USA > Wisconsin > Winnebago County > History, Winnebago County, Wisconsin: Its Cities, Towns, Resources, People > Part 52
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Mr. Finch was another New York man, a graduate of Union college ; he, like other ambitious young men, followed the "course of empire" westward. Ile was gifted with rare eloquence; Shakespeare was his model, which he knew by heart, and from that "well of English undefiled" he drew much of his inspira- tion. He was speaker of the assembly in 1883 and for long years prior to his death was at the head of the flourishing firm of Finch & Barber.
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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY.
Albert W. Weisbrod was a son of Charles A., before mentioned. He received a most careful training, having graduated from the University of Michigan, and taken a course at a German univer- sity. He succeeded to the practice of his father and was a fine all-'round lawyer. He was postmaster of Oshkosh from 1885 until 1889, and was a member of the firm of Weisbrod & Har- · shaw, at the time of his death.
Otto Weisbrod, another young lawyer, was also a son of Charles A., and died at about the same time as his brother Albert.
Henry B. Harshaw probably had a larger number of personal acquaintances than any other lawyer in the county, and per- haps in the state. The fact that he lost an arm in the service of his country, added to his genial temperament, made him very popular wherever known. He was honored by the people with various offices, beginning with clerk of the circuit court in 1864; he held that position until 1877, when he was appointed post- master of Oshkosh, occupying this place for four years; he was later elected state treasurer for two successive terms, from 1887 to 1891, and at the time of his death was a member of the firm of Thompson, Harshaw & Thompson.
Another most promising attorney who was cut off in his prime, or rather before he had reached his prime, was Walter Quatre- mas. He had a keen and well trained intellect, sound knowl- edge of the law and strong reasoning powers. For several terms he was district attorney of this county, and had he lived the psalmist's allotted span, there was doubtless a brilliant future before him.
Among other important official positions held by members of this bar are James C. Kerwin, a present justice of the supreme court ; Emmett R. Hicks, attorney general of the state; M. C. Phillips, United States district attorney, and A. E. Thompson, for years special attorney for the government in the Fox and Wisconsin "overflow" cases.
It has furnished as circuit judges: Edwin Wheeler, of Osh- kosh, who died in 1863, while in office. He was succeeded by Gainin W. Washburne, of Oshkosh, who presided over the court until 1870, when he resigned. Upon his retirement from the bench, the latter did not resume the practice of law. but en- gaged in other business and died during the past year. Both of these men were able and upright judges, and always held the scales of justice evenly poised before them.
Prior to 1870 this county from an early day had been a part
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547
BENCH AND BAR.
of the Tenth circuit, and some exceptionally able men had held the office of presiding judge. Among these was the Hon. Tim- othy O. Howe, of Green Bay, who was afterwards United States senator and postmaster general.
In the latter year the county was detached from the Tenth and made a part of the Third judicial circuit. D. J. Pulling, of Beaver Dam, was at that time the judge of the latter cir- cuit, and thereupon removed to Oshkosh. He continued as judge until October, 1884, when he resigned and went into the practice of the law at Wausau, Wisconsin. After remaining there a few years, he removed to Florida, where he died at a ripe old age some two years ago. He was a well-read lawyer of keen discern- ment and rare ability, and quick to grasp the vital points of any litigation brought before him.
Upon the retirement of Judge Pulling, George W. Burnell, of Oshkosh, was appointed as his successor, and is the present in- cumbent. He came from Vermont, and settled in Oshkosh in 1865.
Of county judges, the earlier ones were Jedediah Brown, A. P. Hodges and G. W. Washburne: the latter, already mentioned as circuit judge, was also a pioneer at the bar, coming from Maine to Oshkosh at an early date. Then followed J. B. Hamil- ton, of Neenah; George Gary and Chester D. Cleveland, the lat- ter still holding the office. The two former were natives of New York state, while Colonel Cleveland came from Connecticut to Oshkosh in 1867. Judge Gary is the author of a valuable work on "Probate Law," which is the standard authority in the mid- dle west. All of these except Gary and Judge Cleveland have passed into the great beyond. It may be said of all of them that they were able, honest and conscientious men, to whom no breath of scandal ever attached.
That the old bar was a patriotic body is sufficiently shown by the large number of recruits it furnished to the Union armies. These were Col. Gabe Bouck, Col. John Hancock, Major Nathan Paine (killed in battle), Captain James Freeman, Captain Charles W. Felker, Captain Norman II. Whittemore (a son of Norman L.) and Lieutenants H. B. Jackson and II. B. Harshaw. Captain Whittemore having served through the war, emigrated to Kansas and died there shortly after. To these should be added also Cap- tain Charles Morgan, who settled in Missouri after the war, and is still living and practicing there, having been a member of C'on- gress from that state.
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548 HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY.
It is not the purpose of this article to eulogize the living law- yers of this county. They are still here, and the calendar of any term of court will give their names. They are well known to this community and throughout the greater part of the state. A goodly portion of them are "to the manor born," while there are still some who came from the parent hive-the East. It has been rather the purpose to record briefly the memories of the "Old Guard," of whom but few are left. Besides it is deemed that the proper time to transcribe the story of one's life is when that story is ended.
It must suffice from now to say of them collectively that the veterans are still in battle harness and doing valiant work, while the younger men are nobly maintaining the high standard set by their predecessors.
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XLVI.
THE SCHOOLS OF OSHKOSH.
By
. Lewis Atherton, Principal High School.
The first school within the present boundaries of Oshkosh was conducted by Miss Lucy Alden (Mrs. L. T. Enos, Neenah, Wis- consin) for three months during the summer of 1846 in a building near the foot of what is now Washington street upon the site of the present Yacht Club house. There were seven pupils en- rolled, five whites and two half breeds. The whites were Ed E Finney, Newton S. Finney, Henry Stanley, Melinda Stanley and Flora Wright. The half breeds were two sons of Robt. Grignon. This school possessed two books, a speller and a mental arith- metic, which were used in common by the pupils. It was a pri- vate school and its cost was met by contributions from its patrons. Miss Alden was to receive $30 as salary and board around; but, at the close of the term, she was given $20 cash and $10 worth of furs. The school was held in the dwelling of Erasmus Darwin Finney, father of the two pupils of that name.
The first recorded step towards establishing a public school, although it is evident that it was not the initial action, was as follows :
"At a special meeting of the electors of district number one held at the store of Eastman and Townsend in the village of Osh- kosh on the 27th day of Sept., 1847, Joseph Jackson was chosen moderator and Edward Edwards clerk."
The following proceedings were held :
"Resolved, That a tax be levied upon the inhabitants of this district to defray the expenses of building a school house in said district." (G. F. Wright mover.)
And the same was passed.
"Resolved, That the sum of $200 be assessed and collected from the taxable inhabitants of this district for the purpose of erecting such school house." (W. W. Wright, mover.)
And the same was passed.
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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY.
"Resolved, That we apply the sum moved by Mr. W. W. Wright to the finishing of the frame now standing on the lot." (G. F. Wright, mover.)
And the same passed.
"Resolved, That we purchase the lot or lots on which the said frame now stands." (E. Edwards, mover.)
And the same was passed.
Joseph Jackson, Moderator."
Attest : E. Edwards, Clerk pro tem.
Trustees and clerk' had been elected at a former meeting, but their apathy and indifference being apparent the electors took the matter in hand and the above were the proceedings conse- quent.
The lots and building alluded to were upon the southeast cor- ner of the present Merritt and Jefferson streets and were used as a school site under the name of the "Jefferson Street School" and the "Union School" down to 1868, when the present Fourth ward site was secured on the north side of Irving street east of the corner of Mt. Vernon.
"First annual meeting, first Monday in October, 1847. Joseph Jackson, E. R. Baldwin, G. T. Wright, trustees; W. W. Wright. collector, and E. Edwards, clerk, were unanimously elected."
"At a special meeting of the trustees J. D. and A. C. Fisk were awarded the contract to finish the school house with furniture and portico for $198."
"At a special meeting October 10, 1848, John P. Gallup was employed as teacher of school for the term of three months at a salary of $20 per month, including board. Term to commence on Monday, the 23rd inst. Miss Cowdin, the former teacher hav- ing been indisposed for some time, made the above course ex- pedient."
From the report of school district No. 1, town of Winnebago. August 31, 1850: "We learn that there were 335 children be- tween the ages of four and twenty years in Oshkosh at that time. . There were three teachers, Miss Cowdin, Miss Farnsworth, and Miss Roberts, who were paid respectively $55, $50 and $45 per quarter. The amount raised that year for taxes was $275, and the district owns one frame school house and lot; value $800. House 22x24, one story. The upper story of the court house, by permission of the county board, has been used as a school room and is in such use at present.
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THE SCHOOLS OF OSHKOSH.
"Two select schools are in session in addition to district schools, both having about fifty pupils under tuition."
In 1853, the school population had increased to 603, of whom 371 were in attendance upon schools kept by five teachers, one of whom, I. E. Munger, was probably the first male teacher in Oshkosh; Mr. Gallup, before mentioned, being of the nature of a supply.
In 1855, there were 783 children, 474 in school, with only five teachers at salaries ranging from $16 to $20 per month.
From the record of December 15, 1855: "The board of direc- tors were authorized to purchase the lot known as Wm. W. Wright's grove, containing two acres, in the First ward of this city for the sum of $4,400 for the purpose of erecting a district school thereon." This is the location of the present high school and it has been used for some public purpose from the time of its purchase.
. The first recorded meeting of the Board of Education of the city of Oshkosh was held April 11, 1856, and at a meeting March 27. 1857, "Coms. Bashford, Ruggles and Wright were appointed a committee to receive sealed proposals for the building of school houses in all the wards of the city of Oshkosh." It would seem that things moved slowly in those days, for we read under date of June 7, 1859, "The committee recommended building in the First, Second, Third and Fifth wards."
In 1858, there were ten teachers conducting public schools in Oshkosh, as follows: "Union school, Court house, First ward, old school house in Third ward, school near Stroud's in the Third ward, Algoma and Fifth ward schools."
In the report of 1858 we note the first mention of a high school in the election of S. D. Gaylord to be its principal at a salary of $60 per month. This was not a completely organized high school until about 1867. The principals have been as follows: S. D. Gaylord, 1859-62; Ira H. Bates, 1862-64; J. W. Peet, 1864-65; Arthur Everett, 1865-73; S. W. Maltbie, 1873-74; E. Barton Wood, 1874-82; Charles B. Gilbert, 1882-83; Rufus H. Halsey, 1883-96; Buel T. Davis, 1896-99; Henry A. Simonds, 1899-1901; Albert B. O'Neil, 1901 -.
The first class to graduate was in 1868, and consisted of Nellie Austin (Mrs. S. Palmer). Charles Barber, Timothy Lynch, and Mary E. Murdock. Including that class, the school has gradu- ated 684 and numbers among its alumni many of local reputation, and some of state or even national fame.
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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY.
During the last five years the school has increased over 100 per cent in enrolment and much more than that in the character of the work accomplished, until it now stands among the best in the state. It is surpassed in size only by the four Milwaukee schools and that of Madison.
The first building to be occupied by a high school was the "Old Congregational Church," which was rented for $100 per year from May 1, 1860, to January 1, 1867. It stood on the west side of Main street, a short distance south of the corner of Church. From January 1, 1867, to July, 1868, the school sessions were held in the Cottrill block on the west side of Main street north of the corner of Algoma. At this time the first building upon the Algoma street lot was completed. It was used for school pur- poses until its destruction by fire May 2, 1901. The present build- ing was erected upon the site of the old and was occupied in February, 1903. It is a red brick building with red sandstone trimmings, three stories and a basement in height.
There are now twenty-three teachers and 445 students in daily attendance upon its sessions. The conventional school work is thoroughly done, and, in addition, a literary society, a school paper, a debating team, declamatory contests, and various ath- letic events are successfully carried on.
The history of the high school would be incomplete without especial mention of the work of Arthur Everett and Rufus H. Halsey, who for eight and thirteen years respectively presided over the welfare of the school.
The first superintendent of schools was Thomas P. Russell, and his successors are: Thomas P. Russell, 1856; M. A. Edmunds, 1857; A. B. Knapp, 1858; Samuel J. Osborn, 1859; Luther Bux- ton, 1860; Benjamin Granger, 1861; R. C. Russell, 1862-64; K. M. Hutchinson. 1864-67; II. B. Dale, Sr .. 1867-75; Chas. W. Felker. 1875-77; George W. Read, 1877-83; H. B. Dale, Sr., 1883-86; C'has. R. Nevitt, Jr., 1886-87; W. A. Gordon, Sr., 1887-90; James II. Merrill, 1890-91; Rufus H. Halsey, 1891-96; Buel T. Davis. 1896-99; Henry A. Simonds, 1899-1906; Matthew N. MeIver, 1906 -.
Up to 1891 a non-professional man was employed as superin- tendent and of these the long and faithful service of Dr. II. B. Dale. Sr .. deserves mention. He was a friend and patron of the schools and the teachers throughout a long and vigorous life. George W. Read during the six years of his administration con- tributed largely to the upbuilding and efficiency of the school
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THE SCHOOLS OF OSHKOSH.
system. The place of these two men in the estimation of the citizens of Oshkosh is shown by calling two leading ward schools on the north side of the river after their names.
From 1891 to 1901 the offices of superintendent of schools and high school principal were combined. Rufus HI. Halsey's work while holding this double position from 1891 to 1896 marks a distinct epoch in both the ward and high schools.
The ward schools of Oshkosh are eleven in number, and with their present principals and their years of service in the position are as follows: First ward school, John C. Graham (13) ; Dale school, Kirk Spoor (12) ; Eleventh street school, C. V. Nevins; Otter street school, Edwin G. Beardmore; Read school, W. T. An- derson (3) ; Sixth street school, D. H. Shepardson ; Frentz school, Henry E. Polley; Smith school, Charles I. Yule (4) ; Punhoqua school, Mrs. Mary E. Quartermass; Merrill school, Daniel H. Wright (8) ; Park school, W. A. Owens (3).
Of these the First ward is longest established upon its present site, which was purchased by the city in three parcels, 1857, 1858 and 1863. The first building was erected upon this land in 1859. The other ward buildings have been erected and enlarged as the growth of the city required. There is now projected a school in the rapidly growing Eleventh ward.
There are now 140 teachers employed and about 4,800 pupiis will be enrolled this present school year. There has been some falling off in the attendance upon the ward schools late years ow- ing to a greater activity upon the part of the parochial schools of the city.
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XLVII.
THE CHURCH, THE MANSE, THE PASTOR IN OSHKOSH.
First Presbyterian Church. In 1870 a number of men and women banded together as Presbyterians in this city. It is said that the first meeting rooms was in a hall over a saloon. Later the organization moved into the chapel on Jefferson avenue, and at a still later date purchased from the Methodists the church and parsonage on the corner of Church and Division streets.
On February 5, 1886, the United Presbyterian church, with the pastor and about sixty members, became a part of the First Pres- byterian church. As the building and manse together occupied only as much ground as the present auditorium and lecture room, it was felt that a movement for a new building must be started. In 1893 the effort was made and despite the panic of that and following years the church was completed. In the year 1905 the property adjoining the church was purchased, and the residence, after considerable improvement, was set aside as the home of the minister. Again the spirit of progress stirred in the church and. through the liberality of one family in the congregation an addi- tion was made, costing in the neighborhood of thirty-five thou- sand dollars.
The present church property constitutes what is probably the most complete church in the state of Wisconsin.
The auditorium: This room seats about five hundred in the pews. The seating capacity may be increased by raising the doors into the Sunday school and lecture rooms. The Sunday school room : There are twenty-one class rooms in the main room. each furnished with blackboard, case of maps, table and chairs. The partitions between the rooms may be raised or lowered in a moment. The kindergarten room is on the second floor and is reached by a broad flight of stairs from the hall at the rear.
The Boys' club: The club rooms include the drill hall, the reading room furnished with five hundred books, and the current magazines and daily papers; the game room, where are to be found all forms of table games, and the toilet rooms, equipped
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THE CHURCH IN OSHKOSH.
with shower baths. These rooms are opened every day from 4 until 10 p. m. and all day Saturday.
The dining room has accommodations for three hundred and twenty to be seated at the tables at one time. Monthly noon luncheons are served by the ladies of the church on the first Fri- day of each month, with the exception of July and August. The kitchen is large and so planned that six hundred people can be served with ease, and in connection a girls' cooking school has been successfully conducted. The pastor's home joins the church on the Church street side, and the office of the pastor is placed convenient to both the church and residence.
The following pastors have served the church since November, 1870: Alexander G. Eagleson, November 1, 1870, to March 23, 1872; Francis Z. Rossiter, June 23, 1872, to June 23, 1879; Samuel F. Bacon, October 15, 1879, to October 15, 1885; James W. Mc- Nary, February 5, 1886, to October 30, 1887; Lewis H. Morey, July 10, 1888, to May 7, 1890; Lowell G. Smith, October, 1890, to October 31, 1897; George D. Lindsay, April 15, 1898, to December 1, 1902; Alfred I. Badger, January 1, 1903, to June, 1904; Au- gustus M. Ayers, July 1, 1904 -.
The Second Presbyterian Church. Located on the corner of Thirteenth and Ohio streets we have the Second Presbyterian church. This building has been recently moved from Knapp street and is well equipped for aggressive work, and its members are working loyally to build up the church on the south side of the city. They intend to carry on as many branches of practical work as the field requires, and it is expected that in a few years this church will become one of the most important factors in the betterment of Oshkosh.
German Emanuel Evangelical Church, located at the corner of Thirteenth and Michigan streets. In the fall of 1890 the German Evangelical Synod of North America sent a pastor to Oshkosh to organize a congregation, which was accomplished in the spring of 1891 with a membership of twenty-seven families, and Rev. Emil Albert installed as pastor.
In 1893 the church building was constructed, and in 1898 the parsonage was built, and in 1900 a school building was purchased and moved back of the church. In 1901 the membership had in- creased to ninety, and in 1906 Rev. Albert accepted a call to Canada, and Rev. William Suessmuth was installed as pastor in September of that year. He is still in charge of the congrega-
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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY.
tion, which has grown until now it consists of one hundred and sixty families.
St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church. The first services of this church were held in the Y. M. C. A. rooms Wednesday evening, May 15, by Rev. Dr. W: K. Frick, Rev. W. P. Christy and Rev. A. O. Anda, assistant superintendent of English Home Missions of the Lutheran General Council. Services were then held by visiting ministers in Good Templars' Hall on alternate Wednesday evenings till August.
August 11, 1907, the first Sunday service was conducted by Rev. C. B. Lindtwed, who had been called as resident missionary by the General Council of the English Home Mission Board, serv- ices being held regularly every Sunday, and after September 1, 1907, in the G. A. R. hall.
September 27, 1907, a congregation of thirty-seven charter members was organized and duly incorporated in December of this year. In April, 1908, two lots on the corner of Wisconsin avenue and Union street were purchased. The congregation on May 31, 1908, numbered seventy-five members.
Second Methodist Episcopal Church. Occasional services were held on the south side of the river in Oshkosh in the conference year 1867-8. At the conference of 1868 the place was made a pastoral charge, to which C. W. Brewer was appointed. A so- ciety was organized of thirty-five members. They entered prompt- ly upon the erection of a church edifice, and dedicated the base- ment on December 6 following. The building was finished in 1872 during the pastorate of J. Anderson. Much embarrassment was experienced in its completion, but the energy and push of the pastor were equal to the emergency.
A parsonage was erected, which at different times has been im- proved and added to, until now they have a good ten-room par- sonage with modern improvements. The present value of the church property is $10.000.
The following is a list of the pastors and the years they were appointed : October 5, 1868, (. W. Brewer; October 17, 1870, J. Anderson ; October 22, 1873, T. F. Allen; October 19, 1875, W. Woodruff; October 11, 1878, J. W. Olmstead; October 22, 1880, George Fellows; October 3, 1882, D. O. Jones; October 13, 1885, M. Himebaugh ; October 1. 1888, A. L. Whitcomb; September 29, 1890. Stephen Smith : September 28, 1891, William Bennett; Oc- tober 7, 1895. A. R. Grant; September 27, 1897, Matt Evens; Oc- tober 2, 1899, William Nervey; October, 1900, John Wills; the
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557 1
THE CHURCH IN OSHKOSH.
present pastor, Rev. W. W. Wilson, was appointed September 12, 1904.
The First Congregational Church. On the eleventh day of July, 1849, a meeting was called for the purpose of organizing a Congregational or Presbyterian church of the village of Osh- kosh. This meeting was held in a school house and there were present Joseph Jackson, Noadiah Sackett, Homer Barnes, Wil- liam Anderson, Martha Anderson, Emeline Jackson, Fannie B. Kellogg, Hannah Sackett, Achrah Chapman, Eastorann Nickoli, Christiauma Ternouth and Sophia Ternouth.
Rev. C. Marsh and Rev. II. Freeman assisted in the organiza- tion.
A vote was taken as to whether the organization should be Congregational or Presbyterian, which resulted in ten votes for Congregational and two for Presbyterian.
They then adopted the confession of faith of the general con- vention of Wisconsin and elected Rev. H. Freeman Clark and Noadiah Sackett and Homer Barnes, deacons.
On July 15, 1849, another meeting was held and it was decided that Rev. H. Freeman having spent several Sabbaths in the vil- lage of Oshkosh and vicinity, preaching in the court house every Lord's day morning, that a subscription be circulated to obtain funds for his support the ensuing year.
This was done with the result that $150 was subscribed in the village of Oshkosh and $50 in Algoma with the understanding that Rev. Mr. Freeman preach at Oshkosh in the Sabbath morn- ings and in Algoma Sabbath afternoons. There was also appro- priated at that time the sum of $225 by the American IIome Mis- sionary society.
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