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 170

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 170

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Pioneer Presbyterian Church was organized in 1863, by Rev. John Fairchild, and the building erected in 1870. A parsonage was built in 1879, which with the land donated by the N. Ludington Company. will make the value of the church property, $10,000. Rev. John Fairchild continued in his pastorage until 1871, from which time to 1873, there being no settled pastor. In that year, Rev. G. S. Woodhull, present pastor, assumed charge, and has continued in that position, with the exception of one year spent in Europe and the Holy Land. The present membership is 100, the society being strong and flourishing.

The Methodist Episcopal Church, organized April 3, 1870, and the building erected the same year and the next. Its first pastor was Rev. H. B. Crandall. The Church has a membership, at present of 85, Rev. G. S. Hubbs being in charge. The value of the property is $4,500.

St. Paul's Church (Episcopal), organized in 1873, by Bishop Armitage, Rev. F. Moore being its pastor. The building was not erected until 1881, the value of the prop-

Our Saviour's Congregation (Lutheran), was organized in 1872, by Rev. John Olsen, and a church building erected in 1877, at a cost of $1,600. Present membership made up of a varied foreign population, is 110, Rev. T. H. Dahl, pastor.

There is a German Methodist Episcopal Church, which worships in a neat edifice, and is increasing in number and influence.

SOCIETIES.

Marinette Lodge, No. 182, A. F. & A. M., organized June 19, 1871, receiving its charter on that day. D. C. Prescott was its first W. M., its present officer, A. M. Fair- child. Its membership is fifty-eight.

Marinette Lodge, No. 189, I. O. O. F., organized March 21, 1871. Dr. J. J. Sherman was its first N. G., and John Dean its present. Membership, fifty.

Temple of Honor, No. 116, organized March 17, 1877. Its present membership is 100. William Gothard, C. T.

United Workmen, No. 50, organized in December, 1879. Dr. H. E. Mann, M. W. Present membership, forty. Sam- uel Wells, M. W.

A growing lodge of Royal Arcanum and several minor organizations sustain Marinette's reputation as a locality fully up to the average in the particular of possessing the benevolent and reformatory spirit, outside its churches.

The free library is also getting to be quite a social force. It is in charge of C. M. Fairchild.

PRESENT MANUFACTURES.

Menominee River Lumber Company .- A mill was erected on the Menominee River by the New York Lumber Campany, in 1856, being situated near its mouth at Menekaune. It is said $So,ooo was expended upon it be- fore a board was sawed. In 1858, the company went into bankruptcy, and the mill was run by various parties for three years, when it came under the able management of Jesse Spalding, of Chicago, and A. C. Brown, of Marinette. Philetus Sawyer afterward held a large interest, and was president of the company. Although the mills were totally destroyed by fire in 1869 and 1871, men were at the helm who could not be buffeted, and, in 1872, a new establish- ment was in operation upon the same spot where these dis- asters occurred. During this year the company was incor- porated, under its present name, with the following officers ; W. D. Iloughteling, president; H. Williston, secretary and treasurer. O. R. Johnson, of Racine, is now president, and Jesse Spalding, of Chicago. vice-president. The mill has a capacity of 175,000 feet of lumber, 200,000 shingles and 175,000 lath per day. M. Corry is superintendent.

585

HISTORY OF MARINETTE COUNTY.

Most of the lands of the company are situated on the Me- nominee side.

N. Ludington Company .- In 1856-57, N. Ludington & Co., of Chicago, erected the mill on Mission Point, which formed the nucleus of their immense business in this section of Wisconsin. The firm then consisted of Nelson Luding- ton, of Chicago, and Harrison Ludington and Daniel Wells, Jr., of Milwaukee. During the first year the mill was run under a contract by Kimball & Brown. May 15, 1858, Isaac Stephenson bought a one-fourth interest from the company, which was then known as N. Ludington & Co., of Chicago, and I. Stephenson & Co., of Marinette.

manufacture for this season is placed at 36,000,000, 10 that the company has no occasion to dread a timber famine for some years to come, even if no more land is bought. This organization, the strongest in the Northwest, owns and operates a water-power mill on the Escanaba River, Mich., four miles from the village, which has a capacity of 50,000 feet per day, and a shingle mill at Marinette, of 55,000 capacity, beside its principal establishment at the latter place, of 175,000 capacity. Its carrying fleet consists of the tug " Bismarck," the largest in the trade, and nine barges of which the company owns a third interest, and the schooner "Bertha Barnes." This barge line, the most ex-

MARINETTE.

In the Winter of 1863, Harrison Ludington sold one-eighth of his interest to Anthony G. Van Schaick, of Chicago. In 1867, Mr. Stephenson sold one-eighth of his interest to A. C. Brown, of Marinette. The next year the former pur- chased the interests of Messrs. H. Ludington and VanSchaick, and the company was incorporated under the name by which it has since been known. " N. Ludington Company," with officers as follows: N. Ludington, president ; A. C. Brown, vice-president ; E. B. Rice, secretary. Mr. Brown was superintendent until 1872, when Mr. Stephenson pur- chased his interest, after which the officers were: N. Lud- ington, president; I. Stephenson, vice-president ; E. H. Denison, secretary ; Caleb Williams, superintendent. The N. Ludington Co. owns 130,000 acres of land in Marinette and Oconto counties, Wis., and in Menominee, Delta and Mar- quette counties, Mich., and the estimated amount of timber "in sight " is from 500,000,000 to 600,000,000 feet. The

tensive on the lakes, is used in the transportation of lumber to Chicago, and the transit business, like every other de- partment of the immense system, has been so thoroughly arranged that three of the barges are always loading at the mills, three are unloading at the yards in Chicago, and three are on their passage between the two points. The entire product of the mills is retailed in Chicago. In the carrying on of the immense industry and trade of the N. Ludington Company, 400 men are employed. To the foresight and enterprise of three men is the up-building of this powerful corporation mostly due-Nelson Ludington, Daniel Wells, Jr., and Isaac Stephenson.

The Hamilton & Merryman Company originated in the business firm of Hamilton, Merryman & Co., who com- menced the erection of a mill in 1868. Soon after the es- tablishment of the partnership, Messrs. Hamilton and Mer- ryman bought out the smaller interests. The principal

586

HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.

buildings, which go now to make up the quite imposing col- lection, were erected in 1868. Among others, a large boarding-house was built for the accommodation of em- ployes and their families. The firm, which consisted of I. K. and W. C. Hamilton, remained intact for six years, when the McDonalds purchased the interests of the remaining partners, and Messrs. Merryman & Hunter bought what was then known as the Hawkins' Mill. This they operated from 1861-67, at which time Mr. Merryman removed to Marinette, the business of Hamilton, Merryman & Co. hav- ing been established several months previously. His con- nection with it since then will be traced in the sketch of the corporation given above. The company also own, in addition to the mill property, the Perkins Mine, in the Me- nominee Range, east of the Norway. It was leased, how- ever, to the Saginaw Mining Company, under whose aus- pices it was opened in the Winter of 1878-9. Subsequent- ly, the lease was transferred to the Cleveland Rolling Mill Company, and the name of the mine changed to the Perkins, in honor of Capt. John Perkins, the superintendent. The product, this season, will amount to 60,000 tons.

The H. Witbeck Company. - What was known as the Fred. Carney Mill was erected in 1867 by Daniel Wells, Jr., of Milwaukee, Andrew Stephenson, of Menominee, and Louis Gram, of Marinette. The last two sold their inter- ests to Fred Carney and Henry Witbeck, and in 1870 the company was incorporated under its present name, with of- ficers as follows : Daniel Wells, Jr., president ; Henry Wit- beck, vice-president ; John Witbeck, secretary ; and Fred- erick Carney, superintendent. The company owns large tracts of pine lands, the capacity of its mill being 175,000 feet of lumber daily. About 140 men are employed.

The McCartney Mill. - In 1866, William McCartney built a mill below that erected by Daniel Wells, Jr., the Fred Carney Mill. It was burned in the fire of 1871, and another completed in the Summer of 1872. In April, 1881, Edward Scofield leased it of Mr. McCartney, and is now operating it. It has a capacity of 100,000 feet daily.

R. W. Merryman Mill was commenced in April, 1878, and completed the same Fall. It is owned and operated by Mr. Merryman, who employs forty men. The capacity of the mill is 50,000 feet of lumber per day, 90,000 shin- gles and 18,000 lath. It is running full force.

Sawyer, Goodman & Co .- The mill operated by this firm was erected in the Summer of 1880, and has a capacity of 60,000 feet of lumber per day, 75,000 shingles and 15,- ooo lath. The company owns lands on the Menominee, and is officered as follows: President, Philetus Sawyer, Osh- kosh; Vice-president. Edgar P. Sawyer; Treasurer, Wm. O. Goodman ; Secretary, James B. Goodman.

James Tweedie's Planing Mill .- In 1867, William Goth- ard, W. K. White and William A. Ellis, of Peshtigo, erected a sash, door and blind factory on the Joe Bart Island. In 1870, it was burned, with the D). Clint. Prescott Machine Shop. Ely Wright purchased the machinery and built on a smaller scale, taking James Tweedie into partnership. The mill was burned again in 1875. The present structure was

erected in 1879. The business has been managed by James Tweedie, present proprietor, for nearly two years. The mill employs thirty men, and this season's business is esti- mated at $75,000.

The Menominee River Manufacturing Company was in- corporated in 1866, its first officers, elected in 1867, being : Harrison Ludington, president ; Isaac Stephenson, vice- president ; Augustus C. Brown, secretary and treasurer. It was organized in the interest of the prominent mill owners in this region, for the purpose of sorting and dividing their logs. A dam at the head of the rapids, between Marinette and Menominee, other dams below, piers and dividing booms were constructed, so that now the system is com- plete. The company controls all future improvements of this kind. Its present officers are: H. Ludington, presi- dent ; I. Stephenson, vice-president ; Charles J. Ellis, sec- retary and treasurer ; Harrison Ludington, I. Stephenson, F. Carney, A. C. Merryman, S. M. Stephenson, Jesse Spald- ing, A. A. Carpenter, W. O. Goodman, board of directors.

THE IRON INDUSTRIES.

The Menominee Mining Company was formed in Novem- ber, 1876. Explorations and examinations, however, had been made four years previous. With the advice and con- sent of the late Capt. E. B. Ward, J. J. Hagerman, as gen- eral manager of the Milwaukee Iron Company, took the first practical, decisive and effective steps in the development of the Menominee districts ; and to Thomas and Bartley Breen, the late Judge E. S. Ingalls and S. P. Saxton belongs the credit of having first aroused the interest and enthusiasm of capitalists to the grand wealth of this region, the Breen mine having been discovered by the two brothers named above, in 1867. The explorations of 1872, put on foot by the Milwaukee Iron Company, were under the charge of N. P. Hulst, and were continued until early in 1874, with encouraging results, the Vulcan mine having been discov- ered in 1873. During the same year, John L. Buell made explorations which led to the opening of the Quinnesec mine. In 1872, the Iron Company did some work at the Breen, under an option for a lease, but, in the Fall, opera- tions were transferred to the Vulcan, four miles west. As stated, the Mining Company was formed in 1876, but the lack of proper railroad facilities delayed further advance- ment. Through the combined efforts of the Mining Com- pany, generaled by J. J. Hagerman, and H. H. Porter, a director in the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Com- pany, the Menominee River railroad was built, being com- pleted to the Breen and Vulcan mines in 1877. The line extends north from Menominee forty miles, to a point within twelve miles of the Breen and Emmet mines, and from thence east to Escanaba, twenty-four miles. From this time dates the rapid growth of the Menominee District, and the prosperity of the Menominee Mining Company. From August, 1877, to the close of 1880, the product of the Vulcan mine was 187,343 tons. The Norway mine was first worked in August, 1878, under a lease from the Portage Lake & Lake Superior Ship Canal Company, and since then up to the close of the season of 1880, the shipments

587

HISTORY OF MARINETTE COUNTY.

have been 279,060. The product of 1880 was 198,165 tons, said to be the greatest amount ever produced in the world by a mine so recently opened. The Cyclops was opened in October, 1878, and the shipments, up to the close of 1880, amounted to 66,554 tons. Shipments from the Quinnesec mine were first made in the Spring of 1878, and the product for the three years aggregated 120,315. The first shipments from the Chapin mine, operated under a lease-as is the Quinnesec-were made in June, 1880, and amounted, that season, to 34,556 tons. This is considered one of the most promising mines on the range. The Vul- can, Cyclops, Norway, Quinnesec and Chapin mines are all in Michigan. One only, operated by the Menominee Min- ing Company, is in Wisconsin-the Florence mine, situated eighteen miles northwest of the village of Quinnesec. Discovery of ore was originally made by H. D. Fisher, in October, 1874, but work was not actively commenced until in the Winter of 1879-80, the railroad not having reached the mine until October, 1880. About 30,000 tons were mined during the Winter, and work is now actively progressing. These six mines are owned by the Mining Company, either in fee simple or by leasehold, and explorations are being pushed in every quarter, under the able and energetic su- perintendency of N. P. Hulst. Since the incorporation of the company, he has held this position. A. C. Brown, who from the start has remained President Hagerman's right-hand supporter, is its general agent, and to him is its position as one of the most successful mining companies in the world, greatly due. J. H. Van Dyke, of Milwaukee, vice-presi- dent, has also given time, money and earnest endeavor to make the Menominee Mining Company what it is. The company, this season, will ship 500,000 tons of ore, and its railroad facilities are being extended from Florence to Crystal Falls, seventeen miles.

The Marinette Iron Works Company .- In 1867, D. Clint Prescott, with Messrs. Trumbull and Cruver, erected build- ings for a machine shop, the repairs and manufacture of saw-mill and mining machinery having been previously done in Green Bay or Chicago. The power was derived from the planing-mill. The works were run under the firm name of D. Clint Prescott & Co. until 1870. When about to move into new quarters, on Main street, his shop was burned, with the James Tweedie planing-mill. In the same year (1870), the Marinette Iron Works Company was incorporated, and business established at the present loca- tion. Its officers are: Austin Cruver, of Chicago, presi- dent; R. H. Trumbull, treasurer ; D. Clint Prescott, secre- tary and general manager. Saw-mill machinery, car wheels, and pumping machinery for mining operations are princi- pally manufactured. About 140 men are employed. The large foundry building, now nearly completed, will double he capacity of the establishment, and make it the most complete of any outside of Milwaukee-hardly second to any there, excepting E. P. Allis's Reliance Works. This is one of the industries in which Marinette takes a just pride.

MISCELLANEOUS.

Marinette Paper Company .- Although incorporated un- der this name in the Winter of 1880, the works are situated on the Michigan side. The works were really first put in operation in the Summer of that year, experimenting having been going on for some time previous. The manufactory turns out wood pulp by a new process, the patent of its superintendent, W. R. Patrick. Ten tons a day is the present amount manufactured. Thirty hands are employed. The company's property, buildings, land, water power, etc., is valued at $40,000, C. M. Smith, of Chicago, being presi- dent, and J. W. French, of Three Rivers, Mich., vice president.

McGinty, Wahle & McGloin, flour mills .- This is the only establishment of the kind in Wisconsin, north of Oconto. The building was erected in the Fall of 1879, and the mills commenced to grind in January, 1880. Their capacity is 100 barrels of flour per day, and ten tons of feed.

BANKING FACILITIES.

The Stephenson Banking Company .- Both Marinette and Menominee rely upon the above company for their banking accommodations. It was organized October 28, 1874, by Isaac Stephenson, Samuel M. Stephenson, Augustus Spies, J. W. P. Lombard, and Robert Stephenson, the present directors. It does a general banking business, and has a capital of $25,000. Present officers: Isaac Stephenson, president ; S. M. Stephenson, vice president ; J. W. P. Lom- bard, cashier.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

D. O. BABBITT, foreman C. & N. W. R. R. round house, Mari- nette. Born in Ontario County, N. Y., when four years old he came to Allegany County, N. Y., with his parents. He remained at home till the age of twenty-one, then went to Pennsylvania and worked at the lumber business six years. He enlisted in 1864, Co. M, 2Ist Pa. Cav. Served six months, and returned to Allegany County, N. Y. In about 1868. came to Chicago; thence to Marengo, III. Worked on a farm till the Spring of 1874, when he came to Marinette, and has since been in the employ of this company.

WILLIAM S. BAKER, insurance. Marinette, is a native of Wash- ington County, N. Y. Came to Menominee, Mich., in 1867. Was em- ployed as book-keeper for R. Stephenson & Co. till the Fall of 1871, when he came to Marinette. Was book-keeper for Hamilton, Merryman & Co. till the Spring of 1874, when he commenced his present business. He has been four years a member of the Board of Supervisors, two years Chairman of the Board. Has also been Assessor.

ANTON BARTOL, meat market, Marinette, is a native of Luxem- . burg, born in 1836. When two years and a half old, his parents came to Port Washington, Wis. There he was raised. In 1861, he came to Peshtigo, and worked in a meat market till 1871, when he came to Mene- kaune and opened a meat market. Was burned out in the Fall. He then opened a shop in Marinette, and has since continued this business.

J. BRINNAN, saloon and music hall, Marinette, is a native of Ireland. Came to New York City in 1836, with his parents. In 1844, came to Oswego ; in 1859, came to Chicago; in 1861, he returned to Buffalo, N. Y., where he enlisted in Co. I, 193d N. Y. Inf. Served two years and nine months. He participated in the battle of Winchester and others. In 1864, went to Saginaw. There followed the lumber business till 1869, when he came to Muskegon, Micb. In 1870, came to Oshkosh, Wis .; thence to Green Bay. In 1878, came to Marinette, and started this business.

A. C. BROWN, general agent of the Menominee Mining Co., was born in Washington Co., N. Y., Feb. 10, 1833. He worked on his father's farm and was engaged in lumbering up to 1855, when he re- moved to the West, and settled in Pensaukee. There he was employed

588

HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.

five years by F. B. Gardner, the lumberman. Coming to Marinette, he connected himself with Wells & Spalding, afterwards the Menominee River Lumber Co. Mr. Brown remained with them seven years, next buying an interest in the N. Ludington Co. In 1872 he sold his inter- est, and engaged in the banking business until March, 1877. Upon be- coming general agent of the Menominee Mining Co. he closed out his private business enterprises, and has since devoted himself to it exclu-

sively. He has, however, been active in all that relates to the growth of Northern Wisconsin, being largely instrumental in the extension of the Chicago & Northwestern Road, from Green Bay to Marinette, and also in building the line from Menominee River Junction to Florence. He has continued to be a stockholder in the Fifth National Bank, of Chicago, and has lately become one in the Stephenson Banking Co., of Marinette. Mr. Brown has also been honored with public confidence outside his business relations. He has been Town Treasurer, Register of Deedsof Oconto County, and served as Chairman of the Board of Supervisors for twelve years. With all his success and prospects of a greater future prosperity, he is unassuming and courteous to all.

GEORGE II. CANNON, Marinette Iron Works, is a native of Sussex Co., Del. ; came to Rochester, Ill., in 1871 ; taught school two terms ; in 1873, he removed to Blakely, Minn. ; there engaged in gen- eral merchandise business about one year ; after this he was employed by the C. & N. W. R. R. Co., about five years at different stations ; in the Spring of 1877 he secured employment with the Marinette Iron Works, and has now charge of their store and office of the company. These works employ about 125 hands, and are doing a very extensive business.

GEORGE CLARK, civil engineer, Marinette, is a native of Lon- don, England. When a hoy he commenced to learn this business with his father, where he worked about eight years; he then went to Calcutta, East Indies, built the gas works and lighted the city, this being the first gas used in East India. Ile re nained there about five years, and then returned to London. He then went to Hong Kong, China, and Bahia, South America; there built their gas works and lighted the city; re- turned again to London. Came to America in 1871 ; was employed as

civil engineer by the Union Pacific R. R. ; remained with this company about three years ; in 1874 he came to Marinette, where he has since re- sided ; he has built all of the public buildings here, consisting of the court house, opera house, school-house and others.

CHAS. C. DAILY, attorney and Justice of the Peace, Marinette, is a native of Rome, N. Y. ; came to Fond du Lac County in 1865 ; worked on his father's farm till 1871, when he came to Fond du Lac and at- tended the commercial college and taught school three seasons ; com- menced reading law in 1874 and was admitted to the Bar in 1876 ; has been in constant practice since May, 1879 ; he came to Marinette, was elected Justice of the Peace April, 1880.

MISS ENG. CO ..

Chas & Ellis

CHARLES J. ELLIS, Postmaster, is a native of Maine, coming to Wisconsin in the Fall of 1863, and to Marinette in the Spring of 1864. Mr. Ellis has held the position of secretary and treasurer of the Menom- inee River Manufacturing Co. since 1870; was also Town Treasurer from 1871-76. He received his appointment as Postmaster, Nov. 19, 1877. His war record, although short, is good, as he retired with a severe and honorable wound. In 1861, on the first call for troops, he enlisted in Co. K., 2d Reg., Maine V. I., taking part in the first battle of Bull Run, the siege of Yorktown and the Campaign of the Peninsula, attaining the rank of sergeant-major. Mr. Ellis was discharged in July, 1862, on ac- count of disability from a wound received at the battle of Hanover Court-Ilonse, May 27, 1862.

JOSEPH ENDERLIN, tallyman for Boom Co., Marinette, born April 18, 1832, in Alsace, France ; in 1851, came to Manayunk, near Philadelphia, worked there for his uncle three years ; in 1854 came to Green Bay, Wis., worked in the saw mill that cut the plank for the first plank road built to Fond du Lac ; he then went to Kaukauna ; worked on the dam till the middle of October ; then hired out to Samuel Wright, of Wrightstown, where he worked during the Winter ; in the Spring re- turned to Green Bay ; in 1855, came to Oconto and worked at Jones' water mill till 1856, when he came to Menekaune ; worked for the New York Lumber Company till 1870. Since then he has been with the Boom Company, except a trip taken to Alsace, France, to visit his mother. Married in 1859 to Mary J. Delain. She was born in Belgium. They have six children, one son and five daughters.

589

HISTORY OF MARINETTE COUNTY. .

GEO. EVENSON, livery, Marinette, is a native of Norway ; came to Muskegon, Mich., in 1865 ; removed a few months thence to Black River, Wis., worked at the lumber business about fifteen months; here he was disabled by a log, and was about two years in recovering ; in 1867 he went to Sparta, Wis., and clerked in a store there about two years, in 1870, came to Menominee ; worked for R. Stephenson & Co. three years; he then started a livery there and ran it three years; in 1876 he came to Marinette, and since then has run this stable.

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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