PART 1 : History of Outagamie County Wisconsin, in PDF Format

HISTORY OF 

F\V H. S. LIBRARY 

FV L APPLETON, WIS. 

OUTAGAMIE COUNTY 

WISCONSIN 

Being a General Survey of Outagamie County History including 

a History of the Cities, Towns and Villages throughout 

the Countr, from the Earliest Settlement to 

the Present Time 

THOMAS H. RYAN 

Editor-in-Chief 

ADVISORY BOARD 

HENIhY D. RYAN ISAAC N. STE\ ART 

JOHN D. LAWE C-I ARLES E. RAUG(;HT 

I'ETER 'UTIBBS LOIC)1T S 1 ACu (COT 

1()JiN 

- 

E EBEN E, REXFORD 

CHICAGO 

GOODSPlEI ED HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION 

PUBLISHERS

TE KENNEBBE MYW 

- Hlc X. 

a :

PREFACE 

A N LEXAMI[NAVTI'ON of this volumie by subscribers will reveal 

llade in newspaper files, early French and Indian records, 

that a vast extent of original 'research for material has been 

public documents and private memoranda of various kinds. The 

object has been to comipress into the pages, even at the partial expense 

of finished literarv style, interesting and valuable da.ta concerming 

the county so far as space would allow. In order to do 

this, and to show our appreciation of friendly and considerate treatiment 

and reasolnable patronage, we have extended the number of 

pages iore than five hundred beyond what was planned at the 

outset. It will le seen. that we have saved from. permanent loss 

thousands of interesting items usually overlooked or disregarded 

by- local historilans. 'Ths' a permanent foundation, whiclh can be 

elaborated Cand ilm uproved by subsequent writers, has been laid for 

t future perfect county history. -Generally, statistical tables and 

routine p:loceedings have been avoided, a.nd a narrative form has 

been .adopted. 'he book necessarily contains errors, though it is 

believed that, owing to the great care exercised, they will be found 

to be comparatively few. The publishers .stand ready, as is their 

custom, to correct all such by a special errata sheet to be sent to 

subscribers to be pasted in the books. As a. whole, we feel confident 

that our subscribers, who have our thanks. for their patronage, will 

appreciate this fine volume. 

TI-IE PUBLISHERS.

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

HISTORY 

(eology, Rocks, Drift, Soil, Water Power, Drainage, et. ................. 

PAGE. 

1. 

Exploration, Indians, Traders, Voyageurs, Hiistoric Places, etc ............. 

County Affairs Before 1880, Organization, Acts of the Board, Societies, 

Finances, Roads, etc ............................... ..... 

Appleton before 1880, Origin, Industries, City Council, Public Works, Advanceient, 

Banking, Officials, etc .................................. 

Politics before 1880, Parties, Conventions, Candidcates, Maass Mieetings, 

Election Returns, etc ...... ......... ....................... 

2 

Military Record, Civil War, Spanish-American War, G. A. R., Other Org'anizations, 

Relief, Monuments, Decoration, TMemorial Services, et ........ 29S 

Appleton 1880 to 1911, City Council Proceedings, Officials, Public Woril's 

Industr-ies, Finances, Banking, Improvenients, Commission Governmenlt. 

etc. . ............................................................ 

35 

Politics 1880 to 1911, Conventions, Nominees, Primaries, Politicians, Party 

Issues, New Parties, Election Returns, etc( ........................... 388 

Boating, Stage Lines, Mail Routes, Railways, Telegraphs, Telephones, Electric 

Lights and Lines, etc .......................... ............. 407 

Medicine, Surgery, Dentistry, Epidemics, Diseases, Operations, Societies, etc. 442 

Clhurchles Pastors, Sunday Schools, Buildings, Various REeligious Societies, 

Benevolence, Temperance, Music, etc ................................ 

469 

Bench, Bar, Circuit Court, Trials, County Court, Officials, Municipal Court, 

Associations, etc. .................... ............................. 15 

Education, Subscription Schools, Common School System, High Schools, 

Grades, Union System, County Schools, Statistics, NTew Methods, etc... . 34 

Kaukauuna, ?rench Settlement, Business, Incorporation, Officials, Public 

Works, Improvements, etc ......................................... 

Settlement, Towns, Incidents, Wild Animals, Storms', Logging, Early Schools 

and Churches, Trails and Roads, Seymour, Hortonville, Black Creek, 

570 

Shioeton, Little Chute, Kimberly, Snidersville, Oneida, Incorporation, 

Industries, Recent Improvements, etc ............................... 127: 

Miscellaneous Events, First Settlement of the County, Appleton's First 

Officials and Finances, Trouble in the Council, Seal, City, Appleton in 

1853, Recent Officials, Little Chute, Institutes and Clubs, etc .......... 1.38( 

Biography and Reminiscence ..................... ............. ... 5 91 

BIOGRAPHY 

A. PAGE. PAGE. 

Abel, William ................ 774 Adsit, Amos Elias, D. D. S..... 1161 

Abraham, Frederick Mr ........ 837 Albert, Henry. ............... 722 

Abraham, Henry W., MI. .D ..... 614 Allen, Eliwyn C ............... 1155 

Abrahams, Isaac A ............ 1108 Allen, Mr.. MIartha J ......... 995 

Adkins, Charles G ............. 1227 Ames, Bostic H.............. 879 

Adkins, Charles V ............. 1228 Ames, William 1)............ . 769

6 T ~'AiBLE OF CONATEA7TS 

PAGE. PAGE. 

Anderson, Warren ............ 1189 Bowlby, 1H. L................. 662 

Appleton Machine Company. .. 

Armitage, Albert E ........... 

Ashman, John ................ 

Assinan, Gust ................. 

Aul, Emil.................... 

.. 1115 

788 

1204 

1095 

1101 

Brainard, Carlos iXM ........... 

Brandenberg, lired ............ 

Brass, Otto ................... 

Breitriek, Charles ............. 

Breitrick, William ............ 

1111 

776 

829 

917 

996 

Breitung, Albert A., Sr ........ 1208 

B. Breitung, Oswald ............. 1246 

Babcock, Fllllk (C .. B. 1). S.... 774 Brenner, Karl F. George..... 799 

Baechlelici·: liFranlklia H. 863 Briggs, Ansel Bailey .......... 825 

Bacelnniu -Baeliman, mWilliam iliam C........Brill, G........ 97 Joh John ... .......... . 898 895S 

Balker, William ............. 655 Brugger, Albert .............. 796 

Baldwin, Hon. Geoge1072 ........ Broka N. H 

1007 

Baldw-in, Geoge Benjao min. ... 1073 Brooks, Everett H.,. M. 1...... 709 

Baldwin, Charles Frederick. .. . 1073 Brusewitz, Albert............. 745 

Ballard, Anson.............. 108 Bux, illiam................ 867 

1Barnies n. Lynan Eddy. 1040 Buboltz, Albert ............... . 858 

Bartels Fred ................. 674 Buchanan, William......... 678 

ulanuen, Boaner Joihn W C................ (Ill... .. ......... 1225 9 Bunman Charles 11............. 856 

Ba.mnBlallln Willial (.......... 9 Budick, Erastus P ............ 843 

Bayorgeon, Anma P ...................... 9reistel 

62 

Beach, Andrew J............. 1201 :Bulgert, iFrederick M.I......... ,866 

Bean, Walter ........... ...... 1137o Ili" 1 . . . .................. Busch, John .................. 976 

Becker, Alois ................. 116 tler W............. 758 

Becker, Franlk lb.............. 1074 

I:ecker, .John .................. 1069 

Blecker, Julius E....... ....... 690 

Bleelen, John I............... 1064 Calibe, Henock Charles ........ 682 

Bleemster, John ............... 649 Calmes, Frank ............... 101.5 

Beggs, Archie ................ 675 Canavan, James V., M. 1) ...... 664 

Behin, Gustave A............. 986 Cance, Edmond J............. 910 

Bender, Moses................ 1142 

Behtle, 'rederick............. 1192 

Carneross, Ralph E ........... 640 

Carter, Adelbert B............ 719 

Berg , Ignatz George ........... 1086 

Berg, John l................. 1101 

Bergnians, Adrian ............. 997 

Bernard, Francois............. 1017 

Bertschy, Perry Henry........ 980 

Bessing, Henry Anton......... 601 

Blake, Richie R .............. 731 

Blake, William G.............. 1251 

Carter, Henry W ............. 1202 

Casey, John .................. 830 

Catlin, Mark................... 1109 

Charlesworth, Frank M1 ....... 800 

Christophersen, Charles........ 1215 

Citizens National Bank ....... 817 

Clack, Charles ............... 604 

Clark, Frank E............... 651 

Blake, William J.5.............. 

Blanshal, Charles Rogers ...... 

1255 

883 

Clark, Michael F1.............. 865 

Clark, William 0 ............... 730 

Bleick, Ferdinand J........... 736 

Bleick, Ierman............... 1144 

Bleick, Louis George .......... 977 

Boelter, Julius H............. 1202 

Boehime, Alwin F............. 900 

Bohl, August ................ 1235 

Bohl, Fred ................. 1210 

Boldt, John C ................ 1123 

Bonini, Louis, Jr.............. 1200 

Bonnii, H-Ierman .............. 1.248 

Boon, John Allen ............. 689 

Bowmana , B. N ............. ... 1240 

Bfoyd, Charles D., M. D ........ 1059 

Boyd, Charles S .............. 1049 

Boyd, Samuel .............. 1034 

Boye, I) J.................. 1170 

Bottensek, Joh ............... 852 

ow-arnman, Edward R......... 837 

Colburn, Frank H1 ............. 704 

Cole, Chales ............... 1017 

Cole, Robert I., D. ). S...... 1169 

Colwitz Charles .............. 628 

Comerfo rd, William ........... 1176 

Conkey, Alexander. ........... 835 

Conlon, William J............ 907 

Coonen, Martin ............... 901 

Conway, John ................. 1038 

Coppes, John ................. 106 

Cornelius, Chester P........... 1059 

Court, Ewalt .... ............ 744 

Court, Henry C ............... 64 

Cotter, Patrick ................ 1213 

Cotter, William P............. 1190 

Culbertson, Alexander........... 622 

Culbertson, John.............. 1004 

Cuff, George A................. 1241


D. PAGE. PAGE. 

I)lanls, Albert ............... 725 Fischer, Andrew. ............. 1209 

.Dalke, Henry J............... 1226 Fischer, Frank F ............. 1212 

Danielson, A. 0.......... 595 Fish, Stillman N.............. 724 

Davis, A. H............ . 1192 Fisher, Rudolph D............ 704 

D)ay, Thomas . .......... 770 Fitzgerald, James F1........... 1269 

Dean, Dwigoht W .............. 933 Fitzmaurice, Rev. Walter J ... 1018 

Deering, Gregor............... 995 Flanagan, John.............. 850 

Degal, William............... 92( Flunker, August W........... 875 

Deimer, Frank ................. 973 Fockel, Willian ............... 1223 

;Deml, George. ................. 757 loote, WT. J., D. ). ......... 1168 

Dempsey, Peter J............. 849 Forster, Max ................ 881 

Dettmann, Rev. Gustave ....... 890 Forstner, Williami ............ 656 

De Wall, G. H ................ 1248i Forward, Fayette L ........... 608 

Dey, John . ................... 1001 Foster, Argo M., M. ....... 845 

Dietrich, Albert .............. 752 Foster, Henry A.............. 1035 

liestler, Herman 0. .105 ........ 1035 Fountain, John............... 1153 

D)ietzler, Jacob ............. . 1070 Fox River Paper Company. .... 611 

Diffording, William 1I ......... 1 _265 I'ranh, William A............ 686 

DittmIer, Hon. Francis ....... 105(6 1Fraser, Allen A............... 766 

Donaldsen Frank E., M. 1) .... 10)65 lFreeman, Hiram G ........ 962,611 

D)ouglas, Earl11 W., D. 1). S..... 1107 Flreund, Jacob. ............... 1085 

D)ouglass, James H............ 889 Fries, Frank ................. 1016 

)owner, A. (G................. 1207 Fritz, aTeodore ............. 741 

I)owner, George R ............ 815 

)orow, Fred ............ 762 C. 

Doyle, Joseph H-I., M. D-........ 1239 

Dreissen, Edward G........... 854 

I)rinks, Bernhart ............. 1097 

riscoll.......... 

DImI~t. I.~'GaePrk ra .... ............ 

( Gablowsky, Paul............ .. '657 

. 92 

G nr Er ................ 31 

Gardner, Edward .. .... .. .631 

Gavey, Pat ................ 122 

_8401226 

Gayhart, Michael J ........... 1199 

Geenen, D. M. and A ........... 653 

E. Geenen, William . .......... . 892 

Eagle MfLanlufacturling Company] . (() 680 

Ebert, William .. 980 

Edmonds, Hon. Edward A..... 1050 

lEdnmonds, ' Lewis MI\iles......... 769 

Eick, Charles ................. 1081 

Eick, Louie ...... 1102 

IEiscih O)tto . 723 

Ellenbeeker, Anthony.......... 658 

Eljlenhbeke. Joseph:.......... 1210 

Ellsworth. Herbert E., M. 1) .... 936i 

Endter, August............... 965 

- ib, Er eman .a ................ 103i 6 

•I Eskiman IA-el ................. 1243 

F. 

Gehring, Andrew. ............. 1175 

Gehlke, Andre ............... 60 

, on .............. 928 

Gillespie, John ................ 1128 

illett, haes ......... 

ilan, Joseph ............... 812 

G an, Wil liam L ............ 812 

Glassbrenner, Frederick.. ..... 669 

Gloudemans, Arnold........... 1099 

londemans, Jo .......... 125 

G(loudemans, Peter A .......... 144 

(IGlueckstein, Michalae ........... 667 

Goodland, Hon. John ............. 958 

Goodland, John, Jr ............ 1046 

Gosse, Ferdinand W ............ 827 

Gosse, William ................ 1118 

Falck, F rank 982 

Farnam, Eliab h ... ............ 833 3 

I1arrell, W illiall.............. 810 

IFassbender. Hubert ........... 957 

Fassbender, John M........... 764 

Fassbender, Joseph P.......... 923 

Fassbender, Peter. ...... . 766 

Faust, Joseph J............... 1044 

Faust. Nicholas............. 1021 

Faville, Rev. John............. 911 

Felton, J. N. ............... 1269 

Feurig, Gustave Henry ....... 607 

Fiestedt. Henry. ............... 1066 

Gaf, a................. Carl............... . 885 

Graf, Herman ................ 1197 

Grandy, Robert .............. 1242 

Gresenz, August .............. 1121 

Griesbach, Henry ............. 1174 

riesbach, John............... 1174 

(iriesbach, Joseph ............. 974 

Griesbach, Sebastian .......... . 1173 

Griswold, E. Clarence ......... 783 

Griswold, Wiifield............ 1082 

Groat, John .................. 1247 

Grossman, Henry.............. 908 

Grothl, Willia ............. ..... 1179

38 TA.BLE OF COANTEINTS 

PAGE. 

PAG E. 

Gruniert, Moritz F '............ 847 

Grutzmacher, Carl ............ 1195 

G(ummlermaii, Rev. Basilius, O. 

M. Cap..................... 1071 

Hills, Hubbard E ............. 882 

Hodgins, Douglas ............. 87S 

Hodgins, Joseph Arthur....... 1190 

Hoefer, Fred W ............. 708 

Hoehne, Fred ............... 784 

lI. 

HIaas, Charles ................. 

Hackel, John, Jr.............. 884 

Hoffman, Servatus............. 

Hoh, Henry L................ 

Ho, Loui s.................. 

Hoier, Anton. ........... 

633 

729 

49 

Hackleman, William 1-1........ 

Ilackworthy , John ............ 

708 

675 

-Iolz, Alfred P., M. D ........ 

olz, illia ............... 

657 

170 

1lagen, Charles J ............. 35 Ioyt, TVWillian M1 ............. 771 

THaln, Charles. ............... 777 Huebner, Ernest A............ 1198 

Hahn, Emarnuel .............. 

Hahn. Julius E............... 

762 

19 

Hunsicker, John ............. 

ut, rederick W........... 

88S 

1091 

Hlallock, Ernest Corson, D. D. S. 900 

Hlalloran, Dennis P........... 1123 

Ham, John D................. 

65 

ilamimen, John............... 1271 

I-ansleit, Christ ............... 969 

Hurlman, Arnold ............ 

Huse, Frank ... 

J. 

933' 

-lardackel, Herman Taylor.... 922 Jack, Edward John........... 873 

H1arp, Ferdinand ............. 

H-ardy, John ................ 

893 

66 

.Jack, Jacoob ................. 

Jacobs, August .............. 

881 

109;3 

larriman, Frank WT ........... 643 Jacquot, John B.............. 1033 

Harrimlan, Fred E ............. 

-IartsAorm, Benjamin J........ 

1047 

17 

Jacquot, John L .............. 

Jaccquot, Louis ............... 

946 

832 

fHartsworm, Paul. .............. 74 

Ifartsworn, John.............. 710 

Hartzheim, Frank J1 .......... 1 222 

fHarwood, F. J ............... 1028 

Hawley, James E ............ 919 

Hassinger, Edward L.......... 1131 

Hauert, Frank WTT ............. 730 

auert, Fred C ............... 63 

Hlauert, Jacob. ................. 77 

Hauert, Jacob J.............. 737 

Haug, John.................. 1145 

H-eagle, Jacob ............... 852 

Hechel, Michael ............... 616 

Heckert, Herman, Sr ......... . 1167 

Heenan, John Stephen ........ 648 

Iegner, Leo August .......... 1160 

Heidmann, Joseph ........... 903 

Ieidman, Joseph ............. 903 

Heideniann, John Henry ....... 1232 

Heiman, John............... 1149 

Heinemann, F................ 668 

Heindl, Wenzel ............. . 932 

Heller, Henry Sylvester........ 1110 

Helns, Henry ............. .. 1175 

Henes, Anton ................ 1154 

Henrichs, Charles J............ 1180 

Henry, Robert E .............. 620 

Herman, Charles G: ............ 959 

Herman, John................ 831 

Herinsen, John ............... 930 

Hermsen,. Marti .............. 928 

Heubner, Charles............. 1136 

Hiietpas, Nicholas ............. 1094 

Hilger, John August ........... 1147 

Hiller, Alfred ............... 979 

Hills, Alfred R ................ 969 

.Jage, Edward ............... 743 

Jahnke, August ............... 87 

.amison, William G........... 1067 

Jansen, Edwar d .. . ........... 1229 

Jansen, Ienry ................ 894 

Jansen John................. 1049 

anssen, Gerrit. ............. 1261 

nkel, rederick............. 660 

Jennerjahn, Henry........... 743 

Jent.z, Albert ................. 1084 

entz, er ................ 1084 

Jepson, Albert................ 1200 

Jepson, Frank ................ 49) 

.Jepson, Warren ............... 864 

Johnson, Dr. Henry T .. ........ 11)93 

Johnson, Orrin ............... 1219 

Johnson, Dr. 0. N ............. 119: 

Johnson, William MW ........... 65 

Jonen, Peter.................. 1231 

Jones, Hon. George C .......... 959 

Joosten, Martin M ............ 1071 

Julius, Charles ................ I 15 

Julius, Christ ................. 621 

Julius, John ............... .. 1191. 

Kahn, Julius.............7.... 42 

Kamps, Gerhard.............. 768 

Kanips, Herman A ............ 9 

Kanouse, Abijah MT. M. D.. . 63'9 

Karweick, August ............. 19 

Kathagen, Antone............. 99 

Kaukauna Lumber & 3Ifg. Co. .. 104 

Kean, John .............. 69 

Keelan, James D...... ........ 956

TABLE OF CON TE'NTS 

PAGE. 

I PAC E. 

Keifer, Nieholas.............. 914 

Keller, Kuno F. ............. 1005 

Keller, Louis H............... 1006 

Keller, Prof. Paul G. W ....... 612 

Kelly, Thomas ................ 1126 

FKennedy, Leon................ 1234 

Kern, Frank ................. 1079 

Kerr, Dr. Richmond.( ........... 02 

Kesting, Charles H ........... 603 

Kerwaek, Herman Carl ........ 1132 

Kessler, John ................. 637 

Keune, Alfred G-.............. 805 

Klispert, George, Jr............. 1231 

Kitzinger, Mathew. ............ 750 

Kitzinger, Mathias ............ 1260 

Klarner, Frank ............... S62 

Klein, Joseph ................. 923 

Kling, John .................. 1029 

Klitzke, August ............... 685 

Klitzke, William .............. 919 

Knaack, Louis C...............1172 

Knapstein, Henry ............. 868 

Knapstein, Theodore ........... 1236 

Knegtel, Rev. Theodore........ 10(47 

Knuppel, August .............. 677 

Koch, Anthony J. ............ 739 

Koepke, Otto ................. 713 

Koffend, Joseph. ............. 645 

Kohl, Charles ................. 1152 

Kohl, Michael ................. 669 

Kolleth, Albert ............... 793 

Kolleth, August ............... 1103 

Koletzke, Ferdinand ........... 1181 

Komp, Joseph E .............. 1249 

Konrad, Gust ................. 1207 

Krahn, August................ 

Lampke, Charles H ........... 855 

Landers, Thomas ............. 1S 

Lanser, Mathias .............. 1 5105 

La Salle Hotel ............... 77 

Laudon, Joseph .. ......... 990 

Lauersdorf, Gustave........... 1206 

Leahy, Daniel ............... 1134 

Lecker, Herman .............. 221 

Lehrer, Joseph ............... 784 

Lehrer, Siegfried ............. 734 

Leininger, Johnl .. .... ........ 861 

Leisgang, Frank.............. 791 

Lemke, Marx A ............... 909 

Lempke, Joseph............... 621 

Lettmann, Gerhard ............ 6(7 

Liebhaber, Benno ............. 1170 

Lillge, Henry C .............. 715 

Linsmeyer, Joseph ............. 1196 

Lippert, Anton .............. . 1165 

Lisbeth, Stanislaus F. ......... 937 

Little, Thomas B .............. 1164 

Lochman, Rt. Rev. Peter Joseph 1079 

Lochschmidt, Adolph........... 876 

Lockery, Michael M......... 110:3 

Lord, Osborn G., M. 1)........ 772 

Lowe, John ................... 834 

Luck, Gustaf E ............... 1184 

Luebke, Albert ................ 814 

Lueck, Herman F............. 860 

1Lutz, Lawrence .............. 119(i 

Lyons, James A., M. D......... 970 

Lyons. William L ............. 935 

M. 

Aacs Pete.. 12 

..... .60 

Krahn, Charles ................ 

K rause, Aug·. ¥V~ain 

Krause, Aug. W.... .,8 

1227 

19 I 

Main, Gilbert..868 

Gilbert ................. 

Mansfield, Willard G......... 

8 

80 

l(rause, Krause, Henry G ................. ............. . 

Kressin, A...........800 

Kressin, Frank............... 

Kressin, Frederick........... 

797 

91arsal, 

1290 

Marcks, l August ............... 778 

Martens, Julius J ............. 1 06 

Victor ., . D...... 

Marston, Captain Josep H............ 

Kreutzoerg, Henry...... .. 

Krueger, Albert...............6.. 

Kroner, John ................ 

Krugmeier, Albert -T .......... 

Krull, Emil ................... 

Kubitz, William J............. 

Kuehhn, IKuehne, Robert . ............ 

(Kuhn, Charles ............... 

unimroow, Kuinrow, Albert F F...... ........... . 

Kumrow, Bert ................ 

urz, Frank ................ 

L. 

Ladholz, Henry ............... 

Laird, Alexander ........... .... 

Laird,John Janison, . D.. 

Laird William. .............. 

Laird, William J1 .............. 

Lambie, John A.............. 

1417 

4/ 

1211 

642 

86 

1001 

1077 107 7 

1181 

895 89 

913 

1032 

683 

596 

63( 

916 

1249 

951 

Marx, l Hl enry N ............... 69 

Martin, Willia .............. 1264 

Maschinsky, Gusta. .......... 877 

Alert. ..... 1256 

Ma John ........ ......... 94 

Maylahn, Charles F........... 659 

................ McCarthy, John Thomas....... 1.090 

McCarthy, Michael John. ...... 1222 

AMcCarthv, Patrick ............ 1233 

M1cCarthy, William P.......... 707 

McCarty, Dennis.............. 801 

McCa.ty, Joseph J............ 801 

iMcDermott, Martin........... 726 

McGinnis, Daniel ............. 1194 

M'cGlone, Patrick ............. 1205 

McKeever, John ............ .. 1117 

McLean, Aleander W......... 846 

McLeish, William ....... .. 688 

MAeating, Arthur G............ 640 

9

10 TABLE OF CONTENTS 

PAGE PGE.. PAGE. 

Meidam, John................. 1114 

Meidam, Miles ................ 845 

Meidam, Stephen .............. 870 

Meltz, John.................. 1.188 

Menning, Lewis............... 820 

Menning, William............. 906 

Menting, John ............... 927 

Oaks, Charles P............ 

Oelke, Henry J............... 

0 'Keefe, Edward ............ 

O'Keefe, William E., D. D. S.. 

O'Leary, James D............ 

Orbison, Thomas W ........... 

Ort, Frederick ............... 

629 

822 

911 

891 

1218 

938 

108 

Merbach, Fred ................ 781 

Merity, John ................ 

MIerkl, William ............... 

695 

900 Packard, George 11........... 1130 

Mews, William.. .ach, Jo n905 ............... 

Meyer, Cornelius.............. 701 Palmer, Edin S............ 

Meyer, Henry William ....... 1003 Paquin, chael. 

MAIeyer, William .712 Parker, John L................ 

MIichelstetter, William ........ 1061 Patterson, Wilson ........... 

Mielke , Herma anPal 779 

Agst,J . .............. 

Miller Frederk WiPlli am. .::: 1122 Peabody, George Frederick ..... 

.iller, 

Frederick Williain...... 1122 Pease, Marion W .............. 

Miller, George ................ 111............... 

Miller, \iler RHichard............... Richard ............... 1152llPeters, Frank., r5 ............... 

Peters, Hans ................. 

Mitchell, M. F . ............... 739 Peters, Henry ............... 

MAodersohn, Julius..... . 841 Peters, Herman John ......... 

Moehring, Ernest ............. 1250 Peters, William .............. 

Moeskes, Gerhard T........... 954 Petersen, Andrew FP........... 

Molitor, John................. 1000 Petersen, Fred ............. 

Moore, Luther H., D. D. S..... 724 Petersen, Fred ............... 

859 

1225 

841 

5 

1203 

1018 

1177 

599 

1267 

1255 

1.188 

1126 

681 

767 

1120 

Morack, Henry J.............. 869 Petersen, Louis A............ 1150 

Morgan, John G ............. 612 Petit, Frank ......... 1247 

Morgan, Col. Nathan E....... 741 Phillips, Frank 1.............. 652 

Morrow, E. J............ 761 

Morse, John A................ 595 

Mory, Charles H.............. 828 

Mueller, Charles William...... 619 

Mueller, Emil ................. 775 

Mueller, Frederick A.......... 714 

Mullholland, Hon. Hugh J....... 1006 

Mullen, Thomas J........ 755 

Murphy, Augustus L....... 826 

Murphy, Catherine Agnes..... . 848 

iMurphy, Frankl S............. 1123 0 

Mur1rphy, . ........... 

Mu a y, James ............. 906 

N. 

Nagreen, Orlando ...... 950( 

Nelson. Birdell . ........... 1037 

Pierce, Edward. .............. 706 

Pierce, Humphrey............. 1014 

Pingel, William .............. 714 

Plank, Joseph J.............. 759 

Ploeger, Charles F............ 1025 

Ploger Brothers ............ 823 

Pratt, Mrs. Deborah Cooley .... 710 

Pratt, Harry K., D. D. S...... 723 

reisler, Charles.............. 822 

Priewe, Herman............. 1183 

Prosser, Henry J............. 947 

James. ....... 918 

Prunty, Patrick H.... ...... 918 

Purath, Ferdinand ............ 711 

Puth, Frank ................ 615 

Putney, George W............ 684 

Pynn, Alfred ................. 811 

Nelson, Nels . .......... 

Newell, Sanford D ............ 

819 

654 

R. 

Radeacher, August.......... 1206 

Nichols, Louis E............... 

Nicholson, Dexter Putnam ..... 

1106 

1006 

Ralph Earl D................ 

Ramsay, Bertin.. ............ 

97 

1031 

Nickel, Philip ...............'. 

Nickolay, Jacob .............. 

Nieland, John James .......... 

Nile, The Company ........... 

792 

720 

597 

812 

Raught, Charles E............. 

Reeve, Dr. James Theodore .... 

Reeve, James S., M. D......... 

Reese, David E................ 

1087 

1022 

1023 

957 

Nitschke, August .............. 

Noack Brothers ............... 

853 

717 

Regenfuss, John .............. 

Reick, William ................ 

854 

624 

Nolan, William N., M. D ...... 772 Reid, Alexander James ....... 1030 

Norenberg, Fred . ......... 981 Reid, Thomas B............... 1096 

Nugent Brothers .............. 887 Reiland, Nicholas.... ...... 1219 

Nutting, Clarence N........... 921 Reinke, Frederick F........... 945


PAGE. 

IAGE. 

Reis, Jacob ................... 1230 

Reis, Louis ................... 1228 

Relean, William ............... 821 

Renn, John Joseph ........... 890 

Rettler, Nicholas F............ 838 

Reuter, Henry ................ 1042 

Rexford, Eben Eugene ......... 1068 

Ripp, Reverend Conrad........ 861 

Ristau, Charles. ............. 846 

Ristau, Gus W ................ 1025 

Ritger, Anton ................. 961 

Riverside Fiber & Paper Cornpany 

....................... 1043 

Rohloff, Fred ..... .......... 1078 

Roloff, William .............. 1269 

Rooney, Francis J............. 1141 

Rosenberg, Albert ............. 745 

Rossberg, Louis ............... 1150 

Rothlesberger, August ......... 718 

Rubbert, William .............. 984 

Ruessmann, Rev. Frederick L. . 1013 

Rupple, Samuel G ............ 1251 

Ruscher, Fred W.............. 1178 

Russell, John B ............... 1158 

Russell, Walter M ............. 771 

Ruston, Robert ............... 605 

Ryan, Clement E., M. D)....... 642 

Ryan, Daniel J .............. 904 

Ryan, David J ................ 994 

Ryan, Francis A.............. 993 

Ryan, Henry D............... 994 

Ryan, James ................... 993 

Ryan, John C ................ 994 

Ryan, Patrick H .............. 726 

Ryan, Col. Samuel............ 992 

Ryan, Samuel ................ 993 

Ryan, Samuel J............... 995 

Ryan, Thomas -1 .............. 978 

S. 

•kerF E 1116 

Saecker, F. E................. 1116 

Saecker, H. G ................. 1116 

Sager, Hen. ................ .. 1110 

Schmidt, Bernard John ........ 1116 

Schmidt, Louis C ........... 1013 

Schmidt, Mathias ............. 

Schmidt, William ............. 763 

Schnabl, Frank ................ 780 

Schneider, Henry ....... 760 

Schneider, John ............... 1135 

Schneider, Stephen ........... 1234 

Schoettler, John F............ 6 

Schonmmer, Nicholas C ......... 690 

Schrader, Christian ........... 1238 

Schroeder, Charles W.......... 1245 

Schroeder, Frederick William... 872 

Schroeder, John S............. 71 

Schroeder, Paul.... 14S 

Schroeder, William. .......... 698 

Schroeder, Willia m....... .. 830 

Schroeder, William ............ 1127 

Schroeder, William ............ 1258 

Schroeder, William L......... 888 

Schuetter, Henry ........... 940 

Schultz, Charles W ............ 1098 

Schultz, Frederick............. 113 

Schultz, Henry ............. 778 

Schultz, Theodore ............. 632 

Schulze, Daniel L ............ 125 

Schulze, Martin Augustus...... 73 

Schulze, Robert W ............ 142 

Schulze, William ....... ...... 34 

Schulze, William ........... 878 

Schueller, Engelbert........... 

Schreiter, Wenzel A ........... 971 

Schumacher, John ............. 811 

Schuster, Otto E.............. 983 

Schwab, Conrad A ............. 6 

Schwab, Max ................. 662 

Schwaier, John.............. 1217 

Scott, James R., M. D ......... 1230 

Sedo, Henry ................. 765 

Shepherd, Reuben F ........... 1182 

Shannon, S. C............ .... 1045 

Sherman, David A. ... 999 

Sherman, John J .............. 9 

Sherman, Wesley H ........... 941 

Sandborn, Manley J.r , Mt. . 1). . .. 1 S4 Sievert, August ............... 964 

Sanders, Evert ................ 654 Sil, Wolf R ....... .......... 721 

Sasman, Frederick ........ i, olf R....749 

Sassmalnn, Sassmaan, Phillir Phillin .9.........·· 852 ............. Silverwood, Percy .......... WV......... .. .1062 663 

Schaefer, George R ............ 813 Sloan, Heny 

Schaetzel, Phillip ............. 17 Smith, H-on. Augustus Ledyard. 1051 

Schafer, Henry. .12.224 Smith, The C. F., Livery & 

Schafer, Henry ...... . .. 1_224 

T sfe Co ay ....... 

Scharmann, Emil W 

1214 Trasfer Co .............. y .......... 192 

Scheibe, Edward F........... 897............. 

Scheibe, Herman........... 104 S th, Clak E . .......... 

Scheibe, John.. .... ith, Oliver C ................ 815 

Smith Rev. Reeder ............. . 

Schiedermeyer, George ......... 759 Smith, Rev. Reeder. ........... 9 

Schindler, Joseph J ......... .. 836 Smits, Martihn ........... .. 700 

Schlegel, Herman J . .......... 1186 Sudde, John ............... 02 

Schlimm, Henry N ............ 733 Sommers, Henry .............. 8 

Schlosser, John Courtland ...... 768 Spears, John . ...... .. 597 

Schmeichel, Fred .............. 939 Speel, Frederick ............. 02 

Schmidt, Charles A ............ 1146 Spencer, Albert M............ 592 

11

12 TABLE OF CON\TEANTS 

PAGE. PAGE. 

Spencer, Frank Simeon ........ 

Spoehr, Ernest ................ 

1138 

630 

Ullmian, Joseph ............. 

UlInmer, Joseph Steven......... 

677 

1214 

Spoehr, William 1-1............ 631 

Spry, Thomas ................ 1_115 

Staedt, Henry................ 750 

Stalker, David ................ 664 

Stansbury, Emory, M. D ....... : 952 

Stark, Andrew H ............. 1163 

Stark, Theodore Frederick ...... 1161 

Steele, J. D .................. 1016 

Steffens, Albert A............. 7583 

Steffens, Joseph J........... 754 

Steinbrecher, Rev. Francis Xavier 

........................ 1099 

Stellmacher, Fred W ........... 789 

Stengle, Frank ............... .1271 

Stewart, Isaac Newton........ 886 

Stewart, John A.............. 785 

Stilpl), Stephen R .............. 844 

Striegel, Martin .............. 1217 

Stuckart, John ................ 1129 

Sturm, Albert H.............. 795 

Sturm, Henryy ................ 794 

Sturm, Joseph ................ 1153 

Syvlvester, Charles......... .... 1257 

T. 

llmer, Louis ............... 909 

TUlrilch, Anton ]F'. ..... . 671 

V. 

Van Asten, Walter. ......... 53 

Vandenhoy, John ............ 69 

Vandenberg, Antone J........ 1080 

Vandenberg, John............. 703 

Vandenberg, Lambert........ 1 25,- 

Van Den Bosch, John......... 912 

Vandervelden John........... 693 

Van Der Loop, Arnold ......... 990 

Van Heuklom, Edward G ...... 986 

Van Oudenhoven, Cornelius .... 1.112 

Van Roy, John.. ......... 8 897 

Verstegen, Arnold............. 804 

Verstegen, Frank............. 1264- 

Verstegen, John E.. ......... . 804 

Verstegen, Joseph ............. 803 

Veistegen, Joseph.. ....... . 1_262 

Vinal, Charles S .............. 651 

Voecks, Albert ............... 668 

Voecks, Emil ................. 896 

Vogel, Edward HI............. 916 

Von Chrunigen, Emil ........... 1268 

Taggart, Willi........ ............ 122 Voss, William 

1_187 1... 

Tagge, Charles ............... 1260 Vosters, Louis ................ 1259 

Talbot, R. S................. 691 

T namtm, E. W ................. 782 

Tanner, Herbert. Battles. M. 1). 1008 

Techlin, Otto................. 1237 

Tellock, Rudolph J........... 600 

Tennie, Joseph ............... 859 

Tesch, William J ............. 785 

rThiel, Edwin James Frederick. . 1239 

Thorn, Peter . ............... 942 

Thompson, Harry E ........... 783 

Thompson, Lee E............. 1176 

Thompson, Martin............ 935 

Thorn, Isaac .................. 944 

Tibbets, Elias Alvin........... 1157 

Tiedt, Robert ................ 1216 

Tillman, Frank ................ 1.233 

Timm, Herman............... 1241 

Timrm, William H.............. 666 

Torrey, Daniel MI ............. 747 

Torrey, Fred N ............... 948 

Town, Freeman 0............. 825 

Tracy, Hon. John............. 1038 

Trauller, Nick ................ 790 

Trettien, Frank FF............ 1113 

Tubbs, Lloyd ................. 791 

Tubbs, Peter................. 1054 

Tuttle, A. F .................. 68:1 

W. 

Wagg Solomon .......... 59 

Waite, Jonathan.............. 1171 

Walker, F. G................. 689 

Wallace, Anthony ............. 844 

Warning, Frederick C......... 1168 

Warning, Frederick Christian... 1186 

Wasserbach, Jacob Fred .... ... 1139 

XWebster, Warren M .......... 665 

Weifenbach, Hugo ............ 1.041 

VWeihing, George G ........... 835 

Weissenborn, Albert B..... . 679 

Welter, Phillip............... 991 

Weltzien, John Theodore...... 977 

Wendel, Charles T ............ 963 

Wentink, Frank C............ 756 

Wenzel, William ............. 732 

Werbelowsky, Joseph David. . . 809 

Werner, August.. .............. 673 

West, Albert John............ 702 

Wettengel, Albert A.......... 1119 

WVeyenberg, Henry ........... 1092 

Weyenberg, Theodore .......... 1263 

Weyenberg, William........... 1088 

Whipple, Carlos 0............ 818 

Wichmann Brothers ............ 740 

17. 

Wiedenhaupt, Charles......... 

Wilcox, Fred M .............. 

921 

892 

lTecke, ,Hon. John............. 

Uecker, Emil W .............. 

TllImai, Gabriel .............. 

806 

857 

676 

Wilharms, John D............ 1140 

Williams, Roger Harrison ..... 1215 

Williams, Wesley B........... 824

-TABLE OF1 CON\TEN TS 13 

P AG 1. PAGE. 

W\\illiat n ,en George ............ 98 

\\Iillsonu Edgar G . ............ 1044 

\\ilson, l'rank ............... 665 

\Winislowt, Rush, M'. D ......... 1075 

W\iunters, Nelson W ............. 1130 

WTiscon .in Tissue Pai)er Coin- 

\\ underlich. i F Fredeic k ...... 

W underlichi William .......... 

Wuudrow, August ............. 

. 

Voung' , William B ............. 

1090 

1159 

925 

1 16 

plany ..................... 687 

AWitt, J1ulus C . .......... 1194 

\Vittlhuhl . Charles ........... 705 

Wittlin. JJohn ................. 66 1 

\\ itllnalml , John .............. 924 

W\olf, Hubert . ................ 667 

Wolf, John G ................ 751 

W\olf. Peter .................. 992 

\Volf, William. ................ 610 

\\ood, Jamies A . .............. 761 

\oods. James................ 728 

A\underlic h, Charles ........... 596 

A\Vunderlieh, Christian.......... 842 

. 

Zahlrt, Charles 1 .............. 839 

Zahrt, Frank Henry. ......... .. 890 

Zeh, Edward S............... 7 

Zeh, Henry ................... 1172 

Zeller, David ................ 931 

Zenier, Alex ................... 966 

Zerbach, Rev. John E.......... 659 

Zimmeman, William 1'........ 696 

Zschaechner, Herma .......... 920 

Zuehilke, Bernard J........... 609 

Zwicker, Robert Amos ......... 1156 

ILLUSTRATIONS 

FACING PAGE 

AppJetu,(-. :1879 ...................................................... 448 

Appleto; . College Avenue, 1868. ........................................ 96 

Appleton Street Scene .. ............................................. 576 

Applleton Views ................................................... 

608 6.. 

Apple tol Wate r Po er Chart. ................... ................ ....... 80 

Bald-Wii, George ............................ ................. .480 

read . Da niel ...................................... ...... .......... 64 

Busy 11ty,A Appleton .. ................ .... .... 544 

Calnies. Frank ................... ............ .......... 92 

laclk, Charles ...................................................... 

960 

(lulbertson. Alexander . . ...... .................... .............. 1024- 

Dittmler. F. P.................................................. 

1]088 

Dl)ulha me-Grig no n H louse, Kaukauna .................................. 864 

Flox River Paper Mfills, Aplpleton ............ .... ..... .......... ....... 7)0 

(eologictal County Map) ..................................... 

32 

1larrimi a, F. W ................... ................... .................. 832 

-ortonvi-lle Vriew-s ............ ........ ................................ 11 

lJoies, George C ................................ ...................... 80( 

KIaukau-; al, Views ..................................................... 768S 

Meyerr, }. W .......... ............... ........................ 736 

Old Sawmilr}, Hortonville ............................................... 

704 

BIaminsay, Bertin ...................................................... 672 

yvan, T homas H ................................ .......... . . . 6401 (3 

Se-ymour Roller Mills ................................................ 

384 

Seymour Views ..................................... 

32 352.........; 

Shioetoir Views ...................................................... 

160 

Skeuand lit ..................................... ................... 64 

Smith, Rev. Reeder. ............ .. .......................... ........ . 

Winslow, Dr. Rush ............. ............. ............ 256 (..... 

Wolf, Wi illiam F ..................... ............... ..... 320

HISTORY OF OUTAGAMIE 

COUNTY 

GEOLOGY, DRAINAGE, ETC. 

EOLOGICALLY considered, the foundation of Outagamie 

county consists of what was formerly called "fundamental 

gneiss," which embraced granites, gneisses, syenites and 

hornblendic, micaceous, chloritic and allied crystalline rocks 

which were once sediments derived from the wear of earlier rocks. 

Concerning those earlier rocks little or nothing is yet known. It is 

believed that "the entire rock substance of the earth was once in a 

molten condition, and that on cooling it solidified, giving rise to a 

primitive rock from which the greater portion of the sediments of all 

subsequent geological formations was derived." Among the rocks 

the gneissoid granites predominate to such a large degree that the 

whole series may generally be termed granitic. Extending across 

the east end of the county and covering about one-fourth of its surface 

are the Trenton (and Galena) limestones. Then in a narrow 

strip extending northeast and southwest is the St. Peter's sandstone. 

Then comes an irregular band, amounting to about three townships 

of Lower Magnesia.n limestone. The balance of the county to the 

westward is composed of Potsdam sandstone. The following table 

shows the relation of these strata to others of this portion of the 

country. 

Quaternary 

r Cenozoic...... Tertiary 

C Tertiary 

Mesozoic...... Reptilian 

C arboniferous Cincinnati 

AGES..... Devonian Galena 

Paleozoic. ..... Upper Silurian Trenton 

Lower Silurian St. Peters 

Cambrian Lower Magnesium 

Potsdam 

Ezoic......... Huronian 

Laurentian 

The Potsdam period in this state is represented by the Potsdam 

sandstone and the Lower Magnesian limestone. 

17

18 HISTORY OF OUTAGAMIE COUNTY 

Sal ali......... 

Upper Silurian..... San 

Niagara 

tNiagara ....... Clinton 

Medina 

Oneida 

The marine growth of Wisconsin ceased with the middle Devonian 

age, at which time it finally rose above the ocean and ever 

since has been dry land. Thence forward its record was one of erosion 

until the Tertiary age. This erosion was finally interrupted by 

the extraordinary work of the glacial period. 

"In the progress of erosion and subsidence the sea advanced 

upon the Laurentian lands and separated from them a large island 

within our northern boundaries, to which the name Isle Wisconsin 

has been assigned since it became the nucleus about which gathered 

the later formations of our state."-Geology of Wisconsin, 1873-6. 

"The valley from Green Bay to Lake Winnebago is exceedingly 

abrupt on the east and very slightly-ascending on the west. This is 

due to the nature of the rock from which the valley was eroded. 

The strata in this portion of the state dip to the eastward. Three 

groups of beds are concerned in the formation of the valley. The 

upper one which forms the cliffs on the east side is Magnesian limestone 

belonging to the Niagara period. Beneath this lies a series of 

clays, soft shales and limestones forming the Cincinnati group. 

Under this is a hard thick-bedded dolomite known as Galena limestone 

which forms the bottom of the valley."-Geology of Wisconsin, 

1873-7. 

The erosion in this valley is still going on, and no doubt it was 

in progress before the glacial epoch and the partial valley thus 

formed probably influenced the southwestern movement of the ice 

therein. This ice movement still further deepened the valley as the 

great glacier moved up the Fox river basin. At a later date the valley 

became filled with red clay. 

Terrace or Fluviatile epoch 

Champlain or Lacustrine epoch 

Quaternary Age ............ Second Glacial epoch 

(Glacial Period) Interglacial epoch 

First Glacial epoch 

"Green Bay, Lake Winnebago and the former Lake Horicon occupy 

portions of a glacial channel and owe their origin to slight 

drift obstructions thrown across the valley. The fact that Lake Winnegabo 

discharges through a channel having a rocky bottom does 

not militate against this statement, for the real channel of the valley 

is near Clifton on the east side of the lake. The drift blocks 

this up and the lake pours over a low rock barrier that separates it 

from the parallel valley of Butte des Morts, which occupies a lower

HISTORY OF OUTAGAMIE COUNTY 19 

geological horizon. Were the drift removed a channel between 

Menasha and Clifton would drain the lake. 

"Green Bay Glacier.-Another field of ice was thrust down west 

of Lake Michigan, having the Green Bay-Rock river valley for 

its axial channel. It expanded eastward until it came into contract 

with the Lake Michigan glacier, and' on the western side until it 

reached a little beyond the center of the state. The margin of this 

glacier separated from that of the Lake Michigan glacier in the 

northwestern part of Walworth county, and thence curved westward 

across R;ock river to the northwestern corner of Green county, thence 

swept steadily to the northward, passing through Dane, Sauk, Adams, 

Waushara, Portage, Waupaca and Shawano counties and into Lincoln 

where it joined the margin of a third glacial stream, the Keweenaw 

or Chippewa valley glacier." 

"East of Wolf river valley is the more prominent though similar 

valley of Green Bay and Lake Winnebago. In pre-glacial time it 

must have been much smaller in size, having been excavated to its 

present great size by the glacier. Lake Winnebago alone covers about 

200 square miles, while the area of the connecting valley below 

(lower Fox river) is 400 square miles. The western slope of both 

valleys is gradual, but the eastern slope is precipitous, being cut out 

of the soft Cincinnati shales overlain by the hard Niagara limestone. 

The bed is the hard Galena limestone of the Trenton series. The 

eastern side of the lower Fox river drainage basin rises abruptly 100 

to 200 feet above the water in Green Bay and continues as a line 

of cliffs along the eastern shore of the present Lake Winnebago and 

thence southward, though'largely covered with drift in the southern 

part of the state. The glacial action sent down an immense ice sheet, 

cutting out the valley of Lake Michigan while a branch tongue 

gouged out Green Bay valley to its present size. ,The floor of Green 

Bay valley has a rapid rise, Lake Winnebago being 166 feet above 

Green Bay. The portion of the old valley now occupied by the upper 

Fox was largely filled with drift and it seems probable that to the 

action of the glacier in cutting down the intervening Lower Magnesian 

rampart and in partially filling the upper valley of Fox river, 

is due the change in the flow of Upper Fox and Wolf rivers through 

the newly enlarged Green Bay valley to the lake. It is also likely 

that the change in flow is partly due to a depression toward the north, 

which occurred during or after the recession of the glacier, as suggested 

by Major Warren. This depression caused an advance of 

Lake Michigan, which rearranged the drift and deposited the red 

clays. By means of the latter this ancient shore of the lake can now 

be traced northward beyond Shawano on Wolf river, westward up 

Fox river above Berlin and southward to a few miles north of Fond 

du Lac. Lake Winnebago is a comparatively modern reservoir, 

formed in the valley by the deposition of glacial drift."-United 

States Government Survey, 1905-6. 

"More than 90 per cent of the coarser part of the drift composing 

the drumlins of the Green Bay Glacier appears to be of local 

derivation, being of similar lithological character to the rock forma-

20 H'ISTORY OF UTAGAMIE COUNTY 

tions underlying the area. About 9 per cent must have been brought 

from the Canadian crystalline rocks several hundred miles to the 

north. The drumlins reach their finest development i-- the ground 

moraine 'of the Green Bay Glacier and are arranged in a regularly 

radiating system corresponding to the radiating lines of flow in the 

deploying glacier." 

The Potsdam sandstone area forms a rude crescent, the eastern 

limb of which enters Green Lake county and extends thence to the 

Menominee river. The Lower Magnesian lim'estone forms a serrated 

band or a fringe on the convex edge of this crescent, averaging 

about seven miles in breadth. It passes diagonally through Winnebago, 

Outagamie, Shawano and Oconto counties. In thickness it 

varies greatly. 

"In the erosion of the Wolf river valley, in Caledonia, Mukwa 

and Hortonia the sandstone below was readily removed and the 

more resisting ledges of dolomite left projecting in vertical cliffs of 

moderate height." Through Hortonia the course of the ledge is 

eastward in which direction the formation slowly dips until in the 

town of Ellington it is covered by the St. Peters sandstone and Trenton 

limestone which standing out in a similar escapement seem to 

form a continuation of the Lower Magnesian ledge. In sections 25 

and 26, Ellington, highly fossiliferous limestone of the Trenton 

period reaches from near the flood plane of the valley upward thirtyfive 

feet or more. On section 24 there arises from the same flood 

plane a mural cliff of lower Magnesian limestone to the height of 

more than fifty feet. The rock forming this Lower Magnesian cliff 

is a very hard silicious dolomite, of almost flinty texture, striking 

fire readily from impact of the hammer and yielding. a resonance 

and fracture more like quartzite than ordinary limestone. To the 

east a lower ledge of the more usual coarse silicious limestone extends 

some distance into the next township and a similar ledge on the 

west curves to the north and is lost under the drift. But it soon reappears 

and extends nearly to Wolf river. About two miles east of 

New London, North and South Mosquito Hills rise about two hundred 

feet above the railroad grade at the station. Their main mass 

is sandstone. Magnesian limestone reposes on the summits of these 

hills. Several similar ledges occur in the townships of Black Creek, 

Cicero, Lesser and Hartland. The limestone is burned for lime and 

is used for heavy masonry. St. Peters sandstone rests upon the 

Lower Magnesian limestone, but is often wholly absent and the 

Trenton limestone rests directly upon the Lower Magnesian limestone. 

In Center township is a partly exposed low dome of rock resembling 

the Lower Magnesian mounds; the beds are exposed on the east 

and south sides in which directions they dip. The rock is a bluish 

gray argillaceous limestone with shaly partings and many fossils. 

The formation passes north through the townships of Freedom, Osborn, 

Seymour and M-aple Grove. This rock is extensively quarried 

for building purposes.


From Appleton to DePere the Lower Fox river forms a succession 

of rapids over the heavier and more resisting ledges of the 

Galena limestone. At Kaukauna the layers vary from six to thirty 

inches in thickness and have a dip of from one and a half to two 

degrees to the southeast. The rock is of a dull bluish green or gray 

hue and has thin shaly partings. Along Duck Creek this formation 

is displayed. Throughout the Fox river valley, wherever the Galena 

limestone is exposed, can be seen the planed, polished and grooved 

surfaces made during the glacial epoch. 

"We have only to suppose that all the waters of Lake Winnebago 

basin (including that of the Upper Fox) formerly drained to 

Wisconsin river; that a slow change of level in this region elevated 

the southwestern part and depressed the northeastern part till a 

large lake was formed which finally overflowed forming the course 

of the lower Fox. This explains the present doubling back in the 

course of the upper Fox and tributaries and it accounts for the close 

relation and yet opposite courses of Fox and Wisconsin rivers. As 

the level changed the erosion at the outlet could not keep pace with 

it and so prevent a lake forming, because a granite ridge lies near 

the surface between the Wisconsin and Buffalo Lake. When the 

lower Fox outlet formed, the lose material covering the rocks 

rapidly gave way and lowered the lake level down to the rock which 

now (1875) keeps it to its present level. The period of this change 

was post-glacial, because this alluvial terrace is free from glacial 

drift which it could not have been .if formed before in a region like 

this surrounded by glacial drift deposit."-Major Warren. 

No part of Outagamie county is in the Archaean area-the one 

that was never below the primitive ocean. It lies within the district 

in Wisconsin where there is the lightest rainfall-28 to 32 inches 

annually. This region embraces parts of Outagamie, Brown, Waushara, 

Winnebago, Calumet, Fond du Lac, Sheboygan, Waupaca, 

Shawano, Oconto, Kewaunee, Ozaukee and a few other counties. 

During the Quaternary age this huge Michigan glacier moved 

southward on the bed of what is now Lake Michigan and sent southwestward 

an immense branch which traversed the Green Bay region 

and crossed the present Outagamie county. 

The elevation of Appleton at the Chicago & Northwestern Railway 

station is 128 feet above Lake Michigan and 706 feet above the 

sea. The elevation at the Wisconsin & Northern station is 145 feet 

above Lake Michigan and 723 feet above the sea. The elevation at 

Little Chute is 144 feet above Lake Michigan and 722 feet above 

the sea. At Medina it is 192 and 770 feet respectively. Winnebago 

lake is 162 and 740 feet respectively. 

Wolf river from Shawano south follows along the cliffs of the 

lower Magnesian limestone, its bed lying in the soft Potsdam sandstone, 

until in the town of Ellington, along the line of an apparent 

fault, the limestone is brought athwart its course and it turns to the 

west, still following the face of the Lower Magnesian cliffs, until they 

turn southward in the town of Mukwa, when the river curves in the 

same direction and at length in the bed of Poygan lake and the


basin of the Fox river it finds its way across the obtrusive formation. 

Its waters then reverse their course and flow back along the face of 

the projecting cliffs of the Niagara limestone for a hundred miles, 

where Porte des Morts allows them to escape into the great lake at a 

point not half the distance from their source that they have traveled." 

A notable spring lies near the road between New London and 

Hortonville on section 28, Township 22 north, range 15 east. It is 

free from -organic impurities and contains small percentages of carbonates 

and mineral compounds; the water is soft and pleasant to 

the taste. This spring rises near the junction of the Potsdam sandstone 

and the Lower Magnesian limestone. A sulphur spring is on 

the land of J. E. Harriman below Appleton and flows from the drift. 

To the north of Lake Winnebago the limit in altitude descends 

at about the same ratio as the general surface of the valley. Artesian 

flows can be secured at varying depths. The St. Peters sandstone 

is not so reliable in this region and regard as farther south. On the 

other hand the Potsdam sandstone should furnish artesian flows. 

Water Power of the Fox River.-The upper Fox river from its 

slight descent furnishes no water power, a fact which is compensated 

for by the facilities it offers for navigation. But the lower Fox river 

presents an almost continuous series of rapids from Lake Winnebago 

to Green Bay. In this distance of about thirty-five miles it 

has a fall of 170 feet, so distributed as to be completely and economically 

utilized. The powers upon this river possess an immense 

advantage in the grand natural reservoir furnished by Lake Winnebago 

which embraces an area of about 350 square miles. Neither 

floods nor drouth cause any considerable or inconvenient fluctuations 

in its level and the steady reliable flow thus secured at all seasons 

is a vast advantage. The channel of the river consists.of a 

gorge between clay banks, with a floor of heavy-bedded limestone, 

so that it may be dammed-with material taken fron its own bed and 

without overflowing adjacent lowlands. The great reservoir makes it 

unnecessary to have more than a limited local one, sufficient to guard 

against interference from other powers. The minimum flowage is 

estimated at 150,000 feet per second, this amount being available 

at all seasons of the year. 

By 1905 there had been utilized of the lower Fox river 31,895 

actual horsepower of the waterfall between Lake Winnebago and 

Green Bay. This large power caused this section to rank high as a 

paper and pulp manufacturing center. The height and power of the 

several falls estimated on this basis are as follows: 

Height, 

Places. Feet, Horsepower. 

Neenah and Menasha ........... 10 3,000 

Appleton ................ 38 11,500 

Cedars ......... 10 3,000 

Little Chute. ... ... ... 38 11,500 

Kaukauna . ............. 40 14,500 

Rapide Croche ................ 8 2,300

HISTORY OF OUTAGAMIE COUNTY 

Lt. Kaukauna .............. 8 2,300 

De Pere ............ 8 2,300 

Totals......................150 

(Geology of Wisconsin, 1873-7 vol. 2.) 

50,000 

PROFILE OF FOX RIVER FROMf MAENASHA TO GREEN BAY 

Distance Elevation Descent 

STATION From Between Above Between Points 

Menasha Points Sea Total Per Milie 

Menasha dam, crest ......... .. ... 746.1 .... ... 

Appleton, Upper lock, crest ....... 5.1 5.1 736.5 9.6 1.9 

Appleton Locks, foot............6.3 1.2 699.7 36.8 30.6 

Cedar Lock, crest ............... 9.6 3.3 699.7 .0 .0 

Little Chute locks: 

Crest ......... 10.6 1. 690. 9.7 9.7 

Foot ................ 11.6 1. 653.8 36.2 36.2 

Grand Kaukauna locks: 

Crest .... 13.3 1.7 653.8 .0 .0 

Foot ................. 14.2 .9 603.3 50.5 56.1 

Rapide Croche lock: 

Crest . 17.9 3.7 603.3 .0 .0 

Foot .......... ...... 17.9 .25 593.9 9.4 37.6 

Lt. Kaukauna lock: 

Crest ... 23.9 6. 593.9 .0 .0" 

Foot ............. 3 23.9 .2 .587.7 6.2 31. 0 

De Pere lock: 

Crest ......... 29.8 5.9 587.7 .0 .0 

Foot ................... 29.8 .0 580. 7.7 ... 

Green Bay ............ ...... 35.2 5.4 580. .0 ... 

These improvements have changed the river into long stretches 

of slack water, with perhaps short rapids at the foot of a dam, except 

at Grand Kaukauna. and Grand Chute, and the site of the' city of Appleton, 

where the rapids are passed by canals, while the river flows' 

over its original steep bed. Since March, 1896, a gauging station 

has been maintained at Rapide Croche by government engineers.. 

The lower Fox is rarely troubled with ice gorges; there is also an, 

absence of great freshets. The large concentration of fall in thelower 

river and the location of 94 per cent of its drainage area above 

this concentration, have the effect of producing extensive and valuable 

water powers. 

2S


RAPIDS ON LOWER FOX RIVER IN 1866 (BEFORE IMPROVEMENT). 

Feet. Miles. 

Depere ........................ .... 8 0. 

Lit. Kaukauna ......................... 8 6. 

Rapide Croche .......................... 8 6. 

Grand Kaukauna ....................... 50 4.5 

Little Chute ............................ 38 2.5 

Cedar Rapids ........................... 10 .75 

Grand Chute ........................... 38 4.00 

Winnebago Rapids ...................... 10 4.25 

Green Bay to Lake Winnebago ........ 170 28.0 

Hortonia Township.--Cache of copper implements found beneath 

earth and limestone slabs in quarrying at Little Mosquito 

Hill near Hortonville, about the year 1888. Noticed by S. D. Peet, 

Preh. Am., vol. 2 (1898), p. 231. Reported by C. E. Brown, Records 

of the Past, vol. 1, pt. 3 (Mar., 1905), p. 445. 

Bovina Township.-Menominee village was located at Shiocton. 

Mentioned in Narrative of L. B. Porlier, Wis Hist. Colls., vol. 

15 (1900), p. 445. 

Ellington Township.-Cache of flint and quartzite implements 

found near Stephensville, and not far from Hortonville. Described 

by C. E. Brown, Records of the Past, vol. 4, pt. 3 (Mar., 1905), 

p. 89, fig. 4. 

Greenville Township.-Village site southeast of Greenville, 

N. E.. 1/4 Sec. 15, T. 21, R. 16 E. Reported by J. H. Glazer, Apl., 

1906. 

Kaukauna Township.-Winnebago village originally settled by 

Itometa's band was formerly located at Kaukauna (Grand Kakalin). 

Mentioned in Wis. Hist. Colls., vol. 14 (1898), p. 413. Group of 

conical mounds on the Grignon Flats on an island between the Fox 

River and the Government Canal in the Second Ward, City of 

Kaukauna. One explored contained burial pits covered with limestone 

slabs. In several of the pits stone and copper implements, 

animal bones and human remains were found. Described by E. E. 

Baileyv Oct., 1902. Traces of cornhills formerly to be seen on the 

tablelands on top of the bluff, back of the Grignon farm, at Kaukauna. 

Interments disturbed in uncovering the ledge at the Government 

quarry, at Kaukauna. Group of conical and oval mounds 

on the hill above the second lock, at Kaukauna. Cemetery on the 

Chas. Bidwell property, at Kaukauna. Reported by Mary A. Chamberlain, 

Oct., 1905. 

Buchanan Township.-Burial accompanied by two large copper 

spearpoints found in gravel pit on the 0. G. Lora property, 1 mile 

east of Kaukauna, Sec. 18, T. 21 N., R. 19 E. Reported by W. H. 

Elkey, Apl., 1905. Village site on the south bank of the Fox River, 

on the S. E. 1/4 'Sec. 9. Reported by J. H. Glazer, Apl., 1906.

HISTORY OF OUTAGAMIE COUNTY 25: 

Grand Chute Township.-Three village sites on the north bank 

of the Fox River, east of Appleton, on the S. W. ,/ Sec. 9. Village 

site on the north bank of the Fox River, in the city of Appleton, on 

the S. W. 14 Sec. 34. Reported by J. H. Glazer, Apl., 1906 (Wisconsin 

Archeological Society). 

Two specimens of copper ore were found in 1870 on the farm 

of Erbard Leopold in the town of Hortonia on the Stephensville 

road. One weighed ten pounds and contained a large per cent of 

iron; the other weighed five pounds and was almost pure copper. 

(See elsewhere for other discoveries.)

THE INDIANS AND THE FRENCH. 

F RENCH missionaries and explorers were the first white persons 

to invade the territory of the present State of Wisconsin-the 

objects being extension of empire, expansion of 

trade and religious proselytism. In the middle of the seventeenth 

century the Winnebagos (Puants) were found permanently 

located on Green Bay. They were an outcast tribe of the Siouan 

stock and tyrannized over their Algonquin neighbors-Menominees, 

Pottowatomies, Sacs, Foxes, Kickapoos and Mascoutens-and made 

open and savage war upon the Ottawas and Illinois; but in time 

both the latter formed war leagues against them which in the end 

nearly annihilated them. The Hurons and Ottawas, scourged by 

the Iroquois, took up residence at Mackinac, along Lake Superior 

and the' islands at the mouth of Green Bay. Here they were again 

attacked by the Iroquois and driven still farther to the westward. 

Jean Nicolet came to. New France as Canada. was then called 

in 1618 and at once spent the winter learning the island Algonquin 

language and remained with those tribes for two years. Later he 

lived eight or nine years with the Algonquin. Nipissiriniens and in 

the end passed as one of them so thoroughly had he learned and 

imbibed their language and customs. He finally became an agent 

of the government and as such was delegated to make a journey 

to the nation called People of the Sea to conclude peace between 

them and the Hurons, from whom they were distant three hundred 

leagues to the westward. I He left the Huron country with seven 

Indians. When he was two days' journey from that nation he sent 

one of those savages to bear tidings of the peace, which word was 

especially well received when they heard that it was a European who 

carried the message; they dispatched several young men to meet 

the Manitouirinion, that is to say; 'the wonderful man.' They meet 

him; they escort him; they carry all his baggage. He wore a grand 

robe of China damask all strewn with flowers and birds of many 

colors. No sooner did they perceive him than the women and 

children fled at the sight of a man who carried thunder in both 

hands-for thus they called the two pistols that he held. The news 

of his coming quickly spread to the places round about and there 

assembled four or five hundred men. Each of the chief men made 

a feast for him and at one of these banquets they served a.t least 

six score beavers. The peace was concluded; he returned to the 

Hurons and some time later to Three Rivers where he continued 

his employment as agent and interpreter to the great satisfaction 

of both the French and the savages by whom he was equally and 

singularly loved. In so far as his office allowed, he vigorously 

cooperated with our fathers for the conversion of those peoples."- 

26 '


(Jesuit Relations, Vol. XXIII.) According to Le Jeune the tribes 

encountered by Nicolet in Wisconsin were the Menominees, Winnebagos, 

Mascoutins and Pottawatomies. The date of his visit was 

probably 1634, but may have been 1638. It is thought he wore 

his Chinese robe probably to impress the savages and make tlem 

subservient to his designs for their beaver-skins; but may have been, 

as stated by several writers, because he thought he might perhaps 

reach China where he could appear in court costume. 

In 1665-66 Nicholas Perrot visited the tribes of the Green Bay 

country. He was well acquainted with the various Indian languages 

and had been employed often by the government in the dealings 

with western tribes. It was largely due to his intelligence that a 

knowledge of western affairs became known before the advent of 

whitemen. Through him the existence of the Mississippi became 

known first; and the information furnished by him enabled La Salle 

to prepare to better advantage for his western explorations. Through 

his influence and agency. many tribes were kept friendly to French 

advances and ministrations. The first Frenchmen with firearms to 

visit the savage tribes were regarded and treated as gods; Perrof 

was thus regarded on his visit to the Green Bay country in 1665-66. 

"The old men solemnly smoked a Calumet and came into his presence, 

offering it as homage that they rendered to him. After he 

had smoked the Calumet it was presented by the chiet to his tribesmen, 

who all offered it in turn to one another, blowing from their 

mouths the tobacco smoke over him as if it were incense. They 

said to him, 'Thou are one of the chief spirits since thou usest iron; 

it is for thee to rule and protect all men. Praised be the Sun, which 

has instructed thee and sent thee to our country.' They adored him 

as a god; they took his knives and hatchets and incensed them with 

the tobacco smoke from their mouths; and they presented to him 

so many kinds of food that he could not taste them all. When he 

left the room they insisted on carrying him upon their shoulders; 

the way over which he passed was made clear; they did not dare 

look in his face; and the women and children watched him from 

a distance. Perrot was careful not to receive all these acts of adoration, 

although he accepted these honors so far as the interests of 

religion were not concerned, He told them that he was not what 

they thought, but only a Frenchman; that he had come to establish 

a friendship between the Indians and the French; that they would 

receive assistance from the latter and that as the beaver was valued 

by the French he had come to learn whether there was opportunity 

to carry on trade with them. War having broken out between the 

Pottawatomies and the Malhominis, he made peace between them. 

He was everywhere treated with great consideration. A party of 

Pottawatomies which had gone east to visit the French returned 

while Perrot was here and still further added to the splendid reception 

given him. 'The Indians were so delighted with this alliance 

with the French that they sent deputies in every direction to inform 

the Islinois, Miamis, Outagamies, Maskoutechs and Kickabous that 

they had been at Montreal, whence they had brought some mer-


chandise, they besought those tribes to visit then and bring beavers. 

Those nations were too far away to profit by this at first; only the 

Outagamies came.' At this time there was an Outagamie village 

of over 600 cabins near New London or Mukwa, but probably not 

in the present Outagamie county. There were at least two Frenchmen 

among the Green Bay savages while Perrot was there.. They 

were after beaver, were brave fellows, and were often engaged in 

altercations and more or less bloody encounters with the natives. 

The Indians named Perrot Metaminens, which meant "Little Indian 

Corn." In the summer of 1666 the Miamis, Mascoutens, Kickapoos 

and fifteen cabins of the Illinois came to this region and made clearings 

beside the Outagamies, thirty miles to the southwest. Perrot 

succeeded in forming such an alliance of the savages with the French 

as would enable the latter to secure their beaver skins in exchange 

for guns, kettles, knives, etc."-(La Potherie, 1665-66.) 

"I have learned that the Illinois, the Outagamie and other savages 

toward the south hold that there is a great and excellent genius, 

master of all the rest, who made heaven and earth and who dwells, 

they say, in the east toward the country of the French. The fountain 

head of their religion is libertinism; and all these various sacrifices 

end ordinarily in debauches, indecent dances-and shameful 

acts of concubinage. All the devotion of the men is directed toward 

securing many wives and changing them whenever they choose; 

and that of the women toward securing their husbands; and that 

of the girls toward leading a life of profligacy."-(Father Allouez 

in Jesuit Relations, 1666-67.) 

"The country of the Outagamies lies southward toward the Lake 

of the Ilimonek (Michigan). They are a populous tribe of about 

a thousand men bearing arms and given' to hunting and warfare. 

They have fields of Indian corn and live in a country offering 

excellent facilities for the hunting of the wild-cat, stag, wild ox 

(buffalo) and beaver. Canoes they do not use, but commonly make 

their journeys by land bearing their packages and their game on 

their shoulders. These people are much addicted to idolatry. It 

is said of them and of the Ousaki (Sacs) that when they find a man 

alone and at a disadvantage, they kill him, especially if he is a 

Frenchman, for they cannot endure the beards of the latter people. 

As for the Ousaki (Sacs) they above all others can be called savages. 

They are very numerous, but wandering and scattered in the forests 

without any fixed abode."-(Jesuit Relations, 1665-69.) 

About this time Sault Ste. Marie was the resort of nineteen different 

Indian tribes which went there to fish and trade. -Already 

before 1670 French traders in considerable numbers began to visit 

all the tribes of the Green Bay and Fox river region to secure the 

beaver skins and other peltries of the savages. What is now Kaukauna, 

Little Chute and Appleton were famous Indian resorts owing 

to the rapids and the facilities for fishing, etc. 

In April, 1670, Father Allouez came to; visit the Green Bay 

and Fox riverregion. On the way he observed a solar eclipse. He 

reached the Outagamie settlement on Wolf river, in Waupaca county


probably, where he found that the fierce Iroquois from the east 

had made a raid and had destroyed a considerable Fox village. The 

Mascoutins lived on the Upper Fox river. He finally returned down 

the river and on the way visited the Menominees who had been 

almost exterminated by wars, and also the Winnebagos on the 

east shore of Green Bay. Father Allouez had no chapel and soon 

counted a.s Christians seven adults and forty-eight children. 

"On the following day I celebrated holy mass at which. the 

French to the number of eight paid their devotions. (They were 

traders among the Indians.) As the savages had gone into winter 

quarters, I found here only one village of different nations-Ousaki, 

Pouteouatami, Outagami, Ovenibigoutz (Winnebagos), about 600 

souls. On this bay (he means in the Green Bay region) in a place 

they called Ouestatinoug twenty-five leagues away there is a large 

nation named Outagami and a day's journey from them there are 

two others, Oumami and Makskouteng. On the 16th of April I 

embarked to go and begin the mission to the Outagamies, a people 

of considerable note in all these regions. We slept at the head of 

the bay at the mouth of the River des Puans (Fox), which we have 

named for St. Francis. On our way we saw clouds of swans, bustards 

and ducks. On the 17th we ascended the River St. Francois 

(Fox) which is two and sometimes three arpents wide. After 

proceeding four leagues (nearly ten miles) we found the village 

(in Brown county) of the savages called Saky (Sacs), whose people 

were beginning a work that well deserves to have a place here. 

From one bank of the river to the other they make a barricade by 

driving down large stakes in two brasses of water, so that there is 

a kind of bridge over the stream for the fishermen who with the 

help of a small weir easily catch the sturgeon and other kinds of 

fish. They call this contrivance Mitihikan. On the 18th we passed 

the portage called by the natives KeKaling (Kaukauna), our sailors 

dragging the canoe among the rapids while I walked on the 

river bank where I found apple-trees and vine stocks in great numbers. 

On the 19th our sailors ascended the rapids for two leagues 

by the use of poles and I went by land as far as the other portage 

which they called Ooukacitiming (Little Chute), that is to say 

'causeway.' We arrived in the evening at the entrance to Lake 

des Puans (Winnebago), which we have named Lake St. Francis; 

it is about twelve leagues long and four wide; it abounds in fish but 

is uninhabited on account of the Nadouecis (Sioux) who are there 

held in fear. After voyaging five or six leagues on the lake we 

came to a river flowing from a lake bordered with wild oats; this 

stream we followed and found at the end of it the river that leads 

to the Outagamies (Foxes) in one direction and that which leads to 

the Machkouteuch (Mascoutins) in the other. We entered this 

first stream which flows from a lake. On the 24th, after turning 

and doubling several times in various lakes and rivers, we arrived 

at the village of the Outagamies. This people came in crowds to 

meet us in order to see, as they said, the Manitou who was coming 

to their country. This nation is renowned for being populous, the


men who bear arms numbering more than 400; while the number 

of women and children there is the greater on account of the polygamy 

which prevails among them-each man having commonly 

four wives, some six and others as many as ten."-(Allouez.) The 

course of Allouez was up Fox river, into Lake Winnebago, through 

Grand Lake Butte des Morts, and along the Upper Fox and up 

Wolf river. 

In the summer of 1670 Father Dablon and Father Allouez 

passed up Fox river from Green Bay. "They found at the DePere 

rapids a sort of idol adored by the savages-a rock resembling a 

huma.n bust. This the missionaries removed and cast into the river. 

They continued up the river, but returned late the same year to 

Green Bay. In February, 1671, Father Allouez went up the Fox 

river and on again to the Outagamie tribe where he founded the 

mission of St. Mark. The Outagamies were at first haughty and 

insolent and at first granted only rebuffs and mockery. In time 

he gained their affection and encouragement. About this time a 

chapel was built at DePere rapids and was a member of the Green 

Bay mission. Allouez labored with the tribes on the Fox and Wolf 

rivers and Andre with those about DePere and along- the shores 

of Green Bay. Allouez accomplished much, instructing the savages 

in five different tongues. The Mascoutins and Illinois nations 'received 

him as an angel from Heaven and crowd about him both 

day and night.' The Outagamies were especially interested in the 

cross; everyone made its sign and a war party believed they had 

attained success by means of the cross. Allouez erected in their 

village a large cross 'thus taking possession of those infidel lands 

in the name of Jesus Christ.' " 

The Saky (Sac) village four leagues up the Fox river was 

apparently at Little Rapids. The Kakaling portage was around the 

rapids at Kaukauna and the portage at Ooukocitiming was at Little 

Chute. 

About 1671-3 a church was built at DePere. This misison was 

called St. Francois Xavier. In May, 1672, Allouez again went up 

the Fox river to the Mascoutins and there remained until September 

when he returned to Depere. His canoe was wrecked in the rapids 

at Appleton and all his baggage soaked. with water, but not lost. 

He and one of his boatmen remained eight days on an islet ten 

feet long until his men could procure another canoe, when all 

returned safely to the mission house at Depere. During the year 

1672 he baptised among the Foxes at St. Mark's mission forty-eight 

persons. "He revisits them in November, 1672, and again in February, 

1673. The Indians listened to him, but were easily diverted 

from his teachings by reason of the fact that the new faith did not 

protect them from their enemies." 

From 1676 to 1678 Allouez was aided in 'his missionary work 

by Fr. Antoine Silvy who came to Canada in 1673. In 1678 Albanel 

was superior at Depere and his chapel there was the center for the 

savages of all that region. Andre, Silvy and Allouez were at this


time at work among the various western tribes. Andre continued 

his labors around Green Bay. 

Thus, to sum up, it will be seen that Father Claude Allouez, 

.ften called the "Apostle of Wisconsin," was the founder of every 

Indian mission in the State. On December 3, 1669, he founded 

at the head of. Green Bay the mission of St. Francis Xavier. In 

1671 this mission was moved about two leagues up Fox river to the 

present site of Depere where in 1676 a church was built by Father 

Albanel. Ten years later (1686) Nicholas Perrot presented to the 

church a beautiful silver monstrance which was found in 1802 

buried near the site of the old church. In April, 1670, Father 

Allouez visited the Outagamies on Wolf river and the Mascoutins, 

Miamis, Illinois and Kickapoos on the Upper Fox river. An Outagamie 

village was situated about six miles above "Little Lake St. 

Francis at or a little below Mukwa. He founded a mission among. 

them and named it St. Marks. He likewise established a mission 

called St. James among the Mascoutins on the Upper Fox river. 

In May he founded the mission of St. Michael among the Menominees 

on Green Bay. In the fall of 1670, accompanied by Father 

Dablon he again visited the Mascoutins. He also established missions 

among the Winnebagos and Pottawatomies on the eastern 

shore of Green Bay and also among the Sacs whose village was 

located about four leagues up Fox river, probably near Little Rapids. 

Father Louis Andre remained in charge of the Green Bay missions 

while Father Allouez attended those higher up the rivers. When 

Father Marquette arrived at the Green Bay in 1673 he found over 

2,000 Christian Indians. The first chapel at Depere was probably 

a bark wigwam, but a good church was erected in 1676, which about 

1687 was burned down by the pagan savages. During 1676 Father 

Silvy stated that there were baptised at the Depere mission thirtysix 

adults and 126 children."-(Rev. Chrysostom Venoyst O. S. F.) 

"The Foxes, called by the French Ranards and by the Chippewas 

Oudagamig (Outagamie), call themselves Muskwakig, meaning 

'People of the Red Land.' They resided along Fox and Wolf rivers 

and had a large village near New London and another at Mukwa 

or a little below there (the latter being a modification of Muskwaki, 

their Indian name) on the Wolf river where Father Allouez visited 

them in April, 1670, and founded St. Marks mission. This mission 

was soon abandoned owing to the hostility of the Foxes toward the 

French. They were the only Algonquin tribe on whom the French 

made war. The Foxes and Chippewas were enemies from time 

immemorial and many a bloody battle was fought between them. 

Their last great battle was fought at St. Croix Falls in 1780, at which 

time the Chippewas defeated both the Foxes and the Sioux, reducing 

the former to fifteen lodges, who were then incorporated with 

-the Sacs. Eventually the Chippewas (Santeurs), who lived near 

the Sault, drove the Foxes out of northern Wisconsin. 

By formal ceremony on June 4, 1671, St. Tussan at Sault Ste. 

Marie took possession in the name of the King of France of the 

territories "from Montreal as far as the South Sea (Pacific Ocean)

32 IHISTORY OF OUTAGAMIE COUNTY 

covering the utmost extent and range possible." He planted a cross 

there and raised over it the French royal standard, with ceremonies 

both civil and religious. Representatives of fourteen different tribes 

were present and were addressed by Allouez and St. Tussan, who 

explained to the natives the nature of the ceremony. Father Dablon 

relates how all the North and West were thus annexed to the crown 

of France, the king "subjecting these nations to Jesus Christ's dominion 

before placing them under his own." The ceremony closed 

with a bonfire around which the Te Deum was sung. There were 

present representatives of the following Indian tribes: Schipoes 

(Chippewas, Saulteurs), Malamechs (Merameg, Man-um-aig, Catfish), 

Noquets (No-Kaig, Bear Family or Clan), Banabeoueks (Nebaun-aub-aig(?), 

Mer-man Clan), Makomiteks (Makomiteks (?), 

Poultiatemis (Pottawatomies), Oumaloumines (Menominees), Sassaouacattons 

(Nassawaketons, People of the Forks), dwelling at the 

bay called that of the Puants, Green Bay, and who have taken it 

upon themselves to make the treaty known to their neighbors who 

are the Illinois; Illinois, Mascouttins (Mascoutins, Mashkouteng, 

Muscatine, Muscoda, Prairie People, Nation of Fire), Outagamies. 

(Foxes, Reynards), Christinos (Crees), Assinipouals (Assineboines, 

Stony Country, Sioux), Aumossomiks, Monsoneeg, Moose), Outaouais-Couscattons 

(Ottawa, Kiskakou (?) or Staouabouskatouk, a 

Cree tribe), Niscaks (Kiskakous) (?), Maskwikoukikiaks (Maskwakeeg(?) 

Foxes or Mikikoueks. The treaty was signed by Nicholas 

Perrot, Father Dablon, Father Dreuilletes, Father Allouez, Father 

Andre, Sieur Jollyet, Jacques Mogras, Pierre Moreau, Sieur de la 

Taupine, Denis Masse, Francois de Chanigny, Sieur de la Chevrattiere, 

Jacques Logillier, Jean Maysere, Nicholas Dupuis, Francois 

Biband, Jacques Joviel, Pierre Porteret, Robert Duprat, Vital Driol, 

and Guilaume Bonhomme. On May 17, 1673, Louis Joliet and 

Father James Marquette, sent out by the Canadian government to 

find a route to the South Sea, as the Pacific ocean was then called, 

left Michillimackina.c, with five men, some Indian corn and dried 

meat, set out in two bark canoes on the great expedition. They soon 

reached the "Bay of the Fetid," (Green Bay) as Father Marquette 

called it and the first Indians encountered were the Menominees 

(called wild oats, Folles-Avoines, Oulalouminik, Malhominies)' 

who were visited by Father Marquette on their river, the Menominee, 

as there were many Christians among them. This tribe of 

Indians, when told of the objects of the expedition endeavored to 

dissuade both Joliet and Marquette from any further advance, with 

tales of the dangers. to be encountered, but failed. They continued 

to advance and soon reached the upper part of the "Bay of the Fetid" 

(Green Bay) where there resided many Inidians, of whom the missionarieshad 

before baptized over 2,000. In the Indian language 

*the bay was not called Fetid, but rather Salt, because the Indians 

disliked salt. The Indians then residing at the upper end of Green 

Bay were the Winnebagos, Ouenibigones, or in French, Puants, 

Charlevoix called then Otchagras. Nicollet called them. Gens de 

Mer. The Winnebagoes had presumably come from the ocean (salt

Co L~n t 

\ / \ \ k /8;rJ).eniort anj Lralena Lilnestxe. 

Ou+a'asr ile C tPeers Sans-ton. 

Go a^ ^t B liCower 7Nagnest at L imesfotc, 

Gtteoko0) \/ A.Potodan4 SaaJs~ne.


water) which the Indians designated in terms meaning fetid. As 

a matter of fact the Winnebagoes are a branch of the Dacota.h family, 

but lived so far to the eastward that they became surrounded by the 

Algonquins. 

"We left this bay to enter a river emptying into it. It is very 

beautiful at its mouth and flows gently; it is full of bustards, duck, 

teal and other birds, attracted by the wild oats; but when you have 

advanced a little up this river, it becomes very difficult, both on 

account of the currents and of the sharp rocks which cut the canoes 

and the feet of those who are obliged to drag them, especially when 

the water is low. For all that, we passed the rapids safely (in Outagamie 

county) and approached Machkoutens (Mascoutens) the 

Fire nation." They reached that nation on June 7, and at the same 

time reached the western limits of French exploration. "This town 

is made up of three nations gathered here: Miamis, Maskoutens and 

Kikabous. The former are very docile and showed themselves so 

eager to hear Father Allouez when he was instructing them that they 

gave him little rest even at night. The Maskoutens and Kikabous 

are ruder and more like peasants. As bark for cabins is rare they 

use rushes. A beautiful cross was planted in the midst of the town. 

No sooner had we arrived than M. Joliet and I assembled the sachems; 

he told them that he was sent by our governor to discover new 

countries and I by the Almighty to illumine them with the light 

of the gospel; that we needed two guides to put us on our way; these, 

making them a present, we begged them to grant us. This they did 

very civilly and even proceeded to speak to us by a present which 

was a mat to serve -us as a bed on our voyage. The next day which 

was the 10th of June two Miamis whom they had given us as guides 

embarked with us in the sight of a. great crowd who could wonder 

enough to see seven Frenchmen alone in two canoes dare to undertake 

so strange and so hazardous an expedition." 

Late in September, 1673, Father Marquette returned to Green 

Bay, or the Bay of the Fetid, via the present Chicago river and along 

the west shore of Lake Michigan. Here he seems to have remained 

until November, 1764, when with two men, he started back to the. 

Illinois country as he had promised the Indians residing there he 

would. He never again returned to Green Bay. 

When Father Claude Allouez arrived at Green Bay in 1669 he 

found already there eight Frenchmen engaged in trading with the 

Indians. This fact should be noted; no doubt several of them resided 

for periods in what is now Outagamie county. Allouez taught the 

Indians at St. Francis Xavier mission in 1669-70 to say 'Our Father' 

and 'Hail Mary' in their own languages. 

"In 1679 the La Salle expedition in tne vessel Griffin, accompanied 

by Fathers Hennepin, Gabriel and Membre, reached 'the 

Bay of the Fetid' (Green Bay) at the entrance to Lake Dauphin 

(Michigan) 40 leagues from Missilimakinak."-Narrative of Father 

Membre. 

The Issati or Nodonessiou called the Outagamies by the name 

Messenecqz.-Father Hennepin's narrative. "The grand chief of the


Issati or Nodonessiouz consented (to our departure) and traced in 

pencil on a paper I gave him the route we should take for four hundred 

leagues. With this chart we set out, eight Frenchmen,* in two 

canoes and descended the rivers St. Francis and Colbert. Two of our 

men took two beaver robes at St. Anthony of Padua's falls, which 

the Indians had hung in sacrifice on the trees. We stopped near 

Ouisconsin river to smoke some meat. * * We found the Ouisconsin 

river as wide as the Siegneley (Illinois) with a strong current. 

After sailing up sixty leagues we came to a portage of half a 

league which the Nodonessiouz chiefs had marked for us; we slept 

there to leave marks and crosses on the trunks of the trees (this was 

the same route taken by Joliet and Marquette). The next day we 

entered a river which winds wonderfully, for after six hours sailing 

we found ourselves opposite the place where we started. One of our 

men wishing to kill a swan on the wing capsized his canoe, fortunately 

not beyond his depth. We passed four lakes, two pretty large, 

on the banks of which the Miami's formerly resided; we found Maskoutens, 

Kikabous and Outagamy there, who sow Indian corn for 

their subsistence. All this country is as fine as that of the Islinois 

(Illinois). We made a portage at a rapid called Kakalin (Kaukauna 

visited previously by Allouez) and after about four hundred leagues 

sail from our leaving the country of the Issati and Nodonessiouz we 

arrived safely at the extremity of the Bay of the Fetid, where we 

found Frenchmen trading contrary to orders with the Indians. 

They had some little wine in a tin flagon which enabled me to say 

mass; I had then only a chalice and altar stone; but Providence 

supplied me with vestments, for some Islinois flying from the tyranny 

of the Iroquois, who had destroyed a part of their nation, took 

the vestments of the chapel of Father Zenobius Membre, Recollect, 

who was with the Islinois in their flight. They gave me all they 

took except the chalice which they promised to give back in a few 

days for a present of tobacco. I had not celebrated mass for over nine 

months for want of wine; I had still some hosts. We remained two 

days to rest, sing the Te Deum, high mass and preach. All our 

Frenchmen went to confession and communion to thank God for 

having preserved us amid so many wanderings and perils. One of 

our Frenchmen gave a gun for a canoe larger than ours with which 

after sailing a hundred leagues we reached Missilimackinac where 

we were obliged to winter."- (Narrative of Father Hennepin.) 

In September, 1680, when the Iroquois drove the Illinois Indians 

from their homes on the Illinois river Sieur de Touty, Sieur de 

Boisrondet, Father Membre, Father Gabriel and a few other Frenchmen 

started for Green Bay. On the way Father Gabriel was killed 

by the Kickapoos, and de Boisrondet was lost from the little party fom 

ten days. "At last we fortunately met at the Pottawattomie village 

where their chief Ononghisse, quite well known among those nations, 

welcomed us most cordially. He used to say that he knew only three 

great captains, M. de Frontenac, M. de la Salle and himself. This 

chief haranged all his people who contributed to furnish us food. 

*Duluth, Hennepin, Ako, Du Gay (called the "Pickard") and four French soldiers.


Not one of us could stand for weakness; we were all skeletons, the 

Sieur de Tonty extremely sick, but being a little recruited I found 

some Indians going to the Bay of the Fetid where the Jesuits have a 

house, I accordingly set out for it and, cannot express the hardships 

I had to undergo on the way. The Sieur de Touty followed us soon 

after with the rest. We cannot sufficiently acknowledge the charity 

these good fathers displayed toward us until the thaws began, when 

we set out with Father Enjalran in a canoe for Missilimakinac.- 

(Narrative of Father Membre). 

"In Northern Wisconsin (in 1681-83) the missions are accomplishing 

much good; but the Fathers have to contend most -of all 

against the inveterate superstition and idolatry of the savages, nevertheless 

the latter frequent the Depere chapel and venerate it as they, 

do their idols-offering it tobacco and addressing it 'as if it were a 

living thing.' Albanel is now in charge there; Andre continues his 

labors among the tribes of Green Bay, whose savage traits have been 

greatly subdued by his patience, courage and devotion. He now 

counts more than 500 Christians on the whole bay. Allouez and 

Silvy have ministered in the Outaga.mie and Mascouten villages, 

which, including the refugees from other tribes, number at least 

20,000 souls. They have baptized some 500 persons many of whom 

have been healed by that rite."-(Jesuit Relations, 1677-79.) 

At a distance of about half a league from this spot, Wisconsin 

river portage, is the river Kakaling (Fox), which is only a stream 

with its source in the swamp, through which it winds a great deal, 

and forms small lakes by frequently widening and narrowing. The 

route continues about forty leagues down this river, following its 

windings and then the village of the Outagamies is reached, half a 

league from the river on the north side. Before reaching that place 

the river flows into a lake about eight leagues long and three leagues 

wide and about two leagues beyond the village are what are called 

the Kakaling (Kaukauna) rapids. They are difficult to descend 

owing to the swiftness of the water, the quantity of rocks against 

which it strikes and three falls where the canoes and their cargoes 

have to be portaged; they are six leagues in length. At the mouth 

of this river where it falls into the Bay of the Puans is a house 

belonging to the Jesuits, who really hold the key to the country 

of Castoria (Beaverland) where a lay brother that they have, who 

is a blacksmith with two companions converts more iron into beaver 

skins than the Fathers convert Savages into Christians."-(Jesuit 

Relations, 1682). The name Kakaling was usually restricted to the 

rapids and portage at the present Kaukauna, which is but a modification 

of Kakaling. 

In 1688-90 there was great disturbances among the western 

tribes; so much so that Nicholas Perrot was sent out to terminate the 

trouble. Monsieur de Louvigni, commander of the post of Michillimackinac, 

came west to that post in 1688, and was preceded by 

Nicholas Perrot who prepared the way for his proper reception in 

order to duly impress the savages. Upon his arrival, and at a large


council, General de Louvigni sharply rebuked the savages for their 

faithlessness. 

"The Outagamies and the Maskoutechs wishing to second the 

Outaonaks at the time when they took sides with the Iroquois who 

had sent them a large collar (peace offering) in order to thank them 

for having restored to them five chiefs whom they had captured 

when on a hostile expedition against the Islinois, resolved to do the 

Iroquois a pleasure, to massacre all the French who were coming 

down from the country of the Nodonaissioux. They persuaded themselves 

that they would by such a massacre, attract to themselves the 

friendship of that haughty nation, who had appeared greatly pleased 

when the Outagamis had sent back'to them five slaves of their nation, 

whom the Miamis had given to them to eat."-(La Potherie, 1688- 

90). 

The arrival of the French soldiers at Michillimackinac was 

heard at Bay des Puans. The chief of the Puans resolved to thwart 

the designs of the Outaga.mis to kill the Frenchmen; he accordingly 

visited them and represented that Onontio (God) had sent Le Petit 

Bled d'Inde (Perrot) with a large force to revenge himself for their 

evil project. The Outagamis thereupon precipitately quit the ambuscade 

they had formed and went back to their village. "This chief 

who was afraid that they would learn of his ruse, went to meet Perrot 

at the entrance of the bay; the latter promised to keep his secret 

and presented to him a gold trimmed'jacket. Perrot had an opportunity 

to become acquainted with all that had occurred at 'La 

Baye' (as Green Bay was often called). The Outagamis had taken 

thither their hatchets, which were dulled and broken, and had compelled 

a Jesuit brother to repair them; their chief held a naked 

sword ready to kill him while he worked. The brother tried to represent 

to them their folly, but was so maltreated that he had to take 

to his bed. The 'chief then prepared ambuscades in order to await 

the French, who were to return from the country of the Nodonaissioux. 

Perrot sent back the Puan chief to the Outagamis to tell 

them on his behalf that he had learned of their design against his 

young men and would punish them for it and to let them know that 

he was not disturbed by their threats; that he had sent back all his 

men except fifty Frenchmen; that he had 300 musket shots to fire 

and enough provisions with which to receive them; that if he should 

by chance encounter any one of their nation he could not answer 

for the consequences and that it would be useless for them to ask 

him to land at their village. The Puan chief returned to La Baye 

where he exaggerated still further what Perrot had said to him. The 

Reynard (Fox) chief visited him expressly to ascertain the truth of 

the matter and dared not wait for Perrot. He departed with eighty 

of his warriors to march against the Nodonaissioux, after he had 

given orders to the people of his village to assure Perrot on his behalf 

that he loved him and to take great pains to entertain him well." 

Perrot thus subdued the Outagamis without a battle. He likewise 

secured the friendship of the Miamis, making them presents of merchandise 

and receiving 'in return many beaver skins. He made


similar alliances with the Sakies, Potta.watomies, Maskoutechs and 

others. Perrot disclosed to the Indians on this visit the plan which 

had been formed to unite all the Miamis, Outaga.mis, Kickapoos and 

many of the Illinois, to assemble on the Mississippi and march 

against the Nodonaissioux. But the Outagamis were only partly 

faithful to their promises to Perrot and continued to plot against 

the French who had furnished arms to their enemies the Sioux. 

In his trip to the West in 1699 John Francis Buisson de St. 

Cosme gave the following description of his visit to the Green Bay 

country: "On the 18th of September we arrived off the bay of the 

Pua.nts forty leagues distant from Michillimackinac. We cabined 

in an isle of the detour and were detained there six days. On the 

20th we crossed the bay of the Puants (which is) about ten leagues 

broad; you cross from isle to isle; the bay is about 20 or 30 leagues 

long. On the right as you enter you will find another small bay 

called (the Bay) of the Noquets. The Bay of the Puanto is inhabited 

by several Indian nations-the Noquets, Folle Avoines (Menomonees), 

Foxes, Poutowatomi and the Saks. The Jesuit fathers have 

a mission at the head of the bay. * * The Foxes (who) are on 

this little river (Fox) that you ascend on leaving the bay to reach 

the Weskonsin will not suffer any person (to pass) for fear they will 

go to places at war with them, and hence they have already plundered 

several Frenchmen who wished to go by that road. This obliged 

us to take the Chikagu (Chicago) road." 

"From the 27th to the 30th (of August, 1700) he (Le Seuer) 

made eleven leagues and a half and met five Canadians, one of whom 

was dangerously wounded in the head; thev were naked and had no 

arms except a wretched gun with five or six charges of powder and 

ball. They said that they were descending from the Sioux to go to 

the Tamarois and that forty leagues above (on the Mississippi) they 

had perceived nine canoes carrying ninety Indians who had plundered 

and cruelly beaten them, this party were going to war against 

the Sioux. It was made up of four different nations-Outagamies, 

Saquis, Poutuatomis and Puans who inhabit a country eighty leagues 

east of the river and of the point where M. Le Sueur then was. These 

Canadians resolved to follow the detachment (Le Sueur's) which 

was thus composed of 28 men. On the first of September he passed 

the river of the Ouesconsins by which M. Le Sueur came to the Mississippi 

for the first time in 1683 to go to the country of the Sioux 

where he has at various times spent seven years."-(St. Cosme). 

In 1712 the Outagamis, Mascoutens and a few warriors from 

other tribes lost over 1,000 men, women and children in an attack 

on Fort Pontchartrain, Detroit. They were induced by the English 

to. make the attack and received many presents for the task. The 

Chief Pemoussa of the Outagamies led the attack; he was their war 

chief. Though this was a serious blow, the Outagamies still had near 

Green Bay over 200 warriors. 

"The Rena.rds (Outagamies) being the common enemies of all 

the nations of the upper country, it is absolutely necessary to take 

all possible measures for destroying them, as they have but recently


killed at Detroit three Frenchmen and five Hurons. This new outrage 

on the part of the Renards (who last spring at the Baye des 

Puantes killed one l'Epine, a Frenchman) makes it apparent that it 

is no longer possible to deal gently with that nation without incurring 

the contempt of all the others who are informed of the wrongs 

done us by the Renards. * * To increase the number of the French 

in this expedition it appears necessary that his Majesty should be 

pleased to grant an amnesty to all the coureurs de bois (to the number 

of 100 more or less) on condition that they go to Michilimakina 

to join the other French and the savages and make war on the Rlenards 

under the command of the officers charged with the expedition. 

This reason together with the conjuncture of the peace, appears 

very reasonable for the granting of this amnesty, and it is moreover 

for the good of the colony to make them return thither; whereas if 

his Majesty does not grant them this favor they might resolve to 

remain always in the upper country and perpetuate themselves there, 

importing merchandise from this colony through the savages and 

perhaps using them also to get some from the English. Thus those 

men would be lost to this country which so urgently needs them and 

those Coureurs de bois no longer hoping for pardon might abandon 

themselves to grievous extremities. The most natural rendezvous 

for the expedition against the Renards is Michilimaquina which is 

the center and resort of all the nations. These licenses will produce 

a good effect among the nations of the upper country on account of 

the great quantities of merchandise that will be carried by them; 

that will keep them from going to seek goods among the English, 

as they will find at home all they need." (Extract of letter from 

Vandreuil and Begon to the Canadian Minister, 1713). 

"It is certain that the Reynards have no retreat except among 

the Mascoutins and Kickapoos and that all the other savage nations 

are against them and are much more numerous; that if the Puants, 

Folles Avoines, Sakies and Mathomonies have not declared themselves 

openly against them it is because they are the Reynards' nearest 

neighbors, and that if they once declared themselves and we did 

not immediately move to their assistance this proximity would be 

very dangerous for them. * * To be assured of this truth it is 

only necessary to examine the pitiable situation of the savage nations 

who are dying of hunger in their cabins, not daring to leave them 

to go hunting on account of their well-grounded fear that the Reynards 

will destroy them all one after the other."- (Part of letter of 

Vandreuil and Begon to the French Minister, 1714). 

"These French having assembled with all the savages who have 

been invited will form a considerable force with which Sieur de 

Louvigny will march to the village of the Reynards to attack them 

there; and if they do not stay in their forts he will cut their corn, 

burn their cabins and encamp on the ground. As the Reynards 

will not find it easy to obtain provisions when assembled, they will 

be obliged to disperse in order to hunt; and Sieur de Louvigny will 

have them pursued and harassed by different parties that he will

HIS-TORY OF OUTAGAMIE COUNTY 39 

send after them."-(Part of letter of Vandreuil and Begon to the 

French Minister, 1714)." 

"The Reynards, Ougatanons, Mascoutins and Kinapoux have 

recently gone to invite the Irokois to join with them against us and 

the Outaona nations."-(Extract from, letters of Ramezay and Begon 

to the French Minister, 1714). "In June, 1715, a French boat 

in which there were five men, carrying corn to Michilimakinak, was 

surprised by a boat of twenty-two Reynards who killed these Frenchmen. 

The latter defended themselves bravely, killing three Reynards 

and wounding several others."--(Same). 

It was decided in the above Council that Sieurs de Maunoir and 

Dadoneour should go with the Miamis, Oyatonons and Islinois to 

Chicagou, where in case they arrived first they were to await the 

.savages of Detroit who were to go there by land, hunting in order to 

share their provisions. When they are all assembled there they are 

to set out against the fort of the Reynards distant about 65 leagues 

from Chicagou; they can reach the fort from that place in about 

seven days. They will regulate the time of their departure from 

Chicagou so as to arrive at the fort of the Reynards at the end of 

August. Sieur de Lignery will likewise assemble the French with the 

Outaois and the savages of the North, who are at Michilimakina and 

its vicinity and he will set out with them for the fort of the Reynards, 

distant from Michilimakina about 80 leagues. He shall 

regulate the time of his departure so as to arrive at the Reynard's 

fort at the end of August. It was agreed in the Council that the first 

corps reaching the fort should only invest it waiting for the arrival 

of the second corps, which will enable them to attempt its capture 

in such manner as may seem best to Sieur de Ligney. The Sioux 

were invited not only to refuse refuge to the Reynards, but also to 

join the expedition against them."--(Extract from letters of Ramezay 

and Begon to the French Minister, 1715). 

The expedition against the Rzeynards did not take place as 

planned owing to measles among the Weas and Miamis and to lack 

of provisions at Michilimakina. But plans for the expedition the. 

next year were made during the winter of 1715-16. In this interval,, 

in order to retain the Coureurs de bois, it was necessary to extend 

the period of their trade licenses. The English had already gone 

among the Sioux and had completely alienated them from the 

French; it was believed due to the Sioux and English combined that 

the Outaganlies were hostile to the French. 

"The Reynard savages live about 60 leagues from Michilimakinac, 

are located on a river which empties into the Bay des Puants 

and number about 300 warriors. They have committed many acts 

of hostility against the French. They were punished once by a detachment 

which set out from Detroit to which the Miamis, the Outanois 

and the Hurons joined their forces. But as the Reynards resumed 

their hostile attitude, orders were given, in accordance with 

letters from Canada, to wage war on these savagesy or to make peace 

with them, but to prefer peace to war * * Monsieur de Louvigny 

writes that he will go up in the spring and will labor to bring

40 HISTORY OF OUTAGAJMIE COUNTY 

about either peace or war according to circumstances. He adds that 

the lowlessness of the Coureurs de' bois is so great that it is absolutely 

necessary to make an example of some of them in order to restrain 

them and to enforce upon them obedience to the.officers in the upper 

posts. He says that the French who went up for this war 

(against the Reynards) set out laden with merchandise, although 

none is needed for carrying on the war and that they have carried 

thither more than 40 cases of brandy. The result is that wherever 

French and Savage come together there is an open hell; and Monsieur 

de Louvigny states that some Frenchmen have gone to trade 

with the Reynard savages, of which all our allies complain."- 

(Proceedings of French Council of Marine, March, 1716). It is 

safe to say that from a few to a score of the coureurs. were at Green 

Bay and along Fox and Wolf rivers at nearly all times after the 

visits of Nicholas Perrot to this region. 

"On the first of May, 1716, Monsieur de Louvigny left Montreal 

with an army of 225 Frenchmen and was joined by about 200 

others at Detroit and Michilimakinac, the object of the expedition 

being to attack the Reynards at their fort near Mukwa. The munitions 

of war, the presents, and the necessary provisions were carried 

by the French at their own expense and without any cost to the king. 

He .returned to Quebec in October, having forced the haughty Reynards 

to sue for peace. He reduced them to this necessity after having 

opened a trench 35 toises (about 224 feet) from their fort, which 

he pushed forward 10 toises on the first night and 16 the second. 

Finally the enemies, seeing that he was devoting himself to the main 

part of the place, to undermine it and blow it up, while two cannons 

and a grenade-mortar kept up a heavy fire night and day, resolved to 

implore the clemency of the French. They were not listened to until 

the opinion and the sentiments of all the nations that accompanied 

the army had been ascertained by Sieur de Louvigny, who 

proposed to them conditions so severe that all those tribes believed 

that they would never consent to them. These conditions were:- 

'That they shall make peace with all the nations dependent on the 

King with whom the French trade; that they shall by forcible or 

friendly means bring the Kikapous and Mascoutins, their allies and 

our enemies, to make peace as they do, with all the nations in general; 

that they.restore or cause to be restored all the prisoners of every 

nation whom they hold which they did; that they shall go to war 

in distant regions to get slaves to replace all the dead who had 

been slain during the course of the war; that they shall hunt to pay 

the expenses of the military preparations made for this war; and that 

as an assurance of their fulfillment of all these articles they shall 

give to Monsieur de Louvigny six chiefs or children of chiefs, to be 

taken to the Marquis de Vandreuil in order to be guarantees for the 

conditions of the treaty.' 

"All this was done; the hostages were brought to Quebec. That 

haughty nation which terrified and ravaged all the upper country. 

has been reduced to submit to all these conditions, although they had 

500 warriors and 3,000 women (who on these occasions fight desper-


ately), and although their fort was fortified by three rows of palisades, 

with a ditch behind it to sustain the assault. This enterprise 

was carried through with great vigor and the officers who were present 

gave evidence of their vigilance and activity by working at the 

trenches like the meanest soldier. They did so in order to set an 

example and to animate the small number of those who accompanied 

Sieur de Louvigny (who amounted to only 800 men) to press an 

action which was important and whose delay might have caused its 

loss owing to the proximity of the allies of the Reynards whom the 

latter had notified and called to their help.--(Letter of Governor 

de Vandreuil to Council of Marine, October 14, 1716). For this 

service Louvigny was granted a gratuity of three thousand livres. 

This was called "The Fox War." Three of the six hostages having 

died from smallpox, ten Frenchmen, including two interpreters and 

one of the remaining hostages were sent west later to explain the 

condition of affairs to the Reynards. At this time the disaffected 

voyageurs were induced to return to Quebec. "The result of these 

two voygages has been the establishment of peace among all the nations 

with whom the French trade; the descent of the disaffected 

French from the upper country, or rather their abandonment of it, 

and an extraordinary abundance of rich and valuable peltries."- 

(Louvigny to Count de Toulouse, October 1, 1717). This large 

expedition passed through the present Outagamie county. It is 

probable that after reaching Grand Chute (Appleton), the expedition 

passed overland via what is now Hortonville and New London to 

the Reynard village near Mukwa. 

A small river (Fox) very much incommoded with falls, discharges 

itself into the bottom of this bay and is.known under the 

name of the Riviere des R!enards, or River of the Foxes, on account 

of its neighborhood to the Outagamies, commonly called the Renards 

or Foxes. All this country is extremely beautiful.- (Charlevoix's 

Voyage to North America, Vol. I, 1721). 

"The Otchagra Indians, commonly called Stinkards, dwelt formerly 

on the shore of the bay, and in a most charming situation; 

they were attacked here by the Illinois, who killed a great number 

of them; the rest of them took shelter on the river of the Outagamies 

which falls into the bottom of the bay. Here they settled on the 

banks of a kind of lake Winnebago. The Sakies though few innumber 

are divided into two factions, one of which is in the interest of 

the Outagamies and the other in that of the Poutewatamies. Those 

of them who are settled in this post are mostly of the party of the latter 

and consequently are friends to us."-(Charlevoix). 

"The nation that has occasioned most discourse in these western 

parts for the last twenty years is that of the Outagamies. The 

natural ferocity of these-Indians, soured by the repeated ill treatment 

they have received .and sometimes imprudently enough their 

alliance with the Iroquois, always disposed to stir up new enemies 

against us, have rendered them formidable. They have since become 

still more closely connected with the Sioux a, numerous nation who 

have insensibly become warlike; this union renders almost imprac-


ticable at present the navigation of the whole upper Mississippi. I 

met at the bay some Sioux to whom I put many questions with respect 

to the countries lying to the west and northwest of Canada."- 

(Charlevoix). 

An Outagamie whom the Illinois were burning with the utmost 

barbarity, havinig perceived a Frenchman among the spectators 

begged hil to have the goodness to assist his enemies in tormenting 

him and upon the other's asking him the reason of this request was 

answered: "It is because I should then have the consolation of dying 

by the hands of a man. My greatest regret is that I have never killed 

a man." "But said an Illinois, you have killed such and such persons." 

"As for the Illinois," said the victim, "I have killed a sufficient 

number of them but I do not reckon these to be men."-(Charlevoix). 

"The Renards in their last fight against the Illinois had with 

them some Sioux, Mascoutins, Kicapous, Puants and Sakis, but 

there were no Sauteurs or Folles Avoines. It is not surprising that 

they should have the Mascoutins and Kicapous, since the former are 

at present incorporated with them, while the Kicapous have always 

been their allies. As for the Puans and the Sakis, it was easy to get 

them, because the Puans are settled near them; and the village of the 

Sakis is only 20 leagues from that of the Renards, with whom they 

are closely connected by the marriages of the Sakis with the daughters 

of the Renards, and of Renards with those of the Sakis. But it 

is not to be believed that there were any Sauteurs among them, since 

those tribes are continually at war with each other."--(Governor 

Vaudreuil to the Minister, October 11, 1723). At this time the 

Renards were at war with the Illinois. 

"A nation passionate and untamable, springing up into new life 

from every defeat, and though reduced in the numbers of their warriors, 

yet present everywhere by their ferocious enterprise and savage 

daring."- (Said of the Outagamies by Bancroft, the historian). 

In the summer of 1724 de Lignery went to Green Bay to settle 

if possible the trouble between the Sauteurs and other tribes of the 

region and the Renards. At this date Monsieur Damariton was 

commandant at the post on Green Bay. He succeeded in securing 

peace with the Sauteurs, but not with the Illinois who had not returned 

the Renard captives. Dutisne denied most of what the Renards 

claimed. So also did Boulanger and Kereben, Jesuits, and 

Thomur, priest among the Illinois; they said January 10, 1725: 

"Monsieur Delignery cannot have had the slightest doubt when he 

made the peace that the five Frenchmen mentioned in his letter were 

killed last spring, since their scalps were carried through the villages 

of the Renards and the Poux and other lake tribes were informed of 

the affair. Moreover, even if he had not been aware of it he at least 

knew certainly that in 1719 one St. Hive was killed and de Rulisseaux 

wounded; that in 1721 a soldier was killed at the gate of the 

village of the Kaskacies; that in the following years Monsieur Nepveu 

and. his family were massacred; that in 1723 Lesueur and Lafoud 

were slain while hunting; that in the following year Monsieur


de St. Ange was attacked and one of his soldiers killed; and that last 

spring Monsieur de Boisleviant's canoe manned by four Frenchmen 

and his slaves was attacked and the four Frenchmen were killed. 

The Illinois have not left their lands and if the Renards went thither 

it was because they wished to attack the Illinois. The destruction 

of Le Rocher and of Prinithorny are proofs of this. Hence we may 

conclude that the Renards in all their representations have imposed 

upon the French chiefs." Investigation showed that the Renards 

were guilty of many murders and other atrocities in violation of 

their solemn promises. Ouachala was principal chief of the Renards 

in 1725. 

"In October last (1726) I had the honor to render you an account 

of what had happened at la Baye (Green Bay) since the journey 

made there last year by Monsieur de Lignery for the purpose of 

negotiating peace between the Rena-rds and the Illinois. As I have 

not lost sight of the instructions you gave me, I had resolved to send 

Monsieur de Lignery back to le Baye this spring to complete his 

work and to strengthen a peace that did not as yet appear to be very 

firm. The account that Monsieur du Plessis (who has succeeded 

Monsieur Smariton in the command of the post of le Baye) has given 

me the present state of the Renard's affairs, decided me otherwise. 

Rev. Father Chardon is missionary at le Baye."-Beauharnois to th'e 

Minister, May 18, 1727). At this time there was in charge of the 

post at "le Baye" at least two officers and a squad of soldiers. It is 

singular with what ease the Indian warriors traveled long distances 

to attack their enemies. The Renards at Green Bay often went to 

the Illinois river in from five to seven days and returned in the 

sanme time with the spoils of war if they succeeded. With the same 

ease the Iroquois of New York came west to attack the savages in 

Michigan, Wisconsin, and at the Sault and the latter journeyed 

East to attack the former. The Miamis of St. Joseph river, Michigan, 

went back and forth to the Green Bay region with equal facility 

and dispatch. There was constant communication between the 

different tribes through messengers sent 100 and 200 miles and more. 

Savage endurance overcame all obstacles. 

"We have the honor to represent to you in our answer to the 

King's memorial that the English who are jealous of the trade carried 

on by the French with the savage tribes of the upper country, 

try in every possible way to deprive the French of that trade, and to 

make them objects of suspicion to the savages, a great number of 

whom they have won over by means of considerable presents, which 

they continually give them. We are also informed that they have 

sent collars underground (secret messages) to all the savage tribes 

among whom the French' have posts or establishments, to urge themn 

to get rid of the French and to slaughter the garrisons; and'that 

the Renards who have received such collars have said that they 

would no longer suffer any French among them. ,All this has determined 

us to wage war in earnest against the Renards to forestall 

their evil designs. The fresh enterprises of the English and the 

threats of the savages who wish to throw off the yoke have reduced


this colony to an extremity that sufficiently justifies the necessity of 

the war against the Renards and the importance of striking a signal 

blow that may lower the pride of the savages and overthrow the projects 

of our enemies. With every economy on our part the expenses 

of that war cannot be less than 60,000 livres."-(Beauharnois and, 

Dupuy to the Minister, October 25, 1727). 

In 1729 there were twenty-nine soldiers stationed at le Baye, 

the officers being d'Amariton, captain; St. Michel, lieutenant; Chartrain, 

ensign; Le Verrierfils, second ensign; two sergeants; three 

corporals; three lance corporals; and twenty-one privates. 

In 1728 Mons. de la Fresuiere with a force of Frenchmen was 

among the Foxes, but would not stop with them nor show them any 

favors, because they had recently killed Frenchmen; he said he 

"would not stay in a place stained with French blood." At this time 

the Outagamies sued for peace. He was on his way to the Mississippi, 

and with him were Campeau, blacksmith; Menard, Reaunie, 

interpreters; Dumois, captain of militia; and Bayselle, voyageur. 

By 1829 the Outagamies had made enemies of the Kickapous, Mascoutins, 

Folle Avoines, Sauteurs-in fact roused all the upper tribes 

against them, and had not made friends yet with the Sioux. In 

1730 the Folle Avoines, Ottawas and Winnebagoes struck the Outagamies 

at the instigation of the French, but the blow was returned, 

the Outagamies investing the fort of the Winnebagoes at Little, 

Butte des Morts.. In this extremity Ensign Marin with a company 

of French militia from Green Bay went to the assistance of the Winnebagoes. 

On March 19, 1730, they reached "Coulimy," probably 

Cacalin or Kakalin (the present Kaukauna) where they were obliged 

to take portage. They advanced cautiously in order to surprise the 

Outagamies, but were discovered and attacked near the fort with' 

great fury. Marin held them, made a counter attack and drove them 

back to their works near the fort, but had the greatest difficulty in 

holding his Indian allies in line; they were treacherous. On the 

third day the Renards asked for a truce; and began to remove their 

women and children, the warriors covering the retreat; they succeeded 

in evading their enemy. 

It was announced in the fall of 1730 that the Outagamies, harrassed 

on all sides, were starving. At this time Captain Du Cuisson 

with 30 Frenchmen struck another blow at the Outagamies who 

were down in the Illinois country with 111 cabins. There St. Ange 

with a force of 500 struck them another severe blow. He invested 

them in their fort, and in the end when they were trying to escape 

by flight he killed and captured 200 warriors, besides 600 or 700 

women and children. The Outagamies held out here twenty-three 

days before retreating. This battle was about 60 leagues southwest 

of the southern extremity of Lake Michigan, possibly in Kendall 

county, Illinois. The few Outagamies collected their scattered remnants, 

reorganized, elected chiefs, were joined by many of'other 

tribes, and soon were again.formidable. In 1831 a large body of 

Hurons, Ottawas and Iroquois attacked them in their village on Wisconsin 

river and again nearly annihilated them, slaughtering over


300. This drove the Outagamies to the Mississippi where they reorganized 

again. Many were soon back to Green Bay with the other 

tribes which befriended them. It was said that the instigator of all 

the misdeeds of the Outagamies was Ki-a-la, a famous medicine 

man and war chief. In the end he was transported to Martinique. 

Orders came from Montreal to bring all Renards there to be destroyed. 

"The Sieur de Villiers also had orders, if that wretched 

remnant will not obey to kill them without thinking of making a 

single prisoner, so as not to leave one of the race alive in the upper 

country if possible. If he is obliged to exterminate the men, the 

women and children who remain will be brought here (Montreal) 

especially the children. I hope Monsieugneur that if this step meets 

with the success that I expect from it, we shall be in a position next 

year to make all our nations of the lakes attack the Chicachas (Chickasaws). 

As I have written to Detroit and to all the posts in the 

neighborhood of the Mississippi to go there, I expect that there will 

be a number of bands in the field. Thirty men' from Sault St. Louis 

and from the lake of Two Mountains have gone there lately. The 

village of the Sakis, Monseigneur has been restored to its former condition."- 

(Beauharnois to the French Minister, Montreal, July 1, 

1733). 

Late in 1733 when the French at Green Bay undertook to arrest 

and convey the remnants of the Outagamies to Montreal, they resisted 

and were assisted by the Sakis, and Mons. de Villiers and his 

son were killed and three other Frenchmen were wounded. At this 

time the son was at Little Cacalin with a force to intercept the Outagamies 

should they try to escape. The Sakis and Outagamies retreated 

up Fox river and were hotly pursued by the French and 

their Indian allies and a severe battle was fought three leagues from 

the fort. This occurrence again roused the French authorities who 

had been assured that no trouble was to be feared from the Outagamies. 

The latter and the Sakis went to the Mississippi and established 

themselves in the present Iowa. There they were pursued 

by Sieur de Nogelles with a force of 84 Frenchmen and 200 settled 

Indians, all moving up Fox river and on to the Mississippi. The 

expedition was only partly successful because the Indians scattered to 

avoid them. Several battles were had with detachments and many 

were killed. This was in, 1735, and a battle was fought near the 

present Des Moines, Iowa. 

From 1735 to 1739 the French at Green Bay tried to make up 

with the Sacs and Foxes, even inviting them back to their old homes, 

but they were refused and in their new home were joined by many 

others and soon were again a menace to western trade. They succeeded 

in forming leagues with the Sioux and the Iroquois. During 

these years and later the Green Bay region was thronged with coureurs 

du bois who carried on their traffic with the Indians to a considerable 

extent in spite of the company of militia at the fort. In 

spite of all that could be done the farmers (storekeepers) continued 

to sell goods to the coureurs. 

45


By 1750 many Outagamies and Sioux were in the vicinity of 

Green Bay, besides Puants, Kickapous, Folle Avoines, Sauteurs, Sakis, 

and others. In 1756 the trade then was owned by Mons. de 

Rigaud Vaudreuil who farmed it to a few dealers for 9,000 francs 

per annum. About this time each year the Green Bay agency sent 

to Montreal from 500 to 600 packs of furs. In 1758 the Folle Avoines 

killed 11 Frenchmen at Green Bay and pillaged a storehouse; 

another account says 22 Frenchmen and pillaged a magazine at the 

post. 

In 1760-61 the British took possession of the Green Bay country, 

having captured from the French all of Canada. Lieutenant 

Gorrell was the first British commander at Green Bay. He spent a 

year in gaining the good will of the Indians. The tribes here did not 

join Pontiac's conspiracy. In 1766 Jonathan Carver passed up Fox 

river. Peter Pond did the same in 1773. The Revolution of 1776- 

82 transferred all this territory to the United States. The suppression 

of the Jesuits in 1775 caused the desertion of nearly all the upper 

country by the white traders and missionaries. The savages were 

left much to their own devices. 

As early as 1821 the Oneidas and other Eastern tribes visited 

in small numbers the Green Bay country, but the Menominees and 

Wminnebagoes, instigated by the French, refused to cede them any 

land. A little later the French relented and agreed to cede a strip 

five miles wide extending across Fox river at Little Chute; this grant 

was finally made August 18,. 1821. In 1822 the Menominees made 

a large grant covering much of the present Outagamie county. 

Really, the Menominees at this time for a small consideration ceded 

to the NTew York Indians a right in common to the whole of their 

lands; they were really swindled. Late in the fall of 1822 a party 

of about fifty Stockbridges located at Grand Kakalin on the east 

side of the river. The next year many others came and located 

there and at Little Kakalin. The Menominees soon repented of their 

bargain, when it was too late; in fact they were hopelessly divided 

among themselves as to what should be done. The Oneidas who 

arrived in 1823 and 1824 remained on Fox river until removed to 

Duck Creek. In 1825 another band of Oneidas came to Duck Creek. 

The Stockbridges remained at Grand Kakalin. The treaty of 1827 

at Butte des Morts and others settled the whole Indian question for 

the Green Bay region. 

In 1825 the Winnebagoes claimed from the portage across to 

Fox river "thence down Fox river to the Winnebago lake and-to the 

grand Kaukaulin (Kaukauna.) including in'their claim the whole 

of Winnebago lake. At this date, also, the Menominees claimed all 

the country bounded north by the Chippewas, east by Green Bay and 

Lake Michigan, south as far as Milwaukee river and west as far as 

Black river. 

On August 11, 1827, at a treaty held ati Butte des Morts on Fox 

river the Menominee and Winnebago'Indians left the settlement of 

their troubles to the president of the United States. The following. 

was established as the boundary between the Government and the


Menominee tribe: "Beginning on the shore of Green Bay six miles 

due north from the parallel of the mouth of Fox river and running 

thence in a straight line but with the general course of said river 

and six miles therefrom to the intersection of the continuation of the 

westerly boundary of the tract at the Grand Kaukaulhn claimed by 

Augustin Grignon, thence on a line with the said boundary to the 

same; thence with the same to Fox river; thence on the same course 

six miles," and so on around to Green Bay. The Winnebagoes were 

parties to this treaty. 

On February 8, 1831, a treaty with the Menominee Indians 

secured to the government all the claim of that tribe to a large tract 

around Green Bay including all of what is now Outa.gamie county 

on both sides of the river. At this time the Menominees claimed all 

the tract thus ceded as the exclusive property of their tribe. The 

Menominees agreed that the following tract might be set apart as 

the home of several tribes of New York Indians, who might come 

there to settle within three years: "Beginning on the west side of 

Fox river near the Little Kackalin (Kaukauna) at a point known 

as the 'Old Mill Dam,' thence northwest forty miles; thence northeast 

to the Oconto Creek falling into Green Bay; thence down said, 

creek to Green Bay; thence up and along Green Bay and Fox river 

to the place of beginning," excluding therefrom all private land 

claims confirmed; and also the following reservation for military 

purposes-"Beginning on the Fox river at the mouth of the first 

creek above Fort Howard, thence north 64 degrees, west to Duck 

creek; thence down said Duck creek to its mouth; thence up and 

along Green Bay and Fox river to the place of beginning." This 

tract ceded for tho benefit of the New York Indians contained about 

500,000 acres and included all the improvements on the west side 

of Fox river. At this time all the Menominee territory south of Fox 

river was ceded to the United States. The following tract then occupied 

and owned by the Menominees was set apart for their future 

and permanent home. "Beginning on .the west side of Fox river at 

the old mill dam near the Little Kackalin (Kaukauna) and running 

up and along said river to the Winnebago lake; thence up Fox 

river to the Wolf river; thence up Wolf river to a point southwest 

of the west corner of the tract herein designated for the New York 

Indians; thence northeast to said west corner; thence southeast to 

the place of beginning." This was to be their future home. Here 

they were to be taught at the expense of the government how to 

farm and keep house according to white customs and were to be 

furnished with domestic animals, farming utensils, etc. A sawmill 

and a grist-mill were to be erected by the government. On Fox 

river for the benefit of the Menominees. The tribe reserved the 

right to hunt and fish on the south side of Fox river and Green Bay 

as well as on the North side. At this treaty R. A. Forsythe, C. A. 

Grignon, A. G. Ellis and Richard Prickett were interpreters. Samuel 

C. Stambaugh was Indian agent at Green Bay. This treaty was concluded 

at Washington, D. C. Later many changes were made in the 

provisions of this treaty.


On June 25, 1832, it was provided that a new boundary should 

be given the tract set apart for the New York Indians ''to commence 

at a point on the west side of Fox river and one mile aboye the Grand 

Chute on Fox river" as to add 200,000 acres to the original tract "on 

and along the west side of Fox river without including any of the 

private claims along said Fox river." 

In a treaty September 15, 1832, the Winnebagoes ceded to the 

United States their claim to the following tract: "Beginning at the 

mouth of Peketolaka river; thence up Rock river to its source; thence 

with a, line dividing the Winnebago nation from other Indians east 

of the Winnebago lake to the Grand Chute; thence up Fox river to 

the Winnebago. lake and with the northern shore of said lake to the 

inlet of Fox river and thence around to the beginning." 

In a treaty held with the Menominees in the agency house at 

Green Bay, October 27, 1832, an additional tract was granted to 

the Brothertown Indians "to colmmence at a point on the west side 

of the Fox river and one mile above the Grand Chute on Fox 

river" to comprehend the additional quantity of 200,000 acres on 

and along the west side of Fox river without including any of the 

confirmed private land claims on the Fox river, and which 200,000 

acres shall be a part of 500,000 acres intended to be set apart for 

the Six Nations of the New York Indians and the St. Regis tribe. 

All this was refused by the Menominees. They agreed to cede 

the following tract: "Beginning on the said treaty line at the old 

mill damn on Fox river and thence extending up and along Fox river 

to the Little Rapid Croche; thence running northwest three miles; 

thence on a line running parallel with the several'courses of Fox 

river and three miles distant from the river until it will intersect 

a line running on the northwest course, commencing .at a point 

one mile above the Grand Chute and thence northward and around 

to the beginning and to include 200,000 acres." Charles A. Grignon 

was granted the right to erect a mill on Apple creek. 

By the treaty held at Cedar Point on Fox river, September 3, 

1836, the Menominee Indians ceded the following tract to the 

United States: "Beginning at the mouth of Wolf river and running 

up the same to a point on the north branch of said river where 

it crosses the extreme north or rear line of the 500,000 acre tract 

heretofore granted to the New York Indians; thence following the 

line last mentioned inanortheastwardly direction three miles; thence 

in a northwardly course to the upper forks of the Menomiinee river 

at a point to intersect the boundary line between the Menominee 

and Chippewa nation of Indians; thence following the said boundary 

line last mentioned in an eastwardly direction as defined and 

established by the treaty of Little Butte des Morts in 1827 to the 

Smooth Rock or Shos-kin-aubie river; thence down the said river 

to where it empties into Green Bay between the Little and Great 

Bay de Noquet; thence up and along the west side of Green Bay 

(and including all the islands therein not heretofore ceded) to the 

mouth of the Fox river; thence up and along the said Fox river 

and along the west side of Winnebago lake (including the islands


therein) to the mouth of Fox river where it empties into said lake 

(Winnebago); thence up and along said Fox river to the place 

of beginning (saving and reserving out of the district of'country 

above ceded and described all that part of the 500,000 acres granted 

by the treaties between the Menomonees and the United States made 

February 8, 1831, and on October 27, 1832, which may be situated 

within the boundaries hereinbefore described, the quantity of land 

contained in the tract hereby ceded being estimated at about four 

millions of acres." 

By the treaty of February 3, 1838, with the Oneidas the following 

agreement was made: "The First Christian and Orchard parties 

of Indians cede to the United States all their title and interest in 

the land set apart for them in the first article of the treaty with 

the Menominees of February 8, 1831, and the second article of 

the treaty with the same tribe of October 27, 1832. From the foregoing 

cession there shall be reserved to the said Indians, to be held 

as other Indian lands are held, a tract of land containing 100 acres 

for each individual and the lines of which shall be so run as to 

include all their settlements and improvements in the vicinity of 

Green Bay." For this cession the Government paid to the Orchard 

party $3,000, and to the First Christian party $30,500, of which 

last sum $3,000 might be expended under Rev. Solomon Davis in 

the erection of a church and parsonage. Jacob Cornilius signed this 

treatv on behalf of the Orchard party and Henry Powles, John 

Sundown, Adam Swamp and Daniel Bread on behalf of the First 

Christians. 

By the treaty of February 3, 1838, the First Christian and 

Orchard parties of Oneidas ceded to the United States the tract ceded 

to them by the Mlenominees February 8, 1831, and October 22, 

1832. But from this cession there was reserved to the Oneidas a 

tract of 100 acres to every individual of the tribe and to include 

all their settlements and improvements in the vicinity of Green 

Bay. 

The New York Indians reserved the following tract by treaty 

of January 15, 1838: "Beginning at the southwesterly corner of the 

French grants at Green Bay and running thence southwardly to a 

point on a line to be run from the Little Cocaclin parallel to a 

line of the French grants and six miles from Fox river and thence 

on said parallel line northwardly six miles; thence eastwardly to 

a point on the northeast line of the Indian lands and being at right 

angles to the same." 

"The Memorial of the Legislature of the State of Wisconsin 

to Congress respectfully represents, that the Oneida Indians have 

been Christians since the beginning of the century; and since they 

removed to their reservation in this State in the year 1828 they 

have steadily advanced in civilization; that they have schools and 

have acquired the English language; that they are good steady 

farmers, skillful mechanics, axmen and workmen generally; that 

they have lived for a series of years under a democratic form .of 

government established by themselves and different from the former 

49


hereditary chieftain government; and that we are informed that a 

large majority of them are desirous of acquiring the rights of citizenship 

and of holding their lands in severalty. Your memorialists 

therefore respectfully request that if they will consent, a treaty 

be made with these Indians, conferring upon them the rights of 

citizenship and holding their lands in severalty, and trust that in 

the event of such a treaty being carried out and their surplus lands 

being brought into market, its results will be most beneficial, not 

only to those Indians, but to that part of the State where they are 

located. Approved March 8, 1870." 

"Memorial to Congress: The memorial of the legislature of the 

State of Wisconsin respectfully represents: That in the counties of 

Brown and Outagamie in this State there are about 1,337 Indians 

of the Oneida tribe located on a reservation of about 65,000 acres 

of land; that the said Indians are in a deplorable condition, without 

the necessaries of life and under the present policy of the government, 

without ambition or stimulus for exertion and improvement 

and are retrograding in civilization and capacity for self 

maintenance; that in the opinion of your memorialists the true interests 

of humanity and civilization dictate that a radical change 

should be made in the government, condition and prospects of the 

said Indians who are themselves anxious and eager that a different, 

policy should be adopted in their behalf. Therefore, in the interest 

of the said tribe of Indians. and for their elevation, improvement 

and civilization, your memorialists respectfully ask that a law or, 

laws may be passed by your honorable bodies as follows: 

"First. Providing for the allotment to each head of a family 

and to each of such other Indians in said tribe as shall be deemed 

best, land in said reservation to an amount not exceeding eighty 

acres; and for the sale of the balance of the land in said reservation 

which shall remain after such allotment and for the permanent 

investment of the proceeds of such sale for the benefit of such tribe. 

"Second. Providing that all real estate so allotted to any of 

the said tribe of Indians shall not be alienated by the owner thereof 

and that with this exception all civil and criminal laws of the State 

shall apply to the members of the said tribe of Indians except such 

laws as would permit them to vote and to hold office. 

"Third. Providing for a commission which shall determine 

from time to time what members if any of the said tribe are of 

sufficient intelligence and character to merit the right to vote and 

to hold office and conferring such right upon any such members, 

of the said tribe, as may be adjudged by such commission to be 

worthy and qualified for it. 

"Resolved by the Assembly, the Senate concurring, That the 

governor of this State is hereby respectfully requested to transmit 

a copy of this memorial to each of our senators and representatives 

in Congress from this State. Approved February 23, 1877." 

The act approved May 20, 1903, created two townships in 

Brown and Outagamie counties from the territory embraced in the


Oneida reservation; the town in Brown county became Hobart ahd 

the town in Outagamie became Oneida. The first town meeting 

in Hobart was ordered held June 2, 1903, in the Union schoolhouse, 

and the first town meeting in Oneida was ordered held on the same 

date in Epworth Hall in said town. The usual town officers were 

ordered chosen and the towns were given all the rights and powers 

conferred upon other towns of the State.

COUNTY AFFAIRS AND MISCELLANY. 

W HAT is now the County of Outagamie was owned by the 

Indians until taken possession of by the French in the 

seventeenth century. It so remained until it passed to 

Great Britain as a result of the Seven Years' War, 1761-2. 

At the close of the Revolution, 1783, it became the possession of the 

United States. In 1789 it was made a part of the Northwest Territory, 

and in 1800 a part of Indiana Territory. In 1809 it was included 

in Illinois Territory and so remained until 1818, when it 

was attached to Michigan Territory. On April 20, 1836, it was included 

in the Territory of Wisconsin. 

By the Act of January 11, 1805, all territory east of the line due 

north from the south end of Lake Michigan to the northern boundary 

of the United States was constituted Michigan Territory. 

By the Act of Congress approved April 18, 1818, "all that part 

of the Illinois Territory which is situated north of and not included 

within, the boundaries described by this Act (creating the State of 

Illinois) to the state thereby authorized to be formed, shall be and 

hereby is attached to and made a part of the Michigan Territory 

from and after the formation of the said state (of Illinois), subject, 

nevertheless, to be hereafter disposed of by Congress according to the 

right reserved in the fifth article of the ordinances as aforesaid." 

Brown county, Michigan Territory, was given the following 

boundaries: "Bounded on the north by the county of Michilimackinac 

as established by an act of the governor of the said territory 

of this date; on the east by the said county of Michilimackinac 

and by the western boundary of the said territory as the same 

was established by the Act of Congress passed January 11, 1805, 

entitled 'An Act to divide the Indiana Territory into two separate 

governments;' on the south by the states of Indiana and Illinois; 

and on the west by a line to be drawn due north from the northern 

boundary of the State of Illinois through the middle of the portage 

between the Fox river and the Ouissin (Wisconsin) river to the 

county of Michilimackinac, into a separate county to be called the 

county of Brown, October 26, 1818." 

"And I do establish the seat of justice of the said county of 

Brown at such point on the Fox river and within six miles of the 

mouth thereof, as may be selected by a majority of the judges of the 

County Court of said county. 

"LEWIS 'CASS, 

"Governor of Michigan Territory." 

The County Court was ordered held on the second Monday of July 

of every year. 

52


In 1824 a bill was drawn dividing Michigan Territory into two 

separate governments, one was to be called Chippewau. The bill was 

drawn by J. D. Doty. One section was as follows: "That the seat 

of government of said territory shall be established at or near the 

village of Munnominnee (so called) on the east bank of the Fox 

river, eleven miles above Fort Howard. And the Legislature of the 

said territory shall cavse the public buildings to be erected at such 

point near the said village as they may deem most suitable; and five 

thousand acres of land located by the Governor to be below the 

Grand Kaukaulan on said river, is hereby given to the said Legislature 

for the use of the Territory, the proceeds of which shall be 

applied to the erection of the said Territorial buildings." 

"All that district of country within the county of Brown to 

which the Indian title has been extinguished and comprehended 

with the following boundaries, namely: Commencing at a point 

ten miles southeast from the head of the rapids of the Grand Kaukaulin 

and running a due northeast course until it intersects a line 

drawn due northwest and southeast through Point au Sable 

of Green Bay, thence along said line until it intersects another line 

commencing at and running a due northeast course from a point ten 

miles northwest from the head of the rapids aforesaid, and from 

thence due southeast to the place of beginning, shall be the township 

of Green Bay. April 27, 1827." 

In May, 1832, Morgan L. Martin was councilman from the 

Seventh District, composed of the counties of Chippewa, Michilimackinac, 

Brown, Crawford and Iowa. There was introduced in 

Congress about this time a bill to establish the Territory of Huron 

or Ouisconsin. 

In 1832 post routes were granted from Chicago to Green Bay, 

and Green Bay to Prairie du Chien via Fort Winnebago. The latter 

crossed Outagamie county. 

"That all that tract of country lying north of the State of Illinois, 

west of Lake Michigan and south and southeast of the Wisconsin 

and Fox rivers of Green Bay, in the present territory of Michigan, 

be laid off into four new land districts." One was called Green Bay 

Land District, "which district shall embrace the country north of 

said rivers (Wisconsin and Fox), when the Indian title shall become 

extinguished and the Green Bay District may be divided so as to 

form two districts when the President shall deem it proper." On 

June 15, 1836, the Green Bay district was divided, the southern half 

being cut off and constituted the Milwaukee district. 

The Act of December 9, 1836, fixed the seat of justice for Brown 

county at either Navarino, Astor or DePere, as might be decided by 

the voters. 

On September 6, 1834, the boundaries of Brown county were 

fixed as follows: "Bounded north by the county of Michilimackinac." 

All that part of Brown county to which the Indian title 

ships 11 and 12 north, in the Green Bay Land district, and east by 

the line drawn due north through the middle of Lake Michigan 

until it strikes the southern boundary of the county of Michilimack- 

53


inack." All that part of Brown county to which the Indian title 

was extinguished was attached to and constituted a part of the township 

of Green Bay. South of Brown county to the Illinois line was 

made Milwaukee county, which was attached to Brown for judicial 

purposes. Approved September 6, 1834. 

"All that district of country in said county (Brown) lying on 

the west side of Fox river and Green Bay in the county of Brown 

and north of the south line of the claim of Paul Duchane (Ducharme) 

at the Grand Kaukaulin extended, shall be a township by the 

name of Howard, and the first township meeting shall be held at 

the dwelling house of Jacques Porlier on the first Monday of September 

next."-Approved March 17, 1835. 

"All that district of country in said county composed of surveyed 

townships 21, 22 and 23 north, ranges 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22 

east, shall be a township by the name of Mason, and the first township 

meeting shall be held in the courthouse in the village of Menominee 

on the first Monday of September next."-Approved March 17, 

1835. As will be seen this township embraced the southeastern part 

of the present Outagamie county. In 1839 a portion of the present 

Outogamie county became the town of Kaukaulin. (See chapter on 

Kaukauna.) 

In January, 1840, Daniel Whitney, William Dickerson, Alexander 

Grignon and David Johnson were appointed commissioners by 

the Legislature to lay out a, territorial road from Fort Howard via 

Grand Kakalin and Little Butte de Morts to Knagg's ferry in Brown 

county. 

The Act of February, 1846, authorized the construction of a 

macadam, plank, rail or turnpike road from the foot of Grand 

Kakalin to Winnebago lake. 

"George Grignon, of Green Bay, while shooting pigeons near 

Grand Kaukalin accidentally shot his right arm near the wrist 

through the center, so that it had to be amputated. Doctor Armstrong, 

assisted by Doctor Ward, performed the operation."-( Green 

Bay Advocate, August 27, 1846.) 

The Act of March 13, 1848, incorporated the Winnebago Lake 

& Fox River Road company, with power to build a plank road from 

Winnebago lake to the foot of the rapids at the Grand Kakalin; 

the incorporators were Albert G. Ellis, William Mitchell, Samuel 

Ryan, Siliver Newton, Henry S. Baird, William Dickinson, Erastus 

M. Drury, Francis McCarty and George McWilliams. 

In 1848 Wisconsin Territory, by vote of the residents and the 

adoption of a constitution, formed a state government and asked for 

admission into the Union, which was granted. The new state asked 

for the improvement of the Fox and Wisconsin rivers under the 

former Act of 1846. 

In 1849 George W. Lawe, John '0. Dean and Thomas H. Clark 

were authorized to lay out and establish a state road from Wolf river 

near the southwest corner of section 20, town 22, range 16, to the 

Grand Kaukalin. At this time a state road was ordered laid out


from Madison to Green Bay, via Oshkosh; another was established 

from Winnebago rapids, via Grand Chute, to Aldrich's mill. 

In response to a general call for a meeting of the pioneers of 

the county, signed by John Stephens, J. M. Phinney, Harmon Jones, 

G. H. Myers, W. S. Warner, J. F. Johnston, William McGuire, Samuel 

Ryan, Jr., and others, a large number met at the hall of J. C. 

Smith in Appleton on Washington's birthday, 1872. John Stephens 

called the meeting to order and James M. Phinney was chosen temporary 

chairman. He stated the object of the meeting. A committee 

was appointed to prepare a program for the occasion. A resolution 

inviting Dr. Steele of the university and the ministers of the 

county to attend was passed. A list of old settlers was ordered made 

out, with statistics of their arrival. A constitution was at once prepared. 

The first officers elected were: John Stephens, president; 

Ethan Powers, vice-president, Daniel Huntley, secretary; John 

Leith, treasurer; H. L. Blood, John Dey, W. H. P. Bogan, Edwin 

Nye and John H. McGillan, executive council. The song of the 

pioneers, composed by Mr. Stephens, was then first read and then 

sung. At the conclusion of the song, dinner was served. After dinner 

Mr. Stephens delivered the first address and told how he had 

hunted over the country before it was settled. Dr. A. B. Randall 

came here first in August, 1847, and erected a log cabin in 1848. 

W. S. Warner said he came to Appleton in 1847, before a street was 

opened or a house built, and later helped to chop out College 

avenue; built his own house in a day and a half; he and George H. 

Myers got lost in the woods between Appleton and Hortonville. 

Prof. James M. Phinney said when he came here in 1848 "the very 

idea of building the college here in the woods with no town or 

village near it, appeared almost foolhardy; he became teacher of 

mathematics; they began 'the university in the fall (of 1848) with 

thirty-five students, little and big. Before winter ended they had 

100 and before the year closed 150. Randall Johnson of Black Creek 

said he settled in what was Bovina in 1852; helped lay out the Green 

Bay and Stevens Point road; stopped with Mr. Jordan where Shiocton 

now stands. John Leith located in Center in 1850; went back to 

England, returned, got lost in the woods near his own home and 

was out over night with wolves howling around; his wife taught the 

first term of school in the town. John Batley, John H. McGillan, 

Charles Breitreick, L. L. Randall, Daniel Huntley, John Dey, Capt. 

Ethan Powers and others related how they settled here. "General' 

A. J. Jackson, an old colored man, was called out. Mr. Stephens 

introduced him as "the first white settler in the county." He was 

reared in Tennessee, near Nashville; could not tell when he came 

here; lived for a time in a wigwam with Winnebago Indians where 

Madison is; then lived in Oshkosh before it had a name; and then 

at Neenah; secured a wife from the Stockbridge Indians, had six 

children, but all died: "I was the first settler this side of the Oneida 

line; I chopped and cleared many farms-one for Mr. Abbot, of 

Freedom; one for Mr. Woodward, and one for Mr. Phinney." 

Ephraim St. Louis, of Kaukauna, said he came from Canada to


Green Bay in 1838 and traveled thence to Kaukauna on foot; lost 

the trail, but followed the river; wolves all around him; went to 

Little Chute and located and had resided there ever since. The 

same year a Methodist missionary settled here with the Indians. 

St. Louis soon went up the river to see the country; reached "Flat 

Rock" at what is now Appleton; saw a fresh brush-heap, examined 

it and found the dead body of the Methodist missionary, who no 

doubt had been murdered; went back to Little Chute; got help; 

buried him where he was found; never knew his name; word was 

sent to the Indian agent, Colonel Boyd, who at once demanded of 

the Menominee chief the arrest of the murderers; three Indians 

were taken and locked in the Depere jail; one confessed that they 

killed him expecting to get money; they cut out his heart and ate 

it and drank his blood to make themselves brave; the other two 

Indians killed the one who confessed in jail, and then hung themselves 

with strips of their blankets. I took through the river to the 

lake, portaging around the rapids the first boat that sailed on the 

waters of Lake Winnebago, the sailboat 'Snow Bird'. (Statements 

of Mr. St. Louis). 

The following is a list of the pioneers prepared and published 

at this time: 

George St. Louis, 1839; N. Pauley, 1842; Thomas St. Louis, 

1844; Ephraim St. Louis, 1838; James Jackson (colored), 1830; 

Christian Heinz, 1842; R. R. Bateman, 1847; H. L. Blood, 1847; 

M. Culbertson 1848, Charles Wolcott 1848, John Stephens 1848, 

Alexander Ross 1848, John F. Johnston 1848, John Lillman 1848, 

J. C. Van Neil 1848, S. . Childs 1848, W. H. Johnston 1843, John 

Dey 1849, W. McGuire 1849, David Barry 1849, C. E. Wolcott 1849, 

Thomas Powers 1849, Wait Cross 1849, Charles Breitreich 1849, 

C. A. Fisher 1849, M. D. McGrath 1849, P. V. Smith 1849, T. W. 

Lyman 1849, J. C. Smith 1849, D. Huntley 1849, Thomas Gleed 

1849, A. P. Lewis 1849, H. M. Jones 1849, Miles R. Perry 1849, 

Edwin WVolcott 1849, Frank Wolcott 1849, Mrs. S. A. Wilson 1849, 

H. Greenfield 1849, Mathew Nugent 1849, John McPherson 1849, 

John McPherson Jr. 1849, J. M. Phinney 1849, George H. Myers 

1849, W. W. Crane 1849, W. B. Crane 1849, W. S. Warner 1849, 

A. Mortis 1849, Harrison Green 1849, W. F. Johnston 1849, Mrs. 

N. Mereness 1849, Fred Blood 1849, F. L. Tuttle 1849, A. B. Briggs 

1849, A. P. Lewis 1849, H. M. Jones 1849, Miles R. Perry 1849, E. 

E. Powers 1850, Levi Randall 1850, James Gilmore 1850, Henry 

Priest 1850, J. H. Wharton 1850, Nicholas Wertz 1850, W. G. 

Whorton 1850, Clark Renoud 1850, Hector McKay 1850, John Leith 

1850, L. L. Randall 1850, F. C. Vandebogart 1850, Morris R. Gleed 

1850, A. C. Darling 1850, C. B. Brownell 1850, A. G. Smith 1850, 

Mrs. P. A. Brownell 1850, R. Johnston 1850, John Batley 1850, 

R. K. Randall 1850, George Knowles 1850, E. Godwin 1850, E. 

Connery 1850, A. B. Everts 1850, J. D. Pierce 1850, G. M. Robinson 

1850, Almany Orr 1851, E. Saxton 1851, Samuel Boyd 1851, 

John McGillian 1851, James A. McGillan 1851, R. G. GMcGillan 

1851, Jennie St. Louis 1851, M. B. Johnston 1851, Humphrey Sul-


livan 1851, M. H. Lyon 1851, George G. Johnston 1851 S. B. Belding 

1851, W. D. Reynolds 1851, Seth J. Perry 1851, John H. Barnes 

1852, Samuel Ryan Jr. 1852, Dr. Byron Douglas 1852,- Earle W. 

Douglas 1852, J. H. Marston 1852, L. Zenton 1852, James Ryan 

1852, W. W. Briggs 1852, G. W. Boone 1852, W. L. Sweetzer 1852, 

M. Doran 1852, E. Spencer 1853, Francis Bernard 1853, R. F. Mc- 

Grath 1853, Alfred Aspinall 1853, H. D. Ryan 1853, W. H. P. Bogan 

1853. 

In February, 1850, there was a tri-weekly mail Green Bay to 

Fond du Lac via Kaukauna, Appleton, Neenah, etc. In 1850 Congress 

gave to the states all the unsold swamp and overflowed land 

within their respective borders. The act of February 4, 1850. 

authorized a state road laid out from Hortonville in Brown county. 

to Grignon bridge in Winnebago county, A. E. Horton, William N. 

Davis and Cyrenus Baldwin were commissioners. On June 1, 1850, 

the population was as follows: Ellington 264, Grand Chute 630, 

Hortonia 192, Kaukauna 689 and Lansing 209. The population 

of Brown county in'1846 was 2,672; 1847, 2,914; 1850, 6,222. In 

1849-50 six townships were separated from Brown county and added 

to Manitowoc county. 

In the legislature early in 1851 a bill was introduced to construct 

a bridge over Fox river at Grand Kaukauna. For this three substitutes 

were offered: A toll bridge at Grand Kaukauna; a bridge over 

the river at Grand Chute; a toll bridge over the river 

at Little Chute. The first one above mentioned was introduced 

in the senate by Mr. Conkey. Other bills were to incorporate 

the Fox and Wisconsin Plank Road Company; build the 

Waupun and Oshkosh road; a memorial to Congress to survey the 

public lands north of Fox river, and one prohibiting any persons 

but Indians from killing wild buck, doe and fawn during February, 

March, April, May and June of each year. 

In 1850 Theodore Conkey was senator from the first district. 

In the legislature in January, 1851, the following proceedings were 

had: "By Mr. 'Conkey, No. 17, Senate. A bill to divide the county 

of Brown and to create the county of Utaghamie, Wednesday, January 

15, 1851." The next day the Senate as a committee of the whole 

considered the bill to create Utagamie county and reported it back 

to the Senate without amendment. Further consideration was postponed 

eight days. It was then postponed until January 31, on 

which day it was reported back with amendments by the committee 

of the whole; the Senate agreed to the amendments. Mr. Conkey 

then moved to amend the 6th section by striking out the word "village" 

and inserting the words "town of Grand Chute." Mr. Gale 

moved to amend by striking out the word "Utagamie" wherever it 

occurred in the bill and to insert therefor the word "Fox;" carried 

9 to 1. The bill was then ordered engrossed. Later the motion to 

engross was reconsidered by 11 to 5. Mr. Conkey voted not to reconsider. 

Mr. Bugh then moved to reconsider the vote to strike out 

the word "Outagamie" and to insert the word "Fox;" agreed to. 

Mr. Conkey voted against this motion to reconsider. The bill was 

57


then ordered engrossed for a third reading. Mr. Reed moved to 

suspend the rules and have the bill read the third time which was 

done. It then was put upon its passage and was carried. Mr. 

Conkey voted against the motion to pass the bill. It was his own 

bill, was passed as he introduced it, but he voted against it apparently 

because he had changed his views concerning it perhaps as to 

the proposed alteration in name. On February 15, the House concurred 

in the bill creating Outagamie county as it was spelled at last. 

The act approved February 17, 1851, was as follows: "That 

all that portion of country now embraced in the county of Brown, 

known and designated as Towns 21, 22, 23 and 24 north, ranges 

15, 16, 17 and 18 and the west half of 19, is hereby set off into a 

separate county, which shall be called and known as the county of 

Outagamie. 

"That the county of Outagamie as aforesaid shall be organized 

after the first day of April next for the purpose of county government, 

and shall enjoy all the rights, privileges, immunities and 

powers of the other counties of this state. 

"There shall be an election held in the several towns and precincts 

such now or may be hereafter established by law on the first 

Tuesday of April next for the election of all such town and county 

officers as the said county by virtue of its organization and the privileges 

of this act shall be entitled to, who shall severally hold their 

offices until the first day of January after the next general annual 

election and their successors are duly qualified. 

"The said election shall be considered in all respects in the 

manner now provided for holding the same under the law regulating 

general elections and the votes cast at the same shall be returned 

and canvassed as therein provided and the judges of said election 

shall issue certificates of election to any person duly elected under the 

provisions of this act. 

"That the seat of justice of said county shall be and is hereby 

located at the Town of Grand Chute in said county and the citizens 

of said county may at their first election vote for or against the 

establishment of the seat of justice of said county at any place in 

said county and the place so receiving a majority of the votes polled 

at such election shall be the permanent seat of justice. 

"Said county so established shall remain attached to the county 

of Brown for judicial purposes until otherwise provided by law. 

"The county supervisors so elected on said day of election shall 

meet as soon thereafter as may be at the seat of justice and with 

the clerk of said county, all of whom being first duly qualified according 

to law and under oath by some person authorized to administer 

the same, shall then and there proceed to organize said county 

and may then and there perform all such duties and services as may 

be required of them by law in order that the said county may be 

organized as contemplated by this act and to approve the qualifications 

of other county officers. 

"That the county of Outagamie shall pay into the treasury of 

the county of Brown all costs, fees, charges and expenses that shall


be paid by the county of Brown that may accrue in consequence of 

any prosecution, conviction, imprisonment or proceedings whatever 

against any person charged with any crime or misdemeanor within 

said county of Outagamie and the supervisors of the county of Brown 

may sue and collect the same from said county of Outagamie in any 

court of competent jurisdiction." 

"At Kaukauna we found some buildings going on and there is 

said to be a good demand for lots. The country back towards Wolf 

river is now receiving settlers and preparations are making to open 

a road to that river from Kaukauna. The land is of the very best 

quality and persons are constantly arriving in search of locations. 

The new hotel at Lansing is a fine building and we found Mr. 

Hanna and a number of others at work preparing for the 'gravitation 

ball' which was to come off soon. We stopped the second night 

at the house of Mr. Jackman at Grand Chute. Having some business 

in Dublin, the settlement at the public works on the opposite 

side'of the river, we found some twenty shanties, filled with inmates 

ready to go to work. They are now getting out timber for 

the lock; the canal is about half completed. Grand Chute, Appleton 

and Lawesburg continue to grow and business seems in a healthy 

condition. We noticed many new buildings, which were constructed 

with a good deal of taste. The institution (Lawrence University) 

is in full operation and doing well. It is highly spoken of everywhere. 

There are many new clearings and new and neat farmhouses 

on the way from the Chute to Neenah. Good locations are 

eagerly sought after and uncleared land is sold readily for $10 to $15 

per acre. This will do for a country through which, three years ago, 

the only road was an Indian trail."-(Cor. Green Bay Advocate, 

January 16, 1851). 

"At the first meeting of the board of supervisors for the county 

,of Outagamie held in pursuance of the act creating said county at 

the house of R. P. Edgarton in the village of Appleton in said 

county April 18th, A. D., 1851, the following chairmen were 

present from their respective towns: Grand Chute-Geo. M. Robinson; 

Kaukauna (misspelled in the records)-Geo. W. Lawe; Lansing-Lewis 

A. Hine; Greenville-Lorenzo E. Darling; Hortonia- 

Josephus Wakefield; Ellington-(absent)." George M. Robinson 

was chosen chairman of the board and R. A. Lawe, secretary pro tem. 

Charles A. Grignon, treasurer-elect, presented his certificate of election 

from the clerk of the board of Brown county; also his bond with 

the signatures of Charles A. Grignon and of M. L. Martin, Perry 

H. Smith and Alexander Grignon as sureties; this bond was accepted 

and Mr. Grignon was duly sworn in as county treasurer. Lorenzo 

E. Darling became clerk of the county board. Charles Turner was 

duly qualified as county surveyor. 

This meeting was evidently held in the forenoon, because an 

adjournment was taken to half past one o'clock, when upon motion 

of Josephus Wakefield a "furnishing. committee" was appointed by 

the chairman to procure books, stationery, desks, cases and other 

necessaries for the county officers. This committee was composed


of Hine, Wakefield and Lawe. Mir. Wakefield asked to be released, 

whereupon Mr. Robinson was substituted on the committee. Mr. 

La.we upon request was also excused and Lorenzo E. Darling was 

substituted. The following resolution was then adopted: "Resolved, 

That the register of deeds be authorized immediately after receiving 

his books to transcribe the records from the register's office at Green 

Bay appertaining to land in Outagamie county." The following 

resolution was also adopted: "Resolved, That the chairman of this 

board be authorized to receive proposals or bids for erecting suitable 

county buildings in Grand Chute, Appleton, Lawesburg or any 

other part of Grand Chute, said proposals to be accompanied by 

drafts specifying the block or lot on which they propose to erect 

those buildings; said proposals to be received before the next meeting 

of the board." The "furnishing committee" was authorized to 

procure a seal for the county. Miles F. Johnson was authorized to 

charge 10 cents for each foot passenger on his ferry over Fox river. 

A resolution annexing certain lands to the towns of Kaukauna and 

Lansing having been lost, a motion to reconsider carried, whereupon 

the original resolutions were unanimously adopted. These resolutions 

were as follows: "That so much of town 21, range 19, as is 

embraced in Outagamie county; also sections 28, 29, 30, 31, 32 and 

33, town 22, range 19, be embraced in the town of Kaukauna; and 

that,so much of the county of Outagamie as lies east and north of 

the town of Lansing, excepting sections 28, 29, 30, 31, 32 and 33, 

town 22, range 19, be embraced in the town of Lansing. The board 

then adjourned to meet on the first day of July, 1851, at Edgarton's 

Hotel, in the town of Grand Chute. 

On the first day of the July (1851) meeting, the following 

members were present: George M. Robinson, Lorenzo E. Darling. 

L. A. Hine and George W. Lawe. The first proceedings was to adjourn 

from Edgarton's Hotel to the plank road office at half past 

one o'clock, at which time the following members were present: 

L. E. Darling, L. A. Hine, George W. Lawe, George M. Robinson, 

John R. Rynders, and Josephus Wakefield. The "furnishing committee" 

reported in substance as follows: "That they had purchased 

of Rood & Whittmore for the county one deed book, one mortgage 

book, two alphabets and one index book, (the cost) amounting to 

$40.75; also of I. N. Lydan of Green Bay one ream of paper at (a 

cost of ) $3 per ream. Time for receiving proposals for the county 

buildings was extended to 10 o'clock July 2, 1851, and it was resolved 

that no proposal without satisfactory security would be received. 

Rood & Whittemore were allowed $30.75, though their bill 

was previously stated to be $40.75. The petition of I. Macpherson 

and twenty-three others to set apart so much of the town of Kaukauna 

as formerly belonged to Wrightstown and Lawrence in a seT;arate 

town to be called Cast, was laid on the table. 

On the second day of the July term the proposals for erecting 

the county buildings were considered, whereupon it was resolved 

"That the board now proceed to view the several lots or parcels of

HISTORY OF OUTAGAMIE COULNTY 

land that have been offered for the site of the county buildings. At 

two o'clock p. m. the board came in from taking views." 

A bounty of $5 for wolf scalps was offered; an effort to raise 

the bounty to $10 was lost. The district attorney was directed io 

examine the accounts of Earle L. Goodrich and John P. Arndt 

against the county. Hine and Wakefield were appointed a committee 

to enter into agreement with the persons who should erect the 

county buildings. John Jewett, Jr., was deputy clerk of the county 

board. 

On the third day of the July term there were present Darling 

Hine, Robinson, Rynders and Wakefield; an adjournment from 10 

to 11 o'clock was taken, the same members being present. Mr Lawe s 

excuse for absence, sent by special messenger was accepted. It was 

"Resolved, That the electors of Outagamie county did at the election 

on the first Tuesday of April last, A. D. 1851, establish the seat 

of justice of Outagamie county in the town of Grand Chute, known 

as the town organized for town purposes under the Revised Statutes, 

Chapter K." All the bids for county buildings were declared out 

of order. It was resolved to separate the courthouse from the jail, 

register's office and clerk's office; the latter two were ordered made 

fireproof. It was ordered that the courthouse should be completed 

by the next annual meeting of the board. It was "Resolved, That 

so much of Outagamie county as lies west of towns 23 and 24 north, 

range 16 east shall be embraced in the town of Ellington; also so 

much of the county west of town 22, range 16." New proposals for 

land donations and county buildings were ordered received before 

the next meeting of the county board, no bid to be considered unless 

accompanied by satisfactory security. The board then adjourned to 

July 14. 

At that time they again met at the "plank road office." Mr. 

Hine reported having procured record books from Green Bay. The 

board then adjourned to meet the same day at the office of A. S. 

Sanborn in the village of Grand Chute. All members were then 

present. Petitions to postpone the erection of county buildings and 

to accept the proposal of Theodore Conkey were laid on the table. 

It was resolved to open the proposals in relation to the county buildings 

at 9 o'clock on July 15. Donations of lands for the county 

buildings were ordered received. A bounty of $10 for the scalp of 

every wolf killed in Outagamie county was ordered paid upon oath 

made to that effect before any justice of the peace who was ordered 

to thereupon destroy said scalps; the affidavit was declared sufficient 

to entitle the affiant to the bounty. On the 15th the resolution to 

attach certain territory (see back) to Ellington was repealed. Plats 

of the various towns of the county were ordered kept in the clerk's 

office. The proposals for county buildings were then opened and' 

read and the following action thereon was taken: 

"Whereas, Theodore Conkey is desirous of deeding to! this 

county Block No. 31 in the town of Grand Chute and to erect county 

buildings on said block as this board shall direct; therefore 

61

62 .HISTORY OF OUTAGAMIE COUNTY 

"Resolved, That Block No. 31 or a part of said block and other 

lands adjoining it on the east in the plat of the village of Appleton 

shall be the block on which to erect the county buildings, which 

shall be accepted for county purposes, provided said Conkey erect 

the county buildings as the county supervisors shall direct otherwise 

not." All the members voted in favor of this resolution- 

Darling, Hine, Lawe, Robinson, Rynders and Wakefield. On July 

16, A. S. Sanborn, district attorney,, drew up the articles of agreement 

between Theodore Conkey and A. A. Lawrence on the one 

part and the county board on the other, and after a number of 

changes had been made therein both parties signed the agreement. 

On November 11, 1851, the board met and organized at the 

office of H. S. Eggleston, there being present Darling, Robinson, 

Lawe, Wakefield, Hine and Rynders. The board adjourned to 

Frederick Packard's office. The chairmen of the several town 

boards of supervisors were required to report the aggregate amount 

of real and personal estate. At this session the board equalized assessments 

throughout the county. The sum of one. and one-half 

mills was ordered levied for school purposes. Eight mills were ordered 

levied for county expenses. The towns were Grand Chute 

Hortonia, Kaukauna, Greenville, Ellington and Lansing. The aggregate 

valuations of the taxables as corrected by the board were as 

follows: Ellington, $35,623.32; Grand Chute, $108,165.02; Greenville, 

$29,240.55; Hortonia, $31,917.74; Kaukauna, $81,761.73; 

Lansing, $65,539.58. J] Wakefield was paid $2 for canvassing the 

votes of the county;'L. A. Hine, $4 for furnishing plats of the towns; 

A. S. Sanborn, $5 for preparing the Conkey & Lawrence agreement; 

H. S. Eggleston, $743.27 for transcribing the records concerning 

Outagamie county, on the Brown county books; W. J. Johnson, $5 

for certain plans and specifications; J. Jewett, Jr., $6 for preparing 

report on schools for the state superintendent and number of 

scholars to the county treasurer; J. Hersey, $3.46 for services as justice 

of the peace; J. R. Rynders, $2 for services as county canvasser. 

The county officials were paid at this time. The "furnishing committee" 

was directed to procure a safe for the register of deeds. Adjournment 

to meet in December at the house of Thomas Hanna. 

At the December (1851) session much unfinished business was 

done. William S. Bailey was paid for services as justice of the peace. 

H. C. Sillis was paid $10 for a grey wolf scalp. Robinson & Brother 

were paid for printing county orders. The clerk and chairman of 

the county board were authorized to sign and issue county orders 

that had been allowed by the board. The town of Medina was set 

apart from Hortonia, the separation to take effect in March, 1852; 

an election for town officers was ordered held in the schoolhouse of 

District 1. There was dissension as to the boundaries of the new 

town. The annual town meeting for 1852 in Hortonia was ordered 

held at the schoolhouse in District 2. The clerk of the county board 

was allowed a salary of $300 for 1852, to be paid quarterly. He was 

paid $150 for his services in 1851. The board unanimously adopted 

a memorial praying the Legislature to pass a law making tax titles


good, or else to render all unoccupied lands and those owned by nonresidents 

free from taxation. Orders amounting to $125 for an 

iron safe for the register's office were authorized to be issued. 

At the February (1852) session George Pratt was paid $10 for 

a wolf scalp. At this date the resolutions creating the town of Medina 

and for the town meeting in Hortonia were repealed. 

On February 23, 1852, it was resolved that so much of the 

county as lay west and north of Wolf river in town 22, range 15, 

should be embraced in the town of Hortonia. The following was 

passed: "Resolved, That the Legislature be requested to pass no 

acts authorizing the laying of state roads in this county, which require 

the county to pay for laying out the same." A. S. Sanborn 

was paid $10 for rent of clerk's office for nine months. Smith & 

Ballard were paid $18 for rent of office for county treasurer for nine 

months in 1851. E. Rudd was allowed $6 for a county seal. The 

clerk of the board was authorized to pay the county bounty on wolf 

scalps. R. A. Lawe and George M. Robinson were appointed agents 

on the part of Outagamie county to make full and final settlement 

with Brown county; their acts thus far were ratified and confirmed. 

Benjamin Proctor was a justice. 

"Whereas, The traffic in intoxicating liquors has in all ages 

of the world been a fruitful source of untold crime, misery and pauperism; 

and, 

"'Whereas, Until the recent glorious discovery made in the State 

of Maine, the benevolent and the' good were at a loss to know what 

plan could be devised to put a stop to its dreadful and ruinous consequences, 

therefore 

"Resolved, That the Board of Supervisors of the county of Outaga.mie 

do hereby request the Legislature to protect us from the evils 

set forth in the above preamble, ere our prisons are filled with criminals 

and our poorhouses with the wives and children of the drunkards, 

by enacting a law similar to the one now in operation in the 

State of Maine." 

The above, offered by Mr. Darling, was unanimously adopted. 

On April 30, 1852, the new county board met at the house of 

S. E. Beach, Appleton, and consisted of the following members: 

S. E. Beach, of Grand Chute; Isaac Wickware, of Greenville; Milo 

Coles, of Ellington; Norman Nash, of Hortonia; Lewis A. Hine, of 

Lansing; Ethan Powers, of Lansing. Hine and Powers contested 

for the office, both claiming election. Mr. Beach was chosen chairman 

of the board. The opinion of George H. Powers, district, attorney, 

was called for to determine what evidence was necessary and 

legal to learn whether Hine or Powers was entitled to the seat. 

February 24, 1852, counsel appeared for Mr. Powers. The contest 

was postponed and in the meantime both Hine and Powers 

were permitted to sit with the board. Action concerning tax certificates 

was taken by the board. Albright & Crosby were allowed $200 

for a safe for the register's office. Robinson & Brother were paid 

for printing delinquent tax lists. A. . . Sanborn was 'paid $10.50 

for transporting the county safe from Green Bay to Grand Chute.


The county treasurer's fees were inquired into at this time. The 

offer of Hanna and Bateman to furnish room for county offices and 

courtroom was accepted. Lewis A. Hine having charged the deputy 

county treasurer with fraud in,the discharge of his duties the board 

expressed the opinion that there was no evidence before them to 

substantiate such charges. An investigation was ordered. Lorenzo 

E. Darling was clerk and Alden S. Sanborn deputy at this time. 

At the November (1852) session the members present were: Beach, 

ANash, Wickware, Powers, N. M. Hephner and Henry Bassonnett 

Kaukauna. At this time the town of Freedom was set off from Lansing 

by the Legislature, but no provision was made for an election 

in the latter to fill vacancies thus caused; the Legislature was requested 

to remedy this oversight. Robert Lovett was paid $28 for 

court seals. The register of deeds and the clerk of the board rented 

offices of P. H. Smith. The board solicited proposals for rooms for 

the county offices at this time. Theodore Conkey was called before 

the board to state how near completion the county buildings were. 

The following passed: 

"Resolved, That there be and is hereby appropriated out of 

the county treasury the sum of $5 and that a county order in that 

amount be immediately drawn and the sheriff of the county be and 

is hereby instructed to negotiate said order for apples and segars 

immediately and forthwith present the said apples and segars to this 

board for further consideration." 

The books and vouchers of the county treasurer were ordered 

investigated. The clerk of the board was paid for canvassing the 

votes for county officers, April, 1852; for canvassing those for county 

judge, May, 1852; for canvassing those for judges of the Supreme 

Court, October; '1852; and for a general canvass of the election of 

November, 1852. 

In 1852 the first pauper expenses were allowed by the board; 

the town of Kaukauna was allowed $40.14 on this account. The 

county treasurer having withheld school moneys, was sued by the 

county and was reimbursed by the school districts affected. A. S. 

Sanborn was paid $200 per year for his services as district attorney 

for 1853 and 1854. George H. Myers was paid $75 salary as district 

attorney for 1852. The clerk's salary was $150 a year. A county 

order registry was ordered kept by the treasurer. 

In November, 1852, the county towns were Grand Chute, Kaukauna, 

Ellington, Greenville, Hortonia, Freedom and Lansing. The 

board passed this resolution: "That the board at the present session 

deem it inexpedient to enforce the contract for the completion 

of the county buildings; but if they are not completed by the 30th 

day of December next, then the board will adopt such measures as 

the interests of the county may require." The board adjourned to 

meet on that day-December 30. 

The aggregate value of taxable property in the county, November, 

1852, was as follows: Grand Chute, $102,869.25; Ellington, 

$26,515; Kaukauna, $96,960; Greenville, $24,151; Hortonia, $31,-

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664; Freedom, $29,254; Lansing, $22,828. There were three taxes 

-State, county and school. 

In December, 1852, all of the county north and west of Wolf 

river was organized with a separate township and the first town 

meeting was ordered held at the house of Washington Law in April, 

1853; the new town was named Embarrass. Grand Chute, Appleton, 

Lawesburg, Hortonville and Nepomuc villages were laid out before 

Outagamie county was organized. The board at this time conditionally 

released Conkey and Lawrence from their contract to build 

the courthouse: The latter two claimed they had already expended 

$800 and asked for relief from their contract. The conditions of 

relief were as follows: "That if the said Lawrence shall execute to 

the said county a deed of the lands contracted to be executed on his 

part in said contract and if the said Conkey will give good and sufficient 

security to deed to said county Lots 1, 2, 3 and 4, in Block 31, 

town of Grand Chute, then this board will release said Lawrence and 

Conkey from said contract dated July 16, 1851." An appropriation 

of $500 was made with which to complete the courthouse. Conkey's 

bond was fixed at $1,000. Lawrence conveyed the above mentioned 

land to the county. The board then released them from 

their former contract. The following offered by Mr. Nash was 

adopted: 

"Resolved, That H. S. Eggleston, clerk courts; A. B. Everts, 

sheriff; J. S. Buck, register of deeds; P. H. Smith, deputy treasurer; 

A. S. Sanborn, deputy clerk; and S. E. Beach, chairman of this 

board, do each and severally invite one member of this board to a 

New Year's dinner and each of the said county officers and the said 

chairman is hereby commanded to have a good roast turkey for dinner." 

Propositions or bids to finish the courthouse were called for, 

but this act was rescinded and a committee was appointed to negotiate 

with some responsible party to finish the building; Beach, Powers 

and Wickwa.re were the committee. 

The act of February 18, 1852, was as follows: "That the 

county seat of Outagamie county be and the same is hereby permanently 

located upon lands conveyed to the county for the purpose 

of erecting county buildings thereon and upon which lands said 

buildings are now being erected by'order of the board of supervisors 

of said county." 

The act of March 4, 1852, defined the boundaries of Outagamie 

county as follows: Beginning at the southwest corner of township 

21 north, range 15 east, of the Fourth principal meridian; running 

thence north on the range line between ranges 14 and 15 to the 

northwest corner of township 24 north, range 15 east; thence east 

on the line between townships 24 and 25 north, to the northeast corner 

of section 4, township 24 north, range 19 east; thence south on 

the section lines to the southeast corner of section 33, township 21 

north, range 19 east; thence west on the township lines between townships 

20 and 21 north to the place of beginning. 

The act of March 15, 1852, provided that after June 1, 1852, 

Outagamie county should be fully organized for judicial purposes


and in October of that year the first term of circuit court was ordered 

held by the judge of the Fourth circuit, and thereafter two terms in 

April and October were to be held each year. In April, 1852, a 

sheriff, clerk of the court and district attorney were ordered elected. 

"Kaukauna and Appleton Plank Road.-We are happy to 

state that nearly the entire stock has been taken in the above important 

road and that it is now a settled fact that it will be completed 

between the 1st and 20th of June. The officers of the company and 

many of our citizens are entitled to great credit for their labors to 

fill the stock during the past week."-(Green Bay Spectator, April 

24, 1852). 

The commissioner of the general land office reserved from sale 

the even sections along Fox river for the improvement fund. They 

were offered at public sale, but were withdrawn from market on the 

day of sale. But settlers entered thereon and continued to do so 

and in the end were entitled to the usual preemption rights. There 

was much complaint over the long lapse of time before they were 

permitted to prove up and receive their patents. The settlers wanted 

Congress to handle the sale, because they thus would have to pay 

only $1.25 per acre, while under the state it would cost them $2.50 

per acre. 

On February 17, 1853, the recent proceedings of the county 

board were ordered published in the Appleton Crescent and $40 was 

appropriated to cover the cost. The courthouse committee reported 

that in as much as the sum requiired to complete the courthouse was 

so much larger than expected and as no provision for such a large 

sum had been made, they were unable to carry out the order of the 

board. G. H. Marston was employed to paint the building. A resolution 

to recognize Robert Morrow and not Charles A. Grignon as 

treasurer was laid on the table; but the board authorized town treasurers 

to pay taxes to Mr. Morrow. This step caused Mr. Grignon to 

commence action against the town treasurers, whereupon the board 

"Resolved, That Charles A. Grignon is hereby requested to discontinue 

all proceedings that may have been instituted against the 

said town treasurers in consequence of making their returns to said 

Morrow; and said Grignon is also hereby requested to endorse the 

bonds of said town treasurers as satisfied." If he would comply, the 

board agreed to hold him blameless; also the sheriff. About this 

time there appeared in the Crescent an anonymous article cautioning 

all persons against paying taxes to Robert Morrow; whereupon the 

board issued a statement to the effect that in their opinion Robert 

Morrow was the lawful county treasurer and the Crescent was asked 

to publish this statement, for which the board agreed to pay charges. 

S. E. Beach was allowed $3 for medical attendance upon a 

county pauper, February, 1853. 

In February, 1853, the treasurer's fees to the amount of $656.88 

were referred to a special committee-Beach, P.owers and Bassonnett 

The board passed the following. "Resolved, That in the opinion of 

this board the. condition of the official bond of Charles A. Grignon, 

late treasurer of the county of Outagamie, is forfeited and the dis-


trict attorney is hereby requested to commence suit thereon as soon 

as he shall deem practicable." The board occupied a room owned 

by B. McFaul at this time. "Resolved, That Robert Morrow, acting 

treasurer of Outagamie county, is entitled to the county treasurer's 

sign and is hereby authorized to reduce the same to his immediate 

possession." S. E. Beach and two assistants were appointed 

to investigate the accounts of Mr. Grignon, county treasurer, in lieu 

of the former committee. 

In 1853 the new county board was as follows: H. L. Blood of 

Grand Chute; N. M. Hephner, Lansing; C. Hartman, Freedom; 

L. E. Darling, Greenville; W. W. Benedict, Hortonia; Milo Cole, 

Ellington; B. H. Beaulieu, Kaukauna; Mr. Blood became chairman. 

All of Outagamie county in town 24, ranges 18 and 19, except the 

Oneida reservation was annexed to. the town of Freedom. The total 

equalized assessments of the county in 1853 was $301,710.04. The 

names of three streets in Lawesburg (near Appleton) were changed 

-Division to Union, Spain to Washington and Menasha to Franklin. 

W. W. Benedict and others petitioned for a new town to be 

set off from Hortonia-referred to a special committee. H. S. Eggleston 

was clerk of the Circuit court. George W. Gregory was clerk 

of the county board. The committee on the new town to be called 

Bovina and to be set off from Ellington was appointed. At this time, 

also, the town of Dale was ordered set off from Hortonia. At this 

date a new committee on courthouse was chosen; they were empowered 

to see about the county jail also; the committee were: Coles, 

Hartman and Benedict. The bounty on wolves was fixed at $5 in 

November, 1853.. A committee of three-Blood, Darling and Hephner-was 

appointed to count up the assets with a view to the early 

completion of the courthouse and jail. Conkey deeded the property 

agreed upon to the county for courthouse, etc., and was released 

from this bond. Mr. Grignon not having turned over the county 

treasurer's books, etc., the board resolved as follows: "That Robert 

Morrow, the treasurer of Outagamie county, be and is hereby directed 

forthwith to make a demand of the said Grignon to deliver 

to said Morrow all and singular the books, records, papers, funds 

and property belonging to the office of treasurer of said county in 

the possession of said Grignon, and in case the said Grignon shall 

refuse to deliver to said Morrow upon such demand the said books, 

records, etc., then the said Morrow is hereby enjoined and directed 

with the advice of good and sufficient counsel to commence summary 

proceedings forthwith for the recovery of the same before some 

court having jurisdiction in the premises." 

The committee.on courthouse having recommended raising that 

structure and building a jail in the basement, the board refused to 

concur. "Resolved, That so much of the report of the committee on 

public buildings as casts aspersions upon the action of the board of 

supervisors of this county, who located the county buildings and 

entered into contract for. the building and completion of the same, 

be stricken out." Darling and Benedict voted for this resolution 

and Blood, Beaulieu, Hartman, Coles and Hephner against it.


However, the following language was ordered stricken from the report 

of the building committee by a vote of 5 to 2: "Whether this 

action on the one part was consummated by a mistaken devotion to 

the public good, or the influence of selfish and designing men on 

the other part, is not a matter for your committee to determine." 

The report as amended was then adopted by the vote of 5 to 2, the 

latter two being Blood and Coles. A tax of 10 mills on the dollar 

for county purposes was levied in 1854. Blood, Hephner and Darling 

were' instructed to have the courthouse and jail completed at the 

earliest practicable moment; orders were authorized to be issued to 

cover the cost. The case of Grignon vs. Morrow to test the right to 

the office of county treasurer was pending in the circuit court. The 

board thereupon determined to make settlement with Morrow. In 

1853 the total receipts in the county treasury were $8,738.72, and 

the total expenses $8,588.72, balance on hand $150; other funds in 

the hands of the treasurer amounted to $2,832.20. 

Blood, Beaulieu and Coles were appointed a committee to make 

final settlement with Brown county. Costs in cases from Shawano 

county amounted to $264. 

"Resolved, That. in the opinion of the board of supervisors the 

organization of agricultural societies in this country, has proved eminently 

beneficial to the agricultural and manufacturing interests and 

has a direct tendency to stimulate to increased action all departments 

of industry; and we therefore recommend. that the citizens of the 

several towns in this county meet at the National Hotel in the village 

of Appleton, on the second day of January next for the purpose 

of organizing a county agricultural society; and Resolved, That 

Henry S. Blood, Robert R. Bateman and Rolla A. Lawe be and are 

hereby appointed a committee to make arrangements for said meeting 

and to draft such articles as may be necessary for the orgalnization 

of said society."-(Adopted November 26, 1853). 

The plan for a county jail submitted to the board by Mr. Benedict 

was adopted in November, 1853. Alden S. Sanborn was paid 

$35 for office for clerk for the year 1853, and for the board during 

the November session. Charles A. Grignon, claiming to be county 

treasurer, presented his bond as such official, but the board refused 

to consider it. Prof. E. Cooke was paid $15 for services as chemist 

in analyzing the contents of the stomach of the wife of Fred Schoeffler, 

supposed to have been poisoned by arsenic. S. Ryan, Jr., had 

charge of the Crescent at this time. Mr. Benedict represented the 

town of Dale on the county board. 

"Appleton and Grand Chute.-The citizens of these thriving villages 

appear to appreciate fully the advantages of Plank Roads. 

And although young in years they have, in the kind of improvements, 

already outstripped this as well as most other places in the 

north. They have built a plank road to Grand Kaukaunal some nine 

tniles and one to intersect the Menasha and Kaukauna road and are 

now at work building one westward to Wolf river some twenty miles 

which is to be continued to Michiljohn's mill, Waupaca Falls, Plover 

Portage and Stevens Point. $50,000 of stock has. been taken and


$15,000 of the bonds of the other road negotiated which places the 

enterprise in a p6sition for immediate construction. A large quantity 

of plank and logs have been got out for it during the winter and 

workmen are busy and expect by next fall to reach Wolf river with 

it. Persons will not wonder at the extraordinary success of road 

building at Appleton when informed that Rev. Reeder Smith is the 

main operator."-(Fond du Lac Jourrnal, March, 1853). 

Early in 1853 there was subscribed $50,000 toward the proposed 

plank road from Appleton to Stevens Point. 

"Outagamie or Utagamie?--Which is correct? We do not profess 

to be well versed in Indian orthography, but from what we do 

know of it, we are persuaded that Utagamie is the correct mode of 

spelling the name of our county. At any rate, that is the pronunciation."-(Crescent, 

March 26, 1853.) 

"It is believed that $75,000 logs (equal to 25,000,000 feet of 

lumber) were cut upon the Wolf and Embarrass rivers during the 

past winter. Wolf river is fairly choked up with rafts on their way 

to Oshkosh, Fond du Lac, etc."-(Crescent, April 30, 1853.) 

"Farmers, is it not high time for Outagamie to have a county 

agricultural society? Why should we not have a stock fair in the 

spring or winter?"--(Crescent, November 19, 1853.) 

The Agricultural Society gave great encouragement to agriculture, 

horticulture and stock raising early in the '50s. The newspapers 

took up the matter and had departments devoted to those 

subjects. Improved stock was particularly demanded by the society 

and by the press, and in response the farmers throughout the county 

began to improve their herds of cattle, hogs, horses and sheep. Improved 

fruit raising was also an important subject. Grain received 

due consideration. The culture of cranberries was urged upon citizens 

owing to the numerous marshes where they grew wild. As a 

whole, the society greatly advanced the conditions of the farmer 

and horticulturist. 

Late in 1853 the court affirmed that Charles A. Grignon was 

the legal treasurer of Outagamie county. Mr. Morrow took an ap. 

peal from this decision, returnable at the coming June session. There 

being two men who claimed to be county treasurer it was uncertain 

to whom town treasurers and other officials should make their 

reports. 

Albert Cook of the town of Freedom raised ten acres of wheat 

in 1853 which averaged 33 bushels per acre. This was a little better 

than the county average, but the crop generally was excellent that 

season. 

"Caution-It is said that Robert Morrow is pretending to act 

as treasurer of Outagamie county and to receive money in that capacity; 

therefore this is to caution all persons against making any payments 

to said Morrow. Further information will be given at the 

county treasurer's office, corner of College avenue and Garrison 

streets, up stairs.-Charles A. Grignon, county treasurer, February 

17, 1853."-(Crescent, June 18, 1853).


"The town of New London was subject to entry a few weeks 

since, but now the land is entered, a town laid out and lots are being 

built upon. A wharf and a warehouse has been constructed 

and a store established. A steamboat from Fond du Lac and Oshkosh 

visits this point daily. This must be a point at which a mechanic, 

merchant or public house keeper could invest without risk. 

It offers the best kind of an opening for a tanner and currier; also 

for a foundry."-(Cor. Crescent, July 16, 1853). 

In early years the maple sugar industry of northern Wisconsin 

was not only large, but often very valuable. It was hard labor, 

but it paid in those days when sugar cost so much. Quite often 

from 25 to 100 pounds of sugar were made in a single day in this 

county by some of the early settlers. In Grand Chute alone over 

five tons were made during the season of 1853. Not everybody knew 

how to make maple sugar properly. Those who understood the 

methods produced an excellent article which found ready sale in all 

the stores. 

The legislature in 1853-4 passed an act authorizing the boards 

of supervisors of the towns of Grand Chute, Greenville, Hortonia 

and other towns in adjacent counties to subscribe in behalf of said 

towns to the capital stock of the Wolf river branch of the Winnebago 

Lake and Fox River Plank Road Company, such amounts not 

to exceed $10,000 for any one town, and to pay for the same in 

bonds of such towns, the bonds to be payable in fifteen years, with 

interest not exceeding 10 per cent. In response to this act, Grand 

Chute by a vote of 141 to 97 voted for the bonds. In due time the 

town supervisors ascertained that the road was incumbered with 

heavy liabilities and until freed therefrom would jeopardize the issue 

of bonds ordered. This fact becoming known, caused the town 

board to pass resolutions calling for information as to such liabilities. 

In March, 1853, the Fort Howard and Kaukauna Plank Road 

was authorized. It was surveyed and was to cross Apple creek a 

little below La Vine's residence; a little grading was to be at Dutchman's, 

Ashwaubane and Apple creek; it was to be nearly a straight 

road from Depere to Kaukauna. It was a part of the standard road 

from Green Bay to Lake Winnebago. 

At the annual session of the county board commencing November 

14, 1854, there were present Theodore Conkey, Grand Chute; 

B. H. Beaulieu, Kaukauna; M. W. Allen, Hortonia; Isaac Wickware, 

Greenville; C. Hartman, Freedom; Milo Coles, Bovina; N. M. 

Hephner, Centre; Edward Spicer, Dale; , Ellington; J. Merrickle, 

Embarrass. Isaac Wickware was chosen chairman. The 

board was in session in the courthouse, but adjourned to the National 

Hotel for reasons not shown. Diagrams of several of the 

towns were ordered procured from the land office at Menasha. The 

assessment of the plank road in the town of Kaukauna was ordered 

abrogated for 1854. Ryan & Co., were paid $271.62 for printing. 

At this time the..case of Grignon vs. Morrow was in the Supreme 

Court. The petition of N. M. Hephner and others to change the

'HISTORY OF OUTAGAMIE COUNTY 

name of the town of Lansing to Center was referred to a committee 

of two. The board relinquished any claim for damages it might 

have in consequence of there having been laid out, by the trustees 

of the village of Appleton, streets and alleys through the lands set 

apart for county purposes-Lawrence and Elm streets. The board 

directed both Grignon and Morrow to report the county funds in 

their hands. The salary of district attorney for 1855 and 1856 was 

fixed at $300 per annum; the clerk's salary was set at $100 per year. 

James Gilmore took Mr. Conkey's place on the board, November 17. 

Both Grignon and Morrow made reports as requested by the 

county board. Part of the village plat of Little Chute was vacated. 

Settlement with Brown county was not yet effected. Shawano 

county had not yet paid the court expenses due this county. The 

decision of the Supreme Court in the county treasury case was read 

to the board by Frederick Packard, Esq. The Supreme Court decided 

that the officers elected in November, 1851, were legally elected for 

two years. County officers were notified on November 21, that offices 

in the new courthouse were ready for them. Increase in travel and 

custom at the National Hotel forced the board to occupy a room opposite 

the National-usually known as the "feed store." 

At this time Mr. Conkey took Mr. Gilmore's place on the 

county board, representing Grand Chute. "November 23, 1854; 

members all present; committees were busy at their respective duties; 

when motion was made to adjourn till 3 o'clock to attend service and 

hear the Thanksgiving sermon by Rev. N. E. Cobleigh, and the 

motion carried." The new county buildings were placed in charge 

of Theodore Conkey, member of the board, with orders to complete 

the same and furnish them for occupancy. A complete set of standard 

weights and measures were ordered. The bond of Charles A. 

Grignon, county treasurer, dating from November 25, 1853, was 

approved by the board. 

During the November session (1854) Allen street in Appleton 

was changed to Prospect. A portion of the village of Little 

Chute was vacated. A change was made in the boundary of Bovina, 

town. The town of Lansing was changed to Center. 

There were many people in Outagamie county in 1854 who 

bitterly opposed the last grant of land in this district to private enterprises. 

The lands were reserved from sale to await the action of 

Congress upon a bill which proposed to donate them to various railroads. 

This reservation was highly disapproved by nearly all the 

citizens of this county. The Crescent used bitter language in denouncing 

the act as "the last great land grab," and called it the 

"land grant swindle." 

In April, the Crescent declared that the recent town meetings 

had chosen township officers superior to any that had ever been 

elected before. This guaranteed an excellent and able board of 

county supervisors and meant improvement in county affairs in 

every department. In Grand Chute, J. S. Buck was chairman of the 

supervisors. In Greenville, Isaac Wickware, democrat, was elected 

over L. E. Darling, free-soiler, by a majority of 24 votes. In Hor- 

71


tonville, M. W. Allen, a free-soil whig, was elected chairman without 

opposition, succeeding Mr. Benedict, democrat. In Dale, E. Spicer, 

democrat, was chosen chairman without opposition. In Ellington, 

H. Kethroe, democrat, was elected chairman over S. D. Mason, whig. 

Kethroe succeeded Milo Coles, democrat. In Centre, N. M. Hephner, 

democrat, was) re-elected without opposition. In Freedom, 

Christian Hartman, democrat, was re-elected. In Kaukauna, B. H. 

Beaulieu, a national whig, was re-elected by a majority of 4 over 

Mr. O'Connor, democrat. The indications were that the new board 

would stand 8 democrats, 1 free-soil whig and one regular whig. In 

1853 the political completion of the board was 5 democrats', 1 freesoiler 

and 1 whig. 

The W'olf river branch plank road was designed to extend from 

Appleton to Stevens Point, a distance of about 70 miles, and an extension 

thereto was projected to Green Bay. It was announced that 

stages would be ready to run regularly over this route by the latter 

part of June. The points touched by the stages were announced to 

be Appleton, Hortonia, New London and other places toward Stevens 

Point. 

It was announced late in May, 1854, that there were in this 

land district 69 towns, which were reserved from sale agreeably to 

the request of the Michigan delegation in 'Congress. A considerable 

part of this land lay in Outagamie county. 

By the first of June the grain crop throughout the county looked 

better than ever before. Winter wheat particularly was excellent 

and promised a very large yield. Spring wheat was also fine. As 

prices were high the farmers were happy over the outcome. 

Late in May the citizens were called upon to vote on the proposition 

of taking stock in the Appleton and Stevens Point plank road 

by the issuance of town bonds therefor. The citizens were pretty 

equally divided on this question. Many who wanted the plank 

road favored the bonds; others who saw no private benefit or foresaw 

trouble opposed the issuance. 

By the middle of May the maple sugar season ended. It was 

thought to be the poorest year for that industry the county had had 

in five seasons. However, more than one sugar bush in Grand Chute 

made from 300 to 500 pounds. It was realized that the falling off in 

the supply was due to the destruction of the maple trees and to the 

fact that the farmers were busy in their fields and could not find 

time to attend to the sap. 

The act of March 1, 1854, legalized the election of Appleton 

village officers in April, 1853. The organization and acts of the 

original school district No. 6, Grand Chute, were legalized and the 

name changed to District No. 6. The act of March 29. 1854, provided 

that the county officers should have the right to hold their 

offices in such buildings in the village of Appleton as the board of 

supervisors should agree upon, but that said offices should be furnished 

free of charge to the county. 

At a town meeting in Grand Chute the sum of $200 was appropriated 

in June, 1854, toward the opening of a road from the court-


house toward Greenville and Bald Prairie. The work of causewaying 

the cedar swamp and grubbing a. large portion of the road was let to 

Mat. Long. The people of Greenville agreed to construct the road 

through their town to the cedar swamp. The Appleton council also 

ordered a new street opened from Lawrence street to the courthouse 

square. All town officers throughout the county were busily engaged 

at this time in opening roads in every direction to meet the 

wants of the new settlers. 

This spring the legislature passed a law authorizing the state 

treasurer to withold the state school money from all counties in arrears 

to the state. Much complaint was occasioned thereby. Outagamie 

county was in arrears and the Crescent and the citizens generally 

complained grievously concerning the act of the legislature. 

The result, however, was to compel the county to pay her dues to the 

state in order to secure money for the support of her schools. It 

was really a wise measure, though not relished at the time by the 

citizens. 

According to N. M. Hephner, the winter wheat raised in the 

town of Centre in 1853 ranged from 35 to 42 bushels of plump seed 

per acre on new land; on rough stubble land where the trees had been 

cut off the yield was about 20 bushels per acre. There were large 

tracts of land yet in the county to be purchased at $1.75 to $2.50 

per acre. Settlers were called for and were not slow in coming. The 

county was filling up rapidly with an excellent class of settlers, not 

only from the East, but from the German provinces in Europe. 

"Town Assessments.-We suggest to the different town assessors 

in this county that they meet on some future day at the county-seat 

and compare and equalize their assessments. Last year great inequalities 

existed; for instance improved lands in the town of Greenville 

(richest soil in the county) were assessed at $1.50 to $2 per acre, 

only 25 or 50 cents higher than the wild lands in the town of Freedom. 

Now, we know that the Greenville land owners do not take 

less than from $6 to $10 per acre in yellow gold for their farms and 

we also know that wild. land of an excellent quality can be bought in 

Freedom at from $1.50 to $2.50 per acre. These remarks extend to 

other towns. Look at the inequality and injustice of the same. 

Should not a remedy be provided at once?"-(Crescent, June 10, 

1854). 

"The First Load of 'Cheese.-We saw in town last Saturday a 

fine load of cheese from the farm of Mr.'Barnes near this village. Mr. 

Barnes is from Ohio and the product of his dairy bore the superior 

mark of the rich cheese of which large quantities are imported from 

that state. Mr. Barnes has already manufactured over 1,000 pounds 

this season which readily sell at 10 cents a pound. He has a farm of 

100 acres under cultivation and a fine stock of cattle, and we wish 

him every success as a pioneer dairyman of our county."-Crescent, 

June 10, 1854). 

'According to the census of June, 1850, the population of the 

county of Outaga,mie (then a part of Brown county) was as follows: 

White males 1,079; white females 797; colored males 6; colored

74 IHISTORIY OF OUTAGAMIE COUNTY 

females 4; total 1,886. Taking the average of the vote cast at the 

recent town elections and allowing one voter to every seven souls, we 

have a population of 6,139. The increase, counting everything, 

amounts to about 100 per cent per annum in four successive years. 

and the greatest part of this increase has occurred during the last 

eighteen months. The present rate of arrivals will crowd hard upon 

10,000 a year. The backwoods are fairly alive with newcomers and 

this village is receiving daily accessions to its population and our 

village population today, we do honestly believe, is greater than the 

number in the whole county four years ago."-(Crescent, June, 

1854). 

About the middle of June, 1854, a large meeting of the citizens 

convened at the central schoolhouse to make arrangements for the 

celebration of the 4th of July. Dr. S. E. Beach was chosen chairman 

and Franklin Proctor, secretary. Remarks were made by H. L. 

Blood, Samuel Ryan, Jr., G. H. Marston and others and it was unanimously 

resolved to celebrate that day. President Cooke was invited 

to deliver the principal oration. M. A. Mosher, A. B. Everts, and 

G. H. Marston were the committee of arrangement. The sum of 

$75 was raised to procure fireworks. Mark A. Mosher was chosen 

to prepare toasts; Julius S. Buck was elected marshal of the day; the 

Appleton Saxhorn Band was invited, to furnish the music; connected 

with the band were Johnston, Huntley and Randall. Joseph 

McNeil agreed to prepare the public dinner. Among those who took 

part in this proceeding, in addition to those mentioned above, were 

Edward H. Stone, Moses W. Allen, William D. Jordan, Stephen D. 

Mason, William Youngs, L. S. Augur, N. M. Hephner, A. C. Black 

and Edward West. Another committee of arrangement was as follows: 

W. S. Warner, John Moodie, J. W. Letcher, Henry L. Blood, Joseph 

McNeil, H. C. Sherwin, M. D. McGrath, N. Richmond, G. H. Marston, 

D. C. W'eston, Wait Cross, Robert Briggs and Thomas Marsden. 

The Howard and Kaukauna plank road was projected to bring 

Appleton and Kaukauna in connection with Howard. It traversed 

an important section of country which was being rapidly settled. 

The plan was to bring the trade of a large section of back country 

to the Fox river. 

In 1854 two men who claimed to be county clerks officiated as 

such. The Crescent said, "Ours is a double-barreled county. We 

have two gentlemen acting as clerks. Both together ought to be able 

to satisfy the inquisitive. A correspondent asks why the receipts and 

expenditures of the county are not published."-(Crescent; August 

19, 1854). 

"Ladd & Letcher and Tibbits & Johnson after several weeks of 

hard work succeeded in getting their rafts of lumber safely moored 

at Grand Chute. While on Lake Winnebago they were towed by the 

Swan and were broken up and the logs scattered and piled upon the 

beach. They had great difficulty at Neenah in getting through the 

incomplete lock. They were also detained at Butte Des Mortes. 

This is a roundabout way of bringing logs from the Wolf river, but 

it is the only way they can be brought by water until a canal is dug


from the Wolf to the Fox terminating at Appleton."- (Crescent, 

August 19, 1854). 

In August, 1854, the complaint of Charles A. Grignon against 

Robert Morrow for withholding the books and papers belonging to 

the office of county treasurer after the decision of the supreme court 

was heard before Judge Johnson. After a full investigation of the 

case and after hearing the arguments of counsel the judge ordered 

issued a warrant for the commitment of Morrow and a search warrant 

for the county books and papers. Morrow in the meantime 

decamped and left the county. The sheriff reported himself unable 

to find any of the books and papers and accordingly pursued Mr. 

Morrow who left the county. About the last of August, 1854, winter 

wheat was worth here $1.10 to $1.15; spring wheat 85c to $1; oats 

30 to 33c; potatoes 38 to 44c; eggs 15c; butter 12 and 15c; beef 7 to 

1Oc; superfine flour $6.25 to $6.50 per barrel; spring wheat flour $6. 

The case over the county treasurership was decided by the 

supreme court in August. Charles A. Grignon, the supreme court 

announced, was entitled to the office for the years 1852-3. The 

Crescent said: "The county having enjoyed for so long a time the 

luxury of two county treasurers will, we suppose, now be content 

to foot the bill and try hereafter to get along with one set of officersa 

measure of economy which the present state of finances will fully 

justify." 

"Squirrels, etc.--The woods in this vicinity are fairly alive with 

black squirrels and the boys are having rare sport hunting them. 

Raccoons are also more abundant and accordingly are more mischievous 

than at any time in the memory of the white man. Coon 

hunts-night parties-are not infrequent."-( Crescent, September, 

1854.) 

"And Still Another Bear.-On Saturday evening our friend, 

Warren Warner, brought us a luscious bear steak for, our Sunday 

dinner. It was part of a fine black bear killed by him on the school 

section. It seems as if bears were more plentiful in our county than 

they have been for years."-(Crescent, September, 1854.) 

From time to time the Crescent noticed the large vegetables that 

were grown in this county. The soil was alluvial and very rich, and 

carrots, potatoes, squashes, cabbages, etc., were raised in large quantities 

and of the largest sizes. Many parts of the county were as 

rich as a garden. Particularly was it noted that throughout the 

county, whether on old wood-land or prairie land, the growing of 

wheat was extremely successful. The principal wheats grown at 

that time were Black Sea and Canada grub. Winter wheat was a 

standard crop. It was noted by the Crescent that corn planted on 

July 4 was perfectly ripe and ready for the mill on September 5. The 

corn crop was heavy throughout the country. 

In the spring of 1854, R. A. Lawe was secretary of the County 

Agricultural Society. An adjourned meeting was held in the courtroom 

in Appleton to prepare an exhibit for the comiing fall. The 

executive committee of the society consisted of William Johnston, 

R. A. Lawe, Edward West, Milo Coles, John H. Barnes, Peter Heph-


ner, Josephus Wakefield and Ethan Powers. Samuel Dunn was 

president of the society. 

It was announced early in March that the "wooden rookery," 

otherwise known as jail, authorized by the county board, would be 

ready for service about the middle of April. Previous to this date 

it was necessary to keep prisoners in the jail a.t Depere where several 

insane persons from this county were confined. 

During the summer and early fall this county suffered severely 

from a drought, many wells in Appleton and vicinity entirely drying 

up. It was followed by one good result, namely: the digging of 

better and deeper wells. It had not yet been ascertained that artesian 

water might be obtained here by digging to a suitable depth. 

County orders in July, 1854, were 25 per cent discount. 

In the early fall of 1854 the Grand Chute town supervisors 

after a thorough investigation rescinded all action previously taken 

by them in reference to the issue of town bonds to aid the Wolf River 

plank road. 

"The Hunt.-A party of thirty of our citizens had a backwoods 

hunt on Saturday last. In all they killed about 1,000 black 

and gray squirrels, pigeons, quails, partridges, ducks, etc. Only one 

deer was killed and the bear could not be found. In the evening 

they partook of a splendid supper at the Crescent Hotel. They talk 

of another hunt soon."-(ICrescent, September, 1854.) "Deer Killing.-During 

the stay of the light fall of snow last week some of our 

town men were very successful killing deer within one or two miles 

of town. Venison has been very plentiful for the last few days and 

never fatter or better in quality."-(Crescent, November 18, 1854.) 

In September two men killed eight bears in one day near Wolf 

River in Outagamie county. The abundance of acorns presumably 

took the bears to that locality. 

"The county board gave notice of adjournment today after a 

session of twelve days. Some wise measures were adopted. Unlike 

the basswood board which sat at 1853, the present board voted a 

sufficient amount of county tax to pay off all the debts left by the 

heavy expenses growing out of the murder trials, and the current 

expenses of county government for the ensuing year, and a round 

thousand dollars beside. Although the raising of $6,500 county 

tax is an extraordinary amount for so young a county as ours, we 

are frank to say that we think the supervisors acted wisely in voting 

the tax because it will pay up everything we owe and leave a surplus 

so that the county orders must go up to 90c as soon as the first of 

January instead of 70c the current price of yesterday. Theodore 

'Conkey, supervisor from this town, was appointed to take charge of 

the public buildings and cause them to be completed; also to furnish 

county officers all necessary supplies. Next year in all probability 

a county tax of $3,000 will be amply sufficient. Isaac Wickware of 

Greenville is the chairman of the county board."-(Crescent, November 

25, 1854.) It was suggested that the county board should 

make the necessary appropriation and purchase land for a county

HISTORY OF OUTAGAMIE COUNATY 77 

poor-farm. Such farm should be located in Ellington, Center or 

Freedom, it was said. 

"Thanks.-To Mr. W. W. Crane for a venison steak, part of a 

fine buck killed by him a short distance from this village."--(Crescent, 

November 11, 1854.) 

At the February (1855) session there were present Isaac Wickware, 

Greenville; Edward Spicer, Dale; Theodore Conkey, Grand 

Chute; B. H. Beaulieu, Kaukauna; C. Hartman, Freedom; N. M. 

Hephner, Center; Henry Kethroe, Ellington; Mr. Allen, Hortonia; 

Mr. Coles, Bovina; Mr. Given, Embarrass. S. R. Sherwin contracted 

to complete the courthouse, and was paid $529 for that work. The 

same bounty allowed for killing wolves was also allowed for killing 

bears to all persons, exclusive of Indians. The sheriff was allowed 

expenses of keeping prisoners. The report of Mr. Grignon, treasurer, 

showed many duplicate orders, but nevertheless was rejected by the 

board. Mr. Morrow admitted the existence of duplicate tax certificates, 

and upon his promise to make good concluded to take no 

action. At this time there was outstanding in county orders and 

jury certificates, $6,448.01. A portion of Freedom was separated and 

attached to Kaukauna. 

At a special meeting in August, 1855, there were present Conkey, 

Eggleston, Bateman, Hephner, Childs, Palmer, Johnson, Mason, 

Beaulieu, Mr. Conkey was chosen chairman. It was resolved that 

after this date no bear bounty would be paid. This motion was 

reconsidered and laid on the table. 

At the November (1855) session there were present Conkey, 

Allen, Palmer, Hubbard, Mason, Johnson, Childs, Hephner, Beaulieu, 

Merichle, Bateman, Eggleston and Lawe, the last three representing 

the three wards of Appleton. The board took steps to clear 

and fence the courthouse square. For almost the first time the board 

adopted the rule to refer all claims first to the appropriate committee. 

"Your committee on bears would very respectfully report that the 

resolution granting a bounty on those harmless animals called bears 

should, be repealed.-Robert R. Bateman, James Merichle, N. M. 

Hephner, adopted." A portion of Embarrass town was attached to 

Ellington; also a part of Bovina was attached to EmTbarrass. An 

additional safe for the county records was demanded. L. B. Noyes 

was district attorney in November, 1855; the board disapproved of 

his retention of fees in certain cases. A special committee recolmmended 

the construction of a fence twelve feet high and seventy feet 

square of two-inch plank around the jail; cost about $200. The 

board at this time decided against raising a county tax for the 

improvement of county roads. The sum of $200 was appropriated 

for clearing and fencing the courthouse grounds. Mr. Noyes, district 

attorney, rendered the opinion that the county was responsible for 

the care of a "dangerous lunatic confined in jail" here. The board 

decided that under the constitution they could not increase nor 

decrease the salaries of officers. 

In November, 1855, the board appointed Mr. Lawe to make 

arrangements with the trustees of the Baptist Chur'ch for the use


of the courtroom for divine service for one year, the rent not to 

exceed the cost of keeping the room in order. A special committee 

made a long and complicated report on the condition of the county 

treasurer's office and accounts; the actual state of county finances 

was in doubt. The reports of the two treasurers Morrow and Grignon 

conflicted; and no doubt ill will and private gain cut a figure 

in the adjustment. Mr. Grignon's report made the following 

showing: 

Report Debtor. Creditor. 

1853 .................. $3,576.62 $3,576.62 

1854 .................. 7,152.23 7,152.23 

1855 .................. 29,981.49 29,981.49 

The committee recommended that $1,292.45 be deducted from 

the above credits and $1,211.09 be added to the above debits, leaving 

to the county a credit of $2,503.54. There were on hand county 

orders to the amount of $7,709.18 and tax certificates $2,530.92; 

making in all due the county from the treasurer $12,743.64. Mr. 

Morrow was behind in his accounts as treasurer and suit against 

him was commenced by Mr. Grignon. The board criticised the 

reports and finally passed the following resolution: "That the sum 

of $12,743.64 be charged to said treasurer on the date of his last 

report, to wit: November 15, 1855, in addition to the interest on 

said tax certificates of 1853 and 1854 received from Mr. Morrow as 

hereinbefore mentioned." 

The board appropriated $1,200 for fireproof buildings for the 

county records. There was ordered levied for 1856 six mills for 

county purposes; two and a half mills for schools, and ten and onesixth 

mills for State. The tax was apportioned as follows: 

Towns. State. School. County. 

Grand Chute ....... $1,292.48 $317.75 '$762.61 

Ellington ............ 238.61 58.66 140.79 

Bovina .. ........ 134.42 33.04 79.31 

Hortonia ............. 173.34 42.61 102.28 

Dale ................ 202.60 49.81 119.54 

Freedom . ............ 304.08 74.76 179.43 

Greenville ............ 353.30 86.86 208.46 

Center ............... 311.99 76.70 184.08 

Embarrass .. ...... 400.87 98.55 236.59 

Kaukauna ............ 692.21 170.18 408.45 

Totals.......... $4,103.90 $1,008.92 $2,421.54 

Additional and complete field notes of all lands in the county 

were ordered procured from the land office in Menasha. A large 

quantity of logs was seized by the district attorney under the swamp 

land act. John G. Jewell was paid $10 and Alvin Owens $20 for 

killing bears. The previous act attaching a part of Bovina to Embarrass 

was repealed.


The board met in special session in March, 1856; Mr. Alien 

was chosen chairman pro tempore. The board promptly repealed 

several acts passed at the last session, because it had been shown that 

they were illegal and would work a hardship on important interests 

of the county; they referred to tax certificates, land sales and the 

collection and disposal of taxes, etc. Messrs. Childs, Gilmore and 

Bateman were appointed a special committee to ascertain and report 

the exact amounts due from Robert Morrow and Charles A. Grignon 

as treasurers of the county. This troublesome question still hung 

fire; the board itself was uncertain what to do. The contract to build 

fireproof offices was let to Patton & Moore. 

"Whereupon the board adjourned, having done just enough to 

fill this book without crowding, leaving the necessary space for the 

comments of propriety, the subsequent pages being devoted to the 

expression of that admiration which future generations must feel 

when beholding the wisdom of their fathers illustrated in this book; 

attest, Frederick Packard, clerk." 

Late in January, 1855, lumbering operations were in full blast. 

The pineries were alive with woodmen and teams and the drives 

were expected to be very large. Immense forces of men and teams 

went to the pineries on Wolf River and there found steady employment. 

One man alone on that river employed a sufficient force to 

get out 3,000,000 feet of logs. 

There was much complaint in October owing to the lack of 

roads leading to the flourishing town of Freedom. Both Center 

and Freedom were filling up with newcomers, large clearings were 

being made, houses built and farms opened. The roads were few 

and the county board was importuned to open additional ones at 

once. A road leading to Freedom could be made to extend to Ellington 

and Bovina. The town of Dale was growing rapidly also. At 

Medina a substantial store had just been built and a general stock 

of goods introduced. This enabled the farmers to secure supplies 

without much trouble. The roads to Appleton were very bad. Bovina 

also was growing rapidly. Another saw-mill was in. process 

of erection at the mouth of Shioc River and another store was established 

there. A large tavern was in process of erection also. Bovina 

at this date was opening a road to Shawano. At Ellington another 

mill was going up; Mr. Van Vleck was building a store; a new tavern 

was projected, and many settlers were coming in. 

Mr. Sherwin secured the lumber for the Courthouse from Hortonville. 

He planned to have the building ready for the spring 

term of court in 1855. Center the most sparsely settled town in the 

county voted a $500 special road tax in 1855; Ellington voted only 

$400; Greenville voted $800. The other towns also took some action. 

It was realized that next to good schools, good roads were necessary 

in this county. 

"New Comers.-Land seekers throughout our county were never 

more plentiful at this season of the year than now. Prices of wild 

land have gone up rapidly. While a good many arrivals leave disappointed, 

the price is nothing to what it will be one year hence.


We hear of quite a number of sales at prices far in advance of last 

year and yet land is cheap, and there are enough to know it as will 

be proved in less than six months."-(Crescent, April 21, 1855.) 

By the last of April the Courthouse was fully completed and 

received an extra coat of paint. The jail also was newly painted 

and both presented an attractive appearance. Inasmuch as considerable 

money was expended on the jail, it was thought that the 

county should raise the price of rent there at once. 

From June 1 to September 1, 1853, nineteen families settled in 

Appleton, adding approximately one hundred to the population. As 

there were usually about 300 students in the village, the actual population 

during the summer of 1855 was nearly 2,000. In 1850 Ellington 

comprised three townships in length and one in width. The 

town of Bovina in 1855 embraced towns 23 and 24, range 16. The 

Shioc mills were on section 16, town 23. The mills and one section 

of pine land were recently sold for $12,000. Mr. Winch, formerly one 

of the proprietors of the mills, built a steamboat to run on Wolf 

river. It was thought that the mouth of Shioc River must eventually 

become a.n important trading point. A small steamer was designed 

to run upon the upper Wolf river. 

In 1855 the wheat crop was very heavy in this county. It was 

believed that the winter wheat would average thirty bushels to the 

acre. At this time winter wheat was worth about 90c per bushel. 

The contract for finishing the Courthouse was let to Stephen 

Sherwin of Appleton for $415. The court-room was planned to 

occupy the whole side of the building, 40x40 feet, thus furnishing 

abundant space for any public or court proceedings. 

In October, 1855, the secretary of state served notice on the clerk 

of the county board of Outagamie county to pay at once the state tax 

of $4,103.90. In 1854 this state tax amounted to $2,450. It had 

almost doubled in one year. The Crescent complained that this was 

due to the republican management of state affairs. 

A large flock of sheep arrived in Appleton October, having been 

imported from the East via the Collingwood route to the Green Bay 

country. It was destined for some farms back of Appleton. 

EXPENSES 1855. 

Judicial ........................................ $2,154.08 

Poor ......... ............................... 9.00 

Wolf and bear bounty ............................. 270.00 

Salaries of officers. ................................ 617.50 

County board .................................. 332.54 

Courthouse finished .............................. 666.85 

Stationery, fuel, etc. ............................. 326.15 

Printing ....................................... 489.38 

Illegal taxes ................................... 306.70 

Court certificates ................................. 245.53 

Total .......... .................. .... $5,417.75

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ASSETS 1855. 

Tax certificates on hand ... .................. $2,530.92 

Orders on hand 7,709.18 

Due from Shawano county ........................ 264.18 

Due from R. Morrow ............................. 717.76 

Total assets ................................ $11,221.86 

TOTAL COUNTY LIABILITIES 1855. 

County orders and court certificates outstanding February 

23, 1855 .......... .................... $6,448.01 

Amount due the State in back years ............... 1,976.78 

County expenses 1855............................. 5,417.75 

Total liabilities............. ....... $13,842.54 

Assets ..................................... 11,221.86 

Liability balance ................... ... $2,620.68 

In 1855 the assessment showed 208,942 acres under cultivation; 

its assessed value was $397,048; equalized valuation, $397,053; personal 

property, $6,532; total valuation, $403,585. 

STATISTICS 1855. 

Towns. State. School. County. 

Grand Chute ............ $1,292.48 $317.75 $762.61 

Ellington ............... 238.61 58.66 140.79 

Bovina ................. 134.42 33.04 79.31 

Hortonia ............... 173.34 42.61 102.28 

Dale ................... 202.60 49.81 119.54 

Freedom ............... 304.08 74.76 179.43 

Greenville .............. 353.30 86.86 208.46 

Center ................. 311.99 76.70 184.08 

Embarrass .............. 400.87 98.55 236.59 

Kaukauna .............. 692.21 170.18 408.48 

Totals............ $4,103.90 $1,008.92 $2,521.57 

In 1855 the Outagamie and Shawano Plank Road Company 

was incorporated by J. C. Lewis, Jackson Tibbits, G. R. Andrews, 

Charles D. Westcott, E. West, Luther B. Noyes and Perry H. Smith 

with a capital stock of $100,000; object to construct a plank road 

from Appleton to some point in Shawano county. 

On December a large quantity of school and university land 

in Outagamie county was sold by the commissioners at Appleton. 

Lands sold at that time lay in townships 23 and 24, range 15, and


was sold at $1.25 per acre. Private sales were made in these tracts 

at $1.50 per acre, and a few choice tracts at $2 or more per acre. 

In January, 1856, a man named Leonard became intoxicated in 

Kaukauna and laid out during one of the coldest nights. He was 

terribly frozen and great care was necessary to save his life. Drs. 

Beach and Merriman attended him and performed twelve amputations 

using chloroform. All the fingers, both thumbs and two toes 

were taken off. Some of the fingers were disjointed at the hand. 

The man had a wife and four children who were totally dependent 

upon his labor for support. He thus became a county charge. This 

case was noted as a remarkable one, showing the shocking and fearful 

results of liquor drinking. 

In March Frederick Packard in a communication to the Crescent 

endeavored to explain how Outagamie county became indebted 

to the state. He said it was due to the dispute over the county 

treasury by Messrs. Grignon and Morrow. He claimed that during 

the years 1853-4 while Mr. Morrow held the office he should have 

paid to the state treasurer $2,896.60, but only actually paid $982, 

leaving a balance due of $1,914.60. 

In April the postoffices and postmasters in Outagamie county 

were as follows: Appleton,-John Elliott; Little Chute,-Peter Maas; 

Kaukauna,-John Hunt; Oneida,-C. G. Lathrop; Freedom,-John 

Brady; Lansing,-L. S. Augur; Center,-M. McGillan; Ellington,- 

S. D. Mason; Shiocton,-M. G. Bradt; Hortonville,-D. E. Woodward; 

Greenville,-Burnett Mills; Wakefield,-Seth J. Perry; 

Medina,-C. Koontz. 

The crop of maple sugar in the spring of 1856 was very light 

and as a consequence the price advanced to 12e a pound. 

By the summer of 1856 there was much speculation in land 

around Appleton. This was deplored because it was believed that 

the interests of the city itself would thereby suffer. The village 

property on the northern side of the river in the First and Third 

Wards was 30 per cent cheaper than improved agricultural lands. 

Village lots were held at reasonable rates. Lands in Center, Ellington, 

Bovina, and Freedom were worth from $3 to $10 per acre, and 

there was extensive speculation in such property. 

Notwithstanding the scarcity of lumber and other building materials, 

the construction of stores and dwellings at Appleton rapidly 

progressed in the spring of 1856. It was said that more lots were 

cleared and fenced this spring than during any previous season. 

In addition, the citizens everywhere were planting shade and fruit 

trees. The high stages of water and the heavy winds which had 

prevailed prevented the rafting of logs to this point. However, more 

than 2,000,000 feet of logs were on the way here by May 24. 

"There is quite a heavy emigration into the northern towns of our 

county. The land is cheap and fertile and the climate healthy. 

Cattle growers, dairymen, and others can make fortunes in the Wolf 

River Valley in a few years."-(Crescent, May 24, 1856.) 

It was reported in September that nine men in one day killed 

thirteen bears in Waupaca county. This report awakened the hunt-


ers of this locality and they prepared to seek the woods. In October 

all swamp land pre-emptors were invited to come to the register's 

office with two disinterested witnesses to prove the required progress 

on their claims. The register of deeds was P. D. Bingham. 

In November, 1856, the county board appropriated $500 with 

which to fence and clear the Courthouse square. The total county 

receipts in 1856 were $22,690.54 less $2,530.92 on hand at the beginning 

of the year. There was on hand at the end of the year 

$9,751.52. 

In January, 1857, the county board made an appropriation 

with which to prepare a map of the county showing the location 

of towns, villages, and the principal streams. This map was attractively 

prepared and copies were sent to scores of counties in the East 

for the purpose of attracting settlers to this vicinity. Excellent farm 

land was advertised in Center, Freedom, Ellington, Bovina and Embarrass 

at from $2 to $10 per acre. 

"Killing Deer—.-An immense number of deer were killed in this 

county during the latter part of last week. We hear that one Indian 

killed fourteen in the town of Center on Saturday. The snow was 

crusted over strong enough to bear a man and they hunted the poor 

animals with dogs and clubs. This wholesale destruction of deer 

is too bad. We actually wish that the legislature would take away 

the privilege given to Indians to hunt game out of season; and that 

the white savages who are so wicked and thoughtless as to exterminate 

the species in season and out of season were made to feel 

the rigid penalty of the law."-(Crescent, February 21, 1857.) 

The special attention of newcomers was called to the desirability 

of residing in the town of Bovina. The lumber interest there was 

very large and valuable and the mills were in steady operation. 

Hundreds of men were at work the previous winter in the lumber 

camps. The village of Shiocton counted two hotels, several stores 

and half a dozen mechanic's shops and already the village was an 

important point in river navigation. In addition there were many 

acres of unoccupied grazing and farming land within the limits of 

that town. It was considered an excellent location for actual settlers. 

It was announced by the Crescent that the use of maple sugar 

in Outagamie county was more than ten times greater than in any 

previous sugar season known, and the quality was never better; the 

price was about 12c a pound. 

In April the City of Appleton and the town of Grand Chute 

jointly voted at the courthouse the sum of $4,140 for roads and 

bridges in city and town. This was thought a liberal appropriation. 

It was believed the county should build and maintain the bridges, 

even within the limits of Appleton, over navigable rivers like the 

Fox and Wolf. 

About the middle of June a large meteor passed over Appleton 

about noonday, taking a northeast direction and though the sun was 

shining brightly at the time it was distinctly visible. It left as a 

trail a white cloud and after a few seconds exploded in a series of 

concussions resembling the firing of a cannon in rapid succession.

84 HISTORY- OF OUTAGAMIE COUNTY 

It was estimated to have been one hundred miles from Appleton 

and accordingly must have been very large. 

By the last of August the plank road between Dunn's Corners 

and the Greenville town line was nearly all graded and was considered 

one of the best pieces of road making in this county. 

In 1857 the state geologist, Prof. Daniel, was in this portion 

of the state making an examination of the geological features. He 

stated that he found a much larger quantity of excellent farming 

land in this portion of the state than he had expected. There was 

great complaint in the fall that young men, in order to secure 

hickory nuts, walnuts, etc., were in the habit of cutting down the 

trees in order to get at the nuts more readily. The citizens regarded 

this act as outrageous and demanded that it should cease. 

The report of the secretary of state for the year ending September 

30, 1857, showed that Outagamie county was indebted to the 

State to the amount of $2,800. The existence of this indebtedness 

was laid to the usurpation of the office of county treasury by Robert 

Morrow who had gone to Kansas. 

In November at the session of the county board there was for 

the first time in history an entire unanimity in the reports of the 

treasurer and the equalization of the assessment rolls. Much credit 

was given Dr. Douglas for his method of keeping the accounts and 

finances of the county. The board appropriated $1,000 to aid in 

constructing .a bridge across Fox river in the Second ward. The 

property holders were expected to add $3,000 to this appropriation. 

Late in 1857 a public road extending from New London to the 

town of Embarrass was projected and its construction commenced. 

The latter town was quite rapidly settling at this date. Some complaint 

was made because the proprietors of certain lands at New 

London compelled the roadmakers to build in a half circle to avoid 

crossing their property. 

In 1857 the county board appropriated $1,000 for the partial 

construction of a bridge over Fox river at Appleton. Thomas Hanna 

took the contract. He failed to build the bridge and the money was 

used to pay county expenses. The county sued the Morrow bondsmen-Robert 

Bateman, H. L. Blood and William Rork-and got 

judgment, the county finally agreed to settle the judgment for $200. 

Patton & Moore were the contractors for the fire proof county buildings 

in 1858. The total receipts of the county treasurer for 1858 

were $33,100.less $1,347 on hand at the beginning of the year. 

In. November 1858 the county board were presented with an. 

application in behalf of Robert Morrow for an appropriation of $500 

to be used in paying his expenses in contesting with Charles A. 

Grignon for the treasuryship of this county in 1853. The claim 

was disallowed by a vote of three in favor to eleven against. It was 

wondered at the time how any three men could be found who would 

vote in favor of this application. 

The county board made an appropriation of $1,000 to aid in 

constructing a permanent bridge across the Fox river at Appleton 

and appointed a committee to let the contract and to report concern,


ing progress of the work. The high stage of water in the river 

prevented work on this improvement until August, 1858, at which 

time the contractor endeavored to get rid of his bargain. He was 

released from his contract upon his request, as the $1,000 was raised 

by an express law for a specific purpose. It was believed that the 

board had no right to divert it to any other use. At this date the 

board numbered fifteen members and W. H. P. Bogan was chairman. 

"I am ashamed to see a procession of disgusted pilgrims picking 

their way from the steamboat through an ocean of mud and 

then comforting themselves in believing their troubles are over and 

crossing the bridge only to find a nasty slippery hill of red clay 

mud and only to remember that at one end of this nuisance are the 

Fox and Wisconsin Improvement Company and some others who 

claim to be our most enterprising citizens and at the other end the 

business part of the city of Appleton and to realize that for two whole 

seasons of business this abomination has disgraced our city."-(Correspondence, 

Crescent, November 27, 1858.) 

At an adjourned session of the county board held in January, 

1858, the following proceedings were had: Numerous petitions and 

remonstrances were heard in reference to proposed locations of the 

boundaries of Embarrass, Hortonia and Medina. A committee 

framed an ordinance dividing Embarrass and forming a separate 

town of 22, range 15, to be called Musquito Hill. The citizens of 

Little Chute petitioned the county board to divide the town of Kaukauna 

by north and south lines, and remonstrated against a river 

boundary. A committee appointed to ascertain the gross amount of 

county ordinances and other certificates not canceled reported outstanding 

$5,187 worth. The board finally decided the town of 

Buchanan to be all that part of ranges 18, 19 and township 21, 

lying south of Fox river. At this time several sections were attached 

to Grand Chute. The first annual meeting of Buchanan was ordered 

held at the school house No. 6 in the town of Kaukauna. It was 

ordered that all that part of Embarrass lying in township 22, range 

15, be set off and become a new town to be called Liberty. The first 

meeting was ordered held at the school house in district No. 1 of 

the town of Embarrass. At this session there was'quite a sharp discussion 

over the boundaries of Embarrass. It was finally concluded 

that Liberty should be all that part of Embarrass in township 22, 

range 15, and all of township 23, range 15, and east of Embarrass 

river. Remonstrances against the change of the name of Medina 

to Dale were received. The board took steps to have prepared correct 

maps of every town in the county. The committee on jail and 

county buildings reported substantial progress. The finance committee 

reported having examined the accounts of Charles A. Grignon, 

former county treasurer, and had found them in fair condition. 

In its session January, 1858, the county board effected a final 

settlement between Charles A. Grignon, late county treasurer of 

the county of Outagamie. Anson Ballard, the deputy, made a full 

report, accounted for every dollar of public funds, and delivered the 

books and papers with clean hands. There had been much com-


plaint over the management of the county treasurer's affairs, but 

Mr. Ballard showed that under him any complaint was wholly 

unfounded. 

Late in January it was announced that a new republican paper 

was soon to be issued in Appleton. The old Free Press under Brady 

and others had died and this apparently was a new attempt of the 

republicans to secure a permanent organ in this county. 

The Dutch settlers road and the bridges across the creeks were 

constructed in a hurry. This road was greatly desired by Appleton 

owing to the fact that when once opened it would attract here the 

trade of one hundred farmers living in that direction. 

At this time Congress passed a bill for the relief of settlers 

upon certain public lands in Wisconsin. These lands were granted 

to aid the improvement on the Fox and Wisconsin rivers and were 

thus sold or contracted to be sold; and were by this new law consigned 

to the state and the title of purchasers was declared to be as 

valid as though the selection had been made in conformity to the 

law. 

On March 26, 1858, the old settlers held a complimentary 

meeting at the National Hotel in honor of Dr. S. A. Beach and 

lady who were about to move to Kansas. Nearly forty couples 

assembled and listened to speeches and enjoyed a bountiful supper. 

Henry L. Blood presided and on behalf of the meeting presented 

Dr. Beach with a morning gown and slippers. The doctor responded 

with much feeling. He stated that he had been here nine years 

and that his intercourse with the people had been pleasant though 

sometimes exacting and severe. He arrived at Appleton in June 5, 

1849, and found the only hotel in the place was the Edgarton barn, 

and the only means of access thereto without wading in water was 

a foot-bridge affording a safe footing to dryer ground. Emmon 

Kelly was cook at the hotel. The doctor said: "I have had the 

pleasure of aiding according to my limited means every arrangement 

and every meeting of possible interest calculated to benefit Appleton. 

I have been present at nearly every celebration or meeting 

of public interest that has ever been held here, and the remains 

of an only brother fill the oldest grave in your cemetery." The 

guests presented Mrs. Beach with a reticule filled with implements. 

President Cooke replied on behalf of Mrs. Beach to the address of 

W. S. Warner. Resolutions regretting the departure of Dr. Beach 

and his wife were passed. 

In March a bill was pending in the legislature to submit to a 

vote of the people the division of Calumet County in order to allow 

a couple of towns to be attached to Outagamie county. Bills were 

also pending for a resurvey of Appleton and for amendments to the 

city charter. 

The city engineer of Appleton was authorized by the Legislature 

in 1858 to make a survey and map of the city as follows: Wherever 

the boundaries of lots, blocks or streets or any part of said city which 

is now platted or purports to be platted are uncertain or the landmarks 

effaced, he shall establish such boundaries and renew such


landmarks according to the latest plat of such part as the same 

appears in the office of register of deeds of the county of Brown or 

Outagamie wherever such plat is deficient in not showing anything 

required by law to be shown, he shall supply such deficiency in 

the map to be made by him; but he could not change records nor 

landmarks. The map was to represent the whole of sections 25, 26, 

27, 34, 35 and 36, town 21 north, range 17 east, and could show 

outlots. 

It was announced in April, 1858, that information from Holland 

had arrived to the effect that 100 families there had embarked 

and would come to settle in the vicinity of Little Chute. These 

inhabitants were welcomed because they were sure to make good 

citizens. Excellent lands in Center, Freedom, Kaukauna and Buchanan 

were open for their selection. 

It was reported that 1,000 immigrants had just been landed 

in New York and that 500 of them were on their way to the Green 

Bay settlement which included Outagamie county. At this time 

the county boasted of its German population. Men of that nationality 

made settlements here and were fast becoming Americanized. 

In the town of Bovina there was a pigeon roost seven miles 

long by two or three miles wide. Millions of pigeons roosted there 

and often settled in such large numbers on trees as to break them 

down. Thousands were killed for sport and for the boiling pot. 

The contract for building a foundation wall for the courthouse 

was let in August to Joseph Stowe for $170. 

The equalized assessment of the county in 1858 was $1,511,130. 

The assessment in the city of Appleton in 1858- was as follows: First 

ward, $132,415; Second ward, $185,796; Third ward, $137,669; 

total of personal and real property, $455,880. The year before the 

aggregate assessment footed up $135,000; there was thus a gain of 

$320,000 in a single year. 

In September the suit of Henry Hewett against the town of 

Grand Chute for $9,000 of plank road bonds which the town refused 

to recognize as legally issued, was decided against the plaintiff. The 

suit of Elisa Morrell against the University of Lawrence for a lot 

on the Lawrence tract was decided in favor of the plaintiff. Both 

cases were sent back to the circuit court for future proceedings. 

By a decision of the supreme court Samuel Ryan, Jr., was 

denied the right to the office of clerk of the court and C. A. Hamer 

his opponent of November, 1858, was installed in his place. This 

decision was based upon the opinion that Outagamie county should 

not join its forces with, nor be influenced by, any county or territory 

attached merely for political purposes, as was Shawano. 

In November, 1858, O. P. Peebles, a citizen of the town of 

Ellington, was accidentally drowned at Stephensville. He was getting 

out logs at the mill when he was accidentally precipitated into 

the pond, but in falling was stunned so that he immediately sank 

and did not rise again. 

At the annual meeting of the county board in November, 1858, 

the following action was taken: W. H. P. Bogan was elected chair- 

87


man. The petition of Antoine Smith and sixty others and of N. B. 

Des Marteau and others prayed that the town of Buchanan might 

be reattached to the town of Kaukauna, and that of Nicholas Beaulieu 

and forty-seven others against such reunion were received. 

At this session so much of the town of Freedom as was embraced 

in towns 23 and 24, range 18, and all that part of town 24, 

range 19, west of the Oneida reserve was set off and made a separate 

town called Osborn. The first town meetings were ordered held at 

the house of Robert McNab. 

The boundaries of Embarrass and Liberty were so changed that 

in the latter was included all that part of town 22, range 15, north 

of Wolf and the two south tiers of sections in town 23, range 15, 

leaving to Embarrass all of town 23, range 15, north of the section 

line south of sections 19 and 24, inclusive, and all of town 24, range 

15. Elections in Embarrass were ordered held in the schoolhouse 

at Maple Creek. At this session the name of the town of Medina 

was changed to Dale; later this change was left to the voters to be 

decided. 

At the session of January, 1859, a committee was appointed 

to see where a county poor-farm of not to exceed 320 acres could 

be procured. It was also resolved that at the next town meeting 

the question of whether the county seat should be changed to the 

center of the county would be submitted to a vote of the citizens 

of all the towns. 

It was at this time that Shawano county desired a separate 

organization. Its courthouse and county buildings were erected and 

ready for use and it desired to be separated from Outagamie county. 

In the discussion over the change in the county government, many 

advocated the retention of the supervisor system, while the Crescent 

took the other side and favored a change. 

Early in 1859 it was stated that the people living northwest 

of Fox river in Brown county desired to be annexed to Outagamie 

county. They complained that they were continually in trouble 

about their school districts, one district lying in three different towns, 

and in consequence were put to great annoyance and expense. 

The proposition current in the state in January to abolish the 

existing system of county boards of supervisors and the substitution 

therefor of three county commissioners, was at first well received 

by the people of this county. It was believed such a change would 

be a saving to the counties and the state. 

The people of Dale, Hortonia, Embarrass and Liberty towns 

and a number of towns in Waupaca county agitated the subject 

of forming a new county. The Crescent fought this movement, 

alleging that the towns of these counties which desired to be separated 

would find themselves in a much worse condition afterward than 

at present should the project be carried into execution. Every town 

in Shawano county desired to join the proposed new county. 

In February, 1859, a new saw-mill was built at New London. 

That village at this date began to grow quite rapidly, because it 

was believed it would become the seat of justice of the new county


which was proposed to be organized. Hortonville and Mukwa were 

rivals for county seat honors in the proposed new county, the name 

of which was to be Menominee. 

In March there was promise of a prosperous maple sugar season. 

Many who owned groves of maple trees prepared to go into the 

woods. The Crescent editor said: "Long ago we used to plod over 

seven or more miles ,of mud ever so deep to enjoy a ladle of warm 

sugar or a pull at a handful of wax. Fine fun may be had at one 

of those old-fashioned bark-covered log camps." 

Persons who had pre-empted claims on the sections of the Fox 

and Wisconsin Improvement Company's lands were notified to prove 

up by May 2, 1859, agreeably to the proclamation of President 

Buchanan. Much of these lands had been cultivated several years 

and contained good buildings and other improvements. 

The state road from Appleton to Shawano was laid out late in 

May. The lines were run and an excellent route was found, Bingham 

and Foote established this road in which the people of Appleton 

and Shawano took a great interest. 

In the apportionment of the drainage fund made by the school 

land commissioners in 1859, Outagamie county received $1,280.31 

By April 30, it was known that the maple sugar product of 

the past spring was one of the best in the history of the new state. 

In Outagamie county more than twice as much was manufactured 

as in any previous year. Had not the spring work interfered with 

the business a much larger quantity would have been manufactured. 

The drainage commissioners in June appropriated $100 for the 

Hortonville and Appleton road: $100 for the Grieenville and Medina 

road west from Kling schoolhouse; $100 for the road on the south 

line of the Greenville school section and the Shawano road. 

Bingham and Stone, two of the drainage commissioners for 

this county, determined to devote their services to the Shawano and 

Hortonville roads. 

It was stated in June, 1859, by the Crescent that the largest 

tree so far as known to be cut down in Outagamie county was recently 

leveled on the farm of Mr. Raab in the town of Center. It was 

a white oak and perfectly solid and measured seven feet through 

its base; 50 feet from the ground was its first limb. The tree was 

over 80 feet high and no doubt was the largest in the county. 

The several roads which needed grading in July were one of 

the section line parallel with the courthouse and west of the plank 

road; one in Grand Chute and Greenville bridging Mud creek; one 

extending in the direction of Ball Prairie. It was stated that not 

less than $25,000 annually in trade would come to this city by the 

construction of the last named road. The sum of $250 was all that 

was necessary to complete this line and secure the trade. Merchants, 

manufacturers, millers, and all business men were publicly appealed 

to for funds to assist in completing these three lines. 

The project of setting apart the drainage income funds belonging 

to the county to open and grade highways was received with 

favor. It was thought to be the best way to drain the county lands.


In the meantime the county board, it was argued, should appropriate 

money for the improvement of the most important county roads. 

In 1858 there was a short crop of nearly all products and rather 

a poor harvest in Outagamie county. However, the county raised 

a handsome surplus of wheat. The wheat crop in this county was 

never surpassed; the berry was better than usual; the corn crop 

also was unusually good. Oats and potatoes were fair; grass was 

a light yield; but vegetables' were exceedingly good. Orchards 

throughout the county began to bear quite extensively and the home 

product could be seen and purchased in the local markets. By the 

middle of September the road from Appleton to Shawano was nearly 

completed in this county. Mr. Bingham assisted by C. W. Hopkins 

superintended the work. 

In August, 1859, the Menasha and Appleton plank road was 

reported in bad condition. In many places the planks were torn 

out and as a whole it was rough and dangerous. The Appleton and 

Kaukauna plank road was in much the same condition. Great complaint 

was made and the town authorities were compelled to improve 

the latter route. The plank road through the Third ward of Appleton 

was in an unsafe condition. On Court street in the Second ward 

the plank badly needed relaying and there was required a railing 

for the bridge on the ravine side to Lawrence street. In slippery 

times the bridge was dangerous. Greenville section line road west 

from the Courthouse was neglected and was also in bad condition. 

Near the toll-gate on the Menasha and Appleton plank road were 

some half dozen very bad places in need of repair. There were good 

roads to Freedom, Center, Hortonville and Dale. At the meeting 

in the Second ward to complete the ward schoolhouse every vote 

was cast in favor of the improvement. There was required an outlay 

of about $10,000, but no one opposed the assessment and the 

completion of the house. The vote on the $25,000 loan to complete 

the railroad from Appleton to Oshkosh was heavily in favor of the 

proposition. Only 26 votes were polled against it. 

There was a large quantity of swamp land held in this county 

by non-residents and returned by the county treasurer as delinquent. 

About the middle of August, 1859, a large black bear was seen on the 

plank road near Mr. McGrath's. It was reported that two children 

out blackberrying were devoured by a bear, but this was not substantiated. 

In November a special committee of the county board 

reported in favor of a poorhouse and farm. The Motor in December, 

1859, asked what had become of the Outagamie County Agricultural 

society, and recommended that it should be resurrected and that a 

fair should be held in 1860. It was urged that the county was bound 

in the interests of its agricultural interests to hold such a fair. 

In 1857, the Wolf river was navigable for steamers, also the Embarrass, 

the Shioc branch of the Wolf and Black Creek, the upper 

branch of the Shioc offered abundant facilities for the lumber trade. 

Duck Creek in the eastern part of the county ran across the Oneida 

Indian reserve and emptied into Green Bay. Appleton, Cedar Rapids, 

Little Chute, Kaukauna and Rapide Croche formed one vast and


almost continuous water power which never failed at any season of 

the year. The succession of rapids kept the stream free from ice 

no matter how severe the winter. The greater part of the county' 

was heavily timbered. Quantities of maple, basswood, beech, oak, 

hickory, butter-nut, elm, and poplar were found throughout the entire 

county, particularly in the southern part. In the north were 

pine and hemlock. By 1857 this timber already was considered a 

very valuable asset of the county. The soil was equal in productiveness 

to any found in the west. Splendid wheat was raised throughout 

the entire county. Corn was not so reliable a crop but the others 

could be depended upon. 

At the session of the county board in November 13, 1860, a full 

representation was present. W. H. P. Bogan was elected chairman. 

A motion to adjourn to the house of Thomas Hanna prevailed. At 

this meeting the inhabitants of Embarrass presented a petition to 

change the name of that town to Maple Creek. Ryan & Ross were 

paid $418 for printing. The district attorney was asked to render 

an account of expenditures in the even section suits during the past 

year. The committee mentioned above reported an ordinance to 

change the name of the town of Embarrass to that of Maple Creek. 

This ordinance was ordered published in the weekly newspapers of 

Appleton. The county treasurer was required to furnish information 

relative to the drainage fund due this county. The board resolved 

itself into a committee of the whole in order to examine the 

new jail and county buildings. At this date also a resolution was 

adopted appointing an investigating committee to examine the financial 

affairs of the county and consider the official conduct of county 

officers. The construction of fireproof rooms for the county records 

was discussed and thoroughly considered. A special committee 

which had been appointed to ascertain who was entitled to the salary 

of district attorney reported that upon investigation they had learned 

that Mr. Myers had succeeded in the courts in securing the right to 

that office and accordingly a salary was due that lawyer. At this 

time the inhabitants of Liberty petitioned the county board to change 

the boundary between Liberty and Embarrass. It was referred to a 

committee. The committee to examine the county jail having done 

so reported the same satisfactory, though some suggestions as to improvements 

of the yard, etc., were made. They found that the jail 

was perfectly secure for the safe-keeping of prisoners. John P. 

Deidrich was licensed to keep a ferry over Fox river in section 23, 

town 21, range 18, in the town of Buchanan for the term of three 

years. A new seal for the clerk of the court was ordered obtained. 

The sum of $200 was appropriated to opening and working the town 

line road between Ellington and Centre and Greenville and Grand 

Chute. The district attorney was allowed the sum of $400 per year 

for his services to the county. Attempts were made at this session, 

to procure the passage of a law to change the time of holding the November 

term of the circuit court so that it would be held two weeks 

before or two weeks after the session of the county board. A tax 

of one mill on the dollar was ordered levied for school purposes


throughout the county for the year 1861. A tax of three mills for 

county purposes was ordered levied. 

At the meeting of the citizens of the county held at the courthouse 

January 28, 1860, pursuant to call, the county agricultural 

society was duly reorganized. W. H. P. Bogan was elected chairman 

of the meeting and J. S. Buck, secretary. Mr. Mason was appointed 

to draft a constitution. Nearly forty persons of different parts of 

the country signed the constitution and became members of the 

society. The officers for the ensuing year were as follows: W. C. P. 

Bogan, president; George Knowles, vice-president; James M. Phinney, 

secretary; and E. H. Stone, treasurer. A trustee was appointed 

from every town in the county and from each of the three wards of 

Appleton. Preparations to hold a fair the coming autumn were duly 

made. 

In February the Crescent boasted that Outagamie county did 

not have a single prisoner confined within the county jail, nor as 

many paupers in the county as many villages elsewhere were required 

to support. In 1860 there was pending in the legislature bills 

for Appleton providing for the appointment of a street commissioner 

thereby requiring the city to keep the plank road and other highways 

in repair. Another bill proposed to annex the northwestern 

,tier of sections in the other county to Outagamie. 

The act of March 19, 1860, amending the charter of Appleton, 

provided for the appointment of a street commissioner by the city 

council. "The expenses of repairing and maintaining those parts 

of the roads from Appleton to Menasha, from Appleton to Kaukauna, 

and from Appleton to New London by way of College avenue, as lie 

within the city limits, and of repairing and maintaining the bridges 

across the great ravine on Court street and College avenue and such 

other bridges now or hereafter erected as the common council shall 

by ordinance direct, shall be paid from a fund to be known as the 

'road fund,' and a tax shall be levied annually on all the taxable 

property of the city for the purpose of such fund and paid out by 

the treasurer only on orders drawn expressly on said fund." 

In April, 1860, day after day the air was black with wild pigeons, 

and the hunters. of this locality killed them by the thousands. In 

May a large chunk of lead ore was found in the garden of Alderman 

Gilmore in Appleton. It was suggested that he could make use of it 

during the next railroad war. During the year ending June 1, less 

than 2,500 pounds of wool were produced in Outagamie county. 

When the war came on many thought the production of wool would 

grow less, but it steadily increased and during 1864-'65-'66, the business 

advanced enormously, scores of farmers engaging in that industry 

in all parts of the county. The wool crop in 1866 was, in 

round numbers, 50,000 pounds. Wool growing paid double .the 

profit of wheat growing and the labor was nothing in comparison. 

Farmers were urged to diversify their cr6ps. "More wool and less 

wheat," was the cry. It was noted by the Motor in July that never 

before were the crops generally so promising as they were that season. 

Wheat of all kinds were excellent. Oats, potatoes and corn


were likewise good and garden truck was never better. From all 

parts of the country farmers brought in sample specimens of grain 

of enormous growth and yield. 

A severe hailstorm which swept across the southern portion of 

the county in July, 1860, destroyed a large amount of standing grain 

and other property. In Grand Chute and Kaukauna hail stones as 

large as hen's eggs fell in large quantities. Windows by the hundreds 

were smashed. During the year excellent roads were built 

throughout the length and breadth of Greenville, the main thoroughfare 

extending westward from the courthouse. With the exception 

of a short strip beyond Mud creek in Grand Chute and another in 

Greenville the road furnished an excellent drive. This year Outagamie 

county raised a large surplus of nearly every crop thousands 

of acres of wheat averaging between 20 and 30 bushels to the acre; 

corn very promising; hay the best for years; oat crop very heavy and 

potatoes and garden vegetables abundant. 

In 1860 more attention was being paid to orchards and the 

raising of fruit than at any previous time. A few fruit growers 

were making considerable money. Theodore Conkey had an orchard 

well worth visiting, and in Grand Chute B. B. Murch had another. 

In Greenville William Amos, S. J. Perry, M. R. Perry, Henry Pond, 

James Thompkins and others had large and valuable orchards just 

beginning to bear. 

In July, 1860, the agricultural society began making elaborate 

preparations for the coming fair and cattle show. Late in August 

1860 several bears were seen in the vicinity of Appleton within 

two weeks. One of them, it was stated, took a supply of pork from 

the premises of Mr. Van Hoagley without asking permission for the 

same. It was proposed in 1860 to hold periodical sales of farm stock 

at different points in the county from time to time as the market 

seemed to demand. One was held at Little Chute in August and 

was so successful that others were at once projected and the custom 

was adopted. During August that month there were two full moons, 

the first occurring on the first day and the second on the 31st day. 

On September 29, 1860, the papers published as supplements a 

full and complete premium list of the approaching county fair. 

Fifteen classes constituted the premium list as follows: Cattle, horses, 

sheep, hogs, poultry, grain, vegetables, fruit, farm products, agricultural 

implements, harness and leather, domestic manufactures, such 

as carpets, quilting, yarns, etc., flowers and house plants, needle work 

of all kinds and art work. The highest premiums offered were for 

the best cattle and horses and amounted to $3. It was announced 

that the fair would be held on the park of Rev. Reeder Smith near 

Appleton. The annual address was delivered by Prof. R. Z. Mason. 

The committee on arrangements consisted of the president, Mr. Bogan, 

the secretary, Mr. Phinney and George W. Spaulding, A. Foster 

and A. B. Everts. 

In the fall of 1860 apples were more plentiful aid cheaper than 

ever known here before. Many were grown here, but not enough to


supply the demand, accordingly large quantities came by barrel on 

the steamers. 

Early in September, 1860, the corn crop of Outaga.mie county 

was seven times larger than it was the year before and more than 

twice as large as during any previous year. The Agricultural society 

met September 1 and made and passed the following resolution: 

"That this society hold a. county fair on Wednesday the 18th day of 

October next on the grounds offered by Mr. Pierce in the Third ward 

of this city; that the chairman and secretary with three trustees to 

be appointed by the chairman be a committee to prepare a premium 

list and to nominate committees on the several classes and report to 

the trustees two weeks from today. Messrs. Nye, Pearson and Packard 

were appointed to serve on this committee. At this date the 

Motor boasted of the many ideal farms to be found in Outagamie 

county. Every town had them and in some localities they were 

numerous. 

In 1860, Outagamie county began suit against the State to 

secure the drainage income fund withheld by the state treasurer and 

the court decided in favor of the county. The amount was between 

$1,300 and $1,400. 

The County Fair in 1860, notwithstanding a pouring rain, was 

a decided success. There was a goodly show in all departments, particularly 

those of cattle, horses, sheep, swine, and calves. The mechanical 

department was not represented. A splendid line of vegetables 

was shown. The Fine Arts room was thronged all day, the 

display being not only creditable but surprisingly good. Professor 

Mason's address gave general satisfaction. This, the first fair held in 

Outagamie county and gotten up in a fortnight's notice, demonstrated 

what the county could do in this direction when it tried. In 

October, 1860, a stock fair was advertised to be held at Little Chute. 

and all the county were invited to attend. 

In November, 1860, the officers and directors of the agricultural 

society met, on which occasion the receipts at the fair were shown 

to have been $127.88. W. H. P. Hogan was continued as president; 

R. Z. Mason was chosen vice-president; John Stephens, secretary; 

and E. H. Stone, treasurer. The total amount paid out for premiums 

was $108.25. County orders were worth seventy-five cents on 

the dollar, but in trade they passed at from eighty to ninety cents. 

On December 14, 1860, the county jail was destroyed by fire at 

about 3 o'clock in the morning. The insurance was about $500. 

The fire supposed to have originated from the chimney. 

"County Matters.-The county investigating committee has 

been in session the past week and numerous witnesses have been examined 

in reference to the management of county affairs. Until 

the report appears it is not probable that the public will learn anything 

important even if developments of consequence occur."- 

(Crescent, December 29, 1860.) 

The county board in December, 1860, and January, 1861, transacted 

the following business: The courthouse was ordered repaired. 

The report of the county treasurer showed that the total receipts for


1860 were $45,881, less $6,338 on hand at the beginning. At this 

date the total liabilities of the county were $10,713, and the total 

assets $15,988. A petition against the proposed division 

of Grand Chute town was received. A petition for the 

division of Center town was received. George H. Myers district 

attorney reported that the county was defendant in twenty-one 

civil cases to set aside the taxes on what were known as the "even 

sections," two being in the Supreme Court. Several suits over the 

drainage fund were also pending. The board refused to divide Grand 

Chute and Center. A special committee appointed by the county 

board to investigate the affairs of the county and the official acts of 

the officers in December, 1860, reported at this session. They criticized 

the treasurer and clerk of the board and pointed out many irregularities 

in the treasurer's methods. Prisoners were ordered confined 

in the jail of Winnebago county. How to secure what Shawano 

county owed this county was considered. The board subscribed 

for the two county papers and ordered copies sent to certain town 

officials. Illegal tax certificates gave the board considerable trouble. 

Supervisor Bogan reported that the jail had "seceded" and recommended 

the construction of a new one. Steps to build a new county 

jail to cost not over $4,000 were taken. At the June session, 1861, 

the council appropriated $1,000 for the relief of soldiers' families, 

the payments to be made upon the recommendation of aldermen, 

but not to families of officers. 

In January, 1861, a postoffice was established in the town of Buchanan 

and John Brown was appointed postmaster. The office was 

supplied by side mail from Kaukauna. 

The county officers in January were as follows: George R. 

Wood, sheriff; J. S. Buck, under sheriff; C. A. Hamer, clerk of the 

court; J. F. Johnston, deputy clerk; J. Jewett, Jr., district attorney; 

Thomas McGillan, clerk of the county board; Samuel Ryan, Jr., 

deputy clerk; Matthias Werner, county treasurer; John F. Johnston, 

his deputy; John Stephens, surveyor; H. W. White, coroner; Stephen 

Balliett, his deputy; H. Hills, register; H. Packard, deputy. 

The office of county judge was vacant. In March the contract to 

build a new county jail was awarded to Williamson & Bates for 

$4,530. It was designed to be one of the most substantial structures 

of the kind in the state. 

John Stephens, secretary of the County Agricultural Society, 

published the premium list for the fair of the coming fall. The 

highest premiums offered were $5 for the best cattle and horses. The 

fair of 1860 was held under very unfavorable circumstances and was 

partly mis-managed. The trustees determined that the coming fair 

should be better. 

In 1861, Jacob I. C. Meade was appointed notary public at Shiocton. 

B. T. Morse owned the mill at that point and during the 

spring of 1861 sawed 300,000 feet of lumber andi about 80,000 shingles. 

He would have done a much larger business, but could not 

secure enough workmen.


"The line of road of the Menasha and Kaukauna Plank Road 

Company including their roadbed between the village of Menasha 

and the east side of Fox river, at or near the Kaukauna rapids, sa 

called, having been abandoned by said company; the same is hereby 

declared and established as a public highway and subject to the management 

and control of the towns in which the same lies, like other 

highways."-Approved April 13, 1861. 

The trustees of the county agricultural society met in Appleton 

June 22, 1861. W. H. P. Boga.n, president, presided. The following 

resolution was passed, "That the president, secretary and treasurer 

be and are hereby authorized to lease a portion of the college grounds 

not less than five or more than fifteen acres for the purpose of fair 

grounds for such term of years as they may be able to get it; that 

the executive committee obtain appropriations of money from the 

county and from the city of Appleton and from citizens for the purpose 

of clearing up and fencing such fair grounds as may be obtained 

and preparing for the fair and expend the money for material so 

obtained for these purposes; that the fair be held on the first and 

second days of October." At this meeting committees for the different 

classes of exhibits were appointed. The Agricultural Societyafter 

an examination of various sites secured a fine tract of about 

eight acres in the northern part of the Second ward by a lease for fifteen 

years from David Kimball at a nominal rent. The society prepared 

to clear and fence the tract at once so as to be ready for the fair 

in October. In August the work was rapidly progressing; the structure 

was nearly finished and nearly all the material was on hand for 

the completion of the building. 

In July, the county board districted the county as follows: District 

No. 1-Appleton and town of Grand Chute, population 3,118; 

District No. 2-towns of Greenville, Dale, Hortonia, Ellington, Bovina, 

Liberty and Maple Creek, population 3,916; District No. 3towns 

of Buchanan, Kaukauna, Freedom, Osborn and Centre, population 

2,462. 

At the meeting of the county board in July, 1861, the town 

assessment rolls were equalized. The county was divided into the 

following supervisor districts. No. l-Appleton and Grand Chute; 

No. 2-Greenville, Dale, Hortonia, Ellington, Bovina, Liberty and 

Maple Creek; No. 3-Buchanan, Kaukauna., Freedom, Osborn and 

Center. At this session the board recommended "to all public officials 

to discontinue the practice of receiving paper money in payment 

of public dues of any name or kind whatsoever" and to refuse 

to receive and discontinue the circulation of paper money and denounced 

generally all paper money circulated by banks of issue. 

Early in September, all the citizens interested in the county 

fair were asked to turn out with axes, picks, grub hoes and other 

necessary implements to clear the ground and prepare it for the approaching 

fair. 

The second annual county fair was held October 1 and 2. The 

first day was spent largely in preparation, but the second day was 

largely attended although the hard rain of the preceding day drew

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much from the attendance and interest. There was a better show 

of stock than the year before. Horses were exceedingly good. A few 

excellent cattle were shown. Working oxen were in evidence and 

milch cows were especially fine. . An exhibit of sheep by Van de 

Bogart was excellent. McGregor of Greenville took the first premium 

on fine wooled sheep. The swine exhibits were not as good as expected. 

At the Fine Arts Hall there was a display of ladies' needle 

work and other household products. The fruit shown was better than 

expected. Apples were shown in considerable quantity by William 

Amos of Greenville, who raised this season over two hundred bushels, 

Pears, peaches, plums and grapes were shown in goodly quantity. 

Vegetables and domestic manufactures were largely in evidence. The 

grounds were not in as good condition as they should have been and 

the members of the fair determined that by next year it would be in 

much better shape for a display. The officers of the society deserved 

and received great credit for this fair. At the county fair there were 

awarded 124 different premiums to 65 persons aggregating in 

amount $183.25. 

In December, 1861, the county board was petitioned to divide 

Center town and create Black Creek which was to consist of townships 

23 and 24, range 17, the first meeting to be held at the house of 

C. W. Hopkins. These petitioners were C. W. Hopkins, C. H. Fowle, 

Joseph Felio, John Berthier, Jerome D. Berthier, Frederick Packard, 

John Felio, Y. Felio, Wilson P. Berthier, George Welch and W. H. 

P. Bogan. The petition was granted. Drainage commissioners for 

each town were appointed. It was ordered that the drainage fund 

should be expended in the towns in proportion to the amount of taxable 

swamp land therein. The duty of the commissioners was to 

expend this fund. A resolution to appropriate $2,000 for the relief 

of soldiers' families by certain men was tabled. Later efforts to pass 

this measure were also tabled; but still later $2,000 was appropriated 

from the general funds for this purpose. Byron Douglas was chosen 

disbursing agent. Each family was to receive $2 and each child 75 

cents per month, none to be paid until after January 1, 1862, and 

until recommended by certain officials. The special committee 

gave the contract for the new jail and jailer's house to Bates and Williamson 

for $4,738. The salary of county superintendent was fixed 

at $500 per annum. The Crescent and Motor were both paid for 

publishing the proceedings of the county board. The finance committee 

reported that the county owed $15,398, less $5,958 credits. 

The county treasurer's report showed that the receipts for the last 

year were $35,155 and the expenses the same less about $10,000 on 

hand. 

In January, 1862, two men residing in Freedom were found 

guilty of selling liquor to the Indians and were fined $25 each. More 

drunken Indians were seen in Appleton during the winter than ever 

before and it was determined to put a stop to this state of affairs. 

Immense quantities of logs were hauled to this town by both ox and 

horse teams from all parts of the upper country. They brought


good prices and found a ready sale. Evergreen and cedar posts also 

began to make their appearance and found a prompt market here. 

In February, a large meeting was held in Appleton in the interest 

of what was called the Military road. This was the highway designed 

to connect this community with the copper country of Lake 

Superior. Many favored the project, but others could see no great 

benefit to be derived from its construction. 

By February the new county jail was completed. It was pro- 

, nounced an excellent piece of workmanship, and was a secure place 

for criminals. The jail proper was in the rear of the sheriff's house. 

Williamson and Bates erected the structure. The county now had a 

good jail, a good county building, but a poor courthouse. 

The business of Wolf river in 1862 was more than double what 

it had been in previous years. Close to Shiocton over 200,000 feet of 

hardwood logs were cut. Mr. Knapp of Oshkosh cut over 100,000 

feet along Wolf river. There was over 1,000,000 feet of oak, ash, 

butternut, basswood and maple, worth about $3 per thousand feet 

on the bank. 

The following is an estimate of the measurement of logs gotten 

out on the Shiocton river during the winter of 1861-2. Crowell of 

Oshkosh, 820,000 feet; Wing & Paine of Oshkosh, 900,000 feet; 

Farrer of Oshkosh, 500,000 feet; Hunkley of Oshkosh, 900,000 feet; 

Chase of Oshkosh, 400,000 feet; Choete & Bray of Oshkosh, 600,000 

feet; M. Fitzgerald of Oshkosh, 500,000 feet; Rumrey & Lawrence of 

Oshkosh, 500,000 feet; Simples & Grimmer, 200,000 feet; Scribner 

of Fond du Lac, 1,000,000 feet; Turner & Company of Fond du Lac, 

150,000 feet; Danforth & Carter, 500,000 feet; Jordan & Morse of 

Shiocton, 1,200,000 feet; M. Donald & Co. of Fond du Lac, 

Morse of Shiocton, 1,200,000 feet; M. Donald & Co. of Fond du Lac, 

1,300,000 feet; A. Caldwell of Bovina, 150,000 feet; Clark & Company 

of Eureka, 500,000 feet; others 150,000 feet; making a grand 

total of about 12,170,000 feet. Mr. Meede of Shiocton furnished 

these figures and declared they were correct. 

This logging was done in townships 23, 24 and 25, range 16,- 

(Crescent, April 5, 1862.) 

The state tax for Outagamie county in 1862 was $5,790. In 

1863 it was only $3,535. 

The agricultural society met in June, 1862, and appointed the 

necessary judging committee for the approaching fair. A plowing 

match was arranged. It was resolved that farmers and others who 

felt disposed should be requested to meet on the fair grounds in Appleton 

on the 20th of July, provided with teams and tools ready to 

assist in preparing the grounds for the fair. A committee was appointed 

to solicit persons to become members of the' society. The 

first and second days of October were fixed as the time for holding 

the fair. 

In the fall, deer were very numerous in this county. They did 

considerable damage to fields. One farmer near Little Chute reported 

that they had destroyed nearly his entire orchard of young 

trees. Mr. Steffen of Osborn killed a large bear in that town late in


September, 1862. It weighed about 400 pounds. Several others 

were seen in that vicinity about the same date. 

During the latter part of August, the citizens assembled in large 

numbers with suitable implements to prepare the ground for the approaching 

fair to be held in October. 

The county fair held early in October, though creditable, was 

not as successful as the one of the previous year. The continuous 

heavy rains prevented a large assemblage and put a damper on the 

proceedings. The horse and cattle show was creditable, better indeed 

than in 1861. There was a great and unexpected falling off 

in the display of fruits and vegetables. 

A. B. Jackson delivered an address and Senator Hudd read a 

poem. In October many wolves came to the county apparently from 

further north and killed many sheep and other domestic animals. 

One killed seven sheep belonging to Mr. Brouillard of Grand Chute, 

and also killed animals for several citizens in Freedom. 

In 1862 the Legislature assisted the Outagamie county agricultural 

society with an order upon the state treasurer pursuant to the 

general laws of 1858. 

In 1862 the Legislature authorized the establishment of a state 

road from Little Kaukauna in Brown county into the town of Freedom, 

Outagamie county, until it should intersect the Appleton and 

Oneida road. 

In June, 1862, the county board voted to allow soldiers' families 

to continue to draw their regular monthly allowances in cases where 

the soldiers had been discharged on account of sickness. The Crescent 

was made the official newspaper of the city. G. H. Myers was 

appointed city attorney. Steps to punish drunkenness were taken. 

In November, 1862, the county board duly considered the enrollment 

lists which had just been prepared; also the names of volunteers 

who had gone to war from every town of the county. B. Douglas, 

trustee of the volunteer fund, reported having paid out $1,855.25 

and on hand $144.75. Reports of drainage fund commissioners were 

received and considered and their line of official conduct was prescribed 

and regulated. There was ordered levied for 1862 the sum 

of $9,000 for the purpose of paying the bounty of $50 to volunteers;. 

full provision for the expenditure of this "volunteer bounty fund" 

was made. The county treasurer's report showed an indebtedness 

of $8,129, and resources of $12,432. 

In December, 1862, the county board appointed a committee 

to examine and revise the enlistment and enrollment lists; they 

found numerous errors which were pointed out; the former assessment 

rolls were found full of errors. 

In 1863, the Assembly passed a joint resolution asking the Government 

to make a grant of land for the construction of a wagon 

road from Copper Harbor, Michigan, to Appleton, Wisconsin. The 

Michigan Assembly had already passed a similar resolution. 

In 1863 the Legislature vacated the following blocks in the village 

of Hortonville: Numbers 5, 6, 7, 10, 16 and 19, but gave per-


sons who had already bought lots therein the right to describe them 

as parts of such blocks. 

Late in January the people of Outagamie county welcomed the 

first heavy snow of the winter. Soon the streets were lined with 

sleighs and the jingling of bells was incessant. It continued snowing 

for several days, but later turned into a heavy rain to the disgust of 

everybody. County orders were worth 95 cents on the dollar. 

Late in January the Crescent observed that never within the 

memory of the oldest inhabitant at Appleton had such a mild and 

open winter been seen in this section of the state. The winter, week 

after week, resembled October instead of January. The want of snow 

was a great hindrance to business of all kinds. So accustomed were 

the people here in winter time to heavy snow that they were at a 

loss without it and scarcely knew how to carry on business operations. 

In January the following county officers were duly installed: 

H. E. Murphy, sheriff; C. A. Hamer, clerk of the court; E .B. Clark, 

district attorney; A. B. Brouillard, treasurer; Chas. Grunert, clerk 

of the county board; John Stephens, surveyor; Stephen Balliet, coroner; 

P. H. O'Brien, register. 

There was a general demand for a county poor-farm. It was 

expected that during 1863 fully $2,500 would be spent for the relief 

of poor persons in this county. It was argued that it would be a great 

saving to the county to purchase a poor-farm instead of being obliged 

to rent out the poor persons to private individuals for a consideration. 

The county wag out of debt, its bonds and orders were almost equal 

to par and why not build a poor-house and own a poor-farm at once, 

it was asked. 

At an adjourned session of the county commissioners, held in 

January, 1863, the salary of the district attorney for the year was 

fixed at $300. At this session numerous bills were presented for service 

"in guarding the county jail to prevent the Greenville Dutch from 

killing the Indian." At this term George H. Myers addressed the 

county board in a communication stating that in .order that the 

widow of John Jewett, Jr., might have the benefit of his full salary 

for the period of his election he would relinquish any claim he might 

have for services as district attorney during that period. The board 

at this session passed a resolution requesting all persons who had 

claims on bounties for volunteers should file their claims with the 

clerk of the county board at an early day. Thomas McGillan, former 

clerk of the county, board. was ordered to deliver to Charles Grunert, 

his successor in office, all documents, papers, etc., belonging to that 

office. It was further resolved by this board that in all cases where 

married volunteers had not filed their claim for bounty by the second 

Monday in February that the chairman and clerk of the board should 

be authorized to draw orders for the benefit of the families of such 

volunteers without any further action on their part. 

In February, 1863, the officers of the agricultural society met 

at the courthouse and W. H. P. Bogan made his report. The following 

persons were appointed to prepare the premiums for the coming year:


E. H. Stone, J. M. Phinney, D. H. Heath, Louis Perrot and R. Pearson. 

The time for holding the fair in 1863 was set for the first and 

second days in October. The full set of premiums was duly provided 

into classes. 

Early in February Senator Hudd introduced a memorial in the 

legislature requesting the government to grant lands for building a 

wagon road from Appleton to Copper Harbor. 

It was stated in February that farmers were now enjoying better 

times than they had ever experienced before in this county. 

They received better prices for timber, logs, lumber, wood, wheat, 

corn, oats and vegetable products than ever before. It was humorously 

stated that the bankers would have to look to their laurels or 

the farmers would supersede them as financiers. The Crescent said 

in this connection: "When that big event does occur the printer will 

undoubtedly be remembered and the old score will be wiped out. 

Success to true progress." 

Early this year many families came from Ohio and settled in 

this county. They were welcomed because they were considered 

well-informed on the duties of American citizenship. In the spring 

business of all kinds in this county was unusually active. The factories 

and mills ran day and night and could not supply their customers. 

Mr. Fairbanks secured large quantities of fruit trees elsewhere and 

brought them here for sale. From him many families secured the 

nucleus of their orchards. Many of these -trees are standing to this 

day. 

In June, 1863, eighty acres of wild unimproved land in Greenville 

sold for $1,200. This was much more than people generally 

had any idea it was worth. But the growth of the town warranted 

such valuation. It was noticed that the Canada thistle had made its 

appearance in Appleton and in other parts of the county. The people 

were urged to destroy this pest at once. It was noted in August, 

1863, that not a single unoccupied dwelling was to be found in the 

city of Appleton. This proved how extensively the city grew in a 

few years. In August black squirrels and coons were swarming in 

the woods of Outagamie county and considerable quantities of corn 

were destroyed by these animals. It was stated that a general hunt 

should be organized to rid the county of the pests. 

In 1863 the crops in Outagamie and Brown counties were unusually 

light owing to the late spring frosts. 

The county fair in October was a success. The principal speech 

at the opening was delivered by Senator Hudd. It was a powerful 

appeal to farmers and others to organize for their own mutual benefit 

and advancement. The cattle show was unusually good. A number 

of splendid draft teams were there. The sheep exhibit was better 

than ever. Hogs weighing as high as 400 pounds were shown; they 

were of the Suffolk breed. Choice butter, maple sugar, preserves, 

wines, pickles, etc., were better than ever before. There was some 

confusion, yet on the whole the fair was pronounced a success. F. W. 

Brown of Appleton raised three barrels of apples from trees he had


set out five years before. Apples grown in Outagamie county were 

seen in considerable quantities at this time in all the local markets. 

In October, 1863, was a great rush at Appleton and vicinity for 

the pineries. The high price of lumber induced all capitalists who 

could to invest extensively in standing timber and in lumber in the 

shape of logs. The result was that there was an enormous demand 

for men and teams to cut down the trees and to market the logs. 

The papers compared the event to the rush for the gold field of 

California or Pike's Peak. A single yoke of oxen sold for as high 

as $145 so great was the demand for ox teams in the pineries. 

The county board at its November session, 1863, had the following 

proceedings: The drainage fund commissioners throughout the 

county reported and presented their bills which usually were allowed. 

The committee which was appointed to superintend the payment of 

bounties to volunteers reported that they had paid out to volunteers 

or their order the sum of $7,923.36 and the amount yet subject to 

be called for was $1,076.64. On motion the chairman was authorized 

to pay to the father of William Cornelius (a volunteer in Captain 

Wood's company who had died in the service) the $50 bounty 

due him from the county. Charles Grunert was allowed $50 for his 

service as committee in paying out the volunteer bounty funds. At 

this session county orders to the amount of over $15,000 were publicly 

destroyed. The salary of the superintendent of schools of the 

county was fixed at $400. The county treasurer's report was rendered 

at this session. All the county buildings were ordered insured. The 

county board passed a resolution organizing itself 'as a committee of 

the whole to visit Green Bay during the drafting of the enrolled men 

and to report their observations later to the public in this county. 

The board then proceeded to make sufficient levy of taxes to meet 

the expenses of the coming year. At a later meeting the supervisors, 

having attended the draft for this county held at Green Bay, reported 

that the draft was fairly conducted; that they witnessed the 

drawing and that they were treated courteously by the draft commissioners. 

The total indebtedness of the county at this date was 

$7,978 and there was on hand to meet this a total of $9,409. 

An adjourned session of the county board was held in January, 

1864. Drainage fund commissioners of several towns who had failed 

to report at the December meeting appeared and filed their reports. 

Committees were appointed at this meeting to examine the accounts 

of several county officers who had failed to make satisfactory reports. 

Pressure was brought to bear upon the county board at this time to 

induce them to appropriate $15,000. additional to be used as bounty 

for volunteers. There was considerable objection to this step and 

the board refused to take action. 

The Legislature provided for an equal division of the Swamp 

Lands and of the swamp land funds between the drainage and norrmal 

school funds. The school and land commissioners divided the 

fund and gave the bulk of it to the normal school. This did not 

satisfy the people in districts that required drainage. Considerable


complaint arose in this county over the management of the drainage 

fund. 

Early in February the treasurer of the agricultural society reported 

an expenditure of $257.55 for 1863, having paid $212.25 in 

premiums. In February a meeting of the fruit growers of Outagamie 

county was held in the courthouse in Appleton under the 

auspices of the County Fruit-Growers' Association. 

The heaviest snow fall which ever occurred to Appleton up to 

date fell early in February. This one fall of snow by actual measurement 

was 23 inches on the level. There had been several falls before, 

much of which was yet on the ground so that the snow in the woods 

was fully three and one-half feet on the level. 

In March the fruit growers of Outagamie county met at the 

courthouse and organized a Fruit Growers' Association, by the, election 

of R. Pearson president, L. L. Knox secretary, and George 

Knowles treasurer. Prof. Knox was appointed to prepare a constitution 

and by-laws. Mr. Pearson announced that he had for free 

distribution a quantity of Lawton blackberry bushes. The meeting 

discussed the subjects of apples, pears and other similar topics and 

disbanded to meet again in April. It was now announced by John 

Dietzen president, C. D. Cruse treasurer and John H. Heinz and John 

Probst committee, all of Buchanan, that a public stock fair would 

be held during 1864 in that town on the folowing dates: The first 

Monday in March, May, October and December. Exhibitors and purchasers 

were cordially invited to be present. The fair was announced 

to be held at the house of Louis Gass. 

In March a bill was introduced in the legislature providing for 

the construction of a state road from Wausau via Waupaca, New 

London and Hortonville to Appleton. The bill provided that all 

the swamp land not exceeding in value $10,000, in a strip of six 

miles wide along the line should be donated for the construction of 

the road, provided the towns through which the road passed should 

raise an equal amount. 

It was stated in April, 1864, that thousands of acres of valuable 

timber lands owned by Eastern holders who were too stingy or too 

unwise to hire an agent td look after their property, lad 

been stripped of nearly all their valuable timber by unscrupulous 

men during past winter. Many tracts in Outagamie county suffered 

from these raids. Timber had become a source of great wealth and 

holders were expected to look out for this property the same as for 

any other. 

The maple sugar crop of 1864 was light. However, sugar was so 

high that a considerable effort was made to secure a large output of 

maple sugar and molasses. The maple sugar yield was unusually 

light, owing to the rainy weather, it was thought. 

Green Bay was anxious to secure a military road leading northward 

to Lake Superior and thus cut Appleton out of that desirable 

outlet. This was an improvement Appleton had long desired.


About the first of May, county orders were worth approximately 

par. As there was less than $5,000 in orders outstanding the financial 

condition of the county was never better. 

The act of March 18, 1864, authorized the chairman and clerk 

of Greenville to sign and countersign town orders and bonds not to 

exceed $3,600 issued in payment of bounties or of repayment of 

money applied to the payment of bounties to soldiers. 

In April, 1864, the Legislature legalized the proceedings of a 

meeting held February 1, 1864, in the town of Hortonia for the 

purpose of raising bounties to volunteers and other purposes. The 

law had not been fully complied with, but nevertheless all the proceedings 

were legalized. 

By aspecial committee appointed for that purpose trees were set 

out on the county grounds which were made as attractive as possible. 

At this time the river bridge in the Second ward was dangerous and 

demands that it should be fixed at once were made. 

"The weather is piping hot and not a drop of rain reaches this 

parched earth. It would seem that the suffering ground would soon 

burn, but it is useless to hope for any kind of grain."- (Crescent.) 

Numerous fires in different parts of the county swept through the 

woods, destroying rails, logs and other valuable property. Not a 

drop of rain fell for several months. Undoubtedly the epidemic of 

sickness was caused by this state of affairs. The first rain in three 

or four months occurred late in June, 1864, but came too late to save 

much of the crops. 

"Never since Outagamie was organized into a county have the 

finances been in such excellent condition. County orders are worth 

dollar for dollar and are far preferable to much of the bank trash 

still in circulation among the people. The books of the county officers 

were never kept in neater or better condition. It is a matter of 

congratulation to the citizens. Outagamie can freely challenge comparison 

in the foregoing respect with any county in the state. Our 

county expenditures are low; it is seldom that our jail has an inmate.'-(Crescent, 

July 2, 1864.) In July Hortonville was visited 

by a severe thunder storm. Wind, rain and hail fell in that vicinity. 

Immense damage was done to every industry. 

The fair in September 1864 was not a complete success although 

by no means a failure. The interest of the people was so taken up 

by'the approaching draft that there was a poor attendance and little 

concern shown. However, there was a fair display of livestock. Many 

fine vegetables were exhibited, particularly potatoes. The fine arts 

department was meagerly represented. The ladies of the city did 

little or nothing owing to the paramount interest taken in the work 

of raising funds for the sanitary commission. Fruit. was exhibited 

by Messrs. Carver and Cooley. President Mason delivered the principal 

address. The list of premiums offered by the Agricultural Society 

was published in the papers. The aggregate amount paid was 

nearly $200. 

At the session of the county board in November, 1864, the following 

proceedings were had: The reports of the swamp land com-


missioners were received and considered; the register of deeds was 

authorized to secure a seal for his office; the salary of the clerk of 

the county board was fixed at $800 annually; that of the district attorney 

at $400; that of the county treasurer at $1,100. The committee 

appointed to superintend the expenditure of the volunteer fund 

reported that they had paid out such fund to 178 volunteers at $50 

each, total $8,900. The tax raised amounted to $9,000, leaving thus 

on hand $100. At this time the county board was paying bounties 

of $10 for wolf scalps. They paid to Elijah Humes in June, 1864, 

$50 for five wolf scalps. At this meeting the board levied a tax of 

$7,000 for county purposes $2,858 for school purposes; $7,367 for 

state purposes, and a sufficient amount to pay the county officers' 

salaries. 

In December, 1864, George McDonald of Appleton rented Beaulieu's 

sawmill in the town of Buchanan and employed a force of 

twenty men in the country adjacent to the mill in getting out fine 

logs, railroad ties, and fence posts. The heirs of John Enright sued 

the county for the destruction of their property at Grand Chute and 

secured a judgment amounting to nearly $700. The county made 

no defense except to show the actual value of what had been destroyed. 

The annual drainage fund apportionment for Outagamie 

county amounted annually to from $2,000 to $2,500. The following 

were the county supervisor districts established in 1865: First district, 

City of Appleton and the towns of Grand Chute and Buchanan; 

Second District, the towns of Dale, Hortonia, Liberty, Maple Creek, 

Bovina and Greenville; Third District, the towns of Ellington, 

Black Creek, Centre, Osborn, Freedom and Kaukauna. On July 4, 

1865, one of the severest rainstorms ever known in this county visited 

Appleton. Hail fell in considerable quantity and the crops suffered 

severely. 

The Appleton Petroleum Company elected R. Z. Mason, president; 

W. H. Lanphear, secretary; J. S. Buck, treasurer. Their shares 

were fixed at $30 each and were limited to 100. The act of April 8, 

1865, incorporated the Outagamie Petroleum Company with capital 

stock fixed at $30,000 and shares at $30 each. The Union Petro- 

Ieum Company elected the following officers: S. H. Whittlesey, 

president; John S. Lester, secretary; E. C. Goff, treasurer. 

The petroleum discovery led to other investigations and copper 

masses were found here and there throughout the county and others 

were reported to have been found in years past. It was believed by 

some at this time that the Oneida reservation in the town of Freedom 

rested upon a vast bed of copper ore which-was a continuation 

of the copper range of Lake Superior. It was claimed that scientific 

men had stated that in all probability lower Fox river was full of 

copper. These reports may have been circulated to induce strangers 

to come here for permanent settlement. 

The election of town officers of Bovina held April 4, 1865, was 

legalized by the Legislature in May, 1865, to remedy the defect that 

the supervisors of election were not sworn as such inspectors as provided 

by law.


Machinery was ordered from Pennsylvania. Another company 

called the Appleton Petroleum Company was organized a little later. 

Among its stockholders were R. Z. Mason, C. Pfennig, A. L. Smith, 

W. S. Warner and B. Douglas. Four hundred shares of stock were 

subscribed at $30 each and twenty per cent was paid in. The Union 

Petroleum Company of Appleton was started about the same time. 

They secured territory within two or three miles of Appleton. Green 

Bay Petroleum Company was organized soon afterward and secured 

five acres of land near the famous gas well, for which $1,000 was 

paid. The company secured machinery and prepared for operation. 

The Outagamie Petroleum Company was organized in June. They 

secured ground at Kaukauna where there were strong indications of 

gas and petroleum. The Appleton Gas Light Company which had 

the powers of a petroleum company talked of organizing and boring 

in search of petroleum. The Neenah Petroleum Company backed 

by capitalists from Milwaukee and Chicago, leased ten acres of Elihu 

Spencer and bound themselves to begin boring within thirty days. 

They were located near the famous Roudebush gas well. During the 

spring strangers kept flocking into Appleton owing to the petroleum 

excitement. In May there was a constant stream of visitors to the 

well of the Northwestern Company. House room was so scarce it was 

suggested that newcomers should bring their tents. 

During the spring of 1865 Appleton continued greatly excited 

over the formation of petroleum companies and the boring of several 

walls with the hope of striking oil. It was announced that a well 

sunk near Roudebush's gas well showed strong indications of petroleum; 

but this was later shown to be a joke. Early in May the Appleton 

Northwestern Petroleum Company was organized by the election 

of John Tibbits for president, H. L. Blood, secretary; C. G. Adkins, 

treasurer. Ten acres were secured of S. J. Roudebush; also 

ten acres were leased on the opposite side of the road from E. Spencer. 

By the summer of 1865 the cattle fairs held in Outagamie county 

had become famous for the good they were accomplishing in making 

exchanges and in improving the breeds of stock. In May, 1865, the 

county agricultural society met to discuss the expediency of having 

regular cattle fairs on market days. The business men of Appleton 

became interested and promised substantial aid. Farmers generally 

were interested. The design was to bring in live stock of all kinds 

for sale and exchange. This enabled farmers to improve their stock 

because they could get better prices. 

The census taken in June, showed that the county had a population 

of 11,753; in 1860 it had 9,587. Kaukauna showed a loss of 

28; Center an increase of 449, Black Creek being included in Center 

in 1860. Appleton showed an increase of 321. 

The Fruit Growers Association met at the court house July 15, 

and exhibited many excellent specimens of fruit grown in this country. 

There were shown gooseberries, raspberries, pieplant, etc. It 

was stated at this meeting that owing to the severity of the winter of 

1863 many fruit trees in this county were killed, and that therefore 

the orchards needed replenishing. A committee of five was appointed


to visit different parts of the county and make a report on the hardy 

varieties and those which could not stand the climate. 

Late in November, the Stock Fair and Market Day' at Appleton 

had the largest crowd ever brought together since the society was instituted. 

The only complaint made was that purchasers were too 

few, which fact tended to run down prices. Several yoke of working 

oxen were sold at high prices. The long Indian Summer in the fall 

of 1865 was terminated about December 1st by a sharp snow squall 

accompanied by piercing cold weather. 

It was urged in September, 1865, that the cheese makers of the 

county should organize for the purpose of improving their products. 

It was argued that more factories should be established in order to 

utilize the large amount of milk and cream being wasted throughout 

the county. Already in many localities farmers had combined in 

localities several miles square and established such factories. The 

pastures were excellent; in fact no better grazing country could be 

found. There was no reason why this county should not excel in 

dairy products of all kinds. A hundred cows, it was stated, warranted 

the establishment of such a factory. 

At the November session of the county board in 1865 the following 

proceedings were had: It was shown that the county owed 

$4,745, but had on hand cash and securities worth $11,836; the salary 

of the county superintendent was fixed at the miserly sum of 

$400 per annum, an amount wholly insufficient to pay the expenses 

of that official; J. D. Kimball received a wolf bounty of $30; $160 

was appropriated to secure the painting of the courthouse; the usual 

tax was levied upon county property; the total amount received by 

the county treasurer in 1865 was $43,887 less $2,571 on hand at the 

beginning of the year; the expenses of the county were $43,887 less 

$1,983 on hand. At the close of the year the debits of the treasury 

were $2,817 and the credits $10,780, leaving in the treasury $7,963. 

The Legislature in 1866 authorized the construction of a state 

road from Appleton to Stockbridge; Edward West of Appleton, was 

one of the commissioners. At the same time a state road from Appleton 

to the United States military road in Calumet county was 

ordered established; 'Z. C. Fairbanks, M. H. Lyon and Peter Diehl 

were the commissioners. At this date, also, a state road was ordered 

established from Appleton to Maple Grove in Manitowoc county, 

James Gilmore, M. H. Lyon and B. S. Loragin being the commissioners. 

An act of 1866 it was made the duty of the county treasurer to 

pay over to the town treasurers, when collected, the five per cent delinquent 

fees for collection, included in the delinquent list or return 

of unpaid taxes from such towns; the fund was to be disbursed as part 

of the school money. 

It was repeated in the Appleton papers in January, 1866, that 

cheese factories in the southern part of the state were the means of 

increasing the value of farms where they were located $10 

per acre. This was stated to be a fact by the Fond du Lac Reporter.

PART 1 : History of Outagamie County Wisconsin, in PDF Format

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