History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 178

Author: Franklyn Curtiss-Wedge
Publication date: 1922
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1767

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Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

The Hammond-Olsen Lumber Co., Inc., is located at the corner of Cornell and Evans Streets, where the premises cover a full city block, with additional land along the' rail- road where are the coal sheds and other storage sheds. In addition to its extensive

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general lumber yard and fuel business, the company carries barn and other equipment. The business was established as a co-part- nership by the Hammond-Chandler Lumber Co. in 1910, was incorporated in 1915 with a capital stock of $100,000, and in 1920 was succeeded by the present company. E. S. Hammond is president, A. V. Olson, secre- tary and manager, and J. E. Rickerman is also actively interested. Ole Foss has charge of a branch yard at Sarona.

The New Idea Potato Machine Co. of Rice Lake was incorporated in 1918, with M. A. Paulson as president and manager, Christian Frederickson, the inventor, as vice-presi- dent, and R. C. Chandler as secretary and treasurer.

The company started operations on a small scale April 1, 1918, in a small one-story building. August 1 of the same year it moved to larger quarters. The present com- modious factory was occupied Nov. 1, 1919. An addition has since been built, so that there is now a floor space of something over 12,700 square feet. The company manufac- tures the New Idea Potato Graders and Con- veyor System and other appliances and equipment.

The Chippewa Falls & Northern Railway, now operated by the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railway, started run- ning trains to Rice Lake in 1882 and was extended northward the next year. The Rice Lake, Dallas & Menomonie Railroad Co., now operated by the Minneapolis, St. Paul & Sault Ste. Marie, was organized in 1893. J. E. Horsman, now of the Barron County Telephone Company, was the prime mover in the organization. The branch from Rice Lake to Cameron was built in 1894, the line from Barron to Ridgeland in 1900, and from Rice Lake to Reserve in 1901. Rice Lake was given access to still another region in 1901, when the Omaha built a branch from Tuscobia to Birchwood, and the next year extended it from Birch- wood.

Rice Lake was incorporated as a city in 1887. The first officers were: Mayor, D. M. Monteith; city clerk, F. M. Angel; treasurer, Ole E. Wangnild; assessor, George Collan; city attorney, William P. Swift. Aldermen -First ward, William Boehmer, Nelse Sher- vey; second ward, C. A. Gesell, H. Strehlau; third ward. August Boll, John Schneider; fourth ward, Henry Wilz, H. W. Drake. Su- pervisors-First ward, W. C. Miller; second ward, H. M. Hilliker; third ward, S. F. New- man: fourth ward, A. M. Olds.

The commission form of government was adopted in 1912. The council consisted of a mayor and two commissioners, who re- ceived a salary and devoted a part of their time to city affairs. Under this system there was a Library Board, a Park Board, a Board of Public Works, a Water and Light Board and a Board of Health appointed by the council. The Board of Education has charge of the schools and is elected direct- ly by the people. Late in 1921 it was voted to abolish the commission form of govern- ment, and to return to the old system.

The municipal improvements of Rice Lake consist of the waterworks, sewer system, electric lights, well-kept bridges and streets. a public market place, a beautiful park, and a public dumping ground. Its buildings con- sist of the city hall, the third and fourth ward hose houses, the park buildings, the electric works and the isolation house for contagious cases. In addition to its public school buildings, the city owns the Training School Building, the School for the Deaf building. It also owns the beautiful Car- negie Library building. Orchard Beach cemetery is likewise owned by the city.

The present city hall property, on the north side of Marshall Street, about half way between Main Street and the lake, was acquired at the time the city was organized. At that time a small lock-up was standing thereon. Thereafter from time to time pro- vision was made for the proper housing of fire equipment there. In the meantime the city rented from James Bracklin the upper floor of a building on the present site of the Odd Fellow block, and there the council meetings were held. After the "Courthouse Building," now occupied by the Barron County Training School, was erected, it was used for some years as a city hall. The contract for the main part of the present city building to be erected on lots 6 and 7, block 5, Lakeside addition, the site of the former lock-up and engine house, was let March 25, 1902, and work was at once com- menced. The large vault, however, was not moved from the "Courthouse Building" until 1905. The city hall is a large building of red brick, with offices and the fire depart- ment equipment on the main floor, and audi- ence and council chambers on the second floor.

The building now occupied by the Barron County Training School was erected by the city in 1890, and was to be presented to the county as a courthouse. But the county seat aspirations were not realized. So, as already noted, it was used for a while as a city hall. It has also been used as a High School and as a library, and has been de- voted to its present purpose for several years past. A jail, not far away, was also erected at the same time.

The Rice Lake Volunteer Fire Depart- ment was organized in May, 1889, with the following officers: Chief. J. Horby Butcher; assistant chiet, S. S. Morrison; secretary, F. H. Tuttle; foreman of hose, J. P. Schaaf; foreman of hook and ladder, Joseph Man- heim; engineer, D. W. McClench. The equipment consisted at that time of a Wat- rous steamer, "Rice Lake No. 1," a book and ladder truck, a hand hose cart, 800 feet of carbonized rubber hose, 200 feet of rub- ber-lined hose, and 1,000 feet of linen hose.

The waterworks and electric light system of Rice Lake date back to 1892. Long be- fore the city was organized, Knapp. Stout & Co. installed a few lights on the public streets, furnished the oil, and provided a lighter and tender. After the city was or- ganized, the municipality took over the duty of providing the oil. In 1890, W. H. Willard made a proposition to the city in regard to

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establishing a waterworks system, and S. H. Pierce in regard to establishing an electric light system. After extended negotiations a franchise was granted on July 12, 1892, to the Rice Lake Waterworks Co. to supply the city with waterworks and an electric light system. The waterworks were com- pleted and approved Oct. 29, 1892, and the electric current was first turned on for the street lights May 9, 1893. Jan. 13, 1902, the city voted to take over both systems. June 1, 1909, a contract was let with the Red Cedar River Electric Co., incorporated Dec. 24, 1908, by J. S. Crisler, Oscar Hooey, N. W. Bailey and N. O. Strand, to furnish the city electric power from its plant near the dam. This was the beginning of the twenty-four hour service in the city. In 1910, the con- tract was renewed for ten years. When the contract expired June 1, 1920, the city re- opened its own plant. In the meantime, the Red Cedar River Electric Co., which had been supplying power to the cities of Rice Lake, Barron and Cameron, was sold in 1916 to the Wisconsin-Minnesota Light & Power Co. This company is still furnishing the city power to supplement the power fur- nished by the city plant.

The city water supply of Rice Lake is obtained from a 6-inch well, 220 feet deep, 20 feet in the sand and gravel, 200 feet in sandstone, striking hard rock, probably granite or the Barron quartzite formation at bottom. The elevation of the surface of the well is 1,146 feet. The water level is about 15 feet below the surface. Private wells in the city are generally from 15 to 40 feet deep in the sand and gravel.

The White Way, consisting of four blocks of five cluster lights on poles of ornamental iron work, was installed by popular sub- scription in 1912. Main Street, which the White Way adorns, is a beautiful thorough- fare, 100 feet wide, extending the whole length of the city. Four blocks of the street were paved with creosote blocks in 1914. The sewer system, which extends through the principal streets of the city had its be- ginning May 6, 1910, when the first con- tract was let. The dumping grounds on the north side were acquired in 1909. The iso- lation house for contagious cases is a small dwelling purchased in 1920.

The market place had proved quite a con- venience to the farmers. It consists of a well-located open lot. A part of it was pur- chased from Nathan B. Noble Dec. 19, 1890, and a part from John N. Thorp, Aug. 8, 1905. Orchard Beach Cemetery was presented to the city in 1890 by James Bracklin. At that time lots were already owned by George Colan, C. J. Spaulding, Mrs. Wilson Ward, Mrs. Martha Haniel and others. In making the present, Mr. Bracklin stipulated that reservations should be made for the poor. for all ex-soldiers, and for himself.

The Rice Lake Park, about three acres in extent, is a beautiful piece of land, on the shores of Rice Lake in the center of the city. It is beautifully laid out with trees, shrubs and flowering plants, and has a most picturesque hedge. Cement walks make all parts of the park of easy access.

One of the beauties of the park is the artis- tic cement bandstand with pergola top. There is also a suitable drinking fountain. Several small buildings have been erected for the convenience of the public. The Rice Lake Park Association, now succeeded by the Park Board of the municipal government, was incorporated, Aug. 10, 1901, the incor- porators being James Robbins, E. L. Everts, E. Knudson, Sewell A. Peterson, E. N. Bowers, John C. Signor, O. M. Sattre, P. M. Parker, Charles F. Nunn and E. Hartel. The park was presented to the Association, by Knapp, Stout & Co., Sept. 9, 1901, with the stipulation that it shall revert to the owners if it is ever used for other than park pur- poses for two consecutive years. It was un- derstood that the park was to be improved within three years without expense to the city treasurer. Near the close of this period the Association had but $9.00 in the treas- ury. It was then reorganized with E. Knud- son as president, E. L. Everts as treasurer, and James Robbins as secretary. Mr. Knud- son took active charge and for the next few months devoted much of his time to park affairs. A celebration on July 4, 1904. con- ducted on an extensive scale, brought about $900. Other money was raised by means of ball games, entertainments and private sub- scriptions, until the sum of $1,300 had been gathered. Under Mr. Knudson's direction the park was improved, a dormitory erected, a fountain built, walks laid out and flowers and shrubs planted. Gradual improvements have since been made. The present band- stand was put up in the summer of 1920.

The first school in Rice Lake was estab- lished in 1874, in a Knapp, Stout & Co. building on the south side. Miss Emma Cheney was the first teacher. About the same time two private schools were taught, one by Mrs. Newton C. Abbott, in her home, on the southwest corner of Main and Hum- bird Streets, and one by Miss Anna Fisher, in a private home in one of the Knapp, Stout & Co. tenement houses near the com- pany store. The first schoolhouse was erected in 1876, on West Newton street, on what is now the "Omaha" right of way. This building was moved to Humbird street and used as a residence. It is now used as a woodshed by Paul Siem. The first teacher . in this building was James Barton. From there ' the school was moved to the old Knapp, Stout & Co. build- ing, erected for a courthouse, on the corner of Main and Messenger Streets, the present site of the Odd Fellow block. The brick building, now the First Ward School, was erected in 1880, and the same year, F. D. Ensign, of the River Falls Normal School, became the first superintendent. His wife had charge of the primary department.

Since Mr. Ensign the heads of the city schools have been: J. H. Gates, F. B. Hawes, A. J. Hogan, L. M. Roberts, C. D. Kipp, J. W. Creekmur, George McGregor, E. C. McClelland, H. A. Snowden, A. H. Cole, Leo C. Schusman, H. J. Steeps and E. S. Hirsch. The title of principal has been replaced by that of superintendent. Previous to this for some years, the title

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of superintendent had rested in a local man, appointed by the school board, and not actively connected with the teaching staff.

The school was under the district system of government until 1890, when an amend- .ment.to the city charter created a city board of education. The first paid secretary of the board was Sewell A. Peterson, at one time treasurer of the state of Wisconsin, and for some years a commanding figure here. . He was followed in turn by B. I. Bliss, F. B. Tomkins and C. I. Perry.

The present board of education is con- stituted as follows: Mrs. Katherine West (president), C. L. Perry (secretary), John Jacobson, John Johnson and Mrs. Josephine Moe.

The educational plant of the city now consists of a magnificent high school and four ward schools. In the first ward school yard, there is also a small temporary build- ing which is likewise used for school pur- poses.

The first high school class was gradu- ated in June, 1882. The members of the class were: Rosa Roan, . Rosa Washburn (French), Mrs. C. E. (Ruth Deery) Foote, Ruth Holbrook (Horsman), Kate Heller (Fitch), Augusta Peterson, Nellie Hathaway (McFarlane), William Whitaker, Milton Booth, Clarence Soper and John Tester. Of these Mrs. J. B. (Nellie Hathaway) McFar- lane, Mrs. J. E. (Ruth Holbrook) Horsman, and Mrs. C. E. (Ruth Deery) Foote are the only ones who live in Rice Lake at the present time.

Postal service in the logging camp days was in the hands of Knapp, Stout & Co., who had the mail brought from Menomonie with "tote" teams, and distributed to their loggers and other employes. In 1874 regular mail service was established, the trip being made by the carrier once a week from Me- nomonie, by way of Prairie Farm and Bar- ron. The following year, a semi-weekly service was inaugurated. In 1877 there was a tri-weekly delivery from Chippewa Falls. With the coming of the railroad in 1882, the village was provided with a daily mail.

When the regular mail service was 68- tablished in 1874, Dr. E. T. Whinnery, pio- neer physician, was made postmaster. He kept it in the Knapp, Stout & Co. store, lo- cated where the hide and fur house is now situated, south of the river and east of the street. Since then the successive postmas- ters have been: E. T. Bodington, Al. Lath, Julius Peterson, O. E. Wangnild, J. E. Hors- man, Peter E. Olsen and Dr. W. H. Dunn. Peter E. Olsen had the longest term, serving from 1897 to 1916. During his administra- tion city delivery was established, and six rural routes inaugurated. Dr. Dunn, who followed him, is the present postmaster. In 1922 he moved the office to its present loca- tion in the old Citizens State Bank building, southeast corner of Main and Newton streets.

Co. A, Tenth Separate Battalion, Wiscon- sin National Guard, was organized in 1898, With Captain E. K. Brayton, First Lieu- tenant Charles Beecher and Second Lieu- tenant V. H. Paradis in charge. in 1915

this company became the Machine Gun Company of the Third Regiment, W. N. G. In 1916 it was called to the Mexican border and spent several months there.

In April, 1917, it was called into service for the World War, and at first was sta- tioned at Superior to guard the ore docks. In September it trained at Camp Douglas, Wis., and then went to Camp McArthur, Texas, where it became a part of the 32nd Division as Co. A, 121st Machine Gun Bat- talion. The company went overseas in Feb- ruary, 1918, and achieved great distinction on the field of battle.

Since the war the company has been des- ignated as Co. H, 128th Infantry, and ro- mains a machine gun company.

Since its organization, the company has had the following captains: Sewell A. Peter- son, Herman Boortz, Frank G. Peterson, Dan. Remington, John McCullum and James Scolman. The following have served the company as lieutenants: Leslie Everts, Jas- per Olsen, John Holtz, Eugene Mattison, R. C. Peck, Robert Phillips, Ervin Hurlburt, Frank McCrank and Karl Holtz.

Besides the Machine Gun Company from Rice Lake, Barron County had an infantry company which was organized in July, 1917. for World War service. This was Co. F. Sixth Wisconsin Infantry, with Captain R. C. Peck, First Lieutenant Lee Boyden and Sec- ond Lieutenant Roy Aune as officers.

This company trained at Rice Lake and Camp Douglas, Wis., then at Camp McAr- thur, Texas, where they became a part of the 32nd Division, the larger portion of the com- pany being transferred to Truck Company No. 5, 107 Supply Train, and going overseas.

Eleven church edifices supply the religious needs of the people of Rice Lake. These churches are: Bethany Norwegian Luth- eran, Rev. O. M. Kleven, pastor; St. Joseph's Roman Catholic, Rev. A. J. Van Helden; Methodist Episcopal, Rev. C. E. Burdon; Presbyterian, Rev. L. F. Badger; Emanuel Swedish Lutheran, Rev. A. E. Bomgren; Evangelical Association, Rev. A. F. Wen- dorf; German Lutheran, Rev. Frits Wich- ser; Grace Protestant Episcopalian, Rev. M. B. Goodall; Church of God; First Church of Christ, Scientist.

Four other pastors reside here. Rev. J. E. Nord, for many years pastor of the Bethany Norwegian Lutheran Church and the founder of nearly all the Norwegian churches in this part of the state, continued to make this his home. Rev. J. E. Kundert, district superin- tendent of the Superior district of the West Wisconsin conference of the Methodist Epis- copal Church lives here. Rev. J. N. Mills and T. L. Hancock, retired pastors of the same denominations, also live here.

The Methodist Episcopal Church. In the year 1836, Rev. Alfred Brunson was trans- ferred from Pittsburg to the Illinois Confer- ence of the Methodist Episcopal Church and was appointed superintendent of the Indian Missions on the upper Mississippi. He took up his residence at Prairie du Chien, and from there made a number of interesting trips. In 1842 he was appointed sub-Indian agent for the Bad River band of Chippewa

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Indians of Lake Superior, with a station at La Pointe on Madeline Island. The usual route from Prairie du Chien to La Pointe was by way of the Wisconsin River, the Portage, Fox River, Green Bay, Lake Michi- gan, Sault Ste Marie and Lake Superior. But some English miners in the southwestern part of the state, wishing to go to the copper mines on Lake Superior, on hearing of Mr. Brunson's appointment proposed to him that they join forces, secure the necessary teams, horses, oxen and wagons and make the trip overland. There was then no road above Prairie du Chien. But the proposition was accepted and the trip made. The route fol- lowed by this expedition crossed the eastern part of Barron County. Mr. Brunson's nar- rative of the trip mentions a pipe stone quarry in what is now Barron County. There are three pipestone quarries northeast of Canton. Mr. Bronson therefore passed to the eastward of that village. Which side of the Chetek lakes the party passed is not known. From the quarry the course lay due north some ten miles to where they crossed the Red Cedar (Menomonie) River below Cedar Lake.

In 1856 the Minnesota conference was formed. In 1859 at the fourth session of the Minnesota Conference, held at St. Anthony, now Minneapolis, John Dyre was appointed Lo a circuit then known as Dunville and Menomonie, and largely consisting of what is now Dunn County.

He came to the outlet of Rice Lake in the summer of 1860. Just what route he fol- lowed is unknown as no mention is made in his narrative of any place until he reached what he calls "Grover's Camp," one and a half miles from the outlet of the lake. There he left his horse in the old lumber camp stable because the trail was blocked by fallen timber. From this point he pro- ceeded on foot until he reached the lake about half way to the outlet, where he found some Indian women fishing. He pursuaded these Indians to take him by canoe to their camp at the outlet where he found about twenty Indians, but no whites.

That same evening a French half breed who could talk no English took him back to "Grover's Camp." They arrived just at the beginning of a terrible thunder storm. Dyre had only a small piece of bread and butter for supper, slept on some old hay in the stable, and in the morning with no break- fast turned his face southward toward the nearest settlement on the Hay River, which was probably the Prairie Farm settlement.

He says that there had recently been a battle between the Sioux and the Chippewa near this settlement and that the battle scars on the trees were still visible. There he held service, the first of its kind in that settlement, and probably the first in what is now Barron County. The attendance was about thirty-five, and those present were "all attention". The congregation probably con- sisted of the Knapp-Stout employes at Prairie Farm, and the few settlers scattered near the county line to the southward.

Methodism probably came to Barron County chiefly through Chippewa Falls,

which first appears in the conference min- utes of 1849 as Chippewa Mission. From year to year the outpoints on this charge were steadily pushed northward, and were in turn replaced by separate charges. Van- Valle, fifteen miles northwest of Chippewa Falls was made a separate charge in 1868, and Bloomer in 1869. In 1874, H. H. Sliter was appointed to the Bloomer charge in the Chippewa district. When appointed he lived at Vanville. He preached more or less regu- larly at Rice Lake.

In the spring of 1875, Mr. Sliter resigned for personal reasons and the Presiding Elder, W. S. Wright, of Eau Claire, appointed William Galloway to succeed him. At that time services were held regularly by the Methodists, and occasionally by other de- nominations, in the old Court House, lo- cated on the present site of the Odd Fellow building at the corner of Main and Messen- ger streets. A Union Sunday school met regularly in the same building.

In the fall of 1875, the Barron County Cir- cuit was created, to which Mr. Galloway was appointed. During Mr. Galloway's service, talk of a Methodist Church building com- menced, but the building did not material- ize for some years. The "Methodist Society" apparently was organized in 1874, or prior thereto, but it appears impossible to fix the date accurately.

In these days the financial support of the pastor was a rather spasmodic effort, "dona- tions" and oyster suppers were familiar oc- currences, the usual charge being $1.50 a. couple. Sometimes the supper was preceded by an afternoon of sports, curling being a favorite game. In the spring of 1876 the Chronotype inquired "When are we to have that Donation Party"? The editor then went on to say: "Oliver Cromwell said: "The Lord is on our side, but we must have shoes.' Brother Galloway believes that he has the good will of all, and we know that he must have money."

In June, 1876, the Congregational Church was organized at Rice Lake. The Congre- gationalists and Methodists then alternated in holding services in "the hall", this giving Rice Lake a preaching service every week.

In the fall of this year, the Barron charge was transferred to the St. Croix District of which William Haw of Hudson was presid- ing elder. W. P. Hathaway was appointed to this charge, but in December was suc- ceeded by K. A. Fulmur of Prairie Farm. In January, 1877, the two churches joined in a three weeks' series of revival meetings. In April a choir concert was held in the hall, the proceeds to go toward a new organ. Tickets were $1.00 a couple and prizes were awarded. Later in the spring Mr. Hathaway resigned, H. C. Carter, also of Prairie Farm being appointed by the conference of 1877. In 1878 W. S. Taylor, and in 1879 J. H. Mc- Manus were respectively appointed to the Sumner Circuit which included Rice Lake. For several years, W. D. Atwater had been presiding elder but in 1881 he was succeeded by M. Benson, then of Hudson. At the same time the Rice Lake charge was created, con- sisting of several preaching stations.

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. In 1882, W. E. Robinson was appointed to Rice Lake. The superior charge was created replacing Rice Lake as the outpost of the church.

The reports of this time show no prop- erty at Rice Lake. The number of proba- tioners were thirty-one, and of full members seventy-three. The minister's salary was $500 of which there was a $lo deficiency. The benevolent collections amounted to $40 and the Bishop, Presiding Elder and Conference claimants apportionments were paid in full. The Sunday school continued Union in name but Methodist in fact, as were all the Sunday schools in the county.

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History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 178

Author: Franklyn Curtiss-Wedge Publication date: 1922 Publisher: Number of Pages: 1767

Author: Franklyn Curtiss-Wedge
Publication date: 1922
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1767