The history of Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, Part 113

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

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The first death, John Parker, Sr., in September, 1844. In January, 1847, S. Westfall. agel forty-five, was frozen to death while crossing Lamartine to his home in Oakfield (then called Lime) with a yoke of oxen.

The first marriage was Cyrus E. Stowe to Hannah M. Hooper, a step-daughter of P. V. Sang's.

The first school was taught in the fall of 1847, by Russell Northrup, in a schoolhouse erected that year on Section 34. The town now contains eight schoolhouses and twelve dis- tricts, the schoolhouse at the little village of Seven Mile Creek being the largest in the town.

The first sermon was preached by the Rev. Morgan L. Noble in 1844, in Peter V. Sang's house. The town now contains four church edifices-one Baptist, two Methodist and one Catholic, the Methodists erecting the first on Section 34, about 1859 or 1860.

The first post office was established in 1845, ealled Seven Mile Creek, and Peter V. Sang was the first Postmaster, which position he retained twenty years. George H. Ferris is the present Postmaster, his office being now called Lamartine.

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HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.

The first store was opened in Peter V. Sang's building at Seven Mile Creek, in 1846, by William Hughes.

The first town officers were : A. C. Everest, Chairman ; Thomas Magee and C. H. Warren, Supervisors : P. V. Sang, Clerk ; J. H. Fancher, Treasurer ; William Magee, Assessor, and C. E. Stowe, Justice of the Peace. A. D. Nash is now Chairman ; George H. Ferris, Clerk ; . H. Gilbert, Assessor ; James Galland, Treasurer, and George H. Ferris, Justice of the Peace.

The first hotel was opened by Peter V. Sang, as soon as he had made a settlement. He did a large business, but now there is little hotel business done in the town. The Lamartine House, built in 1860, is kept by Charles De Voe, at Lamartine.

The soil of Lamartine is somewhat different from that of other towns. It is of a whitish clay mixed with black loam ; the lowlands are deep, rich and dark, while several large marshes are unfit for cultivation. Section 17 is largely a marsh, and the Lamartine Peat Fuel Com- pany's tract of peat is in this town. The northern portion is the most heavily timbered. Sheep-raising, dairying and raising grass form almost as important branches as grain-raising in Lamartine.

There is neither mill nor water-power in the town, though the West Branch of Fond du Lac River flows across the northeast corner, and a branch of the East Branch takes its rise in the center of the town.

The Sheboygan & Fond du Lac Railway crosses the northeast corner, but only a flag- station, called Woodhull, which is also a post office, is maintained. This office was named after John Woodhull, for nearly twenty years Deputy Postmaster of Fond du Lac.

Lamartine Post Office, or Seven Mile Creek, is the business center of the town. Orchard Brothers have a wagon factory ; G. H. Ferris and the Wisnoms stores ; besides blacksmith- shops, cheese-factory, schoolhouse, two churches, a Good Templar's Lodge and shoe-shop. In May, 1848, Peter V. Sang wrote as follows to one of the Fond du Lac papers :

"Just look at it ; it is but five years since Sang moved into this town, and was then the only landholder in it ; in fact, the only resident between Fond du Lac and Waupun, remaining such for nearly two years ; and now there are not over eight sections of vacant land in the town not owned by actual settlers. We have, in the vicinity of Sang's place, a tavern, blacksmith- shop, weaver, wagon-maker, tailors and mechanics, post office, land agency, schoolhouse, and a number of other buildings. Arrangements have been made to open a dry-goods and grocery store during the coming summer. Nearly one-third of the inhabitants of the town and its immediate vicinity have experienced religion, of different denominations, and the revival is still progressing. The credit for this is due to the Revs. Card, Elwell, Burgess, Elsberry and other preachers of the Gospel."

The M. E. Church, first formed by Rev. Henry Requa. in 1856, has a good edifice for worship and a good parsonage. The first meetings were held in the schoolhouse, but in 1859, the first building, costing $700, was erected. In 1867, it was rebuilt at a cost of $1,600. The first Trustees were P. V. Sang, D. E. Hutchins, Asher Williams, C. II. Warren, Ezra Stearns and E. Humiston. The present Trustees are J. Jackson, B. R. Harrington, G. W. Jackson, William Warner, J. Fisher, F. Orchard, George Lang. E. Gibson and D. Walters ; Pastor, Rev. J. B. Coe.

The Baptist Church was organized April 15. 1848, at Cyrus E. Stowe's house. The first services were held in 1847, by Elder Burgess. Services were held in the schoolhouse on Sec- tion 34 until 1861, when the church was built on land donated by William Townsend, at a cost of $1,500, and dedicated in 1863. The first Trustees were A. L. Robbins, J. Fairbanks and E. E. Crowe. Present Trustees-Samuel Wells, William Quick and James Walters.

On New Year's Day, 1847, four deer were caught in P. V. Sang's barn, where they had taken refuge from the cold.

MARSHFIELD.

Township 16 north, of Range 19 east, is now Marshfield. It belonged to more towns, before being separately erected into its present shape, than any other town in the county. In

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HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.

1852, by an act approved April 17 of that year, it was detached from Calumet and Forest and named Kossuth, the first town clection to be held at George Harkness' house. This name, three years later, was changed to Marshfield, which was suggested on account of the unusually large marsh tracts covering the town. May 10, 1835, Deputy United States Surveyor C. T. V. King gave the town a hard name in his report to the Government, saying: "This is a poor township, and needs no general remarks; too great a portion of it is marsh and swamp." This, in the light of more recent advancement in population and wealth, is seen to have been an unjust judgment. Notwithstanding the marshes, it is not wholly a " poor town," containing, as it now does, a population of forchanded and thrifty Germans.

The first settler was Stephen Goeser; the next earliest, Anton Kramer, John Loehr and John Fuchs, all of whom made locations in 1841.

The first child born was Joseph Fuchs in 1842.

The first marriage was Anton Kramer to Mary Ann Brost, December 13, 1843.

The first death was that of Joseph Stump in 1843.

In 1847, Rev. Caspar Rehrl taught the first school at Mount Calvary, on Section 20. The same year, the Catholics built a church on the same section. The town now contains three Catholic Churches. The Pastors are Revs. P. Dominicus, P. Andrew and P. Mathew. It also contains six good schoolhouses.

In 1851, John Blonigen established a post office called Moria. J. II. Coolidge is now Postmaster of St. Cloud, on Section 25, and P. Rothgary, of Mount Calvary.

In 1859, John Preuss built the first mill in the town, on the Sheboygan River.

In 1850, the first store was opened at Mount Calvary by M. Bourgcous.

The first Chairman of Marshfield was Joseph Wagner, who held the office several years. F. Konz is the present Chairman.

The first cheese factory was built in 1878 at Mount Calvary. There is another at St. Cloud, belonging to J. II. Coolidge.

Marshfield Mutual Insurance Company was organized February 2, 1874. Over one hundred persons were present at the first meeting, at which Calumet, Marshfield, Forest and Taycheedah were represented. In 1875. Osceola and Empire were added to the organization, and, in 1830, Russell and Greenbush, of Sheboygan County ; Brothertown, of Calumet County, and Auburn, Ashford, Byron, Eden, Friendship and Fond du Lac, of Fond du Lac County, were added. The first officers were: John Holchnecht and A. Millenbach, of Calumet ; Nicholas Steffes and Michael Wirtz, of Taycheedah ; Joseph Fellner and Jacob II. Walderschmid, of Forest; Fred Konz, N. Kramer and M. J. Miesen, of Marshfield. The first President was N. Kramer. In 1876, Fred Konz was chosen President and still holds that office. M. J. Miesen was the first Secretary and still holds the position. The present Directors are : F. Konz and M. J. Miesen, Marshfield ; M. Wirtz and N. Steffes, Taychecdah : August Pitzen, Calumet : P. Beuese, For- est ; II. Seibel, Empire; N. Stack, Osceola. There are now out 1,036 policies, aggregating $1,004,992 of insurance. In 1879, $40 losses were paid; losses to January, 1880, 8906.56. The Company has a fund of $5,508.65 now on hand, and is one of the most prosperous in the county.

St. Francis Monastery .- This is the head of the Capuchin Church in America. It is a strong and prosperous institution, equal to any similar ones of other denominations in Wiscon- sin. It is thus described : " It is located at Mount Calvary, twelve miles east from Fond du Lac, and two miles south of the Sheboygan & Fond du Lac Railroad, and comprises the church, convent and college of the Capuchin Order of St. Francis. On the 15th of October, 1856, the place was selected by two secular priests, P. Francis Haas and P. Bonaventura, with the advice of Rt. Rev. John Martin Henry. Bishop of Milwaukee, for the foundation of the Order. In March, 1858, possession was taken of the first eastern wing of the building, the dimensions of which were 27x111 feet. Three years subsequent to this time, the two priests, assisted by three lay brothers and others, under the direction of P. Francis, as Guardian, com- menced to enlarge the building on the south side, and to lay the foundation of the church with

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IIISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.

the choir, on the north side, which was completed the following year, 1862. Meanwhile, others having joined the Order, it became desirable to build a college, which was done in the summer of 1864; this formed the southern wing ; it was opened, under the patronage of St. Lawrence, of Bordeaux, in November of the same year. The western wing, together with the Chapel of St. Francis on the north, was commenced in 1857, and completed in the fall of 1868. It was hardly occupied when the whole edifice was destroyed by fire on the 26th of December, the same year, except the aisle of the church and St. Francis Chapel. The church and convent were again rebuilt, and completed in 1870. The following year, it was enlarged by St. Joseph's Family Hall and Monument, which was opened on the 4th of July, 1872. It was again enlarged in 1873. by the addition of a new study hall and dormitory for the accommodation of students. Other additions were made in 1874 and sinec, and money continues to be expended in enlarging, beautifying and furnishing the institution."

The different Chairmen of Marshfield have been Joseph Wagner, H. C. Giltner, William Wolf, Richard Schrage and Fred Konz. The Clerks have been Otto Rollmann, F. J. Isaak, M. J. Miesen, John Konz and John Hennen.

METOMEN.

This fine agricultural town lies on the west line of Fond du Lac County, immediately south of Ripon and northwest of Waupun. This is called the richest town in Fond du Lac county, cities not included. This reputation is sustained by the taxes paid in 1879 by Metomen, which were about $300 in excess of those of any other town. It is Township 15 north, of Range 14 east, containing 36 full sections of arable land. The town as a whole is a rich, undulating prairie, scarcely one-twentieth of its area being timber. The most uneven portions have a soil of sandy loam, with a subsoil of gravel, and with an occasional outcrop of limestone, which can be profit- ably worked. In the lowlands are found the vegetable mold-the choice alluvinm of the marshy meadows. These, when thoroughly drained, constitute a mine of agricultural wealth. " Round Prairie," comprising several thousand acres northwest of Brandon is justly celebrated for its beauty and fertility. Much of Metomen is similar to Ripon, which has been called the " Eden of the West." Its elevation its gradually rolling surface and deep. warm soil combine to render it attractive and productive. Other portions of the township claim equal fertility. Much of the land is higher than any of the surrounding country-is, in fact, a water- shed from which the streams flow southeasterly, northerly and westerly. The East Branch of the Rock River rises in Metomen. The Grand River, in the southwest corner, affords mill privileges at Fairwater. Wells upon the high prairie are not deep, but furnish exhaustless water supply. Creeks and brooklets are found, except upon the uplands. For a prairie country, Metomen contains some remarkable springs and streams. The spring on Almon Osborn's farm, Section 2, is the largest in the county, being the principal source of Silver Creek, which flows into Green Lake. Caraboo Spring, on the old Col. Mansfield farm, is twenty-five feet across and discharges an astonishing volume of water. This is the head of Grand River. The land has been well adapted to wheat-raising, but, lately, attention has been profitably turned to stock- raising, particularly of sheep; and wool is becoming a leading export. For general farming purposes, Metomen is excelled by few in the State.

HISTORIC INITIALS.

" Mctomen," in the Menominee language, signifies "a grain of corn;" and this town was thus christened by F. D. Bowman. The first " white man's cabin " within the present limits of this town was built by Col. Mansfield, in 1844, north of Fairwater, in western portion. He kept bachelor's hall that summer and the next, but did not bring his family here till several other homes were established. On the 29th of May, 1844, the first entry of land in Metomen was made, by C. D. Iligley, who was then an active young bachelor. It was the farmi upon which he now resides with his family. The honor of founding the first home in Metomen is clearly due to Daniel Eggleston, who brought his family to a log cabin, not far from their

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HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.

present home, in the third week of June, 1845. Jacob Carter and family located near him just one week later. Among the settlers of that season were Almon Osborn, S. Il. French, E. F. Mansfield, Robert Jenkinson, John and Thomas Coats, William C. Worden, M. D. Wilson, Mathew Wilson, A. Dart. The settlement was prosperous and rapidly increased, and, within two years, all Government land was claimed by actual settlers. Franklin French has the honor of being the youngest pioneer who arrived in the township during the first year of the settle- ment, he having been born on the 26th of October, 1845, in the unfinished cabin of Jacob Carter. Esq. French's hay-thatched cabin had been, the previous month, accidentally burned. and that can date first "fire" in Metomen. In the spring of 1846, the first sermon was preached by a Baptist minister named Jeremiah Murphy, in the cabin of Daniel Eggleston. During the summer of 1846, Rev. W. G. Miller, now well known in this State, began preach- ing in the schoolhouse on Section 2, in the Walworth District, and Rev. Miller was the first preacher whose charge included the town of Metomen. Eller Marcellus Barnum was the first settled Pastor in the town, having organized a Wesleyan society at Reed's Corners in 1847. This was afterward changed or merged into the present Congregational church, located at Reed's Corners. No death occurred the first year of settlement, but in March, 1346, Frederick Nay was consigned to carth. In April, of the same year, a Mr. Farnam and a Miss Collins were united for ' better or worse." The first public school was established the same season on Section 2, and Lois Walker was the presiding officer; this was in a private house ; but, next summer, a schoolhouse was built on the same section, and J. W. Wilsie was the first pedagogue. In the spring of 1846, within a year from date of the first family's arrival, a post office was established, named " Grand River," with Jacob Carter as first Postmaster. At about the same time, the Post-Office Depart- ment had established another office called "Mansfield," with Daniel Eggleston as Postmaster. These were so near together that, as an old pioneer expressed it, "one cabbage leaf would cover both." "Grand River" was soon discontinued, but "Mansfield" remained for years the only post office in the town. William Stanton built a saw-mill in 1846, and Messrs. Dakin & Lathrop erected a flouring-mill in 1847 on the branches of Grand River, within the town limits and near Fairwater. The flouring-mill, remodeled, is now owned by Mr. Hurlbut, and has been "on duty " since its erection. The proprietors of the first flouring-mill, Dakin & Lathrop, were also the first merchants, having started a store at Fairwater in 1847. For several years all religious services were held in the settlers' cabins or in the schoolhouses, but, in the summer of 1856, the Free-Will Baptists of Fairwater crected the first church edifice in Metomen.

ORGANIZATION.

Metomen Town was organized at a meeting of citizens duly convened on the 7th of April, 1846, at the house of F. D. Bowman. Samuel A. Carpenter was chosen Moderator, and A. C. Robbins, Clerk. The town of Waupun and part of the town of Alto were then embraced in the town of Metomen. The first resolution which was passed established the pay of all town officers at 75 cents per day, unless otherwise fixed by law. The town officers elected at this first town meeting were: Chairman, Almon Osborn ; Side Supervisors, Daniel Eggleston and S. A. Car- penter ; Assessors, James English, D. L. McCorpin and Jacob Carter; Treasurer, Harvey Sexton ; Town Clerk, A. C. Robbins; Collector, S. H. French; School Commissioners, Henry Boardman, A. C. Robbins and Robert Jenkinson ; Justices of the Peace, S. H. French. S. A. Carpenter and Ira Lee. The total amount of taxes levied in Metomen, in 1846, was $161.32, of which $100.87 were collected. The present officers of the town are: Chairman, P. K. Pickard ; Side Supervisors, J. Warner and W. Watson ; Treasurer, J McClelland ; Clerk. E. Ensign ; Justices. E. Reynolds and T. Watson ; Assessor, A. M. Bly.

BRANDON.

This prosperous village lies in the southeastern part of Metomen. The first building within present corporation limits was built by R. W. Pride, in 1849, and stood on the site of F. M. Hillman's residence. The place was not improved nor continuously occupied for several years.

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HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.

It did not become a center of business until the completion of the railroad in 1856, when it began rapid strides toward the dignity of a city. In its early history, it was a lively place and known as " Bungtown." The station and village was named . Brandon" by William Lockin, in honor of many Vermont settlers. It was not organized as a village until January 8, 1878. The first Trustees were, J. Abercrombie. W. D. Ash, J. Lockin, L. Marsh, G. H. Paine and J. Raube. First President, William Plocker, and Clerk, Charles Heuman. The present officers are, President, G. A. Russell, and Clerk, E. Ensign.

CHURCHIES.

A Methodist class was formed as early as 1848, by Rev. II. Allen, a lay preacher and far- mer, in the north part of Metomen. Meetings were held at Union Prairie Schoolhouse, which was one of a circuit containing three charges. This society in 1861 removed to Brandon, which by its rapid growth had become of central importance. The first official record of the Brandon Methodist Episcopal Church, is that of a quarterly conference held on Round Prairie, November 24, 1855, Rev. J. M. Walker, Presiding Eller, and Rev. John B. Armatage, preacher in charge. Services were held in private houses or schoolhouses, or sometimes in the hall of the building now kept as a hotel by Warren Hall. The present church was built in 1863, dur- ing the pastorate of Rev. Henry Requa. The present Board of Trustees are F. M. Hillman, F. P. Furgnson, T. R. Darrow, William Bronson, G. A. Russell, C. P. Knapp and A. G. Yorty ; Clerk is W. R. Brown ; Superintendent of Sunday school is Leander Ferguson ; Rev. Jesse Cole is present Pastor. The total membership is 153. They have a commodious church and a comfortable parsonage. The society is an active force, and numerically exceeds any other religious association in the town. The Methodist Episcopal Church at Reed's Corners is also connected with this charge.

The Congregational Church of Brandon was organized on the 19th of April, 1857, by Rev. S. Bristol, in the schoolhouse near the center of Metomen Town. John Wilson was the first Deacon, and Robert Jenkinson the first Clerk. In July, 1862, the society removed to Brandon, and during the following summer their present house of worship was erected, under the pastorate of Rev. Norman McLeod. The present Board of Trustees are R. M. Wilsie, R. Graham and R. C. Kelly. Mr. Kelly has been a member of the Board continuously from its organization. The Deacons are George Bly, A. Turner and R. Graham. Martin C. Short is both Clerk of the Church and Superintendent of the Sunday school. Rev. Homer W. Carter is Pastor. Membership numbers seventy-five. The society is harmonious and prosperous.

The German Methodist Episcopal Church of Brandon erected its church edifice in 1876, under the pastorate of Rev. F. Strobel. A class was formed about ten years before that, by Rev. August Turnitzer, who supplied them with preaching. Their meetings were held in the Congregational Church. Trustees are Fred Gauger, F. Praatz and F. Nordwig. Superintend- ent of Sunday school is F. Sheffelbein. Present Pastor is Rev. John Deitrick. Membership, eighty-eight.

The German Lutheran Church was built in 1874. The Pastor was Rev. Holtzner. At the present time they are supplied with preaching once in two weeks, by the Pastor in charge at Ripon. The society is small, and a majority of the members live in the country.

BRANDON PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

From the small school taught by a single teacher in 1856, the Brandon school has grad- ually developed to its present acceptable proportions. In 1864 the present schoolhouse was erected. It is a wooden. two-story structure, containing four schoolrooms. The Principal, Prof. Kirk Spoor, has been in charge since 1872. He has three assistant teachers, all ladies. The present Board of Education are, James Turner, M. D., President ; M. C. Short, Clerk, and F. R. Foster, Treasurer. The Board, under the high-school law of 1877, adopted the three-years course recommended by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction. A class of four graduated in June, 1879. The course is designed to fit graduates for practical business

Chester, Hazen. LADOGA

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HISTORY OF FOND DU LAC COUNTY.

life, and includes more than is required for a first-grade certificate for teaching. For the last five years, the school has drawn a gratuity under the law to promote high schools. In Janvary, 1880, the average attendance was 170, with a total enrollment of 211. There is an average attendance of twelve non-resident tuition pupils. The teachers are faithful, the administration quietly efficient, and the school enjoys public confidence.

SOCIETIES.

The Brandon Lodge, A., F. § A. M., was organized under dispensation dated June 13, 1863. The first meeting occurred July 10, 1863. The charter members were: Elisha Gallop, who was the first Master ; R. C. Kelly, who was the first Secretary ; Hanson Ely, James McClel- land, E. II. Yorty, James McGill, IIenry Henrickson and Zenas Scott. The charter is dated June 14, 1864.

The present officers are: William Irwin, W. M .; Thomas Ivers, S. W .; II. II. Green, J. W .; J. P. Lyon, Treas .; E. Ensign, Scc'y; James McClelland, S. D .; John O'llara, J. D .; Henry R. O'TIara, S. S ; C. A. Danforth, J. S .; A. Butts, Tiler.

The present membership is fifty-two. They have an attractive hall and are in working condition.

Lodge No. 107, I. O. O. F., was organized under a charter from the Grand Lodge dated January 21. 1864. The charter members were Lewis Whistler, Frank Perkins, C. B. Pierce, L. S. Shepherd and Isaac W. Tower.

They have a substantial two-story brick hall, 70x38 feet, built in 1871 at a cost of nearly $5,000 ; it is not yet free from incumbrance.

The present officers are: H. Il. Green, N. G .; N. A. Stevens, V. G .; J. E. Gec, P. S .; Samuel Weinstock, Treas .; T. Watson, R. S. The Trustees are G. W. Sargeant, A. Butts and T. Watson. The society has been large and of social prominence.

Brandon Encampment, No. 25, was organized January 19, 1869. Its officers are: G. H. Paine, C. P .; G. W. Cole, H. P .; H. J. Parker, S. W .; H. H. Green, J. W; T. Watson, Scribe ; S. Weinstock, Treasurer.

Martha Lodge, No. 6, Daughters of Rebecca, was organized January 21, 1870. The officers are : L. J. Ilall, N. G .; E. Butts, V. G .; M. Austin, R. S .; J. Watson, Treasurer.

Ilope Lodge, No. 84, I. O. G. T, organized April 7, 1869, with ten charter members. The first W. C. was William R. Brown, and the first Recording Secretary was A. Pallister. The membership of the Lodge is fifty-six, and the officers are: Ilorace L. Brown, W. C. T .; Mary Whitton, W. V. T: Eva C. Knapp, P. W. C. T .; Charles Allen, W. R. S .; Fayette Butts, W. F. S .; Lizzie Yorty, W. T .; F. E. Jones, W. M .; Rev. II. W. Carter, W. C .; Jennie Randall, W. G .; Charles Blake, W. S. The Lodge is thoroughly efficient.

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The history of Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, Part 113

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