Bios transcribed by Kay R. & History by Jan Cortez
Omro
The early history of the region in which the village of Omro is situated has been given in previous pages. With Neenah, Menasha and Oshkosh, it is situated in the course of that stream of historic travel which poured for two centuries through the Fox River Valley. The village is situated on the south bank of that river, and is suurounded by a fine agricultural district, of which it is the business center. Previous to 1845, Charles Omro, a half-breed, had put up a log hut and established a trading post near where the Compound Company's building afterward stood. But Edward West, who is the builder of the canal in Appleton and a prominent business man, is regarded as the first white settler in the town. Having purchased 500 acres of land, he erected two log cabins, and in the spring of 1845, having cut through a wagon-road from Rosendale, Fond du Lac Co., to his new home in Butte des Morts, removed his family. Mr. West having thus opened the way, Myron Howe, H. Gifford, Isaac Germain, A. Beals, George Stokes, David Hume, Al Pease, M.C. Bushnell, A. Quick, George Beckwith, William Remington, Joseph Whitehead, Lenman Scott, John Monroe, J.H. Perry, N.J. Forbes, Richard Reed, John Johnson, W.O. Giddings and others settled in the town and at or near the village in 1846-49. The town of Butte des Morts was organized in 1839, while it was yet a part of Brown Co., and in 1843 Winnebago Co. having been created, the name was changed to the town of Winnebago. In 1847, the towns of Winnebago, Butte des Morts, Boughton, Neenah and Rushford were organized. From the records of the first town meeting of Butte des Morts, held in April, at the house of Edward West, it appears that twenty-one votes were polled. and Nelson Olin was chosen Moderator and elected Clerk, while Edward West, John Monroe and Fred Tice became Supervisors. In 1848, Winneconne was set off from the town, the next year the name Butte des Morts was changed to Bloomingdale, and to Omro in 1852. Mr. West continued to lead in the village's march of improvement. In 1848, Elder Pillsbury preached the first sermon in Richard Reed's "big house" - 18X22 feet - and Mrs. George Beckwell taught the first school. In the spring of 1847, David Hume settled upon the present site of the village, built him a home and returned to Janesville for his family. Nelson Beckwith, son-in-law of Mr. Humes, erected a saw-mill the same year. In 1849, the original plat fo the village was laid out by Elisha Dean, who had been associated with Mr. Beckwith in his saw-mill enterprises, Joel V. Taylor and Nelson Beckwith, the "Western addition", being laid out the following year. In 1850, the first hotel was built. The builginf has been since enlarged and improved and is known as the Larrabee House. During the winter of that year Henry Purdy taught the first public school. Within the next ten years the village so increased in population and trade that it sighed for the advantages of a railroad. Through the determination of its citizens the track of the St. Paul Company's branch was extended to Omro by January 1, 1861, it having reached Waukau soon before that time. Pmro did not have to depend longer upon the irregular running of the boats up and down the river, and took a fresh start. The village now has a population of about 2,000 people, and next to Menasha, is the most important business point in the county. J.M. Beals is President of the Board of Trustees.
Its schools, three in number, are well conducted. The Principal of the High School is H.W. Rood. The North Side School is conducted by Walter Case and the East Ward by D.L. Barnes. The graded system is in vogue.
In May, 1865, the first permanent newspaper in the village was established, called the Omro Union, by S.H. Cady. In 1870, the name was changed to the Omro Journal. In April, 1878, Platt Wright, its present editor and proprietor, came into possession. The Journal is a five column quarto weekly, independent in politics. The Stalwart was established September 25, 1880, by Charles Carter and W.A. Hilton, its present editors and proprietors. It is a seven-column folio, weekly. Republican in politics.
Omro has several flourishing church societies. The Baptist Church was built in 1859, the first pastor of the society being Elder Theodore Pillsbury. The present membership is 113, and Elder O.W. Babcock has the society in charge. Elder Pillsbury preached the first sermon in the town at Richard Reed's "big house." A Methodist Episcopal Church was formed at an early day, and a vigorous one of 180 members still exists, under the pastorate of Rev. Jesse Cole. The Presbyterian Church was organized May 10, 1851, by Rev. L. Robbins. A good building was erected in 1867, at a cost of $3,500, which has since been improved and enlarged. The present membership of the society is ninety. Rev. F.Z. Rossiter, pastor. In addition to the above there is a small Episcopal Mission, Rev. Charles T. Susan, rector, and a Catholic society in charge of Father Mazzeaud, of Berlin.
Being in the center of so fine an agricultural district the general trade of Omro is large, as is evident ot any visitor by the general busy appearance of her streets. Several large manufactories serve to increase her reputation as a thriving village. The Northwestern Burial Case Company commenced to erect their building in March, 1881, and put the factory in operation in July. It turns out not only coffins of every variety, but manufactures moldings, sash, doors and blinds. An annual business of $100,000 is being conducted. The company owns two large buildings, one being used as a factory and the other for finishing work. Over thrity men are employed. Its members are C.C. Morton, M.E. Small, J.D. Trelevan, J.T. Orchard, S. Leighton and S.D. Gilman.
H.W. Webster's mill manufactures 35,000 feet of lumber, 5,000 of lath and 30,000 shingles per day; employs fifty hands and was built in 1867. Mr. Webster, who is one of Omro's early settlers, took charge in 1868.
D. Grossman's cheese factory was built in 1873, and manufactures 180,000 pounds of cheese annually. It is one of the busiest institutions of the place.
George Challoner's Sons foundry and machine-shop was established by George Challoner, father of Frank and John 1871. George Challoner conducted it alone up the time of his death in 1880, when the firm became as above. From thirty to thirty-five men are employed. The product of the manufacture is $52,000 yearly, and its nature shingle and saw mill machinery, steam engines, pumps and general work.
A small grist-mill, several busy wagon-shops, and a barrel factory, run by A. Gray, complete the manufactories.
