The history of Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, Part 101

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Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company
Number of Pages: 1082

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The school is prosperous. A high-school department was established in this district in 1877, as the following minutes, taken from the school record-book, show :

July 23, 1877, 8 P. M.

Adguru meetin Cald To order By the Director L E Nole H D> Alen was elected Chairman The Comity Report the Clerks Books is Correkt With one or to Mistake.

The Reporte of the Comity it is exsepted moved and cared that the Report of the Clerk is a dopted.

Motion made to Re Consider the motion to adopt the Clerks Report motion lost

Motion made to exsept the Report of the Comity is exsepted Motion mad to adopt the Treasurers Report adopted.

Motion to adopt the free high school law amenament to adopt the high school law if it dont in Criese our exspences Motion Loste Vote on motion to adopt free high schoole was adopted

Motion mad to pay the Clerk Twenty Dollars Per yeare

Motion Card

moved to adjoirn for four weekes.

Motion cared Adjoirned

The district employs four teachers, who have charge of four departments-Primary, Inter- mediate, Grammar and, High School-all in one building. The total number of children of school age in District No. 5 is 324.

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HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.

District No. 3 .- Notice for a meeting to be held at Mapes' Hotel (the Ripon House), Octo- ber 21, 1850, for the formation of District No. 2, was posted about the 1st of October, of that year, by Levi Parker, Superintendent of Schools of the town of Ceresco. The meeting was held at the house of H. D. Scott, in Ceresco, instead of at the hotel. D. F. Shepard was chosen Director ; E. L. Northrup, Treasurer, and C. R. Pedrick, Clerk. Those present voted to erect a school, and raise for that purpose a tax of $300. Arrangements were made for the use of the house then occupied by D. F. Shepard for a schoolhouse until one could be erected. This building was the one erected in 1849, near where the Sheboygan & Fond du Lac Railway depot stands, by Samuel Pedrick. The following contract shows who was the first teacher in the dis- trict :

It is agreed between School District No. 2, in the town of Ceresco and Emily E. Turner, a qualified teacher of said town, that the said Emily E. Turner is to teach the common school in said District for the term of three months, for the sum of $1.75 per week ; and for such services, properly rendered, the said District is to pay the said Emily E. Turner the amount that may be due according to this contract, on or before the 1st day of April, 1851.

Dated, Ripon, December 5, 1850.

[>igned] EMILY E. TURNER.

[Signed ] C. R. PEDRICK, Clerk.

I hereby consent to the within contract.

E. L. NORTIIRUP, Treasurer.

In April, 1851, the first school tax, amounting to $69.05, was collected in District No. 2, to pay teacher's wages and other expenses, which had been advanced by E. L. Northrup. Finally, in October, 1852, it was voted to add another $100 to the sum ($300) already voted to be raised to build a schoolhouse, and to erect a building 22x36 feet. The Building Committee were : II. Sabin, Mr. Bearss, A. E. Bovay and A. P. Mapes, who furnished the plans and specifications. The building, now occupied as a dwelling, was erected on what is now called the " Park," opposite the present brick schoolhouse on Fond du Lac street.

The main portion of the brick schoolhouse was erected in 1860, by G. W. Sawyer, for $2,000, who furnished all materials. The site, which is Lot 40 on Fond du Lac street, was purchased of E. P. Brockway for $600. In 1871, Samuel Allen built an addition to the brick schoolhouse, 25x35 feet, for $2,615, and furnished everything. The building is now in good condition.

The district being large and the number of scholars constantly increasing, two wooden schoolhouses were erected in 1860 for the accommodation of small scholars. The one on the corner of Shepard and Doty streets cost $485, and the site $150. The one on Howard street cost $500, and the site $150. The number of scholars still continuing to increase, the Mapes dwelling, next to the brick schoolhouse, was purchased in 1877 and made into a schoolhouse, at a cost of $1,038.89 for the site and building.

The total expenditures in District No.22 during the last ten years have been $41,847.60, as follows: 1870, $2,700.62; 1871, $5,948.02; 1872, $3.732.26; 1873, $3,124.45; 1874, $3,378.24; 1875, 83,816.64; 1876, $4,168.18; 1877, $4,442.33; 1878, $5,536.59; 1879, $5,000.27.

The total number of scholars in 1879 in District No. 2 was 724. The district employs ten teachers, who have charge of four Primary Schools, two Intermediate, one Grammar and one High School.

RIPON WATER-POWER.

The privilege of using for manufacturing purposes the heavy fall of water in Silver Creek, where it flows through the city of Ripon, was purchased by David P. Mapes, of Mary Eleanor Watson, through her attorney, John S. Horner, in 1849. It was first improved by Mr. Mapes, in 1849 and 1850. The first dam was built by him where Eureka street now is, the road-bed being originally the dam. The next dam was built by Mr. Mapes at Scott street, in 1853, for the Gothic Mill. The Eureka street dam was tapped when Mr. Dellinger built the new Ripon Mills power, in 1866. The very first utilization of the water in Silver Creek was in 1844, at Ceresco, by the Phalanx. The fall is about 100 feet from Scott street to Ceresco Mills, and before the large marshes east and south of Ripon were drained and cultivated by the farmers,

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HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.

water was abundant for all purposes. Before such drainage, these marshes acted as reservoirs from which the water came down slowly. Now the water runs off much more rapidly, thus making the supply somewhat inadequate after the marshes are once drained.

As a compensation for the privilege of laying the trunk which conveys water to G. W. Dellinger's mill, he was obliged to stipulate that the city might always take water from his bulk- head for fire purposes and for sprinkling streets. It has a "head" (fall) of fifty feet, thus furnishing a tremendous power.

FIRE DEPARTMENT.

The city of Ripon was without a fire engine or fire department until 1875, when a chemi- cal engine was purchased for $2,500, and a volunteer company organized with Hazen R. Hill as Chief Fire Marshal. IIe was succeeded in a few months by H. J. Goodall, who has since held that position. The company numbers fifty members, who are divided into "Engine Com- pany, No. 1, " and " Prairie City Hook and Ladder Company, No. 1." The members receive no pay from the city, but after serving seven years they are exempt from poll tax, jury duty and military service, except in case of an invasion of the State. They have good uniforms and a sum of money in the treasury which was obtained from firemen's balls and the 2 per cent tax on premiums from the insurance agents of the city.

For gallant service at the great fire in Oshkosh, in 1876, the company received two silver trumpets. The city erected, on the north side of Jackson street, a two-story wooden building in which the engine and hook and ladder truck are kept, and in which fire meetings are heldt. The city has a standing reward to the teamster who has the first load of water to the fire, and also pays a private individual for hauling the engine to and from fires.

The officers are: H. J. Goodall, Chief; W. B. Allen, First Assistant ; A. Lanning, Jr .. Second Assistant ; B. F. Keenan, Secretary ; W. H. Vermilye, Treasurer.

GAS WORKS.

In 1872, C. L. Lightburn began the erection of the Ripon Gas Works, on Pond street, on the south shore of the upper mill-pond. Although comparatively small, the works cost upward of $25,000, being thoroughly built and well equipped. The city advanced $1,000 in cash to Mr. Lightburn, to aid in their construction, which was returned to the municipality in gas at $30 per lamp-post per annum. In 1876, A. L. Dobbs came into possession of the works, which had been idle for some months. Mr. Dobbs entered upon the manufacture of gas, which, however, he discontinued after eighteen months, the business being unprofitable. The works now lie idle. They are now owned, except a claim of the county for two or three years' taxes, by a Milwaukee firm.

HOTELS OF RIPON.

Ceresco had no hotel at first, but travelers and strangers were lodged and fed at the large boarding-house belonging to the Phalanx people, or by D. P. Mapes, who lived on a farm east of the present city, or by the Dakins, who lived a few miles west. The Central House, which now stands opposite Bateman's flouring mill, was erected in one or two years after the Wisconsin Phalanx began business, but Ceresco has had no hotels for many years.

Ripon House .- In 1850, David P. Mapes erected on the site of Wood's Hotel, at the north end of Public Square, a two-story, square, wooden building, which he called the Ripon House. A grand opening was had when the house was completed, at which were present people from Oshkosh, Fond du Lac, Berlin, Milwaukee, Green Lake and other places. It was a memorable affair. This hotel was afterward called the American House, and, in 1859, Larrabee & Fargo ran it as a temperance house. From 1861 to 1866, it was owned and managed by Town & Fargo, who, at the end of that time, sold it to Wood & Fisk. When Wood's Hotel was built, the American House was moved down into the valley back of its original site, where it now stands unoccupied. It was the first business building erected in Ripon-that is, in the portion of

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HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.

Ripon not known as Ceresco. Among its early proprietors were E. P. Ketcham, Henry D. Scott, Larrabee and D. P. Mapes.

Wood's Hotel .- This is a brick building, the largest and finest in the western portion of Fond du Lac County. It was erected in 1872 by Alanson Wood, the present proprietor. At the opening ball, which occurred on the very spot where D. P. Mapes had the first hotel open- ing in Ripon, in 1850, over $1,200 was realized from the sale of tickets. The building is of brick and stone, and five stories high. It is commodiously arranged, with parlors, reading-room, office and dining-room level with Public Square. It is well furnished, well kept, and has seventy-five rooms. The building faces Public Square on the south, with streets on its cast and west fronts. It is one of the most noticeable buildings in Ripon.

Mapes House .- The Mapes House, a large, four-story stone structure, located on the west side of Broadway, at the corner of Blossom street, was erected in 1853, and opened by T. J. Mapes. It was the largest hotel in the western portion of the county until the erection of Wood's Hotel, in 1872, and secured a large share of patronage. It has been kept at various periods by T. J. Mapes, Wheeler & Peck, J. J. Smith, Gilbert Lane and John Weisgerber, the present proprietor, who is doing a profitable business.

Shepard's Hotel .- In 1851, a building was erected on the corner of Public Square and West Fond du Lac streets, for a hotel. It was called Shepard's Hotel, and managed by Dana F. Shepard. The first " Independence ball" held in Ripon was in this unfinished building, July 4, 1851. During the dance it was several times set on fire by fireworks. In 1853, the name of the hotel was changed to the National, and so continued until the building was destroyed by fire about the year 1856.

Lum's Hotel .- This was built by L. Portugal in 1870, for a public house, and called the Commercial Hotel. Ile was its proprietor and manager until 1877, when he moved to Milwau- kee. In 1879, HI. Lum remodeled the inner portion of the building and opened it for the accom- modation of the traveling public. It is comparatively a small hotel, but is kept in a neat and homelike manner, and draws its full share of patronage.

Princeton House .- This is a German hotel, situated on Jackson street west of Public Square, and caters mostly for the custom of farmers. It is owned and managed by H. Kohl, who enjoys a large share of the hotel business of Ripon.

PUBLIC HALLS,

City Hall .- The first public hall in Ripon was built by David P. Mapes, over two stone stores on the west side of Broadway or Main street, in 1851. It was first called Henton Hall, and afterward City Hall. It is now used as a storeroom in connection with Gehbe's furniture store. At the opening ball, by which it was dedicated, enough tickets were sold to net $250 in cash.

Greenway Hall .- This hall was built by David Greenway in his V-shaped. three-story brick building in 1861. Until the opening of Opera Hall, it was the best place for public meet- ings in Ripon. It now is mostly used for balls, socials and masquerades, for which its large size and absence of galleries make it desirable.

Opera Hall .- This is the principal hall of Ripon. It was built by Marcellus Pedrick in 1869, of stone and brick, on the corner of Blossom street and Broadway. It has a gallery on three sides, a neatly arranged stage and two good entrances-one on Broadway by a stairway, and one on Blossom street, direct from the sidewalk. It has admirable acoustic properties, and will' scat 600 persons comfortably. It is now owned by M. Pedrick, its original builder and proprie- tor. It is an exceedingly safe and substantial place for public gatherings.

CHURCHIES OF RIPON.

Congregational Church .- There was held, at the Ripon Hotel, November 21, 1850, a meeting for the purpose of organizing a church. Rev. D. Clary. of the American Home Mis- sionary Society, was Moderator, and Rev. J. H. Kasson, Clerk. The organization was effected

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HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.

by admitting the following persons, who had been members of churches before coming to Ripon. on presentation of the proper papers : Winthrop C. Lord, Elizabeth Lord, Mary Parker, Wil- son Holt, Abigail Holt, Francis A. Strong, Merriam B. L. Strong, Andrew Sherwood, Clarissa Sherwood, William Dunham, and Griffith Beynon. Rev. F. G. Sherrill was there invited to become acting Pastor, which he did. In the fall of 1853, a small wooden church edifice, which had been erected just north of the old college building, was dedicated as a place of worship. In 1857, the increased number of members made it necessary to enlarge the building, which was done in June of that year. In 1867, the present splendid stone structure was begun on College Hill, which was finished and dedicated in February, 1868. The old church building, which stands only a few rods north of the new one, was then sold to the Temperance Germans, who now use it for a church. The present structure is the largest, finest and costliest in Ripon. It was built entirely of Ripon stone, except the trimmings, and cost $22,000.

The following persons have acted as Pastors of this church : Rev. F. G. Sherrill, three years ; J. W. Walcott, one year ; HI. M. Chapin, one and one-half years ; B. B. Parsons, three years ; H. W. Brown, one and one-half years ; J. A. Hawley, three years ; W. E. Merriman, E. W. Cook, R. W. Sawyer, L. Curtis, L. J. White, Carter and S. M. Newman. The first real Pastor-one duly installed as permanent Pastor-was Rev. H. M. Chapin. Mr. Newman has also been installed as permanent Pastor.

The following persons were elected Deacons : Andrew Sherwood and Wilson Holt, in 1850; Griffith Beynon, in 1851 : William Dunham, in 1852; Sylvester Richmond, in 1855; Darius Phelps, in 1856; Ceylon North, in 1861; G. R. Shaw, in 1865; A. C. Chittenden and A. M. Phelps, in 1870 ; William M. Bristol. in 1873: Ira C. Lyon and Charles F. Hammond, in 1874; A. P. Harwood and C. A. Kenaston, in 1875. The following have been elected Dca- conesses : Mrs. E. N. Harris, in 1870 ; Mrs. C. B. Woodward and Mrs. Mariam B. L. Strong, in 1873.

The bell which now hangs in the old college building, and which was the first one in Ripon, was procured through the energy of Rev. II. M. Chapin, who solicited subscriptions both in Ripon and among his friends abroad. It was first hung in a wooden frame near the old wooden church. This frame was paid for with funds raised by the Ladies' Aid Society. When the little church had been enlarged and this bell hung, the members of the church felt proud of their achievement. People not acquainted with those times can hardly appreciate the magni- tude of this work.

St. Peter's Episcopal Church .- In September, 1859, having been previously heralded by kind letters of introduction, Bishop Jackson Kemper sent Rev. Fayette Durlin to Ripon, expressing the wish that he might become the "settled minister" of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the place. Mr. Durlin was heartily received, and a determination to erect a house of worship and establish a regular parish at once obtained. The first inscription on the church records is as follows :

RiPON, Wis., March 1, 1860,

On opening the records of this parish, hereinafter to be inscribed, some few preliminary words may be of interest to those who shall peruse them hereafter. 1 believe that I am the first resident Episcopal Clergyman ever engaged in the work of organizing and building up a parish in this place. Several different clergymen-among them the Rev. J. P. T. Ingraham, the Rev. L. D. Brainard, the Rev. Thomas Greene and the Rev. Peter B. Morrison- have held services here at rare intervals ; but no organization of a parish was ever effected, nor anything undertaken at the request of the Bishop, and, through the invitation of some interested in the services of this church, particularly that of Dr. B. B. Spakling, I arrived here to take up my abode and begin my labors, on Monday, February 13, 1860. The following Sunday, February 19, I held my first service here, in the Baptist meeting-house, having but the morning service, there being no place for us in the afternoon. During the week, a hall was procured and rented for our exclusive use, over I. F. Olmsted's store, and being neatly and properly fitted up for the purpose, we now have regular services there every Sunday morning and afternoon, and expect to until we are able to build a church. Thus mueh I thought it well to put down here, as what might be of interest, as matter of reference, in future years. It is a humble beginning ; but, relying on God's blessing and the all-sufficient presenee, guidance and help of the Great Ilead of the Church, we cannol doubt that somewhat will grow out of it to the glory and honor of the ever-adorable Trinity and to the everlasting good of souls.

[Signed] FAYETTE DERLIN.

Priest of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Wisconsin.

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HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.

It was resolved, April 10, 1869, to erect a church, and B. B. Spalding, A. E. Bovay, Will- iam M. Taggart, George W. Mitchell and E. P. Brockway were appointed to secure plans and specifications. Afterward, Mr. Bovay resigned and Mr. Durlin took his place.

Rev. Fayette Durlin was formally elected Rector of Grace Church, as it was then called, May 16, 1860. Three days later, he accepted.

The contract for erecting the church edifice was let to A. Lanning for $2,800, the site being at the head of Blossom street, and seeured from John S. Horner. The building commit- tce consisted of H. S. Eggleston, G. W. Mitchell, William Starr and Rev. F. Durlin. The subscriptions taken for the erection of the church amounted to nearly $3,350. Taggart Bros. and E. P. Brockway each gave $200; A. E. Bovay, B. B. Spalding, D. F. Shepard, G. W. Mitchell, W. H. Dakin and H. S. Eggleston each gave $150; M. W. Seeley, William Starr, T. B. Robbins and A. M. Skeels gave each $100; f. Willard and B. Pinkney gave each $75; L. H. D. Crane. H. S. Towen, J. Bowen, D. Greenway, C. Pinkney, Prairie City Bank, E. Root, H. Pierce, George Marshall, A. D. Foote, Mrs. E. F. Peck and A. B. Beardsley gave each $50. The balance was made up by numerous, smaller subscriptions.

The building was completed. consecrated and occupied for worship early in 1861. The consecration was by Bishop Kemper, January 23, 1861. The parish schoolhouse was erected in 1864, at a cost of $1,897.12, including the site, which was purchased of George W. Lyman for $300.

The rectory or parsonage, erected west of the schoolhouse in 1866, on a lot purchased of G. N. Lyman, cost about $2,300, and was constructed by Samuel Allen. All three of the buildings are of the Gothic style of architecture and of wood.

By an act of the Legislature, approved February 20. 1866, the name of Grace Church was changed to St. Peter's, the style of the corporation being "The Rector, Church-Wardens and Vestrymen of St. Peter's Church, in the city of Ripon, Wis."

The different Rectors have been : Fayette Durlin, from February 13, 1860, to June 11, 1865; George Armstrong Whitney, August 1, 1865, to May 20, 1866; E. F. Baker, June 1, 1866, to September 1, 1868; Jubal Hodges, May 30, 1869, to July 5, 1869; M. V. Averill, May 15, 1870, to December 31, 1872; Fayette Durlin, November 30, 1873, to date. The brief term of Jubal Ilodges' rectorship was owing to a renewed attack of an old brain difficulty, which finally resulted in death.

The Clerks have been Henry S. Eggleston, George W. Root and George L. Field. the present official, who has held the position since April, 1863.

Those who have held the office of Warden are as follows : A. E. Bovay, E. Root, Edward P. Broekway, H. S. Eggleston, Howard Pierce, Bertine Pinkney, William Starr, J. M. De Frees, John Corbett, W. L. Gillett and Robert Allen. Mr. Brockway was Senior Warden from 1861 to 1867, with the exception of one year, when he was absent.

At the beginning of 1878, the parish being somewhat in debt, George L. Field pre- sented a resolution, which was adopted by the Vestry. providing that, from that day forth, no expense whatever should be incurred unless sufficient cash or pledges were available to pay it. This novel resolution in church government made it impossible to secure a Rector, and. from that time, lay services only were held until the debt was wiped out, which was done at the elose of that year. The parish is now out of debt. The present number of communicants is 96. The baptisms have been, altogether, 275; the confirmations, 170; the marriages, 50; the burials, 52.

One notable feature in the management of the affairs of this parish is that it never owed any of its rectors a dollar, even over night.

The first Wardens were A. E. Bovay and E. Root. The first Vestrymen were B. B. Spalding, M. W. Scelv, H. S. Eggleston, William M. Taggart, George W. Mitchell, E. P. Brockway and William Starr.

The present Wardens are W. L. Gillett and Robert Allen. The present Vestrymen are George L. Field, Charles Cowan. J. M. De Frees, D. W. Akin, J. P. Taggart, W. W. Davy and O. U. Akin.

677

HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.

Methodist Episcopal Church .- As nearly as can be ascertained, the Methodist Church was first organized in 1852, the class consisting of only three members, of whom George Limbert was appointed leader. He also held the office of local preacher, having first united with the Wesleyan Church in England. He remained a worthy and useful member till his death, which occurred December 29, 1879.

The first church was a small structure, located in that part of the city then called Ceresco. In this building the church worshiped till the summer of 1860, when the present edifice, on Jack- son street, was built. This building is 40x82 feet. It is a fine wooden structure, very well finished, with an audience-room the full size of the building; a commodious lecture-room and two classrooms in the basement. A good and convenient parsonage was purchased in 1863, located on Liberty street, in Ceresco. Mr. Corliss contributed $800 toward the purchase of the building, the final securing of which was due largely to the efforts of Rev. J. T. Woodhead, who was then Pastor.

The different Pastors have been : 1857-58, R. Moffat; 1858-59, J. M. S. Maxon (died June 19, 1858; W. Morse filled out the year) ; 1859-60, W. Morse; 1860-61, W. Morse ; 1861-62, J. T. Woodhead ; 1862-63, J. T. Woodhead ; 1863-64, J. Anderson ; 1864-65, H. Requa (died at Little Rock, Ark., May 19, 1865, while in the service of the Christian Commis- sion, in the army); 1865-66, Wesley Lattin; 1866-67, Wesley Lattin ; 1867-68, George C. Haddock ; 1868-69, George C.Haddock ; 1869-70, W. G. Miller; 1870-71, Rev. W. G. Mil- ler ; 1871-72, A. C: Manwell; 1872-73, A. C. Manwell ; 1873-74, J. Lavelle and W. F. Ran- dolph ; 1874-75, J. M. Craig and A. A. Reed ; 1875-76, J. H. Jenne; 1876-77, I. Wiltse ; 1877-78, I. Wiltse (died March 28, 1878; year filled out by E. B. L. Elder) ; 1878-79, George Fellows ; 1879-80, C. D. Pillsbury, who is the Pastor at the present time.

The church has experienced severe trials, but its present state is one of very general har- mony of feeling and of unity of action, with a good degree of spiritual interest.

Baptist Church .- In 1852, Elder D. Sabin, still a resident of Ripon, and in his eighty- fifth year, began Baptist preaching in the schoolhouse on Fond du Lac street, alternating with the preacher of some other denomination, who also held services at the same place. In April, 1853, a meeting was held at this schoolhouse for the formation of a church. Elder Sabin was Moderator, and Henry Lansing, Clerk. The organization was perfected, the following persons becoming members : D. Sabin, Carrie Sabin, Rev. Roswell Osborn, W. W. Robinson, Mrs. S. Robinson, Mrs. George N. Lyman, Mrs. H. H. Mead, John Russell, Elizabeth Russell, Mrs. Mary M. Russell. Henry Lansing, David I. Parks, Philander Parks and Avery Brown. In May, 1853, a Baptist council was held at the Congregational Church in Ripon, and re-organ- ized the new organization. Elder Sabin acted as Pastor until 1854, and was succeeded by Rev. M. Hutchinson, who died soon after. In 1855, the church received a charter from the State, and Avery Brown, J. A. Barnes, H. HI. Mead and W. W. Robinson were chosen Trustees.

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The history of Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, Part 101

Author: Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company Number of Pages: 1082

Author:
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company
Number of Pages: 1082