USA > Wisconsin > Portage County > Stevens Point > History of Portage county, Wisconsin read at the centennial celebration, held at the city of Stevens Point, July 4th, 1876 > Part 3
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After numerous consultations our people looked with favor on the undertaking, in the hands of Judge Reed; they nommated a di- rector as for this city, and pledged the corpor- ation for certain amounts of local aid-to pro-
* The Wisconsin is not a navigable river np stream :-- it was attempted in 1850 :- the En- terprize. Capt. Harris, a boat of 100 tons bur- then, ascended as far a Point Bas, laden with Mill iron and lumberman's supplies for Clin- ton & Rabfin; the water falling, she encount- ered untold difficulties in getting down again: the navigation of the Wisconsin, above the Dells, was considered impracticable. About the year 1853, an enterprize was set on foot, by Anson Rood, and others to navigate the river from Stevens Point, upwards, to Little Bull Falls, and thence to Wausau :- a small boat, the Northerner, was put on, under steam: a year or two after a larger boat-the City of' Seerens Point, was built, and the next year the Wausau, for the short route between Little Bull and Wansau ;- these boats run for some three years; before any good wagon road had been made from Stevens Point to Rig Bull :- as soon as that was well accomplished, the transportation business, and most of the trav- el, went to the road by wagons and stages :- the boats, no longer paying well, were run out aud sold on the lower river.
eure the right of way and make a survey and location from Menasha to Stevens Point. It took two years to mature all plans, find cap- italists to advance moneys, to make contracts aud construct the road; but it succeeded at last; and on the 20th of November, 1872, our people had a celebration over the arrival of the first train of cars from Menasha ! It de- cided the fate of Stevens Point :- our popula- tion iu 1869 was about 1200 :- business was with a slow coach; many were disheartened, and we were acenstomed to hear every day, people talking of leaving. Our population now is over 4000 :- nobody is going away, but everybody seems coming Property-town lots,-have doubled, trebled in value ;- all kinds of business has revived :- the town has spread out in all directions, and no longer any doubt about our success.
The Wisconsin Central Railroad, (with the Milwaukee Northern and its connection di- rectly to Green Bay, Milwaukee and Chicago) is one of the institutions of the state; it has built, equipped and is operating 180 miles of new road; besides the Portage Branch, 78 miles, now nearly complete. She is finishmy her mam line through to Ashland-equal to about 340 miles in all of her own rattroad pro per, besides her connections south of Men- asha. Stevens Point is her headquarters, hav- ing her extensive freight and passenger de- pots, her turu table, ronnd house and new, ex- tensive machine shops, all here.
Bay & Minnesota raitroad from Plover to Ster- ens Point :- a survey of the route has actually been made, and as we understand, estimates are being prepared to enable the company to determine the question of extending or not.
Asa tew of the improvements worthy of note in our city, we may mention, first, our extensive water power, central of the city, on the Shaurette rapids of the Wisconsin River: -this dam is considered permanent-furnish- ing a vast power, but a small portion of which is thus far utilized ;- there are on it, two grist and flouring mills-one quite new and first class, built of stone in most substantial man- ner, ot a capacity of 5 or 6 hundred barrels of flour a week: built and owned by Messi's, Lam- pert, Wagner & Co.
The water power is chiefly owned by ex- Mayor Clark, who has an extensive lumber- ing establishment upon it: all the improve- ments being as yet on the east side. Mr. Clark has just completed the rebuilding of his saw mills, at a cost of 8 or !1,000 dollars! Inall he runs 22 saws: two double rotarys- with gang edgers and trimmers for each :- all the ma chinery is new and of the most approved kind: -the mill is calculated to cut 100 thousand per day when in full operation, and is doubt- less one of the most complete in the Pinery.
There are a number of other mills of various description running by steam :- four saw mills and six shingle mills. But a most important improvement touching the Inumbering interest is the STEVENS POINT BOOM; it is supposed to be permanently built, at a cost of about
I2
HISTORY OF PORTAGE COUNTY.
40,000 dollars; having a capacity of 100,000,0.0 feet of logs.
The railroad company has extended side tracks to all the mills on both sides of the riv- er, which facilitates the shipment of Inmber and shingles by rail: nineteen million feet of lumber and thirty-six millions of shingles are said to have gone ont by rail the current year.
Our institutions of literary and moral char acter, are not excelled by any town of its size in the state. We have a Catholic Church with a very large congregation, and Sunday school: there is an excellent private school by the Catholic Sisters of Notre Dame, attached; a second Catholic Church iz in progress of erec- tion, in the northern part of the Ist Ward.
We have five Protestant Churches well at- tended, with Sunday schools in all. Our pub- lie schools are worthy special mention: they are under supervision of a Board of Education. created by special enactment. consisting of six members -- two from each ward :-- the schools are graded into five departments, occupving four buildings with nine different schools; nine teachers, besides a Principal :-- the num- ber of children in the city attending both pri- vate and public schools the past year, is some. thing over 1200.
On the 5th of March, 1875, the Legislature passed an act providing for the establishment of "Free High Schools," whereby towns, vil- lages and cities, in addition to their common ! schools, might, on a vote of the inhabitants, organize free schools, of a higher grade, than under the common law, and provide for the teaching of such branches as shonid tit the pupils for entrance into the State University, on certificates of the local School Board: the benefits to the towns, villages and cities, of this law, will be very great :-- it is understood our city Board of Education have taken meas- ures for seenring the advantages of this act. by the immediate establishment of a Free High School in the city of Stevens Point.
The amount of moneys received from all sources into the School District Treasury for the year past is 4,948 dollars. The amount disbursed :-
To teachers i: $3,862
For other purposes 1,086
Total $4,94>
Ol fire proof buildings, of stone, brick, and two brick vaneered dwellings, there are a dozen and a half-all fair structures :- the ot, er one thousand buildings, are wood-dry pine. inviting the element, which has for the third time swept the business part of our lit- the city :- these contlagrations have incited our people-business men and property hold- ers, to find protection-prevention if possible of these destructive fires: the outcome of which has been the organization of a most vigorous, efficient Fire Compang, and the fur- nishing of the city with fire engines-of which there are two-a hand engine and a steamer: the latter a splendid affair, at a cost, as is said, of forty-seven hundred dollars: it has paid for itself and more already; we have scarcely had a fire since its appearance.
There are several other institutions in the
ci y for moral, religions and intellectual im - provements, among which is a library associa- tion and reading circle, comprizing the intelli- gent portion of the population :- it has existed five years and is steadily advancing; exercis. ing a marked influence for good: it has regu- lar meeting's for reading, for discussions, and social intercourse; a handsome library of some
volumns, and promises well for the fa- ture.
The population of t'e city, as per census taken one year since, was 3363 :--
Assessed valuation of property, .... .$669,819 To which at least one third should be
added for current value,
True value $893.092
We have said the city is on the east side of the Wisconsin river :-- this must have a slight amendment .-- there are some three mills, and thirty bouses on the west ide, and beyond doubt the town will extend on that side rap- idly. A substantial bridge, on five stone and timber piers, spans the river at foot of Clark street-a quarter of a mile above the Shan- rette dam: the railroad bridge of the Wiscon. sin Central, -- a structure of iron, on four stone piers, spans the river a quarter of a mile be- low the mill dam.
Stevens Point is not without a fair supply of the learned professions :- of
Attorney at law, we have 10
Physicians and Surgeons 7
Clergymen ..
Civil Engineers
Professors and Teachers of Music 15
Qualitied Teachers of schools. 20
Editors and Anthors .. €
Daguerrian Artists and Portrait Painters .. :
Resident Officials.
llon. G. W. Cate, Member of Congress for 8th Congressional District.
Mon. G. L Park, Judge of Circuit Court.
Horace Grant, Esq., U. S. Post Master.
Jas. P. Dorsey, Esq., Gauger,
James E. Rogers, Clerk Dist. Court.
John Eckles, Sheritľ Frank Wheelock, Under Sheriff. John Stumpf, County Judge.
J. B. Carpenter, County Clerk.
Win. Albertie, County Treasurer. Gle O. Wogsland, Register of Deeds. Wm. H, Packard, Dist. Attorney. W. G. Hinman, County Surveyor.
J. O. Morrison, Co. Supt. of Schools.
John K. MeGregor, Principal of Schools.
Of the City Council.
llon. J. D. MeLean, Mayor.
Frank Wheelock, Marshal.
N. F. Bliss, Police Justice.
Alexander Krembs, Aldermen Ist Ward. John O. Johnsen,
Owen Clark, ! Ald. 2nd Ward. E. R. Herren, S
John Slothower, { Ald. 3rd Ward. John Ball, John Stumpf, City Clerk.
James Bellinger,
Edward. Dunegan, Policeman.
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HISTORY OF PORTAGE COUNTY.
Almanson Faton, Cily Attorney. R. H. Estabrook, City Physician. J. L. Prentice, City Engineer. The Board of Education. Hon. G. L. Park, President. Wm. Weston, Owen Clark, Geo. Worl, E. D. Brown. A G. Hamacker, Clerk. Of the Fire Company.
Henry Curran, Chief. Charles Krembs, Foreman. Of the Various Societies. MASONIC. Forest Chapter of R. A. Masons, No. 34. Charles Chafee, H. P. HI. D. McCulloch, K. J. K. McG cgor, Sec. John Cadman, Treas, Evergreen Lodye, No. 93.
Chas, Chafee, W. M. A. F. Wyntt, F. W. John C.dman, J. W.
Emmons Burr, Sec.
A. G. Hamacker, Treas.
Monadnock Encampment No. 59, 1. O. O. F. L. D. Conery, C. P.
M. W. Blan hard, G. P.
J. H. Smith, S. W. W. P. Goodhue. S. C.
John Stumpf, Treas.
J. B. Marshall, J. W. Shaurette Lodge, I. O. O. F., No. 92.
M, W. Blanchard, N. G. J. H. Whiting, V. G. A. M. Pratt, Sec.
L. D. Conery, Treas. Stumpf Lodge, I. O. O. F., No. 225.
John Stumpf. N. G. David Lutz, V. G. Wm. B. Koppe, See. Jacob Lutz, Trcas.
I. O. of G. T.
J. D. Wyatt, W. C. T. Olive Aldrich, W. V. T. J. T. Kean, W. R. S. J. D. Whitney, W. F. S. Martha Grant, W. T. Alex Empey, W. M. Mrs. Gottery, W. A. M. Clara Wert, I. G. Fred Richardson, O. G. E. C. Sennett, L. D. Rev. D. W. Smith, W. C. J. H. Carlisle, P. W. C. T. I. O. of G. T. No. 3. W. C. T-S. L. Bean. L. H. S .- Emma Redfield. R. H. S .- Lizzie Clark. W. S .-- F. L. Jackson. W. F. S .- F. Redfield. W. T .- Mary Albertie. W. M .- Sam. Davis. A. M .- Virginia Brawley. A, S. - Addie Packard. P. W. C .- C. H. Lincolu.
I. G .- Jennie Beedle. O. G .- Tom Boyd. W. C .- Mrs. Watts. W. V. T .- Rhoana Page. Sterens Point Library Association.
President-E. R. Herren. Vice President-D. L. Jones.
Sec. - Webster Brown.
Treas .- II D. McCulloch Librarian-Mrs. L. S. McCulloch.
Executive Committee-W. R. Barnes, Mrs. D. R. Clements, Miss Julia Curran. Sterens Point Ladies' Benevolent Society.
President-Mrs. S. Hungerford.
Sec .- Mrs. Dr. Phillips,
Treas .- Mrs. Dr. McCulloch. Wisconsin Central Railroad.
President-Gardner Colby.
Vice President-Charles Colby.
Genl. Manager -- E. B. Phillips. Germania Maennerchor.
President-Jacob Lutz.
Vice President-John Stenger.
Secretary-Anton Ortmaier.
Treasurer-John Wentrich. Temple of Honor
W. T. C .- D. L. Jones.
W. V. T .- L. R. Lamb.
P. W. T .- E. R. Herren,
W. R .- W. E. Brown.
W. A. R .- G. W. Hungerford.
W, F. R .- W. A. Osborn.
W. T .- P. C. Claflin.
W. C .- A. A. Joss.
W. M .- W. R. Barnes,
W. A. M .- J. E. Smith.
W. G .- A. J. Thomas.
W. S .- K. Johnson.
L. 1) .- H McDonald.
Juvenile I. O. G. T.
Superintendent-Mrs L M Smith.
Executive Committee-Mrs Elizabeth Gottery, Mrs Emma Carlisle, Herman George, Mrs Lida Knox.
CT-Wm Gottery.
V T-Emma Kingless .
Chaplain-Edward Gottery.
RS-Henry Hamacker.
A RS- Elizabeth Gottery.
FS -- llarry Raymond.
Treas-Nellie Hungerford.
P CT-Lucy Hungerford.
Marshal-Walter Wert. * Ass't Marshal-JJennie Empey.
Inside Guard-Clara Allen.
Outside Guard-Robby Rood.
Right Supporter-Hatty Davis.
Left Supporter-Anna Slothower.
Thus have we set forth something-not by any means all that ought to be said of Stevens Point. As a point for business, where the enterprising man may find his exertions rewarded with ahun- dant success :- as a pleasant, agreeable. healthy location for family residence, and one of good social and moral influences-for all these it may be most truly commended to the searcher for a western home. A fine salubrious climaas, a beau- tiful location on a large river, with two new rail- roads connecting us directly with the world, north. south, east and west :- the plat nearly level, just undulating enough for good drainage ; pure water, both of the Wisconsin river. and only 12 feet be- low the surface, nuiformly pure and sweet :-- the
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HISTORY OF PORTAGE COUNTY.
city has 4000 inhabitants, with good improve- ments: a hundred houses being in process of erection to-day. Some of our neighbors have kindly suggested our being already overgrown - that another year will witness our decline-our population seceding! This has been said by Them of us for the last ten years. all the while. however, our population steadily increasing. im- provements extending in all directions. till now it is fairly conceded that such an amount of capital is'invested here, in real estate. mills and machin- ery, in stores, hotels, churches, school houses. &c .. Ke .. as sers that question at rest. Seventy years hence. when Stevens Point shall celebrate its CENTENNIAL. What may we not expect her to ndesent ?- but that she will continue her upward par on ward course :- that wealth and population
will greatty incease. fill her marts of trade will be crowded, her streets bordered with fine build- ings. her institutions of education, religion and morals multiplied ;- refinement and intelligence mark the character of her people -- all this and much more it is but reasonable to look for: - and it we who now inhabit here. be true to our trust -- handing down to our children the blessings of our free government, with our institutions. young though they ver are, of education, moral and civ- il. unimpaired. may we not hope to bequeath to our state a community of virtuous, patriotic pro- ple. an honor to our names. emulating in their turn our example of handing down to their chil- dren those priceless gifts of liberty and freedom to the latest posterities.
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 0 016 091 153 0
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