Henry Cleveland Putnam
Encyclopedia
Henry Cleveland Putnam (1832– January 25, 1912) was a philanthropist
and a lumber baron in the Chippewa Valley
of Wisconsin
, also serving as a member of the Wisconsin State Forestry Commission. In Eau Claire
he is called H.C. Putnam. He donated the land for the eponymous Putnam Park
in Eau Claire.
in 1832. As a young worker, he was first employed as a civil engineer by various railroads in New York and the South. In 1855 he moved to Wisconsin
, settling in Hudson
, where he did surveying and was connected with the North Wisconsin
and the Milwaukee and Prairie du Chien
railroads.
and Cornell University
.
Although his dream of a pool to monopolize the timber lands of the Chippewa went unrealized, Putnam acquired a considerable fortune through his promotions. He was a director of several lumber companies in Wisconsin, the Pacific Northwest, and Canada, was one of the founders of the Chippewa Valley Bank in Eau Claire, and was influential in several other businesses in the area. In later years he became a vigorous exponent of conservation.
to the city of Eau Claire, and gave a large sum of money to aid in the construction of the Eau Claire YMCA. Putnam Park, in Eau Claire, Wisconsin
, follows the course of Putnam Creek and Little Niagara Creek east from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
.
Philanthropist
A philanthropist is someone who engages in philanthropy; that is, someone who donates his or her time, money, and/or reputation to charitable causes...
and a lumber baron in the Chippewa Valley
Chippewa Valley
The Chippewa Valley was first inhabited by the Ojibwe Indians and settled by German and Scandinavian immigrants. The region also has a large Hmong community...
of Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
, also serving as a member of the Wisconsin State Forestry Commission. In Eau Claire
Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Eau Claire is a city located in the west-central part of the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 65,883 as of the 2010 census, making it the largest municipality in the northwestern portion of the state, and the 9th largest in the state overall. It is the county seat of Eau Claire County,...
he is called H.C. Putnam. He donated the land for the eponymous Putnam Park
Putnam Park
Putnam Park is a natural area owned by the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire. The park is located in the middle of the city of Eau Claire and follows the course of both the Chippewa River to the west and Little Niagara Creek to the east. Much of the park lies on the boundary of the Third Ward...
in Eau Claire.
Early life
Henry Putnam was born in Madison, New YorkMadison, New York
Madison, New York may refer to either:*Madison County, New York*Madison , New York, located in Madison County*Madison , New York, located within the Town of Madison-See also:*Madison Avenue, a north-south avenue in the borough of Manhattan...
in 1832. As a young worker, he was first employed as a civil engineer by various railroads in New York and the South. In 1855 he moved to Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
, settling in Hudson
Hudson, Wisconsin
Hudson is a city in St. Croix County, Wisconsin, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, its population was 18,937, making it the principal and largest city of the Minneapolis - St. Paul metropolitan area . The Hudson area however had a population of 39,713...
, where he did surveying and was connected with the North Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
and the Milwaukee and Prairie du Chien
Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin
Prairie du Chien is a city in and the county seat of Crawford County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 5,911 at the 2010 census. Its Zip Code is 53821....
railroads.
Logger and entrepreneur
Putnam came to Eau Claire on May 23, 1857, and eventually became a clerk in the federal land office there. Through his control of this office, Putnam became a powerful force in the Chippewa Valley pinery. One of the most successful land agents and promoters in the area, his knowledge of the Chippewa pine lands brought him the business of lumbermen like Frederick Weyerhaeuser and pinelands dealers like Henry W. SageHenry W. Sage
Henry W. Sage was a wealthy New York State businessman, philanthropist, and early benefactor and trustee of Cornell University....
and Cornell University
Cornell University
Cornell University is an Ivy League university located in Ithaca, New York, United States. It is a private land-grant university, receiving annual funding from the State of New York for certain educational missions...
.
Although his dream of a pool to monopolize the timber lands of the Chippewa went unrealized, Putnam acquired a considerable fortune through his promotions. He was a director of several lumber companies in Wisconsin, the Pacific Northwest, and Canada, was one of the founders of the Chippewa Valley Bank in Eau Claire, and was influential in several other businesses in the area. In later years he became a vigorous exponent of conservation.
Legacy
Noted for his philanthropies, he donated Putnam ParkPutnam Park
Putnam Park is a natural area owned by the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire. The park is located in the middle of the city of Eau Claire and follows the course of both the Chippewa River to the west and Little Niagara Creek to the east. Much of the park lies on the boundary of the Third Ward...
to the city of Eau Claire, and gave a large sum of money to aid in the construction of the Eau Claire YMCA. Putnam Park, in Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Eau Claire is a city located in the west-central part of the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 65,883 as of the 2010 census, making it the largest municipality in the northwestern portion of the state, and the 9th largest in the state overall. It is the county seat of Eau Claire County,...
, follows the course of Putnam Creek and Little Niagara Creek east from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
The University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire is a public liberal arts university located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, United States. It is part of the University of Wisconsin System and has an annual enrollment of more than 10,000 students...
.
Further reading
- Barland, Lois. The rivers flow on. Stevens Point: Warzalla Publishing, 1965.
- Bonham, Neil. The Givers: Eau Claire Philanthropists in the context of American trends. Eau Claire: Mcintyre Library-UW Eau Claire, 2009.
External links
- The Wisconsin Historical Society biography of H.C. Putnam