History of northern Wisconsin, containing an account of its settlement, growth, development, and resources; an extensive sketch of its counties, cities, towns and villages, their improvements, industries, manufactories; biographical sketches, portraits of prominent men and early settlers; views of county seats, etc., Part 125

Author: Western historical co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company
Number of Pages: 1052

USA > Wisconsin > History of northern Wisconsin, containing an account of its settlement, growth, development, and resources; an extensive sketch of its counties, cities, towns and villages, their improvements, industries, manufactories; biographical sketches, portraits of prominent men and early settlers; views of county seats, etc. > Part 125

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NICHOLAS FIFER, Millston, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Oct. 6, 1846. Came to La Crosse, Wis., in 1854, and worked on a farm until 1859 ; then went to Robinson's Creek and worked for David Robinson at farming. In 1864, he enlisted in the late war, in Co. G. 5th Wis. Vol. Inf., and served one year. Came back to Robinson's Creek, and from there went to Cedar County, Iowa. Then returned to Wisconsin, and traveled around a good deal, working at different places, and finally settled down at Robinson's Creek, in the wood and hotel business, and is still there. Was married Feb. 26, 1877, to Mary Orilands. She was born in Milwaukee in 1857. Have three children-Dora O., Frederick A. and Estell E.

RUDD'S STATION.

J. L. GREEN, of the firm of Rudd & Green, Rudd's Station, was born July IS, 1827, at Westerlo, Albany Co., N. Y. Came to Racine County, Wis., in 1844; stayed there four years; went to Sauk County and worked three years, when he took up a homestead and farmed for two years. Then went into business at Reedsburg, and continued at that until the Spring of 1865, when he was appointed Postmaster, under the administration of Abraham Lincoln. In 1868, commenced business with the Rudd Brothers. The firm consists of D. B. Rudd, E. O. Rudd and J. L. Green, dealers in lumber, and keeping a supply store. The firm was established in 1868, at Rudd's Station, which was then the ter- minns of the railroad. Mr. Green was married to Lovina Reed, Nov. 20, 1853. She was born in Green County, N. Y., in 1829. They have one daughter, named Mary E. The firm of Rudd & Green does a busi- ness of about $50,000 per year, running two saw mills, one in Monroe and one in Jackson County, employing about eighty men. They are stockholders in the Reedsburg Bank, and also in the woolen mills.

TOWN OF NORTHFIELD.

PETER M. WILSON, farmer, Sec. 20, town of Northfield, was born in Pennsylvania, Nov. 20, 1838. Came to Wisconsin in 1856, and first lived in the town of IIixton. Jackson Co., moving to Northfield in 1863, where he pre-empted a claim from the Government, on which he has lived ever since. Has been Town Treasurer of Northfield for eight years. Was married in 1863, to Miss Abigail A. Humphrey. She was born in England. They have two children, Phoebe E. and Jane B.

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HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.

TOWN OF GARDEN VALLEY.

NICHOLAS ANDREW'S, farmer. Sec. 13, post-office Alma Cen- ter. Was Born in Bavaria, Dec. 31, 1837. Came with his parents to America, 11: 1850, and first settled at Williamsburg, Long Island, where he worked in the rope factory for one year, when he came West with his parents and settled on a farm in Waukesha County, remaining there until 1853, when he came to Jackson County and worked at lumbering for eight years on the Black River ; then went logging, which he fol- lowed until 1863, when he bought the farm where he now lives and owns 1,200 acres, all of which is under cultivation except 160 acres of timber land. Mr. Andrews is a member of I. O. O. F., Alma Lodge No. 294, Was married March, 1875, to Miss Margaret IIenderson, who was born in Scotland, in 1853. They have two children, Grace and John.

CHARLES T. GANSEI., farmer, Sec. 14, Post-office Darrow, was born in Germany, April 24, 1836; came to America, with his parents, in IS49, and settled in Washington County, after which they moved to

Jackson County, in 1857. 'Charles bought the farm where he now lives in 1867. Was elected to the office of Town Clerk in the Spring of 1868, and has held that office ever since. His farm contains 400 acres of good land. Was married, in 1843, in Germany, to Miss Barbara Andrews ; she is a native of Germany. They have four children-George, Carl T., John E. and Ida.

TOWN OF SPRINGFIELD.

JOHN MORRILL, farmer, Sec. 4, town of Springfield, P. O. Hix- ton, is a native of Maine, being born Oct. 18, 1826, in Somerset County. Left there in the Spring of 1854, and came to Wisconsin in 1855. Pre-empted 160 acres of land from the Government, in Springfield, and has added to it until he now owas 200 acres. Enlisted, March, 1865, and served ten months, and in 1869 was elected to the Assembly from Jackson and Clark counties. Has been engaged in the lumber business on Black River during the Winters. Was married in 1852, to Miss Lu- cina W. Merrill. She was born in the town of Greene, Maine.

KEWAUNEE COUNTY.

NATURAL ADVANTAGES.

This is one of the counties of Northeastern Wisconsin, bordering on the lake, being bounded north by Door, south by Manitowoc, and west by Brown. The Ke- waunee and the Ahnapee rivers, which cut the land from east to west, and flow into Lake Michigan, are its chief sources of water supply. Beech, birch, maple, hemlock, cedar, pine, basswood and elm abound. The shipping of cedar ties and posts and hemlock bark be- ing engaged in extensively and profitably. The geo- logical formation of Kewaunee County does not differ materially from that of other lake-shore sections further south. Underneath the drift, or soil, is a formation of Racine limestone; beneath that, a stratum of Niagara limestone ; next, the Cincinnati shale, a clay rock, and beneath that, what is known as the Galena limestone. The general dip of these formations is toward the lake, so that the country is well drained. The soil consists of clay, red, and a heavy marl and sand. The rich sur- face soil wears out in localities, but the heavy marl be- neath is fertile and re-invigorating. These features make the raising of wheat especially profitable. Oats also flourish, and all kinds of grasses. Farmers are turning their attention also to the dairy products. Last year 152,000 pounds of butter were made, and five cheese factories are already in operation-one in the town of Carlton, two in Pierce, and two in Casco.

At the time of making the annual assessment for 1881, 23,821 acres of wheat were growing, 10,863 of oats, and 32,563 of timber. There were 4,883 milch cows, valued at $60,985.

GENERAL COUNTY MATTERS.

The total valuation of property made by the local assessors in 1880 was 83,427,025. The indebtedness of the towns. cities and villages is only $1,550. The pop- ulation since 1855 has been : 1855, 1,109 ; 1830, 5,530 ; 1865, 7,039 ; 1870, 10,028 ; 1875, 14,405 ; 1880, 15,856. Population by towns for 1880 :

Alinapee Town 1,430

Ahnapee City 948

Carlton

1,604

Casco

1,659

Franklin

1,601

Kewaunee

1,352

Kewaunee Village. 1,050

Lincoln 1,146

Montpelier. 1,405

Pierce. 1,743

Red River. 1,582

West Kewaunee (formerly Krok) 1,336

Total 15,856

Within the bounds of Kewaunee County there are 6,818 children of school age, and of this number 3,322 attend the district schools. Sixty-four teachers are employed.

WAR RECORD.

Kewaunee County did her share in the raising of troops'and sending them to the front. She raised Co. A. 27th Wis. I., a portion of Co. E, 14th Regt. Some of her troops also went into the 21st and 29th. The boys of Co. A, under Capt., afterward Major, Charles H. Cunningham, were assigned to duty in the Western and South western States. They were mustered into serv- ice in March, 1863, and mustered out, at Brownsville, Tex., August 29, 1865, arriving at Madison, September 17th. The county furnished many brave men, among which may be mentioned Capt. John Boland, first lieu- tenant of Co. A, and Capt. Levi Vaughn, of the 14th Wis. I., who was killed at Corinth. Hon. R. L. Wing was especially active during those stirring times in rais- ing troops. Kewaunee's quota was 416; total credits, 294.

POLITICAL.

By Legislature act, April 16, 1852, Kewaunee Coun- ty was set off from Door. The county was attached to Manitowoc for judicial purposes, and organized into the town of Kewaunee. In 1856, it was detached from the Tenth and made a part of the Fourth Judicial Cir- cuit : it still, however, remained attached to Manitowoc. The county, however, was not really organized until November 4th, of that year (1856), when the first elec- tion of officers was held, with this result : County Treasurer, L. P. Fisher ; Clerk, John McNally ; Reg- ister of Deeds, Dr. Levi Parsons; Surveyor, G. W. Elliott; Coroner, S. Chapel ; Assemblyman, John A. Daniels. The election of Messrs. Elliott and Chapel was unanimous. The highest number of votes polled was 301. There was no contest, whatever, in regard

427

HISTORY OF KEWAUNEE COUNTY.

to the location of the county seat. It was fixed at Kewaunee, and there remained without objection.

The first meeting of the County Board was held November 11, 1856. Present-Abner Cory, Kewaunee ; J. A. Defaut, Wolf (Ahnapee) ; John H. Scott, Sand Bay. Mr. Cory was elected chairman. A resolution was passed, organizing from and after April 1, 1857, the towns of Carlton, Frederickton, Montpelier, Cory- ville, Casco, Kewaunee and Red River. In November, 1858, Abner Cory was elected the first County Judge. May 10, 1859, the name of the town of Wolf was changed to Ahnapee. The old county buildings were

mouth of Kewaunee River. It lies south of the river, and is built partly in its valley and partly on the high ground overlooking it, the court-house standing upon the most commanding rise. Kewaunee's harbor is being improved under Maj. Robert, $13,coo being expended upon it in the building of two piers, during the season of 1881. Of this amount, $5,000 was appropriated by the General Govern- ment. The survey was made to comply with the provisions of the river and harbor act of June 14, 1880.

Although pleasantly located by nature, this was not the attraction which first drew the attention of land buyers to

KEWAUNEE.

erected soon after the county was organized, the sub- stantial court-house now occupied being built in 1873, at a cost of $12,000. Two years later, the jail and Sheriff's residence were erected, costing $6,000. The poor farm-120 acres-five and a half miles north of Kewaunee, was purchased, in 1879, for $4,400; sub- sequent improvements make the property worth over $5,000. For 1881 the county officers are: Vitalis Mil- ler, Judge ; J. L. V. Yates, District Attorney ; M. Shil- bauer, Sheriff; William H. Timlin, Superintendent of Schools ; Louis Bruemmer, Clerk ; Henry Tisch, Reg- ister of Deeds ; Pat. J. Rooney, Clerk of Court ; H. G. Borgman, Surveyor ; Oliver H. Martin, Coroner.

KEWAUNEE.

This brisk little village, of nearly 1,100 people, is located in the southeastern part of the county, on the lake, at the

Kewaunee. Some unknown explorer, in the early 30's, picked up something in the low land near the mouth of the river, and his imagination not only turned it into gold, but the whole country round about. Further examinations were made by non-experts, who spread the rumor of rich gold deposits. In 1836, so much excitement, enforced by positive conviction, had been raised, that preparations were made to lay out a city, which, as a supplier of the precious metal, would rival Chicago as a supply depct of precious grain. There is no doubt about it -strange as the fact may appear in 1881-in 1836, much jealousy existed be- tween Chicago and Kewaunee, and many sharp and wealthy speculators were undecided where to cast their lots. Such men as John Jacob Astor, largely interested in Brown County lands, Gov. Doty, Gov. Beals, Morgan L. Martin, William B. Slaughter, Hon. Sanford E. Church, Gen. Rug-

428

HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.

gles, Joshua Hathaway, Col. Hans Crocker, Samuel Beards- ley, of Albany, N. Y., and Salmon P. Chase, ex-Chief Justice of the United States, became interested in property before, or soon after, the village was platted. In 1836, Joshua Ilathaway, specially deputed by the District Sur- veyor of Brown County, laid out the place in wide avenues, averaging seventy-five feet, the lots being 50x150 feet. Six blocks were reserved on the lake front for parks, commons, boulevards, and any other improvements which might sug- gest themselves to public-spirited citizens.

In the Fall, a sale of lots was advertised, to take place at the salesrooms of William Montgomery, Chicago. The exact time was September 5. The proprietors of the plat were Hon. James D. Doty and William B. Slaughter, of Brown County, and Samuel Beardsley, of Albany County, N. Y. In an announcement which appeared in the Mil- waukee Advertiser, in September, Mr. Hathaway, as their agent, stands "pledged that Kewaunee shall, in due time, send forth her full quota of all those valuable minerals so essential to the growth and splendor of the more southern towns "- no doubt referring to Chicago and Milwaukee. He also invited the public to examine the premises person- ally, that they might not confound "the merits of Kewau- nee with the ephemera of the day." This announcement, which was a notice of the sale of 250 lots, and a general view of the splendid prospects of Kewaunee, was dated "Chicago, August 20, 1836," and appeared in the Adver- tiser, September 15. There was a grand rush for the "yel- low-jackets." Land in the middle of the swamp sold for $500 an acre; some pieces sold as high as $1,000. Land owners to whom the temptation of such prices was too great to be resisted, sold their property, often reserving some such fraction as "one one-hundredth " part of all the minerals found thereon, considering that by this fore- sight they had guaranteed themselves a fortune.

In April, 1836, Joshua Hathaway sold a piece of land to Gov. Doty for $15,000. It was subsequently occupied by John Leinecker, and is possibly worth $3,000. In Sep- tember, Morgan L. Martin entered a tract of eighty acres from the Government, and sold it to Salmon P. Chase for $38,000. This was in the same vicinity. A portion of the property is now the site of the court-house. But the gold didn't " pan out," and capitalists withdrew their money and their confidence from Kewaunee; and she is now a brisk little village, of about " one five-hundredth" of the popula- lation of Chicago. Joshua Hathaway to the contrary not- withstanding, no fairer and more amusing illustration of "the ephemera of the day" can be unearthed than this gold excitement of 1836. As to " the merits of Kewaunee," Mr. Chamberlain, formerly State Geologist. has given it as his positive and scientific conclusion, that the geological formations of the county absolutely preclude the existence of gold, or of any precious metal.

EARLY HISTORY.

John Volk, now a resident of Oconto Falls, Oconto County, and generally accredited with being the first actual settler of Kewaunee County, furnishes the following :

The first settlement in Kewaunee County of which there is any knowledge, was made by Montgomery & Pat- terson, a Chicago firm. This was immediately after the government survey by Joshua Hathaway, of Milwaukee, in 1837. They built a mill on the Kewaunee River, about three miles from its outlet in Lake Michigan. After it was built they were unable to stock it with supplies for the Winter, and it was deserted by the workmen in the follow- ing Winter. The mill property reverted to the original owner of the land, Joshua Hathaway, and remained unin- habited until 1843. In the Winter of 1842-3, John Volk, of Cook County, Ill., near Chicago, made a journey to examine this mill property, bought it, and moved in July, 1843. At that time the mill dam was broken down. The houses that had been built were burned up, except one on the south of the river. The Indians had made it a fishing resort in the season, built fires into it and came near burning it up, and everything was carried off that was portable. Mr. Volk repaired the mill, hauled the logs and got out a cargo of lumber in 1843. But he labored under every disadvantage. The nearest neighboring towns were Two Rivers, twenty-five miles south, or Green Bay, thirty miles west. " Thus we labored on. When we got a cargo of lumber, it was difficult to get vessels, on account of the river at the outlet filling up. Sometimes there would be five or six feet of water, and at other times the mouth of the river would be completely closed up, and lumber had to be carried across the beach and rafted in the lake to get to the vessel for shipment. This caused great delay, and vessels were hard to be got for Kewaunee." At one time he ran short of provisions. This was the year of the great famine in Ireland. Freights were high and vessels were scarce, and Mr. V. had to build a boat, and sent her to Chicago, coasting along shore over 200 miles. These were some of the difficulties in settling Kewaunee. In 1851, he built the pier into the lake. After that, there was no more difficulty in shipping lumber, and he began to branch out a little, building a water mill on the river, above the old one about a mile or more. A steam mill was also commenced at the lake. When that was in running order, steamboats landed at the pier, and weekly and daily intercourse was had with the neighboring towns In 1854, Mr. Volk left Kewaunee.

In 1853, ex-State Senator George Grimmer rested on Ke- waunee soil, and the next year, Joseph Duvall. They laid the foundation of their business prosperity first as workmen, then as saw-mill proprietors.

L. P. Fisher, first County Treasurer, and John Wickham were pioneers of '53. They are now in the Far West. The Moore brothers, Seth and Joe, settled in Kewaunee in 1853. From 1855 to 1858, a large number of settlers lo- cated, among others County Judge Vitalis Miller, ex-Coun- ty Judge W. Stransky, Joseph Wallender, Charles Deda, Charles Brandes, Frank Chihachek, Val. Hoffman, John Er- ichsen, John Lugen, Fred Johannes and Al. Vibber. During the latter year, such an influx of Bohemians occurred that further traces of individual settlers disappeared.

Kewaunee was incorporated as a village April 30, 1873,

429

HISTORY OF KEWAUNEE COUNTY

R. L. Wing being elected President of the Board. The Fire Department, which consists of sixty members, has an engine, hook and ladder and a house, built in 1870, the date of the organization. The value of the property is $1,500. The village is quiet and orderly, and loss by fire cannot be large from the very nature of its location. Kewaunee is largely composed of Bohemians and Germans.

CHURCHES.

Holy Rosalie Church (Catholic.)-In the Summer of 1856, the first Catholic missionary visited Kewaunee, Rev. Father Smedding. There was then no place where he could say mass, except a temporarily erected hut of boughs. Rev. Joseph Maly came in 1857, and from that time for three years different priests visited the place. In 1860, the church edifice was commenced, but remained three years without a roof. Finally, June 26, 1863, the first mass was celebrated Rev. Charles Exel, the first resident priest, came in that year, but remained only three months. In 1866, Father Steenwick commenced to build the school, which was not completed until Father George Brunner, the present priest in charge, commenced his pastorate in 1871. Rev. Joseph Maly succeeded Father Steenwick as resident priest in 1868. In 1870, Rev. Zavistovski was placed in charge, and the next year, Father Brunner. In 1872, the school, which numbers eighty pupils, was put in charge of the Sisters of Notre Dame. The church numbers 120 fam- ilies, 600 souls. The foundation of a new edifice has been laid, Bishop Krautbauer conducting the corner-stone cere- monies. Connected with St. Rosalie Church is a benevo- lent society of twenty-five members. The building is situ- ated on Juneau, near Kilbourn street.

Immanuel Church (Lutheran) was organized November 24, 1867, by Rev. Gustav Bachmann, its first pastor. The church was built in 1867, and cost $900. The present pas- tor, Rev. August O. W. Pieper, took charge in 1879. The membership is sixty-eight.

The Odd Fellows have a lodge, No. 263, which has six- ty-three members, and was organized in January, 1877. Temple of Honor, No. 168, was organized in November, 1877, and has a membership of forty. A Bohemian benev- olent society (Radsladkovsky) was formed May 1, 1880, and has twenty-four members. There are two turner societies. The Sokol (Bohemian) has a membership of forty, and owns a hall worth $3,500. The German Turnverein, a younger organization, is not so strong, although it is grow- ing.

The village, or district school, has five departments, be- sides a high school. The building, a wooden structure, is located on the corner of Rose and Dodge streets. The at- tendance of pupils in the district is 269.

Kewaunee has one private bank, founded by John Carel in 1876, and purchased by E. Decker, Joseph Duvall and Joseph Wallender, July 1, 1881. Cashier, George W. Wing. The capital is $15,000; assets, $3,500 ; liabilities, $20,000.

The Kewaunee Enterprise was established in 1859 by Edward Decker as a five-column folio. In December, 1869, John M. Read purchased the paper and continued its pub-

lication up to the time of his death, in March, 1881. The Enterprise is Democratic in politics, an eight-column folio, and published on Friday by Caroline W. Read, wife of the former proprietor. It is the official paper of the county.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

S. A. BALLERING, firm of J. A. Ballering & Co., leather, also manufacturers of and wholesale and retail dealers in boots and shoes, was born Sept. 3, 1846, in Prussia. His father being engaged in the tanning and boot and shoe trade, his sons were all brought up to this business. In 1865 the family came to Kewaunee, since then they have been engaged in the manufacturing of boots and shoes and are doing quite an extensive trade, employing eighteen to twenty hands. They are about completing a brick store, where they will carry on their business; this store is three stories and basement 26x70; their principal trade is manu- facturing driving or lumber boots and calf skin boots. Mr. Ballering has been three years Chairman of the Town, three years Town Clerk, and is now Foreman of the fire department and Village Superviser. The firm is composed of J. A. Ballering and his three sons.

LOUIS BRUEMMER, County Clerk, is a native of Mecklenberg, Germany. At the age of twelve he came to Trenton, N. J. Came to Two Rivers, Wis., in 1854, thence to Mishicot, Wis. In 1857 removed to Kenosha County, where he remained till 1860, when he came to Milwau- kee, and enlisted in 1861, Co. G, Ist Wis. Inf., served eighteen months, was discharged on account of a wound, received at the battle of Perryville, Ky., then returned to Mishicot, when he was elected Town Clerk, and taught school till 1866, then came to Ahnapee, was engaged in the brewery, also in the hotel and grist and saw-mill. He was Chairman of the Town in 1872. He was elected County Clerk. He at once removed to Kewaunee and has since held this position. Married in 1866, to Amelia, daughter of John G. Weilep, of Two Rivers, Wis.

WM. BRUEMER, miller, Sec. 14, P. O. Kewaunee, born May 25, 1821, in Mecklenberg. Came to America in 1852, located in New Jersey. In 1865, came to Kewaunee County, he has had charge of W. Stran- sky's grist-mill the past twelve years, owns sixty-five acres of land. He is a practical miller, having always followed this business. Married in 1853, to Miss Mary Reeder; she was born in Mecklenberg, Have seven children-four sons and three daughters.

REV. GEO. BRUNNER, pastor of the Holy Rosalie, Roman Catholic Church, is a native of Bohemia. At the age of twelve years he attended the gymnasium at Klattan, studied in this institution seven years. In the Fall of 1867. came to Manitowoc County, where he remained with his brother till January, 1868, when he removed to Milwaukee and attended the Seminary of Sales, was ordained Dec. 17, 1870. He then came to Manitowoc County, and had charge of St. Joseph's Church, Franklin Township. Dec. 26, 1870, came to Kewaunee, and was at once installed pastor of the church, where he has since remained .

FRANK BRUNCKHORST, firm of W. Seyk & Co., grist-mill, born Sept. 16, 1834, in Bohemia. May 1854, came to New York, thence to Milwaukee. In 1858, he removed to Good Hope, Wis., engaged in mill- ing. In 1860, came to Waukesha County, followed milling till 1864, then removed to Waterford, Racine Co. In 1871, came to Kewaunee, and at once became a member of this firm. This mill has a capacity of about 170 barrels a day. Mr. Brunckhorst is the architect of all the public buildings constructed in this county, he having learned the business when in Bohemia, and is also a practical millwright.

CHARLES BRUNDES, proprietor Kewaunee brewery, born Dec. 19, 1832, in Hanover, Germany. About 1847, came to New York, followed the lakes about seven years. He was steward on the steamer Atlantic when she was lost on Lake Erie. He, with six others, were the only ones saved. He was seven hours in the water when he was taken on board a steamer, and taken to Erie, and entered the Marine IIospital. In 1856, came to Kewaunee and kept a hotel about eight years, he then bought this brewery, which he has since managed, he has also a farm of 52 acres, and one half interest in a grist-mill in the lown of Carlton, and other property in Kewaunee.

D. BURKE, general merchandise, came when a boy, with his parents, to Kewaunee County. At the age of eighteen he commenced teaching school ; taught in Pierce, Ahnapee, and Sturgeon Bay. In 1876, hie built the Alaska House, in Pierce Township, this he managed and owned till the Spring of 1879, when he sold that properly ; afterward removed to Kewaunee. In thefall of 1879, he established this business. Married Miss Emily, daughter of Conrad Meyer, of Pierce Township, one of the wealthiest farmers in this county. They have three children-two daughters and one son.

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Author: Western historical co., Chicago, pub Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company Number of Pages: 1052

Author: Western historical co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company
Number of Pages: 1052