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 294

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 294

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).

Three years thereafter, in 1854, a bridge was substituted for the ferry. A grist-mill was added to the village's busi- ness life in 1856. These manufactories, with the daily landing of boats plying between Berlin and Oshkosh, made Eureka a very brisk little settlement. Lester Rounds and W. C. Dickerson still reside in the village they founded, the former still operating a general store ; firm name, Rounds & Cole. W. M. Dana and N. A. Chapell & Son are in the same line of trade. HI. K. Priest is proprietor of the Eureka ITouse. The saw-mills are not in operation. E. G. Woodworth is the proprietor of the grist and flour mills. The village has two churches ; the Unitarian Society, however, has no settled pastor. Rev. R. Blackburn is in charge of the M. E. Church. The cause of education is fostered by W. McGoorty, Principal of the District School. Eureka is in the midst of a productive farming country, which, with the trade she derives from the steamboat traffic, are her chief business supports.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

ROBERT BOANTREE, miller, Eureka, was born in Mid- dleton, Eng., July 20, 1844, and emigrated with his mother to America in February, 1855, and settled in Clockville, Madison Co., N. Y., where they lived about two years ; then went to Oneida Co., N. Y., and worked five years in Helea Furnace Works, and attended school in winter; went to Morrisville, Madison Co., N. Y., and learned his trade, living three years ; then to Durhamville, Queida Co., N. Y., worked in a mill about one year; then to Oriskany in fall and lived there about one year ; then to Clinton, sime county, and took charge of his first mill, where he worked fifteen months; then to Northwestern, same county, and ran a mill eight months; then went to Michigan prospecting; then to East Troy, Walworth Co., Wis., and took charge of a grist mill eighteen months ; then to Milwaukee, worked two and a half years in a mill; then to West Troy, Wis., and started a new mill; was there three years. He was married there Sept. 16, 1878, to Miss Sophia C. Wright, who was born in West Troy. From there he moved to Milwaukee and worked in different mill a number of years ; then to Nebraska and worked two and a half years in a mill at Schuyler, Colfax Co. His wife died there May 15, 1874 ; then he went to Parsons, Kansas, and took charge of a mill two and a half years; then returned to Milwaukee and engaged in milling two years; then to Eureka, Wis., July, 1879. He was again married in Milwaukee. April, 1879, to Miss Clara Molser ; she was born in Austria. He had two children by his first wife -Jennie S. and Robert E. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., also the Knights of Pythias, a beneficiary association.

NORMAN A. CHAPELL, Eureka, dealer in a general line of drugs, groceries, patent medicines, paints, oils, etc .; established in 1877. lle located in Eureka in 1871, and followed the lumber bus- iness until he engaged in his present orenpation, but was engaged in dry goods business in connection with lumbering. Ile has been Town Treasurer one year. Hle enlisted, at Bradford, Chickasaw Co., Iowa, in 1861, in Co. H, 4th Iown V. C., mustered in Feb- rnary, 1862; he was engaged in all of the battles with his regi- ment, nnder command of Gen. Curtis, and went through Missouri, Arkansas, and they were the first that crossed the Mississippi River below Vicksburg ; was in battle at Raymond, and three battles at Jackson, siege of Vieksburg, Miss., under Gen. Sher- man ; he was also in skirmishes of Selma and Montgomery, and was finally mustered out at Atlanta, Ga., in August, 1864. He returned to Bradford, lowa, and lived until spring of 1871, en- gaged in Inmber business. Ile was born in Yates Co., N. Y., Oct. 25, 1830 ; married in the latter place, in July 1856, to Miss Sarah J. Foster, who was born in Steuben Co., N. Y., in June, 1835; they have six children-Lester E. (attending to drug store and post office), Cora B., Minnie E., Susan J., Margaret E. and Roy L,

1 190

HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.

E. F. COLE, firm of Rounds & Cole, dealers in a general line of country merchandise, Eureka. Mr. Cole located in Eureka in 1868, and engaged as clerk in office of Eureka Lumber Company, where he served until 1876, then became a partner as above noted. He was born in Steuben Co., N. Y., Oct. 1, 1832; was married in latter county, in September, 1854, to Miss Mary A. Foster, who was born in same county ; they have one daughter living-Ella M. Cole, and Flora M., deceased. MIr. C. is a member of M. E. Church; also a member of the I. O. O. F.

WILLIAM M. DANA, Eureka, dealer in a general line of dry goods, groceries, bats, caps, boots and shoes, and all kinds of goods found in a country store ; established in April, 1879 ; trade amounts to $12,000 to $15,000 per annum. He first located at Ripon, Wis., in 1848, with his parents, until war broke ont, and enlisted in Co. M. 1st W. V. C., in 1862; was mustered into service at Madison in March, 1862; his regiment was constantly doing skirmish duty, and participated in the tak- ing of Nashville, Tenn .; also at Atlanta, and many battles in that vicinity. and finally brought up at Macon, Ga., at close of the war. Mr. D. was a Special Orderly to Gen. O. H. La Grange during his service. Was mustered out at Edgefield, a suburb of Nashville, in July, 1865. He returned to Ripon and attended college eighteen months ; then visited the States of Iowa and Min- nesota, remaining eighteen months, in mercantile trade; he then went to Eureka, Wis .; engaged in milling business in company with E. B. Rounds ; continued three years ; sold out and went to Minnesota and farmed three years. He then went to San Fran- cisco and clerked in the post office eight months ; then as melter in United States Mint one year; returned to Minnesota and farmned one year, then to Eureka and farmed one year, after which he engaged in his present business. Was born in Schoharie Co., N. Y., June 16, 1846. Married, in Eureka, Feb. 22, 1871. to Miss Laura Coats, who was born in Walworth Co .. Wis .; they have two sons-Hiram W. and William L. Mr. D. is a member of the ancient I. O. O. F.

WALTON C. DICKERSON, retired, Eureka ; was born in Kingston, R. I., June 9, 1809 ; his parents lived there about three years, then moved to Massachusetts and lived until he moved to Wisconsin, in 1838, and opened a farm in Kenosha Co., where he remained until 1846, then moved to Winnebago Co., Wis., at Ne- peuskun Township, and farmed until 1850, when he settled Eu- reka, and assisted to lay out the town plat, present site of Eureka. He soon engaged in mercantile, forwarding and commission busi- ness, and built the first docks and warehouse ; he continued in the above business until his building and goods were burned. He has held various town offices, and has been a member of different teni- perance organizations in his village. He was married, in Omro, Wis., in 1872, to Mrs. Lucy Flagg, who was born in Saratoga Co., N. Y. He had ten children by former wives-Edward E., Albert, by first wife ; George .A., Ann M., Julia E., Emeline, Francis, Florence E., William E. and Elzada, by second wife. Mrs. I. G. Trow, a sister, settled in Kenosha Co., in July, 1836, with her husband ; they settled in Eureka in 1847, and followed farming ; the first white child born in Eureka, June 20, 1849, was named Elliott E. Trow. Town site of Eureka was laid out in 1850, by O. H. Capron ; the land was owned by Dickerson, L. Rounds and William Starr. First saw mill was built by Starr, Rounds & Co .; begun in 1850 and completed early in 1851.

WILLIAM W. KIMBALL, County Superintendent of Schools, was born in Beaver Dam, Wis., July 7, 1850, and at a suitable age he attended the common schools of the city, and moved to Omro, Wis., with his parents at five years of age, and there attended the village schools until October, 1864, and enlisted in Co. 1, 17th Reg. Wis. Vol. Inft., and participated in the battle of Nashville, Tenn. His regiment then met Gen. Sherman at Golds- boro, having previously landed at Beaufort, N. C .; engaged in the battle of Kingston, and went with Sherman on his famous march to the sea. Was at grand review at Washington, D. C., and Was mustered out July 25, 1865, at Louisville, Ky .; returned

home and was under the doctor's care for about one year ; after recovering he followed boating on the Wolf River two seasons ; then attended the State Normal School at Whitewater two years; then followed teaching about three years. His health then failing he was obliged to give up teaching. He then engaged in the har- ness trade about three years. He then took charge of the Utica High School of Winnebago Co., five and a half years. He was elected County Superintendent in fall of 1879, which office he has since held, and now has the renomination for the same office with every prospect of a re-election for a second term. He was mar- ried February, 1871, at Beaver Dam, Wis., to Miss Clara Cole, who was born in the latter city in 1849. They have one son liv- ing-William W., Jr. They also lost two sons-Albert I. and Edward E.

E. B. ROUNDS. farmer, P. O. Eureka, located at Eureka in 1863; formerly of Franklin Co., Vt. He built the flouring mills at Eureka iu 1863, and operated them twelve years; then sold for a farm in Rushford and Omro Tps. He was born in Dunham Canada East, May 29, 1807. His parents moved into Vermont when he was a small child, where he lived until he moved to Wis- consin. Was married in Swanton, Vt., Oct. 6, 1830, to Miss Harriet Speels, who was born in the latter place, Nov. 1, 1807. They had three children-Harley M., married and living at Clear Lake, Iowa; Juliette, now married to Mr. William M. Martin and living on a farm in Rushford Tp .; Gilbert E., married and living in Berlin, Wis. Mrs. Rounds died Aug. 15, 1838. He was again married Nov. 19, 1838, to Aurelia Reynolds, who was born in St. Armand, Canada East, July 20, 1806. They have one daughter-Mary E., now married to William H. Penman, living in Eureka.

GEORGE W. ROUNDS, farmer, P. O. Eureka, owns 64 acres upland, and 225 aeres meadow land and pasture, and all improved. Hle settled in Southport, now Kenosha, Wis., in fall of 1840, and lived there fifteen years, followed blacksmithing, having learned his trade in Vermont. He followed the livery business four years, then sold out and removed to Eureka, Wis., in the spring of 1846, and first kept a hotel known as the Eureka House, twelve years ; then sold out and moved on his present farm where he has lived since. He was born in Berkshire, Frank- lin Co., Vt., Aug. 19, 1816. Married in Franklin Vt., in 1841, to Miss Martha J. Titemore, who who was born in Canada, eight miles from Montreal, May 12, 1820. They have three children Elma M., George M. (deceased ), Jas. Madison and Albert ( mar- ried and living in Manawa.

JAMES M. ROUNDS, Eureka ; now engaged in the cultiva- tion cranberries. He was born in Berkshire, Franklin Co., Vt., Oct. 10, 1814. He lived with his parents until he was nineteen years of age, and went to Cayuga Co., N. Y., and lived with his eldest brother, Horace Rounds, five years, and farmed ; worked in a cotton factory a part of that time, at Thorndike, Mass. He went to Southport, now Kenosha, Wis., in 1839, and worked at carpenter and joiner work and other business about thirteen years, after which he went to Eureka, Wis., with his brother Lester Rounds. He there became one of the firm of Starr, Rounds & Co., and built a saw-mill, and engaged in manufacturing lumber, ete., sixteen years ; sold out and erected a barrel factory at Eureka and Manawa; followed that ten years; sold out and began his present business. Was married in Eureka, Wis., April 10. 1860, to Miss Sarah A Freeman, who was born in Weathersfield, Windsor Co., Vt., Feb. 28, 1832. They have three children- Dwight C., now in Iowa ; Starr K. Rounds, attending Spencerian Business College in Milwaukee; Ward L., at home. Mr. R. is a member I. O. O. F.

LESTER ROUNDS, Eureka ; firm of Rounds & Cole, dealers in a general line dry goods, groceries, etc. He settled at South- port, now Kenosha, Wis., in 1839. He lived there until 1844, and taught school occasionally ; held several town offices. He moved to Ceresco, now Ripon, in 1844, going there as Secretary of Wisconsin Phalanx ; but soon engaged in mercantile business.

1191

HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY.

He was Chairman of Board of Supervisors of that town ; held the office two years, being Chairman County Board the second year. He was also the first Postmaster of that place; was there until 1848, and moved to Waukau, Wis., and engaged in mercantile business. He held the offices of Town Clerk and Justice of the Peace ; was there two years, and moved to Eureka in 1850, where he began trade, and has since continned, selling the first goods in the latter place, and being the first Postmaster. Was first Notary Public, and was Justice of the Peace several years, also Superin- tendent of Schools under town system two or three years. He was born in St. Armand, Lower Canada, May 11, 1805, and was raised in Berkshire, Franklin Co., Vt. Was married, in Richford, Vt., Sept. 2, 1827, to Miss Aurilla Parker, who was born in Richford, Vt. They have three children-Sterling P. Rounds (now married, and living in Chicago, Ill., and a candidate for Publie Printer) ; Horace E. Rounds (married and living near Rodgers' Park, Chicago, Ill. The two brothers keep a printer's furnishing store in Chicago, Ill., 175 Monroe street ) ; Rhoda A. (now married to Mr. A. S. Bolster, and living in Kane Co., Ill. Rhoda A. taught the first school in Eureka, and was the first one married there, and her oldest daughter was the first white child born there ). They also have an adopted daughter-Maggie, now married to J. J. Ream, and living in Oshkosh, Wis.

JAMES W. VANDERHOOF, Eureka; dealer in general line of hardware and tinware; does about $3,000 business per annum ; established Sept. 1, 1877. He first located in Darien, Walworth Co., fall of 1848, and lived there until fall of 1860; then to Packwaukee, Wis., where he dealt in general merchandise six years, and a part of the time was engaged in steamboating and built several boats and barges, carrying on traffic between the latter place and Green Bay until fall of 1869, when he moved to Eureka, and began work as engineer in a saw-mill two years; then in a flouring-mill until he began in hardware business. Was born in Deerfield, Oneida Co .. N. Y., Sept. 30, 1827, where he lived until he was twenty-one years of age, and went with his parents to Wisconsin. Was married, in Packwaukee, Wis., Oct. 12, 1854, to Miss Harriet A. Aldrich, who was born in Cortland Co., N. Y. They have two children-Ella L., now married to Mr. Madi- son Rounds, and live near Eureka ; Harry A. at home; Susan deceased ; Ray W. deceased. Mr. V. enlisted in Co. B, 22d W. V. I., fall of 1864; was in serviee six months ; but did not leave the State, and was mustered out at Madison in June, 1865. He is a member of the M. E. Church of his village.

E. G. WOODWORTH, proprietor flouring-mills, Eureka ; erected in 1863; capacity, 100 barrels in twenty-four hours ; also do eustom work, and contains three run stone, and three set of rollers, etc. He located in Green Lake County, at Lake Maria. in 1846, where he lived until 1867 ; engaged in farming, merean- tile business, ete. Ile then moved to Davenport, Iowa : farmed and dealt in real estate. He soon returned to Berlin, Wis., and engaged in the milling in what is known as the Berlin City Mills, and owned and operated the same ten years, until fall of 1881; sold out, when he bought his present mills (steam mills.) Was born in Painsville, Ohio, April 13, 1823, where he lived until he was twenty years of age; then went up the lakes and into Knox Co., Ill .; from there to Rock Island, Ill. ; then returned to Ohio, and from there to Wisconsin in spring of 1846. Was married, at Galesburg, Ill., in 1844, to Miss Susan Burner, who was born in Tennessee. They have six children living and two dead-Josephine, now married; Leroy G., Warren W., Alice, Frank (deceased ), Theresa (deceased), Monroe, Theresa.

BUTTE DES MORTS.

This village-the scene of the sanuguinary conflict which resulted in expelling the fierce Foxes from the valley -was also a favored Indian haunt. llere it was that Father Marquette landed, and first learned from the Mas-

coutins of the great river which flowed toward the south. In 1818, Augustus Grignon and James Porlier established a trading-post one mile below the site of the village. A son of the latter still lives upon the site of the old trading-post, and is one of the most prominent and intelligent residents of Butte des Morts. In 1832, L. B. Porlier, the gentleman referred to, succeeded Robert Grignon, a nephew of Augus- tus, as agent of the post, his father, James Porlier, being a resident of Green Bay. Augustus Grignon lived formerly in Kaukauna, a short distance below Appleton. In May, 1846, George Bell and family settled in this vicinity, and, after them a few weeks, Greenbury Wright and family, with his brother, Dr. A. B. Wright. They took up land upon the present site of Butte des Morts. During the same year, Julius Ashby, Stephen Allen, William Calkins and others, swelled the settlement. In 1849, a post office was established and Augustus Grignon appointed Postmaster. The Postmaster, not content with the "emoluments of his position," put up a house which he called a hotel. F. F. Hamilton opened a general store in the first frame building erected in the village, which saw the light of day also during that year. The village had been platted during July of the previous year, and, in 1849, Augustus Grignon and other leading villagers (as has been previously detailed), made an- other and final and unsuccessful effort to have the county seat fixed at Butte des Morts. This failure appeared to be the rock upon which the village split as a really progressive burgh, and she is now looked upon as a curious memento of a noted historical point in the historical valley of the Fox. Among the oldest settlers still living within the limits of the village are Thomas B. Patford, L. W. Hull, Samuel L. Odell, Whitman Brown, J. Neubiert and Peter C. Peterson.

In early times, Butte des Morts was busy as a lumber market. In 1851, Smith & Vibbert erected the first mill. In 1868, after lying idle four years, it was rebuilt by Allan Vosburg & Co., who continued the business until the mill burned in 1871. During this period, her dealings in wheat were also quite large. But later the village became chiefly known for the enormous traffic which it carried on in muskrats, the transactions amounting to thousands of dollars annually. Butte des Morts has a number of thriving general stores, an Episcopal Mission under the charge of Rev. John Blyman, and is accommodated by a good district school.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

D. W. HULL, retired, Butte des Morts first located here in 1855, bought a saw mill and engaged in the manufacture of lumber ten years ; then bought real estate, speculated, etc. He was elected County Treasurer of Winnebago Co. in November, 1878, held the office one term and refused a second nomination unanimously in bis favor. He was born in Stonington, Conn., June 26, 1828; was married to Miss Phebe E. Hewitt, who was born in North Stonington, same State, March 23, 1831. Ile was married at the latter place Sept. 1, 1851. They have three children-Erastus Hewett Hull, at home, Jesse York Hull, proprietor in company, Boston 99-cent store of Oshkosh, Wis., and Frank Henry Hull, at home.

PETER C. PETERSON, Butte des Morts, dealer in general merchandise and all goods found in a country store, also Postmas- ter ; established in 1858; sales amount to about $5,000 per annum. Mr. P. settled in Butte des Morts, Wis., in 1855, and clerked some time, then engaged in business in company with T. Touneson, which continued uutil 1860. Mr. P. then bought the entire interest and conducted the same until 1863; sold out to T. Neilson and went to Virginia City, Nevada ; engaged in the grocery trade two years;

1192

HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.

sold out and returned to his present business. He was born in Christian Sand, Norway, Dec. 29, 1829 ; emigrated to America in 1855 ; married in Butte de. Morts, Jan. 30, 1876, to Miss Bertha Bogk, who was born in Germany July 18, 1853. They have one son, Percival Charles Peterson. Mr. P. has been Justice of the Peace of his town six years, also Notary Public. and is a member of the Lutheran Church.

GENERAL TOWN HISTORY.

In 1843, the town of Butte des Morts was changed to the town of Winnebago, which embraced the whole county. In 1847 it was divided into five towns-Winne- bago, Butte des Morts, Brighton, Neenah and Rushford. From the subdivision of these five original towns, have been created the sixteen which now comprise the county. In 1850, the town of Brighton was changed to Nekimi, and in 1852, Winnebago to Oshkosh, and Bloomingdale (formerly Butte des Morts), to Ouro. The salient facts formning the history of the towns have already been given.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

MRS. ISABELLA DARROW, relict of the late Daniel Cady Darrow, was born, reared and married in New York State ; married Dec. 29, 1841 ; in 1846, they removed to the present place, and have been actively identified with the development of the agricultural industries of this place since ; in 1862, June 5, Mr. Darrow died and is buried in the Neenah cemetery, aged forty-six years. Mrs. Darrow was formerly Miss Isabella Murray, whose people were among the very early settlers of this locality. The family consists of three sons and three daughters living, two sons and one daughter buried in Neenah Cemetery, and one son died in hospital; he belonged to Co. I, 21st W. V. I.

D. L. McCORPIN, farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Neenah, town of Clayton, was born in Todd Co., Ky., Feb. 26, 1815; in 1841, he came to Racine Co., Wis., and after a stay of a few years there, and one year in Fond du Lac, he came here in 1846, and has been prominently identified with the development of the agricultural industries of this locality since ; in October, 1847, he was married to Miss Tacey Wilsey, who was born in New York State. They have a family of two daughters-Phoebe and Eliza- beth, now Mrs. Douglass Arnold, of Arcadia, Wis.

MRS. GEORGE CLARK, town of Vinland, P. O. Vinland Mrs. Clark is the widow of the late George Clark, who was born in Linconshire, England, 1810, and came to Wisconsin in 1843. She was Miss Catharine Baird, born in County Mayo, Ireland, and came to Wisconsin in 1840; in 1844, they were married in Waukesha, and came here in 1846 and settled upon the present place, where Mr. Clark passed away this life in 1872, and is bur- ied in the family cemetery here, leaving a family of tive daughters, all grown to woman's estate and married.

FRANCIS GILLINGHAM, farmer and stock dealer, Sec. 2, town of Vinland, Winnebago Co., P. O. Neenah ; was born in Dorcetshire, Dec. 14, 1829 ; came to America in 1850 ; lived in Monroe Co., N Y., until he came to his present liome, in Octo- ber, 1854; besides farming he has dealt in stock extensively every year ; for five years he was in partnership with John Hunt, in pork and beef packing business at Neenah; for the last three years he has carried on the same business, his son, Francis J., be- ing in partnership with him. Mr. G. was first married at Genoa, N. Y., in 1853, to Elizabeth Miller; she died in January, 1864; they had six children, four of whom are now living-Francis J., Alma S. ( now Mrs. Geo. Phipps, of Baraboo, Wis.), Letta May and John M. Mr. Gillingham's present wife was Mary Quatermas ; they were married in Vinland, Jan. 1, 1865 ; they have one child -Fred D.

JOHN HART, town of Vinland. Sec. 12, P. O. Neenah ; was born and reared in Lincolnshire, England ; in 1837 he was married to Miss Mary A. Hudson, in England; in 1848 he took passage for America, and lost his wife on the voyage, by whom he had five sons and one daughter; in 1849 he was married again to Miss Mary Taylor, who died Jan. 30. 1869. leaving a family of five daughters ; in May, 1870, he was married for the third time to Miss Mary A. Dalby ; Mr. Hart came to Wiscon- sin in 1848, and began the life ot pioneer in Waukesha Co., which he successfully carried on for nine years, after which he came here and has been actively engaged since.

W. H. SCOTT, town of Vinland, farmer and stock raiser, Neenah P. O. Mr. Scott was born in New Hampshire, May 16, 1816 ; at the age of twenty he went to Livingston Co., N. Y., where he followed the lumbering and milling interests until 1846, when he came to Wisconsin and settled upon the present place, where he has had an active pioneer experience of thirty-five years ; in 1841 he was married to Miss Mary Enos, who was born in Madison Co., N. Y. ; they have a family of two sons and two daughters, all grown to man's and woman's estate.

HISTORY OF WOOD COUNTY.

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