Menasha's Fleet Street

 November 1, 1909, Menasha Record

Excerpt from the 1910 Menasha City Directory

Seeing this intriguing article led me to do a bit more digging as to whom this Ellen Douglas was talking about.  I managed to figure out some of the names.  You readers who are better steeped in Menasha history might have a better idea of who they all are.  But here's a few finds:

H.A. Fisher was the cashier of the First National Bank of Menasha and the Secretary/Treasurer of the Menasha Ice and Fuel Co.  

George Banta was, of course, the publisher we all know.  

P. V. Lawson was the prominent historian and lecturer at "whose shrine" the author worships, former mayor and business leader.  

Mrs. F. W. Pleasants (Sally Lee McCarty Pleasants) was the mother of Lucy Lee Pleasants, the first librarian of the Menasha Public Library and also a writer.  She was also the sister of George Banta's wife, Ellen.  

James Thom was a long term third ward alderman for the city and also the bookkeeper for the Menasha Wood Split Pulley Company, run by P. V. Lawson. 

Oscar Schlegel partnered with a Jesse D. Alger and ran a sample room for a time, later turning his attentions to candy store ownership.  

Ambrose V. Richardson managed the mills of his cousin, P.V. Lawson, and served as a bookkeeper of the Menasha Wood Split Pulley Co. and Gilbert Paper Co.  He was awarded a patent (along with Menasha Mayor Joseph Hill) for a fire alarm sprinkler system.

Joseph Hill, as mentioned above was the mayor and an alderman but also was an electrical engineer who worked for Gilbert Paper and later formed a contracting firm which eventually became Twin Cities Electric and Supply Company.  

Mrs. Julia C. Noble was the widow of Leander J. Noble, the superintendent of Menasha Wooden Ware, an extensive land owner, alderman, park commissioner, and mayor.  

Charles Reed was a son of Menasha founder Curtis Reed and was the assistant postmaster.  He was also deaf, as mentioned in the article.  

And the title of the article?  The word "anent" is one I had to look up.  It means "in regard to, about, concerning."  Once again the old English come into play.