Firestorm At Peshtigo-- Part 9: Ogden Comes A-Calling

It was during this lumber boom in 1864 that William Ogden, who was so important in the early days of Chicago, and Samuel Tilden, an attorney from New York, came up from Chicago to tour the copper mines of Upper Michigan.

They stayed at Isaac Stephenson's mansion in Marinette, near Peshtigo, for a day and a half.  They agreed that the dried-out land in the area made for a fire hazard, but that that was ideal for building railroads at a fast pace.

They, of course, were interested in getting copper from the Upper Peninsula and everyone was very aware of how dangerous Lake Michigan could be with its storms.

Also, the huge lumber supply in the area around Marinette and Peshtigo would be very good for transport as well.

--Old Secesh

Got Books? Civil War That Is: March MCCWRT Meeting

This Tuesday, March 13, 2018, the McHenry County Civil War Round Table will meet at 7 p.m. at the Woodstock (Illinois) Public Library at 414 West Judd Street, just off historic Woodstock Square for the monthly meeting.

This month, instead of a speaker ion a subject, members and guests will discuss Civil war books they are reading.

I plan to talk about "Faces of Fort Fisher 1861-1864" by Chris E. Fonvielle Jr.. and "Firestorm at Peshtigo" by Denise Gess and William Lutz.

Whereas the second book tells the story of a huge fire that took place in Wisconsin in 1871, there were quite a few Union veterans involved, plus a huge Chicago connection in that William B. Ogden was involved in Peshtigo.  Also, more than 2,000 people were killed around this Wisconsin town in one night.  It is overlooked, though, because it took place on the same day as the Great Chicago Fire.

--Old Secesh