Numismatists Of Wisconsin
 

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A Brief History of the Nanaupa, Wisconsin Post Office
(Fond du Lac County)

[By Richard A. Bartell]

Information in this article was compiled from old Fond du Lac County Plat Books, microfilm of U.S. Postal records, and other history books of Fond du Lac County. The microfilm records show pertinent information related to the Nanaupa Post Office, such as the dates of its establishment, when it was discontinued, its name changes, and the appointment dates of its Postmasters.

Westward Travel Yields Little-Publicized Numismatic Attraction

Post Office Warrant dated March 2, 1889, paid to Solomon Wilkinson in the amount of 45 cents. Actual Size 5”x 9”.

Definition of Post Office Warrant Payments
(as listed in the United States Official Postal Guide, July 1943.)

All payments for carrying the mails on star* routes, steamboat, railroad, electric car, pneumatic tube, and special office routes and for any temporary service that may be employed in connection with said routes, are made by warrants drawn on the United States Treasury. Postmasters should not pay for such service, and must not expect the department to refund any money they may have erroneously paid for the carriage of the mails. The department cannot pay postmasters for carrying the mails, neither can it allow postmasters credit in their quarterly accounts for money paid by them for such service. Payments will be made by warrant on the treasury direct from the department after the expiration of each month and as soon as accounts can be settled, if required evidence of service has been received.

(*Star routes refer to the contracting of mail delivery services by the Postmaster General, to bidders who must tender faithful guaranteed delivery with celerity, certainty and security of transportation. These bids were designated on route registers by three stars ***, thus known as star routes.)

The Post Office and its Postmasters

The first settler in Pulaski Township, later changed to Springvale Township, was William Cheney, who settled on section 31 of Wedge’s Prairie in April 1845. On February 26, 1847 he became the first Postmaster of this small early Post Office, which was located inside the home of William Cheney. William was born on December 31, 1806 in Rutland County, Vermont. He spent his early life on his family’s farm and began teaching music at age 18. He was married in 1834 to Sophronia Ressequie who traveled with him to settle in Wisconsin. Mrs. Cheney passed away in 1897 and was preceded in death by William, who died in 1888. They are both buried in Wedge’s Prairie Cemetery, which is located just west of Ladoga, Wisconsin.

Solomon Wilkinson was the tenth, and last, Postmaster of this small Wisconsin Post Office, now known as the Nanaupa Post Office. He was appointed Postmaster on October 30, 1867. He was born on May 14, 1815, and died on October 22, 1900. He is buried in Wedge’s Prairie Cemetery.

Westward Travel Yields Little-Publicized Numismatic Attraction

Reverse of the P.O. Warrant endorsed by Solomon Wilkinson, Ladoga, WI.

Unanswered Questions: Why did it take 19 years for the Post Office Department to pay Mr. Wilkinson his .45c? How many warrants were issued from the Chicago Office and how many might still be outstanding (never redeemed)? What time period were these warrants issued? Are there any NOW members who have seen these, or collect them?

Nanaupa Post Office statistics

The office was located in the Township of Springvale, near the corner of Highway M and Old Highway 103 (now Highway TC), on the William Cheney farm. The Office was originally called Pulaski Post Office, then Springvale Post Office, then Nanaupa Post Office. The Nanaupa office was based at the present location of the residence at rural W11198 Highway TC. (Ladoga, WI)

Westward Travel Yields Little-Publicized Numismatic Attraction

Approximate location of the Nanaupa Post Office, Ladoga, WI.

List of Postmasters and date of appointment:

Pulaski Post Office

William Cheney…2/26/1847

Jason A. Jones …6/27/1849

Lucius P. Wedge …11/27/1849

Jason A. Jones …3/19/1850

Herman C. Brinkerhoff …4/16/1850

Name changed to Springvale Post Office …1/27/1851

Abriah A. Hubbard …1/27/1851

Name changed to Nanaupa Post Office …6/2/1852

John W. Moore …6/2/1852

Abriah A. Hubbard …8/22/1854

Friend P. Ferguson …5/21/1858

Solomon Wilkinson …10/30/1867

Post Office Discontinued …11/4/1870



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