The pioneers of Outagamie County, Wisconsin : containing the records of the Outagamie County Pioneer Association; also a biographical and historical sketch of some of the earliest settlers of the county, and their families, their children, and grand-children, Part 5

Author: Spencer, Elihu
Publication date: 1895
Publisher: Appleton, Wis. : Post Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 314


USA > Wisconsin > Outagamie County > The pioneers of Outagamie County, Wisconsin : containing the records of the Outagamie County Pioneer Association; also a biographical and historical sketch of some of the earliest settlers of the county, and their families, their children, and grand-children > Part 5


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22


Besides farming I bought a threshing machine in 1852, the first ever worked in this town. In 1854 I built a spar dam across Fox river over this place without ever breaking, it remains there still. And a second crib dam a few feet below the old dam in 1876. I have only mentioned these facts relative to my own experience, and leave it to other parties to do the same, so that the different parts may make one general good.


Seymour in its early day-By G. R. Downer.


Seymour to-day is far different from what it was thirty- two years ago. At that time, what is now the town of


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Seymour, was a part of the town of Osborne (which derived its name from W. M. Ausbourne), was divided in the year 1867. Its first town officers were elected April 2, 1867: C. E. McIntosh, clerk; James Rice, Louis Conklin, W. M. Ausbourne, supervisors. Seymour derived its name from Ex-Gov. Horatio Seymour, of New York. The first settlers were W. M. and John Ausbourne who settled here with their families in 1857, on the southwest quarter of section 32. The next settlers were D. W., W. H. and S. W. Hunger, who settled here in 1860.


The first child born in the town of Seymour was Ada M., daughter of Wmn. and Harriet Ausbourne, March 31, 1860. The first marriage was that of Henry Becker and Tina Simnicht at the residence of the bridegroom and was con- ducted according to the Lutheran creed. The first death in the town was that of Wm. Ausbourne, Sr., on July 9, 1859. The Rev. Mr. Lenir, of Oneida, preached the funeral sermon.


The first post office, Lime Rock, was established in April, 1865, and the first postmaster was S. W. Munger, who received his appointment from the government, April, 1865, with a salary of $8 a year. He will be remembered by the old settlers and among his many friends as Uncle Willis. The first mail carrier was John Wheeler who carried the mail to and from Appleton on foot, they receiving the mail but once a week. The first saw mill was built in 1868 by Geo. Anderson.


The first and only railroad that passed through Seymour was completed as far as New London, Jan. 1, 1871, and on. that day the first train passed through Seymour. The first freight train that passed over the road was loaded with lumber and shingles from Whitney's mill.


The first school was taught by Rosa McGann in a log shanty, and the first school house was built in 1862, not a brick or frame, but a low log school house.


Our only market in those early days was Appleton, and all provisions and clothing must come from that place, and, as the old settlers used to say, the merchants of Appleton knowing this would take all the advantage possible.


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After the towns of Seymour and Osborne were divided, Seymour settled up very fast and now has a population of about 1,000. The City of Seymour and town were divided in 1879, now Seymour has six school districts and one church. . The city has the balance of the churches, yet the town has the benefit of them. Seymour has now but one railroad, but we have the promise held out to us that in the near future the Midland Railroad will take its course through our town.


Seymour .- A short history of its early days by J. Dean:


I landed in Milwaukee about the 18th day of June, 1837, lived in Milwaukee about two years. Moved with my father to the town of Muskego, Waukesha County. Lived there until the spring of 1847, then moved to Dodge County and settled on a farm in the town of Hustisford. Lived there until the spring of 1877. About May 10 of that year moved to Seymour, Outagamie County.


At that time the town and city was all one, and there was about one thousand inhabitants. There was one stave factory; one hub and spoke factory, owned and run by D. Hammel; also one hub and spoke factory, run by Helden- berg & Co .; one saw mill, owned and run by the North- western Furniture Co., of Fort Atkinson, Wis .; one grist mill, one drug store, one milliner shop, one dress maker, two tailor shops, one furniture store, two butcher shops, two hardware stores, four dry goods stores, two grocery stores, one barber shop, one restaurant, three blacksmith shops, two shoemaker shops, three hotels, two doctors and three churches. The City of Seymour was incorporated as a city in the winter of 1879. The present population is about eight hundred and fifty and they have come to stay. There is hardly any floating population here now, the most of them are good solid business men.


The manufacturing here now embraces one saw mill with shop where they turn out all kinds of chair stuffs, wagon stuffs and buggies, one roller grist mill, one planing mill with doors, blinds and sash made to order, one drug store, four dry goods stores, two hardware stores, three grocery


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stores, one furniture store, one undertaker, one restaurant, one milliner shop, one butcher shop, one barber shop, one dress maker, three blacksmith shops, two wagon shops, two shoemaker shops, one deguerean gallery, one cigar factory, one printing office, one flour and feed store, five churches, one harness shop, three hotels, two saloons, one brick yard, one bank, two insurance offices, two law offices, one Odd Fellows' hall, one Sons of Herman hall, one G. A. R. hall, one temperance lodge, one fire company, one jewelry store, one livery stable, two Sunday schools, three doctors' offices, one high school with four teachers. The Green Bay, Winona & St. Paul Railroad runs through the town .or city, and last fall the company built a very nice depot for us; it is quite tasty and very convenient. The Midland Railroad is surveyed through the city and we understand that the Illinois Central has bought the right of way, there is a large prospect of the road being built in the near future; also one brick yard is turning out some very fine brick and there seems to be quite a feeling with the people to build brick when they do build. This, gentle- men, is about the history of the past and of the present time of our little city.


Pioneers' Meeting, Feb. 22, 1878.


Pursuant to announcement the pioneers of Outagamie County, met at Bertschy's Hall, Feb. 22, 1878, for the pur- pose of holding their Sixth Annual Festival and Basket Picnic. The day being very stormy and the roads in a horrible condition, the attendance was not as numerous as usual. The president, L. E. Darling, being absent, D. Huntley, vice-president, called the meeting to order in the forenoon. E. Spencer was present as secretary. The first order of business being the election of officers for the ensuing year, a motion was made to this effect. The follow- ing named persons were chosen as such officers: President,


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L. E. Darling; vice-president, Charles Wolcott; secretary, E. Spencer; treasurer, John Leith; executive committee, James McGillan, Harmon Jones, Wm. Johnston, Jr., Henry Kethroe and Ansel Greeley.


At 12 o'clock the association adjourned for dinner. The tables were tastefully and bountifully prepared by the ladies and over fifty pioneers partook of a good "square meal" in true pioneer style. At 2 p. m. the meeting called to order; the programme previously prepared was read by the secretary and those appointed to speak called in order.


Mr. Charles Wolcott responded for Grand Chute. He read a poem prepared by himself, reciting many incidents of his experiences and recollections of the early history of his town which proved highly interesting. John McGillan responded for the town of Center, reciting many thrilling adventures of his recollections of the first settlement and history of Center, followed by D. Huntley who has been teaching school in that town this winter. Ansel Greeley responded for Ellington and Seth J. Perry for Greenville. H. L. Blood relating many interesting anecdotes of his early experience in settling Appleton. J. M. Phinney gave us some amusing circumstances of his early experiences in administering discipline and teaching mathematics in Lawrence University. Thomas Dane made some compari- sons between Appleton and towns under British protection, vastly in favor of Appleton. James McGillen spoke of the great changes which had been made in the circumstances of the early settlers of Outagamie county, since his recol- lection. Mr. Wilson related some of his early experience in Appleton and spoke of the unparalleled growth of the manufactures and commerce of Appleton. D. Huntley made some very appropriate remarks on the growth and importance of Appleton and Outagamie county.


At 4 p. m. the association adjourned to meet again next year. All were pleased with the enjoyment of the day and seemed determined to make our next annual festival a success.


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Pioneers' Meeting, Feb. 22, 1879.


Pursuant to announcement, a meeting of the Outagamie Pioneers was held in this city, at Council Hall, Saturday, . Feb. 22, 1879. The officers were all on hand, viz., L. E. Darling, president; E. Spencer, secretary, and John Leith, treasurer. The latter reported $8.70 on hand. A motion was made and carried that a committee be appointed by the chair to nominate suitable persons for officers the ensuing year. The chair appointed Charles Wolcott, John M. Baer and Robt. Hutchinson as such committee. On motion the association then proceeded to the election of officers with the following result: President, L. E. Dar- ling; vice-president, D. Huntley; secretary, E. Spencer; treasurer, John Leith; executive committee, Charles Wol- cott, Harmon Jones, Henry Kethroe, Robt. Hutchinson and Wm. Lamure.


It being now 12 o'clock the association adjourned for dinner. About seventy persons sat down to the bountiful repast which had been prepared by the ladies in true pioneer style. At 1:30 o'clock the meeting was again called to order. The secretary read a report of the proceedings of the previous meeting and also a list of the names of the registered pioneers and the date of their settlement in the county. President Darling then delivered the annual address which was an exceedingly happy effort and one which was well received.


The several towns were then called in regular order, many of which were represented on the occasion by one or more of the early settlers. Geo. W. Lawe sent in a sketch of early times in Kaukauna which was read by the secre- tary. Wm. Lamure contributed an interesting account of early experiences in the town of Buchanan. Judge Ryan was present and spoke for the Second ward in his usual felicitous manner. Joseph Rork for the Fifth ward told


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of the pleasures and privations of pioneer life. Charles Wolcott, in behalf of the Sixth ward, indulged in similar remarks. D. Huntley and B. B. Murch made clever responses when the town of Grand Chute was called. John A. Leith recited some of the experiences in early times, in the town of Center. John M. Baer, one of the early settlers in the town of Black Creek, made interesting remarks. Charles Breterick spoke of pioneer life in Elling- ton. John Dey, of Greenville, relating many interesting reminiscences which contributed towards the early history of that town. Henry Kethroe, of Hortonville, and Robt. Hutchinson, of Maple Creek, made clever responses when their towns were called. H. G. Curtis, of Bovina, contrib- uted a poem which was read by the president. This contribution added largely to the interest of the programme. Geo. Knowles, formerly a resident of Freedom and one of the early settlers of the county, but now of Kansas, sent in an interesting communication which was read by the president.


Altogether, this was one of the most enjoyable reunions which the pioneers of the county ever held.


The following letter from George W. Lawe was read by the secretary:


KAUKAUNA, Feb. 18, 1879.


Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Outagamie Pioneer Association : As circumstances beyond my control, prevent my being with you in person, I respectfully submit the following as part of my recollections of the early settle- ment of Kaukauna: Born in Green Bay in the year 1810, I remember distinctly the arrival of the first British troops at that place, under Col. Dickinson, commanding, who made his headquarters in my father's house, and all subse- quent events of importance to the present time.


But as the settlement of Kaukauna is under consideration I will begin with the year 1823, when the Stockbridge and Munsee Indians were occupying the south side of the Fox river at this point. In that year an Episcopal mission was established among the tribes, Rev. Mr. Cadle in charge, who instructed them in religion. At the same time, the


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Indians carried on farming to quite an extent, raising large quantities of corn, potatoes and small grain. The Rev. Mr. Cadle was succeeded by Rev. Jesse Miner, Pres- byterian missionary, who died here nearly fifty years ago. The slab marking his neglected grave may be seen on the farm of Sheriff Brill, just east of the school house, in what is now the town of Buchanan.


In the year 1835 the Rev. Mr. Van Den Broek came to this country and established a Catholic mission at Little Chute among the Menomonee Indians, from which has come the present magnificent church building as a monu- ment to its founder.


In the year 1835 a treaty was held at what is now called the "Cedars," for the purchase of lands from the Indians embracing the counties of Brown, Oconto, Outagamie, Winnebago, Fond du Lac and up to Portage, on the Wis- consin river. Governor Dodge was the commissioner. There were upwards of four thousand Indians on the ground, consisting of Menomonees, Chippewas and Winne- bagoes.


In the year 1839 I moved my family from Green Bay to Kaukauna, where I have resided almost continually since. I found the following persons with their families here, viz .: Chas. A. Grignon, E. St. Louis, James Porlier, Joseph Lamure, Paul H. Beaulieau, and a few Germans whose names I do not remember. Mr. Beaulieu had a saw and grist mill in operation, on the south side of the river, for the accommodation of the inhabitants. The mode of transporting merchandise in those days was by Durham boats, manned by workmen who poled them up the river to Grand Chute, portaging the rapids.


In the year 1847, I think, Mr. Reeder Smith, from Bos- ton, came to Wisconsin to locate Lawrence University, and selected its present site, Appleton. If I remember right, I believe John F. Johnston is entitled to the honor of erect- ing the first house (or shanty rather) on the site of what is to-day the flourishing city of Appleton.


In the year 1843, as Indian Agent under President Har- rison, I moved the Indians from Little Chute to Lake


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Poygan, and in 1850 they were moved to the Keshena Reservation, their present home is Shawano county.


About the year 1847 Rev. Mr. Van Den Broek, Catholic missionary at Little Chute, made a trip to Holland to visit relations and friends. On his return a number came with `him. Among them were Jacob Appleman, C. A. Hamer, Martin Gerrits, Herman Johnson, Theodore Johnson, J. C. Van Niel and Fred Speel, and later others followed, until now there is no lands to be had within reaching distance of the church; and so they go to Nebraska! How marked the change these thrifty and indust: ious people have made in the appearance of the country ab ut Little Chute during the last thirty years. Most of you will remember how for- bidding to the average settlers the tamarack swamps were which surrounded it. To-day it will compare favorably with the richest portion of our county.


Before closing I will relate a few incidents and adventures in the life of Capt. Joseph Houle, who died recently at the residence of his son, in the lower end of our town. He was said to be 113 years old. Of this I have no doubt, for as early as the year 1815 I remember him distinctly as an employe about my father's Trading Post in Green Bay, a gray-headed old man.


In the year 1825 my father got short of certain goods to carry on the Indian trade, and sent Joseph Houle, in the month of January, to Mackinac after a supply. He started with a horse and sleigh alone upon the ice, and reached Mackinac in safety and safely returned. This is the first instance of which there is any record of a white man making the trip in that way and at that time of the year. A glance at the map will show the magnitude of the under- taking.


Again, in the year 1826-7, he was sent from Green Bay to Fort Crawford or Prairie du Chien, with a load of goods for Mr. D. Whitney, making his was through the woods and across the prairies with nothing to guide him but the trail of Indians, until he reached his destination. He is supposed to be the first white man who made this trip across the country.


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The following description of the opening of the first road as given by Geo. W. Lawe.


When I arrived in Kaukauna, over fifty years ago, I found it a veritable wilderness, there were no roads and no way of traveling except on Indian trail or by water. Green Bay was our source of supplies and I was very desirous of spening wagon communications with that place. I went down to see Mr. Wright, the founder of Wrightstown, five miles down the river, he was a particular friend of mine, and had settled there three or four years before. I wanted him to run a ferry across the river so that we could reach the military road running from Green Bay to Fond du Lac. This he agreed to do, providing I would open a road from Kaukauna to his ferry, I pledged my word I would do so at once. I was much pleased that I succeeded in making such arrangements, the next day I called on my neighbor and laid the matter before him for his approval, expecting him to aid me, but to my surprise I found he was opposed to any such radical change, he said, my father lived a good many years in Kaukauna and had no wagon road to Green Bay, he got along very well by traveling on horse back or afoot and I guess I can do the same. Not to be overcome by this exhibition of conservatism I resolved to try the head Menomonee chief at Little Chute, Tyometaw, and see if he would not aid me, he summoned his young men to council and addressed them stating that as they were all good Catholics and had adopted the customs of the white people and that I considered them citizens of the United States and perhaps they would be entitled to vote in a few years. As we were obliged to obey the laws of our country and spend two days working out our poll tax on road I thought they ought to do the same and I asked them to help me open a road to Wrightstown so that we could travel to Green Bay. The old Chief Tyometaw got up and said that they must obey the laws of the country and further that it would be of great benefit to them to have such a road built. The young men answered, yes we will go, the next day I had about fifty Indians to help me, in two days we had the road cut out, The next week we all worked


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together again and cut the road to Appleton. In these days of steam cars one cannot realize what a blessing such roads were to us.


The first plat of Kaukauna was made by John Stephens, under direction of Mr. Lawe in 1850 on the north side of the river, this plat consisted of seventeen blocks and quite a number of lots were sold when in 1854 County Surveyor E. Spencer made a second plat, the one that has continued from that time till the present. While the north side was thus growing in size and importance the south side was a howling wilderness; as late as 1880 a passenger on the M. L. S. & W. could not tell from riding along that any in- habitants dwelt on that side of the river at all. There was a small flag station there called Ledyard, but the only buildings were a depot and an old farm house. In 1881 the M. L. S. & W. R. R. decided to move their mechanical department here from Manitowoc and to make this the headquarters for the train department of the southern division. All at once was changed, as if by magic, and South Kaukauna began her phenomenal growth.


GEO. W. LAWE.


NEW YORK, Feb. 19, 1879.


To the Outagamie County Pioneer Association-DEAR FRIENDS : Having seen, in the Crescent, a notice of your annual gathering, I cannot forbear saying, it would give me great pleasure to attend the glad re-union, and clasp once more the hand of old and true and tried friends, who dared with me to brave the dangers of the wilderness. As we look back "through the vista of years" we see that Old Time has wrought many sad changes. Many, oh so many, of those early friends have gone, and oh, how painful the sundering of heart strings. And we are forcibly reminded that we, too, are hastening home.


And, too, we can but note the progress of the age. Civilization in its march has made the wilderness to blos- som as the rose. No longer the howl of the wolf is heard, and the scarcely less terrible buzz of the mosquito has been hushed. Never can I forget their blood-thirsty look as


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they came pouring through the crevices of our rude cabin in the forest, and never the welcome sound of the ax as trees were felled for the erection of a log house near, as we were really to have a neighbor.


Now in place of those primitive dwellings are fine farm houses. In your city are fine houses of worship, halls of science, etc. Surely this is an age of progress, I exclaim, as I contrast the corduroy and ox-cart of those days with our elevated railroad on which we are sent flying through the air with a lightning-like rapidity.


But I must not take your time from more interesting communications. Suffice to say that though I never more may meet you in that cherished spot, you will be kindly remembered, and warmly welcomed to our winter home in New York, or our summer home on Unit Farm in South Haven, Mich. With best wishes for your happiness and prosperity, I remain yours sincerely, EMILY J. LAWE.


Pioneers' Meeting, Feb. 21, 1880.


Pursuant to notice duly given the Pioneers of Outagamie County met at Union Hall, over C. C. Wayland's store, in the city of Appleton, Feb. 21, 1880. L. E. Darling, presi- dent, in the chair; E. Spencer present as secretary. Moved and carried that we proceed to an informal ballot for presi- dent. Result: John Dey having received much the largest number of votes, on motion he was declared elected presi- dent for the ensuing year; Charles Wolcott was elected vice-president; E. Spencer was duly elected secretary, and John Leith was chosen treasurer. John McGillan, Harmon Jones, Wm. McGuire, Wm. Briggs and Henry Kethroe were elected as the executive committee for the ensuing year. At 12 o'clock adjourned for dinner. About seventy- five pioneers partook of a substantial dinner in true pioneer style. At 2 o'clock the meeting was called to order, when Dr. A. B. Randall delivered the opening address. H. L.


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Blood was then called on and responded by reading a paper giving a history of his experience and recollections of the first settlement and history of Appleton and Outagamie county. Mr. B. B. Murch was then called on who responded by reading a paper giving his experience and recollections of the early history of the county. A. B. Randall was then called on to explain some ludicrous circumstances at- tending the first wedding in this county attended to by Mr. Murch. Remarks were also made by Mr. C. Wolcott.


Mr. J. M. Phinney presented several toasts as follows:


1. "The Pioneers of Outagamie County." Responded to by E. Spencer.


2. "Which were the happiest days, Now or Then ?" Responded to by A. B. Randall.


3. "Woodland compared to Prairie." Responded to by Thomas Dane.


4. "Stephensville, its originator, John Stephens." Re- sponded to by J. M. Phinney.


5. "The day we Celebrate, Washington's Birthday." Responded to by D. Huntley.


6. "Our Future." Responded to by B. B. Murch.


"The Departed Pioneers." Responded to by H. L. 7.


Blood and Joseph Rork.


8. "Our Railroads." Responded to by John McGillan.


9. "Our Educational Institutions." Responded to by John Leith.


10. "Who built the first House in the County ?" Re- sponded to by S. J. Perry.


11. ".What are the Grangers ?" Responded to by John Dey.


The following paper was read by Col. H. L. Blood :


As early as 1846 A. A. Lawrence proposed to the M. E. Church of Wisconsin that he would give $10,000 to found an institution of learning to be located on the Fox river between Green Bay and Lake Winnebago, provided the church would add $10,000 more to it and take charge of it. In pursuance of this offer a number of the prominent men of the church met in Milwaukee early in the winter of 1847


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and arranged to procure a charter, which was soon after obtained through Elisha Morrow, then member of the legislature from Green Bay, and in July following the charter members met in Fond du Lac and organized a board of trustees for "Lawrence Institute," appointed a commit- tee consisting of Geo. E. H. Day, Reeder Smith, and H. L. Blood, to report on a location. The committee examined the points on the river September 6 and 7, 1847, and reported in favor of Grand Chute, at a meeting held at my house in Green Bay soon after, and the board adopted the report, locating the institute at Grand Chute. Squire Bateman and myself came up from Green Bay in September, 1847, and preempted each a quarter section of land, and I also located several land warrants in this town and Freedom .. The following winter I had ten acres chopped on section 26, near where J. Rork now lives. The men who were chopping for me boarded at Murch's and took their dinner with them, and one day while they were eating their dinner the wolves drove them away. The next fall I sowed it to wheat which was the first wheat sown in this town. Mr. Murch claimed and moved onto his place where he now lives the first of November, 1846, and was the first white settler in the town, and the first child born in the town was Geo. H. Murch, Dec. 9, 1847.




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