Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin - Chapter 3, 1880 (part 12 of 15)

St. Joseph's Ohurch. - The present St. Joseph's Church stands on the site of the first Catholic chapel erected in Fond du Lac, corner of Marr and Second streets. From it, in the course of time, have gone forth, by successive divisions, all the other Catholic congregations of the city, arising from the rapid increase of the Catholic population. Rev. F. X. Bonduel, one of the first missionaries of Wisconsin, attended to the wants of the Catholics here prior to the year 1847, in which year he erected a small chapel which was named St. Louis Church. At this time, that small house of worship was amply large to accommodate the Catholics of all nationalities. Rev. C. Rehrl, at'present at Barton, Wis., succeeded Father Bonduel, and was the first resident Pastor stationed here. He attended numerous missions, not only in Fond du Lac, butin all the surrounding counties. In 1850, Rev. E. A. Godfert assumed charge of the St. Louis Church, and remained its permanent Pastor till July, 1853. He was succeeded by Rev. L. Dael, who enlarged the church and built a pastoral residence.

About this time the congregation became too numerous to be accommodated in one church edifice. A part, therefore, separated, and selected the present site of St. Patrick's Church for a new house of worship. The foundation of this new edifice was laid in 1855.

In June, 1860, Rev. L. Dael was succeeded by Rev. Perrodin, in the charge of the St. Louis Church, the Germans, French and a portion of the English-speaking Catholics still worshipingthere. During the pastorate of Rev. Perrodin St. Patrick's congregation was given over to the charge of Rev. James Colton, the present Pastor, who completed the building, a very large oneof stone, and erected a pastoral residence, at No. 7 East Follet street.

Notwithstanding two additions which had been made to the old St. Louis Church, and the withdrawal of St. Patrick's congregation, the building was soon found too small to accommodate the remaining Catholics, so, in 1866, the German portion of the community separated, and laid the foundation of St. Mary's Church, a large wooden structure, at No. 15 Merrill street.

The last division took place in 1871, when the French resolved to erect a church in which their own language would be spoken. Rev. Father Perrodin was, therefore, appointed to thetask of erecting this new edifice and placed in charge of the French congregation, the title St. Louis being transferred to that parish. Rev. G. Willard, in 1871, assumed charge of the mother parish, which was from this time called St. Joseph's. He laid the corner-stone of the present structure in 1874, and oificiated as Pastor till February of 1879, when he was succeeded by Rev. Joseph J. Keenan, the present Pastor. St. Joseph's Church will be, when completed, the largest and most imposing church edifice in the city ; its length is 135 feet, width 75 feet, the tower is to be 216 feet high. Work upon this building will be resumed as soon as the present indebtedness has been paid off.

St. Louis Qatholie Qhurch. - Early in 1871, the French Catholics separated from the Irish congregation, and began, under Rev. John C. Perrodin, the large stone structure for a church,, which stands on the corner of Follet and Bannister streets, opposite the old St. Paul's Episcopal Church. The cost of the building thus far has been |25,000, and the tower and spires are yet unfinished. It is 65x120 feet, the main room being 30 feet in height. Father Perrodin died June 9, 1878, and was succeeded, June 22, by Rev. E. Maseau. Father Maseau resigned October 1, 1874, and was succeeded by Father Louis Dael, who built the priest's house, a fine twostory brick structure, located near the church, at a cost of $4,000, and dedicated the church iii:

November, 1874. Father Dael died March 6, 1879, and was succeeded by Rev. Oliver Comptois, the present Pastor, June 22, 1879. Although in debt, the church is now prospering. In the fall of 1879, Father Comptois organized a parish school at which French and English are, taught, and which is alsb prospering. This church has the oldest church bell in the city. It was bought in 1864 by Father Perrodin, at Troy, N. Y., and cost |637.48. Its weight is"l,02a pounds. It is held in high esteem by the members on account of Father Perrodin's connection with it.

Mrst Baptist Ohureh. - The first Baptist organization in this jurisdiction was the one at Fond du Lac. The second was at Waupun. May 21, 1845, eight persons residing at Fond du Lac and vicinity, who believed in the doctrines of the Baptist Church, organized themselves into a church society. Their first Pastor was Rev. H. Hovey. The. church edifice now used by this society, on the corner of Forest and Union streets, was erected in 1853, for $3,000 ; is the most pleasantly situated of any in the city, and has been continuously used by the same denomination and society longer than any other church edifice in Fond du Lac. In 1877, the building, which is of wood, was enlarged and repaired, and is now a comfortable and cheerful place of worship. Rev. F. A. Marsh is Pastor, with a membership of. about one hundred.

Free Baptist Church. - The Free Baptist Church society was organized May 31, 1869, the first Pastor being Rev. Rufus Clark. The first officers were : Daniel Roberts, C. A. Rider, G. B. Carpenter, E. A. Randall and S. L. Brasted, Trustees ; S. L. Brasted, Secretary and Treasurer. The society purchased the wooden building corner of Marr and Second streets, which was built by the Congregationalists, of the German Lutheran society, for $1,100, and immediately thereafter expended $600 for enlarging and improving it. The building now is in comfortable condition, is 30x60 feet in size, and has a debt of $900. The second Pastor was Rev. 0.' H. True ; third, Rev. A. B. Taylor ; fourth. Rev. T. S. Roberts, and fifth. Rev. W. C. Hulce. The church is now without a regular pastor, although services continue to be held.

The present officers are: C. A. Rider, Nathan Main, T. A. Root, D. W. Smith and William Crawford, Trustees ; D. W. Smith, Secretary. A Sunday school is maintained in connection with the church organization.

G-erman Evangelical Church. - Salem's Church, a branch of the JEvangelical Church of North America, was organized in 1865, by H. Altpass^ E. Weise, H. Friederich, A. Zahn, G. Guell, F. Rhoening, W. Dehnert, J. Felter, J. Smith and W. Treder. Their church building is the one built by the Methodists on the corner of Marr and Third streets, in 1851-52, of whom it was purchased in 1865, for $2,700. Rev. J. T. Viel was their Pastor, and the society embraced sixty members. In 1867, Rev. Viel was removed and Rev. William Horn appointed to fill his place. He remained two years, and was succeeded by Rev. A. Huelster in 1869, and Rev. A. Tarnutzer in 1871. In 1874, $800 was expended in improving and repairing the church building, the society then numbering eighty members. In 1875, Rev. A. Tarnutzer was succeeded by Rev. J. L. Runkel, who remained until 1878, when he was removed, ^nd Rev. J. Schneller, the present Pastor, appointed to the charge. The congregation now numbers fiftyfour families and one hundred and fifteen members, these numbers being constantly on the increase, although old members very frequently move to other cities. The church property, which was improved during the summer of 1879, is valued at $3,000, and consists of the church, a wing for a parsonage, and a small but comfortable building for the parish school, taught by the Pastor. This school is attended by forty-five scholars. One of the very prominent features of this church is its large Sunday school, in which old and young take a deep interest. It has a regular attendance of 110, and every Christmas indulges in an elaborate festival. The officers of the church are : Herman Friederich, President ; W. Rhoening, Vice President ; William Dehnert, Secretary ; E. Weise, Treasurer, and F. Mund, Librarian.

Salem's Evangelical Qhurch. - In order to be distinguished from the other church of the same name in Fond du Lac, this may be called Salem's Evangelical Church No. 2. It was organized October 11, 1869, the first members being Phillip Brockec, William Luling, C. A. Fuerstnow, Martin Sasse, B. De Sombre, C. G. Reichman, Charles Blankenburg, A. Soil and Franz Werner. The first Pastor was Rev. C. F. Off, and the first ofiicers Martin Sasse, C. Blankenburg and William Luling. The building, which stands on the corner of Military and Ruggles streets, was finished in 1870 ; is 38x80 feet, with basement below and auditorium above, and cost $13,000, site included. It was built mostly by Phillip Brocker, who gave most of the brick of which it was constructed, C. Blankenburg and Martin Sasse. The present Pastor is Rev. H. Buehrig, and his congregation numbers forty-six members. The building is one of the most substantial in the city of its class, and is owned entirely by the church society.

The First Universalist Church. - The first meeting to form the Universalist society was held in Music Hall, corner of Division and Main streets, ]\farch 20, 1871. This meeting made Andrew Steveley, Dr. Terah J. Patchen, Elijah Hawkins, D. W. C. Priest and Orin Hatch, a Board of Directors to act tiuthoritatively in perfecting the organization according to law. On the 8th of June, 1871, the Board made a contract with Rev. A. C. Barry to preach one year for $1,000 and a vacation of eight weeks. The services were held in Music Hall, which was rented for the purpose. The first officers were : T. J. Patchen, Moderator ; D. W. C. Priest, Clerk ; Q. M. Olcott, Treasurer ; Jesse Beckley, Andrew Steveley, Orin Hatch, E. M. May and David Howland, Standing Committee for the year. May 20, 1872, this Committee adopted plans for a church made by T. H. Green, of Fond du Lac, -and, on July 11 of the same year, let the contract for the, building which now stands on East Division street, and which is occupied by the Red Ribbon Association, to C. A. Ryder, for $2,647, on condition that the structure should be finished and ready for occupancy by September 1. The building was called Universalist Chapel, and was dedicated November 4, 1872. Dr. Barry, the Pastor, loaned a large sum to clear the church of debt, and took the notes of his. parishioners for security. He was the first and last regular Pastor, the church having been without regular services since his resignation. During 1879, E. N. Foster, who now owns the building, remodeled it for the use of the Red Ribbon Association, which has exclusive control of it, with the privilege of purchasing. The first members of the Universalist Church were T. J. Patchen, Q. M. Olcott, Andrew Steveley, J. Beckley, L. R. Lewis, Q. M. Olcott, 0. E. Wilkins, Mrs. Dr. Patchen, J. A. Chitterling, John V. Frost, J. Eudemiller, E. M. May, A. H. Raymond, Joseph Olmsted, David Howland, Elijah Hawkins, U. D. Mihills, Orin Hatch, G. W. Carpenter, L. F. Stowe and their families.

Q-erman Evangelical Lutheran Church. - This flourishing church organization has a fine brick church edifice and parsonage on the corner of First and Marr streets. The church was erected in 1869, and is one of the substantial edifices of the city. The membership, which is constantly increasing, now embraces 175 families. In 1878, a fine pipe organ, built at Milwaukee, was added to the church furniture, at a cost of something over $1,000. The real estate belonging to this church extends from First to Second street, and on the Second street front is a two-story wooden schoolhouse, at which 200 children attend. It is supported by thjs church organization, and is a thorough and comprehensive institution of learning. The teachers are Rudolph Fritzke and Charles Brenner. The Pastor is Rev. Phillip Hoelzel, who took charge in 1877.

The Exchange Bank. - In the early part of 1849, Dr. Mason C. Darling and Keyes A. Darling, his son, opened a private bank in the second story of Darling's Block, as it now stands. Before this Dr. Darling had kept an office in his residence - first in the log house built where Darling's Block now stands on Main street ; afterward in his residence on Macy street, near to anil just south of the location of the present post office ; in 1847, in a building which he purchased of S. S. N. Fuller, located where D. R. Curran's old store, No. 529 Main street, now stands, and soon afterward in the building now called Darling's Block. This office was mostly for the entry of land and payment of taxes, although he occasionally bought exchange. This new firm did but little real banking business at first, but carried on a large business in land warrants, real estate and collecting. In the latter part of May, 1861, Dr. T. S. Wright, now a practicing physician of Fond du Lac, purchased M. 0. Darling's interest in the concern, and the bank was organized as the Exchange Bank, by Darling, Wright & Co. The "company" was John Warner, Dr. Wright's father-in-law, who furnished some of the means on which the business, depended. The business of the new firm was transacted at the old stand until a temporary building of wood could be erected where Wells' Bank now stands, corner of Main and First streets, on land owned by K. A. Darling. Mr. Darling, immediately after finishing this temporary structure, built the stone block which now stands next to Wells' Bank, occupied by Coffman's meat market. This he rented to the firm until he could build more especially for the business, the stone building next to it on the corner, now occupied by Wells' bank. The wooden building first used by the bank had no good safe, and on the occasion of a fire near by, January 19, 1852, which threatened to destroy it, Dr. Wright entered the limestone vault and filled his pockets with bills, after which he went out to fight the flames. His coat pockets alone contained $20,000. He lost none of the money, however, and the bank building did not burn. During five years after 1862, the Exchange Bank had the contract to carry the government money from the land office at Green Bay, afterward moved to Menasha, to Chicago. The trip had to be made once each month, or oftener if $20,000 was accumulated. The money was usually gold and was locked in an oaken box large enough to hold $20,000. This box was put by Dr- Wright, (who generally made the trip), in a meal bag, and placed under the seat of the stage coach, no one but himself being aware of its contents.

In 1862, Darling & Wright engaged A. C Buggies, who had been a bank clerk in Poughkeepsie, N. Y., to copy some accounts and straighten out others, at $1 per day for a month. The bank was then in the wooden building just mentioned, on posts, and did not have a first-class vault or safe, being only a temporary aifair. To guard the building, Darling & Wright kept a large, reddish dog, half Indian and half Newfoundland, and generally covered with fleas. He was always kept in the building, as he was considered too valuable to lose and was sure to run away if let loose. Fleas were active in those days, as were banking and real estate, and the dog put in a large share of his time in scratching them. Every time he did this it would set the whole building into a flutter, and everybody had ,to suspend operations until the dog had mastered that particular flea. This was a source of much amusement to incomers as well as of great annoyance to those connected wirh the bank, as many a blot and illegible, scattering scrawl on the old books bear evidence to this day.

Darling, Wright & Co. took advantage of the State law of 1852, which provided for the emission of bills, soon after its adoption. The capital stock was $75,000, and the amount of bills issued nearly as great. In May, 1860, Dr. Wright withdrew from the firm, and the business was then carried on by Keyes A. Darling. The circulation was called in after the passage of the National Banking Act in 1862, but the bank continued to do a banking business until May 11, 1868, when it failed with disaster alike to itself and its patrons. Mr. Darling had made many injudicious loans when the Exchange was a bank of issue, and, in re-organizing to continue business after his circulation was called in, burdened his affairs with the old debts. On Friday, May 8, 1868, Mr. Darling left Fond du Lac, his clerk said, to get some money at Chicago. On Saturday, the following day, more drafts were presented than could be paid, and the bank was quietly closed. That it was bankrupt, however, did not become generally known until the following Monday. Mr. Darling never returned to Fond du Lac. The bank owed $30,000, and it was thought at first that its assets would aggregate $20,000. The creditors petitioned the Bankruptcy Court to have Selim Newton appointed assignee of the bank, and it was done, Harvey Durand, Deputy United States Marshal, being placed in charge of the office, books and papers. The bank fixtures and other property were sold by order of the court, but the creditors realized only a small amount of what was due them. Mr. Darling is now in Colorado, and a poor man.

The Bank of Fond du Lac. - The early records of this institution have been lost. Its proprietors were the founders of the first real banking institution in Fond du Lac - that is, were first to organize under the State banking law. In August, 1852, McRae & Bell, of Milwaukee (Augustus L. McRae and William J. Bell), purchased of E. Doolan the land situated on the northwest corner of Main and Division streets, and began, immediately thereafter, the erection of the low, round-cornered building, of stone, which now stands thereon. Hearing that other parties were arranging to begin the business of issuing bills in Fond du Lac, and being desirous of having the prestige of starting first, Mr. A. G. Butler was sent to the city to open an office before the bank building was finished, which he did in the wooden building located on the opposite corner (of Main and Division streets), built by John B. Macy for an office. This was known as McRae, Bell & Butler's Bank, and was continued as such until the institution was organized under and according to the State law, in 1853, as the Bank of Fond du Lac. Its capital stock was to be $25,000, although business was at first begun with a much smaller amount. The stockholders of the re-organized bank were George McWilliams, James Ewen and Lyman Phillips, Fond du Lac, and 0. P. Chandler, of Vermont. A. G. Butler was President, and Charles W. Whinfield, Cashier. Mr. Whinfield is now connected with the bank at Beaver Dam.

The Bank of Fond du Lac failed in 1857, and T. W. Dee was appointed Assignee. The stockholders lost heavily by its failure. Depositors lost but li-ttle by the failure. The firm of McRae, Bell & Butler had banks at Racine, Janesville anil other places in the State.

Robert A. Baker's Bank. - In 1854, Robert A. Baker and John Sewell, Sr., began the business of banking in a wooden building which stood on the site of the present bank building, and which now stands on the corner of Johnson and Marquette streets, as a dwelling-house. In a short time Mr. Sewell withdrew from the firm, and Mr. Baker continued the business alone until June 26, 1858, when the Farmers and Mechanics' Bank was organized under the State law of 1852, as a bank of issue, with $25,000 capital stock. Of this Robert A. Baker owned 212 shares ; Rev. George B. Eastman, 37 shares, and W. J. Hamilton, 1 share. The first officers were, S. B. Amory, President, and R. A. Baker, Cashier, who continued in the same offices until the bank went out of existence, in January, 1867. Since that date Robert A. Baker has been sole proprietor of the business, under the title of Baker's Bank. John S. Burrows, who has been connected with this bank during twenty-two years, is cashier, and Robert C., son of Robert A. Baker, is teller.

The bank carries on a general banking business, except to receive savings on interest and deal in foreign exchange. It is located in a solid brick building erected at the head of Forest street, in 1860, especially for banking purposes, and occupied September 1 of that year. The. building was erected for Mr. Baker by John Waller and Robert Wyatt.

The First National Bank. - :The foundation of the present First National Bank of Fond du Lac was the old Bank of the Northwest, which was organized in December, 1854, and opened for business January 1, 1855. It was organized under the State law of 1852, and was a bank of issue with a capital stock of $25,000, which was soon after, owing to the success of the institution, increased to fifty thousand. The first officers of the Bank of the Northwest were B. F. Moore, President, and A. G. Ruggles, Cashier. The principal stockholders who lived at Fond du Lac were B. F. Moore, A. G. Ruggles and Edward Pier, the other stockholders residing in the East. The bank was opened in a concrete building, located on West First street, in the rear of where A. H. Hall's millinery store now stands. A more central location was desirable, and the bank was soon after moved into John B. Wilbor's building on Main street, now occupied by John Haberkorn's clothing store. The next move was into a wooden building erected by John Sewell, which stood on the site of the present bank building, corner of Forest and Main streets, and which is now the First National Hotel, owned by M. Van Dresar, and located on the corner of Fourth and Marr streets. The fine three-story structure, with basement, now occupied by the First National Bank, was built by the bank, and completed and occupied in October, 1873. Its cost was $27,000, exclusive of the site, which the corporation also owns.

It is of the best brick and stone, and one of the handsomest, as it is one of the most substantial, buildings in the city. The basement is occupied by W. E. Cole's bank ; the first story by the First National Bank, with private ofifices, handsomely furnished, for the President and cashier ; the second story by the offices of the Sheboygan & Fond du Lac Railway Company, the law offices of Hauser & Thomas and Colman, Carter & Kent, and by Drs. Wiley & McNeel, and the third story is the splendid Masonic Hall, in use by Darling Chapter and all the other Masonic Lodges of Fond du Lac.

The second President of the Bank of the Northwest was Edward Pier, and the third President, A. G. Ruggles, at which time J. B. Perry was cashier.

December 12, 1864, the bank was re-organized under the National Banking Act. The capital stock was $75,000; Edward Pier was President; A. Q. Ruggles, Cashier, and J. B. Perry, Assistant Cashier. In July, 1865, the capital stock of the institution was increased to $100,000, which is the present amount, and which cannot be purchased at any ordinary figure. In January, 1866, Edward Pier was re-elected President ; A. G. Ruggles, Vice President, and James B. Perry, Cashier. The next President was A. G. Ruggles. The present Directors are A. G. Ruggles, John H. Martin, Orin Hatch, H. D. Hitt (of Oakfield) and J. B. Perry. The officers are: President, Augustus G. Ruggles; Cashier, James B. Perry; Teller, Henry C. Moore ; Book-keeper, George L. Arnold ; Correspondent, J. C. Perry ; Messenger, Joseph D. Radford.

The First National Bank is the leading bank of Fond du Lac County in the amount of capital and business transacted, except in one or two special departments. It does all the business transacted by any bank, except to loan money on bond and mortgage, pay interest on deposits, and buy and sell foreign exchange. It receives deposits, but pays no interest on them. Its rate of discount on loans is 8 per cent, although the law allows, and almost all other national banks charge, 10 per cent. The Government requires of this bank, as it does of all national banks, that a sworn statement of its aflfairs be published quarterly, which is done, the report appearing in the Fond du Lac Oommonwealih. The special agents of the Treasury Department have access to all books and papers of all national banks at all times, without notice, and all their aifairs are completely under Government espionaj:;e, being examined at least once in each quarter. Last year, 1878, the taxes paid by the First National Bank amounted to $3,000, as the capital stock was assessed at its full face value by the local assessors, in addition to the tax imposed by the Government. Its record in all respects is second to no bank in the State.

Grerman American Savings Bank. - In the fall of 1866, Rudolph Ebert and J. C. Perry established a private bank, which was managed by them as such until September, 1873, when it was re-organized under the State law as a savings bank, under the name and style of the German American Savings Bank, with a paid-up capital of $25,000.

The first officers were R. Ebert, President, and J. C. Perry, Cashier, the former holding the same position still. The stockholders are Rudolph Ebert, Louis Muenter, Frederick Rueping, Louis Rueping, Alexander McDonald, J. C. Perry and Franz Lauenstein. Of these, R. Ebert, President ; Alexander McDonald, Vice President ; Louis Muenter, Cashier ; Frederick Rueping and Franz Lauenstein constitute the Board of Directors.

The institution carries on a general banking business, buys and sells foreign exchange, receives money on deposit and pays interest thereon ; and has the agency for three ocean steamship lines. The bank has a large business. The bank building, which is a substantial brick structure built expressly for the business, is located in Main street, near the Serwe House.

The Savings Bank of Fond du Lac. - This was first organized by State charter March 28. 1867, with Elihu L. Phillips, Edward Pier, Edwin H. Galloway, Augustus G. Ruggles, George W. Weikert, Joseph Wagner, George F. Wheeler, James B. Perry, Edward Colman, -James Coleman and Orin Hatch, as holders of the capital stock subscribed, and which was placed within the limits of $50,000 minimuni and $500,000 maximum. The original corporate name was "Fond du Lac County Savings Institution," which was changed in 1874 to " The Savings Bank of Fond du Lac," which name it still retains.

E. L. Phillips was the first President of the Board of Directors, then composed, in addition to himself, of Edward Pier, A. G. Ruggles, Edwin H. Galloway, George W. Weikert, Joseph Wagner and George F. Wheeler.

June 20, 1867, the Fond du Lac County Savings Institution opened its doors and books for business. Col. Edward Colman was Treasurer, Teller and Book-keeper. On that day, Willie M. Weikert wrote his name on the first line of the first column of the_first page of the " Signature Book," and started the first savings account ever opened as such in Fond du Lac County.

During that month, two other accounts were opened, making three ; but in July, the number ran up to forty-six, and before the following October, when the first report required by law was made, the books showed 168' depositors, aggregating a total of $13,700, an average of over $80 to each savings depositor. A year later, there were 544 accounts, and $53,486 of savings deposits, being an average of over $90 each. During the year following, this was increased to 881 accounts and $71,000 of deposits. During succeeding years the growth of the institution was undiminished, until nearly $500,000 of deposit lay to the credit of its patrons. The panic of 1873, followed by the unparalleled depression of business and the consequent enforced idleness of many workmen, caused a withdrawal of savings deposits everywhere, which ceased only with the recent return of employment and commercial prosperity throughout the country. Up to the present time, over six thousand accounts, from first to last, have been opened, which have been distributed more than $78,000 interest money.

Among its patrons are a large number of women and children, the special act of the Legislature, secured by the charter, according to these classes protection of their savings placed in the bank, against any act of husband, parent or guardian.

In 1870, President Phillips resigned his position, and was succeeded by Edward Pier, with, whom was associated, in the Board of Trustees, Edwin H. Galloway, Vice President, and C. K. Pier, Director, the required number having been previously reduced by law to three.

In May, 1876, Mr. Galloway died, leaving a large and valuable estate. His widow, Maria H. Galloway, was elected to his formei; position in the management of the bank, and, on the death of the President, Edward Pier, in November, 1877, she was elected to fill the vacant office of President. The Board now consists of Mrs. M. H. Galloway, President ; C. K. Pier, Vice President, and G. A. Knapp, Treasurer.

Up to lyiay, 1874, the institution had occupied a rented building on Forest street. During that year was completed a fine two-story brick structure, specially adapted to the business, into which they moved and where they still remain. This building is fully supplied with all the modern improvements necessary to the I)usiness, such as fire-proof vaults, burglar-proof safes and time locks, and is a most substantial, safe and convenient bank building.

The German Savings Bank. - September 1, 1872, Charles L. Encking opened a bank under the First National Bank, corner of Main and Forest streets, under the name and style of the German Savings Bank, Robert H. Wharton, Cashier, with a capital of $10,000. In addition to receiving deposits on interest, loaning money and carrying on a general banking business, Mr. Encking engaged largely in real estate, brokerage, insurance, making abstracts and collecting, besides being an active agent for the leading trans-Atlantic steamship lines. The bank prospered until the monstrous shrinkage in real estate, in which Mr. Encking was heavily involved, began to cripple its resources. It continued regularly in business, however, until September 23, 1878, when Robert H. Wharton, the Cashier, left the city in the night, it was reported, with all the available cash of the institution. Mr. Encking continued in the bank only a few days to settle up, as far as possible, with his creditors. The German Savings Bank ceased to exist October 1, 1878. Mr. Encking rented another office, and continued all his formerbusiness, except that of banking, and has now straightened out nearly all the afi'airs of hisdefunct bank, so that, so far as can be ascertained, the losses by its suspension will be small.

Wells' Bank. - About the first of May, 1870, W. H. Wells came from New York and. opened a private bank in the building, corner of Main and First streets, formerly owned and.

occupied by Keyes A. Darling for the same purpose, purchasing the property from R. Ebert. Mr. Wells does a general banking business, buys and sells bonds, receives money on deposit, paying interest therefor ; loans money and transacts all other business pertaining to a first-class bank. The aflPairs of the institution are carried on by Mr. Wells, its owner, and M. T. Simmons, Cashier.

W. E. Cole's Bank. - On the 1st of January, 1879, William E. Cole opened an oflSce for the transaction of a general banking business, as a private banker, under the First National Bank Building, corner, of Main and Forest streets. Mr. Cole has a large fire and burglar proof safe depository for the safe-keeping of valuable papers, and carries on, in addition to loaning and collecting money and selling foreign exchange, the business of general ticket agent for all the leading steamship and railway lines. ^The business of making collections is a specialty.

First Saw-Mill in Fond du Lac. - In 1844, Mason C. Darling gave a contract for a deed to John J. Driggs, deceased, and Warren Morley - a man now eighty-four years of age, and living on the lake shore at Morley's Point - of a parcel of land lying west of Court street and south of Western avenue, " contained in the bend of the East Branch River, and known as the 'Hydraulic Reservation,' " provided they should build a saw-mill and have it in running order at a certain time. The mill was not running as soon as specified, but, on the 11th of July, 1846, " for $165 in hand paid," he gave a warranty deed of the property. Mr. Driggs remained only a short time in the proprietorship of the mill, and was succeeded by Truman Wheeler, father of the Rev. L. N. Wheeler, now the Presiding Elder of Fond du Lac. Mr. Wheeler was killed, in 1847, by the fall of a tree, while engaged in getting out timber for a grist-mill. The framework of this mill was erected near the saw-mill, back of where the Court House now stands, but was never inclosed or used, owing to Mr. Wheeler's death. After Mr. Wheeler was killed, the saw-mill lay idle, or was in charge of a Green Bay man for the Wheeler heirs, until August, 1849, when it was got into running order by Horace Seymour, who now reside's in Fond du Lac, and is blind, although in early times he was credited with having the best eyes, capable of making the quickest and most accurate measurement, of any one in the vicinity. In September, 1849, Mr. Herman Bissell, who had arrived from Connecticut the year before, and who was killed in the terrible Angola railway disaster, December 18, 1869, bought the mill of Mr. Morley and the Wheeler heirs ; but, as there was some flaw in the title, he never gained a deed of the half belonging to these heirs, though no rent or interest was ever required of him. His son, L. C. Bissell, now Superintendent of the Fond du Lac Boom Company, was put in charge of the mill, which, with early rising and late retiring, would turn out 2,500 feet of lumber per day. The young man had no help about the mill to assort, carry away or pile the lumber, or tend the mill ; and, small as these figures look, they are actually large, for the best mill in Fond du Lac does not now manufacture 2,500 feet of lumber per day to each man engaged in tending it. The logs, of course, were larger then than now, as 720 of which Mr. Bissell kept account averaged 557 feet of lumber each. Now it is a good lot of logs that average 250 feet each. The first logs sawed by Mr. Bissell were owned by Pier & Newton (Edward Pier and Selim Newton, both deceased), and were hauled from Bannister's Landing on trucks drawn by oxen, and driven by Charles Colman, now a millionaire lumberman of La Crosse, and brother to Elihu Colman, lawyer, of Fond du Lac. Sometimes, when these logs were so large that Mr. Bissell could not roll them on to the " carriage," his wife would come from the house, near by, and render such assistance as was sufficient to accomplish the task.

Before the first lot of logs was sawed, they were purchased by Curtis Lewis, now of Escanaba, Mich. The contract was to the effect that the saw-bill should be paid every month, but he couldn't always fulfill it, and at such times gave his notes at 5 per cent a month - 60 per cent a year ! The notes were all paid.

About this time, home-made lumber became scarce and was higher, the mills at Fond du Lac (two in the village and one in the town) not being able to supply the demand, and rafted lumber was brought from the Shioc mill, two miles below Shiocton, and from the Shawano mill. Thesewere both water-mills, the one at Shawano being owned and run by Curt Lewis, who also was managing the Lewis House, on the site of the present Patty House. He had life and vim enough in those days for a score of men, and it was nothing uncommon for him to start for his mill at Shawano on an " Indian trot," and not stop to sleep or eat, ekcept to partake of such food as he put in his pocket and could be eatea on the run, until he reached his destination. The return journeys were made in the same manner, and in an almost incredibly short time.

This old Wheeler & Morley mill was quite a curiosity in its day, and was visited by almost everybody. The dam extended across the East Branch, a few feet below where the sidewalk now crosses, on the north side of Western avenue, near Meyer's factory. It only furnished about seven feet head of water. The wheel was a curiosity, being of wood, and built like the modern iron or brass turbine water-wheels. Sometimes the water couldn't start it without a lift from the sawyer ; but, once started, it furnished a large amount of power. The saw was the ancient " sash," the jerking of whose heavy framework,kept everything in a shake. The mill building was 24x36 feet, and the wooden carriage on which the logs were sawed ran out over the pond. On this carriage, flocks of shouting children, now the prominent men and women of the city and State, were in the habit of riding, in a slciw, hitching manner, out over the pond, to be " gigged back " with a rush.

' In September, 1855, a great freshet swept the dam away, and, as other and more modern mills had sprung up near the lake, where logs were more easily reached, the Wheeler & Morley mill was never again put in operation. The site is now owned by C. J. L. Meyer.

First Steam Saw-Mill. - The first steam saw-mill built in Fond du Lac or Northern Wisconsin was e^-ected in 1846 by Davis & Ruggles, on the east bank of the river, just above where Cotton street now is. Cornelius Davis, using the name of his brother, F. F. Davis, furnished the "experience," and A. G. Ruggles, now President of the First National Bank, furnished the money. The logs and timber for the mill were cut on the Wolf River, in the summer of 1846, and rafted to Fond du Lac, after which Mr. Ruggles went East and bought the engine, boiler and machinery. These were put on to the Hudson at Cleveland, and among the passengers with Mr. Ruggles was David R. Curran, ever since a resident of Fond du Lac, then making his first trip to the West. A terrific storm overtook the boat, and the frightened passengers for a time were determined to heave the h^avy mill machinery overboard, to insure the safety of the vessel, being very free in making threats' of this character. Mr. Ruggles was far more thoroughly frightened at their threats than at the storm, bad as it for all he had in the world was represented in the machinery, which seemed in a fair way to be dumped into the lake. The storm subsided, however, and the machinery was landed in safety. It was then brought to Fond du Lac and put in place during the winter of 1846-47, and, in the ea.rly spring of 1847, sawed the first lumber ever cut by steam in Northern Wisconsin, for B. F. Moore, now owner of the La Belle Wagon Works. In June of that year, the mill sawed its own logs.

The first saw used in the mill was an old-fashioned "sash saw," the whole frame in which it was fastened resembling a window sash, and churning up and down with terrific jerks. Soon after, a muley saw was put in, which was regarded as a great innovation in milling. After the new saw was put in, the mill was run night and day, in season, cutting about eight thousand feet of lumber in twenty-four hours, and proving a profitable investment. In 1847 or the beginning of 1848, Davis & Ruggles dissolved partnership. The mill was finally burned, but the machinery in it was taken out by George W. Sexmith, and used in his first milling operations in Fond du Lac.

First Planing-Mill. - In 1851, A. G. Ruggles, now President of the First National Bank, purchased several lots on the east bank of the river, where Johnson street now is, and staked out a site for a planing-mill, which seemed to be in good demand. In the fall, Mr. Ruggles went East and purchased the best planing-mill machinery then to be had, and when he returned, in February, 1852, he found his mill-site overflowed by the river as far as what was later called

East Water street, the water being several feet deep. For some days the cause of the overflow was a mystery, until it became known that the first dam had been erected at Menasha. The set-back of the water caused by the erection of this dam had overflowed Mr. Ruggles' millsite, and much other property as well. He crossed the street, however, and built his planingmill that year. But no one could sharpen a planer or "hang" the knives, and everything moved under difficulties. There was business enough, but no one could be had who was enough to do it properly. Mr. Ruggles was compelled to run the engine himself. In 1852, he did his last work with the planing-mill on a job of basswood boards which Jason Wilkins wanted dressed for the manufacture of baby carriages. The building and engine were afterward used for a saw-mill.

McDonald ^- Stewart's Factory. - tu 186T, a large wooden building was erected on the corner of Arndt and Brooke streets, for a sash, door and blind, factory. It was run a short time by a Mr. Jones, now deceased, and, in 1869, fell into the hands of Alexander McDonald and Alexander Stewart, by whom it has since been owned and managed. The factory gives employment to about fifty persons, and turns out $120,000 worth of manufactured stock per year.

City Stone Mills. - This substantial stone structure was begun by a branch of the Congregational Church for a church edifice. Before it was finished, the two factions re-united. The walls remained as they were left by the church, until April, 1858, when Dr. M. C. Darling bid them off, with the site, for $1,000. They were soon thereafter completed for a flouring-mill, and the mill put into operation. In 1869, the property was purchased by Moore & Aldrich, and in 1874, by Allen & Aldrich, the present proprietors. The mill has four runs of stone, which receive motion from an ample steam engine.

J. 0. Ruber's Drug-Mill. - Mr. Huber began in a small way in 1868, on Main street, to grind spices, herbs and roots. In 1872, business having outgrown his capacity, he erected a large steam drug-mill on the corner of Sibley and Marquette streets. He employs ten men, and grinds spices, mustard, herbs, roots and all medicinal plants and barks. About 300 of "these are found in Wisconsin, to gather which he has agents in all parts of the State, the Indians being especially valuable and skillful in this work. Mr. Huber imports all spices and medicines not obtainable in America. At the session of the Wisconsin Academy of Arts and Sciences, held in January, 1880, samples of drugs and spices from nearly every mill in the country were tested and none found pure, except from J. C. Huber's mill, at Fond du Lac. This report was ofiicially published.

G. W. Sexmith ^ Sons' Saw-Mill. - Mr. Sexmith is one of the pioneer lumber men of Fond du Lac. He has operated a mill continuously since 1854. Sexmith & Sons' Mill, corner of Cotton and Satterlee streets, gives employment to fifty men in season. Last year it turned out 4,000,000 feet of lumber. The mill building was erected by A. G. Ruggles, and contained the first planing, dressing and matching machinery in Fond du Lac.

Alexander McDonald' s Saw-Mill. - -This mill building was erected in 1853 by E. A. Galloway for a warehouse. In 1855, T. S. Henry & Co. transformed it into the first rotary saw-mill ever run in Fond du Lac. Iij 1865, two rotary saws were put in, after which Henry & Co. sold out. Mr. McDonald has been alone in the business since 1870. The mill has a capacity of 50,000 feet of lumber per day. The boilers now used in it were built in 1856, and are now considered better than first-class modern boilers. Mr. McDonald saws hard lumber for the thrashing machine works, and special grades for McDonald & Stewart's sash, door and blind factory.

Fond du Lac Spring Wagon Company. - In 1875, A. T. Perkins and C. L. Clement purchased from the J. A. Archibald estate the small shops near the corner of Macy and Court streets, and began the manufacture of carriages and cutters, under the firm name of Perkins & Clement. Their business continued to increase, until now they have five buildings, employ twenty-two men, and turn out 1,000 jobs per annum. Their machinery is driven by a thirtyfiVe-horse power steam-engine, built by the Novelty Iron Works. In 1879, the firm added a complete saw-mill to their factory, and now saw all the boards and stock used. No other carriage factory in the Northwest has facilities for sawing its own lumber. The especial lines of work turned out at this factory, are cutters, all styles of carriages, and the celebrated platformspring wagons, which are called "mountain wagons."

Fond du Lao Building Association. - This corporation, whose factory is on Scott street, near Main, was organized January 4, 1876, and incorporated January 4, 1879. Its capital stock is |] 0,000, paid up. C. K. Pier is President, and Gr. W. Mihills, Manager. The concern " has out 280 agents, who make 70,000 sales per year of screens, window blinds and articles of that class. No firm in Fond du Lac sends out and sells as great a number of articles as this institution, though several others receive much larger amounts of cash in return for manufactured articles sold.

G-alloway Mills.^-Thx^ large flouring-mill, situated on the corner of Arndt and Packer streets, was begun by John Maginnis and Charles R. Harrison. In 1866, the property was purchased, rebuilt and finished by T. S. Henry & Co., the present owners. The mill is well equipped with all the most modern milling machinery, and is constantly busy.- Its capacity is 120 barrels of flour per day.

Fond du Lao Steam Bakery. - The large business of the steam baker, located at 35 East First street, in a handsome brick building built especially for it, was begun by Benjamin Wild, in a small way in 1860. Trade constantly increased, and in 1869 the business was transferred to Second street, where it now gives employment to nineteen men, who make into crackers, all kinds of bread, cakes and pies, about fifteen barrels of flour per day. The manufacture of candies is also extensively and successfully carried on. The firm has three traveling salesmen; a retail store on the corner of Main and First streets, under the charge of H. L. Noble, and does a business of $80,000 per year. The sales extend into adjoining States.

J. Q. Griffith ^ Sons' Saw-Mill. - J. Q. Griffith began the lumbering business as early as . 1856, and in 1859 operated the old Wilbor & Henry mill. In 1860, he purchased the mill, which th^n stood on Forest street. It was built in 1856, by Deacon Fuller, Nathan Leavittand George Hunter, and was known as the Fuller & Leavitt Mill. It had a muley saw and siding machine. The company failed after operating it several years, and the property was purchased by Mr. Griffith, who operated it until he built the present mill, in 1871, on West DiWsion street. In 1866, his son, Carver N. Grriffith, became a partner in the business, and in 1870, Wilber A. Griffith, another son, took an interest, and the firm name then was J. Q. Griffith & Sons. In 1872, a planing-mill was added to the facilities of the mill, and in 1879, machinery for grinding ^everything but flour. The yards and mill give employment to thirty-five men, and a corpsof loggers and raftsmen is kept in the woods, securing logs for eaph season's wOrk.

Steenberg's Sash, Boor and Blind Faotory. - In 1867, H. H. Lewis, now a resident of Kansas, erected a sash, door and blind factory on the corner of Mc Williams and Juneau streets. In 1871, Prof 0. C. Steenberg was taken in as a partner, and, in 1877, became sole proprietor. When running to its full capacity, the factory gives employment to sixty men. Its products^ are sold mostly in the West and S9uth, for which there was demand enough during the panic to keep the factory in operation.

George W. Lusk's Saw-Mill. - In 1856, Asa Pierce, now of Racine County, Daniel W. Smith, Charles Chandler, W. D. Sherwood, now of Chicago, and L. C. Bissell, built the mill now owned and run by George W. Luak, on Moore street, the capacity of which is about forty thousand feet per day. It was called the Pierce, Smith & Co. Mill. The boilers were made of the best locomotive boiler iron, and have never had a cent expended on them for repairs. The mill had a forty-eight-inch saw, a double-cutting sider, shingle and lath machines. Pierce, Smith &- Co. failed, and, in 1867, George W. Lusk became a member of the firm of Merryman & C".;, which consisted of A. C. & R. W. Merryman, George W. Lusk, Lewis Rood, of Monroe, Wis.,. and E. A. Newton, of the same place. In 1869, A. C. Merryman withdrew from the firm. In June, 1877, Mr. Lusk purchased Mr. Newton's interest in the business ; in April, 1878, purchased that of the Merrymans, and, in March, 1879, secured the interest belonging to the Rood heirs. He is now sole proprietor of the mill and lumber-yard.

Fond du Lac Manufacturing Company. - In 1873, a company consisting of Alexander and -John S. McDonald, and Benjamin Nightingale, was incorporated for the manufacture of straw boards, building and wrapping paper. The capital stock was $54,000, all paid up. The factory ran two years, giving employment to a large number of men, and producing first-class articles, after which it was closed on account of the costliness of fuel. The building and machinery therefore lay idle until the spring of 1878, when they were destroyed by fire.

Alfred K. Hamilton's Saw-Mill. - In 1856, I. K. and W. C. Hamilton built a mill at Luco, between Fond du Lac and Taycheedah, on the lake shore, and, in 1857, began the manufacture of all kinds of lumber. In 1868, A. K. Hamilton and W. S. Finley became partners in the business, under the firm name of A. K. & W. C. Hamilton & Co. In 1871, A. K. Hamilton and W. S. Finley became the proprietors, and continued in business together until May, 1879, when Mr. Finley sold to A. K. Hamilton, who is now sole proprietor of the business. In addition to the lumber-yard at the mill in Luco, a yard and an office are located on Main street, in Fond du Lac. This mill, which employs fifty men, and has a capacity of 6,000,000 feet of lumber per year, has not been idle a season since it was first started, in 1857. About forty men are kept at work in the woods securing logs, on which to keep the mill in operation.

Fond du Lac Harrow Company. - In the spring of 1876, the manufacture of " H. B. Fargo's V-shaped, steel-toothed harrow" was begun by H. B. Fargo, W. A. Knapp, M. D. Moore, C. A. Galloway and W. B. Galloway, under the name of the Fond du Lac Harrow Company. The Company was organized in 1878, and incorporated October 1, of that year, by W. A. Knapp, C. K. Pier, G. A. Knapp and Frank A. Knapp, with a capital of $10,000. The officers of the corporation are C. K. Pier, President, and W. A. Knapp, Secretary and Treasurer. The act of incorparation gives the Company the right to make all kinds of agricultural implements, though only Fargo's patent harrow is made at present. The factory is on East Division street, and turns out 3,000 harrows per year, making a business worth $35,000. These harrows are mostly sold in Minnesota, Iowa, Dakota, Kansas, Nebraska and Wisconsiij. The business is increasing.

The Fond du Lac Trunk Factory. - The business of making trunks was first started by Andrew Payne, who catered to the retail trade only. He sold to D. C. Lang in 1874, who enlarged and carried on the business until March, 1875, when John H. Lang, his brother, became a member of the firm. The firm name then became, and now continues, D. C. & J. H. Lang. The factory is a large brick building on East First street, in which is the office. The business is now wholly carried on for the wholesale trade, and gives employment to eighteen men. The sales in Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois and Indiana, amount to over $25,000 per annum.

McDonald Manufacturing Company. - This was first known as the Fond du Lac Threshing Machine Company, which was organized in 1874, and built threshing machines until 1876, when the Company failed. The following year, March 14, the present Company was organized, with John S. McDonald, President ; Alexander McDonald, Vice President, and John Spence, Treasurer and Secretary. These, with C. H. Benton, constitute the Board of Directors. The present officers are the same as just recorded. The capital stock of the concern is $100,000, all paid up, and its principal business the manufacture of the " Pride of the West " threshing machines, which were invented in Fond du Lac, and which are becoming celebrated for several superiorities in construction and manner of doing work. There are also made by this firm the "Common Sense " sleigh, for lumbering purposes, and Berry's Stump Puller. Since the formation of this Company, its business has increased from 100 to 300 per cent per year, and new facilities are constantly added. The large shop is located on Scott street and gives employment to forty men.

Mihills Manufacturing Company. - The foundation of the immense business, now carried on by the Mihills Manufacturing Company in sash, doors and blinds, on the corner of Brooke,

Sibley and Juneau streets, was laid when Uriah D. Mihills began the manufacture of lumber, in 1864, in the old dismantled mill now standing near the Scott street bridge. In 1868, he added to his business the manufacture of sash, doors and blinds, and continued both the mill and the factory until 1874, when he became involved, and the establishment was taken in charge by the present Mihills Manufacturing Company December 24, 1874, with a capital of $200,000. Of this corporation, Parian Semple, of Shawano, was President ; R. A. Baker, Vice President ; ' C. K. Pier, President ; Gr. N. Mihills, Secretary and Superintendent. These, with Welcome- Hyde, of Appleton, constitute the Board of Directors. The present officers are R. A. Baker, President ; C. K. Pier, Treasurer ; G. N. Mihills, Vice President, Secretary and Superintendent. The factory, which is a fine brick building, contains 160 employes, and the articles manufactured are sold in all the States of the Union, except New York and New England. The business now amounts to $300,000 per year. The Mihills Manufacturing Company also owns a large saw-mill at the foot of Hone and Spring streets, which is leased by Henry Sherry, of Neenah, and managed by A. D. Parker. During the last two seasons, it has been run to its full capacity, night and day a portion of the time ; running in winter also, logs being received by raij.

Fond du Lac Wheel ^ Seeder Company. - In 1872, Daniel Y. Sabin, J. B. Bushnell and Henl-y Hastings began, under the name and style of Sabin, Bushnell & Hastings, the manufacture of the Fountain City Seeder and patent buggy wheels. In 1874, this firm sold out to the Wheel & Seeder Company,- which was chartered August 31, 1874, and which was composed of D. Y. Sabin, J. B. Bushnell, Henry Hastings, J. C. Wedge, Alexander McDonald, Frank Dillingham (of Milwaukee), M. W. Simmons, E. C. Gray, Byron Town, Kalk & Kent, J. F. Aldrich, P. Conrad, A. T. Perkins and Ela C. Waters. The first officers were: Alexander McDonald, President; J. C. Wedge, Vice President; Byron Town, Secretary and Treasurer; J. B. Bushnell, Superintendent. The capital stock was $50,000. The company ceased manufacturing wheels in 1876, because they were too costly for the market. The manufactures, which now consist of grain-drills and force-feed, broad-cast seeders, with clover and timothy seed attachments, are sold mostly in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Michigan, Illinois and Wisconsin. Their number is 1,500 seeders and drills per year, and their value about $75,000. The shops give employment to seventy-five men, and the business is annually increasing. The present officers are: Alexander McDonald, President; J. C. Wpdge, Vice President; Byron Town, Secretary and Treasurer. The shops are located on Forest street, next to the river, and with the additions of the season of 1879, complete throughout.

Moore ^ G-alloway s Saw-Mill. - The btisiness of this firm was begun in 1864 by M. D. Moore, who then engaged in the manufacture of lumber, lath and pickets, with Charles Crane. The partnership, if such it could be called, was a novel one. Mr. Crane had built the saw-mill in 1863, but was financially embarrassed. Mr. Moore therefore purchased an undivided halfinterest in it, and paid for it, and for two years thereafter Mr. Crane operated the mill one week and Mr. Moore the next week. The same crew worked for both, but the lumber cut by each was kept separate, as well as all the business afiairs. In 1866, Mr. Moore bought out Mr. Crane, and soon after, in the same year, C. A. Galloway became a partner with Mr. Moore in the business, and several years later, in 1870, W. B. Baker purchased an interest in the business, which embraced extensive operations in the lumber districts, in addition to operating the mill and yards at Fond du Lac. In 1878, W. B. Baker withdrew from the firm, which is now composed of M. D. Moore and C. A. Galloway. The firm gives employment to eighty, and at some seasons to 150, men, and cuts from five to eight and one-half millions of lumber. The mill and office are located on Packer, near McWilliams street.

Peerless Joh Office. - November 13, 1878, P. B. Haber and Charles H. Swift opened a job printing office in the rear of Wells' Bank building, corner of Main and First streets, under the title of the Peerless Printing Office, by Haber & Swift. The material was all new and the office has had a liberal share of business since it was opened. Mr. Swift has in connection with the office, the business of city bill-posting.

G-lobe Job Office. - On the 1st of August, 1872, Thomas Bryant, now of the Omaha (Neb.) Bee newspaper, opened a job printing office over J. C. Whittelsey's store on Main street. In the fall of 1874, George C. Hicks, now of Minneapolis, purchased an interest in the office, continuing as one of the proprietors until 1876, when Mr. Bryant became sole proprietor. In 1878 - April 25 - John W. Lockin purchased the entire establishment and moved it to the ground floor of No. 6 Forest street, September 20, 1879. He added a large cylinder press and engine in 1879, and the office now contains 150 font^ of type, four presses and good steam machinery. The Wisconsin Farmer is published at the Globe Office.

La Belle Wagon Works. - In 1869, what is now the second largest wagon factory in the State was begun by Farnsworth, Knapp.& Co., on the site now occupied by the works. The firm changed soon after to Farnsworth, Woodward, Knapp & Co., and then to Farnsworth Brothers & Knapp, who continued in the business until February, 1874, when B. F. Moore and A. G. Buggies purchased the entire property and business interests. This firm began immediately to increase the business, although the works had a capacity of 2,000 wagons per year under Farnsworth Brothers & Knapp. Mr. Buggies continued in the establishment only eight months, when B. F. Moore became sole proprietor. He went on with making improvements and increasing the facilities, until in January, 1879, when a stock company was formed and incorporated,, with a paid-up capital of $200,000, consisting of B. F. Moore, President; A. L. Moore, Vice President and Superintendent; James H. Farnsworth, Secretary, and C. H. Moore, Treasurer. The business, that of manufacturing wagons, gives employment to 200 men, who turn out twenty complete wagons per day. The shops, which are located between the West Branch Kiver and the Chicago & North-Western Railway, on Forest street, are run to their utmost capacity, and turn out $300,000 worth of wagons per year. During the past year an immense fireproof, stone, iron and brick storehouse has been built by the La Belle Wagons Works Company, which is capable of holding 3,000 finished wagons ; also an oil-house of stone. Every foot of room is utilized, and preparations are going on to increase, next season, the capacity of the shops. The wagons turned out are sold mostly in California, Oregon, Texas and British America.

Novelty Iron Works. - The Novelty Iron Works building, a large, substantial structure of brick with cast-iron door and window frames, was built by Horace and George 0. Trowbridge, on the corner of Doty and Bees streets, in 1866. Horace Trowbridge now resides at Sheboygan Falls, and George 0. at San Francisco. C. H. De Groat purchased G. 0. Trowbridge's interest in 1875, and soon after A. E. Bosworth became a member of the firm. In 1876, George Giddings bought an interest in the business, since which time the firm has been De Groat & Giddings. Their business is that of manufacturing agricultural implements, saw-mill machinery and general repairing. They also manufacture the famous Gowan head-blocks and set works for saw-mills, which are in use by nearly all the mills in the vicinity.

C. J. L. Meyer's Factories, Mills and Furnaces. - One of the most extensive and successful manufacturers in Wisconsin, or in the Northwest, is Charles J. L. Meyer. No history of Fond du Lac, or of Wisconsin, would be complete, therefore, without a more or less elaborate account of his business. Mr. Meyer arrived in New York from his native place in Prussia, in 1849, at the age of eighteen. He had been educated under the thorough Prussian school system, and had also learned the sash and door trade, which he now carries on, by working in his father's shop, which had turned out a fine quality of sash, doors and furniture since the beginning of the present century. Not finding employment at his trade at once in New York, Mr. Meyer engaged at farming for a short time, but soon found employment with one of the best millwrights of the East, thereby acquiring practical knowledge which has since been of great value in carrying on his business. In 1855, being desirous of engaging in business on a larger scale, and in a timbered country, Mr. Meyer made a tour of the West and settled upon Fond du Lac as offering the best advantages on account of healthful climate, fine soil, great timber resources and contiguity to navigable waters. He did not settle at Fond du Lac through accident, but after a thorough examination of various other places in the West.

In 1856, he started in business at Fond du Lac, in a very small way, doing such miscellaneous jobs as his limited means would allow. In 1859, Mr. Meyer went East, spending five months in careful examination of manufacturing establishments in that section. He resolved, as a consequence, to enter upon the manufacture of sash, doors and blinds, and returned in the fall of that year to lay the foundation of his present immense business. In 1860, himself, a brother and an apprentice were working with rented power. In 1861, mostly with his own hands, he erected a small wooden shop on Western avenue, purchasing a small portable engine for power. In this shop he planed lumber, made sash, doors and blinds, and did various jobs; not on a large senile, as that business was not then heavily patronized. In 1864, however, having got a firmer foothold, and trade having received a strong impetus from the war, Mr. Meyer put his goods on the Chicago market. The excellent finish and thorough workmanship displayed marked them at once as superior to any then before the public, and, as if by magic, the demand for them outstripped that of all competitors. ' From that time, the demand for his goods rapidly and constantly increased. A large factory was erected on the north side of Western avenue - since demolished - and a branch was permanently opened in Chicago. In 1866, he erected the present wood-working building, which is 200x100 feet on (?he ground, and three stories high, of brick. There were large additions built for boiler and engine rooms. In 1867, a large brick warehouse, 44x128 feet and two stories high with basement, was erected on the corner of Western avenue and the Chicago & North- Western Railway. In 1868, being desirous of obtaining lumber for his factory, at more advantageous terms, Mr. Meyer erected a saw-mill in " Lower Town," in Fond du Lac, which had a capacity of 80,000 feet of lumber per day. In 1874, finding it necessary to protect his interests in that city, he erected a model sash, door and blind factory in Chicago, which has a capacity equal to that of any other in the Garden City. Owing to its perfectness and completeness, this factory has several times been examined by officials sent from foreign countries to learn the details of American manufacturing. As logs began to grow more scarce on the Wolf River, Mr. Meyer found it necessary to purchase large tracts of pine lands, whi'ch he did in Michigan, fifty miles north of Menominee. Here he built a large saw-mill, which runs all the year round, a planing-mill, stores, offices and boarding-house, making a village all his own, called Herniansville, after his son Herman. The product of these mills is mostly used in the manufacture of sash, doors and blinds in his own factories. In 1870, fearing a scarcity of logs on the Wolf River would render Fond du Lac less advantageous as a woodmanufacturing point, and expecting, therefore, to change his business to that of manufacturing iron, he erected a large blast furnace at " Lower Town," with ample charcoal kilns, which was hardly completed when the panic laid its iron hand upon all manufacturing interests. Since then railways have been pushed into the most productive timber countries, tnus indefinitely postponing the time when there will be a scarcity of lumber in Fond du Lac for manufacturing purposes. Mr. Meyer, therefore, has continued to increase his wood-manufacturing business, erecting in 1879 an additional factory, 100x100 feet, just east of the main building.

On the corner of Western avenue and Macy street, Mr. Meyer has one of the best-equipped machine shops and foundries in the Northwest, at which all his own engines and iron machinery are made, and a general business in manufacturing heavy mill furnishings carried on. During 1880, the blast furnace will be put into operation under a company organized for that purpose, and his sash, door and blind factory will consume over twelve million feet of lumber - an increase over any previous year.

To keep in motion the large amount of machinery in all of Mr. Meyer'f shops - not including his blast "furnace - are required ten steam engines and twenty-one boile s. The former are made at his Western avenue iron works, and the latter by J. 0. Pierron, of Fond du Lac, of whose work Mr. Meyer speaks in the highest terms.

The Chicago shops furnish employment to 300 persons ; those at Hermanville, to over 200 and those at Fond du Lac to 400 - making a pay-roll with over 900 names.

The products of C. J. L. Meyer's factories are sold in Delaware, District of Columbia, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina,

Fon D Du Lac

Breweries. - The oldest brewery in Fond du Lac is that of J. & C. Frey, near the corner of Macy and Division streets. The buildings now used in the business have all been built by the Frey Brothers at different times, the first dating back to 1848. They have an extensive trade at home and abroad, and do also a large business in bottling and exporting beer.

On Portland street, south of Division, is situated the large brick building erected by Paul Hauser, for a brewery. It is a well-built and convenient structure for the business of brewing, and is now leased by Antony Voght.

Bechaud Brothers' Brewery, on Eleventh street, west of Hickory, is doing a large and increasing business, additional buildings being required and erected during 1878 and 1879. The Bechaud Brothers are practical brewers. They have a large trade outside of Fond du Lac, their beer being bottled by H. W. Eaton.

Joseph Schussler, a practical brewer, has a brewery on Hickory street, south of Grove. His method of brewing is different from others, and known only to himself. His operations are less extensive than those of the other city brewers.

Rueping ^ Son's Tannery. - In 1854, William Rueping erected a small wooden building on Doty street, and began the business of tanning leather. Two of his elder sons had learned the tanner's trade in Germany, and they carried on the business after the manner learned in that country. In 1870, the present building, a brick structure, 170x42, feet and three stories high, was erected to accommodate the increasing business. Thirty men are constantly employed, who turn out 8,000 hides and 7,000 kip and calf skins per year. No vitriol or acid is consumed in this tannery, hemlock bark alone being used for tanning, of which 1,000 cords, costing $6,500, are required annually. This tannery turns out mostly harness leather, which is of the most durable quality, and sells largely to Boston, New York and St. Paul jobbers. The firm consists of Frederick, Louis, Charles and Henry, the four sons of the late William Rueping.

Other Manufactories. - A very important branch of business in Fond du Lac is C. L. Pierce's Plow Works, corner of Macy and Court streets. It is also an old established branch, the Pierce Brothers having a shop open on Division street before any other houses had been erected in that vicinity. The shop is equipped with steam machinery, and turns out a large number of plows adapted to Western soil.

Goddard & Burrows, on Macy street, have as large a business as their buildings will accommodate, in the manufacture of patent carriage tops.

Sherrer's File Works, on Johnson street, employ five or six men at making new and cutting over old files. There are but few file works in the country, hence Mr. Sherrer has a large business.

Edson & Son, on Western avenue, near the railroad, have a large factory, run by steam, for the manufacture of bed frames, springs, hay-cutters, and to do a general business in wood turning.

E. G. Main, corner of Macy & Second streets, has a steam factory, where harrow frames and the wood for other agricultural implements are made.

B. F. & H. L. Sweet, on Arndt street, are manufacturers of Sweet's " Common Sense Sleighs." They are very large and strong, for work in lumbering, and are pronounced superior to any other lumbering sleigh. Smaller sizes, with the same patent improvements, are made for farmers and general purposes.

The old Hiner & White Iron Works, on Arndt street, employ fifteen men. Up to 1877, while owned and run by Hiner & White, the works gave employment to 125 men, and turned out great quantities of milling machinery, some mowing machines and all kinds of iron machinery. A stock company composed of Hiner & White's creditors now run the shops.

The only boiler works in Fond du Lac are situated on Arndt street, and owned by J. C Pierron. He has all the local trade, and constructs large boilers for mills and steamboats in various portions of the country.

Of all the Wisconsin lakes, there is not one to compare with Winnebago for yachting. The shores are low, and, as a usual thing, cultivated, with very little timber, save the beautiful wooded points, with here and there just a fringe, to screen the growing crops from the strong winds. Thus storms approaching the lake can be seen, prepared for, or a safe harbor reached. Even if it were necessary to beach a boat, it could be done anywhere, on either shore, Without the slightest damage to the craft, and with nothing more than a partial wetting of the persons in it.

This lake is also one of the finest for the concomitant of yachtingj that is, camping out, either beside the^ cool springs of the east shore, or in the shady groves which are still left on most all the high, projecting points on the west shore.

But the greatest blessings are sometimes the least prized - at least, it appears so in the caseof Fond du Lac people, who are just beginning to appreciate what they have for so long^ neglected. But they are rapidly making up for lost time.

Indulgence in these aquatic sports, however, has become a habit only, so to speak, to the few. The many are yet to taste the joys and reap the benefits to mind and body that they aresure to give. Their growth has been slow, but, at this writing, it is a good, healthy growth, and possibly, by the end of another decade, the lake, large as it is, will be insufficient for thedemands put upon it in this regard.

The pioneers in yachting were good men, all possessed of an ardent desire to be good yachtmen ; good swimmers, plucky fellows, but without a particle of experience as to building, rigging, manning or sailing a yacht.

In 1865, an organization was perfected, as follows : S. A. Dudley, Captain (qualifications - related to a ship carpenter) ; R. A. Baker, Capitalist (qualifications - served a term of years as purser on board the United States steamer Michigan) ; John Mathews, First Officer (qualifications - crossed the Atlantic in a sail vessel) ; T. S. Weeks, Second Officer (qualifications - went across the Hudson in a skifi" when a small boy) ; James Coleman, wader (qualifications - height, and ability to walk ashore in case of accident).

During the winter of 1865, thev bought an old fishing boat, and with the aid of Col. Ewen and Capt. Johnson, rigged it out, in April of that year, with a lug sail and steering oa,t. During high water in the spring, they launched it in what is known as " Meyer Sluice," which, at that time, extended up from the lake to Scott street, opposite W. H. Hiner's residence. Here the first naval school was established for Fond du Lac. They cruised up and down this sluice during the entire season. When the wind was abeam, the sailing was fair both ways ; but with a north wind, they had to tow their craft down and sail back, and with a south wind, vice versa. Their skill and efficiency being approved (by themselves), the yacht Water Lily was ordered built in Milwaukee, to be delivered here in time for the season of 1866. ,

This little boat, just sixteen feet over all, rigged with portable mast, sprit-sail and oars, took the city by storm, and yachting commenced in earnest.

Long excursions were taken in this boat, frequently making the entire circuit of the lake. She proved an excellent sea boat, and soon established a reputation for safety. This snug little craft is still afloat, at her moorings, off R. A. Baker's cottage, at Green Lake.

The next accession to the yachting interest was the yacht Rosendale, built at Rosendale, in this county, and put into the waters of Lake Winnebago in 1868, her owners being the Rev. H. W. Beers and H. H. Tenbrock, then a candidate for orders, and subsequently ordained a priest. He made, during the summer months, this boat his home, using it as a means of transit- to the various points on the lake to which he was assigned for missionary labor. Being no sailor, he depended upon any one he could pick up who professed to have the slightest knowledge or experience in this line. The consequence was that the Rosendale was continually overdue, either being ashore, wind-bound, or in some creek, or high and dry on the beach ; so that, when Mr. Beers had occasion to want the boat for his favorite fishing excursions, recourse was had to the Water Lily's crew to hunt her up and bring her into port.

A choice amusement of Tenbrock's was to take six to eight of the parish schoolboys on board this vessel and put out for a day's sport, the outcome being that when night set in, and the boys had not returned", so many anxious mothers had started out as many anxious fathers, to go in search of the supposed lost vessel and crew. As a usual thing, about 9 o'clock in the evening, Capt. Johnson, of the tug Minnie, would be got up and dispatched to the relief of the Rosendale. As a matter of course, he returned no wiser than he went. In the mean time, the boys would have found their way home, some on foot, some in farmers' wagons, and foot-sore, tired and half-faoiished, to gladden the hearts of their distressed parents. Tenbrock, in the end, became a good sailor, keeps the boat still, which now makes one of the fleet on Green Bay.

The advent of the Daisy, in 1870, was an event of marked importance to yachting, which was not confined to any one locality on the lake. This vessel was a Boston-built yacht, 19 feet 6 inches over all, by 8 feet 6 inches beam, and the best weather vessel ever sailed on the lake. She had fair speed and great beauty. She was hailed with delight all along shore, and stimulated a generous rivalry, that has led to the present state of yachting on the lake.

Her Captain, the lamented Dudley, had made himself master of the art of managing water craft of this description, and to his zeal and enterprise, more than anything else, were the yachtmen indebted for the Daisy being placed upon these waters.

He was assisted by R. A. Baker, H. H. Dodd, L. L. Lowry, John S. McDonald, and I. K. Hamilton, in the purchase and transportation of this little craft to Fond du Lac Harbor. Messrs. Baker and Dodd, who have fallen heir to this little old lady of a yacht, keep her now at Green Lake.

Next the Gipsy was built here by Z. &*I. W. Maxim, in 1871, the same gentlemen who hare since built the Belle, and the steam yacht Guy. The first formal organization was made in 1871, with but these four boats represented, viz., Rosendale, Liberty, Daisy and Gipsy. The organization was styled the Fond du Lac Yacht Club. The first officers were : H. H. Dodd, Commodore ; R. A. Baker, Vice Commodore ; S. A. Dudley, Fleet Captain ; George P. Knowles, Secretary and Treasurer. This club continued to be the nucleus around which the yachting interest gathered, until 1878, when the great number of yachts and diversity of interests demanded a new organization, which was perfected by the election of the following officers : H. H. Dodd, Commodore ; C. H. Benton, Vice Commodore ; H. C. Dittmar, Fleet Captain ; Thomas Terrell, Measurer; Robert H. Wharton, Secretary; R. C. Baker, Treasurer.

The number of yachts now is fifteen of all sail, of which the Mystic, Pinafore, Lolita, Lulu, Hawk, Aquila, and the steam yacht Guy, may be noted as equal to any in the State as to beauty, speed and safety.

Fond du Lac, when compared with other cities of equal size, has, fortunately, suffered from few conflagrations resulting in great loss of life or property. As it is largely a wooden city, this freedom from destructive fires is considered remarkable by those who are not acquainted with the promptness and efficiency of its Fire Department and its admirable water-supply for fire purposes. The earliest fires, of which no record was kept because there was no organized fire department, entailed the greatest comparative loss, because the inhabitants were poor, insurance companies were little patronized, and building material was scarce.

On the 13th of May, 1847, Charles Kenkall's house, with all its furniture and all the money he possessed, was consumed by fire. This was an almost irretrievable loss, as the property was not insured

Under the head of "Terrible Conflagration," some person, name not known, wrote, in December, 1848, an extravagant account of the destruction by fire of the first schoolhouse erected in Fond du Lac. The building was located on Fifth, between Marr and Main streets :

" On the evening of the 12th inst., our quiet village was visited by the most destructive fire ever known in this place, within the memory of the oldest inhabitant! The Congregational, Baptist, Presbyterian and Methodist Churches, the former Court House, the Academy, the Town Hall, the Franklin Schoolhouse and lecture-room, besides the spacious room occupied as the public room of the Lyceum, together with their valuable contents and all the outbuildings, were, in the short space of a few hours, entirely consumed ! !

" Although it was not discovered until near the dread hour of midnight, and the weather was intensely cold, still our efficient and well-trained Fire Department was soon on the ground, endeavoring, by its magnanimous and almost superhuman efforts, to stay the devouring element ; but, in defiance of their utmost efforts, the flames continued to spread with great rapidity from one to another of the above-mentioned buildings, until the whole were completely wrapped in one enveloping sheet of flame ! ! It was truly a grand and appalling sight.

" It is uncertain, as yet, how or by what means this terrible catastrophe was brought about ; but it is generally believed to have been caused by the contact of fire with the wooden portion of the schoolhouse.

" The calamity is much more severely felt at this particular season of the year, as the building cannot, probably, be replaced before next summer. The ruins present a sad appearance, indeed, comprising the entire number of buildings in the block. Our village wears a really forsaken aspect. Not a public building of any consequence is left, except the jail, ballalley and billiard-room, besides a few other holes of a worse sort ! "

The substance of the above inflated account of the destruction of the small wooden school-, house was telegraphed to some of the leading newspapers, from which news went to the people of the entire Union that Fond du Lac had been wiped out of existence by fire. Newspapers, published in other cities and States, could not know that a single pine building of one room was used as a church for several denominations, a court house, lyceum, " academy " and all the other purposes enumerated in the account sent abroad ; and these localities, doubtless, which to this day have not been disabused of the impression, believe that Fond du Lac was at that time laid in ashes. The joke was a very good one, but it caused much needless anxiety in the hearts of those who lived in other* States and had friends in Fond du Lac, and, the next week, the labors of the Postmaster were increased by the numerous letters inquiring about the " terrible fire."

On Saturday night, January 17, 1852, the wooden block belonging to B. W. Davis, situated on the east side of Main street and occupied by Drs. John Pantillon, W. T. Galloway, N. W, Howard and L. Kellogg ; Johnson's saloon and Mr. Norwood's store were burned. Adjoining buildings were saved by tearing down a small building belonging to Mrs. Rapelje.

This was considered a large fire, and the enthusiastic ones who turned out with buckets and pails to carry water, had not finished reciting their exploits when, on Monday morning (two days later), the row of wooden blocks between First and Second streets, on the east side of Main street, was discovered to be on fire. The weather was intensely cold, the thermometer indicating 22° below zero, and the few gallons of water the citizens attempted to carry frequently congealed before they reached the fire. That entire block was burned, except Darling, Wright & Co.'s Exchange Bank, which stood on the corner of First and Main streets, where Wells' Bank now stands. This was a wooden building, built for temporary occupation, and Dr. Wright rushed in, as soon as he reached the scene of destruction, and filled his ample pockets with $20,000 in bills, and then went out to fight fire. D. R. Curran and A. P. & G. N. Lyman were the heaviest losers, Mr. Curran's store and stock of goods being burned, and his dwellinghouse, near by, damaged to the extent of $300. The Lyman Block was valued at $2,500. Case & Ailing lost $3,000 in stock ; Carswell & Dee, $1,000 in dry goods ; Mr. Nash, on building, occupied by Carswell & Dee, $1,200 ; John H. Martin, on building occupied by Case

& Ailing, $500, and other losses, the amounts not given, by H. C. Keys, A. D. Bonesteel, Z. L. Chapman, W. A. Dewey, D. Lyon and others. There was a finger, an ear, a toe or a nose frozen for every thousand dollars of damage wrought. The liveliest scene was at the reservoir, on the corner of Main and Second streets, where those who attempted to save goods were showering each other to' extinguish burning clothing.

One of the greatest losses by fire at one time was in 1866, when the east side of Main street burned from Robert A. Baker's bank north to, and including, the Lewis House, which stood on the present Patty House site ; and east on Sheboygan street far enough to destroy the dwelling-house and outbuildings belonging to Richard Dix.

In the spring of 1878, a small dwelling in " Lower Town " caught fire from an unknown cause, and was totally destroyed. George Hewins, a maimed soldier, who had lodgings in the building, was burned to death.

On September 8, 1879, five wooden buildings on the east side of Main street, between Second and Third, were burned. The fire began, from an unknown cause, in Thomas Gibson's store, in which himself and an eight-year old daughter were burned to death. The buildings were old, and the greatest loss was that of life.

The fire that probably entailed the greatest loss of property was set, July 15, 1871, by sparks from the steamer Gabe Bouck in the Bannister warehouse, on Scott street. Twenty-two buildings, including the Mihills Mills and Factory and a large quantity of lumber and wood, were destroyed. Loss, $100,000, with less than $10,000 insurance.

Kienzi Cemetery

In an early day, as is the case with all new settlements. Fond du Lac had no burial place. Matters ran along thus past the usual period when action is taken in this - direction, and when Eastman & White took possession of the Journal, they trained their guns on what was termed the barbarity of the people of the village for neglecting to provide a suitable burying-place for the dead, and in their issue of May. 4, 1849, published the following article :

" Fond du Lac Village, containing 1,200 inhabitants, has no public or private burial ground, but buries her dead in the public highway. We never before saw a village without a graveyard of some kind. In the wildest times of the wildest State of the West, her people always respected the dead, and gave them some decent habitation. The Indian tribes honor the dust of the departed, and protect their graves from destruction. But Fond du Lac, whose people claim relationship with the oldest, the most Christian-like, moral and enlightened of the old States, dig their graves by the roadside, and bury their friends where the cattle's hoofs and passing vehicles will soon obliterate all marks of their resting-place ! Whose duty is it to see to this matter ? If the duty of nobody, who will volunteer to rescue Fond du Lac from its reputation ? The act incorporating our village says : ' Section 14. The Trustees shall have the following powers : To purchase, hold, own and lay out graveyards or cemeteries, to regulate the burial of the dead, and to make and enforce any regulation or ordinance relating to the same.' "

But no public burial place was secured, and the high land oh the east side of Main street, a mile south of the city, was used as a cemetery, as it had been from the earliest settlement of Fond du Lac, the first interment being that of Fanny Pier, wife of Colwert Pier, who died March 1, 1838. Later, the beautiful knoll, now occupied by the "old grounds" of Rienzi Cemetery, was used by a few who would not bury their friends by the roadside ; but it was only used as such by sufferance, being pwned and occupied by N. P. Tallmadge. The spot contained a grave, however, before it was seized upon by any portion of the public as a burial place. Mr.

Tallmadge had been contemplating making a gift of land for cemetery purposes, and walked out, one day, with his son, William D., then a young man, to look over the place now called Rienzi. The " Governor," as he was popularly called, thought what is now known as the "new grounds" would be suitable for burial purposes; but the son chose the lower hill, or what is known as the " old grounds," saying, " When I die, I wish to be buried right* here." It was a beautiful spot, and, four weeks later, he was buried on the very ground he stood upon when the wish was uttered. That settled the choice of location, and. Mr. Tallmadge laid out around his son's grave eight and one-half acres for a cemetery. This was the beginning of what finally became the beautiful Rienzi Cemetery - William D. Tallmadge being the first to choose the location and the first to sleep in its bosom.

Whebeas, On the 10th day of August, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty-three, pursuant to agreement and pursuant to the statute in such cages made and provided, the following persons, residing in the county of Fond du Lac in the State of Wisconsin, desirous to form an association for the purpose of procuring and holding lands to be used exclusively for a cemetery, or barial place for the dead - -namely, N. P. Tallmadge, M. J. Thomas, A. D. Bonesteel, Robert A. Baker, Napoleon Boardman, Isaac S. Tallmadge and A. G. Butler, met at the banking-house of A. G. Butler, in the city of Fond du Lac, and proceeded to appoint the undersigned, N. P. Tallmadge, Chairman, and A. D. Bonesteel, Secretary, by a vote of a majority of the persons present ;

Now, therefore, the undersigned Chairman and Secretary, as aforesaid, do certify, pursuant to the statute in such case made and provided, that, at such meeting, N. P. Tallmadge, M. J. Thomas, A. D. Bonesteel, Robert A. Baker, N. Boardman and A. G. Butler, attended, as associates ; that the corporate name of the association determined upon by the majority of the persons who met was " The Rienzi Cemetery ; " that the number of Trustees fixed upon to manage the concerns of the association wag seven ; that the names of the Trustees chosen at said meeting are N. P. Tallmadge, M. .T. Thomas, A. D. Bonesteel, Robert A. Baker, N. Boardman, I. S. Tallmadge and A. G Butler, for the purpose of managing the affairs of said association, to be known by its corporate name as " The Rienzi Cemetery," that the undersigned, as Chairman and Secretary, aforesaid, proceeded to divide the said Trustees into three classes, by lot, as follows : Those of the first class to hold their offices one year, those in the second class two years, and those in the third class three years, as follows': Krst class, N. Boardman and A. G. Butler ; second class, Robert A. Baker and M. J. Thomas ; third class, N. P. Tallmadge, A. D. Bonesteel and I. S. Tallmadge.

And the undersigned Chairman and Secretary, aforesaid, do further certify that the future annual election of Trustees of said association, known as "The Rienzi Cemetery," was fixed to he held on the second Monday of August, in each year, at such place as said Trustees shall from time to time appoint. All of which, the undersigned Chairman and Secretary) as aforesaid, do hereby certify, pursuant to the statute in such case made and provided, and, in witnegs whereof, have hereunto set their hands this 16th day of August, 1853.