Winnebago County, Wisconsin - Chapter 64, 1880

Chapter 64

Situation - Lakes - Soil - Timber - Face of the Country - Early Settlers - Plats of the Villages of Winneconne and Buttes des Morts Recorded - Indian Villages - Town Organization - Town Election - First Births, Marriages and Death - Schools Opened - Post Offices Established - Mills Built - Other Improvements - Store Opened - Settlement of the Indian Land - Church Organization - Water and Railroad Communication - Population, Schools, Etc. - Farms and Improvements - George Cross' Recollections of the Early Day.

jHE Town of Winneconne is bounded north by Winchester, east by Vinland and Town of Oshkosh, south by Omro, and west by Poygan. In the northwest corner of the town. Lake Winneconne, formed by a broad expansion of Wolf River, covers some six sections within the limits of this township. This is a beautiful sheet of water, bordered by bold, wooded shores on the east, and on the west by natural meadows and fine groves of timber. The river again contracting in the center of the town, flows south and east some three miles, where, on Section 26, it forms a junction with Fox River, which, coming from the west and south, monopolizes the name; and, emerging from the town on Section 25, by expansion, forms Lake Buttes des Morts.

The surface, south and west of lake and river, is generally level, and was originally covered with a forest of hardwood timber, except along the shore and in the vicinity of the streams, where extensive marshes abound, of little value, save some which are sufficiently firm to produce good crops of grass and hay. South and east of Fox River is an extensive marsh, only adapted to the raising of wild rice and muskrats. The latter enterprise having been successfully conducted for several years. A Buttes des Morts trader once remarked, "Money will be plenty as soon as the muskrats begin to come in!" The greater part of this tract lying south and west of the river is fine farming land, of enduring fertility, with a rich soil, and generally in a state of good cultivation, with good farm buildings. North and east of the lake and river, the surface is entirely different. Rising abruptly from Fox River, some forty or fifty feet, and thence northwardly by a succession of low hills and gradual undulations, a greater elevation is attained; until, near the north line, an altitude of one hundred and seventeen feet above the river is reached: when, looking to the right or left, several elevations of about the same height are seen, with a most magnificent panorama of rich valleys and smaller eminences on every hand - the very acme of rural loveliness. And this is "Ball Prairie," occupying the northeast portion of the town, and stretching away into Vinland.

On one of the prominent elevations just mentioned, in Section i, is the residence and farm of Mr. George Cross, and adjoining (within the same section), those of John, Will iam and James Cross. Here at the very summit is a series of thirteen mounds, within a distance of nine hundred feet, which, in 1848, were about four feet high, and conical in shape. At the time of the early survey, these mounds, prominent at a great distance, resembled so many balls, from which the surveyors gave the name, "Ball Prairie." These mounds are situated on a bed of gravel and coarse sand, in distinct alternate layers, and formed of some three feet of black earth.

There are several apple-trees in the orchard of Mr. George Cross, which were brought from Brighton, New York, thirty years ago, looking healthy and sound, except where the limbs were dismembered by a tornado in 1871. One of these trees measure three feet ten inches in circumference. A soft-maple, in his yard, grown from seed planted in 1853, measures forty-seven feet in heighth, and four feet two inches in circumference, with several others about the same size. Near his residence, in a wheat-field, is a very singular out-crop of limestone, an exposed area of about fifteen by forty-five feet, terminating at either end in a sharp angle, and not the slightest evidence of the existence of any stone outside of the welldefined limits at the surface. The plow passes without the least obstruction, and the grain grows equally well up to the very line.

The soil throughout this portion of the town is a deep, black loam, gravel and marl subsoil, based upon limestone, with frequent exposures. Fine springs are common.

South and west of the streams, a rich vegetable soil, overlying red clay, predominates, with considerable sand in the extreme west and southwest. The extensive marshes mentioned were, in an early day, traversed by teams, and afforded great quantities of excellent hay; but at the present time they are generally submerged.

The original thoroughfare, from Green Bay to Fort Winnebago, crossed Pox River at Augustine Grignon's place, northeast corner of Section 30, Town 19, Range 16; and thence, following the south bank of the river, around to the trading-post of Robert Grignon, near the section-line between Sections 34 and 35, and the quarter-line of Section 35, Town 19, Range 15, and from there directly south. This distance over four miles from the ferry at A. Grignon's, good, solid footing for horses then, is now under water a greater portion of the year.

Good wells are obtained in the western part of the town at a depth of from twelve to twenty feet; and by boring from thirty to sixty feet, copious fountains result, the water rising from one to three feet above the surface.

The plat of the Village of Buttes des Morts was recorded July 5, 1848, Augustine Grignon, proprietor; and on October 15, 1849, a plat of the Village of Winneconne was also recorded. Hoel S. Wright and E. Gordon, proprietors. March 24, 1871, the Village of Winneconne was incorporated by act of the Legislature.

The First Settlers

It has been claimed that the first white settler in this town was Augustine Grignon, in 1818. This we very much doubt, as Mr. Grignon was a resident of Kaukauna, if we are rightly informed, until after the general settlement commenced; but the fact that Mr. Grignon established a trading-post in the adjoining town at a very early day, with James Porlier as partner, is unquestioned.

Early in March, 1846, Samuel Champion and his son John, with Samuel Lobb, located here, and, in May following, Mr. George Bell and family arrived from Toronto, Canada West. Mrs. Bell was the first white woman in the town, and in the fall, when fever and ague prevailed throughout the State to an extent never known before or since, her husband suffering with the rest, she harrowed in a field of wheat; and in September, when she was the only well person in the town, after living on boiled wheat for some time, she yoked the oxen and, loading a grist into the wagon, started for the mill at Neenah, twelve miles distant, with no road more than the Indian trail; and, returning in the night with her grist, she was entertained on the way with the music of the wolves, often in uncomfortable proximity. She reached home a little before midnight.

About three weeks after the advent of the Bell family, Mr. Greenbury Wright and family, accompanied by his brother. Dr. Aaron B. Wright, better known as "Little Doctor Wright," arrived, and selected a farm on the present site of the Village of Buttes des Morts This was the second family to make a settlement in the town and now enjoys the distinction of being the oldest resident family here.

Prominent among the early settlers of 1847, 1848 and 1849, we find the names of Mr. John Cross, A. and O. Rice, E. J. Lean, Mr. Fish, F. Hamilton, Walter Clark, William B. Cross. Richard Cousins, Charles and E. D. Gumaer, John Atchley, the Mumbrues, (the father and two sons, William and Henry), Col. C. R. Hamlin, J. Pritchett, Reuben Tucker, Ira Avery, Rowell Kellogg and John Scott.

These settlements were all confined to that portion the of town lying north of the Fox and east of the Wolf Rivers; that on the west of Wolf River being still known as the Indian Land; but, during the year 1849, there were some claims made on that side. J. R. Sumner, a native of Bristol, Addison County, Vermont, where he was born June 9, 1804, with a family of five children, and Samuel Smith, were amongst the number.

Indian Villages

The present sites of Winneconne and Buttes des Morts had long been occupied as prominent Indian villages and headquarters, and the forests in the vicinity, their favorite hunting and camping-grounds; while about the openings and prairies, there existed evidences of a primitive cultivation in the form of cornhills and drills. As a natural consequence, the population at this time consisted of a large majority of tlie natives, who were far from being the wor.;t of neighbors. Quiet and peaceable, they wcce the last to inflict any wanton injury, often supplying the little communities with fish and ^ame, when provisions were difficult to obtain.

Of all the offences charged against these long-suffering people, rare indeed was the occurence of an unprovoked injury, or one which was no' directly or indirectly attributable to that banc of both whites and Indians - whiskey.

In the latter year, five towns were organized, butthetown now under consideration, remained a portion of the Town of Winnebago, until, by an act ol"the Legislature, approved March II, 1848, Township 20, Ranges 14 and 15, Township 19, Range 15, and the two west tiers of sections in Townships 19 and 20. Range 16, were set off and organized as the Town of Winneconne.

In March, 1849, the two tiers of sections in Townships 19 and 20, Range 16, were set off to Vinland and Clayton; Township 20, Range 15, as part of Winchester, in 1850, and a part of Township 20, Range 14, as Orihula, in 1855, leaving the present limits.

At the first election for the Town of Winneconne, held at the house of Augustine Grignon, April 4, 1848, it was "voted to organize into a town by the name of Winneconnah. " "Voted, that Greenbury Wright be chairman of this meeting; that Greenbury Wright, Ira Avery, and William N. Davis, serve as judges of election; and that Timothy Allen and Charles Shoemaker, serve as clerks of election." They were qualified according to law. "Voted, that town officers that are paid by the day, receive seventy-five cents per day for services." "Voted, to raise forty dollars for district, schools, and one hundred dollars to pay town officers and incidental e.xpenses. " "Voted, that the next election be held at the house of Dr. Preston."

The polls being opened, the following result was declared: James Fisk, chairman board supervisors; Stephen Allen and Hiram Wilcox, supervisors, Timothy Allen, clerk; John Cross, treasurer; Avin Partridge, Stephen Allen and Silas Allen, assessors; Alfred Hubbard, Greenbury Wright and Horace Clemence, justices; Wm. G. Caulkins, Charles E. Scott and Washington Manuel, school commissioners; Aivin Pride, collector.

At the election of April 3, 1849, at the school-house, near John Catton's, Fish Hamilton was elected chairman; George Bell and D. Lafayette McCorpin, supervisors; Edmund J. Lean, clerk; John Cross, treasurer; Lucius Clark, James H. Jones and John Annunson, assessors; Wm. G. Caulkins, superintendent of schools; Greenbury Wright and Ira Avery, justices.

Election at the same place, Tuesday, April 2, 1850: Wm. Cross, chairman; Jerome Hopkins and George Bell, supervisors; Edmund J. Lean, clerk; John Cross, treasurer; John Annunson and Edwin Balden, assessors; F. F. Hamilton, Elias D. Gumaer, John Boyd and O. E. Loper, justices.

The first death within the town occurred in the spring of 1850. Miss Mary Wait, a sister of Mrs. C. R. Hamhn, who being of a consumptive tendency, came with Hamhn's family from Ohio, in the fall of 1849, for the restoration of health; but too late to be benefitted. Mrs. Booth, mother of Mrs James Barber, also died July 3rd, of this year. It is said that the first death was at an earlier date, a daughter of Samuel Pratt, but we have been unable to ascertain the exact date.

In 1848, the first school-house was built at Catton's Corners, but we have no information relative to the first school; but in 1850, the settlers at the Village of Winneconne, erected a board shanty, si.vteen by twenty-eight, for a school-house, and the first school within the 'village was opened that fall, with William Mumbrue as teacher. This school-house was also used for religious and other gatherings, for some two years, when a good substantial frame sehool-house was erected, which in turn, a few years later, made way for one of still greater pretentions, and was itself removed to another site, where it was converted into a Catholic church.

First Marriage

In 1847, at the annual town meeting for the Town of Winnebago, held in April, Greenbury Wright was elected justice of the peace, and, as such, performed the first marriage ceremony, between Amos Buck and Elvira Pierce, the same fall, having previously offered to unite the first couple free of charge. June 7, 1848, Mr. Wright also officiated at the marriage of William Caulkins and Miss Salina Lean.

Other Impovements

Mr. F F. Hamilton had previously built the first frame building in the town, and was at this time occupying it with a stock of rii.^rchandise. That building is still standing, and devoted to the same purpose, and across the street from it, is the second frame structure of the town, which was erected for Augustine Grignon, and for many years served as a hotel.

The same fall, Messrs. Smith and Bennett procured from Wolf River, the timber for a saw-mill, and in I'ebruary, 1850, the mill was commenced, completed and set in operation in August. The machinery for this mill was obtained from Detroit, and transported via

Green Bay, thence by Durham boats and teams, to its destination. Bennett dying soon after the completion of the mill, a Mr. Vibberts became associated with Smith, and the name of Smith & Vibberts became familiar.

On February 21, 1850, another post-office was established at Winneconne Village, and Joseph Edwards commissioned as postmai-ter. This office was located at the instigation of Gov. Doty, who gave it the name of Wanekuna; but by the illiterate in Indian literature, it has become perverted to the present style.

The Hyde Brothers also built a steam sawmill at this point, during the season, and this proved " the feather that broke the camel's back;" a saw-mill at Oshkosh, one at Algoma, one at Buttes des Morts and this one, in these primitive times, when log houses were all the style, and barns, if any, of the same material, were more than the country could support. This venture proved unsuccessful, and the mill after various changes, became the property of Henry Swartz, who will be remembered by all the old settlers of this region. This mill was eventually destroyed by fire.

E. D. Gumaer erected the first frame building, or perhaps, it should be said, completed the first; for during its construction, Charles Gumaer and John Atchley, were also building, and the Mumbrues were, at the same time, erecting a frame building, intended for a hotel.

On the west side the Indian trod his native heath; and looking back upon the home of his childhood, his youth and his manhood, from which he had but recently been driven by that tidal wiuvc of immigration, whose course ever onward and westward, now checked only for a moment by the stream which lay winding at his feet; and contemplating that within a few months at most, this would no longer prove a barrier, and that the dreaded fiat would be announced, removing him forever from these early associations, he knew not whither. At this time the natives were in full possession of the country on the west of the Wolf River, and here the Government had erected a blacksmith shop for their con- venience. Two smiths were aniployed here, the only whites on this side. Across the river whiskey was easily obtained in amount only limited by the ability to pay. Thus easily enabled to gratify their inordinate appetite, drunken revels and noisy carousals were of constant occurrence, and often extending far into the night, or, perhaps lasting all night, accompanied by the usual whooping, howling, singing and dancing, with the ceaseless monotony of the Indian drum and flute.

Church Organization

In the spring of 1850, a Presbyterian church was organized by Rev. Mr. Robinson, and during the same year, the Methodists organized under the leadership of Rev. J. C. Simcox, an English Wesleyan Methodist.

The Indian Land

In November, 1852, the Indian land lying on the west side of Wolf River, was placed in market, and was settled up rapidly by an industrious and energetic class of farmers, who are to-day in no wise behind those of neighboring towns, in the quality of the farms, their improvements or building; being surrounded by all the comforts and conveniences of a farm life.

Water And Railroad Communication

The Town of Winneconne, divided by the Wolf and Fox rivers, has from the first, possessed all the commercial advantages of water navigation, giving it communication with the pine and hardwood forests of the Wolf and its tributaries.

The construction of the Winneconne branch of the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, to the Village of Winneconne, gives it railroad connections with the leading through lines.

Population, Schools, Etc

The population of the town in 1855 was eight hundred and thirty, with four schools and two hundred and thirty-one scholars; in 187s, the population was two thousand five hundred and seventy-nine. There were in 1878, six school-houses, eleven teachers and seven hundred and ninety-two children, between the ages of four and twenty.

Town Officers

The present town officers are: John D. Rush, chairman, Daniel Martin, L. M. Sumner, supervisors; J. Ulrich, clerk; G. E. Lean, treasurer; A. Lock, J. Ulrich and J Starks, justices; Charles Miller, assessor; T. S. Wood, village supervisor.

handsome, and there is no richer farming land in the State. The farms are generally in a high state of improvement, and there are many very fine farm residences. The roads are excellent, many of them being graveled. Good well and spring water is found in every locality, and the town possesses additional social and educational advantages, in its proximity to cities and villages.

Recollections Of The Early Day From George Cross

Mr. Wilson Cross, ancestor of the families of that name, now residing in the Town of Winneconne, was born in the City of York, Lancashire, Finland in 1777, and emigrated to the United States in 1831, and resided at Rochester, New York, one year, during which time he met an acquaintance from England, who had visited White Pigeon Prairie, Michigan, and from glowing accounts of that country, related by this friend, was induced to start at once for this Eldorado of the west, with his family, consisting of five sons and six daughters.

In 1834, William, the eldest of these sons, a young man of superior ability and education, in company with Bishop Philander Chase, an uncle of the late Salmon P. Chase, whose diocese extended over the entire Northwest, made an exploration in Illinois, and the more western portion of the diocese. Arriving at a small trading-post, at the southern extremity of Lake Michigan, now called Chicago, he concluded to remain for a time, and was installed assistant to Bishop Chase.

During the year the Hon. Stephen A. Douglas settled here, and soon became a messmate and chum with Mr. Cross. These two soon became prominent, and with otheis endeavored to perfect a political organization, with the view of establishing some rules and forms of government.

In the fall of 183S, a Mr. Bond, on his way north with a drove of cattle, induced Mr. Cross to join him, and following the shores of Lake Michigan, they crossed the southern boundary line of Wisconsin. These cattle brought here for the supply of the Government troops, were wintered near where Kenosha now stands, and here Mr. Cross selected a location for his father, in Town One, Range Twentytwo, to which the family moved in 1836, and here the father died in 1840. The family now became somewhat separated, choosing residences at Eagle Prairie, English Prairie, Delavan, etc.

where he met Governor Doty, and with himdiscovered very rich leads of lead and copper. Arrangements were completed for a survey of the line of the Fourth Principal Meridian, from the mouth of Fever River, near Galena, to Lake Superior, in which Mr. Cross was engaged, and the party were accompanied by Governor Doty throughout the entire survey. One of the party, a Frenchman, died near the crossing of the Iron Ridge: the body was wrapped in birch-bark and buried on the spot, the burial service was read by Governor Doty. During this entire trip they were dependent for transportation upon Indian ponies, and packing upon the backs of men. This survey completed, Mr. Cross returned* home, where he remained but a short time, and again set out for the present side of Madison, when he again met Governor Doty, in whose employ he traveled the greater portion of the time, for three years. It was at this time that Governor Doty selected the present location for the seat of Government.

Mr. Cross, now had the opportunity of visiting nearly all sections ot the State, and of all points that came under his observation, the Wolf River country seems to have taken preference in his judgment, as indicated by a letter to Harrison Reed, then editor of the Mihvaukee Sentinel. He says: " The Wolf River is a most magnificent stream, and with the removal of some insignificant obstructions, is navigable for one hundred and fifty miles, and through the finest belt of pine and hardwood timber I have ever seen." The Fox River Valley was also highly spoken of, and no doubt had much influence on Mr. Reed, in making the purchase at Winnebago Rapids, and these letters from Mr. Cross, only intended for Mr. Reed's benefit, were published in the Sentinel, thereby thoroughly advertising this entire section. These letters were written by an arrangement with Mr. Reed before the writer left home, in 1839, but with no expectation that they would be published.

In 1846, Mr. Cross, in crossing the ferry at Oshkosh, found but a scow, capable of carrying two Indian ponies, and at once went to work and built a ferry-boat that would carry a pair of horses and loaded wagon; after which he assisted Mr, Webster Stanley in building a shanty on the southwest corner of High and Main streets. He next commenced the erection of a building near the present site of S. M. Hay's store, for Mr. Stanley, which, in the spring of 1847, was purchased by M. Griffin, moved across the street to the present site of Griffin's Block, and, with sundry additions and

Mr. Cross was also employed by John Bannister, a land surveyor and agent at Fond du Lac, and was often sent to Green Baj' with large sums of money, for entering land for settlers from all parts of the country.

These land agencies were quite prominent and important institutions in the early days of the settlement of this country, and were frequently considered as a sort of sub-agency of the Government Land Office, which was a mistaken idea.

Any one disposed to establish a land agency could procure diagrams of the several townships in the vicinity of their agency, showing the Government sub-divisions, the streams, lakes, marshes, and the general character of the surface, and, thus provided, open an office, where, having made themselves familiar with the locality, and the diagrams representing all lands sold, pre-empted or reserved, they were ready to recommend desirable selections to those inclined to purchase, and to take them on to the ground, pointing out the boundary line and all the attractions; and when the selections were made, receive the money for its purchase, which they forwarded to Green Bay by a messenger, in whom they had confidence, and, on his return, receive the duplicate (title) which the purchaser could obtain by calling for it. These trips to Green Bay were made once, twice or three times each week, as the amount of business required. The Government assuming no responsibility until the money was deposited in the land office.

This obviated the necessity of each purchaser making a trip to Green Bay over the most villainous roads, impassable much of the time to anything but a foot-man or horse-man. By accumulating the money for numerous entries at one agenc)', one trip was sufficient for the whole number, and by frequent trips the agent was kept at all times advised of the lands sold within his limits.

In the fall of 1846, Mr. Cross made a claim of the farm on which he at present resides, and, consummating the purchase in due time, rented it until 1859, when he took up his residence here, meanwhile working at his trade, that of miller and mill-stone dresser.

In the spring of 1847, he induced his brother, Mr. John Cross, to take up a farm adjoining his, and, in 1848, Mr. William Cross joined them, with his family. William was killed a few years later by the kick of his horse.

Mr. George Cro?s, who related the foregoing recollections, is a gentleman of scholarly attainments, an extraordinary memory of persons, dates and events, a sound judgment, combined with a happy faculty for relating his experiences and observations, in fact a perfect oracle or animated history.

The entire family seem to have been possessed of iron constitutions, a perfect embodiment of health, and in every way most happily constituted for the struggles of a pioneer life.

Early Settlers

The father, William Cross, before leaving England, was, on account of an excellent judgment and fine taste in stock-raising, employed by Lord Allerthorpe, to select the finest Durham stock to be obtained, and, while thus engaged, Mr. Cross bred and raised a shorthorn Durham bull for his employer, which became quite noted, under the name of Wild Comet, and which was sold for fifty guineas. Henry Clay afterward secured this animal and brought him to Ashland, the first imported stock introduced into the West. Still later, Governor Trimble, of Ohio, purchased Wild Comet from Mr. Clay; and from Governor Trimble, Governor Doty obtained the shorthorn stock well known in this county. EARLY SETTLERS.

Mr. Greenbury Wright emigrated from Ohio, in 1846, to Wisconsin; came directly to Oshkosh, and, following Fox River as far as Buttes des Morts, selected a location on Section 24, the present site of the village of that name. In 1865, Mr. Wright sold his farm in Section 24, and purchased eighty acres in Section 13, where he still resides. At the time of his arrival, there was but one white family in the township, that of George Bell, who had preceeded him by about three weeks. Having made a pre-emption claim in 1846, he was compelled the next year to go to Green Bay, to enter the land, and says that on this trip there were no signs of a habitation on the present site of Appleton, but he there found several persons who were then about locating the site for the present Lawrence University. At Little Chute he recollects seeing an apple orchard, well loaded with fruit.

Mr. Richard Cousins was born in Maine, July 22, 1823, and in September, 1846, emigrated directly to Wisconsin. Landing at Milwaukee, he took the trail for the Northwest, and finding short sections of roads cut through the woods, he continued his course until he arrived at Fond du Lac; thence, by trail only, to Oshkosh, crossing the river on the ferry at the present location of Main street bridge. Here he found an embryo village, but pushing his way still westward found the object of his search, in the form of a satisfactory location, six miles from Oshkosh, on the present road to Buttes des Morts, on Section 28, Town 19, Range 16. In 1849, he removed to the village of Buttes des Morts, then just starting. Mr. Cousins was employed in the election of the first hotel at Algoma, the second frame building in that place, built by C. J. Coon, in the spring of 1847. He was also engaged in the building of the first saw-mill at Algoma, the same season, for Forman, Daggett & Co., and in 1849-50 on the saw-mill of Smith & Bennett, at Buttes des Morts. He subsequently settled at Winneconne, where he now resides.

William G. Calkins was born in Steuben County, State of New York, August 20, 1823, emigrated to Illinois in the fall of 1845, and, in the spring of 1846, selected his present farm, only purchasing forty acres at the time. Here, he built a log shanty, but, with no one but himself to occupy it, he rented it to Mr. S. Allen, with whom he boarded. In 1848, finding a co-tenant, they took exclusive possession of the shanty, which they retained until it was replaced by an elegant brick residence which now ornaments a farm of 330 acres, unsurpassed for beauty or fertility.

During the winter of 1847-8, Mr. Calkins, with Stephen Allen, Richard Cousins and one other, went to the cut-off, above Lake Poygan, and procured pine timber, which was drawn by team to Winneconne, and some as far as Oshkosh, for a market.

George Snyder, born in the town and county of Onondaga, New York, October 4, 1812, removed to Cattaraugus County in 1823, and in 1846, having read in the newspapers of the day, very flattering accounts of the country about Oshkosh, written by Wright, Gallup and others, determined to examine for himself, arriving at Milwaukee about the fifteenth of April, and at once started westward. At Watertown he changed his course to Waupun, and thence to the ferry of Grignon (Buttes des Morts). Here he made choice of his present farm, and pre-empted it, but, having no family, he, with others in like condition, organized a "bachelor's hall" in a shanty about a mile east of his present residence.

Wheat, flour and vegetables, they obtained in the southern part of the State. Fish they could help themselves to, or purchase of the Indians. Indian sugar, common brown sugar, tea, coffee and tobacco, they could obtain at Grignon's.

Mr. iVI. Kittell emigrated from Switzerland to the United States in 1861; resided in the State of New York for four years, and in 1865 located in the Town of Oshkosh, where with a Mr. Preuss he rented a farm of Mr A. Rich, and at once commenced the manufacture of Limburgher and Switzer cheese, whichhe con tinued until 1872. In 1873, Mr. Kittell leased the larm of Julius Ashby, containing 160 acres, about half a mile north of the Village of Buttes des Morts, where he continues the same business. The product of this factory is about 400 pounds per day during the dairy season, consuming the milk of 120 cows, of which Mr. Kittell owns fifty.

One of the loveliest localities in Wisconsin, is the site of Buttes des Morts, with its beautiful surroundings of river and lake, and handsome undulating prairie and openings. It is also the scene of famous historical events in the days of French-Indian occupancy. It was here that Marquette, while on a visit to the village of the Mascoutins and Miamis, was told of the Great River - the Mississippi; and had pointed out to him the Fox River, which, near here, forms a junction with the Wolf, as the channel of travel to the great water; and, it was here that he conceived the idea of making the trip, which he afterwards did, for the purpose of discovering the Upper Mississippi. This was in 1673, more than a century before the American Revolution.

Marquette describes the place as a most charming one - a handsome elevation rising from the river, while adjoining it stretched away the prairie, as far as the eye could reach, interspersed with groves of trees (oak openings). Here, also, occurred the famous seige of Buttes des Morts - one of the encounters between the French and the Fox Indians, in the long struggle, which resulted in the expulsion of the latter from the Fox Valley.*

Just below the present site of the Village of Buttes des Morts, was the trading-post of Augustine Grignon, established in 1818. This place, in the early day, was a business center, and here was the crossing place on the Fox River for the travel on the Indian trail, from Green Bay to Fort Winnebago. In the early part of the American settlement of this county, this place first secured the location of the

*NoTE. - See page 34, for Marquette's vi<;it to Buttes des Morts and Discovery of the Upper Mississippi, and page 50, for Siege of Buttes des Morts and oflicial account of same.

The village now contains two stores and mechanic shops, a post-office, and a ver\- handsome church edifice, which, with the handsome residence of L. W. Hull, adjoining, forms a lovely rural scene.

Village Of Winneconne

P. C. Peterson, dealer in dry goods and mixed merchandise, and S. L. Odell, in the same line, do a prosperous business. VILLAGE OF WINNECONNE.

The Village of Winneconne is most delightfully situated on both sides of the Wolf River, and at the foot of Lake Winneconne - a beautiful sheet of water, with handsome, bold, wooded shores. The site rises in fine elevations from either shore of the river; and the adjoining country is like that of Buttes des Morts - lovely prairies and openings of the richest fertilitv\ now in a high state of cultivation.

Much of the early history of the place will be found in the foregoing history of the Town of Winneconne, and will here be but briefly recapitulated.

The first settler on the site of the Village of Winneconne, was Jeremiah Pritchett, who, in 1847, built a log house very near where his present residence now stands.

In 1849, C. R. Hamlin, from Ohio, settled there, and found on his arrival but two primitive log structures, one of which had been erected by the Government for the residence of a blacksmith, employed by the Government for the benefit of the Indians, and which Mr. Hamlin fitted up and converted into a tavern.

In 1849, E. D. Gumaer built the first frame house, which occupied a site near the present residence of Captain N. Cobb. While this was in process of construction, Charles L. Gumaer and John Atchley were also building frame structures, which were completed the same season; and the Mumbrues in the same year erected a frame building, in w hich they opened a hotel.

H. C. Rogers opened the second store in the village, during the same season. Mr. Rogers is now Assistant Internal Revenue Commissioner at Washington.

In 1850, C. R. Hamlin erected a frame structure for a hotel, the Winneconne House, which Mr. Hamlin kept for many years, and which is still standing.

In 1853, a float bridge was built across the Wolf River by a stock company, under the management of John D. Rush. This was located on the site of the present bridge, which is a fine truss structure, built in 1 871, at a cost of about $18,000.

In 1855 the village had attained good proportions and contained three stores, a sawmill, mechanic shops and two hotels; and had a population of between three and tour hundred.

The plat of what is now known as Williamsport, was recorded in 1866; and the plats of Ripon addition and Scott's addition were platted and recorded in the fall of 1868. The Ripon addition was platted by a company of capitalists from Ripon, who purchased .the land from John L. Williams, and the plat was recorded in the name of J. Bowen, proprietor. Scott's addition was platted by John Scott, R. H. WeUington, J. D. Rush and N. Cobb.

Up to the year 1868, the village was confined to the east side of the river, with the exception of two savv'-mills on the west side, one of which was Eric McArthur's, and the other belonging to a Mr. Cooper.

Railroad Communications

In the fall of 1868, the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad was extended to the Village of Winneconne and the first through passenger train arrived on the first day of September. The railroad depot was established on the river-bank, on the west side.

A Spirit Ov Progress Awakened

New comers now began to flock in and purchase lots on the west side, which rapidly rose in value, and sold readily from a hundred to a thousand dollars each. Buildings were so rapidly constructed, that, in the year 1872, fortyfour structures were erected; among others, several business blocks, and the west side began to assume the appearance of quite a business center.

The place continued to make a rapid growth up to the year 1875, when the general depression prevading the whole country, checked its expansion. In 1874, the population of the place was something over 1,800, according to a census taken at the time.

The Lake View House

One of the attractions of the place is the Lake View House, and its handsome surroundings - with the beautiful Lake Winneconne. This is a favorite resort in the summer months, and is frequented by people from abroad and especially by those who are fond of boating and shooting.

Lake Winneconne and the adjoining Lake Poygan are visited by myriads of wild water fowl, that feed on the wild rice. Among them are found, in large numbers, blue and green winged teal, mallards, wood-duck and other varieties.

Business, Schools, Churches, Etc

The place now contains a saw-mill, a saw and shingle-mill, a cheese-factory, two hotels, seven stores, dealing in general merchandise, a drug store, an exchange bank, two millinery shops, two boot and shoe shops, a meat market, two livery stables, and a number of mechanic shops.

There are five churches - the Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Norwegian Lutheran and Catholic. The Baptist is a fine brick structure and the others, handsome frame edifices.

There are two fine school buildings - one brick, which cost $8,000; the other, frame, costing $4,000. They are both graded schools and employ five teachers.