The Waupaca Republican

February 6, 1891

 

    HISTORY OF WAUPACA COUNTY

        By Hon. J. Wakefield, of Fremont.

 

Mr. Wakefield was for many years Historian of The Old Settlers’ Society of

Waupaca County, and his qualifications for such a work are beyond question; and

they are thoroughly appreciated by his many friends and acquaintances in this county. 

A lawyer by profession, a trained writer and close observer, with absorbing interest in

his subject, he entered upon the preparation of this History with peculiar advantages. 

More than this, he settled in the County in 1855, and has been a prominent actor in its

affairs since that time.  Mr. Wakefield has been Chairman of the Town of Fremont,

District Attorney for this County, and Member of the Assembly from the First District. 

In 1872 he was the first Historian of the Old Settlers’ Society of Waupaca County; from

1873 to 1875 inclusive, he was Secretary of that Society; and in 1876 was again elected

Historian, which office he yet retains.  In 1876 the Old Settlers’ Society appropriated a

small sum to aid Mr. Wakefield in his historical research.  It may be said that since that

time work on the History has been practically continuous – though, indeed, much work

upon it had been done previously.

Though personally so well-fitted for the work, the author has sought and received

the valuable assistance of a great many other Old Settlers – far too numerous to be

mentioned by name in this connection.  Some of them have made direct contributions to

this work.  Among the latter are J. Holman of Dayton, C. L. Green of Farmington, Judge

C. S. Ogden of Waupaca (who writes of the great “Indian scare” of 1862), George W.

Taggart of Weyauwega, (who writes in his most interesting style of the famous election

of 1851), and W. F. Waterhouse of Weyauwega, who for three years was Historian of

the Old Settlers Society.  Many others have given valuable assistance to the work.

This History treats first of the character of the wild “Indian lands”, out of which

Waupaca County was carved by the hardy pioneers of ’49, ’50, and ’51.  This

department, in interesting narrative style covers the period from the days of the

Territory of Wisconsin to the political organization of the “County and Town of

Waupaca” in 1851.  In it the author deals much with the Indians, their encounters with

the whites, and among themselves.  The hardships of the early settlers, and how

resolutely they endured them, are vividly portrayed, as also the energy with which they

overcame every obstacle to civilization.  Anecdotes and reminiscences of the old times

are plentiful in this department, as, indeed, they are throughout the whole book.

Next is treated the political history of the County as a whole.  Herein great care

Has been exercised to insure accuracy of statement.  The official records of the County

have been searched with diligence, and this statistical and political matter (of great value

for reference) may be depended upon as reliable.

There is a sketch of each Town, City and Village in the County; and in treating

these the same care has been taken to be correct in all statements of fact.  The chapters

on the Towns contain much excellent contributed matter, valuable for reference, and of

decided interest as narrative reading.

The work is strictly historical. As such it can not and does not champion either

side of any disturbing question of the past.  Of all such questions it gives simply the

unvarnished historical record as found in the archives of the County.  Neither does

this work seek to give undue prominence to any locality, or to any man or party; yet,

of necessity, its pages record the names and deeds of many hundreds of the old

pioneers.  In conclusion is a summary of the proceedings of the Old Settlers’ Society –

not the least interesting feature of the book to one who was a member of that

organization.

The history contains 219 pages, printed in the beautiful new type, on extra

heavy paper, and was published by D. L. Stinchfield in this city.  Handsomely bound

in boards and cloth, with gold-leaf stamping on the front and back, by W. B. Conkey,

Chicago, and is far superior in strength and appearance to that of the average cloth-

bound book.  It is the only complete and authentic history of Waupaca County ever

published.

            It is sold only by subscription, at the uniform price of $2 per copy.  Very low

price, considering the character of the work, its cost, and the narrow field in which it

will find purchasers.

            Judging from the rapid sales reported by those who are handling the work, its limited edition will soon be exhausted.  Mr. C. E. Lincoln is introducing the work in this section of the county.