Oconto County Reporter 
May 8, 1880. 

BROOKSIDE - A Misfortune 

Mr. George Birmingham of Brookside, suffered a severe loss on Tuesday  afternoon about two o'clock, in the total distruction of his house and barnes by an accidental fire. Mr. B. was carrying some coals of fire, between two boards, out to the field for the purpose of burning some brush and in passing out of the kitchen,  cautioned his wife to look out that none of the coals in dropping should set fire to the house.  He was at work, in the field, the house hidden by the barn, when a loud shout from his man called him to the house.  He ran quickly, but found it  impossible to extinguish the fire; more especially, as he could not get at the pump, it being surrounded by the wind driven flames.  From the house it spread  to the barn, the other out buildings, all of which were completely consumed owing to the strong wind. Mr. Birmingham's loss was a large one, aggregating nearly $1,000, on which there is no insurance.  His little three year old baby had a very narrow escape from burning to death.

In 1912 plat map George has land on the east and west sides of the current Moody Rd. where it intersects with Brookside Rd. 

Milwaukee Journal 
Sept. 1895. 

Jesse Birmingham and his brother George came from Jefferson county, New York, in 1853  from Buffalo to Green Bay by boat. Having a brother-in-law at Oak Orchard, they went thither and engaged in fishing. Mr. Birmingham afterward worked for Livermore & Weed, who were logging for F. B. Gardner of Pensaukee one mile up river the country an unbroken forest. It was the first logging done in that vicinity. 

There were no roads. If a party wished to go to Green Bay, there was a trail leading to the mouth of the Little Suamico river, and a lusty "Hello!" attracted the attention of Mr. Grosse, father of John Grosse of Little Suamico who came over with his skiff and ferried the wayfarers across. Then they would again take up the trail and continue their journey. For several years thereafter fishing was his occupation. Then he and a brother took a contract to put in logs on Sturgeon Bay for Lyman Bradley of Buffalo. Later he and Henry Haskins run a sailboat between Sturgeon Bay and Green Bay, and carried freight and passengers, and the mail for such as chose to accept the courtesy volunteered, the mail pouch being a cigar box, the lid fastened down with a string. 

The next year another mill was built on Sturgeon Bay by Robert Graham and Mr. Birmingham put in logs for him by the thousands. A post office being established, he secured the contract for carrying the mail, which he did during the boating season. The following year he bought an interest in a vessel, investing nearly every dollar he had, and laden with lumber and shingles for Chicago, it went to pieces in a storm, the crew escaping with their lives.

Mr. Birmingham’s next adventure was an overland trip to Pike’s Peak, accompanied by his former associate, Henry Haskins. Arriving there and prospecting for a time they ran low on provisions and went to Omaha for a supply. Returning to the diggings, they did not long remain, and sought civilization. At Omaha they separated and have never met since  although cognizant of each other’s where abouts  Mr. Haskins residing at Rochester Minn., and Mr. B. at Abrams. The latter returned to Sturgeon Bay, where he married a daughter of Joseph Harris before going to seek his fortune in the new eldorado. 

Coming to the west side of the bay, he worked farms on shares and afterward bought land of F. B. Gardner, adding to his possessions until he now owns 280 acres, his farm buildings of the very best and his prosperity seemingly self-satisfactory. Besides, he owns another farm at Brookside, has been a member of the town  board and identified actively with the educational interests of the district. 

OCR 12/1895. 
Oconto Reporter, 
May 3, 1895.

Jesse Birmingham of Abrams did business in Oconto this week. Mr. B.’s wife is a daughter of the late Hon. Joseph Harris of Sturgeon Bay,  who was for many years the private secretary of Ex-Senator Sawyer; and by way of closer relationship, the second wife of Mr. Harris was a sister of Mr. Birmingham. She died last November. Mr. B. came from Door county to Abrams in the early 60s. 

Article from the 
Oconto County Reporter, 
Feb. 10, 1893. 

Mesers. Jesse and George Birmingham went to Marinette to attend the funeral of their sister, Mrs. McIntyre (Nancy Birmingham), who died from the effects of a cancer, which had been twice removed. Mr. and Mrs. McIntyre came from  New York state twenty-five years ago and made their home at Brookside until about a year ago, when they removed to Marinette, to live with  their only son. They were liked by everyone here, and were known all through the town as Uncle Peter and Aunt Nancy. 

Researched Information:

George BIRMINGHAM.  He married Lettie CHASE. Lettie is the daughter of N. S. CHASE and Malina FRAKER.  George Birmingham biography from the Oconto County Reporter. George Birmingham helped to clear the first acre of land at Pensaukee and his present home is near that locality. He came into this county three years before the opening of the civil war and has retained his present residence ever since. He has a farm of 110 acres, and a good sugar bush. He was 21 years of age when he arrived from Watertown, New York, and entered the employment of F. B. Gardner. He has been constable four years.

Sylvia BIRMINGHAM was born State of New York 5 July 1827.  Sylvia died 3 Nov. 1884 in Oconto County, Wisconsin, at 57 years of age.  Buried Brookside cemetery.  Dates from gravestone. She married Mortimer Churburg DELANO. Mortimer was born State of New York 25 June 1828.  Mortimer was the son of Leonard DELANO and Mersylvia PIPER.  Mortimer died 30 Apr. 1872 in Oconto County, Wisconsin, at 43 years of age. Buried Brookside cemetery, dates from gravestone.  Died at the age of 64 years. Mortimer is listed as a resident property owner in Township 27, Section 27 next to Charles Windross in the Oconto County Assessment Rolls of 1852. It indicates he owns 111 acres of land. 

Birminghan Family Tree Richard Birmingham     b:  March 12, 1799 in Weatley, Oxford, England     immigration: 1812 to Pennsylvania with father     d: December 18, 1851 in Pillar Point/Black River, Brownsville Township, Jefferson County, New York     burial: Black River Cemetery, Rutland Center, New York (find a grave) (Notes on Richard Birmingham: His father: John Birmingham, b: 1781 in England, d: February 5, 1824 at age 45 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with burial in North Liberties 1st Presbyterian Cemetery (Penn death index), immigation: 1812 WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY, Pittsburgh, compilers. A List of Immigrants Who Applied for Naturalization Papers in the District Courts of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. Pittsburgh: the society. Vol. 1, 1798-1840.; mother: Anne Rigsby, b: 1781, burial not found) Ploomy  Birmingham Gravestone Black River Cemetery, Rutland Center, New York Her first name was misspelled on the stone according to the records in the church archives and vital records. (find a grave) + Pluma (also Plumy, Plumie and Ploomy) Stone -  wife of Richard Birmingham     b: October 11, 1795 in Windsor County, Vermont     d:  July 29, 1857 in in Pillar Point, Brownsville Township, Jefferson County, New York     burial: Black River Cemetery, Rutland Center, New York (Notes on Pluma: Her headstone has her first name spelled "Ploony" but it was misspelled and should be "Ploomy" or "Plumie" depending on the records used; father: Jesse Stone 1768 in Massachusetts - 1827 in New York), mother: Susannah Kendall 1765 in New York - 1857 in New York; The Stone family goes back to Simon Stone and Sarah Farnsworth both b:1663 in Massachusettes; The Kendell family goes back to Ephram Kendall b: 1716 and Ruth Pierce b: 1715 both in Massachusetts; )     children of Richard and Pluma:         1. Charles Birmingham             b: December 8, 1823 in Jefferson County, New York             d: (Notes on Charles Birmingham: Married Sharildine nee ? in New York; 1860 occupation miner; living in Rose Bar township, Yuma County, California with wife and two children, Ida May Birmingham age 3 years and William D.W. Birmingham age 1 Year)         2. Andrew Birmingham              b: October 22, 1825 in Jefferson County, New York             d: September 15, 1893 in Sevastopol, Door County, Wisconsin             burial: Bayside Cemetery, Door County, Wisconsin (find a grave) (Notes on Andrew Birmingham: Married Julia A. Grant: 1870 occupation farmer, living in Sevastopol, Door County, Wisconsin; Children: Janette Birmingham 1856 in NY [1880 "Fits"], Richard Birmingham 1858 in NY [1880 "infamitory Rheumatism"], Althe Birmingham 1860 in NY, Henry H. Birmingham 1862 in NY, Ida May Birmingham 1864 in NY, Albert Birmingham 1867 in Wisconsin, Jesse Birmingham 1871 in Wisconsin ) Sylvia Birmingham c: 1837         3. Sylvia Birmingham             b: July 5, 1827 in Jefferson County, New York             d: November 3, 1884 in Abrams, Oconto County, Wisconsin             burial: Bookside Cemetery, Oconto County, Wisconsin (Notes on Sylvia Birmingham: 1860 census has no Mortimer in the household and Sylvia "carrying on the farm";         + Mortimer Churburg Delano - husband of Sylvia Birmingham              b:June 25, 1828             marriage:  June 10, 1850 in Black River, Jefferson County, New York              d:  April 30, 1872 in Abrams, Oconto County, Wisconsin             burial: Bookside Cemetery, Oconto County, Wisconsin (Notes on Mortimer Delano: Civil War Veteran, Company F, 12th Wisconsin Infantry;)             children of Sylvia and Mortimer:                 1. Evelyn (also Eva) Mersilvia Delano                     b: May 20, 1852 in Brookside, Oconto County, Wisconsin                     d: October 28, 1886 in Brookside, Oconto County, Wisconsin                     burial: Bookside Cemetery, Oconto County, Wisconsin (Notes on Evelyn Delano: single)                 2. Leonard Cornelius Delano1853                     b: September 9, 1853 in Brookside, Oconto County, Wisconsin                     marriage: November 28, 1875 in Oconto County to Rosenie E Rice                     d:                 3. George Arthur Delano                     b:  March 17, 1855 in Brookside, Oconto County, Wisconsin                     marriage: October 8, 1885 in Muskegon, Michigan to Anne Hamilton Hume [1860 - 1933, burial  in Brookside Cemetery, Oconto County, Wisconsin - 5 children]                     d: 1926                     burial:Thought to be in Brookside Cemetery, Oconto County, Wisconsin                 4. William Walter Delano                     b: November 3, 1856 in Brookside, Oconto County, Wisconsin                     b:  March 17, 1855 in Brookside, Oconto County, Wisconsin                     marriage: October 3, 1876 to Barbara Ann Alan [d: December 2, 1930, burial in Evergreen Cemetery, Manitowoc, Wisconsin; 5 children]                     d: January 26, 1951 in Manitowoc, Wisconsin                     burial in Evergreen Cemetery, Manitowoc, Wisconsin                 5. Cora May Delano                     b: May 11, 1862 in Brookside, Oconto County, Wisconsin                     d:                 4. Nancy Birmingham             b: February 8, 1830 in Antwerp Township, Jefferson County, New York             d: January 16, 1893 in Marinette, Wisconsin (Notes on Nancy Birmingham: Oconto County Reporter Feb. 10, 1893 Mesers. Jesse and George Birmingham went to Marinette to attend the funeral of their sister, Mrs. McIntyre, who died from the effects of a cancer, which had been twice removed. Mr. and Mrs. McIntyre came from New York state twenty-five years ago and made their home at Brookside until about a year ago, when they removed to Marinette, to live with their only son. They were liked by everyone here, and were known all through the town as Uncle Peter and Aunt Nancy.)         + Peter McIntyre - husband of Nancy Birmingham             b: November 30, 1831 in Lyme, Jefferson County, New York             d: January 21, 1919 in Janesville, Rock County, Wisconsin             burial: Oakwood Cemetery, Beloit, Wisconsin             child of Nancy and Peter:                 George McIntyre                     b: October 24, 1860 in Oconto County, Wisconsin         5. George Birmingham             b: November 16, 1831 in Antwerp Township, Jefferson County, New York             d: November 9, 1904 in Pensaukee, Oconto County, Wisconsin             burial: Bookside Cemetery, Oconto County, Wisconsin (Notes on George Birmingham: Youngest brother Nelson Birmingham, who struggled with mental illness his entire adult life, lived for decades with George and his family helping on the farm. In May of 1800 the house, barn and outbuildings of the George Birmingham family was completely destroyed by fire,. By September 1880 the house and barn had been rebuilt.)         +  Caroline (Lotte) Chase -  wife of George Birmingham             b: December 1835 in New York             marriage: 1856             d: (Notes on Caroline Chase: OCONTO COUNTY REPORTER May 28, 1881 Mrs. Geo. Birmingham has gone to Watertown, N. Y., to attend the last moments of her mother. )             children of George and Caroline:                 Lily M. Birmingham                     b: 1866                 Ora Luella Birmingham - 2 children                     b: February 1877 in Wisconsin                     marriage: November 7, 1897 Frank Gifford  in Oconto County, Wisconsin                     d:         6. Susan Birmingham  Joseph Edward Harris Sr. left to right Arthur Harris (standing), Joseph Edward Harris Sr., Lottie (Charlotte) Harris Pfifer, Edith Harris Slater, Elizabeth Birmingham Harris Grace Harris                      b: September 23, 1833 in Jefferson County, New York             d: December 8, 1894 in Manitowoc, Wisconsin             burial: Bayside Cemetery, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin (Notes on Susan Birmingham: Susan B. married the widowed father of her brother Jesse Birmingham's wife, Elizabeth Harris, whose parents were Joseph Edward Harris Sr. and the late Charlotte Shingelton)         +  Joseph Edward Harris Sr. - husband of Susan Birmingham             b: July 28, 1813 in London, Middlesex, England             marriage #1: Charlotte Shingelton (1810 - 1855) 1835 in England             marriage #2: Susan Birmingham             d: January 25, 1889 in Englewood, Cook County, Illinois             burial: Bayside Cemetery, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin (Notes on Joseph Edward Harris Sr. Joseph Harris, Sr., editor of the Door County Advocate, was largely responsible for the construction of the canal. In 1855, Harris arrived in Sturgeon Bay convinced of the need to construct a canal to connect Sturgeon Bay to Lake Michigan. He was able to gain support for the project by promoting its economic potential based on the collection of tolls from vessels using the passage. Joseph Edward Harris Sr., newspaperman, politician, b. London, England. He migrated to the U.S. in 1850, and to Wisconsin in 1855, settling at the present site of Sturgeon Bay. He held local offices in Door County, and in 1862 with Myron H. McCord (q.v.) founded the Door County Advocate in Sturgeon Bay. McCord soon left the paper, and Harris served as editor or co-editor (1862-1875). A Republican, he was state senator (1864- 1865), and for many years served as personal secretary to U.S. Senator Philetus Sawyer (q.v.). Harris was one of the chief promoters of the Sturgeon Bay and Lake Michigan ship canal which was completed in 1881. His son, ARTHUR TIMOTHY HARRIS, b. Sturgeon Bay, was for many years connected with the newspaper business. He worked as a printer from 1884 to 1910, and in 1910 was one of the incorporators of the Door County Publishing Co. This firm published the Door County Democrat, with H. J. Sanderson as editor (1910-1917). In 1917 the firm acquired the Door County Advocate (then edited by Frank Long), and in 1918 suspended publication of the Democrat. Harris was one of the contributing editors of the Advocate from 1918 to 1945. F. L. Holmes, et al., eds., Wis. (5 vols., Chicago, 1946); H. R. Holand, Hist. of Door Co. (2 vols., Chicago, 1917); Peninsula Hist. Re-view, 2 (2) 1928; Sturgeon Bay Door Co. Advocate, Feb. 2, 1889; J. Harris Papers.: Children with first wife Henry [Harry] Harris, Charlotte Elizabeth Harris Longmore, Joseph Edward Harris Jr., Edith Harris Birmingham )             Children of Susan and Joseph:                 Grace Harris                     b: August 10, 1864 in Sturgeon Bay, Door County, Wisconsin                 Arthur Timothy Harris                     b: January 30, 1868 in Sturgeon Bay, Door County, Wisconsin                     marriage: 1895 Harriet Cynthia Higgins (1870 - 1931) - 2 children                     d: Marcy 11, 1945 in Sturgeon Bay, Door County, Wisconsin                 Mabel Harris                     b: February 2, 1870 in Wisconsin         7. Jesse Birmingham             b: March 7, 1835 in Black River, Jefferson County, New York             d: November 27, 1904 in Oconto Falls, Oconto County, Wisconsin             burial:  Brookside Cemetery, Oconto County, Wisconsin (Notes on  Jesse Birmingham: "L. C. Delano was born at Oak Orchard in 1853, in a house that stood back of the present school house site. A plum tree planted in front of the dwelling still flourishes. It was the same year that Jesse Birmingham arrived in Oconto county."; Civil War Veteran 1863 - 1865, Private, Company L, 3rd Wisconsin Calvary;  Oconto County Reporter 4 May 1895 Jesse Birmingham of Abrams did business in Oconto this week. Mr. B.’s wife is a daughter of the late Hon. Joseph Harris of Sturgeon Bay, who was for many years the private secretary of Ex-Senator Sawyer; and by way of closer relationship, the second wife of Mr. Harris was a sister of Mr. Birmingham. She died last November. Mr. B. came from Door county to Abrams in the early 60s. )    Elizabeth Harris c: 1859         + Elizabeth Harris - wife of Jesse Birmingham             b: June 3, 1839 in St. Marys, Newington, Surrey, England             marriage: November 3, 1859 in Wisconsin             d: June 1, 1909 in Abrams, Oconto County, Wisconsin             burial:  Brookside Cemetery, Oconto County, Wisconsin             children of Jesse and Elizabeth:                 Dellan Irving Birmingham                     b: July 29, 1860 in Pensaukee, Oconto County, Wisconsin                     d: 1862 in Oconto County, Wisconsin                     burial: Brookside Cemetery, Oconto County, Wisconsin                 Bessie Elinor (Nellie) Birmingham                     b: December 19,1862 in Abrams, Oconto County, Wisconsin                     marriage: October 29, 1884 to Theodore A. Pamperin (1861 - 1957) in Abrams, Oconto County, Wisconsin - 2 children, Lyell and Arnold                     d: January 9, 1944 Green Bay, Wisconsin                     burial: Allouez Cemetery, Brown County, Wisconsin, USA                 Jesse Harris (Harry) Birmingham                     b: September 1, 1863 in Abrams, Oconto County, Wisconsin                     marriage #1: September 13, 1890 to Ida Rosencrantz (1866 - 1904) in Oconto County, Wisconsin - 3 children; Beatrice, Robert Bruce, Jesse H. Birmingham (Notes on  Ida Rosencrantz: Oconto County Reporter Sept 13, 1890 Married, at the residence of the bride’s mother, Sept. 6, by Rev. F. Roberson, Miss Ida Rosencrantz, of this place, and Mr. Harry Birmingham, of Abrams. They are both well known and highly respected. The best wishes of a host of friends go with them through the matrimonial journey.)                     marriage #2: 1909 to Marion Adelaide Taylor in Oconto, Wisconsin - no children                     d: February 1, 1936 in Cashmere, Chelan County, Washington                     burial: Cashmere Cemetery, Chelan County, Washington Grant C.  Birmingham Bennett Birmingham Bruce Birmingham                 Grant Colfax Birmingham                     b: June 20, 1868 in Abrams, Oconto County, Wisconsin                     d:  March 18, 1936 in Tacoma, Washington                     burial: Mountain View Memorial Park, Lakewood, Pierce County, Washington (Notes on Grant Birmingham: single: Oconto County Reporter April 5, 1901 On account of ill health, Grant C. Birmingham, formerly of Abrams, who served over seven years as railway postal clerk on a night train during the Spanish-American War in Military postal service and since then as a distributing clerk in Washington, D. C. has resigned his position.)                 Edith Rose Birmingham                     b: June 22, 1870 in Abrams, Oconto County, Wisconsin                     marriage:: July 20, 1898 to James F. McKeever (1866 - 1954) in Oconto County, Wisconsin                     2 children Donald and Robert McKeever                     d: January 24, 1953 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin                     burial: January 28, 1953 at  at Holy Cross Cemetery, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Notes on Edith Birmingham: Oconto County Reporter July 22, 1898 Wedding Bells at Abrams Miss Edith Rose Birmingham and James McKeever were married at Stiles by the Rev. Fr. Bally on Wednesday morning, at 10:30, July 20. ; James McKeever:  Milwaukee, public school teacher; 1953 lived at 3019 North Bartlett Ave., Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  )                        Bennett Irving Birmingham                     b: January 3, 1875 in Abrams, Oconto County, Wisconsin                     marriage: January 2, 1899 to  Lina L. White in Oconto County, Wisconsin - 1 child; Margaret Birmingham                     d: 1957                     burial:  Brookside Cemetery, Oconto County, Wisconsin                 Bruce Lindsley Birmingham                     b: February 14, 1878 in Abrams, Oconto County, Wisconsin                      marriage #1: July 28, 1905 to Carrie Marian Tuttle (1860 - 1908) in Muskegon, Michigan                     marriage #2:  Carrie Edna Plummer (1882 - 1967) in Chicago, Illinois - 1 child                     d:  March 1963 in Chicago, Illinois                     burial: Walnut Ridge Cemetery, Virginai, Cass County, Illinois         8. Solon Birmingham             b: January (or February) 27, 1837 in LeRay township, Jefferson County, New York             d: March  6, 1913 in Door County, Wisconsin             burial: Bayside Cemetery, Door County, Wisconsin (find a grave) (Notes on Solon Birmingham: Civil War Veteran Co. K; 1880 census, June 1st, age 43,  farmer living in Sevastopol, Door County, Wisconsin near brother Andrew; married to Angeline Holmes [nee ?]  age 29, born in Wisconsin, raising  5 step children all born in Wisconsin with the youngest age 4 years;  1900 & 1910: Census Sevastopol, Children of Solon and Angeline; Burton Birmingham July 1883,  Mabel Birmingham March 1891, Lura Birmingham April 1896; Oconto County Reporter - Feb. 28, 1880 Mr. Solon Birmingham from Carthage, N. Y. is hand shaking with brothers and sister’s here.)        9.  Nelson Birmingham             b: October 30, 1839 in LeRay Township, Jefferson County, New York             d: May 24, 1909 (Notes on Nelson Birmingham: He struggled with mental illness much of his adult life and lived many years of his life with his brother George and family in Pensaukee where he farmed. Due to the need for constant monitoring by the late 1870s and a fire that destroyed the complete house and farm of George in 1880, Nelson also spent years at Oshkosh Hospital for care and treatment as well as at the Brown County Asylum where he was found on the 1900 Census and continued to work in farming there. Nelson Birmingham may be buried in the old unmarked cemetery behind where that building stood.) Solon Birmingham Gravestone Brown County Asylum in 1892 It was demolished in 2013. Donald and Robert McKeever, children of James McKeever and Edith Birmingham