USA > Wisconsin > Winnebago County > History of Winnebago County, Wisconsin, and early history of the Northwest > Part 41
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A building known as the Old Foundry was erected on the water-power this year, by Giles S. Olin, and when completed, supplied with the necessary machinery for a foundry and machine shop.
DEATII OF HARVEY JONES.
November 8, 1849, occurred the death of Harvey Jones, principal proprietor of the place, leaving, so far as known, no will or provision for the future management of his estate, which consequently fell to three minor
heirs. This with the pending law-suits, proved a death-blow to further substantial progress of this primitive settlement for a time, and greatly retarded its growth for many years. Mr. Jones, although unsuccessful in ingratiat- ing himself with those mutually interested, had before his death made extensive arrangements for the improvement of the water-power and the place generally.
The location of the State canal had during the summer been made upon the other side, but a canal being necessary for a supply of water to the mills, he had determined to con- struct it large enough for purposes of navi- gation, with the necessary lock to overcome the fall between the lakes.
IMPROVEMENTS.
During this fall, 1849, Messrs J. R. and H. L. Kimberly commenced the erection of a dwelling and the brick store, still extant, on the corner opposite and directly North of the old Winnebago Hotel building, now along side the railroad track. Robert Hold estab- lished himself in the furniture business. A little later in the year and near its close, was laid the keel for the steamboat Peytona, on the present stave yard, which was completed in spring of 1850, the second steamboat known to these waters, and for many years the favor- ite.
WINNEBAGO RAPIDS INCORPORATED.
April 10, 1850, the village of Winnebago Rapids was incorporated by the Circuit Court of Winnebago County, and M. N. Bosworth, E. B. Ranney and J. Keyes, probably Joseph Keyes, Inspectors of Election of the Town of Neenah, appointed inspectors of an election to be held, for the purpose of submitting to a vote of the people the question for and against incorporation, pursuant to chapter fifty-two of the Revised Statutes.
This order of incorporation may be found recorded in the County Registers office, vol- ume H. of mortgages, on page four hundred and seventy six, under date of March 15th 1851.
We find no record of the election mentioned, or of the election of the village officers, although such elections undoubtedly occurred, as a record exists of the proceedings of the Board of Trustees of Winnebago Rapids, at office of J. B. Hamilton, June 11, 1850, at half-past seven o'clock. Present - Smith Moores, president; D. D. Dodge, A. B. Brien, J. S. Bloom, L. H. Jones and H. L. Kimberly, trustees. J. B. Hamilton was by the board unanimously elected clerk and Robert Thompson, marshal. At an adjourned
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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
1850-72.]
meeting, June 17, Perine Yale appeared and took the oath as trustee, and was elected vil- lage treasurer. At a meeting, July 5, the American half-dollar was adopted as the seal of the corporation.
VILLAGE OFFICERS, TRUSTEES.
In 1851, Smith Moores was re-elected pres- ident, but it was soon discovered that the pro- ceedings at the organic election were some- what informal, and the incorporation, there- fore, invalid; this was wholly ignored until 1856, when the village was re-organized, as hereafter explained, with the following officers: J. B. Hamilton, president; A. G. LaGrange, clerk; J. R. Kimberly, Jeremiah Cummings, Ed Smith, D. R. Pangborn, H. O. Crane and A. H. Cronkhite, trustees.
In 1857, the officers were J. B. Hamilton, president; Samuel Roberts, clerk; J. H. Town- send, S. G. Burdick, J. R. Davis, E. S. Welch, Ed Smith and H. O. Crane, trustees.
In 1858, D. R. Pangborn, president; J. Clitz Perry, clerk; George H. Clement, Ira How- ard, James W. Weeden, I. H. Torrey, J. H. Peckham and J. E. Shattuck, trustees.
In 1859, D. C. Van Ostrand, president; Moses Hooper, clerk; John W. Williams, New- ell Demerrit, Abner Smith, O. T. Walker, Jno. A. Welch and L. Milton Marsh, trustees. Two hundred and sixty-one votes were cast at this election.
In 1860, D. C. Van Ostrand, president ; I. W. Hunt, clerk; Charles A. Leavens, J. L Clement, A. E. Cross, S. G. Burdick, Robert Hold and W. M. Moore, trustees.
In 1861, Edwin L. Hubbard, president; I. W. Hunt, clerk; C. J. Packard, P. R. Wil- liams, Hugh McGregor, E. P. Marsh, James Smith and Charles A. Leavens, trustees.
In 1862, Charles A. Leavens, president; Samuel Roberts, clerk; I. L. Doton, Hugh McGregor, John Jamison, John Hunt, Hiram Shoemaker and Theodore Brown, trustees;
In 1863, Charles A. Leavens president; H. P. Leavens clerk; Hugh McGregor, John Jam- ison, I. L. Doton, Lovel Stowe, John R. Ford and Henry Wildfang, trustees.
In 1864, H. P. Leavens, president; J, N. Stone, clerk; I. L. Doton, Hiram Smith, S. J. Maxwell, John R. Ford, Joshua Kurtz and Lovel Stowe, trustees.
In 1865, Wm. Pitt Peckham, president; R. D. Torrey, clerk; D. L. Kimberly, Hugh McGregor. W. R. Jones, Martin Gavin, U. C. Wheeler and J. L. Clement, trustees.
In 1866, Samuel Galentine, president; W. W. Daggett, clerk; Henry Clark, Alexander Billstein, R. D. Torrey, Robert Hold, C. B. Manville and Alexander Moore, trustees.
In 1867, Samuel Galentine, president; W. W. Daggett, clerk; W. B. M. Young, Newell Demerritt, G. C. Jones, John Bergstrom, S. E. Ford and A. E. Cross, trustees.
In 1868, J. N. Stone, president; W. W. Daggett, clerk; G. C. Jones, Henry Clark, Hugh McGregor, John Bergstrom, W. P. Peck- ham and A. K. Moore, trustees.
In 1869, Wm. Pitt Peckham, president; W. W. Daggett, clerk; D. C Van Ostrand, Hugh McGregor, Alexander Billstein, M. Hayward, John Bergstrom and John Hunt, trustees.
In 1870, Alex. Billstein, president; W. W. Daggett, clerk; Hugh McGregor, John R. Davis, A. H. F. Krueger, A. E. Cross, Mar- tin Gavin and Evan Johnson, trustees.
In 1871, Robert Shiells, president; D. E. Markham, clerk; Hugh McGregor, Theodore Brown, Franklin Pickard, D. L. Kimberly, A. E. Cross and Harold Nelson, trustees, Four hundred and thirty-two votes were cast at this election.
In 1872, Alex. Billstein, president; D. E. Markham, clerk; Martin Gavin, A. E. Cross, M. E. Sorley, Theodore Brown, Daniel Barnes and S. G. Kellogg, trustees.
MISCELLANEOUS.
During the seasons 1850-51, the steamer made daily trips from Fond du Lac to Nee- nah, and return, supplying a necessity long felt.
The Cronkhite warehouse was built in 1850, on, or very near, the site of the present barrel works, and was burned in the spring of 1864, or 1865.
A telegraph line was also constructed from Fond du Lac to Green Bay, with a local office in the Jones and Yale store already mentioned. This line was built and supplied on what was considered the strictest principles of economy, running nearly its entire length through a dense forest; the tops of trees were cut off and the wire passed from tree to tree, but in the absence of trees, poles were substituted, the average time required for the transmission of a message being greater than by stage, with an even chance that it would remain tangled among the tree tops along the way. The writer having occasion to communicate with Fond du Lac, endeavored for a whole day to get a mes- sage over the line. Failing in this, he took the stage at two o'clock the next morning at the old Winnebago Hotel, Dud Cronkhite, pro- prietor, and reaching Oshkosh at eight o'clock, went immediately to the telegraph office, and asked the telegraph operator if he could get a message to Fond du Lac. He replied, "Yes, if I can get the d-d machine thawed out."
26
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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
[1850-59.
The subscriber took his breakfast in time to continue his journey to Fond du Lac, deliber- ating upon the convenience and importance of telegraphy, for which he had ample time, ยท arriving at Fond du Lac at dark. The machine was not thawed out when we returned, and the line became inoperative in 1852.
During this year the Kimberlys completed their residence and store, and occupied them both. They also commenced the erection of the pioneer flouring mill, ever since known as the "Neenah Mills." The timber, white oak, for the frame, was cut on the north shore of Lake Winnebago, for other partics who failed to take it, when it was purchased for these mills, and drawn on the ice to their place. The machinery was shipped from the East, via Green Bay, and the entire work superintended by H. A. Burts, millwright. It was completed the next year, and operated by S. G. Burdick, head miller. Running for a long time under the management of the original owners, H. L. Kimberly at last became sole owner, who leased it for a few years, after which it became the property of his son, D. L. Kimberly, who has successfully conducted it for several years. It contains five runs of stones, and daily per- forms its allotted task, having been lately over- hauled and rebuilt.
The death of Harvey Jones necessitated the appointment of administrators, and L. H. Jones and John R. Kimberly were soon chosen; but Kimberly refusing to serve, another was appointed, Erastus W. Drury, of Fond du Lac. L. H. Jones was also appointed guar- dian of the heirs.
The canal lock was commenced this year, 1850, under the administration of L. H. Jones, Marvin R. Babcock, contractor. The Jones' saw mill was completed this year, and pur- chased by Robert Hold, Wm. L. Lindsley and Asa Jones.
The frames for the steamer Van Ness Bar- low were also set up on the shore of Lake Buttes des Morts, for Townsend Brothers, who completed her in the summer of 1851, and run her on that lake the balance of the season.
BRIDGE TO THE ISLAND - CANAL LOCK COMPLETED.
The bridge leading to the Island was also built, and the road across the Island cut out; but the corresponding bridge across the north channel was not completed until 1852.
In the spring of 1852, the lock being com- pleted, the Barlow was taken through as soon as the ice disappeared, an upper cabin added, and she was run this season on the Fox river above Lake Winnebago.
A building was erected at the south end of the bridge and east of Cedar Street, by John and Eben Welch, and supplied with barrel machinery, which proving unsuccessful, was replaced for a lathe for turning wooden bowls, a planing mill, and, at last, sash, door and blind machinery.
IMPROVED TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES.
The plank-road, completed this year from Menasha to Kaukauna, added greatly to the shipping facilities of both Neenah and Menasha. Connecting with steamboat navigation at both extremities, it soon superseded the line of Durham boats, which are now known only in the recollections of old settlers. This was the first passable road to any place.
There is, perhaps, no one obstacle so diffi- cult to overcome in the settlement of a new country, as the lack of facilities for communi- cation with the world, but even this is a thou- sand times intensified when a deep clay soil with a heavy growth of timber is encountered, and none but early settlers can fully appreciate all that is implied in the term "bad roads." The incident of a trip to Fond du Lac in the stage, before related and literally true, of thirty-four miles in seventeen hours, is a fair illustration. The steanter Jenny Lind was built during the winter and spring, east, and near the brick store of the Kimberly's, by Dr. U. Peake and Patrick Tiernan, but being too large for this trade, was taken to the Mississ- ippi River the same season. This boat was commenced in 1851, the third steamboat built at this place.
This year, 1852, preparations were made for the second flouring mill. Edward Smith, who had been engaged here in mercantile pursuits since 1850, Hugh Sherry, who had settled here in 1849, and who had been connected with the "old government mill," and Hiram Wheeler, associated themselves together, and during the winter sent a crew of men to the pineries of the Wolf River, where they cut the timber, rafted it down the river in the spring, and, in the summer of 1853, built the "Winnebago Mill," on the bank of the stream and west side of Cedar Street. Mr. Wheeler, as millwright, superintended its construction and Mr. Sherry the running.
Mr. John Proctor became the owner, with Mr. Smith, in 1857, and the names of Smith & Proctor have become as familiar as any household word.
The plank-road completed the past season from Menasha to Kaukauna, in the spring, 1853, A. H. Cronkhite, who came here a law- yer in 1848, but had abandoned the profession
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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
1850-60.]
and engaged in various enterprises, now, in connection with D. C. Van Ostrand, who had resided here since May, 1850, established a line of teams on the road for the transfer of freights between these two termini of steamboat navigation. Ed Smith also built a brick block of two stores, which were completed in the summer. The corner store was occupied by Mr. Smith and his brother, Hiram .Smith. This block, known as Smith's block, is still standing, northeast corner of Cedar Street and Wisconsin Avenue. A large brick building, called the Weeden House, was also built in the southeast corner of Cedar Street and Wis- consin Avenue, by R. C. Weeden. This, after- wards known as the Dolsen House, and still later as the Russell House, has, at last, given place to the present handsome structure of that name.
B. F. Moore, having purchased the steamer Peytona, run her this season from Fond du Lac to Menasha, in connection with the plank- road, divesting Neenah of all direct steamboat communication, another link in the chain of misfortune, which, for a long series of years, fettered the energies and unfaltering perseve- rence of her citizens.
SASH, DOOR AND BLIND FACTORY.
The planing mill, sash, blind and door fac- tory of C. O. Page was put in operation this year, and after various changes is still in oper- ation, next east of the Island City Mill.
Very little seems to have occurred in 1854, to mark the progress of events. Many strang- ers came, but few invested. Occasionally, one more venturesome would lease or purchase such title as was attainable, open up in some mer- cantile branch, or manufacturing, in a small way, get discouraged, and sell out; while others, with more confidence in the future, resolved to remain to the end.
The Cronkhites opened a small exchange office, an embryo bank, which, at a later date, expanded into a bank of issue, and continuing to expand until 1861, it was past contraction, and the result was a collapse.
About this time, Mr. John R. Davis, who commenced the manufacture of wagons here in 1849, purchased an interest in the govern- ment mill, which he retained until its destruc- tion by fire in 1874.
TWO MORE FLOURING MILLS BUILT.
In 1854, Cronkhite and Burdick purchased the Donaldson and Lajest building, and con- verted it into a flouring mill, being the third mill constructed.
The Fox River mill, fourth on the list of flouring mills, was added in 1856. This was
erected by Hugh Sherry, and was soon after sold to W. E. and J. R. Ford, who retained the ownership until its site was required for other purposes, when it was again sold and taken down.
WINNEBAGO RAPIDS CONSOLIDATED WITII NEENAH.
March 28, 1856, the village plats ot Winne- bago Rapids and Neenah were consolidated, and the corporate name, Winnebago Rapids, changed to Neenah. Although we have here- tofore more commonly used the word Neenah, it should be remembered that no such incor- porated village existed until now.
THE FIRST PASSAGE OF A BOAT THROUGHI THE LOCK.
An event, considered at the tinie, of unpar- alelled importance, occurred in June, 1856, the passage of the steamer Aquila through the Neenah lock to Green Bay, and return, the. first passage between Lake Winnebago and Green Bay.
TWO MORE FLOURING MILLS AND A FOUNDRY BUILT.
The flouring mill known as the Brick or Atlantic mill was commenced by J. Mills in 1856, and before its completion in 1857, E. W. Peet became interested, and it was com- pleted and run for several years by the firm of Mills & Peet, while the walls of the stone mill adjoining were probably built at the same time, and the machinery added soon after, built and operated for a time by Smith & Lisk. These last two mills, being the fifth and sixth in order, are at this time combined under the name of Falcon Mills, with eight runs ofstones, owned and operated by Clement & Stevens, who have long been residents and engaged in this business.
The iron foundry out on the bank of Buttes des Morts lake, at the inlet of the big slough, was built this year, 1858, by Moore & Wells, (W. N. and A. K. Moore, and B. W. Wells), with the expectation that in the immediate future, steamboats would unload the raw mate- rials on the premises, taking away the prod- ucts of the foundry in return. This establish- ment was eventually confined, almost exclus ively, to the manufacture of stoves, and then became the property of Smith, Van Ostrand & Leavens, and later of George C. and D. W. Bergstrom, who still retain it.
1858 and 1859 seem to have been quite bar- ren of important events.
BARREL FACTORY.
In 1860, Theodore Brown commenced the manufacture of barrel stock, and has steadily
204
HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
[1860-65.
increased the business to the present time. Mr. Brown also turns out a very large amount of flour barrels, consuming a great portion of his stock, in supplying the various mills of the place.
CHAPTER LIII.
The Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Constructed to Nee- nah - Banks Established - The Seventh Flouring Mill Built - The Youngest of the Heirs of Harvey Jones Attains his Majority - Final Settlement of the Estate - Additional Flouring Mills, Planing Mills, and Sash and Door Fac- tories Erected - First Paper Mill - 'The Wisconsin Central Railroad - Neenah City Incorporated - List of City Officers from Date of Icorporation - More Paper Mills Constructed - Hotels - Public Halls - Schools - Churches.
E A R the close of the year 1860 the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad extended their line from Oshkosh to Neenah and Appleton, and for some tinaccountable reason was run around both these water-powers, the depot situated a mile west from the Neenah power, and two from the Menasha side, with a clay road which in a short time by the heavy teaming became almost impassable. All parties becoming disgusted, a new line was adopted across the Island, as at present, and the depot located between.
The first line was completed in January 1861, and the cars running across the Island on the new line in December 1862.
BANKS ESTABLISHED.
September 1, 1861, an exchange and bank- ing office was established by Messrs. Smith & Sheills, called the Neenah Bank, David Smith, president, and Robert Sheills, cashier. Mr. Smith being interested in an institution of the same character at Appleton, devoted his time there, and Mr. Sheills conducted the one at this place.
In 1865, a charter was obtained, and the National Bank of Neenah organized, Nov. 12, 1865. The stockholders and incorporators were Henry Hewitt Sr., Alexander Syme, John Hewitt, A. W. Patten, Alexander Bill- stein, Edward Smith, Moses Hooper, W. P. Peckham, H. Babcock, J. R. Davis Sr., J. A. Kimberley, J. W. Williams, N. S. Robinson and Robert Sheills. Henry Hewitt Sr., presi- dent; Robert Sheills, cashier. These officers have held their positions to the present time.
Another exchange office was located here the same year by Ansel Kellogg, of Oshkosh, which continued business about a year.
THE SEVENTH FLOURING MILL BUILT.
In 1862, A. W. Patten purchased the Page building, and substituting flouring mill machin- ery, run it for some years as the Keystone Mill, when it was sold to A. D. Gustavus, and subsequently remodeled into a planing mill, sash, door and blind factory again, and so remains at present.
The steamboat St. Paul was built this year, by Tremain, May & Co. The fourth enter- prise of the kind undertaken here.
SETTLEMENT OF JONES' ESTATE.
In 1863, Willard Jones, the youngest of the heirs of Harvey Jones, attained his majority. The Rev. James Bassett called to preside over the Presbyterian Church, soon after married Miss Abigail Jones, also one of the heirs, when he became interested in the condition of the estate, and consequently made a thorough examination of the past management by the administrators, who were still acting in that capacity. Satisfied that the grossest injustice had been done, that a princely estate had been depreciated by mismanagement and mis -- appropriation to scarcely a tithe of what itsvalue would have been, if properly cared for, he resigned his pastorate and devoted his ener- gies to collecting together what might possi- bly be saved from the ruins. Demanding, by the most summary means, an account of the stewardship of these agents, they found them- selves unable to produce any statement that even they could look upon as the slightest justification or extenuation and to avoid unpleasant consequences, one of them fled the country in the night, while the other shielded himself behind the assumption that the court having appointed administrators once had exhausted its power in that direction, and therefore, he was not a legally appointed administrator under obligations to render an account as such, and, ergo, his share of the booty was legal plunder.
It was now found that in many cases deeds had been given by said agents without author- ity, and the consideration paid to them; and in some instances, the purchasers were com- pelled to pay the second time. These diffi - culties were however amicably settled, lands upon the Island side platted and offered for sale, and Neenah, relieved of this incubus that had weighed upon her for fifteen years, started upon a career of prosperity fully realizing all reasonable expectations.
THE PETTIBONE BLOCK - MERCANTILE FIRMS.
In 1863, the block known as Pettibone
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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
1863-73.]
block, was erected by Wm. E. and J. R. Ford, on the southwest corner of Cedar Street and Wisconsin Avenue, who, soon after its completion, sold it to C J. Pettibone. Mr. Pettibone occupied the corner store with a stock of merchandise, and J. A. Kimberly, son of John R., with Havilah Babcock occu- pied the next. This firm of Kimberly & Babcock had for a number of years been promi- nently known in mercantile circles and had carried on a successful business at the old brick store of John and Harvey L. Kimberly, where they commenced business in 1857. This block is three stories high, and contains on the ground floor three stores on Wisconsin Avenue, and one on Cedar Street.
FIRST PAPER MILL -ANOTHER PLANING MILL.
In 1866, the first paper mill was erected near the lock, on the site of the Jones' saw- mill, which was removed for the purpose, by a stock company, consisting of Nathan Cobb, president; Hiram Smith secretary and treas- urer; Dr. N. S. Robinson, Edward Smith, John Jamison and Moses Hooper, as the Neenah Paper Mill Company. The first two years after its completion, it was run under the management of Dr. N. S. Robinson, the first year as lessee, and the second as superin- tendent for the company. It was then sold to Hiram Smith and D. C. Van Ostrand, who in 1874, sold it to Kimberly, Clark & Co., J. A. Kimberly, Havilah Babcock, F. C. Shattuck and C. B. Clark.
The same year William Pitt Peckham, who had resided here since 1855, built the Island City Stove Foundry, on ground now covered by the Globe Paper Mill, and which was a promi- nent feature in the business of Neenah for some ten years.
The Island City Flouring Mill, the eighth in number, was built in 1868, a substantial stone structure, thirty-four feet by sixty, four stories high, erected by A. H. F. Krueger and Carl Stridde, under the supervision of John Jami- son. After the death of Mr. Stridde, which occurred in 1877, Mr. Krueger leased that interest and has since that time managed and controlled the business.
TWO MORE FLOURING MILLS BUILT.
In 1868, we find uncle John R. Kimberly, senior partner in the first undertaking of the kind, engaged in a new venture, with his son J. A. Kimberly and H. Babcock, which soon resulted in 1869, in the completion of a com- modious and ornamental stone building, with six run of stone, known as the Reliance Mill. The millwright was H. A. Burts, who was
also pioneer millwright in the Neenah Mill. Forty by seventy-five feet on the ground, it is the ninth in numerical order. In 1877, John R. Kimberly having sold his interest, it has since been conducted by the firm of J. A. Kimberly & Co.
A. W. Patten having sold his mill to Mr. Gustavus, now purchased the Welsh sash, door and blind factory, and converted it into the tenth flouring mill. This mill became the property of Howard & Davis in 1877, and is still owned by them.
ANOTHER SASH, DOOR AND BLIND FACTORY.
During 1867-8, Mr. James Bassett moved a building which was standing near the race and railroad track, originally intended for a grain elevator, to the river bank adjoining the Neenah flouring mill on the North, and directly in front, on the bank of the canal, erected a shingle mill. The elevator building was soon after purchased by J. A. Sanford, who added the necessary machinery for a planing mill, and for the manufacture of sash, doors, blinds and mouldings, still owning and occupying it. Henry Sherry became the owner of the shingle mill, which with a full set of machinery for a first class saw mill, he is still running to its fullest capacity.
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