Bios transcribed by Kay R. & History by Jan Cortez
Winneconne
At the foot of Lake Winneconne, and the terminus of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Company's northern branch, is the neat little village of Winneconne. The fertility and beauty of the surrounding country, and its own location, explain the fact that its site was long a flourishing Indian village. When the Foxes were so terribly cut to pieces at Butte des Morts, the remnant fled to this spot, and rested for breath before forever relinquishing their claim to the beautiful valley of the Fox. When civilization fairly became established, for many years the village was on the eastern bank of the river. The first settler on the site of the village was Jeremiah Pritchell, who in 1847, built a log house. Two years later, when C.R. Hamlin arrived from Ohio, he found in the vicinity a couple of dilapidated log cabins and a Government building. Others, however, commenced to be attracted by the location of the place, and the village was platted in October, 1849, Hoel S. Wright and E. Gordon, proprietors. With the laying out of the village, came the need of a school; so the next year the settlers induced William Mumbrue to open one in a 16X28 feet concern, which "structure" had been erected for the purpose. This building served to foster both education and religion. During the previous year (1849), John Scott had launched out as the first general store-keeper, and E.D. Gumaer built a frame house on the east side of the river. In the winter of 1850, Joseph Edwards was appointed Postmaster of "Wanekuna." H.C. Mumbrue built a chair-factory, operated by horse-power. Hyde Brothers erected a saw-mill - and what more could be asked for a village so young? In 1853, a floating bridge was thrown across the river, which proceeding, however, did not advance settlement on the west side thereof. But, in 1867, Capt. Mapes purchased a tract of land on the west side of the river, and exerted himself to improve that locality and obtain railroad communication for the village. In the fall of 1868, the extension was made. The results of its reviving effects were soon seen. The village increased in population. Winneconne was incorporated by the Legislature in 1871. A fine bridge, costing $18,000, took the place of the old floating structure, and new business enterprises were established. Winneconne, within the next ten years, seemed determined to make up for lost time. The village has now a population of 1,600. It has two fine schools, graded; that on the east side is taught by Chester Smith, with Miss Jennie Allen as assistant, and the west side school has O.A. Parkes as its Principal, and Miss Clara Summer as assistant. The Lake View House is its leading hotel. The churches are the Catholic - Father H. Anen, Pastor; the Baptist, Rev. D.B. Coppien, Pastor, and the Lutheran, Rev. Oscar Griebling, Pastor. The Presbyterians have no settled Pastor.
Winneconne has several manufactories, prominent among which is the lumber and shingle-mill just started, after a period of rest, by Lefevre & Co. The saw-mill was built in 1870, and, after being idle from 1878, to 1880, was purchased by Thomas Wall and G.H. Lefevre. Its capacity is 50,000 feet of lumber, and 40,000 shingles. Stickles & Starks also operate a good sash, door and blind factory on the west side. E. McNutt runs a small mill on the east side, and there are one or two other smaller establishments. A ship-yard is in operation by Paulson & Pierson, whose business is mostly confined to repairing. Theodore Yager has a small brewery in this vicinity, built in 1880, and which manufactures 400 barrels of beer annually.
