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 44

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 44

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Saint Augustine Church (Catholic) .- Among the early settlers of Chilton there was quite an admixture of those pro- fessing Catholicism. Their number, however, was not great enough to command the attention of a bishop until 1854, when the Rev. Father Debeck paid missionary visits to Chilton. Father McMahon was the first resident pastor, and commenced to build a church in 1855, just back of the present edifice. It was not completed till 1860. He remained for ten years, and was followed by Father Morris and Father Dulcee. Father Schraudenbach continued his ministry until 1869, when Father Andelschack succeeded him, remaining seven years. Father Uerbak built the present edifice in 1879, at a cost of $16,coo. The Rev. Father Lorigan is the present pastor, and has over 1,000 communi- cants in his care.

Saint Mary's Church was organized in 1877, and a build- ing erected during that year at a cost of $9,000. The parish school building in the rear of the church and the parsonage were erected in -1879. The school is in charge of the Sisters, and has an attendance of about eighty. Rev. Father Gaellweiler is the pastor of the society, having under his charge eighty families.

The Union Church .- This society was organized and in- corporated in the Spring of 1877. The church building was erected on land donated by Zachariah Stanton, son of Moses Stanton, and the first sermon preached by Elder Todd. The membership of the society is about thirty. The Lutherans, Methodists, Episcopalians and Baptists worship in the same building. The Union Church is entirely unsectarian.

Societies .- Chilton has a lodge of Masons (No. 154) or- ganized in 1866, and two lodges of Odd Fellows-No. 295 and No. 207.

Chilton Turn Verein was organized in August, 1871, and its hall erected during that Fall and the following season at a cost of $2,000. Its membership is thirty ; first speaker, H. Arnold.

Hotels .- The Chilton House was built in 1855 by J. C. Green. Mr. Vicking became the purchaser, and continued the same until 1867, when he sold it to Messrs. LaCount & Feind. F. W. Esser soon became the proprietor. In 1879, it was bought by E. Rossburg, its present proprietor.

The Central House, situated near the railroad station, was built by F. Reinboldt. It fell into Charles Koinke's hands the present owner.

The Wisconsin House .- Before 1875 the old building was occupied as a gents' furnishing store. It was remodeled the same year by Mr. Jackals for a hotel, and in 1876 sold to Joseph Bersch the present owner.

The Western House was built in 1874 by Menig & Goed- 12

CHILTON.

MOSS ENG CO. N ) -

dertz. In 1875, Charles Menig became sole proprietor, as at present. The American House was built in 1855 by Mr. Ortlieb. It was sold in 1875 to A. Mason, and to A. McHughe. J. D. Parker has been the owner since 1877.

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HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.

Banks .- In 1859, Col. Bean established the Shawano Bank at Chilton. He turned the institution over to Meyer & Sprague in 1860. The bank suspended during the try- ing times of 1862. From that date up to January, 1875, the village was without a bank. Kersten Brothers then established the German Exchange Bank, which is still do- ing business under their management. Its capital is $7.600 ; resources $89,169.27.

MANUFACTURING INTERESTS.

The Union Flour Mills were erected by Mooney & Zech in 1874. In 1876, Zech Brothers bought the former's in- terest, and are the present proprietors. The manufacture is forty barrels daily.

Reblitz Brothers' Flour Mills were erected in October, 18So, by the present proprietors. They have four run of stone, and turn out on an average thirty barrels of flour daily.

Philip Becker's Brewery is the oldest establishment of the kind in the city, a small building being erected by J. Paulus in 1860. It was bought by Mr. Becker in 1875. He has so added to the original establishment that the capac- ity of the brewery is at present 1,200 barrels of beer an- nually.

F. R. Gutheil's Brewery was established in 1867, by its present proprietor. Its capacity is about 400 barrels of beer per annum.

Derschel & Co.'s Sash, Door and Blind Factory was erected in 1875 by William Dorschel, the head of the firm. The partnership with William Kartheaser was formed in 1878, the latter being the "Co." About a dozen men are employed on an average and $3,500 is the amount of busi- ness transacted annually.

The Chilton Stave Factory was built in 1881 by O. D. Bishop, its present proprietor, and has a capacity for turn- ing out 600,000 staves per annum.

Stendel & Goesling's Plow Works were established by the present firm in 1875. They manufacture plows, culti- vators and buggies, and do an annual business of $5,000.

Besides the above A. Vahldieck, Junkee Brothers and L. D. Geisse have small machine shops, the second named a foundry.

For some years Benjamin F. Carter and his son oper- ated a large brick yard in Chilton, but upon the death of the latter, work was temporarily suspended. It is probable that it will be revived again during the coming season. .

George D. Breed is about to establish a large cheese factory in Chilton.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

H. F. BAGLEY, grain and produce, Chilton, with D. S. Bagley & Sons. Born in Coos Co., N. H., June 15, 1845. His parents moved to Milwaukee. Here he obtained what education he could from the ward schools. Ile then entered the commission house of E. D. Chapin, where he remained till 1863, when he went into the quartermaster's depart- ment at Nashville, Tenn, From there he went into the machine shops, and finally became an engineer. He followed this till 1868, when he went to milling in Waupetousa with his father, and soon after took a fore- man's position in a sash and blind factory in Racine. From there he went to Kansas, but returned to Wisconsin to enter his present firm. They now represent five stations on the W. C. R. R. and two on the C. & N. W., and are doing a large business, In 1872 he married Miss Anna Hennessy, of Sank Rapids, Minn. They have four children-Georgie, Alice, Mamie and Wallace. Mr. Bagley is a member of the Masnnic fraternity, of which he has been master for five years.

HON. GEORGE BALDWIN, lawyer, Chilton. Born in St. Johns- bury, Caledonia Co., in 1831. llere he went to school, and in 1850 commenced reading law with William Dickermann, and afterwards with S. W. Slade. He graduated at the Boston Law School in IS52 ; then went into partnership with II. F. Prentiss in Derby Line. Ile afterwards acted as clerk in the custom-house. He commenced his practice in Stockbridge, Calumet Co., Wis., in 1853, with J. B. Deuel, continuing till 1855, when he was elected District Attorney. Ile then moved to Chilton, and held the office for ten years. In 1877 he retired from active

practice, and now deals in real estate. He was elected to the Assembly in 1865, and was State . Senator in 1870-1 ; was also County Superin- tendent of Schools. In 1874 he married Miss Catherine M. Plunkett, of Chilton. They have two boys, George Benjamin and Charles Fred- erick. Mr. Baldwin belongs to both the Masons and I. O. O. F.

PHILIP BECKER, brewer, Chilton. Born in Prussia, Jan. 29. IS43. lle came to America in 1866, having learned the trade of cooper in the fatherland. He went first to Chicago, and then to Milwaukee, and finally to Calvary, Fond du Lac Co., where he entered a brewery in partnership with William Wolf. In 1874 he sold out, working for the purchaser till 1875, when he came to Chilton and bought the brewery which he now operates, having laid out his grounds and erected a dwelling at a cost of $2,000. In 1871, on the 10th of July, he married Miss Maggie Voelker, of Sheboygan County. They have three children, and are members of the Catholic Church.

JOSEPH BERSCH, hotel, Chilton. Born in Prussia, Germany, April 22, 1847. Ile came to America in 1848; went to Sheboygan Co., Wis., and with his parents located on a farm. In 1867-8 he worked in the Lake Superior mining region of Michigan. He returned home in 1868, and remained till 1870, when he began farming for him- self. In May, ISSO, he came to Chilton, and bought the hotel called the Wisconsin House. In IS70 he married Miss Helfrig. They have three children, having lost three. Those living are Frank, Mary and Theresa. They are Catholics.

GEORGE D. BREED, farmer, Chilton, Born in Chenango Co., N.Y., Dec. 29, 1839 His parents moved to Walworth Co., Wis., in 1844, where they located at East Troy From thence they went to Rochester, and later moved to Vienna, where George attended school. His father was a millwright, carpenter and joiner, and when they moved to Chilton he was engaged on the second grist-mill put up. He located on the farm where George D. now lives, buying eighty acres, which lie now wholly within the city limits. In 1858 he commenced work, and was the first here to introduce a reaper on his farm. In 1864 he enlisted in the 48th Wis. V. I., Co. H ; was mustered out in 1865, and returned home the 7th of January, and has given his attention to farming since. In politics he has some interest, being Chairman of the Republican Con- vention, Alderman of the Second Ward in 1877-S, and President of the Board ; was Mayor of the city in 1879, and is now Alderman ; secretary of the Agricultural Society, and School Clerk for three years. In IS64 he married Miss Elizabeth A. Fadner, of Charleston. They have two children, Frank B. and Alexander K. Mr. Breed was, in 1877, as- signed the position of Enrolling Clerk in the House, but served on joint committee for enrolling bills as Clerk.

C. G. CONE, farmer, Sec. II, P. O. Chilton. Born in Cayuga Co., N. Y., Oct. 14. 1829. His father, Thomas Cone, was born in Ot- sego Co., N. Y., in 1798, and is now on the farm, hale and hearty. The family moved from Cayuga County in 1856, and located on the farm where they now live. They own 160 acres. Before leaving New York, C. G. attended common school, and then went to Homer Academy, finishing in the Oneida Conference Seminary. On leaving school he went to milling, and then roamed through the Southern and Western States, coming to Calumet in the Fall of 1857. In 1864 he went to Menasha as foreman of the Wooden Ware Manufacturing Company. From there he was appointed Superintendent of the numbering depart- ment of the Treasury, and was transferred to the Census Bureau, and in 1872 he came home, where he has since remained. In 1858 he married Miss Sarah Potter, of Almira, N. Y. They have three boys-George, Thomas and Walter.

WILLIAM DORSCHEL, sash and door factory, Chilton. Born in Canada. He came to Wisconsin in 1863. and to Calumet County in 1866, where he carried on a carpenter's and joiner's business till 1878, when he established himself in the mill and lumber yard. In IS68 he married Miss Louisa Rothman. They have four children, having lost one. They are members of the Catholic Church.

F. JOSEPH EGERER, saloon, Chilton. Born in Fond du Lac Co., Wis., Feb. 17, 1860. Ilis early years were passed on a farm ; his time divided between school and home duties until 1879, when he came to Chilton. In ISSo he and Mr. Jansen bought their present business, under the firm name of Jansen & Egerer.

JULIUS FEIND, retired, Chilton. Born in Province of Hanover, Germany, March 21, 1828. He came to America in 1859, and at once came west to Wisconsin, going to work in Fond du Lac County on a faim. He bought a farm in the town of Friendship, but sold out in 1864, and bought in the town of Charles, Calumet Co., on which he staid but a short time because of sickness. Ife was disabled for two years. JIe then was engaged in the Fond du Lac House, but left that position to take a trip south through Illinois, lowa, Missouri, Kentucky and Indiana. He returned to Fond du Lac in 1866, going thence to Marytown, where he entered a partnership with Charles F. Holtz in hotel and store. Shortly afterward he came to Chilton, where he bought of lIenry IIofman. This was in 1866. This venture held for a few months, when he sold to William Paulson; then taking am interest with James LaCounte in the Chilton Ilouse, he became sole

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HISTORY OF CALUMET COUNTY.

proprietor. but soon sold to Frederick Esser. He then bought a harness shop, which he owned till 1872, and after selling this he entered real estate business, and in 1880 built Feind's Block. He is now retired. In Germany he was manager of an estate valued at $500,000, which he carried on successfully for three years, also managing the estate of Duke Kilsmanseege ; this was for a short time, as he found the Duke of an extremely haughty nature. Mr. Feind is still a bachelor.

THOMAS FLATLEY, general store, Chilton. Born in New York Nov. 15, 1849. When five years of age he came with his parents to Wisconsin, and lived in the town of Woodville, Calumet Co., till he was sixteen years of age, when he went into the lumbering woods of Oconto County. For six years he continued at this work, and then re- turned to the farm. In 1875 he came to Chilton, and entered the store of M. Connelly, the firm being Connelly & Flatley, which, in 1879, was changed to Thomas Flatley, He carries a stock of $2,000 or $3,000, and does a business of $7,000 a year. In 1875 he married Miss Mary J. Connelly, of Chilton. They have four children-John B., Michael Henry, Kate Ellen and Andrew H. They belong to the Catholic Church,

MARTIN FORKIN, general merchandise, Chilton. Born in County of Roscommon, Ireland, Oct. 11, 1832. Came to America in 1845, landing in Boston. From there he went to Crompton, R. I. In 1853 he, with his parents, came to Calumet Co,, Wis., and located in the town of Chilton, on a farm which they had purchased in 1851. IIere he lived till 1868, excepting the time he was in the army, having en- listed in the 16th Wis. V. I., Co. D., in 1864, and served till 1865. In 1868 he opened the mercantile house with which he is now identified, carrying a stock of about $2,000 and doing a business of $6,oco, In I859 he married Miss Bridget Duffy, of Chilton. They have six children, having lost two-Mary A., Alice, Margaret A., Martin J. (who was killed by the kick of a horse, May 23. 1878), Frances E., Ellen L., William Patrick, Bridget. and M. L., deceased, Mr. Forkin was elected School Treasurer in 1875, and is now in that office.

P. A. GALLET, agricultural implement depot, Chilton. Born in Belgium, Nov. 12, 1840. Came to America and to Wyoming County, where he lived with his parents and attended school, until they moved to the town of Russell in Sheboygan Co., since which he has been trav- eling in the machinery business. He took a trip to California in 1872, and to Oregon, where he intended to stay, but as the climate did not suit him, he returned in 1875, and bought a farm in town of Chilton. Moving on it, he engaged in the agricultural machinery business, and finally sold his farm and moved to the city. He has a wife and five children -- Eliza S., Edward A., Helen A., Mary Adeline and Pauline A.

L. D. GEISSE, machinist, Chilton. Born in Fond du Lac County, June 6, 1847. His father moved to that county as early as 1842, and settled at Taycheedah. Ile had large means, and carried on quite an extensive business, but failed in 1854, and died Sept. 10, 1873. L. D. went to school in the village until old enough to learn a trade, when he went East into the machine shops, working in the Baldwin locomotive shops in Philadelphia, He then began a life of wandering, going to Unionville, Nevada, to run the quartz mills, then back to Philadelphia to ship on the steamer " Tombo" for a voyage up the Amazon River on a survey ; returning to the port from which he shipped, and going into the ship-yard belonging to William Cramp, and after working in the United States navy yard, coming back home to Fond du Lac County. In 1876 he opened the machine shops in Chilton. In 1874 he married Miss Helen Bigford. They have three children. He is a member of the I. O. O. F.

JAMES GODING, retired, Chilton. Born in Littleton, Wilshire, England. Before leaving Britain he was married to Miss Elizabeth Tarrant. This was in 1845, on the 11th of February. In 1849 they came to Wisconsin, and went into the then wilderness of the town of Rantoul, Calumet Co. There they found a brother, Isaac Goding, who, had located in 1848. He accommodated them with part of his shanty till they settled on their little farm on the Kilsnick. Mr. Goding then went to Taycheedah in Fond du Lac Co., and worked at his trade. He afterwards bought a farm one mile south of Chilton, and farmed till his boys went to work for themselves. He then moved to Chilton in 1874. They have had five children-Sarah (now Mrs. Weaver), Lewis (deceased), John, Milton and Lewis.

STEPHEN HEALY. retired, Chilton. Born in Brimfield, Wor- cester Co., Mass , May 15, 1823. The family moved from there to Con- necticut in 1839, and then to Gardiner's Prairie. Wis., where he re- mained till 1847. He located on land in Rochestertown and then went to Vienna, Walworth Co. He came to Chilton June 8, 1853, and located on a farm of twenty-five acres, which he cleared up and improved, meantime working at his trade. In 1879 he had a stroke of paralysis. In 1847 he married Miss Mary R. Breed, of New York. They have two children-Albert S. and Mettie J. Mr. Ilealy has held the position of Town Clerk, and has been a member of the I. O. O. F. since 1873.

OLIVER HIEBERT, hardware, Chilton. Born in Eureka, Winne- bago Co., Wis., Aug. 31, 1853. Ile is of French descent. His parents moved to Fond du Lac County, where his mother still lives. In 1871, he came to Chilton, and served an apprenticeship with the Ebert Bros.,

in the tin trade, and then went with Mr. David Ebert to Callforma in 1875, locating at Oakland, where they were stationed for one month, when they sold out and returned to Fond du Lac County, He came to Chilton, Calumet Co., in July, 1877, and worked with the Ebert Bros. till January, ISSo, when he went to Brillion and opened business, but returned with his stock of goods to Chilton. in February, 188t, and opened a hardware and tin shop. He carries a stock of from $3,000 to $4,000, and does a business of $15,000. On the 17th of September, 1877, he married Miss 11. E. Baivier, of Chilton. They have two chil- dren, Florence and Olive. Mr. Hebert was elected City Treasurer, by special election, in 1878.

JOHN P. HUME, for nearly a quarter of a century editor and pro- prietor of the Chilton Times, was born in Kings County, Ireland, June II. 1836, and died at his home in Chilton, on Tuesday morning, Aug. 23, 1881. His illness was painful and lingering, but he retained his genial disposition and kindness of heart and sunshine of manner through all his long and keen suffering. He left a dear and worthy wife and seven children to mourn his death, besides the largest circle of close friends, who ever sincerely sorrow ed for a man's decease, in Calumet County. The funeral, which occurred on the 25th of August, was therefore largely attended, and was solemnly and impressively conducted under the aus- pices of the Masonic Fraternity, of which order the deceased was an old and honored member. Masons were present from Appleton, Manitowoc, Milwaukee, Fond du Lac and Oshkosh. Besides these evidences of gen- uine grief, which gathered around the body of the beloved editor, at home, the press in all portions of the State overflowed with kind words of grief and condolence, evincing the universal feeling which per- vaded the ranks of his own profession. The following, from the Milwau- kee Sunday Telegraph, is one of the most complete and touching eulo- gies which appeared : " John P. Hume, the well known and much admired editor of the Chilton Times, died at his home, on Tuesday morning, Aug. 23. He was born in Kings County, Ireland, June 11, 1836, At the age of sixteen, he came to Manitowoc, and soon after entered the Herald office, where he learned the printer's trade, under the instruction of Charles W. Fitch, now of Washington. The Fall of 1857, soon after he had reached his majority, he removed to Chilton, Calumet County, then a town of less than 100 inhabitants, and started the Times, which paper he continued to publish up to the time of his death. The Fall of 1858, he was elected to the office of Circuit Court Clerk, With the ex- ception of two years, when the late F. J. Curtiss served, he held the position, and performed the duties with strict fidelity and great satisfac- tion, until last January, when he was succeeded by W. J. Mallman. There was not a better known or more highly esteemed man in Calumet County. Those who watched Mr. Hume's pathway through life saw a thousand things which they could commend where one appeared that they could not sanction. His heart was on his sleeve, and ro man pos- sesses a more generous or a kindly one. It was rounded with sympathy. It felt for the suffering in all walks of life. His was an ever ready and open hand to aid the distressed. No one ever approached John P. Ilume in vain for aid and sympathy. He was one of nature's noblemen-loved by thousands and hated by none. Genial, hospitable and whole-souled, he never wanted for friends. Plain spoken he was, but there was noth- ing harsh and mean in his character. He had a smile and a good word for all about him, The friend of a quarter of a century ago was a better friend the day his spirit took its flight. All in the county knew him ; thousands had been befriended by him, and this Sabbath day is a day of mourning in more than half of the homes in the county he never wearied of praising. A loving husband and father has entered up en his endless rest. God alone knows how great a light has ceased to shire in that home where he was always loved and honored. Mr. Hume was an easy, graceful writer, and was without an enemy in the editorial fiater- nity of Wisconsin. The paper will be continued by his sons. Mr. 1Iume was a Democrat, and always took an active part in politics. He was many times a Delegate to State Conventions, and, in 1872, was a Dele- gate to the National Convention. The death of her husband is a terrible blow to Mrs. Hume, but like him she has an army of friends who can never forget her. A more loveable, pure-minded and noble woman is not often met. She is surrounded by loving children, who have good heads, warm hearts and willing hands, and we mistake them if anything is left undone which can in any way lighten her load or gladden her heart,"

JACOB KELI.ER, saloon, Chilton. Born in canton Zurich, Switz- erland, Feb. 8, 1847. He came to America, in 1857, with his father. Landing in New York, they came 10 Calumet County, and located on a farm in the town of Chilton, where his father died in 1863. That year he learned the blacksmith trade, but afterwards went to Fond du Lac, where he remained two years. After taking a trip through the States, he came to Chilton, and opened a saloon, having Henry Seigrist as part- ner till 1879, when he opened his present business. In 1873, he married Miss Augusta Broudes, of Rantoul. They have three children-Carl, Louis and Matilda. Mr. Keller was Deputy Sheriff in 1873 and 1874, and is a member of the I. O. O. F.

J. D. KERKER, hotel, Chilton. Born in Oswego Co., N. Y., Sept. 15. 1845. He came to Wisconsin with his parents in 1850, then locat- ing in Walworth County, where they lived till 1862, when they went to

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HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.

Oraukee County. There he engaged in farming, and in 1864 enlisted in the 36th Reg. Wis. V. I., Co. E, and served till the close of the war. He then returned to Ozankee County, and followed farming till 1869, when he began working on the Wisconsin Central Railroad, and other lines. In 1871, he tried lumbering, but returned to the farm, and re- mained till 1876, when he took a mail route and livery stable in Wash- ington County. He finally came to Chilton, and kept the American House. In 1878, Nov. 28, he married Miss Levoy. They have one child, Jesse J.

CHARLES KOINKE, hotel, Chilton. Born in Germany, Prussia, Nov. 29. 1830. In 1868. he came to New York, and from there went to Manitowoc County, Wis. On the 10th of November, 1869, he came to Chilton. In 1879, he opened the Central House, of which he is the proprietor. That same year he married Mrs. Reinborg, of Chilton, who had a family of eight children, and by this marriage there is one child, a girl. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and was in the army in Ger- many for five years.

DAVID LA COUNTE, M.D., Chilton. Born in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., in the town of Madrid, May 16, 1828. He is of French descent, and came with his parents to Wisconsin in 1837. His father engaged in lumbering and farming at Manitowoc Rapids. In 1851, he began the study of medicine with Dr. Seilly ; graduated in Rush Medical Col- lege, at Chicago, in 1856, and commenced practice in Calumet County, at Stockbridge. He removed to Chilton in 1857, and was married that year to Miss Green, of Chilton. In 1861, enlisted as Assistant Surgeon in the 14th Wis. V. I., but his health failing, he resigned, and came home, resuming his practice in Chilton. He is United States Examin- ing Surgeon for the Military Department, and in 1881 was elected Mayor of the city. They have one daughter.

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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