USA > Wisconsin > Winnebago County > History of Winnebago County, Wisconsin, and early history of the Northwest > Part 39
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
[1879.
is due the multiplicity of newspapers that had their origin in the support of one faction or another engaged in those controversies. One fact is a matter of mention, that the first paper ever started in Oshkosh exists, in its lineal descendency to thistime. The Oshkosh Northwestern is the direct lineal outgrowth of the Oshkosh Truc Democrat, established in 1849. The antiquated material of the latter was burned in the Northwestern office in the great fire of April 28, 1875.
OSHKOSH TRUE DEMOCRAT.
The first number of the Oshkosh Truc Democrat, which was a free-soil paper, appeared on February 9, 1849, bearing the names of Densmore & Cooley, publishers, and James Densmore, editor. It was heralded with great expectations by the people of the village, being the first newspaper ever pub- lished here; and the people naturally took some pride in the distinction of possessing a " home paper. " Moreover, the citizens and business men, as an inducement towards start- ing a paper here, had advanced the money for the printing material, and office outfit, agree- ing to be reimbursed in subscriptions and job printing, so that many of the citizens had a direct interest in the success of the under- taking. Densmore was the prime mover and leading spirit in the enterprise, and managed and edited the paper, while Mr. Cooley superintended the mechanical part of the work. About eighteen months after the paper was started, Densmore bought out Mr. Cooley and shortly afterwards sold the paper to George Burnside, and went to Milwaukee. He returned in about three months, however, and again assumed the editorship of the paper, although, it is thought, he had no further pro- prietary interest in it. The name of the paper was then changed to the Oshkosh Democrat, and the announcement made that henceforth it would be independent in politics. On April 1, 1853, Mr. Densmore retired from the paper, and Chauncey J. Allen took his place, having purchased an interest, the style of the firm being George Burnside & Co. On July 8th. of that year Mr. Jonathan Dougherty, of Oshkosh, who was at that time the candi- date for lieutenant governor on the free soil ticket, became a partner in the concern and assumed the duties of business manager, the style of the firm remaining the same. On March 10, 1854, Mr. Allen withdrew from the firm. Just a year afterwards Mr. Martin Mitchell became the editor and manager. In August 1856, Mr. Markham and C. W. Felker purchased the paper and changed it to Republi-
can in politics, that party having by this time se- cured a strong foothold throughout the country. January 20, 1857, Mr. Markham sold his interest to Charles G. Finney Jr. and the firm was changed to Finney & Felker and continued so until April 1858 when Mr. Felker disposed of his interest to B. F. Davis, and the firm then became Finney & Davis. In the same month that Markham & Felker became proprietors of the paper, they started a daily issue and continued it until December 1857, when it was discontinued simultaneously with the discon- tinuance of its rival contemporary, the Daily Courier, both dailies ceasing publication on the same day, by a mutual agreement between its editors who had carried on a bitter warfare for some time and had continued their daily issues at a pecuniary loss to both offices. On July 21, 1860. George Gary became sole pro- prietor of the paper, and conducted it until Oct. 3rd. following, when he sold out to Nevitt & Pike, proprietors of a new paper called the Northwestern, started the spring previous, and the two papers were consoli- dated under the title of the Northwestern.
OSHKOSH COURIER.
The second leading newspaper started in Oshkosh was the Courier, which was founded in June 1852 by J. H. McAvoy, who issued but a few numbers and sold it to Jere Crowley who conducted it until August 17, 1853, when he disposed of it to George H. Read and Charles R. Nevitt, who had just settled here from Buffalo, New York. Mr. Nevitt was a practical printer, direct from one of the leading newspaper offices of that city. Mr. Read, a writer of acknowledged ability assumed the position of editorial manager, and the Courier soon became a substantial and influential paper, noted for its force of character and independence. It became the leading Demo- cratic paper in the vicinity. In August 1857, Mr. Nevitt sold his interest in the business to Marcellus Strong, and the firm became Read & Strong, and so continued until the spring of 1863, when Hiram Morley and B. F. Davis bought it and conducted it until August 12, 1864, under the firm name of Morley & Davis.
The Courier printed the first daily paper ever issued in Oshkosh The Daily Courier was first issued on July 10, 1854, and was published until December 1857, when it was dis- continued on the same day that its rival, the Daily Democrat, sank to rest, as previously noted.
As before stated, the weekly Courier was continued by Morley & Davis until August 12, 1864. On that date it was merged
191
HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
1879.]
into the Northwestern, then conducted by Nevitt & Co., a new firm was formed, (see history of the Northwestern) and the Courier, as a distinct publication, ceased to exist.
THE NORTHWESTERN.
In May 1860, two years and a half after Mr. Nevitt withdrew from the Courier, he associ- ated himself with D. C. Felton, F. C. Mes- senger, and C. H. Messenger, under the firm name of D. C. Felton & Co., for the publi- cation of the Northwestern. On the 18th. of that month the first number was issued. This firm continued the publication until October 3rd. of that year. Upon the Ist. of October, 1860, we find three leading and well estab- lished English newspapers in Oshkosh, the Democrat and Northwestern Republican papers, and the Courier, a Democratic paper. On the third of that month an arragement was consummated whereby Mr. Gary sold out the Democrat to the Northwestern, thus consoli- dating the two Republican papers, and at the . same time the firm of D. C. Felton & Co., then conducting the Northwestern, was dis- olved, and a new firm formed, consisting of C. R. Nevitt and C. E. Pike, under the style of C. R. Nevitt & Co. On January 12th. following, a daily issue was started and con- tinued until August 28th. of the same year, when, like its daily predecessors, two years previous, it was discontinued as an unprofitable undertaking. In 1863, R. C. Eden purchased a third interest in the Northwestern and became the local editor, the firm still retaining its former title of C. R. Nevitt & Co. On August 12, 1864, another important consoli- dation took place. The Courier, then con- ducted by Morley & Davis, on that date merged into and was consolidated with the Northwestern, and a new firm was formed. Nevitt & Co. withdrew and Morley & Davis remained, taking in George Gary with them, forming the firm of Gary, Morley & Davis, which continued until November of that year when Mr. Morley withdrew leaving the firm, Gary & Davis. In March 1866, Mr. Gary sold out to C. G. Finney Jr. and the firm became Finney & Davis. In the spring of 1870 Mr. Finney sold out to Mr. Davis who conducted it, with John Hicks as local editor, until October 13, 1870, when Mr. Hicks and Thomas S. Allen, of Madison, whose term as Secretary of State had expired the January previous, bought out the concern and have since conducted it under the firm name of Allen & Hicks. In April, 1873, the Northwestern absorbed the Oshkosh Fournal, then being published by Rounds & Morley.
Thus the Northwestern is the consolidation and embodiment of four of the leading news- papers started in Oshkosh. On January 6, 1868, the daily was re-established, and has con- tinued until thistime in aflourishing condition, being enabled, by the liberal patronage given it, to take the regular associated press dis- patches, and maintain reporters and corres- pondents in all the cities and villages in this part of the state.
In the great fire of April 28, 1875, the entire office was swept away, none of the matcrial being saved. This, however, did not deter it from issuing its regular daily edition with a stroke of enterprise which deserves to be related.
Before the office had fully succumbed to the flames, a new location was rented in Moore's block, just outside the fire limits; and even while the fire was burning on Broad Street, and the eveningtrain southward had to run the gauntlet of flame and smoke on that street, Gen. Allen, the senior partner of the firm, taking the foreman of the office with him, boarded the train for Chicago, to purchase a new outfit. The city editor, Mr. C. W. Bowron, taking with him several compositors went by the same train to Fond du Lac, where a printing office was rented temporarily, and the small force set determinedly to work to get out a paper on the following morning. All night long, after a day of hard work fighting fire, they strove like heroes, and the early morning train to Oshkosh brought back the Daily Northwestern on the streets, with a full and detailed account of the great conflagra- tion, and an accurate diagram of the burnt district, and bearing, in a conspicuous line beneath the heading of the paper, the cheer- ing words: " We still Live. " The paper was issued in this manner for four days, the city editor collecting his news and further details of the great calamity through the day, going to Fond du Lac in the evening, writing out his copy and having it set during the night and returning to Oshkosh with an enormous edition in the morning. Four days after the fire, a new office. was in full operation; and the daily never missed an issue, except the one that was burned upon the press the afternoon of the fire.
REVIEW .- DEMOCRAT .- TIMES.
In the fall of 1862, a democratic paper, called the Review, was started by A. P. Swineford, and conducted with much ability for some- thing over a year, when it was discontinued.
In thesummer of 1864, Mr. Robert V. Shirley purchased the material and revived the paper under the name of the Oshkosh Democrat.
192
HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
[1879.
Mr. Shirley, who was one of the best printers in the northwest, published a very interesting local paper. He was very popular and was building up a good busines, when his office was burned in the fire of May 1866. His insurance had run out, and he lost very heavily. In the following June he started the paper anew and continued its publication until the fall of 1867, when it was bought by George Hyer and D. W. Fernandez, formerly of Madi- son, who changed the name of the paper to the Oshkosh Times, and on October 1, 1867, issued the first number. Mr. Hyer, who was widely known as one of the leading journalists of the west and one of the ablest writers, soon brought the paper up to a high standard, and it became one of the most influential journals in the State.
Mr. Hyer died April 20, 1872, and in the summer of that year S. D. Carpenter, of Madison, became associated with Fernandez in the publication, under the firm name of Carpenter & Fernandez. After the close of the campaign of that year, Mr. Carpenter retired, and in the spring following Mr. Gus O'Brien became the editorial writer of the paper, which post he held until the summer of 1874, when he ended his connection with it, and Mr. Fernandez continued the publication alone, until the 28th. of April, when the office was destroyed in the great fire. Shortly after- wards new material was obtained and the republication of the paper commenced by Fernandez and A. T. Glaze-the latter a gen- tleman long identified with the press of Fond du Lac and Ripon-under the firm name of Fernandez & Glaze, and so continues to the present time.
WINNEBAGO TELEGRAPH.
The Winnebago Telegraph was a paper started in the fall of 1849, by Dr. B. S. Henning. He shortly sold out to Morley & Edwards, who, after publishing it a short time, discon- tinued it, Mr. Edwards taking the material to Appleton, where it was burned the first night of its arrival.
DELEGATE .- REPUBLICAN.
In August 1850, by an effort of the leading whigs of this city, a paper was started here called the Oshkosh Delegate, under the man- agement of M. P. Shipper. Shipper issued but a few numbers when he abandoned the project and G. W. Washburn and Dudley Blodgett assumed control, and edited the paper until it could be disposed of. In the fall of the year the paper was sold to J. . D. Hyman, and its name changed to the Oshkosh Republican. Hiram Morley shortly became
interested in the business and after continuing the paper about a year they removed the office to Fond du Lac.
OSIIKOSH REPUBLICAN.
On January 24, 1861, B. F. Davis started a paper, called the Oshkosh Republican, but dis- continued it in the following May.
OSHKOSH TRANSCRIPT.
The Oshkosh Transcript was started in March 1860, by Thomas A. Harney, who disposed of it the following June, to John A. Ferrell. Mr. Ferrell continued it but a short time, when he removed the office to Beaver Dam, and it merged into the Argus of that place.
OSHKOSH JOURNAL.
In July, 1868, the Oshkosh Journal, a Republican paper, was started by H. E. Rounds and Hiram Morley, and continued successfully until April 1873, when it was sold to the Northwestern and consolidated with that paper. This was a well conducted paper, and presented a very neat typographical appear- ance.
TRADE REPORTER.
A monthlyjournal, called the Trade Reporter, was published and edited by E. C. Atkinson, during the year 1871-72, but was discontinued about the close of 1872.
REAL ESTATE BULLETIN.
In May 1872, a very readable business monthly, called the Real Estate Bulletin and Trades Journal, was commenced by O. H. Harris, and very acceptably conducted for just one year, when it was discontinued.
THE INDEPENDENT.
In the fall of 1874, a new paper called the Independent, was started by G. S. Kaime and F. F. Livermore. It was continued until the great fire of April 28, 1875, when the office was entirely destroyed, and the paper was never resurrected.
GREENBACK STANDARD.
In February 1878, the Greenback Standard was started by Levy & Ryckman. It so con- tinued until the fall of that year, when Hiram Morley and his son Edward bought out Ryek- man's interest and the name of the paper was changed to the Oshkosh Standard. In the spring of 1879, Mr. Levy retired from the firm and shortly afterwards E. G. Waring bought in. In the course of afew weeks Mr. G. S. Kaime bought out Edward Morley and the firm became Morley, Kaime & Waring, and so continues at this time.
193
HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
1879.]
WESTERN MONTHLY PICTORIAL.
In January 1878, was issued the first number of a monthly illustrated journal, called the Western Monthly Pictorial, with Albert Norton as publisher, and Mary J. Norton as editress. Just six numbers were issued when the publication was discontinued.
THE EARLY DAWN.
In May, 1876, the Early Dawn, an amateur weekly publication devoted to religious and Sunday School matters, was started by Eddie E. and Minnie T. Carhart, children of J. W. Carhart, the presiding elder of the Methodist churches for this district, and continues at this. time, being edited with a considerable degree of ability.
THE GERMAN PRESS.
The history of the German newspapers of Oshkosh does not present so wide a range, or so much of variation, as that of the English. Fewer papers printed in the German language have existed, although most of them found the same experiences as their English contempo- raries.
ANZEIGER DES NORDWESTERNS.
The first German newspaper ever pub- lished in Oshkosh was the Anzeiger des Nord- westerns, issued in May, 1852, by Charles and Valentine Kohlmann. It was edited mainly by Charles Roeser, who also conducted the editorial department of a paper in Menasha, and divided his time between the two papers. The paper was discontinued in the fall of 1854, and Messrs. Kohlmann & Brother removed their office to Sioux City.
THE PHOENIX.
The Phonix was the name of a paper started in the spring of 1855 by Gustav Grahl. He continued the publication of it until the spring of 1857, when he discontinued it and removed the office to Dubuque, Iowa.
OSHKOSH DEUTCHE ZEITUNG.
In December, 1856, Theodore Frentz started the Oshkosh Deutsche Zeitung, and con- tinued it until the summer of 1857, when he sold it to Charles W. Erb, who conducted it but a short time, and disposed of it to Theo- dore Friedlander. The office was burned in the great fire of May 9th, 1859, but was immedi- ately re-started, and continued a few months, when it was removed to Fond du Lac.
WISCONSIN TELEGRAPH.
In April, 1858, Messrs. Kohlmann & Brother returned to this city and started a paper called the Wæchter am Winnebago, with Henry Cor- dier as editor. It was discontinued in Octo- 25
ber, 1860, and a monthly magazine, styled the Deutsche Volkblaetten, started by the same firm with Carl Rose as editor. This publication was continued until October, 1866, when it gave place to the Wisconsin Telegraph, pub- lished weekly, by Kohlmann & Brother, with Carl Rose as editor, and so continues, the only German paper published in Oshkosh.
The Telegraph has a large circulation, and is ably conducted by Mr. Rose, who has had much editorial experience.
RECAPITULATION.
From theforegoing history of the newspaper press of Oshkosh, it will be seen that at the present time the newspapers of Oshkosh are as follows:
The Northwestern, daily and weekly, Repub- lican in politics, published by Allen & Hicks.
The Times, weekly, Democratic in politics, published by Fernandez & Bright.
The Wisconsin Telegraph, German, weekly, Democratic in politics, published by Kohlmann & Brother.
The Oshkosh Standard, weekly, Greenback in politics, published by H. Morley & Company.
The Early Dawn, weekly, religious, pub- lished by E. E. and M. T. Carhart.
PERSONAL.
Full mention has been made in another chap- of several of the editors connected with the Oshkosh press. The others are:
John Hicks, now business manager of the Northwestern, who first commenced his con- nection with the press in. 1867, as city editor of the Northwestern. In 1870 he became a partner with General Allen in the publication of the Northwestern, which office they pur- chased at that time, since which he has been the business manager. Mr. Hicks is a man of fine business qualifications, energetic, prompt and enterprising, and manages his department in a very efficient manner.
Charles W. Bowron, city editor of the North- western, commenced his connection with that paper in February, 1872. He is a very ready and able writer as the article from his pen descriptive of the great fire of 1875 so well attests. The local columns of the Northwestern also give the fullest evidence of his ability and vigorous style.
Dud Fernandez, of the Times, as will be seen, has been associated with the manage- ment of that paper from the first. As a good practical printer, and an experienced editor, he is fully competent to the business or edi- torial management.
Mr. A. T. Glaze is an editor of wide expe- rience, and an able writer.
He is also a prac-
194
HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
[1379.
tical printer, and has had long association with the press of Wisconsin.
Mr. Kaime, now of the Standard, formerly edited the Omro Journal very creditably.
CHAPTER LI.
Municipal Finance - The several Issues of Bonds given by the City of Oshkosh - Amount the City has Invested in Permanent Public Improvements - Present Indebtedness.
THE following is a list of bonds issued by the City of Oshkosh at various times, and the amount of the same. Also, a full statement of the present indebtedness of the city.
BONDS ISSUED.
In 1854, in payment for the old float bridge . $ 2,000 In 1858, in payment for building new float bridge . . 8,000
In 1865, in payment for the draw bridge at the foot of Main Street . 21,000 In 1871, in payment for the Algoma bridge, $6,000, cash, and bonds . 19,000
In 1856, to aid in the construction of the Chicago, St. Paul & Fond du Lac railroad, now the Chicago & Northwestern 150,000 In 1857, to aid in the construction of the Winnebago railroad 20,000
In 1871, to aid in the construction of the Oshkosh & Mississippi railroad 75,000 In 1879, to aid in the construction of the Milwaukee, Lake Shore & Western railroad 75,000
Total . $370,000 Of this amount all has been paid and cancelled, except outstanding bonds, which represents in September, 1879, the entire bonded indebtedness of the city, to the amount of . $120,500
Previous to the bonds just issued to the new Milwau- kee, Lake Shore & Western railroad, the old bonded debt was all paid, except 45,500
The city has invested and paid for other permanent public improvements as follows:
In 1870, toward the Northern State Hospital for Insane . 19,000
In 1870, toward State Normal School . 30,000
Up to the year 1865, the city expended in erecting frame school buildings, something over . . 27,000
Since that time, in the construction of brick school- houses, their equipments, and the purchase of sites, a sum amounting to about 97,000 In making water reservoirs, and the purchase of hand and steam fire engines, hose-carts, and in the construc- tion of engine buildings, and the purchase of sites for the same, an amount approximating to . 62,000 Expended in hose about . 20,000
Total Expenditures to the year 1879, including those
for which bonds were issued . $631,000
This, of course, is exclusive all the ordinary yearly expenses of the city government, street improvements, expenses of schools and fire departments; andto the credit of the city, it can be said that her improvements are paid for, and that her amount of municipal indebt- edness is comparatively small.
CITY OF NEENAH. [COMPILED FOR THIS WORK BY WM. WEBSTER.]
CHAPTER LII.
The Early History of Neenah - The Government Agency, for the Civilizing of the Menomonees - A Mill, Shops and Block Houses, Built in 1835-36, at Winnebago Rapids, the Present Site of Neenah - Harrison Reed, in 1844 Pur- chases the Site, 562,44-100 Acres, and all the Improve- ments on the Same, from the Government - In 1843, Mr. Geo. H. Mansur and Family Arrived, and Became the First White Family Permanently Settled within the Pres- ent Limits of Neenah - In 1845, Gov. Doty Builds His House on the Island - Gorham P. Vining, George Har- low, Ira Baird and the Rev. O. P. Clinton, Settle in Neenah, during the Same Year - First Birth - First Marriage - First Death - First Religious Services - The Joneses Become Proprietors - More New Comers - In 1847. a Company Chartered for the Improvement of the Water-power - In 1847, First Village Plat Recorded, by Harrison Reed - In Same Year Mr. Ladd Erects the Winnebago Hotel - The Firm of Jones & Yale open a Store, 1847 - In 1848, the Kimberley's Purchase Prop- erty, and Commence Improvements - 1850, Board of Village Trustees Elected - Kimberley Build the Pioneer Flouring Mill - Canal Lock Completed - Steamers Bar- low and Jenny Lind Built - Another Flouring Mill Com- pleted - Saw Mill Constructed - Another Manufacturing Establishment in Operation, and Two More Flouring Mills Built - The Village Plats of Winnebago Rapids and Neenah[Consolidated under the Corporate Name of Neenah - In 1856, the First Passage of a Steamer Between Lake Winnebago and Green Bay, was Made - The Aquilla Passed Through the Neenah Lock.
OLL back the wheels of Time less than half a century, and we find the present site of the City of Neenah in the quiet possession of the Indian, "native, and to the manor born. " In all negotiations between France and England, England and the United States, quit- claims to a vast extent ofterritory were passed from one to the other, which were simply intended to decide which one of these great powers should possess the exclusive right to rob the native of his heriditary title to the soil.
The United States, fully vested with this power, adopted a scheme in 1831 for the civil- izing, Christianizing and general improvement of the Menomonee tribe, who had selected this place for their principal village, and who were owners of the contiguous country.
E SMTH'S BLOCK
STREET VIEW, NEENAH, WIS.
G. W. SALISBURY DEL
RUSSFIL HOUSE .J.B. RUSSELL. PROP. NEENAH WIS.
-
.
Wulff.Clausen
195
HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
1835-43.]
In pursuance of this plan, a grist mill, saw- mill, blacksmith shop and several block houses about sixteen by twenty feet in size, were erected in 1835-6; also, five larger block houses for the use and occupation of the off- cers and teachers in charge, the smaller ones for Indian residences, and models after which the Indians were to build for themselves as required.
One of the large and one of the small houses were built on the point near the head of the channel and the old Council Tree; a large one on the lake shore at the east end of Wisconsin Avenue, long the residence of Harrison Reed, one near the grist mill, which has given place . to the Winnebago Paper Mills; another on the Blair farm, and the other on the Neff farm; the last two being near the mounds of Buttes des Morts, on the west shore of the lake, the smaller ones being located conveniently within the same area. Upon the completion of these buildings in 1836, Clark Dickinson, Nathaniel Perry, Robert Irwin and Mr. Baird, father of the late Hon. Henry S. Baird, were appointed to supply the place of teachers in farming; Col- onel David Johnson as miller, Joseph Jourdan and a man named Hunter as blacksmiths; a clergyman by the name of Gregory, and his brother, for teachers of religion and morals.
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.