Winnebago County, Wisconsin - Chapter 56, 1880

Chapter 56

The Early History of Menasha - Purchase of Site - Commencement of Improvemen Is - First House Built - First School, and First Religious Services - First Birth - Rivalry between Menasha and Neenah for the Location of the State Canal - Menasha Secures the Prize - Store Opened - Post Office Established - Dam Completed - First Saw-mill in Operation - First (irist Mill - More Manufactories Established - Steamboat Built - Plank Road and Bridge Constructed - Government Land Office Established at Menasha - The Village Incorporated - Distinguished Residents - Captain McKinnon's Blooded Stock - Increased Transportation Facilities - Completion of Canal.

iHE soil upon which the City of Menasha now stands, was first offered for sale by the United States, August 31, 1835, and was bid off at prices ranging from five to ten dollars per acre, evincing an unusual confidence in the future importance of this locality.

By an act approved February 8th, 1847, the Legislature granted authority for the construction of a dam across each channel of the Fox River from the Island to the mainland. This authority was obtained through the efforts of Gov. Doty, who had long foreseen the importtance and value of this immense water power, associating with himself Harvey Jones and Harrison Reed, who had become owners of the property on the south side, and Curtis Reed who was particularly identified with Doty on the north side. Disagreements soon sprang up between the two interests, in consequence of which Doty and Reed, through Mr. Reed, procured a new charter, March 10, 1848, and the repeal of the old charter, so far as it related to the dam on the north side.

Commencement Of Improvements

In June 1848, Mr. Reed came here for the purpose of improving the water power, and locating a village thereon. He at once commenced the erection of a log house, near the head of the present canal, which when completed was occupied by Clark Knight as a tavern and boarding house. About this time the place was named by the wife of Governor Doty, "Menasha," signifying " an island. At this time that portion of the present town, lying north and east of the lake and river, was an unbroken wilderness, untouched by the hand of man, except that two months previously Mr. Cornelius Northrup had erected a slab house, by placing two vertical courses of slabs with their flat sides together, and was occupying it. This stood in the center of what is now known as Milwaukee street, at the southwest corner of the southeast quarter of the northeast quarter of section fifteen, within Reed's addition to the city of Menasha. The same year Mr. Reed put up a log building which he occupied-as a store, and commenced the construction of the present dam.

Menasha House

Before the close of the year, Philo Hine, George Stickles, Thomas and William Brotherhood, Henry C. Tate, I. M. Naricong, William Geer, J. H. Trude, Uriah Clinton, Henry Alden, John B. Lajest and Jeremiah Hunt, had settled here. The latter, and some of the others had brought their families. Elbridge Smith also came in October, and immediately commenced the erection of the first frame building, situated on Canal Street, and which was so far completed at Christmas, that a dance was held within its walls. FIRST FRAME BUILDING - FIRST SCHOOL - FIRST RELIGIOUS SERVICES - THE MENASHA HOUSE.

The first frame building was also the first devoted to the practice of the legal profession; in it was ,also, taught the first school within the present limits of the town. This was a private school, taught by Miss Hettie Frost, the pupils, "as in duty bound," each bringing their mite to the extent of one shilling per week as tuition fee. This building has a long unwritten historical record of the early day which we are compelled to omit for want of space.

The first divine services was conducted during the fall, in the log tavern, by Rev. O. P. Clinton, the bar and sitting room being thrown open for the occasion. During the services several persons came into the bar room for spiritual consolation of a different order; such as they had heretofore sought every day in the week, and probably had never been so disappointed. Mr. Clinton noticing their an.xiety, gave them a lesson of patience and self-denial, by extending his discourse to an unusual length.

A Lyceum was organized during the winter, at what has ever since been known as the Menasha House, commenced in the fall of 1848, by H. C. Tate, occupied during the winter and completed in the spring of 1849, the first frame hotel in the place. At this first meeting of the Lyceum, Jeremiah Hunt was elected President. This, so far as now known, was the initial point of Jeremiah's political aspirations.

Site Surveyed And Platted

In 1849, the census of Menasha was increased by the arrival of A. D. Page, S. L. Hart, Ed O'Connell, Wm. Hughes, Henry Axtel, Abel Keyes, L. A. Donaldson, Lyman Fargo, Jos. W. Thombs, J A. Sanford, W. P. Rounds, and Ed. Decker. This year the first mill was commenced, a sawmill on the north side of the dam, built by Cornelius Northrop and Harrison Reed, completed 1850.

The hotel now standing on the north side of the public square, was commenced this year by Ed. Decker and Henry Axtel, completed the ne.Kt year, and called the Decker House.

Strife On The Locating Of State Canal

During this year occurred the memorable strife between the proprietors of the north and south sides for the location ol the State canal, which was to connect the navigable waters of Lake Winnebago and Buttes des Morts. Harvey Jones, as one of the proprietors of Neenah, offering to complete the work without expense to the State in consideration of its location on that side, while Curtis Reed, in behalf of the proprietors of the Menasha interest, made the same offer with the further inducement of $5,000 to be expended in repairs of canal, locks and dams, as it became necessary.

During the year Mr. Reed's offer was accepted, and the work commenced. It has been stated as a matter of "history and interest, fully appreciated by early settlers, that Mr. Reed not only failed to pay the $5,000, but by some sharp management, afterward received pay for the work done, all of which had been offered as a free gift. "

This is unqualifiedly false, as the records fully show. In i 853, the entire improvement was turned over by the State to a company, as is well known. At the request of the company, Mr. Reed's contract was relinquished. Mr. Reed had originally contracted with the State to construct a canal sixty feet wide on the bottom, and a lock thirty five feet wide by one hundred and thirty feet in length. At a later date the State enlarged the plan of the canal to one hundred feet width on the bottom, and the lock to one hundred and sixty feet in length. Much of this additional excavation had been completed by Mr. Reed, which was to be deducted from the $5,000, or paid for. And now comes the Improvement Company to settle with Mr. Reed, in place of the State. In lieu of the balance of the labor and the $5 ,000, Mr. Reed and his associates conveyed the right of way for the canal, which had before only been conveyed by implication, and transferred the dam, reserving the right to all surplus water for hydraulic purposes which thqy had never parted with, and the right to which had never been disputed by the State or the company.

Saw-Mill Put In Operation

In the fall of 1849, a post-office was established, and James R. Lush appointed postmaster. The office was carried in Jimmy's hat, and it wasn't a large hat, either.

H. A. Burts, having, on the first of February, removed from Neenah to his present residence, soon interested himself with H. Reed, built an addition to the mill, and starting on foot for Milwaukee, one hundred miles, contracted for machinery for a grist-mill, and returned as he went (on foot), the only method of travel at the time, making the journey in one week. This was the first grist-mill built here.

The Slocum saw-mill was completed within the year, and Potter and Duchman commenced their saw-mill, which was completed the next season ;this, in 1877, gave place to the papermill at the south end of the dam. The old pioneer saw-mill of Reed & Northrop, and gristmill of Reed & Burts, have long since passed away, and on the same ground stands the commodious three-story flouring mill of A. Symes, containing eight runs of stones, while the Slocum mill having fulfilled its mission, is only known among the things that were, the site being occupied by the planing-mill of Rohrer & Co.

Soon after the organization of the town, Mr. Roby was elected its treasurer, a position which he filled acceptably until honors became a burden.

A large dredge-boat built here during the past spring and winter was put in commission early in the season by the State, and engaged in dredging the Upper Fox River.

June 25, of this year, the Hon. John Potter became a resident and hung out his shingle as attorney and counselor, where he resided until the time of his death, which occurred in January, 1879. Honors were lavishly bestowed upon him, having filled the office of Justice of the Peace continuously since 1851 with the exception of one term.

that of village clerk many years, supervisor of the town, chairman of the Town Board of Supervisors andby virtue of which he became a member of the County Board. He was also twice elected Member of Assembly, from the Second District of Winnebago County.

The steamboat John Mitchel was built here this year, by Captain James Harris, and was the first steamboat to make the passage of the Upper Fox River to Fort Winnebago, which she accomplished in the spring of 1851-

Ira C. Eldridge also, located here and at once, with his sons, established the first furniture factory, and after a long and laborious life, has at last yielded to nature's call, even while these lines are being penned.

Late in the fall, E. D. Smith and J. B. Doane opened a general store a short distance West of Tayco Street, fronting on the street running along the north bank of the canal.

A pail and tub factory commenced the past winter, was put in operation by Beckwith, Sanford and IBillings, and, connected with this enterprise, we find a relic which we quote here verbatim:

For value on demand, we jointly and severally promise to pay Marsena Temple, or bearer, one hundred and fifty dollars, to be paid in one year from date, with interest aX.fif(y per cent. per annum, until paid. [Signed] Nathan Beckwith. Joseph A. Sanford. C. W. Billings.

Carlton and Cleveland B. Bachelder located here, and commenced the construction of a kiln for burning potter's ware, which they put in full blast in 1850, obtaining clay from Ohio.

In March 1850, George Cameron, now residing in Oshkosh, and L. M. Taylor, engaged in some kind of mercantile enterprise, whether dry goods, groceries or hardware, we are not informed, but probably as was usual in those days, a general stock.

William Smith, better known as " Billy Smith," came here May ist, and opened a large stock of clothing, the first establishment of that kind. In 1852, he had two very good frame buildings, one of which he occupied as a store, when some drunken men in an adjoining building carelessly set it on fire, and Smith's worldly effects were all involved in the general destruction. He was the second German that settled here, Joseph Dudler having preceded him bj' about two weeks. He has always been active in politics, though never seeking honors for himself.

And still another: Melancthon Burroughs, after officiating in the Winnebago Hotel at Neenah one year, and getting out the frame for a warehouse in the meantime, took up his residence here, in the Decker House, June 15, 1850, and with that frame erected the first warehouse in Menasha. It was burned in the summer of 1852.

Adler & St. John, erected the house soon after purchased by Mr. Burroughs, and by him long occupied as a hotel, and to this time as a residence.

Water communication was up to this time the only connection with the outside world during the summer, with the exception of an occasional fording of the two channels near the upper end of Doty Island, and even this at times had a very strong resemblance to water communication. A skiff was run around the foot of the Island, serving as a ferry between Menasha and Neenah. This was conducted by Edward Lull, who has since passed through successive promotions until he is now a captain in the United States Navy. This ferry was continued through the season of 185 1.

An attempt was made in the spring to construct a bridge across the Neenah channel, just above Governor Doty's residence. Cribs were placed in position and stringers laid, but the ice soon demolished the whole fabric.

The steamer Menasha was built here during the past winter and spring, by Doty, the Reeds and others, for the e.xpress benefit of this locality. The Peytona, running, the season previous, to Neenah, with an occasional trip to Menasha, as suited the captain; but the building of the Menasha soon brought about a different state of things, the Peytona running regularly to both places, and this again created a competition in the Menasha trade, in consequence of which. Reed and James Doty constructed a dock and warehouse during the fall.

History can never do justice to these old relics of by-gone days. Where, now, are O'Connell, Decker, Roby, H. Smith, E. Smith, and others, of that day?

During this season the mails were transported between Menasha and Appleton by sailboat, under the command of Gabe Capron, and this was the only means of conveyance for passengers.

. From and after about August i st, the steamer Van Ness Barlow was put in commission, and run the balance of the season between Menasha and Grand Chute, in connection with the steamer Menasha; the distance from Grand Chute to Kaukauna, eleven miles, was made by stage, and from thence to Green Bay by steamboat.

The Fargo flouring mill, on the bank of Lake Buttes des Morts, was commenced this year by Lyman Fargo and J. W. Thombs. This mill was completed in 1853, but was not supplied with water until 1854, when it was run until 1865 or 1866, and abandoned.

In 1852, Elisha D. Smith purchased the pail factory, before mentioned, built around it and over it, supplied new machinery and added largely to its capacity.

Plank-Road And Bridge Constructed

Captain L. B. McKinnon, of the Royal English Navy, came here this year, and purchased largely of Menasha property, also, a farm, near Clifton, at the north end of Lake Winnebago, and made arrangements for building a plank-road to Appleton, and furnished the means with which it was completed this season.

A bridge was also constructed across the Menasha channel, from Tayco Street to the Island, the Neenah people having built across their channel, on the present site, the year previous.

October, 1852, the United States Land Office was removed from Green Bay to this place. Alex. Spaulding was the register, and Edgar Conklin, the receiver of the office, at this time.

The first election for village officers was held the same month, of which no record is found, but, on the twenty-fifth of the month, the first meeting of the trustees was held, at which we find officiating: Curtis Reed, president; Leonard Williams, Isaac Hough and Urial Clinton, trustees of the First Ward; Lyman Fargo, Walter Cranston and Carlton Bachelder, trustees of the Second Ward. At this meeting J. W, Thombs was elected clerk.

Being too late in the season for the collection of taxes by village authority, there seems to have been no assessors or treasurer elected this year.

1866 - Curtis Reed, president; L. P. Boyd, clerk; Chas. May, treasurer. No record of election and none of any action, except by John FitzGibbon, trustee First Ward; P. Sensenbrenner, trustee Second Ward.

This bridge was replaced by a float bridge with draw, in 1856, and in 1861, a pile bridge was constructed, which is still standing, but for the past two or three years has been impassable.

G. P. R. James, the well known novelist, H. B. M. Consul at Norfolk, Virginia, visited the place and made quite an investment in real estate, and his two sons, Walter and Courtney, took up their residence here.

In the winter following, Walter, as chief engineer, with a party of men, run a preliminary survey, for the Manitowoc & Mississippi Railroad, from Menasha to Manitowoc.

Congress having appropriated the means for a light-house, at the head of this channel, a substantial stone building was erected on a small island near the head of the channel, and supplied with all the necessary appurtenances, and Dennis Crowley was appointed keeper. A light was kept here several years, when it was abandoned and nothing now remains but the dilapidated walls. The appropriation for this was obtained through the influence of Governor Doty, then Member of Congress, from this district, with the view of eventually getting it so modified that the means might be expended in removing a ledge of rock at the upper end of the channel, which could not be accomplished by direct appropriation, as the improvement of the river was under the control of the State.

Stock

In 1854, CaptainMcKinnon, on his return from England, brought some of the finest stock ever imported to this country. The horse, King Cymri, thoroughbred short horn Durham bull, full-blood Southdown sheep, and some fowls, all from the best stock of England, such as would, at this time, prove a fortune to any man; but, at that time, wholly unappreciated, our farmersnot having been educated to the difference between that and native stock, but who have become painfully aware of the opportunity neglected.

This horse, "The King," entirely unappreciated and neglected by breeders in this country, was sold and employed in common labor, where he soon broke down - about the same time the stock from which he sprung, became the most noted on the English turf, and anything of that blood was eagerly sought for. A prominent horseman was dispatched to the United States to search out "The King," and if found, uninjured, not to return without him, at a cost of anything within ten thousand English pounds - equal to about fifty thousand dollars. He was found, a peasant of the lower ord.er, instead of a king, broken down and entirely unfit for stock-raising. Lo! how had the mighty fallen. Ir'robably no finer specimen of the horse kind ever trod American soil.

About this time. Captain McKinnon purchased the farm now owned and occupied by Ed. Mathewson, at the upper end of Doty Island, and commenced making improvements thereon, taking a deep interest and investing money freely for the welfare of the place he had selected for the future of his sons, at the same time devoting considerable means to the improvement of the Clifton farm.

During this year, the steamboat facilities of Lake Winnebago were limited to the Peytona, under the ownership and management of B. F. Moore, of Fond du Lac, and John Fitzgerald, of Menasha. In the winter of 1852 and 1853, the Feytona had passed into the hands of Mr. Moore, who monopolized the entire lake trade during the season of 1853, running his boat from Fond du Lac to Menasha and return, daily, except Sunday, and in the winter of 1853 and 1854, Moore & Fitzgerald controlled the entire fleet of the lake and Fox and Wolf Rivers.

In the season of 1853, large quantities of railroad iron were landed at Green Bay, for the Rock River Valley Union Railroad (now Chicago & Northwestern), brought to Kaukauna by water, thence over the plank-road to Menasha, where it was loaded on barges, and, by the Feytona, towed to Fond du Lac.

In 1854, John Fitzgerald established an exchange office here, with Charles Schafifer as cashier; Mr. Fitzgerald being absent a greater portion of the time, the responsibility rested mainly with "Charley," and never was trust more faithfully discharged.

Possesssed of rare qualities of head and heart, he had acquired business habits of a high order; he soon made many warm friends, and will be remembered with none but kindliest feelings.

Although but a boy when here, in less than ten years he became the owner of a bank at Stillwater, part owner and president of a prominent bank at St. Paul, and Treasurer of the State of Minnesota, all at the same time. They are both gone, but not forgotten.

In 1855, there were two channels of communication only, between this section and the business centers of the continent, and each of limited capacity. One over the plank-road to Kaukauna, fifteen miles, thence to Green Bay, by steamer; the other by steamer to Fond du Lac, and over a plank-road, some forty miles, to Sheboygan.

An unusual yield of wheat this season, with prices unheard of before in this country, reaching one dollar and forty to one dollar and forty-five cents per bushel, taxed these two routes to their utmost capacity, each conveying away all that their respective termini - Green Bayand Sheboygan - couldholdorship, with return freights to nearly an equal amount. One hundred teams made daily trips to Kaukauna and return; and added to this was a suppl)' for the numerous mills at Neenah and Appleton. The Star Flouring Mill was erected in 185s, by W. R. Ellis, purchased by R. M. Scott in 1857, and by Eli Butler and T. D. Scott in 1878, and is still running.

opening of uninterrupted navigation between Lake Winnebago and Green Bay, which was accomphshed in June, and, immediately after, a Hne of boats was placed upon the route.

In the early part of this year, the Rock River Valley Union Railroad, running south, from Fond du Lac, was extended to Minnesota Junction, connecting with the Milwaukee and La Crosse Railroad, thereby opening another foute, very important to this entire section, and it at once took the lead in travel and freights.