History of Fond du Lac, (Fond du Lac County) Wisconsin United States of America

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Local History Notes:

FOND DU LAC, a county in the E. part of Wisconsin, at the S. end of Lake Winnebago, contains 754 square miles. It is drained by the sources of Milwaukee and Rock rivers and by Fond du Lac river. A high, steep ledge of limestone extends through the county from S. W. to N. E. On the S. E. side of this the land is heavily timbered; the W. part of the county contains extensive prairies. The soil is calcareous and fertile. Wheat, Indian corn, oats, pork, and butter are the staples. The produce of the county in 1850 was 166,718 bushels of wheat; 74,361 bushels of corn, and 1,347,479 pounds of butter. It contained 17 churches, 2 newspaper offices; 2844 pupils attending public schools, and 85 attending academies and other schools. A plank-road extends from Lake Michigan to Fond du Lac, and a railroad has been commenced which will connect it with Chicago. The settlement of the county began in 1835, and has progressed with great rapidity. "Fond du Lac," in French signifies the "end of the lake." Capital, Fond du Lac. Population, 14,510.

Biographies:

John Henry Hobart Brown, 1st bishop of Fond du Lac and 115th in succession in the American episcopate, was born in New York city, Jan. 1, 1831. He graduated from the New York theological seminary in 1854, was ordained a deacon, and became curate at Grace church, Brooklyn, during which time he organized the church of the Good Angels, and, after his ordination as priest in 1855, took charge of the new church. In 1856 he was made rector of the church of St. John the Evangelist in New York; and in 1864 took charge of St. John's, Cohoes, N.Y. In 1868 he served the Albany diocesan convention as secretary, and in 1870 was promoted archdeacon of the Albany convocation. In 1874 the degree of D.D. was conferred upon him by Racine college. He was elected to be the first bishop of Fond du Lac, and was consecrated in Cohoes Dec. 15, 1875. Bishop Brown published a number of reviews, sermons and addresses. He died at Fond du Lac, Wis., May 2, 1888.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

Charles A. Eldridge, representative, was born in Bridgeport, Vt., Feb. 27, 1821. He removed to New York city at an early age and was admitted to the bar in 1846. In 1848 he removed to Fond du Lac, Wis., and practised his profession, serving in the state senate in 1854-55. He was a Democratic representative from Wisconsin, in 38th-43d congresses, 1863-75. He died at Fond du Lac, Wis., Oct. 26, 1896.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor