of Mobile and the forts. Mr. and Mrs.
Folts have two sons — Dempster and Eugene. Politics Republican.
C. D. OAGE, farmer. Sec. 28; P. 0. Kewaskum ; born in Onondaga Co., N. Y,. Feb. 11, 1825 ; spent
his early life and was educated in his native county, and, in 1843, made a brief visit to Milwaukee, visit-
ing both Milwaukee and Waukesha Cos. in 1845; lived in Waukesha Co. from May, 1847, until March,
964 'biographical SKETCHES:
1848, when he bought and settled upon forty acres of his present farm j the whole country was a wilder-
ness, his nearest neighbor, A. Wheeler, living two and one-half miles distant; he had footed it from Wauke-
sha Co. in February previous, and built a log shanty, which was without a window for six months, and
provided with a puncheon floor and trough roof; one course of troughs were laid with the hollow side-
up, and the spaces between them covered with others laid with the rounding side uppermost ; this must
iave offered a striking contrast to the spacious and elegant residence built iu its stead ; Mr. Gage saw more
than his share of frontier hardships, as he had contracted the ague in Waukesha, and shook with it for
eleven long weeks, his family not seeing a neighbor during that time, and living one week on potatoes and
salt alone ; he relates that when they made their first visit to Mr. Wheeler, he carried his wife across the
Middle Branch on his Ijack ; Mr. Gage was the first Town Treasurer after the division of Ashford and
Auburn; served three years, and, in 1852, was elected Chairman, and that fall to the Legislature;^
re-elected Chairman in 1853, he served many successive years, and was again elected fo the Legislature in
1867; took an active part as a member of the "Third House," in the great "Delis" controversy in
1871. Is a Democrat, and a .member of the West End Lodge A., F. & A. M., and the Kewaskum
Lodge, I. 0. 0. F. Married, Dec. 31, 1846, Miss Mercy Rosier, of Onondaga Co., N. Y., who died in
April, 1871, leaving six children — Fanny L., Rosier N., Floyd B., Florence M.; Carrie A., and Russel G.;
on the 28th of June, 1874, he married Miss Mary 0. Hale, of Onondaga Co., N. Y. Mr. G. owns 280
acres, with the best of buildings.
IKA JLTJCE, farmer, Sec. 27 ; P. 0. Kewaskum ; born in Onondaga, Co., N. Y., Aug. 21, 1829 ;
was educated in his native State and lived on his father's farm until 1847, when he spent the summer in
Racine Co., Wis.; reaching Auburn in the fall of 1847, bought his farm of eighty acres of a Mr. Fields,
at $1.25 per acre, it then being a part of the surrounding wilderness crossed by Indian trails ; the road'
past his farm was not cut through till the next year. He married in February, 1849, Miss Frances
Wheeler, daughter of Alanson W., one of the pioneers of 1846 ; after the wedding, Mr. Luce built a log
shanty, roofed with basswood troughs which he dug out ; the furniture was made by him of trees cut on
his own land ; he earned his first team by chopping fourteen acres for C. D. Gage, and his first cow by
working out during the harvest of 1849 ; as a reward for the discomforts then endured, he has an improved
farm and good buildings. Mr. Luce is a Republican, and is now serving his fifth term as Supervisor.
REV. FATHER A. IIICHELS, Pastor of St. Mathew's Catholic Church, New Cassel,
the Dundee Mission and Spiritual Director of the St; Joseph's Convent, New Cassel ; born in 1840, in Prus-
sia; was educated in the Fatherland as teacher ; came to America in 1857, and resided for a time in Ozau-
kee Co., Wis.; entering St. Francis Seminary, Milwaukee, in 1860, he pursued his studies there until
1868, when he was ordained by Archbishop Henni ; was then for a few months Assistant Priest in St.
Joseph's, Milwaukee, then had charge of three congregations in succession, up to the year 1871 ; was then
called to teach in the Normal School, St. Francis, where he remained about, a year and a half, taking his
present charge in 1873.
WIlililAM POOL/, of Pool & Barter, merchant and Postmaster, New Cassel ; born in the
town of Spring Prairie, Walworth Co., Wis., April 10, 1846", is a son of William and Mary Pool, who
came to Auburn in September, 1846, Mr. Pool buying Government land, which is still his homestead ; his
eldest son, the subject of this sketch, was educated in the county and was on the farm until 1867, when
he entered the store of 0. L. Helmer, and clerked until 1869, when he bought an interest in the firm of
W. Pool & Co., doing business one year ; Messrs. Pool & Weiss then bought the stock and store, continu-
ing the business until June, 1875, when Mr. J. B. Barter bought the interest of Mr. W.; the firm are
doing and have done a good and satisfactory business, carrying a complete stopk to meet a general trade,
besides dealing in farm implements. Mr Pool married Sept. 3, 1877, Miss Mattie L. Angell, a native and
resident of Atlanta, Logan Co., 111.; they have lost an infant daughter. Mr. Pool is an outspoken Repub-
lican £^nd a member of the New Cassel Lodge, G. T.
B. D. ROSIAIX, farmer. Sec. 11 ; P. 0. New Prospect; born in Bergen Co., N. J., March 23,
1843; came to Fond du Lac in 1849 with his parents, Benjamin and Charity Remain, who had eight
children— Gerret, Rachel A., Ralph, Elizabeth J., Mary E., Edward W., Barney D. and Benjamin D.-,
after the settlement of the family in Auburn, 1850, Barney attended school in the old log schoolhouse,
since replaced by the two-story structure where his children attend ; he settled on his present farm of ninety-
five acres in 1866, when all but ten acres were p, forest, living, working and prospering in a shake-roofed
log shanty for years; this is superseded by a tastful farmhouse, and the farm is under cultivation, a record
which needs no eulogy. Married, in 1864, Miss Elizabeth Roberts, a native of London, England, she
coming with her parents to America and to Auburn when a child ; Mr. and Mrs. R. have five children —
Geprge M., Clara E., Laura A., Edward R. and Mary E. Politics, Republican ; and a member of Wickes
Lodge, I. 0. 0. F.
LUBUBN 'POWNSHIP. 96&
RAIiPH BOHIAIIii', farmer, Sec. 2 ; P. 0. New Prospect; born in Bergen Co., N. J., Dec. 6,
1833; son of Benjamin and Charity R., who came to Auburn in the spring of 1850, and settled on the
farm now owned by the father, "Uncle Ben" Remain; is a native of Bergen Co., N. J.,. and served with
Gen. Scott through the campaign, from Vera Cruz to the Aztec capital; after his settlement in Wisconsin,'
he made his house a home for all the "Jersey" settlers who came afterward; a carpenter by trade, he
built nearly all the houses and barns in the vicinity besides the schoolhouse and saw-mill. His wife was
Miss Charity Hopper, of New York City, they spending the winter of 1849-50 in Pond du Lac, where
Ralph attended school. He married Miss Mary A., daughter of Norman Cisco, of Niagara Co., N. Y.,
and settled on his present farm of eighty acres in 1857. At this time a few acres had been cleared and a
small frame house built, which he now uses as a shop, he having improved his farm and built a pleasant
residence. Mr. Remain is a Republican, and is now serving his second term as Supervisor ; none of the
substantial farmers of Auburn have made a better record ; besides his farming operations, he has followed
thrashing almost constantly since 1857, when he and his eldest brother, Gerret, bought their first machine ;.
Mr. and Mrs. Remain have eight children — Walter G., Charles E., Benjamin G., Lydia A., Ralph, Char-
ity A., Anna B. and Gerret A. Mr. R. was a charter member of Wickes Lodge, I. 0. 0. P.
CHARIiES J. SUCKO W, miller and Postmaster, New Prospect ; born in Ozaukee Co.,
Wis., 1848 ; his parents removing to Sheboygan Co., he learned the miller's trade and lived there until he
was 17, then went to Crawford Co., Wis., then went to Missouri and remained three and one-half years,
then made an extended trip through Kansas, the Indian Territory, Texas, Mexico and Colorado ; return-
ing from Denver to Wisconsin, he spent about a year in the Plymouth mill, and in January, 1875, in
co'mpany with William Ecke, he bought the farm and mills of Gerret Remain ; Mr. Eberhardt bought out
Mr. Ecke, in 1877, constituting the present firm of Suckow & Eberhardt, Mr. S. being in sole control,
as Mr. E. is a Sheboygan Co. farmer ; Mr. Suckow rebuilt his saw-mill several years age, and has added
two large l^asement barns to his buildings. Is a Republican, and was made Postmaster in 1879, and was
a Supervisor in 1877. Married Miss Lillie Eberhardt, a daughter of his partner ; they have three chil-
dren— Otto, Gustie and a babe ; the family are Lutherans.
J. S. TIlOMPSOHf , farm and saw-mill, New Cassel ; born in the town of Peru, Berkshire
Co., Mass, Oct. 3, 1823; was educated -in his native county, and, at 21, left for Wilmington, Del., where
he learned daguerrootyping. In October, 1847, he landed at Milwaukee, Wis., and, the next November,
entered a half-section of land on Sees. 14 and 21, using the first Mexican land warrants in the town of
Auburn ; during his residence here he taught several terms of school ; after four or five years, he began
and continued for eight years a mercantile business in Kewaskum ; then building a saw-mill in the village;"
selling this in 1867, he bought his present farm of 160 acres, of which twenty-five were cleared, and on
which were only log buildings; has added fifty-five acres to the clearing, and, in 1870, built a tasty and
substantial brick residence ; has operated the only saw-mill in New Cassel since he built it in 1867. His
first wife, Miss Rebecca Smith, whom he married in Washington Co. July 3, 1851, died April 4, 1855,
leaving him one daughter — Ellen, who will soon graduate from the State Normal School of Minnesota ;
in 1856, he married Miss Lenora F. Williams; they have had eight children — A. Dell, Elma L., Harlan
J., Loren D. (deceased), Eudora, Leslie A., Lillie M. and Merril W. In politics, a stalwart Republican p
Mr. T. was Town Clerk in the Democratic town of Auburn two years and has served many years as Justice
of the Peace. Is an able and influential temperance worker and a man who enjoys the esteem of all.
RALPH TICE, farmer. Sec. 20 ; P. 0. New Prospect ; born in Passaic Co., N. J., March 17,
1825. IMarried Miss Mary McGee, who was also born and bred in that county, they coming to Auburn
in August, 1855, and buying eighty acres, which was as the hand of nature left it. While Mr. Tice was
building a log house, they made their heme with Uncle Ben Remain ; clearing five acres that year, Mr.
Tice sowed fall wheat, and, though the roads were Indian trails, and Cascade the nearest mill, he prospered,
and now owns 105 acres, and has exchanged his pioneer quarters for a pleasant farmhouse, built in 1869 ;
has a large basement barn and all needed stock and implements. Is in politics Democratic. Mr. and Mrs.
Tice have ten children — Sarah, John, Nelson, Louisa, Ralph, Leah N., George W., Benjamin, Maria and
Francis E.; Sarah is the widow of J. P. Van Blarcom ; John married Amelia Bell, of Eldorado, and has
a farm near the homestead.
LEWIS VAU BLARCOM, farmer, Sees. 2 ahd 11 ; P. 0. New Prospect; born in Bergen
Co., N. J., on Christmas, 1829 ; son of Peter and Hannah Van B., who were farmers of that State; at
20, Lewis went to New York City, remaining until 1^55. Married, Dec. 27, 1849, Miss Leah Ann, only-
shild of John P. and Maria Post, of Bergen Co., N. J., where she was born en St. Valentine's Day, 1830 ;
Mr. and Mrs. Pest removed to New York City in 1836, and here Mrs. Van Blarcem was educated. In
May, 1855, both families settled en eighty acres of the homestead, of which eight had been cleared and a
966 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
log house built ; as a result of the labors of Messrs. Post and Van Blarcom, the farm contains 340 acres
and all needed barns, implements and stock, the log house having been superseded by a substantial and
tasteful residence in 1858 ; Mr. Post died May 8, 1871, followed by his wife Sept. 14, 1872. Mr. and
Mrs. Van Blarcom have had seven children — John P. (deceased), Avery R., Hanna M., Peter Gr., Anna
L., Lewis B. and Celia E.; John P. married Miss Sarah C. Tice, of Auburn, and died in less than a year,
leaving his bride and widow a pleasant home. Mr. Post was Chairman of Town Board of Auburn many
years, and was, like Mr. Van Blarcom, a Democrat.
ASHFORD TOWNSHIP.
ROBERT FRANKI^IX ADAMS, deceased, farmer ;_ born in Cayuga Co.,_N. Y., July
13, 1820; was educated in the Monroe Academy; coming to Wisconsin, he taught schoolin the winter
of 1843, in Raoine, Wis., and used to hear wolves howling in the outskirts of the then village ; in 1844,
he bought a farm in Lynn, Walworth Co.; returning, he married, in Cayuga Co., N. Y., Miss Helen,
daughter of Stephen Dwindle ; she was a native of Cayuga Co., and was educated in Hamilton Academy;
they at once settled on the Walworth Co. farm, which they sold in January, 1847, coming with team and
sleigh to Ashford, then not named ; Mr. Adams bought 320 acres of high, dry, heavily timbered Govern-
ment land, the family living that summer in a slab shanty, at the same time building the first frame house
in the town ; this was sided with poplar, and finished inside with butternut, as pine lumber and saw-mills
were inaccessible ; it is still a good home ; Mr. Adams cleared 129 acres, burning the timber and selling
hundreds of bushels of ashes in Crouchville, now New Cassel. He was a Whig and Republican, filling
with credit to himself the offices of Town Clerk, Assessor and Town Superintendent of Schools, he organ-
izins; the school districts of Asbford, and was the unanimous nominee of the defeated "No License" party
for the State Legislature. In all respects a Christian gentleman, his death, on the 16th of February, 1861,
made a vacancy in the ranks of the pioneers that was keenly felt ; he was one of the founders of the New
Cassell Baptist Church, and was Deacon, Clerk and Sunday-School Superintendent ; Mr. Adams left six
children — Judson F., born in Lynn ; Helen J., Joseph W., John E., Hester E. and Robert F., all except J.
F. born and now residing on the homestead. Judson married Miss Jennie Ingraham July 21, 1872; has
had three children — Myrtie M., F. W. (deceased) and Robert N.
JAMES ABIiARD, farmer. Sec. 6; P. 0. Campbellsport ; born June 2, 1830, in Lincoln-
shire, England, where he obtained his schooling, and lived until June, 1853, when he came to America ;
began as a farm hand at Pittsford, N. Y., and, after his marriage to Miss Mary Caifrey, settled on a farm ;
they came to Ashford in 1863, he buying his farm of seventy acres ; of this sixteen were cleared, the
remainder heavy timber. Beginning in a log .house, the labor and management of Mr. Ablard have
resulted in a well-improved farm, with all needed buildings, stock, tools, etc., and a large and handsome
Tesidence, built in 1879. Mrs. Ablard died in March, 1864, leaving three children^Mary A., William
J. and George, who died Dec. 2, 1864. The present wife is a daughter of Chaunoy Thomas, and was
born in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., marrying in'Madison Co., N. Y., H. Haddock, who died in 1862 or
1863, she coming to Wisconsin in 1864. Mr. and Mrs. Ablard are members of the Byron M. E. Church.
In politics. Republican.
HEIVRY BARNETT, farmer. Sec. 11 ; P. 0. Campbellsport; son of John H. Barnett, who
was born in Switzerland, and pressed into Napoleon's army when 18 ; taken prisoner at Waterloo,, he,
after his release, emigrated to America and settled in Albany, N. Y., where he married Miss Lana, daughter,
of William Scott ; his eldest son, our subject, was born in Jefferson Co., N. Y., March 27, 1819, and came
from Lewis Co., N. Y., to Milwaukee, in 1846, with his family; leaving his family in Fox Lake, Mr.
Barnett cut the first track from the Byron openings to the unfinished shanty of Mr. L. Crouch ; returning,
he and his family, accompanied by J. L. Perry and family, arrived in June, 1846, at Crouch's, where
they lived until the next October, when Mr. Barnett pre-empted 160 acres of his present farm ; this was
the first claim made in Ashford Township, and his was the first family to settle here ; assisted by Oouch
and Perry, he cut the first road to West Bend, then with an ox team he went to Milwaukee for provisions
and mill irons. On the 4th of July, 1845, Mrs. Barnett, Mrs. Perry and Mrs. Everett (wife of the mill-
wright) raised a flag and held the first celebration, Crouchville receiving its name the same evening. Mr.
Barnett made the first assessment in Ashford, and, as a member of the first Board of Supervisors, laid out
most of its present roads, also those of Auburn ; he is now the oldest resident of either town, and was the
HFOKD TOWNSHIP. 967
!ond settler in Auburn ; in his bouse the first religious service was held by Rev. Mr. Sears. Mr. Barnett
irried Miss Laaa, daughter of Isaac Scott, in 1839 ; they have had eleven childrea — Eli (deceased),
nnie, William H., John Gr., Elizabeth, Matilda C, Seth G., Leah H., La Fayette (deceased), Julia M.
d Francelia ; Jennie is now Mrs. J. P. Stevens, of Chicago ; William H. and John are in Iowa ; Eliza-
th is the wife of John Hendricks, of Ashford ; Matilda, now Mrs. P. Ribble, resides in Orleans, Neb.;
th is in Portland, Ore.; Leah M. is now Mrs. Wallace Goodsell, of Howard Lake, Minn.; Julia M. is
w Mrs. James Yancy, of Lewis Co., N. Y., and Francelia is with her parents. The family are Baptists,
r. Barnett has 240 acres, a large basement barn, and a handsome miodern farm residence, built in 1863,
d has 160 acres in Iowa. In politics, Republican.
WOLCOTT BIXBY, farmer, Sec. 10 ; P. 0. Campbellsport ; born in Palatine. N. Y., Feb.
1822; when 11 years old, he accompanied his parents to Ashtabula Co., Ohio, where he received his
iiooling; in September, 1846, he settled in Crouchville ; a carpenter by trade, he built the first frame-
use in the town of Ashford for R. F. Adams ; he fouad only one house between West Bend and L.
■ouch's shanty; the roads at this time were merely tracks through the woods; the settlers at this time
ire Messrs. Crouch, Barnett, Crownhast, Perry, Hull and Helmer. Mr. Bixby built the first frame barn
Auburn in 1849, afterward building for the same man, Mr. Hill, a house and blacksmith-shop ; about
the settlers in both towns were required to raise these ; he bought forty acres in Section 15, in 1847.
arried, in the spring of 1848, Miss Cornelia Grlines, a native of Jericho, Chittenden Co., Vt., who, after
ing in various parts of Vermont and New York, came to Kenosha, Wis., in 1845 ; they began life on
e forty acres of land, where they lived until 1864, when he settled on his present improved farm of
^hty-five acres. Mr. Bixby bought the first-named forty of the Government — cleared and added to it.
le young couple saw much of early hardships, as all provisions for a time came from Blilwaukee ; lived
a " shake " roofed shanty ; went with ox teams, and sometimes on foot, to Fond du Lac for goods; lived
I bread and meat, and still maintain that they were good old times. Mr. Bixby is independent in politics,
temperance man, a do-right in religion, and a good type of the early York State settlers. Four sons have
essed the union — Edgar, William, John and Daniel.
STUART CAMPBELrLi, farmer, Sec. 11; P. 0. Campbellsport; born in County London-
irry, Jreland, Sept. 4, 1817; in the spring of 1841, he came to America, and located in Orange Co.,
. Y., worked on Delaware & Hudson Canal; removed with his wife to Ashford, in 1850, and bought an
?hty-acre pre-emption claim ; four acres had been cleared and a log house built ; beginning with little,
r. C. did sturdy pioneer work, cleared and added to the eighty, and now has as a homestead, 200 acres
iproved, several good barns, with stock, implements, etc.; he replaced the log house with a roomy and
3teful residence in 1860 ; he also owns sixty-three acres on See. 13 (see history of Campbellsport). He
arried, Sept. 30, 1848, Miss Julia M. Southard, who had lived and was married in Orange Co., N- Y.,
it was born in Sullivan Co., N. Y.\ they have eleven children — Sarah J., Nancy M., Charles C, Belle
., James S., Robert J., Willie P., Lillie M., Eddie T., Libbie J. and Prank D.; of these Nancy, Belle
d Janjes are in Fayette Co., Iowa. Mr. Campbell was a Whig and War Democrat; was several years
ipervisor, then Assessor. He was a generous giver in building the Campbellsport M. E. r'hurch, of
liieh Mrs. C is a member; their eldest daughter married R. E. Forsythe June 1, 1879 ; after a brief
ineymoon, the young couple started for a new homo in Nebraska; while on the way, Mr. Forsythe fell
3m the train at Burlington, Wis., June 18, and was instantly killed.
SYLVESTER CISCO, farmer. Sec. 12 ; born Sept. 21, 1823, in Rockland Co., N. J.; he
fed there until he was 19, then settled in Deer Park, Orange Co.,N. Y.; during the next twelve j-ears, he
is engaged on the Hudson and Delaware Rivers and the Delaware & Hudson Canal. Married in Orange
). in 1848, Miss Sarah L. Southard, who was born in Sullivan Co., N. Y., but had lived in Orange since
e was an infant; in, 1850, they came to Wisconsin in company with S. Campbell and wife. Mr. and Mrs.
SCO spent the first year in Oakfield, the second in Ashford, then bought forty acres in Auburn, about
0 acres of this were cleared, on which was a tumble-down log house ; having paid his last shilling to
e man who brought them into the county, he now did real pioneer work with his ax, without a team or
Bans to get one ; he, with the aid of his true-hearted wife, rolled the logs together and burned them,
en in the unbroken soil planted corn with only a hoe — a hard beginning for the young couple whose only
pital was health and pluck; Mr. C. says he did not receive a cent until he had been in the State eighteen
onths ; keeping at it, he set out the best orchard in the county, added to his farm, built as good a house
was then in Auburn, and in 1868, sold 160 acres here ; he then bought his homestead of 141 acres,
en rough, stony, stumpy land, which he has brought to a state of cultivation not excelled by any farm
the county ; has six acres devoted to fruit and ornamental trees, shrubs, flowers, etc.; has added to the
lildings, now having a most elegant residence on the outskirts of the village ; he also owns 40 acres in
968 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
Auburn, 80 in Osceola, and 144 in Clay Co., Neb.. Mr. and Mrs. Cisco have five children— Mablon J.,.
Susan A., Stella, Willie E. and Leon; M. J. and W. E. are in Nebraska, as is Stella, nov, Mrs. Aug.
Kissinger ; Susan A. is the wife of Elon Flint, of Minneapolis, Minn. Mr. C. is a Democrat, and a man
WHO has made a record second to none as a man and citizen. Mrs. Cisco belongs to the New Cassel Bap-
tist Church.
JACOB DEGESTHARDT, proprietor of the Railroad House, Campbellsport ; born in
Kreis-Mullhausen, KuUstadt, Prussia, Sept. 6, 1832 ; was educated in the Fatherland, where he traveled
nine years for a firm, selling woolen goods ; came to America in 1857, locating in Grant Co., Wis., and
attending the Platteville school two winters ; was two years in the European Hotel, Milwaukee, then trav-
eled a year, selling dry goods, notions, etc. He then married and settled on a farm in Ashford, also acting
as an insurance agent ; has owned and kept the Railroad House since May, 1874, having in connection a bar
and livery. Married Mrs. Regina Mauel, by whom he has three children — Regina, Michael and Henry ;
Mrs. D. was born in Rhenish Prussia, in 1826, her former husband, Bernhardt Mauel, leaving her at bis
death with a sixty-acre farm and four children — Anna, John, Frank and Margaret. The family are
Roman Catholics, and Mr. Degenhardt is a Democrat, having been Supervisor three years, and Assessor
the same length of time.
CHARIiES C. HABf SOX, proprietor lumber-yard, Campbellsport ; born in New Orleans, ,
La., May 16, 1832 ; his father. Christian H., was first mate of a Danish ship, and was accompanied by
his wife ; after the birth of Charles, they returned to Denmark, where he was educated ; after a six-months
service in the Danish Navy, he left in the spring of 1848, and followed the sea eight years on German,
English, Spanish and American merchantmen, visiting both East and West Indies, and nearly all the
African and South American ports. In 1856, he married Miss Julia O'Keeffe in New Haven, Conn., and
settled in Fond du Lao; was in various kinds of business here until 1876, when he and Mr. P. J. Sausen
started the second lumber-yard in Campbellsport, they doing business until December 1879, when Mr.
Hanson bought out Mr. S.; he now deals in in pine lumber, lath, shingles, moldings, pickets, doors, sash,
and cord-wood ; he^lso takes contracts for buildings. Is a member, with his wife, of the Catholic Church,
and a Democrat ; is now serving his second term as Justice of the Peace.
WILLIAM HAUSMAW, M. D., Elmore ; born in Buffalo, N. Y., Deo. 9, 1854 ; he was
educated in the public schools of St. Louis: began the study of medicine, 1869, with Dr. N. Senn,,of
Ashford ; entering the Chicago Medical College, he graduated as physician and surgeon March 10, 1874,
and has since been in active practice in Elmore, where he has a most pleasant home, earned by his most
successful practice during this time ; though young, the Doctor is now President of the Rock River
Medical Society, which he joined in March, 1874, and has been an active member of the Wisconsin State
Medical Society since June, 1878 ; the Doctor is also a member of Kewaskum Lodge, No. 101, I. 0. O,^
P., and, with his wife, of the Reformed Church of Elmore; married Miss Charlotte Fleischman, of Ash-
ford, in August, 1874 ; they have three children — Edward N., Elizabeth A. and Wm. P. Republican.
W. S. HENDRICKS, farmer. See. 1 ; P. 0. Campbellsport ; born in Juniata Co., Penn.,
May 3, 1835. His parents, Andrew and Margaret Hendricks, removed to Milwaukee Co., Wis., 1847,
residing there four years, then settling on a farm on Sec. 3, town of Ashford, where they spent the remain-
der of their days ; they had nine children — Jemima, Wm. S., Sarah, John A., Amejia, Mary and Ohver
are living ; Isaac enlisted in Co. A, 14th W. V. I. and was shot and. instantly killed before Vicksburg ;:
Benjamin enlisted in Co. B, 35th W. Y. I., and died in the service at Port Hudson, Miss. W. S. Hen-
dricks settled on his farm of 100 acres in 1856 ; of this about seven acres were improved, on which was a
log house ; as a result of sturdy work with his ax, he has cleared the remainder of heavy timber, and
made of it a good farm ; in 1873, he built a modern brick farm residence, the farm and buildings appear-
ing but little as they did in 1856 ; it is devoted to grain and stock. He married Miss Carrie A., daugljfer
of Wm. Peck, a pioneer of 1846, in Eden ; she was bora in Woodbury, Conn., and is the mother of fojir
children — Flora M., Clarence W., Elmer E. and Frank G. Mr. Hendricks is an Independent Republican.
FREDERICK HUEBNER, farmer. Sec. 6 ; P. 0. Ashford ; born 1826, in Prussia, where
he was educated, was born and bred a farmer; came to America 1853, settled in Dodge Co., where he
married Othilie Busslaff, and bought a farm in 1854 ; this was covered with small timber, and without a
house. Mr. H. built a log house, 18x26, and a log barn, 18x24 ; began the labor of clearing and breaking
the land, and, having built a large stone house, sold the farm and bought his present improved farm of 100
acres ; on this is a large and tasty house, basement, barn, etc. Mr. and Mrs. H. have four children — Frederick
Wm., August Carl, Samuel and Louisa. Religion, Lutheran ; politics, Democratic. Mr. Huebner came to
Wisconsin without money enough to buy an ax, but bought one with borrowed money, cleared timber at
$5 per acre, worked on farms and in a saw-mill. Few men have done better than he.
ASHFOKD TOWNSHIP. 969
FRAITK M. JOHXSON, agent and operator C. & N.-W. R. R., New Cassel ; born Nov. 1,
853, in Kewaskum, Washington Co., Wis., his mother dying when he was a child, his father placed him
n the family of Saml. Riblet, Litchfield, Mich., where he was educated; when about 16 he entered a
tore at Newaygo, Mich., and after two years returned to Wisconsin, working over two years as a carriage
)ainter in West Bend ; began railroad life by learning operating at Rushfield, Wis., and after obtaining a
borough knowledge of the details of railroad business here, was appointed to his present position Sept. 15,
.873 ; is also agent for the American Express Co. ; when he first left the train here with his supplies,
here was not a railroad building of any kind in sight ; establishing an office for a day or so in the house
if Jacob Senft, he found some fencing belonging to the company, and with this built a rude shed, with two
lompartments, using a dry-goods box for his desk ; here he did business until winter, when a depot build-
ng was built, which was struck, by lightning and burned July 15, 1875, with all contents except the cash-
)ook, which Mr. Johnson had in his house ; during the next six months, he did the business in the lumber
ifficeof C. D. L. Meyers; the preseftt depot was built in December, 1875. He married, Oct. 20, 1874, Miss
311a, daughter of Frank and Abigail Everly, by whom he has two children — Gracie N., and Willie R.
y[r. Johnson is a Republican, and is now W. C. T. of New Cassel Lodge, T. 0. of Gr. T. He has a pleas-
int home in the village, and about two acres adjoining the village plat known as the Lepper place.
FRANK KliECKFR, farmer, Sec. 7 ; P. O. Ashford ; born in Austria in 1849 ; the family
lame to America in 1854 ; his father, Frank Klecker, Sr., bought wild land on Sec. 8, in Ashford; five
icres of this was cleared, on which was a log house ; this family did good work at clearing the heavy tim-
)er and bililding ; sold this farm in 1865, and settled on their present farm of eighty acres ; on this Mr.
S. has built a tasteful home, and other substantial buildings ; his mother died in June, 1878, his aged
ather is still living with him. Married Miss Johanna Veith, a daughter of Joseph Veith, in September,
1877 ; they have two children — Andrew Albert and Mary A. Mr. Klecker is independent in politics,
md votes for men that he trusts ; the family came to America with nothing, and their farm and home is
he reward of industry and good management.
Li. C KOH.JLER, shoemaker and dealer, Uampbellsport ; born in the town of Ashford, Aug.
57, 1856, his parents having settled on a farm here in 1854 ; after his schooling in this town, Lorenz, at
14, began learning his trade in Theresa ; spent two years there, and eight months in St. Killian ; was then
in the farm awhile, afterward in thd town of Wayne, and some months in Chicago; returning to Camp-
)ell8port, he worked in the shops here nearly three years, and, in February, 1877, began business for
limself; has the only boot and shoe store in the village, and is doing a good business, as all goods sold
tre of his own make, and warranted. Married Miss Mary Misohler Feb. 12, 1877, by whom he has a
ion — John. Mr. and Krs. Kohler are Roman Catholics, he being Independent in politics.
WIIjIjIAM IjESriiUVO, merchant, Elmore ; born in Prussia in 1844 ; was educated there,
ind came to America in 1857 ; after two years spent in Wayne, Washington Co., he settled on a farm in
ishford, where he lived until 1869, when he bought a farm in Lomira, which he sold in 1871, and opened
I saloon in Elmore ; has added a good stock of dry goods, groceries, hardware, tin and glassware, crockery,
lotions, etc.; is doing well, as he has the only complete stock in the village. Married, in 1874, Miss Wil-
lelmina G-oety, and has four children — Adelina, Albert, Bertha and Wilhelmina. Politics, Republican,
ind a Lutheran in religion.
9IORRIIS F. liOOMIS, farmer. Sec. 1. ; P. 0. New Cassel ; born in the town of Vienna, Oneida
]o., N. Y., April 19, 1824 ; his parents settling on an Onondaga Co. farm when he was a child ; he resided
here until the spring of 1847, when he bought eighty acres of Government land in Eden, having spent
he winter in Racine Co., Wis., where he and another man cut 500 cords of wood; made his home with
^.. and P. Odekirk, while he built a log house and did his clearing. In 1849, he married Miss Caroline
iaymond, of Auburn, and, in two or three years, settled on eighty acres, Sec. 7 of that town, which he
till owns ; this was as Mother Nature left it, they living in a log-house while he made his strong arm
md sharp ax tell. Mrs. Loomis died March 11, 1864, leaving six children — Amelia M., Inez C, Florian
S.., Frank, Irving W., and Edwin P. In 1865, Mr. L. settled on his homestead of eighty acres; has
ileared both eighties and brought them to an excellent state of cultivation, built a pleasant house and
leveral large barns, and is, beside, the owner of an improved eighty in Osceola, and a section of prairie
and in Barton Co., Kan., eighty of which is sown to wheat. In May, 1865, he married Emily J. Helmer,
if Lowville, Lewis Co., N. Y., by whom he has two children — C. Harvey, and George H. ; Mr. L. is an
Id-time Whig RepuMican, and was one of the first three Justices elected in Eden, and is a good type of
he energetic pioneers of this county.
MATHEW McEVOY, farmer. Sec. 5; P. 0. Oampbellsport; born in Queens Co., Ireland,
a 1817 ; came to America in 1840, locating in Dutchess Co., N. Y., where he married in 1844, Miss
^70 BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES:
Catherine Welch ; they came to Ashford in November, 1849, and bought forty acres of heavily timbered
land of which five had been cleared ; up to this time all travel had been over a track from the openings
to Crouohville, and the road past the McBvoy farm was not opened for two years ; the family
lived for a time in a rude shanty ; then bought more land on which was a better habitation, but this was
burned with nearly their all — a hard blow — but the battle was begun again ; at Mayville, sixteen miles dis-
tant, was the nearest mill, and goods were all brought from Pond du Lac ; as the family were poor they
underwent many privations, and the result is Mr. McEvoy's good farm of 150 acres, several roomy barns,
with a large and tasteful farmhouse,, which was built to replace the pioneer's log house — a good showing
for a man who began with forty acres of woods, and a few dollars ; Mr. and Mrs. McEvoy have three chil-
dren— James, Mary A. and Eichard H. James is a carpenter in Northern Wisconsin ; Mary is married,,
and a resident of Chilton ; and Richard, who is on the homestead, was married Nov. 28, 1877, to Miss
Ann Mulvey, of Byron ; they have one son, Mathew F. In politics, they are Democrats ; in religion,.
Roman Catholics. •
THOMAS Mccarty, farmer, Sec. 4 ; P. 0. Campbellsport ; born in County Leitrim, Ire-
land, in 1837, son of Michael and Ann McCarty, who emigrated to America in 1847, and lived at Provi-
1 dence, R. I., until 1853, when they came to Ashford, and settled on heavily timbered land, now the home-
stead ; few families did better or more successful work, the old couple peacefully ending their lives here.
Mr. McCarty owns 120 acres, well improved, has built a large, handsome residence in place of the log house
of early days, besides a large and convenient basement barn ; as a farmer and citizen none have done better.
He married, June 17, 1869, Miss Mary, daughter of George and Ann Lloyd, who emigrated from Ireland
to America in 1840; she was born in Dutchess Co., N. Y., the family settling in Byron in 1849; five chil-
dren have blessed this union — Ann E., John A., George H., Thomas W. and Francis A. Mr. McCarty
is Independent in politics, and, with his wife, a Roman Catholic.
.JflCHOljAS REISEXWEBEB, farmer, Sees. 5 and 8; P. 0. Ashford: born in Saxe
Coburg in 1819 ; was educated in the Fatherland, and with his wife came to America in 1850, they set-
tling on a small farm near Germantown, Wis.; after ten years he sold out and settled on forty acres on Sec.
10 in Ashford ; in 1867, he bought his present farm of 140 acres, this about half cleared and on it a log
house and a roofless log barn ; Mr. Reisenweber and his sons did good work, cleared the land of stumps,
etc., built a granary and barns, and an elegant brick farmhouse in 1876 ; this is a good showing for a man
who began $68 in debt on a twenty-acre farm, besides not knowing a word of English ; Mr. and Mrs.
Reisenweber have had eight children — William, Lizzie, wife of J. Jaeger, of Byron ; Caroline, wife of W.
Specht, of Santa Clara, Cal.; Kate, Frederick, Jacob (deceased), Louis and John. The family are
Lutherans ; father and sons are Independent Republicans, voting for men, not party.
JOEL Bf. McSCHOOIiER, farmer, Sec. 2 ; P. 0. Campbellsport ; born in Peterboro,
Madison Co., N. Y., April 19, 1822, son of J. W. and Abigail McSchooler ; he spent his early life and
was educated in his native town, going at 19 to Rome, N. Y.; he was engaged in the manufacture of brick
until October, 1846, when he came to Ashford and boua;ht 120 acres of Government land ; what is now
New Cassel was then a log shanty with a bark roof ; he cut the first trail from here to his farm ; finding
the whole vicinity a wilderness crossed by only Indian trails, he went back to his wife, who stopped at South-
port, Wis., they going to Michigan and remaining until the fall of 1847 ; during this time, Harvey Cartes
had settled near by ; Mr. McSchooler and wife were two days driving a horse team from West Bend, they
riding the horses across deep streams, and leaving the wagon and goods till after the stream subsided ; they
lived for some time in a shanty, then built a log house, he doing pioneer work with his ax, burning timber'
and selling ashes at 5 cents per bushel, trade, and hauling them three miles ; to add to their comfort he
was sick with ague the first summer, but they were young, strong, resolute and successful ; Mr. McSchooler
now has an excellent farni of 280 acres, a large and tasty residence, and a basement barn, 36x94 feet and
33 feet from sills to plates"; the bays filled from three floors ; as he began with almost nothing his record
is certainly good. He married Miss Celestia, daughter of Melancton and Sarah Brigham, April 16,1845;
she was a native of Smithfield, N. Y.; they have five children — Sarah A., Myron M., Ida I., Justus N.
and Elwyn B. Mr. McSchooler and wife are Methodists ; he is an original Republican, and was in early
davs Treasurer of Ashford and Auburn. ^
FREDERICK W. TAWNER, farmer. Sec. 11 ; P. 0. New Cassel ; born Jan. 4, 1823, in
the tow'n of Brutus, Cayuga Co., N. Y.; here he spent his early life and was educated ; in 1844, he settled
in Lynn, Walworth Co., Wis., where he bought and soon sold a farm. He married, July 5, 1848, Miss
Helen M., daughter of James Duncan ; she was born and educated in New York City. After a fewyears
residence in Montgomery Co., N. Y., the family, in 1842, settled on a farm in Lynn. The old couple —
both well-known and respected pioneers — ended their lives here}. In the fall of 1852, Mr. T. and
OSCEOLA TOWNSHIP. 971
■wife settled on a timbered farm in the north part of Ashford ; Mr. T. cleared forty acres, building
and living pioneer-fashion in a log house ; after three of four years, he settled on his present farm of eighty
acres, then partly cleared ; as a result of twenty-five years of care, labor and management, Mr. T. has an
improved farm, excellent orchard, barns, etc., replacing the log house of early days with a tasty bridk
residence jn 1866. Mr. and Mrs. Tanner have two children — Warren B. and Mary A., having lost a
daughter. Mr. T. and family are members of the Baptist Church ; politics, Republican.
JOHN WENZilL, farmer. Sec 3 ; P. 0. Campbellsport ; born in Hesse-Darmstadt, in 1832 ;
in 1848, he accompanied his parents to Algeria, Africa, where he spent two years ; returning, he remained
in the Fatherland until he was 25, when, accompanied by his future wife. Miss Margaret Bader, he came
to America and to Wisconsin ; they reached Ashford with nothing but health and resolution to make a
home ; both hired exit, he for a year at $100. The next year they married and began housekeeping in a
granary. Mr. Wenzel getting $12 per month the second year, then renting his present farm for three years ;.
beginning $20 in debt, he has, in twenty-two years, earned a splendid 162-acre farm, on which he has
built a large and tasty residence, and a basement barn, 82x34 feet in size, and has all tools, etc., besides
grade short-horn cattle and Leicester grade sheep. He can now speak and read English, and is educating his
children, having seven living — John, Bena, Mary, Charlotte, Henry, William F. and George D. Politics^
Independent Republican ; has been Supervisor two years, and Assessor four years.
OSCEOLA TOWNSHIP.
JOHN and E. C. AIRHART, farmers, Sec. 17 ; P. 0. Osceola ; John Airhart was born
in Alsace, France, July 24, 1790; when 16 years old, he joined Napoleon's army, served through the
German and Spanish campaigns, was captured by the English and held prisoner in Malaga six months ;
then enlisted with the English and served over three years with the garrison on the Isknd of Malta was
then sent into Canada, and fought during the war of 1812 ; deserting the British at Plattsburg, he set-
tled in Albany Co., N. Y., where he married, Deo. 15, 1816, Miss Mary Killmer, who was born June 19,
1794, in Greenbush, Rensselaer Co.,N. Y.; about 1833, they left Albany Co. and settled in Rensselaer
Co., remaining until June, 1848, when the family settled on the Airhart homestead in Osceola ; bought
320 acres, part of which has been given to the heirs, the farm now containing 200 acres. For some time
the family lived in a rude shanty built by a Mr. Cole; there are five children living — Eveline, Mary M.,
Edward C., Willam B. and Martha; they have lost four — Sarah, Dinah, Helen and John H. (who died in
the Union service at Duvall's Blufi", Ark., in 1864) ; Edward C, William B., John H., Helen and Martha,
and Mary M. (now Mrs. Nathan Carey), all came to Wisconsin with the old folks, who are now doubtless the
oldest married couple in the county. Edward C. was born in Albany Co. N. Y., March 16, 1828, and
married, Dec. 25, 1851, Miss Sarah J., eldest daughter of Aaron Walters, of Eden, she leaving at her
death, June 14, 1867, one daughter — Helen E. (now Mrs. A. R. Pasenger, of Watson, Lewis Co., N. Y).
On the 30th of April, 1868, he married Miss Mary E., daughter of E. R. Tripp, who came from Oneida
Co., N. Y., to Walworth Co., Wis., in 1854, and settled in Fond du Lao Co. in 1862 ; his wife was Sarah
E. Bartlett, and both are dead. Mr. and Mrs. Airhart have two daughters — Edith M. and Blary E.
Father and son are Republicans, E. C. having served as Supervisor and Chairman.
CAIiVIN H. AliLiEN, farmer, Sec. 30 ; P. 0. Waucousta ; was born ia Ashland Co., Ohio,
Oct. 19, 1835 ; son o'f Capt. Silas Allen, who led a restless life, sailing for many years on Lake Michigan
md the other great lakes ;*in 1847, he bought 400 acres of Government land in Osceola, on which he
settled with his family in May, 1848 ; having but little means, the family saw much of pioneer privation
md hardships ; after making a good farm and home of this wild land, Capt. A. sold it and removed to St.
Joseph, Mich., where he died Jan. 12, 1872 ; a strong, earnest and true man, he was missed by scores of
irarm friends. C. H. Allen settled on his farm of eighty acres in 1857 ; of his first forty only eight had
leen cleared and broken; beginning with almost nothing, he built a shanty and kept " bachelor's hall "
ibout three years ; Mr. Allen has reclaimed his land find made a most pleasant home. He married, March
22, 1860, Miss Sarah, daughter of James Yapp ; she was born in Worcestershire, England, coming to
^.merica in 1851, and residing in Fond du Lac until her marriage ; they have one son — Leonard J., born
Hay 31, 1868. Both Mr. and Mrs. A. are supporters of Christianity, she being an Episcopalian. Mr.
\.. is, like his father, a Democrat.
972 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: '
JACOB ARIMOND, merchant, Dundee; born Oct. 12, 1840, in Germany; his mother died
the next July, and, in 1844, his father came to America; Jacob came with his grandfather in 1851,
and joined his father in Marshfield, Fond du Lac Co., and learned the mason's trade of him ; after three
years, he went to Taycheedah, and, when he left there, entered the paint store of James Edwards, Fond
du Lac, going from there to a hardware store ; in August, 1863, he went to California via the isthmus,
and the second year opened a store' in San Francisco, returning to Wisconsin, via the Nicaragua route, in
February, 1866; in May, 1866, he bought the store and stock of A. Larsdt, Dundee; did business in
the old stand three years; then built his large two-story store, which is 24x66 feet in size, and well fitted
up ; here he has the post office, as deputy, and carries a large and complete stock, the only one in Dundee;
keeps any and every thing to meet a country trade, including drugs, medicines, notions, etc., besides farm-
ing implements. Married, in 1866, Miss Mary Deweis, of Fond du Lac, and has two children — Gudula
C. and Edward J. Mr. Ariinond is a Democrat, and a Roman Cathplic, with his wife, who was born in
Germany, and settled in t'ond du Lac in 1855.
ASHER ARMSTRONG, farmer. Sec. 2 ; ^P. 0. Armstrong's Corners ; born in Hoosic, Rens-
selaer Co. N. Y., June 17, 1821 ; was educated there, and married Miss Adelia Harris; made a visit to
Wisconsin in 1847, and, in 1849, settled on a farm near the McCullough Sohoolhouse, in Auburn ; in 1851,
he exchanged with Mr. Bates, and settled on his present farm of 200 acres ; of this, perhaps six were
cleared, on which was a log shanty ; since his settlement, the crossing of the road south of his house has
been called Armstrong's Corners, and the post office was established here in his house in 1854 or 1855 ; it
was soon transferred to the house of S. F. Armstrong, where it was kept until 1872, when the brothers
left their farms, and Mr. Stannard, who still serves, was appointed ; he rented Mr. Asher A.'s farm, and
began keeping the office in his house, where it is still kept. Asher A. took a position under Mr. Wheeler in
the State Prison, where he served until 1874; was then a year in business in Fond du Lac, returning to
his farm in 1875; in 1878, he built a cheese factory and store, which burned New Year's Day, 1880 ;
Mr. A. has nearly completed a large two-story building, which he will fit up in the best manner for a
cheese factory, and one large room for a store ; the upper story will be a public hall, 34x20J feet in size ;
his factory was and will be a complete success in spite of rival factories. In the fall of 1851, his vote,
with three others, were the only ones cast for the Free Soil ticket in a town which afterward gave a
Republican majority of forty ; his first vote, in 1844, was for Mr. Bisney. Mr. A. has been Town Treas-
urer, Supervisor and Superintendent of Schools, and received a vote of thanks from his town for his
able settlement of a dispute between Osceola and Eden in 1851, he settling with Messrs. William Stuart
and Carr, of Eden ; he has also served with credit as Clerk of the County Board, Deputy United States
Assessor, Sergeant-at-Arms in the Wisconsin Assembly in 1860-61, and took the United States census of
1870 in his district, as Deputy Marshal. Mrs. Armstrong died in 1867, leaving six children — Harper
(deceased), Mary, Sarah, Van H., Jay P. and Ida. In 1870, he married Mrs. Sarah Odekirk, by whom
he has two daughters — Hattie and Lucy Hayes. As a religionist, Mr. A. believes in doing his whole duty.
O. F. BROK9IEYER, proprietor of the Dundee Hotel, Osceola ; born March 25, 1845, in
Prussia; came to America in 1861, and worked a year in a pail factory at Two Rivers, Wis.: was two
years in Fond du Lac and eighteen months in the iron region of Lake Superior ; he then made a year's
visit to the Fatherland ; returned, and opened a store in Elmore, where he was the first Postmaster; after
two years here, he sold out, and bought the Dundee Hotel April 4, 1870 ; it is the only public house
in the village, and he has more than doubled it in size, added good stabling, ice-house, etc.; has also the
only livery and bar in the place. Married at West Bend, Wis., July 4, 1866, Miss Catherine Lenn, a
native of Switzerland, by whom he has four children — William, Caroline, Anna and Kate. Mr. Brok-
meyer is a public-spirited and genial landlord, and a liberal giver to the local churches ; was also the
originator of the Dundee Stock Fair of June, 1870. Politics, a Democrat.
DANIEIi CAVAWAGH, farmer, Sec. 8 ; P. 0. Osceola; born in Dingle, County Kerry,
Ireland, Feb. 2, 1831 ; is a son of James and Ellen Cavanagh, who emigrated to America in 1834, stop-
ping a short time in Bangor, Me., then settling in Waltham, Mass., where Daniel received his schooling ;
the family settled on a farm in Washington Co., Wis., in 1842, remaining until April, 1849, when they
settled on Government land on Sec. 3, Osceola, being the second Irish family to locate here. The subject
of this sketch continued his studies in Wisconsin, living on the homestead until 1869, when he bought
his farm of 220 acres ; his mother died in September, 1853, and his father in January, 1868 ; Mr. Cava-
nagh has proved himself a capable farmer, having built a basement barn 46x71 feet, with twenty -two foot
posts, and a handsome square, two-story residence ; has also brought 135 acres of his farm to a good state
if improvement. In politics, a Democrat ; Mr. Cavanagh was elected in 1861 Town Treasurer ; then
followed his election as Chairman of Osceola from 1864 to 1877, with the exception of three years ; in
NEW CASSEL,
OSCEOLA. TOWNSHIP. 975
1869, he was elected to the Wisconsin Assembly, and to the State Senate in 1875. He married Miss
Margaret, daughter of Henry Hardgrove, one of the Irish pioneers of Forest, on the 20th of February,
1854, they having seven children — Ella, Mary, James T., Daniel, Anna, Henry and Jennie ; Mary is the
wife of E. H. Lyons, of Osceola. Mr. Cavanagh and family are Roman Catholics.
CHABIiE$$ COOPER, farmer. Sec. fi; P. 0. Osceola; born Oct. 17,. 1808, in Lanarkshire,
Scotland, where he married, in 1838, Miss Mary Inglis, a native of that shire; they came with three
children — Elizabeth, Charles and Mary — to America, reaching the Cooper homestead in October, 1849,
with a team hired in Milwaukee. Fond du Lac then had but two stores. Mr. Cooper bought the farm
of W. Nobles, and was the second Scotchman to settle in the town of Osceola. The lumber for the floor
of his log house was hauled from Sheboygan, and it was roofed with poplar troughs. Roads were poor
and without bridges — Mr. Cooper going often to Plymouth to mill when there was only flour enough for a
single baking in the house ; all his teaming and breaking was with oxen, and he did good work as a pio-
neer ; died Sept. 22, 1876. Elizabeth is Mrs. Horace Eels, of Waupun Township ; Mary is Mrs. J. B.
Tripp, of Fond du Lac; Charles was born June 3, 1843, and did his share in improving the farm, which
he now owns, with its excellent barns and spacious house, which has replaced the log house of old times ;
the farm is 160 acres; on the 17th of July, 1879, he married Miss Sophia Yokeum, of Auburn. The
family are Presbyterians, and Mr. Cooper a Republican.
JOHN OR AHAM, farmer, Sec. 9 ; P. 0. Osceola ; born in the city of Carlisle, Cumberland,
England, March 28, 1821 ; came to America with his parents in 1836, both he and his father taking an
active part in the patriots' outbreak in 1837, narrowly escaping the vengeance of the British, and settling
in Albany, N. Y.; then going to New York City, where John Graham resided three'years, then locating
in Geneva, N. Y., where he worked three years for T. B. Burrell ; in September, 1844, he reached Mil-
waukee, and, during the next two years, was engaged in chopping in the woods south of the then village ;
was joined here the second year by his wife, he having married Miss Louisa Legare, they then settling
among the openings of Dodge Co., living in a bark-roofed shanty floored with basswood slabs ; on the 10th
of January, 1848, they settled on Government land on Sec. 17, town of Osceola, building the first house
in the town, all other buildings being shanties ; for doors and windows they used blankets, and, when
Mrs. Graham was alone at night, with a pack of ravenous wolves howling on either side of the house, we
may well excuse her fright. The oldest son, Byron, was born here on the 14th of March, 1849, and
theirs was the first white child born in the town ; the other living children are Caroline, Agnes, Josephine
and Garrie; Caroline is the wife of Allen Pulling, of Greenbush, Wis.; Agnes is Mrs. Noble Adams, of
Fayette Co., Iowa; Josephine resides in Menominee Falls, Wis., and Garrie is a teacher in Rosendale ;
Byron married Miss Catherine Roltgen, and is now on the homestead. John Graham began in this town
with 18 cents in his pocket, his family doing without a floor or a stove the first fall, and living on corn-
meal ground in a coffee-mill, destitute of butter, pork or milk, and using an old chest for a table, sleeping
on a pile of logs, and doing without chairs. As a reward for the privations so patiently endured then,
he has a well-improved farm of 120 acres, a pleasant home and all needed barns, etc. Is a Catholic and
a Republican. He also served about a year with Grant in the 5th W. V. I., Co. H ; during the assault on
Petersburg, his brother was shot dead; the honorable discharge of Mr. Graham dates June 14, 1865.
Wllilil AM KEYS, farmer. Sees. 17 and 18 ; P. 0. Osceola ; born in County Fermanagh,
Ireland, July 17, 1810 ; came to America with his family in 1850, settled in the town of Empire, and,
after four years, on his present farm. To reach this, he cut a track through the dense brush, which track
is now the highway passing his house. Building a log shanty, he did sturdy work with his ax, having
little to do with and much to contend with; in payment, he has a well-improved farm of 160 acres,
several barns, sheds, etc., and has supplanted the shanty with a tasteful residence. In 1837, he married
Miss Margaret Wiley, of County Tyrone, Ireland ; they have six children — Thomas W., William C, Sarah
L., Hannah J., Eliza A. and Etta M. ; the eldest is a physician in Le Roy, III. ; William C. is a substan-
tial farmer in Eden; Sarah L. is Mrs. Charles Montgomery, of Calumet Co., Wis., and Hannah is Mrs.
C. E. Tripp, of Eden. The family are members of the M. E. Church ; Mr. Keys is a Democrat, and
has been Supervisor and Chairman of Osceola.
THOMAS McGrRATH, farmer. Sec. 11 ; P. O. Armstrong's Corners; born in County Tip-
perary, Ireland, Aug. 3, 1821 ; came to America in 1841, followed, in 1842, by his mother and brothers,
his father having died in Ireland. The brothers worked on the railways of the different New England
States for several years; the family settled in Osceola in 1849, Thomas buying his 160-acre farm of the
•Government. He and his wife saw much of pioneering, he chopping and burning the heavy timber which
covered his farm, and living in a shake-roofed log shanty. Beginning with little or nothing, the result of
.■his care and labor is an improved farm, a basement barn, 30x80 feet, with other buildings, and a tasteful
976 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
residence in place of the shanty of early days. He married Miss Mary Donaher, of Chester Co., Penn.^
by whom he has seven children — Hugh, Maria, Anna, Martha, Emily, Thomas and AUce. The parents
of Mrs. MoGrath settled in Pennsylvania in 1827, and in Sheboygan Co. in 1847. Mr. McGrath is a
Democrat and was for many years a Supervisor; the family are Boman Catholics.
WAIiTER STANTON, farmer, Sees. 7 and 8; P. 0. Osceola; born in March, 1820, in
County Mayo, Ireland ; came to America with his wife in 1851, she staying in Onondaga Co., N. Y., while
he pushed out for Wisconsin, bought his farm and planted corn and potatoes that spring. His wife joined
him, and, they began their struggle with the privations of frontier life ; their capital was good health and
pluck. Mr. S. did without a team at first, planting his corn in the rooty, unbroken soil with a grub hoe.
Tbey^saw many hardships, but persevered, and, as a result, have a well-improved farm of 120 acres, good
barns and a pleasant home ; a striking coiitrast to their surroundings when deer could be shot from
the door of their slab-roofed shanty. Mrs. Stanton was Miss Hannah Durkin, born and wedded in County
Mayo, Ireland. They have one son — James H., born Dec. 10, 1860, who was educated in the State Nor-
mal School, Oshkosh. Mr. S. is a Democrat, and the family are Catholics.
JOHIV H. TRENTLAGE, merchant, Waucousta ; born Feb. 18, 1833, in Hanover; came
to America in August, 1848; was a year in a New York grocery store; then clerked ten jears in Mil-
waukee; came to New Cassel in 1859, and with J. D. Iding, began business in Waucousta the next year,^
they building the large two-story store of Mr. T. The partnership was dissolved by mutual con-
sent in 1865 ; Mr. Trentlage served as Postmaster of Waucousta from 1864 to 1879 ; is a Republican of
Greenback tendencies. He carries a large and complete stock of dry goods, groceries, drugs and med-
icines, boots and shoes, hats, caps, glassware, notions, etc., etc.; he has a saloon in connection, and also
deals in agricultural implements. He married Laura Jane Lake, of Milwaukee Co., by whom he has eight
children — Eliza, Marion, Laura, Cora, John, Annie, Willie, Ernest and George. Mrs. T. was born in
1844, in Ohio.
DAVID TWOHIG, farmer. Sec. 1 ; P. 0. Armstrong's Corners ; born Feb. 14, 1837, in
County Cork, Ireland ; is a son of Bartholomew and Hanorah T., who emigrated to America in 1848, and
remained in Chicopee, Mass., until 1852, when the family made a brief visit to Wisconsin and bought
the farm. After the return to Massachusetts, Mr. Twohig, Sr., died, and, in 1855, the family settled on
the farm of eighty acres, now owned by David Twohig, he having built good barns and a handsome
modern residence. He married, Feb. 6, 1877, Miss Bridget Hardgrove, a native of County Clare, Ire-
land, her people having reached America in 1846, and settled, in 1852, in Forest. Mr. and Mrs.iT,
have five children — Bartholomew, Norah E., Henry F., David J. and George R. The family are Boman
Catholics. Mr. Twohig is oflBcially identified with his town, as he was elected Supervisor at 22 years of
age, and has been elected Assessor four years.
FOREST TOWNSHIP.
A. ADAMS (deceased) was born in Rutland Co., Vt., Dec. 18, 1808. April 28, 1838, he
married, in his native county, Merinda Bartlett. She was born in Rutland Co. Sept. 14, 1816. In about
1845, they came to Wisconsin, and lived in Walworth Co. one year, at the end of which time they moved
to the town of Forest, Fond du Lac Co., where he died Oct. 8, 1868. He was a leading member of the
M. B. Church, and took a deep and active interest in religious and educational matters, and during his
lifetime was elected to various ofiBces. His wife, Mrs. Adams, is still living, and resides on the homestead,
on Sec. 13, town of Forest. She is a member of the M. E. Church ; owns 80 acres of land. Their
children are Samuel A. — he married, in this county, Melissa Heath, they live in Clark Co., Wis.; Emily
E., wife of David Rogers, Clark' Co., Wis. (he served in the 14 W. V. I. during the Avar of the rebellion, and.
was wounded in the service) ; Mortimer, who enlisted, at the age of 19, in Co. A, 10th W. V. T., and
died in the service May 27, 1862 ; Emery C, wife of Henry Rancier, Dunn Co., Wis. (he served in a.
New York regiment during the late war, and was severely wounded) ; Helen S., deceased ; Noble, who
married, in this county, A.gnes Carter — they now live in Iowa ; David, now in Dunn Co., Wis.; Frankie,
wife of Charles George, Dunn Co., Wis.; Eugene Ernest and Delyle, of this town (Forest). Mrs. Adams'
father. Hooker Bartlett, was a soldier in the war of 1812, and his father, J. Bartlett, was in the Colonial
army during the war of the Revolution.
DAVID M. CARSOX, Jr., farmer. Sec. 24 ; P. 0. St. Cloud ; was a soldier during the
ate war of the rebellion in Co. H, 14th W. V. I., and participated in numerous battles, sieges and skirmishes ;.
FOREST TOWNSHIP. 977
ras enrolled in September, 1861, at Greenbush, Sheboygan Co., Wis., and was honorably discharged in
)eoember, 1865. He was born in 'Augusta, Me., Feb. 16, 1837 ; removed with his parents, David M. and
lary J. Carson, to Wisconsin, and settled in the town of Forest, Fond du Lac Co. He married, in Green-
lush, Sheboygan Co., Wis., oq May 31, 1868, Miss A. C. Barnes. She was the daughter of Samuel K.
nd Salome Barnes, who settled in this town, Forest, in 1853. She was born in Steuben Co., N. Y.
?hey have three children — William D., Ella A. and Austin J. Mr. Carson owns 120 acres of land; is a
lepublican in politics. His parents moved to Greenbush, Sheboygan Co., Wis. (where they now live), in
868. Their children are David M., Jr., James H., now of Shell Rook, Iowa; Frederick D., who served
0 5th W. I. during the war ; Ellen, wife of L. W. Casey, Forest ; Otis M. Mrs. David M. Carson's
ather, Samuel K. Barnes, died in 1858. His wife is still living. Their children are Uphasia L., wife
f S. W. Van Doran, of Oshkosh, Wis. (he was a soldier in the war of the rebellion ; served in Co. H,
.4th W. V. I.) ; William J., of Springvale, this county, he was also a soldier in the 14th W. V. T.,
luring the war; Milton K., also served in the 14th W. V. I., and died in the service; Austin T., was in
}o. I, 5th W. V. I., and was killed at Fredericksburg, Va.; Antoinette, wife of James McConaughty (he
erved in Co. H., 14th W. V. I. during the war; Alvina C, wife of David M. Carson, Jr.; Salome L.,.
fife of George W. Brown, and Miss Viola.
E. C. COOIV, farmer, Sec. 36; P. O. Armstrong's Corners ; was born in Onondaga Co., N. Y., in
.83^. Dec. 23, 1855, he married, in his native county, Angelica Crosier ; she was also a native of"
)aondago Co. In 1859, they came to Wisconsin, located in the town of Forest, Fond du Lac Co., which
las been their home since ; they have three children — ^Ida, Willard and Charlie. Mr. Coon owns 240
ores of land. In politics, he is a Republican ; he takes an active interest in religious and educational
aatters, and is, in every respect, a public-spirited citizen.
JAMES COBBETT, farmer, Sec. 13; P. 0. St. Cloud; was born in Benson, Rutland Co.,.
h., April 11, 1826. He received a liberal education in his native county, and followed teaching there
intil 1849, in which year he came to Green Bay, Wis., and there and in vicinity, followed teaching and
arming until about 1855. Nov. 1, 1854, he married in the town of Forest, Fond du Lac Co., Wis.,
iJinderilla Barragar, daughter of Hiram and Catherine Barragar, who settled in Greenbush, Sheboygan
)o., Wis., in an early day ; she was born near Belleville, Canada West, Sept. 3, 1836. During the war of'
he rebellion, Mr. Corbett enlisted in Co. G, 36th W. V. I., and was honorably discharged at the close of'
he war. He owns 80 acres of land. In politics, is a Republican ; himself and wife are leading members;
f the M. E. Church. Their children are James P. (a graduate of the Cleveland Medical Institute, Ohio),
jharles B., Ella and George W. Mr. C. is Secretary of the Dotyville M. E. Church, a position he has
illed since its organization. His parents were Peter and Melinda Corbett, who came from Vermont to Fond
lu Lao Co., afterward moved to Greenbush, Sheboygan Co., where his mother died March 18, 1879 ; his
ather is still living in Greenbush, a prominent citizen ; their children were Sylvester (now of Waterloo,
owa) ; James (whose name appears at the head of this sketch) ; William H. (now in Minnesota, who was
soldier in Co. B, 8th W.V. I., two years) ; Sarah (wife of C. R. Barrager, of Crete, Neb., he was Captain of a
ompany in 3d W. V. I., during the war of the rebellion) ; Charles (now in the mercantile business in Green-
iush, served in the 8th W. V. I., during the war, and was severely wounded) ; Lester (also of Greenbush,
erved in the 14th W. V. I., in the late war), Alexander (of Greenbush). Mrs. J. Corbett's parents,
liram and Cathrine Barrager, came from Canada to Greenbush. Sheboygan Co., where they lived two
ears ; then moved to Forest, Fond du Lac Co., where her mother died in 1857 ; her father now resides in
Iheboygan Falls, Wis. ; their children are Henry (of Kearney, Neb.), Charles R. (who was Captain of a
ompany in 3d W. V. I., lives in Crete, Neb.), Bidwell, (of Greenbush, Sheboygan Co., was a soldier in the
4th W. V. I.) George W. (now in Iowa), Walter M. (now in Sibley, Iowa), Alfred J. (in Crete, Neb.),
V^endell H., Sheboygan Falls, Wis.
SE YMOtJB ELLICSOX, farmer, Sees. 23 and 24 ; P. 0. St. Cloud. During the war
rar of the rebellion, Mr. Ellicson served in Co. B, 8 W. V. I. ; he was enrolled in the autumn of
861, and participated in nearly all the sieges, battles and skirmishes his command was in, the principal
nes being Frederiokstown, Corinth, New Madrid, Ft. Pillow, Vicksburg, and a series of engagements
round that, place ; at luka, he was taken prisoner and retained a short time ; was honorably discharged
J the autumn of 1864. He is a native of Norway; was born May 7, 1831, and in 1846, emigrated
'ith his parents, Leaman and Ann Ellicson, to Brie Co., N. Y.; his mother died at Lockport, N. Y.,
ad his father married again and moved to Greenbush, Sheboygan Co., Wis.; they afterward moved to
V^innebago Co., where they died. In 1853, S. Ellicson, the subject of this sketch, married in Greenbush,
heboygan Co., Wis., Salome Snell, a native of Cortland Co., N. Y., born in 1835 ; she was the daughter
f John and Phoebe Snell, who came to Wisconsin in 1847, and settled in the town of Forest, Fond du
,978 BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES:
Lac Co., Wis., where they resided until their death. Mr. EUicson and wife, after th^ir marriage, lived
in Greenbush until 1859, in which year they moved to their present 'home ; their children are John A.,
Florence C. (the wife of Eugene Chase, Dunn Co., Wis.), Dora M. (wife of Silas Carpenter), Delbert,
Esther E., Truman W., Annie S., and Lillian B. Mr. EUicson owns 120 acres of land; Himself and
family are members of the M.E. Church, ;n which he is a leading member; he takes an active part in
the religious and educational interests, giving them his support on every possible occasion ; in politics, he
is a Republican.
HENRY ENGELS, farmer. Sec. 29 ; P. 0. Dotyville, Wis.; born in town of Forest, Fond
du Lac Co., Wis., Feb. 9, 1858. His father, Matthias Engels, was born in the village of Arbuck, Kreis
Adana, Germany, on 6th of July, 1819, and emigrated to Canada in 1843, thence to this town (Forest)
in 1847. In 1851, he married Annie Balzar; he died in Forest June 11, 1879; his wife is still living,
and resides on the homestead ; their children are Henry, John, Michael Martin, Frank, Katie, Lizzie,
Mary and Rosa. The estate consists of 160 acres of land, well improved. During his life in the town
of Forest, Mr. Matthias Engels was elected to various local offices, and took an active part in the
advancement of the educational interests in the district wherein he lived.
MARY C CrlBSON, farming; P. 0. Banner; owns 160 acres of well-improved land. She
was bgrn in Montgomery Co., N. Y., in 1826 ; while she was a child, her parents, Christopher and Hen-
rietta Carpenter, moved to St. Lawrence Co., N. Y. She was twice married, first in Onondaga Co., N. Y.,
to Chauncey A. Greeuman, now deceased ; by the above marriage there was one child — William J. Green-
man, now "of Bremer Co., Iowa. In 1854, she came to Wisconsin, and, in 1861, married her second hus-
band, Russel D. Gibson, a native of Vermont, who had settled in Fond du Lac Co., Wis., in about 1852 ;
he died Nov. 2, 1866. By this marriage, there is one child — Ella M. Mrs. Gibson oversees all work
done on her farm, and is very successful in her management of it, and is a most exemplary woman.
HOST. JOHX W. HAIili ; P. 0. St. Cloud; was born in the town of Herkimer, Herkimer
Co., N. Y., Jan. 9, 1819 ; he received a liberal education in his native county ; in 1841, he went to Onon-
daga Co., N. Y., where he remained until 1853, in which year he came to Wisconsin ; located in the town
of Forest, Pond du Lac County, which has been his home since. Mr. Hall was Chairman of Town Super-
visors in Forest eleven years ; County Treasurer one term, and a member of the Wisconsin Assembly in
1861. In February, 1863, he enlisted in Co. B, 35th W. V. I., and served until "June, 1865, when he
was honorably discharged. Politically, Mr. Hall is independent, votingifor and giving his influence to the
candidates whom he believes will serve the interests of the whole people best. He has been twice married —
first wife was Margaret Elliott; she died in 1869 ; his' present wife was Hannah C. Burns. Mr. Hall
takes an active interest in public affairs, and has filled every position he has been elected to, with credit to
himself and ^constituents.
SPEIVCER A. HAMBIilN, farmer, Sec. 12 ; P. 0. St. Cloud. Mr. Hamblin enlisted in
Co. H. 14th W. V. I., Sept. 11, 1861 ; he was severely wounded at Shiloh April 7, 1862, and discharged
on account of said wound on Nov. 13, 1862 ; after he had fully recovered he again enlisted, and was enrolled
in Co. C, 4th W. V. C, in December, 1863, and served until Oct. 26, 1865, whea he was honorably dis-
charged. He was born in Van Buren, Onondaga Co., N. Y., Aug. 8, 1837, and came to Wisconsin in
1852, and has made the, town of Forest, Fond du Lao Co., his home the greater part of the time since.
,March 3, 1866, he married, in Greenbush, Sheboygan Co., Wis.,, Elizabeth Ghoslin; they have two chil-
dren— Lavina N. and William S. Politically, Mr. H. acts with the Republican party. He owns 80 acres
of well-improved land. His father, A. H. Hamblin, was born Aug. 2, 1794, and was a soldier in active
service during the war of 1812 ; he married, io Onondaga Co., N. Y., Susan Woodward; they came to
Wisconsin in 1852 ; he died April 9, 1874 ; she is still living. Their children are Samantha, wife of
P. Spaulding, St. Cloud ; Martha, wife of L. A. Griswold, Ida Co., Iowa ; Hartwell C, who served in
Co; H, 14th W. V. I. during the war of the rebellion, he died in 1872 ; Berlin ; Candace, wife of C.
Alley; Spencer A.; Holland^ who served in Co. H, 14th W. V. I. during the war ; Lucilla A., wife of B.
Miller, Osceola Co., Iowa (he was a soldier in the 8th 'W . V. I. during the war) ; Miles A,, who served
first in Co. H, 14th W. V. I., and afterward in Co. C, 4th W. V. C, was all through the war, he now
lives in Osceola Co., Iowa; Louisa K., deceased ; Owen H. N., deceased ; Theresa, deceased.'
JOHIDT HARD(:;}ROYE, farmer. Sec. 26 ; P. 0. Armstrong's Corners; was born in County
Clare, Ireland, in 1836 ; he emigrated with his parents, Henry and Mary Hardgrove, to near Toronto,
Canada, where they lived about three years ; moved thence to Milwaukee, where they remained two years,
at the end of which time they came to Fond du Lac County and settled in the town of Forest, of which
they were residents several years ; in 1873, they moved to Eden, this county, where they now reside.
John Hardgrove, the subject of this sketch, received a liberal education at the common schools ; he has
FOREST TOWNSHIP. 979
lught district schools for several terms; prior to 1861, when the system was changed, he was Town
chool Superintendent ; he is at present Town Clerk of Forest, a position he has been the incumbent of
lur years. He owns 100 a,cres of land. In 1862, Mr. Hardgrove married, in the town of Byron,
athrine Heragarty (daughter of James and Bridget Heragarty, who settled in the town of Mitchell, She-
oygan Co., Wis., in about 1850) ; they have seven children — Emily, Julia, Katie, Agnes, James, Mary,
ad Frances. In politics; Mr. Hardgrove is independent.
THEODOREi liORHAXG, dealer in agricultural implements, machinery and a full line of
spairs, also proprietor of general blacksmith-shop, where he attends to general repairing and horseshoe-
jg, Dotyyille. Was born in Edensdorf, Kries Trier, Prussia, Oct. 18, 1850 ; in 1853, his parents emi-
rated to this country, and settled in the town of Calumet, Fond du Lac Co., Wis., where Theodore lived
ntil 1872, when he learned the blacksmith trade. He married at Mt. Calvary, on Oct. 12, 1874, Annie
resellchen, she was born in Mt. Calvary; they moved to Dotyville in 1876 ; their children are Theodore,
'^incent and J. Joseph; Mr. Lorhang engaged in his present business in Dotyville in 1876 ; he is a first-
lass mechanic, and his work gives general satisfaction, therefore he has a large custom. His parents were
Sernard and Angelica Lorhang ; he a native of Paris, France, she of Kries Trier, Germany ; he died in
!alumet in 1866 ; she is still living. Mrs. T. Lorhang's parents were Peter and Gertrude Gesellchen,
atives of Germany, who settled in Marshfield, Fond du Lac Co., in 1850.
C C liYOX, a leading farmer. Sec. 14 ; P. 0. Banner ; is a native of Strongsville, Cuyahoga
)o., Ohio; was born Sept. 12, 1823, where he remained until 21 years of age; he then went to
Jleveland, Ohio, and there learned the machinist and engineer trades ; worked at the machinist trade in
arious places in Ohio and New York in the winters, and in the summer seasons, following the vocation
f engineer on the lakes ; in 1857, he came to Wisconsin, and Pond du Lac Co. has been his home the
;reater part of the time since ; he owns 177 acres of land, and in conneclion with John A. Smith, of
Sheboygan Co., carries on a cheese factory ; their, factory is located on Sec. 29, and the cheese they make
5 widely known for its superior quality. In politics, Mr. Lyon is a Democrat ; he has been elected to
^ious local offices. Has been twice married, first in Buffalo, N. Y., to Matilda Curtis, she died in Forest
a June, 1872; children by the above marriage are Frank M. (now in Denver, Colo.), Charles C. (who
aarried Bertie A. Nutting and resides in Forest), Mary M., Emma, Fred and May ; present wife was
jaroline Nutting, widow of E. D. Nutting ; her maiden name was Parmalee ; she was born in Pittsfield,
lutland Co., Vt., where she married her first husband, and came with him to Wisconsin in 1856 ; he died
n Fond du Lac; she married Mr. Lyon Feb. 22, 1872; they have one child, Samuel S. ; by her first
narriage, there are five children, viz. : Charlotte (wife of Lewis Langstaff, of Milwaukee) ; Sarah R. (wife
if A. D. Lytle, Wood Co., Wis.), Ella J., wife of D. B. Hadlock, Kearney Co., Neb.), Bertie, wife of
jharles C. Lyon) ; Frankie, (wife of William Zan, of this town. Forest).
JOH^ 1&£IIS, merchant, Dotyville. Was born in the town of Marshfield, Pond du Lac Co.,
i^is., in 1851 ; was educated at Mount Calvary ; engaged in the mercantile business at Dotyville in 1877,
md has a large and constantly increasing trade. His father, Theodore Reis, was born in Mehring,
Kries Trier, Germany, in 1817 ; emigrated to America in 1846; settled in the town of Marshfield, Fond
lu Lac Co., Wis., where he married Gertrude Hoffman ; they are still living in Marshfield, old and
lonored citizens ; their children are John, Mary (wife of Matt. Lanser, of Dotyville), Peter (proprietor
larness-shop, Dotyville), Gertrude, Theodore, Helen, Annie, Philip, Clara and Applonia.
HENRY STAXXARD, farmer, Sec. 35 ; P. 0. Armstronit's Corners. At the breaking-
rat of the war of the rebellion, Mr. Stannard enlisted in Co. B, 8th W. V. I.; served until October, 1862,
ifhen he was honorably discharged. He was born in the town of Gates, Monroe Co., N. Y., Jan. 20, 1843 ;
irhen he was 3 years old, his parents moved to Rochester, N. Y., thence to Wisconsin in 1851, and
lettled in the town of 'Greenbush, Sheboygan Co. He married in Madison, Wis., Nov. 9, 1866, Unice N.
Bryant, a native of Cheshire Co., N. H. On his return from the army, Mr. Stannard engaged as clerk
n a mercantile house at Madison, Wis., two years ; in about 1865, he engaged in the mercantile business
3n his own account until 1870; in 1871, ^e moved to Forest, where he has resided since. Himself
md wife are members of the Union Church ; their children are George E., Allen W., Gilbert H., and
Laura Z., one deceased, James B. (born March 26, 1871, died 'July 30, 1874). Mr. Stannard owns
sighty acres of land. In politics, he is a Republican. His father, Hon. E. W. Stannard, was born in
Portland Co., N. Y., Nov. 22, 1817; he married in Sullivan, N. Y., in 1840, Zeviah Knowles; she was
Dorn in Madison Co., N. Y., in 1820; in 1848, he went to California, returned in May, 1851, and imme-
liately moved to Grreenbush, Sheboygan Co., Wis., where he lived until the breaking-out of the war of
;he rebellion, when he was made Captain of Co. B, of the 27th W. V. I., and was killed in the service,
980 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
near Satarica, Miss., June 7, 1863. He was, for a number of years. Chairman of the Board of Super-
visors in Greenbush, and several terms a member of the Wisconsin Assembly; she is still living, and
resides in Greenbush ; their children are Allie L. (wife of H. C. Wade, of Greenbush) and Henry, whose
name appears at the head of this sketch.
GEORGE QUACKEIVBOSS, farmer, Sec. 20 ; P. 0. St. Cloud ; was born in Montgomery
Co., N. Y., Nov. 18, 1817. In 1835, he removed, with his parents, to Clay, Onondaga Co., N. Y., where he
married, in 1846, Miss C. M. Marshall, a native of Onondaga Co., born Nov. 11, 1823 ; in 1849, they
moved to the town of Cato, N. Y., thence to Wisconsin in 1853 ; settled in the town of Forest, Fond du
Lac Co., where they have resided since ; their children are Chester A. (now of Clark Co., Wis.), David
S., John R., and George N. (of Forest), Sarah C. (deceased). Mr. Quackenboss owns eighty acres of
land ; in politics, he acts with the Greenback party. His father, Richard Quackenboss, was born in
Montgomery Co., N. Y., where his ancestors had settled prior to the war of the Revolution. He married
Cathrine Garland ; both are deceased. Mrs. G. Quackenboss' father was Nodiah Marshall, a native of
Saratoga Co., N. Y. ; was a soldier in active service during the war of 1812, and his father, Joel Marshall,
served in the Colonial army, under Washington, during the war of the Revolution. Mr. Quackenboss
has been engaged in farming since his coming to Fond du Lac Co., in 1853, and is among the most success-
ful in the town of Forest.
C. F. G. WERIVICKE, farmer, Sec. 12 ; P. 0. St. Cloud ; was born in Vaethen, Kries
Stendal, Regierungsbezirk, Magdeburo;, Prussia, Nov. 7, 1831 ; in 1843, he entered the College of Halle,
and pursued his studies there until 1846, when he entered the Agricultural College at Bedersleben, where
he graduated in 1848 ; he then was appointed to oversee and manage several large estates until 1850,
when he volunteered in the 31st Regiment, Prussian Army, servinguntil the 27th of September, 1851, when
he was honorably discharged ; in July, 1858, he received a full discharge from the Prussian Government as a
citizen and as a Lieutenant of militia, and he emigrated to this country, arriving in New York Oct. 20, 1858 ^
went thence to Calhoun Co., Mich., where he lived until February, 1859, when he came to Wisconsin, and
purchased land in the town of Marshfield, Fond du Lac Co. On July 3, 1859, he married Sophia Fricke;
they lived in Marshfield until October, then moved to Charlestown, Calumet Co., Wis., where he rented
a farm, having lost his farm in Marshfield ; in 1864, he purchased a farm in Charlestown of 120 acres.
In March, 1865, he was drafted ; reported at Green Bay ; was assigned to the 14th W. V. I. at Madison ;
was discharged May 7, 1865. After being discharged, he returned to Charlestown, sold his farm, and, in
the autumn of 1865, returned to his native country on a visit, remaining until March, 1866, when he
returned to Charlestown, remaining there until May, when he moved to Forest and bought the farm he
now resides on ; he owns 121 acres of land, well improved. His first wife died in Forest, April 29, 1872 ;
she was born Aug. 31, 1839 ; she was the mother of five children — Antoine, born April 1, 1860, is now
teaching school; Otto, June 18, 1862, is now attending Commercial College at Fond du Lac ; Charlie,
July 16, 1865 ; Anna, Feb. 26, 1867 ; Clara, May 17, 1869. June 6, 1872, Mr. Wernicke married his
present wife ; her maiden name was Louise Knabe ; by this marriage there are four children — Alfred,
born April 21, 1873 ; Ida, Dec. 4, 1874 ; Fredrick, May 18, 1876 ; Agnes, Nov. 7, 1879. In politics,
Mr. Wernicke is a Democrat ; he has been Justice of the Peace about six years. He represents three fire
insurance companies — Northwestern National, of Milwaukee ; the Milwaukee Merchants' Insurance Com-
pany, and the German, of Freeport, 111. His father, the Rev. Wernicke, a Lutheran minister at Vaethen,
Kries Stendal, Prussia, was born in the city of BUerich, Prussia, July 3, 1795 ; was a soldier in active
service in the Prussian Army from 1812 to 1815, and participated in the battles of Leipsic, Waterloo and
Paris. . His wife was Caroline M. W. Breust ; she was born in 1797, and died Sept. 24, 1861.
EDEN TOWNSHIP. 981
EDEN TOWNSHIP.
V. Cr. AVERILL, farmer and shoemaker, Eden; born in Plattsburg, N. Y., June 7, 1829;
spent his early life, was educated and learned his trade in his native county ; is a son of Stephen and Susan
(Moore) Averill ; Stephen Averill was born_ in Connecticut,, his parents removing to Plattsburg when
he was 2 years of age ; he grew to be a man of unusual energy and business talent ; carried on an exten-
sive boot, shoe and leather business in Plattsburg for sixty years ; at one time owned two tanneries ; was
despoiled ot over 81,000 worth of leather by the British in 1814 ; died at 9-1, outliping his wife by many
years. In 1850, V. G. Averill removed to Cleveland, Ohio, with his family ; in 1849, opened a shop on
St. Clair street, where he did business until 1855, when he removed to Wisconsin and to Eden ; bought
his farm of 61 acres, on which he resided until August, 1876, when he reihoved and began business in
Eden Village. Married Miss Margaret Dupys, of Clinton Co., N. Y., 1847 ; they have seven children —
Rosanna C, Sarah J., Verannus, Alfred, Leonard C, Jasper S. and Maybell M. Mr. Averil! manufact-
ures and sells everything in the line of boots and shoes for both sexes, having a combined shop and store.
He is a Democrat, and favors the greenback.
GEORGE C. BAGIiEY, of D. S. Bagley & Sons, grain and produce dealers ; P. 0. Eden ;
born in Coos Co., N. H., March 1, 1851 ; son of D. S. Bagley, who located with his family in Milwaukee,
1856 ; he engaged first in farming, then in milling; during 1872, Mr. Bagley, Sr., located five ware-
houses at as many different points on the Wisconsin Central Railroad, making his home in Plymouth ;
George C. went into the mines of Colorado at this time, remaining four years ; on his return he joined his
father and brother, H. P., thus constituting the present firm, which owns seven warehouses and elevators,
viz., Eden, New Cassel, Plymouth, Random Lake, Chilton, New Holstein, and Saukville ; they buy from
300,000 to 500,000 bushels of grain per annum, and deal extensively in wool, seeds, etc.; amount of busi-
ness done preceding year, $500,000 ; George C. located at Eden in 1877 ; he has the best-equipped steam
elevator on his road, built with a capacity of 12,000 bushels ; he also controls the New Cassel warehouse,
and is a live young business man, and is a hard-money Democrat. He married Miss Cornelia Dudley in
1876 ; they have one son, Dudley S., born Oct. 11, 1876.
, JLUCIUS A. BATTERSOKT, fiirmer. Sec. 8 ; P. 0. Eden ; born in Medina Co., Ohio, Aug.
12, 1830, son of Lewis and Nancy B., who came from Ohio to Waukesha Co., Wis., in 1847, settling on
wild land in Eden, 1848 ; bought 320 acres on Sees. 33 and 29 heavily timbered with white and red oak.
maple, ash, basswood, etc.; Lewis Batterson died soon after, but his family did the work of pioneers, and
saw all the experiences of the new settlers ; Lucius Batterson lived on the homestead until August, 1862,
when he enlisted in the 32d W. V. L; was with his regiment in pursuit of Forrest in Mississippi and
Tennessee ; he was also in Alabama and Georgia ; was stricken with chills and fever in Memphis, and
came homfi^ on a six-months furlough; he rejoined the regiment at Atlanta September, 1864, going with
Gen. Sherman on the famous march to the sea; at Buford, S. C, he was again attacked with his old mal-
ady, and was for a time in a New York City hospital ; then transferred to Prairie du Chien and honorably
discharged in May, 1865. He spent the summer with hi.s mother; then bought his present farm of 80
acres ; built an elegant residence in 1868, where he lives with his aged mother, who retains her faculties at
84 ; she is a daughter of A. Derthick ; was born in Chatham, Conn., and married Mr. Batterson in 1813,
in his native State, going from there to Ohio. Her son's farm was a part of the Vandevoort homestead,
and about 15 acres is in the villase plat of Eden. Mr. Battersonis an Independent Republican.
JACOB BAiniHART, farmer. Sec. 28 ; P. 0. Eden ; born in Rhenish Prussia in 1828 ; was
educated in his native land, and served three years in the Prussian Infantry Guards ; came to America in
1854; spent a year in Ohio ; then came to Pond du Lac Co.; worked about three years for S. Silvester.
Married Miss Elizabeth Brem, a native of Switzerland, in 1858, and settled the same year on 40 acres,
now owned by his brother ; after selling this he bought 80 acres of his present farm, on which was a
good barn ^nd a log house. Mr. Baumhart now owns 155 acres, well improved, and has built a pleasant
home. This is a good record for a man who reached Fond du Lac Co. with $3 in money, and who worked
out the first summer at $10 per month, having only good health and good pluck to begin with. Mr. and
Mrs. Baumhart have six children — Charles, Samuel, Frederick, Matilda, Carolina and Amelia. The fam-
ily are Evangelical Lutherans ; Mr. Baumhart is a good farmer and citizen, voting for men instead of
party.
MONJIOUTH BRIGGS, fairmer. Sec. 4 ; P. 0. Eden; born in Scranton, Penn., Feb. 20,
1827 ; spent his early life and was educated in his native town ; coming to Wisconsin, 1850 ; locating for
982 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
a time in Empire ; in 1851, he bought his farm of a Mr. Cogswell ; about thirty acres of this was broken
and the remaining fifty timbered openings. Mrs. Briggs was Miss Charlotte Berry, a native of Putnam
Co., N. Y. ; she was educated in Peekskill and came to Wisconsin and Empire in 1849 ; they were mar-
ried April 5, 1851, and at once began farm life, living in what was then called the " Old Abbey," a most
picturesque log house, well built and partitioned, and ornamented with rustic porches, seats, lattice-work^
etc., to complete the picture it was overrun with ivy, honeysuckle and bittersweet; this cozy home burned
1857 or 1858, and was replaced by the present substantial and elegant farmhouse. Mr. Briggs and wife
worked hard,~added forty acres to the farm, and have all necessary barns, stock, implements, etc; the farm
and vicinity lie higher than the surrounding country, yet it has near the farm a never-failing and never-
freezing spring ; Mr. B. also has two wells, each about twenty feet in depth, though many almost adjoining
farmers have to dig at least fifty feet for water ; having a pleasant home, they now recall the toilsome days
of yore with pleasure ; they have three children — Albert L., Eugene T. and Frank, having lost a daughter,
Lottie. Mr. Briggs is a Republican and has been Supervisor ; his wife is a member of the M. E. Church,
As a stock-raiser Mr. Briggs has shorthorn cattle. Merino sheep and, other stock.
WIIiLIAM BEIRN£, farmer, Sdc. 13; P. 0. Eden ; born in the town of Underbill, Chit-
tenden Co., Vt.. June 7, 1848 ; son of Joseph and Mary Beirne ; William was educated in the Under-
bill Academy, living on the farm of his parents, and, in 1864, coming with them to Eden; his father
bought his farm nf L. J. Harvey, an early settler, who built a most pleasant residence, inclosing it with
a double row of diiFerent kinds of evergreens, he at the time owning a nursery in New Jersey; this makes
the home of Mr, Beirne amohg the most attractive in the county; Joseph Beirne died June 29, 1865,
his only son has since owned the homestead of 160 acres. He married Miss Alice, a daughter of John
O'Brien, who came from Massachusetts to Osceola in 1858 ; Mrs. Beirne was born, educated and married
in Osceola ; they have two children — Joseph and John. Mr. Beirne is a Greenback Democrat, and a
member, with his wife, of' the Roman Catholic Church.
THOMAS CAIiE, farmer. Sees. 10 and 11 ; P. 0. Eden; born in the town of Underbill,
Chittenden Co., Vt., Sept. 17, 1848 ; he was a farmer's son and was educated in Underbill Academy ;
beaan teaching in his native State, and has taught twelve terms in Wisconsin ; he spent three years ip
Eastern New York, and came to Wisconsin in 1869, buying his farm of 118 acres. He married Miss
Margaret R,ooney in April, 1872 ; she was born in County Clare, Ireland, and came to America and to
Eden, 1866 ; they have four children — James M., Rosanna, M. Agnes and Thomas P. Mr. and Mrs.
Cale are Roman Catholics. He is an enterprising young farmer, devoting his farm to both grain and stoftk.
Politics, Greenbacker.
HARVEY J. CARTER, farmer. Sec, 35 ; P. 0. Campbellsport ; born in Crawford Co.,
Penn., March 8, 1817. Arriving at the age of 20, he married and removed to Illinois ; in October, ] 839, he
drove an ox team to Milwaukee, and at once made a " squatter's claim " in that county ; here the young
couple saw all they wished of frontier life, living on a scant supply of milk and corn-meal, the corn
pounded fine in a log hollowed out for the purpose ; knowing that he must have an ox to clear a piece for his
first wheat, he tramped to the then village and applied to Hal Ludington, then a hardware merchant, after-
ward Governor of Wisconsin ; he told Mr. L. that he was penniless, but that he would pay with the first
money the ox earned ; Mr. L. refused this, though Mr. Carter found a friend and got an ox, and Mr.
Ludington lost a customer ; Mr. Carter cleared the land and sowed the wheat, and though his nearest
mill was Watertown, and his wife and child were often on a starvation diet, his first wheat crop marked the
beginning of a brighter era ; on June, 1847, settled on his present farm, and was the first settler in the
south half of Eden; the farm and country around him was a wilderness; he built a good log house and
resumed his pioneer work, also helping to lay out all the roads in his vicinity. Mr. C. improved a large
farm, has sold 120 acres, and now has eighty and a good home ; his, wife, a most faithful helpmeet, was
Miss Sarah Cole ; she died in 1851, leaving three children — Miles, Mary J. and Emma. He married again
Miss Margeret Mullen ; they have six children — Helen E., Clara S., Delilah N., Sarah L., George H. and
Harriet R. Mr. Carter is a Democratic Greenbacker ; was Supervisor several years, also Assessor ; is a
member, with his family, of the Roman Catholic Church.
THOMAS COIiEMAN, farmer, Sec. 26 ; P. 0. Eden ; born in County Louth, Ireland,
March 10, 1832 ; his parents were farmers, he being educated in his native county, came to America,
locating at Vienna, N. Y., whei;e he worked at malting; in February, 1853, he catoe to Milwaukee and
remained until May, then located at Oshkosh ; here he was in the lumber traffic ; fettled on his farm in
May, 1862, and has improved it in many ways — built an elegaqt farm residence, other farm buildings, and
has all necessary stock, implements, etc. He married, Nov. 23, 1857, in Oshkosh, Miss Ann Murphy,
who was born in his native county, coming to America in 1848, and to Wisconsin in 1854; they have
EDEN TOWNSHIP. 983^
sro children^Thomas A. and Mary A. Mr. Coleman is a Democrat, and, with his family, a Roman
latholie. He has been President of the Ashford Town Insurance Company for five years, and is now
Brving his fifth term of Town Clerk.
GEORGE W. DENWISTOIV, carpenter and wheelwright, Sec. 10 ; P. 0. Eden ; born in
leading, Penn., Sept. 15, 1824 ; spent his early life in Orange Co., N. Y., where he learned his trades of
is father, Joseph Denniston, who came with his family to Eden in 1848 ; G. W. Denniston settled on
lis present location in 1865 ; was made Postmaster of Foster in 1874, resigning in 1879, when the office
ras removed to Eden. Married, in Eden in 1857, Miss Margaret Mclntyre ; they have four living ohil-
ren — Alice I., Emma L., Anna M. and Florence K. ; have lost two children. Mr. D. is a Eepublican,
nd has been Justice of the Peace ; the family are Methodists. He bought a farm on Sec. 11 of the
rovernment, cleared it and exchanged it for one on Sec. 15 ; his services as carpenter were in such request
hat, in 1865, he sold his ferm and bought his location of twelve acres, where he has a pleasant home.
Ir. D. is the inventor of a double, adjustable land-roller, which gives the best of satisfaction to those
ising them ; he has applied for a patent, and will manufacture about thirty the coming season.
J. H. DEMNISTON, farmer, Sec. 35 ; P. 0. Campbellsport ; born in Orange Co., N. Y., Oct.
4, 1826 ; he spent his early life and was educated in his native county ; in 1849, he accompanied his
larents, Joseph and Mary D., to the town of Eden ; Joseph Denniston was a mechanic, though he at
nee bought Government land on Sees. 1 and 11 ; this he soon exchanged for a partly improved farm on
iecs. 14 and 15 ; J. H. Denniston lived here until 1863, when he bought eighty acres on Sec. 10 ; in
873, he sold this and bought property in New Cassel, where he lived over two years, at the time owning
, farm north of the village ; in April, 1876, he settled on his present farm of sixty acres ; this is well
mproved, and on it is a large and handsome farm residence, built by Edmund L. Peck. Mr. Denniston
aarried, Feb. 25, 1857, Miss Anna J., daughter of Joshua and Ellen Morehouse ; she was born in Cau-
da, her parents removing to Clayton, Jefferson Co., N. Y., when she was a babe; the family settled on a
arm in Byron in 1849 ; Mr. and Mrs. D. have five children — Ella M., Warren C, Carrie E., Harry J.
,nd Mabel A. Mr. Denniston is a stanch Republican, and a successful farmer, having all needed build-
ngs, implements, stock, etc.
WIIililAH DUSENBERY, farmer,, Seer 4; P.O. Pond du Lac ; born in the town of
larrison (Harrison's Purchase), Westchester Co., N. Y., Oct. 6, 1817 ; was educated in his native
own, living on the farm Until he was 18, when he went to New York City, remaining one and one-half
'ears ; after his marriage, he was made overseer of a large farm in Pelham for nine years ; in 1852, he
emoved with his family to Eden and bought 160 acres (sold 80 in 1869); the land was almost as the
land of nature left it, though a log house had been built ; Mr. Dusenbery has improved the farm, built a
irge, handsome residence, good barn, etc., and has all the belongings to a first-class farm. He married
tliss Harriet Bouton June 27, 1839, who died Dec. 31, 1866, leaving seven children — Phebe A.
deceased), William A., George E., Electa, Matilda, Harriet and Rebecca; Feb. 1, 1870, he married Mrs;
jlarissa Shays, daughter of Gains Alexander; she was born in Lewis Co., N. Y., where she married
illisha Shays ; they lost two children, and he died in the same county. Mr. Dusenbery was the founder
nd is a leading member of the Empire M. E. Church ; was its Sunday-school Superintendent fourteen
'ears ; he was also one of the original Stewards and Trustees, still holding both positions ; he is a Demo-
icrat, and is serving his sixth term as Supervisor.
CHRIISTOPHER FliOOD, farmer. Sec. 19 ; P. 0. Eden; born in County Meath, Ire-
and, on the historic " Hill of Tara ; " he came with his parents to America in 1843, remaining in
loosic, N. J., until March, 1848, when he came to Eden^and bought his farm ; Messrs. Ward, McGinty
nd Odekirk were his neighbors ; no road in the town, but a track ran north of the side of his house ;.
le was joined by his parents, brothers and sisters the next summer, they living first in a shanty, then in
. log house ; with a yoke of cattle they used to go twenty-one miles to Mayville to mill, and did good
lioneer work chopping, logging and burning the timber. Feb. 22, 1857, he married Miss Catherine, a
laughter of James Lynch, who came from County Cavan to America with a family, settling in Dutchess
}o., N. Y., where Mrs. F. was born ; the family settled in Wisconsin in 1848 ; Mr. and Mrs. Flood have
en children — James T., Peter F., Thomas, Mary A., Catherine J., Christopher J., John N., Amelia R.,
tiathias P. and Michael H. The old couple died on the homestead, now containing 130 acres ; on this is
n excellent living spring, several good barns, and the largest frame house in Eden, built in 1878 ; the
ipright is 18x26, wing 18x24, woodhouse and kitchen 16x26 feet ; this is a well-built and handsome
esidence ; Mr. F. has all needed tools and stock, and is one of the successful pioneers of Eden. With
lis family, he is a Roman Catholic, and an Independent Democrat in politics. He is a good citizen, and
vas public spirited enough to give the land on which the district schoolhouse was built.
■984 BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES:
PETER FLOOD, farmer, Sec. 29 ; P. 0. Eden; born in County Meath, Ireland, Nov. 19,
1838; son of James and Hose Flood, who emigrated to America in 1841, locating in Hoosic, Rensselaer
Co., N. Y., where they lived until 1848, when they came to Wisconsin and bought Government land, now
owned by C. Flood; Peter Flood attended the local schools, and, at the age of 17, began teaching; taught
nine winter terms in Eden, two in Ashford and two in Sheboygan Co.; in 1861, he settled on his farm of
ninety acres, then heavily timbered land, destitute of buildings; as a result of sturdy work with his ax,
it is now cleared and improved;- he has also built a large and tasty residence and basement barn, having
all needed implements and stock. Married Miss Ann, daughter of George Lloyd ; she was a native of
Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and settled with her parents in Byron in 1850, marrying Mr. F. in 1864; they have
five children — George H., James E., Annie, Rose and Peter A. The Floods bought a heavily timbered
slice of Uncle Sam's domain, when they had but three neighbors; built a trough-covered "wigwam," and
began pioneer life ; the milling was done at Mayville with ox teams ; the old couple ended their lives in a
pleasant home, won by pluck and enterprise. James Flood was a carpenter, and did the inside work on
the first Roman Catholic church ever built in Eden ; it was built of logs, on the south line of Sec. 29,
and served well up to the time of the building of St. James' Church in 1865.' Peter F. is a Greenbacker,
and was twice Supervisor of Eden ; is, with his wife, a Roman Catholic.
PETER HERAT Y, farmer, Sec. 17 ; P. O. Eden ; born in County Mayo, Ireland, Nov. 18,
1839 ; son of James and Bridget H., who emigrated to America in 1847, living two years in Oswego Co.,
N. Y., then settling on Sec. 5, town of Mitchell, Sheboygan Co., Wis.; they bought eighty acres of heavy
timber, crossed by Indian trails and Indians also; built a log shanty, roofed with log "shakes;" having
paid their all for the land, they, for three long years, dujjf the land with a grub hoe ; all meat was obtained
of the Indians, the' family faring hard and working harder; in 1851 or 1852, they raised a crop of pota-
toes, and, as the market was good, sold enough to get a yoke of cattle. Peter, the eldest son, did his
share of this work, the result of which is the well-improved homestead of 240 acres, a large basement
barn, etc. On the 7th of January, 1874, he married in Osceola Miss Ellen, daughter of Daniel and Mary
Sullivan ; for their wedding trip, they canie to their present farm the next day ; this contains 200 acres,
and, with the large and pleasantly located residence upon it, was earned on the Sheboygan Co. farm by
men who were not afraid to dig the new, rooty soil of Wisconsin with a grub hoe. Mr. Heraty received ,
a common-school education and has taught eight terms, his wife having beaten him by one; they
have one son — James, born Oct. 20, 1874. Religion, Roman Catholic. Mr H. has served as Town
Treasurer and three times as Town Clerk of Mitchell, and was Town Clerk of Eden in 1875-76 ; his poli-
tics are Democratic.
IV. P. KELIiOGG, farmer. Sec. 18; P. 0. Eden; born in Madison Co., N. Y., in 1825 ;
spent his early life in his native county, and, in 1845, came to Wisconsin ; during the first winter, he was
in Kenosha Co., Wis.; the next spring, in company with his brother A. G., he made a cart, the wheels of
which were sawed ,off the end of a large log ; with two yoke of oxen on this, they reached Ceresco, Fond
du Lac po.; they hought 160 acres two and a half miles east of what is now Ripon, then open prairie ;
built a shanty of green lumber, which dried and left wide cracks, through which the snow would often
sift to a depth of several inches ; here they lived a bachelor's life, getting out fencing and shingles the
first winter, and baking bread every day, which froze in their barnlike shanty, in which was an old-fash-
ioned " Jewsharp " stove ; the next spring, they alone built, raised and shingled a good log house ; they
had much trouble to get milling done, and once, Mr. K. going forty-five miles to Columbus with a grist,
by bribing the miller got his in good time ; he had been long enough on a diet of beans, potatoes and
milk ; the brothers bought 160 acres more in 1847, and did good work with their breaking team. N. P.
Kellogg exchanged his share of the farm for a hotel near Watertown, where he spent the winter of 1851 ;
removed, the next June to Forest, where he built the well-known old Kellogg Tavern, on the plank road ;
this he kept four years, then farmed it on Sec. 18, same town, until 1868, when he bought his present
farm of 147 acres ; this was well improved ; he has a large and most pleasant farmhouse, and all needful
stock and implements. Married, in January, 1854, Miss Anna Owen, of the city of Dublin ; her parents
came to America when she was eight years old, locating in New York State, she coming to Wisconsin in
1847 ; Mr. and Mrs. Kellogg have three sons — Walter N., Charles H. and John F. Mr. K. is a Repub-
lican of Greenback tendencies. He is a hardy Wisconsin pioneer, who has earned a good home and
^oys it.
WIIililAM C. KEYS, farmer, Sec. 24 ; P. 0. Waucousta ; born in County Tyrone, Ire-
land, May 25, 1841 ; came to America in 1849 with his parents, William and Margeret Keys, who came
direct to the then village of Fond du Lac ; Mr. K., though then a lad, well remembers the building of Dr.
Darling's block; the family located one and a half miles east of the town, William attending district
EDEN TOWNSHIP. *86
ichool, as the schools were then organized ; in 1853, they settled in Osceola, where his father bought
leavily timbered Grovernment land, crossed by Indian trails, and Indians as well, during the first two
rears ; this was a genuine pioneer family, and saw much of pioneer life. In 1865, W. C. Keys settled
in his farm of eighty acres, marrying, the same year, Miss Ellen Adams, who was born, educated and mar-
ied in the town of Forest; they haYe one son — Willie A., born August 14, 1869. Mr. K. is a Green-
)acker, and is both a farmer and dairyman.
DANIEL McCarthy, farmer. Sec. 7 ; P. 0. Eden ; born in County Cork, Ireland, in
[814; came to America in 1844, and lived in Ontario Co., N. Y., until 1849, when he and his brother
Florence came to Wisconsin and bought 160 acres in Eden ; this took all his money, and he returned to
^ew York, worked to earn more, married, and, on his return, took his share of the quarter-section and
)uilt a log shanty, where the young couple lived frontier fashion two years ; he then bought forty acres in
Byron, on which was a small house, which ho moved, and is now part of his residence ; from this hard
)eginning, he has prospered ; has a good farm of 226 acres, a well-built modern house, and a basement
)arn 110 feet in length ; also has over two hundred Merino and Cotswold sheep, besides breeding cattle,
lorses, hogs, etc. Married Miss Mary Kingston, a native of County Cork, who came to America in 1847,
n Ontario Co., N. Y.; they have three children — Honora, Charles and Daniel. Mr. McCarthy is a Dem-
)crat and, with his family, a Catholic; he is a successful and self-made man.
FliOKENCE McCarthy, farmer. Sec. 18; P. 0. Eden; born in County Cork, Ireland,
n 1811 ; came to America in 1842, and was six years in the service of Thomas Beals, Esq., of Canan-
laigua, N. Y.; in 1849, came with his brother Daniel to Wisconsin and to Eden, where they spent their
ill for 160 acres of land ; his wife died in July, 1849, it being the first interment in the Byron cemetery ;
;his was a hard blow to the lonely settler ; but he worked away, cleared the farm, and then bought a farm
)f his own. In 1856, he married Miss Honora Butler, who died in 1858. , Mr. McCarthy has seventy-
bur acres and a most pleasant home ; was, in old times, an extensive wheat-grower, and sold the first load
iver drawn to the Eden market. He is a Democrat and a Catholic, and has held school office. His third
irife was Mrs. Mary McGraw, who died in July, 1872. leaving one daughter — Hannah, now the wife of
John Soannell, who was born and raised in Osceola Township.
JEREMIAH McCarthy, farmer, Sec. 7 ; P. 0. Eden ; born in County Cork, Ireland,
,n 1819; came to America in 1845, residing in Ontario Co., N. Y., until 1850, when he joined his broth-
srs in Eden and worked in partnership with them several years ; like his brothers, he began poor and is a
self-made man. After his marriage to Miss Nancy Kingston, he settled and built on his present location.
Mr. McCarthy has worked hard, managed well and been successful ; has a good farm of 166 acres, part of
ffhioh is the old homestead of 1849; has a large and pleasant farmhouse, good barns, etc. His worthy
^ife died Feb. 26, 1871, leaving two children — Florence and Mary A.; the second wife was Miss Mary
Mullen, by whom he has three children — Catherine T., Ellen M. and Jeremiah J. Mr. McCarthy lost
;wo children by the first wife and one by the second. He is a Democrat and, with his family, a Roman
Datholic; has on the farm 100 good Cotswold sheep, cattle (one Durham), horses, etc.
GEORfj-E McFARLAlVD (deceased) ; born in Glasgow, Scotland ; came to America about
1832, and worked as a quarryman in Ulster Co., N. Y. Here, in 1839, he married Miss Esther L. Somes,
I native of Greene Co., N. Y., to which they removed. In May, 1844, Mr. McFarland bought a farm in
Southern Wisconsin, which he sold, and was joined by his wife in 1846, they living in the town of Mil-
vaukee three years; in May, 1849, they bought the McFarland homestead of the Government, built a
louse of peeled poplar logs, roofed with basswood troughs, and which was the best in the vicinity; Mr.
Mcl^arland at once began clearing and breaking; sowed eight acres of wheat the first fall, some of
vhich he hauled with his ox team to Mayville, twenty miles, to have it ground ; the young couple
law enough of pioneering, but still prospered. Mr. McFarland died Feb. 9, 1865, leaving ten children —
Smeline, Phebe A., George E., Charles, Lucy S., William, John, Lorenzo D., Wiler (deceased) and Elmer
S. Mrs. McFarland has proved a most capable mother, as the house has been rebuilt and made a most
)leasant home, several good barns, etc., erected and the farm stocked and made valuable; it is now the
lome of Mrs. McF., William, Lucy and B. E., and is controlled by William. Mr. McFarland was an
ndependent Democrat. Emeline is married and is in Mower Co., Minn.; Phebe A. is also married and
ives in Fond du Lac, as is also George E.; Charles is married and a resident of Arizona; John and
Jorenzo are in Minnesota, the latter owning a farm in Pearlham. Mrs. McFarland is a Baptist in religious
lelief
JAMES MAHONE Y, farmer. Sees. 7 and 8 ; P. 0. Eden ; born in County Cork, Ireland.
Tune 20, 1830 ; came to America in 1844, locating in Ontario Co., N. Y., where he remained until May,
847, when he came to Eden and bought Government land for his brother, which he began clearing ; after
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
two years, he received eighty acres of this in payment ; he reached this by an Indian trail, and was pen-
niless, of course seeing many hardships ; used to carry a tomahawk and blaze the trees in getting about
the country, going to Watertown and Sheboygan Falls to mill ; he stayed the first few Aights on the soft
side of Mr. Bishop's cabin floor ; the best of feeling existed among the pioneers wlio used to go eight and
ten miles to a raising ; he says it took half the men in the county to raise Col. Conklin's mill, since burned.
Paul Cayee, Cass, Vandervoort and- Bailey were his neighbors; Mr. M. is now the oldest actual settler,
except Q. Hayes and Dr. Vandervoort. He married, in 1856, Miss Mary J., daughter of P. Kelly, one
of the first settlers in Byron; she died May 7, 1871, leaving eight children — Patrick, Ann M., Margeret,
James, Michael, Mary, Daniel and Eliza. On the 7th of November, 1871, he married Miss Catherine,
daughter of B. Twolig ; Mrs. M. was also of County Cork, coming to America in 1848, and to (Dsceola in 1853
or 1854 ; she was educated and began teaching in this town, and has taught thirteen terms; they have three
children — Nora A., Bartholomew S. and Katie. Mr. Mahoney was a most successful pioneer, now owning
204 acres, with good buildings.
THOIIAS F. mEADE, farmer, Sees. 21 and 29; P. 0. Eden; born in Washington Co.,
Wis., June 28, 1851, son of Patrick and Catherine M., who came to Washington Co., Wis., in 1850, and
to Eden, 1856; they bought the present Meade homestead of W. Odekirk, the Meades adding to both
the farm and the buildings ; in 1874, Patrick M. removed to a farm in the northwest part of Byron, he
and his wife coming from Ireland to America in 1848; they have five children — Thos. F., Mary A.,
Charles L., Andrew and Wm. H. Thomas P. Meade now owns 100 acres of the farm, and has control of
the remaining 100. He married Miss Mary P., daughter of A.'Dolan, of Byron, Nov. 27, 1877, she dying
June 6, 1879. Mr. M. is a Democrat of Greenback tendencies, and a Roman Catholic. He is a good
type of the stirring, progressive young Wisconsin farmer, devoting his farm to the usual grains and all
kinds of stock.
CHARLES MITCHELiL, farmer, Sees. 6 and 7 ; P. 0. Eden ; born in Middletown, Conn.,
March 1, 1819 ; when about 16, he went to New York City where he learned the carpenter's trade; then
locating in Onondaga Co., N. Y. where he married Miss Caroline Austin. Mr M. spent the winter of 1843
in Kenosha, Wis. ; then lived in McHenry Co., 111., until May, 1846, when he bought United States
land on Sec. 7, town of Eden, on which he settled ; on the arrival of his wife, they lived for a time in their
wagon, he building a rude shanty, roofed with hollow basswood logs split in half, the door hewed from a
log, and in one end, a rude fire-place ; he plowed a furrow for his first potato crop, turning back the tough
sod on the seed, and says he did raise the " murphys," but that they were flat as pancakes ; Indians, bears,
deers and wild-cats were his neighbors, the latter sometimes " borrowing " his poultry. Mr. Mitchell
helped to lay out the road past his farm, and many others ; drew his first grist to Fisher's mill, waited two
weeks, returned, and could find neither bags or grist ; after a period of semi-starvation on rice, etc., he
went with his ox toam to Watertown to mill ; then, owing to the rush of grists, was obliged to bribe the
miller in order to get his ground ; he used to carry an ax in his wagon to repair the primitive bridges of
the times, and was often out of both money and food ; his wife, a most worthy helpmeet, died June 20,
1879, leaving nine children — James, now an Iowa farmer; Helen, now Mrs. Chas. Hanson; Austin, a
New London (Wis.) M. D. ; Esther, wife of P. Anderson, of Clinton, Iowa ; and Oscar, Charles, Carrie,
Lula and Lenora, all on the farm. Mr. M. is a Republican, and a member of the U. B. Church in Christ ;
has 120 acres, on which is a valuable ledge of limestone, and a lime kiln, now managed by his sons.
JADIES J. ODEKIRK, farmer. Sec. 22, P. 0. Eden; born in Rensselaer Co., N. Y.,
Feb. 17, 1822 : spent his early life and was educated in his native town of Hoosick : came to Wisconsin
and to Eden in 1847, buying heavily timbered land of the Government; he built a shanty, 12x20, with a
flat roof of basswood troughs ; among the first trees he cut was an immense " bee tree," from which he and
his wife took four pails of honey, which was a most welcome feast; during the first years, Mr. 0.,in order
to live, used to seek and find work by the day, sometimes many miles from home, his plucky wife remain-
ing for days alone in the forest cabin, with Indians and wild animals for neighbors ; the present Fond du
Lac road was then an Indian trail ; one dark night, in coming from the house of a neighbor with a lantern,
they lost their way in the dense woods, and actually " camped out " that February night, building a fire
by the aid of the lantern ; most of their household furniture was home-made — a pork barrel and soap
barrel dug from logs, and a butter-bowl and ladle made of maple, the latter still in active use, and kept as
a token of old times ; they made large quantities of maple sugar, and exchanged it for coarse flour ; as a
result of this toilsome and needy beginning, Mr. Odekirk has 135 acres well improved, several large barns,
(one new one), and a pleasant residence, besides property in Fond du Lac — a good showing for a man who
used to make his summer shoes of old boot-legs. He married, Feb. 12, 1846, Miss Almira Kelyer, a
native of Grafton, N. Y., who was then 16, and began frontier life at 17 ; they have two children — Emma
EDEIS TOWNSHIP. ^987
^Dow Mrs. S. M. Kuter), and Alice A. (the wife of Charles Youmans). Mr. Odekirk is a Kepublican, and
las b^en Supervisor and Justice of the Peace. Three of the childrea are not living — Harriet A., James
F. and Julia.
WILiIilAM E. ODEKIRK, farmer, Sec. 26 ; P. 0. Eden ; bora in Peninsula, Ohio, May
16, 1853 ; his parents, Josiah P. and Harriet L. Odekirk, removed from Ohio to Eden, Wis., in 1857 ;
his father bought the homestead, which was then an oak and maple forest, and built a rude trough- '
covered shanty, where the family lived a number of years ; he did good work on the farm, built the farm-
house, and made improvements which are a monument to his memory. Enlisting September, 1864, in
Co. F, 43d W. V. I., he died in the service at Clarksville, Tenn., in February, 1865 ; his only son attended
school in the district, and after the marriage of his mother tQ Mr. B. Williams, bis home was sometimes
with him, and at other times with his grandfather, Isaac 0., in Ashford. April 9, 1874, he married Miss
Mary A., daughter of J. Kenney, who removed with his family from New Haven, Conn., to Fond da Lac
in 1855 ; Mrs. 0. was educated in Fond du Lac, and came to Eden in 1865 ; they have three children —
Mary J., Jirah F. and Edward J.; Mr. Odekirk has owned the homestead of 109 acres since 1874, has
built a large basement barn, has a good flock of fine-wool sheep, etc., with all needful implements. He is a pro-
gressive young farmer, and, like his honored father, is a Democrat, and, with his wife, a Koman Catholic.
MARTIN RYAW, farmer. Sec. 27 ; P. 0. Eden ; born in County Tipperary, Ireland, 1820 ;
came to America in 1847, settling on forty acres of Government land in Eden, April, 1850 ; built a small
shanty by splitting logs and carrying them on his shoulders, as he had no team, or money to buy one, and
then dug up an acre with a spade to raise corn and potatoes ; the furniture was made with, an ax out of
logs. Mr. R. use to thrash oats from dawn till dark for-every ninth bushel ; then shoulder a bag of flour
and carry it ten miles to his home ; his young wife, alone in the shanty day after day, used to take her
child on her back and tramp off at night to find their cow in the woods ; they fared for weeks on potatoes
and salt, Mr. R. being glad to hoe corn at 50 cents per day. The wife was Miss Ellen McMahon, who
was married at 18 ; they have nine children — James, Thomas, John, Michael, Margaret, Anna, Laura,
Ellen and Mary. In recompense for the hardships of pioneer times, Mr. R. now owns 330 acres of good
land, with a large house and several barns. The first fifteen years were spent in the shanty, which was
only four logs high, with a trough roof. Mr. Ryan is an independent Democrat, and, with his family, a
Roman Catholic.
THOmAS SEAMAN, farmer. Sec. 8 ; P. 0. Eden ; born in Norfolk, England, Feb. 16,
1837 ; when 18 years of age, he resolved to seek his fortunes in the New World ; locating at Syracuse,
N. Y., he began as a laborer, educating himself; came to Fond du Lao Co., in 1859. Enlisted Oct. 5,
1861, in Co. B, 10th W. V. I., operating against the Tennessee railroads for some time ; participating in
the bloody battles of Stone River, Chattanooga and Chickamauga ; was on special recruiting service in
Madison, Wis., six months, as acting Quartermaster Sergeant; rejoined his regiment at Atlanta in May,
1864; at the expiration of his time, became back to Wisconsin, and was commissioned Second Lieutenant
by Gov. James T. Lewis Jan. 28, 1865. He married, in 1867, Mrs. Hannah Carr, born in Norfolk,
England, who came to America when a babe, with her parents, settling in Wisconsin in 1849 ; she mar-
ried; in 1853, John Carr, who bought Government land in Eden in 1848, the patent being signed by Jam.es
K. Polk. Mr. C. enlisted, in 1864, in the 4th W. V. C, and died at Memphis, Tenn., April 25, 1865,
leaving seven children — Joseph, Calvin, Ann M., John H.. James W., William W. and Hannah. Mr.
and Mrs. Seaman have one child — Hattie G. Joseph Carr, the father of John, was the first actual settler
in Eden ; his old homestead, now the Seaman farm of 156 acres, is one of the very best in the town, well
watered and cultivated. Mr. Seaman was among the first to introduce the Lost Nation wheat, and sold
his crop for three years for seed ; he is now testing other varieties, which he will, in time, offer for sale ;
his wheat crop for 1872 averaged forty-eight bushels per acre. Mr. S. is a stirring farmer, and a Repub-
lican in politics.
GrEORGE V. THOMAS, farmer, Sec. 19 ; P. 0. Eden ; born on the homestead in Eden,
Feb. 14, 1852; son of Edward T., who emigrated from Shropshire, England, to America, locating in an
early day in Waukesha Co., Wis., removing in 1849 to Eden, with his family, and buying 131 acres of the
homestead, and has since bought forty acres ; the farm was wild and as nature's hand left it ; Mr. Thomas
built a log house and sowed wheat the first fall ; his wife was < Ann Robinson ; they have nine children —
Mary, Sarah, Richard, John, George V., Willam, Charles, Jennie and Anna. George V. Thomas was
aducated in the district and in the Fond du Lac High School ; at 21 he went to Kansas, remaining two
years, and was one summer in the Northwest, part on the United States survey, helping to lay out fifty-
seven townships; has since resided on the homestead. Married, Nov. 11, 1875, Miss Belle, daughter of
Isaac and Mary Nightingale, who came from England to America and Wisconsin nearly together ; married
988 BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES:
and settled on Government land in Byron ; Mrs. Thomas was born in Byron, and educated in the Highi
School in' Fond du Lac, and has taught two terms ; they have two children — Geneva and Ethel. Mr.
Thomas, like all his and also his wife's relations, is a stanch Republican. Mr. Thomas, Sr., has been Justice
of the Peace and Supervisor, and is now a resident of Fond du Lac; Mr. Nightingale has also held vari-
ous town offices. Mrs. Thomas is a member of the Byron Methodist Episcopal Church.
GEORGE TITUS, farmer, Sec. 5 ; P. 0. Eden ; born in Orange Co., N. Y., March 1, 1835 ;.
son of Albert and Margaret Titus, with whom he came to Eden in 1857, locating on a farm on Sec. 10;
Mr. Titus enlisted in Co. A, 14th W. V. I., Feb. 23, 1863 ; at Rome, Ga., Mr. Thomas was in the hos-
pital three and one-half months, but was under Thomas in the bloody battle of Nashville, and did good
service at Spanish Fort and Mobile, his regiment there being under fire thirteen days and nights ; at the
end of the war Mr. Titus again took hold of the plow. On the 24th of March, 1866, he married Miss
Lydia, daughter of Martin and Mary Beas, who came from Erie Co., N. Y., to Eden in October, 1852 ^
she is a native of Erie Co., and was married in Fond du Lac ; they have one son — Willie A., born -Aug.
30, 1868 ; Mr. Titus is an enterprising farmer ; has an excellent farm of forty-eight acres and a good home.
In politics a Republican. His father died in August, 1873 ; his mother is still living with him.
C. E. TRIPP, farmer, Sec. 13 ; P. 0. Eden ; born in the town of Floyd, Oneida Co., N. Y.,
Feb. 15, 1847 ; in 1853, his parents, E. E. and S. P. Tripp,, removed to Walworth Co., Wis., remaining
several years, Chester attending school ; about 1863, the family came to the town of Fond du Lac, he
then attending a select school in the city ; the family, after three years, located on a farm in Eden ; Mrs.
Tripp died in Fond du Lac Township in 1863, followed by Mr. Tripp in 1876. C. E. Tripp married,
Dec. 8, 1870, Miss Hannah J., daughter of William and Margaret Keyes, who left County Tyrone, Ire-
land, in 1851, when Mrs. Tripp was a babe, coming at once to Fond du Lac Co., Mr. Keyes buying land
in Osceola in 1853, when the forest was so dense that he cut a road to his farm ; then cut more for a build-
ing spot ; Mr. and Mrs. Tripp have two children — Herbert E. and Rose B., Mr. Tripp, a progressive
young farmer, has a most pleasant home and a good farm of sixty acres ; he is a practical butcher and
stock-dealer, selling beef and stock in Chicago and Fond du Lac ; he is also a contractor for the Northern
Wisconsin markets. In politics a Democrat, and a member in good standing of the Fond du Lac Lodge^
No. 30, I. 0. 0. F. Mr. Tripp, in company with J. J. and E. J. Tripp, is owner of a steam-thrasher.
H. W. "VAX TASSEIa, agent of the Chicago & North-Western Railway Co., and American
Express Co., Eden ; born in Cayuga Co., N. Y., Nov. 5, 1844. In 1852, his parents removed to Kenosha,
Wis., where H. W. attended the public schools; in 1851, he enlisted in the grand old 1st W. V. I.; was
under Rosecranz and Sherman in the battles of Perryville, Stoue River, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge,
Lookout Mountain, Rocky Face Ridge, Snake Creek Gap, Resaca, Kingston, Marietta, Chattahoochie
River and three desperate battles before Atlanta, also at Jonesboro, where the regiment made an unusually
brilliant record, doing what several veteran regiments failed to do, and holding the rebel position ; this was
not only the first Wisconsin regiment to go forward, but is the first on the pages of Wisconsin's glorious
war record ; going into the service 1,204 strong, it came out in October, 1865, with 131 men all told; Mr.
Van Tassel lost but eight day in three years, and came out safely with a sergeant's commission. During
the next six years he sailed on Lake Michigan ; kept a restaurant in Muskegon two years ; then began his
railroad life, helping to grade and fence both the M. & N. and the N. W. Union roads ; in October, 1873, he
was appointed to his present position, which he has since held ; did the business for three years in what is
now the well-house, as the depot was not built. Married Miss Sarah Guyou, of Kenosha, in 1870 ; they
have one son — Louie, born in Ashford June 23, 1873. Mr. Van Tassel is a stanch Republican.
M. VANDERVOORT, M. D., Eden ; bom in Clinton Co., N. Y., Aug. 24, 1840 ; son of
Rev. Peter Vandervoort, who came to Eden with his family in March, 1846,, buying a large tract of Gov-
ernment land ; he built a log shanty which served in those days as a hotel, and for town meetings ; roads
were trails, and bridges very primitive in those days ; Rev. Peter Vandervoort, preached the first sermon
in the town, and the only ones for years ; he is thought to have preached the first funeral sermon in the
county, in the spring of 184(3; the Elder now resides in Fond du Lac ; has identified himself with the U.
B. Church for many years. In the fall of 1849, the district schoolhouse was built, and of A. Briggs, the
first teacher, Michael Vandervoort learned the rudiments of his education ; when about 16 he attended a
private school in Fond du Lac ; was then in the city High School one year ; during the winter of 1858,
he taught school, and in 1859, went overland to Pike's Peak, spending six years in Colorado, Mexico, the
Northwest Territories and British Possessions ; he had made a study of medicine during his travels, and on
his return to Eden devoted his whole energy to the study of his chosen profession ; in the spring of 1866,
he entered Hahnemann College, Chicago, graduating from the full course as physician and surgeon in the
fall of 1867 ; has since practiced in Eden, with the exception of the year 1875, when he practiced in Walla.
MAKSHFIELD TOWNSHIP. 989'
^alla, Washington Territory ; the Doctor has always, when in the county, lived on the original homestead
'hich he owns ; his residence is most pleasantly located, about eighty rods from Eden Station. In 1877,
e married Miss Loia, daughter of Sumner Sweet, Esq,, one of the pioneers of Byron. Dr. Vandervoort
; a Greenback Republican, a most successful practitioner; he has, by his unremitting attention to his pro-
jssional duties caused a partial failure of his health ; he has been for three years a member of the Wiscon-
in State Homoeopathic Society.
AARON WALiTERIS, farmer, Sec. 10; P. O. Eden; born in Plattsburg, Clinton Co., N.
^, Aug. 7, 1809; was educated in Plattsburg Academy; was by trade a blacksmith; was in business
ve years at Rouse's Point; in 1846, he visited Wisconsin, and bought his farm of Uncle Sam; returning
J his native State, he remained until August, 1849, then settled on his claim in the oak openings; he
oon cleared and broke forty acres of this, also worked for many years at his trade ; as an early settler, he
iw and can relate many interesting incidents of pioneer life. Mr. Walters is closely identified with the
arly history, as he was Chairman of Eden sixteen years, and as a stanch War Democrat, did his town
ood service in war times ; was a County Superintendent of the Poor twelve years, and a County Super-
isor six years ;, was a member of the Wisconsin Assembly in 1857 and in 1872; Mr. Walters is well
nown in his county, as a successful farmer and public-spirited citizen ; his official record is above reproach ;
'ith his only son, he owns and manages 200 acres, with the necessary barns, stock, implements, etc.; he built
tie second frame house in Eden, has remodeled it, added to it and made it one of the best. Married his first
'ife in 1831 ; she was Orpha B. Grriswold, died 1839, leaving three children — Roswell W., Sarah J. and
lary (deceased). In 1840, he married Rosanna Averill, who died in 1858, leaving two children — Mary
1. and Aaron (deceased). In 1859, he married Mrs. Mary Norman, born in 1818 in Bennington, Vt.,
od a daughter of Daniel and Rebecca Welch, she married Chester Norman, and settled in Waukesha Co.,
V^is., in 1843; he died in 1855, leaving three children; — James C., Frances and Mary J. ; the mother of
Irs. W. was a native of Dutchess Co., N. Y., and a near relative of ex-GrOvernor Enos T. Throop
deceased), of Auburn, N. Y.
BEMSIiEY WILLIAMS, farmer. Sec. 26; P. O. Eden; was born in Onondaga Co., N.
., Nov. 10, 1820 ; was educated there and resided there until November, 1855, when he came to Wis-
Dnsin, and settled on his present farm in Eden ; began with forty acres of heavy timber, on which a
[lanty had been put up and lefj; unfinished ; Mr. W. was something of a carpenter, and at once finished
le house, then began the hard labor of chopping and logging ; burned the timber at first in order to clear
wheat-field; he has done "full tasks" as a woodsman, as his present farm of 234 acres was then a forest,,
as sold wood in Fond du Lac, and also burned large quantities for charcoal. Married Miss Lucy North,
■ho died July 23, 1860, leaving five children — Emma F., Emerette M., Susan E., John B. and Mary
[. In 1866, he married Mrs. Harriet L. Odekirk, a daughter of Justice Da Lee, of Washington Co., N..
'.; she married, in 1851, J. P. Odekirk, who died in 1865, leaving one son, William E.; Mr. and Mrs.
V. have one daughter, Minnie E. Mr. Williams is independent in politics and religion ; he has devoted.
jnSiderable attention to the improvement of his stock of cattle, sheep, etc.
MARSHFIELD TOWNSHIP.
FRANK BEAU, Postmaster, also dealer in general merchandise, Calvary Station, was born in
hampagne, France, Sept. 29, 1830 ; when he was 8 years of age, his parents emigrated to Aran,
Titzerland, where he was educated ; after leaving school, he shippsd on a mercantile vessel, and followed
e sea for about seven years, during which time he visited many of the principal ports of the world. In
553, he came to Sheboygan, Wis., where he married, in 1854, Katie Smitzbauer, a native of Bavaria,,
ermany, born in 1833, and who came to Sheboygan a few months prior to their marriage ; in 1869, they
ime to Calvary Station ; their children are Maggie (now wife of George Brown), Mary, Frank, John, Joseph,
eorge. Otto, Frances, Rosa and Henry ; Mr. B. was foreman of the construction of the Sheboygan & Fond du
ac R. R., and held various positionson that road; after its completion, in 1872, he engaged in thegrain busi-
5SS at Calvary Station, and in the fall of 1877, he estabUshed a general store, and has successfully carried on
)th of the enterprises, and by his liberality and fair dealing,- has secured a large trade ; he has been Post-
aster since 1873. He is a Republican in politics. His father, Alois Beau, was a native of Switzerland;
5 married, in Champagne, France, Theresa Tressler ; she died in Arau, Switzerland ; the elder Beau was
follower of Napoleon, went through all of his campaigns, and was with him a short time at St. Helena '
land ; he came to Sheboygan, Wis., in 1853, and died there in 1862.
■990 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
MATTHIAS BOURGEOIS, Mt. Calvary; this gentleman, who has been for a
mumber of years a leading business man at Mt. Calvary, was born in Zaubaugh, Kries Cochem, Germany;
he received a thorough, education in his native village, and was book-keeper and general manager for a
large mininj, company in MuUenbach, prior to his coming to America ; in 18-17, he emigrated to Green
Bay, Wis., and clerked in a mercantile store at that place until 1848, in which year he came to Marshfield
and engaged in farming; during the years 1851-52, he had charge of the mercantile store of Aaron Leo-
pold ; this was the first store in Mt. Calvary ; in 1856, he removed to Marytown, and took charge of a
store at that place for the firm of Brownson & Laughlin, which firm he bought out about 1858, and
■engaged in the mercantile business on his own account until July, 1859, when he returned to Mt. Calvary
and engaged in farming until 1875 ; he then bought a large brewery, located in the vicinity of Mt. Calvary,
•which he has operated since ; his residence, which is one of the finest in the northwestern part of the county,
he erected in 1869, at a cost of several thousand dollars ; he is engaged in grain dealing at Calvary Station, with
Wagner & Co., and does a large business ; he owns valuable city property in Fond du Lao, also property in
Calvary Station and Mt. Calvary to the amount of several thousand dollars. June 27, 1858, he married,
at Sheboygan, Wis., Rosa Schrage ; she was born in Sohwelm, Germany, and was the daughter of Peter
■C. and Julia Schrage ; their children are Mary^ Julia, Barbara, Henry, Caspar, Matthias, Amelia, Edmund
and Rodolph. Mr. Bourgeois is a man of the sternest integrity, and executes all his plans with great
promptness and uncommon energy; the fruits of his labors will long survive him in the business enter-
prises which he carried to completion ; he was always an active and public-spirited citizen, ever ready to
render assistance to every enterprise that gave promise of general good; in' religious and educational
matters, he has always taken a deep and active interest, and he is a citizen that the town of Marshfield
•could ill afford to be without.
JOHIV P. BUTZ, farmer. Sec. 21 ; P. 0. Calvary ; was born in the village of Vossenack,
Kries Montgoi, Germany, Jan. 1, 1835. In 1847, he emigrated with his parents to America, and settled '
in the town of Marshfield, Fond du Lac Co., Wis., where he has since resided ; Jan. 30, 1865, he married
at Mt. Calvary, Fond du Lac Co., Wis., Katie Kommers, daughter of Adolph and Katrina Kommers, old
and honored residents of Marshfield; she was born in Neumageni Germany, Jan. 2, 1847; they have
six children — Annie K., May, Marguerite, Clara, Regina and Gertrude. Mr. Butz owns 105 acres of
land located on Sees. 21 and 22; and well improved. In politics, he is a Democrat. His father, John
Butz, was born in Vossenack, Kyies Montgoi, Germany, in 1800 ; he married in his native village, Annie
G. Wirtz, they emigrated to this country in 1847, and settled in Marshfield, Pond du Lac Co., Wis.,
where she died in 1850 ; he died in Hennepin Co., Minn., while on a visit to some of his children in
1870. Their children are Adolph (now of Hennepin Co., Minn., he served in a Minnesota battalion
•during the war of the rebellion), Magdalene (wife of J. Linzen, Hennepin Co., Minn.), John P. (whose
name appears at the head of this sketch), John J. (now of Hennepin Co., Minn., he was a soldier in a
Minnesota regiment during the war of the rebellion), Frank P. (also of Hennepin Co., Minn.), Virginia,
(now deceased), Katie (wife of Peter Kommers,. Hennepin Co., Minn., he was a soldier in the Union army
during the war of the rebellion, and was severely wounded).
J. H. COOIilDGE, merchant, St. Cloud ; was born in Hillsborough, N. H., in 1833, where
he received a preliminary education which fitted him to enter the Union Academy, at Washington, N. H.,
where he completed his education ; in 1851, he went to Boston, Mass., and was in the mercantile busi-
ness there until 1856, in which year he went to Milwaukee, Wis., wnere he remained but a short time,
in the autumn of 1856, he came to Fond du Lac,and was clerk in Register's Ofiice about one year,
afterward was express agent; in 1859, he went to the town of Forest, and there engaged in teaching school
and farming; in 1*^69 he moved to St. Cloud and engaged in the meroantilebusiaess, which he has suc-
cessfully! continued in since. The first two years he carried on in connection with the mercantile business
a flouring-mill and wood manufactory ; in 1872, he was elected Clerk of Fond du Lac County, for a term
of two years ; he was appointed Postmaster at St. Cloud when the post office was established in 1869, a
position he has since filled ; he has also held the office of Notary Public for several years. March 18,
1860, he married, in the town of Forest, this (Fond du Lac) county, Elizabeth Davidson, nee Coleman ;
they have had three children — Marshall H., Alton G., and Dana C. ; Alton G. died at the age of four
years. Mrs. Coolidge had two children by her first husband (Thos. R. Davidson, who was a former settler
of Forest, and died there in October, 1854), viz.: Henry I., who died in 1876, was County Clerk at the
time of his death ; and Charles C, now mail agent on the Sheboygan & Fond du Lac R. R. In politics,
Mr. Coolidge is a consistent, intelligent, and active Republican. He owns 400 acres of land in the town
•of Forest, and large tracts of land in Lincoln and Chippewa Cos. Wis. He has led a very active and
industrious life, and by his good management, his efforts in every walk of life have met with success. He
^^^^/^
ST CLOUD.
MAKSHFIELD TOWNSHIP. 993
takes an active interest in all public enterprises that proniise in any way to develop the interests of his
town and county, and the people in general.
ISAAC JB. Cli ARK, farmer, and proprietor of a saw-mill, St. Cloud ; was born in Gloucester,
Providence Co., R. I., in 1835 ; in 1851, he moved with his parents to Wisconsin, and settled in the town
of Greenbush, Sheboygan Co., where he married, in 1857, Harriet Thachray ; she was born in Syracuse,
N. Y., in 1839 ; in 1868, Mr. Clark erected a saw-mill in St. Cloud, which was the first saw-mill in the
town of Marshfield ; in 1860, he moved his family to St. Cloud; thus Mr. Clark and family became the
first residents of that village. His children are Clarence, Otis, William, Jfiseph and John. He owns 160
acres of land besides his mill property, In politics, Mr. Clark was in early life a Whig ; he has acted with
the Republican party since its organization ; he has been elected to various local offices. His father,
Hazel P. Clark, was a merchant in Gloucester, R. I., for a number of years, also a large manufacturer of
cloths, and was elected to many positions of power and trust in his native county (Providence Co., R. I.).
He was twice married ; his first wife was Elmira Darling, she died shortly after their marriage ; second
wife and the mother of the children below given was Thelotia Ballard; they moved the Sheboygan Co.,
Wis., in 1851 ; settled in Greenbush, erected mills, and the place was known as Clark's Mills until
recently, when the name was changed to Glenbeulah ; he died in 1856 ; she died in 1877 ; their children
are Isaac B., at Glenbeulah ; Isabel, now wife of R. A. Vanostine, Glenbeulah, Wis. ; Elisha ; William,
who died in 1875 ; Abbie, wife of J. Donohue, Asst. Supt. of Lake Shore R. R.
HUBBARD GUEL.IG-, farmer. Sec. 9; P. O. Heinsburg; was born in Kries Adnau, Ger-
many, in 1835 ; in 1846, he emigrated to this country, with his parents, and settled in the town of Marsh-
^eld. Fond du Lac Co., Wis., which has been his home since. He has been twice married ; his first wife
was Annie Wegestein ; she is now deceased ; by this marriage, the children are Matthias, Joseph,
Frances and Annie. His present wife was Gertrude Konz, daughter of Matthias and Helena Konz, pio-
neer settlers of Marshfield ; she was born in this town (Marshfield) in 1848 ; their children are Fred,
Louis and Mary. Mr. Guelig owns 152 acres of land; he is a Democrat in politics. His father, John
Guelig, was born in Kries Adnau, Germany, in 1801. He married, in his native country, Maggie Nett;
she was born in 1804 ; they settled in Marshfield, Fond du Lac Co., Wis., in 1846, and are now the oldest
couple living in the town of Marshfield ; their surviving children are Mary, wife of N. Hubertz ; Hub-
bard, whose name appears at the head of this sketch ; Matthias, of the town of Calumet, Wis.; Katie,
wife of N. Schmiddlecoifer, of this town (Marshfield) ; Andrew, now living in Brazil.
JOSEPH HEIiZ, proprietor of harness-shop, Mt. Calvary ; was born in Richfield, Washing-
ton Co., Wis., Feb. 14, 1854 ; when he was 13 years of age, he went to Milwaukee, and there learned the
harness-making trade ; in 1874, he came to Mt. Calvary and engaged in business, and has met with
almost unprecedented success. He married, in Mt. Calvary, in 1875, Anna Platz; she was born in Mil-
waukee ; they have three children — Charlie J., John B. and Philip J. Mr. Helz keeps a full line of
everything to be found in a harness-shop, and, by his strict attention to his business and good workman-
ship, he has secured a large and an increasing trade. His father, Charles Helz, was a native of Germany ;
he settled in Washington Co., Wis., in about 1843, thus becoming a pioneer settler of that county. He
married, in his adopted county, Elizabeth Rosar ; he was one of the most extensive farmers in Washing-
ton Co., and a public-spirited citizen; he died Jan. 1, 1879 ; his children are Charles (now of New Hamp-
ton, Iowa), Katrina (wife of M. Fisher, Milwaukee), Elizabeth (wife of Wm. Fogler, Milwaukee), Joseph,
Henry, Anna, Frank and Jacob.
JOHN HENNEN, farmer, Sec. 21 ; P. 0. Calvary ; was born in Gellbauren, Kries Cochem,
Germany, April 18, 1808, in 1852, he emigrated, with his parents, Peter J. and Marguerite Hannen, to
America, and located in the town of Marshfield, Fond du Lac Co., Wis., where he remained about two
years, at the end of which time he went to the Lake Superior region, Michigan, and there lived until
about 1856, when he returned to Marshfield, remaining until 1859, when he went totStearns Co., Minn.
In 1860, he went to Houghton, Mich,, where he married, on the 18th of August, 1864, Katie Lafon-
taine ; she was born in Bartonicour, Luxemburg, Germany, May 31, 1842; after their marriage, they
remained in Michigan until 1866, in which year they moved to. where they now reside. Mr. Hennen is. a
Democrat in politics ; he has been Town Clerk of Marshfield since 1876 ; he owns a well-improved farm,
^nely located. His father, Peter J. Hennen, was born in Bauren, Kries Cochem, Germany, in 1804.
He married, in his native country, in 1837, Marguerite Maas ; she was born in Gellbauren, Kries Cochem,
Germany, in 1810 ; they settled in this (Fond du Lac) county in 1852 ; their children are : John, whose
name heads this sketch; Matthias J., of Forest; Nicholas, of Marshfield; John N., now of Stearns Co.,
Minn, (he was a soldier in the 4th Mich. V. I., during the war of the rebellion) ; Joseph, of Morrison Co.,
Minn.; Matthias, of Stearns Co., Minn. Mrs. J. Hennen's parents, Nicholas and Elizabeth Lafontaine,
MM
994 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
settled at Belgium, Wis., in 1856, where they reside; they have five children — Joseph, Mary (now wife^
of J. Burkel), Annie, wife of M. Briat, Katie, wife of John Hennen.
ADOIiPH KOMMERS, Mount Calvary; was born in Neumagen, Prussia, in 1803. He^
married, in his native country, Katrina Rohr. They emigrated to America in 1847 ; settled in Calumet,
Fond du Lac Co., whore they remained until the following year, when they removed to Marshfield, which
has been their home since ; their children are four — Mary (wife of M. J. Miesen) Matthias (a merchant
in Mount Calvary), Peter (lives in Minnesota), Katrina (wife of John P. Butz, Mount Calvary.)
MATTHIAS KOMMCjRS, dealer in general merchandise, Mt- Calvary ; was born in Ger-
many July 4, 1841 ; in 1847, he emigrated to America with his parents, Adolph and Katarine Kommers;.
they settled in the town of Calumet, this (Fond du Lac) county, and lived there until 1848. when they
moved to Marshfield, where the subject of this sketch received a preliminary education; he afterward
attended school at Milwaukee, where he received a thorough business education; he was in Nevada and,
California from 1861 until 1868 ; while he was in Nevada, he became proprietor of a valuable silver mine
at Austin, which he afterward sold at a high figure. Jan. 7, 1869, he married, at Mt. Calvary, Margaret
Wolf; she was born Jan. 23, 1851, near Wolf's Lake, town of Marshfield (the lake indicated was named
for her parents, Ludwig and Anna K. Wolf, who settled in the vicinity of the lake in 1847) ; their chil-
dren are Adolph, William, Ludwig, Joseph, Mary and Dana. Mr. Kommers engaged in the mercantil&
business in Mt. Calvary in 1877 ; he has a large and constantly increasing trade ; his business averages
about $30,000 a year ; in politics, Mr. K. is a Democrat.
FRJED K.01VZ, farmer and manufacturer. Sec. 15 ; P. O. Calvary Station ; was born in Prussiar
Aug. 5, 1841. In 1846, his parents, Mathias and Helena Konz, came to this (Fond du Lac) county, and
settled in the town of Marshfield, where the subject of this sketch attended school until 1855, when he
went to Green Bay, Wis., and engaged to learn the blacksmith trade ; he remained in Green Bay until
1860, then returned to Marshfield and has since resided there. Mr. Konz was one of the organizers and
first Board of Directors of the Marshfield Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and was elected President of
the company in 1876, a position he still fills with credit; he is Chairman of the Town Board of Super-
visors since 1876, and has been District School Clerk three years. In politics, he is a Democrat. Nov.
25, 1869, Mr. Konz married, at Mt. Calvary, Mary Wolf, daughter of Ludwig and Anna K. Wolf;,
they have nine children — Louis, John, William, Joseph, Henry, Frank, Mary, Julia and Peter. Mr.
Konz owns a finely located farm ; he and his brother, John Konz, have established a wagon and general
repair shop, on Sec. 15, where they do a good business in repairing and manufacturing buggies, wagons, etc.
JOHN KONZ, of the firm of Konz Bros., proprietors of wagon and general repair shops j
Calvary; was born in Kries Cochem, Germany, Sept. 16, 1839. In 1847, he emigrated to America,,
with his parents, Mathias and Helena Konz, and settled in the town of Marshfield, this (Fond du Lac)
county, where he remained until 1857, when he went to Green Bay, there he learned the wagon-making
trade. He married, at Mt. Calvary, Fond du Lac Co., Wis., in 1864, Gertrude Wolf (daughter of Lud-
wig and Anna K. Wolf, who settled in the vicinity of the lake that now perpetuates their name in
Marshfield, this — Fond du Lac — county) ; their children are Joseph, Julia, Amelia, Mary, Mathew, Clara,
Paulina and Josephine. In politics, Mr. K. is a Democrat; he has been elected to various local offices..
The Konz Bros, established their present place of business in 1862 ; they have a large trade, and their
work is noted for durability and neatness.
ANTOINE KRAEM ER, farmer, Sec. 21 ; P. 0. Mt. Calvary ; was born in MuUenbach,.
Kries Cochem, Germany, Jan. 28, 1819. He emigrated to America in 1842, came to Wisconsin the same
year, and settled in Pond du Lac Co., thus becoming a pioneer settler. Dec. 13, 1843, he married Mary Ann
Brost, daughter of John and Anna K. Brost, who settled in the town of Calumet, Fond du Lac Co., Wis.,
in 1842 ; she was born in Ulmen, Kries Cochem, Germany, Oct. 8, 1826, died on the 4th of January,
1879, in Marshfield ; she was a sincere and Christian woman, and one that will be long remembered for
her many acts of kindness ; they had fourteen children, eight of whom are living — Matthias, who married
in Fond du Lac Co., Wis., Mary Munich, they are now living in Mitchell Co., Iowa; Mary, the wife ot
Joseph Pauly, Taycheedah ; Katie, wife of John Classen, Mitchell Co., Iowa ; Barbara, wife of C.
Ammen, Marshfield ; Francisco, wife of George Berenz, Sheboygan Co., Wis. ; Marguerite, Sister of
Mercy, Fond du Lac: John and Magdalene. Mr. Kraimer owns 245 acres of land, well improved ;. he
has now resided in Marshfield for more than thirty-seven years, and therefore is the oldest settler now
living, in that town. Himself and wife were the first couple married that resided in Marshfield. In
politics, Mr. K. is a Democrat.
MATTHIAS lilTZEN, farmer and stock-raiser. Sec. 9; P. 0. Calvary ; was born in Marsh- ,
field. Fond du Lac Co., Wis., June 7', 1848. Sept. 5, 1878, he married, in Marytown Church, Fond dm.
MARSHFIELD TOWNSHIP.- 995
Lac Co., Wis., Annie Wolf; she was born in the city of Fond du Lac in 1862; they have one child —
Louis. Mr. Litzen owns 217 acres of land, most desirably located and finely improved ; he is a Democrat
in politics. His father, Matthias Litzen, was born in Germany in 1818. He married, in his native
country, Anna Storen; they emigrated to America in 1846 ; settled in Marshfield, Fond du Lac Co., Wis.,
the same year; he died in 1870 ; she is still living; their children are Clara, now the wife of Joseph
Schmitz, of Marshfield ; Elizabeth, wife of Theodore Wolf, of Manitowoc Co., Wis. ; Matthias, whose
name heads this sketch ; Jacob, deceased ; Katie, wife of Fred Remiger, St. Cloud, Wis.; Maggie, wife of
Jabob Schiller, Wood Co., Wis.; Mary. Mrs., M. Litzen's parents were Peter and Annie K. Wolf; they
settled in Milwaukee, Wis., in 1847, afterward came to Fond du Lac City, where they lived several years ;
both are now deceased ; their children are Gertrude, wife of John Blunes, Milwaukee ; John H., of St.
Cloud, Wis.; Mary, wife of John Fuchs, Calumet ; Louis, now a resident of Milwaukee ; Annie, wife of
Matthias Lilzen.
JOHW J. jfllCHELIS, farmer. Sec. 15; P. 0. Calvary; was born in Kries Cochem, Ger
many, Nov. 11, 1820. He married Anna M. Winken ; they emigrated to America in 1852 ; settled in
Marshfield, Fond du Lac Co., where they have since resided; their children are Maggie (now wife of
Antoine Mullenbach, of Calumet), Mary (wife of Peter Mullenbach, also of Calumet), Paul, Lambert,
Peter and Gertrude ; Mr. Miohels owns 155 acres of land. In politics, he is a Democrat. He was a
soldier in the German Army two years.
M. J. MIBSBN, farmer, and Secretary of the Marshfield Fire Insurance Co., Mt. Calvary, was
born in Eppenberg, Kries Cochem, Germany, Dec. 24, 1829; he attended the schools in his native
village, and acquired a liberal education ; in 1847, he emigrated with his parents, Peter and Elizabeth
Miesen ; they settled in the town of Marshfield, Fond du Lac Co., Wis., where the subject of this sketch
remained but a short time before he went to Du Page Co., 111., where he lived about three years, Working
on a farm during the summer and attending school in the winter months ; from Du Page Co. he went to Mor-
gan Co., and thence to Sangamon Co., 111., where he also attended school ; he lived in the three counties indi-
cated between four and five years. He then returned to this town (Mashfield), and August 9, 1854, married,
at Mt. Calvary, Mary Kommers, daughter of Adolph and Katarina Kommers, who are still living, and were
pioneers of the town of Marshfield; they have twelve children — Katarina (now wife of A. Hardwork, Deca-
tur Co., Kan.), M. J., Jr.; Margaret (wife of P. Bernard, Decatur Co., Kan.), Peter, Adolph, Marian, Paul-
ina, Francisco L., Veronica J., Anna K., Clara K., and Juliana Marguerite ; Mr. Miesen was one of the
organizers of the Marshfield Insurance Co., was elected Secretary at its organization in 1874, and has filled
that position since, to the satisfaction of all interested ; he was Town Clerk of Marshfield twenty years, and
Justice of the Peace an equal length of time ; was County Superintendent of the Poor twelve years, also
Town Treasurer and Assessor several years ; he has been Notary Public over six years — a position he still
holds ; he owns 120 acres of land. He is a Democrat in politics.
PliTfiR MIESEN (deceased), was born June 1, 1793, in Eppenberg, Kries Cochem, Prus-
sia. He married, in his native country, Elizabeth Lamperich ; she died in Eppenberg, Prussia, and he
emigrated to this country in 1847, and settled in the town of Marshfield, Fond du Lac Co., Wis., where
he resided until his death, March 17, 1869.
ANTHONY ROTHGERY, Postmaster and merchant tailor, Mt. Calvary ; was born in
Sheffield, Lorain Co., Ohio, Dec. 4, 1842 ; when he was about 1 year old, his parents moved to Cleve-
land, Ohio, where he was educated, and afterward learned the tailor's trade ; in 1864, he came to Wis-
consin, and worked in the city of Pond du Lao until 1868, in which year he came to Mt. Calvary and
engaged in merchant tailoring; he was appointed Postmaster in 1877. He married, at Mt. Calvary, Mary
V. Enders; she was born in the town of Marshfield, Fond du Lac Co., Wis.; they have four children —
Christine W., Theodore B., Amelia and Ida K. His father, John Rothgery, lives in Cleveland, Ohio ; he
was twice married, his first wife being Anna G. Olig; she died in Cleveland; the children by this
marriage are Anthony, Joseph, Christine (who is now the wife of Joseph Enders, of Marshfield) ;'
Joseph, the second oldest of the above named, served in an Ohio regiment during the war of the rebel-
lion . Mr. Rothgery's second wife was Katie Dean, by whom there are three children.
PETER SCHRAGE, dealer in wines, liquors and cigars, Calvary Station, was born in
Schwelm, Prussia, Sept. 13, 1846 ; when he was 5 years old, he emigrated with his parents (Peter C.
and Julia Sehrage), to Sheboygan, Wis., where he remained until 1862, when he came to the town of
Marshfield ; he established the first general store in Calvary Station in 1868, and was engaged in the
mercantile business from that time until 1877, when his store was burned ; he shortly afterward erected
the house he now occupies. Feb. 12, 1862, he married Mary Wagner, daughter of Hon. Joseph Wagner ;
996 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
they have four children — Roaelin, Alidaj Mary and Herman. In politics, Mr. Schrage acts with the
Democratic party.
RICHARD SCHR A.Glii, dealer in general merchandise, Mt. Calvary ; was born in Schwelm,
Germany, Oct. 7, 1847 ; he is the son of Petor 0. and Julia Schrage, and emigrated with them to She-
boygan, Wis., in 1855 ; thence to Marshfield in 1862 ; in 1863, he went to Fond du Lsc and learned the
tinner's trade, and afterward went to Qhicago, 111., and worked at his trade there about four years ; in
1867, he established a tinshop in Mt. Calvary, which he still runs in connection with his general store;
in 1868, he bought of his father, who had been engaged in the mercantile business at Mt. Calvary several
years, the mercantile store he now does business in. Nov. 26, 1868, he married, at Mt. Calvary, Julia
Bohn ; she was born April 10, 1848 ; they have six children — Charlie P., born Oct. 11, 1869 ; Bertha
M., born April 23, 1871 ; Adelaide J., bprn Jan. 26, 1873 ; Petronelia A., born Feb. 20, 1875 ; Bertha
M., born Oct. 17, 1876 ; Gustave L., born Jan. 1, 1879. Mr. Schrage is a Democrat in politics.
STEPHEN SIMOIV, farmer. Sec. 5 ; P.O. Heinsburg ; was born in Kries Mien, Germany,
March 29; 1846 ; while he was yet a child, his parents emigrated to America, and settled in the town of
Taycheedah, Fond du Lac Co., Wis., where Stephen received a liberal education. In 1868 he married, in
Fond du Lac, Anna Schneider, daughter of Stephen and Mary K. Schneider, who were natives of Ger-
many, and emigrated to this country, and settled in Marshfield, Fond du Lac Co., Wis., in about 1846,
where Anna, the wife of the subject of this , sketch, was born. Immediately after their marriage, Mr.
Simon and wife moved to Marshfield, and it has been their home since ; their children are John, Peter,
Joseph, Annie and Gertrude. Mr. Simon owns 120 acres of land ; he has been Justice of the Peace
several years, and has filled various other local ofiices. In politics, he acts with the Democratic party.
-His father, John Simon, married in his native country (Germany), Gertrude Koenigs, they came to this
country as before stated, in 1846, settling in Taycheedah, Fond du Lac Co., Wis., the same year, where
they still reside.
CHRISTIAN STEPHANY, farmer, Sec. 3; P. 0. Heinsburg; was born in Germany
Jan. 12, 1829 ; was a soldier in the German Army three years ; emigrated to America in 1855, settled in
Taycheedah, Fond du Lac Co., Wis., Feb. 9, 1859; he married at St. John's Church, Taycheedah, Mar-
guerite Hoifman, daughter of Gerharb and Annie K. Hoffman, who settled in Taycheedah, Pond du Lac
Co., Wis., in 1846; she was born in Brookhausenj Kries Adana, Germany, Feb. 12, 1830. Immediately
after their marriage, they moved to this town (Marshfield), where they have since resided ; their children are
Peter, Elizabeth, Katie, Mary(deceased), Gertrude, Magdalene (deceased), Annie (deceased), Anna M. T. Mr.
Stephany owns 140 acres of land ; it is well improved. In politics, he is a Democrat. His parents were
Frederick and Anna M. Stephany ; they died in Germany ; they had eleven children, three of whom came
to America, viz. : John, a resident of this town (Marshfield) ; Elizabeth, (wife of Peter Krebsch, Taychee-
dah), and Christian, whose name heads this sketch. Mrs. C. Stephany's parents were Gerhart and Annie
K. Hoffman ; they settled in Taycheedah, this (Fond du Lac) county, in 1846 ; he died in Taycheedah,
May 20, 1877 ; she is still living; their children are Marguelrite, wife of Christian Stephany ; Chresiant,
who is now married, and lives at Stacyville, Mitchell Co., Iowa ; John, also married, and lives in the
town of Taycheedah, this (Fond du Lac) county.
HON. JOSEPH WAGNER, Sec. 34; P. 0. Mt. Calvary. This distinguished cftizen of
Marshfield was born in Meckenbueren, Wurtemburg, Germany, Oct. 19, 1809.- He received an academic
education at Stuttgardt, the capital of Wurtemburg, and when . he was in his seventeenth year, was
• employed by the government in the capacity of government surveyor, which position he held for seven
years. In 1832, he emigrated to the United States, and taught school in Troy, N. Y., and vicinity, several
terms. In 1846, he came to Wisconsin and settled in Marshpeld, where he has continued to reside since;
he has been a member of the Town and County Boards of Supervisors from 1848 until 1873 — 25 years;
from 1848 until 1861, when the system was changed, was Town Superintendent of Schools ; was a mem-
ber of the Wisconsin Assembly in 1856-58, 1867-68 and 1871 ; he was elected to the Senate in 1871, and
re-elected in 1873, receiving 1,073 votes, against 935 for Andrew Dierenger (Independent) ; during all
the time Mr. Wagner was in office, he was the most efficient guardian of the interests of the tax-payers to
whom the management of the public affairs of the county were ever intrusted ; in all the relations of life,
public or private, Mr. Wagner has few if any superiors ; he is a public-spirited j enterprising citizen, and
one whose honesty and fidelity to public and private trusts is unimpeachable ; he is an excellent scholar, a
close reader and deep thinker, is eminently qualified by nature and education to be a leader in public
affairs. Mr. Wagner has been twice married ; his first wife was Mary Dubois, she died in Marshfield in
1854 ; by this marriage there are two children— Mary, wife of Peter Schrage, and Joseph, grain mer-
chant at Calvary. His present wife was Katie Dieterich, their children are Rosa, Charlotte, Lillian and
TAYCHEEDAH TOWNSHIP. 997
Albert. In politics, Mr. Wagner is identified with the Democratic party, and is indissolubly connected
•with the history and progress of that party in Fond du Lac and surrounding counties. He has displayed
at all times great independence, never yielding his own deliberate judgment to popular applause, or sacri-
ficing his own convictions to the prevailing sentiments of the day.
JOSEPH WAG-IVER, Jr.. grain merchant, and station agent at Calvary station ; was born
in what is now the town of Marshfield, Pond du Lao Co., Wis., Oct. 9, 1841. He is the son of Hon.
Joseph Wagner, of Marshfield, who was for a number of years a member of the Wisconsin Assembly, and
a member of the Senate in 1871 and 1873. Joseph was educated at the Troy Academy, Troy, N. Y. He
was married in Albany, N. Y. to Miss A. Updyke; they have four children — Joseph, Marion, George
and Addie. Mr. Wagner has been station agent at Calvary station about seven years. He is extensively
engaged in the grain business. Is a Democrat in politics.
PETER WEBER, proprietor of general repair and blacksmith shop, Mt. Calvary, was born
in the town of Calumet, Pond du Lac Co., Wis., Nov. 3, 1842 ; in 1863, he went to San Prancisco, Cal.,
and lived in California and Nevada until 1868, in which year he returned to this (Pond du Lac) county,
and established his present business at Mt. Calvary. Nov. 3, 1868, he married, in Mt. Calvary,
Pauline Platz, daughter of John and Mary A. Flatz, natives of Germany, who emigrated to the city
of New York in 1851, thence to Milwaukee, Wis., in 1852, where they resided until their
coming to Marshfield, in 1856, where he died ; she is still living. They have seven children
— Clara M., Mary A., Josephine M., Joseph P., Martina M., John A. and Albertina M. Mr.
Weber is a Democrat ; he has been Justice of the Peace three years ; has also been a mem-
ber of the Town Board of Supervisors. He manufactures, in connection with A. Schmiddlecofier,
the Davis Stump and Rock Extractor, one of the most effective machines made for that purpose ; it was
awarded the Centennial Medal, and was also awarded the first premium at the Michigan State Pair, in
1876, and the Ohio State Fair in 1878 ; it possesses a combination of advantages which commends it to
general use, being light, simple and durable ; it is so constructed that it can be easily operated in any posi-
tion by one man, and with equal facility on level or uneven ground ; the height to which a weight may be
raised by this machine is only limited by the length of the chain ; twelve pounds, applied to its nine-foot
lever, will raise one ton. Peter Weber's parents were Antoine and Katie Weber, natives of Germany,
who emigrated to this country in 1842, settling in Wisconsin the same year, thus becoming pioneer set-
tlers ; they now reside in Taycheedah, where they have lived over a quarter of a century. Their surviving
children are Mary, now the wife of N. Steffes, of Taycheedah ; Anna M., wife of N. Gilles, of the town
of Forest ; Peter, whose name appears at the head of this sketch.
TAYCHEEDAH TOWNSHIP.
WILLI A M BERRY, farmer and stock-raiser. Sec. 6 ; P. 0. Fond du Lac ; was born in Lewis Co.
N. Y., Nov. 10, 1828; he served in Co. A, 10th N.J. V. I., during the Mexican war ; was promoted First Ser
geant of his company ; he was honorably discharged, at Fort Hamilton, N. Y. , at the close of the war, in 1 848
in the following year, he came West, and located in this (Pond du Lao) county. In 1852, he returned to
Lewis Co., N. Y., and there married Miss Sophia Alexander, a native of the town of Martinsburg, N. Y.;
immediately after they were married, they came to Taycheedah, which has been their home since ; they
have four children— William, Emily, Henry, and Edward C. Mr. Berry may well be proud of his record
during the war of the rebellion, of the efficiency with which he raised and drilled companies, and the active
part they took in defending their country's honor. He was Captain of Co. I, 5th W. V. I. , was after-
ward appointed Drill Master of 18th W. V. I. ; was with that regiment in the battle of Shiloh, in which
he took an active part. Politically, Mr. Berry is a Republican, and a firm supporter of its principles ; he
owns 205 acres of land, well located and improved, and is extensively engaged in stock-raising ; he takes
an active interest in public affairs, and does all in his power to advance the common interests of the county.
LEmiJEL BISHOP (deceased), was bora in Martinsburg, Lewis Co., N. Y. He married, in
hisnative town, Luoinda Bowen ; she was born in Martinsburg, Sept. 15, 1815 ;' in 1845, they emigrated
to Wisconsin, and settled at Taycheedah, where he died in 1857 ; in the early history of Taycheedah, he
was elected to many' local offices, and took a prominent part in the advancement of its educational and other
public interests. She is still living in Taycheedah, and is one of the oldest residents now living there ;
she owns 115 acres of land ; their children are Lsvi T., who wa9 a soldier in Co. I, 5th W. V. I., during
998 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
the war of the rebellion, he now lives in Utah Territory ; Lewis H., a farmer, Taycheedah, he married
Virginia Smith ; Lorinda C, wife of J. H. Gibson, Taycheedah ; Lucretia B.; Leverett G., who died in 1879 ;
he was soldier in a Wisconsin regiment during the war ; Luke W., Lois and Lafayette. Mrs. L. Bishop's
father, Asa Bowen, was a native of Guilford, Conn., and was a soldier in active service during the war of
1812. He married Mehitabel Boyden; both died in Lewis Co., N. Y. ; they had nine children, five of
whom a/re now living — Sally, who married Sanford Peebles; he was in the war of 1812, and is now
deceased ; Daniel, now a resident of Baton Co., Mich ; Levi, now a resident of Plymouth Co., Iowa, and
Mrs. Bishop ; Henry, who lives in Baton Co., Mich.
WIL-LIAM BBUISH, farmer. Sees. 29 and 30 ; P. 0. Peebles ; was born in Delaware Co.,
N. Y., May 6, 1836 ; his father, Alexander Brush, was married twice ; his first wife, Jane Story, was the
mother of the subject of this sketch ; she died in Delaware Co., N. Y.; he married again — Jeanette Mur-
ray ; in 1849, they emigrated to this (Fond du Lac) county, William coming with them ; they settled in
the city of Fond du Lac, and he attended the common schools, receiving a liberal education. In 1868,
he married, in Fond du Lac, Miss Sophia^ Johnson ; after their marriage they moved to Marinette, Wis.,
where they lived until the autumn of 1879, when he purchased the farm he now resides on. They have
one child — Mary J. Mr. Brush's farm is finely improved, and contains 153 acres, and possesses all of the
natural advantages native to Fond du Lac Co. In politics and religion, liberal.
H. R, CHAKIiES, farmer. Sec. 17 ; P. 0. Peebles; was born in Taycheedah, Fond du Lac Co.,
Wis., Nov. 6^, 1848. He married, in Pond du Lac City, Miss BUen Bsterbrook ; they have two children
— George and May. Mr. Charles is extensively engaged in farming. In politics, he is a Republican.
His father, Richard B. Charles, was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, in 1818 ; came to America in
1840 ; lived three years in New York City, at the end of which time he came to Wisconsin ; located in
this (Fond du Lac) county; moved to Lima Township, Rock Co., in 1851. He married Miss Lydia J.
Rockwell, of Allegany Co., N. Y., in 1848; they had two children-, viz., Henry R., whose name heads
this sketch, and Cornelia, who died in 1862, aged 10 years. They own about 1,000 acres of land in
various parts os Wisconsin.
ROBERT COIVKLIIV, Postmaster, Peebles ; was born in Poughkeepsie, Dutchess Co., N. Y.,
in 1825, where he received a liberal education ; in 1841, he came to Fond du Lac Co., there being at that
time not over twenty-five families in the county. In May, 1852, he married, at Calumet, Fond du Lac Co.,
Miss Sarah Tallmadge, daughter of Wm. R. Tallmadge ; they have three children — Lora, now the wife of B.
Spencer, Fond du Lac City; Robert J. and Miss Julia. Mr. Conklin is Postmaster of Peebles Post Office; he
is also Superintendent of the Taycheedah and Green Bay plank-road. In politics, he is a Republican. His
father. Col. Henry Conklin, was a native of Dutchess Co.,N. Y.; was a Colonel of New York regiment of State
militia. He married, in New York City, Miss Mary Ann Hewitt; in 1841, they came to this (Fond du
Lac) county, thus becoming pioneer settlers ; they are both deceased. Their children are Henry H.,
Deputy Sheriff, Fond du Lac ; Robert, whose name appears at the head of this sketch ; William D.,
attorney at law, Fond du Lac ; Theodore, James, Bdgar (deceased), Mary, wife of B. F. Moore, Fond du
Lac; Miss Fannie M. Mrs. Robert Conklin's father, Maj . William R. Tallmadge, was born in Schenec-
tady, N. Y.; came to Fond du Lac Co. in 1842 ; he was twice married ; he died in 1879. He was a man of
indomitable energy, and of progressive mind. His children are R. G. Tallmage, Fond du Lac ; Sarah,
wife of Robert Conklin ; Mrs. N. W. Northam, of Calumet, Mary and William Tallmadge.
JAMES A. FISHER, farmer. Sec. 16 ; P. 0. Peebles ; was born in Salem, Washington Co.,
N. Y., Dec. 14, 1822 ; in 1842, he came to Fond du Lac Co., Wis., remaining until May, 1844, when
he returned tb his native State and there remained until 1849, when he again came to this county and
located in the town of Empire. He married on the 29th of April, 1852, in the town of Taycheedah,
Elizabeth Langdon ; she was born in Fulton, Oswego Co., N. Y., Nov. 9, 1833. They lived in the town
of Empire until 1857, when they moved to Taycheedah Village, where they lived until 1860, in which
year they returned to Empire, and lived there until 1862, when they removed to the vicinity of where
they now live. Their children are Edward (who married Sophia Peters), Henry, Mary, George, Lottie
and Bessie. Mr. Fisher owns 140 acres of land. During the war of the rebellion, he enlisted in Co. F,
5th W. V. I.; participated in several battles, and was honorably discharged at Hall's Mills, W. Va., June
18, 1865. In early life, Mr. Fisher acted with the " Old Whig " party ; he has acted with the Repub-
lican party since its organization. His father, William Fisher, was a soldier in the war of 1812 , he mar-
ried, in Salem, N. Y., Betsey Burnett ; their children are John E., who was a number of years a resident
of Fond du Lac Co.; he is now living in Glen Arbor, Mich., in the vicinity of which place he owns over
nine hundred acres of land ; Margaret, now wife of William Coggshall, Frankfort, Mich.; James A.,
whose name appears at the head of this sketch ; Elizabeth, wife of Bishop Tucker, Glen Arbor, Mich.;
TAYCHEEDAH TOWNSHIP. 999
.they were several years residents of Empire, Fond du Lao Co. Mrs. James A. Fisher's father, Joseph
Langdon, married Ann E. Burdick; they came to Taycheedah, this (Fond du Lac) county, in about 1850 ;
their children are Nathan B., now of Marshall, Minn.; Joseph, who now lives iu St. Joseph, Mo., he was
a soldier in the 1st W. V. C, during the war of the rebellion ; Sarah, now the wife of Joseph Parks,
Calumet Co., Wis. (he served in Co. A, 18th W. V. I., during the late war) ; Elizabeth, wife of James A.
Fisher, Taycheedah ; AUie, now the wife of Robert Spornitz, Byota, Minn, (he was a soldier in a Minne-
sota regiment during the late war) ; Lottie, wife of Andrew Hood, Chatfield, Minn.; Charles, lives at
Stockbridge, Calumet Co., Wis.
MICHAEL FITZCrERALiD, farmer. Sec. 4; P. 0. Taycheedah; was born in County
Cork, Ireland, Sept. 10, 1815 ; in 1845, he emigrated to America; lived in Middletown,Conn., one year,
at the end of which time he went to Stockbridge, Mass., where he resided until 1855. In 1853, he
married in Pittsfield, Mass., Abbie Shay ; she was born in County Cork, Ireland ; came to America in
1845 ; in 1855, they came West, and settled in the town of Forest, Fond du Lac Co., Wis. ; they lived in
Forest one year, then removed to where they now reside ; their children are Annie, who was educated at
the high schools in Fond du Lac, and has taught school for about eight years, she was born in Stock-
bridge, Mass. ; Michael, born in the town of Forest, Fond du Lac Co., Wis., is proprietor of general repair
and blacksmith shop, Taycheedah ; Richard, born in the town of Forest ; Mary, born in the town of
Taycheedah ; William and Abbie, also born in Taycheedah ; the deceased children are Maggie and Johnnie ;
Mr. Fitzgerald owns eighty acres of.land, finely improved, and desirably located ; he is a public-spirited
man, possessed of much energy and enterprise. In politics. Democrat.
WILIilAM E. GOUTERMONT, farmer. Sec. 20; P. O. Peebles; is a native of New
York, was born in Lewis Co. Dec. 13, 1827; in early life, he received a liberal education at the
common schools in his native county ; in 1866, he came to Wisconsin, located where he now lives ; he
owns 160 acres of land, finely improved, and possessing many natural advantages. In politics, he is a con-
sistent and active Republican. He was a member of the Taycheedah Town Board of Trustees, also Town
Treasurer. His wife was Louisa Dart, nee Hoagland ; he has one son (Charles), by a former marriage ; his
wife had two children by her marriage with her first husband (J. M. Dart), viz. : Ida and Alma. Mr.
Goutermont is a representative man of Taycheedah, and one who identifies himself closely with the progress
of her public interests ; he has been very successful in life, and is possessed of great physical vigor.
JOHSf C. HOAGtIjAND, farmer, Sec. 32 ; P.O.Peebles; is a native of Pennsylvania, and
came to Wisconsin about 1848, and has lived in the town of Taycheedah the most of the time since.
He has been twice married ; his children are Mrs. E. Lyons, of La Crosse, Wis.; Mrs. Goutermont, of
Taycheedah, and Edward. Mr. Hoagland is a leading farmer andan enterprising citizen.
JOHN LiEEMAN, farmer. Sec. 4 ; P. 0. Fond du Lac ; a pioneer settler of Fond du Lac ; is a
native of England, was born in Yorkshire Feb. 1, 1816. June 21, 1838, he married in the town of
Beiuton, Yorkshire, Miss Ann Edmund, a native of that town, born May 8, 1819; in 1848, they emi-
grated to Milwaukee, Wis., and in the spring of 1849 moved to the city of Pond du Lac, where they
resided until 1854, when they removed to Sec. 4, town of Taycheedah, where he has since lived ; she died
Oct. 12, 1869 ;- she was an earnest Christian woman, a most estimable lady, and her death was deeply
deplored ; their children were Elizabeth, now the wife of John S. Burroughs, Fond du Lac City ; Edmund,
born Sept. 6, 1840, died Oct. 25, 1841 ; Edward, born Oct. 25, 1841, enlisted in Co. E, 6th W. V. I.
during the war of the rebellion, was killed at the battle of Gettysburg in July, 1863 — he was a brave
soldier, and a true comrade; Thomas, born March 3, 184-t, and fell in defense of the cause of the Union,
at the battle of Pittsburg Landing in April, 1862 (he was a soldier of the 18th W. V. I., and the records
of that regiment show that he was a gallant soldier, that he was killed in the heat of action, while pressing
forward nobly doing his duty) ; Jane, now the wife of Samuel Smith, Fond du Lac City (he was also a
soldier in a Wisconsin regiment during the war of the rebellion) ; Wilson, who now lives near San Fran-
cisco, Cal, is an engineer ; George E., born March 4, 1849, died April, 1850 ; William E., married Vivia
A. Holt; Mary C. ; Emma A. and John, Jr. Mr. Leeman owns 140 acres of land, finely improved, and
well located on Sec. 4, town of Taycheedah, where he lives in the enjoyment of a happy home. Politically,
he is a firm supporter of the Republican party.
HON. QURIAN JLOEHR, merchant. Sec. 12; P. O. Heinsburg; is a native of Prussia,
was born in the village of Adeneu, June 8, 1823 ; he received a liberal education in the schools of his native
country; in 1843, -he emigrated to the United States, located in Fond du Lac Co., Wis. ; he was a mem-
ber of the Wisconsin Assembly in 1852, and has been frequently elected by his fellow-citizens to other offices
of honor and trust ; he has been engaged in the mercantile business for a period of over twenty-seven
_years, and by his strict integrity, honesty, and fair dealing, has secured and retains the confidence of all
1000 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
who know him ; hy close attention to business, and good management, he has accumulated a large prop-
erty, owning over 600 acres of land, besides his residence and village property. He married in Green Bay^
Miss D. Straubel; they have ten children — Louis, Fredrick, Edward, Amelia, now wife of P. Stephany,
Louisa, wife of M. Kelt, Arnold, Mary, Anna, Mathias and Henry. Mr. Loehr is a public-spirited, enter-
prising citizen, and one whose fidelity to public and private trusts is unimpeachable.
J. E. MACK, farmer, Sec. 3 ; P. 0. Fond du Lac ; was born in East Lyme, New London Co.,'
Conn., June 24, 1832 ; in 1855, he came to Wisconsin, and located in the town of Empire, Fond du Lac-
Co. March 8, 1863, he married, in Fond du Lac, Mary E. Morehouse, a native of Lockport, N. T., bom
July 6, 1838 ; they have one child — Clarence E.; Mr. Mack has resided in Tayoheedah since 1860 ; he '
owns 107 acres of land, well located and finely improved. In politics, he is a Republican. His father, J.
T. Mack, was born in East Lyme, New London Co., Conn., in 1804; he married, in his native county,
Jane D. Ransom ; they came to Wisconsin in 1855, and settled in Fond du Lac Co.; they now reside in
Taycheedah ; their children are J. E. (whose name heads this sketch), Leander H. (now of Morris, Lincoln
Co., Minn.), Ellen C. (wife of William Wilcox, Fond du Lac), William N. (who was a soldier in the — th
W. V. I., and died in the service at Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 11, 1862), Mary J. (wife of 0. P. Brand, of
Minnesota, who was a soldier in a Wisconsin regiment during the war of the rebellion), Theron R. (who
served in the 18th W. V. I. during the war), Rachel E. (deceased), Sylvester S. (now of Lincoln Co.,
Minn.), Prudence M. (wife of Robert Lusk, Minn.), and Bainbridge A., of Taycheedah.
E. PEEBIiES, farmer, and proprietor of cheese factory, Sec. 32 ; P. 0. Peebles ; is a native
of Martinsburg, Lewis Co., N. Y.; was born Aug. 22, 1822 ; in November, 1845, he came to Wisconsin
and located in Taycheedah. In 1847, he married Miss Margaret Van Valkenburg; they have six children
living — Sanford S., Sarah J., John E., Oscar, Emma and Sherman; one child deceased, Ella, died in
1878 ; in 1875, Mr. Peebles erected a cheese factory on his farm, where he makes about an average of
100,000 cheese per annum, which is widely known for its superior quality; he owns a finely improved
farm of 170 acres. Politically, he acts with the Republicans, being an active worker in that party since
its organization ; he is an active, energetic, go-ahead citizen, and one who takes an active part in all public
enterprises that give promise of advancing the interests of the public ; his father, Sanford Peebles, was a
soldier in active service during the war of 1812 ; he married, in his native State (New York), Miss
Sarah Bowen ; he is now deceased ; she is living at Martinsburg, N. Y.
SAXFORD S. PEEBIiES, farmer. Sec. 30; P. 0. Peebles; was born in Taycheedah,
June 4, 1851, and is therefore a "native to the manor born." He is the son of E. and Margaret Peebles^
pioneer settlers of Fond du Lac Co., and now honored citizens of Taycheedah. Sept. 27, 1877, he mar-
ried Miss Amanda S., daugliter of John and Lorinda Charles, early settlers and still residents of Taychee-
dah ; they have one child^Ethan C. In politics, Mr. Peebles is a Republican : he is a member of Lodge
No. 30, I. 0. O. F., of Fond du Lac; is extensively engaged in farming, and is a man of much energy
and push.
HON. O. HUGO PETTERS, Sec. 16, P. 0. Peebles ; was born in Saxen Weimar, Ger-
many, Jan. 24, 1823; he was educated at the Universities of Jena and Leipzig, and was admitted to the
practice of law in the courts ; he was clerk of the Preliminary Court at Weimar, and afterward was
appointed Clerk of the Civil Court, which position he filled until his coming to this country in 1848. In
1849, he married, in Milwaukee, Dorotha P. E. Sander, a native of Lohlotzs, Los Weimar, Germany; in
the latter part of 1849, they moved to the city of Fond du Lac, and he engaged in the grocery business
until the spring of 1852, when they moved to the town of Taycheedah, where they have since resided. He
has been frequently selected by his fellow-citizens to fill various offices ; he was a member of the Wiscousin
Assembly in 1858-59, Town Clerk two terms, Justice of the Peace eight years, and was appointed Notary
Public in 1878 — a position he still fills ; he owns a good farm, well located. Himself and wife attend the
Lutheran Church. Their children are Sophia (now the wife of Edward Fisher), Louis, Charlie and
Willie. In politics, Mr. Petters is a Republican.
, BENJAMIN F. SMITH (deceased), a native of Vermont, born June 26, 1812. He mar-
ried in La Pointe, Wis., Miss Hannah Wood; she was born in Lowell, Mass.; they were married June 7,
1849, and removed to Taycheedah the same year; in 1862, he enlisted in Co. A, 18th W. V. I.; was taken
prisoner at the battle of Shiloh, and died in rebel prison at Montgomery; the. records of his regiment
show that he was a brave soldier, ever ready to follow where duty led; though he never was an aspirant
for office, he was at various times elected by his fellpw-eitizens to offices of honor and trust ; he took an
active interest in educational interests, and was ever ready to aid any enterprise that gave promise of gen-
eral good; he was a kind husband and an indulgent father ; his children were Ellen, now the wife of A.-
Mackay, OshkoshP; rank (deceased), Virginia, now the wife of L. H. Bishop, Taycheedah ; Harriett, Mrs.
OAKFIELD TOWNSHIP. 1001
B. F. Smith ; married second husband, J. C. Hoagland, a native of Pennsylvania ; he came to Fond du
Lac Co., in 1848; they at present reside on their farm on Sec. 32, Taycheedah Township.
J. J. TAIiliMADGfii, grain dealer; P. 0. Peebles; was born in Poughkeepsie, Dutchess Co.,
N. Y., April 14, 1834 ; in 1844, he removed with his parents, N. P. and Abbie Tallmadge, to this (Fond
du Lac) county; in early life he received a liberal education. In October, 1863, he married, in the city
of Fond du Lao, Miss Sarah Brown; they have one child. Miss Julia; Mr. Tallmadge has been engaged
in the grain trade several years ; is an energetic business man, owns 146 acres of land in the town of
Calumet. In politics and religion, he is liberal ; his father, N. P. Tallmadge (deceased), was a prominent
member of the New York Legislature a number of years ; he was appointed Territorial Governor of Wis-
consin June 21, 1844 ; after his appointment, he delivered his message to both houses of the Legislature
in person, an account of which will be found on page 51. He was twice married; his children are Isaac
S. a prominent attorney, New York ; William D., deceased; Grier, who was a graduate of West Point,
died in the service at Fortress Monroe, was Captain of a company at the time of his death, was acting as
Quartermaster General ; Mary L., wife of William A. Baldwin ; Laura, wife of Williann H. Galloway,
M. D., Eau Claire, Wis.; Julia B., wife of A. G. Buggies, Fond du Lac City ; Emily B., wife of James D.
Tallmadge, Chicago; J. J., whose name appears at the head of this sketch.
JOHN W. TIFFANY, deceased, was a native of Lewis Co., N. Y. He married, in his native
county, Sophia Hill ; they came to Wisconsin in about 1849 ; settled in Taycheedah. During the war of
the rebellion, he enlisted in the 18th W. V. I.; was a good soldier ; died in the service; She is still
living and resides at Taycheedah ; their children are Morton R.; Emma, wife of Dr. Chase, of Vernon Co.,
Wis.; John, who served in the 5th W. V. I. during the war, and died in the service ; P. R., also a
soldier in the 5th W. V. I.; Levi F, who served in the 18th W. V. I. and died in the cause; James M.
and Loyd R.
HIORTOIV R. TIFFANY, contractor and builder, Taycheedah ; was born in the town of
Martinsburg, Lewis Co., N. Y., March 26, 1838 ; emigrated to Taycheedah, with his parents, John W. and
Sophia Tiffany, in about 1849. He married, in Taycheedah, Nov. 3, 1858, Mariette Sullivan, a native of
Otsego Co., N. Y., who was born in 1842 ; her mother, Mrs. Sullivan, is one of the pioneer settlers of
Taycheedah. They have three children — -Edward C, Florence G. and Lulu B. Besides building, Mr.
Tiffany takes contracts in painting and plastering. He is a Republican in politics. Has filled various
local offices.
P. K. TIFFANY. This gentleman, a soldier, during the war of the rebellion, in the 5th
W. V. I., enrolled as a private, was promoted to Second Lieutenant and acted a portion of the time as
Sergeant Major ; participated in nearly every battle, siege and skirmish his command, was in, and was
honorably discharged at the close of the war. He was born in Lewis Co., N. Y., July 13, 1843. Hi»
parents were John W. and Sophia Tiffany, who settled in Taycheedah in 1849. He married, in Taychee-
dah, in 1866, Frances Spink, a native of Canada; they have three children — Maude E., Claude H. and
Grace B. In early life, Mr. Tiffany learned the carpenter and joiner's trade, which, in connection with
painting, constitutes his present business. Politically, he acts with the Republican party.
OAKFIELD TOWNSHIP.
A. J. ASH, farmer. Sec. 6; P. 0. Oakfield; is a native of the town of Oakfield, Fond du Lac
Co., Wis., and is the son of William D. and Almira Ash, nee Putnam, immigrants from Montgomery Co.,
N. Y., and early settlers in this town; A. J. was born in March, 1857, and lived with his parents on a
farm in Sec. 6, Oakfield, till 1869, when, with them, removed to the village of Brandon, Pond du Lao Co.,
and made that his home for seven or eight years; he was educated in the public schools of Oakfield,
Brandon and the College of Oshkosh. In July, 1876, he married Miss Hattie, daughter of Dr. S. and
Mary Shepard, nee Liddle, of Brandon ; they have one daughter. Mate; he now lives on his father's farm
of 360 acres in Sec. 6, town of Oakfield.
BARDEN BENNETT, farmer. Sec. 4; P. 0. Lamartine; born in the town of Dana, Mass.,
in the year 1814; is the son of Submit and Jacob Bennett, a farmer; the subject of this sketch received
his education in the common schools of his time; in 1827, he commenced working for a Mr.
Patten, a farmer of Greenwich ; in 1831, he left farming and went to work in the cotton-mills of Jenks-
ville ; he commenced as picker and lapwinder, and during his stay in the mills, he served in all its branches ;
1002 , BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
the last three years of his stay he was overseer of the weaving-room; Mr. Bennett left the mills in 1847
and came West, pre-empting 160 acres of land in the town of Oakfield; after living on that farm for
twenty years, he sold out and bought the farm on which he now resides; in 1878, he bought the Lamar-
tine cheese factory of his son Oscar, and has been engaged in running it in connection with farming; in
1878, he manufactured at the factory 158,171 pounds of cheese; in 1879,115,000 pounds. Mr. B.
married his first wife Oct. 4, 1837, in Springfield, Mass., Lucy J.,' daughter of Caleb Howe, a farmer; had
five children by this wife — Albert, Leroy, Oscar, Sophia, Lettie ; this wife died in May, 1854. Married
the second time, Nov. 20, 1855, in Palmer, Mass., to Charlotte A., daughter of Esther and William Den-
nison, a farmer of Stafford, Conn.; have had two children — Maiurice D. (deceased), Homer W. Family
attend the M. E. Church ; he is, politically, a Republican; he is the present owner of 160 acres of land in
Sec. 4, Oakfield, also of 17i acres in Lamartine adjoining his factory property.
ABEL BRISTOjL, farmer ; P. 0. Oakfield ; born in Addison Co., near Lake Champlain, Vt.;
"in 1829 ; is the son of Anna and Noah Bristol, a farmer of that county ; the subject of this sketch
received a common-school and academic education in that county, also in Bakersfleld and St. Albans ; at
the age of 18 he left school and occupied himself — with the exception of one year that he worked at the
carpenter's trade — at teaching school winters and farming during the summer season, until November, 1853,
when he came to Oakfield, Fond du Lao Co., teaching school the winter he came, and in February bought a
farm of 180 acres of William Beebe, paying $12.60 per acre, where he now resides ; in 1868, he bought
an interest in the firm of Wilcox, Cornell & Co., doing a general business in the village of Oakfield/; in
1875, with Mr. Aaron Worthing, iDought out Mr. Cornell, and the firm name being Bristol & Worth-
ing ; they are doing a very extensive business in general merchandise, also handling wool very largely.
Mr. Bristol married, in Brandon, Vt., in 1851, Abigail, daughter of Abigail and James Thompson, a
farmer of Addison Co., Vt. ; have had six children — Clarence A., Jennie J., Nettie A., Fremont J., Flora
A., Watson E. He is the present owner of 215 acres of land in Oakfield— probable value, 160 per acre.
He has held offices of member of Board of Supervisors, School Superintendent and Assessor, for a number
of years, and is politically a Republican.
' J. W. BURNS, M. D., Oakfield ; born in Oakfield in 1845 ; is the son of Elizabeth and
Thomas Burns, a farmer of Oakfield; the subject of this sketch was educated in the common schools of
Oakfield, and, in 1867, commenced the study of medicine; in 187ff, he graduated from the Rush Medical
College of Chicago ; he then located in Mayville and practiced his profession there until the fall of 1870,
when he went to Lomira, Dodge Co. ; in the spring of 1872, he came to Oakfield and entered into part-
nership with Dr. William Moore, remaining with him until Jan. 1, 1876 ; he then removed to Lake
Crystal, Minn. ; remaining there until January 1878, when he again returned to Oakfield, and in connection
with his brother Thomas, bought the drug-store of J. A. Steen, in which he is still interested, but is prac-
ticing his profession as physician. He was married, in Lomira, in June, 1872, to Hattie, daughter of Mary
and Henry S. Beeson, a physician of that place ; they have had three children born to them — William H.,
Edward H., Leslie R. Is a member of the Masonic Order, Oakfield Lodge, also of the Oakfield Lodge
of I. 0. O. F. Family attend the Episcopal Church.
PHIL(A]VDER H. COIiE, station agent and operator, Oakfield ; born in Chester Township,
Dodge Co., Wis., in 1847 ; son of Philander and Nancy Cole ; a farmer. The subject of this sketch
received his education in the common schools of his native place ; at the age of 20, he took up telegraph-
ing, taking his first office at Burnett ; after working there for about eighteen months, he went to Lodi ;
was there for two years and a half; then went to Caledonia, 111., remaining a little over four years ;_ from
there he came to Oakfield, in 1875, where he is now the station agent and operator, having been in the
employ of the C. & N.-W. R. B. Co., all this time. He married in July, 1872, in Burnett, Ada G.,
daughter of Sophronia and Willis Cole, a hotel keeper of that place ; they have had three children —
Jessie R., Ernest G., and Edna G. Family attend the Congregational Church ; he is a member of the
Masonic Order ; is politically, a Republican.
HENRY CORNELL, Postmaster, Oakfield ; born in Morris Co., N. J., in 1827; son of
Ann and Jesse Cornell, a farmer ; in 1832, went to Upper Canada with his people. The subject of this
sketch was educated in the common schools of Canada, and was brought up on a farm ; also engaged in
lumbering; in 1849, came West and settled in Oakfield, working at transient work until 1851, when he
bought a farm of eighty acres of his brother James ; continued on the farm for two years, then sold out
and bought a farm in Byron known as the Bannister farm, and lived there for one year ; after selling that,
he, in connection with his brother, bought the farm his brother now occupies in Byron , in 1856, sold out
his interest to his brother and went back to Canada, and engaged in the mercantile business in connection
with his brother William ; in 1858, they met with heavy losses and sold out their business ; in 1861, came
OAKFIELD TOWNSHIP. 1003"
West again, to Byron, and rented a farm ; worked it until 1864, when he came to Oakfield, renting a'
farm for one year; in 1866, entered into the grocery business in the village of Oakfield ; in 1867, went
into a general store in connection with Messrs. Worthing & Bristol ; in 1874, severed his connection with
that firm, and bought out N. Filby ; in October, 1875, sold out to W. S. Russell & Co., and then pur-
chased a store owned by Dr. Wm. Moore, and put in a general stock of goods, where he is now engaged
in business. He was married, in 1853, to Esther K., daughter of Kezia and Chas. Susan, farmers of Oak-
field ; have had four children born to them — John H. (deceased), Chas. J., Frank (deceased), and Mary.
Mr. Cornell has held the oflBces of Assessor and Justice of the Peace in the town of Byron, and is at
present Postmaster of Oakfield Village. He is a member of the Masonic Order, Oakfield Lodge, and a
member of the Congregational Church ; his politics are Republican.
HARMON J. FRENCH, farmer, P. 0. Oak Center ; born in New York State in 1819 ; is
the son of Mahala and Ely French, a shoemaker and farmer. The subject of this sketch moved with his
parents at an early age, to Westfield, Mass., where he received a common-school education ; he was brought
up a farmer, and has made that his principal business all his life; in 1848, he came to Wisconsin and
settled on the farm where he now resides, buying at that time eighty acres, paying $325 for it ; he is the
present owner of 180 acres in Fond du Lac Co., and twenty acres in Dodge Co., probable value, $60 per
acre. He married in Lamartine, Jan. 27, 1853, Ann Eliza, daughter of Clarissa and Thomas Stoddard,
a mason by trade; they had five children — Harmon H. (deceased), George F., Ann E. (deceased), Willie
and Eddie ; this wife died, July 31, 1873 ; married a second wife July 8, 1874, to Maria C., daughter of
Clarissa and Palmer Perry, a farmer of New York State. Mr. French is a' member of the Oakfield
Grange ; is politically a Republican.
VALENTINE E. «• ALLOW AY, farmer, Sec. 3; P. 0. Lamartine; born in Harrisburg,
Lewis Co., N. Y., in 1822; son of Ann and Chas. Galloway, a farmer of that county. The subject of
this sketch received his education in the common schools of that time, and was engaged in farming with
his father until the age of 25 ; he then bought a farm in the same town and settled on it with his wife ;
he remained there until 1850 ; he then sold that property and bought another farm in the same town, of
136 acres, and continued on that place until 1863 ; in the spring of 1865, he came West, to Wisconsin,
and bought the farm, on which he now resides, of R. P. Tallmadge. Mr. Galloway married in Oswego
Co., Sept. 22, 1846, Nancy A., daughter of Henry W. and Laura Chafa, a Baptist clergyman, of Jeffer-
son Co., N. Y.; they have had four children^an infant (deceased), Chas. Wm. (deceased), Chas. Wm.,
and Willie E. The family attend the M. E. Church. He has held the ofiice of Chairman of the town
for several terms, and is politically a Republican. Is the present owner of 184J acres of land in Sec. 3,
town of Oakfield, probable value, $50 per acre.
CARTER Z. GORDON, farmer; P. 0. Oakfield; born in Lewis Co., N. Y., in 1828; is
the son of Emily and David Gordon, a millwright of that county; the subject of this sketch was edu-
cated in the common schools of his native place; at the age of 15, went to work at the carpenter and
joiner's trade ; in 1850, he came West and located in Fond du Lac. working at liis trade for two years ; ,
he then went into the lumber business, working for J. C. Littlefield ; then, in connection/with John Bon-
nell, entered into the manufacture of sash, doors and blinds ; continued with him until April, 1864, when
lie commenced working for C. J. L. Meyer, superintending the building of what is called the old factory ;
at the completion of that, he commenced the superintending of the large factory, and was general manager
of the work until its completion; in 1869, he was engaged in superintending the running of McDonald &
Stewart's factory; in 1870, he again went into the employ of Mr. Meyer; in 1874-75, he managed the
building and putting-in of the machinery of the Chicago factory; in February, 1876, he moved to his
farm in the town of Oakfield, where he now resides, and is the present owner of 100 acres of land, part
of it being in the village of Oakfield ; probable value, $75 per acre. Mr. Gordon was married in Lewis
Co., N. Y., in 1849, to Mary, daughter of Elijah Thompson, a hotel-keeper of the county seat of that
county ; they have had eight children born to them — Libby, Ida, Alice, Jennie, Louie, Jessie, Carrie and
Kent (deceased). His politics are Republican.
HENRY F. HANSEN, miller and proprietor of Oakfield Mills, Oakfield ; born in Stern-
burg, Mecklenburg-Schwerin, in 1846 ; is the son of Sophia and John Hansen, a shoemaker; the subject
of this sketch was educated in the common schools of that place ; in 1857, came with his people to the
United States, and located in Calumet until 1865 ; from that time until 1872, he traveled in most of the
Southern States; at the age of 17, Henry learned the trade of carriage and wagon maker, and, at the
age of 19,N commenced to learn the carpenter, joiner and millwright's trade; he followed that until 1874,
"when he commenced business in Oakfield, as miller, which he has followed ever since, and now is the pro-
prietor of the Oakfield Mills, with two run of stone, doing custom work principally. His fa' her is still
living in the town of Friendship, engaged in farming. Henry attends the Episcopal Church.
1004 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
liUCIUS r. HAIili, farmer and proprietor of Hatch farm, Sec. 20 ; P. O. Oak Center ; born-
in Chili, Monroe Co., N. Y., in 1837, son of Susannah and John M. Hall, a farmer; at the age of 8 years
he came with his parents to Rock Co., Wis., near Janesville ; Lucius received his education in the common
schools of that place, and, at the age of 22, went to railroading for the Chicago & North- Western Railway
Company, being in their employ for seventeen years — acting as conductor ; on leaving the road in 1876,
he bought the farm on which he now resides, of 236 acres in Sees. 20 and 27, known as the Hatch farm.
He married in Concord, Wis., in 1863, Maria S., daughter of Cyrus and Sophia Holmes, a farmer of Jef-
ferson Co.; they have one child — Claude. Mr. Hall is a member of the Masonic Order and belongs to
the Western Star Lodge, Janesville. He is politically independent.
SOLOMON B. HOWARD (deceased) was born on the 8th of May, 1803, in West Spring-
field, Mass., son of Clarissa and Andrew Howard ; his father was a soldier of the Revolution, and, in his
16th year, was in that winter march under Washington through New England, on our northern frontier
soon after, and during the winter at Valley Forge. The subject of this sketch, at the age of 9 years,
went with his parents to Belchertown, Mass.; he»recpived his education in this place, and was brought up
on afai-m; in the spring of 1845, he visited Wisconsin, and entered his land — removing his family in
July, 1847 ; he then owned 340 acres lying in Sees. 29 and 32 ; Mr. Howard lived and died very much
respected by his neighbors and greatly beloved by his family ; he was a man of thought, earnest and active
in business, devoted and affectionate as a husband and father, deeply reverent and sympathetic in the
service of Grod ; when a young man he made public profession of faith in Christ, and united with the Con-
gregational Church, in the communion of which he remained till his death, Jan. 8, 1880. He married in
Westfield, Mass., Oct. 14, 1834, Betsy, daughter of Pricilla and Elijah Carrier, a farmer ; had eight
children born to them — -Elisabeth J., Clarissa, Solomon H. (died in the war), Harriet P., Spencer A.,
Myron C, Ann Eliza, Harper A. P. 0. Oak Center.
HEXRT D. HITT, farmer. Sees. 14 and 15 ; P. 0. Oakfield; was born in Danby, Rutland Co,.
Vt., in 1823 ; is the son of Lydia and William Hitt, a farmer of that county ; 1830, moved with his people to
Orville, same county; in 1835, they moved to the town of Addison, Addison Co., Vt. ; the subject of thi&
sketch received a common-school and academic education in Vermont ; he remained in Addison Co. until
1848, occupied in teaching school in the winter and engaged in farming in the summer seasons ; he then
came to Wisconsin — directly to Oakfield — and located on the spot where he now resides, purchasing 120
acres of land, at about $3 per acre. He was married, in Addison Co., Vt., to Lydia A., daughter of
Mary and Moses Bristol, a farmer of that county ; they have had six children born to them — Charles J.,
S. Arthur (deceased), Eugene T., Jessie R., Lilly P., Carrie P. Mr. Hitt has held the offices of Town
Clerkj School Superintendent, Chairman of Board of Supervisors, Justice of the Peace, and Representative
of his Assembly District ; is now President of the Fond du Lac Agricultural Society ; he is the owner of
420 acres of land in Sees. 14, 16, 23, in the town of Oakfield, and 160 acres joining the city of Russell,
Kan.; in 1873, he put up a handsome brick residence, commanding a fine view of the village, and also
of Fond du Lac and Lake Winnebago, ten miles distant. His family attend the Congregational Church ;
he is politically a Republican.
E. A. HUBBARD, farmer ; P. 0. Oakfield ; born in the town of Batavia, N. Y. State, in
1824 ; son of Serepta and Hugh Hubbard, a farmer; the subject of this sketch received his education in
the common schools of his native place, a,nd was brought up on a farm ; in 1844, he came West with his
people, and, for one summer, he lived in Walworth Co. ; they then removed to Oakfield ; in the winter of
1847-78, he purchased a half of Sec. 23, in same town, and lived there until the spring of 1852, when
he went overland to California, remaining there for thirteen months engaged in prospecting, working on a
farm, etc., he also bought a thrashing machine and thrashed for one season ;. he then returned by water
and land to Oakfield, where he has remained ever since engaged in farming. He married, in Byron,
in April, 1853, Julia A., daughter of David Percy, a farmer of Le Roy, Dodge Co., formerly from Chau-
tauqua Co., N. Y. ; have had six children — Earl E., Elida (dead), Myrta (married), Lil, Mattie, Cora.
Mr. Hubbard is a member of the I. 0. 0. F., Oakfield Lodge No. 174, and he has held the office of
Chairman of his town ; he is the present owner of 540 acres of land in the town of Oakfield, also five lots
of village property. He is politically a Republican.
MARTIIlir R. HUBBARD, Oakfield ; bom in Genesee Co.,N. Y., in 1833 ; son of Serepta
and Hugh Hubbard, a farmer ; at the age of 8 years he came with his parents to Walworth Co., Wis., and
in 1845, they came to Oakfield, and settled on a farm his father had previously purchased ; Martin was
educated in the common schools of Oakfield, and was brought up on the farm ; when he was 22 years of
age he bought forty acres of land known as the Beeson place ; he afterward bought 120 acres more ; he has
lived in this town ever since ; has been engaged in farming and dealing quite largely in stock ; about the
OAKFIELD TOWNSHIP. 1005
1st of January, 1880, in connection with Mr. George W. King, he entered into the hay-pressing business,
building a large hay barn and putting in a Dederick press, running by steam power. He married, in 1858,
in Mayville, Louisa, daughter of David Percy, of Le Roy, Dodge Co. ; they have had six children —
Rodema, Serepta, Julia, Hugh (deceased), Joseph, Nona (dead); he is the present owner of 380 acres of
land in the town of Oakfield. Politically a Republican.
HAY WARD JONES, Oakfield; bom in the town of Vershire, Vt., in 1810, is the son of
Esther and Samuel Jones, a farmer of that place ; Hayward was educated in the common schools of his
native place ; in 1825, he moved with his people to Venango Co., town of Allegheny, Penn., and at the
age of 17 he learned the carding and cloth-dressing business, and worked at it until 1834 ; he then took
up farming and continued at that until 1844 ; he then came to Wisconsin and bought a farm on Mound
Prairie, town of Byron, of forty acres, paying $300 for it; he lived on that farm until 1874, when he
came to Oakfield, buying and locating on village property, where he has made his home ever since. He
married in Pennsylvania in 1835, Maria, daughter of Hannah and Perrin Ross, a farmer of that State ;
the children are as follows — Esther (deceased), Lyman B., Irene E., Sophronia M., Perrin C., Holsey B.,
Lucinda M., Eliza (deceased), Delilah M. Mr. Jones has been a member of the School Board of Byron,
and is politically a Republican ; his family attend the Methodist Episcopal Church.
GEORiirE W. KING-, proprietor of elevator, Oakfield; born in Lowville, Lewis Co., N. Y.,
in 1825, son of Sophia and Solomon King, who, in his younger days, was a sailor, and during his voyages
wrote a very interesting journlal of his observations from all parts of the world ; after leaving his sailor
life he went to work at his trade as millwright, and afterward built and ran the largest mill in New York
State at that time, and died just as the first run of stone was completed. The subject of this sketch
received his education in the common schools of that time, and, at the age of 14, went to work in the
woolen mills, learning the trade of the manufacturing of woolen goods ; continued at that for ten years,
working for the same man, J. A. Willard, and the two last years acted as manager for him ; in August,
1849, he came to Fond du Lac, Wis., and engaged in farming, hotel-keeping, etc., until August, 1862,
when he enlisted in Co. H, 32d W. V. I., under Capt. William S. Burrows, and served through the entire
war, when he was mustered out — he served for about a year as private, then as non-commissiond officer for
about ten months, the balance of his service as Second and First Lieutenant ; he was laid up for about
.sixty days with rheumatism, from which he has never fully recovered ; after he was mustered out he opened
a sample-room and billiard parlor in the American House; in 1866 closed out his business, and until 1869
was laid up with sickness ; on recovery, he opened the Astor hall billiard-rooms ; after about one
year's business there he sold out to H. Hickey, and came to Oakfield, built the first elevator in Oakfield,
which he continued running until July, 1879, when he was burned completely out; he rebuilt, and in
sixty days had his new one, with all the modern improvements, running, where he has continued ever since.
Mr. King was married in Lowville, N. Y., in 1847, to Emily A., daughter of Hannah and James Green ;
have had four children born to them — Emma E., Edgar H., Frank E., and Altabell. The family attend
the Methodist Episcopal Church ; his politics is Republican.
LEVI L.ARGE, farmer. Sec. 1; P. 0. Oakfield; born in the year 1821, in Allegheny Co.,
Penn.; is the son of Esther and Jonathan Large, a farmer of that county ; the subject of this sketch
was educated in the subscription schools of that time and place, and was brought up a farnOjer ; he also
followed milling part of his life ; he came West in the spring of 1854, directly to Fond du Lac Co., and,
during the first five years of his residence here, was engaged in milling in Oakfield ; in 1859, bought the
farm where he now resides, and has made it his home ever since ; at the time of his purchase, there being
but three houses in sight. He was married in 1845, in Allegheny Co. Penn., to Nancy, daughter of Nancy
and Hugh Kennedy, her father being a farmer of that county ; they have had children born to them — Cyrus
W., Samuel L., Nancy J., Martha J., Sarah E., Florence E. (deceased), Emma M., Charles S. He is the
owner of 170 acres of land, lying in Sec. 6, Byron, and Sec. 1, Oakfield, probable value $55 per acre ;
he has held the office of School Director, and is at present Clerk of the School Board, No. 10, Oakfield.
Attends the Congregational Church, and is politically a Republican.
THOMAS liEEMOSr, farmer. Sees. 8 and 17; P. O. Oak Center ; born in Albany Co., N.
Y., in 1823 ; son of Esther and Robert Leemon, a farmer of that place. The subject of this sketch
received his education in the common schools of his native place, and was brought up a farmer, which he
has always followed with the exception of one year that he worked at the blacksmith trade when he was
19 years of age ; in 1854, he came West, and located in Oakfield, buying eighty acres of land, paying
8600 for it; he afterward bought an adjoining thirty acres, paying the same price for that; he is the
present owner of 348 acres of land, probable value $60 per acre, all in Oakfield in Sees. 8 and 1 7, with the
-exception of thirty acres lying in Dodge Co.; he is also the owner of some city property. He married in
1006 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
Albany Co., N. Y., on Dec. 26, 1850, Finetta, daughter of Submit and John Boomhower, a farmer of
Schoharie Co. N. Y.; have had six children — Helen, Elmina, Hayes (infant, deceased), Emma, A; J.
(deceased). Mr. Leemon has held the office of Treasurer and Director of the School Board ; he is politi-
cally a Democrat.
WILIilAM MOORE, M. D., Oakfield ; born in Oxford Co., Canada, in the year 1825 ; is
the son of Sarah and Daniel Moore, farmers, and both living at this date ; the subject of this sketch was
educated in the common schools of Canada and the Medical University of Buffalo; he graduated in 1850;
in 1852 he cpmmenced practice in Lancaster, Schuyler Co., Mo., and in 1861 came to Oakfield, and has
made it his home ever since. He was married in 1852 to Caroline, daughter of Charlotte and Truman
Parkhill, a farmer of Empire ; had three children by this wife, all deceased ; wife died in 1863 ; married to
second wife in 1865, Olive A., daughter of Moses Webster, a saddler and farmer of Oakfield; had two
children by this wife — William W. and Charles H.; this wife died of consumption in 1875 ; he was mar-
ried to present wife in 1877, she being Louisa G., daughter of Mary and John Hobbs, farmers of Byron.
Dr. Moore is a member of the Masonic Order, Oakfield Lodge, Chapter of Fond du Lac; he is the present
owner of 290 acres of land in the town of Oakfield, divided into three farms ; probable value $65 per
acre ; he is living in the village of Oakfield.
MYROX T. MORGAlllf, Oakfield; born in Steuben Co., Ind., in 1847; he is the son of Eme- '
line and Theodore Morgan, a carpenter and builder, formerly from New York State ; in 1848 he came with
his people to Lomira, Dodge Co., Wis., and after living there for three years they all went to New York
State ; when he was 8 years old his folks moved back to Dodge Co.; the subject of this sketch received his
education in the common schools of his time, and at the age of 18 he commenced work at the carpenter
and builder's trade ; in 1874 he came to Oakfield, carrying on the business of carpenter and builder until
1878, when he started a lumber-yard on the west side of the railroad track, near the depot, and has been
carrying on that business, steadily increasing ever since ; he is now, in connection with Mr. 0. W. Willard,.
engaged in putting up a mill for the manufacture of wagon material, expecting to be ready to start about
April 1. He married in Chester, Dodge Co., Dec. 3, 1879, Emma F., daughter of Philander H. and
Nancy H. Cole, farmers. The family attend the Episcopal Church ; he is politically a Kepublican.
ISAAC ORVIS; P. 0. Oakfield; born in Addison Co., Vt., in 1809;' son of Lillis and Loren
Orvis, a farmer and dairyman of that county. The subject of this sketch received his education in the
schools of his native place, and lived there until 1831, when he removed with his wife and one child to
the township of Whiily, then the county of York, Upper Canada; he remained there until 1846, when
he came to Fond du Lac Co., Wis., and moved his family here in the fall of the same year. He has made
Oakfield his home ever since ; during his residence in this town, he has been engaged in farming, milling
and wheat-buying. He married, Sept. 8, 1831, Gulielma, daughter of Elizabeth and Aaron Dean, a farmer
■of Warren Co., N. Y. ; they have had nine children — Henry D. ; Loyd M., deceased; George; Charles,
deceased ; John J. ; Albert, deceased ; Emily, .deceased ; Francis T. ; James, deceased. Mr. Orvis first
purchased 219 acres of land for $1,800 ; he is now residing on village property, owned by him in the vil-
lage of Oakfield ; he is at present holding the office of Justice of the Peace, and in 1864 was acting Sheriff"
of Fond du Lac County; in 1847, assisted by Alvin Foster, of Mayville, Mr. Van Order, of Neosho, and
Lucius Hurlburt, of Lomira, he procured by petition and diagram the first mail route from Oconomowoo
to Fond du Lao, and Mr. 0. was appointed the first Postmaster of Oakfield. His politics, Greenbacker,
' CHARIiES B. PARRATT, farmer. Sec. 34; P. O. Oakfield; born in Somersetshire,
England, in 1821 ; son of Jane and James Parratt, a carpenter by trade. The subject of this sketch
received his education in the common schools of his native place ; after leaving school, he worked with his-
father at the carpenter's trade, and also did gardening and general work ; in 1842, he came to the United
States and stopped in New York State for about eight months ; he then moved to Huron Co., Ohio, and
engaged in farming for eight years ; then he came to Wisconsin and lived in Greenbush for about four
months ; he then came to Oakfield, buying the southeast quarter of Sec. 33, where he has made his home
ever since ; he is the present owner of 240 acres of land lying in Sees. 33 and 34. He married in
England, in 1842, Ann, daughter of Doratha and John Billings, a machinist; had six children by this
wife, two now living — Alvin J.; Evalyn M. ; this wife died Feb. 4, 1860; he married his second wife
Nov. 21, 1862, in Oakfield, Sophronia M., daughter of Haywood and Maria Jones; had one child by this
wife, now dead ; family are members of the Oakfield Grange; he has been a member of the Board of
Supervisors. Is politically a Republican.
EDSOX A. PUTNAM, Oakfield; born in Washington Co., Vt., in 1832; is the son of
Cynthia and Leander Putnam, a farmer. The subject of this sketch received an academic and common-
school education in Vermont, and, at the age of 19, learned the trade of carpenter and joiner and millwright ,
OAKFIELD TOWNSHIP. 1007
in 1855, came West with his people and located on a farm in Lamartine, and, for about eighteen
months, Mr. Putnam lived in that town, working at his trade ; from there he came to Oakfield and
bought some village property, and built a sash, door and blind factory in partnership with J. T. White ; in
1868, Mr. White sold out to William O'Bryan, and the firm was Putnam & O'Bryan until 1871, when
William Blair bought out Mr. O'Bryan's interest, and the firm was Putnam & Blair until Jan. 1, 1879,
when they closed out the business completely. He married in Oakfield, Jan. 8, 1859, Adelia D., daugh-
ter of Clyminie and Moses Webster, a farmer of Oakfield ; they have had five children born to them —
William, Carrie and Bertie, all deceased, and Effie and Elizabeth, living. Mr. Putnam has held the office
of Supervisor and Superintendent of Schools, and, in 1875-76, was a member of the Legislature from his
district ; he is the owner of village property.
CHAIJIVCY A. RECTOR, carpenter and joiner, Oakfield; born in Erie Co., N. Y., in
1824, is the son of Parthenia and Nicholas D. Rector, a Baptist clergyman of that county. Chauncy was
educated in the common schools of that time, and worked on until the age of 23, when he learned the
trade of carpenter and joiner, working at his trade in Erie Co. until 1860, when he came west to Le Boy,
Dodge Co., Wis., and lived there until 1863 ; he then came to the town of Oakfield, bought a farm, mak-
ing it his home, but still working at his trade, until 1876, when he built a fine brick residence at the head
of Mill street, on a hill, commanding a full view of Oakfield Village, where he is now living. He mar-
ried in Erie Co., Dec. 24, 1846, Ann E., daughter of Margariti and Thomas Burnett, a farmer of that
county; they have had four children born to them — Elon A., Margariti P., Fremont C. and Helen P.
Is the present owner of sixteen and a half acres of village property, and are members of the Congregational
Church ; politics, Republican. Probable value of his property, $4,000.
WILIilAH I. RIPJLEY, farmer, Sec. 24 ; P. 0. Oakfield ; born in Clarendon, Vt., in
1812 ; son of Laura Torrence and Isaac Ripley, a molder in a furnace ; from there moved to Bennington,
Vt.; the subject of this sketch received a common-school education in the schools of that place ; at the
age of 14 he commenced working in a cotton-manufacturing establishment, and, in 1830, moved to Troy,
N. Y., living in the Fifth Ward of that city, then called the village of Albia, and still following the same
occupation ; after leaving Albia, he traveled to several different cities of New York and Vermont, and, in
1835, was made the agent for Arnold, Robinson & Co., of Sand Lake, proprietors of the Sand Lake Cot-
ton Warp Co., and continued as their manager until 1841 ; he then engaged in the mercantile business
with his brother-in-law, Col. J. M. Lawrence, in Belleview, Ohio, remaining there until 1842, when he
sold out to him, and with a stock of goods came to Fond du Lac, Wis. , and located in what was called at
that time the old Block House, at the forks of the river : in the fall of the same year he came to Oakfield,
settling on land that he had previously bought — 160 acres of Government land ; he opened a general store,
and continued in trade until 1854, when he sold out and gave his attention to farming, and continued on
the farm until 1869 ; he then moved into the village where he has resided ever since. He married, in
Dutchess Co., N. Y., in 1835, Hannah, daughter of Hannah Hall and Luther Lombard, a farmer, of Lud-
low, Mass. They have had eight children — William H. (deceased), Henry A. (dead), Charles E., Henry
A., Laura A. (dead), Louisa A. (dead), Alice A. (dead), Emma (dead). Mr. Ripley held the office of
Postmaster under Fillmore for four years ; has been Justice of the Peace, also. Chairman of the Board.
Family are members of the Congregational Church, and he is now serving as one of its deacons. He is
the present owner of 200 acres of land in Oakfield, part bting village property in Sees. 14, 21 and 27.
His son, Charles E., is an extensive farmer in Oakfield, and his other son, Henry A., is doing a fine busi-
ness— running a large lumber yard in the village.
W. S. RUSSEIili, dealer in butter, eggs and poultry, Oakfield; born in Broome Co., near
Binghamton, N. Y., in 1840 ; he is the son of Helen and Lucius P. Russell, a farmer and lumberman of
that place. The subject of this sketch received an academic education in New York State ; in 1855,
removed with his people to the city of Fond du Lac, and clerked for his father in the grocery business, on
the corner of Third and Main streets; he remained there until 1857, when they came to Oakfield and
settled on a farm formerly owned by Charles Willard ; worked on the farm until the war broke out, and,
in September, 1861, he enlisted under Capt. Ward, and served through the entire war, going in as a
musician, and coming out as Fife Major; while in the army, he was twice taken to the hospital with
fevers, and was laid up six months, and has never fully recovered, physically ; in 1866, he commenced
traveling on the road for wholesale grocery firms, and continued in that business until 1876, when he
bought out Henry Cornell and entered into partnership with Allen Filby, under the firm name of W. S.
Russell & Co.; in September, 1879, he bought out Mr. Filby, continuing the business alone. Mr. Russell
is one of the largest handlers of choice butter and produce in Wisconsin ; he ships of poultry alone from
eight to ten tons per season, and of butter, from seventy-five to eighty-five tons; his trade is steadily
1008 BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES:
increasing every year, and he now receives a great many orders more than he can possibly fill ; he ships to
all portions of the United States, and his average sales per year are 140,000. He is the present owner of
city property in Fond du Lac, also of village property in Oakfield. Aug. 26, 1867, he married Phebe,
daughter of Ladoiska and Nathaniel Gage, a farmer and old settler of the town of Lomira, Dodge Co.;
have had four children born to them — Edna E. (deceased), Willis L., Julius S. (deceased) and May E.
He is a member of the Masonic Order, Oakfield Lodge, and Royal Arch Mason of the Darling Chapter
of Fond du Lac ; are members of the Episcopal Church of Oakfield ; politically, he is a Republican.
JACOB M. SIMMOBTS, Postmaster, Oak Center ; born in Berlin, Rensselaer Co., N. Y., in
1839, is the son of Silusia and Peter Simmons, a farmer ; in 1846, came West with his people and located
in Oakfield, his father pre-empting 160 acres of Government land. The subject of this sketch received a com-
mon-school education in the schools of Fond du Lac Co.; at theageof 19 he wentto work on a farm with his
father, working for him until 1866 ; he then bought a farm in Le Roy, Dodge Co., and lived on it one sum-
mer ; after selling that, he moved to Kekoskee, and bought an interest in a grist and flouring mill ; Mr.
Simmons was engaged in milling for ten years ; in 1876, he sold out to H. T. Hubbard, and bought a
place of half an acre at Oak Center Station, and buying out the business of J. W. Messer, is now keep-
ing a general stock of merchandise and dealing in farm produce ; he is also connected with his brother in
running an eleva'^or at the station. He is a member of the I. O. 0. F., Oakfield Lodge : his political
views are Democratic. He married in Oakfield, in 1865, Fidelia S., daughter of Esther D. and A. A.
Swan, a farmer.
PETER K. SIMMOWS, farmer. Sec. 29 ; P. 0. Oak Center ; born in Rensseladr Co., N. Y.,
in 1805, son of Peter and Sophronia Simmons Kilmer ; at the age of 4 years he was adopted by
his uncle, Peter Simmons, he taking his uncle's name, Simmons ; the subject of this sketch received his
education in the common schools of his naitive place ; he was brought up on a farm ; at the age of 22 he
went to work for himself, working farms on shares, etc.; in 1846, he came West to Oakfield, taking up 16fl
acres of Government land in Sec. 29 ; he has lived on the same farm ever since. He married in 1828, at
New Lebanon, Selucia, daughter of Oliver E. Manning and Marcia Blanchard Manning, a sailor, farmer
and shoemaker ; they have had seven children — Emily S., Elizabeth, Nancy J. (dead), Luraney C, Cather-
ine H., Jacob M. and Henry P. Mr. Simmons has held the office of Assistant Supervisor and member of
the School Board a number of terms. He is the present;owner of 246 acres of land in Sees. 28, 29 and
32 in Oakfield. He is a Democrat.
WIIiL.IAM A. SIfllTH, farmer. Sees. 12 and 20 ; P. O. Oakfield; born in Goshen, Orange
Co., N. Y., in the year 1817 ; is the son of Marion and Grant Smith, a farmer of that county; William
was educated in the common schools of his native place, and at the age of 16 learned the trade of wheel-
wright; in the fall of 1845, he came West and located in Galena, 111., working there at his trade for a few
months ; he then came to Fond du Lao Co., and engaged in farming on the place where he now resides,
buying his land of William R. Tallmadge, paying $2.50 per acre for 160 acres ; he has made this his home
ever since; at the present time he is the owner of 189 acres, being in Sec. 18 in Byron, and Sees. 12 and
20 in Oakfield. Mr. Smith was married in Orange Co., N. Y., on Nov. 26, 1846, to Martha, daughter of
Ehzabeth and Hezekiah Watkins, a farmer of that county; they have had six children born to them —
John M., Harriet E. (deceased), Soloma A., James A., Marian and W. Watkins. He has held the office
of Supervisor ; Mr. S. and family are members of the Congregational Church of Fond du Lac ; he is
politically a Republican.
ARTHUR H. STEESr, farmer. Sec. 12 ; P. O. Oakfield ; born in the extreme North of Ire-
land in 1816, son of Frances and John L. Steen,agardener on the Mansfield estate ; Arthur received his edu-
cation in the private schools of that time and place ; at the age of 17 he entered the business of gardening ; in
1837, he came to the United States, and located on Long Island, N. Y., where he engaged in the nursery
and gardening business; in 1841, he went to Western New York, to Livingstone Co., remaining there
until 1846 ; he then came to Wiscorlsin and located on the farm where he now resides ; Mr. Steen is the
present owner of 144 acres of very fine farming land in Sec. 7 in Byron, and Sec. 12 in Oakfield ; prob-
able, value, $60 per acre. He married, in 1841, Frances, daughter of Ann and Joseph Filby, a clothier and
tailor, of Queen's Co., N. Y. ; she died in Oakfield ; they had five children — Frances A., Mary S., Joseph
F., John A. (deceased), and Arthur H., a physician in Minnesota. The family are members of the
Episcopal Church ; he ii politically a Republican.
JAUEJ^ C. WEI/liS, Oakfield; born in Goffstown, N. H., in 1809; is son of Hannah and
Robert Wells, a carpenter and joiner by trade, and, for a great many years, keeper of a public house and
also proprietor of a large orchard and cider-mill, manufacturing over one hundred barrels of cider per
year; in 1811, James moved with his parents to Corinth, Orange Co., Vt.; in 1814, he moved to Lewis,
,.~ , '\.i>
J' ■^^
Springvale.
OAKFIELD TOWNSHIP. 1011
Essex Co., N. Y.; he received his education in the common schools of that place, and was brought up a
-farmer ; at the age of 17 he went to work for the celebrated Joe Call, in the saw-mill business, working
for him as boss sawyer most of the time until the age of 20 ; the next year he bought a farm in the town
of Lawrence, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., of seventy-two acres, and went to farming, and continued there
until 1834, having one of the best^stocked farms of that section; he then sold out and went back to Lewis,
Essex Co., and lived with his wife's people for three years; he then bought a farm of 300 acres — built a
house and stocked up the farm ; in 1854, he sold out and came to Wisconsin, locating on a farm of 190
acres in the town of Oakfield, including also a large stone quarry ; he built a fine stone house and barn ;
also built and ran three lime-kilns, doing a very extensive business in lime, also building and flagging
stone, still carried on the farm and lived there until 1877, when he bought village property and built a
residence, where he has resided ever since; he sold his farm and quarries for 88,000 to Charles Town. Mr.
Wells was married in Essex Co., N. Y., in 1831, to Caroline A., daughter of Lydia and Joel H. Johnson,
a farmer of that county ; have had ten children — Mary E., Milo J., Oscar J., Augusta J. (deceased),
Martha J., Lucinda C, Helen R. (deceased), Leroy R., Fred W. and Alemburt Gr. They are members
of the Christian Advent Church. He has held the offices of member of the School Board and Treasurer.
Id politics, a Republican.
liEE WHITE, Oakfield; born in East Montpelier, Vt., in 1849 ; is the son of John and Mary
J. White, the former a clergyman and farmer of that place ; the subject of this sketch received his educa-
tion in the common schools of his native place; at the age of 18, he came to Wisconsin, stopping for one
year ; he then returned to Vermont, and went to work on the farm ; after working for two years, he went
to Springfield, Mass., and went to work for the Wasson Car Manufacturing Co.: after working for them
for a short time, he returned to the farm, and for several years was engaged in doing general work, farm-
ing, etc.; in 1877, he again came West to Wisconsin, and located in Oakfield ; he has been engaged in
the meat-market business, and is at present working for the Chicago & North-Western Railway Co. He
married, in 1871, in the town of Waterbury, Vt., Eva J., daughter of Porter W. and Mary J. Thomas,
the former a merchant ; they have had one child — Ivan W., deceased ; the family attend the Congrega-
tional Church. Mr. White is a Republican.
OSCAR W. WIIiLiAKD, carriage and wagon maker, Oakfield; born in Canaan, Columbia
Co., N. Y., in 1829 ; is the son of Harriet and Charles Willard, a blacksmith and farmer ; Oscar, in 1833,
moved with his people to Fairport, thence to Brockport, and thence to Rochester ; in 1844, he came to
Milwaukee, and, in the spring of 1845, came to Oakfield, and has made this his home ever since ; he was
educated in the common schools of New York State, and at an early age learned the trade of blacksmith,
also of carriage and wagon maker, and has followed these trades during his residence here. He was mar-
ried, in Oakfield, to Theodosia, daughter of Hannah and John Moore, a farmer and milled-; they have had
four children born to them — Florence, Prank, Eugene and Harry, deceased. In 1862, Mr. Willard joined
Go. P., 21st W. V. I., under Capt. Conklin ; was injured, and laid up in hospital four months, and was then
disohatged. He has held the office of Constable for a number of terms ; is the owner of several pieces of
village property, and a large stone blacksmith and carriage shop ; his family attend the Episcopal Church,
and he is a member of the I. 0. 0. F., Oakfield Lodge. Politically, he is a Republican.
EDGi-AR WILCOX, farmer. Sees. 1 and 12 ; P. O. Oakfield ; born in Genesee Co., N. Y., in
1830 ; is the son of Sarah and Jeremiah Wilcox, a farmer of that county ; in 1845, came to Wisconsin
with his parents, and settled on a. farm in Walworth Co; in 1849, went back to New York State, and
lived there until 1857, when he came West again, directly to Fond du Lao Co., Wis., where he has made
his home ever since. He was married, in 1878, to Ellen A., daughter of Lydia M. and Rev. Samuel Dar-
ling, a Congregationalist clergyman of Oakfield ; Mr. Wilcox is the owner of 300 acres of fine farming
land in Sees. 1 and 12, town of Oakfield; probable value $50 per acre. He has held the offices of Town
Clerk and Town School Superintendent, and, in 1864, was a member of the State Legislature from the
Fifth District; is a member of the Masonic Order, Oakfield Lodge, and also of the Congregational
Church ; politically, he is a Republican.
JOHN WOOKEY, farmer, Sec. 2 ; P. 0. Oakfield; born in Somersetshire, England, in
1832 ; son of Elizabeth and John Wookey, a farmer ; John received a common-school education in the
schools of his native place, and followed farming with his father until the age of 17, when be came to the
United States and located in Kenosha, Wis., with his parents; in 1853, he went to Australia, and for six
years was occupied in mining; in 1859, he returned to America, and, in 1860, he located on the place
where he now resides, and has been occupied in farming ever since. He married, in Fond du Lac, Novem-
ber, 1859, Eliza, daughter of Benjamin and Mary Ann Stallard, the former a farmer of Rochester, N.
NN
1012 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
Y.; they have four children — Sydney, Edith, Lizzie and Effie ; the family attend the Baptist Church ; he-
is a member of the I. 0. 0. F., Oakfield Lodge, and is the present owner of 115 acres of land in Sec. 2,,
town of Oakfield ; probable value, $50 per acre. He is a Republican.
EMPIRE TOWNSHIP.
WIlirilAM S. ADAMS, farmer, Sec. 32 ; is a son of Abram and Louisa Adams, natives or
Connecticut, but who, after their marriage, removed to Rutland Co., Vt., where William S. was born in
1818 ; he spent his life in his native county at farming, till 1847, whence he removed to the town of
Forest, Fond du Lac Co., Wis., where he lived for about seventeen years ; here he was at first surrounded
on all sides by Indians, whose camps were not far from his pioneer house, and who often came to trade
their venison for corn and other desired articles which he chanced to have ; in July, 1865, he disposed of
that farm, and bought his present one of 160 acres in the above-given section of the town of Empire. In
1849, he married Miss Martha B., daughter of Worcester E. and Sarah E. Peck, of Castletown, Rutland.
Co., Vt; they have five children — AlmiraS.,born 1850; Wilson M.,born in 1852; Dayton, born in 1855;
Wilber C.,born in 1858; Ellsworth I., born in 1862. Mrs. Adams is a member of the Methodist Church
of Empire ; Mr. Adams has been Collector and Supervisor of the town of Empire.
JOHN BERRY, farmer, Sees. 28, 33 and 35 ; is of New England descent, though a native or
Dutchess Co., N. Y., where he was born Dec. 27, 1794 ; he is the son of Samuel Berry and Neoma
Oreene, natives of Cape Cod, but immigrants to Dutchess Co., N. Y., nearly 100 years ago ; his father-
was a tailor by trade, but lived on a small farm which he owned in that county till John was about 12,
years of age, when they removed to Cayuga Co., N. Y.; at this time, John had a wealthy bachelor uncle
living in Putnam Co., N. Y., who soon after married, but having no children, took him (John), his name-
sake— to live with him on the farm, and, to whom, at his death, he left most of his estate ; after the death
of his uncle, he lived on the farm for several years, whence, in 1830, he removed his family to Peakskill,
N, Y., and for the next five years was engaged in steamboating from that point to New York City; dis-
posing of his interest in this business, he next engaged in stock-dealing, and was what might be termed a
stock-drover, buying up large droves for the New York market ; in 1848 he came to Wisconsin and pur-
chased 220 acres qf land in above-named sections, in the town of Empire, and has since devoted his
time to farming. April 12, 1823, he was married to Miss Minerva, daughter of Nathaniel and Charlotte
Hyatt, of Putnam Co., N. Y., by whom_ he has had seven children, five sons and two daughters — Green
(deceased, killed in a railroad disaster in Iowa), Charlotte (now Mrs. M. Briggs, of the town of Eden),-
Laura J. (deceased), Eugene (deceased), John (now with Fairbanks, of Chicago), Oscar and Theron. Mr.
and Mrs. Berry are members of the Methodist Church of Empire ; Mr. B. has been a member of the-
County Board for a number of years. Such is a brief sketch of the life of one who has lived more than
his fourscore years, and, though quite enfeebled by age. is to-day a worthy example of true Christian
virtues.
GrEORGE BINXIIVG, farmer, Sec. 27 ; is a native of Somersetshire, England ; born in
1827; son of Jeffry and Johannah Binning, nee Wall; at the age of 19 he set sail from Bristol
to seek a home in America's land ; reaching New York in June, 1847, he went to Queens Co., where he
remained till 1850, whence he removed to Wisconsin and bought a farm of eighty acres in the town of
Forest, Fond du Lac Co., which he made his home for eighteen months ; then to the town of Empire,
where, in fall of 1854, he bought a farm of 70 acres in Sec. 27, to which he has continually added until
he now has 360 acres in Sees. 21, 26 and 27. In 1853 he married Miss Ellen, daughter of William and
Mary Ottery, of Empire ; they have had eight children — William (of Pond du Lac), Henry, John
(deceased), infant (deceased), Jeffry, Charles, Mary J., and Ella. Mr. Binning has been a member of
the Town Board for two terms, and is politically a Republican ; the family are connected with the Pres-
byterian Church.
MRS. ORPHA BRIOGS, Sees. 14 and 15 ; P. 0. Fond du Lac; is a daughter of Peleg
and Hannah Briggs, of Dutchess Co., N. Y., but emigrated to Luzerne Co., Penn., Id March, 1818, where
Orpha was born Oct. 5, 1821 ; she was educated in the district schools of her native county, after which
she followed teaching for two years. In the spring of 1854, she, with her husband, Mr. Taylor, removed
to Fond du Lac Co., Wis., and settled on a farm belonging to Mr. Isaac Tallmadge, in the town of Empire ;
two years after, they removed to Mr. John Meiklejohn's farm, and, in 1856, they bought 100 acres of land m.
EMPIBE TOWNSHIP. 1013
Sees. 14 and 15, to which they removed in the following year ; she has since bought twenty acres in the
same section, which makes her a farm of seventy acres ; they had two sons and one daughter — Peleg B.
Taylor, deceased; Hannah E., now Mrs. Andrew Willard, of Plymouth Co., Iowa; Reuben H. Taylor.
THOMAS BROWJVSEIili, farmer, Sees. 5 and 8 ; son of Benjamin and Elizabeth
Brownsell, born in Buckinghamshire, England, in 1825 ; in 1845, he, with his parents, came to America,
and settled in Racine, now Kenosha Co., Wis., whence, in 1850, to Walworth Co. for four years; thence,
in 1854, to Fond du Lac Co., where he bought a farm of 135 acres, 80 of which is in Sec. 8, and 55
acres in Sec. 5, town of Empire ; he also has 48 acres in Sec. 28, town of Forest. In 1850, he married
Miss Mary A., daughter of Abram and Elizabeth Rhodus, natives of Yorkshire, England, but immigrants
to Kenosha Co., Wis., in 1844 ; they have had four children, three daughters and one son — Sarah J.,
deceased ; Fannie, widow of the late Henry Ottery, deceased, died Jan. 29, 1877 ; Mary E., Fredrick C.
JAMES BUItBfEIili, farmer. Sees. 34 and 35 ; is a son of Patrick Burnell and Hannah
Sullivan ; born in County Clare, Ireland, in 1829 ; he spent his time there at farming till the spring of
1853, whence set sail for America, and, after a two-months sail, landed in New York Harbor May 27 ; he
then removed to Litchfield Co., Conn., where, for three years, he was employed at farm labor and mining,
whence, in 1856, he came to Wisconsin, and for two years following he was employed by the farmers ;
he saved his earnings, till, by careful management, he was, in 1858, able to buy a farm of eighty acres in
Sees. 34 and 35, in the town of Empire, which is now worth about $60 per acre, and now enjoys the com-
forts of a pleasant home, as the fruits of his industry and economy. In September, 1857, he married Miss
Mary, daughter of Thomas and Julia Roughan, of Fond du Lac, she being a native of County Clare, Ire-
land ; they have four children — Honora, Mary Ann, Patrick H. and James. Mr. B. and family are
members of St. Joseph's Catholic Church.
SIIiAS R. CHAKLjES, farmer. Sec. 34 ; a native of this town ; born in 1851, and is the
son of John and Mirinda Charles, now of the town of Taycheedah ; Silas grew up on the farm, but
learned the blacksmith's trade with his father, which he followed for seven years, much of the time in the
employ of the Chicago & North- Western R. R. Co., after which he took up the carpenter and joiner's trade,
which he continued in the interest of the company for about six years ; in 1873, he gave up his trade, and
removed to a farm of eighty acres, in S^o. 34, town of Empire, which his father had given him. In June,
1874, he married Miss Pheba, daughter of Edmund and Eliza A. Robinson, of Holland, Sheboygan Co.
Mr. Qharles is a member of the Methodist Church, and his wife of the United Brethren.
GUST AVE DE XEVEU, farmer ; the subject of the following sket6h is believed to be the
oldest resident of Fond du Lao County. He is the son of Francis Joseph De Neveu and Elizabeth T.
Monnoir, of Savigny, France, born March 30, 1811 ; when a young man, 19 years of age, his father
joined the expedition sent out by King Louis XVI, under Count d'Estang to aid the Americans in their
struggle for independence, as an ensign on board the ship Scipio, a seventy-foar-gun line-of-battle ship
commanded by Capt. de Lamotte Piquet. The fleet was met by an English expedition commanded by
Admiral Kempenfeld, and the battle that followed was indecisive, though the French were worsted by
the encounter, and lost some sixteen transports loaded with troops and munitions of war for the Americans,
out of about 200 such vessels. The opposing parties separated in the darkness, and the French put back
to Brest, where his father was left in hospital with a leg broken by a British bullet. Before he had
recovered, the French, having repaired damages, sailed again, and this time reached America. Thus hav-
ing inherited a sympathetic feeling for America, Gustave, in December, 1834, four years after having
finished his education in military school of La Fleche and the College of Vendome, set sail for a visit to
America, and also to study the English language, which he pursued at Milford, Penn., for a short time,
and then devoted his time to teaching French in Schuylersville, N. Y., for about five months ; Sept. 1, 1835,
he started on his return home, which he reached about nineteen days after, spending the shooting season at
home ; he went to Paris in the fall and there spent about five months in the study of art, whence in June,
1836, he set sail again for America in the ship " Syoie de Grasse," William Cullen Bryant being among
its passengers, reaching New York July 17, thence to Batavia, that State, and then followed the teacher's
profession for some time, whence in 1838 he immigrated to Wisconsin, stopping a while at Green Bay, then
visiting Fond du Lac, where he purchased about five hundred acres of land in the town of Empire ; he
then returned to Batavia, N. Y. and there spent the winter in teaching, after which, in the spring of 1839,
he came again to Fond du Lao and made his permanent settlement on his farm, where he has spent most
of his time at agricultural pursuits, though he has devoted part of his time with his books. He was nomi-
nated for Senator on the Greenback ticket in 1877 ; was elected President of the Fond du Lac County
Agricultural Society in 1879. Jan. 4, 1840, he married Miss Harriet P., daughter of John and Rosalie
Dousman, of the Island Mackinaw; they have had eleven children, as follows: Matilda M,, now Mrs. H.
1014 BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES:
W. Tusten, of Russell, Kan. ; Julia M., Mrs. John Beeson, of Vancouver, Washington Territory; Edward,
of Russell, Kan. ; Emily ; Gustave ; Francis J. ; Arthur B., deceased ; Virginia R. ; Hattie ; G-eorge W.
and Lucy R.
WILIilAH EDWARDS, farmer, Sees. 23 and 26; is a son of Richard and Martha Ed-
wards, nee Willard, of Somersetshire, England ; was born in June, 1816. His father owned a small farm
in that country, but was more commonly known as a coachman; William's literary advantages were quite
limited, though, he lacked none of that resolution of will which, und^r adverse circumstances, is essential to
success ; on the 25th of March, 1850, he set sail for America, and landed in New York in the following
May, stopping for about eighteen months in Cayuga Co., N. Y. ; he then went to Sippervale, near
Auburn, N. Y., for about the same length of time, whence, in 1854, he removed to Cook Co., 111., and
settled on a little place eighteen miles south of Chicago ; here he spent another eighteen months at honest
toil, and in 1856, he rembved to the town of Empire, Fond du Lac Co., Wis., where he purchased a
small farm of 40 acres in Sec. 26, which, by his industry and careful management, he has gradually
improved and increased to one of 200 acres, besides buying another of 73 acres in Sec. 23, same town,
for his son Albert. In 1853, he was married to Miss Mary, daiighter of William and Sarah Phillips, nee
Miller, of Somersetshire, England; they have three children, as follows: Albert, who married Miss Char-
lotte, daughter of James and Jane Fisher, of the town of Forest, in April, 1878; Richard and Sarah A.
During the winter of 1878-79, Mr. Edwards made his first visit to his home since his departure in 1850,
and Spent some pleasant months with his sisters and relatives, who seemed to enjoy his yisit fully as well
he. Mr. and Mrs. Edwards are prominent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Empire, and
are among its most devoted worshipers. It can truly be said that Mr. Edwards is one of the most
straightforward and upright citizens of the town ; honesty and integrity pervade all his dealing; all who
ktiow him, acknowledge his example for good in the community ; devoted to his home and family, he
finds his greatest pleasure around the fireside and family circle. Such is a brief life-sketch of one who has
honestly toiled through his threescore years, and never lost sight of the true Christian manhood and life.
ATjFRED T. G£R]fIOND, farmer. Sec. 32 ; is a descendant of the first settlers of Dutchess
Co., N. Y., his great-grandfather being one of the nine original partners of the county ; heis the son of William
Germond and Juliana Benton, born in Dutchess Co. Nov. 30, 1814; till 12 years of age, he spent his
time with his father on the farm, and attending district school ; he then began clerking in a dry-goods store
in Washington, Dutchess Co., N. Y, where he continued for about two years, going thence to New York
City, he continued clerking for a number of years, and then he became interested in a dry-goods establish-
ment as proprietor for a few years ; about the year 1841, he removed to Poughkeepsie, N. Y;, where for
the next five years he was engaged in the freighting and forwarding business ; in the summer of 1846, he
came to Fond du Lac and bought 240 acres of Government land in Sec. 32, town of Empire, on which
he made a few improvements, and late in the fall returned to Poughkeepsie, where in 1848, he married
Miss Mary A., daughter of William and Sarah E. Halsted, nee Barker (of White Plains, Westchester
Co.), immediately after which they started for their future home in Wisconsin, where he has since devoted
his time principally to agricultural pursuits and stock-raising ; though he has always taken an active part
in all afiairs of public ititerest in his town or county ; it was he who suggested the name Empire for the
town in which he now lives — a complete history of which is given in the body of this work. He was a
member of the County Board for about fifteen years, and was Justice of the Peace for more than that
length of time ; was Superintendent of the County Poor from the Eastern District; has held several other
minor offices ; he is at present President of the Old Settlers' Society of Pond du Lac Co.; Mr. Germond
owned the first thrashing machine brought to the town of Empire, it being the old open cylinder tread-
power type. Mr. and Mrs. Germond have had four children, three sons and one daughter, as follows :
William U., Albert H. (deceased), Sarah E. and George H. His wife is a member of the M. E. Church
of Empire. Such is a brief sketch of the life-history of one who has been and is one of Empire's most
active and respected citizens, and is a worthy example of that success which may be attained by constant
and persevering effort.
DAVID OIDDIXGS, farmer. Sees. 29 and 30 ; is a son of Joshua Giddings and Abigail
Cogswell, of Ipswich, Essex Co., Mass.; born in 1808 ; his father was a tanner by trade, but devoted
much of his life to farming, with whom David pursued the same vocation till about 19 years of age,
when he became proprietor of a variety store in Ipswich, which continued for seven years ; in 1835, he
came to Chicago, thence, with three comrades in a skiffto Milwaukee, where they found Mr. Juneau, the
trader, as the only settler ; after spending about a fortnight here, he went to Green Bay and spent much
of his time in surveying Government lands in that and other counties ; in June, 1836, he, in company with a
number of surveyors — Colwert Pier, Mrs. Robins, her nephew and others, came down in a Durham boat
EMPIRE TOWNSHIP. 1015
from Green Bay to Pond du Lac ; Mr. Pier and wife settled at Fond du Lac, and the surveyors passed on to
the southern part of this and the northern part of Dodge Co., where they spent from June till September at
their work, and saw only one white man aside from their company during that time ; in 1837, he went to
Sheboygan and purchased a half-interest in a lumber-mill at Sheboygan Falls, where he was engaged in
the lumber trade till 1865; disposing of his lumber business at that time, he purchased a farm of 600
acres in Sees. 29 and 30, town of Empire, and removed thither ; he now has 407 acres, having sold the
rest to some of his neighbors. In June, 1842, he married Miss Dorothy, daughter of Deacon William
and Dorothy Trowbridge, nee Chapin, of Worcester, Mass.; they have had three children, as follows :
Howard, of Sheboygan Falls ; Clara (deceased), George, of the firm of DeGroat & Giddings, of Fond
du Lac. Mr, Giddings was one of the first settlers of Sheboygan Co., and took an active part in all affairs
pertaining to the general welfare of that county while a resident there, and he has been none the less
active in all such pertaining to this county, since his identification with its citizens.
D .P. CrlliTXER (deceased), was a son of Jacob and Mary Giltner, and a native of Ithaca,
Tompkins Co., N. Y., born Jan. 14, 1814 ; being the son of a farmer, he spent most of his boyhood at
that calling; at the age of 16, he removed to Tioga Co., N. Y., where he was engaged more or less in the
lumber trade till 1846. In 1840, he married Miss Hester M., daughter of Hallack and Lydia Smith, of
Chemung Co., that State. In 1846, they emigrated to the town of Empire, Fond du Lac Co., Wis., com-
ing in via the lakes and .Sheboygan, where they waited three days for a team to convey them to their des-
tination, having only $5 in his pocket when he reached Wisconsin, and only $1 when he reached his
brother's, and that he lost in a few days after, so it may be said that he reached his future home penni-
less; they lived with his brother for about one year, or until they got their house finished, in which they
afterward kept tavern ; it was here that the first railroad meeting was held in Fond du Lac Co., an
account of which is given in the article on railroads, though it will not be out of place, to state here that
Mrs. Giltner cooked a barrel of eggs for dinner that day, and fed eighty guests ; they kept hotel for seven
years, afler which he turned his attention to farming till his death, April 12, 1871. They have a son and
daughter — George L. and Mary F., both of whom were born in New York. Their house was often used
for church service in those days, and when they had no service there, they often walked three or four miles
to church ; Mrs. Giltner is a member of the Baptist Church ; her daughter of the Episcopal Church.
NELSON E. HIIiJLEBERT, farmer; is the second son of Eleazor and Laura Hilbert, nee
Comstock, of Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., born Dec. 25, 1838 ; in 1848, he, with parents, removed to Fond du
Lac Co., and settled in the town of Waupun. Jan 1, 1863, he married Miss Addie, daughter of William
and Cynthia Johnson, nee Wheeler, of that town, though native of Herkimer Co., N. Y., who emigrated
from tbere in 1849 ; they have had six children, four daughters and two sons — Mary E., Jennie, George E.,
Charles H. (deceased), Viola B. and an infant daughter not yet named. In 1865, he removed to the city
of Fond du Lac, where he was engaged in the 'saw- milling business most of the time till the spring of
1879, when he removed to Mr. Griffith's farm in the town of Empire. Mr. H. has been a member of
the I. 0. 0. F. since 1868.
FRANCIS J. ISAAC, farmer. Sec. 17 ; son of Martin and Mary Isaac, of the Province of
Rhine, Germany, born March 3, 1823. Francis was educated according to the school system of his native
country, and at the age of 17 was apprenticed to the cabinet-maker's trade ; in 1847, he came to America,
landing in New York ; thence direct to Milwaukee, where he continued his trade for one and a half years ;
he then bought a farm seven miles southwest of the city of Milwaukee, where he followed farming for
three years ; in 1851, he disposed of his farm and removed to the town of Marshfield, Fond du Lac Co.,
where he owned a farm of eighty acres ; living there for twelve years, he purchased a farm of ninety acres
in Sec. 17, forty of which he has given to his son. In 1847, he married Miss Jennie C, daughter of
Peter and Katie Schreiner, of the Rhine Province ; they have five children — Annie, Hobert, Joseph,
Inglebert and Katie. Members of the St. Mary's Catholic Church. Mr. I. is Justice of the Peace of
the town of Empire ; he held the same office in the town of Marshfield for nine years.
WILIjET JOHNSON, farmer ; Sees. 29 and 30 ; is a native of America, Dutchess Co., N. Y.;
born about 1831 ; his parents botlkdying when he was quite young, he was placed under the care of a
guardian, whose treatment of him was such that at the age of 11 he was forced to seek a new home ; this
he did by finding employment with some of the neighboring farmers of that county till about 17 years
old ; in July, 1849, with barely money enough (and that his own earnings) to pay his expenses, he started
for Wisconsin ; reaching Fond du Lao Co., he began working at farm labor for Mr. Briggs, with whom
he continued for one year ; for the next two years he was in the employ of Mr. A. T. Germond, at $10 per
month ; after this followed clearing up pieces of land for farmers in the neighborhood ; by these contracts he
gained money enough to purchase a yoke of oxen and^a plow ; in 1853 he purchased an eighty-acre tract
1016 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
of raw land, which he began to improve ; he went up in the pineries with his ox team and worked for $1
per day for Mr. Meiklejohn, till he paid for enough lumber to build his first house ; in 1863 he disposed
of that farm and bought his present one of eighty acres of Mr. David Giddings. In 1852 he married
Miss Sarah, daughter of Edward Davis, of Fond du Lac, she being a native of Canada West ; they have
three children, as follows: Louisa, now Mrs. Arthur Maxin, of Pond du Lac; Elizabeth and Albert B.
Such is a short life-history of one who began the world almost friendless, but, by his perseverance and hon-
est industry, stands a worthy example for all such unfortunate young men.
RICHARD K AYE, farmer ; Sees. 23, 24 and 25 ; was born in Yorkshire, England, March
8, 1829 ; is the son of Abraham and Mary Kaye ; his mother, a woman of ^rare Christian virtues, was not
long spared him, having died in England when he was a mere boy, but his father lived to a good old age ;
In 1841, he, with his father, immigrated to Racine Co., Wis., and settled at Burlington, whence in the
spring of 1848, they removed to the town of Empire, where Richard now owns a farm of 240 acres in
the above-named sections ; here his father died Jan. 29, 1875. Feb. 2, 1852, he was married to Miss
Olive, daughter of Obadiah and Nancy Putney, nee Strader, a native of Canada, but her husband of
New York State ; Mrs. Kaye was born in Lisbon, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., and immigrated to Wisconsin
in 1850, and they have four children — Mary I., now Mrs. Joseph F. Steen, of Fond du Lac; Edwin S.,
Frank W., Anna M.
AIj AUfSON P. liYOlVS, farmer, Sec 9 ; is a son of the pioneers of this town, David and
Sarah Lyons; A. P., was born in Tioga Co., N. Y., in 1834 ; came with his parents to the town of Empire
and lived with them till about 26 years of age, when he bought a farm of 120 acres in See. 9. In 1862
he enlisted in Co. I, of the 5th W. V. I., but was discharged at Madison on account of sickness, after
three month's service. Dec. 27, 1863, he married Miss Emerette T., daughter of William T. and Mary
A. Banning, of the town of Empire, but a native of Connecticut; they have three children — Herbert E.,
Edward S. and Ula Q.
DAYID LiYOJUS, farmer, Sec. 29 ; was born in Tioga Co., N. Y., Deo. 21, 1809 ; he is the son
of Justice and Annie Lyons, natives of Orange Co., N. Y., who immigrated to Tioga Co. soon after their
marriage ; David spent much of his time on his father's farm till 20 years of age, when, for his faithful-
ness, and as an expression of paternal aiFection his father give him a farm of fifty acres in that county, on
which he spent a short time and then removed to a farm belonging to his wife ; in 1843, he with his fam-
ily emigrated to McHenry Co., 111., remaining there over winter; in the summer of 1844 he came to
Fond du Lac Co., and was the first man to settle on what is known as the Ledge in the town of Empire ;
not having means enough to pay the express on a chest of household goods and bureau from McHenry Co. to
Milwaukee, they were compelled to do without many of the essentials to even a pioneer home, till he, with
his whole family, could, by working for ^1 per day, earn enough money to defray the expense on the
goods ; he rented the Conklin mill during the years of 1845-46, from which the neighbors for miles
around were able to get flour for their daily bread, it being the first mill in that section of the country,
though during the winter of 1846-47 the water failed and the people were compelled to resort to the faith-
ful coffee-mill as the only means by which they could get their wheat ground. In 1830, he was married to
Miss Harriet, daughter of William and Lydia Ellis, of Tioga Co., N:Y., who died in February, 1831, leaving
one son — Ranson E:, now of Monroe Co., Wis.; some months after (though during the same year), his
first wife died, he married Miss Sarah, daughter of John and Deborah Hannah, of Tioga Co., N. Y.; they
have four children — A. P. and George of Empire ; Deborah A., Mrs. S. M. White, of Salem Co., Wis.,
and William T., of Crete, Neb.
THOMAS 3IAYHEW (deceased). He was a son of John and Sarah Mayhew (nee Church),
of Amenia, Dutchess Co. N. Y. ; born in 1815 ; he spent his early life on his father's farm in that
county ; was educated in the common schools ; when about 15 years of age,- he ivent to live with a widow
lady in that county, with whom he made his home till 1839, when, Sept. 20 of that year, he married
Miss Betsey A., daughter of David and Abby Collar (nee Kedney), of Dover, Dutchess Co., soon after
which he began farming for himself, and continued till 1846, when he returned to the widow lady's farm
and managed that for four years, whence, in 1850, they removed to^Fond du Lac Co., Wis., and pur-
chased a farm of 120 acres in Sees. 33, 34 and 28, where he made his home till his death. May 24, 1872,
leaving a widow, by whom he had four children — George N. (deceased in 1852), Eliza R. (now Mrs.
Arthur Olmsted, of the town of Fond du Lac), Henrietta (now Mrs. William Benning, of the town of
Fond du Lac), Ella (now Mrs. Sanford Pease, of the town of Fond du Lac). Mrs. Mayhew is a mem-
ber of the M. E. Church.
JOHW MEIKIiE JOHX, farmer. Sees. 2S, 23, 14 and 15 ; a native of Putnam, Washing-
ton Co., N. Y., though of Scotch descent, his father, Andrew Meiklejohn, being a native of that country,
EMPIRE TOWNSHIP. 1017
l)ut his mother, Elizabeth Easton, being a native of Putnam, Washington Co., N. Y. ; John was born in
1823, and spent most of his boyhood attending district school, and at work on his father's farm ; in September,
1846, he came to Pond du Lao Co., Wis., to try the wilds of the then " Far West," learn what pioneer life
-was, and to secure for himself and family a Western home ; he bought a farm of eighty acres, and was one
among the first settlers of the town of Empire; time and labor have changed his rude pioneer house into
a fine, commodious brick residence, his small farm of 80 acres to one of 265 acres, with all the con-
veniences of a first-class farm, and the writer learned from the neighbors that Mr. Meiklejohn is regarded
T)y them as one of the exemplary men and farmers of the county. He has represented his town for four
years in the County Board, and, in all other afi'airs of public enterprise and interest, he is one of the first
of his town — liberal in his views and with his money, though practicing economy where needed, using
"his judgment when a thing is presented, as to its merits or demerits. In 1846, he married Miss Julia A.,
daughter of James and Betsey Nims, of Fort Ann, Washington Co., N. Y. ; their children are Warren,
Ruth (deceased), James W. (of Columbia Co., Wis.), Charles, Mary J., Albert and Julia. Mrs. M. is a
member of the Presbyterian Church.
GEOROE OTTERY, farmer. Sees. 20 and 21 ; is a son of William and Elizabeth Ottery
(nee Brooks), born in Draycott, Somersetshire, England, May 1, 1822 ; though unfortunate in literary
advantages, having received a very limited education, he lacked none of that resolution and determination
of purpose which, when joined with honest industry, is most sure of success ; at the age of 13, he began
farm laboring, which he steadily continued there till the spring of 1846, when he set sail for America, with
the intention of rnaking his home upon some of its broad acres ; landing in New York May 14, he went to
Cayuga Co., where he remained one and a half years ; not yet having reached his goal or found the
object of ills search, he came to Wisconsin in the fall of 1847, and, with his brother William, purchased
a farm of 180 acres in Sees. 20 and 24, town of Forest, Pond du Lac Co. ; making his home at Neenah,
Wis., till 1849, he returned to Cayuga Co., N. Y., where, in October, 1850, he married Miss Ann,
daughter of William and Hannah Kelley, and came again to his farm in the town of Porest, which he
made his home till 1876, when he sold that and bought his present one of 153 acres in Sees. 20 and 21,
town of Empire. They have had five sons^Henry (deceased), Edwin I., Albert Gr. (deceased), Albert
Gt., Jr. (deceased), Herbert G-. Mrs. Ottery is a member of the Episcopal Church. Mr. Ottery is no
politician, but takes quite an interest in educational afi'airs ; he has served ten years as a member of the
School Board as Clerk.
FREDRICK M. PHELPS, farmer, Sees. 28 and 29; a native of the Green Mountain
State ; born at Alburgh Springs, Grand Isle Co., Vt., Feb. 6, 1837, and, from his history, the writer
judges him to have some of that enterprising spirit which is characteristic of the people of Vermont ; he
is the son of Benajah S. Phelps and Asenith Fletcher, who were natives of that State, but immigrants to
Wisconsin in 1855 ; having a desire to work at machinery, at the age of 16 he entered upon an appren-
ticeship at the machinist trade in the shops of the Lake Shore R. E. Co. ; remaining with the Company
till 1856, he went to Mississippi and engaged as an engineer on a passenger train over the Mississippi
Central for three years; he was next employed as master mechanic of the Northern Division of the
M(]bile R. R. for three years ; during the battle of Pittsburg Landing, he was sent by Gen. Grant to run
■engines on that road out of the reach of the enemy; in the attempt, one of his engines broke down, and
he was taken prisoner and held at Columbus, Miss., as such for six months ; being released, he reported
to Gen. Grant, and was appointed master mechanic of the military road at Wilmington, N. C., and early in
the spring of 1 866, he was sent to take charge of the military railroad on the border of the Rio Grande River,
Texas ; he resigned this position in June of that year and entered the Mexican Army ; here he was soon
commissioned Major of Engineers on the stafi' of Caravajal ; was in the campaign that captured Maxi-
milian ; returned to Texas in the early part of 1867, and was appointed inspector of the port at Brazos,
Santiago. Holding this position for three months, the yellow fever broke out there, and he resigned and
returned to Pond du Lac, and has since devoted his time to farming and stock-raising, making a specialty
of fine horses; he has a farm of 160 acres in Sees. 28 and 29, probable value $60 per acre. In 1863,
he married Miss Christina, daughter of Benjamin Long, of Jacksonville, 111.; they have one daughter —
Mary. His wife is a member of the Presbyterian Church.
JOHN H. SHOEMAKER, farmer. Sec. 8 ; was born in Tioga Co., N. Y., April 12, 1840 ;
is the son of George N. and Eveline Shoemaker; in 1849, he, with parents, came to Pond du Lac Co.,
and settled in the town of Taycheedah, where they lived till 1864, at which time they sold that and
bought this one in Sec. 8 ; in 1877, his parents removed to the city of Ponddu Lac and gave up the farm
to John H. In 1878, married Miss Belle, daughter of Peter and Ann Ferguson, of the town of Empire,
."but a native of Scotland ; they have one daughter — Jessie May, born July 11, 1879. Mrs. Shoemaker
1018 BIOGBAPHICAL SKETCHES:
is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Shoemaker enlisted in Co. A, of the 18th W. V. I.^
March 1, 1862 ; was with the Army of the Tennessee in the battle of Pittsburg Landing and Mission
Ridge ; was discharged by special order from War Department Dec. 13, 1863.
J. CliARK WELLS, farmer.
I^EIVBY WESTERVEL.T, farmer, Sec. 32 ; is a son of Cornelius C and Rebecca West-
ervelt, natives of Holland, but early immigrants to Poughkeepsie, Dutchess Co., N. Y., whete Henry was
born March 7, 1820 ; he received a common-school education in the schools of the city, and at the age of
10, preferring the life of a farmer to that of a blacksmith — his father's trade — he sought employ of the
neighboring farmers; this he continued there till about 17 years of age, when his father died in Wayne
Co., N. Y., one day after his removal to that couuty ; his stepmother — his mother having died when he
was only 2 years old — sent for him to come and help take care of the family. In 1843, he^married Miss
Sarah A., daughter of Robert and Marietta Patrick, of Wayne Co., N. Y., and in the spring of 1845,
with his wife and son Cornelius C, immigrated to Wisconsin and settled in the town of Empire, on a.
quarter-section of land which his brother,. John W., who had preceded him, entered from the Government^
and hoped to have a house built by the time Henry arrived with his family, but having only the logs laid
up, and it being impossible to get lumber to cover it, they got a few basswood boards and placed one end
of them on the upper log of one side of the house and rested the other on a shelf on the opposite side,
thus forming a roof which answered well enough in dry weather; and when it rained the father would take
the son in his arms and hold the umbrella over him, while the mother would wrap up in a bed-quilt and
keep dry as best she could ; this house, 16 by 24 feet, was, for a short time in the spring of 1846, the
home of four families — those of Messrs. Vale, Cogswell, Jewell and Piatt. Mr. Westervelt has since been
a prominent resident of the town of Empire, and at difiFeren times has held various offices in the town and
county, among them Justice of the Peace and a member of the Couuty Board ; he now owns 100 acres
in Sec. 32, town of Empire, and twenty acres in Sec. 4, town of Eden ; they had only two children — the
son as above named, and one daughter, Mrs. Alfred Jennings, of Empire.
BEIVJAjHIIV white, farmer; is a son of Ethan and Meyra White, nee Northrop, of
Washington, Dutchess Co., N. Y. ; born in 1833 ; his father being an extensive farmer in that county ;
Benjamin was early impressed with the idea that industry and attentiveoess to business were essentials to
success ; his mother, a woman of rare Christian virtues, did not fail to impress upon his miud those lessons
of honesty and integrity which have characterized all his business transactions through life ; in the spring
of 1852, he started for Wisconsin, and landed in the town of Empire April 13, where he purchased a farm
of 160 acres, on which he made his home till 1874, wheuoe he removed to another farm of 200 acres —
160 of which is in the town of Eden and forty in the town of Empire — he, however, retains his first farm
of 160 acres ; here he makes a specialty of blooded stock, especially cattle, of which he sold four in 1876,
which brought him just $700, and in the following year he sold a milch cow which weighed 1,700 pounds.
Mr. White is regarded as one of the most successful farmers of his neighborhood ; his motto has always
been, " do well what you do do ;" he has never been an office-seeker, and has never taken a very active
part in political affairs, though his creed is Republican. In 1849, he married Miss Harriet, daughter of
J. and Clarissa Briggs, of Washington, Dutchess Co., N. Y. ; they haJtwo daughters — Hannah A., now
Mrs. F. C. Carpenter, of Pond du Lac; Hattie E., now Mrs. J. W. Cooper, of Plymouth, Sheboygan Co.
Mrs. White is a member of the M. E. Church of Empire.
ROBERT WIIiLIS, farmer, Sec. 26 ; is of the sturdy old England descent; is the son of
Peter and Sarah Willis, nee Coombs, of Somersetshire, England ; born June 10, 1818 ; his father's
means being quite limited, Robert was early put to do what he could to earn something so that the burden
• of the family might fall lighter on his father; when he was about 10 or 11 years old he was employed
to scare the crows from the farmers' corn-fields and to watch the cattle as they grazed upon the meadows ;.
at the age of 15 he was employed at farm labor, for which he received about $15 per year ; these earn-
ings he carefully saved and by constant toil he gradually increased. April 2, 1844, he married Miss
Louisa, daughter of John and Mary Amesbury, nee Parsons, of Somersetshire, England, and in just six
• years after, April 11, 1850, set sail 'for America, and landed in New York May 12 following; he followed
laboring on a farm in that State for little more than three years ; during his stay in York State he sent
for his wife and two daughters, whom he left in England because he had not means enough to bring them
at the time he came over ; in October, 1853, they immigrated to Iroquois Co., III., where he remained
eighteen months, thence to the town of Empire, Pond du Lac Co., Wis., in 1855, and purchased eighty
acres of land — the west half of the southwest quarter of Sec. 26 — where he has since devoted his time
to agricultural pursuits ; they have had six children, as follows — Mary E., now Mrs. Peter Stage, of Car-
roll Co., 111. ; Sarah L., now Mrs. James H. Dyson, of Montgomery Co., Iowa ; Thomas, who married
BYEON TOWNSHIP. 1019
Miss Josephina Meiklejohn, of the town of Empire ; Robert J. and two infants (deceased). Mr. and
Mrs. Willis are members of the M. B. Church. Politically, he is a Republican. He also has twenty
acres of land oflF the west side of the northeast quarter of Sec. 34.
GEORGE E. WRIGHT, farmer, Sec. 22; son of Robert Wright and Jane Cummings ;
his father was a native of England, and his mother of Washington Co., N. Y. His father immigrated to
America about the year 1808, and settled in the town of Putnam, Washington Co., where he afterward
married, and where his son George was born Nov. 30, 1821. The educational facilities being quite
limited and Greorge being the son of a farmer, he was compelled to get his education by attending a dis-
trict school only three months in the year, and then had a certain amount of work to do every morning
before walking a distance of three or four miles, to the schoolhouse. At the age of 22, he began running
a canal-boat on the Lake Champjain & Hudson Canal, which he continued for a few years, then took charge
of his father's farm in Washington Co., N. Y., which he managed until 1848 ; in that year he immigrated
to Fond du Lac Co., Wis., and settled on a farm of 120 acres in Sec. 22, town of Empire. June 3, 185Y,
he married Miss Agnes B. Wager, daughter of William and Mary Ryan, nee McGrath. Her mother,
after the death of Mr. Ryan married Mr. Wager, and Agnes, being young, went by the name of Wager instead
of Ryan. They have had six children — Jennie E., Mary E., Georgia A., Nannie B., Robert W., Bessie
(deceased). Mr. W. has been a member of the Town Board for a number of years ; politically, he is a
Republican.
BYRON TOWNSHIP.
WEIilillVGTOlV ABBY, Sec. 20, P. 0 Byron ; born in Canada West in 1840 ; son of
Mary and Abner Abby, a carpenter and joiner and farmer ; he was educated in the public schools ; in the
year 1850, went to Sheboygan Co., Wis., and, in 1852, came to Fond du Lac Co.; from that time he
lived part of the time in Canada and part in this county, until 1861, when he joined Co. A, 14th W. V.
I., and went to war and served through the entire war; was mustered out in 1865. Married in Byron,,
in the spring of 1866, to Estella L., daughter of Louisa and Russell Watrous, a carpenter and joiner living
in Oakfield. He owns 120 acres of land, valued at f50 per acre. They have three children — Gaorge W.,
Burt and Edith M. Mr. A. is politically a Greenbacker.
PHILIPF F. BODAHIER ; bom in the Kingdom of Wurtemburg Sept. 12, 1805 ; son
of Cathrine and Philip J. Bodamer, a hotel-keeper and farmer of that place. The subject of this sketch
was educated in the schools of Germany and learned the butcher's trade ; he served in the army of his
country from 1826 to 1832, when he got his discharge and came to the United States, landing at Balti-
more ; worked at his trade there until 1835 ; he then went to Portland, Me., and, after working there
until 1837, moved to Ohio; in 1838, moved to Terre Haute, Ind., and continued working at his trade
there until 1846, when he came to Byron, Wis., where he has made his home ever since, occupied in
farming. He was married in Baltimore, May 4, 1834, to Johannah P., daughter of Johannah and John
Markle, a shoemaker, aiid they have had nine children born to them — Charles (deceased), Sophia, Johan-
nah (deceased), Matilda, Louisa, Henrietta, Paulina, Minnie and Caroline. Mr. Bodamer is the owner of
100 acres of land in Sees, 10 and 16, valued at $60 per acre. He is a member of the Lutheran Church,
and is politically a Democrat.
PETER BRILL/, farmer. Sec. 8 ; P. 0. Pond du Lao ; born in Prussia, on the river Rhine,
April 12, 1811 ; son of Anna and Nicholas Brill, a farmer. The subject of this sketch was educafed in
the common schools of his native country, and was brought up a farmer. He came to the United States
in 1835, and worked at general work in the States of Ohio, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Kentucky
and New York, and returned to Prussia in 1842 ; in 1845, he again came to the United States, and
located in Byron, buying Government land at $1.25 per acre. Mr. Brill, while a young man, served three
years in the Prussian Army. He married in BuflFalo, N. Y., in 1845, Mary, daughter of Gertrude and
Peter Kisch, a farmer; they have three children — Bridget, Mary Ann and Michael; all are married.
His wife died in 1852; he married again in 1854, in Calumet Co., Ann Kinal, and had four children by
this wife — John, Mary, Margaret and Anna. Mr. Brill is a member of the Roman Catholic Church, and
is, politically, a Democrat. He owns twenty acres of land, valued at $65 per acre.
HENRY BIJSH, farmer, Sees. 7 and 8; P. 0. Fond du Lac; son of Charlotte and Dr. Jona-
than Bush; born in Lowville, Lewis Co., N. Y., March 22, 1821, his father being a physician and sur-
geon and a graduate of Yale College. Mr. Bush was educated in the common schools of his native place,
1020 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
and also worked as a printer on the first paper ever published in Lowville, N. Y.; afterward worked on a farm,
which occupation he has followed ever since; in the spring of 1844, he landed in Milwaukee, and, after
stopping there a few weeks, he came through the woods on foot to Fond du Lac, it taking him three days
to get through, there being no wagon-road at that time ; he took up Grovernment land in Byron, at $1.25
per acre ; his was the first farm on what is called the prairie. He married in West Martinsburg, N^. Y.,
Nov. 25, 1849, Mary Ann, daughter 'of Anna and Joel Phelps, an architect and builder; they have had
three children — Sedate (now Mrs. Dr. Buser), Alice (now Mrs. RoUin Smith) and Henry. Mr. Bush is
a member of the Masonic Order, and is a Republican ; has held the office of Chairman of the Board of
Supervisors for several terms ; has also been Justice of the Peace in an early day. Owns 320 acres of
land; probable value, 165 per acre.
CHBISTIAX GEIGER, farmer and quarryman ; P. 0. Fond du Lac ; born in Wurtem-
burg Feb. 20, 1846; came to America in March, 1869; spent a year in Milwaukee, then settled in
Byron, and worked at his trade of mason and in the stone-quarry until the fall of 1873, when he bought
the old Oliver quarry and thirty-two acres of land belonging. This is the-largest quarry in the county,
and one of the largest and best in the State. During 1879, Mr. Geiger burned and sold 16,000 bushels
of lime, besides selling $1,200 worth of stone for building sidewalks, copings, etc. This is beautiful stone,
and is sold throughout the country, also in Janesville and Menasha, Sheboygan and also in Minnesota;
his lime commanded the highest price when Chicago was rebuilt. Married, April 16, 1871, Miss
Augusta Schmelling, of Pomerania, Prussia, she coming to Milwaukee in 1868 ; they have four children — •
Christian, Lizzie, Anna and John. Mr. Geiger is liberal in politics, and a Lutheran with his wife.
JAMES CORXEIili, farmer, Sees. 19 and 30 ; P. 0. Oakfield ; born in New Jersey in 1825;
son of Ann and Jesse Cornell, a farmer ; he was educated in the common schools of that time, and was
brought up a farmer; in 1833, moved to Canada West, and lived there until 1848, when he came to
Wisconsin, Fond du Lac Co.; in the spring of 1852, went overland to California, and was occupied in min-
ing until 1854, when, after returning again overland, he located in Byron, where he has resided ever since.
Married, in 1855, in Oakfield, Emeline B., daughter of Abby and Heman Warner, a farmer of Oakfield;
they have had four children — Annie, Jesse, lua and Fred. Mr. Cornell has held the office of Supervisor,
and is now a member of the School Board. Is Republican in politics. Owns 195 acres, valued at $65 per
acre.
ANDKE W GIBSOIV, farmer, Sec. 19 ; P. 0. Oakfield ; born in London, England, May 5,
1798; is the son of Mary and Andrew Gibson, a silk weaver ; Andrew was educated in London, and is by
trade a blacksmith ; he went aboard a British man-of-war as seaman, in 1811, and served until 1813 ; he
then came to Canada, and commenced learning his trade in Montreal, living there until 1820, when he
-went to Plattsburg, N. Y., and remained there until 1822 ; from there he went to St. Lawrence Co.,
remaining until 1827 ; he then returned to Plattsburg, and lived there about six years, then to Rochester for
eleven years, and to Ohio for eighteen months ; then coming to Fond du Lac in 1844, and worked at his
trade for seventeen years on First street, in that city; in 1861, he came to Byron, and Jocated on twenty
acres of farming land in Sec. 19, the probable value being $50 per acre; he has lived here ever since.
He was married in Plattsburg, in 1821, to Sarah, daughter of David A. and Charlotte Curtis, her father
being a blacksmith ; they have had eleven children born to them — Zilphia A., Charlotte, Marietta (now
deceased), Andrew A., Polly C, Maria, Jerry H., Caroline (deceased), Emma (deceased), Wallace
(deceased) and Bruce. Is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is politically a Republican.
DABflBLr DENISOKT J OXBS, farmer, Sees. 5 and 18; P. O. Fond du Lac ; born in
Albany Co., N.- Y., in 1822 ; son of Denison and Hannah Jones, a farmer ; the subject of this sketch was
brought up on a farm, and educated in the common schools of his native place ; in the spring of 1824, he
moved to Harrisburg, Lewis Co., N. Y., and lived there until the spring of 1848, when he came to Wis-
oonsiu' and settled in Byron; in 1855, he returned to Harrisburg, and, in the spring of 1859, again
returned to Byron, where he has lived ever since ; he "has served as Chairman of the town, as Supervisor
and Assessor. He married, in Lowville, Lewis Co., Nancy A., daughter of Laura and Simon Brown, a
farmer of that county; they have had three children — Edwin Denison, born in 1861 ; Leta M., born in
1863, died in 1865 ; Evelyn A., born in 1865. Are all members of the Baptist Church, and politically
Republican. Owner of 200 acres of land ; probable value $65 per acre.
FRABTKIilN WYE, farmer, Sec. 36; P. 0. South Byron; born in Lake Co., Ohio, Oct. 22,
1817 ; spent his early life and was married in his native State; coming to Wisconsin in 1846, he bought
120 acres in Byron, and forty in Lomira, the latter for a sugar bush; in 1847, he settled on Section 35,
in Byron, where they lived for some time in a poor, unfinished log shanty, seeing many hardships, as
they "began with little or nothing— Mr. Nye and a friend owning a pair of cheap cattle, and doing without
BYEON TOWNSHIP. 1021
a wagon ; in 1849, he sold the first tract of land and settled on his present farm of 160 acres. Few men
have equaled the life record of Franklin Nye, as he, seconded by his worthy wife, has brought the farm to
a state of excellent cultivation, built a spacious farm residence, and all needed barns, etc., earning every
dollar themselves ; they removed to Fond dn Lac in 1859, remaining for educational advantages until
1866. Mrs. Nye was Miss Liva Carrier, a native of Plainfield, Otsego Co.., N. Y.; she came to Ohio in
1845, and was married in September of that year ; they have three children — Sarah E., wife of Fernando
Phelps, of Fort Dodge, Iowa; James D., who married Miss Angle Richardson, and is now studying medi-
cine in Fond du Lac, and a second son, George W., who married Miss Adella Nightingale, and is on the
homestead. Father and sons are Republicans, Mr. Nye being the second Assessor in Byron, and serving'
many years as Town Superintendent of Schools, besides being Chairman, Supervisor, Town Clerk, etc.
. I. C JONES, farmer, Sees. 4 and 5 ; P. 0. Fond du Lao ; born in Harrisburg,' Lewis Co.,
N. Y., June 20, 1824 ; son of Hannah C. and Denison Jones ; the subject of this sketch was
brought up on a farm and educated in the common schools of his native place ; he came to Fond du Lao
Co., and settled in Byron on his arrival in 1849 ; he has chiefly been engaged in farming and school-
teaching. He married, in Harrisburg, N. Y., Oct. 7, 1849, Marietta, daughter of Blija and Bessie Car-
penter, and two children were born to them — -Baruch W. and Ginevra ; both are now married ; Sept. 1 ,
1856, he was married to his second wife — Mary E., daughter of Edward P. and Lucretia Crary, of
Albany, Co., N. Y. Mr. Jones has served in the position of Town Treasurer and Supervisor, and he and
his family are members of the Baptist Churoh. Owns 100 acres of land ; probable value, $65 per acre.
PETER KAUFMANJf , farmer. Sec. 17 ; P. 0. Fond du Lac; born in Prussia; son of Nicholas
and Mary Kaufmann, his father's occupation being that of a farmer in Prussia; he came to the United
States in 1855, and settled in the State of Ohio for about one year ; in 1856, came to Wisconsin and
located in the town of Byron, where he has been engaged in farming ever since. Married in Byron, in
1866, to Bridget, daughter of Mary and Peter Brile, a farmer of Byron ; have had six children — Peter,
Matilda (deceased), Martha, Charles, Michael and John. Owns 120 acres of land ; valued, $50 per acre.
ATON KETTLAB, farmer. Sec. 17 ; P. 0. Fond du Lac ; born in Emmerich, on the River
Rhine, in Germany, Dec. 19, 1829 ; son of William and Diene Kettlar; his father was proprietor of a
Tiotel in Emmerich ; the subject of this sketch was educated in the common schools of his native country ;
he learned the business of milling, and worked at that trade until 1847, when he entered the army of his
-country and served until 1850 ; in 1852, he came to the United States, and settled in Janesville, Wis.,
where he resided until 1855 ; then went to the city of New York, and took passage for, as he supposed,
California, but, unfortunately, he embarked on one of the steamers of the Nicaragua Line, which landed
him in Granada, just at the time of the filibustering war, and was compelled to serve in the army under
Gen. Walker, holding the positions of Sergeant, First Lieutenant and Captain ; met with many hardships
while there, and for week.s lived on mule and horse flesh and a dish composed of boiled grasses and leaves ;
returned to New York in 1857, and to Janesville in 1859, where he kept saloon until war broke out in
1861 ; then was made recruiting officer at that point ; in the fall of 1861, went to Fond du Lac, and, in
1862, raised a company of soldiers, and. as their Captain, started for the war ; resigned in 1863, and
returned to Fond du Lac, and then settled in Byron, where he has resided ever since. He was married,
in 1862, to Maria T., daughter of John and Barbara Geartner, her father being a farmer. Their children
are John F., Francis A., Louis A., William F., Emma, Mata and Maria L. Are members of Roman
Catholic Church ; Mr. Kaufmann is politically a Democrat. Owns 165 acres ; probable value, $60 per
acre.
GEORGE H. liliOYD, farmer. Sees. 24 and 25 ; P. 0. Byron ; born in Byron Feb. 3, 1851 ,
son of George and Ann Lloyd, who came from Queen's Co., Ireland, to America, 1830, and settled in
Byron 1848, Mr. Lloyd buying 80 acres, which is part of the present farm, living for a time in the shanty
of Mr. Wilcox ; he built a log house, and began chopping ; cleared the first 80 and added 46 acres in
Eden and 40 in Byron, building a tasteful farmhouse in place of the pioneer's log house. He died, April
14, 1871, leaving four children — Ann, Catherine, Mary and George H.: Mrs. Lloyd died June 11, 1876.
The farm is now owned by George H. Lloyd, he having added 80 acres more in Eden, built a horse-barn,
sheds, etc., and proved himself worthy of his heritage. Married Miss Mary Klotz, of Eden, Feb. 24,
1876, by whom he has two children — George I. and Mary J. Mr. Lloyd and wife are Catholics, and he,
like his honored father, is a Democrat. Has a good stock of native cattle and sheep, grade Norman
horses and other stock, with the usual crops.
PATRICK KELIiEY, farmer; P. O. Fond du Lac; the first Irishman who came to Fond
du Lac Co. to stay; was born in Queens Co., Ireland, in 1800, and came to Jefi'erson Co., N. Y., in 1817,
-where he worked for various parties until September, 1839, when he settled on Sec. 3, town of Byron ; he
1022 • BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
owned originally over 400 acres of land, but has given most of it to his sons, and now lives in Sec. 2. Mr,
K. was married, in JeflFerson Co., N. Y., to Margaret Smith ; they have had eleven children — Catherioe
(deceased), Mary (deceased), Margaret, Esther, Elizabeth, Emeline, Eliza, Anna (deceased), James, Peter
and John ; Mrs. Kelley is a member of the Eoman Catholic Church ; Mr. Kelley gave the land for the
first schoolhouse in Byron.
G£iOIS()rE B. McIiEAlT, general store ; P. 0. South Byron ; born near Toronto, Ont., in
1837 ; son of William and Mary McLean, the former a farmer ; in 1838, Mr. McLean moved to New
York State, near Lockport, buying a farm there ; the subject of this sketch received his education in the
common schools of that place, and, at the age of 15, came West and located in Byron, his father working
a farm onshares; in 1853, George was taken sick, and was an invalid for six years, not being able to do any-
thing, and the effect of this sickness left him a cripple in one limb for life ; his father then moved to
Iowa, taking George with him ; in 1860, George launched out for himself; buying a small tin trunk and
stock of goods, he peddled his way back to Byron, and he has made his home in different parts of thp
town ever since, peddling part of the time on foot, and, after a while, purchasing a horse and wagon for his
business ; for one year, he entered into partnership with John Miles, in the grocery business, at Pond du
Lac ; finding that this venture did not prove a success, they closed out, and- he went back to peddling ; a
year after this, he bought a house and small piece of land for a home in Sec. 32, Byron, and has lived
here ever since ; he is now running an elevator, in partnership with J. Simmons, and also keeping a
general store, his wife — a woman of great ability — running the store ; Mr. McLean has a man on the
road constantly, he being occupied at the elevator. He married, in 1866, in Byron, Anna Eliza,,
daughter of Benjamio and Margaret Van Valkenburg, the former a farmer ; they have five children —
Fred B., John C, Viola A., George and Arthur. Mr. McL. has held the oflSce of Town Treasurer for six
different terms, and is now holding that office ; he is a member of Oakfield Lodge, I. 0. 0. F., and, politi-
cally, is a Republican.
HENRY D. PARSONS, farmer. Sec. 4; P. O. Fond du Lac; born in Somersetshire
England, April 2, 1832 ; son of John Parsons and Elizabeth Chappel ; his father was a farmer and currier in
England, but after his arrival in America, he engaged in farming ; the subject of this sketch came with
his people to the United States in 1843, coming directly to Wiscpnsin and locating in the town of Byron,
his father buying 120 acres of Government land in See. 4; Henry received his education in the common
schools of England, and after living with his father on the farm one year, he went to work for Peter V.
Sang, of Lamartine, doing general work, and looking after mails, etc.; in 1849, he returned home and
lived with his parents until 1854, when he went west to Black River Falls, Jackson Co., and engaged in
the general mercantile business, continuing there for about five years, when he again returned to Byron
and commenced carrying on the farm for his father, and has continued to live there ever since. He mar-
ried, in Black River Falls, in 1860, Cynthia, daughter of Daniel and Melinda Braman, the former a
farmer ; t.he family are members of the M. E. Church ; he has been a member of the Board of Supervisors-
for four years, and Treasurer of his school district for eighteen years ; has also been a Delegate to the
State Convention several times ; he is the present owner of 200 acres of land in Sec. 9 ; probable value $60'
per acre. Politically, he is a Republican.
BTATHAlVIEIi PHEliPS, farmer ; Sees. 20 and 29 ; P. 0. Byron ; owns 103i acres ; prob-
able.value; $65 per acre. Born in Goshen, Mass., in 1826 ; son of Nathaniel and Sarah Phelps; his father
was by occupation a farmer ; the subject of this sketch was educated in the common schools of his native
place, and was brought up on a farm ; he came to Wisconsin in. 1852, and located in Byron, where he has
remained ever since. He was married, in July, 1854, to Isabel, daughter of Louisa and Russell Watrous,
the latter a carpenter and joiner living in Oakfield ; they have had six children — Ellen M. (now married),
Juliet B., Elmer N., Cora L., Flora E. and Fred R. They are members of the Wesleyan Methodist,.
Church ; politically, Mr. Phelps is a Greenbacker.
ALANSOIV T. RFiYNOIiDS, farmer. Sees. 32 and 33 ; P. 0. South Byron ; is the owner
of 208 acres, probable value, $60 per acre. Born in Genesee Co., N. Y., Oct. 15, 1819, son of Ruby and
Philip Reynolds, the latter a farmer ; the subject of this biography was educated in the common schools of
Ohio, and was brought up as a farmer; he was the eldest of a family often children ; in the year 1825,
they moved to Ohio, and, in 1840, went to Pennsylvania; in 1843, they returned to Ohio, and, in 1845,
came to Wisconsin, and has made Byron his home ever since. He married, in Columbus, War-
ren Co., Penn., Sept. 19, 1842, Hannah S., daughter of Daniel and Jerusha Jackman, the former a car-
penter and millwright ; 4.hey have had eight children born to them — Chelsea (deceased), George W.
(deceased). Ruby J., Newell D., Warren A., Darius J., Melissa (deceased), and Willie M. George W.
was a member of Co. F, 14th W. V. I., and died in Madison April 6, 1864. Mr. R. has held the office
of Supervisor for a number of terms, and has also been Town Treasurer ; politically, he is a Republican.
BYRON TOWNSHIP. " 1023
APOIiliOS SEARL, farmer, Sec. 5 ; P. 0. Fond du Lac ; born in Palmyra, Wayne Co.,
N. Y., in 1822 ; son of Mary and Bliphalet Searl, a teamster and farmer, who died in 1824. Mr. Searl
-went to Jefferson Co., in 1823, then to Lowville and Leyden, both in Lewis Co., N. Y., and, in 1827,
Teturned with his mother to Wayne Co., where he attended the common schools of the place until the age
of 14, when he returned to Lowville, living there on a farm until he was 21 years of age; in May, 1849,
he came to Byron, and has been a resident of Pond du Lac Co. ever since. He married Philinda Lupher,
of Lewis Co., N. Y., March, 1851 ; she died in Byron Sept. 14, 1862. He was married to his present
wife March 28, 1864, in Byron ; maiden name was Harriet E., daughter of Laura and Simon Brown, a
-farmer of Lowville, Lewis Co., N. Y. Mr. Searl has held the oflSce of Town Treasurer ; also been a
member of the Town and School Boards. He has had four children by his present wife — Ida C, Emma
L., Hattie L., Willie A., and are all members of the Baptist Church. Owns 160 acres of land ; probable
Talue, $65 per acre.
WIIiLIAM SHUTTLE WORTH, farmer. Sec. 17; P. 0. Fond du Lac ; born in Notting-
hamshire, England, in 1811 ; son of Ellen and Samuel Shuttleworth, a farmer. Mr. S. was educated in
the common schools of England ; and also learned and followed the trade of stonemason while in Eng-
land ; he came to the United States, in 1844, and located in Milwaukee and Prairieville ; also lived in Oak-
:field about two years ; came to Byron in 1849, and has made it his home ever since. He married in
England, in 1831, Anne, daughter of Anne and John Stephenson, a farmer; have had seven children
— Mary Ann, deceased ; John, Sarah, Helen, Selina, Samuel and William, drowned. Politics, Repub-
lican. Owns 120 acres; probable value, $50 per acre.
URIAH STROUP, farmer. Sec. 4; P. 0. Fond du Lac; born in Roxbury, Delaware Co.,
New York State, in 1831 ; son of Rumah Peckham and George Stroup, his father's occupation being that
of carpenter and joiner ; the subject of this sketch was educated in the common schools of his native State ;
his father died in 1843, and he came West with his mother in 1846, living in Milwaukee and Dane
Cos. until 1849, when they located in Dodge Co., living there until 1864, when they came to Byron,
where he has made his home ever since. He married, in 1874, Madora, daughter of Sarah and Joseph
Trelevan, a farmer of Byron ; they have had two children — Nellie Frances and George Trelevan. Owiis
360 acres of land ; probable -value $65 per acre.
PETER WEBER, farmer, Sec. 21 ; P. 0. Byron ; born in Westphalia, Prussia, in 1839 ; son
of Doretha and John R. Weber, an overseer of a mine. The subject of this sketch received his education
in the common schools of his native place ; at the age of 15, he came with his people to the United States,
coming directly West, and locating in Byron ; Peter worked on a farm during the summer, and went to
school in winter; in the fall of 1865, he bought his first farm of twenty acres in Section 32 ; he is now
the owner of 140 acres in Sees. 21 and 28, where he now resides, and is now engaged in building a hand-
some new residence. He married, in Byron, in 1861, Harriet N., daughter of Jonas C. and Betsy Rey-
nolds, farmers ; have four children — Silas E., Elmer C., Myrtie, John J. Family are members of the M.
E. Church ; he is politically a Republican.
JOHX WINDECKER, See. 8 ; P. 0. Oakfield ; born in Fairfield, Herkimer Co., N. Y.,
March 22, 1802 ; son of Mary and Jacob Windecker, a farmer;- the subject of this sketch was educated
in the German and English branches in the schools of New York, and was brought up on a farm ; in 1833,
he embarked in the hotel and mercantile business in the town of Lowville, N. Y.; in 1851, he came to the
State of Wisconsin, Fond du Lac Co., and was occupied at mason work, at which he was quite an adept ;
in 1854, he came to Byron, where he has made his home ever since. Married, March 27, 1821, in New
York State, Caroline, daughter of Olive and John Ralsten, a shoemaker, and soldier of the Revolution
and war of 1812 ; have had nine children born to them — William R., Mariette, Sandusky, Conrad, Simeon,
Carpline A., and three at one date, all still living and married, Sydney, Sylvester, Sedate. He is a mem-
ber of the Masonic Order — joined in the neighborhood of 1845 ; was Postmaster in New York for fifteen
years ; was also a Captain of a militia company in 1828 ; is a member of the Universalist Church, and
politically a Republican. He resides with his two sons.
1024 ■ BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
ELDORADO.
L.EA]!(rDER AIVDERSOIV, farmer, Sec. 31 ; P. O. Eldorado Mills ; was born in Lewis Co.,
N. Y., Nov. 2, 1823. His father, Nicholas Anderson, was born in Connecticut ; his mother, Sybil Buel,
was a native of New York. Leander, the third son of a family of seven children, lived with his parents
on a farm in his native county till about 15 years old ; then, induced by some boys, he threw his budget
of clothing from the chamber window, and stole away from his father's home at night, and sought empFoy
on the Block River Canal, in Lewis Co. ; not finding it, on his way homeward, he bargained himself to a
man who put him to chopping, a few strokes with the ax convinced him that he had not yet found hia
expected easy job, so he left his ax sticking in the tree, and left without telling his employer good-by,
and went to his brother-in-law's in Oswego Co., then he followed the painter's trade for two years, but it
proving injurious to his health, he sought other employment for a while,; he then began the ship carpen-
penter's trade in Oswego, which he continued there for two years; in the summer of 1844, he came to
Huron, Erie Co., Ohio, where he found employment at painting a vessel for a short time ; thence to
Cleveland, Ohio, where he continued the painter's trade three months ; then in company with three others,
he went to Cincinnati, where they found work for a short time ; he next came with a comrade to St.
Louis, but finding no employment, he came to Vandalia, 111., with no better success ; returning again to
St. Louis, he found a few weeks' work ; almost penniless, he went thence to New Orleans with better
results, for a short time; in January, 1845, via the Ohio River, he returned to Cleveland, thence to his
brother-in-law with only 13 cents in his pocket; after a short stay there, having received a letter from
Capt. Dana, he went again to Huron, and in the spring of 1845, went to Detroit, Mich., for two months;
he then returned to Huron ; two months later, he went home for a short time ; thence to Quebec, thence home
agaip, thence via Cleveland to Adrian, Mich., where he continued painting till June, 1847 ; he next went to
Jackson, Mich., and to Eaton Rapids, where he built a skis', put his trunk in, and sailed down the river to-
Grand Haven, where he arrived without a cent; then, as best he could, made his way to Chicago ; remaining
there a short time, he took passage on the Luther Wright, a three-mast schooner bound for Bellville Bay,
Canada ; returned thence with Capt. Dana to Huron, where he continued the painter's trade for some time.
March, 1848, he was married to Miss Susan, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Dent) Nichols, and in March,.
1850, he left his wife in Huron and went to California, where he was employed by the Virginia Mining
Damming Company ; in June, 1851, he returned to Huron, and there continued the ship-builder's trade
till the fall of 1854 ; he next returned to his father's farm for a short season, and in Juqe, 1855, went to
Cape Vincent, Jefi"erson Co., N. Y., where they took passage for Wisconsin, and in September following,
landed in Sheboygan ; here he painted a boat and lived till January, 1856, and then went to Manitowoc,
Wis., where he followed the ship-carpenter's trade till June, 1856 ; lastly, he came to the town of Eldo-
rado, Fond du Lac Co., and settled on a farm of forty acres in Sec. 32, and in the spring, of 1868 bought
a farm of sixty acres, forty in Sec. 31, town of Eldorado, and twenty in Sec. 36, town of Rosendale ; he
has since been a farmer ; their children are Blanche, Nicholas and Lillian M.
KENDRICK DIIiTS, farmer. Sees. 29 and 3 ; P. 0. Eldorado Mills; born in Cayuga
Co., N. Y., Aug. 29, 1818 ; son of William and Cylinda Dilts, a farmer ; at the age of 11 years, he went
with his people to Qhio, and was educated in that State ; he was brought up on a farm ; at the age of
26, he moved to Racine, buying some land and engaged in farming there for three years ; he then came to-
Fond du Lac, buying forty acres of land in Sec. 20, town of Eldorado ; the following year he bought
another forty ; in 1863, he purchased another sixty, in Sees. 29 and 30, and sold his first farm; he ha*
lived here ever since engaged in farming. He married in Liberty, Crawford Co., Ohio, in 1842, Matilda,
daughter of Richard and Polly King, a farmer of that town, and one of the first settlers there; have had
seven children — Sally A., Lyle K., William R. (deceased), Cyrus A., Wilson H., Amanda M., Ettie E.^
Family attend the Free- Will Baptist Church ; Mr. Dilts has held the office of Supervisor of his town,
and is the present owner of sixty acres of land in Sees. 29 and 3. Is politically. Independent.
MELrVIlV DUEL (deceased) was born in Hebron, Washington Co., N. Y., June 29, 1824 ;_
he came to Wisconsin in 1848, and settled in the town of Eldorado, where he married, on the 27th of
March, 1850, Laura Wolcott, daughter of W. C. and Mercy Wolcott, pioneer settlers and still honored
citizens of the town of Eldorado, she was born in Trenton, Oneida Co., N. Y., Oct. 8, 1813 ; their chil-
dren are Dirg, now of Brown Co., Minn.; Delia, wife of William Carpenter, of the town of Eldorado, he
was a soldier during the war of the rebellion ; Dora, Delos, Strabo, Effie M., Lewis, Arthur, Lottie B.,
ELDORADO TOWNSHIP. ' 102j
George (deceased) ; during the war of the rebellion, Mr. Duel served in Co. A, 2d W. V. C, was enrollei
Oct. 2, 1861, and served until January 23, 1865, when he was honorably discharged ; the records of hi
regiment show that he was a gallant and brave soldier ; after his discharge, he returned to his home ii
Eldorado, where he died Jan. 8, 1880 ; himself and his wife were the first couple married in the town o
Eldorado ; she owns 156 acres of land, and cheese factory, which was the first factory in Eldorado, wa
established by her husband in 1878.
JOiSIAII ROBERTS, farmer. Sec. 6 ; P. 0. Nekama, Winnebago Co ; was born in Eldorado
Fond du Lac Co., in 1849 ; son of David and Mary Roberts, formerly of Wales, Vale of Clwyd, a farmer, whi
came to America in 1847, buying 220 acres of land in Sec. 6, Eldorado ; he returned to Wales for hi
health in 1869, and died therein 1870 ; he built the first frame house in the town in 1847. Thesubjec
of this sketch received an academic and common-school education in his native county, and was brough
up on a farm ; at the age of 22, he went to California and engaged in speculating in stocks for two yean
and a half; he then returned to Eldorado and settled on the homestead farm with his mother, takinj
charge of and running the farm, at which he has been occupied ever since, and, at the death of his mother
he will be the entire owner, having bought out his brother's interest in it. He married in Oshkosh, Dec
17, 1879, Martha J., daughter of Samuel and Ann Williams, a farmer of Henry Co., 111. They ar(
members of the Calvin Welsh Methodist Church ; he is politically a Republican.
.lAlIE!^ K. 8CRIBXER ; P. 0. Eldorado Mills; was born in Norwalk, Conn., in 1828
is the son of Joseph and Sarah Kellogg Soribner, a farmer. The subject of this sketch received a com
mon-school and academic education in his native place ; at the age of 21 he came West to Rosendale
Wis., and settled on land previously purchased by his father, of 160 acres; in 1853, he purchased ar
undivided half of this farm of his father ; in 1858, he came to Eldorado and located on property he owned
having, in 1857, bought Barnett's saw-mill, water-power lands, and privileges connected with them. Mr
Biram Wheeler was connected with him in running the mill, and they afterward built a small grist-mill
Mr. Wheeler died in the summer of 1859 ; Mr. Van Ostrand then bought Mr. Wheeler's interest ; ii
1867, Mr. Scribner bought out Mr. Van Ostrand, and, in 1868, he rebuilt the mills, enlarging the capacity
and has ever since been engaged in milling ; his mill now has four run of stone ; he is also proprietor o
the only general store in the village of Eldorado Mills, and is the present owner of fifty acres of land ii
Sec. 31, 32 and 29, besides his mill property. He married, in Rosendale, in January, 1857, Laura M.
daughter of Hiram Wheeler; have had eight children — Winthrop, Walter, Lizzie L., Abbie L., Josepl
H., Kittle M., Harry C. and Mabel W. They are members of the Congregational Chureh. Mr. Scribnei
was a member of the State Legislature in 1876, and is now the Chairman of the Town Board ; politicallj
he is a Republican.
JOHX F. STEEIiE, farmer. Sec. 19 ; P. 0. Eldorado Mills ; born in the town of Remsen
Oneida Co., N. Y., June 23, 1814; son of Joseph and Betsy Steele, a clothier by trade, and afterwarc
followed farming. The subject of this sketch, when he was about 9 years of age, moved, with his family
to the town of Trenton, same county, and received a common and select school education in this place, and
in 1845, after receiving a certificate, he commenced teaching in that county until June 5, 1848, when hi
started for Wisconsin, and came to Rosendale, Fond du Lac Co. ; that fall he took Mr. C. H. Lyman'i
farm, and ran it for one year ; he then accepted the position in the first school in the town of Eldorado
he followed the occupation of teaching for thirteen winters, and farming in the summers on a farm owned bi
him of forty acres, in Sec. 19, Eldorado ; after giving up teaching, he applied himself directly to farming
and is the present owner of 296i acres, in this county ; he is also extensively engaged in raising stock
He married June, 1857, Jennie, daughter of Theron Prisbee, a carpenter and farmer ; had one child bi
this wife — Orpha J. ; this wife died Feb. 15, 1859. He married a second time, July 25, 1863, in Lamar
tine, to Charlotte, daughter of Adam and Judith Holliday, a farmer ; have had seven children — Ellsworth
deceased ; John P., Carrie E., Arthur A., Lottie M., Anna J., Henry F. Mr. Steele has held the office o
Town Clerk, Town Superintendent for several years. Family attend the Congregational Church ; he is
politically, a Republican.
JOHIV ^TELZER, manufacturer of furniture, and undertaker, P. 0. Eldorado Mills ; bori
in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, in 1834; son of John and Margaret Stelzer, a farmer. The subject o
this sketch received his education in the common schools of his native place ; in his 20th year, he cami
to America, and located in New York City ; when he was 14 years old, he learned the cabinet-maker';
trade ; and, during his stay in New York, he followed his trade ; in 1869, he came Wes
to Fond du Lac, and, for two years, worked in the car-shops ; he then worked for H. L. Bas,
& Co. until they closed business, when he went to work for Blankenberg ; in 1876, he cam;
to Eldorado and opened a cabinet store, and engaged in the manufacture of furniture, also undertaking
1026 BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES:
in 1877, ke bought a piece of property, put up a two-story store and dwelling, where he has con-
tinued in business ever since. He married in New York, in 1857, Caroline, daughter of John and Chris-
tina Kog, a farmer; have had seven children — Henry (deceased), Rosa, Mary, Lizzie, George, Fred
(deceased), John ; are members of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Stelzer is a member of the Order of
Druids of Fond du Lao ; he is, politically, Independent.
A. J. STEPHENS^ farmer, Sec. 26; P. 0. Eldorado; was born in Clarkstown, Eockland
€o., N. Y., Nov. 25, 1814; was liberally educated in the town of his birth, and, in early Hfe, followed
teaching school for several years ; had also learned the carriage-maker's trade and worked, at it in various
cities in the East. He married, in the city of New York, in 1844, Hannah Wallace, a native of Glasgow,
Scotland; they came West in 1848 and settled in the town of Eldorado, Fond du Lac Co., Wis., where
they have since lived ; their children are John A., now in Los Angeles Co., Ca!., he married in Eldorado,
prior to his going to California, Annie Cowham ; Mary Agnes, now wife of David Richards, of Pond du
Lac; Maggie E., wife of Frederick Paine, of the town of Oakfield ; Abram A.; James W., and Doug-
las W. Mr. Stephens owns 300 acres of land in Wisconsin, and 324 acres in the vicinity of Russell,
Russell Co., Neb.; he is extensively engaged in farming, fruit-growing and stock-raising, and has, in all
those pursuits, been very successful. , He is a Republican in politics.
JOSEPH STEPHENS, farmer, Sec. 22 ; P. 0. Eldorado; was born in Rockland Co., N.
Y., March 11, 18 — . Sept. 24, 1857, he married, in Haverstraw, Rockland Co., N. Y., Miss Mary
Lloyd, a native of Glamorganshire, Wales, and emigrated to America with her parents, John and Ann
Loyd, who settled in Rockland Co., N. Y.; Mr. Stephens and wife lived in Rockland Co., N. Y., until
1858, when they moved to Wisconsin and settled where they now reside, in Eldorado ; they have four
children — Annie E., John W., Albert J., and Joseph H. He owns eighty acres of well-improved land, and
is an energetic and enterprising citizen, and a leading farmer of Eldorado. In politics, Mr. Stephens is
Republican.
NATHANIEL S. THOMPSON, farmer, Sec. 31 ; P. 0. Eldorado Mills; was born in
I'ranklin Co., Mass., May, 1813; his parents, David and Fannie Thompson, had a family of seven
children, four of whom came to Wisconsin ; Nathaniel S., the subject of this sketch, was married in 1840,
to Sarah, daughter of Samuel and Sarah Goodnow, of Vermont; in 1846, they immigrated to Wisconsin,
and settled in Dodge Co., and in May, 1845, removed to the town of Eldorado, Pond du Lac Co., and
settled on a farm of 104 acres in Sec. 31, which has since been his home; here his wife died in May,
1855, leaving two children as follows : Phebe E., now the wife of William Brunson, and lives in the town of
Metomen, and David H., who now lives on Sec. 31, town of Eldorado. In 1856, he was married to Mrs.
Nancy, widow of Samuel Randall, of the town of Lamartine, Fond du Lac Co., whose maiden name was
Hall, a daughter of Wanton and Fannie Hall, of Washington Co., N. Y. ; her first marriage was in 1837,
to Lyman Matteson, who died in Wisconsin in 1850, leaving her with one son, George W., now of Eldo-
rado Mills ; her second marriage was in May, 1851, to Samuel Randall, a native of Pennsylvania, but an early
emigrant to Wisconsin, who' died the same year of their marriage, leaving her with one son, Samuel, who
now lives in the village of Hartford, Washington Co., Wis. Mrs. Thompson came to Wisconsin with her
parents in 1845. Mr. T. was Chairman of the Town Board for one term, Assessor one year, and Justice
of the Peace several years.
DAVID R. WATSON, Sec. 26 ; P. O. Eldorado ; was born in the town of Eldorado, Fond
du Lac Co., Wis., Nov. 5, 1849 ; is the son of James and Sarah Watson, who settled in the town of his
birth in 1847 ; he was educated at the Normal School at Oshkosh, Wis., and has taught school several
terms. In politics, Mr. Watson is a Republican. He is the present Assessor of the town of Eldorado, a
position he has filled since 1875. April 5, 1877, Mr. Watson married, in Eldorado, Jessie B. Kirkwood,
daughter of Alexander and Agnes Kirkwood, wbo settled in Eldorado in about 1853 ; they have one
child — James A., born Aug. 12, 1878. Besides attending to his duties in teaching school, Mr. Watson
owns and manages a farm of several acres of land ; his farm is well improved, and desirably located.
JAMES WATSON (deceased), was a native of County Kent, England ; was born Jan. 19,
1821 ; his father, James Watson, died in England, and his mother married again and emigrated to
America, when tbe subject of this sketch was but 4 years of age ; he was educated in Oneida Co., N. Y.,
and when 16 years old, engaged in seafaring life, which he followed for several years ; Aug. 4, 1847, he
married in Philadelphia, Penn., Sarah Edwards, a native of Monmouthshire, England, born May 3, 1819 ;
immediately after their marriage, they came to Wisconsin, and settled in tbe town of Eldorado, Fond du
Lac Co., whei;e he lived and was prominently identified with its history until his death, Nov. 22, 1860 ; he was
the third Treasurer of the town, an office he filled for over seven years ; he was continually in office from
1850, and was Chairman of the Town Board of Supervisors when he died. He was a leading member of
CALUMET TOWNSHIP. 1029
the M. E Church, and took an active part in the promotion of the religious and educational interests of
the county during his life. Their children are Edward L., who was a soldier in the 18th W. V. I. during
the war of the rebellion, and died in the service; David R., Sarah J., now deceased; Frank P., Annie
E., James and George W. Mrs. Watson married a second husband, Archibald McDonald ; he was a sol-
dier in active service during the war of the rebellion, and was elected to various local offices in the town
of Eldorado, he died Oct. 25, 1877 ; she is still living, is an earnest and Christian woman, a member of
M. E. Church; she owns 200 acres of land, well improved.
WILLrlAM C. WOLCOTT, Sec. 14; P. 0. Eldorado Mills ; horn in Trenton, Oneida Co.,
N. Y., 1810 ; son of Sylvester and Jane Wolcott, a farmer of that county, buying his land there in 1806 ;
the subject of this sketch received a common-school education in the schools of his native place, and was
brought up on a farm ; at the age of 25 he went to the western part of New York State, to Wethersfield,
Wyoming Co., buying a farm of 178 acres ; he farmed it there for seven years, when he went back to
Trenton and worked there for three years; then in 1846, he came West to Eldorado, taking 240 acres of
Government land and 40 acres of Allen Lyman, also 20 acres of State land on the big marsh; hfe has
lived on this farm ever since ; Mr. Wolcott has, for over forty years, been extensively engaged in bee culture.
He married, Feb. 23, 1832, in Trenton, N. Y., Mercy M., daughter of Silas and Mary Pierce, a farmer;
they have had six children — Laura J., Edward T. (deceased), Ella A., Sarah A., Charles A., Nelson W. (all
married). He is a member of the Masonic Order, Rosendale Lodge ; has held the office of Supervisor and
Treasurer ; is the oldest settler now living in the town ; is, politically, a Republican, and, with the excep-
tion of the first year of his life in Wisconsin, he has not missed an election or town meeting for forty-
.seven years ; he is the present owner of 175 acres of land in Sees. 14, 17, 20 and 21.
CALUMET.
CHARl/ES BOCK, lumber merchant, Calumet Village; is a native of Holstein, Germany;
was born Dec. 11, 1825; in 1848, he emigrated to America^ settle^ in the town of Calumet, Fond du
Lac Co., Wis., in July of the same year (1848). In October, 1851,' he married in Calumet Miss Sophia
Kratzsch ; they have seven children — -Amelia, Charles, William, Sophia, Emma, Louise and Tom. In
early life, Mr. Bock learned the carpenter's trade, and followed the business of contracting and building
several years; he has been engaged in the lumber business in Calumet Village for a number of years, and
has a large trade ; he has been District School Treasurer for over eighteen years, and was a membei* of the
Town Board of Supervisors three years. Himself and wife are members of the Lutheran Church. In
politics, he is a Democrat. His parents were Henry and Lena Bock; they died in Germany; they had
twelve children, two of whom came to America — Charles, the subject of this sketch, and Christoph, who
left this (Fond du Lac) 6ounty in 1851, went to the gold mines in California, and has not been beard
from since.
THOMAS BOYD (deceased) ; was born near Dublin, Ireland, in 1785. He married, in his
native country, Ann Boyd; they emigrated to New York in 1844 ; thence to Calumet, Fond du Lao Co.,
Wis., where he resided until his death, in 1862 ; their surviving children are John, ex-member of the
Wisconsin Assembly, who now lives near Independence, Kan.; Thomas, also ex-member of the Wiscon-
sin Assembly, resides in Calumet Harbor; Samuel, attorney at law, Appleton, Wis.; Adam; a leading
farmer, Springvale, this county; Mary A., wife of M. D. Henry, Independence, Kan.; Letitia, wife of A.
Huyssen, Eau Claire, Wis.
HOIV. THOMAS BOYD, capitalist, Calumet Harbor; was born near Dublin, Ireland,
Sept. 25, 1844 ; in 1845, emigrated with his parents (Thomas and Ann Boyd) to this (Fond du Lac)
county, and located on Sec. 34, town of Calumet ; he was educated at the Lawrence University, Appleton,
Wis. He was a member of the Wisconsin Assembly in 1864-65, a position he filled with credit to him-
self and constituents ; he has also been elected to various town and school offices. In politics, he is a
consistent and active Democrat; he is an honest, truthful, capable man, both in public and private life,
ardently attached to what he believes to be true and just, and ever ready to rebuke meanness wherever it
shows its head ; he has throughout his life maintained a high reputation for strict honor and integrity.
liAMBERT BROST, farmer; P.O. Heinsburg; was born at Ulmen on the Rhine, Ger-
many, on the 10th of October, 1835; in 1842, emigrated to Wisconsin with his parents (John and Anna
Brest), they located in Calumet, Fond dulLac Co.; he was;a member of the Wisconsin Assembly in 1876-77 ;
00
1030 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
he is Chairman of the Calumet Town Board of Supervisors, a position he has filled for several years }
he is also Chairman of the County Board, which office he was elected to in the autumn of 1879 ; in educa-
tional interests, he has taken an active part, and has heen District School Clerk for over nineteen years.
July 11, 1859, he married at Calumet Miss Anna Mussburger ; she was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1837 ;
they have eleven children, viz., Mary (now tfce wife of N. Mullenbach, they live in Wood County Wis.),.
Peter, Antoine, Annie, Joseph, Theresa, Josephine, John, Barbara, Mathias and Michael. Mr. Brest
owns ninety acres of land; in early life he learned the trade of carpenter and joiner, and followed it several
years in the city of Fond du Lac and in Calumet. Politically, he acts with the Democratic party.
JOHN H. DITTMAR, farmer and stock-raiser. See. 35; P. 0. Calumet Harbor; he was
born in Bavaria, Germany, Jan. 13, 1821; in early Jife, he received a liberal education ; he came to the
United States in 1840, lived in the city of New York until 1852, in which year he moved to Philadelphia,
Penn.; in New York and Philadelphia, he followed the business of cloth dyeing, a trade he had learned
in his native country; in 1866, he removed to where he now lives. He has been twice married, first wife
was Frances Kamp, she was born in 1817, died in 1848; by this marriage there were three children —
Christine, now the wife of Philip Carr, Philadelphia, Penn.; Sophia, wife of George Campbell, they also-
live in Philadelphia; Henry, who was a soldier in the war of the rebellion, he served in the naval service
over two years ; he married Katie Johnson, they live in Pond du Lac City. Mr. Dittmar's second wife
was Theresa Aisla; she was born July 25, 1823 ; they were married in 1849 ; she died April 4, 1878;
their children are Louisa, now the wife of John Theurwachter. Jr.; Louis, who married Laura Peth,
they live in Nebraska ; Charles, also a resident of Nebraska ; Theresa, Julia, William and Fredrick.
Mr. Dittmar and family are members of the Lutheran Church. He owns 202 acres of land; he is an
enterprising, public-spirited citizen ; his farm is well improved and most desirably located.
HENKY F. KOENKjr, proprietor of blacksmith and general repair shop, Cajumet Village ;
was born in the city of Fond du Lac ; his father, Martin Koenig, was born in Baden, Germany, in 1832 ;
he learned the wagon-maker's trade in his native country, and emigrated to this country in 1849 ; lived in
Milwaukee, Wis., until 1850, when he came to the city of Fond du Lac, where he married, in 1853, Wil-
helmina Meyer ; in 1856, they came to Calumet Village, where he has been engaged in the manufacturing
of wagons, and general repairing, at that place since ; their children are Henry F.. Mary, Emma, Lissette,
Caroline ; the oldest of those children, Henry F., was born in the city of Fond du Lac, in 1855. He
married, Nov. 19, 1877, Miss Dorothea Burg; they have one child — Laura Henry F. Koenig has been
engaged in carrying on a general blacksmith-shop at Calumet Village about five years, and has a large
custom.
AliUERT NORTH, dealer ia general merchandise, Calumet Village ; was born in the town of
Otsego, Otsego Co., N. Y., Feb. 5, 1823 ; his father, Albert North, was a. native of Vermont,
and a leading merchant in Otsego, N. Y., for a period of over forty years ; his mother was
Irene Taylor, a woman of rare Christian principles. She married Albert North, the father
of the subject of this sketch, in New York ; they had eight children, of whom our subject is
the only survivor ; he first came to Wisconsin in 1846, and looked over the ground to pick
out a location. In 1848, he opened a general store in Calumet Village, and has been successfully
engaged in that business since ; therefore is the pioneer merchant of the town of Calumet. In the early
history of Calumet Village, he was Postmaster several years. Politically, in early life, he acted with the-
Whig party, giving his first vote to Henry Clay ; on the organization of the Republican party, he joined
its ranks, and has remained a constant supporter of its principles ; he is a man of strict integrity in all
his dealings.
HENRY MANDERSCHEID, retired farmer; P. 0. Calumet Harbor; was born in Bas-
senheim, Germany, in 1814. He married, in his native country, Elizabeth Meisen, and emigrated to
America in 1845, settling in the town of Calumet, Fond du Lac Co., Wis., which has been their home
since ; Mr. Manderscheid has been very successful in life, and has accumulated a large property. He has
been, at various times,- elected to offices of honor and trust, and was Assessor of the town of Calumet for
more than twenty years.
LiOUIS MANDERSCHEID. This gentleman, present Treasurer of Fond du Lac Co .
and a leading grain merchant, Calumet Harbor, was born in Basenheim, Germany, Sept. 26, 1840 ; emi-
grated to Calumet, Fond du Lac Co., Wis., with his parents, Henry and Elizabeth Manderscheid; in the
autumn of 1845 ; the country then being comparatively new and almost a wilderness, most of Louis' early
life was spent amidst the hardships and privations of pioneer life ; he was educated in the schools at Calu-
met, and acquired a good education, and speaks and writes the German and English languages with great
CALUMET TOWNSHIP. 1031
fluency. During the late war of the rebellion, he served in Co. Gr, 36th W. V. I. ; was wounded, and par-
ticipated in every battle, siege and skirmish his command was in, with but few exceptions, andwas honor-
ably discharged in Jefferson ville, Ind., at the close of the war. He has been frequently selected by his
fellow-citizens to fill positions of trust and honor, upon which he has always reflected the highsst credit ;
he was elected County Treasurer in the fall of 1878, a position he still holds ; he is a public-spirited citizen
and one whose fidelity to public and private trusts is unimpeachable ; he has been elected to various town
offices. He married, in Calumet, on the 26th of February, 1859, Miss Elsie Murdock, a native of Madi-
son Co.; N. Y. ; she was the daughter of Wheeler and Lucy Murdock, who were natives of Providence,
R. I., and emigrated to Wisconsin in 1845 ; she is deceased, and he lives at Brothertown, Calumet Co.
Mr. Mandersoheid and wife are members of the Lutheran Church ; in politics, he is a consistent and active
Democrat. He has been engaged in the grain business in Calumet Harbor several years, and has, by his
strict integrity and fair dealing, secured the confidence of all with whom he has had to do. His father,
Henry Mandersoheid, was married in his native country (Germany) to Miss Elizabeth Measen ; they are
still residents of Calumet, where they have lived for over thirty-five years, old and respected citizens.'
THEODORE MAXDERSCHEID, Calumet Village ; was born in the town of Calumet,
Fond du Lac Co., Wis., Feb. 22, 1849 ; his parents are Henry and Elizabeth Mandersoheid, pioneer
settlers, and still residents of Calumet. He has been twice married ; first wife was Charlotte Path ; they
were married in May, 1871 ; she died in October of the same year; his present wife was Susan Peth ;
they were married Nov. 26, 1872 ; they have one son — Henry. In politics, Mr. Mandersoheid is a Dem-
ocrat; he owns about 100 acres of land, and is an enterprising citizen, one who takes an active part in all
that goes to advance the interests of his town.
HEXRY M. MUSKAT, proprietor of blacksmith and general repair shop, Calumet Village ;
was born in Germany, Jan 13, la§t5 ; in 1854, he emigrated with his parents to this county ; they settled
in Dane Co., Wis. During the war of the rebellion he enlisted in Co. B, 4th W. V. C. ; served three
years; was honorably discharged at Madison, Wis. ; in 1866, he came to Fond du Lac Co. In 1868, he
married Gertrude, dausihter of Henry and Elizabeth Mandersoheid, of Calumet ; they have three children —
Freddie, Lisette and Marianne. Mr. Muskat has been engaged in general blacksmithing in Calumet Vil-
lage since 1867. In politics, he is a Republican. A portion of the time he was in the service of the
Union, he served as Corporal.
JOHIV PETH, a leading farmer. Sec. 19; P. 0. Calumet Harbor; was born in Switzerland
in 1818 ; he came to America in 1840 ; lived in Albany, N. Y., until 1843, in which year he came to
Wisconsin. He married, in Racine Co., Wis., Mary Conrad; in about 1845, they came to Calumet, where
they have since resided ; their children are Mary, now the wife of Edward Stramer, Brothertown, Wis. ;
Susan, wife of Theodore Mandersoheid, Calumet Village ; Katie, wife of Andrew Meisen, and John P.
Mr. Peth and famjly are members of'the Lutheran Church ; he is a Democrat in politics ; owns 300 acres
of land ; is an enterprising and go-ahead citizen.
ADAM PFAFF, retired farmer, Calumet Harbor; was born in Bavaria, Germany, Jan 19,
1811 ; he came to this country in 1836; lived in Canaan, Conn., until 1842, in which year he came to
this (Fond du Lac) county, and settled in Calumet July 2, 1844. He married Susan Burg, a native of
Rechtenbach, Bavaria; she was born in January, 1819 ; emigrated to Detroit, Mich., in 1838, thence to
this town (Calumet) a short time prior to her marriage ; their children are Daniel, who married Amelia
Heipsman ; they live in Brothertown, Calumet Co., Wis. ; Susan, now Mrs. J. Shenborn, Minn. ; Jacob,
married Apple Jackni, they reside in Calumet Harbor ; Maggie, wife of Theodore Miller, St. Cloud, Wis.
Mr. Pfaff and wife are members of the Lutheran Church ; they own 120 acres of land ; he has been
elected to various local offices. His father, Jacob Pfafi', was born in Bavaria, Germany ; he married
Susan Essecth ; they both died in their native country, Bavaria ; they had six children, two of whom
came to this country — Adam and Michael Pfaff. Adam Pfaff, the subject of this sketch, has resided con-
tinually in Calumet over thirty-eight years ; himself and wife were among the first couples married in
the town of Calumet; they have triumphantly passed through the hardships of pioneer life, and are now
spending their old age in comfort in the town where they have resided so long.
GEORGE REICHART, general blacksmithing, Calumet Harbor ; is a native of G er-
many ; was born Jan. 2, 1843 ; in 1849, he emigrated with his parents to this country ; they settled at
Addison, Washington Co., Wis., where George was educated ; he learned the blacksmithing trade at
Hartford, Wis. ; worked for the Government, during the war of the rebellion, as a blacksmith. In 1866,
he married, in Fond du Lac City, Wis., Miss Fredrica Bhlers ; they have three children — Rose, Anna
and Henrietta. He engaged in business in Fond du Lac in 1868, and in 1875, moved to Calumet Harbor,
where he has been successfully engaged in the business of blacksmithing since. Politically, he acts with
the Democratic party.
1034 BIOaBAPHICAL SKETCHES:
settlers of Welsh Prairie, Columbia Co.; in October, 1874, he was assigned to Shawano, Sljawano Co., Wis.,
where he remained in charge of the church for three years; in 1877, he took charge of the church at
Markesan, Grreon Lake Co., and, in 1878, came to the Lamartine charge ; they have three children, as fol-
lows— Jessie E., born in 1874 ; Mary K., born in 1876; Charles F., born in April, 1879.
liAWREWCB ENNIS, farmer, Sec. 8 ; P. 0. WoodhuU ; is a native of County Wicklow,
Ireland ; born April 15, 1831, and is the son of James Ennis and Winford Doyle, with whom he made
his home in his native country until 19 years of age. In May, 1850, he emigrated to America, and
landed in Quebec, where he followed teaming for five years. April 18, 1855, he married Miss Letetia,
daughter of Patrick and Mary Greening, nee Finland, of Canada West, , but a native of County Monahan,
Ireland ; they then went to St. Louis, Mo., for a few months, thence to Jacksonville, 111., for a short time,
and lastly to Fond du Lac, where they lived fourteen years. In the fall of 1868, he bought a farm of
eighty-five and one-half acres in Section 8, town of Lamartine, where he has since been a farmer. They
had one son — James, deceased, and are members of St. Joseph's Catholic Church of Fond du Lac.
PHILiLIP E ABER, farmer. Sec. 33 ; P. 0. Lamartine ; is a native of Rhine Province ; born
Sept. 7, 1832, and is the son of John and Mary E.' Faber, nee Bard ; • he lived with his parents on a farm
in his native country, and with them came to America in 1847 ; they settled first in Washington Co., Wis.,
and made that their bome till 1874 ; he then bought a farm of eighty acres in Section 33, town of Lamar-
tine, where he has since lived and followed farming. In January, 1859, he married Miss Sophia, daughter
of Frank and Elizabeth Warner, nee Beck, of Wayne, Washington Co., Wis., but a native of Germany.
They have six children — Caroline, Carl, Henry, Elizabeth, Sophia and Hermind. They are members of
the Lutheran Church.
WATHANIBIi W. FABTCHER, farmer, Sec. 22 ; P. 0. Lamartine ; was born in Wyo-
> ming Co., N. Y., Oct. 16, 1830 ; his parents, Elias Fancher and Sally Worden, were natives of Dutchess
Co., N. Y., but removed to Wyoming Co. shortly after their marriage. In May, 1847, he with his father
and family came to Wisconsin, and settled on a farm of eighty acres in Section 22, town of Lamartine,
Fond du Lac Co., where his parents both died ; his mother Nov. 1, 1859, and his father Oct.. 12, 1875 ;
ten years after their arrival in Lamartine, he bought a farm of eighty acres in the southwest quarter of
Section 22, which he afterward traded for another one, and, after trading three or four times, in 1858, he
got his father's homestead, which he has since owned, and where he has since lived. March 12, 1866, he
married Miss Mary, daughter of James and Catharine Hendry, nee Greig, early settlers of Lamartine.
JOSEPH FISCHER, farmer. Sec. 28 ; P. 0. Lamartine ; the subject of this sketch is a son
of John and Barbara Fischer, and was born in Baden, Germany, Jan. 3, 1822 ; at the age of 14, he began
to learn the clock maker's trade in his native place, and followed it there for eight years ; in 1844, he went
to Dublin, Ireland, and continued his trade for nearly six years ; in the fall of 1849, he emigrated to
America, and, in 1851, established a jewelry store on Fifth avenue, in New York City, of which he was
proprietor till 1855 ; he then came to Fond du Lac Co., Wis., bought 120 acres of land in Section 28,
tojvn of Lamartine, returned to New York for his family, disposed of his interest in jewelry stock there,
and came again to Lamartine, where he has since been a farmer. In New York City, in 1852, he mar-
ried Miss Mary, daughter of Nicholas and Elizabeth Endimiller, who emigrated to New York in ,1846 ,
they have six children — Joseph, Jr. (a carpenter and joiner of Lamartine), Matilda, Mary E., John A.;
Adelaide, Emma L. Mr. Fischer is a member of the Catholic Church, and his wife of the Lutheran.
AliBERT FOL,TS, farmer. Sec. 34 ; P. 0. Lamartine ; born in Herkimer Co., N. Y., Feb.
22, 1841 ; when 4 years of age, he, with his parents, J^bn and Emily Folts, immigrated to Wisconsin,
and were among the first settlers of the towti of Lomira, Dodge Co., which was their home for a number of
years. Oct. 12, 1861, he married Miss Arvella F., daughter. of Alexander and Mary A-. Sager, nee
Auburn, immigrants to the town of Williamstown, Dodge Co., in 1850, but natives of Oneida Co., N. Y.;
soon after marriage, they removed to the town of Byron, Fond du Lac Co., which was their home for four
years; in 1865, they removed to the town of Oakfield, and, in 1874, he disposed of his interest in Oak-
field, and bought a farm of eighty acres on the west half of the northwest quarter of Sec. 34, which has
since been their home ; they have had four children — Clarence J., born June 15, 1868 ; Rollie L., March
18, 1864 ; two infants deceased, not named. Mrs. Folts is a member of the Baptist Church.
PHILIP CirREEIVING, farmer, Sec. 21; P.O. Fond du Lac; is a native of Devonshire,
England; born Feb. 29, 1824; he spent the first fourteen years of his life with his parents, Philip and
Frances Greening, on a farm at his birthplace, and then entered upon a three years' apprenticeship at the
machinist's trade, which he afterward followed in England for a number of years ; in 1848, he sailed for
America, and settled in Upper Canada, where he continued Tiis trade for three years ; he next came to
Green Bay, Wis., and there followed the same calling for two years ; in 1853, he removed to the town of
LAMARTINE TOWNSHIP. 1035
Oharlestown, Calumet Co., Wis., where he was one of the first settlers; here he purchased a farm, and
"began the life of a farmer again, which he has since followed ; in 1863, ha removed thence to Winnesheik
■Co., Iowa, and in five years afterward (1868), returned to Wisconsin and settled in the town of Byron,
Fond du Lao Co.; here he was known as a farmer until 1873 ; he then purchased a farm of 270 acres, in
Sees. 21 and 28, town of Lamartine, where he has since lived. Mr. Greening's political career has been
quite an eventful one ; though not an office-seeker, his friends saw fit to elect him to the offices of Town
Clerk and Town Treasurer for four terms each, in the town of Charlestown, Calumet Co., and Assessor one
year, and Chairman of Town Board of Lamartine, Fond du Lac Co., for three years, and^ in the fall of
1878, decided that he should represent the Third District in the Wisconsin Assembly at Madison ; polit'-
cally, he is a Democrat. At Ingersoll, Ont., Oct. 13, 1848, he was married to Miss Mary, daughter of
Michael and Hannah Sage, natives of County Tipperary, Ireland, but immigrants to Canada in 1847 ;
children have blessed their household, as follows : Helen (now Mrs. Dennis McKanna, of Byron), Philip,
(deceased), William H., Francis, and three infants, deceased. Mr. Greening is a member of the Episcopal
€hurch, and his wife of the Catholic Church.
WIIililAML J. HAIiE, farmer, Sec. 25 ; P. 0. Lamartine ; is a native of Saratoga Co., N^. Y.;
born Oct. 1, 1801 ; when 12 years of age, he, with his parents, Daniel and Mary Hale, removed to Albany,
N. Y., and, five years later, he went to Ohio, but returned to Albany in 1820, and worked at the cooper's
trade for about two years ; he then went to Montgomery Co., where he followed coopering and farming
until 1844. Here, in 1824, he married Miss Betsey, daughter of Isban Eaton, with whom, in 1844, he
removed to Saratoga Co., N. Y., and lived there on a farm until the fall of 1855, when they immigrated to
Fond du Lac Co., Wis., settling in the town of Sprino;vale ; they have since followed farming in the towns
of Lamartine, Oakfield, Pond du Lao and Waupun, and now reside on Sec. 25, town of Lamartine ; Mrs.
Hale died Dec. 9, 1876, leaving five children — John (of Dakota), Cynthia A., Mrs. Kendall (of Fond du
Lao), Elias A. (who enlisted in Co. P., 2flst W. V. I., under Col. Sweet, and was in the battles of Perry-
ville, Stone River, and with Sherman in his campaigns^mustered out at Milwaukee in 1865, and, in 1872,
married Miss Laura J., daughter of Jason and Jerusha Monroe, of Lamartine — they had one son, Jesse),
A. P. (now of Jefi'erson Co., N. Y.), and Sarah (now Mrs. Harvey Wolcott, of Dakota).
GEORGE W. JACKSOIV, farmer. Sec. 27 ; P. O. Lamartine ; is a son of Joseph and Ann
Jackson, whose biography appears in this work ; George was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1838 ; when
10 years of age, he, with his parents, sailed from Liverpool for America, landing in New York Sept. 15,
1848; they at once came to Wisconsin, and stopped for the winter in Waukesha Co.; in the spring of
1849, they removed to the town of Lamartine, Fond du Lac Co., which has since been his home, and
where he now owns ninety acres of land in the southwest quarter of Sec. 27. He married Miss Lydia,
second daughter of Eyre E. and Mary Crowe, immigrants to the town of Lamartine from St. Johns, New
Brunswick, in 1847, and, ten years later, to Waushara Co., Wis., where her marriage to Mr. Jackson was
solemnized Nov. 13, 1858 ; four daughters and one son have blessed their household, and their names are
as follows : Florence A., Lydia A., Jennie M., Jessie D. and Tlieron J. Mr. Crowe, Mrs. Jackson's
father, was doubtless the oldest man in the town of Lamartine at the time of his death, Feb. 18, 18J2 ;
nature having blessed him with a strong physical constitution, and possessing a great deal of will-power
and tenacity of life, he lived to the good old age of 99 years 4 months and 10 days ; he was born on Staten
Island, Oct. 8, 1773, and married Miss Mary Morris, of Granville, Nova Scotia, April 24, 1834.
JOSEPH JACKSOX, retired farmer, Sec.'35 ; P. 0. Lamartine; is a son of John Jackson
and Hannah Noble ; born in the eastern part of Yorkshire, England, Oct. 31, 1810; his father was a
, contractor for cutting timber, in which he assisted for some time ; but for four years prior to his emigra-
tion to America, he was woodman and under game-keeper for a wealthy gentleman by the name of
Joseph Sykes, of Roywell, Yorkshire. April 4, 1835, he married Miss Ann, daughter of George and
Jane Galland, nee Lyon ,of the parish of Newbaid, Yorkshire, England, who was born March 8, 1811,
and with whom, July 16, 1848, he sailed from Liverpool for America, and landed in New York September
15 following, after a nine-weeks' voyage. They came thence via the lakes and Milwaukee to Waukesha,
Wis., where they arrived with only an English shilling Oct. 16, 1848 ; stopping at Waukesha for one
month, then removed to the town of McUanaca, Waukesha Co., where they spent the winter, and finally
reached their Western home in the town of Lamartine, April 14, 1849 ; Mrs. Jackson lived with her brother,
Mr. William Galland, till her husband built a log shanty, to which they, with Mr. Galland and family
(the two having eleven children), removed; here they lived as best they could, under somewhat cramped
circumstances, till September, when they removed to Mr. Dill's farm in Sec. 20, town of Lamartine, lived
here four years. It was here in their house, that the first day school in District 4 was taught ; the teacher
being Mary Story, now Mrs. Boyd, of Rock River, Wis.; the first Sunday school and preaching of that
1036 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
neighborhood was also held in their house, by a Methodist minister, in the summer of 1851, after which
they had regular service there by different ministers for two years, and then they held it in the sohoolhouse
near by; in 1853, he bought a farm of eighty acres in Sec. 21, to which they removed and made their
home till 1869, when he sold that and bought another of eighty acres in Sec. 20, and forty acres in Sec.
35, making the latter his home since. The children are as follows : Mary J., Mrs. Benjamin Brand, of
Lamartine, now deceased ; George W., of Lamartine ; William, of Lamartine ; Jonah G., of Humboldt
Co., Cal.; Anna E., deceased ; Hannah E., Mrs. Warren P. Cook, of Massachusetts, now deceased ; Mar-
tha, deceased, born with three thumbs on right hand ; Joshua, who died on the voyage from England ;
Joshua D., now of this town (Lamartine) ; Isabella M., Mrs. Dusenberry, of Empire. Mr. Jackson was
Town Assessor for two years. In England, they were members of the Primitive Methodist Church for
twenty years; here they are members of the M. E. Church.
WIIiLiIAM JACKSOX, farmer, Sec. 22; P. 0. Lamartine; was born in Yorkshire,
England, Nov. 4, 1839, and when 9 years of age, with parents, Joseph and Ann Jackson, nee Galland,
emigrated to America; landing in New York, they came thence to Wisconsin, and settled in the town of
Lamartine in the spring of 1849; he made his home with parents till about 28 years of age, when he
purchased of his father the farm of eighty-nine acres in Sec. 21, which was their first settlement in the
town, and made that his home till 1873, when he sold that and brought his present one of 1Q5 acres, in
northwest quarter Sec. 22, in the same town, which has since been his home ; he has also ten acres in Sec.
10. In February, 1868, he married Miss Lydia, daughter of Enoch and Lydia Palmer, early settlers of
Lamartine; thfey have four children — Helen M., Leila D., Clarence, Ida L. They are members of the
M. E. Church. Mr. Jackson is a member of the Town Board; politically, he is a Republican.
ALBERT A. JOHNSON, farmer. Sees. 24, 13, 15, 16; P. 0. Lamartine; is of New
England descent, and a son of Jesse and Dorathy Johnson ; born in Grafton Co., N. H., in 1825 ; he was
educated in the public schools of his native county, after which he followed the teacher's profession in that
county for four years, whence, in 1850, he removed to Deerfield, Lake Co., 111., where he continued teach-
ing during winter and farming in the summer season ; in 1859, he came to Fond du Lac Co., and set-
tled on his presentifarm of 100 acres; here he continued to teach during the winter terms, and devote
the summer season to agricultural pursuits till 1876, when he gave up the profession after having devoted
a good part of twenty years to it, and tiirned his whole attention to his farm. He was married to Miss
Cordelia A., daughter of Guy and Lucinda Williams, of Deerfield, Lake Co., 111., in 1851 ; they have
eleven children — Emma, now Mrs. Thomas Huston, of Fond du Lac Township ; Ella, Mrs Henry Brown,
of Lamartine ; Addie, Eugene, Ettie, Minnie, Clara, Lorin, Carl, Ida, Hattie. Mr. Johnson was Chair-
man of the Town Board of Lamartine for two years ; member of County Board for same length of time,
also Town Treasurer for two years. His wife is a member of the Methodist Church.
CHILIOIV F. JOHNSON, deceased; was a native of Bridgeport, Vt. ; was born May 27,
1823 ; he made ,his home with parents on a farm in his native State, till his marriage, Sept. 22, 1846, to
Miss Sarah, daughter of Solomon Jenner, of that State. In 1847, they immigrated to Wisconsin, and
settled in the town of Taycheedah, Fond du Lao Co., where he followed farming for ten years ; he then pur-
chased a farm of 285i acres in Sees. 35 and 36, town of Lamartine, Fond du Lac Co., where he continued
farming and stock-raising till his death, July 23, 1879 ; he was the father of seven children, five of whom,
wilh wife, survived him — Darwin (deceased); Anna E. now Mrs. B. F. Monroe, of Blair, Washington Co.,
Neb. ; Darwin, Jr., now an M. D. of Fox Lake, Wis. ; Mary A. ; Frank C. ; an infant daughter (deceased) ;
Wallace L. The fitting words of the Kev. J. B. Cole, Pastor of the M. E. Church of Lamartine, in
his funeral notice, may well be inserted in this biographical sketch : " In March, 1846, he was converted
and joined the church, and was for many years an active oflSce-bearer in the Methodist Episcopal Church,
and remained until promoted to the church triumphant ; he was a man of a warm heart, gefnerous impulses
and great sympathy ; he was a devoted husband, a kind father and a worthy citizen, who is very much
missed ; his end was a decided victory ; as the end drew nigh he exclaimed, morning, noon and night, ' I
have no fear ; I have tried to serve my God faithfully, and now I leave the rest ;" his sufferings were great,
but he bore them without a murmur; he awaited the approach of death with a perfect calmness; gladly
did he close his eyes on earth to open them in Heaven."
JOHN KRAEiUBB, proprietor of blacksmith-shop, Lamartine, is a son of Philip and Mar-
garet Kraemer ; born in Washington Co., Wis., April 10, 1855 ; when 'about 14 years of age, he began
his trade with Seaman & Goetel, of Waupun, and, after remaining with them two and a half years, has
since continued it at Oakfield, Burnett Junction; Fond du Lac, Brandon, Pair Water, and established the
shop here in April, 1876, with a capital of $1,000, where he carries on all branches of the blacksmithing
business, and makes a specialty of horseshoeing. In August, 1876, married Miss Minnie, daughter of
LAMARTINE TOWNSHIP. 103T
Fred Kraemer, of Fond du Lae, but a native of Germany. They have two children — Edward and
Elmer. Mr. and Mrs. Kraemer are members of the Lutheran Church ; politically, he is a Democrat.
PETER W. liAIXCr, farmer, Sec. 19 ; P. 0. Eldorado Mills ; was born ia Brechin, Scot-
land, January 1, 1810, and is the son of William Laing and Jane Montgomery, natives of Montrose,
Scotland. Our subject is the oldest living of seven children, five of whom were daughters ; when 10 years
of age, he was apprenticed to the flax-dresser's trade, in Montrose, which he continued there for nearly
twenty-three years. May 28, 1843, he landed in New York, from Liverpool, and went thence direct to
Andover, Mass., where he continued his trade in the shoe-thread factory for nine years ; in May, 1852, he-
came to Fond du Lac Co., Wis., where he purchased 80 acres in Sec. 19; he has now 120 acres in
Sec. 18, 52 in Sec. 19, and 17 acres in Sec. 4, town of Lamartine, where he has since followed farming.
Dec. 22, 1832, he married Miss Ann, daughter of Duncan and Fannie (Smith) Mcintosh, of Dundee,
Scotland. In 1873, Mr. and Mrs. Laing paid a visit to their native land, after an absence of thirty years.
They were members of the Church of Scotland.
GEORGrE li AlVG, farmer. Sec. 31 : P. 0. I^amartine ; is the son of Kobert and Catharine
Lang, natives of New York, but descendants of Scotland; George was born in Montgomery Co., N. Y.,
April 7, 1833; his father died when he was 2 years old ; but his devoted mother was long spared
him. In the spring of 1856, he, with his mother, emigrated to Fond du Lac Co., Wis., and settled on
a farm of 120 acres, in Sec. 31, town of Lamartine, which has since been his home, and where she died,
in 1879 ; he now has a farm of 160 acres in Sec. 31, town of Lamartine, and 90 acres in Sees. 6 and 7,
town of Oakfield. Sept. 25, 1867, he married Miss Leila, daughter of William D. and Almira Ash, of
the town of Oakfield, Fond du Lac Co., but a native of Montgomery Co., N. Y., from which, she, with
her parents, emigrated in 1848. One daughter and two sons have blessed their marriage — Katie, George
and William R. They attend the M. E. Church at Lamartine.
IRA^ McCHAIN, farmer. Sees. 32 and 33 ; P. 0. Lamartine ; was born in Westchester Co.,
N. Y., Oct. 16, 1833, and is the son of James and Sarah McChain, nee Hopkins ; when 17 years of age,
he entered upon a three-years apprenticeship at the molders' trade, after whi<jh he continued it as jour-
neyman in New York for a short time, and then came to Chicago, 111., about 1848, where he remained
nearly one year; in fall of 1849 he came to Fond du Lac, and took a position as clerk in the post office
under Charles Tompkins, for the winter, having made a visit to his relatives, Mr. Berry's family, of the
town of Empire, the previous year ; in the spring of 1850, he formed a copartnership with Levi Tomp-
kins, of Fond du Lao, in the meat-market, which lasted nine years ; he was, for the next four years,-
molder in the Union Iron Works ; in August, 1867, he bought a farm of 136 acres in Sees. 32 and 33,
,town of Lamartine, where he has since followed farming. Oct. 7, 1858, he married Miss Lucinda P.,
daughter of Harvey and Mary Smith, who were among the first settlers on the Western Reserve of
Ohio ; three sons have blessed their household — Albert N., Harvey J., and Frank D. Mr. McChain
has been a member of the Common Council of Pond du Lac, also School Treasurer of the district where
he now resides, for several terms.
RICHARD MACOIIBER (deceased), was the oldest son of Jonathan and Eunice Mac-
omber, Quakers, of Keesville, N. Y., born Oct. 2, 1824 ; when about 20 years old, he began the carpenter
and joiner's trade, which he followed more or less for a few years ; his father being an extensive farmer,
of Essex County, Richard spent much of his time in agricultural pursuits ; in 1855, he came to Wiscon-
sin, and soon after bought a farm of 160 acres, in Sec. 8, but did not settle on it for some time. In
February, 1861, he married Miss Harriet, a daughter of Norridon and Waity Bennett, who immigrated
from Onondaga Co., N. Y., to Pond du Lao in 1845, with her father and family, her mother having died
in New York in 1839 ; two years after their arrival in Fond du Lac she went to live with Reuben and
Louisa Simmons, with whom she made her home till about two years before her marriage to Mr. Macomber;
her father removed to Big Rapids, Mich., where he died March 17, 1879. Immediately after their
marriage they removed to the farm in Lamartine, which now consists of 97 acres, and where Mr. Mac-
omber died Dec. 2, 1871, leaving one son — Gerald, by a former marriage.
ASA P. MARSHALL, retired farmer, carpenter and joiner; P. 0. Lamartine ; is a native
of Jefierson Co., N. Y.; he is the son of John and Sally Marshall ; born in 1818 ; when 19 years
of age he entered upon an apprenticeship at the molders' trade, in the machine-shops of Adams, Jefiferson
Co., N. Y.; continued there for ten years ; his health not permitting him to continue that trade longer, he
then took up the carpenter and joiner's trade, which he has followed most of tte time since." In 1843, he
married Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Nicholas and Abigail Marshall, of Jefferson Co.; in spring of 1846,
they immigrated to Milwaukee, Wis.; remaining there a few months, they went thence to White River
Mich., where he followed the trade for three years ; in 1849, he removed to a farm in the town of Lamartine
1038 BIOGKAPHICAL SKETCHES:
Fond du Lac Co., Wis., which he had entered two years previous ; one year ?ifter, they returned to
Michigan for three years longer ; in 1852, they came again to Lamartine, which has since heen their abid-
ing place. They have one daughter — Edna A., and are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
ADAM HENOCH, farmer, Sec. 11 ; P. 0. Woodhull ; is the son of Peter and Elizabeth
Mensch, and brother to Peter, whose biography appears in this work. He was born in Prussia Nov. 17,
1822 ; came with his parents to Ohio, and in 1846 to Fond du Lac ; he entered forty acres of land in
Sec. 11, town of Lamartine, which has been his home most of the time since. Jan. 29, 1850, he married
Miss Elizabeth, daughter of John and Anna M. Wagner, native of Nassau, Germany, but early settlers of
this town (Lamartine) ; they have had three children — Elizabeth, Anna Caroline (deceased) and H.
William ; members of the Evangelical Church.
PETER MEIVSCH, farmer, P. 0. Woodhull; See. 11 ; was born in Prussia Feb. 17, 1825,
and, with his parents, P^ter and Elizabeth Mensch, he emigrated to America in 1836, and settled
in Stark Co., Ohio, where they followed farming for ten years; April 5, 1846, they reached Fond
du Lac, and soon after settled on a farm southeast of the city for one year; they then removed to the
town of Lamartine, which has since been their home, and where he has now eighty acres of land in south-
west quarter of Sec. 11, which he entered in 1847. Dec. 26, 1851, he married Miss Fredricka, only
daughter of Gotleib and Fredricka Grosse, a native of Saxony; they have two children — Fredricka, now
Mrs. Morris Lewis, of the town of Spriogvale, Fond du Lac Co., John. They are members of the Lutheran
Church.
CHARIiEIS MILLER, farmer. Sees. 4 and 9; P, 0. Woodhull; is the son of Henry and
Sophia Miller; born in Washington Co., Wis., Oct. 8, 1853; when 5 years of age, he, with parents,
removed to the city of Fond du Lac, where he followed lumbering and teaming for a number of years.
Dec. 20, 1879, he married Miss Minnie, daughter of William Smith, of Eldorado, and now resides on
Sec. 9, where he has a farm of 125 acres in that and Sec. 4; they attend the Methodist Church.
CONRAD MILLER, farmer. Sec. 26 ; P. 0. Lamartine ; is a .son of Henry and Martha
Miller; born in Prussia in 1807 ; he emigrated to America in 1836 ; landed at New York and then came
to Detroit, Mich., where, in 1838, he enlisted as a recruit of Co. D, of the Fifth Infantry, regular army,
then stationed at Ft. Winnebago, Wis. ; in 1841, the regiment was ordered from there to Ft. Gratiot,
Mich., where they remained till 1845, and were then sent to Jefferson Barracks, Mo., but Mr. Miller
being on a furlough at the time, was written by his Captain from the barracks to join his company at
once ; on receiving this notice, he started on foot for his regiment, but by the time he reached Jefferson
Barracks, the regiment had started for Corpus Christi, Texas ; Gen. Brooks being then at St. Louis, he
detained Mr. Miller a week, and placed him in charge of a recruiting corps, with orders to take them to Gen.
Vorse, then the commanding oflScer of his division of the army ; he then returned to Newport, near Louis-
ville, Ky., and from there took fifty more recruits to his regiment and rejoined his company at Corpus
Christi; his term of enlistment expiring in 1846, he re-enlisted and served under Gen. Taylor till the
battle of Monterey, where his regiment was so badly cut up that he was soon sent on another recruiting
service to Mauch Chunk, Penn. ; was' under Gen. Scott, at Vera Cruz, and served till 1851 ; was in the
battle of Chapultepec, where they lost four Captains and Maj. Scott ; in 1848, they returned via New
Orleans to Ft. Towson, in the Indian Territory; in 1849, they guarded the first emigrants to California,
from Ft. Smith to Santa Fe ; returning to Ft. Towson, they were sent in 1850 to Camp Arbuokle, in the
northern part of the Indian Territory ; while here during part of the years of 1850-51, he carried the
United States mail from that point to Ft. Smith; he was discharged in February, 1851, when he came to
Fond du Lac Co., Wis., and settled on a farm of eighty acres on Sec. 26, towh of Lamartine, and has since
followed farming; he now has 195 acres in that section. Feb. 5, 1852, he married Miss Catharine,-
daughter of Joseph and Geneva Ruff, of Black Forest, Baden, Germany ; they have seven children, whose
names and births are as follows: Caroline, born Nov. 18, 1852 ; Annette and Louise (twins), April 26,
1854; Winfield S., May 20, 1856 ; Emily, Oct. 24, 1857 ; Adell R., April 6, 1860 ; Mary M., May 1,
1865. Caroline, Annette and Louise have been teachers in the public schools of Fond du Lac Co. ; Miss
Annette is now editress of the Lamartine Literary Journal ; the family is connected with the Baptist
Church.
JASON MOIVROE, farmer. Sec. 35; P. 0. Lamartine; was born in Jericho, Chittenden Co.,
Vt., May 12, .1801; is the son of Jesse Monroe (a farmer) and Susan Stone; he followed farming, the
shoemaker's and cooper's trades, and various other kinds of business there till 1847 ; in June, 1847,
came to Fond du Lac Co., Wis., and settled on a farm of eighty acres in Sec. 35; he now has twenty
acres in another section ; Lamartine has been his home since he came to Wisconsin. Oct. 27, 1828, he mar-
ried Miss Jerusha, daughter of Hiram and Rhoda Rublee, nee MoorS, of Berkshire, Franklin Co., Vt.; they
LAMABTIlSrE TOWNSHIP. 1039
»
have had eight children — Orlando, deceased ; Otis, deceased; Edgar, a druggist, of Blair, Neb.; Sidney
H., of Lamartine; Almira (now Mrs. Silas Stone, of Grlenbeulah, Sheboygan Co. Wis.), Laura J., Mrs.
E. A. Hale, of Lamartine; Byron F., M. D., of Blair, Neb.; Otto H., of Lamartine. They are members
of the Baptist Church. Mr. M. has held school and various otber oflSces in the town.
SIDNEY H. MONROE, farmer. Sec. 19; P. 0. Eldorado Mills; is a son of Jason and
Jerusha Monroe, immigrants to town of Lamartine, Fond du Lao Co., in 1847 ; he lived with his parents
on Sec. 35 of this town, till about 17 years old, when he entered upon an apprenticeship at the carpentet
and joiner's trade, with Hill & Webster, which he continued till 1863. In November of that year, he
enlisted in Co. A, 2d W. V. C, under Col. Stevens; was with the Army of the West in the battles of
Oak Grrcrve, Mo., Egypt Station, Mo., Yazoo City, Miss., and a number of other smaller battles ; was
mustered out of service at Austin, Tex., in November, 1865, and reached his home in December follow-
ing; he continued the carpenter's trade for three years, and in October, 1868, bought a farm of fifty-eight
acres in Sees. 19 and 20, town of Lamartine, where he has since followed farming. Nov. 15, 1863, he
married Miss Maggie A., daughter of David Hendry and Janet Hall,'natives of Brechen, Scotland, but
immigrants to Fond du Lac Co., Wis., in 1848; her mother died in three months after their arrival. The
children are Janet H., Jason D., David D. (deceased). Sedate A., Maude A., Sarah M. and William
Berthold. Mr. Monroe has been a member of the Town Board for two years ; politically, he is a
Republican.
AUGUSTINE D. NASH, farmer, Sec. 34; P. 0. Lamartine; was born in Summit Co.,
Ohio, in November, 1822, and is the son of Phineas and Fidelia Nash; his mother dying when he was
about a month old, he was taken to live with his grandfather Nash, near Williamsburg, Mass., where he
made his home till 6 years of age ; his father, having married a second time, he then returned to his
home in Ohio, and lived on the farm with his father till 21 years of age ; he next followed various kinds
of labor in Ohio and Kentucky for seven years. Dec. 19, 1850, he married Miss Nancy, daughter of
William and Mary Meridith, of Summit Co., Ohio, and in the fall of 1851, they emigrated to Fond du
Lao County, and settled on a farm of eighty acres in Sec. 2, town of Forest, which he bought in the fall
of 1846, while on his first visit to this county; he soon bought another eighty joining the first in the
same section, and afterward bought another farm of eighty acres in Sec. 14, to which he removed and made
his home till 1867, when he disposed of his interest there and bought a farm of 121 acres in Sec. 34,
town of Lamartine, for $50 per acre, where he has since followed farming and stock-raising ; he carries
on a small dairy, and has 100 head of sheep. In February, 1865, he enlisted in Co. H, 14th W. V. I.,
under Col. Ward, for one year; was sent to Mobile, where his regiment was mustered out in November,
1865 ; he held the office of School Clerk in district for several years, in the town of Forest, and for nine
years in the town of Lamartine; in spring of 1879, he was elected Chairman of the Town Board. They "
have three children — Helen A., now Mrs. Thomas Orchard, of Lamartine ; Mary F., now Mrs. John H.
Quick, of Lamartine, and Charles S.
ENOCH PALilIER, farmer. Sec. 29 ; P. 0. Lamartine ; is a native of the Province of New
Brunswick ; he is the son of Enoch and Lydia Palmer, nee Burpee ; was born in May, 1822 ; his father
being a farmer and lumberman, Enoch spent most of his time at the same business ; at the age of 17, he
went to Canada West, where his father had purchased a farm, and there, with a brother, spent about three
years at farming; ho then returned to his home in New Brunswick, and, in the fall of 1846, with his
brother, immigrated to Wisconsin, and settled on a farm on Sec. 16, town of Oakfield ; in the
following year (1847), he sold out his farm in Oakfield, and purchased another in Sec. 29,
town of Lamartine, where he was one of the first settlers, and now has 289 acres, and
159 acres in Sec. 36, town of Springvale ; in 1850, he went to California, and for two
years was engaged principally in mining. He then returned to Lamartine, and, in August, 1853,
he married Miss Sarah, daughter of William and Hannah Tripp, of Canada West, but a native of New
Brunswick, her parents having immigrated to Canada, where they afterward died — her mother at the age
of 75,; twelve children have been born unto them, as follows — Elizabeth, now Mrs. Joseph Spaiford, of
Fond du Lac ; Apphia, now Mrs. Charles Galloway, of Oakfield ; Ella M., who, with her younger brother,
Enoch, lives on the farm in Springvale; John M., Milford P., Clara A., Chester, Franklin, Fredrick,
Annette A., Victor. They all attend the Baptist Church of Lamartine.
GEORGE GRAFTON PIKE, farmer, cooper and carpenter. Sec. 35 ; P. 0. Lamartine ;
is a native of Mt. Vernon, Hillsboro, Co., N. H., and is the son of Ephraim and Nancy Pike ; born Dec.
11, 1814 ; when 4 years of age, he, with his parents, removed to Burlington, Vt., where he made his
home for twenty-five years, and worked at the cooper's trade most of the time ; in May, 1847, he immi-
grated to New Buffalo, Berrien Co., Mich., where he continued his trade for two years ; in the spring of
1040 BIOGKAPHICAL SKETCHES:
»(
1849, he removed to the town of Lamartine, Fond du Lac Co., Wis., settled on a farm of eighty acres, in
Sec. 33 ; followed farming for four years ; in 1853, he sold that, and bought a place of sixteen acres in
Sec. 35, where he has since lived, and devoted his attention to the carpenter and joiner's trade, and also
farming. Dec. 17, 1837, he married Miss Clara H., daughter of Charles and Nancy Grann'is (nee Bean),
of Burlington, Vt., but a native of Onondaga Co., N. Y. ; they have adopted one daughter — Julia M.
Mrs. Pike is a member of the Baptist Church ; politically, Mr. Pike is a Democrat.
ALiONZO F. QUICK, farmer ; P. 0. Lamartine; born in Schenectady Co., N. Y.,in 1828;
son of Mary and John Quick, a shoemaker of that county ; the subject of this sketch received his educa-
tion in the common schools of his native place ; at the age of 15, he left home and hired out to work at
farming during the summer months, and was at home winters ; in 1854, he bought a small farm of fifty
acres, and lived in that place until 1863, when he sold out and game West to Lamartine, buying the farm
on which he now resides of 147 J acres, known as the Meekin place. Mr. Quick married, in Schenectady
Co., N. Y., in 1354, Jeannette, daughter of Eliza and Ephraim Ladd, a farmer ; they have three
children — John H., Elwood B., Willie W. ; family attend the Baptist Church, and he is, politically, a
Republican.
ALBXAIVDBR A. RAMSEY is a native of Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and is the son of
Alexander and Ann Ramsey; born in July, 1838. In 1841, with parents, he came to America and
settled in Rensselaer Co., N. Y.; in 1843, they removed to Andover, Mass, where his father continued the
flax-dresser's trade, which he had learned when a boy, in Scotland ; two years later they immigrated to
Dodge Co., Wis., and settled in the town of Clyman, where he lived most of the time till November, 1875 ;
in 1863, he went to California, where he followed scroll-sawing part of the time, and spent the rest in
traveling over various parts of the State ; he returned to Dodge Co. in the fall of 1866, and made it his
home till 1875, as above stated ; in November of that year, he bought a farm of 158i acres in Sec. 20,
town of Lamartine,. Fond du Lac Co., Wis., where he has since lived. March 3, 1860, he married Mrs.
Jeanette, widow of William M. Kellie, and daughter of Peter and Isabelle Gardner, nee Ferguson, and
natives of Scotland, but immigrants to Wisconsin in 1854, she having at time of second marriage three chil-
dren— William M., now of Minneapolis, Minn.; James G., of same place; Agnes, Mrs. James Collins,
also Qf , Blinneapolis ; they have five children — Alexander G., Jeannette, Margaret A., John A., and
Walter D. Mr. R. has been Justice of the Peace of this town for four years. Politically, is a Repub-
lican ; they are members of the Baptist Church.
JOSEPH SCHABFER, farmer, carpenter and joiner ; was born in Prussia May 26, 1821,
and is the son of Joseph and Christina Schaefer, both of whom died in Germany. April 26, 1846, he
married Mary Handshumaker, of Prussia,' and, April 27, 1849, sailed for America and landed in New
York, and May 17 following, reached Fond du Lac, where he followed the carpenter and joiner's trade
for a number of years ; in 1850, he bought a farm, of forty acres in Sec. 11, town of Lamartine, to which
he removed his family, and which has since been their home ; he still continues his trade much of the
time; he now has fifteen acres of land in Sec. 15. They have had eleven children — Mary A., now
Mrs. John Schnuar, of Eldorado; Daniel; Catharine, now Mrs. Casper Hoifmaan, of Fond du Lac City;
Joseph ; Elizabeth, now Mrs. Casper Jagdfeld, of Fond du Lac; John, Michael, Fredricka, Mathias, Frank
Annie. Members of the Catholic Church.
JACOB SCHMIDT, farmer. Sec. 20 ; P. 0. Woodhull ; was born in Prussia July 10, 1833,
and is the fourth son of Mathias and Mary Schmidt, with whom he came to Wisconsin in 1847, and
settled on a farm in the town of Lamartine, Fond du Lac Co., where he now has a farm of 140 acres in
Sees. 2 and 11. March 31, 1856, he married Miss Christina, daughter ot Mathias and Genoefa Reid-
meeler, a native of Wurtemburg, Germany ; they have had nine children, five of whom died of diphtheria,
within two weeks' time, in the year 1878 ; their names and births, and deaths of the deceased, are as fol-
lows—Helena, born April 29, 1859, died Nov. 9, 1860 ; Mary, born July 4, 1861, died Aug. 4, 1878;^
Helena, Jr., born Nov. 29, 1863, died July 19, 1878 ; John N., born Jan. 17, 1866, died July 20, 1878 ;
Michael F., born July 23, 1868, died July 25, 1878 ; Joseph G.. born July 26, 1874, died July 28, 1878 ;
Catharine, born Deo. 19, 1870 ; Maggie, born Aug. 8, 1872; Dena K., born July 15, 1877. They are
members of St. John's Catholic Church.
PETER SERESSE, cooper and farmer, Sec. 13 ; P. 0. Fond du Lac; is a son of Peter and
Jennie Sersse; born in Prussia in 1842 ; when 15 years of age, he began the cooper's trade with his
father, and with him and family came to America in 1865, and settled on a farm in the town of Eldo-
rado, Fond du Lac Co., Wis., where his father followed farming, though he worked in a brewery for
J. & C. Frey, in the city of Fond du Lie ; in 1874, he purchased a farm of seventy acres in Sec. 13,
town of Lamartine, where he followed farming in the summer, and the cooper's trade during the winter..
LAMAETINE TOWNSHIP. 1041
In 1874, he married Miss Augusta, daughter of Fredrick and Mena Henry, who came with parents
from Germany to Fond du Lao Co., Wis., when 2 years and 6 months old ; they have three children —
Anna M., Mena and Peter F. They are members of the Evangelical Church of Fond du Lac.
STEPHEN W. SMITH, farmer, Sec. 20; P. 0. Lamartine; is a native of Dutchess Co.,
N. Y., and is the son of Phillip and Cynthia Smith, nee Smith; born Dec. 1, 1816 ; when quite young
Tie, with parents, removed to Ulster Co., N. Y., and settled in the village of Woodstock, where his father
followed teaching for a number of years ; in 1849, he, with wife and family, immigrated to Wisconsin
and settled on a farm of eighty acres in See. 20— the east half of the southwest quarter — town of Lam-
artine, which has since been their home. April 23, 1842, he married Miss Huldah A., daughter of John
and Sophia Tompkins, nee Maise, of Greene Co., N. Y. ; their children are as follows — Aletta, Emily M.
(now Mrs. Thomas Mason, of Fond du Lac), Cynthia S., Melissa (now Mrs. Jerald Maccumber, of Lamar-
tine), Barnum E., of Harlan Co., Neb. ; John W., of Harlan Co., Neb., and Charles Fremont. They
are members of the M. E; Church ; Mr. Smith is a Republican, politically.
ORYIIiLE J. SOPER, farmer. Sec. 23; P. 0. Fond du Lac; was born in Bristol, Addi-
son Co., Vt., Feb. 26, 1807, and is the son of Enos Soper and Desire Drake, natives of Massa-
chusetts ; when 14 years of age, he began the trade of a millwright with his father, and afterward con-
tinued it in his native State till 1836 ; he then immigrated to Wisconsin, and settled at Green Bay ; he
huilt the first saw and grist mill at De Pere, Wis., and continued his trade in Green Bay and vicinity for
nine years ; in 1845, he came to Fond du Lac and built the well-known " Soper's Mill," two miles south
of the city, of which he was proprietor for twenty-five years; in 1870, he bought a farm of 120 acres in
Sees. 23 and 26, town of Lamartine, where he has since followed farming, and now has a farm of eighty
acres. At Monkton, Addison Co., Vt., June 8, 1836, he married Miss Helena S., daughter of Captain
and Sally Kendrick, nee Eastman ; they have four children — Charles K. (deceased), William E. (deceased),
Rodney W. H., who married Miss lola E. Mitchell, of Lamartine ; Delia A., Mrs. Christian Block, of
McLennan Co., Tex. Mr. Soper has been a member of the Masonic Fraternity for more than fifty
years.
MARTIN STRATZ, farmer. Sec. 9; P. 0. Woodhull; was born in Baden, Germany, Nov.
17. 1829, and is the son of Sabastin and Magdaline Stratz ; at the age of 16, he entered upon an appren-
ticeship at the clockmaker's trade in his native city, which continued for four years, and then returned to
his father's farm for two years; in October, 1852, with his wile Maria, a daughter of Joseph and Maria
Lehman, sailed for America, and landed in New York in the following December ; they came thence to
the town of Lamartine, Fond du Lac Co., Wis., and bought a farm of 160 acres in Sec. 9, where he has
since lived, and is now a member of the Town Board. Politically, he is a Democrat. The children are
Joseph, John, Martin, Louis, Wilhelmena (now Mrs. Stephen Lisowi, of this town, Lamartinej, Mary
and Emma. They are members of the Catholic Church.
JOHN UERLiING- (deceased) was a native of Prussia, and son of John and Catharine
Uerling ; born April 6, 1794, and, in 1820, married Miss Anna M., daughter of Michael and Anna Catha-
rine Poetz, of the Rhine Province, Germany. He followed farming in his native country till 1850, when,
in May, of that year, he, with wife and family of six children, immigrated to America, and settled on a
farm on Sec. 11, town of Lamartine, Fond du Lac Co., Wis.; here he died January 10, 1868, leaving a
wife and five children to survive him ; their children were as follows : Michael (who married Clementina
Koch, of this town — Lamartine— in May, 1854, and is the father of eight children), ftlary (now Mrs.
Urland Landre), Catharine (deceased), Josephine (deceased), John, of Lake Superior; Christina Margaret
(deceased), Francis and William (deceased); he has twenty acres in See. 11, town of Lamartine, and is
proprietor of a saloon ; the second daughter is Catharine (now Mrs. John Pass, of the town of Fond du
Lao). William, who died in 1852; Margaret (now Mrs. Daniel Schaefer, of Fond du Lac); John, of
California ; Frank, who married Miss Margaret, daughter of Blathias and Catharine Schaefer, of this
town. May 4, 1878, by whom he has had eight children, as follows: Mathias J., John (deceased), Catha-
rine, Agnes, Christina, Clementina, Josephine and John. He has forty acres of land on Sec. 11, town of
Lamartine. They are all members of the Catholic Church.
WILL.IAM S. WARNER, farmer, Sec. 22 ; P. 0. Lamartine ; is a native of Jeflferson
Co., N. Y., and is the son of Seth Warner and Ether Drake; born Aug. 6, 1820; in April, 1821, his
parents removed to the town of Le Roy, Genesee Co., N. Y., where his father died June 30, 1840 ; in
December, 1843, he left his home in York State for Charlestown, Portage Co., Ohio, where he followed
farm laboring for nearly a year; in September, 1844, he returned to Genesee Co., taking passage on board
the steamer "Julia Palmer" at Cleveland for Buffalo; and, April 13, 1845, he started westward to try
his fortune in the wilds of Wisconsin ; coming via Milwaukee, he reached the town of Byron, Fond du
1042 BIOGKAPHICAL SKETCHES:
Lac Co., April 26, just thirteen daiys after leaving his home in New York ; he at once pre-empted eighty
acres of land in Sec. 30, of that town, which was his home till April 1, 1858, and where his mother and
the rest of the family joined "him' in six months after his arrival ; his older brother having immigrated to
Wisconsin about six months before him ; here his mother died April 29, 1852. Dec. 9, 1846, he married
Miss Martha B., daughter of Abner and Damarius Beebe nee Wicks, of the town of Byron, Fond du Lao
Co., Wis., but immigrated from the town of Byron, Genesee Co., N. Y., at the same time Mr. Warner
came; she died Dec. 14, 1850, leaving one son, Charles F., now of Lamartine. Oct. 22, 1851, he mar-
ried Miss Hannah, daughter of James and Hannah Craig, of the town of Byron, Fond du Lac' Co., Wis.,
but immigrants from the Mohawk Valley, N. Y.; she died April 27, 1857, leaving three children — William
H., of Lamartine; Esther A: (deceased) and Alice E. Nov. 23, 1857, he was married to Mrs. Adaline
C, widow of the late William Jones, deceased, of Lamartine, and daughter of Elias and Sally Fancher,
immigrant from Wyoming Co., N. Y.; they have one son — iClark E. In April, 1858, he removed to a
farm on Sec. 22, town of Lamartine, where he has since lived, and now has ninety-seven acres of land —
the north half of the southwest quarter, and seventeen acres of the east half of the south quarter of the
southwest quarter. Mr. Warner was Chairman of the Town Board for a number of years, was also
elected a member of the Wisconsin Assembly. from the Third Assembly District in 1877. Mr. and Mrs.
Warner are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and have always taken an active part in all its
interests.
JACOB WJEWJEIIAN (deceased). The subject of this sketch was one of the first settlers in
the town of Lamartine, having come in 1844 ; he was the son of Jacob and Sophia Wedeman, and was
born near Albany, Albany Co., N. Y., Dec. 25, 1812 ; his father was a native of York State, his mother
of Holland. When 16 years of age, with parents, he removed to the town of Cicero, N. Y., where, in
March, 1836, he married Miss Ann, daughter of Mathias-and Sally Morris ( nee Lathrop),,and, in the
following spring (1837), they immigrated to Wisconsin ; landing in New York, they came, via the lakes,
to Milwaukee, where they stopped for three weeks, thence to Oconomowoc for a short time ; they removed
thence to Watertown, Wis., and there kept the first boarding-house of thatplace. About four months later, they
removed to a farm near Watertown, where he followed farming for two years ; then returned to Oconomowoc
and there followed the cooper's trade, which he learned in the State of New York, when about 18 years
of age ; in 1844, they removed to the town of Lamartine, Fond du Lac Co., where he followed farming
for three years ; he next went to Fox River, Winnebago Co., Wis., for another three years ; in 1852, he
went to California, where a little more than three years he was engaged in mining; lumbering, etc. Dur-
ing his absence, in 1854, his wife bought a farm of 160 acres in Sec. 29, town of Lamartine, Pond du Lac
Co.,. which has since been the home of the family. Jan. 20, 1862, he enlisted in Co. A, 14th W. V.
1., under Col. Wood, of Fond du Lac; he was in the battle of Shiloh and siege of Vicksburg, where he
was killed May 19, 1863, in the first movement; they had five children, as follows — Orrilla, now Mrs.
Peter Stark, of Hortonville, Outagamie Co., Wis. ; Emily, was Mrs. Orrin Baden, of Kansas, now deceased ;
Chauncy, who served three years in the late war with the 32d W. V. I. ; Sarah Jane, now Mrs. George
Temple of Eldorado ; William W., who enlisted in the same company and regiment as Chauncy, but dis-
charged by President Lincoln, after the death of his father. Mrs. Wedeman is a member of the M. B.
Church. I
^ METOMEN TOWNSHIP.
JOHN ABERCBOMBIE, lumber merchant, Brandon ; born April 19, 1830, in Kingsey,.
Canada East ; his father was a farmer and drover, and John was early inured to the 'labors of the farm
and accustomed to the care of stock; and this will account for his well-known admiration for fine stock,
especially horses; from the fall of 1851 to the spring of 1855, he was in Boston, Mass, engaged in
the express business as delivery agent for Baker & Eaton. He was married, in November, 1854, to Miss
Harriet Earl, of Maine ; they came to Wisconsin in January, 1856, and that same season he bought the
lots and built a small house on the same land where, in 1877, he erected his present residence; they have
five children — Louis R., John A,, Guita, Caroline and Charles H. For ten years he engaged in farming
and grain-buying ; since 1867, he has been in the lumber trade ; he was for some time foreman for a
firm, afterward partner, and for several years has been proprietor. He was a member of the first Village
Board of Brandon; he is not at present connected with any secret society ; his wife is a Methodist. Mr.
Abercrombie is familiar with all the changes and improvements which this village has undergone since the
METOMEN TOWNSHIP. 1043
jolly times when " Bunggo " was its name" down to the dignified days of Brandon. He is an active
Kepublican.
WIIililAM D. ASH, dealer in grain, produce and agricultural implements, Brandon ; was
born in Saratoga Co., N. Y., April 23, 1818 ; his parents were farmers, and he worked on a farm till he
was of age, after which he served an apprenticeship as carpenter and joiner, and he continued to work at
his trade until his marriage. He married, Feb. 2i, 1844, Miss Elmira Putnam, of Onondaga Co., N. Y.
In 1846, he came West .and settled in the township of Oakfield, Fond du Lao Co., Wis., on 160 acres, '
which he still owns; he now owns 1,050 acres of land in this county, besides many village lots and one
business block ; also has 365 acres in Iowa. They have had six children, of whom five are married and
living in Fond du Lac Co., and the other one is dead; their names are Helen M., Leila, William H.,
David (dead), Adelbert and Eddie. , He moved to Brandon in 1868 and built his present residence, and
also, in partnership with F. M. Hillman, bought eighty acres adjoining the village, and platted as an addi-
tion to Brandon ; the next year he purchased a farm near the village, which claimed his attention ; in the
spring of 1870, he bought a store and stock of dry goods from F. M. Hillman, and sold the same, in the
fall of 1872, to R. C. Kelly ; for two years he attended to his farms, and also sold considerable wood and
timber ; since 1874, he has been engaged in buying grain, produce and live stock, and in the sale of agri-
cultural implements; he was School Superintendent in the township of Amsterdam, N. Y., in 1841 ; in
the township of Oakfield he was Assessor and Supervisor ; also Justice of the Peace for fifteen years ; he
is. a member of the Brandon Board of Trustees, and has been Chairman two years from Brandon ; he is
not a member of any secret society. Himself and wife affiliate with the Congregational Church ; he is a
consistent, reliable Democrat. Although a large producer, he is nevertheless most efficient and useful as a
"middleman ; " anybody with anything to sell is assured of an ofier by calling on W. D. Ash ; he ships
both to the Milwaukee and Chicago markets.
DEACON JOSIAH BATSOBT, farmer ; P. 0. Fairwater ; born in Otsego Co., N. Y., in
July, 1829 ; he is of English parentage ; he worked on his father's farm till he removed to the West in
1852 ; he bought land immediately on his arrival in the county, which he kept till 1862. He was married
July 10, 1853, to Miss Arabell Wells, of Green Lake ; they have had six children — M. Josephine, War-
ren A., Fayette J., Lora Belle ; the other two children died in infancy. Has lived since 1862 on his pres-
ent farm. Sec. 29, Metomen Township ; has 300 acres on this homestead ; has also an improved farm of
160 acres in Minnesota; he began life poor, has now a competency ; he is well known as the leading sheep-
raiser of that region ; he now has 550 grade Merino sheep ; fleece averaged about seven pounds each last
season ; his barns are commodious, and nearly new, having been, not long ago, entirely destroyed by fire, with
all their contents ; loss fully $4,000. His wife has been in delicate health for several years ; her mother, Mary
Wells, aged 82, lives with them, and is still active, and claims the privilege of caring for the milk of five
cows. For several years, Mr. Batson has been a Deacon in the Baptist Church ; he is a conservative
Republican.
JOHN H. BERNING, farmer. Sec. 26 ; P. 0. Brandon ; born April 12, 1815, in Westphalia,
Prussia; came to America in 1847, and pre-empted forty acres of his present farm ; afterward, he bought
fifty acres more, and his homestead now contains ninety acres, of which fully fifty are cultivated ; he has
also a house and two lots in Brandon. He was married, in 1849, to Miss Eva Dina Liesveld, of Arnheim,
Holland; have had nine children — ^Henry, born in 1850, married Lena Freze in 1876; Garret, born. in
1851, died in 1864 ; James, born in 1853, married AdeUa Videto in 1875 ; John, born in 1855, died in
1859 ; Eva Dina, born in 1857, married D. A. Duitman in 1879 ; Anna, born in 1859, died in 1862 :
Ma,ry, born in 1861 ; John, born in 1864, and Anna, born in 1869. He raises extra wheat; his son,
Johnnie, raises blooded poultry. Mr. Berning is a Republican ; he has good improvements, and is a thrifty
farmer and a good.citizen.
ADEIiBERT M. BLY, farmer. Sec. 14 ; P. 0. Brandon ; born in Madison Co., N. Y.,
Dec. 19, JI837 ; came West with his parents in 1854, and' from that time to the present his home has
been in this township. He enlisted Aug. 5, 1862, in the United States Service, and was honorably dis-
charged on the 12th of June, 1865 ; he was in the Western army, and went with Sherman to the sea;
he came home as First Lieutenant of Co. B, 32d W. V. I. ; in the spring of 1865, he endured peculiar
hardships and exppsure while wading the swamps of South Carolina ; these experiences have told upon
his health. He was married, June 6, 1867, to Miss Anna Burdick, of Green Lake ; they have three
children — Mabel, Myrtie A. and George S. He has eighty acres, nearly all tillable. He is Superinten-
dent of Schools under the township system. Himself and wife are Methodists ; he is a consistent Repub-
lican and an honorable citizen.
1044 BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES:
DEACOX GEORGE BL.Y, farmer, Sec. 16; P.O. Brandon ; was born May 25, 1813,
in Eaton, Madison Co., N. Y. He has been a farmer all his life. He was married on the 8th of March,
1837, to Miss Catharine M. Pearse. In the fall of 1839, he moved to Chautauqua Co., N. Y., where he
lived liearly fifteen years ; they came West in the spring of 1854, and located on the present homestead of
160 acres ; they had seven children — Adelbert M., born Dec. 19, 1837, married in 1866 ; Asa F., born
dn 1841, married in 1871 ; Lydia J., born in 1843, married in 1861 ; Eliza A., bprn in 1845, died in
1874 ; Sarah P., born in 1847, married in 1871 ; Izora B., born in 1850, married in 1875 ; C. Myrtilla,
.born in 1854. Deacon Bly has held but one local office, and the results of that are seen in the straight-
•ened and improved highways. His son, Adelbert M., served as a soldier in the rebellion from 1862 to
1865 ; his health was impaired while in the army ; he came home First Lieutenant of Co. B, 32d W. V.
I. Mrs. Bly died Dec. 26, 1879, aged near 67 years ; the last years of her life were passed in
•great suffering, but with Christian fortitude. Her youngest daughter is now housekeeper for her father.
H-e has been Deacon of the Congregational Church at Brandon for nearly twenty-five years ; he is not a
member of any secret society ; is a Republican ; never had a lawsuit ; is benevolent and beloved.
AMOS BOND, farmer. Sec. 13 ; P. 0. Brandon ; born July 4, 1803, in Eden, Orleans Co., Vt.;
lias always been a farmer. Married, Deo. 5, 1827, Anna Duntley, of New Hampshire. They' came to
Wisconsin in 1837, and settled in Geneva, Walworth Co.; when he reached the place, he had a wife, four
children and 50 cents, and was in debt S5 for drawing his household goods from Racine ; that season he
bought a house, costing, with land, $500, and paid for it in full by making oak shingles by hand, and algo
supported his family, paying $30 per barrel for flour and $40 for pork; his labor netted him $5 per day;
he bought a farm and carried it on about six years in that county ; in the spring of 1847, he came to
Fond du Lac Co. and settled on Sec. 24, in Metomen Township ; after exchanging farms twice, he located
on his present homestead in 1864 ; there is now 220 acres in the farm. They have had nine children —
Sarah J., Pamelia M., Cephas H., Robert R. (dead), Amanda E., George W., Charles M., Albert A. and
Frank A.; they have twenty-six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. In 1871, they sold the
farm to their son George, with whom they make their home. Has been Assessor. Himself and wife are
Methodists ; he is a stalwart Democrat.
J. H. BROWBf , merchant and Postmaster, Pairwater ; was born in Sutton, Vt., in 1834 ; is a
painter by trade ; he came West in 1857. He enlisted in the 32d W. V. I., and served three years, and
was honorably discharged. He is unmarried. Keeps a grocery and notion store, and is Postmaster. Is
.a Good Templar and a Republican. Is genial and popular.
HARRIS BROWN, firm of H. & J. H. Brown, groceries, stationery and confectioneries,
Fairwater; was born in Rhode Island in 1804; came West in 1857'; settled in Fairwater in 1860 ; is by
trade a wagon-maker. In 1831, he married Miss Roxana Sleeper, in Vermont; had two children — Mary
A. and John H.; his wife died in 1853. He is a Republican and a Methodist.
JACOB CARTER, farmer, Sec. 20; P. 0. Fairwater; born June 2, 1813, in Lunenburgh,
Worcester Co., Mass.; his earliest recollections are of the old farm and Massachusetts homestead, but years
of his later youth were passed in New Hampshire; at the age of 18, he moved to Erie Co., Penn., where
he resided fifteen years. He was married July 17, 1833, to Miss Elizabeth Wasson, of Wayne, Erie Co.,
Penn.; for a dozen seasons, they carried on farming in Pennsylvania; in 1844, they followed the " star of
/empire," and founded a new home in the Territory of Wisconsin ; they stopped the first winter in Man-
chester, Green Lake Co., and on the 30th of June, 1845, they entered their roofless cabin, and slept
sweetly for the first time on the farm and near their present hospitable home ; Mr. Carter had " rolled up "
the logs for this cabin in the month preceding, with aid brought from fifteen miles (Manchester) ; the first
birth in the township was in that cabin that season — Franklin French — -whose parents' thatched cabin
■was burned soon after its erection ; the first family in the township preceded one week only the advent of
Mr. Carter's family ; sickness, accidents and delays were the lot of this family the season before coming
West, while on the journey and during the first season as pioneers ; the first money earned by Mr. Carter
in the West, was through helping to run his brother's old open-cylinder thrashing machine ; in August,
1 845, they began a tour of thrashing, which continued until February of the following year, and to find
grain, they made a circuit of three counties — Green Lake, Dodge and Pond du Lac; some of the now
well-known farmers for whom he thrashed, are John Bannister, Colwert Pier and his two brothers; Col-
wert Pier's grain was stacked and thrashed a few blocks north of the present site of the American House
in Fond du Lac City ; he also thrashed for Gov. Tallmadge, and Messrs. Conklin, Clark, Simmons and
Wilcox, of Waupun. In 1849, on his own farm, he thrashed wheat one morning, but the machine broke
down before 9 o'clock ; he took a grist to Fairwater to mill, when he went for blacksmithing repairs ; the
-flour was returned, and the hot baked buscuits made therefrom by Mrs. Carter were eaten at the 11:30
METOMEN TOWNSHIP. 1045
A. M. dinner. In 1848, Mr. Carter built what was called for years tHe best dwelling in the township.
By 1850, Fairwater was quite a little village, schoolhouses and churches were being erected, and the new
country had many of the essentials of New England civilization ; Mr. Carter now has five improved farms,
aggregating 460 acres, of which fully 400 are now under the plow. Mr. and Mrs. Carter have added to
the census eight sons and four daughters, of whom five sons and one daughter are living — Mary A.
deceased), Sarah E. (deceased) ; Greorge W. (the present Warden of the Wisconsin State Prison at Waupun),
James W., Harrison D. (deceased), Charles S., Alvin H. (deceased), Eliza B., Edward B., Henrietta L.
(deceased), Louis E., and Herbert E. (deceased) ; three of the sons served through the rebellion, as soldiers
in Wisconsin regiments, and a fourth one was four years in the army as clerk in the Commissary and Pay-
master's departments ; Mr. Carter's family were the second settlers in Metomen Township. Mrs. Carter
is a motherly matron, whom many in that region regard as indispensable in sickness. Mr. Carter was the
first Postmaster in Metomen Township ; has been Assessor and Town Chairman, and held other local
offices ; he is a " true-blue " Eepublican, and is actively interested in local and general politics. Himself and
wife are not connected with any church, but they are in sympathy with all institutions designed to benefit
mankind, and their faith looks to the ultimate happiness of all humanity ; they are a genial, hospitable
and highly respected family.
F. COLiLINS, farmer. Sec. 32 ; P. 0. Fairwater ; born in Warsaw, Wyoming Co., N. Y., on the 9th
of May, 1822; has always been a farmer. Was married, Oct. 16, 1842, to Miss Louisa A. Norman, of
Wyoming Co., N. Y.; removed to Michigan in 1844, and remained four years; his father, in 1845, pre-
empted eighty acres, which constitutes a part of the farm now owned by himself ; he came to this township
in 1848, and has not moved from the old homestead ; has 105 acres, of which sixty have, been plowed ;
twenty-five is timber, and twenty is pasture and meadow. Have had seven children — Amy L., born in
1843, married in 1865 ; Calvin D., born in 1846; Anna L., born in 1849, married in 1877 ; Alva N.,
born in 1853, married in 1878 ; Joseph T., born in 1857 ; William H., born in 1860 ; A. De Esten, born
in 1866. Himself and wife are Methodists; has been a Republican since the formation of the party. Mr.
Collins has declined all office, but his neighbors speak of him as a very reliable and useful citizen.
THOMAS R. DARROW, farmer, Sec. 33 ; P. 0. Brandon ; was born in Erie Co., N. Y.,
on the 13th of September, 1827 ; he farmed till 1849, and, in the spring of 1850, went to California
" across the Plains ; " returned to Wisconsin in the fall of 1851 ; spent the winter of 1851-52 in Ocono-
mowoc. Wis. He was married May 6, 1852, to Miss Dolly A. Clough, of Bennington, Wyoming Co., N.
Y.; they came to Oconomowoc, Wis., and lived till the spring of 1854, when he settled in Metomen, where
he has since resided ; he bought his present farm in 1858 ; they had two children — Norris B. and Lyman
'R. Mrs. Darrow died Oct. 22, 1872 ; himself and brother, Albert H., farmed in partnership for fully a
dozen years; he has now 200 acres of his own, and his sons, Norris and Lyman, have an additional eighty,
which they carry on, and live at home ; he has good farm conveniences and improvements ; carries on
general farming and'stock-raising. He was married Dec. 25, 1873, to Miss Mary E. Cook, of Waupun ;
he is a member of Grange No. 52, and of the Protective Association, and a Temple of Honor man ; baa'
been Side Supervisor several years. Himself and wife are members of the M. E. Church at Brandon ; he
is a Republican ; is afiiable and reliable. i
S. S. DENNIS, farmer. Sec. 22; P. 0. Brandon; was born Aug. 10, 1812, in Rensselaer Co.,
N. Y.; after living in Ontario Co., N. Y., eight years, he came West in November; 1844, and stopped in
Green Lake till May, 1845, when he took up eighty acres of land, included in his present farm ; he built
a cabin that season, dug a well, and broke up some land. He took in a houseless family that season, and,
often none of them had any food in the cabin, they raised some potatoes, and also a little corn which, when
•'pounded " into meal and cooked with a little '■ bou*hten" pork, made a " feast for a king." After " bach-
ing" for several years, he was married to his present wife on the 23d of March, 1859 ; her name was Maiy
C. Helmer. He carries on general farming ; has comfortable improvements now. Is a Quaker, and a
Republican.
W. H. DUNBAR, farmer. Sec. 4; P. 0. Ripon; he was born on the 31st of January, 1831,
in Onondaga Co., N. Y.; farming has been his life-work ; he came to Metomen Township in 1855. He
was married in 1856, to Miss Charlotte A. Somers; they had one child — Rollo C, born in 1859. Mrs.
Dunbar died in 1864. He settled on his present farm in 1866. He was married in December, 1865, to
Miss Caroline A. Abercombie, formerly of Canada ; they have two children — Mary B. and Charles H.
He has been Township Treasurer, and has held other local offices. He is a Republican ; his wife is con-
nected with the Congregational Church at Reed's Corners. She was for several years a leading teacher in
Metomen Township. Mr. Dunbar began life by working out by the month, and has earned his farm by
hard work and economy ; he has sixty acres, all under cultivation.
1046 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
DANIEL EGCrLrESTON, farmer and first settler in Metomen Township; P. 0. Brapdon -
was born March 21, 1812, in Greenwich, Washington Co., N. Y.; lived with his parents on the farm till
22 years of age, then moved to Onondaga Co., N. Y., where he kept hotel four years at Clintonville. He
was married, on the 19th of May, 1836, at Clintonville, to Miss Sarah A. Robinson; they have had five
children, three of whom still live — Julian A., born in 1840, and married in 1868 ; Eugene B., born in
1844, and married in 1880 ; Alice A., born in 1849, and married in 1871 ; the other two died in infitficy..
After leaving New York State, he located in Russell Township, Geauga Co., Ohio, where he remained five
years; the "Western fever" was then taking off many of the sturdy yeomanry of the East, and Daniel
Eggleston followed the " star of empire ; " in May, 1845, he came with his family to Metoinen Township,
Wisconsin Ter., and bought the farm which he now owns, and by that act became the first settler in this
toWnship; he now owns 400 acres, 280 of which are under cultivation, the remainder being timber land ;
a branch of Grand River crosses his farm ; he had an " ocean of land " from which to select, and he
chose a combination of prairie and timber, with flowing water ; he has been prominent as a stock-raiser
and dealer, particularly of horses ; he was elected one of the Supervisors when the town was organized in
1846, and has held several local offices. His wife died in April, 1869 ; she was a member of the Dis-
ciples Church. Mr. Eggleston is a moral citizen and a friend of churches ; politically, is a Republican ;
financially, solid, and, historically, the standard-bearer of the Pioneer Corps in the township of Metomen.
EDWARD ENSIGrJf, proprietor of Ensign Hotel, Brandon ; was born in Salesburg, Litch-
field Co., Conn., on the 22d of July, 1822 ; his parents were hotel-keepers for many years, and he was
born in his father's hotel ; his education was in the public schools ofhis native town ; he remained at home
until 25 years of age, then spent one year in the hotel of his brother, at Canaan, Copn., and afterward one
year in Cleveland, Ohio. He was married in Norfolk, Conn., Oct. 1, 1849, to Miss Maria S. Wolcott ;
they have had no issue. The first season after marriage was spent in charge of a hotel at Winsted, Conn.^
they then rented for a year the old homestead hotel ; in 1851, they removed to Orleans Co., N. Y., and,
in October, 1852, came West, and settled in Springvale on a farm, which he owned and worked for fifteen>
years ; came to Brandon in November, 1867, and purchased the hotel previously known as the Ferguson
House, which, with subsequent additions and improvements, is now the well-known EnsigQ hotel ; this is
a fine two-story building, containing 22 guest-rooms, and is provided with all the appointments of a first-
class country hotel. Mr. Ensign's life-long experience as a hotel boy and man, fit him to be the traveling
public's acceptable servant. He was Supervisor one term in Springvale, and Town Clerk fourteen years ;
has also been Town Clerk eight years since his removal to Metomen ; is Secretary of the Masonic Lodge,
and Clerk of the village of Brandon. Is a member of the Congregational Church and is its Treasurer ;
politically, is a Republican ; socially, is genial and benevolent, and, by general verdict, is a useful and
honored citizen. His wife also is a worker in the church, and a worthy helpmeet in well-doing.
JAMES FENEL.01V, farmer. Sec. 2 ; P. 0. Metomen ; he was born Noy. 5, 1846, in County
Carlow, Ireland; he came to America, with his parents, in May, 1850, and settled in Springvale Town-
ship, where the father died in 1862, owning 1,360 acres, all in Springvale Township ; the moth.er died in
1877. The subject of this sketch is unmarried, and owns 240 acres of land, of which 150 are under the
plow ; he has good farm improvements ; he has some thoroughbred Durham stock and some fine-blooded
horses.' Mr. Fenelon has lived in this county from early childhood ; he is a strong man physically, and ha*
a good education. He is a " Union Democrat eyery time," and is an adherent of the Roman Catholic
Church ; he is a man of strong convictions, thinks for himself, and acts on his own judgment in both
political and religious matters.
C W. FERtrUSOlV & BRO., merchants, Brandon; the brothers are natives of N?w
York, and came West in 1855 ; C. W. began mercantile life clerking for J. H. Foster in his general store,
which was established during the early history of Brandon; in 1860, he started in business with his
father, under the firm name of C. W. Ferguson & Co.; in 1876, his brother Leander purchased the
father's interest, and the firm became " C- W. Ferguson & Bro." In 1866, Leander was married to Miss
Hattie Foster, of Brandon. C. W. Ferguson, in 1871, married Miss Eliza Thayer, also of Brandon.
Leander is Superintendent of the Methodist Sunday School ; he was fully three years in the army, and at
the close of the war was a Lieutenant in Co. B. of the 46th W. V. I. The senior member of the firm
conducts an insurance agency, and, in Waukesha Co., held several local oflEces before removal to Fond du
Lac Co. The firm carry stock in all departments of a first-class country store ; they are enterprising young-
men, and enjoy the confidence of the public.
JOHN B. FOSTER, farmer. Sec. 2 ; P. 0. Metomen; was born Jan. 20, 1831, in Onondaga.
Co., N. Y.; he lived in Steuben and Yates Cos. till he was of age. In September, 1851, he was married
to Miss Hannah E. Fisher, of Barrington, N. Y.; in 1856, they removed to Chickasaw Co., Iowa; he ran
METOMEN TOWNSHIP. 1047
a saw-mill and carried on a cabinet-sliop in the town of Bradford, near the confluence of the Big and
Little Cedar Rivers. On the 16th of July, 1858, his wife and only child were drowngd in the Cedar
River, Iowa, by the accidental overturning of a boat containing the family and a hired man ; Mr. Foster
himself became unconscious, but was rescued several hours before the bodies of his wife and child were
recovered. He came to Metomen Township, on his present farm, in May, 1866 ; he has 100 acres, of
which eighty are under the plow. He was_,united to his present wife on the 26th of August, 1863 ; her
name was Amelia J. Balsley, of this county ; they have four children — Cora E., Mabel C, Bertha A. and
Nellie E. He is not a member of any society, except the Brandon Grange, No. 52 ; is a Republican.
The family are social, hospitable and highly respected.
JOSEPHJ. GAMBIiE, farmer, Sec. 25; P. 0. Brandon; he was born on the ] 2th of
March, 1823, in Canada. His early life was spent in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., where he was married on
the IQth of June, to Miss Candace R. Wells. He is, by trade, a carpenter and joiner, and that has been
his occupation most of his life, although he owned a farm in York State, which he carried on by hired
labor; he has worked at his trade a portion of the time since coming West; he came to Wisconsin in 1864,
and bought his present farm, near Brandon ; has ninety acres, most of which is tillable ; he lived in Wyo-
ming, Canada, three years, near the oil regions, and carried on a cooper-shop ; he is a good mechanic, and
enjoys his trade more than farming; has seven children — William W., Joseph J., Jr., Henry, George,
Jonathan, Mary and Clara, all of whom live in Wisconsin; Clara, the youngest, is still living with her
parents in their pleasant home. He is a Republican ; himself and family are Methodists. Although they
have a good farm, desirably located, yet the health and tastes of Mr. Gamble and his worthy wife are such
as to make them willing to relinquish farm life.
HENRY C. CrIiEASON, farmer and grain-buyer, Brandon; born Sept. 7, 1828, in Clare-
mont, Sullivan Co., N. H.; his father was a physician, but died when Henry was 14 years of age, leaving
the family with a limited income; from the age of 15 to 19 he clerked in a dry-goods store, in his native town ;
In 1847, he came West, and landed in Wisconsin, the month he was 19; he made his home in the town-
ship of Alto, till 1863 ; he arrived out of debt, but without an extra dollar ; began working out by the month
for the pioneer farmers ; everybody was poor then — prosperity came slowly ; after laboring a few years he earned
money enough to buy a yoke of oxen, and in the fall of 1853 he purchased his first forty acres on Union
Prairie, in Alto ; this, with additions, he carried on for ten years, when he rented the farm and moved to
Brandon ; he clerked in the hardware store of Z. Scott, in Brandon, for sixteen years. He was married
in April, 1854, to Miss Lucy J. Hackett, niece of A. F. Bush, Esq.; the wedding tour consisted of a trip
from the home of Esquire Bush to their prospective cabin home, about three miles distant ; the bride was
comfortably seated in the wagon, while the happy bridegroom trudged proudly by her side, driving his own
ox team ; such was pioneer life — times of republican simplicity and democratic equality ; but few horses
were in the country at that date, and ox teams were the fashionable conveyances to church, to spelling
schools, and to the country dance ; this farm he sold in 1876 ; he now owns a residence and about forty
acres of land within the limits of the village corporation ; he has one daughter, Arian ; three children have
died in infancy ; for the past season he has been engaged buying and shipping grain, in company with T.
Watson, who does the street work, outside buying, etc. His family are Congregationalists ; he belongs to
no society or church ; is a Republican ; is of a quiet, retiring disposition, and is a highly respected citizen.
LEVI J. HAIili, druggist and grocer, dealer in coal, salt, and J. I. Case & Co's. thrashers,
Brandon ; born March, 1833, in Canada ; when 10 years of age, he, with his parents, settled in Wyoming
Co., N. Y.; he has had much experience as a farmer, but his tastes led him to mercantile life. He was
married, on the 1st of Jan., 1857, to Miss Laura E. Sheldon, of Litchfield, Conn ;they have had five children,
Frederick, born Nov. 16, 1857, died 1863; Clara A., born 1860 ; Warren A., born 1868; George W.,
born 1870; and Harlan E., born 1878; they came to Fond du Lac Co., in autumn of 1855, and have
resided in Metomen since 1856; was some years in the dry-goods business ; is Justice of the Peace, Police
Magistrate and Notary Public ; is a member of the Grand Lodge of I. 0. 0. F. He is an official mem-
ber of the M. E. Church, with which his wife is also connected ; was until recently a Democrat, but for
some years has voted with Republicans ; is a radical temperance man ; is a respected and useful citizen.
WILIilAM HEKRICK, retired farmer, Sec. 19 ; P. 0. Fairwater ; he was born May 23,
1815, in Henrietta, Monroe Co., N. Y.; his parents were farmers, and they removed to Orleans Co., N. Y-.,
when the subject of this sketch was at the age of 13 ; that was their home until their death in 1841. He
was married, Dec. 25, 1843, to Miss Harriett Swift, of Orleans Co., N. Y.; he bought a farm in that
county, and carried it on till 1847, when he sold out. In the spring of 1848, he came to Wisconsin, and
located on the line of Fond du Lac and Green Lake Cos., on the western border of Metomen Township ; he
took up land in both counties. They had five children, of whom three are now living — Helen H., married, in
1048 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
1870, to Gr. B. Skewes ; Mortier B., married, in 1874, to Miss Pauline Cole ; Permelia J., dead ; Moses
L., married, in 1877, to Miss Rosa Lindsey ; the other child died in infancy. Mrs. Herrick died May 16,
1866. Mr. Herrick had 395 acres, and carried on. general farming and stock-raising; nearly all the land
is tillable ; most of his land he has divided between his children ; he makes his home with his daughter,
Mrs. G. B. Skewes, who has two children — Duayne W. and Boulden J. Mr. Herrick is a Eepublican,
but has never been an office-holder. Surrounded by relatives and -friends, relieved of care and blessed with
a competency, he, with cheerful independence, is passing on to ripe old age.
C. D. HIGLEY, farmer. Sec. 3; P. 0. Metomen ; was born Jan. 1, 1817, in the town of
Mentz, Cayuga Co., N. Y".; when he was but 10 years old, his father died ; he then went to live with his
uncle, Peter Husted, a Quaker, in Lee, Oneida Co., N. Y.; this was his home till he came West, when 27
years of age. The sedate influences of this good old Quaker no doubt affected greatly the future of this
nervous, active youth. In May, 1844, he came West, and took up 160 acres of Government land in this
township ; this was the first land entered in Metomen Township, and is §till well known as the Higley
homestead ; the farm has prairie, timber and water, and Mr. Higley has it well improved. The Chicago,
Milwaukee '&, St. Paul Railr lad clips a corner of his farm.; his residence is half a mile west of Reed's Cor-
ners. Was married in Oneida Co., N. Y., in April, 1846. to Miss Sarah C. Buell; they have had three
sons— Oliver S., born Aug. 24, 1847, died May 4, 1865 ; ' Melvin C, born Dec. 21, 1850, died Dec. 16,
1862 ; Irwin B., born Feb. 14, 1853. Irwin, his only surviving child, is a clerk in a music store in New
Orleans. Mrs. Higley died June 23, 1869. He spent that season in New York ; a relative then kept
house one year for him. His first wife was a cousin to the present Mrs. Higley, nee Jane Buell, to whom
he was united in marriage Dec. 27, 1870, in Oneida Co., N. Y. He has been Justice of the Peace one
term, Assessor two years, Chairman two years, and Side Supervisor six years. His wife is a Methodist;
he is a good brother-in-law of the church; he is a radical Republican, and is universally respected.
Sf. C IIUKLBURT, miller and farmer ; P. 0. Fairwater; was born in the town of Eaton, Madi-
son Co., N. Y.; came to Wisconsin in 1848, having in the mean time learned his trade, which he carried on
two years in Janesville ; from 1850 to 1866, he was in the milling business in Jefferson, Wis. Was married
in 1853, to Miss Harriet Wadsworth, of Jefferson, Wis.; have had two children — Harry, married Mary Hall ;
Hattie, married Eugene B. Eggleston. In 1866, he built a steam flouring-mill on the corner of Michigan
and Market streets, Chicago, which, in 1870, he exchanged for his property at, Fairwater. His mill,
known as the " Besley Mill," is located on the West Branch of Grand River ; it has three run of stones ;
it was the first mill built in that region, but is now in excellent repair, and supplied with all modern
machinery needed for the business ; has ninety-three acres of land, upon which his residence and mill are
located ; he is a practical miller, and attends to his own mill. Is a Republican, and 9, quiet, sound, reliable
man.
OliORCirfi JEWKIIVSOIV, hardware, tinware and stoves, Brandon ; he is also manufact-
urer of all kinds of tinware ; cheese-factory work is a prominent feature of the manufacturing depart-
ment; born in 1840, in Michigan ; came to Metomen with his parents in 1845; his father settled on
S?c. 17, in this township; he was afterward Sheriff of Fond du Lac Co., and at expiration of term of
office, he was elected County Treasurer, and died while in the treasurership. Mr. Jenkinson has been
connected with, establishments of this kind since 1855, and has been proprietor since 1865. Was married,
February, 1863, to Miss Frances A. Rivenburgh, of Ripon; had five children — G. Bertine, Fred
(deceased), Maud L., David L. and Arthur L. Mr. Jenkinson's parents were among the earliest settlers
in Metomen Township. He is a Republican and a temperance man ; is social, candid and popular.
ROBERT JEWKINSIOlKi', Jr., Brandon, Wis.; native of Montreal, Canada ; he came to
Wisconsin with his parents in July, 1845 ; they settled upon 160 acres on Sec. 17, township of Meto-
men ; the senior, Robert J., was elected Sheriff of Fond du Lac Co. in 1852 ; in 1854, he was elected
County Treasurer, but died in January, 1855, shortly after entering upon the duties of the office ; the
family sold the homestead in 1864, and the members are scattered; the subject of this sketch has, been
several years traveling salesman. He was married, in 1856, to Miss Lucy O'Conner, of Brandon; chil-
dren are Ida, Clarence, Mattie, Nettie, and Josephine, who died at the age of 6 years ; he has been
a resident of Metomen Township since age of 12, and he came same year as the first permanent settler,
viz., 1845 ; his remembrances as a boy include weary tramps after stray cattle ranging over the unclaimed
prairie, and his meals exclusively of boiled wheat; he has been the Town Collector: owns his home in
Brandon. Himself and family are Congregationalists. Is RepubUcan.
H. KATH, merchant, Fairwater; was born in Germany in 1843; came to America in 1858,
and settled in Manitowoc Co. seven years; located in Fairwater in 1865. Was married in Ripon, to Miss
Ernstine Krueger ; they have five children — Ottilge, Bertie, Josephine, Hattie and Hugo ; since 1872, he
METOMEN TOWNSHIP. 1049
has been in mercantile business, selling; all kinds of goods usually kept in a well-assorted general country
store; was Postmastei; eight years. Is a Democrat, and a prominent oflBcial member of the first Evan-
gelical Lutheran Church, of East Fairwater ; he enjoys the respect and confidence of all classes of the
community.
R, C KEIiljY, merchant and farmer, Brandon ; born May 16, 1833, in Danby, Vt.;
came West in 1854; was for a season an itinerant salesman — a successful peddler; was a clerk about six
months in a store at Fairwater during 1856 ; he pitched his tent in Brandon as soon as the village started,
and he was in one of the stores which was built in 1856 ; in 1858, he opened a grocery store for himself
in Brandon, but sold out in 1861 ; during that autumn he bought a warehouse and dealt in grain and prod-
uce; in the spring of 1862, he opened a dry-goods store which he carried on about eighteen months,
when he again sold out ; in 1864, he built a store, which he immediately exchanged for a farm ; that sea-
son he bought 100,000 bushels of wheat for shipment ; he bought seventy village lots and 140 acres
adjoining Brandon, which he sold oflF in small parcels ; he exchanged some Iowa lands for a stock of dry
goods in 1872, and after remaining in the trade two years, he again disposed of the entire stock ; during
these years he bought, sold and exchanged several farms, and nearly every season he bought wool. On
the 3d of August, 1857, he was married to Mrs. Alzina M. Chapman, of Metomen. He is now manager
of the co-operative store established in 1877, which, under his popular management, is a decided success.
He is connected with temperance organizations ; has been Master of Brandon Lodge, No. 144, of A., P.
& A. M. Was Town Clerk for several years, and Chairman two terms; has been President of the Village
Board ; was a member of the General Assembly in 1868, and Sergeant-at-Arms in 1869. Himself and
wife affiliate with the Congregational Church; he is a Republican. His honesty and business capacity are
unquestioned by his fellow-citizens. He has a pleasant home in Brandon, and considerable real estate,
mainly in Green Lake Co.; his commercial ability and personal characteristics mark him as a Westernizad
representative of the New England Yankee.
O. B. KWAPP, farmer. Sec. 28 ; P. O. Brandon ; was born in Vermont in November, 1828 ; he
early exhibited a taste for travel, and showed mechanical ability ; at the age of 19 he took a fishing cruise of
a year on the Atlantic ; in 1849, he went to California via the Panama route, and spent two years mainly
in mining; soon after returning to Vermont, he made a second trip, via the Nicaragua route, in 1851,
and again remained two years engaged in mining, building and other enterprises ; returned to Vermont,
and, on the 14th of June, 1 854, he was married to Miss Ellen A. Worth, of Vermont ; they soon came
West and located on the beautiful " Round Prairie," about two miles west of Brandon, on Sec. 28, town
ship of Metomen ; this farm of 200 acres is charmingly located on elevated, rich prairie ; they have an
attractive residence, commodious barns and a well-improved farm; he carries on general farming, but has
200 sheep, many of which are registered full-blooded merinos, and they are his especial pets ; they hare
had three children — William 0., Walter (deceased), and Gertrude P. He is a natural mechanic— some
call him an inventive genius ; his mill for pumping water and grinding grain is of his own patent and con-
struction ; he delights to " play with machinery." Is not a member of any church ; is a Republican and
temperance on principle; is a thinking man of conceded influence.
CHARIiES P. KJfAPP, manufacturer of sashes, doors, blinds, etc., also jobber and builder,
Brandon ; is a native of Vermont; was born in 1830 ; came in 1850 to Metomen with his parents. His
father, Alva Knapp, was a successful farmer, an enterprising man, a prominent Methodist and a good citi-
zen. The' subject of this sketch was educated in the public schools of the county ; he is a natural mechanic,
and has worked as carpenter and joiner more or less for thirty-three years ; but, until 1869, his main business
was farming; in the fall of 1869, he became a silent partner in the firm of James, Yorty & Co., in the
same business he now carries on ; the firm has undergone various changes, till now Mr. Knapp is sole pro-_
prietor. He has a comfortable residence in Brandon, and an improved farm" of 160 acres in Iowa. Was
married, in 1853, to Miss Lucy A. Gallop, of Metomen ; they have six children — Eva C, Flora A. (who
married H. L. Brown in 1879), Edwin D., Neil C. and the twins, Frank and Fannie. He has for years
been one of the prominent business men of Brandon. Is a supporter of the M. E. Church, and a reliable
Republican.
JOHN IjOCK-IN, early pioneer in Metomen ; was born in Fiskerton, Lincolnshire, England,
on the 24th of June, 1822 ; came to Cherry Valley, Otsego Co., N. Y., in 1842, where he remained
three years, when he removed to Watertown, Jefferson, Co., Wis., and took up a quarter-section of
Government land ; in 1849, he located in Metomen, Wis. ; has continued a resident of this township to
present date ; his home, for the last ten years, has been in Brandon. He owns several town lots, and a
farm of 141 acres adjoining corporation limits ; he has held several local offices. On the 30th of June,
1845, he was married to Miss Mary Jane Gragg, of Cherry Valley, N. Y, ; they have had eight children
1050 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
—William H., born 1846, died in 1875 ; Mary Ann, born 1849 ; Charles H., 1851 ; Joseph C, 1853;
Emily J., 1856 ; Hattie B., 1859, died 1862 ; Ella K, born 1861 ; Angle, 1865, Two married sons
are living in Iowa ; two married daughters are living in this county, and the two youngest daughters are
at home ; he and his wife are prominent Methodists. 'He was one of the sturdy pioneers whose lives
have aided in giving Wisconsin an honored name. His family are all consistent members of the church,
with their parents ; he is a radical Republican. Blest with a competency and surrounded with friends,
he and his worthy wife are enjoying the fruits of a well-spent life.
JONATHABT McASSBY, farmer. Sec. 6 ; P. 0. Ripon, Box 346 ; he was born in County
Carlow, Ireland, in the year 1824 ; he came to America in spring of 1846, and came to Metomen in fall
of same year. He was married, in 1849, to Miss Elizabeth Smith, of his native place ; they have had
eight children — Mary A., Robert, dead ; Deborah, dead ; Sarah, George, Louise A., Albert, and Rachel
Alice, dead. After living several years in Princeton, Green Lake Co., he bought his present farm in
1869 ; he carries on general farming and stock-raising ; he has seventy-eight acres, nearly all tillable.
Five children have attended school at Ripon, and all of them have taught school. Himself and family
are Protestants, and were raised as Episcopalians ; the two oldest are Congregationalists, the others are
not connected with any church. They have a pleasant, hospitable home, and' ah abundance of farm build-
ings. Mr. McAssey is a man of considerable quiet originality ; he has several brothers and a widowed
sister in the neighborhood. He calls himself an Independent in politics, votes according to his best
judgment, but is inclined to Demoeracv. He is a thrifty farmer and a good moral citizen.
liYMAN MARSH, retired" farmer, Brandon; was born April 26, 1809, in Clinton Co., N. Y.;
his early life was spent on a farm in that county. He was married, in 1832, to Miss Polly Comstock, of
his native town ; has had six children — Julia, James M., Emily, William C, Ann F. and Susanah. He
came to Fond du Lac Co. in 1849, but settled on Sec. 16, Metomen Township, in 1851 ; took up a farm
of eighty acres, and carried it on until 1875, when he sold the homestead and bought his present resi-
. dence in Brandon. He owns two hojjses in the village ; was a successful farmer, and is a good mechanic.
Is a Democrat, but, in local elections, votes for the best man, regardless of politics ; has been a Methodist
more than half a century, and a Class-Leader about twenty-five years ; is not now engaged in any occupa-
tion. Surrounded by children and friends, he is cheerfully bearing the burdens of threescore and ten,
and is still quite vigorous and happy.
H. G. MATHEWS, miller and farmer ; Brandon ; born in 1825 in New York, came with his
parents in 1845 to township of Alto, Fond du Lac Co., Wis. ; in 1860, he bought the farm which he now
owns, situated on Sec. 21 in Metomen, it contains 220 acres of first-class land; he also owns the Brandon
Flouring Mills, has five run of stone, and all the latest improved machinery, does custom work and also
has good shipping trade. He was married in 1850 to Miss Olive Avery, of Wyoming Co., N. Y. ; their
children are Amos G., born 1852; Linus G., born 1856; Carrie, born 1862, died in 1864; his son,
Amos Gates, is foreman in the Flouring Mill, and Linus G. is on the home farm. Mr. Mathews is a
Republican, and a member of the Brandon Grange, No. 52 ; is not a church member, but contributes to
all institutions designed to improve society ; he is social and liberal minded ; is a successful farmer and an
enterprising business man.
JOHN li. MOOKE, general hardware merchant, Brandon ; was born Sept. 18, 1829, in Mon-
roe Co., N. Y. ; his fathet was a Methodist preacher ; after his school days were past, he learned the trade
of carpenter and joiner, which he worked at, more or less, till 1868. He was married, the 5th of March,
1851, to Miss Mary A. Randall, of Erie Co., Penn. ; they had one son — Mark E., born 1853, and was
married in 1878. Mrs. Moore died June 7, 1853. He came West in 1856, and located in the township
of Metomen ; for several years he worked mainly at his trade ; some seasons he engaged in the sale of
s'tone pumps, and about two years was in hotel life at Waupun ; from 1869 to 1872, he was in a restau-
rant in Brandon; then for seven years he sold groceries aud provisions; in January, 1879, he started his
present business as '' Dealer in Hardware, Stoves, Tinware, Farm Tools, etc." ; his is the leading establish-
mept of the kind in Brandon. He was married April 3, 1873, to Miss Sephronia Stickney, of Monroe
Co., N. Y. ; she died April 26, 1878 ; the cause of her death was an organic stricture of the oesophagus.
Mr. Moore owns a pleasant residence in Brandon, and also forty acres of tillable land in Pennsylvania ;
he has been a Justice of the Peace ; is a member of Metomen Lodge, No. 107, and the Encampment, No.
25 ; he is a supporter of the churches, but a member of none ; is benevolent and liberal. He was a Dem-
ocrat till 1864, but then he voted for Abraham Lincoln ; he is a Conservative Independent, with Repub-
lican proclivities.
F. NEWLAXD, farmer; near Fairwater ; was born in Ontario Co., N. Y., August, 1824;
lived in Erie Co., ten years, and at 19 came West and Uved three years in Milwaukee Co. ; in March,
METOMEN TOWNSHIP. 1051
1846, he settled on See. 30 in Metomen Township, Fond du Lac Co., Wis.; P. 0. Fairwater ; has
200 acres in the original farm, which is still the homestead ; fully 150 acres are under cultivation, and
about fifty are in timber lands. Was married, in July, 1854, to Miss E. Davitt, of Rensselaer Co., N. Y.;
they have three children — Diana, born 1855 ; Alice M., born 1858, and the son named True, born 1868 ;
■each of the daughters have attended several terms at Ripon College, at the present writing, February,
1880, they are at home. Mr. Newland is a Trustee of the Free- Will Baptist Church' at Fairwater,
his wife is also a member ; due credit is given to Mrs. Newhall as a rare worker, not only in the house
but on the farm, and as an efficient business woman. Mr. Newland is one of the earliest settlers in this
township ; is a prominent sheep-ra!iser ; is a successful, hard-working farmer ; is a temperance Republican,
and a reliable citizen.
CHARLES XORRIS (deceased) died Feb. 16, 1879, aged 46 years; he had been resident
of Metomen Township thirty-five years ; he was a successful farmer and prominent stock-raiser, especially
■of Norman horses ; for last years preceding his death, he had carried on a cheese factory, which was
located on his farm. He was married in 1860 to Miss Clara Hazen, of Brandon ; they had three children,
two of whom are living — David C, born in 1861, and Emily Irene, in 1872; the other died in infancy.
Mr. and Mrs. Norris were charter members of Brandon Grange, No. 52. He was a Republican. Mrs.
Norris and her son David carry on the farm ; she has been a resident of this county thirty-six years.
The farm is on Sec. 26 and contains l.SO acres; is in the suburbs of Brandon.
THOMAS JEFFERSON NORRIS, a pioneer farmer, Sec. 35 ; P. 0. Brandon ; he
■was born in September, 1808, in the town of Pembroke, Rockingham Co., N. H.; when 12 years of age,
he, with his relatives, removed to Genesee Co., N. Y.; his main business has been farming, but, during
several years, he also carried on blacksmithing. Was married, in September, 1830, to Miss Eunice
Andrews, who was born in 1810 in Erie Co., N. Y.; they have had eight children, of whom six are living
— David, born in 1831, died in 1846 ; Charles, born in 1834, married in 1860, died in 1879; Thomas J.,
born in 1836, married in 1861 ; Adeline J., born in 1840, married in 1871 ; George, born in 1843, mar-
ried in 1866; Lydia A., born in 1845, married in 1866; H. G., born in 1848, married in 1871 ; Mary,
born in 1851, married in 1877. In 1846, he, with his wife and six children, came West and took up
470 acres of land in Metomen Township, which he improved, and on which he has continued to reside to
present date. Their son David was killed by falling and being run over by the wagon when drawing their
household goods from Milwaukee to the farm. Mr. Norris has been Supervisor and has held other local
offices; is a Republican ; has belonged to no secret society; is connected with the Methodist Church, but,
because of the infirmities of age, is not a regular attendant. This couple are good specimens of the sturdy
New England yeomanry, and are enjoying the fruits of honest industry. They will celebrate their golden
wedding on the 12th of September, 1880.
JOHN O'HARA, farmer. Sec. 24 ; P. 0. Brandon ; he was born June 7, 1824, in the city of
Quebec, Canada ; his brother Charles was born in Canada June 1, 1828, and his brother Henry was born
in Canada Nov. 18, 1831 ; John came to Illinois in 1845, and to Wisconsin in 1848, and took up 80 acres
that year and built a log cabin ; then his parents and brothers, Charles, Henry and William, came on, and
together improved the land and bought additions thereto, makidg now a farm of 156 acres under good cul-
tivation. The mother died in 1864, and the father in 1879 ; Charles is a carpenter and joiner, but makes
his home with the other brothers ; John is still unmarried, and so also is Charles ; Henry was married,
Dec. 26, 1862, to Miss Eliza Gallop, formerly of Canada; they have four children — John A., Mary A.,
Lydia E. and Ellen E.; John and Henry carry on the farm. Henry has been Side Supervisor. Each of
the brothers is a Conservative Independent, with decided Democratic proclivities ; all are contributors to
churches, but none of them are church members ; their parents were Catholics, but the sons are Free
Thinkers or Liberalists. They are respected citizens.
AliMON OSBORN, farmer. Sec. 2 ; P. 0. Ripon ; born at Rival, Hancock Co., Me., June 24, 1813,
son of Joseph and Mary Osborn ; went with his parents to Ashtabula Co., Ohio, in 1815 ; to Geauga Co., a
year later ; to Seneca, Ohio, when 10 years of age ; to La Porte, Ind., at the age of 18 ; removed to
Waukesha Co., Wis., in 'March, 1835, where they lived several years ; removed to Mineral Point for a
year and then removed to Rock Co.; Mr. Osborn kept the Ball Tavern for two years, and carried on a
farm for some time ; came to Metomen, Sec. 2, in June, 1845, settling on land he still owns, and where
he now resides; came to Ripon in November, 1872, and in March, 1879, began the sale of agricultural
implements. He was the first Supervisor of the town of Metomen. He was married in Fulton, April,
1843, to Augusta Smith, who was born in New York State in April, 1820 ; she died Jan. 30, 1880 ; they
have three children — Charles Henry, a farmer in Metomen ; Frances, now Mrs. C. W. Poster, of Sauk
Co., and Porter M. Mr. Osborn is a member of the Lodge of A., F. & A. M. Mr. Osborn's father
1052 BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES:
Joseph Osborn, was born at Cape Ann, Mass., July 15, 1784, and died at Belleville, Dane Co., Wis.
Feb. 5, 1859 ; Mary Moore Osborn, his mother, was born at Bangor, Me., Dec. 12, 1789, and died at
Kingsbury, La Porte Co., Ind., September, 1869.
PHILAIVDEB K. PICKARD, farmer. Sec. 14; P. 0. Brandon; was born in Living-
stone Co., N. Y., on May 24, 1841 ; in the fall of 1854, he, with his parents, came to Wisconsin and.
located on the farm which he now owns. It was previously known as the " Marsh farm." He and his
father own adjoining farms. On the 4th of July, 1860, he was married to Miss Clementine B. Munn, of
Metomen ; they have two children — Jennie and Frank ; the daughter is a student in Ripon College,
while Frank still attends the " People's College," in his home district. Mr. Pickard himself was a stu-
dent at Bipon College. His farm of 140 acres is nearly all under cultivation, and he also carries on his
father's farm of 180 acres ; they have commodious barns and good farm improvements ; carries on general
farming, in connection with stock-raising, particularly of sheep. He was Side Supervisor two years, and
in 1876, 1878 and 1879 was elected Chairman with regularly increasing majorities; he was one of th&
charter members of Brandon Lodge No. 144, of A., F. & A. M. ; his wife is a member of the Congrega-
tional Church at Reed's Corners ; she is credited as a worthy helpmeet, with bearing her share of life's
burdens, and winning her proportion of life's successes. Mr. Pickard is a Republican " every time," and
is actively interested in local and general politics. The disinterested historian records the verdict of Mr,
Pickard's fellow-citizens, " Genial, capable and popular."
WILLIAM PICKARD, farmer. Sec. 15; P. 0. Metomen; was born on the 15th of May,
1,816, in Otsego Co., N. Y; he has been a farmer all his life. He was married, on the 27th of May,
1840, to Miss Emily Chamberlain ; they came West in 1854 and settled on their present farm; they have
two children — Philander K. and a daughter, now married. He is a Republican and a Methodist ; hi»
wife is a Baptist. Relieved of care and blessed with a competency, they are enjoying the calm pleasures
of ripe and honored age.
CAPT. WILLIAM PLOCKER. See biography on page 477.
WARRBX REED (deceased) was a native of Ohio. , Was married in Ohio, June 14, 1848,.
to Miss Augusta Day, of Ohio. He came to Wisconsin in 1854 and located 160 acres, where Mrs. Reed
now resides; he died in August, 1874. They had four children, all living in this county. The railroad
company secured a gift of the right of way through his farm on consideration of a written guarantee of
the permanent location of a depot thereon ; for some cause, the station was removed half a mile south and
established at Metomen in 1873, and the post office was also transferred from Reed's Corijers to the resi-
dence of E. Reynolds, near the new depot ; the above transfer is viewed very diflferently by the different
interested parties and their respective partisans. Reed's Station was named in honor of Mr. Reed. Mr.
Reed and family were Methodists ; he was a good citizen.
EDWIN REYNOLDS, farmer. Sec. 10 ; P. 0. Metomen ; was born June 3, 1815, in Ches-
terfield, Essex Co., N. Y.; in 1821, he, with parents, moved to Addison Co., Vt., where he remained nine-
teen years. He was married, on the 24th of March, 1840, to Miss Dorcas H. Dame, of Vermont; they
lived ten years in Chittenden Co., Vt. In 1850, he came to Wisconsin and located on his present farm
in Metomen; has 160 acres, of which 150 are tillable ; he is a mechanic, and built his own house; is
engaged in general farming and stock-raising, particularly of sheep, and he also pays attention to fruit-
raising; he has a commodious, nearly new barn, and his house is a few rods from the Metomen depot, and
his wife is Postmistress. He is President of the Protective Association ; has been Assessor twice, and
Justice of the Peace thirteen years, and held other local offices ; is a member of Brandon Grange, No. 52,
and is also connected with the I. 0. 0. F. Himself and wife are members of the Congregational Church.
They have five children — Lucy B. (married), Zilpha G., De Witt C. (married), Mary E. (married) and
Washington I. Mr. Reynolds is an active Republican; he has been promised appointment as census
enumerator for this township. He asserted that he has never been confined to the house by sickness, and
his wife, who was present, promptly threw in the remark, " But you have done piles of grunting." Mrs.
Reynolds is an energetic and capable woman ; Mr. Reynolds is a well-known citizen.
GEORGE A. RUSSELL, retired farmer, P. 0. Brandon ; borninCavendish,WindsorCo.,Vt.,
Nov. 6, 1821 ; the year he attained his majority (1842), he came West; during the two following winters
he taught school iii Waukesha Co., Wi«.; in 1844, he bought eighty acres of land, and partly improved it,
but sold it in a J'ear at an advance. He was married Nov. 1, 1844, in Milwaukee, to Miss Miranda
Weatherbee, of Brant, Erie Co., N. Y.; they have had no issue; his parents were New England farmers
in moderate circumstances, and the subject of this sketch, when he landed in Milwaukee in 1842, inven-
toried his cash assets at exactly $50 ; by- teaching and farming, he soon added to his resources, and Provi-
dence has continued to favor him to the present time, as, according to his fellow-citizens, he is reported to
METOMEN TOWNSHIP. lOSS'
the writer as a man surpassed in wealth by few, if any, in the township ; for his success in life, he gives
due credit to his worthy life-companion ; he first met her, by a happy combination of circumstances, very
soon after she landed in Milwaukee with her brother from New York, in 1844; they began wedded life as
pioneers on a Waukesha farm ; in September, 1845, having disposed of his first real estate, and convertud
most of his personal property into cash, he entered and paid for 400 acres of prairie and timber land in
the township of Alto ; he expended all his money in the original purchase of the Alto farm, but fortune
favored his efforts, and he was soon enabled to improve, build upon and stock the farm ; he retained this
old homestead until 1867, when he sold the land (which cost him $500), with its improvements, for
$17,000 ; in 1868, he bought his present home in Brandon, and retired from active labor as a farmer; he
owns several houses and lots within the corporation limits of Brandon, and also 325 acres outside the
village ; he has secured investments in diiferent parts of the county. He has held several local offices.
He became a Christian at the age of 18, and united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and has con-
tinued an active member to the present date ; he is an earnest advocate of the doctrine of sanctification,
and, for several years, meetings for the promotion of holiness have been regularly held at his residence;
he is a person of strong convictions, which find ready expression whenever occasion demands ; he is in no
sense a negative character, but is an enterprising, positive man. He is a Republican.
SIIiVESTEK W. SARGE AlVT, famer, Sec. 13 ; P. 0. 'Brandon ; was born June 26,.
1823, in Washington Co., Vt.; he remained in Vermont until 1839, when he removed to Washington Co.,
N. Y.; in spring of 1845, he came tb Metomen Township ; he was without any money, but was " full of days,
works;" that season he worked for and "bached" with E.F.Mansfield, who, in 1844, built the first
cabin within the limits of Metomen Township ; Mr. Sargeant pre-empted 160 acres in township of Alto,
which he sold with his improvements in 1846, and the same year entered the farm which he now owns ;
he had 12 shillings, all told, when he landed in this township, and that he expended for an ax; he now
has 160 acres — 100 under cultivation ; has commodious barns and good residence, with first-class farm
conveniences ; dairying is his leading interest. He was married, on the 13th of February, 1849, to Miss,
Isabella Graves, formerly of England ; they have had ten children — Zelia A. (dead), Emma (dead), Byron,
W., Sarah (dead), Jacob, Julia, Elma, Katie, Willard P. and Matilda ; the two oldest sons, Byron and Jacob,
have followed the ■' Star of Empire," and, since 1878, have been founding new homes in Oakwood, Brook-
ings Co., Dak. He is a member of Brandon Grange, No. 52 ; is a Republican. Mr. Sargeant's father died
when S. W. was but 9 years of age, and since that time he has provided for himself; his early life was
spent working out by the month, but his present comfortable surroundings betoken the success that comes
from industry and economy, united with the aid of a capable and worthy helpmeet.
ZENAS SCOTT, hardware merchant, Brandon ; born on the 17th of June, 1818, in Berks
Co., Penn.; when he was quite young his parents removed to Canada, where they remained till the father
died, in 1860. The subject of this sketch came to Wisconsin in 1H56, and spent the winter in Brandon ;
it was the season that the railroad was completed ; for the next four years he was absent most of the time,
but since 1860, he has been a continuous resident of Brandon ; he has been in mercantile business from
that date ; at first he ran a general store, but gradually developed into his present exclusive hardware
trade. He was married, April 11, 1870, to Miss Sarah Sherman, of Canada West ; he has been two terms
member of Village Board ; also was a member of I. O. 0. F., and is a member of Brandon Lodge, 144,
of A., F. & A. M.; owns his store and another business block besides his residence. He is a Republican;
himself and wife affiliate with the Congregational Church ; he is a reliable citizen.
MARTIN C SHORT, Postmaster, Brandon, and editor of the Brandon Times; was born
in Winnisink, Orange Co., N. Y., on the 4th of November, 1836; came West with his parents in 1851,
and settled on a farm near Dartford, Green Lake Co., Wis.; he attended the district school afterward at
Ripon, and was a freshman at Beloit College at the commencement of the rebellion. On the 10th of
November, 1862-, he enlisted as a private in the 31st W. V. I.; by honorable promotions he became
Captain of the company in which he enlisted ; he served until the close of the war ; participated in the
siege of Atlanta, and was with Sherman in his march to the sea. On returning from the army in 1865,
he purchased the Green Lake Spectator at Dartford ; the following year, he removed the paper to
Waupun, and, in connection with J. W. Oliver, started the Waupun Leader ; he came to Brandon in
1871, and, since that date, has been editor and proprietor of the-Brandon Times. He was married at
Dartford, in 1865, to Miss Sarah H. Churchill, by whom he had one daughter — Hattie. The mother died
Jan. 18, 1872. His present wife was Miss Clara A. Hogle, to whom he was wedded June 25, 1876 ;
they have two children — Mary and Martin. For twenty-five years Mr. Short has been an active member
of the Congregational Church ; is Superintendent of the Sunday School ; is Clerk of the School Board ; is
a public-spirited citizen and a radical hard-money Republican.
1054 BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES: _
W. O. SliEEPER, farmer, Sec. 32 ; P. 0. Fairwater; born in Merrimack Co., N. H., in 1817;
was brought up as a farmer ; came West in 1842 ; he took up a farm, which he now owns, in 1846. He
was married, in 1842, to Miss Laviua Pierce, of Kenosha Co., Wis.; they have had no issue. Their farm
consists of 200 acres, fully half of which is now under cultivation. They have brought up two nieces,
one of whom is married to George Lyon, of this town. Himself and wife are members of the Congrega-
tional Church at Fairwater ; he is a Republican. Mr. Sleeper's health has not been uniformly good, but
he is a hard-working and highly respected man.
N. A. STEVEBfS, jeweler, Brandon; born in 1847 in Ohio ; came to Waushara Co., Wis.,
with his parents, in 1852, where they remained sjven years, and then, for four years, took charge of the
Temperance House in Berlin, Green Lake Co., Wis.; the family located in Brandon in 1863 ; the .subject
of this sketch passed the next ten years at Brandon, mainly as salesman in some of the stores of the vil-
lage ; was also, for a year, an apprentice to the " art preservative of all arts," in the office of the Brandon
Times. Mr. Stevens was married at Brandon, in August, 1875, to Miss Vina Councelman, of Columbus,
Wis.; she died in May, 1876. He served full apprenticeship as jeweler in the establishment of J. H.
Elkins, at Waupun ; about four years ago, he started a small jewelry store at Brandon ; this is more con-
genial to his tastes ; the business has enlarged, and he now has a full assortment of well-selected jewelry ;
Lis repkiring department has an extended patronage. Is a Good Templar, a member of I. 0. 0. F., a
Republican and a Methodist.
DEACON LiONSON STIIiWELL, farmer, Sees. 9 and 4; P. 0. Ripon ; was born Aug.
18, 1819, in Madison Co., N. Y.; he removed to Onondaga Co., N. Y.. when 18 years of age, where he
Temained nearly eight years, engaged in farming. He was married, Sept. 29, 1842, to Miss Mary K.
White, of Geneva, Ontario Co., N. Y.; they came West in May, 1846, and took up 280 acres, on which
his present home is located ; the next year after settling, he donated forty acres of land to the Rev. Mar-
cellus Barnum, as an inducement for him to organize a church and preach to same. Elder Barnum was
the first resident minister in the township of Metomen. The Deacon now owns 170 acres, of -which five-
sixths are under cultivation. He tells of going to Whitewater, eighty miles, to mill with an ox team.
He smiles in remembrance of visiting one cabin on a cold day, when blankets were hung around the stove
and the " women folks" gathered within the warm circle, while the Deacon and other " men folks" shiv-
ered in the cold outer circle. He does not speak of these events as the sufferings and privations of pio-
neer life ; in fact, he enjoyed these rude experiences, which all took part in with hearty good will. He did
not complain when, with a company in an unfinished cabin during a driving storm, the women folks gath-
ered under umbrellas upon the bed, and the men folks braved the elements as best they could. He has,
from the first, been interested in sheep-raising; has now 218 grade merinos. Have had eight children —
Lueian W. (married), Celia B. (married), Annette E. (married), Kate E. (dead), Hannah R. (married),
Warren, Mary B. and Edith M.; all, except the youngest, have been students at Ripon College, but Edith
is still attending the People's College^ in her father's home district. Himself and wife are Congregation-
alists, and he has been Deacon about ten years ; he has held several local offices, and is a Republican.
His house is the stranger's home, and the favorite resort of the many friends of the Deacon and his
worthy wife.
AliEXABfDER TURNER, manufacturer of wagons and sleighs, also general blacksmith-
ing, Brandon ; born in Edinburgh, Scotland, Deo. 26, 1847 ; his parents came to America in 1849, and
settled in Dodge Co., Wis., where his father died in 1850 ; young Alexander spent most of his time in
Waukesha Co., until he was 23 years of age, and during that time learned his present trade of wagon-
maker ; he is called a natural machinist ; he has carried on business for himself ever since his apprentice-
ship ; was in business two years in Denver, Colo. Was married in Waukesha Co., Wis., Oct. 17, 1872,
^0 Miss Agnes S. Rogers ; their three children are George A., born 1873 ; James, born 1876 ; Alexan-
der, Jr., born 1878 ; he had a shop two years in Merton, Waukesha Co. ; in 1874, he bojight a shop and
home in Brandon ; his business occupies seven men, and is enlarging annually : in the wagon department,
about forty farm wagons are made yearly, besides sleighs, etc., etc. ; he has a large patronage in the
repairing shop ; horseshoeing is also a prominent feature ; he is an ingenious, hard-working " boss "
machinist. Himself and wife are members of the Congregational Church, of which he is a Deacon. He
is a Republican, and a Temple of Honor man.
DR. JAMES TURNER, Brandon ; is a native of Scotland. His parents came to America
and settled in Dodge Co., Wis., where his father died while the subject of this sketch was quite young ;
his home for twenty years after the death of his father, was Waukesha Co. ; he attended the public
schools, and afterward the State University, from which he graduated in 1866 ; after graduation, he served
the M. E. Church as Pastor one year at Stoughton, his health failed, and he afterward prepared for the
METOMEN TOWNSHIP.
1055
medical profession ; spent one year in the Detroit Medical College, and his last course was taken at the
University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, from which he received his medical diploma in 1871 ; while
iittending the Wisconsin State University, he served as a soldier in the 40th W. V. I. for 100 days. He
was married in Lisbon, Waukesha Co., Wis., on the 27th of September, 1869, to Miss Susie S. Sims;
they have three children — Nellie, Willie and Grace ; he practiced his profession seven years in Oshkosh,
and located ia Brandon ; he is in general partnership in a drug store and medical practice with J. E. 'jee,
M. D., at Brandon ; they have an extensive practice in their profession, and a liberal patronage as drug-
gists. Dr. Turner is President of the School Board ; is identified with the order of Odd Fellows ; is an
active member of the M. E. Church ; is a conservative Republican, and a thorough temperance man.
NELSON VAN CAMP, farmer. Sec. 2 ; P. 0. Metomen ; was born in New Jersey Aug. 9,
1823; removed with parents, in 1825, to Wayne Co., Penn.; Mr. Van Camp spent twenty-one years of
his life in railroading in Pennsylvania. He was married, Dec. 31, 1848, to Miss Hannah Colburn, of Penn-
sylvania; they have four children — Gilbert A., born in 1850; Aurella A., born in 1855 ; Carrie B.,born
in 1860, and Alice M., born in 1864 ; the three oldest are married. Mr. Van Camp came to Fond du Lac
Ca. in 1859, and, after living six years in the township of Ripon, he bought the present farm of 200 acres
on Sees. 2, 12 and 15, in the township of Metomen; he rents about one-half his land; has good farm
improvements. He belongs to the Protective Association, the Temple of Honor, and was formerly an
Odd Fellow. He is a temperance Democrat, and a Methodist.
J. WARNEK, harness-maker and farmer; P. 0. Brandon; was born June 28, 1832, in Wit-
temburg, Germany ; came to America in 1849 ; he worked at his trade one year in Coshocton Co., Ohio,
and afterward lived five years in Lorain Co., Ohio, where he took out his naturalization papers ; in 1855,
he came West and started a harness-shop in Fairwater, and during the palmy days of that village, the shop
gave employment to five workmen ; he has been two years in business in Brandon, and is the leading shop
in the village. He was married in May, 1856, to Miss M. B. Siegle, of his native place, Germany; have
liad three children — Francis H., born in 1857; Bertha, born in 1866, died in 1870 ; George L., born in
1872. Has a farm of 124 acres on Sees. 29 and 30, in the township of Metomen, near Fairwater ; he is
Side Supervisor, and has held other local offices ; his oldest son carries on the farm ; is interested in stock-
raising, narticularly of Norman horses. Is Republican.
SAMUEL WEINSTOCK, merchant, Brandon ; born on the 30th of May, 1825, in Bavaria,'
Oermany ; came to America in 1845, and settled in New York City, where he remained till 1852, when
he came to Milwaukee and spent seven years in the mercantile business ; he then went to Rubicon and
was engaged seven years in the business of buying and shipping cattle. He wa? married in New York, on
the 22d of November, 1863, to Miss Fannie Bamberger, of Bavaria; have had four children — Millues
(deceased), Gilbert, Selina and Theresa. In the autumn of 1866, he came to Brandon, Wis., and estab-
lished a general merchandise store, under the firm name of Weinstock & Bro.; in 1870, he sold out to the
brother, and in the fill of the same year he started a store for himself, which he has continued to the pres-
ent date — keeps everything except hardware. Is a member of the Village Board ; is a Master Mason and
va member of the I. 0. 0. F. Is of Democratic proclivities, but votes according to his best judgment at
the time of election. He has been continuously in mercantile life in Brandon longer than any other mer-
chant ; has a good trade from both foreigners and Americans.
HON. DAVID WHITTON, Brandon; born in Dundee, Scotland, Aug. 4, 1836. His
father was the youngest child in a family of twenty-five children ; he is still strong, and for several years
has resided in the city of Waupun ; he landed in Boston, Mass., on the 4th day of July, 1842, with his
family, consisting of his wife, his son Ciiarles; and the subject of this sketch ; the father was by trade a
fitonecuttei and mason, and was employed four years as foreman in the construction of the new locks on
the Welland Canal ; in the fall of 1846, the family came to Wisconsin, and located in Ashippun, Dodge
Co., where they remained ten years, engaged in farming; in 1856, the family moved to Waupun, Wis.
Young David, now of age, spent three years as an apprentice to the carpenter and joiner's trade ; this not
proving congenial, he, in 1860, engaged in buying and shipping farm produce. On the 1st of January,
1862, he was married to Misa Mary B. Turner, of Waukesha Co., Wis.; they have seven children — Mary
E., born in Waupun May 1, 1863 ; Charles B., born in Waupun March 23, 1865 ; David, Jr., born in
Waupun Feb. 21, 1867; Grade Bell, born in Brandon March 29, 1869; Nellie A., born in Brandon
April 16, 1873; Alexander T., born in Brandon Sept. 13, 1875; Susie E., born in Brandon July 22,
1878. Mr. Whitton was admitted to the practice of law in April, 1877, and is established at Brandon,
and practices in Fond du Lac and surrounding counties. He occupies his own residence in Brandon, and
also owns a grain warehouse. He held the offices of Assessor and Supervisor while residing in Waupun.
Since his removal to Brandon in 1866, he has several times been elected Justice of £he Peace, but he
1056 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
qualified only once; in 1873, he was elected to the Legislature from the First Assembly District in Pond
du Lac Go. Esquire Whitton, from boyhood, has been known as an active Democrat. Since 1863, he has
been an efficient member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and has represented the Grand
Encampment of Wisconsin, in the Supreme Grand Lodge of the United States ; he is also a Eoyal Arch
Mason.
FREDERICK G. WIL.KE, farmer, Sec. 11 ; P. 0. Metomen ; born in Stettien, Prussia,
on the 31st of December, 1831 ; from early boyhood he has " paddled his own canoe." After becoming
of age, he served three years in the Prussian Army, and was stationed most of the time in Metz. In
1856, he came to America, under contract to his wealthy patron, to serve him two years for the passage
money and board and clothing ; the faithful service was performed in the Wolf River country. In 1858,.
he began working for himself, having $60, a stout hand and a brave heart. He served Almon Osborn
two years, then worked the farm on shares for four years ; he then bought a farm, which he worked till
1876, when he purchased the well-known " William Brunson Farm " of eighty acres, on Sec. 11. He-
was married, on the 7th of September, 1861, to Miss Mary Gonyo, of Waushara Co.; they have six
children — Henry P., Emma, Jennie, Sarah, John and Flora. During the rebellion he was drafted, but
paid the commutation ; he also sent money for parents and brother and sister to come to Wisconsin from
Prussia ; his aged father now lives with him. He is a grain-raiser, but is fond of good live stock. Him-
self and family are Methodists ; he is a cautious, hard-working man ; is a Conservative Republican.
STEPHEX T. WIJLSIE, farmer, Sec. 15 ; P. 0. Brandon; he was born Oct. 5, 1815, in
Schoharie Co., N. Y. ; from age of 5 to 20, he lived in Ohio ; in 1835, he moved to Rochester, Monroe
Co.jN. Yi, and that remained his home till 1856. He was married. May 18, 1843, to Miss Mary Banker,
of Rochester, by whom he had five children, all now living — Edward, Hiram, Emma, John W., Ophelia
Q. Mrs. Wilsie died May 18, 1873, on the thirtieth anniversary of her wedding day. Mr. Wilsie worked
several years at his trade of carpenter and joiner; he came to Wisconsin in 1856, and settled on his
present farm; he has 110 acres under good cultivation; carries on "mixed" farming. Mr. Wilsie's-
father came to this State in 1844, and to this township in 1846, and the family endured the privations-
and experiences incident to the life of early pioneers ; he died in 1877 ; the mother is now aged 87, and
her home is with Mr. Wilsie ; he has been Township Treasurer once and Side Supervisor four terms ; is
a member of Grange 52. Was married. Oct. 18, 1877, to Mrs. Lavina Butler, of Metomen, by whom
he has one child, named Luella. Himself and wife are Methodists ; his parents were Quakers. He has
been Olass-Leader more than a quarter of a century, and a member of M. E. Church nearly half a
century ; he is social, benevolent and respected.
JOHN WORMWOOD, farmer. Sec. 23 ; P.O.Brandon; born in Caledonia Co., Vt., oa
the 3d of July, 1819 ; his parents were farmers, and his early life was spent on a farm in the Green
Mountain State; at the age of 19, he, with his parents, removed to New Hampshire, where he remained
until 1849 ; from the autumn of 1849, to the spring of 1855, he was in the furniture business in Boston,
Mass. He was married in Boston, on the 13th of August, 1851, to Miss Sarah Sargeant, formerly of"
Waitsfield, Vt.; they have two children^-Mary Ella and John. In the spring of 1 855, they came West,,
and located on the farm they now occupy ; they have 140 acres, of which all except about twenty acres
is under cultivation. He was the first Master of Brandon Grange, No. 52 ; has been Chairmen of Meto-
men six times, and has held other local ofiSces ; has been Master of Brandon Lodge, No. 144, of A., F. &
A. M., and is a Royal Arch Mason. Politically, he is a Republican, and defends his principles by argu-
ment and ballot. Himself and wife are consistent believers in the doctrine that the infinite love of God
will ultimately gather all mankind to Himself in a realm of happiness.
AlVDREW J. YORTY, P. 0. Brandon ; member of firm of Hillman & Yorty, wholesale-
lumber dealers and manufacturers, located at Winneconne, Winnebago Co., Wis.; he was born in Mead-
ville, Penn., on the 4th of January, 1832 ; his father was a blacksmith, and in 1844 he came to Wiscon-
sin with his family and located on Jefferson Prairie, Rock Co., where he started a shop and also took some
land, which the sons carried on ; in the spring of 1846, A. J., with his. father, came to Round Prairie,
Metomen Township, and took up' 160 acres of land, and broke up a portion of the same ; the farnilj
removed to the farm in 1847 ; the father died in 1874 ; young Andrew worked on the farm, and during
the winters availed himself of the best educational advantages afforded by the county; at the age of 19,.
he began teaching winter schools; he taught one season in Ripon ; in November, 1855, he went to Ca,lifor-
nia, and for five and a half years he was subject to the " ups and downs " incident to the life of a miner ;
he returned to Brandon in May, 1861, and for four years was a farmer in this township. He was mar-
ried March 12, 18^3, to Miss Maggie Patterson of Alto ; they have three children : Lizzie, born June 4,
1864 ; Edith, born July 15, 1867 ; Andrew J., Jr., born Dec. 2, 1871 ; since 1866 he has been in the
ALTO TOWNSHIP.
105 r
lumber trade ; he commenoed the retail business in Brandon, but since 1875 he has been engaged in man-
ufacturing and wholesaling lumber, with headquarters at Winneconne, Wisconsin ; Mr. Yorty was Super-
intendent of schools under the township system in 1855 ; he was Town Clerk two years, also Treasurer
>one year, when he collected the largest tax ever raised in this township, as it included the bounty tax ; he
has. been Chairman twice, and in 1871 was elected a Member of the Legislature from the First Assembly
District of Fond du Lao Co.; has held other local offices ; has been a member of the I. 0. 0. F., and also
of the various temperance organizations ; be is a Royal Arch Mason. Is a reliable Republican ; himself
;and wife affiliate with the Methodist Church. Mr. Yorty and his partner are both residents of Brandon.
ALTO TOWNSHIP.
ANDREW BRUINS, farmer. Sec. 9 ; P. 0. Brandon ; was born in Gelderland, Holland, on
the 3d of December, 1827. He was drafted before the age of 19, and receiving a year's furlough, he
emigrated to America, in which he has acquired citizenship. On the 27th of May, 1847, he arrived in
Alto, and bought a pre-emption in the same section where he now lives ; his parents and remainder of
family came in the fall of the same year, and have lived in Alto ever since. He was married in October,
1851, to Miss Ellen Grleiven, formerly of Gelderland, Holland. He has 330 acres of land in Alto, and 80
acres in Metomen, the greater part of which is tillable ; they have had nine children, three of whom died
young; the six living are Henrietta, Henry, Anna, Mina, Ella and Andrew. He prefers to tend his farm
rather than hold office. The family are connected with the Ebenezer Reformed Church of Alto. His
father erected their church edifice mainly at his own expense. He is a Republican. The father and three
brothers live in Alto Township, and are all thrifty farmers and good citizens.
DERK BRUINS, farmer. Sec. 8; P. 0. Brandon; was born in Gelderland, Holland, on the
20th of March, 1839 ; he came to America, with his parents, in 1847, and has lived in Alto to present
date; he is the youngest son, and has always lived with his parents; his mother is dead, but the father
still lives with Derk, and part of the property is still held by the father; he, the father, H. Bruins, is 81
years of age, has thirty-three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, and is in good health, except the
necessary infirmities of age. Derk has 300 acres of land, all tillable except thirty acres of marsh, but forty
. acres are still wooded ; has 350 graded Merino sheep ; raises other live stock, and also grain. He was
married Jan. 11, 1865, to Miss Cynthia B. Heusinkveld, formerly of Holland ; they have «ix children —
William H., Hannah, Edward. Henry M., Mina H. and Derk, Jr. He has been Side Supervisor three
years. Himself and family, and father, belong to the Ebenezer Reformed Church of Alto. He is Repub-
lican. Like most of his nationality, he is a moral, law-abiding citizen.
JOHN BRUINS, farmer. Sec. 16; P. 0. Brandon; was born in Gelderland, Holland, on the
27th of January, 1833 ; came to America in the fall of 1847, and settled in Alto, and worked on the farm
with his parents for fourteen years. In April, 1859, he was married to Miss Christina Glirven, formerly
of Gelderland, Holland. He bought his present farm in January, 1861 ; he has 240 acres, about 200 of
which are tillable ; he raises some wheat to sell, but pays more attention to live stock, sheep and cattle ; he
has two large barns with basement, and a comfortable house. Have had ten children ; two died in child-
hood; the living are Hattie, Cornelius, Henry J., Johanna H., Dina L., Mary, Jennie C. and Henrietta
J.; all the children are at home. He is now Side Supervisor. Himself and wife are members of the
Ebenezer Reformed Church of Alto ; he is a Republican, and has the characteristics of the Hollanders ; is
an industrious and moral citizen.
JAN W. BRUINS, farmer. Sec. 16; P. 0. Brandon; he was born in Wilp, Gelderland, Hol-
land, on the 12th of February, 1835; his parents came to Alto in 1847, and he lived at home till 1863,
when he settled on the farm which he now owns. He was married, Sept. 27, 1862, to Miss Gertrude
Vanderbeek, by whom he had throe children, of whom two are living — Hendrikes and Dina. The mother
died Deo. 25, 1867. He has 187 acres, fully 150 of which is tillable ; he raises grain and stock. In May,
1868, he married Miss Elizabeth Garritsen, by whom he had three children ; the two living are named
Gertrude A. and John. Mrs. Bruins died Aug. 10, 1873. He has been Side Supervisor two terms and
Town Treasurer once. He was married to his present wife on the 27th of October, 1873 ; her maiden
name was Aaltje Reus ; they have had three children, of whom two are living — Betsey and Aaldert Van
Wechel. Himself and family are connected with the Ebenezer Reformed Church of Alto. Has good
farm buildings and an excellent brick residence. Is Rjpublican: is Trustee of the church; isa reliable
and respected citizen.
1058 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
MATHIAS DUVEX, farmer, Sec. 14; P. 0. Waupun ; born July 1,. 1§1&, in Holland,
■Province of Gelderland. Was married in Holland, in 1840,to Alida Straks, who was bom Dec. 19, 1818 ;
daughter of Hendrekes Straks. Mr. Duvea came to America in 1846, and Jived ten months in Jefferson
Co., Wis.;- then came to Alto, and has resided there since. Has held officein the Reformed Church (of
which he is a member) over twenty-five years. Mrs. Duven died June 21, 1877, of para,lysis ; was taken
in church at 2 o'clock P. M. and died at 11 o'clock in the evening. Mr. Duveh bag. nine children —
William,, Henry, Charles, Henrietta (now Mrs. John G-yshers), Dora (now Mrs. Derk Rens), Mary (Mrs.
Jacob Meenk), Jane (Mrs. John Redaker), John and Hannah, all living in ' Alto except Charles, who
lives in the city of Waupun, and Jane, who lives in Trenton, Dodge Co. Has 160 acres of land, worth
$40 per acre. Republican.
EililSH A (n-REElT, retired farmer. Sec. 29 ; P. 0. Waupun ; was born in the town of Weare,
N..,H., on the 27th of December, 1792, and is doubtless the oldest citizen of Alto; he is able to take care
of himself — i?,. in fact, a vigorous, hearty old man; he spent his early life in Addison Co., Vt.; came to-
Alto in 1854 and located on the farm where he now lives with his son George. He was married, Jan.
29^ 1822, to Miss Silvia Chase, of Vermont; they had eight children, three of whom are dead; the liv-
ing are Abigal, Silvia A., Mary A., George G. and Hattie E. The mother died Oct. 27, 1876. He came
to Alto and bought land, but carried it on mainly by hired help ; he is a naturarinechan-ic and' delights
still to work in wood or iron. Is of Quaker parentage; was never an active politician,- but has been a
reliable Republican ; is an honest man and a good citizen. ^
(J-EOBGE G. GREEX, farmer, Sec. 29; P. 0. Waupun ; was born in Ferrisburg,* Addison
Co., Vt., on the 16th of November, 1834 ; came to Wisconsin in 1854 and settled on his present farm.
He was married, in September, 1872, to Miss Lusella Fowler, by whom he had one child^ — Lusella M.; the
mother died April 7, 1874. He owns 240 acres of land, of which fully two hundred are tillable; -carries
on mixed farming, but makes somewhat of a specialty of stock-raisi-ng; particularly of pheep ; he has 200
thoroughbred and graded Merinos ; is called a successful farmer and stock-raiser. Is a Royal Arch Mason
and a Republican. Is a man of strong likes and dislikes.
WILiIilAM GLENDINNIlf^fG (deceased); was born July 9, 1805, in the parish of Ash-
kirk, Scotland ; served five years to learn the carpenter's trade. Married, .March 22, 1827, Catharine-
Graham, who was born in February, 1805, in the parish of Howick, Scotland, daughter of Thomas Gra-
ham ; her mother's maiden name was Margaret Rutherford. Mr. Glendinning came to America in the
spring of 1832 with his family; remained in Montreal a few months, then went to the State of New
York and followed farming in Delaware Co. till June, 1845 ; then sold out and came to Wisconsin ; he settled
in the town of Alto on Sec. 36, where he followed farming till his death, which occurred-Sept 5, 1872.
He left' a widow and eight children — William Thomas (living in California), Margaret (now Mrs. John
Chapman, of Dickinson Co., Iowa), Effie (now Mrs. Hugh Meikle, of Alto), Isabell (now Mrs. Merritt
Vader, of Alto), Elliot (living near Wausau, Wis.), and James and Helen, living with their mother on
the homestead, which consists of 130 acres, and worth about $40 per acre.; one son, Walter, was accident-
ally killed Dec. 2, 1878, while engaged jn unloading a car of logs at the saw-mill belonging to himself and.
brother Elliot, near Wausau, Wis.; left a wife and two children ; lost two children in New York, who died
n infancy. P. 0. Waupun.
ROBERT GrRAHAM, farmer, Sec. 1 ; P. 0. Brandon ; he was born in Eskdalemuir, Dum-
frieshire, Scotland, on the 24th of- May, 1829 ; he is descended from one of the oldest families of Soot-
land, his ancestry dating back nearly four centuries. "Sir John the Graham," a prominent member- of
the clan, is known in history as the friend Sir of William Wallace, and his exploits as a Scottish Chief, Mar-
quis of Montrose, are immortalized by Sir Walter Scott. The subject of this sketch -was married in Scot-
land, on the 18th of February, 1853, to Miss Jane Inglis, of Roxboroughshire, Scotland ; three years
after marriage, they came tp America, attracted by the glowing reports given by friends who had found
homes in Wisconsin ; on the 12th of August, 1856, he and his " bonnie bride " took dinner in one of the
rooms of his present fine residence, which was at that time the entire dwelling ; he has lived in Alto con-
tinuously to present date; he was a shepherd in Scotland, and had saved but little more than $100 with
which to commence farming in this town ; he first worked out by the month, but soon bought land and
enjoyed the high prices of •' war times ; " he paid $9,500 for his present farm of 190 acres ; he has a few
acres of marsh, but nearly all his farm is high, beautiful prairie, unsurpassed by any in the township ; he has
spacious grounds inclosed with his residence, which stands upon the corner of two well-traveled roads ; he-
raises live stock and grain ; his barns indicate the thrifty farmer. They have had five children, one, a son,
died in 1874, aged 21 years; the living are William, John, Elizabeth and George. William is married
and lives in Brandon ; this son and a partner, named Cl^rk, run a steam feed-mill on Mr. Graham's farm ; the-
ALTO TOWNSHIP.
1D59
engine is used a portion of the time in connection with a steam thrasher ; the mill has a daily dapacity of
six ton?. Mr. Gr. has been District Clerk for a dozen years, and Side Supervisor two years.' He is one of
the Deacons of the Brandon Congregational Church ; and his family are also Congregationalists ; he is a
reliable Republican. He has many of the characteristics of the representative Scotchman — is moral,
industrious, attached to his countrymen and to " Bonnie Scotland."
JOHN VL. HAt^ENS, merchant, south line of Sec. 14 ; P. 0. Waupun ; born Aug. 26, 1841,
in Holland, in the Province of Grelderland ; son of Aaron and Henrietta Hagens, who took passage for
America when he was about 5 years old, and both died before reaching New York ; John H. was taken to
the New York Orphan Asylum, where he remained till 1858,, then came to the town of Holland, Ottawa
Co., Mich., and from thereto Wisconsin, remaining in the town of Alto till 1860, when he went to Milwau-
kee and engaged as clerk in a dry-goods store ; continued in that business in Milwaukee titl 1866, then
returned to Alto and commenced trade for himself, where he still continues. Was married Dec. 8, 1871,
to Theodora Kastein, who was born Feb. 8, 1849, in the same place as her husband; daughter "of Ruloff
and Elizabeth (Terheest)- Kustein, who came to America in 1866 ; Mr. Hagens has three children —
Aaron, Elizabeth and Theodora. Mrs. Hagens is a member of the Reformed Church. He is a Repub-
lican.
ROBERT HOBKIRK, farmer. Sec. 33 ; P. 0. Waupun ; born April 13, 1817, in Rox-
burghshire, Scotland ; son of Robert and Margaret (Blakie) Hobkirk ; came to America in the spring of
1842 and'settled in Delaware Co., N. Y., where he was married, July 26, 1844, to Jessie Riddooh, who
was born" Sept. 25, 1826, in Scotland, daughter of John Riddoch ; has seven children — Robert and John
(living in Trenton, Dodge Co), William, Mary, Frank, Anna and Jessie ; Elizabeth died Sept. 29, 1877,
in her 25th year, and Alexander died in infancy. Members of Congregational Church ; Democrat. Owns
200 acres land.
JOHN K'ASTEIN, farmer. Sec. 23 ; P. 0. Waupun ; born March 10, 1835, in Gelderland,
Holland ; son of John William Kastein ; his mother's maiden name was Theodora Terhurst ; came to
America with his parents in 1847, and settled in the town of Metomen, Fond du Lac Co., Wis.; lived
there six or seven years, then came to Alto and located on Sec. 23 ; his mother died Feb. 14, 1867 ;
father still living. Was married, Nov. 30, 1858, to Ellen Giabenstein, who was born Aug. 12, 1836, in
Gelderland, HoUandi; daughter of Henry and Johanna (Sleister) Giabenstein ; has ten children living —
Johanna (now Mrs. William Lovmans, of Alto) ; Theodore, John, William, Elizabeth, Rudolph, Antoi-
nette, Maria, John, Angeline and Robertus ; all living with parents, except Johanna; has lost one — John
William, died in July, 1 864, aged 4 years and 9 months. Mr. Kastein has held the ofiice of Assessor for
the last four.-years ; -Supervisor several years ; also Clerk of the School District, and has been one of the
Directors of , the Waupun Farmer's Insurance Co. for the last five years; in politics. Democrat. Has 160
acres land, worth 840 per acre. Both members of the Reformed Church.
JOHN KLOOSTERBOER, farmer, Sec. 23; P. 0. Waupun; born Dec. 14, 1817, in
Holland, Province of Gelderland ; came to America in 1849, and settled in the town of Alto on Sec. 9 ;
came to Sec. 23 in 1861; has followed farming ever since he came to this country; had no English edu-
cation in Holland, but took an English-print newspaper (the New York Tribune), when he first came to
this country, and soon learned to read and speak English. In March, 1841, he was married, in Holland,
to Fannie Groothedde, who was born April 27, 1804, in Holland; her first husband's name was Deirk Van
Wechel, who died in 1838, leaving four children — Ella (who died in January, 1875), Johanna (now Mrs.
John Straks, of Alto), Arend (who lives io Iowa), and Anna (now Mrs. William Klumpers, of Alto). He
has 374 acres of land in Alto, divided into three farms, worth about $15,000. He is a member of the
Reformed Church, and a Republican.
WIIililAM KliUJlPERS, farmer. Sec. 23 ; P. 0. Waupun ; born March 28, 1827, in
Holland, Province of Gelderland ; came to America in 1847, and lived'in the town of Sullivan, Jefferson
Co., Wis., till the spring of 1857, then sold out, and bought the farm he now owns, where he has since
resided. He was married, March 11, 1857, to Anna Van Wechel, who was born May 29, 1838, also in
Gelderland, Holland, daughter of Derk Van Wechel, and stepdaughter of John Kloosterboer ; have five
children— Johanna, Derk, Garret, Frances and Willie ; have lost two — Garret died March 20, 1863, aged
17 months, and Prankie, April 27, 1868, aged 10 months. Johanna is now the wife of John Neehel, of
Alto. Has eighty acres of land, worth $60 per acre. Both members of the Reformed Church, and he
is a Republican.
JOHN LiANDAAIi, farmer. Sec. 26 ; P. 0. Waupun ; born Jan. 15, 1824, in Gelderland,
Holland ; son of Cornelius Landaal, who came to America in 1848, settled in Alto, and died Sept. 20,
1874 ; John came to America in 1847, and worked at carpenter and joiner work (which trade he had
1060 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
learned in Holland) one year in Milwaukee, Wis. ; in the spring of 1848, went to Ottawa Co., Mich.;
Jived there till the fall of 1849, then came back to Wisconsin and settled in the town of Alto ;
first bought a farm of thirty acres on Sec. 21, subsequently added to it, and sold ouc in the spring of
185S ; the next fall, he bought the farm he now owns, on Sec. 26 ; has 180 acres in his home farm, and
160 acres on the county line in Sees. 34 and 35 ; both faa'ms are worth about $20,0001 He has been
Justice of the Peace, Supervisor and Assessor ; was one of the originators of the Waupun Farmers'
Insurance Co., and is now agent for the town of Alto. He was married, Nov. 14, 1850, to Berendiena
Mensink, who was born Nov. 28, 1832, in the same place as her husband ; her parents came to America
in 1846 ; lived three years in Saratoga Co., N. Y., then came to Wisconsin and lived in Alto till 1864,
then removed to Fillmore Co., Minn., and died there ; Mr. and Mrs. Landaal have ten children — Mary C,
now Mrs. Henry De Groat, of Alto ; Johanna H., now Mrs. John Duitman ; Henry B., married Mary
De Groat, and lives in Alto ; Mina C, now Mrs. Anthony Loomans, of Alto ; John L., Bernard J., Gar-
ret A., Emma L., Cornelius H. and Louisa A. ; have lost four — Mina C, Cornelius H., Louisa A. and
Benjamin. Mr. Landaal is a Democrat, and an Elder in the Reformed Church, to which they both
belong.
DAVID T. McCIiAUGHEY, Sec. 30; P. 0. Waupun; was born Dec. 20, 1824, in
Washington Co., N. Y.; he lived five years in Oswego Co. before coming West in 1839; his father,
Daniel, and all the family, came to Wisconsin, and settled on Pleasant Prairie, Kenosha Co., on the 7th
,«f November, 1839 ; David T. remained there until the summer of 1846, when he took up land iu Alto ;
he has been twenty-four years on the farm which he now owns. He was married, March 13, 1849, to
Miss Susan E. Knight, of Alto ; her parents were among the very earliest settlers in this township ; he
has 500 acres, all of which he regards as tillable, but about one-fifth is marsh, which yields an abundance
of good hay ; he makes a specialty of stock-raising; has 125 thoroughbred and graded merino sheep;
keeps grade Durham cattle ; has several horses of the Swigart breed. They have six children — Angeline
B., Martha, David W., Maria, Jessie ¥., and Nellie V.; the two oldest daughters are married and live in
Iowa; the other four are on the home farm ; he was a partner with William Knight in keeping the first
hotel in Alto ; it was on Sec. 31, and for a dozen years had a large patronage ; he has been Side Supervisor,
and also Treasurer several'times ; he never had a lawsuit in his life. He is a Republican, and is a mem-
ber of Waupun Lodge, No. 48, of A., F. & A. M.; his father, Daniel, was born Dec, 21, 1802 ; came to
Alto in 1863, and makes his home with his son, David T.; his wife died in 1869 ; he had a family of nind
of whom six are living ; the youngest died in the army. All have been successful farmers and good
JOHN ALBERT MEEXK, farmer, Sec. 25 ; P. 0. Waupun ; born Oct. 12, 1820, in
G-elderland, Holland; came to "^ America in 1844, arriving in New York City in August; lived in West-
field, Chautauqua Co., N. Y., till 1845, when he was joined by his parents, two sisters and five brothers;
the whole family came to Wisconsin and settled in Alto, except Henry, who went to Texas. Mr. Meenk
was married, Feb. 2, 1850, to Henrietta Veenhuis, who was born in October, 1821, in Gelderland, Hol-
land, and died July 24, 1857, of consumption, leaving two children — Jacob and Garret William, both
living in Alto; Garret William with his father. Was married the second time, Nov. 17, 1858, to Anna
Cornelia Wubbels, who died April 12, 1868, aged a'bout 52, leaving, one child by Mr. Meenk (her second
husband), Gertrude. Was married the third time, Jan. 27, 1870, to Mrs. Alida Venhuis, whose maiden
name was Droppers ; has 180 acres of land, $40 per acre. Member of Reformed Church, and a Repub-
lipan.
JOHIV D. MEENK (deceased) was born in Gelderland, Holland ; came to America, with his
parents, in 1845, and settled in the town of Alto, being among the first settlers of the town ; lived first in
the north part of the town, but sold out in 1865, and removed to Sec. 23, where he resided till his death,
which occurred in the fall of 1873, of consumption, after an illness of several years ; he was but a child
when his father, Garrett Meenk, came to America. He married Cynthia Loomans, daughter of John Wm.
Loomans, who came to America from Holland in 1844, and to Alto in 1847, where he is still living. Mr.
Meenk left ten children — Garrett (lives in Waupun), William, Jane (now Mrs. Garret Gyshers, of Alto),
Mina, Delia, Hattie, Anna, Caroline, Hannah and Albert : all living on the homestead, except Garrett and
Jane. Mrs. Meenk was married the second time, Feb. 10, 1880, to Derk J. Nigel, of Minnesota. The
homestead consists of eighty acres of land on Sec. 23, with good buildings ; P. 0. Waupun.
(i^ERHARDES GEORGE NEEVEL,, farmer. Sec. 22 (formerly painter) ; P. 0. Wau-
pun; born Sept. 16, 1827, in Gelderland, Holland; came to America in 1853, and settled in the city of
iWaupun, where he followed painting till 1875, then went on his farm in Alto, and has followed farming
since. Was married, Dec. 26,1859, to Alida Elizabeth Deunk, who was born in nis native place in 1838,
ALTO TOWNSHIP. 1061
and died July 29, 1874, leaving five children — John George, Edward, Mina Johanna, Gerret Christian
(dead) and Frank Albert. Was married the second time Dec. 31, 1874, to Magdalena Anna De Mersse-
man, who was born July 2, 1840, in Zealand, Holland; she came with her parents to- Wisconsin in 1848.
They have had three children — Janneke Elizabeth, Theodorus Isaac and Isaac Gerhardes ; lost one child
of the first wife — Gerret Christian, aged 1 year and 4 months. Owns 160 acres of land.
J. BEmSIJfJK, farmer. Sec. 10 ; P. 0. Brandon ; was born in the Province of Gelderland, Hol-
land, on the 3d of January, 1833 ; at the age of 13, he, with his parents, came to America; they settled
on the present homestead in Alto, in the spring of 1846 ; the aged parents still live with their son, and
half the land is still in their name, but he is the only heir; together, they have a farm of 320 acres, two-
thirds of which is tillable. He was married to Miss Julia Shalenski on the 28th of December, 1878. Both
his parents and himself and wife are members of the Dutch Reformed Church. He has raised grain
mainly, but intends to keep sheep ; he has good farm improvements. He has always been a Republican,
but takes littlte interest in politics. J. W. Rensink is the father's name. All are moral, law-abiding citizens.
ROELOF SliEYSTER, farmer and painter, Sec. 15; P. 0. Waupun ; was born Dec. 25,
1815, in Zutphen, Holland ; his father was a painter and grainer, and Roelof learned the trade and worked
with his father till 1846, when he came to America and settled on the present homestead. He was mar-
ried in Milwaukee, June 26, 1847, to Miss Johanna H. Liesveld, who was born April 6, 1822, in Al-n-
heim, Holland ; since that date, they have lived on the home farm, the carrying-on of which he has super-
intended and also worked at painting a portion of the time ; he has been twenty-one years Clerk of his
school district, fourteen years Supervisor, and, in 1870, was a member of the General Assembly from the
First District of Fond du Lac Co. They have had ten children, one of whom died in infancy, and nine
are now living — Mary E., J. William, Johanna H., Liesveld A., Roelof H., Coba R., Henry J., Eva M.
and Benjamin U.; four children are still at home in the spring of 1880. He has 140 acres of land;
raises grain and good grade live stock. His son, Henry, is raising blooded poultry. Mr. Sleyster was
one of the first settlers of Alto ; he has never been in a law-suit, either as plaintiff or defendant. He is
a stalwart Republican, and so, also, is each son who has become of age. He gives due honor to his
worthy wife for her counsels and co-operation in earning life's successes.
WIIililAM H. SMITHERS, farmer. Sec. 17; P. 0. Waupun; was born April 14, 1822,
in Yorkshire, England ; came with his parents to America in 1837, and settled in St. Lawrence Co., N.
Y., where he remained eight years. He was married in September, 1844, to Miss Lois A. Knight, of
York State. They came to Wisconsin in the spring of 1845, and remained one year in Bristol, Kenosha
Co.; then, in the summer of 1846, they settled in the township of Alto ; bought his present farm in 1848;
he has 222 acres of land, all tillable, except about fifty acres of marsh : he sells no grain, but raises
live stock — sheep, hogs, horses and cattle ; has a large, well-planned barn, with basement, and good farm
conveniences ; has a comfortable and hospitable home. They have had nine children — one daughter,
Anna K., died in 1870 ; the living are Sarah E., Edna M., Ella M., Maggie D., Carrie Z., Willie F., Seba
U. and Lois A.; four daughters are married. He has been many years Clerk of Elections, eleven years
Town Clerk, two years Assessor, two years Treasurer and one year Side Supervisor ; he is a member of a
temperance society and the Grange ; he passed through the privations and varied experiences' of pioneer
life. He and several other old settlers related this story of the abundance of fish, especially "bullheads,"
in the Rock River below Waupun : When ice covered the river, people chopped airholes at some desirable
\ point in the river, to which the fish would come in vast quantities, and from which they could be dipped
up by the bushel. Several pioneers state a wagon-body full (twenty-five or thirty bushels) could be had
for 25 cents — about 1 cent a bushel ; fifty wagon loads per day have been dipped out ; tens of thousands
of bushels taken during the winter. Other kinds of fish at some seasons were nearly as abundant. They
were obtained mainly to feed hogs. Many of the fish died of suffocation because of the immense masses and
the want of aerated water. Wild fowls and deer were plenty. Mr. Smithers was one of the first to move
out on the prairie away from the "openings;" his first house was built without nails, boards or glass —
simply poles covered with hay, making a comfortable summer residence ; cooking, of course, was done
"outside." Mr. Smithers has been a member of the Methodist Church for twenty years. He is a thrifty
farmer, a capable man and a good citizen.
HENRY $!iTRAKS, merchant and teacher. Sec. 23; P. 0. Waupun ; born Feb. 13, 1853, in
Alto; son of John Straks, who came to Wisconsin in 1846 from Holland, and settled in Alto in 1848,
where he now resides. Henry lived with his father till he was 24 years of age, except when at school ; is
a graduate of the State Normal School at Oshkosh, and has followed teaching about four years. Was
married, April 1, 187?rto' Priscilla Neevel, who was born March 4, 1855, also in Alto; daughter of J.
H. Neevel, a native of Holland, who came from Pittsburgh, Penn., to the town of Alto in 1848, where he
1062 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
stUl resides. Mr. Straks has a general store on the corners at the north line of Sec. 23 and employs a
clerk to attend to that part of his business, while he is engaged in teaching in District No. 1, half a mile
south of his store and dwelling. Has two children — John Hubert, born Aug; 22, 1878, and Nellie, Dec. 13,
1879. He is a Republican, and is now a Justice of the Peace ; both members of the Dutch Reformed
Church of America.
JOHX STRAKIS, farmer, Sec. 23; P. 0. Waugun; born May 11, 1826, io Province of
Gelderland, Holland ; son of H. D. Straks ; mother's maiden name Catharine Weenink ; came to America
in 1846, arrivingin New York July 6 ; came direct to Wisconsin, and lived in Waterville, Jefferson. Co.,
till February, 1848; then came to Alto, and settled on Sec. 26 ; lived there till 1865, and then sold out
and removed to his present location on Sec. 23 ; has 125 acres of land valued at about $40 per acre. Was
married, June 2, 1851, to Johanna Van Wechel, who was born April 6, 1830, also in Gelderland, Hol-
land ; daughter of Derk Van Wechel, and step-daughter of John 'Kloosterboer ; has six children living —
Henry, Derk Van Wechel, John, Catharine, Wilhelmina and Johanna — the last four living with their
parents ; have lost ive children — Henry, died in infancy ; Catharine, at the age of 5 months and 10
days ; Frederick, 5 months; Anna, in infancy, and Frank, Feb. 26, 1878, in his 16th year; he was of
kind, obliging disposition, learned music readily, and wa^ a natural artist, leaving a number of sketches
showing considerable ability in that direction. Mr. and Mrs. Straks are both members of the Reformed
Church, and he has been an Elder in the church since 1865. Republican. Had seventy-five guests at
their silver wedding, which occurred June 2, 1876.
BEEIV'ERD TER BEEST, retired farmer. Sec. 16 ; P. 0. Waupun ; born in Gelderland,
Holland, June 6, 1806; came to America in 1856, and settled on a farm in Alto; lives with
,his son, Derk, on the farm which he bought in 1859. He was married, Dec. 9, 1829, to Miss Kath-
rina Louisa/ Bosch ; they have had seven children ; one died in Holland, and one died in the Unit-edl States
Army ; the living are Evert, Henry, Derk, Alida and Diena. He is a Republican ; both himsejf ahd his
venerable wife are members of the Reformed Church of Alto, and are in good health and a ha^y "'^
age.
DERK A. «•. TER BEEST, farmer. Sec. 16 ; P. 0. Waupun; he was born in Gelderland,
Holland, on the 8th of June, 1841 ; his parents came to America in 1847, and settled in Alto, where the
entire family have since lived. He was married, March 13, 1879, to Miss Grada Johanna Heilsinkfeld.
He has lived on their present farm since 1859, but did not buy it till 1878 ; he has 80 acres, fully 45 of
which are under good cultivation ; he raises all kinds of grain and live stock. He is a_Republican ; him-
self and wife are members of >the First Reformed Church of Alto.
JACOB WEIiliHOUSE, merchant and farmer, Brandon ; he was born in Gelderland, Hol-
land, Dec. 31, 1833; came to America with his parents in 1847, and settled in Alto; has. lived in that
township ever since ; resides on Sec. 1 ; he lived at home until the spring after he was of age.. He was married.
May 12, 1855 to Miss Johanna B. Terhurst, of Milwaukee. He has been a farmer from boyhood ; he has
bought and sold several farms, and now owns three farms ; the one he lives on is located about one and a
half miles south of Brandon ; he has 300 acres of land, more than nine-tenths of which is under cultiva-
tion ; he carries on all the land himself, raises both live stock and grain. He has five children, all living,
named John, Henry, Eliza, Gerrit and Jacob, Jr. He has been five years Clerk of the School Board, and
Township Treasurer twice ; he is a liberal Democrat, but takes no active part in poliljics ; himself and wife
are members of the Congregational Church of Alto. During the present year he has bought a stock of
goods in Brandon, and now has a fall stock of all kinds of goods kept in a general village store ; he has a
liberal patronage, both from his countrymen and Americans.
GRIFFITH R. WILIilAMS, farmer. Sec. 4 ; P. 0. Brandon ; was born Dec. 25, 1833,,
in Caermarthenshire, South Wales ; he landed in Milwaukee Sept. 9, 1850 ; his parents settled in Wau-
sha'ra Co., in February, 1851, where they continued to reside until their death in 1878 ; subject of this
sketch worked by the month four years as a farm laborer in Wisconsin, his parents belonging to that
class so, largely represente^d in new countries; " poor, but respectable and industrious." . He was married.
May 14, 1854, to Miss Susan O'Connor, of Jefierson Co., N. Y.; in fall of same year they removed
to her native County, where he bought land, and carried on farming eleven years ; on the 13th of
April, 1866, "he came to Alto, and settled on the farm which he'now owns ; they have had three children,
one of whom died in infancy in 1866; the two sons are Edgar R., who was married Feb. 25, 1880, and
Winfield S. ; has 120 acres, nearly all of which is tillable ; is a member of Brandon Grange, No. 52 ; is
a Republican ; is a moral, law-abiding citizen.
HARRY C. WILliIAMS, farmer, Sec. 31 ; P. 0. Waupun; he was born June 19, 1809^
in Lewis Co., N. Y. ; his grandfather was a Revolutionary soldier, and his father was in the war of 1812;,
/ ALTO TOWNSHIP. 1063
J
^mS early life was spent on his father's farm ; he worked several years in clearing up a farm in the wooded
section of York State. He was married, May 1, 1833, to Miss Eobecca Wilcox, with whom he has
happily journeyed nearly to the fiftieth mile-post; after marriage, he continued farming in the same county
till 1847, when he came to Kenosha, Wis., then Southport; his parents and relatives, to the number of
twenty-two, came about the same time, some by water, others by land, but all met at Kenosha. The sub-
ject of this sketch, and his parents, located on Spring Prairie, Walworth Co., where the parents died in
1865. Mr. Williams remained on Spring Prairie four years. In 1851, he settled in Alto, on some land
which he had previously " entered," and which is a part of his present farm of 520 acres, three-fifths of
which is tillable, the remainder is marsh, which is sometimes as valuable as the uplands. He raises cattle
— has, at present time, one hundred head of graded Durhams ; keeps about fifty cows. For the last nine
years he has also had a cheese factory, which uses the milk from 100 cows, and which is superintended by
, his wife ; they have commodious barns ; within their fine residence are found evidences of refinement and
wealth; they have two daughters — Sarah E. and Mary R. ; the eldest is married to G. W. Adams, a
prominent business man of Chicago ; Mary R. is an amateur artist of ability and culture ; some of her
paintings are worthy of a professional. He has been Chairman and also Side Supervisor ; he was never a
member of any secret society. He is a Republican, and himself and wife are Congregationalists. He
has passed through the " hard times " of pioneer life ; he remembers that, in 1853, he drew wheat to
Markesan, and was unable to dispose of it, except for cotton bags, which he did, giving a bushel of good
wheat for each bag. Now, blest "with competency and friends, they are cheerfully passing on to ripened
age.
URIAH WOOD, farmer. Sec. 4 ; P. 0. Brandon; was born Dee. 25, 1830, in Schoharie Co.,
N. y. ; his parents removed to Wyoming Co., N. Y!, 1832, where he resided until 1844, when they came
to Wisconsin, and settled in Kenosha Co.,- but remained only oneyear ; in the fall of 1845, they located
on the farm which they now own in Alto. When migrating to the West, young Uriah, then 12 years
of age, drove one of the teams from New York to Wisconsin. The next year, after becoming of age,
he went across the Plains and spent two years in California. Was married, on the 17th of June,
1855, to Miss L. Agnes Mares, formerly of Canada. In December of that year, they settled upon their
present farm, which is finely improved ; they have spacious barns, excellent farm conveniences and a fine
residence; -the farm consists of 230 acres, mostly of choice prairie land; and 200 are under good cultiva-
tion. This land is conceded to be unsurpassed for beauty and fertility, and the owner is known for his
energy, thrift ' and thorough farming ; raises both grain and live stock ; is somewhat of a specialist in
sheep-raising ; thirty-three of his fine flock of merinos are registered in the Vermont Merino Sheep-
Breeder's Association. Has seven children — Henry C., Charlotte M., B. Addie, Agnes A., Dora C,
Uriah D. and Maud M. He has always declined official honors, but, notwithstanding his protest, he was
sent to the General Assembly in 1878, from the First District of Fond du Lac Co. ; is a member of
Brandon Lodge of A., F. & A. M. Himself and wife affiliate with the Methodist Church, and so also do
the parents of both ; he is a Republican. His fellow-citizens pronounce him a successful farmer and a
capable man.
TOO- LATE FOR INSERTION IN PROPER PLACE.
Oakfield Fire Insurance Company. — This insurance company is for the towns of Oakfield,
Lamartine and Byron, in Fond du Lac County, and Le Roy, in Dodge County. It was organ-
ized in August, 1873, with H. Barnes, President, and H. D. Hitt, Secretary and Treasurer,
who have ever since held the same offices. In 1880, the company had 533 policies in force,
covering |948,332 of property. The losses have been: 1873, |150 ; 1874, $67 ; 1875,
$1,870; 1876,17.50; 1877, |757.32; 1878, $3,314; 1879, $1,815.71 ; total, $7,981.51.
The Directors are : for Oakfield, H. D. Hitt, F. R. Shepard ; Lamartine, D. R. Williams, W.
S. Warner ; Byron, D. D. Jones, Delos Allen ; Le Roy, H. Barnes, E. G. Stoddard.
PASSENQERS BOUND FOR
CALIFORNIA, COLORADO, NEBRASKA^
J^l^sTlD THE TIBiaiaiTOiaiES,
Should, if they would consult their interest, buy their tickets via the
Chicago & North -Western Railway
' This is the XjE^S^-ODIiTO- I^-A-IXj-^T^T-^-S- of the
'W:EJST Jk.NI) NORTS^VJEST.
TMb ilnportant Bystem of Railway Lines is one of the Largest Corporations in the World, owning and operating,
under one management,
2,30O MIILES OF RO^D.
Its Lines run from Chicago in so many directions that it ia necessary to designate its Linos by certain specific names, which will giv^ a cor-
rect idea to the passenger of the part of country each Line traverses. These Lines, numbering nine, are as follows;
Chicago, Oounoil Bluffs & Oalifomia Line.
Chicago, Sioux City & Yankton Line.
Chicago, Clinton, Dubuque & La Orosse Line.
Chicago, Freeport & Duhuque Line.
Chicago, Green Bay & Marquette Line.
Chicago, La Orosse & Winona Line.
Chicago, Minnesota & Dakota Line.
Chicago, St, Paul & Minneapolis Line.
Chicago, Milwaukee & Lake Superior Line
These Lines enable the " CHICAGO & NOKTH-'WESTEBN " to reach all principal points in the WEST, NOBTHWEST, and, through its
connections, the PAB WEST.
It offers every facility for Quick, Safe and Comfortable Transit to the traveler who selects this as his route.
It stands second to no road iu the West, and offers inducemonts and advantages that are not and cannot be offered by any of its competitors.
Its management adopts every improvement known to the modern Bailway System, and is determined that the CHICAGO & NORTH-
WESTEBN RAILWAY shall remain the LEADING Railway of the GREAT WEST.
Passengers should ask for and be certain their Tickets have a Coupon which reads, over the
"CHICAGO & NORTH-V^^ESTERN RY.
All Ticket Agenta will be glad to sell them via this Iiiue.
ii
REMEMBER !-PULLMAN HOTEL CARS '^'llZ^^'^^.l^Z^^^^^^.^XT^^lT^l
& IfOTtTB-WESTEItlf RAIZWAY. «®"BEAR IN MIND, no other road runs Pullman Hotel Cars, or any form of Hotel Cars,
THROUGH between Chicago and the Missouri Eiver. This is the only Line that has THROUGH BATING CARS of any sort.
NO TRANSFER at ST. PAUL via tUfi CHICAGO & NORTH-WESTERN RY.
Passengers procuring tickets to points beyond ST. PAUL should use GREAT CARE to see that they read over the
Ohicago & Nortli- Western. !Rail>va,y,
— OR THE —
Ohicag-o, St. P>aiil &; Milniieapolis 'Hiiiie,
And not over a route having a SIMILAR HAME, as this is •^
s@-THE ONLY ROUTE YOU CAN TAKE TO AVOID A CHANGE OF DEPOT AT ST. PAUL."®a
NEW YORK OFFICE— No. 416 Broadway.
BOSTON OFFICE— No. 6 State Street
MILWAUKEE CITY TICKET OFFICE— 102 Wisconsin Street.
ST. PAUL TICKET OFFICE— Cor. Third and Jackson Streets.
MINNEAPOLIS TICKET OFFICES— 13 Nicollet House, and St.
Paul & Pacific Depot.
CHICAGO TICKET OFFICES- 62 Clark Street, under Sherman
Souse; 75 Canal Street; Kinzie Street Depot, corner W^estKinzie
and Canal Streets ; Wells Street Depot, corner Wells and Kin-
zie Streets.
COUNCIL BLUFFS TICKET OFFICES— Corner Broadway and
■ Pearl Street; Union Pacific Depot; and Chicago & North-
western Railway Depot.
OMAHA TICKET OFFICES— Union Pacific Depot, and 1324 Far-
nam Street, corner 14th.
SAN FRANCISCO OFFICE— 2 New Montgomery Street.
LONDON, ENGLAND, OFFICES— 449 Strand, and 3 Adelaide
Street.
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