^^'/^- 'J give vic/e Sao/s \ for tie /eumbag j>/ a, Cff/Hege, mii^ Cfleity 1935 wwwiwwyt THE PIONEERS OF Outeganiie Countj, Wigcongiii. CONTAINING The Records of the Outagamie County Pioneer Association ; also a Biographical and Historical Sketch of some of the Earliest Settlers of the County, and their Families, their Children, and Grand-children. ELIHU SPENCER, For twenty years Secretary of the Outagamie County Pioneer Association. APPtETON, WIS. POST PPBIyJSHJNG COMPANY, PEINTEKS AND PUBJ^ISHEKS, 189£. INTRODUCTION OR PREFACE. ^N PRESENTING the following volume to the public ^P it seems proper that I should explain my reasons for ^8/ doing so. I have been the secretary of the Outa gamie County Pioneer Association during the last twenty years, and now have in my possession the records and all the historical papers, documents, and annual addresses read or presented before the association during its exist ence. My brother pioneers wish me to publish them. I have consented to do so, and in preparing them for the press it occurred to me that it would add to the value of book to give a short biographical sketch of some of the families of the principal pioneers and early settlers of our county. Those sketches have been written or dictated either by the pioneers themselves or by some one of their families, so their accuracy may be relied upon. I have not been able to get sketches of all the pioneer families in the county, as that would make too large a volume and increase the cost of the book. It will be seen by reading the records of the association that the historical sketches of the several towns of the county have been written by a resident of the town they represent, and can be relied upon for accuracy more than any history written by one individual. It is very important that the early history of our county and of its early settlers and their families should be published in a book in a cheap form so that our children and future generations may become familiar with their history, and that we may not be forgotten as soon as we pass from the earth. The generation that has listened to the stories of the grand old pioneers — those great arid silent men who in their ^ INTRODUCTION. prime fought back the wild beasts and wilder savages and claimed the virgin soil as their own heritage — is rapidly passing away ; the number remaining who can relate the incidents of the first days of settlement is becoming so small indeed that an actual necessity exists for the collec tion and preservation of events without delay. The time has therefore come when the patriotic people of this region desire to perpetuate the names of its pioneers, to furnish a record of their early settlements, to relate the story of their progress, and as well to preserve the memory of those who are now carrying forward the work thus inaugurated and who are instrumental in beautifying this naturally favored section. The civilization of our day, the enlightenment of the age and the duty that the men of the present owe to their ancestors, to themselves and to pos terity, demands that a record of their lives and deeds be made. E. Spencer. PRELIMINARY MEETING Outagamie Countij ^mm i^g^ociation, FEBI={ U Ai={>(' 22, 1S"7'2. In response to a call published in the Appleton Crescent of Feb. 10, 1872, signed by John Stephens, J. M. Phinney, Harmon Jones, Geo. H. Myers, W. S. Warner, John F. Johnston, Wm. McGuire, Sam Ryan, Jr. and others, the pioneers of Outagamie County met in large numbers at the hall of J. C. Smith, in the city of Appleton, on Feb. 22, 1872, at 10 o'clock a. m. The meeting was called to order by Mr. John Stephens, and on motion of Mr. Charles Wol- cott James M. Phinney was chosen temporary chairman and John Whorton secretary. The chairman having briefly stated the object of the meeting the following resolution was offered and unani mously adopted : Resolved^ That a committee of nine be appointed by the meeting' whose duty it shall be to arrange a prog-ramme of proceedings for the day and report as early as possible; and the consideration of such report takes precedence of all other business before the meeting-. WhekEas, L/awrence University was planted in Appleton before either the town or county had a name ; Whereas, in an intellectual and moral, even a social point of view, that institution is of greater importance to the county than any other institution within its limits ; and, Whereas, Not one of the faculty of that institution is by virtue of the call under which this meeting has assembled entitled to a seat with us to-day ; therefore, Resolved, That Rev. Dr. Steele, president of Lawrence University with his lady be invited to spend the day with us and partake of our festivities and participate in ovir exercises. 6 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. After being amended so as to include the pastors of all the churches in the county, the preamble and resolution was unanimously adopted. On motion of Daniel Huntley the following- resolution was adopted : Resolved, That a list of the names of all heads of families in this meeting and of all such as are here, but have no families, tog-ether with the year and month in which each one became an actual resi dent of the territory now embraced in Outag-amie County, and also the postoBfice address of each be taken, commencing immediately with those now present and continuing as they come in through the day, and that a committee of three be appointed whose special duty it shall be to prepare such list. The chair appointed Messrs. D. Huntley, Carl Breiterick and L. L. Randall such committee. The^ following resolution was then presented and unani mously adopted : Resolved, That a committee of five, of whom John Stephens shall be chairman, to be appointed, whose duty it shall be, without delay, to report the constitution of the Outagamie County Pioneer Associa tion, and that when such report shall be received the first business of the meeting shall be to consider such report and adopt or reject the same ; that should it be adopted we proceed at once to elect officers under it and take any other steps necessary to complete our organization. The chair appointed Messrs. J. Stephens, G. H. Myers, M. Culbertson, E. Spencer and J. H. Barnes as such com mittee. After a short absence the special committee thereon sub mitted the following programme which, after brief remarks, was adopted. First. Permanent organization to be effected before dinner. Second. Immediately before dinner the« reading and singing the song of the pioneers. Third. Dinner. Fourth. All speeches to be limited to five minutes, unless authorized by the meeting to continue longer. Fifth. Immediately after dinner each town, including the city, shall be called on alphabetically and be allowed not to exceed five speeches each. OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 7 Sixth. Clergymen shall be called on by the president in whatever order he may choose. The committee appointed to draft a constitution, through their chairman, John Stephens, Esq., presented the follow ing report, which after being read article by article, was unanimously adopted: CONSTITUTION. Article I. This association shall be known as the Outagamie County Pioneer Association. Article II. The officers of this association shall be a president, a vice-president, a secretary, a treasurer, and an executive committee of five members. Article III. The president shall preside at all the meetings of the association and of the executive committee, and shall have power to call meetings of the same and to perform all the duties usually devolving upon the president. Article IV. The vice-president, when the president is absent, shall have power tp perform all the duties of the president. Article V. It shall be the duty of the secretary to keep a record of the proceedings of all the meetings of the association and of the executive committee, and to give notice in one or more newspapers published in the city of Appleton, of all the meetings of the association or execu tive committee when ordered to do so by the president or executive committee, and to keep and preserve all docu ments, read or presented to the association. Article VI. It shall be the duty of the treasurer to collect and keep the funds of the association ; disbursing the same only in obedience to the orders of the president or executive committee. Article VII. It shall be the duty of the executive committee to meet in obedience to the call of the president, to give him their opinion on any question pertaining to the interest of the association, and to make or cause to he made all necessary arrangements for meetings of the association, and to superintend the same and to audit all accounts 8, OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. against the association and order the treasurer to pay the same. Article VIII. The funds of the association shallbe used to defray the expenses incurred in making arrange ments for and in conducting its meetings, and to pay for printing the notices and proceedings of such meetings and for no other purpose unless authorized by a vote of three- fourths of all the members present. Article IX. Any person, male or female, or the hus band or wife of any person who was an actual resident of Outagamie Count}', on or before the 4th day of July, 1860, shall be entitled to membership and shall be deemed eligible to any office in the association. Article X. Each office, except that of member of the executive committee, shall be filled by a majority of the legal votes cast, but the executive committee shall be chosen in the manner following, to-wit : The presiding officer shall appoint a committee of five of the members present, which committee shall nominate as many persons as are to be elected, which nomination shall be confirmed or rejected by a majority of the viva voce votes. If con firmed the persons thus nominated shall be declared elected; if rejected, in whole or in part, said committee shall imme diately fill the places of the rejected ones by a new nomination and so proceed till the committee is full. Article XL Each officer shall hold his or her office for the year and until a successor shall have been elected. Article XII. This constitution may be- altered or amended by a vote of three-fourths of the members present at any legally authorized meeting. OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. Names of pioneers, date of their arrival in the county, and postoffice address : Names op Pioneeks. Date of Arrival Postoffice 1872. Remarks. John Dey Sept., 1849 Sept., 18S2 Greenville . . . John H. Barnes Freedom .... Removed to Dakota. Ethan Powers April, 18S0 Freedom .... Died. Elihu Spencer April, 1853 Appleton .... M. Culbertson April, 1848 Medina Died. Wm McGuire May, 1849 Appleton .... David Barry May, 1849 Mackville Died 1885. C. E. Wolcott June, 1849 Appleton . . . Levi Randall Oct., 1850 Appleton .... Died March, 1887, James Gilmore May, 1850 Appleton Died May, 1884. Almiry Orr . . . 1851 Appleton .... Died May 25, 1881. Erastus Saxton 1851 Appleton .... Died Nov. 25, 1893. Thomas Powers June, 1849 Appleton .... Died. Henry Priest Nov., 1850 Appleton .... Died May 12, 1876. Wait Cross Aug., 1849 .• . . . 1849 Appleton Greenville . . . Appleton .... Died 1882. Carl Breiterick Died 1892. Samuel Boyd Dec, 1851 C. A. Pisher Oct., 1849 Appleton .... Appleton .... M. D. McGrath Oct., 1849 Died Dec. 1887. ]^ V. Smith July, 1849 Appleton Removed to California Chas. Wolcott Oct., 1848 Appleton .... Died Sept. 25, 1874. J. H. Whorton Nov., 1850 Appleton .... T. W. Lyman Oct., 1849 Appleton .... Sam Ryan, Jr Dec, 1852 Appleton .... Nick Wirtz .- 1850 Appleton .... Died. Dr. Byron Douglas. . Nov., 1852 Appleton .... Wm. G. Whorton . . . Nov., 1850 Appleton Removed to California Clark Renoud... June, 1850 Appleton .... Died 1871. Nic. Pauley Oct., 1852 Appleton Died 1879. J. C. Smith July, 1849 Oct., 1849 Appleton Appleton .... Died May 26, 1873. JDaniel Huntley Thos. Gleed May, 1849 Appleton Appleton .... Died 1889. Hector McKay Oct., 1850 John Leith . . . . : Oct., 1850 Oct., 1848 Mackville. . . . Appleton Died Dec, 1887. John Stephens Died in California June 2, 1890. Harmon Jones June, 1849 Appleton . . . Died 1882. John McGillan Oct., 1851 Mackville. . . . Peter Smith Dec, 1849 Oct., 1849 Hortonville. . Appleton .... Wm. Verity Edwin Wolcott June, 1849 Appleton .... Died 1878. Frank Wolcott June, 1849 Appleton L. L. Randall April, 1850 Appleton . . . P. C. Vandebogert.. May, 1850 Appleton .... Died Feb. 9, 1893. Alexander Ross July, 1848 Appleton Died Jan. 17, 1892. J. E. Johnston Aug., 1848 Appleton .... Died Aug. 1893. Mrs. S. A. Wilson.. . May, 1849 Appleton .... Died Feb. 3, 1890. R. R. Bateman Sept., 1847 Appleton .... Died Dec. 1886. Henry L. Blood Sept., 1847 Appleton .... Died Feb. 21, 1888. Morris R. Gleed, born May, 1850 Appleton A. C. Darling Mar., 1850 Appleton .... Died Sept. 1880. C. B. Brownell Nov., 1850 Appleton 10 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. Names of Pioneers. Date of Arrival Postoffice 1872. Remarks. James A. McGillan. . H. Greenfield Francis Bernard. . . . Matthew Nugent. . . . John McPherson John McPherson, Jr. Earl W. Douglas R. G. McGillan R. F. McGrath J. M. Phinney Geo. H. Myers A. G. Smith John Tillman John C. Van Nell. . . . Thos. St. Louis Alfred Aspinall J. H. Marston Mrs. P. A. Brownell. George St. Louis. . . . Peter Maes L. Zenten Jennie St. Louis .... Ephraim St. Louis . . Randall Johnston. . . John Batley S. S. Childs James Ryan W. W. Crane Wm. B. Crane Jas. Jackson, colored W. W. Briggs R. K. Randall Col. Wm. Johnston. . Geo. Knowles M. B. Johnston H. D. Ryan Enoch Godwin Humphrey Sullivan. W. S. Warner Adam Mertes Geo. W. Boone W. L. Sweetzer M. Doran E. Conery Wm. H. Johnson .... M. H. Lyon Harrison Green Wm. F. Johnston ... . Mrs. N. Mereness... . Geo. G. Johnston .... Fred Blood T. L. Tuttle S. B. Belding Chris. Heintz A. B. Evarts Oct., 1851 Aug., 1849 April, 1853 Oct., 1849 May, 1849 Oct., 1849 Nov., 1852 Oct., 18S1 Nov., 1853 Oct., 1849 Oct., 1849 June, 1850 May, 1848 1848 Dec, 1844 Mar., 1853 Mar., 1852 Nov., 1850 Jan., 1839 July, 1852 Feb., 1852 Oct., 1851 Oct., 1838 Dec, 1850 April, 1850 Sept., 1848 July, 1854 Oct., 1849 Oct., 1849 May, 1830 Sept., 1852 Oct., 1850 May, 1851 April, 1851 Nov., 1851 Jan., 1853 May, 1850 Nov., 1851 Mar., 1849 Sept., 1849 Jan., 1852 Dec, 1852 Aug., 1852 April, 1850 Aug., 1853 Oct., 1851 Oct., 1849 May, 1849 Sept., 1849 Nov., 1851 April, 1849 Nov., 1849 Nov., 1851 Nov., 1842 Oct., 1850 Appleton . Wakefield Appleton . Appleton . Appleton . Appleton . Appleton . Mackville.Appleton . Appleton . Appleton . Little Chute.. Little Chute.. Little Chute Little Chute.. Kaukauna. . . Appleton . . . Appleton .... Appleton . . * Little Chute. Medina Appleton Little Chute. Binghampt 'n Mackville. . Menasha . . Appleton . . Appleton .... Appleton .... Appleton .... Appleton .... Appleton .... Appleton .... Appleton .... Appleton .... Appleton .... Little Chute.. Appleton .... Appleton .... StephensvilleAppleton .... Appleton .... Appleton .... Appleton .... Appleton .... Appleton .... Appleton .... Appleton .... Appleton .... Appleton .... Appleton .... Appleton .... Appleton .... Appleton .... Removed to Michigan. Removed to Michigan. Died June 12, 1886. Removed to Arizona. Died Aug. 1, 1891. Died at Antigo. Died Oct. 1885. Died. Died Norwood, May, '92 Died 1879. Removed to Kansas. Died in Kansas, 1885. Died. Removed to Iowa. Died 1881. Removed to Kansas. Died 1883. Died.Died.Died 1895. Died 1878. Removed to Ishpeming Removed to Dakota, '83 Died 1875. OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 11 Names of Pioneers. Truman Tuttle A. B. Briggs J. D. Pierce A. P. Lewis G. M. Robinson Geo. Eggleston H. M. Jones W. D. Reynolds C. P. Riggs P. J. Gates O. A. Blackwood. . . J. E. Blackwood. . . . Seth J. Perry Miles R. Perry W. H. P. Bogan.... C. Fallon Mrs. A. C. Beach . . . J. P. Beach C. G. Adkins Joseph Rork I. K. Vandebogert. Egbert Blood H. F. Patton Rev. P. S. Bennett. Lewis A. Briggs. . . H. G. Hough E. S. Palmer Oct., April, Date op Arrival. Nov., Mar.,May,May, 18491849184918491850 Appleton . . Appleton . . Appleton . . Greenville. Oshkosh. . . 1849 1851 Jan.,Nov., April , Dec, Oct., Oct.,May,June, Oct., April 18511849 185318501850 185018531851 18521849 1854 18601853 18551853 Postoffice 1872. Appleton . . , Appleton . . . . Appleton . . . . Appleton . . . , New London . New London, Wakefield...,Wakefield... Appleton ... Appleton . . . Appleton ... Appleton . . . Appleton . . . Appleton . . . Appleton . . . Appleton . . , Appleton . . . Appleton . . . Hortonville.Hortonville. Remarks. Vermont. Died.Died 1875. Died 1870. Removed to Died 1881. Died.Removed. Died Dec 1890. Died Aug. 1890. Died. Died.Died Feb. 17, 1894. Died Sept., 1885. Died Oct., 1885. Died April 5, 1895. On motion of Mr. McGillan the association then pro ceeded to elect officers for the ensuing year. D. Huntley, John Leith, Harmon Jones, Sam Ryan, Jr., and John Dey being appointed tellers. On counting the votes the fol lowing, gentlemen were elected : President, John Stephens ; vice-president, Ethan Powers ; secretary, Sam Ryan, Jr., (Judge Ryan declining, Dan Huntley was chosen in his stead) ; treasurer, John Leith ; executive council, H. L. Blood, John Dey, W. H. P. Bogan, Edwin Nye and John McGillan. The president was then conducted to the chair (a pioneer one of the fashion of 1851) and briefly returned thanks for the honor conferred. The song was then called for and after being read by its author. Mr. John Stephens, -was sung as follows : 12 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. SONG OF THE PIONEERS. We came in the prime of manhood To a spot all wild and drear. When the tenants of the wilderness Were the panther and the deer ; We came when the flashing waters Rolled on in their chainless pride. And we built our homes among the trees, The murmuring rills beside. We trailed the lonely forests To the mart where we purchased food, And bore it on our shoulders For many a weary rood ; At night, through our open cabins, We saw the tempest scowl. And listened to the wailing wind And the gaunt wolf's dismal howl. With sinewy hand we grasped the ax, And the forest shrank away ; (Our wives and ragged children Piling brush for many a day). We bridged and dammed the rivers. And tamed them to our will. And reared our first rude factory. And our impromptu mill. We built our first grand hotel, Of what ? of boards unplaned ; An edifice quite similar Our merchandise contained. While the mother, by the cradle. To her hopeful infant sang. The lapstone and the anvil Rang out their noisy clang. We introduced the printing press. And sent a smiling sheet. Each week, among the cabins rude. Their denizens to greet. But of all Our first achievements, The grandest and the best, Was the rearing of yon College pile, The pride of the growing West. OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 13 A score or so of years have passed ; How marvelously changed Are all these scenes ! the forests deep. Where erst the wild deer ranged. Have given place to fruitful fields. To orchards, gardens, bowers. Where tasteful cottages look out Through foliage and fiowers. The scythe rings in the meadow. The plow-share turns the soil, . And patient teams are bearing off The fruits of honest toil ; Swift o'er our graveled highways, The rattling buggy moves. While the'blooming youth and maiden Are talking of their loves. The stately, thundering steamer Moves o'er our noble streams ; Along our vales and forests The locomotive screams ; Our merchants and mechanics Are busy in their spheres, And energy, on every hand. Speaks well for the coming years. In the valley of the broad, clear Fox (With many a lesser stream) Is a world of grand machinery, moved By water or by steam. W^'ve a medical and a legal corps Of whom we're not ashamed. And clergymen, and teachers, quite Too numerous to be named. And scattered o'er our fair land, . An hundred schools arise ; An hundred modest churches point Their spires toward the skies ; And pride in yonder classic hall Upon us gently STEELE'S (!) * As from its stately dome swell out Those deep and thrilling peals. We've met in the prime of manhood On the spot where we meet now : * Bev, G, M. Steele, D, D., President of the Clniversity, 1,4 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. We meet to-day, with frosty locks. With wrinkled cheek and brow ; We meet to renew old friendships, (May this not be our last !) To talk of the shadowy future. As well as the sober past. We know that we are gliding Swift down the stream of time ; That soon we shall be landed (Let's hope), in a fairer clime ; But our children we'll leave behind us ; May they our places fill, And bear themselves with honor Adown life's rugged hill. And may they oft, remembering us, Look back through the vanished years. And tell, to their laughing children, A tale of the pioneers. Yes, yes, in their social hours, Look back through memory's tears, And sing, to their listening children. The song of the pioneers. Then came the dinner, gotten up in picnic style, baskets being so numerous that the tables were loaded with the beet the country afforded. Ample justice was done to the excellent cookery of the'farmers' wives and daughters, and all appeared to enjoy themselves hugely. After dinner speeches and president's address. Were publis?ied in the Appleton Crescent of March 2, 1872, and too lengthy for this record. No record has been preserved of the meetings of the years 1873 and 1874. OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 15 Pioneers' Meeting, Feb. 22, 1875. The fourth annual meeting of the pioneers of Outagamie county was held Feb. 22, 1875, as previously advertised, and despite the threatening elements a large number came in from the country to attend. The following is the secre tary's report : John Stephens, president, in the chair. Secretary D. Huntley being absent, E- Spencer was elected secretary pro tern. Moved that we proceed to elect officers for the ensuing year. A committee of five was appointed by the chair to nominate the executive council. The following officers were elected: President, John Dey ; vice-president, John H. McGillan ; secretary, E. Spencer ; treasurer, John Leith ; executive committee, James McGillan, C. Wolcott, S. J. Perry, Geo. Knowles, and Harmon Jones. Dinner was announced at 1 o'clock p. m. The tables • were well spread and about seventy-five pioneers sat down, doihg ample justice to the repast in true pioneer style. After dinner the meeting was called to order when the toastmaster proposed the following sentiments : 1st. The Day we Celebrate. Responded to by Mr. John Leith, Sr. 2d. Farms and Factories, Twin Brothers in t)eveloping the Country. Responded to by D. Huntley and John Mc Gillan. 3d. Departed Pioneers — their Work was Well Done. Responded to by R. R. Bateman, who paid a tribute to Judge Erasmus, Dr. Beach and brother, Mrs. Blood, Mrs. Rjandall, his own wife and daughter, Mr.'Kling, Mrs. Briggs, Mrs. Sampson, the two brothers Ball, Mr. Proctor and wife, Mr. G. W. Woodard and A. P. Lewis. This was responded to further by John Dey and Joseph Rork. 4th. The Early Lumbermen, hardy, generous and true hearted — they did their duty towards developing the 16 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. country. Responded to by E. St. Louis and James Mc Gillan. 5th. Outagamie County with her Beautiful Capitol, immense water powers, prolific soil, educational facilities, intelligent, industrial people, her grand old forest, mag nificent prospects — who would leave and why ? Responded to by John Stephens. Capt. Powers also made a few re marks and then read a poem. 6th.. Lawrence University: to it our city and county are largely indebted for their present advanced material, literary and social condition. Responded to by Prof. Hyde. 7th. The First Log Heaps and Summer Follows. Re sponded to by Mr. Wakefield and Seth J. Perry. 8th. Eulogy on our Wives and Sweethearts. Responded to by John Leith, Jr. Moved that the executive committee use their influence to procure the appointment of oui" next annual meeting at Hortonville or some other place if sufficient interest can be got in such place. Resolved, That a vote of thanks be tendered to John Stephens, our former president, for his zeal in the cause of our association. P. S. — Mr. Stephens moved to California during this year. OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 17 Pioneers' Meeting, Feb. 22, 1876. The annual meeting of the pioneers of Outagamie County was held at Bertschy Hall, Appleton, Feb. 22. John Dey, president, E. Spencer, secretary. The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted as follows: President, John Dey, of Greenville; vice-presi dent, John H. McGillan, Center; secretary, Elihu Spencer, Appleton; treasurer, John Leith, Center; executive com mittee, M. B. Johnston, Grand Chute; Edwin Nye, Freedom; Martin Gerrits, Kaukauna; Mathew Culbertson, Greenville; George Knowles, Appleton. Then came a bounteous dinner, served in true pioneer style. At 2 o'clock the president called the meeting to order and delivered the following address : Pioneers of Outagamie County : On this anniversary of the birth of George Washington, the father of our country, a very fitting day for us to hold our annual festival, nearly every town of our county is represented here to-day in this beautiful city of Appleton, our county seat, to enjoy a social chat with fathers and mothers, husbands and wives, children and grandchildren, and friends. When we look upon the careworn and wrinkled brows, they tell plainly that pioneer life is one of toil and care, and honor. Let us look back from twenty to thirty years, then most of the pioneers were young men and women, in some east ern state. They left home, friends, and all that was near and dear, except their little all they brought with them, and with hearts full of zeal, to obtain a home in the west, they came and located in the then wild woods of Wiscon sin, with scarcely means to buy land and build a house, let alone helping to lay the foundation of one of the wealthiest counties in the state, as we have to-day. 18 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. At that time many of us had to make roads to our new houses before we could reach them. Many of us still live where we first located, while others have moved west or south to try again the pioneer life. We miss them. Our worthy ex-president of this sociey and his family have gone to the beautiful shores of California for the benefit of the health of his family. We miss them to-day. Many of the pioneers have been called home to heaven. They did a noble work while here, and we all say, may they rest in peace. At the time we commenced our new homes, we seemed happy, we were living on anticipation, really on little else. To be sure, we always had enough to keep soul and body together. Traveling through the county in those days you would find shanties here and there, with a small clearing, occa sionally one had a cow and pig, and now and then an ox team. We had very poor roads in those times, and no school houses. Very soon new comers began to erect dwellings and school houses, and every year there would be new settlers entering the field of labor. Improvements progressed rapidly, the men exerted every nerve to clear their farms, much sweat was poured out from the. brows of those strong men to make happy homes for wives, mothers and their little ones. Some of those "little ones" are present to-day. Mothers had all the kitchen work and sewing to do, the cow to milk, and the pig to feed. There were no girls to do the work then. Part of the time they devoted to helping their husbands underbrush, roll logs, drive oxen, gather sap and make sugar, etc., etc. Yes, young ladies, youf mothers were " guilty of all this !" In those days we used to have visitors, but they were always pleased to take such as we had, for we had no nice things to offer, such as you have seen here to-day, that the ladies have prepared and brought here on this first grand anni versary of this centennial year. There is not a person present that has taken dinner with us who will not say the ladies must be graduates in the cookery department ! You may now travel through the county, and you will find many of the pioneers surrounded with wealth, their children OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 19 settling down near them on good farms, and many have graduated from the best schools. Now you will find large houses of brick or wood, as good barns as any in the state, herds of cattle and sheep of the best blood, scattered through many parts of the county, and around the houses are fruit trees and shrubbery in great varieties, and the barns and granaries are full of wheat and oats, and the corn cribs full of corn. From nearly every direction the best of gravel roads lead into the city of Appleton, our market for all our produce. It is not now with ox teams, and two days of time, as it once was just to go to mill or market and much hard work to do in getting through. Now with our grays, bays or blacks, we go to mill or market and back home inside of a day, and have plenty of time for pleasure also. Are we not now enjoying by participation what we enjoyed by anticipation in the long ago ? One glance over this large assembly will answer that we are enjoying the present, and are not ashamed of our record as pioneers. Let us continue in well doing. Everyone is welcome to our festival to-day, and we hope that this friendly greeting of pioneers and old time friends will long be remembered with pleasure, and that our next pioneer festival will attract all the pioneers of the county to a day of delight. In conclusion, let us thank our Heavenly Father, for his mercies fend goodness that have always followed us in this our beloved county. Many of our dear friends have been called home to a better clime to rest from their labors since last we met. But their works live after them. Let us rally each year to the pioneer festival so long as we have pioneers left alive in our county in the full conscious ness that we have done our work nobly and well, and that it is pleasant to sing again the loved songs of the olden time, and to talk over the pleasing recollections of the busy past. J. S. Buck, one of the earliest settlers of the county, then introduced Prof. D. M. Hyde, a Badger boy, born just over the county line, who spoke as follows : 20 outagamie county pioneers. Pioneers, Ladies and Gentlemen : In behalf of the early settlers, I welcome you to this gathering. Let all rejoice for the sturdy pioneers have again assembled to exchange greetings with each other, and to relate the hardships they endured in former days. It is a reunion, a family gathering, if you please, that comes once a year to keep alive a friendship which is bound by those ties of endearment that sprang up in times of privation, and were cemented with a common interest to keep the wolf from the door. As brave soldiers return home after the war is over and gather their families around them to recite tales of valor ous deeds, so you have come together to relate your experi ences and to impart lessons of wisdom. It is to be hoped, then, that this celebration will be a profitable one to all. And as we have gathered here with the fathers of this county, let us participate in the fes tivities and mirth of the hour, thus exhibiting our appre ciation and. sanction of the day's doings. There have been pioneers in all ages, and wherever we find them they have been the ones to take initiatory steps in actually setting all new countries. Led by the hope of gain, or to escape persecution, they have severed the ties which bound them to their own people and have pushed out into an uninhabited country. There has never been a time when there was not an opportunity for men to engage in such undertakings. The history of our own country is rich in events of this nature. Since the first settlements were made, men have engaged in this work continually, and have accomplished untold good for the nation in open ing up new territory to the influences of civilization, and paving the way for others to follow and develop its re sources. Scarcely a quarter of a century ago, little bands, consist ing of sometimes two or more families in the east, bade their relatives and friends an affectionate farewell, and started for the west to find a home. Some settled in this state, some in others — but it is of those who came to this county that we are called upon to speak to to-day. OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 21 Here they settled in a wild wilderness, alone, isolated from the great throbbing world without. They built their little log cabins here and there in the wilds, and moved into them to find a shelter after weeks of wearysome jour neying. With no roads except Indian trails, with no com forts of life and in many cases scarcely anything to help themselves with, they started out anew to work their way up from nothing to abundance and wealth. Deprivations and hardships beset them on every hand. At times they became discouraged, disheartened, irresolute, but they as often conquered such feeling and worked on, hoped on, trusting in an unseen hand to aid and support them. A ray of light at last streamed in upon them. Other settlers came in, the country began to be settled, and gradually the forests yielded to the ax of the sturdy arm of the pioneer. Farms were cleared, roads were built, and they were able to surround themselves with some of the luxuries of life. Manufacturing establishments sprang up, school houses were built, churches erected, railroad communication secured, and in fact all the refining influences of civiliza tion were at their very doors. They could foresee all this, but would it come in their day ? Doubtless it would not, butthey were willing to engage in a work that would in evitably lead to such results. It was once the custom for armed men to go out in quest of new territory, and when they had overcome the inhabit ants of the soil, annex it by right of conquest to their own government. They were opposed to those who were not subjects of their own nation. War, rapine, plunder were the occupations of a large number of these men, and they gloried in laying waste the fertile fields of neighboring na-tions or principalities. But here we find a band of men who enlisted in a cause to subdue wild lands. They did not go out with munitions of war, yet how effectually have they accomplished their object. They did not go to lay waste the productive fields of neighbors, but to clear away giant forests and open the way for others to follow to aid them in making fields. The object was not one of plunder and robbery, but to gain a livelihood, to gain a home, to 22 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. build up and establish for themselves honor and wealth to the detriment of no one. The one went out to sow the seed of discord, the others to advance the cause of peace ; ]bhe one for aggrandizement of themselves at the expense of others, the other for the benefit of all ; the one to win re nown for their bravery to establish a field of action where others might win renown as a scholar, or as a statesman. As the miners and sappers precede an army to undermine and make a breach in the fortifications of the enemy, through which it can enter so these pioneers devoted them selves to the work of preparing a way through which the many immigrants could enter. In the west were vast fields of unproductive land, and they came here to reclaim them from a wild state and transform them into productive farms of utility. and value to the whole country. They had a mission to fulfill ; they may, or they may not have been conscious of it ; but the fact of their having performed it entitles them to that honor, and whatever credit there is attached to the undertaking belongs rightfully to them. But they did not go out alone to build a city and then invite their neighbors with their daughters and wives to a feast for the purpose of slaying the men to make captive the women as did the Romans. No. They were too brave, too manly for that. Like true hearted men, they permitted their wives and children to accompany them. But these mothers were not wanting in zeal and devotion. They, too, left the places of their childhood endeared to them by a thousand ties to follow their husbands, and share with them the burdens and trials of a pioneer's life. The sacri fice was great, but they were equal to the emergency, and when the darkest days came they nursed the ray of hope, with words of encouragement, often creating a new energy, a new consecration to this work among the men. To-day I can see a mother with her two children living in a log shanty, alone, while the husband, the father, is away earn ing a little something to live on. How many mothers were there in those days who cheerfully consented to do the same, and when their husbands returned, greeted them joyfully, making that little home a paradise to all its in- OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 23 mates. That, ladies and gentlemen, was a mother's love — it was a mother's unselfish desire to administer to the wants of her husband and children. It is to these mothers that we owe a lasting gratitude. They have assisted in accomplishing a work that never would have been successfully performed without them. True to the cause they have labored zealously for its pro motion, and we look out over the county and see the happy homes and contented inmates. We cannot forget that the pioneer women have done their duty in effecting the mar velous change that has been wrought. The moral and social status of society is due to their efforts in a greater degree than to the men. They have been the civilizers. It was largely through their influence that schools were established in an early day and morality maintained. Some of the strongest advocates of culture and refinement in the county to-day are to be found among these pioneer women. Throughout these years, her handiwork has left its im press upon all noble deeds, and never has she allowed society to relapse into that semi-barbarous state character istic of pioneer colonies formed exclusively of men. Yet there is another class of pioneers who may accom plish a not insignificant ''work. To-day we want men and women to pioneer the way for social and religious reform. The examples you have set are all we could wish to have them. You have demonstrated conclusively the results that can be opened by constant concentrated work, and have opened the way for the succeeding generations to labor for a better state of human existence ; the state of perfection to which you have raised the county leaves the rising generation the means of solving many of the social problems of the day, if the spirit and zeal you have shown is persistently adhered to. The lessons you have taught are invaluable if rightly interpreted, and there is no doubt but what they will be treasured up by the young, being a source of wealth to them in fighting the battles of life. These reunions should be-of special interest to all, and I congratulate you on having organized such an association. If one will take the trouble to examine them properly, he 24 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. will find in them a design of more signifitant meaning than is generally supposed. There is something more to tbem than a mere gathering of a number of persons for a passing enjo3anent. There is an object in them, both com mendable and praiseworthy. I have incidentally alluded to some of the good results to be derived and trust that all will feel a deeper interest in perpetuating them, and take such steps as may be deemed advisable to secure a more general movement in this direction. Last 3'ear there were some with you whose names have been stricken from the rolls. They have been mustered out of service by Him who holds each of our lives in His hand. Others went before them. They are all missed in this gathering, but no one would wish to have them here to-da3% because they have departed this life for a better one. They have finished their labors here which they did so faithfully, and have gone to receive the reward that was in store for them in heaven. Their memories are dear to you, and may the}- ever be cherished with the tenderest of feelings. Their names suggest associations both pleasing and sad. Being your associates in the struggle you have passed through, j^ou have come to regard them as brothers, and no one can appreciate their sterling qualities better than you. "The holy dead ! — oh ! bless'd we are, That we may call them so, And to their image look afar. Through all our woe ! Bless'd that the things the3- loved on earth. As relics we may hold, That wake sweet thoughts of parted worth. By .springs untold 1 " The survivors have cause for congratulation that so many have been permitted to live to enjoy the fruits of their labor. Some have gone to other states, or sections of this state with the hope of improving their conditions, and some have been detained at home ; still a good number are assembled here to-day to participate in the exercises. OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 25 Again I welcome you to this reunion, and trust that the experiences of the day may be profitable to all.- Miss Mary and Master Frank McGillan, young Outa- gamians sang a song which was loudl3- applauded. A long- letter ^thirteen pages of foolscap — from John Stephens, giving his experience in California life, was read by Mr. John Goodland. Mr. Charles Wolcott followed with personal experiences and adventures in the early settlement of the county. After another song from the little couple, short speeches were made by Sam Ryan, Jr., J. S. Buck, J. H. McGillan, Carl Breitruck, Joseph Rork, .L. L. Randall, John Good- land, Samuel Boyd, and G. H. Myers, and the fun ran high. The treasury was replenished, all expenses paid, and then all dispersed for their homes in excellent spirits. Pioneers' Meeting, Feb. 22, 1877. Pursuant to announcement, Washington's birthday, the Pioneers of Outagamie County assembled at Bertschy's hall, in this city, for the purpose of holding their annual festival and celebration. The day was pleasant and the attendance was larger than usual, most of the town; being liberally represented. The meeting was called to order in the forenoon by John Dey, president of the association. The first order of busi ness being the election of officers for the ensuing year, a nlotion was made to this effect. The following named persons were chosen as such : President, L. E. Darling ; vice-president, Daniel Hunt ley ; secretary, E. Spencer ; treasurer, John Leith ; executive committee, Harmon Jones, John Dey, H. J. Diener, Johnson Hawthore and John McGillan. At 12 o'clock the association adjourned for dinner, which was served in the hall. This was not, by any means, the least entertaining feature of the proceedings. Every 26 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. family represented had contributed largely in the way of edibles, and the bill of fare was quite exhausive to which there was no limit, either in quantity or variety. The way in which the dinner was prepared and served reflected credit upon the skill and the taste of the pioneer women of Outagamie County. After dinner the exercises of the afternoon were intro duced by a few appropriate remarks by the president, Hon. L. E. Darling. Mr. John Leith, Jr., was then announced to deliver the annual address, which he proceeded to do. This paper, as well as most of the others, merits publication in full, but for the lack of space we can do it no greater justice than to note some of the essential facts which it contains: Ap propriate reference is first made to "the day we celebrate" being the anniversary of America's greatest patriot, George Washington. The obligations which succeeding genera tions owe to the pioneers, by reason of the work performed by the latter, are manifold. This is true not only of the pioneers who carry civiliza tion into the wilderness of the West but of the pioneers in science, morals, church and state. And yet it is the ex perience of the past that their contemporaries as well as posterity forget to pay these just debts. Indeed, it is often true that these pioneers become martyrs to the purpose of their lives. Numerous illustrations of this view of the subject were contained in this paper. The names of many who had suffered in this way were mentioned. And yet this class has never failed to make their impress upon the history of the world. Without their labors there would be no civilization, either material or otherwise.' The paper then dwelt at considerable length upon refer ence to the original pioneers of America, to what they suffered in the effort to establish a free government, under which all men should be recognized as equal. Proper trib ute was paid to them and the labors which they performed — for establishing in this country the principles of civil and religious liberty. The work of the pioneers since the time when the successful termination of the war of the OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 27 Revolution gave to this government an independent and dis tinctive existence, was reviewed with considerable accuracy. The determination, the sacrifices and the privations which attended all their efforts were treated with appropriate com ment, and proper .credit was also given to these potent agents of civilization. The following is the closing part of Mr. Leith's address : With our county I must be brief, for I fear that I intruded too much already on your time. Since the early settle ment of this count}' great have been improvements. The wilderness of Outagamie has been made to blossom as the rose. A few scattering shanties have given way to beauti ful frame buildings, numbering thousands. A few log school houses have increased to over a hundred, and our schools are better than they were at first, better than they were under the town dispensation. And although they are far from tf^mg perfect, they are yearly amending. When I first went to school, it was scarcely possible for a scholar to go through fractions, and he could get but a vague idea of grammar ; history and constitution were unknown in schools. Now it is not uncommon for a pupil in our com mon school to go through the progressive higher arith metic, the higher grammar, the constitution of Wisconsin, the constitution of the United States and the history of our own country. We have better farms, better houses, more comfort, and can perform more work in much less time, than we could twenty years ago. I will not stop to enumerate the hardships and privations of the early settlers. This has been dwelt upon in our past meetings by those who had experience in that direction. I was too young to participate in those hardships. But there is one thing I cannot pass unnoticed, that is the spirit of friendship which prevailed among the pioneers of this county. When one was sick, or in trouble, all sympa thized — all were ready to do their part and did it well. No one was persecuted on account of his opinions ; no one was persecuted on account of his religion ; no one was per secuted on account of his politics ; no one was sneered at on account of his nationality — all were treated as friends, and 28 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. this is the spirit we wish to renew every 22d of February. And as we meet to recall those pleasant associations of the past, we meet not as Americans and foreigners, not as Catholics and Protestants, not as Republicans and Demo crats, but as friends ; and as we grasp the hand of friend ship, love warms the whole soul, as by the genial rays of the sun. As is customary at these gatherings representatives from the city and various towns in the county, previously ap pointed for this purpose, were then called upon to give a brief sketch of the early history and settlement of their re spective localities. Appleton. — Mr. J. S. Buck, one of our earliest settlers, responded for Appleton. Some time since, I received a communication from your secretarj', notifying me that I was chosen to prepare a brief sketch of the early history and settlement of the now city of Appleton to be read at this your annual festival. At one time I had concluded that I would not undertake the task on account of lack of time to pick and 'cull the various items, put them in their proper places, fix transac tions and dates, and give names and dates of arrivals. Feeling that it would be impossible on so short a notice, and the time that I would be enabled to give to it, it could not possibly be otherwise than that a great many important omissions would of a necessity occur ; but at the personal solicitation of some of my old time friends I consented to give a brief outline of the earlier settlement of the place. If time would permit of details possibly I could make it more agreeable than the few dry statistical facts which will be presented to you. There had been a few settlers on the north bank of the Fox, previous to 1848, but they were not of the class termed' pioneers, according to the common acceptation of the^ term, at least they were not a people who went in for a development of the country, agriculturally or commercially, but they had left for other parts with the exception of the Grignon family, a branch of which still remains upon the ' OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 29 old homestead which to early settlers was known as the White Heron. A Mr. Thurber and wife settled in the spring of 1848, in what is now the Third ward of this city, near the big cut on the Milwaukee, Lake Shore & Western Railroad, but like the wild geese, they soon soug-ht a more genial clime. The real settlement of Appleton should be credited to the Methodist Episcopal church of this state. It is true that Amos A. Lawrence, of Boston, tendered a donation of $10,000 toward founding an institution of learning in this state, but it was a qualified donation. It provided in the first place that said institution should be located on the Fox river between Lake Winnebago and Green Bay, and further that the sum of $10,000 additional should be raised by the parties accepting the proposition. The Methodist conference after due deliberation accepted the proposition and appointed the Rev. Wm. H. Sampson its agent to se cure the requisite amount, and at the same time appointed a committee consisting of Geo. E. H. Day, H. L. Blood and Rev,, Reeder Smith to make the selection which action re sulted in its location where now stands the cit}- of Appleton. And through the munificence of Geo. W. Lawe, of Kau- kauuE^, and the late John F. Meade, of Green Bay, the col lege received a donation of sixty or seventy acres of land in consideration of its location at this point. It is claimed, however, by parties conversant with the matter that the college never received the avails of the Meade portion of the donation. The first improvement in what is now the city was the clearing of some ten acres on the northwest quarter of sec tion 26, in the season of 1848, and sowing the same to wheat by Jas. Blood, now of Kansas. In August 1848 Col. H. L. Blood opened a road at what was known as the old Oneida road and commenced draw ing lumber from the Oneida settlement for the preparatory department of the college. About this time Robert R. Bateman and Rev. A. B. Randall had made claims of land in the immediate vicinity and erected the necessary build ings for establishing said claims, 30 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. It would be arrogance in me to go into a description of the dimensions or style of the same before this association for you know how it is yourselves. According to the best information to be obtained the settlers came in the following order : About August 25, 1848, came the large hearted and genial John F. Johnston, and his wife Janet, with a little off-shoot which we all recognize now as Hank. Their residence (people nowa days would call it a shanty) was located at what is now known as Johnston street, block 29, Second ward. That was the nucleus around which gathered the old settlers of Appleton. It was the bright spot in the dense forest that gave rest and hope to the weary and worn. None were turned rudely away from their door. If the wayfarer could recompense it was well, if not 'twas all the same. They lived the golden rule — "do unto others as you would that others should do unto you." Their dwelling was hotel, hospital, church and Sabbath school room. If a fault they had it was in their too large sympathy to all mankind. Next came your humble servant and wife. We pitched our tent on the west half of the northeast quarter of sec tion 27, on the first or second day of September of the same year. We paddled our own canoe from Neenah- down through little laie Butte des Morts and landed at the White Heron, and plodded our way to our little shanty in the wilderness which I had erected some days before with lum ber that I rafted down through the lake and landed at the point now known as Lehman's. It was said to have been the first lumber ever rafted from Neenah to that point. In the same month came the Rev. A. B. Randall and wife, and settled at what is now the corner of Drew and North streets. During this time the contract had been let for building the basement of the preparatory department of the college to W. T. Bailey, and the superstructure to Wm. McGregor, and the first blow of preparation upon the site of the future University, let it be remembered by the members of this association, was struck by the Rev. Wm. H. Sampson, who with bush-hook and axe made smooth the way, that others might walk therein — demonstrating OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 31 that he was truly a working Christian. In his zeal for the cause he devoted some of the best years of his life, and sacrificed a competency acquired in earlier years ; but he is embaliiied in the hearts of those earlier pioneers as a Christian gentleman, and the noblest work of God — an honest man. The first sermon preached in Appleton was by the Rev. Wm. H. Sampson, followed by the Rev. A. B. Randall and Rev. Reeder Smith. But I am digressing. Next came John P. Parish and William Blake and their families, Wm. McGregor and Waterson. Among the very first came the late J. Cortland Smith, if not before any of us. We remember him as the genial gentleman and the never failing friend of the poor and down-trodden. His monument towers over our main ave nue, in the shape of the most imposing business block in the city. He was followed by his brother, Peter V. Smith, who is now a resident of Grand Chute. About this time, one Charles Wolcott came into the settlement. Charlie could turn his hand at almost any kind of business and was looked upon as a valuable acquisition ; but appearances, then as now, were deceitful ; Charlie proved to be a perfect Modoc. He raided -the town in mid-winter, captured every woman, placed them upon an ox-sled and proceded west ; but through some means they escaped and returned to their homes. Afterwards it was reported that Charlie said that twelve women on one ox-sled was too big a job of sleigh riding for him, and that in the line of gallantry he was not the man he took himself to be. People in the section of country where he resides now, give evidence of good be havior. Rev. Wm. H. Sampson moved his family into Esq. Bate- man's claim shanty, and Rev. Reeder Smith and family came to board with him, some time during the winter. The aforesaid reverend vacg-ted the premises of Esq., Bateman after a short time, for a situation on Lawrence street. Robert R. Bateman, Esq., moved his family here in December, 1848, or January, 1849. I think the first house that was built within the present city limits, was built by 32 OUTAGAMIE . COUNTY PIONEERS. myself, of logs in the months of September and October, 1848. Col. H. L. Blood brought his family here in the spring of 1849, and opened a store on the site now occupied by the First National Bank. The preparatory department of the college was erected on the third day of July, on the spot now occupied by George White's house, and on the Fourth the settlers held an old-fashioned picnic celebration in the building, with John Stephens, as reader, and Rev. A. B. Randall, as orator of the day. Among the settlers who arrived with their families in 1849 was Daniel W. Briggs, Dr. Samuel E^ Beach, Deacon Wait Cross, John McPherson, Col. Theo. Conkey, Tracy P. Bingham, W. S. Warner, John H. Hart, Jas. M. Phinney, who, by the way, is the pioneer educator of Appleton, hav ing been professor of mathematics, at the commencement of the college ; and among the young men arriving were the Hon. G. H. Myers, P. H. Smith, the late Anson Bal lard, Erasmus Beach, John Moody and many others that time will not allow me to enumerate. Tracy P. Bingham erected the first saw mill this year, near the site now occu pied by the Ames Paper and Pulp Mill. The first legally laid out highway was a state road from Menasha, via Appleton to Bruce's mill, now Stephensville. Commissioners were William Rork, James Blood and J. S. Buck ; and John Stevens, surveyor. The town of Grand Chute was organized this year from the town of Kaukauna, taking in what is now the town of Grand Chute and city of Appleton, as well as the towns of Greenville, Dale and Hortonia. Chairman of the town board, H. L. Blood ; treasurer and collector, Robert R. Bateman ; town clerk, E. L. Thurber ; constable, Wm. Carter ; justice of the peace, J. S. Buck. On the evening of the ninth of October, of this year, the first lawyer made his appearance in our little hamlet, in the person of Geo. H. Myers. There was a little coinci dence in connection with his arrival, which has been here tofore overlooked by the public, and the party most par- OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 33 ticularly interested. It was on the same evening that one of the new comers of the settlement, not having the peace and morals of society at heart, but intent only on the ac cumulation of the filthy lucre, landed a barrel of whisky on board of a Durham boat from Neenah. The people said that the devil in that whisky had not got the face to come up the hill and think of surviving the conflict, and such proved to be the case ; for behold, when the morning light appeared, the whisky had slyly slid away — the barrel be ing found to be em-ptj. If fervent prayers could have tapped that barrel the Rev. Wm. H. Sampson might have been the guilty party, as he was a passenger on the same boat ; but the owner insisted that that whisky did not spring a leak ; but its passage was facilitated by human hands, and yet he never charged it upon Myers, as being accessory before the fact, notwithstanding the circum stances were against Myers. Up to this time there was no talk of temperance or in temperance, every one was temperate — teetotalers ; in fact, intoxicating beverages with us were as though they were not. None had them and none cared for them. As a mat ter of course, it led to considerable discussion, and it was admitted that we had no law to protect us, and that the only alternative was to set our faces sturdily against the evil and fight it at every opportunity. Among the arrivals of 1850 were James Gilmore, the late Amos Story, Wm. Johnson, the late Benj. Proctor, Charles Mory, W. G. and J. H. Whorton and Joseph Rork, with families. This year the work upon the pier or crib for the improve ment of the river was commenced by contractors Story & Talmadge. The work was under the supervision of Ex- Mayor Johnson. * Benj. Proctor was the builder of the wagon that bore the first load of lumber from the Oneida settlement to this place. In 1852 himself and son, Frank, built an edge tool factory, but their skill and energy were in advance of the times and locality and they threw up the business. The building is no-W known as the Outagamie Mill. 34 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. In the winter of 1850 and 1851 the act was passed creat ing the county of Outagamie from a portion of Brown county and making the county seat at Appleton. The officers Were as follows : Treasurer, Chas. Grignon, of Kaukauna; register of deeds, Henry S. Eggleston; county clerk, Lorenzo E. Darling ; county surveyor, John Stevens, who were elected in November, 1851. In the winter of 1851 and 1852 the county was organized for judicial pur poses and at an election held in the month of April, 1852, George H. Myers was elected district attorney ; A. B. Evarts, sheriff, and Henry S. Eggleston, clerk of the court. Among the many settlers arriving in 1852 was a big portly fellow. He was heavy on blooded stock, pacing ponies and agricultural implements ; but the one prominent idea with him was the stump machine. Lead him off on what subject you might, back he would come to that stump machine, as regular as a tax gatherer or a setting hen on her nest. Not meeting with the success he anticipated, he went to Lake Superior. In a very short time he received a proposition from a citizen here to return and pull eight acres of stumps. That was evidently the turning point in his life, for he has been full of jobs ever since, ranging from one to thirty-two "achers" in a job. With a broad grin he exults in the fact that there are more stumps in Outagamie county to-day than ever before. From the size of the man and the implement, the association will recognize the Pioneer Dentist, Byron Douglas. There were three notable events in the year 1853, the commencement of the present university building, the ad vent of Sam Ryan, Jr., and the Appleton Crescent. The university building was completed in 1855. The first class graduating from the university was ih 1857. Up to the present time there have graduated 124 gentlemen and 62 ladies — making an aggreg-ate of 186 thoroughly educated ladies and gentlemen sent forth from what, less than twenty-nine years since, was a dense wilderness which is only one of the many proofs of the results of what earn est persistent pioneering has accomplished in this our chosen home. This year Elihu Spencer and family put in OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 35 their appearance. In April of this year, a charter having been obtained, there was an organization of the village board, by the election of the following officers : J. F. Johnston, president ; Wait Cross, Geo. Lanphear, W. H. Sampson, and Sam Ryan, Jr., trustees; Jas. S. Eggleston, treasurer ; James Gilmore, assessor ; James M. Phinney, clerk. The board met at the Clifton House, (afterwards known as the Crescent Hotel) upon the sight now occupied by the Manufacturers' National Bank. The first church organizations were as follows: The first class of the M. E. church was formed in February, 1849, by Rev. A. B. Randall, consisting of eleven members, with Robert R. Bateman, as leader. During the year 1851 the old school Presbyterian church was organized, with James Gilmore and Fred Packard as deacons. They held their services in the building on the opposite side of Oneida street from the present Congrega tional church. It was currently reported that while Gil more was in the woods cutting timber for the church building that a portion of the society got together and stole the organization and converted it into the Congrega tional church. The deacons looked upon the matter as a deception and one of them at least denounced it as such. The next move was an effort to reduce Brother Gilmore to the ranks and he was notified to put in his defense. It was evident they were not acquainted with the man for his de fense came in the shape of an interrogation : "Do you not claim to be a Congregational church?" "Of course we are!" "Well, I am a Presbyterian deacon, and I would like to see the power in this church that can turn me out." Well gentlemen, he is there yet, and his church has a beautiful lot on Lawrence street, for the erection of a Presbyterian church, and from $6,000 to $10,000 ready cash to commence operations — one more evidence of persistent pioneering. The St. Mary's Catholic church was organized in 1857 by a little band of the hardy yeomanry — tillers of the soil— who rallied around their cherished altar under great disadvantages, both pecuniarily and otherwise, until to- 36 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. day, they have in course of completion one of the finest edifices in the city. Could you have attended with me a temperance meeting held in that church the past year and have seen them coming forward by the hundred, led by the pioneer members, to take the teetotal pledge, you would have exclaimed: Make way for St. Mary's church in the work of reform. The first church service was held in the Second ward school house in 1853, by Rev. Father Coulter. The first wedding service was performed by your humble servant. The contracting parties were a Mr. Lockwood and a Miss Webley. Death first entered the settlement Oct. 15, 1840. H. N. Day lost a child. It was buried on his farm, the farm now owned by the White family on the Freedom road. The grave is yet to be seen near the east side of the farm. The next death was Erasmus Beach, in September, 1850. He was a brother of Dr. S. E. Beach. The next was one of Appleton's fairest flowers, Miss Amelia Bateman, who died Jan. 7, 1851. She was a daughter of Robert R. Bate man, Esq. These things remind us that pioneering, like all else, must ha-ve an end ; 'tis well. These well filled tables, these joyous reunions are well befitting to this little band of pioneers who by privation and endurance have carved a competency from this once dense wilderness ; but the bending form, the silvered head and furrowed brow proclaim in language not to be misunderstood, that it was not achieved without almost untold privations and fearful struggles. Grand Chute. — Daniel Huntley appeared in the capac ity of historian for the town of Grand Chute. As among the early settlers of his town he enumerated J. Rork, Har mon Jones, Chas. Wolcott, E. Spencer, Frank Vandebogart, Mr. Fairbanks, Wm. McGuire, Harrison Green, W. H. P. Bogan, Mr. Verity, Messrs. McCarthy, Craine, BrouUiard, Hodgins, Randall, Murch, Woodland, Peter V. Smith, Hawthorne, RoUa A. Lawe, Gideon Wolcott, Messrs. Rou- debush. Grant, and Barker. Mr. Huntley made a few remarks concerning the experience of early settlers, their OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 37 privations, pleasures, etc. He said that those who origi nally engaged in farming, and have continued in this business, have been successful with scarcely a single excep tion. Some interesting facts were given relative to the progress and improvement of the town as well -as the county at large. He said, how(2ver, that the progress of our common schools has not been commensurate with the general prosperity of the county in other respects. The school houses especially are not- what they should be, in point of size and elegance. More attention should be be stowed upon this very important matter. Greenville. — John Dey appeared in behalf of the pioneers of Greenville. He said : I have been chosen hy thp committee to gather facts and incidents experienced by the early settlers of Greenville, and to write a sketch of the same to be read at the annual gathering of the pioneers at Appleton on the 22d of February, 1877. I have only gathered a few facts out of many. I will commence with John Hafner who lived on section 13. He came from Milwaukee to Greenville in the month of June, 1847, with an ox team. He had a family of ten, six boys and two girls. Stopped at Neenah one week, while he and his boys cut a road so that thej^ might arrive at -their home. He was the third settler in town. Went to Osh kosh with an ox team to buy nails to build a shanty. In the year of 1849 the wolves were very bad, they chased his son, William, one and one-quarter miles and came near catching him, but instead of him did take a yearling steer and mangled a heifer, made a great noise in howling, lost large hogs by bears. Mr. Hafner died in 1868, his son William lives on the old homestead and drove the first ox team on the Hortonville road east from section 13. The house of Mr. Hafner was a home for the pioneers moving in town. Matthew Culbertson came in April, 1848; built the second shanty in town ; went fifteen miles to borrow an ax of St. Mary's to build a shanty ; had to carry it back inside of one week ; went to Fond du Lac to buy an ax ; kept batch 38 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. three years ; cleared one acre of land ; carried one bushel of potatoes from Neenah for seed ; in 1849 had three acres of wheat, threshed it with his horses ; cut twenty-five tons of hay on the marsh ; had the second horse team ; was the first treasurer in town. He still remains on his farm, sec tion 19, one of the wealthiest farmers in town. Pioneers are welcome at his house at any time. James Wickware arrived May, 1848 ; was eleven da3'S on the road from Wakeshaw, accompanied by James Hard- acker and family, who lived with Wickware for a while, and here was born Louis Hardacker, the first white child in town. Wickware was married to the daughter of Clark Wood in October, 1850, perhaps the second wedding in town. He sold his farm for $4,000 in 1875 ; was the second treasurer in the town. Isaac Wickware came in with his brother James ; was the first chairman and justice in the town,, sold his farm to Fred Miller for $4,000 ; taught school in District No. 4 ; moved to Missouri with his family with a horse team in the year 1867. L. E. Darling was the second chairman of the town ; is now the president of the pioneer association. Seth J. Perry entered the first land in town ; mowed in 1849 first wheat — twentj^-seven bushels per acre ; had the first threshing machine, 1851, owned by Joseph Lord ; sold wheat to Neenah for fifty-six cents a bushel ; built the first frame barn ; lives on the same land, a very beautiful farm ; has the only hop yard and is one of the wealthiest men in town. Pioneers are always welcome at his house. Miles Perry and wife came in 1849 from East Troy with an ox team ; built a shanty 18x24 ; went six miles to borrow a broadax ; carried it home .at night ; was chased by drunken Indians. Mrs. Perry stayed all alone twenty-three days in her new home and only saw one white man, but plenty of red men, who were quite saucy. Mrs. Perry's oldest daughter was born Oct. 12, 1850, probably the first birth of a white female child in town ; is now the wife of A. Culbertson. Mrs. Perry drove a number of Indians out of the melon patch with a club. Her first visitors were fourteen Indians and squaws on Sunday ; they were seated OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 39 on the floor ; first wheat was the hedgerow, reaped with the sickle ; owned one-third of the first fanning mill. He remains on the old farm. Call on him, you will find in him and wife the same friendly greeting as in pioneer life. James Webley arrived April 1, 1849, from Dodge county ; was at the first town meeting. He started the first tanner}- to tan deer skins, his son, A% years old, coming from school, strayed in the woods and was lost in the spring of 1853, three months after he was found in a sink hole by Mr. Norton who was looking for swine. Rev. Mr. Revelle preached the funeral sermon at the grave near the house. Julius Perrot and wife came from Milwaukee in May, 1849, with an ox team ; put up at Horn's tavern ; Mrs. Perrot drove a cow from Milwaukee ; sowed one and one- quarter acres of wheat in 1850, had 700 bundles ; threshed with a flail, cleaned with a hand fan, and got fifty bushels. Mrs. Perrot underbrushed twelve acres of timber and packed many thousand shingles at night. He worked two days on the road under Pathmaster Colkins, to work out road tax ; the best sugar year was in 1854, when they made over 1,800 pounds. Mr. Perrot was the best squirrel and chipmunk hunter that Greenville ever had ; he is one of our jolly pioneers ; if any of you pioneers call on Mr. and Mrs. Perrot, at their pleasant home on section 7, you will be among the many welcome guests. John Jacquot came with Mr. Perrot and still remains on his beautiful farm on section 18. He is a first-class farmer ; His oldest son was scalded in the spring of 1854, lingered a few days and died. Rev. Vandoran preached the sermon. . A. Grant and wife came in the fall of 1850 with a yoke of three-year-old steers and an old wagon ; when they ar rived they had six cents in cash, were ten days on the road from Milwaukee ; built a log house where J. Jack's orchard stands ; they lived a number of weeks on corn bread for breakfast, mush for dinner, and cold corn. bread for supper with molasses. Had one pan of flour, lent half of that, and did not know where .the next was coming from. I went to Appleton the day before Christmas after good things, 40 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. but did not get home until late on Christmas night ; bought corn meal, dried apples, tea and coffee ; at Mr. Grant's table I ate the best sauce I ever ate in this state ; it was made out of pie plant. At that day the ladies followed the fashions of the day, eight j^ards of blue calico was plenty for a dress with frills and puffs. Mr. Grant now lives in Ellington. Wilder Patch came in the spring of 1850 ; chopped and burned brush off three acres and planted corn among the logs ; commenced building a house but fell short of monej-, and took a job of Rynders July 4, and finished it Septem ber 10. He lived on what $5.00 bought while doing the work. Mr. Patch sold his farm, 1866, for S3, 350 ; the sign of marriage in those days was the loved ones kissing over thfe gate. 1 April 8, 1850, the town had its first town meeting ; nine teen votes were polled ; the tax for the year was $645.45. Out of the nineteen voters there are three that remain, S. J. Perry, Matthew Culbertson and Miles Perry. There is much that might be said aboUt the early settlers but I must close by saying I myself came to Appleton Sep tember 10, 1848. When I arrived there I had ten cents in cash, one cow, one set of coopers' tools, wife and two babies ; moved to Greenville in March, 1854 ; was elected the fourth treasurer of the town ; I have held the office of justice of the peace twenty years ; the happiest Christmas was when I had money enough to buy three pounds of dried apples, one gallon of black molasses, and half of a pig's head, then with my little family, happy and con tented, we kept Christmas. The first meefjng was in a little log school house in District No. 1 ; Libbie Lanphear taught the first school in District No. 4, and boarded with us; got $3.00 a week and paid $1.25 for board; the first hog I bought in Greenville was bought with a four dollar gold piece paid to me for uniting two happy ones ; my first threshing floor was three planks. Mrs. Dey carried most of the water we used from a spring, half a mile from our house the first summer; about this time several pioneers came ; among them Scott, Sweetzer, House, Lewis, Palmer OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 41 9 Blocker, Mills and many others, who are some of our first- class farmers and have helped make Greenville what it is to-day. In 1876 at the fall election there were 338 votes polled ; the tax for 1876 was $6,049.42, the value from assess ment $441,253; number of horses, 499; number of neat cattle, 1,255 ; number of hogs, 657 ; number of sheep, 3,141 ; number of carriages and sleighs, 477 ; number of brick houses, 31 ; number of frame houses, 104 ; number of log houses, 55 ; number of log barns, 27 ; number of frame barns, 137. The first twenty-five apple trees I set out was on the 20th day of November, 1853 ; the first apples re ceived from them was in fall 1857 ; they were bought at Neenah. We have in town two institutions where liquor is sold ; two grange halls ; four churches ; one division of Sons of Temperence ; one Sunday school ; one insurance company of the county, started in Greenville; one cheese factory ; one butter factory. Mrs. John Seager taught the first school in town, in District No. 1 ; John Jewell was the first superintendent of Sunday school ; first block salt was made by J. Nye and B. Mills. In conclusion I will say I love my pioneer home "and expect to live and die in our be loved town. Dale. — Philo Root presented an interesting historical sketch of the early history of the "state of Dale." The land known as the town of Dale was taken from the town of Hortonia about the year 1850, and is bounded on the north by Hortonia, east by Greenville, south by Clayton and Winchester, of Winnebago county, and on the west by Caledonia, of Waupaca county, and contains thirty sections beginning with section No. 6, having an area of thirty square miles. Soil — moderately productive, being inter spersed with numerous swamps, which are mostly valuable for their timber, furnishing a large portion of the fencing on the farms between said town and Oshkosh or in fact for the largest portion of northern Wihnebago county. In the spring of 1848, Louis P. Hide and father, Thomas Doty and Alva McCrary were the first settlers. The Hides 42 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. locating on section 26, where Wm. Young now lives, Thomas Doty on section 25, where, Elias and Andrew Rhoades now live, McCrary on section 24, now owned b}' John Stein. William Young came the same spring and bought the southeast quarter of section 35, now owned by Sylvester Wolcott and John Young's widow,, Mr. Wm. Young claims his the first deed in the town, being issued by James H. Polk, president of the United States. The well known Rinehart, a minister of the gospel, came into this town in November, 1848, and held the first religious meeting in town. Pardon me for relating some of his pioneer privatioris that we may see the contrast, be tween then and now. He reports having had when he came here in cash the sum of nintj'-five cents which he paid out for lumber to fix a shanty to live in. Having to chop and make shingles to buy corn meal for food, which was all he had for himself and wife and four children the whole of that winter with the exception of a round or strip of pork to start on. While the country was yet new and ministers scarce he did his Master's service by going some times to preach as far away as to New London and Shioc- ton on foot. He tells of crossing the Rat river marsh when the water was nearly leg- deep and a thin skim of ice over the top to fill a meeting appointment. To you my pioneer friends who have assembled here to-day, we cahnot fully realize the hardships endured, except we have been placed likewise, which is not likely the case with many. The first school house built it town was located some seventy rods south of Young's corner, being made of logs and hav ing a shade roof, being sufficiently large to accommodate thirty scholars ; Mrs. H. Greenfied being the first teacher ; this being the house in which I taught my first Wisconsin school, which was in 1854. By this time the town had be come considerably inferspersed with inhabitants, mostly Germans from Ohio. With but few exceptions the inhabitants are Americans and Germans. The probabilities are that no town has made more rapid progress under the circumstances. First — The forests were mostly of very large oaks. The stumps OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 43 being difficult to remove. But time, patience and a goodly degree of perseverence has had its effects, inasmuch as there are but few to be seen now. Second — There is no town in the county that has had more stone to get out of the way before machinery could be used than this which is now mostly in good condition for any machinery. We have a voting population of 260, and at the census of 1855 our population was, males 516, females 536, making a total of 1,052. Hortonia. — This town was fortunate in being repre sented by Mr. Mathew McComb. He said Hortonia was first settled by Alonzo E. Horton, after whom the town was named, in the latter part of the summer of 1848. Mr. Hor ton built a log shanty for his family live in. He and a number of men commenced to build a saw mill, some of his laborers he set to work on the dam, others hewing timber for the frame for the mill, others felling the trees and clearing the site for the mill, and notwithstanding the difficulties he had in getting part of the machinery and other materials to build with, he had the mill finished and ready to saw logs, the dam built, the race and flume com pleted on or about the first day of August, 1849. The mill was built on the stream known by the name of "Black Otter Creek." On the thirteenth day of November, 1848, Joel Tillison, generally known by the name of "Captain," became a settler and helped to build the mill dam and dig the race, and has lived ever since in the town and is now 78 years old. Alvin Owens became a settler on the twentieth day of November, 1848, lived about thirteen years in town, sold his farm and moved to the state of Michigan. Henry J. Whicher became a settler early in the spring of 1849. Built a hotel in the summer of the same year, which was the first hotel in Hortonville, and known by the name of "Pinery House." Mr. Whicher sold his hotel and left the town soon after. Luther Morton became a settler on the first day of June, 44 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 1849. Commenced clearing his farm, a few months after wards he sold his farm and moved from town. James McMurdo became a settler on third da.j of June, 1849, and has lived ever since on his excellent farm,, and being a man possessed with a spirit of perseverance and a fixed purpose to deal honestl}' with all men is now reaping the fruits of industry, honesty and integrity, has a full purse and a happy home. Henry Kethroe became a settler some time in the month of June, 1849, lived a short time in town, moved to Elling ton in the same year. Mathew McConib and Hugh Leslie became settlers on the second day of July, 1849, they drove their team to a spot which they thought was a part of the lands of Mathew McComb and shouted "Alabama." The lived for nearly four weeks, having nothing but the canopy of heaven for their curtain, during said time there was not one shower of rain, and during that time they built a log shanty on lands which belonged to Simeon A. Shepard, but when the shanty was built the question was asked, how and with what is it to be roofed ? Being green horns and unskilled in the use of the ax, they never thought of making troughs for the roof, so they concluded to wait until Horton commenced sawing logs in the mill, which as I have already stated, ¦ was about the first of August. They lived in said shanty, in which there was neither door nor window, until about the first of September, at which time each family moved to the crude shanty, built on their farms, respectively. O. A. Blackwood became a settler in the month of Aug-ust, 1849, and lived in town until the time of his death, which was about one and a half years ago. Mason C. Hulbert became a settler in the ¦ month of August, 1849, and was the first storekeeper in Hortonville. On the twenty-seventh day of January, 1850, he sold his store, building and goods to Briggs, Pelton & Co. for the sum of $3,000 and went to California. Thomas Ogden became a settler in the month of August, 1849, lived in town several years, sold his farm and moved to Juda, Green county, Wisconsin. And by the way I wish OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 45 to state that his shanty, Julius G. Nordman's shanty, and Mathew McComb's shanty were the only settlements be tween Hortonville and Mukwa for several years, and were termed by the wayfaring man, the Irishman's, the English man's and the Dutchman's. John Easton became a settler in the month of October, 1849, built a hotel and entertained travelers for some time. Thomas Easton became a settler at the same time and lived a few years in town. Norman Nash became a settler on or about the thirtieth of November, 1849, built a hotel and had it finished, neatly furnished and ready for the accommodation of travelers about the first day of August, 1850, and named it the "Hortonia House." David Briggs, Piatt Rudd, Byron Pelton and George L. Merrill became settlers on the twenty-seventh day of January, 1850, at which time they purchased the saw mill property from Alonzo E. Horton, and the store, building and goods from Mason C Hulbert, all of whom left town at an early date except David Briggs, who still lives in the town. Oliver Poole became a settler on the twenty- eighth day of February, 1850, and still lives in the town. His house has always been an asylum for the poor, a hospital for the sick, and a home for the homeless, irrespective of nationality or color. Mrs. Poole claims to be the mother of 391 children, how many more she will claim, let some one answer ? Moses W. Allen became a settler in March, 1850, com menced a mercantile business and was very successful in the undertaking, was an adept in his profession. In the year 1863 he moved to Kirkwood, 111. J. J. Steffen and Matthias Klein became settlers in the month of May, 1850, and have lived ever since in the town. Andrew Cornish became a settler in May, 1850. For some time he was engaged in storekeeping, but soon gave up said business, "claiming that he was called of God to preach the Gospel." During the summer of 1850 he pjeached five sermons, in three of which he preached the doctrine of the Trinity, in the other two he denied the 46 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. divinity of Christ, but in one of his prayers he concluded by saying, "for Christ's sake. Amen." In one of his ser mons he said that "the locust in the days of John the Bap tist was as large as turkeys are in these days." For the first time in my life I learned the size of locusts in those days. At the close of his last meeting he carried away under his arm Tom Paine's work on infidelity, and the Rev. Cornish preached no more. He soon afterwards left Hortonville and it was the general belief that he had joined the Mormon church. Ira Hersey settled in town in the fall of 1850 and lived in town until some time in the fall of 1872, when he sold his mill property and dwelling house and moved to Kansas. Mr. Hersey was loved and respected by all. George Tiplear settled in town the latter part of June, 1852, lived twelve years in town, then moved to Winne- conne in the fall of 1863. His removal from town was a great loss and deeply felt. Leonard Steffen settled in town May 7, 1851, and with the exception of a few years that he lived in Appleton has lived ever since in the town. John McMurdo became a settler on the eighth day of June, 1851, and has lived ever since in the town, and for quite a number of years was elected chairman of the Town Board of Supervisors, which office he filled humbly and efficiently, and is now postmaster in Hortonville. A. C. Briggs settled in town in the fall of 1851. Mr. Briggs built a fine hotel and lived several years in Horton ville, sold his hotel propertj' and moved to Clayton. Joseph Clark, December 23, 1851, settled and lived in the town until the time of his death, which was about five weeks ago. Isaac Leach and sons became settlers on the twenty- third day of December, 1851. W. W. Briggs and H. B. Sanborn settled in town on the first day of October, 1852. They built an excellent flour ing mill, which at that time was not excelled by any other in the county. By the building of said mill they added more to the comfort and welfare of the settlers than all the OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 47 settlers who had preceded them. Mr. H. B. Sanborn still , lives in town, and Mr. Briggs has sold his interest in the mill several years ago and moved to Appleton. Jacob Steffen and sons became settlers on the sixteenth day of October, 1852. He lived in town during his life and died a few years ago, being old and full of days, and was buried in the center of the Roman Catholic cemetery, on his own farm. Mr. Steffen was loved and respected by all who knew him. Stephen A. Thompson settled in town on the fifteenth day-of November, 1852, and has also lived in the town ever since. There, are many others whose names should be mentioned but time and space will not permit. The first town meet ing was held at the store building formerly occupied by Mason C. Hulbert on the first Tuesday in April, 1850. Norman Nash was chosen chairman, Byron Pelton and Oliver Poole were chosen inspectors, and George L. Mer rill was chosen clerk, and having no statutes or forms to guide them, and all being young and inexperienced in town business, they adopted the following oath for the inspectors and clerk of said meeting, not because they wished to take the n?,me of God in vain, but they considered it to be in a business-like manner. The following is the oath, viz.: You swear by God that you will support the constitution of the United States and this state, and that you will conduct this meeting to the best of your ability, so help you God. Oliver Poole administered the above oath to thechairman and the c'hairman to the two inspectors and clerk. The following officers were elected at said meeting : J. Wakefield, chairman; Norman' Nash and Byron Pelton, assistant supervisors ; Byron Pelton, clerk ; Benjamin Wil liams, treasurer ; Wm. Benedict, assessor ; J. Wakefield, town superintendent ; John Easton, J. Wakefield and Wm. Benedict, justices of the peace ; Lewis Hyde and Thomas Easton, constables. J. Wakefield resigned his office as chairman and-Norman Nash was elected chairman of the town board of supervisors in the place of J. Wakefield. No bonds were required from auy of the town officers. No 48 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. records of the town meeting or meetings of the board were preserved. The whole number of votes cast at said meet ing was seventeen. The first grist mill in town was one purchased by David Briggs & Co., from Mr. Howe, of Greenville, for the sum of ten dollars. Said mill was about the size of a modern corn sheller, and a one man power, having the capacity of g-rind- ing five bushels of corn per day. The first school house was built in the summer of 1850 ; the first church was built in the year 1859 ; the first flouring mill was built in the year 185,6 ; the first blacksmith shop was built in the year 1848 ; the first barrel of whisky sold by retail by Capt. Tillison in 1849 ; the first preacher was Andrew Cornish in 1849 ; the first school teacher was Emma B. Leach in 1850; the first pettifoggers in court were John Easton and David Briggs. in 1850 ; Norman Nash was the first chairman of the town board of supervisors in 1850- The first marriage was contracted between John Hewitt and Susan A. Sheldon, at the shanty of Mathew McComb, by John Easton, justice of the peace, in the month of April, 1850. The bridegroom and bride built a raft of float wood on the north side of the Wolf river, got on board and crossed the river, but soon learned that they could not float among the trees and willows. Not willing to return to the camp unmarried they concluded to tie the raft to a tree, they then joined hands and plunged in the water which was about two and one-half feet deep and waded forty rods or more before they reached dry land, about one hundred rods distant from my shanty. After the marriage ceremony was consummated he took his wife by the hand and said, "let us go home," and they started off on the same route they came. Merry waters did not quench their love, neither did the floods drown it. The first birth in town was the daughter of Thomas and Lucinda Easton, who was born in the month of March, 1850. The first death was Sarah A., daughter of Norman and Matilda Nash, who died Sept. 22, 1850. The foregoing is a brief history of the early settlement of Hortonia, OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 49 Buchanan. — The following sketch was presented by Wm. Lamure : Joseph Lamure and family, consisting of Mary, Josephine, William and Charles Lamure, and his adopted son Amable Aslin, settled in Buchanan July 10, 1839, the settlement consisting of four families — B. H. Beaulieu, Mons. Rentier, Raphael St. Mary, and Roland Garner. The next comers were Germans. They landed at Garner's landing Oct. 9, 1842, consisting of ten families, including three young men. John J. Dietzler and family, Peter Deatrick and family, Jacob Pauly and family, Michael Kline and family, John P. Hintze and family, P. H. Rausch and family, J. P. Schumaker and family, — Frevel and family, John Kloepel and family, Anton Heuser and family, Mathias Kline, John Snyder and Jacob Snyder. The town of Buchanan was set off from the town of Kaukauna Feb. 12, 1858. The first town meeting was held 'April 2, 1858. Town officers elected: B. H. Beaulieu, chairman; Wm. Lamure and John J. Dietzler, supervisors; Morris Ringrow, clerk; Peter Radmaker, treasurer; B. H. Beaulieu, Michael Kline and John Cabensen, assessors; John Hunt, Wm. Lamure, Daniel Cline and John Cabensen, Justices of the Peace; Peter Kline, constable. Total vote was 32. Ellington. — The town of Ellington was originally composed of its present territory, together with what are now the towns of Bovina and Maine. It was organized in 1850. The first land purchased of the government was by F. Gilbert and L. Thompson, on section 20, in the year 1841 , while Outagamie was yet a part of Brpwn county. These gentlemen shortly afterwards built a dam across Bear Creek, about three miles from Wolf river at which point they also erected a saw mill. This was subsequently operated by Wm. Bruce and G. D. Aldrich, until the sum mer 1849. The first frame building was put up by Mr. Bruce in 1849. The first white family that settled in the town was that of Lewis Thompson, at a point that was known as Bruce's mills up to 1850, Thos. Callan was the first white . 4 50 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. man who settled in Ellington for the purpose of engaging in farming. This was in 1847. In 1848 and 1849 came Geo. Huse, Henry Kethroe, James Hardacker, Owen Hardy, Wm. McGee, P. H. Pew and Thomas Hillins. In 1850 came Abel Greeley, Amos Johnson, Julius Greeley, H. J. Diener and Eliab Farnham. In the early days the settlers obtained their supplies at Green Bay, hauling them a distance of thirty-six miles. The first mail route was established through the town in 1851 from Green Bay to Stevens Point. John P. Rynders christened the town — bestowing upon it the name of his native town in New York. The first store was established in 1850, by J. D. Van Vleck; the first hotel in 1856, by P. H. Pew. The first town meeting was held at the old Block House in 1850, at which the following officers were elected: Supervisors, John H. Rynders, chairman, James Hardacker and Geo. Huse; clerk, Henry Smith; sealer of weights and measures, Geo. Huse; town superintendent, Geo. Huse; justices of the peace, James Hardacker, Thos. Hillson, Geo. Huse and John R. Rynders; constable, Frederick La- man; assessors, John R. Rynders and Geo. Huse; treasurer, John R. Rynders. Each one received seven votes. The first school was established in 1852; the first birth and the first death occurred in 1851. In 1856 John Stephens purchased the mill property and laid out the village which bears his name. The paper from which We glean the above facts was prepared by Ansel Greeley. i Center. — John McGillan presented some interesting facts relative to the early settlement of Center. David Barry and brother were the first inhabitants of Center, settling there in 1849, on section 27. Peter Hephner and family settled the same year on the same section. The first yoke of cattle was brought to the town by Mr. Hephner which he purchased from Jake Cornelius in the Oneida settlement. John Batley came to Center in 1850 and located on section 11. He was the first white man that occupied the north part of the town. James Cotter settled the same year on section 14. John Leith next arrived and OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 51 located on section 26. The first death in the town was that of a child of Mr. Leith. Francis McGillan and family settled in Center in 1851, on section 35. William Byrnes came in 1851 and located on section 13. Patrick Cannon arrived about the same time and settled on section 25. The first school meeting in the town was held at the house of Peter Hephner in 1851. The officers elected were: Peter Hephner, treasurer; N. M. Hephner, clerk; Wm. Byrnes, director. The number of votes cast was seven. Mrs. Leith was the first teacher and taught three months for $25. The school was conducted at her house. The first school house was soon after built, the total cost of which was $40. In this building the first town meeting was held. Kaukauna. — Mr. E. St. Louis, the representative of Kaukauna, said in substance: In reply to your invitation the following is respectfully submitted to the Pioneer Association of Outagamie County. I landed at Green Bay October 26, A. D. 1836. From reports and information obtained there, I concluded at once to move further up on Fox river. I bought a canoe, trusted all my property, family and all, in one cargo. With so much freight, the river was then very difficult to ascend and in about four days I landed at the place where I have ever since lived, then called Petite Chute. The general aspect of the stream was then very beauti ful indeed; the waters now rushing over hedges and stones forming rapids and chutes, next becoming quiet and placid, in seeming sadness to leave its pleasant shady banks; the whole valley and surrounding country proved one dense forest and unbroken wilds. I first put up a temporary dwelling and claimed a quarter section on Fox river at Kaukalin or Kaukauna. I found the following settlers, their chief business was trading with the Indians: Charles A. Grignon, Paul Ducharm, Jacque PauUier and Paul Beaulieu. In Little Chute the Rev. T. J. Van Den Broek had lived with and taught a large number of Menominee Indians for four years. His improvements then were a log church, bark covered, built by said Indians, 52 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. To work a farm then was very toilsome and slow work, the farms were small and unopened, and to remember the tools which we had to use then and which we now use; first compare the sickle with the best improved reaper, take the wooden fan, the old flail, etc., and then subtract the difference. The waters teemed with life, the river then was unob structed by dams, etc., and all kinds of fish had free access from lake to river and river to lake again. I may here add that the abundance of fish in the river then, and the various plenty of game in the adjoining valley or woods, were valuable substitutes to the pioneer farmers in early days. Tomitah was the chief of the Menominee Indians and held his residence by turns at that place where the city of Appleton is since built. Reports spread that a murder was committed by the Indians on the person of a white man, a minister of the gospel, a stranger, a young man, etc. The day following I was summoned or ordered as one of the j urors to hold the inquest, we held the inquest with four jurors, all that possibly could be put together. We found the body fearfully mangled, the heart taken out and other marks of cruelty committed. We gave the unhappy stranger a distant burial and parted. Tomitah had three Indians arrested and delivered them to the proper authori^ ties at Green Bay. Soon one of their number on promise to be set free, confessed the whole crime, was however returned to jail and stabbed to death by his enraged com rades the same night. Afterwards the remaining criminals ended their lives by strangling themselves with their blankets. In general were the Menominees a quiet and peaceable race, and many among them were converted to Christianity by the missionaries. They held strict rules to protect game; hunting was not allowed except on-certain days appointed by their chief, and trespasses on such orders were severely punished. In 1836 during my first year's staying here the small pox spread among the poor Indians and so many died that I have witnessed six funerals in one day. When badly OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 53 infected with the disease they increased their suffering to a great extent by the practice of bathing in the river. In former years many mounds of different forms and sizes were found at the Kaukauna flats and if we may trust the Indian legends or traditions, were the graves of mighty hosts. Here one of the greatest, most fearful battles was fought by their heroic fathers. The first school house was built about the year 1844, near the new church grounds in Little Chute. The build ing was put up by the settlers, and teacher's wages and board paid by the missionary. The settlers, few in number, could not meet the expenses, said school was attended by five or six scholars. I cut a road all alone from Little Chute through the site of Appleton to the landing. About the year 1840, when the settlements round Lake Winnebago began to grow, and demand for store goods, provisions, etc., began to increase, and finding that something could be made with my ox team and cart, I chopped all alone a road from Little Chute to the Grand Chute, then I was my own supervisor, pathmaster, etc., and had no bridge fund on hand either. In 1848 a number of emigrants arrived here from Holland with T. J. Van Den Broek who had visited said country. They have proved to be industrious farmers, and besides others, have, during their stay here, opened the largest clearing of farms in the lower Fox river valley. Besides farming I bought a threshing machine in 1852, the first ever worked in this town. In 1854 I built a spar dam across Fox river over this place without ever breaking, it remains there still. And a second crib dam a few feet below the old dam in 1876. I have only mentioned these facts relative to my own experience, and leave it to other parties to do the same, so that the different parts may make one general good. Seymotir in its early day — By G. R. Downer. Seymour to-day is far different from what it was thirty- two years ago. At that time, what is now the town of 54 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. Seymour, was a part of the town of Osborne (which derived its name from W. M. Ausbourne), was divided in the year 1867. Its first town officers were elected April 2, 1867: C. E. Mcintosh, clerk; James Rice, Louis Conklin, W. M. Ausbourne, supervisors. Seymour derived its name from Ex-Gov. Horatio Seymour, of New York. The first settlers were W. M. and John Ausbourne who settled here with their families in 1SS7, on the southwest quarter of section 32. The next settlers were D. W., W. H. and S. W. Hunger, who settled here in 1860. The first child born in the town of Seymour was AdaM., daughter of Wm. and Harriet Ausbourne, March 31, 1860. The first marriage was that of Henry Becker and Tina Simnicht at the residence of the bridegroom and was con ducted according to the Lutheran creed. The first death in the town waS that of Wm. Ausbourne, Sr., on July 9, 1859. The Rev. Mr. Lenir, of Oneida, preached the funeral sermon. The first post office. Lime Rock, was established in April, 1865, and the first postmaster was S. W. Munger, who received his appointment from the government, April, 1865, with a salary of $8 a year. He will be remembered by the old settlers and among his many friends as Uncle Willis. The first mail carrier was John Wheeler who carried the mail to and from Appleton on foot, they receiving the mail but once a week. The first saw mill was built in 1868 by Geo. Anderson. The first and only railroad that passed through Seymour was completed as far as New London, Jan. 1, 1871, and on that day the first train passed through Seymour. The first freight train that passed over the road was loaded with lumber and shingles from Whitney's mill. The first school was taught by Rosa McGann in a log shanty, and the first school house was built in 1862, not a brick or frame, but a low log school house. Our only market in those early days was Appleton, and all provisions and clothing must come from that place, and, as the old settlers used to say, the merchants of Appleton knowing this would take all the advantage possible. OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 55 After the towns of Seymour and Osborne were divided, Seymour settled up very fast and now has a population of about 1,000. The City of Seymour and town were divided in 1879, now Seymour has six school districts and one church. The city has the balance of the churches, yet the town has the benefit of them. Seymour has now but one railroad, but we have the promise held out to us that in the near future the Midland Railroad will take its course through our town. Seyuiour. — A short history of its early days by J. Dean: I landed in Milwaukee about the 18th day of June, 1837, liyed in Milwaukee about two years. Moved with my father to the town of Muskego, Waukesha County. Lived there until the spring of 1847, then moved to Dodge County and settled on a farm in the town of Hustisford. Lived there until the spring of 1877. About May 10 of that year moved to Seymour, Outagamie County. At that time the town and city was all one, and there was about one thousand inhabitants. There was one stave factory; one hub and spoke factory, owned and run by D. Hammel; also one hub and spoke factory, run by Helden- berg & Co.; one saw mill, owned and run by the North western Furniture Co., of Fort Atkinson, Wis.; one grist mill, one drug store, one milliner shop, one dress maker, two tailor shops, one furniture store, two butcher shops, two hardware stores, four dry goods stores, two grocery stores, one barber shop, one restaurant, three blacksmith shops, two shoemaker shops, three hotels, two doctors and three churches. The City of Seymour was incorporated as a city in the winter of 1879. The present population is about eight hundred and fifty and they have come to stay. There is hardly any floating population here now, the most of them are good solid business men. The manufacturing here now embraces one saw mill with shop where they turn out all kinds of chair stuffs, wagon stuffs and buggies, one roller grist mill, one planing mill with doors, blinds and sash made to order, one drug store, four dry goods stores, two hardware stores, three grocery 56 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. stores, one furniture store, one undertaker, one restaurant, one milliner shop, one butcher shop, one barber shop, one dress maker, three blacksmith shops, two wagon shops, two shoemaker shops, one deguerean gallery, one cigar factory, one printing office, one flour and feed store, five churches, one harness shop, three hotels, two saloons, one brick yard, one bank, two insurance offices, two law offices, one Odd Fellows' hall, one Sons of Herman hall, one G. A. R. hall, one temperance lodge, one fire company, one jewelry store, one livery stable, two Sunday schools, three doctors' offices, one high school with four teachers. The Green Bay, Winona & St. Paul Railroad runs throug-h the town or city, and last fall the company built a very nice depot for us; it is quite tasty and very convenient. The Midland Railroad is surveyed through the city and we understand that the Illinois Central has bought the right of way, there is a large prospect of the road being built in the near future; also one brick yard is turning out some very fine brick and there seems to be quite a feeling with the people to build brick when they do build. This, gentle men, is about the history of the past and of the present time of our little city. Pioneers' Meeting, Feb. 22, 1878. Pursuant to announcement the pioneers of Outagamie County, met at Bertschy's Hall, Feb. 22, 1878, for the pur pose of holding their Sixth Annual Festival and Basket Picnic. The day being very stormy and the roads in a horrible condition, the attendance was not as numerous as usual. , The president, L. E. Darling, being absent, D. Huntley, vice-president, called the meeting to order in the forenoon. E. Spencer was present as secretary. The first order of business being the election of officers for the ensuing year, a motion was made to this effect. The follow ing named persons were chosen as such officers: President OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 57 L. E. Darling; vice-president, Charles Wolcott; secretary, E. Spencer; treasurer, John Leith; executive committee, James McGillan, Harmon Jones, Wm. Johnston, Jr., Henry Kethroe and Ansel Greeley. At 12 o'clock the association adjourned for dinner. The tables were tastefully and bountifully prepared by the ladies and over fifty pioneers partook of a good "square meal" in true pioneer style. At 2 p. m. the meeting called to order; the programme previously prepared was read by the secretary and those appointed to speak called in order. Mr. Charles Wolcott responded for Grand Chute. He read a poem prepared by himself, reciting many incidents of his experiences and recollections of the early history of his town which proved highly interesting. John McGillan responded for the town of Center, reciting many thrilling adventures of his recollections of the first settlement and history of Center, followed by D. Huntley who has been teaching school in that town this winter. Ansel Greeley responded for Ellington and Seth J. Perry for Greenville. H. L. Blood relating many interesting anecdotes of his early experience in settling Appleton. J. M. Phinney gave us some amusing circumstances of his early experiences in administering discipline and teaching mathematics in Lawrence University. Thomas Dane made some compari sons between Appleton and towns under British protection, vastly in favor of Appleton. James McGillen spoke of the great changes which had been made in the circumstances of the early settlers of Outagamie county, since his recol lection. Mr. Wilson related some of his early experience in Appleton and spoke of the unparalleled growth of the manufactures and commerce of Appleton. D. Huntley made some very appropriate remarks on the growth and importance of Appleton and Outagamie county. At 4 p. m. the association adjourned to meet again next year. All were pleased with the enjoyment of the day and seemed determined to make our next annual festival a success. 58 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. Pioneers' Meeting, Feb. 22, 1879. Pursuant to announcement, a meeting of the Outagamie Pioneers was held in this city, at Council Hall, Saturday, Feb. 22, 1879. The officers were all on hand, viz., L. E. Darling, president; E. Spencer, secretary, and John Leith, treasurer. The latter reported $8.70 on hand. A motion was made and carried that a committee be appointed by the chair to nominate suitable persons for officers the ensuing year. The chair appointed Charles Wolcott, John M. Baer and Robt. Hutchinson as such committee. On motion the association then proceeded to the election of officers with the following result: President, L. E. Dar ling; vice-president, D. Huntley; secretary, E- Spencer,; treasurer, John Leith; executive committee, Charles Wol cott, Harmon Jones, Henry Kethroe, Robt. Hutchinson and Wm. Lamure. It being now 12 o'clock the association adjourned for dinner. About seventy persons sat down to the bountiful repast which had been prepared by the ladies in true pioneer style. At 1:30 o'clock the meeting was again called to order. The secretary read a report of the proceedings of the previous meeting and also a list of the names of the registered pioneers and the date of their settlement in the county. President Darling then delivered the annual address which was an exceedingly happy effort and one which was well received. The several towns were then called in regular order, many of which were represented on the occasion by one or more of the early settlers. Geo. W. Lawe sent in a sketch of early times in Kaukauna which was read by the secre tary. Wm. Lamure contributed an interesting account of early experiences in the town of Buchanan. Judge Ryan was present and spoke for the Second ward in his usual felicitous manner. Joseph Rork for the Fifth ward told OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 59 of the pleasures and privations of pioneer life. Charles Wolcott, in behalf of the Sixth ward, indulged in similar remarks. D. Huntley and B. B. Murch made clever responses when the town of Grand Chute was called. John A. Leith recited" some of the experiences in early times, in the town of Center. John M. Baer, one of the early settlers in the town of Black Creek, made interesting remarks. Charles Breterick spoke of pioneer life in Elling ton. John Dey, of Greenville, relating many interesting reminiscences which contributed towards the early history of that town. Henry Kethroe, of Hortonville, and Robt. Hutchinson, of Maple Creek, made clever responses when their towns were called. H. G. Curtis, of Bovina, contrib uted a poem which was read by the president. This contribution added largely to the interest of the programme. Geo. Knowles, formerly a resident of Freedom and one of the early settlers of the county, but now of Kansas, sent in an interesting communication which was read by the president. Altogether, this was one of the most enjoyable reunions which the pioneers of the county ever held. The following letter from George W. Lawe was read by the secretary: Kaukauna, Feb. 18, 1879. Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Outagamie Pioneer Association: As circumstances beyond my control, prevent my being with you in person, I respectfully submit the following as part of my recollections of the early settle ment of Kaukauna: Born in Green Bay in the year 1810, I remember distinctly the arrival of the first British troops at that place, under Col. Dickinson, commanding, who made his headquarters in my father's house, and all subse quent events of importance to the present time. But as the settlement of Kaukauna is under consideration I will begin with the year 1823, when the Stockbridge and Munsee Indians were occupying the south side of the Fox river at this point. In that year an Episcopal mission was established among the tribes, Rev. Mr. Cadle in charge, who instructed them in religion. At the same time, the 60 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. Indians carried on farming to quite an extent, raising large quantities of corn, potatoes and small grain. The Rev. Mr. Cadle was succeeded by Rev. Jesse Miner, Pres byterian missionary, who died here nearly fifty years ago. The slab marking his neglected grave may be seen on the farm of Sheriff Brill, just east of the school house, in what is now the town of Buchanan. In the year 1835 the Rev. Mr. Van Den Broek came to this country and established a Catholic mission at Little Chute among the Menomonee Indians, from which has come the present magnificent church building as a monu ment to its founder. In the year 1835 a treaty was held at what is now called the "Cedars," for the purchase of lands from the Indians embracing the counties of Brown, Oconto, Outagamie, Winnebago, Fond du Lac and up to Portage, on the Wis consin river. Governor Dodge was the commissioner. There were upwards of four thousand Indians on the ground, consisting of Menomonees, Chippewas and Winne- bagoes. In the year 1839 I moved my family from Green Bay to Kaukauna, where I have resided almost continually since. I found the following persons with their families here, viz. : Chas. A. Grignon, E. St. Louis, James Porlier, Joseph Lamure, Paul H. Beaulieau, and a few Germans whose names I do not remember. Mr. Beaulieu had a saw and grist mill in operation, on the south side of the river, for the accommodation of the inhabitants. The mode of transporting merchandise in those days was by Durham boats, manned by workmen who poled them up the river to Grand Chute, portaging the rapids. In the year 1847, I think, Mr. Reeder Smith, from Bos ton, came to Wisconsin to locate Lawrence University, and selected its present site, Appleton. If I remember right, I believe John F. Johnston is entitled to the honor of erect ing the first house (or shanty rather) on the site of what is to-day the flourishing city of Appleton. In the year 1843, as Indian Agent under President Har rison, I moved the Indians from Little Chute to Lake OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 61 Poygan, and in 1850 they were moved to the Keshena Reservation, their present home is Shawano couiity. About the year 1847 Rtev. Mr. Van Den Broek, Catholic missionary at Little Chute, made a trip to Holland to visit relations and friends. On his return a 'number came with him. Among them were Jacob Appleman, C. A. Hamer, Martin Gerrits, Herman Johnson, Theodore Johnson, J. C. Van Niel and Fred Speel, and later others followed, until now there is no lands to be had within reaching distance of the church; and so they go to N'^braska! How marked the change these thrifty and indust^ ious people have made in the appearance of the country about Little Chute during the last thirty years. > Most of you will remember how for bidding to the average settlers the tamarack swamps were which surrounded it. To-day it will compare favorably with the richest portion of our county. Before closing I will relate a few incidents and adventures in the life of Capt. Joseph Houle, who died recently at the residence of his son, in the lower end of our town. He was said to be 113 years old. Of this I have no doubt, for as early as- the year 1815 I remember him distinctly as an employe about my father's Trading Post in Green Bay, a gray-headed old man. In the year 1825 my father got short of certain goods to carry on the Indian trade, and sent Joseph Houle, in the month of January, to Mackinac after a supply. He started with a horse and sleigh alone upon the ice, and reached Mackinac in safety and safely returned. This is the first instance of which there is any record of a white man making the trip in that way and at that time of the year. A glance at the map will show the magnitude of the under taking. Again, in the year 1826-7, he was sent from Green Bay to Fort Crawford or Prairie du Chien, with a load of goods for Mr. D. Whitney, making his was through the woods and across the prairies with nothing to guide him but the trail of Indians, until he reached his destination. He is supposed to be the first white man who made this trip across the country. 62 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. The following description of the opening of the first road as given by Geo. W. Lawe. When I arrived in Kaukauna, over fifty years ago, I found it a veritable wilderness, there were no roads and no way of traveling except on Indian trail or by water. Green Bay was our source of supplies and I was very desirous of spening wagon communications with that place. I went down to see Mr. Wright, the founder of Wrightstown, five miles down the river, he was a particular friend of mine, and had settled there three or four years before. I wanted him to run a ferry across the river so that we could reach the military road running from Green Bay to Fond du Lac. This he agreed to do, providing I would open a road from Kaukauna to his ferry, I pledged my word I would do so at once. I was much pleased that I succeeded in making such arrangements, the next day I called on my neighbor and laid the matter before him for his approval, expecting him to aid me, but to my surprise I found he was opposed to any such radical change, he said, my father lived a good many years in Kaukauna and had no wagon road to Green Bay, he got along very well by traveling on horse back or afoot and I guess I can do the same. Not to be overcome by this exhibition of conservatism I resolved to try the head Menomonee chief at Little Chute, Tyometaw, and see if he would not aid me, he summoned his young men to council and addressed them stating that as they were all good Catholics and had adopted the customs of the white people and that I considered them citizens of the United States and perhaps they would be entitled to vote in a few years. As we were obliged to obey the laws of our country and spend two days working out our poll tax on road I thought they, ought to do the same and I asked them to help me open a road to Wrightstown so that we could travel to Green Bay. The old Chief Tyometaw got up and said that they must obey the laws of the country and further that it would be of great benefit to them to have such a road built. The young men answered, yes we will go, the next day I had about fifty Indians to help me, in two days we had the road cut out. The next week we all worked OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 63 together, again and cut the road to Appleton. In these days of steam cars one cannot realize what a blessing such roads were to us. The first plat of Kaukauna was made by John Stephens, under direction of Mr. Lawe in 1850 on the north side of the river, this plat consisted of seventeen blocks and quite a number of lots were sold when in 1854 County Surveyor E. Spencer made a second plat, the one that has continued from that time till the present. While the north side was thus growing in size and importance the south side was a howling wilderness; as late as 1880 a passenger on the M. L. S. & W. could not tell from riding along that any in habitants dwelt on that side of the river at all. There was a small flag station there called Ledyard, but the only buildings were a depot and an old farm house. In 1881 the M. L. S. & W. R. R. decided to move their mechanical department here from Manitowoc and to make this the headquarters for the train department of the southern division. All at once was changed, as if by magic, and South Kaukauna began her phenomenal growth. Geo. W. Lawe. New York, Feb. 19, 1879. To the Outagamie County Pioneer Association — Dear Friends : Having seen, in the Crescent, a notice of your annual gathering, I cannot forbear saying, it would give me great pleasure to attend the glad re-union, and clasp once more the hand of old and true and tried friends, who dared with me to brave the dangers of the wilderness. As we look back "through the vista of years" we see that Old Time has wroug-ht many sad changes. Many, oh so many, of those early friends have gone, and oh, how painful the sundering of heart strings. And we are forcibly reminded that we, too, are hastening home. And, too, we can but note the progress of the age. Civilization in its march has made the wilderness to blos som as the rose. No longer the howl of the wolf is heard, and the scarcely less terrible buzz of the mosquito has been hushed. Never can I forget their blood-thirsty look as 64 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. they came pouring through the crevices of our rude cabin in the forest, and never the welcome sound of the ax as trees were felled for the erection of a log house near, as we were really to have a neighbor. Now in place of those primitive dwellings are fine farm houses. In your city are fine houses of worship, halls of science, etc. Surely this is an age of progress, I exclaim, as I contrast the corduroy and ox-cart of those days with our elevated railroad on which we are sent flying through the air with a lightning-like rapidity. But I must not take your time from more interesting communications. Suffice to say that though I never more may meet you in that cherished spot, you will be kindly remembered, and warmly welcomed to our winter home in New York, or our summer home on Unit Farm in South Haven, Mich. With best wishes for your happiness and prosperity, I remain yours sincerely, Emily J. Lawe. Pioneers' Meeting, Feb. 21, 1880. Pursuant to notice duly given the Pioneers of Outagamie County met at Union Hall, over C. C. Wayland's store, in the city of Appleton, Feb. 21, 1880. L. E. Darling, presi dent, in the chair; E. Spencer present as secretary. Moved and carried that we proceed to an informal ballot for presi dent. Result: John Dey having received much the largest number of votes, on motion he was declared elected presi dent for the ensuing year; Charles Wolcott was elected vice-president; E. Spencer was duly elected secretary, and John Leith was chosen treasurer. John McGillan, H-armon Jones, Wm. McGuire, Wm. Briggs and Henry Kethroe were elected as the executive committee for the ensuing year. At 12 o'clock adjourned for dinner. About seventy- five pioneers partook of a substantial dinner in true pioneer style. At 2 o'clock" the meeting was called to order, when Dr. A, B, Randall delivered the opening address, H. L. OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 65 Blood was then called on and responded by reading a paper giving a history of his experience and recollections of the first settlement and history of Appleton and Outagamie county. Mr. B. B. Murch was then called on who responded by reading a paper giving his experience and recollections of the early history of the county. A. B. Randall was then called on to explain some ludicrous circumstances at tending the first wedding in this county attended to by Mr. Murch. Remarks were also made by Mr. C. Wolcott. Mr. J. M. Phinney presented several toasts as follows: 1, "The Pioneers of Outagamie County." Responded to by E. Spencer. 2. "Which were the happiest days. Now or Then?" Responded to by A. B. Randall. * 3. "Woodland compared to Prairie." Responded to by Thomas Dane. 4. " Stephensville, its originator, John Stephens." Re sponded to by J. M. Phinney. 5. "The day we Celebrate, Washington's Birthday." Responded to by D. Huntley. 6. " Our Future." Responded to by B. B. Murch. 7. "The Departed Pioneers." Responded to by H. L. Blood and Joseph Rork. 8. "Our Railroads." Responded to by John McGillan. 9. " Our Educational Institutions." Responded to by John Leith. 10. "Who built the first House in the County ? " Re sponded to by S. J. Perry. 11. "What are the Grangers ? " Responded to by John Dey. The following paper was read by Col. H. L. Blood: As early as 1846 A. A. Lawrence proposed to the M. E- Church of Wisconsin that he would give $10,000 to found an institution of learning to be located on the Fox river between Greeji Bay and Lake Winnebago, provided the church would add $10,000 more to it and take charge of it. In pursuance of this offer a number of the prominent men of the church met in Milwaukee early in the winter of 1847 , 5 66 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEEKS. and arranged to procure a charter, which was soon after obtained through Elisha Morrow, then member of the legislature from Green Bay, and in July following the charter members met in Fond du Lac and organized a board of trustees for "Lawrence Institute," appointed a commit tee consisting of Geo. E. H. Day, Reeder Smith, and H. L. Blood, to report on a location. The committee examined the points on the river September 6 and 7, 1847, and reported in favor of Grand Chute, at a meeting held at my house in Green Bay soon after, and the board adopted the report, locating the institute at Grand Chute. Squire Bateman and myself came up from Green Bay in September, 1847, and preempted each a quarter section of land, and I also located several land warrants in this town and Freedom,. The following winter I had ten acres chopped on section 26, near where J. Rork now lives. The men who were chopping for me boarded at Murch's and took their dinner with them, and one day while they were eating their dinner the wolves drove them away. The next fall I sowed it to wheat which was the first wheat sown in this town. Mr. Murch claimed and moved onto his place where he now lives the first of November, 1846, and was the first white settler in the town, and the first child born in the town was Geo. H. Murch, Dec. 9, 1847. Burr S. Craft moved to Tecos Point, adjoining Murch, in December of the same year. I will relate an incident of Craft. After he got his house built, he went to Neenah for some lime. Coming home in the evening with the lime in a bag on his back, he had to cross Mud Creek on a log fallen across the creek for that purpose. The wolves got so near and frightened him so that he threw his bag of lime into the creek and ran for Murch's house, bolted in and yelled to Murch, "I don't know but you like this kind of music, but I am d d if I do !" I might relate other incidents of Craft who was a ready, off-hand man. The first settler in the limits of the city of Appleton was E. L. Thurber, who took up a claim in the spring of 1848, and built a shanty across the ravine west of what is now Pierce's park, and the first child born in the city was a son OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 67 of E. L. Thurber, in January, 1849. Elder Sampson, Reeder Smith, Hoel S. Wright and myself surveyed and laid out the Appleton plat, on the fourth and fifth days of August, 1848. I then went up into Winnebago county and purchased a yoke of oxen and a wagon, which was the first wagon or team brought to Appleton. I commenced with four men to cut a road through to Oneida Mill on Duck Creek, where we had already purchased 100,000 feet of lumber, and set the team to drawing lumber for a shanty to board the men we were to employ in comm^cing work here. J. F. Johnston mov,ed into the shanty before the roof was on, the 29th day of August, 1848, which was the first family in Appleton proper. This shanty was called Johnston's tavern and was a home for all who came to the town for some months after. The shanty was 15x32 feet and a wing 18 feet long. In this shanty Elder Sampson preached the first sermon ever preached in Appleton on the 8th day of October, 1848, to a congregation of fourteen. We commenced on the 7th of October to clear off the ground for the preparatory building for Lawrence Institute, I hav ing already contracted with a man at Neenah, by the name of Richards, to excavate for the foundation of a building 30x70 feet. The contract for erecting the building had been given to Wm. McGregor, of Sheboygan, who came on with J. P. Parish and S. P. Blake to commence work, and as soon as lumber could be got through they built shanties and moved their families into them, and by December we had five shanties here. On Christmas all the inhabitants of Appleton took a sleigh ride with the ox team to Murch's, then called Tecos Point. Elder Sampson and R. R. Bateman erected shanties and moved their families here in February, 1849. Others came during the winter so that by spring we had quite a neigh borhood. On the second day of April I received a letter from John F. Mead, then member of the legislature from Brown county, informing me that an act had just been passed authorizing the organization of the town of Grand Chute, including the territory in Brown county west of the town of Kaukaleau. I called a meeting of all the voters that 68 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. evening at Johnston's tavern, when thfe nominations were ipade and the next day, April 3, 1849, the election was held and the town of Grand Chute organized. We had voters enough to fill all the offices and a few to spare. I went that spring to Bruce's mill to assess the property there in the assessment roll of Grand Chufe. The 20th day of April, in company with J. S. Buck and John Stephens, we surveyed and laid out the road from College avenue to Tecos Point and the county line, which was the first legally laid road ia the town, and on the 10th of May we surveyed and laid the road to McGuire's Corner, since called the Johnston road. May 28, commenced to survey and lay the road to Wolf river, called Young's Corner road, and on June 28, 29 and 30, laid the road to Hortonville and to Bruce's mill; July 9th laid road to Oneida settlement. July 3d we raised the frame of the Preparatory building for Lawrence University, and all the people in the region met in this building and celebrated the Fourth of July with a picnic dinner, reading the Declaration of Independence by John Stephens and an oration by A. B. Randall, which was, I think, as enjoyable a celebration as has ever been held in Appleton. With th,e help of Judge Myers and Wm. Johnston, who worked for me, I built in July, 1850, a foot bridge across the river near where the main bridge now stands, (at a cost of $120) which was the first bridge of any kind across the river and the only way of crossing for two years. We had no roads; the mail was carried on horse-back once a week from Fond du Lac to Green Bay, by way of Oshkosh and Neenah. Burr S. Craft procured an appoint ment of postmaster, and opened an office in a pine box fastened to a tree near his house at Tecos Point; but in the spring of 1849 we succeeded through Gov. Doty, then member of congress, in getting the postoffice established at Appleton, and J. F. Johnston appointed, postmaster, and in July, 1849, I obtained a contract for carrying the mail tri-weekly from Menasha to Green Bay, by Neenah and Appleton, when I commenced running a stage from Appleton to Green Bay and a row boat to Neeiicvh OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 69 and Menasha daily; by which means passengers and the mails were conveyed. There are many reminiscences of the early times and settlers that it would be pleasant and perhaps profitable to bring up if time allowed. I might speak of the first store, tavern, mills, schools, churches and other enterprises and the men who started them. I want to say a few words in relation to the first settlers, as I am aware that few who have not had the experience have any adequate conception of the immense amount of hard work required to clear off the primitive forest and prepare the land for the first crop, and fewer still any just appreciation of the degree of reso lution, energy and endurance necessary to the clearing off and fully subduing one piece of land after another, until a farm of respectable size is redeemed from the wilderness; so herculean, indeed, is the task of clearing a new farm and making the necessary improvements, that the best part of a man's life and all the strength of his manhood are generally exhausted in the achievement. In not one- half the towns of the state, probably, have the majority of its first settlers become its permanent residents, yet of a list of seventy-four names, heads of families who settled in this town during the two first years of 1849-50, fifty-six are still remaining and in thirty years there has, been but nine deaths of that number. Eleven have moved tp other parts and of that number now remaining forty-three are now over 60 years old, twenty-seven over 65 and seven over 80. Can any other town present such a record in favor of the healthfulness of the climate, the morals and habits of its first settlers? Yet we have come far short of our hopes and expectations in a moral and religious point of view. Speculation on the part of a few and a purpose to get rich at the expense of others, has been the bane of society here as in other places. It is to-day impossible to estimate what might have been accomplished here in thirty years by the first settlers, had we all been united and worked to gether; with the natural advantages here we could now have been manufacturing millions of dollars' worth every year if we could have seen eye to eye and worked shoulder 70 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. to shoulder co operatively in all improvements. While we have had shylocks among us from the beginning, some of whom obtained control of some of the offices in the first organization of the county and thereby increased the taxes of the people to a fearful extent, yet the great majority of the first settlers here were of a better sort. I see those here to-day who came here into the wilder ness thirty years ago, who brought the best style of Christian civilization with them, who made a home for it here, who have cherished it ever since, until now the tide of metropolitan ways and metropolitan culture breaks around us, but they bring no sentiment of kindness, no rule of courtesy, no flower of good breeding which was not domesticated here in the early homes. But a few words to the young boys. It is an old saying, "Th'e glory of the father is his childeren," and that father has done his work well who has left a child better than himself. The old phrase used to be "Lord grant I may be as well off to-morrow as yesterday," but no truly western man ever made that prayer, he always meant that his son shall have a better starting point in life than himself, hence he means to be better off to-morrow. Now boys, my lesson to you is, be as good as your father unless you can be better; you have your father's example and the oppor tunities and advantages they have accumulated. To be as good is not enough; you must copy only the spirit of your father and not his imperfections. Be better than we and you are bound to go ahead of us. But to return, I helped to organize this town government, laid out the leading roads through the county, and have seen the improvements commenced, have witnessed their progress till the present time, and while some have got rich, I have got poor. When I look at what has been done here I think what may be done and what will be done. Appleton has grown from nothing to 9,000 inhabitants in thirty years. In the same ratio in thirty years more it will number 270,000 inhabitants, and with the combined capital that is being and will be massed here it will reach down the river till it swallows up Little Chute and becomes one OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 71 vast workshop, the bee-hive of the northwest, with street cars running the whole length of the river and second city in the state. Who of us will live to see it ? I for one intend to live as long as I can see any of the rest of you alive. Let us live, then, that we shall never die. As the song has it, "Let us keep in the middle of the road." Pioneers' Meeting, Feb. 22, 1881. At the annual meeting of the Outagamie County Pioneer Association, held pursuant to notice at Wayland's hall, in Appleton, Feb. 22, 1881, at 10 o'clock a. m., meeting was called to order by John Dey, the president; E. Spencer was present as secretary. The first business in order was the election of officers for the ensuing year: John Dey was elected president; Charles Wolcott, vice-president; E. Spencer, secretary; John Leith, treasurer; executive committee, Harmon Jones, John H. McGillan, H. Kethroe, Wm. F. Johnston, Wm. McGuire. At 12 o'clock adjourned for dinner; about sixty pioneers partook of a substantial pioneer dinner. At 1:30 p. m. called to order. Music by the Dale band. Opening remarks by President Dey, very appropriate to the occasion. Remarks by Charles Breiterick, of Elling ton. Remarks by Joseph Rork, of Appleton. Our vice-president, Charles Wolcott, being called, read a poem appropriate to the occasion. Miss Nora McGillan being called, repeated in a very graceful style the song of the pioneers. Music by the band. Collection taken up to defray expenses amounted to $7.30. Moved and carried that all pioneers who were inhabitants of the state previous to 1860 are considered members of this society. Moved and carried that the officers of this society 72 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. be constituted a committee to attend to the publication of papers now in the hands of the secretary in pamphlet form. Judge Harriman being called, he responded by a few happy remarks. Miss Allie McGillan being called upon recited gracefully the story of the pioneers of seventy years ago, H. Kethroe being called, responded by some appropriate remarks. Everly Grant being called, re sponded by a few remarks. D. Huntley being called, responded in his usual happy style. A. H. Conkey was called and responded by appropriate remarks. George Lanphear being called, responded by giving some of his experiences as a pioneer; he came to Wisconsin in 1837. The ladies being called for pioneer speeches, Mrs. James Tompkins responded, by telling some of her very interest ing experiences. Mrs. Pierce being called, told some of her pioneer experiences, very interesting as a teacher. Mrs. Van Vleck being called, said she had been a pioneer for thirty-two years, and passed through many interesting scenes. James McGillan was called, and responded by appropri ate remarks. Harmon Jones being called, responded by telling some of his experiences. William Briggs being called, related a fish story quite amusing. A. B. Randall told some of his pioneer experience. C. Breiterick being again called, responded in his peculiar style. A vote of thanks was tendered to the band for their music. Music by the band. Adjourned. All went home appar ently well pleased with their day's entertainment. OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 73 Pioneers' Meeting, Feb. 22, 1882. The annual meeting of the Outag-amie County Pioneer Association was held pursuant to notice, at Wayland's hall, in Appleton, Feb. 22, 1882, at 10 o'clock a. m. Meeting was called to order by John Dey, the president; E. Spencer was present as secretary. The first business in order was the election of officers for the ensuing year: Harmon Jones was elected president; A. H. Burch, vice-president; E. Spencer, secretary; John Leith, treasurer; Wm. McGuire, Thomas Dane, Wm. F. Johnston, Mrs. Harmon Jones, Mrs. A. H. Burcli, were elected executive committee. The treasurer reported $10.53 now in the treasury. Motion made and carried that we still adhere to the good old custom of a basket picnic dinner at our annual cele bration. Resolved, That Mrs. Harmon Jones, Mrs. A. H. Burch and Mrs. Charles Wolcott, be' appointed a committee to inquire if there are any of our pioneer associates in needy circumstances; if so to relieve them to the extent of the money in the treasury. At 2 p. m., called to order. Music by the choir. Open ing remarks by the president, John Dey, very appropriate to the occasion. Music. Address by John McGillan, giving a history of his early pioneer experience. Mr. Charles Wolcott being called, read a poem written for the occasion, on the sub ject of pioneers' exploits. Music. Joseph Rork being called, the subject assigned to him was the memory of departed pioneers. He spoke in a very sympathetic and appropriate manner of the departed pioneers of this county and read the names of the pioneers who have died during the past year, and also the names of sixty-three more pioneers of this county, who have died, and he presumed fifteen or twenty more have 74 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. died whose names he has not obtained. He also presented resolutions of sympathy with our afflicted brother pioneer, James Gilmore. Said resolutions were adopted and signed by the president and secretary who were requested to send them to said Brother Gilmore. To our Beloved Neighbor and Brother Pioneer, fames Gilmore: The Pioneers of Outagamie County, met at our festival, bear to you and your family our warmest regards, mingled with hopes and fear, feeling ourselves striken with Sorrow that you are not permitted to mingle in our friendly greeting to-day. We miss your noble form, your pleasant words, your kindly greetings, in this our annual reunion, as well as in our daily walks, and sincerely pray ing that a kind Heavenly Father may not only comfort and sustain y.ou in your affliction, but first in His wisdom. He may see fit to spare you to your family and to your society and fellowship by restoring you to health, blessing you yet with years of pleasure and comfort. „ o o i John Dey, President. E. Spencer, Secretary. Music. Remarks by Charles Breiterick, of Ellington, giving his pionei^r experience. Collections taken up to the amount of $8.87. Music. Remarks by Thomas Dane, of Appleton, Harvey Greenfield, of Greenville, Harmon Jones, our new president, George Lanphear, Ira Scott, of Elling ton, by our new vice-president, A. H. Burch, and by Wm. Briggs. Mr. Rork said there are now living in Appleton three brother pioneers whose united ages amount to 244 years, none of them had drank any intoxicating drinks during the last fifty years. Remarks by Henry Leppla, of Green ville, and P. V. Smith, of Grand Chute. Moved and carried that a vote of thanks be tendered to Miss Switzer for the music she furnished us on this occasion. A vote of thanks was tendered to our outgoing president, John Dey, for the very efficient zeal manifested by him in the dis charge of his official duties as president of this assocition. Remarks by Wm. F. Johnston. On motion adjourned sine die. OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 75 Pioneers' Meeting, Feb. 22, 1883. Pursuant to previous announcement the Outagamie Pioneer Association met at Masonic Hall, Appleton, on Thursday, Feb. 22, 1883, at 10 a. m., and in the absence of the president and vice-president, was called to order by the secretary. On motion John Dey was chosen president, pro tem. On motion proceeded to election of officers, with the fol lowing result: President, John Dey; vice-president, Chas. Wolcott; secretary, E. Spencer; treasurer, John Leith; executive committee, Wm. F. Johnston, D. Huntley, M. Culbertson, John McGillan, Isaac Vandebogart. Treasurer reported $11.40 on hand. Paid out during year $9. Collected at last meeting $8.87. Balance on hand at last report, $11.53. At 2 o'clock called to order for business. Music. Open ing remarks by President Dey. Annual address by Rev. W. H. Sampson, which was as follows: Mr. President, Members of the Old Settlers'' Society. — Ladies and Gentlemen: At the request of the manage ment of the Old Settlers' Society of Outagamie County, I come to occupy a few moments of your time on this annual festive gathering. "This is the age of progress," is an aphorism of frequent utterance by nearly all classes of people, and is nowhere more clearly demonstrated than by the result of Christian principles in our American civiliza tion. There is no object more noble, more important, or more worthy the ambition of intelligent moral agents, than the development of pure, intelligent, moral and religious character. This is not a matter of accident, nor is it of Phoenix-like realization. It demands the exercise of our best energies and an unyielding purpose, till the grand object is secured and maintained. Nor does this avail under the application of hypothetical theories, or some 76 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. untried vagary, because they gratify our tastes and wishes. The experience of the ages has demonstrated that the noblest characters that grace the pages of history are those who come nearest to the only perfect model of human character, in whom even his uncompromising, keen, critical enemies could find no fault, whose basal principles of character are those divinely formulated utterances: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, * * * and thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself" (Matt. 22: 37 and 39); and "All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them" (Matt. 7: 12). When we have reached and maintained the measure of this model, governed con scientiously by those divine formulas, we occupy the high est, the grandest moral altitude that human beings ever realized. To this priceless object, I think the old settlers ardently aspired — this was the wealth, the honor, at which their ambition, with some exceptions, perhaps, aimed. It seems only yesterday since all this part of the country was an unbroken forest — to-day we can scarcely find a spot where we may indulge in the recreations of the wild- woods without intruding on the rights of others. Instead of the centenarian forest, embarrassed with an exuberant undergrowth, the industrious and enterprising farmers are utilizing the whole lands except their wood lots, to fill their cribs, their cellars and their barns with food for man and beast. It seems but a few days since a man vigorously applying his axe, felling and cutting up forest trees was interupted by an uninvited visit from the wolves, almost in sight of where we are now gathered and a little further on the bullet of the marksman brought down a panther whose brilliant skin the taxidermist prepared to adorn the museum of Lawrence University, where it may now be seen. The wilderness has disappeared and the soil is prolific in grain and fruits, and, where the Indian spread his wig wam and lighted his campfires, no-w the stately mansion with all the modern improvements offers repose and com fort to its inmates, and the hum of varied machinery is OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 77 heard in every direction. These facts bear witness to the enterprising character of the old settlers, and this enter prise has changed the Indian trail to multiplied turnpike roads, and invited others with cap tal for investment, so that in a little over three decades we have now an enter prising manufacturing city with a population of 10,000, with railways, with water communication, with educa tional and all the advantages of cities that had centuries the start of us. The oldest settlers only can fully appreciate the; changes that a few years have made. My first visit to this place was by Indian trail from Wrightstown; I think in 1847. Then it was covered with an underbrush so thickly set as to be almost impassable. There was no residence at that time except that of Mr. Grignon, by the river side just above Grand Chute, nearer than Tecos Point at the foot of Lake Butte des Morts, where we found lodging with Burr S. Craft and Bela B. Murch, two miles from where I speak. Having been appointed principal and assistant agent of an educational foundation which, under the provisions of the charter had been located here, I started from my home in Fond du Lac in the early part of September, 1848, and came by steamer to Neenah where I secured the loan of an Indian dugout and came over Lake Butte des Morts down the river to the old landing above "the chute," and made arrangements to clear away the timber for the erection of a preparatory building for our school. I found a boarding place with Mr. Thurber's family, some mile and a half distant, in a log shanty, where I ate and slept, and was eaten most sumptuously by mosquitoes. Having been installed in my near quarters, I commenced clearing off the undergrowth from the block now occupied for homes by Messrs. Adkins, White, Boyd, Wambold and others; this done I applied myself to the prosecution of the enterprise to the best of my ability. Not many weeks had passed before John F. Johnston had so far completed his "hotel" (an interesting account of which he can give us), that I took rooms with him near where the college build- 78 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. ing was to be, till I moved my family here on the sixth of the following January. Burr S. Craft secured the appointment of postmaster at Tecos Point, and opened the office in his residence where we received our mails till Appleton gained such notoriety thit multitudes were rushing here to secure homes when having "a friend at court," we secured the removal of the postoffice to this place, a change of its name and the appointment of John P. Johnston as postmaster. The primal object of the old settlers was the establish ment of a literary institution for the education of the present and future generations, where the young could re ceive their intellectual culture under moral and religious restraints, and where the foundation of pure moral char acter could be laid. The school formed a nucleus in connection with almost unequalled natural advantages for manufacturing interests and purposes, around which gathered an industrious, intelligent population. The physical changes that have transpired and the character and variety of the improvements made speak more eloquently than words for the industry, intelligence and enterprise of the old settlers; and I think we have not entirely failed to establish to some extent moral and religi ous character. At the commencement of our enterprise there was a general ambition to contribute to the consum mation of this grand object. Human selfishness with few exceptions was banished, and genial souls formed a remark ably happy brotherhood; but in this fallen world, this condition in society cannot be maintained without difficulty and opposition, and soon the purposes to defeat the designs of the movers in this enterprise were revealed. The great est obstacle in the way of success has been the introduction of alcoholic beverages and traffic therein, which we endeavored to prevent. The groggeries have ruined the characters of more persons in Appleton than all other causes combined. I think about the first cask of "fire water " brought here all leaked out into the boat in the night through a gimlet hole, and if every subsequent iu- OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEEKS. 79 troduction of intoxicants had gone in the same way it would have been a God-send to the place. Human greed early planned to make some money by drawing our students into amusements which were pro hibited by our rules. At the close of school hours one day, I called the attention of the students to the subject in the chapel and advised them to pay no attention to the matter, as they were not here for such purposes; that it would be of no service in fitting them for their life work; that they were here at the expens,e of parents and friends, and that it would bring them into trouble. The result was no one went, which greatly exasperated those who had provided for the entertainment, because "the hopes of their gains were gone." They were overheard to say, the best thing to do would be to start a public school, break Lawrence, "drive these d d Methodist preachers out of the coun try, and put some one in charge of Lawrence that can be religious without being pious." The Methodist preachers encouraged the establishment of the public schools and helped what they could till they were equal to any in other cities of our size; but it did not drive them out of the country. We have so often listened to rehearsals of the early his tory of the city and surrounding country, that anything new will not be expected from me, and I need not bore you with the rehearsals of stale and unimportant incidents. Most, if not all, the old settlers highly appreciate pure, true, moral and religious character, which is the most valuable inheritance that we can treasure up in this life, and many of them are ambitious to secure and maintain it at any reasonable sacrifice. In spite of all the obstacles in the path , of success, many of them have procured that priceless treasure, and directly or indirectly have con tributed to the success of others who have gone out to do a grand work in the same direction in other parts of our great and growing nation. Over two hundred and fifty have left Appleton bearing college honors, and a much greater number with academic and public school advant ages, who carry with them more or less of the moral and 80 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. religious influence received frdm the old settlers during their school days. These students are filling most respon sible positions, some on the judge's bench, some at the bar, some in the saCred desk, some at the bedside of suffering ones, some in legislative halls, some occupy the chair of the college president, some the professor's chair; indeed, almost every honorable and laudable calling in this great nation has a representative from the schools in Appleton. This fact should be an encouragement and an inspiration to every remaining old settler to aim at the truest and noblest moral character attainable in this life, that we may confer the greatest possible good upon all who may come within our influence. Music on organ by Miss McGillan. Singing by Mrs. Jas. McGillan. Remarks by Chas. Breiterick, of Ellington. Collection taken to the amount of $12.25. Remarks by Judge Ryan giving a brief recital of the improvements and future prospects of Appleton. Com munication read by the secretary from Rev. W. H.,Sampson, the first regular pastor of the M. E. church bf Appleton. Remarks by Joseph Rork suitable on the death of our late president, Harmon Jones. Music by the Misses McGillan. Remarks by A. B. Murch, a former editor of the Appleton Free Press. Remarks by J. F. Johnston, Appleton's first postmaster. Remarks by D. Huntley, who also read a poem by Will Carleton. Mrs. T. W. Brown also favored the pioneers with happy remarks, followed by Mr. John McGillan. On motion the chair appointed J. Rork, Mrs. Mary Blood and Mrs. Alex. Ross as a committee to relieve out of the treasury any needy members of the association, if found. The meeting was then closed by remarks from J. M. Phinney, C. Wolcott and Deacon Spafford. List of pioneers who died in 1883. Prepared by Jos. Rork:Theodore Conkey, Anderson, -Wm. Johnston, A. L. Jabas, Mrs. J. Bullock, Mrs. John Leith, M^rs. F. Nye, J. Gilmore, Anson Ballard, Porter Ballard, Fred Packard, j. Jewett, OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 81 A. C. Darling, Mrs. Wm. Rork, Ed. "Wolcott, Mrs. J. S. Buck, Mrs. H. Greenfield, Mrs. W. H. Sampson, "Wm. Griffis, Mrs. E. C. Goff, P. White and wife, Mrs. S. Ryan, Geo. Ketchum, Mrs. Woodland, Wm. Rork, Two Mrs. H. L. Bloods, Gideon Wolcott, John Batley, Mrs. J. Webly, Prof. H. Pomeroy, F. Marble, Mrs. Wm. Whorton, Mrs. S. Phinney, Capt. Story, C. Ketchum, Mrs. Joseph Rork, C. Renoud, Mrs. R. Bateman, Mr. and Mrs. McGillan, C. Pfenning, Prof. R. O. Kellogg, Henry Eggleston, N. Pauly, Mrs. Parrish, Mr. and Mrs. Poster, R. A. Lawe. Pioneers' Meeting, Feb. 22, 1884. The twelfth anniversary of the organization of the Outagamie 'County Pioneer Association was celebrated at South Masonic Hall, and, notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather during the early part of the day, the at tendance was exceedingly good. The association was organized on the 22d of February, 1872, since which time annual meetings have been held in this city. At the first meeting 124 persons who settled in this county previous to July 4, 1853, were made members, and many names have since been added to the list. Out of the 124, who may be termed as charter members, there re main but eighty-nine, twenty-two having died since that date, and thirteen removed to various parts of the country. The meeting was called to order at 11 o'clock by Presi dent John Dey. The first business which presented itself to the notice of the pioneers, was the election of officers for the ensuing year. The following is the result: Presi dent, John Dey, Greenville; vice-president, Charles Wolcott, Grand Chute; secretary, E. Spencer, Appleton; treasurer, John Leith, Center. Executive Council: John McGillan, Center; A. M. Spencer, Frank Harriman, Wm. F. John ston, Appleton; John McMurdo, Hortonia. Relief Com mittee: Mrs. A. Ross, Mrs. H. C, Jones, and Mrs. John Dey. 82 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEEKS. After the election of officers, as is customary, the meet ing adjourned until 1:30, during which time the ladies prepared a sumptuous repast, which had been brought in baskets, and in the neighborhood of fifty hoary-headed individuals " formed 'round the festive board "• and partici pated in talk of olden times, while the articles of diet placed before them vanished as if by magic. Nearly every town in the county was represented to enjoy the festivities of the anniversary, which, very appropriately, comes on Washington's birthday, and many were the incidents told of pioneer life in Outagamie county. One of an observant turn of mind could not but notice the careworn and wrinkled brows of those who inhabited this county when "the lofty pine and sturdy oak occupied the territory which honest and industrious toil, by these respected citizens, converted into fertile farms, villages and cities, as the wearers sat clustered about the table indulging in their annual feast. At the expiration of the adjournment, the meeting was called to order by the president for the transaction of busi ness and the carrying out of the entertaining exercises. Mrs, Foye and Mrs. Canfield sung a beautiful song in a most admirable manner, and elicited the praise of all pres ent. This was followed by an opening speech by President Dey, who, in his good-humored style, pleased the audience with his interesting remarks. The reading of the annexed poem by Mrs. Stansbury, who has favored the pioneer association with one of her admirably written poetical addresses for several meetings past, was received with applause, as its merits well deserve: THE PIONEER'S MEMORIAL. How shall we keep the memory bright, Of those brave hearts that lie at rest, Where summer's fairest blossoms grow, And winter spreads her robes of snow, Softly above each quiet breast ? Still sweeps the lordly stream below, . Still bright the sunlight on the foarn,— The ripples' voice is just as sweet OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 83 As when it lured the wanderer's feet, With tuneful prophecies of homfe, — But cold are hands that swung the ax, And struck the plow share in the soil, — Dim, many an eye, that, year by year. Saw widening fields with plenteous cheer, Reward the laborer's patient toil. 'Tis meet to rear the granite shaft, Guarding their sleep from age to age, Meet that the sculptor's chisel trace. In letters of enduring grace, Their virtues on the marble page. Yet not in cities of the dead Their record with their dust is laid ; Along the busy street, the mart. On every wall, the builder's art, Has reared to suit the needs of trade ; On mills whose tawny chimneys cast A shadow o'er the cloudless sun. Whose panting engines throb and burn Through miles of sinewy belts, and turn A million glittering wheels as one ; On happy homes, that cluster fair As oases to pilgrim-eyes, Where children's merry voices ring, And from love's sacred fountain spring Streams of all tender charities; On college-walls, that slowly rose, While yet was heard the panther's scream, Scared by the builder's hammer-blows, — Whence, now, the light of science glows. Grown to a beacon's steady beam ; — On every church-spire bright with dawn Or golden in the sun-set air, — The doors,' whence holy sounds of praise Steal out along life's crowded ways, — The altars where we kneel in prayer ; On these, and more than these, we read The names of those we honor here. And measure by their hopes and fears. Their self-denial, their toilsome years. The cost of all we hold most dear, 84 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. Our fair, young city of the West, Girt by her river's sparkling zone. Her feet upon the fertile lands, Outspread afar her welcoming hands, — No chilly statue carved in stone. But touched to life with purer fire Than once to old Pygmalion lent. Crowned with the loyal love and pride Of sons, who in her smile abide, She stands, — their noblest monument ! Mr. Joseph Rork's remarks in memory of departed pioneers, was attentively listened tp throughout, and many were the minds refreshed with the scenes of early times, as he smoothly jogged along over his chosen subject. At this juncture Mr. A. M. Spencer introduced to the notice of the audience, which had been rapidly increasing since 1 o'clock, the "Wandering Brass 'Band," which he had induced to enter the hall and favor the meeting with music. The band was composed of seven Germans, who travel about the country dispensing excellent music on the streets of cities, or wherever opportunity affords, and to say that every member of " dot leetle German pand," is a thorough musician is no deviation from the truth. A col lection was taken up and the itinerant horn-tooters were made extremely happy by the liberality of the assembly. . Judge Sam Ryan was theii called to the rostrum, and in that happy mood for which he is characteristic, gave a brief account of his early recollections and experiences as a pioneer. Some few weeks ago, Mr. Ryan secured the records of the organization of the town of Grand Chute, and the first town meeting; also, the proceedings of the town board . for several years, and from this son^ewhat antiquated relic he read, greatly interesting those whose memory of many occurrences had become dimmed by time. The judge, as he carelessly turned the pages, here and there perusing a few lines for the edification of his hearers, recited incidents which transpired in the early history of that town. But, if there is one thing more than another that this gentleman is posted on, it is on the history of OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 85 Appleton, and the remarks made by him on this ever fertile subject were amusing and interesting. After music by the band, a collection to defray several necessary expenses of the association, was taken up and $10.41 was contributed. President Dey invited Mr. J. S. Buck to favor his pioneer friends with a speech, which he did. His remarks were appropriate and to the point, and were attentively listened to and fully appreciated. Judge A. L. Collins also gave his recollections of early life in Appleton and Outagamie county. The judge is an eloquent speaker, and did the subject, with which he is familiar, justice. After another piece by the wandering musicians. Judge Harriman preambulated to the rostrum and everybody anxiously awaited his first words. He spoke in brief of pioneer life, our advancement and finally turned to the sub ject that all were patiently waiting for him to reach — his Florida trip. Mr. Harriman compared the South with the North, giving a descriptive sketch of places visited during his recent trip to the "sunny south," and concluded by saying, in substance, that he was not very favorably im pressed with that portion of the continent; that the North was the place, and Appleton the place. His remarks con sumed about half an hour, and the audience, although the curtains of night were rapidly descending, would have will ingly remained the balance of the sixty minutes listening to the jovial judge's interesting, instructive and amusing illustrations of southern ways, and the honest and candid opinions advanced regarding our favored county and city. The band discoursed excellent music as the audience dis banded,' and thus ended one of the most interesting meet ings the Outagamie County Pioneer Association ever held. 86 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. Pioneers' Meeting, Feb. 22, 1885. The annual meeting of the Pioneer Association of Outa gamie County was held at South Masonic Hall, Feb. 22, 1885. The weather being somewhat more favorable than for weeks past the gathering was comparatively large, and all present were in a happy spirit, evidently bent on improv ing the short season of sociability. The meeting was called to order at 11 o'clock by ±he -president, John Dey, and the following officers elected : President, John Dey; vice-president, Chas. Wolcott; secretary, E. Spencer; treas urer, John Leith; executive committee, Wm. F. Johnston, Jos. Rork, Appleton; John McGillan, Center; A. Ross, Grand Chute. The business meeting was adjourned until 1:30 o'clock during which time in the neighborhood of 150 persons par took of the bountiful repast prepared by the ladies. As the hoary-headed pioneers sat gathered around the board, they chatted merrily of olden times, recalling many reminis cences almost faded from memory's tablet which suggested themselves at the sight of familiar faces. Upon calling the meeting to order, Mrs. James McGillan enlivened the occasion by singing a favorite selection after which President Dey made a few brief remarks welcoming the pioneers and urging that the organization be kept up, for within a few short years at most the old settlers of Outagamie county will be gone forever. The Hon. Geo. H. Myers delivered the annual address as follows: Ladies and Gentlemen of the Pioneer Association of Outa gamie County: I was the eldest .of a family of three children, all boys. My father had a good farm for the county; but as I thought not large enough for four families, and consequently I OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 87 was impressed with the idea, quite early in life, that when I became of age it would be my turn to go away and run a farm for myself, in that or some new country. I therefore began diligently to study the geography of the valleys of the great lakes, and of the Mississippi river to search for the rivers that empty into the lakes and the Mississippi, respectively, and for such places where such waters came nearest each other, at the divide between the valley of the lakes and the valley of the Mississippi. I found nothing that appeared to me so likely to afford water of sufficient volume to make a navigable way between the lakes and the Mississippi as the Fox and Wisconsin rivers. At that time railways were being constructed in the East, but few then supposed that in forty years there would be such a network of railways as now exists in the United States, and all men looked for great cities to spring up in future as had in the past on or at the mouths of great rivers, and that diverse population would continue to assemble on the line of navigable waters, as had been the case since the world began to be inhabited. Moved by these considerations, I had as early as 1845, when I first entered a law office as a student,. determined to move to the vallej' of the Fox and Wisconsin rivers on my admission to the bar. In the winter of 1848-49 intelligence reached the eastern states of the discovery of gold in California. All through that winter the young men were excited upon the subject, were almost nightly planning to go to California in the spring. I was as anxious to go as any of them, but was unable to do so without the assistance of my father. I was away from home all winter, but when I got home in the spring I applied to my father for money to go to California. He appeared to be expecting and prepared for such an affliction. He looked me earnestly in the face and replied: I have this winter bought three hundred acres of land so as to have farms for the other boys. I have no money now to let you have, but if I had the money I would never let you have it to go to California with, where I should never 88 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEEKS. see you again, and where if you got sick, or met with mis fortune, I should be obliged to leave you to your fate." I was finally obliged to give up the idea of going to , California, and to go back to my original plan of moving to Wisconsin. I was admitted to the bar in May. I had intended to go immediately thereafter, but early in that month the cholera broke out on the lakes, and I remained at home until fall. Early in September I set out in the "Keystone State," and after a stormy passage arrived in Sheboygan. From there I went up to the Fox river, and finally came down Lake Winnebago on the "Manchester," and arrived in Appleton on the 11th of October on foot," having come from Neenah on the Indian trail. On the lakes I met the late Wait Cross and his family, and Henry Berrmouth, on their way to Appleton. I found them all here on my arrival. I stopped at first at the Appleton House, kept by W. S. Warner. In the afternoon of the day of my arrival, I visited the bank of the river, marked the volume and fall of the water in front of the village plats of Grand Chute, Appleton and Lawsburgh, and saw a Durham boat loaded with goods passing up the rapids propelled by men with poles, assisted by one or two yoke of oxen wading in the river. To me this was a new method of navigation, and appeared to be somewhat slow and tedious, but I was informed that congress had given one-half the land for three miles in width on each side of the river for the improvement of the Fox and Wisconsin rivers, and that in a very few years- the Durham boats would be supplanted by steamers that would pass between the lakes and the Mississippi, by way of those rivers. The great water power at Appleton, the college, and the pros pect that a navigable highway between the lakes and the Mississippi, by way of the Pox and Wisconsin rivers, would soon be completed, were the inducements that moved me to make a halt at Appleton. However, after a couple of weeks I became uneasy and thought of going to Mis souri, but I was pursuaded by some whose acquaintance I had made, to remain longer, and I have continued to do so until this day. OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 89 About 1850 Cyrus Jackman built quite a large hotel on the Grand Chute plat, it was burnt two or three years after it was built. In 1849 or soon after, the following persons whom I now remember lived on the Grand Chute plat, but I do not recall the location of the residences of any of them. Theodore Conkey, A. B. Boner, J. W. Boner, T. P. Bingham, James Hanchett, and one gentle man the name of Noort, Ever Grant, Mr. Van Luthner, Mr. Quentymen, O. W. Clark, L. L. Hulce, A. S. Sanborn, John Jewett, E. C. Foot, H. C. Sheenin, and his brother, two or three men by the name of McDill, J. W. Letchen, Ladd, William Lean, James Lean, A. M. Tanner, and others there were whose names I cannot as yet recall. John D. Pierce who in late times resided at the Chute, resided on the Appleton plat in the early day. Among my other early acquaintances in Appleton not above named are J. W. Cross, Wm. H. McGregor, a Mr. Wotieman, J. C. Smith, D. L. Stinel; D. J. Fouler, Thomas Glede, John McGregor, P. J. Gates, Mr. Gates, A. B. Evarts, Henry J. Eggleston, James Eggleston, John Stephens, Mr. Warner, a hunter, D. W. Briggs, William Rork, William Johnson, Anson Ballard, Rev. H. Smith, J. W. Woodward, Byron Douglas, C. G. Adkins, Winfield Scott, Frank Wing, Nicholas Wing, E. P. Edgarton, J. W. Whorton, W. G. Whorton, Dudley Geans, John Moodie, Mr. Ford, Frederick Packard, John McPherson, William Londa, William M. Ceoken, Isaac I. Buck, J. W. Holmes, John Ennis, E. W. Doris, Frank Bernard, S. H. Otto, W. Breitung and several sons, J. M. Steffins, George Lanphear, Benjamin Proctor, John H. Hait, Harrison Green, Daniel Huntley, Jackson Tibbits, H. A. Phinney, S. C. Phinney, J. W. Wilcox, Warren B. Nenton, E. L. Thurber, Aaron Messicae, F. R. Fuller, Nathan Nye, Jonathan Nye, R. A. Lawe, John P. Whip, John S. Eaton, A. S. Story and Otto Van Heukelon. Although I was twenty-five years old when I came to Appleton I was classed among the young people; and was unmarried. There was little gaiety among us. The best and only party of young people I attended in the winters 90 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. of 1849-50 was at the house of D. N. Briggs on lot 9 of block 11 of the Lawsburg plat, on the occasion of J. M. Steffin arriving at his majority. But among the young men of the time was J. M. Steffin, Ansel Briggs, R. S. Bateman, John Moodie, J. W. Cross, Mr. Ford, Mr. Buck, R. H. Smith, Anson Ballard, John Ennis, Daniel Huntley, Harrison Green, W. G. Whorton. And among the young ladies were Amelia Bateman, Elieta Norton, Miss Briggs, a Miss Nitherpoor, one or two young ladies by the name of Rogers, Leveol, young ladies by the name of Noort, Leneol, daughters of Reeder Smith, Lucinda Blood, Lobeina Lanphear and Arabella Proctor. Among the early justices of the peace were J. P- Blake, J. S. Buck, R. R. Bateman, William Rork, E- N. Louis, W. T. Bailey, and Benjamin Proctor. For about three months I was the only attorney in Appleton, then Perry Smith came and Anson Ballard with him. Perry H. Smith remained until about 1858, when he moved to Chicago; Anson Ballard remained until his death. Soon A. S. Sanborn settled at Grand Chute, and John Jewett came there shortly after, and about 1851 Frederick Packard settled at Appleton. P. H. Smith, A. S. Sanborn and I are still living. Mr. Ballard, Mr. Jewett and Mr. Packard have departed this life. In 1849 Dr. S. E. Beach was the only physician, but Dr. Maake soon came, then Drs. Murray, Merriman, William son, Mayer and others, but at the present time we have no one in our medical faculty that settled here in early days. :6etween here and Little Chute in those days owned and occupied by an elderly Frenchman by the name of Tyboult, the town was on the lot near the Cedars, near where the house of the late Dr. Bongers is now located. There was quite a settlement at Little Chute in 1849. One of the first pioneers I knew at Little Chute was Van den Broek. He was quite an active man and was often to be seen giving directions about improvements going on in the village. Among my other acquaintances in Little Chute were E. St. Louis, C. A. Hamer, A. Davis, Michael Benoit, Peter LaForrest and Jacob Appleman. At Kau- OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 91 kauna in those days lived Geo. W. Lawe, Charles A. Grig non, Alexander Grignon and David P. Mead, and shortly after Alfred Aspenall, Reubin Doud, for a while; Geo. N. Kontz, Peter Martin, Patrick Hunt and Lemuel Brothers. And in this county near by lived G. W. Kelso, Truman Tuttle, Thomas Armstrong, M. B. Lemento. William H. Spoin was a surveyor and land looker in this county. He soon left and for some years resided in Portage City. He then became an attorney at law and finally fell a victim to our statute allowing cases to be carried over from the counties where the case is commenced to another, on the ground that either the people or the judge of the county where the case was commenced are prejudiced against the party making the affidavit. Mr. Spoin was counsel to some party charged with a criminal offense in the western part of the state; the case was taken at length to Columbia county for trial; before the trial came off the main witness for the state was assassinated, that caused excitement and Mr. Spoin, having fallen into an angry dispute with some one in Portage City in respect to that alleged assassination, lost his temper, and shot and killed the man with whom he was disputing; a few moments thereafter a mob of people assembled around Mr. Spoin in the street and hanged him. In 1849 an elderly Frenchman called Retette Grignon lived on the river bank a little above Lehman's landing. Ben I. Craft lived near the brick yard ; Mr. Rogers and Mr. Kavanaugh lived this side of that and near the river ; B. B. Murch lived where he does now ; Obed Boynton lived near him. Hector McKay and Alexander Ross lived about where they do now. John Samuel and Seth Childs lived up near Mud Creek, William Verity lived on the farm where he lives now ; and with clearing land, hunting bear and deer and keeping bachelor hall made out to keep him self employed. Among the other early settlers in Grand Chute that I remember was Sylvester Fairbanks, James Wood, Chas. and Gideon J. Wolcott, W. May, William McGuire, Arnold Beaniliout, Henry Bissmuth, Hugh Sillars, John Nolan, 92 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. Matthew Long, Patrick Hodgins, N. B. Crane, Elihu Spencer, Richard Burke, John H. Beemis, Abram Wrongst, who lived where Mrs. Blanchard Shenen now lives. Timothy Heenan, H. W. Wroe, Nelson Meunep, David Kling, Edward Hafner, Mrs. P. Webly, William McGee, Timothy O'Leary, Seth Smith, Ed. Putney, Hiram Dolley. My earliest acquaintance in Greenville was Hon. Seymour Hare. He lived where Louis Perrot now resides. In 1849 an old gentleman lived with him, related in some way to his wife I think, who had a terrible scar on the top of his head, that looked like the scar of a wound made by a slash ing saber cut; he claimed that he received the wound at the hands of an English cavalry soldier, at an engagement between Governor Tegon and General Putman at Haver- nick, in Connecticut, in 1779. This old gentleman left in about a year, and I never heard of him again. Seymour Hare remained only a few years and then left the county entirely. A couple of hours after I first met Seymour Hare I met Charles Breiterick in the town of Greenville, on a path in the woods. He could not talk English at all, but 1 made him understand that I wished to go to Appleton and did not know the way. He went with me a mile or more out of his way to put me on the right path. I saw him no more until the Shoiffier trial in May, 1854, when we renewed our acquaintance, and we have kept it up to the present time. Among my other early acquaintances in Greenville were G. N. Boon and his father, Jonathan Nye, B. G. Wood, John Leffae, A. P„ Lewis, E. H. Stone, Adam Miller, Fredrick Miller, John Dey, Hubert Dey, Louis Blake, John Blake, Peter McGregor, L. Barclay, B. Mills, James Webly, Fredrick Bicker, Charles Lueetyee, Lith J. Dwey, Kiles Perry, M. Culbertson, Jas. Culbertson, Mr. Buchholz, John B. Jacquot, Isaac Wicknin, Miron Wicknin, Joseph Jack, Hiram Jack, Michael Shinners, Michael Woods, George E. Darling, Leman Darling, Alex. Culbertson, J. N. Scott, A. McCrevey, A. Bemis, Mr. Carter, Henry Green field, Robert Tile. OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 93 J. Nye and Mr. Wood had the misfortune to be afflicted with considerable litigation in their day; the both lived to be quite old men, and died seven years since ; each left quite large families, and many of them are residents of the county still. One of the most dark occurrences that ever happened in this county occurred in Greenville in the loss of James Webley's little son in the woods. It was sup posed by many that he had been carried off by the Indians, but for miles around the people turned out, and searched the woods for a number of days, without success ; but during the summer the remains of a child was found that was supposed to be the remains of Mr. Webley's child, where it had been covered with water when the search was made. In Dale my early acquaintances were Stephen Balliet, William Young, William Holt, Hiram Rhodes, A. Rhodes, E. Rhodes, C. G. Vaughn, H. Hills, Corilius Koonz, James McChitchie, William Hubbard, W. H. H. Wroe, Edward Spice and W. H. H. Ware. In 1849 there was a saw mill at Hortonville run by Alonzo E. Horton, and a hotel kept by John Easton. I stopped at that hotel over night during that fall; the house is still standing. My other early acquaintances in Hortonia were James Hardacker, John McMurdo, Mr. Pool, Norman West and his father, David Briggs, William Briggs, Augustine Briggs, Louis Collar, Matthew McComb, James Lake, R. Lester, Henry Kethroe, M. W. Allen, JoU Illison, Mr. Owen, O. A. Blackwood, Rev. John Reinhart, C. H. Ware and D. E. Woodward. I doubt if any one lived in Ellington in 1849 but John R. Rynders and Thos. Hilson, but since then came to this town, O. D. Peebles, J. B. Boeman, Peter Schmidt, P. H. Pew, J. Pew, Rodney Mason, William McGee, John Welch, two or three men by the name of McKeewey, Thomas CoUon, Daniels. There was a saw mill at Stephensville in 1849, owned by W. H. Bever, of Green Bay. He had a crew of men at 94 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. work there during the winter of 1849-50, and up to the time that he parted with the property. The first settlers in Bovina that I recollect, were Milo Cobs and H. Cobs. W. D. Jordon, settled there quite early, also B. W. Main and H. G. Curtis. W. D. Jordon and H. G. Curtis living, the others dead. My earliest acquaintances in Center were David Barry, Patrick Barry, Peter Hephner, John Leith, F, McGillan, Edward McGillan, James Campion and John Batley. Patrick Barry died quite early in life; David Barry still resides in Center and raised quite a family, F. McGillan raised quite a family, and lived to be quite aged. Many of his children still live in the county. In Freedom my early acquaintances were E. B. Abbott, Ethan Powers, Jacob Hartman, L. A. Hine, Fredrick Souders, B. Leoeter, Mr. O'Brien, James Jackson, Hiram Rhodes, John Garvy and his family of sons; Robert Sheriff, John Flanigan, D. D. Anger, Mr. Newell, Stadman Hager, Mr. Sanders. The occasion of my first acquaintance with Fredrick Souders was his calling upon me one cold day in the winter of about 1851 to defend him on a charge brought by D. A. Hine, for resisting him while he was town treasurer. He was trying to make a levy on Souders' property to pay a tax that Souders claimed was wrong. He appeared to be nearly dead with cold, and claimed that Hine with a posse of men had arrested him without a warrant, and brought him to Appleton without giving him a chance to get even a coat. I defended him and got him clear. He always claimed to me that he never recovered from that ride. He died young, leaving children, some of whom reside in this county. It is due to the memory of Mr. Hine, to say that he claimed that he offered to let Souders get his coat or anything else he wanted, but that Souders was so angry and stubborn that he would not take a coat or anything to protect him from the cold, except what he had on when arrested. But the posse of citizens who came in with Hine seemed to sympathize with Souders, Hine soon sold out OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 95 and left, and I have no doubt he always regretted his haste with Souders. My object has been to be as brief as I could to make and state the names of the people with whom I was acquainted during the first three years of my residence here. I have been able to do it to my satisfaction. At the conc%ision of Judge Mj^er's address Mr. Breiterick, of Ellington, related his experiences of pioneer life in Outagamie county. His remarks were interesting through out. Rev. Leland; although not a pioneer of this county, but of the state, related numerous reminiscences of forming a a settlement at Eau Claire where his father and family located. Rev. Leland was followed by Mrs. L. B. Mills, of Green ville, one of the most practical farm-women in the state. The remarks made by this lady were entertaining and amusing. Mrs. McGillan sang "Home, Home, Sweet Home" in her well-known pleasing manner. Miss Mamie McGillan pre-' siding at the organ. Judge Ryan, a gentleman who is always prepared to crack a joke at the expense of a friend, related how Mr. Breiterick, familiarly known in olden times as the fiying Dutchman, bought a legal paper, supposing it was a town order. Jos. Rork followed with interesting remarks as did also Mr. Briggs and A. H. Conkey. 96 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. Pioneers' Meeting, Feb. 22, 1886. The annual meeting of the Outagamie County Pioneer Association was held pursuant to notice at South Masonic Hall, in Appleton, on Monday, Feb. 22, 1886. At 10 o'clock a. m., meeting was called to order by E. Spencer, who was present, as secretary. The first business in order was the election of offlcers for the ensuing year. John Dey was elected president; Chas. Wolcott, vice-president; E. Spencer, secretary; John Leith, treasurer. Executive Committee: Jos. Rork, Wm. F. Johnston, John McGillan, Mrs. L. B. Mills, Mrs. Almira Pierce. Resolved, That the president appoint a committee to draft a con stitution for a social gathering of county pioneers once in three months. The president appointed John F. Johnston, Joseph Rork and Henry Kethroe as such committee. Also, the secre tary was added to said committee. Said committee Resolved, That the president call a meeting of pioneers at such places as he may designate, some time during the months of May, August and November. Motion adopted by the meeting. At 12 o'clock the meeting adjourned for dinner. The ladies had prepared a beautiful repast, to which about seventy-five real pioneers did ample justice. At 1:30 o'clock called to order for business. Mrs. McGillan and her two daughters discoursed some beautiful 'music. Opening remarks by John Dey, the president. Music by Mrs. McGillan and daughter. Mr. Joseph Rork was called upon and responded with a few appropriate remarks on bis pioneer experiences. Mrs. Pierce was called and told some very interesting re membrances of her pioneer life in Appleton. OUTAGAMIE COUprTY PIONEERS. 97 Hon. John Bottensek was called and delivered the annual address as follows: To. the Pioneers of Outagamie County: It was with some reluctance that I accepted the invita tion of your committee to address you at this time. The time at my disposal for the purpose was too brief to allow me such a preparation as the occasion and the day reason ably requires. However, to be one your number is reason sufficient why I should try to carry out, feebly though it be, the part assigned to me in the program of these exer cises. In doing so I do not flatter myself that I shall amuse or instruct jou, and yet if I shall be able to make you realize that there is one thing that some of you should do before Father Time cuts you off from these fields of labor, I shall content myself with the effort. It has long been your practice to make your annual social reunions and festivities the commemoration of the birth day of him who was " first in war, first in peace and first in the hearts of his countrymen." Therein is great pro priety. The emotions that arise and the sentiments entertained in the contemplation of the labor and career of George Washington are very akin to those which possess our minds when we recall our own experiences in this wild, unfrequented region of thirty-five or forty years ago. He was of the foremost of those who in the last century were doing a g-reat work for the present century. Like one who goes into the wild woods, where nature has not yet re echoed with the first sound of advancing civilization, and there in the solitude of the forest erects his home, clears his land, prepares a home for his family and opens up new country to human enterprise. George Washington was active in exploring the wilds of Pennsylvania and the Ohio, and in preparing in the new country homes for the oppressed in old. In his youth he was characterized by his love of truth and veracity, by diligence in the execution of his duties; in his maturing manhood adding patriotic service to his country when his country was yet Britain, and in •his riper years by unexampled devotion to his country when 7 98 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. his country was not Britain, but America. Always faith ful to his trusts. With remarkable faith he led the armies of his country through suffering and almost hopeless despair and discouragement to final victory, and then, with consummate wisdom guided the affairs of state when the state was most in need of wisdom. To the American youth he is the great example to true manhood. Throughout the land, from the public platform and in the private circle, in the school room and in the streets, his virtues are extolled and his name revered. Every school boy is familiar with his career, and in every library you may find a " Life of Washington." A stranger with no knowledge of the life, character and services of Washington may stand at the foot of all the towering monuments erected to his glory, and, with mute admiration read the inscriptions thereon, and he shall turn therefrom with no higher emotion than if he had been contemplating Cleopatra's needle recently brought from Egypt and erected in New York. He may visit the capital of the nation, named in his honor, view its monuments, public buildings and works of art, and he shall depart from the city with no clearer conception of his character than from a visit to the house in which he was born. He may visit the art galleries of the nation and there study the portraits of Washington executed with the utmost artistic skill, and he shall go away with no better notion of his patriotism and wisdom than if he had looked upon the portraits of the Indian chieftains adorning the walls of the State Historical Society at Madison. But give, that stranger access to your libraries, let him read the literature on the life and character of Washing ton, let him peruse the biographies and eulogies of Washing ton, and presently he shall see and understand him as the American people have seen and understood him these hun dred years. The books of biography and the literature of the life of Washington exist and increase in number be cause his character and services were what they were. The monuments erected to his honor and the natural objects which bear his name testify to the fact that Wash- OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 99 ington lives in our literature, in our libraries. Keep your monuments, your cities, towns, states, rivers, and moun tains bearing his name, but destroy all books and periodi cals referring to the life of Washington and very soon he would be lost in tradition and uncertainty. Such is the purpose of written history. It becomes the memory of the people of the human race. It connects the past and present. It is a store house in which are gathered the useful things of the past to be used in the present and in the future. It brings the experience of your ancestors and your neighbors, far and near close to you; brings them close together, so that yours and theirs become one continuous, widening field of past experience. And as you by the faculty of memory recall your personal experience of years long past, so through the medium of history you may be able to call to your mind, to remember, the experiences of others re moved from you by centuries as to time and by thousands of miles as to distance. Some of you came from the Pine Tree state, and granite hills of New England, some from the thickly settled por tions of the Empire state, some from the Old Dominion, and the land of Penn, and some from the oppressed lands of Europe and made your homes in the wilderness of this country. Some of you came as of set purpose and well grounded reason, but many, I dare say, came here as if by chance, not knowing just why you came here, but knowing that somehow you did come. All of you have at some time felt as though you did not just know just what you came here for and while perhaps not realizing it, were yet demonstrating that " There is a divinity that shapes our ends Rough hew them as we may." Whatever may have been your own intention, your mission has not been altogether to provide a livelihood for yourself and family and to clear up the wild land in order that you might have bread for yourself and leave a patrimony to your children. Somehow you have left something more than cultivated acres for the coming generation, I believe 100 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. that there has been that in the development and growth of this county which you can and ought to bequeath to your children and your neighbors' children, but which will nob pass by the last will of your property, and which will not be perpetuated by monuments at your last resting place. Necessity is said to be the mother of invention. In early pioneer life there are many necessities and many inventions and temporary contrivances to obviate or overcome, present difficulties. The applicability of the mechanic arts are very limited. Improved farm machinery is useless until the cultivation of the ground and the clearing of the land is sufficiently advanced to admit of their application. The older and ruder tools for farm labor must suffice for a time. The social wants of a new community are subjects of novel and unusual schemes of management. In older communities the forms, and manner of conduct ing municipal matters and government have become settled and uniform, but in a new community they are changeable and unforseen emergencies and must be provided for and met- The management of public and private affairs in a new community often requires original genius for contriv ing temporary expedients of securing permanent success. ' I believe there is much genius in the pioneer life of this community to afford amusement and instruction for future generations. In many respects all pioneer life is very much alike and a thorough acquaintance with the early life of such a community may save other new communities from committing serious errors. One who studied the records of our early school town and county government would often, by reason thereof, be better qualified to manage the public interest of a new community than a better educated man from an older community could do. In the study of social and economic sciences, it has be come a habit to do very thorough work in the gathering of facts of minute detail. The home life, the social condi tions and the trade and commerce of the early colonies are receiving much attention, special studies are being made of the various forms and plans of city and municipal government. Every state and many large cities have their OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 101 historical societies which are gathering all sorts of facts and figures for the use of the future historian. The pioneers of Outagamie county ought to contribute of their experience to the study of the social science. A century ago the great question before the American people was for a form of constitutional democratic govern ment best adopted to a new and growing countrj^ The constitution of the United States was adopted and the great experiment of popular self-government began. But the great question of natural government was not all settled by the adoption of the constitution. It was found necessary to propose and adopt amendments to the original. The congress of the United States was one continuous scene of combat and struggle between two or more factions, having each its own interpretation of the constitution and of the relation of the States to the union of States. Not until the last twenty-five years have some of them been settled and that by the sword rather than by the wisdom of statement. The forms of territorial government arid extension of the territorial limits of the United States, employed much of the time of the national legislature. But all these questions are, for the present at least, settled. The industrial interests of the country are now in the fore ground and demand the attention of people. During the settlement of important questions of National and State government the industrial interests received some con sideration in the form of tariff legislation and numerous land grants to railroads and canal companies for the exten sion of the commerce of the country and in the adoption of better monetary regulations. But such legislation was first and primarily in the interest of associated and organ ized capital, and only incidentally in the interest of the middle and lower classes. To-day the laboring classes are organized all over the land. They are demanding a consideration of their inter ests. Legislation must now consult the interests of the great mass of people, rather than the wishes of the few. The demand for civil service reform, though at present mostly confined to natural offices, is but the beginning 102 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. of a movement to secure the more faithful execution of the duties of all offices and departments of municipal government from the school district to the State. The effort which every community is making to improve its educational faculties is looking to the welfare of the great masses of the people. The numerous efforts at temperance legislation and reform betoken an awakening of self-inter est on the part of the people. Social reforms of all kinds are now foremost in the attention and affections of the thinking men and women. But such reforms cannot be based upon fancy and visionary theories. If any progress is made it will be by faithful study of all the details of the experiences of the past. It will be in the study of history, the history of the social conditions and life of each com munity. To that history the pioneers of Outagamie county can furnish as interesting a chapter as any com munity in the state. Are there not many facts hidden in the memory of some of you which you ought to place in such form as to be available to the coming generation. What facts the future economist will most need we cannot say, therefore let him have all so that he may utilize what most he needs. Some day some one will employ his leisure time in writing a history of Outagamie county. This history ought to be full of the experiences and of the serious and amusing incidents of pioneer life. Let each one write out in quill his experience and observations and the various incidents of his early life in this county, and file the same in some secure place for the benefit of the historians of your county. Music by Mrs. McGillan and daughters. Collection taken up to pay expenses, amounting to $9.40. Mrs. L. B. Mills read a very interesting story paper, narrating her pioneer experiences, as follows: I, too, notice Mr. Dey's propensity to make those talk who will. Sympathizing with him in trying to conduct a successful pioneer meeting, where the old settlers generally stay at home, or if present when requested to respond to their names, merely say no, or I have nothing to say. Our meetings here like many others, are just what we make OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 103 them. It was with this feeling of meeting an emergency, that I deposited this little paper at the bottom of my pocket, saying, as I did so, my lamp is trimmed and ready if wanted. I do not see how any one that lived in times gone by, in the woods passed their time in labor, improving the wilds of Northern Wisconsin, that have not something worthy to tell. I" told you last when here, I was but a child in 1848 when my parents in company with two uncles and two aunts, brothers and sisters of my mother, came to the northwestern part of Greenville to locate. Owing to a storm we were detained in our journey from Waukesha county, whither we came with ox teams. After the family were housed, the men went to Green Bay to enter the land which had been previously preempted. It was found that he was one day too late, as father's quarter section had been taken, so he located his Mexican land warrant on the quarter next north of it in the adjoining town. Long shall I remember that journey of eleven days with ox teams. There was lots of fun for most of us, but there must have been many cares for those who were older,. We usually stopped at hotels and sometimes at private houses. But the last night out we camped. Finding where we could get some hay for the stock, the men rolled some logs to gether, set them on fire that burned brightly all night. The covers were taken from the big wagons and tents made. This was a novelty to us. I remember aunts ap proaching the fire to cook supper with tin pans before their faces, and made short stays at that. When the supper was ready we ate it on our laps. It seemed so novel that it was a late hour when all was quiet. I remember wonder ing if the bears and wolves would come around there. We were assured by the men folks that no wild animal would come near such a fire. We were up early and ready to start by daylight. We had the promise of seeing our new home that day as it was but eight miles away, but the worn out teams and having to cut roads as we went, hindered so much that it was after dark before we reached the desired goal. It was past the middle of November and 104 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. was getting cold. We think now we must have all the fall in which to get ready for the winter. But here we were let down in a little log house that was covered with shakes and a floor of oak splints some two inches thick and five or six inches wide and laid from sleeper to sleeper. Well you would have thought it was all sleepers that night if you could have seen the beds on that floor, there was no walking room left. It snowed that night and the wolves howled, but sleep was sweet, we were home. There was a fire place in one side, but no window, on mild days there was a piece of chinking that was taken out to, admit light, but generally the fire made our light. After a few days they went to Bruce Mill, now Stephensville and got lumber to make an upper floor; a ladder was made and then we were fixed up for housekeeping. In this house the family lived consisting of eleven persons and of course kept every weary traveler that came along looking for a new home. Among the number was a little fellow that came Jan. 6, 1849, and we named him Lewis A. Hardacker. He is re membered now as the first white child born in the town of Greenville. In my mother's illness that winter she was attended by a physician named Fitch, doubtless some of you remember him, he afterward committed suicide. We have been told, don't know how true it is, that it was all on account of being "cut out" by one Samuel Rjan. This doctor was very small of stature, and I remember his sitting in an ordinary sized man's chair with his elbows on the arms of the chair, he tried in vain to touch his finger tips together. A hard winter followed. The men folks made shingles and took them to Neenah to sell. 'Till toward spring the oxen had nothing to eat but marsh hay and browse gave out and five out of the eight died. Then I remember my father and uncle, Isaac Wickware, went to Neenah, fourteen miles away, and brought home fifty pounds of flour apiece on their backs. That spring troughs were dug out and they made maple sugar and molasses, which was acceptable, for bread or Johnney cake with maple molasses on it was good. Our cow was of course let OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 105 loose in Uncle Sam's pasture and a generous part of the milk given to the calf that was tied up, to induce the cow to come home. What butter could be made was so im pregnated with leeks that it was of little use. Those long jaunts after the cattle I can remember how tired the men would be. Generally the way would be, to be all ready when the cows were milked and turned loose, to follow- her if they could keep pace, she would take a bee line for the herd. In these journeys they always carried their rifle and now and then a deer or some other wild game would bring "good cheer." Once in particular father came leading old Dime by the horn and on the ox's back was a big buck deer lashed on with moose wood bark. My mother's great worrj^ was that her boys might be lost in the woods and to look after them that they did not go out of sight of the clearinij- in their play and chase after squirrels and the like, I being older was detailed to look after them. This brought me out doors much of the time and participating in the sports I acquired an endurance of fatigue equal to my brother, something that has been a blessing to me all mv life. Last summer I heard a mother say to her little girls who asked if they could go to the woods to play, "no it is so far and 3'ou might tear 3'our shoes." Thoughts went back to when we were children, when trees were at the very doors, the woods were our play ground and nature's covering on our feet. How we would limp in to mother with bleeding toe or bruised heel, while she bound it up for us we would always hear the admoni tion, you must be more careful. Look well to your foot steps child ! But mother we couldn't help it, there is so much brush and stubs. You will find manj- obstacles in your path of life — look well to your footsteps. As a sample of this endurance I will tell you of an event that took place when I was eleven years old. My father had bought a wagon of Nordman, his farm was south of New London on the Muckwa road. Father had given his note to him for $65. He had managed to get the money ready to pay for the wagon but was busy and asked me if I could not go there and take up his note, "Would you 106 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. know it was my note if you saw it? "Did you write it father?" "Yes." "I would know your hand anywhere and can read it." I who was at his elbow when he recorded minutes of town meetings, survey of roads in town blocks as clerk, did not have to be told how he wrote. I do not know the way I was never west of Hortonville. Then, with pencil and paper he told me the way on the New London road. I would know that as Steffen lived there, the only farm house on the way, then a few miles would come, to Deslies and McCombs, they lived on opposite sides of the road, then the Shepard place way down by a spring. This was the last house, but on about so far we would see two pine stumps, then five rods from that a solitary one, at this place strike due southwest and in a little while you would find the road that led to his place. It was arranged that I should start next morning, with mj' brother Henry, 8 years old, now Dr. Hardacker, of Hortonville, to accompany me. We had no trouble in finding the way — when we reached his place he was plowing in the field next the road with his oxen. We told our errand and he accompanied us to the house. Mrs. Nordman made a hasty pudding for us and with a bowl of milk we were refreshed and started for home. Somehow the distance between Hortonville and our home seemed longer than usual. Never mistrusted what the reason was but felt quite promoted when mother said I did not have to wash the supper dishes nor Henry get in the night's wood, for we were tired. Some eighteen miles we had traveled that day. This is but a small ex perience compared with the many the settlers went through in early times in this county. They have proved them selves heroic in battling with the forests — enduring hard ships and privations. Let us cherish their memory. I was thinking last Decoration Day as we saw the flags wave over the soldier's graves, should there not be some emblem to mark the graves of departed pioneers ? Mr. Joseph Rork read a poem on the subject of pioneers and their exploits. Mr. Henry Kethroe of Hortonia told of his pioneer experiences. OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 107 D. Huntley told how pioneers received strangers in 1852. John Dey related several anecdotes of his remembrances of a pioneer preacher. Wm. Briggs told some pioneer anecdotes. Carl Breiterick told some of his pioneer experiences in settling Outagamie County. Col. H. L. Blood then recollected some of his pioneer experiences since 1848. A vote of thanks was extended to Mr. Spicer for the use of one of his organs, also a vote of thanks to Mrs. McGillan and daughters for the splendid music they discoursed at the meeting. A request was made for all pioneers present who settled in the county previous to 1850 to arise, 20 arose; between 1850 and 1855, 22; 1855 and 1860, 8. Judge Sam Ryan was called and told some of his pioneer experiences, and spoke of the importance of preserving the recollections of the early pioneers. Rev. F. S. Stein also spoke on the same subject. Adjourned by singing America. The hall was well filled and all seemed to enjoy the meeting and pronounced it the best they ever attended. 108 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. Pioneers' Meeting, Feb. 22, 1887. The annual meeting of the Outagamie Countj^ Pioneer Association was held in South Masonic Hall, Feb. 22, 1887, with a large attendance of old residents of the county, whose coming was favored by mild weather and the excel lence of the roads. The meeting was called to order by President John Dey at 10 o'clock a. m. The first order was the election of officers for the new year, and by the list of those chosen it will be seen that many of the old officials were retained: President, John Dey; vice-president, Charles Wolcott; secretary, E. Spencer; treasurer, John Leith; executive committee, W. F. Johnston, Joseph Rork, John McGillan, Charles Spicer and Julius Buck. The pioneer dinner, which had been brought in baskets, was spread upon a long table in the middle of the hall, and when all was in readiness a very merry company of about seventy-five persons sat down to taste its flavor. At 1:30 the assembly was then called to order and the president,' John Dey, made some opening remarks in an appropriate vein. A collection, amounting to $10.27, to pay the expenses of the meeting, was taken up. The annual address to the association was delivered by Prof. J. M. Phinney and was a very able effort. Prof. Phinney said: Mr. President and Pioneers of Outagamie County : The day of memories and retrospections has come again. Time turns backward, in its flight and carries us down along the trail of our lives, not only through our experi ences here, down to the day we made this county our home but still back of that along the windings of our previous path down to the time when as children we congregated in the rude temples of the vigin goddess and with other things OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 109 that were considered necessary to fit us for life and make us intelligent citizens of a government controlled by the people, we were taught in all our country's previous his tory, from the first appearance of Columbus and his "big canoes with white wings" to the wondering and frightened savages, up through the history of the colonies to the day they dared to shake off the tyrants' grasp and declare their independence. Then loom up all the incidents of a weak people with the most powerful nation of the whole earth and he, whose birthday we celebrate, appears as the leader ordained by heaven to lead our father's to victory and give to the new world freedom from "crown and crozier" that till now had "ruled the world." Of the great leader all that need be said is: Almost more than human in mould and powers of body, and God-like in wisdom and virtue was Washington. He made no mistake during all the war and proved himself king of the battle-field. But once did he show a human weakness, and this when stung and driven almost to despair by the cowardice and insubordination of one of his associates in the midst of battle. His ambition was only for his country to make it free and a land of freedom — rejecting in disdain the offer of a crown, stung to the quick that he should be considered weak and base enough to betray the divine mission and cause that had been entrusted to his hands. Truly "the sun in all his course shall not look upon his like again." It is well that he should be held as first in war, first in peace and first- in the affections of his countrymen, and that every method should be taken to preserve the memory of his deeds and character and plant them indelibly in the minds of those coming after us. It is fit then that his birthday has been chosen for the meeting of the Pioneers of Outagamie County. Some thirtj'-eight }'ears ago Amos A. Lawrence con tributed Sli),000 for the establishment of a school at Apple- ton"; put it in the hands of the Methodist conference of the state, conditioned, that they should add to it a like amount and take the work into their own hands. It was a daring undertaking to attempt the founding of such an institution 110 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. in the very heart of the wild wood, almost beyond the verge of civilization, leading to and from which there were no roads, only Indian trails. The donor knew, however, in whose hands he was placing his gift, and trust to their indomitable energy, knew that they would come and bring their children with them and stay. Were there no other way in furnishing pupils for the school ? His confidence was fully satisfied, in about a year a fine building was erected and the school opened with a respectable attend-, ance, which, in less than two years increased to 200 pupils. In 1853 it was chartered as a college and has sent out more finished scholars — men and women — who have filled and are now occupying more high and responsible positions than any other institution of the state, with all their superior advantages of position and means and has become not only the bulwark of Methodism in Wisconsin but has made Appleton the Athens of the State. The location and opening of the institution advertised our county through out and beyond the state, and brought an influx of people to Appleton; and although as compared with the prairie lands the dense woods presented an unfavorable and dis couraging aspect; yet they were soon taken up and filled with a superior class of strong handed farmers who shortly pronounced the open sesame that gave the forest to sun light and civilization, making the wilderness to blossom into beauty; and as early as 1850 we had more inhabitants than some counties of the state whose lands when first oc cupied were ready for the plow and invited cultivation. Though for a few years, hard labor, deprivations and in conveniences were the farmers' lot, they yet proved their wisdom in locating their homes. To-day their lands are more valuable than the average prairie farms; and not a county in the state, except perhaps Milwaukee, has had all along and now has as good a market as ours. All the con veniences and luxuries have come; good and direct high ways instead of random roads; excellent schools and churches in city and country, convenient to all. While all the railroads south are ours, over our own county and all north of us up to the great lake has been spread a net-work OUTAGAMIE COUNTY P'ONEERS. Ill of iron rails, giving us easy access to all parts of the land and vastly improving the value of our farms and every thing they produce; giving us also many things cheaper than to those living further south. It may be true that with these great improvements other changes have come less pleasant to contemplate. In those early days we were all friends and equals. Neither wealth, education nor position lifted the head of one above another. There was no aristocracy. All were neighbors in the high est sense of the word and ready to give, the helping hand at all times. In these things and some other social customs and practices coming with the influx of wealth and popula tion we may have deteriorated. The saddest, however, of all changes that confronts us here to-day is the absence from our gathering of many of the oldest and best of our former associates. Some have left us to become pioneers in more western lands. Some have sought the very Occident, beyond which there is no west, and made their homes on the very shores of the Pacific. One of these by faithful labors, though his methods were not always the most acceptable, did good work in our county schools and greatly elevated their character. Another, whose name a thriving village of the county bears, is now a millionaire. A third is there, an upright and good man, who, on week days, shod our horses and on Sabbath fre quently dispensed to us the Word — by the foolishness of preaching, aiming to elevate our moral and intellectual nature. Many more of our old friends have floated out upon that unknown sea that lies all around the world. Within the past year, with others, two of the oldest and most venerated of the pioneers, one of the patriarchs of us all have left us and passed over and joined friends and loved ones on the further shore. Friends, the period passed by us here has been notable, not only to ourselves, but to the whole world. Terrible wars have been waged, yet their outcome has been to the advancement of civilization. One great empire of Europe has fallen and its people inspired by the spirit and work ings of ours, have transformed it into a great republic. 112 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. England has been slowly yielding to the people their rights; and it is not presumption to predict the downfall of its aristocracy and elevation of its masses to their full rights. And we also predict that the very means they have been compelled to adopt, the support of vast armies, for the maintenance of their thrones, will finally cause the overthrow of the great monarchies of the continent. When we made this our home, our country itself was but half free; and the southern slaveholder, not content with abso lute power over the persons and lives of its millions of human chattels, in his pride and insolence aspired to dominate the North; and upon its first show of resistance brought upon us a war more terrible in its savagery, more fearful in its sacrifice of life and treasure than the world had ever known. In our extremity two men of different mold and mind were given us: "Such types as nature wills to plan But once in all .a people's years." One of whom with a word annihilated slavery and " bade the race be free." The other led our patriot armies to victory and preserved intact the Union. In religion and law great progress has been made; as also in science and literature. In disco-.-ery and invention and all human progress, all previous time has been out stripped; and our countrymen have not been outdone in the great work. Two of their inventions have revolution ized the earth. Howe's great cylinder press, that has supplanted the old hand-press of Franklin, throws from its ¦embrace with almost countless velocity, the printed sheets that, filled with news and intelligence, pass as educators into the hands of the people. Morse's telegraph interlac ing all this country, laid across the ocean by Field, an American, has brought the tongues and ears of all men together, and annihilated time and space. At the great Centennial, Europeans conceded us the palm of works and utility, which also excited the highest admiration for their contrivences, taste, adaptation, beauty, delicacy, and OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 113 elegance of design and construction, when compared with the lumbering vehicles, unsightly machinery and old plate of inferior beauty from over the ocean. Well may we be proud of our country and thankful that we have lived to see many of the deep things of God revealed; and the knowing of these thing-s has certainly made life worth living. We must recollect though that these things are but the "pebbles thrown upon the shore of the ocean of truth." Friends, our time here is nearly spent and we cannot ex pect, during our stay to see much more; but our children will learn truths, so deep, see made discoveries so vast and wonderful, that beside them these we have seen will sink into comparative insignificance. Prediction is useless. The furthest stretch of the imagination would fail in at tempting to picture what the coming generation will see. As the world needs and is preparing for them they are sure to come, and, old associates and friends, I believe we shall see them, too. Of one thing I feel most sure: that when, as soon as it must, our summons comes, we shall not pass into oblivion nor indolently "lie down to pleasant dreams," but shall awake to a life of tireless activity. And while there is no doubt we shall be allowed a closer view, and deeper insight into the workings of the universe and mysteries of nature, there is no reason why we may not be permitted to revisit this earth and keep pace with all things new to it revealed. Perhaps, too, from our higher standpoint we may anticipate many of these relations and be enabled to hasten their coming by whispering them to the ears and understandings of men, and thus excite them to ^tudy, experiment and research, an'd thereby be the means of accelerating invention, discovery and all human progress to the perfection dimly foreshadowed in the mil- lenium of the prophet. Many are predicting its immediate coming. No doubt it will come in its own good time; not though to be restricted to a thousand years, but to con tinue with us during the world's existence. And we may confidently expect that by the vast unity of intellect and power the floodgates of light will be opened upon the 6 114 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. earth, when the great questions now agitating it shall be settled to the satisfaction of all, bringing justice and peace, when religion shall be whollj-^ purged of its errors and image only divine truth; when the physical laws of our nature shall be perfectly understood and followed; when knowledge shall become exalted and universal; when labor shall be relieved of its fatigue and allied to pleasure, and evil "its name and nature banished from the world." After a solo by Mrs. McGillan "Ah, I Have Sighed to Rest Me!" Mr. A. B. Whitman was called upon and spoke of the pioneers who have died within the year. He said that Esquire R. R. Bateman's face and form had been familiar to all pioneers. He was in some respects a typical pioneer, who lived to enjoy the fruits of an energetic life. He came to Appleton in 1849; was born in Plattsburg, and witnessed the battle of that name in 1812, part of which occurred on his father's farm. Jared Lanphear, recently deceased, came in 1849. He lived to see the greatness of this commonwealth which he assisted to establish. The late John McGillan settled at McGillan's corners in Center at about 1850. L. B. Mills always lived at Greenville and had it not been for accident would probably have been a vigorous man for many years. He came to Outagamie in 1854. Otis Bessy, of Dale, is another pioneer lately de parted. Mrs. Joseph Rork will be remembered for Chris tian graces and virtues. She resided here since 1851. Mrs. James Gilmore came from Glens Falls, N. Y., in 1852. Both she and Mrs. Rork during later life were invalids and were best known to the older ones present. The date of Mrs. L. L. Randall's removal from Vermont was 1852. Rev. John Faville, upon being summoned forward, said he was a pioneer, having lived in the state nearly forty years and being the child of parents who came in 1844. Mr. Faville related some of the hardships of traveling in those days when his parents spent two days and a night in going fifty miles, from Milwaukee to Lake Mills, and said he was brought up a farmer and owed a great deal to this period of his life. He impressed upon the younger ones present the thought that education is needed to increase OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 115 material prosperity and that religion is also necessary to the same end. Mrs. Daniel Huntley in a brief address said that her ex perience of pioneer life had been frought with less of hardships than those of many present and that her recol lection of them was very bright. Mr. Kethroe, of Hortonville, spoke of the wonderful difference in the wages paid now and in years gone by. In 1848 he worked in a woolen mill in New York, thirteen hours a day, for $16 a month and boarded himself; and his position was considered a good one. In 1849 he came to-- Outagamie where everybody was glad to get hard work at fifty cents a day and there was no grumbling or strikes. More than this, the pay was usually in orders worth about twenty-five cents on a dollar. At the same time money could not be had for less than 50 per cent interest. After a song by the quartette, Mrs. Ross read a paper describing her pioneer experiences in Appleton, relating the expedients resorted to in house furnishing, -when hardly anything in the way of furniture was obtainable, and the laborous transportation of provisions from Neenah. Judge Harriman who had come up to invite the pioneers to take a ride on the electric street cars, thought that an advantage had been taken of him in calling upon him, for a speech. The judge said that when his hearers were young a rough sled or board was considered the height of human attainment in the way of a vehicle with which to slide down hill, but now it has been reduced to a science and he would like to show them a toboggan slide. In a more serious vein the judge advocated the need of educa tion and said that the worse thing fond parents could do was to hoard their money to bring - up their children in a life of idleness. The younger generation should be made to realize what their parents had endured. The judge closed with a cordial invitation to the county members to enjoy a ride on the street cars which would be in waiting at 4 o'clock. Mrs. Dey said she came to Outagamie county in the fall and during the following winter saw almost no one beside 116 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. her own family, and outside, little else than snow and tree trunks. She described some of the primitive methods of house building which allowed dogs to gain the roof and on occasions fall through, to the consternation of awakened inmates of the dwelling. Charles Breiterick, of Ellington, said he came to the county in 1859 with $120 in his pocket and settled near New London when about the only dwellers thereabouts were Indians. At first he became discouraged but at length built a log house and settled down with a determination of rnaking it a home. He now had only the pleasantest memo.- ries of his former hardships and was grateful to Heaven for the measure of blessings and comfort that had crowned his early efforts. William Briggs said he remembered starting in 1852 from Maine to Wisconsin, and being like most Maine men, a lumberman, he went into the lumbering business at Hor tonville. He had $150 when he commenced, having spent . $150 in the journey coming out. This $300 represented all the toil of a man who had reached his twenty-ninth year. He said it took fifty dollars to commence housekeeping and the remaining hundred was put in the business. Mr. Briggs said that at that time manufactured lumber rafted down the Wolf and through the lake to Fond du Lac brought only $4.50 a thousand; and it was the finest kind of lumber too. Dr. Kanouse said he was in full sympathy and accord with the spirit of a pioneer meeting. The pioneer must be the man of patience and fortitude, ready to adapt him self to all the possibilities that presented themselves to him. He is not a man without plan, but one with some definite purpose of will, that urges him on to success. The prominent element of pioneer life, the doctor thought, was a consciousness of right. Daniel Huntley directed attention to the urgent need of better facilities for the education of farmers' boys. In the matter of education he said, farmers are far behind the times. He instanced many places where a $500 school house, illy maintained and with no adequate instructors, OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 117 was surrounded by $5,000 pioneers' homesteads. The need in the matter of education, was for an exhibition of a little of the spirit that has animated pioneers in the past in other undertakings. H. D. Ryan uttered a serio-humorous warning against woman's suffrage. He said he desired to see all men stand ing on a level, but he didn't want women at the polls. He said that women were not needed to straighten out tangled political questions; that the great trouble in the world was that men did not understand each other better and better appreciate each others' ideas, and thus render possible effectual and concerted work. Henry Dickerson spoke of the delightful quality of pioneer hospitality in the old days even when the comforts available were scanty. The heart that dictated and the hand that executed were moved by the true spirit of hospi tality. Many of the warmest friendships found their beginning in pioneer days, and their ending is not yet. At the conclusion of the speeches a vote of thanks was tendered to Mrs. McGillan and her associates for the excel lent music contributed, and the meeting was closed by the singing of "America," in which all joined. 118 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. Pioneers' Meeting, Feb. 22, 1888. The Outagamie County Pioneer Association met pur suant to notice in South Masonic Hall, in Appleton, Feb. 22, 1888, for their annual festival. The meeting was called to order at 10 a. m. by John Dey, the president; E. Spencer was present as secretary. The first business in order was the election of officers for the ensuing year. John Dey was elected president; Joseph Rork, vice-president; John McGillan, treasurer, and E. Spencer, secretary; executive committee, Wm. F. Johnston, John McGillan, Matthew McComb, Charles Spicer and Geo. H. Myers. The afternoon session commenced promptly at 1:30 o'clock. The day and occasion had brought out ^ very full attendance of pioneers and their friends, from both the city and country, and the somewhat restricted dimensions of the hall were almost uncomfortably crowded. Music was furnished by a quartette consisting of the Misses Mead arid Woodhead and Messrs. Cole and Wheeler. When order had been restored the first exercise of the afternoon was an organ solo by Miss McGillan. Rev. John Faville followed by offering a prayer. President John Dey spoke feelingly of the ones who, since the last gathering, had departed hence to be at rest forever. After music by Mrs. McGillan and Miss McGillan the annual address was delivered by the Hon. Humphrey Pierce. This effort re quires no praise, it speakes for itself. The full text is as follows: Sympathy is one of the great controlling powers over the actions of mankind; that feeling common to the human breast, quickening in unison in a cause in which an inter est common to all centers, often resulting in great o-ood always, when guided bv reason, rarely in evil. OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 119 From this attribute arose the great religious enthusiasm of the Crusaders and led them on to the deliverance of Jerusalem. Depicting the wrong, insults and sufferings of the peo ple of the Holy Land, inflicted upon them by the barbarian Turks, aroused a religious enthusiasm that knew no bounds. It was the first great power laid hold upon and wielded with so much success by Peter the Hermit and Pope Urban II. The element of power is present and as active to-day as of old. It takes hold upon and moves the few as well as the many; it serves the bad as well as the good purposes of men; anarchy builds upon it and thrives by it when turned from its true purpose and guided by unreasoning passion. The pioneers of Outagamie county acknowledge its power for good and obey its mandate in coming together on this national holiday to pay tribute to the memory of those who have gone before with the record of a well rounded life, and renew and repledge, among those who still remain, one to the other, the ties of lifelong friend ship. Having by choice settled within the limits of what is now Outagamie county they united in one common cause, the subduing the wilderness to peaceful homes, producing farms and thriving cities. The comforts and advantages of a high civilization, won by industry, persistent toil and economy are theirs to enjoy with a gratification known to those only who possess by right of their own individual eflort. Starting out as an organization as late as the year 1872, the right of membership limited to those who settled in the county prior to July 4, 1853, the pioneers have already extended the right of membership to all residents prior to 1860, sweeping away the bar to fellowship of seven years, a full period in life's journey, in an organized existence of sixteen years. Looking backward the line of pioneers already lengthens until lost to the remembrance of those now living. Death has thinned the ranks; the spirit of change and adventure 120 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. has taken some into far western lands, away from the circle around the altar to day; time has laid its hand even upon the fold and forced a recognition of the inevitable. Into the thinned ranks the new ones welcomed have come, the battle half won, taking their place to share in victory or suffer defeat as they prove true or false. ' It is the history of the human race since the beginning, re peatedly within this limited circle. Later pioneers have ever, been taking the place of the elder. Men do not live for themselves alone; else life were void and not worth the living. All cannot succeed equally; that seems to be the law of necessity. Were all, perforce, equally successful, ambition would die, and ambition, rightly directed and controlled, is a noble and essential qualitj' of the human character; without, there would be nothing to pioneer, no pioneers. Those who came and made for the family a home, gathered and enjoyed the first rude comforts of early life in the forests, have made a record worthy of the best, and dying leave behind them a grateful remembrance by those who, living after, inherit the fruits of the early toil, and taking guide, stride on to fortune. Those who came and still are here ma}- well feel proud in forming this circle to-day. Amid the wilderness they have homes with plenty and to spare. The struggle, long and hard, the spirit of the pioneer has been equal to the task; nothing short of victory would satisfy. That which is hardest to win is prized the most; the harder, the task the greater the joy in the finishing; look ing backward upon the trials, the risks, the doubts and fears, the harvest is doubly prized. Those who gain to save are the most valuable to the world. Waste is not a virtue, but a lack of it; sloth and indolence are waste in its worst form, and those invested with them are burdens to the industrious and saving; to these faults and improvidence, may be traced the cause of nine-tenths of the pauperism of this country. Take away the habits of industry and economy and the whole world becomes a pauper in creation. OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 121 That Outagamie county has been and is now the home of an energetic, industrious and saving people, needs but a glance to show. In years the county is young; in all things that go to make up human happiness and lift the people in the scale of existence, it is second to no other county in the State. In intelligence, the people rank with the best. Compared in population and age, as much money and effort has been spent for religious and educational pur poses as in the most favored county in the State. The evidence of this and of the general thrift of the people is everywhere abundant, in general wealth among all, none can make a better showing with the same limitations. The natural desire to better one's condition led some who were early in the struggle to seek a more favored spot. Tracing them up from their going will not satisfy one that they have reason to rejoice in the parting with the place of their first choice. The old adage "A rolling stone gathers no moss" often brings to them regrets in its reminder of their mistake. A few may have escaped its force. Every rule has its exception, and, in taking risks, all hope to get within the exception, but the heart most often grows sick from hope deferred. To those who seek to shirk the burdens of life, success never comes; the seeker of an easier way never feels the real joy of victory. He who grapples with the problem he meets with all the force he can bring to bear, though it take a lifetime to solve it, firids in his success that which repays him for all and which none other can enjoy. To those who bring about results, having abundance to aid them, should not be given the greatest, nor equal credit. Washington, whose birthday we celebrate, won. not his greatness by doing what he did for his country, having all his heart could desire at his call. His great genius and love of country shone brightest in his contest with a powerful foe, well armed, well fed, well clothed and thoroughly disciplined; while his own band of defenders, comparatively, were few in numbers, poorly clad, half starved, at times almost without riieans of defense. There 122 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. was no song in his ears, "We are coming father Abraham, 300,000 more," to cheer and encourage. The work stood out before him a great barrier to the march of liberty and justice. It was enough to appal the strongest heart. An easier way lay open to his choice. With no thought but that of victory, he went straight forward to the work. To fail was ignominous death. History shows us an example of constancy, stern devotion to country and to duty, unyielding determination and per severance through the darkest hours and the greatest uncertainty, characterized by a Christian spirit and crowned glorious success that has never been equalled in ancient or modern times. What must have been the feelings of Wash ington, when, after victory had came, his country, an independent, happy and united people, he looked back over the ground scene of his successful pioneer life through which he had passed with those he loved. Public honors, military rank and political preferment, all left out of the account, there was that still left which brought supreipe happiness and contentment, a mind at piece with itself, the consummation of all human desire. Generations may come and go and the long years may never bring about the time when another shall be called upon to prove his worth and devotion, to the same degree, in a cause upon which hangs such grand results. But the way is open to every one to make his life as grand, noble and devoted in the common affairs of life. True greatness does not hang upon the size of the affairs with which we have to do, but truly rests upon the well doing of that to which we may be called. Anything worth doing ' at all demands energy, integrity and persistence. False pride and pomp are the weak points in life; they capture and hold fast and rule through their very weak ness; they rob us of true courage, make integrity wait upon vanity, constancy upon popular applause. Every stroke guided and tempered by them is shorn of the true ring of life's battle and gives but a hollow sound. May not the pioneers of Outagamie say, at least, they have tried to be faithful in their life work; may they not OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 123 point to their churches, colleges and schools, their homes and the evidences of great thrift, energy and civilization, that are found on every part and parcel within her bound aries, as proof, and truthfully claim for themselves an honest and persistent effort to leave to those who may come after them the best results it were possible for them in life to obtain. At the conclusion of the address a collection to defray expenses was taken up and amounted to $12.54. Anecdotes and experiences of pioneer life were then re lated by Rev. John Faville, Mr. Breiterick of Ellington, Wm. Briggs of Appleton, Mr. Manley of Ellington. After a song by the quartette the committee, consisting of P. S. Bennett, Joseph Rork and G. H. Myers, appointed in the forenoon to prepare resolutions upon the death of the late Col. H. L. Blood, reported the same as ready to be submitted. The resolutions were read by Rfev. Mr. Bennett as follows: The committee appointed to prepare a suitable notice of the late Henry L. Blood, so suddenly removed by death, respectfully present the following for your consideration: Whereas, We the members of Outagamie County Pioneer Asso ciation a.ssembled in Appleton on this 22d day of February, 1888, for our annual reunion, have just learned of the death of one of our most esteemed members, Col. Henry X*. Blood, he being among the earliest settlers of Appleton, and ever holding a warm place in the hearts of those who knew him, be it ¦ Resolved, That as it has pleased our Heavenly Father to remove him from our circle we reverently submit to the sad event, but shall ever cherish a pleasant memory of our honored brother. That this Association tender to the bereft and sorrowing family our earnest .sympathj' in their afiliction (such as none but those who have experienced it knows) and pray that while the right hand of the Infinite has inflicted the blow, the hand nearest the heart may sustain the sufferers. That the secretajry be and hereby is instructed to forward a copy of these resolutions to the bereaved family, and to the press of the city for publication. J. Rork, i P. S. Bennett, - Committee. Appleton, Feb. 22, 1888. G. H. Myers, \ At the conclusion of the reading the resolutions were adopted by a unanimous vote; and appropriate remarks 124 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. were made by members present who had been intimately acquainted with the deceased during lis lifetime. Matthew McComb of Hortonville then related some of his pioneer experiences, among them an amusing account of the fish wedding once solmonized in the town of Hor tonia. Mr. McComb was followed by Mr. Huntley. The last speaker was Joseph Rork, who spoke of his former re lations with the late Col. H. L. Blood. The closing music was by Mrs. McGillan and her daughter, and the benedic tion was pronounced by Elder Bennett. Pioneers' Meeting, Feb. 22, 1889. The annual meeting of the Outagamie Pioneer Associa tion met pursuant to notice at Odd Fellows' Hall, at 10 o'clock a. m. The meeting was called to order by John Dey the president; E. Spencer was present as secretary. Forty or fifty pioneers from the county were present, a very good representation, considering the severity of the weather. The first business in order was the election of officers for the ensuing year, which was accomplished as follows: President, John Dey; vice-president, Joseph Rork; treas urer, John McGillan; secretary, E. Spencer; executive committee, William F. Johnston, Henry Kethroe, C. E. Spicer, J. S. Buck and Daniel Huntley. At noon the association adjourned for dinner. Immediately after the noon adjournment a sumptuous repast, prepared by the ladies, was partaken of in true pioneer style. After the remains had been cleared away, at 1:30 o'clock order was again called and the afternoon exercises were inaugurated. Prayer was offered by Rev. J. C. Jackson and opening remarks made by the president. Vice-President Rork then spoke of the departed pioneers. After music by Prof. Silvester and choir, the annual address was delivered by Mr. H. D. Ryan, as follows: OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 125 Mr. President and Friends: These meetings are profitable and pleasant to the par ticipants, and valuable to the great procession behind us. The, deeds done by those who made the early beginnings in our county are here recalled and recorded. Then the history so made is written and will soon be inestimable. Therefore, any event, however trivial, should not be neg lected. Many of you have in your libraries some history, or books giving the events of the late war, and when the last page is finished, only a broad sweep of the larger events of that war have been read; yet when the partici pants gather at camp fires or reunions and recount again the story of the war, fresh from the lips of the gallant boys who stood in the midst of raining- shot and shell, and looked at the red carnage in the jaws of the monster war — only then does its magnitude, its events, its very life in death, enter fully into one's thought. In December, 1852, a small lad had a choice of either learning a trade or going to college. His parents, then living at Fort Howard, opposite Green Bay, preferred the latter. Bargaining with them for the choice of trade and the kind as well, the boy selected the former. Therefore, in January, 1853, a few days before Franklin's birthday, which usually is celebrated by printers on the seventeenth of that month, accompanying a load of printing material on a double sleigh, the team driven by N. A. Schmit (liv ing, I think, in Ellington), the speaker came to Appleton. 'Twas nearly 11 p. m. — the coldest night of that very cold winter — when he left the sleigh at the "Edgarton House" (now ^'Park") at the corner of Drew street, and trudged throug;-h the snow and over stumps to the National Hotel, on the corner of Lawe and the avenue. Thomas Hanna let him into his hospitable inn. There was no fire and the bed was awful cold that dreadful night. When the la'd looked out next morning and saw three houses in the vicinity ("Squire" Bateman's, J. P. Buck's and "The Store ") then a sea of stumps, to the west, and asking the little landlord where the town was located, received reply 126 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. that it was all around there, you can never realize how lonesome and forlorn that boy felt. Homesick! Oh no! Just a trifle subdued like! Only a sort of longing for something lacking, mingled with a sickly effort to feel proud and courageous. I want to say right here that any boy or "feller," who never was the least bit sentimental about " Home, Sweet Home " on his first venture out in the great world, must have inherited other than human blood or else must be less than human. When the first Crescent was printed, with Henry S. Eggleston as political editor, Sam Ryan (then Junior was attached to the rear of his name) as local editor, C. D. Foote as pressman and compositor, and Henry D. Ryan as devil, it was about 8 p. m., I believe, in Feb. 1853. The office was surrounded by a large crowd of excited people eager for the event, and a great struggle for the first copy ensued, which fell to the hands of Ansel B. Briggs or A. B. Everts. A few evenings after, the event was celebrated by a public meeting and speeches at the wooden school house, then located on the present site of the Second ward school building on Appleton street. I only recollect one incident of this meeting, and that was when a man named Fuller, who was somewhat celeberated as being rather tedious as a speaker, but who generall}- had something to offer, arose, cleared his throat with emphasis, addressed the chair, was about to address the meeting, when a strong voice in the rear part of the room broke in upon the scene with: "Haw Buck! Haw Bright!" and the hit was so pat that the audience broke forth in uncontrollable laughter, that continued until the speaker sat down. , The would-be speaker was in the practice of thus driving his oxen through the village in a loud voice. About those days the leading business men were J. W. Woodward or C. G. Adkins, A. McNaughton (J. S. Buck, manager), Phinney Bros., A. C. Darling, a druggist named Bennett, W. S. Warner, Reeder Smith, Charles Mory and "Uncle Peter" White. The lawyers were A. S. Sanborn, Smith & Ballard, Geo, H. Myers and Fred Packard, OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. • 127 Mr. Packard, who was clerk of the county board under a deputyship, was a scholarly, educated man, but quite eccentric. One morning a farmer had been waiting from an earlj' hour for Mr. Packard to open his office. As the latter finally appeared, he said to that official: "Mr. Pack ard, you know 'tis the early bird catches the worm!" The reply came instantly, with a dry chuckle: "Served the worm right! Served the worm right! He'd no business to get up so early!" Some of the other leading men here in addition to those named were the late Henry L. Blood, O. W. Clark, Theo. Conkey, Jackson Tibbets, John F. Johnston, Col. William Johnston, J. H. "Squire" Marston, Wm. Rork, T. P. Bing ham, A. B. Randall, Amos Storey, Geo. M. Robinson, A. B. Bowen, Dr. B. Douglas, James Gilmore, Robert Morrow, J. P. Hawley, Joseph Rork, R. A. Lawe, C. P. Richmond, and many others. The Avenue was largely filled with stumps, which were mostly burned or dug out during the years 1853-4. There was then a rickety bridge (impassable) over the big ravine, afterwards dirt-filled by Thomas Hanna's persistency and skill under much opposition. Every new enterprise, from the building and location of the court house to that of a sidewalk, met with discussion 'and opposition, and charges of corruption were as rife then as now, with generally no basis except a vague imagina tion. Public men are usually liberally lied about in this "land of liberty." My own opinion is, that there is less dishonesty among our public men than in any of the great nations, considering the opportunities; and I really think these charges are made largely as political ammunition for use in firing the prejudices of the dear voter just before election more than from an honest belief in their truth. The people here lived in a frugal way, were moderate in their demands. One limited meat market, usually having a scant supply of meats, sufficed for the village. The National Hotel didn't indulge in a printed bill of fare, yet the landlord always presented enough of quality and quantity. 128 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. The roads were bad enough — often impassable. In the spring of 1853 I returned by stage to Green Bay, going from Wrightstown at 9 p. m. and reaching the Bay at 9:15 the following morning. Much of the distance of fifteen miles the mud and water reached the hubs. It rained nearly all night, only interlarded with lightning and thundei-. Trees in many places had fallen across the road, necessi tating the passengers getting out and walking around while the driver (Jones) drove over the obstruction. Speak ing of a similar storm at the same locality, the late Judge A. G. Miller said in the old United States Hotel, Green Bay, one day at the dinner table: "I never was out in such a terrible storm. The rain poured down in torrents; the lightning belched forth in livid, sheets, lighting the whole sky. I got under a large oak tree, and exp'ected every minute the lightning would strike that tree." Just at this point Hon. Moses M. Strong, who was present exclaimed: "Why in thunder, didn't you take another tree, judge?" The college was in those days a power, a strong force in shaping the tone of the community through its literary exercises, and a guide and leader in public opinion. Every ' Saturday forenoon the chapel of Lawrence Institute was filled with the town folks to hear the students' oratoricals, essays, papers, etc., and the other exhibitions were simi larly appreciated. There were many notably pretty girls in the college at that time, among others Miss Helen Day, Miss Emery, Miss Thomas, Miss Sanford, Miss Hannah K. Smith, Miss / Ada M. Grant, beirig the most noted (in fact, the early girls are always lovely.) Those who were pioneers in settling and founding this western civilization are rapidly passing into the newer and better land. The ranks of veterans are yearly growing thinner. "To the past go more dead faces Every year. As the loved leave vacant places Every year; OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 129 Everywhere the sad eyes greet us. In the evening's dusk they meet us. And to come to them entreat us. Every year. "You are growing old," they tell us. Every year, "You are more alone," they tell us. Every year; Old places changing fret us. The living more forget us, There are fewer to regret us, Every year. A few years and other eyes will look into other eyes, other faces will fill those assemblies, other voices will break in upon the quiet air with laughter and song. Yet little to us will it matter if our record is rounded out in deeds that shine. The pioneers here will soon be a memory. May they never be forgotten. At the conclusion of the address a collection to defray expenses was taken up amounting to $14.40. Those who spoke subsequently were Henry Kethroe of Hortonia, Rev. John Faville, M. R. Barteau, Charles Breiterick of Elling ton, Mr. Thirteen of Ellington, Rev. A. A. Drown, Daniel Huntley, Rev. J. C. Jackson, Judge Sam Ryan, and John McGillan of Center. Historical papers were presented from James Dean of Seymour City, G. R. Downer of Sey mour Town, and Charles Wolcott, now of Georgia. A vote of thanks was tendered to the singers and to the executive committee for their services in making the day a success, and to the gentleman who put a five dollar bill in, the contribution. Notwithstanding the extremely cold weather the hall was well filled and every one was highly pleased with the exercises. 130 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. Pioneers' Meeting, Feb. 22, 1890. The Pioneers' Association met pursuant to notice in South Odd Fellows' Hall in Appleton, Feb. 22, 1890, for their annual festival. The meeting was called to order at 11 a. m. by Mr. John Dey the president; E. Spencer was present as secretary. The first business in order was the election of officers for the ensuing year : John Dey was unanimously elected president; Joseph Rork, vice-president; John McGillan, treasurer; E. Spencer, secretary. The following executive committee was chosen: W. F. Johnston, Henry Kethroe, C. E. Spicer, J. S. Buck, Daniel Huntley. The following resolution was adopted: Resolved, That the date of the settlement of the pioneers as con ditions of membership be stricken from our constitution, and all actual residents of the county be considered as members of our society. The afternoon program of the pioneer meeting was of a highly interesting nature. When, at noon, after a brief business session, the company adjourned to partake of a sumptuous dinner the ladies had prepared, over seventy-, five of the old sturdy pioneers of Outagamie county filed into the dining hall, and took seats about the heavily laden tables, which were spread with all the substantials and delicacies imaginable. An hour and a half later, when President John Dey called the meeting to order, the hall was unusually well , filled with representatives from all parts of the county, who had come to share the pleasures of the event. To look over such an audience of gray- haired old settlers, who have withstood many a storm, im pressed one deeply. The vicissitudinous lives they have lived, the dangers they have braved, the privations and hardships they have endured, together with the weight of OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 131 years of unceasing toil, have left traces upon them that cannot be effaced. As soon as all had become quiet the college quartette favored the audience with a song, after which Rev. Faville led in prayer. President John Dey made a few very appro priate remarks. At the outset he requested those who had come to the county previous to the year 1849 to rise, and only four responded. In the year 1849, there were nine; in 1850, five; in 1851, two; in 1852, six; 1853, one; in 1855, five. Besides relating the changes that have taken place and the progress that has been made in the county, Mr. Dey called attention to the painful fact that since the asso ciation last met a number of old pioneers, who were present at its last meeting, had been called home, and that the annual death rate in their ranks was exceedingly high. Rev. Gardner followed next on the program, and he was not long in getting everyone in good humor. A letter from the Rev. P. S. Bennett was read by Rev. Faville. Mr. Bennett is now visiting his native place in New York, and in the letter related his pioneer experiences as a resident in the Empire state. The president then called on Henry Ryan, who excused himself by presenting Judge Myers and H. W. Tenney. Mr. Tenney responded. He spoke in a humorous vein and kept his listeners in continual laughter. Mrs. L. B. Mills, formerly of Greenville but now of Appleton, spoke next. She related a number of her early experiences, all of which were entertaining. At this point a collection to defray expenses was taken up, and something over twelve dollars was raised. Rev. A. A. Drown then delivered the annual address, which riveted the closest attention. Mr. Drown said: This is an hour devoted to reviewing the past. You are mostly aware that since your last meeting a novel method of looking backward has been introduced by that fanciful romancer, Mr. Bellamy. It is in the modern style of "French without a teacher," or, retrospection made easy. The fiction is a piece of brilliant imagination of a people who have retired from individual competition and achieve ment, who have delegated the direction of most of their 132 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. affairs to the paternal instincts of a central government. The scheme leaves out the imperfections of our humanity and so avoids much that has humbled us in the struggles for perfection. Mr. Bellamy's hero has never known toil or struggle. He does not even patiently await on the promise "He giveth his beloved sleep." He gets hypno tized in the forenoon of life's busy day, and enjoys a century and more of mesmeric slumber. Then he awakens, with no aid of a general resurrection, awakens prematurely to a new order of affairs. Mr. West's fancy, wonderfully fertilized by his long rest, disports itself luxuriantly among the promises of a new earth, and realizes at once upon all such as he had a taste for. He modestly chronicles him self as awakening at the threshold of the next thousand years, but his illusions are freely fraught with the most of material hopes possible to the whole millennium. Now it is nice enough for us old boys, foot-sore and wearied with the ground floor of real life, to go a kiting once in a while with a child of a vivid imagination; but we know very well that our humanity is too heavy for that balloon. The young enthusiast -for social perfections has our sympathies; we should be glad to have him land his air castle, and anchor it somewhere upon our planet and bequeath all that is practicable to posterity. But we strongly suspect his imaginary republic won't materialize. For the kind of people he so easily fancies as living happily together are "not born of the will of man" alone, much less does fair progeny come forth from the paternal ism of any human government merely. It must itself be be born from above. When the spirit of the Divine Father shall have descended upon all, and be in all and through all city fathers, and state grandfathers and national g-reat. grandfathers, then Mr. Bellamy's vision may be realized. But our looking backward is over the real earth, wherein we have not prematurely rested underground in pro found sleep. Our awakenings have not been under any overshadowing gourd of a night's growth. We are review ing a period of unbroken toils, in which we have borne our parts. We have dropped in here to-day from the real OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 133 battle field of principles where the struggle for righteous ness has been constant and severe ; where nothing has been looked for in the perfections of the organisms, civil or ecclesiastical, that does not arise from and is not sus tained by the individual perfections of the majority. Mind, I do not say, that each one of the majority must be superior to our social institutions, but each one helps to mass a grandeur of character, and to voice a sublimity of thought, inherent in the majority, which is greater. Even republics cannot bequeath eminence to their citizens. In any democracy must be found a plurality of men and women whose characters are grander than the nation which they build, the commonwealths they fashion, the institutions they found. Every town and county has had settlers and pioneers intellectually great or morally grander than their municipalities. Just as Washington, whose birthday we commemorate, was nobler than the confederation, and just as he and his worthy compatriots gave the rich overflow of lives fed from the supernal fountains, to the securing of surer forms of a more perfect union, so may we continue to arise out of the increasing excellence and probity of more enlightened and purified majorities or we may gradually fall through their decadence. The revered Washington, both in his inaugurals and in his ever memorable farewell address, was a supplicant to that Almighty Being "who rules over the universe ; who presides in the counsels of nations," that His benediction might enable every instrument employed iri its administra tion to execute with success the functions allotted to his charge. Now I wish to emphasize again that this Washington, instead of being the child of the colonial paternalism vgas the father of his country. It was his virtues, his heroism, grandeur of his character that gave his country renown. What is a country, my hearers, but a landscape of its notable men and women, good or bad? What is the proud est nation, but a chart of earth, whereon are marked the birth places, the scenes of toils, of sacrifices, of heroism, of victories, and the resting places of her noble dead? 134 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. What has made our country more glorious than any other on the round earth ? Was it her mountains, her valleys, her lakes, rivers, forests, mines, skies and climates ? All were here with the red men. Was the home of the savages either lustrous or of high repute ? No! No! But there migrated hither, some noble men from the best bloods earth ever nourished, and they and their descendants have given it all its fame, all its splendors and sublimities. It was those pioneers who cleared our Atlantic shores, and made way for the majesties of civil and religious liber ties; who gave large place to broadening manhood, but none to crowns and thrones; who welcomed a democracy of brawn and brain, among which should be neither prefer ence of aristocrat, nor proscription of plebeian. It was such men as could camp in a wilderness and plant it with a civilization of free churches, free schools, free presses and free governments, that gave renown to the former land of savagery. It was the clusters of heroes that planted these institutions in the wilderness. It was the circles of their defenders, that gathered like "coronets of flame about the wise leader of freedom's battles," together with the uncon querable recruits that swept up the north for their second maintenances, that made the nation. O the dignity of men that can survey wilderness and give immortality to their pathway. That can found a government that shall change the world's choices of its social institutions. It is an immense, pleasure for me on this 22d day of February, to look into the faces of self-forming men, who have also formed new societies and states, worthy suc cessors of the revered Washington, who have imparted yeur own excellence to your rising institutioris. Venerable pioneers you have not been solicitants of governmental nutriment. You have not been reared as leeches or parasites living upon benefice or sinecure, nor at the expense of public or private virtue. You are men who were in at the fights, but not at the spoils; you have not grown fat upon jobbery or robbery of towns or states. But you are representatives of the hardy sons of labor, and OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 135 honest industry by whose toil all that is sublime in our past has been achieved, and by whose exposures to the perils of war, that which is best has been preserved. I could pray that each of you mig-ht go late into heaven to join the company of your coadjutors who have been pro moted to the other world solemnities. Our anniversaries are made less lustrous by the passing of their familiar faces behind the veil, their heads grown hoary in the way of service were crowns of glory to our assemblies. But other crowns awaited them beyond the river. We deem it not strange nor wholly sad that they should be advanced to other fields. For the sake of their better portion we can rejoice in their rewards. But let the distinguished privilege remain to us and to our anni versaries, of wearing some chaplet or wreath of laurel, that long may breathe the essence of their lives and the fragrance of their memories. For the best manhood of every age is enriched by the heroic lives of preceding centuries. And every philosopher and historian, every poet and orator should incarnate again something of the spirit of Old Mortality, whose chief pleasure was found in unearthing the buried monuments of the old Scotch heroes; clearing the mosses from head stones of the covenanters and rechiseling the inscriptions of their hardy virtues, their enduring fidelities, and in erecting fresh memorials of hitherto unheralded fame, be longing to men who had neither been bred nor fostered by paternal governments of kings, but who were really puri fied and perfected by the fires of their persecutions and the narrow intolerance which drove them apart with God. But the memorialist should not forget that we are a composite people, having a blood enriched from heroes' veins from every land and race. That the whole world is here made kin, in the amalgum of one assimilated humanity, in one affiliated brotherhood. Let true worth be com memorated in all our pioneers alike ; in the French mis sionaries of the Romish church; in the children of the Netherlands and Germany, and in the sons of Erin with equal pride. 136 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. It matters little what strain of blood has fed "hearts once pregnant with celestial fires." "Hands that the sod of empire might have swayed or waked to ecstacy the living ,lyre." Worthily might we pause to read the whole elegy over the grave of every village Hampden, or mute inglorious Milton, whose patriotic or poetic fires were consumed in burning the forests' primeval, from fields where posterity is to enjoy its earthly paradise. Let their obituaries be prepared with care and so become an inspiration to our children. But I will not leave you with the fascinating picture of Walter Scott. There is an English painting of no less present interest. The artist names his fine conception, "How they met themselves." It is described as a man and a woman, haggard and weary, wandering in a somber wood. Suddenly they encounter the shadowy figures of a youth and maid ; some mysterious fascination fixes the gaze, and stills th6 hearts of the wanderers, and their amazement deepens into awe as they gradually recognize themselves as once they were — the bloom of youth upon their rounded cheeks ; the dewy light of hope in their trusting eyes ; exulting confidence in their springing step ; themselves blithe and radiant with the beauty of the dawn. Pioneer couples, turn to this picture as your own. Let me introduce you to your former selves, and now I close, with 4 picture of, your first home, as De Tocquevill looked in upon you while visiting the American Democracy. He sees a pioneer in a new retreat, felling a few trees and building a log house. He says nothing can offer a more miserable ;aspect than these isolated dwellings. The traveler who approaches one of them toward nightfall sees the flicker of the hearth-flame through the chinks in the walls, and in the night, if the wind rises, he hears the roofs of boughs shake to and fro in the midst of the great forest trees. Who would not suppose that this poor hut is the asylum of rudeness and ignorance, yet no sort of comparison can be drawn between the pioneer and the dwelling which shelters him. Everything about him is primitive and unformed ; OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 137 but he is himself the result of the labor and the experience of eighteen centuries. He wears the dress and speaks the language of cities. He is acquainted with the past, curi ous of the future, and ready for argument upon the present; he is, in short, a highly civilized being who consents for a time to inhabit the backwoods and who penetrates into the wilds of a new world with the Bible, an ax and a file of newspapers. My knowledge of some of you verifies the description, and my reverence for the "noble rage" that is now re pressed within your genial souls bids me make room for the embellishments of this feast that ynu will give. When Mr. Drown had concluded, Henry Kethroe occu pied the floor for a few minutes. The audience was then favored with a selection from the Appleton Banjo Club, which received a tremendous encore. Judge Ryan, fol lowed with a few minutes' speech, which he made in his usual pleasant style. A letter was presented by Rev. Drown, written by Mrs. B. B. Murch, giving her experi ences of the settlement of Grand Chute, in 1840 ; a letter from Charles Wolcott, now residing in Georgia, was also presented. Among those who were called on later for a few remarks were: William Briggs, William Whorton, E. Spencer, John McGillan, Mrs. J. F. Johnston, John Bot tensek, Mrs. Alexander Ross, Mrs. T. W. Brown, R. Randall and Rev. Faville. This closed the exercises of one of the most successful pioneer meetings ever held in Appleton. 138 OUTAGJAMiE COUNTY PIONEERS. Pioneers' Meeting, Feb. 21, 1891. The annual meeting of the Outag.amie Pioneer Associa tion met pursuant to notice at Odd Fellows' Hall, at 10, o'clock a. m. The meeting was called to order by John Dey the president; E. Spencer was present as secretary. The first business in order was the election of officers for the ensuing year, which was accomplished as follows: President, John Dey; vice-president, John F. Johnston; treasurer, John McGillan; secretary, E. Spencer; execu tive committee, William F. Johnston, Joseph Rork, A. H. Burch, E. A. Abbott and A. A. Winslow. The afternoon session was called to order at 1:30 o'clock by President John Dey, who in his opening remarks, re gretted that the attendance was not as large as formerly, and returned thanks for his re-election to the office of president of the society. Prayer was then offered by Rev. John Faville, followed by accordion and harmonica music by Bertie Johnston, son of William Johnston. The opening speech was made by Henry Kethroe of Ellington, one of the oldest pioneers in the society, who came to this part of the country in 1849. He related in a vivid manner the hardships through which many of the early settlers passed and told how at the first town meet ing held in 1850, John Rynder was elected chairman, and before spring had held as well the offices of assessor, treas urer and town clerk, on account of the incumbents stepping out before their terms expired. Judge Ryan was next called upon but was excused on account of throat difficulty from which he was suffering. Mrs. Joseph Rork told an interesting story of what was probably the first torch light procession ever held in Mil waukee. She was living in 1840 in that vicinity when a OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 139 neighbor's son was approached one evening by an Indian whom he guided to the Indian encampment, two miles away. He was a likely young fellow and the tribe wanted to adopt him. He replied, however, that his father needed him, and after being entertained royally until late in the evening, all the Indians, some sixty in number, lighted torches and escorted him home. Mrs. Rork also told how, while a preaching service was being held in a barn in the neighborhood, a gust of wind came in and blew the pas tor's sermon under the barn floor. It took a boy half an hour to find it and the congregation meanwhile took a recess. Daniel Huntley said he was glad to live in time of plenty and progress, and wished he could live another fifty years. He disagreed entirely with the sentiment that the "good old times were the best," and drew a graphic picture of the comforts and enjoyments now almost the universal possession, in distinction from the hardships of the past. After more music by Bertie Johnston and a brief and happy address by President Dey, Rev. John Faville de livered the annual address upon the topic, "Wanted — More Pioneers," as follows : The subject I have chosen to-day is : "Wanted — More Pioneers." Nothing is more evident nor inevitable than the thinning of the ranks of the original members of this association, those who came to this county before 1853. This is the twentieth year of your life as an organization. In another t-wenty years hardly one of the 124 whom you may call the charter members will be here to tell the story of their struggles and triumphs. We do well to devote part of our time to-day to a memorial service for those who have left us the past year. But we cannot regret their going, for the honest, faithful pioneer must have a better inheritance awaiting him. We may rather congratulate those who have already emigrated to their new homes. But every arrival there makes a vacancy here, and if there was anything valuable about their work and life, we may well ask, who are to take the places of the old pioneers ? 140 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. The early settlers of this county bore a peculiar relation to it. A certain kind of pioneering is a thing of the past. Many of the outward conditions of the days of 1850 can never return, but what is a pioneer ? First, a worker. You cannot separate the idea of work from a pioneer any more than the quality of hardness from iron. Second, a first worker in a certain place or a worker in a new field. No matter what kind of work, if one goes out into the woods, or on the prairies, in the shop, or schoolroom, or labora tory, and works, when others have not been at work be fore him, he is a pioneer. The credit due the pioneers in a county like this, however, is in the amount or breadth of pioneer work done. They found nothing done for them except by the Almighty. They came to found new homes, to make new farms, and roads, and mills, and cities, and schools, and churches, and government. They helped do what is the lot of very few in this world, lay the corner stone of a great state. In a word, they brought civiliza tion to Outagamie county. And so marked are the changes they have made, so brilliant their success in turning forests into farms, and logs into houses and mills, and Indian camps into cities, that we sometimes sigh for more such worlds to conquer, and because we cannot have them, say pioneer work is done. But that isn't true. We are not yet through with Outa gamie county. There is still work to be done, and fifty years hence it will not all be finished. So the question for this hour is not what pioneer work has been done, that is an open volume before us, but what needs to be done, that is as yet an unwritten volume. Not how many pioneers could be mustered in 1853, but how many have we in 1891 ? We cannot go back to 1850. We must go forward as a county to 1950. I said the old pioneer by his coming to our county brought a new, a higher civilization to it. That was his mission. So is it the mission of the pioneer of to-day. That would have been a poor kind of pioneering forty years ago that had only kept the conditions of life and society and government it found here. So they are not pioneers OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 141 to-day who do not have the spirit that says we are here to bring a higher civilization to our county. But what does that word mean, and what did. the old pioneer do and know that made him succeed in bringing it ? Civilization means the developing and using the powers of matter and mind. We shall have a perfect civilization when we get a complete mastery over and use of physical forces about us, and the spiritual forces in us. That's the pioneer's task, then, in any age — to do new work in mas tering the world, to make new conditions for advancing man. 1. Wanted, then, in our county to-day, pioneers on the soil. The old pioneers would have made poor work of it had all insisted on becoming clerks or teachers or preachers. An ax and saw and plow are as necessary in the civilization of this world as a yard stick and spelling book and testament. He is a pioneer who clears ten acres of woodland, but not less. He who first experiments as to the kind of crop it is best fitted to, the stock to be raised, the fruits to cultivate, the barns to be built, the feed to be prepared, the machinery to be used, the homes to be made healthful and beautiful. There are a hundred chances on every farm in our county to-day for the pioneer, the man or woman who can improve on the farm life of the past. 2. Wanted, pioneers in the industrial world. What a wilderness we are in on what we call the labor question. We haven't any roads made yet we can fully rely on. We have blazed our way along like the early settler on the Indian trail. You read this week that there are seventy tramps in our jail. Outagamie county is housing and feeding them at an expense of a dollar a day. The farmer and his wife who work twelve to fourteen hours a day, the hard work ing mechanics and merchant and manufacturer, is paying the bill. We quarter from two hundred to three hundred tramps in Outagamie county each year, and it seems that all the combined wisdom and efforts of our officials cannot devise a way to make them work. Here's a chance for pioneer work for some of us. To get rid of the wild- 142 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. cats and wolves and bears, was the mission of the old pioneer, but a far more difficult work is before us. Some thing is tremendously wrong in ous industrial system in this county, if we must care for hundreds of able bodied men as we would for invalids or babes. 3. Wanted, pioneers in our school matters. The In dians in Outagamie county had as good a body as the white man, but not as good a brain, or rather, a brain he didn't use as well. You old settlers brought muscle to this county, but you brought something more important, i. e., the mental training you got in the district schools and , acadamies and colleges of the east. It is because you planned and studied, because you could think that you brought a better civilization. You founded schools here, but there's plenty of pioneer work needed in them yet. If what is reported in one of our papers last week in reference to a school in the town of Osborne is true, then pioneer educational work is needed there as surely as thirty years ago. The school question has been an embarrassing one to some, politically, the past year, but that will all blow over. I judge it has already, and then the men and the women in this county will h:ive to take it up and do pioneer work. Some work that will impress on us the fact that civilization in Outagamie county will go back, that we shall approach barbarism again if we do not see to it that every child in our county is well educated. Statistics prove that a common school education adds 50 per cent to the productive power of the laborer, considered as a man machine, an academic or high school education increases it 100 per cent, and a college education 250 per cent. Pauper ism is increased twenty-two fold by illiteracy. See how well it pays. We have four to five million illiterates. Sup pose they can earn $100 a year, now increase that 50 per cent by a comirion school education and you have $200,000,- 000 more than we pay for education. Wanted, then, more pioneers in the schools of Outagamie county. 4. Wanted, pioneers for our newspapers and our pulpits. Aside from our schools the great educational forces in our counties is the newspaper and the church. Neither are OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 143 where they cannot be improved, but as a minister I can very clearly see the mote in the eye of my brother of the news paper, while he as clearly sees the beam in his brother minister's eye. Our papers rank well with the papers of any county, but the coming paper will give more attention to industries and schools and reforms and science and arts and religion, and far less to scandals, trials, prize fights, races, crimes, and accidents. Far more to fair dis cussion and far less to unfair, partisanship. I would like to see a paper issued in which every article should have the author's name signed to it, no matter if it was an editorial or a personal. The old settler with a paper once a month was not so far behind those of us who have two papers a day, and books so cheap no one can read a hun- dreth part of those accessible to us, because he thought upon and used the intelligence he had. It has been said "civilization has given us ears and we have lost the use of our feet ; it has given us watches and we cannot tell the hour of the day ; it has given us the nautical almanac and we do not know a star in the sky ; it has given us vast libraries and we have ceased to think." And there's some truth in that. The pioneer needed in the mental field to-day is one who will read less and think more, read fewer books and better ones, and who will make the paper and the book that is sent out to our county something that will educate instead of degenerate. 5. Wanted, pioneers in the moral field. The people who settled in Outagamie county believed in the decalogue. They started a society simple and strong and moral. If we, their children, do not do pioneer work in moral prob lems it will not be their fault. Outagamie county sent 1,400 men to the war of the rebellion. But there is more chance for pioneer work in morals now than forty years ago. A community, like a child, has greater problems to solve as it grows in age and experience. So there faces us to-day questions in reference to rights and wrongs that were hardly thought of by the pioneers of 1850. I spoke of the tramp problem ; forty years ago they did not know the meaning of the word, 144 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. In 1850 there was probably not a saloon in Outagamie county. Now we have not far from a hundred. Forty years ago almost every man and woman was work ing for themselves. Now three-fourths are employed by the remaining one-fourth. Then social life was simple, now we are crystallizing or hardening into sets and circles and grades and classes. Then there were a few foreigners, now a large majority are of foreign birth or parentage. Remember, the pioneer is one who works and who works in new fields. So the woman who to-day is helping solve the servant girl question will be just as much a true pioneer as the one who, forty years ago, barred her little cabin against the Indians. The man who will shoulder a moral principle to-day and walk out into new places in government or society with it is just as much a pioneer as one who shouldered an ax forty years ago and went out to make a clearing in the woods. And all this pioneer work will do as great things for the coming fifty years as surely as the old settlers' work did the past fifty. The romantic days, the stirring, the effective days are not gone. There's more to be done for our county than has been. Greater improvements can be made the next half century than the last half. So that fifty years from to-day some of you can meet here and tell of as great changes, of as honest struggles and toil, and of great victories, as those of us here to-day who have seen the changes of the last century. Wanted, then, more pioneers for Outagamie county. Can we have them? How shall we get them? And here we shall have to learn of and follow the old pioneer, for he had the spirit and the aim that must enter all pioneer work. Our methods will not be the same but our characteristics, our qualities of life must be. You study the old pioneers and you find they possessed these elements of life: 1. A determination to better their condition. 2. An ambition to get a home of their own. 3. A pride in their work. 4. Pluck and patience and perseverance in what they undertook. OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 145 5. Good cheer and neighborliness toward others. 6. Faith in themselves and in God. You cannot make a pioneer without a large number of these qualities. If then we, who are here to-day, have inherited or will cultivate these graces we are not going to disgrace the old pioneers or squander the inheritance they have brought to us. When we shall, all of us, see that it is a duty and a possi bility for us to better our condition. Not sink down into the ruts of any business and be moored there, when we see that the great aim of every one should not be to find the best job, but to make the best of what he now has, and make that a better one. When we get ambitious to have a home of our own, when we take a pride in our work and put into it our very best self ; when we go out into life in the great spirit of neighbor and brother, not whining but hopeful, not discouraged but full of good cheer; when we see that any one to win must have some faith in himself and then must remember that he cannot get along in this world unless God is his friend and helper — then there will be no longer a call for more pioneers. I congratulate to-day the old pioneer who is with us, but more the one who has again emigrated. The qualities of life they developed, the characters they carved out, must surely have better fields, more room, choicer champion ships for growth there than here. But I also congratulate the coming pioneer. I do not care whether he be on the soil or in the shop, in the store or school. We need them all. There's a magnificent field before us. We are living, we are dwelling In a grand and awful time, In an age on ages telling. To be living is sublime. I hear the tread of pioneers, Of nations yet to be. The first low wash of waves where soon Shall roll a human sea. The rudiments of empires here Are plastic yet and warm, 10 146 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. The chaos of a mighty world Is rounding into form. Let us then be up and doing, With a. heart for any fate; Still achieving, still pursuing, Eearn to labor and to wait. In the world's broad field of battle. In the bivouac of life; Be not like dumb driven cattle. Be a hero in the strife. At the close of the address a voluntary contribution of $9.03 was taken up for the benefit of the society's treasury. Miss Mabel Wolcott recited very naturally and power fully the patriotic selection "Independence." A collection was taken up for Bertie Johnston, the blind lad who had furnished the music of the afternoon, amount ing to $6.00. President Dey at this point gave a brief historical sketch of the old pioneers who had departed this life since the last preceding meeting. A somewhat remarkable circumstance is that for the last three years, some member of the society has died either on the day of the meeting or very close to it. This year it was B. B. Murch. The other pioneers who had died during the year were : John Stephens, S. J. Perry, Miles Perry, Stephen Root and wife, William Root, William Young, William Nau, Elizabeth Rupple, John McMurdo, Sr., Mrs. M. McComb, Rev. M. Harrington, Mrs. Leach, Mrs. A. C. Beach, F. E. Adsit, Mrs. Spofford, Mrs. Mullet, F. B. Torrey, Caspar Herman, Isaac Cobb, James Lake, Rhoda Watson, Fred Wise, Mrs. M. R. Barteau, Mrs. Lempke, Mrs. Zhart. John Stephens was first president of the society in 1872. A letter of greeting from Mark A. Mosher of Milwaukee, was read by J. F. Johnston. Brief remarks were then made by Mrs. L. C. Baer and Mr. Joseph Rork, portraying the difference between pioneer life and existence at the present day. James Webly related the sad story of his boy who wandered away into a swamp in early days and although three hundred men searched, his clothes and OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 147 bones were not found until three months after, where he had died of starvation and exposure. Brief remarks were made by E. A. Abbott and J. F. Johnston. Mr. Johnston built the first shanty in Apple- ton and was first postmaster of the village. Volunteer speeches were then made by C. E. Spicer, and Rev. A. A. Drown. H. D. Ryan moved that the society next year pur chase a bell to be placed on the president's table and each speaker be limited to three minutes — especially the presi dent ! He also protested against so many " fish " stories. He was something of a liar himself and proceeded to prove it much to the edification of the audience, but he didn't like to hear other people tell such whoppers. Mr. Ryan was followed by A. Greenfield and William Verity. -This concluded the speaking. Mrs. L. C. Baer and Mrs. L. B. Mills were appointed to prepare papers for the next meeting, and the president was authorized to appoint some member of the society to prepare during the year, short obituary sketches of any members who might be called to join the majority. The meeting closed with prayer by Rev. John Faville. 148 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. Pioneers' Meeting, Feb. 22, 1892. The surviving pioneers had a glorious reunion at Odd Fellows' Hall, a large representation being from the coun try towns, the city also furnishing its quota. The forenoon meeting was for the purpose of selecting officers for the ensuing year, with the following result: President, John Dey; vice-president, Henry Kethroe; secretary, E. Spencer; treasurer, John McGillan; executive committee, W. F. Johnston, John McGillan, C. A. Abbott, W. W. Briggs. Adjourned for dinner, which consisted of a sumptuous re past, furnished from ample baskets brought by the pioneers' wives and daughters, which was partaken of to the excellent music of the Center Cornet Band, which also added greatly to the afternoon entertainment, the music , being well interspersed among the speeches. The afternoon session was called to order by President John Dey, who proceeded to pronounce brief eulogies upon the late Judge Myers, W. H. Sampson and others. Mrs. D. Huntley read a well prepared biography of the late Mrs. Pomeroy. Rev. R. H. Pooley spoke upon the pioneer theme as applicable to the whole country and the world. Dr. Lummis paid a noble tribute to the life work of the late Rev. W. H. Sampson. Rev. John Faville made some very happy and timely remarks upon thoughts suggested by the day. A vocal selection was admirably rendered by Eugene McGillan, followed by a recitation by little Wells Nesbitt, which brought out great applause. Remarks were then made by Vice-President Kethroe. Venerable Charles Wolcott contributed a short poem, which elicited enthusiastic applause. Then followed the annual address by Mr. A. B. Whitman, OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 149 Mr. Whitman showed how this pioneer meeting was typical of many other reunions held this day in Wisconsin; and taking Washington's birthday for the occasion of such meetings was very appropriate, because he was also a per son who did a great deal of pioneer work in Western Virginia, Ohio and Kentucky. The history of this part of Wisconsin and Fox River Valley is rich with achievements of the old explorers. La Salle, Marquette and others, back in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. He also told how the French voyagers and trappers traversed this country coming up from the St. Lawrence River Valley, and many of these French names are now given to places in this state. He also gave a brief account of the different Indian tribes that occupied what is now Wisconsin, speaking of the Sioux, Chippewas, Menominees, Winnebagos, Outagamies and also spoke of the chiefs of some of the noted Indian tribes, Black Hawk, Gray Eagle, Dekorah and Oshkosh. He showed how Green Bay and Sheboygan were the principal ports to reach this part of Wisconsin and described the early means of traveling by battaux and ox-cart along the blazed pathway. He also showed that the principal immigration started into Wis consin in the '40's, coming from the eastern states and the western countries of Europe. He also spoke of these early settlers as a sturdy class of people; and that both men and women were the very people to build up the great common wealth like Wisconsin. He also spoke of a few of the early settlers in different parts of the county, mentioning the Grignons, Lawe, Meade, Beaulieus, Verstegen, Simpson, Conklin, McNab, Batley, McGillans, and mentioned a few of those in the central and western part of our county, Leith, Johnson, Breiterick, Smith, Rexford, Pews, Hyde, Horton, Walker, McMurdo, Steffens, Briggs, Perrys, Cul bertson, Young, Williams and many others in different parts of the county. He also described the early settlers of Appleton and town of Grand Chute. He spoke of the great work done by pioneers in building roads, clearing up farms, starting cities, building mills. 150 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. together with the hardships of early life in Wisconsin, and he pictured how the men and women of those days lived a happy, simple life and gave their hospitality and sympa thy to strangers and neighbors coming into this wilder ness. "Within less than fifty years it is remarkable how this county and vicinity has been transformed into a settled state, filled with cities, some strung along the Fox river like a string of pearls; with the railroads, steamboat lines, great mills and factories and all the other advantages and inventions of the ninteenth century." He mentioned a few of the incidents of pioneering, showing some of the humorous events as well as the sad and serious that happened years ago, and how they spoke of a person as a neighbor although often living five to eight miles away. In closing he spoke of the character of the pioneers. The pioneer must be a man of strong faith filled with bravery and capable of hard labor; his wife must be a strong- minded and noble woman, ready to undergo what they had to for the sake of bettering the condition of their family. How the memory goes back to those days when she, the pioneer wife and mother, fulfilled her duties in the family, yet a friend to welcome the stranger. How she worked and planned for the comfort, with her limited means, yet how much of life she gave to us in those days when with out notice and preparation she welcomed all with hospi tality. The pioneers were neighbors in the truest sense of the word. They expressed sympathy to all in the need of assistance, or gave aid to all ; and an acquaintance made in those days will be a lasting friendship forever. The aid and comfort that they gave was meager, but it came with a true, warm spirit and was sincere and heartfelt. We often turn back to those days as the best and happi est, and so they will always be remembered, not because they were freed from suffering and care and work ; but because in sharing each others hardships and living in that common sympathy, we fully became acquainted with each other, met as neighbors on a same common level. And OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 151 it is that simplicity which binds us to these early days. The history of Outagamie county has not yet been written, but some one who is a ready writer should begin now to gather material to write such a history, so as to preserve the early life and reminiscences of the pioneers before they have passed away ; then this history will be read by the future generations who must always be thankful for what those early settlers have done for them. Such a history must show the plain, simple pioneer with his family slowly entering into this wilderness, who often had to hew the road for his team to advance, and who in the beginning had many years of hard struggle to get a bare existence ; those men planted the seed of civilization, out of which has come the present condition of our state, cities, rich farm ing country, great mills with lines of commerce and travel, schools, churches and colleges ; all built upon the basis that they commenced. The history and record of the settlement and develop ment of Wisconsin in all its different counties will be filled with the scenes and pictures which show how the wilder ness was converted into a commonwealth. It will require the best historical talent to fully set forth the work and character of these men and women who came here from 1830 to 1860, and settled among and in the forests of this state, preparing homes for their children and future generations. In closing I will add that this small remnant of pioneers have assembled here to-day and the others that are scat tered over the county should meet to recount these scenes and events of which so much can be said, so that their children and the people living here to-day can always give them due respect and veneration. And when all you pioneers shall have passed away, it will be right for your children and their children's children to meet and com memorate it as the Forefathers' Day for the State of Wis consin. Remarks were also made by H. D. Ryan, W. W. Briggs, Mrs. Joseph Rork and others. The music by the descendents of Center pioneers de- 152 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEjERS'. served especial mention for its excellence, and thus closed another session of the pioneers. Pioneers' Meeting, Feb. 22, 1893. The Pioneer Association of Outagamie County held its annual meeting in the Odd Fellows' building. The at tendance was unusually large. The meeting was called to order in the morning by President John Dey. New officers were elected as follows: President, John Dey; vice-presi dent, Henry Kethroe; secretary, E. Spencer; treasurer, John McGillan; executive committee, W. F. Johnston, C. F. Abbott, A. A. Winslow, Ira Scott, Joseph Rork. Then the meeting adjourned for dinner. Four long tables were stretched the length of the hall and at least one hundred and seventy-five sat down to a bounteous repast furnished by the ladies of the society. This was the most largely attended anniversary meeting the society has held in many years. The afternoon session was opened at 1:30 with prayer by Rev. John Faville. The audience sang a national air to Miss Anderson's organ accompaniment. Daniel Huntley read a paper on the late George Lanphear. A collection was then taken up to cover the expenses of the meeting and amounted to $13.18. The report of the finance committee was read. President Dey made his ninth annual address, in which he spoke fit tingly of the members who had passed away during the pre ceding year. Following is a list of those who have died, 29 in all : Jackson Tibbets, George Lanphear, Fred Hecker, Wm. Masefield, Michael Wood, Duncan McNabb, Frederick Baker, Louis Buchman, Tim Farrell, Patrick Grogan, Mrs. Peter McGregor, C. Mitchell, Mrs. Boy, Mrs. Celia P. Doane, Albert Balliet, Theo. Kober, A. H. Burch, Mrs. A. Wood, Jos. Gmeiner. Jos. Jack. Jacob Ruoole. CJUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 153 Fred Raprag-er, Louis Sager, Mrs. A. Zaner, Mrs. Feld- schmidt, Wm. Wendt, Jos. Buchholz, Wm. Johnson, F. C. Van de Bogart. Rev. Mr. Pooley followed in an eloquent address on "The Birth and History of Liberty." Following is in short what Rev. R. H. Pooley said: Venerable and Honored Pioneers : This memorial day brings its sweet thrill of joy to you locally, and also to our national millions widely scattered, because it bears in its bright sunshine the music of patriotism. Washington's and Lincoln's birthdays, with seventy- seven years between their cradles, occur the 22d and 12th of each February. The greater of these men, orators and history have failed to decide, but together they represent the truest type of the purest Americanism that has been or is likely to be known. Great men are inspiring. They are the solitary landmarks. History crystalizes about these as rock candy crystalizes about some firm substance. They are vastly more than steel engravings ! History traces the great social movements of our world, whether malevolent or benevolent to these few individuals. Per haps history raises great men unduly above the com monality of humanity. But far be it from me to lower Washington an inch on the magnificent pedestal where a grateful country has placed him — Washington, great in the field, greater in the cabinet, noble in the home, grand among his fellows, illustrious before his God, masterly ., wherever duty called him, or fiery trials and ambition tested him, till proved in every joint of a patriot's harness, he stands forth invulnerable, the most triumphant speci men of a nation's pride. But a great man is largely made by the occasion, brought into being by other men and forces, and so he becomes great through the unsung emi nence of others. And for the same reason that Mount Blanc is the highest mountain in Europe, because standing upon other repeated elevations rising from the sea, so our nation, the last and greatest is chiefest among her fifty 154 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. other sisters, because she had profited by their civilization out of which she has developed. Our splendid liberties did not hatch from the Mayflower or from Washington's cabinet, but rather from Mt. Sinai and Mt. Olivet two and three milleniums ago. Nationally we owe a debt to the past we can never pay; and so our patriotism must justly extend to the liberty loving nations of all lands. We spring from the loins of gigantic fathers, who lifted us upon their shoulders that we may be taller than they. Our sympathies and patriotism may be too narrow but can't be too broad. We are the only civilization of history founded by a civilized people, American institutions began with the flower of the seventeenth century culture, and the glory of the Anglo-Saxon stock, the Miltons, Cromwells and Shakespeares, and were bible-loving. Sabbath-keeping and God-fearing men. Now society may call you pioneers common people, but God calls no faithful man or woman common. And when this nation wanted its Washingtons, Lincolns, Garfields and Grants it has always looked among your kind to get them. But you pioneers have reasons to feel proud that you stand in the last century of the pioneer business; and this fact is rendered so because of written history, which forbids great discoveries and inventions to be lost, and thus repeat themselves. Written history will cause the world henceforth to hold the good it attains. Wisconsin will never have any other first settlers but you. We owe much to written history, which has preserved the greatness of the past for our profit, and will retain for the future the best we can achieve. We have not achieved it all. Be it remembered that in a vital sense we are slaves yet, if not externally, internally. There is no true liberty save internal liberty. No nation is ever free until its indi vidual members are free, and no man is ever free until he is free in his conscience and affections, leaving unselfish and self sacrificing. Outward freedom on statutes may mean inward bondage, but such is not true self-government — which is a better term than the much abused word, liberty. No man or nation is truly free until there is a mastering- OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 155 desire to restrain the lower nature, and love the higher laws of existence. The animal must go down, the man come up ! But the love and practice of these higher laws is the result of patient and gradual culture. Washington placed us in the school of democracy and self-government and we have not yet graduated. Self- government is yet partial, for selfishness, cruelty, injustice and hate still live. Popular government does not emanci pate, and oiir boasted institutions are no safer and stronger than the nature of the people is pure and truth loving., And authority must not cause Americans to think by proxy — this means slavery! Neither must authority be arrogant, but conducive to loving and intelligent obedience. Superiors must not think for inferiors in a democracy, hence, education among the masses must be studiously encouraged. Voters must be enabled to think for them selves and think rightly. Every voter is a king. The prime duty of a democracy is the spread of general intelli gence among its people indiscriminately. Six hundred thousand voters in this land that cannot read and as many more that cannot write is a dangerous record to let stand. We are writing and talking much about the dangers of our social life, and the remedy is not negative but posi; tive. That positive remedy is the spread of education among all classes. The thing of supreme importance to the liberties of this land is the common school. The point of supreme concern with us is not the upper but the lower stratum of society. Educate the lower stratum. General intelligence in a democracy is master. The district com mon school should be the very best school in this republic; and manned by the teachers of finest brains and truest hearts. The education of every child to self-denial and obedience is the only way to a better manhood, and a solu tion to our knotty questions. As a nation we have at tained our first stage of progress which is material wealth. But the desire of wealth without work will work our ruin, as we have seen in ancient civilization. We must encourage the working classes, and not tread on them. They are the backbone of any democracy. These 156 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. are discouraged by monopolies and organized wealth when they consider their unproportional progress. Yet this stir of life at the bottom of the social fabric indicates strength and high ideals in the government. The high bottom pressure can be managed by plying wisely the principles of love, fraternity and equality of opportunity to all classes alike. The common school is the fundamental organ of our safety, along with which moral principles must move as a deep guiding force, rendering the idea of Self-govern ment more practical as we go on thus to attain a larger manhood, we shall inevitably have better laws, better order, better homes and better citizens, all pledging per petuity. Then all sang the "Star Spangled Banner." President Dey told a funny story of how he bought his first hog. Short volunteer speeches were given by Sam Ryan, Henry Kethroe, Jos. Rork, Henry Dickerson, Wm. Briggs and Dr. Riley of Ohio. After singing "America" the meeting adjourned. OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 157 Pioneers' Meeting, Feb. 22, 1894. In pursuance of notice the twenty-second anniversary of the Outagamie Pioneers was observed at Odd Fellows Hall. A very large number assembled to greet the members of of the association whose ranks are thinning so fast. There has never been, perhaps, more interest manifested in this organization than on this, its twenty-second birthday and never a larger and more characteristic attendance. About 125 sat down to the heavily laden table. Many white heads were present and many friends greeted one another in groups that will never celebrate another anniversary entire. John Dey, the venerable president who has held the office since 1875 with the exception of three years, occupied the chair, and had gathered to the occasion all his sons and daughters. Elihu Spencer, secretary of the association for almost as long, still held his pencil as badge of office. During the past year fifty-two have passed to the other world. The officers were all re-elected as follows: President, John Dey; vice-president, Henry Kethroe; treasurer, John McGillan; secretary, E. Spencer; executive committee, William F. Johnston, H, Hardacker, E. A. Abbott, A. A. Winslow and Ira Scott. After dinner an orchestra of John McGillan's children entertained the guests with several instrumental selections. Rev. H. P. Haylett opened the formal exercises with prayer. A vocal trio "We're Growing Old Together," followed. President Dey gave a short introductory speech and called upon Chas. Wolcott who carries the weight of eighty winters on his shoulders. He read a poem eminently suit able to the occasion. Mr. Dey then called the vice-presi- 158 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. dent, Henry Kethroe, who gave a very humorous account of "an operation" performed by Dr. Mosier along in the 40's. Judge Boyd then followed with a speech. This is not to be a formal oration, but merely a familiar talk to old friends and neighbors, an introduction to the speakers to follow. It is pleasant to meet once a year in the sort of a winter picnic to keep up our acquaintances. In the early times to which we look back, one of the chief supports of the city was Lawrence Institute, indebted for its life to Rev. Sampson, and for financial success to Reeder Smith. It drew people here to educate their children. As late as 1862 it was financially a boon to the city and socially it furnished the best society. It may still be proud of her sons, many of whom have gone out to honor and fame. Why do I say so much about Lawrence ? Because she is my Alma Mater, and I love her ; and because the people must not be allowed to forget her. The water power was utilized slowly and supported. hundreds of families and laid the foundation for a slow and steady growth of county and city. Other neighboring cities have fallen behind, but ours has advanced with every census. As soon as the water power developed, the rail roads and telegraph came, and the success of the town as a center was assured; the telephone and electric light fol lowed. A philosopher says, "tell me the books a nation reads and I'll tell you the character of her people." Tell me the character of the first settler of a country and I'll foretell the future of that country. Without any conceit, we can predict for our city and county a steady advance in pros perity. The city will continue to be a center of wealth and cul ture; and when the old citizens pass away, the wheels of the Fox will grind on whether the administration be Re publican or Democratic. Judge Boyd then read a letter from W. S. Warner, who came to Wisconsin in 1844, and bought the first city lot in 1849. He built the first hotel and lived in a house that two men built in a day and a half, but which needed ura- OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 159 brellas to supplement the shingles. Of the heads of families then here, only Trerice, Buck, Randall and him self survive. The first white child born here was Frances Blake. After remarks by President Dey a collection of $13.64 was taken up. Remarks were made by Judge Ryan, Jos. Moyer, H. D. Ryan, C. A. Abbott, Wm. Briggs, Judge Goodland. There were present fourteen who lived here prior to 1850 and seventy-five prior to 1860. The following is a list of members who died during the past year : Margaret McCoy Anton Smith Hugh McGann E. Geenen Mrs. E. Geenen P. Murphy J. F. Johnston G. I. Brewster Mrs. John Goodland Mrs. F. Bielenberg.. Miss Hattie Gridley Mrs. Chas. Mory. . . Nick Wirtz E. C. Goff A. H. Conkey Alex. McCoy L. D. Dallas Mrs. E. C. Foote John Schultz Joseph Rork Michael Palmbach. . Mrs. M. Knapstein . C. Bacon Mrs. Boardman Louis Perrot LawreJice Barclay. , Mrs. John Palm Henry Nieland Mrs. lyucinda Hunt. Asa Preston Mrs. Asa Preston. . . , Mrs. Freeman Nye... C. H. Ware Mrs. John Steffen . . , Mr. Klein Andrew McNutt Albert Douglas RESIDENCE. AGE 70 88 ,< 66 ,1 85 '1 83 ,< 74 Appleton .. , , . . 66 77 >i 67 1' 61 li 71 a =^4 ii 73 . 63 >. 81 .. 81 ,< 49 Hortonville 81 80 .1 78 (( 66 " 80 11 70 11 74 (1 70 n 23 160 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. NJtME. BESIDSNCE. AGE Mrs. Samuel Rhoades Dale 68 A. B. Zehner 4.'^ Mrs. Nellie Van Alstine K 4.=; John Earle 65 ,1 65 Mrs. Self. .1 80 Eli Danks . ii 70 Mrs. C. Behm 11 70 Grand Chute 75 Erastus Saxton 67 Mrs. Wm. Meidam 11 11 66 Mrs. Barry Center. Center 7'>. E. Nash Ellington ... ... 86 Peter Tracy 80 67 Pioneers' Meeting, Feb. 22, 1895. The Pioneer Association of Outagamie County met pur suant to notice, in south Odd Fellows' Hall in Appleton, Feb. 22, 1895, at 10 o'clock a. m., for their annual festival. The meeting was called to order by John Dey, the presi dent. E. Spencer was present as secretary. The first business in order was the election of officers for the ensu ing year, which resulted as follows: President, John Dey; vice-president, Henry Kethroe; secretary, E. Spencer; treasurer, John McGillan; executive committee, W. F. Johnston, Ira Scott, C. A. Abbott, A. A. Winslow, George R. Downer. At 12 o'clock adjourned for dinner. About one hundred pioneers sat down to a sumptuous dinner pre pared by the ladies in true pioneer style. At 1:30 p. m. the meeting was called to order for busi ness. Prayer was offered by the Rev. P. S. Bennett. The program was as follows: Music on the piano by Miss Spicer; opening remarks by John Dey; memorial of the pioneers who have died since our last meeting, by John Dey; remarks by Rev. P. S. Bennett; song by J. H. Bowles, A collection was taken up amounting to $13.88. OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 161 Then followed a paper prepared and read by H. M. Cul bertson, of Medina, as follows: The word presenting itself most conspicuously at this moment is "pioneer." A word conveying the idea of going before, or opening the way of. The term it very appli cable to the first settlers in a timbered country as Outa gamie county was, yet many a locality bears the record of its pioneers experiencing greater hardships. The history of this locality begins, really, with the treaty drawn at Cedar Point, on the lower Fox river, Sep tember 3, 1836, between the Menomonie Indian tribe and the United States government through its commissioner, Henry Dodge, governor of Wisconsin territory, signed by twenty -four chiefs of the Menomonie nation and eventually by Andrew Jackson, president of the United States, whereby the latter became owner of the land lying between the lower Fox and Wolf rivers, together with other territory, estimated at 4,184,320 acres. In 1843 that part of Outagamie county lying east of the Wolf river was surveyed into congressional townships, and the first land sales were recorded in 1845. The first attempt of settlement was that of Dominique Ducharme on the bank of the Grand Kakalin, (Kaukauna Rapids) upon land which he bargained for from the Indians. This was before the year 1800 and was not permanent. In 1813 Augustine Grignon settled there permanently, he also having procured land from the In dians. The next settlements, as I have been able to learn, were that of E. B. Abbott, on section 11 of Freedom in 1843, and St. Mary on section 12 of Grand Chute and the Beebe family joining the Oneida Reservation on the west, all about the same time. The first indication of change in nature's field in the western part of the county, was October 7, 1845, when Francis Gilbert bought the land now occupied by Stephens ville. Nine days later Limus Thompson, bought a half interest and early settlers say that the first map they saw 162 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. of the country had this location marked, Thompson'' s Mill. When the mill was built remains with me a question; it was there, however, in 1847, and owned by William H. Bruce. The Knapp brothers made shaved shingles in a shanty on the site of the present village of Hortonville during the winter of 1847-8, and March 25 Alonzo E. Horton pur chased the land, the first sale made in the township, and began the first works for a saw mill which was completed and cut the first log Aug. 2, 1849. December 28, 1847, Arthur C. Minto, John Stanfield and Thomas Swan, in the employ of George Bell of Ball Prairie, built a shanty and made rails in Uncle Sam's Rat river cedar swamp in the town of Dale; but the first land sale was recorded to Capt. William Young, April 12, 1848. The first school house was built of logs in the spring of 1850, by Harvey Greenfield and Peter Garret, a quarter mile south of Medina. They also manufactured and put in the furniture, consisting of benches made by putting legs into basswood puncheons, such as they used, when boys, and had procured their education on. The first term of school was taught during that summer by Mrs. Greenfield. The first land sale in Greenville was eighty acres border ing on the county line to Francis Perry, April 7, 1847; but not being able to meet any settler who ever saw Mr. Perry it is doubtful if he was a settler. The first school was taught by Mrs. John Segar is the fall of 1850 in a part of present dwelling house on the farm of the late Louis Perrot. The statement of these plain historical facts, however, does not picture in the average mind of to-day the reality of pioneer life, even though time would permit and we were to enter into detail; but, for a moment, let us forget our surroundings, and the conditions of our country, and imag ine ourselves on some high pinnacle looking down upon a great stretch of unbroken timbered country crossed by many a stream and tributary, with deer, bear, wolves and other wild animals plentiful, and not a single highway or thoroughfare, except an occasional winding Indian trail OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 163 leading to some favored spot, trading post, or other con vening place, reckoned only by the approach to the "next moon," or "next snow." Yes, there was a thoroughfare; it was yonder same_ beautiful stream playing to-day between two picturesque banks upon one of which this beautiful city now stands. A thoroughfare opened long ages and ages ago, when the forefathers of some ancient class of humanity afar in advance of the earliest possible means of reckoning, in the days of antiquity, lived here and traversed it in their simple way. We may look down upon yonder aged stream and imaginarily see Jean Nicolet, the first white man to pass between its banks, two hundred and sixty years ago, or even the four hundred j^ears which America has been known to the civilized world is naught compared with that which elapsed before that date, so remote a time that when considered the articles of speech cease action, but the mind is carried into some fanciful realm or great oblivion. So I say, let us look down upon a vast stretch of unbroken timbered country, ne'er touched by the hand of civiliza tion's progress, and see the Indians, the remnant, or improvement of some unknown race of humanity, the owners of their soil, convened at Cedar Point, (where prog" ress is to-day building the future city of Kimberly) con vened to sign away forever the home of a long ancestry. Ah ! look at yonder tree fall, the hand of progress has touched, an opening is made in yonder forest, a little cabin arising by an industrious hand, and by the camp fire stands awaiting the partner in life, afar from any fellow men. Where are their provisions and implements of toil ? Here are three men: Reeder Smith, W. H. Sampson and H. L. Blood in 1847 locating the Lawrence Institute among the trees of the very block upon which this building now stands; and a year later surveying and platting the village of Appleton, and a few days later, John F. Johnston alone clearing away the brush on the corner of Johnston and Durkee streets erecting a rude frame to receive boards for a future home. 164 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. Mr. Johnston went to the Duck Creek saw mill with his team and procured a few boards, and while applying them to one end of the frame to serve a partial shelter, an approach ing familiar voice startled him of which Mrs. Johnston says, "He asked me what I was going to do there, and I told him, live with him." J. S. Buck, D. W. Pierce and James Blood were their guests the first night. Towards the last of March of this same year, 1848, Zebediah Hyde, his son Louis, and Alva McCrary with ox team, wagon, and few supplies, opened a track sufficient to permit a wag-on to wind its way among the trees and made a land looking tour. The selections were on the site of the present village of Medina and there they built the first settlers cabin in the town of Dale. About two weeks later John Culbertson, his son Matthew, and Alexander McKinzie came looking for land, making their selections in Greenville, and April 18, four days after buying, Matthew began cutting logs for his home, the first established in Greenville. Here and there settlers were now pouring in, and the 11,695 acres taken in Greenville during this year of 1848, the most of which was for actual settlement, illustrates tTie true character. But we are asked, in consideration of the time required to remove this great growth of timber, and it being those with limited capital who made this effort to procure homes for their families, and the country being equally new for many miles around and the settlers on a common level, where did they get their provisions ? What source had they for income ? What means was there of supplying their needs? Ask him who went before, who opened, the way of. Ask him who endured the hardships and experienced the priva tions. He whose home was the little cabin 12x14 with a roof of puncheons, with a fire place, and a chimney built of sticks and mud, "out in the cold," a small window, per haps none for a time, a rude door hung on creaking wooden hinges, all of which he made himself, and lastly but not least, the puncheons laid upon pins in the logs for shelves OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 165 and the two hooks on the wall near the fireplace. There's a relationship between those hooks and the pioneer's scanty shelves. Did you ever know where the pioneer kept his game overtaker ? Where is the young man of to-day ? What is his position and determination ? You know best. Picture the two on yonder wall; and the young lady of refinement and well-to-do parentage; and she of the woods, fifty years ago. Who could offer a single suggestion ? Who could wish to be thrust into the position of the hard working laborer coming home at night broken down with fatigue, the evening repast a scanty one, and to-morrow he must shoulder the sack of corn, has he raised any yet ? He has no money, there are no roads, has he a team ? Yonder he goes through the woods with half his first crop on his shoulder, a bushel of corn, and the mill twelve miles away. A storm overtakes him. He is delayed two days. He has sold his corn and bought an equal weight of corn meal and a piece of calico and returns happy. Wel come indeed is he, the good wife has served the provisions sparingly, a piece of venison remains, but she ground parched corn in the coffee mill to satisfy the hunger of her children. It was this pioneer who planted the first golden foot prints of prosperity in the bottom of each furrow combining two extreme and wonderful epochs in the history of our country; one the distant unknown past, the other the event ful future. For this historic character, the pioneer, who wrought the change from the dormant period to that of industry and progress, once forever, I fondle a token to his continued memory. The eventful past fifty years can be considered but naught in comparison with the possible future. Year after year, generation after generation will come and go; cen tury after century will pass away; and reflecting upon our country's future possibilities, for him in yon far distant future who may wish to reflect, as we to-day, in commem oration of the historic past, I would letter in marble bold 16'6 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. that when he passes down the aisle in yonder Riverside he would f)ause and read, "John F. Johnston, the, first settler of Appleton." We can never again see the pioneer's rude cabins arising and dotting our land Uke the increase of the stars of even ing, we can only cultivate tokens of regard and sympathy. Sympathy is not the expression when we think of little four-year-old Clark Webley in 1853 lost and perishing in the woods, for he who planted the settlement, cleared the forest, subdued the land and harnessed the outgrowth, carries many a silvery lock marking the advance pages of his biography, and In years to come, when all are gone, And closed the door from earthly song, 'Twill be to all a story sweet To learn their lives, howe'er replete. And muse upon their every care. But the pioneer will not be there. Paper, by Mrs. A. Bottensek, of Dale; music on the guitars, by Misses Eva Shepherd and Jesse 'Maine. Paper, by Mrs. George Downer, as follows : The paper that I have prepared is a short biography of two of the pioneers of Outagamie county, Wisconsin, Mr. and Mrs. P. M. Brooks, and also a sketch of their pioneer life in Seymour. My father. Porter Matthew Brooks, was born in Riger, Monroe county, N. Y., June 18, 1821. In September, 1831, he removed with his parents to Medina, Ohio, and to Waterloo, Wis., January, 1842. He was married at Lake Mills, Wis., June 3, 1845, to Miss Lydia Streeter, of Water loo, Wis., and on June 3, 1895, they will celebrate their golden wedding at Seymour. To them were born nine children, three of whom are now living, C. S. Brooks of Beaver, South Dakota, Ettie M. Wheeler of Glenwood, Wis., and Ida M. Downer of Appleton, Wis. His father, Porter Brooks, was born in Haddam, Middlesex county, Conn., in 1786, died at Seymour, Wis., April, 1867. His mother, Annie Matthews, was born in Peachen, Vt., in 1796, died June, 1821, at Riger, N. Y. OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 167 My mother, Mrs. Lydia Streeter Brooks, was' born in Rossie, St. Lawrence county, N. Y., May 29, 1825, and with her parents removed to Jefferson county, Wisconsin, in 1841. Her father, Reuben Streeter, was born in New York state, April, 1797, died June 7, 1853, at Waterloo, Wis. Her mother, Lucretia Hulburt, was bom at NorthfieM, Mass., March 7, 1797, died March 9, 1867, at Waterloo, Wis. In the winter of 1 864 my parents left their former home in Waterloo, Wis., to make for their little family a home in what was then a dense forest in Outagamie county. They left their old home, their relatives, and life-lorig friends to make a new home and form ties and associations among strangers. We all stayed four weeks at Aunt Sally Munger's, whose name is familiar to all the old pioneers, and whose old log house still stands in the city of Seymour. Our new home which was three miles north, was then ready for us, and on the twenty-second of February, thirty-one years ago to-day, we moved into our new house. It was a little log house about 12x16 feet, no windows whatever, the' door was a horse blanket and the barn was attached to the house on the north side, which was for economical purposes, I suppose, as common lumber was twenty-four dollars a thousand. How well I remember our first supper in our new home. We had no table that night and so mother spread a table cloth on a tool chest and our little family of five gathered around it for our evening meal, which consisted of bread and butter and jelly and tea, the butter and jelly was brought from Waterloo, but after that "only as we had company which was not very often." We drank hemlock tea and crust coffee; neither was very expensive, but it is a luxury we do not have now. Some of the neighbors pre ferred sage tea, some had none at all. In the following spring we had a window consisting of one pane of glass, 8x10, put in the gable end of the house. The same spring father made thirty-seven pounds of maple sugar which lasted our family to the following spring. That year while my father and brother were making a clearing around the house, one large tree fell on the roof 168 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. and broke through the shingles and rafters, but that was a common occurrence in pioneer days. Our nearest neighbor, Wm. M. Ausbourne, lived one-half mile south; he was the first settler in our town, we had no other neighbors, until we came to what is now the city of Seymour, two families were living there, one house is still left, "the old log house on the hill." We were without the luxuries of life, although we had sufficient for our necessities; there was plenty of wild ga.m.2 such as deer, rabbits, squirrels, partridges and pigeons, and occasionally a bear; the meat was thought to be almost as good as beef. The first year we had no potatoes or meat, only wild game. The next year we had potatoes, and that winter we had beef; the way it hap pened was, that while the cattle were brousing in the chopping where a clearing was being made, a tree fell on one of them and it had to be killed; it was not tender, juicy steak by any means, but we found no fault; pork was $24 a barrel and not many of the settlers could afford such a luxury as salt pork; our nearest neighbor, Mr. Ausbourne, had pork, true it was fattened on acorns, and five pounds would fry into one, but pork was pork in those days. We also believed in durability of dresses, not in style ; my sister and I wore brown denems dresses every day and when we had a calico dress which then cost forty-five or fifty cents a yard, there were no superfluous goods left for ruffles, drapery or big sleeves. Every year new settlers were moving up in the woods, and to every one was extended a warm welcome and the first call always included a day's visit. Our latch string was always on the outside to the wayfarer and to our neighbors, all were welcome to our table and bed, even if that bed was sometimes on the floor, the doors were never locked and thefts were unknown; we had no screen doors or windows, but we had mosquitoes in abundance. Our nearest postoffice was Appleton; we would get our mail once in four or six weeks. Whenever a neighbor went to town he would get the mail and do the errands for all the neighborhood. Oxen were used at that time by the OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 169 early settlers, and it took three days to make the trip to Appleton and return. Our first schoolhouse was built of logs, four benches and desks on each side; it also served for a church and Sunday school purposes. Our first school teacher was Maggie Conklin; our first pastor was Mr. Bullock, a Methodist minister; the parson age was in the town of Osborne, and every other Sunday, rain or shine, Mr, Bullock would walk four miles "and re turn" to preach to a congregation of not more than twenty persons and many times less than ten. His salary was about what was given him at a donation which was always held every winter at the residence of some of the church members. Our first Fourth of July celebration was held in that little school house, and I can truly say I have never enjoyed one since as I enjoyed that one; there were no fruits, salads, jellies, or pressed chicken, for refreshments, but we had good wholesome food in abundance, some of the cakes were frosted with maple sugar frosting and some were not frosted at all, I have heard the old settlers say what good times we used to have when we first moved up in the woods; we were all neighbors then, no bickering or backbiting, all tried to help and befriend each other. Every year the old pioneers are leaving us, one by one they are crossing that silent river, they have all passed the meridian of life and are descending toward life's setting sun, just a few short years and these places will know them no more; let us honor them while we have the opportunity for they were the ones who endured the hardships, toil and privations that we might have plenty. The following poem was written by W. G. Bedell of Appleton, which may be interesting to some of the pioneers, more so, perhaps, to those from the northeastern part of the county: THE OLD LOG HOUSE ON THE HILL. Where Black Creek lazily winds along Through its lovely vale o'er shifting sands, A valley made sacred by science and song, The fair young city of Seymour stands. 170 OtrTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONBERS. Here nestling 'neath poplars that line the street. Are neat white cottages shaded and still, But the dearest thing in that quiet retreat, Is the old log house on the hill. This old log house on the slope of the hill. Vine-crowned and dark with the rain of years, I sit on its threshold, deserted and still. And read life's story with blinding tears. For every board in its rough oaken floor, And every dark rafter in roof above. Hath a tale of the days of yore. Of childhood gone like a dream of love. He slumbers in silence who reared its wall. Who fashioned its roof for the pitiless rain; He wakes no more at the church bell's call. Nor the rumble and roar of the rushing train. But two decades — in that house on the hill — How oft from my sweet, pleasant dreams I awoke, At the startling sound of the wolf's wild yell, As it rang through the forest all unbroke. But steam and steel, and iron and brain. Have done their giant work with a will; I revisit the scene, no trace remains. Save the old log house on the hill. A brighter future fair city for you. With a country around of the richest mould. With Canadian and Yankee, with German and Jew, To change the forest and field into gold. The old world sendest her bravest and best To the far Wisconsin's wave-beaten shore, And wherever they settle they find a rest — A life-long home to wander no more. Then honor and praise to the bold pioneer, Who drove back the forest with steel and flame; In story and song hearts will thrill as they hear Our Ausbourne's and Shephard's and Munger's name. Let the old house stand, though its guests are all gone. And the jasmine climbs o'er its mouldering sill. In remembrance of those who have journeyed on, Let it stand, the old log house on the hill. Outagamie county pioneers. l7l A speech by H. D. Ryan followed. Then came a paper by Judge Ryan, also farewell address. Song by J. H. Bowles. A paper prepared by Mr. D. Huntley was read by Mrs. Huntley, as follows : I came to Wisconsin in 1849 ; stopped in Dodge county a few weeks, and did some writing in the register's office there ; but hearing much of the new town of Appleton, myself and three others, Harrison Green was one of the number mentioned, decided to visit Lawrence University. We drove to Neenah and left the team there as the road from there to Appleton was nearly impassable for wagons. We found some boatmen who said they would take us to Appleton for twenty-five cents apiece, but after two hours of fruitless efforts to pass the rapids, we left the boat and walked to Appleton. We found a few shanties in the woods and a building in process of erection which was the germ of Lawrence University; and which was known for some time after as the Institution. At that time there were no streets or established roads visible to the naked eye; trees were everywhere, with only a few small build ings scattered around in the woods. The idea of a college in the forest seemed to us perfectly ludicrous, still one of our number made arrangements for his sisters to attend the school as soon as it should be opened. We looked over the situation a short time, then walked back to Neenah and the next day returned to Dodge county and I taught school there the following winter. In the meantime I thought often of the possible advantages of the new town I had visited, with its college and fine water power; and as soon as my school closed, I took the first conveyance I could find, which was a horse team com ing to Neenah. I found Appleton much improved and rapidly increasing in population. I worked about a month rowing passengers from Neenah to Appleton, and through the remainder of the summer did whatever work I could find to do. The next winter I taught the first public school in Appleton, in what is now the Second ward, drove team through the summer, taught 172 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. school again the following winter; and in the fall of 1852 I returned to Vermont, and was married three weeks after; , came back to Wisconsin with my wife, and taught school the following winter in what is now the Third ward. In the meantime I had built a house on the lot where the Northwestern House now stands, where I lived eight years. I then moved to my farm on the Center road, where I now live. Here I have done what I could to subdue and cultivate the soil, and to beautify my home; and now when failing health prevents my meeting with you, I send kindest greet ings to all the old pioneers and to all the younger workers who are filling their places as one after another passes to the better land. List of pioneers who died since our last meeting, Feb. 22, 1894: Mrs. A. L. Smith Henry Hauert, a pioneer boy Mrs. Ansel Briggs William Sweetser Mrs. Caroline Puffer Mrs. Reeder Smith William Johnson Mrs. Mary Perling Mrs. H. G.Curtis Rev. Henry Coleman A. Cook, died Oct. 20, 1894 . . Fred Wendle John Leiby Mr. Earle Mrs. Ernest Grunert Charles Wolcott Matthew Culbertson Matthias Knapstein Mrs. Cobb Edward Stone John Welsein Patrick Somers Mrs. Charles Buman Mrs. John Logan Widow Nye S. S. Whitman Conrad Peters William Kotz Mrs. Siegel Louis Conklin William Ausbourne BESIDEMCE. Appleton (11111(1 11 It 11 Formerly of Appleton Formerly of Appleton Dale 11(1 Ellington Grand Chute Greenville t((1It 11 It Hortonia Hortonville ti Liberty Seymour SS 5773798376 60 9563639469816969 707S 63 6538 60 808466 73805483 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 173 Number of pioneers present who were here before 1850, sixteen; before 1855, fifteen; before 1856, eighteen; before 1857, twelve. Number of soldiers, fourteen; soldiers' wives, five. At 4 o'clock the meeting adjourned. Several papers which had been prepared were not read, owing to lack of time. Biographical Sketches. THE SPENCER FAMILY. Geneological notes of the Spencer family taken from the most reliable records of said family. In 1631 three brothers named Thomas, William and Jared Spencer, came from England and settled first at Cambridge, Mass., and a short time after they went with a company through the wilderness and helped make the first settlement in the State of Connecticut, at the place where the city of Hartford now stands. I find by the records that one of said brothers, viz.: William Spencer was a represen tative in the General Court in 1634-5, and in 1639 a selectman of that town and a deputy in the General Court and was appointed with Mr. Willis and Mr. Webster to prepare the first revisal of the laws of that year. Descendants in the line of Thomas Spencer, one of the first settlers of Connecticut, he died in Hartford, Sept. 11, 1687 ; his son Jared Spencer was born in Hartford, Conn., and died there in 1712, and his son, Jared 2d, was born in Hartford, Jan. 15, 1683, and died in New Hartford, Conn., ELIHU SPENCER. OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 175 in 1784, aged 72 ; his son Nathaniel B. Spencer was born in New Hartford, May 10, 1724 and died in 1773, aged 49 years ; his son Ashbel Spencer was born in New Hartford, Conn., May 25, 1750, and died August 14, 1821, aged 71 years, he was my grandfather and a soldier in the Revolu tionary War, and was with Arnold when he went through the wilderness in winter from Boston to Quebec in 1775, to attack Quebec ; his son Elihu Spencer was my father, born in New Hartford, Conn., March 23d, 1786 ; in 1813 he emigrated to Huron, Wayne county, N. Y.; he cleared and improved two farms in the then wilderness and built the first grist mill in that town ; his wife, my mother, was Jemima Upson, of New Hartford, Conn., her grandfather came from Scotland ; my father died in Huron, N. Y., June 14, 1825, aged 39 years ; my mother died June 4, 1825, aged 35 years. They left a family of nine children. My oldest sister Hulda was then 15 years old, my youngest brother Andrew was then nine months old. I was born in Huron, Wayne county, N. Y., Sept. 25, 1816; I was married to Miss Rhoda McKoon of the same county, New York, April 23, 1840. My wife traces her ancestry to Roger Williams, the first settler of Rhode Island, and also to Martin Luther, the German Reformer, being the seventh generation from the former, and the thirteenth generation from the latter. My wife died in Appleton, Dec. 1, 1887 ; our three oldest children, Delia, William E. and Kirtland were born in New York State ; in the fall of 1845 we left our native town in New York, and emigrated with our three children in com pany with my sister Mary and her husband, Mr. Nelson Phelps, and their four children ; three of their sons enlisted in the army and served through the war of the rebellion, and all came out alive and after the war went to Iowa and took up homesteads, and are now residents of that State. We all landed in Milwaukee, Oct. 2, 1845, and settled at Menominee Falls, now in Waukesha county, where I bought a quarter section of land near the now village of that name. I sold my land there in 1853, I moved my family to Appleton and located on the northwest quarter of the northwest quarter of section 34, near Appleton 176 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. Junction, now in the Third ward of this city. I supposed when I located there that I was so far from the then village of Appleton, that they would not be likely to take me into the corporation, but when they framed their city charter they found I was a stranger, very kindly took me in, which doubled my taxes without any corresponding benefit. I bought three forties in 1853, all fronting on what is now Spencer street; two are in the town of Grand Chute and one in the city. I paid five dollars per acre for those two in Grand Chute and in 1856 sold to Adam Mertes sixteen acres of the west end for twenty-five dollars per acre, just what the eighty acres cost me. The forty acres, now in the city, I paid seven and a half dollars per acre for in 1853, and in 1856 I sold six acres off the east side for forty dollars per acre. I then had ninety-eight acres left, which I cleared and improved for my homestead. It is now risen very much in value. Several pieces in Grand Chute have been sold for one hundred dollars per acre, they are now asking two hundred dollars per acre for the same pieces. The railroad company paid two hundred and fifty dollars per acre for three acres near the Junction to lay their new tracks on. The Appleton Pickle Factory Com pany paid three hundred dollars for one acre adjoining their factory. Since I have lived in Appleton I have been engaged in several different enterprises ; in 1855 I ran the first milk wagon in Appleton and my two little boys drove the wagon and did the delivering of the milk. I kept eight cows but found it difficult to sell all their milk as so many cows were kept in Appleton, they were then allowed to let them run in the streets and vacant places so the next year I quit that business. It was difficult what little grain we then raised to get threshed as no machine was owned near here. Old E. B. Abbott, father of our Charles Abbott who lived near the Oneida Indian settlement, owned a small machine with a tread power, he threshed for me and the neighbors several times ; finally I bought a small separator which could be put on a common wagon and run with a sweep power with three teams and hired Josiah G. Ca.vert to run it, with my son William to help him, then OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 177 sixteen years old. Next year Cavert left and William ran it successfully alone, with hiring one man and a team to go with him, the farmers put on one team. He threshed in Grand Chute, Greenville and Ellington. When the war broke out in 1861, in October, William enlisted in the army under Professor Pomeroy, who was then raising a company in Appleton, many of the students in the college enlisted, the company became Co. G in the first cavalry. William served one year and died Sept. 26, 1862, on board a steamer on the Mississippi and was buried at Memphis ; after William went into the army, Kirtland, my next son 16 years old said he could run the threshing machine if I would hire a man and team to go with him. I told him to try it ; he ran it successfully two seasons when he brought the machine home at the end of the second season he said. Father, I'll never run that old machine another day, if I can't have as good a machine as the other boys, I won't thresh, for they will get all the best jobs and I have to take their leavings. I admired his grit, I said, you shall have as good a machine as any of them ; I then bought of J. I. Case one of his best machines, it cost seven hundred dollars, he soon earned enough with it to pay for it. He ran it successfully seven years, when he was taken sick and died Feb. 29, 1872. I bought a cir cular saw machine to run with our horse power to saw our own wood and some for the neighbors. After the war be gan, 1861, Capt. Spaulding came to my house and wanted me to come and saw his wood pile, he said he had about fifteen cords at his house and could not get any one to saw it as the men were all away in the army. I promised I would come and saw his wood as soon as I could get my fall work done and Kirtland got home from threshing. I came with my saw machine as I agreed and began sawing his wood. As soon as his neighbors heard the machine, they all came and wanted me to saw their wood piles. I told them I would come as soon as I could but must take them in rotation, they kept me at it all winter ; in the spring by looking over my account I found I had sawed nearly 1,000 cords of four-foot wood, they kept jne at it 178 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. every winter until 1868, when I and my family all had a hard siege of the typhoid fever, which laid me up for several years. I have done considerable surveying in this county; I commenced the business at Menominee Falls, under the instruction of Mr. J. B. Nehs, an old surveyor from Penn sylvania, who was then building a grist mill at the falls ; I bought his compass and chain and when I moved to Appleton in 1853, Mr. Charles Turner, the first county surveyor of Outagamie county, wished to leave the county ; he appointed me his deputy and I filled the remainder of his term. In the fall of 1854 John Stevens was elected county surveyor, and as settlers were coming into the county very fast he had more work than he could do ; he wished me to assist him ; he appointed me his deputy and I worked under him several years as deputy. In 1872 I was elected county surveyor, my name was on both tickets and I got more votes than Grant and Greeley both to gether, who were then running for president. John Stevens was elected in 1874 and in that year he moved to California and I filled out his term by appointment by the board of county supervisors. I was again elected county surveyor in 1878 and was re-elected six times in succession, and held the office until 1890, and probably ran more lines and set more corners in this county than an other surveyor, as the county surveyor's records will show. My wife was mother of six children on,ly the two young est are now living. Delia, my oldest daughter, was born in Wayne county. New York, June 16, 1841, was twelve years old when I came to Appleton, June 2, 1863. She was mar ried to Mr. D. B. Bailey, now the the well known merchant of Appleton, who has been in business here since 1868. She was the mother of six children ; Quincy, her oldest, when ten years old was drowned in the canal just below the upper lock ; her second son, Ralph Waldo, graduated in the Ryan High School and afterwards graduated at the Spencerian Business College in Milwaukee, and is now in business in Denver, Col.; her third son, Andrew Spencer Bailey, is a graduate of Lawrence Universitv and afterwards he o-radu. OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 179 ated at Ann Arbor in the school of dentristry and is now practicing dentistry at Menominee, Mich. ; her fourth son, D. B. Bailey, Jr., commenced a course of study in Lawrence University and while studying there was attacked with the grip and has never recovered fully his usually good health since ; he has just gone to Colorado this winter, hoping the climate may improve his health, so he can go into some business ; Ruthie, her daughter, is now eighteen years old and a student in Lawrence University ; Charlie, the youngest son, is now at home and attends the district school. Mrs. Bailey died Nov. 22, 1884. My two boys, William and Kirtland, I have already told you of and my second daughter ; Lucy was born at Menominee Falls, Wis. , Dec. 30, 1846 and died Sept. 12, 1847 ; my third daughter, Hulda, was born at Menominee Falls, Aug. 2, 1851, was two and a half years old when I moved to Appleton, she attended the Third Ward district school until old enough to enter Lawrence University ; after spending several terms there. At the age of sixteen years she taught the district school at Perry's corners in Greenville ; afterwards she taught five terms in Denier district, Ellington, and one term in the Bogan district. Grand Chute, and one term in the school house at the forks of the road, near where John Cary now lives. Afterwards she taught the inter mediate department five years in the Third 'Ward school, when her health failed ; she quit teaching and commenced helping her mother in the kitchen and soon regained her health. On May 29, 1878, she married Mr. A. F. Bounds; they have two children, Florence, aged twelve years, and Hattie, aged ten years ; they have a comfortable home on a part of my old farm and are engaged in raising straw berries, raspberries and vegetables. I have made my home with them the last four years and probably shall spend my few remaining days in their family. Under their filial care I have a pleasant warm room in their house and have reason to be contented and happy in my old age. I am now in my seventy-ninth year and my health is good for one of my age. My youngest daughter. Flora, was born in Appleton, April 30, 1854, and was married to Mr. B. C. 180 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. Wolter, Sept. 25, 1879; they have two children living, Mabel aged fourteen years, and Robert aged eleven ; they lost one son, Raymond, who died the day he was seven years old ; they now live in the house I built for my home stead. Mr. Wolter was county clerk from 1878 to 1 886 and has been engaged several years selling farm machinery in Appleton. p. S.— The abovo biographical and liistoric.nl sketch of the Spencer Family-was writteD by Elihu Spencer, to be read at the Twenty-third Annual Festival of Oiita_ gamie Couaty Pioneer Association, but the hour of adjournment arrived before it was reached, Feb. 22, 1895. KAMPS-MOESKES FAMILY. In 1855 Everard Kamps emigrated from Menscln, near Fort Wesel, Rhenish Prussia, to the United States, settling in Washington county, Wisconsin. In 1860 his parents, remaining brothers and sisters, and Herman Moeskes, a neighbor, with his family followed him, the former join ing him in Washington county, and the Moeskes fnmily settling in Manitowoc, Wis. In 1861 Gerhard and Theo dore Kamps removed from Washington county to Appleton, Wis., and opened a harness shop on the site until lately occupied by the Rahn & Bottrell furniture store. The year following Gerhard Kamps erected the building now occupied as a barber shop, immediately west of the Conti nental Clothing House, and occupied that as his harness shop until he removed to his present site. The elder Kamps, John Henry, was born in 1797, married in 1821 to Maria Agnes Blankenmeier. They celebrated their golden wedding in 1871, at Appleton, Wis., where his wife died Sept. 4, 1873, and he followed her July 17, 1876. Of the children who came with them to Appleton, to-wit : Everard, John, Gerhard and Theodore, sons; Anna Katharina, Mechtildis and Mary ; two of them, Gerhard and Theodore, still reside at Appleton, our pioneer harness makers. Everard and John removed to Grant county. South Dakota, in 1882, and resided there ever since. Mary, the youngest, was married to G. T. Moeskes, at Appleton, in October, 1869, and died in August, 1894 ; her two older sisters hav- OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 181 ing passed over to the great beyond before her, Anna Katharina, nee Vogt, in South Dakota, in 1885, and Mechtildis, nee Esser, in Chilton, Wis., in 1872. Gerhard Kamps, the older of the family, was married on July 4, 1861, to Catharina Jansen, a daughter of Herman Jansen, one of the early pioneers of the town of Kaukauna, who bore him seven children, John Henry, now of Kamps & Sacksteder, druggists ; Helen, now the wife of Cashier John J. Sherman, of the Citizens' National Bank ; Herman, jeweler, now of the firm of Mayer & Kamps ; Theodore, who succeeded his father as harness maker, and Agnes, now the wife of Henry Renter, spoke manufacturer, of Rice Lake, Wis., and two who died in infancy. Mrs. Kamps died April 17, 1872. Gerhard Kamps was re-mar ried June 21, 1873, to Sophia Bauman, who bore him five children : William F., bookkeeper at the Citizens' National Bank ; Richard, clerk at the drug store of Kamps & Sack steder ; Etta and Margaret, still living, and one who died in infancy. Theodore W., the other brother of Gerhard still residing here, was married Nov. 12, 1867, to Mary Karls, who bore him eight children, Anna, Ferdinand, William A., Louise, Rosa, Adolph and Mamie still living, and three who died in infancy. Mary, the youngest sister of the Kamps family, was married in October, 1869, to G. T. Moeskes, who bore him three children ; Katie, the wife of E. W. Sacksteder, of the firm of Kamps & Sacksteder, druggists, Herman and Lizzie still living, and Agnes, who died at the age of twenty-one in August, 1892 ; William, who died at the age of sixteen in October, 1893, and two who died in infancy. Mrs. Moeskes died in August, 1894. 182 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. THE RYAN FAMILY. Col. Samuel Ryan, who traced his ancestry back into the fifth century, was born at Nenagh, Tipperary county, Ire land, in 1789. He was impressed as a British sea man and deserted to the American army on Lake Ontario during the war of 1812, and fought on the American side at Platts burg and Lundy's Lane. He married at Erie, Pa., in 1823, Martha Johnson, a descendant of the Fifes of Scotland. In June, 1826, they came to Fort Howard, Green Bay. He was the first justice of the peace appointed by Gov. Dodge in the Territory of Wisconsin, and the first Methodist on the Fox river. In 1852 he removed to Menasha, where he was Receiver of the United States Land Office, residing there until his death in 1875. His widow removed to Appleton in 1880, where she resided with her youngest son until her death in 1883, at the age of 83. Sam, their eldest son, was born at Sackett's Harbor, Jef ferson county, N. Y., in 1824. He learned his trade in the office of the Green Bay Republican ; worked in Milwaukee in 1844 ; succeeded to the Green Bay paper that fall ; re moved it to Fond du Lac at the close of 1847, and there published The Fountain City three years ; failed in the business and went back to Green Bay, where he published the Green Bay Spectator two years. In January, 1853, he came to Appleton, and on Feb. 24, 1853, issued the first number of the Appleton Crescent. He was school com- HON. SAM. RYAN. OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 183 missioner of Green Bay for three years. In this locality he has held a few offices. Was a member of the first board of trustees of the Village of Appleton ; clerk of the Cir cuit Court two terms ; a trustee of the Cemetery Associa tion for forty years ; member of assembly, one term ; county judge, two terms ; school clerk, about twenty years ; and justice of the peace for nearly the same term. In the Odd Fellows he was grand master two terms, and grand representative for five years, besides being the director in the Wisconsin Odd Fellows' Insurance Co., for twenty-five years. His wife is a daughter of John J. Driggs, a Green Bay pioneer, from Rome, N. Y., and a niece of the Rev. Albert Barnes. Francis A. Ryan was born in 1828, became a printer and lived long at Kenosha. He came to Appleton in 1858, and established the Appleton Motor, the predecessor of the Post. He belonged to the "Clay Guards," mustered by Gen. Cassius M. Clay; in the defense of Washington, in 1861, and was subsequently receiver of the United States Land Office at Menasha. He died in 1882, leaving a widow, Delia A. Ryan, now living at Athol, Mass. James Ryan was born in 1830. He came to Appleton in the fall of 1853, and the next year entered the Crescent force, where he still is. He has been mayor, alderman, city treasurer and postmaster of Appleton, and State Sena tor of the Twenty-second District. His son Sam J., a native of Appleton, is now business manager of the Cres cent, and his second son, Dudley, long a postal clerk, is about to enter a Green Bay manufacturing concern in a re sponsible position. His wife, Carrie, is from New York City. John C. Ryan was born in 1833, and came here with the Crescent in 1853, with which he remained until 1859, when he went to the Rocky Mountain Region. He has traversed all the States and Territories from British Columbia to Lower California, being a Colorado printer, an Idaho gold miner, and an officer of the Montana legislature. When last heard from he was in Nevada. Henry Dodge Ryan was born in 1837 ; came to Appleton to attend school in the Lawrence Institute in 1851, and 184 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. joined the Crescent force soon after the establishment of the paper, which he edited during the civil war. He has been under sheriff of this county, and assessor and city attorney of Appleton. He is an able lawyer, and although averse to office holding, would make a good mayor and a safe legislator. His wife is a native of Wisconsin ; his son, William A., is bookkeeper in the Kimberly Mills. David J. Ryan was born in 1840. He led a cow to Apple- ton from Fort Howard in the fall of 1853 ; remained here and went to school to Daniel Huntley until the end of the school year. In the fall of 1854 he went to Menasha, where he resided until 1880, when he took up his residence in Ajppleton. He was town clerk of Menasha, and clerk to the register of the United States Land Office. He has a military history, being badly wounded at the battle of Perryville, in which his regiment, the twenty-first, was hotly engaged. He is immersed in biisiness, is a bachelor and would be a splendid prize for a rich widow. Mrs. Martha J. Allen, twice a widow, the youngest of all the Ryans, was born in 1843, and came to Appleton to reside in 1880. Her son, Louis J. Robinson, is an efficient and popular clerk in the Appleton post office. AH the Ryans, except "the judge" were born at Fort Howard. JOHN W. WOODWARD. The subject of this sketch was born in Otsego county, New York, August 19, 1793. His father's family con sisted of six children ; two daughters, .Nancy and Lucy ; four sons, John Wesley, Fletcher, Arnold and Richard. At the age of twenty-four he experienced religion and united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he was an active member till his death. February 18, 1818, he married Sophia Z. Warner, daughter of Charles and Sophia Warner, of Unadilla, N. Y. When quite young Mr. Warner joined the American army and was an officer under Gen. Washington, and was at the surrender of Lord Cornwallis to the American forces. He died in 1836, aged seventy-eight years. Mrs. Warner OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 185 survived her husband eleven years ; she died in 1847, aged seventy-nine years. Their family consisted of eight chil dren: Esther, Lucy, Sophia, Charity, Elizabeth, Mary, Sarah and Charles. Mr. Woodward moved to Geddes, Onondaga county, when it was new and kept public house for several years, when he turned his attention to farming ; he also kept a store of general merchandise till the fall of 1851, when, on account of his wife's health and the advice of the attending physi cian, he closed his business and on Oct. 9, 1851, started for the west, spending the winter at Menominee Falls, Wis. In the spring of 1852 he moved to Appleton where he opened a store in a building where Kamps' drug store now stands. During the summer he built a home on Lawrence street- and occupied it Nov. 5, 1852. He also built the stone block on College avenue in 1856, now known as the "Doug las Block," where he remained in business until his death, on Sept. 6, 1868, aged seventy- five years, three months and twenty-nine days. His family consisted of eight children, four sons and four daughters, their names in order being, Deloso Elihu, Elury Louisa (Mrs. C. G. Adkins), Wesley Grondison, Eldridge Warner, Sarah L. (Mrs. B. Douglas), Francis I. (Mrs. L. B. Noyes), Henrietta Esther (Mrs. T. W. Brown), and Charles Richard. Wesley died in Cali fornia Jan. 3, 1857, Charles Richard in Stephensville, Wis., Feb. 1, 1867, aged twenty-eight years ; Eldridge, in Onon daga county, N. Y., Henrietta, Appleton, Sept. 6. 1876; Delos, California. Of this family there remain but two, Mrs. C. G. Adkins and Mrs. B. Douglas of this city. NATHAN NVE. Born April 24, 1798, on the island of Martha's Vinyard. Removed while young to Washington county, Vermont ; was married in 1820 to Betsy, eldest daughter of Moses Shelden. Removed with his family to Racine county, Wis consin Territory, in 1845. From there he went to Appleton in 1849, and to Freedom in 1856. One son survives him, Edwin Nye, who is still a resident of Freedom. 186 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. THE DEY FAMILY. Mr. John Dey was born May 17, 1825, in Root, Mont gomery county. New York. His father and mother, James and Hannah Russel Dey, were born in Jersey City, and the father and two brothers were soldiers in the war of the revolution. Mr. Dey's father was seventeen years old when he saw Washington" at the battle of Princeton. Mr. Dey is of Holland lineage in the material line ; he was reared on his'father's farm and fulfilled his legfal obligations to his parents. In the fall of 1845, Oct. 9, he was married to Miss Eveline Kling; in 1846 with wife and one child went west and located twenty miles north of Chicago, in Cook county, where he learned the cooper's trade ; in 1849 he leftfor Ap pleton with his wife and two children. Their conveyance was a lumber wagon and oxen. Arrived Oct. 3, 1849, and located on the northeast corner of what is now John Finkle's farm, on Sec. 29, T. 21, R. 17, and worked at the cooper's trade and clearing land until the year 1854. In February he moved his family to the town of Greenville, on Sec. 7, T. 21, R. 16, where he now resides, and reared and edu cated the following children : Martha J. Dey, born Aug. 7, 1846, married to Mr. Leonard Jewell, Nov. 15, 1860; they have had ten children, six of them now living, all of whom reside in Rendville county, Minnesota. Sarah Melvina Dey, born Jan. 11, 1848, in Cook county, Illinois. She married Mr. Henry Calkins, July 26, 1873 ; OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 187 they now reside in the town of Deer Creek and have had seven children, six of them now living. David J. Dey with a twin sister Nannie, born Nov. 20, 1851 ; Nannie died Jan. 20, 1853 ; David was mar- ried to Miss Mary O'Brien, Oct. 14, 1872, they have had eight children, all living and well educated ; they reside in Antigo ; he is now employed in the United States Mail Ser vice on the M. L. S. & W. Railroad. Second son, John W. Dey, born Feb. 8, 1854, married to Flora R. Salter, Sept. 7, 1875; they now reside on a farm in Cicero ; have bad three children, all boys. Third daughter, Elizabeth Eve line Dey, born Dec. 12, 18r'7, and married to Jacob Rupple, March 27, 1878 ; Mr. Rupple died Sept. 25, 1892 ; his- widow now resides on a farm adjoining her father's farm on the south, having five children, four boys and one girl. Fourth daughter, Ella Louisa Dey, born Sept. 1, 1861, now living with her father, unmarried and out of health for fifteen years. Fifth daughter, Nettie May Dey, born Feb. 16, 1867, married to George Berry, April 20, 1891 ; they reside on a farm in the town of Maine and have no children. Anna S. Dey, born April 13, 1865, married to Emil C. Frank, March 17, 1891, now residing with her father and mother on their homestead. Mr. Dey has thirty-one grandchildren now living and three great-grandchildren, and if they both live until Oct. 9, 1895, they intend to celebrate their golden wedding.' Mr. and Mrs. Dey united with the Methodist Episcopal Church in the fall of 1847, and still remain in full member- MRS. JOHN DEY. 188 .OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. ship of said church. Mr. Dey is now superintendent of the Sunday School, and has been for the last forty years. He is now president of the Outagamie County Agricultural Society and has held that office for the past fifteen years, and has lately been elected a trustee of the Outagamie County Insane Asylum for three years, and also been president of the Outagamie County Pioneer Association for seventeen years. Mr. Dey by his experience is good authority on fruit culture, and has a fine orchard on his homestead. He was a soldier in the War of the Rebellion and enlisted in August, 1862, in Appleton, in Company D, Twenty-first Regiment for three years and left a wife and six children on t;he farm; was wounded Aug. 7, 1864, in a battle before Atlanta and was discharged May 19, 1865 ; he has been justice of the peace thirty years and assessor thirteen years. MATHEW M'COMB. Mathew McComb was born the first day of January, 1821, at the Spa-Wells, in the county of Down, Ireland; was married to Mary J. Stewart, of S^intfield, in said county, the thirty-first day of March, 1849, who died the sixth day of February, 1891, at Hortonville in the county of Outa gamie, and State of Wisconsin, with whom he had six sons and three daughters, all of whom are living (excepting one son, Edwin B., who died January 14, 1864), viz.: Isaac N. McComb, now residing at Brillion, Calumet county. Wis.-; Jennie S., wife of C. H. Baake; Henry R. McComb of Shaw ano, Shawano county. Wis.; A. C. McComb of Oshkosh, Wis.; Emma A., wife of Delos Lewis of Dale, Outagamie county. Wis.; Virgil B. and C. H. McComb of Bozeman, Montana; and Ina V., wife of John Reincking of Horton ville, Outagamie county. Wis. On the 30th day of January, 1893, he married Cynthia C. Griffin, formerly wife of George ' N. Pembleton. He has resided in the town of Hortonia Outagamie county, Wis., from the second day of July, 1849, to the present time. OUTAGAMIE COUNTY .PIONEERS. 189 WILLIAM W. BRIGGS. William W. Briggs was born at Buckfield, Me., Aug. 12, 1823. His fatlier, Daniel Briggs, was a soldier in the war of 1812, after which he, with his wife, Pheba Thomas Briggs and seven children settled at Monson, Me. The subject of this sketch spent his boyhood as a pioneer in northern Maine; his mother dying when he was but fourteen years of age. He was engaged in lum bering on the rivers St. Johns, Penobscot and Kennebec,wh ichmeans the hardest kind of work, for lumbering then had no conveni ences as now. In 1851 William W. Briggs was married to Mary E. Page, and .the year following they came to Wisconsin, first stopping in northern Illinois. They traveled by team from Beloit, Wis., to Hortonville. The men walking when it was rough and poor roads, which was most of the way. They had two children, Eben P. and Eliza M. Briggs. Mr. Briggs was engaged in the milling business there for about eighteen years, when he moved with his family to Appleton, where he has lived ever since. In 1874 he built the "Briggs House" and engaged in active hotel life for four years. Mr. Briggs with Ira Hersey and H. B. Sanborn built the first grist mill at Hortonville, which is now considered the oldest one in this c unty. WILLIAM W. BRIGGS. 190 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. THE BLOOD FAMILY. Henry L. Blood was born Dec. 27, 1813, in Oxford county. New Hampshire ; was married to Miss Catharine South- mayd, of Jay, N. Y., April 25, 1838; they had three chil dren, E. J. Blood, born April 10, 1846, married to Miss Laura Washburn ; had two children, both dead ; E. J. Blood died in 1885. Second son, Fred. Blood, born Aug. 6, 1848, married to Miss Lillian Curtis, Oct. 18, 1875 ; they have four children, three boys and one girl ; they now live in Appleton. F. H. Blood is engaged in the wood and coal business. Kitty Blood was born May 4, 1851, married to George M. Miller in 1872; they have had two children, one boy having died and the girl now living ; Mrs. Miller died in Lawrence, Kan., Dec. 28, 1874. Mrs. H. L. Blood died Jan. 11, 1855. Mr. Blood married three times ; Miss Mary Brown, Jan. 5, 1859 ; they have two children now living, Frank L. Blood, born June 15, 1862 ; married to Miss Benito Fuller ; they have two children, a boy and a girl. May Blood, born July 31, 1865, married to C. W. Jarvis Sept. 16, 1891 ; they now live in Ishpeming, Mich. Mr. H. L. Blood moved to Mackinaw Island in 1844 ; in 1846 he moved to Oshkosh and kept the first hotel ; in 1847 moved into the Astor House, Green Bay ; in 1849 moved to Appleton ; he was agent for Lawrence University and built the first College Building ; he built the first shanty in Appleton in 1848, and hired John F. Johnston and wife HENRY L. BLOOD. OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 191 to move into it to board the men who worked on the first college building. Mr. Blood kept a hotel several years in Appleton and was a prominent citizen. He died Feb. 21, 1888. HENRY J. DIENER. Mr. Henry J. Diener was born in Germany, June 20, 1830 ; came to America with his parents in 1832 ; they located in New York and lived in Monroe county until 1848, then came to Wisconsin and lived in Oshkosh and Rosendale two years, then moved to Ellington in this county in 1850 and located on Sec. 9, T. 22, R. 16, where he now lives ; in 1855 he married Miss Anna B. Jenny, she was born in Canton Glaurus, Switzerland, in 1837 ; in 1844 she came with her parents to Rochester, N. Y , where she lived until 1855, when they removed to the town of Elling ton, in this county; they have ten children, nine of them now living, seven daughters and two sons. Louisa, the oldest daughter, married Mr. Orris Axtel in 1867 ; they have five children, two sons and three daughters. Second daughter, Charlena, married to Otto P. Schlafer May 18, 1881 ; they have three children, one son and two daughters ; they now live in Appleton. Third daughter, Florence A., married Hiram C. Greely in 1881 ; they have two daught ers. Fourth daughter, Wilna E., married to John A. Boon 1880 ; they have two sons and one daughter. Fifth daughter, Amelia M., married G. L. Finkle Nov. 29, 1883 ; they have one son. Sixth daughter, Jessie E., married to Byron Smolk in 1886; they have one pair of twin daughters. Seventh daughter, Carrie E., married to Charles Tackman in 1884. Eighth child, a son, Charles H. Diener, born in . Ninth child, Maggie E., died May 1, 1889. Tenth child, Walter H. Diener, both sons now live with their parents on the homestead. Mrs. Diener's mother, Mrs. Magdalene Jenne, now in her eighty-sixth year, lives with her in her family. Mr. Diener was a soldier in the War of the Rebellion and is now a prominent and respected citizen of the town of Ellington and a successful farmer. 192 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. THE CULBERTSON FAMILY. About the beginning of the eighteenth century, there lived near Campbeltown, Scotland, one James Culbertson, who took for a wife, Jean Campbell; whose son Robert married Nannie Harvey; whose son James and his wife Jenet White Culbert son had six sons and three daughters, Jean, Agnes, Robert, Janet, William, John, James, Samuel and David. For many years the family rented and lived on Skerbolin Farm, five miles north of Camp beltown ; but when all the children had reached ma turity they emigrated to America betwen the years 1818 and 1822, locating in southern Indiana where the first settlers were making their pioneer start. John, who was born May, 1796, was the last to emigrate,. Soon after reaching America, but be fore his journey was completed, he was married Sept. 11, 1822, to Margaret Reid, a member of the same emigrant party and a resident of his native land. They located in Shelby township, Jefferson county, In diana, where John's people had preceeded him. Here he took a quarter section of unimproved very heavily timbered land and subdued it into a modern farm of that date and here their family was born: James, Matthew, John, Janet, Margaret, Alexander and Nancy. At the time the boys had reached manhood and wished to establish homes for themselves, Wisconsin Territory was in the boom, and March 22, 1848, John accompanied by his MATTHEW CULBERTSON. OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 193 • son Matthew, started on a land-seeking expedition. They went by an Ohio river boat to Cincinnati, from there by c^nal boat to Toledo, then by railroad sixty-five miles to the terminus, then by stage to St. Joseph, Mich., and from there by boat to Sheboygan, Wisconsin Territory, where they arrived at the earliest possible moment, which was April 4, and from here they proceeded on foot, finally hold ing up at Green Bay where, April 14, they bought in the Government land office three hundred and eighty acres of land, being that upon which members of the family now reside in the town of Greenville. Matthew at once built a cabin and was the first settler in Greenville. His father, after remaining with him several weeks, returned to his home in Indiana, where Matthew joined the family in November. The next spring, accom panied by his brother James, moved with team and wagon to the pioneer home, where they were joined by John Jr. in 1850 and Alexander in 1855. In 1854 their mother, Margaret, died, and their father, selling his farm, moved to Wisconsin in 1858, accompanied by Margaret and Nancy. March 6, 1851, Matthew took for a partner in life Hannah, daughter of Enos Otis. John was married Dec. 8, 1853, to Miss Esther Prentice ; James March 18, 1860, to Abbey Wickwire, and Alexander to Sylvina Perry April 15, 1869. Their father, John, died Dec. 7, 1877, and was buried in the Greenville town ceme tery. N. B. DRAPER. Mr. Nelson B. Draper was born in Otsego county, N.Y., Dec. 13, 1823 ; he was married to Miss Sarah A. Spencer Nov. 21, 1855 ; they have one daughter, born Jan. 1, 1860, married to Adelbert Grant June 13, 1882 ; they have two sons and three daughters ; they now reside on section 27 in Ellington. Mr. Draper came to Ellington Sept. 21, 1857, and settled on section 27, where he established a home and resided there until his death, Oct. 25, 1880. His widow now resides in Appleton. 13 194 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. THE ROUDEBUSH FAMILY. Silas J. Roudebush was born in Ohio, May 11, 1818; came to Appleton in 1854 ; he had been in California four years digging gold. He settled on the s. e. % sec. 28, T. 21, R. 17, where he established his home and resided there until his death, April 30, 1875. He was married to Miss SylviaWarner March 2, 1847; they have had six children, three sons and three daughters. First child, Josephine, born Dec. 16, 1847, died March 6, 1869. Second child, Fran ces Eleanor, born Aug. 4, 1 850, was married to Chas. Bowen Feb. 22, 1866 ; they removed to Iowa in 1872 ; they have seven children, two sons and five daught ers. Third child. Perry G., born Dec. 4, 1854; married to Dela Page ; they live in Appleton and have six children, two boys and four girls. Fourth child, Martha A., born Nov. 10, 1856, married to G. H. Murphy Jan. 3, 1878 ; they have no children ; they now live on the family homestead, and Mrs. Murphy's mother lives with them ; she is now in the sixty-eighth year of her age ; Mr. Murphy is engag-ed in lumbering. Fifth child, David W., born Jan. 22, 1858, married to Miss Fannie Armstrong May 27, 1880 ; they live in Appleton and have four children, all boys. Sixth child, William C, born Sept. 17, 1865, married to Miss Minnie R. Stern ; they now live on part of the homestead and have three children, all boys, SII,AS J. ROUDEBUSH. OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 195 THE SCOTT FAMILY. Jared G. Scott was born of Scotch parents on a farm in Saratoga county. New York, Feb. 8, 1808. When seven teen years old he was bound out to learn the tan and currier and shoe makers' trade. There he stayed till he thought he knew enough about that business, then ran away and brought up in the town of Castile, Wyoming county, N. Y., where he, in 1828, married Sally Hurd. There they lived and raised a family of four boys and four girls till they came to Wiscon sin, in May, 1854. In September of that year he bought land in the town of Ellington, this county, where with the help of his family he cleared his land and erected buildings JARED G. SCOTT. that made it a good home. Sally Scott died Sept. 4, 1869. J. G. Scott died April 8, 1877. The children are all living ; the girls are Mrs. A. H. Burch, Mrs. John Van Heuklon and Mary Scott, all residents of Grand Chute, and Mrs. G. M. Davis of Nebraska. The youngest son, Z. D. Scott, resides in Milbank, S. D. Norman and J. G. Scott in Stephenville and your humble servant in Appleton. JOHN KOBUSSEN, Came from Holland in 1848 ; came to this county in 1851 and settled on Sec. 32, T. 21, R. 19, now town of Buchanan, where he cleared a farm and established a home ; March 17, 1869, removed to Little Chute where he now resides ; he has no children. 196 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. THE WHITMAN FAMILY. Sylvester S. Whitman was born May 5, 1811, in Turner, Oxford county, State of Maine, married in 1833 to Miss Nancy M. Waite, who was born in Livermore, Me., in 1814 ; they have had six chil- ¦ dren, three sons and three daughters. First son, Oscar v., born in 1835, married to Miss Rispah Leavitt in 1860 ; they have one son and one daughter ; they live in South Paris, Me. Second son, Orson, died at the age of four years. Third son, A. B., was born in 1854, in the State of Maine, was mar ried to Miss Eliza M. Briggs in Appleton, Jan. 1876; they have three daughters. Mr. Whitman was a graduate of Law rence University in 1875 ; has been superintendent of schools in Appleton for nine years and district at torney two years, and is now city attorney and does a general law business. First daughter, Osta M., married to Ashley Briggs, she died in 1870 and leaves two children. Second daughter, married to John McMurdo, who died in Hortonville in 1890 ; the widow now lives in Hortonville. Third daughter, Mary EUen, married to W. J. Stewart of Mason City, la., where they now live; they have two daughters. S. S. Whitman had a farm and store in the State of Maine ; he came to Wisconsin in 1857, settled at Oshkosh ; staid two years, then moved to Hortonville in 1859 and engaged in the lumbering and saw mill business ; he died June 2, 1894; his first wife died in Appleton in SYLVESTER S. WHITMAN. OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 197 1873, where Mr. Whitman lived a short time ; he married for his second wife, Mrs. Harriet M. Hewitt in 1878, who now survives. HENRY KETHROE. I was born in Winterbourne, Gloucestershire, England, May 10, 1812. I worked at the hatter's trade until we came to America in 1848. We remained in the State of New York one year, then came to Wisconsin, and settled in Ellington, Outagamie county, where we lived until 1 866, when we moved to Hortonia, where we now reside. In 1841 1 married Esther Webb. Of our six chil dren now living three are married. These are Mrs. B. M. Gurnee, Stephens ville, Wis. ; Mrs. S. C. Heard, Reardon, Wash. ; and Mrs. T. R. Curtis, San Bernardino, Cal. A son, Joseph Kethroe, lives in Washington, and two daughters at home. One son died in Arizona in 1879 and one died in infancy. Mrs. Kethroe was born March 2, 1817 and died June 21, 1889. E. S. PALMER. David Palmer, father of E. S. Palmer, was a soldier in the war of 1812 and lived in Jefferson county, N. Y., near Sachet's Harbor, where E- S. Palmer was born in 1827 ; he came to Wisconsin in 1853 and settled on section 6 in Green ville ; was married to Miss Martha Lewis, a sister of A. P. and Jerome Lewis, June 7, 1854 ; they have had four chil- HENRY KETHROE. 198 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. dren, two boys and two girls. Their first daughter, Carrie O. Palmer, born Sept. 5, 1852, married to Ed. Somers April 4, 1884; they have three children, all boys. Second daughter, Eva E., born Sept. 24, 1857, and died March 26, 1862. Edwin P., born Jan. 27, 1864. L. C, born Jan. 17, 1870. Both boys live at home on section 6 in Greenville. THE GATES FAMILY. Porter J. Gates was born in Oneida county, N. Y., May 27, 1827, was married to Miss Juliette Arnold in September, 1850, in Os wego, N. Y.; they have one son and three daugh ters ; one son and one daughter now living ; the son, James P., born July 7, 1860, married to Miss Mary King of Fond du Lac ; they have one son ; they now live in Milwau kee. First daughter, Esther L., born July 13, 1851, died in Appleton in 1864 ; second daughter, Marion J., born in Apple- ton, Oct. 7, 1851, married to John Miller ; they have PORTER J. GATES. ''"^ ^ou and five daugh ters ; Mrs. Miller died in May, 1893. Third daughter, Nellie J., born April 2, 1867, married to Virgil McComb ; they have two sons and two daughters ; they live in Bozeman, Mont. Mr. Gates now keeps the Gates House in Hortonville ; he was a soldier in the War of the Rebellion in Co. I., Third Wisconsin Cavalry ; he enlisted March 20, 1862, and was discharged July 12, 1865. OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 199 THE JOHNSON FAMILY. William Johnson was born July 27, 1811, in Philadelphia, Pa.; his father, John Johnson died in Tunchannock, Pa., in 1834 ; his uncle. Col. William Johnson was a soldier in the Revolutionary War and lost a leg in the bat tle of Brandywine. Wm. Johnson came to Appleton in 1850 ; he was married May 19, 1845, to Miss Lydia Sophia Story, a daughter of Col. Story, an early settler and promi nent citizen of Appleton ; they have had four sons and four daughters ; their oldest son, Amos Augus tus, is married and has one son and four daugh ters. First daughter, Sarah Louise, is married to C. S. Buckland; they have two sons and three WILLIAM JOHNSON. daughtcrs ; they now live in Appleton. Third child, Dewitt S. Johnson, married Beulah Johnson ; they have two sons and one daughter ; Mrs. Johnson died November, 1882. His second wife, Maud Jenkinson, had one son ; Mrs. Johnson died in Jan. 1892. Mr. Johnson is now postmaster in Rhinelander, Wis. Fourth child, Frances S. Fifth child, Lena, now dead. Sixth child, William, now dead. Seventh child, Ina B., and her sister, Frances, are now in the insurance busi ness in Appleton. Eighth child, John Allen, married Miss Bertha Breitung ; they have two daughters ; they now live in Appleton. Wm. Johnson was mayor in the city of Appleton in 1862, '63 and '64, and treasurer in 1866-7 ; alder man in 1877, and assessor from 1879 to 1887, also collector of United States internal revenue. He died in Appleton 200 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. Nov. 19, 1894, his widow and unmarried daughters now live in the homestead in Appleton. THE HARDACKER FAMILY. James Hardacker and Eliza Wickware Hardacker, his wife, were natives of Nova Scotia ; they came to this county in the fall of 1848 ; he first pre- empted a quar ter section in Sec. 6, T. 21, R. 16 ; he was not on time to prove up on it as the roads were in a horri ble condition and the oxen nearly exhausted with the long drive from Wauke sha county ; he was not able to get upon his claim in time, so he lost it, but entered a tract of land in section 22, now town of Ellington. They had a family of nine children, seven sons and two daugh ters. James Albert Hard acker died at the age of twenty-one years. John T., now a butcher and lives at- Stewartville, Mo. Isaac M., served in the War of the Re bellion three years ; he died July 30, 1873. Henry D. is a physician, located at Hortonville, Wis. Lewis A., a farmer at Green Valley, Shawano county, Wis. Herman T., lives on the old homestead. Rolla W., the youngest son died at Hortonville, Wis., March 5, 1884, aged nearly twenty-five years. Elizabeth A., married L. B. Mills in 1858, and they resided on the n w of section 17 in Greenville until Mr. Mills' death which occurred in October, 1886. Since then Mrs. Mills and a part of her family have lived in Appleton. Delia G. Hardacker, second daughter, has been DR. H. D. HARDACKER OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 201 a successful teacher for many years and is now engaged as teacher in one of the departments of the First Ward school in Appleton. THE RANDALL FAMILY. Levi Randall was born in Bennington county, Vermont, in 1799 ; he came to Ap pleton in 1852 and located on the w >2 of w J^ of ne X Sec. 26, T. 21, R. 17, now in the Second and Sixth wards of the city of Appleton, where he estab lished a home and resided there until his death in 1888 ; he was married to Ann Hurd in 1820 ; they have had seven sons and two daughters ; their old est son, A. B., was born Jan. 1, 1821 ; he married Theresa Gridley, June 5, 1845; they had one son and one daughter. A. B. was a preacher in the M. E. church and one of the first in Appleton ; he died July 31, 1894 ; his wife still survives. Henry R. Randall, born Oct, 1822 ; he married Harriet Russell in 1845 ; they have two daughters. Mr. Randall died Feb. 1872 ; his wife died in 1852. Third son, Ransford B. Randall, born Sept. 27, 1823 ; he now lives on the old homestead in Vermont. Fourth son, R. H. Randall, born Aug. 11, 1825 ; he mar ried Miss Sarah A. Prindle, Jan. 1, 1845 ; they have one daughter. Mr. Randall came to Applet'^n in 1849 and located orf the s w }{ Sec. 24, T. 21, R. 17, where he estab lished a home on which he now resides ; his daughter mar ried to J. N. Fox in 188i ; they have two sons ; they now live in the First ward of Appleton. Fifth child, Harriet LEVI RANDALL. 202 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. F. Randall, born June S, 1827, married to C. V. Smith ; they now live in Vermont. Sixth child, L. L. Randall, born June 22, 1829, married to Miss Jeannette J. Gridley in 1856 ; they have two daughters, Clara, married to A. C. Tucker ; they have two daughters ; Mr. Tucker died in 1894. Second daughter, Lilly, married to Mr. Gridley ; they have one son. L. L. Randall came to Appleton in 1852 ; he now resides in the First ward of Appleton. Seventh child, R. K. Randall, born July 24, 1831, married to Miss Elizabeth Taylor in 1857 ; they have three daugh ters; they now live in Iowa. Eighth child, Theresa Randall, born April 9, 1845, married to Hurd Morehouse in 1864 ; they had one son ; Mr. Morehouse died in 1868. Mrs. Morehouse married to James Parkhurst, 1873 ; they have one son and one daughter ; they now live in Alabama. Ninth child. Palmer N. Randall, born Oct. 23, 1846 ; died in June, 1871. Mrs. Levi Randall died Oct. 16, 1856 ; Levi Randall mar ried June 16, 1857, to Electa Norton ; they had one daughter. Flora, married to George S. Thompson in 1873 ; they have two sons and one daughter ; they now live in Colorado. Four of Levi Randall's sons were soldiers in the War of the Rebellion, A. B. Randall was chaplain, R. H. and L. L- Randall were in the Sixth Regiment Wisconsin Infantry, R. K. Randall was in the First Wisconsin Cavalry. WOODFORD D. JORDAN Was born in Raymond, Cumberland county. Me., Jan. 19. 1825 ; he is from pioneer stock, having descended from Rev. Robert Jordan of the Church of England, who came from Dorsetshire, England in 1639, and settled in Falmouth, now Portland, Me., the line of descent is as follows: First, Robert ; second, Dominicus ; third, Dominions ; fourth, Nathaniel ; fifth, Dominicus, who was the first, settler in the said town of Raymond; sixth, William; seventh, Dominicus; eighth, Woodford D., who was the first settler in the town of Bovina, Outag-.amie county, Wis., havine OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 203 purchased the land of the government and built the first house where Shiocton now stands in 1850 and has resided in the town ever since. He married Mary E. Manning, Dec. 14, 1851, at Algoma, Wis., no children. He has held the office of school district clerk in the town continously for thirty -five years ; in June, 1875, he laid out the plat of the village of Shiocton and at present resides upon his farm north of the village. GEORGE H. MYERS. Hon. George H. Myers was' born Oct. 24, 1824, in Dela ware county. New York ; when four years of age he came with his parents to Erie county, Pennsyl vania ; he studied law and was admitted to the bar in Erie City about 1 848 ; he came to Appleton in the fall of 1849, where he practiced his profession ; in 1865 he was commis sioned a lieutenant in the Fifty-first Reg-iment, In fantry ; in the fall of 1878 he was appointed Circuit Judge of the Tenth Judi cial District, Wisconsin, to fill a vacancy and after wards was twice elected judge and held the posi tion until his death which occurred Aug. 1, 1891 ; he was married to Miss Betsey A. Hawley, Aug. 25, 1852, in Susquehanna county, Penn sylvania ; they have had one son and one daughter ; their son, George, died March 7, 1864; their daughter, Ada E., now lives with her mother at the homestead. JUDGE GEORGE H. MYERS. 204 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. REV. PHILO S. BENNETT. Rev. Philo S. Bennett was born in Pulaski, county, New York, March 13, 1817. He «f- Oswego was educated for the ministry at a seminary at Mexico, N. Y., and ordained in 1837. He was married June 13, 1838, at Pul aski, N. Y., to MissCalphumiaChase, a rela tive of Secre tary Chase. She was a remarka ble woman. It is quite safe to say few Meth odist itine- r'ants have been favored with a helpmate who in all respects was the equal occupied with various REV. PHILO S. BENNETT. of Sister C. C. Bennett. He was charges in New York State until 1850, when he came to Wisconsin. He was stationed first at Platteville and after wards at Beloit ; meantime he continued his studies and received a degree from Beloit College in 1854. He after ward held various charges in the State, including Milwau kee and Racine, and in 1861 he came to Appleton, where he has since resided. For the past eight years he has not been engaged in active work, but being of an. energetic temperament has occupied himself to a great extent with literary work and lecturing as well as frequent pulpit work. Since the death of his estimable wife seven years ag-o after a happy married life of nearly half a century, he has made his home with his only daughter, Mrs. L. A. Briggs, OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 205 where his last days were happily spent, made pleasant by the loving care of children and grand -children. Elder Bennett died April 5, 1895. THE REXFORD FAMILY. Jabez B. Rexford was born November, 1807, in Hartford, Washington county, N. Y. His parents, Roswell and Eunice Rexford, moved to Johnsburgh, Warren county, N. Y. when he was in his eighteenth year; he helped his father on his farm until he was twenty-one. In 1828 he was married to Miss Re becca Wilcox. Their chil dren were, Jacob W., born June 11, 1830; Sanford W., born Nov. 19, 1834, and Eben E., born July 16, 1847; in March 1856 Mr. Rexford came to Wis consin and settled on a farm in the town of Elling- ton and established a home where he resided until his death Oct." 10, 1887, loved and respected by all who knew him, and it can truly be said of him a good man has gone to his reward and his influence for the right lives after him. Their oldest son, Jacob W., was married to Harriet J. Wilber at Johnsburgh, N. Y., July 24, 1852 ; they have two children, Fred E., Eva May ; they came to Shiocton in 1854 ; in 1860 moved to Shawano ; in 1862 he enlisted in Co. D, Twenty-first Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, was taken prisoner in December at the battle of Stone River and was paroled prisoner ten months and exchanged, marched with Sherman to the sea. JABEZ B. REXFORD. 206 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. was discharged at the close of the war ; in 1878 went to Arapahoe, Neb., with his family ; in 1892 they all went to Sardis, British Columbia, where they now reside. The second son, Sanford W., was married to Mary L. Downs, June 17, 1855, at Johnsburgh, N. Y.; three children were born to them. Harry Sanford, born Dec. 1, 1858; he was married to Lulu Macken, Oct. 12, 1879, at Hortonville, Wis.; his wife died in 1888, had one child. Burrows Gar field;. they went to Prace City, Neb., in 1887; in 1890 he married Lizzie Rea, of Pennsylvania; they have one child. Max Sanford. Second child, Olive C, was born May 18, 1862, was married to Frank Spencer, July 4, 1888; they have two children, Mary Blanche and Frank Rexford ; they now live on a farm in Grand Chute. Third child, Elmer Jabez, was born Nov. 25, 1867, was married to Maud E. Hunter of Iron River, Mich.; they have one child, William Sanford ; they now live on the old homestead in Elling ton. Sanford W. Rexford came ,to Wisconsin and settled on a farm in Ellington in '856 and established a home where he resided until his death, June 21, 1889, he died of cancer of the stomach after fifteen months' great suffering ; he enlisted Aug. 9, 1862, in Co. D, Twenty-first Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteers, was wounded at the battle x)f Perry ville, marched with Sherman to the sea and to Washing ton ; participated iri several battles ; was discharged June 17, 1865. The third son of Jabez B. Rexford, Eben Eugene Rex ford, was born July 16, 1847; came to Wisconsin with his parents in 1856, attending the district school for a time then went to Lawrence University. Commenced his liter ary work when quite young ; with untiring energy he has advanced until his writings are read and appreciated by the many, especially his Talks on Flowers. He was mar ried Dec. 22, 1890, to Miss Hattie Harsh of Shiocton, where they have a pleasant home; surrounded by his birds and flowers, they have a happy, busy life, OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 207 THE JOHNSTON FAMILY. Col. Wm. Johnston was born in Saratoga county, N. Y., April 22, 1797 ; removed to Herkimer county, where he married Miss Harriet Fa ville, and resided in that county until 1851, when they removed to Appleton and located on the s. e. % of Sec. 14, T. 21, R. 17, now in the town of Grand Chute, where he cleared a farm and established a home, where he and his wife spent the remainder of their lives. Mr. John ston was a prominent citi zen, and has been probate judge of this county. He died in 1881; his wife died in 1886. They had six sons, the first, Wm. F., born Feb. 7, 1820, married in 1851 to Harriet E. Sack- ett ; they have three sons, all married, and now live in Milwaukee. Mrs. Johnston died in December, 1864. Mr. Johnston was married to his second wife, Mary West, June 17, 1867 ; they have one son. Second son, John F. Johnston, born July 8, 1822, married to Janet M. Finch of Neenah, formerly of New York, March 26, 1846 ; they have had three children, one son and one daughter now living. Their son, Wm. Henry Johnson, is now mayor of Ishpeming, Mich. ; their daughter Emma is now the Widow Canfield and lives in Ishpeming. John F. Johnston moved to Appleton in July, 1848, and kept the first boarding house and hotel in Appleton in a board shanty ; was a prominent citizen and was the first postmaster in Appleton. He died Aug. 18, 1893 ; his widow survives and lives in Appleton. Third son, Duncan COL. WM. JOHNSTON. 208 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. McArthur Johnston, born May 3, 1827; he has lived most of the time in the West ; his home is now in Omaha. Fourth son, Michael B. Johnston, born July 26, 1830, was married to Miss Lorinda Oney, Feb. 22, 1854 ; they have four sons and one daughter. First son, Wm. R. Johnston, born Jan. 21, 1856, married Jan. 19, 1882, to Loretta Fox; they have three sons living. Wm. Johnston is now engaged in the creamery business in Appleton ; his brother, Fre mont, is with him. Second son, John O. Johnston, born March 16, 18.58, is now unmarried. Third son, Fremont M. Johnston, born July 23, 1861, is married to Jeannette Finch of Neenah. Fourth son, Asa F. Johnston, born June 25, 1861, married to Clair Smith, June, 1894. Fifth son of Col. Johnston, Geo. G., was born Oct. 11, 1832, married to Elizabeth Pepher, May 1, 1867 ; they now live in Ishpem ing, Mich., and have no children living. Sixth son of Col. Johnston^ Asa, born July 25, 1835 ; died in 1854. Michael B, Johnston now lives on the homestead established by his father ; his son, Asa, now lives with him ; their daughter, Mary Lorinda, born , Sept. 25, 1871, now lives with her parents, unmarried. JERE COUGH Was born in Jefferson county. New York, Jan. 16, 1844, was married to Mary E. Brewster, Jan. 1, 1870 ; they have had six children, four boys and two girls. First child, Jenny, born in Greenville, Sept. 24, 1870, was married to James B. Mills, Nov. 1894 ; they now live on a farm in Greenville. Second child, Henry G., born in Greenville, March 12, 1873, unmarried and lives at home. Third child, Ray M., born in Dale, March 14, 1876, now lives at home. Fourth child, Floyd E., born in Dale, Dec. 1879, lives at home. Fifth child, Wayne B., born in Manitowoc county, Aug. 18, 1881, lives at home. Sixth child, MayE., born May, 1885, lives at home. Mr. Cough now lives on a farm in Grand Chute ; he came to this county in 1868, and settled on a farm in Greenville. OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 209 THE TOMPKINS FAMILY. James Tompkins was born in Oneida county. New York, March 7, 1819 ; he came to Wisconsin in 1846, removed to this county in 1849 and located on Sec. 23, T. 21, R. 16, now in the town of Greenville and cleared his land and established a home. In 1866 he moved to Appleton which has been his home till now. Mr. Tompkins was mar ried to Sarah Pierce in 1838, who was born in 1821 in Oneida county, New York ; they raised seven daughters. First daughter, Jane Augusta, born Feb. 3, 1839, married to Frank Mills Feb. 21, 1860 ; they have six chil dren, three sons and three daughters ; they now live in Hortonville. Second MRS. JAMES TOMPKINS. daughter, Maria Louise, born June 30, 1846, married to A. A. Babcock, April 7, 1868 ; they have two sons and one daughter ; they now live in Appleton. Third daughter, Loretta C. , born May 3, 1849, married to Don Babcock, Nov. 13, 1867 ; they have two sons ; Mr. Babcock died in 1887. Mrs. Babcock married in 1889 to James Read ; they now live in Des Moines, la. Fourth daughter, Helen Paulina, born Sept. 7, 1851, married to Charles Clark, Dec. 4, 1879 ; they have one son and one daughter ; they now live in St. Lawrence county. New York. Fifth daughter, Henrietta E., born Aug. 3, 1853, married to George Usher Dec. 1 3, 1871 ; they have one daughter ; Henrietta died Oct. 27, 1880. Sixth daughter, Cornelia, born July 28, 1860, died in 1882. Seventh daughter, Nabby Ophelia, 210 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. born Jan. 5, 1863, married June 28, 1881, to E. E. Thomp son ; they have three sons ; they now live in Des Moines, la. THE PERROT FAMILY. Ferdinand Perrot was born in Switzerland, Nov. 14, 1788 ; he came to America in 1825 and located in Jefferson county, N. Y. ; in May, 1855, he came to Wiscon sin and located in Green ville on the s. w. }i sec. 17, the place formerly occu pied by Seymour Howe, where he established a home and resided until his death in 1865 ; his wife, Julevra Cecil, died about three hours previous to her husband's death ; they were both buried in one grave; they had six chil dren. First son, Ferdi nand, was born Jan. 14, 1814, was married to Rose Besha ; they have six chil dren, five girls and one boy ; they now live in Ap pleton. Second child, Adele, born April 24, 1817, died Sept. 3, 1870. Third child, Julius, born Jan. 26, 1822, married to Ann Cox ; they have had one son and one daughter, both dead. Fourth child, Cecil, named after her mother, born Sept. 26, 1826, died in 1842. Fifthchild, Louis Perrot, born Oct. 28, 1829; he lived on his father'shomestead until his death, May 14, 1893 ; he was a prominent citizen of Greenville and engaged in dairy ing and built the first cheese factory in Outagamie county ; he was married to Theresa McCrary, who was born in Ohio, March 10, 1839, and came with her parents to Greenville, April 1, 1848, Mr, Perrot was first president of Outagamie LOUIS PERROT. OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 211 County Agricultural Society, supervisor of Greenville and postmaster several years, reporter to Statistical Depart ment, United States, Washington, D. C, etc.; he had nine hundred pounds of cheese on exhibition at the World's Fair in New Orleans in 1885 and was awarded first premium, $125 in gold. Sixth child, Frank Perrot, born July 26, 1835, married to Emma Bates, of Appleton ; they had one son and one daughter ; his wife died Dec. 12, 1887. Frank Perrot was a mechanic, worked at blacksmithing, wagon making and building, etc.; he now lives with his son in Rhinelander, Wis. THE SHEPHERD FAMILY. George W. Shepherd was born in New Hampshire in 1799; he came to Wisconsin in 1840 ; he came to the town of Osborne in 1860 and settled on Sec. 5, T. 23, R. 18, where he cleared his land and established a home where he resided until his death in 1872 ; his wife, Margaret Bull, born in 1793, they had two sons and three daughters. First child, Allen, born in 1824, married to Margaret McNaughton, of Ver non, Waukesha county. Wis. ; they have three sons and three daugh ters ; they now live on their farm in Section 5, Osborne. Second child, Eliza A., born August, 1826, married to David Benedict ; they had three sons and five daughters ; Mr. Benedict died June 17, 1875; Mrs. Benedict married Thomas Brookshire ; they now live on the old homestead on the northeast corner of Sec. 6, MRS. GEO. SHEPHERD. 212 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. T. 23, R. 18. Third child, Sewall, born in 1829, married to Jane Dowd in 1858 ; they have two sons and two daughters ; he came to Osborne in 1859, where he cleared a farm on sec tion 5 ; he now resides in Appleton. Fourth child, Sally J., married Hiram Gragg ; they have five sons and two daugh ters ; they how live in Waushara county. Wis. Fifth child, Nicea S., born in 1833, married to John Knox in I860, by Rev. O. P. Clinton, of Menasha ; they have two sons and four daughters ; they now live on a farm on Sec. 8 in Osborne. JOHN M. BAER. John J. Baer was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, July 4, 1812 ; moved to Ohio in 1820, and came to Black Creek, this county, in the fall of 1862, and located on Sec. 32, T. 23, R. 17, where he estab lished a home and resided un til his death in 1871 ; his wife died in 1881. Their only sur viving son, John M. Baer, was born in Tiffiii, Senica county, Ohio, October 14, 1845; he located eighty acres of land in Black Creek in 1859; he en listed in the Union army of the War of the Rebellion at the age of fifteen years, and served in several different regiments; saw much hard fighting ; was served until the end of the war, and when discharged, Oct. 14, 1865, he held a commission of captain in the forty-eighth battalion of Ohio veteran volunteers ; he was married to Libbie C. Riley Nov. 18, 1867; they have three sons and one daughter — Attic M., Charles O., Eddie S., and John M. Jr. John M. Baer, C. W. Hopkins and George Welch were the first settlers in the JOHN M. BAER. wounded several times OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 213 town of Black Creek. John M. Baer was elected town clerk when twenty-one years old ; was assessor two years ; justice of the peace ten years ; supervisor four years ; register of deeds eight years, and is now postmaster of the city of Ap pleton. He assisted in organizing the first G. A. R. post in Outagamie county. THE McGILLAN FAMILY. Francis McGillan was born in the county of Tyrone, Ireland, in 1799 ; when •quite a young man he came to Quebec and worked on the British fortifications there un til they were finished, then he returned to Ireland where he mar ried Nancy Malone, also of Tyrone ; about 1832 they came to America, settled in New Jersey ; in 1839 they removed to Columbia county, Ohio; in September, 1851, they removed to the town of Center, in this county, and settled on n. e. % of Sec. 34, T. 22, R. 17, where he cleared a farm and established a home where he resided until his death wl^ich occurred Aug. 19, 1864. Mr. McGillan was the first postmaster in Center. His wife died March 16, 1862 ; they had five sons. John H., born in Ireland; Thomas and Robert, born in New Jersey ; James and Samuel, born in Ohio. Samuel died in November, 1873 ; their daughter, Margaret, born in Ohio, married three times, has one daughter living. Second daughter, born in 1842, married to Patrick Newcomb ; they have three sons and three daughters ; they now live on a JOHN M'GILLAN. 214 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. farm in Ellington. John H. McGillan married Catharine McNeal, Sept. 17, 1867 ; they have three sons, one of them is a natural artist, and two daughters ; they now live on a farm in section 35, Center. Robert McGillan married Elizabeth Shirk ; they have six sons and two daughters. Robert died June 20, 1886. James McGillan married Joanna Cummings ; they have had five sons and five daugh ters ; they now live in Appleton. Mr. McGillan has been sheriff of this county and county surveyor four years and has spent several Years locating and dealing in pine lands. His wife is celebrated, for her excellent voice and good singing, which is inherited by her children. One son, James Jr., is a rising young lawyer in Marinette, Wis. Nancy, daughter of John H. McGillan, married to Dennis McGinnis ; they have one son ; they now live in Appleton. JOHN HENRY BOTTENSEK Was born in Hanover, Germany, in 1806 ; he came to Wis consin in 1847 ; he came to the town of Dale in 1854 and settled on a farm on Sections 14 and 23, T. 21, R. 15, where he cleared his land and established a home where he resided until his death in 1865; he married Sophia Remmers in 1846 ; they have two sons and one daughter now living. The oldest, John, born in 1850, married to Ella Buck of Appleton ; they have one daughter. John Bottensek is a graduate of Lawrence University ; is practicing law in Appleton and is now district attorney. The second son, August, born in 1852, married to Marietta H. Scott in 1875 ; they have three sons and two daughters ; they now live on a farm in Dale. Their daughter, Lena, born in 1858, mar ried to Edward Wege ; they have four daughters; they now live in Ellington. John Henry Bottensek's widow now lives in Appleton. OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 215 THE YOUNG FAMILY. Samuel Young was born in New Jersey about 1800 ; in 1849 he settled in the town of Dale. Mr. Young had four sons, viz.: John, William, Isaac and Vincent, all were among the first set tlers of the town of Dale. Three of the brothers were soldiers in the War of the Rebellion. Wm. Young was born in 1821 ; was lieutenant in the Thirty-second Regiment Infantry, afterwards he raised a company and joined as captain in the Forty-seventh Regiment Infantry and served until the end of the war ; he entered the first land in the town of Dale on Sec. 35, T. 21, R. 15; in 1855 he bought the n. e. % of Sec. 25, T. 21, R. 15, where he cleared a farm and established a home on which he built a large hotel ; the place was known as Young's corners, where he resided until his death, which occurred Nov. 24, 1890. William Young was a prominent citizen ; he represented his district in the state senate from 1867 to 1869 ; his widow now resides on the homestead with her daughter who is married to Dr. Mclntyre, a practicing physician. PETER McLEOD Was born in Scotland in 1819 ; came to America in 1849 ; lived in Canada one year and lived in Neenah five years ; came to Greenville in 1855 and settled on section 28, then a wilderness, where he cleared a farm and established a home. In 1863 he removed to Clayton, where he now re- CAPT. WM. YOUNG. 216 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. sides. He married Elizabeth Ferguson in Scotland ; they have three sons and two daughters. Catharine married Wm. Perry Sept. 20, 1856 ; they have one daughter, Eva, born in 1870 ; she married H. W. Russell Sept. 23, 1891 ; they now live in Appleton. Mr. Russell is proprietor of a shirt factory in Appleton. THE VANDEBOGERT FAMILY. Frank C. Vandebogert was born at Alexander, Genesee county. New York, in 1819 ; he came to Apple- ton in May, 1850, stopped a while in what is now the Third ward of Apple- ton and helped John Stephens and James Gil more stake out Grand Chute plat for Conkey, Martin and Bowen ; in August, 1850, he pur chased the fractional n. w. % of Sec. 7, T. 21, R. 18, moved on it, cleared a farm and established a home, where he resided many years ; his brother Henry bought the quarter section adjoining it on the south ; Henry enlisted in Company D, Twenty-first Regiment, United States Infantry, and died at Murfres- borough, Tenn., in 1862; his two sons live in North Dakota, and his daughter lives in Nebraska ; his widow lives with her son in North Dakota. After Henry died his brother Isaac bought the north half of the quarter section ; he is now living in Appleton. F. C. Vandebogert was married to Zelpha Oney, Aug. 21, 1845; they have two sons and three daughters. First child, Julia, born in 1846, F. C. VANDEBOGERT. OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 217 married to John Worden ; they have had six children ; they now live in Minnesota ; Mrs. Worden died Dec. 27, 1887. Second child, Benjamin F., born March 10, 1848, married to Ellen Nettle - ton in 1876 ; they have three daughters; they now live in Elmhurst. Third child, Sarah L., born in 1851, married to Wm. Sykes in 1873 ; they have one son and one daughter; Mrs. Sykes diedFeb. 19, 1885. Fourth child, Mary E., born in 1856, married to J. B. Vandebogert in 1887; they have one son ; they now live in Appleton. Fifth child, Charles F., born in 1858, married to Julia Anderson, May 9, 1884; they have one son and two daughters ; they now live in Appleton. F. C. Vandebogert moved to Appleton in 1878, where he died, Feb. 10, 1893 ; his widow now lives with her daughter Mary. IS.4.AC K. VANDEBOGERT. GEORGE LEIBY Was born in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, in 1807 ; he came to Wisconsin in 1860 (several of his sons came earlier) and settled on a farm in Dale where he established a home and resided until his death in 1875 ; he had a family of six sons and six daughters ; all settled on farms in the town of Dale except one daughter. The sons' names are, Jacob, Stephen, Jonathan, William, Gideon, and George ; the daughters are, Priscilla, married to David Zahner; Rebecca, married to Harrison Miller ; Matilda, married to Fernando Hank : Louisa, married to Theodore Spengler of Waupaca 218 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS'. county ; Polly, married to Morris Vaughn ; Sarah, married to Reuben Rarrick. All have lived on farms in Dale ex cept Mr. Spengler. THE HOPKINS FAMILY. Charles W. Hopkins was born in Lincoln county. State of Maine, July 4, 1824; he was a son of David Hopkins of the same place ; his grandfather, Robert Hopkins, came from the north of Ireland ; he was a soldier in the Revolu tionary War and served from the commencement of the war until the close and was with Arnold when he went through the wilderness in the win ¦ ter to attack Quebec. C. W. Hopkins' father mar ried Martha Trask in 1823 ; they had two sons, Charles W. and David, now living in the State of Maine. C. W. Hopkins married Helen T. Ledden in June 1855 ; they have had six children, four now living, three sons and one daughter. Mr. Hopkins came to Wisconsin in 1850 and settled in 1859 on Sec. 32, T. 23, R. 17, now in the town of Black Creek, he being the first settler in that town ; he was supervisor eleven years, and was postmaster at Bing- hamton seven years, being the first postmaster at that place. Mr. Hopkins was a soldier in the War of the Re bellion and enlisted in First Wisconsin Heavy Artillery, Oct. 8, 1864, and served until the close of the war. Mr. Hopkins sold his farm in Black Creek in 1895 and removed to Appleton where he now resides. CHARLES W. HOPKINS. duTAGAMfE COUNTY PIONEERS. 219 HIRAM A. JONES. Hiram A. Jones was born in Grafton, Mass., Dec, 3 1831; he was a son of David Jones of the same place. When he was eleven years old he re moved to the city of Worcester where he enjoyed such facili ties for education as the public schools afforded. At the age of eighteen he entered the Wes- leyan University at Middletown, Conn., where he graduated in '.^3. After teach ing one year he came to Appleton in 1854, where he was engaged as tutor in Lawrence University and has served as tutor, ad junct professor, and professor of ancient languages from that time to the present. Mr. Jones has represented the First ward of the city of Appleton as alderman two years, also as supervisor two years and city superintendent of schools one term. He was married to Emily M. Tallmadge, of Fond du Lac, Dec. 8, 1861 ; they have had two sons and one daughter ; the daughter died at the age of nineteen. His oldest son, Lyman Asa, born Nov. 19, 1865. He was married to Mary Davis of Worcester, Mass., Jan. 1, 1895. He graduated at Lawrence University in 1886, also at the Harvard Medical School in 1889. He was for several years physician at State Lunatic Hospital at Worcester, Mass. He resigned his position in December, 1894, to prosecute HIR.\M A. JONES. 220 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONESrS. his medical studies in Europe. The second son, David Arthur, born in October, 1875, has his home with his par ents, but has been away most of the time on account of his health. HUMPHREY PIERCE. Humphrey Pierce was born Feb. 5, 1837, at Gorham, State of Maine, a son of Charles and Hipsabeth Pierce. Charles was a native of South Hampton, N. H., born Aug. 7, 1801, a son of Moses Pierce. The wife of Charles, whose maiden name was Lord, was a lady of Eng lish extraction born July 5, 1801, in New Hamp shire, and died near Gor ham, Me., in 1849; she and her husband were members of the Methodist church in which he filled the office of deacon for many years. They were the parents of eight chil dren, their names being Charles, Mary, William, Julia, Angeline, Humphrey, Jonathan and Moses ; the last named was killed May 19, 1863, at the battle of Vicksburg in a charge on the breast works of the enemy ; two other chil dren, Jane and Sarah were born to Charles Pierce by a second wife ; all are living except Moses. Charles Pierce was a mason by trade and carried on quite an extensive business in the East in -that line as contractor and builder until 1845, accumulating considerable property. In 1845 Charles emigrated to the West, first settling near Peoria, 111., where he continued in his business as con tractor and builder, and also carried on a farm for several years. In 1849 Charles moved to Alton. TIL, a,wd nrhirtno- an HUMPHREY PIERCE. OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 221 the contractor and building business engaged quite exten sively in stock raising, farming and milling business, and later in real estate; he died at Alton, 111., Feb. 4, 1861, aged nearly sixty years. His son Humphrey came to Milwaukee, Wis., in August, 1850, where he lived with his uncle, Jonathan L. Pierce, who kept a dry goods store at No. 13 Spring street, now' Grand avenue, until September, 1851, when he went to his father at Alton, 111. After leaving the common school he attended the high school at Woodstock, McHenry county, 111., for one year, 1856-7, and then came to Appleton, Wis., arriving Sept. 3, 1857 ; he immediately entered upon a course of study at Lawrence University and graduated from that institution in June, 1862. After graduating at Lawrence, he entered the Harvard Law School, taking a , regular law course and graduated in 1866 ; returning to Appleton, Wis,, he was admitted to the bar in 1868 and began the practice of law, in which business he has ever since been and is now engaged ; in connection with the practice of law he became quite Inrgely interested in real estate in and near Appleton and has devoted considerable attention to that branch of business. His professional calling naturally leading him into poli tics, both local and state, he took considerable interest in such affairs and has held several offices of important trust. He was elected city attorney of Appleton for several terms, holding the office during the years 1869, 1870, 1874 and 1875; was alderman during the years 1878, 1879, 1883 and 1884; he held the office of district attorney in 1871 and 1872 ; in 1880 was elected mayor ; re-elected in 1881, and in 1893 was again elected mayor. In 1881-2 was a member of the legislature and in 1884 was a delegate to the State Democratic Convention held at Madison, Wis. October 15, 1869, Mr. Pierce was married at Milwaukee, Wis., to Emily J. Ilauser of that city, a daughter of Capt. Henry Hauser, a lake captain, whose vessel was wrecked on Lake Erie near Sandusky in 1875, and the brave com mander drowned. Mrs. Pierce is a member of the Congre gational church. 222 V OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. To Mr. and Mrs. Pierce have been born eight children named as follows : Dudley H., Frederick H., Florence J., Jessie E. and Ella C, twins, Genevieve A., Lawrence R. and Byron W., all are living except Frederick H. and Florence J. Dudley H. was married at Appleton, Wis., to Laura A. Briggs of that city on Sept. 19, 1893 ; to this union has been born a daughter, named Josephine E. EUa C. was married at Appleton, Wis., to John W. Van Alstyne of that city on Sept. 5, 1895. The ancesters of Mr. Pierce came to this country from England early in the seventeenth century and settled at Joppa, near Newburyport, Mass. The old stone house built at Joppa by the early settlers of the family in this country still stands and has been preserved so far as possi ble as originally built ; the openings left for port holes for defense against attacks by the Indians remain where originally constructed ; pilgrimages to the old ancestral home are frequent by members of the Pierce family ; it stands near the sea shore and is a delightful spot on which to while away a season of rest and indulge in imaginary dreams of the dangers and hardships encountered there by the pioneers of the family. PIONEER LIFE OF W. H. ROGERS. I came to Appleton in the fall of 184 9 from Elizabeth- town, N. Y., where I was born in 1835; my father was born in Saybrook, Conn. , 1794. He went on foot to Ohio with his brothers, William and Joseph, and settled on the Western Reserve in the town of Randolph, Portage county. He bought a farm in the wilderness and cleared it up ; his brothers also bought farms adjoining where they spent the rest of their lives ; he was a veteran of the war of 1812. In 1828 he married Cordillera Davis who was born in 1807, in Elizabethtown, Essex county, N. Y. ; she was a daughter of Darius Davis, a farmer. Soon after their marriage my father exchanged his farm for that of his father-in-law, in Essex county. New York, OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 223 and moved on the latter. While on this farm I attended a district school and when I was thirteen years old I took charge of running a threshing machine, with the help of a hired man, and also took charge of delivering the product of a forge, which produced about six tons of wrought iron a day. I had to draw it by team, twelve miles, to West- port on Lake Champlain. My father being laid up with rheumatism for two or three years ; my father and mother visited their brothers in Randolph, O., in the spring and summer of 1849 and moved to Appleton in the fall follow ing and bought the present site of the new fair ground and east of it on Spencer street, at five dollars an acre ; he bought one hundred and seven acres of heavy timber land of Burns Craft. My father had been an invalid for about three or four years and used crutches for the most of that time. Upon the land which he purchased was a fine sulphur spring, the waters of which he used for medicinal purposes, and at the end of two years he threw away his crutches and once more walked without their aid. My brothers Davis, Calvin, James and Madison, who had been separated somewhat from home, again joined their parents in Appleton ; my oldest sister Nancy, died previ ously at my brother James' residence at Pottsdam, St. Law rence county, N. Y. ; my youngest sister, Lucy Ann, died at the age of five in Elizabethtown ; my other sisters, Mary, Helen and Annette, came west with their parents ; my brother James and I stayed until the fall of 1849 ; James going to St. Lawrence county, where he was married at Pottsdam while I came through to Appleton. At Fond du Lac I saw ox teams out in the lake a long distance with household goods and passengers to meet the boats that were unable to land ; my father in the mean time sold his York state farm of two hundred and forty acres. His household goods were shipped very late in the fall by way of the lakes and were " frozen in " at Milwau kee. Father sent me with a yoke of oxen to get the goods. When I reached Fond du Lac I found bare ground and was compelled to return to Appleton for a wagon, I was two 224 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. weeks on my next trip, returning with the goods. I met my father west of Neenah, who having become anxious had started out to look for me. On coming down a big hill one of the oxen fell and the load pushed him to the foot of the hill. I supposed that he was dead but found to my great relief that he was only stunned. I came on that night to Rock River. The water was about eighteen inches deep and not frozen over. I drove through the river after dark and stopped at a hotel over night. In the morning I pre sented my last five dollar bill to the landlord in settlement for my fare and lodging. To my great surprise the land lord pronounced it counterfeit, but finally a "bank detector " was found and the bill declared genuine and accepted. Getting back my change I departed towards home rejoicing. The next night after traveling through the wilderness over crooked roads, swamps and corduroy I got stuck on a bad hill. I heard a man chopping off in the woods and got him and his team to' help me up the hill. I gave him a dollar but he could not make change with me, so I gave him my jack knife. That night I came to a log house called a hotel. A sign on the barn read, " tame hay." I stopped here and found that only one per son could speak English. This was a young boy. I found good fare for my oxen but rye bread and beer for myself. At supper time all were seated around a bare table on which was a black loaf of rye bread. This bill of fare was entirely new to me, so I ate nothing. The next morning about two miles farther on I found an American family and got an American breakfast. When I was seventeen years old I hired out to the Rich mond Bros, to sell the paper that they made in Appleton. This was the pioneer paper mill. The first paper that they made was dried in the loft of their mill on long rolls about one and one-half inches in diameter and eight feet long. The paper was counted and folded into quires and reams and cut into different sizes by a large lever power. Straw paper sold at six cents a pound and manilla paper for ten cents per pound. Two years later they put in im proved machinery, calenders and cutters and made print I OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 225 paper which I sold for twelve and one-half cents per pound. I sold their entire product that went beyond Neenah, Osh kosh and Fond du Lac with a four-horse team, for three and one-half years. I received fifty dollars a month and expenses and furnished one team. In the year 1857 I was married to Lucinda Coats of the town of Vinland, Winne bago county. Wis., the daughter of Orpha (Congor) and Dennison Coats. I sold a piece of land to my brother Madison and bought eighty acres in Vinland ; two years later I bought another eighty joining the first. I cleared up and improved the whole 160 acres and built a large brick house and three barns. I took an active part in the town official business. My father sold me his Appleton property on the Fox river, just outside of the city limits. I moved my family to Ap pleton and kept a dairy, partially supplying the city with milk for twelve years ; I got my supplies, such as hay, grain and cows, from my farm in Vinland. In the mean time I gradually worked into market gardening, which I have carried on up to the present time. I started the first greenhouse in Appleton ; Mr. Stone soon after built one opposite the college, which I bought later. I bought property at Appleton Junction and consol idated the two greenhouses there ; I have carried on the florist business ever since. I improved my property at Ap pleton Junction and finally began to sell lots and build houses on the installment plan. I have built a good many houses and sold a good many lots since. I have been here ; I have also added to my greenhouse, so that now we have 15,000 square feet of double strength glass. We have a very satisfactory trade at home and in neighboring towns. About two years ago I took an active part, with others, in establishing a pickle factory industry, which we have worked up into a satisfactory business. My family consists of four boys and four girls. Herbert, at present justice of the peace ; Haskel, mechanic and stock holder in pickle factory ; Leonard, of the firm of W. H. Rogers & Son ; Fred, student Lawrence University ; Minnie, wife of Miles Meidam, florist ; Alice, teacher in Appleton ; 15 ,226 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. Gertrude, book-keeper in Appleton Pickle and Preserving Co. ; Daisy, a student in Third Ward High School. CAPT. WELCOME HYDE. Welcome Hyde, lumberman and land owner of Appleton, Wis., was born in the State of Vermont in 1824, and is the youngest son of Eli Hyde and grandson of Eliacum Hyde, both of whom were natives of Connecticut, and prominent in the community with which they were identified. The emigrant ances tor of the Hyde family in America settled in New England in about the year 1645, and was one of the colonists of that era who came of aristocratic lineage. A native of Engl and, he be longed to the famous old family from which sprang Sir Edward Hyde, the English historian and statesman, who was knighted and created Earl of Clarendon by King Charles II. inl661. His daughter, Ann Hyde, became the wife of the Duke of York, after wards King James II., and was the mother of Mary and Anna, both of whom became queens of Great Britain. The mother of Welcome Hyde, who before her marriage was Mary Campbell, was a native in Rutland, Vt., and of Scotch descent. Eli Hyde removed with his family from Vermont to Northern Ohio, when his son Welcome was ten years old, and settled about forty miles southeast of Cleve land. The son was educated in the district schools of CAPT. WELCOME. HYDE. OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 227 Ohio, and later in the Rock River Seminary at Mount Mor ris, 111. As a boy he was kept at work so much of the time that he had comparatively little time for study, and it was not until after he left home and came west that he was able to round out a fair English education ; he was at this time nineteen years of age, and dependent only upon his own resources ; but by frugal living supported himself while attending school at. Mount Morris. Soon after leav ing that institution he associated himself with a gentleman of means who supplied him with money for the purchase of cattle in the southern part of Illinois, which he drove through to Wisconsin to stock the new farms of that state then being fast brought under cultivation. This business ' he followed for several years which gave him ample oppor tunity to become familiar with the resources and prospects of the greater part of Wisconsin. , Having determined to settle in this state and engage in the lumber and farm business, he went in the fall of 1850 and explored the wild and unsurveyed woods tributary to the Embarrass river and located a logging camp for cutting pine timber on what, was then called the Indian lands, that since proved to be on Sec. 8, T. 24, R. 15 east, in Outa gamie county. He was five days with a crew of eight men cutting out his supply road from th^ mouth of the Embarrass (now New London) to his logging camp, a distance of about twenty miles ; and his team was the first driven north of New London. He was guided in laying out his road by the old Shawano Indian trail, as far north as Bear Creek, at which place he left the trail and made east to go down to the river. At this point the land bordering on the creek begins to widen into a great alluvial bottom or level tract of rich land, till it becomes nearly two miles wide for a distance of three miles down the creek, heavily covered with a dense forest of oak, maple and basswood timber, with a ridge surrounding it thickly sprinkled with first-class white pine, making an attractive location for a self-reliant and strong determined man. It was here that Mr. Hyde resolved to make his future home. But the land was not surveyed and brought into market till the fall of 228 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 1853, at which time he made a purchase,' and the next year moved there with his little family. His nearest neighbor for over a year was eight miles distant. During the period of three years while waiting to have the land surveyed and brought into market, Ira Millard bought out the claim of William Johnson, an Indian trader at the mouth of the Embarrass river, and started the village of New London. In the mean time a large number of settlers had worked north of this village, along the first cut out road, among whom were George Lawe, James Payton and Sam Price, and still up north as far as Maple Creek. Jerry Mirickle, Robert and James Hutchinson with many others had made permanent settlement, but during this period while keeping a vigilant outlook for his favorite location, Mr. Hyde was lumbering, he worked two years, 1851 and 1852, on the lands that comprise the village of Embarrass, having his camp on the exact spot where John Palmer's residence now stands. This camp was situated in a grove of unsurpassed quality of pine, being one thick mass for miles in extent, surrounded by an unbroken wilder ness, there being no settlements on the south, nearer than Johnson's trading post, now New London ; on the west, the Wisconsin river without even an Indian trail as a thoroughfare ; on the east, the military road leading from Appleton to Green Bay, and on the north to the village of Shawano, which place had been located ten years before by an enterprising man named Farnsworth, who built a watermill on the outlet of Lake Shawano, and rafted his lumber down Wolf river to Fond du Lac. Previous to this date Curt Lewis, a well known lumberman throughout northern Wisconsin, had bought out Mr. Farnsworth and was running quite a large business there under the super vision of Charles Wescott who had from twenty to twenty- five men at work. James and William Grimmer and some other main lum bermen had located there permanently. The nearest place supplies could be obtained was Oshkosh, and there was only one poor ^oods road leading there, requiring five days to make a trip with a team. This road passed about six OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 229 miles west of Appleton at a point where Greenville now is, and led on to Shiocton where W. D. Jordan about that time had settled, and the road continued north, keeping east of Wolf river, from one to three miles to Shawano. West of Wolf river there was no thoroughfare but an Indian trail, until made by Mr. Hyde. The first winter that he logged there he had only two yoke of oxen. There was not an other camp on that river ; and it was with difficulty that he kept this road open to get in his supplies, still he was not easily discouraged. The business was such that he nor anyone had more than a bare living, nothwithstanding supplies and wages were lower than now. This induced him, in the summer and fall of 1854 to erect a log house and barn on the site of his present purchase, in what is now the town of Bear Creek, Waupaca county, three-fourths of a mile west of Outagamie county line. Here it might be mentioned that this location was just over the lihe in Waupaca county, and its interests were so inter woven with this county we cannot well Omit it. About this time business generally throughout the country began to improve and the lumber business took a sudden impetus and increased ten fold. Shawano at the head of the lum ber interest on Wolf river became a noted place for busi ness. Chas. M. Upham, brother of the present governor, and several other good business men, started up large sup ply stores, hauling their goods from New London. This, in connection with lumbermen going into and returning from the woods, created a large travel, compelling Mr. Hyde to throw open his house to the public, which forced all the business on him that he could well attend to. He was versed in surveying, and being an expert woods man his knowledge was in daily requisition. There was not a settler for miles but he knew and had some dealings with. He surveyed and helped lay out the public roads, and was well acquainted with the streams and surrounding country. He located large quantities of pine for Hon. Philetus Sawyer, Ebenezer Hubbard and other heavy lum bermen of Oshkosh. About this time the Crimean war broke out and engaged the attention of the whole of 230 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. Europe which created a great demand for all kinds of American produce, especially wheat, which was from one dollar and a half to two dollars a bushel. This increased emigration, and stimulated all wishing to get farms to locate government lands. Mr. Hyde in his explorations had been careful to note such lands which made him useful to this class of men. In the month of March, 1855, he located Norman Clinton and his son Urial on the Pigeon river at the place where is now the city of Clintonville. They built a saw mill, later on a grist mill, and added much in building up the new country. That same summer he located Lewis and Nathan Phillipps within a mile south of him, and soon after Allan Phillipps and Lucian Williams settled in the same neighborhood. That fall he got a Geman settlement of fifteen families to locate about four miles west of him. Lewis Schoepke, Lewis Tielkie, Gottlieb Raisler and Chas. Klem were the leading men of this settlement. Their improvements drew around them other representative men, such as August Roloff, Herman and Julius Finger, John Buboltz, Mike Ruckdassel, and many others who settled in Maple Creek, and did much in opening up roads and constructing local settlements. Their children now take an active part in the affairs of Outagamie county. About this time Henry Fulkman, Carl Miller and Joe Long camp into the settle ment. The former (Henry Fulkman), was a young mar ried man who did business for Mr. Hyde for several years. His children are now among the leading men and women of Clintonville. His eldest daughter is the wife of J. F. Miesner, one of wealthiest merchants of that city. The youngest is the wife of J. H. Brady, editor of the Clinton ville Tribune, and helps materially in editing that paper. The boys own and skillfully manage one of the largest stores in Waupaca or Shawano counties. They are good specimens Of German, native citizens, born and educated on or near the old Hyde farm, surrounded by disadvantages natural to such an early period, yet they have worked themselves high in the scale of general usefuUness. These are only samples of many other children of that early Ger- OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 231 man settlement. The Raislers, the Schoepkes, Thielkies and Munserts are doing homage to Wisconsin's best wishes. In the fall of 1858, John Palmer and Eziekel Matterson started the town site of Embarrass on the location of Mr. Hyde's former lumber camp. They erected a saw mill and grist mill together, with other improvements, which at tracted a large community of worthy settlers. In the years of 1858, 1859 and 1860, on account of the war in Europe, and the high price of produce here, the country had fast been filling up, and many thrifty villages started and began to appear like an old farming district. No people enjoyed themselves better than these old pioneers. That air of freedom and liberty which they had and felt, the interest they took in each others welfare and with the pleasure they enjoyed in their social gatherings, cannot be realized in a dense and thickly populated coun try. But this scene was to be changed. In the fall of 1860 Abraham Lincoln was elected presi dent. The secession of the Southern States, throwing the North into financial distress, and badly depressing- busi ness. Mr. Hyde lumbered that winter following, but when he got his logs to Oshkosh he could get only two dollars and a half per thousand. He sold part for that price and took seven hundred and fifty dollars back to New London to pay his men. When he arrived there was less than one hundred dollars that he could use, the balance was on broken banks that had shortly failed. The cause of this was, these banks used Southern States bonds to secure their issue, and as fast as they went out of the Union this security became worthless. Most of the banks in Wisconsin were based on this kind of security, which converted the great volume of currency into worthless paper and spread ruin and consternation throughout the State. In the winter of 1861-2 he organized a company, was elected captain and mustered into the Seventeenth Wiscon sin Volunteer Infantry. The regiment joined the army at Pittsburg Landing and he continued to serve with it until Sept. 16, 1862, when ill health compelled him to resign. On his return home he took up his old business 232 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. of locating land on a much larger scale than before. The effect of the war had inflated the price of every kind of productions. The lumber interest, so badly depressed when it broke out, was now beginning to be more lucrative than ever before. This stimulated the lumbermen to cut the timber from the lands they had bought for that pur pose and which had been kept from settling. At this time that part of the county east of the Shawano road for three miles each way, from the old Hyde farm, and comprising the town of Deer Creek, was comparatively a wilderness, notwithstanding a vast amount of lumbering |had been done there. It is a very level township, almost a plain, having large, wide bottoms along the creeks and Embarrass river, which originally included more first-class oak, ash and basswood, than any other in the county, and the pine was mostly large, primitive timber, which grew along the barely perceptive ridges, skirting the expansive bottoms, which peculiar kind is never found on poor land. The grove pine, that grows on sandy soil, would not exceed in that town two sections, therefore the quality of the land is genuine, being a rich alluvial deposit, and when rightly understood no town in the county will surpass it for general farming worth. In 1862 Pat McGloan and J. Mariarty settled on section 31. Soon after Warren Jepson, a well-known exemplary man, followed them. The next year Capt. Hyde assisted many others to locate there, among whom were Martin Dempsey and Daniel Murphy. They were men who well considered the propriety of an enterprise, but when once decided upon, knew no defeat. The former in the midst of prosperity met with an untimely death by the falling of a tree. His four sons are well-to-do men who have nobly filled the highest offices their townsmen could give. Daniel Murphy is now living in the village of Bear Creek, which is located on his old pioneer farm, enjoying in his declining days, the fruits of a well spent life. His son, P. D. Murphy, is doing business in the same village. He is a success in commercial affairs and has worked himself well up on the list of successful men. The next year 1864, OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. ' 233 Frank Lyon, an expert in locating government lands, came in from Fond du Lac, with a retinue of French settlers and located them in the southeast part of the town. Among them were Louis Bricco, H. Babino, Oliver Besaw, O. Dery, M. Belthazor, E. Jubert, Joe. Faneuf and Lewis Lehman, with many others, all of whom have proved themselves worthy the effort of their leader. North of them settled Wm. and J. Knapp, J. Wiesler, F. Werth and other Germans. Soon after followed a Danish settlement of over thirty families. Most of them went in to the northwest part' of the town. There cannot be too much said in their favor. They have not only proved themselves reliable citizens, but indispensable to the wel fare of the town. Many selections could be made from this -Danish society that would honorably fill the highest trust that the county has the power to confer. There are others whose life sketch would_,be a history of the town. Dan. R. Thorn was afnong the first settlers and held the office of supervisor for many terms ; he devoted much time in laying out roads, building bridges and constructing turnpikes ; also had a salutary influence in the affairs of the county. His name will ever stand a worthy benefactor of his town. G. F. Richardson, Issac Thorn and many others who have worthily held offices of high trust are deserving of our notice, but space will not permit mentioning in detail the names of all these old pioneers, which I regret, more so on account of Capt. Hyde's business being so interwoven with the affairs and interests of these first settlers. After he moved to Appleton, which was in 1866 he devoted his time in the woods of Michigan, locating pine and iron lands, the aggregate of which will run into the millions of acres. Probably there are few his equals in this pursuit or who have seen, and passed judgment on more pine timber than he. With a hardy constitution and a wiry frame, he has been able to successfully accomplish Herculean tasks, and few have done more active work and surmounted more difficulties. On May 13, 1846, Captain Hyde (as he is now called) was married in Edgar county, Illinois, to Sarah Markley, whose 234 * OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. parents were of German lineage. They had three children of whom two survive. Frederick, the eldest, is doing a general mercantile business at Bear Creek, and also takes charge of the old Hyde farm which comprises two thousand five hundred acres. Fifteen hundred being under a high state of cultivation, having over twenty-five miles of tile underdraining, converting much worthless land into rich fields of meadow and grain, not surpassed in the state. He was married in 1882 to Libbie Clark, the daughter of Walter Clark, who was living in the village of Hortonville at the time of her birth. She is also the granddaughter of the late John McMurdo. They have two children. Edith, born in 1883, and Rodger, born March 17, 1893. D. M. Hyde, the younger of the two sons of Welcome Hyde resides in Appleton and is engaged in the real estate business with his father, is a graduate of the Northwestern University, of Evanston, 111., and was professor of civil engineering and mathematics in Lawrence University for several years, but resigned, preferring a more active life. He married Miss Inez Angel who is well connected with influential people in Chicago. They have but one child, Gladys, born April, 1888. Frances Hyde, the only daugh ter of Welcome Hyde, was born Christmas day, 1859, on the old farm. When but a child her parents moved to Appleton where she was educated. In 1883 she was mar ried to James Simpson, which union was crowned with three children. Earl, born August, 1884, Lee, born 1886, and Ethel, January, 1892. On November 1], 1893, she was called by that Divine power, who knows best what is for our good, to leave her beloved children and participate in her long cherished hope of eternity, leaving the world without dread, but in full faith of the things laid up for those who fulfill their probation here. Five weeks only elapsed and her little daughter, Ethel, followed her mother to the grave. The boys are being brought up by their grandparents where they have the best of care. Captain Hyde is a thoroughly self-made man. When he started out in the world for himself, he was penniless and the accumulations OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 235 he has made are solely the result of close application and due attention to business. O. A. BLACKWOOD Was born in New Brunswick in 1815 ; came to Hortonville in 1849 and worked for A. E. Horton, running his saw mill eight years ; he married Lucy Apt in 1840 ; they have had one son and four daughters. First child, Sarah, born in 1842, married to Charles Sweetser in March, 1864 ; they have three daughters. Second child, Josiah, born in 1844, married toRosetta Manley in 1867; they have one daughter ; Mrs. Blackwood died in 1871 ; Mr. Blackwood married his second wife, Emma Foster, in 1874 ; they have one son and one daughter ; they now live in Appleton. Third child, Olive, born in 1846, married to Nicholas Luxinger in 1865 ; they have one son ; she died in 1887. Fourth child, Betsey, born in 1848, married to Romanzo Hastings in 1866 ; they had one son and one daughter ; she died in 1874. Fifth child, Laura, born in 1849, married to A. Johnson in 1870 ; they have one son ; Mr. Johnson died in 1875 ; Mrs. Johnson married James Taylor, her second hus band, in 1885 ; they now live in Milwaukee. O. A. Black wood died in March, 1874, in New London. Joseph Blackwood was a soldier in the War of the Rebellion ; he enlisted Jan. 21, 1863, in Company A, Third Wisconsin Cavalry and served until the end of the war. JUDGE JOHN GOODLAND. OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 237 JUDGE JOHN GOODLAND Is a native of England, born in the town of Taunton, Somersetshire, Aug. 10, 1831 ;. a son of Wm. Goodland, a merchant in Taunton of good standing, whose wife Abigail (Sharman) also a native of England, was a daughter of industrious respectable farming people. Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Goodland were the parents of eight children, five sons and three daughters, of whom the dciughters all died young ; the eldest son, James, was a sailor and was lost at sea ; Joseph lives at La Crosse, Wis. ; Walter is in New Zealand ; William is still a resident of Taunton, England, and John is the subject of this sketch. The latter received a liberal education at the schools and academies of his native town, proving an apt scholar and a clever one ; he and a chum named Geboult carrying off the first prizes at the examination in 1849. At the age of eighteen he came to America ; he stopped in Oneida county. New York until 1854 ; he came to Wisconsin, and in Walworth county eng-aged in various pursuits, such as teaching school, clerking in stores, etc. For a time he conducted a grocery business in Sharon, but unfortunately, was burned out. He also served as justice of the peace and as town clerk in that village. In 1864, having been given a clerkship in the service of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway com pany at Chicago, he removed thither, remaining until 1867, when he was offered and accepted the position of agent for the same company at Appleton, Wis. This incumbency he filled with the highest satisfaction to both the railroad company and the public for a period of seven years, at the end of which time he resigned in order to take up the study of law, in the meantime conducting an insurance business. In 1878 and '79 he was clerk of the judiciary committee of the assembly; in 1879 he was admitted to the bar of the circuit and. supi-eme courts, and the following year was admitted to practice in the district and circuit courts of the United States. In 1888 he was elected district attorney and re-elected in 1890, resigning in 1891 in which latter year he became a candidate for 238 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. Circuit Judge of the Tenth Judicial District, comprising the counties of Outagamie, Shawano, Langlade, Forest and Florence, was elected in 1891, to take his seat in 1893 ; owing, however, to the death of Judge George H. Myers in August, 1891, which caused a vacancy, he was appointed by Governor Peck to fill the vacancy, and accordingly took his seat in August, 1891. In September, 185", Judge Goodland was married to Caroline M. Clark, who was born in Oneida county, New York, of English parentage, and nine children came of this union. Seven of whom, four sons and three daughters, are yet living, as follows : Abigail, living at home with her father ; Edward in Min neapolis ; Walter, postmaster at Ironwood, Mich ; his brother Fayette being with him; Mary in Winnebago, Wis.; Edith in Eau Claire, Wis., married to a son of Judge Bartlett, of that city, and John, married and living at the parental home. The mother of these died in October, 1893. In fraternal association our subject is a master mason of Waverly lodge. No. 51, F. and A. M. Appleton. As a lawyer the judge has been very successful, though never what may be called 9. money maker, but he earned the high respect and esteem both on the bench and at the bar. JOHN S. SOUTHMAYD Was born in Jay, Essex county, N. Y., Jan. 24, 1821; he was married to Susan Bruce, Feb. 20, 1851 ; they have four sms and two daughters. First child, Kittie T., born June 7, 1852, was married to Charles D. Fox, April 30, 1878; they have two daughters ; they now live in Appleton. Second child, L. D., born March 4, 1854, is married and lives in Polk county, Wisconsin. Third child, Frank E., born May 11, 1855, is married and has one son ; they now live in Bayfield, Wis. Fourth child, Marcia, born Aug. 17, 1857, was married to Clarence Murch, April 28, 1877; they now live in Kearney, Neb. Fifth child, Willie E., born May 9, 1859, died Feb. 1, 1862. Sixth child, John B.,' born Dec,. 5, 1861, married to Ida Becker, July 8, 1885 ; OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 239 they have one daughter ; they now live in Milwaukee ; he is general agent for the Singer Sewing Machine Company. John S. Southmayd came to Appleton in 1855 ; he was a soldier in the War of the Rebellion and died in the service a]t Petersburg, Va., Jan. 24, 1865. His widow died Dec. 10, 1887. Mr. Southmayd was a brother of Mrs. H. L. Blood. THE GRIGNON FAMILY. Augustin Grignon was born in Green Bay, June 27, 1780. About the year 1800, he came as agent of the American Fur Trade company to Kaukauna, then called Kockaloo and bought the log house, built by Dominic Ducharm in 1790. Ducharm was the first white man, who settled in what is now Outagamie county. He commenced clearing land and making a farm and trading with the Indians, where the city of Kaukauna now stands. He bought of the Indians 1550 acres of land fronting 9,9 chains, about 1^ miles, on the river and a part of it running back in a northwest direction nearly three miles. He numbered his claims No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3. He afterwards sold his Indian titles to John Lawe, of Green Bay, the father of Geo. W. Lawe, of Kaukauna, to whom he was indebted for his goods, to trade with the Indians. The claims passed to said John Lawe's heirs, mostly to Geo. W. Lawe, now of Kaukauna. Augustin Grignon bought of the Indians 1520 acres of land fronting on the river seventy-one chains and fifty links wide and running north forty degrees, west nearly at right angle with the river two hundred and seventeen chains and fifty-eight links. The United States government afterwards gave him a patent for the same land. The above described land covered a large part of the lands formerly bought by Ducharm of the same Indians and patented to him. The title to some of said lands is now in litigation. Augustin Grignon built an addition to the log house bought of Ducharm and resided in it and traded with the 240 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. Indians until his death. His son, Charles A. Grignon, was born in said house (which was standing in 1894) June 15, 1808 and after his father's death he continued the busi ness, buying furs of the Indians, until the United States bought all the remaining land of the Indians and removed , them to a reservation in Shawano county. He also built a nice frame house where he died, which is now the residence of his widow and children. Charles A. Grignoh married Mary E. Mead, a sister of Mrs. Geo. W. Lawe. and also of M. J. Mead, of Kaukauna. They have three sons named, Augustin, Ross and Charles, and five daughters named Fanny, Maggie, Lydia, Mary and Emelia. Augustin Grignon was descended from the famous De Langlade family. His mother was Domitelle De Lang lade, a daughter of the famous Charles De Langlade whose mother was a sister to the head Ottoway chief. King Nesso- wa-quet, of Mackinaw. Charles De Langlade became a famous leader of all the western Indians, it was he who planned and executed the famous battle known in history as the defeat of Gen. Braddock in 1755; he was also with Gen. Montcalm in the battle before Quebec in 1759, which resulted in the surrender of all the Canadas to the British ; he was also engaged in most of the battles in the French and Indian War from 1755 to 1760. The children of Augustin Grignon were: Margaret, who married Ebenezer Childs; Charles A., born in Kaukauna, June 15, 1808, Alexander and Paul, and Sophia, who mar ried Louis B. Porlier, and Louis Grignon. OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 241 COL. THEODORE CONKEY. Col. Theodore Conkey was born in Canton, St. Lawrence County, New York, Dec. 11, 1818; his father, Asa Conkey, served as a soldier in the War of 1812, was a man of marked strength of character ; the first twenty years of Col. Conkey's life was spent on the old farm near Canton ; he enjoyed all the privileges which the common schools of that day afforded and af terwards concluded his studies at the Academy of Cazenovia. In 1841 he came to Wisconsin, stopped awhile in Fond du Lac, where there were then but four or five white familes ; his eldest half- brother, John Banister's family being one of them ; the succeeding three years he spent at that place and at Madison, teaching the first schools established in those places ; about the year 1843, he engaged in the United States service as surveyor, first being associated with Gen. A. G. Ellis, of Green Bay. A large portion of Northern Wisconsin reaching as far north as Lake Superior and from Lake Michigan to the Mississippi were surveyed for the first time by them ; in 1849, Col. Conkey settled in Apple- ton and acquired that year considerable propert}' interest in company with Hon. M. L. Martin and A. B. Bowen in the site which the Third ward of the city of Appleton now occupies. Col. Conkey was united in marriage to Cynthia Foote, of Canton, N. Y., January 28, 1848; thev have had four children; only one survives, Mrs, COL. THEODORE CONKEY. 242 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. Lyman E- Barnes ; they have one daughter, and three sons living. Edward Conkey was born in 1854 and died in 1882 ; their daughter, Mrs, Alice Reid, born May 21, 1852, died Nov. 21, 1892. Upon the breaking out of the rebel lion. Col. Conkey tendered his services to the government ; he raised a company and joined the Third Wisconsin Cavalry in January, 1862 ; his regiment was assigned to arduous duty in southern Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas and upon the plains and continued in active service until the October following the close of the war. He was lieutenant of the regiment when it disbanded ; soon after his return from the war, he engaged with the Messrs. F. and C. Pfennig in the flouring business in the famous Genesee Mills ; on the death of Charles Pfennig bought out the other interests, enlarged and improved the mills, kept constantly in the business until near the close of 1879 when he disposed of them to Kimberly, Clark & Co., after which time he virtually retired from business. He served several terms in the Senate and Assembly. His widow survives him ; his daughter, Mrs. Lyman E, Barnes, and her husband now live on his homestead. SOLOMON RHODES Was born in Massachusetts in 1796 ; he came to the town of Dale, in 1855, with his five sons, Hiram, Edward, Elias, Andrew and Samuel, all settled on farms in Dale ; four daughters but one now living, she 'was married to Shed Doty ; they have one son and three daughters, Andrew and Elias Rhodes bought 200 acres of land on Sec, 25, T. 21, R. 15, on which they built the Rhodes Hotel which is now run by Andrew, Elias having died ; the brothers are all dead except Samuel and Andrew. Solomon Rhodes died in 1864. Andrew Rhodes was born Sept. 11, 1816 ; he married Delia Bacon in 1844 ; they have no children ; Mrs, Rhodes was born in 1822, OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 243 THE BRILL FAMILY. Michael Brill, born in Germany, came to this county, settled on Sec. 23 in the town of Buchanan, Oct. 7, 1863; married Elizabeth Ever- hart Feb., 1840, they have nine children, six sons and three daughters. Their oldest son, John Brill, born in 1844, has been sheriff of this county four years and now lives on a fine farm on sections 22 and 23 in Buchanan, is married and has six dnughters living. Second son, Mat. Brill, born in 1846 and now lives in Appleton. Third son, Peter Brill, born in 1848, diedin Jan., 1885. Fourth son, Joseph Brill, born in 1852, now drives a hack in Appleton. Fifth son, Robert Brill, born in 1854, is married and has- three children; he now lives in Kaukauna. Sixth son, William Brill, born in 1859, is married to Harriett Geenen, a niece of. Evert Saunders ;. they now live with Mr. Saunders on his homestead. They have four children. MICHAEL BRILL. HECTOR McKAY Was born in Scotland, May 12, 1816, came to Nova Scotia, Aug. 6, 1831, came to United States June 22, 1844, came to Wisconsin Oct. 22, 1850 ; settled in the n. e. ^Sec. 32, T. 21, R. 17, now town of Grand Chute where he now resides. He was married in 1852 to Sarah A. Murch, a sister to B. B. Murch. They have had six children, three sons and three daughters, First son, Thomas Albert. Second son, 244 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. Charles S. McKay, now dead. Third son, George W. McKay. First daughter, Alice C. McKay. Second daugh ter, Amelia E. McKay. Third daughter, Eugenie, now dead. Two sons and two daughters are now living and are well educated and all hold responsible positions in society. Mr. McKay is a prosperous farmer and much respected by his neighbors. GEO. W. LA. WE. Geo. W. Lawe was born at Green Bay, Sept. 13, 1810 ; he settled at Kaukauna in 1839 ; his father, John Lawe, came from England and settled STHTT" —"••-" — ' 1 at Green Bay in 1797 ; Geo. W. Lawe was mar ried to Catharine A. Meade, of Pennsylvania, March 2,-, 1835 ; they have one son and one daughter. The son, John D. Lawe, born Sept. 17, 1837, was married to ]Mary Chap man ; they have one son. Their daughter, Amanda Lawe, was married to Capt. D. J. Brothers in 1861 ; they have no child ren. D. J. Brothers was born in Canada. He came with his parents to Roch ester, N. Y., when quite young, and in Ma)% 1861, came to Appleton, Wis. In 1862 he enlisted and helped organize Co. I of the Thirty-second Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry in which he was for two years second and first lieutenant. He was in the famous march to the sea, and from the capture of Atlanta to the close of the war he held the responsible position of assist- GEO. W. LAWE. OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 245 ant chief commissary of subsistance of the seventeenth army corps on the staff of Gen. F. P. Blair. After the close of the war in 1865, Mr. Brothers came to Kaukauna, where he has resided ever since. He was twice elected county superintendent of schools and has served several terms as supervisor and alderman ; in 1876, he engaged in the real estate and insurance business which he has continued ever since. In 1894 he built the Hotel Brothers, now the leading hotel in Kaukauna, and is now proprietor of the same. Mr. Lawe at various times occupied positions of trust and responsibility under the United States and the state and has always discharged these trusts so as to gain the confidence of the entire community. In 1843, he was commissioned Indian agent by President W. H. Harrison. This office he continued to hold with the exception of one short interval till 1852 and in this time discharged his duties very acceptably to both government and Indians. In 1849, Mr. Lawe was commissioned postmaster, but his duties as agent proving too arduous to admit the double burden, he was compelled to resign. In 1878, he was again appointed postmaster, and he continued in this capacity until the administration of Gover Cleveland. Mr. Lawe is now living in Kaukauna ; he is now in his 8Sth year, hale and hearty and claims to be the oldest living Badger in Wisconsin ; he was born in this state in 1810. Capt. D. J. Brothers was a soldier in the War of the Rebellion and served until the end of the war. Since then he has resided in Kaukauna and is a prominent citizen, I 1 ITHERS. 246 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. has served the city several terms as alderman and super visor of the Second ward, and has been county superinten dent of schools. In 1894 he built the' Brothers Hotel, now the leading hotel of the city. He is also engaged exten sively in real estate and insurance business. ANSON BALLARD. Anson Ballard, son of Samuel and Diana Ballard, was born in Appling, Jefferson county, N. Y., on the 30th day of Dec, A. D. 1821; he came to Appleton in 1850, and remained until his death on the 4th of April, 1873. He was married in Sheboygan in 1851 to Harriet M, Story. He practiced law with Perrj- H. Smith several years and later on went into real estate business which he followed up to the time of his death. Mr. Ballard was a prominent member of the Congregational church in Appleton, also a Mason and Knight Templar and thoroughly interested in educational work. The nairies of his children are Irving M, Ballard, Leda A, Ballard, now Mrs, O, E, Clark; Irene Ballard, now Mrs. T. W. Orbison ; Delia S, Ballard died Oct. 14, 1857 ; Eugene Bal lard died Dec. 10, 1864 ; Nellie Ballard, Mrs. W. L. Conkey, died Aug. 10, 1891; Frederick J. Ballard, Pearl Edna Ballard died April 12, 1877. Anson Ballard had two brothers. Porter and Jesse Ballard, who came to Appleton in an early day and cleared and established homes on the ANSON BALLARD. OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 247 n. e. % of Sec. 24, T. 21, R. 17. Porter Ballard lived there until his death ; his son, Clinton Ballard, now lives on the homestead. Jesse Ballard removed to Missouri and died there. LEWIS F. JACQUOT. Lewis F. Jacquot was born in 1839 at Cape Vincent, N. Y. He came to Hortonville in 1856, was married to Clarissa C. Wood in 1857; they have three sons and three daughters now living. First child, Charles H., born Aug. 16, 1858, mar ried to Atta Fletcher in 1881, they have three daughters now living, they now live in Minnea polis. Second child, John L., born June 15, 1860, married to Ellen R. Whit man ; they have one son and one daughter ; they now live in Hortonvillci Third child, Clarissa M., born Oct. 11, 1862, mar ried to Wm. Hollemback, editor of the Hortonville Review ; they have no children. Fourth child, Edwin J., born Feb. 23, 1864, now lives in Appleton. Fifth child, Elizabeth V., born Aug. 12, 1866, married to Charles V. Benjamin ; they have one son and one daughter ; they now live in Horton ville. Sixth child, Hattie E., born Nov. 2, 1868, is married to John Printup ; they have two sons and one daughter. Mr. Printup died in Dec, , 1893 ; his widow now lives in Hortonville and keeps the postoffice. L. F. Jacquot is now a prominent citizen of Hortonville, has been justice of the LEWIS F, JACQUOT. 248 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. peace several years and filled many important offices, is now president of the village of Hortonville and proprietor of the Arlington Hotel. His brother, John Jacquot, settled in Greenville on Sec. 18, T. 22, R. 16, in 1849, where he cleared a farm and established a home where he resided until his death. His family now occupy the homestead. PETER LITE. Peter Lite was born in Germany in 1795, came to America in 1832, came to Wisconsin, 1842, settled in Washington county. He came to Appleton in October, 1855, which was his home until his death, in 1886. He had been married three time*;. By his first wife, he had several children, among them is Edward Lite, a pioneer, came to" Appleton in 1855 and has resided here until the TT-''' '' present time. He was married in December, 1854, to Louisa T. Stroebe, who has several brothers and one sister, Mrs. Drinks, now living in this county. Ed Lite and wife have born to them one son and one daughter. Their son, George M,, born July 22, 1861, drowned May, 2, 1881, Their daughter, Clara A, Lite, born Nov, 24, 1855, married to Frank Ehrgott in Nov, 23, 1878 ; they have one daughter. Mrs, John Goelzer is a half-sister to Ed Lite, Mr, and Mrs. Goelzer came to Appleton in 1855 ; they have two daughters and one son. PETER LITE. OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 249 PETER REUTER. Peter Renter was born in Belgium July 5, 1838. His parents, Henry and Maria (Peschong) Renter, were also natives of Belgium where they were reared and mar ried ; in 1847, emigrated to the United States, fifty- three days being consumed in crossing the Atlantic Ocean. They located on a farm near Milwaukee, where the father died three weeks later, the mother died there in 1865. They were the parents of five children who all lived in Milwaukee, viz.: Elizabeth who died in 1888. Peter, our subject. Helen, wife of Paul Fisher, of Portland, Ore- gan. Alexander, who came to Kaukauna and was in business with Peter for fifteen years after which in 1884 he moved to Jacksonville, Oregon, where his death occurred July 10, 1893. Joseph, who died in Milwaukee the year of their arrival. Peter Renter was but 9 years old when he came to Mil waukee. He received such education as the primative schools of that day afforded, the school house being the proverbial log cabin with puncheon floor, and slab seats and birch rod on the teacher's desk. When his school days were ended he learned the carpenter's and joiner's trade which he followed in the vicinity of Milwaukee for nine years and was then induced to go to Appleton as foreman in a hub and spoke factory, now known as Marston and Beveridge. He was foreman four years when in 1869 he PETER REUTER. 250 . OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. came to Kaukauna and here in company with his brother, Alexander, he built a hub and spoke factory which proved a profitable venture. After fifteen years he bought his brother's interest and established the Renter Hub and Spoke company which moved to Rice Lake, Barron county, in 1886 and is successfully managed by his two enterpris ing sons, Henry and Alexander L. Mr, Renter had always taken an active interest in organizing capital and in 1879 he established a State bank, himself being president, A. L. Reuter, vice-president and F, L. Towsley, cashier. The success of the Bank of Kau kauna is known far and wide. This institution was first organized in 1878 as a private bank by Henry and W, P, Hewitt and P, D. Norton, of Menasha, who sold out the following year to Reuter brothers. Mr. Reuter was mar ried in Milwaukee to Gertrude Burlinghousen, a native of Milwaukee county. Wis., a daughter of Gottfried and Catherine Burlinghousen, natives of Prussia who came to the above place in an early daj-. Her father died there and her mother resides in Cleveland. Four children blessed this union, viz.: Henry married and resides in Rice Lake. Alexander L. also married and resides in Rice Lake, John P. an insurance man in Milwaukee, Wis. Paulina who died when four years and six months old. Mrs. Gertrude Reuter died in 1872 'and Mr. Renter subse quently married Maria Wessel, a native of Prussia, to which union five children were born: Lena, Joseph, Maria. Anna and Peter. Mr. Reuter is an earnest advocate of the Jeffersonian principles of the Democratic party and for three terms was mayor of the city of Kaukauna. He has taken an active part being always foremost in that which furthered its growth and prosperity. In 1879 he erected the well-known Reuter Block which is a two-story brick structure with a fifty foot frontage on Wisconsin Avenue, being the first brick block erected in Kaukauna. He also owns other real estate. He visited Europe with his family in 1891, making an enjoyable trip of continental Europe as well as Great Britain. OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS, 251 1818. EDWARD WEST. Edward West was born in Perry county. Pa,, March 20, His parents were William and Susannah, nee Loy, West ; they were both natives of Pennsylvania. He was a farmer, engineer and land surveyor ; he traces his ancestry to England. Edward West resided at home on the farm until his fourteenth year, early in life assist ing in such labor as his strength would admit. In 1832 he was sent to Washington, Pennsyl vania, College and for three years pursued his studies in that institution, leaving college when 18 years old. He journeyed westward, arriving at De troit April 10, 1836, He journeyed across Michi- gen territory on foot to Milwaukee, leaving orders to have his trunk sent around by water on a schooner as steamers had not then found the way around the lakes. He arrived with only three dol lars. He found it difficult to get a bed in the tavern then in Milwaukee, but the landlord gave him a bed on the floor that night. As the land around there was not surveyed, he was employed by land speculators to survey out their claims at five dollars per day. He continued in that busi ness during all the summer of 1836. He also located a claim for himself four miles from the then little hamlet of Milwaukee in a southwest direction toward where Muk- wonaga now is, on which he erected a cabin with the help of some Menomonee Indians, covered the same with shakes three feet long and a puncheon floor, the Indians carrying the ^1 ¦di'UU. EDWARD WEST. 252 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. logs together for which he paid them a barrel of flour, then worth S25.00 per barrel — which was his home for the next five years. He taught two terms in the first school and in the first school house built in Milwaukee with from. forty to seventy scholars about 1841. He moved to a farm in what is now the town of Summit about 1847. He selected land while surveying five miles west of where Oshkosh now stands which he improved and made a farm where he resided until the spring of 1853, when he came to Appleton and located on a farm on Sec. 23, T. 21, R. 17, se ^, a part which afterwards was used for the county fair grounds. In Jan. 5, 1855, he purchased 533>^ acres of land on the south side of Fox River including Grand Chute Island and the south side water power now in the Fourth ward of the city of Appleton. His present wife's name was Amanda M. Fenno. They were married in 1865 ; they have one daughter, now the wife of Dr. Frank Studley, a practicing physician in Milwaukee, they have one daughter. Mr. West and his wife now reside on Prospect street in the Second ward of Appleton. After he built his cabin in Milwaukee, his only neighbors were the Winnebagoes, Chippewas, Potamatamies and Menomonee Indians. He soon learned their language and could talk with them and found them very kind neighbors. They were kind and peaceable except when under the influence of "fire water." STEPHEN BALLIET Was born October, 1826, in Richland county, Ohio ; he came to the town of Dale in 1853 and settled on the ne %. of Sec. 28, T. 21, R. 15, where he cleared his land and established a home, where he now resides. He married Christina Zehner in 1848. They have had one son and five daughters now living. Their son, David H. Balliet, mar ried Ellen Cannon in 1883 ; they have three sons. D. H. Balliet was treasurer of this county four years and now lives in Appleton, dealing in grain, etc. Their daughter, Cassia, married L. A. Wolcott, a physician and lives 'in Berlin, Wis. Their daughter, Mary E., married Wm. OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 253 Strange and now lives in Menasha ; they have one daughter. Their daughter, Sarah L., married Frank McLaughton ; they have one son and two daughters ; they now live in a part of the homestead in Dale. Mrs. Stephen Balliet's father and two brothers and four sisters settled on farms in Dale in 1854. Several of them are living there now. THE POOLE FAMILY. Oliver Poole was born in Genesee county. New York, in 1807 ; he came to Hortonville in 1850, and settled on s. y?. of s. w. yi Sec. 35, T. 22, R. 15, and cleared his farm and established a home where he resided until his death in 1878; ho was married to Siir:ih A. Crooks in 1830; they had three sf'iis and two dau<,-h- ters. First son, Orr en W., born July 4, ".832, mar ried to Susctta Thompson in March, 1854 ; they have three sons and one daugh ter ; they now live in Ashland. Orrin Poole died in Hortonville in 1881 ; his wife died in 1866. Second child, Or- villa W. , born in 1 836, died in 1852. Third child, Orlow M., born in 1840, married in 1865 to Hallie A. Cornish ; they have four sons and three^ daughters ; their oldest son, Silas A., born in 1870, married to May Sesler in 1894 ; they have one son and are now living- on the homestead; their oldest daughter, Sarah M., married to Wm. M. Nims in 1887 ; they have two daughters ; they now live in New London. Third child, Orpha J., born in OKLOW M. POOLE. 254 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 1843, died in 1886. Fourth child, Orvis, born in 1848, died in 1851. O. M. Poole now lives on his father's homestead. THE ABBOTT FAMILY. E. B. Abbott was born in Connecticut Feb. 28, 1811 ; came to Green Bay in 1835 and lived there five years after ward ; he lived about two years in the Oneida Indian settlement ; then he lo cated, in ]842, on Section 11, n. c. ]i inT. 22, R. 18, now in the town of Free dom and there cleared his land and established hi'< home and lived there until his death in ISSO ; he married EUa Webster, of New York, while he lived in Green Bay ; they have had thirteen children, seven boys and six girls ; three boys and two girls are now living. The oldest son, Wm. Abbott, born in 1840; he married and moved to Kansas where he died in 1887, leaving four children. Second son, Alfred, enlisted in the Twenty-first Regiment and died in Andersonville prison. Third son, Charles A. Abbott, born in Dec. 8, 1845; mar ried July 22, 1869 in Illinois to Mary A. Izzard ; they located on Section 15 in Grand Chute where they now reside ; they have had five children ; three now living, two boys, and one daughter now married to Wm. Stephenson ; they now live in Appleton, have one son and one daughter. Fourth son, Edwin Abbott, born Feb. 28, 1846, is now a Baptist preacher; married and lives in Lodi, Wis,; they have three children, one boy and two girls ; the oldest girl *iv i i T « . '^f 1 1 %. i ^''•ii-/^>.. ''">(' \ \9M . :¦'¦¦ 'f '¦' ¦ .i^M:'- w '^^ ¦¦; V- ¦'¦ ¦ ¦^¦^mm^.-fi':- T JSl f-im ^B ¦^¦¦^'t'.'^. jp^r^ ik #1 ^^p t \ ^7k 'S\f^S A. J^^J .. ^ hNi r Mm. wKf^Mi »i?? V -22* ^ ^ £ A sp IT jJl \ V-'i f^ m.i 1 ^P ^ ^^'^m^ ^ i ' M w^ ^j ^m '-^^ f: Syi 'm. 'iA ^mS' fk- . ¦ * «¦-' '*:* ...i^Esiu. m^ mM Jt .¦¦*l'"-" \BB0TT AND WIFE. OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 255 is a student in Lawrence University and will graduate next June. Fifth son, Frank Abbott, born in 1848 ; he now lives in Chicago, is married and has two children ; first daughter, Susan Abbott, born in 1850 ; is married to Willis Knickerbocker and lives in Appleton ; they have three children ; second daughter, Emma Abbott, is married and lives in Dakota ; they have two children. E. B. Abbott and three of his sons enlisted in the Union Army and served in the War of the Rebellion. Charles A. Abbott is the only survivor of the four who enlisted in the Army. B. B. MURCH. B. B. Murch, the pioneer of Outagamie county, son of Nathaniel nnd P0II3' Bingham Murch, was born in Jay, Essex county, N. Y., Oct. 12, 1813, and lived in that place until 183^, when he went west. He spent some time in Cleveland, Ohio, and then traveled over other states, teach ing in various places. He preempted land in Missouri, but in 1840 left his claim with his brother and returned to his old home. Here he remained teaching and working al carpenter and joiner work until 1846. On June 2 of that year he was married to Sarah Boynton and two days later they left for the territory of Wisconsin. A wagon ride of tvrenty miles took them to Keesville where they stopped for the night. They were joined the next morning by Adaline Finch. A shorter ride brought them to Port Kent. From there they went by steamboat to Whitehall, and by canal boat to Buffalo. They found some old acquaintances on the canal boat and made some new ones ; among the latter Dr. Foote, his sister, Mrs. Richmond, and her hus band from Oneida county, N. Y. They stopped in Buffalo over Sunday and on Monday having to wait for the boat went to Niagara Falls and spent the day. From Buffalo they took the steamer Missouri to Chicago, stopping at Mackinaw where they were met by James Blood and taken to his uncle's, Capt. Lavaque's, an old townsman of theirs. From Mackinaw they went direct to Green Bay by the 256 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. Astor, a small steamer owned by Mr. Good ell. The Bay was very rough and the boat finally stopped at Beaver Island to wait for calmer weather. At Green Bay they were guests of Dr. Ward and there they found old neigh bors in the persons of Henry Blood, his wife and sister. Staying there one day, they next went by wagon to what is now Wrightstown. That week Mr. Murch selected his land and the next Monday, June 30, 1846, entered it at the land office in Green Bay. They lived in a small house in Wrightstown until November. [Extracts from momoranda kept by Mrs. Murcli.] Nov. 6, 1846, Mr. Murch left to-day with a small load of boards, some bedding and a week's provisions. Nov. 9, crossed Wrigfht's Ferrv just as the sun rose with a load of things for our future home. A little before twelve the load stuck fast in the ravine (now the west line of Appleton city). I walked on till I found my home to be, and sent Mr. Murcli to the relief of the horses and driver. Found some potatoes roasting in the ashes and some water boiling in the coffee pot and soon had dinner ready. The log pen was not high enough to allow me to stand upright on the lowest side so another tier of logs must be added so we slept that night in the board shanty open on the front where a fire was kept blazing. On Saturday Mr. Crafts, our neighbor, just across the county line, helped put on another course of logs, I set the glass and chinked between the logs. At sundown the roof was on, the floor down, a pig pen built, and the stove up, so we got tea by it. After tea the door was made and fastened up with two nails. It was Saturday night and we were in our own house, on our own land and though we had neither chair, table nor bed stead, we were comfortable and happy. Monday, we fin ished the shanty. It. was twelve by fourteen feet inside. The rest of our things came and at eight o'clock we opened our boarding house, we had from one to five boarders for the next three weeks and frequent calls from travellers sometimes for meals and lodging, but oftener to enquire for the road, That last we didn't have, There OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 257 was only an Indian trail along the river. In one week from trees that were growing in the woods and from boards that had to be hauled seventeen miles with one day's help from Mr. Crafts, our house had been made. For five weeks I never saw a woman, our nearest neigh bors were in Neenah. About the last of December our flour gave out and Mr. Murch went to Neenah and as a special favor got six pounds of flour and six of beef paying a big price for them. He then went to Green Bay and I stayed alone two nights. He had not been at home ten minutes when the wolves began to howl. We lived in this shanty one year, then we moved into an un finished frame house. In this house our four children were born and lived until they were grown up. George H., our oldest, was born Dec. 9, 1847, the first white child born of American parents in the county. The old farm was sold to Mr. Carter about 1882, and Mr. Murch bought a place in Green Bay where he lived several years, then came to Appleton to spend his last days. He died Feb. 20, 1891. ONE OF THE OLD PIONEERS. Obed Thurston Boynton, oldest son of Ephraim and Alice Thurston Boynton, was born in Jay, Essex county, N. Y., Oct. 7, 1822. He came to Wisconsin in 1847, mar ried Isabella Lockwood and made himself a home on Sec. 32 in what is now Grand Chute, Outagamie county, but was then Kokalieu, Brown county. He was a man loved and honored by all who knew him. He served in the War of the Rebellion in the Fourteenth Wisconsin Regiment and died in Sedgwick Hospital of wounds received in an attack on Spanish Fort, and was buried in Monument Cemetery Square thirty-five, grave number two. The above sketch was written by Sarah B. Murch, widow of B. B. Murch, April, 1895. 17 258 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. DR. BYRON DOUGLAS. Dr. Byron Douglas was born in the city of Albany, N. Y., July 10, 1824 ; the eldest in the family of four children by the second wife of Beriah Douglas, brother to Dr. Stephen Douglas, who was the father of Stephen A. Douglas. He received his education at the common schools and academy of his native place, then took up the study of dentistry under the preceptorship of his father, who was a physi cian and dentist and with him practiced his profes sion for a time in Albany, also with his half-brother in Albany one .year. In 1852 he came to Appleton, where for a time he was employed in the store con ducted by his father-in- law, Mr. Woodward, at the same time to a limited extent following dentistry. In 1855 he op(med a regular office, becoming the first regular dentist in Appleton, and since then he has continuously and successfully practiced his profession. He is a member of the American Dental Association, also of the Wisconsin State Dental Society and its treasurer for the last number of years. On April 2, 1849, Dr. Douglas was married to Sarah L. Woodward, who was born in Geddes, now a part of Syracuse, N. Y., a daughter of John W. Woodward, an early settler of Menomonee Falls, Wis., whither he moved from the east in 1851 and from there to Appleton. To this union were born three children, two sons and one daughter ; Earl W., now practicing dentistry in his father's office; DR. BYRON DOUGLAS. OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 259 Willard and Sophia, the latter two being deceased. Politi cally our subject is a Democrat and in 1856 he was elected to the office of county treasurer, in which he served four years. In 1862 he was elected to the assembly, serving one year. In religious faith, he and his wife are members of the Methodist church ; socially, he is a member of the I. O. O. F. and Temple of Honor. PETER TUBBS. Peter Tubbs, of Seymour, Wis., was born May 3, 1841, in the town of Newstead, Erie county, N. Y. His father, Jacob Tubbs, was born in the State of New York, and his mother, Clymena H. (Cottrell) Tubbs, was born in Massachusetts, ancestors tracing back to the Mayflower. Governor Washburn and the noted Washburn family wrre first cousins of my father. At the age of seven years I moved with my parents -.and six sisters to Wiscon sin, settling on a new farm in the town of Lebanon, Dodge county. Wis., in 1848, where I lived help ing on the farm and attending school summer and winter until I was 21 years old, when I enlisted Aug. 14, 1862, in Co. I, Twenty-ninth Regiment, Wisconsin Infantry, and served until the close of the war, participating in all the battles and skirmishes the reg-iment was engaged in. Returning home July, 1865, was married to Phebe H. M. Armitage, Jan. 4, 1866 ; engaged in farming two years, working three PETER TUBBS. 260 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. farms on shares ; December, 1867, bought the present home stead farm of W. S. Warner on contract, for $4.00 per acre, paying $100.00 down. In the winter of 1868, chopped five acres and in September, 1868, moved with wife and one child, Lloyd H., onto the present homestead, where I have lived ever since. There was only two log houses at that time in the now city of Seymour and only a trail with blazed trees north of the city of Seymour to mark the trail north. In two weeks after landing here I had four acres of winter wheat sown and was living in a board shanty erected the next day after arrival, which we lived in during the winter while erecting the main part of the present house we now live in. Was elected town treasurer in 1869 ; town clerk, in 1870; chairman, in 1871, and later assessor. Established the Seymour postoffice and was appointed postmaster in 1870, the office then supplied by carrier from Lime Rock postoffice in the town of Osborn. I took an active part in voting aid for the present railway, and signed the $7,000 bonds as town clerk. After trains ran regularly on the road the postoffice was moved to Seymour village, Mr. Dix being appointed postmaster and has since been held by T. H. Mitchell, L. H. Le Mieux, D. A, Kenyon and Geo. Falck. The income of the postoffice the first quarter after its establishment ranged from nine cents to fifty-seven cents per week. Periodicals were then paid for at the office of delivery. The postoffice now' pays a salary of nearly $1,000 per annum, which is a true index of the growth of the town. From the beginning of 80 acres in the wilderness, now called the Woodland Farm, has been increased to 420 acres, including farms given and now occupied by son and sons-in-law. I am now principally engaged in dairying and shipping butter and farm produce for fifteen years. Have been an active although Indepen dent Republican, having been chairman of the Republican assembly district and also represented Outagamie county on the Republican congressional committee. Am a firm believer in a high tariff and a home market for American products. Have held the presidency of the Seymour Fair and Driving Park Association three years, putting it on a OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 261 firm financial basis. Have held the office of chairman of the town the past two years and am now chairman of the County Board, 1895. My family has increased from one child to nine, as follows : Lloyd H. who married Effie B. Shepherd Dec. 25, 1888 ; now have three children, Harry, Cora and Ralph. Lloyd has held the office of secretary of Seymour Fair three years. Carrie J. married Adelbert Carter Dec. 29, 1887 ; now have three children, Edith, Mildred and Clyde. Flora E. married Chas. R. Blanshan April 2, 1890, and have one child named Peter. Mary F., Leonora L. and Phebe L., George P., John H. and Eleanor E., five years old Nov, 26, being just twenty-four years younger than Lloyd, My mother is now living in Minn,, in her 90th year with all her faculties unimpaired, I am an active member of the Methodist church, taking an interest in all its advancement. WM. R. MANLEY Was born in Onondaga county. New York, in 1823 ; in 1854 he came to Wisconsin ; he settled on Sec, 19, T, 22, R, 16, now the town of Ellington, He now lives on then, e, Y^, Sec, 28, T, 22, R. 16, where he cleared his land and established a home where he now resides. He was married to Louisa Adams, of Cayuga county, New York in 1844; they have had four children, three now living, Orson Manley born Jan, 12, 1854; he was married to Mrs. Mangie Hewitt; they have two daughters, now living at home, J. O. Manley is now living on his farm on the n. e, ^, Sec, 27, T, 22, R. 16 ; his second son. Perry V?M. K. MANLEY. 262 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. Manley, born in 1853 ; he was married to Ida Johnson ; they have two sons now living ; he now lives in Kaukauna. Wm. R. Manley has one daughter, now the wife of Wm. Tyler ; they live on a farm in Ellington. Mrs. Wm. R. Manley died June 10, 1855. Mr. Manley married for his second wife, Nettie E. Keesler ; they have one son. WM. H. MUNGER Was born in New Haven county. Conn., Nov. 14, 1785; he was a son of Willys and Esther Munger, of the same place. Wm. H. Munger moved to Bergen, Genesee county, N. Y., in 1807; in 1843 he moved to Dane county, Wisconsin ; in 1860 he moved to the town of Seymour, Outagamie county. Wis., and located on the n. e. )(, Sec. 32, T. 24, R. 18, now in the city of 'Seymour. In 1809 he was married to Sally Evarts, of Connecticut ; they had two sons, Simeon W., and Levi W.- Mrs. Munger died in 1814 ; in 1817 Mr. Munger married his second wife, Achsak Brooks ; they had three sons and two daughters. The sons' names are Daniel H., Wm. N. and the daughters' names are Sally E. and Elizabeth C. Gary Munger, a son of D. H. Munger, is proprietor of a livery stable in Seymour and now represents his ward in the county board of supervisors. Sally, a daughter of Wm. H, Munger, now lives in the city of Seymour. Wm. H. WM. H. MUNGER. Levi W. OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 263 Munger died in Seymour Feb. 12, 1870 ; his wife, Achsak Munger, died in Dane county. Wis., Jan. 10, 1860. JOHN McMURDO, Sr. John McMurdo, Sr., was born in Scotland in 1808 ; came to New Brunswick in 1828 ; arrived in Hortonville June 8, 1851 ; settled on See. 3, T. 21, R. 15, where he cleared a farm and established a home and resided until 1879, when he removed to the vil- lage of Hortonville, where he resided until his death in Sept. , 1891. He was postmaster and chairman of the town several years. He was married to Elizabeth Hunter in 1835, also from Scotland ; they have had eight child ren, three sons and five daughters. First, child, James H., born Sept. 1, 1836, married to Sarah E. Clark, August 23, 1863; they have no children; they now live in Hortonville on a farm. Second child, Janette, mar ried to Walter Clark ; they have one son, now dead, and two daughters living. Mrs. Clark died in 1878 ; Mr. Clark now lives in Ashland. Third child, John, born Aug. 24, 1840, married to Lucinda P. Whitman Nov. 20, 1868 ; they have no children. Mr. McMurdo died in June, 1888, in Hortonville ; his widow now lives in Hortonville. Fourth child, Mary, born in 1842, married to James Douglass in 1864 ; they have two sons and three daughters living ; they now live on a farm one and half miles east of Hortonville JOHN M MUEDO, SB. .I.illES h'MURDO, SE 264 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. on the Appleton road. Fifth child, Isabel, born in 1844 ; married to Jacob Steffen in 1862 ; they have one daughter. Mr. Steffen died in 1863 in the army ; his widow married Frank Steffen in 1866 ; they have two sons and two daugh ters living. Frank Steffen died in 1879 ; his widow now lives on a farm two miles west of Hortonville. Sixth child, Catherine, born in 1846 ; married to John Douglas in 1867 ; they have one son and two daughters ; they now live in Hortonville. Seventh child, Robert, born in New Bruns wick, May 7, 1849; married to Lena Ausel in 1889; they have no children ; they now live in Hortonville. Eighth child, Libbie, born July 4, 1852 ; married to David Hodgins ; they have no children ; thej^ now live near Hortonville. John McMurdo, Sr., had a brother, James, who came to Hortonville in 1851 and settled on Sec. 3, T. 21, R. 15, where he cleared a farm and established a home and resided many years ; he now lives in Hortonville village. SETH J. PERRY Was born in Otsego county. New York, Oct. 27, 1813 ; came to Wisconsin in 1839, located in Walworth county ; in 1849 he came to Greenville and located on the s. e. J4, Sec. 27, where he cleared a farm and resided until his death Nov. 30, 1890. He was married in Otsego county. New York, to Abigail Wilcox Jan. 3, 1838; they have one son, William, and one daughter, Susan, married to George Put ney ; they have three sons and one daughter. Abigail Perry was born in Otsego county, New York, Nov. 7, 1817 ; came to Greenville with her husband in 1849. William Perry, their son, married Catharine McLeod in Sept. 20, 1866 ; they have one daughter, Eva, married to H. W. Russell. Wm. Perry lived on the homestead established by his father until May, 1892, when he removed to Apple- ton where he now resides. Miles R. Perry, a brother of Seth J. Perry, located on Sec. 26 in Greenville in 1849 ; he was married to Acha Eldred in Otsego county. New York ; they have two daughters. First daughter, Sylvina, mar- OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 265 ried Alexander Culbertson; they have four sons. Second daughter, Libbie, married Joseph Leppla ; they have three sons and four daughters ; they now live in Greenville. ¦ DANIEL SCHULZE. Daniel Schulze was born in Brandenburg, Prussia, Dec. 25, 1805; he came to America in 1846; he came to this county in April, 1853, and located in the town of Greenville on the n. e. corner of Section 3, T. 21, R. 16, where he cleared his land and established a home and resided until his death which occurred Oct. 16,1879. He was married to Lorsa Behrent in 1826 ; they have had five child ren ; two onlj^ are now living, Charles Frederick now living in Appleton and Martin August now living on a farm on Sec tion one in Greenville. Mrs. Schulze died in 1839. Mr. Schulze was married to his second wife, Mrs. Schmidt in 1847 ; they have four children, August, Daniel, Robert and Frank, all now living in this county. DANIEL SCHULZE. REV. REEDER SMITH. Rev. Reeder Smith was born at Pittsburg, Penn., Jan. 11 1804; in 1831 he joined the Genesee, N. Y., Methodist conference. In 1840 he removed to Michigan and accepted the agency of the Wesleyan Seminary at Albion, Mich. ; in 1847 or 1848 he came to Wisconsin as agent for Amos A. 266 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. Lawrence and selected the location for the site of the • present city of Appleton and of Lawrence University. In 1853 he laid out the village of New London. I am unable to give the date of his marriage to his first wife, by which he had four daughters, all now living. He married for his second wife Eliza P. Kimball, of Boston, July 6, 1846 ; they have one son and three daughters now living. Their son, A. A. L. Smith, is now a member of the law firm of Winkler, Flanders, Smith, Bottum & Vilas, in Milwaukee. Their oldest daughter, Josephine, is now the wife of W. J. Allen, a lawyer, in Milwaukee ; another daughter, Susie W., is the wife of H. G. Freeman, cashier of the Commer cial National Bank of Appleton. Their daughter, Ange line, now lives in the homestead. Mr. Smith died in Appleton Jan. 24, 1892. His wife died Jan. 21, 1895. STEPHEN ROOT. Stephen Root was born in England May 29, 1803 ; he came with his parents to America in 1805, stopped at Sacket's Harbor, New York, He came to Wisconsin in 1857 ; settled in Greenville, was married to Sophia Brecya in 1831 ; they have had six sons and two daughters. Their oldest son, Philo Root, born in. 1832 in Jefferson county. New York ; was married to Julia J, Horr in Jefferson county. New York, Sept, 26, 1855 ; they have two sons and five daughters. First son, Frank, born in 1856 ; married to Ora Belzer in 1889 ; they have no children ; they now live in Ellington. Second son, William A., born in 1866 ; he is now principal of the high school in Highmore, South Dakota. First daughter, Hattie A., born in 1858 ; married to Charles G. Warner ; they have one son and one daughter, now living ; they now live in Appleton. Second daughter, Charlotte A., born in 1860 ; married to Eugene E. Kidney ; they have one son and one daughter ; they now live in Michigan. Third daughter. Electa A., born in 1862 ; mar ried to Peter McLeod ; they have one son ; they now live in Clayton. Fourth daughter, Nila A., born in 1864 ; mar- OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 267 ried to N. L. Calkins ; they have one son ; they now live in South Dakota. Fifth daughter, Myrtie A., born in 1874, now lives with her parents. Philo Root came to this county in 1854, has resided on farms in Greenville and Dale and now resides in Hortonville. His brother, Wm. Root, came to this county in 1855 ; settled in Greenville, afterwards settled on the n. e. }(, Sec. 36, in Dale, where he resided until his death in 1890. His widow and her two sons and two daughters now live on the homestead. His brother, Warren L. Root, now lives in Medina. MARTIN GERRITS Was born in Holland in 1822 ; in 1848 he came to this country and settled in Little Chute the same year where he resided until his death. He was married to Elizabeth Gisbers in 1851 ; Mrs. Gerrits died in March, 1895 ; they have thirteen children ; seven of them died previous to 1882. Lina Garrits was married in 1884 to C. H. L. Hamer, who is now and has been for several years clerk of the city of Kau kauna ; they have two children. First child, Peter Gerrits, born in 1861. Second son, John Gerrits, born in 1862 ; married to Mary Smith in 1892. Third, Minnie Gerrits, born in 1864; married to John Lamers in 1886 ; they have five children. Fourth, Fred Gerrits, born in 1868. Fifth, James Gerrits, born in 1869 ; married to Dora Peters in 1892 ; they have MARTIN GERRITS. 268 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. one child. Martin Gerrits was a prominent citizen ; he filled several town offices with great ability and taught school in Little Chute many years and was much respected by all his neighbors. THE WOLCOTT FAMILY. Charles Wolcott, Sr., was born in Hartford, Connecticut, August 17, 1813 ; he came to Appleton in 1848 and settled on the s. y2 of the n. w. X of Section 23, T. 21, R, 17, now in the town of Grand Chute, He died in the Odd Fellows' Home in Green Bay October 29, 1894, aged 81 years and two months ; his wife died several years previous ; they left no children, Gideon Wolcott, his brother, was born June 30, 1805 ; he came to Apple- ton in the spring of 1849 and settled on the n. w. ,'4 of Sec. 23, now in the town of Grand Chute. He was married to Ruth H, Sweetland, June 27, 1830, by Dr. Lansing, of Utica, N, Y. ; they have had ten children, of which seven lived to grow up. First child, Ellen Maria, was born Oct, 19, 1832; was married to Timothy W. Lyman, June 2, 1856, by the Rev, William H, Sampson ; they have had six children, four are now living ; three are living in Appleton and one in Watertown, Wis. Second child, Edwin Billings, was born Sept. 17, 1834; was married to Mrs, E. Stoddard Jan, 2, 1871 ; they have had had three children, two are now living in Grand Chute. Edwin B, Wolcott died in 1878 ; his widow now CH.\RLES WOLCOTT. OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 269 resides on the homestead in Grand Chute. Third child, Charles Edward, was born Sept. 1, 1837 ; he married Eliza beth Faville Sept. 1, 1862; they have had six children, four are now living, all in Appleton except one, who is living in Bear Creek. Fourth child, Jane Eliza, born Nov. 23, 1841; was married to Victor F. Goff in 1867 ; they removed to Blue Earth county, Min nesota ; they have had six children. Fifth child, James Alonzo, was born April 4, 1844 ; he married Sarah A. Woodland Nov. 22, 1875; they have had three children, two now living in the town of Grand Chute. Sixth child, Francis Henry, was born March 21, 1846; he was married to A. J. Nes bitt Nov. 6, 1867; they have had three children, now all living in the town of Grand Chute. Seventh child, Susan Ruth, was born Feb. 17, 1848 ; she was married to Ransom B. Haw Feb. 17, 1867; they have had three child ren ; they now live in Shawano county. , Gideon Wolcott died March 31, 1867, aged 61 years and nine months. Ruth Wolcott, his wife, died July 9, 1891. GIDEON WOLCOTT. 270 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. DANIEL HUNTLEY. Daniel Huntley was a native of New England. He was born Oct. 10, 1827. His childhood and early youth were spent in Weybridge, Addi son county, Vermont. He came to Wisconsin in 1849, taught school in Dodge county one term, then came to Appleton where he taught the first public school in that city. In 1852 he returned to Ver mont, and on the 9th of November of that year he was married to Helen M. Critell, daughter of Osange Britell, of Wey bridge, Vt., and imme diately after cnme back to Appleton .-aid taught school there and in other towns in Outagamie county till 18i>0, when the family moved to the farm in Grand Chute where the}- now reside. They have had eight children. Flor ence, who died at eight years of age; Jerome B., a fruit grower in Marion, Indiana ; Herbert B., lawyer in Seattle, Wash.; Arthur O., ranchman in Idaho ; Flora and Fleta, twin daughters, the former is a successful teacher, the Litter is at home with her parents. Two sons died in infancy. NATHAN S. CONKLIN Was born in Schoharrie county, N. Y., Aug. 15, 1815; he came to Wisconsin in 1849, and to the town of Osborn Octo ber, 1864 ; settled near the corner of sections 5, 6, 7 and 8, T. 23, R. 18, where he now resides. He was married to Catharine J. Ballard Oct, 12, 1836 ; i:hey have bad seven DANIEL HUNTLEY. OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 271 children. First child, born August, 1837, died May 17, 1852. Second child, Louis A. Conklin, born Oct. 7, 1840, married Betsy A. Knowlton ; she died in 1883, His second wife was Mary A, Ruston, by whom he had five children, Louis A, died Sept, 14, 1894 ; he lived on a farm in Seymour, Third child, Mary E., married C. E. Mcintosh; they have six children. Fourth child, Oscar J., born in May, 1845 ; he is now in Salt Lake City. Fifth child, Margaret E., born April, 1848 ; married W, M, E. Bloomfield in 1893 ; they live in Chicago. Sixth child, Harry O., born in 1857 ; married Anna L. Collins in 1890; they live in Chicago. Seventh child, IvanN., born June 17, 1860; married Nov. 30, 1893, to Mary Ev.'ins ; they live in Milwaukee. EVERT SAUNDERS. Evert Saunders was born in Holland Oct. 29, 1819 ; came to America Aug-ust, 1858 ; settled at South Kau kauna oil the ground now occupied bj^ the car shops of the M., L. S. & W. rail road. He married Harriet Geenen, October, 1848; they have no children ; Mrs. Saunders died M;iy 15, 1885. ]\lr, Saunders now lives on lot 2 of Brill and Saunders' plat in T. 21, R. 18, in Buchanan, where he has a fine farm and a comfortable home, Mrs, Saunders had three brothers, pioneers of this county. Evert Geenen and Henry Geenen settled in the town of Freedom in 1850, and John Geenan, who settled in Buchanan near Kimberly in 1867, had lived in this county since 1850 ; had five children, one son and four daughters. His son, Wil- EVEET SAIINDBES. -JOHN GENEEN. WM. LAMURE. 272 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS, liam Geenen, now lives on his father's homestead near Kimberly ; he married Susan Shoemaker ; they have four children, A daughter of John Geenen, Harriet Geenen, married William Brill ; they have four children ; they now live with their uncle. Evert Saunders, on his homestead, Mr, Saunders had a brother, John Saunders, who settled in the town of Freedom in 1848 on the s, e. % Section 10, T. 22, R. 18. HARVEY GREENFIELD. Harvey Greenfield was born in Saratoga county. New York, May 1 1, 1815 ; was married to Amanda Cobb in 1843 ; they have had four child ren, three sons and one daughter, Eliza Ann, born in 1844 ; married to Henry Scoville ; they had one child. She married her second husband, John B. Smith, in 1873 ; they have had two sons and one daughter. Second child, Frank W. Greenfield, born in 1849 ; married to Frankie Rowbottom in 1879 ; they have one son ; he now lives in Northern Michigan. Third child, Charles W. Greenfield, born in 1857 ; married to Alice J. Gantt in 1882; they have one daughter. C. W. Greenfield is now practicing law in Chicago. Harvey Greenfield died August 18, 1880. Mr. and HARVEY GREENFIELD. Mrs Mrs Harvey Greenfield came to this county August 19, 1849, and settled on a farm in Dale, afterwards in Green ville, Mr, Greenfield now lives in Appleton, OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 273 JAMES SIMPSON. James Simpson, the father of Osborn township, Outa gamie county, was born March 1 , 1824, about seven miles from the city of Glasgow, Scotland, one of the eight children born to John and Margaret Boyd Simpson, the former of whom was a mechanic and farmer. Our subject was about ten years of age when he set out to make his way through life and after two years of hard work at weaving, had saved a sum equal to five dollars of United States currency, with which he paid his passage to America, land ing at Quebec when he was but twelve years old. He was first employed here on a railroad, shortly afterwards went to De Kalb, N. Y., where he lived ten years, filling two situations, each for five years at eight dollars per month. He then came to Wisconsin, landing at Milwaukee and having previously purchased a land warrant in New York from a revolutionary soldier, located the land on which he now lives consisting of 160 acres which cost him about fifty cents an acre. During his stay in Milwaukee he was employed as a porter in the tavern, at which he first stopped and there became acquainted with Sophia Bush, sister-in-law of the landlord, which young lady afterwards became his wife. In Febru ary, 1852, he made a trip to Outagamie county and secured the land he had selected under his warrant, then returned to his former position as porter in the Milwaukee hotel, 16 J AMESO SIMPSON AND WIFE. 274 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. and in June, 1852, took his intended bride to Chicago where they were married on the 10th of the same month, taking his newly made wife to her parents' home in Mich igan. He there passed the following winter and in the following spring, leaving his wife with her relatives, went off to prepare a home and it was two years later before they became settled in what was then known as Freedom, Outagamie county. There had been no organization of Osborn township at that time and Mr. Simpson posted notices at various points, calling together the nine voters residing within its boundaries. The meeting was held at the house of Duncan McNab and steps were there taken for the legal formation for the legal organization of the town of Osborn, hence it is that Mr. Simpson is called the father thereof. Here he also built the first school house and hired and boarded the first teacher, Scott Daniels. To Mr. and Mrs. Simpson were born four children, John T.. Boyd D., a veterinary surgeon at Shawano, Wis.; James, a farmer in Green Valley, Shawano county. Wis., and Robert who married Teressia Baum and lives on the homestead. Mrs. Simpson was born in New York in 1819 and died July 5, 1891 ; her mortal remains being interred at Seymour. Mr. Simpson has always been highly honored among his fellow citizens, and for twenty years served as justice of the peace. Since the Civil War he has been a Republican in his politi cal views and he has filled almost every local office in Osborn, having served as treasurer seven successive years, supervisor several terms and school district clerk for sixteen consecutive years. He was always an ardent friend of education and his own early opportunities in that direction having been very meager, he determined that his children should have all the advantages he could afford. Mrs. Simpson was reared in the Methodist faith and Mr. Simp son was reared under the influence of the Scotch Presby terian church, but is not a member of any church though he has been a liberal contributor towards the support of churches and Christian work. Mr. Simpson for thirteen years was given the contract for carrying the United States mail between Appleton and South Osborn via Sagola, con- OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 275 tinning under four different contracts, during all of which time the United States Post Office Department found no fault whatever with his work, everything being most satis factory. He is now 69 years of age and although not able to do manual labor, is a very active man. On August 29, 1864, he enlisted in Company H, First Wisconsin Heavy Artillery, and served until June 26, 1865 ; his post of duty being chiefly at the Capitol in Washington, D. C. For his services to the Union during the rebellion he is now in his old age, receiving a pension of twelve dollars a month, a small gratuity, however, for the brave men who went forth to do battle for the preservation of the Union. Mr. Simp son, when he enlisted, had a wife and four small children who needed his services and care, but his patriotism impelled him to leave them and go to the support of his adopted country. J. F. FULLER. J. F. Fuller, a pioneer of 1859 in his own right and of 1852 by marriage, was born in Middletown, Mass., March 4, 1832 ; in this small farming town he spent his childhood years getting his primary education in the district school. When 19 years old he began his preparation for college at Wilbraham Academy, Massachusetts, and upon graduation entered Amherst college in 1854, graduating in 1858 at the age of 26. Having thus prepared himself for the work of teaching, he came the following spring to Appleton, reaching here in May, 1859 ; he immediately entered upon his work in what is now known as the Hercules school building, then unfinished. Seventeen of the best years of his life have been devoted to his chosen vocation, five of which were in this city. Mr. Fuller served three as pro fessor of mathematics in Straight University, New Orleans and held the same chair four years in Atlanta University, Georgia. He served one year as principal of the high school in De Pere, where he also had the oversight of all the public schools. He also has served as superintendent 276 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. of our public schools four years. In 1860 he married Sarah A. McNeill, who was born in Waukesha and came to this city in 1852 ; he married,* second time in 1878, Sarah A. Leroyd. Advancing years compelled him to retire from active work of teaching some years ago, and since that time he has resided in Appleton. The above was written by J. F. Fuller. DUNCAN McNAB. Duncan McNab, the first settler in the town of Osborn, Wis., was born in Scotland in 1822; he came to America in 1842; he came to the town of Osborn in 1848 and settled on the n. e. % of Sec. 30, T. 23, R. 18, where he cleared a farm and established a home and resided there until his death in December, 1892. He married Celesta Bron- son ; they have three sons and four daughters, now living. His widow and several children now reside on the homestead. His brother, Robert Mc Nab, came to Osborn in 1849 ; afterwards settled on the s. e. % of Sec. 13, T. 23, R. 17 in the town of Center where he cleared a farm and established a home and resided there until his death in 1864 ; his wife died in December, 1881. They had nine children, but one son, Peter, is now living. DUNCAN M'NAB. OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 277 THE LAMURE FAMILY. Joseph Lamure was born in Canada ; he came to Green Bay in 1815 ; came to this county July 15, 1839, and settled on the south Y-z of lots 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 in Section 24, T. 21, R. 18, in Buchanan ; was married in 1825 to JaneDerochier ; they have had four children, two sons and two daughters. Their daughter, Mary, married Michael Crevier. They settled just over the county line on Section 1 in Harrison. Mr. Crevier died March 27, 1886 ; Mrs. Crevier died March 6, 1887. They leave four surviving children, two sons and iwo daughters. The two sons are Frank and Emery. The daugh ters married brothers named Hartsheim. Wil liam Lamure, a son of Joseph Lamure, was born in Green Bay Oct. 20, 1829 ; was married Oct. 4, 1852, to Mary Louisa Porlier ; they have had seven children, four sons and three daughters. First son, James W. Lamure, born Feb. 24, 1865, is now prac ticing law in Chicago. Second son, Joseph Lamure, born March 1, 1871. Third son, Charles L. Lamure, born Nov. 12, 1875. Fourth son, Wm. R. H. Lamure, born Sept. 13, 1881. Their daughter, Maggie M. Lamure, born Oct. 22, 1855, married to Martin Speel Nov. 28, 1882; they have three children. Hattie A. Lamure, born Feb. 2, 1863, married M. J. Farrell Oct. 18, 1892 ; they have one child. Maria M. Lamure, born Nov. 28, 1873, unmarried, lives at home. Jennie Lamure, born Oct. 1855, was married Dec. HON. WM. LAMURE. 278 OUTAGAMIE dOUSfTY PIOlSfESERS. 18, 1882, to H, A, Decamp, Jennie died Oct. 11, 1888, and left two children. Wm. Lamure now lives on Sec. 35, in Buchanan ; has been supervisor of that town twenty-one years, served one term in the state legislature, and is now a prominent citizen of the town. KARL BREITERICK. Karl Breiterick was born in Prussia in 1821 ; he came to America in 1849 and settled on Sec. 2, T. 21, R. 16, now in Greenville. In 1855 he removed to Ellington and settled on Section 35, T. 22, R. 16, where he cleared a farm and established a home where he resided until his death in April, 1891. He married Wil- helmina Herman in 1849 ; they have two sons and three daughters. First son, Albert, born in 1852, was married to Bertha Sauberlich in 1876 ; they have four sons and two daughters ; they live on Sec. 35, T. 22, R. 16, now in Ellington. Second son, Charles, born in 1864, un married and lives on his father's homestead. First daughter, Minnie, married to Edward Saecker ; they have one daughter and now live in Appleton. Second daughter, Rosa, is married to Charles Mory ; they have one son and four daughters ; they now live on a farm in Cicero. Third daughter, Caroline, was married to Wm. Lohrence in 1895, and live on Sec. 27 in Ellington. KARL BREITERICK. OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 279 JAMES DEAN. J. Dean was born in the village of Martensburg, Lewis county, in the state of New York, on the 20th day of Sep tember, A. D. 1821. When I was about eight years old, my father moved from Martensburg to the town of Turin, Louis county, where he bought a farm, and lived there till I was sixteen years old. I went to school in a log school house, and sat on the soft side of a basswood slab, Qat side up, with legs put in with a two inch auger ; went to school winters and worked on my father's farm in the summers. In the winter of 1836 my father sold his farm, and the 18th day of May, 1836, we started for the western country. We came to Rome, N. Y. , in wagons — thirty miles — then we took a boat on the Erie Canal for the city of Oswego, for at that time Buffalo harbor was still frozen up and no vessels could get out or into Buffalo from the city of Oswego. We took passage on a schooner across Lake Ontario, then through the Welland canal in Canada to Detroit, Mich. My father spent about two weeks looking through Michigan, then we took passage on a schooner for Wisconsin. We landed in Milwaukee on or about the 18th day of June, 1837 ; lived in Milwaukee most of that summer, then my father moved out to his farm in the town of Muskego, on the shore of Muskego Lake, Wisconsin. At that time Wisconsin was one of the most beautiful countries the human eye ever beheld — one JAMES DE.4.N. 280 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. vast field of flowers, red, white and blue and all colors ; the country was more then alive with all kinds of game. I was well acquainted with Solomon Juneau. He would come out to my father's with his wife and stay there for a week at a time. He was one of the most sociable and the best company of any man I ever visited with. I was also acquainted some with Byron Kilbourn and George Walker. They were very pleasant men to meet. I lived in Muskego with my father (with the exception of two years that I lived in Milwaukee) till 1846 ; then I got married to Betsey Nichols, of Monroe county, N. Y., and moved out to Dodge county and went to farming. April 22, 1872, my wife died, leaving me with two children, F. H. and E. J. Dean, My niece kept house for me for one year, then I was married, in the spring of 1873, to Olive G, Harris. Lived there on the farm till 1876, then sold my farm and in 1877 moved to the then village of Seymour, Outagamie county, and went into the hardware business with my two boys, F. H. and E- J. Dean. I have one son by my second wife, Charles Dean, living with me now. In 1878 and 1879 we built a branch store at Bonduel, iu the town of Hartland, Shawano county ; we carried on the store there for four or five years when it burned up ; we rented a store for a year, then sold out, I then bought out my two boys F, H, and E. J. Dean in the store at Seymour and ran it for one year, I then sold out the store. My present business is loaning money and real estate business, I have represented the First ward of the city of Seymour as supervisor on the county board for eleven years ; have been justice of the peace for eight years, hold that office at the present time ; also have been president of the Seymour Fair and Driving Park Association for two years ; am now in my seventy-fifth year ; my health is good and must say I do not feel very old. My father, Henry H, Dean, was born in England, May 5, 1784 ; he was drafted in the Eng lish Army in the war between England and France ; he was a soldier for twelve years ; he was in Lord Welling ton's Army ; he was in most of the heavy battles of that war. He was in the army that took Joseph Bonaparte and OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 281 his army prisopers ; he was wounded four times in one day ; he came with his regiment to Canada very near the close of the war of 1812. In the spring peace was declared and he came across to the American side and became an Amer ican citizen ; he lived to be 90 years and six months old ; he lies buried on Prospect Hill, in Waukesha county, Wis consin, My mother, Betsey R, Dean, was born Sept. 6, 1799, in Connecticut. She lived to a good old age. She lies buried in Lewis county. State of New York. ARNOLD VERSTEGEN. Arnold Verstegen, born in Holland in 1820, came to America in 1850 ; same year settled at Little Chute ; mar ried to Mary Biemans ; have had eleven children, five now living. Kath arine was married to Mar tin Koonan in 1866 ; they now live in Buchanan and have nine children. Sec ond daughter, Mary, was married to John Hoyman in 1874; they have ten chil dren. First son, John E. Verstegen, born in 1856 ; married to Mary Feld- meyer in 1880 ; they have six children. Second son, Herman J., now postmas ter at Little Chute ; born in 1858 ; married to Christ- man Witman in 1882 ; they have seven children. Third daughter, Jane, born in 1863 ; married to John Van den Weynelenberg in 1885 ; they have six children. Arnold Verstegen was mar ried to Katharine Vanderak, his second wife in 1867 ; they have six children. John Verstegen, a brother to Arnold ARNOLD VERSTEGEN AND WIFE. 282 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. Verstegen, came to Little Chute in 1849 ; he and his brother, Arnold, built the Zeland mills in 1861. He was also engaged in merchandise ; he was an energetic business man. He died in 1870 and left no children. THE SPEEL FAMILY. Michael Speel was born in Hague, Holland, Dec. 26, 1796 ; came to America June 1, 1848 and settled in Buch anan, September, 1848, on Section 31, T. 21, R. 18, with his wife and six children, all born in Hol land, four boys and two girls. The oldest son, William Speel, born Aug. 27, 1835; married Cath arine Bernerd April 29, 18o7 ; they have one son, Frederick, born May 6, 1868. A sister, Mary Speel, married A. H. Van Stratum April, 1858 ; they have seven children, three boys and four girls. Sec ond daughter, Sarah Speel, was married to Julius Peerenboom ; they have four boys and four g-irls. The boys' names are Morris, George, James and Fred; the girls' names are Leda, Wilhelmina, Effie and Isabel Peerenboom. Second son, Fred Speel, died July 30, 1882, leaving a wife and six children. Third son, Peter Speel, born Feb. 4, 1841 ; is single and clerk for Peerenboom. Fourth son, Martin Speel, born Dec. 25, 1843 ; married to Maggie Lamure Nov. 28, 1882 ; they have three children. William Speel has been clerk thirteen WM. SPEEL. OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 283 years, justice of the peace eighteen years, assessor three years and town treasurer one year. GEORGE R. DOWNER. Geo. R. Downer, superintendent of the Outagamie County Asylum for the Insane, was born in Lisbon township, Waukesha county. Wis., July 1, 1851. The Downer family came originally from Germany and settled in Oswego county, New York ; the head of the family at that date being the great grandfather of George, he was a farmer by occupation. The grandfather, also a farmer, removed later to the vicinity of Pontiac, Mich., where he died. Wm. H. Downer, the father of our subject, was born in Oswego county. New York, and became a carpenter by trade. At an early date he carhe to Wisconsin with his wife and two children, settling in Lisbon township, Waukesha county, where he worked at his trade. Removed later to Dodge county, he was one of the pioneers in the locality where he settled and a leader at his trade ; he also served as a private in the Civil War. In 1842 he married Lucinda Look, a lady loved and respected by all her acquaintances and to them were born six children, three of whom are now living. Ether S., wife of Wm. Pool, of Stevens Point, Wis.; Silas T., residing in Missouri, and George R. Wm. H. Downer died in Dodge GEORGE R. DOWNER. 284 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. county Oct. 31, 1892, aged nearly 73 years; his wife died December 7, 1885, aged 59 years. George R. Downer received a good common school education in Dodge county and passed the first eighteen years of his life on the farm. Desiring a change of occupation he then engaged in lum bering, spending eleven winters in that business, working for different firms and meeting with good success. Later he became a contractor on a small scale. We find him next operating a well improved farm of eighty acres in Seymour township, Outagamie county, which he sold in the fall of 1891. During his residence in that township he was elected for three years chairman of the town board and also served four years as street commissioner at Sey mour. He was a member of the building committee that erected the Outagamie County Asylum for the Insane and in 1889 was appointed its first superintendent, continuing to hold the position to the present time. He is eminently fitted for the work, being of a kindly disposition but with sufficient firmness to manage affairs smoothly and judi ciously. Each succeeding year he has made marked im provements and has the love of the 113 unfortunate people who are under his charge. He has become prominent through the exercise of those natural qualities which stamp him a man of true worth and enjoys the respect and esteem of all. On Sept. 18, 1877, Mr. Downer was married in Appleton to Ida M. Brooks, of Seymour, and they have two sons, William R. and Arthur George. Mr. Downer is a member of the F. and A. M. and the I. O. O. F., while his wife belongs to the Rebekah Lodge, I. O. O. F. ROBERT R. BATEMAN Was born in Granville, Washington county, N. Y., Nov. 5, 1799. His father moved to Champlain, Clinton county, N. Y., then near Plattsburg, N. Y., in 1812. He witnessed the battle of Plattsburg in 1814 ; he came to Appleton in 1849 and located on Lawesburg Plat, entering land on Sec. 25 and 26, T. 21, R. 17, now in the First ward of Appleton, where he resided until his death in 1887. He married Polly OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 285 Frost in 1820 ; they have had five children and only one is now living, R. S. Bateman, born Sept. 2, 1830; he married Jane Lampard in 1853 ; they have had six children. First child, George Bateman, born in 1854, now lives inWessing- ton, S. D. Second child, Charles, born in 1856, now resides with his father on a farm in Maryland. Third child, Hiram, died in infancy. Fourth child, Willy, born in 1860, now lives in Washington. Fifth child, Jerry, dead. Sixth child, Bert, born in 1861, married and lives in Virginia. Seventh child, Jenny, born in 1867, died in 1889. R. R. Bateman was a prominent citizen of Appleton, having been supervisor and justice of the peace several years, mayor of the city and trustee of Lawrence University. His brother, John Bateman, born in 1815 at Plattsburg, N, Y., is blind. WILLIAM KNOX. William Knox was born in Ireland in 1795; he came to America in 1847 ; he died in the city of Hartford, Conn., in 1852. He had three sons, Samuel, Wil liam and John Knox, who came to the town of Osborn in 1858 and settled on Section 8, T. 23, R. 18, Samuel and John now reside on their homesteads on Sec. 8. Samuel mar" ried Maria Knox. They have no children. John Knox was married to Nicea Shepherd. They have two sons and four daughters. Samuel Knox is a prominent citizen JOHN KNOX. ^^^ j^g^g been supervisor of Osborn eight years and town clerk five years. 286 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. HERBERT BATTLES TANNER. Herbert Battles Tanner, Kaukauna, Wis., born February 13, 1859, at Whitewater, Wis., is a son of Ford and Mary Ann (Battles) Tanner ; grandson of Cuyler Tan ner, M, D,, of New York, who was a surgeon in the Patriot Army during the War of 1812, his certificate of service bearing date of April 1, 1814, and who died in 1857 ; grandson of Jason D. Battles, M, D , of Boston, Mass,, who settled in Illinois in early life, commenced the study of medicine at the age of forty years, graduating at Cincinnati, O,, in 1848, and died at Griggsville, 111,, in 1890, aged ninety years. Herbert Battles Tanner was five years old when his parents removed from and there received an ele- In 1872 the DR. H. B. TANNER. Wisconsin to LaFayette, Ind. mentary education in the common schools. family removed to Chicago, and he obtained further educa tion in the public schools of that city, with a year in Drew's Business College. After leaving school he spent some time in clerking, until 1876, in which year he visited Phila delphia, for the dual purpose of attending the Centennial Exposition and selling baskets for a Chicago firm with which his father was connected, and continued as a com mercial traveller for some time. In 1876 his father removed to Indianapolis, Ind., and a favorable opportunity offering and by the urgent advice of his grandfather. Dr. J. D. Battles, he matriculated in the Indiana Medical College, OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 287 now Medical College of Indiana, and was graduated in the class of 1878 ; also did post-graduate work in the hospitals of New York and Philadelphia, 1879-'80. Dr. Tanner practiced for a time in Chicago, III., but since July 27, 1880, has been a resident of Kaukauna, Wis. He is a member of the American Medical Association ; of the National Association of Railway Surgeons ; of the Wis consin State Medical Society, secretary of the committee on laryngology in 1890, chairman of the committees on. obstetrics in 1892 and materia medica in 1889, member of the committee on practice in 1893, and in 1895 secretary of the committee on obstetrics ; is now serving his fourth term as secretary and treasurer of the Fox River Valley Medical Society ; member of the Medico-Legal Society of New York ; city physician, 1886-'93 ; served three years as clerk of the South Side School Board, during which time the board built the beautiful Nicolet school building ; was elected the first Republican mayor of Kaukauna, April 3, 1894, and re-elected for a second term in April, 1895 ; a member of the pension examining board, 189n-'93 ; and in January, 1895, was appointed by Gov. William H. Upham, state supervisor of inspectors of illuminating oils for Wis consin, for a term of two years. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, lodge and chapter, and a member of the Congregational church. Married, September 1, 1881, Mary G. M., daughter of James M. and Maria M. (Lawe) Boyd ; grand-daughter of Col. George and Harriet (Johnson) Boyd ; and great-grand daughter of Joshua Johnson, a pioneer of Maryland and first U. S. consul at London, Eng. Col. George Boyd was a brother-in-law of President John Quincy Adams, and a life-long government official, and was a bearer of dispatches to Ghent at the time of the "Treaty of Ghent," in 1814. Their children are : Kenneth Boyd, Blanche Lawe, Harold Ford, and Herbert Johnson Tanner. 288 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. CHRISTIAN SAUBERLICH. Christian Sauberlich was born in Prussia July 11, 1823 ; he came to America in 1849. In 1853 he came to this county and located on Section 2, T. 21, R. 16, now in the town of Green ville where he cleared his land and established a home and now resides. He was married in Mil waukee in 1849 to Chris tian Wolfram ; they have five children now living, two sons and three daugh ters. First daughter, Beverer, born in 185S, now the wife of Albert Breiterich ; they now live on a farm in Ellington and have six children. Second daughter, Mary, is married to George Greb ; they have two sons ; they now live with their father on his homestead. Third daughter, Lydia, the wife of Albert Gorges ; they live on a farm in Center and have two children. First son, William, is married to Patty Shultz ; they live on a farm in Ellington and have two children. Second son, Bern hardt, is married to Anna Thiel ; they live on a farm in Ellington. CHRISTIAN SAUBERLICH. MICHAEL KLINE. Michael Kline was born in Germany in 1803 ; he came to this country in 1842 and settled on Sec. 33, T. 21, R. 18, where he established a home and resided there until his death in 1889. He married Anna Mary Groff in 1834 ; they have had seven sons and three daughters. First child. OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 289 Peter, born in 1836 ; is married and has three children liv ing; they now live in Minnesota. Second child, John Peter, born in 1838 ; married Catherine Roush ; they have two sons and four daughters ; they now live in the State of Washington. Third child, Matthew, born in 1840 ; mar ried to Mary Rurick ; they have seven children; they now live in Buchanan near Appleton. Fourth child, Catharine, born in 1842 ; died in infancy. Fifth child, Mary, born in 1844 ; married to Joseph Marx ; they have seven sons and one daughter ; they live in Menasha. Sixth child, Joseph, born in 1846 ; married Anna Faas ; they have two daugh ters. Joseph Kline lives in South Kaukauna and is now proprietor of the flour mill there. Seventh child, Michael, born in 1848 ; married Mary Willman ; they have two sons and five daughters ; they now live in Kaukauna. Eighth child, Jacob, born in 1850 ; married to Margaret Quail ; they have five sons and two daughters ; they now live in Kaukauna. Ninth child, Catharine, born in 1853 ; married to John Baum ; they have four sons and two daughters ; they now live in Appleton. Michael Kline's brother, Mathias Kline, and Matthew Orta, John Dietzler, Peter Hauser, Peter Shoemaker, Nick Pauly and Peter Heintz all came from Germany together and settled in Buchanan in 1842. BLANCHARD SPENCER. Blanchard Spencer was born in Vermont in 1824, (his father was born in New Hartford, Conn.) He was married to Eliza Smith ; they had one son, Frank Spencer. He now lives on a farm in Grand Chute ; he married Martha Finkle for his first wife, and for his second wife he mar ried Olive Rexford, July 4, 1889 ; they have two children, one son and one daughter. Blanchard Spencer married Emily Curtis, a sister of H. G. Curtis, for his second wife ; they have four surviving children, three sons and one daughter, Eliza, who married Jacob Sherry Oct. 3, 1876 ; they have two sons and two daughters ; they live in Apple- ton. Mr. Sherry is foreman in the Gerry lumber company. First son, Albert M. Spencer, born in 1857 ; married to 19 290 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. Helen Sherwood in 1887 ; they have one son and one daughter. A. M. Spencer now resides in West Superior, where he is practicing law and dealing in real estate and grain. Second son, George Spencer, born in 1867, married to Eva Mereness in 1883 ; they have three sons and one daughter ; they now reside in Appleton. Third son, Adel bert Spencer, born in 1867, married to Anna Wiley Dec. 1, 1892 ; they now live in Appleton and have no children. Blanchard Spencer died Feb. 26, 1866. Mrs. Spencer died Feb. 10, 1892. Mr. Spencer had been foreman several years for Mr. Rich at the Shiocton Mills and in his lumber opera tions in this county. LIEUT. JAMES MADISON BOYD. Lieut. James Madison Boyd, son of Col. George and Harriett (Johnson) Boyd, was born Jan. 13, 1816 at Washington, D. C. His father was a native of Maryland, in the employ of the government all his life, first in the Treasurv and after in the War Department. As special agent he visited Europe several times to bu}- arms for the government, books for the War Department and hardware to refit the White House and Capitol building, after those buildings had been par tially destroyed by the British ; also bearer of dispatches to the peace commissioners at Ghent. His mother was a daughter of Joshua Johnson, a friend of Washington, and the first United States Consul at London. She was a sister of Mrs. John Quincy Adams. Col. George ' * m^^ .J, > i^'^ M m ^k, k^'-'- y' S f'kvS; 1--f^ C '•'¦¦f,^^ ^ '''^illr-'- ¦. LIEUT. JAMES M. BOYD. OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 291 Boyd was appointed Indian agent at the Island of Micheli- mackinac in 1818. He came to Washington again in 1820 and returned with his family. Lieut. James Madison Boyd attended school at Mackinac, William Montague Ferry being one of his teachers. When he was 16 years old, he removed with his father to Green Bay, his father having been transferred to this place. The Government, having determined to transport Black Hawk beyond the Mississippi, called upon the Indian agent for volunteers. Two hundred Menominee Indians came in and Mr. Boyd enlisted. July 26, 1832, he was appointed first lieutenant under Col. Stambaugh. He marched with the two companies to Prairie Du Chien, taking part in several encounters with the hostile bands of Indians. He returned after the close of the war in September. The winter of 1833 and 1834 he opened in Kaukauna, entering into partnership with Paul Beaulieu in a saw mill and sawed a large amount of lumber. The next year the Stockbridge Indians, who were then located at Kaukauna, began to remove to their new home on Lake Winnebago in Calumet county. On this account he sold his interest to Bazil Beaulieu and returned to Green Baj', where he con tinued to act as interpreter to his father, the Indian agent, and manage his farm. In 1839 he married Maria M. Lawe, daughter of Judge John Lawe, purchasing a farm half way between Green Bay and De Pere on the south side of the river. He continued to live here until 1873, sold his farm and removed to De Pere, where he built a brick block and opened a furniture store. In 1879 his wife died and in 1881 he came to Kaukauna again to reside, making his home with his daughter, Mrs. H. B. Tanner. In spite of his 80 years, Mr. Boyd is a spry active man, and is able to do more work now than many men of 50 ; he possesses a wonderful memory and can recount tales of stirring pioneer life. Passing through this county in 1832 on the way to the Black Hawk War, he has lived to see all the wonderful development since then. Among- his many narrow escapes the following may bear repeating as the location is now the city of Appleton. In 1837, several 292 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. thousand Menominee Indians congregated at the Grand Chute for the annual payment. Although it was strictly forbidden to take liquor into the Indian agent, the noise and disturbance in the camp indicated that the most of them were on the verge of a big spree. About 9 o'clock at night while the officers were lying about the camp fire, resting from the labors of the day, a great commotion was heard on the hill and an Indian came running down, saying another Indian had just killed a couple of women. James Boyd and A. Grignon ran up the hill to arrest him, armed only with a heavy cane. The murderer was located in one of the tents and as Mr. Boyd and Grignon rushed in, he stood over one of his victims, brandishing his bloody knife. Mr. Grignon stumbled over a log and fell quite close to him before the Indian could strike him with his knife as he attempted to do, Mr. Boyd felled him with a well-directed blow with his club, and together they tied his arms and dragged him down to the camp and tied him to a tree. The Indians, furious at the murder of the women, soon surrounded the camp and demanded the captive be returned to them to be dealt with according to Indian law and jus tice. Col. Boyd refused for a time until he saw that the soldiers and traders had sought places of safety in flight and the chief said he could not restrain his young braves, and he feared harm might come to the officers, Lieut. Boyd was there upon given orders to turn the Indian over to them. With a rush the drunken savages threw the mur derer with his arms and legs tied right out to the large camp fire. With a sizzle his breech clout and hair disap peared and he straightened up and said in his Indian tongue, "I am a brave man," before he could be pulled out he was so badly burned that he died in a few hours. The next morning on the return to Green Bay, while walking along the bank of the river alone, Lieut. Boyd met a powerful savage in war paint who enquired if he knew, which one of the officers it was who captured his friend last night. Mr. Boyd said he did and asked how much he would give to find out, drawing nearer as the Indian replied, he suddenly struck him a fearful blow. OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 293 knocking the Indian down and telling him he was the man and that if he ever laid eyes on him again he would kill him. The Indian, knowing that he had met his match, rapidly got awa)-. This all took place near where the Roger's residence stands to-day in Appleton. LORENZO E. DARLING. Lorenzo E. Darling was born August 9, 1829, in Brad- fore county, Pennsylvania. He came to.Wisconsin in 1845, first settling in East Troy, Walworth county. Mr. Darling came to Outa gamie count}', in 1849, where he bought eighty acres of land in the town of Greenville, on which he and his mother moved the following spring. They suffered many hard ships and privations in their new home, Indians, bears and wolves being their frequent visitors. Lorenzo during his first winter in Greenville, boarded with his brother, Simeon Darling, who af terward died in the Civil War. During the winter of 1849, our subject walked two miles to his work, but the following spring, he built a cabin on his place, where he and his mother took up their residence. He worked very hard, cleared sixty acres of heavily timbered land, and about that time, bought forty acres, which made him a fine farm of 120 acres, which he sold in 1867, for $6,100. He then moved with his family to Appleton, the legisla ture of Wisconsin having appointed him a commissioner L. E. DARLING. 294 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. to appraise and sell about 30,000 acres of swamp land in Outagamie county, the proceeds to be used in opening roads in the newer portions of the county. His associates were James Gilmore and Joseph H. Marston ; the bulk of the work, however, falling upon Mr. Darling. After resid ing in Appleton four years, he moved in Ellington. In 1867 he was the Republican candidate for State Senator, but owing to the large Democratic majority in the district, he was not successful. In 1864, he was the Republican candidate for Member of Assembly, his opponent being Samuel Ryan, Jr., of Appleton, who was elected. Mr. Darling was the choice of the people for member of assem bly in 1873, and his popularity was apparent, when being a Republican, he was elected in a strong Democratic dis trict, by a good majority. In 1878, he visited Texas, in the employ of the Southern Pacific railroad company to report the agricultural advantages of that growing state. Upon the first organization of Outagamie county, he was elected county clerk, over Moses W. Allen, of Hortonville, and re-elected. lie has been a member of the county board of supervisors, in all, twenty years, and chairman of that body four years, and when he retired, he was considered the best posted man in county matters in the county. In 1875, Mr. Darling moved to Shiocton, where he has since resided. He was married in 1854, in Waukesha county, Wisconsin, to Mary E. Morse, by whom he had four child ren : Eugene A., who lives at home ; Elwin C, who is mar ried to Nora Webb, and resides in California ; Willis E., died in infancy ; and Edith M., who is the wife of George H. Lonkey, one of the business men of Shiocton. Our subject's father, Otis Darling, was a native of Vermont, and was married, in New York State, to Elizabeth Chub- buck, of New Hampshire. Mrs. Elizabeth Darling was an aunt to the celebrated "Fannie Forrester," who was there fore a cousin to Lorenzo E. Darling, our subject. Mr. Darling has written considerable poetry for the Mil waukee, Chicago, Green Bay, and Eastern papers besides what he has furnished Appleton papers. He composed the OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 295 first poem ever set in type in Outagamie county in the first number of the "Crescent," which was highly spoken of. PAUL H. BEAULIEU. Paul H. Beaulieu emigrated from Canada in 1812 on his way to the then unexplored regions of Lake Superior. He encountered countless privations and hardships, peculiar to early pioneer life. A notable event being- his detention at Fort Maiden and compulsion to serve in the British army for the space of four months in which time he parti cipated in many skirmishes amongst which was the mem orable battle of Lake Erie classed in history as Perry's Victory, after which he was allowed to continue his jour ney and after having successfully followed the fur trade for twenty-one years he started with his family (his wife, one daughter and one son) for Green Bay, where he arrived Aug. 16, 1834, residing there until the fall of 1835 he removed to Kaukaloo or Kaukauna and settled on the Buchanan side of the river where he had previously pur chased lots 5, 6, 7 and 8 on Sec. 21, T. 21, R. 18, on which was situated a grist and saw mill. He resided here up to the time of his death which occurred Oct. 15, 1841. The property then reverted to his only son and heir (the daugh ter having died), Bazil H. Beaulieu and more familiarly known as B. H. Beaulieu, who was almost continuously con nected with the affairs of Brown and afterwards Outagamie county until 1 876 when he sold out and removed to White Earth, Becker county, Minn., where he resided until his death a few years ago. B. H. Beaulieu has held satisfac torily the offices of justice of the peace, assessor, clerk and supervisor, which latter office he held fourteen years, dur ing which he introduced to the board a bill for the division of the then town of Kaukauna, setting off all that part lying south and east of Fox River and organizing the present town of Buchanan, Mr, Beaulieu raised a large family of children, but I am unable to give their names, the above sketch of the Beaulieu family was extracted from a letter of greeting sent from White Earth, Minn,, by 296 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. Theo. H. Beaulieu, a son of B. H. Beaulieu, to the Outa gamie County Pioneer Association to be read at their annual festival in 1885. THE PHINNEY FAMILY. The three Phinney brothers, Samuel C, James M. and Hiram A,, were among the early pioneers of Appleton. Samuel C. Phinney was a Methodist preacher until his voice failed. In 1853 he came to Appleton and engaged in business with his brothers. His wife was a superior woman, a leader in society ; she died in 1880. They had two daughters, Mary A,, the oldest, graduated at Lawrence University in 1859, She was married to Edward P. Hum phrey in 1862 ; they had one son, Edward P. Humphrey, Jr., born in 1865, is now secretary and treasurer of the Post Publishing Company, Mr. Humphrey, Sr., died in 1865, His widow was married to Dr. Emory Stansbury, of Appleton ; they have two sons and one daughter. The other daughter of S. C. Phinney, Lora E., is the wife of W. D. Mason ; they now live in Green Bay and have two sons and her father now has his home with her. The second brother, James M. Phinney, was born at Vernon Center, N. Y. He received his education in the common schools of that state and at Wesley en University. He spent several years teaching and was two years county superintendent of schools in Monroe county. New York. He was married to Helen L. Rich in 1847 in Pennfield in the same county; they came to Dartford in Wisconsin in 1848. In November, 1849, they came to Appleton and for six years was the first professor of mathematics and natural sciences in Lawrence University. He served twenty years as trustee and for fifteen years sold goods, in company with his brothers in Appleton. They have had two daughters. The eldest, Ella L., is the wife of H. C. Sloan, a lawyer of West Superior ; Clara, the youngest daughter, was a graduate of Lawrence University and- spent some time teaching. She was married to G. V. Nash in 1876, and died in 1880 ; her son when six years old was killed by a fall. The OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 297 youngest brother, Hiram A. Phinney, was for many years an honorable merchant in Appleton, and for several years postmaster. He is now retired and lives in Appleton. The ancestors of the Phinney family were all descendants of the Puritans. Their grandfather was a large ship owner of Cape Cod, when 50 years old he lost seven vessels in succession which reduced him from affluence to poverty. Their father, James Phinney, was adopted by a relative with whom he lived until his majority. He then moved to the State of New York, where he lived until 1823 ; he then came to Dartford, Wis., where he resided until his death, aged 86. He was over fifty years a member of the Method ist church ; a man of great ability. Their maternal grandfather, Samuel Cody, was a soldier in the Revolu tionary War; he enlisted when 16 years old and served during the war, was in the battle of Saratoga and admired the skill and bravery of Arnold in managing that battle, and was almost willing to forgive him for his afterward deserting to the British. 298 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. LIST OF PIONEERS WHO DIED From Feb. 22, 189S, to Dec. 1, 1895. Names. Mrs. .-^ohn McMurdo . . Philip Van Busum. .. . Mrs. Haffner Michael deary : . . Daniel Nussbaum iJE^ker ,Green , Dennis Tierney Mrs. Martin Garrets. . .lohn Murry . — Theodore Van Domel . John Singer George White Mrs. Chartz Tuttle. ... Rev. P. S. Bennett Mrs. Ketchum L. H.Waldo Mrs. Gainor A. G. Kramer .... Stephen Thompson... . Mrs. CaUen Mrs, Jewell Theodore Ross Ahea Jewell Mrs. Wm. Haiiner Thomas Ward Timothy Heenan Jacob Deagle Henry Neaman Ella Dey Bernet Mills James McMurdo Ludwick Blake Sarah Burckanch , Mical Homley Banford Sherman Adam Miller Elijah Thomas Anna Steffen Miller.. . Orne Fillmore Mr. Hartman Mrs. A. P. Lewis Lawrence Maye WOlinm Nabbefeldt. . . , Joseph Wihpert Mrs. Elmira Spears Mrs. Charles H. Vogel , Mrs. Thomas Glasheen, Mrs. Bogan Mrs. Solomon Glass Samuel Rhodes John StefEens Gerhardt Kamps Ottmar Buchman Homer Gaspensen Herman Eberhart John McGregor Fred Ballard JohnH. McGillan Michael Leahy i . . . Residence. Hortonville Dale Appleton Appleton Ellington Seymour Grand Chute Little Chute Appleton Appleton Black Creek Appleton Kaukauna Appleton Appleton Appleton.' Born in Center Born in Freedom. . . Maine Ellington Maine Greenville Kaukauna Appleton Appleton Grand Uhute Dale Greenville Born in Greenville. Born in Greenville . Hortonville ........ Greenville Osborn Hortonville Hortonville Born in Hortonia.. . Hortonia Dale Greenville Appleton Greenville Appleton Freedom Appleton Ellington Born in Ellington. . Buchanan Grand Chute Dale Medina Hortonia Appleton Hortonville Greenville Cicero Greenville Born in Appleton.. . Center Greenville Date of Settlement. 18S1 1810 Came early .. 1860 1,-60 Old Pioneer. Old Pioneer, 01(1 Pioneer. Old Pioneer. Old Pioneer. A Soldier 18S4 1849 1856 A Soldier . 1853. 1850.1865. 1854. 1855 Old Pioneer. Old Pioneer. Old Pioneer. Old Pioneer. 1853 Old Pioneer. 1849 Old Pioneer, A Pioneer Boy . Old Pioneer 1854 Old Pioneer Old Pioneer. .. Old Pioneer. . 18n4 Old Pioneer. . Old Pioneer. . Old Pioneer. Old Pioneer. . Old Pioneer. . Old Pioneer. . Old Pioneer. Date of Death. 1851 Old Pioneer. Feb. 23 . . . Feb. 23... Feb. 23 . . . March 3.. . March 4... March 8.. . March 13.. March 14.. March 14.. March 11.. March 15.. March 16.. March 14.. April 5 AprQ 9 April 6 April 11..., April 9, . .,. , April 12. . . , April IL... April 14. . . . April 19.... May May May 18 May 17 July 7 July ....... July 22 ... . Aug. 14 Aug. 15 Aug. 17 Aug. 23 Aug. 25 Aug. 23 Aug Sept. 3 Sept. .1 Sept. 7 Sept. 3 Sept. 8 Sept. 13.... Sept. ro,... Sept. 13.... Sept. 12.... Sept. 8 Sept. 19 ... . Oct. 1 Sept Oct. 7 Oct. 6 Sept Oct. 19 Oct. 28 Oct. 3 Oct. 12 Nov. 2 Nov. 25 Nov. 24 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. 299 ERRATA. Page. Eeeor. Oorkected. 89— H. C. Sheenin H. C. Sherwin. 89— J. W. Letchen J. W. Letcher. 90 — Lobeina Lanphear Sabina Lanphear. 90 — Dr. Maake Dr. Mosier. 91— Ben. T. Craft Burr S. Craft, 92— N. B. Crane Wm. B. Crane. 92 — Nelson Meunep Nelson Mereness. 92 — Governor Tegon Gov. Tryon. 92— B. Mills L. B. Mills. 92 — Kiles Perry Miles Perry, 92 — Isaac Wicknin Isaac Wickwire, 92 — Miron Wicknin Myron Wickwire, 92— Geo, E, Darling Lorenzo E, Darling, 92 — Leeman Darling Simeon Darling. 92 — Henry Greenfield Harvey Greenfield. 93 — James McChitchie James McClatchie. 93— Edward Spice Edward Spicer. 93_Thomas Collon Thomas Callen. 93— Wm. H. Bever Wm. H. Bruce. 94_Milo Cobs Milo Coles. 94— H. Cobs H. Coles. 94_D. D. Anger D. D. Auger. 54_S, W, Hunger S, W, Munger, 54_Rev. Mr, Lenier Rev, Mr. D, Lewis, 300 OUTAGAMIE COUNTY PIONEERS. INDEX. Page Preliminary Meeting- 5 Constitution 7 Eist of Pioneers 9 Song- of the Pioneers 12 Meeting, 1875 15 Annual Meeting, 1876 17 Annual Address, Prof. D. M. Hyde 19 Annual Meeting, 1877 25 President John Dey's Opening Remarks 27 Annual Address by John Eeith, Jr 26 Sketch of the Early History and Settlement of Appleton by J. S. Buck 28 Sketch of Early Settlement of Grand Chute by D. Huntley 36 Sketch of Early Settlement of Greenville by John Dey 37 Sketch of Early Settlement of Dale by Philo Root 41 Sketch of Early Settlement of Hortonia by Matthew McComb. . 43 Sketch of Early Settlement of Buchanan by Wm. Eamure 49 Sketch of Early Settlement of Ellington by Ansel Greely 49 Sketch of Early Settlement of Center by John McGillan 50 Sketch of Early Settlement of Kaukauna by E. St. Eouis 51 Sketch of Early Settlement of Seymour b3' Geo. R. Do-wner. ... 53 Sketch of Early Settlement of Seymour by James Dean 55 Annual Meeting, 1878 56 Annual Meeting, 1879 58 Sketch of Early Times in Kaukauna by Geo. W. Eawe 59 Eetter from Mrs. Emily J. Ea-we 63 Annual Meeting, 1880 64 Sketch of the Early History and Settlement of Appleton by H. E. Blood 65 Annual Meeting, 1881 71 Annual Meeting, 1882 73 Annual Meeting, 1883 76 Annual Address by W. H. Sampson 75 Eist of Pioneers who died in 1883 80 Annual Meeting, 1884 81 Pioneers' Memorial, a Poem by Mrs, Stansbury 82 INDEX. 301 Page Annual Meeting, 1885 86 Annual Address by Judge Geo. H. Myers . 86 Annual Meeting, 1886 96 Annual Address by Hon. John Bottensek 97 Pioneers' Experiences by Mrs. L. B. Mills, of Greenville 102 Annual Meeting, 1887 108 Annual Address by J. M. Phinney 108 Annual Meeting, 1888 118 Annual Address by Hon. Humphrey Pierce , 118 Resolutions on the Death of Col. H. E. Blood 123 Annual Meeting, 1880 124 Annual Address by Hon. H. D. Ryan 125 Annual Meeting, 1890 130 Annual Address by Rev. A. A. Drown 131 Annual Meeting, 1891 138 Annual Address by Rev. John Faville 139 Annual Meeting , 1892 , 148 Annual Address by Hon. A. B. Whitman 149 Annual Meeting, 1893 152 Annual Address by Rev. R. H. Pooley 153 Annual Meeting, 1894 157 Annual Address by Judge Samuel Boyd 158 Eist of Pioneers who died during the past year 159 Annual Meeting, 1895 160 H. M. Culbertson's Paper 161 Paper by Mrs. Geo. Downer 166 Poem by W. J. Bedell, "The Old Eog House on the Hill" 169 Paper by D. Huntley 171 Names of Pioneers who died since our last meeting, Feb. 22, 1894 172 BIOGRAPHICAE SKETCHES. Abbott, E. B. and Family 254 Beaulieu, Paul 295 Boyd, James M 290 Balliet, Stephen and Family 252 Ballard, Anson and Family 246 Brothers, Capt. D. J 245 Brill, Michael and Family 243 Blackwood, O. A. and Family 235 Briggs, Wm. W '. 189 Blood, Henry L 190 Bennett, Rev. Philo S 204 Baer, John M 212 Bottensek, John Henry 214 Breiterick, Karl 278 Bateman, Robert R 284 302 INDEX. Page Conkey, Col. Theodore 241 Cough, Jere and Family 208 Culbertson, John and Family 192 Conklin, Nathan S '. .'....... 270 Darling, Eorenzo E 293 Downer, Geo. R 283 Dean, James 279 Dey, John and Family 186 Draper, Nelson B 193 Diener, Henry J 191 Douglas, Dr. Byron 258 Fuller, J. F 275 Greenfield, Harvey 272 Gerrits, Martin 267 Goodland, Judge John 237 Gates, Porter J 198 Grignon, Augustin and Family 239 Hyde, Capt. Welcome 226 Hardaker, James and Family 200 Hopkins, C. W 218 Huntley, Daniel 270 Johnston, Col. William 207 Johnson, William 199 Jordan, Woodford D 202 Jones, Hiram A 219 Jacquot, Eewis F .'-47 Knox, John 285 Kobusson, John 195 Kethroe, Henry 197 Krimps and Moeskes Families 180 Lamure, Wm. and Family , 277 Leiby, George and Family 217 Lawe, Geo. W 244 Lite, Peter 248 Munger, Wm. H 262 Manley, Wm. R 261 McComb, Matthew 188 McGillan, Frances and Family 213 McLeod, Peter 215 McKay, Hector 243 Murch, Bela B ' 255 Myers, Judge Geo. H 204 McMurdo, John, Sr 263 Nye, Nathan J 185 McNab, Duncan .' . . . 276 Palmer, E- S. and Family 197 INDEX. 303 Page Perrot, Ferdinand and Family 210 Pierce, Humphrey 220 Poole, Oliver and Family 253 Perry, Seth J 264 Phinney Family 296 Rogers, Wm. H 222 Rhodes, Solomon 242 Reuter, Peter 249 Rexford, Jabez B 205 Randall ,Levi 201 Ryan, Col. Samuel and Family 182 Root, Stephen 266 Sauberlich, Christian 288 Spencer, Elihu and Family 174 Spencer, Blanchard 289 Scott, Jared G 195 Shepherd, George W 211 Southmayd, John S 258 Shulze, Daniel , 265 Smith, Rev. Reeder ._ 265 Saunders, Evert 271 Simpson , James 273 Speel, Wm. and Family 282 Tompkins, James 209 Tubbs, Peter 259 Tanner, H. B 286 Verstegen, Arnold 281 Vandebogert, Frank C 216 Whitman, Sylvester, S 196 Woodward, John W 184 West, Edward 251 Wolcott Family 268 Young, Samuel and Family 215 I ' * ' ":^ > 1 !»• J f ?i if*'/*.' i-v. . "" > ¦'s'" I .1 i. V: ' T ' ' * » -.. K ¦1 ' ¦¦ i' « -..« * -'J ->, ' - -'¦'^'' / jf' <¦ 'It . .* - . ' ** !¦ ""7 4