Winnebago County, Wisconsin - Chapter with an unread heading (no. 45 of those read), 1880

Chapter with an unread heading (no. 45 of those read)

The Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Constructed tq Neenah - Banks Established - The Seventh Flouring Mill Built - The Youngest of the Heirs of Harvey Jones Attains his Majority - Final Settlement of the Estate - Additional Flouring Mills, Planing Mills, and Sash and Door Factories Erected - First Paper Mill - The Wisconsin Central Railroad - Neenah City Incorporated - -List of City Officers from Date of Icorporation - More Paper Mills Constructed - Hotels - Public Halls - Schools - Churches.

EAR the close of the year i860 the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad extended their line from Oshkosh to Neenah and Appleton, and for some unaccountable reason was run around both these water-powers, the depot situated a mile west from the Neenah power, and two from the Menasha side, with a clay road which in a short time by the heavy teaming became almost impassable. All parties becoming disgusted, a new line was adopted across the Island, as at present, and the depot located between.

Banks Established

September i, 1861, an exchange and banking office was established by Messrs. Smith & Sheills, called the Neenah Bank, David Smith, president, and Robert Sheills, cashier. Mr. Smith being interested in an institution of the same character at Appleton, devoted his time there, and Mr. Sheills conducted the one at this place.

In 1865, a charter was obtained, and the National Bank of Neenah organized, Nov. 12, 1865. The stockholders and incorporators were Henry Hewitt Sr., Alexander Syme, John Hewitt, A. W. Patten, Alexander Billstein, Edward Smith, Moses Hooper, W. P. Peckham, H. Babcock, J. R. Davis Sr., J. A. Kimberley, J. W. Williams, N. S. Robinson and Robert Sheills. Henry Hewitt Sr., president; Robert Sheills, cashier. These officers have held their positions to the present time.

The Seventh Flouring Mill Built

In 1862, A. W. Patten purchased the Page building, and substitutingflouring mill machinery, run it for some years as the Keystone Mill, when it was sold to A. D. Gustavus, and subsequently remodeled into a planing mill, sash, door and blind factory again, and so remains at present.

Settlement Of Jones' Estate

In 1863, Willard Jones, the youngest of the heirs of Harvey Jones, attained his majority. The Rev. James Bassett called to preside over the Presbyterian Church, soon after married Miss Abigail Jones, also one of the heirs, when he became interested in the condition of the estate, and consequently made a thorough examination of the past management by the administrators, who were still acting in thatcapacity. Satisfied that the grossest injustice had been done, that a princely estate had been depreciated by mismanagement and misappropriation to scarcely a tithe of what its value would have been, if properly cared for, he resigned his pastorate and devoted his energies to collecting together what might possibly be saved from the ruins. Demanding, by the most summary means, an account of the stewardship of these agents, they found themselves unable to produce any statement that even they could look upon as the slightest justification or extenuation and to avoid unpleasant consequences, one of them fled the country in the night, while the other shielded himself behind the assumption that the court having appointed administrators once had exhausted its power in that direction, and therefore, he was not a legally appointed administrator under obligations to render an account as such, and, ergo, his share of the booty was legal plunder.

It was now found that in many cases deeds had been given by said agents without authority, and the consideration paid to them; and in some instances, the purchasers were compelled to pay the second time. These difficulties were however amicably settled, lands upon the Island side platted and offered for sale, and Neenah, relieved of this incubus that had weighed upon her for fifteen years, started upon a career of prosperity fully realizing all reasonable expectations.

block, was erected by Wm. E. and J. R. Ford, on the southwest corner of Cedar Street and Wisconsin Avenue, who, soon after its completion, sold it to C J. Pettibone. Mr. Pettibone occupied the corner store with a stock of merchandise, and J. A. Kimberly, son of John R., with Havilah Babcock occupied the next. This firm of Kimberly & Babcock had for a number of years been prominently known in mercantile circles and had carried on a successful business at the old brick store of John and Harvey L. Kimberly, where they commenced business in 1857. This block is three stories high, and contains on the ground floor three stores on Wisconsin A venue, and one on Cedar Street.

Mill

In 1866, the first paper mill was erected near the lock, on the site of the Jones' sawmill, which was removed for the purpose, by a stock company, consisting of Nathan Cobb, president; Hiram Smith secretary and treasurer; Dr. N. S. Robinson, Edward Smith, John Jamison and Moses Hooper, as the Neenah Paper Mill Company. The first two years after its completion, it was run under the management of Dr. N. S. Robinson, the first year as lessee, and the second as superintendent for the company. It was then sold to Hiram Smith and D. C. Van Ostrand, who in 1874, sold it to Kimberly, Clark & Co., J. A. Kimberly, Havilah Babcock, F. C. Shattuck and C. B. Clark.

The same year William Pitt Peckham, who had resided here since 185S, built the Island City Stove Foundry, on ground now covered by the Globe Paper Mill, and which was a prominent feature in the business of Neenah for some ten years.

The Island City Flouring Mill, the eighth in number, was built in 1868, a substantial stone structure, thirty-four feet by sixty, four stories high, erected by A. H. F. Krueger and Carl Stridde, under the supervision of John Jamison. After the death of Mr. Stridde, which occurred in 1877, Mr. Krueger leased that interest and has since that time managed and controlled the business.

Two More Flouring Mills Built

In 1868, we find uncle John R. Kimberly, senior partner in the first undertaking of the kind, engaged in a new venture, with his son J. A. Kimberly and H. Babcock, which soon resulted in 1869, in the completion of a commodious and ornamental stone building, with six run of stone, known as the Reliance Mill. The millwright was H. A. Burts, who was also pioneer millwright in the Neenah Mill. Forty by seventy-five feet on the ground, it is the ninth in numerical order. In 1877, John R. Kimberly having sold his interest, it has since been conducted by the firm of J. A. Kimberly & Co.

A. W. Patten having sold his mill to Mr. Gustavus, now purchased the Welsh sash, door and blind factory, and converted it into the tenth flouring mill. This mill became the property of Howard & Davis in 1877, and is still owned by them.

Another Sash, Door And Blind Factory

During 1867-8, Mr. James Bassett moved a building which was standing near the race and railroad track, originally intended for a grain elevator, to the river bank adjoining the Neenah flouring mill on the North, and directly in front, on the bank of the canal, erected a shingle mill. The elevator building was soon after purchased by J. A. Sanford, who added the necessary machinery for a planing mill, and for the manufacture of sash, doors, blinds and mouldings, still owning and occupying it. Henry Sherry became the owner of the shingle mill, which with a full set of machinery for a first class saw mill, he is still running to its fullest capacity.

The Wisconsin Central Railroad

In 1 87 1, the Wisconsin Central Railroad, completing its track to Stevens Point, commenced running its cars over that part of the road, with the depot near the Northwestern depot, on the Island, but obtaining posession of the Milwaukee & Northern Railroad, it removed its business to the office of that road at Menasha, soon after.

Having now enumerated the long list of mills and manufactories that have heretofore occupied important positions on the water power, and many changes connected with them, we now turn to their final disposition and changes of a later date.

The Globe Paper Mill

In 1872, Messrs. Kimberly, Clark & Co., proprietors of Neenah Paper mill, purchased the old Fox River Mill, and removing the building, erected a part of the present Globe Paper Mill, and in 1876, bought the Island City Stove Foundry, and added to the Globe Mill, making a total length of two hundred and ten by eighty-eight feet, of brick.

Neenah City Incorporated

NEENAH CITY INCORPORATED. March 13, 1873. an act of incorporation was passed by the Legislature, constituting Neenah a city of three wards, and on the 31st

Edwai-d Smith, mayor; WilHam Kellett and John B. Russell, aldermen of the First Ward; Ansel W. Patten and Andrew Michelson, aldermen of the Second Ward; A. H. F. Krueger and John Bergstrom, aldermen of the Third Ward.

At the first meeting of the Council, April 5, Carl J. Kraby was elected city clerk; J. B. Hamilton, attorney, and J. L. Mathews, chief of police. James Conlan was at the charter election, chosen police justice; George Donelson, treasurer, and Lovel Stowe justice of the peace, for the Frst Ward.

In 1874, Edward Smith, mayor; Carl J. Kraby, clerk; H. P. Leavens, William Kellett, A. H. F. Krueger, J. O'Brien, A. W. Patten and M. E. Sorley, aldermen.

In 1876, A. H. F. Krueger, mayor; C. J. Kraby, clerk; Martin Gavin, M. H. P. Haynes Wm. Kellett, Hugh McGregor, William Pitt Peckham, Charles Petzhold, J. W. Tobey and G. C. Jones, aldermen.

In 1879, Wm. Kellett, mayor; C. J. Kraby, clerk; Andrew Michelson, treasurer; J. R. Davis Sr. , N. Demerritt, G. Bergstrom, G. Christenson, G. A. Whiting, John Roberts, A. Guldager, J. O. Tobey, aldermen.

The seal adopted by the Council was very appropriate, being a representation of the old Council Tree. This old elm tree is one of the institutions of Neenah and is claimed to have been the scene of frequent councils among the different tribes of this vicinity. Gov. Doty is the authority for this, while it is contradicted by those who say they never heard of any councils there. We will take the statement of the man who has heard, and regard it as a relic of the past, under whose wide spreading branches perhaps the fate of Indian nations has been decided.

A. w. patten's paper mill. In 1874, A. W. Patten purchased the old Empire Flouring Mill, took away the building and in its stead built a paper mill, onehundred and fifty feet long and forty feet in depth, of brick. In digging the wheel pits for this institution Mr. Patten discovered a relic of antiquity, which we will endeavor to describe, but leave for the more scientific to account for. About four or five feet below the surface of the ground, and corresponding very nearly with the bed of the river, a bed of hard clay and coarse gravel was struck, which produced numerous large blocks of a fine grained, hard, blue limestone, very closely resembling in appearance, the stone obtained at the Oshkosh quarries. At a depth of about eight feet below the bed of the river and twelve feet or more below the original surface, one of these blocks was found of unusual size. Mr. Patten availed himself of the use of these stones thus taken out for the foundation of his mill, and in splitting this large block for that purpose, an implement of flint was found imbeded in the fractured surface; it was about twelve to fourteen inches in length, two inches in greatest width, and three-eighths of an inch in thickness, tapering gradually for four inches to a point, and double-edged; about eight inches from the point, it slightly diminished in width, with rounded edges, forming a handle nearly one third its entire length. In the endeavor to remove it, it was broken, but about four inches of the pointed end was secured and is now in Mr. Patten's possession.

Winnebago Paper Mill

In February of the same year, the old Government grist and saw mills were destroyed by fire; but, phcenix-like, arose from the ashes the fine brick building, known as the Winnebago Paper Mill, built by John R. Davis, Sr., president; J. R. Ford, secretary; H. Shoemaker, treasurer; C. H. Servis, C. Newman, Mrs. E. A. Servis and S. M. Brown. The main building is forty by seventy, machine room thirty by ninety, and boiler room sixteen by twenty two. In 1876, George A. Whiting purchased an interest and became secretary of the company.

The Neenah, Winnebago, Reliance, Island City, Falcon, Howard and Davis mills, the Hooker & Wieckert and the Sanford planing mills are still in operation.

single stores along the streets, they are too numerous to mention, with their respective dates, and it is unnecessary, as it can be said, for each one and all, that they are in the highest degree ornamental, substantial and creditable to the city and proprietors, and are occupied by a class of business men who with her manufacturers have built up a reputation for strict business integrity and stability second to no equal numbers in the West.

We now come to the crowning glory of Neenah enterprise - her hotels. The Russell House, erected by John B. Russell, owner and proprietor, in 1875, on the site of the old Weeden House, is no.t only a chief ornament, but is a substantial benefit, of which the city may and does feel a commendable pride as shown by the liberal assistance extended in its construction.

The Roberts House, although not a hotel of the city, is situated within its limits, was completed in 1877, by John Roberts, favorably known in this section, as landlord at the National Hotel, at Menasha. Situated on the old homestead of Governor Doty, on the south bank of the Neenah channel, it commands a delightful view of Lake Winnebago, and would prove a desirable acquisition to any locality.

The Page Hotel, for many years a popular house, is still open, and C. O. Page, one of the early settlers, is always happy to shake hands with the weary and hungry and ever ready to cater to their wants and pleasure.

The Neenah Hotel, Wm. Hess, proprietor, the Union Hotel, by A. Pfeififer (both German), two commodious structures on Cedar street, and the Island City House, Mrs. Lachman, proprietress, long and favorably known, at the depot, offer comfortable quarters to the traveler.

In 1875 the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company constructed a side track the entire length of the water-power, by which each mill is enabled to load and unload cars direct from their own doors, thereby saving the enormous transfer bills between the mills and depot, and affording conveniences for shipping by railroad nowhere excelled.

The handsome and commodious hall of the Schuetzen Bund, was erected in 1875, and dedicated in November, which, with the large hall in Pettibone Block, affords ample accommodations forpublic entertainments and amusements.

Early Residents

Of the early residents not particularly mentioned we still find George Rogers in the jewelry and watch business. Mr. Rogers came here in 1847. Gotfredt Christensen, a settler of 1852, dealer in dry goods, notions, etc. Charles A. Leavens and James Callaghan, who both commenced business in the grocery trade in 1853 and still doing a successful business. James Monahan, who settled in Neenah in 1 85 I, still running his blacksmith shop. The first Catholic service in Neenah was celebrated at his house, and he was largely instrumental in procuring the site for the church edifice, afterward erected. His wife was a woman highly esteemed by a large circle of acquaintances, and her death, which occurred in 1858, occasioned the deepest grief in the community. Her family was an influential one, and one of her brothers represented the City of Drogheda, in the British House of Commons. John Hunt, still in business here, and one of Neenah 's substantial and most reliable business men, with a wide circle of acquaintances and highly esteemed by all, for his kind heart and integrity of character.

Carl J. Kraby, who came to Neenah in 1849, and was subsequently appointed United States Consul to Norway, which position he held for several years, and returned to his old camping grounds, where he has long held the office of City Clerk, and was last year elected Register of Deeds of Winnebago County.

In 1855 there were two schools within the town, attended by one hundred and fifty-one scholars (number of teachers not given). In 187s, the public schools of the city were organized under a special act of the Legislature, during the winter previous, and the "Free High School Act," the first of which provided for the election of a superintendent, by the qualified voters of the city, who was also constituted president ex-officio of the Board of Education, which was composed of one commissioner from each ward, to be elected by the Common Council, In pursuance of this law, T. T. Moulton was elected superintendent, and the following persons commissioners;

September 1st, the schools were opened under this organization. At that time there were six school houses (two of brick); three of these were devoted to different grades in the High School department. The teachers were thirteen in number, of which H. A. Hobart was principal, and Miss F. E. Hobart, assistant. E S. Starkweather, Jennie Jaquith, Carrie P. Emery, Anna Jones, Delia Darrow, Mattie Quinn, Marion L. Smith, Delia Meigs, Ella E. Hayward, Amy Warnes and Maria Bergstrom, as teachers in the various departments of the High and Ward schools.

The total number of children between the ages of four and twenty years, was 643 male, and 636 female; total, 1,279. Of these 660 attended the public school.

Since that time a new brick school house has been added to the number, in the Fourth Ward. Substantial additions have been made to others and the school grounds generally enlarged and improved.

The present officers of the Board of Education are as follows: J. B. Russell, superintendent, and William Krueger, W. P. Peckham, G. H. Albee and George Danielson, commissioners; Carl J. Kraby, clerk. The teachers are: H. A. Hobart, principal; Miss M. G. Van Olinda, assistant; Julia Bacon, Anna Jones, J. M. Montgomery. Maria Bergstrom, Delia Meigs, Jennie Wheeler, Mary Mcintosh, Mary Ager, Miss Ager, Amy Warnes and Isa E. Brown.

The number of school children, that is those between the ages of four and twenty, residing in the city, was, according to the Superintendent's report of 1878, 1,294.

These schools are graded under a system requiring ten years for a full course, but a very important feature is added to this system, termed a "mixed school," permitting the pupil to take up any study, or drop it at pleasure, thereby giving such as can only attend a portion of the year, an opportunity of educating themselves in such branches as may be deemed most suitable and desirable.

The High School Building, now in course of construction, will be completed in time for the ensuing spring term, and will then take the place of four of the present buildings. This is a fine brick structure, and will cost, with

*' In largest dimensions it is one hundred feet square and contains eight class-rooms - five on the first floor, three on the second. Excepting the high-school room, they have a uniform height of thirteen feet. The former is fifteen feet high. On the first floor, on each side of the main corridor, in the front part of the building, is a class-room 27x33 feet in size, with two closets off each. Back of the cross corridor are three classrooms, each 27^x35. These corridors are respectfully 9 and 9^ feet in width. On the second floor, just above the first named class-room, are two more of like diminsions. Back of these is the high-school room, 36x52 feet in size, having two recitation rooms, 15^x28. Near these and in opposite sides of the building, are the Superintendent's office and library, each 11^x15 feet in size.

" The arrangement of stairways at the ends of the cross corridor, with double-swinging doors 10 intercept sound along the halls, is the best possible, to reduce to a minimum the noise of children passing up and down. The architect has been equally thoughtful in more important things, admitting light only from the rear and one .side of the class-rooms, thus guarding the eyes of the pupil from the injury of direct light and of multiplied and angular shadows, caused by crossing rays of light.

'' The heating of the building is the most perfect possible, short of the most expensive system of steam heat. As the latter must have cost us very nearly twice as much, and as it has no corresponding superiority, it had to be left out of consideration- Three large furnaces are nii.de to supply a sufficient amount of warm (not hot) air, to maintain that in the several class rooms at a temperature of 70°, and to renew it every twenty minutes. The admission of hot air is made impossible by the construction of the furnaces, which, being of double thickness, never permit the outer surface to reach a red heat.

" The air warmed is pure, because admitted to the furnaces directly from out-of-doors. It flows to the several rooms through flues so large, that injurious currents within are obviated.

" The report of the Finance Committee, appended, shows that there was on hand at the beginning of the school year $5,032.65. There has been received from all souices, includingSl,23oin outstanding orders, $19, 301. 92 ; giving a total of of ^24,334.57. Of this there has been expended for all purposes, including contract payments upon new school building, and for heating apparatus, $13,939.70, leaving a balance in the treasury of $10,394.87."

The first church organized in Neenah, was the Congregational, in 1847, with Rev. O. P. Clinton, pastor; followed by Revs. C. A. Adams, J. M. Wolcott, A. Lathrop, Hiram Marsh, J. E. Pond.

In 1848 a Presbyterian Society was organized by Rev. H. M. Robertson, succeeded by Revs. J. H. Russell. H. B. Thayer, A. A. Dinsmore, and J. C. Kelly, which brings the latter to 1870, and the Congregational to i860, when it was reorganized as the Second Presbyterian, with Rev. J. E. Pond, pastor; after him came Revs. H. G. McArthur, James Bassett, J. H. Walker.

The Methodist Society was organized in 1849, under Rev. Wm. H. Sampson, succeeded by Revs. Albert Baker, C, G. Lathrop, Samuel Lugg, C. W. Brooks, T. C. Wilson, L. L. Knox, J. H. GaskiU, J. H. Waldron, M. G. Bristol, W. J. Olmstead, J, T. Woodhead, N. J. Aplin, the present incumbent.

The Baptist Church was organized in 1851, by Rev. Peter Prink, followed by Revs. James Anderson, James l""ollett, Luke Davis. In 1867, the Baptists of the two towns united in a church on the Island, Rev. O. W. Babcock presiding, followed bv Revs. Benj. Freeman, H. T. Gilbert and T. T. Palmer.

Trinity Episcopal, organized 1866, by Rev. Wm. D. Christian; services having been previously held by Rev. Simon Potter and Rev. Geo. Gibson.

In 1869, the present church building was commenced under Rev. E. Peake, next after him was Revs. Geo. N. James, J. A. Deavenport, H. M. Thompson, George Verner, J. W. Tays, and Geo. Gibson, officiating at the present time.

Civic Societies Of Neenah

The first newspaper started on this side of the river was The Conservator, issued May 21, 1856, by Harrison Reed, editor and proprietor, and was thus continued until 1858, when it was sold to B. S. Heath, and removed to Menasha. Republican in politics, it was largely devoted to the interests of this section. Mr. Reed was also a pionee reditor of the Milwaickee Sentinel and a popular writer.

At the same time, May 21, 1856, W. H. Mitchell issued the first number of the Neenah Bulletin, which, however, was published but a short time, the place being then too small to sustain two papers.

This was succeeded by \\\q Neenah Democrat in 1858, published by D. Hyer, editor and proprietor; ably conducted but very unfortunately located for that name.

The next was the Island City Times, the first number appearing October 22, 1863, conducted by J. N. Stone, in a very satisfactory manner, until July 15, 1870, when the press and materials were sold to Messrs. Tapley & Ritch, both editors of some experience. The name was changed to Winnebago Connty Press , and, in 1871, it was again sold to Menasha parties, and called The Menasha Press, and edited by Thomas Reid, until 1877.

In 1871 or '72, Verbeck Brothers commenced the publication of a small sheet, called the jV^^- nah Times, which they enlarged and conducted until February 6, 1876, when the materials were purchased by Bowron & Maxwell, and a new name. The leetotaller, adopted. This lasted about eighteen months.

Upon the removal of the Winnebago County Press to Menasha, in 1871 , a new paper was started here by Charles H. Boynton, owner and editor, and called The Neenah Gazette. In April, 1874, G. A. Cunningham became associated with Mr. Boynton, as owner and editor, and in August, 1875, purchasing the interest of Boynton, became sole proprietor, and thus continued until May 25, 1878, when, on account of failing health, he was compelled to dispose of the paper and sold to H. L. Webster, the present editor.

nah, and October 15, 1875, issued the first number of a new paper, under the name of Neenah News, and, upon the sale of the Neenah Times, and change of name February 6, 1876, adopted the title Nccnah City Times, under which it still continues to make its accustomed rounds, and with the Gazette is all that remains to this place of the forgoing list.

In the early part of the year 1879, Frank S. Verbeck removed his printing office from Winneconne to Neenah, and started the Neenah Herald, which he still publishes, making three newspapers in Neenah.

In the summer of 1878, the Neenah and Menasha Gas Company, J. D. Fatten, Thomas and Henry Higgins, proprietors, commenced the construction of gas works, and on the twenty-fifth of December of that year the city was lighted. As this was the anniversary of the opening of the Schuetzen Hall, the events were celebrated by a grand illumination of the hall, and befitting festivities.

An event that will resound to the lasting credit of Neenah is the building of the fine High School building, now in course of construction - a structure which will rank with the finest common school edifices in the State. See view of same in this work.

Neenah is now making a substantial growth in business and population, while prosperity, business activity and progress is visible on every hand.