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 127

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 127

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

ALINAPEE.

This is a pleasant little city of a thousand inhabitants, situated at the mouth of the Alinapee River, in the north-

eastern part of Kewaunee County, thirty-five "miles from Green Bay and forty-three miles from Manitowoc. It lies on both sides of the river, and overlooks Lake Michigan. In regard to its harbor the following appears in the last annual report of Major H. M. Robert, who has charge of the improvements :

" The present project was adopted in 1876 and modified in 1880. Previous to the present project $75,000 had been appropriated and $5,000 transferred from Two Rivers, and nearly all was applied toward the extension of piers for the formation of a harbor to meet the local requirements of Ahnapee. The present project utilizes all pier construction under the previous project. The object of the improve- ment is to afford a limited inner harbor and a navigable channel of entrance thereto of not less than twelve feet in depth. The natural channel was narrow, with not more than one foot in depth in the shoalest part. The amount expended to June 30, 1880, is $100,293.45. Of this, $80,- ooo was applied to the previous, and $20,293.45 to the pres- ent project, and the expenditure has resulted in securing a channel fifty feet wide with a depth of not less than seven feet. This harbor is not considered open to commerce, although it is used by small vessels."

Rock is now being blasted and dredged from the river- bed, and other improvements going on, which will enable large vessels to move safely along the docks. Aside from Kewaunee, the county-seat, it is the only place of any im- portance, and is one of the prettiest little spots along the shore of the lake.

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

The country which is now the site of Ahnapee, has not been settled for any great length of time, the decided influx taking place from 1856 to 1861. The very earliest pioneers came from Manitowoc. Joseph McCormick was the first white person, so far as can be ascertained, who visited Ahnapee. He was from Manitowoc, and sailed up the river nine miles, to the island which afterward took his name. This was in 1834. After prospecting several days, he returned, like Columbus, to his native land, bringing back with him enthusiastic stories of the heavily timbered country, and the fertility of its soil. Notwithstanding which, Manitowoc explorers did not venture into the Ahnapee region in any considerable numbers until 1851, when the first permanent settlement occurred. On May 27, of that year, Edward Tweeddale and John Hues pitched their fortunes at Wolf River (Ahnapee), and seven days thereafter came Orrin Warner with his family. Messrs. Hues and Warner had, two months previously, had an unpleasant taste of pioneer life. In March, they had come to " look around," had pitched their tents at the river's mouth, near where Young's dock now is, returned well pleased to Manitowoc; came back to Wolf River in April and erected a shanty, which caught fire from some nets hanging near the fire, and burned down. As stated, the next month, May, Messrs. Hues and Tweeddale were drawn back to the old spot, and as they got their houses up before Mr. Warner, who came a week after, may rightly be called the first permanent set-

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HISTORY OF KEWAUNEE COUNTY.

tlers. Mr. Hues occupied the first log house, now known as the "Simon Place," near the lake shore. Christmas, 1851, was celebrated by the three families, the festivities being rounded out with a huge salt pork pot-pie. A baby, the first one born in the county, an ; christened William A. Tweeddale, had arrived in September, to increase the strength of the colony. The next year, the "Citizen," a Manitowoc vessel, commenced to make regular trips to Ahnapee, and food and other supplies were more in accord with the fresh and sturdy appetites of the increasing pio- neer settlement. In May of this year, a stirring business man, A. Hall, came to Ahnapee to permanently locate. He built a saw-mill on the south branch of the river, near the lake, a grist-mill being attached. This building was de- stroyed by fire. Two years afterward, his brother, Simon arrived. In 1855, they built the first general store, and stocked it.

In 1856, a large number settled in Ahnapee, the first steamboat, the "Cleveland," of Manitowoc, landing August 8, of that year. On board was Dr. Levi Parsons, the first physician of Ahnapee, and the first Register of Deeds of the county. During the year also arrived such leading cit- izens as Samuel Perry, first Mayor of the city; D. W. Steb- bins ; G. W. Elliott, first County Surveyor; William Bal- beck, Charles Hanneman, and others. David Youngs had built north pier ; a school-house, on the north side of the river, was being filled up with "young ideas;" th. bridge which was built the next Summer was being discussed, and, all in all, the year 1856 was one of much activity and ex- citement. The fact that Kewaunee County had been formed this year, and the town organized, under the name of Wolf River, sufficiently explains this rush of energy. The meeting which organized the town was held in A. Hall's saw-mill, April 1, 1856, and J. A. Defant was elected chairman. G. W. Elliott, the County Surveyor, platted the west side of Ahnapee in the Spring, and the east side dur- ing the Fall. And this - the organization of the county and town, and the platting of the village - may be consid- ered the close of Ahnapee's pioneer history. She has since grown to her present standing as an incorporated city of over 1,000 people.

Ahnapee was incorporated as a village in 1873, the first election being held July 12. W. N. Perry was elected as the first President of the Board of Trustees; Trustees : Peter Schiesser, Orrin Warner, J. B. Fax, William Baster, Math. Reinhard; Clerk, Joseph Anderegg.

Ahnapee was incorporated as a city, under Chapter 120, private and local laws of 1879, February 28. It is divided into three wards. Samuel Perry was its first Mayor. The officers for 1881 being : Mayor, Frank Kwapel ; Aldermen -First Ward, August Fromming and J. Ihlenfeld-Second Ward, S. Hall and George Marr-Third Ward, Henry Gericke and William Hobus; Marshal, John L. Johnson ; Treasurer, Herman Deljen; City Clerk, Peter Schiesser ; Assessor, P. M. Simon ; Chief of Fire Department, Joseph Knipfer.

Fire Department was organized in_1875, under the vil-

lage charter. The engine-house, corner of Third and State streets, was erected the next year, at a cost of SI,coo. L. Meyer is foreman. The department has forty members.

Public Education .- The district school-house is a fine, two-story, brick building, between Fifth and Sixth streets, on Fremont. There are three g ades, the attendance being ninety. The value of the property is $8,000.

CHURCHES.

St. Mary's ( Catholic) Church was organized eighteen years ago by a dozen families, who built a small chapel for worship. Five years later this was enlarged. In 1867, the late Bishop (afterward Archbishop) Henni performed the sacra- men of confirmation. The congregation being increased by a large number of emigrants, it was decided to build a new church, more commodious and convenient than the little chapel. Up to this time Catholic priests had been in the habit of visiting Ahnapee occasionally, the first one being Rev. Joseph Maly, from French Creek (Manitowoc). He made the long trip on foot, as even ox-teams were then al- most unknown in this region. For two years Ahnapee was a mission of the Kewaunee congregation, the first resident Catholic priest being Rev. Ferdinand Stern; the second, Rev. Bernhard Wenning, who commenced to build the new large church now occupied by the congregation. It was completed under the pastorate of Rev. Ruepplin, in 1874. Although numerous, the society was poor, and therefore the church was liberally assisted to bear the expenses of erecting a new building, by the Leopoldine's Society of Vi- enna, an organization formed to aid needy American con- gregations. Rev. Rhode furnished the church. The build- ing was erected at a cost of $8,000, and the old chapel transformed into a school-house. The site for the church building and the cemetery property was donated by Mat- thias Simon. A house for the priest was also purchased for $1,000. From 1870-78 nine priests officiated, endeavor- ing to meet the wants of the various nationalities composing the congregation-Bohemian, German, Irish, French and Polish. Under the care of its present pastor, Rev. Father Capin, the church is in a flourishing condition, the building having been greatly improved, both inside and outside. The number of families in the congregation is 120. Con- nected with it are St. Joseph's Benevolent Society (Ger- man), founded in 1866, forty-four members; St. Wences- laus' Society (Bohemian), founded in 1880, twenty-one members; St. Cecelia Society (musical), organized in 1878.

St. Paul's Church (Lutheran)-This was organized in 1862, Rev. J. H. Brockmann, pastor, and the first building erected on the north side of the river the next year. The structure at present occupied, corner of State and Fourth streets, was built in 1869, at a cost of $2,200. Rev. J. G. Oehlert is at present in charge of the congregation, the church membership being 290.

German Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1861, under the pastorate of Rev. C. G. Becker. The church edifice, corner of Fourth and Fremont streets, was erected in 1863-4, at a cost of $1,500. Rev. August Karnopp is pastor, the membership being fifty.

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HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.

Grace Church (Episcopal)-This society was organized July 1, 1878, and the building, corner of Cedar and Lake streets, erected during the same year, for $1,200. The num- ber of communicants is forty. Rev. Francis Moore has been pastor since its organization.

First Baptist Church-Organized August 20, 1873, with eleven constituent members ; Rev. G P. Guild, of Bush- nell, Ill., pastor. The corner-stone of the new church edi- fice was laid July 4, 1874, and the building so far completed that services were held in it during the Fall. The property is valued at $3,000. The church has no settled pastor at present ; membership forty-five.

Masonic Lodge, No. 174 (Key), own their own hall. The membership is sixty.

Temple of Honor, No. 111, has sixty members.

Sons of Hermann, No. 23, twenty-seven members, was organized in 1874.

Iron Band, Lodge No. 1, was formed October 1, 1880, and has a strength of thirty members. The lodge was or- ganized to propagate the "anti-treating " idea. An organ- ization had been in existence several years before, and Ah- napee may therefore be denominated the pioneer city in the "anti-treat " campaign.

Ahnapee Record .- This paper, the only one in the city, was established June 12, 1873, by George W. Wing and Charles W. Borgman, as a six-column folio. In January, 1874, it was enlarged to seven columns, and at the begin- ning of the next year was changed to a six-column quarto. In September, 1874, the paper was sold to W. H. Seymour. D. W. Stebbins, George W. Wing and H. D. Wing subse- quently had charge of the Record. In June, 1879, the form of the paper was changed to a nine-column folio, and in August of that year, C. J. Barnes became its editor and proprietor, having purchased the journal from the latter gentleman. The paper is now a seven-column folio, and Republican in politics.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

HUGH ACKER, proprietor Foscoro House, town of Ahnapee, is a native of Canada ; was born Dec. 15, 1844; removed to Manitowoc in 1867 and remained there six years, working in saw-mills; then removed to Ahnapee and took charge of a saw-mill for C. L. Fellows, and remained in his employ until the Fall of 1874. He then built and opened the " Foscoro House," a large commodious building. He was married in 1871, to Miss Mary Fitzgerald, of Massachusetts. Has four children- three daughters and one son.

CHARLES F. BACON, firm of Mc Donald & Bacon, livery, born March 14, 1852, in Canastota, N. Y. At the age of three years he came with his parents to Ahnapee, Wis., where he has since resided. At the age of sixteen years, he commenced to work at the carpenter trade, followed it two and a half years, and then engaged in lumbering for several years. Hle sailed on a tug three seasons, and three seasons followed the lakes. September, 1880, he became a partner in this firm.

GEO. BARRAND, farmer, Sec. 23, l'.O. Ahnapee, born April 11, 1833, in England. Came to Ahnapee in 1857. Owns eighty-eight acres of land. Enlisted in 1863, Co. F, Ist Wis. V. C., served to the end of the war, has been School Clerk two terms. Married in 1859, to Adaline Mosher, of Connecticut. They have six children-three sons and three daughters.

EDWARD BARRAND, farmer, Sec. 33, l'. O. Ahnapee, born October, 1823, in England. Came to America in 1851. In the Fall of 1853, came to Racine, Wis., followed farming there till 1856, when he came to Ahnapee, where he has since lived. lle owns 134 acres of land, which he entered; he has under cultivation about 100 acres, and is one of the earliest settlers in this locality. lle assisted in making and lay- ing out the road from his farm to Ahnapee, is Town Treasurer, has been Justice of the l'eace, etc. Married in the Fall of 1852, to Mary Richmond, of England. Have four children-two sons and two daughters.

CHARLES J. BARNES, editor Ahnapee Record, is a native of Ahna- pee, where he has always resided. This paper was established in 1872, by Wing & Borgman, and has since undergone several changes in ownership. Ang. 15, 1879, Mr. Barnes bought out the establishment and has since been editor and proprietor.

WM. BASTAR, saloon, born April 9, 1840 in Bohemia. Came to New York City in 1856, thence to Manitowoc, Wis. In the Winter of 1857, the family removed to Lincoln Township, Kewaunee Co. Here he assisted his parents on their farm, till 1863 when he removed to Little Sturgeon. His father died in 1869; he then returned to the farm, where he remained settling up the estate till 1870, when he came to Ahnapee. He held the office of County Treasurer during 1877 and '78, is now Clerk of the School Board and Notary Public. When in the town of Lincoln, was Justice of the Peace, Member of the School Board, Town Supervisor, etc.

H. W. BATES, druggist, was born Feb. 2, 1857, in Menasha, Winnebago Co., Wis. After attending school, he entered his father's store, where he was apprenticed to the drug business. He was after- ward admitted as a partner, where he remained till October, 1878, when he came to Ahnapee and established this business. Married in 1879, to Miss Theressa Swaty, she was born in Two Rivers, Wis. They have one son.

C. G. BOALT, firm of Boalt & Stebbins, shippers and forwarders, born April 19, 1835, in Huron Co., Ohio. In 1851, he was employed as engineer on the railroad, worked at this business till 1854, when he came to Dodge Co., Wis., and became connected with the Northwestern Iron Company, where he remained five years. In 1859, came to Ahnapee and opened a general store, continued this businesstill 1869, when he engaged in his present business. He was elected County Judge, which po- sition he held about nine years. Married in 1857, to Miss Agnes Gillett, of Painesville, Ohio. They have three children-one son and two daughters.

WILLIAM BOEDEKER, proprietor Wisconsin House, was born Jan. 7, 1836, in Prussia ; came to Two Rivers, Wis., in 1855; worked there at the carpenter trade until 1866, when he removed to Kewannee. In 1871, came to Ahnapee and opened the Wisconsin House, which he has since managed. This house he built in 1875 ; it is constructed of brick, 41 x 57 feet, two stories. Married, Nov. 21, 1857. to Mary Bushmann, of Prussia. They have had six children, three of whom are living.

HENRY BRUEMMER; proprietor brick yard and Ahnapee grist mill and saw mill, is a native of Germany, and was born April 29, IS28. He came to America in 1852, and remained three years in New Jersey, then removed to Manitowoc County, Wis., and engaged in farming. In 1863, he removed to Kewannee County, and located in the town of Carl- ton and built a grist mill, in company with Charles Teck. About four years later, he removed to Ahnapee and entered upon his present busi- ness, beginning the manufacture of brick in 1876; employs fifteen men. Married, in 1855, to Miss Louisa Demzean, of Germany ; has six daugh- ters and five sons.

REV. ADALBERT CIPIN, pastor St. Mary's Catholic Church, was born, April 13. 1848, in Bohemia. At about the age of twelve years, he commenced to study for the priesthood ; was ordained July 13, IS73. Came to Milwaukee Aug. 25, 1873. thence to Carlton, Kewaunee Co., where he was installed pastor of St. Joseph's Church and three missions. There he remained till November, 1878, when he came to Ahnapee and has since been pastor of this church. He has also charge of the Forest- ville mission.

ANTON DANEK, general merchandise, was born, March 11, 1837, in Bohemia. In 1867, he came to Ahnapee, and opened a tailor shop ; has since carried on this business, in connection with general merchan- dise. Married in 1868 to Antonia Rousek, of Bohemia. They have four children, one son and three daughters.

WILLIAM FAGG, farmer, Sec. 4. town of Ahnapee, is a native of Holland ; was born July 8, 1834 ; came to America in 1848 and located in Milwaukee, where he followed boating and sailing until 1857, when he removed to Forestville, Door Co. He assisted in organizing that town, and engaged in farming. Was second Town Clerk ; enlisted, in 1861, in Co. E, 14th Wis. 1., and served until April 10, 1863, when he was promoted to second lieutenant of the 43d U. S. C. I .; resigned on account of disability. Then removed to Alnapee, in December, 1863. and has since been engaged in farming. Has an improved farm of fifty acres. Was the first Town Clerk and Justice of the Peace in the town of Ahnapee, also first School Clerk for that district. Married in 1857; second marriage, 1877 ; five children living by first marriage, and one living by second marriage.

C. L. FELLOWS, merchant, and proprietor of saw mill and pier, P. O. Foscoro, town of Ahnapee, is a native of Vermont ; was born, Aug. II, 1834. Came to Racine, Wis., with his parents, at the age of six years. Ile first engaged in fishing and sailing, which business he fol- lowed for several years. lle was captain of the first vessel that sailed into Ahnapee, the schooner "Julia Ann," of Racine. Was associated in the mercantile business with David Young in Ahnapee, from 1856 to 1860. He then removed from Racine to Ahnapee, and opened a gene-

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HISTORY OF KEWAUNEE COUNTY.

ral merchandise store, and remained there until 1871, when he finally lo- cated at Foscoro, town of Ahnapee, and bought a saw mill and pier, and has since been engaged in the manufacture of lumber and shingles, buy- ing and shipping wood, cedar, etc., and dealer in general merchandise. He received the appointment of Postmaster for Foscoro in 1872.

HENRY GERICKE, general merchandise, was horn, May 5, 1834, in Prussia ; came to Schenectady, N. Y., Aug. 24, 1853 ; worked in a broom factory till the Spring of 1854, then went to Watertown, Wis., and from there to Chicago, where he remained two months, when he was taken sick. He went to Buffalo, N. Y., and remained in the hospital there about six months, then went to Ohio, and from there to Schenec- tady, and from there came again to Chicago. In 1856, came to Ahna- pee; bought eighty acres of land, worked it about two years, then went to Neenah, Wis., but in two years returned to his farm, where he re- mained one Winter. The following Fall he traded this land for four acres in Ahnapee, where he now resides. He commenced his present business Oct. 16, 1874 ; built his store in the Fall of 1880. Married, in 1862, to Anistena Hauer. She was born in Prussia ; have six children, one son and five daughters.

CHARLES HANNEMANN, proprietor Cream City House, was born June 16, 1827, in Prussia. In 1848, he came to New York City ; worked at the bakery business there three or four years, then went to Buffalo. In 1854, came to Two Rivers, Wis .; worked at the ship car- penter trade and fishing about eighteen months. In the Fall of 1856, came to Ahnapee, and in 1866, he built this hotel, which he has since managed. He was married, Jan. 2, 1853, to Ansteina Daub, who was born in Baden. She died Oct. 7, 1874, aged forty-four years. His sec- ond wife was Ellen Smith, and they were married March 14, 1875; they have two sons. He has been President of the Village Board for two terms.

E. HERALY, harnessmaker, was born Feb. 29, 1852, in Belgium ; came to Brown Co., Wis., with his parents, in 1857, where they re- mained about nine months, thence removed to Lincoln Tp., Kewaunee Co., where his parents now reside. At the age of nineteen, he com- menced to learn this trade at Sturgeon Bay. In 1879, he came to Ah- napee. He was married, in 1878, to Flora Lacourt, of Green Bay. They have two daughters.

JOHN H. JOHNSON, blacksmith and wagonmaker, was born April 27, 1837, in Denmark. In June, 1863, he came to Racine, Wis. ; worked at this trade there about nine years. In 1867, came to Ahnapee, and in 1876, established this business. He was married, in 1861, to Christina Hanser, of Denmark. She died in 1869, aged twenty-nine years, leaving four children. His second marriage was in 1870, to Amelia Kumpf, of Germany. She died in 1879, aged thirty years, leav- ing four children. He was again married in November. 1880, to Peca Galga, of Germany. She came to America with her parents when ahout four years old.

JOHN KUMBALEK, of the firm of Kumbalek & Pies, harness, furniture and undertakers, was born Jan. 7, 1856, in Manitowoc, Wis. ; came to Two Rivers in 1868 ; there commenced to learn the harness trade, which he followed until 1872, when he removed to Ahnapee. Here he engaged with Mr. Faiher, where he continued till 1876; then started a harness shop, and about two years later he added to his busi- ness furniture and undertaking. He was married in January, 1879, to Anna Pies. She was born in Two Rivers, Wis. They have one son.

Simon Pies was admitted a member of this firm in April, 1881. He is a native of Prussia, born Nov. 18, 1827 ; came to New York in 1852; the following year, came to Two Rivers, Wis .; carried on the blacksmith trade till 1868, when he removed to Ahnapee. Here he followed the same trade till the Summer of 1880. He was married, in 1858, to Sophia Gottsacker, of Prussia. They have one son and one daughter. He en- listed, in 1864, in Co. D, 48th Wis. I., and served to the end of the war.

GEORGE MARR, with Boalt & Stebbins, Ahnapee Pier & Dock Company, was born Dec. 26, 1845, in England ; came to Trenton, N. J., in November, 1861. Ile entered the navy at Boston, Mass., in Febru- ary, 1863; remained in the service about sixteen months. In 1864, he went to Chicago, thence to South Haven, Mich. In the Spring of 1865, he enlisted from Milwaukee, in the 6th Wis. I. ; served to the end of the war, then came to Ahnapee, where he has since resided, except during 1871 and 1872, when he resided in New York. Mr. Marr is Alderman of the Second Ward. He was married in November, 1866, to Mary E. Defaut, of New York. Her parents came to Ahnapee in 1861. They have four children, two sons and two daughters.

J. L. McDONALD, of the firm of McDonald & Bacon, livery, is a native of Dunkirk, N. Y. When a boy he came with his parents to Ke- nosha, Wis., where he secured employment as clerk in a store ; con- tinued in that capacity about fourteen years. In 1876, he came to Ah- napee ; was engaged in fishing two years. In 1878, he established this business.

M. McDONALD, firm of Parker & McDonald, attorneys at law. Is a native of Lockport, N. Y. When about two years old, came with his parents to Racine, Wis., and in 1856, came to Ahnapee. At the breaking out of the war, he enlisted in Co. E, 14th Wis. V. I., and

served to the end. Participated in the battle of Shiloh, Iuka, second bat- tle of Corinth, siege of Vicksburg, Sherman's march to the sea, and others. Then returned to Ahnapee, and engaged in fishing until 1875. He has held the office of Constable, Deputy Sheriff, Justice of the Peace, etc.

J. R. McDONALD, attorney at law. Born Oct. 20, 1820, in Litch- field Co., Conn. When about two years old, went with his parents to Erie Co., Penn. There he grew up and assisted his father on their farm. In about 1837, he removed to Cattaraugus Co., N. Y. ; soon after to Chautauqua County, and commenced the study of law. Was admitted to the Bar in 1855, in Kenosha, Wis. Came to Ahnapee in 1858. Held the office of District Attorney two years. He represented Door and Kewaunee counties in the Legislature. He holds the office of Court Commissioner, and has been Justice of the Peace most of the time he has resided here. Was Internal Revenue Collector from 1863 to 1868.

REV. J. G. OEHLERT, pastor of Evangelical Lutheran Church. Born Jan. 18, 1849, in Saxony. Came to Perry Co., Mo., in 1859. At- tended school until 1862, when he went to Clayton Co., Iowa ; there en- tered the seminary, remained five years. Was ordained in the Fall of 1868. He then came to Brooklyn, Lee Co., III. Was installed pastor of the Lutheran Church. In 1870, he removed to Eikport, Clayton Co., Iowa. Remained there preaching about two years. He then received a call to Ft. Madison, lowa, preached there and at Nauvoo about two years. In the Fall of 1875, he received a call from Jonesboro, Union Co., Ill., which he accepted, where he preached until ,November, 1878, when he came to Calumet Co., Wis., entered the Lutheran Synod, re- mained there until July, 1880, when he removed to Ahnapee, and has since had charge of this church. Married, in 1871, to Mary Buck, of Galena, Ill. Have five children-two sons and three daughters.

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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