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To see the ads from the back of this 1888 publication ILLUSTRATED WAUPACA _______________ HISTORICAL SKETCH.______
It would be inconsistent with the avowed purpose of this book to here enter into details of the settlement of Waupaca, or to review the progress of the place from the days of the pioneers in 1849 to the present time, though those details and the incidents of that development, well treated by a compiler worthy of his work, would constitute a valuable local history far more pretentious than the present little volume, the aim of which is merely to describe the city of the present; yet it is proper to recount a few of the more important facts, dates and incidents of the early times, and with that end in view recourse is had to the “History of Northern Wisconsin,” published by the Western Historical Company in 1881, and presumably authentic: AN INDIAN NAME. The name “Waupaca” is derived from the Indian words “Wau-buck Seba,” meaning “Tomorrow River,” or “Pale Water,” by which terms the Menominees designated the region now comprised in this county. SETTLEMENT.
The first
settlement in Waupaca county, of which Waupaca is the county seat and chief
city, was made in 1848, while Wisconsin was yet a territory, and nine years
before the region embracing the county was ceded to the state by the Menominee
Indians. Alpheus Hicks is credited with
being the first pioneer, having located at
Fremont in 1843, and being, it is stated, the only permanent settler until
1848. Our historian records that in July, 1849, when there were yet but few settlers in the county, and those confined to the eastern portion, principally near the mouth of the Little Wolf river, in the present town of Mukwa, E.C. Sessions, W.H. Hibbard and Joseph Hibbard penetrated the forests north ward from Plymouth, passed down Lake Winnebago, crossed the Wolf river above Mukwa, and discovered the “magnificent water-power and site” of the present city of Waupaca. Among the next settlers at this point were Dana Dewey, Captain David Scott, Judge S.F. Ware and W.B. Cooper, C. Dow, Col. Chandler and J.M. Vaughn locating about the same time between Waupaca and Weyauwega – all in 1849. WAUPACA THE COUNTY SEAT. The county seat was first established at Mukwa, in 1851, but on the 15th of April, 1853, the county board, by a vote of three to two, ordered COUNTY COURT HOUSE its removal to Waupaca. This change was not effected without determined opposition from the eastern section of the county, it being necessary to arrest James Smiley, the first register of deeds, for refusing to deliver to Waupaca the books of his office. As to the “right” of this place to the county seat at that time, and as to the methods of procedure which brought about the change, this book has nothing whatever to offer. It is noted, however, that at an election held in 1855 to decide the claims of Mukwa and Waupaca the latter won by a majority of 946, and that the project of removing the county seat from Waupaca to some more eastern or central point, while it has never lacked agitation to the extent prompted by the jealousy of less prosperous places, has never reached the people at the polls – nor is it likely to, considering the valuable county improvements that have been made here. SOME FIRST THINGS. The first entry of government land within the present limits of the city was made September 7, 1852. Waupaca’s first newspaper (also the first in the county) was the Waupaca Spirit, founded by Redfield Brothers in 1852. Having been published continuously till the present time, under different names and the ownership of various men, it is now the Waupaca County Republican, ably conducted by W.H. Holmes. The first railway locomotive entered the city on the Wisconsin Central road September 28, 1872. The first member of the state legislature from Waupaca was David Scott, who successfully contested a seat in the assembly with John B. Jacobs, of Menominee, in 1854. E.L. Browne was the first state senator from this city or county, being elected in 1860. Mary Hibbard, daughter of Joseph Hibbard, born at Waupaca May 25, 1850, was the first white child born in the county. The year 1850 saw the advent of the first preacher, Rev. Silas Miller, a Methodist, whose circuit included Waupaca, Lind and Mukwa. His first sermon here was preached at the house of J.M. Vaughn. The first lawyer in the county was William G. Cooper, who located at the future county seat in 1849. Rev. Cutting Marsh, the old and respected missionary, was the first physician to locate permanently in the county, coming to Waupaca in 1851. In 1851 W.C. Lord and Wilson Holt built the first grist mill. In this connection, here is a quotation from our historian: “Robert Palfrey ground the first grist (in the county) in 1851. The mill was located at Palfreyville, town of Dayton, the site for it being donated upon the condition that it should ‘grind a bushel of corn before the one at Waupaca grinds a kernel.’ The contract was carried out, and Messrs. Holt & Lord, who had erected a mill on the site of the present ‘Waupaca Star Mills,’ came in for only second honors.” To Waupaca belongs also the honor of the first church in the county, the Methodists building one here in 1853. The first school house was built in 1851. Miss Dora Thompson (now Mrs. Le Gro) taught the first school, in 1850. Mrs. Le Gro is yet a resident of this city. The town of Waupaca was organized in 1851. In 1850 Silas Miller built the first saw mill. Captain David Scott was the first postmaster. Waupaca’s first mail route was from Green Bay. In 1849 W.G. Cooper built the first house. The first lawsuit – Captain Spencer vs. L.W. Thayer – was heard before S.F. Ware, justice of the peace, in 1850. P.A. House built the first wagon at Waupaca, and says that it is in use yet (or was two years ago) by E. Baker, of Weyauwega, for whose father it was built in 1855. MISCELLANEOUS
INFORMATION. _________ CITY OFFICERS. ELECTIVE. Mayor, A.R. Lea; Treasurer, George Howlett; Assessor, A.J. Van Epps; Clerk, Jeff Woodnorth; Police Justice, J.A. Chesley. First ward – Aldermen, Page Knight, W.G. Packard; Supervisor, A.M. Hansen; Justice of the Peace, Winfield Scott. Second ward – Aldermen, Orin Hall, S.R. Sherwin; Supervisor, J.W. Evans; Justice of the Peace, Royal Green. Third ward – Aldermen, Elmer H. Palmer, A.P. Nelson; Supervisor, M.R. Baldwin; Justice of the Peace, William Bendixen. Fourth ward – Aldermen, W.J. Chamberlain, P.A. House; Supervisor, A.G. Nelson; Justice of the Peace, J.A. Chesley. APPOINTIVE. President of Council, W.J. Chamberlain; Physician, H.L. Reed; Attorney, (special service); Engineer, (special service); Street Commissioner, Jens Johnson. BOARD OF HEALTH - APPOINTIVE. Dr. D.L. Manchester, Health Officer; Orin Hall, P.A. House, L.S. Larson. POLICE - APPOINTIVE. Chief, L.S. Larson; Night Watch, Peter Anderson; First Ward, Matt Jensen; Second ward, Rasmus Jorgensen; Third ward, William Nelson; Fourth ward, S. Cornwell. _____ FIRE DEPARTMENT. The fire department consists of volunteer organizations under municipal control. At the head of the department are a chief engineer and two assistants, whose election by the companies is subject to the approval of the common council. There are also four fire wardens, one from each ward, with duties defined by the city charter. The city owns an engine house, a Mansfield steam fire engine, purchased in 1885, an abundance of hose and carts, a good hook and ladder plant, and all other requisite appliances. OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT. Chief Engineer, A.G. Nelson; 1st Asst. Engineer, J.B. Simcock; 2d Asst. Engineer, ________________; Sec., Page Knight; Treas., A.G. Nelson. Fire Wardens – 1st ward, A.M. Hansen; 2d ward, W.C. Padgham; 3d ward, W.J. Bendixen; 4th ward, O.M. Buck. HOSE AND
ENGINE COMPANY NO.
1. This company was organized May 11, 1871. It now numbers thirty-two active members – all volunteers. Officers – Foreman of Engine, Ole O. Hole; Asst., J.B. Simcock. Foreman of Hose, Page Knight; Asst., W.J. Bendixen. HOOK AND
LADDER COMPANY NO.
1. This company is of more recent organization, dating from 1878. It numbers sixteen volunteer members. Officers – Foreman, W.C. Padgham; Asst., Ole Bea. Sec., A.F. Johnson; Treas., George Hanson. ____ WAUPACA
UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT. City Superintendent of Schools, Miss Belle Smith. BOARD OF EDUCATION. Charles Churchill, President; Mrs. R.N. Roberts, Treasurer; Miss Belle Smith, Clerk; A.J. Van Epps, C.A. Spencer, Mrs. H. Nordvi, Mrs. E.L. Browne. ____ COUNTY OFFICERS. Probate Judge, C.S. Ogden; Clerk, G.A. Murray; Treasurer, Hans Benlick; Register of Deeds, Henry Geible; Clerk of Circuit Court, J.M. Hatch; Sheriff, Ole C. Sether; Surveyor, A.W. Johnson; District Attor-ney, A.L. Hutchinson; Superintendent of Schools, William Fowlie; Cor-oner, (none, the officer elected refusing to qualify.) _____ UNITED STATES OFFICERS. Postmaster, George M. Chamberlain; Court Commissioner for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, Myron Reed; Register of the Land Office (Menasha), J.H. Woodnorth.
_____ BANKS. Waupaca Bank of E. Coolidge & Co., I.M. Dakin, Cashier. City Bank of R.N. Roberts & Co., W.B. Baker, Cashier. _____ WAUPACA BUSINESS MEN’S ASSOCIATION. Organized, 1884; membership, 82. Officers – President, J.O. Scott; Vice President, D.L. Manchester; Secretary, Elmer H. Palmer; Treasurer, W.B. Baker. Directors – Myron Reed, President; S.T. Oborn, J.H. Woodnorth, W.C. Baldwin, J.W. Evans. _____ WAUPACA FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY. This company, incorporated August 30, 1874, and at present carry-ing about $325,000 insurance, is in a condition of prosperity. Officers – Pres., Fred C. Fisher, Farmington; Sec. and Treas., Hans Benlick, Waupaca. Directors – Charles Gibson, Lind; S.A. Barrington, Dayton; M.A. Stinchfield, Waupaca; M.S. Rice, St. Lawrence; Ira Millard, Jr., Mukwa; C.G. Witt, Bear Creek; D. Bliss, Royalton. _____ WAUPACA ELECTRIC LIGHT ASSOCIATION. This association was incorporated in April, 1886, with capital stock limited to $10,000. Of this stock, $5,000 has been issued, being all taken up at home. There are twelve stockholders. Officers – Pres., A.G. Nelson; Vice Pres., H.M. Lea; Sec., Chas. Churchill. Directors – H.M. Lea, A.G. Nelson, Orin Hall. The association furnished light first on the Fourth of July, 1886. It owns ten acres of land and a good water power (150 horse power) but a few rods above the Waupaca Star Mills on the Waupaca river. The plant at present consists of one incandescent dynamo with capacity for 300 lamps of 16-candle power each, and one arc-light dynamo with capacity for 65 arc lights of 2,000-candle power each. There are now 34 arc lights on the lines, of which the city pays for 13. The incandescent light has been very generally introduced into business places and residences – it being used at the court house and other public places. On the 5th of April last, high water accompanied by the breaking up of ice partially destroyed the dam and damaged the building and machinery – the loss aggregating $1,500. So far as repairs are concerned, the association has not only recovered from this loss, but has enlarged the building and improved the plant generally – adding fully $1,000 to its value since that time. The association is supplying excellent light, and is therefore giving good satisfaction and receiving fair interest upon the investment. ____ LOCAL
BOARD OF UNDERWRITERS. Winfield Scott, President; E. Coolidge, Secretary and Treasurer.
MASONIC BLOCK. DANES’ HOME. The Danes’ Home, organized for strictly social purposes January 6, 1877, now embraces a membership of fifty-eight Danish citizens. When the present courthouse was erected in 1880 the society bought the old building and refitted it to meet the requirements of their purpose. Among the attractions of the Home is a good library. Regular meetings are held every Thursday evening. Officers – Pres., Alfred Johnson; Vice Pres., Hans Nelson; Rec. Sec., Thorwald Nelson; Cor. Sec., Ole R. Olson; Treas., Albert Breit; Adjutant, Henry Neumann; Guard, Chris. Jensen; Librarian and Steward, C. Hansen. Trustees – W.J. Benedixen, Marten Peterson, Hans Knudsen, C.P. Dahl, Hans Madsen. ____ WAUPACA CURLING CLUB. The organization of this successful sporting club in 1879 was due almost wholly to the efforts of H.W. Williams, then a new-comer in the city, who is yet a leader in its affairs. During the past five or six years this club has coupled the name of Waupaca with many victories throughout the Northwest. At Portage, Wis., in the winter of 1883 it defeated Chicago by five points, and again won from that city at the same place in the winter of 1887. Both of these games were for the Morgan medal, for which Chicago and Milwaukee are striving against the Northwest. Each side having won two series of games, the final contest for the medal, to be retained by the side that first wins three times, will take place in Milwaukee the coming winter. Waupaca lost once to Chicago in 1886, but defeated St. Paul at that place the same winter, besides being the victor in various other games in that city with different clubs in the Northwest. The club will be strengthened the coming season. Its capture of the medal for the Northwest is not all improbable. This club is closely related to the Opera House Company, as will be seen by reference to the latter in another place. Officers – Pres., H.W. Williams; Vice Pres., J.H. Woodnorth; Sec., E. Selleck; Treas., H.M. Lea. Rink No. 1 – H.W. Williams, Skip; J.M. Ware, H.M. Lea, Paul Browne, M.B. Curran, E.B. Jeffers. Rink No. 2 – J.H. Woodnorth, Skip; E. Coolidge, George Lines, S.S. Chandler, A.D. Smith, A.J. Holly. Rink No. 3 – G.A. Bronson, Skip; H.G. Curran, C.R. Hoffman, Jeff Woodnorth, C.R. Hudson, Fremont Chandler. Rink No. 4 – E. Selleck, Skip; L. Stern, T. Pipe, F.R. Whipple, D. Yarns, Parish Nichols. ____ WAUPACA OPERA HOUSE COMPANY. This company was regularly incorporated under state law in June, 1888, with capital stock of $1,400. Its purpose is to maintain an opera house for summer entertainments, and to convert it into a curling and ice skating rink in winter. The company has purchased the opera house originally built for a roller skating rink, and will increase the length of the building to give an area of 60 x 140 feet. Ten feet down one side will be given up to offices and cloak rooms, leaving a rink surface of 50 x 140 feet. Arrangements are being made whereby the standard of summer entertainments in Waupaca will be raised, and their number increased. The officers and stockholders of the company are chiefly from among those interested in the curling club. Officers – Pres., H.W. Williams; Vice Pres., Jeff Woodnorth; Sec., Paul Browne; Treas., H.M. Lea. Directors – H.W. Williams, Chairman; Paul Browne, Sec.; F.R. Whipple, I.P. Lord, Charles Havenor, G.A. Bronson. Business Manager – E. Coolidge. ____ WAUPACA BRASS BAND. The present organization of the band, not only the most creditable that Waupaca ever had, but one that is gaining a good reputation away from home, was perfected in November of last year. Not only are its members diligent in practice, but they intend to soon incorporate legally to insure stability and maintain a higher standard of excellence. Officers – Pres., J.H. Hudson; V. Pres., Wm. Rice; Sec. and Treas., M.B. Scott; Manager, F.R. Whipple. Musicians – J.H. McCullough, Solo B Flat, and Leader; Wm. Donstan, E Flat Cornet; George Kingsbury, 1st B Cornet; George Nordvi, 2d B Cornet; Jeff Woodnorth, Flugel Horn; A.Williams, B Clarionet; John Colure, E Clarionet; Ed Williams, Solo Alto; Grant Sherwin, 1st Alto; Robert Scobey, 2d Alto; Jos. Rosche, 1st Tenor; Wm. Rice, 2d Tenor; M.B. Scott, Baritone; Geo. Bridgeman, Bass Trombone; J.H. Hudson, Tuba; Leslie Bronson, Snare Drum; Andy Poll, Bass Drum; F.R. Whipple, Drum Major. ____ WAUPACA SKI CLUB. This club, devoted to the novel and healthful Scandinavian exercise, was organized in January, 1888. Its membership was 30 at the close of last season. Officers – Pres., Charles Rolin Brainard; Sec. and Treas., Charles Guldager; Chief, Ole O. Hole. ____ CHURCHES First Methodist Episcopal, Rev. Perry Miller, Pastor. Danish Methodist, Rev. F.W. Erickson, Pastor. Danish Lutheran, Rev. A.L.J. Soholm, Pastor. Scandinavian Lutheran, Rev. P.G. Oesergard, Pastor. St. Mark’s Episcopal, First Baptist, Danish Baptist, Congregational, and United Presbyterian are church organizations with no resident pastors at the present time. ____ WOMAN’S CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION. This has been an especially active organization here since April, 1880. It now numbers thirty-eight members. An excellent circulating library is a part of its equipment. Regular meetings are held the second Friday of each month, at 3 o’clock p.m., in the Lord block. Pres., Mrs. J.W. Evans; Vice Presidents, Mrs. E.T. Bailey, Mrs. N.L. White; Cor. Sec., Mrs. W.B. Baker; Rec. Sec., Miss Laurette Dayton; Treas., Mrs. Page Knight. ____ RUBY SEAL SOCIETY. This is an auxiliary of the Benevolent Society, composed chiefly of young girls whose enthusiasm is equaled only by their success. It was organized in May, 1888; present membership, 15. Officers – Pres., Mildred Howard; V. Pres., Jessie Baxter; Sec., Nellie Guldager; Treas., Hattie Lea.
WOOLEN MILL AND RESIDENCE OF J.W. EVANS. ____ KING’S SONS AND DAUGHTERS. The local branch of this new society, destined to become strong and popular, was organized August 8, 1888. Its purpose is to do good in any way that offers, and to restrain its members from evil by mutual admonition. Though designed to include workers of all ages, who are not bound by the rules of intricate organization, the local branch, starting with twenty members, is comprised chiefly of boys and girls. Each member wears a small silver cross bearing the letters “I.H.N.”, signifying “In His Name”, the adopted motto of the order. Officers – Pres., Mrs. E.L. Browne; Sec., Mrs. E.T. Bailey; Treas., Mrs. E.S. Donaldson. ____ YOUNG WOMAN’S CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION. Organized, February, 1888; membership, 45. It has well furnished rooms in the Lord block, where regular meetings are held the last Friday of each month, at 3 o’clock p.m. Pres., Mrs. Paul Browne; Vice Presidents, Miss Hattie Lord, Mrs. E.C. Williams, Miss Alice Rich, Miss Annie Benlick; Rec. Sec., Miss Marie Chamberlain; Cor. Sec., Mrs. W.C. Baldwin; Treas., Miss Lottie McArthur. ____ LADIES’ BENEVOLENT SOCIETY. The good that has been done by this charitable organization of twenty-six ladies dates from the 12th of October, 1887. Its purpose being to relieve the needy and care for the sick, it has worthily performed its whole duty. Regular meetings are held the first Wednes-day of every month, at 3 o’clock p.m., at the rooms of the Business Men’s Assocaion. Pres., Mrs. Myron Reed; Vice Pres., Mrs. G.H. Calkins; Sec., Mrs. T.H. Woodward; Treas., Mrs. A.R. Lea. ____ LAKESIDE CHAUTAUQUA CIRCLE. Organized, 1883; membership, 23. Miss Belle Smith is at this date the presiding officer. The circle pursues the customary course, meeting every Monday evening at 7:30 o’clock, at the homes of members. A “memory class” was lately organized. ____ WISCONSIN VETERAN’S HOME. It was only a year ago that Waupaca was decided upon as the location of this worthy state institution. The property of the Greenwood Park Association, at the lakes three miles west of the city, was purchased for the Home, and the former hotel is being now remodeled to suit its new use. An assembly hall and hospital are also in course of erection, and various cities are building cottages there for the use of veterans from their localities. Among such cottages now under way are those for Waupaca, LaCrosse, Appleton, Lake Geneva, Oshkosh and Milwaukee. Others will be built. The improvements now being made will amount to about $5,000, while the total valuation of the property at the Home at the close of the year will, perhaps, be more than $25,000. There are now fifty-eight inmates.
OFFICERS.
Trustees – J.H. Marsden, Appleton, Pres.; A.O. Wright, New Lisbon, Sec.; B.F. Bryant, LaCrosse, Treas.; R.N. Roberts, Waupaca; J.H. Woodnorth, Waupaca; W.D. Crocker, Sheboygan. Executive Committee – J.H. Marsden, Chairman; J.H. Woodnorth, Sec.; R.N. Roberts, Treas. Superintendent – C. Caldwell. ____ G. A. R. GARFIELD POST NO. 21. Organized, October, 1882; membership, 84. Officers – J.W. Evans, Commander; J.W. Baxter, Senior Vice Commander; C.F. Devoin, Junior Vice Commander; J.H. Woodnorth, Officer of the Day; A.J. Van Epps, Adjutant; D.L. Manchester, Surgeon; T. Rich, Chaplain; E. Pomeroy, Quartermaster. Post Commanders – J.H. Woodnorth, G.M. Chamberlain, W.S. Bemis, J.O. Scott, A.J. Van Epps, R. Tuttle. ____ A. O. U.
W. WAUPACA LODGE
NO. 45. Organized, 1879; membership, 35. Officers – H.M. Lea, M.W.; A.D. Smith, Foreman; Orin Hall, Overseer; H. Benlick, Financier and Recorder; M.G. Hansen, Guide; E. Coolidge, Receiver; Ole O. Hole, P.M.W. ____ I. O. G. T. GRANITE LODGE NO. 329. Organized, March 15, 1888; membership, 64; regular meetings every Saturday evening at A.O.U.W. hall. Officers – A.D. Barnes, C.T.; Mrs. A.D. Barnes, V.T.; Lewis Brown, Sec.; Myrtle Knapp, Fin. Sec.; Miss Grace Evans, Treas.; J.W. Evans, P.C.T.; E.L. Demarest, Lodge Deputy. ____ I. O. O. F. WAUPACA LODGE
NO. 208. Organized, April 26, 1872; membership, 90. Officers – H.H. Suhs, N.G.; Page Knight, V.G.; F.R. Whipple, Sec.; J.H. Woodnorth, Treas.; Fred Rosche, Warden; Thomas Pipe, Past Grand. CENTENNIAL ENCAMPMENT
NO. 63. Organized, May 10, 1876; membership, 50. Officers – Thomas Pipe, C.P.; F.R. Whipple, S.W.; George Howlett, H.P.; J.H. Woodnorth, Scribe; S. Ovorum, Treas.; W. Sherburne, J.W.; Jeff Woodnorth, Guide. ____ K. OF P. WAUPACA LODGE NO. 29. Organized, 1884; membership, 40. Officers – J.H. Woodnorth, C.C.; J.O. Scott, V.C.; M.F. Skinner, Sec.; W.W. Gilmore, M. of E.; M.F. Skinner, M. of F. ____ MASONIC. WAUPACA LODGE
NO. 123, F.
& A. M. Organized, February 23, 1859; membership, 94. Officers – Myron Reed, H.P.; George Lines, K.; W. Scott, S.; I.P. Lord, Sec.; D. Parish, Treas. ____ WOMAN’S SUFFRAGE SOCIETY. Organized, October, 1887; membership, 18; regular meetings, last Wednesday of each month. Officers – Mrs. G.L. Lord, President; Mrs. Charles Evans, Vice President; Mrs. Myron Reed, Treasurer; Mrs. Charles Roberts, Secretary. ____ YOUNG MEN’S REPUBLICAN CLUB. Organized, August 27, 1888; membership, 300. Officers – F.S. Baldwin, Pres.; J.A. Hudson, Vice Pres.; Jeff Woodnorth, Sec.; H.H. Suhs, Treas. Executive Committee – F.S. Baldwin, Chairman; I.P. Lord, Ed Williams, John Ovorum, W.C. Baldwin. ____ REPUBLICAN CLUB. Officers - Pres., A.J. Van Epps; Vice Presidents, I.P.Lord, C.P. Ward, Elmer H. Palmer, Paul Browne; Sec., W.H. Holmes; Treas., W.J. Chamberlain. Executive Committee – H.J. Stetson, J.B. Simcock, C.A. Spencer, M.R. Baldwin, T.L. Jeffers. ____ SCANDINAVIAN REPUBLICAN CLUB. Officers – Pres., Ole R. Olson; Vice Pres., A.G. Nelson; Sec., Alfred Johnson; Treas., Ole O. Hole. ____ PROHIBITION CLUB. Organized in 1886; membership, 60. Officers – Pres., M.R. Baldwin; Sec., J.W. Evans; Treas., T. Rich. The same men constitute the executive committee. DESCRIPTIVE
IN GENERAL. _______ LOCATION. Waupaca is situated in the southwestern corner of the county of the same name, six miles from the line of Portage county on the west, and six and three-quarter miles from Waushara county on the south. The corporate limits of the city include territory two miles square, the four square miles being made up of sections nineteen and twenty, except the north half of the north-east and north-west quarters of each, sections twenty-nine and thirty entire, and the north half of the north-east and north-west quarters of sections thirty-one and thirty-two, all in township twenty-two north, of range twelve east. This territory was included in the town of Waupaca until the organization of the city under state law in 1875. 127 MILES FROM MILWAUKEE. The city is one of the busiest stations on the line of the Wisconsin Central railroad, by which it is 127 miles from Milwaukee, and fifty miles from Oshkosh. It is thirty-two miles northward from Berlin, and twenty-nine miles eastward from Stevens Point via the Wisconsin Central. WAUPACA RIVER. Waupaca is indeed fortunate in the rare natural beauty of its immediate surroundings. It is built upon both banks of the Waupaca river in a broad valley between high wooded hills on every side except the south-east, in which direction the stream takes its winding course to a junction with the Wolf river (a navigable stream) at Gills Landing, twelve miles distant. At Gills Landing the Wisconsin Central railroad crosses the Wolf river at a point but a few rods from the mouth of the Waupaca. While by the railroad it is but twelve miles to this city, by the Waupaca river it is more than thirty – an indication of the tortuous course of the stream. To those who enjoy the healthful sport of canoeing, and who are at the same time lovers of the beautiful in nature, no trip could afford more genuine pleasure than that from Waupaca to the Wolf river, or to Weyauwega, four miles up the river from its mouth. The whole course of the stream presents a constantly changing panorama of delightful views – the quiet beauty of heavily-timbered hills; wide stretches of meadow land; dark woods so closely crowding either bank that the water is ever shadowed by overhanging foliage; deep pools in which the canoe will circle idly about in cool shades till the paddle urges it forward, when, perhaps in a few lengths, it swiftly shoots through dashing rapids, along past peculiar rock and land formations of more than passing interest to the one who sees in them more than a suggestion of the ancient race and the dead civilization that were familiar with these scenes while yet the Indian was a stranger to them. It is a trip for an enthusiast, a trip that will make an enthusiast of one observant of things that speak to the eye and heart of intelligence – a trip that might have inspired Bryant, nature’s own poet, to write: To him in the love of Nature holds Communion with her visible forms, she speaks
A various language. * * * *
METHODIST CHURCH (From a Photograph by Palmer.) MIRROR AND SHADOW LAKES. There must be some truth in the old saying that familiarity breeds contempt. If this is true, it is easy to account for the seeming little importance that Waupaca people attach to the local lakes; for, though no one is willing to risk his reputation for great taste by denying their beauty and value, they have of late years come to be looked upon with a degree of outward indifference wholly undeserved, and for which residents will never cease to be rebuked by strangers brought to view them for the first time. Two of these lakes, small, it is true, but as fine bodies of water in every respect as can be found in the state, are wholly within the city limits, the smaller being within four blocks of the court house and business center of the town, and the other not twice so distant. Mirror lake, the smaller, is in appearance what its name implies. It lies in an elliptical depression in the southern part of the city, the glassy surface of its water separated by a border of flat meadow of varying width from the high banks rising with gradual incline to well-improved streets, popular as drives, on the north, east, and west. At the south end of this lake a natural channel, improved to permit the free passage of row and sail boats, connects it with Shadow lake, a perfect gem in a varied setting of woods, hills, meadow and cultivated fields. It is on the high shore of this lake that Waupaca’s beautiful and well-kept cemetery is located. A good road skirts the foot of a hill, following closely the shore of the lake on the west side. On the north shore of this lake, on a point of high, wooded ground between it and Mirror, is the favorite grove for picnics and celebrations. The shores of Mirror lake are dotted by a score or more of boat houses. Boating is popular, both for the pleasure and exercise of rowing and for fishing, these lakes having been stocked with speckled trout that are now being taken from them, and their unusually deep and cold waters abounding in black bass and pickerel.
SCHOOL HOUSE. (From a Photograph by
Palmer.) _____ CHAIN OF LAKES. There is not
to be found anywhere a more charming body of water than the justly celebrated
Chain of Lakes, three miles west of this city, nor one outside the inaccessible
wilds of the far northern woods that affords better fishing. These lakes have a general trend from
northeast to southwest in the towns of Farmington and Dayton for a distance, as
the bird flies, of not more than six miles,
though the irregular outline of either shore embraces a distance more than twice as great. Their formation is such that their number is variously stated at from five to twelve. This point is immaterial, for in reality the whole body might be properly called one lake, or at the most two lakes, since the narrow so-called channels are but lesser parts of the body entire rather than outlets connecting separate and well-defined lakes. With the exception of one place, called Indian Crossing, near the middle of the chain, the whole stretch of water is navigable for row and sail boats without obstruction. The irregular shores of these lakes, bluffy and even precipitous in places, and in others sloping gradually to the water’s edge, forming smooth and hard sand beaches that tempt the lover of bathing, are in the main heavily wooded with nearly all the varieties of forest growth known to this region. The deep, clear water in its ever varying and always beautiful hues is quick to record every change of sky and wind; while the little islands, dotting the surface of the lake here and there, with their inviting beaches and wooded crests, are the crowning glory of the landscape. These lakes, as well as the numbers of smaller and independent ones immediately surrounding them, afford in the way of fishing, as has been said, all that the most ardent sportsman can desire. Most plentiful are nearly all varieties of the gamey bass, perch and pickerel, while speckled trout, with which the waters were generously stocked by the state six or more years ago, are now being taken out in great numbers.
MAIN STREET
- LOOKING NORTH
FROM ROBERTS BLOCK. (From a Photograph by Palmer.) _____ WISCONSIN VETERANS’
HOME. At the eastern end of the Chain of Lakes, nearest the city, was located the hotel and other extensive improvements of the former Greenwood Park Association. A view of the place is presented on page fifteen (of original book). The property of the association, embracing seventy-eight acres of land and all the buildings, has been sold to the Wisconsin Veterans’ Home Association, and is now devoted to the noble charity of affording all the comforts of a home, not only to the old and dependent soldier, but to his wife or needy widow. Here they are not housed promiscuously under one roof, as in other state and national institutions where the man alone is granted food and shelter, often at the price of separation from the patriotic and sacrificing wife whose sufferings at home while he was at the front perhaps equaled all that he endured. In this Waupaca home – which is a home in truth – there are instances of the old, broken-down veteran taken from some national home for men only, and his aged and dependent wife from some poor house, and here reunited in their own little cottage, never to be parted again or to know the misery of poverty and want while they live, or while patriotism endures in Wisconsin, and fraternity, charity and loyalty remains the watch word of the Grand Army of the Republic. This grand institution, unlike any other in the world, and nobler in its charity than all others in that it cares for the soldier’s wife and for the soldier’s widow as well as for the old veteran himself, was founded and is maintained by the Wisconsin Department of the Grand Army of the Republic, assisted by the Woman’s Relief Corps, and by the benevolence of societies, cities and individuals. The part that Waupaca has done is not inconsiderable. In her bid for its location here, a bid prompted more by patriotic generosity than by selfish interest, she overcame the sharp competition of five rivals. On the 29th of August, 1888, the home was dedicated in the presence of 6,000 people.
MAIN STREET
- LOOKING NORTH
FROM MASONIC BLOCK. (From a Photograph by
Palmer). CRYSTAL RIVER. At its southwestern extremity the Chain of Lakes finds an outlet into the Crystal river, near the village of Rural, six miles from Waupaca. If anything was ever fittingly named, Crystal river bears that distinction. The clear purity of this stream at all seasons is remarkable; and it is no doubt due to this condition that it and its tributaries in the towns of Dayton and Farmington now offer the best trout fishing, for which Waupaca waters are becoming famous. Crystal river flows within the corporate limits of Waupaca, affords an outlet for Shadow and Mirror lakes, and a short distance eastward, yet within the city, furnishes power
UNION STREET (From a Photograph by Palmer. Mead Bank at far left.) for the Waupaca Woolen Mills. Here the mill pond is the favored home of bass and pickerel of huge proportions and seemingly inexhaustible numbers, since it has been an accessible and therefore common fishing ground for many years. Not two miles east of the city, Crystal river forms a junction with the Waupaca. A favorite canoe trip has always been that from the Chain of Lakes to Shadow and Mirror lakes by way of Crystal river. GENERAL GROWTH. Memory need not go back but a few years to recall the picture of the uncouth Waupaca of former times. In 1868 and later this region was yet considered “the wild Indian land of Wisconsin”, and Waupaca was looked upon as on the extreme outer verge of civilization. This impression was given form and a basis of truth by the location on the southern fringe of the great northern pineries, into which the pioneer at that time had scarcely penetrated from this section of the state. It is true that to the northward and westward were Stevens Point and Wausau, logging stations on the Wisconsin river, and to the old settler the names of “Big Bull Falls” and “Little Bull Falls”, far up that stream, were familiar. Shawano, to the northeast on the Wolf river, was another such point. All of them existed on the one industry of “logging” pure and simple; for those were the days when the manufacture of lumber near the base of supply was almost unknown in this state, owing to the lack of railroad facilities. The getting out of the logs, and the rafting and driving of them to milling points on the lower Fox and Wisconsin rivers, and down the Mississippi river even to St. Louis, at that time told the whole story – if we except the one other industry of transporting supplies to the logging camps. For “Wisconse” waters the great bulk of such supplies came by boat up the Wolf river to Gills Landing, where they were unloaded to be hauled overland by teams. The direct course of this traffic was through Waupaca; and in the days while she was yet a straggling village, while her farms gave but a poor hint of their future magnificent extent and condition, this industry of “teaming” was to her almost of first importance. The situation was really but little improved up to 1872. Since that time, however, while the progress so far as the city itself is concerned suggests nothing of the “boom towns” of later years, the change has been such as to make Waupaca the chief city and primary market for one of the best and most productive agricultural sections of the state. This change dates with the advent of the WISCONSIN CENTRAL
RAILROAD, in the fall of 1872, and is due in great part to that road and the facilities it first afforded for reaching outside markets with products before their value was consumed in the cost of transportation. When that road was projected in the 60’s it contemplated a line from “Doty’s Island”, at Neenah and Menasha, to Waupaca and Stevens Point, thence northward to Lake Superior. What an undertaking! To build a railroad from a place of little consequence to begin with, across not more than thirty miles of good farming country, as was then thought to be the case, thence on through 200 miles of unbroken pine forest, with no more definite objective than some point on the shore of Lake Superior in the wild and almost wholly unsettled county of Bayfield or of Ashland, was truly a scheme to excite the admiration of all in whom ridicule left place for it. But the road was built, and has been in through operation from Lake Superior for twelve years. That road is the grandest pioneer Wisconsin ever had. It was the entering wedge that opened to settlement half the territory of a great state. By its own efforts and by its stimulation of similar gigantic enterprises it has contributed vastly more
RESIDENCE OF J.H. WOODNORTH. (From a Photograph by Palmer.) than its share to the marvelous progress and prosperity of a wide extent of territory as rich in varied resources as any in the west. The Central is having its reward. It is now a great through line between Chicago and Milwaukee and St. Paul, Minneapolis, Ashland and Duluth, with one arm stretching southward from Stevens Point to Portage, and another from the Penokee hills to the rich Gogebic iron range of Wisconsin and Michigan. APPEARANCE. As is the case with most cities, Waupaca’s change in appearance for the better is traceable directly to destructive fires, however unwelcome the agency at the time its work was accomplished. The Waupaca of ante-railroad days met its first considerable change in this respect on the 16th of May, 1872, four months before the arrival of the first train. At that time the old Smith hotel and every building but one in the square with it were burned. This led to the erection of the present Vosburg house, and though that square has since been visited by fire it has been to see it improved by better buildings every time. One of the last destructive fires on Main street occurred January 19, 1878, removing a row of fire-traps from between Union and Fulton streets, and causing that block to become the first uninterrupted row of brick fronts in the city. Instead of the old uncouth aspect before alluded to, Waupaca presents today one of the most compact and substantially built business streets to be found in any city of equal size anywhere. Solid brick rows, presenting an almost unbroken front, extend for four blocks on Main street, and with the building up of Union and Fulton streets leave little that resembles the business places of sixteen years ago. Place the average man for the first time in any city of a few thousand inhabitants, and almost invariably his first question is, “how many people are there here?” and when he is truthfully informed he will as invariably respond, in a tone implying positive disbelief, “where are they?” Bring that same man to Waupaca a stranger to the place, drive him from the depot or from any other quarter of the outskirts, over the splendid streets and under the electric lights, disclosing to his view block after block of business houses, let him out at his hotel and tell him, in response to the invariable question, that the population of the place is about 2,500 and he will exclaim, “is that all!” Now, this is a fact, for that exclamation is often heard; and it is not due to any impression previously formed from exaggerated reports accepted as true, but to the appearance of the place from a business standpoint that, as cities average, would indicate a population twice as great. WAUPACA’S TERRITORY. A number of years ago the suspicion somehow got abroad that the marvelous city of Duluth (only less marvelous in her actual growth than in her claims and aspirations) wanted the earth. At a splendid celebration of the opening of the new Duluth Board of Trade, January 6, 1886, participated in by large delegations from other commercial centers all over the country, a prominent local attorney was inspired to refute the slander. He said: “Gentlemen: It has been said that Duluth wants the earth. Duluth does not want the earth! But – draw a line from the head of Lake Superior to the head of the Gulf of California, and Duluth does want all the American continent to the northward and westward of that line; and, what’s more, she’s going to have it, too!” And, by the way, by the very fore of Nature’s laws, supplemented by the magnify-cent enterprise of men, that same Duluth is rapidly acquiring business title to all her mighty ambition ever painted as her own. While the modesty of Duluth is cheerfully acknowledged, that quality must be claimed for Waupaca in even greater degree. That Waupaca is not only
RESIDENCE OF J.M. HATCH. (From a Photograph by Palmer.) the county seat, but a prosperous city wherein affairs in general are dominated by a spirit of progress and enterprise, is a thorn in the side and a burr under the coat-tail of certain localities that can not be thus designated with equal justice; and for this reason they have whispered it around, quite audibly, too, that Waupaca wants not only the county seat, but all the county institutions, and perchance the county itself. Let the opportunity here offered to meet that base insinuation with stern denial be improved; let it be known that there are nooks and corners and out-of-the-way places in the county of Waupaca to the possession of which this city does not aspire, and which her worst enemy could not hope to thrust upon her. But she does want all that she has – all that is hers by right of capture and long exclusive possession – material interests, wide in extent, that she has acquired only by methods that redound most to the credit as well as to the profit of a city in these later years that yield the greatest measure of municipal prosperity to business enterprise and public position as the primary market place of an extensive and especially wealthy agricultural section. Waupaca does not want the county; but she wants one of the best portions of it – a generous slice comprising the western half thereof, together with the best towns of Portage county on the west, and of Waushara county on the south. This Waupaca wants, this she has, and will maintain so far as lies in her power by the continuance of wise co-operation and lively individual interest in the public good. POPULATION. The increase in the population of any town almost wholly agricul-tural in its business interests will not keep pace with the development and growth of the surrounding country, but the volume of its business naturally will. Thus it is that Waupaca, with a population of perhaps less than 800 prior to the building of the railroad, had increased to only 1,392 in 1880, and to 1,810 in 1885, according to census reports. Today various estimates fix the number from 2,500 to 3,000 – the former, perhaps, being more nearly correct. This, as has been stated, is not trustworthy indication of the volume of general business, which is regularly contributed to by the trade of an unusually large territory without railway facilities, to the south and southwest. While the popu-lation is being steadily augmented by those attracted by Waupaca as A DESIRABLE PLACE OF
RESIDENCE, this increase is more apparent in the growing beauty of the residence districts than in any other way. Perhaps the most marked characteristic of the place is its cleanliness – so apparent everywhere in the compact business quarter, on residence streets, and in private grounds. The critical stranger is impressed with the fact that to keep clean is at once the public care and the pride of the individual. Should that stranger make Waupaca his home, he would soon appreciate that cleanliness, not for itself alone, but for contributing not a little to make the city one of the most healthful places in the state, as it has long been one of the most
RESIDENCE OF C.A. SPENCER. (From a Photograph by Palmer.) beautiful. Its reputation for beauty is wide-spread, of long standing, and well deserved. It is earned by an unusually large number of handsome modern residences; by the perfect forest of shade trees, maple, oak, ash and poplar, that line the excellent and well-kept streets, overhanging the sidewalks and beautifying the lawns in every part of the town; by those two gems of lakes, Mirror and Shadow; and by the delightful natural scenery immediately surrounding all. In short, when are added to these things good schools, refined society, a temperate and law-abiding com-munity, numerous churches, cheap rents and cheap living, good railroad connection, an opera house, electric light, telephone system, adequate fire protection and a low rate of taxation, we have a great proportion of those things that men account desirable in the place they make their home. THE PRODUCE
TRADE. As may be inferred from foregoing statements, Waupaca’s chief business interest – the one upon which all others are in the greatest measure dependent – is the buying and shipping of farm produce. While this term “farm produce” has come to mean in Waupaca almost all kinds of crops known to Wisconsin, the leading export is potatoes. In potatoes the Waupaca district leads the world, both as to the uniformily higher price of the product, due to unequaled quality, and as to the quantity produced per acre. Three hundred bushels per acre is not an uncommon yield, and six hundred bushels have been dug form a single acre. The price at the home market ranges from twenty-five cents to more than one dollar per bushel during the year – forty cents being perhaps a fair average for the bulk of the product. Ten or more great warehouses at or near the railroad station, though not of course given up wholly to this one industry, speak volumes of its magnitude. At no other place on the line of the Wisconsin Central can be found equal evidence of activity in this branch of trade. In truth, Waupaca is the greatest farmers’ market on the whole road, and her shipments in pounds are largely in excess of those from many larger places of more varied resources. Reliable estimates for the one shipping year of 1887-8 place the shipment of potatoes from Waupaca at 500,000 bushels. Sheridan, essentially a “potato station”, six miles west of the city, shipped enough in the same time to swell the aggregate to 600,000 bushels, and Waupaca’s general business is benefited as much by Sheridan’s trade as though it was all done here. In the towns of Farmington, Dayton, Belmont, Lanark, Wild Rose and others in Portage and Waushara counties that supply the Waupaca market, thirty, forty, sixty and even eighty or more acres of potatoes are seen in one field. In the fall and all through the winter the constant procession of potatoes into this city on every road leading to it is amazing. More than one hundred loads have been counted within a few blocks at one time. Winter shipments are made in cars warmed by stoves. One of these potato trains, with a long line of box cars, each with a stovepipe project-ing squatter-fashion through the side, presents a novel appearance on the road. Chicago is the chief point to which shipments are made, though during the past season the trade was divided between that city and St. Louis in the proportion of four to three in favor of the former. The famous “Waupaca potato” has always led in price in the great distribu-ting markets. At the beginning of the present season the Michigan pro-duct, Waupaca’s strongest competitor, brought thirty-four cents in the Chicago market, while the Waupaca potato was in demand there at forty-five cents. VARIED PRODUCTS. Though the potato is king and its supremacy acknowledged, it is by no means the only product of this district. In no section of the state has that wise policy of varied pursuits on the farm found readier and more intel-ligent following than in this. The growth of the dairy interest especially
RESIDENCE OF WALLACE H. LORD. (From a Photograph by Palmer.) has been gratifying. The cheese factory and creamery have of late years come to be familiar objects at the country crossroads. The improvement of stock by better breeding and by scientific methods of feeding and wintering has placed that industry among the leaders in popularity and profit. Corn, wheat, oats, rye, barley, hops and small fruits are extensively cultivated with good success. In all that tends to give a farming community prosperity and certainty of business activity what-ever the season Waupaca is indeed favored above the average. MANUFACTURING. As to manufacturing, more can be said of what Waupaca needs and offers advantages for than of what she has. As to the enterprises now established here, detailed information can be found elsewhere in this book, where they are treated separately under the head of “Representa-tive Business Men and Industries”. They will be found to include flouring mills, woolen mills, planing mills, sash, door and blind factories, wagon and carriage works, extensive granite works, foundries and machine shops, brick yards, marble works, tanneries, breweries, bottling works, and the usual variety of small manufacturing. The granite works, located on the South Branch of the Little Wolf river, four miles from the city, give employment to more men than any other single industry here, the number varying from seventy-five to one hundred and twenty-five, a great proportion of whom are residents of this city. With the building of a spur track of the Wisconsin Central railroad to the quarry, now contemplated, it is expected that the working force will be increased to three hundred or more. The quality of this granite, susceptible of a high and beautiful polish, is unexcelled. Large columns and trimmings for building purposes have been shipped to Chicago, Kansas City, Omaha and various other cities throughout the country. This quarry supplied granite for the Wisconsin monuments on the battle-field of Gettysburg. WATER POWER. The Waupaca river furnishes an abundance of power for small manu-facturing within the city limits, and all along its course are places where power can be easily improved at little cost. This is equally true in regard to Crystal river and the South Branch. The former furnishes power for the Waupaca Woolen Mills; on the latter a granite quarry was opened, and power sufficient for the extensive works was readily developed at that immediate place. On the Waupaca three dams within a distance of less than a mile give power for the electric light plant, two 100-barrel flouring mills, and a planing mill, sash, door and blind factory. At the site of the Waupaca Star Mills there is fifty-horse power to spare, conveniently located in the heart of the city, on a spur railroad track, with dam already built, and the stone foundation of a former mill yet in fair condition. This improved power can be purchased or leased from Baldwin & Bailey at a good bargain if it is devoted to actual manu-facturing. Such is also the case with an unimproved power owned by Mrs. Brainard, about a mile above the Star mills, where there is a natural fall of nine feet in forty rods and with a power owned by Winfield Scott, still nearer the Star mills. There is no lack of available water power in and near Waupaca, adequate to the requirements of small manufacturing
RESIDENCE OF GEORGE DIRIMPLE. (From a Photograph by Palmer.) - and the raw material for a great variety of such manufacturing is also close at hand. It is found in all the woods suitable for hubs and spokes, staves and headings, pails, chairs, woodenware, paper pulp, etc., - with clay for brick and tiles, corn and potatoes for starch, and in short a host of other forms for enterprises of this sort, as would be readily apparent to any one interested. While it is perhaps true that an interior town like this, with as yet but one railroad, cannot hope to become a manufacturing city in the common acceptance of the term, in recounting these advantages, and in the expectation of seeing some of them improved, Waupaca cannot be charged with fixing her aspirations too high. To any who would investigate these things with a view to locating here it can be said that they would receive from the city as a municipality, and from business men in general, all the substantial encouragement, support and concessions to be expected from a public-spirited community knowing its needs and anxious to supply them. PROPERTY TAXES. It has been said that the rate of taxation is uniformly low. Following are figures showing the valuation of Waupaca city property and the total taxes on the same as apportioned by the county board for the past six years, from 1882 to 1887 inclusive. The per cent of taxation is also given: Year. Valuation. Tax. Per Cent. 1882 …. $192,000 …. $6,409.93 …. .032 1883 …. 192,000 …. 7,000.00 …. .036 1884 …. 192,000 …. 6,126.29 …. .031 1885 …. 210,000 …. 7,889.23 …. .037 1886 …. 220,000 …. 5,663.02 …. .025 1887 …. 225,000 …. 4,858.31 …. .021 It is gratifying to note that for the last three years, while the valuation of property has been increasing, the tax has as steadily decreased, until in 1887 the rate was within one mill of two per cent. This is largely due to a local cause – to the completion of a wide range of public improve-ments, and that, too, in such a state of permanency that their main-tenance now necessitates little expense. REPRESENTATIVE BUSINESS
MEN AND INDUSTRIES. |
