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 191

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 191

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).

Oconto had a number of men in the Seventeenth Infantry, in Thirty-sixth, Thirty-eight and Thirty- ninth Infantry, and in Second and Third Cavalry. Oconto's quota of troops was 311 ; total credits, 292.

CITY OF OCONTO.

Oconto is a growing city of 4,500 people, situated at the mouth of the Oconto River, midway between Marinette and Green Bay, on the west shore of the body of water of that name. Its people are industrious and alive, and the trend of its leading business organizations is upward- Banking facilities are obtained through the private house of Farnsworth & Smith.

The city of Oconto was incorporated under chapter 449, P. and L. L. 1869, March 11. It is divided into four wards, the North, South, East and West, and its system of government is in accord with that of other cities. Its mu- nicipal officers for 1881 are : Mayor, William H. Young; Clerk, A. M. Martineau ; Treasurer, S. W. Ford; Assessor, Peter Don Levy; Superintendent of [Schools and City Physician, Dr. H. Allan; Marshal, Frank Leroy.

The Fire Department of Oconto consists of two com- panies of fifteen members each. There are two engine houses, also. J. H. Driscoll is Chief Engineer, and Gil- bert Morrow, Assistant.

Oconto's educational system consists, as is usual, of a School Board and a City Superintendent, composed as fol- lows : School Board-President, W. J. McGee-O. A. Ei- lis, James Don Levy and George Beyer. Superintendent, Dr. Hamilton Allan. J. H. Gould is President of the Free High-school. There are five schools and ten depart- ments. The Jefferson school building was built of brick in 1879, at a cost, with site, of $5,500 It is proposed this Fall to erect a new school edifice at a cost of $6,000. Of the 1,239 children of school age residing in the city of Oconto in 1880, 678 attended the public institutions ; 329 patronized private and parochial schools.

THE PRESS.

The first newspaper published in the county was the Oconto Pioneer, issued by George C. Ginty in 1859. In 1864, he formed a partnership with C. S. Hart. The next year they sold to J. W. Hall, who had established the Lumberman in 1864. The Oconto Reporter, founded in 1871, was bought out by A. R. Bradbury, who, in turn, sold it to A. Reinhart. This gentleman, with others, con- ducted the paper until September, 1873, when it passed into the hands of C. S. Hart. In the Spring of 1875, the Oconto Times was absorbed by the Reporter. In July, 1881, the Reporter was merged with the Republican, estab- lished by P. H. Swift in October of the previous year. That journal, under the name of the Oconto County Reporter, is edited and managed by the latter, a strong Republican. The Lumberman was founded by J. W. Hall in 1864, and there has been no change in proprietorship since. It is a six-and-a-quarter-column quarto, independent Republican in politics. The Enquirer was established in July, 1881, by Messrs. Sharp & Brazeau, F. C. Sharp, editor. In poli- tics it is Democratic. Form, a six-column quarto.

CHURCHES.

Methodist Episcopal Church .- Was organized, in 1854. by Rev. G. D. Donaldson. The church was built in 1865-6. The society is under the pastorate of Rev. E. Yager, and numbers about thirty members.

First Presbyterian Church .- Was organized in 1856, and a building erected two years after. The present edifice, the finest in the city, was built, in 1878, at a cost of $8.000. The church has no settled pastor. Its membership is fifty.

St. Peter's Church ( French Roman Catholic ) .- Was or- ganized twenty years ago, and a building erected at the same time. The membership is 200 families. Its present pastor, Rev. Father Vermare, has had charge of the church ten years.

St. Joseph's Church is a limb of St. Peter's Church, and was formed ten years ago. Rev. Father Sweibach is pas- tor over 100 families. A nunnery is situated on the church grounds. Connected with the church are the St. Joseph's Total Abstinence and Benevolent, and the Altar societies.

Ten years ago the St. Marks' Church ( Episcopal ) was formed by Rev. Mr. Tenbroeck. It has a membership of thirty-five, and Rev. William Dafter is pastor.

There are also small societies of German and Scandina- vian Lutherans.

The secret and benevolent societies of Oconto consist of the following : An I. O. O. F. lodge, J. K. Davis, N. G .; F. and A. M. ( Pine Lodge ), Dr. H. Allen, W. M .; Temple of Honor, George McCartney, W. C .; I. O. G. T., Robert McGee, C. T .; A. O. U. W., George Beyer, M. W .; C. K. of A., J. Noman, Pres.

The Oconto Library Association was organized as a stock company in 1878, with Judge H. W. Hubbell as president. The library has 700 volumes. W. B. Mitchell is now pres- ident.

OCONTO.

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HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.

Oconto Turnverein was organized in June, 1871, and a hall, costing $4,000, built in 1876. The Verein is fifty members strong, and Fred Schedler is first speaker.

MANUFACTORIES.

The Oconto Company .- This was incorporated in the Fall of 1878, under the above name. Its present saw-mill was built in the Spring of 1867. It has a capacity of 120,000 feet of lumber per day, and 25,000 lath. A shingle mill and a planing mill were erected in 1872. The former has a ca- pacity of 130,000 shingles per day. Since the Summer of 1868, the company has also operated a flour mill, which turns out eighty barrels per day. In the Summer of 1881, the construction of a foundry building, to be operated in connection with its machine shop, was also commenced. A large general store and a boarding-house in Oconto, and two farms, one up the river a few miles, and the other at Brookside, do not complete the possessions of this rich corporation. It also owns and runs a box factory and a barrel factory in Chicago. The material for the latter is manufactured by a mill in Defiance, Ohio. A very large saw, shingle and tie mill, at Big Bay de Noquete, on Stur- geon River, is in course of erection. The capital stock of this company is $250,000, but fully $500,000 is invested in the business. Its interests are so diversified, and extend in so many directions, that to enter into detail would be an almost endless task. Its present officers are : President and General Manager, George Farnsworth; Vice-President, Nathan Mears ; Superintendent, O. A. Ellis.

Hoit & Balcom .- Their mill was erected in 1856. The firm of Holt & Calkins was established in 1863 and remained the same until the latter part of 1865. Mr. Balcom was at the time a partner, although his name did not appear in the firm title. A. C. Calkins, of Chicago, disposed of his interest to Messrs. Holt & Balcom, both now of that city, in the Fall of 1865, and from that time on, dates the exist- ence of the present firm. In 1872 a partnership was formed with James C. King, and the firm remained Holt, Bal- com & King until 1874. Additions and improvements to the small mill of 1856 have since been made, until now it has a capacity of 125,000 feet of lumber and 40,000 lath per day. This season's manufacture will amount to 20,- 000,000 feet of lumber. The 100,000 acres of land owned by the firm are situated in Oconto and Marinette coun- ties. In addition to the mill, a large general store and a feed mill are in active and profitable operation. Four tarms are worked, three of them near the city, and the fourth, and largest, in the town of Maple Valley, thirty- five miles up the river. Upon this farm is a hotel for the accommodation of the men and teams going to the pineries, and the company has a large boarding house connected with the mill in Oconto. Messrs. Holt & Balcom have $300,000 in their business enterprises, and employ 250 men. The members of the firm reside in Chicago. The manager of their interests at Oconto, and who has held that position since 1866, is Augustus Cole. The Holt & Balcom mill is one of the most profitable in the county.

Mr. Balcom, during his residence in Oconto, from 1856 to 1866, was among the foremost and most active of its business men in opening up the country of the pineries and connecting it by way of good, passable roads with Oconto and the Green Bay region. He was for a number of years a member of the Board of Supervisors, and when the county lost him, it lost one of the most useful of citi- zens.

S. A. Coleman's Mill .- The mill was built in 1871, and has a capacity of 40,000 feet of lumber, 15,000 lath and 75,000 shingles daily. His lands are in Marinette and Oconto counties.

Jacob Spies' Mill .- This mill, one of the oldest on the river, situated just east of the city, was built in 1850. Its proprietor, Jacob Spies, also operates a good general store in Oconto. The saw mill turns out 40,000 feet of lumber, besides manufacturing lath and shingles.

Albert Halbach's Foundry and Machine Shop .- The build- ing was erected in the Fall of 1871 by Lister, Carson & Co., who continued in charge of the business for three years. Mr. Lister then retired, and Carson & Co. oper- ated the manufactory from 1874 to 1878. Mr. Carson's interest was then purchased, the firm becoming Halbach & Noonan. The latter sold out in the Summer of 1881, and Albert Halbach assumed entire control. With the exception of the works connected with the Oconto Com- pany, this is the only establishment of the kind in the city. Mr. Halbach does a business amounting to $15,000 per annum, and employs about a dozen men.

Besides the above manufactories, there is a small planing mill owned by A. W. Gray, and built in 1878, and a post and tie mill operated by T. A. Chisholm.

ELDRED'S MILL BURNED.

On August 16, 1881, one of the three most complete mills in Oconto, owned by A. Eldred & Son, of Fort How- ard, burned to the ground. The mill was built by Messrs. Mix & Orr in 1869. The firm had been running it but a few years. Two scows loaded with lumber near the mill were also burned. The total loss was estimated at $60,000 ; insurance $25,000 ; 130 men were thrown out of employ- ment. As the mill is not to be rebuilt in Oconto, the con- flagration was a blow to the city's business. The firm will at once commence the erection of a saw-mill in Fort Howard.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

HAMILTON ALLAN, M.D., County and City Superintendent of Schools, was born in Ottawa, Canada, Nov. S, 1844. the son of James and Jane Allan. He received his preliminary education in the publie schools and the Kemptville Grammar School. In 1862, he became principal of one of the ward institutions. He then entered the Ottawa Collegiate Institute, graduating in June, 1865, with the honor of being awarded the Brough gold medal, for superiority in classics and math- ematies. Being appointed a teacher of the classies, he remained in that capacity until January 1868, when he entered the office of Dr. James A. Grant, as a medical student. Removing to Montreal, he entered McGill University, and, taking the full four years' course, graduated in the Spring of 1872. Dr. Allan retired with the highest honors, receiving the IFolmes gold medal for the best examination in all the branches, both primary and final. Having obtained his diploma, he settled in Smith's Falls, near Brockville, Central Canada, and took charge of Dr. Ander- son's practice, that gentleman being absent in the Old Country, After practicing his profession successfully one year, in the Spring of 1873, he

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HISTORY OF OCONTO COUNTY.

came to Oconto. He first formed a partnership with Dr. I. S. Johnson, and remained with him one year. He then bought his partner's interest in the business, and established himself alone. Dr. Allan has since resided in Oconto, with the exception of nine months in 1877-78, which he spent in Milwaukee. He has not only built up a successful practice, but has established a reputation as an efficient educator. This is his third year as City Physician, also as City Superintendent of Schools. He has been County Superintendent since 1879; is one of the foremost in the formation and maintenance of a library ; is, in fact, what his edu- cation has made him, an intelligent, clear-headed, popular and successful gentleman. Dr. Allan was married in 1875, to Mary, daughter of Hon. John Leigh, of Leighton, Oconto County. They have one son.

B. ARNOLD, saloon and billiards, Oconto, born June 22, 1823, in Hesse- Darmstadt, Germany ; in 1854, came to Chicago ; in 1856, he came to Oconto ; has followed the carpenter and joiner trade most of the time since ; he has built over half of the buildings in Oconto, consisting in part of the court house, music hall, etc., also the bridge which crosses the river at the court house ; he built and owns this property which he oc- cupies. Married, in 1850, to Anstena Denss ; she was born in Nassau ; died Feb. 14, 1880, in her fifty-first year ; have five children, three sons and two daughters.

GEORGE A. BALDWIN, superintendent tie and shingle mills, Oconto Company, is a native of St. George, N. B .; June, 1859, came to Boston, Mass., thence to Bangor, Me., followed lumbering till 1861, when he enlisted in Co. K., 8th Maine Inf., served to the close of the war ; re- turned to Boston, where he remained a short time, then came to Osh- kosh, Wis., worked there at the lumber business till 1874, when be came to Oconto. The past six years he has held his present position.

Geo Beyer

GEORGE BEYER, County Treasurer, of Oconto, was born in Wingerode, Prussia, Oct. 21, 1843. When but a boy of thirteen he em- igrated with his parents to Milwaukee, but the following year removed to Oconto. Here his father died in IS57, and his mother in 1859, and young Beyer was left to fight his battles alone ; and that he was equal to the emergency is proven by his course in after life. He already had been

working in the Hubbel and the Jones mills several years, and continued thus until 1860, when he secured employment with W. M. Whitcomb. Here he remained until 1862, when he went to Chicago and took a thorough course in Bryant & Stratton's Business College. Mr. Beyer was then prepared to "step up higher," and consequently when he returned to Oconto, acted at different times, until 1864, as Deputy Coun- ty Treasurer, County Clerk and Register of Deeds. He next joined an organization of one hundred-day men, and was elected second lieutenant of Co. H, 39th Regiment Wis. V. I. After he returned from his short, but voluntary service, he was employed as book-keeper by the firm of Whitcomb & Ideson, and held this position until 1867. For the next two years Mr. Beyer carried on the lumber business, and then leased the pier from the city until 1871. Engaging in the insurance business from that date until 1878, he was elected County Treasurer, and re-elected in 1880. Mr. Beyer is a representative German-American. Although born in the Old Country, he adopted the New Country at so early an age that all his thoughts and instincts are American, and he is not only a full-blooded American citizen in everything except birthplace, but is a self-made man, which is the best Possible recommendation to good and reliable citizenship.

W, E. BARLOW, dealer in hardware, house furnishing goods, Ocon- to, came to Oconto in 1860, established his present business in 1878 ; he carries about a $4,000 stock ; he also manufactures tinware, and employs two men.

JAMES BELLEW, boarding-house Oconto Company, is a native of Ireland ; came to Green Bay at the age of fourteen years ; there he fol- lowed various kinds of labor. In 1855, he came to Oconto ; worked at the ship carpenter trade about two years; he then took charge of the boarding-house for Holt & Balcom, where he continued about three years. The past seventeen years he has been in the emply of the Oconto Company, and has had charge of this department. Married, August, 1856, to Catharine Moroney ; she was born in Ireland ; they have four children-Ella, Matthew, now assistant book-keeper for this company, Edward, also a clerk in the grocery department, and Clara, now attend- ing school.

O. W. BLOCH, clerk for J. Spies, Oconto, is a native of Germany ; came to America in 1853, to Wisconsin in 1854, and to Oconto in 1855 ; enlisted in 1861, in Co. H, 4th Wis. Vol. Inf., but not being accepted on the first call, he joined Co. K, 24th III. Vol. Inf., and served three years and two months ; was mustered out as captain of Co. F, same regi- ment ; was elected Register of Deeds, and served one term, and in 1880, was elected Alderman of the City Council for the term of three years.

ALEXANDER BRAZEAU, attorney, Oconto, was born in the city of Oconto : attended Lawrence University at Appleton ; studied law with Hastings & Green, at Green Bay ; and was admitted to the Bar September, 1878; in November of the same year, formed a partner- ship with W. H. Webster.

BRAZEAU BROS., general merchandise, Oconto. F. X. Brazeau is a native of Montreal ; came to Two Rivers, Wis., in 1847 ; remained there three years, then went to California, engaged in mining. In 1853, he returned to Montreal, where he remained until 1870, when he came to Oconto, and established this business. Their sales amount to about $20,000. Has been a member of the School Board about nine years. Samuel Brazeau, also a member of this firm, was born in Beauharnois, Canada, March 2, 1830. Came to Two Rivers, Wis., in 1848, lived there until 1852, then came to Kewanee. Came to Oconto, July, 1850, en- gaged in Iumbering until 1870, when this business was formed. He has served six years as Alderman, and still holds this office.

WILLIAM BRUNQUEST, retired, Oconto. Born March 19, IS19, in New Brunswick. Came to Oconto. in 1849, worked by the month at the lumber business, then entered into partnership with James and T. W. Christie, in a saw-mill, at Oconto Falls; continued one year. In 1852, he opened a general store, which he continued until 1862, when he bought Jones' water-mill, ran it until 1869, when it was carried away ; in 1870, he rebuilt the mill, now owned by McDonald & Billings, and ran it until 1874. In 1876, he again opened a store, and was burnt out in 1878. His residence is one of the finest in Oconto, having built it at a cost of about $6,500. He was elected the first County Treasurer of this county. Has been Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, and President of the Village Board.

REV. C. R. BURDICK, pastor of Presbyterian Church, Oconto. Is a native of Chenango Co., N. Y. At about the age of twenty, he com- menced an academic course of studies, and graduated at the Rochester University, in the class of 1852; he also graduated at the Theological Seminary, in IS58. Was ordained, Jan. 1, 1860. He had preached, how- ever, one year before he was ordained. He had charge of the public school in Rochester, and had charge of one of the grammar schools from 1857 to 1859. He has preached five years in Genesee County, eight years in Niagara County, two years, in Joliet, about one year, in Marquette. Came to Oconto in 1875, and at once took charge of this church. Since coming here its membership has doubled.

A. P. CALL, jail keeper, Oconto. Is a native of Essex Co., N. Y. Came to Green Bay, September, 1845, with his parents. Worked in saw-

660

HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.

mills until 1864, then followed steamboating until 1869. Was appointed City Marshal in 1363 ; was Deputy Sheriff in 1870-1. Was appointed jail keeper in 1877. Has held this office in all about seven years. For the past ten years he has been State Treasurer Agent. Has been Con- stable of the South Ward the past four years.

TRUMAN CAMERON, foreman at S. A. Coleman's mill, Oconto. Is a native of Rouse's Point, Clinton Co., N. Y. In 1863, he came to Peshtigo, and the past eighteen years he has followed the millwright busi- ness. The past three years he has been a resident of Oconto, and now has charge of this mill.

JOHN H. CARR, restaurant, confectionery, tobacco and cigars, Oconto. Is a native of New Brunswick. Came to Oconto, in 1872, and was engaged in lumbering up to ISSo, when he began his present busi- ness. He is Deputy Marshal of the city, and is a member of the fire department.

EDWARD CAYO, proprietor Chicago & Northwestern Railroad House, Oconto. Is a native of Manitowoc Co., Wis. There he grew up and followed farming and lumbering. In 1870, he came to Oconto, and has just taken charge of this house. He owns a farm of eighty acres of land in Manitowoc County, which is now rented ; he also owns about 700 acres wild land in Oconto and Marinette counties, all of which he has acquired by his industry. Married, in 1871, to Adaline Valley ; she was born in Manitowoc Co., Wis. They have three chil- dren, one son and two daughters.

Augustins Code

AUGUSTUS COLE, manager of the Holt & Balcom mill, Oconto, was born in Oxford, Chenanyo Co., N. Y., Dcc. 30, 1830. He is the son of Calvin and Fayette Cole. Mr. Cole is of pure Yankee blood, his father being born in Connecticut and coming to Oxford at an early age, engaged in business as a farmer and a lumberman. Fle owned a mill in that town, which is situated on a branch of the Susquehanna, and for several years was in business with Uri Balcom, of the firm with which his son is now connected. Young Cole followed much in the footsteps of his father, removing to Steuben County in 1851, where he was engaged in lumbering with Mr. Balcom, the latter being an uncle on his mother's side. Mr. Cole's father is still living in Oxford at the

advanced age of seventy-nine. His mother died two years ago. From Steuben County he removed in 1856 to Oconto, engaging with Holt & Balcom in the lumber business. With the exception of a part of 1857-8, which he spent in the western part of this State and in Chicago, look- ing around with a view of locating, Mr. Cole has remained with them ever since. In the Spring of 1866, Mr. Balcom removed to Chicago, and since then the latter has had the active management of the firm's extensive business. Mr. Cole has had little time or desire to figure in political circles since his long residence in Oconto. He has, however, been a member of the Village Board, and served several years after the war, as one of the three County Commissioners. He has spent his business life faithfully, managing with ability and vigor a large and pros- perous industry. Like all really successful men, he has given his strength and time to one thing -- confined his energies in one channel.

DR. S. A. COLEMAN, lumber, Oconto. Is a native of Ashtabula Co., Ohio. At the age of twenty-one years he commenced the study of medicine; graduated from the Willoughby Medical College in 1847. In 1851, came to Milwaukee ; practiced there till 1853, when he came to Oconto, where he has since resided, and has been in constant practice till 1880 ; his time now being taken up in his lumber interests. He bought this mill in 1879; it has a capacity of 6,000,000 feet of lumber, 10,000,000 shingles, 2,000,000 lath. He has held the offices of County Treasurer and Register of Deeds.

J. H. COMSTOCK, farmer and lumberman, P. O. Oconto. His farm is on Sec. 28, Township 28. Range 21, and contains 220 acres. He was born in Ohio; moved to Milwaukee with his parents, when quite young, and to Oconto in 1863. Has held the offices of Town Treasurer and Town Supervisor.

REV. WILLIAM DAFTER, pastor of the Episcopal Church, par- ish of Oconto, Marinette and Peshtigo. Is a native of New Jersey. Attended Neshota Theological Seminary in 1855, and graduated in 1861. In May, of the same year, was ordained, receiving as his first charge Geneva Parish, where he preached until 1864; then went to Watertown, in charge of St. Paul's Church, for six years. In IS70, he was called to the pastorate of St. Paul's Church at Fond du Lac, and re- mained there till 1876. He then resigned and came to his present charge.

EDWARD DAVIS, dealer in clothing, boots, shoes and furnishing goods, Oconto. Is a native of New Brunswick, and came to Oconto in 1863. Established his present business in 1872; carries about $10,000 in stock. Is a member of the Catholic Knights of America, and also a member of St. Joseph's Temperance and Benevolent Society.

FRANK DEIMER, manufacturer and dealer in furniture, Oconto. Was born in Austria. Came to America in 1868; located in Appleton, and worked as journeyman up to 1870, when he came to Oconto. In 1874, he established his present business.

A. DILLON, proprietor Dillon House, Oconto. Is a native of Ireland. At the age of about eighteen years he came to Quebec, Can- ada. In 1864, came to Oconto ; followed the lumber business till May, 1869, when he took charge of this house, which he owns. Ile has been Alderman two terms.

JAMES DON LEVY, retired, Ocon'o. Is a native of Ireland ; was born in 1819 Came to New York in 1839; worked at the boot and shoe trade there till 1856, when he came to Oconto, and has since followed this business. He lost his store by fire, in 1871, and has since rebuilt a block consisting of six or eight brick stores. He has served as Clerk of the County Board, Town Supervisor, and Chairman of the Board, a member of the Village Board, was elected County Judge, but refused to qualify : was six years Alderman and member of the School Board. Married in 1841, in Rochester, N. Y., to Miss Elizabeth Morton, of Syracuse, N. Y. They have eight children-William, now carrying on the boot and shoe trade, Homer, Peter, George and Frank are in the lumber business, James, now book-keeper for the Oconto Company, Albert, carrying on the blacksmith trade, and Elizabeth, now Mrs Wag- goner. William, Homer and James served in the late war ; Homer was promoted to sergeant on the field of battle at New Creek, Va., Capt. O'Rorke commanding, for gallantry displayed. This company was attached to Mulligan's Battery.

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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