Early Arrival

This oil painting by Richard Barrett depicts the arrival of Menasha Wooden Ware founder Elisha D. Smith and his wife, Julia to Menasha in 1850.  Smith was all set to move to Atlanta, Georgia and open a dry goods business until he received a letter from an acquaintance who had seen the village of Menasha and urged him to reconsider his plans.  Smith travelled all the way to Menasha from his home in Woonsocket, Rhode Island to check it out before returning to marry Julia and begin his life here.  Reportedly, Julia's father never forgave Elisha for taking his daughter so far away.