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 43

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 43

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Jeff. Davis' lieutenant at Fort Howard, Jesse Mills, J. B. Horn, and a few other comrades in arms, had settled among the Stockbridges. During 1834-35 Rev. Cutting Marsh, who may be called the Latter-day mis- sionary of Wisconsin Indians, superintended the erec- tion of a mission house, where he held services for sixteen years. Other white settlers followed, so that both Brothertown and Stockbridge walked nearly hand in hand. If Stockbridge had to go to Brothertown's mill, Brothertown would have to attend Stockbridge's church, or none. By the time the grist-mill and the mission church were in good running order, the mili- tary road from Green Bay to Prairie du Chien had been cut through Calumet County, taking in its route the only settlements, Brothertown and Stockbridge. Some of the workmen, soldiers from the Fort Howard garri- son, remained to swell the population along the shore of Lake Winnebago. When Calumet County was formed from Brown in December of this year (1836), it had no effect upon the settlers. A majority of them were yet unnaturalized, and the county therefore remained attached to Brown for judicial, revenue and election purposes. The next year several locations were selected by "first settlers" further to the south. George C. Bull was the pioneer of the town of Woodville, purchasing land near " the Beach farm." His brother- in-law, a Mr. Westfall, started a tavern still further south, in order to catch the travel, which had become considerable, over the military road. Having finished the Brothertown mill, Moody Mann, afterwards Judge, erected himself a house at Clifton and invited future scribes to write him down as the first settler in the town of Harrison. Cato Stanton, a brother of Moses, the founder of Chilton, built a tavern directly on the military road in 1838, and kept it for years. Under the guidance of Thomas McLean, the future metropo- lis, Saint Catherine, to the north of Brothertown and Stockbridge, was increased in the persons of a few families. The first murder had been committed. The tragedy occurred July 3, 1837, at the house of Peter and Jacob Koukopot, two Stockbridge Indians. They had already reduced to small measure an immoderate supply of whisky, when Joseph Palmer, a Brothertown In- dian, in company with another of his tribe and a white man, entered their cabin. The latter party had just returned from the Fox River with a full jug, " fire- water" being then an unknown commodity of sale in Calumet County. They drank together several times, but with this fresh supply the Koukopots' loud demands for more continued and increased beyond the bounds of reason or considerate fellowship. Palmer, therefore, refused to be robbed further of his " Fourth of July," whereupon he and his comrades were assaulted by their crazed and unreasonable companions, one wielding an ax and the other a club. Being unarmed the former were unable to defend themselves. Palmer was literally hacked and beaten to pieces. The other two escaped. Without going into details, the murderers were arrested, tried in October before a commission chosen from both tribes, and sentenced to be hanged near the dividing line between the two reservations. On the day pre- ceding that fixed for the execution (October 24), they escaped across Lake Winnebago in a boat furnished by friends, and were never recaptured. In 1838 a French-

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man killed his Indian wife, while under the influence of liquor, escaped through the meshes of the law, but never returned to claim his household goods. In the Winter of 1840, a Mr. Sherman was murdered in Stock- bridge by Isaac Littleman. The murderer had heard that Sherman possessed quite a large sum of money, and as he lived alone in a secluded spot, thought his crime could be committed with safety. He therefore supped with his victim, and, it is supposed when they had both retired, killed him with an ax, in cold blood. The murder was not discovered until a week after, when the corpse, nearly eaten by rats, was found by distant neighbors frozen solidly to the bloody floor. Littleman was arrested, denied his guilt, but his prem- ises were searched and some of the dead man's prop- erty found in his possession. He then admitted his crime, and when about to be hanged, confessed to a second murder, committed at Depere. This was the first murder of a white man, the trial of the prisoner being conducted by the Stockbridge Indians. Through all this bloodshed, the mill at Brothertown continued to grind peaceably on. In 1840 Daniel Whitney, of Green Bay, did for Stockbridge what Mr. Mann had done for Brothertown. But the outcome was different. He erected a grist-mill and operated a store in connec- tion with it. The Stockbridges, not so prudent or so fortunate as their contemporaries ( for they did not own the property), became involved in debt. Many of their farms were sold to white settlers, and in fact this seems to be the turning point backward in their pros- perity as an Indian tribe. The Brothertowns, on the other hand, in March, 1839, had been granted their petition to Congress to be accorded the rights of cit- izenship. By the act passed on the third of that month their lands were divided so that each person received fifty acres. The Stockbridges continued aliens from the General Government until 1843, when they likewise became citizens and were absorbed into the body politic of the Territory.

The preceding pages have brought the early history of Calumet County up to and partially inclusive of the year 1840. The close of this year may be said to have ended her pioneer life.

POLITICAL AND JUDICIAL.

Calumet County was created from Brown by Terri- torial act, December 7, 1836, remaining attached to it, however, for all political and judicial purposes, until March 4, 1840. In accordance with an act of the Ter- ritory, approved in January, an electing at the house of Elkanah Dick, Brothertown, and the mission-house at Stockbridge, was held on that day and resulted in the selection of John Johnson, Daniel Dick and David Fowler as County Commissioners. The Board held their first meeting at Mr. Fowler's house, electing Mr. Johnson, Chairman, and filled the other county offices. This organization fell to pieces after a few months' trial, and another was not attempted until 1843. At the general election held in that year, William Dick, Sr., James Cramona and John E. Fisher were chosen Commissioners. For several years the Board held their sessions at Stockbridge, although the act creating the county required them to sit at " Whiteshorough ; " but where that spot was and how they were to sit upon nothing, remained with the early settlers a conundrum.

The headquarters of the different county officers were where they happened to reside at the time of their election. The first session of court was also held by A. W. Stow, Judge of the Fourth Circuit, in the mis- sion-house at Stockbridge, May 7, 1850. Thus matters continued until the county had a poputation of 2,000, and had increased proportionately in political impor- tance. The interior of the county, especially at what is now the city of Chilton, had been settling up rapidly. By 1852 Moses Stanton was the father and Mrs. Cath- arine Stanton, his wife, was tre mother of all that region 'round. It boasted both a saw-mill and a grist- mill, erected by Mr. Stanton, and quite a lively settle- ment in every particular. It had become, in a word, a rival, and a formidable one, to Stockbridge, which from long continued habit claimed the county seat as its right. Mr. Stanton had seen his village wax strong for the past seven years, and when the Fall election of 1852 approached, which was to decide upon the loca- tion of the shire town, he entered into the canvass with vim, and his energetic " right-hand man" was his wife. Shortly before the election occurred, which was on the first Tuesday of November, she mounted a horse and in the face of a fierce storm of wind rode eigh- teen or twenty miles to canvass the northern part of the county. She had a cousin keeping a hotel where Mr. Beach afterwards lived, and he accompanied her to the polls. There being no tickets for Chilton, she wrote some and her cousin peddled them. It was with supreme satisfaction that she increased Chilton's chances by twelve votes. But this was not sufficient to carry the day by just one ballot. The result of the election was a tie ; For Chilton Center, 222 ; for Stock- bridge, 158; Moon's Grove, in the same township, 61 ; Charlestown, 3; against Chilton, therefore, 222. At a special election in December, 1853, out of the 501 votes cast, Chilton Center, which included the site of the present depot, received 304, as against 215 for Stockbridge and 2 for Chilton proper. In April 1857, a removal to the present site of the county buildings was voted upon favorably. The county officers who for so long had been having their own sweet will in regard to location, were now obliged to remove to the quarters provided for them in Chilton.

As noticed heretofore, sessions of the court had pre- viously been held in Stockbridge, Moody Mann, the builder of the Brothertown mill, having been elected first County Judge, in 1850. In 1859 a contract was closed with the Board of Commissioners for the erec- tion of a court-house at Chilton. The frame was raised that year, but the building was not entirely completed until 1865, at a cost of $5,000. The jail and Sheriff's residence were built in 1874. For 1881 the county officers are as follows : William Paulsen, County Judge ; William Mulcahy, County Clerk ; Edward Mooney, Register of Deeds ; Jacob Stephany, Treasurer ; Thom- as Lynch, District Attorney ; W. B. Minaghan, Super- intendent of Schools; Anton Miesen, Sheriff; William J. Mallmann, Clerk of the Court; Jacob Severin, Sur- veyor ; John F. Kraus, Coroner.

A MARKED ASSIMILATION.

In 1840, the southern portion of Calumet County, embracing the present towns of Brothertown and New Holstein was organized into the town of Manchester.

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HISTORY OF CALUMET COUNTY.

The remainder of the county was not organized politi- cally for three years. The Indians were gradually crowded from the lake shore, mostly by American settlers, while a foreign population, mostly German, hemmed them in to the east. The Stockbridges were also being displaced by the more enterprising race. The more intelligent of them commenced to advocate a change to full citizenship, forming what was called the " Citizen's Party." "The Indian Party " consisted of those whose blood still flowed from the force of pure animal life, and whose semi-civilized manner of life, free from care, was dearer to them than material pros- perity. The result of a popular vote polled by the Stockbridges was in favor of the "Citizen's Party," by a small majority. An act of Congress approved March 3, 1843, granted them the rights of citizenship, and the same amount of land per capita given to the Brother- towns. The town of Stockbridge, including all the county outside of Brothertown and New Holstein, was organized the same year. Those citizens, however, who still held to un-American notions claimed that the decis- ion was brought about by fraud. They resisted taxation and invited a party of Oneidas from their reservation to assist them in their revolt. The rebellion, however, was met by such a determined front by the Governor and private citizens that the Oneidas returned and the Indian party abandoned their reckless determination. A portion of them, however, showed such dissatisfac- tion and disgust that they were allowed by the General Government to give up their lands and retire to the reservation in Shawano County. Those who remained were absorbed into the body called American citizens, and became like the Brothertowns, all that the name implies. They supported schools and churches. in common with their neighbors. Men of affairs, such as the Dicks, the Fowlers and the Johnsons, obtained and retained respect and influence. Differences of blood and race were forgotten, and another marked example of political assimilation was held up for the consternation of scoffers at republicanism and democ- racy.

Settlement was remarkably brisk throughout the county in 1848-49, the villages of New Holstein, Hayton and Gravesville threatening to even displace the older settlements of Brothertown, Stockbridge and Chilton. The towns of New Holstein and Charlestown were or- ganized, and there seemed to be a wavering as to what decided course the tide of immigration and of activity would take. The causes which operated in favor of Chilton up to the time of the war are detailed in the sketch of the city, and the particular, and in some cases, the peculiar history of these and other villages, will be given hereafter. The war, as every-where else, here makes a break.

CALUMET COUNTY IN THE WAR.

Though by name and by nature the citizens of Cal- umet County are peaceable, when the rebellion brought them to the test of bravery they nobly proved their metal. The county raised more than its quota of troops, and Chilton, especially, was the scene and the seat of the greatest patriotism. Harrison C. Hobart, who left Chilton in April, 1861, as Captain of Company K, Fourth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, escaped from

Libby prison, made a glorious record, and was mustered out as Brigadier General ; Benjamin J. Sweet, Lieuten- ant Colonel of the Sixth ; Capt. T. H. Magdeburg, of Company G, Fourteenth Regiment ; Capt. J. N. Stone, Company G, of the Nineteenth Regiment, and at the time editor and publisher of the Republican; Capt. H. M. Gibbs, killed gallantly fighting at Perryville ; and Capt. O. F. Waller, Company H, of the Forty-eighth Regiment, are among a host who assisted in raising troops and leading them where their country called, and are remembered as brave and loyal men. The companies mentioned above, besides fragments of other organizations were sent with " God-speed " from Calu- met-little Calumet, but of the true blue blood.

Those who remained at home were treated to a sen- sation in September, 1862, which extended all over the State. On September 6, of that year, rumors were in circulation that after having massacred the inhabitants of Centerville, Manitowoc County, over 3,000 savages were on the full war gallop for Holstein; that some thousands more were murdering to right and to left in Brown County ; that an army of Redskins had invaded Waupaca County, all egged on by the dire spirit of re- venge which animated the Confederate States of Amer- ica. New Holstein migrated to Fond du Lac, and all able bodied men gathered in that section for the anticipated attack. When the small band of Indians returning from their corn fields on the Sheboygan River discov- ered what a commotion they had stirred, they were more frightened than the whites themselves. All ex- citements have an end, and the Indian scare of 1862, which spread over Northern and Central Wisconsin is only noteworthy as showing to what a fever heat the mind of the North was raised at this time, and what a small spark kindled that heat into a flame

The prime factor which binds Calumet County to- gether is the Wisconsin Central Railroad Company. Those villages which assisted most in its construction have certainly taken the lead in growth. In the early part of 1871, when the proposition was before the county to vote $60,000 aid for the construction of the Milwaukee & Northern Road, Stockbridge and Broth- ertown both opposed it strongly, unless they could have a guarantee that the line would run conveniently near their villages. The northern towns also voted against the proposition. New Holstein, Charlestown and Chilton eagerly supported the measure, which was decisively defeated in the county, but earned for them the right of way when the road was built in the Fall of 1872. New Holstein voted $30,000 aid ; Chilton, $25,000, and Charlestown $20,000. The road, therefore, passes through these towns north to Hilbert Junction, where the northern branch runs to Green Bay, and the main line to Menasha. The Milwaukee & Northern crosses the Milwaukee, Lake Shore & Western at Forest Junction. The latter road was built through the town of Brillion in 1871-72, being finished in the Summer of the latter year. By the construction of these two roads the really growing villages of the county were brought into close relationship with all points to the north, south, east and west.

The increase in population of Calumet County has been proportionate to the ability and care with which her natural advantages have been improved, and has

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therefore been steady. According to the United States census, taken first in 1840, the growth has been as fol- lows: In 1840 there were 275 in the county ; in 1850, 1,743; in 1860, 7,895; in 1870, 12,311; in 1880, 15,722.

The indebtedness of the towns, cities and villages of Calumet County amounts to $76,475, of which $75,- 000 was voted in aid of the Milwaukee & Northern road, and $1,475 is apportioned to the school districts.

From the last report of the County Superintendent of Schools it is learned that there are fifty-five districts and twenty-three parts of districts in Calumet. Of the 6,531 children of school age enrolled, 3,527 have been in attendance. There are two free high schools, one at Chilton, the other at Stockbridge. The cash value of all school buildings in the county is $36,685; of sites, $4,051, and of apparatus $1,919, making a total of $42,655. In addition to the district schools, eight private schools are maintained by the people. They have a total attendance of 193, so that the total attend- ance throughout the county is 3,720, out of its popula- tion of 15,722.

CHILTON.

Soon after this absorption and riddance of an element which had been a check upon the advance of settlement, the county began to fill up in sections further from Lake Win- nebago. In January, 1845, Moses Stanton located on the site of the present city of Chilton, and in May his daughter Catherine was born. In 1846 he had a saw-mill and two years later a grist-mill in operation. His energy soon drew settlers to the spot. Frederick Sircher came in 1847, and Nicholas Chesboro in 1848. During this year also a number of industrious Irishmen, who had been employed in build- ing the Sheboygan and Fond du Lac plank road, became residents of Chilton and increased its claims to be called a village. Through the influence of James Robinson, an honored citizen (since deceased), the town of Portland, afterwards Chilton, was organized, by special legislative act, in 1853. In December the county seat was fixed at Chilton, and every thing promised well for its continued growth. James Robinson, who had represented the county in the Legislature the previous Winter, was elected Chairman of the first Town Board, which convened at the hotel of Otto Schucht, on Sircher street, April 21, 1853. Post-office conveniences had been enjoyed for two whole years, the first United States official in Chilton being L. Fields, Sr. Chilton certainly promised to be what it became, a thriving burg. Moses Stanton, its founder, lived here for over seven- teen years, universally respected, and died in 1862. His wife still survives him.

Originally the village was called Stantonville, but in 1852 John Marygold, an Englishman, became proprietor of the place by purchase, and began to plat it. It was sur- veved by A. Merrill in August of that year, and named " Chilington " by its owner, in remembrance of his native town. He sent a verbal message by one Patrick Donahoe, to have the change in name recorded at Stockbridge, the county seat. Such a burden upon his brain was too great for Patrick to carry, and before he arrived at his destina- tion he eased it by dropping the middle syllable from Chil- (ing)-ton. "Chilton " was therefore recorded as the name of the new village.

Although by popular vote the county seat had been located at Chilton Center, about half a mile from the village, the citizens were not satisfied, but wanted a change made to Chilton itself. No buildings were erected for three years, although contracts had been let and the material for them

was on the ground. In 1854 Harrison C Hobart settled in Chilton in the practice of law. He took up the cause of Chilton vigorously, and chiefly by his and Mr. Stanton's efforts the change in location to the present court-house square was made, as previously stated. With this advant- age gained, and some years afterwards the construction of the Milwaukee & Northern Railroad, Chilton left such rivals as New Holstein and Gravesville far behind.

The first child born in Chilton was the daughter of Moses Stanton (Catherine) in May, 1845 ; the first death his second daughter, Eliza, born in September, 1846, and died in January, 1848.

Miss Jane Scott taught the first school in the Summer of 1848. The first religions services were held in the same building by a missionary from the Stockbridge House.

In January, 1848, the first marriage ceremony occurred between Hugh Wilson, of Racine, and Miss Mary Hume. The first Fourth-of-July oration was delivered by B. J. Sweet, then a law student, in 1852.

Chilton is situated on the south branch of the Manito- woc River, and contains a population of 1,200, the prevail- ing nationality being German. Its people are industrious and thriving, a good general trade being carried on in addi- tion to a variety of manufactures. The corporate limits of the city embrace a territory nearly two miles square.

By act of the Legislature the city was incorporated March 11, 1877. The charter was adopted by one majority on the twentieth of that month, the vote being 108 to 107. F. R. Gutheil was elected Mayor. The officers for 1881 are Mayor, Dr. D. La Count; Clerk, H. Arnold ; Treasurer, William Rothmann. The city is divided into three wards.

Fire Department .- The Fire Department consisting of a hand-engine company and a hook-and-ladder company, was formed in 1875. The membership of both organiza- tions is sixty. D. D. Ebert is Chief of the Department.

Schools .- In 1849 Moses Stanton erected a log building for a school-house, on land near where the post-office now stands. A frame building, on the site of the present district school-house, succeeded it. The two-story stone structure now occupied was erected in 1870. The value of the prop- erty is $5,000. The school (District No. 1) is divided into a Grammar Department (graded) and a High School. The Principal of the latter is J. E. Luce, and of the former, J. O. Luce. Out of a total enrollment of 449. the attendance is 216. During the past Autumn the building has been renovated and improved. Its crowded condition, however, calls for an increase in accommodations.

The Press .- There are no newspapers published outside of the city of Chilton. Of the seven established in the county, four survive. The first number of the first newspaper, The Clinton Times, appeared September 26, 1857, editorially and financially under the management of John P. Hume. Charles W. Fitch was its proprietor until May 27, 1858, when the former purchased it. Up to the time of his death, 1881, Mr. Hume conducted the paper alone, and became as well known and as much beloved as any man in Calumet County.

The Times is now edited and managed by his sons, W. A. and J. P. Hume, under the firm name of Hume Brothers. It remains Democratic in politics and issues on Saturday.

The Calumet County Republican was published at Graves- ville from 1859 to 1862, when its editor and proprietor, J. N. Stone, suspended the paper by laying down the pen and taking up the sword.

The Calumet County Reflector was established at Chilton in 1867 by William M. Fogo. Mr. Fogo sold it in 1868 to E. N. Sweet, who, after publishing the journal two years, removed his office to Nebraska.

The Stockbridge Enterprise was established by the Corn-

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ing Brothers, Cyrus and Sidney, in March, 1873, who, after a short time, sold it to T. C. Stearns. In a few weeks both himself and wife were found dead, a narcotic lying near. Some held their deaths to be suicidal, others accidental. With them the Enterprise ceased to exist.

The Stockbridge Union was established by the Corning Brothers at the same time as the Enterprise. After editing it for a few months, F. A. Willman purchased the journal in the Summer of 1873, and in September of that year came into the possession of H. Arnold, its present editor and pro- prietor, who removed it to Chilton and changed its name to The Wisconsin Demokrat. It is independent in politics.

The Volksbote, established in March, 1877 by George Schleyer, is Democratic in politics. He continues its editor and proprietor.

The Calumet County News was established in February, 1880. It is published at Chilton, edited by H. W. Wing, and is Republican in politics. The News is issued weekly.

A daily paper has never been published in the 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