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 128

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 128

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S. C. PALMER, Deputy Postmaster and general merchandise. Born Aug. 1, 1828, in Utica, N. Y. Came to Racine, Wis., in 1841. Worked at the carpenter trade there a few years, then engaged in general mer- chandise. In 1862, came to Ahnapee, opened a hotel, which he kept about two years. He then began to buy general produce, and continued at this ten years. For the past nine years he has held the office of Deputy Postmaster. Married, in 1853, to Eliza Haskins, of Racine. They have one son, William F., now engaged in the pump and fanning mill business.

M. T. PARKER, firm of Parker & McDonald, attorneys at law. Born Oct. 30, 1850, in New Hampshire. Came to Ahnapee with his parents in 1856. After receiving a liberal education, he engaged in school teaching. Taught in Door and Kewaunee counties, in all thirteen terms. He commenced the study of law in 1872 ; was admitted, Octo- ber, 1879, in the Circuit Court of Kewaunee County. Married, in 1880, to Miss Mary Overbeck ; she is a native of Wisconsin.

SAMUEL PERRY, general merchandise. Is a native of Ireland, born in 1833. Came to New York in 1852, thence to Ohio, where he re- mained four years. In 1856, came to Ahnapee. He was at first engaged in getting out timber and ties, and clearing up a farm. In 1862, heopened a small store, which has gradually increased. until now he does a busi- ness of about $75,000 a year. He was the first Mayor of Ahnapee, held the office two terms. Married, in 1873, to Bertha Kloth, of Germany. They have four daughters. He has two children by a former marriage, one son and one daughter.

HENRY SHMILING, firm of Stransky & Co., brewers. Born May 4, 1845, in Prussia. Came to Ahnapee with his parents in 1857. Fol- lowed farming and fishing until January, 1879, when he bought an inter- est in this brewery, which he has since managed. Married, in 1867, to Rosa Kessnar; she was born in Austria. They have three children- Nettie, Emma and Otto.

F. SWATY, firm of F. Swaty & Son, general merchandise. Born Jan. 11, 1822, in Bohemia. Came to Massachusetts in 1852, where he worked in a cotton factory about two and a half years. In the Spring of 1855, came to Two Rivers, Wis., and followed farming about seven years. In the Fall of 1861, came to Ahnapee and opened a small store, which has developed into a large and prosperous business, and is now managed by his sor, Wilas ; they have also a store in Forestville and Foscoro. In 1868, he and W. Stransky built the Ahnapee brewery, which they carried on till 1878. He was also the first engaged in the manufacture of bricks in this locality. In 1863, he, with Mr. Boalt, built the grist-mill now known as the Bruemmer mill ; his son Wilas, manages this business, graduated at the Cornell University, Ithaca, N. Y., in 1874.

TIFFT & HAY, hardware. Charles B. Tifft, a native of Chester, Dodge Co., Wis., was born March 16, 1856. At the age of eighteen years, he went to Oshkosh, where he attended school two years, and one term at Madison. Ife taught school in Manitowoc County, in 1874-5 and 1877. In the Fall of 1878, came to Ahnapce and established this business. lle married Miss Emma Spencer, of Manitowoc County. They have one son.

J. S. Hay was born in Ingham County, Mich. ; came with his parents to Manitowoc, Wis., in 1859. He assisted on their farm till 1862, when

436

HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.

he enlisted in Co. K, 21st Wis. I .; served to the end of the war ; re- turned to Manitowoc, and after attending school, engaged in farming and machinery business ; continued till 1878, when he and Mr. Tifft estab- lished this firm.

EDWARD TWEEDDALE, farmer, Sec. 34, P. O. Ahnapee. Born May 8, 1819, in England. When an infant, came with his parents to St. John, N. B .; at the age of fifteen he went to sea, following the sea and lakes till 1850, when he came to Manitowoc ; May 27, 1851, came to Ahnapee, where he has since resided, and is the oldest settler in Ahnapee. The first fifteen years here he followed fishing ; since then has been engaged in farming. He owns 140 acres of land, his home- stead consisting of seventy acres. He was the first Assessor of the town of Ahnapee. Married in 1847, to Mary A. Clater, of Virginia ; she died February. 1863, aged forty-two years. Have five children, three sons and two daughters. His eldest son, William A., was born Sept. 10, 1851, and the first white child born in Alinapee. Second marriage in 1869, to Mrs. Thayer, of Canada ; have three children, two sons and one daughter ; she has six children by former marriage, two sons and four daughters,

JOSEPH WILLEMIN, retired. Born June 1, 1801, in Alsace, France. In 1832. came to Oswego, N. Y .; October, 1836, came to Chi- cago, where he lived about thirty years. He first followed the black- smith trade about four years, his shop was where now the Fidelity Sav- ings Bank building stands; he afterward followed gardening on the North Side, where he owned a large quantity of land ; continued at that business about twenty years. He was married in 1826. to Mary Stoquah. of Alsace. She was born in 1808, died December, 1875. They had five children, all deceased. May, 1876, he removed to Ahnapee; was married to Mrs. Anderegg, Oct. 22, 1876 ; she is a daughter of C. Cieg- fried, a native of Saxony ; she was born March 22, 1839. She has four children-Charles, George C., Joseph R. and Sarah. Their residence was built in 1877, and is supposed to be the finest in the county.

EMIL WITTE, farmer. Sec. 34, P. O. Ahnapee. Born Feb. 2, 1847, in Germany. Came to Chicago in 1871 ; removed to Ahnapee in 1873 ; first rented a farm. In IS78, he bought this farm, consisting of ninety acres. Married, in 1874, to Caroline Barndt ; she was born in Germany. They have three children-one son and two daughters. She has three children by former marriage-two sons and one daughter.

OTHER SETTLEMENTS.

Scattered throughout the county are a number of small settlements, which cannot, however, take on the dignity of villages for some years. Most of them are populated by Bohemians, as Alaska, half way between Kewaunee and Ahnapee. Casco is a settlement well-known. Others con- sist of a few houses grouped around a pier which stretches out into the lake. When a railroad passes through the county, as it undoubtedly will before long, these tiny settle- ments will, no doubt, spring into activity and request the future historian to record them as villages or cities. The county now depends upon mail and stage routes, and the Goodrich Transportation Company, whose steamers make frequent trips between Ahnapee, Kewaunee and all southern and northern lake and bay ports.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

FRED BACH, firm of Taylor, Bach & Co., general merchandise, Sec. 7. P. O. Carlton. Is a native of Austria ; born in 1847. Came to Mil- waukee in 1853, with his parents. The following year they removed to Kewaunee County, where he assisted his father on their farm ; in 1868, he came to Carlton ; worked for his brother in this store. In 1874, he was admitted as a partner. This firm are doing a very extensive busi- ness, engaged in ties, posts, bark, and general merchandise ; they are also the proprietors of the Carlton cheese factory, which was established in 1876, when they made about 17,000 lbs. the first season. Their busi- ness has increased to about 60,oco Ibs. a season.

GEORGE BOTTKOL, firm of George Bottkol & Bros., proprietors Three Star Mills, manufacturers and dealers in lumber, flour, grain, feed, etc., Lincoln, Kewaunce Co., P'. O. Euren. A native of Prussia ; born, Oct. 12, 1835. Came to America with his parents, June, 1856, and located in (what is now the town of Lincoln) Kewannee Co., Wis., and commenced clearing a farm, having previously bought 200 acres of land. They were about the first settlers in that locality, consequently there were no roads, and they were compelled to carry their provisions on their backs a distance of about ten miles. The first three years they labored in clearing their land without the assistance of an animal of

any description. They now own a very valuable property, 120 acres of land under cultivation. In 1871, they commenced to build a saw and grist mill, and completed it in the Spring of the following year, and are now doing quite an extensive business in manufacturing flour, lumber, etc .; also engaged in the general merchandise business. George enlisted in 1864. in Co. B. 44'h Wis. Inf., and served until the end of the war. He married in 1868, Miss Agnes Weidner of Wisconsin. Ilas one son and two daughters.

FELIX BUNKER, farmer, Sec. 25, town of Casco, P. O. Peot. A native of Canada, born in the year 1826. Removed to Green Bay, Wis., when sixteen years old, remained there about five years, thence to Manitowoc, and about the year IS57 or 1858, he removed to Kewaunee County and located in (what is now) the town of Casco, and com- menced to clear a farm, and engaged in lumbering. He now owns 120 acres of land, with many valuable improvements, fifty acres under cultivation. Married, in 1849, to Miss Christina Mallett. She died in 1870. Second marriage to Miss Adelle Thebeandeau. Has four sons and one daughter by first marriage, and one son and one daughter by second.

HENRY CHRISTMAN, farmer and proprietor saw-mill, Sec. 34, Montpelier, P. O. Montpelier. A native of Germany, born Oct. 7, 1834. Came to America in 1852, and located in the State of New York for about four years, thence to Wisconsin. Passed one year in Dodge County, and in 1857, removed to Kewannee County, and located in the town of Montpelier, and engaged in farming, which he has followed since. He owns 120 acres, partly improved. He built a steam saw- mill in 1874, and run it three years, when it was destroyed by fire. He immediately re-built, costing him about $4.000. Engaged in the gen- eral merchandise business in 1865, and has just closed ont his stock on account of poor health. Has been Postmaster of Montpelier post-office for the last sixteen years. Was Town Chairman eight years, and Jus- tice of the Peace twelve years. Married, in 1854, to Miss Margaret Getz, of Germany. Have six sons and two daughters.

HON. E. DECKER, Casco, P. O. Casco, is a native of Maine, born May 2, 1827. Removed to Boston, Mass., at the age of sixteen, re- maining two years. He removed to Wisconsin in 1845, and was among the first that lumbered on the Wolf River ; passed several years in Me- nasha, engaged in hotel and livery business. Located in Kewannee County in 1855 (that part which is now known as Casco); built a log cabin, cut his roads, and moved in several families that Winter. He was County Clerk from its organization up to January, 1869. In fact he performed the entire official duties of the county during this time with satisfaction to all viz .: County Judge, Clerk Circuit Court, Register of Deeds, et al, Has been largely engaged in the lumbering interests in Kewannee County, and foremost in all public enterprises. He owns a large saw and shingle mill at Casco, where he now resides ; is also en- gaged in general merchandise, farming and real estate; owns about 6,500 acres of land in Kewannee County, and large tracts in Door, Oconto, Brown and Clark counties. Was engaged in banking business in Green Bay, from 1872 until 1875. Opened a banking house in the village of Kewaunee, July 1, 1881, with Messrs. Duvall and Walender, firm styled Decker, Duvall & Walender. Mr. Decker founded the Ke- wannee Enterprise, the first newspaper published in the county, June 22, 1859. Sold out to J. M. Read, Jan. 13, 1869. He was a Representa- tive in the State Senate in 1860-61.

EMANUEL DEFNET, farmer, Sec. 30, P.O. Lincoln, a native of Belgium, born Dec. 25, 1820 ; came to America in 1855, and located in Kewaunee County and engaged in lumbering and farming for about two years, and since has followed farming exclusively ; now owns 280 acres of land, 120 acres in Kewaunee County and 160 acres in Door County- seventy acres under cultivation, and many other valuable improvements. He has been Supervisor for the past six years, and School District Treas- urer for the past three or four years. He studied the profession of vet- erinary surgeon in his native country, and since he has been in America has practiced it. Married Miss Beatrice Brabant, of Belgium ; has four sons and two daughters - Anton, born Nov. 2, 1858 ; Eli, March 26, 1860; Tabien J., Feb. 6, 1861 ; Mary, Sept. 15, 1862 ; Jule, May 7, 1865 ; Selina, Oct. 18, 1871. His son Eli was desirous of receiving more edu- cational advantages than the county schools could afford, and his father sent him to the Oshkosh Normal School, where he has already spent four terms.

PETER DRISSEN, Overseer Poor Farm, Sec. 19, P.O. Alaska, born Feb. IS, 1844, in Prussia, came to Milwaukee with his parents in 1854 ; two years later removed to Pierce Township, where he has since resided. llas been engaged at various kinds of business ; was elected Sheriff in 1874 ; held this office two years. April, 1878, was appointed to his pres- ent position. llis farm consists of 120 acres of land, about eighty im- proved He is Justice of the l'eace, Clerk of the School Board, and has held most of the town offices.

A. J. DWORAK, farmer, Sec. 21, P.O. Slovan, born April 23, IS39; in Bohemia ; in 1854 came to Milwaukee ; in 1857, removed to his pres- ent farm, consisting of eighty acres, About sixty acres of this is im proved. He has been Justice of the Peace, Town Clerk, School Clerk

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HISTORY OF KEWAUNEE COUNTY.

etc. Married, March 9, 1860, to Mary Luckes. She was born in Bohe- mia. They have six children, three sons and three daughters.

C. B. FAY, farmer, Sec. 9, P.O. Ahnapee, is a native of Warren Co., N.Y. ; came to Chicago in 1865, then to Little Sturgeon, Wis., where he had general charge of Mr. Gardner's business. Ileld this position four years. In 1869, removed to Menominee, Mich. Was employed as book- keeper for Ludington, Wells & Van Schaack Co. for about two years. He was also agent for the Goodrich steamers. Afterward engaged in the mill business. In 1872, came to Kewannee County. He, with Mr. Decker, built the pier and carried on a general store, doing a business of over $50.000 a year. This store and pier has since been abandoned. He now owns his farm where he resides, consisting of 160 acres land. Mr. Fay has held the office of Circuit Court Commissioner.

PETER HOWART, farmer, Sec. 18, Lincoln, a native of Belgium, born June 13, 1834, came to America in 1856, accompanied by his two sisters and wife. They located in what is now the town of Lincoln, Kewannee Co. Ile bought forty acres of land, and commenced to clear a farm. He now owns 180 acres, 100 acres under cultivation, and many other valuable improvements. In company with Mr. Noel, in 1860, he opened a general merchandise store, and continued in that business until Jan. 1, 1881, when he sold out his interest to Mr. Noel. He was appointed Postmaster of Lincoln post-office, June 18, 1877, and has since continued in that official capacity ; has been Town Treasurer for the past five years. Married, in 1856, Miss Mary Josie Noel, of Belgium. Has three sons and two daughters. His son Amant was born Jan. S, 1859, at- tended the county schools until the age of seventeen years, then entered the Business College at Green Bay, and graduated Ang. 1, 1879. He spent one term in the Oshkosh Normal School. His father is now about to engage in the manufacture of lumber and flour, in the town of Brussels, Door Co., in company with George Bottkol & Bros, and Am- ant will be the accountant.

CHARLES B. KNIGHT, farmer, Sec. 16, P.O. Casco, born Nov. 3, 1825, in Cumberland Co., Me,, September, 1864, came to Kewannee County, where he has since resided. He owns sixty acres land. He first followed lumbering, but of late years has followed farming only. Mar- ried, July, 1847, to Miss Eliza Decker, of Maine. They have five chil- dren-Frank E., Clara H., now Mrs. Fitzgibbons, Charles S., Lizzie A., now Mrs. Meyer, and Annie D.

A. J. LOOZE, farmer, Sec. 30, town of Lincoln, P.O. Lincoln, a native of Belgium, born Sept. 11, 1837; came to America in 1856, and in the Fall of the same year he located in the town of Red River, Kewaunee Co., where he remained, assisting his father in clearing a farm, until 1862, when he removed to what is now the town of Lincoln, Kewaunee Co., and located on Sec. 30 and commenced to clear a farm. At this time, he was owing a debt of $450, but being an industrious and energetic man, not easily discouraged with the hardships of early pioneer life, he has succeeded in accumulating a valuable property ; now owns 400 acres of land, sixty-seven acres under cultivation, and has in course of erection a fine dwelling. He was Assessor two years, Chairman of the Town Board six years, and Chairman of the County Board in 1857, and is now School Clerk and Notary Public ; was Justice of the Peace for about ten years, and one year Town Treasurer. Married in May, 1862, to Miss Justine Lorge. Has five sons and three daughters,

PATRICK McCONVILL, farmer, Sec. 19, Montpelier, P. O. Henry- ville, Brown Co., is a native of Ireland, born June, 1827; came to America in the Spring of 1843, and passed one year in the city of Rochester, N. V., going to school. In the Summer of 1845, he removed to Milwaukee, Wis., and remained in that locality until 1859, when he came to Kewannee County and located on Sec. 19 in the town of Mont- pelier, having bought 240 acres of land, which was nothing but a wilder- ness, but now a beautiful farm of 205 acres, thoroughly improved. Mr. McConvill has been Town Chairman for five or six years and School Director for ten years, was Clerk Circuit Court in 1864-5. Married Miss Mary Ann Murphy, of New York, about the year 1847. She died Dec. II, 1858, age twenty-six years. Has two daughters and one son living.

Mathew, died Jan. 2, 1881, age twenty-six years. Second marriage in 1859, to Elizabeth McGinnis, of Brown Co., Wis.

JOSEPH OURADNIK, store and saloon, and farming, Sec. 28, P. O. Slovan, was born Nov. 16, 1844, in Bohemia. In 1855, came to Kewannee Co., Wis. Owns forty-five acres land. He opened his store in 1877. Was appointed Postmaster Sept. I, 1878 ; is School Treasurer ; has been Chairman, Town Supervisor and Town Treasurer. Married in 1861, to Catharine Marshieck, of Bohemia. They have ten children, three sons and seven daughters.

HERMAN RATHER, farmer, Sec. 8, P. O. Ahnapee, was born Nov. 28, 1852, in Prussia. In 1857, came to Ahnapee ; removed to his present farm in 1874; it consists of eighty acres. Was married, May, 1873, to Augusta Heyer. She was born in Prussia. They have three children-Edward, Gustaf and Theodore. They are members of the Lutheran Church.

F. W. SCHMIDT, farmer, Sec. 19, P. O. Alaska, was born Dec. II, 1841, in Saxony. In 1856, came to Sheboygan Co., Wis., worked at farm- ing and at the carpenter trade about twelve years. In the Spring of 1868, came to Pierce Township, where he has since lived. He owns 160 acres of land. Has been Town Clerk two years, Chairman of the Town four years, Clerk of the School Board, Justice of the Peace, etc. Married in 1866, to Theressa Seifert of Saxony. Have five children, four sons and one daughter.

DENNIS SULLIVAN, farmer, Sec. 29, P. O. Alaska, was born April 27, 1841, in Boston, Mass. In 1849. came to Milwaukee with his parents. In 1854, they removed to Ozankee County, where he assisted his father on the farm till 1858, when he removed to Winnebago Co., III. In 1860, came to Kewaunee Co., Wis. Enlisted in 1864, in Co. K, 27th Wis. I. ; served to the end of the War. Came to his present farm in 1868 ; owns sixty acres of land. He is Chairman of the Town, now serving his second term ; has been Town Supervisor and Constable.

JAMES A. WARNER, farmer Sec. Io, P. O. Ahnapee, was born July 5. 1816, in Cortland Co., N. Y. In 1844, came to Lake Co., Ill .; followed farming there till 1856, when he came to Ahnapee. For the past sixteen years he has occupied this farm which he owns, consisting of sixty acres. Married, in 1842, to Miss Deborah C. Dickinson, of New York. Have seven children-Helen O., George W., Herman B., Louisa I., J. L., William E. and Alice L. Their oldest son, George W., en- listed in 1862 ; served to the end of the war.

JOHN A. WHEATLEY, farmer, Sec. 15, P.O. Ellisville, horn Sept. 18, 1817, in New Hampshire. In 1856. came to Kewannee County, where he has since resided and engaged in farming. He owns eighty acres of land, mostly improved. He has been Postmaster here ever since the office was established. His sons, Sumner H. and John Otis, are managing the farm. Sumner H. is now Deputy Postmaster.

J. F. WILMOTT, farmer, Sec. 32, P.O. Ryan, born Jan. 1. 1819, in Rutland Co., Vt. Sept. 5, 1842, came to Milwaukee; in 1843, removed to Illinois, from 1844 to 1847, he followed sailing and lumbering. He then located at Sheboygan Falls, where he followed farming. No- vember, 1854, he came to his present farm, consisting of 290 acres ; 200 acres of this land is under cultivation and well improved. He has been largely engaged in lumbering, although for several years past he has fol- lowed farming only. Has held about all the town offices, and has held the office of Postmaster the past sixteen years. Mr. Wilmott is the first settler of this town. Married, June 21, 1847, to Eliza Norris. She is a native of the Isle of Wight.

EDWARD WYMAN, farmer, Sec. 9, P. O. Casco, is a native of Germany, born in 1834 ; came with his parents to Erie County, N.Y., in 1844, remained till 1855, when he came to Dane Co., Wis. The follow- ing year came to Kewaunee County. Has followed the lumber business until the past few years. He owns 160 acres of land where he resides. He has been Mail Contractor about twelve years ; was United States Enumerator for 1880, and had other offices. Married in 1858, to Miss Ad- die Decker of Maine. They have four children, three sons and one daughter.

438

HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.

LANGLADE COUNTY.

The Legislature of 1879 created from the western part of Oconto County the county of New, attaching it to Shawano for judicial and county purposes, and providing that the first election for county officers should not be held until the county had a population of 1.000 inhabitants. The Legislature of 1880 changed the boundaries somewhat, and the name to Langlade.

In 1881, the boundaries were changed to the follow- ing : Commencing at the southwest corner of town- ship thirty (30), north of range eleven (11) east of the fourth principal meridian, running thence north on the range line between ranges ten (10) and eleven (11), to the third correction line; thence east on said correction line to the southwest corner of township thirty-one (31), of range eleven (11) east; thence north on the range line between ranges ten (10) and eleven (11), to the fourth correction line ; thence west on said correction line to the southwest corner of township forty-one (41), of range eleven (11) east ; thence north on the range line between ranges ten (10) and eleven (11), to the boundary line between the States of Michigan and Wisconsin ; thence sonth- easterly on said boundary line to the range line be- tween ranges fourteen (14) and fifteen (15) east of the fourth principal meridian ; thence south on said range line to the fourth correction line ; thence east on said correction line to the southeast corner of township forty (40), of range fourteen (14) east; thence south on the range line between ranges fourteen (14) and

fifteen (15) to the southeast corner of township thirty four (34), of range fourteen (14) east ; thence west on the town line between townships thirty-three (33) and thirty four (34), to the northeast corner of town- ship thirty-three (33), of range twelve (12) east ; thence south on the range line between ranges twelve (12) and thirteen (13), to the third correction line ; thence west on the said correction line to the northeast corner of township thirty (30), north of range twelve (12) east; thence south on the range line between ranges twelve (12) and thirteen (13), to the town line between townships twenty-nine (29) and thirty (30) ; thence west on said line to the place of beginning.

At the same time, the county was organized with all the powers and privileges of other counties, the Governor appointing the first officers.

The county was divided into the towns of Rolling, Norwood, Antigo, Gagen, Polar and Carpenter.

Langlade County had a population of 685 in 1880. Its surface is greatly diversified, the northern part re- sembling the Lake Superior region, both in its mineral productions and its picturesqueness ; the central and southern parts being timbered, or farming lands.

The Wolf River, its tributaries, and numerous smaller streams intersect the county in all parts. It is dotted with lakes, Lake Vieux Desert, North Twin, Bass, Pine, Sand, Stone and Big Pelican are the prin- cipal ones. The timber and other productions are the same as those of other northern counties.

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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