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 192

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 192

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).

J. P. DORR. land dealer, Oconto. Is a native of Gardiner, Me .; came to Oconto, July, 1872, has been employed at England & Taylor's mill about five years, two years of this time he had charge of their busi- ness ; the past three or four years he has been engaged in lands, etc.

O. A. ELLIS, superintendent Oconto Co. Is a native of Maine ; when a boy he commenced working at the lumber business, which he has since followed. This Company was organized in 1867; the follow- ing year he was appointed to the responsible position, which he has since held. This Company employ about 250 hands ; their store, which they operate, carries on a business of about $175,000 per year. Mr. Ellis has for several years past been a member of the County Board.

ROBERT ELLIS, attorney, Oconto. Is a native of Maine, and graduated at Bowdoin College, in 1858 ; studied law with John A. Blan- chard in Old Town, Me. ; was admitted to the Bar in 1861 ; can e to

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661

HISTORY OF OCONTO COUNTY.

Oconto in 1869; in 1871, was elected County Clerk, and has held the office for ten years successively. Has held the office of City Attorney for three years, and holds that office at the present time.

AUGUST ELLMANN, saloon, Oconto, Born Feb. 19, 1841, in Prussia, came to Canada in 1862, where he remained till 1864, when he came to Ohio, and enlisted at Cincinnati in the 11th Ohio Cav .; served to the end of the war, was mustered out at Columbus. In 1866, he came to-Oconto, peddled beer about seven years, since then he has kept this saloon, which he owns. Married in 1868, to Mary Riley; she was born in Milwaukee. They have four daughters.

PETER G. ESSON, lumber business, Oconto. Is a native of New Brunswick ; came to Oconto, Sept. 10, 1866, worked at Amey, Rice & Fitzgerald's mill, afterward for the Oconto Company. Since then he has been jobbing in logs, and locating timber and farming lands. He owns a farm of eighty acres land, now rented. He and Dr. Coleman own large interests in pine lands. He is also interested in the mill; he has been Superviser of the town, he located the New Stiles road, run- ning west from Oconto, the Maple Valley road and others. Mr. E. re- marks that hemlock bark and hard timber is a prominent feature in this county, and should be developed.

GEORGE FARNSWORTH, president Oconto Company. Is a resident of Chicago, Ill .; in 1856, he came to Oconto, built a mill for R. M. Norton & Co., and ran it two years; in 1858, he bought a half interest in this mill, which was originally built by Morrill & Co., although it has since been rebuilt and has undergone several changes in ownership since then. In 1867, Mears, Bates & Co., of Chicago, bought into this company, and they with Mr. Farnsworth as president, reorganized as the Oconto Company. This company manufacture about 25,000,000 lumber, 15,000,000 shingles, 2,250,000 lath, also ties and cedar posts. They also sell about $175,000 in merchandise. All their lumber is shipped by rail, they having tracks placed in their yards for this purpose. Mr. Farnsworth is also engaged with Mr. Smith in the banking business. This bank was organized in 1871.

K. FISHER & CO., dealers in dry goods, notions, boots, shoes, etc., Oconto ; established their business in 1878. They have a stock of about $10,000.

S. W. FORD, druggist, Oconto. Is a native of Green Bay, Wis. In 1868, he commenced to learn the druggist business, and in 1872 came to Oconto, bought out the firm of P. McCall & Co. He now carries a very fine stock and is doing the finest trade in this line in Oconto.

HON. E. FUNKE, capitalist, Oconto. Born Jan. 20, 1835, in Prus- sia, came to Oconto in 1853. Followed lumbering about nine years ; he then built a hotel which he managed about sixteen years, known as the Funke Hotel, this house he still owns, He with Mr. Barlow opened a hardware store, continued in that business about two years. He was one of the first Trustees of the village ; has been County Supervisor several terms ; was Chairman of the Pier Committee, the building of which cost $36,000 ; was Mayor two terms; represented this district in the Legis- lature two terms.

H. W. GILKEY, of the firm of Waggoner & Gilkey, retail grocer merchants, Oconto. Was born in Houlton, Me. In the year 1846, he came West with his parents, who located at Hanchardville, Wis. In 1848 the family moved to Green Bay, where they engaged in carrying on farming and dairying, until 1852 when they resolved to try their fortune in the then wild and unexplored lumber regions of Oconto. Mr. Gilkey being at that time, but a lad of thirteen years of age, variously occupied his time in assisting his parents about the hotel, of which his father was proprietor, and at other times about the mill. Educational advantages being very limited in the early history of Oconto, he decided in the year 1856 to attend school at Lawrence University, Appleton ; his means failing him, he was most reluctantly forced to abandon his long-cherished hope of completing his college course, and in the year 1858 he entered upon the vocation of teaching in the public schools of Oconto; which position he occupied, as principal, for ten years. In the year 1869 he was elected to the office of County Superintendent of Schools for the term of two years. He was re-elected in 1871, and subsequently was appointed to fill a vacancy in the same office, serving the people in this capacity five years. A vacancy having occurred in the office of City Superintendent of Schools in 1873, he was appointed to fill that position. At the expiration of the unexpired term, he was appointed to the same position, to which he was twice re-appointed, and subsequently, ap- pointed to fill a second vacancy in the same office, having held the office four years in all, thus being prominently identified with public schools of Oconto County for the term of twenty successive years. He also superintended the Sabbath school at Oconto, eighteen years. In 1872, his time not being wholly in the school work, he took charge, as assistant timber clerk of the so-called Sturgeon Bay Canal land grant of 200,000 acres, which position he has occupied continuously ever since. In the mean time, he had charge of lands belonging to non-residents, for whom he located pine lands, also explored for himself and did general survey- ing when not otherwise occupied.

C. GLEASON, proprietor of billiard hall and saloon, Oconto, is a native of Western Canada, and came to Oconto in 1871, and was en-

gaged in lumbering up to 1879, when he commenced his present busi- ness.

T. B. GOODRICH, manager of the store for Holt & Balcom. Oconto, is a native of Steuben Co., N. Y .; came to Oconto in 1856, and has had charge of this store ever since it was established.

E. W. GRAY, proprietor of Gray's Mills, Oconto, is a native of Ni- agara Co., N.Y. At about the age of thirteen, he came to Kalamazoo Co., Mich. ; in 1857, came to Winnebago Co., Wis. ; there he followed the lumber business. In 1873, he came to Oconto ; engaged as foreman at Pierce's sash and door factory ; in 1877, he built this mill, which he has since run. The capacity of this mill is from 30,000 to 40,000 feet a day.

B. G. GRUNERT, County Clerk, Oconto, is a native of Saxony ; in 1853, he came to Outagamie Co., Wis., where he assisted his brother farming. The following Winter, he removed to Ft. Howard; came to Oconto, February, 1854; worked in and around the mills; a short time afterward, appointed book-keeper for Norton & Co. and Whitcomb & Ideson ; held this position till 1864. In the Fall of 1865, he was elected County Clerk ; held this office five years. In the Fall of 1880, he was re-elected to this position. He has also held the office of City Clerk.

W. J. HAGGERSON, dealer in groceries, provisions, flour, feed, etc., Oconto, is a native of New York State ; came to Oconto in 1855 with his parents. Established his present business in 1877. He carries a complete stock in his line.

ALBERT HALBACH, firm of Halbach & Noonan, foundry and machine shop, Oconto, is a native of Sheboygan, Wis .; learned the ma- chinist trade in Sheboygan Falls; came to Oconto in 1871; worked at his trade till 1874, when he bought out the interest of Charles Godfrey in this shop. He continued with this firm till the Summer of 1880, when he and Mr. Noonan bought out the business. Has been Chief Engineer of the fire department.

J. W. HALL, editor and proprietor of the Oconto Lumberman, was born in London, Eng .; came to America with his parents in 1849. and to Oconto in 1855. In the Spring of 1859, he went into the Pioneer printing-office to learn the trade, and in 1864, established his present pa- per. In 1865, he bought the Pioneer office and consolidated it with the Lumberman office.

JOSEPH HALL, of Oconto, born in London, England, 1821, re- ceived an academic education ; is a currier by trade. Emigrated to the United States in 1848, and located at De Pere, Brown Co. Remained there to 1852 ; thence to Green Bay, and removed to Oconto, Wis., in 1855, his present residence. Has been Justice of the Peace ; Clerk of Circuit Court for twenty-two years; was Deputy Assessor for United States, also Deputy Provost Marshal for his county during the war. Was appointed Postmaster by Gen. Grant, thirteen years ago, and still holds that position.

R. L. HALL, abstract maker, Oconto, is a native of Chemung Co., N. Y .. came to Menomonee River with his father, Dr. J. C. Hall, who carried on an extensive lumber business there, as well as practicing his profession. Mr. Hall came to Oconto in 1857; held the office of County Surveyor ; he is also Deputy of the Circuit Court.

J. A. HANSEN, manufacturer of root beer, Oconto, is a native of Denmark, came to Manistee, Mich., in 1868; carried on a grocery and saloon ; in 1873, he came to Oconto, and established this business ; he is a member of the City Council ; is serving on his third term ; is trustee of the Oconto Cemetery ; trustee and cashier of the Danish Lutheran Church.

ALBERT HANSON, manager of the boarding house for Holt & Balcom, Oconto, is a native of Norway, and came to Oconto in Angust, IS68 ; worked at different places up to April, 1879, when he took charge of this house. He was married to Mary E. Hanson, Oct. 24, 1869. They have four children-Cyrus, Harry, Axiom and William.

C. S. HART, editor and proprietor of the Oconto Reporter, was born at Green Bay ; came to Oconto in 1852, with his parents. Ilis first paper was the Oconto Pioneer, in 1864. In 1872, he established his present paper. In politics he is independent.

EDWIN HART, Justice of the Peace and general collecting agent, Oconto, born in the city Norwich, New London Co., Conn., May 5, 1807, came to Huron Co., Ohio, in 1824; there he learned the carpenter and joiner trade ; in the Spring of 1830, he emigrated to Green Bay, Wis., workcd there at his trade till 1851, when he came to Oconto, was engaged at Oconto Falls in the lumber husiness two years ; in 1853, he opened a store in Oconto, this being the first store in the place, continued this business about eight years; in 1861, he established a line of steamers between here and Green Bay, this being the first line on this route ; he continued it till 1872 ; he was also a general agent for all boats running here : in 1833, he was appointed by Gov. Dodge, Justice of the Peace; held that appointment till the Territory became a State. From 1832 to 1835, he was in the employ of the U. S. Government, in rebuilding the garrison, and superintends the cutting out the roads from Green Bay to Manitowoc; in 1857 he established the bank of Oconto, he being presi- dent ; Mr. Woodruff was cashier; he has been Clerk of the Board of

662

HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.

Supervisors of Oconto County, and secured the first village charter ; the first Sabbath-school started here was established in his house, in the Winter of 1830 and 1831, he passed from the month of the Menomonee River to Green Bay; there was no settlements then at Big or Little Pensaukee, there was a small mill owned by John P. Ort, of Green Bay; this mill was situated at the mouth of the Oconto; no other occupants there. At Peshtigo there was a small mill controlled by Col. Jones; at Menominee, the only settlement there, was an Indian trader, named William Farnsworth and Mr. Jacobs, of Green Bay, who kept a small store, and ran a small water saw mill. In 1855, Mr. Hart took the census of Oconto County, there being only 415 in 1860, he again took the census, which was 1530 ; the only communication at that time from Oconto to Green Bay was by boat.

JAMES IIENNINGSON, sawyer at Holt & Balcom's Mill, is a native of Denmark ; came to Oconto in 1870; in 1872 commenced work for this company. He was married, in 1874, to Charlotte Wilhelmin, who was born in Denmark. They have one child, Anna. Mr. H. is a leader of the Danish Lutheran Society.

E. B. HULBERT, superintendent box department of the Oconto Company, is a native of Saratoga County, N. Y ; came to Green Lake, Wis., in 1867 ; followed farming there about four years; in 1871. he came to Oconto, and secured employment with this company at general work ; he was afterward placed in charge of loading cars ; continued in that capacity till 1874, when he was promoted to his present position.

J. B. IIUME, with Oconto Company, is a native of Ireland ; came to Muskegon, Mich., in 1871 ; followed the lumber business there till 1876, when he came to Oconto ; he has had charge of the lumber de- partment of the Oconto Company for the past three years ; is ex-secre- tary of the Masonic Lodge.

FELIX JOIINSON, proprietor Byer House, Oconto, is a native of New Brunswick ; came to Oconto in 1868 ; ran a billiard hall till 1876, when he took charge of the Byer House, which he managed till March S. 1881, when this house was burned ; he is new rebuilding near the same locality ; has held the office of Alderman.

HUFF JONES, Register of Deeds, Oconto, is a native of West Virginia : in 1832, he came with his parents to Mackinaw ; in 1835, they came to Green Bay, Wis. ; removed to Oconto in 1845 ; since 1846 he has resided here ; from that time till 1870, he has been engaged in the lumber business ; he was elected Register of Deeds in 1870, which of- fice he has since held; in 1846, his father, David Jones, built a water mill, now owned by McDonald & Co .; they built the first steam mill on the river, now owr.ed by Jacob Spies ; this mill was built in 1850; man- nfactured about 5,000,000 feet each season.

GEO. D. KNAPP, dealer in groceries and provisions, flour, feed etc., Oconto, is a native of Jefferson Co., N. Y .; came to Buffalo, N. Y., in 1860 ; after remaining a short time returned to his native county ; July, 1863, he came to Oconto, worked in Mcclellan's mill some time ; a few years later he opened a small store on the South Side; moved to his present locality about 1874 ; he is now carrying a fine line of goods and doing a business of about $50 a day. When he came to Oconto he had but $7 00 ; this business he has built up by his own industry.

MOSES LAFFAW, engineer at Eldred & Son's mill, Oconto, has been with them since 1874. He was born in Brown County : enlisted in 1864 in Co. G, 4Ist Wis. V. I., and served eight months, until the close of the war.

LEVI LANE, billards and saloon, Oconto, born in 1849. in the city of Calais, Me,; in 1851, came with his parents to St. Clair Co., Mich., where he followed the river and lakes till 1875, when he came to Oconto ; tan this saloon three years for J. Spies ; he then bought ont the business and has run it since. Married, in 1879, to Anna Flattery. She was born in Oconto Falls. They have one son, William II.

F. W. LEE, principal of the ITigh School, Oconto, is a native of Livingston Co., N. Y He graduate 1 from Colgate Institute and at Bar- aboo in 1872; came to Oconto in 1875 ; has held the position he now fills since then. The number of scholars under his charge average from eighty to ninety, Ile ha. thre assistants.

FRANK LEROY, Mar hal of the city of Oconto, is a native of Can- ada : came to Oconto, with his uncle, in 1857. In 1880, he was elected Constable, and in 1881, was appointed, by the City Council, Marshal. Mr. Leroy has been enga ed in keeping hotel for the last three years.

CHARLES LIPPERT, O onto, proprietor of Luxemberger House, born Jan. 18. 1848, in Luxemburg ; in 1867, came to Oconto, and run a wholesale liquor store al out fourteen months; he then started this house, which he has since kept. Married, in 1871, to Mary Hertges; she was born in Luxemberg. They have three children, Joseph, Mary and Frank.

CHARLES LYNES, manufacturer of all kinds of wagons, sleighs, etc., Oconto, has the leading establishment of the kind in the city. Is a native of England, and came to Oconto in 1872. Ile established his pre ent bu iness in 1875, and employs four men.

GEORGE LYNES, lumberman, re idence First street, Oconto, is a native of England ; came to Oconto in 1857 ; was elected and served two

terms as Alderman from the East Ward. He was one of the charter members of Lodge 130, 1. O. O. F., in Oconto.

H. McDONALD, lumberman, Oconto, is a native of Canada, and came to Oconto in 1875.

W. J. McGEE, ex-Chief of the Fire Department, contractor and architect, Oconto, is a native of St. Andrews, N. B .; came to Oconto in 1867 ; served as Chief of Fire Department about five years ; elected Al- derman in 1873, and re-elected from time to time, serving eight years in all. Is a member of the School Board, on which he has served six years.

THOMAS McGOFF, Sheriff Oconto County, also proprietor of liv- ery and sale stable, and handles all kind of farm machinery. He is a native of Canada, and came to Oconto in 1864 ; was elected Sheriff of the county in the Fall of 1875, and holds the same office at the present time.

M. A. MCGINNIS, assistant teacher at the high school, Oconto, is a native of Outagamie County. He attended school at Appleton and Men- asha, and began teaching in 1872 ; came to Oconto in 1876, and been engaged in the same school'for the past four years.

A. M. MARTINEAU, City Clerk, Oconto, is a native of Sturgeon Bay, Wis. When a child he came with his parents to Oconto. His father carried on a general merchandise business here. He assisted in the store, and has always followed this business. For the last four years he has been in the employ of Holt & Balcon. He was one year agent of the Goodrich Transportation Company. Was elected City Clerk in March, 1881.

JAMES MEGAN, proprietor Travelers' Home, Oconto, is a native of Canada. Came to Oconto in 1873 and has since run this house, which he owns. Married in 1872 to Catharine Hartigan. She was born in Canada. They have five children, two sons and three daughters.

THOMAS MILLIDGE, dealer in general merchandise, Oconto, was born Jan. 24, 1828, in New Brunswick. In 1859 he came to Oconto ; worked by the month at lumbering, afterward jobbing in logs. In 1856 he opened a general merchandise store, commencing with a very small stock, now doing a business of about $20,000 a year. He has been President of the Village Board. Has been Deputy Postmaster. Agent for steamers, and member of the Board of Supervisors.

E. G. MULLEN, station agent for the N. W. Railway Company, Ocon- to, is a native of New York State, and came to the city in March, 1872. Was employed as assistant at the station up to April, 1874, when he took charge of the station and has continued in the position to the present time. He has four men to assist him in his duties.

JOHN NOONAN, Chief Engineer Oconto Company, is a native of Chicago. At the age of nineteen years he came to Oconto ; worked for Holt & Balcom at the blacksmith trade. In 1865 he returned to Chicago and worked for Coan & Tenbroeke one year. In 1866 he came again to Oconto. Since then he has been in the employ of this company. In 1860 he was placed in charge of this department, which position he has since held. In 1871 he, with Peep, Minor & Taylor, started a foundry and machine shop. He has always been connected with this business, although it has undergone many changes since then, Since the Summer of 1880 the business has been carried on by Noonan & Halbach. He was the first engineer of the fire department and served three years. Is now engineer of the Slam Fire Engine No. 2.

P. O'KEEF, M. D., Oconto, is a native of Canada and graduated at Victoria University, May, 1869; began practice at East Saginaw, Mich., remaining there five years ; returned to Canada and was in prac- tice there for one year ; in February, 1875. he came to Oconto, and has followed his profession since.

W. G. OLIVER, dentist. Oconto, graduated at the Philadelphia Den- tal College in 1861, also at New York Dewitt College in 1865. He is a native of Philadelphia. Came to Oconto in the Spring of 1873, and has been in practice since then. When the hospital train was organized, under Dr. McLean, Dr. Oliver volunteered, and was with them for a few months.

LOUIS P. PAHL, brewer, Oconto, was born Oct. 13, 1833, in Wur- temburg, Germany. May 10, 1854, came to New York City ; thence to Albany, N. Y., where he remained one year. In 1855, came to Milwau- kee, worked in Schlitz & Blatz brewery about one year ; then came to Green Bay and worked in brewery about three months; then worked for Gardner & Co., in the lumber business, about fifteen months ; then went to Chicago, where he remained a short time ; went to Two Rivers, Wis., and worked in a brewery about one year. In 1858, he came to Oconto, formed a partnership with Anton Link & Co., in the brewing business : this partnership continued five years. Since then Mr. Pahl has conducted this business alone. When he came to America he had but $2.50. He is now doing a business of $15,000 to $20,000 a year. He has been Township Supervisor, City Treasurer three terms, member of the Assembly one term and County Supervisor several terms.

E. F. PARAMORE, M. D., Oconto, is a native of Ohio, and grad- uated at Cincinnati in 1856. Commenced practice in Valparaiso, Ind., remaining until 1857, at which time he came to Oconto. Enlisted, May

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663

HISTORY OF OCONTO COUNTY.

16, 1861, in Co. H, 4th Wis. V. I., for one year. The regiment was then transferred to cavalry. He served abont three and one-half years. After his return he stopped at his former home and followed the practice of medicine about two years, and in the Fall of 1866 returned to Oconto, where he has been practicing since. At the age of seventeen, he enlisted in Co. F, Ohio Reg. U. S. V., under Col. Curtis, and served in Taylor's line in the Mexican War. Was at the battle of Buena Vista and Mon- terey, and served the term of his enlistment-cne year.

B. PERRY, proprietor of saloon, Oconto, is a native of New York State. Came to Oconto in the Spring of 1870, and was engaged in lum- bering up to 1877. when he started in his present business.

T. H. PHELPS, book-keeper for Holt & Balcom, Oconto, is a na- tive of Massachusetts. Came to Oconto in 1863. He has served as President of the School Board for a number of years, and has been in the employ of this company since his arrival.

W. H. PIIILLIPS, livery, Oconto, is a native of Huron Co., Ohio. In 1873, came to Oconto; followed lumbering and jobbing in logs, etc. In the Spring of 1873, he opened a livery ; commenced with one pair of horses. One of these horses he still owns, and is now thirty-one years old-he has owned this horse since a young colt. This livery now con- sists of twenty-two horses and twelve buggies. He owns six improved farms ; one of these farms consists of 320 acres. He also owns eight dwelling houses in Oconto : his residence, the city hotel, fonr stores, a saloon building and barber shop. When he came to Oconto he had nothing, and worked for $14 a month by the year, and has acquired all of this property by his strict attention to business.

G. T. PORTER, contractor, Second street, Oconto, is a native of Maine. Came to Oconto. October, 1857. Was elected County Super- visor and served two years, has served as Alderman of the City Council six years, also as a member of the Board of Education for two years. Enlisted in 1868, in Co. H, 39th Wis. I. V., and served till the close of the war.

G. A. PRELL, dealer in dry goods, boots, shoes, groceries, etc., Oconto, was born in Jefferson Co., Wis. Came to Oconto, May. 1875, and established his present business at that time. Was elected Alder- man from the North Ward, April, 1879, and served for three years. Is a member of the Turners' Society.

et. Pam hart

A. REINHART, County Judge, was born in Middleburg, Schoharie Co., N. Y., Nov. 8, 1825, being the son of John J. and Elizabeth Rein- hart. His father was a farmer, and he, in his youth, spent his years in

working and laying np a stock of health in the Summer, and strength- ening his mental caliber in the Winter by attending school. Thus prof- itably engaged until he reached his majority, he taught school for a short time and then, in the Spring of 1857, commenced to read law with F. W. Filkins, at Burnsville, Albany Co., N. Y. He afterwards removed to Albany, and completed his legal studies with Thomas Smith, one of the most celebrated lawyers of the State of New York. In 1859, at Albany, he was examined in open court by a full bench of eight judges, and admitted to practice in all the courts of the State. After practicing his profession one year in the East, he removed West and settled in Oconto, Wis., in April, 1860. He at once opened a law office and soon brought himself into favorable notice. He was elected several times to the office of District Attorney of Oconto County, was chosen Mayor of the city three terms, was called to the position of County Judge in 1877 and again in 1881.

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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