Waushara County, Wisconsin
part of the WIGenWeb Project

Take a few minutes and have some fun browsing! Who knows what you might find?

_________________________

Wautoma - History & Miscellaneous Information

Last updated December 31, 2008

 

From History of Northern Wisconsin: An account of its settlement, growth, development and resources; an extensive sketch of its counties, cities, towns, and villages.  Published by The Western Historical Company A. T. Andrea, Proprietor 1881

Transcribed & submitted by Paula Vaughan May 2006

WAUTOMA

     This is a pleasant, quiet little village, the county seat, situated nearly in the center of Waushara County. Its population is about 500. Besides a general trade of some amount, it has a grist mill, run by water power, Aug. Weishner, proprietor; two wagon manufacturers, J.&T. McKeague and Charles Kingsley, respectively, proprietors; a glove and mitten manufactory, S.M. Olds, proprietor. Wautoma has no railroad,  but has communication with the iron band through a line of stages from Plainfield to Berlin.

     The original settler upon the site of the village of Wautoma was Phillip Green, in the winter of 1848-49; he built a log-house, which was used as a tavern. Soon after, a Mr. Atkins purchased his claim, and, later, the Shumway Brothers, who settled in the early part of 1850. The country was then rich in pine, and the latter improved the water-power, built a saw mill, and store house and christened the settlement “Shumway’s Mills.” The next year John Bugh opened a farm a mile and a half from the village, and is identified with its growth. F. Munson bought a stock of goods from Ohio in 1852, and opened the first general store in Shumway’s storehouse. In 1853, from Dane County, came David L. Bunn, present County Judge and established a store. About the same time L.L. Soule located himself and family upon the land where his residence now stands, and, as he expresses it, “built a house around them.” His law office was over Judge Bunn’s store. Mr. Soule has resided here since, having been District Attorney ten years, and a man of prominence in business and his profession. The first hotel was the Wautoma House, N.W. Boynton, proprietor.

     The original plat of the village of Wautoma was recorded December 24, 1853, S.W. Hall, surveyor, and William Everhard, proprietor. The latter had purchased the Shumway claim, which included the land platted. G.W. Smith purchased of him a half interest in the village property, and the two built a grist-mill, which was in running order by the winter of 1854. This year was an important one for Wautoma. She received several important accessions to her population, among other arrivals being that of Dr. Moses Barrett, a physician, afterward County Treasurer, and the recipient of many public favors.  Marble & Curtis established another general store. The county seat, which for the past three years-since organization of the county, in fact-had been located at the village of Sacramento, on the Fox River, three miles from Berlin, was changed by vote of the people to Wautoma. There has been no reversal of the popular vote which located Wautoma as the county seat. This decided, the village grew as rapidly as others in its vicinity up to the time that it failed to obtain connection by railroad. Now it has a population of some five hundred, as stated, has a fair general trade, four manufactories, a hotel, a village school, two churches-the Congregational and M.E.-two lodges of A.F. & A.M., and a flourishing weekly newspaper, controlled by J.T. Ellarson, who also is proprietor of the Plainfield Times.

     In March, 1859, the Waushara Argus established, as the Waushara County Argus, by Pulcifer (D.H.) & Co., at the village of Pine River. In May it was removed to Wautoma, but without change of proprietors. J.W. Rist & Co, became the proprietors in the fall of 1859. Up to March 1, 1863, when the name of the paper was changed to the Waushara Argus, the different proprietors had been; A.P. Lackerby & Stowers, 1862. In 1865, W.S. Munroe succeeded Mr. Lackerby and the control of the same passed from his hands into those of R.L.D. Potter in 1867. In 1872, Mr. Munroe became sole proprietor again. Thus he continued until August 13, 1880, when J.T. Ellarson became editor and proprietor. He still continues to act in the latter capacity, but in September, 1881, S.A. Jewell became editor. The Argus is a good county paper, and is a stanch Republican to politics.

__________________________

Wautoma (City)

The county seat of Waushara County and the largest city within the county. Was first settled in 1851 after being settled by Jabez Nelson Rogers, and Charles and John Shumway.

__________________________

From the Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin - Acme Publishing Co. 1890

Transcribed by P. Vaughan September 2007.

Wautoma (Town)

The Town of Wautoma, which is all that is left of the large original town of that name, lies in the center of the county north and south and just west of the center east and west. The surface is uneven in most parts, and in the southern portion there is considerable swamp land. It is one of the best towns in the county for agricultural purposes. Several small streams in the south part unite beyond the town limits to form the White River. There is a small body of water in the north part, on sections 10 and 11. This town is bounded on the north by the town of Rose, on the east by the town of Mount Morris, on the south by the town of Dakota, and on the west by the town of Deerfield.

In 1849 a new road was opened from Berlin to what is now Wautoma. At the later place, Phillip Green had built a shanty during the winter of 1848-49. This claim was afterward, in 1849, sold to Mr. Atkins, who kept a tavern during the winter season for the accommodations of the lumberman going into the woods above. B S William came in 1854. Other early settlers are mentioned in the following sketch of the village of Wautoma.

The Village of Wautoma

Wautoma, the judicial seat of Waushara County, in the center of which it is situated, is a place of about 500 population, on the White River, thirteen miles east of Coloma, the nearest railway point, and twenty-two miles northwest of Berlin, the county seat of Green Lake County, on the Berlin and Stevens Point road. Its inhabitants are engaged in the carious industries of an agricultural region. There is scarcely an element that marks a quiet, moral village that Wautoma does not possess, and at the same time it is the center of a good and increasing country trade.

The original settler upon the site of the village of Wautoma was Phillip Green. in the winter of 1848-49. He built a log house which was used as a tavern. Soon after Mr. Atkins purchased his claim, and later the Shumway brothers, who settled in the early part of 1850.

The country was then rich in pine, and the Shumways improved the waterpower, built a sawmill and a stores house, and christened the place "Shumways' Mills." The next year John Bugh, who identified himself with the growth of the village opened a farm a mile north. In 1852 F Munsen brought a stock of goods from Ohio and opened the first general store in Shumway's store house.

In 1853, from Dane County, came David L now known as "Judge" Bunn, and established a general store. About the same time Levi L Soule located with his family upon the land where his residence now stands, and as he expresses it, "built a house around them." His law office was over Judge Bunn's store. The first hotel was the Wautoma Hosue, N W Boynton, proprietor.

The original plat of the village of Wautoma was recorded Dec 24, 1853. S W Hall was surveyor and WIlliam Everhard proprietor. The latter had purchased the Shumway claim, which included the land platted. G W Smith bought of him a half interest in the village property, and the two built a grist mill which was in running order in the winter of 1954. This year was an important one in the early history of Wautoma. The village received several important accessions to its population, among other arrivals being that of Dr. Moses Barrett, a physician, afterward County Treasurer, and the recipient of many public favors. Marble & Curtis established another general store.

For three years-since the organization of the county-the county seat had been located at Sacramento, three miles from Berlin. In September, 1854, by a vote of 740 to 397 it was removed to Wautoma, and there has been no reversal of the vote cast at this time. When the county business was first removed to Wautoma, the sessions of the courts were held over Marble & Curtis' store without cost to the county. The rooms of the Treasurer and Clerk of the Board of Supervisors were furnished by C M Shumway; that for Register and Clerk of the court by Alvah Nash; that for the Sheriff's office by W C Webb; while the school house was used for a grand jury room; and within one month after the election all the officers were at the new county seat. The first building owned by the county for a court house was bought in 1857 of G W Smith, for $1,237, and the deed was given August 30, A fine, commodious brick courthouse has recently been erected at a cost of $10,000. It is beautifully situated on high ground in the southerly part of the town.

The location of the county seat decided, the village grew as rapidly as others in its vicinity, at least up to the time when it became apparent that it would have to wait indefinitely for railroad connection. When the railroad from Milwaukee is extended in that direction, as it must be eventually, Wautoma will certainly become one of the principal points on this line and must gain a large increase of population and trade. At present it is the natural center and trading point for a considerable area of country. The land in the town and vicinity is productive, though rather sandy. There is a good water power there, and in the neighborhood may be found some of the best pottery clay in the state.

The first school house was built by contributions, and a school was maintained and religious meetings were held in the summer of 1850. The first preacher here was Rev. J. Milliken. In early days the few settlers were exposed to great hardships, and labored under difficulties that would perplex and astonish us now. They had to go to Kingston and Ceresco for their grists and to Dartford for their blacksmithing; and many strange adventures had they on the way, sometimes amusing only, but often perilous.

Mr. Boynton had many successors in the peioneer hotel. We may mention E Martin, Phineas Walker, S M Olds, James Pine, Alvah Nash, Alexander R Potts. The latter had built another house on the other side of the river, and with the idea of wiping out opposition bought the old house, moved it across the river and attached it to his other. He was succeeded by James Lyman, Mr. Fluno, Levi Sharp, Mr. Creer, and Ira Coon. The house was burned and rebuilt in 1871, and reopened by Mr. Coon's sons. Caleb Greenfield kept it later. It passed to the ownership of Alexander R Potts, and from his to that of Bugh & Youngman, the present proprietors.

Among the early and later merchants we may mention David L Bunn, Francis B Munson, David Luckerby (druggist), W D Marble, C R Moulton, Benjamin Markwell, A L Trufant & Brother, John Sterm, A D McIntyre, Walker & Sexton, Hawley & Berray, Trufant & Son, Sontag & Henkee, George P Walker and L Nickerson (druggists).

Well known physicians of the past and present may be thus named. Moses Barrett, Dr. Lake, Dr. Wilter, Miles G Myers, Richard Jones, J M Whitman and A D McIntyre.

Resident lawyers have been: W C, H G, and C M Webb, Levi L Soule, R L D Porter, W H Mitchell, H J Curtice and Sheridan J Abbott.

The business, professional and other interests of Wautoma twenty years ago are given from an authentic source: Bean & Kingsley, carriage and wagon makers; Albert Bean, blacksmith; David L Bunn, general merchant; J S Bugh, assessor of internal revenue; Miss Lottie Corrie, milliner and dressmaker; Ira Coon, produce dealer, hotel keeper, liveryman and stage proprietor; John Dougherty, merchant tailor; J N Edwards, harnessmaker; WIlliam Foote, carpenter; G H Gile, county treasurer; George W Gustin, cabinet maker; A T Hall, grocer; D Lockerby, postmaster and druggist; William Lockerby, butcher; McIntyre & Chaffer, druggists and general merchants; J McKeague & Co., wagon makers; F B Munson, general merchant; Alvah Nash, sheriff, hotel keeper and liveryman; R L D Potter, lawyer and publisher of the Argus; T D Remington, jeweler; Rew & Co, furniture dealers; George W Smith, owner of flouring mills; J Sontag, boot and shoes maker; Levi L Soule. lawyer; C E Storm, hardware and implement dealer; C H Stowers, clerk of the Board of Supervisors and assistant assessor of internal revenue; A Stang, circuit clerk; Gilbert Tenant, register of deeds; A L Trufant, general merchant; W A Warren, deputy collector of internal revenue; I S Walker, general merchant; J M Whitman, physician and surgeon.

At the present time the village contains Methodist, Catholic and Congregational churches, a school, a weekly newspaper, a water-power roller flour mill of 100 barrels capacity, and a steam grist mill. The following shows the names and occupations of the business and professional men of Wautoma at this time: A E Bean, liveryman and proprietor Lincoln House; David L Bunn, stationer; O C Davis, wagon maker; John N Edward, harness maker; Ellarson & Berray, publishers Argus; Hollender & Hanke, millers; C Kreuger, shoemaker; J & T McKeague, wagon makers; L P Moulton, jeweler; L Nickerson, grocer and druggist; S L Olds, stove manufacturer; Bugh & Youngman, hotel keepers; L H Ralph & Sons, dry goods merchandise; T D Remington, grist mill; H C Soule, physician; Levi L Soule, lawyer; A L Trufant & Sons, grocers; George P Walker, postmaster and hardware dealer; Walker & Sexton, general merchants; Frank W Younglove, physician.

Ed Sax Post, No 35, Grand Army of the Republic, was organized at Wautoma, in March, 1883, with the following charter members:

J N Bird, E E Terrill, Geo. Sexton, B S Williams, C H Taplin, Chas Lethart, Fred Wandry, C Davenport, C P Toplin and C P Soule. The Post Commanders have been as follows: J N P Bird, C H Taplin, A S Rogers. The first officers of the Post were as follows: P C, J N P Bird; S V C, J B Caterline; J V C, C H Taplin; Chaplain, Asa Cogswell; Adjutant, C P Soule; Q M, E E Terrill; Surgeon, H C Soule; O D, B S Williams, O G, F Wandry. The present officers are: P C, T S Chipman; S V C, D H Davies; J V C, R M Gustin; Q M, J S Bugh; Adjt., A S Rogers; Surgeon, James Jameson; Chaplain, L Clintsman; O D, C H Taplin; O G, D W Robinson; S M, John Eagan;  Q M S, Thos. McKeague; Trustees, B S Williams, R M Gustin, F S Berray.

Wautoma Ldoge No 148, F & A M, is one of the institutions of the place. Its regular communications are held on the first and third Tuesdays of each month. Its officers are: W M, H G Biedgman; S W, A R Potts; J W, F W Younglove; Treas., A L Trufant; Sec'y, A H Walker; S D, J T Ellarson; J D, A L Trufant, Jr; Tyler, F L Hubbard.

The Waushara Argus was established as the Waushara County Argus, at Pine River, in March 1859, by D H Puleifer & Co, who, in the following May, removed it to Wautoma. J W Rist & Co became the proprietors in the fall of 1859. Up to March 1, 1863, when the name of the paper was change to the Waushara Argus, the different proprietors had been, since J W Rist & Co., W C Webb & Co., 1860; Hall & Stowers, 1861; A P Lackerby & Stowers, 1862. In 1865, W S Munroe succeeded by Mr. Lackerby, and the control of the paper passed to R L D Potter, in 1867. In 1872 Mr. Munroe became sole proprietor again. J T Ellarson became editor and publisher August 13, 1880. The present proprietors are Ellarson & Berray. The Argus has been ably conducted from the first, and has always been recognized as a helpful influence upon the progress and prosperity of the town.

Wautoma has good schools, under competent management, and her people are well-read and well-informed generally. Her business men are enterprising and liberal, and little, except the lack of railway facilities, stands in the way of her progress. Stages reach the village from all directions, and telephone connection is perfect with all points reached by the Wisconsin Telephone Company.

Other Wautoma Information
(See the school, church, etc. pages for more information.)

Wautoma Homepage - Gives miscellaneous about the city of Wautoma.
Wautoma - Miscellaneous information

__________________________