Winnebago County, Wisconsin - Chapter 72, 1880

Chapter 72

Situation - Face of the Country - Soil - Water - ' Schools - Social and Educational Advantages - Early Settlement - Village of Algoma - First Saw-mill in the Vicinity of Oshkosh - First Grist-mill - Post-office Established - First Births and Marriages - Town Organization and First Election - Notices of Illustrations.

jHE Town of Algoma. adjoining the City of Oshkosh on the west, its northern line bounded by Lake Buttes des Morts, is most advantageously situated. The surface is generally slightly undulating. The northern portion, on the shore of Lake Buttes des Morts, is more rolling and is a most delightful locality, in fact, one of the most beautiful in the country. The shore of the lake is bold, the land rising in handsome wooded slopes, with patches of openings and prairie.

The town was originally openings, with tracts of natural meadow land, the timber in the northern part being in some places more dense. The soil is generally a rich black loam, and very fertile. An occasional tract of excellent clay loam, with aa admixture of sand, is found. The base is limestone rock, more or less of which is disintegrated and mixed with the surface soil. The subsoil is a limestone clay, rich in the elements of an enduring fertility. Good well water is readily obtained by digging, and in some places flowing fountains are found. Good stock water is abundant. The best of limestone for building purposes is easily quarried, and several large quarries were opened, which were originally in the town, but now in the limits of the City of Oshkosh, and which furnish a large part of the building stone used in the city.

The soil is particularly well adapted to grazing and grass-growing. Dairying has, therefore, become a leading branch of industry, the city furnishing a home market for milk, butter and cheese. The cultivation of the various grains and vegetables of this latitude is also carried on with the highest success.

The town is traversed by a small stream, Algoma Creek, and the Oshkosh branch, of the Milwaukee & St Paul Railroad, crosses the southeastern portion.

The farms are generally in a high state of cultivation, with good dwellings and ample barns. There are several elegant brick residences, which will compare favorably with the finest in the city.

Schools, Social And Educational

SCHOOLS, SOCIAL AND EDUCATIONAL ADVANTAGES. There are four school houses and 256 children of school age, as per report of superintendent, in 1878.

Early Settlement

This town was one of the first settled localities in the county, the site of the village of Algoma, now a part of the Fifth ward of Oshkosh, being the location occupied by Webster Stanley, he having put up his shanty, where he resided during the summer, on what was afterwards known as Coon's Point, formed by the River and Lake Buttes des Morts. In the fall he removed from that place to what is now the Second Ward of Oshkosh.

The first settler in the present limits of Algoma was Chester Ford, who built a loghouse on what is now Wright's Point, just south of the city limits, in the winter of 1837-38, and where he resided for some years; the place being long known as Ford's Point, and is one of the old historical land-marks of the early days. Mr. Ford's family was one ofthe first four families settled in the county, excepting the employes of the Government, at Neenah. Algoma is, therefore, one of the earliest settled points in the county.

The next settler was Wm. A. Boyd, son-inlaw of Chester Ford. Mr. Boyd located on the present Roe farm, in 1840. His advent is fully related on page 103.

In the spring of 1846, Joseph H. Osborn made a claim and built a house on the place where he now resides. Mr. Osborn took a prominent part in the affairs ofthe county, for which see history.

John Smith was the next settler, having, the same season, 1846, built a log-house, into which he moved, and which occupied a site very near his present residence.

and during the same season came J. Botsford, Noah and Clark Miles, Elihu Hall, Doctor James Whipple, and others. One year after this the land in the town was very generally taken up and the town well settled.

Among the next early settlers were the Cregos, Kenfields, John Stroud and James Cowan. Mr. John Stroud helped to build the first sawmill in this locality.

H. C. Jewell, a prominent name in the history of this county, came to Algoma in 1848, and engaged first in the mercantile business and subsequently in lumber manufacture at that point.

The Village Of Algoma

The village of Algoma, now a part of the Fifth Ward, of Oshkosh, enjoys the distinction of being the site of the first American settlement in the county, Stanley having made this point his first residence, from whence he subsequently removed to the present site of the Gang Mill.

In 1839, Mr. C. J. Coon arrived and purchased land from Robert Grignon, on which he immediately commenced to make improvements. This was the beginning of the Village of Algoma, a place which at first promised to outstrip Oshkosh. Mr. Coon proved to be a very energetic and enterprising man, and his location, receiving accessions in the persons of D. W. Forman, Wm. Daggett, James Whittemore and Thomas C. Baker, they started a village. In 1849, they commenced the construction of the first saw-mill built within the limits of the city of Oshkosh; and stores, a hotel (the Eagle hotel, still standing), mechanic shops and a number of dwellings, made a promising show. The first grist mill in this locality was also built at the Village of Algoma and, for a time, it bid fair to be a formidable rival of Oshkosh

In 1849, a post-office was established, and in 1850, Messrs. Weed, Gumaer and Coon built a bridge across the Fox at this point, and Algoma became quite a business center.

The subsequent growth of Oshkosh gradually absorbed much of the former business of Algoma, and in time the latter succumbed to inexorable destiny, and consented to become a sub-division of its former rival; and now glories in being a part of the beautiful Fifth Ward of the famous second city in the State.

First Births And Marriages

The first white child born in the limits of the town, was Elisabeth, daughter of Chester Ford. She was the second white child born in the county.

was that of Richard Howard to Miss Abigail Lockerby, which event occurred in 1847, at the residence of Chester Ford, on Ford's Point, which was then occupied by the Lockerby family. Milan Ford has a distinct recollection of returning home from the wedding early in the morning, with a fair companion who was precipitated headlong into a muddy creek which Milan's team was attempting to ford. They were an interesting looking pair after they crossed that creek. The lady had fallen headlong into the muddy water, and Milan, of course, plunged in heroically to her rescue, at the risk of his - good clothes.

By an act of the Territorial Legislature, approved March 8th 1839, "Townships 18 and 19, Range 15 and 16 and fractional 18 and 19, in Range 17, shall be a separate town, by the name of Buttes des Morts, and the election in said town shall be holden at the house of Webster Stanly. "

This town of Buttes des Morts included in its limit the present towns of Algoma, Oshkosh, Vinland, Winneconne, Omro and the southern part of Neenah.

" First meeting in Town of Buttes des Morts, April 4th 1842. On motion, Chester Ford was chosen Chairman and sworn by T. Lee, coroner; and Jason Wilkins was chosen clerk, "etc.*

This is supposed to have been the first election held in the county; but for some reason, not being conformable to law, it was legalized by act of legislature March 29th, 1843.

By act of the Legislature approved April 1st 1843, "The Town of Buttes des Morts shall hereafter be known by the name of Winnebago; and said town shall embrace all territory within the limits of Winnebago County. All future elections shall be held at the house of Webster Stanley. "

The Town of Winnebago comprised in its limits. Township 19, Range 15 north of Fox River, the south half of Township 19, Range 16 and 17, and Fractional Towns 18, Range 16 and 17. "The first town meeting under this act to be held at the house of L. M. Miller.

*NoTE - For result of this election see history of Town of Oshkosh, page 232; and also the same for further paticulars of the tirst organization. Much of the history of the early day in Algoma, will be found in the pages of this work which relate to the early history of the County and the history of the Town of Oshkosh.

Organization Of Town Of Algoma

The Town of Algoma was organized in pursuance of act of County Board, of February 5th 1850; and the organic election was held April 5th 1850. At the election, H. C. Jewell was elected chairman; R. C. Wood and William Sloan, Supervisors; N. W. Pierce, clerk; John Smith, treasurer; Philetus Sawyer, assessor; Patrick J. Hannah and O. Starks, justices.

The population of the town as per census of 1875, was 799; and its territory includes Town 18, Range 16, excepting that portion of the township which is included in the limits of the City of Oshkosh.

Illustration Ebenezer Hubbard

Among the earlier pioneers of this county is Mr. Ebenezer Hubbard, a "view of whose fine farm and residence, in the Town of Algoma, and adjoining the limits of the City of Oshkosh, is here presented. Mr. Hubbard is one of those who laid the foundations of the city, having built the third saw-mill that was erected in the City of Oshkosh, and was thus one of the founders of that immense lumber business which made Oshkosh one of the greatest lumber manufacturing centers of the northwest.

Mr. Hubbard migrated from the State of Maine, in the spring of 1847, and landed at Sheboygan. After traveling about four months through the various localities of the northern part of the State, and thoroughly examining their respective advantages and resources, he was impressed with the beautiful site of Oshkosh and its magnificent surrounding country; and particularly with its ample water communication with the great pine forests of the north, and saw in it the promise of a large business center, he therefore settled in Oshkosh, a few months after his arrival in this State; and the next winter engaged in the lumbering business, in which he has been engaged to the present time.

In 1849, he erected the third saw-mill built in the city of Oshkosh, and manufactured lumber in the same for five or six years, when it was destroyed by fire, since which time he has dealt largely in pine lands, and at various times has engaged in extensive logging operations.

in Pensacola, Florida, and some five thousand acres of pine land in its vicinity; and has, with the assistance of his son, E. H. Hubbard, and E. F. Skinner, his son-in-law, manufactured and shipped from four to five million feet of lumber per annum. This lumber is shipped to various American poYts and also to England, France, Germany, and points in South America.

In 1875, Mr. Hubbard erected one of the fine brick blocks of stores which grace Main Street, and in 1877, he erected the handsome residence on the farm adjoining the city. He has thus contributed to the growth and prosperity of the place with whose interests he has been so thoroughly identified for nearly a third of a century; and has witnessed the transformation of Oshkosh from a frontier village to the metropolis of Central Wisconsin.

Mr. Hubbard in all his business transactions has maintained a reputation for the strictest integrity. Through his enterprise, business dilligence and sound judgment he has accumulated a large property, provided amply for the success of his children, and in his old age is enjoying the benefits of a well spent life; and takes great enjoyment in the cultivation of his farm which consists of 160 acres of fine land in a high state of cultivation, well stocked and highly productive. Mr. Hubbard was married to Miss Mary Thompson of Buckfield, Oxford County, Maine, on December 27, 1836.

Their children are Martha, now Mrs. James Johnston, Ellen, Mrs. E. F. Skinner now in Florida, and an adopted son, E. H. Hubbard, the son of Mr. Hubbard's deceased brother.

Among the illustrations in this work will be found that of the beautiful farm of R. C. Wood, in the Town of Algoma. Mr. Wood is one of the early residents of the county, and has, since his advent, been prominent in county affairs. He moved on this farm in the spring of 185 I, having previously come from Madison County, New York.

Mr. Wood, for many years, held the positions of town superintendent of schools and justice of the peace, the duties of which he discharged very creditably. He also represented his town in the County Board, as chairman of Algoma in the years 1854 and 1877, and was regarded as one of the most efficient and influential members of the Board. His fine farm is one of the best in the county, and delightfully situated on a handsome elevation which commands a view of the city.

Early Residents

One of the finest farm residences in the county is an elegant brick structure belonging to Daniel Fitzgerald, on the town line road. Another beautiful place is that of J. W. Kiel, on the shore of Lake Buttes des Morts. John Leonard's fine farm is also a lovely place, delightfully situated on the shore of the same lake.

The Rev. John P. Roe's farm is one of the historical land-marks of the county, it being the site of Wm. Boyd's log-house, built in 1840. Mr. Roe was born in Orange County, New York, in 1834, was a graduate of Auburn Seminary, and ordained a Presbyterian minister in 1864, and was chaplain of the Ninetyseventh Regiment, New York volunteers. After the close of the war, he was appointed pastor of the Congregational Church, at Oshkosh. On account of impaired health, he was compelled to resign, and in the summer of 1868 purchased the John P. Gallup place, where he has since been extensively engaged in growing small fruits, making a specialty of grapes, in the culture of which he has been very successful.