USA > Wisconsin > Winnebago County > History of Winnebago County, Wisconsin, and early history of the Northwest > Part 44
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A Lyceum was organized during the winter, at what has ever since been known as the Menasha House, commenced in the fall of 1848, by H. C. Tate, occupied during the winter and completed in the spring of 1849, the first frame hotel in the place. At this first meeting of the Lyceum, Jeremiah Hunt was elected President. This, so far as now known, was the initial point of Jeremiah's political aspirations.
During the fall of 1848, the Rev. O. P. Clinton moved to his present residence on the Islanď.
ACCESSION TO THE POPULATION-VILLAGE SITE SURVEYED AND PLATTED.
In 1849, the census of Menasha was increased by the arrival of A. D. Page, S. L. Hart, Ed O'Connell, Wm. Hughes, Henry Axtel, Ahel Keyes, L. A. Donaldson, Lyman Fargo, Jos. W. Thombs, J A. Sanford, W. P. Rounds, and Ed. Decker. This year the first mill was commenced, a sawmill on the north side of the dam, built by Cornelius Northrop and Harri- son Reed, completed 1850.
The village having been surveyed and platted, the first plat recorded was on the 28th day of May, 1849, Charles Doty, proprietor.
The hotel now standing on the north side of the public square, was commenced this year by Ed. Decker and Henry Axtel, completed the next year, and called the Decker House.
FIRST BIRTHS - FIRST DEATHS.
The first birth within the little settlement was that of Lydia M. Hunt, a daughter of Jeremiah Hunt, February 22, 1849.
The following July, a family by the name of McCollum, was increased in numbers by the birth of a daugher, who was named Menasha.
The first death also occurred in the same fam- ily, in May, 1849, that of Fannie McCollum.
STRIFE ON THE LOCATING OF STATE CANAL.
During this year occurred the memorable strife between the proprietors of the north and south sides for the location of the State canal, which was to connect the navigable waters of Lake Winnebago and Buttes des Morts. Har- vey Jones, as one of the proprietors of Nee- nah, offering to complete the work without expense to the State in consideration of its location on that side, while Curtis Reed, in behalf of the proprietors of the Menasha inter- est, made the same offer with the further inducement of $5,000 to be expended in repairs of canal, locks and dams, as it became necessary.
During the year Mr. Reed's offer was accepted, and the work commenced. It has been stated as a matter of "history and inter- est, fully appreciated by carly settlers, that Mr. Reed not only failed to pay the $5,000, but by some sharp management, afterward received pay for the work done, all of which had been offered as a free gift."
This is unqualifiedly false, as the records fully show. In 1853, the entire improvement was turned over by the State to a company, as is well known. At the request of the company, Mr. Reed's contract was relinquished. Mr. Reed had originally contracted with the State to construct a canal sixty feet wide on the bot- tom, and a lock thirty five feet wide by one hundred and thirty feet in length. At a later date the State enlarged the plan of the canal to one hundred feet width on the bottom, and the lock to one hundred and sixty feet in length. Much of this additional excavation had been completed by Mr. Reed, which was to be deducted from the $5,000, or paid for. And now comes the Improvement Company to set- tle with Mr. Reed, in place of the State. In lieu of the balance of the labor and the $5,000, Mr. Reed and his associates conveyed the right of way for the canal, which had before only been conveyed by implication, and transferred the dam, reserving the right to all surplus water for hydraulic purposes which they had never parted with, and the right to which had never been disputed by the State or the com- pany.
STORE OPENED - POST-OFFICE ESTAB- LISHED-DAM COMPLETED-FIRST SAW-MILL PUT IN OPERATION -FIRST GRIST MILL.
John McCune engaged in trade this sea- son, 1849, with a stock of general merchandise.
217
HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
1849-79.]
In the fall of 1849, a post-office was estab- lished, and James R. Lush appointed post- master. The office was carried in Jimmy's hat, and it wasn't a large hat, either.
In the winter of 1849-50, was instituted the first public . school, taught by Mrs. Henry Alden.
In 1850. the dam was completed, and the Reed and Northrop mill placed in successful operation.
H. A. Burts, having, on the first of Febru- ary, removed from Neenah to his present resi- dence, soon interested himself with H. Reed, built an addition to the mill, and starting on foot for Milwaukee, one hundred miles, con- tracted for machinery for a grist-mill, and returned as he went (on foot), the only method of travel at the time, making the journey in one week. This was the first grist-mill built here.
Lyman Fargo and J. W. Thombs com- menced the erection of a foundry and machine shop this year.
The Slocum saw-mill was completed within the year, and Potter and Duchman commenced their saw-mill, which was completed the next season ;this, in 1877, gave place to the paper- mill at the south end of the dam. The old pio- neer saw-mill of Reed & Northrop, and grist- mill of Reed & Burts, have long since passed away, and on the same ground stands the com - modious three-story flouring mill of A. Symes, containing eight runs of stones, while the Slocum mill having fulfilled its mission, is only known among the things that were, the site being occupied by the planing-mill of Rohrer & Co.
NEW ARRIVALS -STEAMBOATS BUILT - MORE MANUFACTORIES ESTABLISHED.
In the spring of 1850, S. S. Roby made his advent, following mercantile pursuits almost continuously to the present time.
Soon after the organization of the town, Mr. Roby was elected its treasurer, a position which he filled acceptably until honors became a burden.
A large dredge-boat built here during the past spring and winter was put in commission early in the season by the State, and engaged in dredging the Upper Fox River.
June 25, of this year, the Hon. John Potter became a resident and hung out his shingle as attorney and counselor, where he resided until the time of his death, which occurred in January, 1879. Honors were lavishly bestowed upon him, having filled the office of Justice of the Peace continuously since 1851 with the exception of one term.
that of village clerk many years, supervisor of the town, chairman of the Town Board of Supervisors and by virtue of which he became a member of the County Board. He was also twice elected Member of Assembly, from the Second District of Winnebago County.
Charles Roeser opened a grocery store this this year on Tayco Street, near the canal.
The steamboat John Mitchel was built here this year, by Captain James Harris, and was the first steamboat to make the passage of the Upper Fox River to Fort Winnebago, which she accomplished in the spring of 1851.
Ira C. Eldridge also, located here and at once, with his sons, established the first furni- ture factory, and after a long and laborious life, has at last yielded to nature's call, even while these lines are being penned.
Late in the fall, E. D. Smith and J. B. Doane opened a general store a short distance West of Tayco Street, fronting on the street running along the north bank of the canal.
A pail and tub factory commenced the past winter, was put in operation by Beckwith, Sanford and Billings, and, connected with this enterprise, we find a relic which we quote here verbatim:
MENASHA, JUNE 19, 1850.
For value on demand, we jointly and severally promise to pay Marsena Temple, or bearer, one hundred and fifty dollars, to be paid in one year from date, with interest at fifty per cent. per annum, until paid. [Signed] NATHAN BECKWITH. JOSEPH A. SANFORD. C. W. BILLINGS,
And this was secured by a mortgage on the pail factory property, and the residence of one of the signers.
Joseph Keyes, with his son Abel, erected a saw-mill, now owned and occupied by Web- ster & Lawson, after changing hands many times.
Carlton and Cleveland B. Bachelder located here, and commenced the construction of a kiln for burning potter's ware, which they put in full blast in 1850, obtaining clay from Ohio.
In March 1850, George Cameron, now residing in Oshkosh, and L. M. Taylor, engaged in some kind of mercantile enterprise, whether dry goods, groceries or hardware, we are not informed, but probably as was usual in those days, a general stock.
William Smith, better known as "Billy Smith," came here May ist, and opened a large stock of clothing, the first establishment of that kind. In 1852, he had two very good frame buildings, one of which he occupied as a store, when some drunken men in an adjoin- ing building carelessly set it on fire, and Smith's worldly effects were all involved in the general
28
218
HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
[1850-53.
destruction. He was the second German that settled here, Joseph Dudler having pre- ceded him by about two weeks. He has always been active in politics, though never seeking honors for himself.
And still another: Melancthon Burroughs, after officiating in the Winnebago Hotel at Neenah one year, and getting out the frame for a warehouse in the meantime, took up his residence here, in the Decker House, June 15, 1850, and with that frame erected the first warehouse in Menasha. It was burned in the summer of 1852.
Adler & St. John, erected the house soon after purchased by Mr. Burroughs, and by him long occupied as a hotel, and to this time as a residence.
Water communication was up tothis time the only connection with the outside world during the summer, with the exception of an occa- sional fording of the two channels near the upper end of Doty Island, and even this at times had a very strong resemblance to water communication. A skiff was run around the foot of the Island, serving as a ferry between Menasha and Neenah. This was conducted by Edward Lull, who has since passed through successive promotions until he is now a cap- tain in the United States Navy. This ferry was continued through the season of 1851.
In 1851, Thomas Price built a cabinet fac- tory, about three hundred feet west of the lower bridge, leading to the Island.
An attempt was made in the spring to con- struct a bridge across the Neenah channel, just above Governor Doty's residence. Cribs were placed in position and stringers laid, but the ice soon demolished the whole fabric.
The same year, Thomas Armstrong and George Stickles erected a saw mill, long since passed away. The site is now occupied by a turning shop.
The steamer Menasha was built here during the past winter and spring, by Doty, the Reeds and others, for the express benefit of this locality, The Peytona, running, the sea- son previous, to Neenah, with an occasional trip to Menasha, as suited the captain; but the building of the Menasha soon brought about a different state of things, the Peytona run- ning regularly to both places, and this again created a competition in the Menasha trade, in consequence of which, Reed and James Doty constructed a dock and warehouse during the fall.
History can never do justice to these old relics of by-gone days. Where, now, arc O'Connell, Decker, Roby, H. Smith, E. Smith, and others, of that day?
During this season the mails were trans- ported between Menasha and Appleton by sailboat, under the command of Gabe Capron, and this was the only means of conveyance for passengers.
. Fromand after about August Ist, the steamer Van Ness Barlow was put in commission, and run the balance of the season between Menasha and Grand Chute, in connection with the steamer Menasha; the distance from Grand Chute to Kaukauna, eleven miles, was made by stage, and from thence to Green Bay by steamboat.
The Fargo flouring mill, on the bank of Lake Buttes des Morts, was commenced this year by Lyman Fargo and J. W. Thombs. This mill was completed in 1853, but was not supplied with water until 1854, when it was run until 1865 or 1866, and abandoned.
In 1852, Elisha D. Smith purchased the pail factory, before mentioned, built around it and over it, supplied new machinery and added largely to its capacity.
PLANK-ROAD AND BRIDGE CONSTRUCTED.
Captain L. B. Mckinnon, of the Royal English Navy, came here this year, and pur- chased largely of Menasha property, also, a farm, near Clifton, at the north end of Lake Winnebago, and made arrangements for build- ing a plank-road to Appleton, and furnished the means with which it was completed this season.
A bridge was also constructed across the Menasha channel, from Tayco Street to the 'Island, the Neenah people having built across their channel, on the present site, the year previous.
A road had also been cut through the woods, across the Island, in 1851.
LAND OFFICE - VILLAGE INCORPORATED.
October, 1852, the United States Land Office was removed from Green Bay to this place. Alex. Spaulding was the register, and Edgar Conklin, the receiver of the office, at this time.
An act of the Legislature, dated July 5, 1853, incorporated the Village of Menasha, dividing it into two wards.
The first election for village officers was held the same month, of which no record is found, but, on the twenty-fifth of the month, the first meeting of the trustees was held, at which we find officiating: Curtis Reed, president; Leon- ard Williams, Isaac Hough and Urial Clinton, trustees of the First Ward; Lyman Fargo, Wal- ter Cranston and Carlton Bachelder, trustees of the Second Ward. At this meeting J. W. Thombs was elected clerk.
219
HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
1853-71.]
Being too late in the season for the collec- tion of taxes by village authority, there seems to have been no assessors or treasurer elected this year.
The succeeding officers were as follows:
1854 - Curtis Reed, president; John Potter, Jr., clerk; J. L. Bishop, treasurer; Edward Freeman, S. S. Roby, J. Hough, trustees First Ward; H. A. Burts, R. Hampson, N. Clinton, trustees Second Ward.
1855-Josesph Turner, president; John Potter, Jr., clerk; J. L. Bishop, treasurer; Curtis Reed, J. Hough, Chas. Doty, trustees First Ward; Cleveland Bachelder, H. A. Burts, G. W. Stickles, trustees Second Ward.
1856 - Joseph Turner, president; Elbridge Smith, clerk; C. Bachelder, treasurer; Isaac Hough, Chas. Doty, O. J. Hall, trustees First Ward; H. A. Burts, Wm. Fuss, Calvin Bach- elder, trustees Second Ward.
1857-Joseph Turner, president; Henry Decker, clerk; G. W. Fay, treasurer; O. J. Hall, G. H. Clark, W. R. Ellis, trustees First Ward; H. Hewitt, W. F. Bauer, Abel Keyes, trustees Second Ward.
1858-Curtis Reed, president; Geo. B. Goodwin, clerk; G. W. Fay, treasurer; E. D. Smith, Elbridge Smith, John H. Fuss, trustees First Ward, Able Keyes, Michael Hogan, Pat O'Malley, trustees Second Ward.
1859- John A. Bryan, president, Geo. B. Goodwin, clerk; G. W. Fay, treasurer; S. M. Bronson, E. Ward, John H. Fuss, trustees First Ward; Abel Keyes, F. Loscher, B. G. . Mathewson, trustees Second Ward.
1860-Jobn A. Bryan, president; A. N. Lincoln, clerk; G. W. Fay, treasurer; E. D. Smith, John Potter, Jr., Ignatz Trilling, trus- tees First Ward; Abel Keyes, F. Loscher, Chas. Colborne, trustees Second Ward.
1861-Charles Doty, president; Charles Gercher, clerk; G. W Fay, treasurer; E. D. Smith, Curtis Reed, I. W. Fisher, trustees First Ward; M. Hogan, Abel Keyes, Phillip Sensenbrenner, trustees Second Ward.
1862-Charles Doty, president; G. H. Clark, clerk; H. B. Eldridge, treasurer; E. D. Smith, O. J .. Hall, Julius Fieweger, trustees First Ward; Thomas Mitchell, P. V. Lawson, A. Nuesbecker, trustees Second Ward.
1863-E. D. Smith, president; G. H. Clark, clerk; S. S. Roby, treasurer; R. M. Scott, E. Ward, Ignatz Trilling, trustees First Ward; P. V. Lawson, T. Mitchell, Wm. Rabb, trus- tees Second Ward.
1864-E. D. Smith, president; Elbridge Smith, clerk; H. B. Eldridge, treasurer; R. M. Scott, I. W. Fisher, W. N. Webster, trustees
First Ward; J. A. Sanford, T. Mitchell, P. Sensenbrenner, trustees Second Ward.
1865-Curtis Reed, president; Jos. Turner, clerk, H. B. Eldridge, treasurer; Wm. Fuss, Norman Thatcher, I. W. Fisher, trustees First Ward; T. Mitchell, H. A. Burts, P. Sensen- brenner, trustees Second Ward.
1866- Curtis Reed, president; L. P. Boyd, clerk; Chas. May, treasurer. No record of election and none of any action, except by John FitzGibbon, trustee First Ward; P. Sen- senbrenner, trustee Second Ward.
1867 -No record of election, but same officers continued to act.
1868- John Potter, Jr., president; L. P. Boyd, clerk, F. Schuellen, trustee First Ward; John FitzGibbon, trustee Second Ward.
1869-No record of election. Clerk at each meeting merely announcing "full board present.
1870-A. E. Bates, president; D. J. Ryan, clerk; John Potter, Jr., trustee First Ward; Henry Trilling, trustee Second Ward.
1871-Fred Schuellen, president; D. J. Ryan, clerk; A. D. Page, trustee First Ward; P. Fogherty, trustee Second Ward.
1872- Fred Schuellen, president; E. G. Bell, clerk; A. E. Bates, trustee First Ward; Pat McFadden, trustee Second Ward.
1873-O. J. Hall, president; G. N. Sanford, clerk; H. Merz, trustee First Ward; Pat McFadden, trustee Second Ward.
In 1853, the first bridge across Lake Buttes des Morts was built, giving direct communica- tion with the farming country to the west.
This bridge was replaced by a float bridge with draw, in 1856, and in 1861, a pile bridge was constructed, which is still standing, but for the past two or three years has been impassable.
DISTINGUISHED ARRIVALS -LIGHT-HOUSE.
G. P. R. James, the well known novelist, H. B. M. Consul at Norfolk, Virginia, visited the place and made quite an investment in real estate, and his two sons, Walter and Courtney, took up their residence here.
In the winter following, Walter, as chief engineer, with a party of men, run a prelimin- ary survey, for the Manitowoc & Mississippi Railroad, from Menasha to Manitowoc.
Congress having appropriated the means for a light-house, at the head of this channel, a substantial stone building was erected on a small island near the head of the channel, and supplied with all the necessary appurtenances, and Dennis Crowley was appointed keeper. A light was kept here several years, when it
220
HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
[1853-78.
was abandoned and nothing now remains but the dilapidated walls. The appropriation for this was obtained through the influence of Governor Doty, then Member of Congress, from this district, with the view of eventually getting it so modified that the means might be expended in removing a ledge of rock at the upper end of the channel, which could not be accomplished by direct appropriation, as the improvement of the river was under the control of the State.
CAPTAIN MCKINNON'S IMPORTED BLOODED STOCK.
In 1854, Captain Mckinnon, on his return from England, brought some of the finest stock ever imported to this country. The horse, King Cymri, thoroughbred short horn Durham bull, full-blood Southdown sheep, and some fowls, all from the best stock of England, such as would, at this time, prove a fortune to any man; but, at that time, wholly unappreciated, our farmers not having been educated to the difference between that and native stock, but who have become painfully aware of the oppor- tunity neglected.
This horse, "The King," entirely unappreci- ated and neglected by breeders in this country, was sold and employed in common labor, where he soon broke down - about the same time the stock from which he sprung, became the most noted on the English turf, and anything of that blood was eagerly sought for. A prom- inent horseman was dispatched to the United States to search out "The King, " and if found, uninjured, not to return without him, at a cost of anything within ten thousand English pounds -cqual to about fifty thousand dollars. He was found, a peasant of the lower order, instead of a king, broken down and entirely unfit for stock-raising. Lo! how had the mighty fallen. Probably no finer specimen of the horse kind ever trod American soil.
About this time, Captain McKinnon pur- chased the farm now owned and occupied by Ed. Mathewson, at the upper end of Doty Island, and commenced making improvements thereon, taking a deep interest and investing money freely for the welfare of the place he had selected for the future of his sons, at the same time devoting considerable means to the improvement of the Clifton farm.
TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES - COMPLE- TION OF CANAL.
During this year, the steamboat facilities of Lake Winnebago were limited to the Peytona, under the ownership and management of B. F. Moore, of Fond du Lac, and John Fitzgerald,
of Menasha. In the winter of 1852 and 1853, the Peytona had passed into the hands of Mr. Moore, who monopolized the entire lake trade during the season of 1853, running his boat from Fond du Lac to Menasha and return, daily, except Sunday, and in the winter of 1853 and 1854, Moore & Fitzgerald controlled the entire fleet of the lake and Fox and Wolf Rivers.
In the season of 1853, large quantities of railroad iron were landed at Green Bay, for the Rock River Valley Union Railroad (now Chi- cago & Northwestern), brought to Kaukauna by water, thence over the plank-road to Menasha, where it was loaded on barges, and, by the Peytona, towed to Fond du Lac.
In 1854, Fitzgerald established an exchange office here, with Charles Schaffer as cashier; Mr. Fitzgerald being absent a greater portion of the time, the responsibility rested mainly with "Charley," and never was trust more faithfully dis- charged.
Possesssed of rare qualities of head and heart, he had acquired business habits of a high order; he soon made many warm friends, and will be remembered with none but kindliest feelings.
Although but a boy when here, in less than ten years he became the owner of a bank at Stillwater, part owner and president of a prominent bank at St. Paul, and Treasurer of the State of Minnesota, all at the same time. They are both gone, but not forgotten.
In 1855, there were two channels of com- munication only, between this section and the business centers of the continent, and each of limited capacity. One over the plank-road to Kaukauna, fifteen miles, thence to Green Bay, by steamer; the other by steamer to Fond du Lac, and over a plank-road, some forty miles, to Sheboygan.
An unusual yield of wheat this season, with prices unheard of before in this country, reach- ing one dollar and forty to one dollar and forty- five cents per bushel, taxed these two routes to their utmost capacity, each convey- ing away all that their respective termini - Green Bay and Sheboygan - could hold or ship, with return freights to nearly an equal amount. One hundred teams made daily trips to Kau- kauna and return; and added to this was a supply for the numerous mills at Neenah and Appleton. The Star Flouring Mill was erected in 1855, by W. R. Ellis, purchased by R. M. Scott in 1857, and by Eli Butler and T. D. Scott in 1878, and is still running.
The great event of 1856, and marking a new era in the history of this locality, was the
221
HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
1857-61.]
opening of uninterrupted navigation between Lake Winnebago and Green Bay, which was accomplished in June, and, immediately after, a line of boats was placed upon the route.
In the early part of this year, the Rock River Valley Union Railroad, running south, from Fond du Lac, was extended to Minnesota Junction, connecting with the Milwaukee and La Crosse Railroad, thereby opening another route, very important to this entire section, and it at once took the lead in travel and freights.
The Methodist brick church was built this season.
CHAPTER LVII.
Doty's Island - Its Lovely Scenery -Chicago & Northwest- ern Railroad - More Manufactories - The National Hotel Built - Menasha Bank - Incorporation of the City - List of City Officers and Aldermen from Date of Incorporation to the Present Time - The Wisconsin Central Railroad and Milwaukee Northern Railroad.
OR the four years succeeding, very little seems to have transpired here, out of the usual course of events. The vil- lage had steadily increased in popula- tion, business and general importance, no evidence of over-growth, or any branch of business overdone. Frequent addi- tions to the original plat had been made, and October 28, 1857, a plat of the "Town of the Island" was recorded, James D. Doty, L. B. McKinnon, Charles Doty and D. J. Pulling, proprietors.
This plat was confined entirely to the Island, as the name implies, being an addition to both Neenah and Menasha, and covered a large amount of territory.
It seems pertinent in this connection to say that no lovelier place exists, of the same extent, for city residences, than this Island, consisting of about seven hundred acres, where Nature has lavished every favor with unstinted hand, and whatever may now be wanting, is just what the ruthless hand of man has destroyed. The writer can well recollect this landscape as it appeared over a quarter of a century ago; its wide-spreading white oaks and lofty maples, huge beeches and towering elms, a carpet of Nature's richest patterns, with an occasional glimpse of lake and river and the far-off cliffs of Calumet, Clifton and Stockbridge beyond. Can we, for a moment, wonder that this should be the favorite haunt of the red man? Here, even to this day, may be found marks of his
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