USA > Wisconsin > Winnebago County > History of Winnebago County, Wisconsin, and early history of the Northwest > Part 59
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E. L. Durfee settled on Section 24, in 1846,
292
HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
[1839-49.
and during the same season came J. Botsford, Noah and Clark Miles, Elihu Hall, Doctor James Whipple, and others. One year after this the land in the town was very generally taken up and the town well settled.
Among the next early settlers were the Cre- gos, Kenfields, John Stroud and James Cowan. Mr. John Stroud helped to build the first saw- mill in this locality.
H. C. Jewell, a prominent name in the his- tory of this county, came to Algoma in 1848, and engaged first in the mercantile business and subsequently in lumber manufacture at that point.
THE VILLAGE OF ALGOMA.
The village of Algoma, now a part of the Fifth Ward, of Oshkosh, enjoys the distinc- tion of being the site of the first American settlement in the county, Stanley having made this point his first residence, from whence he subsequently removed to the present site of the Gang Mill.
In 1839, Mr. C. J. Coon arrived and pur- chased land from Robert Grignon, on which he immediately commenced to make improve- ments. This was the beginning of the Village of Algoma, a place which at first promised to outstrip Oshkosh. Mr. Coon proved to be a very energetic and enterprising man, and his location, receiving accessions in the persons of D. W. Forman, Wm. Daggett, James Whit- temore and Thomas C. Baker, they started a village. In 1849, they commenced the con- struction of the first saw-mill built within the limits of the city of Oshkosh; and stores, a hotel (the Eagle hotel, still standing), mechanic shops and a number of dwellings, made a promising show. The first grist mill in this locality was also built at the Village of Algoma and, for a time, it bid fair to be a formidable rival of Oshkosh
In 1849, a post-office was established, and in 1850, Messrs. Weed, Gumaer and Coon built a bridge across the Fox at this point, and Algoma became quite a business center.
The subsequent growth of Oshkosh gradu- ally absorbed much of the former business of Algoma, and in time the latter succumbed to inexorable destiny, and consented to become a sub-division of its former rival; and now glories in being a part of the beautiful Fifth Ward of the famous second city in the State.
FIRST BIRTHS AND MARRIAGES.
The first white child born in the limits of the town, was Elisabeth, daughter of Chester Ford. She was the second white child born in the county.
One of the earliest marriages in the town
was that of Richard Howard to Miss Abigail Lockerby, which event occurred in 1847, at the residence of Chester Ford, on Ford's Point, which was then occupied by the Lock- erby family. Milan Ford has a distinct rec- ollection of returning home from the wedding early in the morning, with a fair companion who was precipitated headlong into a muddy creek which Milan's team was attempting to ford. They were an interesting looking pair after they crossed that creek. The lady had fallen headlong into the muddy water, and Milan, of course, plunged in heroically to her rescue, at the risk of his-good clothes.
TOWN ORGANIZATION - ORGANIC ELECTION.
By an act of the Territorial Legislature, approved March 8th 1839, "Townships 18 and 19, Range 15 and 16 and fractional 18 and 19, in Range 17, shall be a separate town, by the name of Buttes des Morts, and the election in said town shall be holden at the house of Webster Stanly."
This town of Buttes des Morts included in its limit the present towns of Algoma, Oshkosh, Vinland, Winneconne, Omro and the southern part of Neenah.
No further record of organization, or of any election under this law is to be found until the following, viz.
"First meeting in Town of Buttes des Morts, April 4th 1842. On motion, Chester Ford was chosen Chairman and sworn by T. Lee, coro- ner; and Jason Wilkins was chosen clerk, "etc .*
This is supposed to have been the first elec- tion held in the county; but for some reason, not being conformable to law, it was legalized by act of legislature March 29th, 1843.
By act of the Legislature approved April Ist 1843, "The Town of Buttes des Morts shall hereafter be known by the name of Winne- bago; and said town shall embrace all territory within the limits of Winnebago County. All future elections shall be held at the house of Webster Stanley."
February 11th, 1847, the Legislature set off and organized five towns, viz: Buttes des Morts, Brighton, Neenah, Rushford and Winnebago.
The Town of Winnebago comprised in its limits, Township 19, Range 15 north of Fox River, the south half of Township 19, Range 16 and 17, and Fractional Towns 18, Range 16 and 17. "The first town meeting under this . act to be held at the house of L. M. Miller.
4
*NOTE- For result of this election see history of Town of Oshkosh, page 232; and also the same for further paticulars of the first organization. Much of the history of the early day in Algoma, will be found in the pages of this work which relate to the early history of the County and the history of the Town of Oshkosh.
293
HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
1846-79.]
This Town of Winnebago included the pres- ent Town of Algoma(Township 18, Range 16).
ORGANIZATION OF TOWN OF ALGOMA.
The Town of Algoma was organized in pur- suance of act of County Board, of February 5th 1850; and the organic election was held April 5th 1850. At the election, H. C. Jew- ell was elected chairman; R. C. Wood and William Sloan, Supervisors; N. W. Pierce, clerk; John Smith, treasurer; Philetus Sawyer, assessor; Patrick J. Hannah and O. Starks, justices.
The population of the town as per census of 1875, was 799; and its territory includes Town 18, Range 16, excepting that portion of the township which is included in the limits of the City of Oshkosh.
ILLUSTRATION.
Among the illustrations in this work will be found that of the handsome residence and farm of Carlton Foster in this town.
EBENEZER HUBBARD.
Among the earlier pioneers of this county is Mr. Ebenezer Hubbard, a view of whose fine farm and residence, in the Town of Algoma, and adjoining the limits of the City of Osh- kosh, is here presented. Mr. Hubbard is one of those who laid the foundations of the city, having built the third saw-mill that was erected in the City of Oshkosh, and was thus one of the founders of that immense lumber business which made Oshkosh one of the greatest lumber manufacturing centers of the northwest.
Mr. Hubbard migrated from the State of Maine, in the spring of 1847, and landed at Sheboygan. Aftertraveling about four months through the various localities of the northern part of the State, and thoroughly examining their respective advantages and resources, he was impressed with the beautiful site of Osh- kosh and its magnificent surrounding country; and particularly with its ample water communi- cation with the great pine forests of the north, and saw in it the promise of a large business center, he therefore settled in Oshkosh, a few months after his arrival in this State; and the next winter engaged in the lumbering business, in which he has been engaged to the present time.
In 1849, he erected the third saw-mill built in the city of Oshkosh, and manufactured lum- ber in the same for five or six years, when it was destroyed by fire, since which time he has dealt largely in pine lands, and at various times has engaged in extensive logging opera- tions.
In 1874, Mr. Hubbard purchased a saw-mill
in Pensacola, Florida, and some five thousand acres of pine land in its vicinity; and has, with the assistance of his son, E. H. Hubbard, and E. F. Skinner, his son-in-law, manufactured and shipped from four to five million feet of lumber per annum. This lumber is shipped to various American ports and also to England, France, Germany, and points in South America.
In 1875, Mr. Hubbard erected one of the fine brick blocks of stores which grace Main Street, and in 1877, he erected the handsome residence on the farm adjoining the city. He has thus contributed to the growth and pros- perity of the place with whose interests he has been so thoroughly identified for nearly a third of a century; and has witnessed the trans- formation of Oshkosh from a frontier village to the metropolis of Central Wisconsin.
Mr. Hubbard in all his business transactions has maintained a reputation for the strictest integrity. Through his enterprise, business dilligence and sound judgment he has accumu- lated a large property, provided amply for the success of his children, and in his old age is enjoying the benefits of a well spent life; and takes great enjoyment in the cultivation of his farm which consists of 160 acres of fine land in a high state of cultivation, well stocked and highly productive. Mr. Hubbard was married to Miss Mary Thompson of Buckfield, Oxford County, Maine, on December 27, 1836.
Their children are Martha, now Mrs. James Johnston, Ellen, Mrs. E. F. Skinner now in Florida, and an adopted son, E. H. Hubbard, the son of Mr. Hubbard's deceased brother.
R. C. WOOD.
Among the illustrations in this work will be found that of the beautiful farm of R. C. Wood, in the Town of Algoma. Mr. Wood is one of the early residents of the county, and has, since his advent, been prominent in county affairs. He moved on this farm in the spring of 1851, having previously come from Madison County, New York.
Mr. Wood, for many years, held the positions of town superintendent of schools and justice of the peace, the duties of which he discharged very creditably. He also represented his town in the County Board, as chairman of Algoma in the years 1854 and 1877, and was regarded as one of the most efficient and influential mem- bers of the Board. His fine farm is one of the best in the county, and delightfully situ- ated on a handsome elevation which commands a view of the city.
EARLY RESIDENTS.
Among the old settlers of this town, not
294
HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
[1846-80.
heretofore mentioned, are Frederick H. Smith, who came to this county in 1850; C. Vessey, E. and N. Perry, Wm. Bedient, J. Caldwell, R. J. Judd. T. D. Melcher and F. Owens.
One of the finest farm residences in the county is an elegant brick structure belonging to Daniel Fitzgerald, on the town line road. Another beautiful place is that of J. W. Kiel, on the shore of Lake Buttes des Morts. John Leonard's fine farm is also a lovely place, delightfully situated on the shore of the same lake.
The Rev. John P. Roe's farm is one of the historical land-marks of the county, it being the site of Wm. Boyd's log-house, built in 1840. Mr. Roe was born in Orange County, New York, in 1834, was a graduate of Auburn Seminary, and ordained a Presbyterian minis- ter in 1864, and was chaplain of the Ninety- seventh Regiment, New York volunteers. After the close of the war, he was appointed pastor of the Congregational Church, at Oshkosh. On account of impaired health, he was com- pelled to resign, and in the summer of 1868 purchased the John P. Gallup place, where he has since been extensively engaged in growing small fruits, making a specialty of grapes, in the culture of which he has been very successful.
TOWN OFFICERS.
The officers of the town, elected in 1879, are, Robinson Henry, chairman; J. W. Cross and John Athearn, supervisors; M. V. Spur- beck, treasurer; E. D. Davis, assessor; C. P. Houghton, clerk.
TOWN OF OMRO.
CHAPTER LXXIII.
Situation, Soil and Face of the Country - Water Communica- tion - Roads - Water - Railroad - Social and Educa- tional Advantages - Schools - Resources of Agriculture, Manufacture and Commerce - Early Settlement-Names of First Settlers - Town Organization - Organic Election - First Roads - Schools - Religious Services - Flood in 1846- First Frame Houses - Early Births, Marriages and Deaths - Flowing Wells - The First Fountains Opened - Notices of Early Settlers - Village of Omro - Its First Settlers - The Invention of the Tug-boat Grouser - The Village Platted - Erection of First Buildings- First Stores Opened - First Steamer Through the Fox to Berlin - Accessions to the Population - More Stores Opened - Building of Mills -Growth of the Place - War Times- Extension of the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad - Descrip- tion of the Village - Its Manufactures - Business and Com- mercial Advantages - Prominent Business Men, Etc.
HE Town of Omro, situated in the central part of the county, is one of the finest agricultural districts in the habitable world. The face of the country is undulating and indescribably beautiful, the elevations affording dis- tant views of the most picturesque scenery.
The soil is a rich dark loam of the greatest fertility, varied with occasional areas of a rich clay soil, The base is limestone rock and the subsoil is a snuff-colored clay, impregnated with particles of disintegrated limestone.
There is a very small amount of waste land in the town, the interval land being the best of meadows. The country was originally openings, with the exceptions of small tracts in the north- ern part of the town, which were forest lands, and the bottom land on the margin of the Fox River. This stream which is one of the com- mercial highways of the country, passes through the northwestern portion of the town, giving steamboat communication with the other navigable waters with which it is connected. The town is densely populated; and fine farm residences and spacious barns, in every direc- tion, give evidence of agricultural prosperity. The population, in 1875, as per the State cen- sus, was 3,312.
ROADS - WATER.
Gravel beds, similar to those found in other parts of the county, furnish the best of material for making roads; these have been utilized and many of the roads have been graveled and are kept in an excellent condition.
Good well and stock water is readily obtain- able, by either digging or drilling, and in some places flowing fountains are found.
295
HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
1846-47.]
RAILROAD - SOCIAL AND EDUCATIONAL ADVANTAGES.
A branch of the Milwaukee & St. Paul Rail- road traverses the town, giving it railroad con- nection with main lines.
According to school superintendent's report, there were, in 1878, ten school-houses in the town, including those in the Village of Omro, and I,OII children of school-age.
The Villages of Omro and Waukau, and the City of Oshkosh, give additional social and educational advantages, which are possessed to an extent seldom met with in rural com- munities. It has, also, superior commercial advantages, through the navigable water- course which connects it with an endless chain of water communication, and with the pine and hard wood forests of the Wolf and its tributaries. Building material-pine, hard wood, limestone, sand and brick -are obtained cheaply, and this fact has very much facilitated the construction of the very creditable build- ings with which the town abounds. Among other resources, is found an inexhaustable sup- ply of the best quality of sand for glass making and which will yet be utilized.
EARLY SETTLEMENT.
For some years before the white settlement of Omro, a trading-post was established on the present site of the village, by Charles Car- ron. Jed Smalley and Captain William Pow- ell were, also, temporarily located at this point and were engaged in trading with the Indians. The place was known as Smalley's trading-post.
FIRST PERMANENT SETTLERS.
In the spring of 1845, Edward West, now residing in Appleton, made the first permanent settlement in the limits of the town, having purchased some five hundred acres of land and put up two log houses, one of which was located near the center of Section 23, and which is one of the most lovely localities in the county. The following is copied from printed extracts of a letter from Mr. West to Kaime & Wright, of the Omro Journal, and which the latter have kindly permitted the author of this work to use in this connection:
I marked out and cut, where it was necessary, a wagon road from Rosendale, Fond du Lac County, to my land in Butte des Morts (Omro), before I could move my family. Rosendale and the " Fourierite " settlement, south and southwest, and Oshkosh on the east were the nearest neighborhoods. There was an old block-house a short distance above where the Village of Omro is now located, and a few families - the Wrights, Galloupes, Stanleys and Fords - were trading with the Indians and farm- ing a little where the City of Oshkosh now stands. The coun- try far to the south; and for a great distance north of the Fox River, and westerly from Lake Winnebago, was uninhabited,
except by Indians. There were two or three very wet seasons in succession about that time, and the general appearance of the country was low and wet, and of a very spongy nature. After wading some distance through water and tall grass to reach the south shore of Fox River, at Oshkosh, near where the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company's freight depot now stands, I, with the rest of our exploring company, ( Hon. R. B. Hinckley, Dr. Story and Edwin B. Fisk, all of the West Milwaukee County, now Waukesha County, )were taken out in Indian canoes by Mr. Stanley, who offered to sell his claim for a small sum. I think the County buildings now stand on part of the land. Our little party, all practical farmers, were unan- imons in the opinion that Oshkosh did not present a very invit- ing field or prospect for farming on an extensive scale. The same opinion was entertained of the site where your flourishing village - soon to be a city - now stands. So I was saved by the timely counsel of my friends, together with force of circum- stances, from becoming by chance, or otherwise, a proprietor of the village of Omro, or part proprietor of the city of Oshkosh. But I have not escaped so well since. The Indians of the four tribes, Winnebagoes, Menomonees, Chippeways and Pottawat- tomies were there in force, and held possession and occupancy of the country lying between the Wolf river on the east and the Mississippi on the west, and using and occupying at their pleas- ure all the country north and south of Fox river for hunting grounds. Most kinds of game were scarce, on account of the Indians either killing it or driving it off, excepting wolves and prairie hens; which the red men were too superstitions to molest. Prairie hens were very plentiful - so numerous that I killed them in large numberes with a shot gun and with "dead falls," to save my grain; and what could not be used in the family were fed to the hogs. Strangers exploring the country, were accustomed to call upon me and make inquiries about the land, and they were generally loaded down with the wild chickens, part of which they ate themselves, as they generally stopped with me, and the rest generally found their way to the pig sty.
FIRST SETTLERS.
The next settlers after Mr. West were Abram Quick, now of Utica, Hezekiah Gifford, John Munroe, R. M. Buck, John R. Paddleford and John S. Johnson, all of whom were residents in the spring of 1846. In the summer of 1846, came Barna Haskell, Myron Howe, Leuman Scott, Walter Stewart, Nelson Olin, Frederick Tice, Gilman Lowd, Smith Jones, and Musgrove, all of whom settled in the present limits of the town.
In 1847, the town received the following accessions to its population : M. C. Bushnell, A. C. Pease, Nelson Beckwith, David Humes, Richard Reed, James Reed, Bela Beals, Theo- dore Pillsbury, Thomas Palfrey, David Mink- ler, John Pingrey, Isaac Hammers, James Hoaglin, F. B. Bunker, Austin Clark, William Remington, John L. Bidwell, John Perry, Sumner Wilson, Jude F, Rogers, William Thrall, Calvin Bigelow, James M. Olin, La Fayette Lamb, G. W. Beckwith, Isaac Ger- main, George Stokes, Nathan Wolverton, Alvin Beals, Nelson Tice, N. J. Forbes, John Perry, and others.
296
HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
[1839-56.
In 1848, this town was well settled ; for this lovely tract of country was so attractive to immigrants, that, in less than three years after the advent of the first settler, the land was very generally occupied.
TOWN ORGANIZATIONS.
By an act of the Territorial Legislature, approved March 8, 1839, a town was organized from Townships 18 and 19, Ranges 15 and 16 and fractions of 17, and named Buttes des Morts. This included the present towns of Omro, Winneconne, Algoma, Oshkosh, Vin- land and part of Neenah. At that time the above described tract was a part of Brown County.
Winnebago County was set off from Brown by act of the Legislature, approved January 6, 1840.
An election was held at the house of Webster Stanley, on present site of City of Oshkosh, on the 4th and 5th of April, 1842, and officers for the town of Buttes des Morts were elected. This was the first election within the county ; but, not being conducted conformable to the requirements of law, was legalized by the Legis- lature March 29, 1843.
TOWN OF WINNEBAGO.
By act of April 1, 1843, "The Town of Buttes des Morts, County of Winnebago, shall hereafter be known as Winnebago, em- bracing all territory within the limits of said county ; and future elections shall be held at the house of Webster Stanley." *
TOWN OF BUTTES DES MORTS.
Act of February 11, 1847, provided for the organization of five towns within the County of Winnebago, viz : Winnebago, Buttes des Morts, Brighton, Neenah and Rushford.
The Town of Buttes des Morts comprised the present Town of Omro, lying south of the Fox, and the southeast corner of the now town of Winneconne, lying southeast of the Fox, viz : " all of Townships 18 and 19 in Range 15, lying south of Fox River."
ORGANIC ELECTION.
"At an election held at the house of Edward West, in the Town of Buttes des Morts, Win- nebago County, Wisconsin Territory, on the 6th day of April, 1847, Nelson Olin was chosen Moderator, and N. W. Wolverton, Secretary "
" Resolved, First, That we elect our town officers by ballot ; That town officers shall receive seventy-five cents per day ;
That we raise the sum of twenty-five dollars to defray necessary expenses of the town."
From the records it appears that the highest number of votes polled at this election was nineteen ; but this does not indicate the popu- lation at the time, for a number of the residents were not legal voters.
At this election the following named persons were elected town officers, viz :
Edward West, chairman ; John Monroe, Frederick Tice, supervisors ; Nelson Olin, clerk ; Barna Haskell, assessor; Isaac Ger- main, justice ; John H. Perry, treasurer ; Alvin Bealls, collector ; Nelson Olin, Gilman Lowd, George Stokes; commissioners of high- ways ; Edward West, Barna Haskell, Nathan Wolverton, commissioners of schools ; Alvin Bealls, constable ; Abram Quick, sealer ; Nel- son Tice, Edward West, overseers of high- ways, Isaac Hammers, N. J. Forbes and Myron Howe, fence-viewers.
It appears that at this election seven votes were cast in favor of the adoption of the State Constitution, and fourteen against it. Five votes were cast in favor of giving right of suff- rage to colored persons, and sixteen against the proposition. Eleven votes were also cast on the license question ; the eleven being against the granting of licenses.
On March 11, 1848, Winneconne was set off, taking from the Town of Buttes des Morts the fraction of the southeast corner of town 19.
By. act of March 15, 1849, the name of the Town of Buttes des Morts was changed to
BLOOMINGDALE
At the town meeting held April 3, 1849, the following were elected officers for the Town of Bloomingdale, viz :
Nelson Olin, chairman ; Jude F. Rogers and John Nelson, supervisors ; J. M. Olin, clerk ; John Paddleford, treasurer; Milo C. Bushnell, assessor; Asahel Rogers, Richard Reed, Barna Haskell and C. C. Bigelow, justices.
OMRO.
In 1852, the name of the Town of Bloom- ingdale was changed to Omro, by act of the County Board.
In 1850, the south half of Section 31, of the town of Bloomingdale, was attached to Rush- ford ; and in 1856 the north half of the same was attached. Subsequently Sections 1, 12 and north half of 13, in Rushford, were attach- ed to Omro, leaving the town of Omro with its present boundaries.
OPENING ROADS.
May 15, 1847, the commissioners of high- ways laid the Town Line Road on the line between the present towns of Utica and Omro.
*NOTE .- See pages 119, 120 and 121 for further particulars of county and town organization, and see History of Town of Oshkosh for first election, page 232.
296 (a)
HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY, WISCONSIN.
1847 50.]
April 26, 1847, the commissioners laid a road from the quarter line of Section 23 to Lake Buttes des Morts.
April 29, 1847, they laid the Section Line Road, commencing on the west line of the town, and on section line between Sections 30 and 31, and running east of said section line, six miles to the east line of the town.
SCHOOLS - RELIGIOUS SERVICES.
One of the first things to claim the atten- tion of the community was school facilities for the education of their children.
"In 1848, during Mr. Myron Howe's absence from home, his bachelor quarters were taken possession of, and a school opened with Mrs. Abram Quick as teacher."
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