Learn about the remarkable men and the challenges that they faced while serving as sheriff in the early days of Fond du Lac during July’s History at Home program.
On Thursday, July 11 at 6 p.m. in the library’s McLane Room, local historian Tracy Reinhardt will recall the days when Fond du Lac was just a fledgling village and the duties of the county sheriff often seemed mundane. They had to live at the jail, and their wives had to feed the prisoners. Their main business seemed to be serving notices for bankruptcies and evictions.
The men were also from many walks of life, owning farms, saw mills, iron foundries and small businesses. One sheriff was a banker, and one sheriff was the Grandson of an English Duke.
In their brief, two-year terms in office, they experienced many events, including a visit by Buffalo Bill Cody, the arrival of 70 freed slaves after the Civil War, and the scandal surrounding the “Tin Soldier” monument at the courthouse.
Other notable incidents included:
• One sheriff had his arm amputated
• One sheriff had a son who opened all the jail cells before he ran away from home
• One died in office after only serving six months
Learn more about these remarkable men and the challenges that they faced while serving as sheriff in the early days of Fond du Lac during History at Home. History at Home programs focus on stories about the area’s past every month.
Watch this program either in person on July 11 at the library or watch from home via the library’s Facebook page at facebook.com/FDLPL. No registration required to view the program.
Fond du Lac Public Library operates two locations: the Main Library at 32 Sheboygan St. in downtown Fond du Lac, and the Allen J. Buechel Branch at 1139 E. Johnson St. near Festival Foods. The main library is open daily: Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. Chapter 52 Bookstore at 52 Sheboygan St. is open Monday through Wednesday from 2 to 6 p.m., and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., while the Allen J. Buechel Branch is open weekdays from 2 to 6 p.m., and weekends from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
For more information about any of these locations, visit fdlpl.org.
