THE WAUPACA POST

1885

 

WELL-UP WAUPACA

Some of her Worthy and Successful Sons.

 

            Waupaca, within the last few years, has become about as well known as any city in the state. One of the main reasons for this notoriety is, that the papers of Wisconsin and Chicago usually contain some items of news from this thriving little city.  As a summer resort Waupaca is fast becoming very popular.  The beautiful Chain of Lakes near there, well stocked with fish, and with enchanting scenery round about, are sufficient to attract and charm hundreds of guests.  Then, there is the newly discovered granite quarry, samples of which have been polished and pronounced by experts as unsurpassed by any granite in the world, not excepting the famous Scotch granite.  There is no question but that this same stone heap will be the means of bringing hundreds of thousands of dollars to the thrifty little city.

            Waupaca has the name of being about the thriftiest city in Wisconsin, and well she may lay claim to this honor.  There are no poor people, that is, none to speak of; the city affording aid to but one family.  There are no rich people, either, but there are scores of citizens who are “well-off”.

            Richard Lea, the Mayor, a retired dry goods merchant, is probably worth $100,000.  He devotes his time to his official duties and attends to his private matters personally.  Mr. Lea entered the mercantile business here over 20 years ago and by close attention to business, and unswerving integrity, and imbued with the idea, “large sales and small profits”, he has risen to his present honorable and enviable position among us.

            Another man that Waupaca feels proud of is Hon. E. L. Browne, acknowledged as one of the most able lawyers and statesmen in the state.  Mr. Browne is about 55 years old and has been a resident of Waupaca for over 30 years.  The goddess of Fortune has bestowed her favors upon this gentleman as one of her chosen few, and the income from $75,000 together with a $5,000 per annum revenue from his law practice, keeps the wolf from Mr. Browne’s door.  Many are the public spirited and charitable acts attributed to him, and he seems to take more delight in saying a kind and generous word to one of God’s poor than receiving the hospitality of royalty.  Mr. Browne has held many positions of honor and trust, and is now the people’s choice for member of congress in this district.

            H. Nordvi is one of Waupaca’s successful dry goods merchants.  He has lived here twenty years and in that time well earned the respect and confidence of the community which he so surely has.  Mr. Nordvi is called the “learned merchant”, by some owing to his scholarly attainments.  He speaks seven languages fluently and is a Greek and Latin scholar of more than ordinary merit.

            Myron Reed is well known throughout the state as a gentleman and a scholar.  He ranks high in his profession – the law – and Waupaca could ill afford to part with him.  Ever ready to do a favor, generous and public spirited almost to a fault, he fills a place among the businessmen of our city that it seems none other could.  He is a democrat of high principles and pure motives.  He is not an office-seeker in any sense of the word, but deserves something first-class at the hands of his party, though he is too modest to ask for anything.

            Major R. N. Roberts is one of those whole-souled, careful businessmen who does much to build up the city wherein he resides.  His ample means and great sagacity places him in a position which makes him peculiarly fitted to do much good, and his inclination is not surpassed by his qualifications:  Within a year past he has invested over $30,000 in buildings in this city and to him is due more credit than to any other one man that Waupaca has the prosperous Business Men’s Association that it has.

            Mr. Baldwin is an old resident of Waupaca county, having lived here over 30 years.  He is one of the proprietors of Waupaca Star Roller mills and is making himself well off in this world’s goods.  Mr. Baldwin has for a partner in the milling business his capable and shrewd son-in-law, Rant Bailey, who is no less public spirited, and the firm of Baldwin and Bailey have made themselves justly popular with our citizens and farmers by their fair and generous business methods.  Their mills are doing a large business and are worth not less than $20,000.

            Capt. Joseph H. Woodnorth, or “Joe”, as he is known the state over, can probably count up more friends than any other man in the city.  Although a democrat in politics he has twice been elected register of deeds in this county, which has a republican majority of from 800 to 1,200.  He is a leader in the G.A.R. Post and holds a prominent office in the I.O.O.F. lodge of which he is a faithful and useful member.  “Joe” never goes back on anything that is for the city’s good, and his name is always followed by a generous contribution whenever there is an application of charity presented to him.

            George L. Lord now claims the distinction of a retired miller, which business up to a year ago he has followed in Waupaca for over 30 years.  He has held offices of honor and trust, both in the city and county, which he has filled to his own and the public’s credit.  Mr. Lord justly merits the confidence and respect of the business community, which he possesses to so high a degree.

            Evan Coolidge is our beautiful blonde banker, and besides being the most popular man in the city among the ladies, he is nonetheless popular among the gentlemen.  Being a careful, shrewd, upright man, he has gained for himself riches and the confidence of all who know him.  His bank is run on the most approved business methods, and never has there been aught but unlimited confidence on the part of the numerous depositors.

            H. J. Stetson, the merchant prince, as he is familiarly called, deserves no less than any other man, a passing notice.  Mr. Stetson first engaged in the dry-goods business in Waupaca, 24 years ago, and has so continued uninterruptedly ever since.  He is now 47 years old and in the midst of a successful mercantile career.  As a kind-hearted accommodating gentleman, of strict integrity and the best morals, he is universally respected.  He is one of the old republican warhorses of the county and has devoted much time and money for the party cause.  He has one of the finest store buildings in this part of the state, and is making money.

            There are other men here who are nonetheless deserving and popular, but as my time and space are limited I will have to speak of Dr. G. H. Calkins, Dr. D. L. Manchester, T. L. Jeffers, Chas. Churchill, H. M. Lea, Geo. Lines, S. A. Oaks, Orin Hall, and several more another time. – Milwaukee Sunday Telegraph.