Calumet County Historical Society-Chilton Wisconsin

10/22/2026

1966 Charlesburg

10/21/2026

Today, we remember John Melville Morrow Jr., a professional football player who passed away on October 21, 2017.

Born in Port Huron, Michigan, Morrow played in the NFL for the Los Angeles Rams and Cleveland Browns from 1956 to 1966. During his career, he was selected for the Pro Bowl twice, in 1961 and 1963, and was named second-team All-Pro in 1965.

As the Browns’ starting center, Morrow helped lead the team to an NFL championship in 1964 and started 90 consecutive games for Cleveland. After his professional football career, he settled in Sherwood, Wisconsin, working for the Menasha Paper company, connecting his story to our local community.

Today, we remember his contributions to professional football and his place in Wisconsin history.

Post Credit: Cara CCHS intern

10/14/2026

Today is what would have been Martha Winifred Bonfils 163rd birthday!

Born in Chilton in 1863, she was a pioneer of journalism for women and had a remarkable career spanning more than 50 years. Having assumed the pen names Winifred Black and Annie Laurie, she became known for her investigative reporting, human-interest stories, and daring efforts to uncover the truth.

Highlights of her career include investigating hospital conditions, major disasters including the 1900 Galveston hurricane and the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, reporting on the First World War, and covering the 1919 Versailles Peace Conference. Her work helped bring attention to social issues, and in some cases prompted meaningful reform. She also supported many charitable causes and relief efforts throughout her life.

A trailblazer in an industry where women faced significant barriers, Bonfils built a reputation for determination, resourcefulness, and fearless reporting. Her legacy reflects the impact one journalist could make through a commitment to uncovering stories that mattered.

Martha Winifred Bonfils died on May 25, 1936, at the age of 73, leaving behind a legacy of groundbreaking journalism and public service.

Today we celebrate her birthday and remember a woman whose work helped shape the history of American Journalism.

“I’d rather smell the printer’s ink and hear the presses than go to any grand opera.”

Post Credit: Cara CCHS Intern

10/12/2026

10/06/2026

It’s almost here! The Pumpkin Walk at the Brillion Nature Center is just around the corner!

The Pumpkin Walk is one of the longest-standing traditions at the Brillion Nature Center, which opened its doors in March 1987. The walk started as a way to bring families together for a non-scary Halloween celebration. However, the exact year it started is not currently documented.

What makes this tradition truly special is how the community comes together to support it. Every year, hundreds of pumpkins are hand-carved by local elementary and middle school students, alongside community volunteers, before being placed along the stroller-friendly Cottonwood Trail. It takes a true village to keep the tradition glowing, from the volunteers who manage the trail to the school district providing shuttle buses to help handle the festive crowds!

Help us complete the story! Because the exact first year of the Pumpkin Walk isn't officially recorded, we want to hear from you. Comment below with the first year you remember attending the Pumpkin Walk, along with any vintage photos you may have!

And, yes, anything over 20 years old is considered vintage, including your intern!

Author Information sources:
https://www.facebook.com/BrillionPublicSchools/posts/bnc-pumpkin-walksaturday-october-18-2025-600-pm-830-pmhundreds-of-lit-jack-o-lan/1505330664456418/
https://www.travelcalumet.com/Calendar.aspx?EID=2973
https://www.brillionnaturecenter.net/.../spe.../pumpkin-walk
https://www.brillionnaturecenter.net/.../volunteer...
https://www.brillionnaturecenter.net/about-us/history
Image source:
https://www.brillionnaturecenter.net/.../spe.../pumpkin-walk

09/24/2026

It’s Throwback Thursday!

This month in history, the first edition of the Chilton Times was published in 1857 by C. W. Fitch, who also happened to be the paper’s first editor. Just eight months later, Fitch sold the paper to print manager John P. Hume.

Over the years, the Chilton Times grew and changed along with the community. During the Great Depression, the Chilton Times kept on printing even as money became scarce, accepting payment in the form of grains, eggs, butter, and potatoes.

In 1932, the Times was combined with The Journal, and in the following decades, the paper continued to evolve. It eventually became part of the Rostway Corporation, which added the Calumet County Shopper and Badger Sportsman to its publications. The paper also made the transition from letterpress printing to offset printing during this time.

Originally, the Chilton Times was only four pages long, with mostly advertisements, legal notices, national and state news, poems, and minimal local news. These additions and changes really transformed how the paper looked!

James Moran purchased the Chilton Times in 2001. After 160 years of serving Chilton and the surrounding community, the newspaper published its final edition in 2017.

From accepting eggs and potatoes during the Great Depression to making the switch to modern printing technology, the Chilton Times saw plenty of changes over its 160-year history!

Post Credit- Cara CCHS Intern

09/18/2026

Join us in remembering the life of Gerald Miller, who passed away on this day in 2024.

Gerald Miller was born in Appleton, Wisconsin, on September 9, 1942, and was the oldest of 8 children. He was raised on a dairy farm and graduated from Brillion High School before attending Marquette University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in political science.
In 1964, Gerry was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps. The following year, he was deployed to Vietnam as an infantry platoon commander, where he was wounded in combat.
After returning to the United States, Gerry served as a public affairs officer at the Marine Corps Recruiting Station in Chicago before beginning flight training in Pensacola, Florida, in 1967. He later served at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro and returned to Vietnam in 1969–70 as an RF-4 Phantom II reconnaissance pilot, flying 195 combat missions.
After returning home, Gerry attended Marquette University Law School, graduating in 1975. He then served as a Marine Corps judge advocate at duty stations throughout the United States and overseas.
In 1990, Gerry was promoted to brigadier general and served as the senior lawyer for the Marine Corps. Before retiring in 1994 after 30 years of active-duty service, he also served as the staff judge advocate to the Commandant of the Marine Corps and as the director of the Judge Advocate Division at Marine Corps Headquarters.
Gerry's military decorations included the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal with combat “V,” and Purple Heart.
We remember Gerry for his distinguished military career and his roots in Brillion and Calumet County.

Sources:
Wichmann Funeral Homes
Arlington Cemetery
Wikipedia
Image: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerald_L._Miller

Post Credit- Cara CCHS Intern

09/10/2026

Remembering local legend Robert (Bob) J. Schmitz (9/10/1938-6/8/2004) on what would have been his 88th birthday today.

Bob attended Holstein High School in his youth and then initially attended the University of Wisconsin- Madison, later transferring to Montana State University, where he graduated with a degree in Business Administration.

After college, Bob was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 14th round of the 1961 NFL Draft. He was also drafted in the AFL draft of that same year by the Oakland Raiders but ultimately chose the Steelers. He played linebacker, wearing number 67.

Bob is still remembered for his iconic play at Pitt Stadium on November 10, 1963, where he tackled Pro Football Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown of the Cleveland Browns in the end zone for a safety. This play secured a 9–7 victory for the Steelers and earned Bob NFL Player of the Week honors.

After the play, Bob was quoted as saying, "Gee, that's probably the best thing that ever happened to me."

He played his last season in 1966, splitting the season between the Steelers and the Vikings.

After his playing career ended, he continued working with the NFL as a scout until he retired on June 1, 2004, after a 33-year career.

Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Schmitz
https://msubobcats.com/news/2022/7/8/football-bobcats-125-bob-schmitz
https://web.archive.org/web/20071008205511/http://www.postgazette.com/pg/04162/329571.stm

Images:
Great Falls Tribune, November 2, 1960
http://ebay.com/itm/187888204633
https://www.ebay.com/itm/187840894546
https://www.swxlocalsports.com/montana/more/2025-montana-football-hall-of-fame-bob-schmitz/article_ecb92421-c17d-4065-bad8-66ae9671c4b0.html

Post Credit- Cara CCHS Intern

09/09/2026

High Cliff History Program Event

Where: High Cliff State Park

High Cliff History Program
Saturday, September 26 · 1:00 PM

Join a former park naturalist and learn all about the fascinating history of the land where High Cliff State Park now resides.

This event is weather-dependent.

Group/Program Hosting: Friends of High Cliff
Property & Event Location: High Cliff State Park, N7630 State Park Rd., Sherwood, WI 54169 – Gathering Space
Event Contact: Nathan Jacques, [email protected], 920-989-1106

program is free but you need either the annual park pass ($28) or a day pass is $13

Check out all our events at https://www.friendsofhighcliff.org/events/