Bios transcribed by Kay R. & History by Jan Cortez
Oshkosh
The city of Oshkosh contains a population of 17,000 people, and is located in the eastern part of Winnebago county, on Lake Winnebago and both sides of the Fox River. It is the great lumber manufactory and mart in Wisconsin. The wealth of the city buds out in solid and tasteful business houses and public buildings. Main street, on the North, and Kansas, on the South Side, are its principal business thoroughfares, while both sides of the river for several miles are packed with saw-mills, sash, door and blind factories, and manufactories of every kind. The cross streets are also alive with the energy for which Oshkosh has become noted. The wealth and industry of the city fairly blossoms in the Fourth and Fifth Wards, in the shape of beautifully improved streets and elegant residences. All her public buildings - the court house, school edifices, especially the magnificent high school building on Algoma street, post office, State Normal School, between Algoma and Elm, the Insane Asylum, north of the city limits, Exposition building, etc., etc., reflect the material prosperity of the city. Fine churches ornament it in every direction, throwing over its material wealth an influence which goes far to make Oshkosh an attractive city home. Societies and sociability flourish here, going to make up, with the other features mentioned, one of the most growing and substantial cities of the Northwest.
Oshkosh was incorporated as a city under Chapter 118, private and local laws of 1853, March 25. On the 5th day of April, a charter was adopted by 177 majority, and Edward Eastman was elected its first Mayor5. In 1856, the Legislature enlarged the municipal limits so as to embrace the village of Algoma. The officers for 1881 are: Mayor, Joseph Stingham; Clerk, R.J. Harney; Treasurer, F.B. Morgan; City Attorney, M.H. Eaton; Chief of Police, A. Ford; Superintendent of Schools, Geo. H. Read. The city is divided into six wards, and covers an area of nearly eight square miles. Its streets are lighted by gas. Six and a half miles of mains are laid. The works were erected by Joseph B. Davis in 1869.
