WAUPACA REPUBLICAN

February 6, 1891

 

JUDGE OGDEN.

Sketch of a Waupaca County Pioneer

 

            The Dual City Tribune published last week the following in relation to our worthy townsman, the founder of the WAUPACA COUNTY REPUBLICAN, Caleb S. Ogden, Judge of Probate, of this county:

            The recent publication of a history of the county, and the mention of scores of pioneers who have played an important part in its development, brings up a bewithering train of reminiscence.  A large majority of those hardy souls who braved the dangers of the wilderness and suffered privations of every character, have gone to their reward, but a few remain.

            Notable among the latter is Caleb S. Ogden, of Waupaca.  Although having passed the allotted age of man, Mr. Ogden is still possessed of a rugged frame and active brain, and can be found every day at his desk in the court house transacting an amount of business that a much younger man might not be ashamed of.  Mr. Ogden has a larger personal acquaintance in the county than any other citizen within its borders and his acquaintances are his friends.

            Caleb S. Ogden was born August 2, 1819, in Cannonsville, Delaware County, New York.  The family first settled in New Jersey and afterwards became one of the wealthiest and most influential in the Empire state; whole counties in western New York were owned by the family which was consolidated under the title of the “Ogden Land Association.”

            William B. Ogden, the Chicago railroad magnate, was of this family and an uncle of C.S. Ogden.

            After leaving the common school of his boyhood, young Ogden attended the Knoxville Academy, at Corning, New York (then Painted Post).  In 1834 he located near Niles, Michigan, remained there until 1848 then came to Wisconsin.  He located at Plover, Portage county, engaged for three years in lumbering and store keeping - then farmed three years.  In 1855 he struck out for the woods of central Waupaca County.  Finding water power at the present site of Ogdensburg, built a store and before the windows and doors were adjusted he placed therein a $6,000 stock of goods.  He then built a sawmill and gristmill which were destroyed by fire in 1859.  This was a calamity to the little village as well as himself.  Although nearly ruined financially he rebuilt the sawmill and ran it until 1866 when he removed to Waupaca.  He has  resided there since practicing law, and at times being engaged in other business as “side issues”.  He has been almost constantly in office since his settlement in the state.  At Plover he was school superintendent, the first one elected there.  He also held the office of supervisor, assessor and justice of the peace during his residence there.  He represented the town of St. Lawrence, Waupaca County, on the county board for years; was elected district attorney of Waupaca county, in 1857, elected county judge in 1861 and held that office since with the exception of one term which was filled by Winfield Scott.  He is the father of ten children that have grown to man and womanhood and are scattered over the state.

            Mr. Ogden’s career has been a useful one, and honesty and generosity its dominant characteristics.