Early History

Indigenous peoples have inhabited the Fox Valley region for thousands of years, with the Menominee and Ho-Chunk tribes being the only groups in Wisconsin that claim to have always been in the area. The Menominee, who call themselves Mamaceqtaw, meaning "The People," derive their name from an Algonkian word for wild rice, a staple of their diet. The Ho-Chunk, formerly known as the Winnebago, refer to themselves as Hochungra, meaning "People of the Big Voice." The English name "Winnebago" is derived from an Algonkian term meaning "people of the dirty water."

 In 1831, the Indian agent Samuel Stambaugh arranged a treaty between the Menominee and the United States government, which was ratified in 1832, leading to the establishment of a reservation at Neenah. By 1834, a mission at Winnebago Rapids was completed, consisting of block houses and a milling operation. Despite these efforts, the Menominee were not interested in adopting the settlers' lifestyle. A smallpox outbreak in 1835 diminished the tribe's population by one-third. In 1836, the Treaty of the Cedars resulted in the Menominee ceding 4 million acres of land to the U.S. government for $700,000, relocating them west of the Wolf River.

Founders of Neenah

James Duane Doty (1799-1865)

Originally from New York, James Doty shaped the development of Neenah and Menasha over nearly 40 years. He purchased land on an island in the Fox River, where he built a cabin in 1845. His later career took him to Utah, where he was buried.

Harrison Reed (1813-1899)

Born in Massachusetts, Harrison Reed moved to Milwaukee and became the owner of the Milwaukee Sentinel. He purchased land at Winnebago Rapids after seeing an advertisement. Unable to pay for it outright, Reed acquired all the land and established the post office that would become Neenah. After a failed partnership with Harvey Jones, Reed eventually became the governor of Florida, passing away in 1899.

Harvey Jones (1805-1849)

Harrison Reed relied on Harvey Jones for financial support to purchase land at Winnebago Rapids. After completing the acquisition in 1846, Jones moved to Neenah and made significant improvements, including donating land for Oak Hill Cemetery in 1847. He died in 1849 and became one of the cemetery's first residents, which sparked legal disputes over his estate.

Curtis Reed (1815-1895)

The younger brother of Harrison Reed, Curtis Reed purchased and plotted the area that would become Menasha after witnessing his brother's successes. He and Jones competed for a government contract for a canal, which Menasha ultimately won. Serving five terms as the village board’s first president and two terms as mayor, Curtis Reed died in Menasha in 1895.

Neenah's Industrial Success

The Fox River's waterpower attracted various industrial enterprises, particularly flour mills, which flourished in the late 19th century. Neenah, as depicted in a 1870 bird's-eye map, showcased eight flour mills. However, by the early 20th century, paper began to dominate the industry. The Neenah Paper Mill, established in 1886 by Hiram Smith and D.C. Van Ostrand, became a significant operation, eventually controlled by the Kimberly-Clark Corporation. Known for high-quality fine papers, Neenah Inc. remains an independent corporation based in Alpharetta, Georgia.