Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin - Chapter 20: City of Waupun, 1912

Chapter 20: City of Waupun

Under the inspiration of John Bannister, the first surveyor in Fond du Lac county, Seymour Wilcox, who was in the employment of the general govern¬ ment at Green Bay, came to what is now the city of Waupun and located near the old Markle & Harris flouring mill, on Rock river. After choosing the site for his future home he returned to Green Bay and in February, 1839, with John N. Ackerman and Hiram Walker, made the journey back to Waupun, driving a yoke of oxen attached 'to a wagon loaded with a small number of boards, which were used in the construction of a temporary shelter for the party. A log cabin was then built and Wilcox went back to Green Bay for his family and on the 20th of March, 1839, was comfortably domiciled in the new home. Walker and Ackerman, who were unmarried, lived with Wilcox, assisting him in breaking the new land and putting in a crop of oats, potatoes and a garden.

The people herein mentioned were the only inhabitants of the settlement until in 1841, when an increase in the population was made by the arrival of C. Car¬ rington and a Mr. Town. Others soon came and the future growth and pros¬ perity were assured.

The new village was given the name of Madrid, by Seymour Wilcox, after his native village. But the name of Waupun, meaning in the Indian tongue "the early day," or "early light of dawn'' was chosen, for the reason that the town already had been so named. James Duane Doty, who was then a delegate in Congress from Wisconsin Territory, had named the new postoffice Waupun and so it was permitted to remain.

It was not until 1845 that the settlement contained a mercantile establishment. That year Thomas C. Snow purchased a small stock of dry goods, groceries, hard¬ ware, crockery and a limited supply of medicines and opened the first store, plac¬ ing his stock in the house of John N. Ackerman.

Seymour Wilcox was the first one to entertain the traveler, having let the latch string of his little log cabin hang on the outside from the time he moved into it in the spring of 1839. And at this humble home was held the first elec¬ tion, when eleven votes were cast. In 1845 J°hn N. Ackerman kept the second hotel opened in the settlement.

An event of great importance to the settlers was the marriage of William G. McElroy to Lucinda Collins, which event took place at the home of Seymour Wilcox in 1841. Dr. Mason C. Darling of Fond du Lac, who was a justice of the peace, performed the ceremony and later, this the first wedding to take place in Waupun, was described in the following graphic, if glowing terms:

"The wedding day came; the woods were a frozen poem written by invisible lingers. The earth was wrapt in its winding sheet of snow, but in our little cabin the light flickered grotesquely from the fireplace on the unhewn rafters. There was no useless array among the bridal party, no satin dress dotted with stars, no jewels spangled in the bosom of the bride, no bracelets encircled her arm, nor did any veil fall from the back of her head to hide the simple evergreen that shone in her hair. There was no dandified, white-gloved, scented, feline¬ looking, empty-headed scions of codfish aristocracy present ; no fashionable birds with beautiful plumage and sickly looks; no pale pets of the parlor who had vegetated in unhealthy shades until their complexions had assumed a greenish color like a potato in a dark cellar. The ceremony throughout was character¬ ized by Quaker-like simplicity. The building was humble. The ceremony over, I can see the white cloth placed on the table, and on it a plate or two of biscuits almost as white. Then I see a big gobbler, fattened for the occasion, and almost smell the sage with which the stuffing was sprinkled. Then came a bowl of pickled cabbage, a dish of baked beans, a plate of boiled beets fantastically deco¬ rated with cloves, and after that the crowning dish of all - a glorious jelly cake, well seasoned with ginger and molasses plentifully spread between the layers for jelly. . . . The day following the wedding the bridal party proposed a jour¬ ney to Lake Emily, where the bride's parents resided, and which lay twelve miles distant through roadless woods and prairies. And what was their chariot? a magnificent sled. By what was it drawn? a magnificent yoke of oxen. With what was it enshrined? a magnificent bundle of clean straw, and. on this the beautiful bride and her attendant sat as dignified as did Cleopatra when sur¬ rounded with all that wealth could purchase."

John N. Ackerman, who had come to the wilderness, although a beauty spot, and boarded with Seymour Wilcox, remained but a short time in that happy state called "single blessedness." It seems he had had a love affair before Waupun knew him and having set up his stakes in the beautiful new country and feeling strong to battle with the future, still he was determined not to face the world alone. It was then he secured the services of Alonzo Raymond, a justice of the peace of Fond du Lac, and with a couple of ponies they journeyed to Oshkosh and on October n, 1842, "Judge" Raymond performed the ceremony that joined the hearts and hands of John N. Ackerman and Hannah A. Ford. The wedding party returned to Waupun, by way of the pony line.

The first frame building erected in Waupun was put up by John N. Acker¬ man in 1843, not long after his marriage. Following this both Ackerman and Seymour Wilcox built frame residences.

To John N. Ackerman and wife, Hannah, were born a daughter, Marian A., in October, 1843, the second birth of a white child in the settlement, the first having been a son, Ira, which had been presented Mr. and Mrs. Seymour Wil¬ cox, April 17, 1841.

Seymour Wilcox was the first postmaster, his commission having been issued in 1841. He distributed what little mail was received from his log cabin.

Rev. S. Smith, a Methodist clergyman of Calumet, this county, preached the first sermon in 1844, in a little schoolhouse which stood near where the Chicago,

Milwaukee & St. Paul railway crosses Main street. Previous to this, however, Rev. Smith presided at class meetings held in the home of Seymour Wilcox, in 1840.

The first grist mill was built by Forest & Smith, in 1846. Here later was erected the Markle & Harris stone mill. A sawmill had been built near by a year earlier.

Charles Cleveland opened the first school in Waupun, in 1844, in a frame building which stood at a point where the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul rail¬ way crosses Washington street.

The village of Waupun was laid out and platted on the southeast corner of section 31, in the town of Waupun, Fond du Lac county, by John N. Ackerman, in 1846. This has since been known as "upper town."

In 1847 Seymour Wilcox, whose farm lay about three-quarters of a mile to the east, unwilling to see the prospective village grow up without sharing in its benefits, proceeded with others to lay out and plat into village lots about fifty acres of land lying across the county line, partly in Dodge and partly in Fond du Lac counties. This village was called East Waupun. Then commenced a lively but friendly contest between the rival villages to determine which should be the future city. This rivalry continued until the erection of the Wisconsin state prison adjoining East Waupun, in 1851, and the completion to this point of the Milwaukee & Horicon railroad, now a part of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul, in 1856. This settled the question as to which county would have the greater part of the village and the "upper town" submitted to the inevitable. In 1857 the rival villages were united under the name of the village of Waupun by a special charter, approved March 6, 1857. By this act the northwest quarter of the northwest quarter of section 4, the east half of section 5 and the east half of the northeast quarter of section 6, taken from the town of Chester, Dodge county, and in east half of the southeast quarter of section 31, the south half of section 32 and the southwest quarter of the southwest quarter of section 33, taken from the town of Waupun, in Fond du Lac county, was incorporated. The village thus lying in the two counties, special provisions were required and granted in the charter, and jurisdiction in both Dodge and Fond du Lac counties was con¬ ferred upon justices of the peace, and the village marshal was given authority to serve process in both counties.

At the first charter election held in April, 1857, a remarkable growth in popu¬ lation of the village was shown by the number of votes cast, which 'gave 323, indi¬ cating a population of some 1,600. The charter was amended in 1858, and in 1865 and in 1871, the original charter with its amendments, was revised and con¬ solidated.

Waupun Becomes A City

The growth of the population was steady and the community increased in wealth and prosperity. In 1878 it was therefore considered advisable to incorpor¬ ate as a city. The charter was entirely rewritten so as to be adapted to the peculiar geographical situation of the place. A city charter was granted, March 5, 1878, which included within the city limits additional territory. This additional territory was taken partly from each county, the southwest quarter of the north¬ west quarter of section 4, and the north half of the south half of section 5 - a total of two hundred acres, were taken from the town of Chester; and the north¬ west quarter of the southwest quarter of section 23 from the town of Waupun.

Among the men who may he termed fathers of the city may be mentioned, \\ . H. Taylor, who came in 1846; Dr. H. L. Butterfield, Eli Hooker, Edwin Hillyer, B. B. Baldwin in 1847; John Bryce, M. K. Dahl and R. L. Graham, in 1849, M. J. Althouse, in 1853.

The first officials elected for the village in 1857 were: J. Look, president; Ira Hill, treasurer; W. H. Taylor, clerk; Cromwell Laithe, marshal; A. P. Phelps, street commissioner.

Under the city government in 1878, John N. Ackerman was elected mayor; R. W. Wells, treasurer ; S. J. Sumner, clerk ; Simon Keith, marshal ; A. Colburn, street commissioner.

The Catholics residing in Waupun and vicinity were attended in the year 1858 by the Rev. Father Morris, at that time resident pastor at Fox Lake. Under his administration the congregation erected a small church. Rev. Morris' successor was Rev. Joseph Smith, who was followed by Father Dougherty. During all this time this was a mission attended by these pastors from Fox Lake. Next came Rev. George L. Willard, during whose pastorate a parsonage was erected and an addition to the church was built. This was in 1866 at which time the parish was formally organized. In 1870 Rev. M. Hannon was pastor of St. Joseph's, and he was succeeded by Rev. Joseph Smith, during whose pastorate the church was enlarged and a spire erected. An organ was also installed and the pastor pre¬ sented a bell to the congregation. The next pastor was Rev. E. Allen, who assumed charge in 1888, while in 1895 Rev. Joseph C. Hartmann took charge. The present pastor is Rev. S. J. Dowling, who took charge in 1905. During his pas¬ torate a new church and parish house have been erected, at a cost of $31,000.

The First Congregational church was organized by Rev. Stephen Peet. Besides himself there were twelve members. Joel Morton was chosen deacon. Services were held in the schoolhouse by Rev. E. S. Peck, who after a lapse of about a year was succeeded by Rev. Murphy, a Baptist clergyman. In 1850 the city erected a church building.

The Methodist Episcopal church had a class in this vicinity as early as the year 1844. It was formed in the "upper town" by Rev. Silas Miller, Eunice Miller, Henry S. Hillyer, Albina Hillyer, Ezekiel T. Miller and Weston G. Miller. During the year Rev. Samuel Smith, a local preacher, settled with his family in Waupun and held religious services in private dwellings. The reverend gentleman and family soon identified themselves with the little class which was made stronger by the addition of Dr. Brooks Bowman and wife, who were soon followed by S. J. Mattoon, Mr. and Mrs. S. A. L. Davis, G. W. Sexsmith and wife and Mrs. F. F. Davis. A church was built in the spring of 1855 under the administration of Rev. James Lawson. In 1858 a parsonage was erected on the same lot. Among the early pastors were Revs. James Lawson, S. L. Brown, J. C. Robbins, Nelson Green, S. W. Ford, J. M. Walker, Wesley Lattin, D. W. Couch and E. S. Grumley.

Christian church. Members of this society held no regular services at Waupun prior to the year 1867. Rev. W. C. Armstrong, pastor of Grace church at Oakfield, however, paid visits and held services in the homes. The church was organ¬ ized in 1867 and chose the name of Trinity Mission. Rev. C. Thorp commenced regular services on September 1st. The first officials were: Samuel Chamberlain, - warden; J. W. Seeley, treasurer; G. E. Jennings, clerk.

The First Baptist church was organized September 6, 1845, with a member¬ ship of eleven. A business meeting was held February 14, 1846, when Rev. J. Murphy was engaged as pastor. In 1879 a lot was secured on Main street for a church building. Rev. W. Look was chosen as pastor. In May, 1853, a new church edifice was dedicated.

The Freewill Baptists had a church organization in Waupun as early as 1852, and erected a splendid church building for the time in 1855 *n the ''upper town." The church was moved in 1868 to the corner of Prison and Madison streets and a comfortable parsonage was built. The Baptists are now known as the Union church organization, their building standing on the corner of Main and Forest. -

There is also a Christian Science organization and Immanuel Lutheran. The First Reformed church is a regular organization, with a building on the corner of Drummond and Brown streets.

Telulah Lodge, No. 33, I. O. O. F., was instituted by Deputy Grand Master Lowther, December 25, 1848, with Isaac Valentine, L. B. Hills, George Howe, W. S. Post and J. Dickinson as charter members. They occupied rented rooms until 1852, when a joint stock company was formed among the members and an Odd Fellows hall built. This was occupied until 1871, when the old hall was sold and a new one erected.

Waupun Lodge, No. 48, A. F. & A. M., was organized under dispensation, August 1 2, 1853. The charter members were D. L. D. Huntington, L. B. Dodge, Milo Sikes, Andrews Burnham, Jeremiah Look, George T. Wood, C. B. Carring¬ ton, Joseph Bardwell and Charles Spoor. D. L. D. Huntington was appointed the first master; C. B. Dodge the first senior warden and Milo Sikes, the first junior warden. The first election for all of the elective officers of the lodge was held June 1, 1855, when C. B. Carrington was elected master.