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 197

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 197

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A. S. GALP'IN is a native of Waukesha County, and was bred to business in the hardware house of his father.

H. GALPIN came to Wisconsin in his infancy, is a printer by trade, served three years in the 21th Wis. I., and stuck to his stick until 1877, when he became a member of the firm of Alfred Galpin's Sons.

680

HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.

Morgan & Bassett, foundry and machine shop, on Grand Chute Island. This business was established in 1856, by C. Ketchum, and was at that time the only manufactory on the island. Ten years later, Mr. Morgan became interested in the business, and in 1879 the present partnership was es- tablished. Their shop is 30x90 feet, two stories and base- ment, with a foundry 30x60. They employ a force of twen- ty-five hands; are engaged in general mill machinery, foundry work and repairs, and give special attention to the manufacture of water wheels, both Monitor and Turbine patterns.

J. G. MORGAN is a native of Vermont ; followed cabinet making until he was twenty-one years of age, when he removed to New York, and was engaged in his present business, practical pattern maker, until 1866, when he came to Wisconsin, settled in this city, and became a member of the firm of which he is now the senior partner.

The Champion Horse Nail Company, the only manufac- tory of the kind in Wisconsin, was organized January 25, 1878, as a joint stock company, with a paid up capital of $50,000. The present officers are : S. M. Door, Rutland, Vt., president ; W. H. Steele, secretary and treasurer; E. F. Decker, superintendent; William R. Door, general agent. Their manufactory is in the Fourth Ward, south end of middle bridge, and consists exclusively in the manu- facture of horse nails, the raw material for which is import- ed direct from Norway. Their manufactory is 80x40 feet, with two wings, each 28x40 feet. The manufacture is by patent machines, patents upon which are owned and con- trolled by the company. Manufactured product is from 100 to 150 tons annually, and is put up in twenty-five pound packages, chiefly for the Western trade. The works give employment to a force of twenty hands, and three traveling salesmen are constantly upon the road. The gentlemen conducting this business are from New York and the New England States, but some of them have been doing business in the West for the past eighteen or twenty years.

Appleton Woolen Mills, successors to Hutchinson & Co., established in 1858, by J. W. Hutchinson, on the site of the present manufactory. The original establishment was burned out in 1862, rebuilt the same year, and, with some changes in its management, continued business until 1871, when it was sold out. The new firm conducted oper- ations two years and closed business. In 1875 W. W. Hutchinson, son of the original founder of the mills, pur- chased the property, and, in connection with J. T. Har- wood, who became his partner the following year, operated the mills until June 17, 1881, when they were destroyed by fire. This manufactory was situated on Grand Chute Is- land, just below the bridge, and consisted of a main build- ing 24x65 feet, two and one-half stories, and a wing 25x60 feet, two stories high. It gave employment to a force of 118 hands; the sales for the year aggregated $204,000. Their total loss was $65,000; net loss over insurance $39,000. June 30, thirteen days after the fire, a joint stock company was organized to rebuild the manufactory and continue op- erations, which, it is expected, will be resumed about the beginning of the year 1882. The capital stock of the new company is $75,000, and its officers are A. P. Harwood,

president ; C. A. Beveridge, vice-president; W. W. Hutch- inson, secretary and treasurer; J. F. Harwood, manager. Ground was broken for the new building Aug. 1, 1881, which will be 54x100 feet, with a wing 40x40 feet, the whole two stories and a basement. It is intended to give employ- ment to the same number of operatives as the late estab- lishment, but business will be the manufacture of yarns ex- clusively.

W. W. HUTCHINSON is a native of Nova Scotia, and came from that province direct to Appleton with his father's family, in 1858, the same year that the first manufactory was built. Young Hutchinson was educaled in this city, and at eighteen years of age commenced business as a jeweler and bookseller, which he followed until 1873, and sold out. Two years later he began operations as a woolen mrnufacturer.

J. F. HARWOOD is a native of New York. Came to this State in 1874, settling at Ripon, and was with the packing company of that city until coming to Appleton in 1876, since which time he has been identi- fied with woolen manufacturing in this city.

Riverside Mills, M. T. Boult, manager, was erected by Mr. Boult in 1879, on the north side of the river, at the end of the Second Ward bridge, and draws its water from the middle level. The premises are fifty-five feet deep and ex- tend along the street over the bridge to the middle of the river, a total frontage of about 700 feet, and are well pro- vided with shipping facilities, being crossed by the tracks of the Chicago & Northwestern and the Wisconsin Central railways. The mill is a brick structure 40x60, four stories in height, provided with modern machinery, does both cus- tom and merchant work, gives employment to six hands, and has a capacity of 200 barrels daily, the average product being about 150 barrels.

M. T. BOULT is a native of New York, from which State he re- moved to Michigan in 1857. He resided for several years in Battle Creek, in that State, where he was engaged in the manufactory of all kinds of wood working machinery. He is the patentee of Boult's carver, mould- er and paneler, a most ingenious machine for carving, sinking panels in solid wood, dove tailing, working mouldings and ornaments of vari- ous kinds, to which several uses it is easily and rapidly adjusted. Mr. Boult came to this city May 14, 1879. broke ground for his mill five days later, and completed it the following November.

Wambold, Hanert & Co., millers, mill on Second Ward water power, just above middle bridge, known as Lawrence Flour Mill. This business was established in 1860, at which time the "old stone mill," 36x36 feet, four stories high, was built by Charles Morey, by whom it was operated until 1875, when it came into the possession of Hanert & Wayland. During their possession a brick addition, 36x36 feet, four stories in height, was made. In November, 1879, Wayland's interest was bought out by S. K. Wambold, who took charge of operations, and in the following year the mill was remod- eled as a roller mill at an expense of $10,000, and now does both merchant and custom business. It has a daily capac- ity of 225 barrels, and its actual product averages 150 bar- rels. The operations of the firm give employment to a force of nine men and one dray. Shipments are principally to New York, by rail, the tracks of the Chicago & North- western and the Wisconsin Central railroads, running on either side of the mill, affording special facilities for receiv- ing and discharging freight. The present members of the firm are S. K. Wambold, Jacob Hanert, Sr., and S. S. Shaver.

S. K. WAMBOLD is a native of Pennsylvania, from which State he came to Milwaukee in 1846, and settled in that county, where he was en-

681

HISTORY OF OUTAGAMIE COUNTY.

gaged in the mercantile business for nineteen years prior to his coming to this city in 1874. In January of that year he purchased a half interest in the sash, door and blind manufactory of A. B. Briggs, which he retained un- til 1877. when he sold out to B. Beveredge, Jr. Mr. Wambold repre- sented the Second Ward in the City Council for two years, is treasurer of the Appleton Gas Company, and a trustee and treasurer of Appleton University.

L. A. Pfeifer & Co., tanners and curriers, business estab- lished in 1877 as a branch of their Chicago house, organized in 1865. Their manufactory here is on Fourth Ward flat, and water is drawn from canal or middle level. Their op- erations are exclusively tanning, all finishing being done in Chicago. Their force here is twelve men, and their vats forty-two in number, from which they turn out 300 hides a week. E. Mundt is resident partner and manager.

Appleton Boot and Shoe Company, a joint stock com- pany, was organized January 1, 1881, with a capital stock of $20,000, by H. J. Rogers, J. V. Buck, B. T. Rogers, G. F. Steele and O. P. Conklin. The manufactory is in the upper story of the Champion Nail Factory building, but preparations are being made for building and enlarging op- erations, the first six months' business having demonstrated the insufficiency of their present quarters for the demands of trade. Their present force is from forty to fifty hands, and their product about forty-five cases a week of men's, boys' and youths' hand-made kip, calf and stogas, which are marketed in Chicago.

O. P. CONKLIN. business manager and superintendent of the manufactory, is from Worcester, Mass., where he was for many years engaged in boot and shoe manufacturing previous to his coming to Ap- pleton in 1880, his practical acquaintance with the business extending over a period of twenty-five years.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

C. G. Adkins, dealer in general merchandise, corner College avenue and Morrison street, Appleton. This busi- ness was established by the proprietor, in 1853, in the same block, but a little westward of the present location, to which, after some changes, it was removed about twelve years since. The store has a frontage of twenty-two feet on College avenue and runs through to Market street in the rear, a depth of 120 feet, and the business occupies a force of four hands.

MR. ADKINS is a native of New York, and was engaged in mer- cantile business in Oneida County previous to coming to this city in 1853. Upon the organization of the Manufacturer's National Bank, in 1871, Mr. Adkins became its president, a position he still holds. He is a member of the Board of Trustees of Lawrence University, is second vice-president of that institution, and was for several years its treasurer. His is the oldest house now doing business on the street.

REV. J. B. ANDREWS, pastor, Appleton, is a native of Lemont, Pa. His education was received at Boalsburg High School, Tuscarora Academy and Lafayette College, from which he graduated in the class of 1872. His theological studies were pursued at the Presbyterian Tlie- ological Seminary of the Northwest at Chicago, from which he graduated in 1875. His studies, however, were intermitted during the late war. Leaving Boalsburg in 1862, he enlisted in the 148th Regt. Pa. I .; re- mained in the service three years, and was mustered out at Harrisburg. During this time, he was eight months on detached service with the med- ical department and saw constant service and some severe fighting with Hancock's corps until the battle of Gettysburg, where his left side was paralyzed with a shot, from which he still suffers. After his ordination, Mr. Andrews spent a short time with the Presbyterian Church at Oswe- go, then accepted the pastorate of the church at Columbus, from which, after two years' acceptable service, he was sent to Appleton bv the Win- nebago Presbytery as a missionary to organize and build up a Presbyte- rian Church in this city. In this work he has been pre-eminently suc- cessful, having built a beautiful structure, costing $20,000, now about free from debt, gathered a good congregation, a church numbering 100 members, and a Sunday-school of 175 scholars.

D. B. Bailey, hardware, groceries and crockery, Apple- ton. This business was established in 1867 as a grocery and crockery house, to which the hardware department was added in 1874. The firm occupy a basement, 40 x 100 feet, for goods and packing operations, a salesroom, 20 X 100 feet, and a store-room, 70 x 20 feet, on the floor above. This is the oldest grocery house now doing business on the street, and its operations employ eleven men and two de- livery teams.

D. B. BAILEY, the head of the firm, is a native of Ohio ; received his education at Grand River Institute ; read law in Hon. Benjamin Wade's office, and was admitted to the Bar in 1860. Came to Wiscon- sin the following year, intending to practice law, but engaged in teach- ing ; removed to Appleton in 1863, ceased teaching in 1865. and two years later embarked in trade, in which he has been most successful.

Bailey & Wright, grocers, College avenue, west of Dur- kee street, Appleton. This business was established only last year by two young men, natives of Wisconsin, and theirs now ranks as the second house of the kind in the city. The members of the firm are G. E. Bailey and F. E. Wright.

G. E. BAILEV is a native of Waukesha Co., Wis., and was there engaged in farming until his removal to this city in 1879. where, pre- vious to engaging in trade on his own account, he was with the grocery house of D. B. Bailey.

F. E. WRIGHT was born in this city ; received his education here, and after a special course in book keeping, was two years with the gro- cery house of D. B. Bailey, and then joined his fellow clerk 1 , the busi- ness they have so successfully established.

LOUIS BUONINI. meat market, 608 College avenue. Appleton. Mr. Buonini is a native of Italy, and came to this State in 1855. He began the lumbering and milling business, which he carried on actively for sixteen years, after which he turned his attention to his present busi- ness, which he has very successfully conducted since. In 1864, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Hartung, who was born in Germany. They have a family of two sons and three daughters. We find Mr. Buonini an active and enterprising business man and citizen.

JOHN B. CAREY, proprietor Forest City House, corner Col. av- enue and Drew street, Appleton. The subject of our sketch was born, reared and educated in the province of New Brunswick. At the age of sixteen, and on the first day of January, 1850. he came here and located. and has been actively identified with the public and private interests of the State since, as a citizen, soldier and business man. For the first few years after his arrival, he was engaged in the livery business, which he abandoned in time for the more prospectively successful business of lum- bering and milling, which he followed for the space of twenty years. He then turned his attention to mercantile enterprises, with which he was connected for seven years, closing his connection in that line in the Fall of 1880. In the meantime, he prosecuted an extensive deal in real estate transactions, during which time he purchased a large farm, which industry he has been connected with for several years, and was pr cti- cally engaged with it this year. In 1863, he enlisted for a term of three years in the service of his country, Co. G, 3d Wis. C., but after an active service of two years, he was mustered out and honorably discharged. He had, in 1858, seen service for the same length of time in the United States service in Utah. In 1862, Nov. 14. he was married to Miss Anna E. Harris, who was born in Herefordshire, England. They have a fam- ily of one son and daughter, Orrin Benton and May I .. We find Mr. Carey a representative pioneer and citizen, fully devoted to the im- provement and development of the many different industries of the State as a citizen, and active and efficient as a soldier.

Collins & Pierce, attorneys at law, Appleton - A. L. Collins and H. Pierce. Partnership established in 1874.

A. L. COLLINS is a native of New York, from which State he re- moved to Ohio in an early day ; received an academic training, read law in the office of Hon. J. W. Allen, of Cleveland, was admitted to the Bar at term of Court held in Washington County, same State, in 1835. and practiced there until 1842, when he came to Wisconsin and settled in Madison. In 1854, he was elected Circuit Judge for the Ninth Judi- cial District of this State, which he resigned in 1858. on account of ill health, and temporarily retiring from practice, settled on a farm near Neenah. Three years later, he visited the Pacific coast, remaining three years and a half, when, finding his health materially improved, returned to Wisconsin. In 1868, removed to Chicago, but the duties of his pro-

682

HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.

fession in that city were too exhaustive, and in 1870 he returned to his farm from which, in 1875. he removed to this city and resumed his law practice. Mr. Collins was prominently identified with the early politi- cal history of the State and Territory of Wisconsin. 1Ie was a member of the Territorial Congress, sessions of 1846-47-48, until the State was admitted to the Union. Ile is a brother-in-law of Gen. Doty, so well known the earlier history of Wisconsin, and until the organization of the Republican party, was an ardent Whig. He was the nominee of that party for Congress in 1848 ; its candidate for Governor in 1849; a mem- her of the National Whig Convention in 1852, in which he supported Daniel Webster for President, and also chairman of the State Executive Committee, and the candidate of his party for United States Senator.

COL. THEODORE CONKEY, deceased. Was born at Canton, St. Lawrence Co .. N. Y .. Dec. 11, 1818. His father, Asa Conkey, served his country honorably as a soldier in the second war with England, and was a man of marked strength of character. The first twenty years of Col. Conkey's life was spent upon the old farm near Canton. He enjoyed all the privileges which the common schools of that day afforded, and afterward concluded his studies at the academy of Cazenovia. In 1841, he moved to Wiscon- sin, locating in Fond du Lac, where there were but four or five white families then living. During the succeeding three years, he taught school in Madison. About 1845. he engaged in the Government Survey, with Gen. A. G. Ellis. Large portions of the territory comprising Northern Wisconsin, reaching as far north as Lake Superior, and from Lake Michi- gan to the Mississippi, were surveyed for the first time by them. In 1849, Col. Conkey settled in Appleton, and acquired that year considerable property interest, in company with Ilon. Morgan L. Martin and A. B. Bowen, upon the site which the city of Appleton now occupies-includ- ing real estate and water-power franchises. This was the execution of a plan previously formulated. Upon his first and subsequent visits to this section, he recognized the physical features and natural advantages here favorable to the upbuilding of a prosperous city. During the succeeding thirty-one years he was prominently identified with the growth and de- velopment of Appleton. Any and every legitimate enterprise promising such a result has always received his hearty encouragement. He was re- garded by his fellow-citizens as a man of mature thought, excellent and correct judgment, and his council was always sought and highly valued. Col. Conkey was one of the incorporators of the Fox & Wisconsin Im- provement Company, and his enlistment in this important enterprise was regarded as a most fortuitous event for the Fox River Valley. He fully comprehended the importance of this route, and to what extent its im- provement involved the development of the then latent resources of this region. He was an active member of the company, and superintended its most valuable work. The improvement of the water-route, connect- ing the lakes with the Mississippi, always had in him a staunch advocate. At the breaking out of the Rebellion, Col. Conkey tendered his services to the Government. He raised a company, and joined the 3d Wis. V. C., in January, 1862. His regiment was assigned arduous duty in Southern Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, and upon the plains, and continued in ac- tive service until the October following the close of the war. As a sol- dier, Col. Conkey was faithful and valorous. As an officer, his rare exe- cutive ability was well known He had the full confidence of his super- iors, and was frequently entrusted with important commands above his rank. He was courageous, but prudent, aggressive, but deliberate and reliable, and though a strict disciplinarian, was always considerate of his men. During his term of service, he was promoted to lieutenant-colonel of his regiment. Within a few months after his retirement from the army, he was tendered a colonel's commission in the regular army. He had a taste for military life, and had not duty to those whom he loved, dictated otherwise, he would have accepted. He had served his country honorably and efficiently in its great distress, and now felt at liberty to enjoy peaceful vocations. Upon his return home, he engaged in the mill- ing business, and until a year before his death, conducted one of the largest establishments in the State. lle was a representative man of this important industry-having been several times elected vice-president of the State Millers' Association. Col. Conkey was frequently honored by his fellow-citizens with positions of importance and responsibility. He served several terms in the County Board and Common Council. In 1851, he was elected to the State Senate, and in 1856, to the General As- sembly. In all of these positions he acquitted himself with credit, and reflected honor upon those whom he represented. Had he been a man of more ambition, he might have advanced in greater political prefer- ment, to which his abilities so well entitled him. In politics, Col. Conkey was a Democrat, but the party lash had no terrors for him. He always reserved the right to critici-e the defects, as well as to approve of the merits of any policy which his party enunciated. A friend, writing of his death, says : "Like all characters having hroad dimensions, Col. Conkey's was difficult to comprehend. But to those who had come to know him, his peculiar traits appeared as pickets thrown ont to guard the entrance to the finer chambers of his nature. And such as passed this sentry line in safety, found a magnificent and regal soul, full of noble thoughts, good impulses, honorable promptings and kindly sympathies. The rank of those seeking admission was never considered. The poor and lowly were quite as likely to find favor as those of more exalted sta-

tion. And many of those who were the recipients of his quiet benefac- tions and unostentatious charity still live to cherish the memory of the departed. But numerous as were his virtues, the greatest of these was his tender attachment to his family and his home. These to him were the sacred things of earth. To his own fireside he always brought an unruffled brow, a cheerful smile and a jolly heart. Happiness reigned in his presence and abided until his return. His charity was broad and his sympathies ever keen and active for those whom he loved. His great heart was the willing receptacle of confidences attired in joy or draped in sorrow. His boundless resources were ever responsive to the demands for condolence as well as congratulation. Like the stalwart oak of the forest to which the ivy clings for succor and support, so this strong man gave strength, security and comfort to others through the delicate ten- drils of human affection." Col. Conkey was united in marriage to Miss Cynthia Foote, of Canton, N. Y., June 23, 1848. They have had four children, one dying in infancy, and three of whom, with their mother, still survive, one son and two daughters.

Conkey & Briggs, insurance agents, No. 119 College avenue, Appleton. (Partnership established in 1872.) This firm represents an aggregate protection of $60,000,000 fire insurance, $25,000,000 marine, $1,000,000 life, and accidents nominal. Members of the firm are, A. H. Conkey, F. W. Briggs.

A. H. CONKEY, City Superintendent of Schools. Is a native of New York, received his classical education at Hamilton, in his native State, and went South in 1847, to engage in teaching. The following year he went into Mississippi, and in 1852 organized the Chickasaw Female College, under the care of Chickasaw Presbytery, and conducted it until 1867, during which time, under the blessing of Providence, he had seen it increase from a small school of fifteen members, to a large boarding school, with 125 pupils, and employing from ten to twelve teachers. Impoverished by the war, he abandoned that enterprise, to which he had given all his means and so many of the best years of his life, and after two years with the Okoloma Female College, came North and settled in Appleton. In 1870, in company with T. W. Briggs, he opened an insurance business in this office ; was soon after elected City Superintendent of Schools, which office he bas held by successive re- elections from 1871 until the present. Mr. Conkey is one of the active members of the Presbyterian Church of this city, and was chairman of the building committee during the erection of the new church, of which the city is justly proud.

F. W. BRIGGS is a native of New York, from which State he came to Appleton in 1853. and three years later commenced life as a clerk. which business he followed until 1865; then engaged in mercantile husi- ness, to which. in 1867, he added insurance, and so continued until 1870, since which time he has been engaged in insurance business exclusively.

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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