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 200

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 200

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SEYMOUR.

Ex-Governor Seymour, of New York, who was originally one of the largest landholders of the town and the settle- ment, gave both their name. The first settlers upon what became the site of the city, were Willis Munger and F. Muehl, about twelve years ago. Soon after the first general store had been built by David Dix, ten years ago, the place commenced to grow, and at the time of the destructive fire, September 23, 1880, was in quite a prosperous condition. The chief business houses on the main street were swept away, but the citizens soon set about to repair the damage, and it was not long before the city resumed its former stand- ing. Much of the hard wood and pine timber which makes Seymour a manufacturing city, has been cleared away. Such companies, however, as the Northwestern Furniture Co., of Fort Atkinson, the Northwestern Manufacturing Co., Zirkle & Sons, Laird & Co., C. D. Wells, etc , are doing a thriving business. The place has a number of good general stores, and those which devote themselves to particular lines. Its business amounts to half a million dollars an- nually. Luckily, however, for the future of Seymour, its people will not have to depend upon the product of the forest for prosperity, as it is situated in the midst of a good farming country, which must, when more improved, bring into its coffers much trade and consequent business life.

Seymour was incorporated as a city, under the private and local laws of the State, chapter 241, March 5, 1879, and

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HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN

has a population of 900. It is situated in the southern part of the town by that name, on the line of the Green Bay, Winona & St. Paul Railroad. It has a number of churches, and a good district school.

OTTO BREIIMER, proprietor and owner of Seymour House, Sey- mour. Mr. Brehmer is a native of Germany, and came to this country in 1867, at the age of nineteen. He followed the trade of mason, in all its branches, to which he had been educated in Germany. He finally built the present commodious hotel in 1872, and has very successfully conducted it since. He has also a large stable for the accommodation of horses. The traveling public will find it to their interest to give him a call ; reasonable terms and strict attention to business.

LOUIS CONKLIN, farming, stock-raising and dairying, Sec. 8, town of Seymour. Mr. Conklin was born in Oswego County, N. Y. In 1849, he came to Wisconsin, and settled in Dodge County and pursued the vocation of farming. In 1861, he enlisted in the 7th Wis. L. A., and after an active service, in which he was wounded and confined to the hospital, he was honorably discharged, April, 1863 .. After his effi- cient services in the war, he turned his attention to farming, and came to Outagamie County, where he cleared and brought into cultivation the present beautiful farm upon which we find him engaged. In 1863, he was married to Miss B. M. Knowlton, who was born in Erie County, N. Y. Mr. Conklin is at present the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors of his township, which office he has held for the last three terms. He is also Justice of the Peace. He is an active and efficient soldier and citizen, an able official, and a representative pioneer.

FRED REX, merchant, Seymour. Was born in Casco, Kewaunee Co., in 1856. His people being in meager circumstances, be was obliged, when quite young, to depend on himself for support. He came to Seymour in 1873, and clerked for T. H. Mitchell & Son five years. In 1878, he started in business for himself. He is a dealer in books, groceries, crockery and Yankee notions. He also has charge of the circulating library at Seymour. Previous to going to Seymour, he worked three years in a pail factory. He was also messenger boy two years for a wooden-ware manufacturing company.

HORTONVILLE.

The settlement of Hortonville dates back into the year 1848, when Appleton itself was born. It was at this date that A. E. Whorton, a pioneer from Southern New York located in the vicinity and built the saw-mill, which is still standing, though it has fallen into disuse. He was the founder of the place. He subsequently-at a comparatively late date-went to California and founded another settle- ment called New San Diego. Soon after, came James Mc- Murdo, Norman Nash, Henry Kethro and Matthew Mc- Comb. Others drifted in later, some of whom are still residents of the settlement. Hortonville has between seven and eight hundred people, and does an annual business of $200,000. Among its chief industries may be mentioned the flour mill of Graef & Phening; the sash, door and blind factory of W. K. Rideout, who also operates a saw- mill, and C. A. Nye's grist mill and pump factory. Buck Brothers have the largest general store. Hortonville is sit- uated on the line of the Milwaukee, Lake Shore & Western Company, thirteen miles west of Appleton. Its railroad connection with Oshkosh at Hortonville Junction, is an im- portant addition to its transportation facilities. The place has four churches, a district school of three departments, and two hotels.

MRS. L. COLLAR, proprietor and owner of Troy House, Horton- ville, is the relict of the late Lucius Collar, who passed away this life in 1875, and is buried in the Union Cemetery, Hortonville. Her experi- ence in this business extends over a period of twenty-five years. She is assisted in the management by her son Charles, who, born to the busi- ness, is an active, efficient hotel man. The Troy House offers the most ample and efficient accommodations in the place, and has very ample stabling in connection. Terms reasonable,

JAMES II. McMURDO, Hortonville. The subject of our sketch was born in New Brunswick, Sept. 1, 1836. Ilis people came from Scot-

land in 1831. In June, 1851, he came to this place and has been promi- nently identified with its interests since. In 1864 he enlisted in Co. G, 44th W. V. I. and remained in the service till the end of the war ; was bonorably discharged. In 1863 he was married to Miss Sarah E. Clark, who was born in Delaware Co., N. Y., whose people are among the pioneers of Wisconsin. In 1879 he was elected in the Republician in- terest to represent the Second Assembly district of his county in the Legislature, and the people attested their confidence in him by re-elect- ing him again in 1880 to serve for the term 1881.

JOHN McMURDO, JR., Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, Hortonville. Mr. McMurdo was born in New Brunswick, Aug. 24. 1840. In June, 1851, he came here and has been active as a pioneer since. On Aug. 20, 1862, he responded to the call of patriotism and enlisted in Co. 1, 52d Wis. V. 1., remained in the service till the end of war; was honorably discharged. After his service in the war he turned his attention to his trade of carpentering, which he has successfully carried on since, in the meantime being active in the political life of his locality. In 1870 he was married to Miss Lucinda P. Whitman, who was born in Maine.

C. H. WARE, Hortonville, retired. Mr. Ware was born in Litch- field, Kennebec Co., Me. In 1855 he came here and began that system of enterprise which he has so successfully carried through. He invested in the manufacture of brick, but soon left it for the lumbering industry which he has been prominently identified with since. in the meantime, being active in the agricultural development of the place He built buildings and assisted in the platting and laying out of towns. But his talents were not confined to his own county. He has also been active in the developing industries of the rich pine country surrounding.

OTHER SETTLEMENTS.

These places are called settlements because they have no village organization, although their population would in some cases warrant it. Black Creek, twenty-four miles west of Green Bay, in the G. B., W. & St. Paul line, does an annual business of $100,000. Dale Station and Medina, in the town of Dale, on the Oshkosh branch, an aggregate to about the same amount ; Shiocton, on the G. B., W. & St. Paul, a few miles southwest of Black Creek, $75,000 ; Stephensville on the Wolf River, a short distance east of New London and in the midst of a rich agriculture country, $40,000. Little Chute on the Chicago & No thwestern, be- tween Kaukauna and Appleton is also growing.

TOWN OF CENTER.

MRS. ELIZABETH BATLEY, Sec. II, town of Center. The subject of our sketch is the relict of the late John Batley, of Yorkshire, England, where they were both born. Mr. and Mrs. Batley came here in 1851, and settled in Outagamie County, and began a regular pioneer course of life, and by dint of patient industry. succeeded in establishing the present beautiful homestead. On Oct. 28, 1876, Mr. Batley passed away, at the age of sixty-one, leaving behind him a memory to be cher- ished by his affectionate family, and respected hy his numerous fellow citizens. Ile is buried in the cemetery at Black Creek. Mrs. Batley still conducts the farm with the help of her two kind sons. _ She has'a family of three sons and three daughters.

JAMES CAMPION, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 15, town of Cen- ter. Was born in County Kilkenny, Ireland. In 1846, he came to New York State, when after a stay of a few years, he came to this county, and began the work of the hardy pioneer, which he has very successfully carried through, having during his time here developed two beautiful farms from a state of nature to that of a thrifty husbandman. In 1855, he was married to Miss Ellen Callahan, who was born in County Tippe- rary, Ireland. They have a family of three sons and one daughter, all grown to man's and woman's estate. Mr. Campion deserves great credit for his active and enterprising pioneer course of life here.

PATRICK COTTER, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 13, town of Cen- ter. Was born and reared in Columbiana Co., Ohio. In June. 1850, at the age of thirteen, he came with his people, who settled here. Mr. Cotter followed lumbering for several years, after which he turned his attention to farming, which he has very successfully conducted since. As evidence of his untiring industry as pioneer, it may be said to his credit, that he is living upon the third farm in which he has developed from a state of nature. In May, 1866, he was married to Miss Sarah Rodgers, who was also born in his native county. They have a family of two sons and four daughters living, and three sons buried in the R. C. Cemetery, Center Township. We find Mr. Cotter a representative pioneer and citizen, and an active and enterprising farmer.

689

HISTORY OF OUTAGAMIE COUNTY.

MICHAEL GAINOR, general merchandise, Macville. Was born in Ireland, and came to this country with his people, who settled in Calu- met Co., Wis., in 1849, where he was reared and educated. He followed the profession of farming and carpentering until 1877, when he came here and began the mercantile business, which he has successfully con- ducted since. In 1876, May 29, he was married to Miss Johanna Barrie, daughter of David Barrie, of Center Township. They have a family of one son and one daughter, Mary Ellen and David William.

JOHN LEITII, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 26, town of Center. Mr. Leith was born in the Orkney Islands, Scotland. In 1850, and at the age of thirty-two, he came to Wisconsin, and settled in this county, where he displayed his native ability and enterprise as a pioneer, and which has rewarded him with a beautiful homestead, a family grown to man's and woman's estate, and an upright character among his fellow- men. In 1845, he was married to Miss Elizabeth R. Settar, who was born in England, but reared in Scotland, and who shared with him the many privations incident to the life of the pioneer. In 1880, July 19, she passed away from her earthly home, and is buried in the Riverside Ceme- tery, at Appleton, aged fifty-two years, a noble and loving wife, an affec- tionate mother and a kind and gentle friend. Her end was peace.

STEVEN MCCARTY, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 31, town of Center, was born and reared in the County Tipperary, Ireland. In 1849, he came to New York State where, after a stay of ten years, he came to Wisconsin, 1860, and has been actively identified with the farming in- dustry since. In 1862, he was married to Miss Margaret Stovfel, who was born in Germany. They have a family of five sons and four daugh- ters. Mr. McCarty deserves great credit for his ability as a farmer here.

GAIUS SIBLEY, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 24, town of Center, was born in the town of Brookfield, Worcester Co., Mass. In 1844, at the age of twenty-five, he came to Wisconsin, and stopped in Waukesha County for six years ; he then returned to Massachusetts, but soon after went to California, and followed mining for three years, after which he returned to Wisconsin, and settled down to farming here, which he has very successfully conducted since. He bought his farm in 1849. In 1856, he was married to Miss Jenet Reckford, who was born in New York State. They have a family of one son, Elbert M., and one daugh- ter, Dora E., living, and one son Benton M., buried in the cemetery at Appleton. Mr. Sibley is an active and enterprising pioneer and agricult- urist, devoted to the development of his industry.

TOWN OF GREENVILLE.

HENRY LEPPLA, farmer and stock-raiser, and dealer in stock, Sec. 23, town of Greenville. Mr. Leppla was born and raised in Bavaria, Germany. In 1849, at the age of twenty-two, he came to Pennsylvania, and followed farming until 1866, when he came here, and has very suc- cessfully conducted his business since, making his business an ornament to the profession. In 1853, he was married to Miss Lydia Bitting, who was born in Pennsylvania. They have a family of four sons and three daughters. They are Samuel, Josephus, Harry, Valentine, Camelia, Dora, and Brasilla, Mr. Leppla is one of the very enterprising pioneer farm- ers of the State.

L. B. MILLS, farmer and stock-raiser. Sec. 17, town of Greenville, was born and reared in Madison Co., N. Y. In 1850, at the age of six- teen, he came to Wisconsin with his people, who settled on the present place, where he has been identified as a representative pioneer farmer since. Mr. Mills responded nobly to the call of patriotism, and the union, and enlisted August, 1862. After an active service, in which he received a severe wound, which caused the loss of one of his eyes, he was honorably discharged May, 1863. After his services in the war, he turned his attention again to the farming industry, and the development of his noble political principles in which he has been very successfully engaged. In 1858, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Hardacre, who was born in Nova Scotia. They have a family of four sons and four daughters. We find Mr. Mills a representative pioneer man, and an active and enterprising farmer.

LOUIS PERROT, proprietor Greenville cheese factory, Sec. 17, town of Greenville. Was born and reared in Jefferson Co., N. Y. In 1855, he came to this county and began a pioneer course of life as a farm- er, with which industry he has since been very successfully engaged, in the meantime, being active in the development of the manufacture of cheese, which industry he has conducted for the last thirteen years. Mr. Perrot has also taken a prominent part in the administration of the affairs of his municipality, in which the people have repeatedly attested to his ability and candor in the performance.

TOWN OF FREEDOM.

FRED KOSS, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 19, town of Freedom. Mr. Ko's was born in Germany, but at the age of two years he came to Wisconsin, 1848, and settled in Milwaukee with his people. In 1860, he came to Outagamie County and began the pursuit of farming. In 1869, he was married to Miss Mary Rhome, who was born in Prussia. They have a family of one son and three daughters-Johnnie, Lena, Laura and Matilda. Mr. Koss has been active as an official here for several years.

ALEX. McCOY, farmer and stock-raiser,"Sec. "30, town of Free- dom. Mr. McCoy was born and reared in Columbiana Co., Ohio. At the age of sixteen, in 1857, he came here and began farming. In May, 1861, he enlisted in Co. G, 3d Wis. V. I., and after an active service, in which he received scars which he carries as memen- tos thereof, he was honorably discharged as a veteran at the end of the war. After his valuable war services, he turned his attention again to the peace industries, and bought the present farm, which he has very successfully conducted since. In 1869, he was married to Miss Maggie MacNabb. They have a family of two sons and two daughters. Ile was very instrumental in establishing the First Congregational Church of Freedom, 1871, and has been an active and efficient member since, holding at present the clerkship and treasurership of it.

EDWIN NYE, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 7, town of Freedom. Was born in Washington Co., Vt. He came to Racine in 1844 with his people, who settled there. In 1849-50, they removed to this county, and finally settled here, and followed the farming industry from its in- fancy up to its development. When his country called her citizens to arms, he nobly responded, and enlisted in Co. K, 42d Wis. V. I. Re- mained in the service till the end of the war, and was honorably dis- charged. In 1861, he was married to Miss Abbie Taylor, who was born in Vermont. They have a family of three sons and three daughters. After his valuable war services, he turned his attention again to the peace industries, at which we find him successfully engaged.

WILLIAM RANDERSON, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 9, town of Freedom. Mr. Randerson is a native of Yorkshire, England. In 1848, he came to Canada, when, after a stay of two years, he went to Ohio, and after a stay of six years there, he came to the present place and began a regular pioneer course of life, which he has successfully fol- lowed since. In 1855, he was married to Miss Catharine Coffee, a na- tive of Ireland. They have a family of five sons and three daughters. His parents are buried here in the cemetery, at Freedom village.

JOHN SCHWARTZ, wagon and carriage blacksmith, Sagole, was born in Germany, and came to this State in 1854, at the age of five years, with his people, who settled in Washington County. In 1869, he came here and engaged in the business as journeyman, for two years, after which he built the present extensive shop, and has very successfully car- ried on his business since. In 1870, he was married, to Miss N. Van- Dyke. They have a family of three sons and two daughters.

WILLIAM SOUDERS, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 8, town of Freedom. Mr. Souders was born in Hendricks Co., Ind. In 1847, at the age of sixteen, he came with his people to the present place and began the life of pioneer, which he has very creditably carried out since, in the meantime making himself active as a official in the township. In Decem- ber, 1857, he was married to Miss Sophrona M. Kent ; who was born in Essex Co., N. Y., and whose people came to Wisconsin in 1847. They have a family of two sons and one daughter, and one little adopted girl, their pet. Mr. Souders is a representative pioneer and citizen, devoted to the development of the industries of the State.

CHRIS. WALTER, Postmaster of Sagole, was born in Ger- many. In 1872, he came to Milwaukee, and after a stay there of three years, he went to Racine, where he was married to Miss Amelia Bixlar ; who was also born in Germany. He followed the brewing business in Racine and Kenosha for some time, when he went to Appleton and went into the saloon business, but after about two years in that business, he bought the present hotel here, and in a month after coming here, he was appointed by the United States Government as Postmaster of the place.

TOWN OF OSBORNE.

N. S. CONKLIN, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 7, Outagamie County. Mr. Conklin was born in Oneida Co., N. Y. In 1849, he came to Wis. consin and settled in Dodge County, where he carried on the business of carpenter and joiner, until 1859, when he began farming, which he has carried on very successfully since. In October, 1864, he came here, be- gan the present business, with which he has remained. In 1836, he was married to Miss Catharine J. Belland ; who was born in Oneida Co., N. Y. They have a family of four sons and two daughters. Mr. Conklin has served as Justice of the Peace in the State for nearly thirty years; he is at present the incumbent of the township treasurership.

JAMES SIMPSON, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 30, Outagamie Co. Wis. The subject of our sketch, was born and reared in Paisley, Scot- land. In 1843, he came to New York State, where he discarded his pro- fession of weaving for the more profitable one of farming, which he has very successfully conducted since. Ile was married to Miss Sophia Bush; who was born in New York State, 1822. They were married June 11, 1852. In 1856, they came to the present place, which was then a com- plete wilderness and by dint of untiring industry, perseverance, have suc- ceeded in developing their land into the beautiful home that it now is. In the meantime, Mr. S. has been active in the development of the school and local industries here, has been in almost every local office here since his arrival, oftentimes by dual and triple representation. When his country called for soldiers, he nobly responded and enlisted in Co. II, Wis. H. A., and after an active service, he was honorably discharged; after his

690

HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.

effi-ont war rerflee le teroed his attention to the peace industries and the derdeg aMos bimy le al when there are four noble sons-John J., B), L = > ihr'T del &, Mr. Simpson stands at the head of the ac ivo in ) of an xy- mt neegy ; been the active man in the organization of the wowwwwlon-0Ochorie and Seymour.

BEAR CREEK.

EPFD UNDNE mmerchant, Bear Creek Station, was born in Rosen- 1. Fond la Leise Wis . in 1849. In 1854, he moved with his father's fammuy to Se .. 24, Bear Creek and remained there till he was nineteen, attending di fiet schools in Winter and working on the farm in Summer.

At this time the family moved to Appleton, and he attended three terms at the university. Hisfather, Welcome Hyde, was the first settler in the town of Bear Creek. He was the first Chairman of the Town, and had but eighty acres to begin with. He cut the first road from New London to Bear Creek, and may be called the father of the town. His homestead now contains about 700 acres, Ile went out with Co. K. 17th Wis. V. I., served about seventeen months, and on account of sickness, resigned and came home, and commenced speculating in pine lands; since that time, he and his son Fred have been'dealing heavily in mineral and timber lands in Northern Michigan and Wisconsin. Their acres are now reck- oned by the thousands. In 1879, Fred started a store at his present place. Last year he was appointed Postmaster at Bear Creek Station.

PEPIN COUNTY.

PHYSICAL FEATURES.

This is one of the western counties in the State, and is separated from Minnesota by Lake Pepin, which forms a part of its southern boundary. Its north- ern boundary is the line between Towns 25 and 26, and the line north of Sections 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 and 30, Town 24, Range 15 west, and Sections 25 and 26, Town 24, Range 16 west. Its eastern boundary is the line between Ranges 10 and 11, and the Chippewa River, which flows nearly southerly from the northwest corner of Range 13, Town 24, bearing slightly to the west until it enters the Mississippi River in Range 14, Town 22. Its southern boundary is the line between Towns 24 and 25, and Lake Pepin almost due south- east from the northwest corner of Section 25, Town 24, Range 16 west, until it receives the Chippewa in Town 22, Range 14. Its western boundary is Lake Pepin and the line between Ranges 14 and 15. The Chippewa River runs across the county from northeast to southwest, con- sequently the drainage is good and the natural advan- tages are great. The general surface of the country is level, though some portions of it are slightly undulat- ing. East of the Chippewa River are found Cranberry, Fall, Dutch, and Bear creeks; the three former flow- ing north ward nearly and entering the Chippewa in the vicinity of Meridian, Dunn County, and the latter flowing due northwest and entering the Chippewa in the town of Durand, on Section 16, Range 18 west. Bear Creek has its source in Buffalo County ; the others find their sources in Pepin County, and are formed by springs in the marshes on the lower lands. On each side of Cranberry Creek are found various small cran- berry marshes, henec its name. On Bear Creek, about four miles from where it enters the Chippewa, is a flowing mill, with three run of stone, the property of V. W. Darwin. On the west side of the Chippewa River, the first stream of any importance is the Eau Galle River, which runs a little east of south, and en- ters the Chippewa in the town of Waterville, on See- tion 30, Range 13 west. This river, in former days, bore a great amount of pine lumber from the northern counties, all of which entered the Chippewa in Pepin County. The next stream is the Little Missouri Creek, which has its source in Dunn County, and flows nearly southward and enters into the Ean Galle about half a mile from its mouth, on Section 7, Town 25, Range 13. On this . tream about half a mile from where it enters the Eau Galle, on Section 1, Town 25, Range 14, is a

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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