Winnebago County, Wisconsin - Chapter 73, 1880

Chapter 73

Situation, Soil and Face of the Country - Water Communication - Roads - Water - Railroad - Social and Educational Advantages - Schools - Resources of Agriculture, Manufacture and Commerce - Early Settlement - Names of First Settlers - Town Organization - Organic Election - First Roads - Schools - Religious Services - Flood in 1846 - First Frame Houses - Early Births, Marriages and Deaths - Flowing Wells - The First Fountains Opened - Notices of Early Settlers - - Village of Oniro - Its First Settlers - The Invention of the Tug-boat Grouser - -The Village Platted - Erection of First Buildings - First Stores Opened - First Steamer Through the Fox to Berlin - Accessions to the Population - More Stores Opened - Building of Mills - Growth of the Place - War Times - Extension of the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad - Description of the Village - Its Manufactures - Business and Commercial Advantages - Prominent Business Men, Etc.

jHE Town of Omro, situated in the central part of the county, is one of the finest agricultural districts in the habitable world. The face of the country is undulating and indescribably beautiful, the elevations affording distant views of the most picturesque scenery. The soil is a rich dark loam of the greatest fertility, varied with occasional areas of a rich clay soil. The base is limestone rock and the subsoil is a snuff-colored clay, impregnated with particles of disintegrated limestone. There is a very small amount of waste land in the town, the interval land being the best of meadows. The country was originally openings, with the exceptions of small tracts in the northern part of the town, which were forest lands, and the bottom land on the margin of the Fox River. This stream which is one of the commercial highways of the country, passes through the northwestern portion of the town, giving steamboat communication with the other navigable waters with which it is connected. The town is densely populated; and fine farm residences and spacious barns, in every direction, give evidence of agricultural prosperity. The population, in 1875, as per the State cen- j sus, was 3,312.

Gravel beds, similar to those found in other parts of the county, furnish the best of material for making roads; these have been utilized and many of the roads have been graveled and are kept in an excellent condition.

According to school superintendent's report, there were, in 1878, ten school-houses in the town, including those in the Village of Omro, and 1,011 children of school-age.

The Villages of Omro and Waukau, and the City of Oshkosh, give additional social and educational advantages, which are possessed to an extent seldom met with in rural communities. It has, also, superior commercial advantages, through the navigable watercourse which connects it with an endless chain of water communication, and with the pine and hard wood forests of the Wolf and its tributaries. Building material - pine, hard wood, limestone, sand and brick - are obtained cheaply, and this fact has very much facilitated the construction of the very creditable buildings with which the town abounds. Among other resources, is found an inexhaustable supply of the best quality of sand for glass making and which will yet be utilized.

Early Settlement

EARLY SETTLEMENT. For some years before the white settlement of Omro, a trading-post was established on the present site of the village, by Charles Carron. Jed Smalley and Captain William Powell were, also, temporarily located at this point and were engaged in trading with the Indians. The place was known as Smalley's trading-post.

First Permanent Settlers

In the spring of 1845, Edward West, now residing in Appleton, made the first permanent settlement in the limits of the town, having purchased some five hundred acres of land and put up two log houses, one of which was located near the center of Section 23, and which is one of the most lovely localities in the county. The following is copied from printed extracts of a letter from Mr. West to iKaime & Wright, of the Omro Journal, and [which the latter have kindly permitted the author of this work to use in this connection:

I marked out and cut, where it was necessary, a wagon road from Rosendale, Fond du Lac County, to my land in Butte des Morts (Omro), before I could move my family. Rosendale and the " Fourierite " settlement, south and southwest, and Oshkosh on the east were the nearest neighborhoods. There was an old block-house a short distance above where the Village of Omro is now located, and a few families - the Wrights, Galloupes^ Stanleys and Fords - were trading with the Indians and farming a little wheie the City of Oshkosh now stands. Thecounry far to the south; and for a great distance north of the Fox River, and westerly from Lake Winnebago, was uninhabited.

except by Indians. There were two or three very wet seasons in succession about that time, and the general appearance of the country was low and wet, and of a very spongy nature. After wadmg some distance through water and tall grass to reach the south shore of Fox River, at Oshkosh, near where the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad (,'ompany's freight depot now stands, I, with the rest of our exploring company, ( Hon. R. B. Hinckley, Dr. Story and Edwin B. Fisk, all of the West Milwaukee County, now Waukesha County, )were taken out in Indian canoes by Mr. Stanley, who offered to sell his claim for a small sum. I think the County buildings now stand on part of the land. Our little party, all practical farmers, were unanimous in the opinion that Oshkosh did not present a very inviting field or prospect for farming on an extensive scale. The same opinion was entertained of the site where your flourishing village - soon to be a city - now stands. So I was saved by the timely counsel of my friends, together with force of circumstances, from becoming by chance, or otherwise, a proprietor of the village of Omro, or part proprietor of the city of Oshkosh. But I have not escaped so well since. The Indians of the four tribes, Winnebagoes, Menomonees, Chippeways and Pottawattomies were there in force, and held possession and occupancy of the country lying between the Wolf river on the east and the Mississippi on the west, and using and occupying at their pleasure all the country north and south of Fox river for hunting grounds. Most kinds of game were scarce, on account of the Indians either killing it or driving it off, excepting wolves and prairie hens; which the red men were too superstitious to molest. Prairie hens were very plentiful - so numerous that I killed them in large numberes with a shot gun and with "dead falls," to save my grain; and what could not be used in the family were fed to the hogs. Strangers exploring the country, were accustomed to call upon me and make inquiries about the land, and they were generally loaded down with the wild chickens, part of which they ate themselves, as they generally stopped with me, and the rest generally found their way to the pig sty.

First Settlers

The next settlers after Mr. West were Abram Quick, now of Utica, Hezekiah Gifi"ord, John Munroe, R. M. Buck, John R. Paddleford and John S. Johnson, all of whom were residents in the spring of 1846. In the summer of 1846, came Barna Haskell, Myron Howe, Leuman Scott, Walter Stewart, Nelson Olin, Frederick

In 1848, this town was well settled ; for this lovely tract of country was so attractive to immigrants, that, in less than three years after the advent of the first settler, the land was very generally occupied.

Town Organizations

By an act of the Territorial Legislature, approved March 8, 1839, a town was organized from Townships 18 and 19, Ranges 15 and 16 and fractions of 17, and named Buttes des Morts. This included the present towns of Omro, Winneconne, Algoma, Oshkosh, Vinland and part of Neenah. At that time the above described tract was a part of Brown County.

An election was held at the house of Webster Stanley, on present site of City of Oshkosh, on the 4th and 5th of April, 1842, and officers for the town of Buttes des Morts were elected. This was the first election within the county ; hui, not being conducted conformable to the requirements of law, was legalized by the Legislature March 29, 1843.

Town Of Winnebago

By act of April i, 1843, "The Town of Buttes des Morts, County of Winnebago, shall hereafter be known as Winnebago, embracing all territory within the limits of said county ; and future elections shall be held at the house of Webster Stanley." *

Town Of Buttes Des Morts

Act of February 1 1, 1847, provided for the organization of five towns within the County of Winnebago, viz : Winnebago, Buttes des Morts, Brighton, Neenah and Rushford.

The Town of Buttes des Morts comprised the present Town of Omro, lying south of the Fox, and the southeast corner of the now town of Winneconne, lying southeast of the Fox, viz: " all of Townships 18 and 19 in Range 15, lying south of Fox River."

Organic Election

"At an election held at the house of Edward West, in the Town of Buttes des Morts, Winnebago County, Wisconsin Territory, on the 6th day of April, 1847, Nelson Olin was chosen Moderator, and N. W. Wolverton, Secretary "

From the records it appears that the highest number of votes polled at this election was nineteen ; but this does not indicate the population at the time, for a number of the residents were not legal voters.

Edward West, chairman ; John Monroe, Frederick Tice, supervisors ; Nelson Olin, clerk ; Barna Haskell, assessor ; Isaac Germain, justice ; John H. Perry, treasurer ; Alvin Bealls, collector ; Nelson Olin, Gilman Lowd, George Stokes, commissioners of highways ; Edward West, Barna Haskell, Nathan Wolverton, commissioners of schools ; Alvin Bealls, constable ; Abram Quick, sealer ; Nelson Tice, Edward West, overseers of highways , Isaac Hammers, N. J. Forbes and Myron Howe, fence-viewers.

It appears that at this election seven votes were cast in favor of the adoption of the State Constitution, and fourteen against it. Five votes were cast in favor of giving right of suffrage to colored persons, and sixteen against the proposition. Eleven votes were also cast on the license question ; the eleven being against the granting of licenses.

In 1850, the south half of Section 31, of the i town of Bloomingdale, was attached to Rushford ; and in 1856 the north half of the same was attached. Subsequently Sections i, 12 and north half of 13, in Rushford, were attach ed to Omro, leaving the town of Omro with. its present boundaries.

Opening Roads

April 29, 1847, they laid the Section Line Road, commencing on the west line of the town, and on section line between Sections 30 and 31, and running east of said section line, six miles to the east line of the town.

"In 1848, during Mr. Myron Howe's absence from home, his bachelor quarters were taken possession of, and a school opened with Mrs. Abram Quick as teacher."

In 1848, Mrs. George Beckwith taught a school in her own house. A private school was taught in 1848, by Hannah Olin, in the Gilman Lowd neighborhood. The school-house was built by subscription. These seem to have been the first schools opened in the town.

The first re'cord of school district organization is that of a meeting of the school commissioners of the towns of Buttes des Morts and Rushford, held October 22, 1847, at which two school districts were organized in the southern part of the town. One was the " West School District," now Number One.

The first town school superintendent was George Beckwith, who organized most of the school districts in the town. The first male teacher was George Herrick, who lived on Section 9.

Flood In 1846

FLOOD IN 1846. Mr. John S. Johnson states that a great Hood occurred in March, 1846. He had just settled in the town and had built a preemption shanty on Section 30, in March ; and on the 14th of the month a heavy snow storm set in, and a heavy fall of wet snow continued for four days and nights without cessation. It then cleared up and remained clear weather for twenty-four hours; at the expiration of which time it commenced to rain. The rain continued to fall for forty-eight hours, and converted the former fall of snow into water. The streams ran in torrents ; and the country was so flooded that half its surface was under water. The country resembled a vast lake dotted with islands. Large portions of the present towns of Omro, Rushford, Algoma, Oshkosh, Nekimi and Black Wolf, were under water. Nothing like this ever occurred before in the recollection of the Indians. Old Oshkosh, Chief of the Menominees, said he never saw anything to compare with it; and an old squaw. Madam Rabbit, over eighty years of age, and who had lived near Omro the greater part of her life, said that there never was, in her remembrance, anything that would bear a comparison to it. A number of the settlers abandoned their claims. In a short time the water dissappeared, except in the low, flat lands, and the settlers who had left, returned to their preemption shanties

The spring and summer of 1 85 1 was a period of high water. The low lands were flooded by long continued rain storms, but no great permanent damage was done, for the conformation of the country is such that no damaging freshets occur.

First Frame Houses

Since the early day there has been no similar occurrences, the natural water courses conveying the water away harmlessly as fast as it accumulated, while the cultivated land, absorbing the rain fall, prevents any sudden flow or rapid accumulation. The opening of water courses and artificial drains has also aff'orded ample facilities for its conveyance. FIRST FRAME HOUSES.

Elder Pillsbury built the first frame house in the town, in 1848. The second was a good, well-finished dwelling, erected by George Beckwith the same year, and is the building that of late years was occupied by Crego near the "Junction. "

The third or fourth was built by Milo C. Bushnell, and was the first house painted in the town. The paint was put on by George Wrightson. The first frame barn was built by David Minkler, on the Richard Tanner place, in 1849.

The first white child born in the limits of the town was George Johnson, son of John S. Johnson, born June 2, 1846. The second white child, born in the town, was Maria Scott, daughter of Leuman Scott, born in October, 1846. The third was Jane Augustine Olin, daughter of Nelson Olin, born on the 23rd of March, 1847.

One of the earliest marriages was that of Albert Hall to Miss Julia Jones, in April, 1 848. Mrs. Hall died the following July. On the Fourth of July, 1848, Daniel Ingalls and Miss Elizabeth Jones were married, and at the same time Asa Kennedy and Mrs. Harriet Dunning.

Early Deaths Flowing Wells

ing fountains, furnishing an unlimited supply of the best of water. The first flowing well or fountain was opened by Stephen Johnson, in 1847, \\ho was then " keeping bach. " In digging a well he had dug some thirty feet without obtaining water. During the night the water broke through; and in the morning the well was flowing over, and the ground all around his house was flooded. He at first, on looking at it, thought that it was an illusion, and that he was in a dream; but on putting his foot in the cold water he learned it was a reality. This fountain is on Section 36, now the Parks place.

The second was obtained by Nelson Olin. While digging a well on his place, in January, 1848, they had reached thirty-three feet when Mr. Richard Reed, who was picking in the hard-pan, struck his pick through to the handle, and on prying out a chunk of the hardpan, the air and water burst through the aperture with great force. They immediately raised him to the surface. This well, six feet in diameter and thirty-three deep, filled so rapidly, that in an hour and a quarter from the time Mr. Reed struck the vein with his pick, the well was flowing over at the surface, and has flowed to the present time.

The third fountain was struck by Mr. Richard Reed, on his own place, in [848. They had reached fifty feet, in digging this well, when, one morning, the water broke through, and flowed so rapidly, that by nine o'clock at night, the well, fifty feet deep _and six in diameter, was filled and overflowing. The well has never been tubed, and remains in the same condition as when dug; and flows with undiminished volume, to the present time. It is cold, soft water, and the most wholesome drinking water. He built a curb and covered the surface, so as to keep out the surface water, and enclosed the curb with a small building in which he kept meat, butter, and such perishable articles in the cool air.

In the "fountain belt," which is from one to two miles in width, a never-failing supply of flovving water is obtained by boring from fifteen to thirty-five feet.

Mysterious Occurrence

In 1848, a Frenchman was living on a piece of land on the bank of Fox River, just below the present Village of Omro. In the fall he went with an ox team, to bring to his place some produce that he had raised near Waupun. He returned one night, his wife says, about nine o'clock, and after she had gone to bed. She heard him drive up to the house with his oxen, which he turned out, and then came to the door and asked for a pail to wash his feet in. She told him where he would find it; and that was the last heard of him until the following spring, when the Indians reported that they had found the remains of a body on the edge of the river. Mr. H. W. Webster, now of Omro, and other persons, brought the remains, which proved to be those of the missing man, to the widow's house, where an inquest was held and a verdict rendered, "of death by some unknown means. " The event occasioned much excitement.

Religious Services

The Rev. Mr. Sampson held services in the grove, near the West place, in the summer of 1847. In the winter of 1847-48, meetings were held in a shanty on Section 27. In 1848, meetings were held in Mr. Richard Reed's house. This, a log building 18 by 22 feet, was called the "big house." The first sermon was preached by Elder Pillsbury.

Early Settlers

Nelson Olin is one of the earliest Western settlers, having come to Milwaukee on the 27th of June, 1835. He then helped to put up the first frame store in Milwaukee, and to dig the first cellar in that place, which was under the Juneau store, on the corner of Wisconsin and East Water streets. He also built the first dock in that place, and graded Wisconsin Street, from Spring Street bridge to the lake. He lived in Milwaukee over two years; from there he went to Waukesha; and from the latter place moved to the present Town of Omro, on the 20th of November, 1846, and settled on Section 27. He was elected the first town clerk, and has served as chairman of the town for five years. He, also, as road commissioner, helped to lay all the roads in the town which were opened during the first three years of its organization. He is still a resident.

Oilman Lowd settled on Section 33, in this town, in July, 1846, at which time he built a log-house, in which he kept "bach. " In 1849, he was married, and has since, with his family, lived on the same place. He was road commissioner, and directed the laying of the first roads in the town, among which are, what are called, the Section Line Road and Town Line Road. The town had voted twenty-five doi

Myron Howe is one of the earliest settlers of Omro, having settled in this town in July, 1846, at which time he built a log shanty on the southeast quarter of Section 9, in which he kept "bach. " His nearest neighbor was two miles distant. He built a frame house in 1851, at which time he assumed matrimonial relations. His present residence is a fine brick structure, which was erected in 1870. Mr. Howe migrated from the State of New York to Wisconsin, in 1844. When he landed in the Territory, his worldly possessions consisted of his clothes, a chest of joiner's tools and ten dollars in cash. From these small beginnings, by industry and good management, he has become one of the most prosperous farmers of this county. He helped, in 1847, to cut out what is known as the Section Line Road.

John R. Paddleford built a pre-emption shanty on the northeast quarter of Section 14, in February, 1846, and is, therefore, one of the very earliest settlers in the town. In the spring of 1847, h^ moved his family to this place, where he has since resided. He helped to open the first roads in the town, and took a prominent part in its early organization and improvement. His fine farm is among the best in the county, and he ranks as one of its prominent farmers.

Milo C. Bushnell came from Vermont, to Wisconsin, in 1846, and in that year entered the northwest quarter of Section 27, in this town. In 1847, in company with A. H. Pease, he built a log shanty on adjoining land, in which they kept "bach" for a number of years. In 1849, he built, on his own place, a frame building 16 by 24, which was the fourth frame building put up in the town. Mr. Bushnell was elected chairman of the town in 1851, and has served for several terms since in that office. He was United States Assistant Assessor from 1862 to 1870, and member of the Legislature in 1867 and 1868.

Richard Reed, with his family, consisting of his wife, five sons and one daughter, settled in this town, on Section 22, in the fall of 1848; he having, in the fall of 1847, entered the land and built a log-house on the same; his family, in the meantime, living in Waukesha. Mr. Reed continued to reside on this place until 1872, whenhe moved into the Village of Omro, where all his sons are engaged in various business occupatior^s - Richard, Jr in mercantile business, and with whom the old gentleman resides. Mr. Reed was justice of the peace for nine years, and has served in many other official capacities. He is called, by the old settlers, "Uncle Richard," and they claim that he merits the title on occount of their affectionate regard for him, as one in whom they ever found a kind friend and a generous and hospitable neighbor. He is now one of the patriarchs of the town, in his eighty-third year, and in vigorous health. On his eightieth birthday, some sixty of his neighbors made up a surprise-party; at which they presented him with a cane, rocking-chair, secretary and other keepsakes. He was obliged to kiss all the ladies, but being unused to this mode of salutation, he was at first a little awkward, but at last, in a very spirited manner, did full justice to the requirements of the occasion.

Among the pioneer settlers of the Northwest are Mr. and Mrs. Frank Pew, who purchased their present farm, in the Town of Omro, in 1847. Mr. Pew migrated from St. Lawrence County, New York, to Green Bay, in 1837. Mrs. Pew is among the oldest settlers in the Northwest, having lived at Green Bay in 1828. She remembers the Black Hawk War, and has a great fund of recollections of the early days. At nine years of age, in 1832, she passed up the Fox River and down the Wisconsin, in a birch-bark canoe, paddled by Indians, one named We-au-we-ya, after whom the Village of Weyauwega was named. From Prairie du Chien, she went to New Orleans, and from that place to Alexandria, on the Red River. Her father was connected with the troops stationed on the frontier. In 1835, she returned to Green Hay, wher5 she lived until 1846. In 1843, she was married to Frank Pew, and moved with him to her present residence in this county, in 1850.

Mr. Frank Pew drove the first wagon that had ever passed down the west side of the river, from Neenah to the Oneida Settlement. The road was only partly cut out, and, in many places, he had to cut fallen trees. One of the memorable. instances of Mr. Pew's pioneer days was, when a young man of twenty-three engaged in a mill on Manitowoc River. He, and a companion, were left to protect the mill from the depredations of Indians, while the proprietor was absent to Milwaukee to obtain provisions. The vessell having been driven by astorm to Mackinaw, failed to bring them a supply at the expected time; and, although out of food, except the growing corn and potatoes in the field, they did not desert their charge; and for four weeks they subsisted on the green corn and potatoes. The corn soon ripened, so that they could grind it in a coftee-mill, when mush and muskrat ste\f afi'orded sumptuous living. As the corn and potatoes were their chief resources of living, they were not a little alarmed when they found that the Indians were most adroitly and cunningly hooking the potatoes out of the hills and leaving them the growing tops, which compelled them to keep up a vigilant watch; and between them and the Indians the crop was successfully harvested. Mr. Pew is now the owner of one of the finest farms in the county, and in the enjoyment of a comfortable competency.

William O. Giddings settled on Section 8, in this town, in the spring of 1848. He built a log house, into which he moved with his family, at that time, and continued to reside there until 1875, when he moved into the Village of Omro, where he now lives. He served as supervisor for two terms, and helped to organize the first district school in the Village of Omro; and also to build the first schoolhouse.

S. D. Paddleford came to this town in January, 1849, and in March, the same year, entered the southeast quarter of Section 10, where he now resides. Mr. Paddleford is one of the prominent men of the town, and has taken an active part in its improvement from the days of its early settlement. He is the present assessor.

George H. Hatch came to Omro in 1865. and purchased the M. C. Bushnell farm, which was one of the first farms opened in the town. Thomas Palfrey is one of the old settlers, having moved with his parents to Waukau in 1846, and now resides on his farm in this town. Mason Campbell is a later accession. His fine farm of 160 acres is on Section 26.

The names and location of all the farm owners in the town will be found on pages 305, 306 and 307, with the number of acres in their respective farms, and the post-office address of each.

Village Of Omro

VILLAGE OF OMRO. The Village of Omro occupies a most lovely and eligible site on the Upper Fox River. The land, on either side, rises in handsome elevations, affording most delightful sites for residences. P"rom the higher elevations, extensive views can be had of the beautiful surrounding country, dotted with fine farm houses and large barns; and no richer or more lovely country can be found, than that surrounding the village.

The place contains something over two thousand inhabitants, and has twenty odd stores; two steam saw-mills, one a large, firstclass mill (H. W. Webster's), which manufactures some four or five million feet of lumber per annum; a foundry and machine shop (Geo. Challoner's) 36 by 170 feet, one of the principal articles manufactured being Challoner's famous patent shingle-mill machinery. There is also a large carriage manufactory and several smaller waggon and carriage works; a sash and door factory; a barrel factory, employing a large number of hands; grist mill, cheese factory, and a number of mechanic shops of various kinds. A stock company has also built a very fine brick structure for a woolen-mill.

The main business street is quite a busy mait of trade, and presents a lively appearance, and is frequently thronged with teams. It is a well built street, and contains several fine brick blocks.

The village, with its many handsome residences and tastily ornamented grounds, presents a very attractive sight. A large number of the native trees have been preserved, and many shade trees have assumed large proportions.

Manufactures And Business

The Village of Omro has a most advantageous location for trade and manufacturing. The country surrounding and tributary to it is one of the richest agricultural districts to be found in the State, while its location on a navigable stream, giving it water communication with pine and hardwood forests, affords access to manufacturing material. Among the resources of the place is an inexhaustible supply of the best of sand for glass-making.

The place enjoys, in common with other points on these navigable water-courses, the many resources for business and manufacturing which the Fox Valley so largely possesses, and which are fully treated of in other pages of this work. A branch of the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, gives railroad connection with main lines, and a daily mail.

Schools And Churches

of Omro, have, from the beginning, considered educational facihties as something of paramount importance, and have made ample provisions for the education of youth.

The schools of the village are established on the graded system, with a high-school, intermediate and primary departments. There are three school buildings, two brick and one frame.

There are four church structures, very neat and tasty edifices. These have large congregations and well attended Sunday-schools. The leading denominations are, Presbyterians, Methodists and Baptists.

Civic Societies

CIVIC SOCIETIES. There are several civic societies, temperance and benevolent, with well attended meetings. Among the noted institutions of the place is a brass band, which takes high rank, and whose playing, at the Northern State Fair, was highly praised.

Village Officers

Board of trustees, W H. Cain, Robert Crawford, Almond Grey, S. D. Gilman, J. E. Lindsley; treasurer, John D. Treleven; clerk, J. H. Caswell; justices of the peace, N. Frank, D. W. McLeod, A. B. Russell, D. W. Reed,*

Historical Sketch Of The Village

The first settler on the site of the Village of Omro, was David Humes. In the spring of 1847, he embarked on the Fox River, at Marquette, and came from that point in a skiff. Arriving at what is now Omro, he landed and selected for his future residence a portion of Section 16, now called "Beckwith Town. " He built a log-house on his new possessions, and this was the first structure on the site of the Village of Omro.

" It was Mr. Humes' ambition to build up a thriving town_ He settled here for that purpose, and laid every plan for the accomplishment of that end. He had -.j. plan of his own, and in the following Spring he proceeded to carry it out. Taking bis axe, he proceeded to the north side of the river, which was :hen known as the " Indian Land," and selecting his trees, he itruck the first blow toward the building of the " Grouser," or ipright anchor boat, for towing logs against the current. The jrouser was a new idea - one of Mr. Humes' own invention, md predictions of failure were many. But he had faith in iti ind persevered. " I am going to build a boat which will tow ogs up this river, and there will be saw mills built here, and a own will grow up," was his reply to all attempts to discourage lim. Swimming his oxen across the stream, he drew the tim- )er to the river bank. He went on with the work, and soon lad the satisfaction of making it a complete success. The tim- ber of the boat was all hewed in the woods across the river, and framed and put together under Mr. Humes' own supervision. The boat was propelled by horse power - four horses on a sweep, and was known as the " Humes Horse Boat." When the first fleet of logs was brought up, Mr. Nelson Beckwith, a son-in-law of Mr. Humes, went down the river in a skiff to meet the new boat. He paddled around the raft and boat and watched operations for some time, and then said: " Well ! well ! he will be a Fulton yet ! " Mr. Aaron Humes^ a son of David, built the first steam grouser boat. It was called the Swan. Mr. Humes ran it but a little while, then sold it to parties in Neenah, after which he put up a store near where Richardson's house stands in Beckwithtown.

" As soon as it became certain that the boat which Mr. David Humes had invented would be a success, steps were taken by certain parties toward building saw mills, Mr. Nelson Beckwith, a son-in-law of Mr. Humes, proposed to his father-in-law to put up a mill, if he would give him ten acres of land on the river. Mr. Humes agreed to it. About the same time, Mr. Elisha Dean went to Mr. Humes on a similar errand. As the best mill site had already been promised to Mr. Beckwith, Mr, Dean did not accomplish anything, but Elder Theodore Pillsbury, who owned land this side of Beckwithtown, extending to what is now West Division Street, and who built the house now occupied by W. C. Dean, near the Fair Grounds, offered forty acres of land to Mr. Dean. He accepted, and by some understanding, the nature of which we do not know, Mr. Nelson Beckwith joined him and commenced a mill on the site of the present woolen mill. Messrs. Dean and Beckwith continued in partnership but a short time, and Mr. Dean associated with himself Mr. Joel V. Taylor. Meantime Mr. Beckwith erected a mill in Beckwithtown, on the site of the present slaughter house of Mr. Towers. This was in 1849. Mr. Beckwith's residence was on the site of the one now owned by John Douty. Among the other settlers who came to the village about 1847 to 1849 we mention the names of Col. Tuttle, Dr. McAllister, Andrew Wilson, L. O. E. Manning, A. Corfee, William Hammond, Mr. Peck and John Wilson.

"Col. Tultle purchased the fractional' seventy acres of Section 7, on the south side of the river, commencing at Lot i. Western Addition, and extending south and west. Near the site of the old Exchange Tavern was an Indian camping ground. The original plat of the village was laid out in 1849, by Joel V. Taylor, Elisha Dean and Nelson Beckwith. The plat of the Western Addition was laid out the year following. "Previous to 1S50, the river was crossed by a ferry, but in that year Col. Tuttle built a float bridge across the stream at 'he foot of Main Street, where Thompson & Hayward's Carriage Works are situated.

" We find by the records that in 1850 there was quite an accession to the population of the village, and the business of the place. N. Frank and C. Bigelow came in that year. N. Frank came up the river on the steamer " Badger," the first steamer, so far as known, that ever came up the river so far as the bridge. At that time the bridge was not finished. The freight was unloaded on the end of the bridge in the north channel, and plank laid down to get it across to the south shore. The south channel was then very shallow, and many supposed it would never be navigable ; but Mr. Frank and some others were of a different opinion, and put a yoke of cattle and a scraper at work dredging it out. After the current got fairly started through, the water deepened, and it soon became the main channel. Mr. Frank put up a building at the south end of the bridge - the same building which Thomp son & H.iyward have been using fi)ra paint shop and office, and built a dock. Mr. C. Bigelow became associated with him, and they opened the first store of any n. ic in the place, although a Mr. Terwilleger had previously been in trade here in a small way. To show the extent of the business done during Mr. Terwilleger's time, and the prices, we mention a little incident which happened : A certain gentleman brought a load of wood to town, and tried to sell it After trying for several hours he gave it up, and started for the river to throw it in, rather than to haul it home again. Mr. Terwilleger saw him, and came out and offered him a pint of whisky for the load. The trade was made, and the seller went home with the proceeds. Tradition doesn't say what became of the w - ood.

" In the same year, 1850, the first hotel in the village was built - what is now the Larahee House, except that it has been enlarged and improved until there is scarcely anything left of the original structure. The old Exchange Hotel was also built the same summer, but a little later.

"In 1 85 1, the saw mill on the north side of the river, known as "Johnson's Mill," was built by Hiram Johnson and a gentleman by the- name of Bump. The mill was burned in 1866, and the present one erected on the same site.

" Educational matters were not neglected in those early days. The first public school teacher in the village was Mr. Henry Purdy. He taught in the winter of 1850-51, in the first school-house erected in the village in the year 1850. It was situated nearly on the spot on which Mr. H. Carter's barn now stands, just west of the present high school building.

" Mr. L. A. Reed soon after taught a school in the building now owned and used by A. J. Dickerson ; and there was also a school on the north side, in Patterson's building, nearly on the site of Pelton's store, with Miss Peabody as teacher.

" The first record we have of a school meeting is on the 7th day of May, 1850. This meeting was called by G. W. Beckwith, Town Superintendent of Schools. The meeting was held at the house of George Gallatin, at 2 o'clock P. M., and W, P. McAllister was elected Director, James Peck Treasurer, and W. W. Wilcox, Clerk. The meeting adjourned to meet at the same place on the following day at 7 o'clock p. M., for the purpose of designating a site for a school house. At the adjourned meeting it was decided to raise $200 for the school house.

"This vear - 1851 - was not a very flouri?hing one for Omro. Nevertheless, the people stayed and struggled through the best they could, and there were some new comers. Among those who came in ihat year, and the year previous, we mention, L. O. E. Manning, the Wilsons, Wilcoxes, L. Andrews, J. Waterman and the Pattersons. According to the recoUec tion of N. Frank, Esq., there are not now ten men living in the village, who were men at that time, although many of the boys of those days are now residents of the village.

" In 1S55 the Methodist church building was commenced. The foundation for the church was laid, and the frame work put up and inclosed, but it was not finished off until the following season. The Baptist church was not commenced until 1866, but it was finished before the Methodist church.

and JS600 was appropriated for the purpose. At a special meeting held December 15, 1855, a proposal of E. C. Matoon for building the house was accepted, the price being $1,500. At a subsequent meeling, March 3, 1856, Mr. Maloon was released from his contract, and a proposal to build the school-house of brick, from George Stokes, was accepted, the price to be $2,140. The building was put up the same season, but was nut finished until the following summer.

" In the year 1856, the grist mill was built by Mr. McLaren. This was quite an event for the place, and was the means of drawing considerable trade into the village.

" In the same year Andrew Wilson built his mill on the north side of the river. The float bridge which occupied (he place of the present structure was also put across the river the same season. A compromise between the two sections of the village had been effected, and the bridge was located on the line between the two. It was constructed by a company, and opened as a toll bridge

''In 1857, we find among the new residents of the village, Dr. McCall, W. Ames, Dr. Gibbs, Benj. Sadwy and W. Lara bee. The first village charier was granted that year, and the first charter election was held on the I3lh of April. The whole number of votes cast was 105. W. P. McAllister was elected President, and Chancellor Johnson, A. C. Patterson, J. Gibbs and W Larabee, Trustees. W. B Holcomb was elected Clerk; J. V. Taylor, Treasurer; Benj. Sawdy, Assessor; and A. ]. White, Marshal.

" The building on the corner, now occupied by Berkley & Cain, was erected during the summer, by N. Frank, and rented to Joel V. Taylor, who put in a general stock, and continued business here for several years.

" The project of a railroad to Omro was first brought into definite shape during this year. In the spring and summer the stock was all taken, $90,000 in cash and bonds being the amount which the Town and Village of Omro pledged or paid.

" In 1858, the float bridge across the Fox was purchased by the town for $800, on condition that the Bridge Company put it in repair, and that the village maintain and keep it in repair. The village, at their annual meeting the same year, empowered the Board of Trustees to take action in the mailer, and the proposition of the town was agreed to. The purchase was made, and the bridge declared free to the public. G. W. Shafer came to Omro this year and commenced business where the Northwestern House stands. Grading and tieing the railroad was commenced this year, and progressed steadily but not very rapidly. In the following year the work went on, and the grading was nearly completed through to Winneconne. The first depot was built by private subscription, and was located on the bank of the river, on the west side of the track.

" Track laying was commenoed in' i860. In the early part of the winter of that year the iron was laid as far as Waukau, and on Sunday, the 1st of January, i86i, the last rail was laid at the bank of the river in Omro.

" The spring of 1861 was ushered in with the first dread notes of war. * * * Company C, of the Fourteenth Infantry, was recruited in Omro in the fall of 1861, mustered into the United States service, January 30, 1862, and left the State on the 8lh of March. * * * David Hinman, a son of J. L. Hinman, now residing In the village, was the first i-oldier from Omro who was killed. * * * *

" Tht Fourteenth was under fire from the time it reached the front until it was mustered out. » * * Company A, of the Forty-eighth Infantry, was recruited here, and was composed almost solely of Omro men. * * * The Third Cavalry, which was recruited in 1S61, and mustered into service in January, 1862, also contained many citizens of Omro. * * * The Eighteenth Regiment also had one company from Omro, Company F. *'^*'^'^'^**

" It was during the ve.ir 1863 that Mr. George Challoner built the shingle mill now occupied by Thompson cSc Hayward. He put in a shingle machine of his own invention, and did a good business.

The opening of the spring of 1S66 witnessed a general increase of business in Omro. The soldiers had nearly all returned to peaceful pursuits, and the feeling of joy that the Rebellion had at last been crushed seemed to encourage everybody. Improvements were commenced, new enterprises talked of and started, and the busy hum of industry was heard from one end of the village to the other All who wanted work found plenty of it, and at good wages and prompt pay; and workmen from other places flocked here for work, the reputation of Omro as a live, growing town having gone abroad. Both Wilson's and Johnson's saw-mills were run " for all they were worth," and then could not supply the demand ; and when they shut down in the fall there was no lumber left in the yard. It had all been shipped green from the saw. Johnson's mill unfortunately butned down in the busiest time, and, although it was immediately rebuilt, much of the best part of the summer was lost. George Challoner put up a large shop on the site of the present foundry and machine shop.

*' Lewi? & Thompson's shingle mill was then running on full time, and making money. '*A'' shingles sold for ^5. Goodenough & Utter put up a spoke and hub mill just above where Webster's saw-mill is located. It did not succeed very well. It was burned and not rebuilt. Sheldon & Allen put in a broom handle factory in a building about on the site of Lansing's barn. It did not prove a success financially, and was finally abandoned. Scott's shingle mill was built near where the woolen mill is, and run for awhile That, too, was burned and not rebuilt. The first brick store was put up that summer - the Gibbs building. The Webster saw mill was put up that season by L. B. Lewis and Ellis Thompson. The Catholic church was built that summer; and Drew & Hicks put up their carriage shop, now forming a part of the Thompson & Hayward works.

"The following year, 1868, was not so favorable for Omro; but there was considerable building during the year. Putnam's Block was put up, A Pelton's brick store on the North Side, and many dwellings ; and the highway bridge across the Fox was also built that year. The Omro Agricultural and Mechanical Association grounds Were fitteil up and enclosed during the summer and fall, and the fair held there. The Great Western Compound Company was organized, and the building erected the same year. G. W. Shafer built his fine brick building on the corner of Water and Division streets.

''The year i86g was not marked by any great changes. David Blish put up and run a planing mill on the North Side, and the manufactories already built were kept running.

" 1870 showed some improvement. The Christian church, now occupied by the Methodist Society, was also put up, besides many fine dwellings. The American House, formerly

In 1 87 1, the foundry and machine shop of George Challoner was destroyed by fire; loss, ^20,000. Mr. Challoner immediately rebuilt the works.

On the 14th of September, 1871, some workmen, while excavating near the residence of John Wilson, found the remains of a Mastodon. The following account was published in the Omro Union.

"The tusks were the lir>t purauiio exhjincd; they Were mistaken for petrified Wood, and the end of one that projected into the ditch was consequently struck off with a spade; soon, however, their true character was discovered, and by a little farther digging two enormous molar teeth were thrown out. Subsequently the two huge tusks were removed from the soil, getting somewhat mutilated, however, by rough handling. They were of the enormous length of ten feet each, and one was eight inches in diamater. The teeth, of which four in all have been found, are of immense size, and in a perfect state of preservation, the enamel looking as hard and bright as if but yesterday they were taken from their sockets. They measure on the crown nine inches in length and five in width, and nine inches from the crown to the end of the fangs. Each weighs eight pounds. The teeth of this animal show that it belonged purely to the herbiverous species They have the peculiar mastoid or nipple-like elevations on their grinding surface, from which the animal takes its nnme."

Among the later business structures erected, are the fine brick blocks of W. W. Race, Andrew Wilson and Treleven & Orchard. These buildings, and the Northwestern Hotel, a substantial brick edifice, are ornaments to the street. The destruction of George Shafer's three-story brick block is a great loss to Omro, and one much deplored.

The general business depression which has prevailed of late years somewhat checked the progress of the place, but Omro, in common with other towns, is rapidly resuming the appearance of its better business days, and bids fair to make rapid strides in the march of improvement.

Prominkni' Business Men

One of the live, enterprising men of the place, is Andrew Wilson, who settled on the site of Omro in 1849. He subsequently engaged in lumbering, and, in 1856, built a saw-mill, and continued in the lumber business for sixteen years. His beautiful residence is one of the best in the place. The publisher is indebted to him for the kind interest he has taken in the publication of this work.

H. W. Webster, one of the leading men of the place and a heavy lumber manufacturer, settled in the present Town of Omro, on Section 15, in December, 1848. In 1870, he purchased the large saw-mill which he now oper- ates. He is one of Omro's representative men and has served as chairman of the Board for six terms, and now represents that district in the State Legislature.

N. Frank, who is fully mentioned in the foregoing historical sketch, came toOmro July 15, 1850, opening the first store, and has taken a prominent part in the history of the place. He has acted as justice of the peace for twentytwo years.

Andrew Lansing is another prominent name. He moved to the Village of Omro, February 12, 1853, and bought the American House, which he kept for a number of years. He also opened the first livery stable in Omro. ^ He is one of the early western settlers, having lived in Rosendale in 1847 - in the days of Indian trails.

Robert Crawford settled in the now Town of Omro in the fall of 1849, and was, consequently, there at the very beginning of the village, in the building up of which he has taken an active part.

Geo. Shafer came to Omro in 1858, and has been one of its most enterprising citizens. He opened a large drug store, and built the finest business block on the street.

Geo. Challoner, proprietor of a large foundry and machine shop, has been one of the most prominent manufacturers. He settled in Omro in 1849, and is the inventor of Challoner's shingle-mill. He is frequently mentioned in the foregoing sketch.

J. M. Heals, present chairman of the Board, settled in this town in 1857, and is now a resident of the village. He has served as chairman for two terms, and is an efficient and influential member of the County Board.

W. W Race, one of the enterprising men of the place, and a heavy dealer in hardware, etc., and whose finely stocked store is a credit to the place.