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GENEALOGY COLLECTION
I VyVILI ! TUDLIV LIDHART 3 1833 01052 8773
Lomo Marchetti
HISTORY OF MARATHON COUNTY WISCONSIN
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS
BY LOUIS MARCHETTI WAUSAU, WIS.
"History is Philosophy Teaching by Example "
PUBLISHED BY RICHMOND-ARNOLD PUBLISHING CO. F. J. Richmond, Pres. C. R. Arnold, Sec'y and Treas. CHICAGO, ILL. 1913
1480955 PUBLISHER'S PREFACE
The aim of the publishers of this volume and of the author of the history has been to secure for the historical portion thereof full and accurate data respecting the history of the county from the time of its early settlement and to condense it into a clear and interesting narrative. All topics and occurrences have been in- cluded that were essential to this subject.
The reviews of resolute and strenuous lives that make up the biographical part of the volume are admirably calculated to foster local ties, to inculcate patriotism and to emphasize the rewards of industry dominated by intelligent purpose. They constitute a most appropriate medium for perpetuating personal annals and will be of incalculable value to the descendants of those commemorated. These sketches- are replete with stirring incidents and intense experiences and are flavored with a strong human interest that will naturally prove to a large portion of the readers of the book one of its most attractive features. In the aggregate of personal memoirs thus collated will be found a vivid epitome of the growth of Marathon county, which will fitly supplement the historical statement, for its development is identical with that of the men and women to whom it is attributable. Sketches unrevised by subscribers are marked by a small asterisk (*) placed after the name of the subscriber.
The publishers have avoided slighting any part of the work, and to the best of their ability have supplemented the editor's labors by exercising care over the minutest details of publication, in order to give the volume the three-fold value of a readable narrative, a useful work of reference and a tasteful ornament to the library.
Special prominence has been given to the portraits of many representative citizens, which appear throughout the volume, and we believe that they will prove not its least interesting feature. We have sought in this department to illustrate the different spheres of industrial and professional achievement as con- spicuously as possible. To all who have kindly interested themselves in the preparation of this work, and who have voluntarily contributed most useful in- formation and data, or rendered any other assistance, we hereby tender our grateful acknowledgments.
Chicago, Ill., May, 1913.
THE PUBLISHERS.
5
EDITOR'S PREFACE
Looking back only seventy-five years, what change has been wrought in Wisconsin! This whole country from Fort Winnebago north was wild, unculti- vated, not one white man stirring the soil in all this territory north from the fort up to the Great Lake, and only a few white men in the neighborhood of the fort trading with the Indians for the pelts of wild animals. An immense forest stretched up all through the bigger part of the state. When we contemplate this situation and compare it with present conditions, the change is more remarkable than the change which took place in the prairies of the west, so romantically de- scribed in Colonel Roosevelt's book, "The Winning of the West."
It is the aim of the writer to give a narration of the causes which brought this change and to speak of the events in this interesting period of our state and county, and the lives of the pioneers, which rest now mainly in tradition. If he has in some degree succeeded in this attempt, he deems himself richly compensated for the work. He has lived in Wausau continually since 1867, coming here from his home city. Vienna, Austria ; he has seen Marathon county in its infancy and has grown up with it. He became early acquainted with the pioneers still living at that time, intimately with many of them; he speaks from the life in the mills, in camps and on the river from personal experience, and mingled with all sorts of persons in the pinery, including the farmers who had come to this county but a short time before. In writing these sheets he has drawn mostly on his memory, but is indebted to Mr. E. B. Thayer, who came here in the early fifties and for over thirty years has owned and edited a newspaper in this city, and who has a veritable treasure of historical facts and reminiscences at his disposal as well as a vivid memory, for valuable aid rendered him in the compilation of this book. He takes this occasion to express his gratitude to the still living pioneers, Levy Flemming, Edward Nicolls, John Dern and Jacob Gensmann among others, and all others who have given information, as well as to public officials, Mr. J. W, Miller, register of the U. S. Land Office, and county clerks, Messrs. King and Cook, for their courtesy in permitting examinations of public records. The narration of the expedition of George Rogers Clark is largely taken from the work of Charles C. Miller, Ph. D., of Ohio. The book is written as a fitting tribute to the noble race of the pioneers who should be held in grateful memory by succeeding generations, and if. in addition to that, it should prove of some assistance to future historians of this state, however slight, it is all that the writer expected to accomplish.
L. M.
Wausau, May 13, 1913.
7
CONTENTS
CHAPTER I
The Value of History-Marathon County a Part of the Old Northwest-The Ordinance of 1787-Conquest of the Northwest Territory-George Rogers Clark-Ownership of the Territory-Charter Granted by Louis XIII to French Merchants-The Search for Gold-The Fur Trade- Explorations-Missionaries and Missions. 21
CHAPTER II
The Indian Occupation-The Different Tribes Occupying the Wisconsin Territory-Present Indian Reservations-New York Indians in Wis- consin-Under American Rule-Negro Slavery in Wisconsin-Indian Wars-Lead Mining 36
CHAPTER III
Wisconsin as a Territory-Act of Congress Approved April 20, 1836-Popu- lation When Organized-Counties-First Lumbering on Black and Wisconsin Rivers-Attempts to Improve Navigation at Little Bull Falls-Railroad Charters Applied for-Constitutional Convention of 1847-Population in 1847-Admitted as a State May 29, 1848 The Public Domain 45
CHAPTER IV
The Wisconsin Valley-First and Natural Highway-Water Powers De- veloped-Drainage-Wisconsin River Improvement and Water Storage Reservoirs-Annual Precipitation-Physical Geography-Soil of Mara- thon County and Elevations-Minerals-Climate and Health. 50
CHAPTER V
Titles-Surveys-First Settlements 59
9
10
CONTENTS CHAPTER VI -
First Settlements (Continued) 67
CHAPTER VII
The Town of Big Bull Falls Organized-Marathon County Organized- Election of County Officers-First Term of the Circuit Court-Action of the County Board-New Commerce-United States Land Office Located at Stevens Point. 78
CHAPTER VIII
The Wausau and South Line Plank Road-First Issue of Bonds for Highway Work-The Mechanic's Ridge-Ball at Wausau to Celebrate President Pierce's Inauguration-Mike Rousseau's Band-The Finest House in Wausau-Change of Place of Supplies-Hon. George W. Cate-Mail Route from Ontonagon to Wausau. 91
CHAPTER IX
First Farming Settlements in the Present Towns of Berlin, Maine and Ham- burg-The Pittsburg Settlers' Club-Marathon City and Town-Town of Stettin-Little Bull and the Irish Settlement-Knowlton-Keeler- ville-The Village of Forestville. 99
CHAPTER X
The First Newspaper-The Steamboat-New Arrivals at Wausau-County Orders-County Commissioners-Hard Times I22
CHAPTER XI
The Towns of the Wisconsin Central Railroad, now Milwaukee, St. Paul & Sault St. Marie Railroad, and First Settlements-Tax Exemptions of Railroad Lands-Town of Rietbrook-Athens in 1879-Settlements on the Extreme South, East and West-Incorporated Villages and Railroad Stations I34
CHAPTER XII
War Times-Indian Scare-Railroads and Railroad Litigation-The Wis- consin Central Railroad Company-The Wisconsin Valley Railroad Company-The Lake Shore & Western Railroad Company-The Passing of the River Men-Lincoln County Set Off.
I47
11
CONTENTS
CHAPTER XIII
Timber Left in 1875-Farm Developments-Roads and Communications- Timber Lands in 1912-Schools-Court House and County Institu- tions-The Marathon County Agricultural Society-The Marathon County Bar.
166
CHAPTER XIV
Political History from the Organization of the County Until the Close of 1912. 191
CHAPTER XV
Senators and Members of Assembly 226
CHAPTER XVI
Population of Marathon County According to Federal Census, and Popu- lation by Towns-Roster of County Officials from the Organization of the County to 1912-1914. 243
CHAPTER XVII
The City of Wausau-As It Was as a Village from 1861 to 1872-Its Public Officials-Historical Events-The Flood of 1866-Fires-Wausau Fire Company No. I-Music Hall-Dramatic Clubs-The Social Life. . .. 256
CHAPTER XVIII
City of Wausau (Continued)-The Times from 1872 to 1879 280
CHAPTER XIX
The City of Wausau from 1878 to 1912-13. 293
CHAPTER XX
The Pioneer Schools-Common Schools and High Schools Up to 1912- Wausau Business College. 342
CHAPTER XXI
Religious Wausau-Churches and Religious Organizations-Y. M. C. A .... 352
' 12
CONTENTS
1
CHAPTER XXII
Financial Institutions-The First National Bank-The Marathon County Bank-National German-American Bank-Citizens' State Bank-Wis- consin Valley Trust Company-Marathon County Building, Loan and Investment Company-The Great Northern Life Insurance Company- Employers' Mutual Liability Insurance Company of Wisconsin. . 368
CHAPTER XXIII
Industrial Wausau in 1912. 378
CHAPTER XXIV
Commercial Wausau-Mercantile Enterprises. ... . 400
CHAPTER XXV
Wausau and Marathon County Press-Daily Record-Herald-Central Wis- consin-Wisconsin River Pilot-Wochtenblatt-Pioneer-The Sun- Philosopher Press-List of Papers Published in Marathon County .... 409
CHAPTER XXVI
Bench and Bar-Judges of the Circuit Court from 1850 to 1912-Present Members of the Bar.
416
CHAPTER XXVII
The Medical Profession-Physicians in Practice in 1912-St. Mary's Hos- pital-The Profession of Dentistry-Dentists in Practice in 1912- McIndoe Park-The Public Library-Hotels. 427
CHAPTER XXVIII
Military Organizations: Lysander Cutler Post, G. A. R., No. 55-Company G, Third Regiment Wisconsin National Guard-Fraternal and Benevo- lent Societies-Marathon Grove No. 20, Order of Druids-Secret and Benevolent Societies-German-American Mutual Sick Benefit Socie- ties-D. G. K. U. V .- D. A. U. V .- Deutscher Krieger Verein of Wausau. 438
CHAPTER XXIX
Music and Song-Bands and Orchestras-Societies for the Cultivation of Song- Harmony-The Liederkranz-Opera and Choral Societies-The
13
CONTENTS
Tuesday Musical Club-The Ladies' Literary Club-The Wausau Club- The Wausau Country Club. 445
CHAPTER XXX
Sports-Horse Racing-Shooting-Turn Societies-Base Ball, etc. 458
CHAPTER XXXI
Wausau in the Spanish-American War-Record of Company G, Third Wisconsin Regiment, W. N. G .- Patriotic Addresses-Presentation to Louis Marchetti-Roster of the Company. 462
CHAPTER XXXII
Incidents : Fires-The Flood of 1912-German Bi-Centennial Celebration, 1883-Stormy Session of County Board-Sheriffs' Adventures-An Atrocious Murder 473
CHAPTER XXXIII
Incorporated Villages in Marathon County-Historical and Descriptive Sketches of Marathon City, Mosinee, Edgar, Fenwood. McMillan, Athens, City of Colby, Unity, Scholfield, Spencer, Brokaw and Stratford. 489
CHAPTER XXXIV
Incorporated Towns in Marathon County-Historical and Descriptive Sketches of the Towns of Wausau, Weston, Mosinee, Texas, Marathon, Knowlton, Berlin, Stettin, Easton, Maine, Wien, Bergen, Hull, Brighton, Holeton, Hamburg, Spencer, Rio Falls, Rietbrook, Day, Johnson, Halsey, Cleveland, Eau Pleine, Kronenwetter, Pike Lake, Norrie, Eldron, Harri- son, McMillan, Emmett, Frankfort, Plover, Cassel, Hewitt, Ringle, Franzen, Bern and Flieth. 530
CHAPTER XXXV
Distinguished Public Men, Past and Present 580
Representative Citizens 635
INDEX
Abraham. Herman J.
889
Bryant, Dr. Jesse R. 972
Adam, Carl C.
977
Bump, Elisha L. 947
Albrecht, William, Jr.
945
Bump, Franklin E. 947
Alderson. V. A.
318 Burger, Joseph 880
Alexander, Hon. Walter
614
Burger, Mathias 880
Allouez, Father
33, 34
Burnett, Samuel D. 704
Anderson, E. J. 315
Butler, Dr. Edward F.
684
Anthony, Susan B.
277
Bache-Wiig, Olai 905
Cate, Judge
416
Baesemann, Gustav H.
695
Chartier, Frank E. 819
Baesemann, Henry
686
Chase, Eli R. 420
Bannach, John S.
966
Chellis, William R. 902
Barber, Dr. Joseph
701
Cherney, A. J .. 749
Bardeen, Judge
418
Chesak, Frank F. 860
Barney, A. B.
233
Chesak, John H.
873
Barnum, M. H.
235
Chesak, Hon. Joseph
230, 737
Barrett, C. C.
946
Chesak, Martin
873
Barwig. Hon. Charles A.
760
Clark, George Rogers
24, 30
Baumann, Richard
648
Clarke, Hon. John C.
63
Bean, H. A. 116
Clarke. J. C.
288
Beebe, M. P.
231
Bellis, M. G.
955
Cone, Clive S.
867
Belz, Hugo R. K.
680-
Cook, Alfred 236, 920
Bernier, Charles A.
906
Berres, Matthew J.
651
Crosby. Charles F. 228
Beyreis, Kurt A.
883
Cuer, William 118
Curtis, Cornelius S. 708
Bird, Claire B.
913
Curtis, John F 827
Curtis, Walter E. 839
Dablone, Father 33
Daniels, Dr. William N. 726
Davis, Thomas 963
Degner, Henry 660
Dellinger, Carl N. 755
Deichsel, Frank 929
Deininger. Louis 892
Bopf, Conrad 673
Delaney, Thomas F. 766
Borowitz, George W. 702
De Long, C. C. 759
Bowe, Michael 971
Demars, F. L. 117
768
Braun, John
741
Dern. Emil
807
Braun, Joseph 857
Dessert, Joseph
592
Braun. William
679
Dessert, Lonis
643
Brehmer, Oscar
700
Deutsch, Frederick M.
928
Brennan, Rev. Joseph J. 980
De Voe, Fred
772
Briese, Oscar H. 835
Doherty, David C. 683
Brown, Dr. Almon L. 724
Duncan, M. H. 325
Brown, Hon. Neal .421, 621
Bruneau, J. R. 117, 224
Edgar, Charles T. 836
15
Bissell, Walter H. .669
Blair, William
116
Blecha, Frank N.
961
Blecha, George M. 656
Blecha, Mrs. Josie 938
Bliese, Carl, Jr. 836
Blume, J. J. 715
Bock, Alfred 683
Boettcher, August
814
Bradfish, Frederick 788
Dern, Anton
Colombo, Joseph L.
707
Cook, Louis H. 920
Bielke, W. F.
913
Callon, William 673
.
16
INDEX
Ellenbecker, Henry
691
Hinton. Thomas 70
Erbach, William L.
769
Hoeflinger, Carl 286
Esselman, Herman B.
655
Hoffmann, F. A. 129
Hohmann, Emil R. 881
Fehlhaber, Albert J. 892
.
Fehlhaber, Otto G.
803
Fish. Dr. Edward C.
674
Hubing, Frank A.
840
Hudtloff. William E. 934
Hurley, Michael A.
SS4
Frawley, Dr. Ray M.
929
Freeman, Robert
116
Fricke, Dr. William A. 650
Fuller, Dr. C. O.
956
Johnson, Albert 894
Gaetzman, Frank J. 822
Gasper, Rev. Peter L.
918
Gassner, Frank
949
Gassner, Michael
950
Gebhard, Rev. A. F. H.
113
Geisler, Charles H.
975
Kanter, Joseph P. 732
Karas, Sigismund
979
Gensmann, Edward
890
Karl. Joseph
852
Gensmann, Jacob
763
Kaross. Otto B. 838
Gensmann, William E.
930
Keefe. Martin 705
Gilbert, Charles S.
745
Keil, Julius H. 911
765
Glass, Chester A.
758
Kellogg. Sen. John A.
227
Goerling. Charles N.
938
Kelly, Frank 771
830
Gorman, Edward P.
794
Gorman, Patrick
725
Kiefer, John
790
Gowan, William
86
Kieffer, Albert
827
Kieffer Bros.
827
Green. George G.
73, 764
Kieffer, Clement
827
Green, Jared R.
S40
Kieffer, John, Sr. 827
821
Gross, Henry
850
King, John 647
857
Klein. Rev. Bernard
667
Klimek, Matt J.
663
King. August
933
Knauf. Jacob
713
Knoedler, Adolph
891
Koch, Dr. Albert T.
786
Halder, George H.
863
Koehler, John H. 393, 738
Hall, Lewis H. 685
Koenig, Carl 948
Halsey, Pierson L.
969
Komers, John L. 813
Kopplin. Gustave E. 874
Koschmann, F. Bernard 864
Hamilton, General
26. 27, 30
Kraatz, Louis 943
937
Hanneman, Frank
748
Krause, Fred W.
728
Hanowitz, Harris B. 667
Kretlow, Edward C. 802
Harger, Charles W. 767
Kreutzer. Hon. Andrew L.
630
Harter, Dr. A. F. 703
Kreutzer. George A.
719
Heimann, Edward 809
975
Kreutzer, John W. 957
Kronenwetter, Sebastian 229
Krueger, Carl G. 910
Helke, Charles
977
Kryshak, Anton L. 860
Hennepin, Father 34
Knebler. John M. 863
Kuhlmann, Robert P. 693
Fehl, John 662
Holzmann, Charles
965
Hornung, Jacob, Sr. 723
Flieth, Herman G. SOS
Franzen, Christ 716
Jenkins, John H. 675
Johannes, J. Henry 649
Johnson. William R. 896
Jones. Granville D. 625
Jones. G. D.
423
Juers, Henry 742
Junkerman, Carl
776
Genrich, Fred W.
718
Gilbert, William 118
Keiner, Christ Jacob
Goetz. William F.
722
Kennedy, William P.
Kickbusch. Frederick W. 599
Gowen, Bert C.
792
Green, Dr. William A.
937
Kilian. Herman W.
Gront, A. H.
635
Grunewald, Gustav 906
Guenther, Leonhard 119
Haesle, John 708
Hahnheiser, Paul 830
Halder, Albert H. 690
Hamerle. Joseph
940
Hamilton, Clande F.
692
Hammond, Benjamin F.
781
Kranse, Carl
Kreutzer. Henry 690
Heinemann, Benjamin
Heinemann, Nathan 944
Heise, Julius 924
Henry, Patrick 25. 26
Holub, Adolph 664
Klecker, Victor
17
INDEX
Kurth, Frank
829
Kysow, Frank
927 Moll, L. H. 918
Laabs, Bernard F.
971
La Certe. Isaie A.
754
Mueller, Hon. Gustav
306, 800
Mueller. Otto F.
834
Muenchow, Otto
846
Lamont, Hon. John F. 326, 656
Nunes, Anton M. 671
Mylrea, Hon. W. H. 633
Lang, A. J. 782
Lang, Joseph, Jr. 907
Nablo, William H. 841
Langenhahn, Edward C. 850
Netzel, August C. 820
Nicollet, MI. 33
Lawrence, William T., D. D. S. 969
Leaby, J. E. 294
899
Leicht. George J.
935
O'Connor. Thomas 232
Okoneski, John J. 736
Olson, Olaf MI. 959
Osswald, Gustav A. 957
834
Patř, Jacob S54
Paff. William A.
895
Parcher, Hon. Robert E. 308, 823
Park, Judge 117
Paronto, Arden 928
852
Petersen, Albert M.
778
Peth, Charles H.
853
Pfeiffer. George
900
MeCrossen, Henry G. 721
MeEachron, H. E.
313
McIndoe, Hon. Walter D.
582
McKahan, James E., D. D. S.
799
McMillan Bros. 138
MeReynolds, Francis 637
Plowman. Arthur J.
240
Macaulay, Evan M., M. D. 826
Plumer, Hon. Bradbury G. 598
Manecke. Fred W. 849
662
Pradt. L. A.
423
Manser, John
750
Pradt, Hon. Louis A. 623, 964
642
Manson, John
316
Prehn, Edwin R.
746
Manson, Hon. John N.
933
Prehn, Fred
238, 746
Manson, Rufus P.
.301, 956
Prehn & Son, Fred 746
Priest, O. E. 116
Quade, Dr. Emile B. 780
Quade. Julius 681
Marson, Arthr R.
682
Quaw, Samuel M. 923
Marth. Frank 966
859
Mathie, Otto
747
Radloff, F. G. 973
Ramthun. Herman 837
Raymboult. Father 33
772
Menzner, Philip
695
Regner, Frank P. 735
Merklein, Carl
795
Re:d. Hon. Alexander H. 419, 602
Meyer, William
932
Reinhart. Charles 877
Millard, Burton
.86, 228
Reinhart. Martin 877
Miller. Hon. Henry 230, 641
Reiser. Joseph 317
Miller, Herman 237
Remmell Bros. 815
815
O'Conner, Frank P. 717
LeJessurier, John
86
Lemke, August
273
Lemke, August H., D. D. S.
750
Lemke. Carl
717
Lemke, Edward W.
714
Lemke, Otto C.
842
Lemke, William F.
925
Leubner, Oscar A.
951
Liljeqvist, Oran
747
Lipski, Morris
867
Lonsdorf, Ferdinand A.
734
Lneck, Gust 793
Lund, Christian 935
Philipp, Michael
692
Pierce, Walter E.
810
Pine, Edward L. 812
Pivernetz, Wenzel 672
Plisch, Robert 233, 824
Plumer. Hon. Daniel L. 293, 297, 609
Manson, Herbert H.
790
Prehn. Arthur W.
Marchetti, Louis
319
Marquardt, August F.
239
Marquardt, Herman E.
899
Marquette, Father
33, 34
Mayer, Charles B.
743
Means, Paris O.
954
Mehl, Anton 302, 801
Redetzke, Louis
Miller, John W. 311, 644 Remmell, Mathias
Mills, Guy A. 973
. Molter. Nicholas P. 897
Mnehlenkamp, Rev. A. E.
727
LaDu, Hon. Willis F. 238, 960
Lamer, Joseph
779
Landon, William C. 636
Larrabee, .Indge 416
Oby, Walter 720
Leak, Lonis C.
Osswald, Henry
Peschmann, Charles F.
Manecke, William F.
Mathie, John F.
Radandt. Edward J. 955
18
INDEX
Remmell, Nicholas
815
Single, Charles A. 70, 596
Rick, George F.
816
Smith, Brayton E. 861
Riley, James P.
967
Smith, Dr. Joseph F. 787
Ringle, Ernst
803
Smith, Dr. Seth MI. B. 940
Ringle, Gustav
724
Smith, Dr. Theophilus 758
Ringle, Oscar
241
Spiegel, Rev. William 815
706
Ringle & Schill 724
Ripczinske, Joseph 876
Stark, John 848
Ritger, Hon. A. 696
Stark, Thomas 119
Steltz, George A. 757
Roberts, David 117
Stevens, George .62, 64, 67
Rodermund, Dr. Arthur M.
796
770
Rosenberry, Dr. Abraham B. 942
Stewart, Hon. Alexander 5SS
Stolze, George 680
Rousseau, M. 96
Rowley, Jolin A.
638
Roy, Dr. Emile
657
Ruder, Henry
898
Runkel, George A.
974
Ryan, Thomas C. 915
Ryan, Thomas H.
917
Tess, Charles 782
Thayer, Engene B.
658
Sauerhering, Dr. Donglas L.
743
Sauter, Anton
871
Sauter, Ottmar 872
Schaefer, Fred G.
963
Scharbau, Louis
828
Tomkiewicz, Frank J.
744
Schewe, Carl
711
Schill. M. N.
724
Schilling, Francis X.
241
Schilling, O. George
878
Schirpke, John
638
Vandercook, Gilbert E. 236
Vedder, Dr. H. A.
901
Vetter, Anthony 858
865
Schlegel. Dr. Herman T.
978
Vetter. Jacob
865
Schlueter, August H.
753
Volhard, Henry 712
796
Schneider, Gust 953
Wagner, A. C. 694
Wagner, Joseph 835
Wagner, Mathew 909
Wahl, Dr. H. S. 756
Walker, William W. 727
Schubring, Eric
968
Warren, Hon. Clyde L. 652
Schubring, Fred, Jr. 785
Webb, Judge 418
Schubring, Henry 878
Weber, Ferdinand 791
862
Schubring, William
866
Weeks, John 120
Schuetz, Leo C.
775
Weinfeld, Charles 949
951
Schulz, Gottfried
664
Weinkauf, Edward G.
851
Schulze, Edward E.
732
Weisbrod, Charles
849
Schwister. Henry
735
Weisbrod, William J.
931
Seidler, John
941
Wendorff, Albert
845
Sell, John L.
668
Wendorff, Herman A.
875
Sell, William
703
Werbeim, George
234
Seubert, John
908
Widmer, Elmer D.
777
Seymour, Paul 890
Wiechmann, Fred G.
S47
Silverthorn, George 676
Wiechmann, Louis 838
Silverthorn, Hon. Willis C. 419, 607
Wilke, George H. 833
.
Ringle, Oscar L. 915
Stadler, Philip Stanton, Mrs. Elizabeth Cady 276
Ritter. Franz 769
Rosenberry, Marvin B. 868
Stolze, Paul F. 731
Strachota, Kilian
733
Stueber, John
965
Stuhlfauth, George 839
Sutter, John G. 648
Thielke, Dr. Gustav A.
958
Thompson, Henry M.
235
Tisch, Max L. 842
Toburen. Gustav 848
Tress, Otto
S28
Turner, Charles E. SS2
Turner, George F. 882
Schlaefer, John
893
Schlaefer, Nicholas J.
893
Schlegel, Ernest E.
833
Vetter, George
Schmidt, Hon. Nicholas .239. 645
Von Berg, Adam
Schochow, Gustav A.
812
Schoenherr, William J. 962
Scholfield, William B. 699
Schott, T. J. 952
Schubert, Frank 804
Schubring, Leo 970
Wegner, Charles H.
Schultz, Robert W.
777
Weinke, Julius
Ringle, Hon. John
613
Smith, Theophilus M. 661
Stevens, Grace M.
19
INDEX
Willard, Dr. Lee M.
979
Zaun, Dr. Henry H.
920
Willems, Joseph
851
Zemke, Carl A.
879
Wilson, Benjamin F.
939
Zemke, John G. 879
Winninger, Franz
931
Zender, Nicholas H. 884
Wright, Everett
978
Zielsdorf, Frank F. 811
Zilisch, Dr. William E.
926
Yawkey, Cyrus C.
627
Young, John P.
864
Zimmerman, Alfred H. 936
Zimmermann, Hon. Ernst C. ... 304, 323, 631 Zochert, Wilbur J.
822
History of Marathon County
CHAPTER I.
The Value of History-Marathon County, a Part of the Old Northwest- The Ordinance of 1787-Conquest of the Northwest Territory-George Rogers Clark-Ownership of the Territory-Charter Granted by Louis XIII to French Merchants-The Search for Gold-The Fur Trade- Explorations-Missionaries and Missions.
INTRODUCTORY.
History is a narrative of events, and of the life and acts of families, of tribes and nations, the study of which is of great value to the human mind, because by these recorded facts we judge of the past, and guide our future.
The first form of history is tradition, orally handed down from genera- tion to generation by uncultured people to whom the science of letters is still unknown; but as soon as savage tribes emerge out of that state, and learn to understand letters and thus acquire a written language, they also begin to write their history. The sculptured inscriptions on monoliths, ancient temples and monuments, which may be seen more or less all over the world, including our own continent. are the first attempts at written his- tory, and from those inscriptions so hewn into stone, we obtain some knowl- edge, scant though it may be, of nations and empires which have disappeared from the face of the earth and left us nothing to remember them by, except those architectural ruins. When writing became a familiar art, among learned men at least, it was not long before suitable material was invented on which to record the great achievements of men and nations, and history became written, from the_study of which we learn of the mode of life of nations, ancient as well as modern, their religion, their accomplishments, their uses and customs, their advance in art and science, and we learn of their progress and of their decay. 1
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HISTORY OF MARATHON COUNTY
The study of history is therefore a valuable attainment for any one, for all the world loves the study of Man. It may seem presumptuous to style a narrative of events such as occurred in Marathon county since its forma- tion, a history in the common accepted sense of the word, and the simple word "story" might perhaps better apply. There are no world-changing actions to be recorded in this book (so far as Marathon county is concerned ), no devastating wars, no act nor acts of men, who have, either as statesmen or military commanders, made a lasting impress upon our nation as a whole.
Nevertheless the people of this county are interested in knowing how, and when it was that it first arose out of the wilderness; who were the pioneers that hewed out a path to a territory where now 60,000 people (80,- 000, including Lincoln county, which was a part of Marathon county for 24 years) live in comparative comfort, nearly very family having a house or home of their own, most of them being the owners of extended and flour- ishing farms; they may wish to be acquainted with the character of those pioneers, with the hardships endured by them, their perseverance, their trials and tribulations, and their final triumphs over the forces of nature and adverse circumstances. People have eagerly listened to their tales, but little has been written down for the enlightenment of coming generations. The first pinery men have run their race, and they have almost disappeared from the stage of life, and even the ranks of the second generation are thinned in part by death, in part by removal. The tongues of the last of them will soon be hushed in eternal sleep, and it becomes almost a necessity, if we wish to preserve among us a fairly accurate picture of early life in Marathon county for the use of the present and coming generations, that the narrative, now mainly living in tradition, be put down in writing while a few of those pio- neers can still be consulted. This book is written with the intention to enable younger generations to see the county where they were born, and those who have come to live here, as it was in its original state, to enable them to see and understand the causes which have changed the grim, dark forest, majestic and forbidding though it looked, long supposed to be unfit for the habitation of the white man, because of its supposed unfitness of the soil for agricultural purposes, into the present state, teeming with culture, with commerce and manufactures.
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