History of Winnebago County, Wisconsin, and early history of the Northwest

Front matter

Hzs.or E.P.Sawyer Algoma and W Algoma Sts. Oshkosh,Wis. Res.of Hon.P Sawyer OTRETET VIEW, USHKOSH. HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY WISCONSIN. AND Early History of the Northwest. By RICHARD J. HARNEY oshkosh: Allen & Hicks, Book Printers. 1880. EDtered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1880, by E. J. Harney, in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C. INTRODUCTORY. In this work the author has attempted to give the leading events in the early history of the interior ofthe Continent; and the progress of that civilization, the course of which was on the line of those great water-courses, of which the Fox and Wisconsin rivers were important lines of communication, The first portion embraces the French-Indian period of history, from the days of Jacques, Cartier and Champlain, on the St. Lawrence, to the early days of the American occupation.

All students ofthe period of French Indian history are aware that its recital is fragment ary; that in order to learn it, recourse must be had to many volumes; and that to the average intelligent reader, the task requires too much time. Our Fox River Valley was one of the principal scenes in that history which is here con densed into a comparatively small compass, through the most diligent and careful research and labor. Nearly fifty volumes of various works have been consulted in ascertaining the facts which are recounted, and in many instances the original Indian treaties have been examined. Among the works consulted are Charlevoix's History of New France, Schoolcraft's Indian Tribes, Parkman's Works, Bancroft's History ofthe United States, Wisconsin State Historical Collec tions, Mrs. Kenzie's Early Day, Barber's History ofthe West, etc., etc.

Although the field occupied by this work has been partly gone over by others, the author challenges the closest scrutiny in regard to plagiarism. The facts of history are not the exclusive property of any writer — the method of telling them, of putting them together, the language used in their recital and the style of expression is the work of the writer, and for which he either merits praise or censure. In this work the most scrupulous care has been taken to give credit for all that has been copied from the writings of others. The discovery of the lead mines at Fevre River (Galena) in 1822, led to the so-called American settlement of the country. This event was followed by the Winnebago outbreak and Black Hawk war; after the close of which, American immigration poured in, the extinguish ment of Indian titles commenced and the old French-Indian occupancy of the country was superseded by that ofthe Americans.

Chapter I. Pages

The Fox River Valley of Central Wisconsin. A Record of Two Centuries, commencing with the First Explorations of the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers, the Links connecting the Great Water Courses of the United States. The Ancient Thoroughfare of the Frontier Traffic and Travel of the Great West. Some of the first pages of American Civilization found in the Early History of Central Wisconsin 9-11

Chapter II

Samuel de Champlain, the Pioneer Explorer ofthe Interior of the Continent, Founds Quebec. He forms an Alliance with the Algonquins and Hurons 11- 12 CPAPTER XIII. Hennepin Explores the Upper Mississippi. Captured by the Sioux and taken to their Country. His Rescue and Arrival at Green Bay 43- 44

Chapter III

Indian Tribes. Divisions and Population. Location of the various Nations. Green Bay and the Lake Winnebago and Fox River Country the centers of large Indian Populations. The Belligerent Iroquois 12-14

CHAPTER XIV.

War Between the French and English ColonieB. Frontenac Ravages the Iroquois Country. That Nation sues for Peace with the French. Detroit Founded. The French in Possession of the Country from the St. Lawrence to the Gulf of Mexico 44-47

Chapter IV

Champlain's Explorations. Indian Allies. War Dance. He Discovers Lake Champlain. Engagement with the Iroquois. 14- 15

Chapter V. Chapter XV

Fox River and Lake Winnebago Country. Traders and Voyageurs Beautiful Scenery. The Channel of Aboriginal and Frontier Life, Trade and Travel. Here occurred the FirBt Intercourse between the Indians of the West andthe Whites. Capt. Jonathan Carver at Doty Island in 1766. Siege of Big Buttes des Morts bv De Louvigny in 1716 48- 53 The Policy of France to Incorporate the Indian Tribes into a French-Indian Empire. Alliance formed with the Algonquin Tribes, for the purpose of Resisting the Raids of the Iroquois. Attempt to Christianize the Indians, as a Preparatory Step to their Civilization. The Jesuit Missionaries 15- 16

Chapter VI. Chapter XVI

The Land of the Hurons. C hamplain's voyage to their Country in 1615. A Journey through the Wilderness of Nine Hundred miles. Champlain discovers Lake Huron. The firBt White Men that ever paddled over its surface. Description of the Country of the Hurons 16- 19 Battle of Little Buttes des Morts. Sanguinary Engagement The most Populous Village of the Foxes Destroyed. The Expulsion of the Foxes from the Fox River Valley. The Menominees take Possession of the Fox Country. Tomah, the Great Menominee Chief 53-55

Chapter VII. Chapter XVII

Defenseless Condition of Quebec Piratical Attack on Quebec. Its Surrender to the English flag. Restoration to the French flag. Champlain Commandant of the Post for ten years longer. His death in 1635. Quebec becomes the Commercial Emporium of the Interior of the Continent. Its Trade through the Labyrinth of Water Arteries branching from the St. Lawrence to the Mississippi 19-21 Wisconsin the Border Ground in the Long Contest between the Algonquins and Dacotahs. The Historic Ground of the Northwest. The Souix the Original Inhabitants of Wisconsin. The Sioux expelled by the Chippewas. The Winnebagoes, their villages and Chiefs 55-60

CHAPTER XVIII. CHAPTER VIII

The French Posts and Settlements in the West. The C'ovreur de Bois. His mode of Life and canoe voyages. French Officers trained in Forest Warfare in the Campaigns of the Fox Valley. De Beaujeu and Charles De Langlade, the pioneer settler of Wisconsin, Defeat Braddock at the celebrated Battle of the Monongehela. Opening and Closing of the French-Indian War. Pontiac's War. Massacre of the English Garrison at Michilimackinac 61-65 The Huron Missions . Arrival of the Jesuits . Their Journey to the Hurons. The Bark Mission HouBe. The Founding of Montreal. The First Century in the History of the Interior Like a Tale of Chivalry 21-25

Chapter IX

Iroquois War. They Boast that they will Exterminate all the other Indian Nations and the French. The Capture and Sufferings of Isaac Jouges. Building of Fort Richelieu. . . 25- 26

CHAPTER XIX.

The early French Settlers. Judge Porlier and Grignona. Society of Green Bay in the Early Day The New Comers, the Americans. The Northwest in the War of 1812. Siege and Surrender of the American Fort at Prairie du Chien. Massacre of the American Garrison at Chicago in 1812. The Kinzie family of Chicago 65-73

Chapter X

Iroouois War. Invasion of the Huron Country. Destruction ofthe Hurons and the Huron Missions. Conflagration of the Indian Villages and the Mission Houses. Bravery of the Missionaries. Their Terrible Death. The Hurons and Ottawas Abandon their Country and settle in the Northwest, at Michilimackinac, Sault St Marie and Green Bay 27-30

CHAPTER XX.

The White Settlements in the Northwest at the close of the War of 1812. The Americans first take Possession. First American vessel at Green Bay. The settlement of the Northwest by the Americans virtually commenced with the working of the Lead Mines in 1822. The Winnebago Outbreak in IH27 73 75

Chapter XI

Migration of the Algonquin Tribes to the South Shore of Lake Superior and Green Bay. First Commerce of the Northwest. Allouez, Marquette and Dablon, Pioneers in Western Discovery and Settlement. First Western Settlements. The Fox River Valley a Great Center of Indian Population. Allouez and Dablon visit the site of Oshkosh and Butte des Morts, and are Hospitably Entertained. Lovely Scenery of the Lake Winnebago Country. The Discovery of the Upper MiBBissippi, Marquette's Death and Burial 30-36

CHAPTER XXI.

The Black Hawk War. Its Origin. Black Hawk's Statement The Battle of Sycamore Creek. Massacre of three Famines. Battle of the Wisconsin. Battle of the Bad \Ke" Capture-of Black Hawk ' ?

CHAPTER XXII.

pages. The American Fur Company. Social Circles in the Early Day. Adventurous Journey from Fort Winnebago to Chicago by a Lady on Horseback. Lost and nearly Famished. Relief Found in an Indian Wigwam 78-84

CHAPTER XXIII.

Indian Boundaries and Extinguishment of Indian Titles in Wisconsin 84-86

CHAPTER XXIV.

The several Territorial organizations of the soil now included in the limits of Wisconsin ... . 87

CHAPTER XXV.

On Extinguishment of Indian title to all the territory north of Chicago and south and east of the Fox and Wisconsin RiverB in 1833, Immigration to the new Purchase set in. LineB of Steamers and sail Teasels are placed on the Lakes, roads begin to be used instead of Indian trails. Frink & Walker's Line of Stages. First Land Sales. Wheat Shipments begin. Wisconsin iu 1838 87-89

CHAPTER XXVI.

Madison selected as the site of State Government. First Sessions of the Legislature, etc 89-90

CHAPTER XXVII.

The Fox and Wisconsin Rivers Improvement. First Surveys and Appropriations of Lands. Purchase of the Rights and Franchises by the United States 90-91

CHAPTER XXVIII.

Early settlement of Winnebago County. Its transformation from a Wilderness to the abodes of Civilization. The first Settlers. Beauty and Rich Resources of the Country. Several of the Principal cities of the State cluster around these water courses. Lake Winnebago and its Beautiful Surroundings 92- 94 WINNEBAGO COUNTY.

CHAPTER XXIX.

The Fox River Valley and Central Wisconsin. Ita lovely Water Scenery an Especial Feature. The Fox Valley a conjunction of three diBtinct types of country, with great Natural Resources, and one of the chief Business Thoroughfares of the State 94-95

CHAPTER XXX.

County of Winnebago, its Area. Face of the Country, Water, Soil, Timber and productions 96- 97

CHAPTER XXXI.

Early French Settlers. The Trading Post at Buttes des Morts. L. B. Porlier. The Grignons. The Business Center of the Upper Fox. Government Agency for the Civilizing of the Indians Established at Winnebago Rapids, now Neenah, in 1835 ; 97-98

CHAPTER XXXII.

First Permanent Settlers in Winnebago County. The Stanleys and Gallups. The first Houses in Oshkosh. H. A. Gallup's Interesting Narrative. New Accessions to the Population SH-102

CHAPTER XXXIII.

Early Settlement of the County at Various Points. Harrison Reed commences Operations at Neenah. Governor Doty and Curtis Reed commence work at Menasha. L.M. Parsons commences the Settlement at Waukau 103-106

CHAPTER XXXIV.

The only White Settlers in the ( 'ounty in 1842 were those in the Vicinity of Oshkosh. Products of the Comity in 1839. Naming the Place. Post Office Established Organization of the (ounty. First Roads. First Stores. First Village Plat of Oshkosh . Large Immigration from 1846 to 1850. The Villages of Neenah, Menasha, Waukau, Omro and Winneconne in 184S-'50 107-109

CHAPTER XXXV.

Wolf River Pineries. First Logging Operations. First Logs cut on Rat River in 1835 . First Saw Mill on these waters built at Shawanaw in 1843-'44. The Beginning of the Great Lumber Industry and its Rapid Growth. First Flouring Mills. First steamboats, the Manchester and Peytona. First Boat through the Portage Canal. Bridges built across the Fox. The County in 1850 109-110

CHAPTER XXXVI.

Incidents in the Early Days. Recollections of Early Settlers. An old time Scrimmage at Omro between Traders and a party of Winnebago Bucks . Doct. Llnde, Captain Powell, Saml. Clough, C L Rich. The Lo«t Partridge hild 111-119

CHAPTER XXXVII.

Compilation of early Official Data of Winnebago County, compiled from the records and other authentic sources expressly for this work. Organization of the County. First Elections. Proceedings of County Board. The Locating of the County Seat 119-124

CHAPTER XXXVIII.

pages. Organization os Towns. Incorporation of the cities of this County ' 124-126

CHAPTER XXXIX.

List of County Officers) and County Supervisors from the date of Organization of County to 1879 126-129

CHAPTER XL.

The Period from 1850 to 1860. The Cheapness and Abundance of Building Material greatly Facilitates the Construction of Buildings. Progress in Improvement. Improved Methods of Farming The Big Crop of 1860. The growth of Native Timber that has sprung up since the Settlement of the Country. Growth of cities and villages in the County 129-131

CHAPTER XLI.

War Times. Business prosperity after the close of the war. PriceB of Commodities. Manufacturing Stimulated by an Increased Demand The progress in Improvements in all parts of the Country . New Factories and Mills constructed. New Railroads. The Great Fires in Oshkosh in 1S74 and 1875. Big cropB in 1875. The County in 1879. Its Manufactures. 131-137 HISTORY OF OSHKOSH.

CHAPTER XLII.

The Embryo City. First Settlers. First Houses. Stores and Hotels. Description of the place in 1846 and 1849. First Saw MillB, GriBt Mills and Steamboats. List of the Business Firms in Oshkosh in 1849-'50. "The DayB of Auld Lang Syne." Items from the Oshkosh Democrat in the Early Day. Market Reports High Water, the Country Flooded. A Historic Bell. Oshkosh becomes a city. Items from the Oshkosh Courier. The Winnebago Railroad 137-141

CHAPTER XLIII.

Fires. Bonds issued to St. Paul & Fond du Lac Railroad. Oshkosh in 1856. Great Fire of 1859. Northwestern Railroad built. Railroad Accident, Items from the NortVt western . War Times. Oshkosh Volunteers. The Draft aud Filling the Quota. The close of the War. Good Times . Progress in Improvements. The Fire in 1866. Nicholson Pavement. High School Building and other Structures erected. Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad. Northern Hospital for the Insane built near Oshkosh. Gas Works constructed and the city lighted 144-150

CHAPTER XLIV.

The Great Conflagrations of 1874 and 1875. Destruction of the Business Portion of the City. Rebuilding of Oshkosh. List of Structures erected in 1875 150-159

CHAPTER XLV.

The Business Firms of Oshkosh after the Fire in Board Shanties. A new Impetus in Improvements and Progress. Public and Private Enterprises in 1879. New Branches of Manufacture. ( 'onstruction of the Grand Exposition Building. The Northern State Fair. Oshkosh market reports from 1868 to 1879 159-162

CHAPTER XLVI.

The City of Oshkosh. Its Situation, Tributary Country, Surroundings, Water and Railroad Communications. Description of the City. Its Manufactures, Business streets and Elegant Residences and Grounds. Oshkosh a Summer Resort and Watering Place The Yachting Center of the Northwest. The Oshkosh Yacht Club. Public Buildings 162-165

CHAPTER XLVII.

Oshkosh Business Houses Statistics of Manufacture. Importance and Facilities of Oshkosh as a Manufacturing Center. . 165-169

CHAPTER XLVIII.

NoticeB of Manufacturing Establishments Illustrated in this work and of Business Houses and Residences 169-182

CHAPTER XLIX.

City and County Officers, Courts and Judges, Fire and Police Department in 1879. SchoolB, Churches and Societies 182-189

CHAPTER L.

History of the Newspaper PreBB of Oshkosh 189-194

CHAPTER LI.

Municipal Finance. The several issues of Bonds by the ( ity of Oshkosh Amount the City has Invested in Permanent Public Improvements. Present Indebtedness 194

CHAPTER LXXIV.

Oshkosh taking a new start in the Race of Progress. New Factories and Mills Erected in the Winter of 1879-80. Another Large Sash and Door Factory Built Four more Saw MillH Built. Another Machine whop aud a Flouring Mill erected. The Oslfkosh Carriage Works, a mammoth concern employing one hundred and fifteen hands started during the paBt Year Two large Additional Buildings added to the Trunk Factory. Other Factories enlarged and their capacities Increased. Glazed Bash an industry of Immense Magnitude. Twonty-six car-loads of Glass Ordered, during one Week, by the Glazed Hash Factories. Oshkosh the greatest Sash and Door Manufacturing Center in the United States 296 ( >>296 ( n ) CITY OF NEENAH. PAGES. Vinland 269-271 Winneconne 261-269 Winchester 273-274 Wolf River 275-277 CHAPTER LIT. pages The Early History of Neenah.

The Government Agency, for the ( ivilizing of the Menominees. A Mill, Shops and Block Houses built in 1835 and 1836, at Winnebago Rapids, the present site of Neenah. Harrison Reed in 1844 purchases the site from the Government. George Mansur and Family arrive in 1843, and become the First White Family Permanently settled in the present limits of Neenah. In 1845 Gov. Doty builds bis House on the Island. Gorham P. Vining, George Harlow, Ira Baird and the Rev. O. P. Clinton settle in Neenah. First Birth, Marriage and Death. First Religious Servi.es. The Joneses become Proprietors. More new comers in 1847, a < ompauy chartered for the Improvement of the Water Power. In 1847, the First Village Plat recorded by Harrison Reed. In same year Mr. Ladd erects the Winnebago Hotel. The firm of Jones & Yale open a store. 1848, the Kimberlys purchase property and commence improvements.

In 1850, Board of Village Trustees elected. Kimberly buills the Pioneer Flouring Mill, t anal Lock Completed. Steamers Jennie Lind and Barlow built, Another Flouring Mill completed. Saw Mill constructed. Another Manufacturing Establishment in Operation and two more Flouring Mills. The Village Plats of Winnebago Rapids and Neenah consolidated under the corporate name of Neenah. In 1856 the first Passage of a Steamer between Lake Winnebago and Green Bay was made, the Aquilla passing through Neenah Lock 194-204 FARM DIRECTORY. Winnebago County 296 (0) CLASSIFIED BUSINESS DIRECTORY. PAGES. City os OshkoBh 319-331 Village os Omro 333-335 City of Neenah 335-339 City of Menasha 341-343 Village of w iuneconne 343-345 Village of Waukau 345 Village of Eureka 345 ILLUSTRATIONS. CITY OF OSHKOSH. Residences of PhiletuB and Edgar P. Sawyer First Leaf Street View, Oshkosh Opposite Title Page Residence of L. M. Miller Opposite 49 " George Mayer " 94 " James L. Clark " 95 " D. L. Libby " 164 " E. L and Geo .

M. Paine " 165 " Robert Me Millen " 162 " William T. EllBworth " 163 " Judge D J. Pulling " 163 " Andrew Haben .... " 123 " Geo. F. Strond " 92 " Ossian Cook " 160 " S M Hay " 161 " Petereilea Homestead " 161 " H. C. Jewell " 108 " C. W. Felker.... " 181 " Doct. H. B. Dale " 180 " Tom Wall " 176 " Peter Nicolai " 156 " Gen'l Thos. S. Allen " 157 " Doct. Frederick H. Linde " 157 " H. C. GnBtavus " 174 " Gustavus TeBch " 175 " Augustus Haight " 177 Sash and Door factory, K. McMillen & Co " 173 Sash and Door Factory, Foster & Jones " 168 Sash and Door Factory, Geo. W Uliamson & Co " 172 Keystone Flouring Mill, H C. Gustavus & Co " 169 Works, Storehouses and Docks of Cook, Brown & Co " 171 Star Match Works, James L. Clark " 170 Dry Goods Store, Wm. Hill & Co .'.'.'.'..'.'.'.'....'.. " 166 Trunk F actory, Schniit brothers " 167 Geo Mayers1 Jewelry Store ..*.'..'..".'..' '; 167 Ferdinand Hermann's Block I...'.'.."..

" 158 St. Vincent de Paul Church and Academy ..... " 159 First National Bank, Oshkosh " 148 High School Building, Oshkosh. . ."..'......'. " 149 Court House, Oshkosh *< 122 Northern Hospital for the Insane " 132 Regatta at Oshkosh, July, 1877 " 93 Beckwith House ' ' 342 and 179 Steam Boiler Works, Martin Batti's '.'.'.'.'.'.'.'...'.'.".'. opposite 180 Carriage Works, Parsons & Goodfellow " 296( j) CITY OF NEENAH. Street View „ .q. Russell House ....." *■ 195 Riverside Park « 010 High School Building ".'...'.'.'.'.'."."."". « 211 John Roberta Summer Resort " <t 213 Residence of A. H. F. Krueger. .... .. „ 212 CITY OF MENASHA. Residence of E. L. Mathewson ,. m School Building « jS Residence of R. M. Scott ,, 00a Residence of A. J. Webster . u «o Residence of Elbridge Smith ' « tna Hub, Spoke and Bent Work Factory,' Webster' & Lawson'. '.

" 133 TOWN OF OSHKOSH. Farm and Residence of George Rogers " 233 Commodore Rogers ' » 232 Mrs Mark Plum mer .' " 236 „ George M. Wakefield ". " 237 „ , 0. L. Rich *< no Cheese Factory, John Ryf „ jj| TOWN OF TJTICA. Cheese Factory, James G. Pickett, Pickett Homestead . " 252 Farm Residence of J . H. Maxwell „ ,s» Farm Residence of David K.Lawrence'.;'.;'..'::'.:;'.'.'.'.".'..'.' " 259 E. B. Ransom 11 orq The Late George Miller. ....."' « obi • " WilliamH Cllrk „ ™ w.s.catim :::::::: » m

CHAPTER LIII

, The Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Constructed to Neenah. Banks Established. The Seventh Flouring Mill Built. Final Settlement of the Jones Estate. Additional Mills Built. First 1 aper Mill U isconsin t'entral Railroad. City of Neenah Incorporated, List of (_ lty Officers from Date of Incorporation. More Paper Mills. Hotels. Schools. Churches 204-210

CHAPTER LIV

Description of Neenah. Scenery, Location and Historical Associations. Suuimer ReBort. Water and Railroad Communications. Manufactories. Business Houses. Illustrations and Personal Notices .... 210-213

CHAPTER LV.

Town of Neenah. Early History. Physical Description. Organization. Early Settlers, Etc 213-215 CITY OF MENASHA

CHAPTER LVI.

The Early History of the City of Menasha. Purchase of Site. Commencement of Improvements. First House Built. First School and First Religious Services First Birth. Rivalry Betwen Neenah and Menasha for Location of State Canal. Menasha Secures the Hrize. Store Opened. Postoffice Established. Dam ( ompleted. First Saw Mill in Operation First Gri6t Mill. More Manufactories Established. Steamboat Built. Plank Road aud Bridge Constructed. Government Land Office Established at Meuasha. The Village Incorporated. Distinguished Residents. * aptain Me Kinnon's Blooded Stock. Increased Transportation Facilities. Completion of Canal. Large Shipment of Freight by this Route from Green Bay to Fond du Lac. John Fitzgerald Establishes an Exchange Office. Another Flouring Mill Built. In 1856 Uninterrupted Navigation Opened Between Lake Winnebago and Green Bay 215-221 CHAPTER LVIs.

Doty Island. Its Lovely Scenery. Chicago & Northwestern Railroad. More Manufactories. The National Hotel Built and Menasha Bank Established in 1870 Incorporation of the City. List of City Officers from Date of Incorporation to 1879. The Wisconsin Central Railroad and Milwaukee & Northern Railroad . History of Menasha ChurcheB. Menasha Public SchoolB. City Officials. Civic Societies. Menasha Newspaper Press 221-226

CHAPTER LVIII.

Description of City of Menasha. Location. Historical Associations. Summer Resort. Water-Power and Water Communications. Manufactories and Resources for Manufacturing. Statistics of Manufacture. Business HouseB. Notices of Illustrations 226-229 HISTORY OF TOWNS. PAGES. Algoma 291-291 Blackwolf 279-286 Clayton - 271-273 Neenah 213-215 Neenah 213-215 Nekimi 286-291 Nepeuskun 241-248 Menasha 230-231 Omro 294-296 (i) Oshkosh 232-241 poygan ■;;; 277-279 KuBhf ord '. . 248-252 Utioa 252-2C1 252-261 CITY OF OSHKOSH. pages. John S Fraker, Shingle M'f'r 338 Cook, Brown & Co., Brick, Lime and Drain Tile M'f'rs.. 171 H . C. Gustavus & Co., Flour M'f'rs 172 Parsons & Goods ellow, Carriage Works 296 ( J) Martin Battis, Steam Boiler M 'f'r 173 -John F. Morse, Foundry and Machine Shop 296 (/)328 Wm. SpikeB & Co., Furniture M 'f 'rs and Dealers 296 (ni) 336 B. H. Soper.

Furniture M'f'rand Dealer 296 (m) 346 J. R. Loper, Soap M'fr 333 W. W. Daggett, Oshkosh Business College 186 "Wm. Hill & Co., Dry Goods 165 and 320 Carswell & Hughes, Dry Goods 166 and 324 Sam'l Eckstein, Merchant Tailor 179 and 326 Andrew Haben, Merchant Tailor 175 Schrait Bros . , i runk Factory 296 ( j) and 173 Ferdinand Hermann, Grocer 174 Geo. F. Strond, Oils, Paints and Glass 175 and 330 Sam'l M. Hay, Hardware 173 Tom Wall, Freight Agent M. h St. Paul K. R 176 Gustavus i'esch 177 Beckwith House 344 E. W. Viall, Grocer 296(7rt)and347 Leonard M ayer, Grocer 296 ( n ) and 340 John Beghner, Grocer 349 and 342 A. Lichtenberger, Grocer 349 and 322 Wille & Ploetz, Hardware 296( «0 and 322 James Kennedy, Grocer 296i m I and 331 Chas. Quinlan, Grocer 296 (n) and 331 H. E. Bennett, Grocer 296 < it , and 338 Sebastian Ostertag, Grocer ? 296 t // ) and 334 Holmes & VanDoren, Grocers 296 ( n ) and 338 C. A. Johnson & Co., Boots and Shoes 349 and 328 Geo. F. EaBtman, Books and Stationery 296( m ) and 348 Henry Schneider, Building Contractor 296 ( I) and 340 'J hos.

Polley, Building Contractor 296 (t) and 340 W eisbrod & Harshaw, Lawyers . . 350 Wm. Kelley, ClockB, Watches and Jewelry Back Cover. Eugene Fraker 349 CITY OF NEENAH. AH. F. Krueger 212 J. B. Russell 212 t "arl J. K raby, Insurance Agent 339 Bergstrom Bros. & Co., Stove Works 335 Whitenack ft Mitchell 337 John Roberta' Summer Resort 212 CITY OF MENASHA. Webster k Lawson, Hub and Spoke Factory 227 MenaBha Wooden Ware Company 223 and 342 K. H. Roby 341 TOWN OP JSEKIMI. pages. Farm Residence of William Simmons " 106 Milan Ford '..'.'.*.' " 290 Hiram B. Cook " 118 TOWN OF ALGOMA. Farm Residence of Carlton Foster •. 29I Ebenezer Hubbard . " ooo R. C. Wood ...'..'.'.'.".'.'.'. » 293 TOWN OF BLACK WOLF. Farm Residence of Charles Morgan " 95 George Hemming «» 283 Alexander Bangs. . " 282 " Geo. A.Randall " 48 TOWN OF NEPEUSKUN.

Farm Residence of Andrew Sutherland '• 247 " Jerome Betry " 246 Chas. Wm. Kurz " 130 TOWN OF ROSHFORD. Wauiau Flouring Mills, Bean & Palfrey " 97 TOWN OF CLAYTON Farm Residence of L. Hinman " 107 TOWN OF V1NLAND. F. L, Bartlett " 105 17:i PERSONAL NOTICES. PAGES. Personal Notices 169-182 " 296U')296(n) S50 MANUFACTURERS AND BUSINESS HOUSES. CITY OF 03HKOSH. PAGES. James L. Clark, Star Match Works 169 Foster & Jones, Sash, Door and Lumber M'f'rs 170 Robert McMillen & Co., Sash, Door and Lumber M'f'rs . . . 172 Williamson, Libbey& Co., Sash and Door M'f'rs 172 8 Radford & Bro., Sash, Door and Lumber M'f'rs 296 ( k) 334 Geo. W. Hratt, Lnmber M'f'r 348-296 (I) C. N. Paine & Co., Lumber M'f'rs 175 ERRATA The last paragraph in first column, Page 50, should read: procured by Gen. Lewis Cass from the Archives of the War Department of France, while he was officiating, etc.

The second paragraph on Page 94 should be: thirty-two years ago, instead of twenty-eight. On Page 149 should be : the High School Building was erected in 1867, instead of 1857. The last paragraph in second column, Page 60, should be: In 1829, the Winnebagoes ceded a portion of their lands near the lead mines; and 1833, they ceded all of their lands south of the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers. In 1838, they relinquished their claims to all of their lands east of the Mississippi. Page 139, Geo. Mayer, Watchmaker and Jeweller. His name ought to be inserted as one of the firms doing business in Oshkosh in 1850. The several town officers, mentioned in this work as present town officers, are those of 1879. The last paragraph in second column, Page 67, should be: The Post at Prairie du Chien instead of Green Bay.

Page 195, last paragraph, should read: In September, 1836, the Menominees ceded that portion of Winnebago County, Page 68, the date at head of page should be: 1 81 2. which lies north of the Upper Fox Rivtr, except the small Page 88, in last paragraph, first column should be, Govern ment lands, instead of Government bonds. tract east of the Lower Fox, which was formerly Winnebago territory, and ceded by that tribe to the Government in 1833. HISTOEY i IF WINNEBAGO COUNTY, WISCONSIN, PREFAI ED WITH THE EARLY HISTORY OF THE NORTHWES1 BY RICHARD J. HARNEY

Chapter I

Columbia County called "The Portage," and flows from there directly to the southwest. At this point it approaches to within about a mile of another river, the Fox, which runs in the very opposite direction — to the northeast — and empties its waters into Lake Winnebago, ui route for Lake Michigan. This narrow strip, dividing the beds us the two rivers, is a very interesting natural feature, although its appearance is very commonplace; for here is almost a union us two streams, of which the waters of the one flow to mingle with the tropical waxes of the Gulf of Mexico, and those of thc other tn mix with that ll .1 of waters which, pour ing over Niagara and through the St. Law rence, washes the icebergsof the North Atlantic. The Fox River Valley of Central Wisconsin — A Record ol Two Centuries, Commencing with the First Explorations of the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers — The Links Connecting the Great Water Courses of the United Stales — The Ancient Thoroughfare •>( the Frontier and Aboriginal Traffic and Travel of the Great West — Some of the First Pages of American Civilization Found in Cenn.il Wisconsin. 'y^V X one of the higher elevations of the € m State of Wisconsin,, being in the north- V_X i rn portion of I. me. .In ( minty, and f? bordering the northern line ofthe State, ) is a tract of country embracing about two thousand square miles, nearly one fourth of which is comprised of lakes, about two hundred in number, beautiful bodies of water of crystal transparency, some separated, others in groups, dotting the entire surface of this large tract like thc islands of the Grecian Archipelago that of thc Mediterranean Sea.

It was through these great arteries that the civilization of the West was pioneered, and all the commerce ami white settlement of the Northwest, for over a hundred years, had its initial point in the Valley of the Fox, which was the main entrance-way to tinvast prairie world of the interior. Thc rocky ranges and high elevations of this region intercept the rain-clouds of Lake Super ior in their southern passage, and gather their falling waters into these innumerable rock}' basins. These lakes are thc primitive sources of the Wisconsin River which, flowing south erly through nearly thc entire length of thc State, and receiving the tributary streams of this great central valley, pours its flood into the Mississippi. Two centuries ago, the first traffic carried on between the French and the Indians instinct ively followed that line of trade which flows through thc present commercial centers of thc Valley of the Fox River and Lake Winnebago.

Thc French bateau and Indian canoe were the primitive flow of that commerce which was destined to pour its mighty volume through this natural outlet of the Northwest. The Wisconsin, after making a large deflec tion to the cast, turns suddenly at a point in Thc first record of the white man in the [1634. 10 ing a language so different from the other Indian dialects that no other Indians ever speak it or understand it, the Algonquins regarded them as foreigners, and claimed that they had intercourse with some distant people. Indian imagination so pictured these strangers who, it was alleged, visited the Winnebagoes, that Nicollet thought it probable that the Great River afforded a water communication with China. West is found in the history of his explorations and habitations in the Valley of the Fox; and that record, too, comprises some of the very earliest pages of American history.