Waupaca County, Wisconsin - Chapter 33, 1890

Chapter 33

The Old Settlers' Society of Waupaca County was organized in 1872, in pursuance of a call numerously signed, and published in the County papers. The first meeting was held at the Tarbell House, Weyauwega, March 28, 1872.

The meeting was called to order by W. F. Waterhouse. Hon. Louis Bostedo, of Weyauwega, was chosen Chairman, and J. Wakefield, of Fremont, Secretary. Ira Millerd, of New London, and Judge Ogden, of Waupaca, were chosen Vice Presidents.

The following gentlemen were chosen a committee to present a Constitution and By-laws : G. W. Taggart, John Fordyce, Weyauwega; James Smiley, Mukwa; G. L. Lord, Waupaca; Giles S. Doty, Larrabee.

The following were chosen a committee to prepare a program of exercises: Lucius Taft, New London; A. D. Smith, Lind; William A. Springer, Fremont; M. A. Stinchfield, Waupaca; W. F. Waterhouse, Weyauwega.

The committee on nominations was composed as follows: A. Y. Balch, Weyauwega; William Masters, Royal ton ; George M. Pope, Lind ; Paul Farrinacci, New London; W. A. Springer, Fremont; J. W. Hibbard, Waupaca; James Smiley, Mukwa; O. A. Quimb3^, Dupont; I. Brown, Lebanon ; Giles S. Doty, Larrabee ; W. Fife, Caledonia.

Constitution

The committee reported a Constitution, which was adopted. A residence of seventeen years in the County was required as a condition of membership in the Society.

Ladies

Toast, by W. F. Waterhouse - '' The good ship Mayflower, and the good steamer Peggy ; the one landing her passengers and cargo on Plymouth Rock, to people and civilize the wilds of New England, the other landing her cargo and passengers on the marsh at Gills Landing, to people and civilize the wilds of Waupaca County." Response by Hon. L. Bostedo, who gave a very amusing account of a voyage on the Peggy from Oshkosh to Gills Landing in the Spring of 1853.

Third Reunion

A neat address of welcome in behalf of the New London Old Settlers was made by Captain Sterling, and responded to by Vice President Mumbrue.

Officers Elected

Toast, by H. C. Mumbrue - "The early interpreters of the Indian language on Wolf River." Response by J. C. Hoxie, creating some merriment when he told how " Bill " Masters used to interpret Menominee.

Toast, by J. E. Devins - " Early weddings of Waupaca County." W. F. Waterhouse told how he once employed Devins to interpret for him at a wedding, and then "Jim" managed to secure the lion's share of the fee.

White Lake Picnic

An excellent address was delivered by Rev. Stanley E. Lathrop, of Waupaca, after which an old-fashioned old settlers' dinner was partaken of.

After dinner there were short addresses by Elder Ashmun, Dr. Brainard, N. Livermore, A. V. Balch and others, who gave pleasing experiences of the old times.

New Members

Mrs. A. Custard, Mrs. P. A. Chesley, Miss F. L. Le Gros, Carrie Calkins, Mrs. L. F. West, Josie Chesley, Mrs. Mary B. Paine, John Jardine, H. W. Waterhouse, John Townsend and wife, J. Brown, J. D. Bailey, A. Vaughn, Thomas Pipe, A. S. West and wife, S. S. Chandler, Miss M. Gordinier, Amos Smith and wife, N. R. Burbank and wife.

Sixth Reunion

Officers elected: President, Hon. L. Bostedo; Vice President, Hon. Gorge E. More; Secretary, Hon. A. Y. Balch; Treasurer, Evan Townsend; Historian, J. Wakefield; Executive Committee, William Masters, M. A. Stinchfield, W. A. Sterling, G. W. Taggart, A. W. Johnson.

Called Meeting

In the absence of the President and Vice President, the meeting was called to order by William Masters, Chairman of the Executive Committee, who was then chosen President pro tern. In taking the chair, Mr. Masters feelingly alluded to the death of our late President, Hon. Louis Bostedo, who had so long presided over our deliberations, and who had for many years taken so much interest in the society. He remarked that his death had been the reason why no meeting of the society had been held in 1878.

The Historian can find nothing that is worthy of particular mention in any subsequent meeting of the society. Some of those whose names are here recorded are still with us, and may be spared for a few more gatherings ; but the eighteen years that have passed since the organization of our society, have done a fearful work in thinning our ranks. We can not record the names of all the missing ones, and would not have the heart to do so if we could. They have shaken hands with us for the last time here, and passed over that deep, dark river, which we must all cross soon. It may be that when we all get over there we shall be permitted to remember some of our pleasant meetings here, and take delight in those pleasing recollections.