Marshfield Town

Marshfield Town

Township 16 north, of Range 19 east, is now Marshfield. It belonged to more towns, before being separately erected into its present shape, than any other town in the county. In

1852, by an act approved April 17 of that year, it was detached from Calumet and Forest and named Kossuth, the first town election to be held at Georg'e Harkness' house. This name, three years later, was changed to Marshfield, which was suggested on account of the unusually large marsh tracts covering the town. May 10, 1835, Deputy United States Surveyor C. T. V. King gave the town a hard name in his report to the Government, saying : " This is a poor township, and needs no general remarks; too great a portion of it is marsh and swamp." This, in the light of more recent advancement in population and wealth, is seen to have been an unjust judgment. Notwithstanding the marshes, it is not wholly a " poor town," containing, as it now does, a population of forehanded and thrifty Germans.

In 1847, Rev. Caspar Rehrl taught the first school at Mount Calvary, on Section 29. The same year, the Catholics built a church on the same section. The town now contains three Catholic Churches. The Pastors are Revs. P. Dominicus, P. Andrew and P. Mathew. It also contains six good schoolhouscs.

In 18-51, John Blonigen established a post ofiice called Moria. J. II. Coolidge is now Postmaster of St. Cloud, on Section 25, and P. Rothgary, of Mount Calvary.

Marshfield Mutual Insurance Companjf was organized February 2, 1874. Over one hundred persons were present at the first meeting, at which Calumet, Marshfield, Forest and Taycheednh were represented. In 1875. Osceola and Empire were added to the organization, and, in 1880, Russell and Greenbush, of Sheboygan County ; Brothcrtown, of Calutnet Countv, and Auburn, Ashford, Byron, Eden, Friendship and Fond du Lac, of Fond du Lac County, were added. The first officers were: John Ilolchnecht and A. Mdlenb:icli, of Calumet ; Nicholas Steffes and Michael Wirtz, of T:iycheedah ; Joseph Feldner and -Jacob II.Walderschmid,of Fore.st; Fred Konz, N. Krumer and M. J. Miesen, of Marshfiehl. Tiie first President was N. Kramer. In 1876, Fred Konz was chosen President and still holds that office. iM. J. Miesen was the first Secretary and still holds the position. The present Directors arc: F. Konz and M. J. Miesen, Marshfield; M. Wirtz and N. Steffes, Taycheedah ; August Pitzen, Calumet; P. Beuese, For- H. Sriibel, Empire; N. Stack, Osceola. There are now out 1,036 policies, aggregating $1,004,992 of insiu-ance. In 1879, $10 losses were paid; losses to January, 1880, $9u6.56. The Company has a fund of $5,508.65 now on hand, and is one of the most prosperous in the county.

St. Francis Monaster)/. - This is the head of the Capuchin Church in America. It is a strong and prosperous institution, equal to any similar ones of other denominations in AVisconsin. It is thus described : " It is located at Mount Calvary, twelve miles east from Fond du Lac, and two miles south of the Sheboygan k Fond du Lac Riilroad, an<l comprises the church, convent and college of the Capucliin Order of St. Francis. On the 15th of October, 1856, tiie place wa? selected by two secular priests, P. Francis Haas and P. Bonnventura, with the advice of Rt. Rev. John Martin Henry, Bishop of Milwaukee, for the foundation of the Order. In March, 1858, possession was taken of the first eastern wing of the building, the dimensions of which were 27x111 feet. Three years subsequent to this time, the two priests, assisted by three lay brothers and others, under the direction of P. Francis, as Guardian, commenced to enlarge the building on the south side, and to lay the foundation of the church with the choir, on the north side, which was completed the following year, 1862. Meanwhile, others having joined the Order, it became desirable to build a college, which was done in the summer of 1864 ; this formed tlie southern wing ; it was opened, under the patronage of St. Lawrence, of Bordeaux, in November of the same year. The -western wing, together with the Chapel of St. Francis on the north, was commenced in 1857, and completed in the fall of 1868. It was hardly occupied when the whole edifice was destroyed by fire on the 26th of December, the same year, except the aisle of the church and St. Francis Chapel. The church and convent were again rebuilt, and completed in 1870. The following year, it was enlarged by St. Joseph's Family Hall and Monument, which was opened on the 4th of July, 1872. It was again enlarged in 187o. by the addition of a new study hall and dormitory for the accommodation of students. Other additions were made in 1874 and since, and money continues to be expended in enlarging, beautifying and furnishing the institution."

The different Chairmen of Marshfield have been Joseph Wagner, H. C. Giltner, William Wolf Rithard Schrage and Fred Konz. The Clerks have been Otto Rollmann, F. J. Isaak, M. J. Miesen, John Konz and John Hennen.

FRANK BEAU, Postmaster, also dealer in gjnsral merchandise, Calvary Station, was born in Champagne, France, Sept. 29, 1830 ; when he was 8 years of age, his parents emigrated to Arau, Switzerland, where he was educated ; after leaving school, he shipped on a mercantile vessel, and followed the sea for about seven years, during which time he visited many of the principal ports of the world. In 1853, he came to Sheboygan, Wis., where he married, in 1854, Katie Smitzbauer, a native of Bavaria, Germany, bora in 1833, and who came to Sheboygan a few months prior to their marriage ; in 1869, they came to Calvary Station ; their children are Maggie (now wife of George Brown), Mary, Frank, John, Joseph, George, Otto, Frances, Rosa and Henry ; Mr. B. was foreman of the construction of the Sheboygan & Fond du Lac R. R., and held various positionson that road; after its completion, in 1872, he engaged in thegrain business at Calvary Station, and in the fall of 1877, he established a general store, and has successfully carried on both of the enterprises, and by his liberality and fair dealing, has secured a large trade ; he has been Postmaster since 1873. He is a Republican in politics. His father, Alois Beau, was a native of Switzerland; he married, in Champagne, France, Theresa Tressler ; she died in Arau, Switzerland ; the elder Beau was a follower of Napoleon, went through all of his campaigns, and was with him a short time at St. Helena Island ; he came to Sheboygan, Wis., in 1853, and died there in 1862.

MATTHIAS BOURGEOIS, Mt. Calvary; this gentleman, who has been for a number of years a leading business man at Mt. Calvary, was born in Zaubaugh, Kries Cochem, Germany; he received a thorough education in his native village, and was book-keeper and general manager for a large minini, company in Mullenbach, prior to his coming to America; in 1847, he emigrated to Green Bay, Wis., and clerked in a mercantile store at that place until 1848, in which year he came to Marshfield and engaged in farming; during the years 1851-52, he had charge of the mercantile store of Aaron Leopold ; this was the first store in Mt. Calvary; in 1856, he removed to Marytown, and took charge of a store at that place for the firm of Brownson & Laughlin, which firm he bought out about 1858, and engaged in the mercantile business on his own account until July, 1859, when he returned to Mt. Calvary and engaged in farming until 1875 ; he then bought a large brewery, located in the vicinity of Mt. Calvary, which he has operated since ; his residence, which is one of the finest in the northwestern part of the county, he erected in 1869, at a cost of several thousand dollars; he is engaged in grain dealing at Calvary Station, with Wagner & Co., and does a large business; he owns valuable city property in Fond du Lac, also property in Calvary Station and Mt. Calvary tn the amount of several thou.sand dollars. June 27, 1858, he married, at Sheboygan, Wis., Rosa Schrage ; she was born in Schwelm, Germany, and was the daughter of Peter C. and Julia Schrage ; their children are Mary, Julia, Barbara, Henry, Caspar, Matthias, Amelia, Edmund and Rodolph.- Mr. Bourgeois is a man of the sternest integrity, and executes all his plans with great promptness and uncommon energy ; the fruits of his labors will long survive him in the business enterprises which he carried to completion ; he was always an active and public-spirited citizen, ever ready to render assistance to every enterprise that gave promise of general good ; in religious and educational matters, he has always taken a deep and active interest, and he is a citizen that the town of Marshfield could ill aftord to be without.

JOHiV P. BUTZ, farmer, Sec. 21 ; P. 0. Calvary ; was born in the village of Vossenack, Kries Montgoi, Germany, Jan. 1, 1835. In 1847, he emigrated with his parents to America, and settled in the town of Marshfield, Fond du Lac Co., Wis., where he has since resided ; Jan. 30, 1865, he married at Mt. Calvary, Fond du Lac Co., Wis., Katie Kommers, daughter of Adolph and Katrina Kommers, old and honored residents of Marshfield ; she was born in Neumagen, Germany, Jan. 2, 1847 ; they have six children - Annie K., May, Marguerite, Clara, Kegina and Gertrude. Mr. Butz owns 105 acres of land located on Sees. 21 and 22, and well improved. In politics, he is a Democrat. His father, John Butz, was born in Vossenack, Kries Montgoi, Germany, in 1800 ; he married in his native village, Annie G. Wirtz, they emigrated to this country in 1847, and settled in Marshfield, Fond du Lac Co., Wis., where she died in 1850 ; he died in Hennepin Co'., Minn., while on a visit to some of his children in 1870. Their children are Adolph (now of Hennepin Co., Minn., he served in a Minnesota battalion during the war of the rebellion), Magdalene (wife of J. Linzt^n, Hennepin Co., Minn.), John P. (whose name appears at the head of this .sketch), John J. (now of Hennepin Co., Minn., he was a soldier in a Minnesota regiment during the war of the rebellion), Frank P. (also of Hennepin Co., Minn.), Virginia, (now deceased), Katie (wife of Peter Kommers, Hennepin Co., Minn., he was a soldier in the Union army during the war of the rebellion, and was severely wounded).

J. H. COOLIDGE, merchant, St. Cloud; was born in Hillsborough, N. H., in 1833, where he received a preliminary education which fitted him to enter the Union Academy, at Washington, N. H., where he completed his education; in 1851, he went to Boston, Mass., and was in the mercantile business there until 1856, in which year he went to Milwaukee, Wis., where he remained but a short time, in the autumn of 1856, he came to Fond du Lac, and was clerk in Register's Ofiice about one year, afterward was express agent; in 1859, he went to the town of Forest, and there engaged in teaching school and farming; in 1-^69 ho moved to St. Cloud and engaged in the mercantile business, which he has successfully continued in since. The first two years he carried on in connection with the mercantile business a flouring-mill and wood manufactory; in 1872, he was elected Clerk of Fond du Lac County, for a term of two years; he was appointed Postmaster at St. Cloud when the post ofiice was established in 1869, a position he has since filled ; he has also held the oEBce of Notary Public for several years. March 18, 1860, he married, in the town of Forest, this (Fond du Lac) county, Elizabeth Davidson, nee Coleman ; they have had three children - Marshal! H., Alton G., and Dana C. ; Alton G. died at the age of four years. Mrs. Coolidge had two children by her first husband (Thos. R. Davidson, who was a former settler of Forest, and died there in October, 1854), viz.: Henry I., who died in 1876, was County Clerk at the time of his death ; and Charles C, now mail agent on the Sheboygan & Fond du Lac R. R. In polities, Mr. Coolidge is a consistent, intelligent, and active Republican. He owns 400 acres of land in the town of Forest, and large tracts of land in Lincoln and Chippewa Cos. Wis. He has led a very active and industrious life, and by his good management, his efforts in every walk of life have met with success. He

Source changes here: from Fond Du Lac County, Wisconsin, Past and Present, by McKenna, Maurice, published 1912; 1,736 words in this source stream.

Marshfield Town

Marshfield is a full congressional township and is bounded on the north by the town of Calumet, on the west by Calumet and Taycheedah, on the south by Forest and on the east by Sheboygan county. It was organized in 1852 under the name of Kossuth, which it retained for three years, before being changed to Marshfield, the name being given to it by reason of the large tracts of marsh land within its borders. The first settlers were Germans and that nationality still holds the majority in population.

The first settler was Stephen Goeser, a German, who came to the town in 1841. He was soon followed by Anton Kramer, John Fuchs and John Loehr. At the first election held in 1852, Joseph Wagner was chairman and Otto Rollmann, clerk. The first child born in the town of Marshfield was Joseph Fuchs, son of John Fuchs, in 1842.

The marriage of Anton Kramer to Mary Ann Brost, December 13, 1843, was the first to take place in the community, and the first death was that of Joseph Stump in 1843.

There are two important villages in the town of Marshfield - St. Cloud and Mount Calvary. At the latter place, which is twelve miles east of Fond du Lac, was selected the site for the headquarters of the Capuchin Society of the Cath¬ olic church. Here is a magnificent church of the order of St. Francis, a convent and college. On the 15th of October, 1856, the place was chosen by two secular priests, P. Francis Haas and P. Bonabentura, through the advice of Rt. Rev. John Martin Henry, bishop of Milwaukee, for the foundation of the order. In March, 1858, the building of the church had progressed so far that the first east¬ ern wing, the dimensions of which were 27x111 feet, was occupied. Three years subsequent to this time the two priests, assisted by three lay brothers and others under the direction of P. Francis Haas as guardian, commenced to enlarge the building on the south side and laid the foundation of the church with the choir on the north side, which was completed in 1862. In 1864 the first college build¬ ing was erected and was opened under the patronage of St. Lawrence of Bord¬ eaux in November of that year. Another wing was completed in 1868, but was hardly occupied when the whole edifice was destroyed by fire excepting the aisle of the church and St. Francis chapel. The church and convent were again re¬ built and completed in 1870. The following year it was enlarged by St. Joseph's Family Hall and monument, which was opened on the 4th of July, 1872, and was again enlarged in 1873 by the addition of a new study hall and dormitory for the accommodation of students. Other additions and buildings have been erected since then and large amounts of money have been expended in enlarging, beautifying and furnishing the institution. The church property includes Floly Cross church, the Capuchin monastery, convent of Notre Dame and St. Law¬ rence college, Rev. Benedict Mueller is rector of the latter.

St. Cloud lias a postoffice and is a station on the Chicago & Northwestern rail¬ road. It lies in section 25 and is eighteen miles northeast of Fond du Lac. The population in 1910 was 310. The village was incorporated in 1909. It has a general store, a manufactory of farm implements, elevator, lumberyard and cheese factory. The State Rank of St. Cloud, recently organized, has for its chief head Andrew Darnieder. F. J. Egerer is vice president and A. C. King¬ ston, cashier. It is capitalized for $25,000.

Mt. Calvary Capuchin Monastery

It was February 2, 1849, when Father Caspar Rehrl, the pioneer missionary of eastern Wisconsin, gave orders to have all the farmers who wished to organize their own congregation meet in the house of John Rlonigen. The meeting was well attended; all agreed to buy the land (forty acres) upon which the hill called Mt. Calvary, in the town of Marshfield, is situated. On the following day, Feb¬ ruary 3, 1853, the farmers cut logs for their first church (St. Nicholas), and in a month's time the logs were piled up and the church completed. In one of the log houses on Mount Carmel near by, Father Rehrl taught school, and until the church was under roof, held services. Later on, a young lady named Mary Guidinger, from Luxemburg, took charge of the school, under the name of Sister Cecilia. When she departed for Notre Dame Convent, Milwaukee, the school was neglected a year. Then the school sisters took charge of the school in 1852.

October 15, 1856, Father Gregory Haas and Father John Frey, having arrived from Switzerland in order to establish the Capuchin Order in America, paid the place their first visit. A glance to the hill convinced them that it was pre¬ pared by nature for a home of retirement, of prayer and study. While Father Haas was collecting in Europe, arranging matters with the ecclesiastical authori¬ ties and recruiting candidates, Father Frey undertook to build the new monas¬ tery during the summer of 1857. Calvary parish at that time extended eight to twelve miles in every direction and consisted of one hundred and sixty families, with about one hundred and fifty children in school. A Swiss father, whom Father Haas brought with him from Europe, invested the two beginners, De¬ cember 2, 1857. Today Mt. Calvary presents quite a different view: A spacious church, a complete monastery, a practical college, two halls and other necessary additional buildings form an imposing complexity of structures on the old Indian hill. And from this little place a province has grown up, - the Calvarian Prov¬ ince of the Capuchin Order, comprising seven convents and four hospices, with seventy-three fathers, forty-eight brothers, eleven clerics and twenty-four scho¬ lastics.

No later than 1861 Father Haas founded a preparatory seminary under the patronage of St. Lawrence of Brindisi. Four Latin scholars were received. Their abode was in the northeastern corner of the monastery. The number of students having meanwhile increased, the order decided to make the institution permanent; consequently, in 1864 the southern wing of the monastery was erected and adapted to college purposes. The fire, December 26, 1868, destroyed the young plantation, yet, after great sacrifices and through the extraordinary energy of Father Haas, it was reopened, November, 1869. Additions became necessary soon after and thus St. Joseph's Hall was built in 1871, on the southwest corner.

In 1 88 1 the present stately and spacious main building was erected and solemnly dedicated by Archbishop Heiss, December i, 1881. In 1884 the Seraphic school was established for the special training of candidates for the Capuchin Order, and in the following year a commercial course was introduced. The preeminent aim of the college, however, always remained the preparation of Catholic young men for the holy priesthood, and therefore, in 1904, the commercial course was abol¬ ished.

In 1898 St. Thomas Hall was built for literary assemblies, dramatical and musical entertainments and gymnastic exercises. In 1894 a beautiful chapel was added to the western side of the college for the exclusive use of the students. It is furnished with artistic altars, numerous statues and tasty decorations. At pres¬ ent the college comprises a classical and philosophical course. The classical course covers a period of five years and embraces the study of Latin, Greek, Eng¬ lish, German, French, grammar, composition, rhetoric, literature, mathematics, history, geography, the elements of botany, zoology, physical geography and phy¬ sics. The philosophical course extends over two years. In the first year the classics are completed. The other branches taught are logic, general metaphysics, natural theology, ethics, history of philosophy, hermeneutics, church history, one of the natural sciences, Hebrew, bookkeeping and commercial law. Drawing may be taken once a week to acquire facility in the use of pencil and crayon in free hand sketching of landscape, portrait and architectural designs. Advanced stu¬ dents receive instruction in water color and oil painting free of charge, except for materials.

Among the societies flourishing at the college may be mentioned St. Thomas Literary Society for the senior, and St. Lawrence Literary Society for the junior students. They promote literary culture and develop the students' talent in read¬ ing, recitation, dialogue, essay, debate and oratory. The College Choir cultivates vocal music, especially the Gregorian & Cecilian Chant. The College Cornet Band, Orchestra & Glee Club provide music for the various . social entertainments throughout the year. The faculty consists of eleven fathers and one professor of instrumental and vocal music. The number of students is one hundred and fifty. A limited number of scholarships is granted to poor and deserving boys who aspire to the holy priesthood in the Capuchin Order. This institution, by virtue of the Charter of the Province of St. Joseph of the Capuchin Order, is empowered "to confer such degrees and grant such diplomas as are usually con¬ ferred by similar institutions." A well selected library of four thousand books, and a carefully equipped museum are within reach of the students.

During the activity and progress on the part of the college, the parish and mon¬ astery had not remained idle. The fathers were constantly improving in and about the parish church till a spacious and beautifully decorated church appeared as it is today. The cemetery was enlarged and embellished by large artistic statues in the middle and in the two upper corners, fourteen chapel like niches were erected of brick and cut stone, containing terra cotta representations of the stations of the cross along one of the walks leading up the hill from Notre Dame Convent. Midway between the church and the village on another road is the so-called Ecce Homo chapel. The space before the monastery was changed to a grove of cedar and pine trees, with a fine cement sidewalk running down the hill to the village. On Mount Carmel the convent and chapel were enlarged in the course of time, and finally in 1908 a large new parochial school was built at the cost of $16,000. It is of brick two stories high and fully equipped for mod¬ ern teaching. The present head of the monastery and rector of the congregation is Rev. Father Pacificus Raith, while the present rector of the college is Rev. Father Benedict Mueller, a native of New York. I