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 173

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 173

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J. K. WRIGHT, one of the firm of Wright Bros., dealers in general merchandise, Marinette. He is a native of Pennsylvania, and came to Marinette in 1867, and they are the first in that line, aside from the lumber company's store in Marinette. They have a good trade, selling from twenty-five to forty thousand dollars per year. They also have two branch stores, one at Quinnesec, and one at Cornell, Minn. He en- listed, May 16, 1861, in Co. F, 23d N. Y. V. I., and served the term of his enlistment ; and when the county of Marinette was organized, was appointed by the Governor, Register of Deeds, and in 1879 was elected to the same office for the next term.

MYRON YOUNG, proprietor Northwestern Hotel, Marinette. Is a native of Port Huron, Mich .; there he was raised, and followed the lake till 1876, when he came to Green Bay; engaged in painting till the Winter of 1879, when he came to Marinette and at once took charge of this hotel. Married, in 1877, to Miss Elmira Charles. She is a native of Grand Rapids, Mich.

MENEKAUNE.

REV. J. R. ANDREWS, pastor Swedish M. E. Church, Mene- kanne, is a native of Sweden. At about the age of fifteen he com- menced to study for the ministry ; came to Evanston, Ill., and continued his studies ; was ordained September, 1878 ; he then came to Ishpeming and had charge of a Church there two years. In 1880, he came to Menekanne, and has been pastor of this Church since then,

JOHN O. LINDQUIST, general merchandise, Menekaune, is a na- tive of Sweden; In 1854, came to Chicago ; in 1856, came to Mene- kanne; followed painting about two seasons ; he then followed various kinds of work for several years; then bought a small vessel, and en- gaged in furnishing supplies along the bay and river ; continued at this till 1867, when he opened a store with a very limited stock, and has now worked into a very fine trade, doing a business of $25,000 to $30,- 000 a year. When he came to Menekaune he had nothing.

CAPT. A. V. LINDQUIST, master of tug "A Burton," Menekaune, is a native of Sweden; in 1854 came to Chicago with his parents ; they lost a daughter there ; in 1855, they came to Menekanne, where he has since made his home. His father removed to Ephraim, Wis., in 1860, followed farming till 1870, when he returned to Menekanne, where he now lives. Captain Lindquist has been engaged in boating ever since coming to Menekaune. He ran a tug for the New York Company three seasons, and the past ten seasons, he has commanded this tng in the em- ploy of Ludington, Wells & Van Schaick Company. Married Amelia Hanson, in 1871. She was born in Norway. They have four children, two sons and two daughters.

CAPT. P. A. LINDQUIST, master of the tug "Thomas A. Tilling- hast," Menekaune, is a native of Sweden ; came to Chicago in 1854. The following year, the family came to Menekaune. In 1857, he worked for

the New York mills; he met with a very narrow escape on one occasion, his clothes were caught by a revolving shaft, which, in an instant, strip- ped him of all he had on. The following year he engaged in sailing on the bay, and so continued about eight seasons; he owned a vessel named the " Menominee Belle ;" when near Death's Door, and in the Fall of the year, a squall suddenly came up and capsized her; he remained in the water about six hours, clinging to the boat ; the wind then shifted, and he was driven ashore, where he was cared for by the settlers, nearly frozen to death. The past ten years he has been master of this tug; married in 1861, to Kate Hanson ; she was born in Norway ; they have seven children, five sons and two daughters.

J. W. LOUGHREY, proprietor Exchange Hotel, Menekaune, is a native of Louisville, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y .; came to Cleveland, and was employed with Henderson, Punderson & Palmer ; the oldest whole- sale and retail druggists in the city ; was with the firm during 1847, '48 and '49; he then went to Kentucky, and followed civil engineering about six years. In 1855, came to Peshtigo, worked in the woods for the Pesh- tigo Company, afterward employed in their store, where he remained one year ; he then came to Menekaune and took charge of John Jacob's store and Post-office, remained with him about three years. He enlisted in 1861, Co. F, 12th Wis. V. I., 3d Div. 17th Army Corps; served to the end of the war ; in 1866, he was employed by Kirby Carpenter Company, scaled for them in the woods ; in 1867, he scaled for them in their mill ; in 1868, he scaled again for them in the woods; the following year, he commenced the hotel business, which he has since followed ; has been Town Supervisor three years.

LEONARD MILLER, meat market, Menekaune, is a native of Harrisburg, Pa., came to Detroit in 1852, with his parents, they after re- moved to Monroe County, where he worked on a farm till the Fall of 1863 ; then came to Menekaune, and has worked at the engineer busi- ness till 1880, when he started this business; married in 1864 to Mary Patton ; she was born in Ohio. They have seven children, three sons and four daughters.

S. V. D. PHILBROOK, of the firm of Philbrook Bros., ship yard, Menekaune, is a native of Maine. In 1859 he came to Green Bay, where he remained about four years, and then came to Peshtigo. In about 1867 he came to Menekaune. They have worked at this business for the past thirty years, and have built many fine steamers and vessels, among which may be mentioned the propellor "Boscobel" for the Pesh- tigo Company, and others.

CAPTAIN W. C. RODGERS, retired, Menekaune, was born July 22, 1817, in Middlebury, Vt. When a boy he came with his parents to St. Lawrence Co., N. Y. He commenced sailing in 1836, and followed the lakes till 1860. At the age of eighteen he had charge of a vessel, and since this time has had charge of many different vessels, among which may be named the "Harriet Calvin," "Cleopatra," "Rocky Mountain," "Mary,""Palmetto," and others. He has been in the employ of the New York mills about twelve years. Has served as Constable two terms. Has been Deputy Sheriff four years. He has now retired from active du- ties and has provided himself with a very comfortable home, fitted up with all conveniences. His son, George H., served in the late war.

PESHTIGO.

Peshtigo is a place of 1,200 inhabitants, situated on the river by that name, six miles south of Marinette. Although settlements were made in its vicinity at quite an early day, there are no "ancient landmarks" standing to keep alive an interest in its youthful times-all swept away, with hundreds of human lives, in that awful baptism by fire in 1871. The history of Peshtigo, as it is, dates from October 8, 1871.

The village is located on the Peshtigo River, about seven miles from its mouth, and six miles directly south of Marinette.

BUSINESS INTERESTS.

The Peshtigo Company, a business power in Northern Wisconsin, was organized in October, 1856, as the Peshtigo Lumber & Manufacturing Company. The name was afterward changed to that by which it is at present known. When the company was organized, a mill on each side of the river had been operated for years. The one on the west side was torn down and a very large mill erected on its site in 1857. This was burned in 1867. The old building on the east side was enlarged, containing finally a circular,

596

HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.

lath, planing and grist mill, sash and door factory and ma- chine shop, all in one. It was burned in the fire of 1871, and has not been rebuilt, but a saw-mill, with two large cir- culars, was erected on the west side in 1872, and is now in operation. Its capacity is 100,000 feet of lumber, and 33,- ooo lath per day. It is run by water power and employs fifty men. To facilitate the transportation and marketing of this large manufacture, the Peshtigo Company has con- structed a railroad line from Peshtigo to Peshtigo Harbor, eight miles, where it connects with its line of barges, and thus a continuous route is opened to Chicago. At Peshtigo Harbor the company owns and operates a steam saw-mill, the largest and most productive in this section of the State. It was built in 1867-68, going into operation during the Spring of the latter year. Its capacity (eleven hours per day) is 200,000 feet of lumber, 33,000 lath and 40,000 shin- gles. The number of men employed in the mill is 125. The barge line, mentioned above, consists of a magnificent $50,- ooo tug, "The Boscobel," which was built this season, and six fine barges. The company has also in operation at Pesh- tigo a flourishing general store, and a first-class boarding house. Its lands comprise 160,000 acres, located on both sides of the Peshtigo River. This season's estimated manu- facture is 50,000,000 feet. Present officers of the company : President, Wm. E. Strong; Vice-president, Isaac Stephen- son ; Secretary, Wm. A. Ellis; Assistant Secretary and Treasurer, George C. Hempstead.

Machine Shops and Planing Mill of S. G. Lister, is the only manufacturing establishment in Peshtigo, outside the mill and shops owned by the Peshtigo Company. The shops were first erected in 1870, by David Lister & Son, but were burned in the great fire. They were rebuilt the next year, the senior proprietor selling out to his sons, David Lister, and S. G. Lister, who operated them until 1876, as Lister Brothers. The former disposed of his interest to F. J. Bartels, who remained in partnership with the latter for a year, since which time S. G. Lister has been sole proprietor. About a dozen hands are employed in the foundry, machine shop and planing mill.

Peshtigo has, of course, a number of general stores, which do a good business, and has after ten years grown up to be the only settlement of importance in the county, out- side of Marinette. Its school accommodations, as the village is not incorporated, are those of District No. 2, in which it is situated. The figures have been given.

CHURCHES AND SOCIETIES.

Church of the Sacred Heart (Catholic), was organized in 1863, and a church building erected the same year. It was destroyed in the fire of 1871, and a second one, the edifice now standing, was erected in 1871-72. The site was do- nated by the Peshtigo Company, the value of the property being at present, $3,500. Rev. John Seubert has been in charge of the Church since August, 1880. The membership is 100 families.

The Congregational Church was organized April 3, 1868. The first house of worship had just been completed at the time of the great fire and was destroyed with the rest

of the village. Eight of the members are known to have perished in the fire and others were scattered. All records were burned. The present house of worship a fac simile of of the first, was built by money contributed from different parts of the country, together with $2,000 insurance. Rev. H. T. Fuller, of St. Johnsbury, Vt.

Evangelical Lutheran Church (German). Its former edifice was burned at the time of the fire. In 1871-72, the present one was erected. Rev. H. Hillemann is pastor of the society, which numbers about 175.

There is also a Scandinavian Lutheran Church, in charge of Rev. J. H. Dahl, of Fort Howard, and a small Epicopa- lian Society, which worships in Temple of Honor Hall, and whose pastor is Rev. William Dafter, of Oconto.

Peshtigo has a lodge of Odd Fellows, a Masonic Lodge, a Temple of Honor, and a band of Juvenile Templars.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

EDGAR ANNIS, farmer, Sec. 35, P. O. Peshtigo. Born in Chitten- den County, Vt. He came to Oconto in the Spring of 1855 ; he removed to Shawano County, thence to Iowa, and Minnesota. In the Fall of 1856, he came to New London, Wis .; in 1865, he came to his present farm. He owns, in all, 200 acres of land. Married, in 1865, to Sophia Chestnut ; she was born in Cattaraugus County, N. Y.

f.f. Bartels

JUDGE F. J. BARTELS, Postmaster, Peshtigo, was born in Cri- vitz, Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Germany, Oct. 31, 1832. Coming to Buf- falo, N. Y., in 1852, he worked a year and a half in an edge-tool factory, and then settled in Peshtigo. At the breaking out of the war, he en- listed in Co. F, 12th Wis. V. I., as a private. For his soldierly bearing and bravery in action, he passed through the gradations of promotion up to the captaincy of the same company. Upon being mustered out of the service, he engaged in the general merchandise business, the firm being Marshall & Co. It afterwards became Marshall & Bartels, and finally the latter obtained entire control of the business, managing it alone un- til the great fire of 1871. Although Mr. Bartels suffered himself to the amount of $30,000, he was among the foremost in the work of relieving

597

HISTORY OF MARINETTE COUNTY.

others, serving, for a time, upon the committee organized for that par- pose. The next year, 1872, he became Postmaster, was appointed Coun- ty Judge by the Governor in 1879, to fill out the term ending Jan. I, 1882, and elected to this position for the term ending Jan. 1, 1886. Judge Bartels has also held the position of Chairman of the Board of Supervisors and Justice of the Peace. He is a man of ability and deter- mination, and has retained the confidence and esteem of the community in which he has resided for twenty-eight years. This is circumstantial evidence, which amounts to proof, of an unusually strong and sincere character.

MARCUS H. BICE, filer for the Peshtigo Co., is a native of Canada. Came to Peshtigo in 1863, and commenced on the carriage in the mill the second season; ran one of the saws up to the time of the big fire, and after the new mill was built, took a saw and ran it till August, 1879, and since that time, has been engaged as filer. He is a member of the I. O. O.F.

MARTIN BIES, saloon, Peshtigo; he is a native of Prussia, and came to America in 1867, and to Peshtigo in 1869, and was employed by the Peshtigo Co., and worked for them and others up to 1875, when he established himself in his present business.

L. C. BROWN, assistant manager at Peshtigo Harbor Steam Mill, is a native of New York, and came to Peshtigo in 1875, and has been in his present position since 1878. He enlisted in 1862, in Co. C, 5th Reg. Penn. C., and served three years and three months.

NICHOLAS CAVIOT, livery and sale stable, Peshtigo, was born in France, Dec. 6, 1824; came to New York in 1856, stopped there for a few months, then to Chicago, April, 1857, and then to Peshtigo, Nov. 28, 1858, and engaged work with the Peshtigo Company up to the Spring of 1861 ; established himself in business, butchering and meat market, up to 1871, when the great fire burned the entire town. He had man- aged by close application to business to accumulate a nice start ; he con- sidered himself worth about $20,000, a great portion was in improved property, which was all lost, but he was not discouraged, but went to work and built the first house that was built after the fire, and has a sign placed on it stating the fact ; he also built a saw mill four miles south of the N. W. R. R. track, and ran it for thirteen months, when that took fire and burned down, and he has built two other saw mills since and sold them out to other parties.

RICHARD CHAPMAN, farmer, Sec. 12, P. O. Peshtigo, has eighty acres ; he was born in Marinette County ; moved on his farm in 1880; he was married, April S, 1876, to Maria A. Sage. She was born in New York State. They have two children, Mand A. and John.

A. M. CHOLETTE, saloon and boarding, Peshtigo, is a native of Can- ada, came to Alpena, Mich., in 1865 ; worked at the lumber business till 1867, when he came to Menominee ; 1868, came to Marinette; in 1870, came to Peshtigo ; in IS73, went to Negaunee, Mich. ; in 1874, to Chi- cago ; came to Oconto in 1875, thence to Green Bay in 1878; returned to Peshtigo, and has followed the hotel business since 1868 ; he was also engaged in the grocery business here from 1872 to 1873.

SAMUEL CURTIN, farmer, Sec. 17, P. O. Peshtigo. Born in Quebec, Canada, July 12, 1833. Came to Saratoga County, N. Y., in IS47 ; in 1854, he removed to Upper Canada ; in 1856, he came to Pesh- tigo, and bought this farm of eighty acres of land; he has since im- proved it with a house, barn and other improvements.

J. B. DAWSON, wagon and blacksmith shop, Peshtigo, is a native of Canada ; came to Peshtigo in 1862, worked for the Peshtigo Company till 1876; since this time he has been carrying on this business ; this trade he learned in Canada.

THOMAS DENIS, head sawyer, Peshtigo Lumber Company, is a native of Canada. In 1866 he came to Lake Superior, where he re- mained eighteen months, then came to Peshtigo and worked in the mill two or three years. He then built a hotel, which he ran till he was burned out in the great fire of 1871. He then followed jobbing for two Winters. Since then he has been in the employ of this company.

HENRY DREES, foreman at the stables of the Peshtigo Company. He was born in Germany ; came to Chicago, May, 1858, and in Nov- ember of the same year to Peshtigo and commenced work for this com- pany at the Harbor up to 1860, when he took his present position, which he has occupied ever since ; when he first took it he had in his care and charge about 125 head of horses, harness, wagons, and everything pertaining to the teaming line, and has twenty-four men to assist him ; he is an efficient man for the company, as he can speak, read and write three different languages-German, French and English, and also doctors all of their horses, besides others ; is a member of the I. O. O. F., and the Encampment; he was elected Overseer of the township roads in 1880 and 1881.

JOHN DUNLAP, manager of the Peshtigo Company's saw mill ; he is a native of Ireland ; came to America in 1856 and located in Manistee, Mich., for a lew months in 1857 ; moved to Peshtigo and was engaged by the Peshtigo Company at various kinds of work up to 1868, when he was placed in his present position ; he has forty-six men under his charge.

E. D. ELLIS, book-keeper for Peshtigo Co. He is a native of Maine, and came to Peshtigo when four years of age with his parents, and after completing his education was employed in the Company's store as clerk up to 1871, when he was promoted to assistant book-keeper under Mr. Shepherd, and is now serving his second term as Town Treasurer.

MOSS ENGCON

nr. A. Ellis

WILLIAM A. ELLIS, secretary and manager of the Peshtigo Company, at Peshtigo, was born in Topsham, Me., April 23, 1828. He is the son of William and Miranda Ellis, and previous to his settlement in Peshtigo, in 1857, was engaged principally in the mercantile business at Oldtown, a village of Upper Stillwater, to which place his parents re- moved. There they resided up to 1875, when they came West to live near their son. When Mr. Ellis located in Peshtigo, he at once took charge of the company's store and books, and thus continued up to 1868. He then became general manager of all the business at this place and continues to hold that responsible position. Mr. Ellis is also a dealer and has considerable interests in pine lands, and is, all in all, one of the business leaders in his part of the State. Like most of the substantial men of this section, he came early and has remained to see his former home in the wilderness surrounded by brisk life. Ife has, in addi- tion to his business engagements, been called to many positions of trust. In 1857. he was appointed Postmaster, and served up to the time of his resignation in 1873. He has held the office of Town Treasurer for eighteen years, and has been Chairman of the Board since the organization of Mari- nette County in 1879. In 1880, Mr. Ellis was elected to the State Senate for the term 1881-2. That he has had his share of private and public con- fidence and esteem, the above record shows, even to those who do not know his life.

HARVEY ENGLAND, farmer, Sec. 8, Town 30, Range 22, P. O. Peshtigo, has 160 acres. Was born in New York State ; came to Peshtigo in 1864, and has been engaged in farming and lumbering. He was married in 1870, to Caroline May. She died May 15, 1880, and left one child, Leola M. Mr. England's second marriage was to Miss A. R. Winens, Feb. 21, 1881. She was born in Oconto Co., Wis.

M. H. ENGLER, Town Assessor, Peshtigo, is a native of Luzerne Co., Pa. In the Spring of 1868, he came to Columbus, Iowa; in the Fall of this year he came to Peshtigo, where he remained till the Spring of 1874, when he took a trip to California, Australia, Japan and embrac-

598

HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.

ing the whole Pacific slope; returned in the Fall of 1876, and has since been employed by the Peshtigo Company in surveying and looking after their lands, etc.

PHILIP FETTERLY, farmer, Sec. 12, P. O. Peshtigo, has 240 acres. He was born in Canada, and came to Peshtigo in 1861, and en- gaged with the Peshtigo Company, lumbering for about two years; then commenced to improve his farm. He has one of the finest apple or- chards in the county. He has served the office of Treasurer of his school district for three years. Has eight children-Elizabeth (Mrs. Charles Paetz), Elias C., George J., Allen, William, Charles, Frank and Eddie.

JAMES GLASS, farmer, Sec. 27, P. O. Peshtigo. Is a native of Ireland ; born in 1833. At the age of about ten years he came to St. Lawrence County, N. Y .; in 1856, he came to Ozaukee County, Wis., where he remained a short time, then to West Bend, Washington Co., there he remained three years; in 1859, he came to Brown County ; July 1, 1860, came to Peshtigo, and has since been engaged in farming. He owns fifty-five acres of land ; he was the first director of school No. 7 ; held that office nine years. He has been Constable two or three years, and Overseer of Highways two or three years.

J. W. GOULD, proprietor of the Gould House, Peshtigo. He is a native of the county of Kennebec, Me .; came to Peshtigo in the Spring of 1860 and engaged in lumbering for the Peshtigo Company, and has been their foreman, more or less, for the eleven years up to October, 1875, when he contracted for the house he now runs, and it is one of the most complete kept houses in the State of Wisconsin, for the amount of business done.

B. GRANDEAU, foreman of the carpenter shop of the Peshtigo Company, was born in Lower Canada, and came to Peshtigo June 7, 1864, and has been at work for this company ever since. Was married in 1840, to Sophia Miller ; she was born in Lower Canada. They have seven children-Elizabeth, Amelia, Sophia, Annie, Anton and Aichie.

ACHILLE GRANGER, millwright for the Peshtigo Company, is a native of Canada. Came to Menominee in 1867, where he worked for three years. Since this time he has been working the mills. In about 1876 he came to Peshtigo, and has since been working for this company. Married, in 1876, to Laura Lavoie. She was born in Canada. They have two children, Charles and Clara.

J. A. GRIFFIN, has charge of the Peshtigo Company's boarding house at the Harbor. He is a native of Cleveland, Ohio ; came to Pesh- tigo with his parents in 1848, and has lived here most of the time ; has been in the employ of this company for the last fifteen years steadily, and took charge of the house that is still running, in the Spring of 1879. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and Temple of Honor.

LEVI HALE. farmer and stock raiser, P. O. Peshtigo. Born in Jefferson Co., N. Y. When a boy, his parents moved to St. Lawrence County, where he was raised, He followed the lakes a few years, and in the Fall of 1841, he came to Menominee River, and was engaged in prospecting in the copper mines of Lake Superior about one year. In 1846, he came to Peshtigo, and followed lumbering and various kinds of work. In 1859, he built a hotel, and ran it seven years; afterward fol- lowed building and renting till 1871, when his buildings were all swept away in the great fire. He was the beaviest loser, aside from the Pesh- tigo Company. Married, in 1856, to Miss Hannah, daughter of John Windross, formerly of England. They emigrated to Utica, N. Y., in 1833. She came to Green Bay in 1836, and has lived in Oconto County since 1847. They have a family of three children-Elizabeth, now Mrs. Woodward, Martha, now Mrs. Murphy, and Miss Kittie.

B. F. HARPER, furniture, and undertaker, Peshtigo. Born in Rockland Co., N. Y. Came to Peshtigo in 1867. When in New York, he learned the trade of architect and builder, and still carries on this business. He has been foreman carpenter for the Peshtigo Company since coming here. He commenced the undertaking business in 1877, and two years later added furniture. He enlisted, in 1862, in the U. S. Navy, from Philadelphia, serving in the Gulf Squadron one year.

DAVID HENRY, farmer, Sec. 9, P. O. Peshtigo. Is a native of Ireland. Came with his parents to Lockport, N. Y., at the age of four years. In 1858, he came to Muskego, Waukesha Co., Wis .; here he held the office of Town Superintendent of Schools two years; Town Clerk two terms. He was elected Justice of the Peace, but refused to qualify ; was Postmaster five years. In 1868, he came to his present farm, consisting of eighty acres of land.

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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