"History of the upper peninsula of Michigan", Menominee County, Michigan

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This file can be found at http://files.usgwarchives.net/mi/menominee/memominee/history/h23609.txt

History of the upper peninsula of Michigan: containing a full account of 
its early settlement; its growth, development and resources. . .  Chicago: 
Western Historical Company, 1883.

Indexed & compiled by Angie Wesch hilavery@hotmail.com

Copyright © 2001 by Angie Wesch. This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives. 

Section 5 

Menominee County sections found on this page: City of Menominee

Surnames found on this page: ABBOTT, AIKEN, ALGEYER, ALLARD, AMMERMAN,
BADE, BANKS, BARKER, BELLOWS, BERNHEIM, BICE, BILL, BIRD, BOSWELL,
BRADBURY, BREEN, BROWN, BRUSH, BUELL, CALDWELL, CARPENTER, CASE, COLWELL,
COON, COPP, CORRY, COTA, CRANDALL, CROZER, CURTIS, DOHEAS, DUNDON, DUNLAP,
EGGERT, EVELAND, FARNSWORTH, FARRIER, FAY, FISK, FOX, FRASER, FRECHETTE,
GAGE, GARDINER, GARON, GEWEHR, GOODMAN, GOSS, HACKERMAN, HALL, HAMILTON,
HANLEY, HARDWICK, HARTER, HATTON, HAYDEN, HENDERSON, HOLMES, HORVATH, HUNT,
INGALLS, IRON, JACKSON, JACOBS, JENKINS, JOHNSON, JONES, JUTTNER, KERN,
KIRBY, KITTSON, LEAKE, LEHMAN, LINDNER, LOOMIS, LOUGHRY, LOVEJOY,
LOWENSTEIN, LUDINGTON, LYON, MCCULLOUGH, MCIVER, MCLAUGHTLIN, MEEKER,
MENARD, MEYERS, MOREAU, MURPHY, MURRAY, MUTH, NASON, NEWBERRY, NICKERSON,
ONEIL, PARMENTER, PAULI, PAYSON, PENGILLY , PERRETT, PORTER, QUIMBY,
RAICHE, REED, RUPRECHT, SAXTON, SHEPARD, SIEMAN, SOMERVILLE, SPAFFORD,
SPALDING, SPIES, SPRONG, STAFFORD, STEPHENSON, TAYLOR, THERIAULT, TOEPPEL,
VANSCHAICK, WELLS, WHILBECK, WHITNEY, WILSON, WITBECK, WOODFORD, WREN

pg. 491

MENOMINEE

The county seat of Menominee County is situated at the mouth of the
Menominee River, the boundary line between Michigan and Wisconsin, just
west of Green Bay into which the river flows. There are three distinct
villages at the mouth of the river. On the Wisconsin side, Menekaunee, at
the mouth, and Marinette, one and one-fourth miles from the mouth, where
the railroad crosses the river, and on the Michigan side Menominee, which
is situated on the delta lying between the river and the shore of Green
Bay. The village extends from the railroad bridge to the mouth of the
river, and along the shore of Green Bay nearly one and one-half miles. The
population is increasing rapidly, and the old settlers look forward to see
a city of 10,000 inhabitants at an early day. The best qualities of pine
timber along the river and its branches, the extensive and rich ranges of
iron mines found on the river and now being opened, the immense water power
furbished by the numerous falls and rapids on the river, and the extensive
ranges of beech and maple lands scattered all through Menominee County,
which, when cleared, will furnish abundance of fuel for smelting the ores,
and a fertile soil for the agriculturist, all render this a supposition
highly probable. The river and its branches drain over 3,000 square miles,
and the main river has a fall of upward of 800 feet, two of its cataracts -
the Big and Little Quinnesec having descents respectively of eighty feet
and sixty feet. In reference to the population and physical characteristics
of this district is made in the general history.

The first saw-mill built on the river was in 1836, by FARNSWORTH & BRUSH,
at the falls one mile from the mouth of the river; the next at Twin
Islands, in 1841, by Charles McLeod. The first steam mill was built in
1854, at Menekaunee, by the New York Lumber Company; the next by the
LUDINGTON Company, in 1857, at Marinette; the next by KIRBY, CARPENTER &
Co., during the same year, at Menominee, and the next at Menominee, in
1866, by Simon Strauss. At that time, 1866, only about 300 men were worked
on the Menominee River. There are now man, large mills working 2,000 men,
and cutting each year 160,000,000 feet of lumber.

Until 1863, Menominee was unorganized, and had been attached to Mackinac
and afterward to Marquette. At the session of the Legislature for 1863, the
inhabitants sent E. S. INGALLS to Lansing to procure the passage of an act
to organize the county, which was passed at that session, and the county
was organized in May, 1863.

The railroad from Fort Howard to Menominee was completed in December, 1871.
The road from Menominee to Escanaba was finished in December, 1872. The
first discovery of iron mines was made in 1865, and the first decided
effort to open any of them was made by Messrs. E. S. INGALLS, T. P. SAXTON
and Thomas and Bartley BREEN, in 1871, at the BREEN Mine.

The first blast furnace was commenced at Menominee in September, 1872, and
went into operation January 1,1873. It was estimated to cost $100,000.

The first church erected was in 1868, and was built by subscription from
the inhabitants and donated to the First Presbyterian society. During 1872,
the Methodists and Catholics commenced the erection of churches. The first
school established in Menominee was in 1863; and was wept in an old
fish-net house. In 1865, a good schoolhouse was

pg. 492

built, which, in 1867, proving insufficient for the growing wants of the
place, was sold, and a house costing $7,000 built for a graded school.
During the fire of 1871, only one mill was burned.

The first brick dwelling erected was the residence of S. M. STEPHENSON,
which has once been burned and rebuilt. Augustus A. SPIES has lately
completed another such residence. The first brick store erected was by
Augustus A. SPIES and Harlan P. BIRD, which was built in 1872 at a cost of
$12,000.

An appropriation of $16,000 was made, which was used up in surveys;
afterward, an appropriation of $25,000 was made, and in 1874, the work of
driving piles and building breakwaters was commenced. The channel of the
river is wide, but is obstructed by a bar of sand running across the mouth.
Other appropriations have since been made and the work has progressed each
year. Although the harbor is not completed, the ordinary-sized vessels come
in to load.

OLD SETTLERS OTHER THAN PIONEERS

Alex LOUGHRY came to Menominee in 1842; Jacob KERN in 1846; John BREEN,
Adolph WILSON, Daniel CORRY, Morris HANLEY in 1849; Thomas, Bartley, James,
Daniel and Michael BREEN, with their mother; John CORRY and his sister
Catherine; Louis HARDWICK, Josiah B. Brooks and his father, Nathaniel, in
1850. Daniel BREEN was killed in 1860 while breaking a jam on the Little
Cedar River, by the logs rolling over him. George W. LOVEJOY came in 1851,
Gilbert MOREAU in 1852, John N. THERIAULT in 1853, Nicholas GEWEHR, Henry
NEWBERRY and William P., his son, came in 1854. Henry NEWBERRY built the
first house in the village of Menominee after those of Andrus EVELAND and
John QUIMBY. He perished in the great woods fire of 1871, being then on his
farm at Peshtigo Sugar Bush. John HANLEY, Daniel NASON, Alanson F. LYON,
William G. BOSWELL, William HACKERMAN, Henry BADE, Sr., and family,
Frederick and Henry SIEMAN came in 1855; Samuel W. ABBOTT, Henry NASON,
Andrew MCIVER and Albert W. BOSWELL in 1856; Thomas CALDWELL in 1857; Leon
COTA, Frank EGGERT and Lewis DOHEAS in 1861; William LEHMAN in 1862. Jacob
JOHNSON came as early as 1849, and lived here several years. He now resides
on a farm at Peshtigo Sugar Bush.

NEWSPAPERS

The first newspaper published at Menominee, or about the Menominee River,
was the Herald, the first number of which was issued September 10,1863, E.
S. INGALLS, editor and proprietor. It was Republican in politics. In
1866-67, Jesse SPALDING, of the Menekaunee Mill, I. STEPHENSON, of the N.
LUDINGTON Company, the KIRBY-CARPENTER Company, the R. STEPHENSON Company
and Mr. INGALLS each put in $200 and many of the other citizens sums from
$1 to $50 each, and a press and type and other outfit for a printing office
were bought. Andrew R. BRADBURY came here and took charge of the paper, the
purchasers allowing him to take the property without interest, and pay for
it as he could. He conducted the paper until January, 1871, when he sold
out to James A. CROZER, who, in 1874, sold it to Dudley S. CRANDALL, who
conducted it for one year and sold back to CROZER, who is now its editor
and publisher.

The Lumberman and Miner was established by a company, of whom the most
prominent were John L. BUELL, George HARTER, Philip LOWENSTEIN, William H.
JENKINS and Joseph JUTTNER. They bought a press and material in 1873, and
procured A. R. BRADBURY to take charge of it, who conducted it for a short
time, when John L. MCLAUGHLIN took charge. In January of 1876, John L.
BUELL took the press and materials and began printing the Menominee
Journal, which he is still publishing.

RELIGIOUS

For many years there was no business at Menominee, nor on the other side of
the river. The first institution of a religious character of which
tradition informs us was a mission established for the Indians at Mission
Point, near where the LUDINGTON Mill now stands, in Marinette. It is not
known whether it was Catholic or Episcopal. It is said that early traders
did not favor it, as they feared its

pg. 493

influence on the Indians would interfere with their trade, especially in
the sale of whisky; so to get rid of it, they induced them to destroy it.
Whether this be true or not, it has passed away, and nothing remains but
the name - Mission Point. After the organization of the county, in 1868,
the people here began to think it better to have churches. There were but
few professed Christians, and they were of various denominational belief.
No one sect had sufficient strength to erect a building for worship. About
this time, Rev. John Fairchild, who was established as pastor of the
Presbyterian Church in Marinette, organized a church in Menominee, called
the "First Presbyterian Church of Menominee," and Henry LOOMIS, a young
theological student, of Auburn Seminary, N. Y. (now a missionary in China),
came here to spend his vacation and recruit his health. He was full of
zeal, and soon after he came he began to agitate the question of building a
church. The people were ready to support such a move, and immediately steps
were taken for that purpose. The KIRBY-CARPENTER Company gave a lot, and
Mr. LOOMIS went to work and cleared away the bushes. The companies all
subscribed liberally, as also did the people, according to their means. The
building committee appointed were Samuel M. STEPHENSON, E. S. INGALLS and
William P. NEWBERRY, B. W. PORTER, of Waukegan, Ill., was employed to come
and take charge of the construction. The church was completed in 1809, and
was dedicated July 18 of that year. A contribution was taken up on
dedication day, and all arrearage were then paid. The first Trustees were
Samuel M. STEPHENSON, Miles SHEPARD, Thomas MURRAY, Edward L. PARMENTER and
William P. NEWBERRY. The first pastor was Henry LOOMIS, who accepted the
pulpit for four months. The present Trustees are Samuel L. STEPHENSON,
Edward L. PARMENTER, Salmon P. SAXTON and Miles SHEPARD. The present pastor
is. A. W. BILL.

The number of members when first organized was nine. The present number was
seventy-three enrolled, eighteen of whom are absent from the county. The
church for a long time was weak, and, without aid from those who were not
members of any church, could not have been sustained, yet it always has
received liberal assistance, and has maintained steady preaching since that
time. To illustrate their weakness and how churches were managed here, Mr.
INGALLS relates this incident: "One evening, two or three years after the
church was built, a friend said to me, "Come, let's go down to the church
meeting. " Not feeling inclined to go, he explained, saying that the time
for which the preacher had been employed was about out, that the church was
somewhat in arrears, and a meeting was to be held to see what could be done
about it, and see about employing a pastor for another year; so I went with
him, and although not a member of the society, I was elected Chairman of
the meeting. There was but one member of the church present, the others
being outsiders, though most of them were regular attendants at church

The business of the previous year was investigated and something over $60
found to be due from the society, which was raised on the spot. The
question then came up about hiring a preacher, and it was proposed that the
Chairman appoint a committee to confer with the one then there (Rev.
PAYSON), and if he did not wish to stay to employ some other one

There was one man present who had done more than any other one toward
paying for building the church and supporting it after it was built, who
was also a Trustee; though a moral man in all other respects, he had an
inveterate habit of swearing, and no doubt was often profane without
knowing it. I immediately appointed him Chairman of the committee. As soon
as he heard his name spoken in that connection, he jumped up and objected,
for, said he, "By G--, Mr. Chairman, you know I can't talk it over with him
without swearing." This, of course, brought down the house; I, however,
told him that I did not consider that a good excuse, and if he did swear,
perhaps the preacher would talk with him and assist him in breaking the
habit. He took the position, and a preacher was hired.

This is the first time I ever heard of non-members holding a church
meeting, and doing business for the society - even to the extent of hiring
a pastor. It has not been repeated here, though the outsiders give the
church a hearty support."

In 1872, the Catholics commenced the construction of a church, which they
completed in 1873. This is the largest church in the town, and is in every
respect a credit to the society. The persons who interested themselves in
building this church were Thomas BREEN, Bartley BREEN, Edward HATTON,
Joseph GARON and Robert PENGILLY, all of whom, except Thomas BREEN, were
the first Trustees. Father M. A. FOX was the first priest who officiated in
it. The present Trustees are Bartley BREEN, George HORVATH, Moses
FRECHETTE, Joseph GARON and Edward HATTON. The present priest is Father
Peter MENARD

The German Lutheran Church. - The construction of this church was commenced
in 1873; it was completed in 1874. The members are all German, and the
services are usually conducted in that language. The church though not
large is quite tasty. The first officers of the society were: George
HARTER, President; Henry AMMERMAN, Secretary; Nicholas GEWEHR, Treasurer,
and C. TOEPPEL, preacher, who still acts as pastor.

The Methodist Episcopal Church - In 1874, Rev. Richard COPP came here,
having been sent to establish a society and erect a church. He found the
people suffering from the effects of the financial panic, and not able to
respond as liberally as they had; done in such work, previously.
Nevertheless he began the work and found the people willing to aid
according to their means. He soon had a small snug church up, and
completed, ready for dedication. On dedication day, enough money, was
raised, or nearly, by contribution to pay off the balance due on the
building. In the construction of it, he pulled off his coat and worked as
hard, teaming lumber, etc., as any man who works by the day. The secret of
his success probably lay in this, for the people, seeing his zeal in the
cause, and that he did not spare himself in hard work, felt the more
interested in his enterprise, and without doubt contributed more than they
otherwise would have done. The pastor was, and still is, Rev. Richard COPP.
The present number of members is thirty-seven and nine probationers.

There are no other churches in the county. Those named are all in the
village of Menominee. In Marinette there is one of each denomination, the
Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist and Scandinavian.

BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES

The first society of the kind instituted was the Menominee Lodge, No. 269,
A., F. & A. M., which received its dispensation from the Grand Lodge of
Michigan August 9, 1869. The charter members were William SOMERVILLE, P. W.
M.; Miles SHEPARD, P. W. M; E S. INGALLS, J. L BUELL, Dr. John MURPHY, John
HANLEY, S. P. SAXTON and E. Gilbert JACKSON. The first officers were:
William SOMERVILLE, W. M.; Miles SHEPARD, S. W.; E. Gilbert JACKSON, J. W.;
S. P. SAXTON, Treasurer; John MURPHY, Sec-

pg. 494

etary; C. B. MEYERS, S. D.; U. D. GAGE, J. D.; Jonathan BARKER, Tiler. The
number of members when first organized was eighteen; the present number is
fifty.

Menominee Lodge, No. 131, L O. O. F.- Was instituted as a lodge October 15,
1869, by dispensation from the R. W. Grand Lodge of Michigan. The charter
was received January 20, 1870, from M. W. G. M. J. S. CURTIS. The first
elective officers were: George HARTER, N. G.; Clarence BICE, V. G.; Philip
LOWENSTEIN, Secretary; Robert MCCULLOUGH, Treasurer, who, with George REED,
were the charter members. The lodge was installed by D. D. G. M. C. J.
BELLOWS, of Escanaba Lodge, No. 118, assisted by P. G. Stephen GOSS. After
the installation, P. G. E. S. INGALLS was admitted and enrolled as an
ancient Odd Fellow, and John N. THERIAULT, Julius RUPRECHT, Theodore
LINDNER, William H. JENKINS and William LEHMAN were initiated and joined,
the lodge then having eleven members. The lodge, although yet young, is the
parent of several lodges. At the time this one was organized there was no
lodge of the order nearer than Green Bay City, Wis., or Escanaba, in this
State. By permission of the Grand Lodge of the respective States, members
and candidates were allowed to join it, from Wisconsin, and many did join
it from Marinette and Peshtigo. When the membership became large enough the
members from Marinette withdrew, and established a lodge in that village
Afterward, those from Peshtigo withdrew and established a lodge at home. A
lodge was also formed in Oconto, Wis., the first members of which had been
members of the lodge in Menominee.

Societe St. Louis de Secours Mutuels de Menominee - The first meeting for
the organization of this lodge was held September 22, 1873, is which the
constitution of the French Societe of Fond du Lac, Wis., was received and
accepted. The society was incorporated in the State of Michigan September
13, 1874. The first officers elected were: Theodore Trudel, President;
Louis J. RAICHE, Treasurer, and George ALLARD, Secretary. On the 21st of
September, 1874, the society was admitted into the union of the French
Societe of the United States of America. The officers for the present term
are: Joseph BERNHEIM, President; L. J. RAICHE, Vice President; Albert
PAULI, Financial and Corresponding Secretary. The society at present has
eighty-eight members, and the active cash capital of the society is
$462.39. This society as will be inferred from his name, is composed of
French-speaking people. It has done much good; many who otherwise would
have suffered, have been relieved, when they have met with accidents or
been overtaken by sickness.

Independent Order of Good Templars - A lodge of this order was established
in 1870, and was in successful operation for about three years. Its lodge
room was burned and it then became disorganized.

FIRE DEPARTMENT

In 1872, Engine No. 1, a hand-engine, was bought. About the same time, the
KIRBY-CARPENTER Company bought another, but these being insufficient, an
Amoskeag (N. H.) steam engine was bought in 1874. The first officers of
Engine No.1 were: George HARTER, Foreman; Henry NASON, First Assistant;
John J. FARRIER, Second Assistant; Augustus SPIES, Treasurer; Edward LEAKE,
Secretary; Charles E. AIKEN, Assistant Secretary.

BANKS

Hunt & FRASER's Menominee Bank.- This bank began to do business March 7,
1873, under the name Menominee Bank The original proprietors were E.
HAYDEN, Frederick STAFFORD (then of Negaunee), and H. J. COLWELL, of
Clarksburg, Mich. James FRASER was Cashier.

Its total exchange business since it commenced has been $800,000; the
amount paid in checks, $584 179.02; gross business of every kind,
$1,500,000.

The Exchange Bank of Menominee - commenced business in 1873. It was begun
in 1870 by George A. WOODFORD, Clinton B. FAY and Charles H. JONES, rather
as a broker's office than a bank, WOODFORD having the management of the
business. Afterward, FAY and JONES sold their interests, and in 1874
Charles E. AIKEN, the present cashier, bought into it, WOODFORD retaining
his interests The gross amount of business for 1875 is $350,000. Total
business of every kind since its commencement to 1876, $1,000,000.

The German Bank commenced business in 1875. Its business is confined to
buying drafts, the funds being furnished by the Stephenson Banking Company,
of Marinette. The certificate is filed in the name of Jacob MUTH, Cashier,
who attends to the whole business. Gross amount of business for 1875 is
$75,000.

THE MENOMINEE RIVER MANUFACTURING COMPANY.

This company was incorporated in 1866. The incorporators were Jesse
SPALDING, Harrison LUDINGTON, Nelson LUDINGTON, Daniel WELLS, Jr., Abner
KIRBY, S. M. STEPHENSON, Isaac STEPHENSON, Robert STEPHENSON, W. O.
CARPENTER, Truman WOODFORD, Ely Wright and R. L. HALL, who were constituted
the first Board of Directors. The first officers were: Harrison LUDINGTON,
President; Isaac STEPHENSON, Vice President; Augustus C. BROWN, Secretary
and Treasurer. The first meeting for the election of officers was held at
the store of N..LUDINGTON Company in Marinette February 15, 1867. The
company immediately constructed a dam across the river at the head of the
rapids, to set the water back and create a pond to hold the logs. They have
since built another across the river where the old Dr. HALL mill stood, and
a wing dam below that. The company has also put in a large number of piers
and booms, and have now completed arrangements for holding and dividing the
logs. In 1875, there passed through the dividing booms 602,285 logs,
amounting to 112,056,280 feet of lumber, board measure. The largest amount
that has passed through the booms in one year is 142,917,228 feet (in
1872).

The Gilmore Mill at the month of the Menominee was built in 1867 by Charles
H. SPAFFORD and William Gilmore.

MENOMINEE IRON COMPANY.

This company was incorporated in 1872. The incorporators were H. J.
COLWELL, A. B. MEEKER, W. L. BROWN, John E. WREN, Jerome T. CASE, Morris R.
HUNT. The first officers were: A. B. MEEKER, President; M. R. HUNT,
Cashier; J. E. WREN, Secretary and Treasurer; Robert JACKSON,
Superintendent; C. SPRONG, Assistant Superintendent and Accountant, and
Richard DUNDON, Founder. The company commenced the construction of the
furnace is October, 1872, and went into blast August, 1873.

Notwithstanding the depression of the iron market following the panic of
1873, the furnace has continued in blast, only stopping for repairs. Its
average capacity with charcoal made from pine slabs and other soft wood is
twenty tons of pig iron per day. The furnace is situated on the bay shore,
at the north end of the village of Menominee. It was erected under the
superintendence of James White, and cost $140,000.

THE PENINSULA IRON AND LUMBER COMPANY.

This company was incorporated May 29, 1876. Capital stock, $500,000. The
incorporators and stockholders are

Pg. 495

Samuel M. NICKERSON, Henry H. PORTER, Augustus A. CARPENTER, Samuel M.
STEPHENSON and James B. GOODMAN. The company owns 24,762 acres of land.

RAILROADS

The Chicago & North-Western Railroad Company for many years had
contemplated extending its road to Lake Superior. The United States many
years ago had made of grant of eight sections of land to the mile and the
State of Michigan gave six sections of land to the mile to aid in its
construction, but it was not until 1871 that the work was begun between
Green Bay City (Fort Howard) and Menominee, and in that season the road was
completed to Menominee. In 1872, it was extended from Menominee to
Escanaba, in Delta County, where it connected with the Peninsula Division
of the company's railroad, which terminated at Negaunee, connecting with
the Marquette, Houghton & Ontonagon Railroad; this completed the line to
Lake Superior. The railroad bridge across the Menominee was built in 1872.
The line of their railroad was located somewhat with a view to the opening
of the mines in the Menominee Iron Range, being run northerly from
Menominee to a point twelve miles from the BREEN Mine, the nearest known
mine in the range, then turning abruptly east to Escanaba

The only man connected with Menominee interests who was directly connected
with this company was H. H. PORTER, who has labored hard in promoting the
early completion of the road

This is the only railroad completed in the county.

Deer Creek & Marble Quarry Railroad Company was organized and incorporated
in 1870 for the purpose of building a railroad from the Menominee iron
range and marble quarries to the shore of Green Bay at Deer Creek, whish
was the nearest point on the shore from the mines where docks could be
made. The officers were: E. S. INGALLS, President; Salmon P. SAXTON,
Secretary; Miles SHEPARD, Treasurer. The road has not been constructed,
another company having been organized for the purpose of constructing a
railroad from the line of the Chicago & North Western Railroad to the
mines. The stockholders of this company made application to the Circuit
Court for an order dissolving the corporation in 1876.

The Menominee River Railroad Company was incorporated in 1875, the purpose
of the company being to construct a railroad to the Menominee iron range,
before alluded to. It is expected that the company will construct a
railroad from the Chicago & North-Western Railroad to the mines this
present season. The company has a grant of land from the State of seven
sections to the mile, to be selected in Menominee and Delta Counties to aid
in the construction of the road. The grant was made on the condition that
ten miles of the road should be constructed within one year, which ended
May 3, 1876, and ten miles each year thereafter, but as the first ten miles
has not been built the act has become inoperative. It is intended to
construct twenty-six miles this year to the Quinnesec Mine, and it is
believed that if the company shall do so the Legislature will renew the
grant next winter.

STEAMBOATS

The first steamboat that stopped at Menominee of which we have any record
was the "New York," which called here for wood in 1836, on which was Daniel
WELLS, Jr., who has since been so intimately connected with the mill
interests of Menominee. It is said FARNSWORTH & BRUSH had just finished
burning a pit of charcoal when the boat arrived, and the captain
confiscated that with his other fuel. The steamer "Fashion," running from
Chicago to Green Bay from 1851 to 1856, called at this port each way. The
"Columbia" also came here in 1854. and the old steamer "Michigan "
occasionally stopped here, and perhaps others that the old settlers do not
remember. It was not until 1856 or 1857 that boats began to run regularly
to the port of Menominee. The first among this class was the "Morgan L.
Martin," a river boat, brought from the Fox River, Wis, which ran from
Green Bay City to Menominee two or three times a week, but not very
regularly. Previous to that time, the mail and passengers were brought by a
small open sloop called the "Polly." In 1857, the steamer "Fannie Fisk,"
Capt. Daniel M. WHITNEY, Master, owned by Joel S.. FISK, of Fort Howard,
Wis., was put on the line from Green Bay to Menominee, and made three trips
per week regularly. She continued on the line until after the rebellion
broke out, during which she was taken up the Fox River, down the Wisconsin
to the Mississippi, and down to New Orleans, where he was used as a
Government transport. They made one trip to Matamoras, in Texas, and on her
return was set up the Mississippi and Tennessee Rivers, where, with several
others, she was burned by the rebels.

In 1858, John B. JACOBS purchased and put upon the same line the steamer
"Queen City," running alternate days with the steamer "Fannie Fisk;" this
gave a daily boat from Green Bay to Menominee. Jacob continued to own her
until he sold out to the Green Bay to Menominee River Navigation Company.

In the spring of 1866, the steamer "Union," owned by Augustus C. BROWN and
F. B. GARDINER, was put on the line. The "Union" was first built for a tug
at Pensaukee by F. B. GARDINER in 1865, and in 1866 was lengthened and
fitted for a good sea boat. In 1867, she was sold to the Green Bay &
Menominee River Navigation Company, this company being formed the same
year. The incorporators were Isaac STEPHENSON, Samuel M. STEPHENSON, Abner
KIRBY, Jesse SPALDING, F. B. Gardner, William J. FISK and, Augustus C.
CARPENTER. The company continued to run the steamboats Union and Queen City
until 1871 The Queen City was sold, and finally came into the hands of
Capt. TAYLOR, and was burned in Green Bay, near Ford River, in the fall of
1875. The Union is still running from Green Bay to Escanaba, in charge of
Capt. Thomas Hawley, who owns her.

After the Chicago & North-Western Railroad was completed to Fort Howard,
Wis. (in 1863), a company connected with that road put on a daily line of
steamers running from Fort Howard to Escanaba, stopping at Menominee each
way. The first boats put on the line were the "Sarah Van Epps" and "Arrow.
" A new boat built by the company called "George L. Dunlap" was put on in
1864. The "Sarah Van Epps " not giving satisfaction, was sold, and the
"Saginaw" put in her place in 1868. After the railroad was completed to the
Menominee River, the Saginaw ran only between Menominee and Escanaba, and
was withdrawn altogether when the road was completed to the latter place.
In 1869, the "Lady Franklin" was put on the line as an independent boat.
When the boats began racing, they could not get into the river on account
of the sandbar at the mouth and there were no docks on the shore. In 1868,
the KIRBY-CARPENTER Company built a dock, used the Saginaw and George L.
DUNLAP began stopping at it in 1869.

The first tug owned on the river was the Bog Mills which was bought in
Buffalo by the KIRBY-CARPENTER Company, and brought here in 1868 The old
Morgan L. Martin, after she had become too old to trust to the rough seas.

Pg. 496

of the bay, was used as a tug. In 1869, George COON and Andrew STEPHENSON
built a tug which they named "Annie Laurie," it being afterward owned by
the Menominee River Lumber Company. She was afterward sold, and has left
the waters of Green Bay. In 1870, the LUDINGTON, WELLS & VANSCHAICK Company
bought the side-wheel tug Mary Reed, which they used for towing for awhile,
and then sold her to parties in Saginaw. In 1872, the company bought the
tug Bob Stephenson. In 1868, the N. LUDINGTON Company bought the side-wheel
tug Isaac Stephenson. In 1874, Isaac STEPHENSON and S. M. STEPHENSON bought
the tug Escanaba, and now own her. Previous to the purchase of the tugs,
the lumber of the various mills were taken out to the vessels at anchor in
scows, which were hauled by men with lines made fast to the shore and to
the vessel that was to be loaded. This was not only slow bat very laborious
and cold work, especially in the spring and fall, as the lines had to be
fitted from the water as they progressed. Until 1871, nearly all the lumber
made was shipped on sail vessels, and it was not unusual to see twenty-five
vessels at anchorage at one time. In that year, the KIRBY-CARPENTER
Company, purchased the propeller Favorite, a good sea boat, and barges that
would stow from three to four hundred thousand feet each. In 1873, the
Menominee River Lumber Company, H. WHILBECK Company and N. LUDINGTON
Company bought a propeller, the Bismarck, and six barges, with a capacity
for storing 3,000,000 feet of lumber. Now nearly all the lumber from
Menominee is transported to Chicago by steam. The Bismarck is commanded by
Capt. Joseph PERRETT.

Since 1869, the Goodrich Company of Chicago, who had a line of propellers
running from that place to Green Bay City, have had their boats stop
regularly at Menominee. The propellers Truesdell and St. Joseph were the
first boats of their line that called here. The Oconto was afterward put in
the place of the St. Joseph, and this year the Menominee takes the place of
the Oconto. The Menominee is of 800 tons burden, and one of the best
propellers on the lakes. Each boat makes two calls here every week, making
a semi-weekly line of propellers from this point to Chicago, besides the
trips of the Favorite and Bismarck. In 1869, Robert ONEIL built a small
steamer to be used as a ferry boat, and to run around the bay in good
weather. She was called "Kittie O'Neil," and is still on the river.

The only large vessel which has been built at Menominee is the scow
"Menominee," built by Abner KIRBY in 1866 or 1867, which is still in use on
the lakes.

FARMS

As before stated, the first farms opened here were at Wausaukee Bend and at
Chappieu's Rapids by the late John G. KITTSON. The whole county is covered
with dense forest of pine, hemlock, beech, basswood, maple and other trees
indigenous to a northern climate, with swamps covered with white cedar and
tamarack trees. All of the beech and maple lands and cedar swamps when
cleared become good farming lands, the cedar swamps when drained being the
best.

For many years after the settlement was formed in the county it was thought
that farming could not be made profitable, and the main business carried on
was fur trading, lumbering and fishing. About 1855, several German
families, among whom was William HACKERMAN, Henry BADE, Sr., Frederic and
Henry SIEMAN; afterward Xavier ALGEYER and others came and took up and
began to clear farms at what has since been known as the Birch Creek
settlement, about seven miles from Menominee. They settled upon beech and
maple lands, and now have large farms. The great fire of 1871 swept through
the settlement, destroying everything in its course and many lives; but
nothing daunted, the survivors commenced again the spring fencing their
fields, and now have good buildings and larger clearings. The railroad runs
through the settlement.

In 1858, Thomas CALDWELL commenced clearing a farm on the Little Cedar
River, a branch of the Menominee, twenty miles above the mouth, and cleared
about forty acres.

A year or two before that, Jesse L. HAMILTON commenced clearing a farm at
the mouth of the Little Cedar, on the bank of the Menominee, at the foot of
the Grand Rapids. He cleared a large farm which Patrick Devine and his son
bought and lived on until the present year.

In 1866, the HAMILTON & MERRYMAN Company commenced clearing a farm
fifty-six miles up the river with a view of supplying their logging camps,
and thus save the expense of transporting hay and root crops. Their
principal crop has been hay, oats, potatoes and other roots. The company
now has 120 acres cleared. The value of the crop raised last year on the
farm is $1,800. Adjoining the HAMILTON & MERRYMAN Company's farm the
KIRBY-CARPENTER Company has a farm with 230 acres cleared; the value of the
products of this farm for 1875 was $4,600. The crops were hay, potatoes,
turnips, cabbage and a small amount of winter wheat as an experiment.
Thomas MURRAY has charge of the farm. About one mile from these farms the
H. WITBECK Company has a farm which was commenced in 1868, and now has 200
acres cleared. The crop last year was 140 tons of hay, worth on the farm
$20 per ton; 1,500 bushels potatoes, worth 25 cent per bushel. The oat crop
was cut for hay.

Adjoining this farm the LUDINGTON, WELLS & VANSCHAICK Company has a farm
with 100 acres cleared; the value of the crops for last year was $1.586.
This company has two other farms, one at the Relay House, twenty-five miles
from Menominee Village, with 120 acres cleared; value of crops, 1875,
$1,210, and one at Pike River, on the Wisconsin side, with forty acres
cleared. At the mouth of the Sturgeon River, the Menominee River Lumber
Company has a farm. The clearing on this farm was commenced in 1866; there
are now 100 acres cleared The crops raised are principally hay, oats and
potatoes. The estimated value of the crops at the farm for 1875 was $5,000.

All crops on these farms have a greater value than they would have in the
village of Menominee, for they save transportation of their products a
great distance. The farms are also used as stopping places for the men and
teams going to and returning from the logging camps in the winter. The
KIRBY-CARPENTER Company has also three other farms between Menominee
Village and the farm mentioned. One, called the nine-mile farm, has
ninety-five acres cleared; the total value of the product of 1875 is $2,
325. One at the mouth of Pike River, in Wisconsin, has eighteen acres
cleared; total value of product of 1875, $1,176. Also one at the Grand
Rapids with forty acres cleared; total value of products of 1875, $885.
Some of the crops suffered from grasshoppers last year, which reduced the
yield to less than average.

H. WITBECK Company has one other farm.

The N. LUDINGTON Company has a farm situated on the Menominee, near Pemina
Creek This is a large farm, but we have not the statistics.

William HOLMES and George HENDERSON have opened a

pg. 497

farm on the Sturgeon River, in Township 40 north, Range 28 west, which is
the farthest in the interior of any farm yet cleared.

Since the building of the railroad, many farms have begun to be cleared
along it and also in other parts of the county, but space forbids that we
should make particular mention of them here. The principal products of the
farms are hay, oats and potatoes, but other grains and roots will grow and
mature well. In time, the county will be a great dairy and sheep-raising
district. All the cultivated grasses grow well, and the soil and climate
are particularly adapted to growing root crops.

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