USA > Wisconsin > Winnebago County > History of Winnebago County, Wisconsin, and early history of the Northwest > Part 20
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 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67
Another charming place is Clifton, on the eastern shore, in Calumet County; a bold promontory, rising abruptly from the lake to the height of about two hundred feet. Here are caverns and grottoes and precipitous ledges of limestone, affording many interesting nat- ural subjects for the geologist and lover of natural studies. The wooded hills of Clifton overlook- ing the lake are lovely camping-grounds and a favorite resort of excursionists. The view of the lake from the summit is magnificent. The lovely expanse of water, dotted with steamers and white sails; while on eitherhand, in the dim distance, may be seen the smoke arising from the manufacturies of two of the principal cities
94
HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
[1879.
of the State; and the track of railroad lines on both shores, may be traced by the smoke of the locomotive.
What a spectacle is here afforded of the wonderful progress of the age! Twenty-eight years ago this location was one of the frontiers of Western civilization; and the Indian title not then extinguished to the tract lying west of the Fox River, only ten miles distant from Oshkosh, then a frontier village. Now popu- lous cities, marts of trade and commerce, with educational institutions, and all the luxuries, and elegancies of modern social life, cluster around these waters- highly cultivated farms cover the whole face of the country -railroads stretch away in every direction ; and the empire of modern progress holds undisputed sway. The Indian wigwam and the pioneer's log cabin are supplanted by the stately mansion and tower- ing steeple-the bark canoe and the voy- ageur's bateau have given way to the magni- ficent steamer and graceful sail craft; and the generous hospitalities of the pioneer - his hearty welcome - his kindly manners and his brave enterprises that opened up the pathway of progress, are among the things of the past.
And now, if the writer, who has endeav- ored to sketch the country on the line of these great water courses, and the outlines of its eventful history of two centuries, with its transformations from a wilderness into the pop- ulous centers of busy life, has succeeded in drawing the picture, that portion of his task is ended, and the next subject will be the his- tory of Winnebago County, and its several cities and towns.
WINNEBAGO COUNTY.
CHAPTER XXIX.
The Fox River Valley and Central Wisconsin - Indescrib- ably Charming in its Picturesque Beauty of Commingled Prairie, Woodland, Lakes and Rivers - The Lovely Water Scenery an Especial Feature - The Richest Fertil- ity of Soil, with Good Water and a Healthful Climate - The Fox Valley a Conjunction of Three Distinct Types of Country, with Great Natural Elements of Productive Wealth, and One of the Chief Business Thoroughfares of the State.
Y' an examination of the map of Wis- consin, it will be seen that the Wis- consin, and Upperand Lower Fox Riv- ers, form a water-line through the entire breadth of the State, whose main direction is nearly northeast from the mouth
of the Wisconsin, on the Mississippi, to that of the Lower Fox, at Green Bay. This line is the dividing point between two dis- tricts of very distinct physical features. The territory lying south of this river line, com- prises the great rich prairie and opening dis- trict of the State, which stretches from Win- nebago county to its southern and western limits. This vast tract, with the exception of the strip of timbered land in the counties bor- dering Lake Michigan, constitutes the north- eastern section of that great agricultural empire of fertile prairic and openings, which extends to the south and west for distances that include whole States in their vast limita- tions, and presenting in almost one continuous body a tract of agricultural country, whose territorial immensity and fertility is unparal- leled in the wide world. That portion of it included in the limits of the State of Wiscon- sin is more diversified with openings and detached bodies of timber, and consequently does not present those great monotonous stretches of level prairie, which largely abound in the more southern portions of the district. The face of this prairie and opening country of Wisconsin is indescribably charming in its picturesque beauty of commingled prairie, wood land, lakes and rivers; forming vast rural landscapes of the most exquisite loveliness. Here are lakes rivaling the finest in the world, with handsome sloping banks rising in the most graceful undulations.
The rolling prairie, in a succession of smoothly rounded ridges, stretching away as far as eye can reach, dotted with picturesque openings and bordered with the dense foliage of the more heavily wooded slopes, affording views, whose distant vistas fade into a per- spective that resembles some enchanting mir- age of wooded hills and grassy lawns, with glimpses of water flecking the whole scene in artistic light and shadows. But in all this magnificent country, there is no tract that can surpass, and but few that can equal, that embraced in the counties of Winnebago, Green Lake and western Fond du Lac. These now present one expanse of highly cultivated farms, with farm houses that, in many instan- ces are elegant rural villas; spacious barns and good fences, giving every evidence of the wealth and thrift of their occupants.
In Green Lake and Winnebago countics, the beautiful water scenery is an especial fea- ture, which gives additional charms to the contrasting varieties of prairie and woodland. These large bodies of water modify the heat of summer, and purify the air, which is delight- fully exhilarating and healthful. These lakes
.
RESIDENCE OF GEO. MAYER COR ROWEN AND CFAPF STS OSHKOSH WIS
SIMHSOXHSSIS NU> WWW.
95
HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
1879.]
and rivers, too, form a great water-course through the heart of the country, which is nav- igated by steamers, and upon whose banks have arisen some of the chief cities of the State. Here, then, is a country of the richest fertility of soil, with a healthful climate, in which malarial diseases are almost unknown; with pure air and an abundant supply of the best of water; while every portion of it is in close proximity to business centers, and abounding in great physical resources of agri- culture and manufacture. Immediately adjoining this country is the heavily timbered region, of northeastern Wisconsin, traversed by navigable streams, and possessing the greatest water-power on the continent, with a capacity, at a number of points, for miles of mills and factories; at one point on the lower Fox the capacity being one hundred and fifteen thousand horse-power. This "timbered" country of northeastern Wisconsin is also a fine agricultural district, in addition to its great manufacturing resources. The thirty large flouring and paper mills, many of them mam- moth establishments, in Neenah and Apple- ton, and the extensive iron works and manu- factories of wooden ware, at various points on the river, already give evidence of the giant proportions of its manufacturing capacity, but which is yet in the very infancy of its develop- ment. The country, collectively, constitutes the Fox River Valley; the Upper Fox, prairie and openings of the richest fertility; the Lower, hard-wood timber lands, with a good, strong clay soil, while to the northwest is the belt of sandy district, which terminates in the great forest lying beyond. This country, to the north and west of the Upper Fox, with the exception of a portion of Winnebago county, is one distinctively different in its physical fea- tures to that lying to the south and east, as stated in the beginning of this article.
The vast prairie country to the southwest has its northeast boundary in the beautiful valley of the Upper Fox, in which the face of the country, the soil and general features, are similar to those of the best part of the southern portions of the State, with the additional fea- ture of numerous bodies of navigable waters. A short distance to the north, after crossing the Fox, the character of the country changes, and the region ealled Northern Wisconsin here has its beginning. The soil changes from the rich, black loam of the prairie, and clay of the wooded land into a sandy soil, which very generally prevails in Waushara and northern Marquette counties, and the southern half of Portage and Waupaca, with variable degrees of fertility. After crossing the belt of open,
sandy country, the pine and hardwood forests of Northern Wisconsin are reached. The vast region lying beyond the Fox Valley, and and extending north to the shore of Lake Superior, is one of great variety of soil, resources and face of country, embracing small, sandy plains, handsome openings of fair fertility, extensive cranberry marshes, grass lands, cedar and tamarack swamps, pine lands, and rough, rocky districts, and mineral lands. It is well watered by innumerable lakes and rivers.
There are also in Northern Wisconsin large tracts of the very finest sugar-maple land,com- prising nearly whole townships in a body, with a rich, warm, black soil - as fine farming land as can be foundin the West. There is a wide belt of this maple land mixed with other hard- wood timber, and an occasional patch of pine, extending through Oconto, Shawano and Mar- athon counties. Some townships are already well settled, and large tracts in a good state of cultivation. This whole tract is well supplied with the purest of running water, spring brooks, rivers, and in many locations, beautiful lakes.
The country to the north of this is more bro- ken, rough and rocky, and constitutes a por- tion of the great mineral tract, which extends to Lake Superior. It will be seen, therefore, that this region has a great variety of natural resources in its timber materials, mineral deposits, agricultural lands, navigable streams and water-power.
The Wolf River and its large tributaries, flowing from this region, cmpties into the Upper Fox,, and is navigable for one hundred and fifty miles or more, thus giving the Fox River Valley country water communication and easy accessibility to its vast material resources.
It is this conjunction of the respective natu- ral elements of three distinct types of country, which constitutes the great manufacturing and business capacity of the Fox River Valley, where Nature, with the most prodigal hand, has scattered the richest elements of productive wealth; and it is this which makes the beautiful country on the line of these water-courses a populous thoroughfare, on which have sprung up thriving cities -the busy centers of modern enterprise and manufacturing activity.
96
HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
[1879.
CHAPTER XXX.
County of Winnebago - Ils Area - Face of the County - Altitude - Water, Timber, Soil and Productions.
HE county of Winnebago, comprising sixteen townships, four of which are fractional, constitutes one of the finest tracts in the Fox Valley. It is situ- ated west of Lake Winnebago, which bounds its entire eastern border.
The tract embraced in its limits forms the northeastern extremity of the great prairie and opening country of Wisconsin; and one more lovely and picturesque cannot be found in the West.
Its surface is generally rolling; the more level districts being on the margin of the streams. The greatest altitude is one hundred and seventeen feet above the level of Fox River. The country, in its natural state, resembled a vast park, in which prairie, wood- land, lake and river combined in one diversi- fied scene of natural beauty.
It is one of the best watered districts of the State, being intersected by three navigable rivers, the Upper and Lower Fox, and the Wolf, and bordered by Lake Winnebago, a body of water thirty-five miles long and ten to twelve wide. The lovely water scenery of the county is one of its charming features. In nearly every direction the scene embraces dis- tant views, disclosing vistas, in which lake and river, prairie and forest are blended together in exquisite harmony. The mouth of the Upper Fox forms one of the most spacious harbors in the State. This stream, between Lake Butte des Morts and Lake Winnebago averages five hundred feet in width It empties into a handsome bay, on the shores of which Oshkosh is situated. The mouth of the river is a half mile in width, and, with the handsome point that forms the northern out- line, and the steamers and numerous sailing crafts moving on its surface, forms a most attractive seenc.
The shores of the lake were originally forest, a belt of "timber" extending inland from two to five miles, which was composed chiefly of oak, sugar-maple, hickory, elm and basswood. Adjoining this were heavy burr-oak openings, which, in some places, approached the shore of the lake. Along the shore, in the town of Black Wolf, were what were called "timber openings," and Indian planting grounds; being very large, tall oaks scattered at intervals through open spaces, with occasional thick- ets of hazel brush, plum and crab-apple. The undergrowth was so kept down by the annual fires, that large tracts presented the appearance
of great, well-kept parks. At some points the lake could be seen through the trees from a distance of one or two miles back from the shore. The Indian planting grounds were mere open spaces, with an occasional tree or clump of bushes, and were the sites of the Indian villages that previously occupied the most eligible points on the lake shore. On Lakes Butte des Morts, Winneconne and Poy- gan were also many large Indian clearings, the sites of villages and planting grounds; for, as stated in previous pages, this county was the center of a large Indian population.
A large proportion of the shores of the lakes is handsome, undulating land, frequently forming points with gravel and sand beaches.
In some places on the margin of the streams and lakes, were extensive hay marshes, with a luxuriant growth of red top and wild pea vine. The bottoms of the smaller streams and the "interval lands" also furnished natural
meadows.
The soil, though varying much in different localities, when taken as a whole, is nowhere surpassed, -from a deep, purely vegetable mold to a vegetable loam, clay and sand, all resting upon a sub-soil of clay, and small areas of sand mixed with ochre, which makes the earliest and richest soil known. The pre- vailing rock is of limestone, which is found in extensive quantities, supplying an abundance of hard, durable building stone, and superior grain growing qualities to the soil. Sand stone is also found to a limited extent.
Good water is everywhere abundant; the lakes and streams meandering through the country from various directions, with innumer- able springs as feeders, furnish a lavish and never failing supply, while excellent wells are readily obtained at a depth of from ten to thirty feet, and by drilling from fifteen to one hundred feet (generally within forty-five feet), constant flowing fountains of purest water are produced, discharging from two to five feet above the surface, in any part of the county, the deeper fountains supplying water of remarkable medicinal qualities.
The lakes and streams abound in a great variety of the finest fish, of which the black bass, rock bass, pickerel, pike, perch and sturgeon, are prominent, affording rare sport to those whose inclination leads in that direc- tion; and added to these are the sucker (red horse), buffalo fish, cat-fish, and other varieties.
In the northeastern, as in some other por- tions, extensive beds of brick clay of superior quality are found and largely utilized, produc- ing the cream-colored brick. 1
f
4
1.1
RESIDENCE OF CHARLES MORGAN . Sec. 18 TOWN OF BLACK WOLF WIS.
SIM JIVATIYM SONGO A
WAUKAU MILLS
97
HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
1818-35.]
The notable products of the county are wheat, rye, oats, corn, barley, buckwheat, hops, potatoes, butter and cheese, horses, cat- tle, sheep and hogs; apples, plums, pears, cherries, grapes, and a profusion of the smaller fruits, with an abundance of hay, both natural and cultivated.
As evidence of the inexhaustible fertility of the soil, Mr. Commodore Rogers, of the town of Oshkosh, pointed out a field of wheat, just harvested, the twenty-fourth consecutive crop on that piece of land; which was equal to the average of this year's growth within the town.
CHAPTER XXXI.
Early French Settlers of Winnebago - The Trading-Post at Butte des Morts - L. B. Porlier - The Grignons-The Business Center of the Upper Fox -Trading-Post at Coon's Point, Algoma - Captain William Powell - William John- son, the Interpreter - Charles Grignon and Family -James Knagg's Trading Post and Ferry, Near the Site of Algoma Bridge - Government Agency for the Instruction and Civil- ization of the Indians, Established at Winnebago Rapids (now Neenah) - Mills and Buildings Erected for the Use of the Indians at that Place in 1835-36 -- Archibald Caldwell - The Abandonment of the Enterprise and Sale of the Site and Buildings to Harrison Reed.
N 1818, Augustin Grignon and James Porlier established a trading post, just below the present village of Butte des- Morts, on the bank of the lake. Mr. Grignon was at that time a resident of Kaukauna, and Mr. Porlier resided at Green Bay. Robert Grignon had charge of the post for a time, but subsequently went to Algoma, and started another. In 1832, Mr. L. B. Porlier took charge of the post at Butte des- Morts, and for many years did an extensive business at that point. He still resides at that place, which is one of the oldest historical land-marks of the country; while he is a sur- viving representative of the old French-Indian occupation.
This place in its day was the business center of the Upper Fox; the Indian trail from Green Bay to Fort Winnebago crossed the Fox at this point. The opposite shore, now a wet marsh, afforded solid footing for a horse. A ferry was kept and a public house for the accommoda- tion of travelers. At times a large number of Indians were congregated at this post, trading their furs for Indian goods, and many a festive backwoods frolic has occurred there.
Augustin Grignon, a man most highly esteemed by the old settlers, also kept a pub- lic house at Kaukauna, which was a favorite resort of officers from forts Howard and Win- nebago, who on great occasions used to assem-
ble with their ladies, to trip the light fantastic toe.
General Cass, Governor Dodge, and other high dignitaries, even, have participated in these festive occasions.
Another early settler was Peter Powell. He built a place on the shore of the lake in 1832. His son, Captain William Powell, who lived with him at that time, acted a conspicuous part in the early day, and was very popular with both the white settlers and the Indians. Hc was noted for his fine address and pleasing, genial ways, and for being one of the dryest jokers in the country.
In 1835, another trail was adopted for the mail route between forts Howard and Winne- bago. This trail crossed the river just below the foot of Lake Butte des Morts, near the present Algoma bridge, and in that year, George Johnson, father of William Johnson, well known to the old settlers, as the Indian interpreter, built on what was afterwards known as Coon's point, two log houses, estab- lished a ferry, and opened a tavern. He sub- sequently sold the whole establishment to Robert Grignon and William Powell. They afterwards sold the same to James Knaggs, a half-breed, who immediately opened up at this point, a trading post, with a large stock of Indian goods. This was the first business concern within what is now the limits of Oshkosh.
In 1839, Charles Grignon, with his family, settled on what is now known as Jackson's Point. A band of Menominees soon joined him, and an Indian village, with adjacent planting-grounds, sprung up on that site.
In 1831, a treaty was concluded with the Menominee Indians, which provided for the payment to them from the Government, of $5,000 per annum, for four years, and after the expiration of that time, $6,000 for twelve years; $4,000 of this latter yearly annuity was to be expended in arms and ammunition; and in pursuance of a plan adopted by the Gov- ernment for the civilizing of the Indians, it was agreed upon, that an agency should be established at some suitable place, a Govern- ment grist and saw mill erected, and log dwell- ing houses for the use of such Indians as would live in them. It was also provided that five farmers should be established at the agency, at a salary of $300 each per annum, five female school teachers, at $60 each per annum, and mechanics, tools and farming implements. In 1834, Winnebago Rapids (the site of Neenah), was selected for the location of the agency, where the Indians were to be instructed in the arts of civilized life; and in that year Nathaniel
18
98
HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
[1836-44.
Perry, appointed by the Government, as one of the farmers, came to this site and erected a log house, into which he moved with his family. In 1835, the Government made con- tracts for the building of the saw and grist mills, and the erection of the log houses, with William Dickenson and David Whitney of Green Bay. These parties, with a large num- ber of mechanics, entered upon the work, and erected the mills and the bodies of some thirty odd log-houses.
The mill occupied the present site of the Winnebago Paper Mills, Davis, Ford & Co., and adjacent to them were the residences of the miller, Colonel David Johnson, and of the blacksmiths, Jourdan & Hunter. The saw mill had one upright saw and the grist mill two runs of stone.
Four log houses in different localities were occupied respectively by Nathaniel Perry, Clark Dickenson, Robert Irwin and Ira Baird, who were appointed by the Government to act in the capacity of instructors of the Indians in the art of agriculture.
Some thirty odd log-houses in three rows, were in various stages of completion, and par- tially occupied by the Menominces, who seemed to be generally averse to living in them; preferring to pitch their wigwams outside.
About this time, Richard Pritchett settled at the Rapids, and was allowed to occupy one of the houses. Archibald Caldwell came about the same time and lived with a Menominee woman as his consort. He took a deep inter- est in the welfare of the Indians and was highly esteemed by them.
1
The Indians, not proving very apt pupils in anything requiring very steady application and industry, the project was soon abandoned; and the whites, who were in the employment of the Government, left the place. Clark Dickenson moving into the southern part of the County, finally settled at Oshkosh, and was at one time Register of Decds.
In 1838, the small pox broke out among the Indians at the Winnebago Rapids agency, and the Government surgeon was sent from Kau- kauna, by the agent at that place; but on his arrival, instead of visiting the patients, he sought out Caldwell, left his medicine chest with him, gave him instructions for treating the disease and fled to a place of afety. Cald- well and his wife faithfully administered to the sick ones, and were untiring in their exertions, until they were at last stricken themselves with the contagion. Caldwell's wife died, but he recovered, and continued to reside in the vicinity of Neenah for many years, and finally removed to Shiocton.
-
The buildings at the Rapids fell into neglect and decay, and the Government advertised for sale the land, buildings, tools and imple- ments. In 1844, Harrison Reed purchased the same, and commenced the permanent set- tlement of Neenah.
CHAPTER XXXII.
First Permanent Settlers in Winnebago County -The Stanleys and Gallups - The First Houses in Oshkosh - Henry A. Gallup's Interesting Narrative -New Accessions to the Population in the Arrival of the Wrights and Evanses - First Matrimonial Event in the County - Joseph Jackson Sets a Good Example to the Bachelors.
HE first permanent settlers in Winne- bago County, in its American occu- pation, were the Stanleys and the. Gallups, who settled at the present site of Oshkosh, in 1836. Those who preceded them were temporary occupants, either connected with the old French-Indian occupation, or in the employment of the Gov- ernment, and moving with the Indians from place to place. That settlement which pro- duces substantial results in the progress and improvement of a country, was now to com- nicncc.
Webster Stanley, while in the employment of the Government, engaged in transporting supplies from Fort Howard to Fort Winnc- bago, in 1835, observed, as he passed this place, its natural beauty and great advantages, and was so favorably impressed with it that he resolved to settle on the same.
In 1836, he was engaged in the construction of the Government buildings at Winnebago Rapids, and, on their completion, he procured one of the agency's Durham boats, and load- ing it with a year's supply of provisions, lum ber, tools and such furniture as he was posses- sed of, he and his family embarked, and were on their way to the foot of Lake Butte des Morts, a locality that had particularly charmed him.
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.