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"History of Northern Wisconsin" 1881
Excerpt transcribed and submitted by Connie Klugiewicz 2004

In October, 1848, negotiations were actively begun for the cession of the lands now embraced in the limits of the county. Their title to the territory east of the Wolf had been extinguished several years before. But it was not until June 1, 1852, that the Indians surrendered all claims.

First Settlers

In the meantime, although not according to the letter of the law perhaps, a strong tide of immigration set in toward Waupaca Co. and settled over the land.

In the year, 1843, Alpheus Hicks, father of Stephen Hicks, of New London, made an exploring tour up the river from Oshkosh, and is recorded as the first white settler in the present limits of Waupaca County. Landing near the present site of Fremont, he went further up the river to Shawano Lake, returning to Oshkosh, but finally settled at Fremont. The first white woman who ever set foot in Waupaca County is, therefore, Mrs. Elizabeth Hicks, the step-mother of Alpheus. So far as can be ascertained, Mr. Hicks was the only permanent settler previous to 1848. In the treaty of that year, Robert Grignon was granted a quarter-section of land, near the mouth of the Little Wolf, to build a saw-mill. The building was erected previous to the date of the treaty, Hon. Philetus Sawyer working here as a common laborer during the winter of 1848.

In the spring of 1849, several mill enterprises were undertaken within the limits of Waupaca County, and, as stated above, many new settlers pitched their huts, although this advance civilization was growing up in violation of the law, the Indians having not yet surrendered their lands. The Indian Agent of the Menomonees worked himself into a hot state of excitement, but his threats availed but little. The country was fated to be civilized, and within the next year the tide increased. In the middle of July, 1849, J. M. Vaughn, Alonzo Vaughn, W.B. Cooper, John Taylor, of Plymouth, Sheboygan County, and a "Dr." from Erie County, New York, appeared at Winneconne. Two or three weeks before, W.B. and Joseph Hibbard and E.C. Sessions, had journeyed northward from Plymouth, up Lake Winnebago, crossed Wolf River, above Mukwa, and discovered the magnificent water-power and site of Waupaca. These gentlemen, or a portion of them, returned to Plymouth, and reported the fine appearance of the country, through which they had just passed. A party, headed by Gen Taylor, were in search of the "Vermonter's Camp," as Waupaca was then called, the country about it being known as the "To-morrow River Country." Mr. Mumbrue joined this party, and, with two Indian guides, started for the future city of Waupaca. Up the Wolf River they paddled and embarked at Gill's Landing, soon reaching the site of Weyauwega. They also found Simon C. Dow's and J.W. Chandler's camp or cabin, which these gentlemen had occupied about ten days. This became the site of the town of Lind. Here the party met W.B. Hibbard, who had come down from the "Vermonter's Camp" for a quantity of flour, and returned with him to the future county seat of Waupaca. But all which then greeted them was an awning of bushes, supported by four poles. Before the close of the season of 1849, many more settlements were made in the southern part of the county. Messrs. Billington, Tibbetts, Van Ostrand, and others, settled near Weyauwega; S. C. Dow, Col. Chandler and J.M. Vaughn, between Weyauwega and Waupaca; E.C. Sessions, J. and W.B. Hibbard, Dana Dewey, Capt. Scott, Judge Ware, W.B. Cooper and others, at Waupaca; Columbus Caldwell and Jason Rice on the Walla Walla, at Lind Center; Mr. Nordman, at or near New London; R. Eastman at Springer's Point; Mr. Wilcox, near the mouth of the Waupaca, and Charles Edwards at Little River.

The early settlers were taking time by the forelock. They knew the lands would be ceded, and that the spirit of the law supported them. There was one kind of lawlessness, however, which they would not tolerate. They, in common with all honest pioneers, abominated "squatters," and by 1849 they were coming thick and meaning to stay. In August, of that year, William B. Mumbrue was employed to run a line from the east bank of the Wolf River, through the principal settlements, to the north and west. This line was to be used as a basis for the laying of claims when the lands were afterward surveyed. But the squatters continued their tricks, and claim-jumping went on. The settlers, therefore, formed a league to protect their pre-emption rights. A committee of three was chosen, to whom all complaints were to be made, and the differences adjusted by the league, peaceably, if possible, but decisively at all events. It consisted of Benjamin Birdsell, Claudius F. Eaton, and Alonzo Rudd. Some amusing anecdotes are related to illustrate the persuasive force upon a "jumper" of a dozen brawny muscles straining upon the roof of his shanty, or a huge log converted into a "battering-ram", and brought to bear by a score of hardy pioneers upon the door of his log hut. The labors of this league, though perhaps not strictly legal, deserve an honorable place in the history of Waupaca County, as it enabled many of the early settlers to enforce, by a posse comatatus, claims which were threatened by dishonest adventurers.

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