USA > Wisconsin > Winnebago County > History, Winnebago County, Wisconsin: Its Cities, Towns, Resources, People > Part 43
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Dr. Isaac Hendon Wright was born October 21, 1813, among the Allegheny mountains in central Pennsylvania, in the town- ship of Union, near Huntington, Pennsylvania. His father, John Wright, was a farmer, and he was born on a farm, where his young life, was spent, and in the neighborhood of which he at-
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tended. the country school. The following is a well written ac- count of his life from the public press of Neenah, Wisconsin :
"In 1834, at the age of 21, he went to Ohio and entered the medical college at Newark, Ohio, where he remained some time, afterward pursuing his studies in Walloughby and Cleveland, graduating in the latter city. In 1848, fourteen years after en- tering upon a medical career, he came to Oshkosh and with his brother, A. B. Wright, who was also physician, formed a part- nership for the practice of his profession. On September 1, 1855, he was married in Henderson, N. Y., to Rachel E. Finney. He continued to make his home in Oshkosh until the year 1875, when he with his family removed to Neenah, where he has since resided. Dr. I. H. Wright and his brother, the late Dr. A. B. Wright, were successful physicians in Oshkosh for many years and had a large and lucrative practice. Their faces and forms were familiar to everyone, especially the old settlers, and their lives were closely interwoven with the early history of that city and the county generally. In their capacity of physicians they ministered to the wants of the new-born infant, restored the sick to health and alleviated the sufferings of those about to die. Dr. I. H. Wright, being the larger of the two, was called 'Big Doc' to distinguish him from his brother, who was equally well known as 'Little Doc.' Dr. Wright continued in the practice of his profession in Neenah as long as his health permitted, as his active nature would not permit him to remain unemployed. In the death of Dr. Wright the county loses an old settler and one of its most historic characters and one who stood well up in his profession. Early day settlers can recall his erect and com- manding figure and relate how they have seen him going at full speed, mounted on a fine horse, to answer an urgent call perhaps some distance in the county. Horseback was then the favorite means of transportation used by physicians, and they were often in the saddle for many hours out of the twenty-four, and a man needed for that profession a rugged constitution backed by a tremendous force of will. Such a man was the late Dr. Wright, and though a large share of his early associates and acquaint- ances have passed on before, he will long he remembered by the rising generation." In "Harney's History of Winnebago County" occurs the following excellent biography: "Among the early settlers of Winnebago county is Dr. I. H. Wright, now (1879) of the city of Neenah. Ile moved from Ohio to Oshkosh in August, 1847. There was at that time no passable road from
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Fond du Lac to Oshkosh and he came in a rowboat. Shortly after his arrival in Oshkosh he commenced the practice of his profession, which he followed for over twenty-five years in that place, then went on a tour through the southwest, passing about two years in traveling and sojourning in that section, during which time he opened up a farm near Salina, Kansas. He trav- eled extensively in Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas and other sections, but found no locality so attractive and desirable as a place of residence as his much loved Wisconsin. His family resided in Oshkosh during his travels and he remained in that place about a year after his return, and in 1875 removed to Nee- nah, following the practice of his profession. There are few men more widely known in this county than Dr. Wright, who is highly esteemed by a host of friends who have known him for more than a quarter of a century." While in Ohio making his way by slow stages from town to town toward the West he put up at a hotel and while there the landlord's horse broke his leg. He remarked that he did not study for a veterinary surgeon, but might as well begin on a horse, and he went out and set the leg for the poor beast. On one occasion when diphtheria was epidemic in Oshkosh the doctors held daily meetings to discover a remedy. He made the discovery of a medicine which he prepared and which was as near a sure remedy as has ever been found. John R. Kimberly, a wealthy citizen of Neenah, always declared, "When Dr. Wright died he would not live long afterward, as no one else could keep him alive." He had the most intense disgust for quack doctors and advertisers and would not speak to them.' "In the great fire in Oshkosh in 1871 the handsome home of Dr. Wright, in which his children were born, was burned with hundreds of others in that fire, which destroyed half of the city. It stood opposite the court house. All the family furniture, clothing, papers, pictures and heirlooms burned. In Neenah he had his home on the bank of the Fox river on the island side of the city, near the North- western railway. He owned several other houses and some city lots. He had a very large practice among the very best people. Great confidence was placed in his judgment and he was fre- quently called in consultation. He always had an office in the city, which he retained until a very old man. He was a poor col- lector and attended the poor without hope of reward, which was too often realized. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge. ITis family attended the Presbyterian Church. He died at his home in Neenah of apoplexy. November 23, 1893. at the age of 80 years,
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1 month and 2 days, and is buried in the Oak Hill Cemetery of that place. He had been an invalid for nearly one year and all expectation of recovery had been abandoned by the family. Their ministrations had been limited to efforts in making his condition as comfortable as possible. The funeral was held from the resi- dence on Friday, at 1:30 o'clock p. m., under the auspices of the Masonic fraternity. Rev. J. E. Chapin was the officiating clergy- man."
The leading physicians and surgeons of the present time are Dr. James R. Barnett, Sr. and Jr., Dr. E. J. Smith, Dr. N. S. Rob- inson, Dr. F. B. Mitchell and Dr. Thomas Jasperson. Dr. S. Gor- don Todd gives special attention to the eye, ear, nose and throat.
The lawyer has always held a peculiar place in every com- munity connected with its social, business and civic life. Gov. James D. Doty was the first lawyer to locate here. At a very early day Mr. Cronkhite came as a lawyer, but soon entered its more active business life. Mr. Moses Hooper commenced as a very young lawyer here and soon moved to Oshkosh. Judge J. B. Hamilton held a high place in the profession for upward of half a century, engaging also in real estate and holding many offices in civil life, both local and state. Judge Hamilton opened his law office in Neenah, October, 1849, when the village had less than 300 inhabitants. He was district attorney of Winnebago county in 1852-53, chairman of the board of supervisors in 1856, president of the village in 1857-58, state senator in 1863-64 and 1880, and was appointed by Governor Lewis county judge of Winnebago county in 1864 and again in 1882.
Judge James C. Kerwin is the most distinguished of all the local bar. Ilis celebrated cases are in the records of the Su- preme Court, one of which is the telegraph pole case, in which he established the law that the owner of the adjoining lot could claim damage for setting of poles. Another celebrated case was the town of Menasha railroad bond case, mentioned else- where, in which he defeated the collection of the bonds. He is now associate justice of the Supreme Court of Wisconsin, hav- ing been elected in 1905 by the large majority of 14,000 over a . strong railroad opposition. His term is for ten years. He was born in the town of Menasha, this county, May 4, 1850, his parents being Michael and Mary Kerwin. He lived at Menasha during the early part of his life, worked on his father's farm. attended the high school of that place, from which he graduated from a regular course, and his education was finally completed
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at the State University. He studied law with A. L. Collins, of Menasha, and graduated at the law school of the university. Previously admitted to the bar at the circuit court of Dane county, he was admitted to the Supreme Court in 1875 and to the United States District Court by Judge Charles E. Dyer, July 10, 1878, at the Oshkosh term of that year. Since his ad- mission he has applied himself with unremitted energy to the practice of his profession at Neenah, having no partner.
Mr. Merritt L. Campbell, lawyer, present member of assembly, came to Neenah in 1889 and has for a long time been secretary of the Fraternal Union. Mr. Jerry Mulloy commenced the law practice in 1899 and was several times elected city attorney.
On Tuesday, December 23, 1884, W. F. McArthur, district attorney, was walking on Main street, Neenah, and had just passed Paepke Brothers' store, when a poor old cripple, Paul Steindel, fired a shot at him from a revolver concealed in his coat pocket, the bullet taking effect in the victim's bowels. He was carried home and Dr. I. H. Wright summoned. In the even- ing Dr. Wright removed the bullet. The cause of the assault was not known. Steindel was placed in jail at Oshkosh. Five days later Mr. McArthur died. His assailant was reported as "An aged man, badly crippled and regarded by all as a crank." No cause is assigned for the murder. . Mr. McArthur was a na- tive of Canada and located in Neenah in 1875, from where he took a two years' course in the University Law School, was ad- mitted to the bar in 1877, elected district attorney in 1882 and defeated by Silas Bullard in 1884.
XXXV. BANKS, BANKERS AND BANK BUILDINGS.
Mr. Aaron H. Cronkhite, who came to Neenah as a lawyer, soon engaged in transportation, trade and manufacturing, opened a small exchange bank in 1852 with A. T. Cronkhite, a druggist, which later became a bank of issue and continued until 1861. This bank paid 5 per cent interest on deposits.
Hon. Robert Shiells, born in Edinburg, November 21, 1825, after receiving his education at Dollard College, had settled in Milwaukee in 1849. The railway project was then beginning and he commenced as assistant engineer at 50 cents a day and drove the first stake for the first railway in the state near the present Union depot in Milwaukee. After following the survey for several weeks he became head engineer and followed the road across the state to Prairie du Chien until its completion through, where, with Alexander Mitchell, he opened a bank. Mr. David Smith, also of that same famous colony of Scotchmen who came at an early day to Wisconsin, met Mr. Shiells and together they moved to Neenah, where they opened their pri- vate bank, September 1, 1861, as the Bank of Neenah. In 1862 Mr. Smith moved to Appleton and became the founder of the present Commercial Bank, while Mr. Shiells remained in Neenah, where he died full of honors and years, October 1. 1907. The Bank of Neenah was continued in that form with Mr. David Smith president and Mr. Robert Shiells cashier. which Dr. Shiells conducted alone until 1865, when he led the movement for the establishment of the National Bank of Nee- nah, organized November 12, 1865. The stockholders were Henry Hewitt, Sr .. Alexander Syme, Henry Hewitt, Jr., of Menasha ; A. W. Patten, Alexander Billstein, Edward Smith. Moses Hooper, W. P. Peckham, H. Babcock, J. R. Davis. Sr., J. Alfred Kimberly. J. W. Williams, Dr. N. S. Robinson and Rob- ert Shiells. Henry Hewitt, Sr., was president. and Robert Shiells cashier.
Mr. Robert Shiells, the founder of this bank and banking in Neenah, became intimately associated with the Presbyterian Church and was one of the founders of the library and its presi-
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dent for twenty years, and at one time took the position of post- master after the death of John W. Williams and gave the sal- ary of the office to his widow. He was a student and writer of history and an expert numismatist, possessing a large coin col- lection. He was a member of the Scottish Antiquarian Society and the only American member of the Scottish Historical So- ciety, with a membership limited to 400, of which Lord Rose- bery is president. His poem, "Our Old Wisconsin Home," has been extensively published. He published his book, "Story of the Token," in 1891, since reissued by the Presbyterian Board of Publication, Philadelphia. In every way Mr. Shiells was a most charming man, a splendid member of society, and his death was a great loss to Neenah.
The bank building was originally in the corner of Cedar and Wisconsin street in the Pettibone Building, then known as the Williams Block, and was burned at the great fire. The building was rebuilt with front and quarters specially adapted to bank- ing purposes, and is still occupied by the bank. Mr. John P. Shiells, long connected with the institution and directing its affairs, is now at the head, and Mr. Frank T. Ballister cashier. The capital stock of this bank is $100,000 with surplus of $20,000.
Mr. Ansel Kellogg came over from Oshkosh in 1864 and opened an exchange office, which was discontinued after one year.
Mr. D. C. Van Ostrand had come to Neenah with the earliest pioneers and soon took up the business of transportation, then he engaged in hardware merchandising and for several years, with Mr. Hiram Smith, he was a pioneer paper maker. then en- gaged in the foundry line of making stoves and always making money. The old firm of Smith & Van Ostrand now opened a private banking and loan office on Cedar street in 1878, which was continued until they led a movement to organize the Manu- facturers' Bank in 1885, of which they had the principal inter- est. The bank was reorganized November 30, 1901, as the Na- tional Manufacturers' Bank. In 1902 the bank rebuilt its cham- bers, fitting the front with New Bedford limestone pillars, giv- ing an appearance of marble, and the interior was refitted in substantial manner. Mr. S. B. Morgan has been cashier' almost from the beginning. Both Smith and Van Ostrand have died since the founding of this bank. Mr. William M. Gilbert is president. The capital stock is $75,000 with $15,000 surplus.
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XXXVI.
THE NEWSPAPER IN NEENAH.
The press does more for its adopted town than any other one enterprise, and the editor has less return for his labor than most any other enterprise. The first newspaper in Neenah was "The Conservator," established by Harrison Reed, the founder of the "Milwaukee Sentinel." His first issue was May 21, 1856. It was a good weekly, well written, full of news, and boomed the village in every issue. It was a weekly and Whig Republican in politics. It was sold to B. S. Heath in 1858 and moved to Menasha. Established at the same time, almost the same date, was the "Neenah Bulletin," by W. H. Mitchell. It did not sur- vive many weeks. It was succeeded by the "Neenah Demo- crat," published by D. Hyer, unfortunately located at the period in which it was published, the stirring days before the war, when there were few of that kind.
When Captain J. N. Stone came out of the civil war with an honorable discharge he located in Neenah and established the "Island City Times," the first issue appearing October 22, 1863, and continued to appear regularly until July 15, 1870. when Captain Stone sold out and moved to Appleton, the press and material were taken over by Mr. Tapley from the Green Bay "Advocate," and Mr. W. G. Rich from the Oshkosh "Courier," who changed the name to "Winnebago County Press." Mr. Tapley soon sold to W. G. Rich his interest in the' paper and moved away. Mr. W. G. Rich continued the paper until 1871, when he sold the office to Thomas B. Reid, who moved the press and material to Menasha and changed the name to the "Menasha Press," who edited it until 1877.
The Verbeck Brothers commenced to publish a small sheet in 1871. which they called the "Neenah Times," and subse- quently enlarged and conducted by them until February 6. 1876. when it was purchased by Brown & Maxwell and given the new name the "Teetotaller." This paper survived for eighteen months.
Captain J. N. Stone had meantime returned and commenced
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the publication of the "Neenah News," October 15, 1875. As soon as the old name he had formerly used was available he changed the name, February 6, 1876, to the "Neenah City Times." This paper has been conducted since by Captain Stone, who still sits in the editorial chair, a veteran in two wars-the Civil war and the war of the press, also a civil war. Captain Stone was born in Rochester, N. Y., March 4, 1835. and entered a newspaper office when a mere lad. He had edited several newspapers and when the war broke out dropped the one he had at Gravesville in this state, and enlisted in the Fourth Wisconsin; commissioned Captain company G, Nine- teenth Wisconsin, December 31, 1861. He served until Decem- ber 31, 1863, when, owing to impaired health, he was honorably discharged. While in Appleton he also had a "Times." The "Neenah Weekly Times" was changed to a daily in 1882. He has held several civil offices, such as postmaster, president of the village, mayor of the city, alderman, and superintendent of schools.
When the "Winnebago County Press" was moved to Me- nasha, in 1871, Mr. Charles H. Boynton commenced the publica- . tion of the "Neenah Gazette." An interest was sold to Mr. Gus A. Cunningham, and in August, 1875, he became sole pro- prietor and continued the paper until May 25, 1878, when. on account of ill health, he sold the paper to Rev. H. K. Webster. Mr. Cunningham died in Neenah June 11, 1878, at 31 years of age. He had been postmaster in Neenah in 1874, and prepared and published an excellent "History of Neenah." After his death his wife conducted the paper in an able manner for some time, when the sale was completed to Rev. Webster. It was sold to C. F. Cole in 1880. Afterward this paper and office was taken over by Mr. H. A. Stone, in 1882, a son of Captain Stone, and conducted as a weekly for several years, when it was ab- sorbed into the "Times."
Mr. Frank S. Verbeck moved his material from Winneconne in 1879, and established the "Herald," and discontinued it the following year.
The Twin City News, a daily and weekly, was founded June 20, 1881, by Potter & Brown, with an office on Commercial street, dated Neenah and Menasha. It was conducted in this manner for some time and the "News Publishing Company" was organized. Mr. L. H. Kimball took over the property October 20, 1884, and continued it for many years, until Mr.
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J. R. Bloom came over from Menasha, where he had established the Menasha Breeze, and sold it and organized a stock com- pany of the citizens of Neenah, who purchased the "Neenah News" in 1901, which he still conducts. Mr. Bloom learned the printer trade with Governor George W. Peck at La Crosse. He afterward conducted a paper at Fond du Lac. In 1894, he es- tablished the "Menasha Breeze," which he conducted for sev- eral years, until it passed into the hands of S. Elmer Smith, and subsequently became the "Menasha Record." Mr. L. H. Kim- ball was brought to Winnebago county when a small boy, and therefore a pioneer. Since selling his interest in the "News" he has been postmaster at Neenah.
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XXXVII.
THE GROWTH OF THE CIVIC ORGANIZATION OF THE CITY OF NEENAH, TRACED FROM THE BEGIN- NING, AND THE PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS.
When the first settlers came to Winnebago Rapids, the first name of the settlement in 1843, the people were compelled to go to Oshkosh to vote. Harrison Reed obtained the establish- ment of a postoffice at the Winnebago Rapids, March 14, 1844, and caused it to be named Neenah; but this was not a civil division or town, only the name of a post office. There were but few people in the settlement at that time. The town of Winnebago included the whole county by an act of the Legisla- ture, approved April 1, 1843; and by a general act of the terri- torial Legislature of 1836, the three Supervisors of this town constituted the county board. The elections and town meet- ings were held at the house of Webster Stanley at Oshkosh. The next year, after Governor Harrison Reed located in the settlement of Winnebago Rapids. he appeared at an election, held in the house of Webster Stanley at Oshkosh, April 2, 1844. and was elected chairman of the town of Winnebago, which, as stated, included the whole county, and by virtue of the law became the first chairman of the county board of Winnebago county, which consisted of the three supervisors of the said town of which he was one and the chairman.
It was determined at a meeting of the Board. of Supervisors of the said town of Winnebago, in January 23, 1846, that at next annual town election the polls be opened at the house of Ira Biard, section 20, town 20, range 17 (now town Neenah), and at other places named. This meeting was held by the board at the house of Joseph Jackson in Oshkosh, who was then chairman. This election was to be held on the first Monday in September. 1846, and was the first vote taken .in the present town of Neenah and intended for the accommodation of the settlement of Winnebago Rapids.
There was at this time no county seat or shire town or vil- lage, established in the county. and the Territorial Legislature
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passed an act February 22, 1845, providing for the election of three commissioners to locate the seat of justice in Winnebago county. The election was held at the annual town meeting of the town of Winnebago, April, 1845, held at the house of Web- ster Stanley in Oshkosh, resulting in the election of Clark Dic- kinson, who had been a farmer in the old government mission at Winnebago Rapids in 1835, and now resided south of Osh- kosh; and Robert Grignon, one of the old Indian traders, who resided about Big Lake Butte des Morts, and Governor Har- rison Reed was tied with Uncle Joseph Jackson, with twenty votes each for third place. At a special election held to deter- . mine who should have this place, Governor Harrison Reed had the highest number of votes, and was elected April 24. The three commissioners met July 16, at the house of Webster Stan- ley in Oshkosh. Harrison Reed made a verbal offer of land and support for the location of the county seat and court house at Neenah; Robert Grignon came in with a proposition from Augustine Grignon for locating it at Butte des Morts. Clark Dickinson presented a proposition from Mr. Chester Ford for locating it at Oshkosh. The commissioners then adjourned until July 31. On that day they came together again and located the county seat at Butte des Morts. The county seat was finally located at Oshkosh, though the settlers of Winne- bago Rapids never lost an opportunity to have it located in their vicinity.
The Territorial Legislature passed an act February 11. 1847. authorizing the organization of four towns, one of which was Neenah, covering the territory now included in the towns of Vinland, Clayton, Neenah and Menasha. Until the town of Neenah was organized under this act all the town meetings had been held at Oshkosh. The full minutes of this town meet- ing of the town of Neenah have been given on a previous page. It was held at the mill house of Loyal H. Jones, April 6, 1847, and Governor James D. Doty was elected chairman, but it seems he did not care for these honors, and did not qualify. He was also elected a commissioner of highways, and the record does not show that he acted. Cornelius Northrup, who had been chosen chairman of the town meeting, continued to act as chair- man of the town. A special election was held at the house of James Ladd, in the town of Neenah, September 18, 1847. at which Cornelius Northrup . was elected chairman, and H. C. Finch, supervisor. to fill vacancies. There was a meeting of the
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supervisors on September 30, 1847, at which the town was divided into five school districts. There was a building erected for a store out on the southeast quarter of section 20, near the present residence of William Tipley in 1847, but after one year was vacated and a school was opened, the first public school in the town proper, taught by Miss Caroline Boynton in 1848-9. She became the wife of Deacon Samuel Mitchell and gave up teaching. The post office kept by Harrison Reed at his house on the lake shore until April 1, 1847, and by John F. Johnston for six months, then by Loyal H. Jones, then Henry C. Finch had the office in 1848, when it was removed to the brick store of J. R. and H. L. Kimberly, when Earl P. Finch, afterwards a lawyer in Oshkosh, was a clerk in the store and deputy post- master.
Governor Harrison Reed had caused to be platted a tract of land in the eastern part of the settlement on the lake shore, and recorded the plat in regular form in the Register of Deeds office, September 8. 1847, under the name of the village of Neenah. But this was only a descriptive location by which the lots could be bought and sold, and not a civil or political division. It was not a village because of the plat. Colonel Harvey Jones had caused to be surveyed a large tract of land along the south side of Wisconsin street in the center of the present city, and had the same platted and placed on record in the Register of Deeds office, January 6, 1848, as the village of Winnebago Rapids in the town of Neenah. This did not make it a village; it was only a descriptive name for the sale of lots in the plat.
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