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 287

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 287

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).

WILLIAM WAKEMAN, JR., dealer in all kinds of fresh and salt meats, also does general packing and jobbing business, 150 Main street ; employs eight or ten men ; established in 1860. He was born in Birmingham, England, June 6, 1843. His parents emi- grated to America in 1847 and settled in Racine Co. ; lived there five years, then went to Indian Land, near Berlin, and lived one summer ; then went to De Pere, Wis., and lived eight years ; then moved to Waupun, where they lived six months; then to Oshkosh. Mr. W. took entire control of the meat market, then grown into an extensive business, in September, 1875, which was established by his father, William Wakeman, Sr. They suffered the loss of their shop, dwelling house and warehouse during the great fires, aggregating a loss of $20,000. They now have a large trade and do considerable wholesaling. William Wakeman, Jr., was married in Oshkosh, Wis., Jan. 26, 1865, to Miss Rebecca L. Hamer, who was born in Kenosha, Wis. They have two children-Carrie C. and Mary.

HON. GEORGE W. WASHBURN, lawyer, was born in Livermore, now Androseoggin Co., Maine, Oct. 29, 1823; eame to Oshkosh in June, 1847. He was a member of the State Senate in 1859-60 ; has served as County Judge, and for six years he was Judge of the Circuit Court, besides holding various city and county offices. The Judge has been interested in real estate and lumbering most of the time since he came to Wisconsin. For the last five years he has given nearly his entire time to his logging and pine land interests. In November, 1850, he was married, at Oshkosh, to Sarah B. Strickland, a native of Livermore, Maine. They have four children -Clara W., now Mrs Charles H. Morgan, of Lamar, Mo .; John R., associated with his father in lumber business ; Mary G. and Alice.

S. H. WATERMAN, filer, with McMillen, was born in Nor- wich, Windsor Co., Vt., Dec. 23, 1844; came to Wisconsin in 1863, and located in Oshkosh ; engaged in milling and general occupations, sawing two seasons. Has been filing sinee 1865, and with his present employer since fall of 1874. He was mar- ried in Oshkosh, Dee. 24, 1865, to Miss Maria L. Howard, of Oshkosh. They have three children-Albert H., Alice M., and Grace E. Mr. Waterman is a member of the A., F. & A. M., and of I. O. O. F.

DAVID WETHERBY, lumberman and logger. He was born in New Brunswick Oct. 1, 1823, and began work for his father, David Weatherby, of the St. Croix River, in Maine and New Brunswick, at the age of nineteen years, where he followed lumbering until 1855, and in September of the same year came to Oshkosh, Wis .; he first worked four years for other parties in the pineries, and began business on his own hook in the winter of 1859 ; he employs about thirty men during the logging season, and gets out on an average two million to three million feet ; for the last seven years, he has been engaged in the Little Wolf pine- ries, and sells his products in Oshkosh and Fond du Lac. He was married in New Brunswick, Sept. 22, 1847, to Miss Eliza A. Me- Cullough, who was born in the latter place ; they have three chil- dren living-Joseph M., now married and engaged for his father in the pineries ; Nettie M., now married to Mr. Evan Ewens and living in the city; David T., at home.

JAMES H. WEED, lumber manufacturer ; came to Oshkosh in 1846; engaged in mercantile business for many years after coming here; in 1862, he built his present saw-mill, and since then he has been extensively engaged in the manufacture of lum- ber. Mr. Weed is recognized as a publie-spirited citizen, and has contributed largely toward promoting the interests of Oshkosh.

A. W. WEISBROD, lawyer; was born in Oshkosh Oet. 4, 1851 ; he graduated from the Classical Department of the Michi- gan University at Ann Arbor, and spent two years in the univer- sities of Berlin, Heidelberg and Leipsic, in Germany ; prior to going to Europe, he had commenced the study, and when he re- turned to Oshkosh in 1873, he again took up that study, and, in October, 1874, was admitted to the bar ; he was associatsd with his father, Charles A. Weisbrod, and Charles W. Felker, in prae- tiee, until his father's death in 1876; afterward, for about one year, he continued with Mr. Felker ; since January, 1879, he has been engaged in practice with Henry B. Harshaw. Mr. Weis- brod's father was born in Germany, and came to Oshkosh in 1849; he was one of the leading lawyers of this region, and for ten years prior to his death (May 21, 1876) he had been a partner with Charles W. Felker ; his widow ( Eliza Goetz Weisbrod ) still resides at Oshkosh.

C. S. WESTON, dealer in a general line of groceries, pro- visions, and commission business, 15 Main street. He settled in Oshkosh, Wis., in 1858, and began buying produce of all kinds, making trips on Fox River from Oshkosh to Portage City, follow- ing that two years ; bought live stock two years, shipping to Chi- eago and the Lake Superior region, and established his grocery trade in 1862; he was very successful, but during the great fires which laid the city in ruins he lost heavily ; he now has a fine store and is doing a good trade. Mr. W. made a trip to the fa- mous Black Hills of Dakota in the spring of 1878; remained during the summer season ; returned soon, and has since continued his business as noted. He was born in Warren, Litchfield Co., Conn., June 5, 1826; was married, Jan. 17, 1857, in Akron, Ohio, to Miss Philena M. Stilwell, who was born near the latter eity ; they have four sons-Wilber K., now married and doing business in Florence, Wis .; Frank D., assisting his father ; Harry B., at home learning telegraphy ; Warren, attending school; Maud, now deeeased.

FRANK WESCOTT, tank maker in Schmit Bros.' factory. Mr. Wescott was born in England Dec. 24, 1839, and emi- grated to America in 1860. He was a member of the British army, and went to Halifax, Nova Scotia; remained in the army five years and eight months ; was then discharged Aug. 20, 1863. He then went to New York City, lived there a short time, went to Chicago, Ill., and learned the trunk maker's trade, remaining three years. Went to Raeine and followed his trade in company with Schmit Bros., being a partner. He came to Oshkosh, Wis., in 1868, and has been there since, engaged as above noted. He was married, in Oshkosh, Wis., May 1, 1871, to Miss Susannah Trausch, who was born in the Grand Duchy of Luxemburg, Ger- many.

GEORGE WHITTAKER, of the firm of C. Heim & Co., marble dealers. Mr. Whittaker was born in Scotland Sept. 8, 1843, and emigrated to America in 1848, with his parents, and settled in Paterson, N. J., where they lived one year. Then moved to Milwaukee, Wis., and lived there until 1862, and learned a portion of his trade. lle enlisted in Co. F, 24th W. V. I .; served during the war, and was engaged in the battles of Perryville, Stone River, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Resaca, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, Jonesboro, Frankiin, Nashville, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain and all the principal battles in that vicinity. Was mustered out at Nashville, Tenn., in June, 1865. He returned to Milwaukee and engaged in marble cutting one year. Went to Chicago, Ill., and followed his trade until 1870. Went to New York City, worked three months at same. Then to Boston, Mass., worked at his trade five years, and returned to Milwaukee and worked at his trade three years. Then kept a summer resort until Oct. 13, 1880, when he moved to Oshkosh, Wis., and engaged in the marble business. He was married, in Chicago, Ill., May, 1875, to Miss Eliza Daily, who was born in Milwaukee, Wis. They have three children-Dorrit, Nellie and Charles.

FRANZ WILLE, dealer in general line hardware, stoves and tinware, 25 Main street, established his store in 1867. Trade amounts to $23,000 per annum in good business times. He em-

1167

HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY.

ploys two men. Ile was born in Germany in Kingdom, Prussia Sept. 23, 1825. Emigrated to America in 1843, and located in Milwaukee, Wis. ; followed different kinds of business ; also clerked for the once hardware king, Mr. John Nazro, a number of years. He then came to Oshkosh in 1867, his goods arriving before he did. He was married, in Milwaukee, in 1854, to Miss Emily Buestrin, who was born in Milwaukee. They have five children living-John, Edward, Ida, Richard and Ada. His oldest son, John, is now married and living in Oshkosh.

GEORGE M. WILLIAMSON, of the firm of Williamson, Libbey & Co., sash, door and blind manufacturers ; was born in Melrose-on-the-Tweed, Scotland, Feb. 18, 1830; came to Schnec- tady, N. Y., with his parents, in 1833. In 1854, he went to California, where he remained for two years. In September, 1856, he came to Oshkosh, Wis .; engaged in carpenter and joiner busi- nes+ here until 1864, when he entered the employ of Morgan Bros , and was connected with their planing-mill until 1866, when he became a partner in the firm of Griffith & Co., who purchased the planing-mill of Morgan Bros. In 1870, the firm of G. M. Williamson & Co. was formed, and continued until the establish- ment of the present firm of Williamson, Libbey & Co., which is composed of G. M. Williamson, J. J. Cameron, J. R. Jones and D. L. Libbey.

HENRY WILSON, foreman W. L. & Co .; was born in Lincoln Co., Maine, Sept. 17, 1820 ; was first engaged io milling business in Maine. About 1854, he moved to Williamsport, Penn., and engaged in same business. Came to Wisconsin in 1859, located in Oshkosh, and engaged in filing, which he followed until he enlisted, in 1861, in Co. B, 3d W. V. I. ; taken prisoner in 1862 in Banks' retreat in Shenandoah Valley. He was sent to Belle Isle, where he remained some four months ; then exchanged and discharged for disability. Returned to Oshkosh for a time, and then he removed to Chicago, Ill., where he remained some twelve years engaged as foreman of a planing-mill. Then returned to Oshkosh, where he finally located. Has been with pre-ent firm six years. Was married, in Chicago, in 1865, to Mary Reynolds, of Chicago. Mrs. R. had at time two children by her former hus- band-George (died in 1881), John R., now in Oshkosh. Mr. Wilson is a member of 1. O. O F.

ANDREW WILSON, lumberman, also dealer in real estate, mining lands, etc. He first located in Raeine Co., Wis., in 1843; farmed one year; moved to Walworth Co. in 1844; engaged in farming six years, then moved to Omro, Wis., and located and en- gaged in lumber business until within a few years. He also has recently completed a fine large brick building, costing about $8,000, in Omro, Wis., to be used for stores and offices. Mr. W. has been a resident of Oshkosh, Wis., since October, 1880. He was born in Onondaga Co., N. Y., in 1821. Was married in Omro, Wis., in 1868, to Miss Julia E. Holcomb, who was born in Essex Co., Vt. They have five children-Harley A., now married and living in Omro, farming, Myron E., Cora E., Mary E. and Fannie L. Mr. W. is a member of the Commandery Lodge of Masons. He went on a pleasure trip to California in fall 1875, taking his family with him and spent two years on the Pacific Coast.

E. BARTON WOOD, M. D., Principal of High School ; born in 1838, at Whitestown, N. Y .; graduated at Hamil ou College, Clinton, N. Y., in 1864 ; enlisted in 1863, in 3d Artillery, N. Y. Vol .; promoted to Reg. Com. Sergeant., then to Regt. Q M. Ser- geant ; then 2d Lieutenant. Soon after promoted to 1st Lieutenant. He was in command of a battery a number of months, under Gen. Schofield ; joined Gen. Sherman at Goldsboro, and went to Raleigh. Lieutenant Wood was allowed a furlough to return to Hamilton College in 1864, having kept up his college studies. He resigned from the army in May, 1865. Was clerk in Quarter- master's department till August, 1865; engaged as Principal of Ward School, in Troy, N. Y. In 1866, Principal of Loweville Academy. In 1867, an offer was made to Lieutenant Wood from Romeo, Mich., to establish a system of graded schools ; left there 1873, for Racine, to be the Principal of High School; eame to

Oshkosh in 1874, and has been Principal of the High School ever since. He is a very popular man, and his teaching is highly sue- cessful. His graduates take high positions as teachers. In 1865, he married Sarah Tolman, of Medford, Mass .; she died July, 1867. He married again in 1879. Miss Helen Palen, of Romeo, Mich. They have three children-Jessie P., aged nine years, Al- fred E., seven years, and Clinton, of five years. Mr. Wood is member of the First Presbyterian Church here, now elder and trustee.

L. B. WRIGHT, filer for Radford Bros., was born in Tioga Co., N. Y., April 16. 1840. His parents, Joseph and Phoebe ( Neal) Wright, came to Wisconsin in 1858, settling in Oshkosh where they still live, they celebrated their golden wedding Sept. 22, 1881. L. B. engaged in saw-mills as a young man, setting for a short time, and filing and sawing since 1862, with the exception of two summers he was away from Oshkosh ; with present firm since 1880. He was married in Fremont, Waupaca Co., Wis., April 16, 1861, to Miss Susan Isbel. They have two children-Custis Joseph and Charles Henry.

WM. H. WYMAN, engineer at Foote Bros.' mill, was born in Montpelier, Vt., Feb. 16, 1853. His parents came to Wiscon- sin in 1859, and located in Berlin; they remained until about 1865, when they returned to Vermont. Wm. H. left home in 1869, and lived at different places ; was in St. Paul, Minn., about two years, engaged as engineer ; has followed this business, in all, some seven or eight years; engaged with present firm April, 1881.

W. WYLAND, manufacturer of carriages, wagons, and repair- ing done, also general blacksmithing. Mr. W. was born in Elk- hart Co., Ind., Sept. 1, 1843; settled at Oshkosh, July 14, 1871 ; first worked at his trade for other parties, and began for himself in 1878. He began in a small way at first, but now has all he can attend to. Was married in Oshkosh, June 17. 1874, to Miss Jennie McMillan, who was born in Tioga Co., N. Y., in 1853. They have one son named Levi A. Mr. W. enlisted in Co. C, 11th Reg. Mich. Inft., Oet. 28, 1864 ; served eleven months and was mustered out at Jackson, Mich., Sept. 28, 1864.

NEENAH AND MENASHA.

Where the north end of Lake Winnebago contracts into the outlet of the Wolf River lies a tract of land, some 800 acres in extent, known as Doty's Island. On each side runs a narrow channel, which unites and expands again above the island into Little Butte des Morts. Before civil- ization came to despoil her of her beauties, this spot was a favored child of nature and beloved as a home by nature's children. For a long time, within the memory of man, Doty's Island was the headquarters of a tribe of Winneba- goes, while across the northern channel, on what is now the Menasha side, lived a friendly band of Menomonees. To the south again, on the mainland, was an Indian settlement, now Neenah. The land thus occupied became the sites of Neenah and Menasha, a line passing nearly through the mid- dle of the island separating the two cities. Before the advent of railroads, when the Fox River promised to be the great commercial highway of Wiseonsin and the Northwest in point of natural location, the two cities seemed to be unrivaled.

"Tread lightly, for this is historic ground." All the early Jesuit Fathers and French and English travelers have at times set foot upon this soil. Ilere it was where occurred the final conflict between the French with the allied Indian tribes and the fierce and implacable Foxes, which resulted in the expulsion of the latter from the lovely valley which they had disgraced. On the south bank of the Fox was that " Treaty elm," under whose branches were conducted

1168

HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.

so many councils by the dusky children of the valley. On this spot was finally laid the foundation of Neenah, upon an idea based upon the improvement and civilization of its na- tive occupants.

FOUNDING OF NEENAH.

In 1834, in pursuance with the treaty made with the Menomonee Indians in 1831, Winnebago Rapids was selected as the site for the Government agency. The next year the saw and grist mill was erected, known as the " Old Govern- ment Mill," and thirty-three log houses divided into three rows were built for the accommodation of the teachers, farmers, other Government officers and the Indians who were to be civilized. The contractors were William Dicken- son and Daniel Whitney, of Green Bay. Nathaniel Perry, one of the farmer teachers, had arrived in 1834 and moved into his log house with his family. Afterward, in the same capacity, came Clark Dickenson, Robert Irwin and Ira Baird, also of Green Bay, who moved into the houses erected for them by the Government. Five houses were built for the men who were to run the mill. That which

the market in 1846, and although for some reason it was very difficult to have the land officers at Green Bay admit that they were for sale. Many settlers commenced to enter claims and locate. In the spring of that year G. P. Vin- ing and George Harlow, who had been employed by Mr. Reed on the mills and wing-dam during the winter, went to Green Bay for the purpose of entering land, but were met with the old reply, " The lands were not in the market." Foreseeing this, however, they had armed themselves with the Presidential Proclamation offering the lands for sale, and presenting the document like a weapon of offense, forced the sale and returned triumphant to the Rapids. In 1845, ex-Gov. James Duane Doty settled with his family upon the island, which bears his name. In March, 1846, Rev. O. P. Clinton, of the American Board of Home Missions, took up his residence in one of the log houses near the Council Tree, and in May the first minister married the first couple, John(?) F. Johnston and Jeanette Finch, sister of Mrs. Clinton. In the fall of this year came Harvey Jones, of Gloversville, N. Y., who had lent Mr. Reed funds

CITY OF NEENAH.

stood on the lake shore, at the east end of Wisconsin avenue, was for years the residence of Harrison Reed, the real founder of Neenah. To make a long story short, the Indian agency proved a failure. The Menomonees preferred to shelter their horses rather than themselves in the Government houses, or to build fires upon the floors of their log huts rather than in the civilized iron receptacles. The Govern- ment farmers and teachers became discouraged and moved away. In September, 1836. both parties were glad enough to annul the agreement. At the same time they ceded the remainder of their lands in Winnebago County north of the Upper Fox. These were surveyed by Garret Vliet, of Mil- waukee, under the direction of A. G. Ellis. Surveyor Gen- eral, in 1839. In 1844 Harrison Reed, who had visited the locality the previous winter, came into possession of 562 acres of the agency land, with buildings and improve- ments, and settled here with his family, to found a city. He is not entitled to the distinction of being the first set- tler, however, for in August, 1843, George H. Mansur and family had been induced to permanently locate here and assist in putting the old mills and buildings into decent shape. The other lands upon the site of Neenah came into

with which to avert the threatened sale of the property by the Government, on account of non payment of the pur- chase money ($4,760). Other new comers settled about this time, there being a decided influx during 1846-47. The settlement on the south side of the river was growing into a decided village, but upon the island and the Menasha side there was virtually nothing, although the lands in that locality had been offered for sale as early as 1835.

In August, 1835, when the land upon which Menasha now stands was first offered for sale, James Duane Doty bid in most of it, settling upon a portion of his purchase in 1845. In February, 1847, a company was chartered to improve the water-power. It consisted of Gov. Doty and his son Charles, Harrison Reed and his brother Curtis, and Harvey Jones. Curtis Reed had been a Government beef contractor for the Indians, at Grand Butte des Morts, and altogether quite a man of affairs. He determined, in company with ex-Gov. Doty, to found a rival town on the north side of the river. With this object in view, he came to reside permanently. He built a log house at the head of the present canal, started a store in another build- ing which he erected, and commenced the construction of

1169

HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY.

the dam. The company which had organized for the mutual improvement of a water-power which should benefit both localities, was divided into two factions. Gov. Doty and Curtis Reed, of course, were one in aims. Har- rison Reed, because of his disagreements with Harvey Jones in regard to their rival village plats, often threw his influ- ence with them, although his interests were with Neenah and Winnebago Rapids. In 1849, the disputes and legal quarrels culminated in the strife over the location of the State canal, which was to connect Lake Winnebago and Butte des Morts. Curtis Reed obtained the contract, but on account of the enlargement of the original plan, turned the work over for completion to another company. Not to be outdone, however, Harvey Jones commenced the building of a canal to supply power to the Neenah mills, but did not live to see it completed. He died in November, 1849. The work was continued under the administrators of his estate. The canal lock was completed in 1852, and in 1856

ing-mill, transformed soon into a furniture factory, and after- ward known as the Empire Flour Mills. The building was torn down in 1874, and Patten's paper mills erected upon the site. In 1850, J. R. and H. L. Kimberly, late settlers, commenced the erection of the flouring-mills which stand as the oldest representatives of the early manufac- tories along the water-power. The machinery and grinding stones were shipped by water to Green Bay, having been taken from an old mill at Rensselaerville, N. Y., and then transported to Neenah by Durham boats. The portages were overcome at great expense of time, patience and mus- cle, as this was before the days of the Fox and Wisconsin River improvements. In 1852- 3, Edward Smith, Hugh Sherry and H. Wheeler, built the Winnebago Flouring Mills. In 1857, the firm of Smith & Proctor (John Proc- tor) was formed. The mills were greatly improved in 1877. This may be said to close the list of the early manufactories of Neenah.

CITY OF MENASHA.

the steamer Aquila passed through it on the first trip to Green Bay and return. These affairs, which may seem so unimportant now, when railroads supply business life and maintain commercial relations with the world, were then weighty with significance and future importance.

The old Government saw and grist-mill was the father of the manufactories of Neenah, and was burned in the spring of 1874. In the spring of 1848, Charles Linds- ley and Harvey Jones commenced the erection of a saw- mill, which was the first manufactory built on the water- power by private parties. It was situated where the Nee- nah Paper Mills now stand. The latter soon became sole proprietor, and thus continued until his death in 1849. In 1850, Robert llold, Asa Jones and William L. Linds- ley purchased the mill of his estate, and operated a lath and furniture manufactory. The former became proprie- tor in 1852, and continued to carry on the business until the building was destroyed by fire, in 1864. About the same time that Messrs Jones and Lindsley commenced the erection of their mill, Donaldson, Lajest & Co. built a plan-

Returning to Menasha, it is found that Curtis Reed and Cornelius Northrup had been just finishing the dam com- menced in 1848. This year (1850) they put their saw-mill in operation, and, soon after, with the assistance of HI. A. Burts, an addition was built, and run as a grist-mill. Upon its site now stands the large Eagle Flouring Mills, Alex- ander Symes, proprietor. H. A. Burts is a skillful mill- wright, on Winnebago avenue. Two saw-mills, a furniture factory, and a tub and pail factory, were in operation before the year 1850 had come to a close. The next year the steamer Menasha was built by Messrs. Doty and Reed, a dock and warehouse were constructed, and the village on the island (Menasha it had been named several years previously, by Mrs. Doty), snapped her fingers at the village to the southi, which hitherto had been giving her the go-by in the way of transportation facilities. Another steamer was soon put on between Menasha and Grand Chute; through the efforts of Capt. L. B. Mckinnon, a plank road was constructed to Appleton, and Menasha so fairly " boomed " with enterprise as to cause serious uneasiness to the Twin City. It seems

1170

HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.

that, at this stage of the rivalry, when it was evident that both Neenah and Menasha were bound to live and grow, as two of the important manufacturing points of the State, that the twin cities began to see how much better it would be to bridge over their differences to some extent, and work together. At all events, in 1851. a bridge was thrown across the south channel of the river to the island, as a peace- offering from the people of Neenah, and Menasha did her part by constructing one across the northern stream.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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