USA > Wisconsin > Fond du Lac County > Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, past and present, Volume I > Part 37
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"A somewhat noted case found its way to the 'calendar of Judge Taylor's court, and it must have been an important one, requiring as it did, the talent of three lawyers on one side and two on the other, and involving the value of a two months' old calf. The frequent disputes of the lawyers and their earnest- ness about points of law that the judge thought to be trifling, aroused his anger and he suggested that possibly there might be present in court other calves than the one mentioned in the pleadings. This caused an audible smile, but a reply from the bar came that such might be the case, but there was not far away an- other domestic animal whose voice is not as musical but sometimes conveyed as much wisdom and wit as people more gifted and more pretentious. The laugh was long and loud and no one dared to show wrath."
CHAPTER XVI
CITY OF FOND DU LAC
FIRST SETTLEMENT AND SETTLERS-VILLAGE AND CITY CHARTERS-GROWTH AND PROSPERITY-GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC UTILITIES-INDUSTRIAL FOND DU LAC.
The city of Fond du Lac is situated at the south end of Lake Winnebago, on a level prairie, where springs and many artesian wells abound, the latter taking on the appearance of fountains, which gave to the place the "nickname" of the "Fountain City." The location was chosen by James Duane Doty and other mem- bers of the Fond du Lac Company, and the first house built in the county was erected by the Company in 1835, which was occupied by Colwert Pier in the early part of 1836.
From the fact that the city was located near the lake and that the land con- tiguous thereto was low and marshy, precluding a harborage and, consequently deterring merchants and others from entering into lake traffic to any considerable extent, it became a much mooted question as to whether the Company had made a good selection for the site of a city,-the metropolis and capital of the county. They were rather foresighted, those pioneers, and, today, no better built, better kept. prettier little city exists, than that of Fond du Lac, and it is probably not surpassed by any community in the state for healthfulness. The place where Fond du Lac now stands was a favorite and general camping ground for the Indians and was the site of several Indian villages. When the first whites came to the spot remains of Indian corn and potato fields were in evidence on every hand and, on Forest street, was an Indian burial ground. The latest of these Indian tribes were the Menominees and they were here as early as the Win- nebagoes. These Menominees were friendly and outstayed the Winnebagoes for some years. Eventually, they became troublesome, only to the extent, however, of carelessly setting fire to property and stealing the white man's stock. When removed to the reservation the settlers, especially the women, were not sorry, but rather much relieved.
It has already been shown that Colwert Pier was the first settler in the county. He came to the future city of Fond du Lac with his wife in June, 1836, and was soon followed by other members of the Pier family. On the 3d day of March, 1838, John Bannister, Fond du Lac's first surveyor, came from Green Bay and with his family settled down in the Company's log house and became a regu- lar citizen of the new village. About April 12, 1838. Mason C. Darling, a poor, young physician, came from Sheboygan and settled here, having come through an arrangement made with the Fond du Lac Company. James Duane Doty, one of the Company's officials, had foreseen the advantage of having a physician in Vol. I-20
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the settlement and could see the necessity of it. The Company desired to attract immigration to Fond du Lac, so that. Doty, as trustee, entered into a contract with Dr. Darling, whereby, in consideration that the Doctor should locate in Fond du Lac, practice his profession and cultivate certain lands to be given him as compensation, the Company transferred to Dr. Darling certain lots of land in the village of Fond du Lac near the river, eighty acres of land now in the heart of the city and a large tract of land in the town of Fond du Lac. After starting what was known as Clarke's Mill and building on the "eighty," as agreed, the lands mentioned in the contract was delivered by warranty deed to Dr. Darling. He also came into possession of some of the company's stock and in 1844. brought action against the land corporation for a division of property. This suit while pending, prevented the Company from disposing of its lots and taking advantage of this condition of affairs. Dr. Darling had bought land in what is now the south part of the city and cut it up into town lots. Many of these lots he sold and others he gave away to those who would come to Fond du Lac, locate and build on the lots. By this means he accelerated the sale of his lots and the value of his "eighty ;" at the same time the value of the company's lots in "Middle." or "Lower Town" remained stationary or depreciated, while their sale was stopped completely. The master in chancery had already decided that no more land belonging to the Company should be sold pending the adjudication of the matter in controversy. This did not estop Dr. Darling from disposing of his possessions, so that, having a keen business eye and great foresight, he gave to the county the tract of land on which the court house now stands, under the condition that the county should at once erect a building there. These enterpris- ing gifts of lots to the county and settlers secured to Fond du Lac the distinc- tion of being the county seat and attracted a great many more people to the grow- ing village than would have otherwise located there. So that it is well said, Dr. Darling was the father of Fond du Lac and accomplished more than all his neighbors in starting Fond du Lac on the road to its future growth and pros- perity.
On the 14th day of June, 1838, the family of Dr. Darling-his wife and three children, Keyes A., Helen M. and Louie-arrived at their new home, coming from Sheboygan by way of Calumet. From the latter settlement Gustav de Neveu and A. D. Clark had met the party and brought its members to Fond du Lac in a large yawl on the lake. In addition to the Darlings were A. T. Den- nison, his wife and two children, and a Mrs. May and child. Owing to a heavy . storm, the boat was driven to Taycheedah, from which point all walked to Fond du Lac, a distance of three miles. The members of the Darling family lived in the Company's house until the Doctor had completed the building of a residence on the corner of Main and First streets, where some years later stood the well known Darling block. The next year after his arrival, learning that John Ban- nister's lease of the "Fond du Lac House" was about to expire, Dr. Darling rented the property, which he closed and becoming successor to Bannister as postmaster, he moved the postoffice to his new home, which he had named the "Fond du Lac House" and where he not only kept a hotel but dispensed mail to his neighbors. It can be seen that Dr. Darling at once took a leading part in the affairs of Fond du Lac. By the many inducements he offered settlers to make Fond du Lac their home, in many instances giving them lots on which to build houses, the village
VIEW IN LAKESIDE PARK
ORGA 1
DROGS
DAJAND
MAIN STREET, LOOKING SOUTH, FOND DU LAC
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grew apace. All who came, however, did not remain. But Fond du Lac was the distributing point for those seeking farms and foregathered here before going into the interior of the county and selecting land. To these people both the caravan- saries known as the "Fond du Lac House," the old "Fond du Lac House" and the new one, presided over by Dr. Darling, were their homes until other habita- tions had been prepared for them.
By the year 1847 the population of Fond du Lac had increased to about four hundred souls and the men of affairs, having every confidence in the future of the place, were ambitious and desired autonomy for the settlement, separate and apart from the town. The legislature had granted a village charter and notices had been posted in conspicuous places, apprising all qualified electors that a meet- ing would be held on Monday, March 1, 1847, for the purpose of adopting or rejecting the village charter. At that meeting Dr. Darling presided and J. J. Driggs was clerk. There were 60 votes cast, the balloting having commenced at II o'clock in the morning. The charter was adopted by a vote of 49 to II and an election immediately was ordered for the selection of village officers, which resulted as follows: For president of the village, Mason C. Darling; trustees, John A. Eastman, Moses S. Gibson, T. L. Gillett, Isaac Brown, S. S. N. Fuller, J. J. Driggs ; treasurer, E. W. Drury ; clerk, W. A. Dewey; constable, O. S. Wright. These officials qualified for their duties by taking the oath of office on the 7th of April, and at a meeting held for the purpose M. C. Darling, Isaac Brown and S. S. N. Fuller were appointed to act as a committee and prepare "a code of by-laws for the village." At the same time a committee composed of T. L. Gillett, S. S. N. Fuller, J. A. Eastman, J. J. Driggs and M. S. Gibson, was appointed to draft and report ordinances for the village of Fond du Lac.
The second village election was held on March 6, 1848, at the Cottage Inn, which stood on the corner of Main and Court streets. . A tie vote between M. S. Gibson, A. D. Bonesteel and Cornelius Davis, candidates for trustee, threw the election over into the next day, when the decision of the electors, of which there were 97, was in favor of A. D. Bonesteel and Edgar Conklin.
One of the first questions to absorb the legislative activities of the trustees was how to finance the new municipal corporation. And another was like unto it-the question of making and improving streets. This, undoubtedly, gave rise to many arguments among the merchants and citizens and it would have been strange, indeed, if there were not a certain amount of "wire pulling," by persons more or less interested. Certain it is, that for months the village trustees strug- gled over the proposition of opening Western avenue and building sidewalks. Finally, in March, 1848, the decision was reached to build cross walks. As the streets were deep with mud in inclement weather, this advance in improvements was hailed with delight. This is evidenced by a paragraph in the local paper, which read: "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 !"
In 1847 the village of Fond du Lac showed a population of four hundred and had four general stores, two groceries, one harness shop, three tailor shops, three shoe shops, a jeweler's repair shop, tin shop, a cooper shop, wagon shop, three
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blacksmith shops and two taverns. A grist mill was in course of construction, as were also a jail and court house. Of course, there were lawyers and physicians. The population continued to grow and business enterprises increased with the years, so that, by 1852, Fond du Lac was clamoring at the doors of the legislature for greater and more extended municipal privileges and seeking to be incorpor- ated as a city.
That parcel of land from Main street to the river and from First to Forest streets was Dr. Darling's yard, the house standing almost in the center of the tract, which was adorned with shade and fruit trees as late as the year 1853. In 1851, the old Darling block was completed, and stood on the northwest corner of Main and First streets. This was the beginning of the dismemberment of the Darling homestead. The old residence was taken away for a new one. Macy street was ordered to be opened from First to Forest later on and the new house was moved onto Macy street. The trees began to disappear, business houses encroached on the property and it was not many years before the Darling homestead was cut into many parts, now the sites of modern stone and brick business blocks and handsome residences.
Some time prior to the year 1847 the first store was established in Fond du Lac by Clock & Weikert, who had a room in the first building erected in the town -the old Fond du Lac House, near the corner of Johnson and Brooke streets. It was a general store where could be purchased groceries, hardware, hats and caps, boots and shoes, crockery, tinware, cordage, dry goods and even clocks. This was before the time that special stores were dreamed of in this region. House room was scarce and no great amount of money was displayed. The settler here often came from a distance and bartered his farm products for the necessities of life.
The second store came a little later and was opened by George Keys. Mr. Keys had a larger stock than his competitor and soon established a good business. The next store opened was by A. P. and N. G. Lyman, which was still more pre- tentious in its character than its predecessors. W. A. Dewey was in charge of the establishment. The Lymans, having plenty of capital, had previously established a store at Sheboygan. They also engaged in buying and selling stock and had a distillery at Sheboygan. G. M. Lyman in 1850 removed to Ripon, where he engaged in handling stock and also started a distillery.
The next merchants to appear in Fond du Lac were G. F. Brownson and H. K. Laughlin. They opened for business in 1849 under the firm name of Brown- . son & Laughlin and surprised the people with a large display of goods of various descriptions.
The first store for the exclusive sale of dry goods was opened in 1861 by J. C. Whittelsey and John Sharpe, under the firm name of Sharpe & Whittelsey. This was among the prominent emporiums in Fond du Lac, and for many years was conducted by Mr. Whittelsey alone.
M. Wagner was the next to engage in the sale of dry goods. He came to Fond du Lac in 1856. The dry-goods firm of Carswell & Deed was well known in the '50s.
The veteran shoe firm of Fond du Lac is that of M. Fitzsimmons, who began business in the city in 1854, opening a stock of goods in the building that once stood near the corner of Main and East Second streets. For many years he had
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as a partner Martin Sasse. This business is still continued under the firm name of Fitzsimmons & Sons, in a new store building recently erected on the northwest corner of Main and First streets, the site of the old Darling block.
In 1848 Eliab Perkins was running a tinshop in Fond du Lac. In 1864 he began the manufacture of the North Pole refrigerator and two years later invented and began the manufacture of a fire proof shutter.
To light the houses, Francis Fritz made candles in a factory on Main street when the village was in its infancy, and in 1848 William Chandler had a small bakery and pie shop on Main street. Here was made the first bread in a public bakery in this county.
R. M. and Asa Pierce started a carriage and wagon blacksmithing shop on Division street in 1846. Later they built a larger factory on Macy street. It was in 1848 also that Fond du Lac had its first barber shop. It was presided over by John Riley, a negro. T. M. Bowen was the first white barber.
Joshua Barnard established a cabinet and undertaking establishment in 1847. For a hearse he used a farm wagon.
There was a livery stable established in Fond du Lac by Mr. Finney, in 1847 .. The barn was located near the present gas works.
While Dr. T. B. Brigham is sometimes spoken of as being the first druggist in Fond du Lac, he can hardly be credited with that distinction, as he was not a. regularly licensed physician, nor had he a stock of drugs worthy of the name. The first real drug store opened here was by Dr. O. S. Wright, who came in 1847, one. year later than Dr. Brigham. He continued in business until 1851, when he dis- posed of his stock. D. R. Curran also opened a drug store in 1847, which he con- tinued many years. The store was located in the same building occupied by the dry-goods firm of A. P. & G. N. Lyman on the east side of Main street between. First and Second and was placed in charge of William A. Dewey. This store was. destroyed by the big fire of 1852, but was reopened on the west side of the street, where it remained many years.
The next drug store was opened by Robert Partridge some time after Cur- . ran's. It occupied a room in the old Darling block. It eventually went into the. hands of J. R. & J. W. Partridge and was continued until 1856, when it was sold.
The first harness made in Fond du Lac was by Lyman Bishop, who opened a. shop at Main and Third streets in 1850.
It was not until 1849 that a store for the exclusive sale of clothing was. opened. The proprietor was S. Madevitch. In 1857 the first large clothing store was opened by Seligman & Brother.
Philo Smith was the first watch repairer and jeweler, who came in 1847. Philip Odenbrett opened a jewelry store in 1849. G. Scherzinger in 1854, and A. Kuenne and H. G. DeSombre in 1856. A little later Charles Trowbridge & Brother were established in the same line of business.
Fond du Lac's first grocery store was opened by Jason Wilkins in 1850. Other early grocers were J. V. Carpenter, T. & B. Mason, A. Pogue, C. Alling, R. A. & H. O. Baker, Case & Alling, Valentine & Olmsted and Smith & Chandler.
The first tobacco store in Fond du Lac was that of Fromm & Wolf. It was: established in 1849 and continued in business until 1887.
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FOND DU LAC INCORPORATED AS A CITY
A city charter was granted the village of Fond du Lac early in the year 1852. The instrument of incorporation established its boundaries and divided the terri- tory into two wards, or rather, left it as it previously had been. These wards were named the North and South wards, but in 1854, the city was redistricted and five wards were created. These wards remained intact until the spring 1875, when the number was increased to eight. In 1912 there were sixteen wards.
In April, 1852, the first city election was held, which resulted in the selection of Mason C. Darling for mayor; J. M. Taylor, treasurer; W. A. Dewey, clerk; C. J. Goos and John H. Worden, assessors; E. H. Galloway and W. H. Hiner, supervisors ; E. H. Galloway, W. H. Hiner, G. F. Brownson, Isaac Tompkins and John C. Lewis, aldermen ; George Williams, Morgan L. Noble, Isaac Brown and C. A. Rider, justices of the peace; C. N. Snell, marshal; E. Hodges, school superintendent.
DESCRIPTION OF FOND DU LAC IN 1854
The city, by the year 1854, had greatly increased its population since given the privileges of a village in 1847. The city in 1854 was made the subject of many favorable comments by writers far and near. One enthusiast describes his impressions of the place in these words :
"The city is situated on the Fond du Lac river, the mouth of which furnishes a convenient harbor for steamboats and other craft traversing the waters of Lake Winnebago. The principal 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 stream is a beautiful grove of sugar maple and other forest 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, luxuriat- ing and fattening upon the rich prairie grass and rank clover, which are sufficiently abundant to supply hundreds more of cattle and horses without inducing a scarcity of food. This wide expanse is occasionally dotted with the elegant mansion of a 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 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 farm- ing countries in the state, with the peculiar advantages of its location, has required no forced effort to secure its 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 difficulty as in the forest
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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 foundation 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 invest- ments in Fond du Lac, not for purposes of speculation, but for permanent resi- dences 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 business by the legitimate wants of the populaton; hence, it has never suffered the paralytic influence of reaction 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 importance. 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 geolog- ical 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 school is graded, consisting of a primary, an intermediate and a higher department. A well qualified teacher is employed in each about ten months dur- ing the year, and in the winter the principal has an assistant in the higher depart- ment. There is no school in this section of the state better adapted to give a thorough English education to the youth of both sexes than this. It gives to all the children of the district the advantages of a school of a high order, and fur- nishes 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 unclassi- fied 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 afforded to all the children of the city, without regard to wealth or caste. There are in the city about nine hundred children between the ages of four and twenty years, most of whom attend the public 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. O. 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,
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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 in population has increased their congregations beyond their capacity for accommo- dations, and larger structures are demanded. The others were more recently erected and are yet equal to the wants of the worshipers. There is a Freewill Baptist church but they have not a house of worship; they occupy the Union schoolhouse. There are now eight resident clergymen, whose talents and use- fulness will compare favorably with their brethren of other cities.
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