Marquette County, Wisconsin Genealogy

Marquette County Wisconsin

Place Name History

BRIGGSVILLE

Source: RWPN In the fall of 1850, Alexander Ellis BRIGGS of Vermont arrived here with a group of homesteaders. Mr. BRIGGS became a partner of Amplius CHAMBERLAIN, and the two men negotiated for the right to build a dam across Neenah Creek to provide water power for a sawmill. The first lumber manufactured was some heavy oak planks and joists used in the building of the first jail at Portage. The dam, begun in the fall of 1850, made a lake to the west about about three miles in length. It was named Lake Mason for the carpenter who built the mill. Source: Tim Stowell The 1886 Post Office Guide lists Briggsville. A United States Official Postal Guide, Part 1, 5th Series, Vol. 2, No. 1 printed July 1939, states the Briggsville Post Office delivered to 44 post office boxes. Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin. Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, 1890, P295 Briggsville is a post-village in this town twenty miles southwest of Montello and eleven miles northwest of Portage, the usual shipping point and banking town. It was settled in 1849 and has a population of about 150. It contains two churches, flour and carding mills, a district school and several stores. William Murphy is postmaster. The other principal business men are F. J. and W. C. Kimball, P. E. Peterson and Charles Waldo, proprietors of general stores; Joseph Champney & Son, proprietors of flouring mills; A. O. Dean, dealer in pianos an organs; H. T. Dean, harnessmaker; H. H. Dyer, hotel-keeper; J. H. Dyer, carding-mill owner; E. C. Gray, millwright; Evan Hanson, dealer in boots and shoes; W. C. Kimball, dealer in sewing machines; and Thomas O'Connor, wagonmaker. Briggsville was platted in 1854 by E. A. Briggs.

BROWNING

Source: Wisconsin: It's Counties, Townships and Villages Formerly known as Midland. (Donated by Joan Benner) The Browning post office was established in 1857, Robert McKay was the first postmaster. Source: WSGS Newsletter, Vol. 20 No. 3, January 1974, Page 123

BUFFALO LAKE

See Description at Packwaukee Township

BUFFALO TOWNSHIP

Source: Wisconsin: It's Counties, Townships and Villages Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin. Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, 1890, P294/295 Buffalo is the Southeast Corner town of the county. It is bounded on the north by Montello, the east by Green Lake County, on the South by Columbia County, and on the West by the Town of Moundville. The surface is generally level. Ball's Lake is a small sheet of water in the western part. The pioneer settlers of this town were James Graham, James Mair, David Taylor, David Eggleston, John Annis, Neil Dimond, Stephen Maywood, William Maynard, William Morgan, George Reed, Robert Lytle, John Madden, James O'Blainess, John Campion, James Foley, John Bremner and George, Robert and William McKay. The officers for the town for 1889 were Daniel Brown, Chairman; George Reid, Town Clerk; William Morgan, Treasurer; Patrick Duffy, Assessor. The town has a commodius and convenient town hall near the center.

CRYSTAL LAKE

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin. Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, 1890, P296 Crystal Lake is on of the northern tier of towns, east of the center of the county north and south. It is bounded on the north by Waushara County, on the east by Neshkoro, and on the south by Shields, and on the west by Newton. Lunch Creek flows through the northeast corner and the Mecan River centrally from the northwest tot he southeast corner. Turth Lake is a small body fo water a little southeast of the center of the town. Mount Pizgah is a prominent elevation north fo the center. One of the most prominent early settlers of this town was Christain Tagats who has long been one of the best known men of the county. The town has no postoffice within its limits and its inhabitants depend on Neshkoro, Germania, Harrisville and other post offices beyond its borders for their mail facilities. The town has two churches and an adequate number of school houses. The present town officers are J. A. Wegenke, Chairman; August Schauer, Town Clerk; William Zabel, Assessor; Ernest Kreager, Treasurer.

DOUGLAS CENTER

Source: Tim Stowell The 1886 Post Office Guide lists Douglas Center. A United States Official Postal Guide, Part 1, 5th Series, Vol. 2, No. 1 printed July 1939, does not list Douglas Centre. Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin. Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, 1890, P295 This is a small village with a population of about 50, near the center of Douglas (township). It is eighteen miles southeast of Montello, seven miles southwest of Merritt's Landing, on the Wisconsin Central line, it's nearest railroad station, and fourteen miles northeast of Kilbourn City, the nearest banking point. The principal business interests are the general store and post-office, York & Moore (W. H. Moore, postmaster); the blacksmith shop of J. Blume; the flouring mill of I. W. & G. E. York; and the wagon shop of Andrew Swemlive. Among the leading business and professional men are Dr. H. H. Parrott; James Starkey, miller; and P. H. McMahon, railroad contractor.

DOUGLAS TOWNSHIP

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin. Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, 1890 Douglas is the southwest corner town of the county, and is bounded as follows: North by Oxford, east by Moundville, south by Columbia County and west by Adams County. Neenah Creek flows south through the center of the town. William Murphy, H. S. Thomas, Patrick Clark, P. Mason, John Cleary, James Slowey, William McGinnis, James Briggs and H. H. Parrott were among the early settlers here. The town officers for 1889 were W. W. Page, Chairman; Eben Mills, Clerk; Fred Brangil, Assessor; Robert Heberline, Treasurer. The surface of the town is generally level though slightly irregular in places, and the soil is well adopted to grazing and general farming.

ENDEAVOR

Source: Wisconsin: It's Counties, Townships and Villages Was Merrittville and Merritt's Landing.

FORRESTVILLE

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin. Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, 1890, P305 (about Springfield township) A town names Forrestville was platted in section 32 of this town in 1855 by Oliver P. Warden and Lurenus and Rachel Luse, although no town marks its site now.

GERMANIA

Source: Tim Stowell The 1886 Post Office Guide lists Germania and identifes it as a Money Order office. A United States Official Postal Guide, Part 1, 5th Series, Vol. 2, No. 1 printed July 1939, does not list the Germania post office. Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin. Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, 1890, P305 This is a village of about 250 inhabitants, situated on the Mecan River, in the northeast corner of the town of Shields, eight miles northeast of Montello and eight miles northwest of Princeton, the nearest railway point. It was settled in 1859 and contains two churches, a water-power flouring mill and a school. The following named persons are engaged here in the lines of business mentioned: Henry Cook, harness making; the Germania Company, general store and stock farming; R. W. parker, land agent; E. J. Phillips, hardware; Herman Teske, blacksmithing; Warnke Brothers, flour and saw mills; William Thomas, shoe maker.

GROVER

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin. Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, 1890, P295 This is a newly established post office in the Town of Buffalo.

HAMILTON, ST. MARIE and STATE CENTER

Source: Princeton's Centennial Book � 1973, courtesy of Gary E. Wick, Princeton Historical Society Princeton's Early History: ... It was Father Marquette who visited the spring near what is known as the St. Marie area northeast of the present city of Princeton. St. Marie was considered the best crossing place on the river and it was concluded that trade and travel routes would center there. About half a mile south of the settlement of St. Marie was another settlement then known as Hamilton. At one time it had a population of 125 people. The houses of both hamilton and St. Marie were moved into Princeton under the steady pull of some fifty yoke of oxen. Another village started in the area northeast of Princeton, was known as State Center and it too was moved completely when it became evident that it would never survive. Source: History of Green Lake County � 1860, courtesy of Gary E. Wick, Princeton Historical Society About half a mile south of the village ( of St. Marie) is the remains of the village of Hamilton, a competitor for Metropolitan honors; some years gone by it had a population of 125 inhabitants. In the days of prosperity it had two Stores; two Blacksmith shops; one Tin Shop; two Taverns; one Post Office; was a place of a good deal of trade; had a bridge across the river, but the fates of an angry flood of the breaking up of the river carried this structure downstream, which scaled the doom of this outgrowth of speculation; what there is left of the place are four dwellings and one barn; tavern houses and stores have gone off bodily--the Cottage House at St. Marie, moved off under the steady pull of fifty-three yoke of oxen, whilst some less cumbersome took a more lengthy flight to Princeton... Source: Daryl Weishaar The village of Princeton has quite an interesting history, and was a commercial center for the Crystal Lake area in 1900. Princeton had all the prerequisites for a successful village including a post office and a bridge over the Fox River. St. Marie Village was at the best crossing spot and had a dock, but it slowly died, and by 1863 when my ancestors arrived to T. Princeton (probably to rent farming land at first) St. Marie was being hauled away building by building including the best parts of the Catholic Church. Hamilton was between Princeton and St. Marie and amounted to mostly big plat ideas and very few people. It didn�t last long. Using an 1875 plat map you can follow County J out of NE Princeton, going past Hamilton. Then County J turns 90 degrees to the east. BUT, going straight ahead you are on Huckleberry Road with the remains of the church on the right and St. Marie village (none remaining) on the left and to the river bank. In the late 1860s many farmers moved on, perhaps some of them involved with St. Marie village. About a half mile north of J where Huckleberry takes a 90 degree right turn you find the town cemetery.

HARRIS

Source: RWPN Named in honor of James Harris, an early settler. Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin. Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, 1890, P296 The town of Harris is situated north and west of the geographical center of the county, bounded on the north by Newton, on the east by Shields, on the south by packwaukee and on the west by Westfield. Montello and Duck Creeks flow through and have their junction in this town. The surface is generally level and the soil is adapted to all the crops common to this climate and latitude. The Wisconsin Central Railroad crosses the southwest corner of this town and Hank's Station is a convenience to the residents round about. Among the early settlers of the town were James Harris in honor of whose family the town was named, Alexander Ports, James Dyas, Michael Barry, F. M. Wilkes, John Barry, William A. Stebbins, Joseph Farrington, W. H. Peters and George Berry. The present town officers are Charles E. King, Chairman; Herman Schmitz, Town Clerk; Henry Thalacher, Treasurer; S. A. Laing, Assessor.

HARRISVILLE

Source: Tim Stowell The 1886 Post Office Guide lists Harrisville. A United States Official Postal Guide, Part 1, 5th Series, Vol. 2, No. 1 printed July 1939, does not list Harrisville. Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin. Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, 1890, P296 Harrisville is a village of about 100 population on Montello Creek, in the northeast part of the town. It is eight miles northwest of Montello and five miles east of Westfield. It was settled in 1850, and contains a church, and water power gristmill and saw-mill. It was platted in 1856 by Joseph Farrington, C. L. Farrington and William Stebbins. Its list of leading business interests is as follows: cooper shop by William Dee; flouring mill by S. B. Delert & Co.; general store by M. J. Farrington; sawmill and furniture shop by Herman Schmitz; hotel by John Kilbride; blacksmith shops by Theodore Schmitz and August Frank.

INDIAN LANDS/SANDS

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin. Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, 1890, P203 October 18, 1848, the Government obtained title to the Menomonees' land within the State of Wisconsin, being the tract lying north and west of the Fox River between the Wolf and Wisconsin Rivers. It included nearly all of Waushara County, much of Marquette and some of Green lake County. This area has long been known as the "Indian Lands." Source: Places & Faces (Marquette Co. WI), Vol. II, by Fran Sprain, �1993 The Indian Lands of the Crystal Lake area were believed to be so named because the region of hills, marshes, and sand land had been purchased from the Indians for one cent per acre. Places & Faces Vol. II is available for purchase from the Marquette Co. Historical Society

JEDDO

Source: Wisconsin: It's Counties, Townships and Villages Jeddo was/is in Buffalo Township. Source: Tim Stowell The 1886 Post Office Guide lists Jeddo. A United States Official Postal Guide, Part 1, 5th Series, Vol. 2, No. 1 printed July 1939, does not list Jeddo. Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin. Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, 1890, P295 Jeddo is a post office in this town (Buffalo), near the center, about eight miles south of Montello, the nearest railroad station and banking point. Daniel J. Dixon is postmaster. Mails are received tri-weekly. The population in this vicinity is about seventy-five.

LAWRENCE

Source: Tim Stowell The 1886 Post Office Guide lists Lawrence. A United States Official Postal Guide, Part 1, 5th Series, Vol. 2, No. 1 printed July 1939, does not list Lawrence.

LIBERTY BLUFF

Source: Wisconsin: It's Counties, Townships and Villages Liberty Bluff, also known as Liberty or Liberty Station, was/is in Springfield Township. Source: The Express [Montello WI], June 24, 1876 "Liberty Bluff is the name of a new station in the town of Springfield, this county, on the line of the Central railway." (contributed by Joan Benner) Source: Tim Stowell The 1886 Post Office Guide lists Liberty Bluff. A United States Official Postal Guide, Part 1, 5th Series, Vol. 2, No. 1 printed July 1939, does not list Liberty Bluff. Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin. Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, 1890, P305 This (Liberty Bluff) is a postoffice on the Wisconsin Central line in the north-east corner of the town of Springfield, eighteen miles northwest of Montello. The business of the place begins and ends with the lime kiln of J. A. Glover and the general store of William Guderjohn. Etta Smith is postmistress. There is no other village or post office within the bounds of the town which is almost entirely given over to agriculture. Springfield's town officers in 1889 were: Julius Berndt, chairman; J. A. Glover, town clerk; Henry Alexander, assessor; Wm. Guderjohn, treasurer.

MARQUETTE and MARQUETTE COUNTY

Source: RWPN Father Jacques MARQUETTE, the French Jesuit explorer, passed through this region in 1673. He and his companion Sieur JOLIET stopped for several days in the village of the Mascouten Indians where Marquette now stands. A Vermonter named Luther GLEASON established a trading post there in 1829.

MECAN

Source: RWPN Mikana is the Ojibwa word for "trail"; Mecan may derive from it.

MECAN TOWNSHIP

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin. Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, 1890, P296 Mecan is an irregularly outlined town on the eastern border of the county, containing no village or post office and having a distinctly rural population. The Mecan River flows through it from northwest to the southeast. Among the early comers to this town were the Fallises, Stephen and William, who have since been well known throughout the county, the former holding numerous town and county offices. The town officers are: Frank Crown, Chairman; Fred Breise, Town Clerk; Gottlieb Schultze, Assessor; August Bethke, Treasurer.

MERRITT'S LANDING

Source: Tim Stowell The 1886 Post Office Guide lists Merritt's Landing. A United States Official Postal Guide, Part 1, 5th Series, Vol. 2, No. 1 printed July 1939, does not list Merritt's Landing. Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin. Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, 1890, P303 Merritt's Landing is a hamlet of twenty-five inhabitants in the town of Moundville, twelve miles southwest of Montello, and on the line of the Wisconsin Central Railroad. C. A. Merritt, dealer in lumber and proprietor of the only general store, is the Assessor.

MIDLAND

Source: Wisconsin: It's Counties, Townships and Villages Previously known as Browning. Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin. Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, 1890, P295 Midland is four miles south of Jeddo (in Buffalo Township), twelve miles south of Montello and eight miles north of Pardeeville, on the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway, the nearest railroad station. It contains the general store of Levi Reeves, two churches, a blacksmith shop and school house. Montello and Portage are the nearest banking points. D. W. Brown is postmaster. Population is about 200.

MONTELLO TOWNSHIP

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin. Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, 1890, P296/297 This town, in which is included the village of Montello, the seat of justice in Marquette County, is in the east part of the county and partially on the eastern county line. It is bounded by Shields on the north, Mecan and Green Lake County on the east, Buffalo on the south and Packwaukee on the west. This town is well watered, having White Lake at its northeast corner and the east end of Buffalo Lake northwest of the center. Fox River and branches including Grand River extend across most of the town, and Peters Lake, Birch Lake and Kilby Lake, in the northwest corner are drained into Buffalo Lake through the expansion of Montello creek north of the village of Montello. The Packwaukee and Montello branch of the Wisconsin Central Railroad penetrates the town as far as Montello. The soil is sandy but productive and yields all common farm products and some sorghum. The Montello granite quarries mark what was formerly the most picturesque feature of the scenery of this town. Among the names of settlers of this town may be mentioned those of George Dartt, J. N. Dartt, Riley Dartt, Jason Daniels, Patrick McDonald, James Barry, L. O. Evans, Richard Giddings, Richard Williams, Bonaparte Baker, Joseph Lake, Elkanah Smith, Solon Davis, William Cogan, John Cogan, John Stinson, Timothy Hayes and Edward Murray. Some fo them and others will be found mentioned in the sketch of Montello village, where is located the only post office in the town. Montello's officers in 1879 were S. Fallis, Chairman; John Barry, Town Clerk; L. Holman, Treasurer; John Collins and T. Vaughan, Assessors.

MONTELLO VILLAGE

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin. Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, 1890, P297/298 Montello, the seat of justice of Marquette County, is located on the Wisconsin Central Line, on both sides of Montello River or creek, which furnishes good waterpower, and at the foot of Buffalo Lake, a beautiful sheet of water extending nine miles west from the village and affording the town one of the most delightful locations in central Wisconsin. The village contains a population of nearly 800 people, who are supported by manufacturing industries and by the various trades and commercial pursuits required to supply the demands of a fast growing, thriving and enterprising town. It is the terminus of a "spur" of the Wisconsin Central Railroad, a Grand Trunk Line running through the center of the State, north and south, to its metropolis, the city of Milwaukee, which has extended its track to Chicago, making the Central a through route from Chicago to St. Paul. The country surrounding Montello is of sandy loam soil, well covered with timber and dotted with numerous lakes of clear, cold water, where wild fowl and fish abound in countless numbers. The country is fast settling up with an enterprising and industrious people. Montello (it is expected) will have at no distant day, the benefit of the western extension of the Chiacago & Northwestern Railroad, a survey of which was made some time ago. This road would open up a vast country west and would be of immense value to the place... Montello has an extensive brick yard, a planing mill and sash and door factory, two large lumber yards, one grist mill and one feed mill, an immense granite quarry where stone for monuments, building purposes, paving and macadam is quarried in great quantities; four dry goods and general stores, two wagon and carriage shops, blacksmith shops, tailor shops, shoe shops, bakery, meat-market and a large list in the various lines of business and trade... Source: RWPN James DANIEL settled here in 1849 and named the site Serario after a place in Mexico where he had fought in the Mexican War. Later it was called Hill River because of the granite hills and the Fox River. There are two accounts of how the name of Montello came to be chosen: 1. In the fall of 1849 a meeting was held in the home of J. N. DART. There were a number of suggestions, but Joseph R. DART, who had read of Montello in a novel, carried the majority. 2. French voyageurs and fur traders named the location Mont l' eau, or "hill by the water." Source: Tim Stowell The 1886 Post Office Guide lists Montello, the county seat, as a Money Order and International Money Order office. A United States Official Postal Guide, Part 1, 5th Series, Vol. 2, No. 1 printed July 1939, informs that Montello delivered to 614 rural route box holders and 191 post office boxes.

MOUNDVILLE

Source: RWPN So named for the numerous (effigy) mounds remaining from prehistoric times. Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin. Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, 1890, P302/303 Moundville is so named from the numerous remains of a prehistoric age found here, which are elsewhere referred to. It is situated on the southern border of the county, and bounded north by Oxford and Packwaukee, east by Buffalo, south by Columbia County and west by Douglas. The Fox River flows through this town circuitously although in a generally northerly and southerly direction and Buffalo Lake, an expansion fo this stream, pushes its southern extremity far down into its territory. Jones Creek and other small streams are tributary. Settlements in this town began in 1848. The first comers were Isaac Brown, W. L. Gaylord, H. Brown, L. Felton, R. Wells and D. Coon. Soon afterward came some men sent out by the Potters Society, of England. The association paid the expenses of emigration to this country of a certain number of potters, in order that those who remained in England might derive benefit from increased wages incident to the decrease in skilled labor. Among other early settlers were Robert Hume, M. G. Ellison, Rev. Isaac Smith, Thomas Mills, George Skinner, William Watson, George Denby and George Bain. The town officers of Moundville for 1889 were: Isaac Smith, Chairman; B. H. Chapman, Town Clerk; Matthew Mason, Treasurer; S. D. Townley, Assessor. Source: Places & Faces (Marquette Co. WI), Vol. II, by Fran Sprain, �1993, Pages 78-81 A description can be found on pages 78 - 81 about the founding of the Primitive Methodist church of Moundville, circa 1847, when Isaac Smith, a Methodist Minister and part of the Potter's Union preached at Portage WI. Rev. Isaac Smith was from Hanley, Staffordshire, England and preached at Portage and Moundville for a number of years. He died in 1884 and is buried in the Moundville Township cemetery, not far from the church he helped to found. Places & Faces Vol. II is available for purchase from the Marquette Co. Historical Society

MOUNDVILLE STATION

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin. Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, 1890, P303 This is a post village on the Wisconsin Central line, which runs north and south through this town. It was settled in 1848, and now has a population of about 400. This place is fourteen miles southwest of Montello, and ten miles north of Portage, the nearest banking point. It contains a church and a school. Following is a summary of its principal business interests: C. A. Merritt, lumber dealer and propreitor of a general store; H. Ennis, merchant; J. Smith, blacksmith; C. Ellison is postmaster.

NESHKORO VILLAGE

Source: Tim Stowell The 1886 Post Office Guide lists Neshkoro. A United States Official Postal Guide, Part 1, 5th Series, Vol. 2, No. 1 printed July 1939, informs that Neshkoro delivered to 311 rural route box holders and 71 post office boxes. Source: Neshkoro History in 1876 from the Montello Express, June 24, 1876 Transcribed by Dan Nickolai and Joan Benner Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin. Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, 1890, P296/297 The village of Neshkoro, on the White River, sixteen miles southeast of Montello and ten miles northwest of Princeton, the nearest railway point, was settled in 1848, and has a population of about 300. It contains three churches, flouring and saw mills, a foundry and a woolen factory, and is a good local market for farmers. The village was platted in 1852 by Helen M. White. Dakin's two additions to the town were platted three years later. The postmaster in James Sexton. The following list of names and occupations will give a fair idea of the present business interests of the village: Thomas Wells, woolen mills; Thomas Wells, James Sexton and J. W. Johnson, general stores; Christopher Dahlke & Son, flouring mill; I. H. Seibley & Son, foundry; James Knowlton and Fred Abendt, shoemakers; J. Tagatz and John Black, carpenters; J. Tagatz, hotel. In the spring of 1874 the Catholics in and around Neshkoro planned the building of a church proportionate to their number and their means. In the year 1875 they erected the frame of the present building, which was finished a few years later. This was done under the direction of the Rev. John Larmer, who took charge fo the mission in 1876. Before this time they had services in private houses. Under Father James O'Malley the church was begun. Rev. Eleazar De Nilt followed and attended the mission for a year and a half until 1876. In the summer of 1884 Father Larmer had a small vestry built to the church for the convenience of the pastor when he came from Montello (eighteen miles) as well as for proper transaction of affairs. The members of the Neshkoro church up to 1884 were comprised of Catholics from Marquette, Green Lake and Waushara Counties, some coming as far as fifteen miles. General peace reigned in the mission during the time of Father Larmer's administration. He was loved and esteemed by all, and no eye was without a tear at his departure. The priests who attended before Father O'Malley are: Rev. Fagan, now deceased; and Rev. I. Monaghan, who died in a convent in Detroit, Mich., when over eighty years of age. It is a frame church. The membership is about twenty-five families, Irish and German. Wautoma church was begun in 1885 and completed in 1888. It is the best and largest of the mission churches, and the congregation comprises about twenty families. Three other stations in Waushara county are attended from Neshkoro--one near Hancock, one near Oasis and one near Wild Rose. The Princeton church was formerly the St. Marie church.

NESHKORO TOWNSHIP

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin. Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, 1890, P303 Neshkoro, the smallest township in Marquette County, is situated at the extreme northeast corner of the county, and is bounded on the north by Waushara County, and on the east by Green Lake County, on the south by the Town of Mecan, and on the west by the Town of Crystal Lake. It contains no streams or bodies of water of importance, except White River, and is strictly agricultural in its character, having within its borders no villages but Neshkoro, and no other post office than the one there located. Prominent among the early settlers of this town were Michael Powers, Nicholas Gernon, L. D. Ralph, Benjamin Hayes, William Clay, Andrew Scobey and J. A. Wells. The officers of the town of Neshkoro for 1889 were: N. Gernon, Chairman; James Sexton, Town Clerk; C. Dahlke, Treasurer; J. K. Balderson, Assessor.

NEWTON

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin. Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, 1890, P302 Newton is on the northern border of the county, in the second tier of towns from the west, and is bounded thus: North by Waushara County, east by Crystal Lake, south by Harris and west by Springfield. Crystal Lake encroaches a little in its territory near the northeast corner, and a short distance west of this another small body of water. Near its southern border Montello Creek is formed by the junction of Bart's Creek and Worton's Creek, both of which flow through the western parts. This town is agricultural in the strictest sense. It contains neither village, hamlet nor post-office, although there was formerly a post-office named Ordino in the northern part. The soil is sandy, but productive, and yields fair crops in good seasons. Among the pioneers in Newton were the Slades and William Boyden. Its history in detail is much the same as that of similar townships in this section of the country. Its religious and educational interests are well developed and supported. The following were the town officers of Newton in 1889, Julius Schaur, Chairman; August Krentz, Town Clerk; William Weishaar, Treasurer; Fred Krentz, Assessor.

OXFORD TOWNSHIP

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin. Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, 1890, P304 The town of Oxford is on the western border of the county, bounded on the north by Westfield, on the east by Packwaukee, on the south by Moundville and Douglas, and on the west by Adams County. The surface is generally level and it is a good agricultural town. The head waters of Neenah Creek flow through the western part of the town, and in the eastern part several small tributaries to Buffalo Lake have their sources. On the southern border there is a small marshy lake, extending into Douglas. There is another in the east part and still another in the northwest part, the latter crossed by the road. William Axford, the Ormsby's, H. H. Taylor, William Johnson and Eli McNutt were among the early comers to this town. The town officers of Oxford for 1889 were: B. K. Johnston, chairman; W. J. Ogle, town clerk; S. W. Strouse, treasurer; A. Franklin, assessor.

OXFORD VILLAGE

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin. Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, 1890, P304 Oxford Village is on Neenah Creek, fifteen miles west of Montello and seven miles west of Packwaukee, on the Wisconsin Central Line, the nearest railroad station. The nearest banking point is Montello. The village contains a water-power flouring mill, two churches and a public school. the population is about 400. Jason Daniels is postmaster. Oxford was settled about forty years ago and the village plat was filed in 1854 by C. J. Pettebone, David Ormsby, W. V. Miller, P. B. Hillyer, Cornelia Smith, Franklin Abbott, V. G. McCulloch, and J. B. Sanderson. Robert and David Baker's addition was platted in 1857. The present business interests may be thus summarized: General stores, Mr. S. J. Fish, A. F. Myers, R. L. Nickerson; Hardware stores, Jason Daniels, Alonzo Roberts; boots and shoes, E. Hall (store), Charles Nickerson (shoemaker); Drug store, Benjamin Chilson; Sorghum mill, A. Houghtaling; farm implements, W. N. Johnson; Blacksmith shop, C. Lloyd; Harness shop, Alonzo Roberts; Hotel, Samuel Stowe; Flouring mill, James Summerton; Wagon maker, H. H. Ward. Source: RWPN A fording place for oxen and wagons across Neenah Creek, important to early travelers. Source: Tim Stowell The 1886 Post Office Guide lists Oxford. A United States Official Postal Guide, Part 1, 5th Series, Vol. 2, No. 1 printed July 1939, informs that Oxford delivered to 250 rural route box holders and 83 post office boxes. Source: Oxford History in 1876 from the Montello Express, June 24, 1876 Transcribed by Dan Nickolai and Joan Benner

PACKWAUKEE TOWNSHIP

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin. Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, 1890, P304 The town of Packwaukee is so located that the geographical center of Marquette County falls within its borders. It is bounded on the north by Harris, on the east by Montello, on the south by Moundville, and on the west by Oxford. Most of Buffalo Lake lies in this town and Ox Creek discharges its waters into it near the center. Birch Lake is partially in the northeast corner, extending into Montello and there is a small marshy lake near the east town line nearly a mile south of the Buffalo Lake. The surface of the town is level and well adapted to farming, though in some parts quite marshy. The Wisconsin Central Line runs through this town from north to south, on and along its western border, and at Packwaukee is intersected by a branch from Packwaukee to Montello. Packwaukee was the scene of speculative transactions in real estate long before actual settlement began. As early as 1837 a town named Buffalo was platted by John Noyes and James Lyman on section 29, township 15, range 9, on the south shore of Buffalo Lake, opposite the site of Packwaukee. It was laid out on a liberal scale that made the plat resemble a town of 3,000 to 5,000 inhabitants; but as a matter of fact, there was never really any town there. The land upon which these operations were based was entered by Noyes in 1836 and this was the first land entry in the county. "Roxo" was platted in 1850 in section 15. The tide of immigration in 1850 flowed mainly to Packwaukee, which was named after a friendly chief of the Winnebagos, and for several years it was the leading business center of the county. The Fourth of July was appropriately celebrated here, on the shore of Buffalo Lake, in 1850. James Cook, the first lawyer of the county delivered the oration and a prayer was offered up by Rev. Jonathan Port, a resident of the county, who with his wife was afterward murdered and mutilated by an insane son. Among those who came in 1849 and 1850 were E. Pettingill, E. T. Older, C. G. Barker, Jesse Older, William Ewen, David Phelps, S. A. Pease, John Chapman, E. King and Samuel Wayman. Among later comers were E. McCaffrey, Robert Page, William Peet, Charles Metcalf, Chester Frink, and Town Whitson. The town officers of Packwaukee for 1889 were: C. L. Kendall, chairman; C. H. Chapman, town clerk; W. H. Neale, treasurer; J. H. Clark, assessor.

PACKWAUKEE VILLAGE

Source: RWPN The Fox River and Buffalo Lake were an important water route for Indians and the first white men. There were many Indians living on both sides of the lake and one large settlement was called Packwaukee. The word means "where the water is shallow," "forest spring," "forest opening on thin land," or "land with thin woods." The Indians chose the name to honor Chief Packwaukee, a tall man who walked with a cane, who lived here for many years. The village was platted in 1850 and a post office established. A trading post building is still standing. Early settlers came here to buy things arriving by boats and sold their eggs to be shipped. Wild rice beds in Buffalo Lake were harvested by the Indians for many years. Source: Tim Stowell The 1886 Post Office Guide lists Packwaukee. A United States Official Postal Guide, Part 1, 5th Series, Vol. 2, No. 1 printed July 1939, informs that Packwaukee delivered to 58 post office boxes. Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin. Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, 1890, P305 Packwaukee is a prosperous incorporated village of about 200 population, located in this town on Buffalo Lake and on the Wisconsin Central Line. It is eight miles southwest of Montello. It contains a church, a school and a water power flouring and saw mill. Its business interests may be thus enumerated: general stores by Samuel A. Phoenix and Wilber Brothers; a furniture store by William Haynes; a hardware store and harness shop by C. L. Kendall; hotels by Abram Collins and Thomas Leahy; millinery stores by Mrs. M. Montgomery and Mrs. A. E. Reeves; a flour and saw mill by Charles E. Richards; a jewelry store by E. Rosengrant; a boot and shoe store by William Smith. Mrs. L. F. Seaman is postmistress. The village was platted in 1853 by Ira B. Reed and Samuel McCracken.

PLEASANT VALLEY

Source: (location listed in) Wisconsin, It's Counties, Townships and Villages Source: History of Green Lake County � 1860, courtesy of Gary E. Wick, Princeton Historical Society "The township of Princeton was previously known as Pleasant Valley Township." Source: Daryl Weishaar The Pleasant Valley School was located approximately where Highways 73 and 23 intersect.

PRINCETON

Source: Daryl Weishaar Princeton was platted in 1848, St. Marie village in 1851. My references don�t say when Hamilton was platted, but probably about the same time in the age of speculation. Both of the latter topped out at 125 residents; Princeton prospered. Hamilton was so close to Princeton only one could survive. If you don�t have the right plat map, it was where �J� headed north out of Princeton and barely still in Princeton township, where �J� does a very quick right/left and continues north. If you get to the intersection where �J� turns east and Huckleberry Road continues north you are almost to the site of St. Marie village and a half mile past Hamilton. Hamilton was on the inside of that short right angle east and back to the north. So close to town you wouldn�t notice it by watching the road if you didn�t know where to look. A small trailer park is supposed to be there now. The Portrait Album says Hamilton did have a post office, but it was probably gone by 1860, because at the start of the (civil) war Hamilton was down to 4 houses and a barn (same ref). St. Marie folded soon after, because the 1860 census shows a lot of unoccupied buildings. The 1860 census lists St. Marie as the post office for the entire township. The 1870 census lists Princeton except for a small amount of Dartford (Green Lake).

ROSLIN

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin. Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, 1890, P295 This is a recently established post-office eight miles from Montello and twelve miles from Portage, the nearest shipping point. It contains a general store, flouring mills and other interests. J. Graham is postmaster.

ROXO

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin. Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, 1890, P304 "Roxo" (in Packwaukee Township) was platted in 1850 in section 15. Source: Montello Sun, Saturday June 3, 1882 Roxo's Early History and Memorable Events

RUSSELL FLATS

Source: The (Montello) Sun "Our emigrants, consisting of Frank Russell, Sam. Russell, Sr., Sam. Russell, Jr., Hugh Russell, John Ogle, Hugh Hamilton, Pete Gaughran and Chas. O'Neil returned this Wednesday morning from Huron, Dakota, where they have all taken up claims. Hugh Russell and Pete Gaughran return next week, to make improvements on what we suppose will be called the "Russell Flats".

SHIELDS TOWNSHIP

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin. Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, 1890, P305 Shields is just north of the center of the county and is separated from its eastern boundary only by the narrow town of Milan, which forms its eastern boundary, while it is bounded south by Montello, west by Harris and north by Crystal Lake. The surface of the town is generally level. Mecan River crosses the northeast corner and Mud Lake, and another small body of water are in the northwest corner. Comstock Lake is in section 11, southwest from Germania. Montello Lake crosses the extreme southwest corner. On an island in Spring Lake a Catholic Society existed as early as 1849. Among the early settlers in Shields were K. D. Devaney, James Calvin, P. Curley and James Croarken. The town officers in 1889 were William Warmbier, chairman; Peter Dunn, town clerk; Rudolph Fenske, treasurer; Julius Hebbe, assessor.

SPRINGFIELD

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin. Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, 1890, P305 Springfield is on the northwest corner of the county. Its boundaries are as follows: north, Waushara County; east, Newton; south, Westfield; west, Adams County. Wood and Pine Lakes and some other small bodies of water lie within this town. Bart's Creek rises west of the center and Worton's Creek in the northern part. The Wisconsin Central line traverses the town north and south in the eastern part. Among the prominent settlers were Oliver P. Warden and Lurenus Luse. Among those who came a little later were David Sands and William Stiles. A town named Forrestville was platted in section 32 of this town in 1855 by Oliver P. Warden and Lurenus and Rachel Luse, although no town marks its site now.

ST. MARIE and STATE CENTER

Source: Princeton's Centennial Book � 1973, courtesy of Gary E. Wick, Princeton Historical Society Princeton's Early History: ... "It was Father Marquette who visited the spring near what is known as the St. Marie area northeast of the present city of Princeton. St. Marie was considered the best crossing place on the river and it was concluded that trade and travel routes would center there. About half a mile south of the settlement of St. Marie was another settlement then known as Hamilton. At one time it had a population of 125 people. The houses of both hamilton and St. Marie were moved into Princeton under the steady pull of some fifty yoke of oxen. Another village started in the area northeast of Princeton, was known as State Center and it too was moved completely when it became evident that it would never survive." Princeton's Early History:..."the St. Marie (Catholic) church was attended from Montello by Fathers O'Malley, Fagan, Larmer, etc. I attended from 1892 to 1898, then Rev. Schwartzmeyer, then priest at Neshkoro or Princeton." ---Rev. J. J. Holzknecht, Pulaski Source: Daryl Weishaar The village of Princeton has quite an interesting history, and was a commercial center for the Crystal Lake area in 1900. Princeton had all the prerequisites for a successful village including a post office and a bridge over the Fox River. St. Marie Village was at the best crossing spot and had a dock, but it slowly died, and by 1863 when my ancestors arrived to T. Princeton (probably to rent farming land at first) St. Marie was being hauled away building by building including the best parts of the Catholic Church. Hamilton was between Princeton and St. Marie and amounted to mostly big plat ideas and very few people. It didn�t last long. Using an 1875 plat map you can follow County J out of NE Princeton, going past Hamilton. Then County J turns 90 degrees to the east. BUT, going straight ahead you are on Huckleberry Road with the remains of the church on the right and St. Marie village (none remaining) on the left and to the river bank. In the late 1860s many farmers moved on, perhaps some of them involved with St. Marie village. About a half mile north of J where Huckleberry takes a 90 degree right turn you find the town cemetery. Princeton was platted in 1848, St. Marie village in 1851. My references don�t say when Hamilton was platted, but probably about the same time in the age of speculation. Both of the latter topped out at 125 residents; Princeton prospered. Hamilton was so close to Princeton only one could survive. If you don�t have the right plat map, it was where �J� headed north out of Princeton and barely still in Princeton township, where �J� does a very quick right/left and continues north. If you get to the intersection where �J� turns east and Huckleberry Road continues north you are almost to the site of St. Marie village and a half mile past Hamilton. Hamilton was on the inside of that short right angle east and back to the north. So close to town you wouldn�t notice it by watching the road if you didn�t know where to look. A small trailer park is supposed to be there now. The Portrait Album says Hamilton did have a post office, but it was probably gone by 1860, because at the start of the (civil) war Hamilton was down to 4 houses and a barn (same ref). St. Marie folded soon after, because the 1860 census shows a lot of unoccupied buildings. The 1860 census lists St. Marie as the post office for the entire township. The 1870 census lists Princeton except for a small amount of Dartford (Green Lake).

STONE HILL

Source: Lucille Streich, via Daryl Weishaar "The Stone Hill P.O. of 1860 was located only a couple of miles from our place. We worked that land for many years, and I believe Erv's parents told us about the P.O. being there. Some time when we see the present owner of that land, will ask him if he has any more information about it." My best guess, using old plat maps, is that Stone Hill was SW of Budsin. (Daryl Weishaar) Source: Places & Faces (Marquette Co. WI), Vol. II, by Fran Sprain, �1993 Stone Hill was the postal station for the Crystal Lake area, circa 1860.

WESTFIELD

Source: RWPN Robert Cochrane, the founder of this community, came from Westfield in New York State. Source: Tim Stowell The 1886 Post Office Guide lists Westfield. A United States Official Postal Guide, Part 1, 5th Series, Vol. 2, No. 1 printed July 1939, informs that Westfield delivered to 410 rural route box holders and 127 post office boxes. The Westfield post office is also identified as a Money Order and International Money Order office. Source: Westfield History in 1876 from the Montello Express, June 24, 1876 Transcribed by Dan Nickolai and Joan Benner Sources: RWPN: The Romance of Wisconsin Place Names, by Robert E. Gard and L. D. Sorden The Sun, published at Montello WI [Russell Flats April 1, 1882] Wisconsin: It's Counties, Townships and Villages, by Uncapher and Herrick, Origins, Janesville Wisconsin, 1994 The Express, Montello WI, 1876 [Neshkoro and Westfield] Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin. Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, 1890 Thank You to these Contributors for making this page possible: Joan Benner, Jackie Hufschmid, Tim Stowell, Daryl Weishaar, Gary E. Wick

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