From the Wolf River Herald – Weyauwega, WI
August 10, 1855 issue
Transcribed by Paula Vaughan  March 2003
 

WEYAUWEGA

The first store was brought into the place under the firm of Weed & Gumaer, in a dry goods box where it was kept for some time, the merchandise, C. L. Gumaer, unnailing the same to accommodate customers and again nailing up when he would close business for the night, or would in the intervals of trade, shoot ducks on the Weyauwega Lake. The first articles sold were two seyth-stones to Fried Siefer Aug. first 1850, the day on which the goods arrived. The trade, in two weeks, amounted to nearly the sum of $12. This was the first, and at that time, the only store in the county. Henry Tourtillotte having moved out his house, it was assigned C. L. Gumaer for his dwelling and store. Though new still much cramped for room, still it was much more convenient than keeping store in a dry goods box, which, having served its day, was discarded as a thing nearly worthless. There are now, in this place, three day goods stores, a drug and medicine store, a hard ward store where they manufacture and keep on hand a good assortment of tine ware, stoves & c. Beside, there are four groceries where all family necessaries can be readily obtained, and a cabinet ware room where good furniture may be found.

The land new occupied by the village was entered April 30^th, 1853, and the plot of the town was recorded immediately afterwards.

Some settlers were on the plot, but these having agreed to build in a certain order, no irregularity was occasioned in the plan of the village. The number of lots sold since 350 viz:284 or the original plot, 29 on the south and west additions, and 37 on Meiklejohn’s addition. With few exceptions, these have been sold to those building immediately, and generally two lots to each individual, so that there is now not far from 75 buildings in which one or more families reside. Many dwellings are in the process of erection and the remainder are under contract to be built the coming Fall and Winter. Many of the exceptions will be filled early in Autumn if certain young ladies will give their consent, and we have no doubt but they will. Facts, like the preceeding, speak well for the opinion of the public in regard to the future prospects of this village.

A short notice of our mechanics will most fully substantiate that there is good foundation for this favorable public opinion. With one exception, not one has left the place to pursue his occupation elsewhere. Report is, that the removal of this one caused so much exultation in a rival place, that they gave the individual a public dinner, and several highly patriotic and congratulatory speeches were made on the occasion by their bust, and most enthusiastic village orators. "Three removes are bad as a fire". Says the proverb, and we are quite sure his same individual has incurred that game penalty.

T,____S,____ came in here May 1850, and commenced work as a blacksmith. A set of tools was furnished him by the Mill Company to begin operations with. Business was rather dull the first year, but still enough to give him a very good, living-But there has been ample recompense since: for coming here with almost nothing we very much doubt whether he would consider fifteen hundred dollars a valuable consideration for his property. This shows he had sufficient to do and we presume there is not a place in the state where he could have done better. Two more blacksmiths have since established themselves in business here and are doing well. There is no lack of employment.

The first SHOW SHOP was established here May 2d, 1853, by A____ D. F_______; all who favor him with their custom know how much more able he is to keep a good stock in trade than he was when he first commenced. If you would know how he values his place and future prospects ask him his price for his situation and I presume you will have no occasion to think he is discouraged or in any manner inclined to murmur at his success in business. We think he is perfectly content to "let well enough" such as he enjoys "alone" E___ E___, set up trade a little after, and in prosperity, and in every respect he has been "treading hard in the footsteps of his illustrious predecessor". There has been a regular "go ahead" in his shop. These shops have had no occasion to run each other in trade as both have had more than they could do, and are inclined to ask less rather than more in the way of work.

W_____ P______, commenced the manufacture of cabinet ware in September 1852, and while here, did a good business, but he left the place to establish himself in another occupation. Puffer and Bates have a good assortment of furniture at their ware rooms, and will soon be able to meet all demands for the useful and ornamental.

In May 1853, L____ D____ and B____ brought on a stock of hardware and manufactured some tin. Since August 1854, they have left the trade for professional pursuits and J. C. Stringham has taken their place, and has managed with so much success that he will soon equal any similar establishment in stock and trade. M___ H. _____ commenced business as saddle and harness maker in Sept 1854, he has had no causes to complain for want of custom. In Nov. following H_____ H_____ commenced the manufacture of doors, sash and blinds, and has had employment for several hands. About the same time a carriage and wagon shop was also opened and is now managed by J____ H_____with good success in business. There is a Milliner store with a good stock in trade. Those who may trust their work with the proprietress, will have no cause to regret their choice.

Continued on August 24, 1855

The foregoing sketch will show that this place has, in its growth, at no time been rapid, but steadily progressive, each branch of business coming only when called for, so that all have been constantly employed and coining money at their several trades, There has been nothing of that shifting and changing, so indicative of dissatisfaction, and want of profitable employment. All have been fully convinced that a removal to any other part of the county, or to other parts of the state would not materially better their condition or brighten their prospects. And the rapidity with which our working mechanics have accumulated property has plainly shown the wisdom of this conculsion. The growth of the place might have been much accelerated by a system of puffing and braggadocio such as is often resorted to where there is but little else to depend upon. But the proprietors of this village chose rather to await the development of the natural advantage of location, than to proceed to any hot house method urging its growth, as the natural development of resources is always more permanent than artificial. The size of the place, and the number of inhabitants (it being the largest and best built place in the county) puts the wisdom of their determination beyond all doubt. I was not a little surprised while up the Fox river the last season to find that not one in ten had ever heard of Weyauwega, while the name and situation of many places in this vicinity were perfectly familiar. The growth of this place, then, without doubt, is owing to its peculiar natural advantages of situation and its capability of sustaining business of every kind.

But I should leave the notice of the village of Weyauwega far from being complete were I not to mention the exertions made for the early establishment of all the advantages to be derived from education and religion. The early inhabitants fully appreciated the value of these institutions, and have shown their estimate by their works. In May 1851 a school house was begun by subscription, as the want of political organization precluded every other way. During the summer this was finished at a sacrifice to some of the subscribers of almost the necessaries of life. The first school was commenced December 6^th, 1851, by Burt Brett, who taught three terms, the winter and summer of 1851 and the winter of 1853, He brought to his work all the advantages of a thorough education and he taught "the young idea how to shoot" with a zeal and faithfulness that insured success. His pupils will ever remember him with grateful affection. With only short vacations , school has been kept up ever since. I have never heard the inquiry, what will be the expense but instead the earnest inquiry, when will school commence again? Such have been the advantages in this respect that many families have removed here to enjoy the advantages of education for their children.

There is a neat building just, completed for the use of a select school to be under the supervision of Miss Sarah Gardner. Her school is now in successful operation and she is prepared to receive young ladies as pupils, who may wish to attend some school of a higher denomination and advantages than the district school. She was educated at Mount Holyoke Seminary, Mass. And is well qualified to give instruction in any or all the branches taught in the higher schools and academies. Her reputation as an instructress is such, that parents need not fear to confer their patronage upon this youthful Seminary as it will be all they could wish.

The first Religious Society, was a Class of the Methodist Episcopal denomination, formed Nov 18^th 1851 by Rev. Elias ????? a Local Preacher at Waupaca Falls, a man highly respected. He has since dies May 29^th, 1855. This class has since been increased by additions and now forms an efficient religious body. The females by means of sweing circles have been building a parsonage for their preachers, which they are finishing up in good style so that it is now available for their present minister. In doing this they have shown a zeal highly commendable and perseverance not easily turned aside. The smaller girls have even their circle of industry, and are contributing rather a large mite for the same object. We most heartily wish them success and may they early learn what may be accomplished by united and persevering effort. The first circuit preacher was R. S. Haywood, a good faithful minister, (he came on the circuit Sept. 1852) and one who would "how to the line though the chips flew in his face." Those who have succeeded him on this Circuit have faithfully sustained the work he so well begun.

The Presbyterian Church was formed May 30^th, 1852, by Rev. Samuel Robinson of Winneconne. He is an elderly man but of the most persevering industry in his ministerial labors. He was the first Presbyterian minister visiting this section of the State, in his excursion preaching in the cabin of the steam boat whenever it stopped time sufficient for religious services. This Church and society, with some aid from the Church Extension Society and some general subscriptions, have built a neat commodious meeting house which was dedicated Nov. 1854 and has been in use since. With commendable generosity they have given the use of their house on the days of their appointments to the Methodist and Baptist societies for one year from Jan. 1, 1855 or until they could accommodate themselves better. The congregation is increasing on the Sabbath and the house is generally well filled. The Rev. Alfred Gardner is their first regular minister. He came June 29^th 1852. He is a member of the Old School Presbyterian denomination and a faithful devoted minister, making the dissemination of the gospel not only his profession but the every day business of life. He is liked well as a minister of the Gospel and highly respected by those who have no sympathy for him in his ministerial character.