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 70

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 70

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HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.

county belonged to Manitowoc for judicial purposes or not. To make his tenure of office sure, Mr. Lyman went to Green Bay, and filed another set of bonds there, which he was obliged to go home to obtain. He thus traveled over three hundred miles to make of himself a Justice of the Peace, "who would hold ;" and this journey was taken in face of the fact that the first road from Bailey's Harbor to the shore of Green Bay was not eut until 1850. In 1855-56, the first road was cut from Green Bay to Sturgeon Bay, and A. G. Warren, Chairman of the doubtful town of Otumba (Sturgeon Bay), struck a bee-line for the former place to find out where the county seat was located ; but to explain, one year will have to be retraced. In the Winter of 1855, the Legislature passed an act organiz- ing Sturgeon Bay into an election precinct. Instead of holding a general election in November, the voters held a meeting in July for town organization, and elected O. P. Graham, Chairman. The town having thus been "organized," in the Fall of the next year Mr. Warren was chosen Chairman. Washington Town would send no representative, and Mr. Warren did not know where was the county seat, at which he should "meet himself." There was no way out of it but to go to Green Bay and consult John Last, then District Attorney of Brown County. It was done, and a written opinion given that Gibraltar was the county seat ; also that A. G. Warren and W. H. Warren and John Gar- land, Justices of the Peace elect, should constitute the board for the canvass of returns. Not only did they constitute themselves a Board of Canvassers, but, in some manner which A. G. Warren at this late day can not explain, resolved themselves into a " County Board of Supervisors." The meeting was held November 11, 1856, and the following were declared to be the officers elected on the 4th prox. : Ezra B. Stevens, Member of Assembly ; Joseph Harris, Register of Deeds and Clerk of the Board ; Robert Graham, County Treasurer ; H. Schuyler, County Surveyor ; H. S. Schuyler, Coroner. Old settlers generally date the real organization of the county from the next year. Joseph Harris thus writes to C. I. Martin, publisher of a history of Door County, from which a portion of the data in regard to early times has been taken : " When Sturgeon Bay was organized into a town in 1857, by the name of Otumba, it became necessary, in order to assess and levy taxes for county and State purposes, to hold a meeting of the chairmen of those two towns as a County Board of Supervisors. Mr. J. Nolan, who was Chairman of the town of Washington, refused to come to Sturgeon Bay to hold the meeting, and Squire Henry Schuyler, who was Chairman of Otumba, and myself agreed to go to Washington Island for that purpose. It was late in November when we started on foot through the woods to Fish Creek, that being the nearest place where a sail-boat could be got. We arrived at the Island the same day. The next day the first meeting of the County Board in Door County was held. Squire Schuy- ler was chosen Chairman, and myself Clerk of the Board. The tax levy was made, and Door County set upon its legs." By act of the Legislature the voters were allowed, in 1857, to formally remove the county seat from Gibraltar to Sturgeon Bay, where it has remained. The present county officers (1881) are :

County Judge, F. J. Hamilton ; Treasurer, Chris. Leon- hardt ; District Attorney, G. W. Allan ; Sheriff, Arnold Wagner ; Register of Deeds, James Keogh, Jr. ; Clerk, George Nelson ; Clerk of the Circuit Court; H. C. Graham ; Superintendent of Schools, Chris. Daniels ; Surveyor, A. G. Warren.

STURGEON BAY.

By general consent, and by the efforts of the Warrens, Joseph Harris and John Garland, this place became fixed upon as the county seat, in 1856-57. It is now the only village of any prominence in Door County, and contains a creditable $12,000 court-house, built in 1878. It is situ- ated at the natural head of Sturgeon Bay, and contains a population of 1,400 people. Its industries are chiefly con- fined to the manufacture of lumber. A large general trade grows out of this. For the conveniences of business a bank was established in November, 1880, by Messrs. Shummel & Kozishek. With its business, Sturgeon Bay has a fire de- partment, a good village school and a number of churches and societies to promote its intelligence and sociability. The Village of Sturgeon Bay was incorporated |July 15, 1874.

CHURCHES.

St. Joseph (Catholic )-The church was organized in 1866 and the building at once erected. For several years previous to this time services had been held at the old court- house and other convenient localities. Rev. John L. Adel- lar, direct from Holland, was first placed in charge of the church by Bishop Joseph Melcher. St. Joseph is at pres- ent in charge of Rev. E. Blume, who has 400 families with- in his jurisdiction, which includes Sturgeon Bay, Egg Har- bor, Bailey's Harbor, Clay Banks and Jacksonport. A church building is occupied at Egg Harbor, and one at Bailey's Harbor. An edifice is in course of erection at Jacksonport. St. Joseph congregation consists of 200 fam- ilies, principally English, German and French (Canadian). Connected with it is a total abstinence society, recently or- ganized, and the Ladies Altar Society, each having about forty members. Outside of the central church, Father Blume has within his territory also quite a scattering of Belgians. He came to Sturgeon Bay in April, 1876, from Gilman, Ill., and has gained the hearts of a wide circle.

United Brethren of Moravia .- This church, Lutheran in its general tenets, was organized in 1859 by Rev. A. M. Iversen. The new building, erected in 1880, is valued at $1,300. The church has an actual membership of fifty-six, Rev. C. Madsen, pastor. He took charge of the congrega- tion in 1873.

M. E. Church, Sturgeon Bay Conference, was organized in 1863 by uniting the Gibrates Mission with Sturgeon Bay and appointing Rev. B. M. Falmer pastor. The church and parsonage are valued at $2,500; membership, thirty-five, Rev. P. Burke, pastor.

Hope Congregation, Rev. George W. Prescott, commenced services in the village hall in January, 1880. In January, 188r, the congregation removed to Lawrence Hall, and or- ganized under general statute, taking the above name. There is no church organization; membership of congregation, fifty. The polity is Congregational.

There is also a very small Episcopalian following, hav- ing no church for worship, under Rev. F. Moore, and a few Seven Day Adventists, under the care of Rev. Torkensen.

Societies .- Henry S. Baird Lodge No. 211, F. & A. M., was granted a dispensation in September, 1878. Present membership, twenty-five; F. J. Hamilton, W. M.

Sons of Hermann, No. 3, was organized November 18, 1877, with twelve charter members. There are twenty-five

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HISTORY OF DOOR COUNTY.

members now. President, A. Haberlie. Chris. Leonhardt is representative to the Grand Lodge.

The Press .- The pioneer journal of this place, the Door County Advocate, was established at Sturgeon Bay, March 22, 1862, by Joseph Harris, of that place, and Myron H. McCord, of Shawano. The material was brought here from the latter locality, where it had been used in printing the Shawano County Journal. Mr. McCord severed his con- nection with the Advocate in the Summer of 1862, and Mr. Harris continued editor and publisher until January 1, 1866,

was formed, in 1866. Its charter members were: Joseph Harris, Sr., Henry Schuyler, George Pinney, D. A. Reed, D. H. Rice, William K. Dresser, G. W. Allen and E. M. Squire. The association at first took the nature of a de- bating society, but later assumed the more useful form of an organization for the collection of standard works in every department for the use of its members.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

G. W. ALLEN, firm of Allen & McNally, attorneys-at-law, is a native of New London, Huron Co., Ohio. There he began to learn the

STURGEON BAY.

when his son, Henry, returned from the war and became the publisher, with J. and H. Harris as editors. April 1, 1875, the Advocate was purchased by Frank Long, its pres- ent editor and proprietor. In 1876 the paper was enlarged from a five column to a seven column folio. The Advocate is Republican in politics.

The Expositor was established October 24, 1873, by Messrs. Pinney & Co., as a four column quarto and independent in politics. George Pinney soon obtained control, and the paper became Democratic in 1876. In May, 1877, Charles T. Martin, present editor, obtained control of the journal, and it became again independent. In June, 1880, the form was changed to an eight column folio.

Library Association .- Joined to the power and educational influence of the press, is, naturally, a good library, support- ed by the best of citizens. Sturgeon Bay has now a live association, though it has, at times, almost died out since it

carpenter's trade, which he followed three and a half years. In 1857, he attended the State University at Madison, Wis .; completed his course of study in 1862. He then went to Ann Arbor, Mich., and attended the Michigan University ; graduated in the Spring of 1874 ; returned to Madison and entered the law office of George B. Smith ; later he studied with the law firm of W. II. & K. Tenney. In 1864, came to Sturgeon Bay and opened a law office, and has since followed this profession. In the Summer of 1872, he removed to Carthage, Mo., but returned in the Spring of 1875. Mr. Allen is now serving his fourth term as District Attorney ; was a member of the Assembly during the Winter of 1871-2, representing Door and Kewaunee counties ; has also been a member of the Board of Supervisors, and has always been identified with school interests. Mr. McNally was admitted as a partner December, ISSO.

AUGUST BLIESNER, boots and shoes. Born, Oct. 14, 1843, in Prussia. September, 1846, came to Milwaukee with his parents ; after- wards removed to Germantown, Washington Co., and followed farming. In 1855, they came to Ozaukee County ; continued farming. In t865, he removed to Buffalo County, Wis., rented a farm, where he remained one year, and then returned to Ozaukee County, where he left his family ; and followed lumbering, chopping wood, teaming, besides working at

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HISTORY OF NORTHERN WISCONSIN.

shoemaking one year. March, IS71, he started a shoe shop; continued till Aug. 8, 1871, when he came to Green Bay and opened a shop, which he continued about four years. He then canvassed for various indus- tries. He is a member of the Temple of Honor. Married in 1865 to Sophia Kohn. She was born in Prussia. They have two daughters- Anna and Sophia.

A. BOTTELSEN, boot and shoe maker, Sturgeon Bay. A native of Norway, born July 8, 1830, he learned the trade of boot and shoe maker in his native country. Came to America in 1864, and located in Sturgeon Bay. Worked at his trade, as journeyman, for some time, then engaged in business for himself for about two years. In 1870 he went to Kansas City, Mo., and remained four years, and two years at Harvard Junction, Ill. In 1876, returned to Sturgeon Bay, and has since worked at his trade with his son-in-law (Jacob Dehos). Married in 1851 to Miss Elizabeth Mary Bottelson. Has two sons and one daughter.

ANDREW CHARLSEN, farmer, Sec. 9, P. O. Sturgeon Bay. Born Dec. 31. 1834, in Sweden. Came to Iowa June 24, 1867, and the fol- lowing October removed to his present farm. He owns forty acres, which he has improved. Married, April 3. 1867, to Caroline Knudsen. She was born in Norway in 1836. They have had five children, three living-Matilda, Louisa and Carl Louis. They lost a son, Louis, aged three years. Catharine died at the age of thirteen months. Members of the Moravian Church.

M. COCHEMS. dealer in general merchandise, Sturgeon Bay. Born March 12, 1837, in Prussia, in 1853, he came with his parents to Mani- towoc County ; assisted them in farming till 1862, when he enlisted in Co. H, 2d Wis. Cav .; served to the end of the War. In 1866, he went to Ahnapee, Wis .; engaged in the grist mill business three years, then returned to Manitowoc County. In 1870, came to Sturgeon Bay, where he has since resided. In 1874. he and Mr. Feldmann opened a general store, which they continued till 1879. Since then Mr. Cochems has carried on this business. Married in 1862 to Eliza Wagener. She was born in Prussia in 1841. They have ten children-seven sons and three daughters.

E. C. DANIELS, farmer, Sec. 9, P. O. Sturgeon Bay. Born Jan. 26, 1835, in Missouri. When a child, he went to Mentor, Ohio, with his parents ; assisted them on their farm, where he remained till 1856, when he came to Sevastopol, Wis., and bought a farm of eighty acres, which he improved and afterwards sold. In 1867 he came to his present farm, which he has also improved with a house, cost about SI,Soo, barn, cost about $400, and other improvements. Aside from this, he owns about 2,000 acres of land in Door County.

JACOB DEHOS, manufacturer of boots and shoes, Sturgeon Bay. A native of Germany, born Aug. 1, 1848. Came to Amerca in 1864, and located in Door County, Wis. Worked at farming some time, and in 1866 commenced to work at boot and shoe making, and continued in that work till 1871. He then went to Missouri, and remained for three years, and returned to Sturgeon Bay in 1874, and opened a boot and shoe shop. Was a member of the Town Board for two years, and one year member of the Village Board of Sturgeon Ray; is now Justice of the Peace ; also treasurer of the Bay Side Cemetery Association. Married in 1869 to Miss Annie Bottelsen, of Norway. Has two daughters -Eva and Agathe ; and one son, John.

WILLIAM DONOVAN, foreman of George O. Spear's saw mill, Sturgeon Bay. A native of Northumberland County, Ont., in 1868 came to Wisconsin and went into employ of Bailey & Vincent, at Little Sturgeon; for about six months ; then, with F. B. Gardner, and worked in saw mill ti I Mr. Gardner closed out his business in Little Sturgeon. lle removed to Pen-aukee, Oconto Co., and continued in the employ of Mr. Gardner one year longer ; then engaged with Mr. Spear, and worked for him one year at Oconto, and in 1876 returned to Little Sturgeon with Mr. Spear, and was foreman of saw mill one year. Thence to Ft. How- ard, and engaged in hotel business for a short time. and in 1878 removed to Sturgeon Bay, and has since been foreman of the saw mill for G. O. Spear. Married in IS7S. Miss Louisa Jenkin. Has two sons-Edward and Thomas Joseph.

G. A. DREUTZER, Postmaster and general merchandise, Sturgeon Bay, is a native of Waupaca, Wis. Ilis father received the appoint- ment of United States Consul to Norway in 1862, taking his family with him, where they remained till 1866, then returned to Waupaca. In 1869. he went to Chicago; was assistant book-keeper in a drug house two years. In 1871, came to Green Bay ; was book keeper for John D. Law three years, In 1874. removed to Sturgeon Bay, was appointed Post- master in 1875. lle has been a member of the Village and Town Board and the past two years a member of the County Board. In ISSo he was Chairman of the most enthusiastic and largest convention ever held in Door County. He is a member of the Door County Committee ; has al- ways been identified with the Republican party.

IION. O. E. DREUTZER, attorney at law, Sturgeon Bay, is a na- tive of Sweden. Born Jan. 27, 1817; received his education in the Swedish Navy ; came to America in 1834. Was corporal in the Flor- Ha War in 1836, then returned to his native country and engaged in

active naval service till 1842, when he returned to America, remained in Milwaukee about two years, reading law, removed to Portage County in 1846, and was admitted to the Bar in 1854. Was appointed County Judge of Waupaca County in 1857, which office he held till 1862, when he received the appointment of Consul to Norway. While there he in- duced the merchants, through his influence as Consul, to open a direct trade to Chicago. Ills. The brig "Sleipner," of about 250 tons, was fitted out and loaded with fish of various kinds cod-liver oil, liquor, etc., set sail in 1863 and discharged her cargo in Chicago, the first foreign flag that ever di charged a cargo direct in that port. The brig returned to Norway, taking a load of the products of America. Finding it to be a prof- itable business, the brig was enlarged and converted into a barque, and returned with another load, the sloop "Skjoldmoen" of about eighty-five tons coming also. Mr. Dreutzer took a very active part in establishing a direct commerce between these two countries. He held the office of Consul till 1866, when he returned to Waupaca, Wis., and was appointed Brigadier General of Wisconsin Militia by Gov. Randall ; practiced law till 1874, removed to Sturgeon Bay, Door Co., and in 1875 was elected District Attorney, and has since been in the constant practice of his pro- fession.

C. FELDMANN, general merchandise, Sturgeon Bay, was born, Nov. 8, 1834, in Hesse Darmstadt, Germany. In 1838, came to Door County, followed farming thirteen years, was burned out, then removed to Sturgeon Bay; was employed as clerk for Lawrence & Co. about eighteen months. In 1874. he, with Mr. Cochems, opened a general store ; continued in part- nership four years. Since then he has carried on the business alone and is also engaged in real estate. When living on his farm, he was a mem- ber of the Village Board, Town Treasurer six years, School Treasurer nine years, Assessor two years. Married in 1858 to Elizabeth Wies, of Hes-e Darmstadt. They have four children-three daughters ard one son.

HENRY HARLOW FULLER, farmer, Sec. 12. P. O. Sawyer, a native of Yorkville, Racine Co., Wis. Born July 13, 1852 ; came with his parents to Sturgeon Bay in 1855 ; received a common-school educa- tion. In 1871, he hired his father's lime kiln and commenced burning lime. The following Spring he bought a schooner, which was used in the lime business and trading in fish, etc. In the Fall of 1874 he sold out, and in the Spring of 1875 engaged in farming. Married in the Fall of ISSo to Miss Sarah Jane Noble of Manitowoc.

JOHN P. GRAASS, saloon, Sturgeon Bay, was born, Feb, 12, IS39, in Luxemburg, Germany. In IS39, came to Sturgeon Bay ; worked in a saw-mill three years. He then purchased two teams and worked on the canal and at lumbering. In 1874 he came to Sturgeon Bay. Married June 24, 1873, to Mena Wagoner. She was born in Prussia. They have four children-one son and three daughters. Lost Barnard in the Fall of ISSo, aged sixteen months.

H. C. GRAHAM. Clerk Circuit Court, Sturgeon Bay, was born in Cleveland, Ohio. At the age of two years he came with his parents to Sheboygan County, Wis., where his father engaged in farming, and, when old enough to work, he assisted in the labors of the farm till 1858. The family removed to Door County, and he followed fishing till 1861, when he enlisted in Co. F, 32d Wis. I., and served till the end of the war. He participated in all of Sherman's engagements. At the close of the war he returned to Fish Creek, Door County, and followed fishing till Fall of ISSo, when he was elected Clerk of Circuit Court. He then re- moved to Sturgeon Bay and has since discharged his official duties. He has been Town Clerk. Assessor and Justice of the Peace. Married in 1868 to Miss Celestia M. Thorp of Monroe County. Has two sons.

HENRY HAHN, proprietor Northwestern House, Sturgeon Bay, was born Nov. 7. 1823, in Prussia. June 4. 1849, he came to New York, thence to Philadelphia, thence to Columbia, Pa. About 1855, he re- moved to Lycoming County and bought an interest in a saw-mill; re- mained in this business eighteen months, when he sold out and came to Kewaunee County ; bought a farm of 160 acres, which he improved, but afterwards sold. In 1868, he removed to Sturgeon Bay, and opened a grocery, saloon and boarding-house. The following year, he bought his present property, which he has enlarged and improved ; he also owns a farm of 120 acres. He married in 1855, to Barbara Haen, who was born in Prussia. They have eight children-three sons and five daugh- ters. When in Kewaunee County he was Chairman of the Board of Supervisors of the town of Casco.

WILLIAM M. HALSTEAD, manufacturer and dealer in harness, saddles, etc., Sturgeon Bay, was born Sept. 20, 1830, in Elkhart Co., Ind. In the Summer of 1859, he came to Green Bay, worked there at this trade several years. Ile then enlisted, in 1862, in Co. L, Ist Wis. Cavalry ; served a short time, and was discharged on account of physi- cal disability. Returned to Beaver Dam, Wis., where he remained till the Spring of 1863 ; then removed to Kewaunee, and opened a shop, which he run a short time, then returned to Green Bay, where he worked about one year ; again returned to Kewaunee, and continued this busi- ness from 1865 to 1876, when he came to Sturgeon Bay.

JUDGE F. J. HAMILTON, Sturgeon Bay, is a native of Genesee Co., N. V .; came to Michigan in 1868, and taught school. He soon

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HISTORY OF DOOR COUNTY.

after removed to Illinois, thence to Minnesota, where he remained about one year, then returned to McHenry Co., Ill .; taught school there six years. May 9, 1871, came to Sturgeon Bay, and held the position as principal of schools for six years. He was admitted to the Bar in Feb- ruary, 1876; was appointed County Judge, February 5, 1879, assuming the duties of the office April 1, 1879. He was elected to this office in the Spring of 1881, receiving the largest majority of votes of any com- petitor.

HANS HANSEN, farmer, Sec. 9. P. O. Sturgeon Bay, is a native of Norway, born March 19, 1815 ; came to America in 1853, and remained in Chicago for two years, then removed to Sturgeon Bay, and worked a short time at shipbuilding ; then engaged in farming, commencing with comparatively nothing. By his industry and good management he has a farm of 225 acres, part improved. lle married, Jan. 22. 1848, Miss Bertha HIalena Knudsen, of Norway. They have one son and three daughters. Hans has always assisted his father in the management of the farm. Mr. Hansen has been one of the School Directors.

CHAUNCEY HASKELL, farmer, Sturgeon Bay, was born in Brookfield, Worcester Co., Mass., Sept. 14, 1813; moved with his parents to Ohio in 1821, and followed farming. He removed to Boston in 1830, and engaged in hotel business with his brother for five or six years, then, in company with his brother, he went to Portland, Me., and followed the same business for two years ; thence to the city of New York, and engaged in the provision business for four years; thence 10 Ohio, and remained about eighteen months ; thence to Michigan for six months, and, in company with his brother, moved to Illinois, and re- mained about eighteen months, then came to Wisconsin and followed fishing for about twelve years. He located in Sturgeon Bay in 1855, and followed hunting and trapping for about two years, then bought sixty acres of land, and has since been engaged in farming. He was married in 1859. to Miss A. Fuller, of Wisconsin. They have two sons and two daughters,

J. G. HENDRICKS, A.M., M.D., Sturgeon Bay, is a native ot Mad- ison, Jefferson Co., Ind. At the age of twenty he commenced the study of medicine in his native town ; graduated at the St. Louis University in 1849, and also in New York City in 1851. He then returned to Mad- ison and entered upon the practice of his profession ; continued till June 17, 1867, when he came to Sturgeon Bay, and has since been in constant practice. He has lately opened a drug store, which he man- ages in connection with his profession.

C. HJORTAAS, farmer and painter, Sec. 9, P. O. Sturgeon Bay, was born April 13. 1838, in Norway. In 1858, he came to New York ; sailed out of New York till 1861, when he enlisted in the United States Navy, where he served three years. He then came to Chicago, and followed the lakes as a sailor about eight seasons. IIe then commenced to work at painting ; followed this business about five years. In 1876, he came to Sturgeon Bay, and has since followed painting and farming. He owns thirty two acres of land, which he has improved ; has a very com- fortable residence, and other improvements which are probably the finest in this locality. He was married in 1870 to Miss Henreica Nelsen. She is a native of Norway.

W. A. IVES, of the firm of W. A. Ives & Son, foundry and machine shop, Sturgeon Bay, was born in New Haven Co., Conn., in 1813. At the age of one year his parents moved to Ohio, and when eighteen years old he returned to Connecticut, and worked at making combs and but- tons for five or six years, then returned to Ohio and built a pocket-comb machinery, and remained there till 1850, when he went to California, and returned to Ohio in 1851. In 1865. he came to Sturgeon Bay, and bought what is known as the " Middle Mill," repaired it and operated it for five or six years, sawing lumber and shingles. He opened a foundry and machine shop in 1877, and is now in operation. He has three sons. Wallace Leon is a partner in the firm.

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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