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 276

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 276

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Keystone Flour Mills, corner of Sixth and Nebraska streets, H. C. Gustavus & Co. (Casper Smith), proprietors. The firm purchased the property in 1875, which was then known as the South Side Flouring Mills. They have since made such improvements as made the mills complete and modern. The manufacture is equal to 125 barrels of flour per day.

On the corner of Fifth and Minnesota is F. Laabs' mill, which does a good business. One or two smaller establish- ments complete the mannfactures in this line.

Wisconsin Manufacturing Company, Oshkosh, S. P. Nelson, manager ; manufacture cheese boxes and stock- head linings, berry boxes. The works turn out about fifty thousand or sixty thousand cheese boxes and stock annually, in addition to large amounts of other specialities.

Brooklyn Brewery, Horn & Schwalm (August Horn and Theo Schwalm), proprietors, on Doty, near Six- teenth street. The building was erected in 1879, at a cost of $35,000, and is the largest brewery in the city.

On the same street, just outside the city limits, is the establishment of John Klatz, of about the same capacity.

There are several breweries of smaller size.

In the abovesketches no attempt has been made to give a complete history of all the manufacturing establishments of Oshkosh. The leading ones have only been held up to view ; many deserve notice which space only forbids. Those not already mentioned, or found in the succeeding group, appear elsewhere, woven into the biographies of their proprietors.

Since these sketches were prepared, there have been several changes in the manufactories of Oshkosh. Parsons & Goodfellow's large carriage works suspended in October. and its affairs were placed in the hands of a Board of Directors, elected by the creditors. Thompson & Hayward, in the same line of business, failed soon after. The firm of Neville & Holden, also carriage and sleigh manufacturers, was dissolved in November, Mr. Holden retiring from the partnership. Messrs. Foster & Jones, one of the most prominent firms in Oshkosh, engaged in the manufacture of sashes, doors and blinds, and lumber and shingles, dissolved partnership November 2, James V. Jones retiring, and C. Foster conducting the immense establishment alone. On November 29, G. C. Grillith & Co.'s shingle mill was burned.

Below are a number of leading industries of a miscella- neous character :

Cook, Brown & Co. (Ossian Cook, R. C. Brown, F. E. Waite and B. F. Carter), manufacturers of lime, brick and drain tile, and dealers in cement, stueco, land plaster, fire brick, etc., No. 13 Marion strect. The present firm was established in 1874, being the successors of J. A. Day & Co., who did business twenty years ago. Their brick yards

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HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.

and tile works are in Calumet County ; also a portion of their limekilns. Their large warehouses and cooper-shops are in Oshkosh. There is also a barrel manufactory at Clifton, Calumet County. The firm also deals largely in wood and coal. They own their own vessels used in the transportation of their manufactures from the eastern to tlie western shore of Lake Winnebago. Over 100 men are employed by Cook, Brown & Co., and 100,000 drain tile and 3,000,000 brick manufactured per annum; also 500 barrels of lime per day.

Alfred Chapple, proprietor of stone yard and cutter, No. 14 Marion. Mr. Chapple has had an experience in his business of thirty-two years, coming to Oshkosh in 1863. He has done the stone work on some of the finest buildings in the city-the post office, Masonic and Odd Fellows' Block, St. Peter's and M. E. Churches and the last addition to the Normal School.

Julius Kusche & Bro. (Julius and Edward Kusche), manufacturer of lime, kiln on Ceape street. Its capacity is 6,000 barrels per annum, but it is not worked up to that figure. The quarries are located in Calumet County.

J. R. Loper's Soap Works, corner of Marion and Mar- ket streets, were established in a small way in 1862. Mr. Loper came to Oshkosh from New York in 1865. His works were burned three times, but each time rebuilt and improved, until now they take rank with the most complete in the West. The toilet and laundry soap made by his man- ufactory is A No. 1.

Eagle Trunk Factory, Nos. 15 to 18 Polk, warehouses Nos. 211 to 213 Main street, Schmit Bros. (Peter and Henry), proprietors. The business was established in 1868 by H. Schmit & Co., the present firm being formed in 1872. The annual product of their factory amounts to $80,000, and they employ seventy-two men. This is one of the larg- est trunk factories in the Northwest.

The manufactories of Oshkosh, however, do not repre- sent all her business activity. Her wholesale and retail trade, in those branches which usually grow and flourish in a metropolitan place, is very extensive. The pioneers of her general trade first established themselves on Ferry street, then expected to become the main business thorough- fare of the city. First, in 1843, J. H. Osborne opened a store near the lower end of that street, selling out to Amos Dodge, who moved to a location near the old gang-mill ; Smith & Gillett, corner of Main and High streets; Miller & Eastman, Ferry street, and others branched out into bus- iness during the next three years. At the close of 1849, six dry goods stores, two shoe stores, four groceries, two taverns, one saloon and seven lawyers, one doctor, one steain saw-mill, one shingle-mill, one furniture-shop, one sash and door factory, two cabinet makers, one watch maker, one gun-smith, one harness maker, three blacksmith- shops and one newspaper, the Oshkosh Free Democrat. The lake and river means of transportation were improv- ing, the Fox and Wisconsin River improvements were being pushed, a new route had been opened to Sheboygan, the county seat question had been finally settled in favor of Oshkosh, and everything pointed to the brisk activity in general trade which, from this time on, assisted to push the village on to prosperity. Since then, increase in trade has been steady and rapid. Large dry goods establishments, grocery stores, elegant drug stores and jewelry establish- ments. etc., now line hier streets and give voice to her wealth and solidity.

MEANS OF COMMUNICATION.

As is always the case, the water highways first served Oshkosh in opening up communication with other points. The steamer Manchester was built near Pipe Village, on the eastern shore of Lake Winnebago, and made her first appearance at this place in the fall of 1844. Capt. Hotal- ing was her commander, and Stephen Brooks, engineer. Her route included Oshkosh,. Fond du Lac, Winnebago Rapids, Pipe Village, and the trading-posts on the Fox. Her sphere of usefulness was soon extended up the Wolf River to the Gill's Landing and Shawano saw-mills. In 1849, a steamboat company was formed by Morgan L. Martin, M. C. Darling, Capt. A. B. Bowen, John Bannister, Theodore Conkey, Augustine Grignon and Joseph Jackson. The latter was President, and Capt. Hotaling was Admiral of the fleet of five boats. Since then the shipping interests of Oshkosh have grown and extended over Lake Winne- bago and along the rivers which are tributary to her.

At this point it is fitting to say a word in regard to the trouble experienced in the replacement of the ancient ferry by a bridge-free to all-which finally connected the two portions of the village, so that the people felt as if they were of one kindred. The first bridge built across the Fox River at Oshkosh was commenced by the Fox River Bridge Company, the first team passing over it July 3, 1847. The old ferry went the way of all wood, and the new bridge took its place. One Abel Neff completed the structure in spite of the opposition of parties who wished the river spanned at other points. In 1850, Messrs. Weed, Gu- maer & Coon built a bridge at Algoma, which was the "making of the place," although it did not get out of sight of Oshkosh in the race for supremacy. In the spring of 1854, the dispute over free hridge or toll waxed almost into a small civil war. The opponents of the free bridge measure served an injunction to restrain the city from issuing $2,000 bonds for the purchase of the Broad street bridge which was to be converted into a free thoroughfare. Commissioner Buttrick granted it, but Mayor Eastman refused to obey his order. The injunction was finally withdrawn, as the majority of the citizens voted in favor of " no toll." The next morning a portion of the bridge was carried down stream at a kind of a "free-for-all " speed. It was recovered, placed in posi- tion, and used sometime before a new one was built.

But the great triumph of the city was complete when the first railroad reached its limits. The first through pas- senger train arrived at Oshkosh, over the Chicago & North- Western road. October 13, 1859. This city remained the northern terminus until 1862, when the line was extended to Appleton. Its subsequent mighty extensions have opened up to Oshkosh and to all the cities along the road the rich lumber and mineral regions of Northern Wisconsin and Michigan, and given them the benefit of communica- tion with Milwaukee, Chicago, and all Southern points. In 1866, the Oshkosh & Mississippi Railroad Company was chartered to build a road from Oshkosh to the Mississippi. In 1872, twenty miles of it was constructed to Ripon, where it connected with the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul's main line, verging away off to the great wheat fields of the Northwest. There the people rested. The short line was leased to the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Rail- road Company, and for all practical intents and purposes Oshkosh has the benefit of a railroad to the Mississippi and far beyond. The branch of the Milwaukee, Lake Shore &

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY.

Western Railroad, built from Oshkosh in 1879, strikes the main line at Hortonville, which extends into the heart of the lumber country of Northern Wisconsin. Through the construction of this line the whole country to the north and west, over which stretch the Wisconsin Central and the Green Bay & Minnesota roads was placed in communica- tion with Oshkosh, and the city entered into a new and more expanded career of prosperity.

THE PRESS.

Oshkosh True Democrat .- The first paper published in the city and the county was the Oshkosh True Democrat, issued by Messrs. Densmore & Cooley, February 2. 1849. It was a Free-Soil paper.

Oshkosh Courier .- In June, 1852, J. H. McAvoy founded the Courier, a daily paper, the first printed in Osh- kosh, was issued July 10, 1854. Three years thereafter, in August, the Democrat issued a daily, and they both were discontinued in December, 1857. The Courier was for a long time the leading Democratic journal of this section.

Oshkosh Northwestern .- In August, 1857, Charles R. Nevitt withdrew from the Courier, which, in connection with George H. Read, he had been publishing for four years. In 1860, he associated himself with D. C. Felton and others in the publication of the Northwestern. The first number was issued May 18, the publishing firm being D. C. Felton & Co. In the meantime, under the management of Markham & Felker, in August, 1856, the politics of the Demoerat had been changed from Free-Soil to Republican. On October 3, 1860, George Gary, having become its sole proprietor, sold his paper to the proprietors of the Northwestern, and a new firm was formed in its publication, consisting of C. R. Nevitt and C. F. Pike, known under the name of C. R. Nevitt & Co. In January a daily was issued and continued for seven months. This firm continued to manage the Northwestern until its consolidation with the Courier in August, 1864. The latter paper was then being conducted by Hiram Morley and B. F. Davis. Upon the consolidation of the two papers the latter. with George Gary, assumed the management, forming the firm of Gary, Morley & Davis. During the next four years several changes occurred, resulting in the retirement, by 1870, of all the members of the firm. The daily edition was re-established in 1868. In October, 1870, Gen. Thomas S. Allen, of Madison, and John Hicks, who had been the local editor, formed the present partnership. In April, 1873, the Oshkosh Journal, established by Rounds & Morley in 1868, was consolidated with the Northwestern, which made the third paper it had absorbed. Its office was burned in the great conflagration of April 28, 1875, but the daily Northwestern never "missed fire," being printed in Fond du Lac during the four days' time that was required to obtain a new outfit. This journal is consistently Repub- lican in politics, and wields a general influence throughout the State.

Oshkosh Times .- In the fall of 1862, the Review (Demo- cratic) was established by A. P. Swineford. Robert V. Shirley revived the paper under the name Oshkosh Demoerat. His office was burned in May; 1866. Although he lost heavily the journal was started again in June and continued until the fall of 1867, when it was purchased by George Hyer and D. W. Fernandez, a vigorous and enterprising journalist, of Madison. On October 1, 1867, the first number of the Oshkosh Times was issued. On April 20, 1872, Mr. Hyer died, and in the summer S. D. Carpenter, of Madison, be-

came associated with him. He served but a short time Gus O'Brien being an editorial writer until the summer of 1874. After that date Mr. Fernandez continued the pub- lication of the Times alone until April 28, 1875, when the office was destroyed in the great fire. But with character- istic energy Mr. Fernandez soon had the office in working order again, associating with himself A. T. Glaze, who had been connected with the press of Ripon and Fond du Lac for nearly a quarter of a century. The latter continued in this connection until October, 1879, when Mr. Bright bought his interest. The Times is now published by Messrs. Fernandez & Bright, and is one of the leading weeklies of the State. It is Democratic in politics and sustains the cause with ability.

Wisconsin Telegraph (German) is a weekly Democratic journal, which has been conducted by Charles and Valen- tine Kohlmann since October, 1866. Its predecessors, con- ducted by the same firm, Kohlmann & Brother, were the Wwehter am Winnebago, established in April, 1858, and a monthly magazine published from October, 1860, when the Wachter was discontinued, until the founding of the Telegraph in 1866. This is the only German paper in Oshkosh.

Oshkosh Standard .- This journal was established in February, 1878, as the Greenback Standard, by Messrs. Levy & Ryckman. In October of that year, upon a change of proprietors the name was changed to the Oshkosh Stan- dard. Various parties associated themselves in its publica- tion, the last firm being Morley, Karnie & Waring. After being conducted for some time by the Standard Publishing Company, the paper was removed to Milwaukee in Septem- ber, 1881.

SCHOOLS.

Oshkosh is splendidly accommodated with educational facilities. In addition to the State Normal School and pri- vate educational establishments, seven good schools are con- nected with the public system. Of the 6,000 children of school age within the city, 1,000 attend private and deno- minational schools. This does not include the attendance at the State Normal School. In 1880-81, nearly $32,000 was required for the support of the public school system, and notwithstanding that the city gives so much to her chil- dren, she stands next to Milwaukee (fourth) in the economy with which she maintains the system of public instruction.

Up to 1851, there was but one schoolhouse in the village, and that as badly arranged and cramped as it could be. During that year it was proposed to raise $1,000 to build a new one ; to use the court house and do other vari- ous things which did not come to a head for several years. With the erection of the First Ward school building in 1859, and the introduction of the graded system in 1863, commenced the new era which placed Oshkosh in the front rank of cities which possess superior educational facilities.

There are seven substantial structures in the city, the most elegant and imposing of which is the High School building on Algoma street near Jackson. It was erected in 1867, at a cost, with grounds, of $65,000. The building is three stories in height, with mansard roof and a lofty tower, the play grounds being large and well arranged. At the time of its erection it was the finest structure of the kind in the State, and few now are its superiors in conven- ience or beauty of design. A large hall is located in the upper story. The building will accommodate 500 pupils. E. B. Wood, the Principal, has eight assistants.

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HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN

The First Ward school building, corner of Algoma and Wisconsin streets, was built in 1859, and improved into almost a new structure in 1863. It is a two-story frame building and will accommodate 400 scholars. A. L. Osborn is the Principal.

The Frentz School ( Second Ward) is a two story, brick and stone building, situated between Winnebago and Fifth streets. Its value is 812,000. The seating capacity of the building is 350; H. C. Thom, Principal.

The Third Ward ( Eleventh Street School), will accom- modate 375 pupils. A. A. Spencer is Principal.

The Dale School (Fourth Ward) is a two-story brick building, corner of Irving and Mount Vernon streets ; built at a cost of $16,000, it is the most elegant and sub- stantial school edifice in the city, next to the High School. It will accommodate 500 pupils. James Brainerd, the Principal, has seven assistants.

Another beautiful school building is that situated corner of Vine and Algoma streets, and thrown open to the public in February, 1880. The building is two-stories and base- ment, metal roofed. and was erected at a cost of over $10,- 000. It accommodates 200. Henry Barber, the Principal, has five assistants.

The Sixth Ward building, two story brick, accommo- dates 200. and was erected at a cost of $8,000. The Prin- cipal is James M. Jones.

In addition to the above, there are several small frame buildings used by the city in overcrowded wards.

State Normal School. Under legislative enactment in 1866, a Board of Regents was incorporated to take charge of the Normal School Fund, which had been collecting since 1857, from the sale of the swamp and overflowed lands re- ceived from the United States in 1850. In 1857, an act was passed to appropriate 25 per cent of the proceeds aris- ing from their sale to the maintenance of normal institutes and academies, which was done under the direction of a Board of Regents. In 1865 the Legislature divided the fund into two equal parts-one for drainage purposes, the other to constitute a Normal School Fund. In 1866, with the incorporation of the Board of Regents, and a produc- tive fund of $600,000, the board determined to establish several schools in the State. During that year Platteville, Grant County, was conditionally selected as a site, and sub- sequently Whitewater, Walworth County, for the south - eastern district of the State. The school at Platteville was opened in October, 1866, and at Whitewater in April, 1868. The third school established was that at Oshkosh. The main building was completed in 1870, but owing to a lack of funds the dedicatory ceremonies did not occur until Sep- tember 19, 1871. The classes were then organized and the school was formally opened under the presidency of George S. Albee, A. M., previously Superintendent and Principal of Public Schools in Racine. The increasing wants of the school made an addition to the building necessary. As it stands now, in the center of a large park of seven acres on Algoma street, it presents an imposing and beautiful ap- pearance. The property is valued at $75,000. Over 600 pupils are enrolled, representing seven States, and thirty- five counties of Wisconsin. The normal department has an enrollment of 383; the model department, consisting of Kindergarten, Primary, Intermediate, Grammar and Ac- ademic grades, 230. Each Assembly District is entitled to eight representatives in the Normal Schools, and a prime

requisite is sound bodily health and good moral character. Three literary societies are connected with the school. The scholars have the privileges of a good library and reading- room. The cabinet and apparatus are growing in value and completeness. In fact, every auxiliary possible is brought to bear to make the school a developing influence in the cause of education. This it is, and to President Albee is due very much of the credit which attaches to its enviable standing.

The Faculty is as follows : George S. Albee, President, School Management, Didactics and Mental Science ; Robert Graham, Vocal Music, Reading and Conductor of Insti- tutes ; Waldo E. Dennis, Natural Science ; L. W. Briggs, Book-Keeping; Anna W. Moody, History and Civil Gov- ernment; Mary H. Ladd, Mathematics ; Helen E. Bate- man, English Grammar, Composition and Rhetoric; Rose C. Swart, Geography, German and Art of Teaching; Emily F. Webster, Latin ; Amelia E. Banning, Drawing and Penmanship; Nancy M. Davis ( Adjunct), Mathematics and Geography ; Lillian A. Duffies (Adjunct), Grammar and History.

German-English Academy .- This school was founded in 1858. As its name implies, both the German and English branches are taught. It is conducted by a Board of Man- agers. Prof. Vogel is the present Principal. He has one assistant. The attendance is about 100. The building was burned in 1875, the one now occupied on Court street be- ing erected soon after.

Oshkosh Business College-W. W. Daggett, Principal. This is one of the institutions that Oshkosh is proud of, and which draws a large number of pupils from abroad, and has the reputation of being one of the best conducted Commer- cial Colleges in the Northwest. It has acquired a national reputation for possessing unequaled facilities in every de- partment for imparting a sound, practical, business educa- tion. This educational institution is designed to supply the constant demand for thorough, practical training in studies essential to business. It is so organized as to accommodate either regular students or those having but a few hours to spare from business pursuits during the day or evening. To accomplish this the instruction is individual, and adapted to the needs of each pupil, who advances as fast as his abil- ities will allow, without the embarrassment of class organiza- tions. Persons whose education is deficient are thus, with- out regard to age, enabled to remedy the defect speedily, without publicity, and fit themselves for lucrative and responsible positions. Young men, on leaving the ordinary public or private schools, can here obtain what is usually omitted or imperfectly taught in such schools, and become qualified to assume advanced positions on account of their superior attainments. This college was organized by E. C. Atkinson, in September, 1867. Prof. W. W. Daggett took charge of the school in September, 1870, and became its sole proprietor in 1871. Mr. Daggett has that natural aptitude for teaching which is one of the essential require- ments for the attainment of success in his calling, and possesses the most eminent qualifications for imparting to his pupils the most thorough knowledge of the branches taught. All branches of a full academical course are taught, and the most competent assistants are employed. The gen- eral estimation in which the institution is held will be seen in the fact that over 3,000 students of both sexes have attended it since it was first organized.

The denominational schools will be noticed hereafter in connection with the churches.

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY.

CHURCHES.

Methodism-In 1841, Jesse Halstead, a Methodist cir- cuit rider from Brothertown, preached the first licensed sermon in Oshkosh in Webster Stanley's bar-room. He had visited the place the year before, but did not find the religious soil so fertile then. In 1838. Clark Dickenson, one of the Government farmers of Neenah, had exhorted in the same place. He preached at various intervals, settling in Oshkosh in 1842. The next year he relinquished his part to John P. Gallup, who was regularly ordained. In 1850, the society which had been formed, erected a building on Church street. This was occupied until 1875, when the handsome building, corner of Main and Merritt, was pur- chased. The property of the First Methodist Church, Rev. D. J. Holmes, Pastor, is valued at ${2,000. The mem- bership of the society is 203. From this, sprung the Second Methodist Church, corner of Eleventh and Minne- sota, and the flourishing society known as the Algoma Street Methodist Episcopal Church, Rev. J. R. Creighton, Pastor.

Rev. A. H. Kopplein is Pastor of a strong German Methodist society, whose neat church edifice is situated cor- ner of Nebraska and Tenth. It was organized in 1860, and the church built in 1874, at a cost of $7,000. The parson- age was purchased at the same time. The membership of the society is over 100.

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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