Here’s another installment in my series on 19th century houses in the southeast quadrant of the city. This post traces the roots of three houses built in the 400 block of Clinton Street.
The house at 402 South Clinton Street, on the southeast corner of the intersection of Clinton and Wisconsin streets, is the oldest of the trio. Local historians believe it was built in the 1850s by one of Princeton’s pioneers and is one of the older houses in the city.
It was also briefly home to a veteran of the War of 1812.
The house is listed as the Renee Erspamer home on the Wisconsin Historical Society architecture and history property inventory. The architecture is Greek Revival, according to the site.
The property was surveyed in 2003 by the Green Lake County CDBG Housing Program to ensure major improvements proposed by Erspamer would not adversely affect the historical significance of the property. They found no issues with the exterior and interior improvements.
The only obvious error was in the Princeton Historical Society review of the property attached to the site file. It misread Rufus Rawson as Rufus Rossum.
402 South Clinton Street (Block T, Lot 2)
The Rawsons
Rufus and Mary Rawson purchased Lot 2 of Block T (402 South Clinton Street) from Salem Wright for $50 in November 1850 (Deeds, Volume D, Page 33).
There was no newspaper in Princeton until 1867, but we know Rawson sold Lots 2 and 3 to John Wilkens for $400 in August 1864 (Deeds, Volume 24, Page 167). The price indicates building had occurred after Rawson purchased the property.
Rufus Perde Rawson was born in New York and moved to Wisconsin about 1844-45. His ancestors arrived in the New World in 1615, five years before the arrival of the Mayflower.
Rawson worked as a blacksmith when he arrived in Wisconsin and served as the first chairman of Dunn Township in Dane County. A few days after attending the Fourth of July celebration here in 1850, he decided to move the family to the two-year-old village of Princeton.
Rawson became a partner with Samuel Morse, Princeton’s first blacksmith, in the blacksmith and plow making business. He was the first clerk of Princeton Township when it formed in 1853 after Pleasant Valley Township was divided into Princeton and St. Marie townships. He worked as a clerk in various stores and was a partner in a general store in a wood-frame building at 527 West Water Street (site of Princeton Acupuncture in 2024).
(Rufus and Mary Rawson’s daughter Emma was born in Princeton. She married Joseph Treat, the oldest son of Princeton founder Royal Treat.)
Rawson switched from storekeeper to insurance salesman about 1865. For most of his 30-plus years in the insurance business, he worked out of the office of Judge A.H. Myers at about 424 West Water Street (Princeton Public Library site in 2024).
Rawson was a member of the local Odd Fellows lodge, which formed in 1878, supported the Republican Party, and served as trustee and treasurer of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
The “Industrial Review of Princeton, Wisconsin,” published by A.I. Lord, of Milwaukee, in 1897, offered this description of Rawson: “Mr. Rawson is one of the pioneer residents of Wisconsin, having come to this state in 1844 and settled in Dane County where he held several offices. He removed to Princeton in 1850, when she consisted of six or seven families. During this time, he has held many positions, such as president of the village, clerk, supervisor, coroner, etc. Mr. Rawson is one of the most beloved and respected men of the community in which he has always been a prominent figure.”
After selling the Clinton Street property in 1864, Rawson and his family lived on Farmer Street. He died in February 1899 at the age of 77 and is buried in the Princeton City Cemetery. His son-in-law, Washington Whittemore, took over Rawson’s insurance business and Water Street office.
The Clinton Street property changed hands six times in six years.
Lots 2 and 3 of Block T passed from Rawson to Wilkens in August 1864, to Anton Saman for $400 in August 1865 (Deeds Volume 27, Page 165), to J.W. Bland for $600 in November 1866 (Deeds, Volume 27, Page 166), and to Fred and Lydia Lounsberry for $800 in July 1868 (Deeds, Volume 30, Page 15).
The Princeton Republic, founded by Thomas McConnell in 1867, picked up the story there.
Princeton Republic, July 16, 1868 – “Fred Lounsbury has bought a house and lot of Mr. Bland.”
Princeton Republic, November 2, 1868 – “We see that Fred Lounsbury has been painting up his house and fence.
The Lounsburys returned the property to Bland for $725 in May 1869 (Deeds, Volume 30, Page 450). He sold Lots 2, 3 and 6 of Block T to another well-known Princeton pioneer, Gottlieb Luedtke, in March 1870 (Deeds, Volume 31, Page 410).
Luedtke worked at the August Thiel wagon shop before setting up his own shop at the crooked end of Water Street in 1871. That shop burned in February 1873 and was replaced by the stone building that still stands today at about 637 West Water Street. It housed farm implement dealers for much of the 20th century.
I did a brief profile of Luedtke in Vol. I of “Bartel’s History of Princeton” and in the history of Water Lot 20 on this site, so I won’t got into great detail here. Luedtke manufactured wagons, buggies, carriages, and surreys. He remained in the stone shop for 30-plus years. He also found time to sit on nearly every elected board in Princeton as well as the county board. He was a Democrat and served several terms as village president.
Luedtke sold the Clinton Street property to E.N. Durfey for $700 in August 1880 (Deeds Volume 41, Page 12).
The Durfeys
Colonel Elijah Durfey is one of the few War of 1812 veterans mentioned in the early files of the Princeton Republic. He did not live in Princeton, however, until well after the Civil War.
Like Colonel John Shaw, fellow War of 1812 veteran and the founder of the village of St. Marie in 1847, Durfey is listed in government military records as a private. Both men rose to the rank of colonel in local militias that formed along the frontier states during clashes with American Indians and the British.
Durfey grew up in Vermont. He worked as an apprentice to a carpenter from about 1808-1811, moved to New York, and enlisted in 1812.
According to his military pension application file, Elijah Durfey enlisted in New York on July 15, 1812, and was discharged on Dec. 13, 1812. The application notes, “Soldier alleges that he was enrolled in Middlebury, Vermont, in Captain J. Hacket’s company and was engaged in battle of Plattsburgh Sept. 11, 1814.”
That is the same story the colonel told Princeton residents when he spoke about pioneer life in Ohio during the “old settlers’ reunions” held locally in the 1870s. The Princeton Republic published an interview with Col. Durfey about his service in March 1873.
“At one time he assisted in taking a whole company of British soldiers prisoners, but about four weeks later, when the force on the line had been reduced to only the company to which he belonged, the Britishers came down on them and returned the compliment, taking the entire company prisoners,” the newspaper reported. “They were taken to Montreal, but a few weeks after were exchanged for the same company they had before bagged.”
Durfey also claimed, as noted on his pension, that he re-entered the service several months after his initial discharge and was involved in one of the war’s more significant battles.
“In the spring of 1814 Mr. Durfey went to Middlebury to work at his trade, but a few days later the drum beat for volunteers, and he again enlisted and was sent to Plattsburgh, where he remained until the memorable battle of Plattsburgh was fought, on the 11th of September of that year,” the Republic reported in February 1882. “His company was stationed at the bridge where the British must cross, and in support of the battery that guarded the bridge. So close was the colonel to the big brass gun that he was deafened, and he never again fully recovered his hearing, though he ever rejoiced in the glorious victory achieved that day by American valor.”
Durfey moved to Ohio about 1818. He laid out the village of Croton (Hartford) in Licking County and held positions such as postmaster, justice of the peace, and others. He and his wife had four children.
“The colonel removed to Ohio at an early day, where he lived for more than fifty years, filling many positions of trust and honor,” the Republic reported. “For many years he was actively engaged in the military doings of that state, holding various commissions but holding a colonel’s commission a great part of the time and until at his own request on account of advancing age, he was relieved from duty.”
The Ohio Adjutant General’s Department website explains the Ohio militia system following the War of 1812: “Shortly after the end of the war, the common militia system across the country began to collapse. In response to this military void, a phenomenon known as independent militia companies began forming across the state. Citizenry in each town or hamlet throughout the state banded together to form independent companies. … Memberships in these companies are reserved for the socio-economic elite of the given community. They become known more for their colorful uniforms, lavish military balls, and social stature.”
Durfey’s son, Elijah Nason Durfey, referred to in the Princeton Republic as E.N., moved his family from Licking County, Ohio, to a farm a couple of miles northwest of Princeton about 1858. He served several years as a town supervisor. He purchased the Clinton Street property in August 1880.
Col. Durfey joined his son and family here about 1872.
“Having been a provident man all his life, he not only now, at 83, enjoys good health, but a competence of this world’s goods, and with almost the zest of a young man, he reads up the doings of today,” the Princeton Republic reported in March 1873.
Col. Durfey died on Feb. 10, 1882, at the Clinton Street residence. He was 91.
“The funeral was at the M.E. Church on Sunday, Rev. Chas. Baldock officiating, whence many followed the remains to that resting the place, over the river, whence none return,” the Republic reported.
I took “over the river” literally as well as poetically and believe Col. Durfey was buried in the Princeton City Cemetery. I have not found a gravesite, however. (Cemetery officials know of only two other War of 1812 veterans, Thomas Bentley and Amos Dike, buried there. We also know Rev. Robert Thompson served in the War of 1812, but he was with the British.)
E.N. Durfey left Princeton about 1883, sold the Clinton Street house in 1886 to Ed and Melissa Frank, and died in Mackford in July 1888 at age 67. He is buried in the Princeton City Cemetery with his wife and child.
The Franks
Edward Frank was the oldest son of William and Catherine (Countryman) Frank, who moved to Princeton from New York about 1858. William was the proprietor of the Fox River House, which was moved from Hamilton to about 523 West Water Street, and later the American House (444 West Water Street), before being appointed postmaster. He also operated a grocery store on Water Street.
Ed worked as a clerk in his father’s store and as a teenager did odd jobs for a lumber dealer in Milwaukee before landing a job as a route agent with the Sheboygan & Fond du Lac Railroad, which arrived in Princeton in 1872.
Route agents handled the mail bags as the train traveled from depot to depot. Agents were allowed to accept mail and apply postmarks and cancellations.
Ed Frank married Melissa Kilton of Sheboygan in 1876. They built a house on Princeton’s west side, which they sold to O.H. Lichtenberg in May 1881, after they moved to Sheboygan.
Frank worked as a route agent on the Chicago and Northwestern Railway for about 11 years. He left the railroad shortly after being transferred to the Oshkosh and Milwaukee routes over the St. Paul railway. The family returned to Princeton and rented the former Durfey home on Clinton Street.
Princeton Republic, Sept. 4, 1884 – “W.J. and Ed Frank are building additional room to the Durfey residence.”
Frank went into the grocery business with his brother-in-law, Manning Kilton, in June 1885.
Princeton Republic July 16, 1885 – “Pickles to keep should be put up in the finest quality of pickle vinegar. Ed Frank has just opened up a nice line of this and old cider stock.”
Princeton Republic, Aug. 14, 1885 – “Ed Frank has contracted for the entire crop of blackberries raised by Frank Scovil. They are offered for sale, fresh-picked every day now.”
Frank & Kilton dissolved in March 1886. Frank continued to operate the grocery store with his father’s help and began working as a traveling salesman for a Milwaukee grocery house.
“In connection with the buying and selling of staple and fancy groceries, he purchases country produce which he ships to Milwaukee and other large cities,” the “Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette, and Waushara Counties (1890, Acme Publishing Company, Chicago) reported.
Frank’s grocery was located most of his time in Herman E. Megow’s building at 539 West Water Street. Frank, livery operator Frank Merrill and dentist Horace Straight were the first three businessmen to have telephone lines strung from their businesses to their homes in 1886.
The Franks purchased the Clinton Street property from Durfey for $550 in May 1886 house (Deeds, Volume 47, Page 153).
Princeton Republic, May 13, 1886 – “Ed. Frank has purchased the Durfey property, south of the Lutheran church, corner of Wisconsin and Clinton streets. Ed has inaugurated a series of improvements that will make it complete.”
Frank moved the grocery store to the east room of the William Luedtke building at 544 West Water Street (Parlor Hotel in 2024) in 1890.
Frank was among the charter members of the Princeton Hunting Club who built a clubhouse on Lake Puckaway in 1890, a stockholder when the Princeton State Bank formed in 1893, and a village trustee when the village reorganized and split from the township in the 1890s.
“Public-spirited and progressive, he has identified himself with the progress and advancement of the community, and though comparatively a young man, has won a foremost place in business circles,” the “Portrait and Biographical Album” reported.
Frank won a hotly contested battle for postmaster in 1893.
“The question among the faithful of the Democratic Party here as to whom should have the post office has assumed a phase that develops a considerable factional animosity,” the Republic reported in May 1893. “Jule E. Hennig has been putting in some hard work for the position of postmaster and, we understand, has sent a numerously signed petition to headquarters, besides having the influence of Rev. Hoyer and a number of other Lutheran ministers working in his behalf. On the other hand, Senator Yahr and his friendly adherents are antagonizing Hennig’s aspirations in favor of E.T. Frank or some other available man. Matters over this vexed question have been pretty warm for some time but finally culminated last Monday evening when Congressman (Owen) Wells was summoned from Fond du Lac to come over and put in his say.”
Hennig and his supporters greeted Wells with ballots in hand, eager to vote for their man as postmaster. Yahr said there would be no election.
“The parlors of the American House were invaded by the contending forces and talking commenced at an early hour in the evening,” according to the Republic. “Mr. Hennig’s case was ably pleaded by himself and Rev. Hoyer. They contended that the poor people, the common, everyday folks of the Democratic persuasion, should have a right to vote in this matter, and their ballot should be omnipotent in the settling of this question.
“These speeches were responded to by E.T. Frank, Senator Yahr and the congressman. … Hard blows and telling hits were dealt by both sides, and the dirty pool of Democratic politics was stirred to the very bottom. Finally, at a late hour and at an opportune moment, W.F. Luedtke poured oil upon the troubled waters by moving that the question of appointment of postmaster be left to the state senator and the congressman. The proposition was carried by a satisfactory majority and the question brought to a specific understanding as to who will select the coming postmaster. But, then, up rises the question as usual: ‘Who will be our next postmaster?’ And echo answers: “Who?’”
Yahr and Wells selected Frank.
The Franks, meanwhile, made more changes to the Clinton Street house in 1887 and 1891.
Princeton Republic, April 21, 1887 – “Ed Frank is another one of our citizens who has commenced improving his residence.”
Princeton Republic, April 30, 1891 – “E.T. Frank is having his home fixed over into a style almost palatial in appearance. The last move is a bay window on the west that will enlarge the parlor of his residence.”
I lost track of Ed Frank in the early 1900s. His father passed in 1897. In July 1897, Ed Frank transferred the title for Lots 2, 3 and 6 of Block T to Melissa for $1 (Deeds, Volume 53, Page 556).
Ed continued working as a traveling salesman, with regular updates about his travels published in the Republic through 1903. He then fades from the pages of the newspaper. I have not found an obituary or gravesite for Ed Frank, but Melissa is listed as a widow in the 1920 census. She passed away in 1943 and is buried in Sheboygan Falls.
After Melissa Frank died, the Clinton Street property was sold at auction at 10 a.m. June 23, 1944. Mike and Maggie Blankavage bought Lots 2, 3 and 6 for $2,950 (Deeds, Volume 106, Page 514).
The Blankavages
“Mike Blankavage bought the late Mrs. M. Frank property at the auction which was held Friday,” the Princeton Times-Republic reported on June 29, 1944. (Herb Zanto bought the Blankavages’ former house on Howard Street in May 1945.)
Mike Blankavage farmed and worked for the city water department, as a mason, and on road crews. He served on the city council and park board, was a member of the Princeton Rod and Gun Club, and was a member of the Foresters organization at St. John’s Catholic Church. He died of lung cancer in February 1958.
(I have a vague memory – I would have been 5 – of what I think was Mike Blankavage’s wake in the Clinton Street house. Maggie (Novak) Blankavage was my mother’s aunt.)
Maggie was well known in Princeton for her cooking and baking skills. She served as head cook at the American House and at Water Street restaurants. She catered weddings and baked special orders in her home. She is best remembered in St. John the Baptist Catholic Church history as chairman of the chicken dinners when the parish revived its summer picnic in the 1950s.
She was a member of church groups and the American Legion Auxiliary and was a skilled seamstress. She was also the worst bowler in the Princeton Women’s League, at least in November 1944, according to results published by the Times-Republic.
Maggie sold her house to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church for $1 in July 1980 (Deeds, Volume 305, Page 30). She moved into Sunnyview Village nursing home and died in 1983. She and her husband are buried in the Catholic cemetery in Princeton.
If we go south to the opposite end of the block, we find another house at 430 South Clinton Street that was built in the 19th century.
430 South Clinton Street (Block T, Lot 10)
The Polfusses
The property at the northeast corner of Clinton and Dodge Streets was not developed until after Thomas and Stanzie Blinkiewicz sold the lot to Albert Polfuss for $110 in July 1897 (Deeds, Volume 53, Page 560).
“Albert Polfuss is fairly underway in the construction of a fine residence on block T, corner of Clinton and Dodge streets,” the Princeton Republic reported in October 1897.
Princeton Republic, Dec. 2, 1897 – “Mr. and Mrs. Albert Polfuss have just moved into their new residence, corner of Clinton and Dodge streets.”
Albert Polfuss worked as a mason and laid a large share of Princeton’s original cement sidewalks. He also served as police officer.
“Back in those hectic days when the railroad was extended thru to Marshfield from Princeton, Mr. Polfuss was the local police officer and was known for his ability to cope with the most difficult situations,” according to the obituary published in the Princeton Times-Republic in March 1944.
Princeton Republic, June 21, 1917 – “Contractor Sweeney completed his work last Saturday morning. The pavement which is laid from the high school corner to the Warnke lumber office presents a beautiful appearance and is put down in a manner which reflects much credit to both the city and the contractor. The street is covered with an inch coating of sand is supposed to remain for several weeks in order to allow the asphalt filling ample time for hardening The open space which was left between the curb and the walk in order to widen the walk is now being refilled by Street Commissioner Albert Polfuss and his crew of men. The lights posts for the White Way also arrived last Monday and will be installed by the electrician Efforts will be made to have everything completed by July 4th.”
Minnie Polfuss, president of the Frauen Verein at St. John’s Lutheran Church in 1917, operated a bakery and restaurant on Water Street beginning in 1901.
The Princeton Republic reported in October 1917 that the Polfusses had rented the American House at 444 West Water Street from Julius E. Hennig, effective October 1.
“Mrs. Polfuss, who will hereafter have charge of the hotel as landlady, has had considerable experience in that line and that together with her friendly and courteous manner will greatly aid in making the new venture a success,” the newspaper reported. “Mr. Polfuss as landlord is well known to all our citizens as a man of fine habits and to be relied upon in all business matters.”
The arrangement did not last long. Mr. and Mrs. L.J. Whittemore were landlord and landlady of the American House by February 1918, and the Polfusses moved to North Fond du Lac as Albert began a 22-year-career with the Chicago & North Western Railway.
Polfuss sold the house at 430 South Clinton Street to Joseph Mackowski for $1,000 in June 1900 (Deeds, Volume 58, Page 245).
Princeton Republic, July 5, 1900 – “Tuesday morning, July 10, will occur the marriage of Mr. Joseph M. Mackowski and Katherine Theresa Cavanaugh, two well known young people. The event will be solemnized in St. Patrick’s church in the presence of relatives and friends of the contracting parties. After July 20 they will be at home to their friends in the village, Mr. Mackowski having recently purchased the residence of A. Polfuss.”
Joseph Mackowski and his brother, Stanish, operated the Mackowski Bros. general store at 607-609 West Water Street for several years before Joseph moved to Beaver Dam about 1910.
The house next door north at 424 South Clinton Street was built a few months before the Polfuss house.
424 South Clinton Street, Block T, Lot 7)
Lot 7 of Block T was not developed until F.T. Yahr sold the property to John S. Pahl for $100 in 1897 (Deeds, Volume 53, Page 520).
Princeton Republic, May 13, 1897 – “Mr. Dugenske is laying the foundation for a new house on Lot 7, Block T, Clinton Street.”
There is lengthy profile of John S. Pahl in the “Lots O’ History – 705, 708, 711 West Water Street” post on this site. He arrived from Prussia about 1864. He operated several businesses, including the Princeton Hotel, in his buildings east of the bridge. He and Silas Eggleston also traded with American Indians at the stone building at 535 West Water Street.
I believe the Pahl family lived on Water Street and rented out the Clinton Street house.
John and Caroline Pahl sold Lot 7 of Block T to Robert Smith for $800 in October 1901 (Deeds, Volume 60, Page 229). Smith was a retired farmer.
Princeton Republic, Sept. 19, 1901 – “On Saturday, E.R. Smith sold the Robt. Smith farm of 292 acres three miles south of the village to Gus Barber, who takes possession Oct. 1. Consideration, $9,600.”
Smith, who died in February 1912, was in Ripon when he learned about the California Gold Rush in 1849. He joined the fortune hunters heading west.
“He with many others went to California, remaining three years, experiencing many very difficult hardships but productive of wealth. Returning from the west he relocated at Princeton, Wis., where he took a leading part in home, local, state and national affairs,” the Princeton Republic reported in March 1912.
Newer houses nearby
Here’s a glance at the origins of two 20th century houses on the east side of Clinton Street in Block T as well as a brick house on Wisconsin Street. They stand on land previously owned by the Blankavages.
Eddie and Lucille Sebert purchased Lot 6, at 416 South Clinton Street, from the Blankavages for $550 in September 1945 and built the house we see there today (Deeds, Volume 113, Page 218).
Princeton Times-Republic, Sept 13, 1945 – “Eddie Sebert has bought a lot from Mike Blankavage on Clinton Street and is planning to build a brick veneer home.”
The Seberts operated a tavern at 504 West Water Street from 1944-1954 (Pizza Factory in 2024) and at 509 West Water Street (Horseradish restaurant in 2024) from 1954-1960. Eddie and Lucille Sebert passed in 1985 and 2005, respectively.
Maggie Blankavage sold Lot 3 to Gertrude and Emery Moore in 1963. Gertie was Maggie’s sister. She had lived much of her adult life in Chicago, where she worked primarily as a waitress and sales clerk. Aunt Gertie did not get married until she was in her 50s. Her husband, “Duke,” worked as a security guard and night watchman for the railroad in Chicago and lost part of his leg in a railyard accident. The Moores built the house at 408 South Clinton Street. I remember Uncle Duke loved his cigars and had a great sense of humor. He enjoyed teasing me about playing with my neighbor and good friend June Oelke.
Duke died in 1983. Gertie passed in 1989.
The Blankavages also sold the east 66 feet of Lot 2 to Felix and Frances Mlodzik for $500 in February 1946 (Deeds, Volume 111, Page 362). The Mlodziks built the brick house at 219 West Wisconsin Street in 1947.
Please let me know if you have any corrections or suggestions.
Thank you for caring and reading about local history.