Town of Waupaca

The Town of Waupaca comprises Township 22 north. Range 12 east. It is bounded on the north by the Town of St. Lawrence, on the east by Royalton, on the south by Lind, and on the west by Farmington.

The first settlement was on the 9th of June, 1849, by E. C. Sessions, J. and W. B. Hibbard, J. M. Vaughn, and W. G. Cooper. In the fall of the same year Captain David Scott, Dana Dewey, H. M. Garde, T. M. Paine, Dexter Williams, F. B. Young, and James Thomas moved in.

The first two claims for farming purposes were made by J. M. Vaughn and T. M. Paine, on Sections 34 and 35, in 1849.

The first child born was Mary Hibbard, daughter of Joseph Hibbard, May 25, 1850.

The first death was that of Joel Deiter, May 15, 1850.

The first marriage was that of Thomas Billington and Emma Baxter, in 1851, Elder Baxter officiating.

The first school was taught Miss Dora Thompson, now Mrs. LeGros, in 1850.

The first school house was built in 1851, in what is known as the Chandler and Vaughn district.

The first church (Methodist) was built in 1853, in what is now the Fourth Ward of the City of Waupaca. It is now used as a blacksmith shop.

The first sermon was preached by Rev. Silas Miller, a Methodist, in 1850, at the house of J. M. Vaughn.

The first post office was established in 1851, with Captain David Scott as postmaster. The mail route was from Green Bay to Plover. O. E. Druetzer was carrier.

The first saw mill was built in 1850, by Silas Miller.

The first grist mill was built in 1861, by W. C. Lord and Wilson Holt.

Wilson Holt kept the first store, in 1851. W. G. Cooper built the first house (log) in 1849.

J. M. Vaughn built the second one the same year.

The first survey was made in 1849, by W. B. Mumbrue.

The first law suit was before Justice Ware, in 1851. The parties were Captain Spencer vs. L. W. Thayer.

The first loaded wagon that came into this part of the County was that of J. M. Vaughn, in 1849.

In 1853, E. C. Sessions planted the first apple trees, and in 1856 he raised the first apples. J. M. Vaughn set out a nursery in 1855.

The first newspaper (also first in the County) was started by the Redfield Brothers, in 1853. It was the Waupaca Spirit.

The first lawyer was W. G. Cooper, who came in 1849.

The first doctor was Rev. Cutting Marsh, who came in 1851.

Organization of the Town

The town was organized by act of the County Board, at a special session held at Mukwa, March 5, 1852.

The first town meeting was held at the house of Mr. Mackintosh, in said town, April 6, 1851.

The following officers, 1851

The town officers for 1889

City Of Waupaca

The Village of Waupaca was incorporated in 1857.

The first village officers

City of Waupaca

Waupaca was incorporated as a city in 1875.

The first city officers

 The city is situated in the western part of the town, on the Wisconsin Central railroad, and on the Waupaca River, which furnishes excellent power. The water power is pretty well improved, though its capacity is far from being fully utilized. Business men are beginning to appreciate its great advantages.

Waupaca is one of the best markets for farmers in Northern Wisconsin. The chief product for shipment is potatoes.

The city is the County seat of Waupaca County, and the Court House and Jail are located here. It is lighted by electricity, has well-made streets, numerous fine residences, and is in many respects a desirable location for the man of business or leisure.

The Wisconsin Veterans' Home, a State institution, the first of its class in the country, is located on the Chain of Lakes, in Farmington, three miles west of Waupaca.

Waupaca has 9 general stores, 5 grocery stores, 2 furniture stores, 3 drug stores, 3 hardware stores, 2 clothing and furnishing goods stores, 1 merchant tailor, 2 tailor shops, 3 harness shops, 4 jewelry stores, 3 meat markets, 3 barber shops, 1 bath room, 1 shoe store, 3 notion and confectionery stores, 1 bakery, 4 hotels, 3 restaurants, 3 livery stables, 3 pump shops, 3 farm machinery warehouses, 4 shoe shops, 6 blacksmith shops, 2 machine shops, 1 foundry, 3 wagon shops, 2 planing mills, 2 grist mills, 1 starch factory, 1 creamery and cold storage house, 1 marble shop, 1 woolen mill, 1 bottling works, 1 brick yard, 2 photographers, 2 feed stores, 1 tannery, 1 brewery, 1 nursery and fruit farm, 1 green house, a dozen or more produce and stock buyers, 4 millinery stores, 2 temperance saloons, 6 saloons, 2 national banks, 7 churches, 1 high school, 2 newspaper and printing offices, 1 job printing office. The professions are well represented.

The city officers for 1890

Waupaca County | Wisconsin AHGP