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In 1840, the southern Portion of Calumet County, embracing the present towns of Brothertown and New
Holstein was organized into the town of Manchester. The remainder of the county was not organized politically
for three years. The Indians were gradually crowded from the lakeshore, mostly by American settlers, while a
foreign population, mostly German, hemmed them in to the east. The Stockbridges were also being displaced
by the more enterprising race. The more intelligent of them commenced to advocate a change to full citizenship,
forming what was called the " Citizen's Party." " The Indian Party " consisted of those whose blood still flowed
from the force of pure animal life, and whose semi-civilized manner of life, free from care, was dearer to them
than material prosperity. The result of a popular vote polled by the Stockbridges was in favor of the " Citizen's
Party," by a small majority. An act of Congress approved March 3,1843, granted them the rights of citizenship,
and the same amount of land per capita given to the Brothertowns. The town of Stockbridge, including all the
county outside of Brothertown and New Holstein, was organized the same year. Those citizens, however, who
still held to un-American notions claimed that the decision was brought about by fraud. They resisted taxation
and invited a party of Oneidas from their reservation to assist them in their revolt The rebellion, however, was
met by such a determined front by the Governor and private citizens that the Oneidas returned and the Indian
party abandoned their reckless determination. A portion of them, howrever, showed such dissatisfaction and
disgust that they were allowed by the General Government to give up their lands and retire to the reservation in
Shawano County. Those who remained were absorbed into the body called American citizens, and became like
the Brothertowns, all that the name implies. They supported schools and churches, in common with their
neighbors. Men of affairs, such as the Dicks, the Fowlers and the Johnsons, obtained and retained respect and
influence. Differences of blood and race were forgotten, and another marked example of political assimilation
was held up for the consternation of scoffers at republicanism and democracy.
Settlement was remarkably brisk throughout the county in 1848-49, the villages of New Holstein, Hayton and
Gravesville threatening to even displace the older settlement of Brothertown, Stockbridge and Chilton. The
towns of New Holstein and Charlestown were organized, and there seemed to be a wavering as to what decided
course the tide of immigration and of activity would take. The causes which operated in favor of Chilton up to
the time of the war are detailed in the sketch of the city, and the particular, and in some cases, the peculiar
history of these and other villages, will be given hereafter. The war, as every-where else, here makes a break.
Copyright 1997 - 2005 by Debie Blindauer
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