USA > Wisconsin > Brown County > History of Brown County, Wisconsin, past and present, Volume I > Part 34
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45
( References for Chapter XXII : Wis. Hist. Colls. ; Rev. L. A. Ricklin, "Rec- ords of St. John's Parish :" Rev. William Crawford. "God's Providence for Forty Years:" Mrs. Elizabeth S. Martin, "Methodism in Wisconsin :" Rev. J. F. Kieb, "Souvenir Reference Manual of Christ Church.")
٠١٠ ٠٦ ٠. ٢٠٢٣ PUBLIC LIFE !!
A 10%, LEANX IE
CHAPTER XXIII
LIBRARIES
There were a number of good private libraries in Green Bay and De Pere at an early day. Among the French inhabitants were to be found finely bound volumes of the French poets, and the first permanent American settlers brought with them their libraries of books, largely of a religious nature with a few works of fiction scattered between. Saturday, August 18, 1838, in the Wisconsin Demo- crat, edited by Charles C. Sholes, appears the first advertisement of a circulating library in the whole Wisconsin territory. J. Wilkins announces that "Believing that the convenience of an establishment of this kind is much desired he respect- fully announces that he has at his shop in Astor a numerous and well selected assortment of books. His novels-the popular literature of the day-comprise the productions of Scott, Cooper, Bulwer, Marryatt, Boz, etc. Books let under usual circulating library regulations."
After this pioneer attempt at a circulating library no effort was made in this direction until the firm of Whitney & Reynolds, in the latter part of the sixties, started a circulating library in connection with their news depot. Here could be obtained all the latest fiction but not much of the more solid reading. The latter want was, however, supplied by the Irving Library, a well selected collec- tion of volumes organized by the Rev. William Crawford with rooms in the Presbyterian parsonage. This library was burned in the great fire of 1880. The Boys' Reading Room, with a small collection of books, ran for a number of years under the management of Mrs. George North and other philanthropic women.
The question of a public library in Green Bay was first mooted in the winter of 1883-84. A subscription paper was circulated at that time presenting the urgent need of an institution of this description. Rufus B. Kellogg, president of the Kellogg National Bank, from the first took keen interest in this project and volunteered if the people would raise $2,000 to double the amount.
The matter remained in abeyance until the fall of 1887, when Mr. and Mrs. Arthur C. Neville proposed to start a series of "Evenings in Italy," the proceeds to be devoted to a library fund.
These evenings ran for two winters with gratifying results and Mr. Kellogg, when success was assured, again renewed his offer to double any amount made in this way in furtherance of his pet scheme.
In the spring of 1888 a decided step was taken toward the permanent estab- lishment of a library, At that time it became necessary for the city to raise $15,000 and bonds were issued for that amount. Rufus B. Kellogg purchased these bonds, which bore interest at 6 per cent. He then proposed to the city coun- cil that if they and their successors would legally bind the city to pay $900 yearly for fifty years toward the support of a public library he would return to the city,
265
266
HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY
as a free gift, the $15,000 worth of bonds. This generous offer was submitted to popular vote and accepted and thus a free public library was founded. In 1900 Andrew Carnegie gave $30,000 for a library building, application having been made to him by Mrs. E. H. Ellis and Mrs. George Field.
The Kellogg Public Library now numbers 22,000 volumes and has an annual circulation of 05,000. Three branches are supported in connection with the library and under its supervision, the North Branch library on Main street, the Union Park Library and the Chestnut Avenue Branch Library. Each year the institution extends its influence through the medium of the children's story hour, through clubs for boys and girls, and in talks on the use of the library to the schools. The officers of the board are: Samuel D. Hastings, president ; Mrs. Arthur C. Neville, vice president ; Elmer S. Hall, secretary ; Deborah B. Martin, librarian; Frances Last, first assistant ; Edith Joannes and Fannie H. Brett. The library has received many rare and expensive gifts, including old engravings, fonr original paintings in color by Howard Pyle and eighteen in black and white by the same artist. Twenty-six choice antique oriental rugs have also been given and add much to the beauty of the main room.
The De Pere Public Library was first opened on April 11, 1896. The first movement toward a free library was made by Rev. Mr. Saloman of the Con- gregational church, De Pere, who held a book social as a means of starting a library. The plan proved successful and a nucleus of good books was formed. Volunteer service was obtained for the opening of the library on certain days, Miss Elizabeth Smith doing excellent work in this way.
This library was, on the organization of a city library, turned over to that institution. It has grown steadily and the reading rooms are well patronized. Comfortable quarters were obtained in West De Pere for the accommodation of the library and have been suitably fitted up for the purpose.
The De Pere Library has in addition been able to accomplish good work through the circulation of books in the Holland language. The library now con- tains about 6,000 volumes. M. J. Maes, president; Miss Elizabeth Smith, sec- retary ; Helen S. Matthews, librarian ; Edith R. Matthews, assistant.
In 1898, the Women's Club of Green Bay sent out a number of traveling libraries through the county, the books being donated by interested persons. The headquarters were at the Kellogg Library, but at the end of two years, no new books having been donated, the plan was discontinued.
On May 15. 1912, at the opening session of the Brown County Board of Super- visors, a petition was read from a committee of women consisting of Mrs. Frank T. Blesch, Mrs. John F. Martin and Miss Deborah B. Martin, asking permission to use the vacated county office building on the corner of Walnut and Jefferson streets as a rest room and meeting place for the women of Brown county. The petition was received and referred to the committee on public buildings. It was favorably reported and in the afternoon of the same day, the measure was adopted.
The establishment of a rest room for the women of the county, which they could make headquarters while in the city and where they could leave their chi !- (ren to be cared for by a responsible person, was the principal feature of the proposition. It was also planned to use one of the rooms for a county museum, where the many valuable and interesting historical relics to be found through- out the county might be stored with safety.
THE NAM' PUBLIC LIE! !!
ACTOR, LENDO> D'81
€
KELLOGG PUBLIC LIBRARY, GREEN BAY
FI
BROWN COUNTY
›WOMAN'S BUILDING.
a
-
-
BROWN COUNTY WOMAN'S BUILDING
267
HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY
The Brown County Woman's building now stands complete. The front entrance opens into a vestibule and this through double doors into the corridor which runs through the center of the building. To the right, as one enters, is the room that is hoped will be used for a museum. It is now well and suitably furnished, through the kindness of interested friends, and for the present will be rented for small gatherings. It may also be used for committee meetings, and is primarily for the use of the townspeople. The county rest room across the hall is for the convenience of families from outside the city only. It will also be open for the use of business women of the town and county, and a light lunch, at small cost, will be served to those who wish it. The entire north half of the building has been made into an assembly hall 491/2 feet by 44 feet, from the rent of which the trustees hope to meet the running expenses, such as heat, light, water tax, telephone service, rent of piano, and salary of matron in charge. On Sunday afternoons the building is open to the working girls and women of the city. Light refreshments are served, music and other entertainment supplied. Through the generosity of the Board of Supervisors, this good work has been made possible.
CHAPTER XXIV
POLITICAL LIFE-BANKS-THE PRESS
Brown county has been represented in important offices of the state and to some extent in national government.
During territorial days Brown county men were prominent in government councils and the democratic party in Wisconsin was organized in the large as- sembly room of the old Astor house in 1841.
Governor of Wisconsin territory from October 5, 1841, to September 16, 1844-James Duane Doty of Brown county.
Delegates to Congress from Brown county, from the territory of Wisconsin : James D. Doty, 1838-1840; Morgan L. Martin, 1845-47.
Attorney general-Henry S. Baird, December 7, 1836.
Delegates to the territorial council from Brown county :
First legislative assembly, 1836-Henry S. Baird. President of the council, John P. Arndt. Representatives: Ebenezer Childs, Albert G. Ellis, Alexander J. Irwin.
Second session, 1837-38-members of the council: John P. Arndt, Joseph Dickinson. Replaced by Alexander J. Irwin. Representatives: Ebenezer Childs, George McWilliams, Charles C. Sholes.
Special session, 1838-Council: John P. Arndt, Alexander J. Irwin. Repre- sentatives: George McWilliams, Charles C. Sholes, Ebenezer Childs.
Second legislative assembly. 1838-Council : Alexander J. Irwin, Morgan L. Martin. Representatives : Ebenezer Childs, Charles C. Sholes.
Second session, 1839-Council: Morgan L. Martin, Alexander J. Irwin. Representatives: Ebenezer Childs, Charles C. Sholes.
Third session, 1839-40-Council : Morgan L. Martin, Charles C. C. P. Arndt, who was shot by James R. Vineyard, February, 1842. Representatives: Eben- ezer Childs, Charles C. Sholes.
Fourth extra session. The same delegates.
Third legislative session council. Same delegates. Representative: Albert G. Ellis.
Second session. Same delegates from Brown.
Fourth legislative assembly, 1842-43-Council : Morgan L. Martin. Repre- sentatives : Albert G. Ellis, David Agry.
Second session. Delegates the same from Brown.
Third session, 1845-Council: Randall Wilcox. No representative from Brown.
Fourth session, 1846-Council: Randall Wilcox. Representative: Elisha Morrow.
Fifth legislative assembly, 1847. No delegate from Brown county in council. Representative : Elisha Morrow.
269
270
HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY
Special session, 1847-Council, no delegate from Brown. Representative: G. W. Featherstonhaugh of Brown.
Second session, 1848-Representative: G. W. Featherstonhangh of Brown. First constitutional convention of state of Wisconsin, November, 1847- Delegate from Brown county, Henry S. Baird.
Second constitutional convention, December, 1847-Delegate from Brown county and president of the convention, Morgan L. Martin.
Secretary of state, 1852-54, Charles D. Robinson.
Attorney general, 1860-62, James H. Howe.
Bank comptroller, 1852-54, James S. Baker.
The supreme court was not separately organized until 1853, previous to which time the judges of the circuit court were ex officio justices of the supreme court.
Under this ruling Alexander. W. Stow of the fourth district was a justice from .August, 1848, to January 1, 1851, and Timothy O. Howe, from January I, 1851, to June 1, 1853.
Senators from Brown county-W. J. Abrams, 1868-69; Timothy Burke, 1909-11; Charles W. Day, De Pere, 1887: Frederick S. Ellis, 1864-65; H. F. Hagemeister, 1901, 03. 05. 07; Edward Hicks, 1862-63; Thomas Hudd, 1862- 03: 1870, 77, 78. 79, 82, 83, 85 ; David M. Kelly, 1880-81 ; Myron P. Lindsley. 1872-73: Joseph F. Loy, 1854-55: Andrew C. Mailer, 1897, 99; Morgan L. Martin, 1858-59; Robert J. McGeehan, De Pere, 1893-95: Matthew J. Meade. Green Bay, 1800-07; Eizon W. Persons, 1889-91.
Members of assembly-William J. Abrams, Green Bay, 1804. 65. 66. 67; David Agry, Green Bay, 1848; D. Cooper Ayers, Fort Howard, 1808, 71, 72; l'eter Bartzen, Flintville, 1873-74; Maurice B. Brennan, Wayside, 1881, 1905; Willard E. Burdeau, Flintville, 1901, 1905: Timothy Burke, Wayside, 1895: Timothy Burke, Green Bay, 1907; David M. Burns, Fort Howard, 1878; Edgar Conklin, Green Bay, 1857-58; Joseph S. Curtis, Green Bay, 1869, 71, 72; John Day, Green Bay, 1856; Francis Desnovers, Green Bay. 1854; Dennis Dewane, Cooperstown, 1873-76; Michael Dockry, Morrison, 1870; Gregoire Dupont, Robinson, 1887; Frederick S. Ellis, Green Bay, 1861, 62, 63: John B. Eugene, Green Bay, 1808: William Field, Jr., De Pere, 1859; Patrick Finnerty, Wrights- town, 1887: William Finnegan, Green Bay, 1903: William J. Fisk, Fort How- ard, 1875-76; Michael J. Flaherty, Stark, 1899, 1901 ; Benjamin Fontaine, Green Bay, 1880-81 : Henry Hagemeister, Green Bay, 1893, 95: Albert L. Gray, Fort Howard, 1879, 82; W. S. Hlager, West De Pere, 1907: Edward Hicks, Green Bay, 1870: Patrick Hobbins, Morrison, 1874. 78; John M. Hlogan, Green Bay, 1882, 1897: Thomas R. Hudd, Green Bay. 1875: Henry J. Jansen, De Pere, 1911; David M. Kelly, Green Bay, 1877, 78, 79: Daniel Lee, De Pere, 1872; John F. Lessey, De Pere, 1851 ; Mark Martin, Green Bay, 1864; M. L. Martin, 1855. 74: R. J. McGeehan, De Pere, 1889, 91; Thomas J. McGrath, Green Bay, 1897, 99: John F. Meade, Green Bay, 1849; Patrick HI. Moran, Morrison, 1882; John C. Neville, 1860; John O'Flaherty, Morrison, 1879: Uriel H. Peak, Green Bay, 1852: E. W. Persons, De Pere, 1887; Lewis W. Peterson, Green Bay, 1909; James J. Rasmussen, Fort Howard, 1881, 83: E. A. Raymond, Green Bay, 1911; Michael Resch, Green Bay, 1876; William Rice, Morrison, 1878; Charles D. Robinson, Green Bay, 1850: David E. Sedgwick, Wrightstown,
27
HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY
1880; Michael Tonhey, Morrison, 1877; Anton Vander Heiden, Wrightstown, 1893; Chester G. Wilcox, De Pere, 1880; Randall Wilcox, De Pere, 1853. 07, 09; Ferdinand Wittig, Green Bay, 1909; Christian Woelz, Green Bay, 1872; David M. Kelly, speaker of the assembly.
United States senator-Timothy O. Howe, 1861-79. Representatives : James Duane Doty, 1838-40, 1849-51 ; Morgan L. Martin, 1847-49.
In 1885 Thomas R. Iludd was elected to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Joseph Rankin, member of Congress from the fifth district and was re- elected in 1886, serving until 1889.
Gustav Kuestermann was elected from the ninth district in 1907. Reelected in 1909.
Timothy O. Howe, after his retirement from the senate, received the appoint- ment of postmaster general in the cabinet of President Chester A. Arthur, serv- ing until his death in 1883.
Brown county was, up to twenty-five years ago, almost solidly democratic. It then became about equally divided and is now republican. The defeat of Thomas R. Hudd for Congress in 1889 marked the change in county politics, although there are still certain districts strongly democratic.
In the election of county officials party lines are not closely drawn. The city of Green Bay is rather unusual from the fact of never, or at least not within the past forty years, allowing politics to sway the elections for city officials.
BANKS
A much discussed question in 1848, when Wisconsin adopted a state con- stitution was that of "banks or no banks." The great panic of 1837 had left a vivid impression upon the minds of the people and the short life of the two Wisconsin banks, those at Green Bay and Mineral Point which had gone into operation just in time to play their part in the wide-spread ruin in busi- ness circles, and add their mite to the great flood of worthless wild-cat bank notes that spread over the whole western country at that time, made the people of Wisconsin territory wary in its legislation on banking. So jealous were the legislatures of the territory of banks and all their works that in every act of incorporation for any purpose passed at the different sessions a clause was inserted to the effect that nothing in the act contained should be taken to author- ize the corporation to assume or exercise any banking powers. This proviso was even added to acts incorporating church societies. For some years there can hardly be said to have been any banking business done in Wisconsin terri- tory; merchants and business men were left to their own devices in order to make their exchanges and every man was his own banker.
The state constitution prohibited the legislature from incorporating banks and from conferring banking powers on any corporation ; but provided that the question of banks or no banks might be submitted to a vote of the electors. If the decision should be in favor of banks then the legislature might charter banks or might enact a general banking law. No such special charter or general banking law should, however, have any force until submitted to the electors at a general election, and approved by a majority of votes cast on that subject.
In 1851, the legislature submitted the question to the people and a majority
272
HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY
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 approved by them. 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 upon com- pliance with the law, and that the banks kept these securities good.
As first bank comptroller of the state, James S. Baker proved a most trust- worthy official. Ile organized the office admirably and carried out his impor- tant trust with the strictest fidelity. A contemporary review of Comptroller Baker's work says: "To his administration may be attributed at least a part of the good standing and credit which our banks, and incidentally our state, enjoy." Mr. Baker's term of office expired on October 22, 1853, and he absolutely declined to be a candidate for reelection.
In 1853, the Brown county newspapers began to talk "bank" persistently, and on June 22, 1854, the Fox River Bank was organized in Green Bay, with a capital of $25,000, and with authority to increase this to $500,000. Sixteen years had passed since the disastrous collapse of the two banks of Green Bay and De Pere and the prospects seemed bright for the new banking institution. Joseph G. Lawton was elected president and Francis Desnoyers, cashier. On March 20, 1856, a letter from De Pere mentions the Brown County Bank of that city.
In 1859, the Bank of Green Bay was established by Henry Strong, with M. D). Peak as cashier. Later the name was changed to the First National Bank. Banking matters ran along pretty smoothly until the election in 1860 of the republican presidential ticket and the consequent agitation in the southern states threatening civil war. The effects 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. During the winter following, there was uncasiness in regard to our state currency and continuous demand upon the 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, the banking interests of the state were threatened with destruction by compulsory winding up and en- forced sale at the panic prices then prevailing of the securities deposited to secure circulation.
In 1861, the following named banks of Brown county are said to be sound and well secured, either by state stock or individual responsibility or both.
BANK OF GREEN BAY
In the early part of the '60s, Otto Tank organized the Fort Howard Bank and as early as 1864 the City National Bank was incorporated in Green Bay, with G. A. Lawton as president and C. Kruger, cashier ; and during the '70s was officered by W. J. Fisk as president; J. H. Elmore, vice president, and H. G. Freeman, cashier.
In 1874, the Kellogg National Bank was established by Rufus B. Kellogg of Oshkosh, and afterward of Green Bay.
FIRST BANK BUILDING IN DE PERE, 1836
MORAVIAN CHURCH, 1850
THENEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LEHRX AND TILDEA FOUNDATIONa
273
HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY
The MeCartney Bank in Fort Howard was incorporated in 1882 as a state bank, and in 1892 was made a national bank. David McCartney, president.
The Citizens National Bank was organized in 1888, with John Paley, president.
De Pere, in 1881, had two banks: The First National, Rufus B. Kellogg, president, organized in 1878 as the Kellogg Banking Company, and succeeded by the State Bank of De Pere in 1900, and the banking institution of H. R. Jones, organized in 1872.
The banks in Brown county at the present time are, in Green Bay, in order of organization-Kellogg National Bank: President, H. F. Hagemeister; cash- ier, John Rose. McCartney National Bank: President, J. H. Tayler ; cashier, G. A. Richardson. Citizens National Bank : President, H. S. Eldred; cashier, H. P. Klaus. Bank of Green Bay: President, P. F. Dorschel; cashier, II. R. Erichsen. Farmers' Exchange Bank: President, J. H. Osterloh ; cashier, A. L. Cannard.
DE PERE
State Bank: President, J. S. Gittins; cashier, C. G. Scott. National Bank of De Pere: President, A. G. Wells; cashier, J. B. Brockman.
WRIGHTSTOWN
Farmers' and Traders' Bank : President, J. Il. Tayler; cashier, C. W. Mueller.
WAYSIDE
Wayside State Bank: President. T. Burke; cashier, O. M. Boock.
DENMARK
Denmark State Bank: President, Mitchell Joannes; cashier, G. G. DeBroux.
NEW FRANKEN New Franken State Bank : President, A. L. Greiling ; cashier. C. Duquaine. PULASKI
Pulaski State Bank: President, J. Peplinski; cashier, F. K. Raniszewski.
THE PRESS
Colonel Samuel Ryan, of the Appleton Crescent, thus recalls early days of journalism in Wisconsin: John V. Suydam brought the first press into Wis- consin and issued the first few numbers of the Green Bay Intelligencer in 1833 ; General Ellis coming in afterward. In 1836, that paper and the Wisconsin Free Press, edited by Joseph Dickenson and M. L. Martin, were superseded by the Wisconsin Democrat, II. O. and C. C. Sholes, publishers, and Charles C. Sholes, editor.
In 1840 the Democrat was removed to Kenosha. In 1841, John V. Suydam and J. G. Knapp got hold of the old Intelligencer press in Madison, wagoned it to Green Bay and started the Phoenix. A fire ate that up in 1842, all save one form and a half printed issue, and we helped to get out its last number on the press of the Green Bay Republican, a paper started in September, 1841, by Vol I -- 18
274
HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY
H. O. Sholes and in which establishment we soon after officiated as the devil. carrier and editor all at the same time.
Still another description of early printing in Brown county is from the pen of Frank Tilton and was written in 1904 :
"The first printing done in the great territory lying west of Lake Michigan was done in Green Bay by A. G. Ellis, a young man who came here from the east.
A Green Bay merchant had lost his store and other property by fire, and a lottery scheme was devised to give him a fresh start. Just how the type happened to be here does not appear, but the type for the lottery tickets was set up, and for want of a press the impression was taken by means of a muffled planer and mallet. For the benefit of the uninitiated the planer is a smooth block of wood. The type was inked, the paper laid on it, the planer was covered with soft woolen cloth, and struck down from the mallet, giving an impression from the type on the paper.
The first paper printed here was, I believe, the first in the great northwest. It was started on December 4. 1830. by John P. Suydam and bore the name of the Green Bay Intelligencer. A. G. Ellis early became connected with it, and Mr. Suydam soon retired, leaving him sole proprietor. In 1834, Ellis associated with him in the publication of the paper C. C. P. Arndt, who was killed in the terri- torial capitol by Vineyard in 1842. Messrs. Ellis and Arndt conducted the paper with various periods of suspension until 1836, when it was sold to C. C. Sholes, afterwards democratic member of the legislature. He took his brother in part- nership but soon after the paper was discontinued.
The next venture of Green Bay in the newspaper line was the Wisconsin Free Press, R. Stephenson, proprietor, and Joseph Dickenson, editor, established in 1835. In 1836, the offices of the Intelligencer and the Free Press were united and the Wisconsin Democrat made its appearance with H. O. and O. C. Sholes as proprietors. It was the first paper to advocate the formation of a democratic party in Wisconsin. The office, with most of the business portion of Green Bay, was destroyed by fire in 1840 and the Sholeses moved to South- port, now Kenosha.
In September, 1841, the Green Bay Republican, a whig paper, was started by an association with H. C. Sholes as publisher, and C. C. P. Arndt, editor. After the tragic death of the latter, H. S. Baird was editor for a time. Sam Ryan, Jr., who entered the office as devil when it was started in November, 1844, assumed control of the paper and changed its name to Republican. Ryan afterwards re- moved to Appleton and made himself a name as the venerable proprietor of the Appleton Crescent.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.