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 285

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 285

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

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HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.

lumber merchant and farmer, at New Hampton, Iowa. Mr. Peck's present wife was Lucinda W. Whitney, a native of the State of New York. They have four children living-Harry L., now associated with his father in business, Charles W., Lulu M. and Helen G. Their first child, Nellie, died at the age of seven years. Mr. Peck is a son of Joel M. and Amanda Peck ; his father is a resident of Palmyra, Wis., but his mother is dead. Mrs. Peck's parents, Isaac and Laura Whitney, were among the earliest settlers of West Troy, Wis. Neither of them are living.

DANIEL McPECK. proprietor saloon, Wangoo street, began in spring of 1881 ; he was born in Holton, Aroostook Co., Me., April 19, 1833 ; lived there until 1865 and went to Chicago ; clerked in a store one year ; came to Oshkosh in 1866, and worked in saw-mills, lumbering, etc., in Wisconsin and Michigan until spring of 1881. He was married in Oshkosh, Wis., Oct. 5, 1875, to Miss Lizzie Crummy ; she was born in Oshkosh, Wis. They have two children named John and Annie.

WILLIAM PERRIN, Fowler House, which was recently improved and made one of the most commodious hotels in the city. Mr. P. was born in England, Ang. 1, 1821, and emigrated to America in 1850, and located in Oshkosh, and then followed steamboating eleven years; after which he went into the Seymour House and kept the hotel two or three years; then went to Green Bay alone and took charge of the Beaumont House one year ; returned to Oshkosh and kept the Grant House at railroad two or three years ; then went into the Adams House and kept that two years ; then retired about two years; then went into the Fowler House June 15, 1876. He was married in England ; came to America with two children, whose names were Annie and Martha. Annie is now deceased and Martha is living with her father. He has also two sons living, born in America, named- Joseph, living ; Charles, living ; and William, deceased ; John, deceased. Mrs. Perrin's maiden name was Kate Dobson ; she was born in England. They were married in Norton, England, in Shropshire.

H. W. PERRY, veterinary surgeon, was born in Winnebago Co., Wis., April 26, 1852 ; his father is a veterinary surgeon and Mr. P. studied under him for years; in 1879 he went to Milwau- kee and entered the classes of Dr. Taylor, graduatiug in 1880, when he returned to Oshkosh and commenced the practice of his profession. Ile was married in Winnebago County June 15, 1880, to Miss Annie Roberts of Winnebago County.

JAMES PETERSON, foreman, Hume, was born in Copen hagen, Denmark, Nov. 1, 1842; came to United States and set- tled in Racine, Wis., for a few months ; after spending a short time in Michigan, finally located in Oshkosh the same year ; was employed as carpenter and joiner some three or four years, and then engaged with Foster & Jones where he remained eight years, and was then engaged by Hume & Washburn ; was mar- ried in Oshkosh June 27, 1867, to Emma Rey. They have four children-Gertrude, Lillie, Maud, Harvey. Is a member of Royal Arcanum.

CHARLES E. PIKE, was born in Calais, Maine, graduated at Bowdoin College, and studied law at Cambridge Law School, Massachusetts; was afterward admitted to the bar in Maine. In 1847, was a member of the Maine Legislature ; removed to Mas- sachusetts in 1849, and practiced law in Boston. Was married in 1853, and a member of the Massachusetts Legislature in 1856. Removed to Oshkosh in 1859, and engaged partially in profes- sional practice. In 1860, helped to establish the Northwestern newspaper, of which he was editor-in-chief and part owner for four years. Returned to Boston in 1865; admitted to bar of Supreme Court, Washington, same year, and appointed Solicitor of Internal Revenue, which office he resigned in fall of 1866, and resumed the practice of' law in Boston. In 1878. again came to Oshkosh, and is now a partner in the law firm of Pike & Van Keuren.

SYLVESTER D. PITCHER, proprietor meat market, No. 7, High street, established in 1869; does $30,000 business per annum ; employs five men in winter and three in summer, and

deals in all kinds of fresh, salt and smoked meats. He was horn in Martinsburg, Lewis Co., N. Y., Sept. 6, 1838, where he lived until 1852 ; then moved to Fond du Lac., Wis., with his parents ( they yet live there). He lived at home until 1858 ; then went to Iowa and spent one year ; thence to Oshkosh; enlisted in Co. E. 2d W. V. I., April 18, 1861; was wounded at first battle of Bull Run, taken prisoner and confined in Libby Prison five months and twenty days, and was exchanged January 3; re- turned to Oshkosh and remained until April ; returned to the army ; served until July, 1864; engaged in the battle of Fred- ericksburg and all the principal battles, including Antietam and Second Bull Run, and was mustered out at Madison, July 18, 1864. He then lived in Green Bay, Wis., and worked as engi- neer five years; then he went to Oshkosh, Wis .. where he has since lived. He began his market in fall of 1869. He was married in Oconto, Wis., in fall 1869, to Miss Pluma Simons, who was born in Sardinia, N. Y. They have five children- Edith, Herbert, Willie, Jennie and Lula. Mr. P. was previously married in Fond du Lac, Wis., in 1866, to Miss Sarah White- more, who died in fall of 1867. They had one son, Clayton, who lives with his grand-parents in Fond du Lac.

WILLIAM POOL. Superintendent Webb's saw-mill, was born in Oldtown, Pepobscot Co., Maine, Jan. 24, 1850; came West with parents in 1865, and located at Stevens' Point, Wis. ; engaged in milling there for a time, and moved to Oshkosh the same year : engaged in filing, and followed it up to 1879, when he took charge of Webb's Mill. He was married in Oshkosh, April 3, 1873, to Miss Mary Godey, of Harrison, Ontagamie Co., Wis. They have two children-Edith A. and Fred W.

PHILO F. PROSSER, body-maker of carriages in Parsons & Goodfellow's Carriage Works. Mr. P. was born in Orleans Co.,. N. Y., Feb. 10, 1836; he lived in New York until 1870, then emigrated to Oshkosh, Wis., October, 1869. He worked at car- penter and joiner work about nine years, also taught school three terms during the winters and in summer season ; engaged at his trade in 1880. since which time he has been engaged as above noted. He was married in Kendall, Orleans Co., N. Y., Nov. 17, 1859, to Miss Charlotte D. Ripsom, who was born in Clarkson, Monroe Co, N. Y., July 24, 1839. They have three children- Mary E., Charles H. and Frank H.

WILLIAM RADFORD, a native of Needingworth, Hunting- donshire, England, was born Ang. 31, 1828, and is the son of Richard and Olive Radford, both of whom were natives of En- gland. His father was a tavern-keeper, of limited means, and William was early drilled in work. From the early age of nine years until he was sixteen he worked on a farm. Commencing thus early to rely on his own exertions, he made an effort in a different direction and tried railroading, receiving a place as a sec- tion boss. He continued at this until he was nineteen years old. when he again returned to farming. In 1852, he emigrated to America and located at West Canada Creek, N. Y., where he found employment in a saw-mill. He removed to Oshkosh, Oct. 1, 1855. Chase & Libbey's saw-mill then stood on the site the Radford mill now occupies, and with this firm he found work during the two following years : was next in the employ of Bray & Choate, and then with Tolman & Co. until 1870. In that year he, in company with his brother Stephen, engaged in business on their own account, under the firm name of S. Radford & Bro. Mr. D. L. Libbey was a silent partner and owned a half interest during the first three years of the firm's existence. At the end of that time he retired. Their saw-mill at first was of very limited capacity ; but this grew rapidly, and the firm worked to the front, until to-day they occupy a place second to none. In the winter of 1879 they commenced the erection of their sash. door and blind factory. Mr. William Radford was married in October, 1851, to Miss Elizabeth Robertson, in the county of Huntingdon, and has nine children. Mr. R.'s mental charact risties are those of practical common sense, a clear, discriminating judgment and in- domitable perseverence in the accomplishment of the objects of

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY.

his pursuits. His son, Charles W. Radford, is general superin- tendent of the sash, door and blind department, and is a valuable assistant to the firm. The other children are Lucy J., Lizzie, Stella, George, Willie, Stephen S., Dolly and Dick.

STEPHEN RADFORD, of S. Radford & Bro .; was born in June, 1832, in Needingworth, Huntingdonshire, England. In May, 1851, he emigrated to this country and located in Oneida Co., New York State, where he found employment for two years and a half; he then removed to Oshkosh in 1854, and found work in Knapp's mill, where the gang mill now stands, but remained there only six months : the next two years and a half he was in John Butler's mill at Fond du Lac. At this time he conceived the idea of returning to England ; having accumulated some money, he made a trip to his native place, and prolonged his stay nearly three years, during which time he was engaged in buying and sell- ing cattle. Returning to America, he again settled in Oshkosh, which has since been his home. He worked for Bray & Choate a few weeks ; at Porter's mill he worked two seasons, and then with Chapman & Danforth seven years. In company with W. D. Harshaw, he rented Chapman & Danforth's mill and ran it one season. At the expiration of this time he formed a copartnership with his brother, William Radford, and together they purchased John and Webb Libbey's interest in the Libbey Bros. mill, the firm name being changed to S. Radford & Bro. D. L. Libbey, however, retained a half interest, which was eventually purchased under a contract to saw a certain amount of timber. In the winter of 1879, they commenced the erection of their sash, door and blind factory. Stephen Radford was first married in England, to Anna Heppingstall ; she died in Oshkosh, leaving two children- Walter James and Florence Olive. Mr. S. was married in Osh- kosh to his present wife, Mary E. Ruby ; they have eight chil- dren-Jennie, Nellie, David, Ida, Anna, Charles and Ruby.

CHARLES W. RADFORD, superintendent of sash, door and blind factory of S. Radford & Bro .; was born in Prospect, Seneca Co., N. Y., June 11, 1853 ; came to Oshkosh with his par- ents, William A. and Elizabeth Robinson Radford. in 1854. He has been engaged in lumber business since he was ten years of age, first with Tolman & Harris, afterward with Chapman & Danforth. Since 1871, he has been connected with S. Radford & Bro., until 1877 as book-keeper, since then as financial manager and super- intendent of the sash, door and blind department of the firm's bus- iness

CHARLES RAHR, firm of Rahr Bros., proprietors of a large brewery ; manufacture about one thousand barrels per annum ; employ five men ; ereeted in 1865. He was born in Prussia, Ger- many, in 1836, Nov. 27; he learned his trade in Germany, and emigrated to America in 1855 ; settled in Manitowoc, Wis., and worked in a brewery six months ; then went to Davenport, Iowa, and worked in a brewery eighteen months ; then returned to Green Bay, Wis., and worked in a brewery for his brother and brother- in-law one year. Then enlisted in Co. H, 9th W. V. I., and was employed fighting the Indians and bush whackers in Kansas, Indian Territory, Arkansas and Missouri ; he was mustered out in Mil- waukee, December, 1864. Returned to Green Bay a short time and went to Oshkosh, Wis., and, in company with his brother, erected their brewery as above noted. Married in Green Bay, Wis., Jan. 1, 1864 and 1865, just on the hour of 12 o'clock, mid- night, to Miss Caroline Hochgrave, who was born in Hanover. Ger- many ; they have one son and six daughters -- Charles, Carolina, Clara, Anna, Ella, Mary and Olga.

CHARLES D. RAND, foreman in the paint department of Thompson & Hayward's carriage works. Mr. R. was born in Port- land, Me., July 8, 1849, where he lived until he was twenty-six years of age; he also learned his trade of his father Joseph M. Rand, in the latter eity, who was a general painter, including ship painting, etc. Mr. C. D. Rand has a thorough knowledge of all branches of the business. He went from Maine to Omro, Wis., arriving in March, 1875, and immediately engaged with his pres- ent employers, who were there doing business. Mr. R. does his

work by contract ; has thirty five men under his supervision. He was married in Omro, Wis., March 4, 1876, to Miss Allie E. Reed, who was born in Omro ; they have one son, named George C. Rand.

RICHARD RAWLEY, foreman Payne's planing-mill; was born in Kent Co., New Brunswick, May 10, 1848 ; was engaged in mills there for a time ; came to the United States in 1867, and located in Oshkosh, Wis .; worked in mills in summer, and spent two winters in the woods. Had charge of sash department of Gould, Hume & Cos'. mill about 1869-70, and, after this, moved to Oconto, Wis., and took charge of planing-mill ; remained about three years; removed from Oconto to West DePere, Wis., where he was foreman in planing mill ; afur this was in Merrillon with Payne for a few months, then finally moved to Oshkosh and en- gaged with Payne, where he has remained. He was married in Oconto, Wis., September, 1873, to Miss Elizabeth Keefer, of Oconto ; they have two children-Maggie and Lizzie.

J. J. REAM, head miller at Foote Bros.' Mill; was born in Saxeville, Waushara Co, Wis., Feb. 20, 1852. Has been engaged in milling about nine years ; was in Eureka, Winnebago Co., some five years of this time; came to Oshkosh in 1877 and engaged with Foote Bros., where he has remained since. He was married, in Eureka, Nov. 12, 1874, to Miss Maggie Rounds, of Winnebago Co. They have one child-Edward. Mr. R. is a member of the I. O. O. F.

THOMAS T. REEVE, President of the Commercial Bank of Oshkosh, has been engaged in banking business in Wisconsin since 1857, first in Milwaukee, and since November, 1858 in Osh- kosh. At that time he, in partnership with Gilbert W. Roe. pur- chased the Oshkosh Commercial Bank, and they have been asso- ciated together in banking business continuously ever since. Prior to coming to Wisconsin, Mr. Reeve bad been Cashier of the Bank of Goshen, Orange Co., N. Y., for thirteen years

SYLVANUS RIPLEY, lumber manufacturer; was born in the town of Barry, Vt., March 3, 1818; reared in that vicinity, and came from Montpelier to Illinois in 1843; engaged in threshing in Illinois for four years. In June, 1848, he came to Oshkosh, brought the first threshing machine west of Fox River, in Wisconsin. and he introduced the first reaper which was oper- ated near Rock River. He was engaged in threshing in Wiscon- sin for sixteen winters; engaged in farming the year he came to this State, logging that winter, and, in the fall of 1848, com- menced threshing ; commene d the manufacture of lumber in part- nership with his present partner, Mr. Meed, in 1850. and they have continued that business since that time. Mr. Ripley was married, at Apple on, Wis., June, 1861, to Phobe Bowen, she is a native of the State of New York. They have three children- Alton, Montagne and Mary.

WILLIAM M. RIPSOM, engaged in the manufacture of shafts for carriages in Parson's & Goodfellow's carriage works. Mr. R. was born in Monroe Co., N. Y., Sept. 26, 1833; served his apprenticeship in his native State, where he lived until 1861, and settled in Dane Co., at Marshall, Wis., and followed his trade until 1871, and moved to Clarksville, Butler Co., Iowa, and engaged in carriage business; remained until 1873, and moved to Oshkosh, Wis .; worked at his trade for different parties until February, 1878; then began as above stated. He was married. in Orleans Co., N. Y., April 3, 1861, to Miss Charlotte (. Nichols ; she was born in the latter county Dec. 25, 1842. They have one son and a daughter-Francis H. and Gertrude L.

JOSEPH B. RIPSOM, carriage maker in Parsons & Good- fellow's Carriage Works; was born in Clarkson, Monroe Co., N. Y., Dec. 1, 1835; he lived in New York until 1863, following his trade; then went to Marshall, Dane Co., Wis., and followed his present business on his own account about three years ; he then returned to New York in 1870 and lived there until April, 1880, engaged in teaching. lle then came to Oshkosh, Wis., and en- gaged as above stated. Mr. Ripsom was married in Rochester, N. Y., Oct, 10, 1861, to Miss Abigail Lawton, who was born in

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HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.

Rochester, N. Y. They had four children by this union-Frank II. now in Nebraska), Lydia P, William L. and Josephine C. Mrs. Ripsom died in the fall of 1876, in Chenango Co., N. Y. Mr. Ripsom again married Nov. 10, 1878, to Miss Mollie A. Dean, who was born in Niagara Co., N. Y. They have one son - Harry R. Mr. Ripsom was engaged in teaching prior to 1862, and studied law in the law office of Norton & Bowman, of Brockport, N. Y .. and was admitted to the bar in 1877, during the time be- tween 1862 and 1877, he spent his time in Dane Co., Wis., and was admitted to the bar of the legal profession in Oshkosh in November, 1880.

GRIFFITH ROBERTS, filer, Morgan Bros .; was born in Wales in 1841, and came to the United States with his parents in 1842. They settled in Ohio, where they died. Griffith was adopted by D. Bowen and wife, and came with them to Waukesha, Wis., about 1851. Came to Oshkosh about 1861, and for a time was in the bakery business. In 1872 he engaged in the lumber business with the firm C. L. Chapman & Co .; they ran a saw-mill up to 1874, when the mill burned out; the firm then dissolved. Mr. Roberts has been with the present firm since that time, the first seven or eight years engaged in sawing. Mr. Roberts was married in Oshkosh in November, 1864, to Miss Jane M. Davis, of Winnebago County, formerly of Cattaraugus Co., N. Y. She died in 1876, leaving two children-Arthur Eien and John Wallace. Mr. Roberts is a member of the I. O. O. F.

GILBERT W. ROE, Vice President of the Commercial Bank of Oshkosh ; was born in Warwick, Orange Co., N. Y. He was engaged in the banking business at Chester, Orange Co., N. Y., being cashier of the Bank of Chester for several years prior to coming to Wisconsin in 1857. At that time he commenced a private banking business in Milwaukee, in partnership with Thos. T. Reeve. In November, 1858, they purchased the Oshkosh Commercial Bank. Mr. Roe has been continuously in the bank- ing business sinee coming bere. He is also extensively interested in pine lands and has recently erected an elegant building now oe- cupied by the Commercial Bank of Oshkosh. Prior to Septem- ber, 1880, he had been Cashier of the various banks which suc- ceeded the original institution which he first became interested in here.

HENRY ROENITZ, firm of Jaenicke & Roenitz, dealers and manufae urers of leather of all grades, consisting of harness and shoe leather, etc ; established in 1861, 43 Main St. Mr. Roenitz was born in Sheboygan, Wis., July 1, 1856. He spent his school days there until 1870. Then went to Oshkosh and attended the Business College. He returned to Sheboygan and served his time as tanner and learned the leather trade, and in 1876 he visited Europe and inspected the tanneries in different portions of that country with a view of gaining a better knowledge of the business. He returned in October, 1876; came to Oshkosh, Wis., and be- gan business in July, 1877, and the firm is now doing a large and increasing business.

D. W. ROWLAND. veterinary surgeon ; was born in Raeine Co., Wis., Nov. 13, 1852. Received schooling in his native county. In 187F he went to Chicago and attended medieal lect- ures ; went to Milwaukee in 1872 and remained to 1876, under instruction from Dr. Taylor, with whom he practiced for a time. In June, 1877, be located in Oshkosh and commenced the practice of his profession. Mr. Rowland was married in Menasha, August 3, 1881. to Miss Emma S. Jones, of Menasha.

R. C. RUSSELL, Cashier of the Union National Bank ; has been cashier of this institution since it commenced business, March 21. 1871. He had previously been proprietor of the Farmers' Bank of Oshkosh, which he started in 1868.

T. P. RUSSELL, physician and surgeon; was born at Bethel. Windsor Co., Vt., April 19, 1827; in 1843, he com- menced the study of medicine in his native town with Dr. Harry Palmer, and attended a course of lectures at the Vermont Medi- cal College the same year ; later he continued his studies with Prof. W. Carpenter at Randolph, Orange Co., Vt., and, in 1850

and 1851, he resumed his studies at the Vermont Medical Col- lege, and graduated from that institution in the latter year, prae- tieed for two years at Weston, Windsor Co., Vt., and, in 1854, Came to Oshkosh, where he has since continued in practice, except a period of two years during the war of the rebellion ; he was one year in active service as Surgeon of the 1st Wis. V. C., and, for nearly a year, he was incapacitated from duty by reason of siekness. He was married at Oshkosh Jan. 8, 1856, to Sophia Edgarton, a native of Madison, Madison Co., N. Y .; they have one child living-Thomas C .; lost two children. The Doctor is a member of the Society of Surgeons of the United States, American Medical Association, and Wisconsin State Medical Association.

HON. PHILETUS SAWYER, United States Senator ; was born in Vermont Sept. 22, 1816, and is, therefore, now sixty-four years of age. He was not born great, nor wealthy, for his father was a farmer and blacksmith at a time when, and in a region where, those employments promised little but hard work and a subsistence. He has not had greatness thrust upon him by adventitious eireumstanees, for there has been nothing accidental in the career which has now reached a place in the highest repre- sentative body in the world. Whatever of wealth and of honor in station and reputation he has attained has been achieved by an honest and industrions use of the faculties with which nature endowed him, and of the opportunities which were open to all competitors. When he was a year old his father removed to Essex Co., N. Y., where his childhood and youth were passed among the mountains and forests of the Adirondacks. His early life, like that of most of the dwellers in that region, was one of manual labor, with only such opportunities for education as the common schools of that time and place furnished for the children of those whose life work was to toil for bread and raiment. In every step and in every phase of his life, Mr. Sawyer has been constantly acquiring that knowledge of men and affairs, which is a condition of leadership and success in a generation eminently practical and looking mainly to material results. At seventeen. by an arrangement with his father, he became the master of his own time and labor. These he employed so successfully that, in 1847. at the age of thirty-one, he was enabled to seek a more profitable field for his future efforts in Wisconsin. with a capital of about $2,000. Two seasons of not very success- ful farming in his new home turned his thoughts to his former occupation of "logging " and lumbering. The great Wolf River pinery was then searcely touched. To the practical lumbermen it offered a prospeet for acenmulating wealth, and, in December, 1849, Mr. Sawyer removed to the village of Algoma, now in the city of Oshkosh. Here, the following season, he took a contraet to run, and subsequently rented, and finally purchased a saw-mill which had nearly ruined its owners, and from that to the present time his career as a business man has been a constant suceess. Where others have failed he has succeeded. When others have stood still he has advanced. His industry and sagacity have been so rewarded that his financial standing is now in the front rank among the solid men of Wisconsin. His reputation for integrity, open-handed generosity in his dealings, and for sound judgment in business enterprises has been uniform, and doubtless, has con- tributed to his success. It is inevitable that such a man should be called into the publie service in a new and thriving country. Mr. Sawyer served several years in the Common Council of the young eity of his residence. In 1857, and, in 1861, he was a member of the State Legislature. IIe served as Mayor two years. In 1864, he was elothed with full power and discretion to compromise and settle the bonded debt of the city, which he accomplished on exceedingly favorable terms. In 1862, though strongly solicited, he declined on account of his private business to become a candidate for Congress. He was a Republican of Free-Soil Democratic antecedents. In 1862, the district elected the Democratie candidate by a majority of over one thousand. Two years later. Mr. Sawyer consented to be a candidate, and was

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY.

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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