Silver Creek: Where Did It Go?

Walking the lakeshore near the mouth of Silver Creek in Ahnapee Town's Section 7 is like walking the shore any place north Algoma. One would never guess what happened there, or that it was a hub of activity 150 years ago. Kewaunee County has many long-forgotten hamlets, but, though little remains, most at least have a 45 mph traffic sign. Silver Creek doesn't even have that.

It was in 1855 that James  Norman purchased and received a patent from the federal government for 58 ½ acres in at the mouth of Silver Creek in Section 7, Town 25N, Range 26E. One acre was set aside for a school that later became known as Woodside and ½ acre for a burying ground. Captain Zeb Shaw’s grave is about all that remains visible in the old cemetery.

Early businessman Albert Wells, who also patented substantial property, built a pier out to a few hundred feet into water deep enough to allow schooners in to load wood products. Pine, hemlock, cedar and hardwood was brought to the pier by oxen or horse drawn sleds and loaded onto the boats and shipped, primarily to Chicago markets. 

Captain Zeb Shaw was Silver Creek’s third resident, but his story begins long before that.  Early in the 19th century, Moses Shaw I, a native of England, settled at Yarmouth, Nova Scotia.  His son Zebina was born on Christmas Day 1815. As other young men, he grew up seeking adventure and went to sea. The close of 1850 found him in Memphis where he soon found an Irish bride, Katherine O'Brien.  Zeb always seemed to find his way around, meeting George Fellows, Sr. in Chicago and then sailing with him. The association led Shaw to Wolf River in 1855 when the young Mrs. Shaw was landed on the beach at the foot of Tweedale's Hill - today Algoma's Lake St. hill. No doubt she remembered small boats coming out to ferry people ashore. No doubt she also remembered animals being thrown off the boats so they would swim to shore. Whatever her story, it was said she relished the retelling all of her life, something she probably did while having the pipe which she so much enjoyed.

Terrence O'Brien and his 19 year old daughter Katherine left Ireland in 1851. Considering the ocean voyage would have been undertaken no earlier than March and that the O'Brien's documented trip took 8 weeks, there was not much time for Shaw to get to Memphis, meet his wife and get married and get back to Chicago to begin sailing with Charles Fellows, Sr. later in 1851. Zeb  and Katherine apparently didn't feel the need for a long courtship.

Arriving in Wolf River, the Shaws kept house for David Youngs and operated Captain Fellows' Tremont House, today the Stebbins, before relocating to Silver Creek where there was a sawmill, store and Welles and Valentine's pier, a Chicago business at which Shaw was employed as superintendent. Captain Shaw's father came with him and it was believed the elder Mr. Shaw was the first teacher at Silver Creek School. Captain Shaw, owner of the Falcon, was not remembered as a great farmer but he was indeed an alert and cautious seaman, hauling wood products before relocating to the farm that remained in the family for over 100 years. Shaw was also one of the area captains who supplemented his income by cutting Christmas trees in Wisconsin and Upper Michigan and transporting them to Milwaukee and Chicago.

There were fishermen at Silver Creek before the War Between the States.Jackson Jordan was one of them. Jordan made his home with Captain Charles Ross and with Eli Dunham and Willet A. Wheeler, also of Silver Creek, enlisted in the war. Dunham was an Easterner who came to the area to visit his brother Spencer Dunham, an employee of Wells' sawmill. Wheeler was an employee of the same company, though his military career was brief and ended at the first battle of Shiloh when the trigger finger of his right hand was shot off.

News was made during the spring and summer of 1868 when the 180 ton schooner Bessie Boalt was built in Ahnapee for the richest man in town, C.G. Boalt. The impressive $32,000 vessel was launched directly into the lake from the beach.** Civil War hero, master designer and craftsman Major William Henry built both model and ship. When she sailed from the north pier on her 1^st voyage, she was under command of Captain John McDonald, a full crew of Ahnapee seamen and with Zebina Shaw as 1^st mate. A few years later the Bessie went down in a storm off Two Rivers while in tow of a tug which had rescued her from the treacherous sand bar off that point.


Zebina and Katherine Shaw were the parents of eleven children, three of whom survived to adulthood.  Son Moses Shaw II, born November 8, 1861, spent his life on the homestead at Silver Creek.  At fourteen he had gone as far as possible in the school and there after devoted his time to farming and serving on the school board. As Highway Commissioner from 1912 to 1923, he oversaw the building of the first macadam and the first concrete highways built in Kewaunee County. He was appointed State Highway Inspector for both Kewaunee and Calumet Countys and served as the Kewaunee County director of the N.R.A. or National Recovery Administration,during the alphabet soup days of the New Deal. 

Eventually Moses Shaw applied for a post office at Woodside and for a time Zeb carried mail between Ahnapee and Two Rivers. Shaw's site request follows this document. Shaw, his sons, and Fellows’ son Charles had a significant historical impact on Silver Creek, the village of Foscoro - now Stony Creek - and the Town of Ahnapee in general. In the early days, the highway called County S did not exist. To avoid swampland, the road going out from Ahnapee turned east at the Shaw farm (above), at the intersection of today's Highways S and U, and followed the lake shore much of the way to Sturgeon Bay. 

Today it is difficult to believe that Mrs. Perry Austin operated a restaurant a short distance from the mouth of Silver Creek or that the area eventually had its own post office. Theodore Tronson used windmills to provide power to his sawmill business and Charles Serrahn built a cheese factory, the area’s last place of business. Today there is no sign of the pier or any of the other businesses in another of Kewaunee County’s long-forgotten early villages.

**Henry's shipyard was a small "bay" on the north side of the river, now the area between the motel and the channel.  Filled in, the same area held the coal docks. The one story section of the Shaw home above served as the Woodside post office. Pictures are in the author's collection. Mrs. Perry Austin was Charlotte Berg before her marriage.

 

                 

 

Youngs, Swaty, Mc Donald and Algoma's Lakefront

Algoma's downtown lakefront has changed dramatically since this photo was taken in the early 1960s.

Significant buildings identified by number follow with their original use and current status, if any, today. Number 1 was the utility plant which has been torn down;  2 is the utility building and office, now the Haegele Center and home of Farm Market Kitchen; 3 is Dick DeGuelle's home which has been relocated, and 4 is DeGuelle's tavern which was torn down and replaced with a marina parking lot; 5 was the 1901 Charles  saloon, now Von Stiehl's warehouse;  6 was  the cheese cold storage building that became Jag Outdoor Advertising; 7 is a garage that was torn down, 8 is the Steam Laundry that was also torn down; 9 is  Ahnapee Brewery and now Von Stiehl Winery; 10 was built as Toebe's saloon and shoe store, now a private residence; 11 was Gericke's store, now demolished; 11 was the Fuel Co. office and now Natural Light Gallery; 13 and 14. are the Fuel Co. cabinet shop and shed, also demolished.

Youngs and Steele Plat Block 12, the area in the lower left quadrant of the photo, has one of Algoma’s more interesting histories. Activity dates to some of Wolf River’s earliest residents including the Youngs, Swatys and McDonalds. During 2000, the city purchased Lot 10, numbers 2 and 3 on the photo, and razed what many remember as the DeGuelle tavern and liquor store. That property - today a park and marina parking area - is connected to all three families.

DeGuelle’s tavern building dates to the 1860’s when it was operating as a small boarding house or hotel, called the Rosiere House, while also serving as Mollie McDonald’s news depot, telegraph office and sewing machine sales room. Over the years, the building changed. Eighty years later, and after several refurbishings, the second story was converted to apartments to accommodate the World War ll housing shortage. Originally a frame building, it was brick veneered in 1882. Its yellow brick came from the Swaty Brickyard in what is now the Lake Street hill. During the 1950’s the brick veneer was replaced with asphalt shingles. Until the 1940's, Julie Swaty lived in a little yellow house on the east side of the building, which was approximately where her father, Franz Swaty, opened his store shortly before the start of the Civil War.

One hundred years ago grain warehouses stood between the hotel and Lake Michigan, and a livery stood just south of the hotel which by then was the Charles House. In later years, Pleck's Ice Cream and Dairy used the livery building as an ice cream and soda warehouse. Then Jerry Seiler used it as a tire warehouse. Both buildings were torn down before the picture was taken.

Joe Villers, who also appears in documents as Williams or Willems, bought, in 1876, what most remember as the DeGuelle building and started calling it the Rosiere House. Telesphore Charles purchased it a few years later and changed the name to the St. Charles Hotel. For most of its history, the building held a saloon or tavern. Coisman, Nesemann, Schmidt, Wacek, DeGuelle and Jennings are only a few of the names associated with ownership of the property.

It was David Youngs, his Chicago business partner George Steele, and Solomon McKitchum and William Clark who owned most of what is today's downtown Algoma. Properties were sold back and forth so it was eventually mostly in Youngs' name. It was platted as Youngs and Steele Plat in 1858.

Youngs built a slab mercantile on the south bank of the (then) Wolf River on the approximate site of the cheese storage building, best remembered as Jag's. Youngs was thought to have common sense and business acumen, though he did meet with financial misfortune. He was known as one whose integrity was never questioned. He was noted for his openhanded generosity and never turned away a needy person. As commerce grew, so did the need for piers which were built up and down the lake shore. Realizing the advantages of a pier, the farsighted Youngs built a bridge pier on the north side of the river during the spring and early summer of 1856. It was organized as Youngs, Fellows and Co. Seymour Palmer was the "and Co." When Youngs died in 1874, the Record commented that while he was not a Christian, "Christians would do well to follow his example."

Bohemian immigrant Franz Swaty and his family arrived in the fledgling village in 1860. It was Swaty who was credited with encouraging his countrymen to settle in the area. He opened a store on the approximate site that became DeGuelle's. For a time, he was a partner in the brewery and a partner in the gristmill at what became Bruemmerville. Too old to serve in the Civil War, the patriotic Swaty did what he could for the women whose husbands served and for widows and orphans. His patriotism extended to the naming of two daughters Liberty and Columbia. Liberty taught in Ahnapee. Julie, the youngest, was the only one of Swaty's children to remain in Algoma, living in the little yellow house that had been in the Swaty family for most of 100 years.

The first of the McDonalds came to Wolf River with their mother, Jane McDonald Loval. Jane McDonald was a widow when she married Jack Loval. She opened her 1857 Union House just south of the small white building at the left of building #5 in the photo above. Her hotel was one of Wolf River's first frame structures. Jane's children had a significant impact on the community.

While the names Youngs, Swaty and McDonald no longer appear in Algoma, it is possible there are descendants. If there are, no doubt they are continuing to make an impact 150 years later.

Note: The photo has been cropped from a postcard in the author's collection. Much of the information comes from An-An-api-sebe, Where is the River?

 

Honoring the Boys of World War l

Kewaunee County joined Wisconsin counties and individual communities to honor the men of World War 1. Mrs. George Wing summed up the June 1919 event when she wrote from Casco a little over a month later. Mrs. Wing felt it was a “beautiful thing for the county to give its soldier boys.”

On July 1, 1919, Kewaunee County Clerk Joseph G. Lazansky – as a directive from the Kewaunee County Board of Supervisors - wrote to Whitehead & Hoag Co. in Milwaukee thanking the company for contributing to “the grandest day in the history of Kewaunee County.” Lazansky was thrilled. The day devoted to honoring World War l veterans and those who made the supreme sacrifice brought words of praise and admiration from the boys and their parents.

As part of the planning, articles in the Record Herald and the Enterprise told about honor medals and requested names of those who served. Five hundred such medals were presented to the “soldier and sailor boys” at an event witnessed by 6,000 people from all parts of the county. Lazansky's letter said it would be too difficult for him to explain and was sending a copy of the official county paper.

Next-of-kin were presented Gold Star Medals in an impressive ceremony that pleased Colonel Phillip Westphal, Commander of the 121^st Field Artillery and Captain Edward Reynolds, Commander of Co. F. Lazansky wrote that Westphal and Reynolds “who by their  presence honored the boys by whom they are so loved and esteemed.”

As soon residents read about the celebration, responses came pouring in. John Neuzil of Rio Creek, who saw the article in the Record, said he was the father of Herman and John who were each land soldiers. M.W. Burke wrote the next day saying Ensign William D. Burke was in the Merchant Marine and Private Edmund F. Burke was in the Army. Arthur Fenske wrote on May 21 to say Private Hugo Perlewitz, Co. A, 6^th Div., 161 was at 161 Depot Brigade at Camp Grant, Illinois, but that Private Oswald Perlewitz was still “over there” in Co. C, 57 Eng. in Paris, France. Wenzel Tuma wrote from Luxemburg to say he was a Private in Co. M, 103 Reg. Inf. 26^th Div. and was glad to celebrate.

Private Jacob Blahnik and John Edward Koss sent in their own names while, on May 23, Mrs. Fred Wendrickx of R. 2, Casco, asked for two medals, though she did not say for whom. Charles H. Kickbusch said “my boy is still in France,” and requested a medal for him, Private Albert C. Kickbusch, 85C Trans. Corp. Fred Leischow said he served in a dental corp.

Walter Prokash wrote from Waukegon on May 25^th saying he was a Sergeant with 221 Field Signal Battalion and would be at the celebration. Guy Birdsall said he was in the 4^th WI Inf. National Guard in 1917 and landed in France on February 10, 1918. There he served with the 32^nd Division and was promoted to Sgt. 1^st Class. He was discharged on April 23, 1919 following 14 months of duty in France. Pvt. Walter Peter Duchert, 40 Co., 4 Group, said, “as I am one of the boys, I hope to take part that day.” Jacob A. Velicer asked to have his badge mailed and Wenzel A. Spacek just sent his name and address from R. 2, Box 53, Algoma. Pvt. Frank Helebrandt only said he was with 305 Machine Gun Battalion. Pvt. 1^st Class William Holdorf offered little more, just saying he was coming.

John Simonar of R. 1, Luxemburg (Neuren) wrote to say he had two boys. Lawrence did not serve overseas and was at home, though John G. was still in Russia. George Radey said he was coming as did J.E. Pelnar and George Pribyl, who said they were an ex-sailor and an ex-soldier. Paul Ticalsky was attached to Supply 340 Inf. and Luxemburg’s Walter C. Siegmund said he was in the Battle of Argonne. George O. Sullivan was “a boy who would appreciate a bronze Honor Medal though he lived in Kenosha.” He wrote a second time to say he could not attend the event but would still like a medal. Apparently he was employed at The Simmons Co. of Kenosha, as he used the stationery for his R.S.V.P. Henry Ruttner, Edwin Cemyla and Ed Waterstreet lived in Milwaukee. Waterstreet wrote that he was one of a number of Kewaunee boys living in Milwaukee who would be at the celebration. Octaves Bader planned to attend. Bader enlisted on May 31, 1917 and served with 121 1^st Field Artillery, Battery B, 32^nd Div. He wrote that he left Green Bay on July 1, 1917 and, following 8 months training, he sailed for France, arriving in March.  

Joseph Barta of Wyandotte looked forward to receiving a medal, but was unable to attend. Barta served in Puerto Rico as a 1^st Lt., 374 USA Inf. Arthur J. Schwantes sent his R.S.V.P. from Wabeno where he was a part of the Land Clearing Special. He planned to attend, but on August 21, 1919 he wrote from Escanaba saying though he didn’t get to Kewaunee he would like to have his medal. Major T.A. Baumeister submitted his name from Camp Pike, Little Rock, Arkansas. He didn’t make it either.

Bugler George F. Winnekens came from Stangelville. George F. Sekadlo was another bugler who was coming. He wrote that he was “proud of being a soldier in Uncle Sam’s army” and he would be proud of the big day.

Oswald Thibaudeau lived at R. 6, Kewaunee and served in Co. G, 9^th Us Inf. A.E.T. Leonard Thibaudeau lived in Sturgeon Bay and said he was a Kewaunee boy who served in the Navy at Great Lakes, Illinois, and would make the big day. Clarence Toppe and Bernhart Schneider wanted to be recognized, Matt Jerovetz was coming and both Benny H. Jahnke and Edwin J. Jahnke, both of Luxemburg, were pleased to take part. Pvt. Fred A. Graycarek planned to wear his uniform.

Henry Gerlach of R. 4, Box 15, Algoma, sent his son’s name. William H. Gerlach was serving in Co. F, 128 Inf. when he was killed in action on November 10, 1918. Paul G. Stangel’s siblings wrote to say he was in the Navy and had served in 12^th Reg., Co. I of the Hospital Corps. Paul did not make it home. Joseph Koukalik’s mother wrote. Joe was a Franklin man who sacrificed his life and died in a southern camp though his body was returned to Stangelville for burial. Frances H. Bach was with the Portage Red Cross when she asked for a medal for her husband Edward George (Ted) Bach. Ted was with U.S. Base Hospital, Unit 13. Ted’s status was not made clear.

Dr. F. Brunckhorst wrote from Hortonville saying though he enlisted from another county, he was still a “Kewaunee boy.” Brunckhorst felt Kewaunee County had an “enviable record throughout the war and was always ahead of others.”

There were errors. Algoma’s Mayor James McGowan wrote to Lazansky saying Miss Paul had stopped in the office to report that her brother Frank Paul, a resident of the Town of Ahnapee, was in Co. F, 12^th Ammunition Train and did not receive a medal. Miss Paul felt the mayor was probably distributing medals for those not in the county. Mr. Paul was at Faithorn, Michigan at the time. McGowan did indeed pass out additional medals. Two were Gold Stars. Algoma had more Gold Stars than the letters to Lazansky indicated. Ernest Haucke was killed in action at Chateau Thiry, Frank Lidral at St. Mihiel and Ralph Perry in the Argonne. Fred Naze was also killed in action. Fred Schmidt and William Pfluger were both overseas when they died of pneumonia. Frank Jirtle died at the Coast Guard Academy and Edward Hanel, a sailor, died at a rifle range.

Whitehead and Hoag Co. expected errors. When the medals were sent, Lazansky was told that if there was a spelling error, the medal would be remade. If the error was Lazansky’s fault, the county would incur additional costs. More medals were required after the initial order was placed. On June 2, 100 were ordered: 45 were cast without gold stars, 8 were cast with gold stars and there were 47 blanks. There was another order for 10 by July 3^rd. As people continued to learn about the event, more came forward, and on July 17, another 100 were ordered. Included were two 10kt sold gold stars for Roger Moore and Herman Gaulke. Gaulke died at Verdun. In August additional blank bronze medals were ordered, and then in September John Bitzan, then of Milwaukee, said he saw service from September to December 1918 and would like a medal in “rememberance of the war.”

Lazansky let it be known that if men learned about the event too late to respond, they could still receive a medal by leaving their information at the Karsten Hotel. John L. Rataichek, Peter Sconzert, and Victor F. Langer did that. Arthur J. Koller, George A. Lohrey and Herbert F. Brensike said they never received information. Though Edwin and Bernard Jahnke sent their R.S.V.P., they said they didn’t know about the medals.

Charlie Peters used stationery from Luxemburg’s Bach-Kieweg Co. when he he told “Friend Joe” that he regretted not being able to take an “active part in the honoring celebration for the boys.” Peters said that the business houses in Luxemburg were going to close for the day and Lazansky could expect a number of delegates. Peters praised the event and offered his service during the day. Algoma harness maker F.G. Jirtle wrote about his late son, Frank J. Jirtle and also offered his help. Luxemburg's Hector Boncher used his company stationery to say Andrew, Edward and Joseph Bragger were single sons of Henry Bragger and all deserved medals. Andrew served in the Army while the other two were in the Navy.

Looking at the draft lists, it appears that about 1,200 men were eligible for duty. A little more than half that number served in “the war to end all wars.”
 

Information came from Lazansky’s correspondence found at the ARC at UW-Green Bay, Gold Star Mothers by Harry Heidmann and Lester Heidmann, Algoma Printing Co. and the newspapers mentioned. Names are as listed on documents. The World War l postcard is in the author's collection.