USA > Wisconsin > Winnebago County > History of Winnebago County, Wisconsin, and early history of the Northwest > Part 29
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A new interest was given to the village, while the territo- rial Legislature was in session, by the passage of a bill removing the county seat from an isolated and unsettled point to Osh- kosh, at which the good citizens took occasion to rejoice liber- ally.
Such was the first settlement of Oshkosh, and since that time its growth has exceeded the most sanguine hopes and expectations of every one. At the present date the village con- tains a population of four hundred and eighty-six, of which two hundred and seven are females, and two hundred and sev- enty-nine males. There are six extensive dry goods stores, four groceries, seven lawyers, two shoe shops, two taverns, one recess, one steam saw mill, one tin shop, one sash, shingle and furniture factory, two cabinet makers, one physician, one watch maker, one gun smith, one harness maker, three black- smith shops, employing eleven hands, and one newspaper establishment. Besides these there are a good assortment of mechanics, and the necessary offices and county buildings, etc., and every day witnesses the arrival of some one or more families, and since the census was taken for this article, several large families have come amongst us. It is also computed that not less than one hundred of our male population are at the time engaged in the lumbering business in the pinery.
In the spring of 1847, the Fox River Bridge Company was incorporated for the purpose of building a bridge from thefoot of Ferry street. The incorporators were Edward Eastman, Chester Ford, S. H. Farnsworth, John Smith, G. F. Wright, L. M. Miller, Albert Lull, and others. They commenced work on the bridge, but it was finally completed by Abel Neff on the third day of July, 1849; and on the day following (the Fourth of July), a celebration being held, the procession marched across the bridge to the hotel of Otis & Earl.
FIRST SAW MILLS.
In 1847 two saw mills were erected at about the same time; one by Morris Firman near the site of the present gang mill, and one by For-
-
man & Bashford at Algoma. The latter, it
is claimed, sawed the first lumber. The third mill was built by Sheldon & Hubbard; the fourth by Reed, Wyman & Company. These were soon followed by the building of mills by J. P. Coon, Geer & Company, Stilson & Chase, and Joseph Porter. The firm of Brand & Sawyer, in 1848, came into the possession of the first mill, built at Algoma the year pre- vious.
This was the beginning of that vast lumber industry of Oshkosh that has since grown to such great proportions.
FIRST GRIST MILL.
The first grist mill was built by Forman & Company at Algoma. This supplied a want that had been badly felt; for previous to the building of this mill much of the grist of the county had to be sent to Manchester on the east shore of the lake; and in the earlier days, flour had to be packed in from Green Bay on an Indian trail.
STEAMBOATS. 4
The first steamboat plying these waters was the little Manchester. She was the only boat until the Peytona made her appearance in 1849. This fine boat had a most successful career, and for years plied regularly between Fond du Lac and Oshkosh The roads were frequently impassable, and for months at a time the only means of communication between the places was by steamers. From '49 to '53 an immense immigration was pouring in, and the Peytona was loaded with passengers on her daily trips.
The D. B. Whitacre, another steamer, was put on the lake about the same time, and in 1852, the Menasha, a splendid-looking boat, eclipsing in appearance anything yet seen in these waters, commenced making regular trips. The Jenny Lind, Oshkosh, Badger State, A. W. Knapp, John Mitchell and Berlin were soon added to the marine force, and Oshkosh had daily lines from her docks; one to Fond du Lac, one up the Wolf to Gill's Landing and New London, one up the Fox to Berlin and one via the Lower Fox to Green Bay. The coming and going of these steamers, with the tugs which were soon introduced to tow the rafts and the sail craft which began to multiply in numbers, inrparted a very business-like appearance to the place, and added much to its commercial importance.
FIRST NEWSPAPER.
On the ninth day of February, 1849, the first newspaper published in the County, the Oshkosh Democrat, made its appearance. This was hailed as a great event.
139
HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
1849-50.]
BUSINESS FIRMS OF OSHKOSH IN 1849.
In the advertising columns of the Oshkosh Democrat, the following named firms appear. If there were any others, they will not be handed down to posterity, from the fact of not having advertised in their local paper:
Dry Goods, Groceries, Etc. - Weed & Baldwin, Andrea & Papendick, J. Davis, Whitacre & Langworthy, W. A. Knapp & Co., David & Ford, M. J. Baker, James A. Chesley, who also included drugs, paints and oils; J. C. Hayes, Eastman, Cottrell & Ames, George Warren.
Clothing Stores-Samuel Eckstein, David Robinson & Co.
Boot and Shoe Store - Petersilea & Geschwender, Henry Priess.
Hardware Store - Hay & Hall.
Books and Stationcry - E. R. Baldwin.
Groceries and Provisions- P. V. Wright, B. F. Phillips, J. K. & J. Hicks.
Jewelry Store -J. W. Scott.
Storage, Forwarding and Commission - Gordon & Dodge.
Hotels - Oshkosh House, by Manoah Griffin; Winnebago Hotel, by A. Olcott. Liquor Store -A. Sittig.
Shocmaker -Edward Edwards.
Blacksmithing - Edward Eastman, C. T. Kimball, C. A. Garrett.
Oshkosh Steam Saw Mill - M. Firman.
Fox River Iron Works -G. S. Olin, Pro- prietor; Grist mill and saw mill gearing, steam engines, etc., made to order.
.
Sash Factory - John J. Fort.
Furniture Dcaler - J. Y. Davis ..
Architect and Builder - George Williams. Harness Maker - Albert Pride.
Gunsmith- J. Craig.
Livery Stable- J. Harris.
Attorneys-at-Law- Rowley & Austin, G. W. Washburn, L. P. Crary, Buttrick & Spaul- ding, Blodgett & Hobart, Gabe Bouck, Eighme & Onstine.
Physicians- A. B. Wright, B. S. Henning, G. H. Kleffler.
Notaries - Clark Dickenson, E. A. Cooley.
In 1850 the additional firms advertising are as follows:
Steam Saw Mills-D. W. Forman & Co., Reed & Wyman, Chase & Stilson, Gere & Co .; Planing mill, Hubbard & Ridlon, and Firman.
Foundry - Williams.
Flouring Mill- D. W. Forman & Co.
Clothing Houses - McCourt & Marks, Anton Andrea.
Dry Goods, Groceries, ctc. - G. C. Ames, Gruenhagen & Son, A. H. Read; H. Hicks &
Brother, L. H. Cottrill, Reardon & Brother. Groceries and Provisions - R. Vessey.
Wine and Cigar Store - Theodore Frentz. Drug Store - M. J. Williams.
Iron and Hardware Stores-A. N. and A. H. Raymond.
Sash, Door and Blind Factory - Chapman & Abbott.
Tannery -G. D. Bullen.
Oshkosh Brewery - Scheussler & Freund. Furniture Warerooms -Henry Reynolds.
Tobacconist - A. H. L. Dias.
Wagon and Carriage Shop - Barnes Moody.
&
Stage Line from Oshkosh to Fort Winne- bago.
Furniture -Samuel Schaub.
Eagle Hotel -J. F. Mills.
Algoma House- Cooley & Moody.
Meat Market -Conrad Ernst.
"THE DAYS OF AULD LANG SYNE"
ITEMS FROM THE OSHKOSH DEMOCRAT IN THE YEARS '49 AND '50.
The Democrat announces the breaking out of the California gold fever, and has an article on the "Importance of the Wilmot Proviso," and the great merit of the Free Soil Party. The issue of July 6, 1849, says:
"In our tramp last week we passed through Omro, a new town started on Fox River five miles above the junction with the Wolf. It is not a town yet, but its proprietors tell us that it is a central place, that several new leading roads cross the river at that place and that it cannot fail to grow. Dean, Beckwith & Co. are building a steam saw mill there."
September 21, 1849. "Mr. Edwards, School District Clerk, last Tuesday took the census of this district to ascertain the number of school children between the age of four and twenty. He also, while doing this, numbered the whole population of our town. The census shows I87 school children and 1,032 inhabitants. There are in Oshkosh six dry goods stores, nine grocery stores, three taverns and another nearly completed, five shoe establishments, three meat markets, one brewery, one bakery, two forwarding houses, one tin manufactory, one silversmith, one saddler, four blacksmiths, one wagon shop, two tailoring establishments, etc. Of professional men in town there were four doctors, eight lawyers, two money lend- ers and several others whose professions are rather precarious."
A stage is advertised to run between Osh- kosh, Fond du Lac and Winnebago Rapids. The steamer Manchester itis announced will
140
HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
1849-50.]
ply between Fond du Lac and Oshkosh. For freight or passage apply to P. Hotaling.
The Truc Democrat, of October 26, 1849, has at the head of its columns the following county ticket:
For Senator-L. M. Miller.
Clerk of Board-Frank Powers.
Treasurer-Edward Edwards.
Surveyor-Joseph Osborn. Independent Candidate for Member Assembly-John P. Gallup.
of
"The Board of Public Works met here last week, to receive proposalsfor contracts for the works at the Rapids and Grand Chute.
"The Board were all present, together with Governor Dewey.
"The work at the Rapids was let to Curtis Recd. The conditions of the contract are that Mr. Reed binds himself in good and sufficient sureties to build the work without charge to the State, and to pay to the State, in addition, $5,000 for making it. In consideration of this, the Board permits the work to be made on the north channel (the Menasha side).
"The work at Grand Chute was not let, as the bids in the aggregate amounted to more than the Board are allowed to expend at this time.
"Thus it will be seen that the Board are push- ing everything just as fast as they can. And what is more, it will be seen that every circum- stance seems to work favorably to the State. All interested can congratulate themselves on the good luck that seems to attend the progress of the Improvement."
November 9, 1849. "Last week we were down to those growing towns at the foot of the lake after an absence of a little more than two months, and things new and almost strange, (we say almost, because we have learned to call nothing strange in these times of progress), met our gaze on all sides. New houses and new stores going up at Neenah, and since the letting a new rush is setting in to Menasha. Two saw mills are already in operation there, two more are about commencing, and other manufacturing establishments are to be com- menced immediately. These two towns will soon eclipse all around them."
WAUKAU.
"This town shows an improving appearance. Parson & Bocker's flouring mill is in rapid process of completion. The appearance is that it will be a great advantage to the town and surrounding country, and will add much to its prosperity.
WINNECONNE.
"This place is rapidly improving. Its loca- tion is beautiful, the ground being high and the
landing one of the best on the river. It is but a few months since the village was laid out, but quite a number of good buildings have already been erected and everything there wears a business-like appearance.'
May 31, 1850. The arrival of the new steamer, Peytona, is announced. "Provisions are very high here now, and the indications are that a scarcity pervades the entire West."
MARKET REPORT.
May 31, 1850. "Wheat, 50c@56c; flour, $4 per barrel; hams, 12c; pork, $20 per barrel; butter, 18 and 20c; cheese, $.12; eggs, I2c; beef, $5@$5.50; potatoes, 87c; oats, 75c; corn, 56c; lard, IOC@IIC."
August 9, 1850. "The new steamer, Bad- ger State, is announced to run to Strong's Landing.'
THE WEATHER.
September 6, 1850. "In all our experience we have never seen such long, uninterrupted, continued and excessively wet and cold weather, for the time of year, as we have had since the first of July. The whole country is a perfect ocean. It is useless to think of trav- eling; the oat and potato crops are ruined. During the week past it has rained almost incessantly, and has been so cold as to require overcoats."
January 3, 1851. Raymond's select school is commended as a praiseworthy institution.) January 12, 1851. "It is announced that the Legislature elected Dr. B. S. Henning of this place Register of the Land Office, and James Murdock, of Dodge County, Treasurer."
January 17. 1851. "We are requested to give notice that the Right Reverend Bishop Kemper, D. D., Bishop of the Protestant Epis- copal Church for the diocese of Wisconsin, will hold service in the rooms over A. N. and A. H. Raymond's hardware store on Tuesday evening next."
January 24, 1851. "R. P. Eighme will lecture before the Young Men's Association. Subject, Knowledge and its Exercise." ,
ALGOMA AND LIBERTY PRAIRIE PLANK ROAD.
January 24, 1851. "We learn that $8,000 has been taken of the stock of the Company, and that preparations are making for the rapid progress of the work."
February 7, 1851. "The German concert, Wednesday evening, went off to the satisfaction of all who were present. Mrs. Andrea sang 'The Ship on Fire' with exceeding taste and beauty."
March 28, 1851. "The new steamer, John Mitchell, we learn is completed and will be
141
HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
1851-53.]
here on Wednesday next. W. A. Knapp & Co. have finished their wharf."
FLOURING.
"We think no enterprise in this town would pay better than a good flouring mill. The whole country up the Wolf River gets its flour from this place, which we have to get mostly from Dodge County."
"The Board of Public Works (Fox and Wis- consin Improvement) held a session here on Monday last. The members were all present. The Land Office is now open for entries."
April 4, 1851. "The weather here during all March was fair and delightful."
April 25, 1851. "The weather the past week has been most beautiful. The steamer Badger State has made a trip up the Wolf. Last Saturday the John Mitchell started on a trip to the Little Wolf.
'Our neighbors on the south side of the river must beprospering. We noticed several new grocery stores started and preparations for more, and any quantity of new buildings. Prosperity seems to be the word with all.
"The circular steam saw mill of Arnold & Gates is doing most excellent work."
May 2, 1851. "Samuel Eckstein is receiv ing a large stock of clothing."
May 16, 1851. "The steamer Oshkosh is expected here to-morrow."
May 23, 1851. "On Monday evening we were visited with another deluge. It com- menced about three P. M and continued until nine, and the whole country was nearly sub- merged."
May 30, 1851. "Mr. Rowley informs us that a couple of companies commenced the survey of the Indian Land west of Wolf River and . north of the north line of this county a few days since."
May 30, 1851. "Flood! Flood! We men- tioned last week the excessive rains we had been visited with. No sooner had we got to press than it commenced raining again, and continued for an entire day, harder than ever. Again, on Monday of this week, it commenced and continued almost incessantly until Wednesday. The river is higher than we have ever seen it before by many feet. The whole county is afloat and it is utterly impossible to get about. We have been building a shanty on a lot which we thought to be high and dry,' but we have had to build a raft to get from the door to the woodpile."
This was the season of the high water which will be remembered by the old settlers. The writer sailed a boat that drew about three feet when loaded, from Fond du Lac, and came into
the river here with a good strong sailing breeze, and sailed directly up to the platform of the Oshkosh House, which occupied the present site of Stroud's oil store. Between this point and the river it was flooded all the season, the water from two to four feet deep.
Meadow lands on the Fox and Wolf Rivers, and on Lake Winnebago, that had formerly been fine hay marshes were destroyed. The writer sailed over a cornfield on Long Point, and also sailed a boat drawing two feet of water from Partridge Lake directly across the large meadow between that lake and Gill's Landing. Large tracts of timber on the low- lands were destroyed; for the high water pre vailed all the season, and only partially subsided the next. It was thought that the dams at Neenah and Menasha were partially the cause, and meetings were held and an organized effort made to compel the corporations to lower them.
The Democrat of August 31, says:
"On Thursday last five steamers were leav- ing this place at the same time. The Menasha and Peytona for foot of the lake, the Oshkosh and Badger State for Berlin, and the Mitchell for Mukwa."
INDIAN PAYMENTS.
One of the events of the early day was Indian payments. One took place on October 30, 1851. It was held at the "Pay Grounds" on Lake Poygan, and a great concourse of people flocked thither with all those articles that Indians are likely to purchase. Indian trad- ers from all directions, and merchants from the several villages came with their goods. Eating shanties were erected and every means resorted to to tempt the Indian to squander his money. For full description of these pay- ments see history of Town of Poygan.
In 1852 the continuance of high water created much excitement. The river and lake had risen about two feet above the usual high water mark, and a belief prevailed that it was occasioned by the Neenah and Menasha dams. Meetings were held and counsel employed to commence an action against the corporations at the foot of the lake, but nothing effective was accomplished.
A HISTORIC BELL.
May, 1853. "Oshkosh glories in a new bell, and we feel so proud of it that we keep contin- ually ringing it, as a boy blows upon his new whistle."
This bell had an eventful record. It was cast in Oshkosh and it is claimed that it was the first bell cast in the State. After it was cast it was found that there was not material
142
HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
[1853.
enough to form the yoke, when more bell-metal was procured and it was recast.
It was little thought when the new bell first rung out its joyful peals, that it would give warning of the dreadful fire calamity of 1859. In this fire it was fused into a mass of metal which Hon. Samuel Hay, then Mayor, shipped to Troy, where it was recast and sent back to Oshkosh to be hung in No. 1 Engine House, where it did service for many years, and its ominous tones frequently startled our citizens, asit gave warning of the many fires that des- olated the city.
May, 1853. "Business opens in a very flat- tering manner this spring. There is more build- ing, more life and activity all around town than formerly. Last season untenanted houses abounded here; they are occupied now, and the demand for houses exceeds the supply. All our dealers are receiving heavy stocks of goods in their respective lines of trade, and prosper- ity and activity is apparent on every side."
March 25, 1853 "J. H. Osborn is compil- ing an abstract of the titles to all the real estate in the county.
OSHKOSH BECOMES A CITY.
"In these progressive days, when boys are 'young men' at fifteen, and girls 'young ladies' at twelve - in an age when everything is decidedly 'fast'-we do not know why a burg of two or three thousand inhabitants may not shake off the reproach implied in the word village, and assume a place among the mature characters of the age. Is there any good rea- son why Oshkosh should not be a city. A majority of our citizens believed that no such reason existed, and on last Friday the City charter was adopted by 177 majority. The charter election has been held, and mayor, aldermen, etc., have been chosen. Oshkosh is a city."
" The two houses of the Legislature met in joint convention on the 28th of March 1853, when the nominees of the Democratic caucus were elected:
Board of Public Works-L. M. Miller, Ben- jamin Allen, A. Proudfit.
Register-R. P. Eighme.
Treasurer-James Murdock.
May 6, 1853. "Mr. Ames, we hear, has just purchased of Mr. McNeil, eighty feet on Ferry Street for two thousand dollars. Twenty five dollars a foot. This tells something for the growing business of the place."
The Democrat, of May 13, 1853, contains the following extract from an article in the Milwaukee Sentinel, in favor of a railroad from Oshkosh to Milwaukee:
"Here are two large rivers-the Wolf a very large one-converging at Oshkosh, the central point of Winnebago County, and emptying by a common mouth into Lake Winnebago, the one a hundred and twenty miles long from the southwest, and the other a hundred and twenty miles of navigable water from the north, and sending their united business to their common business center-Oshkosh. On the Fox are the thriving villages of Omro, Delhi, Eureka, Sacramento, Berlin, St. Marie, Princeton, Marquette and Montello. South of this, bordering on it, is the county of Colum- bia, and parts of Marquette and Winnebago. On the Wolf are the villages of Algoma, Buttes des Morts, Winneconne, Fremont, Mukwa, Benton and Shawano. East of the Wolf are the counties of Oconto and Outagamie, and part of Winnebago. In the angle formed by the two rivers, are the entire counties of Wau- shara, Waupaca, and Shawano, and parts of Marquette and Winnebago. These rivers are the outlet of this whole extent of country, and Oshkosh is the key and commanding mart of the whole."
For quite a period at this time-1853-the Maine liquor law seems to have been the great sensation. Number after number of the paper contains temperance articles and notices of temperance meetings.
The organic election under the charter organization of the city of Oshkosh, was held on the fifth day of April, 1853; and on that day, Oshkosh commenced her career as a full- fledged city, having adopted the city charter by 177 majority.
The following named persons were elected for the first municipal officers of the newly 'made city, viz:
Mayor-Edward Eastman.
City Clerk-William Luscher.
Treasurer-W. H. Weed.
Marshal-E. Neff.
School Superintendent-E. R. Baldwin.
Aldermen-First Ward: W. G. Gumaer, H. Swart.
Assessor-D. Dopp. Justice-C. Coolbaugh. Constable-James Ray. Aldermen-Second Ward: Manoah Griffin,
A : Andrea.
Assessor-W. A. Knapp. Justice-J. R. Forbes. Constable-F. M. Crary. Aldermen-Third Ward: A. Neff, Seth Wyman.
Assessor-F. Leach. Justice-L. B. Reed. Constable-M. Moody.
143
HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
1853-57.]
The Council, in May, 1853, passed a resolu- tion granting licenses for the sale of spirituous liquors to hotels for $20, and to saloons for $25, and fixing the salary of watchman at $20 per month, and an additional $5 a month, to be paid him for his services in ringing the city bell at nine a. m., twelve m., and six p. m.
February 10, 1854. The concert of the Oshkosh Glee Club is favorably noticed, and Mrs. Voellner's solo singing is especially praised.
February 17, 1854. The city is stirred to its profoundest depths on the subject of a railroad to Milwaukee.
Same date, a Free Bridge meeting was held. MARKET REPORT.
Oshkosh, February 24, 1854. Flour, $6.00 @6.50 ; corn Meal $2.00; winter wheat $1.00 @1.10; spring 95c@$1.05; oats 25c; barley 40c; beans 62@75c; corn shelled, 45c; pork per bbl., $II.00@14.00; fresh $4.25@4.75; beef, on foot $4.75@5.00; butter 12@15c.
At same date wheat is quoted in Milwaukee: Winter $1.20@1.30; spring $1.10@1.20.
In. 1855 Mr. John Fitzgerald purchased the entire steamboat force on the lake and rivers, and systematized the business, running regu- lar lines. The passenger and freight business was very large and highly remunerative.
In this year the present cemetery was pur- chased by order of the Common Council.
Mayor Jackson, in his inaugural of this year, states that there is six hundred and seventy- five rods of plank side-walk in the First Ward, four hundred rods of street, which has been graded. In the Second Ward, 950 rods of side-walk, an 1 80 rods of graded streets. That the whole amount expended since the organi- zation of the city, is about six thousand dol- lars; this sum includes the amount paid for the bridge.
ITEMS FROM THE OSHKOSH COURIER.
" The transportation business on the waters of Lake Winnebago, and the Wolf and Fox Rivers, is beyond all precedent this season, and is far exceeding he anticipations of the most sanguine of our business men. The amount of travel and emigration to, and through this place is astonishing. This fore- noon no less than five steamers cleared from our docks, bound for various places on the lake and rivers. The 'Oshkosh City' for Menasha, the 'Queen City' for Berlin, the 'Eureka' for Gills Landing, the 'Menominee' for New Lon- don, and the 'Shioc' and 'Peytona' for Fond du Lac. All had full loads of passengers, and as much freight as could be stowed upon their decks. Two of them had barges in tow, heav-
ily loaded with merchandise, mill machinery, and the furniture and baggage of emigrants. Oshkosh is the liveliest town of its size in the State, and is growing, both in business and population, at a rate which those who are igno- rant of her unrivalled location, and command- ing position would hardly believe unless they were here to witness it." (May 13th. 1856.)
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