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 293

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 293

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PETER SAMPHIER, firm of P. Samphier & Brother, dealer in general stock of boots and shoes, gloves and mittens ; estab- lished in fall 1865 ; sales amount to about 88,000 per annum ; he located at Omro, Wis., September, 1857, and worked at the boot and shoe business until Feb. 23, 1864, when he enlisted in Co. C, 3d Wis. Cavalry ; served about one year ; then the regiment was re-organized and he went into Co. HI ; he was all through Priee's raid, first battle Lexington, Big Blue, Fort Scott, Newtonia, and was mustered out in Leavenworth, Kan., October, 1865 ; returned to Omro, Wis., and engaged in boot and shoe trade, and has since followed the same in company with his brother, James W. Sam- phier. Peter Samphier was born in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., April 5, 1835 ; was married in Appleton, Wis., Feb. 14, 1858, to Miss Mary L. Curtis, who was born in same county, New York. They had one son-Thaddeus J., deceased. Mr. S. has been Chair- man of his town for three years. He is a member of the Masonie Lodge, also of I. O. O. F.

DR. I. H. SHEERAR, dentist, located in Omro, Wis., in 1864 ; he learned his profession in Cortland, N. Y., beginning in 1859, where he remained one year ; then went to Virgil, same State, and began his profession at his old homestead, where he continued three years ; went to Omro Junction, Wis., and lived one year ; then traveled and practiced, and finally located as above noted, being there from fall of 1863 to the following spring, and went to Waukau, Wis., and was there one year engaged in bis profession ; he returned to Omro Junetion and practiced until 1878; then moved to Omro and since practiced here ; he was born April 1, 1840, in Virgil, N. Y. Married at Omro Junetion Nov. 14, 1866, to Miss Josephine U. Beals, who was born in Wheatland, Walworth Co., Wis., Nov. 9, 1846. They have one daughter-Florence, born Jan. 2, 1868, died June 12, 1868; Frank B. Sheerar, born Sept. 19,1870. Mr. S. is a member of the Knights of Honor, also Good Templars' Lodge, and has been a member of the City Board.

EDWARD SARGEANT was born in Chester, Windsor Co., Vt., Dec. 8, 1832. Parents were farmers. lle received a com- mon school and academic education at Chester, Vt. Came to

Wisconsin December, 1856; taught school in Lake, Milwaukee Co., Wis., during winter of 1856 and 1857; next summer in Fari- bault Co., Minn., then home for three years; was in Waukesha and Milwaukee Co., Wis .; in spring of 1860 returned to Chester, Vt., returned to Waukesha, Wis., spring 1861 ; home at Waukesha, Wis., until June, 1863. He was married June 17, 1863, at Lake, Milwaukee Co., Wis., to Martha A. Austin, daughter of Samuel Austin; she was born in Rochester, Windsor Co., Vt , Aug. 19, 1838; came to Lake, Wis., with her parents in 1844; spent the next year in Chester, Vt .; back to Lake, Milwaukee Co., Wis., September, 1864 ; home at Lake until spring of 1866 ; occupation during last ten years mostly teaching and farming, 1856 to 1866 ; came to Omro, Wis., spring 1866, employed for a few years about the lumber and shingle mill of H. Johnson ; last ten years occupation has been farming and local agent to 1881 ; has held office Town Assessor four years ; Clerk of School Board village Omro six years ; member of Village Board and represent- ative of village of Omro in County Board. Children living are -- Marian M., born in Chester, Vt., April 25, 1964 ; Jennie M., Omro, Wis., May 4, 1874; Ernest E., Omro, Nov. 20, 1875; Harvey O., Omro, July 6, 1878.

J. D. TRELEVEN. of the firm of Treleven & Orchard, dealers in a general line of clothing, including custom and ready made furnishing goods, etc .; established in 1867 ; trade amounts to about $20,000 annually ; stock about $3,000. Mr. T. settled in Omro, Wis., in 1864, and worked at the tailor's trade about four years ; after which he began business for himself and has since continued ; he has been Town and Village Treasurer since 1877. also School District Treasurer. He is a member of the Knights of Honor, a beneficiary association ; he is also a member I. O. O. F. He was born in England June 14, 1844 ; he was married in Omro, Wis., June 14, 1877, to Miss Anna R. Root, who was born in Vermont. They have three children-Elizabeth E., Eva B. and Minnie B.

ANDREW J. WHITE, engaged in the mercantile business in Princeton, Wis., in the fall of 1855, where he continued until spring of 1856; then moved to Omro, Wis., and began speculat- ing ; he engaged in mercantile business in 1858; continued two years, sold out his interest and engaged in lumbering, farming, etc. ; in 1862 he again opened trade in Omro and continued until fall of 1865, and was elected County Sheriff, which he held one term; was appointed Postmaster under first Administration of U. S. Grant, served about three years and resigned ; he was soon appointed Postmaster of State Senate one term, and afterward was engaged in speculating, etc. He was born in MeKean Co., Penn., April 26, 1826 ; was married to Miss Melissa Chapin of same county in fall of 1846. They had two children-Harriet E. and Nellie M. Mrs. W. died July 14, 1855 ; was again mar- ried at Dartford, Wis., October, 1855, to Cordelia P. Coates, who was born in Mckean Co., Penn. They have one child-Lulu B. Mr. W. was the first Marshal of Omro.

PLATT M. WRIGHT, proprietor and publisher of Omro Journal; established in 1864; originally called Ouro Union ; circulation about 500 copies; job work, etc .; deals in school books, stationery, etc. He was born in Wrightstown, Brown Co., Wis., Sept. 11, 1846. His father, Hoel S. Wright, settled in Brown Co., Wis., in 1833. The subject of this sketch lived there until he was nineteen years of age ; they then moved to Green- ville, Mich. ; was there four years with his parents; then went to Omro, Wis., 1870, engaged in clerking about four years; he then bought a half interest in Omro Journal, firm name of Kaine & Wright; was in company three or four years; he then bought the whole interest and has since continued. He was married in Greenville, Mich., in 1871 to Miss Mary A. Johnson. He was again married in Charlotte, Mich., in 1878 to Miss Edie Archer. He has one son living named George A. Wright. Mr. W. has been a member of the County Board, also Police Justice, and is now Justice of the Peace.

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1187

HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY.

WINNECONNE.

At the foot of Lake Winneconne, and the terminus of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Company's northern branch, is the neat little village of Winneconne. The fertility and beauty of the surrounding country, and its own location, explain the fact that its site was long a flourishing Indian village. When the Foxes were so terribly cut to pieces at Butte des Morts, the remnant fled to this spot, and rested for breath before forever relinquishing their claim to the beautiful valley of the Fox. When civilization fairly became established, for many years the village was on the eastern bank of the river. The first settler on the site of the village was Jeremiah Pritchell, who, in 1847, built a log house. Two years later, when C. R Hamlin arrived from Ohio, he found in the vicinity a couple of dilapidated log cabins and a Government building. Others, however, commenced to be attracted by the location of the place, and the village was platted in October, 1849, Hoel S. Wright and E. Gordon, proprietors. With the laying out of the village, came the need of a school; so the next year the settlers induced William Mumbrue to open one in a 16x28 feet concern, which " structure " had been erected for the purpose. This building served to foster both education and religion. Dur- ing the previous year (1849), John Scott had launched out as the first general store-keeper, and E. D. Gumaer built a frame house on the east side of the river. In the winter of 1850, Joseph Edwards was appointed Postmaster of " Wanekuna." H. C. Mumbrue built a chair-factory, oper- ated by horse-power. Hyde Brothers erected a saw-mill- and what more could be asked of a village so young? In 1853, a floating bridge was thrown across the river, which proceeding, however, did not advance settlement on the west side thereof. But, in 1867, Capt. Mapes purchased a tract of land on the west side of the river, and exerted himself to improve that locality and obtain railroad com- munication for the village. In the fall of 1868, the exten- sion was made. The results of its reviving effects were soon seen. The village increased in population. Winneconne was incorporated by the Legislature in 1871. A fine bridge, costing $18,000, took the place of the old floating structure, and new business enterprises were established. Winneconne, within the next ten years, seemed determined to make up for lost time. The village has now a popula- tion of about 1,600. It has two fine schools, graded; that on the east side is taught by Chester Smith, with Miss Jennie Allen as assistant, and the west side school has O. A. Parkes as its Principal, and Miss Clara Summer as assistant. The Lake View House is its leading hotel. The churches are the Catholic-Father H. Anen, Pastor ; the Baptist, Rev. D. B. Coppien, Pastor, and the Lutheran. Rev. Oscar Griebling, Pastor. The Presbyterians have no settled Pastor.

Winneconne has several manufactories, prominent among which is the lumber and shingle-mill just started, after a period of rest, by Lefevre & Co. The saw-inill was built in 1870, and, after being idle from 1878, to 1880, was purchased by Thomas Wall and G. H. Lefevre. Its capacity is 50,000 feet of lumber, and 40,000 shingles. Stickles & Starks also operate a good sash, door and blind factory on the west side. E. McNutt runs a small mill on the east side, and there are one or two other smaller establishments. A ship-yard is in operation by Paulson & Pierson, whose business is mostly confined to repairing. Theodore Yager

has a small brewery in this vicinity, built in 1880, and which manufactures 400 barrels of beer annually.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

GEORGE S. BARNUM, retired, Winneconne ; first settled in Fond du Lac County, near Green Lake, Wis., in 1847, and engaged in farming, but being brought up a merchant, soon gave up that occupation, and, after a brief residence there, settled on Democrat Prairie, Winnebago Co., where, after a short time, he moved to Waukau, same county, and engaged in milling under firm name Barnum, Parsons & Daniels, continued several years, then firm was changed to Barnum, Bean & Wood and continued until 1868, at which time, he moved to Winneconne, where he has since been engaged in real estate, loaning money, etc. He was born in Monkton, Addison Co., Vt., Sept 26, 1819. He was married at the latter place, Jan. 6, 1842, to Miss Mary P. Kins- ley, who was born and reared in same place. They have two children-Mary E., now married to Mr. E. W. Enos, and living in Vinland, Winnebago Co .; Jerome W .. married and living in Winneconne. Mr. Barnum was the first Town Clerk of Nepeus- kum Township. He has served two terms in the Wisconsin State Assembly, also two terms in Senate.

GEORGE C. KING, Postmaster, and dealer in groceries, notions, etc., Winneconne ; established in 1876. He first located at New London, Wis., in 1858, and first engaged in the livery business, then hotel. and ran a stage from New London to Osh- kosh two years. He followed boating on Wolf and Fox Rivers two years ; ran a meat market until he was appointed Postmaster in 1876, and has since held that office and engaged as above noted. He was born in Oswego Co., N. Y., April 12, 1837. Was married in Winneconne Township, Oct. 28, 1860, to Miss Martha M. Ashby, who was boro March 14, 1842, at Strongs- ville, Ohio, whose parents settled in Winneconne in 1846. Her brother, Lucins Ashby, was the first white child boro in that township, Sept. 10. 1846. They have one son-George E. King, who assists his father. Mr. King is a member of the Masonic Order, No. 186, of his village, and was the first Master of his lodge. He is also a member of the Chapter. Masonic Lodge, of Omro.

THEODORE NEILSEN, Winneconne, dealer in dry goods, groceries and general assortment found in a country store ; located in Winneconne in fall of 1850, and engaged in working in the lumber business and different kinds of employment until 1863, when he began in Butte des Morts in mercantile trade, where he remained three years and moved to Winneconne. Ile was born in Norway June 14, 1826; emigrated to America in fall of 1850. Married in Winneconne, Nov. 7, 1863, to Miss Lydia Pritchet, who was born in Delaware Oet. 13, 1844. They have two sons- Frank and Eddie. Mr. Neilson served as Postmaster in Butte des Morts, also as Town Treasurer and several other offices.

E. MINUTT, lumberman, Winnceonne, Wis. ; located at Manitowoc, Wis., 1858, where he lived until 1867, in the above business; he then went to Fond du Lae and engaged in same business five years, then moved to Winneeonne and followed lum- bering since. He put in the machinery in the saw mill on east side of river and operated the same four years ; was engaged on west side of river previous to operating, as last mentioned, four years. Was born in Blandford. Hampden Co., Mass .. Oct. 26, 1821. Was married in Heart Grove, Ohio. July 29, 1848, to Miss Laura M. Burdick, who was born in Otsego Co., N. Y. They have two children-Carrie E. and Gail H. Mr MeNutt is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He served on special duty in the Union army four months until close of war, and was mustered out at Madison, Wis.

J. D. RUSH, attorney and counselor at law, Winneconne, Wis. ; first settled in Winneconne in December, 1847, and taught school three years; he was also connected with the lumber and logging business up to 1868, after which, he engaged in real estate

1.88

HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.

and law business, and is at present making the latter more of a specialty. He was born in Cass Co., Mich., March 16, 1825. Was married in Waupaca County in winter of 1853, to Miss Eliza J. Edwards, who was born in Bedford Co., Penn., Aug. 23. 1834. Her parents settled in Winneconne from Ohio in 1849, They have two children-Mary Ella, now married to Mr. Jerome W. Barnum, of Winneconne, and Arthur D. Rush, now engaged in freighting from Deadwood to Ft. Pierre, D. T. Mr. Rush is a member of the Masonic Fraternity of his village, No. 186; was also a member of the Wisconsin Legislature in 1859. Has been Town Clerk several years, and Chairman of his town five or six years.

LUCIUS WEBSTER, farmer, P. O. Winneconne ; settled in Winneconne. Wis., in 1854, and engaged in mercantile business five years, afterward Postmaster eight years. and kept a grocery store in connection; he afterward engaged in the apiary eulture in connection wich farming. Was born in Kingsville, Ashtabula Co., Ohio, Jan. 10, 1814. Married in the latter place in 1847, to Miss Lydia M. Webster, who was born in Monroe, same county, Ohio. They had three children-Lora F., Luriottis L., Phehe E. Mrs. Web- ster died in the latter place in 1833. Mr Webster was again married in Andover, same county, Sept. 3, 1834, to Miss Emily A. Pickett, who was born in Ashtabula, same county, Ohio. They have two children-Emily F. and S. Adelaide. Mr Web- ster is a member of Presbyterian Church, also a member of I. O. O. F., and member of temperance lodges, and has held several offices of his town.

WAUKAAU

is a elean little village of 300 inhabitants, situated on roll- ing land, at the outlet of Rush Lake, and upon the line of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Company. It possesses a charming natural site for a summer resort. The village is in the southeastern corner of the town of Rushford, in the western part of Winnebago County. All are agreed that this pure and fair location was first discovered by L. M Parsons, who removed to Ceresco from Fox Lake, Fond du Lac County, in 1845, and thence to Waukau, in March, 1846. John R. Hall, E. D., Uriah and J. M., arrived soon after. The former states that when he settled in Waukau, there was not a cabin between that spot and Rosendale. Fond du Lac County. Himself, E. D. and Uriah Hall, who came in the fall of 1846, were given shelter in Mr. Parsons' cabin. until they could erect huts of their own. A considerable infusion of new blood was drawn into the young settlement during the next spring. So en- couraging did the outlook appear, that Mr. Parsons platted what is now the northern portion of Waukau, the southern portion being laid out in December of the next year by Messrs. S. W. White and G. W. Woodruff. Edward West was the surveyor. It was at this time (the spring of 1847) that mail communication was established with Ceresco, four- teen miles distant. A post office was established at Waukau during the next year, W. H. Elliott, Postmaster. In the meantime. Mr. Parsons had put in operation the first grist mill in the county, except the one at the Government agency at Neenah ; a store had been opened by Elliott & White; a school started, Elder William R. Manning, teacher ; and sundry other establishments were born, indicating that Wankan meant to live. Among other events that indicated a desire among the people to locate permanently and "grow up with the country," was the marriage of Henry Bixby and Miss Mary Palfrey (John G. Palfrey, one of the leading citizens of Waukau, had located in the fall of 1846). The second event which tended to prove this statement was the birth of a son to the Mr. and Mrs. John Johnson. In

1848, Lester Rounds came from Ceresco, where he had been aeting for the past four years as Secretary of the " Wisconsin Phalanx of the Fourier Association," and es- tablished the second general store in Waukan. This he re- moved subsequently to Eureka, and was one of the founders of that village. From 1848, up to the present time, the growth of the village has been slow but steady. It received the invariable benefit of railroad communication when the branch of the St. Paul road was extended to Winneconne, in 1868.

Waukau has, at present, three general stores, owned by R. D. Paris, H. E. Robinson and Pomeroy & Wood. The Waukau Flouring Mills, successors to the old grist mill, built by Mr. Parsons, are owned and operated by Messrs. Bean & Palfrey, the Empire Mills by Messrs. Wood & Lin- coln ; R. D. Paris & Co. are the proprietors of the woolen mills. Rush Lake is the source of the water-power which runs these manufactories. The Carter House represents well the hotel business, inaugurated in Waukau in 1849 by Warren Beach. As to schools, the village being unin - corporated, depends upon the district school, which has an average attendance of 125. Of churches, there are two, the Baptists being without a pastor ; Rev. R. S. Hayward is pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Society. There is no reason why Waukau, with its healthful location, its railroad facilities, its manufactories and its good general trade, should not grow for years to come.

BIOGRAPHIICAL SKETCHES.

DAVID R. BEAN, firm of Bean & Palfrey, proprietors of Waukau Flouring Mills, Waukau. erected in 1848, capacity 125 barrels per day ; employ four men. including proprietors. He first settled in Omro in the winter of 1856, and in the following spring moved to Waukau and began the erection of the Empire Mills ( com- pleted in 1857 ), being in company with H. P. Becker and O. D. Wood, Mr. B. owning a half interest twelve years. until 1869, when he exchanged his interest for the lower mills, after which he took in his present partner, each owning half interest. They have put in all the latest improvements, including the celebrated Stevens rollers, etc. He was born in Milton, Chittenden Co., Vt., June 25, 1827, lived there until 1850, went to California and engaged in mining; was three and a half years there, including two trips to the Pacific coast. He returned to Vermont, spent one year, then went to Wisconsin, as above stated. Was married in Alberg Springs, Grand Isle Co., Vt., Sept. 14, 1863, to Miss Julia M. Boardman, who was born in Milton, Vt., Sept. 21, 1839. They have two children-Clarence H. and Helen M. E. He is a mem- ber of the Masonic Lodge of Berlin. He was a member of the Wisconsin Legislature in 1861 ; was again a member in 1880, and has been Chairman of his town two or three years.

A. D. PACKARD, manufacturer of sugar-cane sirup, and farmer, Waukau ; located at Waukau. Wis .. in 1858, and engaged in farming Kept hotel seven years; was also engaged in other branches of business. He was born in Castile, N. V., March 20. 1839; was married in Waukau, Wis., in May, 1863, to Miss Margaret Avery, who was born in Norwich. Conn. They have three children-George D., Lillie B. and Maggie E.

ROBERT D. PARIS, firm of Waukau Woolen Mills Com- pany, Waukau; mills were erected and began operating in 1868. The mills contain two sets of cards, one for manufacture and one set for custom work. They manufacture 20,000 pounds of wool per annum, and run from seven to eight months during the year ; em- ploy twelve persons. They paid 87.400 for wool in 1881. Mr. P. was born in Canada West, at Ganlt, Nov. 29, 1844, lived in Canada until he was eighteen years of age, learning his trade in Canada and the United States. He went to Janesville, Wis .. and worked in a woolen factory about two years, then had charge

1189

HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY.

of a woolen mill at Hanover, Ill., eighteen months ; he then went to Appleton, Wis., and took charge of Appleton Woolen Mills eighteen months; then he went to Waukau and began the erec- tion of their present mill. Was married in Waukau Jan. 25, 1870, to Miss Frances Wright, who was born in Orange Co., N. Y. They have two children-John W. and Robert, Jr.

ARTHUR R POMEROY, firm of Pomeroy & Wood, dealers in a general line of dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes, and hard- ware, eroekery, ete., Waukau ; established in 1876 ; trade amounts to about $12,000 per annum. Mr. P. first settled in Omro, Wis., in 1855, with his parents. He was ahont twenty-five years of age when he began business for himself; engaged in lumbering on the Wolf River, which he followed, including boating on the Wolf and Fox Rivers, un il 1876, at which time he sold out his interest and began as above noted. Was born in Niagara Co., N. Y., Oct. 3. 1845 ; married at Wankau, Wis., March 26, 1871, to Miss Minnie Kinsley, who was born in Vermont. They have one child, named Mamie Pomeroy. Mr. P. is a member of the Masonie Lodge. He was Village Postmaster three and a half years, ete.

DAVID W. SAFFORD, miller in Waukau Flouring Mills, Waukan. Mr. S. was born in Vermont Dee. 3, 1848. His parents moved to Poygan, Winnebago Co., Wis., in 1851. He began life on his own hook at the age of twelve years, and worked on a farm the first year. He enlisted, November, 1862, in Company D, 32d W. V. I .; served until August, 1865, elose of the war, and was mustered out at Madison, Wis., Angust, 1865. He returned to his home, in Poygan. and worked on a farm until 1867; then went to Waukau, Wis., and began work in Empire Mills; there one year ; then changed into Waukau Mills and has since been there. Was married in Wankan Feb. 1871, to Miss Jane Lowe, who was born in the latter village. They have one danghter living, Ernestine S., the youngest, and Oliva M., deceased, and Mand E., deceased. Mr. S. is a member of the Masonie Lodge of Omro, Wis.

EUREKA.

This village, of nearly the same population as Waukau, is situated on the Fox River, five miles from Waukau and about the same distance from Rush Lake Junction, on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway, so that, although not situated upon the direct line of the railroad itself, the village is not debarred from its privileges by any means. It is considerable of a steamboat point, the city of Delhi, three miles down the river, and its bitter rival in the early fifties, being " lost to sight, to memory dear." W. C. Dick- erson and Lester Rounds may be regarded as the fathers of the village. The former had settled upon the site as a favorable one for a village, and induced Mr. Rounds to remove his general store from Waukau. Mr. Dickerson had removed from the town of Nepeuskun, Winnebago County, having previously resided in Salem, Racine County. In 1846, E. D. Hall entered the fifty-one acres of land at the Green Bay office which now comprises the site of Eureka. Israel Trow, a land speculator of this region, intended to make the purchase. It was entered in Mr. Hall's name instead, and through financial embarrassments the property passed from the nominal possession of Mr. Trow into the hands of Lester Rounds and W. C. Dicker- son. The village was platted May 10, 1850; proprietors, Lester Rounds, W. C. Dickerson and William Starr, the latter one of the original settlers. O. II. Capron, of Berlin, surveyed the land. Next, a ferry was established, and a post office appeared in July, Lester Rounds, Postmaster. The first saw-mill was built by J. M. Rounds, E. B. Rounds and William Starr, in 1851. A second soon followed.

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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