The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1899-04-20

mon of Meeme, the first white child born
in that town. He is now a man past
lifes meridian, but there is no abatement
of bodily vigor He has long been known
as man of unusual physical strength,
but good natured, kindly and always
loyal to his friends. Mr. Simon is own
er of the farm on which he was born ov-
er 81 years ago and it always has been
his home
At the time Hubert Simons parents
came to Meme the whole stretch of
country between Sheboygan and Manito-
woo was a wilderness. There was no
improved road though an Indian trail
had been followed by those who took the
overland route from Milwaukee to Green
Bay and the route had been cleared of
timber for portion of the way. But
streams had to be forded and other diff
culties had to be surmounted by those
seeking homes beyond the territory which
civilization had penetrated
- H. Edison was the first settler of Meme
having come there in May 1S47 He set
tied in beautiful little valley of the
Pigeon river, then stream of consider
able consequence Meme" is the In
dian name for pigeon, the name being
suggested by the fact that favorite
nesting place of these beautiful, but now
extinct game birds, was in the country
tributary to this stream. Edison was the
first postmaster of Meme and until late
| ly, letters which arrived there in the ear
ly day. We're i'll existence The envelope
and letter We're one sheet, folded so as to
conceal the writing, and sealed. The
farm on which Edison settled has chang
ed hands quite often since he left. 1t was
owned by DR.. Thorpe, Adam Roberts,
Peter Phillips and is now the property of
John Hertel
Michael Herr who is still alive, Adam
Seipel and Frank Wines, came in July
1917, John Molitor and H. Simon in Au-
gust and James Peppard in September
of the same year. James Peppard was
tlif III ~ VI llolINNlS w Vic otilti llllS
not long after his arrival. There was no
cemetery where the body could be inter
red and it was buried ON his own farm
1t was hallowed spot for the school
children of Dist. No. the grave being
only n little distance from the school
building. Many years ago the remains
We're removed to consecrated ground.
Hubert Simon whose picture heads this
sketch was born February ,, 1913. The
only residents of the town at that time
were those whose names have already
been mentioned The Simon homestead
was over mile off the main trail known
rs the Green Bay road. He had broth
er and sisters older than he and for this
reason, being relieved in measure from
household duties when sufficiently old to
assist, was left free to cultivate the ac
quaintance of the Indians who We're then
numerous in that section. He mastered
the Indian language and learned wood
craft from his dusty associates. Game
was plentiful at that time But there
were animals which sought game as well.
Wolves, bears and lynxes We're numerous.
The bowling OF wolves each night on the
approach of winter would startle those
of the strongest nerves. Paddocks We're
often invaded during the night by hung
~ wolves and a calf or two would be
missing the following morning. Hogs
that wandered any distance in the woods
rarely came back The sight of bear
or wolf was so common that it ceased to
have novelty,
One of the duties of young lads in ear
ly days was TO hunt up the cattle each
evening. The forests We're the great,
common pasture lands and stock had to
hustle for their own living during the
summer months. Forest grasses We're
plentiful and nutritious and stock thriy
ed upon them. In the search the boys
who had nothing to guide them, frequent-
ly became lost and We're unable to reach
home that night if beyond reach of the
'halloos' which Were always given after
night fell if the searcher for stock had
not returned. On one occasion of this
kind young Simon had an exciting ex-
perience. He was unable to find the cat
tie of which he was iii search and night
coming on he was unable to find his way
home. He was attacked by wild ami.
mails and sought refuge in tree in
whose branches he remained until morn
ing when a rescuing party arrived.
To show what responsibility was
thrown upon lads in these early days an
other incident i'll his life may be related:
When he was eight years old he drove n
yoke of oxen and wagon with grain to
a grist mill in Sheboygan Falls, dis
lance of IA miles, alone and returned
safely with his grisf. 1t must not be
forgotten that roads at these times pre-
sented difficulties not encountered now
and this feat a grown man would shrink