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 199

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 199

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REV. GEORGE VERNOR, pastor, Appleton, is a native of New York ; removed from that State in early life, and came to Wisconsin in 1858. He graduated from Racine College, class of 1862, and from Nashotah Theological Seminary, Wankesha County, in 1865. The same year he was ordained deacon, and settled over the parish of Grace Church, Union City, Mich., and the following year was ordained priest. In 1867, he returned to Wisconsin, and was for two years mis- sionary along the line of the Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad. From 1869 to 1872, he had charge of the diocesan school at Fond du Lac, the later date being that on which he assumed charge of his present parish.

WALMBOLD COMPANY, proprietors Lawrence new roller mill, Appleton, Wis., S, K. Walmbold, S. S. Shaver. The mill is located on the immense Fox River water power here, and is built upon the latest and most approved plans, having been remodeled in 1880. It is four stories high, has an unlimited water power, and a capacity of 200 barrels per day ; four run of stone, nine sets of rollers, and two extra stones for feed and rye ; has a local trade of $60,000, and a general milling busi- ness of equal account, making an annual trade of $120,000 per annum. It is, in point of capacity, quality of manufacture, and trade, second to none in the State, and the best on Fox River. Their Royal Baker " has a first class record in the State. Mr. Walmbold, the general mana- ger, is a native of Pennsylvania, and came to the State in 1846, with his people, who settled in Milwaukee ; at the age of eighteen, he began the mercantile business in Menomonee, Waukesha Co., which he conducted very successfully for twenty-two years, after which he came here and con- ducted the business of the firm of Briggs & Walmbold, sash, doors, and blinds, for two years, after which he engaged in extensive real estate transactions, which he in turn forsook for the more prospectively success- ful business of milling, which he has devoted himself to with such energy as to make it the representative business that it now is, and which stands second to none in the State. Mr. Shaver is the practical man, and con- ducts the milling operations ; he has had an experience of thirty years through the great wheat districts of Wisconsin and Minnesota, and is prepared to retain for the mill the very successful credit for good work turned out hitherto. He was the first miller to run rolls in this section of the country, and whose experience in all the different brands of flour manufactured, make him practically second to none in that department of the business in the State.

H. F. Weise, crockery, glassware and house furnishing goods, Appleton. This business was established August 1, 1880, at No. 414 College avenue, and is the only exclusive glassware and crockery house in the city.

H. F. WEISE is a native of Green Bay, Brown Co., Wis., has been for the past fifteen years engaged in the glassware and crockery trade, thir- teen years of the time as principal, beginning with the establishment of the house of Poole & Weise at Green Bay in 1868, when he was but seventeen years of age. Prior to coming to Appleton, Mr. Weise was in business at Wenona, Minn .. to which point he removed in 1876.

J. C. Weissenborn, No. 131 College avenue, Appleton, dealer in furnishing and household goods; business was es- tablished in 1881; employs five persons and the business is steadily improving.

MR. WEISSENBORN is a native of Wisconsin, born in Dane County in 1853 ; he removed with his parents to Germany in 1859; pursued his studies there until he was sixteen years of age, when he returned to Amer-

ica. He acquired some insight into business in his father's establishment -a wholesale clothing house in Germany-and for three years a clerk in a furnishing house in this State, and prior to 1880 was in business with his father-in-law at Sauk City. In 1880, he went to Milwaukee as floor- walker for the house of Rich & Silver, and in the Spring of 1881, opened a store in this city.

MATHIAS, WERNER, Treasurer Ontagamie County, Appleton. Mr. Werner was born and reared in Austria. In 1852, he came to this county and began a regular pioneer course of life, and developed by dint of pa- tient industry and hard labor a tract of land from its wild state to that of the thrifty husbandman. In 1860, he was elected County Treasurer for the term of 1861-2. In 1864, he nobly responded to his country's call for soldiers, and enlisted in the Ist Wis. C., in September ; was mustered out July, 1865, and honorably discharged. In 1866, he was elected again to the office of County Treasurer for the term of 1867-8. Mr. Werner soon after turned his attention to the development of the agricultural industry in Kansas, but after a thorough trial of it for seven years he concluded to return to his adopted county in Wisconsin, where the peo- ple attested to their appreciation of his merits by electing him as their Treasurer in 1878 for the terms of 1879-So, re-electing him again in 1880, to which honorable position we find him the present incumbent, a worthy officer and a representative pioneer and citizen.

EDWARD WEST, Appleton, was born Nov. 20,1818, and was educat- ed at Washington College in Pennsylvania, his native State. In 1836, he came to Wisconsin, settling in Milwaukee, and in the Fall of that year opened the first public school in the new Territory of Wisconsin. He con- tinued his work as teacher and land surveyor in that county for fifteen years, during which time for several years he held the office of County Surveyor. In 1849, he removed to Winnebago County, where he held the office of County Treasurer and was variously employed, farming. sur- veying, etc. In 1853, he removed to Appleton, and two years later purchased a tract of 600 acres of land on the south side of the river, in- cluding "Grand Chute Island," his property lying in the Fourth and Second wards of the city. His time and labor has been since largely expended in the improvement of this property, the development of his water power privileges and the encouragement of manufacturing indus- tries.

B. C. WOLTER, real estate agent, County Clerk of Ontagamie Co .. Appleton, Wis. Mr. Wolter was born in Mecklenburg, Germany. In 1854 he came to Wisconsin with his people, who located here, and pur- sued the vocation of farming. Mr. Wolter was educated primarily, in the common schools of his county. At the age of sixteen he entered the high school at Neenah, graduating therefrom, at the end of a year. He then took a course of civil engineering, and graduated, 1875. He then turned his attention to teaching, and engaged in the public schools of Oconto County, with which he was connected for three years, at the end of which time he returned to Appleton, to accept a position as teacher in the Third Ward school, from which he was elected to the honorable position which he now holds. Elected 1878 for the term 1879-80; re- elected 1880 for the term 1881-2.

TOWN OF GRAND CHUTE.

H. W. CARTER, Sec. 33, town of Grand Chute, proprietor Apple- ton brickyard, farmer and stock-raiser. Mr. Carter is a native of New Hampshire, and came to Wisconsin in 1857. He settled in Waupaca County, where he carried on the farming industry for nine years, after which he went to Calumet County, and carried on brick-making for nine years. He then came here, and has been actively identified with his present industry since. He is now preparing for doubling his capacity for manufacture, on account of the rapidly increasing demand for his brick. He is an active and enterprising business man, fully alive to the progress and improvements of the age.

S. FAIRBANKS, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 21, town of Grand Chute. Was born and reared in Jefferson Co., N. Y. In 1848 he came here, and located on the present section, which he developed from its wild state to that of the present. When his country called her citizens to arms, he nobly responded, and enlisted in Co. B, Ist Wis. Cav., September, 1864, and remained in her service till the end of the war, and was hon- orably discharged. In 1849 he was married to Miss Clarissa Smith, in Jefferson Co., N. Y. She was born in Otsego County. They have a family of two sons and two daughters.

TIMOTHY HEENAN, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 6, town of Grand Chute. Is a native of Ireland, Co. Tipperary. In 1849 he came to Outagamie County, and settled upon the present place, 1856, with his wife, who shared with him the many privations incident to the pioneer here. With the ambition characteristic of his countrymen he braved danger and mislortune, and succeeded in developing his land, and estab- fishing for himself a reputation as an active official ever since his arrival here, being elected latterly to his office from all sides of politics, the clerkship of his township. In 1848 he was married to Miss Mary Maroney, in the Co. Tipperary, Ireland. They have a family of one son and four daughters living, and one daughter buried in the cemetery at

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HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.

Appleton. Mr. Heenan deserves great credit as an active and efficient pioneer.

IIECTOR MCKAY, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 32, town of Grand Chute. Was born in the Co. Sutherland, Scotland. In 1831 he went to Nova Scotia, whence, after a stay of ten years, he came to the New England States. In 1850 he came to the present place, and has been actively engaged in the farming industry since. In 1852 he was married to Miss Sarah A. Murch, who was born in New York State. They have a family of three sons and two daughters, all grown to man's and woman's estate. We find Mr. Mckay a representative pioneer and citizen, devoted to the development of the agricultural industry.

PATRICK MORRISEY, Sec. 32. P. O. Appleton, town of Grand Chute, farmer and stock-raiser. Mr. Morrisey was born and raised in the Co. Waterford, Ireland. In 1849, and at the age of twenty-three he came to Massachusetts, when, after a stay of six years, he came to Wisconsin and settled on the present place, and began a pioneer course of life which he successfully carried through, in the meantime taking an active part in the municipal affairs of his locality. In 1857 he was married to Miss Margaret Landers, in Massachusetts ; she was born in Waterford Co., Ireland. They have a family of three sons and three daughters, all grown to man's and woman's estate. They are-Pat- rick, educated to the priesthood and now in the diocese of St. Louis, Mo., John, studying in St. Francis, Milwaukee, Thomas, who stays on the farm, Eilen, a Sister of Mercy in the St. Agnes Convent, Fond du Lac; Margaret, who is at home and Johanna at school at Appleton.

ALEX ROSS, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 29, town of Grand Chute, a native of Scotland. At the age of twenty-two he came to Nova Scotia, and engaged at the business of ship carpenter, which he followed for six years, he then went to Boston, and after pursuing his trade there for a few years he came to Wisconsin in 1848, and took up a Government claim on the present place, which he has prosecuted since, it being the first one on this road. In 1 60 he was married to Miss Ruth F. Rodgers, who was born in Nova Scotia, and who passed away this life in 1873, aged thirty- seven. He has one child, Edward, who is at present attending school. We find Mr Ross one of the most active and enterprising pioneer farm- ers here.

WILLIAM VERITY, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 16, town of Grand Chute, is a native of Yorkshire, Eng., but was reared and edu- cated in Clark Co., Ohio. In 1849 he came to the present place and began a pioneer farming life which he has very sucessfully conducted since. In 1856 he was married to Miss Lucy A. Bronson, who was born in Ohio. They have a family of three sons and three daughters, and have buried three of the family in the cemetery at Appleton.

WILLIAM VAUGHAN, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 18, town of Grand Chute. Born in Co. Tipperary, Ireland, and came to Wisconsin in 1852, having previously lived in the Eastern States for some few years. He came here and engaged with the Fox River Improvement Co., from which he was engaged in the employ of the Government, and from that to the lumbering business, which he followed until 1858, when he came to the present place where he has been actively identified since. In 1859 he was married to Miss Margaret Cox, who was born in Co. Clare, Ireland. They have a family of three sons and three daughters.

KAUKAUNA AND LEDYARD.

Although comparatively undeveloped, the natural water-power at the settlements, Kaukauna and Ledyard is as great as that at Appleton. They are situated in the southeastern part of the county, on the Fox River, six miles below Appleton. The Kaukauna Water-power Com- pany, a creature-and a most useful one-of the Milwau- kee, Lake Shore & Western Railroad, have accomplished most of the improvements made within the few past years. In 1880-'81, a canal 2,400 feet in length, was constructed under the general supervision of H. G. H. Reed, president of the Railroad Company, and superintendent of the Water- power Company, from plans prepared by James M. Barker, of Appleton, who has had direct control of the work. It has been most successfully accomplished, the canal having an average width of ninety feet. The channel taps the river above the Government dam, built upon the site of the old one about five years ago, the average head of water being eighteen feet. A tail-race has also been constructed to carry off the water fron the factories which will be

erected on the fine sites, now thrown upon the market Water was let into the canal in July, 1881. Islands, Nos. 3 and 4, are joined by an substantial stone dam, constructed by Messrs. Edwards and Meade, in 1880, the former having charge of the improvement, which is a great addition to the water-power of Kaukauna. Across the river from Kau- kauna, where the improvements by the Water-power Com- pany have been carried on, a new town or village has been platted, and lots are being rapidly taken by actual settlers. Quite an imposing cluster of buildings are springing up, and when the two settlements combine into a village or a city, there will not be a more flourishing corporation in Outagamie County, outside of Appleton. The population of the two places is already estimated to be in the neighbor- hood of 1,000, and growing daily. Such firms as G. W. Spaulding & Co., stave factory; Col. Frambach, Stovekin paper and pulp mills, and Eagle flouring mills; Hewitt Bros. saw-mill; Reuter Bros., hubs and spokes; Oscar Byrns, flour-mill; A. W. Priest, Kaukauna planing and shingle-mills, have already made the Kaukauna side of the river hum with industry. Here, a bank was established by the Hewitt Bros., in 1880, but sold out the next year, to the Reuter Bros., Alexander and Peter. Kaukauna has also a bright local paper, the Times. It was established in September, 1880, by Messrs. Hopkins and Yates. Upon the death of the former, the latter disposed of his interest, to H. A. Stone, in the Spring of 1881. It was first issued by its present editor and proprietor, Mr. Stone, in June of that year. There are Catholic, Lutheran and Congre- gational churches in Kaukauna ; a district school of two departments ; a live Odd Fellow's lodge, and an organ- ization of Good Templars. Its railroad facilities are by way of the Chicago & Northwestern, the depot of which Company is on the Kaukauna side, and the Milwaukee, Lake Shore & Western, whose tracks and depot are on the Ledyard side. In speaking of the latter village, the fact must not be omitted that a pulp-mill, the establishment of George Kelso, was put in operation, in July, 1881. Well informed business men estimate that the annual product of the manufactories of Kaukauna and vicinity will not fall short of $800,000.

D. J. BROTHERS, fire insurance, real estate and collection agen- cy, and general conveyanancing, Kaukauna. Mr. Brothers was born in Gananoque, Canada, but was reared and educated in New York State. In 1851 he came to Milwaukee and lived in the State till 1856, when he returned to New York till 1861, when he came back to Wis- consin. In 1862, Ang. 15, he enlisted in Co. I, 32d W. V. I., and after an active service was discharged June 25, 1865, after serving as first lieutenant for the last two years and four months, also acting as assis- tant chief commissary of the 17th Army Corps. After his war services he turned his attention to his business of cooperage, and was promi- nently official in many minor offices in his locality. In 1867 he was elected the Cour ty Superintendent of Schools, for his county, and filled the office until 1871. He then entered upon the mercantile business, which he carried on until his appointment as Inspector of the Fox and Wisconsin River improvement, under Cols. Martin and Kidder, govern- ment engineers, which he held for three years, after which he engaged in his present business, which he has successfully followed since.

H. A. FRAMBACH, paper and pulp manufacturer, Kaukauna. Mr. Frambach is a native of Syracuse, N. Y., and came to Wisconsin about 1847, with his people, who settled in Racine. In 1861, at the age of twenty-two, he enlisted in Co. G, 61st I. V. I., and was actively engaged in it till the battle of Shiloh, when he was detailed as scout under the command of Gen. Brayman, until 1863; he was then de-

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HISTORY OF OUTAGAMIE COUNTY.

tailed to act in Central Illinois, under Gen. Otis. After a six months service, he was ordered under Gen. Steele, in Arkansas, with whom he remained till 1864, after which he served under Gen. Thom- as in Nashville, Tenn., with whom he remained till the end of the war. Was honorably discharged as lieutenant colonel, having entered the ranks as private. After his valuable war services, he turned his atten- tion to the mercantile business, which he very successlully carried through, closing his interest in that line a short time since. In 1873 he was prevailed upon by Mr. John Stovekin ( his brother ) to engage in the manufacturing business here, which he has very success- fully conducted since. In 1877 he organized the Menasha Paper Pulp Company, which has been a successful addition to the manufactueing industries of Menasha, severing his financial interest there in 1880. On the 25th of August, 1881, he lost the valuable flour and pulp mill here by fire, but with his usual energy he made preparation for the rebuild- ing of a new mill before the smoke had cleared away from the old one. The new mill is adapted for the manufacture of pulp and paper exclu- sively, and is being built upon the newest and most approved plans, containing one 68-inch double-cylinder, machine, six beating engines, one Jordan engine, two pulp machines, and a capacity of eighteen tons of pulp a week. He is the vice-president of the extensive Union Pulp Menufacturing Company, lately established here-H. J. Rodgers, of Ap- pleton, president ; A. F. Frambach, vice-president and managing direc- tor ; and William Van Nothwick, of Batavia, Ill., secretary and treas- urer. Capacity, twelve tons of pulp a day ; twelve pulp machines, two wet machines, and two Jordan engines. These pulp machines are the inventions of Col. Frambach, who has very successfully utilized them in that industry here.

JOHN STOVEKIN came here in 1865, and has been prom- inent in manufacturing enterprises of Kaukauna. He built the large flouring mill here, which was lately destroyed, and was also interested in the saw-milling business. For ten years previous to his arrival here, he carried on flour and feed business in Milwaukee, and had also been prominently connected in the milling business there. Although lately suffering from unforeseen disasters, he is still as active and devoted as ever to the furtherance of the industries of this thrifty Kaukauna.

W. H. GRAY, general merchandise, drugs, groceries, boots and shoes, Kaukauna. Mr. Gray was born in Green Bay, his people being among the pioneers of that place. He entered the mercantile business in 1864. as clerk. In 1874 he opened a business for himself, which he conducted in Ft. Howard and DePere, alternately, for six years. 1880, he removed his business here, and is among the pioneer business men of this smart little Kaukauna.

GEELE & THAMER, paper pulp and paper manufacturers, Led- yard, Wis. This is the first active establishment on the new water power here, established 1880. Their capacity equals three tons of dry pulp a day. Mr. Geele is an American, and is connected with the exten- sive wholesale and retail hardware business in Sheboygan, Wis. Mr. Thamer is also an American, born in Sheboygan, his people having come from Germany about 1849. In 1880 he sold his interest in the agricultural business in Sheboygan, and, together with Mr. Geele, started the present business. They are an enterprising and go-ahead firm.

HENRY & CHARLESWORTH, druggists, etc., Ledyard, Wis. This enterprising firm established the present business here in May. 1881, having also an establishment of the same kind in Omro, Wis. Mr, Henry is a native American, and joined Mr. C., 1879. Mr. Charles- worth was born in Omro, Wis., 1858. In 1874 he engaged in the furni- ture business with his brother, in Omro, but subsequently sold it, and engaged with Mr. H., 1879, in Omro, Wis.

G. F. KELSO, proprietor pulp mill, Kaukauna. Mr. Kelso is a native Wisconsin man, his people having removed here from New York State about 1846. Mr. Kelso established this industry here in 1880. The present capacity of manufacture is about fourteen tons of dry pulp a day, but he proposes to enlarge it, so as to increase the pulp manufacture and add to it that of paper.

GEO. W. LAWE. Postmaster Kaukauna. The subject of our sketch was born in Green Bay, 1810, his father having come to that place in the employ of the LIudson Bay Fur Company, about 1794, and in 1818 en- gaged with the American Fur Company. After taking a business course in the Lawville Academy, N. Y., he came to Kaukauna, and began trading with the Indians, having been practically educated to it. Ilis ability in this direction attracted the attention of President W. H. Harrison, who appointed him Indian Agent here in 1843 to 1845, and was again appointed to the position by President Fillmore, 1851, and served until 1854. After prospecting through the country for three years, he returned, 1857, and took charge of the C. & N. W. R. R. depot here, until 1863, when he entered the mercantile business, which he has conducted since. In the meantime he was appointed Postmaster, 1876, of which he is the present incumbent. He has also been active in the municipal offices, and is at present Justice of the Peace, which office he has held for the last fifteen years.

AUGUSTUS PHILLIPS, Free Will Baptist minister, farmer and stock-raiser, Wrightstown (Brown Co.) P. O. The subject of our sketch was born in the town of Marcellus, N. Y. At the age of eleven he went to Ohio, where he remained eight years, when he returned to New York, remaining a short time; after which he went to Rhode Island, and so- journed there for about eight years, following the business of a woolen goods manufacturer. In 1851 he removed to Wisconsin, and settled on his present fine place of 160 acres. He is a progre-sive farmer, possess- ing all implements and machinery of any practical use in this vocation. He is also owner of 160 acres of timber land. About the year 1866 he was ordained a minister of the gospel, and besides sowing the seeds of the earth, has labored zealously, ever since, in scattering the seed of the Word round about him. He has a congregation of seventy at Wrights- town, and another of fifty at Greenleaf. These churches were organized under the labors of the Elder, and he has ever since been their pastor. He is well known in the surrounding country, and held in high esteem. Mr. Phillips is entitled to mention as one of the early settlers of Northern Wisconsin, and one identified with its development In 1846 he was married to Miss Minerva A. Greene. They reared a family of eight children-six sons and two daughters-seven of whom are living. and one daughter being dead and buried in the town of Kaukauna. All the children were born in Wisconsin, except the eldest. who was born in Providence, R. I. Mrs. Phillips is a zealous Christian woman, sharing in the labors of her husband.

REUTER BROS., general banking, insurance, etc., Kaukauna. The firm consists of A. L. and Peter, two brothers, who came to Wisconsin from Germany in 1847, with their people, who settled in Milwaukee, and where they were reared and educated, A. L. learning the blacksmith- ing, and Peter the carpentering business. After following their respect- ive trades until 1865, they came to Appleton, and engaged as workmen at the manufacturing business they now so ably represent. In March, 1869, they came here and established the spoke and hub manufacture on a small scale; but have since so enlarged upon it, as now to give employment to thirty-five practical workmen, and do an annual business in this industry of $40,000. But their business thrift does not stop here. On the Ist of July, 1881, they bought out the banking business estab- lished here by the Hewitt Bros. & Norton, and added that of insurance to it, which now consists of general banking, insurance, and steamship passage agency. Their business in the manufacturing industry is well established, and the extra quality of their goods is well known. Their banking industry is comparatively new, but the rapidly increasing growth of Kaukauna induces them to believe that it will soon assume proportions equal to that of their more lusty neighbors on the Fox River.

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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