Fond du Lac Wisconsin

Menominee Indians

The Menominee Indians, known as “Wild Rice Men,” inhabited regions along the Menominee River in Wisconsin and Michigan. They were part of the Algonquian linguistic family and lived primarily on wild rice. Their villages, noted in early 20th-century sources, included locations such as Keshena Falls and Portage. By 1854, the Menominee ceded most of their lands, retaining a reservation on the Wolf River. Their population estimates fluctuated from around 3,000 in 1650 to 2,221 by 1937, influencing place names across the region.

Biography of John R. Kellogg

John R. Kellogg, born on July 20, 1830, in New York, was a pioneering educator and influential figure in Union County. After his education at Oberlin College, he taught in Ohio and Iowa before settling in La Grande, Oregon, where he improved his land and built a successful estate. Kellogg served as a fife major during the Civil War and was active in local politics and education, including leading a union Sunday school for three decades. He married Rocsa A. Hill and raised two adopted daughters, contributing significantly to the community’s development.

Biography of James M. Kennedy

James M. Kennedy, born in Wisconsin in 1857, moved to Kansas in 1869 and became a prominent lawyer in Fredonia after transitioning from teaching. His father, a Union soldier, originally settled in Kansas as a farmer. Kennedy’s legal career spanned over 25 years, during which he gained respect in the Wilson County bar. He was also involved in business ventures, including the Excelsior Brick Company. Married to Elizabeth Stivers, he had three children, all of whom pursued careers in law, business, and banking.

Biography of Captain Lyman C. Waite

Captain Lyman C. Waite, born in 1844 in Wisconsin, was instrumental in the early development of Riverside, California. A Civil War veteran, he rose through the ranks to achieve the rank of Captain, participating in numerous significant battles. After the war, he pursued education and law before settling in Riverside in 1870 with only $50. Waite established the first nursery in the colony and became a prominent businessman, contributing to various local enterprises, including banking and water companies. He was married to Lillian M. Shugart, with whom he had four children.

Biography of John W. Roche

John W. Roche, born in County Waterford, Ireland, in 1839, immigrated to America in 1866. He settled in Rock Island in 1870, where he transformed swampy land into valuable property through hard work. Initially a book agent, he later ventured into life insurance, achieving notable success. In 1900, he founded the American Steam Laundry, which he still operates. A self-made man and devoted family figure, Roche has raised eleven children, despite four passing in infancy, and remains a respected member of his community.

Biography of J. P. Comeford

J.P. Comeford, born in Ireland in 1833, emigrated to Canada and then to the U.S., where he settled in Wisconsin and later Minnesota. During the Civil War, he served in an independent company of sappers and miners and later helped quell the Sioux uprising. After the war, he married and moved to Dakota, then to Washington, where he established a successful trading post and opened a store. In 1885, he laid out the village of Marysville, which became a developing community. Comeford owned extensive land and had three children.

Biographical Sketch of Fred D. Cleaves

Fred D. Cleaves, born in 1852 in Stockbridge, Wisconsin, has held various significant public roles in the Pacific Northwest. Migrating with his family to the region in 1864, he later returned to Wisconsin for education but eventually settled in Puget Sound. Cleaves taught penmanship and served as a county treasurer and district court clerk in Skagit County. He also ran a real estate office and is recognized for his integrity and community trust.

Biographical Sketch of Tusten, H. W.

H. W. Tusten, a farmer and businessman, arrived in Kansas with the Northwestern Colony in 1871. He established the first general store, operating it for six years while cultivating 200 acres of his 320-acre farm, primarily focused on cattle and horses. Born in Ontario County, New York, in 1833, Tusten lived in several states before settling in Kansas. He married Matilda de Neveu in 1867, and they had four children. He served as president of the town site and was a City Council member.

Biography of Mann, Stillman

Stillman Mann, the proprietor of the Russell House, built the stone section of his hotel in 1877, with a combined cost of $7,000 and a capacity for approximately seventy-five guests. Originally from Vermont, Mann arrived in Russell in 1871 as part of the Northwestern Colony. He initially supported his family by baking and selling bread to settlers. Mann held various business roles prior to moving to Kansas and was active in his community, notably in the Congregational Church and local governance.

Biographical Sketch of Parker, F. L.

Parker, F. L. is a prominent dealer in grain, lumber, and coal, associated with the firm Hobbs Parker since 1879. He arrived in Russell, Kansas in 1877 and contributed significantly to the local economy. Originally from Ann Arbor, Michigan, born in 1848, he moved with his family in his youth to Wisconsin, where he engaged in various businesses, including hardware and manufacturing. Parker married Lizzie V. Hobbs in 1871 and has two children. He is also an active community member, having served on the City Council.