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TAKEN FROM AN OLD HISTORY
(From The Oshkosh Northwestern)
The following dates taken from an old history of Neenah are interesting as connected with some of the principal events and most prominent and wealth men in the state of Wisconsin:
The first white inhabitants of Winnebago county were: Augusts GRIGNON, a French settler of Green Bay; an Englishman named POWELL, here for traffic with the Indians; James KNAGG, a half-breed who kept a ferry just above the present site of Algoma (Oshkosh), and Archibald CALDWELL, a white trader.
The first white settler in Oshkosh was named Webster STANLEY and went there from Neenah in 1846.
In 1844, Harrison REED secured the establishment of a postoffice and called it "Neenah," meaning "water," in the Winnebago tongue. In that year, Simon QUATERMASS was appointed postmaster and got lost when first carrying the mail to Oshkosh as he went through the big swamp.
Archibald CALDWELL built the first scow or barge, forty-five feet long.
In 1845, the first male white child, A. D. CLINTON, was born to Rev. O. P. CLINTON, in the old block house at Neenah.
In 1846, the first white girl, Nina REED, was born and the first marriage between Jeanette FINCH and John JOHNSON took place near the old Council elm. In this year, Harvey JONES came to Neenah.
In 1847, the first steamer, "Little Manchester," ran from Neenah to Oshkosh about as fast as a boy could run.
In 1847, the first stock of goods was offered for sale by JONES & YALE. Work was started on the Neenah dam that year.
In 1848, John and Harvey KIMBERLY came to Neenah. The first frame house was built by James LADD.
In 1849, the KIMBERLY flour mills was started. The first brewery was planned. John KIMBERLY on being asked where he thought a brewery should be built replied, "In h--ll."
In 1850, Charles B. CLARK went to work in a sawmill and furniture factory. His first work was bending chair backs, at $6 a month.
In 1856, Alex BILLSTEIN came to Neenah.
In 1857, J. A. KIMBERLY and Havilah BABCOCK entered into partnership and opened a store.
In 1860, the first railroad communication on the Chicago & Northwestern railroad was built from Neenah to Oshkosh in winter, reaching Neenah in January, 1861. First way bill was for a 100 barrels of flour shipped by MILLS & PEET.
In 1865, the first paper mill was built by a stock company, consisting of Hiram SMITH, Dr. N. S. ROBINSON, John JAMESON and Moses HOOPER.
In 1873, Neenah was made a city. In this year KIMBERLY, CLARK & Co. arranged to build Globe Paper mills.
In 1874, the first public school was started with twelve pupils, Miss Caroline BRYANT teaching at $6 a month. A mayor was elected that year and the first council meeting occurred.